Sun dials…….
We each stood by our astrological sign. Maddux was born on October 23rd (on the cusp of Libra and Scorpio.) He seems way more like a Libra, to me, but this monument said he was a Scorpio.
Jesse is also a Scorpio, Emerson is a Virgo, Lennon is a Leo and I am a Capricorn.
Monthly Archives: April 2013
Janta Mantar- science in action!
Need to catch a train to Varanasi (the Ganges) – but wanted to post a quick photo of the Taj Mahal
Our trek to Monkey Temple
We hiked up to Monkey Temple. Emerson was freaked because she was sure that I was going to get attacked, get bitten, get rabies and die. She was still recovering from the monkey mob from the day before at the castle. We made it and we learned how to fight off monkeys from the woman in these pictures. She lives up at the top and is the temple caretaker. She says the monkeys drive her nuts! She has to pick up rocks to threaten them and waves her arms while screaming and growling at them. While we were talking to her, a little guy snuck up and ran away with one of Lennon’s shoes. She went running after him, he got scared and threw it down. At night there is a leopard that keeps the monkeys away- that is when she gets some peace and quiet.
Jesse took these photos while standing in the middle of the street
Our tuk tuk driver said you need three things to drive in India:
1. A good horn 2. A good break 3. Good luck.
He also said women can’t do it because it’s too hard. Lame!!!!!!
He asked me what I did for a living and I told him I take care of my family. He said, “Oh! So you are the Home Minister!”
A view from the Hawa Mahal
The view is not that stellar, but the wives had to deal because that’s all they had. They were not allowed to go outside.
The Hawa Mahal- Palace of Breezes
The Hawa Mahal is all facade- an elaborate palace exterior with nine hundred and fifty three windows and nooks and crannies everywhere. Behind this facade are no buildings – it is a maze of corridors and resting points. The royal women of the zenana used to peek out and see the city, or watched processions passing down below. The design also trapped the breeze, that is how it got the name “Palace of Breezes”.
The City Palace in Jaipur- the public was not allowed to go inside. Bummer!
Our wonderful tuk tuk driver Amar Singh
He helped us out so much in Jaipur and even hooked us up with his best friend and fellow tuk tuk driver in Agra. Nice, good, trustworthy people are the best! Amar also enjoyed a few games of UNO with us!





































