Author Archives: Richard

  It’s been awhile since I wrote, I know. There wasn’t much going on in Goa, only hanging out with Beatrice, maybe wandering over to the village, and sitting in one of three places open to eat and watch sunsets … Continue reading →

Sometimes a like thought in a different language translates well literally. Beatrice’s translation from the German has had us laughing for days, for several reasons. In this case, there is even more truth in the saying than the simple English … Continue reading →

Hi y’all After returning to California for two months to take care of some business and see my family and friends, I’m back in India. I’ll post some pictures when I am in a place with high speed connection. Currently, … Continue reading →

Here is the picture of the Taj Mahal you are all acquainted with. You go in the south gate, and there it is. Most people walk around and in it for a couple of hours. This is what I did, … Continue reading →

  2500 years ago, the newly enlightened Siddhartha Gautama met up with a few of his ascetic friends who were shocked that he had given up self-denial as a means to transcend the human experience. Ascetism had been an unquestioned … Continue reading →

Every time I think I’ve seen enough of India, someplace or something comes along that reminds me why I like this country. It is full of surprises. I went to Varanasi in a very blase’ mood, counting the days till … Continue reading →

I’ve had a couple of miserable travel days in the last week, but they have been worth it. A 12 hour combination train and two bus rides got me from Bhopal to Khajuharo. Khajuharo was the capital of an Indian … Continue reading →

After killing hundreds of thousands in conquering Kalinga in the 3rd century BC, Emporor Ashoka foresook violence, embraced Buddhism, and built many temples. The grandest complex was at Sanchi. There are a couple of intact stupas, which are just monuments … Continue reading →

I took the 32 hour train, two nights and one day, to Bhopal because I wanted to go to Sanchi, where there is temple complex built by the first great king of much of India, Ashoka, in the 3rd-2nd centuries … Continue reading →

   I went through Tranjavur (Tanjure) and Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) on my way to Madurai. There are nice temples in those places, and it broke up what would have been another grueling all day government bus ride. Also, I caught a … Continue reading →