Golden Landscape

The amber fields in Wisconsin offer a warm glow in contrast to the green corn and hay fields. Next week, the tranquility of these fields will be replaced by the chaotic India streets.

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Finishing Touches on Kolam

Finishing Touches on Kolam, originally uploaded by melissaenderle.

Finished a color pencil drawing of a young woman working on a kolam (rangoli).

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My Mother's Backyard

Gardening and flowers has always been a passion of my mother's. Now that she is retired, she devoted even more time to tending her many gardens and pond nestled around their house in Wisconsin. This coming Tuesday, her efforts will be featured in a garden walk. Congratulations, mom!





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Theresa, Wisconsin

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Victoria Terminus Interior

After admiring the exterior of the Victoria Terminus Railway building, we ventured inside. As expected, the architecture here was also admirable, filled with lots of details. 

Being as it was only around 8am on Sunday, the platforms weren't as crowded - much to my pleasure. I can't imagine how dense the crowds would be at peak times.

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Peacock Window

The elaborate Victoria Terminus building also has some beautiful windows, such as this one with a peacock design above it. Very appropriate, as the peacock is the national bird of India.

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Victoria Terminus Dome

The Domed structure on the Victoria Terminus building is particularly pretty. Standing on the top is a massive statue of the female figure Progress, holding a spoked wheel and torch.  Note the many gargoyles protruding from the sides, just as in many Gothic cathedrals.

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Victoria Terminus Building, Mumbai

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus, is one of the busiest railway stations in India. Built in 1887 in a Victorian Gothic style, this structure is to be admired for its beauty as well as how it manages to serve so many people every day. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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I'll Have That on Ice

In steamy Mumbai, it's imperative that just-caught fish be cooled down quickly. To transport the fish throughout the city, they are placed in baskets, including these woven ones. Not sure I'd want to carry a loosely woven basket of fish & ice on my head in a hot climate....

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Making Breakfast the Big Way

This man was busy making breakfast in the area of Mumbai where fish were being packed with ice and distributed. No doubt those porters and fishermen had drummed out a healthy appetite. 

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Like Old Times

While visiting a village south of Jodhpur, India, I captured this shot. These two farmers slowly strolled along, engaged in a cordial conversation. Perhaps they were discussing about one of farmers' favorite topics - the weather. Regardless, I really like it how even busy farmers take the time to meet w/ each other while enjoying tea.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Jodhpur, Rajasthan India

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Head of Fish

Early in the morning in Mumbai, you can find people walking at a brisk pace, carrying bowls of fish on their head. The fish have just arrived from the sea and scooped into bowls, along with some ice. It is up to these people to take the fish and get them to destinations around Mumbai in a timely manner. This man was walking towards Victoria Terminus.

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JD Intarsia on Etsy

This week I helped my dad set up his entrepreneurial venture on the website Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/jdintarsia . On this site, you will find the intarsia pieces that he and my mom have made. Intarsia reminds me of puzzles made of carefully assembled pieces of different types of wood. All colors are from the natural grains/colors of the actual wood. Take a look!

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Adam's Building

Being that Chennai was a mere fishing village until recent history, it has few buildings that could be considered old. Located in the older Georgetown area of Chennai, this building dates back to 1923. I like the decorative wood trimming (which reminds me of the hanging mango leaves you sometimes see over doorways) and balcony.

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An Electrician's Nightmare

Take a walk through congested areas of most cities of India and you're bound to run into electrical installations or add-ons that are scary - and of dubious legitimacy.

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Taking a Cow by its Horns

Maneuvering your cow through the crowded streets of old Georgetown in Chennai can be rather tricky. 

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