What used to be a blog about experiencing the places and cultures of the world has morphed into one of living in my adopted home of Wyoming.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Kathman taking a drink
This is not really a spectacular shot - many cats like to drink from running water. What is surprising about this shot is that, moments before, I just learned - completely by accident - that my camera had a built-in flash. My excuse for not knowing was that my owner's manual for this relatively new camera was lost in one of my international relocations. So, thanks to a new download and 147 page print job, I learned the happy secret of the hidden flash.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Friday Surprise
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Saturdy Wandering
Saturday, August 05, 2006
A Taste of Culture
This photo is of a Guatama Buddha statue. Yes, Buddha.
“But I thought this was a Hindu festival…!?”
Well, you’re right. This used to confuse me when visiting Hindu temples as well. A Nepali friend explained it for me though. When Siddhārtha Gautama was an insulated prince in Kathmandu, he was a Hindu of the Brahmin caste, as was his family. Suspecting that there was a lot more going on in the world than he was able to see and experience isolated within the palace walls and princely life, Gautama struck out to experience the real world as a monk. In doing so he came face to face with the harsh realities of caste life, poverty, and injustice, which set him upon a course of wandering and meditation to make sense of it all, prior to reaching enlightenment in India after a series of challenges. At that point he opted to return to the world at large and teach meditation skills so that others could attain enlightenment. There are some later Hindu teachings that indicate Buddha was an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu in an attempt to trick demons, so it's not as simple as I've laid out here, but you get the gist.
At any rate, my Nepali friend Sushil explained that Hinduism and Buddhism are intricately intertwined as a result. I don’t think that’s as obvious anywhere in the world as it is in
It was great to see the festival, the wares, sample the food, visit the temple, and enjoy several performances. For a few more photos of the day's activities, click here.
Get Your Fresh, Hot, Dosas!!
Henna tattooing
Shrine by Numbers
The Eagle has Landed!!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Kathman at Rest
Dead, baby, Dead.......
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Photo Tuesday post: CARS!
Friday, July 21, 2006
Photo Friday.......Common
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Aww, Kryptonite!!
Last shot of Columbus......
Well, I did manage to snap a photo of the Book Loft, a great (if clausterphobic) independently-owned bookstore in the old historic Germantown section of Columbus. The 32 rooms of books was an accurate claim, the only problem being that some of the 'rooms' were closet-sized, and god help you if there was another person in there browsing. You'd have to tango to retrieve a book from the shelf. Or worse, if you were trying to find the exit, had to walk through a closet-sized room that was already occupied by a shopper! But I managed to pick up yet another stack of books to read.