Hotel Pandav Pachmarhi

... out the fare of Rs200 (less than £3.00) on a display board rather than try to overcharge us for the 12 mile journey. He then took us to two non-descript hotels before we asked him to take us to the Betwa Retreat. Our faces dropped as we approached the hotel as we just knew we couldn’t afford to stay there. Fortunately the price included breakfast and we were able to negotiate a discount so that the Swiss tent accommodation was ...

... to tell you about the sights, sounds and smells, the color, calls and curries, the textures, trills and tastes (I'm on an alliteration roll!) of this fascinating country called India, so I will give you a brief outline of our schedule over the next few days so you can be praying.

Nov 12 fly to Delhi; Emmaus promotional meeting in the evening
Nov 13 up early fly to Bangladesh via Kolkata (Calcutta)
Nov 14 visit various "stations" in Bangladesh where ...

... when she is interviewed for magazine and newspaper articles as well as on the train to the other team members. Daisy is 78 and still competing and still winning!

This conference is the first all India conference of RDs (Regional Directors) and LCs (Language Coordinators) of the Emmaus work. Jim and I have made two previous trips here encouraging the Indian brothers to use the courses and to form their own board and take ownership of the Emmaus work ...

... to be up wind from a garbage fire. I noticed that suddenly the voices got louder and that I needed to be careful where I walked. Then I realized...we were walking through an outdoor public toilet! With agile steps we made it and on the way back crossed to the other side of the street. When I had Jim's wedding band engraved "Whither thou goest I will go" I had no idea where that would lead me!

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Spent the last day or so in Agra, visiting the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort which were both amazing! The detail in these structures is just breath taking and everywhere seems to have such beautiful architecture!

I've now made it to see a Bollywood film in an Indian cinema...a very interesting experience where everything seemed to blow up, explode or include some unneccesary car chase!! Very funny though! The cinema experience included a torchwielding owner who clearly didn ...

... Their were a few unnecessary rucksack shoves sent to the man continually pushing his way in front.
Orcha means 'Hidden Place', which despite the Internet cafes and handful of day trippers and touts it almost is. A Rama pilgrimage sight known for it's Mughal sights people seem to stop for a few hours on their way somewhere else. Not me! I spent 3 nights here in a pleasant, little guest house where I was ...

While in this small village we stayed at the Ganpati Guest house. It was a clean budget option near the palaces. We then visited the Raj Mahal and Jehangir Mahal structures.These were homes to the Maharaja Man Singh and his decedents. They were the Bundela Rajas and ruled from the 16th century until 1783. These palaces were built along the banks of the Betwa River in Central India.

There are many organizations that require volunteers for international locations. One of the best places is Volunteer Match at http://volunteerabroadfree ...

... calm few hours taking in the stunning countryside views and the ruins dating back to third century BCE built during Asoka's reign and then added to over the immediate centuries. The site was rediscovered in early 19th century. There were a number of small stupas (domes) and a Great Stupa with four intricately carved stone 'gates' showing scenes from Buddha's life. Also at the site were monatries and temples. It was a great escape from the India of today. I then waiting at ...

... the differences between the West and India and hardship for even middle-class women, still needing permission to do anything and limited choice in selecting husband. Both of them are allowed to work but despite changing values (for better and worse) and increase in more 'loose' culture reflected through TV programmes, adverts, clothing - these women represented the majority of middle-class people who stuck close still to their religion and the family morals. The professor asked me ...