Vegetarianism anyone?

A day in Delhi:

Signs only seen in India

Well... maybe you would see this one in the South Bronx too. But there, if they catch you parking and you don't move fast enough, they'll break your arms too!

Delhi has a new metro!!! Sooo very exciting and easy to get around! Sexist or safety? You decide... but I'll take it!

INA Market



Tobi, this may be why everyone washes their rice 3xs here!!!

When I asked if I could take pictures of the slaughter area... one guy said yes... and all of a sudden a very angry guy started yelling "No!" I got a lot of dirty looks, then the glaring yelling man gave the gentleman that provided me permission a really hard time. When I anxiously said "no problem, no problem!" and started walking away, they called me back and let me take a picture of the live chicken only... it's too bad too, because I think I really could have converted a couple of you!!!! It also explained the smell I experienced when I first entered the market.



This guy wasn't afraid!

I really feel like I am back in India now!!!! Loving every minute of it! Glares and all! Until the next time : )

"What would you do?"

Subject:  What would you do?

Well! I am really here! The airline steward coming down the aisle warning people to cover their nose while he sprayed 4 cans of bug spray at the same time sealed it for me!  I guess coming through Bahrain airport with the women in traditional hijabs and men in thobes with smoking rooms and prayer rooms stationed frequently throughout the airport was a good indicator as well that I wasn’t in Kansas anymore! Soooo very exciting!  I missed Diwali, the festival of lights, by a day… but was able to catch the aftermath of the massive fireworks set off for the day. It was explained to me that Diwali is the celebration of good over evil and the firecrackers are set off to drive away evil spirits. Locals are all coughing for days after the festivities from all the smoke! But the city was beautifully lit up from the sky when I landed in Delhi.

I was very lucky to have 2 seats to myself on the plane to London, because A) It offered me the space to stretch out and rest and B) It provided me the opportunity to meet a new friend and remember the importance of cultural sensitivity when discussing matters of significance. The steward came to me and asked if a female passenger could join me because her husband was being quite belligerent…. In a brief amount of time she began discussing very personal matters about her husband’s behavior. She was tearing up telling me how she wasn’t sure why she was emoting with me because in her culture these things really weren’t discussed and that there was shame in being this expressive. As I assured her that it can often be more comfortable to share with a stranger than someone you know, she proposed that in her spiritual belief we all have god inside us and that perhaps the god in her was meant to meet the god in me.  She also described that in her culture divorce at her age (or any age for that matter) was really deplorable and life would be very hard for her if she decided to do this. She was planning on returning to India to connect with her spiritual community and family and friends to see if they could influence her husband’s behavior. “What would you do?” she asked. As I started to think of a therapeutic approach at reframing the question so that she would be in the position to answer it for herself… I decided she was really looking for a concrete answer…  so I said, that first off, she had to realize that my opinions come from a single white woman’s  westerner’s point of view and in no way could I ever really know the multiplicity of challenges she faced in making that decision… and a rich discussion ensued after this. In parting, she exclaimed, “a beautiful soul is leaving me now. I am very privileged to know you.” It is the beauty of these pleasantries that enhances my travel experiences and I am feeling extremely blessed to be initiating this journey in such a heart filled way.

Being picked up at the airport at a god awful hour and delivered to my friend Tobi’s apt is a treat beyond words as I try to acclimate from jet lag. Another wonderful blessing! So as you can see… magic is already happening.  Thanks for being a voyeur into this journey of mine… Hang tight! It has only just begun!!!!  On that note… if anyone would like to be taken off the group email list to inform you of postings… please let me know! 

Thanks for all your continued love and support!!!

PS. Please excuse any misuse of language or spelling mistakes especially given my sleep deprived smog filled brain at this time!

Big hugs! Jen

White flag!

Ok people! I am tapping out!!!! I don't think the google group thing is doing what I want it to do either!!! Are you as sick of this as I am? Soooooooooooooooooooooo I am going to send a big ole group message letting you know when I update my blog.... so please put my gmail address in your contact list AND send me to your safe list so that my notices don't go to your trash....

For gmail users: Add me to your contacts by choosing contact tab to upper left corner under GMAIL logo and mail tab. it may take a second to load. Then press "new contact" button. fill in my name up top and email below and it will automatically save it Then the extra step for saving me to your safe list is.....

Look for the small underlined tab that says "Create a filter" next to the Search the Web button above your blue text box on your email account (top/center).
In the "From" box type jenrothjen@gmail.com and push next step
Choose "never send it to spam"
And you are done!

For Hotmail:
Add me to your contact list: From your Inbox page... scroll all the way to the bottom and look to the far left colum under Sign out of messenger. Click on contacts. Choose the "new" tab. Enter my information and push save.

Then to add to safe list: Top right corner under your name and sign out tab.... click on "options" button. Then click on "more options" Then under preventing Junk email click on safe and blocked senders. Then click on safe senders. Type my jenrothjen@gmail.com into the box and push add to my list. And you are done.

Not sure how to do it with other email servers... but you can search your site by using the help button to figure it out. I don't think just adding me to your contacts is enough though.... Hope it works for you!

Sorry folks. This may be the best I can do without having to pay for a program. Hugs!!! Jen