SO LONG NEPAL AND THE DWARIKA HOTEL
Initially Buddha Bubs remarked he would have preferred the Hyatt down the road. We did have lunch there and it is quite lovely but no way does it compare to the unique layout here at the Dwarika.
And guess what, Bubs ended up changing his mind and being very happy in fact we did stay here.
The staff was excellent as well. I enjoyed exploring all the archetecual detail.
Bubs enjoyed reading the paper in the library.
Who's burried in Grant's Tomb?
Late afternoon flight to Kolkata...AKA Calcutta, India- after not being picked up at the airport per the plan and being chewed on by blood sucking Indian mosquitos for an hour and a half due to standing outside waiting for our car and not being able to go back into the airport due to security we can safely say Bocahita became a little testy. Hoping the bar at the Oberoi will be waiting for us!
INDIA
India, the 7th largest country in the world and in population second only to China- almost a billion people. Prehistoric sites date back to at least 250,000 BC!!! Holy Moly! The long rich history is deep and vast so let's take it from the Great Mughals. This dynasty ruled India over 300 years- these great patrons of literature, architecture and arts and crafts reached new heights under their patronage. The Mughals (like their contemporaries the Ottomans of Turkey, the Safavids of Iran and the Tudors of England) were powerful and influential. They were blenders of Islamic and Hindu traditions. The decline of the Mughals occurred around 1647 and pretty much ended with the death of Emperor Aurangzeb- the last great Mughal- in 1707. The grab for land and power was the precursor for what we have today...but not befor the Europeans set up trading factories and acquire land and fight numerous wars. Remember those groups to include the Portuguese, French, Dutch and English. Ultimately, the English were the victors- hence the English East Indian Company. The company's control extended over much of India and obtained them vast profits. By an act of Parliament (and the Indian Mutiny) in 1858 the Company's rule ended and its Indian territories became part of the British Empire- to be ruled by a Viceroy (I thought that was a cigarette). A few good things came from this act- the political unification of the sub-continent, introduction of Western education, a network of railways and a centralized admin system. I guess it beats a poke in the eye. 
This National movement grew under the leadership of Mohandas Gandhi. His great charismatic appeal and identification with the poor (unlike my pal Mitt) converted the freedom struggle into a mass movement. And in 1947 (the year of the Buddha Bubba's birth) the era of British rule ended and the new nations of India and Pakistan were born. Leading to a war between Pakistan and India....and in 1948 Gandhi was killed by a Hindu fanatic who felt Gandhi favored Muslims. And along comes Nehru (I love those jackets) who laid the foundation for modern India.
And don't forget how Bangladesh got in the mix- way to go Indira Gandhi (Nehru's daughter) which brings us to today- a whole lot of Bollywood! And of course the revolution establishing India as the American Express lady I get to talk to...
First stop Calcutta and since 2001 currently called Kolkata- the Bengal pronunciation of its name. Once the capital of Great Britans Indian Empire. The capital moved to New Delhi in 1911 and the urban decay of the 1960's diminished the city of it's former affluence hence the need and rise of my favorite Indian citizen Mother Theresa and the main reason for my visit as well as meeting Sister Nectaria, an Orthodox Nun who runs a girls and boys orphanage.Remember I taught you about the Yin and Yang awhile ago......and besides it's Valentine's Day- something sweet for my sweetie! Indians love celebrations and their year is filled with celebrations- will we be here for one? Lots of fasting and feasting- making Bocahita feel right at home. We are here for the Basant Panchami- the first day of spring. Buddha Bubba- don't forget to wear a yellow shirt! Bocahita is more interested in Vasantahabba- honouring the Goddess of Learning and Wisdom. Bubs- I need a new shirt for that one! We love traveling with Annie. She's a go with the flow, Astrology, AUM and Bowl kinda gal.
And one of Bocahita's goals is to attend an Indian Wedding- shout out to family and friends- do you know anyone getting married while we are here?
And I loved this when I clicked on my Google:
Google.co.in offered in: Hindi Bengali Telugu Marathi Tamil Gujarati Kannada Malayalam Punjabi
