Visakhapatnam, Conference, Research, Friends

To view a larger image, select one of the sizes beside the image thumbnail.

640
full

When we arrived at the Palm Beach hotel in Visakhapatnam, we were pleased to see the name was not an exaggeration.
640
full

Lefty and Ed sharing the streets with two-wheelers, cars, and cows.
640
full

Powerful women. Lefty at the conference with Sangeetha Menon, standing, and a couple other contributors. The lady on the left is from Auroville.
640
full

We took a taxi with Mario and Julie to a splendid temple a few miles from Vizag. As usual, the Indians were fascinated with us, especially Lefty.
640
full

A closup of the temple carvings. The larger figures are about life size. They are all unique, though canonical and traditional.
640
full

By this time we have been blessed in a temple ritual. And this pleases the Indians too. Nice smiles.
640
full

This Buddha is at the entrance to an archaeological park with ancient ruins of a large Buddhist monastery.
640
full

Indians love color, even in their temple decorations. This was a small but beautiful temple on the shore near popular beaches.
640
full

Even the food is colorful. This is one of a long series of Chat stalls, outdoor fast food purveyors, next to a huge and modern store in downtown Vizag.
640
full

These folks are storekeepers too, on the street. Most like to be in our pictures, and have lovely smiles.
640
full

Visakhapatnam (aka Vizag) is one of the cleanest and nicest cities we visited. That is partly because most of it is new: 50000 to 2 million population growth in 40 years.
640
full

Not all that modern, however. Water buffalo and herdsman in a very nice section of town.
640
full

Walking along the same street, the Bougainvillea are prolific and as always, richly colorful.
640
full

By chance we met Suneetha and her husband Srikrishna and their two children, just around the corner from the Bougainvillea.
640
full

They invited us to stop for a visit at her parents' home. We had some exquisite tamarind rice, and a chance to experience a little "at home" in India. These are their beautiful children.
640
full

Lefty, Lynne, and I went to to Kailash Hill park and walked about among the hundreds of Indian families enjoying a beautiful day.
640
full

India has a remarkably diverse religious life, and mutual respect is practiced. This is a wall in a beautiful monument to all religions.
640
full

Hinduism is by far the biggest religion, and it has some of the biggest gods in town. This is Krishna and maybe Radha (but don't quote me).
640
full

Ganesha is most everybody's favorite, and he's everywhere. Lord Ganesha is the god of good fortune, prosperity, the best things in life.
640
full

The subtle blue of this Devi temple is a nice backdrop for several colorful gods and goddesses. There are six or seven sisters in the story here.
640
full

Our host in Visakhapatnam was K. Ramakrishna Rao, who has a remarkable collection of classical Indian paintings and sculptures.
640
full

Back at the hotel for a lingering look at its beautiful swimming pool. A sign said it was open from 6 to 10 am and 5 to 8 pm, but we did as the Indians do and ignored this strange schedule.
640
full

Near a hedge outside the dining room, we found a different sort of guest. I think this is an iguana.