VIDESH YATRA. BHAGA-7 (concluding part)

VIDESH YATRA. BHAGA-7 (concluding part)

Atmiyare,

My Videsh Yatra is being concluded here as Videsh Yatra Bhaga-7.After having seen all the places which I narrated in my last six parts and having stayed in US for 2 months, now I feel that I want to share my inner most feelings with you which are hidden in my heart; I strongly feel that I should open up my feelings before you. Mind without thinking; heart without feeling & life without sharing is of no use. Isn't it? As I told you in my first part, truly I never dreamt that I would visit America in my life. When I have been bestowed with this, according to HIS wish, how can I not express my thanks & how grateful I should be to HIM. To beget good children one should have a good luck. It is all our purva samskara(runanubandhena rupena pashu patni suta aalaya) Now, let me put it this way : I did not visit and see America, but my daughter showed America to us. Am I correct? Even now I remember those days when my daughter on completion of her B.E, expressed her wishes to continue her higher studies in America, I was lost in thought for a moment. "Is it possible for a middle class person like me to take up such an endeavor?" I became quiet for few days, but she continued her pursuance. At last when I started thinking seriously about it, my mind jumped in to my student days. It was the same position. I was standing in front of my father pleading him for my higher studies i.e. M.A. in Economics at Manasa Gangotri in Mysore. Those were very hard days. When I came to know it would not be materialized, my desire was crushed and probably was deeprooted in my subconscious mind. Now… when my child was standing before me with the same plea, my hidden desire rushed out; I thought "at that time, really my father was not in a position to continue my higher studies. But now, I am placed in a much better position by HIS grace, why shouldn't I heed to her request; at least by raising loan from a Bank." I made up my mind to send her to pursue her higher studies. My wife also encouraged me. Where there is a will; there is a way. Few of my friends & relatives came forward and helped me. Can I forget them in my life? A great writer & poet Dr. G.S.Shivarudrappa says, " Enitu janumadali enitu jeevigaligenitu naavu runiyo; Bagedu nodidode baalu embudidu runada ratna khanio." On her part, my daughter took it as a challenge; she worked very hard & completed her M.S. (Computer Sc.) in distinction. After this, she didn't return but searched for a job here as she was fully aware of her responsibility. She is self-determined, very challenging, courageous & a good girl. She cleared off the loan within a short span. Now this is the 6th year of her stay in US. Really we are very proud of her. We feel very happy in seeing her being happy with her husband. Our whole hearted blessings to them. Let them be happy in their entire life…… Many things we have to learn from the West, especially their cleanliness, civic sense & honesty as I have observed. In my previous parts, I have quoted some examples for these. They have cultivated the habit of throwing any wastes in to the trash (box kept for the purpose) wherever they go. I didn't find person spit on roads or in any public places. If any person (pedestrian) crossing road, they stop their vehicle at the distance & then move. While walking with their dog, its waste should also be cleaned up & dropped in the box meant for that. They maintain cleanliness in public places including restrooms. One thing that impressed me more is, honesty shown by them in shops or malls. Anybody can enter malls with their bags like vanity bag or bag with the things already purchased some where else. They need not keep them in counters as we usually do here. They take trolley or basket, collect things whatever they want going around in such big malls. There will be no watching or checking as such and though they have chance to cheat, they wouldn't do that. They come in queue to counter with their trolley and check out after paying bill. Even self checkout is also there. They teach all these things to their children. Can you imagine this in our country? They don't bother/ interfere about persons around them unless their help is required. Most of them take good food with high calories & very much concerned about their health. I wouldn't say all 100% will be like Satya Harischandra. Rather I am telling you of the majority. Those who do not follow rules will be fined & punished. But one thing, they are very much scared of cops (police). In cities like New York, it is just like our Bangalore particularly people about road sense. There is a proverb in Kannada "Kosha oodu; Desha suttu. " How meaningful it is!! Really we gain much by reading & travelling in & around the country. It gives lot of experience & it enriches our knowledge. There is certainly a change in our personality. During week ends we used to visit different places around. But I want to tell you how we were spending our remaining week days. Of course, every morning my daughter and son-in-law used to go in different directions for their work till evening. What we three have to do? It is well equipped house; carpeted floor, dish wash, oven, electric stove, stored milk in the fridge, washing machine & dryer and what not. Absolutely there was no work. For any parents who visit foreign to see their children, they have to face this. Some times they may get bored.This is a common problem. Since this is a village, very silent atmosphere having greenery around.(Don't imagine our countryside village) We used to have a very sound sleep. Whatever disturbed sleep we had at Bangalore due to choultry & noisy vehicles, was compromised by a good sleet here. We used to get up little late in the morning. I know Yoga (I learnt it for 8 years from my father-in law who was Yoga teacher & my Guru.) I was doing that in the morning for 1 hr daily. My wife used to spend some time in cooking, arranging kitchen things in their right places, in preparing Rasam powder, chutney pudi, cleaning the different kalus & beles etc., younger daughter in her studies for 2nd year degree & chatting and mailing over Laptop to her friends & relatives in India. Those were the election days in Karnataka and I was keen about the day-to-day developments. I used to read kannada & English news paper through internet. With everything available online, as there is no need for system of supplying news paper every day morning to anybody's door steps here. I used to share these matters with my family members &used to play carom during late evening. sometimes my wife & daughters used to go for shopping. For a long time we had not been to Theatres to see movies. Can you imagine how many pictures we might have seen here by playing DVDs? See here is the list below: KANNADA: Akasmika, Shruti Seridaga, Makeup, Dvipa, Priti Prema Pranaya, America-America, Narada Vijaya, Kanchana Ganga, Pakka- Chukka, Vasanta Gita, Holu Bari Holu, Supar Nanmaga, Yardo duddu yallammana jatre, Appu HINDI: Ramji Londonwale, Om Shanti Om, Nayak, Sarfarosh, Pukar, Ham aapke hein koun , Ham hai raahi pyar ke, Jab we met, Salam Namaste, Baazi TELUGU: Bommarillu, Varsham, Manasanta Nuve, Sankaraabharanam, Nunostanante Nen odduntana, ENGLISH: Sixth Sense, Casper, Honey I blew up the kids, Cliff Hanger, Tarzan, Snakes on the plane etc…… One thing I felt very bad is, I had visited 2-3 Indian stores and Temples here and at Pittsburg & at New Jersey where kannadigas are more. In these places, CDs on literature, songs & films are available in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi & even Malayalam, but for my surprise, rarely CDs are available in kannada. What a unfortunate thing!! If there were to be any demand & pressure or even little efforts from the kannadigas here, this situation wouldn't have arisen. ….. While coming over here I had brought some books of my interest to read, like Dattatreya-The Way and the Goal. By H.H.Jayachamarajendra Odeyar, transalated to Kannada by S.Venkatachalapathi. This is not the life story of Dattatreya but a spiritual book quoting shlokas & mantras from Veda, Upanishads, Geetha & puranas which included Jivanmukta Geetha & Avadhuta Geetha. (2) Know your Reality- by Swami Virajeshvara. (3) Beyond Birth And Death- by Swami Prabhupada.This reading really helped me to know more about Adhyatma…. In the evening, we used to go for walking daily towards different directions with camera on hand. It helped us in two ways. One is we acquainted ourselves with new communities (areas), another is daily walk is good for health. By the way, I want to tell you about our visit to IKEA, Potomac Mills- a big Mall here in Virginia on 21st Saturday & to National Zoo at Washington DC on 22nd Sunday .In IKEA, we saw different models of every section of the house. By seeing these models of kitchen bedroom bath etc we could get an idea of how best we can utilize the space and arrange our house in a given space. Every item kept in the model is tagged and has a name and place as to where it is available in the store. Anything that catches our eye or of our interest and well with in our budget, we can note down the name and place where it is available in the product list that is kept ard here and there in the store. We can also pick up paper tapes to measure Really it gives a lot of ideas for apt arrangement of our home. We did some shopping at Potomac mall. In National Zoo, animals are not in good numbers. Of course, maintenance is good. The reson to it is the extreme weather conditions all year around and its difficult to maintain them. Our Mysore Zoo is better than this so far as conservation of animals are concerned. We are leaving here on 1st July and with only 4 days ahead for our return to India, we have decided to perform Sri Satya Narayana puja on 28th Saturday. I pray that LORD to grant you all health, wealth & happiness.. On Sunday we would like to spend together at home as all these week ends we were running around to see places. Whatever I may appreciate, but there is no social life here. Yarige yaro purandhara vittala. Compare to India, the social setup is entirely different here. After 18 years children are not dependent on their parents. In our marriages the bridegroom takes an oath that " Dharmecha, Arthecha, Kaamecha Na ati charami. But achieving Moksha it is one's own efforts. Our system, our bondage – Adhikara, Kartavya & javabdari, our values to life can not be expected here in the same way. Of course, my stay here is very short. I haven't gone deep in to the western culture. If a westerner visits India he may appreciate many things and point out so many drawbacks of us. No end for that. We have to accept good things on either side. Better I conclude this with the Rig Veda mantra as under:

"AANO BHADRAH KRATAVO YANTU VISHVATAHA"

( Let us keep our windows wide opened. Let noble thoughts flow to us from all directions of the world.)

"Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTIHI"

I have expressed my summarized opinion in this bhaga 7 of Videsha yatra. Let me know your comments about this. I will be eagerly waiting for your reply

Yours,

Krishnamurthy.K

26 /06 /2008

VIDESH YATRA: BHAGA-6 (VISIT TO NEW YORK CITY ON 13TH, 14TH & 15TH JUNE’08)

VIDESH YATRA: BHAGA-6 (VISIT TO NEW YORK CITY ON 13^TH, 14^TH & 15^TH JUNE'08)

Hello Namaste,

I know you are waiting for my Videsh Yatra Bhaga-6. See, it is here. Please read and respond. On Thursday the 12^th June'08 evening we started our journey to New York by Train. Train journey in USA is also a new experience to us. They are all electric Trains run by Amtrak Company and they run at minimum 130Kms speed per hour. Distance to New York City from here is nearly 400Kms which will be covered by Train just 3 hrs. We boarded the Train at 8.30Pm & were supposed to reach there by 11.30Pm.But for our bad luck; it stopped on the way after one hour journey due to mechanical problem. Of course, comforts in the Train including Restrooms were fine. Absolutely there is no smell in the Railway Station as the wastes from the Restrooms (Lavatories) are not allowed to fall on the railway track. The system is to collect it in box kept there & to take it to somewhere else to dispose. There is elevator facility to move up and down in the station. No shops or Tea stalls on railway platforms. Just think a moment about our Railway stations & lavatories in trains. We were delayed by 3.00hrs & reached Metro park station by 2.30 night. Mr.Deepak, my brother-in-law took us to his home at Edison, an area in New Jersey.

          On 13^th morning (Friday) we went to see New York City; first to the famous Empire State Building, a world's tallest skyscraper, an icon that endures as New York's proudest achievement of the 20^th century. It is having 106 floors, but admission is only up to 102^nd floor (1st stage is up to 86^th floor Observatory ($29) & 2^nd stage is up to 102^nd floor for which separate $15 ticket is required and it is sold only in the Empire State Building. We viewed the whole city around from the 86^th floor observatory. Really it is one of the most breath-taking view and a view of a lifetime. Day time it is a thrilling experience to the endless expanse of geography. I want to tell you something about the fascinating facts of this building. The area of the building is nearly 2.66 acres. This building construction was completed in 1 year & 45 days, employing as many as 4000 men per day, working 7 days per week, at a completion rate of 4 1/2 stories per week.& it was inaugurated on 1^st May 1931.Structural composition of the building is 60,000 tons of steel,10 millions bricks,2.5 million feet of electrical wire,120 miles of pipe,1000+ miles  of telephone cable,6500 windows,1860 steps and 73 elevators operating at the speed up to 1400 per minute. Actual construction cost is $ 41 million. For interior decoration & artistic designs rare marbles were imported from Italy, France, Belgium and Germany. Renovation costs over the past ten years are $ 100 million.

        Next we went round the city by bus on guided tour. The cost per head is $ 40. It was hop-on & hop-off. The guide was giving beautiful commentary on each of the place/ building. we saw Flatiron Building, Macy's square Garden, Greenwich Village, China Town/ Little Italy, City Hall, Brooklyn Bridge, Battery Park, Wall Street Center (Financial District: world economy vibrates here, we took snaps with the metal big bull here) Manhattan Bridge, World Trade Centre site (now it is called Ground Zero), (seeing this site we felt sad as to how these world tallest buildings were crashed down in a wink of eye on Sept 11^th   of 2001. Now they have started to construct the 2 buildings in the same site much taller than the earlier one and will be completed by 2012.) We also saw United Nations building,  Rockefeller Centre , Central Park ( here we got down and had a view of the park by a horse chariot .it is 843 acres of beautiful park where many movies like HOME ALONE, SERENDIPITY etc have been shot.) The important museums in this city are American Museum Of Natural History, Guggenheim Museum, The Metropolitan Museum Of Art and The Museum Of Modern Art. In the evening we went to visit Madame Tussauds – Wax Museum where statues  of famous personalities from all over the world in the field of Science, Art, Music, Sports, Politics, etc have  made in wax and they look as if they are very much alive there . We took snaps with Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Dalai Lama, John F Kennedy, George Bush, Einstein, Princess Diana, Opera Winslet, Hillary Clinton, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, etc. after this we spent time in famous TIME SQUARE of NY city where we were simply mesmerized by the dazzling and flickering lights all over .This is the city which never sleeps .The big streets , varieties of shops, the gigantic buildings with colorful lights ,with overwhelming crowd we were stunned for a moment whether we were in the AMARAVATHI OF LORD DEVENDRA . Also we went to see the TOYS' R' US in this Square where innumerable toys of different varieties had been displayed and this is a big toy shop stop for kids of all ages. There we saw a model of Dinosaurs which was of 5 tons, 20 feet high, 34 feet long which rocks its head, roll its eyes, even swing its mighty tail with an awesome roar. We were thrilled to see this and caught some snaps of that gigantic scary animal. By 11.00 pm we went back to Edison getting down at Metuchen Railway Stn.

        Next day on 14^th our plan was to visit the Bridge Water Temple, a 30 minutes drive from New Jersey (Lord Venkateshwara Temple) I don't know why Lord Venkateshwara is main deity installed in all the cities we visited. By 11.30 we had been there in the Temple. Of course, all most all deities of Gods are there as usual in other cities in order to please all kinds of devotees coming over there. I offered my prayer for self & for family members and friends for their good health & bright future. We had our south Indian food like Puliyogare. Masala Dose, Menasinakai Bonda & Mosaranna.  Next we came to Princeton (N J) to see Deepak's under construction house. It is being constructed with all the facilities required therein. It is in a good locality surrounded by greenery. Look wise also its very nice. It is almost in completion stage .Don't be under impression that he is constructing a bungalow. In US all houses are alike. They will not allow to construct a house as we like according to our whims & fancies. There are only five or six plans at a maximum with the builder allocated to the community. This is done to maintain the uniformity and look of the community. We have to choose one & construct accordingly without any deviations. Base will be solid with concrete & the remaining structure will be only by wood. (Whether one is rich or poor, there is no discrimination.) For construction of such houses also the cost comes in crores.It is not a joke to construct a house in US. It is one's life achievement. We felt very proud of him & happy to see his house. We blessed him full heartedly.

       In the evening we went to OAK TREE ROAD. Do you know the speciality of this? It is all dominated by Indians. All shops, hotels, gift centers, bunks etc here are run by Indians having name plates in Indian style. There we went to the Bombay Chats Center and ordered for sevpuri, panipuri, dahipuri, veg. spring roll & fried rice and that was our dinner for the night & that's the end of the day.

      Again on 15^th it was an unforgettable day for us since we planned to visit that day the Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty having a ride in HUDSON river which very closely joins the great Atlantic Ocean. We had booked for this on online in advance & from N J we went there by 12.00 Noon. As soon as we reached there rain started pouring down & it continued for more than 45 minutes. We worried a little as to we would  miss it. But luckily it stopped and we rushed to ferry. It was a nice experience to sail in that big river. Hudson River separates the New York & New Jersey creating common boundary for the both. First we went to Ellis Island, a beautiful island to see. To say some thing about this island, you know that America is always a nation of immigrants and this Ellis Island is considered as its greatest symbol of immigration. In 1808 Fort Gibson was built here on this island for coastal defense From 1830 & onwards immigrants began to arrive in U S in larger numbers from Ireland, England& Germany. At that time Castle Garden (now Castle Clinton) was the immigration center. Subsequently, immigrants in large numbers from Scandinavia, Italy, Russia, Austria, and Hungary began to arrive in US. In 1892 immigration station opened in this Ellis Island. After a thorough inspection including medical test & only on clearance, immigrants were used to allow in US. Some 12 million immigrants are said to have come through this Ellis Island. When this immigration station was destroyed by fire in 1897, it was rebuilt & opened in1900. During 1^st & 2^nd world wars period the enemy aliens were detained here. In 1954 this was closed permanently and in 1965 National Origin Quotas was abolished & this Island became the part of Statue of Liberty National Monument. In 1990 the restored main building opened as an Immigration Museum. we visited the museum here. After our lunch, we got in to Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty Island.

       One more beautiful & fantastic structure is the Statue of Liberty which was proclaimed as eighth marvel of the world in 1880s and was setatop in its pedestal in 1886. The height of the Statue is 151.01 feet (Height from the ground to the top of Torch is 305.01 feet.) Length of its nose itself is 4.6 feet. Just imagine its gigantic structure. It is welcoming people from all over the world for the last 122 years. It stands for freedom & democracy. The idea of this monument of liberty is of Mr.Edouard de Laboulaye, a French Intellectual. We were allowed to go up to the base of its feet because we had purchased the monument pass way ahead of time.( From 11^th September incident onwards it has been restricted to go up to its hand torch.) From the base of the statue we viewed New York City, harbor, Manhattan & Brooklyn bridges, Ellis island and New Jersey etc. Really it was a thrilling experience. We spent there till late evening & returned to Edison for our backward journey that day night at 9.30 by Train.

        This is all about my Videsh Yatra Bhaga-6. I stop here as all members are getting ready for dinner now. Wait for my next and last Bhaga i.e. Videsh Yatra Bhaga-7 with Upasamhara. Till then take care .Bye. See you.

 

Yours,

Krishna murthy.K

      

       

       

VIDESH YATRA: BHAGA-5 (LURAY CAVERNS & CHARLOTTESVILLE)

VIDESH YATRA: BHAGA-5 ( LURAY CAVERNS & CHARLOTTESVILLE)
7TH JUNE 2008
 
Hi….  Hello……&….Namaste…..
Here is my Videsh Yatra: Bhaga-5 for you. As I told you, this Saturday i.e. on 7th June '08 we went to see the famous Luray Caverns at Luray, a place in Virginia. It is natural caves. Before going there, my imagination about these caves was it may be just like rocky caves as I have seen in BADAMI (Guhantara Devalayas) – monolithic caves, caves at Chandavalli, Chitradurga or caves at our famous HAMPI & there will be small entry with thick darkness where we have to walk few yards with a candle in our hand etc... Like that. But when we reached the spot you know, my whole imagination was uprooted!! The outside area was so developed with open grasslands, beautiful gardens, fountains, Information Center, Gifts center, Restaurant, Rest Rooms ,Sign boards etc really I astonished to see that the very spot itself. Entry fee is $ 26 that includes Maze Play in the specific garden (it is like chakrabandha entering one side & coming out the other end avoiding so many blocking ways in between).After entering through check in gate, we went stepping down towards the caves.Oh!! what wonderful caves they are .white, red ,black, blue & greenish formations with dripping drops from them. I was dumbfounded whether I was thrown to Pataal Loka or Nag Loka depicted in our Legendary. It is one hour guided tour deep into the caves nearly 1 ½ mile on walk all through. The walking paths are made of gripped tiles along with railing wherever required & sufficient lighting arrangements at exact and appropriate places.  Very fantastic.We were told that most caves consist of a layer of limestone, a mildly acidic mixture of water and carbon dioxide for over million of years. All coloration in the caves is natural, caused by the mineral content of the seeping ground water. White is the color of calcium carbonate in its pure form. Other elements absorbed from the soil and rock layers create impure form of calcite. Reds and yellows which dominate are caused by iron and iron-stained clays. Black is the result of manganese dioxide, blue and greens are the result of solutions of copper minerals. There are many factors that shape and mould these fascinating formations. Some of those factors may be rate and direction of the seepage, the amount of acid in the water, the temperature and humidity content of a cave, the influence of air currents, the effects of above ground climate, the amount of rainfall and the density of the plant cover. We saw the Dream Lake, Saracen's Tent, Wishing Well and the world's largest musical instrument (The Great Stalactite Organ) locatepd in the Cathedral in the caves. It was surprised to know that marriages are held here.
      These caves are discovered by Andrew J.Campbell & Benton P. Stebbins. Regarding these caves, the Smithsonian Institution report of July 13 &14,1880 comments "…..it is safe to say that there is probably no other cave in the world more completely and profusely decorated with stalactite and stalagmite ornamentation than that of Luray." The Encyclopedia Britannica devoted an unprecedented page and a half to the cave's wonders. I think you will be amazed to see the two-three photos of the caves. Rest of the things about the caves I will explain in person.
      Vegetarian Burger in a Restaurant was our lunch that day as no other veg. eatables were available there. Sometimes to gain something, one must be lose something("kuch paane ke liye kuch khona padta hai"). Remember this always.
     Next we went to a place of strawberry Farm for strawberry picking. Our son-in law's friend Mr.Harsha and his wife Mrs.Aruna joined us on the way. That strawberry picking was very nice. It was a Farm of 4-5 acres strawberry grown area. Of course, there are other farms of cherry, litchi, kiwi, pear, peach, apple &others along the side. The owner's stall was nearby. Usually entry to the Farm will be $ 2 so that one can enter the Farm & pick and eat as much fruits as he can; it's all free. But the fruits he collects in the Basket & brings out should buy at $ 2 per pound. That day for our surprise the entry was free. We entered the Farm with baskets with watering mouth to pick & eat strawberry fruits. I went to the middle of the field to pick big size fruits but tell you I dint eat not even 10 -15. Since it was too hot that day, we couldn't remain there for long time and returned to the stall with collected fruits & bought 2 pounds for us. Really we enjoyed picking strawberry & took some snaps.
    Then we went to Harsha's home which is located in the city called Charlottesville (pronouncing as sharletsvil) After taking some rest, we had Uddina vada & Tea and went out to see the city. This Charlottesville is said to be a rich men city. The 3rd ,4th and 5th Presidents of US  i.e. JAMES MADISON ,THOMAS JEFFERSON and JAMES MONROE are from this city whose life size statues are installed there in memory of them. We had a round in the famous big bazaar and had gelato an Italian ice cream. We had a nice dinner of Bisibele bath & Mosaranna in Harsha's home and started our journey back to Virginia.
     This is all about Bhaga-5.Our next visit is to New York & New Jersey this week end. So, you may wait for Videsh Yatra: Bhaga-6.Till then take care. Bye.

 

Yours,
Krishna murthy.K
11-06-2008.

VIDESH YATRA- BHAGA:4 (PITTSBURG & NIAGARA FALLS )

VIDESH YATRA- BHAGA:4 (PITTSBURG & NIAGARA FALLS ) 31ST MAY& 1ST JUNE,2008.

Dear
       We are all OK here & hope the same from your end. Here is the VIDESH YATRA-BHAGA: 4 for you. This part is regarding our visit to PITTSBURG (Pennsylvania State) and famous NIAGARA FALLS (New York State) on May31st Saturday & June 1st Sunday. As per our plan, we started our journey on Friday evening at 6.30 pm and reached Pittsburg at 10.30pm.That night we stayed at our daughter's friend's home.
      
      As per weather report since there was rain in Niagara, we planned to visit important places in Pittsburg on Saturday. There are two rivers; Monongahela & Alleghany flowing from two different directions and joined in this city & flowing further a single river called OHIO. First we travelled towards Wheeling, 90 minutes journey from Pittsburg, to visit the NEW VRINDABAN: a beautiful place located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia established by the Founder- Acharya of the Hare Krishna movement (ISKCON) Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. It is known for its unique architecture, landscaped gardens, man made lakes, fields, streams, pastures & natural woodlands. It is spread over more than 2000 acres & also a spiritual retreat. In order to facilitate overnight guests it has extensive lodging facilities for up to 500 people.( Idu kanmana tanisuva sundara,syanta nisarga taana ) Here we saw the palace of Gold, the Rose Garden, Radha Krishna Temple, Goshaala. New Vrindaban has North America's largest cow protection program with facility for 1000 cows & they are never sent to slaughterhouse. The Palace of Gold is a memorial for Swami Prabhupada.It was built by his disciples as a labour of love. This memorial has 8000 sq ft of 22 carat gold leaf, ornate furniture, and intricate hand made chandeliers, exquisite marble work & beautiful stained glass. After visiting this, we went & took darshana of Lord Radhe Krishna. We felt very happy to see the idols of Radha, Krishna, Narasimha etc and that the statue of Swami Prabhupada was so nice as if he is sitting in Dhyan.There we had Prasadam of south Indian style like khara pongal,curd rice, fruit salad, limbu panaka etc which we cherished. The one thing that impressed me the most here was, books on various subjects were displayed and anybody wants to buy any books just  has to put the exact price of the books in the Hundi (box) kept beside & takeaway books. There will be no one to check this. People were following that.(including myself ) Can you expect this in our temples there?! Let alone books, the Hundi itself will disappear?! This is what we have to learn from the West .
     After that, in a mantapam we had a short Sangeet karyakram in which my daughters friends Raghuram and Gowri sang Banigondu Elle Ellide…., Pujisalende hugala tande & I sang.. Amara madhura prema (my favorite)
      Next in the evening, we visited the famous Pittsburg SRI VENKATARAMANA Temple. Hindu Priests are there& Archane, abhisheka and all pooja kainkaryas will be going on. Let Pittsburg Venkataramana,s blessings be bestowed on you. These are the common places where we can meet lots of Indians speaking different languages. But remember, here language is not the matter but the feeling of oneness that we are Indians is very important.  Thereafter we went to Udupi Hotel nearby for dinner where I met few persons from Udupi & kundapur side. There we had  nice Idli,Vada,Dose etc .That Night after dinner we also went to the viewpoints and observation spots located on the top of pittsburgh city where we can view the whole city lit and see the downtown  dazzling with lights.. This city Pittsburgh is called the city of Bridges and has the largest number of bridges in USA .…That day we went to bed dreaming for Niagara the next day.
         That Sunday, really it was an ever memorable day to me. Since it was a 4.00 hrs journey to Niagara, we started early in the morning at 7.00am & reached there by 11.30 after having our breakfast in between. When I heard the voice of the roaring river Niagara, suddenly I remembered our famous JOG FALLS and the poems, Jogada siri bedaginalli…and Manavanagi huttida mele enen kande….i jumped into joy and with all eagerness rushed to see the world famous Niagara Falls. Really I was amazed at the sounds of majestic Niagara Falls and breathtaking sights.(Rudra ramaniiya drusya) First we went for Boat Tour which is called Maid of the Mist. We will be given blue color waterproof dress (poncho) to wear and that cruise will take us to the base of the American Falls ( the other side is Canada boundary with an exiting Falls with the same  majesty as this ),then to the basin of the Horseshoe Falls. It's an unforgettable 30 minute adventure into the wet and wild on the world famous Maid of the Mist. We went to the Observation Tower through elevator; from there we can view the whole thing around us. Wow, what a fantastic scenery it was!! It is inexplicable. Continuously our Camera was clicked and I don't know how many snaps we took at that time. Next we went for the Cave of the Winds. Now yellow poncho & souvenir sandals (somewhat gripping slippers) will be provided and here we  will travel deep into the gorge & journey nearer the fall. We will get soaked on the Hurricane Deck where we are mere a feet from the thundering waters. Really tell you, we danced there with great excitement!!! The Cave of the Winds brings us face-to-face with the pounding waters of Niagara Falls. We also visited Goat Island, Three Sisters Islands & Luna Island which are also inspiring sights. Great Lakes Garden is one more attraction to the visitors. One thing I shouldn't forget to tell you is about the OLD FORT OF NIAGARA which has, history tells, 300 years of history was under the control of French, thereon under  British and now under the hands  of Americans, now preserved as it stood in the 1700s, is an exciting place where the past lives on. Interesting thing is about the Fort's Flag. It is garrison color having dimensions of 24 feet by 28 feet; the banner might once have been as long as 36 feet. Earlier it was retained & preserved lovingly by the Drummond family in Scotland (when British General Sir Gordon Drummond captured this Fort, it was given to him) and subsequently it was acquired by the Old Fort Niagara Association in 1994 & returned to the US for conservation and display. It is one of the oldest surviving US flags and a fine example of the fifteen-star, fifteen-stripe flag authorized by American Congress in 1795. Impression of this Niagara Falls is "Nenavudenna manam Niagara Jalapatamam". That day when we left for Virginia back it was 6.00 pm and after 8 hrs journey, we reached home at 2.30 night and we immediately surrendered to Nidra devi.
         Here I put a stop to my narration for Bhaga-4 as there is no more information. Please wait for the next part as our visit next is to LURAY CAVERNS at Luray. Till then take care. BYE…….
 
  YOURS,
  Krishnamurthy.K                                                                           
 06.06,08

VIDESH YATRA: BHAGA-3 ( Baltimore , Atlantic City & Philadelphia)

Dear

 

   Hello, Hegidira? Ella Arogya taane? Illide nodi nimagagi Videsh Yatra Bhaga-3. Idanna odidamele nimma anisike enu anta tilisi. Naanu kayta irtini,   Gottayta?

      This Week end i.e. on 24^th & 25^th May we had been to BALTIMORE( MaryLand State ), ATLANTIC CITY( NewJersey State ) & PHILADELPHIA( Pennsylvania State ) .

As we were reluctant to have outside food, this time we carried Huli avlakki & Mosaranna with us. Saturday morning by 8.30 AM, we left for Baltimore . It is at the distance of 2 hrs drive from Virginia . On the way we had our Avalakki and cherry fruits for breakfast at the rest area. Usually rest areas will be a vast place of gardening type, rest rooms & a Restaurant facility meant for breakfast& other emergency purposes where people driving long distances stop to rest for a while. Other than the rest area if we stop our vehicle in between & go for nature call etc, if we are caught, will be fined up to 200 dollars. Just imagine this system with that of ours.

      We reached Baltimore at 11.00 AM crossing a bridge called Delaware Memorial Bridge . There will be heavy rush during these week ends 'holidays. No problem for us as we had our tickets booked online in advance for National Aquarium, 4D Immersion theatre &Dolphins' show @28 dollars per head. Looking at the city we felt happy. First, my daughter & I had a small drive in an auto-boat along the harbor side. Next we went to see the aquarium. Wow, never I saw such an aquarium in my life!. This National Aquarium is home for nearly 10500 specimens & more than 560 species of animals. Thousand varieties of fishes; Tiny to Tarzan sizes, dolphins, octopuses, turtles, sharks; birds, animals, plants…really two eyes are not sufficient to see that Ocean's Wealth. While seeing it, I experienced as if I was in a deep sea in a glass cabin looking at that wonderful ocean world! After that we witnessed the Dolphins' show & stunned to know how dolphins have been trained so nicely. Next is our thrilling experience in that 4D Immersion Theatre. The 4D effect was so fantastic that we felt as if those animals are pouncing on us & some of them were crawling beneath our feet. This 4^th dimensional effect was created with air and water effects. In the evening, our next visit was to famous Atlantic city which has always been decorated with dazzling lights. Why it is famous for you know? For gambling! It is mini version of Las Vegas in the east coast. We  played different types of games & i lost little money. We had nothing more to do there. Just we returned home. That day we stayed in my daughter's friend's home in a city of Bear , Delaware .

      Next day, we got up late as we were exhausted from the late return from Atlantic City previous night. We had brunch and left for a historical city called Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania . It is the Birth place of the nation and home to many historical and cultural attractions including Independence Hall, the liberty bell, the Rodin Museum . We also visited Philadelphia museum of art. There are different types of tours to see this city duck tours, trolley tours, Bus tours etc. We took the Big Bus tour which is a guided tour around the city. These buses took us around the city and had many stops at various important locations. We stopped by the City Hall and the Love Symbol Park and Logan Square and museum of art. The love symbol park had a huge fountain and the amazing thing about that was the water coming out of it was blue in color though some one has put copper sulphate in water. It was late to visit the Zoo. The impression is Philadelphia is beautiful and ever memorable city.

 

This is Bhaga 3.Nothing more to write now. This week end we are travelling to Pittsburgh and the famous Niagara falls . Wait for the Bhaga 4 to know more about it. Eagerly waiting for your response…

 

Take care. Bye.

 

Regards,

Krishnamurthy K

Videsh Yatra Part - 2 (Norfolk, Virginia Beach & WilliamsBurg)

Dear ,

    

       Namaskara. How are you? We are all OK here by HIS grace. You may be waiting for my Videsh yatra-Bhaga-2(may 17^th and may 18^th). Last weekend we went to see Norfolk & Virginia Beach . So here I have the information to share with you. Hope this will quench your thirst to know new things.

      Saturday morning we left for Norfolk , a city in Virginia State , 3 ½ hour drive from here. Directly we went to NAUTICUS - the US Naval Base and the World's largest Naval Base which spread over more than 3000 acres. There we got in to a cruise called Victory Rover to have a round for 2 hours to watch the Naval Base in detail. NAUTICUS includes The National Maritime Center, The Battleship Wisconsin, and Hampton Roads Naval Museum etc . The Battleship Wisconsin is one of the largest-and last -battleships ever built by the US Navy. After served in 3 wars, in world war II  she is berthed at NAUTICUS, where we can enjoy a self-guided tour on her main deck. In Hampton Roads Naval Museum we saw rare photographs & artifacts which tell the tale of a proud region's naval history. In our cruise –Victory Rover-there was a fascinating and entertaining commentary of Norfolk's harbor and the naval base .It was a thrill to see the sight of the ships which are ever ready to face the war situations at any moment .In the cruise we boarded, there was plenty of comfortable seating, clean rest rooms , air-conditioned enclosed deck, open air upper deck ,  instant information brochures and snacks and favorite beverages .Really we enjoyed this 2hrs drive on the sea which is ever memorable .

      In the evening, we went to see the Virginia Beach . WOW! What a gigantic Atlantic ocean!! How small creatures we are in front of this infinite nature! But still, Man has ever been trying to conquer the nature!? Entha Vipariyasa ! We played with the tides forgetting ourselves. Though it was 7.30 pm it was just like 5.00 pm in our country. While playing it suddenly flashed to me that TIME AND TIDE WAITS FOR NONE ……

 

      That day we stayed at hotel EXTENDED STAY AMERICA .The next day morning we went to visit the famous NORFOLK BOTONICAL GARDEN which is of 70 yrs old created in 1938 which is celebrating its 70^th anniversary. Over two hundred African American men and women were commissioned by a govt.  program with their mission to create a garden for tourist during America 's greatest Depression so this garden is dedicated to the memory of those W P A workers. It is hoped that this garden reflects the better angles of our nature and in turn it will reflect that peace in our lives .Tram facility is there for a short drive for about 30 minutes with the guide's commentaries.  The main features of this garden are :-

(1)    Kaufman hydrangea garden : nearly 200 different varieties  of  hydrangeas and their close relatives are displayed here ;

(2)    More than 200 different varieties of  perennials ,woody ornamental shrubs and annuals ;

(3)    Renaissance court which represents the classic style of the Italian Renaissance gardens from the late 16^th century ;

(4)    More than 500 varieties of camellias which reach their peak bloom during fall and winter months and offer dazzling display of color at a time ;

(5)    Statuary Vista :this garden is created by Tall evergreen hedges and colorful display beds, punctuated by a series of marble statues representing the great European artists;

(6)    The 2 acre Bristow Butterfly garden ;

(7)    Children's adventure garden purely dedicated to children  who will be delighted in finding the passport animals;

(8)    Native Plant Garden ;

(9)    Bicentennial Rose Garden with 3000 rose bushes representing 430 different types of roses –one of the largest collections on the east coast etc.

 

During this visit we tried vegetarian food from various cuisines all over the world. Some of them are Pad Thai (from THAI Cuisine), Enchiladas, Churros, Fajitas (MEXICAN), Falafel roll with salads (from GREEK Cuisine), Chalupa ,Gordita with Bean Burrito and 7-layer Burrito(American fast food joint Taco Bell)  which is of course ok, once in a while. (Neevu ene heli namma roti playa, anna sambar munde yaava utaanu illari…)

 

On our way back home, we visited the famous historical city COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG which is known for the first settlements of the British in America over 400 years ago. It was British colony during the British rule in America . Williamsburg played a major role in the American Revolution and it was the training ground for many prominent leaders of the American Revolution such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry etc.  It was a social, political and cultural center of Virginia . Now, this place has been protected as it is under a settlement between England and America . The important places to be seen here are, Governor's palace, Randolph house and kitchen, court house, capitol, and the museum of colonial Williamsburg .

 

Also, we saw, of course from outside, THE OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY where our son in law finished his masters in computer Science.

 Do you know how much one coffee costs here? It's just 3 ½ dollars i.e.  Rs. 140 in our currency. It is only strong decoction in a large cup and very difficult for us to drink. People drink dark coffee (decoction without chicory mix) here without sugar and milk. For our convenience we have to specifically tell them to prepare Double Latte for which we have to add sugar which is available in sachets.

 

Here I stop the part -2 as there is nothing more to say for now …please wait for the VIDESH YATRA BHAGA -3 in my next mail. Till then bye and take care.

 

Yours,

Krishnamurthy K

Videsh Yatra Part 1

I am little late in sending this mail to u.By HIS grace we reached Washington D.C .Safely via PARIS where we had a little time to change our flight that too changing Terminal.Actually we were worried about that.But the system prevailing there u know made our job very easy.
Really tell u,I never drempt that I will go to a foriegn country that too more than 12,000 kms away from India. Its all SRI GURU DATH' S Anugraha.Flying in the air for the first time was a thrilling experience to us.We were served vegetarian food in the flight for which we were very particulr.Flight journey will defenitely adds to our gen knowledge.
we have stayed in sterling - a place in virgenia state.weather here was somewhat moderate-neither too cold nor too hot .but from yesterday it is drizzling & sometimes raining And now it is cold.Last week we had been to Washington &there we visited Korian war memrial,AbrahamLincon memorial- here i saluted him for his act of freed his country from slavery-,2nd world war memorial, washington memorial, smithsonian castle,whitehouse(from distance),National Museum of Natural history , Sculpture Garden etc..really worth seeing.The nextday we visited the famous HINDU TEMPLE- SHIVA& VISHNU TEMPLE-at Lanham in Maryland state &got done the Archana to Lord Shiva and had south indian meal there(Bisibelebath & Mosaranna )
Rest of the days , we use to go for walking in different directions.Very beautiful place.Hardly we find people on the roads.Elli nodidru car..car car.It remembers us America-America picture.Houses r of same type, broad&clean roads, lane system,step by step sign boards- a wonderfull system. but no social life as in india.we dont know who is residing in the next house.i dint find them comingout & talking to one another.On 10th,we had been to A IR & SPACE Museum in the jurisdiction of DULLES International Airport where v landed while coming.Hundreds of different types of Planes of small , big &too big in sizes we saw in the museum & some of them were hanging from atop,Out of them one called CONCORDE- a plane of AirFrance which was a spl one crossing Atlantic Ocean within 4 hours at the rate of 2179 kmph which was on run for 25 years& stopped thereon during 2003 due to its heavy fuel consumption & sound etc..and now it is a monumentlike.
Another one which dropped nuclear bomb on hiroshima and Nagasaki in World war II, is now a main attraction and a part of the museum.
What more ? Now and then we visited malls and did some purchases.
what more can i write now ..i will keep you updated time to time.