DAILY PHOTO: Away in a Manger

Taken in December of 2014 in Budapest

Taken in December of 2014 in Budapest

 

This will likely be my last post of the year. Tonight we leave to holiday in Vietnam. So, I figured I’d make it Christmasy.

DAILY PHOTO: Water Buffalo in Khajuraho

Taken in October of 2015 in Khajuraho

Taken in October of 2015 in Khajuraho

2015 Top 10: Highlights From the Year That Was

These aren’t necessarily in any order.

 

1.) Trekking the Great Himalayan National Park [June]:

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2.) Teaching kids at KAMMS and Socare [September & October]: I finished my RCYT course in April and have been teaching kids when I have a chance:

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3.) Completing Level I Examination at the Muay Thai Institute [September]:

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4.) Riding camels at Pushkar and Jaipur [November]:

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5.) Boating on the Ganges in Varanasi [October]:

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6.) Wandering around a coffee plantation near Chikmaglur [April]:

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7.) Completing the Level III and IV reviews in Kalaripayattu [February & August]:

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8.) Touring the Glenloch tea factory in Sri Lanka [May]:

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9.) 108 Surya Namaskara Against Child Trafficking [March]:

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10.) Junk boat tour of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam [December]: This may be jinxing us to put it on the list,  before we’ve been (we leave tomorrow) but I’m optimistic that our three weeks in Vietnam will be awesome, and I’m told Ha Long

 

 

What to expect in 2016? Lilla and I will be moving back to the States around mid-year. (To where, exactly, remains a mystery.) In January and February I’ll be doing an RYT-300 course to round out my 500 hour yoga teacher certification. I plan to make at least one more trip to Thailand to MTI for Level II. I’d also like to complete the 10-day Vipassana meditation course before returning. Lilla and I are thinking about another Himalaya trek for the summer.

I’ll also be continuing to work on press handstand progression, as that’s been a focus for me of late and I still have a ways to go.

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DAILY PHOTO: Hawa Mahal Front and Back

Taken on November 30, 2015 in Jaipur

The back: Taken on November 30, 2015 in Jaipur

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The front (i.e. the picturesque side) of the Hawa Mahal.

DAILY PHOTO: Március 15 Tér

Taken in December of 2014 at Március 15  Tér in  Vác

Taken in December of 2014 at Március 15 Tér in Vác

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DAILY PHOTO: Jantar Mantar

Taken on November 27, 2015 in Jaipur

Taken on November 27, 2015 in Jaipur

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Jantar Mantar is one of the five observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. (The others were built at Varanasi, Mathura, Ujjain, and Delhi.) This one, built in Jaipur, is the most well-preserved and extensive of the five. The observatory largely consists of sun-dials that use shadows to mark the time or describe the movement of the Earth relative to the Sun. It’s impressive how accurately one can tell the time by these sun-dials.

 

Apparently, the devices have some astrological significance / role as well. [I didn’t ask.] Our guide asked whether: “I believed in astronomy and astrology.” Which is a question that sounds a lot to my ear like, “Do you believe in gravity and ghosts?”

 

Jantar Mantar is one of Jaipur’s most impressive sights.

 

 

DAILY PHOTO: Daulatabad Minaret

Taken in November of 2014 at Daulatabad Fort

Taken in November of 2014 at Daulatabad Fort

DAILY PHOTO: Christmas Market Photos

Taken in December of 2014 in Budapest

Taken in December of 2014 in Budapest

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DAILY PHOTO: Budapest Christmas Street Scene

Taken in December of 2014 in Budapest

Taken in December of 2014 in Budapest

DAILY PHOTO: Jaswant Thada

Taken on November 29, 2015 at Jodhpur

Taken on November 29, 2015 at Jodhpur

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This beautiful white marble monument dates to 1899.  It can be seen from the Mehrangarh Fort, and has the same translucent marble that one sees at the Taj Mahal. It was built by the Maharaja Sadar Singh for his father the Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.

What light through yonder wall breaks

What light through yonder wall breaks