Savannah, Georgia

Finally after many weekends of almost nothing but studying and work, Ashley and I finally had a full day to hang out. So, with much excitement we went on our first road trip yesterday to check out Savannah, Georgia. About 260 miles away from Atlanta, Savannah is a coastal city filled with history and old beauty. It was a great day for a road trip in the south, a comfortable 80 degrees and blue skies all around.

We packed a few goodies for a 3.5 hour ride and set out looking to see what this famous southern city was all about. We arrived in Savannah in the early afternoon and hopped aboard a tour trolley. The tour was awesome, our guide truly had a southern personality with an accent so thick that Ashley said she could barely understand.

pictures-8-16-2007-054.jpg

The tour brought us through the central historic district of Savannah passing what seemed like square after square of historic monuments and fountains. Ashley and I both loved the wonderful elegant 19th century homes. The tree lined roads and numerous parks reminded me a little of the best parts of Boston’s Beacon Hill mixed with the Back Bay.

home.JPG

pictures-8-16-2007-061.JPG

pictures-8-16-2007-091.JPG

One of my favorite parts of Savannah was the wonderful oak trees with the hanging Spanish moss. It seemed like every scene could have been part of a southern painting. The Spanish moss as you see in the picture above casts such a hazy sleepy glow around everything especially through the rays of the afternoon sun that I spent many shots trying to capture the feeling that I got while there. Unfortunately the best I could do are in the pictures below, and they really don’t quite do it justice.

pictures-8-16-2007-058.JPG

pictures-8-16-2007-099.jpg

pictures-8-16-2007-097.jpg

Like I said earlier, there were many squares in downtown Savannah. These squares were really miniature parks. So after going down one or two block you would end up in a square surrounded by these wonderful old homes and walk another two blocks and see the same thing. Near the edge was what is the historic district of Savannah where we toured a wonderful fountain, that was actually mail-ordered I think in the early 19th century through the Sears Catalog!

pictures-8-16-2007-101.JPG

Ever heard of the phrase “Keeping up with the Jones”? Well we finally found the origin of that classic American phrase. Here in historic district was a street called “Jones St.” During the 19th century the lawyers, businessmen, and doctors would all live on this street, so for everyone else who wanted to make it big and keep up with the high society, they would have the keep up with “Jones St.”

pictures-8-16-2007-117.JPG

Here’s one of the homes I was able to snap a picture of. The house were so magnificent compared to the others around the area. But nevertheless it was a very nice street to live on.

pictures-8-16-2007-118.JPG

Savannah was a lot of fun and what was even more fun was our car ride up there and back. After such a long time, Ash and I were finally able to just relax. We even brought the laptop with us and watched (listened) to a couple of episodes of “Everybody Loves Raymond”, Ashley’s favorite sitcom. 🙂 On the way back Ashley and I had a great conversation talking about our future and doing some family planning. We’re thinking about where we will be moving to next and where we’d like to raise our children. I have to say I am excited to both move and also raise kids with Ashley, though the time to be a father is still a few years away. All in all, it was really a great road trip and I had such a nice time with my huney.

pictures-8-16-2007-066.jpg

Sequoia National Park-Largest Tress On Earth

I’ve always wanted to see the largest trees on the planet and we were so close being in California that it would be a shame not to take a look. Two days before we left California, Ashley, the dogs and I drove 4.5 hours south to Sequoia National Park. The drive was calm and not particularly scenic. We passed by the typical California small towns, farms with rolling hills and yellow grass.

Sequoia National Park is divided into two large parks, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park. We entered through the northern entrance and took this picture. America’s national park entrances are not auspicious and always involve this form of a wooden sign.

kings_canyon_sign.jpg

Our first stop was the General Grant Tree, the third largest tree in the world. “The General Grant Tree is a living memorial to the men and women of the United States who have given their lives in service to their country. It was proclaimed a National Shrine on March 29, 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The official dedication was made that year on Veterans Day, November 11, by the president’s personal representative, Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz. Each year during the Christmas ceremony, park rangers place a large wreath at the base of the Grant Tree, remembering those who gave their lives. ” (from www.nps.gov) The tree is over 267 feet tall, 40 feet across its base and over 107 feet around. Estimates of its age range from 1500 to 2000 years old.

general-grant.jpg

The trees were so large it was very hard to take photos that captured the size and majesty of each tree and the feeling of walking amongst giants. We took a fee photos of some giant sequoia trees which had fallen which show a better sense of their size.

ray_big_tree.jpg

Our next target was the General Sherman tree, about one hour drive south from the General Grant Tree. “The General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park is the largest (by volume) tree in the world. ” (from www.nps.gov) The height of this tree is 275 Feet tall. This tree is still alive and growing. It is so big that every year it produces enough wood equivalent to a regular sized tree! Seeing this humongous giant was truly awe inspiring, never in my life could I have imagined a tree of this size. To think that this tree has lived over 2000 years is truly amazing!

ray_general_sherman.jpg

House Hunting in HotLanta

What a week, I got back from India and two days later Ashley and I flew out to Atlanta.  We had to find a condo, negotiate and sign the contract in about 5-6 days.  We’ve never been to atlanta before.  Yes, it’s a bold move and knock on wood we made the right choice.  The house hunting went well, our Real estate agents were wonderful and we were able to sign a contract on the place that we both really liked.  Our new home is called the Tuscany located in Mid Town Atlanta!  Thanks to Michael and Christie for helping us out, hosting us for theose couple of days.  It really helps to consult with some locals.

105-0550_img.JPG

The picture below is the view outside our condo window.

105-0521_img.JPG

Leaving India

The last day finally arrived at the end of an almost 4 month stay in this amazing country. The People Portal project still continues but I must return home to get ready for the wedding, the move out to Atlanta. I am going to really miss the people on the project in Gurgoan. I wish I had a group photo of everyone but for now here’s some random pictures of the days before I left.

This is my typical ride everyday on the Riskshaw to the Sapient office. The name of this busy street is called the MG Road. Everyday there is something new to see whether it is animals to people shipping large chunks of ice. Guys on top of buses or a variety of roadkill, some including people!

100-0097_img.JPG

This next photo is the Sterling Guest House crew sending me off. The guy in the front still remains nameless to me though I did finally learn his name the night previously during our farewell dinner but again I forgot. The guy on the far right is the infamous Lakshman. More stories about him at a later time. 🙂

103-0347_img.JPG

Finally, this last photo is of the crowded Delhi airport. The entrance way to the ticketing booths are well gaurded by security with AK-47s. The lines can also be quite long. However or the impatient or the anxious, baggage guys will come out and for a small “fee” will help you cut the lines inside and out.

103-0354_img.JPG

My Yatra: Bus Ride to Haridawar

June 15 11:00 pm, Delhi, India
After many weeks of talking about taking a trip, Deepak and I finally made it happen though there were times we felt like it wasn’t going to happen with all the working going on in the Peope Portal. But finally, on Friday night, after a quick working dinner we rushed out of the Sapient Office hoped into a taxi and made it to the Bus Station (ISBT) in Delhi around 11pm. The bus station was old, dirty, dark and rather smelly, located in Old Delhi. We walked through what seemed like abandoned paths to finally arrive at a Tour Guide Station to buy our Bus Tickets.buyingbusticket.JPG

Deepak bought the tickets and we were lead, tho more like rushed to the bus. We seemed to walk through what seemed like a maze of streets and around corners in the dark night. Finally we arrived at the bus. My walk to the bus that night is summed up by this photo.

delhibusatnight.JPG

I asked Deepak to go for the Bus with AC (a Luxury Bus) but on boarding I realized the standard of luxury was a bit different. Deepak also grumbled about being ripped off by the ticket guy, and remarked that he had to regain his “Indian” and watch out for the husselers. Sorry no picture of the swindler… but here’s one of the bus he overcharged us for.
bustoharidawar.JPG

Settling into the old seat, I realized I was in for a rough ride. My prediction was confirmed when the rain that leaked through the roof in the middle of the night started dripping on top of me. Deepak was amused at my foreign discomfort but hey I know he wasn’t sleeping on clouds either! Sleeping was even more of a challenge I realized. Even after the roof leaked problem was solved, the non-stop hooking, rattling of passing trucks and the loud rumble of the engine would persist throughout the night. It was quite an experience and finally was over with our arrival in the Holy Hindu city of Haridawar.

arrivedinharidawar.JPG