|
|
Post by onlyMark on Feb 10, 2018 10:43:30 GMT
Ganesh is apparently quite important here -  |
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Feb 10, 2018 15:49:58 GMT
Looks like my part of Paris!
|
|
|
|
Post by onlyMark on Feb 12, 2018 9:08:59 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by questa on Feb 12, 2018 9:18:21 GMT
Subtle, isn't it?
Are you still heading North? Not going to Jaffna Peninsular, are you?
|
|
|
|
Post by onlyMark on Feb 12, 2018 11:35:37 GMT
I will be in Jaffna the day after tomorrow.
|
|
|
|
Post by tod2 on Feb 12, 2018 12:03:47 GMT
Oh my giddy aunt Mark - Those strange images.... What the heck was the "artist" thinking when he painted all those mis-shapen infants still attached to the mother figure. And as for the parted pink lips showing pearly white teeth - An advert for 'Bright Smile' dentistry  |
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Feb 12, 2018 12:50:35 GMT
Unless the South Asian female anatomy is very different from that of Occidental women, the artist seems to have had only a partial understanding of the utility of the umbilical cord.
I do like the shrimp dinner of the octopus.
|
|
|
|
Post by questa on Feb 12, 2018 13:03:52 GMT
Jaffna was out of bounds when I was there. Still the odd occasional shot. Little post-tsunami aid was getting to the North compared to the rest of the island and IIRC some generals had to explain to UN why the disparity. The holy Temple of the Tooth in Kandy had the rear of the building blown up with a truck bomb...still rebuilding when I was there. If you go to Kandy the orchids in the glasshouse in Botanic Gardens are worth a look.
Travel safe.
|
|
|
|
Post by questa on Feb 12, 2018 13:27:13 GMT
In Hindu stories Parvati is the goddess of devotion, fertility and love.She gave birth to 9 babies at one time, each representing a different position in society.
This is one version of the story, anyway. It was to show no matter what one's circumstances in life one still has the chief goddess for a mother.
Don't know about the teeth though.
|
|
|
|
Post by tod2 on Feb 12, 2018 16:50:25 GMT
Hah! Thanks Questa. That explains it, but we will keep the teeth a mystery  |
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Feb 12, 2018 17:26:58 GMT
I don't see much love if Parvati continued to promote the caste system.
|
|
|
|
Post by questa on Feb 12, 2018 22:07:38 GMT
All societies have class systems to some extent. It is just that the Indian one has been written down aeons ago, codified and is obvious. More hidden are those based on colour, bloodlines, wealth, occupation, poverty, education and in Australia, sporting prowess. If a man regards his much-loved daughter and thinks, "I don't want her to marry a man like one of those men", then there is a form of caste system and prejudice operating there.
|
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Feb 12, 2018 22:50:41 GMT
Anyway, the Tamil Tigers all seem to have obtained refugee status in France. I made a report about this back in 2009 and even though things have quieted down, there are still posters of Velupillai Prabhakaran in many of the shop windows. |
|
|
|
Post by onlyMark on Feb 13, 2018 11:19:17 GMT
"Velupillai Prabhakaran" - I would be impressed if you remembered that name and exactly how to spell it without looking it up.
|
|
|
|
Post by tod2 on Feb 13, 2018 17:00:10 GMT
I remember Kerouac's report very well. The "Tigers" caused quite a ruckus but as far as my memory goes, no damage to property or people violence. As a matter of fact I think we were in Paris at the same time or near that.
|
|
|
|
Post by cheerypeabrain on Feb 13, 2018 17:22:43 GMT
Not to my taste but whatever floats your boat..that's a strange place Mark. There is a richly carved Jain temple (not saying that this is a Jain temple...just comparing) here in Leicester with very strange figures...somehow they seem less garish as the carvings aren't painted but left in the original white marble.
|
|
|
|
Post by questa on Feb 13, 2018 22:08:27 GMT
Cheery, I doubt the ornamentation like this is carved or that marble was used. I think they do most of the temple with concrete and plaster. Most of the statues are plaster and I have seen fibreglass ones. The OTT temples like the above ones are found in the south of India and Sri Lanka. As one travels north the architecture gets more simple so by the time one gets to Nepal, a holy place may consist of a single concrete or stone low statue by the side of the road.
|
|
|
|
Post by onlyMark on Feb 14, 2018 2:24:58 GMT
Cheery, it is a Hindu temple with Dravidian architecture.
|
|
|
|
Post by questa on Feb 14, 2018 3:19:55 GMT
What he said.  |
|
|
|
Post by onlyMark on Feb 15, 2018 11:15:57 GMT
Lunch was a thali. Cost €1.20 -  Near this little monkey -  |
|
|
|
Post by mickthecactus on Feb 15, 2018 12:08:48 GMT
Would you like to give us a tour around your Thali? Looks delicious...
Wish my takeaway was as cheap as that...
|
|
|
|
Post by onlyMark on Feb 15, 2018 12:42:00 GMT
Middle, steamed rice with fried chillis on top. From 12 o'clock - Papad (we know as a poppadom) and clockwise - Like a buttery cream curry sauce A thin gravy curry sauce but hotter Paneer (cheese) in something like sesame seeds and dry Potato and pea curry (a local mild version of aloo matar without the toamato base), which is the same as the filling for the masala dosa they do at this restaurant for breakfasts Lentil (dal) curry - a staple in Sri Lanka - www.mysrilankanrecipe.com/dhal-curry/Lastly an onion raita (yogurt and onion) but it was a bit thin and wishy washy really. Curd (yoghurt) is a big thing here, from buffaloes. One litre costs less than one euro and comes in a clay pot. Just like in this little video. I've stopped at a few of these places on the road - |
|
|
|
Post by questa on Feb 15, 2018 22:33:03 GMT
Cheeky bird! Memories of curd shops and curries of various degrees of heat. love the potato and pea, dal and paneer, but hot curries don't love me.
|
|
|
|
Post by onlyMark on Feb 16, 2018 3:33:38 GMT
I admit to needing a break from curry flavoured stuff from time to time whilst away. Last night I nipped to the supermarket and bought myself some bread and cheese to eat in the room and planned the next few days.
I've actually extended my stay in Jaffna for an extra day to get some washing done, write up a couple of things, have a rest etc etc. That's put out a bit the rest of the trip and I need to re-arrange a few things.
|
|
|
|
Post by questa on Feb 16, 2018 5:41:53 GMT
extended my stay in Jaffna for an extra day to get some washing done, write up a couple of things, have a rest etc etc. That's put out a bit the rest of the trip and I need to re-arrange a few things. That is what separates travellers from tourists! Mark, Which roads did you travel to go north? Have you been to Polonnaruwa yet? The statues there are carved from a single block of striated stone and are beautiful. The sitting Buddha and the one lying down are recognised as having a power in themselves to bring peace and awareness to anyone who just comes and sits quietly, looking at them. I would love to hear your opinion of them. No fancy decorations or gold and colours. Just granite. |
|
|
|
Post by onlyMark on Feb 16, 2018 10:22:14 GMT
Nope, not been there and won't go there this time. I've so far circumnavigated the island from Colombo, anti-clockwise. I am now at the top. I will move on soon and begin making my way down the middle. Polonnaruwa is three quarters of the way across from west to east. So I'll miss it because it isn't either in the middle of the edge. It'll have to be one of the numerous things I will miss and save until next time. For now I am stopping here and there but mainly 'familiarising' myself with the country, getting an overview sort of thing with a mind to going into more detail in the future and doing what I enjoy - driving.
"......are recognised as having a power in themselves to bring peace and awareness to anyone who just comes and sits quietly, looking at them."
I'm sure they do if that is something one is in tune with. Beneficial too I'm sure. Maybe the leaders of both sides during the civil war should have sat and pondered on them for a while.
Unfortunately, and I say that because I'm sure I would learn something from it, but unfortunately not one thing about any religion brings me peace, awareness, fulfillment, a higher plane of thought, faith, nirvana and so on.
I would just look at them and wonder practically how they were carved. That's all. Nothing more.
I am well aware my shallowness has no depth.
The only things that move me when I sit down is nothing man made. Just nature....... and hemorrhoids.
|
|
|
|
Post by questa on Feb 16, 2018 11:43:00 GMT
'On the surface, you look very deep, but deep down you are quite shallow" anon. |
|
|
|
Post by questa on Feb 16, 2018 11:51:11 GMT
not one thing about any religion brings me peace, awareness, fulfillment, a higher plane of thought, faith, nirvana and so on. I would just look at them and wonder practically how they were carved. That's all. Nothing more. Actually, what you have written here just about qualifies you as a Zen Master....I think!  |
|
|
|
Post by onlyMark on Feb 16, 2018 13:17:56 GMT
Years ago my brother brought home a book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
Boy, what a let down that was.
Not a mention of a Brough Superior anywhere. Nor BSA, Ariel (square fours were my favourite), Triumph...............
|
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Feb 16, 2018 14:17:55 GMT
Damn, I have to pay 8 euros for a decent thali in Paris!
|
|
