Wedding Coozie Sayings

January 30 - Lotus and many others

For days and days I do not know what day of the week we are ... Everything is always intensity contrast changes. Impossible to program, even for the same day. I thought I could this afternoon, go around again in houses and villages schoolgirls Fior di Loto last minute but I'm learning that my driver is made in Jaipur. Put off until tomorrow. But do not worry, shanti shanti ...

I went back to school Fior di Loto make a new series of photos, from another angle. It would take days of life in the school to see and feel.

At 16h, I found Deepu at sunset, it's hot today. It says here that the summer arrives. We go to the back of the cafe and I showed him the pictures taken. It was initially surprised by the Mac itself ... ! In conversation, I learn that he has been in politics a few years ago. But the system is so riddled with corruption that he prefers not to deal with these things. His brother, by cons, was elected to an important post for the city Pushkar. There is no mayor here the "town hall" actually includes greater geographic area.

end of the day gently. Flor, dinner very original company of 2 of his friends who sell Afghans in India, their textiles. They speak virtually no English and will mingle amounts of words in their language, but Flor and they seem to understand.

Pushkar is a small town but, from a photographic presqu'inépuisable. Every minute there is a picture to do. Everything is in constant mobility around, it's crazy. I remain here until the end because I still have some small projects.

The time spent in the same town or area is important for the creation of links, contacts. And here the contact is so easy and spontaneous. In exchange, you give and receive amounts of information. I made good contact with 2 or 3 pro photographers who were very rich, and I hope to see in France. One of them, Olivier, with whom I took the breakfast this morning, left his apartment in Marseilles there are more than 2 years to cover India, he will soon return to France to make a photo book .

While Pushkar is a tourist town but once we leave the main road as you leave the city or, simply, that we ventured into the streets and suburbs, c'set already an "other" India offers very spontaneously .

The sunsets are sublime, tonight is the full moon day for the Hindus especially in terms of devotion.

This afternoon, I took a picture of a very handsome man who wore a flower in her ear. He then allows himself to me that he is Brahmin. One of his friends offered me a garland of flowers that I keep around the neck all evening. Stitches in Time, my handsome young Brahmin invited me to visit his shop at the entrance to the city. As usual I let it. And we're off on a motorcycle ... I'll come take pictures of him in his shop (I do this quite often here and I have a large stock of business cards of people who send in the mail (because not everyone has an email address below from it), photos. the days passed, I go more and more "free" with the photos, giving a few rupees in the case of beggars or "baba" (a kind of sadhus, but beggars) and I am amazed every time the reaction of people, most fans often ask me spontaneously. Then I show them the photo or photos and they are all happy. The warmth is constant and even if, often, salvation is an invitation to spend, everything is done and ends in the right mood.

Spells To Become An Angel

January 30 - Lotus and many others

For days and days I do not know what day of the week we are ... Everything is always intensity contrast changes. Impossible to program, even for the same day. I thought I could this afternoon, go around again in houses and villages schoolgirls Fior di Loto last minute but I'm learning that my driver is made in Jaipur. Put off until tomorrow. But do not worry, shanti shanti ...

I went back to school Fior di Loto make a new series of photos, from another angle. It would take days of life in the school to see and feel.

At 16h, I found Deepu at sunset, it's hot today. It says here that the summer arrives. We go to the back of the cafe and I showed him the pictures taken. It was initially surprised by the Mac itself ... ! In conversation, I learn that he has been in politics a few years ago. But the system is so riddled with corruption that he prefers not to deal these things. His brother, by cons, was elected to an important post for the city Pushkar. There is no mayor here, the "town hall" in fact contains a larger geographic area.

end of the day gently. Flor, dinner very original company of 2 of his friends who sell Afghans in India, their textiles. They speak virtually no English and will mingle amounts of words in their language, but Flor and they seem to understand.

Pushkar is a small town but, from a photographic presqu'inépuisable. Every minute there is a picture to do. Everything is in constant mobility around, it's crazy. I remain here until the end because I still have some small projects.

The time spent in the same town or area is important for the creation of links, contacts. And here the contact is so easy and spontaneous. In exchange, you give and receive amounts of information. I made good contact with 2 or 3 pro photographers who were very rich, and I hope to see in France. One of them, Olivier, with whom I took the breakfast this morning, left his apartment in Marseilles, there are over 2 years go to India, he will soon return to France to make a photo book.

While Pushkar is a tourist town but once you leave the main street as you leave the city or, simply, that we ventured into the streets and suburbs, c'set already an "other" India offers very spontaneously.

The sunsets are sublime, tonight is the full moon day for the Hindus especially in terms of devotion.

This afternoon, I took a picture of a very handsome man who wore a flower in his ear. He then allows himself to me that he is Brahmin.

One of his friends offered me a garland of flowers that I keep around the neck all evening. Stitches in Time, my handsome young Brahmin invited me to visit his shop at the entrance to the city. As usual I let it. And we're off on a motorcycle ... I'll come take pictures of him in his shop (I do this quite often here and I have a large stock of business cards of people who send in the mail (because not everyone has an email address below from it), photos. Days passersby, I go more and more "free" with the photos, giving a few rupees in the case of beggars or "baba" (a kind of sadhus, beggars but) I am amazed every time the reaction of people, most fans often ask me spontaneously. Then I show them the photo or photos and they are all happy. The warmth is constant and even if, often, salvation is an invitation to spend, everything is done and ends in the right mood.

Can Verrucas Be Concave

January 29 - fior di loto

up early because very bad night. Around 3 or 4am, a whole troop of pilgrims sang in my cell and shaking bells. I could sleep again, but not for long. Electric coffee at Nijzam.

The morning goes "shanti shanti". It starts at the sun terrace of the guesthouse where we witness a live session barber of extraordinary virtuosity. A real ballet, razor in hand, against a backdrop of lake and mountains, the sun. A kind of tea ceremony ...

Flor and I stroll in town, from a stall to another when one has to get a drink chai. I'm so different meetings: photographers (Pushkar, but take a shop course), a Mexican civil engineer, a fabulous trainer artisan jewelry, ...

Vers 14h, as expected, I returned to the Foundation office Fior di Loto. We anticipated that Deepu takes me to visit some families of schoolgirls and show me closer to their villages. Driving the white car of the 50 or 60 (there is a small side Havana in India), I am happy to find my driver minipus. So here we are gone, Deepu, me behind him and taking photos.

This afternoon was amazing discovery. See what the actual conditions experienced by villagers. Some sponsors of the Foundation have built small brick houses (up to 20 m2 ground) for the poorest families. In one of them live 10 children orphaned.

In another, they are 6. But in each house visited, the same mood: laughter, laughing with children and adults, kids love having their photo taken and ask as many they can. I am thus a first idea of housing and living conditions, and especially conditions in which female students are working on returning to school. It's simple: there is, apart from beds, no furniture, or almost not. Electricity arrives in most homes, but the cuts (I've experienced a few times in Pushkar) are not uncommon. No heat, of course, for the coldest nights of the year. Photos, photos, pictures ... I am particularly surprised to discover in the various houses visited that, apart from images and objects pile, the only element Decoration consists of ... tableware (bowls, plates) carefully arranged. In the rare glimpse inside my town, I had already noticed the absence of furniture. Someone explain to me the day that if a citizen has the means to afford a cabinet, he chose a beautiful piece of antiquity. No Ikea here. Even fewer Habitat furniture.

Regarding jewelry of old peasants - and other views in town - we explain that in India, people are not saving but hoard. Everything is in jewelry. Moreover, there is a real bargain - and traffic - antique silver jewelry. They are found here and there in the shops and the city of Jaisalmer is very famous for the jewelry. And the government has banned the sale of jewelry from more than 100 years. But ...

At 18h we find ourselves in front of the shop of a friend Flor, artisan jeweler that I'll shoot tomorrow - it invites us to a party in town.

Having arrived a little sooner, I linger on the little market square to take pictures. I am joined by one of my fellow gypsy, "Pedro" and he calls himself. It is, it is seen and heard, ill. Of course he asked me rupees, dining ... I asked him to take her to the clinic for treatment. He prefers to have the money in cash and go there himself, and I fixed him go tomorrow. Deepu, the head of Fior di Loto passing by, I reported the case of this child Deepu tells me to take him to hospital where he receives free care. But I do not know if my friend will join me tomorrow.

We're getting there - on a bike - to 19h. Stupor. In what must be a school, and in the courtyard of this, dozens of women, men, children, ... arrive per group. It is a vigil in the 20th consecutive day of death of an inhabitant. This festival is ritual. We are made up on the roof of one building. We are told that the seats (in the courtyard or rooftop) are assigned based on the caste to which the guests belong.

Men and women are separated. But it is men who everywhere make the service. Everyone is sitting on the floor, strips of carpet very long. The show is very beautiful, very good atmosphere, hubbub, continuous round of servers. (While I go to pee-room, a little brat hesitate to ask me very directly 10 rupees. As I refuse to laugh, he believes in me tells me that there are no toilets where I go and turn me back).

There are a large number of castes (caste sometimes by business: we are talking thus, at length, with a barber ... member of the caste of barbers, who is not the highest, it is that of the Brahmin). As for the veiled women who sweep the streets, they are actually the lowest caste. It is very difficult to escape the fate determined by the caste. Our journeyman barber we explained that he wanted to go very far, also in India to change jobs, if they discovered his caste, he was soon excluded from the job in question. Now it appears that caste can be betrayed only by a particular syllable of the name.

We dine at our tower on the roof in large plastic dishes and with hands, as it should (right hand only, the left is devoted to other functions).

Since my adventure with bhop, my meeting with officials of Fior di Loto, everything I learn little little about India, Hinduism, the status of women, the rigidity of caste, my gaze on India deepens. Despite the express wishes of the government, for example, terminate the fate of girls and women or the law of caste, I realize there will be some time before things really change. The principle of religious and traditional customs are deeply rooted. And anyway, he here and everywhere, the children's laughter, warmth, openness. "India" is decidedly rich, complex, explosive mix of the most extreme contrasts. But I focus more more to this country / continent and its inhabitants.

Asus Expressgate Insstallation Incomplete

January 28 - Laughter of lotus flowers

At 10am, I found as expected, on the other side of town, at the Sunset Café, Raju, Brahamine for the puja. Sat at the Sunset Terrace overlooking the lake, I see it happen, all dressed in white, red napkin neatly folded in a sling on the shoulder.

It takes time for me to do the puja, a sort of ritual blessing for the pilgrim and his family. Hindus plunge into the river (or lake) because water is supposed to promise good health. Raju patiently explain various things about his religion, that is the city of Pushkar Brahama (the "god" creator of the Hindu trinity), another town is dedicated to Vishnu and a third, Benares, Shiva, the deity of destruction (which destroyed to start). And other information such as these: about 18 000 inhabitants have the city of Pushkar, 2000 are Brahmins. And the only income of a Brahmin are the offerings. That true sadhus do not drag in town but live very lonely in the mountains.

The puja lasts, the ritual is very aesthetic and symbolic. I'm not too surprised to hear the gods in the applications they give me, in addition to good health, a "good job" and a "good business". Money is not really a taboo. With him I pray for all my family: children, women, parents and grandparents repeat the mantras, and then we throw the water rose petals.

The puja ended, I found Deepu.

We go on a bike (it's still my Brahmin, Raju, who laced up a pair of sunglasses for the occasion, which I pilot) for a photo shoot at school the foundation. During a discussion with Deepu, I proposed to them as many photos as they like for their website or any use they want - and Kam had said the day at night they were looking just a photographer. They had declined the proposal of an earlier photographer (French, for that matter) who asked 500 euro for such work.

When we arrived, the lunch hour ends. Joyful excitement of children before the camera lens ... I met the principal, teachers. The current director is getting married and must therefore stop working. Soon. These children are like all children in the world with something more and something less. In some classes, you sit down. The school, in this season begins at 7am and ends at 14h after because it's too hot.

The school itself occupies part of what in fact is a temple, and this part of the building is leased to the Foundation. But knowing that it is funded, in large part, by Western officials of the temple tend to increase rents.

I return around 13:00 for a second shooting, I want to attend the lesson of "computer" (I've already taken so many pictures that I have to download them my computer). The school has some computers but they are carefully locked up for fear of theft. This day the course is without a computer. Each student has a notebook computer and graphic explaining the operation, I think, to Windows. The teacher gives the lesson by reading his own book of the master. I have some difficulties to make me forget the children ... photo taking is once again a treat. Attitudes of children, smiles, laughs, pranks, colors, ...

I spend well in some classes, sit in the back to make me forget where possible children and disturb least possible way.

Each student has his school bag and all necessary materials and a small aluminum container, closed for his lunch.

At 14h, when boarding the minibus for the children back to their villages, I decided to board.

atmosphere. Minibus crowded (I'm the last one hand while taking pictures of each other. Traffic, horns, cows, bicycles, ... Gradually the children down.

The minibus back to school for a second tour, in another village. Then there is a little less children and I can sit in the front. I thus ample opportunity to discover a little better with my bike to gypsies the surrounding desert. Tents of gypsies actually, small houses, hutes, houses can be called a "bourgeois" culture, ... Driving is unbelievable. Left in principle but in reality, once left, once right, as the movement of a cow, a bicycle, a cart, a another bus in front makes a passing, etc..

Having introduced these students, I sit beside the young and friendly driver. Suddenly he stopped on a dirt road descends from his chariot and rides on the roof, just under a tree. It descends in a few moments with a large handful of green balls, like small fat weight. It makes me taste; "very good health" he tells me. A few minutes later, he charges three farmers in multicolored saris, women of age more advanced by. With their big basket, they go to small local market. I ask to photograph them of course but the face is not. Laugh. They then offered me a handful of broad beans, the driver attempts to explain and show me - while driving - how to open them. I finally arrives. I then noticed his hands and extraordinary jewels of the ladies: pictures, re-laughs. They asked me of course no rupee.

back, I'll bask in the sunshine of 2h guesthouse.

day long, I have my camera ready. It should be on a permanent high alert ... Every minute there is something going on. I dare not count the number of pictures that I made so far. Probably between 2 and 3000.

Non Camodogenic And Oil Free Concealer

January 27 - bhop happy ending ... New & page ...

I begin this day with a little apprehension. Everything was explained to me yesterday evening to Lawrence networks scam seems to be confirmed, yet Rampaji invited me to dinner at his "camp" and I feel dizzy.

But first, I start my day after a chai with Rampaji, returning to take photos in the same school as yesterday.

Can I risk a clinic for a small wound to the foot (caused by my flip flops to 2 euros). Very good experience!

After lunch, I contacted the head of the foundation "Fior di Loto" (lotus flower). Remember that name already, without hesitation, visitier their website:

The head of the organization, Deepu, I replied and fixed an appointment immediately at the Sunset Café, fantastic hotel and restaurant along the lake. It is aptly named since it is the best place to enjoy the sunset.

I go there immediately and sit on the edge of terrace, but inside, facing the lake, the ghats, mountains. I ordered a "black cofee" and wait. The wait dragged on, I began making pictures. I go to extraordinary scenes, with a telephoto lens, I'm the real job of paparazzi ... a treat.

After about 1:30, not having seen Deepu I tell myself that it was been withheld at the last minute, I return to my hotel. But by the way, I phone Deepu. It was at sunset, but ... the terrace outside, at one end ... In a voice surprisingly soft, like he had nothing else to do, he told me someone on a motorcycle at the guesthouse and he expects me to Sunset. Indeed, a few minutes later, the biker in question arrives. Crossing the entire city (for the single "main street" shops) until sunset. I meet Deepu. It is Brahmin but he is responsible, in India, the Foundation Fior di Loto.

I explain what I saw with that Ramapji wonder more and more money, tents, funding for children's education but I explained to him my perplexities. And my fears are confirmed then well, there are total scam. Nevertheless, I set appointments to Rampaji 17h; he invited me to dinner in his "camp" (Deepu tells me they have, in fact, houses are but the tourists like me in this pseudo-camp). I am very sensitive to the situation of children Rampaji; Deepu offers me to meet him in the Foundation office in downtown. I'll get Rampaji where we set an appointment. I hope Rampaji agree to enroll their children in the school run by Fior di Loto and not in private school that I was proposing. Because I learn that in fact, fraud is: a Gypsy takes a tourist previously handled well, the emotional (as well as Lawrence had told me the day before) at this school and being asked to finance the Tuition for one or more children. If the visitor accepts, the principal and the gypsy share, in fact, the amount. And no child is enrolled.

I felt the problem coming. Because during my meeting yesterday with the director, I was surprised she asked me to pay cash, I was also surprised it is still possible to re-enroll children in February, whereas in India - she had me explain - the summer holidays begin in May. And other details, the last 48 hours, left me perplexed.

Rampaji So I find to 17h and is accompanied by a son, 10 years ago, which I love. He agrees to go with me into the office Deepu. Deepu and explained to him in Hindi and I feel discomfort, huge, my fellow Gypsy. All fears are confirmed, orally, by Rampaji: it actually has a house he does not need tents, and finally, and despite my requests, he refused to enroll her children in the Foundation. His choice is to keep his small business. Rampaji out of the office. I feel very sad for his decision and I even questioned his son about what he wanted him. But nothing to do.

Suddenly, I feel liberated, in spite of my sadness, an enormous weight. Yes, I was a victim, since 3 or 4 days, a subtle and powerful emotional manipulation. Though I tried to resist, it was very difficult. But as I said yesterday evening Lawrence, there is always, in "Crook", a detail that betrays and kills. In this case, I noticed two days ago that Rampaji wore brand new shoes ...

And yesterday, as I pressed the questions to understand the functioning of his life in the camp, I sensed her discomfort to answer.

I will refrain from certain moral judgments, too spontaneous in the West. Kam also tell me herself how rich cultural traditions of "Gypsy" Indian (though the term "gypsy" is totally anachronistic, it is a term imported from the West). Moreover, the origin of the Roma is ... Indian!

Deepu then puts me in touch with Kam, Pushkar is an Indian but lives six months of the year in France where she is responsible to inform the association. We go for dinner.

After the meeting in the office Deepu, I spent ... a small shoot-portraits. Then I go, relieved, on the ghats. And there, for the first time since I am in Pushkar, I realize that I did not even pause to contemplate this magical place ... and I take up. Rest; concert overlooking the lake and Drums Sunset ... photos ... I enjoy fully the poetic places, finally.

Even better: Deepu, Brhamine authentic - authentically witty and generous - my intention to make me do a Puja by one of his Brahmin friends ... none other than the motorcyclist he had sent me back to the Sunset ... Deepu explains that the Brahmins, in fact, have to pay only what the pilgrims give them. But there, too much abuse. He assures me that with his colleague, I give absolutely what I want. I breathe .... and appointment is made for 10am tomorrow Authentic Puja, finally ...

Oh, and I forgot: I spend a part of the day ... in the school of Fior di Loto to do it ... pictures!

the evening, as expected, I found Kam; it also sends a motorcyclist to take me to my hotel! She lives in the outskirts of town. I discovered ... a wonderful small jewelry shop (photos ...), Kam and I are aware. She explains the history of the Foundation and a thousand other things impossible to transcribe. But I learn from other than the scam that I was the victim develops. The gypsies, it respects deeply, and have settled with the economic boom, is trying by all means take them épingue the game, especially since, as with bhop particular, their ancient and rich traditions do they earn more, she tells me about the atrocious condition of women, babies, girls, girls, married women (we still kill baby girls in the villages; raped a girl is murdered by his own family, etc..). Hence the extraordinary courage of the founding Fior di Loto, as summarized Deepu me: "I want these girls become doctors, lawyers, doctors, ...". A revolution.

So I dine with Kam and I have the chance to see the habitat of a person I think the middle class. Space for the apprentice designer that I am is very informative ...

Kam and I were scheduled to meet again soon in Avigon where she resides.

I feel really liberated tonight. And the program that I had done for the next 2 days is ... once again changed ... forward to the next issue ...

Words For A Card On Funeral Flowers

January 26 - Dancing for Independence day

It was decided yesterday that I 'would go visit a school and take pictures. I realized that it was "Independence Day" and so I was wondering what and who I was going to meet. Finally, arriving - guided by Rampaji - in this small school in a narrow alley, I hear music. The director received us, I began by asking him to explain some of the school system (calendar, tuition, etc., we're in a private school). Our respective approximate English does not allow me to enter any of these explanations, and I feel that she has other things to do. She then invites me to follow and we climb the narrow stairs and dark, the music is more audible and I start from the voices of children. Suddenly, surprise: we arrive on the roof where all children, in uniform and some in full dress, dance together to have fun. The director made me sit on the only chair of the roof - his chair to it, I guess. And the show begins. For more than 30 minutes, children, mostly girls but also a boy, start dancing on Indian music very rhythmic. A treat ... In fact, the National Day, all children go to school but for activities of prayer and dance. I go back to school tomorrow to photograph the children ... at work.

An association of English origin helps to schooling for poor girls of this region. This association with an office in Pushkar same, I will contact them. Because Rampaji told me not to be able to pay for the education of three of her children - and indeed, given the salary, tuition fees (uniform and photocopies included), it is not cheap, so I would like to know more and, perhaps, pass over.

(I keep the best pictures for the evening "India" I plan my return .... :-))

After a good breakfast ' at Nizam, nap in the sun. As it is a national holiday, there are more people on the ghats for the ritual. From my terrace, I shoot for a long time.

Then I'm back on the road, I would like to know more about the "biznes" in India and I went into a shop claiming scarves and other "100% pure silk. I was not there to buy me out but all his goods (homemade) and he has his own workshop, exports around (he proudly showed me all the business cards of its exporters). It is direct, cash. The busines in India is almost sacred.

After a moment's conversation, it removes a tissue over a monitor and o, stupor, I attend the live viewing of workers (hey, here are women). Video surveillance? Marketing? Continuing the discussion, and beginning to learn about the rates of pure silk, I begin to wonder for what these women work at low wages. In the evening, at Nizam always, I met Laurent, photographer and videographer of Cahors, who assure me that behind the scenes there are backstage and the villagers (men, women and children) are used extensively around. The monthly salary of a child in a seasonal hotel is 1000 rupees (approx. 18 euros). A teacher earns officially 10 000 rupees. From my first day here I learned that the city was surrounded by dozens (if not more) of "factories" where the villagers come to work in the desert. How much does this woman at least 60 years continuously scans the guesthouse's so beautiful sari, asking, whenever she can, a few rupees (I agreed to do that in exchange for some photos of it)? And those who regularly sweep - veiled - the streets of Pushkar? "India", in any case, working hard and not too many scruples, it seems. Money is no less adored as gods - and I explained that Lawrence is very interested in these realities. And at the same time an "America" where everything remains to be done, which explains the dynamism of entrepreneurs.

Lawrence gives me a lot of ideas of places to visit. He confirmed that the crisis hits India and especially in tourist areas where a lot of prices (hotels in particular are falling). It takes me discover the best buffet restaurant in the city and, yes, I'm not disappointed (and also the buffet for about 1 euro, a plate of excellent fries extra). And in a garden in Africa (for me) in addition to the sweet evening. Lawrence explains how to reach out to people "other" as shopkeepers - what I want to do for some time but never knew how. I will try it tomorrow ... Other India still emerging slowly. India in any case is not limited to postcards gorgeous saffron and rose from our memories; Indies multiple ...