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Links and Getting in the Mood follows... we are a business and like any other we want to make a profit... but we also like to offer a helping hand where we can. We suggest thinking about the places you shop at- it can make a big difference to some people's lives... We support the Shakti Project in Pushkar as best we can, and so are happy to collect second hand clothes, books, pencils, games etc to drop off to the project. This group helps street kids get an education and a meal in their stomachs each day. for more information on the project go to www.shakti-streetkids-pushkar.org or email Ramsingh the Co-ordinator contact@shakti-streetkids-pushkar.org or visit them The Shakti Project, Behind Sand Baba Temple, Purani Sabji Mandi Rd, Marwar Chowngi , Pushkar, Ajmer [Raj.] Fair Trade and Self-Help Organizations Places where the money you spend goes directly to the people who did the work.... think about Fair Trade -this is a bit of a definition en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page New Consumer Magazine www.newconsumer.org To further support this idea we are establishing a listing of places we have heard of ...to help you make informed choices... Please let us know of places you have found- let's share the information http://tactiletextiletravels.blogspot.com/ Micro Loans- such a small amount of money can help turn around someones life- it happens I have seen it! These guys help you make a difference and it is interesting to watch it happen www.kiva.org Reading David Borgenstein How to Change the World- Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas -as the title suggests this book shows how with determination and innovation, even a single person can make a surprising difference. Inspiring. Following are places we know personally and trust, there are others out there -let us know of what you find. Many of these organizations appreciate the help of volunteers and you would have a wonderful experience with them ! India Barefoot College www.barefootcollege.org Sadhna Co-operative www.sadhna.org Urmal Trust Bikaner www.nposonline.net/urmal.html Conserve www.conserveindia.org/index.html Vietnam Blue Dragon www.bdcf.org An organization to help street kids, get off the street, be kids and get an education. Hoa Sua www.hoasuaschool.com An excellent restaurant and training facility set up to help street kids get an education and career. They make the best hot chocolate I have had, ever! KOTO www.streetvoices.com.au An excellent restaurant and training facility set up to help street kids get an education and career. Craftlink www.craftlink-vietnam.com Indigo Store www.indigostoresapa.com Getting in the mood... A little bit of preparation will not only enhance your anticipation for the coming journey, it will also enrich your experience. The locations we choose to visit we choose because they are great, of course, but also because they are not like back home so a bit of preparation can go a long way. May we suggest raiding the local library and video store for whatever you can find covering our locations- travel guides, histories, cook books, movies all will start to develop some insight into the counties we are visiting. Our tutors will also offer some suggestions on resource material they have found useful in their chosen area. India Movies -Have a look at a Bollywood movie or two- lots of hype and glam but you will also get some idea of the intracity of family relationships - Gandhi- his presence is still very much an influence to life here Books There are available many wonderful novels written by Indians in English, these are some I have read and enjoyed. The Indian use of English is a joy in itself, a real flair for developing a rich imagery- I feel India’s long history of poetry shines through somehow. [Fiona] Rupa Bajwa- The Sari Shop- poignant story of a young man’s journey to improve himself. Vikram Chandra- Red Earth, Pouring Rain- this man can write! A good story, a bit of history and wonderful insights into Indian culture. -Sacred Games - A Suitable Boy Gayatri Devi –A Princess Remembers- memoirs of the Maharani of Jaipur. William Dalrymple- a British writer who lives in India, anything he writes is worth a Read. -City of the Djinns- a year in Delhi- great insight into the history of Delhi. -White Mughals - The Age of Kali Guruchandran Das- A Fine Family -India Unbound – very readable works even this one which is on the economic changes India has been going through in the last 15 years that have set the stage for her to emerge on the International stage. Madhyr Jaffrey- Climbing the Mango Trees- autobiography a of a well known food writer, excellent read and great recipes - any of her food books are worth having Cooking Clive James- Silver City- in India anything is possible but there are no safety nets. An evocative story of escaping the slums, luxury only to fall… Sarah Macdonald – Holy Cow- Australian author's experiences in India, entertaining Gita Mehta- A River Sutra- highly recommend any of her work -Raj - Karma Cola Reshma Rula- Something Black in the Lentil Soup- a story showcasing the Indian way events just seem to unfold. Kushwant Singh- Delhi- a novel that encompasses the history of Delhi- a bit out there but excellent, an insightful and well known journalist, look for his other works as well Bamber Gasgoigne.The Great Moghuls- Well written account of these fascinating rulers. Much of the wonderful architecture we will experience was built by them. History Charmaine O’Brien The Flavours of Delhi- a food lover’s guide. A great guide with good recipes of Delhi, and a history of influences- yum! Cooking Lizzie Collingham Curry- A Tale of Cooks and Conquerors. Great read- history and how it impacted on the wonderful cuisine of India Cooking Amulya Malladi Serving Crazy with Curry insightful novel about the human heart; cooking was one woman's way to understanding it. Rama Mehta Inside the Haveli Insightful novel to understand traditional life inside a Haveli and purdah- compassionately written. Roy Moxham The Great Hedge of India as he writes, " When I first started my research for the Customs Hedge, I had been looking for a harmless pieces of English eccentricity. It had been a shock to find the great hedge was in reality a monstrosity: a terrible instrument of British oppression." Unbelievable the lengths and the toll it costs in human lives and suffering one group of people will go to fleece another group of people.History Vietnam Francois Jadov- Under the Sign of the Blue Dragon. Beautiful journal of her travels in Vietnam- very inspiring to visit the place as well as a working method. Inspiring Travel Journals Ibn Battutah The Travels of Ibn Battutah edited by Tim Mackintosh-Smith. In 1325 Moroccan Muslin scholar Ibn Battutah set out to see the world. It took him 29 years to do so, this yarn of his adventures is witty, full of insight into the medieval world and gossip. My hero! what a traveller! Opal WhiteleyThe Singing Creek where the Willows Grow. Journal of a young nature writer, inspiring observations of her world, her wonder is inspiring as a way of greeting the world for any traveller. Chet Raymo The Path- a one mile walk through the Universe "tongues in trees, books in running brooks, sermons in stones and good in everything" so said Shakespeare. Raymo draws these threads together in this wonderful observation of his local way. Basho Narrow Road to a Far Province translated by Dorothy Britton. 17th Century pilgrim poet Basho undertook a perilous journey, he kept a diary of his journey in prose- poetry and wrote a haiku per day. Richard Bernstein Ultimate Journey-Retracing the Path of an Ancient Buddhist Monk who crossed Asia in Search of Enlightenment. Highly regarded in both India and China Hsuan Tsang traced the journey of Buddhism from China back to India. He set our in 629 looking for TRUTH, to settle what he called the "perplexities of my mind." Richard Bernstein, turned 50 and retracing this journey was on his must do list, this tale tells of his journey and re- tells Hsuan Tsang's. Great read Travel and new experiences- general Elizabeth Gilbert Eat, Pray, Love- Especially what she has to say in the first section is a great primer for experiencing new places. The whole book is a great primer for life. Europe and UK Tracy Chevalier The Lady and the Unicorn- Fictional imagination of how these wonderful tapestries may have come about- excellent read and just wait to you see the real thing!- they must have such a rich history woven into them- let us dream it... as no documentation exists. [The Girl and the Pearl Earring is wonderful as well] Exploring your creativity and life Julia Cameron The Artist’s Way- a course in discovering and recovering your creative self. The Secret DVD and books Morocco and Andulucia Dean King Skeletons on the Zahara- Story of survivors of an 1815 ship wreck, great for a feel of the harshness of life in the desert. NOTE we will NOT be travelling under these conditions. Ibn Battutah The Travels of Ibn Battutah edited by Tim Mackintosh-Smith. In 1325 Moroccan Muslin scholar Ibn Battutah set out to see the world. It took him 29 years to do so, this yarn of his adventures is witty, full of insight into the medieval world and gossip. My hero- what a traveller! Washington Irving Tales of the Alhambra essential reading before visiting Granada- sets the scene for the stories and myths surrounding this magical place. Antoine de Saint Exupéry The Little Prince So wise and such a poignant story, what might be possible in the sands of the Sahara. Elias Canetti The Voices of Marrakesh Poignant observations of life in Marrakesh observed during a visit in the 60's. His observations on bargaining in the market are educational. A blog to whet your appetite-http://moroccanmaryam.typepad.com/ Maryam of Marrakech Syria www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Syria/- interesting travel blog- good to get a feel of recent travellers experiences of this friendly country Salam Cafe- Comedy show on Australian TV run by a host of Muslim comics-witty and educational -a great insight into Muslim beliefs www.sbs.com.au/salamcafe Ibn Battutah The Travels of Ibn Battutah edited by Tim Mackintosh-Smith. In 1325 Moroccan Muslin scholar Ibn Battutah set out to see the world. It took him 29 years to do so, this yarn of his adventures is witty, full of insight into the medieval world and gossip. My hero- what a traveller! Agatha Christie Come, Tell Me How You Live: An Archaeological Memoir- It is little known that Agatha Christie's husband Max Mellor was an inspired archeologist who spent some considerable time in Syria as did Christie in often inhospitable conditions.- Dijanne Ross Burns -Monuments Of Syria: A Historical Guide. This book is a must for anyone is interested in archeological sites and the wonderful monuments and ancient sites still in existence in Syria. Burns was a diplomat in Syria and fell in love with the place- Dijanne - Damascus: A History Amin Malouf -Samarkand. Amin Maalouf writes in French and has won the prestigious Prix Goncourt and even in translation his books are wonderful tales of a past and glorious history . Samarkand follows the very eventful life of Omar Kayyam ( lived around 1207 and reputed to have been a tentmaker by trade) author of the Rubayyait which he was ordered to write in a blank book as punishment for intrigue against the sultan. -Dijanne -Balthasar's Odyssey Another kind of journey in pursuit of a rare and old book T"he Hundredth Name" through Syrian and Turkish lands to London and back. - Dijanne Orhan Pamuk- My Name Is Red - Snow -Istanbul: Memories Of A City Beautifully written and sets a feel for the area- Fiona Shelagh Weir Embroidery From Palestine (fabric Folios) William Dalrymple From The Holy Mountain: A Journey In The Shadow Of Byzantium -In Xanudu: a quest A tale of following Marco Polo's journals, via Aleppo, Syria |
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