Precious Stone Inlay in Style of Taj Mahal

After viewing the Taj Mahal my guide took me to a marble shop where they work in the same style as the people who did the inlay work on the Taj Mahal all those years ago. It starts with the master coming up with a design and it being traced onto white marble. The stone is then temporarily stained red so the next step can be completed. Using a small chisel the marble is chipped away leaving impressions of the design. The men then grind down the precious stones to fit into the design using a rope, sandstone wheel & man power. None of it is mechanized. The pieces are placed onto the marble with a basic glue then polished until they shine. The result is absolutely gorgeous.

Around Delhi

From the moment I landed in Dehli, India every sense was assaulted. My eyes didn't have time to focus on one happening before something else was drawing my attention. The cacophony of blaring horns, begging children, overzealous vendors and bleating cattle were impossible to comprehend. Smells of burning trash, sizzling roadside grills, and musty animals infiltrated my nostrils. Thrown into this city after 16 hours on an airplace circulating recycled air was going from one extreme to the next.
It is hard to believe this city exists and it is a weird mash-up as the old ways of life are still very much visible here. Cabs, rickshaws, cars, motorcycles, buses, dogs, goats, cows, donkeys, and camels all vie for room on the highway. Everything comes at a negotiable price and the smallest favors require a "tip" (so I quickly learned to carry my own bags). Even from the static calmness of a car, the chaos on the streets is overwhelming. Children run up to every car stuck in traffic either trying to sell some trinkets or simply begging for food. I can't tell you how heart-breaking it is to have an 8 year old girl in rags, with matted hair, a baby pappoosed on her back, tapping at your window, bringing her hand to her mouth hoping for her next meal. And there are hundreds of them dodging cars and being shooed away by the native drivers.
The backdrop to all this seems to be something from another planet. Old shacks, modern buildings, and ancient mosques make the skyline like no other place on Earth. The history and the culture are waiting to be uncovered by the next tourist courageous enough to brave the streets.

My hostel, located about 10 minutes from Indira Ghandi Airport, is on the Main Bazaar in New Dehli. A couple of quick turns down the alley and there is a narrow glass door held open by the manager. He pointed me up three flights of stairs and along the way I was delighted to find I wasn't the only traveler staying here. My room was quite small and had space for the one bed in it. There was a toilet and sink in the bathroom, but no toilet paper or mirror. Oddly enough there was not outlet I could use either. The one in the room was being used by a broken old tv and even the plug was bolted to the wall.

Finally at a stopping point I was able to take everything in. I didn't have anywhere to be for the next 12 hours and sleep came very quckly.

An Idea of Scale

The massiveness of these tombs & shrines is hard to see in a photo. To give you an idea of the scale, here is a photo of one of the smaller tombs in Lodhi Gardens. Next to it is a picture of me sitting the main, center doorway.

Lodhi Gardens

First Stop - New Dehli

Hey all! I have made it to New Dehli safe & sound. We are about 11 hours ahead of PST. If I wasn't so tired I would tell you all the crazy things I saw on the drive to the hostel, but that will have to wait until tomorrow evening. I never thought I would see oxen & buses competing for lane space on a paved highway..

Tomorrow's agenda includes the Indian Habitat, Lodi Gardens & Sufdarjung's Tomb. I'm happy, healthy & excited!!

Love you all!

Away We Go...

As I am sitting here in the Portland airport I can't help but reflect on the journey I have gone on to get to this point. There are so many people to thank & they all know who they are. The emotional support, physical help, reservation assistance & overall love has been overwhelming. I know I am so very lucky to have all of you in my life. This truly is the opportunity of a lifetime & I am so grateful to have the chance to live this dream.

I am nervous, scared, excited & anxious to get to Asia. After I land in New Delhi, India I will be staying in a hostel for 3 days. The first full day I have there I will be meeting with some volunteers working with WWF India & they are going to take me around New Delhi & explore the sights. The second day I will be getting on a train & traveling to the Taj Mahal. There I will meet a guide who will take me to the monument & tour Agra. The final day I will travel to Bhutan where the plan is to spend the first 12 days briefing with WWF Bhutan.

Ok, time to board the flight. I love you all & can't wait to share this experience with you! I will post as often as I can & will watch for your comments. Please note the contact information listed on the side of the blog. Feel free to send me an email or chat with me on Skype!

First Two Weeks

I have received the plan for my first two weeks! I will land in India on November 17th and will get to spend three days exploring the country. While I will be on my own for travel, I will be connecting with a few people working with the WWF India. I will be staying in a hostel in New Dehli, which will provide daily internet access! I hope to get to travel around Old Dehli & New Dehli.. keeping my fingers crossed I have time to make the trek to the Taj Mahal.

On the morning of November 20th I will board a small plane and fly to Paro Airport in Bhutan. My first 12 days will be spent in Thimphu (the capital city) getting acquainted with the country & the customs. I will be staying in a hotel in Bhutan, spending time learning how this tiny country operates. (Keeping in mind it wasn't until 1999 that Internet & television were made "legal"). My headquarters will be at the offices of WWF Bhutan where I will get all the details on my assignments & projects. On December 3rd I will repack everything & head to Wangchuck National Park.

As of today, every i has been dotted & all t's have been crossed. I have 3 different visas, a new passport, booked 7 flights, been re-vaccinated & have all my medications. All thats left to do is pack & get on the plane! 19 days left ....

Glossary of Terms

Dasho - term of honor for high ranking official; usually designated by a red dichu given by the King
Dichu - long scarf worn around the gho, usually of a specific color to signify rank
Dzong - fortress monastery of the Buddhist religion
Dzongkhag - district
Goemba - a Buddhist Monastery
Gho - term for the national men's dress in Bhutan
Gup - local governor or high ranking official
Kira - term for the national women's dress in Bhutan
Lhakhang - temple
Puja - expressions of honor or worship
Stupa - hemispherical Buddhist structure

One Month to Go

After job rearranging, budget tightening, and tons of research I have accepted a position with the World Wildlife Fund, International. I will be traveling to a very small country called Bhutan. Bhutan is a Buddhist country about the size of Switzerland and ranges from deep valleys to the tops of the Himalayas.

I will also have the opportunity to explore India.

My trip begins November 16th at 6:25am and lasts for four months, as I return March 23rd. The WWF is committed to preserving and maintaining the greatest biologically diverse areas in the world. They have recently established a new National Park in Bhutan. It is called Wangchuck Centennial Park and located in the Central Northern region of the country. I will be working alongside the WWF Bhutan Office establishing the Living Himalayas Program.

My main objective is to create conservation materials (brochures, pamphlets, animal information sheets, etc) for the new national park. I will also be serving as a liaison between the WWF Bhutan and other environmental groups for the duration of my stay. Part of this will include creating a photographic database for the park, which includes documenting current species of plant and wildlife. Animals known to be in the area are red pandas, bengal tigers, snow leopards, takin, black-necked cranes, wild dogs (dholes), and a variety of jungle antelope. In the last year at least three previously believed extinct species of bird were rediscovered. This is truly an untouched, unmarred territory.

Wish me luck!

Contact Information

Email: kimizmail@comcast.net

Skype: Kimberlee Adolph

Phone: +975 179 91566

Mailing Address (write "Kimberlee Adolph" on package):
WWF Bhutan
Yangchi Pema
PO 210
Thimphu, Bhutan