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Friday, February 27, 2015

{Part XI Husband Pieter's Trip to India - Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir - Daily Life}

Showing you more photos from husband Pieter's Trip to India. This is all taken in the summer capital of Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir during the end of March.
Maybe most of you have seen a picture of Dal Lake, Srinagar J&K
Srinagar at the muddy Jhelum River...
Watch short 2:07 minute video: Srinagar Kashmir | the city of Bridges | Bird's eye Video
Lots of house boats on the Jhelum River
The snow capped Himalayan Mountains, with below the Lidder River...
Lal Chowk in Srinagar City where you can find lots of taxi cars
Lal Chowk which is a city square in Srinagar.
Srinagar City, Main Street
Like I wrote earlier in one of the chapters, no these men are not pregnant but they do walk with a fire-pot under their clothes, for staying warm!
To the right is Dr. Parimoo, husband Pieter's long time friend from Srinagar J & K.
This man is selling those fire-pots, a clay pot inside the woven basket, filled with charcoal.
Pieter did bring one home but that stayed behind in The Netherlands...
Srinagar, Road to Lal Mandi...
Street life...
Street life of Srinagar, which is the summer capital for the J & K state.
In winter all offices move to Jammu, which is more south.
A Mutton, Barber and Book shop side by side...
Another Mutton seller...
This might be Shalimar Bagh in Srinagar
Near the rose garden of Shalimar Bagh, Srinagar
Men tending the rose garden...
Rose gardener
There is not that much to do, so they did offer Pieter to smoke the water pipe...
Husband Pieter said: 'No thanks, I don't smoke...'
Fresh fruits and vegetables...
In Srinagar they also grow Kashmiri Saffron | World's costliest spice ←click for 0:50 min. video.
Grocery store...
Sewing for customers...
Peanuts or maybe boiled peanuts...
Hope this gave you some impressions about Jammu & Kashmir as it was in March of 1982.

Related links:
{Part X Husband Pieter's Trip to India - Srinagar, J & K Silk & Wool Rugs - Pashminas} | previous post by me
{Part IX of Trip to India - Lal Mandi Srinagar, J & K People - Living} | previous post by me
{Part VIII of Trip to India - Lal Mandi Srinagar, J & K State - Mushroom Village) | previous post by me
{Part VII of Husband Pieter's Trip to India - Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir} | previous post by me
{Part VI of Husband Pieter's Trip to India - Shimla, Himachal Pradesh} | previous post by me
{Part V of Trip to India - Chail Himachal Pradesh & Highest Cricket Ground in the World} | previous post by me
{Part IV of Husband Pieter's Trip to India -  Solan, Himachal Pradesh} | previous post by me
{Part III of Husband Pieter's Trip to India - Maharaja Amarinder Singh, Patiala Punjab} | previous post by me
{Part II of Husband Pieter's Trip to India - Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh} | previous post by me
{Part I of Husband Pieter's Trip to India  - Arrival in New Delhi} | previous post by me
{The Mission of H.R.H. Prince Claus - Husband Pieter's Trip to India} | previous post by me


36 comments:

  1. the houseboat photo is amazing! thanks for explaining the 'pregnant looking' men. that is truly what 'pot belly' means, then. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Theresa,
      Indeed, those houseboats are unique for photographing! Sure, that's the 'pot belly' expression explained!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  2. such a different life, even if that was 30 years ago. I have been to different places in this world, and I am always amazed at the level of poverty in the world.

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    1. Dearest Daniela,
      It is true as the biggest number of people on this planet have to make do with so little. We should consider that more often for putting the brakes on the western worlds 'want'.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  3. Deareat Mariette,
    thank you for more interesting pictures and impressions of this Country!
    Love and hugs
    Claudia

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    Replies
    1. Liebe Claudia,
      Those really are some great impressions for understanding how life is in that part of the world.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  4. Liebe Mariette,

    die Bilder sprechen für sich.
    Sonnige Grüße
    Elisabeth

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    Replies
    1. Liebe Elisabeth,
      Ja, da hast du völlig Recht; dass tun sie!
      Liebe Grüsse,
      Mariette

      Delete
  5. Dearest Mariette; Oh My, walking with a fire-pot under their clothes; must be warm but there must be pros and some cons. They may know not to have low temperature burn like our old type 'yutannpo, (hot water container used in the bed)' caused it sometimes. Smiled for the word 'pot belly', though.
    I wonder how the life in the boat, amazing photographs. The man tending the rose garden with white turban, beard, clothes softened my heart a bit ♪
    Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Miyako,
      Yes, there are many different impressions to see and like you say about the men tending the rose garden, with the Sikh turban, they are a different religion and culture. Life in the boat will be fine I guess but one does wonder about all the sewer issues...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  6. Excellent footage once more, Mariette!
    What a interesting and fabulous trip;
    It must be exiting for your too to prepare these posts.
    I am surprised at the good quality of the images considering they were taken at the time film cameras.
    Hugs from France, keep well :)

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Noushka,
      Well this is the final of those series and it was exiting to prepare and for Pieter great to see it all in sequence and for having it worked out; HIS story very much as it did impact his life in a big way.
      Guess our scanner is of great quality as indeed those slides turned out perfect considering their age!
      Hugs back from Georgia,
      Mariette

      Delete
  7. Hello Mariette, Somehow, river-view pictures always make me want to explore the area up close, especially if it's ok to get my shoes a little muddy. I noticed one photos with holes in the street. Taipei City, for all its modernity has similar traps--pedestrians should watch their step! Also, if you go on the side streets, you can still find tiny grocery stores like that--not the same as convenience stores, they really look just like your photo--piles of eggs, baked snacks, and a few canned goods. I am sure that you found the same in Indonesia.
    --Jim

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Jim,
      In old ages life always got centered around the big rivers as water meant life and also had the most fertile soil for growing crops. Yes, one does want to explore...
      Sure, the overall concept for safety is totally lacking in Asia I guess, Indonesia had lots of such traps and it would be better not to walk in the dark!
      Such stores we have seen lots of in Indonesia and the stark contrast when traveling back to the USA with exaggerated precaution to expiration date and such, is striking!
      Kindest regards,
      Mariette

      Delete
  8. Dearest Mariette,

    I enjoyed seeing Pieters travels to India and thanks for sharing. Interesting to see all the house boats and found the fire pots to keep them warm fascinating.
    Hope you are enjoying the week
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Carolyn,
      Thank you and it is indeed interesting to see house boats and fire pots for keeping warm.
      After lots of rain yesterday we only have a dark and dreary day today.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  9. Liebe Mariette,
    auf den erste Blick dachte ich: wie schrecklich teilweise die Menschen dort leben - die Hausboote, die Häuser, die Gewänder.... die schwere Arbeit zeichnet die Menschen - gewiss, es ist eine Zeit her - vielleicht gibt es heute bessere Lebensbedingungen -
    aber vielleicht sind die Menschen in solch einer Umgebung glücklicher als in der hektischen Welt, die wir unser eigen nennen - auf jeden Fall sehen manche recht fröhlich aus -
    die Landschaft ist traumhaft schön - es gibt wohl ein riesiges Angebot an Waren -

    danke fürs Zeigen -

    liebe Grüße - Ruth

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    Replies
    1. Liebe Ruth,
      Ja, es stimmt das die Landschaft traumhaft schön ist aber das Leben recht hart. Schon vor 30 Jahren und morgen zeige ich wie es nach 7-½ Jahr nach Pieter's Besuch gewesen ist...
      Glücklich sein hängt bestimmt nich ab von immer mehr haben weil dafür opfert man in unsere hektischen Welt fast alles auf. Diese Menschen hatten vor allem einander!
      Ganz liebe Grüsse,
      Mariette

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  10. Ik vraag me af of de omstandigheden enigszins verbeterd zijn sinds die tijd, het is toch een hoop ellende om daar te moeten overleven.

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    1. Beste Marianne,
      Ja, wij meten met onze ogen en proeven met onze smaakpapillen maar dat is ook niet goed hebben wij geleerd over al die jaren. De essentie van gelukkig zijn zit zeker niet in de luxe!
      Morgen lezen jullie meer van deze omgeving...
      Liefs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  11. Liebe Mariette,
    ich glaube, dass sich bei den "Armen" seit 1982 nicht viel geändert hat.
    Beeindruckende Fotos. Das Foto mit den Hausbooten ist überwältigend.
    Einen sonnigen Tag wünscht dir
    Irmi

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    Replies
    1. Liebe Irmi,
      Nein wegen den ständigen Anwachs der Bevölkerung ist es für den vielen (viel zuvielen) Armen kaum besser. Und sogar weitere Tragödien die ich euch morgen zeige.
      Die Sonne kommt nicht durch heute aber es hat aufgehört zu regnen.
      Liebe Grüsse,
      Mariette

      Delete
  12. Stunning and such poignant photography. Mariette what an amazing trip! Thank you for sharing.

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena
    Featuring Turquerie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Karena,
      Well it might be poignant photography by my husband but it does hurt the heart to see such poverty...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  13. Dear Mariette such beautiful pictures from this amazing Country!Great captures indeed!
    Thank you for sharing!Hope you have a lovely day!!(I love your new header!!!)
    Hugs!
    Dimi...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Dimi,
      Thank you and all in all, India is for sure an amazing country! We always loved working there.
      The sun is shining today, we had such terrible rain and cold. Yes that header is something we need in winter time; hot tea!
      Sending you hugs and wishing you sunshine as well.
      Mariette

      Delete
  14. Hello
    Thank for your visit in my blog.
    Beautiful picture here.
    See you soon

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Nathalie,
      You're quite welcome, it was such a delight to admire your excellent photography!
      Thank you, these are old photographs, taken by my husband during his trip for the Dutch Government.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  15. The photos are amazing. The beautiful little girl seems right at home on the boat. In the first shots of town there seem to be only men out and about.

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    1. Dearest Janey,
      Thank you and yes, that girl looks like she's belonging there and looking quite happy while collecting the famous Kashmir lotus stem or Nadru which is used in their cuisine.
      You are a very keen observer as those photos indeed did show a men-only world.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  16. Lieve Mariette ..
    ik vindt die eerste foto met het meisje zo mooie foto ...
    De stad is niet echt mooi veel armoede en dan een keer zo mooie foto van
    een vijver met fontein ..dan denk je dat je in een anderen stad of land bent ...
    veel liefs ...en een fijn weekend

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    Replies
    1. Lieve Nieneke,
      Ja, niet voor niets heb ik ook juist die gekozen als openings foto. Heel mooi en ook vredig en terwijl ze de beroemde Kashmir lotus aan het oogsten is die in de streek en ook in de hele India cuisine gebruikt wordt.
      Wij hebben zo vaak gezegd in de ruim tien jaar dat we in India gewerkt hebben, de tegenstellingen zijn vaak zo enorm, je valt van sprookjesachtige schoonheid weer terug in het vuile van de stad met rondzwervende koeien die voor veel vervuiling zorgen etc.
      Ook een fijn weekend wens ik jullie toe.
      Liefs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  17. Wow, those photos are amazing! One of the things I can't do is to live on a boat..I get bad motion sickness. I could never imagine the men were wearing fire pot under clothes. That must be essential to keep them stay warm. When I was a child, we had something similar. We fill the hot water in a round bottle and put under blanket so that we stay warm when we sleep. I don't know if it's still used, though. I think heated blanket is more popular nowadays.

    Happy Friday and have a great weekend, Mariette!

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    1. Dearest Tamago,
      Don't know if I would love to live on a boat either as I like to sleep in a still environment and not bobbing on the waves as for sure there will be storms too!
      Yeah, what an invention those pots for staying warm but who is covering your back? Only keeping your belly warm is not enough I think.
      We too grew up as children with the use of such a hot water bottle too! You can read my post about it here: {Cuddle up to stay warm}
      Pieter told me that in the bus all those fire pots are being placed on the floor in front of their seats and when the driver stepped on the brakes, the pots toppled and charcoal is spilled out...
      Happy weekend and hugs!
      Mariette

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  18. Enjoyed seeing these photos Mariette - I do not think that it has changed a huge amount from when Peiter visited. I have several other posts just before the one you visited showing the boat people, life on the lake and also the golden triangle.

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    1. Dearest Rosemary,
      When Pieter visited it was a relatively peaceful time but 7.5 years later, the Tragic and Horrible untold story of Kashmiri Hindus unfolded and those barbaric massacres have yet to be covered by the Mainstream Media. The world just looked the other way!
      We have stayed in touch with Pieter's Kashmiri friends, who who survived the forced exodus and lost all what they had...
      It is one of the most beautiful areas in the world we think!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...