Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Aurangabad

The Ajanta and Ellora caves of India are truly one of the great wonders of the world. I would make this trip any day over going to the Taj Mahal. The Ajanta caves were excavated from a mountainside nearly 2,000 years old. Each of the approximately 30 caves is filled with frescoes telling the story of Buddha's life. The carvings and sculptures are breathtaking, and inspired by their faith of Buddhism..
 

My favorite Buddha chapel

The caves were carved out of a mountain side with nothing more than a hammer and a chisel.

Visiting monks at one of the stupas.

A stupa was typically a domed enclosure that housed a tooth or other relic of the Buddha.

Young monk

25 foot long sleeping Buddha

Fresco of a sacred white elephant

 The frescoes of Ajanta are some of the most intact and unharmed I have ever seen, especially when you consider how old they are. It is amazing to me that tourists can walk right up to them (not touch, of course) and take pictures (no flashes). The Ajanta caves were concealed by rockfalls until the early 1800's. A British hunting group followed a tiger into one of the caves. VOILA!

Each hand gesture has a special meaning.

Need a ride?

For those with weak knees/bad backs a ride in a chair carried by 4 porters can be had for 800rs ($14.00!). Kris really wanted a ride but Rick gave her such a hard time that she waited till the end of the hike for the picture.

Ellora caves

The Ellora caves are "younger" than the Ajanta caves, about 700AD. They were created over many years and are comprised of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples.

Just another elephant

Elephants, elephants, everywhere

Elephant with trunk around a lion

I was in elephant heaven! I gave up counting how many there were. In these Hindu caves, people came and worshiped and lived up until about 40 years ago.

Carving of Jain priest

Jain priests preach in the nude (even today!).

Giant lotus flower carved into the ceiling

Taken through a hole from one cave into another

Kris, Marianna and Cristi at a silk house

Of course our journey would not be complete without discovering the local artisans. We all came home with a new treasure.

Doha, Qatar

Islamic Art Museum

Each year AES generously supports teachers attending professional development, including to other countries. When the NESA Winter Institute announced it would be in Doha, Qatar this year, I jumped at the chance to attend. I had never spent time in a middle-eastern country and my curiosity was piqued. Of course, I also wanted to attend a particular workshop called, "Engaging Deep Thinkers in Your Classroom" by John Almorade.

Women in abaya robes and bourgas (picture by Mohana Rajakumar)

Qatar is a very small kidney-shaped country on the Arabian Peninsula opposite Iran. Security in and out of the country was heightened. Qatar is also considered the wealthiest country in the world, as a result of its oil and gas reserves.

My first impression was of amazement of the  absolute cleanliness, outstanding modern architecture, and "whiteness". That is, except for the women dressed in their black abayas. The contrast from living in India was breath-taking, literally, as the air was clean and the sky blue!

Qatar is also considered a more contemporary Muslim country. Women are allowed to drive (unlike in Saudi Arabia), vote and run for elections. Women are well educated. However, it is still a highly patriarchal society.

Fellow male teachers buying a white thobe and gutra (robe and headdress).

Restaurant greeter at the Souq

The woman on the right, Violet, was from Greece and was searching for a glass of wine with dinner. When she asked this young man if the restaurant served wine he burst out laughing. There is no alcohol in Qatar except at hotels. Packing alcohol into the country or possession of drugs will land you in jail!

Damascus Restaurant

As in India, the locals wanted pictures with westerners. Notice behind me, the hookah pipes. Just about every restaurant had smoking of flavored tobaccos, shisha, using hookah pipes.

American School of Doha

The conference was held at the American School of Doha. Stunning school! Very open-air with a warm, happy feel. Kid art everywhere. The teachers that I talked with were very positive about working here. I could see why.

Some of the art in a hallway.

Overall I enjoyed my quick visit to Doha. Not sure I could live in a culture where women must cover themselves (not westerners). I consider myself quite accepting of all religions and practices, but the eye-slit bourgas are a bit too extreme for me. Eye contact is way too important to me.