Sarnath

Sarnath is where the Buddha gave the first teaching of Dharma. It is only 8 kilometers outside of the busy/hectic/headache causing Varanasi, and it was truly peaceful and serene. I visited Deer Park, the actual sight of Buddha's first teaching after becoming enlightened. It is said that all 5 monks, who heard his first lecture on the dharma, became enlightened upon hearing the final words of the talk.

I also visited the Tibetan Temple in Sarnath, which was filled with beautiful colors, as well as, beautiful souls.

Varanasi Ghats and Recording

In the morning I took another walk along the Ganges and visited many Ghats. Once again there was beautiful light and people everywhere.

In the evening I recorded 4 Ragas with a new friend named Deobrat Mirshra (sitar), his nephew Prashant Mishra (tabla) and a friend of theirs Pawan (tampora)

Varanasi Ghats at Sunrise

Ghat: A descending Stairway, which leads to the river and is used for bathing.

This morning i woke up at 5 am and walked from Assi Ghat where I am staying to the Main Ghat in the center Varanasi. Along the way I saw many cool things, including: Sadus, child hustlers who sell flowers, graffiti, gorgeous light from the sun, and religious ceremonies, just to name a few. Here are some of my favorite shots from the morning.

Faces of India pt. 2

Taj MahLAME

Note to travelers. the Taj Mahal is the quintessential tourist trap. they charge way more if your white and its really not that spectacular. if you want to see the beauty of the Taj get a MOFOIN' postcard. In person, I dont think that the 7 wonders of the world are all that wonderful, at least compared to the national geographic pieces on them. that is my bottom line.

here are a few cliche pictures of the Taj and some cool photos of kids I met in the train station.

2 Day Festival for the God RAM

The last two days have had sooooooo many amazing sights and sounds that i cant find time to write a real post. I am leaving Vrindavan today to see The Taj Mahal and then take an overnight train to Varanasi. Here are a few cool shots of the Festival of Ram. Check out all my photos and a video or two at http://gallery.me.com/azschwartz

Recording In Vrindavan

Today I met with my friend Bittu, a classical Indian musician, who comes from a long lineage of Indian musicians. He brought me to his home, where his whole family greeted my dad and I with food and drink. After the more than cordial welcome, we went upstairs to his room where we recorded music all morning. His father (Papa Bittu) and He are two of the most renowned classical vocalist in all of Vrindavan.

They also arranged for a few other musicians to come and aid their singing and musicianship.

The music they made was beautiful and filled everyone within an earshot with total bliss.

(as you can see from my face)

In the afternoon I met with a friend of my dad, Deva, who is also an Indian Musician. He sat in our Hotel (?) room and played us some beautiful songs about the gods Ram and Krishna.

The rest of my day will be spent mixing and mastering the tracks I recorded today, if I can manage to stay awake.

Until next time...RAM RAM

Faces of India pt. 1

Neem Karoli Baba Ashram

This morning I walked from my hotel(?) to Neem Karoli Baba's Ashram. On my way I passed trough the oldest and poorest parts of Vrindavan.

I saw for the first time how most of India lives. Passing along the river I saw people bathing at the local Ghats and all the garbage/sewage that pours into the Ghat.

Recently there was a project to erect and overhead highway that would connect Delhi to Vrindavan. This overhead highway was planned to go right over the holiest Ghat in all of Vrindavan and therefore the project was put on hold. The consequence of this is a great juxtaposition of the new construction popping up all over India and the oldest of old.

Vrindavan Day 1

This is outside the Hare Krishina Temple this morning.

This is the highly acclaimed Hare Krishina Temple Band (check the track from them below)

I walked in and they were playing, I walked out 4 hours later, they were still playing...

Faces of India (more to come from this series)

Waking up at 4:10am to the sounds of Hare Krishna devotees chanting is the normal experience here in Vrindavan. So far the music is great the smells are overwhelming and the sights are bizzar. Not knowing what to do with myself I spent the better part of my morning sitting peacefully in the Hare Krishina temple listening to devotees chant and play music, watching the public come - pay their respects to the god Krishina and then go on with their day. After a long siesta I am not heading to meet with my recording contact Bittu. Here are some more of the awesome sights and sounds of india until the next time I find a scrap of internet.

RAM RAM

PS. Mom, I am safe and sound. All is well and hope the same is true in Cambridge. love.

GONE

This morning I began the journey. so far it has been luxurious, i spent to better part of my day in the American Airlines Admirals Club at JFK Airport. Soon I will be boarding my 15 hour flight form NYC to Delhi. See yall on the other side!
Hindi translation
थिस मोर्निंग इ बेगान थे जौर्नी. सो फार आईटी हस बीन लुक्षुरिऔस, इ स्पेंट तो बेत्टर पार्ट ऑफ़ माय डे इन थे अमेरिकेन ऐर्लिनेस अद्मिराल्स क्लब अत ज्फ्क एअरपोर्ट. सून इ विल बे बोअर्डिंग माय १५ हौर फ्लिघ्त फॉर्म नीक तो डेल्ही. सी यल ओं थे ओथेर साइड!

Lets kick it off!

Soon this blog will be filled with the sights and sounds of india. GET PSYCHED! the journey begins March 18th...