I haven't written since April 8. I haven't really lived the life of The Autonomous Traveler in the last month. I have had to do things, and things have happened to me. There were unexpected car problems, repairs to my rack and pinion steering, a flat tire that led to four new tires, and new …
Author: The Autonomous Traveler
My life has been metamorphosis from a shy, scared little girl to an adventurous woman who travels the world by herself. I am a grandmother and a retired teacher who is a lifelong learner with a degree in the social sciences. My trips are opportunities to directly experience the wonders of world in order to understand what unites us all and, as a result, to better understand myself.
India-The Hindu Salutation of the Dawn
I am a gatherer, not a hunter. I wander and obtain things randomly. This trait may have been influenced by ancient ancestral memories. I first realized the roots of this when I read Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Aurel. I loved that book because of its informative portrayal of life in caveman days. …
India-Overcoming My Ignorance
As I mentioned in previous posts, I traveled to India with minimal preparation. Sure, I had the required shots, including the one for typhoid, and I also had prescription pills to ward off malaria. ( I was told this medicine might produce crazy dreams while I was taking it, months later, I am still plagued …
India-Nuclear War?
This map is courtesy of indiadefencereview.com When India gained its independence from Britain in 1947, a plan was made to make Pakistan an Islamic state and divide Kashmir into two, half Pakistani and half Indian. These two areas are separated by The Line of Control, a heavily militarized unofficial boundary. These divisions brought about a …
India-The Value of Education and Stubbornness
Education is of very great importance to me, followed by the quality of stubbornness. Like many families, my relatives don't like to talk much about feelings. Dark secrets are buried, and many tales are hidden away. As Yuval Noah Harari writes in his book, Sapiens, all cultures are based on stories, and those in power …
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India-A Travel Hangover
. I haven't written in a few weeks; I have been caught up in American culture. I went to a college sorority reunion and spent a few days at an ocean resort. I reside now in a sort of purgatory. I'm a student of Eastern practices (mindfulness and meditation) living in the Western world. I'm …
India- Beneath the Colorful Sights,Women’s Issues
I'm a stubborn optimist. But maybe I carry it too far. I wanted so badly to bring back home a lovely picture of India and dispel the dirty, dark shadows that label this country. Three months later, an orange piece of twine remains on my wrist, tied there by a Hindu holy man as a …
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India-Tigers, Oh My!!!
I was thrilled that my tour ncluded a "safari" through The Ranthambore National Park, a refuge for tigers. My five year old grandson's favorite color is orange and therefore, using little kid logic, his favorite animal is a tiger. I promised to bring him one back from India and a lot of pictures. Ranthambore was …
India-A True Visit
I have received some comments from Facebook friends about the seamy side of India: the unsanitary conditions, the aggressive monkeys, the germs, and bare feet in public areas. Yes, India is not like the places many of us live in. All of us have a distinct set of mental filters that color the way we …
India-Celebrating Indian Style-Part 3-Blowing Up Evil
Picture from indiamarks.com The Hindu holiday, Dussehra, symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Rama, a principal deity, kills Ravana, who has kidnapped Rama's wife, Sita. Sita is a revered goddess for her virtues of good character, good fortune, success, and happiness. Rama's skill as an archer brings down not only Ravana but his brother, …
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