Home  >> Stories  >> The Tale Spinner #2012-28

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IN THIS ISSUE

• Kate Brookfield describes the city of Delhi in India
• Catherine Nesbitt writes about decorating with plants
• Bruce Galway tells us how hot it is in Ontario
• Pat Moore sends a poem about choices
• Irene Harvalias forwards an open letter to Dr. Laura
• Carol Shoemaker sends a story about a late-night police check
• If driving in B.C., be aware of its driving laws
• Catherine Nesbitt tells how to recognize Vancouverites
• Sites are recommended by Barbara Wear, Bruce Galway, Carol Hansen, Catherine Nesbitt, Irene Harvalias, Pat Moore, and Tom Telfer

Kate Brookfield describes Delhi, one of three cities in

THE DELHI TRIANGLE

Most tourists to India with limited time do the tour known as the "Delhi triangle." Tours cover some of the attractions in the city of Delhi, and include visits to the cities of Jaipur and Agra. Jaipur is known as the "Pink City," because of the colour of the local stone used for most of the buildings. (The recent film with Maggie Smith and Judi Dench, "The Exotic Marigold Hotel," is set in Jaipur). Agra is the site of the famous Taj Mahal.

We did the Delhi triangle under our own steam during the Christmas break. When we first arrived in India, we took a city tour of Delhi, visiting the Red Fort, the Mahatma Gandhi memorial, the Indian Gate, and other places of interest. We also went to the site of the Baha´i Temple, that was still under construction at that time. On this occasion, we travelled to Delhi and stayed one night at the Hotel Imperial before taking a bus to Agra.

Delhi is a city packed with history and I can not do justice to all that can be seen in this fascinating city. Situated as it is in the north of the subcontinent, it has been taken over by invaders from the neighbouring countries of Iran and Afghanistan. Originally the site of palaces of Hindi Kings, after the Moghul invasion, it became the place for the Moghul Emperors to build imposing palaces and mosques. They in turn were ousted by the Maratha tribes, and eventually the British moved from Calcutta to make Delhi the capital city under British rule.

Modern Delhi is divided into two sections. Old Delhi is the site of the original walled city founded by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan, known at that time as Shahjahanabad. New Delhi is the present capital of India and is a sprawling area for residences and commercial life. It has wide roads and tree-lined boulevards and parks. Part of New Delhi is the business district, with shopping areas and the sites of foreign embassies, and another part is the residential area, with large homes on wide streets, very different from the narrow crowded streets of Old Delhi.

During our stay in India, the Hotel Imperial on Janpath Road became our favourite place to stay in Delhi. As the name implies, it was an old-style hotel boasting old-fashioned quality service in elegant surroundings. I am not sure when the hotel was built, but it boasts having complete records dating back to the colonial times. A tall imposing Sikh in full dress stood outside the hotel, watching all who came and went. Once you stepped inside the luxurious entrance lobby, with its thick carpets and marble floors and pillars, and row of sparkling chandeliers, you felt transported back in time. The swimming pool, coffee shop looking onto extensive gardens, and the row of high-class shops made a stay here a brief escape from the realities of life in India. Caroline would not let us stay anywhere else in Delhi after our first stop there.

Since 1984, the Imperial has undergone extensive renovation and upgrading to bring it up to date to match the other deluxe hotels in the city. We preferred it when it was old fashioned and regal, and a lot a cheaper than it is these days!

A description of Delhi must mention the Red Fort, which was originally built as a palace for Shah Jahan on the banks of the Yamuna River. It exemplifies the height of Moghul architecture and dominates Old Delhi with its high walls that extend for two kilometres. Construction started in 1638 and was not finished until ten years later. Shah Jahan moved his court to Delhi from Agra, and his residence was a grand display of his power and wealth. He would ride out from the residence on his elephant to awe the people with his pomp and show of power.

In the palace was the famous Peacock Throne that he sat on in the Hall of Private Audiences. This throne, made out of gold, had three peacock figures on the back studded with gems, pearls, and precious stones. Between the peacocks was a parrot carved from one large emerald. This throne was taken by the Shah of Iran and dismantled for its jewels. The Peacock Throne now in Tehran is nothing like the original, which was dismantled for it jewels and only contains small parts of the original.

Despite this great show of power, Shah Jahan did not hold court here for long. He was deposed by his son Aurangzeb, and ended his days in the prison fort at Agra. In turn, Aurangzeb was the first and last Emperor of Delhi. He spent most of his reign waging war for over 30 years, fighting the Marathas and smaller kingdoms in India. At the end of his reign, the once mighty Moghul Empire was finished, split into many small kingdoms.

After Aurangzeb, the Shah´s palace was mainly used as a fort against invaders, hence its name as the Red Fort. When the British were in India, it was also used as barracks for soldiers. Today, it is a tourist site and was recently declared a World Heritage site. Our kids loved scrambling about the building and looking down the high walls on the river side. I was having fits, as there were no barriers or restrictions to prevent people from falling off the edge. We were amazed at the lack of barriers and restrictions as to where one could go.

My photos show the Red Fort as it was in 1984. No doubt, today, there is more security and restrictions on where tourists can explore: http://katiebro.shutterfly.com/pictures

CORRESPONDENCE

Catherine Nesbitt writes in reply to my remark that I would like a green wall in my apartment: There´s a plant shop in the market at the quay in New Westminster where I saw a new item, which looks like a picture frame filled with living plants. The plants are small, and can be trimmed/pruned for quite a while before they need to be replaced. They are fed by a reservoir behind the "picture". Eventually the plants will need to be replaced, but not all at once, I´m sure. I don´t know the exact dimensions, but I think the frames are less than 12 inches per side. The shop had different colour frames when I was there. The cost was approximately $35 each, and there were different plant groupings. The clerk said these living pictures will be shown on the Dragons´ Den (CBC TV) in the fall. The originators are from B.C.

Bruce Galway, who lives in Ontario, forwards this:

IT´S SO HOT IN ONTARIO

... The birds have to use potholders to pull the worms out of the ground.

... The trees are whistling for the dogs.

... The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.

... Hot water comes from both taps.

... You can make sun tea instantly.

... You learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron.

... The temperature drops below 90F and you feel a little chilly.

... You discover that in July it only takes two fingers to steer your car (one on each hand).

... You discover that you can get sunburned through your car window.

... You actually burn your hand opening the car door.

... You break into a sweat the instant you step outside at 5:30 a.m.

... Your biggest motorcycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?"

... You realize that asphalt has a liquid stage.

... The potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is pull one out and add butter.

... The cows are giving evaporated milk.

... Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying boiled eggs.

It´s so dry in Ontario that the Baptists are starting to baptize by sprinkling; the Methodists are using wet-wipes; the Presbyterians are giving rain checks; and the Catholics are praying for the wine to turn back into water!

Pat Moore reminds us that we have alternatives:

DUST IF YOU MUST...

but wouldn´t it be better
to paint a picture, or write a letter,
bake cookies or a cake,
and lick the spoon, or plant a seed,
ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must,
but there´s not much time...
with beer to drink, rivers to swim,
and mountains to climb,
music to hear and books to read,
friends to cherish and life to lead.

Dust if you must,
but the world´s out there,
with the sun in your eyes,
the wind in your hair,
a flutter of snow,
a shower of rain.
This day will not come around again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind,
old age will come and it´s not kind.

And when you go -
and go you must -
you, yourself, will make more dust!

Irene Harvalias received this from her cousin in Greece:

OWNING A CANADIAN

On her radio show, Dr. Laura Schlesinger, a popular talk show host, said that to an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance.

The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura posted on the Internet:

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God´s Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination.... End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God´s Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are from neighbouring nations.

A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can´t I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7.

In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24.

The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offence.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odour for the Lord - Lev.1:9.

The problem is my neighbours. They claim the odour is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbour who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death.

Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality.

I don´t agree. Can you settle this? Are there "degrees" of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight.

I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27.

How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot.

Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn´t we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I´m confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God´s word is eternal and unchanging.

Your adoring fan,

James M. Kauffman, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus,Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special EducationUniversity of Virginia

P.S. It would be a damn shame if we couldn´t own a Canadian.

Carol Shoemaker sends a story of

AN EARLY-MORNING POLICE STOP

An elderly man is stopped by the police around 2:00 a.m. and is asked where he is going at this time of night.

The man replies, "I am on my way to a lecture about alcohol abuse and the effects it has on the human body, as well as smoking and staying out late."

The officer asks, "Really? Who is giving that lecture at this time of night?"

The man replies, "That would be my wife."

NEW REGULATIONS IN THE B.C. REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLE´S 2012 HANDBOOK

1. Turn signals will give away your next move. A confident B.C. driver avoids using them.

2. Under no circumstance should you maintain a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, because somebody else will fill in the space, putting you in an even more dangerous situation.

3. The faster you drive through a red light, the less of a chance you have of getting hit.

4. Warning! Never come to a complete stop at a stop sign. No one expects it and it will result in your being rear-ended.

5. Never get in the way of an older car that needs extensive bodywork, especially with Alberta or Saskatchewan plates. With no insurance, the other operator has nothing to lose.

6. Braking is to be done as hard and late as possible to ensure that your ABS kicks in, giving a vigourous foot massage as the brake pedal violently pulsates. For those of you without ABS, it´s a chance to strengthen your leg muscles.

7. Never pass on the left when you can pass on the right. It´s a good way to prepare other drivers entering the highway.

8. Speed limits are arbitrary figures, given only as a suggestion and are not enforceable in B.C. during rush hour, especially in Vancouver.

9. Just because you´re in the left lane and have no room to speed up or move over doesn´t mean that a B.C. driver flashing his high beams behind you doesn´t think he can go faster in your spot.

10. Always brake and rubberneck when you see an accident or even someone changing a tire. This is seen as a sign of respect for the victim.

11. Learn to swerve abruptly without signalling. B.C. is the home of high-speed slalom driving, thanks to the Department of Public Works, which puts potholes in key locations to test drivers´ reflexes and keep them alert.

12. It is tradition in B.C. to honk your horn at cars in front of you that do not move three milliseconds after the light turns green.

13. To avoid injury in the event of a collision or rollover, it is important to exit your vehicle through the windshield right away. Wearing your seat belt will only impede your high-velocity escape from danger.

14. Remember that the goal of every B.C. driver is to get ahead of the pack by whatever means necessary.

15. In B.C., "flipping the bird" is considered a polite salute. This gesture should always be returned.

And while we are thinking about B.C., Catherine Nesbitt adds these indications:

YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN VANCOUVER WHEN ...

Your co-worker tells you he has eight body piercings - none are visible.

You make well over $100,000 and you still can´t find a nice place to live.

You think anyone who drives a car to work is decadent.

You keep a list of companies to boycott.

You would never dream of crossing a picket line.

You realize there are far more Rainbow flags in the city than Canadian flags.

The guy who cuts your hair is straight, and your plumber is gay.

Old friends you haven´t talked to in years suddenly call. "Do you have a spare bedroom for a weekend?"

You can´t remember ... is pot still illegal?

You go to your office manager´s baby shower. The parents are named Judy and Amber.

You give a "thumbs up" gesture to a car with a "FREE TIBET" bumper sticker, and you mean it.

You have a very strong opinion where your coffee beans are grown, and are willing to fight about it.

A really great parking spot can move you to tears.

A man walks on Robson in full leather regalia and crotch-less chaps. You don´t notice.

You curse those damn tourists - but always stop to help a cute person who is looking puzzled at a city map.

Your child´s third-grade teacher has a nose ring and is named "Breeze".

You are thinking of taking an adult education class, but you can´t decide between a Yoga, Channeling, or Building Your Web Site class.

Your new neighbours go to temple, but you are not sure if they´re Jewish or Buddhist.

You own an expensive Gore-Tex mountaineering jacket and wear it 90% of the time.

You run the risk of being trampled by all the running clubs out at 8 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Your choices for vegetarian food aren´t limited to the salad bar at Bonanza.

SUGGESTED WEBSITES

Barbara Wear sends this link to a video of a 30-storey hotel built by the Chinese in 15 days, using the latest technology to create a building that is nine times more earthquake proof than comparable buildings, is insulated inside and out, with filtered air:

Bruce Galway recommends this video, which explains that the body has about 10 minutes of oxygenated blood, so it is critical during a heart attack to do chest compressions to keep the blood flowing through the body. Mouth to mouth does not add oxygen and if you stop chest compressions, it stops the blood flow which is critical:

Remember Mary Maxwell´s invocation at the Aging in America Conference from last year? Carol Hansen forwards the URL for her address this year:

Catherine Nesbitt forwards this link to a video of the perpetually- bored cat, Henri:

Irene Harvalias sends the URL of an updated look at the largest miniature model setup in the world that will make model train buffs green with envy:

Pat Moore suggests this site to see how your country compares with others in matters of population, geography, economy, health, transportation, communications, and more:

Tom Telfer forwards this link to the latest video of Where is Matt, who dances with the citizens of many places in the world:

Education for the 21st century should include the subject of sustainability in a world suffering from Nature Deficit Disorder:

More than 18 million people in the Sahel region of West and Central Africa are facing a desperate shortage of food. Again. Six countries in the region already have long-term, vetted plans to give people the tools they need to lift themselves and their families out of hunger and poverty. And some of the world´s most powerful countries have pledged to help fund these plans. But unless they act right now, these plans will just gather dust. Please sign this petition to urge that they keep that pledge:

Big banks have been caught in a massive scam to rig global interest rates, ripping off millions of people on their mortgages, student loans and more! We´d go to jail for this, but Barclays bank has only been fined, and just a fraction of their profits! The EU finance regulator, Michel Barnier, is standing up to the powerful bank lobby and championing reform that would put bankers behind bars for fraud like this. If the EU goes first, accountability could quickly spread across the globe. But the banks are lobbying hard against it, and we need a massive surge of people power to drive these reforms through. To join the protest, go to

To check out the features of the "freedictionary", which changes daily, go to