Leaving Kolkata meant the last breakfast at the less than inspiring Peerless Inn hotel buffet... it doesn't look that bad, I guess, but just didn't taste very good... After which I went outside and crossed the street to see what kind of hotel I could have stayed in for three...
Nice escape into the Botanical Gardens and the 'worlds largest Banyan tree" the Khaligat Temple, special and kind of crazy place for Hindus. Daredevil Keith would have a smoke break every few hours and I would join him. Getting ready for the Holi festival of color. Not going to forget...
What could be more thrilling or scary as a motorbike tour through the great city? Here it is sped up for your convenience. Keep your helmet on. Here are some more pictures form the adventures I had with Keith in Kolkata. Mother Theresa's tomb. South Park Street Cemetary. Tannery...
This is the book recommended to learn about the history of the Jewish community that used to flourish in Calcutta. They left a legacy of synagogues and schools that are being cared for today. The Beth El temple is almost totally obscured from street view. The entrance is into another...
Since there was no way I was going to leave the ITC Sonar fantasyland hotel during the Fulbright conference, I extended my stay in Kolkata for three more days, albeit at a lesser hotel in the heart of New Market. After being motorcycled around by young and crazy Keith despite...
It was a privilege to attend and present at the Fulbright conference in Kolkata. Words can't describe the beauty and comfort of the hotel or the deliciousness of the food, so pictures will have to suffice. Here are some videos too: Here is a compilation of the evening entertainment,...
Huge thanks to Gayathri Tirthapura and husband and daughter Anusha for hosting a workshop in their home that really facilitated my Fulbright project. The Saturday was workshop #2 and by the end I was making videos to share with my students. The reality of my ambitious project is that it...
The Valley School is Krishnamurti Foundation school, where Fulbrighter Marina Basu works and I very much wanted to visit. Fortunately I was able to stay the night at the Learning Center and take some time to absorb the quiet beauty of the land. It is a special place, no doubt...
Visiting the Jain Public School was an experience I will never forget. The Principal was so welcoming and they had prepared their best lecture hall AV room and packed it with students. They asked for a presentation on the Effects of Urbanization and they got an extremely eclectic version of...
It was so great to be based at a school and to wake up to children excited to learn and play. Here are some of the images from my last few days there. Happy Birthday Dipok, thanks for all the late night dinners! I was so busy and jazzed...
Today I was part of a team of teachers from DPS North who took a trek up to Mysore to check out a school using technology and engineering resources in an innovative way. We got a great tour of their facilities and after lunch had a chance to see a...
Was fortunate to wake up early enough to catch a walk with master storyteller and nature historian Vijay Thiruvady who showed us details I never would have caught and blessed me with a copy of his gorgeous book Heritage Trees dedicated to the trees in and around Lalbagh. We ended...
Today I made the first of what would be several visits to Workbench Projects, the fierce Maker Space created by Anupama and Pavan in the heart of Bangalore. The energy of the people working and hanging out was absolutely infectious, and it turns out Anu has a keen interest in...
This morning I made a long trek out to Hosur to visit the Shishya school and I have to say it was worth it. The reception I got from the students was embarrassingly positive but even more inspirational was the passion of the teachers and their desire to do the best...
