Photo Dump #2: India Republic Day

India marks several important dates in its freedom from British rule (which happened in 1947), one of which is Republic Day, the day the country's own Constitution came into effect in 1950. Although we in the U.S. do not celebrate our Constitution Day, it is a big holiday in India. This year, on 26 January, I set out on a long walk through Pune, snapping pictures along the way of all the festivities, listening to the blaring music at every street temple, and seeing everyone dressed in the colors of the flag -- until I arrived at my destination of a once-a-year "outdoor art show" at a huge vegetable market in the old part of the city. Yes, you heard that right -- art and veggies, all in one place! :-) (The art show re-appeared this year after a 2-year Covid hiatus.)

Basically this post is sort of like a set of two "photo dumps."

The first is of the sights of the streets. (These are better on a computer screen (bigger size), to better get a sense of the details.). These have no labels as they speak for themselves.

The second is of the veggie and art market, and my purchases of both! Please scroll through these and just try to imagine being there! It was very cool. (Also -- the veggie purchase came to less than $2. While the art was obviously more, these are stunning original watercolors, from artists in Pune, sold at extremely good prices.)

All of this for less than $2!

Stunning original watercolors!

And lastly... After walking about 4 or 5 miles in 85-ish-degree weather, I decided to treat myself to Starbucks. :-) Yep. And by the way, that croissant is not sweet, but savory -- filled with spinach and corn. (True story: I cut into the spinach pastry, and the entire thing zwooped right off my plate onto the floor. The workers immediately brought me another and cleaned up the mess, without me even saying anything... )