The Harmon Puppet version of a story from the Ramayana.

King Dasaratha is about to retire and make his first wife's son, Rama, King in his stead. Rama is very popular and all the people in the kingdom are very happy about this move and plans for the coronation are in full throw.

Well, almost everyone.

Mathara, the evil maid of King Dasaratha's second wife, Kaikeya, puts a bug in her ear and before long Kaikeya is thinking why not my son, Bharata?

So Kaikeya remembers that when she saved the life of King Dasaratha, he granted her two boons. At the time she had no idea what to ask for so she makes a deal to collect them at some future date, sort of like "and a player to be named later." And now she has now come to collect on those promises; the the player is her son Bharata. She asks King Dasraatha to make Bharata King in place of Rama. And to make sure that Rama doesn't interfere she wants him banished from the kingdom.

The King is grief stricken but he keeps his word. He makes Bharata King and banishes Rama from the kingdom for fourteen years. His faithful wife, Sita, and his brother Lakshama go with him.

More trouble is ahead but it wasn't covered in this show.

Anita in her new salwar kameez. Beautiful!

This picture is just a bit blurry but I couldn't resist putting it in. It was raining like crazy and we were walking up to the Barista for a coffee and other errands when I spotted these dogs curled up sound asleep on this rickety old porch on the side of the abandoned building. The only dry area was about six inches around the dogs and the drop was substantial. I'm not even sure how they got out there but they were happy and dry. Sometimes I think happiness is just a matter of rearranging our priorities.

Louise at the local internet cafe. The "cafe" part is a stretch unless you're bringing in your own coffee in a go-cup or you're referring to the steaming atmosphere that make you feel like you're partially cooked. They were faster than my 28K modem.

This is the local cafe. It sells great pastries and terrible Mexican food. Louise and I tried the pizza - not good. But the cappuccino was just right.

to the right:
The seats against the wall were a bit strange, not comfortable at all - not to mention the complexion enhancing blue florescence light.

My last night in Shimla. Some of the kids took me out for chocolate cake - there was quite a crowd. I was flattered and had a grand time. That's me with Harsh and Jason.

Amanda, Anita and Rashmi had just taken the picture of me to your left. What a treat they are!

Anita (always smiling), Raj, Mandy and April Shaw. And some empty plates. Yum!

Louise, Doug and Katie and Louise's Mink Blanket.