Linda's Journal
September, 2002

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September 8, 2002

Today was the celebration of a Hindu god named Lord Ganesh. I heard about it and decided to get some photographs. This parade took place in the 18th arrondissement in a Sri Lankan neighborhood. Maurice had no idea that there were enough people from there to even have a parade. It reminded me a lot of the Chinese New Year parade with the color and little shrines set up. I looked everywhere for a statue of Lord Ganesh, he with a man's body, four arms, and an elephant's head, but couldn't find any. The statue in the parade was so covered with flowers, it couldn't be seen. He is the god of good fortune and the remover of obstacles.

A little shrine set up by the parade route.

The parade started with this man blowing a conch shell

These heavy looking things were carried and they danced with them later

Ladies carrying plants on their heads

Some carried fire in their hand or on their heads

Music was provided

Men, barefoot, pulling a float

I wonder how old this man is?

Man on a float

Sept. 26

We are in the States for three weeks. We started out in New York City and made a trip to ground zero. I had heard that hawkers trying to make money with souvenirs and photos of the World Trade Center were right by the site but I only saw them as we came out of the subway. It was very quiet at the site with everyone, understandably, very somber and moved. While we were there a man read continuously from a book about each person who had died there. I wonder how long it took him. It was very sad to listen to.

Messages and flowers left on a fence by visitors at the site

Where the towers once stood

We were there Sept. 12th, one year later.

One of my favorite places in the States in the little beach cities of Los Angeles, especially Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach. When my ship comes in, I will one day have a place on the Strand.

Gentle sunset over ocean at Redondo Beach

Some seaweed

We made a trip out to the Getty museum with Nancy. It's known more for the landscaping and exterior than it is for it's artwork. It truly is magnificent. I think whoever designed this should be asked to design something for the World Trade Center. It was just a wonderful day.

A desert garden there.

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I loved how these bougainvillea were grown.

A maze. It's hard to show the enormous size of the Getty.