Monterey Bay Aquarium

Who wouldn’t be thrilled to see penguins, sharks, sea otters, giant octopuses, eels, seahorses, thousands of fish, and other aquatic life all in one place and just within arm's reach? I felt like a kid again, excited to see and even touch some of these amazing creatures when I had time and an oppurtunity to Visit Montery Bay Aquarium during my visit to Asilomar Boulevard for attending Claifornia Math Council.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium features one of the tallest exhibits in the world: the kelp forest. The aquarium has a clear mission: to inspire the conservation of our oceans. It promotes the concept of sustainable fishing and educates fishermen and consumers alike about the importance of fish conservation.

Kelp forest. See the diver feeding the fish.

From the Coast of Pacific

For the past few days, my blog has transformed into a travel blog showcasing America. On Saturday, I stepped into the third ocean I've experienced: the Pacific. During the conference, I took some time to explore the surroundings. Asilomar Conference Grounds, known as Monterey Peninsula's "Refuge by the Sea," spans 107 acres of protected beachfront land in the quaint and picturesque town of Pacific Grove. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds as an esteemed part of the California State Park system. I arrived at the venue late at night, around 11:30 PM, and went to sleep shortly after being assigned a room. When I woke up in the morning and stepped outside, I was pleasantly surprised to find the tranquil and blue Pacific Ocean just 50 feet away. In the evening, I visited the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Fire place at the front desk.

View, just by a 10 feet walk from my room.

The south of the boarder

South of the Border (often referred to as SOB by locals) is a unique blend of Southern and Mexican culture. At first, you might wonder what all this Mexican-inspired decor is doing in South Carolina, far from its traditional setting. However, it won't take long for you to embrace SOB as a vibrant neon yellow and pink version of Tijuana, with the added benefits of English-speaking staff and safe drinking water. The mascot of the area is Pedro, a cheerful, mustachioed caricature wearing an oversized sombrero (a type of straw or felt hat). Pedro not only features on the billboards, but he also greets visitors as a 97-foot-tall figure at the entrance of SOB, making him "the largest freestanding sign east of the Mississippi." You even have the opportunity to drive between his legs. During the summer, the South Carolina state line becomes the starting point for fireworks displays, and SOB offers an extensive selection. You can stock up on Roman candles and other fireworks at Pedro's Rocket City. Outside, a 30-minute audio loop of MTV hits plays repeatedly without interruption.

Courtesy: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/

Paula Dean - Southern Food

Paula Deen, who did not know how to boil an egg by the time she got married at 18, has become a popular Food Network star. She is known for her renowned restaurant, a lifestyle magazine, two cooking shows, and several cookbooks. Southern cuisine and the city of Savannah owe much to Paula, as she has brought fame to the food scene and attracted visitors to the city. Along with her two sons, she opened a famous restaurant called  The Lady and Sons. People often wait in long queues for hours in the morning just to reserve a table for lunch.

The buffet Stuff.

My lunch order: Asparagus Sandwich .
A 'New York Times' favorite!

Topped with jack cheese, purple onion

and thousand island dressing on grilled pumpernickel.

From the Atlantic coast

Tybee Island: The name "Tybee" means "salt" in Native American language, but today it evokes images of sunshine, surf, and adventure. This small barrier island features a wide, 3-mile-long beach lined with sea oat-covered dunes. It's a perfect spot for leisurely walks along the ocean and for enjoying the waves of the Atlantic. History enthusiasts will also find plenty to explore on Tybee Island, including Fort Screven, the Tybee Island Lighthouse (established in 1773), an intriguing museum, and the Fort Pulaski National Monument.

Thanks Giving ( Acknowledging the 'Schneiders')

I embarked on a long drive for a Thanksgiving dinner that included a delightful Oglethorpe Trolley Tour. The experience was majestic, with lush green oak trees adorned with hanging Spanish moss. I spent time visiting souvenir shops and art galleries and enjoyed lunch at the famous "Lady and Sons," Paula Deen's renowned restaurant. I admired the charming gingerbread houses and took a moment to sit on the 'Forrest Gump' bench. I also visited the 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil' building, as well as the Wayne-Gordon House, where Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts, was born. One of the highlights was the Telfair Museum, the oldest public museum in the U.S., where I had the pleasure of visiting the Jepson Center for the Arts. I enjoyed a leisurely walk along historic River Street and capped off the day with dinner at the award-winning Jazz’d Tapas restaurant, which featured lively Latino music. There's so much more to share, but I’ll let my pictures tell the rest of the story. This is Savannah Tour Part 1 for you!

'The Schneiders - A pleasant family.

( Laura, Barbara, Jack and Daryl, I thank you all.)

(stuffed Toforku instead of Turkey and fruit drink instead of wine, the veggie style!)

The Sarah.P Duke Gardens

The Duke Gardens offers a welcoming space for individuals of all backgrounds and ages to enjoy beauty, education, horticulture, solitude, exploration, study, renewal, and inspiration. Often referred to as the "Crown Jewel of Duke University," the Gardens span 55 acres in the heart of the University’s West Campus, right next to the Duke University Medical Center. Recognized as one of the top public gardens in the United States, it is celebrated for its exceptional landscape design and high-quality horticulture. Each year, the Gardens attract over 300,000 visitors from around the globe.

Some pictures from the garden during my recent visit.

Guess. What time Did I visit the Garden?

Let me introduce Buster. Matt's pet.

Meteor Crater

I had an incredible opportunity to visit the Meteor Crater Center in Northern Arizona. The tour of the Visitor Center added an educational experience to my Grand Canyon trip. The Meteor Crater measures over 4,000 feet across and is 550 feet deep. The observation telescopes provide a close-up view of various points of interest within the crater. One of the highlights is a 1,406-pound meteorite fragment, the largest ever found in the area, which is on display for visitors to see and touch. The former Museum of Astro-Geology has been remodeled and now features exhibits on the ongoing process of impacts and collisions within our solar system. The Interactive Learning Center includes twenty-four engaging exhibits, making it the most comprehensive and informative museum of its kind on Earth. There are also two interactive computer displays that showcase high-tech graphics related to space, meteorites, asteroids, the solar system, and the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet that impacted Jupiter. Additionally, I had the chance to see fossils for the first time in my life.

DUDE! Grand Canyon Rocks-

As one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon showcases an impressive display of erosion and the natural beauty of the Earth. Stretching for 277 miles, the Grand Canyon ranges in elevation from 2,400 feet to over 7,000 feet above sea level. While the exact processes that formed the Grand Canyon remain uncertain, there are several well-informed theories. It is likely that a combination of processes contributed to the stunning views we see today. The key processes involved in the formation of the Grand Canyon include: D - Deposition U - Uplift D - Decay/Decomposition E- Erosion In some order, these processes—or cycles—created the Grand Canyon we admire now. The breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon attracts approximately 5 million visitors each year, and most consider it to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

DUDE! Grand Canyon Rocks

Santa Fe

I arrived in Albuquerque by 8 PM on Friday. Tom, the owner of Sohini, picked me up from the airport. He has a wonderful personality and is a big fan of India. After a drive of roughly one hour, we reached Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico. It is a historic city and a popular tourist center that feels like a different country altogether. The architecture and the colors of the houses here are very unique, and I'm eager to learn more about it. I’ll share more details in my upcoming posts. This afternoon, I’m driving to Flagstaff, where we will meet Ms. Kim Holland, who will host us for the night. On Sunday morning, we plan to visit the Grand Canyon, which is just an hour’s drive from Flagstaff. We will return to Flagstaff that evening. The next morning, we’ll head back to Santa Fe. I hope to explore Santa Fe on Tuesday, and then I'll return to Durham on Wednesday. Expect more pictures and videos in my upcoming posts. I just hope I can find the time and an internet connection to write regularly.

God is blessing me.

It was a wonderful coincidence that when I chose to visit a church today, it happened to be its 142nd anniversary. The White Rock Baptist Church is celebrating 142 years of a strong and relevant congregation here in the city of Durham. I spent three spiritual hours in this serene church, witnessing baptisms, sermons, and prayers. The church is truly beautiful, and the large organ above the dais is a major attraction. This was only the second time in my life that I visited a church, and it was the first time I spent a significantly long time there. My visit sparked my curiosity to learn more about Christianity and baptism. From what I gathered, baptism (from the Greek word meaning "immersing" or "performing ablutions") is a ritual act involving water, by which an individual is officially admitted as a full member of the Church. Traditionally, baptism has been seen as necessary for salvation. It is one of the seven sacraments of the Christian Church and is often referred to as the "first sacrament," the "door to the sacraments," and the "door to the Church." All sacraments were instituted for the spiritual benefit of the recipients. However, five of them—Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, the Eucharist, and Extreme Unction—primarily serve the individual in their personal spiritual journey. The other two sacraments, Orders and Matrimony, mainly impact a person as a social being, sanctifying them in their duties toward the Church and society. I am grateful to the Fulbright Commission for giving me this wonderful opportunity to participate in a teacher exchange program. It has allowed me to explore new places, meet diverse people, witness various events, and learn about different cultures. Looking back at my blog, I feel proud of the activities I undertook during these two months. This experience will surely contribute to my personal growth and maturity.

Walking Through the Wild Wood (Orienteering)

Hi Vamsi,

You said you were ready for the Sunday trip. I need to let you know what to expect on this Sunday trip. It's probably unlike anything you've every done or even imagined.

The sport of orienteering is from Norway and Sweden and it is very popular in Eastern Europe (Poland, Czech and Slovakia etc.) It involves using a very detailed topographic map to find places way out in the forest far away from any trails or people. This is a small local event (maybe 100-125 people) and there will be 6 different courses from short beginner courses to long hard advanced courses. I'll teach you what to do and take you on an appropriate level course. However, I do want you to know that we will be wondering through the forest, it will be cool (cold by your standards), wet, muddy with cob webs, logs and thick brush and if we are lucky some deer. There will times you will feel lost and bewildered and wondering why are we doing this but you will be perfectly safe with me and I think you will have a fun adventure but it be a very different experience for you.

Vamsi - If this sounds too strange and unusual, you do not have to do it! You will need to have clothes & shoes that can get dirty and wet. I will pick you up about 10:45 in the morning. We might meet some of my students at DSA at 11:00. We'll be back around 3:00. We will be going to Um stead State Park (about half way to Raleigh). It is a typical American state park -forested with trails for hiking, biking and jogging. We will be at a camp with small cottages that are used by groups during the summer - very rustic place and typical of American state parks.
Well, Let me know if this is what you want to do for a Sunday trip.

What you need:
1. An e-stick
2. Old clothes you can wear in the forest - long pant & long sleeves will reduce scratches
3. Warm, DRY clothes and extra shoes if it is wet -HA! HA!.
4. INSECT REPELLENT - despite the cool weather, ticks and chiggers are likely to be a major problems - be prepared!!!!
4. A lunch / snacks and drinks - no place to buy anything.
5. A sense of adventure, a desire to have fun and a smile. I will have compasses and some of those e -sticks.

Micheal

A magnet, a map and the wood. Letz navigate.

Still no idea what I did on this Sunday?