Comments on the style saloniste: India Chronicles: Part Three — Time Past, Time Present

Many thanks. Will do!

2013-07-05T20:41:41.808-07:00

Many thanks. Will do!

DEAR JULIETA- FOR TRAVEL: I always think the mor...

2013-07-05T13:55:13.021-07:00

DEAR JULIETA-

FOR TRAVEL: I always think the more you know the richer your travels. The more you read...the deeper and more enjoyable are the meetings and trips and voyages.

I highly recommend:
Start with 'CITY OF DJINNS' which was his first India book, a longtime best-seller...it is both a personal memoir and utterly charming...you will see why I love India. It's charming...

He also wrote 'The Last Moghul'...and it is more of an historical indepth report...more specialized most likely than you want now.

He wrote 'White Moghuls"...and it is a fascinating part of Indian history...European men marrying Indian women at a time when it was disapproved of...I mentioned this book in an earlier report on HYDERABAD...look in the archive of the blog...a report on the FALAKNUMA PALACE HOTEL...which you would like.

Start with those...he has also written others but these are the two best, by far.

You might like A PRINCESS REMEMBERS...the biography/ autobiography of GAYATRI DEVI...which is on this week's blog...very charming insight into her life.

Start with those...and then I'll send more...

happy days, DIANE

Dear Diane, I have never read the books of Willia...

2013-07-05T13:07:38.315-07:00

Dear Diane,

I have never read the books of William Dalrymple. Which one would you recommend I start with?

Dear Julieta- So sorry about the rain. In San F...

2013-07-04T16:28:32.051-07:00

Dear Julieta-

So sorry about the rain.

In San Francisco we have potential fog to ruin the fireworks over the bay...we have a party and we all gather and celebrate...and then...it could all be obliterated by the fog. So far, so good...it is clear and sunny and usually if it is still sunny at 4.30...the maritime fog will stay offshore.

Thank you for your comments--and I have one more India chronicle...PART 4...on New Delhi and quite different again...a modern look, a different look...
Then I have some design stories, and people for you to meet...

I've had such wonderful comments--email and Facebook etc--about the INDIA CHRONICLES...one woman reader said that I inspired her to travel alone) --her husband does not like to travel she said. Well...if I inspire women to travel or with friends, I'm delighted and honored.
And a reader said she has never known about vintage cars in India before...she was delighted. That's so great. And others love the story of the Maharani...and Mr Jain and his books...I tell you it was wonderful to walk into Mr Jain's bookshop and see the great THIERRY DESPONT...the great designer/architect there, buying books...he is so handsome.
I hope you'll come along with me for one more India visit...and then onward to more adventures.
very best, DIANE

Splendid, Diane. You really saved the best for l...

2013-07-04T16:03:21.347-07:00

Splendid, Diane. You really saved the best for last. It is pouring here in Georgia on the 4th of July and all plans have been cancelled...so I travelled to Jaipur with you. What a marvelous journey. Thank you.

Regards, Julieta

Dear Griffin-- Thank you for your lovely thought...

2013-07-03T12:42:52.370-07:00

Dear Griffin--

Thank you for your lovely thoughts and generous comments.
Kipling: It is so fascinating to read his early writings about India. Some are so poetic and some now seem a bit out of whack.
Yes, you are right. I absolutely appreciate the integrity and the special authenticity of Rambagh Palace. It was a country palace--and now it is a discreet and lovely hotel. Some of the suites (which used to be those of the Maharani, for example) are very lavish and very palatial. I like the suites with a terrace where I can take breakfast in the morning, overlooking the garden.
I love Gem Palace as well--the real deal--because it has such heritage but also because all jewelry are hand-crafted, and you can see the hand of the craftsperson, the soul of the piece. I like to support told crafts, arts, the rare hand that cannot be replaced by machines.
I wish you all, my dear readers, and you Griffin, safe and happy travels, wherever you may roam and explore. my best DIANE

My dear Diane, What an illuminating insight you g...

2013-07-03T12:17:10.648-07:00

My dear Diane,

What an illuminating insight you give us into the most desirable places to visit in India. I've always loved Jaipur perfume from Boucheron. It's such a classy and luxurious fragrance. But I've never been to the place itself. This hotel is too exquisite to describe. The artist, Maurice de Vlaminck once said that "Good painting is like good cooking; it can be tasted, but not explained." For me, the same goes for the beauty of this place in this post. It remids me of the earthly paradise, the time of Eden.

Aren't we lucky to remind us that there are such beautiful places exist in this increasingly industrial world (India is definitely one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world). I'm glad to say that you give a focus more about the culture and people in the places you visit and also in your travel writing.

A fragmen of H. G. Well's writing came to my mind after looking at your sublime pictures and reading this posts:

"like window-shutters to reveal the dusty sun-glare and blazing colours of the East".

He was writing about a book by Rudyard Kipling but it's so fitting to this gorgeous post.

Thank you so much for sharing this, Diane.

With warm regards, G.

how fabulous, a real treat for the sences. xxpeggy...

2013-07-02T08:19:00.158-07:00

how fabulous, a real treat for the sences. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com