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| Mr. & Mrs. Ostrich were trotting down the road. Moments later, they took off on a fast run into the bush. Ostriches can run up to 70 km (45 miles) per hour. |
Today’s photos are from this date in 2018 from Marloth Park and Kruger National Park.
As Diwali festivities continue, we can hear the celebrations, particularly at night, as fireworks are shot high into the air. Unfortunately, since we’re surrounded by tall buildings, some in various states of construction, we cannot see them from here. It wouldn’t help to go outdoors based on the hotel’s location.
India has restrictions on the numbers and intensity of the fireworks used due to the already significant rate of pollution in the country, with many of its cities the highest in the world. Nonetheless, we heard them firing off well into the night. We awoke several times during the night, hearing the sounds of doors opening and closing in the corridors, as surely guests and employees were celebrating somewhere in the hotel.
Now that the restaurant is open and we assume the bar is as well, many guests and staff members are partaking in the traditional celebrations and festivities. Of course, we stay hunkered down in our room, knowing full well exposure to crowds makes no sense for us under any circumstances.
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| A pair of giraffes, each munching on opposite sides of the road. |
As mentioned in yesterday’s Diwali celebration post found here, today included photos of a beautifully handcrafted sand display in the hotel lobby, which was quite impressive. The people of India certainly know how to honor their belief system and their centuries-old customs, some of which we’re sharing here regarding those with a particular interest in good health.
Here are a few Indian traditions that are good for your health from this site:
“If you look back in India’s history, you will find it is full of traditions and customs. These traditions might look ordinary but have several health benefits attached to them. These traditions are still practiced and hold a similar relevance, as they did back in those days.
Ear piercing
With most parents getting their child’s ears pierced at a young age, ear piercing has been practiced in India since time immemorial. According to Ayurveda, the lobe of the ear has a critical point right in the center. This point not only helps in maintaining a female’s reproductive health but also balances her menstrual cycle.
Drinking water from copper utensils
You might have noticed your grandparents storing and drinking water from copper utensils. This practice has ‘n’ number of health benefits associated with it. Drinking water from a copper vessel can boost your immune system, aid digestion, decrease wound healing time, strengthen joints and improve digestion as well.
Walking barefoot on grass
Freshly mowed grass bed and a dewdrop on top. Just thinking about it blows a feeling of freshness all over. So just take off those shoes and take out some time to walk barefoot on grass. Several types of research have shown that walking barefoot on grass can help improve sleep, reduce pain, decrease muscle tension, and lower stress levels.
Jewelry
Wearing jewelry at functions, weddings, and even daily has been a part of Indian culture for centuries. While wearing silver jewelry helps boost blood circulation, aiding in cold and flu prevention and wound healing, gold jewelry has its own set of benefits. Wearing gold regulates body temperature, reduces stress, and attracts positive energy.
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| “In the wild, giraffes rarely lie down because of vulnerability to predators. They usually sleep standing, sometimes sitting, and they give birth standing up. When giraffes sleep, they curl their necks and sleep for about five minutes at a time, sleeping no more than 30 minutes a day. |
Eating with hands
Eating with hands has not only been a part of our culture but is still being practiced by many across the country. Using hands for eating is healthy for your gut, as the good bacteria on your hands get into your tummy and help fight harmful bacteria. Eating with hands also helps in forming a connection with food, which makes food seem tastier.
Fasting
Be it ‘karvachauth’ or ‘mangalvar vrat,’ fasting has been punctually followed by many Indians for years together. But do you know that fasting reaps several benefits for your body as well? Abstinence from food aids in weight loss, speeds up metabolism, improves brain function, and increases longevity.
Surya Namaskar
The origin of Surya Namaskar, which is composed of 12 yoga poses for healthy well-being, can be found in India. Practicing Surya Namaskar helps lose weight, improves digestion, gets glowing skin, improves sleep cycle, and even brings blood sugar down.
Eating with silver cutlery
Eating on silver plates has been a part of Indian tradition. You will find several mentions of people eating with silver spoons and plates in historical scriptures as well. Eating with silver cutlery is good for your body as silver has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, which helps to fortify the food you eat.”
Of course, there are hundreds of other customs and traditions of Indian culture, which we’ll continue to share in posts to come. Right now, we’re experiencing the kindly expressions of “Shubh Diwali and Happy Diwali” from all the employees we encounter in the corridors or at our door.
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| A waterbuck’s body odor is so bad that it deters predators.” A male can weigh up to 260 kg (573 pounds). |
Last night, when dinner arrived, Tom ate a little plate with two chocolate coconut candies, and I sniffed. It certainly smelled good to me.
Today? The usual. We are watching the local news for any updates on international flights resuming from India. And, although South Africa President Ramphosa stated borders would be opening, it hasn’t happened yet. Thanks to hundreds of our readers who wrote to us with news reports on South Africa’s borders opening. As you can reasonably assume, we keep close tabs on this, practically by the hour. But, we certainly appreciate all of your support and updates.
May your day be filled with enjoyable activities!
Photo from one year ago today, November 15, 2019:
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| When we hadn’t taken new photos in the US one year ago, we posted a photo from the prior year, as shown here. This young bushbuck always stayed very close to her mom while others we’d seen would wander off but not too far away. Please click here for more. |