Jaunted - in

Surveying Mumbai After The Terror Siege

pbb — 2008-12-01T10:15:22-05:00

The unbelievably destructive, three-day assault on Mumbai is now over, and the city is still in shock as Indian officials, reporters and locals alike try to piece together what exactly happened and who was responsible. Meanwhile foreign governments are warning citizens to stay away.

The US State Department--soon to be led by Hillary Clinton!--is warning Americans "to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness" while in India, and the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office "advise[s] against all but essential travel to Mumbai until further notice."

Mumbai now finds itself in the company of Bali, Istanbul, London, New York and Madrid, all places with booming tourism industries that were threatened by an act of terrorism. But despite the understandable fear of heading to the city, things are already getting back to normal, says the IHT's Globespotters blog, with cabs trolling the streets, trains running and some restaurants and hotels open again. Many cafes and hotels in South Mumbai, near the sites of the attacks, though, are still closed.

Related Stories:
· Travel Update: Some Advice for Visitors to Mumbai [Globespotters]
· Mumbai's Tourist Sites Assaulted By Gunmen [Jaunted]

[Photo: Ninad Chaudhari]

Mumbai's Tourist Sites Assaulted By Gunmen

pbb — 2008-11-26T16:00:20-05:00

The seaside city of Mumbai came under heavy, coordinated attack by gunmen today, and more than 60 have already been killed as assaults, some involving grenades and automatic weapons, continue at swanky hotels and a train station. Earlier in the day, shots were fired at Leopold Restaurant, a tourist favorite.

It's still too early to know the motive for the attacks, though some European Parliament members were staying at the targeted Taj Mahal Hotel in advance of an EU-India summit. Meanwhile, the BBC spoke to some sources who say gunmen were targeting foreigners.

Ironically, New York City was in a state of heightened alert today, after a vague threat was made about possible attacks on the subway there. There's no specific warning from the US State Department about travel to India, though this sort of thing clearly falls under the "worldwide caution" that the agency maintains.

Related Stories:
· Mumbai Rocked by Deadly Shootings [BBC]
· At Least 40 Dead in Mumbai Attacks [AP, via Google]
· Luxury Hotels Attacked by Terrorists in Mumbai [HC]

[Photo of the Taj Mahal Hotel: Ambalavs]

My Nose Is On Fire

Todd — 2008-11-10T08:57:19-05:00

Chasing Racers is back, with a brand new Amazing Race 13 mashup. This map will update the morning after every new episode. Send along tips, rumors, gossip, locations and spoilers to our map editors, become a member and comment on the stories below and add to the Jaunted-Flickr photo pool to get in on the fray.

Remember to zoom in, out and around on the map--with so much happening in each episode, it's easy to miss a map point.

Well race fans, it's hard to believe, but we're getting down to the last few exciting episodes: Only six teams remain in the quest for the million dollar prize. Last week, Ken and Tina lucked out on a non-elimination leg, but they face a Speed Bump, an extra task that only they must complete to stay in the race. Will they be able to overcome the setback and charge ahead--or will they self-destruct? Can Kelly and Christy build on their second-place finish last week and stay ahead of the pack? Will Starr ever give Dallas her phone number?!

Please Hold Me While I Singe My Skull

Todd — 2008-11-03T08:30:06-05:00

Remember to zoom in, out and around on the map--with so much happening in each episode, it's easy to miss a map point.

Well, race fans, we're basically left with two types of teams: Pretty and pretty annoying. This week, teams depart Cambodia for New Delhi, India and a whole new world of challenges. The clock is ticking, and with only six teams left, every decision is make or break.

Will Kelly and Christy serve Nick and Starr a big heaping plate of revenge? Can Ken and Tina continue to work through their extramarital issues and power through to the end? Will Toni and Dallas keep focused on the race, or does Dallas have Starr in his eyes?

LET'S FIND OUT

Press Flourishing In India

ced138 — 2008-10-31T09:00:05-05:00

With layoffs at Time Inc. and the shuttering of The Christian Science Monitor’s print product, it’s pretty much safe to say that the corpse of print media is now colder than a kid in Upstate New York trick or treating while dressed as a lifeguard.

But there’s one major exception to this downward spiral: India. According to the Asia Times, India will soon have the fastest-growing media and entertainment industry in the world, and magazine ad revenue alone will grow by 20 percent in 2008 to more than $300 million.

The expanding middle class and the influence of Western media in the country is giving US-based media companies room to expand their brands based on luxury and sex appeal. Since scouring the local Aldi for discount fava beans is top priority for many Americans these days, it'll probably be a while before these kinds of indulgences retake top priority in the States. For now, though, it looks like the press can take solace in Indians’ pocketbooks.

Related Stories:
· Sweet Salaries for India "Eye Candy" [Asia Times]
· Theen, Dho, Ek… Blastoff! [Jaunted]

[Photo: nowohucianka]

From Bengal to Nepal, Happy Diwali

ced138 — 2008-10-28T10:30:03-05:00

Today marks the start of the five-day Diwali celebration, or The Festival of Lights.

The holiday has different meanings to Hindus depending on where they live, an educational site from the BBC explains. In northern India, Diwali commemorates Rama's return to India after defeating the demon king Ravana and getting his girl Sita back. In Nepal, it celebrates Krishna defeating his demon foe, Narakaasura. In Gujarat, it honors the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi.

For everyone, Diwali signifies the renewal of life. Hindus today are celebrating by waking up early to take morning baths in oil, lighting candles around their homes, feasting with family, buying fancy new clothes, exchanging sweets and setting off fireworks. Sounds like the best of Halloween, Christmas and Independence Day combined. Pardon the blasphemy, but this and the infinite chances at do-overs makes this religion quite the offer for the purely opportunistic.

Related Stories:
· Diwali 101 [BBC]
· Goddess Travel: Child Deified in Nepal [Jaunted]

[Photo: P. Malik]

Street Art Travel: C215 First to Bomb India?

Dan Gould — 2008-10-23T13:00:49-05:00

C215 is a talented street artist from Paris. His code name references his real name--and possibly the number of a jail cell he spent time in. He primarily creates evocative portraits of people he encounters on the streets in remote and downtrodden neighborhoods.

He recently took a trip to the Karol Bagh District of New Delhi to create a series of street portraits. C215 may be the first street/stencil artist ever to paint on the streets of India. It was a challenging endeavor, he says, as he was occasionally threatened and usually drew large crowds who wanted to watch the action.

Related Stories:
· C215: India [Flickr]
· C215 [Flickr]
· Street Art coverage [Jaunted]