As I mentioned in the previous post on logging in Arunachal Pradesh, our purpose for being in the jungle in the first place was to accompany a tribal hunting expedition deep into the mountains. Well, this post is about that trip… As with the logging, the villagers are not supposed to be hunting in the … Continue reading
A significant source of income in many of the tribal areas of the Arunachal Pradesh jungle is derived from logging. This is a legal gray area. Technically, the jungle is a protected area. However, the villagers are grudgingly permitted by the Indian government to retrieve timber from the jungle for their own use. “Their own … Continue reading
I introduced you to Pei Tapan Gab earlier. And during that introduction to Pei, I mentioned that his family is in the tea business. So, below, I will profile their tea plantation (they call it a “tea garden”) and discuss the tea business in general. Pei’s family got into the tea business because Pei’s father … Continue reading
Following our descent from the Himalayas on the road to Tawang, we ventured into the tribal areas of central Arunachal Pradesh. This area is not listed on permits and we weren’t supposed to be here, but as I always say – It’s good to know people… Before setting off into the jungle, we spent the … Continue reading
This picture is of Pei – our local fixer in India’s Northeast for most of our trip: Pei is from a warrior tribe known as the Nyishi which have a fierce reputation. And, of course, Pei’s sword, which he takes with him everywhere, does nothing to dispel this impression. The strap on Pei’s sword is … Continue reading
India is often perceived (and often vilified) as an outsourcing giant. Yet, nothing is black and white in this world. And demonstrating a shade of gray, India outsources too. The Border Roads Organization (BRO) is responsible for maintaining the road that runs through Arunachal Pradesh and up to Tawang – The road to Tawang… This … Continue reading
Now located in Berlin’s Alte Nationalgalerie: As an interesting “oh by the way”… Adolf Hitler was a great admirer of Böcklin and in 1933 acquired this painting, hanging it first in the Berghof in Obersalzberg and then, after 1940, in the New Reich Chancellery in Berlin. Fortunately, this version (my favorite) survived the war, unlike … Continue reading
The Velvet Rocket 