Choco Saying Namaste!

This is Choco, a military dog. He's about three years old. We met him at ITBP Gopeshwar unit. He is trained to sit, lie down, roll and do Namaste (Hello!) although he missed where to face the camera this time (lol). He eats at least 10 chapatis (Indian bread) and meat. He's not allowed to eat rice during winter, he might get some colds -they say (some old traditional belief).

Uttarakhand Government Hospital in Bhatoli

This is Uttarakhand Government Hospital situated in Bhatoli, around 13 kms from Karanprayag. It's in Karanprayag-Garsen road. Since there is a heavy shortage of doctors in Uttarakhand, this hospital is mostly run by a pharmacist and a ward boy. Doctor is available for 6 months after Badrinath  Temple closes. Water is available 24 hours although there is almost always power cuts everyday. At this time, there is no phone or mobile services around the hospital area. One has to climb back to the highway, which is a few steps away, to find a signal. The surroundings are green. The air is cool. And it is located quite far from villages so it's almost always silent except for a few sounds from vehicles. It's a nice place. There is a river down the place. (We have stayed here for a night.)

Look Who I Found!!!

Look who I found happily sitting and napping? Droolee! This tree has just blossomed after it lost all its leaves in winter. Droolee is not a usual sight on this tree but this time it's different. She just wouldn't want to come down after a much bigger cat chased her. Her history with this big cat is not pleasant for she was attacked by this big cat inside our house napping. So, today Droolee seemed to have found a nice high haven thinking the big cat may not be able to find and reach her ever. (Lol)

Tithonia Rotundifolia: A Sun-like Orange Flower

When I took this flower using a  Sony Digital Camera 2004 model, macro mode I really didn't know its name. For a while after taking so many photographs of blooms around here my husband started an operation: "search-that-flower-name" on the internet using various ways like typing "sun-like" flower, or "orange flower". Any descriptive words that might help finding the correct name for a particular bloom.

This one, I found its name myself, just a while ago before typing this caption because this was posted as a Nameless Beautiful Flower at first. Using my husband's technique I was able to find its name. The power of internet, the interest of the unknown people out there who posted similar threads and the persistence to know did all the magic. 

Tithonia Rotundifolia, or Tithonia, since its easier to remember this way, comes in different colors like red, orange or yellow. 
Now I know its name and from now on I will never forget it.

Looney: The Fluffy-Eared Pup

His name is Looney. Our friend, Dr. Rana (in-charge of Badrinath Government Hospital) got him home a month before Badrinath Temple closes.  But before he was sent down to Haridwar, my husband and I took care of him for two weeks. He's a very cute pup who was always busy chewing on a bone he found just outside our house, where he spent most of his morning days when the sun is out. Later we found out that he was never sent to Haridwar. Instead, Dr. Rana's friend took him and he is now staying in Devprayag. He is now around two years old!