Nandi Hills

Monday was a holiday due to Diwali so the family + Jenne and John headed out of the city to Nandi Hills.

The day started with a Panini brunch at Jenne's house. Lovely... makes me want to run out and buy a Panini grill. She made an assortment of sandwiches and snacks which were supplemented by John's fresh guacamole and our pasta salad. Mmmm...

It was a two hour drive to the hills and well worth it. The view was spectacular, the fresh air/breezes were quite a treat, and it was a nice walk for most of the afternoon. The monkeys were aggressive at first but we've come to expect that from monkeys.


Erik thinks this would be the perfect spot for a vinyard - Chateau Vignau










Fun at the playground








We ended the visit with a fresh cucumber with chili and salt.
I believe everyone fell asleep on the drive home.
It was a very nice day. :-)

Refilled my Thyroid medication

I finally refilled my Thyroid prescription... no prescription needed. The cost came to Rps 112/ = $2.29 for 100 tablets. A 3 month supply when I was paying $20/month co-pay at home.

Too excited about the Tooth Fairy

Annika has TWO loose teeth

We went to the dentist and the dentist looked at Annika's teeth and said if the teeth don't fall out naturally in 1.5 months I should bring her back for extraction.


At lunch time nature did it for us. :-)


She's such a happy girl!
Tooth fairy comes tonight... now what's the exchange rate for tooth/Rupee?

Annika has THREE loose teeth!

We're on the way to the dentist this morning because two of her adult teeth are coming in behind the old teeth. Maybe we'll come home with a toothless wonder!!

Happy Diwali!

I am very excited to experience my first Diwali.

It's a combination of several holidays (in my experience) it is the festival of lights that reminds me of Sweden at Christmas. Everyone is burning candles and the flicker of the flame is so beautiful. Here they use lots of small oil lamps but tea lights are used too.

Businesses decorate themselves with strings and strings of Xmas lights like in the United States.

There are fireworks EVERYWHERE! It's like the 4th of July only ordinary people have the big guns in their own homes. I haven't seen any organized fireworks displays, it's just households lighting off very powerful stuff like it's no big deal. For the last several days we have had fireworks from 6:00a to midnight. It has been difficult to sleep but there is so much excitement and joy flowing that my frustration is easily wiped away. Children are usually the ones doing the lighting. Our maid brought some for the kids and handed August a box of matches so I had to explain that she can light the fireworks in the street but the kids are not allowed to touch them (except the sparklers).

Erik is at work but our driver and maid have the day off. I will spend the day at the pool with the kids.

The squat toilet

Alive and well in India

Jennifer babysat last night

Last night Erik and I had a Halloween party to go to, so we asked Jennifer to stay with the kids and spend the night since we knew we wouldn't be home until the am.

Seems to have worked out. Jennifer got to see movies she had never seen like Finding Nemo and Barbie Mapriposa - she said she liked both. And the kids had a sitter who plays with them and does what they ask her to do.

She said the kids were good and went to bed after the second movie. I brought a cot up to A&A's room and Jennifer slept in their room - which the kids LOVED. She liked it too because she thought she would be sleeping in the servant's quarters which is a glorified closet.

When we got home at 2:00am+ there was a full bottle of water waiting on each of our night tables and when we got up in the morning there was a fresh pot of coffee in the coffee maker. Jennifer was folding laundry and I told her to put it down, that she wasn't working today but she said she just wanted to finish that load.

Happy Halloween

...yes, it is only October 23rd.

Ozone had our Halloween celebration tonight because Diwali is next week and lots of people will be "out of station".
Kids had a great time trick-or-treating.






it's a little funny to have these Hindu families embrace Halloween. This family decorated and totally loved the costumed kids and festivities.


When we got home the kids camped out on the front stoop giving out candies to the remaining trick-or-treaters.

Annika w/ a nose ring?

Annika played with her Halloween clip-on earring and experimented with having a nose ring.
Dang girl... look at those cheek bones!

Princess Victoria visits India

Princess Victoria soaks up Indian culture on 'dream come true' visit

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden Visits Mumbai click for 45 photos of her visit

Swedish princess charmed by Indian dance

Crown Princess Victoria Of Sweden Visits Pune click for 29 photos

Iyengar Yoga

I started yoga three weeks ago. It's amazing how standing in one pose can work up a sweat and get your heart rate up. I am very happy with my Yogi, she keeps her class sizes to 3 people so she can give everyone her full attention. She studied in Pune, India with Guru B.K.S. Iyengar. Iyengar Yoga is a form of Hatha Yoga.

Last week she moved me into a more intermediate-beginner class because she said I had good balance and caught on easily. During this class she said "it's now time to walk the wall" the other two women seighed and headed to the wall. One woman looked at me and told me not to worry about it because it took her two months before she was able to do it - I did it on my first try and could stand at a 90' angle for several minutes. (Then when the kids came home from school I was like "Look what Mommy can do!" Of course, in their strength and flexibility they didn't get what the big deal was, but I was proud of myself.)
To find out more, click here

Diwali Barbie Doll Festivals Of The World

The most important and magical festival celebrated in India is Diwali. Homes are decorated with marigolds and mango leaves, thousands of oil diyas or lamps are lit as auspicious symbols of good luck, and everyone enjoys sweets to the sound of firecrackers and revelers. Diwali Barbie Doll wears a teal sari with golden detailing, a lovely pink duppata, and exotic jewelry. The final detail is a Bindi - a forehead decoration worn in South and Southeast Asia. Diwali Barbie Doll has beautiful light greyish side glancing eyes. She comes complete with stand, collector card and Certificate of Authenticity.

Diwali Fever

Tuesday, 28th of October is Diwali and everyone is abuzz! The kids have all next week off from school because it's a big travel time in India. Our Ozone Halloween celebration is Thursday, 23rd of October just because so many people will be gone next week.

For years I've heard about Diwali and I'm about to experience my first! Very excited!

Ozone is having a big party, Diwali Dhoom on 7th November (again, because no one will be around next week) and apparently it's going to be big. People are buying special fancy Saris just for the event and they're encouraging us Westerners to do the same. Can't wait!

A day in Linda's Egyptian life

Wheeeeew. What a day. jam packed, and my feet are plumb tuckered out. Kinda nice to sit for a minute at the computer before heading off for nite nite.

I went for a shortened version of my daily walk with Sayid - from 7:30 to 9:00 - because I had to have time to shower before Magdy picked me up at 9:30 to take me to Shutz for a 10am presentation on Sweden in JP's classroom. I talked and answered questions for 45 minutes and then helped Miss Ji with some of the kids in the computer lab until noon.

Then I met with a British Lady named Frida. She had her driver meet Magdy and me out front of Shutz, and we all drove over to a new neighborhood (new to me) where there is a "women's market"... they sell fabrics, beads, elastic, sewing threads, needles, pins, sequins, tiaras, fake flowers, glittery stuff, basically arts and crafts HEAVEN. The tiny shops are elbow to elbow and the alleyway between them is not even 2 people wide, and it's a maze in there... stalls to the left right and straight ahead, walkways for 3 or 4 blocks in random locations. I didn't feel like we saw everything, but at least I got a good flavor for what's available and Magdy knows where it is so he can take me back there sometime. I'm thinking Halloween costumes!!!! Wow. And the prices were cheap, no bargaining required.

On the next "section" over were the fruit/vegetable/fish open air markets. There were some fruits that looked like artichokes, but are supposed to taste like vanilla custard inside. I wasn't brave enough to buy one. They were, quite frankly, very ugly looking. I found fresh dill, so I bought some, as well as dried yellow peas for Thursday's peasoup, so I don't have to use lentils this week. And! They had fresh beets!!! I've been searching for them since I got here, and they don't carry beets at the western grocery I usually shop at, so I thought I was out of luck.. but now I know the secret :-) I have my juicer machine here with me, and the best juice I've ever ever ever ever had requires 6 carrots, 1 beet, 2 apples and one lime or lemon.... mmmmmmm. now I can make that one again. YEA!

Both kids had after school activities today (first day) so I didn't have to be back from the women's market until 4:30 - a whole extra hour, which was good because the traffic coming home on the Corniche was parking lot speed. Magdy's car did manage to beat Tarek's car home by a few minutes, so I was there to greet the kids. Then we went upstairs and they got computer turns and told me all about their day for 1 hour before staring on homework.

Drew is out with cronies from work tonight, he took the jar of horseradish with him this morning, so I'm betting on a steak restaurant. He still isn't back but I'm sure he's enjoying himself. The kids had a majority vote for oatmeal tonight, so with Drew absent, we all had a non-meat dinner. Very easy. Plus Kaisa LOVES cold oatmeal in the mornings so I make a double batch to be sure of leftovers.

I've washed the dishes, made tomorrow's lunches, put the wet clothes out on the line to dry and now I'm pooped.
Goodnight, sleep tight.
Wendy

The election

It's interesting watching American politics from another part of the world.
Thank goodness for YouTube where we've been able to watch the debates.

Go Obama!

Stray dogs

I like to check the blog "Bangalore Daily Photo" (there is a link to the site under "friends/blogs")
I like this recent entry about the stray dogs - cute photo and nice explanation of the Indian relationship with dogs.
Click here

Papaya

Never been a big papaya fan. My neighbor across the street has a papaya tree in her front yard and when she gave me one it sat in my fruit bowl for a week. Annika and I eventually ate it but drenched in fresh lime juice.

Then we went to Kerala... the papaya was so tasty. I looked forward to having more. Now I stop at roadside stands to pick one up as soon as I'm out. Annika and I can polish off a small one in one sitting. I just had a nice bowl full for breakfast - and no lime. Mmmmm...

I hope they're a year-round fruit and won't be out of season just as I'm really starting to appreciate what I have right in front of me.

First haircut in India

...yes, I know we've been here 3 months but I never got around to it.

On Friday I had the following:
Aroma oil head massage - Rps. 275/
Full pedicure - Rps. 450/
Hair wash - Rps. 175/
Hair cut - Rps. 250/
+ tip
= Rps. 1400/ = $28.50

The pedicure took almost an hour, it was wonderful.
The head massage was probably a half hour and included the head, parts of the face, neck, shoulders and upper back - all massaged in a warm oil - lovely.
Hair wash was needed because my hair was coated in oil (you'd think it would be included in the massage)
Hair cut was not the best but I can live with it for a few weeks and then I'll try some place new.

Funny - the majority of Indian women part their hair in the middle or have no part at all - so my off-center part really confused the hair stylist. Plus she was definitely not used to thin, Nordic hair.

My gecko :-)

This is the gecko that sits on the light outside our front door.
Smart fellow... the bugs go to the light and he reaps the benefits.

More Urlis

Our bed :-)

We had this bed made - US King (so we had to have a custom mattress made) and we had them add the elephants to the headboard, footboard and side tables.
Solid teak so it weighs A TON!





I L O V E I T ! ! !

Making "Mexican" tonight

Chapatis

I am attempting to make chicken enchiladas tonight. (Wish me luck)
The closest thing to a tortilla is a wheat chapati but I've never seen them in the grocery store.
I asked Gopi where I can find chapatis and he said "Jennifer can make them for you M'dam"
But I said I needed them tonight and he reluctantly said I could buy them at a hotel ("fast food" veg Indian restaurant). But he was reluctant because you need to consume them right after they are made. So he said I shouldn't buy them now for tonight.
So THEN I made the mistake of telling him I'm putting the dish together tonight but it won't be eaten until tomorrow - oh my goodness - he almost refused to continue the conversation. He said the chapatis by tomorrow would be chewy and I should not serve them tomorrow. (But he's never seen a plate of enchiladas).
So I insisted and he ran into a hotel and bought me 10 @ Rps. 5/ each = Rps. 50/ which is about $1.20.
Mmmm... and they were warm.

I'll slow cook/shred chicken in salsa, I have pinto beans and cheddar cheese. Should be yummy!!

Photo from the Ganesha festival

Here's a photo from our friend John. We are at Ulsoor Lake so August can throw his Ganesha statue into the lake - along with the throng of hundreds (thousands?) of devotees.


Can you find us in the pic??
I carried him on my shoulders so he wouldn't be crushed/lost in the chaotic crowd.

Mehendi

Tomorrow is a special day when women fast for their husbands.
In preparation, an Indian neighbor hosted women at her house for Mehendi, chai and snacks.
It was fun to hang with the girls and get this amazing design...

Exploring Cochin, Kerala before flying home

Annika holds a freshly caught lobster.


Small shark


August wanted to see the shark but would only approach it in the arms of Mom.


Annika gets creative with her cutlery and a couple sea shells.


Most of us caught a nap on the way to the airport, Jenne just happened to get caught...

It was a lovely time and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Vignaus in the Indian Ocean

It was a Corona commercial, to say the least

So, what exactly do you do on a houseboat in Kerala?

...you float.

No, that's not a riverboat casino, that's our 4 bedroom houseboat.


Annika enjoying the breeze from the bow.




So relaxing


Robyn and John kickin' back


A little Mehendi action compliments of Jenne








The whole Vignau family slept together on those two single beds. Should have used the mosquito netting. I slept right next to August and didn't get a single bite while he was nearly eaten alive.




Cards! My favorite! They could hardly tear me away to take this picture.





More amazing photos of the trip - click here