I woke up this morning to new comments on the blog.
It's nice to know people enjoy reading it.
"I just came upon your blog and am intrigued. I began reading from the very beginning of it and am gradually working my way forward to the present. Your stories provide a vivid representation of the life and culture in India. You are very brave for uprooting your life, your children, and everything you know to move there. I don't know if I could do it. This particular story really got to me. It made me feel for those children, but also be very thankful for what I have and the country I live in. Keep it coming! I am living the Indian adventure through you!"
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Getting a hug from Amma today!
Amma is in Bangalore today and tomorrow! I am so excited! A friend of Erik's is a follower of Amma and she is going with me and the kids to help us through the process! I've been showing the kids videos of Amma on YouTube so they won't be frightened because I really hope they will accept a hug from her.
I'll let you know how it goes!
Monday, March 23, 2009
How do you say "Yo quiero Taco Bell" in Hindi??
(Well, we'll believe it when we see it...)
“We are bringing in Taco Bell by opening two-three restaurants in Bangalore by the middle of this year,” said Niren Chaudhary, managing director of Yum Restaurants India Pvt. Ltd. “It is a very good time to get in something which is Mexican-inspired food, at street food prices. Our ambition for Taco Bell is that we want to compete with street food.”
Read the article
“We are bringing in Taco Bell by opening two-three restaurants in Bangalore by the middle of this year,” said Niren Chaudhary, managing director of Yum Restaurants India Pvt. Ltd. “It is a very good time to get in something which is Mexican-inspired food, at street food prices. Our ambition for Taco Bell is that we want to compete with street food.”
Read the article
Friday, March 20, 2009
It's almost Linda's birthday!!
All through our youth the cherry blossom tree outside my sister's bedroom window would bloom right before her birthday (March 26).
Today we drove down a road that was lined with cherry blossom trees on both sides and they were in full bloom. It was gorgeous! So my mind immediately went to my sister and started sending her many, many happy wishes for her birthday.
Happy Birthday Wendy!!
IT'S MANGO SEASON!!!
I've been buying mangoes in a shop for a couple weeks, but now the cart sellers all over the city are selling them!
How WONDERFUL!!
India has so many varieties which makes it even more pleasurable.
I need to communicate better
I went to a shop today and bought an Indian pant suit. The pants were crazy long (it's the style to have narrow pants and a bunch of it gathered at the ankle) but it was just too long for me so the staff at the shop said there is an in-house tailor that can make alterations in 30 minutes.
Great.
I purchased my items and went upstairs. "Tailor" is not the right word it's "alterations" by the way.
I showed them my pants, said I needed them shortened and they measured me and said they'd take care of it. That exchange was so easy that I thought I might as well get the blouse altered too.
I showed them the blouse and said "it's too tight" (Indian clothes make NO ROOM for boobs!!)
The woman held it up to my chest, spread out the garment and said "It's just right M'dam"
I said "no, it's too tight"
"Tight, M'dam?"
"Yes, it's too tight"
OK, they said and told me both pieces would be ready in half an hour.
I ran a little late running other errands, so I grabbed my items, and took off toward home so I'd be at the kids' bus stop on time.
In the car on the way home, I was excited to see my new items. I took the blouse out of the bag and turned it inside out so I could see the adjustment they made.
I'm sure you've figured out the punch line by now...
"too tight" was my mistake. I need to tell people WHAT I NEED rather than what is wrong. I needed to say "I need it bigger" because, of course, they made it "tight" - just like I'd asked...
Good thing they didn't cut material, they just made a new seam and I can rip it out and it should be just like it was when I bought it.
Live and learn...
Great.
I purchased my items and went upstairs. "Tailor" is not the right word it's "alterations" by the way.
I showed them my pants, said I needed them shortened and they measured me and said they'd take care of it. That exchange was so easy that I thought I might as well get the blouse altered too.
I showed them the blouse and said "it's too tight" (Indian clothes make NO ROOM for boobs!!)
The woman held it up to my chest, spread out the garment and said "It's just right M'dam"
I said "no, it's too tight"
"Tight, M'dam?"
"Yes, it's too tight"
OK, they said and told me both pieces would be ready in half an hour.
I ran a little late running other errands, so I grabbed my items, and took off toward home so I'd be at the kids' bus stop on time.
In the car on the way home, I was excited to see my new items. I took the blouse out of the bag and turned it inside out so I could see the adjustment they made.
I'm sure you've figured out the punch line by now...
"too tight" was my mistake. I need to tell people WHAT I NEED rather than what is wrong. I needed to say "I need it bigger" because, of course, they made it "tight" - just like I'd asked...
Good thing they didn't cut material, they just made a new seam and I can rip it out and it should be just like it was when I bought it.
Live and learn...
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Crazy India
While I was out today with Gopi, I saw several road improvement projects going on. So I asked the question "are they trying to fit all their roadwork in before the Monsoons start again?"
He said "No, M'dam. It is election time so all the candidates are doing good deeds so people will think good of them and give them their vote. As soon as the elections are over all the projects will stop."
So that reminded me of a passage in the book I'm reading, White Tiger by Aravind Adiga:
"I came to Dhanbad after my father's death. He had been ill for some time, but there is no hospital in Laxmangarh, although there are three different foundation stones for a hospital, laid by three different politicians before three different elections."
He said "No, M'dam. It is election time so all the candidates are doing good deeds so people will think good of them and give them their vote. As soon as the elections are over all the projects will stop."
So that reminded me of a passage in the book I'm reading, White Tiger by Aravind Adiga:
"I came to Dhanbad after my father's death. He had been ill for some time, but there is no hospital in Laxmangarh, although there are three different foundation stones for a hospital, laid by three different politicians before three different elections."
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Mutton Stall
Mmmm, how about some fresh meat? Or maybe meat that was fresh a few hours ago but since has been hanging in the heat of the afternoon covered with flies?
The blue cage to the left houses live chickens if you'd like to pick your own. They weigh the chicken (you pay by the KG), give you a number, they tie the same number to the chicken's leg, then they take it into the shop and kill it, pluck it, and put it in a baggie all ready to go.
This shop says "mutton, chicken and fish" so the kids were wondering why the fish weren't hanging in the doorway. Hahahaha.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Happy Holi
Wide variety of bright colors
Saturday night there was a large, neighborhood bonfire followed by color throwing in the park Sunday morning until noon. We have seen Holi depicted in movies, so we knew a little of what to expect, but the big buckets of colored water were more than we bargained for.
The first neighborhood kid who "greeted" us at the park. He was obviously ready for battle.
Ozone had a water tanker truck backed up to the park for easy filling for the water guns and buckets filled with colored dye
We washed and washed but August's hair has a pink tint and Annika has a green tint (luckily Tuesday is St. Patrick's Day so she'll fit right in). The tips of my hair are still bright pink as well as the left side of my neck and the right side of my right leg. It's the gift that keeps on giving.
Rescue Me!
...Bangalore style.
Auggie's class went on a field trip to the Whitefield Fire Station. I was curious to see it too so I volunteered to be a helper.
My friend Mirja and her son Artu. Mirja went along as a chaperone also. Need the coffee boost to keep up with these kids.
Auggie and Will
How would you feel if your house was on fire and this thing came roaring down the street?
The firefighters were confused when I took this picture. I thought it was interesting.
Here the Chief is showing the kids how they ring the fire alarm when they need to get up and go out to fight a fire... only he couldn't remember which switch it was and flicked 3 or 4 before he finally hit the alarm.
All the kids got to pile into the cockpit of the fire truck and go for a quick spin with the siren BLARING!!!
The fire hat is a hard hat with some kind of fire/water resistant flap in the back
Aren't they darling?
The firemen set fire to this pile of dry, dry palm leaves, in the sun, on a 90' day, under a palm tree so the kids could watch them put it out. And they did.
Then they showed the kids some swirly nozzel they can attach to their fire hose. I'm not sure what you would use it for.
Snack time before heading home.
The fire dog was happy to see us go
Auggie's class went on a field trip to the Whitefield Fire Station. I was curious to see it too so I volunteered to be a helper.
My friend Mirja and her son Artu. Mirja went along as a chaperone also. Need the coffee boost to keep up with these kids.
Auggie and Will
How would you feel if your house was on fire and this thing came roaring down the street?
The firefighters were confused when I took this picture. I thought it was interesting.
Here the Chief is showing the kids how they ring the fire alarm when they need to get up and go out to fight a fire... only he couldn't remember which switch it was and flicked 3 or 4 before he finally hit the alarm.
All the kids got to pile into the cockpit of the fire truck and go for a quick spin with the siren BLARING!!!
The fire hat is a hard hat with some kind of fire/water resistant flap in the back
Aren't they darling?
The firemen set fire to this pile of dry, dry palm leaves, in the sun, on a 90' day, under a palm tree so the kids could watch them put it out. And they did.
Then they showed the kids some swirly nozzel they can attach to their fire hose. I'm not sure what you would use it for.
Snack time before heading home.
The fire dog was happy to see us go
Volunteering in Annika's class
Annika loooves to daydream, so in order to get her back on track in class, I volunteer every Thursday in her classroom.
It's a lot of fun and I feel better being more involved.
Lunch in the cafeteria w/ Annika. Dahl and chapatis anyone?
Annika's friend Sarah comes by with some green mangoes for Annika.
After lunch we got to see Auggie on the playground. Yes, he's trying to cross his eyes. That day was "S" day for Share & Tell so he was all decked out in Spiderman.
Annika and Sarah, the new best buds
Classmates on the playground
Annika cried after her spelling test. (On her leg is a picture of a dog. It used to have a smiley face but after her test she erased the smile and drew in a frown)
She had difficult words and knew them ALL the night before, but got a 9/15 on the test. She actually cried because she thought this would be her first perfect score. The teachers were wonderful when they found out why she was crying and how much it meant to her.
Sample words from the test: (she's the the 1st grade) though, disperse, shadows, source, reflections, prism, cardinal, cylinder, properties... DUDE!!!
Some from this week: afterwards, translucent, transparent, material, mirror, opaque, exhibition, dimension!!! WTF?!?
It's a lot of fun and I feel better being more involved.
Lunch in the cafeteria w/ Annika. Dahl and chapatis anyone?
Annika's friend Sarah comes by with some green mangoes for Annika.
After lunch we got to see Auggie on the playground. Yes, he's trying to cross his eyes. That day was "S" day for Share & Tell so he was all decked out in Spiderman.
Annika and Sarah, the new best buds
Classmates on the playground
Annika cried after her spelling test. (On her leg is a picture of a dog. It used to have a smiley face but after her test she erased the smile and drew in a frown)
She had difficult words and knew them ALL the night before, but got a 9/15 on the test. She actually cried because she thought this would be her first perfect score. The teachers were wonderful when they found out why she was crying and how much it meant to her.
Sample words from the test: (she's the the 1st grade) though, disperse, shadows, source, reflections, prism, cardinal, cylinder, properties... DUDE!!!
Some from this week: afterwards, translucent, transparent, material, mirror, opaque, exhibition, dimension!!! WTF?!?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Local Festival
Yes, another festival, but this one was down Airport Road, not behind Ozone.
Like I said before, my gardener invited me to his home to experience the festival with his family. The day he invited me I had been at the pool with the kids so he waited outside my house for an hour in order to invite me to his home. Jennifer told me how long he had waited. The gardener (sorry, don't know his name) asked Jennifer if she thought I'd come and Jennifer said yes, I think she will.
My gardener and his wife
The alter in their home
His BEAUTIFUL daughters
Outside their home.
The wife was on the 10th day of a 10 day fast. She had walked on hot coals that afternoon - she said her feet and clothes were not burned because she fasted and worshiped correctly for the past 10 days. Not everyone was so lucky.
The whole neighborhood was out celebrating.
A tribute to Vishnu
As we walked through a village I could smell farm animals. I looked over a small fence and there were 3 cows in this small yard.
Ahhh haaaa! The float that was blocking traffic yesterday!
We had a puja in this temple decorated with thousands of flowers inside and out.
The streets were full of people, shoulder to shoulder at some spots.
Lovely old man
The man on the left, in the BIG hat, has also been fasting for 10 days. At midnight on this day, he is supposed to come out of his prayer ceremony, don the big hat, and walk to every corner of the village. They said it takes until about 5am. He is supposed to be the embodyment of God. Before the ceremony, his wife has to give up all her marital gold jewelry and the couple are considered no longer married. This is because a God cannot be married then, once the festival is over, the couple will have another wedding ceremony to rejoin their union.
Like I said before, my gardener invited me to his home to experience the festival with his family. The day he invited me I had been at the pool with the kids so he waited outside my house for an hour in order to invite me to his home. Jennifer told me how long he had waited. The gardener (sorry, don't know his name) asked Jennifer if she thought I'd come and Jennifer said yes, I think she will.
My gardener and his wife
The alter in their home
His BEAUTIFUL daughters
Outside their home.
The wife was on the 10th day of a 10 day fast. She had walked on hot coals that afternoon - she said her feet and clothes were not burned because she fasted and worshiped correctly for the past 10 days. Not everyone was so lucky.
The whole neighborhood was out celebrating.
A tribute to Vishnu
As we walked through a village I could smell farm animals. I looked over a small fence and there were 3 cows in this small yard.
Ahhh haaaa! The float that was blocking traffic yesterday!
We had a puja in this temple decorated with thousands of flowers inside and out.
The streets were full of people, shoulder to shoulder at some spots.
Lovely old man
The man on the left, in the BIG hat, has also been fasting for 10 days. At midnight on this day, he is supposed to come out of his prayer ceremony, don the big hat, and walk to every corner of the village. They said it takes until about 5am. He is supposed to be the embodyment of God. Before the ceremony, his wife has to give up all her marital gold jewelry and the couple are considered no longer married. This is because a God cannot be married then, once the festival is over, the couple will have another wedding ceremony to rejoin their union.
Holi
Photo from Google Images
Today is Holi, the Festival of Colors read more
When I was out driving around yesterday I saw several vendors selling brightly colored powders. (I've heard they can be toxic so proper shops sell non-toxic Holi powder)
Ozone is having our Holi festival this weekend. There will be a Techno Dance Party Saturday night following by the color fight on Sunday. I wonder if Holi was one of the inspirations for the people that created paint ball. It's similar, you ambush people by hiding and attacking them with the colored powder.
This is one of the festivals I looked forward to experiencing when I moved here. Unfortunately, Holi isn't a South Indian thing so we'll only experience a fraction of what it's like in the North, but it should be fun none the less.
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