We were honored to be invited to a baby naming ceremony by our friend and landlord Prabha and her family. Erik wasn't able to make it, so I took the children When we walked into the ceremony, we were directed downstairs to have a South Indian breakfast (YUM!!) Kids enjoyed it too. I was surprised to watch August eating the Sambar - which is quite spicy! Prabha greeting us during breakfast Hand washing station since meals are eaten with your hands. South Indian food is often eaten with rice, not breads like naan, so your hands can get pretty mucky A friend of Prabha's family and ours... Shekhar During the first part of the ceremony there was a large open fire on the stage. Here, the chimney is being taken away once the fire portion was over. Proud big brother sitting with Dad and Mom Little Siddhanth getting his moment in the spotlight Sweet, sweet baby. He was calm throughout the long ceremony. Prabha says he is a mellow baby at home as well. A Hindu baby naming ceremony takes place with the baby is 6 months old. These days a hospital won't let you leave without giving the baby a name, but before these practices the baby's name was not announced until this ceremony. The kids got restless so we went outside to stretch our legs. Luckily a group of cows were taking themselves for a walk down a busy street. A little back scratch Bye bye!
Using a chapati roller to roll the dough Cardamom seeds crushed with sugar for the filling Baking in my small convection oven (it's a microwave/convection oven combo - the only oven I have)
Why have I been so negligent about the blog? I know why... I have yet to write my entry about our evening with Amma.
I'm having a hard time writing about it so I'll just start from the beginning.
I was downtown Bangalore when I saw Amma's photo on the back of a rickshaw. The writing surrounding the photo was all in Kannada so I asked Gopi to follow the rick and tell me what it said. We did some crazy traffic dodging to keep up with the rick but finally found out she would be in Bangalore March 24th and 25th. I got so excited but started wondering if it would be too crazy for the children.
In my excitement I mentioned it to a few friends. Jenne mentioned a co-worker, Jianti, is a HUGE Amma follower and is probably going so maybe we could go together. That sounded like an excellent suggestion so I had a chat with Jianti. She was definitely going both days and would be traveling to another city the previous 2 days to see her there also! She said she'd help us hug Amma. Then our friend Michelle heard we were going and expressed excitement about going too! The more the merrier! The night of the 24th we also picked up Jeff who was about to make the journey in his own car not knowing that there was a group already going.
Both kids fell asleep on the nearly 2 hour drive to the event. I knew they'd be up late so I was grateful for this little surprise.
Very exciting to see Amma
We estimated 7,000 - 8,000 people were there to get a hug from Amma
Amma hugs until EVERYONE gets a hug... all night and into the day I took this photo 'cause the women look like they're sleeping during Amma's darshan but they're really meditating After the meditation two of them jumped on their cell phones which I found humerous.
Getting ready for our hug! In the Que! You can buy an offering to Amma. I found this very clever, they sell silk flower bouquets/necklaces, fruits and candy, all that is reused! The fruit and candy are given back to the followers and the silk flowers are resold all as a fundraiser for her efforts. Annika chose to give Amma a bouquet and August gave her a bag of candy (that he found hard to give away) Almost getting our hug... The last few feet were filled with an assembly line of volunteers to get us ready for our hug... I was told to place one child in front of me and one behind me. First our faces were wiped with wet naps (she wears white and hugs 7,000+ people) My glasses were taken away (I suppose Amma could get scratched or they could fall off) We were asked what language we spoke We were told to keep our arms/hands to our sides (Amma hugs you, you don't hug Amma) Then, when you were with Amma, someone holds your head and "assists" you into your hug.
Both kids went through with their hugs. (very proud)
After our hugs, we were escorted onto the stage to sit with Amma and enjoy her company. No cameras allowed but I was not told and there were no signs alerting me to this. Watch the man in white w/ the camera signal to another volunteer that I had a camera...
What did I think of my hug?? It's hard to say. I loved being there, I loved the feeling of warmth and love given by Amma and those who follow her and I truly, TRULY LOVED my hug!! I was shocked at how honest it was. I thought after hugging thousands of people in the last couple days, or 30 MILLION people over the last 30 years the hug would be "nice." But it was like an old friend or a loved one.
My head was placed in her busom for a hug, she embrased me with strength and held me like a mother (Amma means Mother) then she did a slight release, gave me a few beats of eye contact, then brought me back in for another embrace. For what seemed like a minute but was probably only a few seconds the world stopped. No noise, no music, no light... just my face buried into Amma's chest and her strong arms hugging my body.
I was a little bummed when I didn't react after the hug (except for a great sense of peace). When I got home, still nothing. The next day, nothing. So I thought maybe it didn't have the effect on me that it has on other people. But when people ASKED me about the experience and I had to VOCALIZE how I felt I'd get teary eyed and my voice would get all choked up.
I can see why people seek her out. What an amazing woman.
Before we left the arena that night I bought three 2"x3" laminated pictures of Amma - one for each of us so Annika and August would have something to help them remember their experience.
We left at midnight (kids were EXCELLENT the whole night). As soon as we got in the car they fell asleep. We got home around 1:15am. I put them into bed and they went right to sleep. I got ready for bed too but went to check on them before getting into bed myself and they both had their photos of Amma clutched in their little hands. Sweet dreams my little ones!
Jennifer is still out sick. Poor thing is still weak, vomiting less, and trying to recover.
Angel was over at Jennifer's house checking on her and told me no one cares about Jennifer. Her Auntie's motive for adopting these orphan children was all motivated by money. I've always known that and it makes my blood boil. Jennifer, her sister Sheila and brother Vinay are all beautiful people and have been subjected to a life of cruelty and selfishness.
Angel heard Jennifer's Auntie saying she asked for my help with the medical bills and I lied to her and said I didn't have any money when she knew I did. I did? Boy, I'd like to know where that secret stash is, please let me know Auntie! I have every intention to help with the medical bills only I will pay directly to the hospital or doctor, no money shall pass through Auntie's hands. Jennifer's illness is not an "opportunity."
Jennifer's sister Sheila is working at our house while Jennifer is out. Sheila does not currently have a job so she has the time and the family is worried about Jennifer losing her job (Jennifer's job is not in jeopardy).
Sheila was recently married and although she doesn't love her husband and her mother-in-law is heartless, at least Sheila would be getting away from Auntie. Well, that's not the case.
Jobs around here are hard to come by and it's only going to get harder. Expats are being sent home by their companies or let go altogether. For those of us lucky to stay, many are going away for the summer and won't need the help of cooks or maids during that time. So there are less jobs available and more people looking for them.
Anyway, so Sheila is looking for a job. Her mother-in-law hits her when Sheila tries to eat at home or asks her husband for money because she is not working. Then the mother-in-law calls Auntie to scream at her that Sheila is not working so Auntie comes over and hits on her. I just heard that Auntie grabs Sheila by the hair and smacks her head into the wall over and over! Her husband hits her too! So her dream of getting away from Auntie has actually become a nightmare! And if Sheila can't find a job it's only going to get worse!! (my blood is boiling)
So Jennifer is weak on the couch, the only person who looks after her is Sheila (when she's around). I asked what the problem is and now their answer is food poisoning. Which basically means they don't know. So I'm willing to go the route of "gastric ulcer" because if you had to spend your life growing up with an abusive Auntie who takes 100% of your pay and then beats you for it, no mother or father, I'd have an ulcer that had me vomiting blood too!
Photo from Google Images ...Monarch Butterflies in India. I was surprised to see the first one fluttering around my Hibiscus bushes but now I see 2 or 3 a day. I thought they were a west coast U.S./Mexico thing.
All of this great feedback I've been receiving lately... now I feel terrible for neglecting the blog over the last few weeks. I'll work on it tomorrow! I promise! :-)
"Hello! I am loving your blog! I am an American (family moved from Seattle) living in Copebhagen, Denmark for the past 9 months. It is certainly not India, but has been filled with "zany" challenges of our own! Husbands contract ends this summer, and we are considering moving to Mumbai...found your blog doing a search for that! So it's great reading about your daily experiences....JUST the kind of stuff I want to know : )"
I was at a juice shop this week (fresh juices are EXTREMELY popular - almost every street corner sells fresh "tender coconut" which is a green coconut that they hack with a machete until it's like a big goblet of fresh coconut water) and ordered a wonderful juice combo.
It was lemon + ginger + mint
Basically a finger of fresh ginger, several sprigs of fresh mint, the juice of two lemons (back home they'd be small limes) were put into a blender with a little water and ice, blended, strained, and poured into a cup. Sugar might have been thrown in too... Simply wonderful! Luckily, I drank it right before grocery shopping so I made sure to bring home the ingredients. Try it! Very refreshing!
Wow, I can't believe I haven't done a post since April 9th... I've got a backlog, just haven't gotten to it. Will do soon.
In the mean time, does anyone out there know what causes a person to vomit blood? Our maid, Jennifer, was complaining of vomiting blood last weekend. A friend gave her some plain, spongy white bread and Jennifer said it really helped. I didn't hear of it again and she was in good spirits.
On Monday morning Jennifer seemed fine. She did her work and went to downtown Whitefield (our suburb) with a friend. When she returned she was quiet and saying she wasn't feeling well. In the early evening she complained of vomiting blood then retired to her room. (I sound kind of callous because life's little aches and pains are usually larger than life with her and her earlier complaint seemed to go away rather easily). Later that evening Erik knocked on her door to ask a question and it took her a while to come to the door because she had been sleeping. Then her Auntie called me and told me Jennifer had called her to say she is vomiting blood and fainting. The Auntie said they were coming to get her to take her to hospital.
That was Monday night. Tuesday I called to check up on her and her Auntie said Jennifer was back home but had been at the hospital most of the night. She needs 3-4 days to rest and would be back at the hospital for a check-up on Wednesday.
Wednesday I called to see how she is and the Auntie says Jennifer is still not well, took in 3 bags of IV fluids, and the cause of the problem is that she was not eating well. Not eating well? During lent Jennifer was not eating eggs or any kind of animal protein but most Indians have a vegetarian diet and rely on legumes and curd to supplement. That's what Jennifer had been eating, that and rice, rice, rice!
This evening Jennifer's Auntie just rang my doorbell. She and Jennifer's Uncle came to tell me that she is still not well, they presented me with a doctor's note in English saying Jennifer is very sick, will be transported to a different hospital, took in several more bags of IV fluids, and should be given a short leave from work until she can regain her strength. (Oh, and they requested monetary assistance with the doctor bill)
Again I asked what the cause of the problem is and the Auntie/Uncle said the doctor does not know. Jennifer has had x-rays and scans but everything comes back normal yet the bloody vomiting continues. Her only nutrition is through her IV. Any ideas?? She's only 19! What could it be? Our thoughts are with you Jennifer! Speedy recovery!
Indian street dogs are AMAZING!! I knew dogs were smart, but to watch them cross traffic that no human would cross is awe inspiring. I've seen dogs cross a busy 4-lane road by taking a break in the median and watching traffic patterns. They take in the information just like we do, assess the situation, and move forward.
Even cows that take themselves for walks down busy streets are street savvy. If a cow walked down a similar road in the US traffic would be snarled and it would probably make the news.
Unfortunately you do see a casualty now and again, but they are few and far between, and Darwin considers that a necessary part of evolution too.
Our Spring Break was spent mostly at the pool where Annika and Auggie learned to jump into the deep end of the swimming pool!! I was amazed when they jumped the first time, were submerged under water about 3 feet, then doggie paddled to the surface and swam over to the edge with a giant smiles on their faces! After the initial jump they spent the next couple of hours jumping again and again.
Most of our neighborhood left the country for the Spring Break. Many families went to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and even one went to the US! Some neighbors went to other parts of India but it's very hot this time of year. We were happy with our decision to stay put and let the kids have some R&R.
Part of our Spring Break extravaganza was a trip to Wonder La. It's an amusement/water park in Bangalore. It's a two hour drive from Whitefield but well worth it. Since we went on a week day, the park was nearly all ours, especially for the rides at A&A's level.
We walked around all day. The people working the rides were bored out of their skulls so when we approached a ride, they'd turn on the power, let the kids go around again and again until they'd had their fill, then as we'd walk on to the next ride they'd turn the power off. Crazy Koi pond, they called it the "Friendly Fish" exhibit. The jump house was the most popular attraction. We came back again and again.
Angel has been inviting me to her home in a nearby village since she started working for us. Going there didn't work out until now because I wanted the children to go with me. So during the week of Spring Break we made a date to go to Angel's house and meet her family.
I have a horrible, HORRIBLE habit that I really need to break. I made this faux paux at Jennifer's house the first time I met her Auntie and I did it again with Angel's mother... ...when I arrived at the "house", I pet the dog(s) first. Even in the US it would be a bit of an insult to get all into the family dog before you greeted the people who invited you to the home, but in India, where dogs are literally treated like dogs, it's even more of an insult. But I couldn't help it. I have dog withdrawl and Angel's house has 3, 5-month old puppies who were born in the lot next to the house so they hang out with the family. They were so cute I couldn't help but get involved with them. Darling kids with darling puppies Angel's Mom with one of Angel's sisters and a newphew
It was raining that afternoon so we hung out under the eve of the house. They invited us in but the place was so small that it was too cramped and uncomfortable, so we decided to get wet outside. One of Angel's sister's sons who is deaf and mute. They don't have the money to find out what the problem is or if it can be cured.
Angel's house is the last door on the left. Gopi, wearing a white shirt, is standing in front of the opening. It's two rooms and one room is shared with a make-shift kitchen. I didn't feel like I could take a photo. This lady took Annika's arm and started leading her around. She was not a family member and I'm not sure what her objective was. I knew the puppies would be there, so I picked up some raw hide chews before we went (along with provisions for the family). When trying to give the chews to the puppies they would cower away because most dogs are beaten with sticks and here I'm trying to present them with one. They could obviously smell the chews and were curious but the resemblance to sticks were too much. Hopefully they gave them a try once the crowd died down. These neighbors from across the street invited us over so we could meet their dog. They went into their "apartment" to get the dog. We waited and waited. They told me it's a big dog. I got very excited. Then they brought out a large smelly mutt with a terrible case of mange. Not what I was expecting. Luckily it was not very friendly so we were able to excuse ourselves rapidly without petting it. Annika and August each had a large bag of candy to hand out to Angel's family and any other child they saw during our visit. This lady asked if adults could have some candy too.
I am so far behind on the blog, I have lots of updates from last week but today will be another day with no updates. I am preparing my Venezuelan national dish for my birthday dinner. We will have a party with 10 friends tonight. While growing up I often asked my Dad to make this meal for my birthday, so it will be like having family around.
It's such a treat to have "exotic" food that isn't Indian... And to be surrounded by friends on my birthday, who could ask for anything more??
