Republic Day Weekend

Last weekend was a 3 day weekend. So it was kind of split between fun and 'work'. Saturday, Maya, Cindy and I went shopping. Mostly for household, but also for some school items for Maya. We didn't have Manju, our regular driver, and it was a bit of a trial. The substitute didn't know his way around Bangalore (though he is a driver for another expat). He didn't know where Commercial Street was, or how to get there from our house. Not only that, but he didn't speak very good english, hardly any at all. So getting around town was a bit of a chore.

I had wanted to get out of the city for the day on Sunday. Cindy convinced me that we shouldn't go see the wildlife park as it would be overcrowded. It probably was based on our other experiences for the weekend. So after hemming and hawing about where we could actually go, and get our Driver to manage getting us there, we chose to go to Nandi Hills again. Ari hadn't been. It isn't too far from the house, and we could explain to the driver how to get there. So off we went.

We arrived around Noon and it was already crowded. We drove to the top and found some parking. At that time the loop around the top was about 1/2 parked full. Meaning cars on only one side of the road. It was still driveable. We wandered around the perimeter first. Saw a pooja going on at the Nandi Bull. Both Cindy and I wanted to take photos, but weren't sure if we would be intruding on the pooja, so we didn't. We showed Ari where Tipu Sultan would execute people by dropping them down the cliff, though she didn't want to get too close. Then we went to the top. Ari got to take pictures of the aggressive monkeys. This particular one decided to pee just as she was taking the picture! I didn't get that on film, so to speak. We wandered around the Nehru Guest house, which has some nice gardens around it. It also has some interesting statues in it. This particular smaller Nandi Bull had been recently decorated or blessed (I'm not sure which).

After wandering around, we had a simple lunch in the little restaurant overlooking the cliffs down towards the south, in the direction of Bangalore. Unfortunately the air was thick with dust and smog, and looked pretty brown. We could not see far. Last time we were there the view was much better. I guess we need some rain to clear the air out. Then we all had an ice cream. Mine was butterscotch, which came in an almost dayglow yellow. It was rather strange to eat, but tasted good enough. I had some guys come up and ask to have my picture taken with them. We figured this was an entree to getting a picture with Ari, who joined for the 2nd shot. She took a picture as well, but I don't have a copy of that.

Monday we were invited to a 'barbie' at the DeVilles. Good fun. We had to take a rickshaw there, fortunately there were only 3 of us as Cindy was sick, so we fit in ok. We managed by just giving directions, left, right, straight. Again he spoke a little, but not a lot of English. We had a nice day. There were some college age kids there who had been volunteering for a month or 2 a the school where Ari volunteers. They were from the US and England mostly. I think one was Aussie. They seemed nice enough and it was nice for Ari and Kelsey to have some other company. We got home after dinner, fully stuffed, and ready for a short week. So, another week in Bangalore goes by.

Today is sort of a lazy day, and tomorrow we go out to a friends house for an afternoon get together. It seems that where ever and what ever we do, all the talk these days is about the Economy, whether it is going to get worse here in India, how bad it is in the US, and Europe. Whether Obama will succeed--everyone seems to hope so. He has brought a lot of hope to people in this part of the world. I just count my lucky stars I am over here in India with a job, rather than in the US looking for one now...

Home is where...

After returning to Bangalore, I had to think long and hard about the meaning of home, and where that is for me. While visiting California over the holidays, it was great to see all my friends and family. I do really miss them when I am here in Bangalore. On the other hand, our house was rented out, we were staying in a hotel (except those days when staying with my mom). We also were driving rented cars. So all in all, it didn't really feel like being "home".

In the airplane on the way back, it occurred to me that we were returning "home". After all, we have our own house here in Bangalore--albeit rented for 2 years. We have our daily routines, for me going to work, for Maya going to school, for Cindy her charity work, Ari friends & volunteering, etc... But more than that, we have the friendly faces in the neighborhood around us like the construction workers, or the pharmacist where I go to get my monthly refills. He always greets me with a smile, and even remembers my name-though he spells it Brayan, when he writes out the 'bill'. The barber knows me, and even if they are full up at 8:30 on Sunday morning, I can still get a haircut in relatively short time. (Yes I went on Sunday morning at 8:30, wondering if they would be open that early or if I would be taking a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood. They had 10 chairs in operation, but fortunately no line yet.) And of course there is Manju. He always has a smile in the mornings when he comes and rings the doorbell for the key, and every night he asks "what time sir" and when I say "8 o'clock" he says, "yes, thank you sir" with a smile. And it is genuine. The thing that strikes both Cindy and me about Bangalore, is the friendliness, but not faked, genuine, of the people.
Lahlita too makes this feel like home. She was so excited to see us when we were there on that saturday morning, even though she hadn't planned any breakfast for us as she was expecting us only in the evening. She was almost crestfallen that she hadn't gotten something for us to eat. Still she managed to whip something up quickly. She doesn't do this only because she feels it is her job, but she really enjoys it. And she is especially happy when we like her cooking, which is always. I have had to stay home from work sick a couple of days this week. She has constantly been telling me to take it easy. I should be resting. I shouldn't do work if I'm sick. I should be eating something good for the cold, or specially having some of her ginger tea concoction--which I did and it really helped. She is so happy to be working for us, and likes to take care of us, and we are absolutely thrilled to have her work for us.
As an aside, when we moved here, I thought it would be difficult to have household staff--especially someone who is working in the house 6 days a week. But she fits right in with the family, and though we've had to make small concessions to her being here with us, the joy she brings, and the genuine warmth of her working style has made it delightful.

But then there are still all the things I miss about "Home":

• Having a fire in the fireplace on a cold and rainy night (it's usually warm when it rains here).
  
• Being able to prune my roses in the back yard.
• The relative quiet. Here in Bangalore, there is always noise. Yes I missed it when I was in CA, but now I do find the cement mixers going 7 days a week a bit much.
• Driving myself- it is nice to get out and just go once in a while, without having to negotiate overtime on a sunday or holiday.
  
• Being able to get out into the wilderness for a hike or walk without making a days effort of it.
• The Golden Gate Bridge
• Good wine
  
• Friends
• And FAMILY-all of them, the noisy ones, the quiet ones, the older ones, the young ones, the tall ones, and the short ones. Yes I really miss my family.

In the end, not knowing where I'll end up over time. Whether I'll get to return to the Bay Area--I sure hope so, or if I'll end up somehwere else. I think I can make a home anywhere, but "home" will really be where the special people in my life are. I'm just glad that some of them are here with me in Bangalore, and that I do get to go back to CA and see the rest of them, if not too often.

20 Jan-- I wrote this several days ago. Today we get to go out for dinner to celebrate my birthday, and the inaguration of Obama--it'll be just going on around dinner time for us. Tomorrow we go to a celebration party for Obama at one of the big hotels here. Last friday we had fun with some new friends (parents from Maya's new school). Cindy and I left about 1am, not quite realizing how late it was till we started walking home. The nice part is they are about 15 mins walk from us-- a lovely Dutch/Thai couple. There were two other couples there too, one from the US, the other Australian/Russian. Anyways lots of fun. Got to go though, I am working today.

California Freezin

It's been an interesting trip so far back to California. First off we arrived about the same time as an arctic storm, which brought the temperatures down to almost freezing. There has been pretty continual rain for the first week back. The two combined have made us all pretty cold for the whole time so far. Definitely missing the temperate climate of Bangalore. Not missing the traffic though and we are enjoying just being able to get in the car and drive ourselves somewhere.

Other than that, it has been somewhat odd being back. Of course everyone drives in their lanes. People line up at the coffee shop, and in the grocery store. Probably the strangest was to visit our house. It is inhabited by several young men, but they don't have a lot of furniture, artwork, nick-nacks... so the house felt pretty empty. Fortunately they have kept the house in pretty good condition, minor repairs needed here or there. But just seeing our house, but not staying there is odd.

It is really nice seeing people, but trying to fit all the visits in, and accomplish final christmas shopping etc, is hectic. We saw Slumdog Millionaire today. Different people had different reactions. Cindy and I missed India--the hustle/bustle, the colors, the people. It made Marion wonder why she was going to go back, and very upset about the beggars. If you've seen the movie you'll know why. If not, you should see it. All in all a very good movie.

We promised our Australian friends we would take them winetasting, so we're likely off to the Santa Cruz mountains today to find some good wineries--wish us luck. Let's hope the wine isn't all frozen. That would be bad.

More later.

Santa Came to town

Yesterday was an amazing day. I know that Cindy has written before about Shristi Special Academy. It is one of the charities that the OWC supports with funding for projects. The school is about 1/2 hour drive outside of Bangalore, which means about a 1 hour drive for us. This place is amazing. They have over 140 children with Special Needs (Autistic, Downs, ...) who come daily to school there. They also work with some local children, to provide a good school for the local kids, plus have some non-disabled children for the special needs children to interact with. They are located on the outskirts of a village. They have a nice grounds with vegetable gardens where they try to grow their own vegetables for the students and staff. They have classroom environments, physical (and other) therapy rooms, and they have workshops to teach skills to the older children. We ate lunch in the workshop at the end of our visit and I saw they make paper bags out of recycled newspapers, candles, and other things there.

Anyways we were lucky enough to go along with some representatives of the OWC (Cindy being one of them) to a "Christmas Party" they were throwing. I think it was partly a celebration for the children, and partly a thank you to the OWC, and HP who support them. The opening part was some readings and thank yous, then the OWC sang Christmas carols, which the children really enjoyed. Then there were some Bollywood tunes played, and the children got to sing and dance. They loved that part. Then came the best part for me. The OWC had supplied pencil cases with a pencil and a couple of sweets for each child.

While the children were outside playing games, I went to the office and changed into a Santa suit. Maya and I were waiting there with the gifts for the children to go to their classrooms. One boy, must be a young teenager, came into the office. He stared at me for a bit, then his eyes went wide when he figured out who I was. He immediately went outside mumbling about Santa. It was priceless. One lady from the OWC had brought an accordion. So I was proceeded by a group of carolers, and got to go to each classroom and hand out the Gifts. The smiles, handshakes and general awe on the faces was priceless. I think I got the biggest gift of all.

This is a great memory to take away with me as we plan our trip back to CA for the holidays. It is a bit bittersweet. It is hard to see the children with such severe problems, but it is astonishing to see the care and love they get, and the happiness on their faces at Shristi. Such a wonderful place, built with such humble means.

Quick Note-Island Hopping

Well, now we have visited almost 4% of the islands in the Langkawi area. There are 99 islands, and we visited 3 of them today by 'charter boat'. This means that we didn't pay the per person rate, but rented the whole little boat, which is an open boat about 20' long, with a tarpaulin covering the seating area for shade. We spent time at two beaches where we could swim in the ocean which was delicious, ate an oversized picnic lunch for 2 from the hotel, and then hiked to a freshwater lake for a swim on a third island, along with Langkawi itself, that makes 4/99.

Yesterday we took a tour around the island of Langkawi, saw a mangrove swamp, bat cave, and got to see the eagles feeding in the river/estuary. Then we took a cable car to the top of the island for a fantastic 360 degree view. We could see Thailand, many of the islands, as well as the mainland of Malaysia.

Having a great time. Sad to leave already tomorrow, I hear there are blizzard conditions in middle Europe... Pictures and more details later.

If it's Tuesday, it must be Delhi

Travel seems to be the word of the day. Last week Sunday I flew to Frankfurt, took a few hours to look around the city, and then flew on to Helsinki, arriving Sunday evening. I spent 5 glorious days in the office, thankfully. It was raining most of the time. Cold, but not cold enough to freeze, roughly 8C in the mornings and evenings. I missed my scarf, but was happy to be wearing my 'husband sweater'-- see snidknits' blog to learn what that is. I came back on Saturday (spent basically the whole day in an airplane, not too much fun considering I had the back row which doesn't even lean back. So my butt was sore by the time I got home.

Sunday was a nice day off. We went to a Thanksgiving/Obama won! party. Had a lot of fun. Several Americans there, and many Indians who had lived in the US somewhere. I met and spent a lot of time talking to a retired gentleman who still goes to the lab he set up where the do arithmetic simulations of the oceans, this involves fluid mechanics, chemistry, biology, and of course the math/computer programming. We had a great conversation about everything from Obama winning, to how Silicon Valley and Bangalore are similar but different, and how Indians and westerners think differently. I found out he went to UCB also... We also met a couple, he works for Reuters, who had raised their sons mostly in Hong Kong, then been in Japan, and now India. Cindy had been to their house for a singalong/choir session. All in all a good time.

Monday--normal day at work, with long meetings, aside from the fact that Manju was taking Cindy home from the Gym at 3:45 (a trip which should have taken 10-15 mins) and they arrived at 7:45. He then had to still come get me. It is now 9:24 and he is still only half way here. There were political demonstrations at a rally for JDS near our house, and the traffic jam is absolutely horrendous. I hope to get home before 11. I leave for Delhi tomorrow morning at 5 to renew visas. I plan to be back in Bangalore late tomorrow evening. Then Wednesday evening we leave for Langkawi, Malaysia. A few days R&R in between our hectic schedules before returning home to the US (oh but wait). On Sunday we arrive somewhere after 11pm from Malaysia, and I should be getting on a plane for the great wet dark (Finland, and a day in Germany) Sunday night, well really Monday morning at 3:30--what fun.

After that it should be two weeks in Bangalore before going back to the US for the holidays. I am looking forward to seeing everyone again.

Bang Bada Boom

It's Divali here. I had a 3 day weekend, which was nice. We didn't do too much, a little shopping on Monday, as Manju wanted Tuesday off instead of Monday. He needed to go to Tumkur (his hometown) to register his daughter's birth certificate. We got a nice painting for the living room. I don't know what we're going to do with all the artwork we are collecting when we need to go home. We don't have as much wall space in our house back in CA.

Oh yeah, on Saturday evening we went to a 1 year birthday party for one of my co-worker's children. There was a huge cake, and a magician. I got to be the guinea pig for one of the tricks. It was pretty fun, and I think our girls had fun even though most of the kids there were under 8.

There have been non-stop fireworks going all weekend. They start somewhere around 4:30 in the morning, and go till late at night, after midnight at least.
Boom,
bang,
pop, pop, pop, pop, pop,
BANG,
...

Some people have the kind that shoot off sparks, and some even have rockets which shoot fairly high into the air. All together a lot of noise and sparks.

On Monday evening we went to the Deville's and they had bought some 'crackers' as they are called here. We helped them set some off in the back yard, till the neighbors complained. I have to say, they were impressive. Our sparklers back in CA are about 1 foot long, and very thin. Some of these sparklers were close to 3 feet long, and about a 3/4 inch thick. They would go for a long time too.

After the neighbor got upset, we went out the front gate and set more off in the street, and empty lot/dirt road next to it. We got a whole collection of kids from the neighborhood. Marian started handing out sparklers to them and they had a ball. We shot off several firecrackers (again huge by my standards), and a bunch of sparkling fountains. All the while the neighbor kids were running around with sparklers. Then it was all suddenly over when we ran out of sparklers, and we had to go home. Cindy accused me of being like a big kid with the sparklers and fountains. I guess you could say I had fun...