Monday, October 19, 2009
October 2009 Update from Bangalore
October 1, 2009 Whitewater rafting on the Ganges/Camping in Rishikesh
Drove 30 mins north to raft "the wall", an awesome rapid where the river's width narrows to one third its usually width because of boulders on either side. A rush. Body surfed nearly the rest of the way to the camp.
Sad to leave the camp site. Thoroughly enjoyed the time here. Aquaterra outfitters transferred us to the Haridwar train station, where we boarded a way-over-air-conditioned train to Delhi. Seated behind us were a couple monks in saffron colored robes. I had to chuckle: one with earphones, and the other shouting "anti-virus program!" into his mobile phone.
Arrived in Delhi close to 11pm. The cab we'd booked ahead must have picked up another group, so we waited around, said our goodbyes to Ravi, Malani, and Apu, and they told us to take the next one that came along. They offered to take an autorickshaw since they had less luggage.
I checked my purse/small cloth shoulder bag and realized someone on the Haridwar train platform had taken my prescription glasses. They must have thought it was a wallet. Bummer for them! but for me, too. The glasses weren't so cheap. That's the first thing I've had stolen in India. Hopefully the last, too.
October 2, 2009
Returned to Bangalore in the early afternoon flight. Couldn't believe how gorgeous the new Delhi airport is. Definitely didn't feel like an airport in a developing country. They're getting all geared up for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Amazing kids play area, Good Earth (extremely overpriced luxury retail chain), book store. Picked up the next book club read, Dan Brown's latest.
October 3, 2009
Molly back at piano. Her teacher, Irfan, really cool guy. Says Molly's smart, but doesn't want to listen. As far as I can see, she only wants to try and play by ear, not read notes.
Maya's classmate, Samara, and her sister Natanya, Charlie's classmate, came over for a playdate.
Molly has piano Sat and Sun a.m. Don't know how long it'll last. Says she's bored already. After lesson, she went to her best buddy Khushi's house to play, and Charlie to Ishan's. Both of them live at Shine On, a Total Environment property out on Old Madras Road. Maya went to Pragya's for a playdate, and I seriously don't remember what I did with that free time.
October 5, 2009
Another day of playdates: Mia here to play with Molly, and Arushi and Pragya here to play with Maya. I tutored Naba from 1:30-3 at the Spastic Society.
October 7, 2009
Flew to Chennai last night and stayed at The Pride Hotel. I'd stayed there a few years ago. It's remarkable how quickly things age here in India. I'd remembered it as quite nice, and the years have really shown.
Worked with Gita Rao and her husband Navaneetha, who had relocated from the U.S. to India to work on a joint venture between John Deere and Ashok Leyland. Very nice family.
October 8, 2009
Went to see the movie "Inglorious Basterds" with Divya and Irfana. Divya's already seen it, but liked it so much she wanted to see it again. Got an sms from Vini in the other theater, where she was watching "Wake Up Sid".
October 9, 2009
Very fortunate at times to have kids at Aditi. Someone there is connected, and got two tickets per child to the Champion League T20. Went to the stadium on MG Road at Anil Kumble Circle, and it was a mad house. People pushing like crazy to get in. There was a gate dedicated to people with school tickets, so the line wasn't as bad as others.
Spectacular pre-game show with Shakha Khan singing, South African dancers, laser light shows, and fireworks. When the cricket teams came on the field to start the game and the fans cheered, Molly asked me if the match was over. She and Charlie were fading fast, so we left. Badri and Maya came home a bit later.
October 9, 2009
Went for a visit with Janaki Auntie and Babu Uncle.
Picked up Charlie from school and he had quite a high fever.
October 10, 2009
Molly went to Adidev's birthday party, and Maya to Kimaya S's.
In the evening, Badri, Kitty, and I went to b flat to see a comedy show. Not too entertaining.
October 11, 2009
Went to Kids Kouch where the kids painted diyas and made Diwali cards. Meanwhile, Badri and I walked over to Barista and had a coffee.
October 12, 2009
Charlie stayed home sick from school. Not in bad spirits, but feverish and coughing.
October 13, 2009
I picked up Maya from school and she went horseback riding. She had a pair of boots made by a shoemaker Babu (although Maya's riding teacher called him "Bablu"). Gorgeous boots, but we'll have to get "inserts" because they're a bit big. Knee high, great leather, 2000rs. Today was class 3 of 10 classes. Mr. Sunder said she'd progress much better if she came more regularly. But something always comes up and she misses a week or three.
October 14, 2009
Went to meet Priti at Zen Garden to talk about her work with students needing extra help. Sounds like she could teach Molly great strategies to make writing easier.
Rita picked up Maya and brought her riding.
Pamela Leri is in town and came over for dinner. She'd picked up several suits she'd had made at Maria Rosa's. A few months ago she bought gorgeous silk sari material and had given them to be stitched.
October 15, 2009
Did a Developing a Global Mindset training at Decho Corp. in Sadashivnagar today. It went very well. Most people working with counterparts in Ireland, U.S., and China.
Friday, October 16, 2009 What Diwali and Christmas Have in Common
Met up with Kitty at my new favorite lunch/coffee place in the neighborhood, the Claytopia Bistro. It's about 5 minutes walk from the house and very reasonably priced. Best--and only!--lamb burgers I've ever tasted.
Went to Sri Krishna sweets to buy boxes of sweets for friends and staff. When I went at 11am, there was "no stock" (meaning 'none left'). All the boxes on the counters being furiously filled by staff was for orders already placed. The manager said to come back around 3pm.
Today I realized that, in so many ways, Diwali and Christmas holidays are very similar. Badri had already said that, when he was a kid, everyone got new clothes, same as us at Christmas. And today as I searched high and low for a new outfit for everyone, sweets for all, and miscellaneous other things that I'd left to the last minute, I saw the crush of people around me everywhere I went and realized it's the same in the U.S. the day before Christmas--everyone's a procrastinator.
At 4pm, I picked up Molly and Charlie from the school bus at 6th Main. Charlie, as always, came sleepily down the steps. After negotiating with the driver, we took an autorickshaw off on a couple errands (Badri had taken the car to Nandidurg Road to pick up Maya after basketball). While at Krishna Sweets, Queen Sarayu (QS) came in. QS is a good friend of ours who has "convinced" the kids that she is a queen. They challenge her, asking where her crown and sceptre are, but they still go along with the charade. They don't call her Sarayu Auntie, like they call any other of my friends, but only Queen Sarayu. And she refers to Charlie as her "future ex-husband".
In the evening we went to Priti's house to light fireworks. Viji and her family also there. Her son Pranav is one of Charlie's good buddies. Viji's definitely up there with pyromaniacs I have known--like my Dad, who always loved setting off fireworks.
October 20, 2009
Tonight was book club at Sheena's house. Probably one of the meetings where we talked least about the chosen book. In this case, Dan Brown's Lost Symbol seemed to come short for most. We celebrated Alice Ray's birthday with kir royale--champagne with creme de cassis--and a lovely cake brought by Marylouise. Two of Marylouise's sisters also had flown to Bangalore from Korea and the U.S. So it was a very festive evening.
October 21, 2009
Lunch with Badri at More than Paranthas
October 22, 2009
lunch at Divya's
Amma and Appa in town
October 22, 2009
Molly on field trip to Visvesvaraya Technological museum
lunch with Alice at Claytopia
Molly to drama class. Final performance.
October 23, 2009
Went to Herbs and Spice with Badri to listen to jazz pianist. Mitch their with her husband, as well as Nilu, Shilo, and brother.
October 24, 2009
Molly to piano
Molly birthday party at Monkey Maze. Cost: 6000rs for 20 kids and 12 adults. Ayana, Cavin, Iccha, Mehma, Tricia, Riddhi, Khushi, Aanyaa, Alyna, Nosha, Maya, Mia, Diya
Took Charlie to his friend Devrata's birthday party at Opus.
October 25, 2009
Brought Molly to Priti's so they could meet.
October 26, 2009
Took Maya to homeopath Dr. Sudha on Richmond Cirlce for all her allergic symptoms.
October 27, 2009
Maya chosen for basketball team
Meeting with Badri and Priti
Tutor Naba
October 28, 2009
Tutor Naba
October 29, 2009
Badri to US until first week of December
Visit Janaki Auntie
Talked to Hema about Soumya, bharatanatyam dance teacher. Hema had a talk with her. She'd yelled at Molly, sent her out of the room, and threatened to send her to the principal's office. Maya's 4th grade classmates told me they were in the class and were going to drop out because she was so mean to Molly.
Maya practice at Mt. Carmel
October 30, 2009
Met Pamela and Archana at Taj Residency and we drove to Whitefield to meet with Novo-Nordisk (Nartis?) from 10-12. Then Pamela and I had lunch at Via Milano.
In the evening, went out to High Note with Kitty and her Brazilian colleague, Fernanda.
October 31, 2009
Molly to piano.
Maya to Mt. Carmel for basketball practice. She went to Mira's birthday party at Embassy Woods after that.
Charlie to Ramu's birthday at Doodle Den.
Party at Jodi's. Moroccan theme. great fun. First time I've been in a private home that has an elevator. And it's only a three story house. RMV/Sadashivanagar neighborhood. Pretty big bucks up there. Jodi's husband works for South African Breweries. They were in Prague before this posting. Another new arrival to Bangalore, Kim, just left a posting in Honduras following the coup--also with the same beer company. Maybe I should go to work for that company--they really get sent to interesting places!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Yesterday Badri and I had talked about how Maya should focus on horseback riding, because Sunder her trainer had said she could make progress if only her attendance wasn't so sporadic. Today I got a call from Indira, Maya's friend Arushi's mom. She said Jayvanthi, Mount Carmel College's coach, is willing to coach the girls twice a week after school. I told her that we decided she'd be concentrating on horses for the time being.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
September 2009 Update from Bangalore
September 1, 2009
tutor Naba
to Kids Kouch with kids
September 2, 2009
Lunch for Charlie's class mothers at Spiga on St. Mark's Rd.
Pick up kids at Bangalore Club and meet with Indira and Sheila to plan Maya, Arushi, and Samara's birthday party.
September 3, 2009
Breakfast at the Egg Factory with Arati. Huevos Rancheros yum.
Charlie and I went to Arti and Anupama's by autorickshaw for a visit.
Met Pamela Leri at the Leela Library bar.
September 4, 2009
Khushi and Yash came over today to play with Molly and Charlie. Maya went to Mahika's. Veronique came over later for a playdate.
September 5, 2009
Molly had her first piano lesson at Kids Kouch. Then I brought her to Alyna's for a playdate. Irfana took them to the KGA club for lunch.
Pranav came for a playdate with Charlie today. Maya went for a playdate at Kimaya S's today.
Went to see the new Denzel Washington movie: The Taking of Pelham...
September 6, 2009
Molly to piano.
Then me and the kids to Jemila's for a playdate.
Got home by 3pm so Maya could go with Prithvi and Kitty to a German puppet show.
September 7, 2009
Tutor Naba
Took the kids to Mama Mia's for ice cream after school. Cool thing about living in this neighborhood for five years--people we know come by 6th Main, see us having ice cream and come in. Sarayu stopped by for a good chat. Some Neev moms dropped in, too.
September 8, 2009 Maya's 9th birthday
Marylouise, Hannah, and Maura came with us to TGIF to celebrate Maya's birthday.
September 9, 2009
vmware training.
September 10, 2009
Molly on field trip then birthday party at Devs.
September 19, 2009
Took the 6:45pm flight to Delhi. All excited for the holiday.
The service apartment Badri booked is great--two bedrooms, living room cum dining room, kitchen, and two bathrooms. It's in the Greater Kailash neighborhood of south Delhi, so we won't be far from either of Badri's brothers or cousins and aunt.
September 20, 2009
Had a leisurely breakfast of cereal, toast, and eggs. The apartment owner included the services of a cook with the rental. Gautam stays upstairs with his family, then comes down in the morning to help us out. Each day we'd let him know whether which meals we'd be having there, and he's shop and prepare lovely dishes.
Around noon we headed over to visit biggest brother Ravi, Malani and Apu, who's now 13. Apu is the object of endless hero worship by his three cousins. Amazing to think that he was barely 5 years old--Charlie's age-- when he and Malani went to Pune to help me out when Maya first joined us in 2001.
The highlight of the day is when the sariwallas came--the two men selling saris. While they pulled out sari after sari, the kids watched Power Rangers over and around our heads. Amazing how you can get just about anyone to come to your house: the bank will come and deliver cash, vegetable and fruit vendors, as well as plastic container vendors, and the milk man. You can get just about anything delivered here.
Delhi usually starts to cool down a bit just about now, but it was still quite hot. In the late afternoon we went swimming at a nearby pool for 100rs each. As we got out of the car at the front gate, Charlie asked if we were going swimming in the Ganges. The pool was clean and cool, but other than that it was a bit of a stressful experience: it was run rather like a military establishment, with whistles constantly being blown to tell people they were breaking some rule or another.
September 21, 2009
Had breakfast and got a bit of an earlier start than yesterday. Went to Badri's old neighborhood, Rabindranagar. Drove by his old house and school, DTEA (Delhi Tamil Education Association) Secondary School. DTEA schools were established in the north by a group of Tamilians working for the British Government who wanted to teach their children traditional Tamil values. Since Amma and Appa had relocated north for Appa's job with the government, that was a way for the boys to get the "southern" education.
We drove over to Lodi Gardens and had a wonderful time exploring the 15th and 16th century tombs and mosqueред It's a beautiful green, grassy space where lots of Delhiites come for walks and picnics. Badri grew up right around the corner from here and played here nearly every day.
As the weather got hotter and hotter, we scooted over to nearby Khan Market where Badri's family's mochi (cobbler) and tailor were when he was a kid. Had a snack and cold drink at the Turtle Cafe and enjoyed a long time spent browsing at the Full Circle Bookstore. I begged them to open a shop in Bangalore (they have in Chennai). Great selection of books. As we were leaving, we ran into a woman I'd met in Bangalore earlier this year. A returned NRI (non-resident Indian), she said how much she missed Bangalore--that it was much harder to make friends in Delhi.
Today is Kirsty's 40th birthday, and I called her Mom's house (the only number I had) and left a message. She called me later when we were on the way to Kadham's for Dussera lunch. Sounds like she's re-adjusting well to Sydney after 3+ years in Bangalore.
Fun gathering at Kadham's. Her daughter, Uttara, is also 13, and yet another object of my children's hero worship. Her dog, Muffin, is also a favorite--of mine most of all! She's a yellow lab, about a year old, and loves to come sit on my lap. I soaked up all the dog lovin' I could. Meanwhile, Maya had Uttara trying to talk me into getting a dog, and promised her she'd get her one when she turned ... I forget how old.
Neelam came over with Dhruv, who is exactly Charlie's age, and they had a blast. Rajiv and Renu came, but Anya wasn't feeling well, so stayed at home. Ravi, Malani, and Apu rounded out the crowd.
Kadham's been in this apartment for 15 years in Hauz Khas market. I remember it from when I first came to Delhi in 1998. Full of lovely local art, carpets, and FabIndia textile covered cushions.
Called Mom to check up on how she did with her Moh's procedure. She said it went well.
September 22, 2009
We thought we'd headed out early enough, but by the time we got to the zoo it was so hot that we decided to hire one of the "green" CNG trolleys. In one hour, we were able to see the whole zoo, getting out only to see some of the really cool animals--like the bathing hippos--close up.
From there we went over to the India Habitat Center. Checked out a photo exhibit there, then had lunch at the Eatopia.
Neelam gave us a great tip about swimming: the Neeti Bagh Club. She told Badri to call this guy David and ask if we could swim there. It turns out, the Neeti Bagh neighborhood has a pool, and David's Swimming Academy is there. Much better than the first pool. Very clean, and totally relaxed. 150rs a person. Badri's called the Intercontinental Hotel, which we'd been told is the closest place we could go swimming, and it's 1500rs per person, which would turn out to be $150 for the family for a day of swimming!
In the evening we went to Usha Chitti's, Badri's mom's sister, for dinner. We arrived at about 7pm, and the rest of the crew came a couple hours later. That's the Delhi way--make sure you have a snack before you go to someone's house for dinner. At 8pm no one else had arrived and Charlie was fading fast. Usha Chitti completely understands, and put food out for the kids. Everybody who had gone to Kadham's came, except Ravi (who was working) and Anya (who wasn't feeling well). Subri, Neelam's husband, and Karunya, her daughter, were also there.
September 23, 2009 Big day at the Taj Majal
We thought it would be a shame to be here five years and for the children not to have been to the Taj Majal. Left early in the morning in a rented Toyota Innova for Agra. No nonsense driver got us there in about four hours. It was quite hot by the time we reached, about 10:30. Once in the parking lot, we were approached by eco-friendly golf carts (imported from China earlier this year) and camel drivers to take us to the Taj. We decided on the eco-friendly golf trolley, much to the chagrine of the children. While in the parking lot, we also engaged a tour guide who seemed to speak good English.
Before we came, Kadham recommended we bite the bullet and get both a tour guide and a photographer. We agreed on a package at the gate, and we were very happy we did. He had us pose in the stances we might have got from a wedding photographer and you wouldn't find us in otherwise. A bit pricey, but we were glad.
The weather was very hot, so we didn't see the Taj Mahal at a leisurely pace. And are we the only family that very carefully lays out things to be taken the night before, only to find that, when you need them, you haven't put them in the car? When we got near the entrance we realized that we'd forgotten to bring socks, which we'd need since you have to take off your shoes. If you walk barefoot, you'll burn your feet on the marble floors that have been baking in the sunshine.
Noteworthy expenses incurred today: 5500rs ($100 USD) minivan rental (Toyota Innova), 3400rs lunch--brunch at some 5 star ($68 USD), 3700rs ($75 USD) photographer (sounds expensive, but we looked at it as the official wedding photographer we never had).
September 25, 2009
We searched around in Connaught Place for a restaurant Badri used to enjoy going to. Unable to find it within 10 minutes and with hungry kids in tow, we settled for Pizza Hut.
Took the Delhi Metro for the first time. I hear it's won awards, and Bangalore is trying to get some advisors down to advise them. Rode the metro to near St. Stephens campus, where Badri went to college. From the metro, we took two bicycle rickshaws to the campus. Tons of bicycle ricks--so the pollution wasn't as bad as in other parts of the city. Once on campus, we visited some of Badri's old classrooms. Badri said that, as a late teenager, he would never have imagined returning to the campus with his three children.
Had dinner at Renu and Rajiv's. It was a great bonding time for the cousins. Malini, Ravi, and Appu came also, as well as Kadham and Usha Chitti. Dassera traffic was horrible, and both Malini and Kadham considered turning around and going back because they had to sit in traffic, getting bombarded by exhaust in their ride there.
Renu made all the kids favorites. I got a great picture of the three brothers sitting side by side on the couch sucking in their guts, looking happy as ever. Appu, Anya, Maya, Molly, and Charlie hung out in a separate sitting room. When I walked in I felt like I was invading teeny-bopper space. But realizing I wasn't so unwelcome, had a nice chat with Anya and Appu.
September 26, 2009
Badri and I dropped the kids off at Nilam's.
