Another exciting day

Tuesday July 21

After a breakfast of idlis, dosas, and puri, we (the kids and I) went swimming first thing this morning and they loved it. Kaeshev wanted to ditch the floatie and give swimming a try- he's almost there. He's showing signs of digging and kicking enough to stay afloat! Noe is still a bit leery of the water, but at least got in despite cool temperature in the pool.

Kaeshev is finally getting into having an Indian breakfast. He has requested pancakes for the last two weeks and this morning switched to puri (think carnival funnel cake without the powdered sugar). He asked me after breakfast to teach him another language. "Moma, can you teach me Kannada? Can you speak anything else besides English?" Of course my response is still... no not yet. I have yet to pick up even a kg of the local language (Kannada) or Hindi, which most of the auto rickshaw drivers speak. But, we're managing to make it around town fine. Most people know some English words, which I know makes me the ugly American... but who can keep track of a two and three year old, and pick up how to say "Take me to..." Oh well, for this trip I'm at ease with only using my Indian head nod and a smile. Maybe next time I'll learn another language:-)

Noe is so almost two. She has meltdowns about the slightest thing, like she wants to put her Teva's on herself... but has yet to master velcro. Oh the number of distractions we use with her daily are in the hundreds. Like "Look Noe- there's a puppy!" It works most of the time- but much like the fellow passangers on the plane I suspect that local residents have a good Kannada word for her that translates well into "the screamer." We love her anyway- and she has the cutest curls that make almost everyone here melt, including Kaeshev, her Nana and Mama.

Going out with these two is like taking two pet squirrels with you. They are very distracted by the scenes, and rightfully so. There is so much to see on Indian roads- people everywhere, shops, "hotdog stands" (as my dad liked to call them), puppies, cows, kids, beggars, autos, buses, cars, big trucks, construction everywhere, trash, broken sewers, dust, dirt, rocks, and the list could go on. The sounds of horns are near non-stop. The rules of the road here are honk and go. Drivers honk for everything- including if they are about to hit you. I have not mastered which honk means they're going to go and which honk means they are going to hit us from behind. Sidewalks have a different meaning here- they are reserved for shops and "hot dog stands", puppies sleeping, and sometimes natives sleeping. They are not always used for walking... so you can get a picture of me with my two squirrels on the road, trying not to get hit, flagging down an auto rickshaw and trying to negotiate in some Hindi-English mess of where we want to go that day. It can be comical at times, and only the first time was scary. I made sure that I brought a card of the hotel we were staying, just in case I could not find our way back and ended up across town.

We're (more like I) are getting more comfortable with the neighborhood we live in. Conveniently it is located next to the Leela Palace and for those not familiar with it- it is luxury in a cocoon. A very nice hotel with all the amenities you would expect for $400USD in a country like India. Way beyond our standards in the US- but fun to visit. The gardens are amazing and the food way over priced, but safe to eat. We even went for a swim there last week. When I need that little taste of fine life- we head there for some quiet, but it is so not the real India.

I am finding living in an Indian city a challenge- as I do have a high need to be around nature and trees. I think in the same way I would have a hard time living in New York or any other city. I'm just wired that way. Culturally it is a challenge as well, but I'm working on getting connected as best one can for a short time. I thought writing this to those out there who can't share these moments with me might help. I'll end there, as nap time is coming to a close.

More musings to come!