Daily Living

The kids are back to school, they are just finishing their first full week today. They seem to be ok with it and settling in well to the routine. They both refuse to eat breakfast or lunch at school so they have breakfast at home and make their own lunch. Craigs only complaint is that he only gets gym once a week now, which isn't much at all. They are each suppossed to be getting laptops from school, but surprisingly enough (not) the company hasn't delivered them yet "tomorrow, tomorrow."

I started a new yoga class today, it is different but seems ok. This teacher concentrates a lot on yoga breathing also known  as Pranayama. I'm sure it all has health benefits but it can be quite comical. One technique for the thyroid: take a deep breath in, both eyes look towards mid temple, stick tongue out and curved down as far as possible and make a loud (demonlike) sound from your throat. Luckily we only did that one twice.

I have also spent too much time waiting around for people to fix things. Our outside water tank is leaking, more electrical problems, sliding shower door that refuses to slide, a lot of mold on our upper outside decks and some mold on one of the kitchen cabinets.

Finally yesterday it looked like we were getting somewhere. My buddy in the orange jumpsuit from "Handyman" came and fixed some electrical problems. One of which was a little embarrassing when he told me there was no light bulb in the light above a desk - no wonder it didn't work. Our ceilings are high and of course he didn't have a ladder with him so he proceeded to put my step ladder on the kitchen table to fix the light. I've also seen people balance on the back of two kitchen chairs to get high enough.

Someone also came to inspect the mold on the decks and check the shower door. Both of them said they would be back today to fix same. Neither have shown up.

However the milkman came by today although I've never bought any from him.  And the flower guy came by as well and for 300Rp ($7 Can) I bought a lovely bouquet of ten Bird of Paradise. He shows me everything on the doorstep and then trims what I choose and puts it nicely into one of my vases.

Looks like we are settling back into India just fine.

The Weekend in Pictures

We went to Mysore via one of the more rural roads this weekend. Here's a look at the roadtrip in pictures:

Shivanasamudra Waterfalls

This cow traffic jam slowed us down a bit.

Talakad: A lively place on the river with lots of people playing, washing clothes and taking coracle rides. We took a ride in a coracle (boat), 10rp/pp, as did many Indian tourists. There are temples nearby to walk to.

Continuing on there are many beautiful sights along the way.

Goat traffic jam slowed us down a bit too.

A happy family with a lot of pots!

Last stop before Mysore: Somanathapur temple. Small but beautiful, intricate carvings.

Inside and outside Mysore market has lots of action and color.

The flowers are piled high.

Always important to stop and smell the roses.

Rangoli Cover Photo

Here is one of my favorite photos from the Andamans chosen for the front cover of the Rangoli magazine this month. I love it because I just happened upon this scene one evening at sunset. The lighting was perfect, the wave came in, the kayakers went up and the elephant turned to the side. I was thrilled to be there to see such a sight and snap a great shot.

Adapting to Bangalore

The kids and I arrived in Bangalore early this morning after being in Canada for almost two months. I think as humans we adapt to our surrounding pretty easily. Well, maybe not so easy if it is your first time in India. But here we are and it feels pretty normal. Our house is sparsely furnished and decorated but it has everything we need. I'm not sure that it feels like home, but more like our home away from home.

After being away so long it's interesting to walk around and notice things that I hadn't even thought of for two months. I think the sounds are foremost. The exotic bird sounds, the high pitched chipmunk sounds and especially the horns and traffic. In Canada I thought most about the busy streets and interesting sights that one sees on the Indian streets. The streets and sidewalks in Canada are so bare and quiet. But I forgot about the sounds.

Today I had to remember about using bottled water for brushing teeth and no more drinking tap water. I had to remember that you must turn on a switch before using the microwave, kettle, toaster etc. The geyser has to be turned on in order to warm up the water before a shower. And I had to remember that the internet doesn't always connect - as it didn't when I first tried.

It was a little cool when I first got up and grey outside. But soon the sun came out and I was having my coffee outside on the patio, reading a magazine. Then it poured rain - it's monsoon season - for ten minutes.

Some things never change. Michael and I discussed travel plans for the next year - after taking all his vacation for this year (four days left) it's going to be a challenge to get away much. Luckily there are alot of stat holidays in the fall, so lots of long weekends.

Craig filled up his basketball and we got air in the bike tires. He also has plans to eat all his favorite foods here in India within the next two days. Alanna had a friend over and talked and talked and talked. And of course she has already made plans to go to the mall. I'll be back at the OWC coffee morning on Thursday and looking forward to seeing what's going on in the next month. Lots of planning for the charities and articles to write for the Rangoli. And especially nice to see that one of my photos is on the front cover of the Aug. issue of the Rangoli!

Return to Bangalore...Twice that is

Michael returned to Bangalore today for the second time in two weeks. No he didn't just want to rack up the airmiles (but I guess he is). He left Vancouver Thursday, July 8th and unfortunately had to return the next week due to an urgent family situation. Around the world in less than a week.

The only problem was that he didn't have time to register with the FRO (Foreigners Registration Office). He arrived in Bangalore Sat. and had to leave again Tues. They did detain him for about fifteen minutes at the airport and he had to explain the emergency situation to the officer and then to the "big man." Luckily they let him leave but warned him there might be a fine when he returned again. Definitely a bit stressful.

But today, he returned to Bangalore and no problem at all getting into the country. It's Wed. morning and just hours after arriving...he's on his way to the FRO office.