Safety. That's my topic. it really threads through every aspect of my day - especially since I have 3 little boys with me. What's become clear to me is that, in general, as Americans, our idea of "safe" seems different than an average Indians version of "safe". Whether it's venturing out in our car where we are the ONLY automobile which has one person per seat and actually uses seat belts, to the fact that a HUGE chunck of tile fell off the outside of our very nice hotel in the pool area yesterday (yes, we were down at the pool) and the staff gathered outside to look and laugh. Hmm - not so funny really. I heard a famous Indian actress on the tv the other day describe the fact that Indian's are somewhat use to tragedy and poverty. People get hurt, people get sick, people die. She compared that to the west where she felt there was a higher value placed on human life and where tragedy was rare - not a normal occurance. She hit a nerve with me. One of the things I'm hoping we are able to avoid during our stay is a trip to the hospital. Please... if I have one wish, it's that the boys don't get hurt or seriously sick on this trip. Don't get the wrong idea.. I'm not going to hole up in our apartment but I find that I watch my kids like a hawk right now and am probably more cautious about everything. There is NO chance they would survive a mistaken step into the road, it is obvious that most of the stray dogs are very unhealthy, and the mere presence of all the machine guns in the capital leave me no option but to be cautious. Please don't read this wrong.. India is very beautiful and the people are as well - it's just different.

A couple things happened yesterday that were odd and funny. The boys and I ventured out to the zoo and just like most of our experiences here, we, the Kelley family, were the main attraction. Keeping in line with my safety discussion, the zoo was a great escape but had a couple problems. Big ditches, holes etc. in the midst of all the construction. There were hundreds of Indians working in the zoo helping to build out some of the displays. It almost felt as if they were on display - it was odd. The boys had a great afternoon riding through the zoo on the back of a jeep like truck and we saw fabulous animals (pooping Hippos, lots of monkeys, a cool leapord and white tigers that looked as if they could easily jump over and grab us!), and a few sick ones too.

Owen just said to me... "mom, are we going to be poor in the new apartment?". I can't imagine what's going through that little guys head. I asked him what he meant and he said, "will we have any toys in the apartment?". Hmmm - still not sure where his head is at.

At the playground last night, John said to me... "you're wound up so tight... just relax!" If you can imagine, I wanted to shoot him. Of course I'm wound up tight. I have 3 little boys with me all day in a completely foreign country, surrounded by things, food and people who are different and speak a VERY foreign language. He later apologized and gave me a huge compliment which is what I needed.

Just when I was sure Jack was miserable, he wrote a letter to Jack Friedman telling him how much fun this all was etc. etc.. I asked him if it was true and he gave me an emphatic yes. Wow. OK then.

We move into our apartment Friday. Really looking forward to it. I'll let you know how it goes. I wonder if I'll miss room service?

Did I mention that India was beautiful?