Hail, Heat and Goin' to Goa

DEADLY HAIL STORMS IN INDIA: As the summer monsoon season approaches in India, it is not unusual for there to be severe thunderstorms. Some of these produce deadly tornadoes and hail. Possibly the worst hail disaster in India occurred in 1888, when close to 250 people were killed by falling hail -- some died immediately, others died later from their injuries.

The boys and I experienced our first REAL storm last week as we enter the monsoon season here in India. It's still a bit early so I guess things will get more adventurous before they calm down. Our first experience was a bit wild and a huge surprise. The boys and I had just left John's office to come home (we had a pizza dinner with him at the Google office) and our trip home and walk up to the apartment was uneventful. It was less than 5 minutes later that the noices started and when I looked out of the window I was shocked. There were people running from the pool so it must have hit suddenly. As scary as the "wind out of nowhere" was, it was the golf ball size hail that really freaked us out. I had NO idea it hailed in 100 degree weather? It made no sense to me so at first I was sure it was a flock of birds smashing into my windows and into the metal of the air conditioners. Very loud. Very strange. Unimaginably, I stayed calm - probably because John was still at Google and if I showed my anxiety, the boys were sure to cry (harder). Well, that was the first big storm and it was over as fast as it started. I called John then but coincidentally it was hitting them when I called and they were all watching and listening as well. We had more storms today - no tears, no hail but high winds. No problem.

Heat. It's hot. The boys and I get all our activities done by 11 and then hide inside until at least 4ish. Yesterday, at 4pm, we walked 100 yards across our Laburnum courtyard to a friend's house only to think we were melting. You could feel the weight of the air on your skin. The boys all commented on the strangeness of it.

Because we like the heat.... we are heading down to the beaches in Goa this weekend. We leave tomorrow. The simple pleasure of a long shower - as long as I want - well it's high on my list right now. Playing on the beach, swimming in a great pool, some snorkeling and some great seafood. Sign me up! Hopefully I'll have a couple good pics to share when we get back.

Shubh ratree (good night).

The Map: We are in Delhi region - (north central on map). We are heading down to Goa via plane - (south west region).