So different but so much the same...

This blog entry might not be about what you think it will be about. This isn't about how much my day to day life is really the same - even half way across the globe in a completely different culture with different rules. This is about our guests for dinner last night.

After a remarkably easy and entertaining evening in our apartment with brand new friends, it occurred to me how strange it was that 4 adults from completely different sets of experiences could have so much in common and be at such ease with each other. Kal and Dan came over last night after a playful round of tennis with the 6 boys (yes - they also have 3 boys - 8, 6 and 3) for a quick dinner and drinks and I'm pleased and surprised how easy it was. Not easy because I did none of the cooking or cleaning to prepare (Bali made a smashing, yet casual Indian dinner) but easy in a "this is who we are - no pretense kind of way". They reached out to us initially when Kal invited me over to have all the boys play and for her and I to have tea. They have a smashing two level penthouse but it's very family friendly and has evidence of three boys everywhere - which I loved. We have tried hard to warm up our apartment but it's clearly a furnished apartment and feels that way. Still, I had no reservations about having them to our house to eat and play. None of that seemed to matter like it just does some times. Why is that? They commented that our home was really warm and how many homes here are show pieces (clearly not ours) and that ours was "homely". Yes, HOMELY. I laughed, knowing that she really meant "homey". We had a good chuckle over that one.

Back to the point. She is born in India, raised in London, married to a man of Indian heritage who was born in Britain but raised many places and speaks beautiful Hindi (better than her Hindi and she was born here!). None of us have ever lived in the same town, gone to the same school, worked at the same places etc... in fact, we have lived thousands of miles away from each other only to meet in India and find an easy and comfortable friendship. Not the kind of acquaintance friendship based on curiosity and networking but clearly and easy budding friendship. It already includes an offer to visit them in London on our way home in June. EVERYONE is leaving India this month. I think the Kelley's will be holding down the fort here at Laburnum.

Other things... it looks like the boys will be going to school at the Embassy School in August. We visited today and the boys gave it a big thumbs up. I'm happy about that.

In a strange twist of fate - we just learned that John has a second cousin (and husband) who moved to Delhi just after we did. We met up with them for dinner Saturday night and had a smashing time. Follow me here for a minute... Connie, John's cousin is the granddaughter of a "great Uncle Joe" whom I have heard many stories about (including his elopement at 90 or 91 years of age). He lived until 102 and I think he downhill skied into his 80's or something ridiculous. John has always had these great memories of being at Uncle Joe's cottage in the Adirondacks and it was great fun to learn more about this man as well as get to know these new cousins. We've got family in India - it's great.

Our maid/aya Theresa is working out really well part time. I'm hoping she'll be with us full time in August after we return. She will also be gone this May and June - leaving Friday - seriously - I think everyone leaves Delhi in May for a couple months!

We are planning some trips including our trip home in June/July. Can't wait!

I'm working on a blog entry for tomorrow but it requires some pics I will hopefully shoot tomorrow. Until then...

Namaste.