Random Stuff

Fist of all, we have finalized our trip home and we leave India on the 14th (John's bday) and head to Paris for 3 days and then we fly to Detroit. The best part is that John will join us in Paris for the 3 days to celebrate both his bday and Fathers Day. In a classic family dynamic we are disagreeing on how to spend those precious days in Paris. My plan does NOT include Euro Disney. This is when being the only female does not work in my favor.

Today I was shopping - for gifts - even more fun and as I walked out of the fairly modern "mall", after miss-calling our driver Micky (a hang up call as not to use any precious minutes on my drivers cell phone), I had one of those moments where I realized the world around me is becoming "normal" to me.

As I walked out of the mall, Micky was hightailing it toward me (no easy feet in a sea of people) to grab my goodies from me and then we headed off to the place where the car was parked - about 200 yards away. The trek from the doors of the mall to the car are anything but normal. Rocky, dusty road filled with people, cars, vendor carts, beggars... you get the idea... but that is my norm. Intermingled with the dust, the carts, the people of all walks of life are the likes of me - just getting to my car. Micky quickly asked for 20 rupees (50 cents) to give the guy who watched our car while he got me and off we went... back to Laburnum.

On the note of gifts or purchases... If there is anything anyone wants me to bring back to the states - I'm happy to do it - just let me know. Kurtas (cotton tops you wear with pants), pashminas, fabrics, shawls, rugs, spices etc. are easily packed and I would love to shop for anyone who wants me to shop. Just let me know.

On the subject of Kurtas - I bought John his first Kurta/Pajama pant set today. Kurtas are made of a very lightweight cotton and so are the pants that go with them. Perfect clothing for a country where you want to be covered but need to be cool. Kurtas are typically long (above the knee) but there is a more modern version that I wear that is at the hip. Cut loosly but shapely - they are great. I will try to get a picture of John in his "pajama set" to post soon. By the way, pajamas are worn everywhere - it's not a bedtime thing.

Things seem to have calmed down on the Gujjar front (the rioting of last week) so our plan is to send the boys up to camp next week at AES (American Embassy School). I need that morning time to pack!

Lastly, Matt won the "closest to the pin" contest on the final day of golf class and won a trophy - OK, he won a golf ball signed by his two golf teachers and it has his name on it. It's a trophy to him and sits proudly with my Laburnum Tennis Tourney trophy in our living room. He and I are both very proud of it.