Our Final Guests

We hosted what very well may be our last visitors to India.  Our move is scheduled  but before we close out this chapter of our adventure Uncle N was able to visit along with his friend L.
Uncle N was the first person when we announced we were moving to India three years ago exclaimed "Oh great!  That has always been on my bucket list"  With that enthusiasm we are so happy to have been able to host his trip.  Had it not been for L and her information gathering and encouragement he may not have ever come, thanks L!
We had a very full itinerary for their visit but the two most perfectly suited for these two adventurers and food aficionados were the tours we enjoyed with Delhi Food Tours.  http://delhifoodtours.com/  This is the true and original DELHI FOOD TOURS not to be confused with other copy cats IE Delhi Food whatever else you can end with. 
On Day Two in Delhi we were driven out to a family farm house where Momma Indu greeted us with her hospitality and beauty into her kitchen set up for lessons.  We enjoyed a day of cooking lessons complete with a spice talk.  It was all a beautiful experience made only more beautiful by our warm hostess and teacher.

The DELHI FOOD TOURS day of Indian cooking was closed by a full meal served to us family style.  Eaten just as it would be at home.  Momma Indu at the head of the table fussing over every detail to be correct.  And correct it was, perfect from start to finish.

 

To follow this commercial break you will find a photographic itinerary of the quick 5 day trip Uncle N and L spent with us in Delhi. 

Day One:  Tour of Old Delhi and shopping

 

 

 

Day Two:  An extraordinary cooking class experience with www.DelhiFoodTOURS.com

 

 

 

Day Three: We enjoyed an early morning elephant ride, some tours in Delhi, more shopping, followed by a movie with friends. 

 

Day Four: Was the bucket list topper for Uncle N.  Aside from visiting us, he wanted to see the Taj Mahal, we paired this day trip to Agra to see the Taj with a tour of the Agra Red Fort.

 

 

 

Day Five: Was our final day with our guests.  We sent them off with full bellies and smiles on their faces.  We ended the same way I began this post, with Delhi Food TOURS.  Our tried and true friends at Delhi Food Tours showed us how to eat in the hidden gems within our current home city.  We enjoyed the sights, the sounds and the cultural lesson from our Delhi Food Tour guide and food expert Prashant Kalra for one last tour before their flight out.  All in all the perfect ending to our coming to an end in India.  Thanks for visiting!

Dear Mom

Dear Mom,                                                                                         March 20, 2013
      I have spent most of my day today in my bed or “trotting” to the bathroom.  Today was a day for stomach cramps, little movements and thinking of how you would take care of me if I were sick at home with my mommy.  You would tell me to stay close to the bathroom; I’m doing that.  You would tell me to wash my hands plenty; doing that.  And you would make sure I was hydrated with Performance power drink by Shaklee; thanks to you, I am doing that.  In fact for the two plus years we have lived in India this is the first time I have had the pleasure, if that is the appropriate word, of enjoying two flavors.  Having both the lemon-lime and orange sure breaks it up for a boring day of only drinking oral rehydration fluids.  It isn’t Mother’s Day yet and it is far from your birthday but today is a day I need to say “Thanks Mom!  You’re the best!”  I don’t think any of us say that nearly enough and sometimes it is good to just throw it out there.  You are an incredible woman who always thinks of others and at this time in my sick day I am thankful you have left me, and my family well stocked with Performance and Optiflora probiotic.  Two of the things the nurse on call said I should be taking, oral rehydration and probiotics, thanks to you, Mom I have both.
      As a follow up, I was able to be tested for Giardiasis and unfortunately that is exactly what is causing my stomach issues (Delhi Belly) and the repeating sulfuric (egg like) burps that are lingering around me like a sad cloud around Pigpen.   My mom’s words of witty wisdom and the need to break into the seriousness with a little humor would sound something like, “This too shall pass.”

Love you Mom!

Aunt Jeanne

It was almost one year ago we sat at the cross roads of the question, what do we do now?  It’s hard to believe Mister’s Dad has been gone for a year now.  Last year the answer then was Mister was to get on a plane and meet up with the family as they ushered Dad to his home and his resting place.  This year it's not so clear.  My Godmother, my dear Aunt Jeanne, lies in a hospital bed set up at her home with her family saying their final good byes. All the while, I am here in India wanting more than anything to go to her and tell her again that I love her.  Last November while Uncle was driving her to another doctor appointment she and I had a long chat.  We talked for almost an hour, my phone would disconnect, so I would immediately call her back and we continued our conversation.  It was great to talk to her.  I told her that this 2013 Christmas I would make strudel with her again.  A tradition that began a few years before her mother was ill and died.  Aunt Jeanne truly was doing better at the time of that chat.  She had begun the steroid treatments and the meds seemed to be helping with her recall.  She was able to hold a fairly good conversation.  Already by Christmas 2012 she had declined and when I called her on Christmas Eve she was already in bed and too tired to talk much more than a sentence or two.  We exchanged “I love you too”.  And then the rest of the family filled me in on her progress.  Days pass into months and now it’s March and I called the house to speak to Uncle.  I just wanted to reach out to him, I didn’t mean to cry.  He has the hard job of standing guard and caring for every detail of her care.  I told him I love him and thank him for all he does for my beautiful Aunt Jeanne.  But then I started to cry, and that he didn’t need.  In attempting to ask the questions and keep myself sober and clear I asked things about her doctor appointments.  She no longer has any. I asked about family members due to arrive.  We made the appropriate small talk but I did start to cry.  Lucky for me he is my big strong Uncle Ben and he handled it like the hero he is.  This call was placed March 2, 2013.

On March 8, 2013 my Godmother, my dear sweet Aunt Jeanne, my strudel making mentor, passed away.  It was things like this that I feared when we chose to move to India.  Not being there to say good bye and in person say I love you!

A Cup of Joe

New Delhi now has it's very own Starbucks coffee shop.  Complete with wi-fi, food counter and of course, the coffee.  I was reading an article online regarding the prices of Starbucks and I am fortunate to have the prices of this New Delhi coffee shop.
http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/craving-fast-food-norway-thatll-cost-220600593.html

 

We have also tried locally roasted coffee from Blue Tokai found online at http://www.bluetokaicoffee.com  This company is based in Delhi India and will fresh roast coffee beans of your choice and deliver to your address, in INDIA.  A good choice for local coffee and fresh deliveries.

 

We still miss our two favorites found in the US though.  Same idea but different locations.  From Hill City, South Dakota is Dry Creek Coffee and when we can arrange a shipment we especially love the Sumatra.  http://www.drycreekcoffee.co 

 

From the Chicago area is FreshGround Roasting.  This is another place we like to make bulk order shipments from for our long stay in India where our favorite is the Growers First Honduras http://www.freshgroundroast.com 

 

Mister takes his black but I like cream and sugar, especially the flavored coffeemates! Cheers.

 

 

 

Sad News Today

I have tried to call a few different times since we last spoke in early January.  At that time she told me that she was responding to antibiotics and she even sounded happy.  I had sent a small package of a few things to her for her stay at the hospital.  Some magazines to read, some western style toilet paper, a few chocolates.  I knew she did not like chocolates but treats always helps with a stay in the hospital to get a little better nursing care.  My calls were not being answered, in fact the phone was not even on.  I had just tried again this past weekend but today I got a call.  Kalsang died today.
Kalsang was our first hired house manager.  She is the one who settled us in India.  When we met in December 2010 she had no experience with a family and we had no experience with house staff so we were perfect for each other.  She worked with us until her visa came through to return to Australia to be with her friend she had visited time and time again in Australia.  She left India in August with her hopes to never return.  Her visa in Australia ended along with the month of October.  She came back to New Delhi with her hopes deflated and what seemed to be a serious case of depression.  I talked to her once before she left for "south" where her family lives.  We only talked on the phone.  She explained to me why she would not come to see me.  She didn't want to bother me she said.  She explained that she left Australia crying and sad.  She knew she had to leave Australia but she never left her room and was sad at the house where she was visiting.  It sounded like many tears were cried as she was brought to the airport in Melbourne to return to India.  Her friend met her at the airport in New Delhi and from there Kalsang stayed in a hotel until she got a train ticket to go "south" to her parents.  We talked a couple more times on and off at odd times.  When it was hard for me to have a long conversation and when it was hard for her to have a long conversation.  Around Christmas I received word from a friend of a friend that Kalsang was ill and in the hospital.  I called, we talked, but she didn't want to talk about her illness.  I asked if I could send anything for her and she requested magazines.  After the package arrived we spoke again two more times but that was a month ago.  I really thought she was doing better but I guess she was just getting better at making me think what I wanted to think.  We miss you Kalsang and our love and gratitude for your friendship will forever burn in our hearts.

One FULL Saturday

For those who have never been to New Delhi or visited Dilli Haat, Surajkund Mela may be hard to imagine.  Have you ever gone to a craft fair?  Visited something similar to a church bazaar?  In all of these likenesses; Dilli Haat, craft fair, church bazaar, now imagine them on steroids and place them into the spatial likeness of a fair grounds.  It’s HUGE! Surajkund mela has many “zones” with crafts from all over India, and this 2013 year from all over the world.  It was decided last year to increase the foreign visitors to the event the organizers of the mela have now transformed this annual mela to Surajkund International Craft Mela.  These same vendors are found in likeness showing crafts that rotate through the Dilli Haat shopping areas in New Delhi (both locations).  For two weeks, February 1-15, visitors can shop for crafts from all over the world.  From what I saw it was mainly crafts from India, two or so from Africa and one from Pakistan selling marble vases and tables. The food court area becomes very busy from 1:30pm onwards, as does the mela itself after 1:00pm.  I attended the mela twice this year, once during the week and the other on Saturday and both days the mela was very crowded around 1:00pm.  I would suggest an early morning arrival.  There is a 50 rupees entrance fee and gates open at 9:30am but many vendors do not have their booths uncovered and selling until 10am or later.  It was sunny but not hot both days I attended and the colors were bright and cheerful. Entertainment spills out into the main street in the grounds and all walks of entertainment keeps visitors interested and looking for more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This particular Saturday, after the morning and a large part of my afternoon was spent at the mela I stopped at home long enough to change my shoes, bake a gluten free cake for a birthday girl (friend) and collect the family for a night out.  We didn’t go far, a simple drive to the American Community Support Association (ACSA), our local club we are members of.   Saturday’s dinner special was seafood which satisfies the majority of our family's taste buds except kid three who is far too picky for most menus.  Also the band, The Paisleys of New Delhi, was scheduled to play at 7:30pm and they are always a great show.  They had guest performances from some AES students.  Very well done!

The Paisleys Of New Delhi India

It was a fun and full Saturday of entertainment.  For those of you following our saga, we also have our new driver.  He has been employed with us for one full month now.  We hope he can stay working for us until we leave this summer.  Oh yeah, and we are planning to leave this summer.  We will not be returning to the state where we own our home but instead we will look for housing in the state where moms and dad are living. More to come in later posts, we will be adding “transitioning out of India” as a label. 

What to do?

We are hosting visitors over the holiday season.  Our oldest, Kid One, has returned to our India home for the holidays and she has brought with her Grandma Mister.  We are so glad to have both of these beautiful women in our home.  If you read my previous post, the trouble with visitors at this time is that we are without a driver.  You picked a fine time to leave me Lucile. 
So far we have managed each day with a temporary driver and an extended out of Delhi trip booked with a driver and bus.  Temporary drivers are easier to find this time of year.  Many expat families leave India and/or go on extended vacations over the long holiday break from school.  Leaving many of their drivers eager to pick up some extra money while the employer family is away.  It’s a way for the driver to earn twice the pay.  The drivers that are willing to accept extra work over the break generally are hardworking individuals.  Instead of sitting around and getting paid to do so by their employer family they choose to take on extra work knowing the pay is that much greater coming from two sources.  If only we could find a hard working reliable driver like we had experienced over the break to hire as our full time driver…life would be so good.
Trying to chase away the no driver blues in an effort to get out and see the area I booked a trip with Indomania Tours www.indomaniatours.com/pottery.html to the pottery village for Mom, Kid Middle and myself.  With a tour group we did not need our car and driver for the activity and we had a chance to get out of the house and explore another side of Delhi, the west side of Delhi.  It was a very full day.  We left from our meeting spot at 10am and did not return until 3pm but it was loads of fun and an opportunity to snap many photos.  Here is a photo tour of the pottery village.

Indomania offers these tours in association with South Asia Foundation, a non profit that works with the village.  Tour fees help pay for things like the development of a community center that will house a community kiln.  This tour offered a walk through the village, an opportunity to purchase from the wholesalers and a pleasant reminder.  Just keep smiling.