INA Market

It is so easy to get in a rut no matter where we live. We end up going to the same spots, shops, and cafes. Every so often I need someone to give me a kick start to get out and see more of Gurgaon and Delhi. This is written with thanks to a friend who recently pushed me out of my comfort zone. I have finally made it to INA Market in South Delhi. From bharat online, "The INA Market of Delhi has its full name as the Indian National Army Market....It is famous as a food bazaar of the capital city of India. From fresh seafood to meat to spices to vegetables and fruits, you can get anything and everything related to groceries here. Shopping In the INA Market is a unique experience, since it is one-of-its-kind." Unique experience?? Definitely unique but even that word doesn't seem to cover the idea of INA.

n D

If there were only a way to incorporate the noises, smells, crowds, and simple hustle and bustle of INA into a blog. See the youtube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ0t9aOoBBE&feature=related to get a better glimpse of INA than my pictures are able to share.

How fresh do you want your chicken?? Eggs on top of live chickens in cages in front of chickens being butchered. Note the man in back wearing blue striped shirt who almost has his bare feet in the chicken he is cutting up. Maybe a little toe adds flavor?

We were able to find some of the freshest and nicest looking fruits and veggies at INA. I found broccoli and quite a few other veggies that are hard to find closer to our house. Above my friend is giving the spinach a close inspection. She is fanatic about her fruits and veggies and wants them with "No marks. No marks, at all." Listening to her say this, I kept thinking, "You do realize we live in India, right?"

Cars parked upon cars. It took us fifteen minutes just to get out of our parking space once the shopping was completed. So glad we have a driver that was doing the vehicle maneuvering and not me.

All in all an enjoyable experience.

Bought tons of fresh fruit and veggies that lasted almost two weeks.

Found Dr. Pepper and was thrilled.

Hung out with someone who always makes me laugh.

Experienced more of the amazing-ness of India.

Visit the campus

I was reminded recently by a stateside friend that I often refer to the beauty of the the girls'school campus. I was also reminded that I have never shared many photos of said school. Since little one is only in school three hours this year, I spend large chunks of my weekdays on the campus. Thankfully, the campus has wi-fi, a nice library with a/c, and a fun and funky little cafe/hang out spot. Here are just a few views of the campus. I will try to get more throughout the year.

(credit for above photo goes to Rebekah....almost every day she has to stop at the map and make sure we know where we are going)

The above mentioned cafe. They have the best chocolate brownies I have found in India so far :)

To finish it off, I just had to add a photo of the monkey we saw on Friday. He comes in to chase off the wild monkeys who have decided that the school playground is a cool place to hang out. After chasing them away he pees all over to mark the territory as his and hopefully they don't come back.

What a difference a year makes.....

Let's see.....this time last year....school was starting, we were living in a hotel crossing our fingers every day that our apartment would soon be finished, and trying to track down our shipment from the US. The little one started at a local preschool and big sister in grade 2 at AES. She was sure she would need me close by so I spent the first two days wandering around the school campus. Don't get me wrong, it is one of the most beautiful school campuses I have ever seen, but there is only so much to do. Especially, when you are a new parent and know, if I remember correctly, one other parent. At pick up time, little one was usually sleeping and I would stand off to the side watching all the other moms and dads catch up. Hearing, "How are you? How was your summer? It's so great to see you." It actually made me a little sad and lonely. Thankfully, we have been through this, and I kept telling myself that this too will pass. Even though my head knew this, it still is never easy being the "new kid."

Fast forward a year and she doesn't even look back when heading for the gate on day #1. The little one was telling me, "It's OK mama. We can do this without you."

We go through the gate and check out the class lists and actually recognize multiple names in each of the girls' classes. I look up to see friends I haven't seen all summer. Sigh of relief. I am no longer the new kid. I now belong. That seems petty and elementary schoolish but was actually how it felt. We knew where we were going and even stopped to help some of those lost looking newbies who still have "V" for visitor badges. (Sidenote: getting rid of the "V" badge and getting the real one with your photo is another huge step.) I even helped give tours of the campus to new parents this summer and somehow got roped into being a room mom before classes even started. Hmm...maybe it is time to not belong quite so much??

just a clip

Most days when we are out driving about, running errands, and living life in India I am preoccupied with what is going on inside the car. If the girls are with me, I am busy reading to them, singing songs, and refereeing arguments. When I am alone, I often have a book to read, a phone call to make, or a nap to take. Recently I had a day that was different. Rachel decided to stay and help at Bekah's preschool. My book was at home beside the bed instead of in my purse. All my messages had been sent and phone calls made. I just sat back and looked out the window. Yes, this is an advantage of having a driver. Instead of worrying about traffic and being on defense all the time, I am able to take in my surroundings. While watching morning life unfold around me I realized how often I use my book, phone, or children as a distraction. It is not always easy to sit and look out the window at life here. The dirt, the poverty, the crazy traffic, the beggars are all reasons why I focus toward the inside of our comfortable, cool Toyota Innova. But there is also a vibrant, active world going that I am not seeing. The colors of India are amazing, the sounds, the activity, the LIFE. The markets are opening. Men and women are on the way to work. Children are off to school. You see groups of men around small chai stands having their morning tea. (Click on this link for a better video of chai being made) and/or sitting under a tree having a shave and haircut. So much happening and unfolding that I am unable to describe to someone who has never been to India. Today when taking Bekah to school I remembered to bring my camera along. She was busy telling a story and talking to herself. Below are two clips of what we see while driving to the school.

Rachel's "I come from..." poem

I come from a family.

I come from jiao zi.

I come from ga la.

I come from America with a house with a big yard.

I come from "silky" who is yellow and soft and silky and goes everywhere with me.

Rachel turns 8!!

Rachel had three birthday parties this year. The first one, which I don't have pictures from...bad mama, was with her class at school. The second was at Aunt Lynn's house celebrating along with Rebekah, Bryan, Drew, and me since our birthdays all fall close together. Lynn had a great idea for us each to bake and decorate our own cake. It was a huge hit!!

The third party for Rachel's eighth was held in Virginia, down in the valley, at the same little church where her daddy and I were married. It was a perfect evening with family, a playground for the kids to play on, and burgers on the grill. Happy, Happy Birthday to our beautiful eight year old princess.

Five Minute Friday....When Seasons Change

I never seem to get this done on a Friday but still love the idea of writing for five minutes, no editing, and using a prompt from Gypsy Mama as the topic.

This weeks prompt: When Seasons Change.....

5,4,3,2,1 Go....

When Season Change there is an excitement in the air. Something new is coming. Weather is changing, sports are changing, schedules are changing. New plants are growing or dying in preparation for the new season. Our moods often change along with the season.

Fall is my favorite season with the smell of burning leaves, the beautiful colors, and bring on the college football. My favorite sport to watch live or on TV. It has actually made the top ten list of things I miss while living outside of the US. The cool air invigorates me.

Then there is spring....winter is long, cold, and sometimes seems as if it is a punishment. Then there is that one day when I would walk outside and smell it. People have laughed at me for saying this. I really feel as if you can smell spring in the air when "it's coming round the mountain." That smell of a new season with freshness, warmer weather, and birth.

This isn't fair....my time is up and I haven't even had the chance to wax poetic about summer and winter. I love them too. Maybe that is the best part about when seasons change. I love something specific and wonderful about each and every season.

STOP