Hmmmm...the large Rat Snake is still on the loose but is being kept at bay by the guards who I have put on an hourly 'Snake Patrol'. They seem happy they have something other to do than fall asleep and open and close the gate but, as yet, they still haven't caught the culprit.
However, they have competition in the snake catching stakes and I'll hedge my bets on who will win this battle and it'll be the latest visitor to our garden.
A couple of days ago I was horrified to see what I thought at first was the most enormous rat I had ever seen sniffing around on one of our window ledges and then I saw its long bushy tail and thought...that ain't NO rat. Straight onto the computer, Google and Wikipedia and I deduced with my powerful sleuth like determination that it was indeed a Mongoose. Where there is a snake you will eventually find a Mongoose, and Mongooses fight snakes for sport. Even deadly Cobras. But we haven't had one of those...yet.
Monday, 30 March 2009
Turtle Soup
Last week we got a last minute tip-off that some day old baby turtles were being released...we dropped everything, jumped in the car and bombed down the East Coast Road.
Here's the David Attenborough bit...The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle commonly lays it's eggs on the shores of the Bay of Bengal but the eggs are endangered by predators such as rats, dogs, seagulls and crabs.
Volunteers patrol the beaches between January and March and once a turtle is found laying her eggs and she returns to the sea the eggs are carfully dug up and moved to a protected hatchery and buried one foot deep in the sand. Approximately 40-45 days later the turtles begin to hatch and they are gathered and released into the ocean when they are just one day old.
The batch we released was small, about 30 or so turtles but I have heard of as many as 100 being released at one time. The little black cuties were about 1 1/2 -2 inches in diameter and were quite active. At high tide we took them down to the sea and gently set them upon the sand to begin their life journey, they must make their own entry into the water. Those that survive their journey will return to this very same beach in about 15 years time to lay their eggs...I hope they make it back!
A wonderful and humbling experience. I cried when they disappeared into the waves and Ellie has hardly stopped talking about it. If I now ask Luke about Turtles he holds out his hand and points to his palm while chattering away about something that begins with 'T'.
Here's the David Attenborough bit...The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle commonly lays it's eggs on the shores of the Bay of Bengal but the eggs are endangered by predators such as rats, dogs, seagulls and crabs.
Volunteers patrol the beaches between January and March and once a turtle is found laying her eggs and she returns to the sea the eggs are carfully dug up and moved to a protected hatchery and buried one foot deep in the sand. Approximately 40-45 days later the turtles begin to hatch and they are gathered and released into the ocean when they are just one day old.
The batch we released was small, about 30 or so turtles but I have heard of as many as 100 being released at one time. The little black cuties were about 1 1/2 -2 inches in diameter and were quite active. At high tide we took them down to the sea and gently set them upon the sand to begin their life journey, they must make their own entry into the water. Those that survive their journey will return to this very same beach in about 15 years time to lay their eggs...I hope they make it back!
A wonderful and humbling experience. I cried when they disappeared into the waves and Ellie has hardly stopped talking about it. If I now ask Luke about Turtles he holds out his hand and points to his palm while chattering away about something that begins with 'T'.
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Sunday, 22 March 2009
From Topsy to Turvey in One Week
Last Week-end was such a contrast to this one...Roast Beef, Yorkshire Puddings and a settled kind of normality.
We knew that the global recession was having a huge impact on everyone, everywhere. And we knew that 'Our Time in In-dia Straits' was in the balance and up for debate.
So, it shouldn't really have been such a kick in the teeth to hear that we will be leaving Chennai...only it is.
We have invested so much time, effort and stress to get here. We landed on Indian soil with all 8 of our family feet running, while simultaneously embracing and trying to understand a different culture and adjust to the climate in a different hemisphere. We picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves down, turned on the air-con and got on with India and her foibles and began to find our way through the chaos and began to make it work for us. Finally we relaxed and got on with our lives here. Now I want to STAMP MY FEET, because there is still so much to be seen, discovered and experienced. However, in this financial climate and at this time in history...a job is a really good thing to have.
When and where we will be going is still undecided, we should know is the next few weeks. In the meantime, I'm going to make a concerted effort to resume back to 'normality' (ha ha!) and enjoy the time we have left in this mad, crazy, wonderful and beautiful place that is INDIA.
We knew that the global recession was having a huge impact on everyone, everywhere. And we knew that 'Our Time in In-dia Straits' was in the balance and up for debate.
So, it shouldn't really have been such a kick in the teeth to hear that we will be leaving Chennai...only it is.
We have invested so much time, effort and stress to get here. We landed on Indian soil with all 8 of our family feet running, while simultaneously embracing and trying to understand a different culture and adjust to the climate in a different hemisphere. We picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves down, turned on the air-con and got on with India and her foibles and began to find our way through the chaos and began to make it work for us. Finally we relaxed and got on with our lives here. Now I want to STAMP MY FEET, because there is still so much to be seen, discovered and experienced. However, in this financial climate and at this time in history...a job is a really good thing to have.
When and where we will be going is still undecided, we should know is the next few weeks. In the meantime, I'm going to make a concerted effort to resume back to 'normality' (ha ha!) and enjoy the time we have left in this mad, crazy, wonderful and beautiful place that is INDIA.
Friday, 20 March 2009
So Much to Blog About...
But I've been a bit short of time as I've been making a bit of a social life for myself, Wayhey!! It's been a busy couple of weeks and I have lots to tell, but I am very much behind.
Sometimes (actually alot of the time!) events and experiences happen and if you don't immediately put fingers to keys you lose the gist and the humour, or, the meaning about the moments you've experienced....or, maybe that's just me and I need to do more brain exercises! I have a lots of started but unfinished posts...I will try harder!
In the meantime...,we have had MORE SNAKES
Tonight I heard a big commotion and alot of banging of sticks, I looked out of the window and just had to go and investigate.
For my perusal the night shift guards present me with the headless corpse of a 'Tree Snake'. Tiny in comparison to Hissing Sid but it's bite is 100x more dangerous apparently.
"Oh and by the way", I'm 'sort of' told in broken English with a splashing of Tamil, yesterday there was a Rat Snake in the garden...OK, I heard 'Rat Snake'. Got that, thank you. Could YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW OF THESE EVENTS AS THEY HAPPEN rather than retrospectively. It would be very helpful as although non-venemous, they are big. will scare the pants off me and the children and no-one likes a snake bite either way.
Sometimes (actually alot of the time!) events and experiences happen and if you don't immediately put fingers to keys you lose the gist and the humour, or, the meaning about the moments you've experienced....or, maybe that's just me and I need to do more brain exercises! I have a lots of started but unfinished posts...I will try harder!
In the meantime...,we have had MORE SNAKES
Tonight I heard a big commotion and alot of banging of sticks, I looked out of the window and just had to go and investigate.
For my perusal the night shift guards present me with the headless corpse of a 'Tree Snake'. Tiny in comparison to Hissing Sid but it's bite is 100x more dangerous apparently.
"Oh and by the way", I'm 'sort of' told in broken English with a splashing of Tamil, yesterday there was a Rat Snake in the garden...OK, I heard 'Rat Snake'. Got that, thank you. Could YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW OF THESE EVENTS AS THEY HAPPEN rather than retrospectively. It would be very helpful as although non-venemous, they are big. will scare the pants off me and the children and no-one likes a snake bite either way.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
The POWER of Advertising
The TV choices here are, to be brutally honest, cr*p. Ian and I don't watch TV much as a consequence, and as for the kids, less than an hour a day but this is what happens now when they do...
We have Cbeebies for what it's worth. Now of course in the UK this channel for any parent was the best thing since sliced bread...seasonal, educational, schedules changed weekly for variety. In India it is slightly different in that a few select programmes are broadcasted and repeated and repeated time and time again. In fact Ellie had just about given up and switched allegiance to Tom and Jerry on Cartoon Network before Charlie & Lola made a thankful mercy dash to our screen.
The other 'kids' channels have a real mixture of 'foreign language to us' programmes, which to be honest I haven't had the time or inclination to decipher...but the one thing that remains constant is the high level of advertising and the little ears and minds it reaches. I suddenly became aware of this 'Power' last Saturday when Ellie announced that we should be eating some sort of cereal other than Cheerios because...'it makes you grow faster'.
Since then she's informed me that there is a soap we need to buy that will make our cheeks cleaner, softer and more beautiful. Shampoo that I need to stop my hair from falling out (I wasn't aware that it was) "Buy it Mummy, buy it". Shampoo to stop my dandruff...never realised I had it. Cream that I need to stop me growing 'older'. Thank you for your concern sweetheart but I was just hoping to do that as quietly and gracefully as I could with nobody hopefully noticing.
I think we may need some new DVD's. And in the meantime I'm off to watch another thrilling episode of 'The Weakest Link' NOT.ON.YOUR.LIFE....sigh.
"Slingbox, Slingbox, where for art thou Slingbox?"
We have Cbeebies for what it's worth. Now of course in the UK this channel for any parent was the best thing since sliced bread...seasonal, educational, schedules changed weekly for variety. In India it is slightly different in that a few select programmes are broadcasted and repeated and repeated time and time again. In fact Ellie had just about given up and switched allegiance to Tom and Jerry on Cartoon Network before Charlie & Lola made a thankful mercy dash to our screen.
The other 'kids' channels have a real mixture of 'foreign language to us' programmes, which to be honest I haven't had the time or inclination to decipher...but the one thing that remains constant is the high level of advertising and the little ears and minds it reaches. I suddenly became aware of this 'Power' last Saturday when Ellie announced that we should be eating some sort of cereal other than Cheerios because...'it makes you grow faster'.
Since then she's informed me that there is a soap we need to buy that will make our cheeks cleaner, softer and more beautiful. Shampoo that I need to stop my hair from falling out (I wasn't aware that it was) "Buy it Mummy, buy it". Shampoo to stop my dandruff...never realised I had it. Cream that I need to stop me growing 'older'. Thank you for your concern sweetheart but I was just hoping to do that as quietly and gracefully as I could with nobody hopefully noticing.
I think we may need some new DVD's. And in the meantime I'm off to watch another thrilling episode of 'The Weakest Link' NOT.ON.YOUR.LIFE....sigh.
"Slingbox, Slingbox, where for art thou Slingbox?"
Monday, 16 March 2009
Yummy Yorkshire Puddings
Occasionally weekends happen like this...you don't have outrageous expectations or huge plans but everything falls nicely into place with little stress and everyone has a good time.
Friday evening Ian and I had decided to pop out for a meal without the children, it seemed like it had been a very long time since we'd done that so first we met a couple of Ian's colleagues for a Friday Sundowner and then we headed to our local hotel that has two great restaurants, one is a lovely rooftop terrace and the other a basement Mongolian Wok. We chose the latter, picked out our ingredients and munched our way through some lovely dishes all cooked before our eyes. Ian was very hungry "I'll bet this is quite healthy food really" he says. "Hmmm, yes I suppose it is, I answered, as long as you don't have more than four platefuls!"
Saturday morning, Ellie had her dance class and Luke bombed around the soft play area while Dad waited patiently for them both and Mum had a little retail therapy. In the afternoon they had splash time in the pool and I stupidly decided to try to reunite all the 'bits of abandoned toys' in the playroom with their original box buddies...yep I regretted it after about the first painful 5 minutes but the job got done eventually.
On Saturday evening I headed out for a 'girly' evening and Ian for a 'lads' night. Mine involved a birthday girl, a cocktail or two, a lovely meal in lovely company and a fleeting visit to a 'Club'! I know, I know...not normally my style, it was always my trick to duck out of any visits to Rio's that were in the off-ing but it was a great people watching place. Ian's involved beer, beer and another couple of beers for the road. We were sharing a driver and our babysitter likes to leave by midnight, so it was me who had to duck out and return home early (ish).
So who do you think had the hangover on Sunday? I left Ian for an hour or so to mend his head then let the children loose on it as I went rooting about in the freezer for some beef...I'd had an urge for a Sunday Roast with the works for some time and set to work. I even made Yorkshire Puddings...quite a feat for me especially as I'm an Aunt Bessie fan in that department! I had skirted doing anything like this for a while because, although we are very lucky to have an oven (many people don't) it is a fierce monster that heats from the bottom, the temperature seems to vary from day to day and as it is fuelled by bottled gas I'm scared it'll run out right in the middle of everything. It didn't though thank goodness and we all enjoyed our meal with lashings of gravy (thanks Margaret x!)
We rounded off the day by falling asleep on the sofa...nothing new there!!
So, how was your weekend?
Friday evening Ian and I had decided to pop out for a meal without the children, it seemed like it had been a very long time since we'd done that so first we met a couple of Ian's colleagues for a Friday Sundowner and then we headed to our local hotel that has two great restaurants, one is a lovely rooftop terrace and the other a basement Mongolian Wok. We chose the latter, picked out our ingredients and munched our way through some lovely dishes all cooked before our eyes. Ian was very hungry "I'll bet this is quite healthy food really" he says. "Hmmm, yes I suppose it is, I answered, as long as you don't have more than four platefuls!"
Saturday morning, Ellie had her dance class and Luke bombed around the soft play area while Dad waited patiently for them both and Mum had a little retail therapy. In the afternoon they had splash time in the pool and I stupidly decided to try to reunite all the 'bits of abandoned toys' in the playroom with their original box buddies...yep I regretted it after about the first painful 5 minutes but the job got done eventually.
On Saturday evening I headed out for a 'girly' evening and Ian for a 'lads' night. Mine involved a birthday girl, a cocktail or two, a lovely meal in lovely company and a fleeting visit to a 'Club'! I know, I know...not normally my style, it was always my trick to duck out of any visits to Rio's that were in the off-ing but it was a great people watching place. Ian's involved beer, beer and another couple of beers for the road. We were sharing a driver and our babysitter likes to leave by midnight, so it was me who had to duck out and return home early (ish).
So who do you think had the hangover on Sunday? I left Ian for an hour or so to mend his head then let the children loose on it as I went rooting about in the freezer for some beef...I'd had an urge for a Sunday Roast with the works for some time and set to work. I even made Yorkshire Puddings...quite a feat for me especially as I'm an Aunt Bessie fan in that department! I had skirted doing anything like this for a while because, although we are very lucky to have an oven (many people don't) it is a fierce monster that heats from the bottom, the temperature seems to vary from day to day and as it is fuelled by bottled gas I'm scared it'll run out right in the middle of everything. It didn't though thank goodness and we all enjoyed our meal with lashings of gravy (thanks Margaret x!)
We rounded off the day by falling asleep on the sofa...nothing new there!!
So, how was your weekend?
Friday, 13 March 2009
New Imaginary Friends
Ellie has a wonderful imagination and when she was around 2-21/2 she had two 'friends' who came with us everywhere...their names were Iggit and Oggit. One day she told me they had left and were not coming back and I missed those little 'friends' of hers.
But now, we have new 'friends' in our midst...Gwen and Fizz have arrived and are spending some time with us and Ellie is having a wonderful time playing with them and reciting them stories...I hope they stay a while because it's so lovely to hear her chatting and playing with them!
But now, we have new 'friends' in our midst...Gwen and Fizz have arrived and are spending some time with us and Ellie is having a wonderful time playing with them and reciting them stories...I hope they stay a while because it's so lovely to hear her chatting and playing with them!
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
What's Going On?
The weather is wet, the sky is no longer blue and the temperature has dropped to around 25 degrees and it feels a little cool. So much for summer and scorching temperatures being just around the corner. Just a temporary blip I'm sure, and in no time at all I'll be moaning about the heat again!!
2 minutes later a PS... I just hit the 'publish' button and then the sun came out!
...then it went away again
2 minutes later a PS... I just hit the 'publish' button and then the sun came out!
...then it went away again
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Rest & Relaxation Maldives Style
Last week we had actually been in India for 6 whole months - WOW! Somedays it seems like we've only been here weeks, somedays it feels like years and after the trials and tribulations of the last year or so we all needed a well deserved holiday.
About 8 years ago Ian and I enjoyed a fantastic holiday in Sri Lanka and when we flew out of Colombo en route to Dubai our plane flew over and then touched down in Male (the capital) Well, all I could say was 'How Cruel'. Give me a Birdseye view of some of the most beautiful islands and clear blue waters ever seen, then actually land the plane and not let me get out and stay a while! I was most peeved and decided then and there that one day I would return.
It really was the most beautiful place, and is as good as it looks from the sky. Clear waters teeming with tropical fish, powder white sand beaches, no cars, no dogs, no horns, no litter. We stayed 6 nights, which with two young children was just enough and we ALL relaxed. I even read a book for the first time in ages, OK so I had probably read that book 3 times over for the number of times I had to stop/start and re-read with all the interruptions from the children, but I got there eventually and even began another.
Ellie's swimming lessons bore fruit and by the end of the week she was swimming the length of the pool by herself and Luke completely overcame his nervousness of water enough to be able to jump in all by himself. As for Ian, he enjoyed a well deserved rest and time with the children, and me I hope! The phone only rang towards the end of the week when a small crisis loomed and then the computer appeared, just the once though - good job because I had threatened it would be banished to the depths of the Indian Ocean FOREVER, but we were all so chilled by this time I managed to forgive him!
About 8 years ago Ian and I enjoyed a fantastic holiday in Sri Lanka and when we flew out of Colombo en route to Dubai our plane flew over and then touched down in Male (the capital) Well, all I could say was 'How Cruel'. Give me a Birdseye view of some of the most beautiful islands and clear blue waters ever seen, then actually land the plane and not let me get out and stay a while! I was most peeved and decided then and there that one day I would return.
It really was the most beautiful place, and is as good as it looks from the sky. Clear waters teeming with tropical fish, powder white sand beaches, no cars, no dogs, no horns, no litter. We stayed 6 nights, which with two young children was just enough and we ALL relaxed. I even read a book for the first time in ages, OK so I had probably read that book 3 times over for the number of times I had to stop/start and re-read with all the interruptions from the children, but I got there eventually and even began another.
Ellie's swimming lessons bore fruit and by the end of the week she was swimming the length of the pool by herself and Luke completely overcame his nervousness of water enough to be able to jump in all by himself. As for Ian, he enjoyed a well deserved rest and time with the children, and me I hope! The phone only rang towards the end of the week when a small crisis loomed and then the computer appeared, just the once though - good job because I had threatened it would be banished to the depths of the Indian Ocean FOREVER, but we were all so chilled by this time I managed to forgive him!
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Wednesday, 4 March 2009
More of Mahabalipuram
I can now pronounce the name of this place rather well I think, at least I think I can because Kumar instantly knew where we wanted to go.
When I thought Karen had done enough shopping for one holiday I suggested a bit of culture and we slipped away for a day without children. I say a 'day' but it was a case of dropping Ellie at school and bombing down the East Coast Road, running around the temples before slowing down to enjoy a relaxing beach side lunch at Fisherman's Cove before bombing back up the ECR to be at school again for 3.15pm.
Karen is under the impression that us ex-pat's simply sight see, drink cocktails, lunch and relax, my cause wasn't helped by a friend who was enjoying a morning of solitude (in her defence, after a very stressful morning at home) by the pool at Fisherman's Cove, so her presence only fuelled Karen's fire. So, just let me reiterate here...it was the first time EVER I had done this and it was because YOU were here, and I don't do it all the time! I wish!
It was a hot day and whilst at Mahabalipuram we took a few moments to sit and cool off in the shade. Now, I always thought that the Indian 'interest' in us had everything to do with the children. Not so it seems, before long we were surrounded by the loveliest of children who were so curious about us, wanted to test out their English and have their photograph taken...a dozen times! After each photograph they ALL had to have a look at themselves and I feared my camera might be ripped apart by their exuberance. They were on a day trip and the adults explained they had travelled 5 hours by bus to get here and they were all wearing their best clothes for the day.
Look out for Krishna's Butterball it is huge and defies gravity, a fasion faux pas and lots of smiley happy children!
When I thought Karen had done enough shopping for one holiday I suggested a bit of culture and we slipped away for a day without children. I say a 'day' but it was a case of dropping Ellie at school and bombing down the East Coast Road, running around the temples before slowing down to enjoy a relaxing beach side lunch at Fisherman's Cove before bombing back up the ECR to be at school again for 3.15pm.
Karen is under the impression that us ex-pat's simply sight see, drink cocktails, lunch and relax, my cause wasn't helped by a friend who was enjoying a morning of solitude (in her defence, after a very stressful morning at home) by the pool at Fisherman's Cove, so her presence only fuelled Karen's fire. So, just let me reiterate here...it was the first time EVER I had done this and it was because YOU were here, and I don't do it all the time! I wish!
It was a hot day and whilst at Mahabalipuram we took a few moments to sit and cool off in the shade. Now, I always thought that the Indian 'interest' in us had everything to do with the children. Not so it seems, before long we were surrounded by the loveliest of children who were so curious about us, wanted to test out their English and have their photograph taken...a dozen times! After each photograph they ALL had to have a look at themselves and I feared my camera might be ripped apart by their exuberance. They were on a day trip and the adults explained they had travelled 5 hours by bus to get here and they were all wearing their best clothes for the day.
Look out for Krishna's Butterball it is huge and defies gravity, a fasion faux pas and lots of smiley happy children!
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Monday, 2 March 2009
Day Out to Kanchipuram - Guests of Honour
Both Kumar and Pushpa had been extolling the virtues of a visit to Kanchipuram to me for a good while. Famous throughout India for its silk saris and no less than five magnificent temples I felt we had to pay a visit.
For Pushpa it was also an opportunity to visit some of her family as her niece, her husband and son live nearby and for us the chance to have local guides to show us around and help avoid any hassle, and so I invited her and her son to join us on our jaunt.
So, early one morning me, Karen (who was visiting us) Ellie, Luke, Pushpa, her son Balaji and Kumar hit the road to drive the 76km to this temple town. The journey started well and then it became very apparent that Balaji is not a 'good traveller', several stops, sick bags and seat changes later we finally arrived. We had exactly
2 1/2 hours to visit as many of the temples we could and find a decent loo before visiting Pushpa's family for lunch.
After the first temple we were joined by Pushpa's handsome (Karen had other words to describe him but I'll be polite!) nephew and two of his friends who delighted in showing us, and especially the children around. Two of the gang were dancers and trying to break into Kollywood films (Tamil version of Bollywood) and the other a silk weaver, and collectively they were all charming and so helpful, especially in the temple donation stakes...I hadn't had the chance to get any small change and typical tourist only had 1000rps notes...Embarrassing! Very!
We visited and did and saw as much as we could before the temples closed their doors to visitors at 12.30pm and then we had a short journey to our lunch destination. Pushpa's family were the ultimate hosts and welcomed us into their humble home with gifts, a wonderful meal and the warmest hospitality you can imagine.
In keeping with South Indian tradition, the ladies tucked in their Sari's and presented us with delicious food (Biryani, Curry, Samba, Rice) all served on a banana leave. Your task then, if you wish to accept it (!), is to mix together each 'dish' with your fingers and attempt to pick up and deposit the mixture in your mouth without dropping it all down your front! I had had the opportunity to practice a couple of times before and Karen did amazingly well for her first attempt. Your hosts don't actually eat with you, they stand over you and dish up more and more food until you cannot possibly eat anymore and it is only then that they sit down and eat themselves.
Reluctantly the time came to say 'Goodbye' and we all left for the drive home very happy, relaxed and FULL...and so did Balaji...for about 5 miles! Poor boy.
For Pushpa it was also an opportunity to visit some of her family as her niece, her husband and son live nearby and for us the chance to have local guides to show us around and help avoid any hassle, and so I invited her and her son to join us on our jaunt.
So, early one morning me, Karen (who was visiting us) Ellie, Luke, Pushpa, her son Balaji and Kumar hit the road to drive the 76km to this temple town. The journey started well and then it became very apparent that Balaji is not a 'good traveller', several stops, sick bags and seat changes later we finally arrived. We had exactly
2 1/2 hours to visit as many of the temples we could and find a decent loo before visiting Pushpa's family for lunch.
After the first temple we were joined by Pushpa's handsome (Karen had other words to describe him but I'll be polite!) nephew and two of his friends who delighted in showing us, and especially the children around. Two of the gang were dancers and trying to break into Kollywood films (Tamil version of Bollywood) and the other a silk weaver, and collectively they were all charming and so helpful, especially in the temple donation stakes...I hadn't had the chance to get any small change and typical tourist only had 1000rps notes...Embarrassing! Very!
We visited and did and saw as much as we could before the temples closed their doors to visitors at 12.30pm and then we had a short journey to our lunch destination. Pushpa's family were the ultimate hosts and welcomed us into their humble home with gifts, a wonderful meal and the warmest hospitality you can imagine.
In keeping with South Indian tradition, the ladies tucked in their Sari's and presented us with delicious food (Biryani, Curry, Samba, Rice) all served on a banana leave. Your task then, if you wish to accept it (!), is to mix together each 'dish' with your fingers and attempt to pick up and deposit the mixture in your mouth without dropping it all down your front! I had had the opportunity to practice a couple of times before and Karen did amazingly well for her first attempt. Your hosts don't actually eat with you, they stand over you and dish up more and more food until you cannot possibly eat anymore and it is only then that they sit down and eat themselves.
Reluctantly the time came to say 'Goodbye' and we all left for the drive home very happy, relaxed and FULL...and so did Balaji...for about 5 miles! Poor boy.
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