Girls Night Out.

Last night I decided Eliza and I needed some girl time without the boys. So while Andrew was happy sitting at home watching the Grand Prix we took ourselves off to the "LOCAL" beauty salon for a pedicure (for me) and a manicure (for Eliza).
What an experience. They put us in a room on our own and in the 1 1/2 that it took them to work on these size 11's, there would have been at least 10 different staff members come in to the room to CHECK us out. One even stood by Eliza and couldn't stop playing with her hair, what a novelty we are.
Eliza and I had a laugh when they asked me if I wanted my feet and legs bleached to make them whitter. No need for fake tan here. The whiter you are the better.
So $16 later, Eliza had blue fingernails ( Mum not happy) and my size 11's are all smooth again and ready for the peep toes, it was time to get back home to the boys. My peace was over.

Oh My Gosh

I don't believe it, the temperature has just dropped to 28 deg and it feels heavenly. All the doors and windows are open, we will tackle the Mozzies later. The thunder has been rolling around for the last few hours and only a few drops of rain have fallen. Who knows what the night will bring. So far since we have been here in Chennai there has not been too much rain, but we are told it is just around the corner with the Monsoon on it's way.
The air-cons are all off and it is lovely to have some fresh air in the house, thank goodness the school across the road aren't burning their rubbish. It makes me so cross that the people here can't see how bad that is for the environment, rubbish is always being burnt, that is what's left of the rubbish after the local cow population and stray dogs have had their fill of it.
So as I sit here enjoying my cool evening I can feel it slowly getting warmer again, oh, it's now back to 30 deg, so much for the cool breeze, maybe all this heat is going to my head (it sure has gone to my frizzy hair) and I am going Troppo imagining that cool breeze.
Time to shut up the house and kill a few of the local disease carrying insects.

Grand Final Day- Chennai Style

Our very special day today. We had been telling the staff it was a very big day for us today in our country, Grand Final Day, and yes to some it may even be more important than Christmas Day depending on how much of a fanatical footy fan you are. So Noelene and Graeme's driver Suresh thought it was so special that he and his wife needed to cook us some Indian food to help us to celebrate. So he dropped them off here to watch the game with us and then went home to prepare our food. He is a lovely guy and likes our family very much, especially Mac.
Grand Final Day in India started at 9am with the game being televised live, the 4 1/2 hr time difference coming into play.
I had decided some Aussie meat pies where to be on the menu and I had spent 4 hours on Friday preparing them. No Frozen pastry to be bought here, so Margaret and I made Flaky pastry from scratch. All that butter being rolled into the dough was very time consuming. I have plenty of time so that wasn't a problem. Next was the meat filling which was much easier. After finally working out my conv oven in went the pies and all came out ok. Very Yummy.
So with the lack of much else Aussie food the game came on at the right time, after a bit of a scare when the advertised programme was something different, panic stations all round. Calls to other friends to see if it was on at there place, all ok and we even got to enjoy the pre-match entertainment and see the singing of the national anthem, Sam says "OH Mums crying again" See all those young men about to go into battle for their teams and hearing that song always brings tears to the eyes.
And so the Battle began, a very rough game and in the end our team was the losing team. We had the victory last year so it was someone else's turn this year.
And with the end of the match came our Indian Feast. Suresh returned with his wife and two children. He came to serve us the food, it was his honour on our spacial day that he could come to help us celebrate, so we all sat down to beautiful Dahl, Fried chicken and Indian Bread. Mind you after meat pies and lollies it was hard to fit much else in, but we all sat there and enjoyed it.

Blessings

Today is a good day.
I have Vanilla Lattes, Real Cadbury's Chocolate, Pink Ribbon Tim Tam's and Bertie Beetles.
My goodness, how lucky are we.
After thinking long and hard about the things we miss the most I have come to the conclusion (with some help from Lyn in Texas) that the things we miss the most are often the things that we don't really need and are the "extravagant luxury's".
Living in India proves that to me on a daily basis. How lucky we are to have good health, 4 walls and a roof over our heads, clean drinking water and good food on the table every night.
It always amazes me that when times are tuff or life doesn't seem to be going your way, God provides for us in many different ways, weather it be a care package from home or a call or email from someone dear and near to your heart, the bad day gets better.
It's not that hard to brighten someones life, is it?
So with my new treats and a happy healthy family life is GREAT.
Thankyou Anne-Maree.

" Swim between the flags"

Anyone for a swim at one of our local beaches.

The beaches here are treacherous, and if you would like to take your life in your hands then try having a swim here.

We went down to the beach early one Sunday morning for a kick of the footy and to have a look around. Of course my trusty camera came too. We came across the local Life Savers tent and couldn't help having a laugh, oh how Indian. As I was standing there watching this little boy have a lovely time with a piece of wood , in the background I noticed a woman in trouble in the water. Her husband was desperately trying to pull her out of the strong currant, but the waves just kept pulling here back down. Mind you she had her Sari on (of course) so the extra weight in that would not have been helping. No bathing suites for women over here, only sari's.

I looked around to see if the fearless Life Guard was coming to help, but no, he was fast asleep.

The woman's husband finally pulled her to safety (with no help from me, I didn't feel like drowning on this particular day) and she was very shaken but ok.

Our Friend "Mr Gecko"

We have a house guest.

He was not invited into our home and we are not really sure how he got in.
He is rather elusive, apart from 3 am in the morning when he decided to show his face.
He can be very noisy.
But he is also very quiet.
He moves like spiderman crawling the walls.
I hope he will leave soon or I may have to become violent.
HIS NAME IS "MR GECKO"
Any ideas on how to get rid of unwelcome guests?

What we miss

We have been thinking lately about what we really miss from home.

With the upcomming arrival of Mum, Dad and Big Sis we have been asked what it is we really want them to bring over for us. Well, I would probably have them put all my family and my girlfriends in their cases, just so we could have a Vanilla Latta and good old chat, maybe with cake too. But thats not possible so we will have to make do with what they can fit in their cases.

The things we miss, mmm,

Good Cadbury's Chocolate
Pepermint Freddo's
Musk Lifesavers (eliza)
Sam's Friends to kick the Footy with
Good Bakers Delight Bread
Normal Milk
Fish and Chips (ah yeh said the kids)
Dim Sims
Twisties,Peanuts and cashews
Cheese and dips
Roast Lamb with mint sauce and roast vegies
Nelson and Mollie
Blankets on the bed at night to keep warm
Being in Geelong this weekend to help cheer on the CATS,

It's a bit sad really that the things we miss the most are food items, comfort comes in many forms and being familure with things around you helps alot.
Just imagine in 2-3 years what the things will be that we are going to miss about India.
My mind boggles.

The Banyan Tree

With the kids off school on Monday we decided it was a good day to go and find the Banyan Tree we had been told soooo much about. It lives in a place called the Theosophical Society Park which is not far from where we live. This is the park with the unusual opening hours. So with Mac in the pram and the other 2 on their scooters we headed off. Victor dropped us off at the main gate and left us to go exploring.

"This is it"..... not what I was expecting, I don't think I have ever seen a Banyan tree before. It has lots of limbs that apparently come from the one root system. Its branches span a huge distance and the pillars you see above are helping to keep then from falling down.

It's trully a lovely place to go for a quiet walk. With lots of beautiful plants and quaint buildings dotted around, it was fun to explore. We saw some interesting bugs and a huge snail that was just about as big as Sam's hand.

Death in India.

You know there are some things that you don't really want to see. In India we are confronted by these things every day we walk out our front door.
Last night on the way home from picking Andrew up, which we don't usually do, we came across a funeral procession. I have seem remnant's of these before but not actually seen one in process. As we approached I said to Victor "is this what I think it is?" "yes Madame"
The procession was a small one I am told, about 10 men walking along carrying the deceased on a stretcher, adorned with flowers. All I could see was a shock of grey hair, so you knew it was an elderly person. There was someone walking in front scattering flowers along the road, often there is also someone walking along beating a drum, but not today. They were on their way to cremate the body and then in 13 days time the ashes will be scattered in a river or at the beach.
I was very moved by this confronting display of death in India. It is so public. They honour their dead so differently to us. It was amazing to see life just going along as normal whilst the procession took place. Everyday life here I assume.
All this is part of their Hindu faith, believing that you are born again and again and the quality of your rebirth depends on your karma in your former lives.
In some ways it's not unlike us as Christians being worthy of eternal life in what we know as "our Heaven".
I have felt along way from home this week with the loss of a friend who died on Sunday. 47 is too young to die. In fact any age is too young for the family and friends left behind.

Auto Ride

We had an Auto ride home the other day, which is always a lot of fun. The kids think it's great and this time we didn't get ripped off. It cost us about $1 to go 2km, we could have walked but there is a really busy road to cross and there's no way I am ever going to try and cross it on foot. we had fun trying to fit 2 scooters and a stroller and 4 people in this tiny auto.

Family snaps

Just a few shots of the family to let you see we still look the same. The kids are growing fast, and Sam still loves to give me those goofy faces when I try to take a photo of him, Liza still loves that "get that camera out of my face" look and Mac is even more devilish every day. (just ask poor Victor) Andrew and I are both really good and we are enjoying our time here, even though some days are very frustrating. It's all part of the experience.

Funny Photo's

Try again, I realized that you could not see these very well in the last post.

Loved these signs, we had a real giggle.
Don't drown, heavens you might disturb the life guard.

Yesterday Victor took us to one of the University's here in Chennai. His brother's wife works there and we where very lucky to be able to get through security and have a drive around. It covers 900 acres and has 9000 students. Amazing place, it is basically a community of its own and also has it's own postcode. Victor took us to meet his brother's family who actually live on campus in housing supplied by the government at a very cheep price. They can use all of the facility's including pool, theatres, gyms, you name it and it is there. We ended up having a kick of the footy at one of the ovals and sat ans watched a game of cricket. Victors family were very welcoming and have told us we can come into the grounds anytime we would like by just mentioning their house no. There where lots of Deer walking around and apparently monkeys as well, but we didn't see any. It was a very peaceful place to go, no "toot toot", ah bliss.

I love the signs you see over here.

We had wanted to go to a park that is just around the corner from our home and we have tried to go there many times but never get there due to traffic, closed roads, opening times etc. The opening times are 8.30-10am and 2-4pm, closed on Sundays, go figure.

This park has the largest Banyan tree in the world and has lots of good paths for walking and riding scooters, which the kids are dying to do.

We are going to try to go today, as we had a call from the school at 9.30pm last night (Sunday Night) to say the kids have the day off today AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For what reason you ask?

"Some great leaders Birthday" GREAT.

Happy Birthday To You. Great Leader whoever you are.

4 days at home and these kids go a little crazy, so does their Mum.

Banyan Tree here we come.

More Onam Celebrations

I was lucky enough to open the door at the right time and be able to watch our neighbour make the final flower offering for their Onam celebration.

Today was a special day for them, not unlike our Christmas Day, new clothes for all and a feast to share with family and friends.

As I sat and watched I asked many questions of our neighbour (who's name still eludes me) probably too many for this very Conservative girl. 35 years old not married and still living at home with her parents, maybe waiting for the arranged marriage, she has a degree in economics and also in Home science? whatever that is. Fancy staying home everyday and not working when you are so educated. She was every embarrassed with me taking photos but I will get some copies for her and I think she will love that. She has been making these offerings with her Mum since she was a little girl.

The finnished product.

Onam Festival

Yesterday morning I opened the door to find this beautiful flower offering at the front door of our neighbours house. This week it is the festival of Onam. It is a celebration that goes for 10 days and originates from the state of Kerala. During this time the people celebrate the mythical King Mahabali and on the last day they have a day of feasting with their family. They decorate their homes and anticipate the kings visit.

Today they had added more to their offering, isn't it lovely. That is a Lotus flower in the center,
Rose petals and Jasmin petals around the outer circle. Cant wait to see it tomorrow.

No more Nigella Wanna-be here

Move over Nigella, there is no room in my kitchen for you. I have my beautiful Margaret. And boy, can she cook up a storm. Last night we had Prawn Biriyani. I figure it is the Indian equivalent of Risotto. We also had Dosa and Sumba Dahl. Dosa is a type of savory pancake. commonly eaten in India for breakfast, to eat it you break of pieces and dip it into the Dahl. And We love it. Sam thinks it's the best thing he has ever eaten. I wish I had smell-a-vision so I could share with you all the wonderful aroma's that waft out of the kitchen. I hope by the time I get home I will have mastered the art of Indian cooking. Yesterday I was watching her cook and I often try to help with doing the dishes or passing her things to make her job a bit easier, but I am usually told in a very polite way to "BACK OFF Madame that is my job" Who's kitchen is it anyway, obviously not mine anymore.

This is our spice jar. Don't ask me what they all are, but I will learn.
Also in the shot are the Prawns that were coated in a batter with fresh coriander, the deep fried. Master very happy when he got home.

This is Singarum. He is one of the guards here at our apartment. We call him Happy Jim. He has always got a smile on his face and a wave for us as we come home or head out the gate. He speaks little or no English. We always say Hi to him and ask "How are you Singarum ?" Victor has tried to teach him how to respond. So now he responds with "Very well Madame" or quite often its "Very welcome Madame" this always gives us a giggle and even Victor finds it amusing.

Whenever I get the camera out, there's my friend Singarum trying to get in the shot. He wants me to get him some copies of the pictures I take of him, I haven't quite tackled the photo store yet, may-be next week.

Poor little Mac is the center of attention when we venture down to the swings and the guards love to play with him. Mac is slowly getting used to them and will now let Singarum pick him up for a spin around.

Frocked Up

I've dried my hair, got make-up on, nice clothes on and I'm going out.
Rather an occasion you might think?
For this old, tired, house -bound woman, Yes.
The big event is a Oversea's Woman's Club Madras, "Shopping in Chennai"
Sounds like my kind of stuff.
I'll fill you in next time.

Domestic Godess Wanna-be

I came to India armed with my "How to be a Domestic Goddess" cook book thinking that maybe I could turn myself into Nigella Lawson.
Hah, In my dreams.
How can I do that when I don't even have an oven and I have no idea how to use my brand new convection micro-wave.
The problem is that when we unpacked the micro-wave there was no manual in the box, but not to worry, the LG guy was coming to demonstrate how to use it.
That was 4 weeks ago and 6 phone calls later and he still hasn't showed his face at Door No. 2A, and look out when he does, even my Margaret will have his "guts for garters" and I am sure she isn't even a violent women.
All we want to do is COOK and BAKE.
Margaret keeps saying to me, "Madame buy an Oven?" no Margaret we have a microwave that will bake cakes and cookies etc. "But Madame I cook nice roast beef in oven" yes Margaret the microwave will do that too.
So yet another call to LG (Lifes real Good when you have a microwave that you know how to use) and try to understand the person on the other end of the line. They will then give me yet another ID no. and Madame you will have someone at your house within 24 hrs. Right, sounds easy. NOT.
Maybe I should stick to my trusty old favorite my Gourmet Cookware pot, it does cook a nice cake on the stove top. At least I have gas. This week.

Milk Delivery

This is the milk man's way of delivering the milk, in a create on the back of his bike.
I love how it is kept refrigerated in this hot climate. This milk needs to be boiled before use.
I think I will continue buying my milk from the local supermarket in it's long life container.

Happy Birthday Ganesha

Wednesday was yet another Festival holiday here in India.


It was Vinayaka Chathurthi, The Birthday of Lord Ganesha, the Elephant headed god.

His devotees pray to him for health and good luck. They do this by purchasing a clay idol of him and then decorate him with fresh flower garlands and cute little umbrellas, which are to keep the rains away. On Wednesday morning people where out everywhere buying their Ganesha and the offerings to decorate them. It was so lovely and colorful, some of the statues are just plain clay and others are highly painted. On streets eveywhere there are Temples set up with music being played and peolpe making offerings of flowers. Our photo's didn't do justice to the day, its a bit hard to get good shots out of a fast moving car.

In 3,5,or 10 days later people then take their statues to the beach and throw them in the ocean, with the wish that they will be blessed next year when Ganeseh will return. Imagine the state of the beach and how this must effect the environment. The beaches are already filthy, as if they need anymore rubbish.


Just another day in" Idol " worshiping India.

Three modes of transport in Chennai

This is a Wedding Car in Chennai. Apparently August is a very auspicious month to get married. They decorate the cars with fresh flowers sticky taped on to the car, it amazes me they stay on in this heat.

I think these guys are painters, look at their ladder and cans of paint in the trailer. Also loved the flowers on the front of the bike.

And this is a dirty big garbage truck, they stink and have black smoke coming out of their exhausts. We hate getting stuck behind them. They usually drop most of their load on the road behind them too. YUK.