After School Fun

This afternoon at school a friend had organized a picnic for the little people in our families.

What a lovely way to spend the end of a busy week. It reminded me of the fun we used to have on Friday night's at home with cricket and soccer, minus the wine. Our school in Chennai is not just a place to go to learn. It is a place for kids and parents to hang out at the end of the day and socialise with friends. It also runs many after school activities for the kids to join, you name it, it has it. Sam is playing soccer and basketball twice a week and is loving the chance to learn these sports.

With so many of us living in apartments and no where for kids to run around and play, it provides the perfect environment for some normality. Our lives this school year are vastly different from last year and there's no more tears going to school, which Victor and I are grateful for. We have all met some lovely friends and we are so happy with the school. That's not to say that the kids would die to be able to come home tomorrow, but for the time it has brought our lives contentment.

Workplace Safety

This guy had best not be afraid of heights when his job is to cut down the overhanging branches in the middle of the road. He had wheeled his way all down the street, piles of branches were piled up along the side of the road.

I love how safe it must be atop that ladder. No safety rope or harness to help if he fell.

Gotta love the sights we see on a daily basis as we drive around town.

Home is going to be SO boring one day.

Swim Baby Swim

Yesterday we were treated to yet another amazing experience here in Chennai.

We were invited down to Fisherman's Cove to take part in releasing about 60 "Olive Ridley" Turtle Hatchlings. Their Mumma Turtles come and lay their eggs along the coastline of Chennai between January and March. Volunteers then walk the beaches at night to collect the eggs and to protect them from natures predators. They are placed into hatcheries and once they hatch they are then sent on their way to fend for themselves in the big blue ocean.

It was so amazing to see these little babies, just hatched that day, get placed on the sand and head straight for the water. For some of them it took a couple of tries, getting washed back in by the waves. How many survive? Who knows, but it is said that they normally return to the beach where they where hatched to lay their own eggs.

The Olive Ridley turtle population is decreasing each year but lets hope that by at least keeping the eggs safe until they hatch that they have a much better chance of surviving and the numbers will increase.

We feel so blessed to have been given this wonderful opportunity.

Saree Shopping

We had the chance to go Saree shopping with Grandma and Gramps while they were here in Chennai. Eliza and I have been wanting to make the big purchase but just haven't been inspired to do so. We found a gorgeous shop with some really lovely Saree's. We both felt a bit strange getting wrapped up in 5 and a half meters of fabric by the male sales assistant and it certainly took some talking into for Eliza to try one on. She had her eye on a couple of different aqua patterned Saree lengths and they suited her beautifully. She ended up very excited at the prospect of owning one at long last. She really looked so tall and graceful.

Next we need to take the Saree length to a tailor and have a blouse and petticoat made to wear under it.

Goodness knows where and when we will get to wear the Saree's and how we will ever learn to wrap them ourselves without the help of an expert.

Looking a bit apprehensive.

Eliza and Gramps with the final choice.

I am now the proud owner of 5 Saree's. 2 of which I am going to turn into table clothes. Mum has been a bad influence on me and we have spent quite a bit of time in the Nalli Silks stores drooling over the wonderful fabrics. So many stunning colours and the variety of fabric types, from exceedingly expensive silks to cheap and cheerful cottons and everything in between. A fabric lovers dream come true.

St. Thomas Basilica

One of the many things to do on my wish list has been to visit St. Thomas Basilica in Mylapore, Chennai. So with Mum and Dad for company we set off to see this important Christian Church.

It is said that St. Thomas, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, came to India in A.D.52, to preach the word of the Lord Jesus to this Hindu nation. He died as a martyr in A.D.72 when he was speared to death on St Thomas Mount in Chennai. The Church has been built over the tomb of St. Thomas. The present cathedral was constructed in 1896.

Thomas the Apostle, also called Doubting Thomas, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is best known for disbelieving Jesus' resurrection when first told of it. He declared that he would not believe until he himself put his finger in the wound mark of the Lord. Jesus appeared and said to him to put his finger in the wound, cease his doubting and believe. He then knelt and proclaimed "My Lord and my God".

He was perhaps the only Apostle who went outside the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel.

The Church is situated on a very busy road and backing onto the coastal fishing village that I have previously blogged about.

Many people believe that when the Tsunami struck on December 26th 2004, the area behind the church was protected because of the presence of The Pole of St. Thomas. Which is set into the ground just behind the church and quite possibly one of the most average looking wooden poles, that has so much historic significance. Legend has it that St. Thomas erected this pole as a mark to prevent the sea from encroaching the land, thus saving the lives of the people living near the shore.

Heffalump's Day Out...

Look what we found while driving around the other day.

It looks to me like a Heffalump, but NO, it's just a walking pile of hay.

I think that would be pretty scratchy.

It has 4 legs.

Koyambedu Market

Tuesday we took a trip to the Koyambedu Produce market in Chennai. I went there last year and loved it and knew Mum and Dad would also enjoy the amazing sights to behold there. So many smiling faces and wonderful fresh fruit and vegetables.

The flower market takes my breath away with the beauty of all the colours you see. Margaret came along to do some shopping and stocked us up with vegies that were so cheap. I think she and Victor enjoyed taking us all around and making sure we didn't get lost.

Dad was in his element taking photos of the very willing and obliging stall holders, stopping to talk to all the men and sharing in some Aussie humour. Mum was surprised to see the variety of different vegetables and the huge piles of the mint and coriander.