We came back from our holiday at the Maldives last Friday. We had a great time and I will Blog about it coming week (with photos to make you jealous haha).
This weekend we have been busy getting things ready for the Adarsh Vista Halloween Party. We are helping with building the haunted house. Simon will be the head on a platter and Ruben will be scaring the crap our of some kids too. Adriaan is Dr. Frankenstein.
My scary thing for the Halloween Party tomorrow will be the root canal treatment I am having in the morning.... So NOT looking forward to that!
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
What you always wanted to know, but never asked...apart from Cow Road that is.
As I mentioned in my last post, I have had some questions from Cow Road and I promised to answer them this week. Easier said than done. Of course I can write about our house, shopping, the weather and other details of our life in Bangalore, but what? How to mould it into a readable blog?
The weather is lovely at the moment. It is in it's low 20's C, and we have had some rain in the last few weeks. I have been assured by Baburaj (our driver) that the rains will stop before Diwali. We are very lucky, weather-wise, in Bangalore. Most of the year the temperatures are in the low 20's C, only April and May tend to be in the low 30's. The monsoon season is very mild, with some showers, but no days-on-end-kind-of-rain. We can sit outside for most of the day and if it wasn't for the mosquito's, we could sit outside all night too.
Bangalore was known as The Garden City for a long time and it still very green, with lots of trees, but unfortunately it is expanding rapidly so a lot of green areas are disappearing. Our gated community, Adarsh Vista in Basavanagar (in case you want to look it up on Google maps), was build on an orchard and most of the fruit trees have been saved, so the houses have fruit trees in their gardens. Mango's, coconuts, pommelo's, bananas, papayas, jack fruit etc. We have only a very small garden on the side of the house and only one fruit tree at the front. It is a sapota- or cheeko tree and we had never heard of it before. The fruit looks a bit like a hairless kiwi. It has to be picked when it is still hard and then you have to keep it wrapped in a news paper for a few days till it goes soft. It is very sweet with a hint of coffee.
The house is finally starting to feel like a home. We have most of the furniture now, bought a carpet for the living room and one to hang on the wall. It was a daunting task to buy everything again after we had lost it all in Tripoli. It is big, but well designed. I will post some photos soon.
Shopping is both easy and hard here. Easy because there are lots of shops, I can buy basically everything in the main street just outside the gate, and hard because good quality is sometimes hard to find.
For the fresh produce I stay in our neighbourhood, with fruit and vegetables galore, for meat I have found a Catholic butcher where I can buy pork (not available at Muslim shops), beef (not at Hindu shops) and chicken at a good price and good quality. For the day to day groceries I can choose from many different super markets. After 2 months I have found my favourite shops and I am getting used to different names for some things. Because of the traffic it can take some time before I have bought everything on the shopping list, so I try to do the big shopping only a few times a week.
One thing I really had to get used to was fresh milk in a plastic bag. Only the long life milk comes in packs.
We have had a driver since day 1, Baburaj, and as much as I disliked having a driver in Tripoli (only the first 3 months till I had my license) I am happy to have a driver here. Bangalore is huge and somehow Baburaj knows everything, even if I only have a vague description of a shop or an area.
Traffic is chaos. Tripoli-traffic was bad, but it were only cars and after a while the "rules" were obvious. Here there are so many different vehicles and pedestrians, besides the fact that they drive on the left hand side of the road, that make it a challenge to navigate the roads. We did get (read buy) our drivers licenses, just in case, but we don't plan to drive.
Since the beginning of October I also have a maid, Kavitha. It took me a while to decide if I wanted a maid or not, but I am very happy I did. She comes 5 days a week, cleans the house, irons, cooks when I ask her to and makes beautiful Rangolis and flower arrangements.
So what do I do with all my free time? Besides shopping and blogging I have an active social life with coffee's and lunches and I will start volunteering soon for a project in a slum.
Life isn't too bad ;-)
The weather is lovely at the moment. It is in it's low 20's C, and we have had some rain in the last few weeks. I have been assured by Baburaj (our driver) that the rains will stop before Diwali. We are very lucky, weather-wise, in Bangalore. Most of the year the temperatures are in the low 20's C, only April and May tend to be in the low 30's. The monsoon season is very mild, with some showers, but no days-on-end-kind-of-rain. We can sit outside for most of the day and if it wasn't for the mosquito's, we could sit outside all night too.
Bangalore was known as The Garden City for a long time and it still very green, with lots of trees, but unfortunately it is expanding rapidly so a lot of green areas are disappearing. Our gated community, Adarsh Vista in Basavanagar (in case you want to look it up on Google maps), was build on an orchard and most of the fruit trees have been saved, so the houses have fruit trees in their gardens. Mango's, coconuts, pommelo's, bananas, papayas, jack fruit etc. We have only a very small garden on the side of the house and only one fruit tree at the front. It is a sapota- or cheeko tree and we had never heard of it before. The fruit looks a bit like a hairless kiwi. It has to be picked when it is still hard and then you have to keep it wrapped in a news paper for a few days till it goes soft. It is very sweet with a hint of coffee.
The house is finally starting to feel like a home. We have most of the furniture now, bought a carpet for the living room and one to hang on the wall. It was a daunting task to buy everything again after we had lost it all in Tripoli. It is big, but well designed. I will post some photos soon.
Shopping is both easy and hard here. Easy because there are lots of shops, I can buy basically everything in the main street just outside the gate, and hard because good quality is sometimes hard to find.
For the fresh produce I stay in our neighbourhood, with fruit and vegetables galore, for meat I have found a Catholic butcher where I can buy pork (not available at Muslim shops), beef (not at Hindu shops) and chicken at a good price and good quality. For the day to day groceries I can choose from many different super markets. After 2 months I have found my favourite shops and I am getting used to different names for some things. Because of the traffic it can take some time before I have bought everything on the shopping list, so I try to do the big shopping only a few times a week.
One thing I really had to get used to was fresh milk in a plastic bag. Only the long life milk comes in packs.
We have had a driver since day 1, Baburaj, and as much as I disliked having a driver in Tripoli (only the first 3 months till I had my license) I am happy to have a driver here. Bangalore is huge and somehow Baburaj knows everything, even if I only have a vague description of a shop or an area.
Traffic is chaos. Tripoli-traffic was bad, but it were only cars and after a while the "rules" were obvious. Here there are so many different vehicles and pedestrians, besides the fact that they drive on the left hand side of the road, that make it a challenge to navigate the roads. We did get (read buy) our drivers licenses, just in case, but we don't plan to drive.
Since the beginning of October I also have a maid, Kavitha. It took me a while to decide if I wanted a maid or not, but I am very happy I did. She comes 5 days a week, cleans the house, irons, cooks when I ask her to and makes beautiful Rangolis and flower arrangements.
So what do I do with all my free time? Besides shopping and blogging I have an active social life with coffee's and lunches and I will start volunteering soon for a project in a slum.
Life isn't too bad ;-)
Monday, 17 October 2011
FAQ? Not really ;-)
This week's theme is 'preparing for Diwali'. A lot of houses on our compound have been decorated with lights and the shops have special Diwali-discounts, -treats, -decorations and -clothes. Yesterday the couple from across the road came to invite us to the street party next week. But for us there will be no lights, no decorations, no new clothes, fireworks or street party this Diwali. We will be dressed in our swim wear for most of the days and only have the choice to lounge on the beach or at the pool side. We will be on Bandos Island, the Maldives!!! It is a very small island (can walk around it in 20 Min's) and we plan to do lots of relaxing, snorkeling, diving and swimming. The only thing we planned ahead is a dolphin trip on Sunday. 6 days of bounty island bliss!
So far I have had only a few comments on this blog and all but 1 were from Cow Road. Is that because she is VERY curious ;-) or is she the only one interested? (Just joking, but i would love to hear from more of the readers!!!)
The questions were about the house (will post some pictures soon, now it is starting to look a bit more presentable), the school (Canadian International), shopping (lots of shops, quite a few just outside our gate) and snakes (haven't seen them yet, TG, but cobras have been sighted on the compound YIKES).
Any more questions out there? I'll answer them properly in this coming week.
The boys will have a Diwali celebration at school coming Friday, so we bought them Kurtas and they look great in them. Will be a nice photo opportunity because all the pupils have to be dressed in local dress, so are the teachers and parents, and there will be singing and dancing!
So far I have had only a few comments on this blog and all but 1 were from Cow Road. Is that because she is VERY curious ;-) or is she the only one interested? (Just joking, but i would love to hear from more of the readers!!!)
The questions were about the house (will post some pictures soon, now it is starting to look a bit more presentable), the school (Canadian International), shopping (lots of shops, quite a few just outside our gate) and snakes (haven't seen them yet, TG, but cobras have been sighted on the compound YIKES).
Any more questions out there? I'll answer them properly in this coming week.
The boys will have a Diwali celebration at school coming Friday, so we bought them Kurtas and they look great in them. Will be a nice photo opportunity because all the pupils have to be dressed in local dress, so are the teachers and parents, and there will be singing and dancing!
Thursday, 13 October 2011
Out of town (or 'out of station' as they would say here)
Last Sunday we went on a trip to Nandi Hills, a granite monolith, about 2000 feet high, north of Bangalore. During the British rule, Nandi Hills was used to throw prisoners off. Last Monday a well known rocket scientist jumped to his death there. Luckily there were no casualties last Sunday (that we know of).
On the way over we missed the exit so we took a lovely road through the country side. Lots of little villages, farmland and animals.
We stumbled upon a big temple area and decided to go in and have a look, Coming through the gate we came into an open area with grass and walkways enclosed by a covered walkway along the walls. The first thing we noticed was a huge wooden cart. Unfortunately we couldn't find out what it was used for.
Joshua, Adriaan and I went into the actual temple area. We were a bit hesitant to leave our shoes behind after our last temple visit, but this time there was someone supervising. As soon as we entered a man dedicated himself to be our guide. He didn't speak any English and didn't understand it either. We could only make our "Shiva" and "Main temple". We were allowed to enter all the areas and even to take photos.
In the main temple we were blessed with smoke and holy water. It is expected to leave some money on the plate with the holy fire, so we did. When we continued our tour we found there were many more main temples... after 4 or 5 we had to take a peek inside from a distance, since all our small change had been used.
We drove from there to Nandi Hills along a small winding road through beautiful nature. Along the road were many groups of monkeys. We knew not to bring any food outside the car, because they will try to steel it.
Nandi Hills is a popular weekend trip, so we were not the only ones there. They say it is the favourite place for your couples and newly weds to go.
The views were great and we walked through the botanical gardens.
On the way back we had to stop frequently because Adriaan went trigger happy with the camera (when we came home he went into mr. Vandelete-mode and threw most photos out).
We also visited a Jain temple, but were were not allowed to take any photos there. There were 118 statues that were only different in colour and decoration.
Another fun day with the family!
On the way over we missed the exit so we took a lovely road through the country side. Lots of little villages, farmland and animals.
We stumbled upon a big temple area and decided to go in and have a look, Coming through the gate we came into an open area with grass and walkways enclosed by a covered walkway along the walls. The first thing we noticed was a huge wooden cart. Unfortunately we couldn't find out what it was used for.
Joshua, Adriaan and I went into the actual temple area. We were a bit hesitant to leave our shoes behind after our last temple visit, but this time there was someone supervising. As soon as we entered a man dedicated himself to be our guide. He didn't speak any English and didn't understand it either. We could only make our "Shiva" and "Main temple". We were allowed to enter all the areas and even to take photos.
In the main temple we were blessed with smoke and holy water. It is expected to leave some money on the plate with the holy fire, so we did. When we continued our tour we found there were many more main temples... after 4 or 5 we had to take a peek inside from a distance, since all our small change had been used.
We drove from there to Nandi Hills along a small winding road through beautiful nature. Along the road were many groups of monkeys. We knew not to bring any food outside the car, because they will try to steel it.
Nandi Hills is a popular weekend trip, so we were not the only ones there. They say it is the favourite place for your couples and newly weds to go.
The views were great and we walked through the botanical gardens.
On the way back we had to stop frequently because Adriaan went trigger happy with the camera (when we came home he went into mr. Vandelete-mode and threw most photos out).
We also visited a Jain temple, but were were not allowed to take any photos there. There were 118 statues that were only different in colour and decoration.
Another fun day with the family!
Friday, 7 October 2011
Mixed Emotions and Devotions
Festival season is a very colourful time in India. Along the roads little stalls appear selling palm leaves, flower garlands and fruits that are used for Pujaa.
As part of the festivities, we decorated the front door with flowers and Kavitha made a Rangoli on the doorstep. Rangolis are an old tradition in India. The patterns are made with fine sand/powder.
Yesterday was the day to give Pujaa to all machines, tools and transport that you depend on all year round. For instance cars, washing machines, hammers, computers and school books are all items that should be blessed. We had our car blessed in the temple and in the church.
First we had to decorate the car with symbols and flowers.
As part of the festivities, we decorated the front door with flowers and Kavitha made a Rangoli on the doorstep. Rangolis are an old tradition in India. The patterns are made with fine sand/powder.
Yesterday was the day to give Pujaa to all machines, tools and transport that you depend on all year round. For instance cars, washing machines, hammers, computers and school books are all items that should be blessed. We had our car blessed in the temple and in the church.
First we had to decorate the car with symbols and flowers.
First we went to a Ganesha temple. The car was parked on the side walk in front of the temple. The ritual was performed by a Brahman.
Our Pujaa was put in Ganesha's lap and the blessing began. First the car was sprinkeled with water.
Back inside the temple we were given some rice to throw at Gasnesha and then we had to throw some rice on the car. The little Ganesha on the dash board got a fair amount of rice too.
Then Ganesha was presented with a burning coconut and then again the car. To complete the ritual the coconut was smashed in front of the car.
Then it was our turn. We were blessed with smoke, got a dot on our head and had a little 'milk' to drink.
To complete the whole ceremony, a lemon was put in front of all 4 wheels. Driving over the lemons prevents driving over people or animals. Real animal blood used to be used for this, but animal rights campaigners have stopped it.
Before you enter a temple you have to take off your shoes and when we left Joshua's shoes were nowhere to be found. It seems like there is an Indian walking around Bangalore in size 46 sandals now...
Unfortunately Babu Raj's bag was stolen from the car too. There was nothing really valuable in it, just is coat, rain wear and the key from his motor bike. It put a real downer on our festive mood, but according to Hindu wisdom the thief that took Josh's shoes also took all his troubles away from him. A blessing in disguise.
We took a deep breath and went on our way to the Catholic Church. There the car was blessed with a prayer and holy water.
Look at Simon, a true angel!!!
I gather we have been sufficiently blessed to keep us safe on the Bangalore roads.
We decided to go to Babu Raj's house to pick up the spare key for his bike. His family welcomed us with open arm and we spend some time with them.
We were back home at 13:00hr, but it felt like we had been out for a full day.
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Party time!
Between September and December it is festival season in India. We are now in the middle of Navratri the Hindu festival of nine nights to celebrate Shakti, the Hindu Mother Goddess. "Nav" means Nine and Ratri means night. Last Friday we had Dandiya night on our compound and coming Thursday we will have our car blessed at a temple and at a church.
Dandiya night was great fun with lots of dancing. We had sore feet and cramping legs afterwards.
Dandiya night was great fun with lots of dancing. We had sore feet and cramping legs afterwards.
We were quite happy with our outfits!
Yesterday I had a celebration of my own: I turned 45! Adriaan and the boys gave me a pre-birthday-celebration on Sunday already, because Adriaan left for London Monday morning 3:30 and the boys had to go to school.
Babu Raj and his wife stopped by with flowers from Adriaan and flowers from them, and my new maid (hate that word) Kavitha gave me a lovely present too. I had lots of e-mails, phone calls, texts and messages on Facebook and Hyves. So nice to know people all over the world are thinking of me on my birthday.
In the evening a friend stopped by for coffee so I had a great day.
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