Neal Getting the New Flat Ready

Neal had been going everyday to our new flat for quite some time making sure that the workers were doing their job to get the flat ready. He'd go with our new landlord different places to pick up odds and ends that needed to be installed. He wanted the place to be perfect for Elijah and I, and for that I'm very grateful. Here's some photos of the guys working...there were a lot of guys.

Curtain rods being installed

Plumbing being completed

Faucets, knobs, and sinks getting installed

More curtain rods

Two guys who work as assistants to the landlord who like to come supervise and see Elijah

Floor getting sawed because the screen door is too long for the length of the doorframe, and therefore it wouldn't close. The fact that they cut the marble and cement floor to fix the problem makes me laugh. 

Last Day Living with the Family

The last day with the family was more sad than I (Kristen) expected. I was very excited about moving into my new home because I loved it and all the space Elijah would have to crawl around. However, when we gave them and our other neighbor hugs goodbye, and had them all stand at the gate and wave as they watched us drive away, I couldn't help but cry. They are my dear friends and I'll miss them being just steps away. 

Here's some videos from our last evening there in their house, and the day we left.

The little boy and girl are always so helpful with Elijah! When we were getting all the little things packed to have the flat completely empty they took Elijah in his stroller to help us out (and because they love being with Elijah).

The blessing is that I know they don't live far from our new place so we'll still be able to visit and hang out.

Only in India # 16

Only in India, is there so much paperwork and so many formalities, that if a foreigner wants to get a motorcycle- he is told that "it is not possible" because he needs to purchase a vehicle before buying the number plates that he cannot get. So as he goes to purchase the vehicle he is told that they will not sell it to him because he cannot get the number plates (the sad thing is that many of these are simply painted on and never checked). I feel I am going in circles just to get a simple scooter!

Sorry.. I am venting. God will work it out.

Only in India # 15

Only in India do men strip down to their skibbies (undies) and create a human "lift" to carry piles of dirt  up 4 flights of stairs to the roof in order to keep the "dhoop" or heat from reaching the top floor.

4 flights of stairs! This is all done by skinny dudes in the 110 degree heat while the manager chills downstairs. And it is all done for about the max of 2-4 dollars a day.

Sorry! No pics... use your imagination.

Bath Time

 They don't have bathtubs here, so we bought a round tub that people use for washing clothes or dishes in to bathe Elijah. Where we used to live, when we lived with the family, we would give Elijah a bath out in the living room or in our bedroom. We weren't concerned about him splashing water all over the floor because we knew it would dry very quickly with the intense heat.  

Elijah Laughing at Mama

Only in India #14

Only in India am I (Kristen) the tallest women around regardless of where I go. Not only taller than all Indian women, but taller than most men as well.