Elijah's Newest Interests - Capes and Backpacks

Lately Elijah has wanted Mommy and Daddy to tie his blanket, or towel, or Mommy's dupata around his neck so that it can hang from the back. Then he likes to walk around the house or outside like he's a superhero (not that he knows what that is), jedi, or just someone cool. 

Here's Elijah looking out the window and pondering what his next big move or rescue will be;)

Elijah's favorite TV show is Dora. The first word he learned from Dora was 'backpack', and every since then he's wanted to wear a backpack. So, Neal found him a little one that he can wear to carry his water and some toys when we go places. He loves it!

Too Cute!

Visiting Neal's Language Helper's Family

Neal's language helper's family lives in Delhi. He's told us on many occasions that we should go visit his family while we're in Delhi. This one particular time, since he would be there as well, we decided to take him up on his offer.


He and his family were thrilled when we arrived. He came out to meet us at the car and immediately took Elijah in his arms. His brother's son is just one and a half years older than Elijah, so they were anxious to have them meet.

His father owns a clothing export business, and they live above the small factory. Here, to the right, is the guys at the door of the factory and their home.

In Indian culture when close friends or honored guests come to visit your home you all sit on the master bed together (if you can fit). This is also where you eat some snacks and drink chai. If you don't offer your guests something to drink and at least two snacks to eat you're considered rude (sadly, I've been 'rude' quite a bit...though it hasn't seemed to stop people from coming to my house:). 

They actually intended for us to eat a meal with them, but when we told them we could only come in the afternoon, they didn't just offer two snacks...you can see the spread of food - quite elaborate. 

Elijah's favorite was the cookies, of course, and he ate probably seven or eight of them. If we didn't have the whole family practically watching and rejoicing over Elijah's love of what they provided I would have stopped him after two. 

The family was so sweet! When we arrived the mom and aunt embraced me, and rubbed my back. (When we were leaving the aunt kissed my cheek, and then had to wipe the red lipstick off:) They were overly kind and gentle with us, and we were very blessed to receive their hospitality. To the left is Neal's language helper, his dad, and the grandson.

They all wanted to walk us back to the car in order to be with us as long as possible. So sweet! We hope to go back and visit them again.

(Neal's language helper told me later that his mom and aunt loved me so much. He said they thought, since I was an American, that I would be stiff and a little snooty. But, I went right up to them, hugged them, smiled, and seemed to really enjoy their company - and they just loved me:) 

Last days in our city with Ray-Ray

Rachel stayed one more week with us than my parents did, here is a recap... 

She went with me one day to the hospital to visit our friend's father who was dying (more to come). 

Here is a photo of her with some of 

our friend's family members.

Elijah and Rachel got to spend time with Hudson. Elijah loved seeing him.

We were invited to an engagement party while we were here,
but apparently we failed to realize that it was a Sic holiday...
traffic was terrible, and only one street could get us there!

This was the view of the train station
that was empty right across the way from
the completely crowded street.

Elijah fell asleep while we were on our way.
We were stuck! 

   Since nothing was working out we came back towards our home and ate at the tasty vegetarian restaurant. 

   

Our family enjoyed eating with Rachel and we all liked the food. 

Rachel enjoyed having some TimTam slam action... reminded her of her time in Australia.

Basically you just did the chocolate cookie in the drink and 

slurp it like a straw before dropping it in your mouth... yum!

One day our gatekeeper's kids brought us some flowers from a wedding that they went to.

Rachel really liked the downstairs family and Elijah always likes meeting them too.

We met some friends at the local restaurant. 

Rachel helped Elijah learn how 

to shoot the basketball again. 

He still needs practice. 

GB would be proud.

Rachel rocked Elijah to sleep 

one of the nights.

He really misses her now. 

She was a lot of help.

Our sweeper

In India there are people that actually make a profession of going about sweeping the floors
(there is alot of dust). It is not the highest paying job but it does bring income!

Elijah decided to practice for the job... he really wants an allowance.

Here he is pushing the broom.                                     And here he decided to take a break and 

He usually hits the same spot over and over.                observe how our sweeper does it.

He still needs more practice but he's getting the hang of it!

Dangers of driving

There are plenty of dangers in driving here, although 

honestly there seem to be much fewer wrecks than the states. 

I think that this is because it is much easier to navigate motorcycles 

 and bicycles than cars. These two wheelers seem to be able to stop or 

move just at the nick of time.

However, accidents do happen... 

In one day I saw 2 wrecks while on the road.

This one involved a car swerving into the same turn as the motorcycle.

It is common for people on motorcycles to go too fast and then assume 

that the road is theirs... not slowing down for cars, they should "always" make 

room right? Not so. 

What was sad was that guy on the bike had a small kid that was crying. 

They all seemed fine but a crowd was brewing and the guy on the bike tried to 

fight the car owner.

He was explaining the scene to someone. I needed to go.

The next wreck was not as fresh, but more startling...

A crowd had gathered to see the carnage. Then I realized what I was seeing...

A car had swerved and struck a bicycle rickshaw... sending them both into the ditch.

This was right in front of a guy's hostel at the university. The rickshaw driver was taken to 

the hospital with quite serious injuries while the car driver was fine. Everyone was trying to 

figure out how to get the vehicles out of the ditch.

This is the problem of the crowding here: car meets pedestrian/ bicycle/ motorcycle... 

who do you think will win?

I don't know how to improve the safety here, but I think the roads getting smoothed up may help. The lack of planning for these highly populated roads has really caused many of the problems.

That is the situation, no one really has any good answers for these permanent problems.

Only in India #38

Only in India....

Limitless passengers.

Don't worry, I'm sure that they have seat belts on that luggage rack.

I want to do this before my time is up here... living on the wild side.

Notice the 2 ladder clingers, That truck is going by at almost 40 mph, and cars are passing on the bumpy road on all sides... all for a cheap 30 cent ride!

The crazy thing is that these busses (certain ones) have schedules (that they are usually behind on) and therefore are actually the fastest and most dangerous object on the road, swinging and shifting in and out of traffic.

If the many pedestrians and holes in the road were not enough danger for you then we added the horse drawn cart and tractors to add excitement!!

Only in India #37

Only in India...

Roadside essays on the freeways....

How in the world are you supposed to read that at 50 mph???