We are back in the US for several weeks. While many people in Chennai travel a lot over summer break we are just back in our home and have several trips planned to various locations in the Midwest over the summer. For some this may seem boring but for us it is a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the city life in Chennai. At our house in Illinois we only see around 20 cars a day, hear no horns and can actually get junk mail 6 days a week! The kids can hike in the woods, camp out, fish in the river and ride their dirt bikes. It is a fun time for the kids to be able to get in touch with the great outdoors again where there is no fear of any poisonous snakes...not that I have seen one in India. Plus it is fun to see grandparents, family and friends again. It was such a awesome site to see the kids see their close friends after being away for so long. Totally priceless. There are some bonuses to being stateside again...western toilets with toilet paper, drinking fountains with good water, good beef, traffic that flows in an orderly fashion, clean roadsides, salad in a bag, peeled baby carrots, etc. But life in India is really pretty good after all in the US I have to open my own door, carry my groceries, do the laundry, dishes and housework, drive myself and be called by my first name instead of ma'am! I may just be ready to head back to India! One advantage to being away from the US for awhile makes us appreciate our government. When you see a policeman you know that the person being stopped won't be able to bribe their way out of a ticket. I seem to see open fields with a new perspective, the grass is so green, crisp and clean.
The trip to the US was uneventful. The flights were smooth and we were able to sleep off and on. Coming from India to the US I feel is easier as far as jet lag as the flight didn't leave until 1:45 am so we were so tired when we took off we slept for a while. The kids griped (and me too) about flying in economy class, but that was our only option. It is pretty bad when you hear a seven year old complaining to her playmate about flying economy instead of business! I didn't know the difference until a few years ago.
We left Millie and Cleo in India with some friends of ours. They seem to be adjusting fine and are making themselves at home. When my friend goes out for a long time during the day she drops Millie off at our house to visit with our staff. I had to chuckle when one of our guards thought Millie was never coming back...he was really sad!
I am writing this post from Indiana. We are visiting Ted's family for the weekend. The weather is beautiful, low 80's and sunny. Today we are going to be having a cookout and we requested that anything but chicken be served!
Stay tuned this summer as I still have photos to share from adventures that I just never took the time to write about.
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Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
What time is it?
Illinois:
Indiana and Florida:
Chennai, India:
4 comments:
Nice post. I like your viewpoints on the change in lifestyles.
Since my two year stay in Chennai 99-01 and subsequent visits, I have noticed certian things that are more open in India (ie. bribery to cops) that I did not think exist here, actually do in different ways. For instance, did you know that people who are relatives of cops in U.S. can get a card or sticker for their car and if they are pulled over show that sticker/card and give the name of their family in the police force and they are instantly forgiven? I know this was true for different things like speeding and parking tickets and tinted glass (which in NY is illegal)....
Enjoy your stay in Illinois in the country side.. a bit envious here!!
Nice to come across your blog. Came through www.desipundit.com.
Well, I am from Chennai and was in Schaumburg, Illinois for more than a year. Guess, we had exactly opposite experiences.
:-)
Read all the posts of your blog at one go. :-)
Hey, don't rub it in too much. We are in China and can't really enjoy the same things as you but the food is really good here. Y's mom can really cook. Having trouble blogging though. Seems it is blocked in China.
Disney HK was real nice. I recommend HK as a weekend trip definately. Better than Singapore. Prettier with all the same conveniences.
Always like reading/hearing about India through foreign eyes. I remember my first time abroad, when I went to live in North Carolina. In my apartment complex, my first thought was "Where are all the people?". I saw more cars than I saw people. What I envy most though is the great outdoors in the USA; there is hardly a big stretch of outdoors which is not inhabited in India.
Enjoy your time home, m'am! :)
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