Time at the beach-freedom, turtles and a movie star

On Sunday afternoon we headed south to Fisherman's Cove Resort to release the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles. We decided to head a bit early and try to find a way on the beach with Bob and Margot's 4X4 SUV. After a few attempts at some bumpy "roads" we dropped Emily off at the resort to play with her friends as she was scared of getting stuck.

A nice drive trying to locate the beach

After several attempts we found our way to an isolated "clean" beach...yes in India we found this. We took Millie with us and did she love the beach. We she hopped out of their SUV she just ran and ran. I was worried that she wouldn't come back but eventually she turned around and ran the other direction. She played in the water and was intriqued with few pilings in the water that would appear and dissappear with the waves. When not splashing in the water she tried hard to catch crabs. It was great to see Millie and Logan run on the beach.

Freedom!

Trying to catch a crab

While Millie and Logan were running and playing Mason was driving. Yes, you read right, driving. Bob decided to teach Mason how to drive on the beach. What a perfect place, it's not like he could hit anything! Mason was a bit worried since he would have to shift with his left hand, but I reminded him he had never shifted with his right hand so it wouldn't matter. He really enjoyed it and did a good job!

Mason at the wheel (remember wheel is opposite side of the US)

Mason looking very grown up

We then headed to Fisherman's Cove to release the turtles. They are so tiny and cute! We were thrilled to have this experience but wish Ted could have been there for it. After we released the sea turtles someone saw a famous Indian movie star named Ilayathalapathi Vijay and I was able to get a photo with him (I did admit that I didn't know who he was!).

waiting for the tide to carry it out

on its way!

the girls having fun in the waves

Vijay

One snake, two snakes, tree snake, green snake

Snakes are in India! Finally after being in India over a year we actually saw snakes in the wild. Of course we had to organize a trip through a resort about 15 minutes south of us who in turn found a couple of snakes guys to guide us through the fields, the edge of a "lake" and rice paddies. A group of us went down and hunted snakes. Well, we just actually watched the 2 men poke through brush, dig holes, climb trees, etc.

The Snake Catcher

Our first find were scorpions, they looked pretty unfriendly especially when you could see the poison on their stinger. But then they had to be pretty unhappy to be dug out of their warm comfortable home.

Scorpion

One of the men wandered into the lake (actually it looks more like a wetland that catches water from the monsoon season) where he quickly caught a water snake. While Logan held the water snake it seemed to literally tie a know around his hand.

Logan with water snake

The next snake we saw was a big rat snake! It was probably around 6 ft and was found coiled up in a bush. I am not sure how the guy saw it but he did. After seeing all these snakes so cleverly camouflaged I now see our yard in new eyes. I know there are snakes out there, we just can't see them, which is probably for the best. The rat snake got held by just about everyone except Mason and our friend's son Liam. In fact we teased Liam as he came fully prepared with his whistle just in case he needed to scare of a big snake. It turns out Mason is like Ted and his regards of snakes...doesn't think they should exist! Logan on the other hand does seem to enjoy handling them, I suspect this summer he will be busy catching gardener snakes. Even I took a turn holding the snake which as you can see I didn't really enjoy. I don't mind seeing a snake I just don't want it wrapped around my neck.

Logan holding rat snake with Mason observing

Jennifer and Fraser holding the snake

More relaxed...Liam (with the whistle) off to the side just checking it out

The next snake we came across was probably the coolest of all, a green snake. Now as far as we know none of these snakes were poisonous. This little snake though did bit the snake catcher on the top of the hand. It has really tiny serrated teeth. This snake was just beautiful, if you can say that about snakes! It looked just like a piece of grass. Whenever I see an animal it always make me think how incredible clever God was to create these incredibly unique animals! It look like a blade of grass! It was hard to photo this little guy because it was so fast. It was probably around 2 1/2ft long and was lightening fast.

examining the bite

The green snake being released

While on our walk we witnessed ladies doing laundry. No electric washing machine here...just a body of water, a few rocks and some soap. It is just so amazing witness the drastic differences in our lives. The little kids had fun splashing in the water while their mom's did the washing. I am sure the clothes then got spread out on the ground or hung over a line.

The last snake found was a tree snake...in a tree, go figure! The man climbed up the tree and brought it down, I don't know how on earth they found it. It was in the process of shedding it's skin which looked kind of cool. One neat thing about him is part of him would become a light blue of shade when he took a breath.

the molting tree snake (note the tip of its mouth)
There were some people gathering some bundles of some sort of a plant in which was then spread on the road. The ideas was to get cars to drive over it to get the seeds from the plants. An older couple then was taking some of the plant and twisting it into twine.

making twine

drying it on the road
The journey was just about complete when we found the fresh skin of a Saw Scaled Viper, a small but deadly snake. It is only gets about 18 inches long and when it bites you may not even feel the bite until it is too late! The snake catchers looked around for the owner of the skin but couldn't locate it (I think that was a good thing!).

Over all it was a great experience, I wish we could have seen a cobra but oh well! It was once again another memory we shall have forever!

Sports Day

This past week Emily and Logan each had a sports day. It was nice as this year they each had separate days which made it easier on me. A mother's biggest challenge is being in two or three places at once! The kids participated in 50m dash, 100m dash, sack race, dress the teacher, balloon pop, obstacle course, etc. They both had loads of fun.

India Week

Our school recently had India week, a week in which the kids learned about the food, dances, songs and cultures in India. At the end of the week the elementary children performed in a India week program. It is always so interesting to see the different blend of children on stage in their bright Indian outfits. Emily sang an Indian song in with her class and Logan performed an Indian dance. Emily wore her sari and looked just beautiful. Logan wore his Indian dress- a kurta and pants, he really wanted to wear his jeans but reluctantly put on his Indian pants! Mason who was not in the program wore his doti as most of the kids wore some Indian attire. Mason thankfully had Sundar help him put it on as there is a trick to it. I think they each looked very stunning! The only thing really annoying about the program, or any programs at our school is the noise. Some of the noise came from the students but most of the noise came from the parents. As our school is made up off so many different cultures some groups do not know how to be quiet at events. It was so frustrating the entire time there were a group of ladies talking loudly (not in English) the entire time. Let's just say if looks could have injured they would be seriously wounded.

Jane Goodall in Chennai

This weekend the kids and I had the opportunity to attend a cocktail party hosted by our neighbors Dave and Liz. I must say we had so much fun witnessing the whole setup. They set up tables and chairs outside and strung beautiful lights through out the trees. I remember watching Jane Goodall when I was a child, how amazing that she lived with these chimp and almost became a part of their family. How incredible it was to see and speak with her! Once again, another incredible opportunity while living in India! She showed a brief movie of her time in the jungle and gave a short speech, unfortunately I had to cut my time short as I had to rush to a Scottish Burns Night party at Alan and Juliet's! More on that night later! And once I get some pictures of the kids and I with Jane Goodall I will post them.

On a side night we have survived 3 days with out Ted...only 25 more days left. The great news is that he arrived safely, all was fine at our home and today he is at his new job!

Oh deer

The other day while in the city there was a deer on the sidewalk (yes this part did have sidewalks) ! It really took me by surprise as you just don't see deer in the city. We were not too far from the IT campus where deer and monkeys can be found in abundance but they just stay on the large campus. But this deer ventured out into traffic.

The plan

It appears that we will be moving back in June which allows the kids to finish a whole year at AISC. I am really thankful for this. School is going really well for the kids! Mason received the High Honor Roll award for 1st semester, Logan got a great report card and really seems to be getting math now and Emily is loving school and reads all the time! Plus Logan is enrolled in after school soccer and Emily is in glass painting and jewelry making. By moving home in June everyone can finish what they started and we can prepare for the move back. The only downside in all this means that Ted will be spending a lot of time in the US over these next months. He leaves this Saturday in the wee hours to head back to the US for 4 weeks. Hopefully time will pass quickly for all of us, the kids will behave and Mason is able to help Logan with math!