Bangalore life

Bangalore is such an organised city. We are staying in the high-tech area, so there are very little houses, more I.T buildings and therefore hotels.  The shopping centres here are massive and very different to Australia. Security is high and you need to have your receipts checked at every level. I am amazed how much it has changed, but it has been 17 years.  The fast food chains are more like massive restaurants and seem to be the place to be to go on dates for many young loves.

Duma Duma mustard hair
We have spent a good time resting in our hotel, visiting the pool and watching the Disney channel or Bollywood songs. We have had fun dancing on the bed to a song which sounded like they said 'dum dum, mustard hair.' Daniel has learnt the pelvic thrust move and Gabby has learn the tunes to Hindi songs. They are both practicing there moves wherever we go now. Sarah pretends she does not know them!

Hotel friends
We have made many friends here from all parts of India, down stairs in the dining area (all of the waiters). I think I will get them to all write something to us in their own language tomorrow morning.
The food, like usual is outstanding and the hospitality is exceptional.

Poor Joe has been working from 8- 6:30pm each day whilst here, but the night life is bigger here, so he doesn't really miss out.

Daniel- "We have watched Disney movies and they are all my favourite and there's pretty stuff outside our window. There is also lots of Indian dancing on tv"

Expression of Love

Love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12
What a beautiful family day, although travelling in a car with 12 people for 2 hours one way, is not comfortable, the time spent was precious. Off to celebrate the opening of an 'old people's home' in memory of my grandparents. My beautiful Aunty bought a small house where a few elderly people can stay if they have no one to care for them.

This was amazing, as she herself doesn't have much, but felt the need to buy a small house to help others. Here I also caught up with some people I hadn't seen for well over 20 years.

 

Sarah and Daniel loved meeting their cousins for the first time and playing up on the flat roof of the house. Gabby was intrigued by all the stray animals roaming around. ( goats, cows, dogs, cats, buffaloes, and enjoyed her little cousins company.

Real life GPS navigation experience. 
This would have to be the funniest moment so far!
 After an exhausting day travelling on Indian roads, we decided to stay at a friend's house near the airport to reduce the stress of the next morning flight. Of course, my cousin had no idea where this place was, and there are no real directions or proper addresses. E.g house  43, near large supermarket, level 2, left near music park.

We stopped at least 10 times every km to ask directions from anyone on the side of the road. They were hopeless GPS navigators and we were all in hysterics at their directs and the way we were getting around. Watching Daniel's face was the best, he could not stop laughing!

 

Beautiful Bangalore 
Arrived to a much cleaner and organised city and relaxed in a beautiful hotel, we we make it our home till Saturday.

Can someone guess what Joe ordered last night for dinner? (It wasn't pizza, so that is still to come). Poor Joe, it was totally different, way too spicy and he couldn't eat it....

The view from our room is once again amazing and challenging. Watching the neighbouring people walk to work on the dusty road and little children playing, showering, brushing their teeth in front of small sheds, they call home.

Charminar

Charminar - Hyderabad
History- An old fortress with 4 towers ('char' = '4' in Hindi), where soldiers once climbed the top to gain first sights of their enemies. Now an over populated market place, with record breaking numbers of soldiers, army tanks, police etc. waiting religious and political riots.

Charminar

Why go there? Because it is a popular landmark, with the old Mogul style markets and handicrafts. Although saying that, I would never want to go there again!

Unbelievable seeing an ancient Muslim monument in a Muslim city have a small  Hindu temple built in the middle of it. Now considering these two religions don't see eye to eye, no wonder there is so much tension in this area! We also found out that there was a bombing last week where many were killed. As you could imagine, I held onto my children, prayed and hated the experience. Thanks to God and all praying for our safety.

Hyderabad biryani
They are meant to make the best Biryani, and all I can say is "Yumm, the BEST!"

 

Biryani

Something to pray for or be challenged by
Daniel got a glimpse of true poverty and it was difficult for him to take in.We crossed a busy street, where Daniel saw a young Boy, around (10-12yrs) carrying a little child (we assumed his sister). This boy was crying and walking and had worn out clothes. He was not begging, just walking the opposite path to us. Daniel straight away felt for this boy and his sister. Perhaps he was putting himself in his shoes, since Daniel often cares for his younger sister, Gabby.

He began to ask questions, and I gave some possible scenarios, such as he is poor, lost, homeless, no parents, "I just don't know Daniel." That wasn't good enough for him, yet because we were on a very scary part of Hyderabad, we walked by before we could help these children.

Once in a shop, waiting for my cousin to buy shoes, Daniel kept on telling me to ask Dad to find him, or my cousin to find him. He began to tear, so I prayed with Him, "God I am sorry we didn't give anything to those children, look after them, help them in their life and painful situation and if we pass them by, don't let us miss the opportunity to give them something, Amen"

We left the shop, and hopped in an 'auto'. My cousin gave money in my hand and told me to pay the auto driver, yet as we approached the corner, that young boy was there, with the young girl. I couldn't believe it, and shared with Daniel and Sarah about our answered prayer, and the money I had in my hand had to go to him.

Daniel's answered prayer, was for Daniel, that boy and all of us. Yes there was a possibility that the boy was begging was being forced into begging by a higher predator, BUT nevertheless, God wanted Daniel to know that his compassionate heart, doesn't go unnoticed.

Joe is snoring away, so I'll upload the photos tomorrow. xxx

Finally Here!!!

18/11- 'What a great way to fly'
What a long long trip. We are in Singapore for another hour waiting to board, and then 4 more hours till we arrive in South India (Hyderabad). The plane was so cool. We had the best food, inflight movies, snuggly blankets and fluffy pillows.
Singapore airport is modern and beautiful. They have two beautiful mosiac gardens which are filled with orchids and a tranquil pond with massive Asian goldfish.

Gabby- Absolutely amazing on the plane and it is wonderful to watch her explore and be excited with this experience.

Daniel- So cute as he became teary saying goodbye to 'Cuddles' (Our dog). On the flight we heard nothing but Daniel talking asking endless amount of questions.
Sarah- Loved the sleep, food and 4 animations she watched.

21/11 - Unbelievable India
From the time the airplane had landed we could smell India, the pollution and dust, nevertheless touchdown was overwhelmingly exciting. Seeing my cousins after 17 years did it to me. The travel in the car was hilarious as the kids could not believe the noise.

This photo does not do reality justice. This bus was packed the rafters

Sarah- "How is everyone going to fit in this car?" When we started driving, I could not believe that there were people on the side of the road just going to the toilet. There are so many motorbikes. This was scary driving in Indian traffic. Every second there was someone beeping at somebody, and dodging cars. No wonder we passed so many hospitals. I can't believe that most people do not follow the road rules.

From the terrace of Cousin Sireesha's house overlooking Hyderabad

Something to pray for or be challenged by:
Driving home from the airport, seeing how many people are homeless, even sleeping next to large hotels with vacant signs.

Oh my Dan the man.
Some funny questions Daniel asked this morning:
How do you sharpen a knife?
Why are there no seat belts in India?

Daniel, No Comment - Joe

India on the balcony- 
Our first day in Hyderabad! Wow the noise pollution!! We woke up earlier than everyone else and I went out to experience India on the balcony with my kids. The could not believe the noises of motorbikes, trucks, scooters, and lorrys. They are fascinated by the amount of people, stray dogs, dust and watching young children and babies on motorbikes with their mums holding on, whilst their dads dodge through the traffic.

Every morning as Gabby wakes up , she asks" can I see the Indian people?" which means, can see go out on the balcony. what will she see today??

Street Sweepers from Gabby's Balcony :)

Oh my Dan the man.
Daniel, not seeing women fully covered in burkas, innocently, yelled to us to come to the balcony as he thought they were kidnappers. I spend the next 10 min explaining, that these people were women covered up because of their faith and that we are in a Muslim city. Daniel asked if God loved them. I said " He sure does!"

What's next?
Joe heads to Bangalore for work to meet the many colleagues and friends he has dealt with over the years. He can't wait to get to Bangalore

Something to pray for or be challenged by:
Last night we went out to a nice restaurant and ate like royalty. Thanks to my cousins. When we arrived home, noticed that there were people sleeping in the underground car park of our apartments. I found out that this family are the 'apartment watchman's. They literally sleep among the cars on the floor on a mat. their toothbrushes and belongings (if any) are there beside them.

We're off and away...

So after much thought, planning and dreaming we are off. The first time we are going to India as a family. All of us having different emotions about India.

• Joe is excited about the unknown and about the opportunities to see a new land. Also happy to meet colleagues and friends he has come to know. He also can not wait to meet the other side of the family
• Esther- My family, my beautiful grandma's memories, spending time with my family, travelling with my sister, meeting all sorts of people and of course the food!!
• Sarah- "I am excited about going to India (overseas) for the first time and learning cartooning and other art from my mum's cousins." (they have animated for 'The Simpsons', Barbie movies and 'The adventures of Peter Pan etc.' (Aunty Sireesha and Uncle Chandu)
• Daniel is quite apprehensive and cautious as he already believes he has been to India having spent 2 weeks in Sydney and meeting 75% of the Sydney Indian population at his Grand father's house. Daniel famously quoting "I don't like Indian Weetbix"... pointing to the Vita Brits. We obviously don't import them to Melbourne.
• Gabby is Gabby. She is going with the flow without any care in the world. She'll be more concerned that we haven't packed most of wardrobe and her blanket. She is limited to one dress change a day!
• Nimmi (Ammama)- P.S; PLEASE READ IN INDIAN ACCENT- "Well, actually you know, my curries are much hotter and tastier!"

Look out for our stories as we embark on many cities and towns across India including Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Kerala and Chennai (Amongst many others)