Winding Down (Kazipet and Hyderabad) By Joe

It's been great coming back to Hyderabad and spending more time with Chandru and Sireesha. They have been awesome and provided us with a home away from home. They have made our trip so comfortable and no ask has been too great. Ravi the same, we have spent all our time with Ravi and only separated during the time we had in Bangalore, Agra and Kerala. Ravi has been amazing with his time and taking almost 2 months off from his daily work to spend time with us and making sure we are so well looked after. We hope we can find a way of returning the favour back to them somehow.

While back in Hyderabad we've been able to find our small creature comforts here. I have been able to indulge in things that I have missed including Gnocchi, Pizza and Johnny Walker Black.

Gabby dancing to "It's Tricky - Run DMC" in between shopping trips. Seat belts are optional.

Kazipet

It was great to spend time in Kazipet away from the hussle and bussle of the bigger cities and spend time with family and getting to know them so well.  I am now the most favourite Uncle and In-law :) I enjoyed spending time with everyone.

Farewell Drinks

We have had farewell drinks in cafes, in homes and in terraces. The whole past week we have spent time preparing and having farewell drinks. We have also spent ample time and money practicing having farewell drinks. We even practiced farewell drinks at the Hard Rock Café. The Hard Rock Café was a great surprised we ventured in only because Gabby had been craving pasta for 2 weeks. Honestly say I had one of the nicest burger I have ever had at the Hard Rock Café.

Drinking buddies - Indi and Naveen. Indi just wait until you come to Melbourne.

A Giving Heart

Daniel continues to confirm for us the generous and caring heart he has for the world around him. He would often ask me for money to give to poor people begging on the street and walking in between cars seeking food or money. He now has money in his pockets for the sole reason of offering it the poor. To us the money we are giving is so little but to them it makes such a difference. I feel so blessed that God has given Daniel such a compassionate heart. 

Journey Home

I venture home alone while Esther and the kids spend a further 2 weeks in India. I take home a mountain of memories and new and rekindled relationships. Esther asked me whether I was sick of India. My response was "No I love India... but I'm ready to go home now but will glad to come back"

Next Adventure

We are already talking about our next trip to Italy. We are hoping to coincide the trip with mum's 75th birthday. Although mum doesn't know yet. Our next trip to India as a family may not be for a little while.

Chennai

A city filled with friends, family and memories.

From previous memories, Chennai to me was a rough place, exhaustingly hot and tiring, although, my friend Jaykumar and my cousins made it more than worthwhile.

I hadn't seen my cousins for 19 years, so much had changed. We are now at the same stage of our lives (as I haven't aged!!), married, kids and settled. It was nice to spend the little time we had together with them, dancing, eating watching our children enjoy each others company and playing with their dog, Harley. I think Joe missed 'Cuddles' our Golden Retriever as he played with Harley, a beautiful 3 yr old Golden Retriever. Joe said that he must be 'Cuddle's' cousin.

  

Joe with 'Cuddle's cousin 'Harley'

My beautiful cousin with our kids

New Year's Eve
This was a beautiful experience (rooftop terrace experience!). What I loved was that we were invited to a beautiful small family event, and although we were outsiders, Jaykumar's family made sure that we were looked after and made comfortable. The food... well what can I say? I could live here!!!What was even more beautiful, was witnessing how much Jay loves his sisters and how much they love him in return. They came together with all their families, we shared the meal, we watched the kids enjoy entertaining us with their dance programs and we watched the endless fireworks from all angles of the terrace.

Something to pray for or to be challenged by:
Sometimes in our western culture, we are used to doing things our own way, not interfering with the extended family matters and having our own space. That the children had security and love and that they could stay so close to one another without thinking about their own personal space. So refreshingly wonderful to watch. We are all here to love and support one another, and God gave us our family to do just that!

soaking wet- The best

  

My cousin Ravi and Joe having fun

the next gen of cousins

Oh No Triple Trouble
It is quite scary to see how similar the Zacharias sisters are. How did my grandma and grandpa cope with such strong willed, overly confident and headstrong women, I have no idea!!
Really funny to hear them sing and dance. They make up their own words to the same nursery rhymes and dance exactly the same. Oh no I think I am turning out to be like them, according to Sarah


My mum's sisters and brother-in law