The first few days with Jules and Claudia were fun. They had to get used to the time difference and they were somewhat overwhelmed with the different culture!!!
They keep saying, you can't describe what it's like here and I totally agree!!!
I love what Poppy says: "every mile is an opportunity for a million pictures, and even then you couldn't describe India; it is a country of unbelievable extremes"
Here are some things Claudia wrote in her e-mails to her family and friends:
Nati loves it here. She has a cleaning lady come in for a half hour every morning, never has to do dishes, has their own personal driver at their disposal during the week (rob drives the car on weekends) and has all the amenities of the apartment complex which we are enjoying so much. Love tennis and the indoor and outdoor pool. Nice size gym, too. The apartment complex is only about a year old so it's not fully rented out yet.
Can you imagine cooking and not having to clean up? It's the best!!! I do feel guilty sometimes.
Their apartment building opens up to acres and acres of wilderness and open land with huge rock formations and we can see it all from their balcony on the 9th floor where we can watch goats with their shepherd and also cows grazing and even saw a peacock a couple days ago. Nati had never seen one here before.
This is the adventure of my lifetime! And I'm not sure if it's mainly because we are living with locals or that it's the most different culture I've ever been apart of. It's true that every time we go out with their driver (weekdays while rob is working) we see new things even on the same streets. Rob does fantastic at driving in this crazy traffic, too. And Nati knows all the neat places to take us. We do try different restaurants and a couple days ago ate Chinese for lunch that was outstanding. Rob got home late last night and brought home some Chicken Tandoori which was fabulous. Everything is an adventure here:) Kelli was so envious that we were having naan bread at the cafe by the pool the other night. And it's so cheap!
Can't put into words how wonderful it is to be here with everyone and witness this different culture. Never thought I'd get to India. I think every day what a great opportunity this is. Venkat did a u-turn yesterday so we could take pictures of two oxen with a huge load of dried hay down the main street. Other days we've seen the buffalo or bull cows charging out into the busy streets. Drivers here don't have road rage because they know that if you don't claim your spot on the road, that someone else will take it. If you pass on the left or right (they drive on the left) you sound the horn when passing because everyone is darting all over the place (no lanes) and the driver is only responsible for the FRONT of the car. When you're behind someone you know you are responsible for not hitting them but they can move into you and that's okay. So if the lead car is darting then the cars behind will follow. You really have to be on your toes. AND remember that most cars don't have brake lights, front lights or turn signals. Another thing hard to describe:)
When I got out of the car to take a picture of a temple yesterday, some guy took pictures of me. Nati says she has had that happen a lot. People aren't used to seeing the white skin and blonde hair.
Here are some pictures Claudia took:
* A guy cutting coconuts at the side of the street
* Nathali and Venkat drinking coconut water
* A Picture at the temple Claudia took
* A statue of Ghandi at the assembly of Hyderabad
* The picture of an Ox Cart with Hay claudia took
* Claudia took a picture of the hardware store I buy things
* She also had to take a picture of the chicken center near our house
* I love the hut with the blue door near our house. It's amazing to see how people live in huts and tents
* Claudia loves her Chinese Fast Food, situated next to our complex
* There was a tent next to our complex where they sold Ayurvedic medicine and I just thought this sign was so funny!!!!!
