Monsoon heat and Maya's birthday

Growing up, one of my deepest fears was that feeling of being trapped in close spaces; claustrophobia. At times I remember it as a debilitating feeling that governed some of the decisions that I made—go in the closet or no? Allow siblings to bury me in sand or no? etc. With time I was able to rationalize that fear away and it was all but forgotten until coming to India. No, we haven’t felt the swell of massive crowds that we expected here, for me the feeling has returned with a vengeance in the form of heat. This is not the hottest place I’ve lived (not yet at least) but the type of heat combined with the humidity is oppressive in a completely new way. Heat in Colorado, though sometimes over 100 degrees F, is escapable; you find some shade, you can go indoors, step into a breeze, or go to the mountains. Here the heat is an inescapable sauna. It is like wearing a sopping wet hot towel; like being trapped in a 104 degree hot tub and not allowed to get out. The air is thick here as if you can grab it, take a bite out of it, swat it away. But you can’t, it is always there. This is the inescapable, nauseating, claustrophobic feeling of monsoon India. To illustrate my point, here’s a quick example: since our arrival we have taken to playing ultimate Frisbee a couple of times a week. Each time I’ve gone I’ve remembered to bring an extra shirt (originally my thought was that I could change into it for the walk home and not be too disgusting upon arrival). In fact, I’ve been so sweaty and indeed ‘weighed down” by my shirt that I’ve changed my shirt half way through the game each time. With each of my shirts after playing Frisbee for an hour and a half, I am able to wring out a couple of cups of water/sweat. The same is true for my shorts which cling as if by static to my legs. Moral of the story: To my sweaty brethren, be glad you are not here.

 It was Maya’s birthday this past week and while we are still adjusting and getting settled we had to honor our little one’s second birthday. Since visiting St. Louis over the summer and seeing Charley’s beautiful dress we knew that it would be the perfect gift for Maya. Also, prior to shipping all of our gear from Colorado my lovely wife had the insight to think of another perfect present for our agile little Maya. We got her a Strider bike, which she has taken to like Guapa to chipmunks.

In addition to her wonderful Tio Zachis and Tia Court, Maya's friend Chloe was there to open presents and eat some cake. Sully was the first to wish her a happy birthday though, from Colorado.

Maya loves her new dress!

Both presents at once!

After turning two, Maya has some new responsibilities.

On the morning after her birthday, Maya went out with me for Guapa's morning walk and insisted on picking up the poop poop. She even coaxed Guapa along saying "Guapa, haz poop poop. Guapa, haz poop poop."

Guapa also go her first non reptile kill this week. She and I went out to the middle school field outside our apartment just as the rains were beginning for the day. I let her run in the enclosed area and she darted directly for a crow that was hopping along the ground. It turned out that the crow underestimated her speed and or her intent to kill. She pounced just as the bird was taking off and broke its neck. The three companion crows swooped her a few times as I was trying to regain control of her. After I disposed of the bird the rains truly began; Guapa and I both enjoyed a moment of true excitement as we watched the clouds open up and within seconds I was drenched as the winds began to howl a little. We stood in the downpour and in that instant I was happy, I was calm, and I was almost cold.