Dinner with the ambassadors.

First, an apology: we really were terrible about taking photos this week. We'll redouble our efforts and improve for next time.

After meeting a Paraguayan parent at Parent Teacher Conferences (Married to a Sri Lankan) we were invited to a "Paraguayan Night" at their house to honor the outgoing ambassador. We were the first ones to arrive about 20 minutes late and reminded about la hora latina. We were a little uncertain about what the protocols and expectations would be for a Paraguayan night hosted by a Sri Lankan in India so decided to play it safe. Soon after we arrived we were surprised to realize that the Paraguayan ambassador and his family weren't the only high ranking guests invited--we dined with the Uruguayan Ambassador and his southern cone neighbor the Argentine Ambassador/Consul also. Quite a fun evening in New Delhi and yet another chance to be reminded that our lives have changed a little bit. 

A break from the hustle and bustle of Delhi

The entourage heading to the playground

We ordered food a little while ago and the man on the phone (who I understood with perfect clarity for the first time in India!) asked me for my phone number to confirm the order. Little did I know he really just wanted my number to survey his clientele later. The food was awesome.

Here are a couple of precious ones of the girls. This was Maya wrapped like a burrito at the pool and then hugging her sister during one of our morning stretching/workout sessions. Nothing too strenuous for the girls--usually just jumping on daddy's back while he struggles to do pushups.

Nighttime fun!

 We went to Neemrana this weekend for a little getaway with many other teachers and families from school. It was a great break from the routine of the campus but exhausting at the same time. It was also the first time that we've felt like we've seen real India in some respects. We got out into the hills and enjoyed the palace. We swam, enjoyed delicious foods and soaked in the ambiance of a 15th century fort/palace.

 This is the figure of a deity that was in our room. It was gorgeous. In the evening there was a Rajasthani dance party where some truly marvelous dancing happened. I will be practicing the moves shortly for my next dance off opportunity with Burke. Pictured right is one of my favorite partner moves--spinning as fast as possible while holding on to your beloved--it was intense; I think Laura's game though.

 I'll leave the spinning bike wheels for someone else.

This was our principal dancer/actor. He struck similar poses with everyone in the audience who wanted (and many who didn't seem to want it). He just stood there behind a group of people until someone took a picture. All of it was motivated by his intense love for his profession as he did not ask for any payment or tips!

 Here is beautiful Neemrana from outside. We went on a little hike/adventure walk in search of a long lost step well that was rumored to be in the area. It was very Indiana Jonesy.

And then we found it. Here is a member of our expedition striking a pose.

It was extremely impressive to be there and in the presence of such history. It was sad also in realizing that this treasure wasn't much more to a novelty and a trash dump for many of the locals.

This is a shot looking down the staircase to the water below. At the bottom there really isn't much water--more rubble from the walls and walkways deteriorating.

Here's the entrance to our room. It was off a beautiful little crtyard that made us feel very special. The whole palace was a bit of a maze that of course Laura mastered before she even left the room. The rest of the group was still getting lost as we left today.

Detailed ornamental work was everywhere

Left, this is a view from our window. I think you can see the Zip line that I did also. It was nice but as our neighbor said--you never go as fast as you hope.

Here is the view from our balcony (left) and from outside our balcony (right). Every room at the palace was very unique. There seemed to be secret passages everywhere and hidden tranquility gardens or rooftop party spots. It was a great reprieve.

Maya spent much of the time at the pool but we also wandered around quite a lot. There was a walking tour with an audio guide that I would have loved to take but alas, no time, and oh yeah, we have two little babies that make it impossible to do anything of the sort! Maybe next time.

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Stuff! and the toe-headed wonder.

 What a couple of weeks it has been! We started off with a surprising bang! last week when Steve Klein, the director of admissions at Wabash, visited our school in New Delhi. It was a weird twist of fate that it happened to be the first (and only) day that I looked at the student announcements and just happened to see that Wabash was visiting. Zach and I went home for lunch and changed into the appropriate garb for a good photo. Rumor has it we made the Wabash facebook page!

 Last Friday there was a newbie/buddy happy hour at the American compound. We went and enjoyed good company and a few drinks. The girls have come to depend on and love hanging out with Tía Court and Tío Zach.

Guapa's relegated to dressing in Maya's pjs for  her.

Our stuff arrive this week and we were ecstatic--until we realized that we have a whole lot of junk. I remember  agonizing over which things to take and which things to leave behind in Denver; after 8 weeks without all of it we realized that there is precious little that we need. We love having the wall hangings to remind us of the all of the people who have helped to create such wonderful memories, and the kitchen equipment is essential, but much of the rest is just a whole lot of stuff. On the upside, the movers did a great job of unpacking most of it--whoo whoo! now just to get rid of the piles they left on the floor!

I know, I know, you think this photo is cruel--and as soon as I saw Maya doing this I wanted to leave, but let me explain the evening. This is at the Marine House at the embassy compound; think fraternity house. The band that was playing are all teachers at our school so we were there in support. A couple of seconds after this photo as we were contemplating leaving (it wasn't actually very loud) the bassist called Maya over and gave her some ear plugs. Perhaps the coolest part of the whole evening was that Stene Verhulst, a friend from my coaching days in Denver, was in Delhi on a recruiting trip and made the time to hang with us for the evening.

This is one little bit of our settling in after receiving the sea shipment. I like this wall of our house a lot as it is a great blend of the old and the new. This photo is of the Colorado Aspens in the fall taken by our good friend Sean Kemp of Academy fame. Below the photo is a new hutch piece that Laura picked up; when I say "new" I mean new to us as it is really about a hundred years old we were told. I would call it an antique but I've been warned against using that terminology in India--antiques are all owned by the government. To use the vernacular of the business, this piece is "old old".

Humayan's Tomb; The Taj Mahal was modeled after parts of this.

Photos on the grounds of Humayan's Tomb were very exciting and interesting. Here is the first in a series that we asked a fellow (Indian) tourist to take for us. This is a nice family portrait in front of the tomb.

This is the second in the series. Note the awkward man standing next to Zach. He is not in fact walking as it would appear, rather, he is photo bombing us quite intentionally.

When we asked him to move over he actually moved closer to Zach at first. We clarified that we meant out of the frame and he almost obliged. I guess we can always crop an arm if we need to, right?

 Maya was a huge hit at Humayan's Tomb. Several families preferred to stare at her over looking at the magnificent structures. She dealt with the attention admirably and even posed for some photos. After a few families asked to have their picture taken with Maya, I asked for the same favor. These kids have such wonderful outfits on, I couldn't resist.

Here is a cute sequence with Maya, Naila, and Mommy.

Walking around the tomb.

Here is one of several women carrying huge bundles of grass on their heads. Look, no hands!

The girls investigating the floor.

 Here are the two gals by the tomb. They did great with all the attention and seemed to enjoy the day.

Family portrait from afar.

Naila with Tío and a bubble.