Bangalore......Journey Finale

Here is a post from Vim:

This adventure begins on July 3^rd 2008 in Detroit Michigan.  4 individuals boarded a plane on route to Bangalore, India via Europe. 

Like any flight that day, the flight was comprised of strangers, among them;  a GM Employee, a "House Husband" to be, a Prep Student and a 4^th Grader.

As Lufthansa flight LH443 flew high over the Atlantic, these 4 individuals were going to be joined closer together than ever before.

A country far from the normal comforts of home, they found themselves on a journey that they could never have imagined.

They loved, they fought, they lost and there were times when things just went totally a-stray, eventually you just go with the flow, and after 730 days they return back to Michigan just were the journey started. 

The experience of being educated to understand, building upon and bridging values to ones heritage, culture, religion, appreciating life in India and fortunes we have in the west the two year journey exploring and experiencing India and its neighboring countries can only be summed up by quoting 'Ursula K. LeGuin' -   

                   ' It is good to have an end to this journey…

                        But it is the journey that matters, in the end.'
     

                     

                                                                                                     

!ndia.......Reflections

WOW!  What an opportunity to experience the motherland…. and some wondered Why? Others Critical that we would not survive or like India! 

But little, do people know us.  Looking back we did not know ourselves, until now – experiencing not just corporate India but adding allot more to the knowledge of our heritage as an individual, as a family.   

The first couple of days in India were really hard and overwhelming because I am used to being in control.  But when you surrender, it becomes a truly transforming experience.  Yet you’re Indian and you should know India, know it through family experiences, Bollywood, the music, the culture, and heritage.  It’s not like that at all.   

Being an ocean and continent or two away from the extended family, we have clearly bonded more so than ever before.  The journey has bought allot of clarity to many things from personal awareness, to traditions, cultural diversity and future outlook on life. 

India has long been known for its exotic culture and tradition. For a traveler, India offers a variety of experiences that can vary from the most uproarious to the very freakish. From one corner to the other, India is replete with attractions that can leave you in awe of its beauty.  No matter what your life interests are, India has to offer you a lot and that too in smash-hit proportions.

In a country as diverse and complex as India, it is not surprising to find that people here reflect the rich glories of the past, the culture, traditions and values relative to geographic locations and the numerous distinctive manners, habits and food that will always remain truly Indian.  

From the eternal snows of the Himalayas to the peninsula of the far South, from the deserts of the West to the humid deltas of the East, from the dry heat and cold of the Central Plateau to the cool forest foothills, Indian lifestyles reflect the geography, the food, clothing and habits of India differ in accordance to the place of origin.

The Colorful mosaic of Indian festivals and fairs - as diverse as the land, is an eternal expression of the spirit of celebration which are observed with enthusiasm and gaiety festivals are like gems ornamenting the crown of Indian Culture. They are round the year vibrant interludes in the mundane routine of life. 

What will be missed…. Everything!  The colorful, vibrant daily, crazy way of organized chaotic life that totally baffle you from why, things are done the way they are, and the one expression they have here nodding the head side to side with a smile which means; “Yes, No, Probably, Maybe, Possibly and even !*$#-Off - remember with a smile!” based on the reply of context/question presented, yet everything works like clock-work and amazingly enough India is a major Global Super Power and influencer on many global affairs even though it has its share of poor internal political miss-management of the country and its civic duties to its citizens.  -  Vim.

Palm Meadows

We are back where it all began...  Palm Meadows...  We are going full circle!!!

The house is all packed!!  The trucks left with all of our things, and we handed over the keys...

Goodbye Prestige Ozone #32!!

Now, a few days at the hotel hanging out, and doing some last minute stuff.... 

Tuesday night is the big flight!!

Hard to beleive!  2 Years have flown by!!

Good-Bye Ozone!!

We stayed in the hotel last night....  Sunday night was our last night in Ozone!!

The house is full of boxes, and we are living out of suitcases!!

We have to get used to this 'living-in-limbo' life...  It will be a LONG time before we get all of our things in our sea container!!  And actually move into house!  : )

Emotions

Yesterday a friend of ours had a party at her house, and this was the last time that we would see some of our 'ozone friends'. 

The big question was 'how do you feel about going back'....

I had to think about it for a minute...  over all we are ready, and happy.  But the bigger question was really how to we 'feel'...  for this I had to reflect for a minute, and then I realized that I am really numb to the emotions at this point.

Things are happening so fast.  I really don't have time to feel anything.  Another family that is leaving at the same time said the same thing.  I am sure that it will hit all at once when we are gone!!

Well...  we are just moments away from the packers coming, and Milan is excited.  He keeps walking around asking 'when are they coming!'....  and saying 'I am so excited that the packers are coming!'.....

24

In just 24 hours, it will all begin!!  The packers come tomorrow morning!!

It is all happening very, very fast!

The next 24 hours will be critical, all the things need to be put in one of 3 categories...  suitcase, air or sea....  The key will be getting the things in the right bucket....  I am aiming for 85% accuracy...  I figure the 15% that slips thru the cracks - we can either buy, borrow, or do without!!

Once we make it thru the packing portion... the bigger hurdle will be the unpacking on the other end!!

The Trendy Beggar....

Post By Vim;

My journey to work today took a twist.  We are used to beggars of all ages approach you requesting money for food/water – some mostly kids perform body bending acts while traffic is at a halt, that is, kids as young as Milan.  Note that beggars will only accept money – if you offer them food/water most of them generally walk away!  Yes this is India – there are true under tones to ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.     

But today, I had to be dropped off from walking distance to the entrance of Cisco – due to road work.  Walking towards the gate I was approached by a few kids begging for money, once they were brushed off, I was literally stopped by a women.  Now this had happened to Mira and I before when we walked to the mall – the exact same thing, it was truly freakish – Déjà-vu! 

A few posts back I uploaded a YouTube Video titled “Home: USA or India…Attraction of Soft Power”.  One point out of that post was India’s advancement in the Telecoms industry.  Today, India’s vast underclass is almost as well connected as the rich in what is hailed as a telecoms revolution that has delivered G3/G4 mobile telephony to nearly 800 million people in just a little over a decade.  Worthy note – the underclass to upper class seem to want the latest technology on Cell Phones these days.  

Now, back to the truly freakish Déjà-vu, I was approached by a young female street beggar, holding, a half dressed dirt covered small child.  The Beggar extended her hand out asking for money and then pointing to the child repeatedly.  I actually noticed the other hand in which she propped up the child, she was holding a fancy touch screen cell phone – an expensive item.  I looked at her and automatically noticed a blue tooth ear piece blinking away, being hidden by her Sari Vail over her head – stunned and shaking my head, I proceeded to walk into work.  It makes you wonder where the money really goes they collect and how does this class of people in India afford a cell phone like that.   This is India for you.

More of things that I won't be missing....

• The non-stop beeping of the horns on the road....
• The fact that people in India don't know how to wait in line...  I can't tell you how many time I have had people cut in front of me!!
• The famous line 'yes, madam, 5 minutes'.....  and 30 mins later you are still waiting!!
• The lack of personal hygiene...  deodorant is not in the vocabulary of many...  and washing hands after using the bath room... optional...  EWWW is right!
• The guys peeing on the side of the road...  on my 15 minute journey to or fro work....  I can spot about 6-7...  and this not even paying attention.
• The traffic....

Things we will miss (and things we won't miss)....

OK...  here is a start to the list of things that we will miss....

• Mango season...  actually all the fresh fruit and veggies that you can get here...  Mangos, lychees, mangosteens, chicoo, sitafal...  oh the list can go on....
• The weather....  sunny and around 80's practically all year round
• The driver and the maid....  both have been true blessings.  Part of our extended family....
• Ozone club house and swimming pool
 

AND....  a start to the list of things that we won't miss

• The traffic and the crazy driving...  even as a passenger, it is frustrating
• The lack of safety measures all around...  from gaping holes in sidewalks, to family of 4 on scooters without helmets....  safety is not a priority here...
• The smells...  from the 'BO' in the elevator to the sewage smells and garbage littered streets..... 
• Wild dogs roaming everywhere and not forget those that just lye in the middle of street regardless of traffic chaos they cause. 

The Final Count Down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The count down has begun!!  Hard to believe....

Only one more week in the Ozone bubble!!  After that, it is off to Palm Meadows, right back to where the adventure began.

The next 2 weeks are going to be CRAZY!!!  I am not looking forward to the packing that is just around the corner...  They start on Saturday!!!

But the upside...  it won't be long before we are HOME!!

Will post more frequently as we wind down to the final days.... 

Cooking 101

I came home to early Monday only to find that Mira had spent her time throughout the day wisely.  Milan - I have no idea what he did but just become a Couch Potato - watching Phineas and Ferb!  The same thing that was on in the morning when we left for work......

Mira's efforts were well rewarded.  As I continued to complete my work in the library, I could hear  Mira having a continuous conversation with Manjula in the kitchen.  They were both in conversation regarding the evening dinner.  I was very surprised at the ability Mira could understand Hindi and do her best to speak in return with fluid sentences mixed with some English - in other words she spoke 'Hinglish'  (Hindi/English).   The effort was well rewarded, something she has been wanting to do for a long time at home.

Eating off a banana leaf was last conducted when we arrived in 2008 when we visited Mysore.  Eating off a banana leaf is tradition practiced all over India, especially at weddings or large gatherings.  Its is also ment to have medicinal properties.   She is clearly picking up some culinary expertise from Manjula, Devyani and Travel & Living Cooking Shows.

Mira's Dinner Setting

The Simple Meal Created

End of Indus "IN OMNIA PARATUS" Days......

If you were to ask the kids they would clearly tell you that the last two days of school were the longest ever at Indus.  It was a sad affair as the mix of kids staying and leaving was equal.   

The last two days catered around attended various ceremonial classes and perform locker clear out.  It was however the last time kids would take the school bus, and they did not let the parents off easy either.  We also had to go in and attend the last open teacher conference and pick up the final school work package the kids had completed over the past year.  

Most kids were leaving the very same night or the next day to their respective countries, some would return later in the summer months others not, M&M would have to live out the last remaining few weeks in Ozone, with little to do and not many other kids to play with and no bike for Milan as his is busted!  However, M&M are troopers as they make do with most of their time doing something, getting on each others nerve and no idea if they wind up Manjula throughout the day. 

1st to the Bus Stop every day for 2 years!

The PYP Crowd

The PYP Crowd Grows......

Arrival of 5B - last time for this crew!

The Mad Rush For A Seat.

Mira's Teachers.

Mrs. Chitra

Rahul & Milan... A.K.A......Phineas and Ferb

The 'Lasts'.....

As we approach the 'big' day....  the list of 'lasts' continue to grow....

This is the last week of school for the kids...  On Friday we have the conferences at the school, which will be the last time that we walk thru Indus International (and the last time that we have to make the drive to school)...

The kids will take the bus for the last time on Thursday...

Now, I know this may sound a little 'ridiculous', but really as we pass these 'lasts' it truly does mark the end of the experience.  An experience that we will always remember....

Swim Meet.... Day 2

Day 2 of the swim meet had the other half of the Patel family competing....  this was Mira's day!  Vim and I split the events, Vim went to Milan's and I went to Mira's.

The pressure was on Mira since the little brother came home with a medal the day before....  Mira knew she had to give it her all....  And that she did!!

She competed in Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly and the Freestyle Relay.....  She had tough competition in all the events...  You knew she gave it her all in all of the events...  Unfortunately, she did not place in any of the events....  until the final event...  the Freestyle Relay.  In this event her team brought in the Silver Medal!!

So Mira and Milan end their swimming experience at Indus with a Silver and Bronze medal...  not to shabby, eh???  Indus as allowed them the opportunity to swim and compete at their grade level, which has been really good. 

We are very proud of both of the kids!!  Lets see if the choose to keep up swimming once we are back home!!

Before the big races begin!!

Taking off.....

In Action!!

The FINSH LINE!

Phwew....  its over!!

Its time for the medals!!

SO PROUD!!!!

Whoever Keeps A Promise? Milan...................

By Vim:

As the school year ends there are many events that parents have to attend at Indus International School - and most, if not all are very taxing to put it bluntly.  However, June 3rd and June 4th are the exceptions as its the Indus 2010 Inter-House Aquatic Championship Meet.  This year again Mira and Milan have been selected to attend the swim meet to cap of a wonderful year at school.  Milan has been practicing freestyle, back stroke, breaststroke - and of course is an expert at the doggy paddle - and very proud of it!  He woke up this morning at 5:45am and from the top of the stairs stated 'I will do my best to get a medal dad - I promise'.  During that moment I only hoped he does but more importantly I hope he has fun!  I was so proud to hear that - something any dad would be.

June 3rd-2010 Grades 1-3 compete.  With another scorching sunny day kids, teachers and attending parents are all excited to see these kids compete with each other but most importantly have fun.  Truthfully there are several parents who want their kids to win everything and there are those who just have a hard time for their selected kids to get into the pool and compete. 

The rule of the Aquatic Meet is simple.  Each grade competes with itself, boy against boys, girls against girls and then overall houses against house.  There are 2-4 groups per grade due to the large number of students in each grade.  1st, 2nd & 3rd winners are chosen based on best times achieved. 

Milan started with the 25m Freestyle event.  He came 3rd.  His timing was not good enough to contend with other kids from Grade 1 who were amazing.  He came out of the pool with a cheeky smile, high 5'ed me and said 'next race dad'.  I enjoyed watching him attempt this race knowing the field of contestants from Grade 1 looked a little stronger than him - plus it was a 25m!

The following races were all 16m.  He cruised to victory in the Freestyle group 3, but his timing was just slightly off the medal standing, the same was true for his attempt at breast-stroke.  Now all that was left was the Backstroke.  The happy go kid was in his final race and raring to go.  And guess what............. he made the medal standing , Milan kept his promise to get a medal today and that is what our boy did.  He was awarded the Bronze for 16m Back Stroke.

Pictures As It All Unfolded.........

Relaxing Before The Races

Bring It ON!

25m Freestyle....Ready.....Set......

GO....And He's Off........

16m Freestyle....No Time To Waste

Breast - Stroke Line Up

Back - Stroke...Cool, Calm & Focused.

Back - Stroke - and he's off again........................

Back - Stroke Finish Line.

Excitement at the Medal Stand

Medal Award.....

Promise Kept!

Returning Back... for the last time

We arrived back in Bangalore on Tuesday morning.  This was not like any ordinary return to Bangalore.

This was 'THE' return before the big departure!!

It definitely felt different.... hard to describe.

The trip home was great.... It did feel like home.... It was nice to catch up with family and friends during the short time that we were there. Hanging out, eating good food, and spending time with everyone... it was really great! Unfortunately the week flew by and we did not get a chance to see everyone... but it won't be long before we are back for good, and able to connect with everyone again.

Now being back in Bangalore, knowing the end is in sight is very sad. We are now going thru doing things for 'the last time'.... Leaving BLR will be very hard, but I don't want to dwell on that now.

Instead, I will relish the last month of our time here and make the most of it...

Home: USA or India........"Attraction of Soft Power"

HERE IS A POST FROM VIM:


We arrived in the USA May-21st-2010 evening. 5 Days on, so far the weather has been the only aspect that makes one feel like Home. Its ironic, I "say the weather is the only thing that makes one feel like home" - its been quite warm and sunny. Outlook is Warm/Sunny all week while we are here in Michigan to seek out, a house to live for our return in July-2010, coupled with trying to land a job and also attend my nephews wedding.


But all this things are a mute point considering, I miss home. I refer to HOME these days as India. Strange as it sounds but it very hard to explain.......there is something about India that has drawn one back. It sort of like the parallelism to the show 'LOST'. You want to leave the island, but yet the Island calls you back. The best way to describe the overall feeling is summed up but the attached 20min YouTube 'TED Conferance' Video titled: 'Why Nations should pursue "soft" power' - discussed by Shashi Tharoor Former Culture Minister of State for External Affairs in India.

Things are moving fast!!!

It was 2 years ago, almost to the exact date, that we started this adventure in Inida.

It was May 23, 2008 that Vim and I boarded a flight to Bangalore India.  Vim's first trip to India after many, many year, and his first visit to Bangalore.  This trip was the begining of our experience in India.

Now here we are, 2 years later with another pivital flight ahead of us.  Tonight Vim and I a boarding a flight to Michigan.  This is the start of the move back home.  It is bittersweet....  this is now the start of the end....

A lot of emotions are flowing...  and we are really truly excited about being 'home' again.  But this means saying 'good-bye' to the experiences and the life that we had for the last 2 years.

We will only be home for about a week...  a lot to pack into a short time.  But, it won't be long before we are back for good!!

Weekend....

HERE IS A POST FROM VIM:

This past weekend Anant my nephew came to visit us.  He flew in from Delhi where he is on a ex-pat assignment until July-10. 

 

The most notable part of the weekend was that we all went to Iron Man 2!  About a year ago…… Dev wrote about our experience of movie watching at an Indian theater with a Gold Class Pass  where one actually gets his/her own 180 degree plush reclining Lazy Boy leather chair to sit and watch the movie, accompanied with full butler service for all your needs; foot massage to whatever you want to order off the menu to eat. 

 

Iron man 2 was screened in Silver Pass Class.  Now these theaters in Indian do truly out-do what you get back home in terms of space, view angle, rocking seat and theater staff that bring you your food rather than you wait in line for it – Disadvantage; no reclined plush seats nor a foot massage.

 

Now….  The interesting part of the experience was not the seating or movie for Silver Pass.  After few movie / commercial advertisements, I was surprised to see a message on screen,  “Please stand up for National Anthem”.  Everyone stood silently,  then as the short movie clip started, everyone started to sing.  During the Anthem, heard two off beat voices, next to me – Yes Milan / Mira were singing along with the on screen artists.  That made me so Proud that these two youngster have embraced so much culture and experience that they actually sang the whole Anthem.  In past conversations they have discussed the anthem and tried to make Dev and recite it.  The short clip that everyone sang along to was fantastically produced – with top Indian International Music Artists who are world renowned and the most famous we all know today who won an Oscar / Grammy’s that being; A.R.Rehman. (Jai Ho – Slumdog Millionaire).

 

This link will guide to the actual Anthem Short Clip:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3TtgYuaVFk&feature=relate

 

The English translation of the Indian Anthem – It is actually poetic which makes it a good read:

 

Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people,
Dispenser of India's destiny.
Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind,
Gujarat and Maratha,
Of the Dravida and Orissa and Bengal;
It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas,
mingles in the music of Jamuna and Ganges and is
chanted by the waves of the Indian Ocean.
They pray for thy blessings and sing thy praise.
The saving of all people waits in thy hand,
Thou dispenser of India's destiny.
Victory, victory, victory to thee.

Pictures from the School Performance

If you recall, the evening that we were leaving for China, the kids had a program at their school.  It was called the Indus Day Program.

Both the kids were really looking forward to it...  they had been practicing and practicing...

Mira was in the Tabla Performance.  She was the only girl in the group....  go girl!!  she was really good...

Milan was in a dance.  And for weeks leading up to the performance, he was so excited about his dance.  He was a Katakali Dancer.  Now for many of you, you probably don't know what this is.  It is a traditional dance from Kerala.  The dancers are wearing a full head gear, costume and make up.  I was actually surprised that Milan was 'ready' to do this!!

Check out the pictures below.....

Milan was a real cutie in his costume!  I am sure that he won't want anyone to see these pictures 10 years from now!!

Mira was so good banging her drums!!

I was very proud of both of my performers!!

Catching up....

So... Have not posted lately...  the days are just slipping by!!

It is Mango season again...  and they are so delicious!  Mango salsa, Mango milk shake, Mango with ice cream, Mango with cereal.....  it is the best!!

It is also now officially Monsoon season...  everyday it rains.  But this this the evening rain that cools everything off!!  The days are warm and sunny!!

The weekend is here and we are going to just chill out!!  Have a good weekend!

Pictures from Taco Bell

Yes, I know, this is a little past due... but better late then never...

Here are the pics from the trip to Taco Bell. This was the 4 hour adventure that we made right when it opened... We have not been back since!!  Going 4 hours for taco bell just does not seem right... 

April 17

Anyone know the significance of that day???

Yep.... Vim's half birthday!! But more importantly, it is Milan's Birthday.... This year my baby turned 7. He truly is growing up to be a big boy. The other day he said to me that he can not cuddle with me anymore because he is getting big now!! I almost cried!!

His birthday festivities were spread out over the entire weekend. Friday, it was a trip to the mall food court (yes, that is actually exciting for us... don't knock it!!). On the way home, a pit stop at Baskin Robbins for some 'take-away' ice cream and once we were home I baked some brownies... doesn't get much better than that!!

Saturday was the actual birthday. We woke up and gave the birthday boy his presents. All he asked for was a light for his bike and an Ipod Nano. The second one was just a wish, he was trying to see if he could get lucky like Mira did for her birthday!! Unfortunately, he was not so lucky.... He did get the bike light and he LOVED it! It brought in big smiles!! The irony of it... his bike broke on Friday and he has not been able to test out the 'bike light'. He was really bummed, but a trooper about it!! He also got a Ben-10 Watch... again, he was really happy. Next was birthday lunch... it was off to the Hard Rock Cafe (yes, those of you loyal readers that have a good memory might remember that we went there last year for his birthday too!). Lunch was great. A few errands on the way home and then it was a chill out evening at home.

Sunday was the party!! 20+ kids ranging from 5-8... mostly boys... thank goodness I decided to have the party outside the house!! We went to the Italian restaurant at the mall. They do a B-day party theme where the kids make there own pizzas, decorate cupcakes, have cake, drink soda.... and they do all the work!! It was great!! The kids had a great time... I realized one thing... the amount of energy that was flowing with all the kids running around was insane!! I suppose all the sugar did not help!! The boys at that age are really a handful!!! Party was from 4-6... we were home in time for Sunday bedtime routine... Which concluded the b-day weekend!!