We are on our trip to Kerala, and one word sums up our trip so far... AWESOME!!! So far we have spent 2 nights in Munnar, 1 night in Thekkady, and right now we are in Kumarakum. The trip is progressively getting better and better. Tomorrow, we will spend our last night on a houseboat.
I will do a post with all the details once we get back home (Saturday evening).
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
HAPPY DIWALI!
For those of you that do not know what Diwali is, look at the previous post from Vim. I think that he had a little help from wiki!!
Diwali is to Hindus like Christmas is to Christians, it is one of the largest festivals/celebrations of the year!
We are sending warm Diwali Wishes all the way from Bangalore!!
May you enjoy the Diwali festivities with your family and friends!
Wishing you all the best for the new year!!
Vim, Dev, Mira and Milan
Diwali Festivities
Here is a post from Vim on Diwali which is coming up on Tuesday!!
Not long now……. Diwali is just round the corner. The last few years we have had fun celebrating Diwali, USA style. It involved poojas, visits to temple, and most importantly - family gatherings!!!
To join in the holiday festivities, we would host a Diwali dinner at our house. It had its own twist with kids telling Diwali stories, and playing games... the important thing.... we were together with family and we had a great time!! When we come back home, we will look forward to the family celebrations, until then, we will enjoy what India has to offer.
But for those of you who are not familiar with the concept of Diwali here is a small explanation……..
Diwali is the most well-known of all Indian festivals. It is a five day celebration which occurs on the fifteenth day of the Hindu month of ‘Kartika’. The word Diwali means "row of lighted lamps" and the celebration is often referred to as the Festival of Lights because of the common practice of lighting small oil lamps called ‘diyas’ and placing them around the home, in courtyards and in gardens, as well as on roof-tops and outer walls.
During this time, homes are thoroughly cleaned, windows are opened and diyas are lit as a greeting to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth. In urban areas candles or electric lights are often substituted for diyas. During Diwali, gifts are exchanged and festive meals are prepared. The celebration means as much to Hindus as Christmas does to Christians.
The festival of Diwali is often celebrated with huge firework displays and the exchange of sweets. As with other Indian festivals, Diwali signifies many different things to people across the country.
In northern India and elsewhere, Diwali celebrates Rama's return after fourteen years of exile in the forest, the King of Ayodhya, Rama, and his brother, Lakshman, returned to their hometown having fought a fierce battle with the demon king of Ceylon, Ravana, who had captured Rama's consort, Sita. Aided by an army of monkeys as well as some bears, Rama and Lakshman defeated Ravana and rescued Sita.
Upon Rama's return to Ayodhya the people of the town lit lamps to light the darkness, to welcome the King back and to celebrate the brothers' victory over Ravana. Overjoyed at Queen Sita's rescue and the safe return of King Rama, the people danced and celebrated and lit fireworks to show how happy they were. These festivities continue every year at Diwali and are still celebrated today.
In Gujarat, the festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; in Nepal Diwali commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon king Narakaasura; and in Bengal, it is associated with the goddess Kali. In Punjab it celebrates the release from prison of the sixth guru, Hargobind, in 1619. Sikhs had celebrated Diwali for many years before that and the foundation stone of the Golden Temple at Amritsar, the holiest place in the Sikh world, was laid on Diwali in 1577. For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of Moksha (Nirvana, or eternal bliss) by the founder of Jainism, Lord Mahavira.
Everywhere that it is celebrated, Diwali signifies the renewal of life, and accordingly it is common to wear new clothes on the day of the festival. It also heralds the approach of winter and the beginning of the sowing season.
Our experience of Diwali this years will take us on a family vacation to ‘Kerela’ South West India………………………..
Not long now……. Diwali is just round the corner. The last few years we have had fun celebrating Diwali, USA style. It involved poojas, visits to temple, and most importantly - family gatherings!!!
To join in the holiday festivities, we would host a Diwali dinner at our house. It had its own twist with kids telling Diwali stories, and playing games... the important thing.... we were together with family and we had a great time!! When we come back home, we will look forward to the family celebrations, until then, we will enjoy what India has to offer.
But for those of you who are not familiar with the concept of Diwali here is a small explanation……..
Diwali is the most well-known of all Indian festivals. It is a five day celebration which occurs on the fifteenth day of the Hindu month of ‘Kartika’. The word Diwali means "row of lighted lamps" and the celebration is often referred to as the Festival of Lights because of the common practice of lighting small oil lamps called ‘diyas’ and placing them around the home, in courtyards and in gardens, as well as on roof-tops and outer walls.
During this time, homes are thoroughly cleaned, windows are opened and diyas are lit as a greeting to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth. In urban areas candles or electric lights are often substituted for diyas. During Diwali, gifts are exchanged and festive meals are prepared. The celebration means as much to Hindus as Christmas does to Christians.
The festival of Diwali is often celebrated with huge firework displays and the exchange of sweets. As with other Indian festivals, Diwali signifies many different things to people across the country.
In northern India and elsewhere, Diwali celebrates Rama's return after fourteen years of exile in the forest, the King of Ayodhya, Rama, and his brother, Lakshman, returned to their hometown having fought a fierce battle with the demon king of Ceylon, Ravana, who had captured Rama's consort, Sita. Aided by an army of monkeys as well as some bears, Rama and Lakshman defeated Ravana and rescued Sita.
Upon Rama's return to Ayodhya the people of the town lit lamps to light the darkness, to welcome the King back and to celebrate the brothers' victory over Ravana. Overjoyed at Queen Sita's rescue and the safe return of King Rama, the people danced and celebrated and lit fireworks to show how happy they were. These festivities continue every year at Diwali and are still celebrated today.
In Gujarat, the festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; in Nepal Diwali commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon king Narakaasura; and in Bengal, it is associated with the goddess Kali. In Punjab it celebrates the release from prison of the sixth guru, Hargobind, in 1619. Sikhs had celebrated Diwali for many years before that and the foundation stone of the Golden Temple at Amritsar, the holiest place in the Sikh world, was laid on Diwali in 1577. For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of Moksha (Nirvana, or eternal bliss) by the founder of Jainism, Lord Mahavira.
Everywhere that it is celebrated, Diwali signifies the renewal of life, and accordingly it is common to wear new clothes on the day of the festival. It also heralds the approach of winter and the beginning of the sowing season.
Our experience of Diwali this years will take us on a family vacation to ‘Kerela’ South West India………………………..
Friday, October 24, 2008
Milan the Firefighter
Milan was very interested in Firefighters... I think that the fascination started at school when they had a visit from the Fire Dept. I really am not sure... Or maybe it was when he watched the firefighters deal with the house fire in our 'old' neighborhood (it feels a little wierd saying that).
Anyways, last Christmas Milan asked for fireman-gear. Vik mama was the one that bought it for him... ever since he got it, he has been always interested in it. He will randomly put on all the gear and walk thru the house to 'put out the fire'. It is really cute to see. Well, this 'gear' has also come in handy here... a few times!!
He was able to use it as a halloween costume yesterday, and he was also able to dazzle his classmates with it.
Milan had a school assignment where he had to make a presentation on a book that he had read. The presentation had to include visuals. Initially when the assignment came, I was at a loss trying to figure how he was going to pull it off. Well, we then remembered that he had the Fred the Firefighter book and the 'gear'. Those two paired perfectly together and he rehearsed his presenation, and dazzled his class!!
Did Vik Mama know that his Christmas present was going to be so useful?
Anyways, last Christmas Milan asked for fireman-gear. Vik mama was the one that bought it for him... ever since he got it, he has been always interested in it. He will randomly put on all the gear and walk thru the house to 'put out the fire'. It is really cute to see. Well, this 'gear' has also come in handy here... a few times!!
He was able to use it as a halloween costume yesterday, and he was also able to dazzle his classmates with it.
Milan had a school assignment where he had to make a presentation on a book that he had read. The presentation had to include visuals. Initially when the assignment came, I was at a loss trying to figure how he was going to pull it off. Well, we then remembered that he had the Fred the Firefighter book and the 'gear'. Those two paired perfectly together and he rehearsed his presenation, and dazzled his class!!
Did Vik Mama know that his Christmas present was going to be so useful?
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Influences
Mira and Milan have been fortunate to have had the influence of many family members back at home. Most of the influences have been good...a few not so good! : ) Just kidding!
Anyways, being so far away, it is funny to see these influences surface in interesting ways...
Mira has always been interested in Dentistry. I think that this may have occurred with a little brain-washing by her uncle (Umang kaka) when she was very young.. : ) She would often say that she wanted to be a Dentist when she grows up. Well that interest in Dentistry is still running strong.... Mira recently had to do a project for school on a topic of her choice... she did it on Oral Hygiene! She got rave reviews from her teacher on her presentation!! Thank you Umang Kaka!!
With all of you so far away... you will have to come up with creative ways to continue the influence across the many miles....
Anyways, being so far away, it is funny to see these influences surface in interesting ways...
Mira has always been interested in Dentistry. I think that this may have occurred with a little brain-washing by her uncle (Umang kaka) when she was very young.. : ) She would often say that she wanted to be a Dentist when she grows up. Well that interest in Dentistry is still running strong.... Mira recently had to do a project for school on a topic of her choice... she did it on Oral Hygiene! She got rave reviews from her teacher on her presentation!! Thank you Umang Kaka!!
With all of you so far away... you will have to come up with creative ways to continue the influence across the many miles....
Halloween in Bangalore!
Yes, there is such a thing.... OK, maybe not amongst the locals, but in Ozone which has high influence from the western countries, there is a Halloween celebration. And since the locals don't know a thing about it, the Ozone-ians (I thought that sounded better that Ozone-ites) can call the shots.
So, since next week is Diwali and the kids have off... and 80% of the Ozone-ians will be off travelling, they decided to celebrate it today!!!
Lucky for me I grabbed a container of a few Halloween decorations, and in there there were a few trick-or-treat bags and other goodies. I must have had a hunch about the Ozone-ian ways when I was packing... or maybe it was just luck. In any case, we got it covered!!
Mira decided to dress up as a witch with her friend Aleykia. I think they are supposed to be the 'Twitches'. I must be slipping into the 'un-cool mom' category now because between you and me, I don't know who the 'twitches' are!! Milan decided to be something a little more mainstream, he is a firefighter. Thanks to Vik-Mama for the firefighter get-up as a Christmas present last year! It has come in handy twice here in Bangalore. I will write about the other time later.
Just in case anyone was curious, Milan was trick or treating with Shruti.... Yep...
So one big difference about the Halloween here... the loot is not as good. Milan just brought his home... no snickers, no mounds, no almond joy, no take-five.... most of it is hard candy.... no chocolate!! Oh well!
I will post pictures of the Halloween festivities later!
Tomorrow is my last day of work, and then a week off!! Yippieee!!
So, since next week is Diwali and the kids have off... and 80% of the Ozone-ians will be off travelling, they decided to celebrate it today!!!
Lucky for me I grabbed a container of a few Halloween decorations, and in there there were a few trick-or-treat bags and other goodies. I must have had a hunch about the Ozone-ian ways when I was packing... or maybe it was just luck. In any case, we got it covered!!
Mira decided to dress up as a witch with her friend Aleykia. I think they are supposed to be the 'Twitches'. I must be slipping into the 'un-cool mom' category now because between you and me, I don't know who the 'twitches' are!! Milan decided to be something a little more mainstream, he is a firefighter. Thanks to Vik-Mama for the firefighter get-up as a Christmas present last year! It has come in handy twice here in Bangalore. I will write about the other time later.
Just in case anyone was curious, Milan was trick or treating with Shruti.... Yep...
So one big difference about the Halloween here... the loot is not as good. Milan just brought his home... no snickers, no mounds, no almond joy, no take-five.... most of it is hard candy.... no chocolate!! Oh well!
I will post pictures of the Halloween festivities later!
Tomorrow is my last day of work, and then a week off!! Yippieee!!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Food....
I don't think that I have recently commented on the food here in Bangalore.
It is GREAT!! Everywhere that we have been out to eat, the food has been excellent! And, it has been really affordable. When we go out to eat, the food is generally around $5-6 for an entree. The portions are perfect....
The struggle is that our list of restaurants that we want to try keeps growing.... so many places and not enough time!! Our mission is to hit many of the places before our visitors come!!
Oh... the other thing to add about food.
So yesterday, I sent the driver on a trip to the grocery store after he dropped me off at work. We are trying to give the driver and maid little errands to do so that it takes the burden off us.... So, anyways, I sent him for yogurt (2 containers), bananas, cucumbers and potatoes. I have him the equivalent of $5 and I was not sure if that would be enough. He delivered the groceries, and had only spent the equivalent of $2.50!! Wow.... back at home I would have spent $10 on all of that, especially if I bought the things at Ninos!!
It is GREAT!! Everywhere that we have been out to eat, the food has been excellent! And, it has been really affordable. When we go out to eat, the food is generally around $5-6 for an entree. The portions are perfect....
The struggle is that our list of restaurants that we want to try keeps growing.... so many places and not enough time!! Our mission is to hit many of the places before our visitors come!!
Oh... the other thing to add about food.
So yesterday, I sent the driver on a trip to the grocery store after he dropped me off at work. We are trying to give the driver and maid little errands to do so that it takes the burden off us.... So, anyways, I sent him for yogurt (2 containers), bananas, cucumbers and potatoes. I have him the equivalent of $5 and I was not sure if that would be enough. He delivered the groceries, and had only spent the equivalent of $2.50!! Wow.... back at home I would have spent $10 on all of that, especially if I bought the things at Ninos!!
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