Indian Independence Day And An Extended Social Weekend!
Yesterday was Monday with school, work, Hindi lessons (which were fab BTW), and chores as normal. However, it was a really just a blip in what has been a long and social weekend! Today, Tuesday August 15th, is Indian Independence day and consequently it's a national holiday with no work or school. Therefore, we have been able to enjoy some great social time as a family and with our new neighbours over this (sort of extended) weekend.
On Saturday, we visited a part of town called Koregaon Park for a spot of lunch and a bit of a wander around the lush, banyan tree-lined lanes. We ate lunch at the infamous German Bakery cafe (sadly, this place is most well known for being the site of a terrorist bombing in 2010 that killed 17 and wounded 60 - read more here). The food was great and the murals on the wall of famous performers sparked a fun conversation with the kids.
On Sunday the weather was gorgeous - sunny and warm, without the typical humidity - so we visited the swimming pool at the apartment complex opposite with some neighbours. The water was a bit chilly for my liking (I have been spoiled by living in Texas for so long), but the boys loved having a bit of a splash around. We also got to meet our new neighbours who live directly opposite our apartment; they have just returned from vacation. They are a lovely English family with kids a similar age to ours... in fact their son is in Aaron's class at school. They were incredibly kind and welcoming, and they also very generously lent us a couple of sofas to use until our container arrives. We now have a proper living room in our apartment and it's made a huge difference.
After school yesterday, we went out for a Back-to-School celebratory pizza and beer with the MBIS school families in our apartment complex. The pizzas were delicious and there was also a nice selection of craft beers to try. We will definitely be returning to TJs Brewhouse!
Even though today is a non-school day, this morning Sam and I went on the school bus to MBIS for the Indian Independence Day flag ceremony. The primary school kids weren't required to attend, so the twins and Clem got a lie-in this morning. While it was a long way to go for just an hour, I was glad I went as it was a fascinating ceremony to watch - very grand and serious, with the school security guards dressed in fancy turbans and uniforms and marching in formation in front of the flag. It's a little weird living in a country that celebrates gaining its independence from the oppressive colonial rule imposed by your own nation - you almost feel a little apologetic. It was the same in the US every 4th July, except that India's independence is a much more recent thing! India and Pakistan were partitioned in the split from British rule only 70 years ago, and so it is within living memory of some here. From what I understand, it was a pretty grim period in Indian history with many casualties on both sides. It's understandable why the Independence celebrations here have a somewhat more serious note compared to the party atmosphere in the US.
On Saturday, we visited a part of town called Koregaon Park for a spot of lunch and a bit of a wander around the lush, banyan tree-lined lanes. We ate lunch at the infamous German Bakery cafe (sadly, this place is most well known for being the site of a terrorist bombing in 2010 that killed 17 and wounded 60 - read more here). The food was great and the murals on the wall of famous performers sparked a fun conversation with the kids.
On Sunday the weather was gorgeous - sunny and warm, without the typical humidity - so we visited the swimming pool at the apartment complex opposite with some neighbours. The water was a bit chilly for my liking (I have been spoiled by living in Texas for so long), but the boys loved having a bit of a splash around. We also got to meet our new neighbours who live directly opposite our apartment; they have just returned from vacation. They are a lovely English family with kids a similar age to ours... in fact their son is in Aaron's class at school. They were incredibly kind and welcoming, and they also very generously lent us a couple of sofas to use until our container arrives. We now have a proper living room in our apartment and it's made a huge difference.
After school yesterday, we went out for a Back-to-School celebratory pizza and beer with the MBIS school families in our apartment complex. The pizzas were delicious and there was also a nice selection of craft beers to try. We will definitely be returning to TJs Brewhouse!
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