Aaron and Ethan turned 9 yesterday, and we had a busy and fun-filled day. The boys woke early and were outside the apartment trying out their new scooter and skateboard by 7:00 am! After a quick breakfast we got ready to leave for the old part of Pune to meet a tour guide at the Shaniwar Wada fort. We had a few moments of worry as our normally very punctual driver, Deepak, was running a bit late. He turned up on his motorbike laden with bouquets of flowers for the boys' birthday... so sweet.
Aaron and Ethan with Deepak
For the next few hours we explored the old part of town, visiting several of the pre-eminant Ganesha pandals set up in the narrow streets. The Ganesha festival is getting close to its finale, and the number of people visiting the shrines was huge - it was busy, bustling, and a somewhat overwhelming sensory overload! We were easy targets for people bestowing tikka on foreheads in exchange for money (see the first video below). The only issue is that we'd had our foreheads daubed before we were able to explain we had no money to give (we were a little worried about pickpockets so had left our wallets behind). The boys were also the source of quite a bit of interest because of their fair hair and complexions - they had their hair fondled, their cheeks pinched, and several requests for photographs. They are getting better at fielding this level of interest, but Sam was a bit shocked when a guy on a motorbike going in the opposite direction to that we were walking reached out his hand to touch Sam's face - Sam ducked at the last minute, but was a bit taken aback (see the second video below).
One of the 'tikka' guys!
Selling garlands and offerings for the worshippers who are visiting the pandals.
Someone got 'tikka-ed!'
The Ganesha in this shrine is fighting a blue demon that represents the British!
This was VERY crowded and claustrophobic - the Ganesha idol was HUGE!
This courtyard was a quiet little oasis that allowed us to catch our breath.
An old temple.
Sandals outside the temple
Hardworking cow
How this kid could ride this bike I don't know... but he managed!
The chillies smelt so beautiful!
The gates of the Shaniwar Wada - the Peshwar fort in Pune.
Relieved to be back in the car (with AC!)
We returned home for lunch and a bit of a nap, but it wasn't to be. One of the local community pandals were taking their Ganesha idol on a parade to be immersed. Drumming and firecrackers accompanied the procession.
In the afternoon, the boys had soccer practice. We rushed home afterwards, had quick showers and then headed straight out to the Sorriso Italian restaurant with some of our new neighbours. Chef Jacopo had prepared a surprise for the boys and their friends. They got to make their own pizzas! We had a great evening - the kids played on the playing field outside the restaurant while the adults ate, drank, and chatted. We finished the evening with birthday cake and candles.
For me, the 12 days of Christmas began yesterday. Twelve days of counting down until I leave India. I literally can't wait and I am yearning for it with every fibre of my being. Now, my darling husband is going to be reading this and internally cringeing. He will be feeling a crushing guilt and will be trying, right about now, to formulate a plan to 'fix' things. That's him, and one of the many reasons I love him. However, what he perhaps doesn't fully appreciate is that my current, somewhat negative, frame of mind is perfectly normal. In fact, it is even documented and has a name. And I have been there before. I am undoubtedly experiencing true culture shock right now. Being a teacher, I love a good visual aid, so I put together my own version of what this is like in a graph. Stage 1 - Preparation Getting our visas, packing up our home, parties & celebrations, saying goodbyes... this phase was a rollercoaster of emotions. For...
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