Just to mention a few Р scooters which not only transport families of five, but sometimes 20 odd live chickens! They also take dogs to the vet and plumbers to work, including the ladders and piping! Entertainment on a jog is limitless, constantly dodging cow patties and in heavy traffic, scooters and motorbikes too, which have no fear of the “pavements”! But hey, it’s another perfect weather day in Bangalore!
I drop Blake (3yrs) at an absolutely fantastic international kindergarten for the morning, where there are no limits to a child’s creativity. They celebrate and acknowledge holidays, festivals and religions from around the world! Being South African, the only criticism is not enough sport! Then Ava (16mnths) and I hit the baby social scene Р singing on Mondays, playgroup on Tuesdays and Jelly Beans on Wednesdays!
All the while your house is in good hands, with a nanny/cleaner and cook, so housework is non existent! But a fear does grow inside you when you think about where you might land up next and how you will cope without the help! Afternoons are for ladies teas, lazing at a club poolside or a siesta with the kids or perhaps some shopping. Who needs internet shopping when they have men pushing wagons up and down the streets where you can get anything from fresh fruit and veg to carpets, and bicycle vendors selling anything from pots to toys! You name it, it comes on wheels around the hood in India!
We still have our regular braais on weekends, but sadly no lamb! The ‘lamb’ in India is goat, but as a South African, I just can’t get my head around it! We do get our lamb kick occasionally when we feeling flush, as a few restaurants have NZ lamb chops! And there are some excellent restaurants in India! In summary with a great ex-pat community we live a good, full life in a crazy, dirty, smelly place. Ultimately SA is still home and we can’t wait to return one day!
