Thursday, August 24, 2006
Tuned Out in Kolkatta
I don't know how K. does it, but in this city with its zillion assaults on the senses, he is completely tuned out! I mean, I come home from visits to friends and relatives with my nerves buzzing from near-misses with mini-buses and pedestrians but K. is totally Zen. Most of the time is taken up with visits to relatives and friends. S. is thrilled because my friend from college has a son about the same age so life here has been one long play date. Baby is of course still bewildered and clingy. The food is very good but there is too much of it, so alas I will have to go home to Connecticut and do penance for my gluttony. Gym, here I come. There is plenty of help here domestically but the nanny my mother hired is a complete failure. She has no technique and the baby will not go to her, period. So I am stuck babysitting day and night. I am getting annoyed but what to do? Oh well, will be home soon with all my daily schedule of work and home, etc.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Travelling Home
Well, we are here in Calcutta (sorry, Kolkatta) where I was amazed to note as we stepped outside the airpport, it was cooler than Connecticut! But ever since, it has been getting hotter and muggier so it doesn't feel too different from when we left.
The parents are of course delighted because all three grandchildren are here and the house is full of the sound of laughter and of my daughter screaming her lungs out whenever the specially-hired nanny approaches her.
The jetlag is spectacular! The kids go to sleep every morning at 10:00 and then wake up after lunch. They both wake up at night at 3:30 AM! And then sit like little owls in my parents bedroom with Cartoon Network switched on. Honestly, my folks have to be the best grandparents around! Not only do they not mind the invasion of their bedroom at that ungodly hour but my mother actually gets up and makes everyone tea at 4:00 AM. Not the kids of course. Speaking of television, all of S's favorite shows are here - Sponge Bob Squarepants, Avatar, Drake and Josh, etc. all dubbed in Hindi. S. sits hypnotized by it all even though he probably understands nothing.
The parents are of course delighted because all three grandchildren are here and the house is full of the sound of laughter and of my daughter screaming her lungs out whenever the specially-hired nanny approaches her.
The jetlag is spectacular! The kids go to sleep every morning at 10:00 and then wake up after lunch. They both wake up at night at 3:30 AM! And then sit like little owls in my parents bedroom with Cartoon Network switched on. Honestly, my folks have to be the best grandparents around! Not only do they not mind the invasion of their bedroom at that ungodly hour but my mother actually gets up and makes everyone tea at 4:00 AM. Not the kids of course. Speaking of television, all of S's favorite shows are here - Sponge Bob Squarepants, Avatar, Drake and Josh, etc. all dubbed in Hindi. S. sits hypnotized by it all even though he probably understands nothing.