Wednesday found us back at the doctor, to a negative TB result. What a relief! After our quick visit, we decided to make a quick stop at Safdarjung, a dwelling and tomb built by a son in honor of his father. It was a very atmospheric place, but sadly in a state of disrepair. There were some workers doing paving -- including women breaking rock by hand with hoes, then carrying piles of rock gravel on their heads to the pathway they were constructing. This tomb and surrounding walls and buildings are noteworthy for being one of the latest examples of Mughal architecture in India. It reminded us that the US is such a young country -- I wonder how people decide which places to preserve in a country that has centuries of history.
Anya and Kavya seemed tired, so we called it quits after our brief visit there. On the way back to the hotel, we experienced a parenting milestone: Kavya threw up on Nancy. Our driver didn't seem as impressed by our milestone, however . . .
* * * * * * *
Thursday was our embassy appointment. It is so different from our last visit -- much more efficient and structured than our visit 6 years ago. Many modernized features have been added; last time, it seemed we sat in a series of rooms with little directional signs, and hoped for the best. The video monitors and queue system were terrific, and the employees were really helpful. Afterward, our phone was saying it didn't have coverage to call our driver, and a security guard let us use his phone.
With nothing else on our agenda, we headed back to the hotel for Kavya's nap. While Peter was on Daddy duty for our napper, Alicia, Anya and I headed out to do a little shopping. I wanted to find a tablecloth for each of our girls when they grow up, and we chose a few other gifts for people back home. I'm not a huge shopper, and neither is Alicia -- but we wanted to make sure to have a few special items to remember the trip.
This afternoon (and one day earlier this week), we went to the hotel's outdoor hot tub -- or more appropriately, the warm tub. As before, we were the only guests using the pool. There are always a few employees on pool duty to keep the pigeons out of the pool, and you could tell they thought we were CRAZY for swimming in the winter. Today was a little chilly (about 58 or 60 degrees), but when we were in the water it was fine.
Kavya was very subdued in the water on Monday, and sat quietly on Nancy's lap taking it all in. But today she was a wild child! She was splashing and squealing and having a grand time -- even the pool workers commented on how different she was. Anya LOVED being in the water, and showed off her swimming skills for us. It was definitely a treat for us, knowing that our hometown got 6-10 inches of snow yesterday!
Anya and Kavya seemed tired, so we called it quits after our brief visit there. On the way back to the hotel, we experienced a parenting milestone: Kavya threw up on Nancy. Our driver didn't seem as impressed by our milestone, however . . .
* * * * * * *
Thursday was our embassy appointment. It is so different from our last visit -- much more efficient and structured than our visit 6 years ago. Many modernized features have been added; last time, it seemed we sat in a series of rooms with little directional signs, and hoped for the best. The video monitors and queue system were terrific, and the employees were really helpful. Afterward, our phone was saying it didn't have coverage to call our driver, and a security guard let us use his phone.
With nothing else on our agenda, we headed back to the hotel for Kavya's nap. While Peter was on Daddy duty for our napper, Alicia, Anya and I headed out to do a little shopping. I wanted to find a tablecloth for each of our girls when they grow up, and we chose a few other gifts for people back home. I'm not a huge shopper, and neither is Alicia -- but we wanted to make sure to have a few special items to remember the trip.
This afternoon (and one day earlier this week), we went to the hotel's outdoor hot tub -- or more appropriately, the warm tub. As before, we were the only guests using the pool. There are always a few employees on pool duty to keep the pigeons out of the pool, and you could tell they thought we were CRAZY for swimming in the winter. Today was a little chilly (about 58 or 60 degrees), but when we were in the water it was fine.
Kavya was very subdued in the water on Monday, and sat quietly on Nancy's lap taking it all in. But today she was a wild child! She was splashing and squealing and having a grand time -- even the pool workers commented on how different she was. Anya LOVED being in the water, and showed off her swimming skills for us. It was definitely a treat for us, knowing that our hometown got 6-10 inches of snow yesterday!
5 comments:
Nancy! I've been off blogs for a bit... there is just no time :) So how excited to see you are in India! Congrats!
That's incredible that she loves the water! She will be swimming up a storm this summer. I agree about the embassy. I was expecting it to be a much more difficult process but it was so easy!
Welcome to the world of naps again! By all accounts you are settling into a nice groove! Travel home safe!
Can't wait to hear more about Anya and the boys' reaction to their long awaited sister's homecoming.
Julie
Awesome entries, and so glad things are progressing well. Safe travels home, can't wait to see you all!
So good to hear updates. Glad your appointments went so well. :)
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