We're all connected...

Which would you choose?!

India's Magic Masala or American Style Cream & Onion?

things I didn't expect to see...

The India I've seen on TV and in movies didn't fully prepare me for the India I am seeing in real life.  Coming from Belize I am fascinated by the buildings, the crowds of people, and the busyness of the streets.  There is a richness of diversity that I appreciate.  And I am loving discovering a few unexpected sights along the way.

a man selling cotton candy...

high rise buildings...

women riding side saddle...

and a peaceful lake in the middle of the city...

I wonder what other unexpected sights we'll see over the next few months?!

passing the time...

Tom has always enjoyed doing puzzles.  In the early years of our marriage, before we could afford artwork, Tom would do a puzzle and glue it together to hang on our walls.  Now our home in Belize is graced with his artwork.  But, the joy of completing a puzzle still remains!

 

 

He thought at first that there were a few pieces missing...

Thankfully, Auntie Manesha found them today when she came to do the floors!!

a ride to the market...

My first ride with Meesha on her bike...

these flowers smelled incredible...

these are thin bracelets called bangles...you can buy 12 of them for 34 cents!

They had some larger ones too...

Meesha wanted me to try some of the sweets.  So we stopped for a taste.

The salesmen in the blue t-shirt kept offering me free samples of various ones he thought I might like.  He would tell me what each one was and explain how it would taste.  So of course after all of his kindness I walked away with a box of candies made from cashews! 

I took home items for the apartment, some veggies, and a box of candy.  I didn't want to over do it since we were on the bike and not in a car or a rickshaw. So far my experience here with shopkeepers has been positive.  Everyone seems so helpful and very service oriented which we haven't always seen in other countries.  

weep for the children...

I don't like to take photos of children.  However, we spotted this little girl walking through the middle of traffic...going from vehicle to vehicle begging for money.  Gesturing to her mouth and repeating the same phrase over and over and over again we understood what she was asking.

My heart goes out to children all around the world who are hungry, abused, trafficked, neglected or abandoned.  In every single country we have visited we have seen children in need.  India is no different.  We may not ever see this child again but we can pray for her and all the others like her who are wandering the streets.

I wonder where her mother is.
I wonder about her background.
I wonder if she was genuinely hungry.
I wonder if someone else took the money she labored to raise.
I wonder if she is scared as she weaves in and out of cars, motorcycles, trucks, rickshaws, and bikes.
I wonder...and I weep for the children of the world. 

MickeyDees In India

Personally, I think McDonalds is McDonalds no matter where you are in the world. One difference I have noticed though is that the beef might taste a little different and from country to country there are usually items more appealing to the locals.

 

The atmosphere inside is always the same...families, teens, couples, and individuals. 

 

Here in India a major difference is seen in the kitchen.  Because there are vegetarian items on the menu the kitchen is divided into two sections.  Vegetarianism is a part of the culture here and the menu at McDonalds is a reflection of that.  There were no beef burgers available.  Tom and I each chose chicken.  Tom had a chicken masala sandwich and I choose the Spicy Chicken nuggets.  

We don't have McDonalds in Belize or any other typical fast food place found in the states.  So whenever we travel it's always fun to stop in and get a small taste of home.  French fries are always on the menu and they rarely disappoint...I'm loving it!

the crack of a whip...

THU-WHACK!!  I cannot fully replicate the dreadful sound brought about by this young Hindu man cracking that whip across his flesh.  Each time a passerby gave him money he hit himself for that person's sin.  With each formidable blow my startle reflex kicked in and my body flinched.  

When I saw the amount of money he had in his pockets it caused me to think about the price paid for my sins.  My Redeemer endured a beating, being mocked, hanging on the cross, and ultimately death for my sin. 

And though it cost Him a great deal...my salvation was free.

He paid the price.

  He took the pain.  

My heart was impacted by the thought of how many are still looking in the wrong places for redemption. Pray with me for those who need to know the One True Savior.  And give Him thanks for all that He has already done for you...and all that He continues to do in your life. 

Saree Style...

As we've been out and about here in the city I am noticing all of the women wearing sarees.  I've seen many different colors, patterns, and types and am totally captivated by the unique style of each woman who chooses to wear one. 

This polka dot one immediately captured my attention as we whizzed by in the rickshaw on Thursday.

The bright colors are so vibrant...

No matter what the style, each saree has it's own appeal to the wearer...

I went with Meesha and Spencer to a small saree shop and was overwhelmed with choices.  It may take me a while to determine my own personal style...but I'm sure I'll end up with more than one of these treasures to take back to Belize with me!

Impressions of Pune...

Yesterday was our first full day in India.  We are so very thrilled to be here.  And so grateful for the gifts and prayers that made this trip possible.  If you follow me on Facebook check out my album, First Impressions of India (just click on the title to go directly there) to see all of the photos of our first day!

I should be asleep but for some reason, probably jet lag, I am struggling to turn off my brain.  So I decided maybe it would be better to just jot down a few words about our day.


Spencer and Meesha took us out to eat and run a few errands.  Here's a bit of a recap with photos...

We ate paper dosas for the first time:

Lucky for me they are naturally gluten free!

 there were several different fillings that we tried...

You just tear off a piece of the dosa, put in your filling, and eat!!

We went for our first rickshaw ride:

 Rickshaws are a fast and easy way to get around the city...

Meesha told the driver we wanted to pay by the meter so that we would get a fair price...

We got up close and personal with a few cows as we rode along checking out the sites:

We even shopped a bit at the mall.  Tom and I picked up a few books, a puzzle for him to work on, and a few Indian outfits for me.

And we ended our first day relaxing and laughing with the Soares family.  What a blessing it has been to meet them in real life and get to know them in person!

I wonder what other treasured experiences our time here will hold!?!

Our adventure continues...

I can't get my computer to connect to the internet here in the hotel so I'm using my Galaxy tablet to post with. 

For our half day in London we hired a driver to give us a car tour of the city.  It was brief but wonderful.  Perhaps some day we'll make it back for a longer stay.

We've had a blast in Paris.  The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre museum were all incredible.  Each was overwhelming and inspiring in it's own way. 

Tomorrow we will begin our journey to Pune, India.  We are looking forward to seeing Spencer and Meesha again and to meeting Meesha's family.  Please keep us in your prayers as we travel!

Sunset...

 

This is our last Belizean sunset for a while!

We leave for our mini vacation in London and Paris tomorrow.  And then on to India for a few months to spend time with Spencer and Meesha before the wedding.  We are very excited to be able to be a part of this phase of their lives!

Number 29

Tom's artwork graces our walls.  Here is one of his latest pieces.  It was influenced by the local Mayan masks that we've seen here in Belize.  He was intrigued by the thought of what jewels of different colors look like when light hits them from various angles. 

I loved how it turned out!

Once again...

Yesterday we had to get our passports stamped with a visitor's permit once again.  Still waiting on the work permit...six months and counting.

We walk in darkness...

 

My new favorite...

We found these chips at Chen's, one of the local stores we shop at. I was surprised that they taste just like kettle corn.  It's always fun to try new snacks.  And it's even better when they're gluten free!

P.S. I forgot to take a photo when the bag was still full...I guess I was too excited to wait!

I see the moon...

I had fun the other night as I took pictures of the 2013 supermoon!  There was a bit of a wait for the clouds to move out of the way but I finally got some shots that I like. 

Standing out there in the moonlight I thought of my sons and the old nursery rhyme: 

I see the moon and the moon sees me. God bless the moon and God bless me.  

What a blessing to think of family and friends around the world enjoying the same view.  Tell me, did you see it?  

Oh so close!

We should be eating mangoes from our tree very soon! 

run with endurance...

an unwanted late night visitor...

Last week I had an unwanted visitor in the bathroom.  It's surreal to see a tarantula come around the corner headed straight for you.  Of course I ran out of the bathroom and yelled at Tom to come and get rid of it. 

As Tom took a look at the spider he says, "aren't you going to take a picture?

I took the first photo and then screamed when it moved!!

Tom scooped it up into the dustpan and threw it outside.

I heard from a few others that they'd also had tarantulas show up in their bathrooms or right outside their doors last week.  Apparently, a combination of  heat and rain brings them out.  We've been here almost three years and this was our first run-in with such a huge critter in our home.  Seriously, this thing was bigger than the frog we had come inside.  

Well, now I know when tarantula season is and I'll be ready next time...maybe!