#49 Embarrassed by my ...

Hi everyone. I don't even know what to call my inactivity? Is it laziness? Computer-ineptitude? I don't know but I am not one who reads blogs so how would I know what one is supposed to be like. But I apologize if this is no fun to read. Sorry. I hope everyone received a Christmas ecard from me. I tried to send them to everyone so if you didn't get one, please send me an email so I know what your email address is. I probably don't have your email address. I am in Australia now, arrived here December 16th. My return ticket to India is for February 15th, two months away. I arrived just in time for the holidays so my brother and sister-in-law have been keeping me busy with holiday activities. We went to a friend's house that has a standing tradition for years now of gathering on Christmas Eve. I went to their home 7 years ago, the last time I saw my brother. At that time it was a nice group, maybe 20 people, and there were lots of instruments and we sang and had a great time. This time it was only 6 of us and there were no instruments but we didn't leave until we all sang Silent Night. A nice touch. But time has changed things. We spent Christmas and Boxing Day (the very British holiday of the day AFTER Christmas) at my Sister-in-law's daughter's home. That was such a treat. She is married to a Constable (read Constable On Patrol) assigned to a rural posting in south West Australia. They have 2 boys, age 2 and 4 years old. On Christmas Day the Dad was busy building Lego Star Wars kits that the boys received as gifts from Santa. And the daughter is a professionally trained tourist industry cook so she made a meal and desserts to die for! It was a really nice visit. Then on December 27th, my two nephews, their wives and a total of 7 children met at a Sizzler for lunch. When we were done eating, we drove to a nearby park and exchanged gifts. The weather has been beautiful here, sunny and in the 90's. It's beautiful for me anyway that I like hot, but some people think it is too hot. I'm here with 5 cats and 1 dog and the remarkable wildlife of Australia. The 5 feline occupants of the house are Mitch, a black and white male cat who pretty much owns the place, Sooty an all black cat except for the white tips of his toes, Caspar an all white male, Tweedy Pie a male Siamese and Angel, a different Siamese, grey not brown and beige, and the only female and certainly no angel! My sister-in-law has written up a posting to find her a new home but hasn't gotten to putting it on a bulletin board yet. And then there is a BIG Golden Retriever named Christopher. He stays outside and only comes in to be fed. And the wildlife is birds! When we were visiting the daughter I watched a flock of Galahs, these pink and gray parrots. I couldn't get a photo of them but here is what they look like: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galah On the map of their territory, I am in the red all the way to the South West, in fact visiting the daughter we were just north of the grey area. Then I saw another flock of birds, called "Twenty-eight" (Australian Ringnecks), a yellow headed parrot. Now you have to remember I used to live here in Australia so it shouldn't be new to me but after all these years it is still a thrill to see them again. And to hear the Kookaburras, not pretty birds but loud and noisy. I love them. And Marie has forgotten things. I walked to the shopping center and there was a sign for a bank I used to use, Westpac, and when I walked it I had to ask, Is this a bank? Yep, there it is; a counter with a teller. So what is the rest of this? It's a "News Agency". I felt like Alice in Wonderland. There is no equivalent in the US, kind of like the "Candy Stores" in New York were to the rest of the country. I don't even know if there are Candy Stores anymore in NY? But you bought newspapers there, penny candies, cards, cigarettes, sometimes coffee, etc. A News Agency sold the newspapers, cards, Lottery tickets, etc. But this was inside the "Bank"! I know lots of things are being incorporated into other places, like grocery stores that have bank branches, but it surprised me. But the biggest surprise is "Sticker Shock"!!! Things are really expensive here. There are some things that are around the same price but other things that I am shocked at. I needed to buy a card and there were no greeting cards for under AUD $4.99, this was a Hallmark Store. I was about to not buy one and when I said something there was a rack of cards for $1. Not pretty but it would do. You cannot find lunch for under AUS $8.00. That would be a grilled cheese sandwich with a cup of tea or coffee. No chips or french fries, either. A small bottle of water costs minimum $2.50 unless you buy a case. The cheapest avocado was $1.29. Their Dollar Store is a TWO Dollar Store. But it is still cheaper than the stores so I did a lot of shopping there. I went to the movies with my brother and sister-in-law and saw Quartet. It was good but even with a Senior Discount it was $8.00. A far cry from my $2.00 movie around the corner from my house. So I am slowly adjusting back to Australia and by time I do, I will be back in India and need to completely adjust again. I'm going to post some photos:

This is me in my newest Saree, it's a Kerala Saree, pure cotton with only a golden stripe around the bottom. And I can't find another photo that I want to share, sorry about that. Only one this time. I'll check back again soon. Promise. Love Marie

#48 Home Sweet Home in India

Hello Everyone I have been really derelict in keeping you posted on this. First of all HAPPY THANKSGIVING. Hope it was a good weekend for you and you had lots to be thankful for. This was the first Thanksgiving in a really long time that I did not celebrate my favorite holiday. In France, Australia, and Africa I would make a special meal and invite friends over to remember and give thanks for all our blessings. But this year I had no kitchen facilities so I had a Non-Holiday. There will be plenty more in the future so I am not concerned. I did go online and see photos of the Macys Parade so that made up for it. In the other places mentioned (France, Australia and Africa) I didn't have internet accessibility so I missed the parade. I have attached some photos of my room, without the kitchen facilities. Photo #1, I have a basic room with 2 beds, 1 single and 1 double bed, a table which I am working at right now that has an outlet over it - the one and only in the room - where I plug in my computer. Photo #2, my balcony where I can hang my clothes to dry and there is a sink in front of the door to the bathroom. Photo #3 is my little wardrobe in the corner of the room, prevents me from accumulating a lot of "stuff". And then the view from the balcony - Photo #4 is the School of Dentistry, 3 buildings in a row right under me. Photo #5 is the School of Pharmacy and the School of Business which is off in the distance. I am sure it is walking distance but I have not gone there yet. Photo # 6 is The Bathroom. Cold shower or get hot water down the hall and have a bucket bath, which I do. And then photos # 6 & 7 are a couple of views from the balcony, to give you a feel for the palm trees and undeveloped land. This is definitely tropical with warm temperatures, even at night. Tomorrow I have to leave at 7:00 a.m. to visit a village where we are going to meet with the elderly and find out what they would like for services. I have a feeling it is going to be difficult because the culture is to not tell the truth, but to say what they think the other person wants to hear. Can be exasperating sometimes. By this time I would be going crazy with all the Christmas music everywhere and the advertisements to Sell, Sell Sell! I wouldn't even know it was Christmas Season here so I have to remind myself that it is. What a difference. I will try to write more often. Take care everyone and enjoy the Holiday Season. Love Marie