Some great wall hangings!

We finally got some professional pictures of our girls to hang on our bare walls.  And they were much cheaper here than in the States!

Fishing, etc.

Our little swimmer loves the water and can hold her breath underwater for at least 8 seconds. 
She'll be spear-fishing in no time.

Cora and some friends helping the local fisherman pull in the net.

It takes 2 rows like this of fishermen about an hour to pull in the net.  Sometimes it's empty.

A local fishing boat in the mix.

Being home-schooled doesn't guarantee a distraction-free environment.

Cora learning how to surf

"Let's catch another one, Daddy!"

The locals use a net; the crazy foreigner dives down and spears them.

Hiking at Thenmala

     We took a day to get out of the city with some friends a few weeks ago to a place called Thenmala.  The name means honey mountain.  We didn't see many bees, but we saw lots of other interesting creatures.



These giant flowers were on the side of the road, where we had to stop because we were all getting car sick from the winding road.



 The lake at Thenmala.  Just over this wall was a HUGE snake, maybe a constrictor, but I couldn't get a good picture of it.  You'll just have to believe me!



Paddling a teacup isn't an easy thing.



We were environmentally friendly and threw our trash in the waste basket.  Then this monkey took it out and ran up a tree with it.



A snack break along our hike.  We had to walk under this mother with babies crawling all over her to continue on our trail.



This waterfall was a short drive from Thenmala.  "Bathing" was allowed at the bottom of the falls, where men stripped down to their skivvies while women bathed in their Salwar Kameez or even full burka and veil.



Some not-so-wild monkeys.  The ice cream man said he gives more food to the monkeys than to people.

Random pictures from the last month

When you live in the tropics, sometimes you just have to pretend.

Onam 2011

     Onam, Kerala's biggest holiday, has come and gone again.  It lasts 5 days and is celebrated by Keralites of all religions, although it's roots are Hindu.  We were invited to our house helper's house for a meal, then our friend's house for another meal the same day, then we went to the fair the next day. Today, although late because of a transportation strike, our flat held it's Onam celebration with another big meal.  I'd have to say we're Onam'd out.



On the way to Auntie's house, we went through village after village with the streets filled with shoppers.  Very slow going.  It was like Black Friday at home.



The traditional Kerala meal:  Rice and dahl served on a banana leaf with a lot of sides to mix in.  We love it!



Auntie and her husband.  The tradition is for the guests to eat first, then the family to eat.  It's really awkward for us, but they won't have it any other way.  Auntie's husband fell from a coconut tree when their kids were 1 and 3, resulting in total loss of hearing.  He was also paralyzed for a very long time and has been out of work since.  Auntie has had to work to provide for the family.



Auntie's son, a taylor, made these traditional Kerala dresses for our girls.  So sweet.  Aren't they beautiful?



Preparing the flowers for an arrangement called Pookalam with kids in the flat



The finished product



Enjoying the rides at the fair

The park had hung these swings from all the trees, much to Cora's liking.

Just Some Pics

Painting with friends

Love those blue eyes

Jay's fan club.  This is on a beach on the east coast where Jay helped out with a surf camp.

The Destructor

Cora and a friend on our favorite hike nearby

On Sundays,  you're bound to come across a cricket match wherever you are.

Evie has graduated from the high-chair tray to the table.  It's a very messy transition.

"Auntie" and her little side-kick.

Our first Hindu wedding

Our good friend Kavitha invited us to her niece's wedding, our first Hindu wedding, which we attended last weekend.  Knowing that literally thousands of people are invited to weddings here, we didn't think much of it.  So we were really surprised when we arrived and Kavitha ushered us up onto the stage, to the front row with her family.  Our protests had no effect, so there we sat, next to the grandmas as the bride came out and kissed their feet.  I thought, "We don't even know the bride!"  Hindu weddings are very different from anything we are used to.  It seemed a little chaotic with drums beating, people walking in circles around the couple, people crowding around to throw flowers on them or just to get a good picture.  There was lots of talking, hooting, and clapping throughout.  I don't think there was any exchanging of vows or any communication between the bride and groom at all.  The priest performed a pooja before the couple, with them taking part a few times.  I can't really explain any of it.  It ended with the bride and groom exchanging flower garlands, then walking around the ceremonial platform several times.  The bride was beautiful.  After the wedding, a traditional Kerala vegetarian meal was served on banana leaves in a large mess hall.  We were warned to eat fast because men walk around ready to serve the next dish very quickly.  The last 2 or 3 dishes are poured right into your hand and you drink it up.  "Good for digestion". 

Our beautiful girls all dressed up for the wedding.

Not nearly as dressed up as other girls, as you can see.  This little princess was really interested in Evie's blond hair.  She kept hugging and kissing her and touching her hair.  Evie just stood there and took it straight-faced.

The beautiful bride before the wedding.

The pooja platform where the bride, groom, and priest would sit.

This and the next two photos are of the pooja. 

As is the case in most weddings here, this is an arranged marriage.  The bride and groom hardly know each other.  "Love will come later," Kavitha says.

Kavitha's oldest son entertaining Evelyn during the ceremony.