A Fresh Start

For reasons not bloggable, it was quite a wonky second semester here in New Delhi. Diplomatic relations between the United States and India were strained following the mid-December arrest of Devyani Khobragade in New York. Our school and its faculty were caught up in the fallout. We were instructed to keep a low profile as we traveled and on-line so blogs were pull down and status updates were intentionally oblique. For about seven months, life as expats in India was unpleasantly unsettled. With the issues related to the school now resolved, it is - finally! - time to breathe life back into Holy Sacred Cow. To accomplish this, here is the rundown on the very necessary "SuperFun Distractions" that helped get us through last spring.

The first, and most momentous, highlight was Jenn's visit from America. After nearly four years of nagging, my sister agreed (perhaps under duress on a wine-y summer night) to check out our life in New Delhi. Jenn accomplished this in five action-packed days during which she: visited the boys' classrooms, chaperoned a third grade field trip, ate piles of home cooked Indian cuisine (including momos, butter chicken, and samosas), sweat it all out at Jazzercise, bargained at Sarojini, took in the sumptuous breakfast at the Imperial Hotel, had a massage, rode a cycle rickshaw through the narrow alleyways in Old Delhi (her "Homeland moment"), and made a day trip to the Taj Mahal. We had. so. much. fun.

The second escape from reality was spring break. We were advised asked to keep our plans within India and while this was disappointing (had to cancel the return trip to Spannocchia that was already booked), we ended up with a great week in Southern India. We started the week trekking through tea estates and spice plantations around Munnar and then splashed out by the sea for a few days.

Next up was the first AES Rickshaw Race in which our team "Delhi Bellies" tied for second place. It was a terrific fun to zoom around Delhi, strategizing our route, researching answers to the Indian trivia questions, negotiating for items we needed, and fulfilling a range of challenges. For example, points were earned for "selling" vegetables at Sarojini Market (to Raghu, whose stall we go to every Sunday):

.....photos with creepiest mannequins:

.....selfie at the Salt March:

.....photo with a snake charmer:

....posing as sick tourists:

....and our amazing Bollywood inspired dance in Nehru Park (catchy tune, isn't it?):

The final getaway was traveling with a group of friends by overnight train (a first for Asa and Liam) to stay at one of our very top India destinations to date. We tromped around the hillside, breathed in cool, fresh mountain air, had some of the absolutely best food ever, and even woke up to find Snickers that the Easter Bunny had hidden around our cabins.

And now, three weeks into the new school year and it has already proven to be the much needed fresh start everyone hoped it would be. With the troubles of last year behind us, looking forward to a great year ahead.