Summer in Chennai

It's June and the worst of the summer heat is behind us, but it's still hot. But the pool is now cooler than the air so at least it's refreshing again. But we sat out a little too long yesterday and got more pink than we planned to. It's also mango season. It's funny to come from the US where a mango is mango to learn that there are so many varieties. I've made a few batches of mango freezer jam and will make some more as soon as a friend returns from the US with more Sure Jell for me.

We've had a good weekend in. Yesterday was lounge around the house day.  Long breakfast with a pot of tea, some swimming, some TV, some reading. Today, due to lack of imagination, we went to Asiana (our usual workout and Sunday brunch joint) for massages and brunch. I got a Thai massage today, as opposed to the standard Swedish massage. The Thai massage was amazing! The little masseuse walked on my legs and back to loosen up my joints - doesn't sound pleasant but it was and it worked. So next time you come to Chennai I'll get you in and you will love it.

Last weekend we took the train to Banagalore. The Chennai train station was CRAZY with people milling about, sleeping n the ground inside and out waiting for trains, brushing their teeth at large communal sinks, and walking around all the stacks of boxes of goods being loaded on the trains. It left early in the morning and took around 5 hours. 

Bangalore is due west of Chennai and the landscape reminds me of the American southwest. As we got out of the city it became more agricultural. At one stop Mr. R saw monkeys but I missed them.

Bangalore is popular with the expats because it has western restaurants such as Chili's and Hard Rock Cafe; it is a more progressive town in general. We went directly to our hotel, the Leela Palace, and pretty much burrowed in for the duration. It was gorgeous, with gardens, a small shopping arcade, several restaurants, and a nice pool area.

Per our new norm we stayed in a room which had privileges at a lounge which served snacks and cocktails at various times of the day. 

After breakfast on the second day we wandered out to the pool. Apparently the lounge chairs have magnets because we sat down and didn't get up for three hours. The weather was cooler than Chennai- probably in the high 70's- so it felt refreshing. We walked out to a small grocery store to be jealous of the fact that they sell liquor, beer and wine there (only found at government shops in Chennai, with a small selection). But we quickly returned to the peace and quiet of our mini-resort. Oh, and Mr. R had his first auto rickshaw ride and survived to tell the tale.

The Chennai American school is out for the summer and the expats are starting to leave town. Some families are returning home, some moving on to new assignments, several are taking summer vacations. It's sad to see people going but nice to know we're extending our global network of friends. Plus some new families are joining us in Chennai and it's our turn to help them settle in, as so many people did for us almost one year ago.

A Sekar story for you. (Remember Sekar is the caretaker/gardener at our house.) He was off last week looking for a bride for his son Boobathy (pronounced Boobady, which totally cracks me up every time Mr. R says it). He came back and reported that the prospective bride had buck teeth and a ninth-grade education. So the search continues. Not sure why they want to marry Boobathy off, when the happy couple is destined to move in with Sekar and Lakshmi anyway.

Mr. R and Sekar have what we call a daily confab, the topics of which are usually our dinner conversation. Mr. R. puts on what he calls his "Sekar translator" to give me the story in words as Sekar conveyed it with body language and tone. The stories are always hysterical because I've seen Sekar and can believe that his waving of arms translates into the sarcasm and cursing with which Mr. R replays the stories. I really need to videotape one of their confabs for you.

Next weekend we are off for Bangkok. We will arrive early Thursday morning and take a car to Ayutthaya, to a hotel a friend recommended there. We will stay through the following morning then drive back to Bangkok for two nights. General plan is to do a little shopping, some sightseeing, hit a famous rooftop bar at night, and hang around the hotel.

And, yes, Mr. S, I do have a job but work stories would be sort of boring blog material, wouldn't they? :-)