We left home at 9.15 and Penri dropped us at the hotel where the weekly women's coffee morning was being held. When we walked in there was only Melinda there with her children (even though we were 20 minutes late). There was a small play area set up for the children which literally consisted of a play mat on the floor, a see-saw and a small rocking horse. That was it and it wasn't enclosed so I had to stand next to it the whole time. Even standing right next to it watching Dylan playing, he still ran out of the restaurant door a few times and I had to go running after him. As more ladies started to arrive, they sat at a large table at the back of the restaurant where you could have tea and pastries, however as I mentioned above, there was no chance of me sitting down whatsoever. The other mums were in the same position so I was stood with Melinda and another lady (Safiye) most of the time we were there.
After an hour and a half, I decided Dylan had had enough and it was time to leave. I asked one of the men at the concierge to order me a taxi. They told me they had hotel taxis and there were no outside ones available. A hotel taxi was going to cost me Rs.500 (about £8) which doesn't sound like much but for the distance I was travelling and the normal cost of taxis here, it was a lot. I asked if they could keep trying to get me an outside taxi, which luckily they did. It ended up costing me Rs. 130 which is a big difference to what I would've paid for the hotel taxi. Anyway, Dylan was very excited about riding in a shiny emerald green taxi. We got in the car and headed home. It was very hot as it was coming up to midday and both children were tired and hungry, as was I.
Getting home, I made lunch and settled Abigail down for a nap. DJ was tired but couldn't settle so we played in his room while Abi was sleeping. At 3 p.m Raj Kumar (our cleaner) came to do the cleaning and Dylan then started running around after him saying 'Kumar, Kumar, chase me'. It was so cute! Poor Raj Kumar was trying to get his work done and DJ just wanted to play!
I have found a new, super brilliant way to communicate with Raj Kumar as his English is very limited and my Hindi is non-existent. Penri and I had been talking at lunchtime about the day the cargo will be delivered (still no date yet, but hoping it will be in the next few days). We were both concerned about making sure all the boxes are delivered (and nothing has been taken) and also, making sure that Dylan doesn't seize the opportunity of having the front door open and lots of people about, to try and run outside! So, Pens and I agreed it would be a good idea to have Raj Kumar here for the day, just to be another pair of eyes on the children but mainly to occupy Dylan. I said I would speak to him but then it occurred to me … if I couldn't even get him to understand a simple thing such as 'clean the bathrooms', how on earth was I going to explain to him what I wanted to say. I had an excellent idea. I asked Raj Kumar if he could read Hindi, which he said he could. So, I went on Google, found a translation site and typed in what I wanted to say – that our cargo was arriving from England, not sure of the day but would he be able to come and spend the day here at the apartment; not to clean but to watch Dylan? He read it all and nodded (well, shook his head side to side) and said 'Yes Madam, no problem!' He seemed very happy about it too, which I am pleased about. I know he likes Dylan and more importantly Dylan seems to be very happy around him. Don't get me wrong – there is no way I would leave Dylan with him if I wasn't around, but I know that him being here on that day will help me a lot!!
While Raj Kumar was here, I also used the Hindi translation again to ask him if he could help me as I needed to pick up a radiator that I had bought from the lady in the next apartment block. I was unable to push the pushchair with both children in it and carry a small radiator. So, he came with us and we all went to pick it up. When we got back to the apartment, I was trying to put up a curtain in Abi's room and having no luck whatsoever. The curtain rails here are so difficult as you have to unscrew the rail from the bracket (with a screwdriver) and then unscrew it from the wall in order to put the curtains on. It's not easy and not helped by the fact that I don't have a step ladder so was standing on four plastic chairs in order to reach it. Raj Kumar helped me get the curtains hung up. I think he must think I am mad because I am forever doing bits and bobs around the apartment whereas most expats have live in help for things like that. Even the other day when I was measuring the living room for curtains, he kept trying to do it for me and I was telling him 'no problem, I can do it myself'. He has this high pitched laugh which he always does and it makes me smile every time! He loves it when I am on Skype because he is fascinated by the fact that I can talk to someone and see their video. He has seen my mum, my sister, Indeg, Debs, Sam … he always looks at it with a big grin on his face :)
Anyway, back to my day yesterday. After dinner, at about 6.30 I took the children swimming. We hadn't been for a couple of days so DJ was really excited to go swimming. We got into the pool and then the lifeguard came over to me and told me Abigail wasn't allowed in the pool. I looked at him confused. He said 'no children under 2 in the pool, she had to go in the baby pool'. I told him I have been here for four weeks and brought her swimming many, many times (most days in fact) and never had a problem before. He said it was new rules. I asked him to show me the rules and he shook his head from side to side. So, I said 'I'm not getting out, I'm only here for 15 minutes and then I'll be going home'. Then I moved to the other side of the pool. It's ridiculous!! He wanted me to take her in the baby pool which would mean I would have to sit in a couple of inches of water myself and not in the pool. How crazy!! There's no way I'm just going to sit in the baby pool! So, we'll see what happens next time I go swimming. If I have to kick up a stink about this, I will. They let children (some as young as 2) in the big pool without an adult in the water with them. Their nannies sit at the side of the pool. That is more dangerous than having a baby in your arms in the water. Anyway, will keep you posted on what happens!
I have a few more photos to post which I will do in a minute. Some are of out and about in India and I have a few pictures of the children. Dylan has really taken a liking to shoes – especially mine! He walks around the house in them saying 'DJ shoes!' I managed to get a picture of him this morning wearing my flip-flops. It cracks me up. He's so funny! I also have pictures of Abigail playing with Dylan's toys this morning. She likes her toys, but she LOVES his toys. I can see this being a problem when they are older. Even now he doesn't like sharing but he will share when I ask him to. They were playing in Dylan's room this morning and she was having a great time with his puzzles and cars:
Pictures Out and About:
That's about it from me today. Not much other news to report. It's been a nice and busy day and I'm looking forward to a nice early night tonight :)
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