So, today's big program was going to the Exhibition. It's very similar to a fair...where vendors from all over the country come to exhibit their goods. It happens every year from January until February 15. It takes us about 1 1/2 hours to get there by cab and up to 2 hours by bus. The traffic on the way was horrendous and we found out later that tomorrow is a holiday, so everyone was headed to the Exhibition...great!
This was my chance to get some shopping done...which i did, but not enough. This place is huge and they have so many "bargains" - it's hard to find the right one. I did buy some shirts for B and mom was able to score a saree and we got some fabric as well.
I think it was hard on Sam and the kids. Sam couldn't really barter...once they saw him coming, or even heard him speak...they would hike up the price. He and Dad kept the kids busy, but how long can you do that with 1 and 4 year olds...but they managed. The kids were getting a bit restless and wanted to eat all kinds of junk food and go on the rides...i guess, kids will be kids. We were maybe able to check out 1/4 of this fair. Mom and I are going to go back on Monday (the last day) and get some more bargains. We left around 9:00 p.m. and there were still crowds coming in...it was crazy, but i think the kids loved it (especially since they were able to talk daddy (S) into getting them creamsicles).
SIDE NOTE: I remember being able to "talk" my dad into getting those for us too...i think he really liked them and used us as an excuse to get some. Apparently, dads will be dads too =D
I promised the kids (B mostly) that they could watch a movie if they behaved...the choice was Tarzan. I think there were a couple parts that were scary, but on the whole they enjoyed it. Just before putting them to bed, i asked B what she thought of the movie. Her response, "yah, it was nice because Jane wore the same panties as Tarzan" I love my kids!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
venturing out
Well, the kids are pretty close to normal. We ventured outside the house today and went for a walk. The last couple days B went on outings, and she already has mosquito bites. One of them doesn't look like a mosquito bite and isn't acting like one, so we'll see how it does tomorrow. She was allergic to mosquito bites the last time we were here, and i guess that hasn't changed. J seems to be doing ok, but its still the beginning, so there's plenty of time for something to happen.
This morning B heard a vendor outside shouting his wares and asked, "What's that noise?" It's so interesting to see my home through her eyes. I'm really looking forward to experiencing India with both B and J.
Might do some shopping tomorrow...can't wait to start bargaining...need new shoes. I did a little warmup in Dubai, but this will be the real thing...must keep S far away...don't have much bargaining power when he's around.
This morning B heard a vendor outside shouting his wares and asked, "What's that noise?" It's so interesting to see my home through her eyes. I'm really looking forward to experiencing India with both B and J.
Might do some shopping tomorrow...can't wait to start bargaining...need new shoes. I did a little warmup in Dubai, but this will be the real thing...must keep S far away...don't have much bargaining power when he's around.
Upon request...
So...i'm adding a few entries/thoughts of my own. Most of this stuff is new/novel to S. and i thought you'd be more interested seeing India through his eyes. I'm used to most of this stuff...he's not.
However, India is very different since we lived here...more than i ever imagined. I think in her effort to become "western" she's giving up a large part of her culture. To someone who was raised in the era where women didn't show their ankles...seeing scantily dressed girls in the newspaper is not only shocking, but very disappointing as well. Indian women walking around in shorts and belly-baring blouses - it's just not us! Sure, the saree bares our mid-section...but at least there is some semblance at propriety, now even that facade has been removed. But, perhaps to our credit, this has mostly hit Bollywood and some "rich" suburbs in big cities. I'm pretty sure jeans and shorts won't ever get to rural towns and villages, but you can see them in "rich" urban cities, Bombay.
The other day we went shopping to find some men's "ethnic" shirts...but after several hours we returned empty handed. All the stores we went to boasted "western" style men's clothing. We have to go to specialty stores to find Indian style shirts - IN INDIA!!! I guess only foreigners want Indian style clothes - natives want western-style. I am deeply saddened by this change.
However, India is very different since we lived here...more than i ever imagined. I think in her effort to become "western" she's giving up a large part of her culture. To someone who was raised in the era where women didn't show their ankles...seeing scantily dressed girls in the newspaper is not only shocking, but very disappointing as well. Indian women walking around in shorts and belly-baring blouses - it's just not us! Sure, the saree bares our mid-section...but at least there is some semblance at propriety, now even that facade has been removed. But, perhaps to our credit, this has mostly hit Bollywood and some "rich" suburbs in big cities. I'm pretty sure jeans and shorts won't ever get to rural towns and villages, but you can see them in "rich" urban cities, Bombay.
The other day we went shopping to find some men's "ethnic" shirts...but after several hours we returned empty handed. All the stores we went to boasted "western" style men's clothing. We have to go to specialty stores to find Indian style shirts - IN INDIA!!! I guess only foreigners want Indian style clothes - natives want western-style. I am deeply saddened by this change.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
The joy of giving
Yesterday, S and B went with my dad and a couple others to pass out Shoe Box Presents (through Samaritan's Purse). From what i heard, B did well, after a little talk with Daddy about the joy of giving. She ended up getting her own box, since the people at one of the churches wanted to give her one...but i hope she knows this is the only one she'll get. It was her first motorbike ride and she loved it!
They also went today after specific instructions that B only give and not ask for one, since she already got one. I guess it is hard for kids her age to give away presents without receiving something. But i'm sure during the course of these next couple months both B and J will be getting loads of stuff from folks here. S and I are both hoping that she'll learn to be more generous with all the blessings. I wasn't sure she'd learned anything, until she prayed at dinner today...she prayed for those children. Hopefully a seed has been planted...
My feet are pretty swollen from all the travel, so my attempt at walking this morning was truncated after less than 10 minutes... The kids slept quite a bit today too, but i think they'll be all sorted over jetlag by tomorrow. To tomorrow!
They also went today after specific instructions that B only give and not ask for one, since she already got one. I guess it is hard for kids her age to give away presents without receiving something. But i'm sure during the course of these next couple months both B and J will be getting loads of stuff from folks here. S and I are both hoping that she'll learn to be more generous with all the blessings. I wasn't sure she'd learned anything, until she prayed at dinner today...she prayed for those children. Hopefully a seed has been planted...
My feet are pretty swollen from all the travel, so my attempt at walking this morning was truncated after less than 10 minutes... The kids slept quite a bit today too, but i think they'll be all sorted over jetlag by tomorrow. To tomorrow!
Monday, February 08, 2010
Mickey D's Expanding
When I first came to India 5 years ago, I didn't see any. Now, just outside the brand-new Rajiv Gandhi International Airport next to arrivals....a McDonald's restaurant. The only restaurant we saw in the airport's front, in fact. And open 24 hours to boot!
Why izzit?
Airport luggage cart costs are NOT created equally.
| Luggage cart at Sea-Tac International Airport, USA | $4.00 |
| Luggage cart at JFK International Airport, USA | $5.00 |
| Luggage cart at Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates | FREE |
| Luggage cart at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, India | FREE |
Are U.S. airports THAT hard up for money?
Mum ..and chai
We arrived around 3:00 a.m. this morning. Both the kids were fast asleep when we landed, so we had to wake them up...which is never fun, especially going through immigration. Those agents were probably as tired, if not more tired and were very gracious in dealing with us. By the time we got through immigration, baggage claim, customs, finding my dad and arriving at my parents home, it was almost 6:00 a.m. B fell asleep during the ride and didn't wake up until later in the day. S and J (and my dad) washed up, changed and promptly went to bed. Mom and i saw treasure in this uninterrupted time and caught up. It was so nice to just sit there and talk over cups of tea. I've missed her. We were able to talk for a few hours, but jetlag caught up to me and i passed out later in the afternoon...just before the kids woke up.
The next couple days will probably be devoted to loads of sleep and getting over jetlag. Nothing terribly exciting...besides mum and (real) chai.
The next couple days will probably be devoted to loads of sleep and getting over jetlag. Nothing terribly exciting...besides mum and (real) chai.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
The Big "Burj" -- nighttime contrast
I mentioned earlier how dim the Burj Khalifa seemed in comparison to nearby buildings. Here's an example how it contrasts to another building (I believe it's the Address Hotel) just a few blocks away....
It seems only appropriate to light up the centerpiece building in a way that surpasses others in your city. Would've been a great photo, if it had been lit up so. Perhaps they're working on that....
It seems only appropriate to light up the centerpiece building in a way that surpasses others in your city. Would've been a great photo, if it had been lit up so. Perhaps they're working on that....
The Big "Burj"
No travel blog would be complete without a post about the Burj Khalifa (f.k.a. Burj Dubai). It took the crown recently as the tallest building...nay, tallest structure of any kind...in the world. I was quite fascinated by something this notable.
We drove past the Burj Khalifa several times on Sheikh Zayed Road that ran by only a few blocks away....and quite frankly, it didn't seem all that big to me from that vantage point. Only when we stopped off to see it up close....once at night, another during the day....did its immense size really reveal itself. It's really quite a challenge to get a decent picture of it when you're standing that close. In this post are the two best close-up photos we could come up with.
I'm sure there are places around Dubai that offered a better photo op of the building than we ever had, but we didn't find those places. Still, the experience of seeing it up close was pretty awesome. It was hard for me not to keep staring at it any chance I got.
There are opportunities for visitors to go up the Burj Khalifa, but they require advanced purchase of around $30 at schedule times (unless you pay $110 to get in immediately). Needless to say, we didn't go up.
I noticed a few oddities during our up-close visits to the Burj Khalifa. One, there was still tape stretched around the block the Burj was situated, cordoning off any access to the general public. Two, other than construction workers, there was no pedestrian traffic in or out of the building that I could see. Three, I noticed at night that the building wasn't very well-lit, compared to other buildings nearby. With the recent economic problems plaguing Dubai, it made me wonder whether anyone could afford to rent the place now, unlike the times when ground was first broken years ago. Maybe it still wasn't ready....but then why the huge fanfare opening on Jan 4? Was anyone actually using the place? "K" mentioned that the Abu Dhabi ruler after whom the building was named wasn't present at the Burj's inauguration ceremony, which was rather embarrassing for Dubai. The circumstances surrounding the completion of this incredible structure seem muddled in uncertainties.
I was reminded of a friend commenting to me during a visit to Kuala Lumpur that the Petronas Towers had trouble attracting tenants for a long time, cynically suggesting these buildings were built more for Babel-like pride and ego than for commercial practicality. I'm sure more than a few people have thought that about the Burj Khalifa.
It certainly is a architectural sight to behold, this king of skycrapers. Still, bystander admiration doesn't pay rent. Time will tell if the Burj Khalifa will be worth what it cost Dubai.
-------------
UPDATE (Mar 2010): Evidently, the Burj Khalifa observation deck was closed indefinitely due to "power supply problems", just one day after we left Dubai. Another article reports that there was an elevator malfunction....scary. Still doesn't totally explain the observations I had before the ob deck closed down.
We drove past the Burj Khalifa several times on Sheikh Zayed Road that ran by only a few blocks away....and quite frankly, it didn't seem all that big to me from that vantage point. Only when we stopped off to see it up close....once at night, another during the day....did its immense size really reveal itself. It's really quite a challenge to get a decent picture of it when you're standing that close. In this post are the two best close-up photos we could come up with.I'm sure there are places around Dubai that offered a better photo op of the building than we ever had, but we didn't find those places. Still, the experience of seeing it up close was pretty awesome. It was hard for me not to keep staring at it any chance I got.
There are opportunities for visitors to go up the Burj Khalifa, but they require advanced purchase of around $30 at schedule times (unless you pay $110 to get in immediately). Needless to say, we didn't go up.I noticed a few oddities during our up-close visits to the Burj Khalifa. One, there was still tape stretched around the block the Burj was situated, cordoning off any access to the general public. Two, other than construction workers, there was no pedestrian traffic in or out of the building that I could see. Three, I noticed at night that the building wasn't very well-lit, compared to other buildings nearby. With the recent economic problems plaguing Dubai, it made me wonder whether anyone could afford to rent the place now, unlike the times when ground was first broken years ago. Maybe it still wasn't ready....but then why the huge fanfare opening on Jan 4? Was anyone actually using the place? "K" mentioned that the Abu Dhabi ruler after whom the building was named wasn't present at the Burj's inauguration ceremony, which was rather embarrassing for Dubai. The circumstances surrounding the completion of this incredible structure seem muddled in uncertainties.
I was reminded of a friend commenting to me during a visit to Kuala Lumpur that the Petronas Towers had trouble attracting tenants for a long time, cynically suggesting these buildings were built more for Babel-like pride and ego than for commercial practicality. I'm sure more than a few people have thought that about the Burj Khalifa.
It certainly is a architectural sight to behold, this king of skycrapers. Still, bystander admiration doesn't pay rent. Time will tell if the Burj Khalifa will be worth what it cost Dubai.
-------------
UPDATE (Mar 2010): Evidently, the Burj Khalifa observation deck was closed indefinitely due to "power supply problems", just one day after we left Dubai. Another article reports that there was an elevator malfunction....scary. Still doesn't totally explain the observations I had before the ob deck closed down.
Sunday...it's back to work
So, it's Sunday here...we're leaving Dubai this evening. Our hosts are back to work today, but their daughter took us around. Things to do:
Ride the "light rail"
Try to get as close to the Burj Dubai as possible
Eat some more middle-eastern food
Shop for souvenirs
Pack
Visit the Gold Souk (market)
The metro rail was all above ground - pretty cool and very smooth. I guess that's what you get when you have money, unlike the crazy at-grade rail we have in S.Seattle. Their metro stations reminded me a lot of the ones we had in Hong Kong and Guangzhou...very nice. Also, you're not allowed to eat/drink on the train. If they catch you, you're fined like 2-300 AED (that's almost $100) - they're pretty serious about keeping this thing clean. I say, good for them.
We were able to walk up to the area around the Burj, but there's still some landscaping work to be done, so a lot of it was roped off. I think you need a decent amount of moola to even get close to it. Oh well, we got a couple good shots.
We also visited a couple places that are great for souvenir shopping...Karama Market and the Gold Souk. I wish we had more time there, but maybe it was good that we didn't...i can see myself spending a lot of time and possibly money. Karama Market reminded me a lot of Hong Kong with peddlers trying to sell stuff like purses, perfumes, watches, etc. The Gold Souk reminded me more of the night market in Thailand. There were different concentrations like: spices, gold, textiles,etc. and many of them are sold wholesale, so you had to buy in bulk. We just looked around, but maybe i'll be able to check out the textiles on our way back...the spices looked fabulous too.
Off to the airport...next entry will be from India
Ride the "light rail"
Try to get as close to the Burj Dubai as possible
Eat some more middle-eastern food
Shop for souvenirs
Pack
Visit the Gold Souk (market)
The metro rail was all above ground - pretty cool and very smooth. I guess that's what you get when you have money, unlike the crazy at-grade rail we have in S.Seattle. Their metro stations reminded me a lot of the ones we had in Hong Kong and Guangzhou...very nice. Also, you're not allowed to eat/drink on the train. If they catch you, you're fined like 2-300 AED (that's almost $100) - they're pretty serious about keeping this thing clean. I say, good for them.
We were able to walk up to the area around the Burj, but there's still some landscaping work to be done, so a lot of it was roped off. I think you need a decent amount of moola to even get close to it. Oh well, we got a couple good shots.
We also visited a couple places that are great for souvenir shopping...Karama Market and the Gold Souk. I wish we had more time there, but maybe it was good that we didn't...i can see myself spending a lot of time and possibly money. Karama Market reminded me a lot of Hong Kong with peddlers trying to sell stuff like purses, perfumes, watches, etc. The Gold Souk reminded me more of the night market in Thailand. There were different concentrations like: spices, gold, textiles,etc. and many of them are sold wholesale, so you had to buy in bulk. We just looked around, but maybe i'll be able to check out the textiles on our way back...the spices looked fabulous too.
Off to the airport...next entry will be from India
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