Monday 2nd July

Well, at last here we are in front of the computer and able to add a post.
Firstly, this photo is of the family we are staying with in Chennai (from left to right) T2, Ambika, (Susie), Ravi and (Jonti) taken just now.
We landed in Bangalore in the state of Karnataka which is sort of central south of India on the night of Thurs 21st June, having left Sydney that morning. There we stayed with friends and were able to introduce Jonti to some of the customs, food, places and experiences that area has to offer. Bangalore has become a very busy city with major street congestion worries!! All the same it was wonderful to be there and we were looked after superbly by Buji and her family. Buji is the head mistress of a special school for disabled students so it was a treat to have time with them too. After school we were taken to the home of one of the students, his mother was making insence sticks so quickly it was difficult to take a photo (photos will be coming here!) For that she is paid 14 rupees per thousand, there are about 34 rupees to our Oz dollar. Another day we were taken to Bannerghatta National Park where there is a zoo and a Butterfly Park (where they have a big dome full of gorgeous flowers and colourful butterflies and where they do research also). Jonti had a ride on an elephant which he enjoyed. Also near there was a wildlife rehabilitation place which I wanted to visit - I had read about the man, Saleem who works there and the organisation CUPA who run it....fantastic work.
We came over to Chennai by train, a 6+ hour journey on Wed 27th and on Thurs morning, thanks to T2, were able to join in the meeting with our Riverina Institute of TAFE Learnscope team by internet/speaker headphones, so it was great to experience that and hear familiar voices (thank you Robyn and Sue!)
Whenever I come to Tamil Nadu, this state of India, I feel as though I'm coming home so I must have been here in a past life! I love the language and find that I remember words or phrases from before.
In true Indian ways we have been fed the most yummy foods by Buji's family and Ambika. Ambika loves to cook, she should start a restaurant! How do you think it would go in Leeton?!
Yesterday was the naming ceremony for Ravi and Ambika's first granddaughter so that was very interesting and a treat to be involved. In 1979 when I first met Ravi and Ambika, their first son Thiagu was 2 years old. Here he is now a handsome grown man and father!
We have done some serious shopping here but we have more of that to do! It has been pretty warm and muggy since we've been in Chennai.
Today a French couple who were staying with us on the farm last year, arrived in Chennai so they are staying here with us at Ravi and Ambika's too. Jonti and I are leaving to go down to Nagercoil which is right down at the southern tip of India on Thurs. There are friends there to catch up with, we'll take the overnight "superfast" train, it takes 13-14 hours from Chennai. I haven't seen Mustafa since Rowie and I were there in 1984, now he has 2 girls in their 20s and a son about Jonti's age (14). I'm hoping he might teach Jonti how to study at school while Jonti wants to teach him AFL. Jonti may go to school with him for a day which would be a great experience.
Cheers to all
Susie and all here.