In Bombay!

We've been here only about 10 days, yet already it feels like months have passed. Everyday is full of activity, people, food, noise, smells, auto rickshaws, cows, dogs, crows, pigeons, life, life, life. Anika is very well settled in. She was over jetlag by the fourth day, those initial few days were tough, she missed her father and home. She kept saying 'papa' softly and patting herself with a forlon look. I was so guilty for putting her through it I was ready to take the next flight home. But slowly things changed as she got over jetlag by the fourth day. Suddenly life was a party with all new things to discover. My parents' place is on the 11th floor of a building, her self-appointed play area is the balcony overlooking the sea and a busy college street. She watches the fishing boats in the distance and the cows and dogs on the beach. On the street below, she watches with excitement the hulchul in the morning, the bikes, rickshaws and students. Outside our bedroom window is an eagle's nest that she watches transfixed. Every window is a new adventure, a iearning experience, a game..she is so stimulated and happy. She has new words and long stories about what she is seeing. What an exciting change for little miss suburban American.

The best part about being here is all the love and attention she is getting, she's really basking in it. There's no love like grandparents' love. She gets pampered so much, mama has already stitched her two dresses. She gets fresh meals twice a day and is bought a small toy nearly everytime she goes out!






Wherever we go people comment on how cute she is and try to make her smile. The other day we were stuck in traffic on the way back from Da's place. A man in the car next to ours was making funny faces and making her laugh, for a good five minutes. His whole family joined in, the mother, the grand parents and their toddler, were all sticking their faces on the windows talking to Anika, she was thrilled. From being strapped in a car seat alone in the back seat to this, is quite amazing.

We have a nice routine now, she wakes up, has breakfast on the balcony.



Then she participates in the hustle bustle of the house. The doorbell rings and she drops everything and runs to the door shouting ko, ko, ko for 'kaun aaya?'(who's come?)She greets a long stream of people at the door like a priest, the dhobi(guy who irons the clothes), the doodhwala(the milkman), Sharada, the lady who cleans the dishes and Gudiya who sweeps and mops. Gudiya is a favorite because she cleans while wearing payals(anklets with tiny tinkling bells)..imagine the thrill! After all this excitement I take her down to run around in the garden and play in the park. Then we usually have some errand or the other for which we jump in an auto rickshaw.



The auto is her most radically fun experience..a fast moving car/three wheeled scooter with no doors that has no car seat! Move over Six Flags this is the ultimate roller coaster. The freedom is so heady she squeals. When we reach our destination she is very disappointed. The only way to placate her is to have her pay the ricksahwallah.



On returning home she has nani made yummy lunch while standing on the chair at the table! After lunch she dances vigorously to hip radio mirchi music after which she falls fast asleep for two solid hours. In the evening its time to snack and play again..! Non stop party I tell you. She falls asleep very easily at around 9 every night.



There are other things on my mind about the city and life here. I have some gripes and some thoughts but that intellectualisation takes a back seat to Anika's happiness. I'll write more about ALL that later, for now, all of you who know Anika have fun imagining her antics in India.