Finally, a town to get water at! 

Adventures of India

Today we went exploring.. through the countryside - it was absolutely breath-taking. We rode on the motorcycle all day and did some hiking, climbing, village visiting, and picture taking. Enjoy the view!

Part of God's amazing countryside 

Ok, so we got lost - we asked them for directions...they laughed at us (except for the little girl who was scared of white people). 

One of the Lord's beautiful people! 

We climbed the right side of this mountain - what a view! 

Our climbing guide - and goat herder! 

Yes, we are in the mountains :) 

Multi-color chicks - brothers and sisters of Sivapoo, Patchae, Hot Mama and Larry! 

Sivapoo, Patchae, Larry, and Hot Mama

Coolest thing ever: dyed chicks! So, I was taken with the extremely cute and extremely affordable neon painted chicks that are sold everywhere from marketplaces to roadside shops. Yes, you read correctly – dyed chicks! Forget the eggs, why not have Easter year-round and paint the little chickens instead. Ok, so I had a cute and colorful collection starting with Larry and Hot Mama. I, of course, named Hot Mama (she was hot pink), and either Cade or Sara named the neon green chick Larry after the Veggie Tales’ well-loved cucumber. Unfortunately Hot Mama and Larry don’t like rain or waterfalls, because after a tragic night of rain, we lost Larry and in the depression from losing her brother, Hot Mama also threw in the towel. I, on the other hand, was bound and determined to keep chicks – though everyone knows they don’t last beyond 3, maybe 4 days. Henceforth, the purchase of Sivapoo and Patchae (sivapoo = “red” in Tamil, patchae = “green” in Tamil). Unfortunately, in another tragic turn of events, both are now deceased – though I did get to practice my Tamil colors in the meantime.

Tamil Poo

In learning languages there are always odd words that you will associate with something so that you will never forget the word. “Poo” is one of those words for obvious reasons. Who would ever forget the meaning of a word like poo – especially when it means “flower.” I love to wear jasmine flowers in my hair each day. It is a popular practice among the women here as they are strung together like flowers in a Hawaiian “lay.” Needless to say, my phrase of the day will frequently be – “I’ve got a bunch of poo in my hair!”

Tamil "poo" in Sarah's hair 

Is the Circus in Town?

So the other day I was sitting calmly in the house and D, our cook, runs through the house saying, “Seekirum, seekirum (come quickly)!” Well, I hop up and bolt out the door to find a huge elephant at our gate! You know, cows, mutts, and sheep-goat looking things are among the normal travelers on our road, but elephants are definitely a new event for me! Aaah, the days of my childhood with herds of deer running through the front yard of our country farm are far behind me... I’ve got elephants now!! Actually, these elephants come by regularly – they are from the temple. They stop at each gate for people to come out, give money (which the elephant will take with it’s trunk from your hand) and then bless you (by giving you a snotty smack on the forehead also using it’s trunk). All that and the circus doesn’t even have to be in town.

The temple elephant 

Welcome India

India is truly and amazing and unique place. Home to the most beautiful materials, rugs, tapestries, mountains, places of interest, and in my opinion people. In the world’s swing towards Westernization, people still hand sew flowers together, use their hands and feet to work a loom into producing the world’s most beautiful silk, tie knots to make a rug, and wear their traditional clothes. In my American opinion, it is amazing to witness the craftsmanship and care that goes into each item. It continues far beyond fabrics, though, the Indians are just as caring and thoughtful in their daily lives, in the relationships they have with one another. One can not simply pass by and say “Hey, how are ya doing?” – they want to know about your family, what you ate for lunch that day, what you are going to do for the rest of the day, week, next month, and whether or not you want to go out for coffee. You can’t pass through the threshold of a home without being greeted with friendly faces and coffee or tea, stay too long and you may get the meal of a lifetime and a friend forever.

Americans!! Becca and Kelly join us in India for a month - an a 15 acre Hindu temple in the background. 

Washer women at a holy pool 

Hindu temple outside of Madurai