DAY 44

The boys have started swimming lessons...

DAY 43

The gulmohar trees are in bloom in Delhi, all over the city. I think they're also called flame trees because of the bright red flowers. Last time we were here we lived in an area called Gulmohar Park, so although there are lots of trees in bloom at the moment and the city is generally looking lovely, these trees are my favourite.

DAY 42

We went to Dilli Haat today. It's a kind of crafts bazaar but the best thing about it is that each state in India has a stall selling food that is particular to that region. And it's super cheap. These are momos - steamed dumplings with vegetables inside and spicy chilli dip. You actually get momos pretty much everywhere in India, but I think they're originally Tibetan. Or maybe Nepali. We ate them at the stall from Manipur - one of the northeastern states.

DAY 41

Sophy - this one is for you. It has become a regular treat.

DAY 40

Someone should do a book with just photos of the things people carry on their bikes in Delhi.

DAY 39

Not a hugely inspiring photo I'm afraid, but the only one I took on my trip to Chennai for work.

DAY 38

For my meeting today I wore a salwar kameez suit for the first time since I've been back in India. The style of this one is from Orissa, a state in Eastern India... but I bought it in Delhi.

DAY 37

 

Today I have travelled with some colleagues to Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh for a meeting with the state government education officers tomorrow. It's about an hour by plane from Delhi and things are just a little bit different: like this auto, for example. MP has always been one of my favourite states in India. I'm really hoping that the project we are planning here goes ahead.

DAY 36

We went to a fabric sale on the weekend to look for some curtain material. There was a block printing demonstration so the kids had a go. Louie did the border, Oz did the 'carrots'.

DAY 35

... and this is what we saw on our first journey in the new car. Two camels and two elephants going along on the inner ring road. Contrary to possible belief, this is not something you see every day.

DAY 34

Look what we bought today!

DAY 33

Just outside our house some people have built a little shack where they come every morning to iron people's clothes for five rupees a piece. They use these giant irons filled with hot coals.

DAY 32

This guy has set up shop on the corner of a pavement fixing people's motorbikes. There are guys like this all over the city. They hang tyres up to advertise their services. It's a shame Ed didn't bring his motorbike... this guy might have got it on the road for him :-)

DAY 31: ONE MONTH IN INDIA

Today I have been in India for one month. To celebrate, I have decided to post a video every month of the boys showing you different places in Delhi or around India. This month they are showing you the Jama Masjid or Friday Mosque, pictured above.
Apologies for the bad quality of the video - I'm still working on the best way to edit the clips together... and also be warned: the presenters are a bit cheesy :-)
Here it is: http://youtu.be/TI0VqoljNyA Enjoy! 

DAY 30

We've had our first guest to stay - Daniel. He's been down to Old Delhi and came back with these tiny wooden birds for Oz. They're about a centimetre and a half long and super cute. In other news, we felt the Iran earthquake today and my office was evacuated. Never dull in Delhi.

DAY 29

Day 1 of homeschooling. Topics this week: bugs and electricity. And check out our new table - at last!

DAY 28

This is at the biggest mosque in India: the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) in Old Delhi.

DAY 27

We went to Old Delhi today. It was so nice to go back there. It's very different to New Delhi, but you'll be able to see that for yourselves soon... watch this space!

DAY 26

This is the top of a paan stall outside the south Indian restaurant I had lunch at today. This type of paan is usually chewed after a meal as a kind of digestif. It's mildly stimulating, or so they say. You wrap the betel leaf around the various bits in the middle (this is a sweet one so candied fruits and coconut and areca nut, maybe some tobacco) and pop it in your mouth and chew. And then spit. A lot.

DAY 25

This looks like it has been Photoshopped but it hasn't - it's just the mozzie screens on the windows. This is my view when I wake up in the morning.

DAY 24

Seeing as this is where I will be spending most of my time I thought I'd show you my desk. Fairly standard, I would say. Notice the cardigan for when the air conditioning gets too cold... when it's 38 degrees outside... hmmm....

DAY 23

There are lots more cycle rickshaws in South Delhi since the Metro has been built, ferrying people from the stations to their houses or wherever. The boys love them, of course.

DAY 22

Internet, yes. Washing machine, yes. Kitchen sorted, yes. Next: curtains and a car. But which will we get first?

DAY 21

Although Ed seems to be channeling the last supper, this is in fact our first (cooked) dinner in our new flat. I had been eating a lot of cheese sandwiches before they arrived. We haven't got much furniture yet, as you can see...

DAY 20

Oslo has been waving at his shadow... such a long time since he's seen it! And we now have the Internet at home... FaceTime anyone?

DAY 19

 They've arrived! So lovely to be back together again :-)

DAY 18

 

Out of focus, sorry. This is India Gate - Delhi's answer to the Arc de Triomphe. I pass it every day on the way to work. 

DAY 17

 

This is the park right in front of our flat. You can see the railing around the roof of our building between the first two trees on the left hand side.

DAY 16

 

This is in a South Indian restaurant near my office. There's a sweet counter, and next to it there's a handy scales so you can weigh yourself before you decide how much you're going to buy. 

DAY 15

 

Tamsin this one is for you.