INDIAN FAMILY LIFE

Morning begins with chai and biscuits as the children get off to school.  Then breakfast is served consisting of roti (homemade flat bread) three vegetable sides and fruit. Once breakfast is done, Bahurani then goes to the Pooja (worship) room and prays lighting incense.  She then passes the smoking incense throughout the house.  Late morning we have chai again.

Our Son, Keshar goes off to work by 9 AM.  A driver is provided by his employer.  The children arrive back home from school by 1:30 PM and lunch is paired and served to first to the elders, then the children.  Finally Bahurani gets to sit and eat.  Around 4:30 PM snacks are prepared and served.  Supper happens around 8:30 PM when Keshar comes home from work. 

Bahurani Purnima has two full time staff members, a cleaning lady with and infant son and twelve year old daughter, Pooja, and a driver. A cook has been brought to the house from our ancestral village to cook due to our visit and our granddaughter's upcoming birthday.   All live here except the cleaning lady and infant son.  Evidently the home situation is dire for the cleaning ladies' family.  Her daughter helps some with the meals and light housekeeping.  In return she has a decent roof over her head and goes to school and has a chance to learn how to manage a house.  My grandchildren, Kinni, sixteen and Kunu, twelve help her with her homework.

I have been treated to a hand and foot message by Pooja's mom.  She will not allow me to refuse.  We have been shopping every day. 

Traffic is entertaining for me.  We see everything from cows, goats, street dogs and carts pushed by people or drawn by horses or oxen mixed in with the traffic congestion, all in the city of over five million people.

Kinni is turning seventeen on 1/25. We have shopped for her party dress and accessories and a party dress for Pooja.  Pooja will not be serving at the party but will be one of the guests.

Evenings have been spent playing Uno and Monopoly and mixed with good conversation, a mix if Hindi and English. There is nothing like a game and a small dog to bring strangers together.   I've learned my Bahraini has a large and giving heart, Kini is sweet and caring and Kunu is fun and a bit full of mischief.  I am blessed to be accepted as a part of this family and for the experiences I encounter every day.

Modelling our new outfits

No good cards

Playing Uno