Days before the U.S.

Hey Friends! We have successfully arrived in Michigan, but we made a short stop in London and Paris!

The kids and I managed to maneuver another trip out of the Chennai airport. N was excited to have two of his teachers on the flight with us as well as another school staff member.

It was funny. There was quite a bit of turbulence, and at one point a few passengers starting screaming. The kids looked at me, and we just shrugged. It was a lot like being on a roller coaster. After a 10 hour flight to London, we made it through customs and found Charles. London was beautiful. The buildings are amazing, and the weather was good.

London is vast. There is so much to see and do. We started off just shopping and of course eating. We rode the London Eye, went to Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, and Houses of Parliament. We saw Wicked the Musical. It was great, and the kids already knew the songs thanks to their Aunt B. We went to the Natural History and Science Museum and the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. We could have spent many more days, but we had to leave for Paris.

What is so fun about traveling is learning the best way to get around for the best price! Especially with a lot of luggage and a big family (by European and Asian standards). We have to always get two rooms, and M and N are for the most part adult prices. We left the airport and rode a train to get a cab to our hotel. For Paris, we had a van take us to the train station to catch the Eurostar. We really enjoyed that. Once off the Eurostar, we took a bus to the hotel. We also look the subway system in Paris a lot. I have to say that it was great to have had Charles bring back a suitcase of stuff to the U.S. that we did not need to lug around Europe. N can be a help, but the girls are just not big enough to really do the quick loading of the luggage.

Once in Paris, we settled into our hotel room. Funny the things you start to expect to be in the hotel rooms when you start traveling. Our room was a little cramped, but we managed. We freshened up and headed to the Disney Village. A lot of Disney stores and restaurants! We went into the city on two of our days. How beautiful! The weather was little cooler, but it was good all the same. We went to Notre Dame Cathedral, The Louvre, The Eiffel Tower (even N rode up), Arc de Triomphe, and just walking around. It rained and got cooler, but we managed to stay dry. Disney was fun, but E was not big enough to ride Space Mountain. That did not go over well. E was hilarious with her Hard Rock gear, Disney bag from Eurostar, and her map. Yes, she is quite the tourist.

We enjoyed the time in both these cities even though there is so much more we could have seen. There may be another opportunity to visit.

We made it back to London, got a taxi, and managed to get checked in and up to our room in a reasonable time. The next morning we went to the airport for the final leg of our destination. A long flight to Chicago, and then a short hop to Detroit. It was a relatively smooth. When we landed in Chicago and made it through customs, we found a Chili's restaurant. Yummy! I think N was a little concerned about the small plane that would be taking us to Michigan, but he did well. E jumped right in line and gave her ticket to the staff. The guy in front of me said that we may want to go with her. I think is knows what to do now, and she was ready to get to Michigan.

My parents met us at the car rental place and as promised brought donuts to the kids. They have really missed Grandma and Grandpa.

We got checked settled in at the house and visited for awhile with my parents before they headed home.

It is good to be back in Michigan! I will try to post some things every few days to keep everyone updated. It is funny, but our driver emails Charles to give him updates about the house in India, the work that needs to be completed while we are here, and of course Midnight. I have 400 pictures and a movie to share with everyone!

I have thought about posting something at least a half a dozen times, but then life gets in the way. Okay maybe I should say that India gets in the way.

Well, Charles left for the U.S. Saturday night/Sunday morning. Since he has left, EVERYTHING THAT CAN GO WRONG, WILL! I just have to laugh. Here is the scoop:

*Sunday - I opened up the cupboard door to get out the pan and a large spider came crawling out. Of course I screamed and all the kids came running. I told them that there was a large spider. They all looked at it and said in unison, "Oh, that is a big spider!"

*Monday - Noah discovers a rather large bug crawling across the floor being chased my Midnight! He said, "Wait Mom, I have to do something, where is Dad's sandal?" That meant that there was a bug. He killed it, and we put it in a ziploc bag for the bug exterminator. I showed our bug exterminator who by the way is doubling as our night guard while Charles is away. He speaks English well, and we need someone here at night that can do that. He said, "No worry Madame, this bug only lives outside. It is not a bug inside." I told him that I do not like bugs especially big ones, and he again assured me that it only lives outside. He said, "It is black and this is a garden slight pause "cockroach". He knew to pause. He assured me the brown ones live inside. Double YUCK!

*Tuesday - Noah discovers one more of the "garden cockroaches". My driver is concerned that spraying for bugs is bad for people because of the chemicals, so he would like us to wait until we are in the U.S. He also told me that the smell is bad, and he is concerned for Midnight. He told me that he will put Midnight on the roof with some water, so she does not breathe the chemicals.

*Wednesday - The power is weird, and the groundskeeper calls the driver. Wahid called the electrician. He came out and made a temporary repair. He told me that he would call the driver after he came back to finish. By the time we got home the power was back on, but when I walked into the house there was something not quite right. The lights for all the electronic devices were not lit up. Well, after some investigation, we discovered that the breaker had tripped. Close one, but we are good. We do not have our regular internet, so that went no phone. I had to get creative, but I finally got a hold of Charles. He walked me through setting up the back up internet and getting the t.v. back to normal.

The repair was expensive! It seems like this is the 2nd one of this kind. I am sure Charles will have to talk to Wahid and figure out what and why!

We do have some exciting news. Our new car was available on Friday. Our driver is excited. After my driver picked up the car, he called me and asked if I needed him to pick me up. I told him that he could go home, but then he told me that he needed money for the toll. I told him where I was, so he came to get some money. I was checking out the car, and it was all decorated with flowers. They also bless the cars after they come off the assembly line. I guess they need that since their driving is crazy! He asked me if I wanted to drive it. It is an automatic, so it is easier. I said, "No." My friend told me to "Go For It". I told her only if she comes with me. She is adventurous enough, so off we went.

I just drove around the block, but it was so strange. The steering column is on the right side, and they drive on the left side of the road. I told my friend I was not sure if I was off the road, and she assured me that she would tell me if I was. It was hilarious because as people saw me they got out of the way. I guess a White Lady driving is more dangerous to them than their crazy ways of driving. When I came around the corner, the committee of drivers, guards, and gardeners on cue moved off to the side of the road! Not sure if that was really on my list to do while here in India, but at least I can check it off.

It has rained two night in a row. I guess there may be a monsoon in the Indian Ocean. Of course rain is hard, so we lost power each time. That is what I mean when I say that India gets in the way!

I have been trying to get some pictures that will help explain our lives over here. I know it sounds cool to have a driver, housekeeper, groundskeeper/guard, but it is very weird. I always have someone around me. Most of them do not speak English, so we have to figure out what each of us are saying. I do like having someone carry my groceries and shopping bags, but sometimes I just want to do it myself. Something else that is strange - Charles had someone else come and stay at night while he is away. We needed someone that spoke English in case of an emergency and our driver is too far away. Well, he sleeps under our hut. That is pretty much right outside my bedroom window! Just a little different!

We are looking forward to London, Paris, Highland, Howell, and Lapeer! Have a wondeful day everyone!