Ho. Ho. Ho. Humbled.

I love to give gifts at Christmas. In fact, I  usually go painstakingly over the top to please the gift recipient- Creative little bundles of objects bound up to represent my appreciation and love.

In my first Bangalore Christmas, I was reminded that love doesn't come from the gifts under my Charlie Brown Christmas tree.(Although, they can be nice symbols of love- it is not love in itself). True love is not give and take. It is giving in an untranslatable, pure form.

I have never felt so humbled as I do this Christmas in receiving love from others, with no ribbons attached. The love keeps coming at me- despite being a human, a far off acquaintance, a complete stranger, a guest, or an American.  So many Bangalorians I encountered this week simply gave of their time, service, hospitality and presence to me and did not ask for anything in return. This felt like the greatest present of all, especially when most of my dearest loved ones are at home.

Adam and his Target Friends Jayme and Cliff.

Once such bout of unrequited love occurred when Adam and I were invited to Christmas from a friend of a friend of a friend whom I had met briefly over a coffee. She in fact invited any and all "stragglers" who were not bound to their homes for Christmas. At first, I thought she was being "Minnesota Nice" but then realized she was not from Minnesota! She opened her beautiful farmhouse up to us, two of our ex-pat friends and twenty other strangers and friends combined.

An amazing setting of hor d'oeurves and drinks by a camp fire with a Western traditional meal of ham, scalloped potatoes, sweet potatoes complete with ''mallows" and a litany of sweets were served. Dinner started at the non traditional time of 10:30pm. Salad was last and I swear I had 5 servings of spinach salad, a rarity in Bangalore! Adam had 5 servings too...of cookies,pie and cakes. She toasted the evening with a speech I will not forget. She said, "Thank you to each of us for being there and how wonderful an opportunity it is to "embrace the differences in all gathered" to accept one another in all our glorious, unique differences, representing worlds of people gathered at one table. It was a beautiful night- humbled by kind hearts gathered there It seemed like even the horses and stars were smiling this night.

Another example of extraordinary kindness came when we went to Christmas Eve mass at the Basilica of St. Mary's near a bustling market. What strange sights to see as we approached the beautiful lit church in neon greens, yellows and pinks where a Santa Claus stood amongst the manger. We believed we were about to attend an English mass at 9:30pm, but soon realized it was in the language of Tamil, a neighboring state. What was more surprising was the electric keyboard beats of polkas, hip hop and more to a different language and only once making out a "Gloria in excelsis deo." The distortion of the mics and loud feedback made for an early departure, but no one could say the evening was forgettable.

As we were leaving we had to sadly almost step over beggars on the street who lay near the church asking for alms. Lo and behold we heard a Ho! Ho! Ho! amidst the sounds of a busy market selling mangoes, roasted corn and plastic Christmas trinkets- and an Indian Santa Claus drove up on his moped and began to distribute candy to the poor as well as all the children around. As we were about to leave, a woman and her beautiful baby (selling bunches of balloons with "Happy New Year" on them) looked at into my eyes deeply and instead of asking for rupees which I expected, held out her hand and offered me the one piece of candy Santa had given her. Giving without an expected return once again.

Deeply gratified and humbled oozed its way into the Skype world and across miles after seeing and hearing my entire Vander  Poel family, 12 smiling faces in all, sing brightly, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Feeling so much love didn't prevent me from my first bout of homesickness in the days to follow as my nephew so pointedly said, "it feels like something missing with you two not here."

Two Friends at a Christmas Feast.

Yearning for family, and craving for my pups, Dosh, who provides ceaseless affection for me. I want to be teleported for just 48 hours to snuggle with my puppy and family. 

Alas, here I am. Thank you to all of you who provide me with so much love and affection and gave me an opportunity to feel the true spirit of Christmas.

A gesture, a thought, an invitation, a kind stare (Indians don't normally glance, they hold your eyes for an eternity, I have noticed- I love that.) I am blessed and humbled with these gifts of thanksgiving that offer a lifetime warranty, with no "store credit only" returns needed.

Ho! Ho! Ho! and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Vander Poels!
                               

Lori and Bangalore horsey.

It's Begining to Look Somewhat Like Chrismas

We are well into into December and its 70 degrees and comfortable in Bangalore. A bit different than the 10-20 degrees and snowy that we are used to. However, we are still seeing signs of Christmas as we move about the town. As I was heading out for breakfast this morning I actually heard "Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas" in the lobby. I wouldn't completely agree, but there sure are some signs. A few trees and lights, along with red and white decor, can be found throughout the city.   We went to a Chrismas Market a few miles from where we are staying and found some outstanding traditional Christmas breads and sweets.  It was hosted in a nearby restaurant, which had a beautiful Christmas Tree ironically placed in front of all the local tropical trees.  

Also, Lori picked up a tree for us last week...its a bit Charlie Brown-esque, but festive nonetheless. She said she went to four different market stalls and they continued to proudly present her with small plastic trees. She was so happy to see a 2 foot green tree that resembled a pine tree. I had to play her the Radiohead song "Fake Plastic Trees." as our driver spoiled her surprise on my way home from work saying, "oh I thought madam wanted a fake plastic tree." She did dress up the apartment with some red and white flowers too.  Our air shipment is scheduled to arrive this next week (hopefully with a few packed Christmas decorations). However, the shipment will be a Christmas present in and of itself. We have forgotten what food items we shipped via air and are excited to see what opens up. Come on granola bars and peanut butter!! Aside from the oddly vast amount of 90's music we hear, there is musak in our hall of Jingle bells and I'll Be Home for Christmas, which will only be in our dreams this year! Yet, Skype will help bring us into the living room. 

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to everyone back home!

Something More to See

Adam and learned several lessons this past weekend on how best to live in India.

It begins with a tough lesson for dear Adam. Adam realized that his stomach is not made out of steel on Thursday. In an attempt to be polite (despite warnings from a friend), Adam was encouraged to try food from an Indian buffet line.

Instead of listening to his gut reaction, his gut reacted a few painful hours later. He came home looking a funky shade of gray with no need to announce what had happened. He did in his meekest voice say to me a bit later (and I needed to stifle a laugh...) "Honey, the devil is in my stomach."

Needless to say he was beginning to recover 12 hours later and was a trooper out the next evening. What brought on his full recovery he claimed however was finding a cheeseburger, fries and shake two days later which he states "fully brought him back to life." Who knew a burger and a coke can be the fastest way to an exorcism?

So, lesson number 1. If you have any inkling that you shouldn't eat what you are eating in India i.e. raw veggies, dairy meat- DON'T EAT IT. If your friends encourage you and you don't want to be rude, well then...DON'T EAT IT. If your friends jump off a cliff....DON'T EAT IT!

Lesson number 2.... A subtler message on life.

Adam and I left Saturday morning to make a three hour trek to Mysore, India. We came to Mysore to visit with my friend Carla's mom, Maggie who was visiting from Minnesota. Maggie was travelling with an Indian couple, Raj and Shakun (who also live in MN) but come to India 4-6 weeks out of the year.

Before arriving at Raj and Shakun's place we went to the famous Mysore Palace. We strolled in our stocking feet (our shoes needed to be parked in "shoe parking") and observed beautiful heirlooms, gold, and crystal chandeliers, while it appeared other Indians were observing a certain Red head and myself (frequently asking to take our photos and to ask us where we were from.)

However the most beautiful views came later when taking a morning walk with Raj and two of his sisters, Maggie and myself.  We walked their neighborhood street and he drew to my attention to his two sisters walking ahead of us, who were hunched over a flower. He said, "What are they looking at now? They walk the same street and yet they always find something more to see."

This opened my own eyes to what was around me and reminded me that the most beautiful things in life, are not found in extravagant palaces and one can find the beautiful in everyday life. What may appear as mundane to some is new to others. As we walked, I found myself mesmerized by women with baskets on their heads, sharing the road with cows, a momma pig and her piglets, and even trash on the ground.

The truth is, this reminds me that even if not in India- no street walked will ever look the same, no moment with a friend or family member can be repeated. The only thing that is constant- is the change. Why not take a look and realize that I can always find more to see in this life?

                                                   Moo...it is not what's for dinner...

                                             Hello, Mommy Pig.

                                                   Maggie and Lori on a walk.

                                   Spending time with Shakun, Maggie, Raj and family.

                                      Holding hands at the Mysore Palace Bazaar.

Cheerios meets "Pomp and Circumstance"

I was feeling a bit run down after wholeheartedly entering the Bangalore life. Perhaps biting off more than I could chew, not to mention digest. So, I begin a new chapter in learning to vegitate...

Most of Sunday was a day of rest for Adam and I. Sunday morning we walked to church with our new ex-pat neighbors and friends. I believe we were both looking to find a sense of peace and regularity after a busy first week... and peace I did find in an unconventional way. Peace through change.

We arrived at St. Mark's Cathedral at 10:30 a.m., a Protestant parish. Feeling a bit feverish, I prepared myself for what I was told could be a two and a half hour service. Warmth of a different kind spread about the room as we watched families gathering for a baptism and nodding yes in prayer. Greetings came in forms of namastes from locals in front of us, welcoming us to their place of worship.

During communion, everyone got up at once and filtered into lines to receive the host and wine, walking in bare and stocking feet to the altar and kneeling before the priest. All were welcomed. If you had yet to receive First Communion, children would receive a wrapped candy instead. I wonder if these kids try to delay their transition from candy to bread as long as possible! Especially if the candy is blessed:)

One of my favorite observations during the mass (as I admittedly was drifting in my attention) was of a sweet little girl in front of me. She had big round deep brown eyes and she continued to steal glances my way. In front of her was a tupperware container of Cheerios! I guess it is the universal church tactic to keep kids quiet in church. 

This is where the commonalities of what I am used to at church at home stopped. To signal the end of mass, the organist began to play Pomp and Circumstance. I did not know whether to leave the church or to throw up my graduation cap. Out of curiosity, I googled Pomp and Circumstance and found out that this familiar tune was not always associated with graduations.

Pomp and Circumstance was composed by Edward Elgar in 1901and the title comes from a line in Othello by Shakespeare. It was originally used not in a graduation, but in the coronation of King Edward VII. The trend to use this music for graduations happened when Elgar received a doctorate from Yale University in 1905. The music was played here at the beginning, not the end of the ceremony. (I don't know how to make a footnote on blogger but you can read more at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1273081).

I then of course wikipedia-ed (can this be a verb, too?) King Edward VII and found that he was also an emperor for India. So there you have it. Your trivia for the day. It is kind of like the eight degrees of Kevin Bacon...How is Pomp and Circumstance related to India? or not?

Wow, what a girl does with time on her hands.

Aside from cereal and graduation ditties, I did step away from this church service with a far greater message. I hope to carry it with me through this journey of India and beyond. During the homily, the priest stated very clearly "As humans, we resist change. As humans, change is hard. But when we let God take control, change is easy."

It is my wish on this journey to let God take the wheel (he knows how to avoid cows on the street better than I would anyways). In his hands, I can best embrace the constant change this life brings me.

Namaste.

  

The Bangalore Community

Lori and I are on day three of exploring Bangalore and getting settled into our temporary apartment and plan to move into our permanent apartment within the month. Both are within a 10 minute walking distance from each other and have allowed us to get a great sense for the new community we will be living in. The people here have been incredibly welcoming and friendly. We are often greeted with a genuine smile and a true interest to get to know us and tell their story. Those we have talked to range from drivers to staff at the apartment to many that work in shops and restaurants. A strong work ethic and love for their family comes up in many of the conversations.

With a love for food, Lori and I have been exploring the many grocery stores and shops of where we can find comforts from home as well as local foods. We are finding that almost anything is available if you really want it...but its more of a matter of are you willing to search and pay for it. For example, Jiff peanut butter is available for around $5 (compared to a size that may be $2 in the US). A box of 6 organic granola bars was $8...probably $3-4 in the US. However, we found some delicious local olives at a deli that were less than a $1 and a fresh coconut for an afternoon drink that was less than 30 cents. An early sign that we may need to buy a comfort item now and again, but understanding what is available in the community will be important for our experience and pocket book...my version of being green :)