Saturday we had a full day of go go go that started with breakfast down in the cafeteria, then a trip to the park, and then showers. After that Naveen picked us up from our apartment complex and we ran a few errands before heading to lunch. After lunch we went to the science museum and then we hoped to head home for naps and some swimming that evening. However, within about 5 minutes of arriving home I got a facebook message from our American friends the Blairs (who are also here in India for 7 months) inviting us to go out to dinner with them at Chili’s and then to go rockclimbing. Yes, you read that right, Chili’s one of the greatest restaurant chains ever if you ask me. We were so excited! We had promised the kids that we’d take them swimming though so we put it to a vote. We ended up in a dead tie, and decided to leave the decision up to whether our driver could take us or not since we’d technically told him we were done for the evening. He was more than happy to come back and get us though and so we were off!
We ended up meeting the Blairs at Phoenix Market City which was about a 40 minute drive, and then getting Chili’s awesome bottomless chips and salsa. Because we haven’t quite adjusted to the time here, none of us are super hungry in the evenings, so we just got 3 meals and everyone split them. Adam was nice enough to let me get my favorite Monterey chicken (which was just as good in India as it is in the U.S) and then the kids got a pizza and grilled cheese. They mostly just loved the bottomless chips and salsa though. It was fun to eat a taste of home though and we loved getting to know the Blair family better.
Cameron and Wendi are the parents and seem to be around our age, and then they also have a 9 year old little boy (Branson’s age) a 7 year old little girl (Harry’s age) and then a 3 year old little boy (Adalynn’s age). All our kids are just a few months apart except for Dawson who is a Mamma’s boy anyway and just hangs out with me mostly anyway. The kids were REALLY shy and quiet at first around each other but by the end of the evening they seemed to be best buds and were having a ball with each other. I was so glad that we connected so well with their family and feel so grateful to them because they literally have been LIFE SAVERS in helping us get adjusted here. Wendi helped me before we came by telling me what items to bring, and then has helped me a ton since then in finding good restaurants to eat at, places to go, movies that are cheap, etc. I seriously see her as my Indian angel. Her sister Emili is also staying with them right now and she is a doll. We’ve really enjoyed making friends with them.
Unfortunately I didn’t think to take pictures at Chili’s when we were all eating together (I was having too much fun talking and picking the Blairs brains about India) but I did manage to get a few pics when we went rock climbing afterwards. The mall we were at had a big wall and you could pay 150 rupees for the kids to climb or 200 rupees for an adult – which ends up being about $2.50 cents for the kids and $3.25 per adult. So we took advantage of it. All the kids took a turn and then Cameron, Adam, and I all climbed as well. Both Cameron and Adam did awesome scaling the wall all the way to the top (and it was a huge wall) but then I only ended up making it about 1/2 way when my arms starting giving out (darn tendinitis!) It was so fun though and nice to know we can come and climb here whenever we want! Score! Below are some pictures from our climbing adventures. đ
Branson looking a little scared of heights…
Adalynn takes a quick turn!
When Cameron and Adam started climbing they gathered quite the crowd of onlookers and by the end of their climb this number had doubled! They got a lot of cheers and ooohs and awwws from the people watching below. I don’t think its very common here for someone to reach the top.
Cameron almost to the top of the wall!
Harry was terrified of being so high up and cried and screamed to come down. Adam helped him get over his fear though and he ended up going a little bit higher than this. Brave boy trying to overcome his fears.
Adam did awesome on the wall and as usual scaled it without a problem and in no time flat. He had so much fun he ended up going a second time. All the workers were amazed with him! He did so great!
Branson wanted me to take a picture of him with his “new friend.”
This is how Dawson spent the entire night. He actually fell asleep in my lap at dinner so we just layed him on our bag with my jacket underneath his head and he continued sleeping the rest of the evening. He was also a great bag watcher for me while I climbed and took pictures!
My turn! I at first wasn’t going to go up, but after looking around and realizing no girls were going, I thought I would at least set an example for other girls who may be sitting on the fence that this was a girl activity too. So I went. I only made it up until the steeper overhang part, before my arms gave out, but it was sure fun while it lasted. And besides repelling down is always my favorite part!
Thank you Blair family for inviting us! We had a great time and loved getting to know your family better!