Please, let us flashback to our short trip to India in 2011.
My children have such VERY charming poses.
Oh my goodness. I can’t stop laughing! I sure hope these aren’t used for blackmail one day. Sorry kids, if that happens. This blog is for the good and the bad and awkward…
Sweet N had some teeny tiny legwarmers when she was a wee one, thanks to my husband’s cuz (Hi Nicole!). They were pretty darn cute and I wanted a repeat. So I made her some! I picked up a couple pairs of women’s knee socks on clearance at Target way back in the summer.
Then I took them to Jordan, followed the instructions on this website, using the foot of the sock to make a cuff on the long leggy part.
I sewed it all by hand over several sittings. I rarely sit for more than, um, twelve seconds, so it’s a bit challenging to find time to hand sew some toddler leggings. Ha! They are far from perfect, but I was very pleased with the outcome.
My model was on location in India when these photos were taken.
These knit leggies have already several countries and back again. Oh my.
But they don’t stay still for long!
Lots of things surprised me about India! Here’s a few:
1. The customs personnel actually cared how the immigration form was filled out. This should have been my first clue to how much they like their policies and rules. I have done extensive research and most places we visit only require that some pen be scribbled somewhere on the form. It usually needs not to be legible. Not in India my friends… they were sticklers!
2. Everyone has an address. Like a real life address. Where we come from in Africa, the only way to find someone’s home is to follow long confusing and detailed directions that usually include landmarks like piles of rocks, small stores with various amounts of drink coolers out front and empty lots with donkeys eating trash. But in India, the homes are organized and you need only to give you simple address and your driver can find the place. I was amazed.
3. As a result of the organized addresses, delivery of various things has become common and is FREE! Glory! You can call up a pharmacy to get your eye drops delivered. You can call up the bakery to get your pumpkin pie delivered. You can call up the supermarket to get your milk delivered. Frankly, you’d never have to leave your house!
4. The head bobble notorious to Indians has a meaning! I had always thought it was just a habit. But I learned that the bobble actually means “Yes” like we nod our head in the west. Cool, huh?
5. Foreigners don’t get special treatment. I guess since there have been white faces in India for many many decades (Since the Brits ruled it), seeing a white face is no big deal. This theory was obviously proven wrong with our children at any various tourist site (hence the thousands of pictures taken of them), but in everyday life, no one flinches to see a white face walking down the street. This isn’t bad, it’s just different, as I have to admit that we’ve become fairly accustomed to getting special treatment in other Asian/Africa/Middle Eastern countries because we are obvious visitors.
6. Many people use cloth bags, not plastic! This may not seem odd to you, but it’s incredible to me! We come from a city where colored plastic bags cover any fence or tree or bit of shrub anywhere you look. They roll down the road like tumbleweeds and float into the sky like lost helium balloons. Therefore, I was very impressed that India was ‘green’ enough to decrease the plastic bag usage in such a hugely populated place!
India was certainly full of wonders! I won’t forget it!
I’ll leave you with some final photos of India… this was the day we took three of the four kiddos to see the Railway Museum…
When Mike and H returned from their train trip to southern India they came bearing a bag o’ gifts!
We had fun one evening as he unpacked it one evening, showing us each item.
Sweet N received this dress, even though she wasn’t on the trip!
And this one!! This one is especially good for dancing.
I too, received a gift of clothing… a kurta and leggings!
There was this keychain, which speaks truth.
And this very large and sweet homemade card. “Dear Mike and Family, your all childrens.” I love it!
Cozy scarf.
Toy car.
Not one, but two very classy figurines.
A cool retro looking toy motorcycle.
Which actually was presented in this form. Ooops. A little glue perhaps?
The clothing wasn’t just for the ladies. Mike was gifted this shirt… I love this color on him!
My boy received multiple outfits. He was absolutely thrilled about modeling them, as you can see.
Look at my lil’ Indian boy! Lord have mercy!
This one is soooo soft and comfy…
There was also a slinky.
And a ball.
The end. Whew! I do believe they were very happy to have the two visitors we sent their way!
