And I'm Back: Delhi Day 64

A huge thank you to everyone for all the lovely emails, comments and messages. I took a blogging/email hiatus this weekend, but I promise to be responding shortly as they mean the world to me!

I've been reflecting on my mini/mega meltdown last week, and I think this sign does an excellent job of summing up the events that precipitated it:

Not just double, triple, or even quadruple... but EIGHT times the amount an Indian resident would pay. Problem is, it ain't just the elephant safari...

For example, the other week as I was leaving M Block Market, the parking attendant-- obviously spotting my blonde hair-- told my driver it would be 20 RS for parking. My driver looks at me, expecting me to hand over 20 RS. 

Now, unbeknowst to anyone else involved in this conversation, I have been doing my shopping here approximately 2 times a week times 2 plus months in Delhi. 

Which means that little do they know that I know that parking is a "set" 10 RS on weekdays. I explain to them as much, and the parking attendant has the gall to start yelling at my driver, arms flailing, etc... insisting that I hand over 20 RS. I yell back, pointing to the sign around the corner that says 10 RS. The yelling and flailing escalate, and just as I am about to back down out of sheer exhaustion (and concern for my safety) the attendant agrees to accept the 10 RS. 

Now imagine this same incident every time I go to pay any bill-- some far more costly than 10 RS-- and you can hopefully "get" the exhaustion, frustration and disgust that resulted in Last Week. 

Thankfully, it is a new week, and the H family Indian residents have (almost) thoroughly regrouped. My cure all Indian antibiotic-- for headaches, sore throat and gonorrhea-- has done wonders for my sinus infection. Hayden continues to hang out off of oxygen (but on caffeine) with "ok" (according to the doctor) saturations. And Ms. Scarlett (despite the inevitable stuffy/runny nose that accompanies living in a hotel during the Delhi summer) continues to thrive and is now tipping the scales at 3.1 kg-- double her birth weight!

We have solved the nurse problem by agreeing to pay "Scarlett's" nurse whenever she wants to work. The result is that we have a nurse slightly more than needed, but that I can guarantee she will be available when I need to leave Scarlett to go visit Hayden. Knowing that Scarlett is with someone I can trust-- and who truly loves her-- is worth its weight in gold, and as an added bonus, my new roomie and I have become quite good friends.

And speaking of new friends, I've recently had the pleasure of meeting many of the 16+ other couples who are here in Delhi picking up their babies. Living at the hotel, at the moment, feels a lot like going to sleep away camp when I was younger-- only with big people (as well as some very tiny ones). We stay up all night, we gather for meals and we support each other when the homesickness takes over.

I would like to ask this phenomenal community to keep one particular couple in their prayers. John and Michael, my fellow Americans, have two very special children at Delhi New Born. Please send strength and good thoughts their way. They are an amazing family and a true inspiration to both Duane and I. Their story has certainly put things in perspective for us and has made us realize that a few months in Delhi with two relatively healthy children is nothing to complain about.

And finally, if you've actually taken the time to read this unusually long update-- or more smartly skipped right to the pics, here they are...

New friends gather for a fantastic dinner at Karims in Old Delhi.

Hayden sports the rosary Scarlett's nurse bought from him her church.

Please tell me you are not going to allow my mother to take me out in this ridiculous bow.

Scarlett & Mommy pose for their millionth photo shoot. Mind you, there's not always a whole lot to do around here.  

Hayden looking good off oxygen!

Scarlett's Ladies in Waiting.

Scarlett's newest hobby-- smiling! I just love it!