Shannon's Belated Birthday Celebration

Finally two months after her "real" birthday Shannon was able to host her much anticipated sleepover with five school friends. Arriving after a school basketball game the girls dined on Annie's Mac and Cheese and enjoyed brownie cake with ice cream and chocolate sauce while sitting around a camp fire, compliments of our neighbor, Bruce Peck. The next morning a breakfast of "Bombay" (AKA French) toast was served while the guests listened to music, watched videos and read fashion magazines.

International School of Geneva Students Brave Dreadful Weather to Help in Creches

Thirty 10th grade students and six adult chaperones from the International School of Geneva, Switzerland arrived in Kodai March 16 to volunteer in the creches. Now in its eighth year this annual opportunity for students to visit India, observe village life firsthand, interact with the creche children and participate in several projects has proven to be a most meaningful and enriching experience for all involved. Enthusiasm never wavered and spirits never "dampened" in spite of the cyclone-like weather that week which resulted in one creche being flooded and temporarily closed, trees and power lines down, and road travel difficult to say the least. Projects included painting, building tables and benches, writing and performing health skits, assisting with assessment of the children's nutritional status and helping with smokeless stove installations. Thank you International School of Geneva! It was a joy having you here!

More photos to accompany last post...

More Visitors and More Travel!

Two more friends arrived at the end of February and off we went for a seven day road trip to Kerala on the southwest coast of India. First stop was Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, an elephant ride and the town of Thekkady where we enjoyed a performance of Kathakali, an ancient Indian dramatic art form traditionally performed by males who are heavily made up with paint and colorful headpieces and clothed in elaborate costumes. Using hand gestures called mudras and eye and facial expressions they portray stories to the accompaniment of drummers and singers.
Kerala is famous for its beautiful backwater boat trips. We enjoyed two such outings in Alleppey, observing village life along the river banks as we floated by.
Next we were on to Cochin, home of St. Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was initially buried. Dating from Kublai Khan's time are Chinese fishing nets still in use today along the shore of Cochin. Here near the nets we encountered this cat!
It was here in Cochin that I spotted my first snake charmer who entertained us with his cobras.
Last stop was Munnar and its beautiful tea plantations framed here by a blossoming jacaranda tree.
Back in Kodai my friends got decked out in salwar kameezs.

Shannon Places First in Field Day Events

Recently Shannon's school held its annual field days. The entire school body gathered and paraded to the playing fields. Shannon took first place in her division in long jump (pictured) and high jump. Not bad for her first attempts at track and field events! The second day concluded with the traditional chicken biryani luncheon served to all attendees Indian style on a palm leaf.

Creche Children Thrilled with Sound of Their Own Voices

Back in Kodaikanal we visited Little Lilies Creche where my friend recorded the children singing. With the advent of digital cameras the children are used to seeing their photos, but they were quite amazed to hear their voices played back. Their joy was infectious as they gathered round this newly discovered piece of equipment.