Preparing for Christmas

Christmas is a big deal here in the Christian Colony where the Lals live. Most homes have lights and decorations. Deepa is very creative and has the house well ready for the season. The first picture below is the outside entryway to the house. The holly leaves are cut cleverly so they bow out slightly, giving a 3-D look.

There is a young man, Sandeep (not the one married to Anju), who has been helping put up the decorations. Here he is with an enormous star Deepa made.

Sandeep drives an electric rickshaw. Most of his clients are regulars that he delivers to and from work and school. He's helping Deepa in between these appointments. He also gave us a ride back to the hotel, much more comfortable than the cycle rickshaw.

Our days have been pretty quiet, sitting around the living room, watching cricket, eating lunch together. Tomorrow (Christmas Eve) more family members will come and the festivities will begin.

Our hotel, the Crystal Palace, is quite nice. Our room is spacious and kept clean. The cleaners can't seem to remember how many or which towels to leave when they clean. Each day something is missing--bathmat, hand towel, or a second bath towel. But whatever is needed comes promptly when we call. The room has tea makings, so we can have a cup when we wake up. The breakfast has some Indian items, omelets and toast, very satisfying. The first day or so the internet was almost nonexistent, but it seems to be working well now.