Today is December 26th and we have just spent the last two days enjoying Christmas in India. On or about December 23rd, the Christmas decorations began appearing in India storefronts, businesses and on Indian houses. There were stars a plenty, multicoloured streamers and even the occasional strand of Christmas lights. However, not a Christmas palm tree to be found! Christmas Eve was a full day for us. It began with a Christmas concert at Arunachala Village School. This was not what one might expect, Cheryl and Lucas sitting contentedly watching the children perform, rather it was Lucas and Cheryl and others from AHAM performing for the children. We had the shear pleasure of looking out into a sea of beautiful faces, while Vivian read a Christmas story in English as two of the teachers simultaneously translated ... read more

It came to me as I began to write this week’s blog that if I am going to provide a fair description of this amazing country and the experience of being here, I need to share in equal measure the good and the bad. Some of you may wonder why I am drawn to this country and this weeks blog will a look at the India that Lucas and I see. The India that is both on the surface and below the surface. The India that stays hidden from western eyes and the western mind. The India that you will see when you see it with your heart. It came to me as I walked around Mt. Arunachula that the India I see is an India seeped in love. The very act of circumambulation of Arunachula, ... read more

We arrived in Frankfurt, November 18th after a very pleasant, nine hour plane ride from Calgary. A little tired, but ready to experience family, friends and some good Black Forest cooking. After 1 day of re-coop and sleep we were in the thick of a 70th birthday celebration, Weiden style. By 10 am Haus Gisela was full to the rafters with neighbours and friends come to wish Lucas’ sister Gisela, a Happy Birthday. Café and kuchen (cake) Gisela style.! The traffic didn’t stop until late afternoon when we pulled ourselves together and headed to a local hotel for dinner for 40. The entire Stiefvater and Behringer clan was there to celebrate Gisela’s big day. Friday night, we ate, we drank and we danced to a one man band. It was great fun. The fun continued ... read more