Christmas Day

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I am writing this at about 6 p.m. on Christmas Day here in Delhi. It was a beautiful day here, warm, sunny a light wind. The air seemed cleaner and clearer today ... and I can't tell if it's true, or perhaps I am getting used to the air ...

I am still unwell, but starting to feel better. I went to the doctor yesterday and she said I have either the flu or I ate something bad (probably on the train from Hardiwar to Delhi) or some combination of both. So she gave me five medications (every time I go to the doctor here I get five medications!) and told me to eat bland food for a few days.

Apparently, you're not supposed to eat on the train, or even drink the sealed, bottled water they give you, but no one told me. Not even the Lonely Planet. Perhaps I should write them and tell them what happened.

Today, to celebrate Christmas I went to the Panschil Club with Varada and her parents for an afternoon event they held on the lawn. There was food and games and contests for the kids. The highlight was a costume contest. I particularly liked the girl dressed like a rat -- she was apparently supposed to be a mouse but to me she looked like a rat -- and a boy dressed like a parrot. Plus there were girls dressed in ethnic costumes, and boys dressed like Santa. It was a lot of fun.

Then, because the day was so nice, Ajay and I went to Hamuyan's Tomb, a beautiful 16th century Mughal empire mausoleum that predates the Taj Mahal. It is surrounded by acres of parks -- a peaceful paradise, especially in the late afternoon, with long shadows and few people around. Delhi is blessed with an astounding number of these gorgeous, historic and tranquil sites. For me it was especially significant because of my childhood obsession with the Arabian Nights. I dreamed for years of such fantastical, turreted structures, and now I am actually seeing them. Unfortunately, though, this was the moment my camera battery died! A very nice young man from Bombay took our picture and has said he will email it to Ajay, so I will post pictures when that arrives.

So, now the sun is setting on Christmas here, just as it is coming up in Canada. I hope you all have a wonderful, happy, safe Christmas. Merry Christmas!

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Photos

a Christmas angel
Here is Varada dressed like an angel for her school Christmas pageant.

on the lawn ...
... on Christmas Day at the Panschil Club,

getting ready ...
... for the costume contest.

Comments

[The Lepas]

Merry Christmas
It's a foggy and rainy Christmas morning here in Collingwood, Mariellen. We wish you a happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Feel better soon. Love from all of us.

[marilyn]

dec. 26th
hope you feel better soon Mariellen, you look radiant! love, Marilyn

[chrissy]

christmas
merry merry my belle! hope yours was great...looks like a lot of fun. The children are beautiful. You are too! Love C