To India we go! Day 1- New Delhi

We finally were able to take an extended holiday as Eric's work schedule calmed down a bit.  We planned this holiday to India and the highly regarded Maldives in January for the March trip.  We were so looking forward to this trip!!! Unfortunately, about a week before we were scheduled to leave, we found out we were moving back to the US!!!  We almost cancelled!  But, we put it all in perspective and just decided to go for it.  So, this trip was very bitter sweet for us.  It was a really great way to "go out with a bang" and move back to the US, but we also knew that as soon as we returned, we'd be packing up and moving out.  Luckily, we put all those thoughts aside and spent a wonderful 12 days traveling through India and the Maldives...a great mix of tourism and relaxation. 

Our first day in India started very early.  The only flight we could take out of Doha was at 2am so we arrived in Delhi bright and early, and tired as anything!  But, we were in India so we pushed through our first day in the bustling city of New Delhi.   India proved to be such an amazing country in our eyes.  We were told by many that we did not see the best of India and that we must return...of course we can't wait to go back.   India and its people practice many religions....Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam, Buddhism & Christianity (and maybe more).  Every religion is able to co-exist, which is pretty amazing.  The people were so colorful and friendly which is something we really appreciated. 

Tuk-Tuk (taxi cab) on the busy busy streets of Delhi.  We thought driving in Egypt was bad...Delhi definitely gave Cairo some competition!

Waitin' for some customers 

Scenes from Delhi...

Street markets with your neighborhood goats.

Off to the Red Fort

View from the Red Fort 

A quiet moment 

Keeping clean 

These little girls were dying to get a photo with me (umm, except for maybe the girl on the right)

These children also wanted their photo taken 

Washing feet before prayer

Praying 

Barefoot and covered

Time for a nap

Next up was a walking tour around Delhi

I'm sorry, did you think your cables were twisted?  This is nothing! 

A Temple 

Apparently this guy made the best chai in Delhi and has been written about all over....we were a bit too freaked to get sick from drinking the water on our first day of our 12 day trip....darn!

Temple

Water pump

Such hard workers

Next we were leaving Delhi and on our way to Agra, site of the Taj Mahal...250 KM away  (about 150 miles).  The drive with our trusty driver, Ved took about 6 hours.   Luckily most of the way we were too knocked out to stay awake because that was a crazy drive!  Drivers all over the place, passing other drivers, and lots of horn honking. 

About 4 hours in, our driver frantically woke us up telling us we were about to miss seeing the Taj Mahal for the first time!!!   We both were a bit groggy, but one thing for sure is that we were both were surprised to see how much smaller it looked in person.  Ved asked us if we'd like to visit then, so we of course said sure!  He then started laughing hysterically!   This structure is called "mini Taj"...he got a huge kick out of playing this practical joke on us.   

At that point, we decided it was enough sleeping!  Typical sitings 

 We arrived in Agra shortly after and we were able to visit the Agra Fort 

Inside

We saw tons of these animals on the grounds of the Agra Fort 

Another tuk-tuk driver

That night we spent at a hotel in Agra.   Next up...the Taj Mahal! 

Two times the L O V E ! ! Baby Shower for Brooke & Eric

A N D......I'm BACK!

About a month before we left Qatar we had the pleasure of hosting a baby shower for our very dear friends, Brooke and Eric.   Brooke gave birth to two miracles on January 24, 2011, Bennett Blue and Gemma Wynn about 4 weeks early.  They spent a long ordeal in the hospital and NICU for nearly a month.  These two babies proved to be extremely strong and now have been giving their parents the real experience of having not only their first baby, but twin babies in the Middle East, no less.  What troopers they are!  We are so grateful to have had the chance to get to know Eric, Brooke, Bennett and Gemma and be a part of this very special time in their life.    

Their shower took place on March 4 and was attended by many friends from the compound and beyond.     I was a little nervous about being able to host the shower at our house with limited resources but thankfully I had a dear friend, Ella, who co-hosted the event with me...I would have been lost without her help and expertise!!!

Proud momma and poppa!  Brooke and Eric 

The set up, with fun "pom pom" hand-made decoration (thanks so much for the great idea, Wendi and Cin!)

So easy to make and added some character to these bare Al Zuhoor  villas

Some of the desserts!  Thank you for lending all your dishes to me, Wen! 

Some of the gifts 

So much food!  Thank you to everyone who helped out

The famous Radio Flyer

I had so much fun making these creme-filled cupcakes.  A few were "hit and miss"...Don had 3 before he got one with the creme inside.  Definitely will be making something similar once we're set up in Houston. 

Proud Momma on the right

Don and Robin with the favors in the background

Me and my amazing co-host, Ella.  

Gifts and babies

Can you believe these beautiful hydrangeas were found here in the desert...good find, Eric!

The "lounge"...thanks to Ella and Paul for the furniture!  

I am still amazed we were able to find all these things in Doha

Once the guests started dispersing, the babies came out and the people who were left took turns holding the twins.

Ella with Gemma Wynn

Dad of the twins, also Eric, decided it was a good idea for my Eric to hold not one, but both babies!  

Here we go.... 

One..

Looks like a natural

Love this!

We are so happy we were able to honor these two little miracles with a shower and lots of Al Zuhoor love.   They are so sweet and are growing more and more by the day.   Brooke and Eric, we know you are wonderful parents and wish you all the best in Doha or wherever your lives may take you and your two precious babies.   We miss you every day and hope our paths will cross again.