Merry Indian Christmas!!!

Well, December has flown by! Time flies when your'e having fun.

At the beginning of the month I was under the impression that this year's Christmas wouldn't be particularly festive. However, India had other plans...

Festivities were plentiful for me this year. Got stuck in right from the start of the month. Anna and I were given the challenge of rehearsing the Nativity with Devnar's cast. We started rehearsing just over a week before the actually Nativity! So the start of Dec. was pretty stressful! 10th Class pupils went through auditions to get their roles. Overall a cast of about 20. Trying to get the pupils to actually act as well as say their lines was... interesting. After a couple rehearsals they began to get into it. It was great to help them open up and try things they were nervous of (big challenge was to get Joesph to hold hands with Mary). Anna has been acting for aaages and was our drama expert. Together we tried loosening the group up with tried and tested drama warm-ups. Now a lot of acting relies on visual cues and reactions to actions, this is understandably much harder when  you can't see. I really had to think outside the box to show them how to act. In the beginning I made a few enlightening mistakes, like telling a completely blind child to pull an angry face, he tried but of course he had no conception of what to do. Solutions were always found, he could should angrily! I think I learned more than the pupils doing this.

In order for them to understand what they were supposed to be doing I explained how the character was feeling and the circumstances which caused that mood. Initially the actors were slightly taken aback by my enthusiastic demonstrations but they soon got into the swing of things. For me, I really enjoyed getting the kids into Character. They were all very interesting to work with, it was great to get to know them.I was quite proud of how far they'd come but what happened on the Nativity... Well you can hear all about that later!

Also we were tasked with finding Christmas decorations for the school's tree. This wasn't hard as some shops were clearly the site of seasonal Christmas explosions.

Our lovely Christian Principal and her husband took Anna and I to not one but two Carol Concerts! They were both great shows. Hearing all those familiar songs made me really nostalgic!

This month was also very busy with "Functions". 

On the 16th I ventured solo (sadly Anna was too ill to join me) with the upper classes to Alankrita Resort. Of course all I knew about it was that there was to be an event happening. Everyone told me to dress up so I rose to the occasion, donning my best Sari and all my bling. Got down at 8.30 (when i was told we were to leave) to find all my colleges in their usual clothes... oops! Of course we left at 9.30 (still not fully used to Indian Stretchable Time!) and traveled for two hours in a crammed bus. I was very confused, fell asleep and woke to see a group of boy students pushing their bus which had broken down. Of course this was not a huge problem and they soon got another bus. 

The four star resort was beautiful! I was guiding the pupils while staring around in shock, thankfully managed not to lead anyone into a wall. everyone was sat under a pandal and the entertainment began.

Glad of the shade, roasting hot day (in December!)

A magician! What a great choice for a blind audience... The first few acts were met with silence despite the magician's repeated clapping mimes. Eventually a teacher went up and told him to explain the tricks. After that the show was much more engaging, he really rose to the occasion and even gave explanations of how the tricks worked. Pupils were taken from the audience and took part in the tricks.

Made the flag appear

Paper being transformed into money using a "magic" press

Human water pump!

 It was really interesting to see how the people with less experience with blind people react. It was quite heartwarming to see this guy engage with the pupils. Every school trip it's clear that the pupils really change people's perceptions of the Blind. 

The buffet was really good too. 

Santa handing out sweets

After the pupils played games. 

I went on a little explore with my Akkas (big sisters, the school workers who live here). The resort has lots of pretty gardens, it was really nice just to go for a quiet walk. 

We ended up in the play park where everyone (responsible adults included went on the play equipment). Had a swinging competition with a teacher and watched some pupils spin faster and faster on a roundabout. Making the most of things!

Overall a great day out for us all. 

Two days later was the long awaited NATIVITY!!! 

Wise men and Herod in their costumes

Being performed for our honored guest the American Consul General.

Our guest in the center with the Gouds and the performers

*sigh* Well there was certainly drama! I was already worried about how ready our actors were. Turns out Anna and I had not been fully informed of what was actually involved in the performance. So an hour before the show when we were  told about the five songs and two dances which were part of the nativity the panic really started. There was time to get the cues written and partially memorized before we had to go onstage. Plus there was the problem of the mic being added. We hadn't considered exactly how people would be brought on stage (before we'd been counting steps but that was in a different rehearsal space) last minute Anna and I had to lead people on and off. To cut a very long story short... The play was chaos. But I've learned a lot from it. Mainly to ask people exactly what's happening and never presume to know anything! I was still really proud of all the performers, they were very brave. 

Got stuck onstage for a whole dance performance!

It's over! So we survived! Check out Anna's Chrimbo Sari! 

Getting more into the swing of things, Anna and I decorated our room with the paper chains and garlands that my Christmas loving mother sent us!

Thanks mum! Made our room very festive! 

  Two days later we had some familiar visitors. Anna's Mum, Dad and Brother cam all the way from freezing England to be with her for Christmas. My Uncle was in Hyderabad on business and luckily had some time to visit. The wonderful coincidence was they all booked into the same hotel and even had parallel rooms all without knowing! They stayed in the huge hotel that we walk past every time we leave Mayuri Marg. Getting inside at last was pretty cool! It was really nice to all catch up.

 The next day they came and watched us teach. After we had free time so lunched at Paradise and enjoyed the world famous Biryiani. 

Yum! I have a Kashmiri Nan (sweet)

Happily stuffed, went went to the icon of Hyderabad - Charminar. It's an important monument built in 1591 AD. It's an impressive square building with beautiful carvings. Spanning out from the building at all four points of the compass are intricate alleys crammed full of bangle and Sari shops. The roads are bustling with hawkers, autos and stalls - it's a very Indian experience. 

Charminar at Sunset

After they experienced the amazing view of the chaos of Hyderabad from the famous building we went way over town to the Hussain Sagar. 

Paddling pool at the Park

Checked out the bustling Lumbini park and it's famous light show. Took the chance to do something I'd wanted to do since coming here, take a boat out to the Buddha  statue in the middle of the lake. 

A delicious dinner at the hotel brought my Uncle's visit to a nice end. So glad he came to visit.

Sunday we did even more sight seeing. 


Morning began with a trip to the 7 tombs. Built over 500 years ago by the Qutb Shahi dynasty. They ruled Hyderabad and became famous for patronizing Telugu and encouraging the arts, especially Urdu poetry. The tombs were beautiful - huge domes and ornate carving. Each tomb had a mosque as the dynasty were Islamic. Each tomb had a fake sarcophagus as the actual bodies are buried underneath. Outside each tomb were the graves of servants loyal to the family. 

Tomb of the most important Queen, building in front is a mosque

Tourist pic!

Cleansing area where bodies were prepared for burial

We had a tour guide who rattled through a few set phrases and marched us from tomb to tomb so my knowledge of the place is somewhat lacking. There was lots of trees and a manicured garden, the rest was more rough but overall it was a really nice peaceful place. Lots of families had come here for a picnic. I'm amazed at how old the tombs were but they showed some obvious signs of disrepair. Some were getting repaired, I hope they last. 

See what I mean?

Onto the nearby Golconda Fort, another place I'd been really wanting to visit. The fort stands behind the ancient city walls. We drove through the elephant proof gates and on through the new settlement which has formed within the walls.

Inside the Fort

Founded in the 13th Century, the fort has a long an complicated history (most of which remains a mystery to me).  Local mines produced the world's most famous gems, including The Hope Diamond and Idol's Eye.The building was spectacular. Entrance gate was adorned with peacock and lions. 

Inside is a specially engineered hallway which can amplify the sound of a clap so it can be heard over a kilometer away at the king's residency. This served as an early warning system. The architecture was fascinating, arches upon arches and crumbling plaster. Although ruined it was still very impressive.

 We climbed the 360 (!) steps to the top. There was a Hindu Temple with some very dramatic paintings. 

 The views of Hyderabad was awe-inspiring I felt so lucky to be able to see the massive city I'm now calling home. 

After sunset we headed back to the Fort for the light show. It was in the old palace. Colored lights illuminated different areas of the fort as the story of Golconda was told. Urdu poems and Telugu songs also added to the spectacle. It was an interesting show. 

Next day back to reality, teaching on Monday then... 

Suddenly it was Christmas Eve! December had really flown by. Being in hot India with Anna's family and seeing all these different things had made it seem even more bizarre. 


Last stop on the tourist train was the Salar Jung museum. Salar Jung was the last Nizam of Hyderabad who collected a vast array of artifacts over 35 years. It's a huge museum, he was certainly an avid collector. The collections includes all sorts of things from Hindu sculptures to metal woven carpets to comedy walking sticks. We wandered around being amazed by the vast quantity of fancy stuff. It was pretty cool. 

Beautifully carved wooden cabinet

Embroidered peacock

Check out dem walking sticks

Russian teacup

Metal woven prayer mat

That night and Christmas night Anna and I joined her family at Vivanta by Taj. Her family was unbelievably generous and got us a room for those nights. It was brilliantly luxurious! Hot shower, clean room, comfy beds with pillows and DUVETS (!) and a huge flat screen TV. 

What a bathroom! We made sure to put the blind down on the strange bog window though! 

View of Mayuri Marg from our room

All a world away from my usual life and a wonderful treat. It mean Anna could spend all Christmas with her family. 


Just a quick bit on the buffet at Vivanta. Wow, what a spread! I'm used to having curry and rice three times a day so this buffet was beyond my wildest imagination. Pastas, Curries, Breads, salads, puddings and a cheese dome!!! Lived up to Christmas tradition by stuffing myself. 

Finally it was Christmas Day!!!

Spent the morning opening presents with Anna's family. Opened the stockings my mum sent Anna and I. Got lots of lovely presents, felt very lucky! Got a good supply of chocolate and books, perfect. 

Thank you so much you beautiful people

Later I did something I never thought I'd do on Christmas Day... I went for a swim then sunbathed! 

Got changed into my sparkly double net dress for Christmas Lunch. Lunch was delicious. 
Managed to Skype home, so even got to virtually be with my family and then my best friend on the big day which was really nice. I love modern technology! 

That evening we headed to Devnar to take part in their celebrations. A huge dinner was being served- Biriyani and Halwar. Anna's mother brought fancy hair clips from England and we gave them out to our Akkas (kitchen workers) for Christmas. Gave gifts to Padma and our bosses. It was great to visit the kids, they were all very hyper! Hugs and wishes of Merry Christmas abound. 

It was certainly an unforgettable Christmas. For starters I was actually warm!

At the start of the month I was almost dreading Christmas as I'd never spent the day without my family. Seeing the kid's excitement for Christmas (jumping around singing Carols and constantly wishing me a merry Christmas) and decorating our room made me really nostalgic.This feeling was defiantly helped by the lack of incessant Slade renditions and manic Christmas shopping. Getting Christmas cards and even gifts from friends and family made me feel very loved (and yes, a little soppy! but hey, it's Christmas!).

Being in India where I've experienced many different festivals, it was interesting to finally celebrate one I knew really well. Made a  nice change to actually understand a festival and tell others about it. The pupils asked a lot of questions and explaining things like Santa and Stockings made me realize how bizarre our customs are to foreigners. It was really refreshing to get away from all the stress and consumerism of the over-hyped Christmas and be able to see it as just a religious festival. Simplified my life!

Had my Grinch moment as I learned the true meaning of Christmas (aside from Jesus' birth of course) is really being with family. I was lucky enough to be able to spend it with Anna's lovely family who were very generous and welcoming. They helped make my Christmas extra special. It was a privileged to show them our new home. Also got to virtually chat to my own family thanks to the wonders of skype. I'm so lucky! 

A Very Merry Christmas overall!  


Now things are in a temporary lull. The pupils have exams soon so everyone's busy revising. Anna and I are running the LKG exam. Then a week today we're off to Rajastahn for our second Indian holiday! Everything's go as per. What an exciting life I'm lucky enough to lead. 

All the best for 2014! xxx