As mentioned in my previous post, the kids and I are taking a trip to India. Planning for this trip came up suddenly, only about three weeks ago. My husband is originally from India and his family still live there, including the kid’s grandparents. His mother and father now live in Anantapur, a small village in Andhra Pradesh state in southern India. They have moved there recently to be near their daughter whose help they have begun to need more as they age. It has been a few years since we were last able to visit and so it was decided the time was right for another trip.

It will be only my three kids and I going to India this trip. We leave the end of October. I had hoped to spend a lot of time with grandparents. They are not getting any younger and I would like for the kids to be able to get to know them before it is too late. I have a good relationship with my husband’s family and they have always treated me well. They have welcomed me to their home. However . . . you know how we Americans like our independence. I prefer to stay separately in a place of our own, especially considering the length of time we are planning to stay. I asked my sister-in-law to help me find a place near to their home which we could rent for a couple of months and she has refused to do so telling that it is not safe for a woman to stay alone.

I have stayed alone before while in India and never faced a problem, but I have never stayed alone in Anantapur. In 2001 I traveled alone to India with my son, then two years old, to work out the adoption of our twin girls. We stayed alone in Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) for almost six months. I had hoped to do the same this time.

So here I am, two and a half weeks before we leave busy reshaping our plans. How long do I want to stay living in the same house as relatives? I think two weeks is about enough. After that I think the kids and I will go by train to Mumbai. I want to visit friends we made the from the last trip. And the girls want to see the orphanage where they once lived. During our last stay in Mumbai we stayed at the YWCA and I think I’ll see if we can stay again. The last time we stayed in Andheri. This time I think I would like to see if we can stay at the YWCA International Center instead. I have sent email asking their rates and availability and am awaiting a reply.

I am thinking we may stay two weeks in Anantapur, a month in Mumbai and then take an all-you-can-ride Indrail train pass to travel around India for a month or so. Then maybe back to Anantapur for another two week visit with the family before heading back home to the USA. I’ve got two weeks left to get plans finalized. I’ll let you know more later.

For now . . . I’ve got a couple of good deals to post.

From Eddie Bauer are the following two offers:

Buy any 2 or more of fall’s essential styles and save $10 on each.

Get a $25 gift card when you spend $75.

And from Bare Necessities:

Save 15% on orders over $100. Save on designer and name brand bras, panties, men’s underwear and more! Offer expires 11-15-05.

There you go. That’s it for today. I hope everyone found something they can use. I’ll post more tomorrow.

Tata for now,
Amy B.