Before Ambika left on her mission she asked me if I had a Sari. I told her "No" and so she gave me fabric that looked to be 2 Sari's. When I took it to the tailor I was told she gave me 4 sari's!! I had the tailor make 2 sari's (that I showed off in an earlier blog) and these 2 Chudeedars. THANKS AMBIKA!!!!
Shilpa, Raka and Vani came to our apartment Monday for Cooking class. We made Potato Salad, Banana Bread and Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. They like learning to make the noodles as they can use them with their curries.
This was at the end. We had lunch together. Elder Kasper was sick this day and was sleeping in the office chair in the back room. He didn't even taste our lunch....
Rajesh and Fathima (Mary) Kandikuri planned a party for Mary's birthday. Elder & Sister LaDuke hosted the party at their apartment. Sister LaDuke surprised us all and wore her new Sari. I thought she picked out a great color when she made this purchase.
Mary & Rajesh on her special day!! (Yes they are married!!)
Mary Cutting the cake. Sister LaDuke made the cake for her and Mary did the frosting.
Traditional to feed the cake to each other.
Sannie, Hema and Sirisha enjoying the party.
Shilpa eating Biriyani.
Me taking a picture of Madhu taking a picture.....
Elder Kasper and Jane....still eating.
Sannie, Madhu and Sirisha.....Everyone's eating!!
Shaker in the middle of it all. He always seems to be having a good time!!
Rajiv's family just built a new home outside the city, near the area of Uppal. He invited us to share in their families celebration of their new home. Nikhit and Madhu took us by auto and we had a hard time finding the place. We got to see a lot of new country and we were delighted for that. Rajiv's new home is near the jungle. He told us that just a few days ago one of his neighbors had a leopord come to their home. No one was hurt and they were happy for that.
This is the road that leads to his home. It's lovely country over where he lives. I don't know why anyone would want to live in the city when they could have this open area to live in.
Rajiv greeting all of us.
You can see the new home behind the tent. We told Rajiv his family have built a castle. 
The first time we went through the house there was no furniture. When we came down off from the roof, furniture magically appeared in the living room. I think this was a happy day for Rajiv and his family. This photo shows Rajiv (in white) with his 2 sisters and brother.
This is Rajiv's father and mother. I told his father he must be the king who owns this castle!!!
Rajiv and a closer look at the new home. The tent is just for the celebration. They had music and a nice lunch of Chicken Biryani for everyone who came to visit.
Washing their hands before lunch. I have always wondered where the water comes from out of these units. On the back of the top piece is a tank that is filled with water. You wash your hands and the dirty water goes into a tank on the bottom. 
Madhu found a little one to hug!! So cute!!
We've been to some big vegetable markets but this one was the biggest. Rows and rows of veggies and vendors for as far as the eye could see in every direction!!!!! (I'm hoping that paints a picture!!!)
Madhu wondering the Vegetable stand!!!
A shot of one of the many lanes in the marketplace. If you look, you will probably recognize potatoes, carrots, onions, tomatoes and cucumbers....Everything else looks pretty different. Their are still a lot of veggies that we can't identify and don't care to identify..... Some we will miss!!!
Elder K and I made our way back to the fish market with Jane (works at the Embassy and is here for 2 years), Nikhit and Madhu. We left at 6:30 in the morning and were back to our apartment by 9 p.m. Then we went to the Mondu Veggie Market...Great day....See the guy holding the fish over Jane's head??
This was one of the biggest fish we saw.
Baby Shark
