Christmas

Christmas didn't feel like Christmas at all, but it was fun for what it was.
On Christmas morning, we had a party at school. The kids had decorated stockings the day before and when they arrived, Santa had come and filled them. We had food and took lots of pictures (with the disposable cameras from the field trip) and decorated Christmas tree ornaments. The girls came over to watch Home Alone. They liked it. The boys watched it on Christmas Eve and they LOVED it. They laughed so hard! After the girls left, Lauren and I went into Kolkata. We went out to eat at a really nice place called Marco Polos. I had pesto pasta and a peach daquari. Delicious. Aside from ordering a round of beer with my family in Mexico, it was my first time ordering and being served alcohol in that way. Park Street was absolutely packed with Christmas pedestrians. It took so long to walk down the street. We stayed at a hotel for two nights.
The day after Christmas, we got up and went to a little bakery for breakfast. It had the freshest bread I've had since I've been in India. Then we went to the Park Hotel salon so I could get my hair cut. Lauren decided to get her hair dyed a darker, reddish brown. It turned out a disasterous purple though, so she had to re-do it. This took a very long time. By the time it was fixed, it was time for our massages. We each got a one hour professional massage at the spa at teh Park. It was heavenly. The facilities were amazing. I never dreamed I would be in such a nice place, but things are so much cheaper in India.
After our massages, we met up with Babai and walked around town. We went to a mall and to a hooka bar/cafe'. It was fun. Then Babai had to go and Lauren and I went out to dinner. A big Indian family walked in the restaraunt right after we were seated, and Lauren and I remarked how American the three girls looks. (Style of clothing; one of them was wearing tie-dye) Then we heard them speak, and sure enough, they were American! We assume their parents were from Kolkata and they had come back to visit. It was funny though, because Lauren had asked me what a certain kind of naan was (I didn't know) and a few minutes later we heard them ask the same thing.
Today we got up and went to the same bakery for breakfast before coming back to Khardah.
Lauren and I were at Piya's house earlier today. Her brother's new wife was there, and she was really friendly. She was so subdued at the wedding party, I was surprised today that she is really very spunky and cheerful. They gave us the customary tea and biscuits, and then they gave us chapati and potato curry that they will have for dinner later tonight. It was my first time eating any of my students' dinner food. It was delicious.
Tomorrow I am going to Mumbai to meet my parents. We will tour around India for two weeks. I can't wait!

~m