Weekend in Bangalore

After traveling and scrambling to learn how to survive here for the past two weeks, we finally had a somewhat calm weekend in our adopted home town of Bangalore. The city is known as the "Garden City" in India, and the name is well deserved, even if much of the new development is compromising the greenery around town. After having visited Chennai, Guwahati, Hyderabad, and Kolkata for at least a few days each over the past few years, I am very happy that we decided to stay in Bangalore. Yesterday, we took a cab downtown and toured Cubbon Park, which is very nice, but we found that it does not allow "playing" (a sign has an X-ed out picture of a cricket player and wicket). We had hoped to play some catch with the boys' new gloves. Later in the day, we went shopping for food, a cell phone for Thomas, and sneakers for me. I was surprised to find that brand-name shoes (e.g., Nike, Reebok) are more expensive here than they are in the US. I had hoped to save some baggage weight and money by buying shoes here. Oh well.

Today, we attended Agape Bible Church on the northeast side of town. The service was very lively and was given in both Kanada (the local language) and English by alternating between the pastor and a translator. After the service, the church held a baptism ceremony (see picture). Later, the boys sat for their first Indian haircuts. I think they look great, and the price is certainly right (60 rupees, or $1.50, combined). The boys are hoping that their 'friends who aren't boys' (our synonym for 'girlfriends') at home like them, too.