A beautiful place to be alive.

It has been quite a while since my last blog and this has been for two reasons. The first is that Indianhousehusband became incredibly busy with several different projects and the second one was probably a lack of inspiration. I had become a bit blase about my surroundings as we all do eventually. Now I am back from a Blighty trip and seeing things with a new set of eyes and a renewed vigour. Sometimes a holiday is all it takes to really appreciate what is going on around you.

Over a year now in Delhi! One year, I can't believe it has gone so fast. So much has happened that I hardly know where to begin. I have had the lows of finding out about my mum and cousins cancer and the death's of far too many friends. To the highs of seeing my mum and dad here fit and well and visiting the mountains of Kashmir. Mixed into all this has been gallons of tears and sweat, tons of frustration and anger but most of all lots of truly fantastic times and laughter.

After 6 weeks back in Blighty it is a real pleasure to be home. Spending time with friends and family is and was great and the welcome we got from both sets of parents was amazing but nothing can replace the comfort of home and I was ready for my return.

After stepping off the plane at Delhi, the old familiar smells hit you, as does the sweat but these are great sensations, home sensations, the sort of sensations you stop noticing until you leave and come back.

Just the car journey from the airport to our house was enough to bring a big smile to my face.The usual Delhi cliche's all look brand new and hilarious again. The traffic didn't matter, nor did the heat or the pollution because everyone seemed to be smiling. It is the first thing I noticed. I think one of my earliest blogs mentioned that a broad smile was always returned and it is something that you come to take for granted but after 6 weeks back in Blighty it comes as a welcome relief.

I was greeted at the local milk stand like a returning war hero. Our local grocery store owner Mr Merry wanted to hug me and the fruit and veg stall guy gave me a pineapple! The boys and I walked to the market in the rain and reacquainted ourselves with all the security guards in Shanti Niketan, who still seem to find us a constant source of fascination. One pointed out to me that it was raining which though unnecessary and completely stating the obvious, was just wonderful. We were all soaked through and the boy's were jumping around in the puddles but someone still felt they should perhaps point it out in case we had missed it!

A friend of ours Toby, said to me recently.

"India. It's just a beautiful place to be alive"

I agreed with him at the time but my brief absence has made me really feel it again.

It is so fantastic to be home!