We totally neglected to check in from DC. Sorry about that! Let’s just say that between multiple car accidents, an unanticipated surgery, receiving and sending shipments, many consumables shopping trips and more, we had a lot less free time than anticipated.

Still, the time stateside was nice. I reconnected with my good friends Target, TJ Maxx and Trader Joe’s (plus some actual good friends too). Andy went on long runs along the canal in Georgetown. Flynn started kindergarten and Jonah started preschool. Andy and the boys are still back in DC for another few weeks, actually, but as of a few days ago, I’m in India!

We are lucky to be assigned to the same post as a tandem couple. Actually traveling to that post at the same time would be too much to ask.

We thought about sending the boys with me but ultimately decided that me settling in and softening the landing for them later would be best for all–except perhaps for Andy who will be traveling across the world alone with two small children. If you see him, you might want to avoid asking his thoughts about that. Luckily for him, dads traveling with kids get treated like kings by everyone they encounter. You might want to remind Andy about that. I sure have been.

As for me, I’m three days in here in India and already have functional home Internet and a working iPhone–that’s definitely a record! I’ve met a lot of people but have remembered approximately zero names. I’ve successfully gotten myself places with Uber and an auto rickshaw but have not yet shaken this darn jet lag so have kept exploring to a minimum.

For now, here are some photos from a temple and area called Mylapore.

This is a more historical area and honestly not what the rest of the city looks like–or at least what I’ve seen of it so far. It’s a lot calmer and leafier than I’d envisioned. The restaurants and stores look nicer than I’d expected. Apparently I can text a butcher my meat order and then he’ll show up at my house with it; organic produce can be delivered right to my door as well. I’ve hired a driver, housekeeper and nanny who all seem wonderful. The grocery store I visited even had Coke Zero and not just Diet Coke; these Coke Zeros even tasted like real Coke Zeros, not the flat and unsatisfying ones we found in Benin. That’s a big victory for our soda obsessed household.

Yep, I suspect we’ll like it here just fine.