A second year full of adventure, friendship, love & Incredible India. ( text + 19 posters of pictures)

Our amazing adventure in India started two years ago and if we have to look back to those two years, a lot happened. We still love the Indian challenges we are confronted with every day.
The positive aspects fade all the negative aspects away. Even if the challenges and the frustrations are sometimes very BIG.

 The last 22 months we had the pleasure to welcome a lot of our Belgian families and friends in India. It has been amazing to show them this incredible country. The moments spent with them were very special, unique and for sure we will treasure them forever.
From the historical monuments in Delhi to the magnificent Taj Mahal, from the crazy and loud cities to the amazing quite countryside, from the state of Tamil Nadu to the state of Goa, from tropical Kerala to the fascinating Rajasthan… India is huge and still has so many hidden facades for us.

Everyday life in Delhi still opens our eyes.
There are so many things you don’t get used to and so many things that still fascinate you. We don’t have enough eyes, storage or time to preserve all this. You really have to experience India to be able to understand how it is to live here.

Manu is still the same very dedicated worker for McCoy Soudal. He works hard, long hours, longs days, long weekends… But he loves it! The challenge is huge, the motivation is high so why would you complain about something you like.

As most of you know from September on our little family will expand. I will go back to Belgium during the summer months and will give birth in Belgium early September. The distance between Manu and myself will be big, but we will make the most of it and I am sure we will cope.

The pregnancy is going well. At the beginning I was sick and nauseous but since the 4th month I am much better. The heat is another struggle now, as we have temperatures around 44°-46° during the day in the shade and still very warm nights (38°-39°). But I can’t complain, I have a terrific body temperature regulator thanks to my Yoga classes and thanks to the swimming laps and exercises I do three times a week.

A few facts that might interest you:
 - The more you dig in a story or a topic, the more you realise that this country is surrounded by corruption.
 - People have ‘expiry dates’ … just like products.
After working a few months/years for you, they will always change as they think the grass is always greener at the other side. From tomorrow on we will have a new driver.
- Above the 40°C mosquitos die.
- Taking a Black & Yellow Taxi with no AC is pretty hard to manage when you are in a traffic jam for hours and that the temperature reaches 45°.
- The crazy traffic in Delhi is not getting better… In two years time there are less cows on the road but the amount of cars is still rising.
- In two years time the range of imported products made a huge step forward. But the discipline, the consistency and the routine are hard to find. Whenever you see a product that you might like or might use, you better buy it…because you never know when it will show up again.
- The way to go to Manu’s work is still as shocking as two years ago. There are some works in progress but the bumpy roads with children, animals and dirt everywhere are still a fact.
- Looking for a new place to live with a bit more space and daylight remains a challenge. We have seen so many places the last few weeks time but haven’t found anything. We keep on searching.
- The inflation rate in India was recorded at 7.23 percent in April of 2012. (The average inflation of India in 2011: 8.87 %) Life isn’t getting easier for Indians in huge cities as Delhi or in villages. Even after two years it remains confronting to see all the poverty on the streets, at the traffic lights or even just a few meters away from your place.
- The production plant of McCoy Soudal is operational since April, a new milestone in the history of the joint venture.
 - If you want to be distracted from work or from something else, click on this Youtube movie. It is a great hit in India and it will definitely give you a little ‘summer giggle’.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7G-tYRzwYY

Subha Hone Na De Full Song" | Desi Boyz | Akshay Kumar | John

 Enjoy!
Big kisses from us!!