Diwali

Don't get me wrong, I like fireworks. HOWEVER, I am not so appreciative when I hear the neighbours' display lighting up at 10.30pm, 11.30pm, and this morning...6am!! Who wants to see a fireworks display at that time??

Hyderabad is in full swing in the run up to Diwali this Saturday. Diwali is "The Festival Of Lights" and is a mixture of Christmas (because people give each other gifts) and Bonfire Night/5th November (for obvious reasons). It's actually a great time as the city seems to have the air of excitement as the big day approaches - there are fireworks, fairy lights, marching bands, and dancing all across the twin cities (Secunderabad and Hyderabad, for those not "in the know").

We are heading off on Saturday to a party that our friends, Rajiv and Renee, are hosting - so we are looking forward to that.

We have now fully acclimatised back to the Indian temperatures, although Andi is still nursing a cold she picked up in the UK. Work has been busy for me and it looks like I will be in Singapore and Beijing in mid November.

Andi and I are also traveling up to Calcutta (or Kolkata as it is now known) for a couple of days next week, with a friend from Glasgow, Tony Sargeant. Tony works with many organisations trying to help those in need all across the world, so it is a real privilege that we will be shown the work up there.

We will endeavour to continue updating the blog a bit more regularly so that we keep things interesting for you all. See you later!