Nothing draws boys together like a shared loved of Pokemon DS games. We're sitting in the Delhi airport waiting for our flight to board.

Broch's enjoying one last ball game with the kids from downstairs on our very slippery granite driveway before we head back to the States tonight. Our flight is at 11:35pm. Not looking forward to international security.

Had a SPECTACULAR brunch in the garden of the Claridges Hotel in downtown Delhi. What a great event - kids' activities, with Santas ranging from the great folks at Family Vision to an almost creepy (think "Carnival Santa") masked Santa that turned out to be a big hit.

The brunch itself was incredible, and the day was an amazing 75 degrees, clear and sunny. Santas, carolers and a super-swank Indian family that ended up inviting us to a wedding later next month. What a holiday! Took a quick stop in the Aura, the Claridge's lounge, where they serve over 75 different premium vodkas.

Most  amazing, however, Broch "misplaced" his new Titan "Dog Tags" watch literally on Christmas day. (You can see the chain in the photo.) The Hotel's Mr. Amit Metha took it on himself to find Broch's watch. After searching over night, the watch was found in the garden area where Broch had been sword fighting with other kids, and with Santa himself. Hey, the gifts were already delivered so the consequences of any "mishap" involving Santa and the swords were evidently less worrisome than 24 hours prior. Our sincere thanks to Mr. Metha, and to everyone at the Claridges Hotel for one of the most magical Christmas holidays on record.    

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For Christmas eve dinner we've come to one of Broch's favorite restaurants: The Living Room in Hauz Kas Village. They've got holiday specialty cocktails (my "Mistltoe" is an appletini with fresh apple pulp, yum) and they're screening "The Nightmare Before Christmas" on the wall of the dining room while Broch enjoys his lasagne bolognese. Christmas in India is working out pretty well so far.

About 2 blocks from our flat there is a litter of puppies that we visit regularly. Their mother is, I believe, a street dog that lives in these people's front yard.

The distinction seems to be that if a dog is truly a "pet" it wears a wool doggie coat and is walked twice daily by a staff member (usually a dude) with a stick in his hand - reportedly to beat off any street dogs who may approach (jealous of the plaid coat perhaps?) This mother dog does as she pleases throughout the day.

The homeowners have put out blankets in the shade of the trees and set out a number of water bowls. They have even put collars on 4 of the 5 puppies, and bandaged up one little female who got too close to a car and broke her leg. The little things are hilarious and they sure brighten our day.

Broch and I are heading down to a place called Araveli Retreat in the far suburbs of Delhi. It's rush hour right now, so it will take us over an hour, I believe.

The bad thing about rush hour is the obvious - tons of motocycles, buses, cars and bicycles crammed together within inches of each others' bumpers. The good thing about it is that it slows everybody down a little. Drivers are aggressive here - granted they need to be, like in any giant metropolis. But some things make me have to just keep my eyes down on my paper and not think about the process too much. We've spent more time on the opposite side of the yellow line here in India, I think, than my whole life in the States (yes, even after being a colllege student in Texas). Often times red lights are merely treated as a suggestion.

Then there is my own annoying preoccupation with rules of the road and driver saftey. Forget worrying about who has the right of way -it's whoever is bigger and/or faster. And notice the rear view mirror in this photo - it's been this way in every car I've ridden in: Instead of being lined up so that the driver can see what's appproaching from behind, it's lined up to be  reflecting *my* image to the driver at all times. Every time I've looked up this morning there has been a pair of brown eyes looking back at me. Now maybe it's a customer service thing. Maybe he's making sure that the customer is always comfortable and content (or hasn't fled the vehicle in terror....) Who knows. I just know my high school driver's ed teacher would have a fit.

We got up early this morning to watch the sunrise at Taj Mahal. Was beautiful as the mist swept around and lifted, changing and softening the light as the sun rose.

Not sure what town this is, but we're in the middle of a hustling, bustling lunch rush. You know it's a big town when there are movie posters and clothing store with glass windows...

Just pulled over on the side of the road halfway between Ranthambore and Fatpur Sikri. Deshraj and Broch are changing our tire.