Flight of an Angel
After almost 4 weeks I finally made it back to my gorgeous wife and beautiful daughter. It is the last time I’ll be away from them for more than a week. I did not realise how traumatic the seperation would be.
After spending the first month with Kara I was filled with self-confidence (gathered by reading many books) and it was easy for me to handle her, calm her and soothe her to sleep. After the long break I found my daughter almost 30% bigger than when I left her (and my wife back in her pre-pregnancy shape!) and she didn’t want to be held in the same way anymore and I had to re-connect with her.
I arrived on Saturday (13th) afternoon and was fumbling my way through trying to get back into things with my duo of girls. On Sunday I was treated to an early Father’s Day lunch and Kara accompanied us of course. During lunch Kara became hungry, but Marga had prepared a bottle for the occassion. With fond memories of our previous bottle encounter, I scooped up Kara and the bottle and within a few seconds she started to blissfully empty the bottle. Thereafter I rocked her to sleep and we both knew that father and daughter had rekindled their bond. (I think the picture says it all)
After a few terrific (but cold) days in Cape Town we had to head back to India. Honestly we were terrified about the 20+ hour journey ahead, after hearing so many horror stories of children crying through entire flights. So with almost a 100kg of baggage (and even heavier hearts) we departed for India (via Dubai) on Wednesday.
At Cape Town International Airport our first stop was at the SAA lounge where we directed to the “Kids’ Room”. Here we had time to relax with Kara before our long journey started.
Kara had such a great time that she decided to take a nap in her dad’s arms by the time we were seated in the flight. She slept straight through take off and this peaceful start to our journey was a signal as to how the rest of our trip would evolve. She was a complete angel during the whole flight.
First Class was empty so the kind staff of Emirates made it available to Kara and Marga for Kara’s meal times. We also had time for some in-flight fun and games with Kara.
When we arrived in Dubai, Marga and Kara were mobbed by fellow female passengers on the airport shuttle bus to stare and marvel at the amazing baby that travelled so well. At the airport we headed straight for the hotel because of our long lay-over.
At the hotel Kara was particularly excited and she interacted enthusiastically by talking (in her own language) and waving at us. She was so cute that it took us quite a while to drag our weary bodies to bed. Eventually we did get some sleep before our next flight. Here are a few scenes from Dubai:
My trusty backpack has accompanied me to many places in the world, but travelling with our new extended family required a “new look” for the bag.
Our second flight (from Dubai to Hyderabad) went just as smooth. Cumulative (over both flights) Kara cried for maybe a minute - only to signal when she was ready for her next meal. She was such an angel and I don’t think any baby has ever travelled as well as Kara did. (Her mom and dad is terribly proud of and chuffed with their daughter!).
When we arrived in Hyderabad Kara got to test drive her new car seat.
When we arrived at our house our staff made it very clear and visible how much they missed Marga and longed to welcome Neha (as Kara will mostly be known in India) to their home in India. They decorated the place spectacularly.
We are still settling in here in Hyderabad and we’re trying to find our rhytm as a new family. Kara in particular seems to be excited to be here, but she views sleep as only getting in the way of exploring her new world.
Here are a few pictures of our “new” life in Hyderabad:
Playtime is never a problem - Kara is so cute and excited that it is really fun to play with her.
We’ve also been for a family stroll around the neighbourhood. (I love the picture with the neighbourhood cow!)
So the Indian adventure continues - with a new star to spice up the show.
Pir milenge
Theo Scheffler
June 21st, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Great, beautiful, pretty and nice.
aka lekker, mooi, pragtig, bakgat.
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:27 am
Glad you guys made it home safely! Was wondering how it all went. I’m sure everyone in india is very excited to finally meet the little one-love the way the house was decorated. Kara looks like a doll in some of the pics, amazing! And you two look very good and very proud, pity we missed you in SA. Enjoy and hope she stays well over there.
August 10th, 2009 at 8:15 am
They grow SO fast at that age. India hey? That must be anadventure.