India

Once again, our family (minus Andrew who was more than a little jealous) was lucky enough to travel to Bangalore India for thanksgiving. Considering the fact that the staff at the Marriot is our second family, it was the perfect place to spend thanksgiving this year. On our first day, Lisa, Jake, and Thomas and me (lauren) traveled in a rickshaw to a mall right down the street while papa klepper headed to work. The 2 mile drive to the mall (which took 30 min) was more entertaining than the mall itself. We watched as cyclists rode by with as many as 4 or 5 passengers as a time. There were beautiful flowers that were being sold in the streets and different types of fruits along the side. At the mall we watched Jake and Thomas run around in inflatable balls, which entertained us for a while. We also visited Cotolengo Convent, which is a catholic home/ school for special needs children. We went here our last trip and were welcomed like family. We were picked up and swung around with kisses being planted on our cheeks and then stuffed with food. Our time here is always so nice because the children are so beautiful and amazing. They welcome us and always give us so much love. Our second rickshaw experience was one we will definitely remember. We couldn’t remember exactly where the convent was but we thought our rickshaw driver would know. It turns out he and everyone else in the area had no idea. When we were stuck in traffic we would go around asking other rickshaws and cyclists if they knew where to go, but  no one knew. We finally met a nice couple who told us they could take us there, so after 2 hours we arrived. Like every other post so far, I feel like I just have to talk about how amazing the people are in this country. When we went into poppa klepper’s office, we played ping pong and foosball with his co-workers. We have made so many lasting friendships with the staff as well. One day the boys didn’t want to go out with us, so we left them at the hotel and when we returned they were throwing airplanes and running through the hotel with the staff. It is so much fun to be at the hotel, because we feel like it is our second home and we plan on returning to visit them in the future.