Things are not too bad

But even with all the upset and worry, I was loving India. Everyone I met was so kind and engaging. My accommodation was a lovely tranquil organic yoga cafe and guest house immersed in the middle of mayhem. Myself and Alessia stood out like two sore thumbs but I was enjoying every minute of it.
I took a taxi with Alessia an hour back to the airport And waited a half hour for the lost and found to be reopened.  All the while praying and hoping that someone was looking down on us. The worry and panic had not set in yet. I just felt like what was the point I was going to enjoy the last few minutes of not knowing. Finally, it reopened, it felt like eternity, my heart in my mouth and St Anthony in my vision. I gave my name and waited while she looked it up in the computer, Leah Mairead you said????. I knew we could get through anything after this. And my god St Anthony we owed him big time.
I always knew I would love India, I had no doubt. But you do begin to wonder when so many people I've told nearly fainted or told me they hated it and went on to tell me their horror stories. But my gut was that India was for me I was right. 
We then took another cab ride home over an hour with traffic, all I could think was at least I was getting to see lots of Bangalore even if my eyes were falling out of my head.
I was never so happy to get into bed, my eyes literally closed as I reached the pillow and thankfully Alessia was happy to sleep too. Unfortunately only for two hours.

Everyone was extremely accommodating where I was staying http://www.yogisthaan.com/
they couldn't be more helpful. Alessia was like a mini celebrity and the red hair only added to It. We were the main attraction where ever we went. Alessia was only delighted to put on a show.
There was goats on the street and people milking cows on the side of the road. It was different to
Anywhere else I've been but yet so similar in Many Ways. One thing I was going to find hard to get used to was trying to cross the road. No traffic lights and traffic worse than Naples. 


We went to buy a SIM card and the people working there couldn't stop laughing that I didn't have a passport size photo with me. They told me i should get one from my hotel as though this was just something I should own. But yet couldn't recommend where I should buy one.
Alessia helped slow me down and take it all in. I couldn't overdo it, with her and it was what I needed. She was so busy chatting and laughing with everyone I was in awe where she got her energy from..
I luckily have a great friend from New York living here It made me feel at ease knowing I could contact her if needed. And great to be given recommendations of places to go, things to see. My second day was less eventful than the first. Alessia and myself spend at least an hour applying every natural insect repellent and product  we could find. We drank fresh juices, and ate organic food. It was heaven. 
We went and got a Masla dosa for lunch which were only fifty cent. We bought water and the shop assistant nearly fainted when Alessia removed her hat and she saw her hair. 



We took the metro and Alessia had the whole carriage in stitches, smiling and waving and wanting me to hold her up so she could hold onto the railing like everyone else. It was magical.
I met my friend from New York for dinner, and we went to a lovely little quiet restaurant. I could have been anywhere. It was funny, it was a couple of years since we had seen one another, but it felt like days ago. The only difference was  Alessia. She was so understanding of her and made it very pleasant and easy. I felt at home. India suited me. I liked the energy I liked the food the smells and the lights. I liked the people my weakness was going to be the clothes and jewelry. 

I just hoped we would have an understanding air hostess on the way home. Mostly I liked all the free fun it had to offer. I think travelling alone can be a little lonely sometimes, but I had the best travel companion. She kept me on my toes while ensuring I didn't go too wild. I knew this adventure was going to be amazing and it had only started.

FREE FUN BANEGLURU INDIA

So we are off

When I booked India many months ago, it seemed like an eternity away. Although I never Wished the trip to happen sooner as I didn't want to wish days of Alessia's life away, I also had many other things to look forward to. But if I was really honest with myself, I was slightly apprehensive about it. The fact i was taking my most sacred possession  with me and i would never want to do anything to jeopardize her. But as the days came closer and research became more extensive all my worries floated away, and Instead I became curious about the Unknown.


I wasn't overly excited About the plane journey. Thirteen hour plane ride with a hyperactive toddler could be what some people call a nightmare. But in fact, it was a lovely experience. Myself and Alessia boarded the plane and not without making friends and waving at half the airplane. Her cute smile and friendly personally resulted in the Air hostess over looking my over weight bag and being given two seats to ourselves. I prayed that Alessia would sleep for some part of the journey. But it just wasn't to be, instead we inspected every inch of the plane. We walked up and down and up and down for five hours straight. Alessia stole the hearts of everyone that looked her way.



 When my meal arrived an incredible kind gentleman offered to walk up and down with her to give me some rest. There are so many kind people out there. Finally, after five hours of walking up and down Alessia fell asleep for the last two hours. We had a short stop over in Abu Dhabi and then boarded our plane to Bangalore. I was so excited to get on the plane. For years i had dreamt of coming to India and  I finally was. And it was only hours away. I have never in my life traveled on a plane with such amazing kind staff. They were playing and laughing with Alessia the whole way. One of the air hostess was exceptionally nice and was giving me places to visit making sure i knew people in India and helping so much with Alessia. The Journey actually was not too bad except I was wreaked from lack of sleep. So i had to remind myself to be more vigilant. Though everything was going as planned, no upsets or delays. Even my driver was waiting for me. When we got out of the car at our accommodation I could have collapsed on the spot, although the placed looked gorgeous. Alessia was so upset from the tiredness and needed sleep. I realized then that my money strap was gone with all my personal possessions. Not only passports, but all my bank cards. The tiredness was so crippling I actually didn't have the energy to worry. I stayed calm and did what you should always do at times like these. Prey to St Antony.


Freefun Bengaluru India 

What lies ahead

As our trip to New York seems a distant memory and we are still on decided as to where we will settle. We start to pack for our trip to India. While in America I was so aware of moments of kindness and all the free fun there was. Coming home, I have realized that there is equally as much free fun to be had. We have been home two weeks and not one day have we spent without meeting friends and family. We have numerous people to meet every day. We have gone to birthday parties, lunches, out for coffee; play dates, to the beach and the playground. I’ve had a friend come and clean my house for me. People invite me to their house for dinner and out for dinner and a wedding.

 My mum cooked, gorgeous dinners and lunches. I came home to my fridge full of food and my bedclothes cleaned. The acts of kindness have been constant. I don’t think we have had more than a couple of hours alone.  It is actually like being part of one big family. Walking down the street in the rain, just one car didn’t stop me, but three cars stopped to offer me a lift. I was in awe of how well we were treated while in new work, but I am astonished by how kind and amazing my friends and family are back home.  Alessia has fitted right back in, remembering everything and everyone. 

We have pottered over to the beach in the evening to enjoy the last of the long evenings and the summer. We have played in the playground and being able to let Alessia walk around the streets on her own. It's amazing to watch as the seasons change and with them Alessia grows a little older.  How she becomes a little more independent every day and my job changes. I am fascinated at how well she has transitioned from one place to another. With two days to go till I leave for India I am so excited as to what is ahead. To share this experience with my daughter is incredible, although she may not remember it in detail, i have no doubt it will impact on her and add to her character. I know she will love the vibrant colors and lights, the tranquil setting where we will do yoga and all the people and places we will see. I look forward to watching her immersed in the Indian culture. The trip is something I have longed for, for quite some time and I think it is happening exactly when it was meant to. I have numerous friends over there that I met in New York over the years and have been invited to stay with some of them.  I am constantly finding myself lost in the moment day dreaming about the yoga classes and what I will learn where we will travel and what I will find.  As this was the first trip I was slightly concerned about with Alessia my research was extensive and my preparation was like no other. We are prepared to make the most of every moment as like everything it comes and goes, but the memories will last forever so we plan to make loads. 

Alessia and myself are all set for all the free fun India has to offer. 

What's all the fuss about

I remember when I was pregnant thinking that it was awful, every minute of it. Not that I had the worst pregnancy ever, but it did feel like I had a nine month hang over. I am not a fan of feeling hung over so much so it prevents me from drinking too much. The exhaustion, constant nausea and vomiting were horrific, let alone having to deal with it every day. I also hated not fitting into my clothes, not wearing the things I love, I didn't want to buy a whole new wardrobe. I hated not feeling like me. Not being able to play sports I wanted, or enjoy certain things I used. I pushed myself to go to parties, meet friends. I remember going to a concert I had been so looking forward to but all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and sleep, as I could feel no enjoyment from anything. 

For me, I didn't feel like I was a mother before I gave birth, when I couldn't see or hold the baby it was hard to acknowledge there was in fact a baby growing inside of me and there was reason for this long hard nine months. It was like my whole body had been taken over and I was no longer me. Though during my pregnancy the one thing I was excited about, was giving birth. I had heard a zillion stories good and bad about how labor was. I had noticed it was often the unspoken part of becoming a parent. People did not give away the gory details or speak about the simple facts. The human brain somehow erases the memory for many women. I did during my pregnancy, write down that this was horrific and to think Careful before getting myself back into it :o)..... 

All the while I was so excited for the labor. I visualized it being the perfect birth, I dreamt of having an amazing, short, painless, drug free natural labor. I even watched one born every minute to prepare myself for it. I think out of all the episodes I watched one person experienced an easy, relaxed birth and I knew that was going to be me. I could hardly wait to see what all the fuss was about.

As the day drew closer I became more and more excited about the labor. If I had my way I would have had a home birth, but my current living situation wouldn't allow that, as I didn’t have a base. I wanted; as few people as possible present no medical interventions I would have been happy to do it alone. 

 As the time approached and I suddenly went down the road of an induction after my waters started to leak, an emergency section became a real reality. I still strongly believed whatever way this baby came out it was going to be amazing. I had dreamt about it so many times I was sure the real deal was going to be incredible.

It all happened within seconds, one moment I was being told that there was no way I would go into labor till the following morning and the next minute I was being rushed down the corridor with a head between my legs in full blown labor. It happened that fast, at 2.10am my labor started and at 2.50 Alessia was lying on my chest. 

It was literally the most amazing experience of my life; I would have given birth every day for nine months rather than go through pregnancy. It was incredible. As Alessia was on the way I asked the nurses to guess what sex she was, I was so excited to meet her, see her and to hear them say girl or boy.  I remember them, saying that she had blond hair, but I knew they had gotten it wrong as I had dreamt I would have a girl 7 pounds with red hair and that is what I got.  I must admit straight after she was born, I would have loved a little nap before venturing into motherhood, but I guess you can't have it every way. Within minutes I was myself again, all I could think about was my gorgeous little girl, I was a mother and yes planning all the different outfits I was dying to wear.  

FREEFUN DUBLIN

The last days of summer

As the summer is drawing to a close, and my time in America is ending, it's somewhat exciting and sad. Exciting as to what is ahead and sad to see another summer over.
 For our last nine days we moved to Bushwick.To yet another apartment. Which my friend kindly gave us. Although I feel more at home here than I did in Manhattan I've always lived here and loved it, but it is somewhat different with Alessia, the parks are not as clean and there just isn't as much to do for children on those hot days and in general. I Find myself returning to union square park every morning to spend our final days with all of Alessia's friends.  Bushwick feels dirtier than it used to, and just not somewhere I would like Alessia to grow up in. Everything seems so much cheaper half the price in fact. Although previously I would have thought it expensive, but in comparison to Manhattan it's for nothing. 

Bushwich

Manhattan

As I way up the pros and cons of moving to New York. As I consider life style choices, jobs, apartments, child care and what would just make me feel better. I am between minds as to what is best. As I get ready to wave yet another group of friends god bye, and Alessia to move to another bed. I feel happy that we made the trip to New York, but undecided as to what the future will hold. Alessia enjoyed her time here so much, there is so much to offer to children and also just constant entertainment. Like today we stopped to look at a performing parrot. We walked through china town and drank coconuts from their shells and took in the colors and vibrant settings.  We rode the subway and chatted to our fellow passengers. Played in Barnes and nobles and ate lovely Asian food. The possibilities are endless, the list goes on we have constant stimulation. It's an incredible city.  I want to pack up my final days, to see everyone and everything that I want to see. I want to shop till I drop, but I hold back and restrain myself. Not only do I want clothes for me, but I also have Alessia to contend with. 


My time In New York has been  very different than any other time I have been here. Yet it was so full of people and experiences I could never have imagined possible. It was more real than any other visit. It confirmed even more that I love New York. That it gives me the sense of feeling alive. It has so much to offer to men, women and children  Some things are free, some are donations based and some you have to pay for but it is all incredibly good. 


The last days of summer or somewhat romantic, as the autumn breeze starts to whistle in and I start to plan our trip to India. But first I get to return home to see my family and friends. I am dying for them to see how much Alessia has grown, how much she has developed and how fun and amazing she is. I am excited to meet two new arrivals and watch Alessia play with her old friends and all the toys we left behind. So with a heavy heart, I start to say see you later to New York, while looking forward to my exciting future.  


NYC FREEFUN