Born On A Cusp

Spring cleaning is always hectic: Changing the curtains, changing cushion covers, cleaning windows kept shut for a long time, making sure all the jumpers, quilts, and the rest of the winter wardrobe and paraphernalia are washed and neatly tucked away.

But for me and FrenchBeard, spring cleaning got an add-on frenetic pace as it coincided with preparations for the coming of my parents to Delhi, their first visit ever.

Now both my mother and father are generally low-maintenance individuals. They will make no special demands and derive joy in simple things. But of course we want to make their stay as comfortable and fun as we can. Two things in particular that we have had to ensure before they flew in last night from the Philippines:

That their television will have ESPN, on which my father can watch his NBA games. Quite difficult, given that this is India, and basketball is waaay down there in the list of sports that a cricket-loving nation will go crazy over. The cable guy couldn’t find the right channel at first, but now we’ve got it.

And that there will be ample supply of fish in the meat freezer for my father. Very easy, given that we love fish too, and that our favourite wet market carries the widest range of fish in this city.

With these two taken care of, all should go well, and FrenchBeard and I look forward to giving them some Delhi surprises.

As for the things which can potentially cause so-called ‘cultural shock’, I’m sure my parents will do just fine. If we’re making Indian dishes, then we will tame the spices. The racoons and pigeons tapping on our windows early mornings? That would be a delight to my parents I’m sure. The wandering cows? Again, they’re intelligent beings and they know about this. The traffic, no problem at all, it will only remind of Manila. The politicians too.