Bowling and Basketball

This weekend was a birthday party marathon. We left for party #1 at 9:45am. It was an 11am party at Amoeba Bowl in the city. Traffic was bad and we were the first guests to arrive at 11:15am (we even beat the birthday girl!). Can you imagine driving for 90 minutes to reach a birthday party that is just 15 miles away?? The bowling alley is very modern and nice. One small difference to note is that the balls come in size small, medium, or large. No weights on them at all. One MAJOR difference... NO BUMPERS!!! Can you imagine a bunch of children - most of them Indian and never have bowled before - without bumpers?? This is pretty much the theme in India. Sink or swim . Watch your step or you will fall through the hole in the sidewalk. During school competitions, there are winners and there are losers... and you know whether you have won or lost. None of this "we don't really keep score" business. 4 full frames of bowling until the first pin toppled! It was pretty agonizing to watch, but I must say, as the games progressed, there were fewer and fewer gutter balls.

After the bowling, they served food in the "Amoeba Lounge". A grilled cheese sandwich, chicken "drummetes", a vegetable spring roll and french fries. We have come a long way in India, I thought, as I sat eating a plate of food served to me in a bowling alley!!

After lunch, it was up the stairs to the game center. Pat went straight for the speed basketball hoop... were he was thrilled to shatter the standing point total record. Taylor hauled away the hundreds of winning tickets (did I mention that absolutely nobody plays basketball in India??)

After the cake we rushed out into the waiting car... to get back home in time for party #2 - which we did with 15 minutes to spare!

Sunday was a bit more relaxed. Andrew loved having Grandma to help him with his homework...