Compound Living

I thought it was about time to show you (pictures below) where we live and how we like it. I know its long overdue and I apologize.
First of all we are living on the US Embassy Housing Compound located directly across the street from the actual US Embassy. It is not a huge compound, maybe the size of a city block. I don't like using the word compound, it makes everything sound so...fortress-like, but for lack of a better word...
Besides housing units, the compound is also home to the medical office, a small (but VERY over-priced) commissary, maintenance buildings and the ACSA center (can't remember what the acronym stands for, sorry). The ACSA center houses the pool, barber shop, a diner, a restaurant, a bar, a small gift shop, a small gym and bowling alley, all two lanes of it. Oh and a couple small playgrounds, a small baseball field and the Marine barracks. I know I keep saying everything is small, but that's because it is.
Then across the street on the back side of the housing compound is the American Embassy School compound. Although not ran by the US Embassy, American children have priority entrance (since there is always a waiting list).
We originally requested not to live on the compound as we were looking forward to a more integrated experience while living in India. But the housing board had other ideas and issued us a 4 bedroom unit on the compound. Why?...we have no idea, but living on the compound definitely has his advantages. The kids have a 5 minute walk to school. We have a recreation center, complete with pool and tennis court (oh I forgot to mention the tennis court) literally, in our back yard! Richard's commute is maybe...3 1/2 minutes, give or take 30 seconds.
But there are also disadvantages as well. We have less privacy and much less interaction with the "real" India. I feel, because of that, we miss out a little on the "true experience of India". Also, the compound can make you very complacent, if you don't want to leave it, you wouldn't ever have to. Everything you need is right here. So I have to make it a point to get out as often as I can (to go shopping of course) to remind myself where I am living. Over all, we are happy on the compound, but I think we would have been just as happy living off the compound. There are pros and cons either way and regarless, it has been a great experience so far and we love it!


Our house, is a very, very, very fine house...


Driveway looking into back patio/courtyard.


Back patio/courtyard.


Back patio off the kitchen and our Gardener Kumar, planting a garden. Actually, I just realized yesterday that Kumar is his last name and that I've been calling him by his last name for the last two months. Which I know he doesn't mind, but it sure made me feel like an idiot.


Isn't that a cute little garden! These pictures were taken before Tyson decided to try his hand at gardening. I don't think Kumar was very amused with his handy work.



Our neighbors banana tree.


Stairway to heaven (just kiding, actually it's the stairway to Richards office) how would you like to have to climb that 5 or 6 times a day?

Everything sounds a lot better than it actually is, but still, I have nothing to complain about! Yet sometimes it seems I'm not happy unless I find something. So, if need be, please feel free to (gently) remind me, just how fortunate I am, if at some point you feel I've completely lost touch with reality!

Please don't forget to leave your name on your comments, unless you wish to remain anonymous (which might be fun for you but causes me many sleepless nights wondering who you are!) I got a very sweet one about the bunnies but I don't know who it came from.