The Famous Five

Cutting the Cake at the arrival party.

Santiago, Emile, Jamia, Sonia and Martina. The five AFS-ers in Chennai this year.

Emile is the Di Caprio look alike. Seemed like an enthusiastic kid with a lot of drive. Heard that he was family hopping the first month - from a temporary host to the originally intended host to a new host. Santiago seems to be striking a chord with him.

Jamia is the full-of-beans, laugh-a-minute life of the party I think. This frizzy haired American appears to be settling down well and regaling the fellow AFS-ers with her humour everytime they meet.

Sonia is the Swiss girl who seems to be taking this exchange most seriously. Have heard so much about her nonstop chatter and half-finished sentences. She and her host sister are believed to have taken over the baking counter at Sumeet & Mille's kitchen. She lives the closest to us, at Halls Road, Kilpauk.

Martina. At first glance, this Italian came across as such an unhappy soul. Not a whiff of smile on her face the three times we saw her. Well, may be the all-boys family didn't help matters perhaps. We also heard of the school asking her purple-dyed hair to be dyed black! Tough days, indeed. Hope she too settles down soon.

That brings us to the true AFS-er: the American Franco Spaniard. A right mix of all things right and weird, straight and silly, bright and broody. So matured that he looks to have fitted in with us so quickly. Hardly complains - so we never know if all is truly well. Has had his own W troughs, though. Misses his friends and parents much.

Here's wishing the best to the Five as they move deeper in to their Indian adventure.