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 After
lunch we were offered a large gooseberry - the size of a green
tomato - which was hard and sour and usually eaten with salt.
Catriona’s face was a picture - literally it made her
suck her cheeks in. I preferred the sour taste to the sweet
tastes but Jinksy tucked into these like they were a real
delight.
Lunch finished and we left the table to sit in the bedroom
whilst the family ate their meal - there was not the space
to eat altogether and not the custom although we'd persuaded
Chitra the night we dined at her parents to share food at
the same time with us.
After all had eaten we received a number of visitors from
the neighbourhood keen to say hello. We went to see where
the residents all kept their bikes and the colony's well.
In an area with little rainfall and a colony with no running
water a local well is critical
We then left Mary's to visit Chitra's cousin and had tea,
and for some - their special Rose Milk (the colour of Pepto
Bismal!). We rested a little while before we left to get the
night train - Chitra and family, Sandra, Jinksy and me back
to Bangalore and our Aussie friends and Sue on to Madurai
and then onto the north for them. Catriona and John were to
leave later for Mumbai.
So we said our good byes and boarded the train. Some sat writing,
some chatting, some reading and some sewing. It was strange
for us all to be separating and for Sandra, Jinksy and I the
knowledge that tomorrow starts our 'holiday' - Fay arrives,
hotels have been booked and a more touristy experience, I
suspect, of India.
Our sleep on the train was a little more restless than the
journey down had been despite being in an air conditioned
carriage. Many joined the train after we had gone to bed and
the mouse that had agitated some of us earlier was loathe
to leave- visiting Sandra in her top bunk in the darkness
of night
I suspect for us all there were many reflective moments and
emotions. We have all come to feel part of this interconnected
extended family and whilst we may not have found what my dear
Uncle Pete calls the river of truth I think I understand that
the search for it is perhaps more important.
Tomorrow will be a very different day and perhaps my travel
logs shorter, less frequent or more edited!
But from me for now - good night.
Day Sixteen
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