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 Our
greeting of her was somewhat disturbed as a hotel maintenance
man was being pushed out of the Sandra’s’ room
having groped both me and Sandra Sinclair
The sense of security we've come to feel, in what many would
feel to be less secure independent travel, was shaken by this
experience.
It reminded us though that good and bad people exist in every
country. Amongst the people we have met to date there have
been a pride, a welcoming, a curiosity and a delight that
we have come to see them. None who would take advantage of
the potential for misunderstandings that occur when language
is not easily shared.
At the hotel, the polarity been rich and poor feels extreme
and I suspect the more Western cost of things is not reflected
in the Indian wages many make for serving wealthy visitors.
We put it down to experience but raised it with the manager.
We stayed here a few days, enjoyed the facilities, shopped
in Bangalore, met up with Kanika and reflected, rested and
looked forward to our next meeting up with the main group
and our now extended group including Fay and for a few days
in Mysore, Kanika over the weekend to come.
On the 18th Oct, we gathered together with Chitra, Lancelot,
Catriona, John, Sue, Paul, Mary and Catherine. It was lovely
to be united again having all gone off to do different things.
Chitra informed me that Hema had actioned many of her promises
and things were moving well. I am very excited at the potential
in this relationship for Concerns Universe Foundation (CUF)
and if the trip has been a success in making this connection
only, I would not be disappointed.
Catriona told us her trip to MercyFlora's had been productive
and that they had visited a lawyer to help Amelia get a legal
separation from her violent husband. They also thought they'd
helped to set Amelia up with a job. Franky, since we'd left,
had also secured employment and so things looked good in ways
- but life is far from easy for this family in general. I
recall with some heart wrenching feelings, MercyFloras last
words to us - please don't forget my family.
Our reuniting lunch was organised to celebrate Lancelot’s
50th birthday and a toast to all the October birthday boys
and girls. We had a wonderful lunch at Barbeque Nation and
gave Lancelot two wonderful pictures - one of all the family
and the other of Chitra and Batina
He seemed genuinely pleased and surprised. Chitra then gave
each of us a gift to thank us for our trip to, and support
for, Concerns (CUF).
It was very moving being altogether again and sad to separate
for the last time from Chitra.
The big group next re-assembles in Mysore for the jumbo parade
which marks the end of a 2 week Hindu celebration of Dasara
We travel on the 19th by train (and Fay and Kanika later by
taxi) to Mysore for the next and last marked stage in our
Indian adventure
Till then. X
The Final Chapter...
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