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 We
had a leisurely day on Saturday - we met up with some friends
of Kanika's and hired 2 autorickshaws for the day. We went
and had our eyebrows threaded - a fabulous technique where
the beauty therapist holds the thread in her teeth and rolls
the thread skilfully across your eyebrows gently pulling very
specific hairs out as required. The shop had in fact closed
for the holiday so charged us double for opening - all of
30 rupees each!
As may be predicted on a hot holiday weekend we soon decided
it was time for cold beer and snacks in very Indian style
bar which was selected by our autorickshaw driver. We have
become used to intruding in these all male preserves with
ease and confidence during our stay.
Replenished and rested we went to the Palace - it was hot,
packed and hassling - lots of people trying to sell stuff
and touching and jostling. We couldn't stand it so half the
team went back to use the internet and Sandra, Jinksy and
I ventured out to find some decent wine for later. The first
party succeeded; our party failed but not before we'd seen
3 or 4 very dodgy looking drinking establishments with men
drinking hard liquor.
As night fell Fay, Kanika and her friends, and I went to see
the Palace lights and hear the musicians playing in the open
air. It was spectacular. Over 7k lights illuminated 4 palace
buildings and the atmosphere was relaxed, friendly and excitable.
We came back for dinner with the others with our return trip
taking nearly an hour as the autorickkshaw driver queued for
petrol with us in his vehicle. This is India and time seems
very flexible and patience, an important virtue. Following
dinner, an attempt to see the world cup rugby was thwarted
by the absence of a critical channel but our reward was to
meet two wonderful South African women who had gathered also
in the tv room - an Avatar follower who has been every year
for the last seven to Mysore to see her 'master' and a property
lawyer who had come for this trip with her as her travel companion.
Sunday brought the big day in Mysore we had come to witness
- the famous Jumbo procession which marks the end of Dasara.
This procession should be watched by all good Hindus we were
told and the streets were becoming lined with families from
10am for a 1-3ish start. The heat was terrific and I couldn't
have stood in the sun to catch a glimpse of the procession
through the crowd which was 35-40 people deep. Our well-travelled
group, under the guidance of Catriona and John, however had
the benefit of a first floor view from a hotel room and balcony
we'd hired from 10-5pm. The benefits of a bed, fan and toilet
were invaluable and so we watched the parade which passed
our window from 3pm
The day however was not quite as simple for all. Fay was to
join us late afternoon - staying behind in the hotel in the
morning to have some time with her daughter and to sort some
lovely treats for me for my birthday the next day Unfortunately
- whilst she sat with Kanika a call came through and Kanika's
friend Daniel had fainted, fitted, cracked his head and became
concussed in the market that morning. Hospital beckoned for
Fay as she went to support the young travellers sort out what
would happen next. Latest thinking was diabetes or a reaction
to the anti-malarial tablets - in any event a worry for Daniel.
The procession was long and many dancers, drummers and floats
passed. The highlights for me, and I suspect for many being,
the elephants which opened and closed the parade - beautifully
painted, be-jewelled and saddled with silks - a true spectacle.
The event finished about 5 and we walked back to the groups'
accommodation at a missionary guest house that runs a women’s
project. It was a fabulous house set in tree filled gardens
which were simple. The house offered dormitory style accommodation
but home cooked food.
Sandra, Jinksy, Fay and I left the big group for our last
good bye and went via the hotel to change for dinner to celebrate
my birthday. I returned to find rose petals scattered throughout
my room, a bowl of petals floating in water on the dresser
and then some stunning peace lilies in purple and pink and
a bird of paradise flower and presents from my friends - what
a sensory delight and a lovely surprise
We were joined for dinner by Kanika and her friend Marla -
enjoying good food, good Indian cabernet sauvignon (Chantilly
red) and relaxed conversation. It was a lovely treat.
Monday morning Kanika left 6am for Chennai via Bangalore -
Fay and I got up to see her off and then went back for a few
more hours sleep. The morning - our last - was lovely - I
opened a number of beautiful cards - especially one from my
son Josh - which made me glad to know I was now returning
back to the UK to see him and others who I know have taken
this journey in some way with me.
Thanks for messages and kind thoughts and for being 'connective'
in different ways in all I and the connectives do. This trip
will I hope have brought a little of the sense we have that
all our fortunes are in some-way interdependent and that we
can by putting ideas, people, projects together deliver break
through outcomes that are sustainable socially, economically
and environmentally. So that's it from me for now. If you
are interested further in knowing more about Concerns Universe
Foundation or about how you could make a difference with them
or some of our other projects, please call
With love. Liz
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