Stephen Farrell <sfindia@googlemail.com>
11/02/2007
As I approach my 70th birthday at the end of the year — OK there’s a few months to go — I’ve stumbled across an email I sent in February (11th of Feb) 2007
I thought to share it. ..
Hello,
its my last full day here in India. For those of you who are used to receiving my India Emails you’ll be astonished that you haven’t received the usual gattling-gun of Email missives.
I’m certain you’re all relieved.
There’s no one reason for this.
It’s been a different trip in many ways. My 5th in three years. In some ways its been more reflective in other ways less so.
Now I’m at the keyboard I realise that I’ve missed these times. They provide an opportunity to escape the hurly burly of India life. Those of you who have been here: such as Esther, Annika and Brian (yes you’re last as always) will know exactly what I mean.
The Indian experience is full on and sometimes one just needs to be able to switch it off.
The times at the computer are also valuable opportunities to reflect.
I mentioned in my last Email that there are ‘stories to follow’. There’s the:
– taxi ride,
– the wedding in Hampi,
– there’s the idiot on the bicycle story
– there’s the top tips about managing a trip to India, for those who have been here what are your top tips?
– there’s ‘real english’ why did that doctor ask if I was real english? was he a real doctor?
– the wonderful people I’ve met
selling crafts at the Mumbai festival
– tasks this time have included ordering jewellery (ear rings received OK Ray and Annie? )
– every minute, every experience however small is its own story and brings new insights into this wonderful place, there are just so many,
And the biggy… 😉 .Helping Gina to understand why I continue to come back to this nutty, fruitcake, happy, egalitarian, hierarchical, sensitive, smiling, chaotic, aged, spiritual, ageless, irritating, sad, mind blowing, noisy, ancient, smelly, colourful, modern, musical, flowing, serendipitous, confusing, post modern, contradictory, life enhancing, bore creating place……
But you lucky folks aren’t going to get those stories here via Email. Now in my 51st year I’ve promised myself to see my friends even MORE so you’ll get the stories first hand, I look forward to seeing you and also hearing your stories.
Liz has been with me for most of this trip. That has been very good.. Its been great to share our experiences. A real success and for both of us, I’m sure, a relief. (but she’s not satisfied with having bought up Goa so she’s sending me texts asking me to buy things she’s forgotten!) Thanks Liz.
At my party I mentioned that there were three things that were particularly important to me on reaching 50, looking back and anticipating the future. I then unusally went all coy and didn’t share them.

Image from my 50th birthday party invitation
One of them was my family. How proud I am of our boys, Ben and Ols. Two wonderful sensitive, caring, funny and very together, great guys. I’m also so pleased that Liz and myself have avoided some of the difficulties our friends have experienced and we have maintained a healthy relationship and I hope will always be close.
But before I go.
A key issue is, for those of you who don’t know. I’ve decided to leave Business in the Community. I have a number of offers on the table.
My challenge is to work out what it is i really want, I know, I know.. its the holy grail of life , and if it wasn’t the great imponderable, how the hell would all the gurus, sell their books, courses and ashram holidays. And of course, importantly work out how I can spend more time each year in India AND at the same time keep up with my wonderful friends. so watch this space
love from
Stephen
xxx
As I reread this now, I can confirm I’m still besotted with the place.
There are some family changes I wish hadn’t happened but we’ll see. In terms of India, there’s been lots more adventures and more to come. They’re peppered within these pages.
Most of all I met my very own sunshine who will remain with me forever.
I have significant challenges in remaining here. It is worth it. I love the place and its people but it never stops being so bloody unpredictable and annoying.





























































































