Category: Life in India

What do you get …

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when you add all this together?

A cycle ride from the new house, to one of my fave places.

I’m at …

“Paschimavahini, located near Srirangapatna in Karnataka, is a sacred stretch of the Kaveri River where the water flows westward. It is a major pilgrimage site, particularly for the Hindu ritual of Asthi Visarjan (immersion of ashes) to help departed souls attain moksha, as well as a popular spot for holy dips. “

(with Help from my AI buddy)

…

One of the places featured on my Srirangapatnam cycle tour. It just took one hour.

Now I’m with my great friend Satish in the village of Ganjam on the island.

This meeting together with one with Florian

two night ago has helped me make another ….

BIG decision.

This is turning over a new leaf … more active, less overthinking, focus on what matters, sorting out my residency in Mysore.

more later ..

Mango Mania

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At our new house, we’re now hearing the thud of mangoes landing (and not just cricket balls hitting the bat. )

I’m reliably informed by my good friend Ananth who grows them on his farm in Srirangapatnam … they’re …. Raspuri.

“Delish!
These don’t get sweeeeet
But are the best variety of mangoes in my opinion
Sweet with some tart and that characteristic aroma!

Taste best 1–2 days after they get soft, not towards the end when they start getting black dots, which is the optimal time for Alphonso’ “

“break the stems off if you want them to ripen faster —
Leave em on for a slow burn.”

Our first guests at the new Manjula’s Mysore

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We’re almost moved in — well sufficiently to welcome our new guests.

Kurt and Loe from Belgium, the very first guests and returners, having first visited us a few years ago. How cool is that? Complete with a soon-to-be new family member.

Luca, a ‘warm showers’ guest, has reached the final stage of his fund-raising cycle ride for a school in Bangalore.

Two Lucas

What a team.

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No not this one …. (See footnote for notes about the photo) …

I mean … today’s team.

For the third Sunday in a row … Naveen, Deepak, Akram, Farak, Sowbaghya, and the team leader: Florian have been shifting parcels and furniture to the new house.

Thanks to our great team we’re getting ready take over the new house by the end of March

Foot factoid

But what about that photograph from the early 90s?

This is part of our team when Jill and I managed Disability Services in Kirklees in Yorkshire, in the early 90s.

It’s an example of our fearless coordinators.

There’s more here.

They came to work in shorts to do the can-can, suggesting that I was pushing rules to the limit by wearing my shorts to work. Great that they were confident to take the piss out of their boss.

We did work on creating an inclusive culture.

So what next?

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We’re about to move into a new house.

It’s been a challenge at times with over ten years grieving after Manjula’s diagnosis.

But first MAnjula and our team has continued to do good

Welcoming guests to our home, helping them to love India in their own sweet way

Supporting young people through …

Sponsoring Kaveri and Naveen’s education

Creating innovative events with NGOs and schools within our community for nearly 200 young people

Gifting bicycles, almost 50 since we got engaged

Regular reflective space meetings at mysore BnB for individuals and groups of young people

.

So what next?

We’re moving house and will relaunch (rooms will continue to be available later in the year). Do check http://www.manjulasmysore.in

We’ve committed to supporting Naveen through college and will offer work at the BnB

Our immediate priority will be to sell the art ( ( MAnjula was right, I collected too much) and the money will go towards our next goals in supporting young people (and maybe some more elders.)

Watch this space ..