Yes she’s gifted more cycles
It all started in 2015 when we got engaged.
She wanted to give, rather than receive gifts.
What and why did Manjula give?
I’ve lost count now but maybe we’ve gifted around 50 cycles
Thank you MAnjula.
from us all
Dear friends
I’m unexpectedly out of India from late August through to the end of December. I’ll use it to travel in the UK (maybe Europe) and then an opportunity to explore further east of India.
So be afraid, there may be a knock on your door. 🫣🤭
Joking apart this is an opportunity to visit old and new friends.
Please do let me have your ideas. I’ve already thankfully received a few invites and suggestions. It’s a great opportunity leading into my big 7-0 I’ll use http://www.meandmycycle.com to explain more of this situation and share my travels and plans.
I hope to see some of you over the next few months.
Peas and Love
Stephen.
Sfindia@gmail.com
PS Sowbhagya will be here in Mysore keeping everything going. Www.manjulasmysore.in
We’ve shifted from enlightenment street (Moksha Marga) to
Yes, she’s most definitely with us
Images of MAnjula are all around the house, as is her memory wall,
Billet-Doux and messengers.
and her latest portrait from our favourite artist
And lots of Mangoes
Helping us connect with our new community
…
We’re at
https://maps.app.goo.gl/eyHFxUAiRUaQd7RW8?g_st=ic
The mouthful of our actual address is…
No. 179, 10th Cross, 2nd Main, Gokulam 3rd stage, Mysore – 570002
We haven’t quite finished moving yet as there’s much moving to do within the house itself.
The moving that’s necessary is distributing things within the house, emptying the garage, getting rid of more excess (selling art and whatever remains being hung) and I suppose generally diminishing the chaos.
Here’s photographs of the main rooms and guest bedrooms.
Guest bedrooms (en suite)
First guests have been and given it the thumbs up.
…
Library and study
Photos to come later
Sit out and garden, Out front. Tibetan flags
Terrace (what could go here?) on the first floor
Halls (aka lounge or living rooms), there’s two and a dining area
It will, of course, continue to be sharing our home….. with other species too…
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.
Into the new house.
Shifting Manjula’s library to our new house. The team were fab.
Manjula loved the joke
After acknowledging a job well done —— we realised the light switch was trapped behind the shelves.
Celebrating later at home.
Factoid
We opened Manjula’s library after her spirit left for its search.
She’d joked that my constantly bringing books home would lead to her setting up the house as a library when I stop guiding tours at age 75.
So as we never reached there together I set it up in her memory
And now it’s the first bit to establish itself at the new house.
In many ways ….
and Through our home as Mysore Bed and Breakfast
So why is he posting this ???
Our owner wants the house back and as the word has got out our family of friends from around the world have asked me to share this reminder.
Please follow the link for more
and see below
For a tour of our house.
By the brothers Grimm Illustrations by Paula Schmidt
A gift from Alan for Manjula’s Library.
Thank you Alan.
I led an unusual cycle tour today on Srirangapatnam.
Four teenagers, ok one isn’t yet but no one would know. Were invited to join me for a cycle tour ostensibly to better understand how to be a guide.
My objective which alines with my latest thinking on how we might better prepare young people to be more rounded and better active citizens as they mature.
I’d hoped that the day’s adventure would help improve their confidence, communication and assertiveness.
Big ask but a tiny step.
Coincidentally Kaveri asked me why a horse had blinkers. I lost no opportunity to use the analogy in how it’s important for them to get a wider view.
I delivered the standard tour with more emphasis on how they should manage it, rather than the content.
SB the ever present aid and family member was her usual great support.
After the tour we visited the recently opened car museum
The museum included a similar Mercedes to one I owned in the 90s, my wonderful inactive Ambassador and a candlestick telephone like one at home.
…
I’ve invited them to continue with this journey, if they wish, so that within a year ( much less!) they should be able to lead a tour.
Who knows where it might lead —- greater personal competencies at least.
If it happens— I’m open to them leading tours and maybe taking over and expanding. I have absolutely no expectations.
They’re all very different characters but of course, all have potential.
I was happy with the day.
The house hosts her presence in every room (and outside).
Sowbaghya and I have kept the Bed and Breakfast as she envisioned it and even have a library named after her.
Our guests love meeting her. she even gets mentioned in our guest book
At least once a year I bring out this image in memory of my beautiful MAnjula. It’s just for a few days. I started by cycling her around Mysore, at other times she’ll be in the memorial garden we created for her in the park or resting in our drive. Otherwise she’s stored in the Garage.
Unfortunately, you can’t please all the people all time. Some people you never can.
My insensitive neighbour complained that the image of MAnjula was outside and should be indoors. It’s a Hindu rule. I know there’s no such rule or if there is it’s often not followed. People remember their loved ones with posters around the streets or images in the newspaper.
He represents the brahminical elitism that can sometimes rear its ugly head (read your ‘games people play’). He’s even complained about the boys and girls sitting on the park benches that I’ve installed. It’s as if the Firangi (foreigner) is responsible for people’s behaviour. His prejudices are mildly entertaining but we generally ignore him.
PS
As AI tells us on the internet
The saying “Guest is God” (Atithi Devo Bhava in Sanskrit) is a core principle in Indian culture, emphasizing the importance of hospitality and treating guests with respect. While the saying is rooted in tradition and spiritual significance, the reality is that it’s not always a practical or realistic expectation, especially in modern life.
You could say that ….
Me and MYCycle 