Kaveri will spend much of the Summer school holiday in April and May with me at Mysore Bed and Breakfast
She’s a great kid and nearly ten.
It’s fun.
Last year Ilaria helped me provide activities and be ‘chaperone’. More here.
We had all sorts of activities … skating, swimming, crafts, cycling and a bit of seaside. We’ll do similar this year but need help.
Can you (needs to be a woman) come and stay preferably for a minimum of three weeks. Accommodation provided and meals. Last year Ilaria came as a workaway volunteer. We tailor it to try fit in everyone’s needs and preferences.
Willian, from Brazil, got wet taking Ganesh to the river, dismantled all our Mycycle cycles for respraying, rebuilt them and set up our base on Srirangaptnam.
Dani and Chas, from the UK, decorated, provided general help and support of Manjula at a very difficult but important time.
Thank you guys, you all did a fantastic job, and it was a pleasure getting to know you.
We’ve not hosted workawayers for the past two years but now we’ve officially reopened with the arrival of one of our longest staying guests: Ina, we’re open to possibilities.
They’re all very different, which is part of the wonder that is workaway, and we all learn a lot
Our next arrives this week.
Eva is also multi-talented, (such a long list) a Spanish woman, who has lived in the USA so I’ll have to watch my stupid English humour. I’ve already created a list of possibles including teacher, chaperone, and all round good egg. I hope I haven’t scared her off already.
A very good friend — who will remain nameless, until I get his permission — is responsible for this.
We met during the initial lockdown. We were still allowed to cycle, as I did most mornings. We had great conversations as we cycled together.
I joked that he was receiving a degree in critical thinking, in return I was losing years by the day, sharing insights and learning from someone over forty years younger.
At first he didn’t admit to his parents that he was cycling with a Firangi, a foreigner.
There were some sensitivities in the community as they were confused about where the virus might be caught. Obviously, Foreigners might have brought it into the country.
When he did tell his parents, I became known as Tata or grandfather.
Some weeks later we cycled on my favourite place srirangapatnam and met up with his extended family for breakfast. Great!
His mum declared later that I wasn’t a Tata, more an uncle.
Thanks Amma, I appreciate that, for me it is acceptance and that I’m younger than expected.
Later nameless reflected and decided that godfather was more appropriate. I like that too.
As I’ve now turned 65 — he says with a wobbly voice, while leaning on his stick — and finding new things to do in the community that commemorate MAnjula, it seems to fit.
Over the past few months you might have noticed a little girl. I’m trying to get her mum to let me to finance her education. Now that really is being a Godfather.
So I’ve used one of Kaveri’s paintings of me and created a card.
Nameless and Kaveri will be the first to get one of my super new jokey-serious cards to remind them I’m here for you.
On the back are details of how to make contact whenever you wish for whatever reason.
Yes I’ve obliterated some of the details. It’s not for everyone 🤭
Footnote: the term Godfather is not intended to reflect any diety or relate to any Christian rituals nor resemble anyone living, dead or in the afterlife.
Second, if anyone can come stay and look after Luci when I’m away that would be a great help and comfort for her. Possible timings are May, July and September.
Third, come and help out. In return for accommodation and breakfast help me keep the place going.
In my view this is a way to keep our home available, to share with the rich mix of people from around the world and maintain those wonderful connections.
Or ….. of course please do return and invite your friends to come as future guests of Manjula’s at Mysore Bed and Breakfast.
I write and postc this as Tom and Amy say hoagie bartini (see you again) and drive down the road with dogs chasing them away….. after coming to the rescue and supporting me for these past two weeks. Super troopers, thank you so much I couldn’t have managed without you!
and back to you guys….. I look forward to seeing and hearing from you.
Peas and love
Stephen and Luci
What’s this then? Twisted logic, you’ve got to laugh to break away from the tears. An imagined back to the future, reincarnation: Manjula as a 1940s Englishwoman and Stephen as an Indian sailor, mini size with Luci as the boss.
Thank you for your condolences and the lovely memories of Manjula that I’ve received from around the world. It’s been a great support and shows how many connections Manjula made. We now know that many of you have very fond and we’re not surprised of the sometimes funny stories about Manjula. It’s given us a great idea, to create a scrapbook of reminiscences and images, they might be anecdotes, insights into her character, simple little stories, a particular photo you love or may be you can draw a picture, write a poem or create some art work.
Whatever you think represents Manjula for you.
Send yours preferably by Friday of this week via Email, <tours@mycycle.co> or by messenger, post or pigeon. Don’t worry, it doesn’t need to be slick and polished
We’ll then create an actual book and a virtual version for you to read online.
Me and MYCycle 