Maria has left for yoga and respite from the fiery Yorkshire tyke.
… more of Maria
Tag: Italy
Bring on the Cake.
Not forgetting Lucie being spoilt by Ina.
And then again, not satisfied with one we had to have another.
This time following the theme of the radiant sun that Manjula brought into our lives and still appears exactly when it’s needed.
Gathered today on Manjula’s bench, next to Manjula’s garden, eating Manjula’s radiantness cake and celebrating her wonderfulness on her 51st birthday celebrations that have already gone on for a week. we have Kaveri, Radhika, Maria, John, Ina, Lucie and Stephen.
Please note Ina is naughty, bribing Lucie for affections with cake.
That’s after Mr No experience was coerced into decorating Kaveri’s palm
Next day
SB couldn’t miss out and had to have more cake….
Yes that’s two pieces. One was supposed to be for her son Naveen.
I’m back in Mysore
To meet my queens (both sets)
What’s one of the first things they want to do on my return?
Go for a walk
After a lovely time in Italy with Maria
With plenty of lovely food …
They want pizza….
And presents
I’m so lucky to have them in my life…
Mama Maria
“Don’t forget your sun screen and water!”
Maria checks that I’m properly equipped for the day ahead.
Maria first visited Mysore five years ago, a few months after I lost MAnjula.
I’m on my annual trip to the U.K. but Maria had noticed I was coming and sent an invite for me to visit her in Italy
This wonder puts me up at her house, ferries me around, provides simple sophisticated food, takes me on day trips, guides me on walks, introduces me to her fab friends, provides happy insights into her own life and Italianeeeeez.
Maria is a good example of the lovely people that visit Mysore Bed and Breakfast but she’s even more special.
I’m trying to emphasise BK with Kaveri who can quickly tell me what it means: Be Kind.
Well Maria is overflowing with kindness.
Not just in hosting me…
That’s nothing by comparison with the total package …
…. she goes way beyond the stereotypical caring mama … to be a caring precious friend.
She has a social conscience reflected in the life she leads and her work in helping others to flourish through the organisations she sets up and the services they provide. She lives and breaths this throughout her living.
She’ll be revisiting Mysore again in August to undertake training as a yoga teacher and look forward to her becoming Kaveri’s Italian auntie.
I’m honoured to count Maria as an important person in my life, a cherished friend.
Footnote
She claims I photograph her as much as her dad (I think mine capture her essence as I’m certain her dad does) but she’s tolerant and I love that she’s my friend.
….
Thank you Maria for a happy time and the closeness we’ve established. I look forward to more to come.
Love from Stephen.
Fairy or mouse ?
Kaveri’s tooth has been bothering her all week while on holiday in Kannur.
The new is pushing out the old.
Now it’s out
It seems that in Italy (Ilaria is with us) and England (I’m the official representative) children are encouraged to place the tooth under their pillow.
A mouse (really?) or fairy will replace it with a coin, or so we think. if that happens, will there be an Italian or British coin? Mmm
We’ll see, maybe.
Here in India, we’re told, the tooth gets wrapped in cow shit and thrown over the roof. Who knows what happens after that.
Someone might be pulling our leg.
The very next day
A coin appeared under Kaveri’s pillow.
India and Italy
India and Italia
Unexpected connections…..
It’s a little light relief..
India and Italia, begins with I and ends in A
Some of the best Veggie food in the world…, India and Italy.
What seems like chaos on the roads, Italy and India.
Do you get the Drift? It’s uncanny really. I’ll continue…..
Corrupt politicians, India and Italy.
Politicians in Jail, India and Italy.
Politicians who should be in jail.
The need to bribe public servants to just do their job,
The highest concentration of wood inlay artists in the world. India (Mysore) and next is a village in
Italy…
Sexist society, well OK thats everywhere.
male dominated, Patriarchal society, Italia and India.
except at home Where the big boss is mamma (Italy) and amma (India) , who serves their little ones, fusses and feeds their children until well into their teens and sometimes beyond
The family and it’s extensions are pretty big in both countries and children, particularly boys, are worshipped,
so, Extended family, children focussed, India Italy.
People who squeeze children’s cheeks, India Italy.
Spoilt boys who become little Princes, India and Italy.
And what’s all that about not getting round to things until the last minute, if at all, ever? Maybe Manana was not from Spain after all…..
there are some bits which are not so easy to be light hearted about…
Preoccupation with skin colour between north… light and south, dark.. (southerners, work in the fields, of course!)
And that’s playing safe, without getting into the politics
And who’s responsible for these uncanny links…. I wonder?
Me and MYCycle 