We are so fortunate to be able to share our home with wonderful people
Homestay and BnB means such different things to different people. Ours is a shared home and not a commercial set up — plus of course we have mycycle tours — the second city cycle tours to be set up in India.
We continue to provide insights and adventures from all sorts of perspectives initially from a beautiful wife, Manjula plus a pale, stale firangi (me). We now also have Kaveri, age 11 who has plenty to say, Sowbaghya who’s helped hold me and the place together for over five years, Billet-Doux (aka sweet letter) our cat sent by Manjula and the two barky monsters (following on from the other irreplaceable — Lucie): Luca and Gingee.
..
It’s a real place and that’s partly why people come again and again. Since 2011 we’ve had thousands of guests from around the world.
Just this last week we’ve had guests from India, Australia, Germany, Netherlands and U.K.
Richard, (with Rhonda) from Australia, first came over twelve years ago
and shared photos from his meeting with MAnjula —- our sunshine.
who’d have thought it?
It’s been wonderful living, with my gorgeous wife and after her spirit moved on we’ve continued to share …
Be prepared. There maybe a few postings about —- what next? I’ve adopted India as my home for sixteen years after first visiting twenty years ago and connecting with India from a distance in the 1970s.
Let’s not forget, I’ve been so lucky and—- i fell in love with the most amazing woman — MAnjula. But I’m slowly getting the message that I’m not wanted anymore (if I’ve ever been) and maybe just maybe I need to think afresh and try something new.
It’s not the people of India.
They are very friendly and welcoming. I’ve been and continue to be very happy here. I want to stay here and retire here.
It’s the system.
I’ve lived here on a business visa, all this time. It’s now getting increasingly difficult to do that. I’ve failed to get OCI supposedly because MAnjula died yet I’ve heard others have it in similar circumstances but in other parts of the country. I’ve tentatively tried other things and keep hitting (soft) brick walls.
It’s tiring.
When I first posted this on Facebook a friend reacted and introduced me to someone who might be able to help. We’re in discussion now.
As I reach 69 in a few weeks I recognise I can’t keep moving. I may have only moved here sixteen years ago but it feels like it’s always been my home.
If I must leave, I must, but my particular concern is my desire to continue to support and help Kaveri grow to her full potential. She really is like my daughter.
Somehow, I don’t think my trademark— facilitating — is going to work in this situation.
After two days of chaos, we need a new approach. So ….
… we cleaned up the mess
Sowbaghya did a sterling job with my pathetic assistance.
Then some changes..
meals at regular timings, immediately clearing up their mess as soon as they deposit it, more suitable food for young pups, visiting the park to play and poo, and positive encouragement.
Footnote
I keep getting stopped in the street by people in our community who spotted us in ‘The Star of Mysore’
Plus odd stares as we walk into the park with the nameless
We have our fair share of things we do … at Mysore Bed and Breakfast.
Here we commemorate MAnjula and help her spirit find its new body.
We’re outside discreetly waiting while her spirit feeds. As we re-enter the house we make noise so she knows to leave.
Support Kaveri in Manjula’s name and share her sunshine
Go cycling with our guests
Ask the goddess to make our ‘tools’ work for the next year
That’s MAnjula
“There are some people who have sun inside them. It’s hard to explain. Their presence just brightens, it’s not about their beautiful smiles. They have an internal being that sheds light and feels like sun. It’s a calm energy. Inner peace. But most importantly; it’s not wanting anything back in return. It’s sun.”
Me and MYCycle 