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.
and another chapter for our family community.
We’ve been here a week.
and visited Depth and Green
Nearly everyday. My fave drink is Beetroot, ginger lemonade and we all like the veggie burger, pasta, pizza and apple pie! When they’re available.
But very sorry to let Gingee go …
Two young dogs had proven too much.
And Kaveri set out on a ‘new foot’ with a bath for Lucca
Breakfast is ready.
We’re on a slow start with Kurt and Loe returning to visit from Belgium (with a third member of family) our very first guests.
Last evening we even had games night.
Thanks for helping relaunch us.
…
Manjula and Lucie in their varied forms are beginning to settle into their new home. Dragonfly and pennants are already here with a dramatic new episode to their story.
More later.
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.
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 …
So what’s next?
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.
That’s my biggest worry.
As MAnjula, my muse,would say: ‘let’s see’
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
and this is what it thinks.
More of our links can be found in this posting and at the bottom.
That’s ‘showcasing Indian hospitality’
and here she is …
Here’s that party for forty young women.
Celebrating MAnjula
More videos including a wonderful one of MAnjula cooking.
This is a big emotional and practical step.
We’ve found one option that we could make work here. Do take a look.
…
This is an invite for our friends far and wide to get involved. Guests from the past and those that might join us in our new form.
What do you think?
A lovely French family that recently visited emphasised the proximity to the centre, quiet area, great decor and good communal space. Got it!
We need storage space including for cycles and car. Some of the current accumulation will have to go.
Now there’s a challenge.
But of course with any momentous change we need to do our research.
Here’s another option for us to consider …
Anjali found it for us. Its advantage is it’s independent, with a garage, and its rooms are a bit small — We can make it work though.
Sowbaghya and I are leading the team of investigators (that includes you) — of course, I draw MAnjula in as it’s for her too.
Let us have your suggestions and know what you think.
… about my purpose.
It was pretty clear this weekend.
I’ve adopted an extra grand daughter and this was our first weekend together since my return from holiday
Thank you Kaveri.
You are IT
“If God is everywhere, why do we need to go to a Temple”
She wished to be reincarnated as a tree as it protected and supported people.
That’s my sunshine.
Me and MYCycle 