Tag: Mysore

A new career begins

SFLeave a comment

I’m helping out at Kaliyuvamane, the alternative ‘free’ school where Kaveri attends.

Our morning session with members of the teaching team

Then I was hijacked by Kaveri and some of her classmates

to cover a lesson as their teacher was on leave

Did someone set me up?🤭🤔🤪

It was an education! To put it mildly. I now promise to properly prepare for when a similar situation arises again.

I’ve facilitated workshops for adults for many years — that’s nothing compared to working with young people.

I realise what a challenging job the teachers have and how difficult it is to make a class interesting and responsive to the diverse needs of the students. ….. as a one off, let alone day-in-day-out!!!

Well done all.

Over lunch I did a jokey straw poll to discover that almost all the girls are non veg when not at the school . I’m sticking out again.

It was a fab day, helping me realise I’m right to support Kaveri and now the school itself to meet the needs of 100 children.

All in Manjula’s name

Hanging out Srirangapatnam

SFLeave a comment

Here to prep the cycles for a student tour in two days.

I’m now sitting on the most unusual steps by the bathing ghats, which are featured on our Srirangaptnam tour.

With various characters walking by

I was previously innocently sitting at the bottom of the tree.

A wanderer asked where I was from and then … am I a bachelor. No reward for guessing what that means. I’m married whilst pointing to manjula’s tattoo.

Useful.

I’m appreciating wonderful views, whilst trying to ignore, in both locations, the wafting aroma of the evidence of defecating in the outdoors.

The juxtaposition of India.

We had a great tour last week, Brits, birds (they’re twitchers) and not especially smelly

Butchers 2

SFLeave a comment

Another tree bites the dust without any heavy rain or wind but it’s the one next to it they were proposing to cut down

Part one here.

Here’s evidence, if we needed it:

1 the current team failed to spot which tree would fall next, their approach is random

2 in any case, it’s difficult to predict which trees will fall but it’s impossible without some expertise

3 we need some expert knowledge, supervision and accountability to target which trees are fundamentally weak and stop the unnecessary felling of trees

I have no idea where the railing is there. It’s not managed.

Back from our weekend away

SFLeave a comment

SB was all prepared for todays big puja.

Today!
I’m uncertain my T shirt was appropriate wear.

After our ‘family’ weekend, that’s Me with the girls…. Kaveri, her mum Chandrika, sister (aka auntie) Radikha together with Lucie at Chera Rocks in Kannur,

We introduced body boards to the beach, work and play. A fun weekend together.

Today’s adventures

SFLeave a comment
On or way out we noticed the elephants and cannons. A practice for the procession next week
We were ordering a new MAnjula sign in Kannada to go next to her garden in the park, followed by a visit to the stone carvers.
and a drink in this traditional Brahmin juice shop for sarsaparilla and fruit salad with ice cream .

I can’t believe it

SFLeave a comment

Goats surf the net to find scrumptious garden.

One or two we can tolerate. But a whole bunch aka tribe, trip or flock munching on Manjula’s garden is a bite too far.

I don’t know how they found the garden or got inside. Maybe they did find it on the net or the two that found it last week, passed the message on.

They were chased out of town (ok the garden) with my big stick and shrill whistle. They conveniently led me straight to the owners.

Who knows how the ‘farmer’ can stop it happening. I’ll use the same aversion therapy if it happens again but I’ll complain to the council/Corporation. Their neighbours know this and have passed it on. Any more problems and they may have to shift them.

New season begins.

SFLeave a comment
Jeroen and Sanne from Netherlands.
Our latest guests coming for ‘Warm Showers’

One of Manjula’s favourites.

Antoinette, Ani (USA) with Jeroen and Sanne.
Out with Carol and Michael at the Lalith Mahal hotel bar.

As we enter October more guests arrive. Our next big adventure is Kaveri’s school holiday.

I see her most weeks at school but staying here plus a trip to the seaside is icing on the cake.

Butchers

SFLeave a comment

Unnecessary butchering of trees

Three trees chopped down in little over a day.

One tree fell because of a rain storm so they’re concerned more will fall. it’s important to protect people but let’s get the balance right and check with those we can trust, who know what’s best.

Only cut when and where it’s necessary.

Staff shouldn’t be given tree rein.

I failed to save at least one tree that didn’t need to be cut.

I’ve been advised that there’s no need to chop down the trees. Just trim the branches and reduce the ‘crown.’ So it doesn’t get waterlogged and top heavy when it rains, then it’s less likely to break and fall over .

I’ve seen a small chain saw at the end of a stick that’s ideal for the job.

It needs someone with the relevant skills and authority to take charge.

Do we care? Who is accountable? How do we stop it happening again?

Immersion — Visarjan

SF2 Comments

We take Ganpati aka Ganesh and his mum Gowrie

To Paschimavahini, the river kaveri near Srirangaptnam.

Vasanth and Sowbaghya (and their able assistants Ravichandra and Naveen) doing the honours to immerse mum and son.

That’s after puja at home aka Mysore Bed and Breakfast

The one that’s hiding is Radhika Kaveri’s ‘sister’.

Garima and Trishalla joined us, after spending wonderful time together at this week’s children’s theatre event. Here with the irrepressible Kaveri.

Antoinette, from New York, regular guest of Mysore Bed and Breakfast provided more photos. Including catching me in a regular pose of bossing Kaveri. 🤔🤭

And finally from Vasanth…