Wally & Jafar Say Goodbye in Calicut

We left Calicut on Thursday morning after several days of touring and visiting arrived in Bangalore late this afternoon. Our original plan was to take the train to Bangalore but it was sold out so Ashraf and Rauf agreed to drive us there.

We have a lot of catching up to do with many stories & photos.

Our visit to Calicut and the time we spent with our friends Jafar and Kabeer and their families will remain the highlight of our trip to India.

Now that we have left Calicut our access to the Internet for uploading updates and photos may diminish. We will try to put something on line at least once a day.

Gathering Before Dinner At Kabeer’s Home

The past two nights we have had the honour of being dinner guests at the homes of my friends Kabeer and Jafar. I met Kabeer and Jafar through my assignments in Kuwait. We were all working on the same project and fast became friends. My assignment may have only lasted a few months but I hope these friendships will last a lifetime.

On Tuesday night we had a wonderful meal at Kabeer’s home and we had the pleasure of meeting his family, parents and relatives. Tonight we dined at Jafar’s home and met his family, parents and relatives and family friends.

These evenings and the kindness and hospitality that my friends have shared with Catherine and me is so very special and will most certainly be the highlight of our trip to India. And, while saying that, I still must tell you about the food!

An amazing banquet both nights. I was afraid I would embarrass myself – it was so delicious – I just wanted to have many plates. Now I think I will have to go shopping for some bigger pants!

My friend Jafar arranged for us to stay at Kadavu Resort while we are here in Calicut. It is a very beautiful place with very comfortable rooms, a great restaurant and incredible landscaping and grounds on the banks of a peaceful river.

The resort also offers Ayurvedic treatments. Catherine is enjoying it very much indeed!

View Outside From The Lobby Beautiful Woodwork Everywhere

Something Beautiful To Look At In Every Direction A Romeo & Juliet Moment

Hi everyone – we are getting acclimatized to the intensity of India. Had my first cup of chai masala this morning – the real thing! – blissful!-

Weather is gorgeous like a perfect summer day – accommodation lovely – have visited the Ayurveda spa also – scouting out retreat opportunities here which are very promising.

Going with the flow as our plans change every day – train is sold out so will get a ride to Bangalore probably tomorrow. Traffic is just like the movies with ladies in brilliant saris riding sidesaddle on motorcycles behind the driver sometimes with a small child between them; three wheeled auto rickshaws predominate mixed in with small sized cars; buses and trucks; lots of horn honking all the time – plus getting used to traffic on the left – it’s wild beyond belief.

People are very warm and friendly but not much English with often hilarious results.

We are often surrounded by groups of curious school children who want to either take a picture with us or have us take their picture, shake our hands and ask “what is your good name?” Feel like a rock star so my intention to just blend in isn’t really working! (Wally says being a 5′ 10″ tall redhead makes me a bit conspicuous).

I appreciate my soft life compared to the hard nature of so many here – saw a group of people including little kids breaking up rocks with hammers on the side of the road – skinny people, skinny cats, dogs, goats and cows – I feel very well fed!

I am taking a yoga class here at 4:00 this afternoon so I’ll let you know how that goes – love to all – Namaste! Cath