Hotting Up

We returned from the UK in January after a great few weeks eating loads and seeing lovely friends. The end of January in Mumbai was COLD. Mumbaikers experienced the coldest weather for something like 45 years! We had to put a duvet on the bed and my teeth chattered when I took Conor to school in the mornings. Everyone was wearing shawls and the "lightweight summer sweaters" I have in my wardrobe were totally inadequate. I wore socks!!!! Half way through February and the weather started to hot up and my jeans have been hung up until the next visit home to England.

My parents came to visit in February and we had a great trip to Kerala. The state is totally different to other parts of India....flying into Kochi we circled over coconut palms as far as the eye could see. Our trip was organised at the last minute by a local travel agent who got the balance exactly right between independence and cosseting when we needed it. http://www.dharanstours.com/ We'd highly recommend him to anyone looking to tour India.

Kerala involved quite a bit of driving and we had a Tempo Traveller (a minibus!) to ourselves. Driver Vinod was a bit of a speed merchant but we arrived safely and quicker than the anticipated travel times. We started in Kochi (Cochin) then up to Periyar Nature Reserve driving through tea and spice plantations. We finished the tour at the Backwaters near Kumarakom.
The Kathakhari dancers were fascinating and the "lady" looked like Les Dawson. In Periyar we saw Kalari fighting (Kalaripayattu - the oldest of martial arts). This took place in a pit with weapons and fire! On a boat ride through the nature reserve we saw elephants, water buffalo and wild pigs and boars so felt very smug.

The Backwaters were stunning. We rented a boat (with captain!) to take us right into the narrow waterways. There are houses all along the canals as you get further inland and there was constant activity: children swimming, adults bathing/washing, people fishing, women washing clothes and beating them against the steps down to the water.

Conor had his 10th birthday with some friends from school and it turned into a bit of a 5 hour marathon session at Waterstones with food, films and swimming. He's also been Valentine's baking (cookery course) and trying out for Track and Field and swimming teams again. We have Sports Day on Friday and his big fear is another dramatic fall in the relay like last year. Keep your fingers crossed for a swift but safe race this time.
Con is having a fantastic year at school and now has quite a little gang he plays/hangs out with at break time. They are a great bunch of children, all very different personalities and interests but get on very well together.

Mum, Dad and I went to visit our driver Ravi's house and met his wife. The local children thought it was very interesting that we'd come to visit and kept peeping in at us. The house has 2 rooms. The front room used as a sitting area and which is also their bedroom at night. Behind this there is a kitchen. Ravi moved to this house in December and has taken a step up as he has piped water into the house. Previously, the family had to collect water every day from a central barrel. To reach the house we went down an alley with houses packed in down each side. The lane was too small for cars although I'm sure motorbikes sneak down it. I was actually quite relieved that he had a fan in the lounge area and the place was, of course, spotlessly clean. I had worried about the conditions I might find and how I would live with the guilt generated by the contrast in our lifestyles. The overriding feeling I had was how proud Ravi was of his family and house. It was good to see the dignity he has on his turf.