Indian Birthday

Namaste

Some of you may remember that I had booked a flight to Kerala in order to celebrate my 60th with a big puja in the little Kali temple in the tourist resort of Kovalam where my Indian odyssey and spiritual journey began, back in 1996.

Well, here I am! The resort is empty (or very nearly), the waves are huge, the beach has disappeared and there are very few restaurants open. But I have found one internet place - so here I am, writing to you and catching up on the football results. (How glad I am that I wasn't at home to catch England's apparently dire performance against Algeria - though I will watch our final qualifier against Slovenia the night before I leave.)

My journey here was via Dubai, both legs on Emirates and what a difference from BA!!! Not only did I have more legroom but the food was absolutely delicious and on the first flight there was a huge choice of movies - although I have to own up to not finding one I really wanted to watch so decided to see Avatar for the third time!!!

I'm staying in the room I always have - it's one of just three guest rooms owned by a widow and her two sons who are now in their 20s. I've known them for years now and feel like one of the family. I have been busy checking on arrangements for the puja tomorrow which will basically go on all day. There will be a lunch served at the temple (70 people may show up - no one knows for sure.) A 60th birthday is a big deal here - it's the beginning of the wise phase of one's life. Oh ho.

Well, I've had one glass of fresh mango juice already this morning and have promised to look for my fruitselling lady (what a surprise to find her here at this time of the year!) so lunch will be a plate of banana, pineapple, papaya and mango with a shaving of grated coconut on top. Early start tomorrow as the first puja to Ganapathi begins at 6a.m.

Sending love to you all.....

Sunanda xxxx