Half way through! Homeward bound

Whoop whoop – now starts the countdown to fly back HOME!! I might bring some of my nicest tatas back. Want to adopt one?! 

Baby you can drive my car – yes I’m gonna be a star

AUTO RICKSHAW! So-so much fun, especially when you get a funny fat driver. Not suggested in Monsoon times though! 

Believe in God – Respect all religions

Tamil Nadu’s moto. At the same time the Hindus celebrate Dipawali (feats of light), the Muslim commemorate Bakri (Abraham’s sacrifice), the Christians observe All Saints (praying for the dead souls), and maybe some other I haven’t heard of yet. Lovely peaceful cohabitation!

In the mornings you get woken up by the Imam’s call (5am – yummo!), then the church’s carillons, the temple’s bells… It’s like a nice sonata, and no one (apart from me every now and then) complains!

Jingle bells jingle bells

Its Xmas carols times!! Some kids came to sing and visit the elderly, very touching! Awwwwww they were sooo messy and sooo cute on stage!

Very Peter Rabbit

100% hand made plantations! No tractors - no machine - just people work, anyone looking for a good gardener? 

La Vita E Bella In My Moleskine !

Indian rickshaw terrible drivers

Rat hunting in the kitchen

If he doesn’t know how to read – at least he doesn’t hold it upside down!

Bargain! He’s found something to make a shelter with! Tonight he will get a brilliant sleep, well protected from the bad weather… thank you Tata Photon Internet Roaming!!!

Come as you are

I am amazed about the kindness of the local people. Regular benefactors come to give a hand, some of them twice a week, for the choir, the shaving, the baths…

Numerous Christian, Hindu and atheist families come to pay for the meals (about 2000 rupees, big money for them), and the children come on their birthdays to share cake with the residents. Absolutely charming!! 

Rock the Casbah

Indian astonishing development: it’s likely this leaf-covered house has no base and structure, no kitchen and bathroom… but there’s a landline! And even maybe a television!  

The funniest church ever

This original Roman Catholic church was designed by a very avant-garde priest whose wish was to combine India’s most popular religions in his parish. The result is this kitsch mosque roofed, temple towered, and church garnished building. Mmmmmhh!!  

Charity sale in St George’s School

Three times a year, local schools organize sales for the Little Sisters. Sister Odell, two tatas and I took all the stuff we’ve been making to the playground. Oh-BABA!! The children were mad for all the toys, lucky dips and stationery, running up and down like mad chicken. Even the big boys and teachers got involved, and in the end we sold every single thing we bought along. Last sale was up to 45 000 rupees!! This time they’re still counting the money!! 

DIY Toys!

The residents at the Little Sister’s contribute to making the ends meet by fabricating all sort of objects for the children. They work very hard, mornings and afternoons, with Sister Odell dear! Door mats, hair bands, cards, pencil holders, mirrors, aprons, pillows, jumpers… The result is just so sweet.

You are what you eat

Eat, love pray in the Indian way. With the fingers! Put out of your mind the cheese and wine, olive oil, ham, French delicious baguette… and add spices into your life!!

PS: Cata massive thanks for the fantastic PSE spoon!! It’s saved my life a few times!! (Photo taken in… my luxurious spa-laundry-bath-storage-washing room! Beautiful innit!? Very Roche Bobois) 

Sister Maria Celine

Has been told by her superiors to join another home. She has 10 days to pick up her things and leave Coonoor to serve the elderly in another community, city, region …

“-Are you happy about it Sister?”

“-I’m not happy and I’m not unhappy, I just do what I have to!”

I think she’s really brave. Farewell sister!

Btw: I don’t think I have the veil vocation!!

Mysore market

They say that it’s the best market in the world. I practiced my negotiating skills before entering the merchants den! Magical experience: mountains of cumcum powder, lovely incense, beedies in the making, handmade kerosene lamps, walls of sandalwood soap, coconut towers…

I was expecting to find Aladin round the corner!

These Indians could sell anything! Even carpets to carpet makers

Hey sexy lady!

Beauty according to Indian standards is to be “nice and plumpy!”

In a region where many have nothing to eat, or only plain rice, being big mamma or big papa is a sign of good health. So keep munching those fried paroothas, mouroukous and samosas… Nah!!! 

For a nice cup of tea

In Coonoor plantations fresh tea leaves are harvested every 15 days. The fresher the leaf, the better the tea! Women are paid 100 rupees per day (less than 2 £) for picking up the bush foliage. Men are not employed, cause more expensive…  

I love walking in the tea plantations: the bushes make a thousand mazes. The golden rule is to remember your way in, to manage to get out. And watch out for the wild bores!!

Local "infrastructure "

Sometimes I really think were still in the Middle Ages! This is happening right in the middle of town – in between the main market and the rickshaw station! Helmets? Shoes? Security? They rather have something to fill they stomachs in with…

Hungry?

Popom-popom. Just watch this massive meat chump… I think I’m gonna turn vegetarian!

It must be very tasty thought, will all the bacteria and germs happily crawling up and down!

Mysore palace

Versailles’ got serious competition here. Absolutely stunning! Cameras are unfortunately forbidden inside… bouh and hooh! The (former) sultan hasnt invited me for lunch yet!