Back to "Sort of Normal"...

I say that because it won't be "normal" around here for some time. What happened 8 days ago has changed this area of the world forever...the relief effort has only begun.

In Kovalam, the beach has re-opened, people are swimming, and the energy around here has subsided a bit from the New Year holiday. This is supposedly "peak" vacation season, but as the locals would say, things were quite down this year. The beaches have definately been more crowded the last couple of days, but starting today, there will be many people leaving. The porters are working the hotel areas looking to help people carry their bags (very necessary around here), and I'm sure the rickshaw and taxi drivers are backed up and ready to take people to the airport or railway station. Tensions are a little high with the umbrella and beachchair walla's as they fight over "turf".

Another sign that things are startng to return to normal is that I witnessed another swimming rescue. I imagine this happens every year...vacationers with little respect for the mighty Inidan Ocean get caught in the undertow. This time there were three swimmers getting pulled out to sea. From the beach you could actually see the undertow...it pulls sand from the bottom as it moves outward, and these people went out too far and couldn't get back in. They were not drowning or anything, but they were surely tiring as they tried to get back in. Five lifeguards swam out and guided them in to saftey.

I'm spending alot of time in one particulare restaurant called Lonely Planet. They have the best food by far that I've had, it is very safe for westerners, and they people are very nice. This is an easy choice becasue I've been sick and would rather not have it happen again. Plus I've tried many of the places along the beach...right now there's no reason to go anywhere else. Boring you say? Better than being up all night sitting on the toilet with a bucket in front of you.

Another Chicagoan, Scott, has arrived. Scott is also a fellow Michigander...we grew up in the same area of lower Michigan...the "thumb" area. Hold your right hand up in front of you with the thumb pointing right...that's it! The thumb area is where your right thumb is. Scott is here for a month studying with Lino...he's sure to experience big changes in body and mind...all for the better.

New Year's day was a real treat. Bindi was invited to a traditional Keralan meal at the house of the General Manager of her hotel...and she was allowed to bring two friends. How lucky am I? This man is a retired Colonel in the Indian army. We were treated to the real thing...(actually I don't think the beer he served before the meal was traditional). Anyhow, we sat on the floor, and the food was served on a banana leaf. Six or seven different foods, mainly vegetarian (the exception being the prawns), are placed on the perimeter of the leaf, and white Keralan rice placed in the middle. You eat with your right hand, taking parts of any of the dishes and mixing them with rice before popping it into your mouth. All I can say was that the meal was exceptional...and I felt very lucky to have experienced it. The Colonel and his wife were the best of hosts. To top it off, as we ate, thier house was being used to film a popular Keralan TV series (his house is used regularly for this)...we were able to watch much of the action. Lights, camera and people all over the place. Very memorable indeed. Thanks Bindi.

Hope everyone's New Year has gotten off to a good start. Be well, safe and healthy.