Kumarakom, KeralaSep 8, 2009
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Dear friends and loved family -
This is the 3rd time I've typed this entry and I'm about to cry!! Because I'm so frustrated with this program. At this point, I wish I'd just organized a group e-mail, and was sending e-mail the usual way. I've typed such lovely descriptions of so many things, and they disappear. Just now, it disappeared as I was typing, and it's not at the bottom of my screen, or anywhere I can find.
We are in Kerala, and have had a wonderful time. It's hot and humid, and the hospitality is lovely. Michael and I are told this is a sad day, because we are leaving. We feel like they really mean it!
Aranmula snake boat race was really neat. Everyone crowds into this tiny town of Aranmula, which has hard dirt roads that accommodate safely one car (or "auto", as in "auto-rickshaw"). However, the event turns these roads into 2-way roads (which is unbelievable, especially when one of the vehicles is a bus!), and sometimes "autos" have parked on one side of the road! Add people walking down the road, and motorcycles and bicycles "overtaking" the line of traffic (so they're travelling down the middle!) and you get the picture!
No one seems to get mad, and no one seems frustrated! Everyone seems interested mainly in making sure that 2 vehicles do not scrape sides together. Amazing!
The snake boat race was noisy and raucous and happy and exciting! First, the long, skinny boats that hold up to 100 madly paddling men parade up-stream, and then, after all the politicians have given their speeches, the race is on! Splashing, paddling, sweating, laughing, rhythmically chanting their way down-stream, off they go, 2 at a time, racing to the finish which was just in front of Michael and me!
I'm going to send this now, before I lose it. I've learned to save my messages now, and it's "saved" me 3 times so far, during this typing!
Love to all! We'll write again when we can. I'm not sure when that will be. Don't worry! We're fine, and love you so much!
Love, Annie and Michael
