Valioor shopping...

END OF PONGAL

The day after Pongal is still a holiday. Children here are outside so much that it's a holiday treat to be allowed to stay in and watch television.. Endless loud Bollywood drifting by!

We walked round the village and did a lot of smiling. Showed Dave the church and the Pastor appeared and let us in. He is lovely; first parish, just out of theological college and been here 7 months. Very interesting system. The Pastor looks after 13 churches, taking all services except communion, which is once a month when the priest comes. The churches in the bigger villages have MP & EP l... busy young man!!

Not sure if he will eventually be priested - more conversation needed. It is very simple to understand what a Pastor can and can't do. He cannot do anything in the sanctuary, can do all other services. I did wonder if I should offer an extra communion - but thought
I might cause riots, or at least embarrassment with the diocese. Will talk about such things when meeting organisors of huge lay/ministry project. I was asked if I would 'speak or sing' on Sunday. Not surprisingly I chose the former! Having problems with email access at the moment, so forgive me Bishop if I offer your greetings unsolicited!

Briefly, before contact lost, managed to pick up Diocesan website. Congratulations Stella - what will we do without you!? Tried to email you, but access lost...

We are getting quite used to waiting to see what we get for our meals. It's usually very simple, rice, veg and spices and fruit and very good. Spoiled rotten!. However yesterday being a holiday we had meat. I have heard rumours of fish today! Food is quite spicy, not always very hot spicy, and there are what look like privet leaves in everything; a fairly delicate flavour, but a bit chewy if you don't spot them. As well as water that is special for feeble foreigners, we have been supplied with a fizzy bright orange drink - known between oursel ves as ' a shot of e-numbers.' Doesn't taste too bad with gin....

Taking shoes off outside all buildings takes getting used to. You think you're well into it, the, whoops! you're indoors with shoes on! Went by 'auto' (Indian tuc-tuc) to nearest town, Valioor, to buy 'easy-off-and-on' shoes Much better!. Johnson - sub-warden - came with us; i think they think we need a minder - could be right! Bought big oranges, turned out to be giant clementine things - 6 for 30Rs (@40p) - quite delicious. Some shops still closed for Pongal.

Got back to find John (warden) had had an accident on his motor bike and damaged his leg and foot. No permanent damage, but obviously very painful. He goes back to hospital tomorrow and should be fine within a week. So, Johnson is looking after everything and doing a grand job. We told John when we visited today that we had been so impressed with his organisation of Pongal competitions. Everything was just so.

The rumour of fish proved true. A beautiful curry with fluffy rice and those fabulous popadums.