Pictures: Dean; Interior: First glimpse St. Ann's

CATHEDRAL AND DEAN
Caught up with some of the things we had expected to find in Calicut! Walked down street, braving traffic that comes to get you. Even in the atrium of the hotel the odd motor bike zooms up behind you, never mind on the pavement-less street. Actually tthere are some pavements, but they are so broken and higgledy-piggledy that they're scary, and there's stagnant greasy water below. Also, unless there's the sort of kerb where you need a ladder, motor bikes are likely to cut round the pavement as well! Anyway, we boldly went, and saw a white steeple, which turned out to be the Cathedral - the Anglican one. We went in to look around and the people about were lovely, putting lights on, leading us up to see the organ loft and the organ which was a gift some time ago from St. Aiden's in Chelmsford, letting us take photos, a rare privilege.
I ventured to mention being a priest, and they understood and were delighted, passing word around. One man led us towards the sanctuary, so I slipped off my shoes.This caused great amusement, as he was taking us outside to the priest's house! The 'garden' was a bit scary - wouldn't like to investigate the undergrowth, and don't think I'll be looking for an advert for that living! However, the priest turned out to be the equivalent of our Dean, and was welcoming and charming. He told us about the foundation of the church (1842) and the beginning of the Church of South India in 1947. The church/cathedral was dedicated to St. Ann, but when some Lutheran workers moved in, they couldn't cope with her, as she wasn't a saint to them, so the name was 'lost' and still doesn't appear on the notice board, though he said they are now quite proud of her!
Presbyter & Chairman (Dean) Jose Peter was actually Dick Emery, if anyone remembers 'the vicar' - Dave says I'm unkind - but he was really lovely and we learned a lot. He also turned out to be an avid stamp collector, and we promised to send stamps - Peter, if you're reading this, we'll need your advice! Presbyter Peter was quite chuffed that I was a priest, and when we asked to take his photo, he called his wife and said they would like one with 'the lady priest' in the middle. There are, as yet, no women priests in Kerala, but there are some in the Church of South India. He said locally they need Christ to get people to understand that in there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female. Can't argue with that!
Eventually we carried on and found the town square, a bit scrubby, but with trees and a 'tank', a massive lake built by some Maharajah for water shortages and times of drought. The park was full in the late afternoon, young couples and teenagers mostly. teenagers and kids all wanted tostr talk to us, which was lovely. Here you can talk to kids in the street without being arrested!