Originally we were to have interactions, talks and
sessions at Kattappana, but we got news of an accident that happened in Vandiperiyar. A Hindu Pilgrimage Holy
Light Makara Sankrati was happening where a stampede took place killing more
than 100 people. Because of this, our program for the day was cancelled. We
also passed through here and found the whole town silent in mourning for those
who lost their lives.
We saw many ambulances on their way for the rescue ops,
and visited the hospital to pay respects to the victims and pray for them.
It was insane at the hospital. There was a huge crowd and
the air was thick with panic and grief and we were just trying to keep it
together. We did get into the center of it all and were talking to people and
offering support and condolences.
Our girls are comparatively younger than the rest, and it
was quite a moving experience for many of them. It’s always hard to see a dead
body, but at that age, it’s even harder. When we came back to the bus, everyone
was shaken and a little thrown off course emotionally. It was more than Shikha could
handle, especially at 13. I remember Rakesh taking her out of the bus and
walking with her a bit.. I’ll never know what he told her, but when she came
back she looked more stable. I didn’t experience it directly, but could see
what difference it makes you fall apart and someone cares. Sometimes, having an
arm around your shoulder and some comforting words is just the balm you need.
But we still went to Kottayam and interacted with
Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolekattu, Bishop of Kottayam Archdiocese and Member
Bishop of CBCI Youth Commission along with some youth leaders of Kottayam
Diocese with the Director Fr. Jinu.
At the Kanjirapally Diocese, we all had lunch with Mar
Mathew Arackal, Bishop of Kanjirapally. After lunch when everyone else went to
sleep, I hung out with our production crew and took random photos and told
jokes and listened to music and laughed a LOT. Check out the photos..
Jennifer: Tum ne sab ko chocolate diya aur mujhe ek bhi
nahi diya..
Prashanth takes out a piece from his pocket and gives it
to her. “Maine bhi nahi liya. Last piece hai.”
Jennifer: Aadha kaat ke doon?
Prashanth: Kisko?
Joice: (In her Malayali accent)
Ragesh! (Rakesh)
Shiga! (Shikha)
Deebiga! (Deepika)
Giran! (Kiran)
Moniga! (Monika)
We are all on this trip from Gey2Gey (K2K)
Ray-vee! (Ravi)
We were having lunch at Bishop Ji’s house and Solomon
really liked the food, so he asked what the word in Malayalam was for ‘good.’
Someone said ‘Kolaam.’ So he said, “I will say this in the vote of thanks that
the food is “kolaam.”’ Then Jennifer happened to mention that that word does
mean good, but it isn’t used for describing food. And in fact, it means good in
the sense that its bearable. Solomon was sooooo grateful that he found this out
before thanking the Bishop in front of everyone. He eventually said that that
food was “nalada.” (Which is the right word to use here).
We were fortunate enough to visit Joice’s home here in
Kerala and meet her family. After dinner we ventured out to the surrounding
area which, in the dark, was a complete jungle with all the foliage. We saw pepper trees and cardamom trees. By
torchlight. Really interesting how the stuff was just hanging there in bunches.
And on the cardamom tree they grow from the bottom of the tree and they look
sooooooo different than they way we’ve always seen them. Undried and fresh
green with wet white seeds and all. It was something new for everybody.
Solomon happened to ask if there were snakes here because
everything was so thick, and our guide said, “Ehh.. Not really.. Just a few
poisonous ones..”
Jennifer shrieked!
“What???!”
“Arre don’t worry.. It’s not that many.. Sometimes u just
might see a python or something..”
Her face was like she was watching a horror film.
We started moving back and from behind, Solomon kind of
poked her.
I honestly wish i had my camera to capture the way she
jumped....
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