Last Stop on the Lecturer Tour

One ferry and three busrides after leaving Fort Cochin, we finally made it to Krishna’s warm welcome at the old bus station in Manjeri, Kerala. Krishna and his wife were waiting and they led our tired, dirty bodies over to a new Ford and drove us back to the home Krishna, when he’s in India, shares with his parents and brother. It felt so good to be in someone’s car, someone we knew, and not a bus, and not have to think about where to go next. 

Krishna’s daughter Amur was at the house. Hers was a familiar face since she is a student at Kanglung Primary School, where I taught in Bhutan, and the best friend of one of my students. Krishna’s parents are thin with generous smiles and bright eyes. Amur was a bundle of energy from the minute we said hi and injected excitement into everything. 

We didn’t do much for sightseeing since we had such a short time there – Krishna’s family is headed back to Bhutan the day after tomorrow – but we got filled with food at both Krishna’s and the in-laws, took a ride around town, and had a relaxing evening of sipping cold Kingfisher beers on their rooftop while snacking on fried chicken and fish. Krishna’s brother, while making sure our glasses stayed full, told us about Dubai – it’s only a two-hour flight from Kerala – and his impending return there. After six or seven big bottles of beer, our tummies already full with food, we went inside and had our dinner. 

This morning Amur danced for us, we ate idlies with coconut curry, took some photos, and left for the bus station. Krishna’s family sent us away with dried coconut flesh and bananas.