New Years At Timbaktu

Nelavanka - where Rupert and Brigitte stayed

Another year come and gone. Time rolls on relentlessly, graying our heads a bit more each day, making us a little more forgetful, more deaf, more shaky on our legs but also more carefree, in a way that only "older people" can be :)

It was great catching up with old friends at Timbaktu, making new friends, while desperately shaking our heads, shoulders, hands, legs, bellies and just about every bone in the body during Rupert and Brigitte's bodywork sessions.

Chatting by candle light at night, fetching hot water for a bath from the huge cauldron bubbling outside our house, and generally enjoying the rustic feel of the place. The barbequed chicken which Shyam kept dishing out at our New Years Eve get together at Bablu and Mary's place was out of this world.

Back to civilisation now. The roar of traffic, smoky skies, hectic pace of life. As far as I can tell everybody's missing the wholesome country air we were privileged enough to breathe the last few days.

Rupert and Brigitte who led the body work sessions

Sudha relaxing in the courtyard at Saregama

Vaneeta - naaaty girl

Venky - whose chai bar is the highlight of our lives at Timbaktu

Zulekha and Barbara

Mary, Duhita, Jean Marc, Shyam

Suhail and Bablu - kusti masti

The gals

Zulekha's mother (who reminded me a lot of my grandmother)

Suhail's palm provides a home to a dying butterfly

Jean Marc takes a break

Geraldine and Jean Marc

Roopa earnestly meditating

Vaneeta's knees have personality

Sharat watching life at Saregama with amusment

Arzoo rubbing Shyam's back after breakfast

The New year's eve bonfire at Bablu and Mary's place