Hospitality, A visit with an Indian Family

Date: June 29, 2009
Time: 9:30 p.m. Indian Time
Location: Hotel in Udumalaippetai
Accomplishments: We cycled 77 km. from Palakadd to Udulmaippettai. A man, Sasidharam, invited us to a school and to his house for tea, masala dosa, and coconut stew.

At 10:00 a.m, the sun is frying us like eggs over easy. We are now only fifteen kilometers from the state border of Tamil Nadu in the hot lowlands between two mountain ranges. A man riding a motorcycle pulls to ride beside us.

"Hello!" he greets us with a smile. "Where are you from?" he asks.

"We are from America!"

"What is your name?" he asks

"I am Steve and she is Teresa."

"What do you do? Your job?"

"I am a farmer of goats, making cheese. She is a teacher," Steve replies.

"I am a teacher! Please come. Please come to my school. I want to show the students American people."

"I would love to! I am a teacher and I love to see students!" I reply enthusiastically.

"Thank you! Thank you! Please follow me. Only 1 kilometer from here," Sasidharam says.

He rides slowly on his motorcycle and we soon take a left onto a narrow quiet road. An arch welcomes us to an open school. The children are between the ages of five and nine. They swarm around us, buzzing with curiosity.

"How are you?" they ask.

"I am fine, thank you!" I reply, again and again. My response sends them into a bout of shy laughter.

"What is your name?" they ask.

We take photographs together. Sasidharam shows me a newspaper article in malayaram (mother tongue). I laugh as I cannot understand a word or a character.

"What is the first article talking about?" I ask pointing to the bold characters at the top.

"It says for the first time, the monsoon is not coming. There is climate change. All the farmers have a difficult time. The rice is dry. In June, July, all the years there is heavy rain all the day. Now, there is no rain."

The article reminds me of the situation in Honduras, when there too, the rainy season does not come like it used to and people are suffering without their usual bean and corn crop.

"You like tea? Something to eat? Masala Dosa?" he asks.

"Tea is ok, but we already eat," we reply.

"You please come to my house. You will see my wife and daughter."

The children and the other teachers wave good-bye. "Tata! Bye, bye!" The children wave.

Once again, we caravan, motorcycle leading us and just around the corner, Sasidharam leads us to his house where his wife and eldest daughter greet us.

"We are so happy to have you as a guest. You are welcome in our house."

In minutes, Sasidharam's wife brings us chai tea and two heaping plates of masala dosas with coconut chutney.

Even though we say we are full, she insists that we eat.

We show them our Indian map and explain how we have cycled from Bangalore to Mysore to Madikeri and South. They are fascinated with our adventure.

Neena, Sasidharam's wife brings out several photograph albums. Even though she struggles with her English, she is able to tell me about the photographs.

"House warming ceremony... wedding..."

Sasidharam makes a call on his cell phone. We hear him excitedly talk in his native language. We understand three words: Americans, cycle, and Bangalore, from his conversation.

Then surprisingly, he passes the cellphone to Steve. "My cousin," he says, "U.S.A"

Sasidharam's cousin, we learn, speaks fluent English and is working in Detroit for a Ford Contractor.

Wow! The world is small and we really are so connected to one another.

The family gifts us with a figurine elephant as a symbol of Hindi for best wishes. I am astounded by their warming hospitality.

We enjoy our two hour visit with them, sharing photographs.

"Please, you can come back and you are always welcome to stay."

Sasidharam, thank you for inviting us into your school and your home.

The visit with Sasidharam leaves us with a warm feeling as we pedal onward towards Udumalaippettai. All day, we feel loved as Shahul and Sonu leave several text messages and call to wish us a safe, careful journey. Good night, Sweet Dreams!

To the reader, may you be blessed with the warmth of friendship today in whatever form, shape, or color it may come. Accept it, let it be, and hold it close as life's most precious gift.