Forgive me if this sounds a bit whiny.
We've just passed the three month mark of being away from home, and I have to admit, we're starting to miss our friends and family, despite having an amazing adventure here. You can tell by looking at the sad faces in our passport photo montage.
We thought that this blog would be a very comprehensive diary of our trip, but more importantly, it would be an effective and efficient way of keeping in touch with friends. Since the blog started, we've noticed that our email inbox, which normally overflows with quick notes from friends and family, not to mention unwanted ads for male enhancement products, has been strangely quiet. Sure, we still get our bill e-notices, subscription offers, and so on, but the regular contact has pretty much dried up. Then we flattered ourselves in thinking that the blog itself, yes, this very thing that you are reading now, contained such a richly detailed overload of information that anyone reading it felt like they were peeking over our shoulders as we went along, and the reader might feel that any subsequent communication would be superfluous. As I said, we flattered ourseleves.
The reality is that we really intended this thing to be a dialogue, and we must remind our bloggy friends that your comments and emails are not only welcome, they are in fact absolutely essential in keeping us connected with our home and the people we care about. Looking at the hit counter, we're pretty sure that several of our friends and family are reading this daily, although admittedly, at least half of those hits are us desperately checking to see if there has been any response to anything we've written. We're not attention-seeking neurotics (well, maybe a little...), we just want to hear a friendly voice from time to time. What can we say. We're starting to miss people.
Also, if anyone wants to Fed-Ex us a kilo of parmeggian reggiano and a bottle of decent red wine, our address is:
Post 104, Ponoth Road End
Kaloor, Cochin
Kerala, India
682017
Just sayin'....
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14 comments:
I've been reading you religiously, wonderful stuff! I am a true armchair traveller and am guilty of lurking. It's so great to see your photos and follow the often humorous accounts of your adventures. It can't have been 3 months already!
Almost all the stuff I read on the web comes through my feed reader so you'll just be seeing the google bot hits on the RSS page. That means I see every post though and read 'em all, should be a Ubuntu/Firefox listing in your logs this morning though :-)
Awwww... Thanks. Sniff...
All your comments are vastly appreciated, and it's great to know that our friends are enjoying what we're writing about. Keep those comments and emails coming, because we really miss you all!
Great adventure! I spent several months in India in 1970, went back again in '72 for a month. Rosemary & I really want to make it back soon, but meantime your stuff is excellent reading.
I spent time in Goa back then, and we selected Kerala as a focus for the next visit. Do you expect to visit the lakes area while you're there?
Today was cloudy/rainy in Langley, clocks move ahead March 8. Cheers, Michael
We too have been enjoying reading about your India adventures; and my two sons (Calder Stewart and Davin Killy) send a big TKD hello to your boys Miles and Isaac, and Emma, with whom they have frequently shared the Tirnanog stage . You are both terrific writers and photographers. Keep it coming!
Michael - believe it or not, you were an early inspiration to come here in the first place. Paul used to talk in glowing and reverent terms about your trip, and I think that's when the light first went on for me that it was possible to come here. Mind you, it's changed an awful lot since the 70's! Glad you're enjoying the blog.
Karai - Thanks for the note. A big hi right back to your boys, and Congrats to Calder on his nomination. I'm hoping to drum up the courage to go back to TKD so he can kick my butt some more!
I've been passing the link to your blog to so many islanders...and off-islanders.... just this past Saturday was telling people about it while enjoying a wonderful lunch at ARTISAN EATS!
Missed you guys at Saturday's Community Choir's Coffee House. Great performance by so many islanders!
We are looking forward to your return so we can experience how your Indian culinary prowess has changed (can't imagine it getting any better than it was).
Needless to say... we love the blog! PLEASE don't be disheartened by the lurkers.... as you see...they ARE coming out of the woodwork!
ps... just think.. if you were here... you too could have sat (or as in my case... stood) thru a marathon Cape Roger Curtis meeting at tonight's Committee of the Whole!
I've been passing the link to your blog to so many islanders...and off-islanders.... just this past Saturday was telling people about it while enjoying a wonderful lunch at ARTISAN EATS!
Missed you guys at Saturday's Community Choir's Coffee House. Great performance by so many islanders!
We are looking forward to your return so we can experience how your Indian culinary prowess has changed (can't imagine it getting any better than it was).
Needless to say... we love the blog! PLEASE don't be disheartened by the lurkers.... as you see...they ARE coming out of the woodwork!
ps... just think.. if you were here... you too could have sat (or as in my case... stood) thru a marathon Cape Roger Curtis meeting at tonight's Committee of the Whole!
There...now quit yer whining and get back to work!
:-)
(Loving and linking to you often)
Whining? Thats not whining! Now this is whining! I have only just signed up although Cath and I have been reading most of your posts with great joy. Also as you know my language skills, typing, spelling and other skills are very limited. I do think of calling you guys often and you are in our thoughts more as the time lenghthens. Of course there is a terrifying thought that once your back and settled that you will come to visit and I will have to cook. Alls well here. Renos are about done. Work is the same for me but has been quit stressful for Cath as of late. Off to England in Maywith Mum and Cath. Off to Orlando in July for a convention. Tay's last year at Cap is going well sure do miss her. Sorry to hear about the bum shoulder thought the guy with the divining rods helped. Haven't skied yet this season but there is still hope. Got in a couple of rounds a few weeks back was a little muddy. Harper still PM and Gordo looks sure be re-elected. Economy is still tanking luckly we haven't felt it yet. Well there you go thats whining. Love to all of you.
Hi Rob and Laurel,
You don't know me, but I am another armchair adventurer who is reading you religiously and loving it!! I am Emma's step-mom and I just appreciate knowing that she is safe, happy and in good hands. We love the photos, the food and the humour and wisdom with which you face the ups and downs each day. Thanks for writing!
Sandy
Hi Sandy, welcome to the world of the Baileys. Emma is family for us so I guess you are too! We also have a mutual friend in Jenny Anstey I believe. Thanks so much for the words of encouragement and for stepping out of lurkdom - it's so good to 'hear' some voices from home!
Hello From Bowen ! , I do not know U as well ,Joy mentioned your Journey ! My wife "Jagjit/aka Video Store " is Indian and we have a Hope to go to India ,Goa !Enjoy your writing's and insight ,plus your Foodie profile is wonderful.
Rob, We're enjoying your posts, especially anything that involves you getting a rubdown in oil by two (did you say) masked men?
If you are thinking about Canada and all the work you could be doing here we have another dose of music for Tiffany waiting ; )
You ain't missing a thing!
All the best, Trevor
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