They asked many questions about Michele and I and the US. It turns out that they were studying furiously to pass the IATA examinations. An excellent score on the IATA (Indian Airlines Ticket Agent) will make it easier for one to find a job as a ticket agent. India has a uber-competitive examination system for almost all trade positions. I wouldn't doubt that Indian airline ticketers are the most competant and highest qualified in the world.
P and D and I stayed up all night talking about culture and politics. The rest of our fellow travelers must have certainly enjoyed our roaring and snorting and shouting. It was one of my fonder memories from the trip - a good honest dialogue, no drugs, no alcohol. Afterwards, they wrote:
hai,
do u remember me?how r u ? hope u fine.i think now u r in kovalam and really enjoying your trip.i like u so much bcoz u r the only one american love indians .so i am very glad 2 invite u 2 my home.will u accept my invitation?please let me know when u r coming.i will be waiting 4 u.
Reply me at the earliest
with love & prayers
Aneeshdas
Hai,
Do u remember me ? How r u ? Hope u fine.I think now u r in Kovalam & really
enjoying there. I know u r very busy with ur journey.
U told me u r planning 2 go 2 kollam 4 boating.That time i forgot to told u
about the boating facility available near 2 my home. You can go 4 boating frm near 2 my home . I think this place is more beautiful than Kollam.
If u come 2 my home i will show u some good places near 2 my home.
I like u so much.u are a good person with high thinking. so i am very glad 2 invite u 2 my home and spend a few hours with me and my friends. Will u accept my invitation? Please let me know when u r coming.After reaching VARKALA inform me.Then we can reach there and meet u. call me after 10 PM then i will be at home.
Waiting 4 your earliest reply.
With love and prayers
Prasanth.
As you can see they were very sweet and hospitable. I on the other hand was not.
I was supposed to call them, but I couldn't. I wished and washed and gave them a weak email filled with weak excuses about how I was too sunburned and too tired to meet up. My sunburned body is somewhat better now. I'm leaving a trail of dead skin for us to follow on the way back down the mountain from Kumily.
As an apology to my boys P and D, I've included this classic "Action Caption Game" from the Annabelle, Michele and Jamie archives. I hope that they appreciate it:
