i got my bloglet update and was inspired to check in on a blog with one of my favourite names ever-- "tiffinbox". i scrolled mindlessly through, preparing to delete when a certain item caught my eye. whenever i see the words "God's own country", i'm always interested to find out more...i clicked the hyperlink. i was surprised and later delighted to discover that the post that featured that phrase was an excerpt from an email/travelogue. just reading the posted e-missive made me smile, settle further in to my chair and send a silent thank you to heaven for making me Malayalee. and giving me big brown eyes. :)
"i can't even begin to explain how incredibly beautiful kerala is, but i will try because it is worth the attempt. people here call it "god's own country" and i see why they believe that. in the past several days we have seen amazing beaches, beautiful little temples, churches and mosques in the little surrounding villages, amazing sunsets, fields and fields of rice paddies, coconut and banana trees as far as the eye can see, the big white smiles of people, big brown eyes of the children, jungles, lagoons, and now forests. and added to all of that is all of our amazing experiences with the people here. they are so proud of their land, work so hard, crazy back-breaking work and all with their own two hands, they believe in the politics of their place (can you imagine that? i can't tell you how many communist flags we've seen proudly hanging in the villages with pictures of che everywhere!), and most amazing of all, they remain, truly in awe of the beauty of this place. it really has re-defined my perspective on peace, happiness, quality of life, so many things...."
If it's "G-d's own country", wouldn't it logically follow that its inhabitants are like angels? if only Malayalee people could be as lovely towards one another as our metaphorical counterparts are...that would be a fitting tribute to the earthly paradise that some of us are lucky enough to call home...