Christmas in Kerala

Arrived at Kochi, saw them put up the lights, had some cake, walked the streets, midnight mass and procession at Santa Cruz cathedral and had some delicious Pumpkin curry. 

The man who was an artist… I peeped my head into this studio and I saw him standing there. He looked a like a sadu or babu or guru… He saw me and he came close to me and I smiled…He smiled and he put his hands on my face and kissed my forehead. I definitely felt his spirit and it was very nice. He just held my face so kindly, like he knew I needed that blessing from him.  He had some disability I could not label it in such short time maybe Parkinsons. He stuttered and said, “Please come back to see me.”

Midnight mass at Santa Cruz Cathedral with a lovely Bishop and choire music was lovely. 

The bishop was so lovely and he was speaking in English, but also Malayalam and Spanish. He was super lovely and I was trying to tune in and here exactly what he was saying. It was a usual Christmas joy of knowing the real meaning of Christmas…The choire was very nice and we sung all my traditional Midnight mass songs.. the eucharist was done. We did a procession around the church with Baby Jesus and the last song was my favorite song, Oh come let us adore him, Oh come let us adore him, Oh come let us adore him…. Christ the Lord.

The streets of Kochi are alive for Christmas and it is a very special time of year...There was a big cultural exchange meeting dressing like Santas and dancing Salsa, but I was very tired after the long train ride from Goa to Kochi....although this was a reason to visit Kochi... to attend this event and have celebrate with the group....but I did not go according to the plan...


Unfortunately, I just did not feel his spirit with me in that mass. It doesn't always happen that I feel connected and in the best mood-that is called perfection and God never signed me up for the "perfect life." While I did make sure to sing and listen to the message of the bishop and pray as much as I can for others, friends, family, and new friends/kind hearts of India, it would have been better if I felt emotionally better.  

 

Christmas Day-

Brunch at Fort Kochi and tea with the family at my guesthouse  

The brunch was a huge spread of Indian specialty Kerala dishes and lovely cakes/deserts. The hotel was decorated perfectly on point for Christmas and it was a beautiful day so I was able to sit outside by the pool and relax a bit. The highlight of that brunch was the singer....a young man maybe 21 years old with a guitar a and a microphone singing Christmas songs...

I had to request the one song that always made me cry, but made me feel the Lord's spirit to my core and that song was Hallelujah. I got there early to have the two top table right in front of him and his voice was lovely. I closed my eyes when he sang and I took a short video. 

I was so grateful he played that song in such a soothing, calm, peaceful way....it really was memorable.

The family I was staying with for just a few days and they had plenty of visitors from all over the world. Their house was a home with many Christmas decorations and multiple trees. They were really in love with Christmas and they were so happy to serve their guests. They were serving others by having this guesthouse and helping tourists have their best time in Fort Cochin. I forgot their names, but I remember their smiles and how they made me feel....that is what is memorable according to Maya Angelou and myself.

Happy Christmas to All and to All a Good night!

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