Monday, January 10, 2011

the cacophany Of INdia

It is really hard to put into words the sights, the sounds, the colors of this country. Yesterday we had the Arabian sea wash over our toes as we watched the sun set in the west (over East Africa, a few thousand miles away). then minutes later we were walking into the church of St Stephen and stopping by a Hindu shrine then watching the local fishermen use their ancient chinese fishing nets to scoop up prawn and fish.

We see pilgrims coming from all over India getting arriving at the local train station for their annual pilgrimmage to the Hindu shrine at Sabramimala. Thousands, dressed in black and orange, all fasting, happy, festive. like K staters comign to town for a KU K State showdown at Memorial stadium. HM? What be our religious pilgrimmages if not journeys to football stadiums. Then we learn: the Hindus, many of them, on their return from the Hindu shrine stop also at many of these famous Christians churches, because Hindus, many of them, have a deep respect for Christ. The spirituality here is thick and public and multi faceted. And here in Kerala, mostly harmonious.  Every hour brings a new adventure here.  I am fortunate to have such intrepid travelers along for the journey

Peter Luckey   

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