Wednesday, January 23rd

Now I have a real problem!

I bought too much! Seriously! - My big suitcase is somehow filled with 'half of India', that's the impression I have. Hmmm. And my things that I brought with me are not yet stowed away. Yikes!
I need a plan B. I need to find out how I can handle this. Okay, I will leave some things behind and give them to Ajitha as gifts (clothes and shoes, etc.). And since I arrived with +/- 18 kilos of gifts (mostly chocolate and cups with Swiss motifs on them), there must be a solution. I will keep you posted once I have figured something out. Smile

But now let me tell you the details of how it all came to this: as you already know, I had a lot of things made by the tailor. In addition, I visited my favorite store, which I still remember very well from 2003: Fabindia = many clothing items, decorations, tea, cosmetics, etc. from organic, vegan, or otherwise resource-friendly cultivation. It costs a little more than anywhere else, but the quality is simply top-notch. Back then, I bought a short jacket. Made of silk with colorful stitching. Last year, I gave it to Marlene because I somehow gained a few grams in width in the last 16 years. Can that really be?!!! Smile
In the last 2.5 weeks, I also shopped for various small things in the surrounding shops for half of my relatives and acquaintances. There are many great things that I simply have to take home!
Today, during the half-day trip to Trivandrum, the shopping day was absolutely hilarious. I had the chauffeur all to myself and could request where we go and where we stop. Cool thing! Unfortunately, I have to keep the details a secret for legal reasons! Lol. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore.... and of course, I also bought 1-2 pieces for myself.

Besides shopping, there was also culture. Unfortunately, no photos allowed. The palace and its associated museum are simply breathtaking! Unbelievable! Not opulent, kitschy, golden, or in any way what one would expect from a palace. Instead, lots of wood with the most intricate carvings. Flowers, parrots, elephants, and numerous dragons. In addition, finds from around the world: dishes from Meissen, vases from China, masks from Thailand, paintings and photographs of all the royal families and foreign dignitaries, etc. I was impressed by the glass throne (!) or the even larger one decorated with inlays made of ivory. Everywhere, massive ivory teeth standing in holders or turned into candle holders with delicate silverwork. A sad sight.... Also impressive was the stuffed head of the largest elephant that had served the king for many years. A monster head!
All in all, exciting and full of awe, one must thank all the workers who spent almost their entire lives here and created this building with 80 rooms. not to mention the massive amount of materials required. The construction took so long that the king only lived there for 1 year and then passed away. After that, the palace was closed for many years! Unbelievable. And apparently, there are many more palaces built in a similar manner!

Today, in therapy, there was no infusion with warm water and no steam bath. BUT there was a head massage. One of the most famous treatments in Ayurveda. I lay on the therapy table, above me was a holder with a clay vessel that had a small hole in the bottom. The container was filled with warm oil and it flowed very slowly, gently, and very pleasantly onto my forehead. Ajitha moved the container from side to side. So great and above all, mega relaxing. This treatment is very good for headaches and promotes memory. Tomorrow, I will ask for it again. And also for my bitter medicine which, for some reason, I find more and more disgusting every day! Yuck! Maybe it's because my sense of smell has been revived.... Why does everything always have to have 'side effects'?! Smile