We finished our time in Kerala with some sightseeing in and around Cochin. This included a gondola ride on the river and canal. The photo that identifies the profile of this blog was taken by Fr. Jose last year and sent to me with other pictures of Kerala. I have dreamed ever since of a gondola trip in Kerala and now my dream has come true. It was peaceful and scenic. There was much human activity along the canal banks including women washing clothes in the canal, children playing, old men sitting in the late afternoon shade watching the tourists float by. There were also domestic animals, mainly goats, to enjoy and water fowl and birds. Someone saw a snake but I missed it.
We flew to Bangalore day before yesterday and have done programs in three seminaries since arriving. This is somewhat of a marathon now until we leave, with tonight being my only break. I am accessing the Internet from the library of the United Theological College. This is the first Protestant venue we have been in. I have to confess, I certainly enjoyed singing a familiar old Methodist hymn in chapel this morning!
The picture of the "Lotus Jesus" adorned the auditorium of the first seminary where we led a day-long biblical storytelling workshop. That was the CMI (Carmelites of the Immaculate Conception) seminary. We stayed overnight there. The large group are seminarians and professors at the second seminary, called St Peter's Pontifical Seminary. Fran Plude was the primary speaker there, with Tom speaking briefly about sacralizing digital media and me running the Powerpoint. Fran is pictured with the Rector. She talked about the significance of cell phones. There was a murmur in the crowd and she perceived that they might not be allowed to use them. She asked, "Are you allowed cell phones?" I have never heard such a roar as in unison they replied, "No!" from 200 young men in a large echoing hall. It was a very fun and dramatic moment. Fortunately, as you can see from his smile in the photo, the Rector has a good sense of humor.
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