Floods in Kerala

Indian news has been full of the floods in Kerala. It has been horrendous.  I personally was not affected because where I live is not very near to a river.  But all around my town, as well as up and down Kerala, the floods have caused devastation as I am sure many will know.  It has been one of the worst floods in many years, mainly because the state of Kerala was affected from North to South and the water was high and powerful. 
But here I do not want to go over many of the stories already out there.  I just want to admire the youngsters from our state.  The young people have gone out of their way to help in every which way they can, organising food, rescues, helping out at camps, now helping in cleaning up, and youngsters from all walks of life.  Appreciation has been given to our fisher folk, who really have been heroes and to the Armed Forces.  But here I want to express my appreciation for the very many youngsters who went all out to help whoever they could.  Kudos to you young people.  With such people around, the future of our state looks great!

Exciting Day!

Today I met up with my best friend from school after maybe 30 years.  She lives in Calcutta and I live far away in Kerala.  I met her last around 30 years ago, on a trip to Calcutta, but that was so briefly.  
This time she was here in Kerala with family and friends doing a tourist trip of the hills and backwaters.  Thanks to Facebook (occasionally some of the good things that come out of Facebook!) we were in touch with each other and hence the chance to meet.  We spent a lovely afternoon together in the middle of their trip and it really was wonderful.  After all, both of us passed out of school in 1966--52 years ago!!!  
We are both old and gray, but I think for both of us--for a little while at least--the years slipped away.  Lovely memories, great day.
Only--we forgot to take any photographs!