We are OK!

hi friends & family,

we just wanted to let everyone know that we are ok. fortunately, for us, yesterday's tidal wave did not affect the area of India where we are staying right now (Calicut). We were going to head more south today however, we are thinking of changing our plans having heard that there were some deaths about 5 hours south of us in Kochi. we stayed at a wonderful little place near the beach last night and we could only imagine what it must be like for people who are along the east coast of India & Thailand and the grief they must be experiencing. You can feel the sadness here.

In other news, it has been rather rough traveling for us thus far. We have had trouble finding any feeling of relaxation and calm. Things are crazy here! However, we have met some very nice people and had some small little adventures that make us laugh. We have yet to run into ANY other westerners and everywhere we go people stare at us as if we were movie stars. Actually one person said I look like the Indian star Amer(?) Khan, so maybe they think we are movie stars! (Now we know why famous people lock themselves up in big houses and never go out.) The food has been great and at the very least we are each going to gain about 20 lbs. We know that it may take a while for us to connect with the people and places here so we shall keep trying...and eating... We will write more again soon, and thank you all for thinking of us. It was so great to recieve everyones emails today. We miss everyone back home!!

Happy New Year! -Kevin & Lester