(Honey)moon Over Munnar

Did I mention that Munnar is the honeymoon capital? It's like the Niagara Falls of southern India, but with less dramatic waterfalls. It is full of giggling young women covered in mehndi snuggling up to their new hubbies while lining up for boat or elephant rides. There are sweet getaway cottages dotting the hillsides. The billboard at the top of our road was a huge wedding photo welcoming Sonnet with Priscilla who came with their entourage to celebrate. There was even a small wedding party with a bonfire at our tiny resort.

India is all about marriage and weddings. It's a romantic environment and it's full of beautiful skinny brown boys with dreamy eyes looking for love. I have received a number of proposals, including one yesterday. Mind you, I think Sabu has a roaming eye and a poor memory. He asked my name at least seven times and also enquired if my friends were married but, in the end, it was my rickshaw he chased down to present me with a cheap gold chain. I was worried that in accepting it I might find myself engaged but, Cz reassured me that since the chain was false gold, the engagement was false as well. Whew.