internet access denied

We landed in Delhi on the evening of the 5^th where we had some time for sightseeing and catching up.   In the hotel on the first night I informed Simon’s dad that the people from Kerala say that Kashmiri men are trained from childhood to earn money and seduce western women.  He said this was complete nonsense.  Boys went in to business early it was true, but the ability to sweet talk western women was a gift to the Kashmiris directly from Allah.  He also said I should never pay attention to the talk of jealous Indians, but it was difficult not to reflect on this conversation a little as we boarded the plane for Kashmir several days ahead of my own itinerary, but exactly as Geela had intended all along.

So now we are in Kashmir.   Things seem to have settled down here politically and it seems quite calm at the moment.  You do not need to worry about Simon’s safety here because there are people looking out for him.  His aunt Selima has consulted a number of shrines and temples and now believes that he needs a talisman to wear around his neck to protect him from “the eye”.  She has also recommended that Simon’s dad only introduce him to his closest family members on this visit to limit his potential exposure.  I am not sure what happens to people who are possessed by the eye, but I hope that the extra precautions pay off and I never find out.

Simon has also met two prospective marriage candidates so far. We went to dinner at a house with a pretty and precocious 14 year old girl where he was grilled thoroughly and told to work on his French.  The second meeting with a first cousin (attractive and already in first year college) was thankfully less formal .  Although Simon has been very good humored about the whole process, I am not sure he (or his father) is ready to sign a contract just yet.  I am simply using this platform to give my family advanced warning: Kashmiri brides expect gold….lots and lots of gold. 

We will post more details and pictures when Internet access permits- or if there are any big developments in these two stories.