Mangalore visit - Apr-May 2026

Things have been happening faster than I can blog about them. The most interesting event has been my visit to my ancestral hometown, Mangalore in India. I was there for a cousin’s son’s wedding and a holy communion party. Many of my cousins also made it. It was one of the largest family gatherings in recent times for sure. The last time I met my family, I was shy and in a state of turmoil in my head. This time around, I felt a lot calmer, wiser, more in control and I think I was able to add meaningful value to every conversation, no matter how short it might have been. I made a lot of new friends in my family, and I’m already planning to call them more often.

I met my cousins, their children, my second cousins, even my dad’s cousins. I intended on gifting things to family and I did. That makes me happy and everyone appreciated the gesture. The fountain pen, along with some ink and a cute little notebook, all packed into coloured, netted pouches were a hit! I’m very tired, a little tipsy after a beer, celebrating a successful visit to Mangalore. There’s so much more happening in the next month or so. Some anticipation over these, but let’s take things one page at a time.