my dad's hometown

today we went to kolenchery, which is where my dad grew up (about 45 minutes from here). there is so much nechupadum family history there-many of his cousins still live there and the family has started a school and a hospital and it is the home of one of the largest spice producers (owned by his cousin). the land on which my dad grew up was recently sold and turned into basically a subdivison of small homes. my parents bought one as sort of an investment and so we got to take the tour. of course it was sad to not see the original home that we stayed in for so many visits when we were young-surrounded by rubber trees and coconut trees. we also visited the cemetary where my dad's family is buried-many generations of them. we visited two uncles, one of which has an impressive biodynamic farm and provides farmstay accomodations. we walked around the land and could have spent hours or even days there-it was beautiful and peaceful! the kids loved it. but alas, we always have too many things to do....so we went on our way for more shopping and lunch before heading back to kochi.