Perth, West Australia

After resting for a few days in Hong Kong (very hot and humid), during which I meet Peter Moss, a well known Anglo-Indian writer, we come to Perth for the 8th International Anglo-Indian (AI) reunion (a gathering held every 3 years in different parts of the world). What a difference in environment - after 3 weeks in China we spend 11 days in Western Australia. The cultures of these two countries cannot be further apart. In contrast to intense, hustling Chinese; we have relaxed, informal, laid back Aussies. Of course language helps. In 'Austraylia' they speak a sort of English - full of strange words and sounds - but in the main English. Figure out what 'dunnie' or 'pokie' or 'eye candy' means -answers at the end of this blog.

We have a whole week of activities planned by the local Anglo-Indian association and there are about 200 of visitors from India, the UK and North America to join about a thousand of Perth Anglo-Indians (of the 22,000 resident there). This is the seventh (of eight) such conference we have attended - so you know we (I) are AI junkies. We start with a 'Meet and Greet' held in a large park, where over 1000 of us find school friends and relatives after 5 to 25 or more years. Full of 'Is it you' and 'My God you have changed' - a trip down memory lane. The next significant event is a concert, featuring local AI talent - homespun and quaint. We have two events to discuss AI culture and AI poverty in India, which I am involved in. I present our CTR Publishing record of having six books published over the last 10 years, thereby creating another perspective (along with the English and Indian views) on the character and culture of Anglo-Indians, at a workshop attended by about 20 kindred souls. I also present the efforts of CTR ( our international charity helping Anglo-Indians in India ( http://www.blairrw.org/ctr/index.php) , to help the less fortunate AI's in India - in 2009 we have over 300 seniors in 6 cities on monthly pensions and over 250 children that are being educated by CTR - at a symposium attended by about 300 persons. It is decided to form an organization to establish projects for AI's in India to learn skills and be self employed. Great idea. It is also the first time we were willing to talk about poverty and the need to help our less fortunate brethren at our reunions! I also get to spend time with CTR's Australian coordinators - Marilyn Goss of Melbourne, Cheryl Chater of Sydney and Jennifer Busby of Perth - dynamic and self motivated leaders.

We have a fund raiser dinner- dance of AI schools the proceeds of which go to CTR, and we have 700+ dancing the night away and having fun. Our Perth coordinator Jen Busby her team have to be commended. On the last day we have the Grand Ball at the Perth Convention center at which 800 odd AI's dance and enjoy themselves - an amazing sight to see so many dancing on and off the dance floor. When we plan dances in North America we set the size of the dance floor to cover about 20% of the attendees. For AI shows this figure is 80%! I am struck with the realization that one of the defining traits of the AI community was their ability to dance and their enjoyment of dancing.

The reunion was one of the best, well organized, with the volunteers always helpful and service oriented. We meet many, many friends and I take down emails with the intention of keeping in touch

I have another wonderful series of experiences - meeting my family. My uncle (deceased) and Aunt Pearl ( 93 - see insert) came out to Australia in the 1950's and we have many cousins and grand cousins. In addition my brother went out to Australia in the 1960's and we have two nephews and their families. I also meet a girl cousin from my mothers side ( a first). We spend magical time with them, trying to cram years into a few hours, always suspecting that this may be our last such meeting. They were all so loving and we are all so proud of each other. Too bad we all live far apart and meet infrequently, BUT, we did meet, and we did enjoy each other, and that is what we take home.

Finally there is Australia. Very different - but very warm, climatically and socially. We are fortunate as we stay in the home of Jean and Bernie Andersen, two very erudite and affectionate AI's and the best hosts anyone can have. When not attending activities and meeting with relatives, they show us Perth, its surrounding and Freemantel. In between we discuss Aussie culture, Myers Briggs, Johari's window, philology and almost everything else. They have added immeasurably to our enjoyment of Perth

Another highlight is a visit to the Caversham Wild Life Park, where we see some unique birds and animals. I have so many pictures but will just post three (right to left) - Ellen and Jean posing with very indifferent Kangaroos, a wild and free Cookaburra over the Swan river and a cuddly Koala

It is late 1.00 am in Singapore and we arrived this morning after not much sleep, but I am compelled to complete this blog. So much happened and I have just touched the fringe, We have had such a wondrous 12 days - life is so rich and enjoyable.

Finally the Austraylian words. 'Dunnie' is going to the toilet; 'Pokie' is playing the slot machines and 'Eye Candy' is pretty and sweet girls ('eye' for seeing and 'candy' for sweet!). Just a few of thousands of created Aussie words. Now you know why I said the these folks speak English in the 'main'!

In Singapore and resting, after which to Kolkata