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Wednesday, April 11, 2012

The Return to Asthamay


The Return to Asthamay

The Real Asthamay Beach Resort, www.asthamay.com

Dear Friends and All,


This is the tale of the end of my nightmare in Varkala. 

It started in 2001 as my dream, it became a dreadful story that lasted over 2 years; it ended on March 24, 2012.  The last scene was the Evil Bhats moving out of Asthamay and my return to my own house.  It sounds straight forward, almost a logical conclusion for my story, but to get there was arduous and, at times, it seemed almost impossible to achieve.  It felt like a video game, where the obstacles pop-up suddenly and danger is lurking at every step.

I could not have done it without the guidance and help of my friends, whom I want to thank. First of all, my friend Nasa and his family and associates, who have been next to me and also ahead of me, but always on my side and dedicated to my cause. And all my friends that have supported me in many tangible ways from various parts of the world, even the strangers that expressed their sympathy and virtual support.

Yes, this became a cause for me, an important battle of principles and a commitment to which I dedicated my time and energy for over 2 years. The battle against the Bhats acquired significance beyond the mere monetary value, the deception and broken promises, or the scam he and his family setup to trap me. The more Bala lied and used this corrupt system to sustain his schemes, the more I strengthen my resolve to pursue him. 

Some people saw my cause as an opportunity to acquire their 15 minutes of fame, and their names in the newspapers and the television news.

It will take some time to forget about the court, the Indian legal system and those lawyers, the corruption of the police and the politicians, the shameless lies of Balakrishna Bhat and his family, and the demented cruel things that they did to me, but I am working on it.

Nowadays the Bhats have retreated in their Konkani hang out in Fort Cochin.  They lost the prize, but in this country it is important to save face, therefore I am not surprised by the lies and misinformation that Balakrishna Bhat will need to spreading around (how could he stop now?).

I am not happy about the fact that the Evil Bhats stole all my things when they quit Asthamay. They took appliances, furniture, sheets, chairs, even the close line, the whole shebang.  This just confirms their nature, their mindset and their intentions.

Now that this chapter is closed, I am facing the next big challenge: “What to do after”.  I have some plans and there are few pending items to be resolved.

I have started with fixing the garden, overgrown and un-kept. I sit under the shade of the palm tree and now I remember how much I loved this place. It is so beautiful and peaceful, now that they are gone and the traces of their presence are fading away. I look at the sea and enjoy the breeze, and I recognize that feeling I had when I decided to buy this place and to live here, way back in 2003.

I have received lots of congratulations from local people, friends, strangers that read my story online and followed it. I have also been approached by foreigners that have been cheated by the many Balakrishna Bhat of the world and they saw there is hope for the resolution of their own problems. I hope my success can give some comfort that “it can be done”, even in India, even in Varkala, Kerala.

Yes, it is tough here, especially being a woman alone, a foreigner and a strong personality, but now I have made some good friends, honest local people that see me for who I am and not as a bank account to dip into.

I remember what my mother told me when this nightmare started: “Cecilia, you are strong, these people have no idea what they are up against. Go get them! ”.

Yes, mamma, I did. 

In conclusion, I have a lot of work to do.   Thank you All and let’s keep in touch.

Love, Cecilia

4 comments:

  1. I Have been following your blog! It's seem u got your justice

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  2. hi, where can i find information about visiting the bungalows?

    Are they open again.

    THanks

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  3. I am tired of hearing this stories of non married, childless and frustrated women from the west trying to find their "dreams" in third world countries! Then they get cheated and run a around crying for justice. Bala is the bad guy in this story, the liar, the cheater ... but wasn't he good enough in the beginning for fulfilling the woman's "exotic" dreams ... Yes, there are many Balas in this world trying to escape poverty. But there are as many unhappy western women who fall for them. Whom to blame? If you are looking for paradise why should you buy land in a place you know nothing about, where you are a stranger? Why should you even open a hotel in varkala - the number one (after kovalam)destination for sex tourism, drug dealing and other "paradise" activities! Why not search the meaning of life in once own country??? But congratulations - the western lady with her million rupee villa won the case. For the Keralese this story once more confirms the stereotype of the "western woman" - rich, emotion driven, naiv and easy to get.
    I am so tired of this ...

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  4. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog.

    Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself?
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    ReplyDelete