Do you have a Best Exotic Marigold Hotel?

You know--that far from perfect place that holds you in its arms; that sometimes questions your decisions but always with a hand of support? 

A friend and I saw The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel when it first came to our theater.  In a packed house, there weren't more than half a dozen whose heads weren't topped with white--we all identified with the story.  A lovely film featuring stars we've admired for years.  Many reasons to have an enjoyable evening.  I loved the movie, and learned from it some things that are important to me.

1.  Courage.  It took a force--a good reason--for each person to leave England and find another home:  finances, loneliness, unfinished business, escape, medical care....  Even with a need standing starburst in our face, it's often difficult to face change, and it takes courage to do so--especially in the last years of life.

2.  Community--though it didn't begin that way.  From strangers stranded in an airport to fixing dilapidated facilities to attending the funeral of one of their own,  community formed--conversation, support, that necessary hug.  All universal needs.

3.  Adventure.  Only one of the new residents of the hotel had ever experienced India prior to their arrival.  Yet each found his own route to adventure--getting a job, exploring temples and marketplaces, new noises and smells...   Only one of the group found it all so intolerable she had to return to England.  Her adventure gene activated after turning left when entering a plane...

4.  Learning and Growth.  From bigot to gentleness.  From fear to fearlessness.  From loneliness to companionship and love.

Courage, community, adventure, learning and growth--qualities that enrich our lives.  Of course the movie was fiction; and it was filled with brilliant British stars who can convince us of anything because that's what they're supposed to do.  But I think it's fun to take on the challenge to look beyond the script, to take this enjoyable movie and decide there is something worth remembering.

P.S.  No, my plan is not to move to India.