Over the past number of weeks, I have spent much of my time in and around the reception, working with the ever-smiling and cheerful Anu, the Front Office Manager here at Cardamom County. Having spent five years here at Cardamom County, she is a seasoned professional who always keeps guest feeling happy and welcome.

At the reception, guests are welcomed in the traditional way of Kerala. This involves giving the guest a sandalwood aarthi tikka on the forehead.  This beautiful ritual includes a thalam (a special tray) with a small lamp or nilavilakku & small vessels, including a kindi and a para, which contain oil and kerala rice, a brown speckled and starchy specialty of the state. Along with this the refreshing fragrance of a white jasmine garland is placed around the neck. Additionally delicious freshly made welcome drinks are provided to incoming guests made from locally grown fruits  ranging from mixes of mango guava to passionfruit pineapple.

Joyce prepared with the thalam, lamp, and sandalwood aarthi tikka

Another more recent initiative is the implementation of the Elements of Periyar Interpretation Center, complete with a mini-library and computer, which has local photographs and also provides information about the various birds, assortment of wildlife, and flowers and fauna of the lush and vibrant state of Kerala. I also learned from Anu about the months of the Malayalam calendar, a solar Hindu calendar used in Kerala with months named after the Signs of the Zodiac, with the year starting between August and September in the month named Chingam, representing the Leo of the Zodiac. In terms of eco-friendly initiatives, we use newspaper bags which are used in an all-purpose fashion and wherever possible from recycled newspaper. An extra feature is the newspaper envelopes, which are used for carrying guest bills, and are used instead of wasting new paper resources.

Anu talked about the main strengths of Cardamom County being the great, warm and friendly staff creating an atmosphere that fosters support in the way good friends would. The reason why Anu got involved within the hospitality industry was that she enjoys interacting with many different people throughout the day. She is also currently pursuing her MBA in marketing through a correspondence course from Madurai in Tamil Nadu. When I asked what Anu enjoyed doing most she said she liked to listen, travel, and read, although over the past five years, spending her time at Cardamom County and raising her five-year old son have been her most enjoyable pastimes.