0:00:18 > 0:00:23India - a country that overwhelms the senses.
0:00:24 > 0:00:29The Garden of Eden must have been as beautiful as this.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31With year-round warm weather,
0:00:31 > 0:00:37and a low cost of living, could this be the perfect place to retire?
0:00:37 > 0:00:41If you'd won the lottery, where would you choose to be?
0:00:41 > 0:00:46I'm going there almost as a child, with my eyes wide open.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50- Thank you. - Inspired by the blockbuster film,
0:00:50 > 0:00:53eight well-known faces are spending a month in Kochi,
0:00:53 > 0:00:56in the south of India...
0:00:56 > 0:00:59- Oh, yes.- Oh, sorry, ooh.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01..to see if living out their golden years here
0:01:01 > 0:01:03could be a real alternative.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Oh, my God, I look fantastic.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08- Handsome.- We started to dance down the street.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11I never thought I would ever do that at my age.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15Whatever is new and exciting, I haven't done it yet, let's do it.
0:01:15 > 0:01:16- And...let go.- Aah!
0:01:16 > 0:01:18Whoa!
0:01:18 > 0:01:22But will the challenges of India prove a step too far?
0:01:22 > 0:01:26Calm down, everybody, chill pill.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29There's something down there that feels like it shouldn't be.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33Or could this incredible country give them real food for thought?
0:01:33 > 0:01:36It's like nowhere else on Earth I've ever been.
0:01:52 > 0:01:53- RADIO:- Good morning, Kochi.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57Today we can expect temperatures up to the mid-30s,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00and humidity is around 85%.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02Pretty normal for the time of year.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14The humidity has got to my hair!
0:02:14 > 0:02:17It's the third week of living together
0:02:17 > 0:02:18in the old Kochi retirement home.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20Is that a mosquito?
0:02:23 > 0:02:25I think I got it.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28If not, he'll be back to tell me that I didn't get him later,
0:02:28 > 0:02:30and he'll bite me twice as hard.
0:02:30 > 0:02:31Can I have a kiss?
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Mwah! Mwah!
0:02:35 > 0:02:41They are a wonderful group, they are genuinely kind, nice, lovely people.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44I would seriously think about getting somewhere here,
0:02:44 > 0:02:46if I could bring them with me.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Getting all of you in line together for the eyewash.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56The group are up early with yoga instructor Raj,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59who has been teaching them how to look after every part of their body.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- So this is...- Eyewash, did he say?
0:03:02 > 0:03:03Eyewash.
0:03:03 > 0:03:09It helps to remove the dust and grit and pollutant from the eyes.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13Raj recommends to do this regularly, using a little filtered water.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16My eyesight is a bit blurry...
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- Lionel BLURRY!- Yeah, you are Cockney rhyming slang, aren't you?
0:03:20 > 0:03:23- Are you wearing your Lionels? - What does that mean?
0:03:23 > 0:03:25- Lionel Blairs, flares.- Flares.- No!
0:03:25 > 0:03:27Hey, that's an accolade, isn't it?
0:03:27 > 0:03:31- You're immortal!- 'I'm excited when I wake up each morning.'
0:03:31 > 0:03:36There are a lot of upsides to being in India, besides the climate.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38'I feel so good.'
0:03:38 > 0:03:40You just put your eyes in and keep...
0:03:40 > 0:03:41Blinking.
0:03:43 > 0:03:44Ooh!
0:03:45 > 0:03:48- I feel pretty cleansed! - LAUGHTER
0:03:54 > 0:03:56- All dust off?- All dust off.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Well done. Start drinking and start eating crisps!
0:03:59 > 0:04:04- I will now!- Chef Rustie is finding there are some parts of Indian life
0:04:04 > 0:04:07that can be hard to adjust to.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11I've had the Delhi belly sort of thing already, so I really...
0:04:11 > 0:04:13I'm being very careful,
0:04:13 > 0:04:17and I think going back to the sort of food that I'm used to will
0:04:17 > 0:04:22calm my stomach down, and I'll feel safer with it as well, so...
0:04:22 > 0:04:26That's what I think everybody will enjoy - a change.
0:04:28 > 0:04:29Jolly good, OK.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31Ooh.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34Look - you've got something to hang onto in your final moments!
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- LAUGHTER - Thanks!
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Rustie's rounded up Paul, Bill and Dennis
0:04:39 > 0:04:43to help her find the ingredients she needs for tonight's dinner.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45- Shepherd's pie, we're having. - Are we?!
0:04:45 > 0:04:49Shepherd's pie, and then bread-and-butter pudding.
0:04:49 > 0:04:50Very good!
0:04:54 > 0:04:57They'll be able to get all the produce they need
0:04:57 > 0:05:00at Kochi's main market. But this involves a ferry ride.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03All right, it's the ferry.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07Should we go in this queue here?
0:05:07 > 0:05:09I don't think we'll get on the boat this time.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- All of a sudden...- All of the women are there,
0:05:11 > 0:05:13and the men on the other, is that right?
0:05:13 > 0:05:15- OK.- Are they seriously segregated?
0:05:15 > 0:05:17- Yes.- Why?
0:05:17 > 0:05:18It's our rule. It's their culture.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20- It's YOUR rule!- Yes!
0:05:22 > 0:05:26- How old are you?- 21 years old.- No! You look about 15!
0:05:26 > 0:05:28- 15!- 21?
0:05:28 > 0:05:30Are you married, to be married?
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- No.- Do you want to be married?
0:05:33 > 0:05:34Yes!
0:05:34 > 0:05:38If you see someone and go, "Oh, I'd go out with him,"
0:05:38 > 0:05:40- would you do that? - No, that is not our custom.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42- You're not allowed?- No.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44So, your mother or father will choose?
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Both together.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49- Both together.- How do you do that - with a photograph first,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- or do you go and meet the person? - There are brokers around.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55- Oh, there are marriage brokers? - Yeah.- Does it matter to you
0:05:55 > 0:05:57if his family have money or not?
0:05:57 > 0:06:00- If they are well off? - It doesn't matter to me,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02but of course it matters to my family.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05Yes, they would like you to have some security.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07OK, well, I'll look for one for you!
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Here he is, what do you think?
0:06:11 > 0:06:13INDISTINCT
0:06:15 > 0:06:17You're halfway there, son!
0:06:20 > 0:06:22I don't know much about arranged marriages,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24I can only talk for me personally.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26Quite honestly, if someone said to me,
0:06:26 > 0:06:28you're going to marry Elsie down the road,
0:06:28 > 0:06:30I'd want to know the person.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32But for other people, it works.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34I think we have to be open-minded
0:06:34 > 0:06:36and open-hearted about other cultures,
0:06:36 > 0:06:39and I think that's a problem - that we aren't.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Are we going now? We're going!
0:06:41 > 0:06:45We're off, we're off! It's a stampede!
0:06:46 > 0:06:48Oh, my giddy aunt...
0:06:48 > 0:06:50So, we have to push in this lot.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Careful, there's a gap, apparently.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55No gap here, but there is a step.
0:06:56 > 0:06:57Ooh!
0:06:57 > 0:06:59And here's a gap.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02In you get!
0:07:02 > 0:07:08Oh, shit. It's an aquatic version of the Underground, really.
0:07:08 > 0:07:09SHE LAUGHS
0:07:11 > 0:07:13It's actually very nice to be on the water, I think.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15Don't you? A bit of cool air.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20The ferry ride's a 20-minute journey that lands them in Ernakulam -
0:07:20 > 0:07:23the commercial heart of Kochi.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35Kerala's been an important trading centre for over 2,000 years.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40Wow, this is unbelievable!
0:07:40 > 0:07:41What a market!
0:07:41 > 0:07:45As a result, this city market offers a range of goods that includes some
0:07:45 > 0:07:47surprisingly familiar fruit and veg.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49They have got everything here.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51- Tomatoes...- It's all here in this lovely shop.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55Oh, lovely. We've got carrots... We want potatoes.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- For eight people. - For eight people, yes.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- That's enough for eight. - Yes, perfect.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01- Would you not say?- Yes.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03Gooseberries! Are these gooseberries?
0:08:03 > 0:08:05Can I try it? Can I taste it?
0:08:07 > 0:08:08Ooh!
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- It's disgusting!- That'll teach you! - Bloody hell.
0:08:19 > 0:08:20- Hello.- Hello!
0:08:20 > 0:08:22How nice to meet you.
0:08:22 > 0:08:23Yes, nice to meet you too.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- Thank you. How do you do? - At the house, Sheila,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Miriam and Lionel are having a language lesson.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33Learning the basics will help them integrate into the local community.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36I would love to learn enough language to get by,
0:08:36 > 0:08:38and also, of course,
0:08:38 > 0:08:42speaking the language is simply a mark of respect.
0:08:42 > 0:08:43Is it Hindi we're going to learn?
0:08:43 > 0:08:45No, we're going to learn Malayalam.
0:08:45 > 0:08:46Oh, which is...
0:08:46 > 0:08:48Which is the language of Kerala.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50- OK.- Can I know your names?
0:08:50 > 0:08:51Oh, yes, I'm Miriam.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- And your name is?- Sheila. - It's a very common Malayalam name,
0:08:54 > 0:08:58- actually.- Is it?- We had a famous actress of yesteryear.
0:08:58 > 0:08:59She's ageing gracefully now.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01So am I! Hopefully!
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Can we learn a few words?
0:09:03 > 0:09:04- Of course.- Or phrases?
0:09:04 > 0:09:09- How do you do? Sukhamaano. - Sukhamaano.
0:09:09 > 0:09:10So how do you say "yes"?
0:09:10 > 0:09:14- Ah, ssherri.- Ssherri. - Ssherri. Ssherri.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16- Ssherri is "yes".- Sherry?
0:09:16 > 0:09:19Ssherri. Ssherri. Ssherri. Ssherri.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22You know how in England we have the alphabet...
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- Yeah.- So, is that the same here?
0:09:25 > 0:09:26What is the alphabet?
0:09:26 > 0:09:30SHE RECITES THE ALPHABET, THEY REPEAT
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- Is that the whole alphabet? - No, we have lots more!
0:09:41 > 0:09:42Oh, right, OK.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45That's just a taste!
0:09:45 > 0:09:47I don't think I would have got out of first grade!
0:09:47 > 0:09:49No, nor do I!
0:09:49 > 0:09:50Please open the door.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Vatil turakkan...
0:09:52 > 0:09:54Hmm? OK, forget that...
0:09:55 > 0:09:58How would you say to a girl, "Kiss me"?
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Enne cumbikku...
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Are you married?
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Ha! My favourite chat-up line.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Is there a phrase for that?
0:10:06 > 0:10:07Yes.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09OK, whoa... Are...you...
0:10:09 > 0:10:11married... Or...
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Are you rich?
0:10:13 > 0:10:14No, is there a phrase for that?
0:10:14 > 0:10:16If you want to ask a lady...
0:10:18 > 0:10:20She's only interested in men.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Men? OK, that would be a slight change...
0:10:22 > 0:10:25Thank you for clarifying that! OK.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28'I live in Majorca, and I was partnered when I moved.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31'And he passed away seven years ago.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34'I've got to the point where the loneliness is unbearable.'
0:10:34 > 0:10:37When it's dinner time, I put out my one place mat,
0:10:37 > 0:10:39having my dinner looking at the news.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42And I'm thinking, this is not the quality of life that I want
0:10:42 > 0:10:43for the rest of my life.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47- Vivahitananea.- Viva-hita-nanea.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49..nanea.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Phew. That's me, I'm done, OK!
0:10:52 > 0:10:54"I'm sorted, mate," as you say!
0:10:54 > 0:10:59If I moved to India, I'd be turning my back on my family,
0:10:59 > 0:11:03so it would be a major decision. And the only thing that I know
0:11:03 > 0:11:07that manipulates me into moving to that degree is a man.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Come on, Rus, my old friend. To the hairdresser's!
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Nobody's ever been able to do my hair...
0:11:16 > 0:11:18After over two weeks in Kochi,
0:11:18 > 0:11:23Amanda wants to find somewhere local to help her deal with a downside of
0:11:23 > 0:11:25the tropical climate.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29As soon as I touch humidity, my hair...
0:11:30 > 0:11:33..becomes pubic, frankly!
0:11:33 > 0:11:37It just sits on top of my head and goes...brr-rrr!
0:11:37 > 0:11:40Do you know what, let's make a pact right now...
0:11:40 > 0:11:45- Yes, yes.- If we come out looking even worse than when we went in...
0:11:45 > 0:11:47- Going in!- I don't think I can!
0:11:47 > 0:11:50We'll both come back, put our heads in the wash basin and start again.
0:11:50 > 0:11:51Start again!
0:11:54 > 0:11:58They're heading to the city mall to try out a modern Indian salon.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- Oh, look! We're getting... - We're here!
0:12:01 > 0:12:03Oh, I say.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09Right... First off, I'm going up to the third floor.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12I don't need anything else. I've got my bits and pieces.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Sheila would love this.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Yes!
0:12:16 > 0:12:18LAUGHTER
0:12:20 > 0:12:23Hello, can we have an appointment?
0:12:23 > 0:12:27Um, I would like to have my hair washed and blow-dried.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29Do you think you could cope with this?
0:12:29 > 0:12:31Yeah, we can do that.
0:12:31 > 0:12:32- Yes?- Definitely.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- For you?- Good luck!
0:12:40 > 0:12:43- I remember you on TV-am. - Yes. Do you remember my hair?
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Didn't... You had BIG hair!
0:12:47 > 0:12:49- Like HIS hair!- Yes...
0:12:49 > 0:12:52- Of course you did. - That was a curly perm.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54Oh, that wasn't you?
0:12:54 > 0:12:57What are we doing? Lift it on top.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Would you like it straightened?
0:12:59 > 0:13:00Yeah, why not? OK.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02Zhoosh it out!
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- Is this your local hairdresser? - Yeah, it's very good.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09We are trying some different hairstyles for my wedding eve.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11- You're getting married?!- Yes.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Oh, congratulations!
0:13:14 > 0:13:16They are trying some curls for my hair...
0:13:16 > 0:13:17- Some drop curls?- Yeah.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Can I have a look?
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Ooh! I want mine like that!
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- LAUGHTER - They can make it. - Yes, I'm sure they could.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29- It looks beautiful.- Thank you. - And you're a beautiful bride.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32So, is your marriage an arranged marriage?
0:13:32 > 0:13:33Yeah, it's an arranged one.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36It's not a thing between two individuals,
0:13:36 > 0:13:38it's a thing between two families.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43I don't know that I would let my parents even choose my shoes,
0:13:43 > 0:13:44to be honest with you...
0:13:44 > 0:13:47I don't know about arranged marriage.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48I hate the thought of people being made
0:13:48 > 0:13:50to marry somebody they didn't want to,
0:13:50 > 0:13:52and I'm sure there are people who are.
0:13:52 > 0:13:58I wonder if going through their heads is, "Is it going to be good?
0:13:58 > 0:14:01"Is it going to be awful? This is it."
0:14:01 > 0:14:06Because we've grown up in a Western way, it's not something we would do.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- Yes, something different. - But if it works for you,
0:14:09 > 0:14:14and you're a young woman and you're happy to do that, it's wonderful.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Do you know, I've always wanted to go to an Indian wedding.
0:14:17 > 0:14:18Really? You're really interested?
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- Yes!- We'll be really happy if you join us for our wedding.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Would you like to go to the wedding?
0:14:24 > 0:14:28- Yes!- Oh, my goodness, I would LOVE to come to your wedding!
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- It'll be a big day for us. - Oh, that would be fantastic.
0:14:31 > 0:14:32Thank you very, very much!
0:14:34 > 0:14:39Companionship is good at any age, but I think, as you get older,
0:14:39 > 0:14:42I think companionship is so essential.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44It keeps you on your toes.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46There's someone there to talk to,
0:14:46 > 0:14:50and that's why, if one partner has gone on,
0:14:50 > 0:14:53you should take someone else so that you're never alone.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Shall I make the chair for you, darling, so you can sit down?
0:15:10 > 0:15:12I hope it's not too peppery for them.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14They really want British tonight.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- I put in pepper because you asked me to!- Yes.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21Back at home, Rustie's putting the finishing touches to dinner.
0:15:24 > 0:15:25I think we should stand and salute!
0:15:25 > 0:15:28# Rule Britannia... #
0:15:28 > 0:15:29Aah, yes.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33It looks lovely. Yes.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36Very nice, congratulations.
0:15:36 > 0:15:37Thank you.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41It is just like Mum used to make.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44It sure is a taste of home, honey.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47You do get a feeling of life here, don't you?
0:15:47 > 0:15:50- Oh, yes.- The bustle of life. And not in an aggressive...
0:15:50 > 0:15:53I mean, I know they are always hooting their horns and everything,
0:15:53 > 0:15:56but you don't see people shouting at each other, or...
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- You know.- Not at each other - TO each other, yes!
0:15:59 > 0:16:00- To each other.- Yes.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03But don't you think there's a gentleness to the whole thing?
0:16:03 > 0:16:06How lovely were the people in the market to us?
0:16:06 > 0:16:10- Yeah.- And I'm sure... they're not there in their...
0:16:10 > 0:16:11- What are you doing?- Mosquito.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Would you like some more?
0:16:14 > 0:16:15I would, actually.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27- Miriam?- Yes?
0:16:27 > 0:16:31- Any washing? - T-shirt - that's about it for me.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Sheila? Are you ready with your washing?
0:16:34 > 0:16:36Today is laundry day.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38Do you think we should take hangers?
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Because otherwise they'll wrinkle back up again.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Well, it's the laundry, so they'll have their own hangers.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46- Come on!- OK, OK. - Girls, Sumesh is here.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48He can take you to the laundry.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51They're taking their clothes to the Dhoby Khana,
0:16:51 > 0:16:54which has been doing the people of Kochi's washing
0:16:54 > 0:16:55for almost 100 years.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01But there's nothing in the water where the clothes are soaking -
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- it's just fresh water? - Yes.- To loosen the dirt?
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- No wonder he has such great muscles. - Yes!
0:17:08 > 0:17:10When do we get it back?
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- Is tomorrow evening possible? - Is it any quicker?
0:17:14 > 0:17:19- Tomorrow afternoon?- It costs from 30p for pants to 80p for trousers
0:17:19 > 0:17:21to have your clothes washed and dried,
0:17:21 > 0:17:25although the Keralan sun does the lion's share of the work.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27So there is two coils.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30No pegs! Just put it inside, so there are no clips.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Very clever and simple idea. I love that!
0:17:37 > 0:17:41Dennis and Lionel are checking out another local service...
0:17:41 > 0:17:43- Look at this, Lionel. - Oh, my goodness!
0:17:43 > 0:17:48- I'm Dennis. Dennis, my name. - Dennis, nice meeting you.- Lionel.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50What I would like...
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Proper razor.
0:17:52 > 0:17:53- OK.- Thank you.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56- Oh, that's wonderful! - Oh, this is good...
0:17:56 > 0:18:00This is my first experience, Lionel, of a razor - an open razor.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02How does it feel?
0:18:02 > 0:18:04It feels...wonderful!
0:18:06 > 0:18:08My dad was a barber, Dennis. Old Montague Street.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11So all of your people are proper East Enders, yeah?
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Oh, absolutely! My dad didn't want me to be a barber -
0:18:14 > 0:18:18all that standing. It's the last thing he wanted.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21'He died when I was 15.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24'We didn't have much money.
0:18:24 > 0:18:25'And I had to work.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28'I remember earning £10 a week,'
0:18:28 > 0:18:31but I got 30 shillings a week pocket money.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34The rest went to my mother, for housekeeping and everything.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36So I was the breadwinner.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38How did you learn how to be a barber?
0:18:38 > 0:18:40I learned from my grandfather.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42Your grandfather?
0:18:42 > 0:18:44My grandfather's shop. And then my father...
0:18:44 > 0:18:47I learned from them.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Just men? Or men and women?
0:18:49 > 0:18:50Men and kids.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52And kids.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55I think family is so important,
0:18:55 > 0:18:58having come from a large family and now...
0:18:58 > 0:18:59I mean, I've got five children.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03Three first time round, two the second time round.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06And my two sons, Damian and Brendan, they are like my brothers,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09and that is what it is all about. That's what you work for,
0:19:09 > 0:19:10it is for your family.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13That's the closest shave I've ever had.
0:19:13 > 0:19:14Fantastic!
0:19:14 > 0:19:19So, you do tend to worry about how far your money would go
0:19:19 > 0:19:21when you retire completely.
0:19:21 > 0:19:22Oh, thank you.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- Was it good, sir? - Oh, fantastic!
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Absolutely fantastic. And so cheap...
0:19:30 > 0:19:32I mean, he only wanted 100 rupees!
0:19:32 > 0:19:34You can't...
0:19:34 > 0:19:38Dennis's close shave has cost him just £1.20.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41Feels like a baby's bottom, it's unbelievable.
0:19:48 > 0:19:49I need my glasses...
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Wait a minute. Hang on, my Hilary,
0:19:52 > 0:19:56she has sent me cards to open the whole way through.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00I have missed her every day.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04And that's Hilary. That was at our wedding.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08I don't mean to be so sentimental, but I am sentimental.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Hideously sentimental.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Because it was my wedding anniversary two days ago, actually.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16I think...I think I did live a sort of secret life.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19It's a life which I call an edited life,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22because if you're with a group of people who you know are going to be
0:20:22 > 0:20:25judgmental, what you tend to do is
0:20:25 > 0:20:28to edit what you say the entire time,
0:20:28 > 0:20:32so you would say, "WE went to," - not "she".
0:20:32 > 0:20:38You would edit the gender out of it, and edit what you were saying.
0:20:38 > 0:20:39Since then to now...
0:20:40 > 0:20:43..it's...it's a different world altogether.
0:20:46 > 0:20:47I can't read that to you,
0:20:47 > 0:20:49cos that's a very loving message from my other half.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59The local bride, who they met at the hairdresser's,
0:20:59 > 0:21:01has been in touch to extend the wedding invitation
0:21:01 > 0:21:02to the whole group.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- He's not stopping, he's not stopping! - CAR HORN BLARES
0:21:12 > 0:21:14They are heading to Jayalakshmi,
0:21:14 > 0:21:19a four-storey department store that specialises in wedding clothes.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22I'm going to get something really good. I want to look the part!
0:21:25 > 0:21:29In India, when you go shopping, service is everything.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33Ladies, I need a sari for a wedding.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36As a guest. So how do I do the sari?
0:21:36 > 0:21:38Remove your chappal.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40Remove my...?
0:21:41 > 0:21:43What's my chappal?
0:21:43 > 0:21:45- My trousers? - LAUGHTER
0:21:47 > 0:21:48Shoes? Oh!
0:21:48 > 0:21:49LAUGHTER
0:21:51 > 0:21:56Saris can cost from as little as £5, all the way up to £400.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01I'm doing a strip here, Amanda. They're stripping me off!
0:22:01 > 0:22:03How are you doing?
0:22:03 > 0:22:06- LAUGHTER - You're in!
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- LAUGHTER - I feel like a mannequin!
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- LAUGHTER - What's happened there?
0:22:12 > 0:22:14I have to walk like this?
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Make your minds up, because I don't know!
0:22:17 > 0:22:19I'm ready for the ball!
0:22:19 > 0:22:21You are!
0:22:21 > 0:22:24I'm not, I'm still in a mess!
0:22:28 > 0:22:30I want to know how to do...
0:22:30 > 0:22:32I'm sorry?
0:22:32 > 0:22:35Traditional for men means wearing a dhoti.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- It's called dhoti.- Dhoti?
0:22:37 > 0:22:41A rectangular piece of cloth simply wrapped around the waist and legs.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43Bill, is that something YOU might wear?
0:22:43 > 0:22:45Um... Maybe.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47I do suffer from clammy loins!
0:22:49 > 0:22:51Oh, Bill!
0:22:51 > 0:22:52What a turn-on.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56You've got the job!
0:22:56 > 0:22:59But Paul has chosen something off the shelf...
0:23:01 > 0:23:04- How do you feel about that? - Look at it.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08- See, you look... - Oh, my God, I look fantastic!
0:23:08 > 0:23:09Handsome!
0:23:21 > 0:23:22I hear no movement...
0:23:27 > 0:23:30You up, Dennis? ..OK, babe.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Yeah, two minutes.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37- How are you, all right?- I've only just got up. You look very smart!
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Well, I thought it was a good idea to wear a long sleeve,
0:23:40 > 0:23:42cos I got bitten yesterday.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44I'll see you in a minute, babe.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50Tonight, Dennis and Paul are looking for some local entertainment.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Hello, how are you?
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Would they have a club for snooker?
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Yeah, I know, I know snooker.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03Here we are, son.
0:24:03 > 0:24:04Thank you!
0:24:05 > 0:24:09Snooker was invented in India back in the 19th century,
0:24:09 > 0:24:12and most towns have a local snooker hall.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15How are you?
0:24:16 > 0:24:19'Going to the snooker hall, it's amazing.'
0:24:19 > 0:24:21You think they won't know who you are...
0:24:21 > 0:24:23- Thank you!- OK, pleasure.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27But with technology these days, you know, they can google you!
0:24:27 > 0:24:29You see, special glasses, yeah.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31- You want to try?- Oh!
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Very bad eyesight!
0:24:34 > 0:24:37My mother never saw me win the World Championship.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39I was in the quarterfinal,
0:24:39 > 0:24:43and I got the most dreadful phone call I've ever had in my life,
0:24:43 > 0:24:47to say that my mum had died suddenly back home in Northern Ireland,
0:24:47 > 0:24:49and I couldn't believe it. She was only 62.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Slim, but she'd had a massive heart attack,
0:24:52 > 0:24:55and the bottom fell out of my world completely.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57'I just didn't want to play snooker.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59'I just didn't want to know about it.'
0:24:59 > 0:25:02This is the hardest of the trick shots.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06- Right...?- Shoot the white into the pocket...- Yep?
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Before it gets there, I've got to get all the colours in...
0:25:09 > 0:25:12The family said, well, "There's a tournament coming up. Why don't you
0:25:12 > 0:25:15"go and play in it, for your mum?" And that's what I did.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18'I used to play and sit in the chair, and chat away to my mum.'
0:25:21 > 0:25:23CHEERING
0:25:25 > 0:25:27To finish up, knocking the final black in,
0:25:27 > 0:25:29to win the World Championship,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32in the way it happened, was quite incredible,
0:25:32 > 0:25:35but I think a lot of the credit's got to go to my dear old mum,
0:25:35 > 0:25:38who was there with me throughout that World Championship.
0:25:38 > 0:25:39It's not easy, is it?
0:25:47 > 0:25:48Oh, what?
0:25:52 > 0:25:54CHEERING
0:26:00 > 0:26:05Bride-to-be Dressia has invited the ladies to a very special event.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09Indian families host an open house on the eve of the wedding,
0:26:09 > 0:26:12so friends can give their blessing to the bride.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18Dressia's brother Dilip and sister-in-law Sukanya
0:26:18 > 0:26:19are hosting tonight's event.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22- How is she?- Yes, she is... - Is she excited?
0:26:22 > 0:26:23Yes.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25I didn't expect so many people!
0:26:25 > 0:26:27No, I didn't expect a reception committee either!
0:26:27 > 0:26:31No, I thought it was just going to be the girls!
0:26:31 > 0:26:33Hello! Hello, are you the bride?
0:26:33 > 0:26:35- Yes.- Gosh, you're so beautiful.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38- Isn't she beautiful? - Very happy to meet you.- And you.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Saris and everything?
0:26:40 > 0:26:41Yes, we bought saris.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44We've never worn saris before, so...
0:26:44 > 0:26:46You'll be looking really beautiful.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49We are probably more nervous than she is!
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Look! Isn't that wonderful?
0:26:54 > 0:26:56That's the henna.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01Henna is said to have medicinal properties which calm the nerves of
0:27:01 > 0:27:05- a bride-to-be.- And is this a dark red, or can it be different colours?
0:27:05 > 0:27:07No, tomorrow it will go much more darker.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10- Will it?- Really?- It goes darker after you put it on?
0:27:10 > 0:27:12- Yes.- Oh, I see.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Do you know, I heard a story that the darker red it goes,
0:27:15 > 0:27:17the more your husband loves you.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21- Is that right?- We'll lend you a red biro tonight, just to mark it in!
0:27:21 > 0:27:22Just to be on the safe side.
0:27:24 > 0:27:25This is my auntie, my auntie.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27She must go to sleep at ten o'clock...
0:27:27 > 0:27:30We will send her home, don't worry!
0:27:30 > 0:27:33We will make sure she gets to bed, don't worry!
0:27:33 > 0:27:37Yes. How did you meet your soon-to-be husband?
0:27:37 > 0:27:40We have extended big families, and through these things,
0:27:40 > 0:27:43we get these proposals and we go forward
0:27:43 > 0:27:48by looking at whether we can have a good wavelength, but both families.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51- Was the marriage arranged, then? - Yes.- Between the families?
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Yes. Arranged not only between the families,
0:27:54 > 0:27:56but also they ask our opinion.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59The bride and the groom has a very good role,
0:27:59 > 0:28:02for choosing their partner, yes.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05- So are you very much in love? - Yes, of course.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09So your marriage really is a combination
0:28:09 > 0:28:12- of being arranged and a love marriage?- Yes.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14Is that the way most marriages happen now?
0:28:14 > 0:28:17Yes, this is something which happens in modern India.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20Yes, it's different in our culture than what you think...what happens
0:28:20 > 0:28:22in the UK or in Europe.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25First of all, you get to see all your family is involved in it,
0:28:25 > 0:28:27and then it's like friends, relatives.
0:28:27 > 0:28:28All of them are involved.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31You get a big support from your family as well.
0:28:31 > 0:28:32You see much less of divorces.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35Most probably it's because of the family backing.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37But in fact, you're not marrying a person,
0:28:37 > 0:28:40- you're marrying a family, aren't you?- Yes.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59Well, I'm ashamed of myself,
0:28:59 > 0:29:03because I was so jaded about arranged marriages and things,
0:29:03 > 0:29:07and since I've met everybody here tonight, everybody seems so happy.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10And the whole family thing is magical.
0:29:18 > 0:29:25There is something so genuine about it, it shines out of the people.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28Whatever that is, I would like some of it.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40That was wonderful. It was wonderful, wasn't it?
0:29:56 > 0:29:58We went to a pre-wedding party.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01- Was it good?- Oh, it was wonderful.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03- Was the bride happy? - We asked her if she was nervous.
0:30:03 > 0:30:04"No! No!
0:30:04 > 0:30:07- "I'm not nervous." - They pointed out, too -
0:30:07 > 0:30:09it's not just a marriage between two people,
0:30:09 > 0:30:11it is a marriage between two families.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13Families, yes.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15So, you're marrying all of them.
0:30:15 > 0:30:16Yes. Oh, my gawd!
0:30:16 > 0:30:19Could you imagine marrying the entire family?
0:30:19 > 0:30:22I mean, in my family, it would have been family at war.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24Smita, I mean, you were married.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26- Yes.- Was your marriage arranged?
0:30:26 > 0:30:30No, no. I spoke to my father, because I was really close to him.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32And he said, "You know what,
0:30:32 > 0:30:35"let's wait a year and then have this conversation again."
0:30:35 > 0:30:38- Yeah.- So, that was it, we'd write to each other every day,
0:30:38 > 0:30:43and my dad probably thought it's something that will work itself out.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47After a year, I went back to him and said, "I'd still like to marry him."
0:30:47 > 0:30:50So, then they had a family meeting, where he called my grandmother,
0:30:50 > 0:30:52who was then the head of the family.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54She just said, "Is he rich?"
0:30:55 > 0:30:57So, I said, "Well, not really."
0:30:57 > 0:31:03And she said, "Oh, that's good. Rich men have mistresses."
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Oh!
0:31:05 > 0:31:09"And if he's not very rich, he's not going to have that many."
0:31:12 > 0:31:13Good one!
0:31:24 > 0:31:28Today is the group's chance to experience a big Keralan wedding,
0:31:28 > 0:31:31and all eight senior citizens are embracing
0:31:31 > 0:31:32the local wedding etiquette.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35I'm trying to put these bindis on.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37I think I'll put some Sellotape on my face!
0:31:39 > 0:31:41- Amanda...- Yes? - Oh, you have help, OK.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45Oh, thank God, yes. Perfect. Bring the fire brigade in!
0:31:45 > 0:31:48But they aren't going to manage without some assistance.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51No, this is the end that is supposed to go over your shoulder.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53Well, there, you see! I mean, what can I do?
0:31:53 > 0:31:56- Not the plain one.- Not the plain...
0:31:56 > 0:31:59There's something down there that feels like it shouldn't be.
0:31:59 > 0:32:00- Ah.- That's better.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03You promise me that won't fall down?!
0:32:04 > 0:32:06I woke up and I thought,
0:32:06 > 0:32:08I wonder how the bride's feeling this morning.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12And having that one last moment alone before you become
0:32:12 > 0:32:15Mrs so-and-so. And it reminded me of the way I felt when I woke up.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18And I was thinking, "OK, this is your last moment
0:32:18 > 0:32:21"being Sheila Ferguson. You're going to now give over your life
0:32:21 > 0:32:24"to somebody else." And it's... You're kind of afraid.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27Amazing! Oh!
0:32:29 > 0:32:31Marriage IS important, that's why I haven't remarried.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34- You marry for life. - You just stay where you are.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36I want to see what you're doing, I won't know how to do it.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39- Er, can we do that when you're not in a hurry?- Of course, OK!
0:32:39 > 0:32:42We don't want to miss the wedding, do we?!
0:32:47 > 0:32:49Look, it's going down!
0:32:49 > 0:32:51Me bloody dhoti, I hate it!
0:32:54 > 0:32:59Dressia's wedding is being attended by over 1,300 family and friends.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03It has to take place between 11.58 and 12.20 -
0:33:03 > 0:33:07judged by an astrologer to be the most auspicious time for the union.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10Hello, how are you, are you well?
0:33:10 > 0:33:11Nice to meet you!
0:33:13 > 0:33:17- What time is it now?- 11.58, the auspicious time.- Is it 11.58 now?
0:33:21 > 0:33:26- He looks like a nice guy.- Ah, he looks lovely.- Doesn't he look nice?
0:33:26 > 0:33:29The groom, Aaron, is from the north of Kerala.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34She's coming, here she comes. There she is.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38- Wow!- There she is, look at that!
0:33:40 > 0:33:42She's making very slow progress.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44INDISTINCT
0:33:45 > 0:33:47Dressia and Aaron have met several times a month
0:33:47 > 0:33:51since their engagement. When her parents got married,
0:33:51 > 0:33:54they didn't get to see each other until their wedding day.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56I think this is quite a modern couple
0:33:56 > 0:33:58that are getting married here, yes.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02I think so. Yeah, we'll probably have Beyonce on in a minute.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05The bride and groom exchange thali chains,
0:34:05 > 0:34:08which have the same role as rings in the West.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12- They're married now. - I think that was the moment.
0:34:16 > 0:34:20The bride's father places the two hands together.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22- Do they?- And that's the end of the ceremony.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26- So...- Oh. How do you know? - Cos this man told me.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34This symbolic gesture shows that the father is passing responsibility
0:34:34 > 0:34:37of looking after his daughter to the groom.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45- Take care of that wonderful girl. - Ask her to take care of me as well!
0:34:45 > 0:34:49- Oh, OK! - Thank you so much.- Thank you!
0:34:49 > 0:34:51- It's been a super wedding. - Thank you!
0:34:51 > 0:34:55We've had various kinds of hospitality while we've been in
0:34:55 > 0:34:57India, but this is the tops.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00They're so welcoming, and I think if you moved here,
0:35:00 > 0:35:04you'd find yourself in a community of Indian people very quickly.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06Congratulations, Aaron...?
0:35:06 > 0:35:08- You look very good.- Thank you, I like Kerala colours.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11- Thank you!- Congratulations, you have a beautiful bride.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14- Thank you.- And I wish you all the happiness EVER in life.
0:35:14 > 0:35:15- Thank you.- And lots of babies!
0:35:17 > 0:35:18The joining of the two families,
0:35:18 > 0:35:21the way the bride's family brought the groom in,
0:35:21 > 0:35:25the way the groom's family brought the bride in, really choked me up,
0:35:25 > 0:35:27and I kept trying to pull it back,
0:35:27 > 0:35:30because I didn't want them to see me crying.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33For me to be speechless is a very unusual thing.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37I'm just so happy for them.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51Back at home, housekeeper Smita is taking care of dinner.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53You're joining us for dinner?
0:35:53 > 0:35:55- No.- Oh, yes, you are. You will sit down and have dinner with us.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57Please set her place at the table.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01Some experience, wasn't it?
0:36:01 > 0:36:03- Out of this world.- Some experience!
0:36:03 > 0:36:06There were kind of echoes for me of a Jewish wedding.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09- You said that, yeah.- Yes. Because they came in under canopies.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13- Yes, the chuppah.- The chuppah. - Have you seen a Jewish wedding?
0:36:13 > 0:36:17- Er, no.- Where the groom, they put a glass, like a sherry glass, down,
0:36:17 > 0:36:20- wrapped, and he has to smash it. - I've read about it.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22Yes. It's a love match with these two, I think.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25- Yeah.- An emotional day.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28I was emotional, because she was absolutely breathtaking.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31- She was gorgeous. - And they looked so happy.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34You know, they're starting off on a new journey, and I just...
0:36:34 > 0:36:38- To the bride and groom. - To the bride and groom, yes!
0:36:38 > 0:36:39Let's say that. Bride and groom.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42- Bride and groom.- Go on, my son!
0:36:54 > 0:36:58Over the last few weeks, Sheila and Smita have become good friends.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01I'm going to show you another way of travelling in India.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04- Limousine.- Oh, yeah. - Daimler! Jaguar!
0:37:04 > 0:37:06Yeah, yeah!
0:37:06 > 0:37:08'She loves history, I love history.'
0:37:08 > 0:37:10We love architecture, she loves architecture.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12We have a lot in common, and we both lost partners.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15So, we connected.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17We are on the same track. East meets West!
0:37:18 > 0:37:21Today, Sheila's asked Smita to share
0:37:21 > 0:37:24her knowledge of the local area with her.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26Er, maybe we should sit here.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28I'll explain to you why.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31- OK.- Because if he brakes too hard, you'll be...
0:37:31 > 0:37:35- Ah.- So, we want to be here, so we can hold it.- Got you.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44- It's seven rupees. - Only seven rupees for one person?
0:37:44 > 0:37:47Cheap travel - way to go!
0:37:47 > 0:37:48Yeah.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00You have to get off, they won't wait for you.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02- Come.- Sorry.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05I'm starting to walk like you all do! In and out of all traffic!
0:38:08 > 0:38:11My God, there's serious bangles!
0:38:12 > 0:38:14- Metal ones?- I think silver, yeah.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18The one below? The other one.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22Well, OK, if you have these in gold, I will take some.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26Metal ones. When you're married, it's glass bangles.
0:38:26 > 0:38:27- Oh, really?- Yes.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31I stopped wearing my bangles after my husband passed away.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34Did you? So, they are that significant.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36- For a Hindu, yes.- Yeah, OK.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39To meet someone in a foreign country that you've never been to,
0:38:39 > 0:38:42who's experienced the same feelings you've experienced,
0:38:42 > 0:38:46and you know that you get each other, that is very, very special.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48Do you like the life here?
0:38:48 > 0:38:52Because you've been single for a little over five years now?
0:38:52 > 0:38:54- Six-and-a-half, yeah. - Six-and-a-half.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Being on your own is so strange.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59And though we both have children, they don't live with us.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02- Exactly.- So, at the end of it all, you're alone.
0:39:02 > 0:39:03Yeah. Exactly. That's right.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05- It's gone full circle.- Yeah.
0:39:05 > 0:39:10When, erm... I was starring in a musical called Fame, and, erm,
0:39:10 > 0:39:14the company manager came in and said, "Sheila, John's dead."
0:39:14 > 0:39:17I said, "John who?" She said, "John, your John."
0:39:17 > 0:39:20I said, "My John?! My John's d... What do you mean, dead?"
0:39:20 > 0:39:24So, I sat down on a sofa and then reality hit,
0:39:24 > 0:39:26and I just blew into tears.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29And I said, "Right, ten minutes till show time, I'm going on."
0:39:29 > 0:39:31They said, "I don't think you should go on."
0:39:31 > 0:39:35I said, "I've got to go on." So, I got through the ballad,
0:39:35 > 0:39:38I don't know how I got through the ballad, but I did.
0:39:38 > 0:39:43And got back to finish the second show, and, er,
0:39:43 > 0:39:46got in a cab, went back to the hotel.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48Then the tears came.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51Because you always get to a point where, eventually,
0:39:51 > 0:39:53you're going to be alone with yourself.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56I don't care how many people are around you or whatever,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59you've got to have that time, Smita, when you're alone with yourself.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01- Yeah.- And that's when you go.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03That's when you go. That's how come I'm all alone,
0:40:03 > 0:40:06and I've been all alone, I haven't dated in eight years.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08- Eight years.- That's a long time.
0:40:08 > 0:40:13- I know. What about you?- I've been alone six-and-a-half years.
0:40:13 > 0:40:14I lost my husband too.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17- Yeah.- Very suddenly too.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21And I don't even know if I'm ready for something new,
0:40:21 > 0:40:22or if I want something new.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26It's been difficult.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29'It is time to make a change in my life, now that John's dead.'
0:40:29 > 0:40:32It's about how I want to live the rest of my life.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36And if I choose to date, at least it's a dinner, it's no harm doing.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39I'm going to be very picky, because I AM picky.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44- How are you? - Your age?- Huh?- Age?
0:40:44 > 0:40:48My age? I'm not telling you my age! How dare you ask me my age?!
0:40:48 > 0:40:50It's a very normal question in India, my dear.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53- Is it? Why?- To find out what's your age.- Really?- Yeah!
0:40:53 > 0:40:57- None of your business!- No, no, no, it's very normal here.- Bye-bye!
0:41:04 > 0:41:08Miriam and Lionel have discovered they have a surprising connection
0:41:08 > 0:41:10to old Kochi, that they are keen to explore.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14My dad was a typical Jewish barber.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18- And my dad was a typical Jewish tailor.- Ah!
0:41:18 > 0:41:21'We were an Orthodox Jewish family,
0:41:21 > 0:41:25'but my dad rejected me because I married out.'
0:41:25 > 0:41:29Married a non-Jew. And he said I was dead.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31And didn't exist.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36Because of its past as an important trade hub,
0:41:36 > 0:41:39the city has strong ties to the Jewish community,
0:41:39 > 0:41:43some of whom still live in an area known as Jew Town.
0:41:43 > 0:41:44- Oh, Shalom.- Shalom!
0:41:44 > 0:41:46- Shalom!- Hello.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48Sajiv! How lovely to see you again!
0:41:48 > 0:41:51- Nice to meet you here! - Yes, because it was...
0:41:51 > 0:41:52We saw you at the festival, didn't we?
0:41:52 > 0:41:54- Yeah!- How do you do?
0:41:54 > 0:41:56- I wasn't at... Nice to meet you! - Yes!
0:41:56 > 0:42:00They've asked local tour guide Sajiv to show them around.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03Can you remember the year when the Jews first came here?
0:42:03 > 0:42:06Actually, 2,500 years back, Jews were here.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09Before Christians, before Christianity?
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Yeah. Once Jews came here,
0:42:11 > 0:42:16the local people, they invited them to stay here,
0:42:16 > 0:42:19because we want here the Jewish community.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21Oh, what a nice thing to say, Sajiv!
0:42:23 > 0:42:26- Oh, look, there's a Star of David... - Oh, yes!- In the window.
0:42:26 > 0:42:27Which is the synagogue?
0:42:27 > 0:42:30I think we're just coming to it, Lionel, look.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35The Paradesi synagogue was built in the 16th century.
0:42:37 > 0:42:38The inner sanctum.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41Oh, my goodness, this is wonderful!
0:42:42 > 0:42:43- Yeah.- It's not over-ornate.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45- No.- It's gorgeous.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48This is the light of the Hebrew faith that never goes out.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51- Absolutely.- This is so beautiful.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53And we can see the Torah right now.
0:42:55 > 0:43:001805. The Torah inside, written on sheepskin, 200 years old.
0:43:00 > 0:43:06The Torah is the most important religious book in Judaism.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11Jews believe it was dictated to Moses by God.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14That takes me back to my childhood.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18That's wonderful. Thank you, thank you.
0:43:18 > 0:43:23Seeing the Torah...just plumbed into all my own memories
0:43:23 > 0:43:26of my family life, and my parents.
0:43:27 > 0:43:32My dad really was very, very upset when I married out.
0:43:32 > 0:43:35It was the greatest sin I could have committed.
0:43:35 > 0:43:40And I would like to say to my dad, "But I came back today!"
0:43:40 > 0:43:45- Yes. It's lovely, isn't it? - SHE SOBS
0:43:45 > 0:43:49Golly! I had no idea my emotions were so near the surface!
0:43:54 > 0:44:00It really moved me to be somewhere where Jews were treasured and loved
0:44:00 > 0:44:02and protected and, you know,
0:44:02 > 0:44:06could live happily without any fear of reprisal.
0:44:08 > 0:44:13And I sort of said to my dad, "Please forgive me!"
0:44:13 > 0:44:16Which was...extraordinary.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19And I've never felt that in my life.
0:44:32 > 0:44:36Sajiv has invited Miriam and Lionel to his home for dinner.
0:44:38 > 0:44:40- Welcome to my home. - Thank you very much.
0:44:40 > 0:44:42- Sweet home.- As a single man,
0:44:42 > 0:44:45he still lives with his parents and extended family.
0:44:45 > 0:44:50It's a traditional welcome. And we attach the sandal paste.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53We use the sandal paste for traditional welcome.
0:44:53 > 0:44:57- Thank you.- Thank you so much. - This is Miriam. And Lionel.
0:44:57 > 0:45:00Like in Messi. Lionel.
0:45:03 > 0:45:05You can...you can use...
0:45:07 > 0:45:09- Thank you.- Oh!
0:45:09 > 0:45:10Oh, my goodness!
0:45:11 > 0:45:13I will also join with you.
0:45:13 > 0:45:16Oh, yes, please. I wanted to ask you...
0:45:16 > 0:45:18- Yes.- You said just now you were 42 years old.
0:45:18 > 0:45:22- Yeah.- Do ever people meet Sajiv and they hear he's 42 years old,
0:45:22 > 0:45:24and they say, "Why isn't he married already?"
0:45:24 > 0:45:28Er, I had a lover.
0:45:28 > 0:45:30She was everything for me.
0:45:30 > 0:45:35- Yeah.- And... But she was from a different religion.
0:45:35 > 0:45:40We had many dreams to live together, but suddenly,
0:45:40 > 0:45:44her family noticed the relationship, they warned,
0:45:44 > 0:45:47"Don't look at my daughter.
0:45:47 > 0:45:51"She's not going to marry, never you."
0:45:51 > 0:45:53Did she get married?
0:45:53 > 0:45:55- No.- She is not married yet?
0:45:55 > 0:45:58- No.- She stayed true to you? - Yes.- She still loves you?
0:45:58 > 0:45:59Yeah... Yes.
0:45:59 > 0:46:03It's a very sad story, unrequited love.
0:46:03 > 0:46:05- Yes.- How does your family feel about that,
0:46:05 > 0:46:07are they encouraging you to look elsewhere?
0:46:07 > 0:46:09Yeah, especially my mum.
0:46:09 > 0:46:11She wants you married?
0:46:11 > 0:46:13- Yeah, absolutely. - And with children, she would like.
0:46:13 > 0:46:19Yes, absolutely. Once, my mother was, you know, like a hunger strike.
0:46:19 > 0:46:22- My goodness! - Yes, yes, absolutely.
0:46:22 > 0:46:24If that isn't an expression of mother love...
0:46:24 > 0:46:27I don't know what is, I know.
0:46:27 > 0:46:31It would be easy to say, "Oh, come on, you can defy your parents,
0:46:31 > 0:46:37"you can break free of the way Indian culture binds you to certain
0:46:37 > 0:46:39"traditions." That's too flip.
0:46:41 > 0:46:42People can't.
0:46:43 > 0:46:46Because the family is all.
0:46:46 > 0:46:50It's like a dream. Maybe one day I will get a call.
0:46:50 > 0:46:51I think it's wishful thinking.
0:46:51 > 0:46:53- Wishful thinking.- Yeah.
0:46:53 > 0:46:56You have a responsibility to yourself
0:46:56 > 0:46:58to make a good life for yourself.
0:46:58 > 0:47:02Somewhere inside of you, I think you have to find the strength.
0:47:02 > 0:47:04Yeah, you are right.
0:47:04 > 0:47:05You are a very nice man.
0:47:06 > 0:47:10He's denying himself ever finding happiness
0:47:10 > 0:47:14because of family pressures and family traditions.
0:47:14 > 0:47:20Sajiv's story does resonate with me because I did marry out,
0:47:20 > 0:47:23but it was against everything that I'd been taught,
0:47:23 > 0:47:31and I can remember when my mother made a final plea to kind of stop me
0:47:31 > 0:47:34from marrying this person,
0:47:34 > 0:47:37and I realised, and I said to her,
0:47:37 > 0:47:41"I'm really sorry, but I'm going to have to do this.
0:47:41 > 0:47:45"I've got to follow my heart - and my heart is stronger
0:47:45 > 0:47:47"than my religion."
0:47:57 > 0:48:01Bye, everybody!
0:48:03 > 0:48:06Today is one of the biggest days in the Keralan calendar.
0:48:08 > 0:48:11It's the day of a festival that worships
0:48:11 > 0:48:13something close to Bill's heart.
0:48:13 > 0:48:15The tiger's the king of the jungle here,
0:48:15 > 0:48:18and well worth worshipping, I'd say.
0:48:18 > 0:48:22He's taking Paul, Rustie, Miriam and Dennis along for the experience.
0:48:24 > 0:48:25There is a float in front of us, isn't it?
0:48:25 > 0:48:28- Oh, there's a big lion.- Where is he?
0:48:28 > 0:48:31At the front, there's a lion. There's a lion on it!
0:48:31 > 0:48:35- Is it a REAL lion?- No! I wouldn't be sat here, would you?!
0:48:35 > 0:48:37You never know, you never know!
0:48:39 > 0:48:42The festival of Pulikkali - which means "tiger play" -
0:48:42 > 0:48:45has been going for over 200 years.
0:48:45 > 0:48:47Although tigers are the stars,
0:48:47 > 0:48:49it celebrates all the big cats of India.
0:48:49 > 0:48:54Here we go. Oh, that's hot, I've got to get the life-saver on.
0:48:54 > 0:48:57Participants are painted from top to toe.
0:48:57 > 0:49:00This process can take up to four hours.
0:49:02 > 0:49:06- Oh, my goodness!- Yes! Oh, that's fantastic!
0:49:06 > 0:49:08The bigger your belly,
0:49:08 > 0:49:11the better suited you are to take part in the festival,
0:49:11 > 0:49:13which makes Bill the perfect volunteer.
0:49:15 > 0:49:16- Wow!- Bravo!
0:49:18 > 0:49:20Go for it, Bill, go for it!
0:49:20 > 0:49:22Whatever possessed me, I don't know.
0:49:22 > 0:49:26Maybe it was, this is the only time in my life when somebody's going to
0:49:26 > 0:49:30regard my burgeoning belly as being a good thing.
0:49:30 > 0:49:32I could see the painter saying,
0:49:32 > 0:49:35"Whoa, there's a canvas I can work on!"
0:49:35 > 0:49:37And I was immediately promoted from tigers,
0:49:37 > 0:49:39which have petite little heads, to a lion.
0:49:41 > 0:49:42Bill, I hope you can do this.
0:49:42 > 0:49:44Do your thing. Look, watch.
0:49:44 > 0:49:47- Look.- I saw that. Isn't it...?
0:49:47 > 0:49:51THEY SING Wheels Cha-Cha
0:49:58 > 0:50:01Look at this trio, a trio of great cats.
0:50:01 > 0:50:03Can you all shake your bellies?
0:50:03 > 0:50:06Whoohoo!
0:50:06 > 0:50:08That's very sexy, that one!
0:50:14 > 0:50:15Once everyone's been painted,
0:50:15 > 0:50:18the participants dance through the city centre.
0:50:18 > 0:50:22The event attracts around half-a-million people.
0:50:22 > 0:50:24Show him the dance, show him the dance.
0:50:24 > 0:50:27- Right foot, left hand... - That it. Yeah, yeah.
0:50:27 > 0:50:29Ah, yeah!
0:50:29 > 0:50:30Yeah!
0:50:31 > 0:50:33That's more African!
0:50:36 > 0:50:41Started by the legendary king of Kerala, Maharaja Sakthan Thampuran,
0:50:41 > 0:50:44the festival symbolises the bravery and wild spirit
0:50:44 > 0:50:47of both the tiger and the people of Kerala.
0:50:52 > 0:50:57Bill was the star of the day, and didn't he look fantastic?
0:50:57 > 0:50:59And the people, how they responded!
0:50:59 > 0:51:01Yes, sir!
0:51:01 > 0:51:03BILL GROWLS
0:51:03 > 0:51:05Go, Bill! Go, Bill!
0:51:07 > 0:51:10I'm very glad I did that.
0:51:10 > 0:51:12What was funny, to say the least, really,
0:51:12 > 0:51:15was everybody coming up with the cameras.
0:51:15 > 0:51:17You know, selfie, selfie, selfie.
0:51:17 > 0:51:21So, I can only assume the novelty of a pallid English person
0:51:21 > 0:51:24was enough to merit the selfies.
0:51:24 > 0:51:27I felt very wanted - I haven't had that since Funky Gibbon!
0:51:34 > 0:51:38Back in Kochi, the group are preparing for a big night out.
0:51:39 > 0:51:42Bring my everlasting fan. Need that when we go out!
0:51:44 > 0:51:47Want to make a good impression and...
0:51:47 > 0:51:54look like I've just parked my yacht, and I've come in for a little G&T!
0:51:54 > 0:51:55Ha-ha!
0:51:55 > 0:51:59They've been invited to mix with wealthy locals at the exclusive
0:51:59 > 0:52:01members-only yacht club.
0:52:01 > 0:52:03Well, darling, when you've been to Buckingham Palace,
0:52:03 > 0:52:05how much higher can you go, OK?
0:52:05 > 0:52:07Lights off, off we go.
0:52:08 > 0:52:10That's as good as it gets.
0:52:16 > 0:52:19Based in the well-to-do suburbs of Kochi,
0:52:19 > 0:52:21it's one of the premier clubs in India.
0:52:23 > 0:52:26Come on in, let's go! Oh, there's a snooker table!
0:52:26 > 0:52:28- Oh, there's not! - There is, right here.
0:52:28 > 0:52:31Evening. Evening, nice to meet you.
0:52:32 > 0:52:35We're here about old people coming to India.
0:52:35 > 0:52:38This is India - and we are the old people!
0:52:38 > 0:52:39Might die at any moment!
0:52:42 > 0:52:45- You couldn't be older than me. I'll be 85.- I'm 87.
0:52:45 > 0:52:48He's 87... It's amazing!
0:52:48 > 0:52:49I'm Lionel Blair.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51Lionel.
0:52:51 > 0:52:53- Oh, I can get a drink.- Yes, you can.
0:52:53 > 0:52:54Vodka tonic!
0:52:56 > 0:53:00It's the perfect opportunity to find out more about whether Kerala has
0:53:00 > 0:53:03what they would need in retirement.
0:53:03 > 0:53:04It's a beautiful bird sanctuary.
0:53:04 > 0:53:06- Yeah.- But the birds here are migratory.
0:53:06 > 0:53:09Absolutely, yeah. It's the same in Sri Lanka.
0:53:12 > 0:53:15If you were going to retire, would you retire here, or...?
0:53:15 > 0:53:18I'm retired here, I'm 72 years of age, I'm retired here.
0:53:18 > 0:53:19I didn't think... 72?
0:53:19 > 0:53:23- 72.- Must be something in the air down here that keeps you young.
0:53:23 > 0:53:24I'm retired here, and very happy.
0:53:26 > 0:53:28Can I ask you something?
0:53:28 > 0:53:31- Mmm.- How do you feel in this country about, I mean,
0:53:31 > 0:53:34you grew up probably relatively, er...
0:53:34 > 0:53:36- Better-off.- ..well-endowed...
0:53:36 > 0:53:38Well, I didn't want to put it rudely, but...
0:53:38 > 0:53:40- Well-endowed! That's another... - Ooh, sorry!
0:53:42 > 0:53:44I notice the women are smiling, so he clearly is!
0:53:46 > 0:53:49- Have we met...?- Well, we sort of looked at each other
0:53:49 > 0:53:50but we didn't really meet.
0:53:50 > 0:53:52- What's your name?- Mohan.
0:53:52 > 0:53:53Mohan, I'm Sheila.
0:53:53 > 0:53:55- Are you a member here?- Yep.
0:53:55 > 0:53:57I've been a member here for I think...
0:53:57 > 0:53:59From the time they started the club.
0:53:59 > 0:54:01Really, how long ago was that?
0:54:01 > 0:54:03- 30 years plus, I think.- Oh, really?
0:54:03 > 0:54:05Yeah, I don't remember the date, but I think it's 30 years.
0:54:05 > 0:54:07Oh, that's lovely.
0:54:07 > 0:54:10- This is my father-in-law.- Hi.- You're into golf, I believe,
0:54:10 > 0:54:13- very seriously.- I'm into golf, and then the other ball game, snooker,
0:54:13 > 0:54:16- as well.- Did you know he's the world champion?
0:54:16 > 0:54:18You were the world champion?!
0:54:18 > 0:54:20You know Steve Davis, yeah?
0:54:20 > 0:54:22You've seen him play? When I played Steve Davis,
0:54:22 > 0:54:26I'd got very funny glasses, I used to wear big glasses upside down,
0:54:26 > 0:54:29- like that. - So you could see the ball...
0:54:29 > 0:54:30- Yeah.- ..bigger?
0:54:30 > 0:54:34I know a joke about that, I will tell you later.
0:54:36 > 0:54:40I've learned a heck of a lot tonight from talking to different people.
0:54:40 > 0:54:42From what I've gleaned, because of the society,
0:54:42 > 0:54:46because of the matrimonial feeling, because of the arranged marriages,
0:54:46 > 0:54:48it's not going to be very likely
0:54:48 > 0:54:51that I'm going to end up with the rest of my life with an Indian man,
0:54:51 > 0:54:54- quite frankly. - Actually, all that you said...
0:54:54 > 0:54:56- Yes. Is true.- ..is all eyewash.
0:54:56 > 0:55:01- Oh?- Everything goes on in your country goes on here also.- OK!
0:55:01 > 0:55:06So, it's not that it's absent here, but it's...
0:55:06 > 0:55:10it cannot be, you know, seen or shown or talked about.
0:55:10 > 0:55:13Ah, OK. You know when you get to that point in life when you feel,
0:55:13 > 0:55:16it's time to make the decisions for the rest of your life?
0:55:16 > 0:55:20- I'm there.- I have a construction firm, which I...
0:55:20 > 0:55:21OK. Construction?
0:55:21 > 0:55:23Yep.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26- OK.- For the last 35 years.- OK. Here, based in India?- In Cochin.
0:55:26 > 0:55:29All the boutique hotels in Fort Cochin, I've done.
0:55:29 > 0:55:31- Shut up!- Yep.- Really?
0:55:31 > 0:55:33- Yeah, yeah.- Oh, wow, that's cool!
0:55:33 > 0:55:39Would you, er...consider somebody who builds good boutique hotels...
0:55:39 > 0:55:42Yeah? To do what?
0:55:42 > 0:55:45- To be your companion?- Er...- Ah.
0:55:45 > 0:55:48- Er, yeah...- Good question?
0:55:48 > 0:55:50That's a very direct one, too, isn't it?
0:55:50 > 0:55:52You're asking me to dinner!
0:55:54 > 0:55:57OK! Because the companion thing is a lot later on.
0:55:57 > 0:56:00- So... You want to go to dinner? - Yeah.- OK.- Why not?
0:56:00 > 0:56:03It's a deal. I haven't done this in a long time!
0:56:03 > 0:56:06Oh, God! I'm so unromantic!
0:56:10 > 0:56:15When a guy meets you face to face and he doesn't bolt or wither away,
0:56:15 > 0:56:17and you can still be yourself,
0:56:17 > 0:56:18that's really something very special.
0:56:18 > 0:56:23I thought Sheila was very friendly, very nice, and easy to talk to -
0:56:23 > 0:56:25that's very important, right?
0:56:25 > 0:56:29He's got a lovely warm face. I don't know how old he is,
0:56:29 > 0:56:31but maybe he could still work?!
0:56:34 > 0:56:37Let's see if he calls, and then we'll take it from there.
0:56:37 > 0:56:38It's his move, not mine.
0:56:43 > 0:56:46# You've got a lovely day to do it in... #
0:56:46 > 0:56:49- Next time...- Kabaddi, kabaddi, kabaddi, kabaddi...
0:56:51 > 0:56:54- Deep breath, and...let go.- Ah!
0:56:54 > 0:56:57Sheila goes on her first date in eight years...
0:56:57 > 0:56:59Have a nice evening.
0:56:59 > 0:57:01Not too late!
0:57:02 > 0:57:04..and goes house-hunting...
0:57:04 > 0:57:07Oh! My heart's attacking me here.
0:57:07 > 0:57:09- And the view.- OK, George, you blew me away.
0:57:12 > 0:57:13..while the rest of the group
0:57:13 > 0:57:16explore different retirement options.
0:57:16 > 0:57:20I think the reason we've enjoyed here is that we can see the horizon.
0:57:25 > 0:57:29This is the retirement that we have all been looking for -
0:57:29 > 0:57:31we have found it!