Wealden Times | WT173 | July 2016 | Interiors supplement inside
Wealden Times - The lifestyle magazine for the Weald
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Retirement?<br />
– never!<br />
The BBC 2 series The Real Marigold Hotel took a group<br />
of celebrities of retirement age to India to recreate the<br />
story of the award-wining feature film The Best Exotic<br />
Marigold Hotel. In the film, strapped for cash British<br />
pensioners move to Rajasthan to retire, have adventures<br />
and fall in love with the country and the people.<br />
The TV show, like the film, captured the imagination<br />
of many British sixty-somethings who are now<br />
considering the possibility of partial retirement in<br />
the sub-continent. We asked Weald-based super<br />
chef Rosemary Shrager, one of the celebrity stars of<br />
the programme, about her experiences in India.<br />
Photos courtesy of TwoFour Group<br />
We saw you learning to meditate and do yoga whilst<br />
in India. I’ve since read that you were very drawn<br />
the spiritual side of India and were very moved by<br />
it. Can you tell us a little more about this?<br />
Yes, this was a very special moment for me – it’s about giving<br />
myself time and a moment to reflect. I have never done this<br />
before; it has put a new dimension into my life. I do yoga and<br />
meditate on my own. I think it is so important to look after<br />
yourself. India taught me that this is not selfish but beneficial to<br />
us all. In fact, if we don’t take care of ourselves how can we help<br />
other people?<br />
One of the things that came across in the<br />
programme was that India has a different attitude<br />
to age and that older people are very much<br />
respected. Why do you think this is?<br />
They are hugely respectful towards their elders. Decisions are not<br />
made until the elders are asked. It’s all to do with their culture<br />
and attitude. They all pray together in the mornings, they eat<br />
together. This is what happened in the family with whom we<br />
were staying.<br />
The children spent a lot of time with the grandparents. What<br />
happens, whether they are rich or poor, everybody tends to live<br />
as a family. This is pure culture. I think it’s wonderful. It’s what<br />
people are used too. When we were explaining about care homes<br />
for the elderly, they were quite shocked. I found the whole<br />
experience very moving. Why can’t we do that and have more<br />
respect for our elders?<br />
It all looked great fun on telly, but what was it<br />
really like living communally with your fellow<br />
housemates? Do you think it makes sense<br />
financially and socially to join forces with likeminded<br />
people as we get older?<br />
It was fun. I had a good laugh with them. But I couldn’t have<br />
lived any longer with three of them, they would have driven me<br />
stir crazy. There is a huge point in this. Yes it would make sense<br />
financially, but what I did learn was that I need my own space.<br />
Maybe if it was the right place, with like-minded people – that’s<br />
the key – it might work.<br />
After your time living<br />
there, is retirement to India<br />
something that you would<br />
consider?<br />
No, I couldn’t live there. I loved it,<br />
in fact I could say I fell in love with<br />
India it was so special, but I could<br />
only visit for a few months. Or go<br />
back every year to visit our friends.<br />
I have too many commitments in<br />
the UK.<br />
The Real Marigold Hotel appeared<br />
on BBC TWO in January and<br />
February <strong>2016</strong>. Download it<br />
from the BBC Store for £4.99.<br />
125 www.wealdentimes.co.uk
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