The Ambassador, the President, and Me: an Unlikely Reunion in India
Thu Aug 28 2025
Author Charmaine Craig had always felt mysteriously drawn to India—pulled by childhood family legends of ancestors who arrived there centuries ago and copper plates inscribed with ancient privileges that still hang in a Kochi synagogue. But it would take a chance encounter at a dinner party—and the power of old friendship—to finally help her explore her roots.
She set out on a pilgrimage through Kerala's ancient Jewish communities with a former college boyfriend turned U.S. Ambassador to India and a mutual friend who orchestrated their reconnection. From sacred sunrises where three seas converge to an impossible meeting with the last two Jews of Kochi, Charmaine discovers that sometimes journeys into the past have the power to change your life—especially when you have good friends by your side.
Don't miss these transformative moments
The dinner party revelation that set everything in motion
Why Charmaine's childhood bedroom featured only one map—of India
The legend of her ancestor who saved a ruler's son in 10th-century India
Traveling by presidential motorcade through Kerala's lush landscapes
The 4 AM journey through cyclonic winds to witness sunrise where three seas meet
Meeting Keith and Queenie, the reclusive last Jews of Kochi who "never see visitors"
The moment in the sacred waters that changed everything
How friendship, timing, and ancestral calling converged to open a new chapter
Resources
Learn more about Charmaine Craig at charmainecraig.com
Buy Charmaine's books: Miss Burma and My Nemesis
Read Charmaine's Spin the Globe trip to Portugal or listen to theTravel Tales episode
Read the transcript of the episode
Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and View From Afar, where we spotlight the people and the ideas shaping the future of travel.
Travel Tales by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Author Charmaine Craig had always felt mysteriously drawn to India—pulled by childhood family legends of ancestors who arrived there centuries ago and copper plates inscribed with ancient privileges that still hang in a Kochi synagogue. But it would take a chance encounter at a dinner party—and the power of old friendship—to finally help her explore her roots. She set out on a pilgrimage through Kerala's ancient Jewish communities with a former college boyfriend turned U.S. Ambassador to India and a mutual friend who orchestrated their reconnection. From sacred sunrises where three seas converge to an impossible meeting with the last two Jews of Kochi, Charmaine discovers that sometimes journeys into the past have the power to change your life—especially when you have good friends by your side. Don't miss these transformative moments The dinner party revelation that set everything in motion Why Charmaine's childhood bedroom featured only one map—of India The legend of her ancestor who saved a ruler's son in 10th-century India Traveling by presidential motorcade through Kerala's lush landscapes The 4 AM journey through cyclonic winds to witness sunrise where three seas meet Meeting Keith and Queenie, the reclusive last Jews of Kochi who "never see visitors" The moment in the sacred waters that changed everything How friendship, timing, and ancestral calling converged to open a new chapter Resources Learn more about Charmaine Craig at charmainecraig.com Buy Charmaine's books: Miss Burma and My Nemesis Read Charmaine's Spin the Globe trip to Portugal or listen to theTravel Tales episode Read the transcript of the episode Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and View From Afar, where we spotlight the people and the ideas shaping the future of travel. Travel Tales by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices