Where India Exhales....Kerala!

After barely recovering from the Goa trip, I picked up Sharon, my asst. principal from Walnut Ridge and off we went to the beautiful state of Kerala, Ft. Cochin, to be exact. Kerala is where India exhales, I have decided. After living in Mumbai these past few months, I have gotten used to the insane traffic, dust, smog, countless running dogs, and people stacked on top of people....to head to Kerala, one trades the dogs for goats, cars for boats, smog for vast palm groves, and enjoys a little room to breathe! Much like Goa, Kerala reflects the architecture of by-gone settlers, in this case, Dutch, Jewish, Chinese, as well as Portuguese. We stayed primarily in Ft. Cochi in central Kerala.
Day one, we hired a rikshaw and saw all the various temples and churches. We also visited the Dutch Palace, Jewish and Dutch burial sites, saw the Chinese Fishing Nets, shopped and ate some amazing seafood.
On day two, we had to venture about an hour away to cruise along Kerala's famous backwaters, and I am SO glad we did. We boarded a houseboat with our new friends from Israel, Italy and France. When I say houseboat, I mean a wooden gondola that is covered in a sort of wicker thatch.....quite rustic and surprisingly comfortable. The boat was "sailed" using very long poles by one man in the front and one in the back, think Venice gondolas! Kerala is called the "Venice of India," a well-deserved name! We started our cruise in the morning, lazily roaming through the palm thickets, watching for the beautiful Kingfisher bird, and trying to name the various exotic trees and flowers. Our first stop was on a little island where they were crushing mussel shells to make lime powder, later to be used in cement, etc. Our second stop was on another little island to watch a rope making demonstration. The laborers were using coconut husks and weaving them into rope to be used for boats and scaffolding. Lunch was a true south Indian treat. Our meal was served on a banana leaf, quite traditional, and included several samples of Kerala's famous tastes, mostly banana, coconut and rice. Too hot for Sharon, but just hot enough for me! The rest of the six-hour cruise was spent drifiting along the backwaters chatting with our new-found friends and trying not to fall into a most soothing sleep!
Day three was spent in the spa for the ever-famous Kerala massage, and also some last minute shopping. For me, it was spices. We visited several spice markets and I became addicted to saffron tea! I also now realize why spices are so expensive after watching each ginger root being carefully, methodically inspected by hand, and I have a better idea of how the pepper makes in all the way across the world into the shaker! It was all really interesting, and the smells in the market were overwhelming!
On the evening of day three we headed back to Mumbai. Upon arrival, we learned that the city had been under a curfew for most of the three days we were gone. There was some political tension that was causing quite a dangerous scene (not terrorist in nature, thankfully) around the city. Many buses were being pelted with rocks and fires were started. Schools were closed and the city was paralyzed......and I was obliviously floating along the backwaters.....probably best I guess. The politician who was responsible for this "unrest" was arrested, so the city appears to be back to normal, I hope...!
Tonight Sharon is leaving from the international airport as Andrea will be arriving at the domestic airport. Tomorrow, Andrea (from Calcutta), her sister and I will be heading to Rajasthan and onwards to Darjeeling. Of course, we will see the Taj Mahal (finally) and hope to trek in Darjeeling. Mt. Everest, here I come.....HA! Hey, if you are gonna dream, dream big!
Meanwhile, time is rolling along here and I am not happy about it! I have so fallen in love with India. I am already trying to figure out how to extend my stay or find time to return. The whole of Mumbai is gearing up for Diwali, the festival of lights. Everyone is buying gifts, hanging lights, filling oil lamps and baking sweets. It reminds me of Christmas time, except it is 5 million degrees here! So, with that I am off to pack for yet another amazing adventure. Somedays, I wonder whose life I am living right now. I am truly blessed. Happy Diwali to all and I will report later from Rajasthan!