Stay in Kochi has been a cold compress for our overwhelmed heads. Shaded by thousand year old acacia trees, this seaport city hosts plenty of tourists but, drenched in southern warmth of people, is quiet and laidback nevertheless. Old Portuguese, Dutch, and English mansions, many restored to their original glory, line small winding streets and mesmerizing ancient Chinese fishing nets, as if taken from Leonardo’s sketchbook of inventions, stand proud at the coastline, regressing imagination to times past when Kochi was a major port on the Spice Trade Route. Boasted by it’s charms, fresh fish, and out-of-this-world food at Dal Roti we lingered for two days doing much of blissful nothing.
school is out
coconuts everywhere
Craving western taste at atmospheric Kashi Café Sebastian had a tuna salad and I dived head first into a spicy/sweet mint and coconut chutney sandwich. Both were delicious, but mine was a definite photo star. For thirst quenching - lime and ginger Limeade. We’ll need to learn how to replicate this one for sure.
Late in the afternoon, which we figured was best to shop for a bargain, Sebastian negotiated a fair price for one amazing djembe drum and I became guilty of unreasonably suspecting that a Rasta from Romania took off with our India guidebook. What has become of me??
Taste of traditional Kathakali performance. Full version of the story runs for several hours and apparently is best seen live at a temple festival. We’re happy to even have witnessed short version of it - besides spectacular make-up and costumes it offers an insight to this ancient art form and better understanding of the Indian sideway head-wobble, apparent especially in the southern states. As decoded by Sebastian, slow wobble with happy eyes - signals agreement, approval, a positive nod; quicker wobble with sometimes rapid eye blinking - signals discomfort of a responded unsure of his answer but afraid of being impolite if he doesn’t give any. When you encounter the second type of wobble while asking for directions it’s best to find another source.
"Use Me". Poor monkey...nobody does.
market by the sea
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