Kochi (Cochin), India and another day at sea

Nancy got a gentle introduction to India by starting in southern India in the state of Kerala--known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea.  We took a tour called Traditional Sojourn and headed through town and into the countryside.  Traffic and roads were nuts but not as crazy as we will find in Mumbai and we were only driving on the wrong side of the road 1/2 the time.  Have you ever been in a bus with an interior door.  At the top of the entry stairs is a door, so we were in a passenger compartment separate from the driver and his assistant.  It was rather unique.  The countryside is not as populated in every square inch as in the north, or you just can't see it through the dense tropical vegetation.  Lots of palms, palm ferns as well as other trees and every type of spice plant you can think of.  In fact this area is known for it's spices and was a major spice port during early trade routes.   Many lakes, rivers and canals added to the tropical and natural beauty.

We started by visiting a small weaving factory that made cotton cloth for the government--sheets, towels and curtains.  All hand woven on one of 20 or so looms.  The sound of the shuttle cocks and the banging looms was loud and rhythmic.  All women working there, of all ages.  An elderly woman sat on the floor spinning threads and loading bobbins.  They get paid by the piece, it can't be much.  Watched a man outside carving wooden handles for tools. He looked old and the tool looked older.

Off the coconut oil extraction plant.  Again very small with primitive machinery.  They removed the shells for cattle feed. Extracted the meat and squeezed it through various machines to extract oils.  this was soap grade, cooking grade would need more purification.

Went to Hindu temple next.  They were celebrating a special holiday that comes once every twelve years.  The holy men chanted and threw flowers in this ceremony which lasts 12 days and one million flowers and ten million chants.  They also had special ceremonial art that looked like an exotic rug.  Made of colored sand, shells, rice, seeds etc.  On the ground for all to see and pray before.  It remains for 24 hours then is swept away only to have a new one created.  At the temple people line up to view the paining and every day free food is available.  People come to eat food blessed in a holy place.  When inside main temple building, men must remove their shirts and both were the finest traditional clothing.  No shoes of course for anybody and then there were the funny westerners with white socks on....The temple is a walled area with many buildings inside.  We got to visit the temple elephant used for ceremonies and transporting the holy men.

On to a short tuk-tuk ride during which Nancy was only terrified once as Sue laughed.  She had prior experience so knew what to expect.  Got let out at a canoe pick up spot and sat 6 passenger wooden flat bottom canoe with lawn chairs.  Poled along the canal for 1/2 hour past homes, gardens and forests.  Birds, ducks, cows and people were seen along the route.  It was quiet and many people used the word idyllic to describe it.  Ended at a country compound for a box lunch, catered by a hotel in town.  Then they shared traditional skills and crafts with us.  Tapping palms to make liquor.  They climb the palm, work the branches with a bone to stimulate production and let it seems for 7-8 hours before collection and repeating the process.  Rope spinning was fascinating.  Two women wove two strands at once from coconut fiber.  Then a wooden tool is used to spin the two strands together into one, very much like sisal rope.   This was our favorite.  We also saw coconut meat shaved from the fruit and the fibers pounded by hand from the shells after three weeks of soaking.  Once dried and cleaned they were ready for the rope.

A potter turning three pots while we watched.  A woman, his wife or mother, spun the wheel by hand while he worked.  He made a flower pot, a bank complete with coin, and a small bowl from the left over clay.  Watched two women pound rice into flour for baking--two long poles requiring careful coordination and rhythmic movement.  Also saw a women spin rope by hand, pulling and turning the fiber through her hands.  Several were weaving palm leaves for various purposes, baskets, roofing, fencing and floor mats.

On the bus and back to the ship.  Did we mention today that it was hot and humid.  It was very nice tour and day.

Sitting on the verandah today watching freighters go by and seeing streams of plankton go by.  It is a large ocean, though we officially in the Arabian Sea.  We have decided that now that we have all continents we might as well begin collecting oceans and seas.

Missing Jessie but not the snow we have heard about in MN.  Watching the news on Boston and Texas.  Glad all of our friends and relations are well and safe.  Cheers.  On to Mumbai.