Day Two Kochi

I am getting a bit annoyed  with WordPress, but trying to be relaxed about it.

So…continuing with the Kerala Folklore Museum,  I really liked some heads which were painted showing the Theyyam Face Writing. I used some of my birthday money to buy one. 

On the way back to Fort Kochi we got the normal ferry, a few less frills but absolutely fine. The Water Metro cost 50 rupees and the ferry cost 6 rupees. So the difference between 40p and and less than a penny!

We walked back to the homestay, passing places we hadn’t been to before.

I passed a brightly coloured house and the old woman saw me looking, so I gestured that I loved her house.She pointed at the picture and then to herself and indicated it was her! I asked for a photo, which she happily obliged.

I absolutely love this photograph! The colours and vitality and her strength!

There are so many murals in Fort Kochi, it is hard not to turn a corner and not see one. I wanted to know why soI looked it up, linked to the lasting impact of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, which transformed the streets into open galleries. as a way to make art democratic and available to all.

After a break we went to the sea shore and got some very tasty sev puris.

While I got these Pete got two drinks from two young boys. They treated the drinks like cocktails. Using a cocktail maker, shaking and flipping it in the air.

A sit down on the beach and some friendly dogs. I felt very ambivalent as they seem really good here and not all scabby and covered in tumours etc. I was a bit conflicted, so I just sat quietly.

Later that evening we saw a man feeding some in another place. He said he had been doing it for decades. That he had been part of a charity which had since folded but that he kept  doing it. Many had been sterilised due to his efforts. He wouldn’t take any money to help, indicating that it was a passion of his and he didn’t want any donations. There are some very good people in the world!

                        

After yet another rest, we headed towards Seagull, a bar that was situated  on the riverside. We made it for 6, as this should have been the time that beer could be served. But than again as we walked there we passed lots of polling booths with queues outside. I could not imagine this in the UK and that is sad as it is so important  to have your voice heard in whatever  way.

As a reult the bar didn’t open until 6.30. It was such a lovely cooling beer, accompanied with spicy paneer anda paratha.

Having finally had some amber nectar we went to the Kathakali Heritage Centre, which is another place that King Charles has visited. We listened to an amzing singer and tabla player. Haunting and evocative, keeping the traditions alive.

After this we went to the polar opposite and went to a lovely bar called Francis, where the bright young things frequented. There were two pub singers, one who sang Coldplay and another who sang Elvis songs. A bit surreal. But also it made me very sad. It was a song that I link to my father and it was the anniversairy of his death. I know he would have been so interested in my travels, maybe  worried but definitely engaged.