Back to India

Cochin, meaning harbor or small sea, is a vibrant city on the southwest coast of India.  Yes, we are back in India once again.  Cochin is the second most important city on the west coast after Mumbai. In our tour around the city we could see the influence of past visitors and conquerors to Cochin (or Kochi) the Portuguese, the Chinese, the Arabs, the Dutch and the Brits. This little port was part of the spice route trading its beautiful spices vanilla, cardamon, pepper, cinnamon and cloves to the world.  They also traded precious stones, diamonds, ivory and sandlewood.  In another time this area was considered rich for all the money and trade that was exchanged here.  At one time this area prospered.  At one time this was the center of the Ancient World.   Our guide told us that they are building a new port and when they do Cochin will rival Singaore and Dubai as a port city.   Nothing but dreaming big here.


Yes, it is crowded.  Yes there is poverty.  Yes it is very very hot.  So next time someone says lets go to the Equator during the summer months, I may have to hit them on the head.  Sweat rolling down my back is now my norm.  But what I also find here is a wonderful sense of family,  friendly people, a deeply rooted religious belief, and a work ethic that I wish more would employ.  In my brief visit to India I see a lot of very hard working people breaking their back to make a living or just to exist.  The poverty is heartbreaking.  The living condition of the masses, sad.

Before we set foot on land, once again pass through India's famous  face to face immigration.



market in Cochin




visiting the Dutch Palace (built in 1537)


Our tour of Kashi included a visit to the Dutch Palace built by the Portuguese and later renovated by the Dutch.  There are beautiful murals on the inside and fine wood carving throughout.  No photos were allowed inside. We visited and old European church built by the Portuguese in 1503, St Francis, where Vasco de gama was originally buried in 1524.  We stopped by the wonderful fishing nets and saw fishermen drawing in the fish and selling them on shore.  These kinds of nets are only found in China and here.  They are beautiful in design and made for some great photo ops as the sun was setting.  We rode in a rice boat and watched the fishermen coming in with their catch.  People were very friendly, smiling, waving, saying hello to us foreigners, and showing off their catch.  I loved the play of the sun on the water, the calm of our boat ride, and the colors of the boats and the nets.  What a great feel it was to be a part of their lives for a moment in time. 





St Francis Church



visit to Jew town, yes that's the name



tons of  little shops in Jew Town selling everything known to man

 

my favorite- nice little spice shop

In India people stand outside their tiny store and beg you to come inside and just look, no need buy, good price.  Then they follow you around like glue wishing to make a sale.  My favorite place was the spice shop.  Had I been closer to home I would have made a purchase here.  Everything that is sold has to be bargined for... everything.  Their custom of following, sticking by your side, and aggressively hawking their merchandise is off putting to me.  I like to be alone and browse, take my time.  Here you just can't do that.  Flies and honey.

I loved the fishing nets.... Something new to me.

the famous fishing nets- Chinese influence

 

hauling in the nets



life of the fisherman-

 

the friendly towns people