The next day we drove to Kochi, famous for its Chinese fishing nets, the first Christian church in India, and spicy food.

Bernard Master Road :-)

First Christian Church In India

Old Town Kochi

Shark (Still Alive ;-) )

Entry To Synagogue

Portuguese-Style Church

At the water front, local fishermen waved us to join them on the platform of their Chinese fishing net (of course for a minimal donation). This thing wasn’t much more than some driftwood laid on top of rotten one-by-ones. One false step and one was either in the water or seriously injured. A minute after us, a group of French tourists walked up to join us there as if this was made out of steel. Marc immediately turned around and we got off–the French stayed and might have become fish food…

Chinese Fishing Nets (Used At High Tide)

Platform Could Go Into The Water Any Minute

We had some great food, saw the sights, and went to a martial arts show. It’s the origin of most other forms of martial arts. Three masters demonstrated to us how to use various weapons and the ultimate level of hand combat. Marc and I were of course the only ones ready to go into the pit and test our skills going at each other with a sword.

Sword Fight

Flying Swords

Power Match

Don’t Get Between Us

We went to Jewtown and saw India’s oldest synagogue. There are only four Jewish families left in Kochi and a total of twelve people.

The shows we saw were both good. After the theatre show, where we went to see them putting on their make up pre-performance, we went to the new part of Kochi to have a seafood dinner recommended in “1000 Things To See Before You Die”.

Putting On Make-up

Theatre Show

Stunning Costumes

Killing The Devil In Disguise

Wonder, Amazement

Disgust

Ready For Sea Food?

Pretty Woman

We are ready to say good bye to the South of India.

Sewing Up Another Package

Our Package–Waiting For End Of Lunch Break

School Bus

Food Can Be Spicy Here

Here’s a summary of our Southern India observations:

Garbage is literally everywhere
Wild dogs run in packs and are everywhere
Women only wear saris
Men wear dhotis (looks like a big diaper–it is a white sheet wrapped)
Food is good, but spicy (you would hate the food if you don’t like Indian or spicy)
Weather is hot, hot, hot, and humid
Traffic is nothing less than chaotic
Before you pass anyone, you indicate you are going ‘overtake’ to the right or left, honk a few times
The people who obey traffic rules are called tourists
The most people we saw on one motorcycle was 5–average at least 3, 4 very common
Women ride motorcycles side saddle on the back
Shoes are not worn by everyone
Cows are in the street–they are avoided by all the cars
Goats are left to their own devices–no shepherds, and are in the streets
Construction sites are abandoned
Monkeys are everywhere and really fun to see
Everyone wants and expects a tip. Look at them and they will have their hand out
The streets are constantly full of people–no matter what time
Everyone wants to photograph me–you would think i was purple
Most walls along the side of the streets are painted by hand with an advertisement
There are lots of people–from the very young to the very old begging for money–usually they come up to your car window
Unemployment is very high. People are constantly hanging around
There are lots of tuk tuks with so many people you couldn’t count (compare to clowns in a car)
Often no side walks and most store fronts look like they are in garages
A woman isn’t considered dressed unless she is wearing fresh jasmine in her hair
The traffic is made up of animals, pedestrians, tuk tuks, rickshaws, packed like sardines buses
Food is not as cheap as you would think. Significantly more expensive than everywhere else we have been
Security is very tight at the hotels and includes a gate which a security guard cross references your name off the guest list and the inspects the hood, the trunk, then shoots a mirror attached to a dolly under the car–every time you go in
Pepsi dominates here. Diet coke tastes almost like Canada.