I LOVE MY INDIA!
Trip Start
Jun 07, 2008
1
84
190
Trip End
Jun 28, 2009
Where I stayed
Kochi, Kerala, India
Monday, December 1, 2008
After lunch, we checked out Kochi. My favorite part was the Chinese Fishing nets, which are huge fishing nets that the Chinese brought here a long time ago. We got to pull the ropes to lower the nets, then raise them again. We caught a few fish, and I got to hold a frog fish (he hopped all around!), glass fish, mullet, and a cool fish who could stand on its fins with yellow scales. We also caught a squid but we threw him back in. When you pull the nets, you shout, "Ahj, Ahjalla!" It was really fun!
The first Westerner to discover Kochi was Vasco de Gama, from Portugal. He died here. Then the Dutch came and then the British. Now the government of the state of Kerala is communist, the only place in India with a communist government. The elections are this week so there are signs everywhere.
We saw the Dutch Palace, which had some very cool murals of the story of Ramayana, that I read, and photos of lots of maharajas of Kerala. We also saw the Jewish synagogue, which is one of the oldest in the world. Before we left, we had snacks at an old hotel, right under some Rain, Mango, and Tamarind trees. There are also lots of coconut trees - they grow 19 billion coconuts a year here!!!
Tonight we fly to Delhi, spend the night, then head to Katmandu tomorrow. I can't believe we are leaving India. I have liked so many things about it. I will especially miss Indrajit and spending time with him. Tomorrow, Chello (Hindu for "Let's go!") to Nepal.
PS: Only 20 days until my birthday!!!
PSS: I LOVE MY INDIA is a bumper sticker that I have seen everywhere in India, especially on trucks and tuk-tuks!
