New in India

We've been in India just over 2 weeks now & feeling ambitious, we've visited 3 states.  Although technically we were only in Tamil Nadu for a few hours we went to the southern most tip of India , where 3 seas meet.  It's supposed to be incredibly majestic & a profound experience.  However, in keeping with the trip so far, it was pouring with rain & we got drenched, because we forgot our brollies.  

We decided to head north (which is probably wise when you're at the most southerly point of the country you're visiting - duh).  Now, I know I've only just said 'it's not all about lazing on beaches', but we decided to go to a beach place (Varkala).  This wasn't for tanning purposes - although I did manage to slot in a few hours of sunbathing a day - but to fetch some clothes.  Varkala is quite a popular beach, and rightly so the beach is beautiful and situated at the bottom of a huge cliff.  I managed to get some clothes & improved my tan...Paul dragged me kicking & screaming from the beach after a measly 4 days.  The best part was that there wasn't a drop of rain in sight & hasn't been since. 

Blue skies all the way....

We headed to a couple of interesting Keralan towns next: Kollum, Alapuzza & Kochi.   Kerala is a beautiful state of southern India .  It's so chilled compared to the rest of India .  I think I'm right in saying that it's also one of the richest states & literacy is way up at 97%.  It's one of the first places in the world which has a democratically elected communist government.  The scenery is quite south-east Asian...endless palm trees & padi fields.

in Alapuzza we hired a small canoe for a few hours & paddled (or rather, had someone paddle) us around the backwaters and small canals of the area.  Very relaxing & a lovely way to see the life that goes on by the waters edge.

A couple of days ago we left the state of Kerala behind and arrive in  Mysore in the state of Karnataka.  When we got of the bus I felt what Dorothy voices to Toto upon leaving Kansas .  It was just so much busier and in your face.  The hassle factor has also risen quite considerably & a few hours later Paul caught a street kid with her hand in his bag (we're wise enough not to keep anything of any value in there).  Bit of a wake up call though. 

Silk Factory Visit:

We've now adjusted our minds to the 'real' India (which we'll probably have to do each time we enter a new state!).  Mysore is famous for its incense, so we decided to visit a silk factory (?!!!).  The factory was incredibly & the guards were happy to have you wander around unaccompanied.  It's rare that this sort of thing happens; usually there is either a pushy salesman with you or heaps of other tourists.  But we were alone with the workers & these monumental pieces of machinery making gorgeous reams of silk material & incredibly industrious noises (reminded me of 'dancer in the dark', if anyone's seen that wonderful Bjork film).

Still undecided about where to go next, either east to Bangalore , or west to a place called Madikeri.  You're supposed to be able to do treks through spice & coffee plantations.  We'd love to do a few days hiking, but my beloved hiking boots were stolen.  we're keeping our eyes out for new ones, but we figure we may have to go to Bangalore to pick some up there (well, I'm not too hopeful that not only are they going to have decent, affordable, lightweight, quality hiking boots...but ones for women).\

The final thing worth a mention is the food here.  Anytime things are getting tough - which they do (especially the guys staring allllllllll theeeeeee tiiiiiiiiime) food is like our reward.  India is literally heaven for veggies and every meal is a delight.  Although it did take me about a week to get use to eating spicy Indian food with my hands, for breakfast!  But it's just so good that we're not even craving western food, which for us is unusual.  Three meals of food so spicy that your lips zing with colour after!

By: Jenny

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