Morning in Paradise
Alappuzha, Kerala, India 2009…the southwestern coast of India.
Once these boats were used to haul rice from the labyrinth of paddies that sprawl along the waterways of Alleppy. Nowadays, the boat owners have outfitted the boats to haul tourists in grand style… a more lucrative cargo, I would imagine. The moment I stepped onto my floating hotel I knew I was going to enjoy every minute of my stay. Our rooms were decorated in what I thought was a colonial style: shuttered windows, canopied bed, dark wood furnishings, restrained cool colors. Delightful.
Sunrise on the Rice Canal
We spent most of the time on deck. An area on the prow was laid out with cushions, day beds, etc. We lolled about as much as you can when your goal is to take photographs and eat all that you are served, which meant sitting at the table every two or three hours. The boat sailed quietly and gently up and down the canals. We could watch women washing clothes, men hacking down coconuts with a wicked looking curved knife and children bathing themselves: sparkling water streaming over golden brown bodies. We saw a man climb a palm tree to obtain sap that would be used to make palm wine. Sometimes I think the first thing people ask themselves when they come upon something new is, “Do you think we can make an alcoholic beverage out of this?” And I think the answer must be, ” Let’s try!!!”
We didn’t taste palm wine here, but I was offered some in Ghana from some men who were making it and who were rather intoxicated. I didn’t taste it, the bottle was well used and none too clean.
"I wish I had an Ipod!"
The city of Cochin is an export center for the products of Mangalore: 16 varieties of rice and myriad spices. Some of them are red pepper, black pepper, dried ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc. Have you bought Tellicherry black pepper from Costco lately? Look at the label. It’s grown near Cochin.
In the photo above, women are sifting dried ginger. There were piles of it drying in the sun outside the warehouse or go-down as it is known to the English. I’m all for using terms that will make my visit more special. After all who wants to go in a warehouse, but to go in a go-down. That sounds adventurous.
I was hoping to see the glistening bare backs of men raking pepper into pyramids…light slanting across the huge dark room. All I saw was huge stacks of burlap bags filled with something. No men or women in sight. Did I photograph this? Yup! Is it worth looking at? Nope!