Day 34 - Saturday - Fort Cochin

While having breakfast I met three very interesting people. The first was a middle-aged British gentleman by the name of Paul. Currently living in Barcelona and was travelling with his partner around India for three months. His message was be careful of eggs and recommended “The Shape of the Beast” by Arundhati Roy. Funy enough because I had only seen her first book the day before. Directly after Paul left, I chatting to a girl beside me by the name of Lily. She was a student and had decided to come to India with her mum. Now as much as my mum is a rebel, India for anyone is fairly tough. Fair due. She said that her mum was loving it and they were getting on so well. She recommended a place up north to visit and an ashram that we could stay in for a week, to do meditation and yoga. Supposedly very near to where the Beatles had stayed for some months. Finally as I was leaving I met Mike. He was from Mauritius and was running an IT business in India. He informed me you could employ a top IT professional for as little as 26,000rps per month. He also ran his own nightclub in Delhi and was currently about to start running a night in Ernakulam.

Headed over to Ian in Ernakulam after leaving the Elite. I really enjoy the trip over. The walk to the ferry, the boat journey over and the 15 min walk to the hotel. He was feeling a million times better than he had yesterday although he was certain he was going to stay put for another day at least. I stayed and watched the motorcycle diaries with him a hour and then headed back. It was near enough to three by the time I got back to Fort Cochin. I thought I'd check back to the hotel first. Was not expecting the lads to still be there. The three of them were propped up in their beds watching something on the laptop. I believe Dexter. I tutted at them and laughed. They joined me shortly on the roof top restaurant for lunch.

We head to the chemist, myself and Aidan found the day before. Peter's teeth are really at him and he needs some strong pain killers. We decide to do a bit of adventuring and go for a walk. Its quite a difference than the tourist side. Obviously where the lower cast live and off the tourist track. Its an interesting collection of brick r' brack shops, electric repairs, jewellery stores and carpenters. This is what I love about India. An uncut diamond. Beautiful and real. Majority of people smiles back warm and friendly Hellos. We visit a smart little cake and coffee shop on our return. Aidan heads off not wanting to miss the beginning of the Kathkali, a local Keralian dance/performance. After some great coffee and sweets we myself and Eoghan join him. Peter heads back to the hotel to nurse his toothache.

When myself and Eoghan enter the performance has already begun. The story is of beauty and lust, a sheep in wolfs clothing and the strength of hero. What makes their local dance famous is non-verbal communication through movements of the face and hands. The part we walked in on during the beginning, tells the full NVC vocabulary used throughout the performance. It is a colourful story with wild dance and live music. Great night performance and well worth the 150rps. We headed to our local restaurant again, for special tea and food. Within 5 minutes of getting back to my room, I'm asleep.