More Sights of Kochi- A Kindred Spirit, Washermen of Kochi, Basilica etc

My last day in Kochi was very interesting. I visited an art gallery called David Hall and viewed the watercolor exhibition of a British woman named Susan Beaulah. Susan has spent years on the shores of Kerala painting the fisherman and their lifestyle. I felt she was a kindred soul - she loves the spirit of India and the people. I was very moved at her skill in capturing the essence of the sea and the people who are such a part of it.

Susan Beaulah artist of Kerala's Seaside and Fisherpeople

I also went to see the Dhobi Ghats or the washerpeople's area. A large group of "low caste" Hindus have a special area provided by the government where they wash and iron the laundry of the Kochi hotels, etc. They use the ancient technique of beating and scrubbing clothes clean by hand.

Each washerperson has a cubicle.  Early in the AM  they scrub and beat the clothes clean on a stone bench inside as water flows though.

Then the clothes are sun-dried outside on coir clothes lines

The ironing is all done by hand in a large hall. Some use electric irons and others -to save the electric charge-use an iron that works by burning dry coconut husks inside. These irons are quite heavy and this tiny lady was wielding it with ease. (See iron in foreground)

An old and historic Basilica.

Inside the Basilica

 A huge 400 year old "Rain Tree" planted by the Dutch. This tree folds and droops its leaves at dusk and when it is going to rain.

I saw a creepy Dutch cemetery from 1750's. After defeating the Portuguese, the Dutch came next to exploit Kerala's spices etc

One cottage industry run by women throughout India is the making of papadams. Papadams are made with various lentil flours, spices and water. After the dough is made and individual papadams are rolled into circles they are dried and packaged for home use. When fried in oil, they pop up and get crispy. This woman is making red chili flavored papads.

For my entire stay in Kochi it was in the 90's. A walk by the sea provided some relief.

The most delicious pineapple on earth (I swear) is grown here. This seaside vendor dresses it up with masala spices and lime.

 This morning I said goodbye to Kerala and took a taxi to the Kochi airport. The Kochi Airport is the first solar powered airport in the world. It is also very modern and beautiful inside. The chairs at the gates are upholstered and made of nice wood!

Beautiful garden of local orchids at the Kochi Airport

The airport also has a wonderful cultural exhibition to enjoy. This is the "dice scene" from the Mahabharata depicted by models of Kathakali dancers . Yudhisthira loses the kingdom to the Kauravas in a game of dice.

I am now on the eastern shore of India -three hours south of Chennai near Auroville, Tamil Nadu. The adventure starts tomorrow-stay tuned!