Last nights, after arriving in Kerala and driving to Cochin, where we are staying in an art-filled awesome hotel we went to see some Kathakali.
Wow.
Admittedly, there were times (the 20 minutes when Draupadi was repeatedly begging for a never-ending sari from Lord Krishna) when we were considering sneaking out the back and hoping we wouldn't seem like rude Americans.
But there were also moments of wonder- the conch shell being blown, the make-up, the intensity of the singer/cymbal player (who followed every moment with his eyes closed)- and moments of pure engagement- Evil Dussasana's entrails being eaten by Bhima, who then washed his wife's hair with Dassasana's blood- while the drums were pounded and the cymbals wailed.
Lord Krishna-
Now to today!
After a delightful breakfast at Malabar house, we went on a tuk-tuk ride. Our driver, whose friends call him Magic Johnson, was amazing.
WE INTERRUPT THIS POST TO INFORM YOU OF AN EPIC DOWNPOUR- POUNDING ON THE ROOF OF OUR HOTEL AND ON THE COURTYARD OUTSIDE. (It is monsoon, after all!)
Back to our "Ferrari" ride, as many drivers call it...
Magic Johnson not only drove us to the Monttancherry Palace, amazing Hindu murals, and the Jewish Synagogue/museum, but he also gave us a glimpse into the daily life of people here in Kerala. We weaved through back streets and alley ways, peered into people houses, saw the town laundry, saw candy being made by hand (as Magic Johnson said- no factories here!), and...
Laundry house-
Hindu mural-
...the remainder of this post is PG-13...
We saw the Hindu temple's elephant, who is currently in a sort-of quarantine due to his crazy state. His metal state is caused by what Magic Johnson claims to be the lack of women in this poor elephants life. Once a year the elephant goes into this state and it takes him a MONTH to pull out of it.
And we close with a video of a local plant called touch-me-not that folds up when one touches it.
Magic Johnson: Do you know what this is called?
Tim: (with intrigue) No.
Magic Johnson: Nickname... This is... English Name 'touch-me-not'
Tim: (earnestly) Touch me not!
Magic Johnson: In my language... it is 'woman'
Tim: (hearty laughs)
Until next time!
Wow.
Admittedly, there were times (the 20 minutes when Draupadi was repeatedly begging for a never-ending sari from Lord Krishna) when we were considering sneaking out the back and hoping we wouldn't seem like rude Americans.
But there were also moments of wonder- the conch shell being blown, the make-up, the intensity of the singer/cymbal player (who followed every moment with his eyes closed)- and moments of pure engagement- Evil Dussasana's entrails being eaten by Bhima, who then washed his wife's hair with Dassasana's blood- while the drums were pounded and the cymbals wailed.
Setting up the stage-
Lord Krishna-
After a delightful breakfast at Malabar house, we went on a tuk-tuk ride. Our driver, whose friends call him Magic Johnson, was amazing.
WE INTERRUPT THIS POST TO INFORM YOU OF AN EPIC DOWNPOUR- POUNDING ON THE ROOF OF OUR HOTEL AND ON THE COURTYARD OUTSIDE. (It is monsoon, after all!)
Back to our "Ferrari" ride, as many drivers call it...
A tuk-tuk (picture from Chennai)
Magic Johnson not only drove us to the Monttancherry Palace, amazing Hindu murals, and the Jewish Synagogue/museum, but he also gave us a glimpse into the daily life of people here in Kerala. We weaved through back streets and alley ways, peered into people houses, saw the town laundry, saw candy being made by hand (as Magic Johnson said- no factories here!), and...
Laundry house-
Hindu mural-
Local man making candy-
...the remainder of this post is PG-13...
We saw the Hindu temple's elephant, who is currently in a sort-of quarantine due to his crazy state. His metal state is caused by what Magic Johnson claims to be the lack of women in this poor elephants life. Once a year the elephant goes into this state and it takes him a MONTH to pull out of it.
And we close with a video of a local plant called touch-me-not that folds up when one touches it.
Magic Johnson: Do you know what this is called?
Tim: (with intrigue) No.
Magic Johnson: Nickname... This is... English Name 'touch-me-not'
Tim: (earnestly) Touch me not!
Magic Johnson: In my language... it is 'woman'
Tim: (hearty laughs)
Until next time!
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