Beautiful Kerala - Cochin

Arriving In Cochin at 8am after a really good night sleep on the train (i think it was the theraputic rocking motion and the big padlock on my bag that helped) I found a decent place to stay and took in some of the city. So far its my favourite city in India. kerala is on the South West coast it has a huge coast line and lots of ports and industry. Cochin (Kochi) has a huge mix of cultures its a centre for spice and essential oil perfume exports the smells and activity of industry are a wonderful assault on the senses. The city itself is made up of 7 or so islands and you get to them by bridges or ferries. The experience of crossing to the islands through the cranes, ships and industry seriously reminded me of the Tyne and all of a sudden I felt at home at least for an unconscious moment anyway. You can get to beaches or amazing countryside in 15 minutes also just like Newcastle ! I arrived in Kerala at the start of Onam (harvest festival) the biggest festival in Keralas calendar so it was buzzing with families shopping for fine clothes and a really happy atmosphere. One evening after a few beers I was returning to the guest house to find a version of an Indian rave ...set up in the middle of the duel carriage way ! shops are open until 2am and some of the worlds largest Sari warehouses and stores are here which are breathtaking.
I was lucky to meet and talk at length to Arundhati Roy Booker prize winner author of the book 'God of small things' whilst we ate in the same restaurant she is an inspirational and genuine lady.
I took in some more 'culture' by visiting a traditional performance of Kathakili dance/ play. This is a testement to unbeliabble dedication on the part of the men who study the art form. The art is linked strongly to the Hindu religion and to train in this takes some 10 years. Sometimes the performances last all night in the temples. Luckily my was an hour and a half (a taster session !) as any more and I would have been in some kind of odd migrine induced coma trance brought on by a drumming and symbols...in fact i think the musicians and dancers were a bit unconcious, that said it was great to witness the precision of these men applying thier stage make up and costumes ! Just incase you thought this performance took place in a large theatre with lots of others there was me and about 5 others in what was the equivalent of a small dance studio above someones garage (actually an 'art school') it was slightly intimidating.