We we left Mysore and are now spending 10 days in Kovalam, a beautiful south Indian coastal town. It is nestled between the backwaters and the Ocean. We are staying at the beach and lake resort, which is about 4 kms north of Kovalam beach. We are required to cross the backwaters on an old wooden canoe, every time we want to leave, it is quite an amazing experience to be sandwiched between the ocean and the backwaters, almost like we are on a private lagoon.

we arrived to find that the whole area was in the midst of a huge Hindu festival called, where all 9 year old boys in the town are required to spend 5 days in the temple dressed only in a dhoti (piece of cloth). They are required to only take the food that is given to them and spend the time in prayer.

It turns out that the man who manages Beach and Lake, Mr. Sassi, is the grandfather of one of these young boys, so the resort is very involved in the whole program. This means that we are all involved as there is constant drumming and dancing at all hours of the day and night! There are costumes and incense and elephants galore, and it is all a great treat to the senses! Our little girls love it, being 3 feet from a huge elephant is a wonderful experience!

To get to the ocean, one is required to exit the resort through the back gate. Once leaving the resort, the scene abruptly changes to Kerela from 500 years ago with the ancient coastal Indian village coming to life. Children run to us and scream 'school pen' as they surround our little ones. We head through the coconut palms and past the old women weaving dried coconut fibre to make fishing nets, and emerge at the ocean, where the Kerelan fisherman pull on their fishing nets in groups of 30 chanting and singing all day long. This is the life they have lived for hundreds of years, pulling in nets by hand and working hard just to make a few rupees. They gather around as we head into the water and have a little swim. They keep warning me not to let India into the water as the rips are quite strong. We frolic and play as they keep watch and when we come out, they surround with a curious look. Many of the men have few teeth and their stares and smiles make it difficult to keep a strait face.
Today is Sunday, and the scene of fishermen has been replaced by a game of beach cricket played by the children of the men. Sunday is the day of rest, and today there will be no fish being caught.

Labels: kerela