Monthly Archives: January 2007

I’m heading off to the Andaman Islands tomorrow, leaving here at 4 AM for a 7:15 AM flight from Chennai. I don’t know what the internet access out there will be like. I think it’s agood idea and a good … Continue reading →

The plan originally was to go south through Kerala and sweep up Tamil Nadu, then go from Chennai by air to the Andaman Islands to dive. It turns out that almost all the flights to the Andamans and back were … Continue reading →

Since before independence from the British, Indians have been proud to build “indigenous” products, and prove they can take their place among the world’s leading industrial powers. To be sure, you can get reasonable facsimiles of products one sees in … Continue reading →

The most common car in India is an Indian made Suzuki Swift called the Maruti. It cost about $5000 US, and you get what you pay for. One model, the Zen, comes with a few features, like choice of color, … Continue reading →

There comes a time when resting becomes vegetating. that time has come for me. There’s little I want to do here. I’ve read a lot, walked around, met a few very nice people, and had some great food. I hope … Continue reading →

I went for a walk today. Most of there pictures are typical street scenes and sights, such as they are. Most of this is on Bazaar Street, Spice Street and in the old Jewish section. First, though, is a picture … Continue reading →

When I was about 13 years old, I started doing some soul searching. It’s what adolescents do, isn’t it? I gained inspiration from a Peanuts poster I had. Lucy is sitting in her 5 cent advice booth with her chin … Continue reading →

This central part of Kerala is famous for Kathakali. Kathakali is a performance art where actors reenact episodes of the Hindu classics, the Mabaharata, the Ramayana, and the Puranas. Each segment lasts about an hour. There are 606 segments in … Continue reading →

There is an exotic Hindu ritual in northern Kerala called theyyam. It’s thought to have origins predating Hinduism, which originated about 3500 years ago. It’s part music, part community and cultural celebration, part costumed ecstatic dance, and part prayer. Traditionally, … Continue reading →

I left Kannur and went south to Ernakulam/Cochi. Cochi is what most people will recognize, as it’s the tourist destination across the bay from the real city of Ernaculam. I was bushed after the crowded third class train ride, and … Continue reading →