Sunday Outing in Kerala

Our first full Sunday in Fort Cochin is dedicated to exploration and new experience. Instead of early morning Asana practise, today is about travel!

Sajee is our yoga teacher and has, over the years for me, become a close dear friend. His extraordinary ability to share his yoga knowledge is what drew me to him in the first place. His friendship and love is what keeps me close. I have become an extended family member to his family too. His wife Aji, and I are close friends, and his daughter Vinaya and I have spent many playful hours, traversing the streets of Fort Cochin on our bikes and visiting nearby villages and sharing adventures together. At 13 years old, she is appreciative of my western attitudes and, together we share good conversation and experiences. Taku, his son, is often around too, although, as an 18 year-old teenager he often chooses to be on his own. Sajee’s mother Amma, and I also spend time together. Although she’s not that much older than me, I consider her to be my ‘mother’ while I am here.

Our trip this morning takes us south, to the beautiful backwaters of Kerala. The area is nicknamed, “the Venice of India” because the primary means of travel is by boat. There are narrow dirt roads for land vehicles, but most people who live in the villages don’t even have cars. Sajee has recently purchased a car. With the whole family this morning, we pack ourselves into the little black Tata car. The car is capable of manoeuvring its way through the challenging roads and laneways of India. Though early morning activities are not my favourite, Sajee insists that in order to avoid crowded roads and busy traffic, it is a good idea after all. By 6:00 am we pack ourselves into the car, piling on top of each other to make our way the 60 kilometers or so to Kumarakom. With empty streets and quiet passages, it takes us 3 hours to reach our destination.

 

That’s the thing about India travel. Short distances that would take minutes in North America take hours here. The roads are narrow, winding and rocky, with extra high speed bumps (they call them humps here!) to keep us slow. As we ride I become more aware of the sameness of India. The villages all look the same. It’s crowded, with no empty land. Everywhere there are villages, vehicles of all sorts, animals and people.

Kumarakom is set along the shores of the Vembanad Lake, which is the largest fresh water lake in India.  The narrow walkways and lush flora make the area a lovely place to walk. Various species of butterflies flutter freely, also enjoying the lush greenery and trees. A bird sanctuary, a major attraction to the village usually offers sightings of various types of birds. A sign indicates the bird activity for each month of the year. Of course, for January, it said ‘No activity’. It didn’t matter though, the 2 kilometre walk was a wonderful reprieve from the scrunchy, long car ride, and it was particularly wonderful to be out in nature. Spending leisure time with everyone was perfect!

There is life everywhere in India. Covering the land are shanty homes. Shops line the roads and people bustle about carrying on with their days. Life is evident in every space as we pass along the road. Music shouts from the churches and people are either going or coming. The villages are alive with work and play. To me every neighbourhood looks the same and I wonder how anyone is able to navigate their way from one place to another. Streets are crowded with almost identical looking storefronts packed with identical items. Colourful baskets, pails, typical kitchen wear stuffed into small shops. I wonder how anyone here makes a living.

It’s nice to be in the green of the country. The trees are so old. Coconut, cashew, and palm trees line the narrow strips of land that intersect the waters. Rice paddy fields are lush and bright. Kerala is known for its natural beauty and it is evident this morning as we drive.

 

Our long drive is mixed with short stops for ice cream and fresh coconut. It gives me a chance to stretch my legs and talk to the local people. On our journey home, we stop for a visit with Amma’s brother and his family. I feel so lucky to be a part of it all, and grateful for being here and included in Indian life. Sajee and his family have certainly made my times in India richer.