I took the courage to apply for a week-long leave at work so that I could spend some quiet time with my family at our heirloom house in an Ernakulam town in Kerala, India. These are what I saw there between 18 May and 25 May. My photography skills are obviously weak.
The climate was not so pleasant yet I made a few observations that seem interesting:
- People prefer train travel primarily because they can take their entire world with them as opposed to flights despite there being a higher limit of 150 kilograms that no one follows
- Most high-end hotels/restaurants in Kerala have a VIP lounge room that can be only accessed through the backdoor. This is frequented by politicians and friends of owners
- Hiring a cab in Kerala costs you more because most drivers include return trip expenses in the final price. This is because distances more than 30 kilometers are considered intercity travel (for example, from Cochin International Airport to Kothamangalam)
- It is very difficult to rent a private vehicle for self-drive in Kerala without a reference. This is because of the increasing use of such vehicles to engage in terrorism and other anti-social activities
- Sewage and bad water treatment in Ernakulam and surrounding areas is not as fine and safe as you think it is. There is a peculiar stench everywhere in the city and even around Lulu Mall, aggravated by a poor drainage system
- Single-screen theaters usually skip the national anthem (which is a welcome move if you ask me)
- Most temples in Kerala do not allow you to enter if you are wearing "western clothes". Additionally, men need to be in a veshti and not wearing anything on top as part of their traditional and cultural limitations
- Public bus travel is akin to daredevilism; but they will stop in the middle of the road if you show a hand.
Have you observed any peculiar things when in Kerala? Let's discuss. TN.
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