We are going to Kochi, a port town in the state of Kerala, famous for its trade. The first European settlement in India was founded here in 1500 by the Portuguese seafarer Cabral. And Vasco da Gamma founded here the first trading post in India.
The Portuguese survived in Kochi until 1663, passing it to the Dutch. The Netherlands, however, lost to the British trading post in 1814. In 1947, when India gained independence, Kochi joined the Indian Union. This city seems to belong to so many states, but it has always remained independent. People of different nationalities and religions live peacefully here.
Catholic church
In Kochi we left early, it was not yet light. When loading the luggage, the drivers chuckled: our bags rapidly increased in size. By noon they were already there.
After the siesta, the first thing we did was go to the Rajei Museum. Inside the walls of the museum are decorated with an amazing list of scenes from the "Ramayana". Events on the battlefield are transmitted especially colorfully. The painting was restored, with the remains of authentic, as it should be in similar museums. The house museum tells its stories about Kochi, its rulers, about those who lived there and when, how they looked and what they wore - a complete immersion into the atmosphere of ancient times.
Chinese networks
After the museum went to the embankment. Famous Chinese networks in Kochi are very popular. They are very large, and one person with such a huge can not cope. But there are a lot of fish in them. Fresh fish are sold immediately on the waterfront. You can buy, and you will cook it in a nearby restaurant.
Local catch
In addition to the networks we were surprised by strange iron constructions. Most of all, they resembled Pepelats, who flew from the Kin-Dza-Dza galaxy. If anyone knows what it really is - share, please!
And in the evening we went to the theater. In Kerala, the ancient art of the Kathakali theater is still alive. Roles, including women, are performed exclusively by men. Body movements, gestures, facial expressions are tools through which the spectator transmits emotions and experiences of actors on stage. Before the performance begins, the actors make up, sitting right in front of the audience.
Actors make make-up
The setting lasts long enough, about an hour (they say, it happens even longer). Theatrical productions are based on scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Most of all I was shocked by the game of the eyes: it turns out, it is quite difficult - to learn how to bulge your eyes!
The game of actors fascinates viewers
The next day we went on an excursion to the Jewish Quarters. In Kochi there is the oldest Jewish community, according to some reports, it is almost from the beginning of our era. To date, most Jews have immigrated to Israel, but there are still a lot of them in Kochi. We also went into the synagogue. I first visited such a place. First it was necessary to go through the building of the museum, where the pictures tell the story of the life of the synagogue about how the Maharaj gave his crown to the salary of the Torah. This we learned by joining a group of Poles and listening to their guide.
Enough in Kochi and shopping areas, they could easily get lost: enter on one side and go out on a completely different street. Stalls with fabrics, oils, spices, tea ... This list is endless!
Jewelery for every taste
In the evening, when we had dinner in a restaurant, the Russian-speaking girl suddenly sat down to us, sighed with relief. "At least feel a little in a safe environment," she said, and told us many stories about their travels with her husband. I made a talk - felt better, was happy and returned to her husband.
Cozy hotel with bamboo
After dinner, we strolled a little more along the embankment, returned to the hotel and began to prepare for the departure. Tomorrow we were transferred to Ooty. And this, for a second, 2240 meters above sea level! So the journey was interesting.