It's just like Aladdin

I have finally started to acclimate to India.  The first few days here I had swollen feet.  I have no idea what from, but I’m glad it’s gone.  The olfactory system is beginning to adjust.  There are many different types of smells; some good, some bad, but all very strong.  And I am so grateful that we have a driver to drive us around because it is one of the most nerve-wracking things I have ever experienced.  There are practically no rules to the road.  Cars will frequently play chicken with each other in the middle of the road to see who is going to get over first.  Then there are the motorcycles and rickshaws that are much smaller than most other cars and buses and will just zip around them.  Intersections are probably the worst.  There are not many stop signs or lights at intersections, so vehicles will just go for it.  Honking is also used liberally.  It’s used as a way to alert other people or tell them to get out of the way.  I haven’t deciphered the codes yet, but I’m getting there.  It’s one of those things that you just have to experience to truly understand. 

Other interesting things about India/Kerala:

-Head bobbing is used as a gesture for yes/okay.  It’s a nod, with some side bobbing.

-There is frequently music playing. Everywhere.

-The food is spicy and there is a lot of rice involved.

-It is hot (80-90 degrees) and humid.

-Bananas grow upward. (I’m sure this is everywhere, but I learned it here!)

-Just about all dogs are strays and look exactly alike.  Although, sometimes people will put tags on them.

-Riding in rickshaws is somewhat scary.

-Constant noise.

And now for a recollection of the day’s happenings.  Firstly, the weather was perfect.  We went to the Laurie Baker Center in the morning and listened to an interesting talk on slums in Trivandrum and how COSTFORD (our host organization) has and is trying to build better living conditions for the people and then another lecture on Laurie Baker’s philosophies.  We even went and toured part of a slum that was rebuilt by COSTFORD.  They build these new buildings right in the slum where people had squatter houses.  So, they only allow people who were previously in the community to occupy the new development.  The designs of the houses are constructed to accommodate the people and increase their quality of living instead of simply just trying to make a pretty building.  The houses are extremely functional while trying to provide areas for education, daycare, etc. 

One of our lecturers in the Laurie Baker Center

Black Peppercorn 

Jacks' fruit: a close up

A building that COSTFORD built in the slum

A boy living in one of the buildings, posing for the camera

After all of our educational stuff, a few us went to a local beach on the Arabian Sea.  All I could think of was Arabian Nights.  Apparently only local people know about it so there are zero tourists or touristy things.  Except for us.  We watched the sunset, ate some seafood, and headed home.  A great end to a wonderful day in Kerala.