Pros:
The weather, although very hot, was not as hot as it was yesterday. Evidently, it had been 110 degrees here yesterday. It was only slightly over 100 degrees for us, although it was quite humid. At least the tour bus had SOME air conditioning. It wasn't exceptional, but it was certainly cooler than just opening the windows. Our tour started on time and our guide was very professional and knowledgeable. He answered any questions we asked. We did manage to have a fairly thorough driving tour of the town and surroundings as we visited the various sites. There were only 15 of us on the tour so it was a very nice, small group and everyone got along well.
Cons:
The places we visited were not particularly interesting. We visited a Hindu Temple which, unfortunately, was only open to Hindus. After exiting our bus we took a photo of the front of the temple while locals bombarded us to buy their wares. Then, we visited a community laundromat where families and small hotels send their laundry. Unfortunately, it was undergoing renovations so the only working person we saw was an older woman ironing and folding clothes outside in the hot sun. She uses a flat iron which was heated with a small pot filled with hot coals which were heated over a small fire. Such a tough job. Other than that we saw many empty clothes lines!
We then drove to the shore to see a local Chinese fishing area and fish market. The Chinese use nets to trap the fish near shore These fixed, cantilevered contraptions are mainly used at high tide and are operated using a system of counterweights. It was an interesting site but the smell of old fish as well as other local odors made the walk a bit uncomfortable. Once again, we were surrounded by people enthusiastically showing us their wares.
Next on our tour was St. Francis Church. Originally it was a Catholic Church but has changed denominations over the years and is now a type of Southern India Protestant church. Large swinging cloth fans, or punkahs, were suspended overhead and manually operated from outside the church. It was a nice church but nothing to compare with some of the magnificent churches and cathedrals we have seen on this trip. Vasco de Gama was originally buried inside the church but his remains were transferred to Lisbon, Portugal in 1538.
We then drove to a department store where the items inside looked exactly like items you can purchase at Cost Plus!!! There was clothing including lots of saris, jewelry, Buddhas big and small, smiling Buddhas, reclining Buddhas, sitting Buddhas, shiny Buddhas and wooden Buddhas. There was also antique reproduction furniture which was very poorly constructed, candlesticks, placemats, coaster, and colorful fabric. Everything in the store was extremely expensive so we figured the tour guide received a commission for any goods we purchased. Unfortunately for him he didn't do very well with our group.
Our final stop was at David Hall, which is part of three houses built by the Dutch East India Company in the late 17th century. The building has been renovated and converted into an art gallery. The building has been renovated and converted into an art gallery. We passed through the gallery to the back patio area where we were offered light refreshments. Bob and I chose to be safe and wait until we returned to the ship to eat or drink anything.
Finally, it was time to return to the ship. We were quite ready to return. As we drove I asked the tour guide about employment and was told that a great majority of people had jobs and were working, but we saw many many men standing around idly everywhere along the roadside. It also appeared that many of the people we passed were homeless. The guide told me that less than 2% of the population is homeless. Nearly everyone lives in their own home. Yet, there were countless men sleeping with their possessions nearby in the shade near the road. Finally, I asked him if the city had a system or company which picked up trash. I have NEVER seen so much trash and garbage on the streets, in the water, in people's yards, on the roadsides and in the public area such as parks and along the sore as there was here. It was difficult to walk around without having to avoid some sort of litter. The guide told me they pick up the trash every day! Perhaps the problem is that people don't use trash cans. I did not see one trash receptacle the entire day. It was quite a distraction.
Well, that was our day in Cochin. It was very interesting to observe a culture totally different from ours in the U.S. however it was not one of the more comfortable places we have visited. The security procedures required to get on and off of the ship were quite strict. We had to go through an individual face to face interview with an immigration agent before we could leave the ship. Then there were three more ID checks before we walked a few feet to board our tour bus. Everywhere we went we saw many guards patrolling. There were also manned security towers as we neared the port.
As we sailed away this evening I was relieved to be back on board. Not sure if I will venture too far into the next port of Mumbai. We will have a lecture tomorrow afternoon on the port and then I'll make a decision. I want to conserve my energy because our port after Mumbai, India will be Oman where we will meet our oldest son, Sean, for the day. I am SOOOOOO excited to see one of my kids that I just want to get there and give him a big mom hug. I'll write again after we sail from Mumbai.
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