Good news! Even as an ancient backpacker, I’m still engaging in self-discovery. At first I thought I was just old and set in my ways, but it turns out after years and years of more sedentary travel, it takes a minute to figure it all out again.
I’m now in a small beach town in Kerala, more on that later.
Staying in a village in Rajastan was a glimpse into rural life. Gender roles are very clear, the caste system is still very important - and all the food was fresh. Different cooking oils used for different seasons, spices hand crushed. Visited the village oil press where you’d bring in what you wanted squished. Wonderful! In the village I was shown one home, where people from the shepherd caste lived. They met the threshold to receive groceries from the government during Covid. So, in front of their house was a painted yellow sign showing the last date they had received aid.
Then a couple of flights to Kerala’s capital Thiruvananthapuram aka Trivandrum, which is much easier to say. It was a welcome change from hectic and dry Rajastan. It felt like I found my rhythm, found a little balance in the chaos. And I saw the most incredible temple 7 or 8 stories of hand carved goodness. (Probably godness too). I was woken up daily at 4:48am and learned that Maha Shiviatri was upon us, and the temple next door would be loud all night long. Definitely time to go!
No comments:
Post a Comment