Wander Woman

Its been a long time since I went to Kashi, one of my favourite hangout places in Fort Kochi, mainly because it was closed for renovation. Kashi is an art cafe housed in one of the 200-year-old dutch/portugese(?) buildings in Fort Kochi. Apart from the ambiance, I go there for their cheese omlettes. There are other things I like about Kashi, like they use glass bottles instead of plastic ones to store water.Like the base of their tables are  actually old sewing machines.And they grind their own coffee. Kashi, in its own way, is a patron of the arts. Every month there is an exhibition by an artist in the hall. Also, when you're at Kashi, nobody bothers you. There is no hurry to eat and scramble. Sit with your favourite book and a cup of masala chai. But the place usually is crowded, especially weekends, and so by common courtesy people do not dally for long. Kashi is located on Burgar street and is open on all days.

I fell in love with the kasavu saree the moment I laid my eyes on it.Its such a great combination of simplicity and grandeur. I used to call it the Kerala saree or Mallu saree. It was much later that I cam to know that it was called kasavu saree, kasavu being the golden border that runs along the length of the saree. This is the traditional  handloom saree that Malayali women wear for festive occasions irrespective of religion or caste. I have seen women wearing this saree for temple festivals as well as when going to church. Its a completely white saree with a thin golden border. Sometimes threads of other colours are woven along the border and sometimes there are patterns etched on the pallu. But the overall look is simple. Onam celebrations Kasavu Saree My friend told me that earlier (in days of yore), women(especially women of lower castes) were not allowed to wear an upper garment and the saree was just worn as a skirt. I believe this was the just cause of a revolution and subs

When you go to Kerala you must spend time on a houseboat. HOuseboats run in Alleypey and Kumarakom. They are actually big boats with rooms.Built in the traditional style, these boats take you on a wonder ride on Lake Vembanad. Lake Vembanad is a huge lake and can be accessed from both Alleypey and Kumarakom. Kumarakom offers scenic views but if you want a real taste of the backwaters, its better to go to Alleypey. Lake Vembanad is host to different variety of birds. Its a sight seeing them flying across the waters and resting on the floating leaves. You can stay overnight in the houseboats.And the boatmen provide food and other accompaniments. Be sure to taste the Karimeen Pollichathu. You can also ask your boatman to get you fresh toddy.