It was May and the oppressive heat made Kochi appear quite
desolate. All the tourists had left and even the long-term tenants had
departed in search of cooler climates. When someone asked why I
was still there, it became clear that the tourist season had long been
over. The fishing boats in the port seemed abandoned, and the
fishermen were lethargically watching flies crawl over their meagre
catch. The colourful clothes on display looked faded as they slowly
flapped in the breeze. Despite the heat and humidity, India remained
my favourite place to linger. Maybe it’s the madness, the contrast, the
craziness of everything.
While observing the incredible amount of plastic pollution, I saw
someone knitting covers for the tree branches nearby. I thought to
myself, “This is indeed incredible India.”
I had a free day in Kochi, which allowed me to explore the city and all
it had to offer. I also realised that carrying a large box was
impractical, so I purchased a suitcase instead.
Afterwards, I went to the washing area, where laundry was still done
by hand in large concrete tubs. The clothing was then wrung out and
hung on a twisted rope line. The clothesline, made of coconut husk,
isn’t simply green but is considered one of the strongest. The line is
twisted, and corners of the laundry are slipped into the twists,
making pegs unnecessary. How clever?
Finally, all the items were neatly ironed using old-fashioned cast-iron
irons filled with coals. It's amazing how nothing ever gets lost in
India; it's just one of the country's countless mysteries. Again, the
contrast in India left me speechless.