Today has been quite the long day! We just got back from our New Years celebration. Happy New Year everyone!.. it should swing by you in a few hours. We started our day with lectures about the slums in Kerala and the housing Costford has created to improve the quality of life in slums. It was very interesting. My lovely aunt requested some more information about Kerala so here's what I know so far about Kerala and India.
Kerala is an independent state of India. India has 15 official languages and the states are by and large separated based on the language spoken in the area. In Kerala the language is Malayalam. This separation of languages means that people from different states have trouble communicating so English is often taught and spoken in urban areas (lucky for us). Kerala is one of the only communist states and this was decided democratically. Kerala has a 100% literacy rate and education is highly valued for both men and women. Kerala has a higher rate of women completing higher education than men and 50% of all elected positions are required to be filled by women. Although Costford works to improve the slums in Kerala there is a relatively low number of people living in slums (1.8% of the population) compared to other cities (as high as over 40%). Kerala is also religiously diverse. The state is about one third Hindu, one third Christian, and one third Muslim. Near our hotel around one crossroad is a huge church, a huge mosque, and a huge temple all existing in harmony around a cricket stadium.
The greenery here is beautiful. We are surrounded by palm trees and everywhere we visit I see new plants like rubber trees, pepper vines, and lots of gorgeous flowers. There are dangerous snakes and scorpions here so that makes me a little nervous. Two of the guys in our group found a scorpion in their bathroom sink. Its strange to me to see stray cats and dogs everywhere too. Its amazing they survive the traffic.
After our lectures today we were unable to visit the slums because it was pouring out (which is how we found out our hotel is quite leaky) so we went shopping at a nice clothing store called Fab India for Indian clothing to wear to the New Years Eve party. I bought two tunics and it was fun seeing everyone try to pull off Indian clothes.
For New Years we went to a resort that was designed by Costford on the ocean coast. I was very excited for this cause I've never actually been to the ocean. I got to stick my toes in the water and everything! It was gorgeous. We went down to the beach and were hassled a bit by drunk locals but it was fun. There was a show of several traditional Indian danced performed and we got an extensive buffet meal. There were actually a lot of white people and other non-Indian people at the resort so I felt like we stuck out less. There was a DJ that played a lot of American music and we danced the night away with some of the locals. Christian and I got our midnight kiss since everyone else at the resort seemed to be breaking cultural norms too. It was a lot of sober fun. Well for us at least. Two of the guys took a rickshaw to a bootleg liquor store and brought booze back and now some of our dear classmates are at a staff party at the hotel which is too funny.
Before going to bed I'd also like to recount how awesome it is that our bus driver plays us the Backstreet Boys and how ridiculous it is that Justin Bieber and the song "The Final Countdown" seems to be everywhere.
Night all! Love you!
Kerala is an independent state of India. India has 15 official languages and the states are by and large separated based on the language spoken in the area. In Kerala the language is Malayalam. This separation of languages means that people from different states have trouble communicating so English is often taught and spoken in urban areas (lucky for us). Kerala is one of the only communist states and this was decided democratically. Kerala has a 100% literacy rate and education is highly valued for both men and women. Kerala has a higher rate of women completing higher education than men and 50% of all elected positions are required to be filled by women. Although Costford works to improve the slums in Kerala there is a relatively low number of people living in slums (1.8% of the population) compared to other cities (as high as over 40%). Kerala is also religiously diverse. The state is about one third Hindu, one third Christian, and one third Muslim. Near our hotel around one crossroad is a huge church, a huge mosque, and a huge temple all existing in harmony around a cricket stadium.
The greenery here is beautiful. We are surrounded by palm trees and everywhere we visit I see new plants like rubber trees, pepper vines, and lots of gorgeous flowers. There are dangerous snakes and scorpions here so that makes me a little nervous. Two of the guys in our group found a scorpion in their bathroom sink. Its strange to me to see stray cats and dogs everywhere too. Its amazing they survive the traffic.
After our lectures today we were unable to visit the slums because it was pouring out (which is how we found out our hotel is quite leaky) so we went shopping at a nice clothing store called Fab India for Indian clothing to wear to the New Years Eve party. I bought two tunics and it was fun seeing everyone try to pull off Indian clothes.
For New Years we went to a resort that was designed by Costford on the ocean coast. I was very excited for this cause I've never actually been to the ocean. I got to stick my toes in the water and everything! It was gorgeous. We went down to the beach and were hassled a bit by drunk locals but it was fun. There was a show of several traditional Indian danced performed and we got an extensive buffet meal. There were actually a lot of white people and other non-Indian people at the resort so I felt like we stuck out less. There was a DJ that played a lot of American music and we danced the night away with some of the locals. Christian and I got our midnight kiss since everyone else at the resort seemed to be breaking cultural norms too. It was a lot of sober fun. Well for us at least. Two of the guys took a rickshaw to a bootleg liquor store and brought booze back and now some of our dear classmates are at a staff party at the hotel which is too funny.
Before going to bed I'd also like to recount how awesome it is that our bus driver plays us the Backstreet Boys and how ridiculous it is that Justin Bieber and the song "The Final Countdown" seems to be everywhere.
Night all! Love you!
Wow! What a wonderful way to welcome in the new year! Thank you for all the information about Kerala. It sounds like a fascinating and diverse place. And a great way to start your international travel life. I am envious! In Japan people makes lists of all the "firsts" of the new year - the first sunrise, the first visit to the temple, the first family gathering. You will beat us all with your list of "firsts" this year!
ReplyDeleteWe had no idea about the independent states and all the languages - not to mention scorpions in the sinks. Dad and I are still partying like it's 2011. Happy New Year to you and Christian!
ReplyDeleteWell who know that Kerala was so awesome? I'm glad it's good. Plus the "Final Countdown" is amazing.
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