Monday August 10th.
Today was the same as any other apart from the fact that I hadn’t slept since Thursday night. Arriving home at 8am I didn’t have long to get ready for work.

Work was at first slow while we waited and waited for the editor. After a while we realized that the editor was not coming in and that we had a new temp for a couple of weeks. The new editor quickly gave me a chance to prove myself and sent me off on yet another swine flu story.

The first case of the virus was confirmed in Bangalore so I was challenged to find 3 pharmacies and see if they stocked the drug. I was also to ask parents of school kids what they felt and also ask doctors if they were prepared.

I took an auto back to Thippasandra where I quizzed the pharmacists all of whom had zero interest in swine flu and none of them carried the medication. None of the parents would comment and none of the doctors were open so it was time to move on.

I decided to head to Commercial St to find a third. On my way I passed Frank Anthony school where the case was confirmed I decided to abandon Commercial street and instead got my answers from outside of the school.After that I headed back to the office to complete my story.

That night we went to a temple. This really angered me. The temple cost 3rupees to get in. Then 25 rupees for a pass to take photos then after that it cost more and more every second. They promised if you paid you would be cured. I for one was not parting with my money. I don’t believe in giving money to any religion and they were just playing on peoples weaknesses.

After that it was time for some juice before turning in for the night.

Sunday August 9

Today we got up early and made the most of having a hot shower. Then we went to Café Day for some breakfast. After this it was time to head to Fort Kochi to see the market and then we went to Mattancherry to see the old Dutch architecture.

It was really hot here so we soon decided on lunch. Stopping at a nice busy family restaurant we gave our orders to the waiter (who was aged about 8 at most) enjoying the freshest food since arriving in Kerala we rested for a while before deciding to go to do a backwater tour.

Costing about 450rupees each for the door we really had a bargain. The 5 of us had our own private little boat and tour guide.

The first stop was to a little house where two old Indian women were weaving coconut strings to make rope. The process was really outdated but very cool to watch none the less.

The next stop along the way was to a spice plantation where we were shown nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon and more. We got the chance here to purchase some freshly picked spices.

The final stop on the trip was to a coconut plant where we were given fresh coconuts from the trees. After drinking from them with a straw we then were able to eat the insides. The drink tasted pretty horrible but eating them was pleasant enough.

Because our bus was leaving we had to end the tour there but it would have otherwise lasted another 90 minutes.

The driver kindly dropped us at our hotel where we picked up our bags and headed to the bus station. Before leaving we feasted on some masala dosa and then boarded the bus back to Bangalore. Thankfully no music or movies this time and we all fell asleep for the night. The next morning we arrived back in Bangalore just after 7am.

Quote of the day.

Calum – “its amazing how all these things grow in a jungle”

Tour guide- “its private property”

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Differences between Bangalore and Kerala

The streets in Kerala are a lot cleaner and the footpaths a lot better. The weather is a lot warmer also. Auto drivers take pride in their vehicles and decorate them with stickers and signs. The clothing is a lot different also men wear wrap around skirts over trousers in Kerala.

8th August 2009

Arriving in Kerala we separated into two autos and made our way to the port. Unfortunately the autos got us lost. We were split in two groups.

Our group hopped on a boat to fort cochi (costing 600rps) and then too an auto around the island only to be told that our hotel was on the main land. Still having no contact with the others we had no idea what to do. We got a boat back to the mainland (this time only costing 7.5rps) and finally found our hotel. Thankfully the others turned up minutes later.

The first step was a nice hot shower. A first for all over us since arriving in Banglore. Then whilst Nadia and Calum slept me, Lydia and Ann went to Coffee Day to get some brunch. After this we wandered around before returning. Later that day me and Ann went to the Kerala museum of history. The first room consisted of copies of famous works such as the Mona Lisa. Not very impressive. The second room was pretty cool though and featured some Indian dolls in dressed in traditional state outfits. The final room consisted of original works by Kerala artists.

That night we went for dinner at the first decent place we could find. Ordering for five was a challenge but our demand of 12 drinks 7 starters and 6 mains only came to 12euro which was an excellent bargain and tasty too.

After that we returned to the hotel to play top trumps and guess who before turning in for the night.

August 7th 2009

Today I was lucky enough to have the day off. In the morning I headed off early to explore the city by myself. First stop was Commercial Street which I heard was pretty good. It may have been good but other than finding some overly priced t-shirts I didn’t have much interest in the place.

After that I decided MG road was the place to be. Along the way the auto convinced me that shops there didn’t open till 11.30am and insisted on bringing me to ‘his friends shop’ this is a process whereby the auto drops you at a shop and even if you do not buy he gets a free tank of petrol and you get the auto for free/at a reduced price.

So I visited the shop and looked at horribly expensive and ugly pashminas. Then I saw a bag for 850rps but refused to pay that much. In the end I left with the bag, 2 x packets of incense and 3 little boxes for 300rps.

Of course just my luck the auto was gone when I got out and I had to get another who wanted me to bring him to ‘his friends place” here I was shown the same stuff and told my friends were there the day before. Yes they were but how he knew they were my friends is still a mystery.

Next stop MG road which was not very successful either. Then finally I wanted to go to Garuda mall. The auto insisted on dropping me to “his friends place” where I bought nothing. He then insisted on dropping me to his other friend’s place which was the same place I visited first.  When he dropped me to a third friends place I just got out of the auto and got a different one home to tippasandra.

Back there I walked the streets before showering and packing for Kerala. We all left for the bus at 4pm. The bus left at 630pm.

Boarding the bus was a pleasant surprise with warm fleece blankets and complimentary water. Unfortunately though our seats were in the back so our chairs could not recline and the movie of  the night – Jurassic park 3 in Indian was blasted in our ears followed by some Bollywood music which made sleeping next to impossible.

We finally arrived in Kerala just after 730am

August 5th

Day 3 in the paper and was not very exciting. I asked for an article but was given the “but you don’t know the city response” so I just had to work on what I did know which was swine flu. Obviously this was relevant given the first death in the country.

After that was done there was no much to do but later on there were celebrations for International beer day and also a going away party.

Before I knew it it was time to leave and more confident of where I was going I made my way home. Yes this was indeed a challenge. There are in fact two forth crosses in the street and I went down the wrong one. What’s worse is that no one knew where I was meant to be. Asking for directions after directions I made my way there and was overjoyed to see the Cadbury sign but there was a guy on a bike following me that didn’t know the meaning of leave me alone. He followed me all the way down the road and almost to the villa. I walked faster and faster and eventually I think he got the message that I did actually know where i was going and left me alone.

Dinner was again really great lots and lots of food and then another early night. Because of it being a national holiday the other volunteers had the day off from school so were gone to Mysore for the day.

August 4th

Today was another early start and to be honest I was none too enthusiastic about going to work after yesterday. However I was in for a pleasant surprise. The walk there was long and I was only told half way there that I would have to walk home alone – yea that was not going to happen.

Arriving there I got some work to do fairly fast – I had to do 5 short book reviews. Yes fun! But I had it done fast and got to go for lunch. During lunch the boss talked and told me he would show me around the city if I got lost he was interested which made me feel better.
Then after lunch some of the others welcomed me and invited me to join them for lunch and also told me to ask for help. This really did help.

Then I did some work and later had a very odd in-depth conversation about phones with some of the guys. Before I knew it it was time to go.

It was my first time to go home alone and I was pretty nervous but I hailed an auto all by myself and was in tippasandra before I knew it. Only problem was I was in the totally wrong side of tippasandra. Panicking a little I had to calm down and ask for directions. Eventually after wandering around for what seemed like hours I saw the old familiar Cadbury sign that marks the end of our road. I was so relieved to get my foot in the door of the villa.

Dinner of course was great as usual and after a first tiring day it was time to have an early night. The power went out so that wasn’t too hard to do.

August 3rd
This day started off great we were all up early showered (if that’s what you call it) and ready to meet our coordinator Asha. We were brought to Asha’s house which was nothing short of beautiful with statues and paintings it was definitely not your typical Indian home. We got to know each other and we each advised over our clothing – none of which was appropriate so we had to get some clothes.
After orientation we went to lunch which was amazing. So amazing that we couldn’t help asking for seconds. Considering I wasn’t looking forward to the food Indian food has surprised me.

After the lunch I was brought to my placement. Unfair I know all the other volunteers got the day off but I had to work. I was not at all impressed with my first day I was sat in a corner and ignored and went home wrecked and annoyed.
Thankfully Mrs Katary had prepared us a lovely meal with spaghetti pudding (like rice pudding but made with spaghetti) for desert. Mmmmmm
We then went to see love which was really really good for a Bollywood film (love aaj kal) It was  a lot better than I had expected even though I obviously didn’t understand most of it.

Arriving in Bangalore airport was a daunting experience for a lone traveler. Added to this was the fact that all passengers were scanned for swine flu. I kept my fingers crossed and thankfully the thermometer never beeped and I was cleared to go. Then I declared my customs and got my baggage. Heading out it was great to be greeted by a familiar face. Meeting only days before via facebook I was already in contact with Lydia so seeing her there was definitely good to settle my nerves.
After this we left and I was none too impressed when my baggage was put on the roof of the car. Passing cows, kids, dogs and old buildings it hit me I was not in Ireland anymore.

We arrived at the house and were greeted my Mrs Katary a women I would grow to like over the next few days but the initial experience was pretty scary. Then we were shown our room and told that we must come down for breakfast at 7.30am. It was now after 6 and all either of us had in our minds was sleep.

So we had breakfast and then the rest. We discovered the shower which was frightening how do you wash yourself never mind a head full of hair in a bucket? I would soon discover.

Next was a massive cooked Sunday diner. The last thing I wanted after no sleep but it was really good.

In the afternoon another volunteer Anita who had been there for a few weeks already kindly showed us around and helped us find an atm that worked. We then went to soul where we tried the Indian experience of hookah. It was pretty shocking seeing groups of teenagers in a place like that .  And although we coughed and spluttered during the process they were clearly all well trained.

In the afternoon we went to the beach to get food before finally heading off to sleep. The first night was pretty restless with dog fights and cows mooing at all hours but eventually we got some sleep.