Kochi-Kochi-Koo!

No pictures today, but greetings from the really pretty Indian state of Kerala. I'm backpacking on my own now, and it's been a blast! Plenty of time to reflect on my own, and I met very cool fellow backpackers in two different cities, and hung out for a day or so with each. Rob's an EasyJet pilot from the UK, and Hannah is a Wall Street pro--one who didn't part with her Blackberry the whole time she was here! (to be entirely fair, neither did I).

But that's one of the best parts of backpacking--bonding with new people while seeing new places.

The other best part is the actual seeing of new places. Kerala is beautiful! I flew in from Goa on Tuesday (after watching the splendid Om Shanti, Om on the big screen) and even the view from the air was pretty. Drove in to Cochin (Kochi) and puttered around for a bit. Walked into the old "Jew Town" to explore the marketplace, talked to some very cool Kashmiri expats who were salespeople, and discovered (as locals chatted me up on regional politics) that Keralans are incredibly educated. More so, apparently, than the rest of India.

One last thought: everyone loves Kashmir. Everyone from there, from my auntie to the kurta sales guy speaks of it with such incredible love. I just can't communicate how much they love the place. With such high marks, I'm going to have to go soon. Who's with me?

This is My Mother's Mumbai.

This is the Bombay of Salman Rushdie, exactly as I imagine it and precisely as I remember it. The always-perfect sunlight filtering through the trees; the mist above the tree-lined streets; the gorgeous British colonial architecture. Aaaah!

We were in Bombay for just three days, for my cousin's wedding and reception. After all the madness finished, I drove around in a cab to run some errands; namely checking out my mom's old high school and producing the required photograph for my Indian SIM card. I also picked up a few great CDs chock-full of lounge tracks. Now, after a brush with an almost-lost visa, we're in Bangalore--er, 'Bengaluru'--for a bit of relaxation before the "party-sharty" begins in Goa.

One last parting shot of Mumbai. For this one, the light was just perfect, as it always seems to be in this city. The writing on the wall and the picture of the guy on the chair intrigued me. The lady in pink walking by just added to the fun.

Adios! Hope everyone is well!