February 25, 2008

Steven & JoseNeighbors house which is very similar to Jose's

Above, Daughter Layona, Mom Telma, Grandma Rosamma, Son Tony and Jose.

We were invited to lunch by Jose, a auto rickshaw driver we met a couple weeks ago. We accepted and Jose picked us up on Sunday. Most know the auto rickshaws as Tuk Tuk's (Thailand) but they call them auto rickshaws here. Basically, it's a motorbike with a seat for 2 in the back. Though, I've seen as many as 6 people in one. On our 1 1/2 hour journey to his "village" he took us to fishing and crab farms and to a cancer hospital. When we got to Jose's village and house we were greeted by Jose's son Tony Anthony, wife Telma, and 92 year old grandma, Rosamma. We met daughter, Layona, a little later. Acccoridng to Jose, she was at a celebration for their neighbor friend who was just introduced in to a arranged marriage. Yes, they still have arranged marriages here. Their house was a an open brick house 4 room house. We were told where everyone slept including where we were sitting which was the son's bed. The family were so nice to us and the food Telma cooked was really good. Telma serrved us, Husband and Son, Grandma ate in bedroom and I never saw daughter Layona or Thelma eat. Afterwards I found out more about the place they lived in and the area.

"Kumbalangi Integrated Tourism Village project is a unique initiative to transform the tiny island as a model fishing village and tourism spot. Here at the Kumbalangi Tourism Village one can fully savour a variety of natural splendours, and paramount to a model tourist village the outstanding ecological balance of the location. The village, the first of its kind in the country is located near the port city of Kochi in Ernakulam District. The model village is a veritable treat to its visitors with the famous Chinese fishing nets and many other sights to savour. As art of the model village project at Kumbalangi, a nearby island near Palluruthy would also have plenty of interesting vistas and activities in the near future. This coastal hamlet without doubt provides a fascinating glimpse of the simple and prosperous livelihood of the villagers, and also unravels the age-old, magnificent culture and heritage of the place. Ernakulam Junction is about 25 km away and Cochin International Airport is about 40 km away." http://www.whereincity.com/india/kerala/central-kerala.php.