We've been at Kovalom beach the last few days before we head to a week long yoga camp. We've just been beaching it...and we took a cool Keralan cooking course. I made masala dosa!

I just came across the anti-Bush scarcrow thingy on a tree near the beach. I'm not sure if the shoes have a specific significance. But it seems people don't like shoes, as you have to take them off when you go in most stores, offices and all temples. And you're not supposed to point them at anyone when you sit down cross legged.

A few more observations:

India is so conservative! While there is lots of "boy on boy" action going on, men and women and women and women don't make any contact in public. And the few beers we've had here are wrapped in newspaper and kept under the table! It's funny though, because when we came we'd get annoyed at having to wear long shirts etc. in such hot weather. But we've turned into conservative Indians and when we see other tourists we're like "omigod, look at that shoulder slut! What does she think she's doing? What are her parents going to think?" hahah.

Indians love little kids and babies. Dads are especially cute with their kids, and more involved with childcare then I would have thought. We often see dads with their kids on the bus or walking around town. And even if the mom is there, the dad always carries the baby (also probably because they don't have slings or baby backpacks). And baby girls are always really dressed up and have more bangles and anklets then their moms. They also wear a lot of eye/eyebrow liner, which is said to keep away evil spirits.

We've taken many kinds of transportation: train, long/short distance bus, car, autorickshaw, motorbike taxi, scooter, ferry and canoe. The train is by far the best as it's the fastest and most comfortable. The train system is huge and because everyone takes the train the classes vary from moving hotel room to stinky, crowded "chair class" (if you even get one). We take one up from the lowest class, which is fine! While we've been pretty lucky, a few days ago we were late getting to the station so we got on the wrong car. It was super packed, so the next station we jumped off and ran up to another car which was first class. ugh. So, we ran up again and jumped on another packed one but just decided to stay on. But we had to climb up on the upper level of seats, but it was so full we had to monkey jump up. In doing so, Janice kicked someone in the head and I spilled water on everyone below us!! Then we looked around and realized we were on an all male car!! (they sometimes have seperate ones). But we just had to stay, as not to hurt anyone else. yikes. :)

While of course it is hard to see people living on the street, I think the most significant sign of poverty is child labour. Little kids are often selling things and working behind restaurants/food stands. And in one restaurant, our server must have been 10! I just felt like asking if he wanted to play house. :( And this is only what we see, as the most child labour is in the textiles industry. I just feel this reliance on child labour goes against India boasting the "world's largest democracy." Though I guess the West trades and prospers from the same products...but we just don't have to see the consequences! And of course kids working means their not in school, which just continues the cycle...