"Napkin Madam! This is Kerala"

Says the waitor to me in a slightly sketchy fast food joint in Kochi. Implying, I think, that unlike the rest of India, Kerala is better--well, at least different. And that wiping one's hands and one's nose on the same napkin is just not appropriate. But apparently taking off your lungi (male skirt) in public and re-wrapping it is just a-ok. Alright, I'll live with that.

Kerala, however, is different from all the other states I've been in so far. Namedly...it rains A LOT here...everyday, so its very very green. And despite being the most densely populated state, it seems quieter and slightly cleaner than other places. More educated to boasting 100% literacy in some regions...and the societal structure is a matriarchy. Which astounds me as after 9pm all we see are hoards and gaggles and packs of men...everywhere. Luckily we're a possy of females! (or perhaps unluckily?)

Anyway, we've got a couple more weeks here and now that we've seen the pooram, we're off to some of the inland areas to ride bikes and hike and relax in the green! ah, green! :)))))))))