Leaving Thiruvananthapuram via an overnight, 11-hour bus. Expect to be in Wayanad tomorrow.
Posts Tagged ‘Trivandrum’
Off to Wayanad, good-bye TRV
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Trivandrum, Two worlds, Wayanad on 22 August 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Not comforting….
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged the Hindu, Trivandrum on 15 July 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I still haven’t mastered the art of walking in/crossing the street gracefully here. But this is not comforting to wake up and read:
(from the Hindu)
Autorickshaws and haggling over 50 cents
Posted in Malayalam, Travel logistics, tagged Books, Humor, Malayalam, Trivandrum on 14 July 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Depending on the types of interactions I’ve had all day, I either feel that everyone here is out to rob/screw me, or is trying to just make an honest living.
For example, I’m sometimes overcharged 30 rupees for an autorickshaw ride of under 4 kilometers. I never know when and how much to haggle, and [...]
Kathakali
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Trivandrum on 8 July 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I finally had the chance to see a Kathakali performance here in TRV at Vailoppilli Samskrithi Bhavan, a Kerala cultural center.
Kathakali is considered a traditional form of theater, where stories are told mostly with specific gestures (many made by muscles I didn’t realize moved so much). Yet, these gestures are often what one might consider [...]
Varkala and Kovalam
Posted in Fetishisms and Imaginaries, Tourism, tagged Incredible !ndia, Trivandrum on 8 July 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I can’t decide whether visiting Kerala beaches during the monsoon is a good decision or not. I know most people would advise avoiding them during this time of year (muddy and rough waters, rain, lots of closed restaurants and resorts), but I found the dearth of tourists and hawkers to be very calming. [...]
“Taking Drinks” in Kerala
Posted in Gender and sexuality, Tourism, Women and feminism, tagged Trivandrum on 1 July 2009 | 4 Comments »
Yesterday, my host grandma asked me if I “take drinks.” After a few moments of confusion (I had originally thought she was asking me if I wanted water, although I should not have been surprised with her real interest, given the frequency I am asked this question), I realized she wanted to know if [...]
International film festival!
Posted in TV and film, Travel logistics, tagged Fashion and beauty, Trivandrum on 20 June 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Thanks to the help of a fellow classmate’s host family, we’ve been lucky enough to quickly secure passes to Kerala’s international documentary and short film festival here in TRV.*
I’m looking forward to seeing many of the films, especially one in particular, given my earlier posts: Bleach my Skin White, a film from the [...]
Identity, adjustments, dialects, and more sweat
Posted in Malayalam, tagged Trivandrum, Two worlds on 18 June 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I am reminded that I am an outsider by how much my body sweats compared to the average Malayalee around me. No amount of talcum powder or coconut oil quells my drips and frizz. Instead I walk around like a greasy mess, stammering simple Malayalam as shop clerks giggle behind counters and rickshaw [...]
Sweating Buckets
Posted in Travel logistics, tagged Trivandrum on 15 June 2009 | 1 Comment »
I have arrived in Trivandrum, a city full of coconut and palm trees –a nice change from Mumbai.
However, while Trivandrum is slightly cooler than Mumbai, it’s still hot. I have not figured out yet why David and I are unattractively sweating buckets, while every Indian around us looks refreshed and dry (and many are [...]
Maintenance
Posted in Travel logistics, tagged Trivandrum on 11 June 2009 | 3 Comments »
It was recommended to us to buy and pack a few things in America before coming to India, because these items would be hard to find in India. These items include: deodorant, contact lens solution, sunscreen, dental floss, and other toiletries.
I heeded the advice I received, and this I know for sure now: 3 [...]
