Village trip in Kerala, India with Semester at Sea

For this trip, 27 students, staff, faculty and life-long-learners went about an hour away by bus.  We were met with leis (sold in the markets, and usually placed at the Hindu and Buddhist temples, rather than on people).  We were also given fresh coconut to drink -- they just lop off the top in front of you and stick in a straw.  The experiences in this community highlighted a women's development program that had created small groups of women with specific skills.

One of the groups of women performed traditional dances for us outside.  Another group gave us a cooking demonstration, then served us each a traditional Kerala meal on a banana leaf.  I have the recipes for two of the dishes.  Lots of coconut is used in Kerala (south west India).

We were in and outside of someone's home -- they are teachers who have lived in this area for a long time, and are working with neighbors to create opportunities for women.  We toured the garden, and several of the students tried on saris.

Many extended family members gathered around, and I had the chance to talk with a group of 13-15 year old boys.  They were finishing exams now, and were planning a summer vacation of cricket, football (not American football), and taking classes at a local IT center.  I also had the chance to hold the hand of the 94 year old grandmother who was being taken care of by her daughters-in-law as well as professional help during the day while the daughters-in-law were at work.  And I spoke with an uncle who was spending a furlough with his family while on leave from employment in the middle east.  Over the days in India, we talked to several people who had worked outside India for a time.

Last stop was a handweaving factory.  We saw undyed thread piled by the front door, and had seen dyed thread drying in back yards nearby.  Three women were sitting on the floor winding the thread from skeins to spindles.  One fellow was drawing the yarn from spindles to a huge warping wheel -- the warp that he was tying was probably 25 meters or more.  And about 6 men and women were working at a very traditional 4 harness loom with a fly shuttle.  I was able to purchase some of the cloth that they had woven.  The size of the pieces were appropriate for the diaper-like garment that Ghandi wore, and the patterns of each was unique.

Pictures not taken:  There were about 60 people marking along the street in a demonstration -- it seemingly had to do with upcoming elections.  And thee was a handmade string of hammer and sickle banners, also related to the upcoming election.