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Sipping Timelessness (Kathy – Thrissur – Feb. 24)
Version en français plus bas Today, I’m flying low-key. A fresh perspective, perhaps even a different vibe? Picture this: the first-ever Indian Coffee House in Thrissur swung its doors open on March 8, 1958—over 60 years back! We’re talking about an old-school institution here, right? It was also the fourth of its kind in the entire country. Fast forward to 10:30 AM, and I’m chilling in the lower deck of this ICH, just around the Round central park in Thrissur, up in the north of Kerala. It’s scorching, I’m starving, but damn, it feels good to tip my hat to the cool folks running the show here. https://maps.app.goo.gl/JR85DdLDUgDQPx8m8 There’s space…
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West Nada, East Nada (Kathy – Guruvayur – Feb. 24)
Check reel on Insta or FB about the East Nada Version en français plus bas An Indian Coffee House to the west and another to the east of the massive Hindu temple where, like hordes lined up in metal cages, hopeful devotees go to perform their pujas. Pujas to hasten marriage, encounters, to cure illness, to eliminate poverty … I am struck by the cost of these pujas. It’s exorbitant. Hope fills the temple’s coffers. The gods and gurus are adorned in gold and are so wealthy that they no longer know what to do with the accumulated billions of euros. Money and religion make a perfect match in India.…
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A Star Is Born (Kathy – Guruvayur – Feb. 24)
Short reel about this outlet on Insta and FB Version en français plus bas Wow, what an enchanting find around the corner of the central temple in such a charming and serene neighbourhood – a gleaming Indian Coffee House with captivating signs! I actually spotted it thanks to one of those signs. It seemed odd that it was positioned exactly opposite the direction I was heading to visit the only listed ICH in Guruvayur. I thought I was losing my way. Inside this delightful place, there were two pink shirts, three turbans, and five khaki shirts. Around fifty seating spots bathed in a soft light from the ceiling’s curved design.…
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A. K. Gopalan (Kathy – Thrissur – Feb. 24)
English version below Depuis trois mois, je parcours des milliers de kilomètres à travers le pays pour rendre hommage aux travailleurs et clients des Indian Coffee Houses (ICH). Ma motivation est politique, sociale, artistique et fantaisiste. Mon moteur c’est la soif d’aventure, de rencontres, de liens, de découvertes, d’émerveillement. Il me semble opportun, à titre de rappel, de retracer des pans de l’histoire de cette coopérative. Il y a plus de 500 Indian Coffee Houses en Inde mais pas dans tous les états. Dans le Madhya Pradesh ou le Kerala, par exemple, il y en a des multitudes. Ces ICH sont gérés par une série de coopératives de travailleurs. La…
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The Queen of The Arabian Sea ( Kathy -Fort Kochi – Feb. 24)
Check Instagram. Reel about Fort Kochi. Version en français plus bas. My memory loves to play tricks on me. Some years back, I embarked on a journey aboard the Netravati Express from Mumbai to Ernakulam*. A captivating 22-hour journey, provided everything went smoothly. Upon reaching the station, a strong desire to stretch my legs overcame me, leading me on foot to the Boat Jetty. There, I aimed to catch a ferry bound for Fort Kochi*, a destination awaiting my exploration for the very first time. My attention was immediately captured by an unusual sight—servers adorned in turbans at the Indian Coffee Houses. Right across the jetty, a little gem of…
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Keep it Clean (Kathy – Fort Kochi – Feb. 24)
Commentaires en français plus bas Russian tourists clean Kerala beach: Govt asks officials to clarify Times Of India – TRAVEL NEWS, KOCHI / Updated : Feb 2, 2024, 12:53 IST Photo courtesy: Representative Image/Canva In a striking display of civic responsibility, a group of Russian tourists recently took it upon themselves to tackle the mounting garbage problem at Fort Kochi beach, exposing a stark contrast between Kerala Tourism’s depiction of pristine beauty and the grim reality on the ground. The incident unfolded through viral videos and images capturing Russian tourists cleaning up the beachfront. After collecting the garbage, accompanied by a message urging locals to take charge of their environment. This spontaneous act of…
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Just a Perfect Day (Kathy – Kumarakom- Feb. 24)
Version en français plus bas My birthday eventually took an enchanting twist, thanks to my friend Nathalie who pulled off the most magical surprise: a boat escapade through the backwaters near Kumarakom, Kerala. Early this morning, we hopped on a traditional shikkara, all set to dive into the captivating waterways. Kumarakom’s backwaters unfold a lush tropical scene with palm trees, coconut groves, rice paddies, and charming villages. The sun drenches the green shores in a golden glow. Our boat glides effortlessly over calm waters, creating an atmosphere steeped in tranquility. Nathalie orchestrated a bespoke experience, complete with an attentive crew and a meticulously planned route. Right from the get-go, the…
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A Nice Twist (Kathy – Kottayam – Jan. 24)
Version en français plus bas Unexpected events unfolded that morning. I set out before sunrise to catch the train from Guruvayur to Ernakulam. I dozed off, only to be jolted awake by the announcement of “Ernakulam.” I hastily disembarked to realize, much to my surprise, that I was in… Aluva. Undeterred, I approached the information desk to inquire about the next train to Allepey. Luckily, the morning train was running several hours late and was due at platform 1. Spotting it, I noticed it was bound for…. Chennai. Returning to the desk, the attendant repeatedly directed me to take the next train on platform 1. She pulls the same trick…
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Let’s Coop Together (Kathy – Alappuzha – Jan. 24)
Version en français plus bas When delving into the economic and social fabric of India, one discovers an enormous living network of cooperatives that weave connections beyond economic boundaries while bringing transformative change in various sectors. These collective entities are not just organizations; they reflect the communal spirit that characterizes Indian society. These collective organizations, founded on democratic principles and focused on the common welfare, have become catalysts for socio-economic development in the country. In the vast fields of India, agricultural cooperatives are like oases of solidarity. They not only facilitate production and marketing but also create spaces where farmers share their experiences, support each other to overcome seasonal challenges,…
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Papa ( Kathy – Alappuzha – 29 Jan. 24)
English version below Jean Van der Elst est né le 29 janvier 1937. J’ai sans doute été son cadeau d’anniversaire le plus particulier en naissant le 22 janvier 1964, une semaine avant le sien. Mon papa adoré, il sentait le pain chaud, la tarte au riz pleine de vraie vanille, le jambon de Parme et le Parmesan. Très jeune, il a pratiqué le plus beau et le plus dur métier du monde. Ce sont ses dires. A 10 ans il était déjà apprenti boulanger-pâtissier-confiseur. Il avait un tout petit coeur et une assez grande gueule. Et des mains énormes qui pétrissaient la pâte comme si Gargantua en personne était tombé…
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