On Saturday, I was strolling on the road along Poochackal thode(a canal) that leads to Vembanadu lake. Country boats carrying goods and shells were passing by.
Poochackal is one of the oldest townships in Cherthala taluk where people from all around traded their goods. The only way of transportation in those days was via country boats. It is still quite alive. My friend Murali, who works in Govt. Treasury department was with me. His office was nearby.
Murali
We had tea at Girija teashop, which still maintains the traditional chayakkada look in spite of most hotels in Kerala have turned themselves into unhealthy and horrible fast food centres. The tea was really good.
Two street kittens appeared from nowhere and they rubbed against my legs persistently. Interestingly, one of them had eyes with different colours - one in yellow and the other green.
I had a difficult time shooing them away.
Then, I came across this strange looking house painted like an art work. A native told me it belonged to a sculptor named Govind. Govind is a local artist who spent most of his time sculpting and painting. He spends long hours on the lake front engrossed in work. Many in the locality feels he deserves better appreciation.
I took a photograph of the house and had a brief conversation with the artist. I found him to be an outgoing guy.
Town like Poochackal represents the real Kerala. There you see these smiling and friendly people who mingle with you freely with no sinister motives.
In fact, if you go to places in Kerala not marked for tourism, you get to see its real character and people. I believe, those places reveals the real Kerala as it should be represented.
