I traveled 11 hours yesterday to get back to Cochin. It’s normally around 5 hours from Calicut to here. In my case, it was 7 1/2 hours.
A couple people made comments that “English” must be spoken fairly common here? NO! That would be “Engrish”! Something between with false assumptions and eager desire to help would fall in that category.
And yes, nearly always, someone around speaks enough English to help! That’s why I speak loudly and talk to a lot of people! So many times at bus stops, after I’ve asked the driver about my destination and get waved off…my correct bus is confirmed by helpful people at the bus stop who heard me.
Engrish…for example! The day before yesterday, I went to Kuruva Dweep Island. I went through Mananthavady to get there but that was about an extra hour on the bus. Once off, I was told no bus went to Kuruva Dweep! I went to the restaurant to get something to eat and they helped me!
Coming back, I had to walk to the main highway, hitch a ride on a motorcycle and was dropped by 7 tuk tuk’s which was perfect. Except, no one would give me a ride. “Bus…only 8 rupee’s”! I explained, unsuccessfully, that I wanted to go now. No one would take me, there’s a bus. Translation: this is definitely NOT a tourist area! Eventually, I got on two more buses after asking at least 6 more and was back at the home stay.
Yesterday at the bus station in Calicut, they told me to go to the airport, “bus to Cochin to airport”. But others told me to take a different bus or that’s how I interpreted their gyrations. The airport bus was slow, late and got in after the last bus left for Fort Cochin.
My travel plan for yesterday: Go! Wait by the road. Get on a bus. Something or some thing’s are going to happen. I’ll wind up where I want to be. Indeed, after 11 hot hours and one completely lost tuk tuk driver, I was here last evening!
Around Sahyadri Homestay
Awesome place to stay! Lovely and very service oriented family! Peaceful and quiet. Awesome typical food for every meal I had with them! Here’s a link to them: http://www.sahyadrihomestay.com
CONTRAST! After breakfast this morning, I wanted to find the Biennale Gallery near the waterfront. I knew I was walking in the right direction but decided to stop at a hotel for clarification. The young man quickly stepped around the counter and in great English said: “Good Morning Sir! How may I serve you?” There is quite a range in possibilities.
Couple shots from the gallery:
“Engrish” for Americano…not!
Finally, coffee. I ordered an English breakfast which comes with juice, toast and jam, choice of eggs and coffee or tea. I asked the waiter if I would have an Americano instead of coffee. “Ah, one espresso”. No! Is is possible to have an Americano instead of a coffee. “Yes, espresso”! Not a complicated question but beyond the range of many people in this culture to process. The coffee was pretty good!
Next up….Yoga, meditation and Ayurvedic retreat! I’m still waiting to hear back from them. I’m either going tomorrow afternoon to be there for the start Saturday morning or hiring a driver here early Saturday morning to get there. The challenge…no communication or response to my questions.
I wrote their contact page four times with a note I would hear from them within 48 hours. Nada! Then I found them via a Yoga booking site and they got back to me. I reserved, booked and paid. Now, I have no idea of any schedule, when we start, etc. Strange but it still feels very right to be there.
Contrast that with the hostel in Yangon. I only booked two nights with them but after all night travel, want to have one more rest day. I wrote to ask about that and within 30 minutes, have confirmation they are saving a room for me. Cool!
Ideally, they will have a room I can share tomorrow night before moving to a single for the weekend. And they had a single available for one extra night which works perfectly as I head to the airport late the next day! I’d much rather hang out there than in the city! Tonight, with the help of Babu, I’ll call if I haven’t heard and work that out.
Images from the State of Wayanad
Suddenly, my time in India is moving to a close and I’ll be packing off to Myanmar. My pack is small and full…I haven’t bought anything! Well, a few Ayurvedic herbs that felt right. Once in Myanmar, I’m hopeful that I can store my extra things at the hostel and travel light! I’m sure that will work.
Myanmar travel: midnight flight to Bangkok. Collect my bag, go back through security, check in to other airline and head to Yangon. Other options were much more expensive and up to 20 hours of travel. This way, I have a four hour layover to go back through security and will be in Yangon under 12 hours from when I depart India.