Cochin

COCHIN Photos: Chinese nets, notice. Bedroom!

Finally found Ballard Bungalow. This is a small hotel owned by the diocese - how's that for an idea to pay our way? It is a somewhat restored Dutch or Portugese mansion, restored by the diocese, with, I think, 5 bedroooms, all large and airy. I t must have been a stunning house in its heyday - wouldn't mind one of my own to do up - what fun! The staff are lovely, most helpful. Our room, though a bit worn, like everything in India, is real 'departed glory' stuff, which I love. Picture hopefully attached. Cochin is lovely - like everywhere else you have to overlook the rubbish etc. There is a great system to clear the streets - brush most of the litter and leaves into little piles in the gutter, and set fire to them. Early evening smells of smoke! Sadly, still no hot water. However, excellent and cheap laundry system, so all our clothes are now clean - such luxury. Laundry goes off in an auto (tuc-tuc) in a morning and comes back in the evening.

We were directed to the museum and Bishop's house, and found we were with the Roman Catholics! No problem, all very friendly and we learned about their charities and projects and how they go about things. They have a very practical approach that makes sure charity goes where needed, no middle men. Long conversation with young man who had left the seminary as he wanted to do hands on charity.

Found the Anglicans - definitely the poor relations - but no-one who spoke English. They found it very odd that Dave was not the priest! However, contact made to be followed up, and we have seen some of their famous lay ministry in action. As before, basically the priest covers a wide area, with Catechists doing the day-to-day services and lay people doing everything else. Seems to work very well and to be totally accepted. Congregations are sizeable and enthusiastic.

Fort Cochin is a drive or ferry ride away from the main city of Ernakulum, which is desperately busy and the traffic is crazy. Fort Cochin is much gentler, and there are wonderful and famous Chinese Nets along the shore for fishing. Seafood is serious stuff here, and there are a couple of restaurants advertising 'You buy, we cook.'

The heat is tremendous here, well in the 30s and we gave in and slobbed around for a day or so, before taking a breath and investigating further