Picture, Picture!

It's off season (or just their excuse)...this is all they caught.

This blog has a ton of pictures, so I'll keep the typing to a minimum so you don't have to read my ramblings.  We haven't done much since the weekend when I updated last and due to some work commitments, we won't be doing anything this weekend either.  But... I figured I could post some pictures from our trip over to Fort Cochin Wednesday.  Kat and I went back over for the afternoon to wander around taking some pictures and for some shopping.  

Close up

We went to check out the Chinese Fishing Nets again.. not on purpose, but there was shopping near by.  The fishermen were actually in the process of lowering and raising the nets so we got a few pictures.  Of course once they saw us, they wanted us to come up onto the nets and take more pictures.  They even let me help pull the ropes back down which brings the net back up.  The guy took my picture, but he didn't know how to zoom and they were blurry... even though I put it on AutoFocus for him.  Poor guy...

As we were walking away, we already had a crowd watching us and then they bring over a crab they had caught earlier.  Of course, the guy wants us to take pictures......and more pictures.

Just when we thought we were done after taking a couple pictures, he was like "take more..  pictures!"  They must love foreigners.

Above is probably my favorite picture I got from yesterday.  Kat asked to take this guys picture and of course he starts posing with his cigarette.  He kept turning his head for different angles and puffing the smoke in the air.  Most people (including him) were laughing.....  maybe even at him.  Or us?

As you could tell from my previous posts, mopeds are very common here.  They zip between cars and always get in the front of the pack when waiting at a stop light (the few they have).  I am shocked that we have not been hit by one yet.  They act like they own the road, seriously.  Oh wait, I almost did get hit by one when crossing traffic.  Luckily, they are quick to react (have to to be able to drive here) and I just jumped out of the way.  No biggie...
But, as you can tell...  the men wear the helmet in that relationship. Frequently, there are articles in the paper about traffic accidents and it's usually the women and children that are hurt.  I don't understand why they don't ALL wear helmets, but.. then again, it's India and I don't get why they do numerous things here.

This fella here was hanging out by the fishing nets fixing and selling shoes.  Of course, he let us take his picture.  Have I mentioned that they love when we take their picture? 

Jew Town Shopping

For Cochin also has an area of shopping called Jew Town.  We plan to go back... but by this point in the day, I had spent all the money I had (we don't carry much with us since most things are very cheap so don't think I'm loaded) on a table runner pictured below and Kat only had a larger bill which most places won't take.  There are plenty of shops that sell antiques, natural oils, fabrics and higher end stores that sell carpets, marble tables and accessories, and more expensive fabrics. 

The table runner I bought is made of 40-60 year old wedding saris pieced together.  Each one was different and they are all hand sewn.  We don't even own a house yet, but I can still decorate can't I?