Kochi: Rain, Rust, and Really Weird Fish
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm chai. the time stamp is 1356160337 - that’s like, 3:37 am my time, which is… confusing. and the temp is 22.96, feels like 23.43, pressure’s 1015, humidity’s 81. it’s basically a damp, heavy hug. i landed in kochi, india, yesterday, and honestly? it’s… a lot. like, a beautiful, chaotic, slightly unsettling lot.
i’m staying in this little guesthouse near fort kochi - it smells faintly of cardamom and something vaguely marine. the owner, mr. joseph, keeps offering me pickled fish. i politely declined, twice. he just smiled and said, ‘it’s good for the digestion.’ i’m not convinced.
first thing i did was wander down to the harbor. it’s not the postcard-perfect turquoise you see in travel brochures. it’s more… grey. a bruised, weathered grey. there are these massive fishing boats, all rusted and patched up, bobbing gently in the water. and the fish… man, the fish. they’re huge, iridescent, and frankly, a little terrifying. i saw one that looked like it was wearing a tiny, grumpy face. someone told me that the local fishermen believe they’re guarding ancient secrets. i’m not sure i buy it, but it’s a good story.
spent the afternoon getting hopelessly lost in the Jewish Synagogue. it’s seriously cool - really old, with these incredible stained-glass windows. i overheard some tourists talking about how it’s the oldest active synagogue in the commonwealth. i just nodded and pretended to understand. i was mostly focused on not tripping over the rugs.
found a decent place for lunch - a tiny little place down a side street called ‘amma’s kitchen.’ the food was amazing - spicy fish curry, appams (these kind of flat rice pancakes), and a whole lot of chili. i think i sweat through my shirt three times.
seriously, the rain started again about an hour ago. it’s not a torrential downpour, just a persistent, drizzly kind of rain. it’s the kind of rain that seeps into your bones. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. i’m trying to write this while huddled under a ridiculously oversized umbrella.
if you get bored, chennai is just a short drive away. i’m thinking of checking it out tomorrow, but honestly, i’m just trying to survive the humidity and the pickled fish.
found a TripAdvisor page for Fort Kochi: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298386-d1209333-Reviews-Fort_Kochi-Kochi_Kerala.html
and Yelp for Amma’s Kitchen: https://www.yelp.com/biz/amma-s-kitchen-kochi
heard that the spice market is insane - like, sensory overload insane. i’m not sure i’m brave enough to tackle that.
someone told me that the Chinese fishing nets are a must-see. i’ve been watching them from the harbor, but haven’t actually gone to check them out yet. maybe tomorrow.
seriously, i need coffee. and maybe a shower. and definitely a new pair of socks.
check out this local forum for Kochi: https://www.kochitimes.com/
okay, i’m signing off. my brain is officially fried.
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