We had a lovely holiday in Kumarakom and Cochin. The Taj Malabar is right on the Arabian Sea. You can simply lie back on bed and watch the shimmering waters and the lazy movement of cargo ships, yachts and tankers. At night of you leave the curtains open , then you can see the lights of Cochin port. It was really magical.
After spending a couple of days in Kumarakom, we headed for Cochin. My friends had gushed so much about the churches and a synagogue that I decided to check these out before I checked into the hotel. The streets leading up to the Fort Kochi area were jammed and the traffic moved at a snail’s pace. Tourists and visitors to the synagogue have to park half a kilometer away and walk it to the main attraction. I fell in love with the milieu. It’s very European. I think the streets are cobblestones and the shops lining it are quaint and charming full of funky, hippy style clothes and antiques. I binged on the antiques- two lamps from a ship caught in a wreck- the seal reads0 RPyal Navy of Scotland, 1920. It has a wick and a kerosene tanker inside. I also found a karandai – a small pot for haldi and kumkum that also doubles up as a lamp once you pour some oil and plant a wick in the hollow. Oh and a 1915 compass that feels good to simply hold in the hand. I don’t know if these really antiques but they look good anyway. Forgot to tell you about ceramic handles that I think Cochin specialises in. Lovely tiny handles with ceramic knobs in pastel shades of blue, red, pink and yellow.
Shopping done, we turned to the Synangue since it closes at 1300 hours and I really did want to have a peek inside.
As we approached the entrance of the red temple, the scruffy guard rudely asked us to deposit our bags and sacks in exchange for a token. He also ordered us to leave our cameras outside. This was shocking. He waved his hand with a finger pointing to our belongings and then jerked his head toward the shack where we were supposed to get the token. I felt like a bloody, cheap person who has been handcuffed for petty thievery and was being explained the rules of getting into the jail.
Well If these are the rules then that bugger ought to tell us politely. It out me off the synagogue so completely that I asked him to stuff the synagogue, saaley tumhaara synagogue tumaharey paas rakho, and to top it all it was a paid attraction- case in point- paid tourist attractions are never worth it- the best things always come for free (while travelling anyway).
Later the shopkeeper in the street and the general manager of Taj Malabar told me that the people there- managers, guards are known for their rude and condescending behaviour. Well I don’t care. I wish there was a way to give feedback to the people who manage/ run the synagogue.
Since I am on this subject, I have heard stories of the similar uncouth behaviour from Israelis in Goa and Manali. They look down on the locals, indulge in abusive language and discriminatory practises are not unheard of. I have only one thing to say- this reeks so much of racism that the Israelis always accuse the others of . Time to check the mirror you Sons of David.
