Things Non-Keralites can't Experirence !

Had plans to post this after Tu Madrasi Hai Na ? but it is hard to pinpoint, especially because there are so many! With the world becoming a smaller place day by day, a lot of things unique to Kerala are more accessible to everyone. So the world can experience things like typical Kerala food, tourism or art.  However, there are some things that really define the essence of being a Malayalee.

If you approach Kerala from beach side it looks like some tropical island but it's not if you approach to Kerala from the other side it's high range and hill stations.  Though you can enjoy Kerala's nature by being a tourist you will never enjoy it like a native.

The first thing our beautiful language - Malayalam! Very few non-Malayalees can speak the language correctly, but Malayalees are actually pretty good at learning and speaking other languages.Probably the numbers and varieties of sounds used in speaking Malayalam helps to adapt easily to other languages.

Natural Beauty

God's own country - granted the name for the rich and natural beauty, Green lush and peaceful.

100%  greenery during monsoon

The Snake Boat Race
Around 30 boats participate in Annual Kerala Boat Race.The feeling is truly exhilarating as you watch teams of hundred oarsmen row their boats.

A train ride
A train ride from Ernakulam to Trivandrum via Kollam to get a beautiful overview of the state. Along the journey, you will come across the marvellous lakes, the sparkling backwaters of Kerala, the coconut trees, the wide plantations. It is a quick, cheap and easy way of knowing God’s own country, Kerala.

The paddy fields 
Walking through the very heart of the paddy fields. Watching the native folks working on the fields, striking  a conversation,having a great walking experience!

Blend of all kind of harmony you can find in KSBC (Kerala State Beverages Corporation) queue. Learn from their discipline.😂 🤣

 The chit-chat at the local tea shop. 
The daily chit-chat at the local tea shop is something not to be missed.If you thought they are talking about the most trivial things,you couldn't be more wrong.They discuss a wide variety of topics including, but not limited to,national and international politics.Although,it must be said that with increasing urbanisation such tea-shops might soon disappear.

A ride in the "aana vandi"
Most of us keralites refer to the state run KSRTC buses as aana-vandi.A ride in one of these buses is considered essential for being a complete Malayali!

Festivals, A lot of Festivals
We celebrate almost eveery festival, irrespective of the religion. We share almost all religious celebrations.

Toddy Shops 
A toddy shop is a drinking establishment particularly seen in Kerala where palm toddy, a mildly alcoholic beverage made from the sap of palm trees, is served along with food.The food served with toddy is very spicy and hot with chilies. The main dish is tapioca with red fish curry.

Kerala Traditional Clothes 
Some North Indains think its madrasi, no its not!It's purely a malayali thing.

Malayalam Movies
You get to see the original version of a film before Bollywood reamkes them.Movies with low budget and great stories go on to be high grossers after a remakes in other languages.If you truly want to know the class of actors like Mohanlal and Mamootty, then you must know the language.And it is real fun in getting the ticket for their movies for FDFS(First Day First Show).

 Guess should make a different post on the remakes from Malayalam movies.🤔

Unexpected holidays
Thanks to the political parties, strikes are common.So many trade unions and strikes in Kerala. Our favorite holiday is actually hartal.

 

These Khakhi clad Auto Drivers. Start arguing with them regarding the fare, they respond by citing words like 'Inflation' 'Economic Recession'. Step outside Kerala, the only response you get is "No!"

 Kerala Cuisine
There is no restrictions on our food items and you wont get this much spicy dishes. There are some special items that you can find only in Kerala.

 The immense craze for Football
FIFA World Cup is almost celebrated as a festival in Kerala. You can really witness the craziness during these times in every corner of Kerala in the form of flex boards, posters, paintings etc. 

Vintage comedies and its frequent quoting in real life - Some jokes like "Polandine kurichu oraksharam mindaruth" (Don't talk about Poland!)

Rare combination of communism and democracy.

Free imported perfumes and dates from Gulf 
Atleast one of our family member will be working there 😇😜


#BengaliLaboursEverywhere
While asking a route on the road side you might sometimes get a reply "Malayalam maalum nai". ( I don't know Malayalam!)

Because of this huge migration of Bengali workers, the buses have started writing the names of places in Hindi too! I dont think any of the other Indian state would do that. 

Visit Kerala if you get a chance , there's a reason it's called the God's Own Country!

 

The Harthal Punk

Another journey post but doesnt have any shades of my previous one,A Second Class Journey.
This time due to unavailability of tickets I couldnt book a direct train to Chengannur(Kerala).Hence I decided to book a ticket till Ernakulam(Kerala) and then catch a passenger train to Chengannur.I don't know why but I love travelling in trains.

I feel train journeys are slow for longer distances,but it gives enough time to think,pause your thoughts,rest your mind,enjoy the beauty around you,listening to the noise of the wheels of the train hitting the stones beneath and much more.There are countless moments like these on my train journeys lasting more than 30 hours.

 I reached Ernakulam at 5 in the morning and the connecting train was around 6.
Had a cup of tea with Pazham Pori(Banana Fritters) and waited on the platform listening to train sounds,announcements and the chaos.The train arrived early I got in quick so that I could grab a window seat.Meanwhile, I got a call from home that there is a Harthal(strike) in Chengannur and there will be no transportation until 5p.m.So they insisted me to stay back in Chengannur station upto 5p.m, to which I agreed.
There are two things that I am very jealous of Kerala- Harthals and the beautiful girls :P
Harthals - there are atleast one strike in a month. And all the schools and colleges get holiday.How joyous it is when you wake up in the morning and you know there is no school/college today!
 The train starts moving and by the time the bogie gets crowded,filled with office-goers,college students etc.
All were busy in newspapers,mobiles wondered why arent they enjoying the green beauty outside like me,then thought they might be bored seeing the same everyday.
Reached Chengannur and as said there was no buses outside the station.

 

Had made up my mind to stay till 5 because I had no other options. But then thought it would not take more than an hour to reach the next town so why not set out by foot.
 I have seen in few Malayalam Movies that people travel in an ambulance during Harthal days because its the only vehicle which wont be stopped, was waiting for such an occasion but none came.There was this uncle with me who advised me to take a boat from nearby riverside and would reach Kozhencherry easily.
I reached the riverside, saw the boat but there was no one around it.

 Image for representation purpose only

 "Enthuvade nokuune"
 (What are you upto?) said a lungi clad man with a bidi in his hand..
"Chetta akkareku ponam" 
 (I need to go to the opposite shore)
"Ithu njaan meenu pidikyuna vellam aa kadathuvellam alla!" 
 (I use this boat to catch fish not for passengers)
"Vere vazhi illa chetta, please" 
(I dont have any other options)
"Vaa keru"
 (Get in then)
"Evdunna Varrune?Malayalam keetitu ivadthe alla en thonnunu"
 (The way you speak in malayalam doesnt seem you stay here)
 "Pune il aa thamasam" 
(Stay in Pune)
"Avde Joli aano?" 
(Working?)
"illa padikyua"
 (No,studying)
 As said the boat had a pungent smell of fish.Reach the shore.
"Ividuunu nere nadanu poya madhi main road ezthum" 
(Walk straight and you will reach the main road)
"Appo sheri Thank you "
"O aayikyotte"

Had to walk a bit again, reached the main road took an auto.
While walking to home I get this weird looks from passers by because they dont see me often.
Saw Grandfather sitting at the verandah with the newspaper.
Surprised to see me so early
"Nee engane ethi?" (How did you reach?)
to which I replied 
"Enikku Veshakunnu" ( I am hungry)



  Inspired from : North 24 Kaatham