Daylight on Tuesday reveals Fort Kochi, strangely quiet. Last evening there was the predictable busy busy business, motor scooters, tuk tuks, cars, buses and much pedestrian traffic. Only a little like Viet Nam, obliviously walk out into the traffic, keep going, don’t stop, don’t look and be optimistic. Woke up this morning at eight thirty, oh good, a lie in, pottered about, made tea, looked out the window, then discovered I had left the clock gadget on Cambodia time. It was a little after 6am. Oh well, sunup is a good time for a stroll. But, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse ! Ok, there were a few goats, the occasional policeman, some soldiers, that was about it, well early I thought and kept walking. 7am then 8am and still the streets were deserted, the shops shuttered, no hubbub, no action. Hungry, I made my way back to the hotel and then it struck me, someone mentioned a strike last night, a 24 hour General Strike! Well that’s it then, innit, all the shops are closed, the banks, offices, gas stations, restaurants, the Post Office, the railways aren’t running, the airport is shut down, the port traffic halted, there are no buses, tuk tuks or taxis. It’s so strangely quiet, like going to Safeway on Thanksgiving morning.
Nothing, nobody, anywhere.
The story behind the Chinese Fishing Nets
The Nets Waiting for the new day
The net is lowered into the water.
After a suitable period of time the net is hauled up, gradually.
There may or may not be fish.
Last photo of nets for a while, promise.
General Strike activity, cricket. I counted four matches on this one “pitch”.
Another pitch, more cricket. Do check out the Banyan Tree, there are many in town and provide welcome shade.
Everyone goes to the beach to watch the sunset, over the Arabian Sea.
Having fun.
Crowd. Beach. Fort Kochi. Sunset.
notreallytravelling 