Outfits

Another beautiful day in Fort Cochin! Breakfast was great, some semolina,dal and toast. Lee loved the semolina. He also LOVES the bananas here. They are small and much tastier then we're used to. He's also been loving the papaya. Needless to say, he is not starving. 

Today was our first Tuk Tuk ride. We took it down to the ferry boat to take us into a larger part of town for shopping. 

We packed very light for the trip thinking we would buy some things when we got here. Sudi sent us to a fixed price store in town(Kochi) saying that the stores in Fort Cochin run on commission so we would get a better price overall at a fixed price store. 

The place was huge and the entrance was adorned with a gigantic Santa. It was set up like a Macy's where each floor had its own wares. We were sent to third floor for women and ladies in matching saris surrounded us and became our personal shoppers. Once they saw the baby there were about 20 of them all taking turns holding him and fawning over him, it was crazy! I got a few tops then we went upstairs to baby wear. 20 more ladies came over, all touching him, holding him and making clicking noises at him. They pulled out shelves and shelves of baby clothes that were pretty outrageous. Matching baby track suits, graphics that had words that were lost in translation and wild colors. I picked a funny jumper and a really ugly Tom & jerry 2 piece that is practical. After insisting we didn't want anything else for the cherub we went up to men's wear where Lee was held by at least 15 men who pinched his cheeks and made more clicking noises at him. Tom bought a bunch of nice things. They do all the custom tailoring on what you buy there and you pick up all of your purchases on the main floor. By the time we had finished shopping Lee was feeling pretty over all the holding and clicking. Word of him had made to the main floor though and we were met with an audience of ladies undeterred by a fussy baby. Finally we picked up our things and made it out alive! 

We went to a little lunch place off the main road, down an ally. Lee was crying so I took him outside to try and get him to sleep and slowly all of the people in the area started coming over to us to hold him. So much for a nap! He played with limes in the arms of a shopkeeper and had his picture taken with some adorable kids. As soon as we got away headed back to the ferry he fell asleep. 

He's really doing great with all the attention and has been napping very well! 

We have been planning our days with a morning outing and an afternoon outing saving from about 2-4 for relaxing in the A/C of our room. I think this is Lee's favorite part of the day. He plays with his toys on the bed and crawls around and babbles. It's pretty cute.

In the afternoon, after more samosas, fried banana and pakora, we set out for a neighborhood called Jewtown.  We wandered until the sun was going down and headed back. We have a cutoff time of 6p, not because it's dangerous at night but because the moment the sun drops behind the horizon the mosquitos come out in masses. It too bad because that's when the people come out also. It cools down enough where people are relaxing in chairs on the sidewalks, people are chopping veggies on their porches, kids are riding bikes and running around. We will have to lather up with bug spray and get out there one evening. 

Dinner was amazing, thee was nothing I had ever eaten before. Things like steamed, shredded green jackfruit, plaintain stalk, a mysterious type of yam. Then to bed. We have all been sleeping very well. I'd say jet lag wasn't really a problem. Just for reference, when it is 1pm Saturday here it is 11:30p Friday in Seattle. That makes Seattle 13h30m behind. 

Ok, time for pics! 

This guy loves bananas!