Kochi or Cochin is the hub of Southern India. Recently it has been pretty active in the news because it is one of the sites that has been nominated for the FIFA Under-17 world cup. As a city that is relatively unknown in outside of India, this is Kochi’s time to shine. There is a lot of work and planning going into renovating the main soccer stadium and all the surrounding practice fields. The people of Kochi are excited for FIFA to come to their city. An active yet gorgeous city, Kochin is a growing hotspot for jobs and career growth. The culture is reflective of traditional south indian customs. My friend, who has family in Kochi, says most of the older generation wears traditional clothing like saris, but the younger generations have become more western. He tells me that the city’s culture is moving from an extended family living together to more nuclear families. This is happening due to the job growth. Families have to break up depending on where they find a job. I happen to also be a big foodie, so I just had to ask him what his favorite dishes are.
The main one was Appam. Appam is a soft pancake like breakfast item usually eaten with a vegetable stew. It is made of rice, coconut, salt, sugar, and yeast. Coconut is actually a very popular ingredient in many south indian dishes. Most of the curries in South India have a coconut milk base. Another interesting fact about south indian cuisine is that they eat on plantain leaves. Plantain leaves are thought to be very healthy. Therefore eating on them is supposed to keep you in better medical condition.
As to what to see, Trip Advisor and my mother both say one of the best things to see are the Backwaters of Kochi. The Backwater tours take you through the canals and waterways of Kerala (the state Kochi is in). Visitors have said it was one of the best experiences they have ever had. You get to see all the little villages along the river banks. There are also many stops at local churches and towns during your cruise. Many people choose to stay on a houseboat for a few days while touring the Backwaters. This is a very popular idea. Houseboats are something unique to Kerala in India. The scenery is supposed to be breath-taking, and as since the weather is usually beautiful( watch out for monsoon season), it’s a great trip to take.
The other big attraction is Jew Town. Jew Town is a neighborhood known for its antique shops. The shopping area itself is an ancient and historic district. Now Jew Town is the center of the spice trade. It is known for its amazing aroma as you walk down the street. This is a great place to take loads of pictures. The town is filled with handicrafts from the area and lots of other traditional south indian specialties.
In the area is also the Pardesi Synagogue. This synagogue is the oldest active synagogue in the entire commonwealth. It has many chandeliers, a golden pulpit, and beautiful floor tiles. It looks very plain from the outside, but so intricate from the inside. You’ll never guess its magnificence if you just saw it from the street.
The reason I decided to write about Kochi is because I have a few friends from South India and I wanted to learn more about the region myself. I have to say, I hope to see the city myself in the future.
http://english.manoramaonline.com/sports/football/u-17-world-cup-a-golden-chance-for-kochi-to-shine.html
