Carnival Cochin

After Christmas I had my new crew of friends three males and 1 girl all in their early to mid 30s. They were really kind to me inviting me to explore the different events that went on all the way until January 2. There were concerts and stages all over the city, dance performances, a carnival, fashion shows, DJs, and just a non-stop celebration. 

This group of people made me feel included during this special time as they sensed my loneliness and they just wanted to include me....and we also had a great time. We laughed and made jokes and were riding around on the motorbike all over town dressed up in masquerade masks, dancing to the music, and enjoying our time. 

New Years Eve was a huge celebration the the Burning of the Papaji- which is an effigy of an old man prepared during the New Years celebrations. At midnight, according to Portuguese tradition this big hanging old man is burnt down to the ground and everyone watches it go up in flames and that is the "Happy New Year." Plus they have multiple live DJs and Malayaram music bands playing-it is a huge celebration and brings a huge crowd of people, which are many young boys in their 20s.....

I had options for New Years Eve, but again this is the one I chose over the 5 star hotel bar....I wanted something new, fresh, different, and it was all of those things plus chaotic because there was a huge stampede of people with the streets all being blocked off...

I had spent time here meeting new friends (meeting so many people in the Malayaram movie industry-producers, writers, directors, actors and I met artists. I made friends with the Director in a major museum and ended up staying at his homestay. He loved to sing and play the saxaphone and he was so smart and sophisticated with a great taste in food and wine-he was my bestie in Fort Cochin.

Fort Cochin is an island city and it is a smaller close knit community making it easy to get to know people and see them often. It was really a tourist destination designed for maybe a few days, but I made it into a place of new friends, art, music, church, and the 10 days of Carnival Christmas festival.

It was nice, but it was time to go back to Goa to volunteer at the countries first Special needs festival 

THE PURPLE FESTIVAL!!!!!

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