Kerala, India

Man in the Kollam Bazaar

We have spent the past week-and-a-half in Kerala, near the far southern tip of India on the Arabian sea. Kerala has a centuries-long history as a spice trading center, having done trade with the Romans, Chinese, Arabs, Dutch and Portugese. Good luck trying to haggle with these people!

Cigarette Break in the Spice Bazaar

One of the visual icons here is the Chinese fishing net. The basic design of these nets was learned from Chinese traders hundreds of years ago, but the nets are still in use all over Kerala.

Chinese Fishing Net, Fort Cochin

Kerala is a friendly, laid-back state. It is also home to a successful, freely-elected communist government, which seems to be doing a very good job of taking care of its citizens. Things are not all roses, but we are told that unemployment is low, there is good support for poorer citizens, and even menial laborers earn a far better living than they do in other states.

Porter Unloading Bags of Rice

Literacy and education in Kerala are the best in India, and as a whole, the children seem genuinely happy. While there are not many jobs here, many Keralans find good jobs abroad and bring money back home.

Running along the Waterway

Still Smiling

Many people attribute the outstanding level of education here to the foundations laid by Portugese missionaries hundreds of years ago. I believe that much of Kerala's current educational success is due to the fact that, unlike much of India, Kerala strictly enforces India's anti-child-labor laws. You do not see children begging here, because for the purpose of this law even begging is considered work.

Lunch Time