If it's Tuesday it must be Varkala, Trivandrum, Abu Dhabi then NYC

With no radio, tv and an uncertain internet connection I had no idea what was happening in the rest of the world like the Pope resigning, a meteorite striking Russia & the murder of Pistorius' girlfriend. We existed in a world of our own, exemplified by our visit to Golden Island. We travelled in two autorickshaws through town, winding up on a dusty road that suddenly transitioned into newly laid blacktop. That backwater piece of road was upgraded prior to the visit of a local politician recently. Political corruption is widespread in India according to the book "The White Tiger", which I highly recommend. 

THE BOAT IS PROPELLED BY A POLE

A long open boat ferried us across the peaceful water, powered only by a small wiry man skillfully using a bamboo pole. Think gondola. The calm silence, broken by the occasional bird call, was almost meditative & extremely relaxing. Egrets flew along the bank amidst the wild palm tree forest. High on a cashew tree (pictured below) I saw how a single nut, covered in a protective shell, is suspended from the real fruit...the cashew apple. The skin contains a compound similar to poison ivy (just like mango), so the cashew has to be roasted first to destroy the allergen before being shelled by hand. No wonder they're so expensive.

ENCASED KIDNEY SHAPED CASHEW NUT HANGING AT TOP OF PHOTO

After walking around the small island and seeing the Temple we passed a huge pile of coconut coir waiting to be processed into mats & other useful items.

COCONUT FIBER (COIR) DRYING IN A SHED

On my last day at Odayam Beach I woke up with a familiar aching pain in my upper arm. I knew it as the precursor to a frozen shoulder, something I've suffered three times. Fearful that flying for 19 hours might result in my inability to use that arm, I sought help from a local Ayurvedic physician, Dr Manoj, at his Sanjeevani Ayurveda & Yoga Center. After a consultation he prescribed treatment. A series of hot cloths soaked in herbal oils were placed on my shoulder over 15 minutes, followed by a full body massage at the experienced hands of two therapists. Oil was rubbed into every pore of my body from the top of my head to the bottom of my toes. The entire process took two hours and felt wonderful. After a follow up consultation I left with multiple Ayurvedic teas & meds to take for the next three months. I'm delighted to report that the pain ultimately disappeared, never having progressed. You can learn more about this type of holistic medicine, a specialty of Kerala, at his website   www.keralaayurveda.com

NEON FIGURES FLICKER ABOVE THE TEMPLE

That night we travelled to an adjoining town to see the really big (10 elephant) Hindu Festival. Electric lights had been erected everywhere to illuminate & create a party atmosphere for the week long festival. The parade consisted of elaborately decorated & animated large floats interspersed with multiple marching drum groups playing locally made drums. It was loud & raucous to the delight of a couple of thousand people lining the route cheering. Everything led to the Temple, which was lit up with a variety of flashing neon signs. As we walked along the route, sometimes we drifted into the midst of the ear splitting drummers. Ultimately, all six of us plus a driver piled into a single autorickshaw for a wild ride home. Our cramped condition, coupled with laughter, the dimming sound of drums and assorted horns honking, provided the perfect final memory of my time in Kerala.

SUNSET OVER THE INDIAN OCEAN AT ODAYAM BEACH

If you fly out of India be prepared to go through 10 checkpoints where someone will examine your passport & boarding pass, which will ultimately be stamped four times! Most stops seemed redundant but at 2am, waiting to board at 3am, it was something to do. Four hours to Abu Dhabi and another 15 to JFK, my luggage and I arrived. A ride through intense rain during rush hour, via a car service with a driver who only spoke Mandarin, assured me I was back in New York City.

Reunited with my kids, we watched the debut of a tv show that my son Rob directed. As the pair of survivalists lost in the mountains of Transylvania sought civilization, I celebrated my own return with Mu Shu Pork and Dim Sum. If you'd like to see the show here's a direct link. http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/dual-survival/videos/belly-of-the-beast.htm  "Belly of the Beast" is the name of his episode on the Discovery Channel's show "Dual Survivors".

After the longest Tuesday in memory, I woke up Wednesday morning to fresh coffee & French croissants, a far cry from my former almost vegan diet. Then off to the airport again, again.

SHADOW OF MY PLANE, ABOUT TO LAND

I'm finally home, and after a moderate amount of sleep, back in my kitchen. This weekend I'll be at the Sunday Palma Sola Farmers Market from 11-3 with a variety of jams & baked goods. Not exactly sure what I'll have but there will definitely be some Hamantaschen to celebrate Purim and loaves of bread, cookies & muffins.

HAMANTASCHEN:  CLASSIC JEWISH TRI-CORNERED FILLED PASTRY

Click on their FaceBook link below to get info & directions

facebook.com/palmasolafarmersmarket 

Next week I'll be back to my usual schedule of sending out the blog Monday, with pre-ordering available until Wed afternoon. It's good to be home and I hope to see you soon.

Hugs from my kitchen,
Bonni

BONNI BAKES
Village of the Arts
932 12th Street West
Bradenton, FL  34205

(941) 746-6647

bonnibakes@gmail.com