Aleppeylooza

Off to Aleppey. Hoping to find our way on to a house boat.

Alisa: We heard about the glory of the houseboat adventure and figured that we should partake. As we sought out prices, however, we discovered that our budget might have to be compromised a bit. Eventually we were able to let that concern go...we were going to indulge ourselves.

Tessa: We had one of those boats to ourselves. Just us, the river, and a three man staff.

Alisa: And that we did. Before we boarded the boat, we decided we should stock up on drinks and a few snacks. Just so we could set the mood. This seemingly simple task turned into quite the memorable affair. We went to purchase the gin in a back alley. We were some of the only females making a purchase. We then decided to grab a bite to eat and entered a halal restaurant for a little breakfast. Someone (I won't say names) may have accidentally dropped the newly purchased bottle of gin. It exploded everywhere. I don't think I have ever seen Tessa more embarassed.

Tessa: First, it is important to know that Kerala is a conservative part of India and drinking is looked down upon. Especially drinking by women. Second, we were definitely the only women buying alcohol in the back alley through a caged window and all the men were stuffing their paper-bagged goods underneath their shirts. I put the gin in my purse. Keep in mind that this was the only time our whole trip we bought a bottle of alcohol like that and it was just to celebrate.

Then we go to breakfast at a little Halal restaurant. Halal=Muslim=Absolutely no alcohol. My purse is on my lap and then somehow tips forward and since the zipper is broken all the contents crash onto the floor. The bottle of gin shatters. The family with small children seated next to us screams and jumps back. Everyone glares. The staff moves all the surrounding table and chairs out of the room so the floor can be thoroughly mopped.

Oh, yeah. It was 9am Sunday morning.

Definitely our most embarrassing stupid tourist moment of the year.

Alisa: So we eventually bought another bottle. Thank goodness. That gin served us well.

Tessa: The Kerala backwaters really are serene.

Tessa: Water taxi!

Tessa: One of our crew members took us to visit his home which sat right on the water, and might have only been accessible by boat.

Tessa: This was the inside of the home. Notice the cabinetry - the son is in the "alumonium fabrication" business.

Tessa: Eyes!

Alisa: We had our own personal chef...

Alisa: and our own personal dance sessions.

Alisa: and our own personal sunset, which we used to contemplate the beauty of our joint adventure.

Tessa: Insert Monk theme song.