After two flights on India Airways, we're now in the state of Kerala. This state prides itself on having the highest literacy rates and lowest infant mortality rates in all of India. It's cleaner than any place in India we've yet been, and judging by the numerous car dealerships, wedding sari shops and jewelry stores, appears to be one of the most affluent as well. Our home base for two nights is Fort Cochin, a laid-back hippy enclave, before we head out for one night at the beach on nearby Vypin Island.
Fort Cochin has a diverse range of faith communities: Hindu, Jain, Muslim, Christian, and Jewish--thanks in large part to trade and the influx of outside populations. Sadly, it's a little difficult finding beer and wine here--we scored at the local Jewish restaurant before getting a local tip from our hotel to hit the XL bar for two cold Kingfishers to enjoy on the hotel roofdeck. Cheers!
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Kerala's education and health achievements are very real--I believe they've also got the lowest rates of child marriage in the country--and thanks largely to a government that was from independence until the last election dominated by the Communists. One of just a handful of places globally where Marxism worked quite well.
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