Kovalam Fishermen At Work! by Cate, 12/2

The Chanting Begins

So, we started our day at 6:30 am (Hollie has given up on the whole “sleep in” thing) with the chanting of the fishermen outside our window.  We got up to look out at the ocean and there were about 75 fishermen in two separate lines pulling a giant net in from the sea.  We ran out with our cameras and watched the whole episode until it was done 45 minutes later.

It was an amazing study of cooperation and community coming together and the rhythm of life here; all ages, from the most ancient of men to the young and strong, everyone had a job - so grounded and real – the happiness and satisfaction on their faces could not be ignored as they hauled in their catch for the day.  Hollie and I couldn’t wait to see the big fish they caught…but alas, they were all the size of sardines – though that did not dampen their spirits – by their reaction you would have thought this was the best catch yet!

As Hollie went and had her “Henna Experience” I watched as they repaired the nets, napped on the beach and brought in their boats ready for the next days catch.  I then went back to catch on film Hollie’s long awaited Henna application and came in to see three women over her with strings in their mouths ripping her eyebrows out – it looked excruciating!  They decided while they had her (and she didn’t resist) they would do what they could to “beautify” her. Obviously the “experienced” Henna lady was taking the day off – let’s just say Luke could have done a better job – but it was not for lack of trying!  The woman meant well, but by the looks of it I don’t think she had done much of this work. I got Hollie out of there before they waxed her arms and facial hair (which was offered) and we headed out on our next adventure to Kanyakumari.