Fishwives

 
 
Puri  Day 1
Found a hotel with the help of a rickshaw driver on the east beach side – have a horrible India hole in the ground loo but otherwise it is large, light and I have had a bucket of hot water provided so was able to wash my clothes as well. During the day two marriage halls have been erected on the adjacent spare ground so I fear I am in for a long night of discordant music and firecrackers.
 
Took a walk along the beach and watched fishermen’s boats going out through the surf (extra) and others coming in and auctioning off their catch.  The women carried the fish away to sell in the market. Saw a couple of dead turtles – apparently they get into trouble in the surf and drown.  Fishermen who catch them in their nets are always careful to release them.  Some fishermen were repairing nets, others putting long silver fish onto hooks that will go out for miles – for tuna and other big fish.  I shall be interested to be there early in the morning when they come in.  Have been making enquiries about places to see and how to get there.  Several people told me it wasn’t possible to visit the northern Orissan tribals for they had recently kidnapped an Italian whom they wanted to exchange for one of their people who was in prison.  Now it is out of bounds.  May try to go to the southern lot where I spent some time in 2000 visiting and helping in a leprosy hospital.  Ate some wonderful prawns from a shack on the beach. PICASA PICS HERE