{"id":3565,"date":"2015-02-19T16:54:49","date_gmt":"2015-02-19T13:54:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/travelstoriesfromyworld.com\/?p=3565"},"modified":"2017-03-21T17:25:53","modified_gmt":"2017-03-21T14:25:53","slug":"congratulations-we-are-waiting-for-you-in-kerala","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tstories.gr\/en\/congratulations-we-are-waiting-for-you-in-kerala\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cCongratulations! We are waiting for you in Kerala!\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cCongratulations! Can\u2019t wait to see you in Kerala!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

That was the headline of the email I received about a month ago, and, after spinning around myself for quite a while, and calling my loved ones to announce the great news, I dove into a pill of information about the place that will welcome me in less than a month. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

But let me take it from the start! A few months ago I read that Kerala Tourism<\/a> is organizing a trip exclusively for 27 travel bloggers, writers and photographers from all around the Globe, and that to get in the list I would need the vote of my (digital and non-digital) friends. Even though I did not even know where Kerala is actually located, I spontaneously decided to take place and notify my Facebook friends! Without having any great expectations\u2026I ended up in the list! 600 votes of friends and peers, along with the final decision of the judges, were granting me, out of the blue, a road trip to India<\/strong>! 2015 could not start in a more travelous manner. Did I even thank you? No? Thanksssssss!<\/p>\n

\"kerala-tstories\"<\/a><\/p>\n

After I overcame the first shock and stopped screaming of joy, I started looking more into where Kerala in fact is. Yes, I admit it, I had no idea! Come on, stop laughing, nor did you! So I sat down, researched and learned stuff! And I also want you to learn too because, in 3 weeks, I will be there describing you my experiences, thus I want you being prepared for all you see and read! \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

Kerala<\/strong> is located in South India and, particularly, on the south-western-most point of the country, which is surrounded by Indian Ocean. Oh yes, Maldives lie over there too, ladies and gentlemen! Its capital is Thiruvananthapuram<\/b>\u00a0or Trivandrum. Most likely, by getting there I won\u2019t remember its pronunciation anymore, so I\u2019m keeping the convenient version; Trivandrum!<\/p>\n

\"kerala<\/a><\/p>\n

This state is mostly known for its canals (backwaters<\/a>) and its dreamy beaches<\/a>, which wouldn\u2019t remind you of India at all \u2013 at least not the picture of India that we Europeans have in mind. Moreover, I figured that some of the largest tea plantations in the world can be found on the mountains of Munnar city (I can\u2019t even tell you how much tea I\u2019m going to drink!), and that, instead of dishes, they use banana leaves and their own hands to eat!<\/p>\n

\"10919674_870243973014538_863052232_n\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It is needless to say how excited I felt when I read the schedule of the roadtrip! Two weeks full of different and diverse cities and activities, in the company of other travel bloggers from all over the world. As I will be the sole Greek participant, I just started refreshing my English and Spanish \u2018cause they\u2019re both going to be proved handy, although I don\u2019t quite like it that I lack the time to learn Hindi! (you are definitely familiar with my obsession with foreign languages!)<\/p>\n

\"kerala<\/a><\/p>\n

In the schedule, I also read about the Kathakali theater, an exceptionally interesting ceremony based on facial distortions, body moves and facial expressions of the actors. The latter are painting their faces before the eyes of the audience, then they put on their self-made costumes, prior to narrating, in their very manner, the story of the particular ritual, accompanied by percussion instruments. Can\u2019t wait!<\/p>\n

\"kerala-advices\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Wrapping up their email, people at Kerala Tourism asked me to share with them what I would like to see and do while I\u2019m there. How beautiful this is , to ask for your opinion and be so kind and available to help you discover and live such a different experience in an area not even mentioned by Greek tourist guides!<\/p>\n