Eating and Drinking Indian Style in Kerala

[videowilliams]

Well, according to Sony, Damien's married now and no longer does the homestay. He and his wife just live there now- so you and I were its first and last guests. The bridge they were building while we were there now brings more traffic from the city so the island's lost a bit of its sleepy character. We were lucky to catch it when we did (and aren't you glad we didn't take off on a backwater cruise?) because it truly was an enchanted bubble in time. I return to this video regularly- just love it!

[DawnAkemi]

@videowilliams Gosh that's interesting about Damien. Hope he and his bride are happy there. So restful and peaceful. We were lucky. Yes, too bad about the encroaching modern lifestyle with it's toxic speed and crowding. Hope Kerala can hang onto to some of it's ancient charms.

[videowilliams]

Ten thousand views on this little banged-together postcard? Wow, impressive: well done us! Guess there's a lot of homesick Keralans in the world...

[DawnAkemi]

@videowilliams Thank goodness one of us marks these numerical events! I'm glad we had the chance to bang it together... hee, hee... indeed, well done us! :-)

[vishnuonfire007]

Glad u had fun...!!! Loved the video, expecting more shares....

[radbcc]

What is web site for this homestay? it looks great...

[Neelathamara]

Good video

[yvethable]

gonna be there in an hour, im so ecxited!!!

[Indiancrab]

My Kerala . Wat a place to have some fun near the chinese nets. I miss it. Adipoli Machaaa

[jnj232]

Drinking water indian style??? U ppl got played big time!!!!!

[NASARRAHIM]

well done

[DawnAkemi]

Well, congrats for being in touch with your feminine side, Jim. Me... I don't like strawberry daiquiris... if I'm going for something that sweet, I'll have ice cream. I like beer and straight bourbon whiskey or vodka, sometimes tequila and sometimes wine. Don't much like mixers... it just adds sugar and calories and I've gotta watch my girlish figure. Maybe drinking the hard stuff makes me in touch with my masculine side. I guess its good to know both our yin and our yang... :-)

[DawnAkemi]

Between Southern Comfort, Captain Morgan, and the fruity-coconut drinks, it sounds to me like you go in for those sweet girlie drinks. At least you're man enough to admit it! :-D

Btw... weed is legalized in California (for medicinal use).

[DawnAkemi]

Thanks Jim! Dave and I are bourbon drinkers and did enjoy our Indian bourbon while in India. As to my, er, talents... thank you for noticing... :-)

[videowilliams]

I seem to recall it was the local blended whiskey that we drank rather than bourbon, and getting hold of it isn't as easy as you'd think in conservative South India, but once we had it, it certainly did the trick. Good thing we were accompanied by sober responsible adults, or we might still be wandering Kerala to this day!

[DawnAkemi]

Maybe that wouldn't be a bad thing, Dave... :-)

[videowilliams]

Mmm, they sure were good times... ;-)

[DawnAkemi]

Yeah... I was a good American friend then too... ;-)

[GamerPaladin]

Lol i'm not from India, though i can eat with my hands and drink water like that easily o_o that's how i drink soft drinks when they're in 2 liter bottles and i'm too lazy to get a cup.

[DawnAkemi]

Well, I guess some of us have some mad skillz!!! Or maybe laziness is the mother of invention, or something like that...

Thanks for watching and commenting... :-)

[lolipopPrincess]

What a beautiful place! I would love to travel around the world! It would be a dream come true. =)

[DawnAkemi]

Kerala was very beautiful... hope you get to see it one day! And yes, traveling is fantastic, and my little Indian journey me gave me the travel bug!

:-)

[meyou28]

Hi Dawn,

Thanks for this video. BTW, I am from Kerala ! I did not know that eating with hands and pouring water from a bottle to your mouth is so tough :-)

[DawnAkemi]

Hi Meyou28! Glad you enjoyed our homage to Kerala. You do take your skills for granted. We had fun learning though. It's always fun to try new things...

:-)

[videowilliams]

Now that you mention it, they were telling Malayali jokes in Chennai- same idea. Thanks for those new ones, and for all that information!

[jasperduf]

So, How u guys like kerala?..

[DawnAkemi]

We loved Kerala... peaceful and beautiful... highly recommended. If you have the time... stay in a "homestay" (similar to a bed and breakfast)... you won't be sorry!

Thank you so much for stopping by... :-)

[jasperduf]

Am glad to hear that, i born and grown in Alappuzha district in kerala and now living in Texas,US.and it allways make me proud and thankfull when somebody like u guys appreciate the beauty of my birthplace. I thank you for stopping by in our cute lil Kerala. :)

[videowilliams]

Hi jasperduf: Dave Williams here (the Australian guy you see in the video)... I too found Kerala beautiful: it was green and clean and scenic, populated by warm and friendly, welcoming people. I only wondered why half its citizens seem to be living somewhere else!

Oh, by the way, we stayed at Palette Green Homestay on Kallancherry Island, feeling proud to be its owner's first-ever guests!

[jasperduf]

Hello Mr.Dave,thanks for letting me know that u liked our kerala.Kallancherry is pretty close to my hometown Aroor within couple of kilometers datz all.Bytheway i think u asked my about why people leaving kerala right?, well As u know India hav a population of 1.1billion and that little spot-kerala got a population of 32million which is the population of Switzerland,Greece and Netherland combined. More people in less area with equal quest to make money:)

Hope u will return to kerala again.thax!

[banasura]

Answer to williams' query:1.Kerala is a narrow strip of land between the hills and the sea, with a high population density of 2.Before Suez canal and steam ships, the seafarers were directed to these shores by the monsoons (St. Thomas, Vasco da Gama..Columbus went the wrong way and called the wrong guys Indians.) Keralite jokes on ubiquity: When Hillary and Tenzing reached Everest, they were shocked to see a Malayali already there! Armstrong stepped on the moon, only to see -yeah, a Malayali!

[DawnAkemi]

Thanks for stopping by and for your fascinating insights... ;-)

[bevglenvideo]

Dawn...thank you for sharing this series of videos with the world. I don't think India could ask for a better or more lovely travel promoter. Wow...the breakfast setting is absolutely beautiful. I love the sound of the wind in the background. As for learning new skill sets...eating with your hands and the continuous swallow should be much fun to practice, if not a little messy.

Thanks again,

-D

[DawnAkemi]

Thanks so much, David! It was amazingly beautiful in Kerala... we enjoyed it all, even the messes... :-D

[PleaseLikeMe]

I had the Continental Breakfast this morning. It must have been named for the continent of Antarctica because anywhere else you can usually get bacon and eggs.

(pause for laughter)

Thank you.

[DawnAkemi]

"(pause for laughter)"... must of been your laughter...... cause I don't get it! Perhaps if you explained your joke... oh, but we already established that explaining a joke renders it unfunny. I don't know what to say... but, yes, please, take a bow...

:-D

MmmMmmMmmmm... bacon and eggs... mmMmmmMmMmmmm!!!

[st7103]

I knew she had some porn experience, judging by how she swallowed the water

[reger7]

Absolutely Beautiful country it seems so peaceful and laid back!Thank you for sharing this with me! I've never left North America.

[DawnAkemi]

It definitely was peaceful and laid back there. I could feel my blood pressure, and the very nature of time, slowing down. I recommend travel if you can ever afford the time and the money. Prior to this trip, I hadn't done much of it myself, but now it feels like a priority. Goodluck!!! ;-)

[2008HLS]

Thanks for sharing, Dawn. While I've had Indian cuisine before (restaurant and home cooking), I've always eaten with a fork. Perhaps the next time I have some, I'll try to eat that way. The drinking trick I've done, but with a squirt nozzle on the bottle or -- more often - on the neck of a leather skin with a plastic bladder inside (easier to squeeze). Pouring looks so complicated! LOL :)

[DawnAkemi]

It was fun to eat with my hands in India... very tactile. The Indians have a very delicate, stylish, and surprisingly elegant way when using their hands and I felt like an unpractised clod using my hands around them... especially with things like chicken on the bone, etc. Ditto with pouring water into my mouth from above. A squirt nozzle does sound like it might be easier to aim. Sounds like you and I have cooking in common... I love to cook. Thank you for your fun comment! :-)

[2008HLS]

I first learned the etiquette of not putting my mouth on the spout of a waterskin (as a medieval recreationist). Applying that to the contemporary water bottle was easy, especially when the plastic resists the squeeze more so you don't get a facefull of water (or mead) while learning! :)

The cook is actually my husband. But I've had cuisine from around the world from my neighbors. I live in a 287-unit apartment / townhouse complex and there are many immigrants there from all over.

[DawnAkemi]

Oooooh! Sounds like your a RenFaire girl... love Renaissance Festivals. Funny... its true that the learning curve for keeping drink bottle nozzles away from the mouth includes a face and chestful of fluids... I guess that's part of the fun... :-)

Lucky you to have a man who cooks... now there's a man who's useful... (hee, hee)... :-D

[2008HLS]

Close, I'm a SCAdian (Society for Creative Anachronism sca. org). While a few events are open to the public, many are private where everyone must be in period garb and act period.

My Hubby's great; right now he's at the laundrymat doing our laundry. It took five years to get him to use softener, but I'm still working on him. LOL

[SEATTLEGRL1]

Hi Dawn,

I saw this vid on VideoWilliams channel and am very envious of your trip to India! It looks wonderful!

[DawnAkemi]

I am delighted that Dave provided an introduction! India was a fabulous adventure... I hope you get to indulge yourself one day. Traveling is fun!

:-)

[iamthebs]

thanks!!!

[DawnAkemi]

Why, thank you, Bryan!!!  Glad you enjoyed it... please come back again... ;-)

[SmelliestAssHole]

stupid bitch!!get out of my country u cheap white trash!!

[Naisarue]

Beautiful place! I'd love to go everywhere in India, but Kerala especially. I find the Indian culture fascinating, as you can see on my profile, and I'd like to thank you for sharing this experience of yours! Dave was very funny! :D

[DawnAkemi]

We're so glad you enjoyed our video... thank you for watching. Kerala was wonderful, as is the Indian culture. There was alot to absorb, learn and grow from!!!

And, yes, Dave is quite funny :-D

[sonnyboo]

amazing place! Kinda pales next to see you though...

[DawnAkemi]

Why Peter John... that so very flattering! And it's so nice to see you here! Kerala was amazing... just loved it. My whole visit to India was memorable, in fact. I totally recommend traveling there.

[ib2fast]

Very Nice! Wish I were there. 5tars!!

[DawnAkemi]

Thanks for watching, ib2fast!!! I hope you get to see Kerala yourself... ;-)

[ukp42]

Is that really water? Cos you both fell over after drinking it! Vodka has the same effect on me! Beautiful setting for a meal, as i eat breakfast with the sun raising over the standing stones in the play field in front. Well, when i say standing stones, i mean, pile of rubble the neighbours left after gardening!! lol =) you look fantastic, glad to see you had a Great time xoxo

[DawnAkemi]

Thank you so much, Paul. It was an amazing time, in, as you say, a beautiful setting... and the food was fantastic! Yummy!

[alanbranton1]

Great video.How's the movie coming along?

[DawnAkemi]

Hiya Alan... we're so glad you enjoyed our video... thanks for watching!

The film is progressing well. Shyam's wants to have it ready by June. I posted a playlist of clips on my channel (as has Dave on his videowilliams channel). More info is on the Wannabe Studios site... the link is in the description box to the right (Youtube won't let me repost it here)...

Hope to see ya there!!! ;-)

[MsOpheliaPayne]

you woulda done perfect if he hadnt said "continuous swallow". lol

what a beautiful site.

[DawnAkemi]

That's true... Dave jinxed me!!! :-D

Thanks for stopping by... it was beautiful there and we were lucky to get to see it...

;-)

[sonees]

Its the first video about my village in youtube (I think so).... Thanx Dawn.. Thanx a lot

[DawnAkemi]

Why thank you Sony... such a pleasure to see you on my channel. This video couldn't have been created without you!!! And Dave!!! I sure am missing my new friends in India...

;-)

[videowilliams]

This may be the first video about Kallanchery on YouTube, but I'm quite sure it won't be the last. It's too perfect a place to stay secret for long... And I'm missing it too.

[uchoob00]

very typical kerala breakfast food....nice video

[DawnAkemi]

Thank you, uchoob00. Sounds like you may have been to Kerala yourself... hope you enjoyed it as much as we did... ;-)

[pixelslinger]

The whole series on your trip to India is great. I'm glad I'm subscribed to your channel! I like the fact that you get in with the locals and interact with them instead of just documenting them. This is what travel is really all about.

Thanks!

[DawnAkemi]

Why thank you, kindly, Scott! It's a pleasure to welcome you to my channel. Hanging out with our Indian friends and living their lifestyle was an outstanding experience.

;-)

[Guiness888]

This video makes me very relaxed and hungry...

but not thirsty, for some reason.

[DawnAkemi]

Shucks, Phil... you should give that bottle drinking method a try, though I don't recommend starting with a bottle of juice... unless you enjoy doing laundry... ;-)

Am glad to be back playing with you again... thanks for watching... !!!

[Spammyguy712]

I just KNOW you are having a blast over there Girl! Judging by the smile on your face, you are! Thanx so much for sharing!

[DawnAkemi]

Golly... it really was a blast, Dean... we were very fortunate for such a marvelous opportunity and adventure. Thanks so much for watching...

;-)

[humanswin]

Looks like a great work-cation-a time of your life for sure.

[DawnAkemi]

It sure was, humanswin... "work-cation" sums up how much fun it was to be working there... and seeing and doing all that could be done during our stay in such an exotic land. Thank you for your marvelous attention, my friend! ;-)

[VeraSoleil]

Very cool video Dawn. Thank you!!

[DawnAkemi]

Thanks so much, Vera... we're glad you enjoyed it!!! ;-)

[TheMagicMeathands]

So..um..Dawn...I'm sure you're setting up a MMH tour of India right? Hmmmm? :)

Great vid! See you soon!

-MMH

[DawnAkemi]

Oh... now there's an idea! A comedy tour of India... it would have to be squeaky clean... :-D

Feels good to be playing with my Meathands again!!! Thanks for keeping the comedy fires burning while I was away... ;-)

[enzosso]

Beautiful Dawn,

Thanks for sharing your trip with us! You guys look like you're having so much fun... Man, that food looks so freaking delicious! I want some! MmmMmMmmmm.

Sending you spicy kisses,

Cici

[DawnAkemi]

MmmmMmmM... Cici kisses, so hot!.... MmmMmmm! We did have an unbelievable experience. The food was awesome (Dave's favorite part of the trip!). Thanks for all the love, my Slantee Sistah... ;-)

[stimpyfudge]

Thank you for sharing your trip to India with us, it has given me an insight into this beautiful country, you both look very healthy and happy...look forward to hearing more when you get home, safe journey, take care.

[DawnAkemi]

We did stay healthy (and happy!!) in India, Nikki, which is only remarkable when one realizes how much paranoia there is about going there: all the recommended vaccinations and whatnot. Those recommendations now feel overblown. We're glad that our vids have provided some sort of insight, a feeling of being there.

Thanks so much for your loving attention... ;-)

[maynard427]

when in rome do as the romans do. When in India do as the Indians do. Good job Dawn!! Now about that tee shirt I asked you to bring me...... Glad to see you're enjoying yourself!! Steve(maynard427)

[DawnAkemi]

I thought embracing how they eat and drink in India was a marvelous part of the fun... its such a seemingly simple gesture but quite mind expanding. I'm afraid that your tee shirt became collateral damage in an unfortunate eating accident... I still have to get the stains out... I'm so sorry!

Thanks for all your terrific support... ;-)

[joey0028]

wow this was really interesting! u look beautiful as usual, i luv travel vids!! xjoeyx

[DawnAkemi]

Thanks so much, xjoeyx... I hoped they might appeal to you after seeing your wonderful videos, lovingly made, of your trips to the Australian Outback... ;-)

[smartbluecat]

Wow! great video!

[DawnAkemi]

Thank you, smartbluecat, we're glad you enjoyed it!!!

[hannahmontanarox3409]

So DawnAkemi you enjoyed the food & stay in our country ~rajesh

[DawnAkemi]

We loved the food and stay in your amazing country, rajesh! Thanks for watching... ;-)

[SetInChicago]

Thanks again for sharing. May you both have safe journeys home and I look forward to hearing more about the once in a lifetime experience!

[DawnAkemi]

Thanks for all your support of our Indian vlogs, Jan... more will be coming soon. You said it, it was an experience of a lifetime... ;-)

[rsaenz]

Keep sending more videos. Love them!

[DawnAkemi]

Thanks Rodrigo... it's been wonderful to play with you again... keep staying funny!

[shanonvg]

How wonderful that you have invited us to have breakie with you in such a beautiful setting. Thank you for the smile that you have brought to this friends face.Chug a lug..lol, and Hugs to all of you!!

[DawnAkemi]

Thank you, Shanon. Dave and I ate quite well in India... love the South Indian cuisine! Kallanchery Island felt like world apart, very rejuvenating, very special.

Your smiling face always warms my heart... Hugs!

[theloathlydaddy]

Absolutely beautiful location, it looks quite a bit like paradise. The water drinking part was very funny! Thanks so much for sharing, great video!

[DawnAkemi]

Thanks, Steve! Kerala is beautiful, and Kallanchery Island is remarkably unspoiled by modernization. 

As you can see, sharing bottles of water so as not to spread germs, the way they do in India, required some skill... :-D