Pharmacies and English Medicine
by cochinjew
PHARMACEUTICALS
Most Indians cannot afford to see a Doctor, so their primary care contact is the Pharmacist and perhaps that is why there are so many pharmacies are about. In the Indiantown near Ballard, there are four pharmacies at one junction, one at each corner.
Anthony who is the man behind the counter at TARA medicals is a veritable source of pharmaceutical information. And he is very helpful.
At least the medications are not expensive.
For a course of antibiotics, it works around one dollar. So in a country where there is a large minority of the population living under two dollars a day, the drug prices are reasonable.
I am told by more than one person that the medical profession is under the thumbs of the pharmaceutical company and when someone goes to a doctor he always comes back with a prescription for more expensive and more often combination drugs which are more expensive.
One example is the prescription of Insulin Glargine Pens with expensive refill cartridges, which cost thousands of dollars.
lOCAL FARE
by cochinjew about Food Stalls opposite Albuquerque Fish Landing Site
Across from Aspinwalls and along the road from the ferry to the Ft Cochin there are a few food stalls.. One is moslem and the other Hindu ( non veg and veg ).. In fact these establishments which were shunned by tourists in the past are becoming popular with them. The food is clean , is fast food and is familiar.. dosai, idli and vegetable curry etc I was staying at Ballard Bungalow,a Heritage house. about 250 years old and befitting the patrons, they had toast, eggs, tea for breakfast One of the workers would run out and get me a dosai or idlis with chutney and the Indian style tea for me each morning. I am grateful
Once again I recommend Ballard Bungalows for your stay
A massage or steambath.
by gonzo747
There is an ayurvedic centre in fort Kochi. Women will be treated by women and men by men.
I went there and they seemed professional (I've heard many stories about would be masseurs)
Here are some prices:
- Ayurvedic body massage 350 roepies (50 minutes)
- head and face massage 150 roepies (15 minutes)
- herbal steam bath 250 roepies (i took this one, never sweated like this in my life 15 min)
- clay therapy 600 roepies
they do more things and you can also get a package deal. i don't have those prices anymore though.
Eating Seafood
by muddybok
Since you already read about my fish nets tips and probably expect some seafood tips. It will be quite hard if I wanna bluff you saying Cochin is not a seafood place.
During the day time, you will see a lot of enterprising hawkers setting their drinking stalls right behind the Chinese fish nets under the tree shade. You can enjoy you drink and watch the fishermen let down & retrieve the nets. And if you're technical enough like me, you probably want to figure out how does the structure works. Of course with your long cool drink ready.
Come evening, you will see dozen of fish stores shouting and attract customers (especially tourists) to buy their fishes & prawns. I won't say that fishes here are expensive or inexpensive because prices are subjective to individuals. So long you think that you get the fishes/prawns (even calamari) at fair price, go ahead and buy them.
You will also notice some guys will follow you from store to store, speaking good english trying to help any store to close the deal. What is there for them you might ask? They are restaurant owners/workers that wanted you to bring your purchase to their store for cooking. They will charge between Rs50-90 per 500gms or per disk and all seasoning materials will be included in that charges.
Happy shopping and bon appetit!!
A paradise for spices
by cadzand
In Abraham's Spice Garden vanilla, black pepper, cocoa beans, cardamon, cinnamon, ginger and so many more, grow peacefully together.
In the evening do visit Kumily Market to look at the processed spices and you can pick up some to carry back home. They are all fresh and unadulterated
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Straight from the nets
Entrance to the Dutch Palace
garbage everywhere
Local fisherman in Cochin
