Treasures

When the brain and body battle for supremacy in the war of Jet Lag, sometimes its best to just give in.  And at 4:30 in the morning, blogging is an outlet.

On our last day in Kannur, while trying to book a fancy bus for the long haul to Bangalore, we stumbled into one man's treasure trove.  We were not, however, able to book the bus.  Indians travel on Sundays. Just a word to the wise for future reference.

We did come across a funny little garage building whose contents stopped me in my tracks.   Inside were a 1937 Fiat and an Austin Seven, both looking like they had just rolled in from a jaunt around colonial India.  

As a matter of fact, that is what each of these classic automobiles used to do.  Our host, pictured with the GE, had photos of each of these machines out and about in pre-WWII India.  Amazing history!

 Like Gear heads everywhere, when someone starts admiring the object of your obsession, you invite them in for some hang time and a closer look.  Our Indian friend was no different.  Turns out, both of these rolling beauties belonged to our host's father, a portrait of whom was venerated at the back of the garage.  These cars had been in the family since their original purchase.  The Austin had a battery charger on it when we arrived and it was only removed and the bonnet lowered to allow for photos.  Both of these bits of history are completely road-worthy.

Like the rest of our experiences in Kerala, when the foreigners show up, the locals are not far behind.  Our friend in the foreground of the Fiat picture is just a passerby hamming it up.