Wednesday, October 26

The alley behind Lighthouse Beach, 15:34
This week on Lighthouse Beach I have seen a lot more obviously Western people than previous weeks. I have not seen hundreds, not even dozens, but perhaps twenty or so. Hopefully this bodes well for the return of the tourist trade without which the people of Kovalam will lose their major source of income and their major industry.
As I walked along I noticed a man painting the outer walls of the Spice Garden restaurant a deep blue, and I noticed that Lonely Planet once again had an almost full house, despite the fact that lunch time had finished and dinner time not yet started.
Many shops remain closed while some have begun to open. I pass the shop that sells drums and notice that it occupies a gray zone between open and closed. For the second time in a week it has its wares on display but nobody apparently there to sell them.
A couple of shopkeepers wave to me, not in an attempt to sell me anything but simply to break the boredom of sitting in an alley on their own.
I will wave back and shout hello.