Kerala   

Hangout pangs

Photo: H. Vibhu

JOY OF TOGETHERNESS: A couple enjoys a quiet evening on the Kochi beach as the azure sky spreads its riches over the horizon.

Some youths feel that Kochi is too congested a place for hanging around with friends. There are others who say that the city has the right mix of coffee shops, eateries and other hangouts to unwind, catch up with some gossip and to be in one’s own world.

But they speak in unison of the need to have open public spaces like parks, which are at present confined to places such as Panampilly Nagar. Many feel that places such as Marine Drive walkway and Fort Kochi are not too safe for women, especially once it is dark.

Cherai is a better place, but for the distance from the city. A chartered accountancy student studying in Bangalore, Vijay Santosh, said that with Kochi becoming too congested, he goes on outings with friends to places like the sprawling lawns of Bolghatty Palace Hotel.

“Unlike Bangalore, which is full of pubs and multiplex theatres, Kochi is a fantastic place for youth. The unending traffic snarls are a cause of concern though.”

There are others like Mini N. who never tires of spending hours with friends at coffee shops. The place might be a little crowded sometimes, but it does not matter.

Apart from the food and ambience, the sheer thrill that these youths get while being amidst the young crowd who throng these places, is what matters to most of them.

In fact, organisers of parties find the coffee shops and other popular eateries good places to spread word about upcoming events, says Joe Peter, who heads C2 (a venture of prime time unlimited) — the abbreviation for Club Converge, “We host events aimed at couples, in Kochi and places like Munnar. Already, we have had programmes in the coffee shop of Avenue Regent, Hotel Casino and one on Guntu Island in the Kochi backwaters. We offer membership, on the condition that members have to attend at least eight parties in a year.”

While some youths are content with checking out locales within the city, there are many who go with friends to tourist spots in the suburbs such as Bhootathankettu, Ezhattumukham and Paravoor.

John L Paul

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