running in the tea fields

We live in a world where we often don’t know where our food comes from, and even if we have an idea, we don’t always get the chance to smell and feel it in its raw, premature form. During my time at Pimenta Spice Garden, I found out we would be going to nearby tea fields, and asked if we could set some time aside for me to run. I’m always looking for beautiful places to run, and while tea fields are very different in the northern and southern part of India, both are mountainous, which offers a great workout. On the drive up we stopped by a clove plantation, saw cocoa beans swinging from the trees, and coffee beans in their flowering stage. I ran a bit on the up and downs of the paved road, until I caught sight of a gorgeous path etched out for tea pickers. I bustled up the hill, the hard pact crunching under my soles.

When I was in nearby Fort Kochi, I saw quite a few runners, which made sense for how touristy it is. But, the streets of Kochi couldn’t compare to this. This may have compared to my run alongside the Grand Canyon a few months before. First off, because it was up in the mountains, the air was thinner and harder to breathe, but prompted for a better workout. The views were so incredible I was constantly mouth open, head swiveling in awe. I stretched my hand out to feel the shiny, emerald colored tea leaves. All the tea we drink come from plants like these. How the tea tastes is nurtured through the processing afterwards.

It was nice having a driver. Tea fields are more in village areas, and having someone to get you back the hour or two is a must. Have them stash fruit and/or snacks and obviously water in the car. It gets hot out there, and you’ll be sweating before you take off on the trail. But it’s worth it. There’s so many beautiful picture opportunities and like I mentioned before you get to learn about where your food comes from.

A few days later, and still think about those plants as I sip on my morning chai.

Xoxo With shanti,

mel