tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155245862024-03-08T00:28:06.075+10:30Of daydreams and memoriesFiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.comBlogger976125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-54712944763127784672023-12-24T12:38:00.159+10:302023-12-26T07:26:37.883+10:30Got to Fly!<p> A bit of a ramble below, but read through</p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Ideas to save on flights is in there!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofV05p2K8tp3Pv70KOtI95Zm8IUgdJ-L2iI7npis2xfAiB_WE74K4oY_8TD-L0rgwY-1SX_YYpQsfFEKxPS6fNdxPLZTRBkqSW1VSwc9M62VsjTLFoETIwHtwyCLcGWd0_R3DZecdOWch0fTyULRHWM4ZzqIrRfHprqbLz45EPl0qwcaXawYj/s3206/from%20Tashkent%20to%20Delhi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3206" data-original-width="2251" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofV05p2K8tp3Pv70KOtI95Zm8IUgdJ-L2iI7npis2xfAiB_WE74K4oY_8TD-L0rgwY-1SX_YYpQsfFEKxPS6fNdxPLZTRBkqSW1VSwc9M62VsjTLFoETIwHtwyCLcGWd0_R3DZecdOWch0fTyULRHWM4ZzqIrRfHprqbLz45EPl0qwcaXawYj/w450-h640/from%20Tashkent%20to%20Delhi.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>I had dinner yesterday with mates that I have hung out with since 1980. It was such a buzz to meet them, then and a pleasure to know them now.<div>We are not in our day-to-day lives anymore, yet through catch ups every so often we are still in each others lives, and it is great.</div><div>So many layers have been peeled off over the years, it is a safe place to talk about any and everything.... and then talk crazy and laugh our heads off.</div><div>I am truly lucky.</div><div><br /></div><div>Two of my mates, who never seem to do social media, got right into coming with me as I explored Uzbekistan. So I got to oooh and ahh over what a stunning place it is. š</div><div>A question that I was asked, they want to come join me in April, was <span style="font-size: large;">how to get there?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>That question is a good one, it got me thinking.</div><div>I lived in India for years, many things can be a challenge there but flying somewhere was easy.</div><div>So many choices of airlines, and really, most places are far closer than when you live in Oz.</div><div>Now I live in Australia, it is a long way to fly anywhere, choices of flights seem much more limited AND often the price is a headache.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It was only when they asked how to get there that I realised there is a bit of a trick to it that others might like to know, too.</span></div><div>Takes a bit of searching but good to know.</div><div>It is what I generally do, so I had not thought much about it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I first look on search engines <a href="https://www.expedia.com.au/" target="_blank">Expedia</a> and<a href="http://www.booking.com" target="_blank"> Booking.com.</a></div><div>If prices seem fine, I don't make much more effort.</div><div><br /></div><div>This year though has seen me popping off here and there, and trying to get good flights is a pain.</div><div>I wanted to go Sydney- India for 3 days- Ghana[for tour]- Uzbekistan [for a walk through]- India for a week and home to Australia.</div><div>Try that in a search engine!! OMG they wanted the shirt off your back.</div><div>Looked up Sydney- Ghana-Sydney still a shocker.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then I looked at Sydney- Delhi return- easy and very reasonable price [long stop over Singapore on return leg]</div><div>Fly Delhi- Ghana- OK</div><div>Ghana- Uzbekistan with a 12 hr stop over in Istanbul and then onto Delhi.</div><div>Worked out cheaper to book ALL these component flights than the first Sydney- Ghana-Sydney ticket quote.</div><div><br /></div><div>AND</div><div>the long stop overs in Istanbul and Singapore are sweet. If you are on Turkish Airlines they will take you on a free trip into town, feed you and sightsee. Anytime you can visit the Hagia Sophia is a good day.</div><div>Singapore offers visa free days if you have an onward ticket- trundle through the exit and onto a train [use credit card to swipe a ticket- no fiddling] and have a little adventure. </div><div><br /></div><div>Since then I did a bit of a search for Sydney to Uzbekistan tickets- very interesting.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYNCSYKm0LSFAhnmYCCTtqPFbYyxjEZ0aLkry5scp_MKvr0NAcA2WAq12fbbo1HnqjBhOXoODM5ZtOKexIp8wJB5uuTpCm2fAXXMfd9Risu7W99X3GWJSd6P6Tt4inJSJ9RMJH-8IhG-DZdHBjEiUdQfEqV4mmYhYZhwBDLmKWzv47yPYdOkl/s2116/Screenshot_20231226_063951_Expedia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2116" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYNCSYKm0LSFAhnmYCCTtqPFbYyxjEZ0aLkry5scp_MKvr0NAcA2WAq12fbbo1HnqjBhOXoODM5ZtOKexIp8wJB5uuTpCm2fAXXMfd9Risu7W99X3GWJSd6P6Tt4inJSJ9RMJH-8IhG-DZdHBjEiUdQfEqV4mmYhYZhwBDLmKWzv47yPYdOkl/s320/Screenshot_20231226_063951_Expedia.jpg" width="163" /></a></div><br />First search on Expedia, and Booking.com was similar. Around Au$3000</div><div>Then [I am using the apps on my phone] I broke the journey down Sydney -Delhi return AND Delhi-Tashkent return. Price came in around Au$2000 on both search engines.</div><div>A stop over in Delhi is fine- I have people to visit and the sightseeing is great.</div><div>eVisa needed- all online and US$25. </div><div>---Red Fort is the place to go for a day trip- great old monument, wonderful galleries and Craft Centre opened in the old barracks- it is really becoming a great place to visit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Curious I took a look at <a href="https://www.skyscanner.com.au/" target="">Skyscanner</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.skyscanner.com.au/" target=""></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacPnvqaoIhBQpVW7j-6WvaQFQfYW81-mzTH_yGtzAwlWTyoiUzlsnBbcUoa1n5whGnYYunObyGeCDVlt8I_tQ26_M1C_0YpSkmen1nXi9HHB_3An742wngubRnC9f1N6lGFNWpmSCHqZKHaDS90c1PhlTsBljbe_yGV4TooNy1Tzcub7r1MJG/s2116/Skyscanner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2116" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacPnvqaoIhBQpVW7j-6WvaQFQfYW81-mzTH_yGtzAwlWTyoiUzlsnBbcUoa1n5whGnYYunObyGeCDVlt8I_tQ26_M1C_0YpSkmen1nXi9HHB_3An742wngubRnC9f1N6lGFNWpmSCHqZKHaDS90c1PhlTsBljbe_yGV4TooNy1Tzcub7r1MJG/s320/Skyscanner.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>Prices came in around best I could find as a combo.</div><div>Skyscanner only compares prices then directs you to sites that do flight bookings.</div><div><br /></div><div>To be thorough I looked up Kayak.com too [I don't like them, when I have looked at them in the past I seemed to get fiddled around]</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpoiZaP1xK7ix8Y-7OOqLeqITSNvszWG7BemF25TnZOYTOeve9G55o4-zd4WEoDQi4Hqx8NXNHysQuzKOtAkM_lNEhCJ5wN9huXOperPhlbwH4h9MwORtOdbAle2X5c61N07o818fZSfbST_FBDsid5lTFdJuOQyhfjA0MYKjzQshC78LkOyw/s2116/Kayak.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2116" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpoiZaP1xK7ix8Y-7OOqLeqITSNvszWG7BemF25TnZOYTOeve9G55o4-zd4WEoDQi4Hqx8NXNHysQuzKOtAkM_lNEhCJ5wN9huXOperPhlbwH4h9MwORtOdbAle2X5c61N07o818fZSfbST_FBDsid5lTFdJuOQyhfjA0MYKjzQshC78LkOyw/s320/Kayak.jpg" width="163" /></a></div><br /> </div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The really interesting thing is</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"></span>I can back to Expedia & Booking.com on my phone this morning</div><div>Expedia still same price BUT booking.com offered this option</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfS4EKLP5CJZl-MPjXBQQvH9EWWZSNcgATGf3DEIct5zYdrm8ElQC2gb6ebvn9GoIvGn2OfOOjZ8bPVYlhxEGM_yt6oujUIoEAy_TAgV6_9GJ8vAWXcKoWsetLQ2Ei21FfsRDHN-b1GezEp9UMHYcyx9V-ugWTwLmm1VdFue0IMbQ9vJbND9H/s2116/Booking.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2116" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfS4EKLP5CJZl-MPjXBQQvH9EWWZSNcgATGf3DEIct5zYdrm8ElQC2gb6ebvn9GoIvGn2OfOOjZ8bPVYlhxEGM_yt6oujUIoEAy_TAgV6_9GJ8vAWXcKoWsetLQ2Ei21FfsRDHN-b1GezEp9UMHYcyx9V-ugWTwLmm1VdFue0IMbQ9vJbND9H/w204-h400/Booking.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><br /><div>Look at the price. It was not their offer yesterday. </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This makes me feel like BIG BROTHER is watching my phone activity- play creepy music- seriously!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">but for once it seems in my favour.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Notice the latest off has <u><b>SELF Transfer</b></u></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiihfGPtvFNjmh4LFXQJKmhP1eUEvk7pGtD_eg_SAVJC557KIkqS1x80LZQWHfNUaGHxXFcPswzOE8TDZ3QAGsanbXm9q4Geyn-TNlTmOKC3e_lz5wRsvP3gP86gfpDwBFl4qRus1ICbOEVe2ymOaZA9WFhZ6h9bbqIhDCVnZgEmYpy_DRCwPT/s1080/self%20transfer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="1080" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiihfGPtvFNjmh4LFXQJKmhP1eUEvk7pGtD_eg_SAVJC557KIkqS1x80LZQWHfNUaGHxXFcPswzOE8TDZ3QAGsanbXm9q4Geyn-TNlTmOKC3e_lz5wRsvP3gP86gfpDwBFl4qRus1ICbOEVe2ymOaZA9WFhZ6h9bbqIhDCVnZgEmYpy_DRCwPT/s320/self%20transfer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: underline;">What does that mean?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoujo11MMk1ydLMurzujNGMjxZwUKAcnlufF5d4g0zqaRdOZsvcTXXNq-TTtoszvO0WFLi5MRIUe2Mz7vFODqrek1rrbi2gilMvf3goV7gcjS5WwtgcmTuEWhF7M9jzRK1Jm6y8-ejEE8JEbZIpWhygeoJU91Jo2rg9wTppGZFOnDJt5CUiAy/s987/self%20trans.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="987" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoujo11MMk1ydLMurzujNGMjxZwUKAcnlufF5d4g0zqaRdOZsvcTXXNq-TTtoszvO0WFLi5MRIUe2Mz7vFODqrek1rrbi2gilMvf3goV7gcjS5WwtgcmTuEWhF7M9jzRK1Jm6y8-ejEE8JEbZIpWhygeoJU91Jo2rg9wTppGZFOnDJt5CUiAy/w400-h119/self%20trans.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">I like that, when I organize flights to connect up on a journey I usually allow a day or two at the transfer point so I don't need to worry about late arrivals.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">This says the booking service wants to make sure you connect. Sounds Good to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">ALWAYS have comprehensive travel insurance, as well.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YL2Vqj29-rbPfTnwT99A7-pZiHESJmGh3gILaUUuLRzK1ENH-thnlR-blG1A2ifuFi9lsXDKSCp4f6yvipVNqrH5ElK7RV1itq6xPIgm8lKyaWcYX4_flNyyvM80sLrFPf5iZ-byEn3e0Ufi_kuD_OqF7R27DhsjNzd8Phz-tkSrdqWWWKIm/s2000/Hagia%20Sophia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YL2Vqj29-rbPfTnwT99A7-pZiHESJmGh3gILaUUuLRzK1ENH-thnlR-blG1A2ifuFi9lsXDKSCp4f6yvipVNqrH5ElK7RV1itq6xPIgm8lKyaWcYX4_flNyyvM80sLrFPf5iZ-byEn3e0Ufi_kuD_OqF7R27DhsjNzd8Phz-tkSrdqWWWKIm/w225-h400/Hagia%20Sophia.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Hagia Sophia is a stunning space, the true gift of this visit was the feeling in the space. So many people of all persuasions in the one place with their hearts singing to be there.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So beautiful.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">May you year be blessed with that feeling of love and connection</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></div><br /><b style="font-size: large; text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><p></p><div><br /></div></div>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-65845870537718450022023-12-15T10:15:00.186+10:302023-12-16T11:40:58.276+10:30There are so many great museums in Romania<br /><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fZaiutfn35a6OkMv0ALUnGrhJa7caooCmkKqPEwIeJyfrw9157Vno63dwZt6hXaJ8MFDXiDGYC0VQRvC96mj0iY4sykRmGTy4J2ongE-KGry6MREz6ReV6SNDVtX_jqlwutqo6Ln-6FAD92IqMJNaf6pVnfh4Pg7Dz3eB7J1JjxOW9LYJNVz/s1440/1%20Bucharest%20Museum-%20The%20Thinker%20&%20The%20Sitting%20Woman-%205000%20to%204600BC%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="1440" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fZaiutfn35a6OkMv0ALUnGrhJa7caooCmkKqPEwIeJyfrw9157Vno63dwZt6hXaJ8MFDXiDGYC0VQRvC96mj0iY4sykRmGTy4J2ongE-KGry6MREz6ReV6SNDVtX_jqlwutqo6Ln-6FAD92IqMJNaf6pVnfh4Pg7Dz3eB7J1JjxOW9LYJNVz/w400-h324/1%20Bucharest%20Museum-%20The%20Thinker%20&%20The%20Sitting%20Woman-%205000%20to%204600BC%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">I do love these two- perhaps little ever changes? </div><div style="text-align: center;">They feel so modern and fresh and yet have been sitting around since 5000 to 4600 BC</div></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">Romania is a land rich in museums, now that might lead you to surmise traditional culture is becoming all dusty and tucked away in them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Not happening in Romania, the textile culture is vibrant and growing based on traditional pieces.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There are various museum, some have huge collections of built- structures houses and barns and such displayed like a village.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Apparently they are traditional houses relocated to the museum and rebuilt by hands local to their home area. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEbFMRk7MBiCgddY0RYLB32SeLKHpLKj3HXX63rektMaTPoGFzrZfthmXQs2ZZKOanDnKnNLI84YSb5fTHzakvCP9K5yCw0FlW11YFVeftLbYp52NLM8fMOzvfg9Qj9YXObsmcWVdSW8wnnpJFZGm3homGDaDzxx55KHZYcRQTOiTgYB9LI0b/s1692/1.%20Bucharest%20Museum%20(5).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="1692" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEbFMRk7MBiCgddY0RYLB32SeLKHpLKj3HXX63rektMaTPoGFzrZfthmXQs2ZZKOanDnKnNLI84YSb5fTHzakvCP9K5yCw0FlW11YFVeftLbYp52NLM8fMOzvfg9Qj9YXObsmcWVdSW8wnnpJFZGm3homGDaDzxx55KHZYcRQTOiTgYB9LI0b/s320/1.%20Bucharest%20Museum%20(5).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0E_xwRnqngsQQip40JkGfapLpUcqFwXIo8LiL_KASS1impmO51TkbpCbc1v1yZVH0zPU3npjKf_O2U7tK1WWpJqpUIducQv8wWC1q_jtkNLpKY_XivTQFMWWi3uJo1BSvP9EvtZDIBi08oh8t8P1TVjc7oR63AlsGAix9QIXZtkdCIaCd-ov_/s2118/1.%20Bucharest%20Museum%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2118" data-original-width="1161" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0E_xwRnqngsQQip40JkGfapLpUcqFwXIo8LiL_KASS1impmO51TkbpCbc1v1yZVH0zPU3npjKf_O2U7tK1WWpJqpUIducQv8wWC1q_jtkNLpKY_XivTQFMWWi3uJo1BSvP9EvtZDIBi08oh8t8P1TVjc7oR63AlsGAix9QIXZtkdCIaCd-ov_/w219-h400/1.%20Bucharest%20Museum%20(3).jpg" width="219" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">You could just imagine the owners have just stepped out for the day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2X2StjWYP6gvqWYZ0SEc0Z5Erg-AmieXhxjmUBLNA821YSWcd0_2IXhXn9QD75U1Y2Dq82SOmQQLKZP5okFB1vWSIoNxOoXQDmXefIS27EEROUrXnI85hpoCOGeZvht1lb7V_gXyaZ6bL8mHKr59mlEU2idk7av4WBskbAt0Jy0q_GF6941B/s1715/1.%20Bucharest%20Museum%20(4).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1715" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2X2StjWYP6gvqWYZ0SEc0Z5Erg-AmieXhxjmUBLNA821YSWcd0_2IXhXn9QD75U1Y2Dq82SOmQQLKZP5okFB1vWSIoNxOoXQDmXefIS27EEROUrXnI85hpoCOGeZvht1lb7V_gXyaZ6bL8mHKr59mlEU2idk7av4WBskbAt0Jy0q_GF6941B/w336-h400/1.%20Bucharest%20Museum%20(4).jpg" width="336" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Many are gorgeous and quaint but I am sure a challenge to live in, in the modern world. Looked after in a museum the building survives even if it doesn't still burn a home fire. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">These house are full of the furniture and textiles that were local to their areas.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Romania has long snowy winters, time spent inside lead to the development of a rich material culture. Delicious textiles, intricately painted surfaces and fine wood work.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Other museums have great collections of local costumes. Displayed on models, you can't touch but you can carefully get up close enough to see the gorgeous handwork. Swoon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">My hardest task was deciding which locations we would visit.... so much to love, so little time basically.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Here are just a few highlights of many, haha</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMKsqPS9kel2Lyr8kvIHmANeS9FjyXL9FEB4sqApRugC9fSZwfUwxPQxStGNbZ4tBP0wzC6ugkfJf874keS88nbKHMgXNgEEebmScszyFV49ZaYJiJgJZGOV4ybvI2weN20GuS1UdNUl2zX3dVVZAZjLe1Zkitp0A_otGSya6htLJxpJAkrrZ/s1590/Cluj-Napoca%20Museum%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="1590" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMKsqPS9kel2Lyr8kvIHmANeS9FjyXL9FEB4sqApRugC9fSZwfUwxPQxStGNbZ4tBP0wzC6ugkfJf874keS88nbKHMgXNgEEebmScszyFV49ZaYJiJgJZGOV4ybvI2weN20GuS1UdNUl2zX3dVVZAZjLe1Zkitp0A_otGSya6htLJxpJAkrrZ/s320/Cluj-Napoca%20Museum%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cluj-Napoca Ethnographic Museum might just be my favourite- it was hard to tell I almost swooned from overload. You can only sigh and so "Ohhhh" so many times before you become lightheaded.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You were not allowed to touch but you could get up very close to see the details- wonderful recourse of stitch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are all regional variations of Traditional Costume, there was also some stunning Hungarian Written Thread work - A large part of Transylvania, now Romania was once Hungary and there are a lot of cultural traditions still here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUpfvU3WlyJXFFUZtrRuZxthic3VAa7FeNhHkOH1M8l4v3fX9W1MRxFgk0zN6mFrZL_L1sx4YP_bYa1IuPylLxFs9nFhu0tG5fbgnghXGTMIbA_FrNPQX40ePGEMIhyphenhyphenlBLF0TDh5l9C0INbKdlhIvHdccEsHYxnekA8ptEEaAkNfLuCJ5OstT/s1460/Cluj%20Museum-%20Metal%20strip%20embroidery%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="1460" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUpfvU3WlyJXFFUZtrRuZxthic3VAa7FeNhHkOH1M8l4v3fX9W1MRxFgk0zN6mFrZL_L1sx4YP_bYa1IuPylLxFs9nFhu0tG5fbgnghXGTMIbA_FrNPQX40ePGEMIhyphenhyphenlBLF0TDh5l9C0INbKdlhIvHdccEsHYxnekA8ptEEaAkNfLuCJ5OstT/s320/Cluj%20Museum-%20Metal%20strip%20embroidery%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Metallic inserts amongst silk stitch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GbFELkl283n9YhVAnm_fRhv9pRjxb1l0JuTo9yWSnDsirnJfdpdBB3YpAyDkDoos06UWxylMx3HomxTPlRGorb9MG0OtilLAOZuPRsIQXuKYMMa4g5sf_TDzibeKbb4lzyyuKFJ4DMOT8eWv7v5i49uVuX1RqxU96eajD4jndvfQMm0CgfBT/s2560/Cluj%20Museum-%20Metal%20strip%20embroidery.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GbFELkl283n9YhVAnm_fRhv9pRjxb1l0JuTo9yWSnDsirnJfdpdBB3YpAyDkDoos06UWxylMx3HomxTPlRGorb9MG0OtilLAOZuPRsIQXuKYMMa4g5sf_TDzibeKbb4lzyyuKFJ4DMOT8eWv7v5i49uVuX1RqxU96eajD4jndvfQMm0CgfBT/s320/Cluj%20Museum-%20Metal%20strip%20embroidery.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmBRPUZgT9o5sGGmqfWJeiVSyDjNrLQo0x_5PyCoDPqryS6uMdPR5CP2uICzFUS3uvz3Po7PWcpJq_QEoMN4RkEJ5QuAWru-MDl7FcT5FD0ojDQiCj0q-CsmNUX38fqC2liUB67cjdZYIGtm6Lo7RFEcfWL_UM1vLd4oow-gytFKQwYBKvUjE/s1439/Cluj-Napoca%20Museum%20(5).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="1142" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmBRPUZgT9o5sGGmqfWJeiVSyDjNrLQo0x_5PyCoDPqryS6uMdPR5CP2uICzFUS3uvz3Po7PWcpJq_QEoMN4RkEJ5QuAWru-MDl7FcT5FD0ojDQiCj0q-CsmNUX38fqC2liUB67cjdZYIGtm6Lo7RFEcfWL_UM1vLd4oow-gytFKQwYBKvUjE/s320/Cluj-Napoca%20Museum%20(5).jpg" width="254" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Angel shirt? If I had had my wits about me I could have used Google Translate to read the info sheet- Oh well, next time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8hGTik9nn46YYmz-sR45fy8m6XjW6SJZCSKBOfXj00CMj1gcxLA3Hn3UQ3N530pexXwV4SsHpQpCYbMdux-SkyjqYuQCw1sqYZzMlBvKvFzDA2ks5hAvjayEQP3AdIm1FTiQYUe2hBlumlNzvsNfsjEGdwMcxPEfg3zVetEulH4BnxekhNSV/s1464/Cluj-Napoca%20Museum%20(6).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1464" data-original-width="1104" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8hGTik9nn46YYmz-sR45fy8m6XjW6SJZCSKBOfXj00CMj1gcxLA3Hn3UQ3N530pexXwV4SsHpQpCYbMdux-SkyjqYuQCw1sqYZzMlBvKvFzDA2ks5hAvjayEQP3AdIm1FTiQYUe2hBlumlNzvsNfsjEGdwMcxPEfg3zVetEulH4BnxekhNSV/s320/Cluj-Napoca%20Museum%20(6).jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sQC99A5u21JIIymGyCJkMa_87nVIatKsQw11GSBBpFf5GIvCKR0_0n2QjiYqpNIfiNyM6Oo3LUZievEAPaJEUJqwDTYAlx97WbdBBKwqPSZbRxiM8FzM_CLjdJKnZIaSLT2AJ60UgZTf1sAK-iAMmzE8GqugmDKNHTrVapCRau2FEoNYuJnR/s2059/Cluj-Napoca%20Museum%20(7).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2059" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sQC99A5u21JIIymGyCJkMa_87nVIatKsQw11GSBBpFf5GIvCKR0_0n2QjiYqpNIfiNyM6Oo3LUZievEAPaJEUJqwDTYAlx97WbdBBKwqPSZbRxiM8FzM_CLjdJKnZIaSLT2AJ60UgZTf1sAK-iAMmzE8GqugmDKNHTrVapCRau2FEoNYuJnR/s320/Cluj-Napoca%20Museum%20(7).jpg" width="224" /></a></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">How to assemble a blouse</div></blockquote><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspnHra6OLix2KEfGzrLZGCD_BeVWaBadHDzNwLct4ZVb_VGivkLMUxtX_HfOUgA8MhV_rAIfZjsL4lNMXwhNgmyYCZGAJ4JUHaPeLX6j9PYUagpHPPAFeNAoLNgDR9mR7_K_AAiNVGcarevdZ2_P6XOefJbFLCZFQQNq9q0IH1XPu8Sf6AsBX/s1771/Cluj-Napoca%20Museum%20apron%20detail.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1771" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspnHra6OLix2KEfGzrLZGCD_BeVWaBadHDzNwLct4ZVb_VGivkLMUxtX_HfOUgA8MhV_rAIfZjsL4lNMXwhNgmyYCZGAJ4JUHaPeLX6j9PYUagpHPPAFeNAoLNgDR9mR7_K_AAiNVGcarevdZ2_P6XOefJbFLCZFQQNq9q0IH1XPu8Sf6AsBX/s320/Cluj-Napoca%20Museum%20apron%20detail.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The detail</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nbecV6HorfBUZVFEC6PsYyCrnPPlIp7Av32yCDUsyD3PTiDG6Wha94YELsd4o1Hn4rtX_0inqezxshBlOwM2cRid0GriWQ9LKNbmdMwH7omjGOuJXlMJYxCT_no2PKUY9ORt7rC5A1ZXqJckhrE7hCbw2ZcRVkbbubRgRZdPWzdH9DFbzex2/s1908/Cluj-Napoca%20Museum%20apron.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="1238" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nbecV6HorfBUZVFEC6PsYyCrnPPlIp7Av32yCDUsyD3PTiDG6Wha94YELsd4o1Hn4rtX_0inqezxshBlOwM2cRid0GriWQ9LKNbmdMwH7omjGOuJXlMJYxCT_no2PKUY9ORt7rC5A1ZXqJckhrE7hCbw2ZcRVkbbubRgRZdPWzdH9DFbzex2/s320/Cluj-Napoca%20Museum%20apron.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Apron</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">and then there was more!</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiho-OchJDSCiWwL6gpwbJwABYYSue6I6zksOwFP20hvbH_Uo4CSfdNlHIKyXU4S3cQhuKb2PTPA3yBOasIUc83lkDae6HwNrbZjVwL3FTpsKYK-_kExchFHyoFJHgYQSykbsitGFqij3mKbldywetdEVI3kEcDjGvDDZ34eLObH76Wy70_yEJk/s2141/Barsana%20Monastery%20weaving.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2141" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiho-OchJDSCiWwL6gpwbJwABYYSue6I6zksOwFP20hvbH_Uo4CSfdNlHIKyXU4S3cQhuKb2PTPA3yBOasIUc83lkDae6HwNrbZjVwL3FTpsKYK-_kExchFHyoFJHgYQSykbsitGFqij3mKbldywetdEVI3kEcDjGvDDZ34eLObH76Wy70_yEJk/s320/Barsana%20Monastery%20weaving.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Samples of weaving and garments found at Barsana Monastery.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Barsana Monastery dates back to 1390, the oldest church here was built in 1711 and until recently was the tallest wooden church in the world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyy-maV3WWzqXbBAqREBeklWC62RT3RIoy3iI21cjoqMqjzCgw2ELRDxYJIPerVHd5Kkaa1qRPmpkyO_wkqJ9gtOgmCEYBphqxtkLabuVoPleA-6Y03vdWBcSLIUyaWPa7z9U33ukgG5IOENugV_QZbHwaZGmVpYH617w4kXrmg_LteJn5ZmJp/s1513/Barsana%20Monastery-%20blouse.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1513" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyy-maV3WWzqXbBAqREBeklWC62RT3RIoy3iI21cjoqMqjzCgw2ELRDxYJIPerVHd5Kkaa1qRPmpkyO_wkqJ9gtOgmCEYBphqxtkLabuVoPleA-6Y03vdWBcSLIUyaWPa7z9U33ukgG5IOENugV_QZbHwaZGmVpYH617w4kXrmg_LteJn5ZmJp/s320/Barsana%20Monastery-%20blouse.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_rrRNzmUUv2AhKK6hyphenhyphenCQMKKt6Wsv0gKcYTyVrJ1aqMj5addjO64NWAsaB9ktp2Fo3SgbPVFmSlmggB3hBYrN5BJ_X3LgqWrmaOM7SiiEplghDQtmDDDnBdlzeCnmyM6YWXlq5hesCjtydt-n13-hdvwyHVeGxdR0J1DGelzEXAK4ePfxQlL4/s1949/Basana%20Monastery%20-%20tufted%20weavings.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1949" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_rrRNzmUUv2AhKK6hyphenhyphenCQMKKt6Wsv0gKcYTyVrJ1aqMj5addjO64NWAsaB9ktp2Fo3SgbPVFmSlmggB3hBYrN5BJ_X3LgqWrmaOM7SiiEplghDQtmDDDnBdlzeCnmyM6YWXlq5hesCjtydt-n13-hdvwyHVeGxdR0J1DGelzEXAK4ePfxQlL4/s320/Basana%20Monastery%20-%20tufted%20weavings.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">And</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielFWJOY4Cxh4lyTIETKVknG3VYfmlTBdVlHWb60yNXoIK3yNEaRz5L8uqO0l96xadML271eMc0Dro7yBBpiJSE5D1QvRp43xL88mtaXd2F-58PvW5My-xQc2-7JRaUxeLOkGjD3PdNA6zmoLA8WE0LTA6m3SFzYiPk6hnWoWyoNm3Lcf-uN82/s2560/second%20hand%20blouses-%20market%20Breb%20Romania%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielFWJOY4Cxh4lyTIETKVknG3VYfmlTBdVlHWb60yNXoIK3yNEaRz5L8uqO0l96xadML271eMc0Dro7yBBpiJSE5D1QvRp43xL88mtaXd2F-58PvW5My-xQc2-7JRaUxeLOkGjD3PdNA6zmoLA8WE0LTA6m3SFzYiPk6hnWoWyoNm3Lcf-uN82/w225-h400/second%20hand%20blouses-%20market%20Breb%20Romania%20(3).jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3kd97QqN3_iyYdYSuX2bn5xbO_VF9uR2_UPDs3fopFkdR0n06hy7aO-APZeq-EwG99IrZExRUXiQeoYuWBWT5NTvzBbtt4teKHD6ZincdTnRK3yFNc5ufG6Zahiog5w7_LslnRSVSFG5rn_3Y23oPpVD7N94yDhrFiFjW0JylOXfZSyH006A/s2560/second%20hand%20blouses-%20market%20Breb%20Romania%20(4).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3kd97QqN3_iyYdYSuX2bn5xbO_VF9uR2_UPDs3fopFkdR0n06hy7aO-APZeq-EwG99IrZExRUXiQeoYuWBWT5NTvzBbtt4teKHD6ZincdTnRK3yFNc5ufG6Zahiog5w7_LslnRSVSFG5rn_3Y23oPpVD7N94yDhrFiFjW0JylOXfZSyH006A/w225-h400/second%20hand%20blouses-%20market%20Breb%20Romania%20(4).jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnmyqE0O0lcRu0nvhSp032Dn8sEyoVXj0hrpg_MqdN0D77TbQoh8jm7LdfNeakJn-h1PodviDz5wrh2DAEVmYQrF-t5KK9G7jjCkCbYXHivUwxX4ztX-gxKDetV1mODFHkKxDkUYWvC6SiYAc8B014tTFARIMdAV8ooC78dyoxdJvikN1zvkc/s2560/second%20hand%20blouses-%20market%20Breb%20Romania%20(5).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnmyqE0O0lcRu0nvhSp032Dn8sEyoVXj0hrpg_MqdN0D77TbQoh8jm7LdfNeakJn-h1PodviDz5wrh2DAEVmYQrF-t5KK9G7jjCkCbYXHivUwxX4ztX-gxKDetV1mODFHkKxDkUYWvC6SiYAc8B014tTFARIMdAV8ooC78dyoxdJvikN1zvkc/w225-h400/second%20hand%20blouses-%20market%20Breb%20Romania%20(5).jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Found second hand at a local market- I have the vendors number and she is happy to do a private showing for us.- Dangerous, I'd say :)</span></div><div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There has been big news since I was last in Romania</span></div><div><br /></div><div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><i><span style="color: #212121; font-family: arial;">from <a href="https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/the-art-of-the-traditional-blouse-with-embroidery-on-the-shoulder-alti-an-element-of-cultural-identity-in-romania-and-the-republic-of-moldova-01861" target="_blank">UNESCO </a><a href="https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/the-art-of-the-traditional-blouse-with-embroidery-on-the-shoulder-alti-an-element-of-cultural-identity-in-romania-and-the-republic-of-moldova-01861" target="_blank">Intangible</a><a href="https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/the-art-of-the-traditional-blouse-with-embroidery-on-the-shoulder-alti-an-element-of-cultural-identity-in-romania-and-the-republic-of-moldova-01861" target="_blank"> Cultural Heritage</a> site</span></i></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #212121;">Inscribed in 2022 (</span><a class="link" href="https://ich.unesco.org/index.php?pg=01269" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0077d4; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none;">17.COM</a><span style="color: #212121;">) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity</span></span></i></p><div class="element_videos" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121;"><figure class="photoBlock picture pi_right" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 5px; position: relative;"><a class="fancybox" data-fancybox-type="iframe" href="https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/the-art-of-the-traditional-blouse-with-embroidery-on-the-shoulder-alti-an-element-of-cultural-identity-in-romania-and-the-republic-of-moldova-01861?include=film_inc.php&id=62264&width=700&call=film" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; cursor: pointer; display: block; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="" height="auto" src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/yqVyKpp9WhA/0.jpg" style="border-radius: 8px; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; max-width: none; vertical-align: middle;" width="350" /></a><span class="photoBlock-legend" style="box-sizing: border-box; caption-side: bottom; display: table-caption; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px 5px 5px; position: relative;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Ā© Video Art Studio, 2021/Ghenadie Popescu 2020</span></i></b></span></figure></div><p class="wiki-text" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">The art of the traditional blouse with embroidery on the shoulder (called altiČÄ) is an essential part of Romanian and Moldovan folk dress for men and women. It juxtaposes a simple cut with rich and colourful ornamentations that are stitched using complex sewing techniques. The blouses are white and made of natural fibres (flax, cotton, hemp or floss silk), and the complex stitch combines horizontal, vertical and diagonal seams that result in a specific pattern and texture. The styles and techniques vary according to the region and the wearerās age, as well as to the skills of the women who create the blouses. The motifs and ornamentation are also varied: from geometric and stylised registers to organic shapes, and from sombre to vivid colours. Traditional blouses with altiČÄ are made entirely by hand, and recent attempts to mechanize certain steps and to simplify the ornamentation and techniques constitute deviations from tradition. The craftsmanship is exclusively female and generally passed on within families, although some organizations, museums and schools organize camps and courses. Today, interest in creating these blouses is steadily increasing, with the practice viewed as a means of relaxation and of affirming oneās national identity and maintaining visible ties to the past.</span></i></p><div class="block" id="diaporama" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; clear: right; color: #212121;"><div class="subblock" id="slideshow-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><div class="slideshow-options" id="slideshow-options" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 5px; text-align: right;"><a class="download" href="https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/the-art-of-the-traditional-blouse-with-embroidery-on-the-shoulder-alti-an-element-of-cultural-identity-in-romania-and-the-republic-of-moldova-01861#" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: initial; background: url("/design-img/icon/picto_download_16x16.png") no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0077d4; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-weight: bold; height: 16px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px; width: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Download</span></i></a><a class="fancybox" data-fancybox-type="iframe" download="" href="https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15745" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; outline-offset: -2px; outline: -webkit-focus-ring-color auto 5px; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="" src="https://ich.unesco.org/img/photo/thumb/15745-BIG.jpg" style="border: none; box-sizing: border-box; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></i></a><i style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ā© Valeru Ciurea, 2018</span></i></div></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">A lot of effort and research would have gone into this submission over many years.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Keeping an eye on the internet as I do, I have found a lot more images and chats of stitching traditional blouses, classes to make blouses, meetings and societies celebrating the blouse than were apparent 5 years ago when I started closely researching Romania.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://3seaseurope.com/ie-traditional-romanian-blouse-unesco/#:~:text=The%20traditional%20Romanian%20woman's%20blouse,Heritage%20of%20Humanity%20of%20UNESCO.&text=Ie%20is%20more%20than%20a,canvas%20for%20the%20human%20soul" target="_blank">I like this article</a> that describes the value of the blouse to Intangible Heritage- it was not just an article of clothing but a history passed through women's hands, it was time spent sitting in groups to stitch so much more than just a garment.</div><div><br /></div><div>To gain a UNESCO Listing you don't have to just prove the value of the tangible or intangible item you also have to have a plan for how you will look after it.</div><div>I know in Ahmedabad to get The Old City on the register took years of meetings and workshops to work with the residents of the Old City to build pride in their old homes: education and funds in how you might improve the comfort of your home whilst retaining its valuable historical aspects. </div><div>so many levels of planning from the grassroots up to erudite documentation and applications</div><div><br /></div><div>You need to have a community on side and VERY supportive. This is regularly inspected by the UNESCO committees to see if is being upheld and true.</div><div><br /></div><div>How do you protect something as intangible as a blouse? the true one must be handstitched?</div><div>Either you spend a lot of time to make your own or you spend a lot of money to buy a handstitched blouse.</div><div><br /></div><div>There would be 'clever' people who would like to make them by machine and sell at a lower price point- can you see where this might spiral out of control? It could become a nightmare to protect the integrity of the true Romanian Blouse. <a href="https://www.rferl.org/a/ia-blouse-romanian-traditional-clothing-unesco-china-fakes/32237381.html" target="_blank">This article talks </a>of some of the problems they now face.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">And there was recently a wonderful exhibition - I think the name in translation is "I sew for a Cause" </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The Romanian Blouse and traditions of stitch were used as a canvas to express concerns about valuing the environment and traditions. My <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alt_itza/" target="_blank">friendly blouse teacher Anca</a> kindly sent me these photos.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">So beautiful.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I look forward to learning and seeing so <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/romanian-ramble-textile-craft-tour/" target="_blank">much more next trip</a> š</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-32092059269398820272023-12-14T09:28:00.040+10:302023-12-14T10:02:38.530+10:30Shekawati<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I have been researching the history of Shekawati which sent me digging through old photos- it is always an area that has boggled my mind. Amazing old houses, so richly built and decorated, seemingly abandoned and falling into ruin.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Shekawati is a region in the northeast of Rajasthan.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It is semi-arid to desert. Charming summers with the temps getting up to 50' C- think a lovely 122'F and not a drop of humidity- some days it is hard to drink enough fluids to replace what leaves your body.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It might not sound like it but it is quite a magical place.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Its history stretches back into the mists of time, it was said to be part of the Matsya kingdom. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In Iron age times the kingdom stretched from the mythological Saraswathi River to the Chambal River which is in the east of Rajasthan. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Saraswathi is a river now gone, but was said to be part of the Indus River system. <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202122;">The Indus Valley Civilisation prospered until the monsoons that fed the rivers diminished around 5,000 years ago and the Indus River Valley civilizations [some of the world's earliest recorded agricultural trading societies] were thought to have left cities and moved to more farming lifestyles about the time of climate change and drier conditions.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>T<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarasvati_River" target="_blank">hanks to wiki</a></i></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">Since the late 19th century, numerous scholars have proposed to identify the Sarasvati with the </span>Ghaggar-Hakra River<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202122;"> system, which flows through modern-day north-western-</span></span>India<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> and eastern-</span>Pakistan<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">, between the Yamuna and the Sutlej, and ends in the Thar desert. Recent geophysical research shows that the supposed downstream Ghaggar-Hakra paleochannel is actually a paleochannel of the Sutlej, which flowed into the </span>Nara river<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">, a </span>delta channel<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> of the </span>Indus River<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">. 10,000-8,000 years ago this channel was abandoned when the Sutlej diverted its course, leaving the Ghaggar-Hakra as a system of monsoon-fed rivers which did not reach the sea</span><span style="color: #202122;"><br /></span></span></i><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I loved throwing in the bit about the area tracing its roots back to a civilization about 10,000 years ago, nothing like a bit of heritage.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">By the 1400's it was basically a land of bandits, who made a good income pilfering from the overland camel trains that came through.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Silk Road Trade Routes connected the Muslim empires, Europe and India and China via overland routes. Many of those trading with India came through this way.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Maha Rao Shekha Ji (ruled 1433-88)Maha Rao= big king, was the founder of the kingdom to be named Shekawati when he stopped paying tribute to his overloads in Amer/Jaipur and proclaimed himself King in 1471.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Through trade and taxes this dry desert kingdom prospered, due to the overland trade routes.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">T</span><span style="font-family: arial;">hey traded opium</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, spices and cotton especially.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">With the arrival of The East India Company many of the land routes were superseded by sea transport and so the traders moved to markets further away. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This area speaks Marwari and the Marwari became great entrepreneurs all across India from early 1820's onward.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Marwari accrued so much wealth it was said at one point around 80% of all taxes paid in relation to trade in India came from Marwari hands.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">On our Bengal Tour we visit a fine home and garden in Mushirabad built by four Marwari Traders.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Indians always remember the village their family came from, family members and memories will still be there.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Marwari traders started to build vast mansions back home. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The mansions are known as Haveli.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">The </span><span style="animation-delay: -0.01ms; animation-duration: 0.01ms; animation-iteration-count: 1; background-color: white; color: #202122; scroll-behavior: auto; transition-duration: 0ms;">havelis</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> served as status symbols for the Marwaris as well as homes for their extended families, providing security and comfort in seclusion from the outside world. The </span><span style="animation-delay: -0.01ms; animation-duration: 0.01ms; animation-iteration-count: 1; background-color: white; color: #202122; scroll-behavior: auto; transition-duration: 0ms;">havelis</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> were designed to be closed from all sides with one large main gate</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The construction of the richest havelis is rather ingenious.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There are shaded courtyards, one through the grand entrance gates where male guests and business would be entertained. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Often there were discrete screened verandas above so the women of the family could watch, perhaps report what they had seen.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Women lived in strict seclusion further inside the haveli around another courtyard which was generally in a two story complex.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The connection between Courtyard one and two would be through a twisty alley or chamber so their was no chance of anyone getting a glimpse of the women.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The ingenious part is it the construction of the outer walls.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In some of the richer havelis there would be two walls with a narrow, narrow alley between them something like eighteen inches- this created a layer of insulation keeping the sun's heat from penetrating the buildings.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">How did they become painted?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I haven't found any written references but I guess if you build the biggest and best house around and the neighbours build something just as grand you have to look for a way to out do them and let everyone know how successful you are.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">They started to have murals painted first the insides and then the outsides were completely covered in designs.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In some of the havelis I have visited it seems the Gods and their stories are at the top of the walls and then as you come down there are more everyday stories.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">perhaps the star crossed lovers Dhola and Maru- Rajasthan's Romeo and Juliette tale, </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Trains and soldiers referring to what was happening in the wider world.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Fascinating places....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Although some of India's wealthiest families claim Shekawati as the native village- families like the fabulously wealthy Birla's- times have changed and these treasures are mostly falling into rack and ruin.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Perhaps a Chowkidar= caretaker with a camp set up in one corner, perhaps a local family with their cows living inside what was once a grand courtyard.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My first visit to the area was in 2006. The only way to get inside was to be cheeky and knock at the front door and ask to be let in, if there was only a caretaker and you offered a 'gift' = bribe there was a good chance you could get inside and poke around.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHtojHDa7GSdgm8MF0kkjZS-W_nA9Q4DPPsY1JIHjHsIU8PecAE9Y7Zsf6IbY_jrSQMlDyhYUQvceDl3mBGrDO1C0PxVEh1jMvRGnBix_jTnRDlJFlbGAu8tsFSHueKV-WNW1q61KzYuLPy-u4a2pms3BSM0YIlZmrJOWuv2LpgQLChIYeCx9/s1661/being%20cheekie%20is%20the%20only%20way%20to%20see%20inside-%20knock%20and%20see%20if%20you%20can%20come%20inside..jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1661" data-original-width="1377" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHtojHDa7GSdgm8MF0kkjZS-W_nA9Q4DPPsY1JIHjHsIU8PecAE9Y7Zsf6IbY_jrSQMlDyhYUQvceDl3mBGrDO1C0PxVEh1jMvRGnBix_jTnRDlJFlbGAu8tsFSHueKV-WNW1q61KzYuLPy-u4a2pms3BSM0YIlZmrJOWuv2LpgQLChIYeCx9/w331-h400/being%20cheekie%20is%20the%20only%20way%20to%20see%20inside-%20knock%20and%20see%20if%20you%20can%20come%20inside..jpg" width="331" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">2006- the 'gift' worked</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvuDmXvLua82qqGBjL2wmW5H3QCec_b1n9tRZM-5kHNzUTcguqpVIbNtiterUaEB99gjD-A9bEJa3uGUgtkxrxIs1QpTcaY87VByhbPr3ily1XJV161IWKjkEqGjfXJwHpHVWRQE5N3_FchDP6WMTN7nnC7nk4_F0WPUDq3S7IosqVogSHzhk/s516/Shekawati%202006%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="458" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvuDmXvLua82qqGBjL2wmW5H3QCec_b1n9tRZM-5kHNzUTcguqpVIbNtiterUaEB99gjD-A9bEJa3uGUgtkxrxIs1QpTcaY87VByhbPr3ily1XJV161IWKjkEqGjfXJwHpHVWRQE5N3_FchDP6WMTN7nnC7nk4_F0WPUDq3S7IosqVogSHzhk/w355-h400/Shekawati%202006%20(2).jpg" width="355" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoUtucqu-y7cQcyYkhPTUW2SsEwlYm2zu4DGIINLUMMkSVssnvF1E0Mt7PwkzrUHR-X_Lo_FeGyy_hqvwDhK30HcLsRz8H-NwyXentc9154oTGmV-z8vZngEZppZkTNCP6sUINQSVQetgTn0NoiYuZxzvlPeRJU6mwPl7bihswhw8IUP5Rn3S/s487/Shekawati%202006%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoUtucqu-y7cQcyYkhPTUW2SsEwlYm2zu4DGIINLUMMkSVssnvF1E0Mt7PwkzrUHR-X_Lo_FeGyy_hqvwDhK30HcLsRz8H-NwyXentc9154oTGmV-z8vZngEZppZkTNCP6sUINQSVQetgTn0NoiYuZxzvlPeRJU6mwPl7bihswhw8IUP5Rn3S/w394-h400/Shekawati%202006%20(3).jpg" width="394" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_J0rwXz0UzPWXxPZiw6TzcA53kIMelPV-qJUvdgIqDok6QXNURpCZmoxF0NCVOrzLgUIt5hitU-v28she27STdJOpADqSsVDyUdD2kjaKlkkriOoiNnDbWhj_xaKOeSIHZf3kiw9UoVqXym37B7lz2C8jzPXKKqdG1gVAwNPfIK4yKHudtMVX/s2536/Shekawati%202007%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2536" data-original-width="2112" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_J0rwXz0UzPWXxPZiw6TzcA53kIMelPV-qJUvdgIqDok6QXNURpCZmoxF0NCVOrzLgUIt5hitU-v28she27STdJOpADqSsVDyUdD2kjaKlkkriOoiNnDbWhj_xaKOeSIHZf3kiw9UoVqXym37B7lz2C8jzPXKKqdG1gVAwNPfIK4yKHudtMVX/w333-h400/Shekawati%202007%20(1).JPG" width="333" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zzegV7TsnVJQhz7gY1wFvN2cnPhuiNHiQozVQGhKd1-XQHOO3H22v6TixYMiTuX3PJMiIyMafuDDf2Svp-TFfMa9aduTiz2T0USeb46QZGZRq4kGDkDkvqeDxvOUmq0hgiTlu31tVdDTcpY9VsCShNEFbmVv7hiDjFazbMW4VAPRCC3SWbjB/s1251/Shekawati%202007%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1251" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zzegV7TsnVJQhz7gY1wFvN2cnPhuiNHiQozVQGhKd1-XQHOO3H22v6TixYMiTuX3PJMiIyMafuDDf2Svp-TFfMa9aduTiz2T0USeb46QZGZRq4kGDkDkvqeDxvOUmq0hgiTlu31tVdDTcpY9VsCShNEFbmVv7hiDjFazbMW4VAPRCC3SWbjB/w320-h400/Shekawati%202007%20(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh wow?? Oh yes.</div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jSBCgohy14nLjFRJIvDtKwjfind75fneGCCeO8pnrIiLcgjQvkHM2voFe21RdZ93TKDy54m0uEHMlrT_JmIpw7jaJtO_-9yvTYYsaxIcF6hHIwhclPPhjAxIM4XdeKed8JKr_dWj_9MP1GpGaKsUZiVL-JuJiFJmfHCCKHnA7TarIBP2OnU6/s556/Shekawati%202006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jSBCgohy14nLjFRJIvDtKwjfind75fneGCCeO8pnrIiLcgjQvkHM2voFe21RdZ93TKDy54m0uEHMlrT_JmIpw7jaJtO_-9yvTYYsaxIcF6hHIwhclPPhjAxIM4XdeKed8JKr_dWj_9MP1GpGaKsUZiVL-JuJiFJmfHCCKHnA7TarIBP2OnU6/w345-h400/Shekawati%202006.jpg" width="345" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Taken in 2006 in Fatehpur</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKzlntdrU3eTeuO9SYpnv8rP4S5KJIV0Pvq5RLF7VlNWjFVVReVWzUpV59Za0XmVqwh1YWXk0hdGOEUHyFWNnDKyVZwNDIbQDDjdbmZHFFDaJaECoNVahL67j6vZyOeqxbql1G4sEhCuOWJ0grGfY9AaIPrai4Gkk7c4hyphenhyphene47Bmw6_khQQGlh/s1963/Fatepur-%20haveli%20in%202018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1963" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKzlntdrU3eTeuO9SYpnv8rP4S5KJIV0Pvq5RLF7VlNWjFVVReVWzUpV59Za0XmVqwh1YWXk0hdGOEUHyFWNnDKyVZwNDIbQDDjdbmZHFFDaJaECoNVahL67j6vZyOeqxbql1G4sEhCuOWJ0grGfY9AaIPrai4Gkk7c4hyphenhyphene47Bmw6_khQQGlh/w400-h294/Fatepur-%20haveli%20in%202018.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Same place in 2018- the only improvement to see is the quality of my camera.... tried knocking on this beauty a number of times, never got past the Ladies [ Queen Victoria, actually] on the verandah- yet!<br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Thankfully today a few people are investing much love, care and rupees into restoring some of these places and their beauty is flowering again. Now seclusion is not the order of the day and you are welcomed to come and visit, perhaps stay.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_f4oUsKYhkoi0-z71RM1l5GJ2m7wfrZ1U8bLS_opaIxit0xBKyVa9UcFqBx5FQYPgi_aRsyMnJpT973BsFH_Xty-ZlG75BVOdRBh6oLPVSMnQI0O39idQv0tAm7U4JO9RMXIwk3gjJ_QlXE9Q6uLmNgQ4me2TsaKn2jAwmM1Pwnv4xEN3zANs/s1943/Hotel%20Le%20Prince%202018%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1943" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_f4oUsKYhkoi0-z71RM1l5GJ2m7wfrZ1U8bLS_opaIxit0xBKyVa9UcFqBx5FQYPgi_aRsyMnJpT973BsFH_Xty-ZlG75BVOdRBh6oLPVSMnQI0O39idQv0tAm7U4JO9RMXIwk3gjJ_QlXE9Q6uLmNgQ4me2TsaKn2jAwmM1Pwnv4xEN3zANs/w296-h400/Hotel%20Le%20Prince%202018%20(3).jpg" width="296" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Le Prince Haveli is a favourite - the amount of care and research that has gone into it's restoration is amazing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Just look at the size of the place- imagine the painstaking work that goes into restoring the details.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The walls are frescos, pigment imbedded in the plaster. You can't use a bit of modern acrylic to fix them up, the colour quality is wrong and it peels off.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I look at the quantity of work and take my hat off to those with the heart to take it on</span>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYOiu3pFobc4twUQD6UIql4oY-vTjs18e9RXQOpVtpB9ELwo1Y2r-5gcmCmyK8OPl9CZ6lXSEnZRFRjDT03yyqJyk5he8EiCIvW0QIGcfuuux94AHKW0fQ8g-PIzpqV3RcIv_hp-4_kYzegC1SjYGeyRqi3XL4_i-vTbSKKx_JC1UTkyKq1Dx/s2162/Hotel%20Le%20Prince%202018%20(4).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2162" data-original-width="1393" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYOiu3pFobc4twUQD6UIql4oY-vTjs18e9RXQOpVtpB9ELwo1Y2r-5gcmCmyK8OPl9CZ6lXSEnZRFRjDT03yyqJyk5he8EiCIvW0QIGcfuuux94AHKW0fQ8g-PIzpqV3RcIv_hp-4_kYzegC1SjYGeyRqi3XL4_i-vTbSKKx_JC1UTkyKq1Dx/w258-h400/Hotel%20Le%20Prince%202018%20(4).jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2vYfUWQxn5_z1j2oUISQsDc6rC39wk_ao1DW2H3JK0TVAI0S3437hf-09mnIzXd3jUu5slnuA6bdCF4aqRAY0i_WOKcFxgm4bYfM_XiHUh6jRuDEcim0LIrgl6NQPH8JJ0f2HOADEJB08mtfkgg60xlFjn_2RaX4SXqANVGO-TZ-pd-G5cpx/s1884/Hotel%20Le%20Prince%202018%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1884" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2vYfUWQxn5_z1j2oUISQsDc6rC39wk_ao1DW2H3JK0TVAI0S3437hf-09mnIzXd3jUu5slnuA6bdCF4aqRAY0i_WOKcFxgm4bYfM_XiHUh6jRuDEcim0LIrgl6NQPH8JJ0f2HOADEJB08mtfkgg60xlFjn_2RaX4SXqANVGO-TZ-pd-G5cpx/w400-h306/Hotel%20Le%20Prince%202018%20(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvmUgYAeIPBpGv_dlR4Dz94SehVkI9oX9SXGovfU-F9W6pQGmiz6349RVTgErpd4qCZFdQgc9sX4a7ZP6wwOnXa0c2-dvVUeRG9l2ZyHzSiZNBze6BxAnlkp1FkO4rtw4v8yT4TGpAEPDSJGeJlqBn_kebCZUHUtGwcqAVLWwvstpFUASgPDb/s1677/Hotel%20Le%20Prince%202018%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1677" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvmUgYAeIPBpGv_dlR4Dz94SehVkI9oX9SXGovfU-F9W6pQGmiz6349RVTgErpd4qCZFdQgc9sX4a7ZP6wwOnXa0c2-dvVUeRG9l2ZyHzSiZNBze6BxAnlkp1FkO4rtw4v8yT4TGpAEPDSJGeJlqBn_kebCZUHUtGwcqAVLWwvstpFUASgPDb/w344-h400/Hotel%20Le%20Prince%202018%20(1).jpg" width="344" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Wonderful place to stay- there is even a modern dip pool out the back now.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Really sad to report, it appears to be closed now. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you Covid, we were there just before it hit, hopefully it will re-open.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.thesocialitefamily.com/en/blog/india-shekhawati-fatehpur-le-prince-haveli/" target="_blank">This blog</a> has a wonderful interview about the Haveli and restoration- take a look. Great photos and info.</span><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I think my favourite little corner of all these amazing places are the Chhatris of Ramgarh. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A Chhatri is like a giant umbrella dome on four pillars, used as roof decoration in Rajasthani architecture and often in memorials for the departed.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Ram Gopal Poddar Chhatri Complex was constructed in the late 1800s. dedicated to the Poddar ancestors. The complex is maintained by the Poddar family and their priest (caretaker). </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Flights of fantasy tucked away behind a wall in a sleepy little town.</span></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><i>Fascinating that it is believed that Ramgarh Shekhawati in 1900 had the richest per capita income in the world!</i></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><i>A town with eight centres of Sanskrit learning, patronage of the arts, architecture, building technologies, Vastu and Ayurveda, and great Vedic knowledge. It was also known as the āDoosra Kashiā! Kashi is another name for Varanasi, implying that this was one of the greatest learning centres of the world.</i></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><i>From an article by </i><a class="url fn n" href="https://www.diconversations.com/author/dr-shruti-poddar/" style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Dr. Shruti Poddar</a>. I love the story of how the town came to be- makes the Chhatris seem even more amazing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7zn_BOyLW6xJ5UBooQHvmsrzzCdIwQ5YgzhF28kojwptIB7xt_IYBtXVTJmFqA57iF6KyVG0EDcIJs9ty1df7sRZ5hN_zU28DpBteMPRZuqx20EbicpBN37G3QWnU7trOxVDpyJwDkln-clSi8Il2tc-M9mUVLzlLKGbjE5etha7_k8hXy1c/s2560/Poddar%20Chhatris%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7zn_BOyLW6xJ5UBooQHvmsrzzCdIwQ5YgzhF28kojwptIB7xt_IYBtXVTJmFqA57iF6KyVG0EDcIJs9ty1df7sRZ5hN_zU28DpBteMPRZuqx20EbicpBN37G3QWnU7trOxVDpyJwDkln-clSi8Il2tc-M9mUVLzlLKGbjE5etha7_k8hXy1c/w225-h400/Poddar%20Chhatris%20(1).jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneq074yKYcYAOaMKHySo753Fp7NMz9KNsxiePFfR-663cLITc4_lHFnGW0Fj3FFomChofV6gWSnBh98RcqQ8Wjou_9tW2NIUWA-9RIYKymY24d6a7oVk7_fPcLFh3INYx0C1Ul2p8R4n822uNPMwvREOWPpVdTx847cS6eL11TONgWtnn6-j9/s2560/Poddar%20Chhatris%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneq074yKYcYAOaMKHySo753Fp7NMz9KNsxiePFfR-663cLITc4_lHFnGW0Fj3FFomChofV6gWSnBh98RcqQ8Wjou_9tW2NIUWA-9RIYKymY24d6a7oVk7_fPcLFh3INYx0C1Ul2p8R4n822uNPMwvREOWPpVdTx847cS6eL11TONgWtnn6-j9/w225-h400/Poddar%20Chhatris%20(2).jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNWsvv2q33MW3j9v90XR9Y8bjbDuojO2bpND_CnLjGJe6LahHpz7WW_CeWJHzSbdUjmOGkLim0KDnPN08HpeDw4uL5Zg6Ggfq0ouRytGjpNqjMXI0cU1WiW7OKuOpG_wyF7ZpAPbNDCq7B7vVZfJI1PAdHYQAUBnvkF8k385W2FrSKMl86u40/s2560/Poddar%20Chhatris%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNWsvv2q33MW3j9v90XR9Y8bjbDuojO2bpND_CnLjGJe6LahHpz7WW_CeWJHzSbdUjmOGkLim0KDnPN08HpeDw4uL5Zg6Ggfq0ouRytGjpNqjMXI0cU1WiW7OKuOpG_wyF7ZpAPbNDCq7B7vVZfJI1PAdHYQAUBnvkF8k385W2FrSKMl86u40/w225-h400/Poddar%20Chhatris%20(3).jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsedxzw1iLQ6PGTwn32ZdkDXuLGIRRVoFe7iShooOX88eCI0Q5P6li7QerZPNvxvfT3k3eHR0Jdm4nk25WzLKcqoSSeu4m3_F5TKfgjgCo7rUydWfpZdt3k0eXAAQOmZbLIOjAhNeEq9uE2DRVopZuupDGa7p47iwkXGm86q8Zwpq8nyTADh6R/s1946/Poddar%20Chhatris%20(4).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1946" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsedxzw1iLQ6PGTwn32ZdkDXuLGIRRVoFe7iShooOX88eCI0Q5P6li7QerZPNvxvfT3k3eHR0Jdm4nk25WzLKcqoSSeu4m3_F5TKfgjgCo7rUydWfpZdt3k0eXAAQOmZbLIOjAhNeEq9uE2DRVopZuupDGa7p47iwkXGm86q8Zwpq8nyTADh6R/w296-h400/Poddar%20Chhatris%20(4).jpg" width="296" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGUTxEcPRcW3C3hK3-76vVh581K1ChWb4AVIUoDsGiLrVUqBkBJ6Q7vumAiwR6mQjRUKUCXExuF_rAA4wyTkeTVm8UAgLjvZ9MG0-_x4StURTODB8VZ8ApfdIR1aQ2fEy9U0Cdp5F9HU2cp_fn-wyogYveYfkoe-RSqRsojBaMyFhUk8XR8vd/s2131/Poddar%20Chhatris.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2131" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGUTxEcPRcW3C3hK3-76vVh581K1ChWb4AVIUoDsGiLrVUqBkBJ6Q7vumAiwR6mQjRUKUCXExuF_rAA4wyTkeTVm8UAgLjvZ9MG0-_x4StURTODB8VZ8ApfdIR1aQ2fEy9U0Cdp5F9HU2cp_fn-wyogYveYfkoe-RSqRsojBaMyFhUk8XR8vd/w270-h400/Poddar%20Chhatris.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqR7TpDb5YbHSCSSBGmjG2tvnIsytXeMf0OcX5U1ZYYcwchfYZ9l6CjwolV2z1EmYaknArGXkuFrDZOa5vBDCzP5K-FhjW-EAwihBkCkDtrPZZinEmtNy3vxGheFpVX9ImxmRwFCp9WKf0108v3uxdUrk_MZl2nTzu9NBijUUY2ZxRr-BaeNwo/s1948/Poddar%20Chhatris%202018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1948" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqR7TpDb5YbHSCSSBGmjG2tvnIsytXeMf0OcX5U1ZYYcwchfYZ9l6CjwolV2z1EmYaknArGXkuFrDZOa5vBDCzP5K-FhjW-EAwihBkCkDtrPZZinEmtNy3vxGheFpVX9ImxmRwFCp9WKf0108v3uxdUrk_MZl2nTzu9NBijUUY2ZxRr-BaeNwo/w400-h296/Poddar%20Chhatris%202018.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The rather small garden is just stuffed with different temples and monuments almost falling over each other. You can see where the caretakers Cow is housed in a beautiful temple. Needs must š<p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Just up the road, in an even sleeper little village is a full blown castle or fort!</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px;">It is huge, originally founded in 1768 there is the old part a fort with many newer buildings- think 4 story sprawling mansions built late 18/1900's spreading around it.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Due to large families and inheritance and the complexities of Indian joint families there are now 9 families who own sections of the place and it does not seem they are the best of mates. </p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px;">The Thakur [title from Indian feudal times= lord] Mr Singh inherited the oldest part which really is a medieval castle. He told us he was a lawyer in Jaipur and had not expected to inherit the family title and home.... but there you, this is how the Gods wanted it.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px;">There are some stunning old rooms, but not much modern at all, it is not a one person job looking after it or even just living in it. </p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Power lines are tacked along the walls, water is hard to get to the different rooms, toilets that flush were not a thing at the time of building.... Mr Singh and his lovely wife have had it open to guests for many years, their hospitality and kitchen impeccable in a crumbling but loved old fort.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pRmmPBBNRj_G1U76ZIe-lf81mIsfQGlFB3MCBPrJvwfYS5q-fcMgXPcs-uQf4x7a4ELuNOawr7SH-GPKeiQJnzFp3kMRdQaMsmaQc_gu-ywCAVhEGDLz410_2RT9mcM3JyC7BdqlIM7OVUoAHz77_glUmnyof_gw50mKuMJzdsl7kwhemWsA/s2546/Mahansar%20castle%20Zenana.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2546" data-original-width="1836" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pRmmPBBNRj_G1U76ZIe-lf81mIsfQGlFB3MCBPrJvwfYS5q-fcMgXPcs-uQf4x7a4ELuNOawr7SH-GPKeiQJnzFp3kMRdQaMsmaQc_gu-ywCAVhEGDLz410_2RT9mcM3JyC7BdqlIM7OVUoAHz77_glUmnyof_gw50mKuMJzdsl7kwhemWsA/w289-h400/Mahansar%20castle%20Zenana.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Zenana or women's quarters</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxJ0YnrpfgYbMZe7lcfJrbj6ba27jjcKgaHWQsZAhGBL3PY8ImDSpP3jtTM62B2f0-KomWniV2FaBzHKfouprWMycqG_m1o8fIFBx4rp4PJZxGMSkeD4AUhyphenhyphenegjGFiRFJNHhAjXfXa_FAGfrB9npCfc5ODi5al1bU1lFQoT0n4mHnap5hiZaz/s2895/Mahansar%20Casle%20roofline.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2895" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxJ0YnrpfgYbMZe7lcfJrbj6ba27jjcKgaHWQsZAhGBL3PY8ImDSpP3jtTM62B2f0-KomWniV2FaBzHKfouprWMycqG_m1o8fIFBx4rp4PJZxGMSkeD4AUhyphenhyphenegjGFiRFJNHhAjXfXa_FAGfrB9npCfc5ODi5al1bU1lFQoT0n4mHnap5hiZaz/s320/Mahansar%20Casle%20roofline.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>The place is huge, if you climb up to the top of the roof you feel like you are almost in the clouds.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-NzC6pd9JVtvWJzCDcsjZEgqKcf8kJvTdfbssXZQqy_dRNxISHsKopHHtqJAETl0FE8QH7_kWXZOy8WppMd5t9meeI7u-Y0eZLad4GTRuoCkzDRseR6aPTsA1Rs_txwwrImd4ZRtC2aNdf8NN3hETkeXGsg8bolnORLri3TG8bCauoikF4pU/s2660/Mahansar%20Castle-%20Escher%20like%20staris.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="2660" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-NzC6pd9JVtvWJzCDcsjZEgqKcf8kJvTdfbssXZQqy_dRNxISHsKopHHtqJAETl0FE8QH7_kWXZOy8WppMd5t9meeI7u-Y0eZLad4GTRuoCkzDRseR6aPTsA1Rs_txwwrImd4ZRtC2aNdf8NN3hETkeXGsg8bolnORLri3TG8bCauoikF4pU/s320/Mahansar%20Castle-%20Escher%20like%20staris.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The stairs going down almost make you giddy with the Escher-like quality</div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;">Finding a fort out there in the desert is extraordinary, but even more boggling is the <span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;">Sone-Chandi ki Dukan or </span>Gold & Silver Shop just outside the ramparts. The murals painted on the ceilings are so fine it is hard to see them, you need a ladder. Note the more details a mural the more it cost to paint, so although they wanted to tell the story of the Gods, they also wanted to point out how well life was treating them. Apparently the trade was in opium which necessitated a gold store.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;">Think later Opium Wars with China- English colonial powers like to increase their chance of success by destabilizing populations with intoxicants. Some of the great Mughals and other noblemen were already known for their excesses, too.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;">Next to the Gold Shop is an old Haveli, it must have once been so beautiful and was renown for its soirees. It has a ballroom with Belgium Crystal Chandeliers, unfortunately now home to bats.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6Re4ssaD17B5IU3Mrtx4HpO63jqL91AZzzstHz9-4dvPrhHC1V_BejRbA6aQ4R2IpcJGqjk-0g7ZehXa5bbpA9rlM4UF0BUWmejhbSyUT0-uW1A3JS9z5E-rVAqVzuTZp9VCBDoCkRI7Uw9uZwL20jxX6T5t6984d4aIIisDsEP6OkHe3Tqh/s2560/Mahansar%20havelli%20ballroom.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6Re4ssaD17B5IU3Mrtx4HpO63jqL91AZzzstHz9-4dvPrhHC1V_BejRbA6aQ4R2IpcJGqjk-0g7ZehXa5bbpA9rlM4UF0BUWmejhbSyUT0-uW1A3JS9z5E-rVAqVzuTZp9VCBDoCkRI7Uw9uZwL20jxX6T5t6984d4aIIisDsEP6OkHe3Tqh/w360-h640/Mahansar%20havelli%20ballroom.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;"><br /></p><span style="font-family: arial;">These are just some of the places I have poked through the whole area would take weeks to visit everything that is still there, even longer if knocking at front doors and 'gifts' could get you inside more of these sprawling, amazingly painted structures.</span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;">There are lights starting to shine, recent googling shows up a few places that have been or are being renovated into boutique hotels- Yeh!</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPzC9iw7eeyXeMwyB2BdOrHB5ToGF2axqaoRJpOvZMU77fFjz01ZvTo6azIhqpGJUX2RqQAprsZHy67CEUm7Ek8ve9-gx6AbulMWt4zZgG97TUzalRms82c7oTL1_nAvFMRzCs_lmNDMyV7Rv0FWgwTaaAT-_n_T5Hil3RjkcXZJ2gg126vz4/s2430/beautiful%20man%20made%20lake%20in%20Shekawati%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2430" data-original-width="1790" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPzC9iw7eeyXeMwyB2BdOrHB5ToGF2axqaoRJpOvZMU77fFjz01ZvTo6azIhqpGJUX2RqQAprsZHy67CEUm7Ek8ve9-gx6AbulMWt4zZgG97TUzalRms82c7oTL1_nAvFMRzCs_lmNDMyV7Rv0FWgwTaaAT-_n_T5Hil3RjkcXZJ2gg126vz4/w295-h400/beautiful%20man%20made%20lake%20in%20Shekawati%20(3).jpg" width="295" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAgn4K4GG0RxKTz7aGjChNVLEKH9kURXsp6tpeNc5lU24yQmHo79rCVMdcTTQy80gldAIKt6chyphenhyphenE20fEtnOAR_JtJ-eVwf_7pA9YMytjr_NlTlKXXEYLvzzc6SPeHSflptJIkSRgx9DexRrqbMSF0e3QnZdd9kux_jYZazGSUVK6FPXAmgUdj/s3106/beautiful%20man%20made%20lake%20in%20Shekawati%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1747" data-original-width="3106" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAgn4K4GG0RxKTz7aGjChNVLEKH9kURXsp6tpeNc5lU24yQmHo79rCVMdcTTQy80gldAIKt6chyphenhyphenE20fEtnOAR_JtJ-eVwf_7pA9YMytjr_NlTlKXXEYLvzzc6SPeHSflptJIkSRgx9DexRrqbMSF0e3QnZdd9kux_jYZazGSUVK6FPXAmgUdj/w640-h360/beautiful%20man%20made%20lake%20in%20Shekawati%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Hk8awZrvJc6TIdDqKCY-3m7uheqwtBoWrRIDyjST8o_ie3PrQePCoBisJGNPuRfpFrUUObeOqkE8FqpQRculglCaSUbk2d95-WWyKfl0b1kY1xjxsxUXsUHE6Fzo88ucFRCF6D9dweY7C0s6k0Zr2hyphenhyphenb0LGjo-m6d5bIcXf4v-NMzcEP2cPZ/s2513/beautiful%20man%20made%20lake%20in%20Shekawati%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2513" data-original-width="1836" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Hk8awZrvJc6TIdDqKCY-3m7uheqwtBoWrRIDyjST8o_ie3PrQePCoBisJGNPuRfpFrUUObeOqkE8FqpQRculglCaSUbk2d95-WWyKfl0b1kY1xjxsxUXsUHE6Fzo88ucFRCF6D9dweY7C0s6k0Zr2hyphenhyphenb0LGjo-m6d5bIcXf4v-NMzcEP2cPZ/w293-h400/beautiful%20man%20made%20lake%20in%20Shekawati%20(1).jpg" width="293" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzewC33cdr6bQy4HFTD_pqeuHfO-djmoFjKH5aKNwcSjrWBuTHwW9_P7fZOl2LSpCIMtz9aTGlPWT0EiN7nfQhzC87SEDGgKI_1tH6E_HWLzBgCorLifxsOvLReOLUB8LkEJ9_bIx3kquSebeeR5Cn5RHwwdjyikymImgHTrqOp-36yxwu3GQh/s2705/beautiful%20man%20made%20lake%20in%20Shekawati.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2705" data-original-width="1836" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzewC33cdr6bQy4HFTD_pqeuHfO-djmoFjKH5aKNwcSjrWBuTHwW9_P7fZOl2LSpCIMtz9aTGlPWT0EiN7nfQhzC87SEDGgKI_1tH6E_HWLzBgCorLifxsOvLReOLUB8LkEJ9_bIx3kquSebeeR5Cn5RHwwdjyikymImgHTrqOp-36yxwu3GQh/w271-h400/beautiful%20man%20made%20lake%20in%20Shekawati.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;">I can't even tell you where this is.... we were taking a back road, searching out an amazing Women's Enterprise we had heard of.... another story.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;">Anyway trying to find our way we were driving through what seemed like inhospitable desert when over a small rise this came up.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;">Stunning!!. No idea who built it or why, no one to ask. It was just a moment of Shekhawat magic.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;">By the amount of goat poo around it is obviously appreciated by the locals.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;">If anyone knew it was there I am sure many would drive by to appreciate it's beauty.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;">Sums up Shekawati region really. I want to tell you about it, but it would be nice if it was our well kept secret.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;">Yet being pragmatic, it is visitors' enthusiasm that will save it. Visiting and filling the beautiful boutique Havelis that are around will encourage others to love up more of the old beauties.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;">Progress, some of it is based on loving and looking after the beauty and creativity of our ancestors. They lived out here and lived well in a hot, hot desert before modern electricity and AC. What could we do with our buildings after looking at their methods?</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;">Plan on visiting again in <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/rajasthan-textile-tour/" target="_blank">October 2024</a></p></div></div></div></div>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-64335152872950061942023-12-07T11:50:00.002+10:302023-12-07T12:09:22.335+10:30Rajasthan<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">20 years ago I headed to Rajasthan. <a href="https://ofdaydreamsandmemories.blogspot.com/2023/12/20-years-ago.html" target="_blank">Story in previous blog.</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I must admit it was rather spur of the moment and I did not really know where I was going, I was just going.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Boy, best decision ever. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I was stunned at the just about everything. Amber, Jodhpur, Udaipur Palaces and Forts- so amazingly beautiful.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The crafts- ohh wow. Friendly people, who were happy to take you into their workshop and show you around... explain a lot but not give out any exact recipes -I noticed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This tour has always been a long one 19 days, there is so much to see. Usually 2 weeks is a good time for a tour but Rajasthan needs more.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">India is amazing but also an assault on the senses, it takes people a few days or so to acclimatize- it is so busy but you cope by going Indian time which is quite relaxed. Guests jump off their plane and are still running.... I see them draw a big breath, shrug and sink into India around day 4 or 5.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Then the cruising and enjoying can really unfold.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Early on, I remember a guest asking a driver "So how long will it take to get to X?" and a look of horror on his face. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Indian people don't look at time like it is an accurate thing. He wanted to answer her, but how could you know how long? the road might be blocked or dug up for road works, there could be pilgrims along the way holding up traffic, an elephant passing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">How would you know how long, you just know you start out and eventually you get there....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The current incarnation of this adventure starts as I always start.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Delhi and a visit to the Gods- The Birla Temple is gorgeous, then Raj Ghat to pay our respects to Gandhi. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It is good to tell his story and to see the many, many local visitors to his memorial- he is such a presence in India's history.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">We then head to <a href="https://akshardham.com/" target="_blank">Akshardham Temple</a>. Why, you might ask? Well it is beautiful but also amazing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">India is largely made by hand, it took me years of saying this to myself to get the magnitude of that statement.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">My guests don't have years but here is something to help you grasp it. Huge, beautiful, all handwork and largely built by volunteers- it blows your mind and sets your towards grasping something amazing about India. They also have a good canteen and great lunches- Indians like their food.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Craft Museum in the afternoon- again too much to take in on one visits but sets the scene for the breadth of Indian Crafts and wonderful eye candy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Annnnnndddddddd then we take the show on the road.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Shekawati region is in the semi-arid north of Rajasthan, poor country and poor villagers and yet between the 1700 to 1900's the merchants of the area accrued immense wealth. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The overland trade routes went through the area, Marwari [ Marwari is the local language group] traders spread across India. Some of India's wealthiest families trace their roots back to this region.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">In the 17th to 19th centuries, </span>Marwari<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> merchants constructed grand </span>havelis<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> in the Shekhawati region. Steeped with wealth and affluence, the merchants attempted to outdo others by building more grand edifices ā homes, temples, and step wells which both inside and outside were richly decorated with painted murals. Sleepy towns all covered in beautiful murals...</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEKMnAzwpbqoC9dClF1TjGjtp6namwsBxFt1DdGngI03qWVdHi98Hv2aUobEdQ6L4BwfgtJrYv0hBAnC__yYFpguNIFhShms2UEG4zik_6AMJyY8nMlPFK9kagSdKQ89pbRZMvx_7TvYx5Re_9hjpsaCwCqDDNCIipEumfcDSQJktMqWS8Qe3/s2560/20191008_133841.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEKMnAzwpbqoC9dClF1TjGjtp6namwsBxFt1DdGngI03qWVdHi98Hv2aUobEdQ6L4BwfgtJrYv0hBAnC__yYFpguNIFhShms2UEG4zik_6AMJyY8nMlPFK9kagSdKQ89pbRZMvx_7TvYx5Re_9hjpsaCwCqDDNCIipEumfcDSQJktMqWS8Qe3/w225-h400/20191008_133841.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: medium;">Onto Jodhpur- what a Fort perched way up high, took my breath away first time I visited and I still appreciate it today. The Maharaja of Jodhpur continues to improve the Palace, their museum is wonderful and they have new exhibitions regularly. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIPdZdeGSjtevSfBcvZilyrSdPs8l6Y0Gker_4CvmGEiYIE_ChimARTwDDQ4b8Tv2PIowW7eNAUD_44ZfAgxZDnnGgXK9mN6K_80-7jjyHJQgeFLYw2zrnmdtsF2pgUh5qxF-BBElPET5RMK4YHVIlW-rIobjL8EBSsbpi7eZtOrEO1p9iFr-/s2560/20191010_133530.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIPdZdeGSjtevSfBcvZilyrSdPs8l6Y0Gker_4CvmGEiYIE_ChimARTwDDQ4b8Tv2PIowW7eNAUD_44ZfAgxZDnnGgXK9mN6K_80-7jjyHJQgeFLYw2zrnmdtsF2pgUh5qxF-BBElPET5RMK4YHVIlW-rIobjL8EBSsbpi7eZtOrEO1p9iFr-/w225-h400/20191010_133530.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEoPdL6jH58-KCEPi3oV7G3i4yWYvdNCzBqBqV_fvKnoYH0COSZ-0eTkeM4IzJOt0ZUYrBzEVFrUqbZObaNNMnTnVXFJmctow3hLcFjfQzf-4gGLiUR4qY14wajT_9GMkGVb4r75hWH1K_V74wHZ2Wsq2_HyUSJOFMEisUOsd768bQeTmRS6W/s2560/20191010_140446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEoPdL6jH58-KCEPi3oV7G3i4yWYvdNCzBqBqV_fvKnoYH0COSZ-0eTkeM4IzJOt0ZUYrBzEVFrUqbZObaNNMnTnVXFJmctow3hLcFjfQzf-4gGLiUR4qY14wajT_9GMkGVb4r75hWH1K_V74wHZ2Wsq2_HyUSJOFMEisUOsd768bQeTmRS6W/w225-h400/20191010_140446.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>Lunch with a family of rug weavers. We have been visiting Usman for years and was running late one year, so rang to say we had to stop for lunch and might not have time to call in. He invited us for lunch [ all 12 of us] and we have been lunching with them ever since. I don't know what the women of the family had to say that first visit but lunch was ready when we arrived and many smiles. Country meal of millet chapati, veg and dal- a home cooked treat.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzPKdSVsUnSr7GU4KUdVCZkuPteWlPbob8OuLwkhoV4rVkA1axovpnvQdIUoolhwG74JgP1PdOQuM-8XSkSEnhsSQuHwZNsPPJGXKrA43e_1oCEEUkV45jMCkf-xZP97dJUEtjOEOeuiAHUWs41tSlNwwTCHKbdGKBBuz8YNq5GydJYb5_oRJ/s2560/20191010_162650.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzPKdSVsUnSr7GU4KUdVCZkuPteWlPbob8OuLwkhoV4rVkA1axovpnvQdIUoolhwG74JgP1PdOQuM-8XSkSEnhsSQuHwZNsPPJGXKrA43e_1oCEEUkV45jMCkf-xZP97dJUEtjOEOeuiAHUWs41tSlNwwTCHKbdGKBBuz8YNq5GydJYb5_oRJ/w225-h400/20191010_162650.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">Onto a few days at Pushkar- an easy market to explore, although I do have to warn people to be careful of the Special Lassi- being a Holy Town they are allowed to make it with Bhang [marijuana] and you will be in a spin.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">Visits to our workshop- block printing- blocks carved to your design to take home- camels- gypsy dancers and dinner.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">We have been known to play dress-ups. The women of the workshop love the opportunity to help guests try out saris. Very kind of our guests to boost our women's confidence chatting and hanging out. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVWO2pNg-JtYz3LtN1K9WabrKkgFQk2ePV8uIJvtGqixW6aP5XWtli2TFKaUNSb8IIQEikkRGNon_14fo8bbI8VvkKb6C3onTAtPUi1wJ_6mUknjH1VHkZgTjutwGiYMIzXMXQkxxwyGcHBo0P0itQNN2epsyyfnF9j1GlGy6nswV1qfH2MMH/s2560/20191011_135132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVWO2pNg-JtYz3LtN1K9WabrKkgFQk2ePV8uIJvtGqixW6aP5XWtli2TFKaUNSb8IIQEikkRGNon_14fo8bbI8VvkKb6C3onTAtPUi1wJ_6mUknjH1VHkZgTjutwGiYMIzXMXQkxxwyGcHBo0P0itQNN2epsyyfnF9j1GlGy6nswV1qfH2MMH/s320/20191011_135132.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4N6uDnYQpWeNKNm35zDhu_SN9V-Fgu2s2TUSQ9IqWOCx4FwclhhckbsiB_chvB7ZcDpuYhsFhWa84Ax9sPy3ZpebtQWMBOsiwo6bOOz5H6xS1uaQISvjkFW9E-zYaWjn1qGciBgyt0RNs2HwgjO3DhpBh2yjMn_M2sCBhyphenhyphen-D89YDMM9md7phO/s2560/20191012_193514.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4N6uDnYQpWeNKNm35zDhu_SN9V-Fgu2s2TUSQ9IqWOCx4FwclhhckbsiB_chvB7ZcDpuYhsFhWa84Ax9sPy3ZpebtQWMBOsiwo6bOOz5H6xS1uaQISvjkFW9E-zYaWjn1qGciBgyt0RNs2HwgjO3DhpBh2yjMn_M2sCBhyphenhyphen-D89YDMM9md7phO/s320/20191012_193514.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fire eater at dinner at home.</div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfU3hkVu-_HE47DF-PGLioJ3vvPn_BdrX3DWko1_mLzEak0VdlvjZw_zfatyGAbSlp2qejLW8-CtXD_SHClsLdRwEub-6WoqXgHu4sOoeB839a25CTLYAWBUYbCLBpnqnjiLrzJFMKMjYXL8_U-51ZDs9ceKCj7w0sDXG01RPYJ30PStqJIBh/s2560/20191013_161235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfU3hkVu-_HE47DF-PGLioJ3vvPn_BdrX3DWko1_mLzEak0VdlvjZw_zfatyGAbSlp2qejLW8-CtXD_SHClsLdRwEub-6WoqXgHu4sOoeB839a25CTLYAWBUYbCLBpnqnjiLrzJFMKMjYXL8_U-51ZDs9ceKCj7w0sDXG01RPYJ30PStqJIBh/s320/20191013_161235.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: times;">Then onto Udaipur. A beautiful place nestled between two lakes and with a grand palace.</span><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEive1JgJ8HmWSh-9V5heIbKTZXNmhy6hjtgYQeAZufR0J5PZD17DZ1eVcbUHqlBrM2p5WXshyk_A_eXSYvLvqkT29b3BBTmNS4bge-l_tXIWnbKFWGcEPHI1Zdsfg89ieGMC4HF5l4B0mvROqU8f7Ifc4dZzmHp6ATA7Iez11iA5YZ_kJClKR7w/s2560/20191014_104918.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEive1JgJ8HmWSh-9V5heIbKTZXNmhy6hjtgYQeAZufR0J5PZD17DZ1eVcbUHqlBrM2p5WXshyk_A_eXSYvLvqkT29b3BBTmNS4bge-l_tXIWnbKFWGcEPHI1Zdsfg89ieGMC4HF5l4B0mvROqU8f7Ifc4dZzmHp6ATA7Iez11iA5YZ_kJClKR7w/s320/20191014_104918.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJ8dTmbRlnrPx5GBIISBGjdIY1VJTkQIczk2gfKG-Ayq8HCelKm3SNJm1LK3hKMtLrq3WdBvu20eMRTTlcRoYo_rTJe3xnOwlB8OLkKXzH1j28nMfA_3YQRNLk3x8uvmQFuEY4KYBCxAee9r1D-NAfyqyVd_lw-S8warVVwudwWlsrQRdejDS/s2560/20191015_141839.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJ8dTmbRlnrPx5GBIISBGjdIY1VJTkQIczk2gfKG-Ayq8HCelKm3SNJm1LK3hKMtLrq3WdBvu20eMRTTlcRoYo_rTJe3xnOwlB8OLkKXzH1j28nMfA_3YQRNLk3x8uvmQFuEY4KYBCxAee9r1D-NAfyqyVd_lw-S8warVVwudwWlsrQRdejDS/s320/20191015_141839.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedk4lr0-U_LOOPgM_87UcmV95v4V1T6qDJ9ClIHpbAG50dw4CVKONXE0Yov7P6GyV8eTeXbUTV_1g3yNIbanbAZZLdkgK_lIJ9L2_5XNpGL0jFAQony0H7jBpxxt3McOeErc_-HM6TRmgEg9exwpz4662A9tzFdLZUOJd8lrgBifYM052CqY_/s2560/20191016_093217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedk4lr0-U_LOOPgM_87UcmV95v4V1T6qDJ9ClIHpbAG50dw4CVKONXE0Yov7P6GyV8eTeXbUTV_1g3yNIbanbAZZLdkgK_lIJ9L2_5XNpGL0jFAQony0H7jBpxxt3McOeErc_-HM6TRmgEg9exwpz4662A9tzFdLZUOJd8lrgBifYM052CqY_/s320/20191016_093217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white;">You never know who you might meet along the way.... we were heading off the track to a small village we love to see indigo and this guy was passing on his bullock cart. We stopped and asked if we might take a picture and he thought it was a fantastic idea. He was so welcoming of our guests heading way out to his corner of the world. He insisted I take his number and ring him next time we are passing- see how we go šWonderful man.</span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">Bundi is another sleepy little town that once must have been rich, it has so many beautiful Stepwells dotted around. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">Stone Age tools dating from 5,000 to 200,000 years were found in </span>Bundi<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202122;"> and the town traces its origins to the Chauhans 11 century- the last great Hindi kingdom before waves of Muslim invades came along. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: medium;">The Fort Palace has very beautiful murals, hard to visit because the access road is so steep and rocky. We will visit stepwells but don't have time to scale up to the fort- we are heading to Ranthambore and looking for tigers.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkM1Zefa1JoQs82s0LfJIjkrwULdNgz4n227hkswkOnYq-e_2dVp4uohnyeR9A9qUvBdaClvlDLZUOXIt_31Nw4Y3Tk3G_fWi50mp5cUzznVKCmW3xR74_yi5kHeUD26L4yU2BHgKuDp45uOo-dENVfYlG8-HyZw3yKGBKBFbpV7LkxS3Eh9QE/s1152/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="560" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkM1Zefa1JoQs82s0LfJIjkrwULdNgz4n227hkswkOnYq-e_2dVp4uohnyeR9A9qUvBdaClvlDLZUOXIt_31Nw4Y3Tk3G_fWi50mp5cUzznVKCmW3xR74_yi5kHeUD26L4yU2BHgKuDp45uOo-dENVfYlG8-HyZw3yKGBKBFbpV7LkxS3Eh9QE/w195-h400/5.jpg" width="195" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Stitching with the women of Dastkar Ranthambore as well- they love to sing, perhaps dance and gossip. Praveen is pretty good at translating when we need a little help, but a willing heart is the most important thing when you want to connect up.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">The big smoke of Jaipur- so many things to see and do. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">I love the drying unit- lots of cloth drying- sounds boring but being in there amongst it- it becomes and amazing world.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FJ2_ChasHgYJDB7yeboDNO45MknDEC9iT0S5oVqPfSy_u6ZOxwQmNsgeLW3Z8L4WQlP12-VzPnGzhcoAjySbmE_aidJYcu8JJrfpsHC1dAL_gbl-TGVPUP9KNeluF2kTzw2VZ5EiFBhiyhz30TAdCcQNrfXBdZHbDa4grcAxIxRNZi0YqqX9/s2560/20191020_103154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FJ2_ChasHgYJDB7yeboDNO45MknDEC9iT0S5oVqPfSy_u6ZOxwQmNsgeLW3Z8L4WQlP12-VzPnGzhcoAjySbmE_aidJYcu8JJrfpsHC1dAL_gbl-TGVPUP9KNeluF2kTzw2VZ5EiFBhiyhz30TAdCcQNrfXBdZHbDa4grcAxIxRNZi0YqqX9/s320/20191020_103154.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: times;">Escher-ing it at another stepwell</span><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqLvzxTvBGD_d7tLtey7j14ybp-OmBcx9UlbCRBhnV-3lSjD-vM4IB-QoZATi8aol6fOmu_7uboHfr5l0xnqaMPH6pec3LxhKvcQhfaFt9cos9TJzMaBQrlo64oOXnx8T08OhKCBeFCLxl0wWPGACIHemdjLeBmImva5IZxuDOUbI3_hJXsIX/s3264/20191021_141322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1592" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqLvzxTvBGD_d7tLtey7j14ybp-OmBcx9UlbCRBhnV-3lSjD-vM4IB-QoZATi8aol6fOmu_7uboHfr5l0xnqaMPH6pec3LxhKvcQhfaFt9cos9TJzMaBQrlo64oOXnx8T08OhKCBeFCLxl0wWPGACIHemdjLeBmImva5IZxuDOUbI3_hJXsIX/s320/20191021_141322.jpg" width="156" /></a></div>I love throwing everyone into rickshaws to visit the gold work embroidery guys..... it just makes it feel like the most thrilling adventure to arrive this way and head deep into the bowels of the Old City of Agra- the wealth and splendour in their workshop has to be seen to be believed.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7W4rEtdk_wMh0KgINU62xDxqxoBE4ApefmfP4pjHnYW7HpB-hqB8BISBKS4GGQHxkU-wnFIuvpMxrZVFNbujJj_7KbC5QCe4kjWtKjEJjnUGPq3yyEWjAQEEMuCZTgV3C6_RNHBNsF9K5aV9-AqqAH_YUgBsTVM6yXaF8HKZ5TQaEuBctuuyj/s1296/20151019_155804.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7W4rEtdk_wMh0KgINU62xDxqxoBE4ApefmfP4pjHnYW7HpB-hqB8BISBKS4GGQHxkU-wnFIuvpMxrZVFNbujJj_7KbC5QCe4kjWtKjEJjnUGPq3yyEWjAQEEMuCZTgV3C6_RNHBNsF9K5aV9-AqqAH_YUgBsTVM6yXaF8HKZ5TQaEuBctuuyj/w355-h400/20151019_155804.jpg" width="355" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPot36AeJO1iDhuWehrdEAR44vo_IwVYqJ_Q2JeIKeP_EVwDURI_GnQP7FMFJdSIsHH69twzw90jpgwxItFSYS-dSfOGoExOWLXEhZkrgTOSHCCBI10HJOhg-uYdjePRNGXRwql-67lOivIQydoPrckRaarzz_1-V5uPwETO6cJvgLxcIN1Vq/s2048/20151019_171029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPot36AeJO1iDhuWehrdEAR44vo_IwVYqJ_Q2JeIKeP_EVwDURI_GnQP7FMFJdSIsHH69twzw90jpgwxItFSYS-dSfOGoExOWLXEhZkrgTOSHCCBI10HJOhg-uYdjePRNGXRwql-67lOivIQydoPrckRaarzz_1-V5uPwETO6cJvgLxcIN1Vq/w225-h400/20151019_171029.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwd7GDDnBn6F9R9g1w-QhgDk1enuA1vLgNl6sKOjo5kyxGoNbugq9JXSQz9meRtR0fCAvsJ9nHgruwZOq2rq2yh1SBp0faWhf2i7R2SFbpsIXRfinoZxD4FEdcqHW3ob85_8T9eSqteM3yHPRchCm7NDLSd0_XwWxdHc1vsLyFOhOT8JP47A30/s2048/20151019_171056.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwd7GDDnBn6F9R9g1w-QhgDk1enuA1vLgNl6sKOjo5kyxGoNbugq9JXSQz9meRtR0fCAvsJ9nHgruwZOq2rq2yh1SBp0faWhf2i7R2SFbpsIXRfinoZxD4FEdcqHW3ob85_8T9eSqteM3yHPRchCm7NDLSd0_XwWxdHc1vsLyFOhOT8JP47A30/s320/20151019_171056.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS7RXOlHpiEOIX-Ow26rfzxh7j1oisngZrjiuV656QkH6J4zmmNelIVnDIG3s30hue3CyLCw7Nd_AG4I07cNNk3ENwiifJp82C2xahvZILGxnSRn-jEG3arhhWah5hxdAFQ-jpuCW4go0iiMMsYim2wEsCZ84l2z9hZP_3ysFz5Uigyu4PTWp/s2048/20151019_171808.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS7RXOlHpiEOIX-Ow26rfzxh7j1oisngZrjiuV656QkH6J4zmmNelIVnDIG3s30hue3CyLCw7Nd_AG4I07cNNk3ENwiifJp82C2xahvZILGxnSRn-jEG3arhhWah5hxdAFQ-jpuCW4go0iiMMsYim2wEsCZ84l2z9hZP_3ysFz5Uigyu4PTWp/s320/20151019_171808.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />We were there one year when 4 moths work of a jewel encrusted Tapestry was being cut from the strainers- the whole workshop stops and welcomes it to life.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">A bit of Taj Mahal action and back to Delhi.....</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsjhBfini6uOwIRXOOzD4dOnXe3HninDUyyiS-H4A4GzgCmizL-xYs8VxjncertYl3ezATO4f0rL0OEXIWRuKLUB50-iJBIUuZyF5QnUOjvpKPWAhbZKB4O64-gUM_mORV2Bcv-l8Pu99TSMTFDL87ZH04bCNGs0iGPyaqY8RBUnVXRHjhWeH/s525/good-to-imagine-the-world-of-the-Taj-Mahal.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="525" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsjhBfini6uOwIRXOOzD4dOnXe3HninDUyyiS-H4A4GzgCmizL-xYs8VxjncertYl3ezATO4f0rL0OEXIWRuKLUB50-iJBIUuZyF5QnUOjvpKPWAhbZKB4O64-gUM_mORV2Bcv-l8Pu99TSMTFDL87ZH04bCNGs0iGPyaqY8RBUnVXRHjhWeH/w400-h199/good-to-imagine-the-world-of-the-Taj-Mahal.webp" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="font-family: times;">I particularly love these stories to help imagine the Taj Mahal and the people of the era. People who would have used the skills of our goldwork friends to embellish their clothes.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Hmmm I have been writing up tours for 2024. I like to go through and consider every step along the way- see if I still love it.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">There are a million good stories and references to get you in the mood for India. India boasts some very fine contemporary writers- <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/inspiration-india/" target="_blank">they are a treat to discover.</a><br /><span style="color: #202122;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: medium;">I was once told "Madam, anything is possible" and I do believe it might be true.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: medium;">This part of India is full of the majesty of the past and the innovation and artisan excellence that will last into the future.</span></span></span></p>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-53692138665230034052023-12-06T18:00:00.141+10:302023-12-07T12:09:47.046+10:3020 years ago...<span style="font-size: medium;">My bucket list always has had Paris and Rajasthan at the top </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;">[ I must admit I have become a bit of a tart and truly have now given my heart to quite a few places] </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">but 20 + years ago they were the ones.</span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I was a Waldorf Steiner Teacher- you stay with the same class through primary school, so when that journey draws to a close it is quite a big letting go.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I had been a single mother for many years and my boys liked to know I was at home when they were with their father, just in case they needed me. For the first time, at end of September school holidays, one said - "You know Mum, we're big enough now, we'll be OK if you want to do something while we are away. You don't have to sit near the phone" </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No mobiles back then- did he imagine I stayed within hearing of the phone? What ever made him feel safe I guess.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Well what a shocker!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">So much was changing all at once. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An important part of parenting is to step back and let them mature but what was I supposed to do? Forever I had been the class teacher and the Mum.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">So, you know, freaking out as one might - I thought "Right, DO Something" and made a mad dash to get a passport, ticket and visa and head off to Rajasthan.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For the first time I had a little money in the bank, couldn't afford Paris but Rajasthan was a possibility.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I really did not have time to draw breath until I sat on the plane in Sydney heading to Delhi. Then I started to cry. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"What was I thinking?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No time to plan it all out, I had 3 nights accommodation and lots of time in front of my until I had to be in Mumbai to catch my flight home.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ohh boy, Delhi was shrouded in winter fog, all dug up putting the metro in- it smelt so different, it was so busy and foreign and such a buzz.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Poking around an amazing 3 weeks unfolded.... the wealth of crafts had me gobsmacked. Wooden blocks and block printing - ohhh wow. I had carved lino to make blocks for years, didn't realise there was a whole world of printing in India- I was in heaven.....</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Long story cut short, I met Praveen that trip too.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I decided to base my Masters Exhibition on my experience of India in relationship to Far West NSW....</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I won a textile award out of the UK and started travelling to teach textiles, </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I never went back to school teaching....</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I regularly exhibited my art</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">and a group at the textile guild I was a member of said that wanted to come to India and poke around getting their hands on things just like I did.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Well I had always enjoyed excursions as a teacher- loved working out adventures for my class, I could relate to that idea. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An exciting excursion, get your hands dirty doing things, see some amazing places, eat good food.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/" target="_blank">Creative Arts Safaris</a> was born and our first tour took off in Feb 2006. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rajasthan- A Tactile Textile Tour had all the things I loved in it.... lots of doing stuff- block print, tie and dye.... places, artisans/crafts have been added in, taken out over time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I moved to India and eventually we had <a href="https://the-stitching-project.com/" target="_blank">The Stitching Project Workshop</a>... so hands on could get even bigger...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The excursion idea grew, I like the name excursion it suggests you want to learn something, ... old school teachers never die, they just head out on adventures!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Adventures- yes. Step off the edge, live a little.... yes you might want to freak out a little along the way.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I was so surprised when I burst out crying on that first flight thinking</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> "OMG what have I done?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Shake yourself off and get on with it. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It will be fine.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fine and Dandy from my experiences.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkn7eZUH51oBW2F3KHiulXuQui4hm_infX7BQXRvATFLvPM_y-yQZo-SKZ-AQHF1vxH9Slr2LYzQEWpfzBtWmkwzHZxHfBluzdMIIQ_jOFs3PNka5RQOGcrDPuVm9WxeP0gmof_Z9Eddv-ywpk9PkHXQBo_NRiD2lhPo01HP0Wk-xWwW4Zt-CZ/s1080/Creative.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkn7eZUH51oBW2F3KHiulXuQui4hm_infX7BQXRvATFLvPM_y-yQZo-SKZ-AQHF1vxH9Slr2LYzQEWpfzBtWmkwzHZxHfBluzdMIIQ_jOFs3PNka5RQOGcrDPuVm9WxeP0gmof_Z9Eddv-ywpk9PkHXQBo_NRiD2lhPo01HP0Wk-xWwW4Zt-CZ/w400-h400/Creative.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89nT6_Yyok8nn655rECZB_Ect8q19B_Xa7zGTmqpei1FCAnQxv6G5z8QdtmT3xBAyXEMUN7OaoPMAQazY9NxWBzniP54DWnaeTuUe223uAHUQVBdcgp5AGVazdeK4R-80MQbeDOlowKTxv-9f867Ngw9GvrtBr6eLdqiACnV0hnbT3mC1t_R8/s2000/arts.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1414" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89nT6_Yyok8nn655rECZB_Ect8q19B_Xa7zGTmqpei1FCAnQxv6G5z8QdtmT3xBAyXEMUN7OaoPMAQazY9NxWBzniP54DWnaeTuUe223uAHUQVBdcgp5AGVazdeK4R-80MQbeDOlowKTxv-9f867Ngw9GvrtBr6eLdqiACnV0hnbT3mC1t_R8/w283-h400/arts.png" width="283" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm5EC3VjP1q3uF19l1wQYuW6Q7Ed9wt0kSZ0YZNPDQ94YqvcSG1aRA24TqqJbADpZB3lqluPjwLxrC7BYEfNOK9_WYEypBRVHfDNdemJylayWM2iJTzxpzBwNlf6-oC_SYjtbwcX7XpLOHxgYA9xH89IUHC02pO_PMgGL8ISdWUSt-xT_eTPJ/s1080/Your%20paragraph%20text%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm5EC3VjP1q3uF19l1wQYuW6Q7Ed9wt0kSZ0YZNPDQ94YqvcSG1aRA24TqqJbADpZB3lqluPjwLxrC7BYEfNOK9_WYEypBRVHfDNdemJylayWM2iJTzxpzBwNlf6-oC_SYjtbwcX7XpLOHxgYA9xH89IUHC02pO_PMgGL8ISdWUSt-xT_eTPJ/w400-h400/Your%20paragraph%20text%20(1).png" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> <br /></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-30335198114220471282023-11-10T06:47:00.172+10:302023-11-27T13:28:54.502+10:30Pondering Vlad<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Vlad<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoamN1TURqNBZhQUcl5b9kp54cboi-wOIQhxa_ldvmpVtosRscDneevpSY8ZqwCgC_sWiUrojTNsWK7LCkje7-9LbG6WNr-7oy9C1Ra4oB_0JCkK5Yd7jOHpuGJSjzP-14lODjQSuLvNcMTSkVf2C36jg3gLdqztX4BudF9-Xzc9HsKFecYmwB/s309/Vlad_Tepes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="255" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoamN1TURqNBZhQUcl5b9kp54cboi-wOIQhxa_ldvmpVtosRscDneevpSY8ZqwCgC_sWiUrojTNsWK7LCkje7-9LbG6WNr-7oy9C1Ra4oB_0JCkK5Yd7jOHpuGJSjzP-14lODjQSuLvNcMTSkVf2C36jg3gLdqztX4BudF9-Xzc9HsKFecYmwB/w528-h640/Vlad_Tepes.jpg" width="528" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Vlad was
mentioned a few times when I was in Romania- it was Vlad III they meant- ruler
of Wallachia off and on between 1448 &1477. Wallachia is forerunner to
modern Romania.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Vlad the person
who could boast fighting off the Ottoman Empire for a time.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Vlad, was
rather hard on those he did not like, and could certainly hold a grudge against
the gentry who did not support him.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">I was told by a
guide in Bucharest that apparently, he made Romania so safe you could leave a
gold coin at the water fountain and come back later. No one would steal it,
they would be caught and they would never get the chance to do the wrong thing
again.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">For those who
had wronged Vlad, any invading Ottomans he could catch and anyone breaking his
laws- punishment was quick and decisive.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Impale them on
stakes lining the streets coming into town.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Really.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Can you imagine
what it must have been like arriving? The groans of agony as gravity slowly
pulled your body down onto the stake... the smell from those who had been there
for some time?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">This was the
Time of The War of The Roses in England... all across Europe and most of the
world, kingdoms would attack kingdoms, constant infighting to catch thrones....<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">It was common behaviour,
but Vlad excelled at it and gained a reputation far and wide.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">His fame was
widely talked about through the German and Russian regions, through them his
story lived on. Back in Wallachia, his kingdom and Transylvania he was largely
forgotten for centuries.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">The region he
is from was home to the Dacians- strong independent warrior clans- the Roman
Empire after much trouble bought them to heel but always worried when they
would rebel and bite again.... seems like a theme.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">His name had
its origin in the nickname of his father, Vlad Dracul ("Vlad the
Dragon" in medieval Romanian), who received it after he became a
member of the Order of the Dragon- Knights promised to fight off the
Ottoman Empire and preserve Christianity.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Vlad III is
known as <i>Vlad Tepes</i> (or Vlad the Impaler) in Romanian historiography.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Stories about
Vlad's brutal acts began circulating during his lifetime, 1464 The Pope
included the tales in his Commentaries.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">A poem,
called "Story of a Despot Called Dracula, Voievod [Prince] of
Wallachia", was performed at the court of Frederick III, Holy Roman
Emperor in Wiener Neustadt during the winter of 1463.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">No social media
in those days yet his reputation was travelling like wildfire.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">They say you
need to be consistent and have a 'thing' to build your brand- he
found his niche.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">1492 ā¦ <i>Turkish
messengers came to [Vlad] to pay respects, but refused to take off their
turbans, according to their ancient custom, whereupon he strengthened their custom
by nailing their turbans to their heads with three spikes, so that they could
not take them off.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">āā<i>Antonio
Bonfini: Historia Pannonica</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">For centuries
the horror stories circulated about Vlad outside his homeland <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and then in <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">then in the
1800's the tide started to turn <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Deleanu's <i>Čiganiada</i> (Gypsy
Epic) (which was published only in 1875) presented Vlad as a hero fighting
against the boyars <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>local rulers],
Ottomans, <i>strigoi</i> (or vampires), and other evil spirits at the
head of an army of gypsies and angels<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">----------<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><i>Strigoi</i></b><i> in Romanian
mythology are troubled spirits that are said to have risen from the
grave. They are attributed with the abilities to transform into an
animal, become invisible, and to gain vitality from the blood of their
victims. </i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>----------</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">One of the
greatest Romanian poets, Mihai Eminescu, dedicated a historic
ballad, <i>The Third Letter</i>, to the valiant princes of Wallachia,
including Vlad. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">He urges Vlad
to return from the grave and to annihilate the enemies of the Romanian nation:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>You must
come, O dread Impaler, confound them to your care.<br />
Split them in two partitions, here the fools, the rascals there;<br />
Shove them into two enclosures from the broad daylight enisle 'em,<br />
Then set fire to the prison and the lunatic asylum.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>āāMihai
Eminescu: The Third Letter<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Since the
middle of the 19th century, Romanian historians have treated Vlad as one of the
greatest Romanian rulers, emphasizing his fight for the independence of the
Romanian lands.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Bram
Stoker's <i>Dracula</i>, which was published in 1897, was the first book
to make a connection between Dracula and vampirism, although research
based on Stoker's paper suggests he knew little of Vlad and was just using
names and bits and pieces to create a story.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">According to an
opinion poll conducted in 1999, 4.1% of the participants chose Vlad the Impaler
as one of "the most important historical personalities who have influenced
the destiny of the Romanians for the better"<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Ceausescu
making national hero....<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Duncan Light in ā<b><a href="https://www.historytoday.com/miscellanies/dracula-beats-communists" target="_blank">DraculaBeats the Communists</a>ā </b>talks of the Bram Stoker Myth being a mixed hero
for the communists, certainly went against the party line but it could bring
tourists and their dollars to a country in need of funds. Interesting article developing
that theme.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/288282999.pdf" target="_blank">Here is a link</a> to a
University Paper he published on the same theme<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Professor Radu Florescu<b>
</b>was a Romanian academic who held the position of Emeritus Professor of History at Boston
College has written extensively on the Romanian history, he best known work,
though, is <i>In Search of Dracula</i> (1972).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Stokersā
Dracula had enough real places in it, he posited that it must be based on a
real person and Vlad Tepes fitted the position the best. He looked to find
links between the fictional story and an historic person.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Dracula has
brought a lot of tourists to Romania, apparently, yet in Romania I did not feel
like the locals were that interested in Stokerās Dracula.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">The Castle
often associated with the novel Bram Castle has very little to do with Vlad.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">The country and
its history are far more impressive than a fictional character imagined by
someone from far away. In my opinion.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Stories of the feisty
Dacians- the thorn in the Roman Empiresā behind.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Vlads Dad and Tepes
fighting off the Ottoman Empireā¦<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Romanian is in
a crucial position between East and Europe, it is also a rich country with good
farmlands, mineral wealth and the largest Original untouched forests of Europe.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">There were
certainly scary fairy tales associated with the deep forests and lots of
characters to scare the kids into behaving.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><u>Books that develop
the Vampire theme<o:p></o:p></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><i>Dracula</i></b> is
a novel by Bram Stoker, published in 1897 and the movie staring Bela
Lugosi in 1931 added to the myth<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><i>The
Historian </i></b>by Elizabeth Kostova is a great readā¦. The plot draws you into
the search for the facts behind the Dracula myth<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><i>The House of The Vampire</i></b>
by George Sylvester Viereck is surprisingly modern in its writing and plot. It
was published in 1907 and is notable as one of the first psychic vampire
stories, as well as the first known gay (actually, bisexual) vampire story. Not
a bad read either.<b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Iāve been delving
deep into Vlad/Dracula/ Vampire stories to try and get a picture.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">In Romania the
Dracula side of it all seemed to not be a thing- except if you went to Bram Castle
that we foreigners associate with the book. A book that Vlad seems to have little
or no connection to.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Vlad Tepes
though seemed to get good press as the guy who fought against terrible odds for
Romanian independence. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">That is a lot
more pertinent to the modern country- Independence from Oppressors Romania was
nearly the last of the Eastern European communist governments to fall; its fall
was also the most violent up to that time. I had many conversations with
Romanians who vigorously spoke out against the corruption in their country at government
level and that if they speak up loudly enough things will change. During my
visit a major political figure was pulled up on corruption charges and many
were pleased. I look forward to hearing the next instalment in these
conversations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Many thanks to <a href="https://www.wikipedia.org/" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a> for bouncing me around and shedding light on my questions. I have donated to their continued presence- love me a good encyclopaedia. š</p><br />Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-3360412322933820802023-11-08T10:44:00.001+10:302023-11-08T10:44:14.066+10:30Foodie ramblings<p>I am a bit of a home body really.</p><p>My home or someone else's no problem. I also love to travel and experience new places- the most joy comes when I get to meet people.</p><p>I love to see where they live, all the monuments and beautiful places become more real when I can add a personal perspective to it.</p><p>For me, to get up super early and wander the streets as people wake up and get ready for the day is a very special time. It feels like a more personal insight than looking at the world when their Day Face is on and people are out and about their work. You can see why the Post Colonial World [ I say that rather than Developing World because they are not backward and trying to catch up- they were plundered for the benefit of the Colonial Powers and are trying to get on their feet] is my place... a lot more of life happens on the streets too.</p><p>Long before I had the opportunity to travel I used to imagine what places would be like through cooking- I'd borrow recipe books from the library [ as we did before the wonders of the verb "Google it" came along] and try to find a sense of the exotic through the flavours.</p><p>I cooked Indian for 20 years before I got to eat in India. What a treat, I had been on the right track but getting into people's homes and kitchens was so much MORE. Often much simpler, yet more present.</p><p>One thing I learnt from my Ladies <a href="http://www.the-stitching-project.com" target="_blank">at the workshop</a> was focus and care add a huge dimension to even the humblest ingredients. Love brings out the flavours and nutrition of the simplest ingredients.</p><p>Our local food co-op put out a call for recipes for the calendar- I thought I would offer a Dal recipe and it became a minefield of options. </p><p>This is what I sent in, I could have written a whole tomb of recipes I have used and Dal I have tasted and mean to cook one day.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>Country Feast ā Dal</u><o:p></o:p></p><ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><u>Title</u>-
Dal<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><u>preparation
time</u>- 15 mins to throw it in the pot.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><u>cooking
time</u>- depends on the legume used. Green Lentils- 45 mins, chickpeas a few hours.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><u>things
you love about it</u> In India dal is the most common dish served.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul><p class="MsoNormal">Nutritious, economical and so tasty. It is 1 dish with a
million faces- any dried legume can be used and the spices vary greatly from
region to region, household to household.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>This is a basic recipe with variations mentioned, but only
the start to discovering a new Dal recipe for every night of the month if you
choose.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>Ingredient list with amounts </u></p><div style="text-align: left;">1T oil<br /> 1t cumin seed<br />1 t black mustard seed<br />1 t turmeric<br />Ā½- 1 or none kashmiri chilli powder<br />2 t coriander powder<br />2 cloves garlic<br />2cm ginger<br />1 or 2 or none green chilli<br />I cup green lentils or channa dal or toor dal or red lentils<br />Salt to taste<br />-water</div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><u>method/instructions</u><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> -</o:p>sizzle cumin, mustard seed in oil until it makes popping
sound</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">- pound garlic, ginger and green chilli to a paste or chop
finely<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">- throw into oil, stir like crazy so does not catch until
smell hits you<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">- add dry spices and KEEP stirring<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">- add lentils and toast briefly<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">- add a few T water, stir getting anything stuck on the
bottom up<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">- add 2 cups water<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">-Bring to boil and turn down- simmer until cooked<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">-Dal in India is often very moist, I like it thicker so I
leave the lid off, watching it until I get it as thick as I like.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">-season with salt at the end<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>This is a very basic dal</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>There are a million options to twist and change it.</u><o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p><ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">add 2 cloves, 1 cm
cinnamon stick<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">1 t nigella seed with the
cumin and mustard<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">1 t fengreek seed with
cumin and mustard <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Or all of the above<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">2 chopped tomatoes when
adding water<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Sizzle a chopped onion
with the popped seeds before adding other ingredients<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Handful of chopped spinach
or mustard greens towards the end of cooking<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Go south Indian- sizzle
some coconut and curry leaves in with the powders- add coconut milk to
cooking liquid- especially good with red lentils<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Separate to the dal in a
small pan sizzle 2 T oil or ghee with 3 to 6 peeled and roughly chopped
garlic cloves &/or sliced fresh chilli until the garlic is golden
nuggets and carefully poor over finished dal before serving. This is
called a<b> Tadka</b> and adds a lot of flavour. Whole coriander seeds are
wonderful sizzled too.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Liberally strew chopped
coriander leaf over finished dal, finish with a squeeze of lemon juice.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Use same spices but add
cooked chickpeas, chopped tomatoes and coconut milk<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Use red kidney beans and
go Punjabi, finishing with cream or ghee and coriander leaf<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICWJeQ2ket2vVYDCXZ_bUdEOJwx3RNpqwwOrr8iImSAf_7CrapwkYME2VUc9AHjkmB7LtNh7kdgh1nGG3PYYQ3OzeiAFo7t0xwe5wfQNIw7i0wgdrTZIhOGsBAwvo1ACscbLuJTReuWfK6IZcrZo9O2fqhY14RwYwRlJnfvM-uIzMXn52EXr5/s2013/20181023_130843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2013" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICWJeQ2ket2vVYDCXZ_bUdEOJwx3RNpqwwOrr8iImSAf_7CrapwkYME2VUc9AHjkmB7LtNh7kdgh1nGG3PYYQ3OzeiAFo7t0xwe5wfQNIw7i0wgdrTZIhOGsBAwvo1ACscbLuJTReuWfK6IZcrZo9O2fqhY14RwYwRlJnfvM-uIzMXn52EXr5/w640-h458/20181023_130843.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">See the dal on the right. That is a TADKA- some coriander seeds and a dried red chilli have been sizzled in a little oil and dropped on top just before serving. It is magic, it makes all the flavours pop.</h4><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80kkdwn7D4TcTFxPWge2GcpoxeyO9ol6VxbWOztSmieRfFv86NpMAWZ1ryAWZUcv6HElsFzn1IzcpG4cED2REOU_XEG-RAYtVipsRvGPKWvrYFpMiMNNDPAytMIqn_j8cZgVQ7ABYbwAqB7DhBw6QLDWwQs85DepXNE8d9d263GLzGfyPU6F6/s1571/20181019_193829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1571" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80kkdwn7D4TcTFxPWge2GcpoxeyO9ol6VxbWOztSmieRfFv86NpMAWZ1ryAWZUcv6HElsFzn1IzcpG4cED2REOU_XEG-RAYtVipsRvGPKWvrYFpMiMNNDPAytMIqn_j8cZgVQ7ABYbwAqB7DhBw6QLDWwQs85DepXNE8d9d263GLzGfyPU6F6/w586-h640/20181019_193829.jpg" width="586" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/rajasthan-textile-tour/">On our Rajasthan Tour</a>, we always have people to our house, there is a cooking class and Gypsy Dancers for entertainment. Indian food is easy to cook, just the long list of ingredients make it look complicated- I think sharing the cooking experience helps de-mystify it.</div><div>Plus people get to see in an Indian house and hang out in a village. š</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been home for 6 weeks now, and have a few more months here. Wonderful, I get to garden but kind of weird as well I am used to wandering.</div><div>If I were in India- there would be somewhere needing to be visited, the weavers, the indigo guy.... endless lists really.</div><div>The more peaceful pace here is great, yet I am perhaps, a little twitchy. </div><div>So I am polishing off the old cook-around-the-world skills, Travel via Tummy- working on a few new recipes from various places.... </div><div>I got all Vietnam centred this morning, I am working on a jacket using old pieces of fabrics I have collected and some stitch I have done to pick up motifs.... it got me thinking of the village we are <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/vietnam-travel-to-quilt/" target="_blank">staying in next March</a> to do the same type of things .... and then how great the food is in that village.... </div><div>yep just a stomach on legs.</div><p>All this bled into more planning....I had meant to prevail upon a friend <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/moorish-delights-of-andalusia-and-morocco-textile-tour/" target="_blank">in Morocco</a> to let us cook with her.... it will add another dimension to our visit with her and be fun, reminded me to add this to our tour.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KuUwF0toysPWDbP-ECvZPaoGZVy6efOt53HdITRhyphenhyphen7a4_vmAH8DqXpNbec1diwxtbN0PfoT7Qizd-5juu1ePJVDS83VPxDkl6TW-gIBys-JZOWk70jZ4UNdJM-kY8DJHfEnccPAQLncdeiMEqIISZ4dWgeCOj1fwZasVtP_9r7SPH_vvCj7G/s1236/Fatima%20Mellal,%20Dades%20Gorge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KuUwF0toysPWDbP-ECvZPaoGZVy6efOt53HdITRhyphenhyphen7a4_vmAH8DqXpNbec1diwxtbN0PfoT7Qizd-5juu1ePJVDS83VPxDkl6TW-gIBys-JZOWk70jZ4UNdJM-kY8DJHfEnccPAQLncdeiMEqIISZ4dWgeCOj1fwZasVtP_9r7SPH_vvCj7G/w584-h640/Fatima%20Mellal,%20Dades%20Gorge.jpg" width="584" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-hwjX5e-qHnrUDB5GQ-Y13-8FPrbKmfID4axnwTqP7vbeF_FhrdGFge7rWWRNdHsd0lMmnZnAXkrUj_E3Wcr8nFG1lbLWasbtLIYCqQDSn2xgJcKwpbQv_4nnkcAPKFh1hch5NUysqK3lmv7HouS3ylluZD_mSSLz2Af8yQG11VJo4NHRE0u/s1562/Garden%20Dades%20Gorge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1562" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-hwjX5e-qHnrUDB5GQ-Y13-8FPrbKmfID4axnwTqP7vbeF_FhrdGFge7rWWRNdHsd0lMmnZnAXkrUj_E3Wcr8nFG1lbLWasbtLIYCqQDSn2xgJcKwpbQv_4nnkcAPKFh1hch5NUysqK3lmv7HouS3ylluZD_mSSLz2Af8yQG11VJo4NHRE0u/w462-h640/Garden%20Dades%20Gorge.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><br /><p>I am waiting on my tomatoes to take off to try my hand at <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/uzbekistan-follow-the-silk-road/" target="_blank">Uzbek flavours</a>- everyone obsesses over Plov or Osh - a rice and meat dish and it is delicious but what set it off was the amazing salads that go on the side. Uzbek obsession with flavoursome old fashioned tomatoes reminded me just how good they can be.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWLCdfIIVn9njAVAk2EtxR4J-1R-7MENmEUdwC9Ox70GXqs3DMIYn-vFYCIQ9Fn19p9jSYrh0dEHKS_z7KGyl0zfE39m4BbvWL7W9C9lFk-h7Z2DlS4ogr638nBLzTW7_28UITCtcUFYvRs9rtXLrjuSBEpr559_RU_HIANet_0YqyX0mgLjy/s2109/Uzbek%20sides%20to%20plov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1820" data-original-width="2109" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWLCdfIIVn9njAVAk2EtxR4J-1R-7MENmEUdwC9Ox70GXqs3DMIYn-vFYCIQ9Fn19p9jSYrh0dEHKS_z7KGyl0zfE39m4BbvWL7W9C9lFk-h7Z2DlS4ogr638nBLzTW7_28UITCtcUFYvRs9rtXLrjuSBEpr559_RU_HIANet_0YqyX0mgLjy/w640-h552/Uzbek%20sides%20to%20plov.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">This is the tray of sides, you choose what you would like. Pickled garlic, a fruity grape vinegar, tomatoes whole or sliced into a salad. Yoghurt with fresh herbs mixed through, sour cream and herbs, lightly fermented vegetables.</h4><div> All yum</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy cooking, travel the world from your kitchen.</div><div>It is the love and care we put into any meal that makes it taste better. </div><div>Share the LOVE.</div><p><br /></p>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-39646344177806112242023-11-04T09:13:00.000+10:302023-11-04T09:13:04.340+10:30Vietnamese Indigo<p> Last visit to Vietnam I was lucky enough to finally head up the valley from Mai chou towards the Loas border to look for the village that does Indigo.</p><p>I've known about the general area since 2007, for a long time it was a no go area- too much Golden Triangle nervousness but now it has all been cleaned up, a decent road and I had a spare moment to go look.</p><p>Yippee!!</p><p>Green H'mong use indigo and batik to decorate their skirts, they then stitch into the batik and add colour. </p><p>The layering of techniques makes extraordinary fabrics.</p><p>Same, same but so different to how the Black H'mong create their wonderful collars and sleeve decorations.</p><p>Their indigo vats are also same, same but different.</p><p>I took notes as I listend but must amit their are holes in my note taking I was too much oohhhhh and aaaahhhh, OH Wow!</p><p>that type of thing</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPxoIGW7-Sk_UBLr4gYmMNZ8S7MnceM5RAFssH2RUhULxi7XZi30JGcIuZ-7N55ei3vPeBHOaO_Uly4Q159SP2laf0rto1Q7_pvbh3VrQpPoK7n7ahx_HRN1JFCNkwnglzZlhfgtK5jiVMcjo_D6di9zd8mu9doHiqsThhLs1LzpCtZ3JMCXH/s320/Indigo%20growing%20in%20Sapa.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>Always so much to learn,<div>Look forward to going back in 2024. I might be able to collect better notes on "how to"</div><div><br /></div><div>It amazes me that the indigo is just growing in the garden, you grab a handful of leaves and start your vat. We come along to ask questions and Mrs Chi sends her husband out to grab some hemp that she will make into cloth, indigo that will colour it.</div><div>That is sustainable clothing!<br /><p><br /></p></div>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-35380068549090969652023-10-17T07:57:00.003+10:302023-11-06T10:21:00.291+10:30Ghana travels 2023<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Ohh Ghana, how I enjoyed thee.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I had a great group of fellow traveller's to share your energy and friendliness.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">thank you Ghana.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">***</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">First time we added the Volta Region into our itinerary and it worked very well.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A peaceful night on tranquil Lake Volta was just the right contrast to busy, bustling Accra.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I am going to let pictures lead the story, join in for a look.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As it was for everyone, world over Covid was hard. So sad to miss a few friends' faces.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Under employment is a real issue- yet the bustle as people try to find business and work is admirable.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I have been reading about how trade and the difficulty of getting Fair Prices for goods plays a big role in the economic difficulties as well as a trend to believe that imports are better than locally made. I really enjoy following the<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ghanaianfoodnetwork/" target="_blank"> Ghana Food Movement</a> and a Cocoa grower [grrr, I have forgotten her tag] on Instagram and find them inspiring.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Excited to come across a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/teihuagie/?img_index=1" target="_blank">Tei Huagie sculpture</a> on a roadway in Accra.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9xVkgJ4tJUDfVmJXcrkowDSg1OSnzi4UcX_RvqhNqI0opmt1F0wwkhyphenhyphen7HCkZGB94CZiwEmzIc1EUeEE16JzjEQnxsvvFMIqEJu2KTQXlGnEpxaSxIyjXvQfcPD3EwRwRfQGeeWuRs7RLQ5aiFGMTOs05nWGQLr6ZEasJQisiqOc8VfK0y7ZP/s2000/Tei%20Huagie%20mural.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="2000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9xVkgJ4tJUDfVmJXcrkowDSg1OSnzi4UcX_RvqhNqI0opmt1F0wwkhyphenhyphen7HCkZGB94CZiwEmzIc1EUeEE16JzjEQnxsvvFMIqEJu2KTQXlGnEpxaSxIyjXvQfcPD3EwRwRfQGeeWuRs7RLQ5aiFGMTOs05nWGQLr6ZEasJQisiqOc8VfK0y7ZP/w640-h360/Tei%20Huagie%20mural.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Arts Scene in Ghana is exceptional.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/redclay_studio/" target="_blank">Red Clay Studio</a> at Tamale is an outstanding place- the vision of <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">Ibrahim Mahama, it has a magical quality, so thought provoking.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">One of those places you will really appreciate experiencing.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09B1tVkG5r10QZRjJa8-H6v1hsq91PrbQqGDj_wC1r0qqaH1SvyQQDNLWLNX86Z-HTDSOTgZ_KlqTh-LwLwbHr53rLqS2UB4c__qM5fKVjEPXbDo7aKpFO0HwaySXzaNensTtMAakzXHUNS23bIkT4KIAF88gKNlLKOdRSIVQZqYjO9Y8JguT/s2000/Red%20Clay%20Studio%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="2000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09B1tVkG5r10QZRjJa8-H6v1hsq91PrbQqGDj_wC1r0qqaH1SvyQQDNLWLNX86Z-HTDSOTgZ_KlqTh-LwLwbHr53rLqS2UB4c__qM5fKVjEPXbDo7aKpFO0HwaySXzaNensTtMAakzXHUNS23bIkT4KIAF88gKNlLKOdRSIVQZqYjO9Y8JguT/w640-h360/Red%20Clay%20Studio%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZCj6sb84ky2_wgYLHW5kLs26yrrnA5wzvplrpaVirsyqRx2406Y6VheGZkrkw1sLGgAPqQw87N-XKE7sqP43SBxPkdbd8h_-ppbvvE1u4ZoFHCG5JgaZLvSxYljLWrvxny5VWVNlGjEEi47QQi7TukwmzIVJ3g8G0y-lipGJ5DrT5CzdkafM/s2173/Red%20Clay%20Studio%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2173" data-original-width="1738" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZCj6sb84ky2_wgYLHW5kLs26yrrnA5wzvplrpaVirsyqRx2406Y6VheGZkrkw1sLGgAPqQw87N-XKE7sqP43SBxPkdbd8h_-ppbvvE1u4ZoFHCG5JgaZLvSxYljLWrvxny5VWVNlGjEEi47QQi7TukwmzIVJ3g8G0y-lipGJ5DrT5CzdkafM/w512-h640/Red%20Clay%20Studio%20(2).jpg" width="512" /></a></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Now for a collection of images- in the order they pop up.... I labelled them and the timeline then scrambled- haha.</span></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I could tell </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">you I planned it this way- places and experiences as they come to mind, just as you would recall a trip - but I had a little 'help'</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsv_m5ZCdu1zZwKoFtpli0UqWsDTtTrgceDSD_401NfOI_myjO_QdWTmrjpjA98GkLLsmHrseVrlQ-UGgBo6Owl_U6WV-wsWtKIWtrWafmKJa9fcZWP-T4XGPSNfXDwhsAwurUad8U3yWDCqkbMkm0YMDo_4wlEL8uTIb_2UnDawHM5Iw4mvq/s2000/Lost%20wax%20bronze%20casting%20Ashamti%20Region.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsv_m5ZCdu1zZwKoFtpli0UqWsDTtTrgceDSD_401NfOI_myjO_QdWTmrjpjA98GkLLsmHrseVrlQ-UGgBo6Owl_U6WV-wsWtKIWtrWafmKJa9fcZWP-T4XGPSNfXDwhsAwurUad8U3yWDCqkbMkm0YMDo_4wlEL8uTIb_2UnDawHM5Iw4mvq/w360-h640/Lost%20wax%20bronze%20casting%20Ashamti%20Region.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">lost wax bronze casting near Kumasi, the Ashanti Homeland</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbwbQLRY8BPeQ-alfao89OkEcodAjYe8Mq2D2myFQKTMNMBeW3hcvcChgXzz1fgiwncsltn8vXEv83ObHsvZk42k86CIVs9TDYcmlXrBPsirDo6S1eswB6ekhlfGkL5qDmzD_lM9LuGbXzGZGBt1aOBt1Vn1NfiSFGolujkGuAu5Va59MTkKr/s2000/leather%20village%20Tamale.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbwbQLRY8BPeQ-alfao89OkEcodAjYe8Mq2D2myFQKTMNMBeW3hcvcChgXzz1fgiwncsltn8vXEv83ObHsvZk42k86CIVs9TDYcmlXrBPsirDo6S1eswB6ekhlfGkL5qDmzD_lM9LuGbXzGZGBt1aOBt1Vn1NfiSFGolujkGuAu5Va59MTkKr/w360-h640/leather%20village%20Tamale.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The leather village outside Tamale- beautiful soft leathers in the most amazing colours</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIfscMwlZZ4e8abrFDdmI3cJYwN_Oui8yE_9yfR_pSuRGN0SHXPT4TFh72eNDYJmmnOlBeCu4OA9-VJ71IKPm-QumFOxYHmOmLtWCA6FLoHym_afAaKF6mTH16FNotinoDP_DD6NHapEaLTK0oiINcljKpns9y0wiRbk89B2E7LFqBl1lfgb6/s2000/Lake%20Volta%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIfscMwlZZ4e8abrFDdmI3cJYwN_Oui8yE_9yfR_pSuRGN0SHXPT4TFh72eNDYJmmnOlBeCu4OA9-VJ71IKPm-QumFOxYHmOmLtWCA6FLoHym_afAaKF6mTH16FNotinoDP_DD6NHapEaLTK0oiINcljKpns9y0wiRbk89B2E7LFqBl1lfgb6/w360-h640/Lake%20Volta%20(2).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveWDB2HciJ_3dSDP0F0aiV9xUTfDNmmenskEzfw1ym6e5fdKoXxW9hUkrvQOkfwoA3Pcs8LpGrq4UlhS58tA8zTZQtwe_RzeE3dHxZA3xUw-xDuVlzxewj1sIW8_FFBVrDCk8TP8zW7AmT5Cy8ijhi1gpy0h2aXEZJhFLGlrK_9JKPa8ONo8z/s2000/Lake%20Volta%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveWDB2HciJ_3dSDP0F0aiV9xUTfDNmmenskEzfw1ym6e5fdKoXxW9hUkrvQOkfwoA3Pcs8LpGrq4UlhS58tA8zTZQtwe_RzeE3dHxZA3xUw-xDuVlzxewj1sIW8_FFBVrDCk8TP8zW7AmT5Cy8ijhi1gpy0h2aXEZJhFLGlrK_9JKPa8ONo8z/w360-h640/Lake%20Volta%20(1).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Serene, stunning Lake Volta, what a place to stay</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-MEeZvul9YvbRwMxa_vRGCeK42BaIbFn45M94L1Vfkyd4hFvYsusJ0F1Cd2VHOVutIRg-d9lTy-VmMEziuaxEbbfoBVQwle9zAC4X8LJrruu7p3YTlbHow_LbtrswOQ2SgrxhGPLzjpYoiYgsLEgB_LZRpphbIzMq-bjRI51_MUz6j7KbI9A/s2000/Kente%20cloth%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-MEeZvul9YvbRwMxa_vRGCeK42BaIbFn45M94L1Vfkyd4hFvYsusJ0F1Cd2VHOVutIRg-d9lTy-VmMEziuaxEbbfoBVQwle9zAC4X8LJrruu7p3YTlbHow_LbtrswOQ2SgrxhGPLzjpYoiYgsLEgB_LZRpphbIzMq-bjRI51_MUz6j7KbI9A/w360-h640/Kente%20cloth%20(1).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our King and Queen in the Kente Village- Ashanti region</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEciGdcjnvBssdsQVpH7QPNTvmH7C94W6zw6ZE01RzEv5XZ_XelO1_BkMvhCeFQo884fkN1-IXb2_sa3S38rBk5kEyNFnuXw_QYlK35ii11gyoQhNPNkkZtGamcQkbgXCQgrqGhTB-ds3rjqWdNVq8CKotF30QId4avOZRFTH_9Z_Z0VdFE1Mc/s2000/Indigo%20village%20and%20smocks%20(5).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEciGdcjnvBssdsQVpH7QPNTvmH7C94W6zw6ZE01RzEv5XZ_XelO1_BkMvhCeFQo884fkN1-IXb2_sa3S38rBk5kEyNFnuXw_QYlK35ii11gyoQhNPNkkZtGamcQkbgXCQgrqGhTB-ds3rjqWdNVq8CKotF30QId4avOZRFTH_9Z_Z0VdFE1Mc/w360-h640/Indigo%20village%20and%20smocks%20(5).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxa9Q9mOsjGvG30MURkQPlxtmjN9PFtfNMGk6ecyEiLSSerjMyV9IGOea7gDdE3rNqE6yDdufiEJPSqemLO-6tlsWxTqZPLh9JHGUJdMNcnBM054OlsdvlFU0wU-QW5wgadglpoDjOpbc_S8GUNlWWfTzDWP9300cKWIgf84OBFxmQklSjyWE/s2000/Indigo%20village%20and%20smocks%20(4).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxa9Q9mOsjGvG30MURkQPlxtmjN9PFtfNMGk6ecyEiLSSerjMyV9IGOea7gDdE3rNqE6yDdufiEJPSqemLO-6tlsWxTqZPLh9JHGUJdMNcnBM054OlsdvlFU0wU-QW5wgadglpoDjOpbc_S8GUNlWWfTzDWP9300cKWIgf84OBFxmQklSjyWE/w360-h640/Indigo%20village%20and%20smocks%20(4).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhDnshuAtp6BPfbW0NaNzGiUwzggfgD4CFVUbB-rmRAsSzCIOWFi9b-4709qrtXGjxnRCWfj925r_gH30nnwc2ZG8sd8cpVxWjUnmq-boCPU1HlGsgOr49ICOXr4LAMu9kfVjNybqymqCW93EnrmFF64IBeAPnawWpDLf3RZSOF-awsIZZ6mL/s2000/Indigo%20village%20and%20smocks%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhDnshuAtp6BPfbW0NaNzGiUwzggfgD4CFVUbB-rmRAsSzCIOWFi9b-4709qrtXGjxnRCWfj925r_gH30nnwc2ZG8sd8cpVxWjUnmq-boCPU1HlGsgOr49ICOXr4LAMu9kfVjNybqymqCW93EnrmFF64IBeAPnawWpDLf3RZSOF-awsIZZ6mL/w360-h640/Indigo%20village%20and%20smocks%20(3).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzSZjC2Y9Xy3kmN6LHoz7UmZLeVCV-Z2Jy6f8rJZ091NXYRbVMlHzKKw8wUJRUBBEUlhedv8JqBcXVjjTKO-5c5lybldvxZPVTyoJSqufW0M54XS3MUfwq_NHyjN2tpHHWRk4xEt-sntZ8szdm7ZKdx3rdxeNHaw_8rNzjU7fgFXshRYwUWbK/s2000/Indigo%20village%20and%20smocks%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzSZjC2Y9Xy3kmN6LHoz7UmZLeVCV-Z2Jy6f8rJZ091NXYRbVMlHzKKw8wUJRUBBEUlhedv8JqBcXVjjTKO-5c5lybldvxZPVTyoJSqufW0M54XS3MUfwq_NHyjN2tpHHWRk4xEt-sntZ8szdm7ZKdx3rdxeNHaw_8rNzjU7fgFXshRYwUWbK/w360-h640/Indigo%20village%20and%20smocks%20(2).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Crossing the Black Volta River to the indigo village</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pdZr2mdkH8SSkdfxpoyO35DNGyUA3MekQxnG7Qy_zIFYLqXFnYz5g3du7p89NXkz22zewB5M9pbwlRteIMg3I1L7ZtPtS2ruZUp4R7cUsRt8QEU757-eyYphpE7hdiVvyzTGWQD0SXJcVF8d0b7KDGzbInPPrUjQ3nKKE9-COTwUYFVwGfo3/s2000/Indigo%20village%20and%20smocks%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pdZr2mdkH8SSkdfxpoyO35DNGyUA3MekQxnG7Qy_zIFYLqXFnYz5g3du7p89NXkz22zewB5M9pbwlRteIMg3I1L7ZtPtS2ruZUp4R7cUsRt8QEU757-eyYphpE7hdiVvyzTGWQD0SXJcVF8d0b7KDGzbInPPrUjQ3nKKE9-COTwUYFVwGfo3/w360-h640/Indigo%20village%20and%20smocks%20(1).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We were on fire, raiding this tailors offcuts box- such fun</div></span><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7xglG0Xr3S8Oc4ABQ7eb7453_c1EALNFuM2PyPI-TEY_jyJyU1W1NcJ1y_RI6TXIuW4NS4OhNjVjMUehcDiEuRvdmmh8ktaueNYAO4KhC3MqoaZTuXH1LQgQhyphenhyphenABkfcrOH8DvV8eN3j2x95kU1mAZzob2mAhsy2W3-Dn_EGnNmJbThKS-amM/s2000/gorgious%20Ghana%20Batik%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7xglG0Xr3S8Oc4ABQ7eb7453_c1EALNFuM2PyPI-TEY_jyJyU1W1NcJ1y_RI6TXIuW4NS4OhNjVjMUehcDiEuRvdmmh8ktaueNYAO4KhC3MqoaZTuXH1LQgQhyphenhyphenABkfcrOH8DvV8eN3j2x95kU1mAZzob2mAhsy2W3-Dn_EGnNmJbThKS-amM/w360-h640/gorgious%20Ghana%20Batik%20(2).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLtUbXIDJghN-f4lH9KVeKlfWMYcAss2oHw7BfrK0F6wGIoUJudAc88YHqs5v8bK3xcEL8ZVc1oN2NrqbJO5wKF5iZkGmtHXrziGbMabnD0D90ffMKRWz42_u0h9zUiqhh4GjIzO6hhY2_VpviwZ7ec-CQQqCt2R5adcUaNOnDqpVWCNiFuyD/s3289/gorgious%20Ghana%20Batik%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3289" data-original-width="2252" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLtUbXIDJghN-f4lH9KVeKlfWMYcAss2oHw7BfrK0F6wGIoUJudAc88YHqs5v8bK3xcEL8ZVc1oN2NrqbJO5wKF5iZkGmtHXrziGbMabnD0D90ffMKRWz42_u0h9zUiqhh4GjIzO6hhY2_VpviwZ7ec-CQQqCt2R5adcUaNOnDqpVWCNiFuyD/w438-h640/gorgious%20Ghana%20Batik%20(1).jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Batik at my mate Esther's place always makes our guests smile- big time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61H6BcmqZ6K8x1bu-6888eeNXKRmEbiU2dad5liATJSmzq_0yWlvQ_KsPjnBkr0hxIfya9K2H17Tq30E0A8eC5S1jKbkJQFvxpQkVM-4Hu3KaZ5D0xL-hOk_3F4SsrWNjs2dKIdL7LFL8zyQ5L3IMJWAvyi3N9woXJwnRGdnJlqkdUducb6gX/s2000/Fante%20Flag.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61H6BcmqZ6K8x1bu-6888eeNXKRmEbiU2dad5liATJSmzq_0yWlvQ_KsPjnBkr0hxIfya9K2H17Tq30E0A8eC5S1jKbkJQFvxpQkVM-4Hu3KaZ5D0xL-hOk_3F4SsrWNjs2dKIdL7LFL8zyQ5L3IMJWAvyi3N9woXJwnRGdnJlqkdUducb6gX/w360-h640/Fante%20Flag.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We were privileged to visit a Fante Shrine, be introduced to the leaders and the Queen Mother of the Troupe and view their flags</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuhi0Pzbo-2nj4_zpdcczMncxafxRi-BYCT9Hml_82RtVXkF2wi1zDnttipK_INVLzHqASlBloE8iFSOTgxPaT2elBNaZCOo6gQBE9iZhMGDbyAcKK7qcVlHl-ROhOvEDjHmyfIbLQFRaKWMX_CJMDUqz56nLfEg-GVtAcJW21KJdcub5M5Dn/s2000/Elimina.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuhi0Pzbo-2nj4_zpdcczMncxafxRi-BYCT9Hml_82RtVXkF2wi1zDnttipK_INVLzHqASlBloE8iFSOTgxPaT2elBNaZCOo6gQBE9iZhMGDbyAcKK7qcVlHl-ROhOvEDjHmyfIbLQFRaKWMX_CJMDUqz56nLfEg-GVtAcJW21KJdcub5M5Dn/w360-h640/Elimina.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Elmina, and the view from our Hill top Hotel.</div></span><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVC1fjmG-Qo0q2OYymhzzJR0czalc0c7iHQU99KWyVpKxMrHNVc0q4N57EORxyOy-znQm0V_xyP0LvMGF0rnjFhQ3Sqw0brJWDAOVKZP6iOeFa6gMA2vDuvoINlzjyF4FEVENGTw-rPTm0Sr8HP_4wVLBODYLinwUWwb-gPJ5VMVGB6jYM6IN/s2000/chilli%20drying%20on%20the%20roadside%20going%20to%20Volta%20region.jpg" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVC1fjmG-Qo0q2OYymhzzJR0czalc0c7iHQU99KWyVpKxMrHNVc0q4N57EORxyOy-znQm0V_xyP0LvMGF0rnjFhQ3Sqw0brJWDAOVKZP6iOeFa6gMA2vDuvoINlzjyF4FEVENGTw-rPTm0Sr8HP_4wVLBODYLinwUWwb-gPJ5VMVGB6jYM6IN/w360-h640/chilli%20drying%20on%20the%20roadside%20going%20to%20Volta%20region.jpg" width="360" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I love the way a useful resource like a road is mutli-functional- great place to dry chilli.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXim1MONlZis7lPdyKhOjVqf8iW1K5zkxun18x5FArJDChDgwIVpo1N-nQrwlngiSzgr3ibKUQwwii5PE_m7U1iYi_fgNu5c2WNKfkpPczI-vXzPye0jwxO5sHwW5-34mPR8M3L_crbRMz19R1mRw1_M6q6d5gfyoaKNt92FnsRVz4WSQ1K5-/s2000/Basket%20weavers%20Tamale.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXim1MONlZis7lPdyKhOjVqf8iW1K5zkxun18x5FArJDChDgwIVpo1N-nQrwlngiSzgr3ibKUQwwii5PE_m7U1iYi_fgNu5c2WNKfkpPczI-vXzPye0jwxO5sHwW5-34mPR8M3L_crbRMz19R1mRw1_M6q6d5gfyoaKNt92FnsRVz4WSQ1K5-/w360-h640/Basket%20weavers%20Tamale.jpg" width="360" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The weaving market, we did not have any luck meeting the weavers this time- some event the group had to attend. OH well.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUM9h7yYCUf2JugMQHojV4MnMuaqZuyGjNOWjGYAsrAqyibTBmihi0tS8pSOg7jDDJVR0CSifdblTvAcRObkxD5OP2Rmkp1xASZUDiPC4gazeVXmvtUzbA5jRX6VZBLIV0CKd2LOry08svBYprUiS8CrLMwoUsugXnHy4xyyPZfZjyjYaeDli/s2000/Adinkra%20cloth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUM9h7yYCUf2JugMQHojV4MnMuaqZuyGjNOWjGYAsrAqyibTBmihi0tS8pSOg7jDDJVR0CSifdblTvAcRObkxD5OP2Rmkp1xASZUDiPC4gazeVXmvtUzbA5jRX6VZBLIV0CKd2LOry08svBYprUiS8CrLMwoUsugXnHy4xyyPZfZjyjYaeDli/w360-h640/Adinkra%20cloth.jpg" width="360" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adinkra- Talking Cloth in Ashanti Region</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKLH_FxXV1tAM1R-uTd2JUXUFxxHlXLaW8OxJk7CMKpHyDZQc-1OHlsuIymUNHqy5k6betO8kQC2Lng6HSSRUGcLfv6NEBWU24RDsC9K7_ahu4rlAWIvoWKdWxSLUzFBSkNVB_sVAvHPNRHlLp7PsYIXlnO6jR7NTBLR-3olkRcUDDOEpnHME/s2000/making%20Fufu.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKLH_FxXV1tAM1R-uTd2JUXUFxxHlXLaW8OxJk7CMKpHyDZQc-1OHlsuIymUNHqy5k6betO8kQC2Lng6HSSRUGcLfv6NEBWU24RDsC9K7_ahu4rlAWIvoWKdWxSLUzFBSkNVB_sVAvHPNRHlLp7PsYIXlnO6jR7NTBLR-3olkRcUDDOEpnHME/w360-h640/making%20Fufu.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The good thing about knowing your way around is that you have an idea of where you might find something interesting. Generally on the drive to the indigo village if I keep my eyes peeled I will spot a Chop Bar [roadside cafĆ©] pounding Fufu for their menu. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Every time they have been kind of amazed to see our bus stop and all these foreigners pile out, but we have been welcomed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The woman running this joint was quick to harness the labour and have our girls pounding the fufu.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fun times</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0e2ZafkO1NSYYln4ByD2Xy6aPMlGgcD2rqqyDTIXyZOiz1vUqk_hqogF-wm7kQG1kQEGl_lLvuAxQciKMojDi7xeuAjbwosbXlpFE-lDlfw5uMWex3kQlT99fNfl5ExKOcBhTu563rIqFLMF_vhM-GtkS2GA1ETFAJCcnvk83TUmUepguS_0Y/s2000/Strip%20weaving%20Tamale.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0e2ZafkO1NSYYln4ByD2Xy6aPMlGgcD2rqqyDTIXyZOiz1vUqk_hqogF-wm7kQG1kQEGl_lLvuAxQciKMojDi7xeuAjbwosbXlpFE-lDlfw5uMWex3kQlT99fNfl5ExKOcBhTu563rIqFLMF_vhM-GtkS2GA1ETFAJCcnvk83TUmUepguS_0Y/w360-h640/Strip%20weaving%20Tamale.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spotted a lot more weaving sheds and women being trained to weave. A lot more people wearing traditional Smocks too</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFW5MLEXFOwUn9H3eGK6scas9jnNLcYQxVQY6-Cietp1UVO7vbvo_X8Xb2ZKYYRaX03uZb3avPGO1DcLq26_w8pC98NPLhJOR5UACnw2IGUKmdA8F_oxWsCrJE86AOR8lHhZk3ZXA26qq5oeA4MOISmaajqf8LMaV_WtgoljfEaSnriprZtdus/s2000/smock%20market%20Tamale.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFW5MLEXFOwUn9H3eGK6scas9jnNLcYQxVQY6-Cietp1UVO7vbvo_X8Xb2ZKYYRaX03uZb3avPGO1DcLq26_w8pC98NPLhJOR5UACnw2IGUKmdA8F_oxWsCrJE86AOR8lHhZk3ZXA26qq5oeA4MOISmaajqf8LMaV_WtgoljfEaSnriprZtdus/w360-h640/smock%20market%20Tamale.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>This guy was lovely and let us rummage for ages- happy to show us each and every piece of his stock as many times as we wanted to look.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhJ0aaOAnz7ddK_xtVpFLI-onXcSijJQKDJF5vFNUIhPLHEDNfw_tM_ezOG5x0UQekqcC1bDlX4C9dhemAEjDPGAU1Cni-cwLPcNAb9M0W0uoH5DsVqEjXARDrcMa16foZjTO31EM2ecQnSPceWJ875TSSVnyYTIDd9C9W5J2vEMXxaARiwNO/s2000/Shea%20butter%20processing%20near%20Tamale.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhJ0aaOAnz7ddK_xtVpFLI-onXcSijJQKDJF5vFNUIhPLHEDNfw_tM_ezOG5x0UQekqcC1bDlX4C9dhemAEjDPGAU1Cni-cwLPcNAb9M0W0uoH5DsVqEjXARDrcMa16foZjTO31EM2ecQnSPceWJ875TSSVnyYTIDd9C9W5J2vEMXxaARiwNO/w360-h640/Shea%20butter%20processing%20near%20Tamale.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>The Shea Butter Co-operative.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">there is so much work that goes into producing the amazing shea butter.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWAJYwdGbi1YJjQUtFvv6SP6NW7grJ58y1urPfbh9da0aFUiYfu7Kzlr0kqUnMsB3Te1IsjvZ7l8eOmivHhv81radYcr_WTvT0ml4zL89CZar0bheP4LCj8Hqa66uy1jfXniFo51O7_pkLhL0J3tCKyjTqkNv31Ae4J2IkTzeSp9s275Rz_Vp/s2000/Shea%20butter%20%20village%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWAJYwdGbi1YJjQUtFvv6SP6NW7grJ58y1urPfbh9da0aFUiYfu7Kzlr0kqUnMsB3Te1IsjvZ7l8eOmivHhv81radYcr_WTvT0ml4zL89CZar0bheP4LCj8Hqa66uy1jfXniFo51O7_pkLhL0J3tCKyjTqkNv31Ae4J2IkTzeSp9s275Rz_Vp/w360-h640/Shea%20butter%20%20village%20(2).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Md7dL1-k2pRoiK1Kg_Ek-mJ9XdZHRAA0XnSGVNkYbnJQUAXFYlc3bf77yCgQ2DQIUl9MiXtJ0HDEwpRGdSnVwgjsaDjEa2AUilfGB56ZixfPj3CxvKFyolhJ7W6mtvVI2T8LkhrzZFWclIbQcupq6NuQmvV3ejhURbXVXY1NDREq3x6gRRdr/s2795/Shea%20butter%20%20village%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2795" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Md7dL1-k2pRoiK1Kg_Ek-mJ9XdZHRAA0XnSGVNkYbnJQUAXFYlc3bf77yCgQ2DQIUl9MiXtJ0HDEwpRGdSnVwgjsaDjEa2AUilfGB56ZixfPj3CxvKFyolhJ7W6mtvVI2T8LkhrzZFWclIbQcupq6NuQmvV3ejhURbXVXY1NDREq3x6gRRdr/w468-h640/Shea%20butter%20%20village%20(1).jpg" width="468" /></a></div>So many people turned out to check us out, fair enough, we were there to check them out too. Lots of hellos and smiles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEgAHFAqweRCxPEQdWfJo1_ABKLkPv_ucARHQcJd0XMJVcYiZAgHWlnMQHxu9rEih7lDJvBno9tSRs4nG94K5UqckRRydHz_c-1S8onFhXRkIQoXskk2Api9nLo6gKkaX5YRZLHKeJuXmdQAbWhFeIQzmFoIt4r7DG5lnTHpxviDAAUhMqLhI/s2000/Upcucled%20Glass%20Beads%20Korfuidua%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEgAHFAqweRCxPEQdWfJo1_ABKLkPv_ucARHQcJd0XMJVcYiZAgHWlnMQHxu9rEih7lDJvBno9tSRs4nG94K5UqckRRydHz_c-1S8onFhXRkIQoXskk2Api9nLo6gKkaX5YRZLHKeJuXmdQAbWhFeIQzmFoIt4r7DG5lnTHpxviDAAUhMqLhI/w360-h640/Upcucled%20Glass%20Beads%20Korfuidua%20(2).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Upcycled glass beads- how many is enough?</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I think the answer might be Never Enough</p><p></p><h2 style="text-align: center;">š</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeswde36x-Cx8W6vFoJhK_VY_2KxSLxJ795yZVR5yT6y2T2vy4OZYOAccKBnzZkWuk4Ef_kH_f_qcaYddNljL33Et5iDntJh9K_cM2ldLDk0HE87S-kvZW9c14vVvewohbp42aABV41-lOP2nhg4vKntAUun5DKstopmW46qFA8ix6p2OvH8B/s2000/Upcucled%20Glass%20Beads%20Korfuidua%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="2000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeswde36x-Cx8W6vFoJhK_VY_2KxSLxJ795yZVR5yT6y2T2vy4OZYOAccKBnzZkWuk4Ef_kH_f_qcaYddNljL33Et5iDntJh9K_cM2ldLDk0HE87S-kvZW9c14vVvewohbp42aABV41-lOP2nhg4vKntAUun5DKstopmW46qFA8ix6p2OvH8B/w640-h360/Upcucled%20Glass%20Beads%20Korfuidua%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZoNcRrfT-E24FWxgaZUIPAUEG9cGxSG2PxW9Zndj46ACDKa1LFl4RpfA69ioblnv3Vv7FrnGwtmzYuUTlbi5BMuK5BYqXhK1ElsrWQpNOBEDmx9zMujlo_LdA2WQ3h4QGeXIisg5NoP8r8g80bqhzmiGS1nvAmL4RdTncV9fyDsnQDIDH0uz/s2000/The%20Door%20of%20No%20Return%20Cape%20Coast%20Castle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZoNcRrfT-E24FWxgaZUIPAUEG9cGxSG2PxW9Zndj46ACDKa1LFl4RpfA69ioblnv3Vv7FrnGwtmzYuUTlbi5BMuK5BYqXhK1ElsrWQpNOBEDmx9zMujlo_LdA2WQ3h4QGeXIisg5NoP8r8g80bqhzmiGS1nvAmL4RdTncV9fyDsnQDIDH0uz/w360-h640/The%20Door%20of%20No%20Return%20Cape%20Coast%20Castle.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Door of No return- Cape Coast Castle.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">This is a sad/ harrowing/ deplorable story.... it has to be told.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">Thomas did a great job, pointing out the importance of the place and story is to acknowledge the slave trade and its ramifications and make sure it does not happen again.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ghana is a wonderful place with a bright future.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They have found strength in Truth telling and work to create a future for their country.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Chale Wate Festival used the hashtag #magenettomotherland</div><div style="text-align: center;">LOVE IT.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; text-align: center; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/glorious-ghana-textile-tour/" target="_blank">The 2024 tour</a> will be same, same and Oh so different- we made a few new connections to squeeze in.... each group creates its own special feel.</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; text-align: center; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">The world is an evolving place. </div><p></p>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-54050022076440429212023-10-16T11:27:00.004+10:302023-10-16T11:38:43.806+10:30Moorish Delights<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There is always a story behind the itineraries I create.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Childhood daydreams, stories I have read, things I have seen. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As a child, there was a library opposite the pub....my father liked to keep the pub stool warm until closing time and we waited outside in the car many evenings. The few years we lived in the place with the library opposite the pub were great. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I spent many an evening looking at National Geographic and getting to know all the books on the shelves very well. In my teenage years I could truthfully say I had read every interesting book in the library and many of the less exciting ones because I was addicted to the escape of a good story. I remember the section near religion on voodoo scared the living daylights out of me- I had to give them a miss.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I can't quite remember what inspired me to book a ticket to Spain the first time- I know I was interested in the Moorish connection but the starting point?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ryan Air and cheap flights- I was working in the UK teaching Felting and design workshops mostly on weekends- it was cheaper to get a cheap flight to Europe for the week than stay in the UK- so why not?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lodhi Gardens in Delhi was definitely part of the mix- the ceilings in the Old Mosque had the most exquisite details. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202122; font-family: georgia;">Both the Bara Gumbad [big dome] and the mosque were built in 1494 during the reign of Sikander Lodi</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #202122; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkx0poVKLPs9RmEvZ6VsIdxMR6DyrUH-r0JuAN0jp9saGTGAMCRrTPtm3f0aFk_4QGnzOwmQL4Udug5DaDDWcBYh-tGhKvY-BymQaYaKJsipbpR2PT4XQjmksbtNVQ6zPDJSUCXfVxn3d-MhxjZZlBQyMSWzIHRyrxCDmBH_irf01tYiRz0uj8/s1476/Lodhi%20Gardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkx0poVKLPs9RmEvZ6VsIdxMR6DyrUH-r0JuAN0jp9saGTGAMCRrTPtm3f0aFk_4QGnzOwmQL4Udug5DaDDWcBYh-tGhKvY-BymQaYaKJsipbpR2PT4XQjmksbtNVQ6zPDJSUCXfVxn3d-MhxjZZlBQyMSWzIHRyrxCDmBH_irf01tYiRz0uj8/w313-h400/Lodhi%20Gardens.jpg" width="313" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: georgia;">I read that the Medieval Islamic world stretched from here in Delhi as a band all the way across to Granada.... that story had me wanting to see more.</span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202122; font-family: georgia;">The story of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_Battuta" target="_blank">Ibn Battuta's</a> travels , the story of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Africanus" target="_blank">Leo Africanis</a> and especially <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Africanus_(novel)" target="_blank">Amin Maalouf's novel </a>by the same name really got me going.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202122; font-family: georgia;">Around the same time I read a fantasy novel- I can't remember the name, it was set in a fictional Al-Andalus that had been lost due to a conqueror and the </span></span><span style="color: #202122; font-family: georgia;">Darkness. It talked of the beauty lost, a place where different people worked together to create Beauty and Harmony. Only a story but what a dream.</span></p><p><span style="color: #202122; font-family: georgia;">2008</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zwUKiWUhcuec1Lh_nLPUQsO-EhOh0mJ_P4UJHZZrRk5BIiIiFw5k7-ACOzJlGN-zTpqfZePXFXI0AEiLDg0ItniGgTIYDOj1wO9UkS_GTjtgGmgGDQDrwJ6iitPgURO16xmaA6l0mOtju4CyaRBgAlusHhWEorZCTIQ0CmEAzR6-MkxWART3/s2048/Cordoba%20071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zwUKiWUhcuec1Lh_nLPUQsO-EhOh0mJ_P4UJHZZrRk5BIiIiFw5k7-ACOzJlGN-zTpqfZePXFXI0AEiLDg0ItniGgTIYDOj1wO9UkS_GTjtgGmgGDQDrwJ6iitPgURO16xmaA6l0mOtju4CyaRBgAlusHhWEorZCTIQ0CmEAzR6-MkxWART3/w300-h400/Cordoba%20071.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="color: #202122;">This fuzzy photo is from the first time I visited the Mosque Cathedral of Cordoba. Started in 785</span><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="background-color: white;"> by </span></span>Abd al-Rahman I<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">, founder of the Islamic </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> </span>Caliphate of CĆ³rdoba.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #202122;"> Legend says it was built on the site of the </span>Visigoth<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> church, the </span>Catholic<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> Christian </span>Basilica<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> of </span>Vincent of Saragossa<span style="color: #202122;"><span style="background-color: white;"> and another says the Visigoth Church was on a Roman temple.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #202122;">The Roman Temple was for the God Janus- God </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, <b>duality</b>, doorways,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> passages, frames, and endings</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">- who really knows, it is a good story. The place is </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">definitely</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> special.</span><span style="color: #202122;"><br /></span></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">What got me were the pillars, there is a forest of pillars under those amazing striped arches.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Who envisions a place like this?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Those pillars are in the original section of the mosque, they have been standing there for over 1200 years and they have an amazing polish at hand height. [look in the photo you can see where the colour changes]</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">For 1200 years people have been visiting that space, gasping in awe and touching those pillars.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It made me feel connected with the people who had visited of the place, I felt sooo connected to our combined existence. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">All of us over so many years have touched those pillars, felt a sense of beauty and added to their soft polish.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Places can be special, </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Places can carry a feeling/ experience /hope.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">What makes the Mosque Cathedral of Cordoba is its many very different layers sitting side by side altogether- it creates a memorable experience.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And it survived the Reconquista of the Christian Kings- those guys started the Inquisition.... what lead them to leave such an obvious sign of another religion in existence? I can only think it was Beauty that protected the space.<br /></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">In the 9 and 10th century Al-Andalus became a link for cultural and scientific exchange between the Islamic and Christian worlds in</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> the arts, medicine, science, music, literature and philosophy. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202122; font-family: georgia;"> Muslims and non-Muslims often came from abroad to study at the libraries and universities of Al-Andalus,.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Inspired by The House of Wisdom in Bagdad the Toledo School of Translators<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> was established for translating books and texts from Arabic into Latin. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> The transmission of ideas significantly affected the birth of the European </span>Renaissance<span style="color: #202122;"><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This story of learning and sharing knowledge inspired me. Morocco today grew from this background and I wanted to follow the story.<br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202122;">Since I first visited Cordoba I have seen many changes- the Roman Bridge that crosses the </span></span><span style="animation-delay: -0.01ms !important; animation-duration: 0.01ms !important; animation-iteration-count: 1 !important; background-color: white; color: #202122; scroll-behavior: auto !important; transition-duration: 0ms !important;">Guadalquivir River</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> has been renovated and the </span><span style="background-color: white;">Calahorra Tower has been renovated and turned into a informative museum about the ideals of Al-Andalus where the Three People of The Book lived in harmony. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">I love the way our tourist dollar is going into improving and restoring these world heritage treasures. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">The gardens of the Alhambra in Granada are a continuing delight too, more extensive each visit.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">This is the story that fuels "Moorish Delights of Andalusia and Morocco" for me... the beauty that comes when we work together.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is what drew me to wandering in Morocco and why I like to start in Spain- I think it really unfolds well together. There are so many connections to stories and cultures.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The other part of that is crossing the Straits of Gibraltar from Tarifa to Tangiers. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Somewhere around here were the Pillars of Hercules mentioned in Antiquity. Atlas held the world on his shoulders in this area and the Garden <span style="background-color: white;">Golden apples of the Hesperides was just past here somewhere. I keep my eyes open I have not spotted them just yet but they must be close.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tarifa is named after the Moroccan guy who fist came- OK invaded Spain in 711. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">We leave the most southern point of Europe and travel to another continent Africa- how exciting is that? It rocks my boat- although the ferry is mostly, quite smooth.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">2023</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">What was it like being back after Covid?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was a little nervous, actually. Many of my friends in Morocco and Spain I had been able to touch base with, they were very welcoming, but I wondered how hard hit they really were.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">No work for those in tourism and hospitality at all for 28 months, and then all the industries that feed into tourism like crafts sales, food production, transportation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Little things change. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">The trains timetables in Spain have changed- we missed the Castle in Cordoba, everything else I could still fit in- Ho hum.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In Granada we take a walk one evening visiting tapas bars, tracing food history back to the Moors, tasting ham from the Reconquistas to prove you are not Muslim or Jewish.... sampling wines and Spanish sherry- some of the bars have closed, the best are still going.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In Morocco there was no money handed out by the government, you just had to get by.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I can see the King has created a lot of work by improving roads and extensive planting projects, much work was done on infrastructure which creates work for people.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A number of hotels I like to use were closed- one I think won't re-open another 2 need renovation- sitting idyl for a few years does not look after a property.</span></p><p>Changes I saw- Tangiers and the Mediterranean Coast has become a busy spot for domestic Moroccan tourism- they are stripping off and laying on the beach. This is quite a surprise as much of Morocco has very modest dress codes.</p><p>The roads are definitely improving and road side plantings are looking great. I was told proudly a few times the King has a vision of a Green Morocco.</p><p>The huge solar farm out near Ouarzazate is even bigger and has this huge science fiction type light tower thingy in the middle of it- amazing.</p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">Drought has hit Morocco hard over the last few years, many of the Palmeries on the way to the Sahara looked very sad.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">Some of the Artisan groups we visit have down sized but they are all still going and there is a definite sigh of relief that visitors are back.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">Very sadly, Bert Flint owner of the Tishiwin Museum in Marrakesh has died and his museum is closed. The notice on the door says Temporarily. I do hope so, his legacy is a wonderful collection of Berber artifacts and a real treasure.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">The enormous Jewish Cemetery in Fez has been renovated- Morocco makes its Jewish people welcome, even though many have moved to Israel in the last 50 years. Their part in Moroccan history is remembered.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">Amazigh - the original people of Morocco- culture and language are gaining greater representation in Morocco. All sign posts are now in Arabic, </span><span lang="ber" style="animation-delay: -0.01ms !important; animation-duration: 0.01ms !important; animation-iteration-count: 1 !important; background-color: white; color: #202122; scroll-behavior: auto !important; transition-duration: 0ms !important;">Tamazight</span><span style="background-color: white;"> [ Amazigh language] and French. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;">It is being introduced into schools at primary level from this year. When I first visited Morocco</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;"> there was no recognition of it- slowly but surely change is happening.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;">I hear people mention their heritage as Arabic or Amazigh Moroccan now....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">Every visit to a place I love, I wonder "What will it be like now? How is it progressing" It is like catching up with an Old Friend you have not seen for a while.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">It felt wonderful to see people I know and respect and touch base and plan to see each other again soon.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">I was contemplating trimming the tour down.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">Make a loup- in Casablanca around and out through Casablanca... but it feels like I leave a big part of the story out. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">The Moorish magic starts in Cordoba, the breadth of the Moorish World, the importance of the ancient university in Fez and the whole souk link up to the world of learning of Al-Andalus....</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">I love the way the journey unfolds and sings together.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">Ohh and the roof details I saw in Lodhi garden in <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/rajasthan-textile-tour/" target="_blank">Delhi</a>, that are also seen in the <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/moorish-delights-of-andalusia-and-morocco-textile-tour/" target="_blank">Alhambra</a> make another show in <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/uzbekistan-follow-the-silk-road/" target="_blank">Uzbekistan</a>.... I am really enjoying following their path. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">It seems I have a few themes in tours- I seem to find indigo, camels and those little arch roof thingys [I must find their real name I suppose]</span></span></p></div></div></div>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-42011258486637456552023-09-22T14:09:00.055+09:302023-09-25T14:53:40.098+09:30Uzbekistan<p> Uzbekistan </p><p>I first read about Samarakand when I was a child, National Geographic was my favourite magazine at the library.</p><p>Images of arches and blue stayed in my mind, but for so long it was out of bounds in the Soviet Block.... and then there other priorities in life, travel only a dream.</p><p>Well, it has been worth the wait. </p><p>Fill your eyes with the colours- </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IRr2XZCIkC9FApDFo0ALI3GeRnzPv7QWjP0LXhaI1H0ZoYzikW-2u1cB7uX09dKE9YuynAkC-7_WBCdUdgAXdzZyIkWTwkwJ_8rYry9shTyFQ6krL4wa8vH2ATvdGPaOeN3AiahiGlHJZvTEygDjHvwgtco3JJRNkkLztmJXiqhnIcxlTF7W/s976/tiles%20uzbekistan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="976" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IRr2XZCIkC9FApDFo0ALI3GeRnzPv7QWjP0LXhaI1H0ZoYzikW-2u1cB7uX09dKE9YuynAkC-7_WBCdUdgAXdzZyIkWTwkwJ_8rYry9shTyFQ6krL4wa8vH2ATvdGPaOeN3AiahiGlHJZvTEygDjHvwgtco3JJRNkkLztmJXiqhnIcxlTF7W/w400-h373/tiles%20uzbekistan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfbz3EnC1NNYi0-dTEJQk5Sjq3NbXGIKgfro2bHNY8-xzVF32brUxfSPqxgY1Ga94zEF8ka8V4Z_aQEVwjJBSWbp_Y_zn6LfTXkakaI_zioe8cJgoTWIVQvQrjdAOxF1n0osR-J0Ggspwf-FVgYzc5rpMBUQUNvro9kJ_wPELi88gQVoCOXRj/s941/blue%20tiles%20uzbekistan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="678" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfbz3EnC1NNYi0-dTEJQk5Sjq3NbXGIKgfro2bHNY8-xzVF32brUxfSPqxgY1Ga94zEF8ka8V4Z_aQEVwjJBSWbp_Y_zn6LfTXkakaI_zioe8cJgoTWIVQvQrjdAOxF1n0osR-J0Ggspwf-FVgYzc5rpMBUQUNvro9kJ_wPELi88gQVoCOXRj/w289-h400/blue%20tiles%20uzbekistan.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWngLLn87O0yUjYJaTUKLtRpN_EoAPPpzLG0xoEmMbALGkQsyTT6cocOEmZiQOvH0iUVUdbW5d0xP_OiSgOUIiRukRWAs5Jdt2bO1aaiUdPBpZ2UZfj20pzMuvFo8lz8_zHWjFv2VeF3fpPKbfswQn3fAxFY4R-gvExwPk8Uj59OMEY6nWybgm/s1079/blue%20dome%20uzbekistan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="845" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWngLLn87O0yUjYJaTUKLtRpN_EoAPPpzLG0xoEmMbALGkQsyTT6cocOEmZiQOvH0iUVUdbW5d0xP_OiSgOUIiRukRWAs5Jdt2bO1aaiUdPBpZ2UZfj20pzMuvFo8lz8_zHWjFv2VeF3fpPKbfswQn3fAxFY4R-gvExwPk8Uj59OMEY6nWybgm/w314-h400/blue%20dome%20uzbekistan.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Friendly people, welcoming and patient.... good when google translate works, I have had some brilliant conversations.... menus in Uzbek cyrillic, Russian Cyrillic, thank goodness for pictures!!</p><p>There are so many languages in Uzbekistan... Uzbek is the official language and latin script but for some years cyrillic script was used and the transition is still a work in progress. Russian occupation from the 19th century, then the USSR means there was a huge Russian influence until 1991. English is now taught in schools but its use is not widespred. </p><p>In Karakalpakstan- Karakalpaki is used, Samarakand and Bukhara has a lot of Tajik spoken, intetesting to find the right guide/ interpreters who could use english for me and whatever language the artisans I wanted to meet used.</p><p>Food - delicious, hearty, fresh, fresh produce. Osh [ rice dish with meat] in the local mind is necessary most days, haha but there are a range of other dishes you could have to intersperse. </p><p>Hearty soups, bright salads, noodle and meat stew dishes, shaslik bbq. All tasty and generous.</p><p>Breads are an artform, every town seems to have their own design and it is obsessed over more than osh.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUX1f4XPFjFs3GPLlT8KzlK9BL7YyuZw7SrsMlbNBjgWKRoflh5hOWx3PEPHk-MlegBRdVAgHaZBpo2FD9eQIqYypCWPdJwVlo15kEfPuFSavlGYI5aB1TB7tQTJBxyUlauOY-vXng3vS7ZZ9Be6kWuXUsGa0peG-5r09kMx8l_v6TAkYkrS7/s951/bread%20uzbekisthan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUX1f4XPFjFs3GPLlT8KzlK9BL7YyuZw7SrsMlbNBjgWKRoflh5hOWx3PEPHk-MlegBRdVAgHaZBpo2FD9eQIqYypCWPdJwVlo15kEfPuFSavlGYI5aB1TB7tQTJBxyUlauOY-vXng3vS7ZZ9Be6kWuXUsGa0peG-5r09kMx8l_v6TAkYkrS7/w331-h400/bread%20uzbekisthan.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj434tRTZYFP9dR24Qs6uTHh7mnP6i8NcM6OXLm-Ww7qgPvrNexQ7Zm9BbkhZ1FhvVEfn5C2H1ClQQfK4rbxtC0NdLkl-XURXO50-7wQei_5cNJlJE8ioprhSsIvLn51zPLaLReLR_NwCrAgPMDj5CJZzC820RW6MJdlBXFKv8x8Rx92eUtzeLp/s922/bread%20sellers%20uzbekistan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj434tRTZYFP9dR24Qs6uTHh7mnP6i8NcM6OXLm-Ww7qgPvrNexQ7Zm9BbkhZ1FhvVEfn5C2H1ClQQfK4rbxtC0NdLkl-XURXO50-7wQei_5cNJlJE8ioprhSsIvLn51zPLaLReLR_NwCrAgPMDj5CJZzC820RW6MJdlBXFKv8x8Rx92eUtzeLp/w341-h400/bread%20sellers%20uzbekistan.jpg" width="341" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I was on a long distance train journey, the lady sharing my carriage settled herself then unpacked a loaf of bread, ripped it up and insisted I take a piece. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NmyNCkhuNT36TBcxWz81CM9Vf2sZHezsPHCEYWYqztr0YzoCCkRhgazjROHTffu9MgtkV4uoijOyNiLLzHgeLTMXM5cDJ31evRUWY5TRIedWHIdojamUnUJr8GvQcdgP98CCTHwe65X1NVbxDTKXrin1jVm52gU71CU3UiFiESVyWDqRMKuS/s1030/bread%20uzbekistan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1030" data-original-width="845" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NmyNCkhuNT36TBcxWz81CM9Vf2sZHezsPHCEYWYqztr0YzoCCkRhgazjROHTffu9MgtkV4uoijOyNiLLzHgeLTMXM5cDJ31evRUWY5TRIedWHIdojamUnUJr8GvQcdgP98CCTHwe65X1NVbxDTKXrin1jVm52gU71CU3UiFiESVyWDqRMKuS/w329-h400/bread%20uzbekistan.jpg" width="329" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Along the road a bread stalls, in the train station, in the market. I saw people catching international flights with the rounds of bread under their arm.</p><p>Bread is the staff of life, for sure and delicious.</p><p>I think my biggest surprise was how green and verdent much of the country is.</p><p>I had in mind the Silk Road winding through desert, Aral Sea becoming the Aral Desert. What I had not thought about is why the Silk Road travelled through this area. It was the water and oases [ I think that is the plural of oasis] </p><p>The soil is fertile along the rivers, there is rich farming lands in places.... then the desert just nearby.</p><p>Cities, towns, villages and roadsides are thickly planed with trees. Farms are full of apple, cherry, peach, plum, pomegranate, quince, walnut, almond trees.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgqXioGWn4H2sSVClZqvuvN5fdrLjegHfXD24lK9IaILvnrHvLPX7wGXd9ipmNH73CmfUjPvePeNJQgqei1nlQncwnxfjeb8aMNISFcjDApk1pDSAsQLeZmU3R6Hw69smmN3loWqoWeTrSRTUV1wEbVrO5trGvI5l0A7oPztBIlRaMb19QJXc/s630/Pomegranate-%20uzbekistan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="563" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgqXioGWn4H2sSVClZqvuvN5fdrLjegHfXD24lK9IaILvnrHvLPX7wGXd9ipmNH73CmfUjPvePeNJQgqei1nlQncwnxfjeb8aMNISFcjDApk1pDSAsQLeZmU3R6Hw69smmN3loWqoWeTrSRTUV1wEbVrO5trGvI5l0A7oPztBIlRaMb19QJXc/w358-h400/Pomegranate-%20uzbekistan.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Ever inch of farmable land grows something. It is coming up to autumn the tomatoes, melons and pumpkins are delicious. Big yum all around.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuXCb0QE646u5R-pWmhfGNL6ki6gfhsLtji1irRtbib0AbbfflBbPzBgK6GV-DgyXzePNwat5e43eSfB69PezG60-9lTpkfVyLLNvGqixL0WgcKTCtdBjpXdU-QvQ8I8S4vi7suzyOLBLGeccpGREnHhOnzvuHWEYSt5yzB21PNBlPPJ_QDKt/s1460/tomatoes%20uzbekistan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="1460" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuXCb0QE646u5R-pWmhfGNL6ki6gfhsLtji1irRtbib0AbbfflBbPzBgK6GV-DgyXzePNwat5e43eSfB69PezG60-9lTpkfVyLLNvGqixL0WgcKTCtdBjpXdU-QvQ8I8S4vi7suzyOLBLGeccpGREnHhOnzvuHWEYSt5yzB21PNBlPPJ_QDKt/w400-h309/tomatoes%20uzbekistan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>And in between is the desert. There is something about deserts that makes my heart feel so free. They seem so rugged and empty but stop and walk around you can see life exists, it is vulnerable but happily getting on with it all. Always feels like a big reminder to me. We are vulnerable and exposed when you strip all the clutter away, it is important to just get on with things.</p><p>At the yurt camp, I went out for a sunrise walk, the sand had so many tracks going here and there, what looked empty was actually full, and I met some beautiful camels coming home from their night time wanders to graze. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6E9V5BElWMziljBp-ykqho5p1gsLz4xIlISpvwoLfwzSyoifnJEAjOw2t9HSO7MrYsrqqzdQjAP1bCl7Rquumhr96pj7304omew0KoM4TW1gdJuFHvJhLl6EMhVq6ZyPMW4KOtaGStQFsmLiG_N4yosIpPkux2mIuJF7rvW8qaN8Ot1ASqcC/s2881/camels%20uzbekistan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2881" data-original-width="2252" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6E9V5BElWMziljBp-ykqho5p1gsLz4xIlISpvwoLfwzSyoifnJEAjOw2t9HSO7MrYsrqqzdQjAP1bCl7Rquumhr96pj7304omew0KoM4TW1gdJuFHvJhLl6EMhVq6ZyPMW4KOtaGStQFsmLiG_N4yosIpPkux2mIuJF7rvW8qaN8Ot1ASqcC/w313-h400/camels%20uzbekistan.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>One hump or two camels seem to have the same goofy, loveable expressions.</p><p>The ancient built environment was spectacular. The size and richness of decorations awe inspiring.</p><p>The story of the cultures and kingdoms that built these monuments, though, is the star. There was conquests for sure but back home in Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand there was an emphasis on learning and study. The Silk Road was not just about trade goods it was about information. Scholars abounded in the major cities, scholars who contributed largely to the world we live in today.</p><p>I wonder why some of them were not in the textbooks I read at school?</p><p>Uglegbeg made important contribtions to astonomy years before telescopes were invented. His 1437 publication <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zij-i-Sultani" title="Zij-i-Sultani">Zij-i-Sultani</a> -a was reprinted up until the 19th century. </p><p>The courts of the ancient silk road cities encouraged education and research, collected libraries in a similar way to the <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Wisdom">House of Wisdom</a> in Bagdad [ started in 8th century]. This was during what was know as the Dark Ages in Europe.</p><p>These libraries honoured humanities' knowledge and built upon it. This paved the way for the Renaissance much later in Europe.</p><p>As you can see I was very impressed to learn about some of the great scholars from the courts of ancient Uzbekistan and the value still placed on education and learning. </p><p>Politics is always an interesting subject to bring up. The Republic of Uzbekistan came into being in 1991 after the crumbling of the USSR. </p><p>It has elections but the same guy gets re-elected? A dictatorship really.</p><p>Asking around, politely, it was easy enough to get people talking. Most said they were happy with stability of the country [ it is secular and government is tolerant of people's religious beliefs on the understanding it is personal and separate to the national agenda]</p><p>Happy with how the ecconomy is progressing, they felt safe and free. </p><p>The exception was in the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan... 2022 the government made the big blunder of propsing to absorb Karakalpakstan back into Uzbekistan, they were so upset there was riots and fatalities.</p><p>The government backed down and their autonomus statis is safe. The person I talked to was still spitting chips that the President had tried that stunt and feeling victorious to see the two flags flying in Nukus.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAfpJHrx7fiXL1hxR_TSRdHXKkwkXgPE-7m01FkoouD60jBCoJKgKNgXn2Czy5SB-vMcZh6XYxJMFrb8oDzrtBmme8rb-1rbOd129ncJ7Oa3vK-XshQt5J8Ev6HADD1BI_umRCv0iDThKiFUkqULiG43ywKDt7X5tHaezMZl3N5QQKeJmGdgv/s1126/flags%20of%20Karakalpakistan%20and%20Uzbekistan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1126" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAfpJHrx7fiXL1hxR_TSRdHXKkwkXgPE-7m01FkoouD60jBCoJKgKNgXn2Czy5SB-vMcZh6XYxJMFrb8oDzrtBmme8rb-1rbOd129ncJ7Oa3vK-XshQt5J8Ev6HADD1BI_umRCv0iDThKiFUkqULiG43ywKDt7X5tHaezMZl3N5QQKeJmGdgv/w640-h600/flags%20of%20Karakalpakistan%20and%20Uzbekistan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I haven't even mentioned the crafts... alive and well.</p><p>Tourists help this, there are stalls everywhere and sales keep crafts in artisans' hands.</p><p>There is also a lot of tat, much imported from India, so one must train their eye to see local verses fluff.</p><p>The Uzbek workshops are producing excellent work. When independence came the government enshrined the cultural heritage of the built environment and the crafting techniques to be the responsibility of the country to uphold.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5zQjgwPzQVNm4Hcu5HpAhGZ4-P4-MfV9KYfhfqLrV3FDf9VZQo3O4XEeY3mA7GtN2RmmeEd5oKTLhmW58zNpS9Cx_8t4ruxno0cL1aGGcF2ObZXJJlxIJ9OmPbheDqgp2jxY524GJJb5fAU63yqqNkuCXi7XbnyOdkb7-3YN5DTsWABgWd1d/s1859/scissors%20uzbekistan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1761" data-original-width="1859" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5zQjgwPzQVNm4Hcu5HpAhGZ4-P4-MfV9KYfhfqLrV3FDf9VZQo3O4XEeY3mA7GtN2RmmeEd5oKTLhmW58zNpS9Cx_8t4ruxno0cL1aGGcF2ObZXJJlxIJ9OmPbheDqgp2jxY524GJJb5fAU63yqqNkuCXi7XbnyOdkb7-3YN5DTsWABgWd1d/w400-h379/scissors%20uzbekistan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Monuments have been lovingly restored and entered onto World Heritage Lists. The government set up bodies to revitalise the craft sector after it being squashed in Soviets times. </p><p>A potter I met had the catch phrase "viva la capiatism " he was truely an artist, in soviet times potter's had to work in govt factories, now they can let their creativity blossom.</p><p>One family I talked to, who have the 8th generation picking up the battern, said, to keep their knowledge active during occupation, they had to run their pottery in secret. Their unique recipes and practices have been dated back 2000 years in the local area through archaeological evidence, they refused to loose it.</p><p>Uzbekistan is the third largest producer of silk in the world and the Fergama Valley is the centre of it.</p><p>Handwoven silk velvet and how it is done still has my heart fluttering, as well as so much else.</p><p>In other places, the best embroidery is done in silk threads from the Fergana Valley, dyed in home dye studios before being stitched into the most exquisite works. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxPvOlBdJUSEzu5aphYXjwTH2JPXJ8feLuCUfESM0kRmP6qr5VocSRuNJGnZQdhCTFeayN738yojhivXx8fwR80QuLmjwpOJTI7uF4Ni4fvNHxh9QChzwUlKHG92AstdfGAMEkC9tji01SyHWZZ55ww_ToB92AtrSzMApT4RNyjC_hwiw_rM6/s1501/boots%20uzbekistan%20shahrisabz.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="845" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxPvOlBdJUSEzu5aphYXjwTH2JPXJ8feLuCUfESM0kRmP6qr5VocSRuNJGnZQdhCTFeayN738yojhivXx8fwR80QuLmjwpOJTI7uF4Ni4fvNHxh9QChzwUlKHG92AstdfGAMEkC9tji01SyHWZZ55ww_ToB92AtrSzMApT4RNyjC_hwiw_rM6/w360-h640/boots%20uzbekistan%20shahrisabz.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Hard to describe it all just yet, my eyes are so full of colours and designs, I still need time to absorb it. </p><p>I have homework to do before my next visit, a sample piece to stitch. Sitting at home and working on it, will let it all sink in a little. Then I can take it back to show how I went. </p><p>Colour, rich glowing colours is my biggest impression.</p><p>The blue sky against the desert, is a theme in nature and architecture. </p><p>The tiles are a feast for your eyes.</p><p>The textiles rich and diverse.</p><p>The <span face="Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-size: 14px;">Savitsky collection of Russian avant-garde art at Nukus, what a surprise to see this luscious collection out in the dry and dusty place.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYgvO-sVpEPZ9kwXFzNGYxgr0HyqwM63BL6aCydv8pwh5Cs2gt2wejuFX4uPwMV5iRStje0ffgLYtxlZju6WEI4C_LVE4LjubMQhvYrwqV0loDmedj-wruz1tWnnmTUMLsFcyJFjF9WZVgZ-Umb2gaJcy8CQ_uUZpy65QBGF3SvLfkxUYsaae/s1126/Savitsky%20Art%20Museum.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="1126" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYgvO-sVpEPZ9kwXFzNGYxgr0HyqwM63BL6aCydv8pwh5Cs2gt2wejuFX4uPwMV5iRStje0ffgLYtxlZju6WEI4C_LVE4LjubMQhvYrwqV0loDmedj-wruz1tWnnmTUMLsFcyJFjF9WZVgZ-Umb2gaJcy8CQ_uUZpy65QBGF3SvLfkxUYsaae/w640-h570/Savitsky%20Art%20Museum.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span face="Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><p></p><p>What a wonderful kaleidoscope. </p><p>Can't wait to go back next year and learn more. </p><p><br /></p><p>This was an R&D trip, a new tour will be added to our calendar very soon- <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=6d48f704562b4cca514f3c34c&id=0d8f3b36bc" target="_blank">join our newsletter </a>to find out more.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-56540450652760715792023-08-14T06:32:00.006+09:302023-10-16T07:36:59.957+10:30Travel Journals<p> We're working in collaboration with Jo Beal on a Travel Journaling Tour in Vietnam...</p><p>It got me thinking this morning of all the great travel journals I have seen over the years on my trips and wondering about themes and ideas people might follow in a Vietnam based journal and trip.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx6A5G0Lrdu62UyNu9Xudd3PSYKe4zFjEKR70TwbndjD8JBxpYPAv-1mY3bPQdWrVDytJqNIybTkksOEFj72GWCL4K5wSAd6y9YSqTI9AMIZnsf_9VwYQhiiAody248KX6dw_xhgTYHDoWCCpngGyplSFpgCXoQDvMR9Fb6gYOlPqbWVxkyWU/s1489/z-%20Morocco%20book.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1489" data-original-width="1126" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx6A5G0Lrdu62UyNu9Xudd3PSYKe4zFjEKR70TwbndjD8JBxpYPAv-1mY3bPQdWrVDytJqNIybTkksOEFj72GWCL4K5wSAd6y9YSqTI9AMIZnsf_9VwYQhiiAody248KX6dw_xhgTYHDoWCCpngGyplSFpgCXoQDvMR9Fb6gYOlPqbWVxkyWU/w303-h400/z-%20Morocco%20book.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>I stitch, so tend to pick up and record ideas this way..... although a journal is always handy to keep ideas percolating and ready for the needle.<p></p><p>Journal in progress based around Moorish Delights of Andalusia and Morocco Travels<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zf2dVghN0GPMGaO1S-BzPSpH_o23L1JoOvaR6jA6jnrC9OGjTzZrUUp7Q-ZCUieJRDUHIuuYronzk_IlGJLQR2B8BWkPAXfGxbOjAEjl2EKcJDb_zRSv8jYOEVg72Xe9LY6vL3-_e7u98mvhVxkGMDzv5N59H0NI9VUUvYetYbomDTsDw6lb/s1333/y-%20Romanian%20Pouch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1126" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zf2dVghN0GPMGaO1S-BzPSpH_o23L1JoOvaR6jA6jnrC9OGjTzZrUUp7Q-ZCUieJRDUHIuuYronzk_IlGJLQR2B8BWkPAXfGxbOjAEjl2EKcJDb_zRSv8jYOEVg72Xe9LY6vL3-_e7u98mvhVxkGMDzv5N59H0NI9VUUvYetYbomDTsDw6lb/w338-h400/y-%20Romanian%20Pouch.jpg" width="338" /></a></div>Romanian Embroidery and bead work<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MLpbY4nSb1reDn5kLZ56z_3k9UGdVEOXww4byh-fiv1VrRO9EFFwBKCUcDTkjY2v5swRYbMcyR2vd70ySgnFKkdBYLaAm4_PsepoHd6e2uAK8ITITDMc_vaJ7Bb-V6T9rIi9-aVk-AIyDG3Qz6KKTbWVK3DRLgL2p6kpmjHWpLuTNeMBueqf/s1260/Vietnamese%20Journal%20(6).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="1260" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MLpbY4nSb1reDn5kLZ56z_3k9UGdVEOXww4byh-fiv1VrRO9EFFwBKCUcDTkjY2v5swRYbMcyR2vd70ySgnFKkdBYLaAm4_PsepoHd6e2uAK8ITITDMc_vaJ7Bb-V6T9rIi9-aVk-AIyDG3Qz6KKTbWVK3DRLgL2p6kpmjHWpLuTNeMBueqf/w400-h353/Vietnamese%20Journal%20(6).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a Travel Scroll full of Vietnamese Textiles and observations</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbz1Bvz-tBzTLodSU6g7sndQidkD99KLDMZvtLhRa-R2R-QdCzXF9421TPBezyUz6qDNPshZUJEQPANyF9LmNiVOfYMcISdadQppOTfYybc2a319TV4wc69o8jca6NkM2DCxDPo6lqYIAIsgNWNhzqs4IhJW1p7I4Xl3YfzOCwo15R2mc2bp82/s1632/map%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="1224" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbz1Bvz-tBzTLodSU6g7sndQidkD99KLDMZvtLhRa-R2R-QdCzXF9421TPBezyUz6qDNPshZUJEQPANyF9LmNiVOfYMcISdadQppOTfYybc2a319TV4wc69o8jca6NkM2DCxDPo6lqYIAIsgNWNhzqs4IhJW1p7I4Xl3YfzOCwo15R2mc2bp82/w300-h400/map%202.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Maps are easy to download from the internet the size needed and add to your journal<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsZbKjDVPrKnnT6GpXEjjd8zvmV2Z4d3vygNJj8wiV5BWUugYnYex23VZk6nv1ahlT1_a5WU3l59b9RqsC4IlN98Un7TZRBVFgNxyXG3JtAFOfU3irp7D3Q_iRdNzSdHMebpF3a3xJJZJqmUIG4hajM_hBKIh0XLJX0sB2fE1A7LmNtZuzBSN/s1632/add%20a%20map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsZbKjDVPrKnnT6GpXEjjd8zvmV2Z4d3vygNJj8wiV5BWUugYnYex23VZk6nv1ahlT1_a5WU3l59b9RqsC4IlN98Un7TZRBVFgNxyXG3JtAFOfU3irp7D3Q_iRdNzSdHMebpF3a3xJJZJqmUIG4hajM_hBKIh0XLJX0sB2fE1A7LmNtZuzBSN/w400-h300/add%20a%20map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0f5Wus77QIiZnyMdbPhxiEdtIxJ0cyC_Et_bT9Mz3JPzjwdTt-3eAlXlQaO-_pqB1f9EzSxI4ciUap776h-h_VuPjPURMBSBM9E_KCWwEQ-qPfLgJkyOo8h4OSBBl8U76TvNPE1gxRUFsj5XQd4gyirWGuxEZiLfUTqxyGIdUBcCYiDOgM2F/s1025/The%20road%20to%20Matra%20Village%20Vietnam%202019.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1025" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0f5Wus77QIiZnyMdbPhxiEdtIxJ0cyC_Et_bT9Mz3JPzjwdTt-3eAlXlQaO-_pqB1f9EzSxI4ciUap776h-h_VuPjPURMBSBM9E_KCWwEQ-qPfLgJkyOo8h4OSBBl8U76TvNPE1gxRUFsj5XQd4gyirWGuxEZiLfUTqxyGIdUBcCYiDOgM2F/w400-h300/The%20road%20to%20Matra%20Village%20Vietnam%202019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>All the rest are images by <a href="https://www.jobeal.net/" target="_blank">Jo Beal</a> or places we will wander with her in Vietnam<p></p><p><br /></p><p><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Travel Journals.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">A great way to record your journey</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">A great way to take time and see into this new place you are visiting.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">It is true we are all same/ same, but it is the little differences that make the difference š.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Viva la difference!</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">What attracts your eye the most?</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Scenery</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">People</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Food</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Crafts....</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">If it all seems too much, a theme to follow helps focus.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Perhaps a page will contain a selection of small sketches that capture your day....</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Perhaps a map to plot your day....</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">There are so many creative ways to work your journal.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Jo Beal </span><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz notranslate _a6hd" href="https://www.instagram.com/jobeal4/" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">@jobeal4</a><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">, your tutor will be there to help you develop your creative Travel Journal, beautiful Vietnam, your muse.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Take a wander with us in March 2024</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcqdmoOADzz1_fYfmzA6j75yH9iO-_q5zrkNGV6QzA_um8LI3o05LqHI766-v0NzJXwGlXQybSdXX-Cso7Q2umONzGCZWTFsvSeoQXrMxP16NW8o7gMduVNq5rSKGmT5BIqiMy_JOMP4sAd5ogzUIzIqfFsmx8aiVQLlhr2IAKfTYDMt7ZETq/s1920/IMG_20230814_053805_998.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcqdmoOADzz1_fYfmzA6j75yH9iO-_q5zrkNGV6QzA_um8LI3o05LqHI766-v0NzJXwGlXQybSdXX-Cso7Q2umONzGCZWTFsvSeoQXrMxP16NW8o7gMduVNq5rSKGmT5BIqiMy_JOMP4sAd5ogzUIzIqfFsmx8aiVQLlhr2IAKfTYDMt7ZETq/w225-h400/IMG_20230814_053805_998.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LIPl7KwjWfiCjZrh_7u1RhnwfrLHyGQEIWbwLh0iMVNGUT78na4ich_v4H60b6ZXs8thBQxAftlQa7yhrz1zxWA_tXwVPD2XELiXJrdBT_L3oxXhF_NjQPqUO22FGvnRG4gt7zrva1r68aws8djm0esh3Hkp5RV_iGZb2MgE1Jjk8MYd8PMS/s1920/IMG_20230814_053731_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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To experience a child-like joy of exploring mediaeval building you don't want to be gasping as you climb those stairs š</p><p><br /></p><p>Truly amazing landscape to explore- look at the forests and little villages in some of the views- it is all gloriously real, better than a movie..</p><p><a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/romanian-ramble/" target="_blank">Join Us</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0txX1EcISkmVVqQ4FCweetw26diPdmTyhQ_3cMDWLSKUGYOOTYXc7dNibjVSOr7AGhXvc-pwxtMYU2xDgdhjxKYC4-I2bHeBseywoAKLW7Jv7j13RO0pU3eF-7y0pOK3zsUgkpi9iAKwcpXqSHaU7OJMi5qmJI9blb0U6soo7QzALwTpds9zh/s1862/20190623_151321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1862" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0txX1EcISkmVVqQ4FCweetw26diPdmTyhQ_3cMDWLSKUGYOOTYXc7dNibjVSOr7AGhXvc-pwxtMYU2xDgdhjxKYC4-I2bHeBseywoAKLW7Jv7j13RO0pU3eF-7y0pOK3zsUgkpi9iAKwcpXqSHaU7OJMi5qmJI9blb0U6soo7QzALwTpds9zh/w640-h494/20190623_151321.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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Trees on mountain sides and with support from artisan development groups a re-emergence of hand made paper.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7ILuFi_-yXvg2qFOxQUWewTJpggL-u1--8By9BGgS5Hjgygdn5xOW3zE3I8yMBQ9dha_pYVxVKUK9YgV980Bl8QLpGQH5U0ZNpzSPQdAfIgagtzo0igbnyhOQ7-zHeB5k_kzy0GjrQ4PnYzsO1cX1F8wCCN_UBHszq9ur4OjmiF_YH7yo0Qm/s4000/Discovereing%20a%20papermaking%20project.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7ILuFi_-yXvg2qFOxQUWewTJpggL-u1--8By9BGgS5Hjgygdn5xOW3zE3I8yMBQ9dha_pYVxVKUK9YgV980Bl8QLpGQH5U0ZNpzSPQdAfIgagtzo0igbnyhOQ7-zHeB5k_kzy0GjrQ4PnYzsO1cX1F8wCCN_UBHszq9ur4OjmiF_YH7yo0Qm/w225-h400/Discovereing%20a%20papermaking%20project.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The next trip was a sketching tour "Travel Sketching- Vietnam" with Leonie Norton as our travelling tutor [<a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/travel-sketching-jaipur/" target="_blank">Leonie is travelling with us to Jaipur</a> next year- by the way ]. The slower pace is wonderful because it is all about taking time to look, you really do see so much more and have time to process what you see.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Hmm- lesson in that.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QvGBsGeY-Gf-bemnMbwVZALAfBKna9H8Vm4LK3RwyrT-WjrOgwE4TkqIbjk6mPToJGN92tf2wURwi-TwYrod6PN88kNCUa5SuG6UyJ3oAARUBdpWWI4pTbto0leUeXiRvV-IELns-VtkzsPr7J9sC6FivRyjRwNuCckMbVto6lFs2W5jwfQQ/s4000/taking%20time%20to%20sit%20and%20sketch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QvGBsGeY-Gf-bemnMbwVZALAfBKna9H8Vm4LK3RwyrT-WjrOgwE4TkqIbjk6mPToJGN92tf2wURwi-TwYrod6PN88kNCUa5SuG6UyJ3oAARUBdpWWI4pTbto0leUeXiRvV-IELns-VtkzsPr7J9sC6FivRyjRwNuCckMbVto6lFs2W5jwfQQ/w225-h400/taking%20time%20to%20sit%20and%20sketch.jpg" width="225" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">time to sketch</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4HwGj75fJYh7FymeLhi1ZjwhC6FKhpVFm4_mVKIF8wN64y_4YNhOrL1Ju2h688jDOZLCeXjmIiQ8qMG8AAcfsddW6ApVyiaALia3HcMgW2a-zEEDl4QSjfO0xgzLYIScKlMAzLNh5p7hinz0oVduum-9m7MEy0-HW1ZfQEbbEfEBiGpWgofq/s4000/time%20to%20wander%20between%20the%20rice%20fields.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4HwGj75fJYh7FymeLhi1ZjwhC6FKhpVFm4_mVKIF8wN64y_4YNhOrL1Ju2h688jDOZLCeXjmIiQ8qMG8AAcfsddW6ApVyiaALia3HcMgW2a-zEEDl4QSjfO0xgzLYIScKlMAzLNh5p7hinz0oVduum-9m7MEy0-HW1ZfQEbbEfEBiGpWgofq/w225-h400/time%20to%20wander%20between%20the%20rice%20fields.jpg" width="225" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">time to wander through the rice fields</span></div><br /> </div></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Interesting the changes you notice, after you have been away for a while.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So happy to see so many colleagues/ friends doing well- relieved the world is opening up and lots of stories of resilience to be shared.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Hanoi has started closing down the whole area around Hoan Kiem Lake on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings- to the obvious delight of locals and visitors. You can wander without the hassle of traffic. Yeh!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Votive Offerings village seems busier than ever- it is a sign of increasing affluence or nervousness, not wanting a repeat of the last few years.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Is it a sign of the government's liberalization and greater acceptance of spiritual practices? not sure but interesting to note.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCphpaZzSd3R2XO2Zjm2ifJcR95HICMIMYWPFODJcaqhvR0YUkQz8s27OEhWz8IOLbTzNEoo4sM0142GekKaGkdigu9kaNjnZ5-g-0EHojQ9HlaACwMy1diwY7qMKZYFKvpiuvFsQkv2hwpgbArUm9znYena-uPqAQmKzakAW3B3PXoQgoqzd/s2560/Votive%20Offerings%20village.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCphpaZzSd3R2XO2Zjm2ifJcR95HICMIMYWPFODJcaqhvR0YUkQz8s27OEhWz8IOLbTzNEoo4sM0142GekKaGkdigu9kaNjnZ5-g-0EHojQ9HlaACwMy1diwY7qMKZYFKvpiuvFsQkv2hwpgbArUm9znYena-uPqAQmKzakAW3B3PXoQgoqzd/w225-h400/Votive%20Offerings%20village.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Old friends are not just people I realise as I wander around... there are sights and smells that also seem like old friends...</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYXj-T2rV67_DLTWD_9_JiIUuGJv3AmQbDKPGR4T5EZlZvwn6J8vxdjOXL7xHeDOhE0uOPDrMrhe9QrSECBBZbHxBzqUuAxduZbf6pL6Vb-wulR74dkKftuO0yhePHGgcyZhhiGPUXlQ-95fpJlcpal48uhg69FBzVBXVKNO4xSpmTESjQz7v/s1500/Vietnam%20memories.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYXj-T2rV67_DLTWD_9_JiIUuGJv3AmQbDKPGR4T5EZlZvwn6J8vxdjOXL7xHeDOhE0uOPDrMrhe9QrSECBBZbHxBzqUuAxduZbf6pL6Vb-wulR74dkKftuO0yhePHGgcyZhhiGPUXlQ-95fpJlcpal48uhg69FBzVBXVKNO4xSpmTESjQz7v/s320/Vietnam%20memories.jpg" width="282" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">The smell of incense in the Temple of Literature, being there when many students come along to seek blessings before they undertake major exams. Always a great ambience. Always bring pleasure.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU82Jrldo7ch_-lSzmgjzl9lblHMsJqYPR3LkwY_2cBO93i1cCF8DekC6v0xIgy9MS8RebAEvTHzUh3wHRFcFp-T-u2JapFu5jps36OrCTxZiSQUsoPGxvaJUX60uTyJtueGacXDQyp508V96cZlpzDpMLRI3FlOzXOTLiBcdGcdS9yrxiwj0L/s2560/Fancy%20orange%20flowers%20at%20Mai%20Chou%20Hotel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU82Jrldo7ch_-lSzmgjzl9lblHMsJqYPR3LkwY_2cBO93i1cCF8DekC6v0xIgy9MS8RebAEvTHzUh3wHRFcFp-T-u2JapFu5jps36OrCTxZiSQUsoPGxvaJUX60uTyJtueGacXDQyp508V96cZlpzDpMLRI3FlOzXOTLiBcdGcdS9yrxiwj0L/w225-h400/Fancy%20orange%20flowers%20at%20Mai%20Chou%20Hotel.jpg" width="225" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">These exotic orange flowers at the hotel in Mai Chou, I have always thought they would be satisfying to draw.... and they were š</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3_4H7VftijZCCQefhOoeiL9zTxk0alv-lDl0YP8RWbk0UemkbRnJS1eD4edO4zZnvXFrS3qnpuYOnOmGoVbjIU3eYHo22tISEI1P8jbpWWlrbtefcuHrKa37M1eJX9F84ZW8uSU-j4umY0zgX0a6PBFF1lJ_ziTba_wpK9fHkCbOzc6nc9t9/s4000/Batik%20Indigo%20with%20Mrs%20Chi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3_4H7VftijZCCQefhOoeiL9zTxk0alv-lDl0YP8RWbk0UemkbRnJS1eD4edO4zZnvXFrS3qnpuYOnOmGoVbjIU3eYHo22tISEI1P8jbpWWlrbtefcuHrKa37M1eJX9F84ZW8uSU-j4umY0zgX0a6PBFF1lJ_ziTba_wpK9fHkCbOzc6nc9t9/w225-h400/Batik%20Indigo%20with%20Mrs%20Chi.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">We visited Indigo workshop of Mrs Chi below Sapa- traditionally Black H'mong do plain indigo, dipping their cloth every day for a month to get a deep rich hue which is then bee's waxed to make it shine... tourists aren't going to stay a month so she has picked up batik and does a workshop with batik and indigo. Go Mrs Chi love your entrepreneurial skills</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />AND</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9PA0zaZ4q-40xXf6seeUNOwNH67zi3KEnM41aimVxSm9r0LRyG5J4B5fADJoCLWCLtTIqYqQOJei2YdHWhr2M7mtoikHxXqOiw0v5cOIgkau5LPxZM8-lvfUKlsGlcXFSC74xDL0YqI4xcFCVg4JYKukkWl5dCI-8_evWdX2_4Dwsnip7NS3/s4000/Green%20H'mong%20indigo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9PA0zaZ4q-40xXf6seeUNOwNH67zi3KEnM41aimVxSm9r0LRyG5J4B5fADJoCLWCLtTIqYqQOJei2YdHWhr2M7mtoikHxXqOiw0v5cOIgkau5LPxZM8-lvfUKlsGlcXFSC74xDL0YqI4xcFCVg4JYKukkWl5dCI-8_evWdX2_4Dwsnip7NS3/w225-h400/Green%20H'mong%20indigo.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally got to visit a Green H'mong village up near the Loas Border- I've heard about them since my first visit in 2007... in those days it was not considered safe to visit because it was edge of the drug routes.... but now after the government has done a lot of work to improve people's lifestyle options there has been a big change in the area and it is open and safe for visitors. Very satisfying... we asked about indigo vat preparation... same, same as Black H'Mong but a little bit different. Both Ethnic Minorities grow their own indigo and hemp to make and colour cloth.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6PxP7WJFJIeWvUIfRzJ4MzH8m7raJrzJ8Y5CCMewoof6NGsLqDeyf7g3gVlG74ROYuXHYcN4G8NfNT6iFwvV-aTg9GxVgkUeOtdRxhZPCEL-WYBUXIFv8isUfbL8EW483PEaRdMCYb0oXMkqXvg2u8Lg_j2GFdqeb3XZx5wEvPdf_sLJGEjC/s2048/Ha%20Long%20Bay%202007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6PxP7WJFJIeWvUIfRzJ4MzH8m7raJrzJ8Y5CCMewoof6NGsLqDeyf7g3gVlG74ROYuXHYcN4G8NfNT6iFwvV-aTg9GxVgkUeOtdRxhZPCEL-WYBUXIFv8isUfbL8EW483PEaRdMCYb0oXMkqXvg2u8Lg_j2GFdqeb3XZx5wEvPdf_sLJGEjC/w400-h300/Ha%20Long%20Bay%202007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixh_WgcTkaPyD-tM8AVi-ViB40UkegjaLTIBF-TRb5ps679OxPAI72fuyCIspE9c2_LySW3LR9c-CkX7IMTHfENW4Pc2gtHTDnVa0uq1NBWLJbdl0rRLon6cBEZdoSfduzCQd-02lshGeVDKb8_iIF2t3HHurZhcnj2urIEYFxOcsojt9qy7J/s2560/Night%20on%20Ha%20Long%20Bay.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixh_WgcTkaPyD-tM8AVi-ViB40UkegjaLTIBF-TRb5ps679OxPAI72fuyCIspE9c2_LySW3LR9c-CkX7IMTHfENW4Pc2gtHTDnVa0uq1NBWLJbdl0rRLon6cBEZdoSfduzCQd-02lshGeVDKb8_iIF2t3HHurZhcnj2urIEYFxOcsojt9qy7J/w400-h225/Night%20on%20Ha%20Long%20Bay.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Ha Long Bay is busier than ever, yet still has a beauty that pulls you in </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisL79I04TXBFy7Fa2gNrFkMcMGuw_u20_zFMtmWSXrRp8J0etdZndMEuog_Ly_fOeQijM94ZagdKy6oGeIfmlblvQcc5qZvJnPrnjziIK0Thu4ROBWg0NZdOH4wWEVpiQcwDpAwK42QjMnqX-C1X1m7taofey_H3lpUQPSuYvM5eWvG0MXlbga/s628/Guardian%20of%20Thai%20Vi%20Temple.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="628" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisL79I04TXBFy7Fa2gNrFkMcMGuw_u20_zFMtmWSXrRp8J0etdZndMEuog_Ly_fOeQijM94ZagdKy6oGeIfmlblvQcc5qZvJnPrnjziIK0Thu4ROBWg0NZdOH4wWEVpiQcwDpAwK42QjMnqX-C1X1m7taofey_H3lpUQPSuYvM5eWvG0MXlbga/w400-h345/Guardian%20of%20Thai%20Vi%20Temple.png" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />The Guardian of Thai Vi Temple seems ageless</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZJiWqaQn6kujPn216_9Ht4Gk5BLewi75ahwXHGH7bTd_AQY34cNBgmwAwbl9YkjFKso-FOmGrp1ely3BbJ_bzwgI0VmR5OxbPqfLcg1VsiXlcBYlxZM3Bv6OqXUq3O-CazRlI4Yp3rnFkXvYvn9FIS4qyow17iMo1wJZiTq5sj6ufLBmvX-P/s448/Black%20H'Muong%20men,%20Sapa.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZJiWqaQn6kujPn216_9Ht4Gk5BLewi75ahwXHGH7bTd_AQY34cNBgmwAwbl9YkjFKso-FOmGrp1ely3BbJ_bzwgI0VmR5OxbPqfLcg1VsiXlcBYlxZM3Bv6OqXUq3O-CazRlI4Yp3rnFkXvYvn9FIS4qyow17iMo1wJZiTq5sj6ufLBmvX-P/w400-h300/Black%20H'Muong%20men,%20Sapa.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sapa in 2007.... it has changed but is still a buzz... there are lots of people trying to sell you stuff, I know, but I found they were more likely to have a laugh with you. In the past there could often be quite a desperate edge to their requests of you to buy.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm01vMrgr2xEN_odqCAQiFIIdfPrXml0vEv24uDxyoDZzpZX6BiBvfaOOPYh-tueFZlIgwK6kGWjS1yc3VACjLfGZI7dzFathowI_LViV0Aj0Dt1SG5usbCT-gwRhTScATHXT-Gr74nCNKYABx_VMsWycc_K8yRd5vNakI1JEpRQ2HNnxQAHIO/s2560/luscious%20H'Muong%20embroidery.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm01vMrgr2xEN_odqCAQiFIIdfPrXml0vEv24uDxyoDZzpZX6BiBvfaOOPYh-tueFZlIgwK6kGWjS1yc3VACjLfGZI7dzFathowI_LViV0Aj0Dt1SG5usbCT-gwRhTScATHXT-Gr74nCNKYABx_VMsWycc_K8yRd5vNakI1JEpRQ2HNnxQAHIO/s320/luscious%20H'Muong%20embroidery.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">The textiles are stunning</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-SRxkhRHkOt-846qKOZELA1Nxm8IpY2G734XNeSc62R82Nv6-k2b5qYooqbKyhacbBM4nvZYj41mgpKhfMJG7Ogt41dUg4WfoiAREl-N7pbb0B1scEuCyciSZEVS59HRmhiFm9Xob5_RBdjv1EvL8lRgswdwEraQCSujhqgxrJp7Ko8q73YJ/s2929/handmade%20fabrics.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2929" data-original-width="2252" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-SRxkhRHkOt-846qKOZELA1Nxm8IpY2G734XNeSc62R82Nv6-k2b5qYooqbKyhacbBM4nvZYj41mgpKhfMJG7Ogt41dUg4WfoiAREl-N7pbb0B1scEuCyciSZEVS59HRmhiFm9Xob5_RBdjv1EvL8lRgswdwEraQCSujhqgxrJp7Ko8q73YJ/w308-h400/handmade%20fabrics.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaq5ozDGKWi9cvoeJkL77fe2e_VcJn6gU7bd2kwTML3ykGTXRawfUwwf5cCfplVFGOzuUkhgLGukjU5sdf5ctZAdtGKYuvPoydVCWzmp7CDaUj9Aw-gH6yLgcCWAsonIAj8m3qAv1P0S22L075zTbnk6l6LgCcdXDTyz_qrwQ05sSmcT_iDEP6/s2560/Hanoi%20Pagoda.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaq5ozDGKWi9cvoeJkL77fe2e_VcJn6gU7bd2kwTML3ykGTXRawfUwwf5cCfplVFGOzuUkhgLGukjU5sdf5ctZAdtGKYuvPoydVCWzmp7CDaUj9Aw-gH6yLgcCWAsonIAj8m3qAv1P0S22L075zTbnk6l6LgCcdXDTyz_qrwQ05sSmcT_iDEP6/w225-h400/Hanoi%20Pagoda.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Around Hanoi there is much to please the eye</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWdXsqO6O6y466cfOgOfpyyIcZ2x4xW25R-SudQOaMx21NCwh7OncdzywCdxfCt1pubFus7T5mzD2kRtNRceV-MAC4r2zImgf8eq8YAWzIWohK_C2nWCa4_GcUYsD1JbDbyLn9N5WR5SnODs-nwAVcVPFSMj7wLM7YPipdtokkLw6ultvXIRe/s2560/incense%20Village.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWdXsqO6O6y466cfOgOfpyyIcZ2x4xW25R-SudQOaMx21NCwh7OncdzywCdxfCt1pubFus7T5mzD2kRtNRceV-MAC4r2zImgf8eq8YAWzIWohK_C2nWCa4_GcUYsD1JbDbyLn9N5WR5SnODs-nwAVcVPFSMj7wLM7YPipdtokkLw6ultvXIRe/w225-h400/incense%20Village.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I really enjoyed being back in Vietnam</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I believe our tourist dollars do help the local economy and it is such a joy experiencing the friendly welcome.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Always on the look out for a new connection and a new story or theme to a tour, we will be using some of our new connections to present two new ideas in 2024.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><u><a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/vietnam-travel-to-quilt/" target="_blank">Vietnam- Travel to Quilt</a></u> with tutor Gillian Tavis- for the textile enchanted- this is an opportunity to travel, to learn from Gillian her travel photo to textile techniques, also to collect textiles and then create using them- a bit of heaven if you ask me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jo Beal is a wonderful Travel Journal keeper and artist /tutor; she is joining us to facilitate your Travel Journal opportunities on <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/vietnam-create-a-travel-journal/" target="_blank">Vietnam- Create a Travel Journal</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I've been happy to re-connect with Vietnam and continue to curate experiences for you to take the opportunity to form your own bonds with these welcoming people and a beautiful homeland.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-15774061668328140242023-03-16T08:12:00.001+10:302023-03-16T08:23:24.528+10:30Travelling Workshops<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Travelling Workshops<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">My usual
textile & craft tours are full of inspiration and opportunity and hands-on
experiences for my guests to take home and utilize in their creative
endeavours.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Travelling
workshops are building on the that idea and offering a tutor and specialised tuition as we travel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">As a tutor
in a studio or presenting an online course you know where you are and the time
available each day and plan your offering to suit; your space is part of your
teaching tools, hopefully quiet, organized, and conducive to concentration on
the topic at hand. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Travelling
Workshops have planned content to share set against a constantly changing
background full of wonderful inspiration and/or distractions, so the delivery
needs to be a little different.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Your tutor
still has a well thought out plan of what they want to share; teaching
moments will be woven into all the glorious experiences of the day. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The first
day session will start with an overview of what to look for, techniques we will
be exploring and suggestions on how you might use it yourself. Times is put
aside along the way to build on techniques and ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We are
travelling, we need to embrace that as well and just take time to enjoy Being
There, take a deep breath , soak in how amazing it isā¦. as we add to our stash of
ideas and inspirations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Before the
evening meal is a good time to gather with your tutor to develop ideas and
techniques. Remember during shared meals it may feel like the perfect time to quiz
your tutor, but they do need a moment to eat as well. Letās make a pact that
during the meal we have general chitchat so everyone can enjoy their meal- </span><span face=""Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">š</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What set the seeds for this idea- create as you go?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">I often make as I go.... before <a href="http://www.the-stitching-project.com" target="_blank">The Stitching Project</a> absorbed so much of my creative energy I used to do tours and make exhibitions- here are a<a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/fiona-wright/" target="_blank"> few images of that time </a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Particularly the Exhibition "Leaf, Leaves, Leaving..." I set out on my travels with the intention to capture it in my artwork during my travels and finish up upon my return.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">I lived in Australia, you can not bring plant matter back into the country yet that is the part of the natural world I always take time to look at when I go somewhere new.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eVkvqwlLej82bpdOMgJVjVi4KwHAjV1Ax3QUrpfW3MnqpKygRhLKOjo7kqbjOjP0M7GTj9HtmWC0gGE5dK6XZMYdLHXml1SMplxNgENLZrdt6c3iF_87tVIVayIUruV7ObLjunfdN4RZoq5UgrQiV0SOW98UDCnX8ML6eL1uNH54px002w/s435/45.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="435" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eVkvqwlLej82bpdOMgJVjVi4KwHAjV1Ax3QUrpfW3MnqpKygRhLKOjo7kqbjOjP0M7GTj9HtmWC0gGE5dK6XZMYdLHXml1SMplxNgENLZrdt6c3iF_87tVIVayIUruV7ObLjunfdN4RZoq5UgrQiV0SOW98UDCnX8ML6eL1uNH54px002w/w400-h306/45.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">So I had a pile of A4 sized pieces of silk organza and a bottle of fabric ink and I made impressions of leaves where ever I travelled. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">When I worked my pieces I also included something inspiring I heard in that location. Each piece was a Journal Page, recoding part of the natural environment and a breath of wisdom I caught during my time there. I liked the image of the wisdom wafting on the breeze as leaves do when they fall. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Travelling alone on an around-the-world ticket you do have a lot of weird and wonderful conversations with yourself.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQFJ_ikJLHm9WJMkO4aWda-VXjMx8ZwC7PBJ8f_MBL8Ebu6bkDPgwANY46KTm1gBMMW046JY1YzppFNEGL_JEDWh4c1iIF6tPTXaXZkhBV6GSYcVgLklHiR-icsQuStWWm16fOp9DgtSs95AbD_bq6s9gVQj7t1Oei5xlPc6KlAeANCDtwA/s510/44.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="382" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQFJ_ikJLHm9WJMkO4aWda-VXjMx8ZwC7PBJ8f_MBL8Ebu6bkDPgwANY46KTm1gBMMW046JY1YzppFNEGL_JEDWh4c1iIF6tPTXaXZkhBV6GSYcVgLklHiR-icsQuStWWm16fOp9DgtSs95AbD_bq6s9gVQj7t1Oei5xlPc6KlAeANCDtwA/s320/44.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcZN8TwGgGY-FcR_9A0g_4ickXY3hcYbR0qOpS5rgYm4ZiWUcoVe1aPNTW7t_g_fDiOW6Y6JJuRRI_A0_dDAZIWhZKvKkABRgS_g3sIfUFq4uzKViu7ooP9C88huEPrYEqzdmImrsFsTBElAqQD1fpOuu6kAtNvgVpG5hphLXL0-kftlRUw/s510/46.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="387" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcZN8TwGgGY-FcR_9A0g_4ickXY3hcYbR0qOpS5rgYm4ZiWUcoVe1aPNTW7t_g_fDiOW6Y6JJuRRI_A0_dDAZIWhZKvKkABRgS_g3sIfUFq4uzKViu7ooP9C88huEPrYEqzdmImrsFsTBElAqQD1fpOuu6kAtNvgVpG5hphLXL0-kftlRUw/s320/46.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSvictbImYB8KIhu3c1Y7WPf80GIAqwjUVfbsi3oNwwE1j7n1F5pySHt3IXborY3F7Arwp1AGsV5xHk1zp3XxBB2obkg9dlS_pmTWFJIHPiWWi3K5dr6InbHN2NkXiQb3yGRZ_sYJl3UnMkl0IfQj0-mbP2RhsV-53O0zqiXmKlMDkxmBNg/s397/47.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="269" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSvictbImYB8KIhu3c1Y7WPf80GIAqwjUVfbsi3oNwwE1j7n1F5pySHt3IXborY3F7Arwp1AGsV5xHk1zp3XxBB2obkg9dlS_pmTWFJIHPiWWi3K5dr6InbHN2NkXiQb3yGRZ_sYJl3UnMkl0IfQj0-mbP2RhsV-53O0zqiXmKlMDkxmBNg/s320/47.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQPJKYqZwzxxtNRtKfj1NqD5wcgjxs1GkWAb1wCxycoAQBA5_OI25bOOxnvmyJHEmL16tAIgumEWkIDFhVUtdIsazQ-byqi512Crt2nteNwWjwQk77G6NNqCNL-QZ5Ldj2ZdHNn8Q-u7uvPJAx2bSXuqIUm_bcomGuTKxBv3hISTuO9bPjQ/s370/48.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="370" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQPJKYqZwzxxtNRtKfj1NqD5wcgjxs1GkWAb1wCxycoAQBA5_OI25bOOxnvmyJHEmL16tAIgumEWkIDFhVUtdIsazQ-byqi512Crt2nteNwWjwQk77G6NNqCNL-QZ5Ldj2ZdHNn8Q-u7uvPJAx2bSXuqIUm_bcomGuTKxBv3hISTuO9bPjQ/s320/48.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPfVowNWunHg8leaBNzlR8mJLb8zK3IBdi02FCeqaJ6XrFSpYeqCripqR0L1iQFd3GkAL5mUfQoFks95xGRKkT641OhsrDI5I77GLTPdAu0alzR2t71gVhhOI8rvnJDaq4M8DMGuNbWjkcw1RoG71KDN-AqO9pgfTA0mmxIypwZSBxxFRBQ/s385/49.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="385" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPfVowNWunHg8leaBNzlR8mJLb8zK3IBdi02FCeqaJ6XrFSpYeqCripqR0L1iQFd3GkAL5mUfQoFks95xGRKkT641OhsrDI5I77GLTPdAu0alzR2t71gVhhOI8rvnJDaq4M8DMGuNbWjkcw1RoG71KDN-AqO9pgfTA0mmxIypwZSBxxFRBQ/s320/49.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My friends <a href="https://gilliantravis.co.uk/" target="_blank">Gillian</a> and <a href="https://www.jobeal.net/" target="_blank">Jo</a> also often work as they travel and/or later build work from their travels.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is something we talk about when we have time together- the love of travel and how to find ways to work creatively at the same time.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have set out to share and facilitate this experience with others.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrc2VCnkWuLGNUR4kRE7DgDnlTFfm7g6WYQh_hGAIAoPAKORWxJc0iy_3ehphjE49o6hv2SCVo32-ORKR4u-yPHpB4-snx2tK90QpVLO1zXuKJGwxVsQQUnzAB75nQ1WBMIz1wALgIR4B0f8nBw3fIYUg5nDdYVytYDnjab71AdocJd_920g/s2851/Bananas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2225" data-original-width="2851" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrc2VCnkWuLGNUR4kRE7DgDnlTFfm7g6WYQh_hGAIAoPAKORWxJc0iy_3ehphjE49o6hv2SCVo32-ORKR4u-yPHpB4-snx2tK90QpVLO1zXuKJGwxVsQQUnzAB75nQ1WBMIz1wALgIR4B0f8nBw3fIYUg5nDdYVytYDnjab71AdocJd_920g/s320/Bananas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jo Beal Travel Journal</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrM8vj5nkvyjcGJjKr5qQBAdtJhb4RpZgttfoMWOUimu8V0NEoNQDiEdbt_O794DiqTgFZPaSc1lE4f04_K8jNYylfbKpsY7x8rUU3HLbWbaa6AtAgKJgPqD1V3knRD_qUsnqa4ScivWiQaL4IZcTRWQzRp3Gd7E_D8srrYcGXv5X9JRy7Vw/s3849/Beal%20-%20keeping%20a%20travel%20diary.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2732" data-original-width="3849" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrM8vj5nkvyjcGJjKr5qQBAdtJhb4RpZgttfoMWOUimu8V0NEoNQDiEdbt_O794DiqTgFZPaSc1lE4f04_K8jNYylfbKpsY7x8rUU3HLbWbaa6AtAgKJgPqD1V3knRD_qUsnqa4ScivWiQaL4IZcTRWQzRp3Gd7E_D8srrYcGXv5X9JRy7Vw/s320/Beal%20-%20keeping%20a%20travel%20diary.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jo Beal Travel journal</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpVw5pkMzklypcxXdNfmrDt7vCCmqKgc0DO-OqcS76Dr8ko2L_EqgbBAkpSmdzt9lykTDCrX5SwBnJxzoLMX42vI4Ah_TAcdfWcaPaIu1yPwDQb_1F6Ow0tgslJq5mV0SJvncvJMxNOpFHjr-tgszFQN2jOHtot5nfbq_ZtPID51hoGFFJw/s1677/Gillian%20Travis%201.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="1677" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpVw5pkMzklypcxXdNfmrDt7vCCmqKgc0DO-OqcS76Dr8ko2L_EqgbBAkpSmdzt9lykTDCrX5SwBnJxzoLMX42vI4Ah_TAcdfWcaPaIu1yPwDQb_1F6Ow0tgslJq5mV0SJvncvJMxNOpFHjr-tgszFQN2jOHtot5nfbq_ZtPID51hoGFFJw/s320/Gillian%20Travis%201.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gillian Travis- quilts inspired by Indian travels</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwsyloNuQGvghyz_OpSThy6E1wyICW8Gxa3o2pvC9NuTZFV3XNC_ZN6CYYQDiXWSMxdJ3BCJTl_VBOtvjQQrBcj_LfG3HYVBNSoydakkeQLMDj_z8-M0vDLOew1ZFwhTnACYFXEYavs5xnrGFHISaJlWbKl2xqEKi6c-61p-ioRWiKn6CRA/s855/Gillian%20Travis%202.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="835" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwsyloNuQGvghyz_OpSThy6E1wyICW8Gxa3o2pvC9NuTZFV3XNC_ZN6CYYQDiXWSMxdJ3BCJTl_VBOtvjQQrBcj_LfG3HYVBNSoydakkeQLMDj_z8-M0vDLOew1ZFwhTnACYFXEYavs5xnrGFHISaJlWbKl2xqEKi6c-61p-ioRWiKn6CRA/s320/Gillian%20Travis%202.png" width="313" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gillian Travis- quilts of Indian ladies, with cloth and block print sourced on her travels</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo44pOfe0FIfztO2EQ_lFpRhkFLyq0XFv3bVOePDVtCwxuS79FjlwpzaqBm7r4H7K73XuxrwXnVdoElZGfXQnsHqwm-kKwO5gNAQ-UoxdaDfTcGHMOXhETn3FOKJEnnMSU08ko5GojpbPqE08bw8UpcJjWg0wbJxbRR1ofWmx4d-HDK85olQ/s434/Indian%20Women%20by%20Gillian%20Travis.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="433" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo44pOfe0FIfztO2EQ_lFpRhkFLyq0XFv3bVOePDVtCwxuS79FjlwpzaqBm7r4H7K73XuxrwXnVdoElZGfXQnsHqwm-kKwO5gNAQ-UoxdaDfTcGHMOXhETn3FOKJEnnMSU08ko5GojpbPqE08bw8UpcJjWg0wbJxbRR1ofWmx4d-HDK85olQ/s320/Indian%20Women%20by%20Gillian%20Travis.PNG" width="319" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQW7Ca2ueZCXhYoIhkl4WtwPl5vIUrAtUGmJ1zYiA6A5jwt8zkh5S8Givg777HQgBH31ageYwKEzbQeJzEOzFic6X8DOi3peVFDV5W7uDcinJmev2Sr8164OcnfPH2M2t3tgjP7X3x-8N5VhAM4HYw0MYWtrBKyxtfYUIKytoX9tCXdFyTTg/s733/Screenshot%202023-02-16%20072937.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="733" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQW7Ca2ueZCXhYoIhkl4WtwPl5vIUrAtUGmJ1zYiA6A5jwt8zkh5S8Givg777HQgBH31ageYwKEzbQeJzEOzFic6X8DOi3peVFDV5W7uDcinJmev2Sr8164OcnfPH2M2t3tgjP7X3x-8N5VhAM4HYw0MYWtrBKyxtfYUIKytoX9tCXdFyTTg/s320/Screenshot%202023-02-16%20072937.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jo Beal travelling in Vietnam</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/rajasthan-textile-tour/" target="_blank">Rajasthan-A Tactile Textile Tour</a> will wander, make and gather inspiration whilst visiting might forts and palaces, chasing tigers and visiting remote indigo villages</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/travel-to-quilt-textile-tour/" target="_blank">Travel to Quilt- Rajasthan</a> - takes a slower pace visiting some spectacular locations and immersing yourself at The Stitching Project workshop to develop textile art inspired by travel.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/create-a-travel-journal-rajasthan/" target="_blank">Create a Travel Journal- </a></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/create-a-travel-journal-rajasthan/" target="_blank">Rajasthan</a>- is again a slower pace, visiting magnificent painted mansions [beautiful with painted images completely covering all walls- really] a magnificent palace by the lake and an elephant sanctuary with plenty of time to sit, breath and draw.</span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-2949241815419493152023-03-13T06:54:00.000+10:302023-03-13T06:54:01.557+10:30Ghana Days<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Ghana days<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">I am working on detailsā¦. <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/glorious-ghana-textile-tour/" target="_blank">Weāll be travelling in August,</a> so
much to look forward to.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Looking at all the delightful days āGlorious Ghanaā embracesā¦.
Well, some of them anyway. Each day is packed with something new and we embrace
it in a true Ghanaian relaxed mode.<span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssS2hUPwcP2zdchEB4QaoqVGYGNKi9klg0rUxzaQm6PBgz1LvTKn9QfdXg5wYY8__D5KcRcHs7ccjWLMQOFhqDMIuMbDYxeMTyHddHh8ba7kwqUlsYglQuKRyD4ejS3p7n1uARqT4Pljt0utw6t8-hCP3AeuLZP1x6_kRwfBoB34gKddM7Q/s1685/1.%20Batik-%20ghana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1685" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssS2hUPwcP2zdchEB4QaoqVGYGNKi9klg0rUxzaQm6PBgz1LvTKn9QfdXg5wYY8__D5KcRcHs7ccjWLMQOFhqDMIuMbDYxeMTyHddHh8ba7kwqUlsYglQuKRyD4ejS3p7n1uARqT4Pljt0utw6t8-hCP3AeuLZP1x6_kRwfBoB34gKddM7Q/s320/1.%20Batik-%20ghana.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-indent: -24px;">Batik is a huge craft in Ghana, everyone loves bright and bold cloth. We print enough to take home and make a top- or you could take it to our friend Ether who has a tailoring shop in Accra</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSdLVJ7tRy4sEO66b-IQBfmlzh04WkV1pUJipBUD5xxu3xxNxJSKquMrkjirVh8b5mzrxbYG-QwT3d4nSExpm5Gt6v_JXslYDLW9BKJfhZlkmamDhvvm6G1t1uxurhX5uS33DHdO_MkQO1T4SxeQRXOtNjhpjqbEswz51m15QUHXJXlMapw/s2927/2.%20Adinkra%20printing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="2927" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSdLVJ7tRy4sEO66b-IQBfmlzh04WkV1pUJipBUD5xxu3xxNxJSKquMrkjirVh8b5mzrxbYG-QwT3d4nSExpm5Gt6v_JXslYDLW9BKJfhZlkmamDhvvm6G1t1uxurhX5uS33DHdO_MkQO1T4SxeQRXOtNjhpjqbEswz51m15QUHXJXlMapw/s320/2.%20Adinkra%20printing.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="text-indent: -24px;"><div style="text-align: center;">Gabriel explains how to make the ink for Adinkra printing.</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDrd26FIHVNl4tLTfeOauCGBcP5rxu_yza3jTlsKNj1m5lcF435VDwmblMqjtKAL-R5lSGhlUiC-C6WwYf0zN8hIyVzeYrwWWyU3N4iHeMw57dww0k8BuArS2H1blfHVBn4Y8eX3X_qGJp2wAtYLnfmIhg0OB4auF2sb8x5Gnt8yKvUZ3nQ/s2903/3.%20ewe%20weaving%20-.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="2903" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDrd26FIHVNl4tLTfeOauCGBcP5rxu_yza3jTlsKNj1m5lcF435VDwmblMqjtKAL-R5lSGhlUiC-C6WwYf0zN8hIyVzeYrwWWyU3N4iHeMw57dww0k8BuArS2H1blfHVBn4Y8eX3X_qGJp2wAtYLnfmIhg0OB4auF2sb8x5Gnt8yKvUZ3nQ/s320/3.%20ewe%20weaving%20-.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="text-indent: -24px;"><div style="text-align: center;">Lots of beautiful cloth- handwoven Kente cloth, Ewe weaving</div><div style="text-align: center;"> and the indigo strips for menās smocks up north</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gD343qlYFWiJS5XFhgWRoNTKdiAyJeFGoZFJ8gjzSqRyqN9FLLvl1no44j17p299AFbh0pwVlaSC7rk-VqaGB_pOETENh9n7jnx27_TzO9CZfCK-04y7FV3Xcw2v8WHLNlmtKklqHcDX6jsoOjLJQLL3Ii9zxpwLaY2bWC2WGRSXwOfAeQ/s336/4.%20trying%20out%20the%20merchandise%202012.4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gD343qlYFWiJS5XFhgWRoNTKdiAyJeFGoZFJ8gjzSqRyqN9FLLvl1no44j17p299AFbh0pwVlaSC7rk-VqaGB_pOETENh9n7jnx27_TzO9CZfCK-04y7FV3Xcw2v8WHLNlmtKklqHcDX6jsoOjLJQLL3Ii9zxpwLaY2bWC2WGRSXwOfAeQ/s320/4.%20trying%20out%20the%20merchandise%202012.4.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><span style="text-indent: -24px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Youāve got to try out the merchandise.</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0FOR5QiEimd5zy3TRRl_r17zFlwnAk2tgthqwdwZEi-_Vncss0DXasAtbr6Ub82gJD_sxe5JqvdrQb8e0C0SGQvoEEwtObnU3cMN2fcvM_a79GPRRcvhVBF-iUpcSW-AJR0dl6QXqb-a9ZFwF8a6mOVEn3n8m8SX_vVHpGvjOTMOL4jvbQ/s351/5.Indigo%20dyer,%20Daboya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="335" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0FOR5QiEimd5zy3TRRl_r17zFlwnAk2tgthqwdwZEi-_Vncss0DXasAtbr6Ub82gJD_sxe5JqvdrQb8e0C0SGQvoEEwtObnU3cMN2fcvM_a79GPRRcvhVBF-iUpcSW-AJR0dl6QXqb-a9ZFwF8a6mOVEn3n8m8SX_vVHpGvjOTMOL4jvbQ/s320/5.Indigo%20dyer,%20Daboya.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><span style="text-indent: -24px;"><div style="text-align: center;">The indigo villageā¦ we are truly adventuring to get here in a dug out canoe</div><div style="text-align: center;">[ no crocodiles in that area- I asked!]</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3R2Jn68qz1PM0GfWg5hQVNtzVb2cZhgbtsC8Pj8JIsGCEn8BZ0amK6j3RMJ-kWKY6hflhEMbVg4ntn1zvLJlz5MjIg10uRUJqX7_PZcyJx9vGuaKLl56AlzJtB25a6dLCOMp0I4Z-Lij8LlZNToyvWM1BDsYMu4ANfv-bGckeaxJbU5OKow/s1498/6.%20this%20shde%20of%20blue%20bottle%20for%20glass%20beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3R2Jn68qz1PM0GfWg5hQVNtzVb2cZhgbtsC8Pj8JIsGCEn8BZ0amK6j3RMJ-kWKY6hflhEMbVg4ntn1zvLJlz5MjIg10uRUJqX7_PZcyJx9vGuaKLl56AlzJtB25a6dLCOMp0I4Z-Lij8LlZNToyvWM1BDsYMu4ANfv-bGckeaxJbU5OKow/s320/6.%20this%20shde%20of%20blue%20bottle%20for%20glass%20beads.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><span style="text-indent: -24px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Empty blue bottles are the perfect gift for a bead making friends- gosh youāll have to empty the bottles- Sapphire Blue Gin is the most desired shade!</div></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdRzN-A72VyUo7NFur4wEJG-bENpuHYe8zctJapQHOf9G5vPrFuOR-M3cVBP0VGJWmSIZkHVb4nQyMVytimFyJpEOwJ3o7e1v8hB5Zki-EIOPpboNFTzLWI-cRa9mZsbMBdTtnytvGCryY25skoC55SIlErpcgefaB45LzAAqCB4gwfkbng/s1312/7.%20kiln%20to%20make%20beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1312" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdRzN-A72VyUo7NFur4wEJG-bENpuHYe8zctJapQHOf9G5vPrFuOR-M3cVBP0VGJWmSIZkHVb4nQyMVytimFyJpEOwJ3o7e1v8hB5Zki-EIOPpboNFTzLWI-cRa9mZsbMBdTtnytvGCryY25skoC55SIlErpcgefaB45LzAAqCB4gwfkbng/s320/7.%20kiln%20to%20make%20beads.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><span style="text-indent: -24px;"><div style="text-align: center;">Smash them up, set in them in moulds and fire them in the kiln</div></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqXMterVnkcYfiI19Nuw2yA_Pu8mg_kaJwl6WsgeS8V8HMLmgVXOEmfjP7NT7n2e9zkABgQ01QUg0qca7c1aWLvY6_Ph8vEcPic7s5AAStjhsMPsrUz5_UJpwHaztKx5FCpsZkjK0ecDH_WAoRVG4tSRYemCbWKj2mcwQNbHXjH36DwiSLA/s1299/8.%20glass%20beads%20from%20gin%20bottles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1299" data-original-width="1034" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqXMterVnkcYfiI19Nuw2yA_Pu8mg_kaJwl6WsgeS8V8HMLmgVXOEmfjP7NT7n2e9zkABgQ01QUg0qca7c1aWLvY6_Ph8vEcPic7s5AAStjhsMPsrUz5_UJpwHaztKx5FCpsZkjK0ecDH_WAoRVG4tSRYemCbWKj2mcwQNbHXjH36DwiSLA/s320/8.%20glass%20beads%20from%20gin%20bottles.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><span style="text-indent: -24px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Beautiful beads are the result.</div></span><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -24px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymZMSGPMqLHOdyYI1M4KrnwxwI9Qk5FxvO5Wv5GN2dlnvdBk5Ch1ocOkWOPvkcyx5VenqtnAm7vJQK89UeVTs67xlDw0kBHerv4wIZF60iLgZXoWmUQcT0XGXRqO8l6dDMjILy7_qG9UX8Nep7qrd92WG8kvLQqAlCI7LkKqHL1V5Pan5xQ/s1464/9.%20Krobo%20village.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1464" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymZMSGPMqLHOdyYI1M4KrnwxwI9Qk5FxvO5Wv5GN2dlnvdBk5Ch1ocOkWOPvkcyx5VenqtnAm7vJQK89UeVTs67xlDw0kBHerv4wIZF60iLgZXoWmUQcT0XGXRqO8l6dDMjILy7_qG9UX8Nep7qrd92WG8kvLQqAlCI7LkKqHL1V5Pan5xQ/s320/9.%20Krobo%20village.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Walking through the forest where cocoa grows to Krobo bead making villages</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdPm2z_J-govxWEpCI-TcAr9LFOtvwQcnhxkK_ZnjOcfumzYGDUkwYRnIv5XHeNrcXXzkMiaP5V4wod9ecK5rPEk0Vcb0ik_WDYhoMSEM8SkJP5qwMxqcD-Jgx9N--V6HK1ISs_4vpp0AR3jyJMTSl2Ezh3ixZrSrA8riCtn95KnXHGs7Yg/s1402/10.%20the%20beach%20Ghana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1402" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdPm2z_J-govxWEpCI-TcAr9LFOtvwQcnhxkK_ZnjOcfumzYGDUkwYRnIv5XHeNrcXXzkMiaP5V4wod9ecK5rPEk0Vcb0ik_WDYhoMSEM8SkJP5qwMxqcD-Jgx9N--V6HK1ISs_4vpp0AR3jyJMTSl2Ezh3ixZrSrA8riCtn95KnXHGs7Yg/s320/10.%20the%20beach%20Ghana.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">The beach.</p></div>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-21813791612742395012023-02-26T09:00:00.005+10:302023-02-26T09:00:48.219+10:30Soap box Sunday<p> Hiya, </p><p>I used to sit many Sundays and write to you....</p><p>Lockdown depleted my wells of hope there for a while, and now I am back in form and Life is rather busy.</p><p>I have always put in the hard yards to promote both <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/" target="_blank">Creative Arts Safaris</a> and <a href="https://the-stitching-project.com/" target="_blank">The Stitching Project</a> organically.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIn8bH1izjcnrOKv9Xlyfpo4SHMdIYwB_8oUl81wRyMTkkVxABx6kArCQJocC1UbhzIIJ0Y3LzujMp08V05UvqTgysh3-op5yIWnNbTeFwde5_ZgkWwNuenpHTaU6wvXAWjdvgNxYGcoBRY19i4q4GY-osIljrebt2t9XAiDKweR8eJlrBNQ/s1306/Creative%20Arts%20Safaris.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="1306" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIn8bH1izjcnrOKv9Xlyfpo4SHMdIYwB_8oUl81wRyMTkkVxABx6kArCQJocC1UbhzIIJ0Y3LzujMp08V05UvqTgysh3-op5yIWnNbTeFwde5_ZgkWwNuenpHTaU6wvXAWjdvgNxYGcoBRY19i4q4GY-osIljrebt2t9XAiDKweR8eJlrBNQ/s320/Creative%20Arts%20Safaris.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx02kdlOKd7KDAt7KfI2_-kxd--wHMMeTFoY2P9IdYySQk7vwfU4tckUGnbHwu9lWYGogRTEuRyivXhM0kbMhDDYl0TK9HYJseXX0oqbaz9PI9EE1mbIiHt95JqDl2vP1w2PUqFnITL9pTpyh3SARCohGqn9IqeagVSAf8a2Jb2KKaAh-I1A/s1258/The%20Stitching%20Project.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1258" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx02kdlOKd7KDAt7KfI2_-kxd--wHMMeTFoY2P9IdYySQk7vwfU4tckUGnbHwu9lWYGogRTEuRyivXhM0kbMhDDYl0TK9HYJseXX0oqbaz9PI9EE1mbIiHt95JqDl2vP1w2PUqFnITL9pTpyh3SARCohGqn9IqeagVSAf8a2Jb2KKaAh-I1A/s320/The%20Stitching%20Project.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>What does that mean? Whilst I am a bit of a greenie and have an organic garden it has nothing ecological about it, nor is it exciting like gardening....</p><p>It means I have attracted awareness to our businesses through being active at marketing [FB, Inst, Pinterest, blogs.... and any other chance I spot] and making sure my websites are good quality and up to date. </p><p>I know I might pack them rather solid with information too, but I want you to KNOW!</p><p>When I registered Creative Arts Safaris website on 2 Aug, 2007 to get notice all you had to do was write good copy, and label photos well, keep you blog up to date and I managed to rank very well in Textile tours, Indian tours and Craft tours enquiries.</p><p>At that time most marketing was through print media- websites were quite new. </p><p>I would ask guests where they heard about me and it was more often word of mouth- I travelled and taught all around the globe at that time- textiles stuff... then it moved onto be internet and word of mouth. I used to have pretty postcards I gave out in classes and anywhere else I popped up - often someone would say I have had your postcard on my fridge for ages.</p><p>Rarely did anyone say they responded to an ad in a magazine [yet initially I spent a lot of money on ads like that]. That annoyed me too, the cost of the advertising had to be added onto tours costs but you and I did not get anything for it really..... yes it was supposed to let people know about us but did it really?</p><p>So here I am in a world that is ruled by the ALLGORISM, social media can do a lot to restrict who sees your posts [ and the posts I get to see- I follow pages because I like what they are doing- why is it so hard to see them and I only get a million adds???]</p><p>When I am looking for something- I google. I try to not use the SPONSERED LINKS- even if they are what I am looking for I try and find the direct link to the website [save the company having to pay for a click on a sponsored link]</p><p>I have watched as The Stitching Project clients use FB ads to promote their page- whilst there was an initial surge in reach, if they stopped paying they completely bombed of the radar. Nasty FB.</p><p>It made me wary about using them and keep to the organic approach.</p><p>Post Covid and trying to get going again and reaching out and making contact - letting prospective guests know I am here is even more difficult.</p><p>I have taken a few marketing seminars and they suggest 10 to 25% of your budget should be spent on marketing to grow your business!!!</p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">!!! </span>I can't exclaim enough- does that mean I add 25% to my tours to make FB richer?- it does not benefit you nor more importantly the people we visit where our buck does make a difference.</p><p>The marketing experts are suggesting expenditure to make BIG BUSINESS richer. Crikey!!</p><p>This is my shock horror lately- still trying to digest it.</p><p>In my last CAS newsletter I asked if people might like to <u>follow, like, or comment, save or share my posts</u> as a way to building reach organically- watching the REACH statistics I think it is having an impact.</p><p>Apparently <a href="https://g.page/r/CUT_xbKk0_lQEAI/review" target="_blank">Google reviews</a> can help as well. They control the most commonly used search engine so please add your two bobs worth if you feel inclined XX.</p><p> Why am I writing all this? </p><p>1. Well I am shocked or horrified at the way social media is going- it not not social for us to connect up it has all become a MARKETING TOOL and us little folk at being manipulated and BIG BUSINESS is making a huge profit.</p><p>[By the way did you catch in the news -Australia has crazy inflation and 2/3 of it is driven by big business making monster profits]</p><p>2. I am asking for you help- follow, like, comment, save and share for any business you would like to support it does help them and keep profit out of the pockets of big business.</p><p><br /></p><p>Soap box Sunday- it has been a while since I climbed up and I do feel better for having a rank. Thanks for listening š</p><p><br /></p><p>Nudge, nudge This is CAS on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CreativeArtsSafaris" target="_blank">FaceBook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/creative_arts_safaris/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-75441311392903474952022-12-20T13:22:00.003+10:302022-12-20T13:29:07.643+10:30Come on 2023<p> I am finally starting to feel like I can fly again</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The last few years have been tough and coming out of the fog
this year I was wondering whether to start tours again or not. I was egged on
by previous guests and now I am finally very excited that I decided to give it
a go.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What I like about my tour work<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>The researchā¦ what is there, where is it,
history, what is the view from local eyes.</li><li><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I love to read like crazy, quiz the internet
until my fingers are numb, ask questions on the ground</li><li><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Visiting and sitting, watching people [ not
stalker like- should I say people watching, is that better?] </li><li> You learn a lot just sitting and letting the
world happen around you</li><li><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Wander the streets at sunrise, watch the world
wake up- it is generally all locals not visitors</li><li><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Making connections, meeting artisans</li><li><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Learning new textile and craft skills</li><li><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Being influenced/inspired by what I see in what
I make myself</li><li><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Eating, getting a feel for local specialties</li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Basically, I am a sticky beak, and my job encourages that <span face=""Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">š</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Tours mean I get to share this with others,
nothing better than knowing something wonderful is coming up and watching your
guests as it unfolds.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I love the feedback I hear from guests about
what worried them before a trip, what they learnt during and how it impacts
their world view.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mostly my tours are to the Developing World and a comment I
have heard often is a fear of facing the poverty.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I realised early in my travels we are all very similar
whether privileged or impoverished and some of the most content people I have
met have had to work the hardest to put food on the table and they are some of
the most generous too.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I first moved to India, I used to work in a Street Kids
Programme, we would help get kids into school, meet them after, help with
homework and then feed them lunch.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Down the road were the parents of one of these children,
they worked together over a tiny forge as metalworkers. They had a small lunch
box with them and skerrick for lunch and every time I went by, they smiled and
would try to feed me! I learnt a lot about being happy in the day to day and
the small pleasures of the day from those people.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They had almost nothing- like really nothing and yet exuded
a contentment and a generosity that was a lesson for me. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is poverty in the dollars and cents way and there is a
poverty of the soul that comes from lack of appreciation of the world around
us.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">When I first went to India it was the Made by Hand aspect
that really hooked me.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The crafts and textiles are all hand work- active sectors of
the community. <a href="https://akshardham.com/">Akshardham Temple</a> was just
being finished- built mostly by volunteers and representing millions of hours
of labour ā it is all made by hand, carved by hand and extraordinarily
beautiful.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The story that fuels my Rajasthan Tour is the Made by Hand<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After Indian Tours started, I had a group of students at a
textile retreat say they wanted to go to Vietnam, and said I would be just the
person to find textiles and take themā¦ it seemed a bit of a challenge but I had
put in a lot of thought into what I wanted to offer in India so I knew the
bones of what I was looking for.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Praveen and I went on a jaunt to Vietnam in 2007, wondering what we
would findā¦. Lots of poking around but we forged connections and cobbled
together a support system that still flourishes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/moorish-delights-of-andalusia-and-morocco-textile-tour/" target="_blank">My Moroccan</a> foray unfolded in a different mannerā¦.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Delhi you will find the Lodhi Gardens, the style of
architecture in those monuments I had heard was similar to those found in
Andalusian Spain from the time the Islamic World linked Spain to India. The
story of Ibn Buttarās 14 century travels linked the places for me and I wanted
this trip to have a real sense of travel.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is exactly what we doā¦travel through Moorish Spain, off
the most southern tip of Europe- Tarifa, cross where the Pillars of Hercules
must have once spanned [Strait of Gibraltar] to another continent, the lands of
mystery -Africa. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me it always feels
like such an adventure just getting to Morocco.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvq06KBQSvUf3IZIT4-b6__Dd0yjCMBZEiaeX1kc2mMfrl0FzgZGLP6d2tkFeOFGP0Z_bHLcPCD__LUHTzzp3IWxr1ApKIepY8pvKEznFCuFaCNx8fdWxHdHD3x1aYtW05e0w3N83hPpnf5igObS2_9-jVTZUZyi2OOdDAQWHEHgnUqsqk2A/s2048/Tangiers%20from%20Tarifa.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvq06KBQSvUf3IZIT4-b6__Dd0yjCMBZEiaeX1kc2mMfrl0FzgZGLP6d2tkFeOFGP0Z_bHLcPCD__LUHTzzp3IWxr1ApKIepY8pvKEznFCuFaCNx8fdWxHdHD3x1aYtW05e0w3N83hPpnf5igObS2_9-jVTZUZyi2OOdDAQWHEHgnUqsqk2A/s320/Tangiers%20from%20Tarifa.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />This is the first time I saw Morocco in the distance [it is there in the mist] and
this guy was standing there looking out from Tarifa in Spain with longing- it
had a great impact on me and influenced my desire to follow this route to Morocco.<o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">these stories also had me fired up</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0JjLcr3Va_7zttfI0TQzbHviD-Yh9jqMvpYqllxihN3Ih2HaiYh0vM3ioTwvNlOLwHDTlovtvgZvaaHVeaKqKciLaFHktTrrf5mrffG5mHa84UsCdwbhJ-n63zjS_tjooNFV1pOpjyOL-B63a66fHZBAvv0iUy_opsO8J4B-Jh-7pzyBqg/s528/Leo%20Africanus.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="346" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0JjLcr3Va_7zttfI0TQzbHviD-Yh9jqMvpYqllxihN3Ih2HaiYh0vM3ioTwvNlOLwHDTlovtvgZvaaHVeaKqKciLaFHktTrrf5mrffG5mHa84UsCdwbhJ-n63zjS_tjooNFV1pOpjyOL-B63a66fHZBAvv0iUy_opsO8J4B-Jh-7pzyBqg/s320/Leo%20Africanus.png" width="210" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1F89QdrcMqDcu2Ytelq2W3R0-i_HWQ4MMjrqd6C0l5Gv7trm7NbvogavTyxMJe1Racqz9lUdRZcUN3AMKztvr0yh73AIrLOpIO4bFVimF2Mpb3prno2ll7ly5kadVsNNAbmZ8VRcs-mrCdpdJpkqjHA8jX_0cFlOvPMTsx8-LBd3myAKXdw/s526/Travels%20of%20Ibn%20Battutah.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="349" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1F89QdrcMqDcu2Ytelq2W3R0-i_HWQ4MMjrqd6C0l5Gv7trm7NbvogavTyxMJe1Racqz9lUdRZcUN3AMKztvr0yh73AIrLOpIO4bFVimF2Mpb3prno2ll7ly5kadVsNNAbmZ8VRcs-mrCdpdJpkqjHA8jX_0cFlOvPMTsx8-LBd3myAKXdw/s320/Travels%20of%20Ibn%20Battutah.png" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdEY9UE8OOZMgUiWzmnK8YAdqMLYssh95QQ81dTRPQnmlOFoCsn2FPEBecOfcbfyGoe9-94qxh-HurL9qySmvCqfn-tUvARILM9foBK-__UFfVWTA9Kj_2kgal6klUCMWVlZCR5J1LbB3hq2a5MY6Hv0JLis3MCHrKoqfRtNvxuD1qemaJw/s499/Tales%20from%20Al%20Hambra.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="352" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdEY9UE8OOZMgUiWzmnK8YAdqMLYssh95QQ81dTRPQnmlOFoCsn2FPEBecOfcbfyGoe9-94qxh-HurL9qySmvCqfn-tUvARILM9foBK-__UFfVWTA9Kj_2kgal6klUCMWVlZCR5J1LbB3hq2a5MY6Hv0JLis3MCHrKoqfRtNvxuD1qemaJw/s320/Tales%20from%20Al%20Hambra.png" width="226" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then winding through the beautiful landscape of Morocco
itself. I Love a bit of travel with lots of craft and textiles thrown in and a
bit of storytelling on top. My Moorish Delights of Andalusia and Morocco is
just such an adventure</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBTwzNgNkBY-26DRCZi_h34_cOWBaty-uDvYHJ_uk51G_306q1xetn8EeKwUFY_pL4U1uwNUEX7CYYu6VORQHpciZwuKJndAfZgW6A_DDhcrAgICu0aEiWE_hfbapxwsW_uxVXMN_ygW55HMdhLYzY9IQcVkZOQQAu8X_0Bbi3bXScSpg0w/s2048/Tangiers%20090.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBTwzNgNkBY-26DRCZi_h34_cOWBaty-uDvYHJ_uk51G_306q1xetn8EeKwUFY_pL4U1uwNUEX7CYYu6VORQHpciZwuKJndAfZgW6A_DDhcrAgICu0aEiWE_hfbapxwsW_uxVXMN_ygW55HMdhLYzY9IQcVkZOQQAu8X_0Bbi3bXScSpg0w/s320/Tangiers%20090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrtGnhbjAAud-5VfYSF-O8KQl_gLCtZw2qhYHVEsE4L7MddntwOsNk1gswfZhZjGiAMIhmPdlvpOHO_M3KlExEkq5Wf4X8JgPvztYRC7XSwjWQvMG1rA2YS3Sqz75rpjkuo0b2YXACF7A6_udTJHeOLWW1dt6q4dIHhs1-cCPx4UaXdE1Ow/s2017/Tangiers%20064.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2017" data-original-width="1513" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrtGnhbjAAud-5VfYSF-O8KQl_gLCtZw2qhYHVEsE4L7MddntwOsNk1gswfZhZjGiAMIhmPdlvpOHO_M3KlExEkq5Wf4X8JgPvztYRC7XSwjWQvMG1rA2YS3Sqz75rpjkuo0b2YXACF7A6_udTJHeOLWW1dt6q4dIHhs1-cCPx4UaXdE1Ow/s320/Tangiers%20064.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<p class="MsoNormal">Just before the pandemic I started working on the idea of
<span style="font-size: medium;">collaborating with others</span>ā¦. Using my connections and tours to host tutors and
making a movable workshop experience.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That idea is finally starting to take off, and I feel very
excited to be working with some great people- we will travel together and
develop a creative record of our travels.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7RrdUFK5xbgeux6UOBAxB0mEL0IsfqKfYZUfGfhdGtTy_6PJa0ov8KC9L95DzrXfaiEczb5lHhhec-z-I4Rsb3zUGktveD85G3QZw5ihNfnrcYKQcPGmAWrOV1nCe8OcR_6mTTr3dGrxbrSDyCxWAWQQ3LzM-5tpuY-l_e5mOXKt9gK78w/s1080/Create%20a%20travel%20journal-%20rajasthan%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7RrdUFK5xbgeux6UOBAxB0mEL0IsfqKfYZUfGfhdGtTy_6PJa0ov8KC9L95DzrXfaiEczb5lHhhec-z-I4Rsb3zUGktveD85G3QZw5ihNfnrcYKQcPGmAWrOV1nCe8OcR_6mTTr3dGrxbrSDyCxWAWQQ3LzM-5tpuY-l_e5mOXKt9gK78w/s320/Create%20a%20travel%20journal-%20rajasthan%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif51jTXLqcAQNtqTp53hRw26M9dQXLxn10eDqpiyyMFv8PWsf_LBd3_MtMPY63BHUX537rH2-jU9ikw9xxt42VspH0YcwEX_b6-FVt4fOSLB8zfIqNYBdyLXsF69yoqjd_FGVTbq6-rnxOXOgjOVvprn8UAIotTgaga5ogSpzPzx_cyrfpig/s551/batik.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="475" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif51jTXLqcAQNtqTp53hRw26M9dQXLxn10eDqpiyyMFv8PWsf_LBd3_MtMPY63BHUX537rH2-jU9ikw9xxt42VspH0YcwEX_b6-FVt4fOSLB8zfIqNYBdyLXsF69yoqjd_FGVTbq6-rnxOXOgjOVvprn8UAIotTgaga5ogSpzPzx_cyrfpig/s320/batik.jpg" width="276" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jo Beal is fun to travel with, we've enjoyed her company a number of times and loved watching her work on her travel journals, <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/create-a-travel-journal-rajasthan/" target="_blank">now we will get to create one too</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gillian Travis has been a mate for years, I am always so inspired by her travels and well as her creative work.... now we are offering the opportunity for people <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/travel-to-quilt/." target="_blank">to travel and create with her. </a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0vRWnxQkv0oP6sZ1WO9nTCFXCFddk8P5MogfXcUAyxAXpREjxla0w5Y-_MX5LwMqlH-kH31eNS7L9k5uD77box3alm0d7AZCn3vY3W2kA9D0fXwLGkKV0xqmM5907pg5wJs1BShrfs44qdOUdwxxmtxnGbKSho30hacgFR25NQpmwgc5NA/s1025/IMG-20221201-WA0018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1025" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0vRWnxQkv0oP6sZ1WO9nTCFXCFddk8P5MogfXcUAyxAXpREjxla0w5Y-_MX5LwMqlH-kH31eNS7L9k5uD77box3alm0d7AZCn3vY3W2kA9D0fXwLGkKV0xqmM5907pg5wJs1BShrfs44qdOUdwxxmtxnGbKSho30hacgFR25NQpmwgc5NA/s320/IMG-20221201-WA0018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For years I have had the idea of <span style="font-size: medium;">stitched travel journals</span>
but too busy to really start. My Vietnam Scroll is underway, and I am working the
leaves of a Morocco Travel Journal, ready to take with me and stitch into as I
travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very happy to see these start to
come together.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe9LKDnB6WClizZ8Ni7pbq1YeHL5dsS6lAAfsMvjMpwFOVQAqcqVz_Eg1CvMam6AifSUelpnXP7abcvtM2_1Mq__y_cDaLT_wbJqd2uO2GxEinoEIlO2BH5_Zr7ueBYvZDobze6VboWc8IZyOCtDjN1D0GV4XKNYH2h3UzZ5djwRiQ62C-A/s2646/TTVN%20cloth%20journal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2646" data-original-width="2249" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe9LKDnB6WClizZ8Ni7pbq1YeHL5dsS6lAAfsMvjMpwFOVQAqcqVz_Eg1CvMam6AifSUelpnXP7abcvtM2_1Mq__y_cDaLT_wbJqd2uO2GxEinoEIlO2BH5_Zr7ueBYvZDobze6VboWc8IZyOCtDjN1D0GV4XKNYH2h3UzZ5djwRiQ62C-A/s320/TTVN%20cloth%20journal.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Vietnam Scroll</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7P6yywLYGizcMnNCl2VKurCgNw5mcPPaFz8bx9xeT6JN5juNE3HlYZG3zEIsPQ-7PBjsOA4nXQmjfRguQ4_xLF00QvfWZT4mFtEQuqA_Z4OH696ZTFA2fCc1wBZPb-0QPwU53TDntIb762ljhMYcObb88c3QGc11h2-X2R1OwrHC5MEWNA/s2819/20221220_134236.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2150" data-original-width="2819" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7P6yywLYGizcMnNCl2VKurCgNw5mcPPaFz8bx9xeT6JN5juNE3HlYZG3zEIsPQ-7PBjsOA4nXQmjfRguQ4_xLF00QvfWZT4mFtEQuqA_Z4OH696ZTFA2fCc1wBZPb-0QPwU53TDntIb762ljhMYcObb88c3QGc11h2-X2R1OwrHC5MEWNA/s320/20221220_134236.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My Moroccan Journal is in kit form at the moment- I have been fiddling and looking at what is possible.....<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>Handmade paper and ephemera I collect along the way can be stitched in.... permanent markers and Inktense pencils are good for little sketches<br /></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjZz7YsxGbyWygeiR244J_Rz9Cr-i1AiLJPF_Go3hg-5QgMd_oj39rON4mvAdQ2wek5dxNmgLc-ZWZ0B-wLESV5z8hzxEaJPTptOXHiPy3Mi0b9oCSSTkp7iKj_O-vMZBQl4ZOcdpMFfFNHLAeDpkw9RGrRKP3o1ISrj6oayBsH8E4Mpv7Q/s2816/20221220_134248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="2816" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjZz7YsxGbyWygeiR244J_Rz9Cr-i1AiLJPF_Go3hg-5QgMd_oj39rON4mvAdQ2wek5dxNmgLc-ZWZ0B-wLESV5z8hzxEaJPTptOXHiPy3Mi0b9oCSSTkp7iKj_O-vMZBQl4ZOcdpMFfFNHLAeDpkw9RGrRKP3o1ISrj6oayBsH8E4Mpv7Q/s320/20221220_134248.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It is small enough to be easy to carry and stitch into.... very pleased to finally get out of my imagination and into my hands to work on....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-40008133220165403202022-12-08T13:19:00.001+10:302022-12-20T13:26:57.386+10:30Vietnam Stitched Travel Journal<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have been 'a gunna' make this for so long...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Finally making headway....<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It will be a scroll relating to my Textile
Travels in North Vietnam. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When you travel it is easy to pick up bits and pieces that hold little memories..... but what to do with them later?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">More junk? stashed into a draw or catching dust somewhere?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I put some things in Preserving Jars, they are a pleasure to look at [and easy to contain things and relatively dust free]</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8F8M49pVYjur06cv746Aq_4_CRkCtlJhcGG77iYF27AWv8YAI6nAa2RiaTD0byS7YZnlvnLKB_eSK4pgpbtZ3LgsUqSCT7s3ERbeLyzZnyVkBonyfpXi2sZZp8d15U1Mb487N9CKd7-kVjHJ8wgB4Z85OEm5CD0ysTXO6r1ub1W86h7WCw/s2810/preserving%20jars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2247" data-original-width="2810" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8F8M49pVYjur06cv746Aq_4_CRkCtlJhcGG77iYF27AWv8YAI6nAa2RiaTD0byS7YZnlvnLKB_eSK4pgpbtZ3LgsUqSCT7s3ERbeLyzZnyVkBonyfpXi2sZZp8d15U1Mb487N9CKd7-kVjHJ8wgB4Z85OEm5CD0ysTXO6r1ub1W86h7WCw/s320/preserving%20jars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During my <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/vietnams-north/" target="_blank">Vietnam Tours</a> it is easy to collect a whole heap of small treasures- many trips and a little each time....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">each time I also learn a little more about how they all go together, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLh1vmcjiPQPCHPI51lW55lu5eGcp_LuQlBgLpdfaDy7G5Rm4rUjI4TBSaJjJJJn0J6k4hUtNa3ZfgWwPPzJVoicd4gofbwKtWHwf6l7LL9ITuQ2n_O3FHzLW__f0Dp9ew_OmW0MN9NO0_fS377Bi1M-eu_Zm8IEvqo-BK6n_0gJoxtye0Q/s799/Red%20Dzou%20women,%20Sapa.%202007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="799" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLh1vmcjiPQPCHPI51lW55lu5eGcp_LuQlBgLpdfaDy7G5Rm4rUjI4TBSaJjJJJn0J6k4hUtNa3ZfgWwPPzJVoicd4gofbwKtWHwf6l7LL9ITuQ2n_O3FHzLW__f0Dp9ew_OmW0MN9NO0_fS377Bi1M-eu_Zm8IEvqo-BK6n_0gJoxtye0Q/s320/Red%20Dzou%20women,%20Sapa.%202007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiz35TxJfsNigZULFnbupIFDeVnTKsXA6EN8weC9euRWoIu701Xg8yBjR60z7GbUmhGEULbTLQe96WhEV8Zda_Q0QtoUT4xaivoiqVf52_6-RBEjikU7SCpsKjKP6Hhj4ESrIZFTdSr66SoeBpf4mBNlNfob4TS953LQ_u2ycrWPhW8aOlyg/s1200/Sapa,%20Vietnam%20Textile%20Tour%202010-%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiz35TxJfsNigZULFnbupIFDeVnTKsXA6EN8weC9euRWoIu701Xg8yBjR60z7GbUmhGEULbTLQe96WhEV8Zda_Q0QtoUT4xaivoiqVf52_6-RBEjikU7SCpsKjKP6Hhj4ESrIZFTdSr66SoeBpf4mBNlNfob4TS953LQ_u2ycrWPhW8aOlyg/s320/Sapa,%20Vietnam%20Textile%20Tour%202010-%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Every little piece of cloth represents so much work and care, I hate it just sitting lost in a bag somewhere.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, I thought I would make a Stitched Travel Journal and am finally making headway</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzMqWBMEMSjGk8MLEjYSbJr-RHo0H5IHvDQd1On7PWMZKMVhdkF45zGvlAWGemY8P7ciAGnI5xja1Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHzbsIGeJT62MJSv5B1cYWk-IiqM31auC2ld-CuEwTf1o5B9bBwcJ2-NkwXmauv2sGzpUOYeD2TdOpx9Q3Izw5m8madKnxIw3qr3DX0X_SX7tawmuN1C1lh2EjqsCRCmm5fqssbOW2neqCZWZwPICwFcmXac1Rztwq4WpoPzaRbi2rCshBg/s2646/TTVN%20cloth%20journal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2646" data-original-width="2249" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHzbsIGeJT62MJSv5B1cYWk-IiqM31auC2ld-CuEwTf1o5B9bBwcJ2-NkwXmauv2sGzpUOYeD2TdOpx9Q3Izw5m8madKnxIw3qr3DX0X_SX7tawmuN1C1lh2EjqsCRCmm5fqssbOW2neqCZWZwPICwFcmXac1Rztwq4WpoPzaRbi2rCshBg/s320/TTVN%20cloth%20journal.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX11GadEMcKuHKHHqAClVw0PxsUECaB8uVdopH4wIFqCsmSxunlp1I8SiW3QkviQLxOzXH3y3poYc21yRWTlljjhJJKV3E30QaJpKYtC3PbQ_vmnnEB-xrPsvoEdgU080hgHtAmIAqvKO813fmxKVNYCDjE7RucT3OR2UO1IC11Rk0OaI3AQ/s2614/TTVN%20cloth%20journal%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2614" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX11GadEMcKuHKHHqAClVw0PxsUECaB8uVdopH4wIFqCsmSxunlp1I8SiW3QkviQLxOzXH3y3poYc21yRWTlljjhJJKV3E30QaJpKYtC3PbQ_vmnnEB-xrPsvoEdgU080hgHtAmIAqvKO813fmxKVNYCDjE7RucT3OR2UO1IC11Rk0OaI3AQ/s320/TTVN%20cloth%20journal%202.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>It is only a little thing but I am rather pleased with myself for finally getting it happening.<div><br /></div>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-2261904414774971272022-12-02T07:26:00.001+10:302022-12-02T07:28:45.328+10:30Moorish Moroccan Salads<div>Sometimes you travel via your palette.</div><div>I often cook, chasing memories of meals I have experienced or flavours that have crossed my palette.</div><div>In Morocco, it is hard to get into people's kitchens. The guest is special and must relax whilst a feast is prepared. </div><div>At my riad in Marrakech, I managed one year to be allowed to chop vegetables and 'help' the women. </div><div>I remember the smell of roasting Capsicum over a flame.</div><div>Then, the wonderful salad we made combining it with preserved lemons and other things.</div><div>Hmmmm</div><div><br></div><div>The weather is warming up and it is time to get our salads going.</div><div>When you think of Morocco you probably think couscous or tagines, the real treat though is their</div><div>fantastic fresh salads. Each meal starts with a salad of some kind before you have a meat dish- or</div><div>Couscous on Friday [ like a Sunday roast special idea], then finished with fruit.</div><div>The simplest is a mix of fresh chopped vegetables and a squeeze of lemon juice but there are a</div><div>whole range of more complex mixed salads.</div><div>Here is a favourite- it uses those preserved lemons I put a way</div><div>ļæ¼</div><div>in lemon season. Last time I made it I</div><div>used some of my broad bean crop [fresh broad beans- steam them in a little water, splash of olive oil,</div><div>garlic and thyme to heighten their flavour] or use cooked butter beans or borlotti.</div><div>Roasted Peppers and bean salad with preserved lemons.</div><div>Red capsicum- char them over a flame or in the oven until all gnarly and black on the outside, let</div><div>them sit under a tea towel to cool down, then rub the black charred skin off and you have luscious</div><div>roasted red capsicum- cut it into strips. Heap it on a plate, add cooked beans and make a dressing</div><div>from fine diced preserved lemon, garlic, lots of parsley, olive oil and lemon juice. Sumptuous and</div><div>refreshing with the bright pops of preserved lemons.</div><div>The garden is starting to produce a summer feast, we need lots of recipes to honour itsā bounty.</div><div>Feel free to contact me if you have questions Fiona fiona@creative-arts-safaris</div><div>Or daydream <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/moorish-delights-of-andalusia-and-morocco-textile-tour/">Morocco</a> with me</div>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-81719282017252345152022-11-30T08:14:00.000+10:302022-11-30T08:14:04.163+10:30Getting Going again<p> Boy has it been a tough few years...</p><p>I ended up in Australia and have been running the <a href="https://the-stitching-project.com/" target="_blank">workshop</a> by zoom.... it is not so hard, I had it all set up to run to an online system becasue I was away on tour so much, anyway.</p><p>After the disaster of lockdown and all the hassles getting to Australia I did not know if I would have the enthusiasm to <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/" target="_blank">organize tours</a> again but here I go again.</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">and I am wearing a grin </span><span style="font-size: large;">š </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">reaching out to my contacts around the world, checking in to see how they are going...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">hearing their enthusiasm to welcome us back again and the many elbows nudging me to get the show on the road as enlivened me.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EBFsPQagrZ7lycjVOuyjquDPljLblGO310K7QXPJk8MVHBQDmxhF-WzTRjVZ4D4BNLFd1GV3xoiYTaYUj25cwCUYgf6W9__LxNhxPCnBNmjdO66UCzv0-26Ix3Ec-QxxaZyGHiidNl9WxEYdEsOsoXkgh3_LDSF2m9K92CA6WBGzYvZE_w/s1920/CAS%20P1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EBFsPQagrZ7lycjVOuyjquDPljLblGO310K7QXPJk8MVHBQDmxhF-WzTRjVZ4D4BNLFd1GV3xoiYTaYUj25cwCUYgf6W9__LxNhxPCnBNmjdO66UCzv0-26Ix3Ec-QxxaZyGHiidNl9WxEYdEsOsoXkgh3_LDSF2m9K92CA6WBGzYvZE_w/s320/CAS%20P1.png" width="180" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">My enthusiasm to get out there, explore our beautiful world and meet her people is still with me, </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I look forward to all the fun</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">laughs</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">inspriation</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">great conversations that I find along the road.</span></p>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-76531641618223723812022-11-29T15:38:00.001+10:302022-11-29T15:38:21.343+10:30Create a Travel Journal- Rajasthan<div>Before the big pause Creative Arts Safaris had been really taking off. </div><div>I had so many great tours to offer lead with me as cheif group leader</div><div>And</div><div>We were exploring collaboration with others. They would be the tutor, it would be a mobile workshop basically and we would organize everything and make it run smoothly.</div><div><br></div><div>It is an idea that has a lot of potential and we are bow working on 2 moving workshops.</div><div>Travel Sketching-Vietnam</div><div>And</div><div>Create a Travel Journal- Rajasthan</div><div>Starting to feel all tingly and excited again....</div><div>So many places and ideas to explore and share with the wonderful, warm and adventurous </div><div>participants we attract.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</a>
</div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-14350729192987867352022-11-24T08:05:00.004+10:302022-11-24T08:07:01.463+10:30Plots and Plans<p> <span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #46485f; font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 16px;">It is so exciting to be planning again to travel.</span></p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #46485f; font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">I have pulled my head in since pandemic struck, I was shell shocked at the loss of work.</p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #46485f; font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Of course it is not the same, but I had been incubating those babies for so long and they were all just gone!! Traumatic.</p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #46485f; font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Finally it is all starting to open up again.</p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #46485f; font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Travel insurance companies are all replotting there products to respond to a world that has moved past lockdown.</p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #46485f; font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">I know many people are still nervous, we we need to find our ways forward, just as you do after any great upheaval, I guess.</p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #46485f; font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"></p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #46485f; font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">Creative Arts Safaris tours are available again, I have a mad rush on sorting out <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/textile-traditions-of-vietnams-north-tour/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #ff8121; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Vietnam</a> details now we have confirmed we are off [could squeeze another in if your are fast]</p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #46485f; font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/travel-sketching-vietnam/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #ff8121; text-decoration-line: none;">Sketching Vietnam</a> is almost at final call</p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #46485f; font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">and <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/moorish-delights-of-andalusia-and-morocco-textile-tour/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #ff8121; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Morocco</a> and <a href="https://creative-arts-safaris.com/glorious-ghana-textile-tour/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #ff8121; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Ghana</a> are really starting to fill up- yippee</p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #46485f; font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">Working on some new Collaborations too- as my mate Gillian Travis said āTake every opportunityā Yeh Girl you have got it š</p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #46485f; font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNzm6mlV3zpbwcyUzPWiqx0EyzT-tlkhHwpQ_5F2SRG-zL57YswTLzTdevAuBnY6URmcB2D1eBdLK38ZdF96AFm7tixy4k9VEz3iq3vfraGVm3_TckYvR9kn-O_jXFPws5s8BnugeFgwQ50nhOo6lUsTAK94FLhcnVgymk7PCt8rPEWW8-Q/s1426/Goat%20in%20Jaipur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1263" data-original-width="1426" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNzm6mlV3zpbwcyUzPWiqx0EyzT-tlkhHwpQ_5F2SRG-zL57YswTLzTdevAuBnY6URmcB2D1eBdLK38ZdF96AFm7tixy4k9VEz3iq3vfraGVm3_TckYvR9kn-O_jXFPws5s8BnugeFgwQ50nhOo6lUsTAK94FLhcnVgymk7PCt8rPEWW8-Q/s320/Goat%20in%20Jaipur.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #46485f; font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-55034079404570132762021-08-03T06:02:00.003+09:302021-08-03T06:02:26.072+09:30Stitched Squares<p>2008 I moved to India- I had a lot of time on my hands and
so each day worked at a Street Kids Project. Idea was to get kids off the
street and into school, after school each day we would help with homework, play
games, and then have a nutritious lunch.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Parents were so grateful, and I came to know quite a few of
them.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Illiterate parents face a mountain of obstacles trying to
get their kids into school- financial ā paying for uniforms and books, loosing
a helper to earn money is the most obvious one, but think about it, you canāt
read, you canāt fill in the forms to get your kid into school and you are
embarrassed, some teachers are not supportiveā¦.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Challenges.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I was helping as I could and then saw a guy go by with a
huge load of saris- I followed and met the neighbour who was a tailor and
turned second-hand saris into garments.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ohh boy, what could I make from them?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I started an Etsy shop, I thought if I taught some of the
Mumās to stitch it could become an income stream for themā¦<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After some wins and many dramas there came a day where I had
these stitched panels.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I thought they would be great components for Crafting People
to turn into treasures.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All the wonderful colour from silk saris and amazing hand
stitch would work a treat.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I made a few samples to give people ideas of what they
might do.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This jacket was the first thing, then pillows, quiltsā¦.and
soon I had a mountain of stitched panels to sell. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpADyzzQMqyr7zkl20cVs4c33Q_Pc4xivUMhvy25Nflyu0IWYyEN0yRFLlR1XJ_zoOgeOQWjQOBB7EkO89jD0QPE5aDqkz99cohsfBC-gZEn_HiLOW66rn_AQFmjJt9hbn1Cg/s2048/20210802_064319+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1725" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpADyzzQMqyr7zkl20cVs4c33Q_Pc4xivUMhvy25Nflyu0IWYyEN0yRFLlR1XJ_zoOgeOQWjQOBB7EkO89jD0QPE5aDqkz99cohsfBC-gZEn_HiLOW66rn_AQFmjJt9hbn1Cg/s320/20210802_064319+%25282%2529.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I realised the women could not sell them, but I could in my
travels and teaching venuesā¦. somehow this all lead into what The Stitching
Project is now.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We still upskill people- especially women, we upcycle saris
and our cloth offcuts, we make gorgeous clothes based on Hand Made components.
Hand made cloth, hand blockprint, hand stitch, natural dyes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The jacket idea took off, but people wanted a finished
garment not the pieces to make one, so we followed that direction.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I recently moved back to Australia, I found a stash of
things I used to sell at Textile Fairs, and these were in the pile.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, hoping to clear them out and send them onto good stashes
to be used upā¦.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here are a few suggestions- I am sure you can think of many
more <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">š</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Biscornu
Pillow- google the name, they are quite magical to put together 2 squares for a
bigger one or 1 square cut carefully to make 2 smaller ones<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3ycb-0mYSSVjpAit5hG5BpmyqKbRA7q-Xp7yd6K6IegyB-L3rb5RBkDwmV4b1Zz_Ou6BN7oXyUcCyKpeCe467BmXnyFpp16dQyIepxfsCAah1Ni_Tw6jcRrLPc1ZzH72O8KE/s2048/20210802_063932+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1556" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3ycb-0mYSSVjpAit5hG5BpmyqKbRA7q-Xp7yd6K6IegyB-L3rb5RBkDwmV4b1Zz_Ou6BN7oXyUcCyKpeCe467BmXnyFpp16dQyIepxfsCAah1Ni_Tw6jcRrLPc1ZzH72O8KE/s320/20210802_063932+%25282%2529.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnNuEMeoWnv9XUagZCYSyTNdjYbhWsBrBkj93NU64_OZ98I3UFWQvH7brXfLy2wLcnRFtaOdZmVSaypMZgG8uvhLE8974cc_p-fPFXXMEQ366q1j25Pqam2qLPxsT2dwVDXpG/s2048/20210802_063939+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1729" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnNuEMeoWnv9XUagZCYSyTNdjYbhWsBrBkj93NU64_OZ98I3UFWQvH7brXfLy2wLcnRFtaOdZmVSaypMZgG8uvhLE8974cc_p-fPFXXMEQ366q1j25Pqam2qLPxsT2dwVDXpG/s320/20210802_063939+%25282%2529.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGT3_sH6cYsByRW-JFY82_qZMKblnoRiumVA48Ni8e4YO-ArrtqR2Gkx5chXMskjzrcSO_7eok8zg6hq1XkRsEyEubotqvxRdL7V-pIzf9spxKNnRpwDNw9Uk6YogZ5rib5B5/s2048/20210802_063947+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1546" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGT3_sH6cYsByRW-JFY82_qZMKblnoRiumVA48Ni8e4YO-ArrtqR2Gkx5chXMskjzrcSO_7eok8zg6hq1XkRsEyEubotqvxRdL7V-pIzf9spxKNnRpwDNw9Uk6YogZ5rib5B5/s320/20210802_063947+%25282%2529.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Kindle
stand. 1 square- stitch it into a tub, about one third along stitch 2 lines a
cm apart- this is the fold. Smaller end fill with rice.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto;">Tricky bit to explain- the other end you are folding vertical compared to
the horizontal end. This will make it sit up when you stuff it. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto;">Just make the tube and when it is in your hands you will see what I mean.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgej8gBgN_wC99hNwcRNUEnlBc5hFnC8YyuOqFNDYXZPn9_QKXCRPj7b-BnFMI0PYSmUOzdDElI0vYUJylHhsDC86QqlE0RSQliwA2xXhwMeRwBQofgxTfp2VojVAQf0NkUNTLD/s2048/20210802_064235+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1590" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgej8gBgN_wC99hNwcRNUEnlBc5hFnC8YyuOqFNDYXZPn9_QKXCRPj7b-BnFMI0PYSmUOzdDElI0vYUJylHhsDC86QqlE0RSQliwA2xXhwMeRwBQofgxTfp2VojVAQf0NkUNTLD/s320/20210802_064235+%25282%2529.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIXJbyfaY0ZlzGi7RhJ0Unkm8rAm0oUbtxnNhaLif5zIBxSgdDUe3qpCrbM3Q2pO2y4bBqWDAjKqlcF1i24_OT3JNypf0tTD4cGitpEia3s2CVcAWwvKRMr6mSt0N3U4zJRda/s1771/20210802_064245+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1552" data-original-width="1771" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIXJbyfaY0ZlzGi7RhJ0Unkm8rAm0oUbtxnNhaLif5zIBxSgdDUe3qpCrbM3Q2pO2y4bBqWDAjKqlcF1i24_OT3JNypf0tTD4cGitpEia3s2CVcAWwvKRMr6mSt0N3U4zJRda/s320/20210802_064245+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Dowry
Bag- over lock the edges or pipe them, turn inā¦. then lash stitch the edges
together to make an envelope shape, add a long string for closing- needs to be
long enough to go around purse twice and tuck in. corner tassels or beads to be
pretty? Great to store kindle, electrical bits when travelling, small sewing
kit. Magnificent wrapping for gifts or all your gold and jewels.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabFwqgo7Xs-AZm_LEKcD9xzeeanj4qR9Fmr7OVedH-JfUUY3rF3gJuEyLJPvX9nuuxCiuj-79ZgTuE1IYj_7Ru5WS-tisQWIT8kR_oHNkaITAo3kozJP6NWmGkwXNvvDo0D8p/s2048/20210802_064120+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabFwqgo7Xs-AZm_LEKcD9xzeeanj4qR9Fmr7OVedH-JfUUY3rF3gJuEyLJPvX9nuuxCiuj-79ZgTuE1IYj_7Ru5WS-tisQWIT8kR_oHNkaITAo3kozJP6NWmGkwXNvvDo0D8p/s320/20210802_064120+%25282%2529.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JHq_0yw-V6UUbVMl1OvsbBJf7x2RK0WVUOvWAq4da4HbRC5bvYuF3YGIfDrnSCZiiiegu7jy6_t1UbRGuq52ssW7Bw2MXmqcMmNyAX61Q2Oh97fMO9dkyQ7PghDezC8-4tTg/s1907/20210802_064120+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="1907" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JHq_0yw-V6UUbVMl1OvsbBJf7x2RK0WVUOvWAq4da4HbRC5bvYuF3YGIfDrnSCZiiiegu7jy6_t1UbRGuq52ssW7Bw2MXmqcMmNyAX61Q2Oh97fMO9dkyQ7PghDezC8-4tTg/s320/20210802_064120+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkut9uv4PHBssi81fRSuvhS2OgRiD1oP51CTzPGCptRxEr0309f25Cr3xDJGXjm5v_3MYHNzsMWY-FLcIi1JBBna6lv5A0PMVDZP2H2QhytGQCmjTiIgOsDsc2ohJ7k9U1ntTc/s2048/20210802_064140+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkut9uv4PHBssi81fRSuvhS2OgRiD1oP51CTzPGCptRxEr0309f25Cr3xDJGXjm5v_3MYHNzsMWY-FLcIi1JBBna6lv5A0PMVDZP2H2QhytGQCmjTiIgOsDsc2ohJ7k9U1ntTc/s320/20210802_064140+%25282%2529.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFh7O4xVmCBJ1s7zR47rYqJwn5airwNyVqUVUQwo6mfxeQLax1YSBHATSCCfYs9t1iWgghxedMYTUba7y-eV-l8ZLGKFDGxU-yYeUQKmoZfgsHdTSU5v5PES1CLHwRK7ITypEc/s1639/20210802_064208+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1639" data-original-width="1303" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFh7O4xVmCBJ1s7zR47rYqJwn5airwNyVqUVUQwo6mfxeQLax1YSBHATSCCfYs9t1iWgghxedMYTUba7y-eV-l8ZLGKFDGxU-yYeUQKmoZfgsHdTSU5v5PES1CLHwRK7ITypEc/s320/20210802_064208+%25282%2529.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjY7uQxtAPCfQk5n-YlfllyfF4xjYhXThQv_JwF5utYGNuvZ1f3TC9qyfI46A4LDVtwPQGXtH2iS3KiHljMdNhjufCpWuYh-dMFi5NlGsUi5Gz_VeT8rEsEkFQ3rTKqIevlCMk/s1895/20210802_064216+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1895" data-original-width="1423" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjY7uQxtAPCfQk5n-YlfllyfF4xjYhXThQv_JwF5utYGNuvZ1f3TC9qyfI46A4LDVtwPQGXtH2iS3KiHljMdNhjufCpWuYh-dMFi5NlGsUi5Gz_VeT8rEsEkFQ3rTKqIevlCMk/s320/20210802_064216+%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Quilts-
we stitched panels together and piped over the seams- would work just as well
if you stitch together, overlock the seams tightly and then stitch them flat.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">I have always wanted to put these squares amongst black velvet squares to make a quilt- an idea to try.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jL7gM6ciXoRLj4UXQW-2uDjkqntIKWkkr3GpVxHDcxa19coLj0WvbmMb-vgPWmdtmsj-5Ufaa7RikWr4Qmh27H3mqNJPpOjrswUXArdhLbw_yWnoi0I_2qCj6LiObdCopEx5/s2048/20210802_063703+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1718" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jL7gM6ciXoRLj4UXQW-2uDjkqntIKWkkr3GpVxHDcxa19coLj0WvbmMb-vgPWmdtmsj-5Ufaa7RikWr4Qmh27H3mqNJPpOjrswUXArdhLbw_yWnoi0I_2qCj6LiObdCopEx5/s320/20210802_063703+%25282%2529.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVyYzMQcB9b7CzuuSpUK5aNieMLEzMk3LjXTZ1DiKqP-Pn2qzwxatq61TZedUCHA3S5uCniSTki7zSlacAAfExwyxmYU10PbAsQ-k0xjbeQu2thojYuuMIQe8fgwVImLSsl39/s2048/20210802_063725+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1717" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVyYzMQcB9b7CzuuSpUK5aNieMLEzMk3LjXTZ1DiKqP-Pn2qzwxatq61TZedUCHA3S5uCniSTki7zSlacAAfExwyxmYU10PbAsQ-k0xjbeQu2thojYuuMIQe8fgwVImLSsl39/s320/20210802_063725+%25282%2529.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1VkfZQ_-Mj7U3iztJrnhuVxdwRGXcd9r7zVXwShpa_K3PAhlr2jd6SkJUK3qbbruD2KkF-I4fvGNrU8IL2SD8OcX4x_lUrLMPFpTOIUvzCT8yg3uUAggOlPkwTpToPZAOeVo/s2048/20210802_063735+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1722" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1VkfZQ_-Mj7U3iztJrnhuVxdwRGXcd9r7zVXwShpa_K3PAhlr2jd6SkJUK3qbbruD2KkF-I4fvGNrU8IL2SD8OcX4x_lUrLMPFpTOIUvzCT8yg3uUAggOlPkwTpToPZAOeVo/s320/20210802_063735+%25282%2529.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Qs5tYuZE47NkEq_DWNs_Yx747n2YwQiFzvGhvO4I3jMU1eGtEP5MHutSETp8JaVfa7QYHx5dOVA9UH7PrNkkqTYXOFz7rSsC6PTt0JRlQWOIwcfia6tQPtjzqJ4eFTjvbyvY/s2048/20210802_063741+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Qs5tYuZE47NkEq_DWNs_Yx747n2YwQiFzvGhvO4I3jMU1eGtEP5MHutSETp8JaVfa7QYHx5dOVA9UH7PrNkkqTYXOFz7rSsC6PTt0JRlQWOIwcfia6tQPtjzqJ4eFTjvbyvY/s320/20210802_063741+%25282%2529.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Garments-
assemble the panels with a French seam, overlock and stitch<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or cover with piping. Cut to shape for
jacket- AS LONG AS you assemble the jacket using 2 close rows of stitch it will
not fray.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto;">My jacket is 11 years old, well worn and I canāt see the stitch fraying
our where we cut.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zLLFmEcpLtPPyqLwx8s7kc37-Um09-gDqRztLEWRRH29ih6NEqNQTlfm-GahomAdDWVMhKOjhPsoketIgqtRqjKgjXko6uG8y2nUh5T92vhyphenhyphens-fwDRYeCf3rOPLoltF6CceX/s2048/20210802_063833+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1752" data-original-width="2048" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zLLFmEcpLtPPyqLwx8s7kc37-Um09-gDqRztLEWRRH29ih6NEqNQTlfm-GahomAdDWVMhKOjhPsoketIgqtRqjKgjXko6uG8y2nUh5T92vhyphenhyphens-fwDRYeCf3rOPLoltF6CceX/s320/20210802_063833+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTa_myhbnZ8bUG2pU-YZtmGmrOZn8MD8MV-U-Zf7bpiMLRW8aXoVJ5Xc0tEkbr2PrzuvonRYOKL0bHOLEuYMlTbOFrOVa_HzEuDvl0Sgy0_fHGNiF8Kx_12Djt4x78gEyzh8zH/s2048/20210802_064319+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1725" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTa_myhbnZ8bUG2pU-YZtmGmrOZn8MD8MV-U-Zf7bpiMLRW8aXoVJ5Xc0tEkbr2PrzuvonRYOKL0bHOLEuYMlTbOFrOVa_HzEuDvl0Sgy0_fHGNiF8Kx_12Djt4x78gEyzh8zH/s320/20210802_064319+%25282%2529.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91ISGsYGEKCv5CkHLP-bNVfzDDuK38hyphenhyphen9yns0lbaJoDgCiNjPdvS-irJz1VolXiRolCi0c6qV-MqiDY2WDhYMiEZEmu8dF1nFi-xjVpB3smFgAXHBPoM4deFmUWfjupO80Y6T/s2048/20210802_064328+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91ISGsYGEKCv5CkHLP-bNVfzDDuK38hyphenhyphen9yns0lbaJoDgCiNjPdvS-irJz1VolXiRolCi0c6qV-MqiDY2WDhYMiEZEmu8dF1nFi-xjVpB3smFgAXHBPoM4deFmUWfjupO80Y6T/s320/20210802_064328+%25282%2529.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7z6bHJ0Oqxsn2NmqdM2n3lc-N97yZXQxvQAL494UfUvpIGiCRwVfw_1wfS6y5avQ1CxcEAM9_ue-Om3bLrwt6gVCwbuLx6boQmQR1KlfxE47sKIlThxE-lA0kfwJ6jUV_mbo/s1908/20210802_064348+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1908" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7z6bHJ0Oqxsn2NmqdM2n3lc-N97yZXQxvQAL494UfUvpIGiCRwVfw_1wfS6y5avQ1CxcEAM9_ue-Om3bLrwt6gVCwbuLx6boQmQR1KlfxE47sKIlThxE-lA0kfwJ6jUV_mbo/s320/20210802_064348+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><o:p> You will find these squares in our <a href="https://the-stitching-project.com/?product_cat=thread" target="_blank">shop soon</a>- looking for a good home and to be used in creative ideas. They were stitched with love.</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15524586.post-76131979772167460112021-07-18T09:46:00.004+09:302021-07-18T09:53:31.081+09:30Hand stitched Jackets<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Waste not, Want not Jackets<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Option 1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Cut the
jacket out of your base cloth [lining]<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hand stitch
the patches in place<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Use machine
to make up the jacket as you would normally.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This makes
it easy to do collars and get a polished finish.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AUK-nBxWgrBOOgQSnOFE_y6l6vJ_NOfCz3bloX1IjdZ3yY_MCMnhGaDvu2IGbT02dvoHztRg2frpPvtkTxJ7c6nIE9KcVHTCy9-gQqt6qjm87KFYgmMP6P1fkv7BxHQ5Kwon/s274/jacket+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AUK-nBxWgrBOOgQSnOFE_y6l6vJ_NOfCz3bloX1IjdZ3yY_MCMnhGaDvu2IGbT02dvoHztRg2frpPvtkTxJ7c6nIE9KcVHTCy9-gQqt6qjm87KFYgmMP6P1fkv7BxHQ5Kwon/s0/jacket+1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQ_wmEUDONRqcFKF3G0JRFHCht6kAAm6ywNk20wPfOUx2B3PK4DFWnrT4r6sK3K-48wQcbqpEwU7RyXKSweZ0FXIWXs7XiJDPStXme9HNxPtu7Pp5pk7u7YmofuEP2n1kjbUq/s361/jacket+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQ_wmEUDONRqcFKF3G0JRFHCht6kAAm6ywNk20wPfOUx2B3PK4DFWnrT4r6sK3K-48wQcbqpEwU7RyXKSweZ0FXIWXs7XiJDPStXme9HNxPtu7Pp5pk7u7YmofuEP2n1kjbUq/s320/jacket+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyCdBNTsBn1nXcfaydAB0mYEMpxZunjBoawveFRYD_FFvn8uSJQlSMhYGxo1aQ8gSFmq9ffrLTjNPu3NIMIsd9x9GdMh1ZYM5Ff9I9CNGvW1vGgutc_eLZF2v5NUZBKX_prPx/s940/jacket+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="758" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyCdBNTsBn1nXcfaydAB0mYEMpxZunjBoawveFRYD_FFvn8uSJQlSMhYGxo1aQ8gSFmq9ffrLTjNPu3NIMIsd9x9GdMh1ZYM5Ff9I9CNGvW1vGgutc_eLZF2v5NUZBKX_prPx/s320/jacket+3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Option 2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Completely hand stitched jacket<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This started with the idea of making a garment completely without electricity<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hand spun, hand woven cloth<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hand dyed indigo or blockprint off cuts and then hand stitch
to patch<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And assemble the garment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I love to handstitch not machine </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">š</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My black
& white jacket is about 5 years old, worn a lot and been through the
washing machine multiple times- it is a hard wearing jacket- not delicate at
all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-_haKNtwUl_Wkm4rLS4H9QX2yB89Ywo0QcwJivQ_zUfyreq31Tc0g6ciiJXvAnghAMahNmuJbuLZaQa7txJz4XdQWG3RRDoDbrNahRd9wu6eJK2nouBDjeT1rZpgUvXAkRlr/s400/jacket+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="367" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-_haKNtwUl_Wkm4rLS4H9QX2yB89Ywo0QcwJivQ_zUfyreq31Tc0g6ciiJXvAnghAMahNmuJbuLZaQa7txJz4XdQWG3RRDoDbrNahRd9wu6eJK2nouBDjeT1rZpgUvXAkRlr/s320/jacket+4.png" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Cut
the jacket using a normal pattern<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Patch
surface of jacket<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Along
seam lines- where you would normally machine turn fabric to the inside and
blanket stitch in place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1-lHdRLBvaXRwdcHRAjzIeLSAw7t8GuZ_Fv5XTIg8zIMaPnca_n6jaVfmXd-R38tw3GPCp3xSvmxyUpBMoIcLKjFrQg8N97iTwokh92LNT6pc5UM28BCLDNkofjt92qe4zpe/s2578/jacket+turn+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2578" data-original-width="1220" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1-lHdRLBvaXRwdcHRAjzIeLSAw7t8GuZ_Fv5XTIg8zIMaPnca_n6jaVfmXd-R38tw3GPCp3xSvmxyUpBMoIcLKjFrQg8N97iTwokh92LNT6pc5UM28BCLDNkofjt92qe4zpe/s320/jacket+turn+in.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Join
pieces together with small ladder stitch <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrHEOm_ELCmgApZCLflGGlk7VuNZYWMHOS69pIPo2zkmn-P7edruI9CVJDRokotTLwo229gJuOrjNqZ2PeAaHVYPk59o9AuMN6wl_MWXuB4co8DU_ptZ1nn5BDd6KLqh3RckH/s2578/ladder+stitch+pieces+together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2578" data-original-width="1220" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrHEOm_ELCmgApZCLflGGlk7VuNZYWMHOS69pIPo2zkmn-P7edruI9CVJDRokotTLwo229gJuOrjNqZ2PeAaHVYPk59o9AuMN6wl_MWXuB4co8DU_ptZ1nn5BDd6KLqh3RckH/s320/ladder+stitch+pieces+together.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Fiona Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822346045606841535noreply@blogger.com0