What a ride!

As I recover from a ride on the back of Gaurav's mororcycle in the heavy Ahmedabad traffic I can only imagine what the group would have thought if that had been added to the Indian experiences? Good thing that Gaurav has quick reflexes and I trust him

Her colour work at Kala Raksha

Check the ear rings

Modelling for me

Kumihimo expert too!

Ramu's family

greetings from Ahmedabad

Slight  change in plans forced us to return  to Ahmedabad  and a dentuiist that Gaurav trusts and knows. He has  been suffering from a very sore mouth for many days and it  just got too much for him to stand. So we compacted the 2 days at Kala Raksha into one long day,then on the way back to Ahmedabad we said goodbye to Chaman and Himanshu and Smita and others  and headed back. * hrs driver with a tooth ache was not fun for Gaurav then he had to find me a room after 3 hotels we settled on the serana - at 10.46 CDN a night it is what you may expect but the shower worked with hot water and tea was delivered to my door at 8:00 this  morning!
I will spend the day wandering until Gaurav picks me up on his motorcycle to take  me to his home for lunch before he heads off to the dentist  he is not looking forward to the experience.
The cyber cafe I am in is on a very noisy street but it works since the  hotel doesn't have interenet.I plan on investigating to see if I can download pictures and words that I can type in the quiet of the hotel we will see.This is worth the 20 rupees
By the way more than 1800 have read or tried to read the things that we have done.
I was glad to see that the last leg of the trip wasn't snowed in for the SSM group- trust Toronto to have a snowstorm.
Take care of each  other

back in computer range

we are back safely from the great rann-salt flats- ladies are busy packing for the flights home.I promise to catch you all up soon
take care of each other

photos

so where have I been and why no posts?

To start with we have been very busy day and night but the real reason is the computer system here closes when the office closes and dosen't open until after we leave in the morning.
So a brief recap
Jan 17 Gangaran Hotel in Bhuj city palace tour then move to Khamir to check in at our new address.Felt making workshop was the order of the aftrenoon. Good to see another appraoch to this ancient craft Highlight of the day was a visit to Smita's home for supper and chats before we raided her stock of wonderful goods lots of buying happened in a short time it was smitas's birthday
Jan 18 drove to police station for clearance to go into outlying villages. The form is no longer needed we discovered after a 45 min trtip and a wait.Leather workshopin the afternoon We were to make sandals but after some consultation realized it was too ambitious for our group so we made small coasters with metal inlay- we all need remedial in this new skill. Group bought some of the artists works we drove into Bhuj again for a well run embroidery workshop of a tribal groups speciality. It was fun being corrected in Gutjarati as we messed up the tension and stitches
Jan21 more embroidery sessions and more mistakes - we marvelled at the finished products but all decided that our work is not yet museum quality and may never be. All were very humbled by the sessions.
That eveing on the way back to Khamir we toured Hira Laxmi craft park where local artisist rent the small buildings for a month and sell their goods. again more purchases by all.
Jan22 drove to Mandvi 60 km south to new location The Palace Beach resort- tents on the shores of the Arabian sea. Quiet charm and calm good food and long walks on the deserted beach. A bit of a disappointment as our workshop at the batik place was cancelled since they did not get the 2 confiormationas emails I sent. We shopped at the outlet none the less. |
After shopping we toured the ship building yards. wooden dhows of 100 tonnes and 150 tonnes  being built by me who work for the huge sum of 5.40 a day!Massive limbers no safety gear eager to show off teir work to us.
Lunch followed and we then went to the public beach and camel rides.What a hoot!Back to our tents and snoozes and walks and supper.
Jan 24 up early this morning and off to Bhuj again and Khamir . A workshop on Bandani- tie dye done well
A shopping opportunity followed.
Back to Khamir andrecaliming our rooms before a later supper here. Tomorrow is Block printing!
Take care of each other

A brief note from Bhuj

Where does the time go? The group caught the train from Ahmedabad at 6:45 almost missed it it seemed .Gaurav and I made tthem all run to get thier car and seat. We waived them good bye and left. the train did not leave for another 45 minutes no reason they could understand. However they arrived in Bhuj almost on time to be met by my friend Chaman who had roses for each of them! A surprise for sure.
In the meantime Gaurav and I had driven up a road under construction with lots of transports we arrived at 2:30 before the train. |A walk through the market place and supper at hotel. After supper we were summoned to the side yard for a photo op for the local paper of foriegners warming themselves around a fire- what fun.
Early bed again
Up and at it this morning with a Walk to the city palace for photos then to a great workshop that was enjoyed by all.Back to hotel to drop bags and a walk to the Green Rock for supper- good food. While we were at the hotel Dharamshi appeared to invite us to his home to see his silk weaving tomorrow so plans are adjusted again.
No photos today sorry battery low and I am tired
Take care of each other

Toilet paper,monkeys and kitesThis is

What a day! No driver so we were in house entertaining ourselves- That can be dangerous.
To help the group prepare for the trainride I made a small presentation to them

Ready for the road

Home comfort!

After breakfast we discovered a few new neighbours on the roof of the Jain Temple that is just up the road

Look at the Canadians and Yanks

.A walk in the neighbourhood brought extra treats for us today. We were looking for design in homes doors,balconies etc. As we walked around because it is kite day we were invited into the home of people in the pol to see their roof top terraces. Never a shy group we were in 5 homes and trooped through the floors to get to the roof. Hands up please who would invite 7 strangers to come in and wander and then want to take our pictures? well I am waiting.

Come in please

a great wall piece to have

c

This is her home

Another day in Ahmedabad is over and the group is off to bed -after all it is almost 9.

Take care of each other.