Today it is a little warm here in Ahmedabad. Amazingly the streets
are still full and busy. Our purpose in coming to Ahmedabad has been
fulfilled by a visit to the Calico Museum of Textiles. At this time
of year they give one guided tour a day to the first 20 people. The
tour lasts for two hours but one could easily spend two days. The
collection is incredible. The museum is comprised of several
buildings including an old Haveli style home. The guide spins the
stories of the textiles as beautifully as the creations themelves.
Both yesterday and today we have been taken around the city by an
auto-rickshaw driver named Manu. He has been a great help and taken
us to all of the sights in Ahmedabad. We have seen the original city
walls, 500 year old stepwells, the shaking minarets of the Sidi
Bashir's Mosque, the Hathee Jain Temple and many other temples and
sights. Not bad considering the heat!
Tonight we will take an overnight bus to Bhuj. In Bhuj we will visit
Kala Raksha, a sort of handicraft cooperative and model for preserving
and sustaining the traditional styles of handicraft arts of Kutch (the
area of Gujarat Bhuj is located). It is possible that the temperature
will be higher in Bhuj. This is the hottest week of the year just
before the monsoon arrives. Our timing could not have been more
perfect.
This is a great beginning for our summer fieldwork and I look forward
to everything that will come. There is so much to learn and I am
excited about everyday and every opportunity. Thanks for traveling
along with us!
Posted by: Stacey Baumgarn
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment