David's AW News: Happy New Year - it's 2082

Greetings from Delhi, India

I hope you had a lovely Happy Easter! I hope lots of cute ethings and chocolate made their way to you!

Meanwhile, it's been Happy New Year in Nepal.. we were fortunate enough to be here on the Nepalese New Year. It's the year 2082, which seems a bit surreal. All the restaurants and bars in Kathmandu were throwing new year parties, it was very jolly - Toni (our man in Spanish), who is always up for a party, had the full experience.. I was in bed by 10, because well, just too busy.. too much to do. The tradition is to decorate everywhere with balloons.. It does seem rather strange to see Happy New Year 2082 everywhere. 

Toni and I took an Indigo flight from Kathmandu to Delhi on Tuesday morning. We got through Kathmandu airport (the world's most bureaucratic airport) in good humour. All the ridiculous security checks, and stamps you need to get, my half bottle of Whiskey was taken off me by the pre-security check before the check-in desks. A jolly security guy was so happy to find it, I didn't want the hassle of an argument (because I know it's not their task to catch whisky), so for good Karma, I just handed it to him and said Happy New Year!. and slapped him on the back, he waddled his head and gave me a toothy grin, and the bottle disappeared into his backpack under the desk in a millisecond. 

Big queue for check in, big queue to get a stamp before the immigration, surprisingly fast, then security with all sorts of odd requests and stamps. Then, before boarding the plane yet another security check, male and female segregated in a kind of portable box, actually on the steps of the aircraft.  Crazy.

We arrived in Delhi, and Drishanta, Mr Chatterjee's son, was waiting for us with a nice, comfortable car to ease the stress of Delhi traffic. We are now at the Delhi Fair for a few days, catching up with our old suppliers who exhibit here. Soooo busy, I can barely walk a few yards without a supplier or old contact shaking my hand and pulling me towards his stand. I'll update you next week.

Mad Honey

This mad honey thing is crazy, since it was on the Joe Rogan podcast.. this honey from Nepal made with the world's biggest bees in super remote mountain locations.  It's supposed to give you weird dreams and even hallucinations.. and it's (for now) legal.  I don't want to try.. but I have been having fun persuading Toni to try.. check it..

Surprising visit to the Felt Factory

So, while we were in Kathmandu, one day we visited one of the felt factories we work with. We received new products from that factory this week.

We managed to make a YouTube video about the visit.. This is only my third (or maybe forth) at making a proper YouTube publication.. Check it out, subscribe and I'd really appreciate any feedback and comments. You know I really didn't want to do this, I'm very shy.. but actually I'm beginning to enjoy the process..

Wedding in Kathmandu

On New Year's Day.. in Kathmandu. That was Monday, we were honoured to be invited to the wedding of one of our suppliers' daughters. We went along with our shipping agent: Mr Padam - it was in a wonderfully bad taste wedding hall not far from his office, and hundreds of people coming and going..Endless supply of food, but only soft drinks..

It was totally different to a British wedding, but somehow the same.. Groom sporting rock and roll beard and sunglasses, happy bride, stressed parents, old ladies loving it, guys acting cool, naughty kids, broad smiles. The priest had a sweater with "Magic Happens" on it. This wedding was due to carry on for three days, we dropped in for about three hours and witnessed a stream of traditional ceremonial things going on..

Here we are with the bride.. 

Meanwhile, in the warehouse... Lots of new items and back in stock! Also, you can't miss our Spring Mega Sales – give your store or style a refreshing update this season.

Take care.

David