David's AW News: Nepal to India

Greetings from Varanasi, India

Happy October - can you believe it is October??!!

It's also Dashain (Nepal's main holiday - like Christmas) and in India Durga Puja - actually the world's biggest (under the radar) celebration.

Buddha air services has only one international flight.  And we took it, it goes to Varanasi.  From one holy city to another.

Last week I was telling you about Dashain - the Nepali Christmas - and flying kites. And our trip to Bhaktapur, a nearby city which is surprisingly nice, but hides a secret the Gen Z are angry about.

I made a YouTube video about it see below.. or check last week's news here.

The Tika blessing

Our last day in Nepal was a major holiday and a special day in the Dashain festival.. We were lucky and honoured to be invited to the family home of one of our suppliers - the Lokta paper guy. Like Christmas they have lots of traditions.. including flying kites on the roof, and the Tika blessing ceremony. This is traditionally performed by the elder in the household. This father in the family actually runs the small factory they have in a village up in the hills outside Kathmandu. Last year we visited there, so we had met the father before.

One by one all the family first.. then Toni and I.. sit crossed legged in front of the father..He puts a red ribbon around your neck, then takes a big splodge of red tikka paste and plants it on your forehead.. then an apple, a banana and two small denomination notes are pressed into your palms whilst you bow your head for a blessing. Finally you're given a sprig of grass, to put in your hair.

I asked what the symbolism of all these elements ment.. you know the ancient wisdom behind the ceremony?.. nobody knew! Well why do you do this? Because we always do.. everybody does it..

Then we sat on the floor with heaps of cushions and low tables, played UNO and drank wine, beer whisky.. Even the ladies enjoyed a drink and everyone relaxed and it was great fun...

In many ways it was just like a British Christmas.. too much food and drink and lots of bonamie - and such lovely people. Kind and sweet people it was an honor to guests in such a household.

The wifes of Bicky and his brother, his mother and two girls from the factory are in the picture with me. This kind of socialising is special because it builds trust and makes doing business much improved and in ways that could never be achieved in just cold negotiations.  We are happy to work with this artisan family, and they are proud to make us high quality beautiful products.

Anyway the next morning (this morning) we needed to be up at 4am.. to get to the airport in time for a 7.15am short flight from Kathmandu to Varanasi...

It was a small aircraft with propellers. Buddha air.. very nice friendly staff and as we lifted out of Kathmandu we caught a glimpse of a majestic mount Everest  catching the rising sun.

In Varanasi we were the only international flight at that time so quickly through immigration, and luggage already on the belt.. outside in an overcast but humid morning Mr Chatterjsee (our man in India) was waiting for us. He has a car and driver and we went to the Radisson Hotel.. too early in the morning to check in so I'm writing this newsletter in the lobby.. shortly we have an appointment with a silk manufacturer..

Meanwhile in the EU..

Halloween is creeping up fast.. always lots of great products for you..

Lots of new products have arrived this week too – check them out here!

Namaste.. peace and love

More updates from India next week.

David