Interested in teapots? Here's a quick (and completely incomplete) listing of teaware collections I've stumbled upon in the last few months. Enjoy! If you would like to add any, please leave a comment with a link. Thanks!
Sadly, the much-anticipated Sparta Teapot Museum still has not opened... However, many pieces from their collection have been shown at my hometown's own Mint Museum of Art and Mint Museum of Craft + Design. (There's a strong tradition of pottery in North Carolina, due in large part to the huge deposits of red clay in the Piedmont region, where I was born.) A few previous exhibitions:
Made in China
With a Grain of Salt (salt-glazed pottery of England and North Carolina)
and, my personal favorite...
The Artful Teapot
Yi Xing teaware and other ceramics by Ms. Rong Jiang, who recently passed away
Tea With Friends blog on tea caddies
A recent show of teapots in San Francisco
The Rosemary's Sampler blog's teacup collection
Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tea Stains on Cloth, Accidental and Intentional
Though not as bad as coffee stains, tea stains can be unsightly accidents. If you spill some tea, don't worry--it's not too difficult to clean up. Here's how:
1. Fold a paper or cloth towel and blot the stain immediately.
2. Use a sponge dipped in cold water to lift off the stain and dampen the fabric. (Do not use warm or hot water, as that will set the stain.)
3. There are three options for step three. Pick one and run with it.
a. Apply a small amount of stain remover. (It doesn't take much.) Wait five minutes and proceed to step 4.
b. Combine one teaspoon white vinegar and 1 quart cold water. Spray onto the stain until it is saturated and then blot it up with a towel. Proceed to step 4.
c. Moisten a cloth towel with cool water. Sprinkle a teaspoon of baking soda onto it. Rub into the stain. Rinse. Proceed to step 4.
4. Follow the cloth's washing and drying instructions.
5. If the stain remains, blot it with a combination of 1 tbsp ammonia and 2 cups water.
If the stain is on a rug or carpet, try this:
1. Blot thoroughly with a towel.
2. Dampen the area with cold water and blot again.
3. Apply a carpet stain remover OR a mix of 1/2 tsp mild detergent and 1 pint cool water.
4. Rinse and blot thoroughly.
5. If the stain remains, spray a 50/50 mixture of cool water and white vinegar, let sit for 8 minutes, and then remove with a damp sponge and a dry towel.
Things to avoid:
1. Heat (it will set the stain)
2. Rubbing (it will push the pigment into the cloth)
3. Taking your time (the sooner, the better!)
However, if you WANT to create a tea stain, er, to dye with tea, it's quite easy. You'll need natural fibers (synthetics won't take the color), a strong black tea (such as Assam CTC), hot water, and buckets or other containers to hold the tea. Steep the tea so that it is very strong (5 minutes or more, about 2 teabags/tablespoons of tea per cup water, and about 4 cups water per yard of fabric). Fold, bind, or scrunch the fabric as you desire, or stir it constantly as the dye soaks in. Soak about an hour for a pale color, or leave the fabric in the dye longer for a darker color. Set the stain by drying the fabric on high heat or by ironing it on a high temperature. After setting the stain, launder your creation by handwashing it in cool water with a mild detergent. You can also selectively remove your tea stains with bleach for an interesting effect. Here's a fantastic tea-stained vest by a young designer I recently met on the subway:
1. Fold a paper or cloth towel and blot the stain immediately.
2. Use a sponge dipped in cold water to lift off the stain and dampen the fabric. (Do not use warm or hot water, as that will set the stain.)
3. There are three options for step three. Pick one and run with it.
a. Apply a small amount of stain remover. (It doesn't take much.) Wait five minutes and proceed to step 4.
b. Combine one teaspoon white vinegar and 1 quart cold water. Spray onto the stain until it is saturated and then blot it up with a towel. Proceed to step 4.
c. Moisten a cloth towel with cool water. Sprinkle a teaspoon of baking soda onto it. Rub into the stain. Rinse. Proceed to step 4.
4. Follow the cloth's washing and drying instructions.
5. If the stain remains, blot it with a combination of 1 tbsp ammonia and 2 cups water.
If the stain is on a rug or carpet, try this:
1. Blot thoroughly with a towel.
2. Dampen the area with cold water and blot again.
3. Apply a carpet stain remover OR a mix of 1/2 tsp mild detergent and 1 pint cool water.
4. Rinse and blot thoroughly.
5. If the stain remains, spray a 50/50 mixture of cool water and white vinegar, let sit for 8 minutes, and then remove with a damp sponge and a dry towel.
Things to avoid:
1. Heat (it will set the stain)
2. Rubbing (it will push the pigment into the cloth)
3. Taking your time (the sooner, the better!)
However, if you WANT to create a tea stain, er, to dye with tea, it's quite easy. You'll need natural fibers (synthetics won't take the color), a strong black tea (such as Assam CTC), hot water, and buckets or other containers to hold the tea. Steep the tea so that it is very strong (5 minutes or more, about 2 teabags/tablespoons of tea per cup water, and about 4 cups water per yard of fabric). Fold, bind, or scrunch the fabric as you desire, or stir it constantly as the dye soaks in. Soak about an hour for a pale color, or leave the fabric in the dye longer for a darker color. Set the stain by drying the fabric on high heat or by ironing it on a high temperature. After setting the stain, launder your creation by handwashing it in cool water with a mild detergent. You can also selectively remove your tea stains with bleach for an interesting effect. Here's a fantastic tea-stained vest by a young designer I recently met on the subway:
Friday, December 14, 2007
Tea Towels
Check out these hipster tea towels from down under. (Click "Tea Towels" under "Top Ten.") Very cool. My favorites are the boy with the teaware behind him and "I (heart) Tea Time with you." Cool.
Have a good weekend!
Have a good weekend!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Craft-TEA?
Some time ago, I posted a link to a link to a tiny tea cozy for Friday the 13th, but I think this find is just right for a Wednesday. It's a cozy for a mug and a French press.
(Yes, you can use a French press for tea! Read more on tea infusion methods in the articles section.)
Happy Wednesday. Use it to get your tea on AND your knit on.
(Yes, you can use a French press for tea! Read more on tea infusion methods in the articles section.)
Happy Wednesday. Use it to get your tea on AND your knit on.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Castleton & Crafts
Today I visited Castleton's fields and continued with my craft project.
The trip to Castleton was very interesting. Suman showed me around again, explaining each step of the tea growth and harvesting as we walked. I saw where their quality teas come from up close. (The naturally rich soil and the location on the mountain, paired with watchful management explained the quality level well.) I saw some of their experiments-in-progress involving clonal teas. I also saw the difference between organic and conventional tea production. (I knew the biodiversity would be far lower at (conventional) Castleton than at (organic) Makaibari and that there were landslides due to insufficient ground cover, but what I didn't realize that there would be as much of an insect and fungus problem as there was.) Suman and I talked about the transition process (the change from conventional to organic, which they call the conversion process in India) and the possibility of organic production at Castleton. (I hope they make the switch!) While I was there, I had the pleasure of joining Suman, his wife, and his infant daughter for conversation, a splendid white tea, and a meal prepared by his "homely" wife. (In India "homely" is not a euphemism for "plain" or "unattractive." It means "good around the home.") We talked about Indian vegetarianism (which is different from American vegetarianism in that eggs, garlic, and onion count as "non-veg"), tea production, various tea blights, and the tea market in the US. All very nice.
Afterward, I met with the crafts group again. We talked about what kinds of things they want to make with the technique they've learned and where they can sell the crafts they produce. I often think of crafts as part of the Third-Wave Feminist reclaimation of traditional feminine activities, but in teaching women a technique that will empower them to earn their own incomes, I hope I've taken that notion a step further.
I'm flying to Delhi in two days and to London and NYC in three. I wish I weren't.
The trip to Castleton was very interesting. Suman showed me around again, explaining each step of the tea growth and harvesting as we walked. I saw where their quality teas come from up close. (The naturally rich soil and the location on the mountain, paired with watchful management explained the quality level well.) I saw some of their experiments-in-progress involving clonal teas. I also saw the difference between organic and conventional tea production. (I knew the biodiversity would be far lower at (conventional) Castleton than at (organic) Makaibari and that there were landslides due to insufficient ground cover, but what I didn't realize that there would be as much of an insect and fungus problem as there was.) Suman and I talked about the transition process (the change from conventional to organic, which they call the conversion process in India) and the possibility of organic production at Castleton. (I hope they make the switch!) While I was there, I had the pleasure of joining Suman, his wife, and his infant daughter for conversation, a splendid white tea, and a meal prepared by his "homely" wife. (In India "homely" is not a euphemism for "plain" or "unattractive." It means "good around the home.") We talked about Indian vegetarianism (which is different from American vegetarianism in that eggs, garlic, and onion count as "non-veg"), tea production, various tea blights, and the tea market in the US. All very nice.
Afterward, I met with the crafts group again. We talked about what kinds of things they want to make with the technique they've learned and where they can sell the crafts they produce. I often think of crafts as part of the Third-Wave Feminist reclaimation of traditional feminine activities, but in teaching women a technique that will empower them to earn their own incomes, I hope I've taken that notion a step further.
I'm flying to Delhi in two days and to London and NYC in three. I wish I weren't.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Down Time
I'm going to be leaving very soon. I decided to take some down time and mentally process my trip a bit. This meant doing a lot of not much at all. I hung out with the Makaibari volunteers and shot the breeze for a while. I drank a lot of tea. I took a tour of the local village, where many of the Makaibari workers live. Drank more tea. Met with the knotting group and found that they're making great progress with the technique. Talked with some of the loacls. Watched a silly movie. Read more of "The Book of Tea." Relaxed. Enjoyed the scenery. It was a good day.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
The Bonus Day
I hadn't planned to stay in Kurseong today. I was supposed to go up to Darjeeling (the city... I'm already in the region). However, I am really glad I stayed, as I got to do some very exciting things.
First on the impromptu agenda was a visit to the Darjeeling Tea Research Centre to talk with Dr. Saha, the head researcher there. We talked about soil science (his forte), the plans for the DTRC's expansion (which include more staff, upgraded facilities, an auditorium for lectures and films, a library, and a museum... I can't wait to see it completed!), ground cover, mulching, composting, organic production, and Pranayama (which seems to be a very popular topic around here). Dr. Saha is very knowledgable and I learned a lot during my visit. I hope to get the chance to meet with him more the next time I come to India.
After the DTRC, I met Rajah for lunch (okra, rice, dal, greens, pumpkin soup, and mangoes) then began my craft education project. I taught several local women a craft technique called "knotting," which I learned from one of the world's top five masters in the field, Ed Bing Lee. He uses the technique to make tiny, richly-colored, sculptural pieces out of individual strands of embroidery floss. I use it to make very textural scarves. It's a technique that allows for an enormous range of styles, so I taught the women the basics, told them some of the ways they could vary the technique, and let them run with it. They pick it up so quickly it was astounding! I've taught seasoned crafters in the States the same technique before, but these women were pros with this stuff! Amazing... My hope is that they can use the technique to make crafts that can be sold locally or on the international market and bring some extra income to their families. The women in the Darjeeling region are very enterprising and motivated. I'm sure they'll do well with it, especially since they seem to enjoy the technique and what it produces.
After the craft session, I went back to Rajah's office (to let him know how it went) and met some documentary videographers from the US. We all talked about organic tea production and such for a while and then I headed back to my hotel for a special treat: a Himalayan stick massage. This type of massage is usually only practiced by Brahmins, but one man outside of the Brahmin class learned it and practices it around Kurseong. It is a unique type of massage that involves the rhythmic rapping of two sticks. (He actually uses the verb "beat" to describe this action.) He explained that the rhythm creates a vibration that aids in aligning one's chakras. I can't vouch for that personally, but I can say that it feels great.
In post-massage bliss, I floated up to the dining room to order my dinner. I was lucky enough to meet the hotel's owner, a lovely woman from Kolkata. She asked me about my day, I mentioned the knotting class, and the next thing I knew, we were bonding over dinner. She offered to carry the women's crafts at the hotel's shop (very exciting!). I gave her chef my tea granita recipes. Her chef made me a concoction for my cold, which was incredibly similar to my Witches' Brew (and exactly what I needed). We talked about politics, the hotel, travel, Indian culture, local legends, and a whole host of other things. What a fantastic conversation!
After dinner and talk, I headed back to my room to call Natalia and Pat. They're off in Agra, having a fabulous time. For a split second I thought, "Maybe I should have planned to spend a few days in the Golden Triangle," and then I remembered that the focus of my trip is tea and realized that I'll probably have much more fun in Darjeeling, despite its relative lack of "must see" architecture. Yes, it is all about the tea this trip.
I've decided that if all bonus days are like this, I should change my plans more often!
First on the impromptu agenda was a visit to the Darjeeling Tea Research Centre to talk with Dr. Saha, the head researcher there. We talked about soil science (his forte), the plans for the DTRC's expansion (which include more staff, upgraded facilities, an auditorium for lectures and films, a library, and a museum... I can't wait to see it completed!), ground cover, mulching, composting, organic production, and Pranayama (which seems to be a very popular topic around here). Dr. Saha is very knowledgable and I learned a lot during my visit. I hope to get the chance to meet with him more the next time I come to India.
After the DTRC, I met Rajah for lunch (okra, rice, dal, greens, pumpkin soup, and mangoes) then began my craft education project. I taught several local women a craft technique called "knotting," which I learned from one of the world's top five masters in the field, Ed Bing Lee. He uses the technique to make tiny, richly-colored, sculptural pieces out of individual strands of embroidery floss. I use it to make very textural scarves. It's a technique that allows for an enormous range of styles, so I taught the women the basics, told them some of the ways they could vary the technique, and let them run with it. They pick it up so quickly it was astounding! I've taught seasoned crafters in the States the same technique before, but these women were pros with this stuff! Amazing... My hope is that they can use the technique to make crafts that can be sold locally or on the international market and bring some extra income to their families. The women in the Darjeeling region are very enterprising and motivated. I'm sure they'll do well with it, especially since they seem to enjoy the technique and what it produces.
After the craft session, I went back to Rajah's office (to let him know how it went) and met some documentary videographers from the US. We all talked about organic tea production and such for a while and then I headed back to my hotel for a special treat: a Himalayan stick massage. This type of massage is usually only practiced by Brahmins, but one man outside of the Brahmin class learned it and practices it around Kurseong. It is a unique type of massage that involves the rhythmic rapping of two sticks. (He actually uses the verb "beat" to describe this action.) He explained that the rhythm creates a vibration that aids in aligning one's chakras. I can't vouch for that personally, but I can say that it feels great.
In post-massage bliss, I floated up to the dining room to order my dinner. I was lucky enough to meet the hotel's owner, a lovely woman from Kolkata. She asked me about my day, I mentioned the knotting class, and the next thing I knew, we were bonding over dinner. She offered to carry the women's crafts at the hotel's shop (very exciting!). I gave her chef my tea granita recipes. Her chef made me a concoction for my cold, which was incredibly similar to my Witches' Brew (and exactly what I needed). We talked about politics, the hotel, travel, Indian culture, local legends, and a whole host of other things. What a fantastic conversation!
After dinner and talk, I headed back to my room to call Natalia and Pat. They're off in Agra, having a fabulous time. For a split second I thought, "Maybe I should have planned to spend a few days in the Golden Triangle," and then I remembered that the focus of my trip is tea and realized that I'll probably have much more fun in Darjeeling, despite its relative lack of "must see" architecture. Yes, it is all about the tea this trip.
I've decided that if all bonus days are like this, I should change my plans more often!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Kurseong
Today, Natalia, Pat, Rajah, and I visited Kurseong, which is a town in Darjeeling (the region) in between the lowlands around Bagdogra airport and the peaks surrounding Darjeeling (the city). It is home to Makaibari, Castleton, Ambootia, Goom, and several other tea estates.
The focus of my visit was Goethal's, a school that just celebrated its 100th birthday. Goethal's is a prestigious, private, boys-only school. The students seemed happy, confident, (in many cases) fluent in English, and happy. We visited a few classrooms and I told one group of young students the story of Arachne, which they were reading for class. (I knew my college degrees in textiles and art would come in handy someday!)
It was interesting enough, but the real purpose of the visit was not Goethal's itself, but a small, girls-only trade school for students who would not be able to get a formal education elsewhere. They taught the regular school subjects, but also taught trades ranging from typing to hairdressing to sewing to cooking to professional driving. (Strangely, the cooking classroom only had bagged tea. I said something about the value in teaching about loose leaf tea to the school's headmaster, who said he'd have to do something about it.) The students were quieter and less confident than the boys in the next building, but you could see that their confidence was building as they learned new skills. And they looked happy, which is (I think) the most important part. Natalia (who teaches high school in NYC) led the classes for a few minutes, asking questions about their studies and things like "Indian Idol" (which is still EVERYWHERE up here... "Vote for Prashant" ads are in every storefront and people are canvassing for money to use on text messages to vote for him). It was an inspiring visit; I left with thoughts of tea and craft education buzzing around my head. I'll let you know if anything comes of it.
Natalia and Pat will be leaving tomorrow. We've been running around like the Three Muscateers. I guess when they go, they'll be the Dynamic Due and I'll be The Lone Ranger. I'll really miss them! Rajah invited us to a farewell dinner of carrot-cucumber salad, tomato-pumpkin soup, a grilled local, eggplant-like vegetable wrapped in whole-wheat chapatis (flat breads), aloo muttar (pea and potato curry), and gulab jamun (sort of like milk dumplings in sugar syrup) with fresh double cream. Oh, and wine and whisky (both premium items in India, as the import tax levied by the Indian government on them is quite high). What a lovely way to say goodbye!
Side note: I finished "The One-Straw Revolution." It was excellent.
The focus of my visit was Goethal's, a school that just celebrated its 100th birthday. Goethal's is a prestigious, private, boys-only school. The students seemed happy, confident, (in many cases) fluent in English, and happy. We visited a few classrooms and I told one group of young students the story of Arachne, which they were reading for class. (I knew my college degrees in textiles and art would come in handy someday!)
It was interesting enough, but the real purpose of the visit was not Goethal's itself, but a small, girls-only trade school for students who would not be able to get a formal education elsewhere. They taught the regular school subjects, but also taught trades ranging from typing to hairdressing to sewing to cooking to professional driving. (Strangely, the cooking classroom only had bagged tea. I said something about the value in teaching about loose leaf tea to the school's headmaster, who said he'd have to do something about it.) The students were quieter and less confident than the boys in the next building, but you could see that their confidence was building as they learned new skills. And they looked happy, which is (I think) the most important part. Natalia (who teaches high school in NYC) led the classes for a few minutes, asking questions about their studies and things like "Indian Idol" (which is still EVERYWHERE up here... "Vote for Prashant" ads are in every storefront and people are canvassing for money to use on text messages to vote for him). It was an inspiring visit; I left with thoughts of tea and craft education buzzing around my head. I'll let you know if anything comes of it.
Natalia and Pat will be leaving tomorrow. We've been running around like the Three Muscateers. I guess when they go, they'll be the Dynamic Due and I'll be The Lone Ranger. I'll really miss them! Rajah invited us to a farewell dinner of carrot-cucumber salad, tomato-pumpkin soup, a grilled local, eggplant-like vegetable wrapped in whole-wheat chapatis (flat breads), aloo muttar (pea and potato curry), and gulab jamun (sort of like milk dumplings in sugar syrup) with fresh double cream. Oh, and wine and whisky (both premium items in India, as the import tax levied by the Indian government on them is quite high). What a lovely way to say goodbye!
Side note: I finished "The One-Straw Revolution." It was excellent.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Darjeeling: Day Two
The first thing on today's agenda was tea. After a fresh pot of it and a shower (er, two showers, one each), we were off to breakfast. We scoped out the town and decided on Frank Ross Cafe. I'd read about how addictive and delicious their momos (veggie dumplings) are. I have to say I agree! We'll be back there soon, I'm sure.
Post breakfast, we hit the shops. A bookstore, some curio shops, a few of the many tea shops... we picked up some gorgeous scarves, a yak hair sweater (to stave off the cold and the damp), a Kashmiri tea cozy in the shape of an elephant, and a handmade tea strainer. Very exciting (and I usually hate shopping).
Next up was lunch. We went to a well-reputed restaurant and we very disappointed. The food and the service were both abysmal. It seemed like a place for tourists who want to see and be seen, and that's about it. Too bad.
After lunch, we went on a quest for bokus (Tibetan dresses). First, we had to find the right fabrics. This task brought us to lower Darjeeling which is, as I guessed yesterday, more for the locals than for the tourists. We navigated narrow alleys and semi-covered passageways through chaat (snack) stands, shoe shops, bakeries, general stores, spice vendors, and (yes, yes) the fabric stalls. So many gorgeous fabrics to choose from! There's a lot you can find in New York City, but Jackson Heights simply does not have this kind of variety. (Still, I love Jackson Heights. Whenever I crave spicy corn chevda (my favorite type of chaat), a cup of masala chai, and a Bollywood blockbuster, it's where I go. Plus they have Tibetan bocha (butter tea) and great Afghani food.) We selected our fabrics (I got a deep violet silk for the dress and a bright white silk for the blouse) and headed to the tailor for our fitting. Mission accomplished. All I have left to do is pick the bokus up when I return to Darjeeling next week.
Once we were through arranging for the bokus, we explored the town a bit more, checking out the various markets and whatnot. We chilled out at the hotel a bit. (Shopping can be so tiresome!) Then we dashed off for "Cash," an Indian film (in Hindi, sans subtitles... How else are we supposed to learn?). It was totally absurd and so completely bad that I had to like it. The theatre was interesting in that it was heavily guarded, there was an immense menu at the snack bar (because most Indian movies are so long and have an intermission), and the patrons were all very well-dressed (which leads me to believe that going to the movies is more of a special occasion here than it is in the US).
For dinner, we headed to Glenary's. I had the most amazing veggie kebobs in the world!!! In the States, there are a lot of (vegetarian) "fake meats" on the market. I don't like most of them. Why eat a fake hotdog when you can have a meal that is vegetarian and non-processed? However, these kebobs were done RIGHT. The veggies were fresh and the spices and grilling were both just right. Plus there were these great spicy sauces, one kind of like ketsup (I think with pumpkin in it, too?) and another kind of like a salsa verde. Mmm... Perfect.
I rather like Darjeeling. It's very touristy (it was settled by the British (acting as tourists, trying to get away from the heat of Kolkata), after all), but it's really quite charming. The mist shrouds everything in dampness and quiet, and there's a chill that gets into your bones and reminds you of the immense mountains you can't see (during monsoon season, anyway, unless you're lucky) beyond the clouds. Most surfaces are covered in orange and green mosses and monkeys play in the trees and on the buildings. Collared dogs roam the street and seem to understand right of way better than any NYC taxi driver I've seen. People walk around holding hands or arm-in-arm, but in a friendly rather than a sexual way. Actually, it's very common to see two (presumably) heterosexual men holding hands in the street here, which I find to be refreshing after so much time around the macho attitudes of the West. The food is generally good and the tea is generally better. I can see why tourists flock here when it's an season besides the monsoon season. I can't wait to see the tea plantations when I come back next week.
Post breakfast, we hit the shops. A bookstore, some curio shops, a few of the many tea shops... we picked up some gorgeous scarves, a yak hair sweater (to stave off the cold and the damp), a Kashmiri tea cozy in the shape of an elephant, and a handmade tea strainer. Very exciting (and I usually hate shopping).
Next up was lunch. We went to a well-reputed restaurant and we very disappointed. The food and the service were both abysmal. It seemed like a place for tourists who want to see and be seen, and that's about it. Too bad.
After lunch, we went on a quest for bokus (Tibetan dresses). First, we had to find the right fabrics. This task brought us to lower Darjeeling which is, as I guessed yesterday, more for the locals than for the tourists. We navigated narrow alleys and semi-covered passageways through chaat (snack) stands, shoe shops, bakeries, general stores, spice vendors, and (yes, yes) the fabric stalls. So many gorgeous fabrics to choose from! There's a lot you can find in New York City, but Jackson Heights simply does not have this kind of variety. (Still, I love Jackson Heights. Whenever I crave spicy corn chevda (my favorite type of chaat), a cup of masala chai, and a Bollywood blockbuster, it's where I go. Plus they have Tibetan bocha (butter tea) and great Afghani food.) We selected our fabrics (I got a deep violet silk for the dress and a bright white silk for the blouse) and headed to the tailor for our fitting. Mission accomplished. All I have left to do is pick the bokus up when I return to Darjeeling next week.
Once we were through arranging for the bokus, we explored the town a bit more, checking out the various markets and whatnot. We chilled out at the hotel a bit. (Shopping can be so tiresome!) Then we dashed off for "Cash," an Indian film (in Hindi, sans subtitles... How else are we supposed to learn?). It was totally absurd and so completely bad that I had to like it. The theatre was interesting in that it was heavily guarded, there was an immense menu at the snack bar (because most Indian movies are so long and have an intermission), and the patrons were all very well-dressed (which leads me to believe that going to the movies is more of a special occasion here than it is in the US).
For dinner, we headed to Glenary's. I had the most amazing veggie kebobs in the world!!! In the States, there are a lot of (vegetarian) "fake meats" on the market. I don't like most of them. Why eat a fake hotdog when you can have a meal that is vegetarian and non-processed? However, these kebobs were done RIGHT. The veggies were fresh and the spices and grilling were both just right. Plus there were these great spicy sauces, one kind of like ketsup (I think with pumpkin in it, too?) and another kind of like a salsa verde. Mmm... Perfect.
I rather like Darjeeling. It's very touristy (it was settled by the British (acting as tourists, trying to get away from the heat of Kolkata), after all), but it's really quite charming. The mist shrouds everything in dampness and quiet, and there's a chill that gets into your bones and reminds you of the immense mountains you can't see (during monsoon season, anyway, unless you're lucky) beyond the clouds. Most surfaces are covered in orange and green mosses and monkeys play in the trees and on the buildings. Collared dogs roam the street and seem to understand right of way better than any NYC taxi driver I've seen. People walk around holding hands or arm-in-arm, but in a friendly rather than a sexual way. Actually, it's very common to see two (presumably) heterosexual men holding hands in the street here, which I find to be refreshing after so much time around the macho attitudes of the West. The food is generally good and the tea is generally better. I can see why tourists flock here when it's an season besides the monsoon season. I can't wait to see the tea plantations when I come back next week.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Last Full Day in Kolkata (This Trip)
Today is my last full day in Kolkata. Well, for this trip, anyway! I hope to return again soon. The people are charming. (I'd heard so many bad things about the scams and the beggars, but it hasn't been a problem at all. Perhaps it helps that we're wearing local dress?) The city is completely overwhelming, in a good way. The food is delicious, as is the tea. The culture is rich and poetic. Perhaps I can visit again in two years...
Today, Natalia and I were taken under the wing of a local tea distributer. We were escorted to Kumar Tolli, a para (neighborhood) where artisans craft life-sized sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses for an annual festival that's held each October. They wrap straw around wooden rods and bind it with twine to form a base for the sculpture. Then, they coat it with clay from the Ganges, which has been mixed with wood chips (to make it sturdy). The top layer of clay is not mixed with wood chips, so it makes for a smooth surface. After it dries, it is painted with bright colors, and carried to the Ganges, where it is returned to the river. Such a beautiful cycle! Ideas of time and work are so different here. More on that later (when I have time... ironic?).
Afterward, we were taken to Tangra, where we saw some sights and ate more Chinese food. (It's a local favorite here. Don't worry-- we're eating local cuisine, too! And it's quite good.) Then we went to the Victoria Memorial and Botanical Gardens, which made me think of Central Park. The only real reasons are that it's an oasis of green in the middle of the city and that it has very little smog compared to the surrounding area. The local marble used to build the memorial was lovely, and the handwork was very intricate. Seeing the local flora was a real treat, too. Oh, and we saw the chipmunks, which have stripes and are much more adorable than American chipmunks. (Historical tidbit--their tail hairs used to be used to make brushes for Indian miniature paintings.)
It was so kind of the tea distributor to show us around. We had a fantastic time!
Now we're around our hotel again. I am contemplating the purchase of a deep aqua sari with silver handwork. Natalia and I might get henna painted on our hands. I'm sure we'll have some more masala chai. We leave early tomorrow, so I think we'll take it easy tonight.
I'll post back as soon as I can. Later!
~Vee
Today, Natalia and I were taken under the wing of a local tea distributer. We were escorted to Kumar Tolli, a para (neighborhood) where artisans craft life-sized sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses for an annual festival that's held each October. They wrap straw around wooden rods and bind it with twine to form a base for the sculpture. Then, they coat it with clay from the Ganges, which has been mixed with wood chips (to make it sturdy). The top layer of clay is not mixed with wood chips, so it makes for a smooth surface. After it dries, it is painted with bright colors, and carried to the Ganges, where it is returned to the river. Such a beautiful cycle! Ideas of time and work are so different here. More on that later (when I have time... ironic?).
Afterward, we were taken to Tangra, where we saw some sights and ate more Chinese food. (It's a local favorite here. Don't worry-- we're eating local cuisine, too! And it's quite good.) Then we went to the Victoria Memorial and Botanical Gardens, which made me think of Central Park. The only real reasons are that it's an oasis of green in the middle of the city and that it has very little smog compared to the surrounding area. The local marble used to build the memorial was lovely, and the handwork was very intricate. Seeing the local flora was a real treat, too. Oh, and we saw the chipmunks, which have stripes and are much more adorable than American chipmunks. (Historical tidbit--their tail hairs used to be used to make brushes for Indian miniature paintings.)
It was so kind of the tea distributor to show us around. We had a fantastic time!
Now we're around our hotel again. I am contemplating the purchase of a deep aqua sari with silver handwork. Natalia and I might get henna painted on our hands. I'm sure we'll have some more masala chai. We leave early tomorrow, so I think we'll take it easy tonight.
I'll post back as soon as I can. Later!
~Vee
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Last Day in London
My short stop in London is about to end. Today was my last full day here, and I made the best of it. Natalia and I started at the Royal Academy of Art, where she toured the facilities and I worked on some things outdoors, where the weather was gorgeous (warm, breezy). From there, we hopped the Tube to the Victoria and Albert Museum for New York Fashion Now (loved the Duckie Brown, Christian Joy (of Karen O fame), and Proenza Schouler) and the South Asian Art collection (for the Indian art, of course). We walked past Harrods to The Carriage Hotel for afternoon tea (delicious sandwiches--loved the egg salad--and wonderful sweets from passionfruit macaroons to raisin scones). Afterwards, we went back to Harrods to check out the tea (a great range of loose and bagged whole-leaf tea, lots of single estate teas (including some from estates I'll be visiting soon!), several notable specialty teas), sweets (oh, the beautiful macaroons and cakes at Laduree!), chocolates (more Maison du Chocolat, and tons of other brands), bar fromage, and gorgeous clothing. I was more than a little surprized to see that they have a Krispy Kreme, as it is a southern institution and NOT something particularly associted with class. I suppose it's a novelty here, like it was when it first opened in LA. When we were done shopping at Harrods, we walked around Kensington and Chelsea for a while, then had dinner at a little Italian place (where Princess Diana supposedly frequented). Then, it was back to the hostel to pack a bit and work on a crafts project I've been trying to finish. We had a great day. I'll be sure to visit London again sometime soon! (A post for when I have time: London vs. NYC. Pros and Cons of each.)
Tomorrow, we leave for Kolkata. Masala chai, here we come!
Tomorrow, we leave for Kolkata. Masala chai, here we come!
Friday, July 13, 2007
Tiny Tea Cozy
Here's something cute to counter the whole "Friday the 13th" thing.
I love crafts. (Well, SOME crafts. I think others are remarkably tacky and bad.) Occasionally, I'll surf crafts sites to see what's going on with the Stitch 'n Bitch revolution. Here's a little something I found that involves crafts AND tea. Fun. (Now if they would only make them for Yi Xing pots . . .)
I love crafts. (Well, SOME crafts. I think others are remarkably tacky and bad.) Occasionally, I'll surf crafts sites to see what's going on with the Stitch 'n Bitch revolution. Here's a little something I found that involves crafts AND tea. Fun. (Now if they would only make them for Yi Xing pots . . .)
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