Chapter 10 - India
April and time for my annual trip to India. I wait till the weather gets hotter. I love that blast of heat as you emerge from Delhi Airport into the sunlight and are immediately embraced by warm, warm air. Heaven!
Off we go to Jaipur on the new and extremely impressive 8 lane motorway. Always alert to new trends, I am taken with lorry adornment at the best of times with their very creative hand painted bodywork designs, but this time I notice there is a definite fashion for large glittery tassels hanging from the trucks. Should I get some for our van? Well, yes!
Jaipur is its usual noise, bustle and crazy traffic. The energy is infectious. I’m up and running. Off to my first appointment with the lovely team who produce my designs, to add some new styles to the Jaadu jewellery collection.
I must stay focused. The purpose of this trip is to prepare for the new shop. Not only all the unique things to put in it, new clothing collections, charming objects and gifts and all the homeware, but also to find pieces of furniture to fill the space.
10 days in Jaipur, and then off again to Jodhpur. Now it’s furniture shopping. I have to say, it is pretty hot now. About 37°. The warehouses are VAST. The size of football pitches, full of wonderful things in all shapes and sizes. What looks like a shabby old piece of something or other at first glance can be transformed into a magnificent piece of furniture by the skill and diligence of the teams of craftsmen. Once my pieces have been restored they will be coming to the UK by shipping container in about 3 months time. So exciting!
A day off.
Definitely required after all the dashing about. We, Vikram and I, visit the old part of Jodhpur, the famous ‘Blue City’. The amazing and distinctive blue washed houses that surround the Mehrangarh Fort.
Who is Vikram?
I met Vikram Singh on one of my first working trips to India back in 2009. He was my driver for the duration and proved to be a very dependable person. I always requested him from then on when I was arranging my trip with Sita, who he was employed by. Gradually over the years he has become my invaluable ‘aide- de- camp’. He knows all my suppliers and has an incredible memory for people and places we have visited no matter how long ago.
He now has his own construction business, run from his home in Himachal Pradesh and is the esteemed Sarpanch of his village. BUT, he still comes to Delhi to drive with me. After 3 very productive weeks I say ‘goodbye’ to him and he travels back to Himachal Pradesh on the overnight coach.
So, back home to Bexers. The weather doesn’t disappoint. Cold, grey and wet. Oh well. Just have to look forward to the opening of the shop which is going to be full of fabuous treasures discovered on this trip.
Onwards and upwards!