Kahwa, a piece of Kashmir, and open hearts

On Wednesday afternoon, after having my first meal in India and a trip to the local grocery store, I bailed on further exploring as my head was swimming. Alex and Debbie set off to Commercial Street to do some shopping and I stayed behind to settle into the guest house. As part of their adventures they ended up in a little shop owned by a man from Kashmir, talking and sharing for hours. They were invited to return the next day to have a traditional saffron tea and I was invited to go with them.

I have lost track of the hours we have spent inside that little shop perched on an odd assortment of chairs, being offered Kahwa (Saffron tea), milk chai (tea) and snacks whilst discussing anything and everything, learning about Pashmina shawls, Indian gem stones, Islam and Kashmiri food. I figured out I was there Thursday, Friday and Saturday and I may have had withdrawals on Sunday when we did not go in. We returned on Tuesday to say our farewells before heading bush (I do not know if that is an appropriate term in India... perhaps I should say before heading to timbuktu (get it...)) and since being in Andhra Pradesh have been assured they are eagerly awaiting our return to Bengaluru (where they will make us more tea). Baba, the shop owner; Mudasir, his assistant; and the many other visitors who popped in and out of the shop, definitely welcomed us each time with open hearts.

My first day there I bought a pashmina and assured myself I would not buy anything else until the end of the trip. Guess who bought another pashmina on Tuesday? That would be me. While attempting to help Mudasir fold up the scarves he'd shown to a customer I found one and "needed" it. My bad.

I've honestly had this draft sitting here for days because I cannot find the words to describe how much the time spent in that shop meant to me. Sometimes you meet people and just instantly know that they are your "people" and that was the case for these guys. Their open hearts helped me to embrace my time in India with a bit more of my heart and I hope that one day I can return the favour or pay forward the impact they made on me.

Baba and Mudasir selling shawls

Mudasir making Kahwa

Some of the merchandise available

Looking towards the stairs to the street

Sean wanted a feel of the 100% pashmina wool (only one he'll ever get because I cannot afford a pure wool shawl)

Some embroidery on another 100% pashmina. It is all done by hand

Kahwa! Those are almonds and saffron

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