Dispatch from: India

by Mikka Padua October 11, 2015

 The Taj Mahal. It was more grand than I ever imagined.

In this little space we have here, travel and exploration is a constant topic we love to talk about. Almost everything we do and create is inspired by far-flung exotic locales and destinations. At the risk of sounding clichè, travel (and a whole lot of wanderlusting) is what fuels us around here. 

A little bit of shopping outside the City Palace in Jaipur. I couldn't have packed a more perfect caftan.

But, India. A double syllabic word that is more than just an exotic destination. Just saying the word conjures a myriad of emotions: excitement, curiosity, fear, anxiety, being a few. Just simply thinking about it engages my senses in a way that Mexico or Morocco did not.

The benches are essential as you stare at the monument in awe. Canvas totes proved well to be the perfect travel companions.

Life as they know it.

What they probably don't know is how colorful and vibrant it is.

Everyday wear at its finest (and brightest). Seek similar styles here. 

Even the elephants get the sprucing so really, everywhere you look is inspiring.

But, India. It sure is not for the faint-hearted. It took me two 2-week trips to realize how it is to have your wanderlust cured by a place like India or by any place for that matter. It changes you. It moves you. It heals you. Simply put, India is the lust in my wander.

What greets you and your feet at the Rambagh Palace.

I've never quite met a place vividly depicting life at both ends of the spectrum. The rich and poor; the heavily littered streets just outside the grand palaces; the boisterous honking on the roads and the quiet respite of the ashrams; the age-old Mughal architecture and the modern, contemporary lines of hip, new spaces. They're all here and they all happily coexist. 

The magnificent ceiling of the Winter Palace at the Amer Fort, Jaipur.

Going about her craft. The art of hand block printing. Seek linens all carefully crafted by hand, here.

 It was here when I truly traveled deeper. It wasn't long until I realized that travel is no longer about the things you take home but the memories and moments that shape you on that journey. Traveling to India gives you that exhilarating feeling of being so minuscule yet with so much power to touch lives. The places I've seen, the people I met, the food I ate-- I still think about them up to now. 

At the Rambagh Palace, Jaipur.

Manicured gardens as far as your eyes can see.

Behind the scenes.

Locks and buttons with a lot of old-world charm.

There are not enough words to define one's Indian adventure but I do hope this photo diary helped. India is one of those things in life that you have to experience for you to know. To truly know. 

The magnificent centuries-old marble inside the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Market day. Our caftans sure helped us blend in (at least a little). 

The Ottoman Empire.

Two things often said about India: either you love it or you loathe it. Yes, there will be plenty of moments when you will find yourself in a dense crowd jockeying for space and breath. But India, mind you, has a knack for making up for its shortcomings. It ain't called incredible for nothing. In my case, I loved it.

The best hangout in the Pink City happens to be in the most beautiful shade of blue. We've visited Jaipur twice and have gone to Bar Palladio five times. Yes, that's how much we love this place.

New discovery. Jobner Bagh. 

Hip space Jaipur Modern

Bindi welcome. Upon entering the Leela Palace, you're greeted by this.

So when an opportunity presented itself for us to have real online presence in the subcontinent, we jumped at it. We've made friends (a  lot), set up shop (online), and now call the subcontinent our second home

This milestone allows us to bring our venture to a global scale and to make our vendors, partners, and artisans proud. We couldn't be happier.

P.S. Indian city guides are in the works. Meanwhile, I hope this post triggered your wanderlust. After all, that was the whole point.

Your Purveyor of the Uniq,

 

 




Mikka Padua
Mikka Padua

Author



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