A Talk at The International Hajji Baba Society long ago

In a conversation with R. John Howe recently, he reminded me of a talk ‘The Blue Veil’ done in Washington DC many years ago.

I have fond memories of that first visit to the US – thanks to John, his late wife, Karthika and the many learned people I met there on that trip.

The talk at the Textile Museum on Kutch Wedding Textiles was followed a few days later with a talk at the IHBS on The Perak Headdress of Ladakh.

HERE IS THE LINK to detailed photos on John’s blog.

***

On that trip I almost got lost… I’d taken an Uber from my hotel to a John’s home in Washington DC. And considering how tech-challenged I feel at all times, I must have fed in something wrong in the Uber app. So the Uber driver – who looked like a suave gentleman who could easily have been an executive or diplomat – took me to the address and dropped me off to a group of buildings that did not look like a residential area at all. But then I was clueless – so I got off. And soon realised that I was in the wrong place. Eventually I found my way to a building and through the glass door – waved to a young man I saw at the reception of what turned out to be student residence. He let me in. With my patchy internet I had to request him to help me to sort out this mess. And he did. And eventually I got another Uber and successfully reached John’s place!

And now, years later, the panic has struck thinking of that adventure.

WHAT IF I’d remained lost… lost without internet in a foreign country!!

Today I feel very brave and laugh about that adventure … but there is a very fine line between bravery and foolishness isn’t it?!!!!

***

ENJOYING WOVENSOULS? PLEASE SUPPORT THE EFFORT BY LEAVING A REVIEW

jaina mishra

Nov 2023