Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Small mirrors, large mirrors, mirrors on columns, mirrors inlaid in marble. And don't for-
get the
gilt
, Venetian glass chandeliers, and other "bits and bobs."
Quite a place, to put it mildly. Can you imagine what was
lost
in the earthquake? Just
one room, in a still collapsed section of the Maharajah's Darbargarh, is reported to have
been the library with topics dating back more than 100-200 years; all buried under tons of
debris.
The Saraf Bazaar
Late afternoon saw us walking down a Bhuj street into the Saraf Bazaar, located inside
what remains of the walled city. The Saraf Bazaar begins at the front gate of the Pragmahal
Palace. The bazaar areas that interested me can be divided into three sections: clothes, food,
and traditional jewelry.
The crowded streets were filled with women wearing bright saris, veiled and unveiled.
Brilliant colors make a feast for the eyes in India. No
LBD
for an Indian women. They
blithely make their own fashion statement, not caring if colors and patterns appear dis-
cordant to someone else. Stalls sold scarves in every color of the rainbow, heavily em-
broidered, sequined tops. Women sat on the floors inside, carefully browsing through
stacks of dazzling saris.
Other shops had religious paraphernalia, and piles of running shoes that were so im-
maculate, it was difficult to see the difference between new and old. Sweets, breads, tea,
and local dishes. The majority of food is sold inside the Vegetable/Fruit/Spice Market dat-
ing from 1883. Originally destroyed in the earthquake, it has been rebuilt.
The ethnic jewelry section was sight. Windows filled with gold, and heavy, silver jew-
elry worn by the different tribes in Kutch. A Rabari women, wearing her traditional black
dress, sat inside one shop picking out a new pair of gold earrings with husband in tow. I
stood mesmerized by two men making silver jewelry before entering another small shop
where the personable owner let me try on heavy old necklaces. Travels With Sheila collects
"older" tribal jewelry, and was ready to buy at least one piece, until I heard the prices. Good
grief,
17,000 Rupees=$400 U.S
. No wonder that Rabari woman had her husband with
shopping for jewelry! This particular necklace wasn't even
gold
. Ethnic Jewelry Score:
"Hunting" - 10. "Gathering" - 0.
Thankfully, there are always bangles. Four glitzy bangles covered in fake “diamonds” cost
150 Rupees, $3.33 U.S.
That
, I could afford and what fun to wear.
