Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
What to See and Do in Diu
Decorate Hands With Mehndi in Diu
Do you know what Mehndi is? If you are not Indian, or have never visited India, just think,
Henna tattoos . Henna is a temporary form of skin decoration in the Indian Subcontinent,
originally used mainly for brides. India is not the only country where henna decorations
are found. Travels With Sheila has been henna'd in Yemen, and Morocco. A Mehndi is also
good for a low-cost pick-me-up for women and children. We'd already seen children with
Mehndi'd palms in the tribal areas around Bhuj.
Henna is usually applied during special occasions like weddings, and festivals when
every woman tries to henna palms (or outer portion) of hands and feet. The color is the
darkest in these two places because skin contains higher levels of keratin which binds tem-
porarily to the colorant of henna. I always jump at a chance to Mehndi, and buy bangles in
India. It makes me feel part of the culture since you do not want to know what I look like in
a sari. Westerners just were not born to wear a sari gracefully, let alone draping it properly.
Let's visit downtown Diu, for a Mehndi ...
Mehndi is usually not advertised on signs but Niru knew to look for a beauty parlor.
Down a small side street in Diu's Main Bazaar, and into a shop for inquiries. Led to the
back of a courtyard, more consultations. A woman appeared, led us back towards the street,
and into her small shop. She spoke English and was not only going to apply Mehndi on my
palms, but also teaches Mehndi in classes, gives driving lessons, computer classes, owns two
stores, and a beauty parlor. How industrious and multifaceted can one person be! What did
it cost? Fifty Rupees, a little more than $1.00 U.S.
I sat down on a stool, surrounded by clothing and piles of "stuff" for sale while Sarla
went to work. First, much discussion over my name, "Sheila." Sheila is not only a common
Irish name, used to describe women in Australia, but is also a popular Indian name. A cur-
rent hit song from a Bollywood movie was called: Sheila Ki Jawani, I'm too Sexy For You . (I
not sure about that ...) Throughout the Gujarat trip, I can't tell you how many times someone
would ask my name, and then say, "Oh. There is a popular song, Sheila Ki Jawani."
In rural areas of India and many other countries, women can grind fresh henna before
adding oil, or buy henna powder which is then mixed with oil. Sarla used prepared henna
cones that reminded me of a smaller version of baker's icing cones used to frost cakes. The
idea is exactly the same. Grab a cone, snip the tip, let your imagination run free, and watch
the gooey, thick brown mixture come out.
Twenty minutes, and $1.00 later, both hands were individually decorated and pronounced
"gorjus" by Steve and Niru.
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