The Indian Ferriwalli! The Antique collector. Elsie Gabriel

The Indian Ferriwalli! The Antique collector. Elsie Gabriel

This is a story about an eco friendly saree clad lady who gives retailing a good name and promotes preservation of the old dying art of traditional textiles and ancient art works by selling door to door, home to home!

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Saroj Parmar has sad green blue eyes, beautiful in her rustic ways, all of 52 but  looks about 35. You can see the lines on her forehead just above those pretty eyes, born of the pain and more from the sunrays which have coloured her tan graciously over the last 35 years that she has been knocking on doors to sell her wares. She is the eco friendly retail ferriwalla or rather ferriwalli, but with a difference. She not only recycles old sarees, ancient coins, picture postcards of the British era pre independence,carved silver bangles and armlets  and ancient Parsi borders but carries the ‘market’ on her head saving the ‘retail’ marketing strategy .

Born in Surrendranagar Gujarat in a tribal area,Saroj knows a buyer when she sees one. Her looks are meek but here mind is sharp from experience. She has observed the nova rich women who will not invest in antique Jamewar shawls and rather opt for the  nylon shimmers that modern malls offer ,Saroj knows which piece in her bundle of clothes will fit whose pocket, she also knows how to show and how much to hold back, she is a smart retailer, she has learned the art and psychology of selling from sheer practice. Saroj has visited almost every state in India, every remote corner to investigate and drill out the antiques which many people throw  away or give away for money. She has also  visited villages in the jungles and remote deserts, and cooked with women on fires all over the country.  Saroj is a free bird, she markets in her own time, own space ,own pace and own style. Saroj’s example encourages us all to dust off our rigid dreams  at some given time or once in a way and rediscover the joy, the exuberance, and the hidden free spirit that so many of us bury when we become adults.

Why she was awarded by Young Environemntalists Programme trust the Womens Achievers awrd is simply because she leaves no carbon footprint while conducting her retail marketing. Saroj carries her shop on her head and hands, she has no menu and does business by word of mouth. Saroj’s story is unique. Saroj’s wares have no expiry date, simply because she collects and sells antiques! Iam so glad I found her. No plastic bags to sell her goods nor advertising just references and word of mouth. 

Spending the day with her, educated me enough to rewind, refresh and reuse all my old beautiful clothes in the cupboard and recycle and wear them again, as I pleased. And never mind being called the repetitive queen, as long as our clothes are clean and washed well before reuse. This Nomad had come a long way. when I offered to drop her by car she said she had a taxi waiting all day for her retailing business, smart gypsy woman. Saroj has the same taxi guy for the last 15 years and hires him whenever she is in Mumbai, Imagine….so much for the H.R. tactics I need badly…  

While I said bye to her, I recalled how India did have salt traders,Ayurvedic healers, snake chamrmers,jugglers, Grindstone makers or basket makers. I remember the ‘walnut’ kashmiri vendor who would visit every winter just before Christmas with his basket full of walnuts on a turban so intact……not to forget the knife sharpening guy who would chisel and sharpen knives on his cycle gadget right in front of the door..remember…? huh…..

It’s a dyeing art of selling retail, this ferriwalli cried when she took to the stage at Meluha the Fern ecotel,Powai Mumbai during our award ceremony and scanned the crowds with teary eyes and called out to her husband in the audience for some confidence as she was speechless and all she said was…my husband was a street vendor and he taught me the art of selling retail and I dedicate the award to him …she was the only one to dedicate the award to a man on womans day!

Behind every successful woman ,there is also a man, sometimes…..ever thought of that!!

Out of the Blue.....Swiss Food Festival Experience the magic of Swiss Gourmet...Elsie Gabriel

Out of the Blue.....Swiss Food Festival 
Experience the magic of Swiss Gourmet...

Elsie Gabriel

 Out of the Blue in Mumbai, not only teased my taste buds with the finest crafted Swiss cuisine at the Swiss Food Festival but took me back a dozen years to where I had spent  one summertime on the Swiss Alps.

The picturesque Terrace hotel was a quaint little resort in the mountains of Engelberg. A cable car ride to the summit of Mount Titlis up into the high alpine region with its glaciers and eternal ice was a magnificent ride to the world's innovative revolving 'Rotair' gondola, where we took in spectacular sights of the glacier's deep crevasses and gigantic ice boulders.

At the festival,Swiss fondues,  sizzling Swiss skillet, Crispy rostis, Racklet and potatoe cheese soup  took me spinning on that Ice flyer which I had taken a ride on over the Mt.Titlis then...It was indeed a very nostalgic dinner indeed. A special swiss chef was flown in to train the very hands which created these dishes and the sophistication was apparent.

At the top, magnificent views of Mount Titlis and the Alps simply sweep you off your feet.Ensure you have the right pair of shoes on and good warm clothes. Do take a trip into the Ice Grotto,its amazing if not mesmerizing. I took the Ice flyer trip which  got the chilled icy breeze blowing in my face  and I remember with excitement I kept kissing the air while flying around.

 Switzerland is known for its spectacular scenery of mountains and lakes and meadows, along with the world famous Swiss watches, chocolates and cheeses.  Considered to be one of the most famous world travel destinations, it is said that the first cable span carried visitors from the town of Engelberg to the summit of Mt Titlis in 1927.

Experience romance,  arts and great cuisines in Switzerland, a land of great beauty and wonder popular for its tradition and modernism.
A complete Swiss journey awaits you both on your trip to Switzerland and to Out of the Blue.....try it.....

Don’t miss the  plethora of beautifully innovated and designed Fondues, such as the Crack Pepper Fondue, Cettinad fondue, Desi Fondue and our Festive Delight the “Modak Fondue”.

Famous for Gourmet Sizzlers, Trademark Fondues, BBQ’s, Pastas and Risotto’s, the restaurant serves food with a flavor of fun, entertainment  and unforgettable memories.

I washed down my swiss memories with  innovative “Jaljeera Mojitoes”...amazing twist which took me back a dozen years ......

Stalactites and Stalagmites ! Congo Caves in South Africa-. Spectacular underground ancient wonder

Congo Caves in South Africa-. Spectacular underground ancient wonder.

Stalactites and Stalagmites !

This piece I dedicate to my Teachers Mrs.Sahani and Ms Ranjana.

Offbeat travels by Elsie Gabriel

Time stands still. I catch my breath as the first view of the gigantic ancient stalactites and stalagmites open up before me.  Immensely massive grey-blue limestone ceilings and caverns engulf me.

They bring back a thousand geographic lessons learned in standard six way back in school! It is no harm to fall in love in know? Just a little bit of South Africa has me smitten for sure! Nothing beats a good geography lesson while traveling, specially for your kids. Pass down all your beloved travel memories to your next generation and believe you will have nature live in their hearts forever!

Speechless, I awaken my senses as the guide speaks on. I am really standing in the middle of the Congo Caves which is one of the worlds greatest natural wonders, sculptured by nature through the ages - fascinating limestone formations in a wide variety of colours. An underground wonder world, majestic formation and a natural historic site in South Africa! The finest dripstone caverns, with their vast halls and towering formations, is simply over whelming.

These sparkling ancient African cave tunnel systems in the Karoo, situated in the Swartberg Mountains, 30km north of Oudtshoorn, South Africa are the 20 million year-old Precambrian caves. Africa's largest show cave system is definitely worth a visit just to see the beautiful crystal and flow structures alone.

Although the massive system of tunnels and chambers stretch for over four kilometres, only a quarter of this is open to visitors. You can do a guided standard one hour tour or tackle the more adventurous one and a half hour tour, which include some tight squeezes through very narrow passages.

I did the standard one hour tour which took me down nine chambers. I felt like Alice in wonderland slowly treading through secret looming white translucent chambers. Bewildered and semi lost but loving every moment of it.Listen to your guide.Choose an English speaking one and do not land up with the wrong guide.Be quiet and listen carefully.Absorb the wonder and simply praise God!

Some parts of the caves are lost in absolute darkness, a deep stillness, a constant temperature and high humidity; it is a world with its own unique scenery of calcite masterpieces formed by gently dripping water. Each chamber displays a limestone masterpiece; created by the forces of nature. There are five basic limestone deposits found along this route namely Dripstone, Flowstone, Rimstone, Roof Crystals, and Shelfstone.

Rainwater, seeping through the upper-surface of the cave absorbed carbon dioxide, producing a mild carbonic acid, which is able to dissolve small quantities of the calcium carbonate in limestone, changing it into soluble calcium bicarbonate.

Copyright all pictures@elsiegabriel.

In the cave it encounters air with a lower carbon dioxide partial pressure. To restore its balance, a water droplet discharges carbon dioxide. As the calcium bicarbonate can no longer be retained in the solution, it is deposited in the form of tiny limestone crystals known as calcite. This ongoing process builds up calcite deposits, which in turn produce the cave formations.Some parts of the caves are just a little moist so look out for wet walls and floors.

With slow droplet formation calcite is deposited against the ceiling, resulting in the growth of stalactites hanging downwards. With more rapid droplet formation, water containing calcite in solution falls to the floor, resulting in the building up of a stalagmite from below.

 Stalactites and stalagmites that form vertically opposite each other, may eventually unite to form beautiful ‘Completed Columns’.

 In all, there are almost nine caves with nine landings to which standard visitors are allowed. Each spacious hall vary in size but are approximately over 90 metres long, 50 metres wide at its widest point, and between 14 and 18 metres high.

 On one particular landing my eyes were drawn to a tall, slender stalagmite which rises nearly 10 metres towards the ceilings. One such formation was the Cleopatra's Needle. Still active and growing, the Needle is estimated to be in excess of 150 000 years old am told. 

Stay away from noisy tourists and after hearing what the guide has to inform you,explore and take in the sights.

Further down, again near the base of another staircase stands an impressive formation known as The Pulpit of a Great Cathedral, replete with angel's wings, sculptured by nature's own .The largest, an ancient formation some 500 000 years old, is known as The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Beyond it stands a soaring column some 13 metres high and approximately 250 000 years old,they say.

Fairyland, the next chamber, provides fantasy for the younger generation. Coloured lights illumine the Fairy Queen's Palace . The roof of the Crystal Palace on another chamber is decorated with "Hanging crystal gardens", adorned with ice-like crystals and weirdly contorted helictites. A light to the left reveals a translucent crystal wall. There are several other huge formations like the Madonna and child, The Heavy Stage Curtains, and The Petrified Weeping Willow Tree among many many more. The Cango Caves are an absolute must for all tourists visiting South Africa, if you miss the Caves, you might as well have stayed home.

copyright pics@elsiegabriel

Few guidelines for the Cango Caves

· Wear comfortable footwear and light clothing - it's a warm cave at around 18 degrees Celsius and humid too.

· Arrive early to study the literature and see the display boards.

· Use other personal facilities before you start the cave tour.

· It's a one kilometer walk, with 416 stairs on a full tour, and lasts about one and a half hours.

· The tunnel section at the back called the devil's chimney borders an extreme narrow adventure, only try it if you are extremely slim and fit.

· Take the family only through the first nine chambers, rest is not advisable for small children.

· Take plenty of photos.

· Do not chip or break off any pieces of the stalactites and stalagmite formations.

· Listen carefully to the guide providing useful information.

How to get here -

The caves are approximately 28 km north of Oudtshoorn on the R328. The nearest airport is George Airport in South Africa, approximately 50 km away. Entry to South Africa is of course through Johannesburg international airport which has direct flights from Mumbai and Delhi, here in India.

Best time to visit

The Cango Caves are open throughout the year, except on Christmas Day.

If you are planning for a trip then do think about  South Africa where you will meet the deep, gigantic, pre-historic, amazing caves. Those who are willing to open up the geography books and live the pages within, this spectacular historical wonder is a must visit to South Africa at least once in your lifetime!

Staying afloat! Thailands floating markets. Elsie Gabriel.

Staying afloat!

Thailands floating markets.

Elsie Gabriel.

Lots of chatter and bargaining, fruits, vegetables and fresh produce everywhere, no we are not at a supermarket, we are in the middle of a canal! Water water every where and we are in a canoe kind of boat floating, meandering our way between  many other such boats, shopping in the middle of a waterway! More than a dozen boats passing each other with loads of fascinating indigenous stuff for sale,all on one narrow canal. The whole atmosphere is intoxicating and contagious, I got into the chaotic shopping mood at once bargaining for some incense and coconut carved show pieces. Some shoppers were held captive by vendor boats selling fresh flowers, coconut candy and lots of  tropical fruits. The simple raw Mango’s sliced up in a plastic bag made the most sales....

The most famous of the floating markets is Damnoen Saduak, about 100 kilometers southwest of Bangkok. Check out the floating markets very early in the morning to get fresh stuff as well as avoid the huge crowds later on along with the heat of the day.

 These canal markets are slowly vanishing they say, only to the land adjoining the banks being developed or being replaced by shoppers who frequent the malls. Thailand's remaining floating markets are an enduring symbol of an ancient Thai culture and traditional life,it has to be a must on your Thailand trip. Ask for the floating market trip at any hotel travel counter or even at the airport once you land at Thailand and take the one most convenient to you.

 Every one taking pictures, click click click, its infectious, you just simply want to capture every colour, every hue and every vendors floating local shop filled to the brim.

Don’t look down at the canal water under the boat, its obviously not freshwater and of course do not touch it.But its a country canal alright, they say there are many such canal floating markets in Thailand,some even connecting each other.

You'll experience rural Thai and the countryside all in this very cruise by a long-tailed boat to the markets. See the vendors selling local produce and get an up-close glimpse of everyday rural life in Thailand.

We got off at many points of interval, to take notes on the Coconut Sugar candy factory and another break for some good Thai chop chop. Sweet coconut water and some covered uncut fruit is advisable for the chaste traveler.

Simply any and everything on sale! You can expect to bargain but not more than a couple of bahts.

Coconut sugar candy factory.

Of course for some of you,who want to indulge and surely want to loosen your purse strings for even a little more than just curios , if you are okay with buying remakes of Gucci,Prada, Fendi and more of the international designer bags along side Thai Lichees, Thai mangoes and Thai balms, Thai Oils,all in that order literally, a true mixed jamboree sale afloat! Go ahead. Enjoy shopping sitting on the boat  and exchanging goods for cash over the water, for once away from the plastic malls!