Sikh Shopping and Sweat Shops

(L) Tailor and Sikh Gift Givers (R) Tailor in the back alley

So, our time in Delhi is winding down and we are finishing our last workshop. The gentlemen from Punjab wanted to buy us a tradtional Punjab form of dress. This turned into quite the Indian experience. We first had to go to Dr. Ajiit Singh for tea with Ram Pal Singh. Tea turns out to be a code word for feed to white Canadians as much sweets and treat as you possibly can. There was a sweet carrot dish that is still making my mouth water. I now notice it everytime I pass it in the streets.

Afterwards we returned to AIPTF Office and met up with the men from Punjab, and Suresh who is from Haryana. They took us across busy streets and into a back alley market that was streaming with people and colors and food. As well as, dogs, cows and heaps of garbage. The streets were uneven pocked with holes that had all sorts of goodies in them. It was challenge to keep together as a group. The took us into one of the many fabric places... you may be able to see the salwar kameezes stacked and piled, as well as fabric and sari material. There were men lined on either side pulling out dress after dress, other men foling and putting the fabric back. I was pulled in front of the counter and layer upon layer of material was stacked in front of me. While Suresh made fun of my "boxer" arms as we tried to find a sleeve that would fit over me pipes. He was not very kind to me and laughed the whole time I was shopping. I chose some that would fit and went to the second floor to try them on and parade them in front of an unforgiving audience... they did not catch on that it was not okay to comment on my farmer figure. I found a few that were alright..but they had a a lot of pink sparkles on them....not exactly my first choice.

The solution: we will get one made to fit you. Back to to the table and the stacks of unhemmed fabric and unbeleivable choices. They insisted on a Punjabi cut so that I would remember them. I picked out a frabric, as did Kit and the two of us traveled back into the market and down another stretch of vendors to the tailor. I have officially supported a sweat shop..and I don't mean by shopping at Wal-Mart!

The "tailor" was a box in between two shops with two sewing machines in it. We stood in side while our audience stood watching...I then had my measuremnets taken and yelled out to another man that was writing and recording fabric. We had to pick out a neck line and were told: tomorrow at five. So, Kit and I had two salwar kameez made in under 12 hours and ready for pick-up in less than 24.... they are beautiful. I am to wear mine tomorrow and I will get a picture for all to see.

These men are hilarious and sweet. They laugh and tease each other as much as they tease Kit and I. We call Suresh the trouble maker because he is always bugging the Punjab men about their Sikh turbans and beards, while the men order him around and tell him to go pick stuff up for them..this is how it is done when you are the youngest. They also tease about being unmarried and needing a husband. I have been very careful about the English languge as to not get myself into an arranged marriage. I get a little anxious when they talk about white and black being a very good mix and then laughing and laughing. Such kind men with an evil sense of humour.

The session has gotten better and I will be sad once again to see all of the particpants leave. I may never see them again and it is very sad. I have been invited to Punjab and Haryana to visit, but I will not be able to fit it into this trip.

I will be see the Taj Mahal this coming week and I may visit a few schools in the area. Between work, tea and Sikh shopping there has not been a lot of down time. I will be glad to have a break from the pace of this itinerary.

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