Artisans & Markets
Anjuna Market in Goa, India
Roadside market in the Sacred Valley, Peru, on the drive from Cusco to Chinchero.
"Broke the Mold" - Sculpture of Mother Theresa in the Kumartuli potter's quarter of Kolkata, India. Accompanied by idols of Ganesha - Remover of Obstacles - with the mold broken open on the table.
Olive Market in the Quartier des Habous, Casablanca, Morocco.
Indra Chowk market of cloth and blankets on the platform of the Shiva Mandir Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Shops in the winding alleyways of the "Blue City", Chefchaouen, Morocco.
Market in Patan, Nepal.
Inca Salt Pans of Salineras, Peru. "These salt pans were built by the Inca and collect the mineral rich waters of a nearby spring until they evaporate, leaving the salt residue. The famed Inca salt pans are still in use." (Fodor's Peru guidebook)
The Pisac market is largest on Sundays, and it was definitely worth a short side trip from Cusco, Peru. Such a beautiful pocket of colorful patterns and pompoms nestled at the base of the mountains.
Artisan in Mamallapuram, India, a city known for its stone carving. He created a remarkably detailed small figurine of Patanjali for us on the spot.
Potter's Square in Bhaktapur, Nepal.
Kumartuli neigborhood of clay artists in Kolkata, India. Here, Swami Vivekananda & Spiderman! When Jeremy asked the artist about this juxtaposition, he said "We have our superheroes too."
Mosaic artist in Fez, Morocco. Seeing these artists at work was amazing. The mosiacs are pieced together by hand, upside down, without any pattern. All done by memory.
Mosaic craftsmanship in Fez, Morocco.
Selling coconuts in front of the Annamalaiyar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, India. The ‘coconut breaking’ ritual is a symbolic offering of oneself to god. First peeling away the husk to let go of materistic desires, then breaking the ego by smashing the coconut on the ground. The coconut water that flows out is the release of negativity, and the soft inner part is peace.
Artisans in Chincero, Peru.
Market in Mamallapuram, India.
College Street booksellers in Kolkata, India "This erudite destination smells of old books and history. This was the hotbed of the Bengal Renaissance movement, and it eventually became a symbol of revolutionary ideals and radical youth movements....The pavements are dominated by bookstalls that are treasure troves for those with the inclination and time to discover a rare title."--from Fodor's Essential India Travel Guide
Market at the base of the ruins of the Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo, Peru.
Shot out the bus window on the way from Kushinagar, India to Lumbini, Nepal. There were at least a dozen different vendors of teddy bears on this road, all with this same setup of bears in chairs.
Artist in Fez, Morocco
Metallic artistry in Fez, Morocco.
Artist in Fez, Morocco.
Asan Tole in Kathmandu, Nepal. "From dawn until dusk the six-spoked junction of Asan Tole is jammed with vegetable and spice vendors selling everything from yak tails to dried fish. It’s the busiest square in the city and a fascinating place to linger, if you can stand the crowds." - Lonely Planet
Pisac Market near Cusco, Peru. "The more unusual products you can buy at the Pisac market include natural powders in a variety of eye-popping colours that can be used as watercolour paint, colourful weavings and alpaca clothing." (bestofperutravel.com)
Market around Durbar Square in Patan, Nepal.
Marigold garlands in Patan, Nepal. "Marigold flowers hold a variety of symbolic meanings in Nepali culture. Their vibrant color is said to represent energy, enthusiasm, and creativity, making them a popular choice for festive occasions." (quote from Petals Agro Nepal)
Artisans in Mamallapuram, India, a city known for its stone carving. The giant sculpture on the left is a Shiva Lingam, a combination of the yoni of the goddess Shakti and the phallus of Shiva, together symbolizing the union of male and female and totality of all existence.
Harvesting potatoes in Chinchero, Peru.
Harvesting potatoes in Chinchero, Peru.
Kumartuli neigborhood of clay artists in Kolkata, India.
Inca Salt Pans of Salineras, Peru. "These salt pans were built by the Inca and collect the mineral rich waters of a nearby spring until they evaporate, leaving the salt residue. The famed Inca salt pans are still in use." (Fodor's Peru guidebook)
The Quartier des Habous district is the best place in Casablanca to find Moroccan handicrafts.
Market in Chincero, Peru.
We bought a rug from this delightful merchant in Chefchaoen, Morocco. He said I "bargained like a Berber."
Chakra banners in Kathmandu, Nepal. We got one for Yoga Lab and one for our home yoga studio.
Mosaics in Fez, Morocco.
Roadside market in the Sacred Valley, Peru, on the drive from Cusco to Chinchero.
Artist in the Sacred Valley, Peru
Shawls at the Pisac Market near Cusco, Peru.
Artisans in Chincero, Peru.
The Quartier des Habous district is the best place in Casablanca to find Moroccan handicrafts.
Roadside market in the Sacred Valley, Peru, on the drive from Cusco to Chinchero.
Pisac Market near Cusco, Peru. "The Pisac Market is one of the most famous markets in the Cusco region, drawing many visitors to its famous Sunday market when indigenous Quechua communities from the surrounding highlands come to Pisac to sell their produce and stock up on supplies for the week....Dressed in their colourful clothing, they sit cross-legged with their wares laid out giving the market an authentic feel." (bestofperutravel.com)