FIELD NOTES
Diwali 2021
This week, on November 4th, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs around the world will observe the important festival of Diwali. The ‘festival of lights’ celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil, of knowledge over ignorance and is considered an auspicious time for new beginnings. It is a joyous time when friends, family and community come together to feast, exchange gifts and light up their homes. Indeed, in India the whole country appears to light up on this much-loved festival. Diwali this year is being welcomed with hearty enthusiasm, as the world emerges from the long dark times of the Covid 19 pandemic. In India, which was badly impacted by the pandemic, particularly the devastating second wave in May this year, there is now hope that the worst is over. Cases are falling and over one billion doses of the vaccination have been administered. It is currently estimated that the entire adult population will be vaccinated by the end of March 2022.
After nineteen months of locked borders, India opened to some charter flights in mid-October and is all set to welcome fully vaccinated foreign visitors arriving on commercial flights, from November 15th. Travellers will need to show a negative PCR test result, however, will not need to quarantine. My friends in India have assured me that life is getting back to a new normal, Covid protocols are still in place and mask wearing and social distancing encouraged. A number of my private travel clients are making plans for the new year, and I am eagerly awaiting ‘wheels down’ in India in March next year.
New Beginnings
As you can imagine the pandemic brought an abrupt halt to my work, with no travel clients and very limited travel writing opportunities. I was grateful to be ‘parked’ in Adelaide, Australia close to my mother and also with my partner Paul. It has been the longest time I have spent in Adelaide since 1986, and I have appreciated the coming full circle back here and the warm welcome I have received from old and new friends.
My pandemic project, or as I am told it is more fashionable to say, my pandemic ‘pivot’ has been to create Love India Home. In many ways creating this was like writing one of the guides and I hope you enjoy the magic of treasure hunting in India from your homes, until you are able to get back to India in person. Love India Home features an eclectic collection of textiles, homewares, crafts, vintage curiosities, and decorative pieces all personally sourced in India. Every item on the Love India Home site has been thoughtfully curated and has a story to tell and every sale directly supports India’s artisans.
Conscious Shopping
Artisans and craftspeople have been profoundly impacted by the pandemic. As well as serious health impacts their livelihoods have been dramatically reduced. Very few exhibitions in India have been able to proceed, many domestic and international orders have been cancelled and sometimes the challenges around shipping have been insurmountable. All Love India Home purchases will have a positive social, economic, and / or environmental impact. The antique and vintage goods are not only beautiful in themselves but are also good for the environment. I believe there is a special luxury in goods that are handmade, and that by buying these contemporary products you are supporting India’s artisans and helping to ensure the longevity India’s craft traditions. Five percent of all retail sales from Love India Home will be given directly to organisations supporting Indian artisans including the Dastkar Artisan Support Fund and Creative Dignity.
Love India Home
I welcome you to explore Love India Home and please do use the promotional code HAPPY DIWALI to receive a 10% discount off your purchases which is valid for two weeks, until November 18th. The products are located in Adelaide, Australia and will be shipped from here. It was absolutely impossible to determine shipping rates for this diverse range of items, so it is a two-step process with shipping being calculated on what you are interested in and where you would like the products delivered. We ship anywhere in the world. If you like something that is already sold (marked with a red dot) do send me an enquiry, as it may be possible for me to source another similar item from India. I am just an email away if you have any questions or feedback, do get in touch fiona@loveindiahome.com
India Dreaming
Please do get in touch if you would like to start planning your trip to India. I offer a range of services include Bespoke Journeys, Concierge Advice and I can help with sourcing through my Made in India service. Any questions just reach out to me at fiona@lovetravelguides.com
FIELD NOTES
Diwali 2021
This week, on November 4th, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs around the world will observe the important festival of Diwali. The ‘festival of lights’ celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil, of knowledge over ignorance and is considered an auspicious time for new beginnings. It is a joyous time when friends, family and community come together to feast, exchange gifts and light up their homes. Indeed, in India the whole country appears to light up on this much-loved festival. Diwali this year is being welcomed with hearty enthusiasm, as the world emerges from the long dark times of the Covid 19 pandemic. In India, which was badly impacted by the pandemic, particularly the devastating second wave in May this year, there is now hope that the worst is over. Cases are falling and over one billion doses of the vaccination have been administered. It is currently estimated that the entire adult population will be vaccinated by the end of March 2022.
After nineteen months of locked borders, India opened to some charter flights in mid-October and is all set to welcome fully vaccinated foreign visitors arriving on commercial flights, from November 15th. Travellers will need to show a negative PCR test result, however, will not need to quarantine. My friends in India have assured me that life is getting back to a new normal, Covid protocols are still in place and mask wearing and social distancing encouraged. A number of my private travel clients are making plans for the new year, and I am eagerly awaiting ‘wheels down’ in India in March next year.
New Beginnings
As you can imagine the pandemic brought an abrupt halt to my work, with no travel clients and very limited travel writing opportunities. I was grateful to be ‘parked’ in Adelaide, Australia close to my mother and also with my partner Paul. It has been the longest time I have spent in Adelaide since 1986, and I have appreciated the coming full circle back here and the warm welcome I have received from old and new friends.
My pandemic project, or as I am told it is more fashionable to say, my pandemic ‘pivot’ has been to create Love India Home. In many ways creating this was like writing one of the guides and I hope you enjoy the magic of treasure hunting in India from your homes, until you are able to get back to India in person. Love India Home features an eclectic collection of textiles, homewares, crafts, vintage curiosities, and decorative pieces all personally sourced in India. Every item on the Love India Home site has been thoughtfully curated and has a story to tell and every sale directly supports India’s artisans.
Conscious Shopping
Artisans and craftspeople have been profoundly impacted by the pandemic. As well as serious health impacts their livelihoods have been dramatically reduced. Very few exhibitions in India have been able to proceed, many domestic and international orders have been cancelled and sometimes the challenges around shipping have been insurmountable. All Love India Home purchases will have a positive social, economic, and / or environmental impact. The antique and vintage goods are not only beautiful in themselves but are also good for the environment. I believe there is a special luxury in goods that are handmade, and that by buying these contemporary products you are supporting India’s artisans and helping to ensure the longevity India’s craft traditions. Five percent of all retail sales from Love India Home will be given directly to organisations supporting Indian artisans including the Dastkar Artisan Support Fund and Creative Dignity.
Love India Home
I welcome you to explore Love India Home and please do use the promotional code HAPPY DIWALI to receive a 10% discount off your purchases which is valid for two weeks, until November 18th. The products are located in Adelaide, Australia and will be shipped from here. It was absolutely impossible to determine shipping rates for this diverse range of items, so it is a two-step process with shipping being calculated on what you are interested in and where you would like the products delivered. We ship anywhere in the world. If you like something that is already sold (marked with a red dot) do send me an enquiry, as it may be possible for me to source another similar item from India. I am just an email away if you have any questions or feedback, do get in touch fiona@loveindiahome.com
India Dreaming
Please do get in touch if you would like to start planning your trip to India. I offer a range of services include Bespoke Journeys, Concierge Advice and I can help with sourcing through my Made in India service. Any questions just reach out to me at fiona@lovetravelguides.com
