The first day we arrived in Havana, Cuba, we had lunch, dropped our bags off to our casa particular and boarded our tour van for a panoramic tour of Havana and Vedado. The main sights included the Malecon coastal boardwalk and Revolution Square (which will be featured on another blog). Everything was so vibrant. That is the word that everyone seems to use when referring to Havana, especially.Right outside of our casa, a flock of chickens grazed and clucked. Every morning, we were awakened by a very dutiful chicken or rooster…. probably this one!

The tour around Havana and Vedado exposed us to color, activity, workers, government-run hotels, and the local casas particulares. By staying in casas with the locals, we were directly supporting the Cuban people on this People to People educational trip. I liked this concept. 

Friendly Cubans walked over to greet me while I took photos. They asked where I was from (In Spanish) and luckily, I was able to answer basic questions. I found the people very accommodating about having their photo taken and I either tipped them or let them see the photo on the camera but they never pressured me for a tip. I found the latter detail interesting.

These grand homes painted in beautiful muted pastels have such great bones! The lush, tropical plants in front of them frame them perfectly. It was very rustic to see chickens fluttering by outside the entrances.

After seeing pedestrians and workers, we started to see the sassy vintage cars adorning the streets. Everyone associates Cuba with these vintage cars which decorate the cityscape. As people think of Cuba as “stuck in time”, the cars definitely take you back to that vintage era.

Now that we got acquainted with the area of Vedado where we were staying, our next stop would include a rainforest, Malecon boardwalk,  Revolution Square with the sassy vintage cars and Hemingway’s house!

Hemingway’s house was a lovely drive into a lush valley town of San Francisco de Paula, outside of Havana. We viewed the rooms of his house through big, open windows.

After climbing the stairs to his writing studio tower, we enjoyed the grounds. It is said that Ava Gardner swam nude in his pool. We also viewed his boat, the Pilar. 

Leaving the grounds, we drove to the seaside town of Cojimar where we had lunch at Bodega Las Brisas and met a fishermen who showed us photos of himself with the famous author. Hemingway’s experience in Cojimar is said to have been the inspiration for his novel, The Old Man and the Sea.photos by Gina Kingsley

Among the itinerary highlights of Havana and surrounding cities, a panoramic tour by car was definitely one of my favorite activities on our trip. You can absorb so much visually and up close. It was never a dull moment watching the street life and walking through a neighborhood or village.

photos by GIna Kingsley

Other blogs about Havana…..

A Santeria ritual in a Havana Rainforest

Planning a trip to Cuba

Architecture and Faces of Old Havana

A city with the largest Spanish fort built around it is sure to have remarkable architecture and colonial charm. Settled in 1519, Havana is full of Neoclassical and Baroque splendor. Romantic and magical, Old Havana is the priceless gem in the center of Havana’s tiara. Four squares, cathedrals, canons, cannonballs and details galore make up the charm of this architectural wonder.

With narrow alleyways between buildings purposely built close together for shade, Old Havana’s buildings “spoke” to each other with all the flair and personality each one displayed. Columns, scrolled metal, balconies, grand windows, shutters and a range of pastels and vibrant colors decorated the ornate buildings. Pilasters, balustrades, cornices, intricate moldings, columns, wrought-iron work and Spanish tile are just some of the architectural details of the buildings and homes. The muted color hues of the buildings, once vibrant with lustre, had romantic, faded tones and peeling plaster. 

Looking up so as not to miss any detail from any angle, the frames and arches of the windows varied in details. What was most alluring was to see how the people used their balconies. The balconies came to life with activity. As  the balconies were the prettiest rooms of the houses, possibly, the people not only went out there for space but to be part of the action on the streets below. Cathedral-sized doors were also imposing and stately details we noticed on our walks.

We learned about the symbolism of the placement of cannons and cannon balls on the various squares. The position of cannons and cannon balls within the concrete represents peace or war time. Pirates and buccaneers attacked Havana for its trading port, regularly, which makes the endurance of the architecture even more impressive. The spirt of Havana is unfading.

Leaving Old Havana to go back to our casa in Vedado, we passed the seawall and gorgeous landscape. At night, the seawall was packed with people socializing and enjoying the night. While we were at jazz cafes and art galleries, there were still crowds of people enjoying the nightlife in the streets.

As much as I was enriched by the entertainment, art, and people of Havana, the architecture definitely ranked high as one of the most powerful images of our trip. Its endurance through economic and political conditions is impressive. I was impressed that people lived in the upper quarters while markets and cafes took up the lower quarters. Compared to other capital cities, it was refreshing to see that these buildings were not destroyed. Scaffolding and murals might be holding up the facades of many buildings, but we did see alot of restoration, too. In the new few  years, it will be interesting to see how things will develop. Nevertheless, I am grateful to have seen Cuba in July 2017 between two major travel restrictions decisions. Our trip program format was perfect for our needs and definitely embodied the statement, “timing is everything!’

Venture off to Old Havana, and you’ll think you are going to experience the architecture, history and traditions of this capital city founded in 1519. What I didn’t expect was to peer mostly into the faces of the charming people walking among the cobbled streets of Old Havana.

Whether they were working, relaxing, observing, etc…..the alluring faces showed the Cuban spirit. I asked permission to take their photos and the reactions ranged from enthusiasm, engaging behaviors or quiet acquiescence.

The friendliness of the waiter enticing us to eat at his restaurant, the artists explaining their art and the musicians serenading us was part of the immense charm of Old Havana.

Other  people approached us with their questions. “Do you have lotion? soaps? etc…” We offered pens, candy, and other items that we knew were desired. Out of the blue, performance artists entertained us with their talent. We were drawn into the joy and rhythm of Cuba! We participated when we could which is always more fun that just being a spectator.

The faces of Havana were as vibrant and lovely as the architecture and the people had a contagious spirit that they exuded. We chatted while we strolled. We asked to pose for photos. We questioned the artists about their inspirations, their process, their hopes. My friends and I analyzed with each other what we thought was a good summary of our Cuba experience and our interpretation of the island. We came up with this; “brilliance was contained within scaffolding.” No matter what the conditions were of the buildings the art galleries or markets were in, the brilliance shined, endured and was on display within the crumble. The joy was shared and expressed in their dance and the vibrance was expressed in their art. The spirt and soul was expressed in their jazz and Cuban salsa beats and rhythms.

Cuba was an enigma. By the end of our trip, we still could not describe it or identify it. When I returned home, I saw a program on a travel channel about Cuba. They stated the same enigmatic perspective—you cannot define Cuba and you’ll go crazy trying. There was one word every tourist commonly used to describe the country, however. VIBRANT.

all photos by Gina Kingsley

When travel to Cuba opened up a few years ago, my curiosity was aroused. The trip planning was very challenging, however. At the particular time, it was not a slam-dunk, travel agency type of trip. Among many other obstacles and requirements, there was also the tentative situation circling around what our new POTUS would decide about travel guidelines to Cuba. One requirement among travel programs was that you have to do four days in Havana as part of the educational trip theme. That was not a problem for me as Havana is the city I was most curious to see. Later, I discovered that the latter detail was a guideline (not a requirement) that some travelers get around.

When I found a trip program that seemed seamless in regards to getting our visas online and not chancing it at the airport, etc. and other lodging, transportation and excursions details all included, I paid a deposit and waited for the program to fill up before we could get our airplane ticket. Things seemed ready to go and then……news came that the POTUS might close travel to Cuba. Ugh. This was frustrating because I didn’t want the trip to be canceled but there were so many other concerns and details, too.  My travel companions and I also had to find dates that worked for our schedules. How ironic it would be now if interference with the trip was because of new travel restrictions. Luckily, the news was good…..travel to Cuba was ok if you had flights and cruises planned before a certain July date but after that it would only be allowed for group travel. Big exhale. I did meet plane passengers who were traveling alone but I also noticed that they didn’t know what excursions to do once they arrived. They also weren’t going to have drivers or bilingual guides.

I also observed at the Atlanta airport that many passengers were completing their Cuba visas there at the gate. That seemed stressful to me and I was grateful that ours were expedited ahead of time because we walked right into the gate and passed the others who were in line completing their visas.

A short cultural immersion trip program was ideal for me because without internet or phone plan, I didn’t want to be without communication too long from my teenager or octogenarian father. The Discover Corp program had impeccable customer service. I also liked the sustainable values the program offered.

To quote one of our travel guides, this is how she summarized the mission of Discover Corps : “Discover Corps is a certified B corporation that works across Asia, Africa, Latin America & Australia to offer vacations with purpose. Founded by Andrew Motiwalla, who served in the Peace Corps for two years in Honduras, Discover Corps started as a partnership with the National Peace Corps Association. Inspired by his time in the Peace Corps, Discover Corps takes travelers deep into local communities and exposes them to a side of the country most people never experience while giving back to local projects and organizations. Today, the Discover Corps team comes from a wide variety of backgrounds, but they all share a passion for world cultures — and a belief that responsible, sustainable travel can make the world a better place.”

Initially, I applied under a journalist application category for a Cuban visa but then my travel buddy and I applied under a People to People category once we decided to use this particular trip program. The application and the visa process were expeditious and seamless. (This was more of a cultural immersion trip so we chose a program accordingly.)

Most of all, I liked that the People to People category directly supports the people of Cuba. By staying in casa particulares and dining at paladars, we were supporting the people and not the government. It also enhanced our cultural immersion to travel this way instead of staying at resorts.

So, there’s a little introduction to trip planning for Cuba. The next few blogs will highlight excursions and details of beautiful Havana and the surrounding areas. Ready for Havana!

Day one in Havana! We arrived, found our tour guide immediately, changed our euros into CUCS–Cuban pesos and put our carryon bags into our tour van. We traveled light to Cuba which made everything faster and easier. Driving the streets of Havana to our casa particular, we were welcomed by the intensely orange Flamboyan trees. Vintage cars and horse carriages drove by us as we gazed upon the colorful buildings. My friend took a photo of me taking a photo of the scenery and we laughed at the outcome. We were already having fun in Havana. The flight was not long and our connections were good. Leaving Tulsa at 6:00 a.m. and connecting to Atlanta, we gained an hour. We quickly walked to our next gate and boarded. There was a long line of people completing visas but we breezed past them to board the plane since our visas were completed online.

The colorful buildings were so vibrant and vivid. To be honest, I didn’t notice the crumbling that people talk about. I noticed the stately Neoclassical and Baroque architecture, the colonial influence of Columbus’s arrival, and a type of pride that was somehow conveyed in the cityscape. (Those architecture photos are in the Architecture and Faces of Old Havana blog and other blogs coming up.) Reportedly, a house a day crumbles in Cuba but I didn’t notice this compared to the architectural beauty and spectrum of colors which outweighed the “crumble.”  Another factoid reports that there are 60,000 vintage cars in Cuba and 80% of them are in Havana.

We were immediately taken to lunch which is always a smart move of tour guides for weary travelers who have been up since 3:50 a.m. and only had snacks on board the plane. Light thunder rolled in the background as we listened to joyful, sultry, live Cuban salsa music inside.

A Cuban flag blew in the breeze. The rain ceased quickly and we bonded with our tour guide, (a bilingual professor) while trying traditional Cuban chicken, mojitos and sangria. I observed that the Cubans put a sprig or stalk of mint in each mojito, not muddled slivers like we are used to back home. I like the ease of this. Also, it’s powerfully pungent. As we boarded our van to depart to our casa particular in the neighborhood of Vedado, we noticed locals carrying umbrellas for both the heat and possible rain. 

Next stop, our panoramic tour of Havana and Vedado. So much was already learned and we barely arrived. We knew our itinerary would be intense, packing in so much in four days but this was perfect for us. We were there to culturally immerse in a doable time frame with limited internet and phone service. We would rest when we got home! Upcoming blogs will cover our Panoramic Tour of Havana, Fabrica de Arte Cubano, Santeria rituals and so much more!

photos by GIna Kingsley

For other blogs on Cuba….search Architecture and Faces of Old Havana and  A Santeria Ritual in a Havana Rainforest in the search bar of this blog site.

On the top of our list of our Havana itinerary, was the spellbinding FAC: Fabrica de Arte Cubano. The once-derelict factory is now the famous, cosmopolitan art gallery. Having been on several satisfying art crawls in the states, I have never quite experienced an art gallery like this one. Art has the power to transform and this is definitely happening in Cuban art. FAC housed so many superior art forms within its rustic architecture. Tierra, a restaurant within a shipping container, was in one area of the building. Outside of Tierra, a movie screen played a movie while people gathered in small groups enjoying beverages. Art displayed outside was framed by a magical and celestial rainbow. The colors of the sky were saturated at this dusk time after an earlier light rainfall.

Looking into the enormous doorway of FAC, there was a darkly lit dance floor where modern dancers were stretching, turning and flipping. One minute, we were watching dancers strut across a dance floor/stage and another minute we were gazing at the massive and colorfully lit bar where a famous artist was identified.

There were deejays, a bar with alcohol bottles overhead on a conveyor belt suspended from the ceiling, and floors of provocative art; celebrating nudity and diversity.The line to get into FAC was extremely long but we were able to bypass the line since we had pre-purchased tickets. My friends and I observed some of the art together and then we separated to enjoy it, individually. It was a very cosmopolitan evening of culture, diversity, art and relaxed glamour. It surpassed what I expected and what I had seen on TV about this Havana treasure. Historically, the art scene in Cuba has been inspiring for a long time. It is said that Cuba has been a playground for the inspired eccentricities of various artists and authors, whether it’s Hemingway, Jose Marti, Jose Fuster, etc. I also admire the artwork of Salvador Gonzales Escalona with his surrealism, Afro-Cuban style, cubism and abstract art.

Throughout our trip, we continued to interpret the art that provoked us and inspired us. The use of mediums (like photography and painting fused onto the same canvas) were powerful. The social messages were intense and the blending of contemporary art within an old, rustic building was ironic and delicate.

http://www.fac.cu

In Havana’s outskirts, in the Jaimanitas  fishing town, we visited a  neighborhood transformed by Jose Fuster’s artwork.

When we entered the neighborhood, we noticed the entrance sign in Spanish saying that it was in Homage to Gaudi. Reportedly, Fuster designed one house in the mosaic-encrusted tiling and others became so interested in having their homes decorated the same way. Eventually, eighty homes were decorated in the same vibrant, eclectic and whimsical way. This public artwork of ornate murals  took over ten years. It is said to have been done to suit the personality of Fuster’s neighbors.

The home with an entrance titled “Princesa Diana” intrigued me. Just as we tried to absorb the details and whimsy, we were distracted by all the other intricate details and compliments to the neighborhood…..like the florals, trees and horse-drawn carriages prancing by.

Jose Fuster’s artwork has been compared to that of Barcelona’s Gaudi. This connection to Cuba’s Spanish heritage is one of the features that makes Cuba so fascinating to visit. Cuba’s Afro-Latino backgrounds break down more specifically into Spaniard and Nigerian influences due to the colonists who settled the area and the Africans they brought over.

I’ve never observed a neighborhood as an actual piece of art quite like this one. While all architecture “tells a story” in some way, this whimsical display conveyed layers of stories to me. I found Havana’s art  to be a vehicle for the people’s  self-expression. Art is an outlet which is therapeutic and in this case (with the neighborhood), it served a constructive purpose.

photos by Gina Kingsley

On a panoramic tour of Havana, we were taken to a rainforest. I knew Cuba was lush and tropical but I didn’t really expect to see a rainforest on our culture and arts itinerary. The drapery of emerald green swags billowing from the tree limbs was magical. The rushing waters of the river were captivating at that time of the day as it was almost dusk and the lighting was surreal. The waves were steadily and aggressively lapping up which created an incredibly romantic and haunting tone. As we descended some rugged terrain into the riverbank area, I noticed three people at the water’s edge. I could tell these locals were involved in something authentic. 

There were some challenging areas to sidestep as we navigated down the steep hills and stones to reach them. (photo below by Rebecca) Once I reached the shore, I didn’t have any time to really focus my camera on the best settings but I just started shooting! Fortunately, the light was so unbelievably perfect during these “magic hours” for photos. I snapped away, knowing I’d read up later and study what it was I witnessed during this lucky timing.

My pictures revealed that two chickens (or a rooster) were rubbed on the lady’s body and possibly on the younger girl, too. There was a cup collecting drained blood, possibly from a decapitated chicken but I’m not completely sure that is what happened during this specific ritual. When I studied up on Santeria spiritual cleansing rituals, later, this is what I learned:

The Santeria church of the Orisha uses this ritual as a catharsis of negative energies and disturbances. They also use egg cleansing, spiritual baths, and sarayeye which is a ceremonial cleansing that uses bundled herbs or the rubbing of a feathered animal over a person’s body.

Magic spells and rituals sometimes include blood sacrifices. In certain voodoo practices, the use of life forces offered up in sacrifice revitalizes the spirits. In another article I read, I learned about a Cuban healer who slits rooster’s throats with a butcher knife and lets the blood (and absorbed evil) splatter at the person’s feet.

The origin of such rituals came from the time that these practices were brought to the Caribbean by West African slaves. In order for Santeria to survive in the time of  plantation-owners and Spanish missionaries, Santeria adopted elements of Catholicism by incorporating their idols and renamed African gods within the images of Catholic saints. The Yoruba gods (orishas) were merged with the saints in this fusion of religious traditions. The latter allowed them to adjust  to the religion of their masters.

African animism blended with Catholic saints and contributed to the recognition of St. Lazarus being their patron saint of healing. Formerly known as Babalu Aye, this orisha (spirit) was associated with disease and healing.

In the rainforest, we found a chicken skeleton and goat’s skull on the ground. Reportedly, the carcasses of the animals are sacrificed as gifts for the gods. This thicketed forest happens to be a favorite setting for Santeria devotees to practice their ritual. An exotic bird, which resembled a vulture (but pretty), soared around the river and landed to rest. Even a Cuban vulture is more flamboyant and exotic! It swooped and dove in and around trees and seemed to skitter across the water. The vultures are sniffing out the freshly sacrificed animals as the life force (ashe) is given up to the gods of Santeria, leaving the carcasses behind for the predatory birds.

These are only a few details of spiritual cleansing rituals and I’m curious to learn more. My tour guide thinks the reason I may have been permitted to get this close to take photos is because I was coincidentally wearing an all-white outfit which happens to be the folk dress of the Santeria religion. He believes that the people may have thought I was “one of them”. I don’t know if that is true but I felt fortunate to witness their ritual. For the sake of privacy, I am somewhat relieved the photos have dark shadows so that their faces aren’t directly exposed in the photos I’ve included here. I have other more detailed photos with graphic details but for the sake of introduction and general information, I am only including these photos. This landmark with its exposed spiritual practice remains one of the most powerful images I saw and experienced in Cuba. To see this live rather than only read about it or see representations in museums made our Cuba experience very authentic and alive.

photos by Gina Kingsley

Mughal architecture is astounding. Color tones, textures, optical illusions…..are some of the many distinctive details. The 13th center “tower of triumph” as it’s called is still the tallest free-standing minaret in the world, according to an India travel guide book. The sandstone facades and arches (without any mortar) were built in the typical Indian dry masonry technique. The Arabic inscriptions and ornate details , carved inscriptions, and geometrics in the patterns convey such diligence and artisan discipline but also have a subtle blending in to the rich, earthy tone of the buildings.

Qutb Minar (also spelled Qutub), was built by the first Muslim sultan of Delhi as a triumphant celebration of victory over the Hindu kings. It’s often referred to as the” tower of triumph” or “tower of victory.”  The cupola, which was originally on the very top, was destroyed by a 19th century earthquake. A nearby mosque on the grounds is believed to be the oldest in India, built with parts of demolished Jain and Hindu temples. There is also a 4th century iron pillar on the courtyard which impressively has never shown any signs of corrosion.As we walked the grounds and viewed the splendor of this architecture, we enjoyed seeing the people in their colorful Indian clothing. Our guide told us many facts and stories about this site which was on the first days of our itinerary. I can’t say that I remember them all because we were still quite tired from traveling long hours to reach Dehli, India. Although I wasn’t as alert to absorb the history and information of this site, I have fond memories of the sunny day and the intense earth tones of the sandstone amidst the landscape.All of the temples, forts, and monuments we toured in Delhi were powerful and fascinating. I can definitely understand how the “Golden Triangle” got its name. Getting to the sites among the busy and noisy streets, highways, etc. required energy and patience; especially on restless sleep. Devote time to each destination on the Golden Triangle if you go.photos by Gina Kingsley

Follow this lesson plan to build trip itineraries with your family:

Travel Lesson Plan: Integrate the Concepts

Alluring, eccentric or creepy? Window dressing, retail, medical and even military uses are all reasons why mannequins came into existence. Decor or fetish? A famous celebrity who people named “Wacko Jacko” was known for having mannequins in his home. I actually have a few, too, for decoration purposes. I love to photograph mannequins in vintage stores. Sometimes, I inquire about purchasing one of them but, so far, they haven’t been for sale. The ones I have are from store closings, etc. I decided to read up about the history of mannequins and whenever I find something interesting, I start to wonder if my blog readers will think it’s an interesting subject, too. So…here we are….the evolution of mannequins.

Mannequins have had various purposes through the decades; fashion dolls, CPR/first aid dummies, and even 1950’s nuclear test dummies to help demonstrate the effects of nuclear weapons. “Mannequin” is a French word for an “artist’s model” and it’s also a Flemish word “maneken”, meaning “little man or figurine.” They originated in the 15th century when milliners’ mannequins were used for fashion displays. They’ve ranged from wickerwork to wirework models in the 18th century, approximately. The first mannequins were constructed from paper mache in France in the 19th century. Later, they were made of wax and then plaster in the 1920’s. Over the decades, the mannequins evolved from having small or average bust size to the newly manufactured bustier and bodacious sizes.

In the 100 year span of 1900-2000, mannequins went from being headless dolls to fully complete human form due to the industrial revolution. This was the dawn of “window shopping”. The original 300 pound mannequin had false teeth, glass eyes and even real hair but eventually became much lighter in weight. Victorian styles (at the turn of the century) were conservative and censorship of the female body drew protests and bans against store mannequins displaying corsets, etc. There were even laws passed in some cities forbidding the dressing/undressing of mannequins openly in store windows. They required that the windows be covered first. Believe it or not, this law lasted until the 1920’s. During Victorian times, exposed knees and ankles were frowned upon but in the 1910-1920 decade, mannequins exposed those body parts. During the flapper phase, (1920-1930), the more slender figure of a flatter bust and androgynous, athletic, boyish body was more in vogue during this Art Deco style phase. The mannequin became 100 pounds lighter and made from paper mache. During the Great Depression (1930-1940), mannequins had a metal skeleton with material that resembled skin. The incorporation of high cheekbones and oval faces became important  features.  WWII (1940-1950) was a somber time, obviously, and the window dressing took on a serious tone. Patriotic attitudes and muted tones were at the forefront. The commercial boom of the 1950-1960 decade reflected the popularity of Marilyn Monroe with her shapely body and curves. The overtly sexualized body image bothered some people and reportedly, nipples were shaved down, temporarily. In 1959, the invention of the Barbie Doll celebrated curviness and mannequin nipples returned for the 1960-1970 decade. However, this was the Twiggy generation so skinny, fiberglass mannequins came to be. Petite mannequins were introduced as well as faceless mannequins in the 1970-1980 decade. The 1980-1990 decade celebrated health and fitness with a boom in aerobics. The next decade (1990-2000) included plus sized models even though the beginning of the decade featured waif and heroin chic models. Now, in this decade, we are seeing more mannequins size 6 and above.

As I write this blog, I just remembered an experience I had as a teen in the 1980s. My best friend and I were hired to be live mannequins in a store window of a popular mall. We were modeling sportswear and stood there as stiff, non-blinking mannequins. It was fun but hard work. It definitely drew attention from mall walkers and customers. One fiesty boy came up to the window, stared at us and exclaimed, “KISS you? I don’t even KNOW you!” and walked off.  My best friend lost her composure and collapsed into a fit of giggles and side splitting laughter. The contagious humor of the situation had us both erupting in laughter. We got the job done which was to attract attention to the store and model sportswear. We’re mid-lifers now with this sweet and funny memory of our teen years. Maybe my fascination with mannequins has to do with my experience one afternoon as a live mannequin in a mall window. Not plastic, fiberglass, metal or paper mache but celebrating fashion, nonetheless! Not Victorian, stick thin Twiggies or Barbies but taking part in the evolution of fashion, retail and art!

photos by Gina Kingsley

pictures taken at KC’s River City Market Antiques and Wonderland

Sacred. Medicinal. “Mary’s gold”. After attending a wedding in India, so many new rituals and symbolisms inspired me to study these provocative traditions. The marigold leis (and other garlands) used in the Indian wedding we attended peaked my curiosity when I looked at my photos, off and on. Like many international symbols and rituals, several cultures share similar features and concepts. Nomadic exploration introduced and cultivated certain traditions from land to land.

As I wrote in another blog regarding the Baraat ceremony, “When we reached the meeting point of both families, approximately 45 minutes later, the bride’s procession was just as moving and spine-tingling as the groom’s procession. Garlands were draped on the bride and groom. The groom is given the marigold garland (like a lei) as are some of the family members. The marigold garland, reminiscent of a Hawaiian lei, (which is also presented at times of welcome), is a symbol associated with the vibrancy of the sun. The marigold is also referred to as the “herb of the sun” representing passion and creativity. In terms of the wedding celebration, the marigold is used as a love charm and a sign of a new beginning. It is also considered a sign of purity in Hindu festivals and worship ceremonies. When it’s presented as a welcome gesture at homes or hotels, (as it was to us whenever we arrived to each hotel) it is used as a sign of respect and honor. I felt this symbol of honor when I saw the marigold leis bestowed upon the families joining together in the wedding ceremony as the Baraat procession was completing and entering into another ceremony.” Since the Indian marigold garlands reminded me of the Hawaiian lei, I started to explore this connection. I learned that there are many international symbolisms having to do with the marigold and that one explanation stated that the Portuguese introduced marigolds into India. Marigolds are referred to as “Mary’s gold” which was derived from the practice of early Christians placing flowers (as an offering) on Mary’s altar instead of gold coins. Marigolds are used in various festivities that honor Mary. The marigold is referred to as the “herb of the sun” for various reasons and one of them is because the flower petals are open when the sun is out.

The marigold is also used as “love charms”. It was believed that the water from the marigold was rubbed on peoples’ eyes to supplicate psychic visions of fairies. The Aztecs treated the marigold as a sacred floral and used it in ceremonies, medicinally. They believed the marigold treated the hiccups and that it was a cure for people who were struck by lightning.  In the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), marigolds were used to commemorate the lives of the deceased. The Mexicans believed the souls of the deceased visit the living, so marigolds served as a way to guide them towards the altar. Apparently, the pungent scent of the marigold attracted the dead. The latter is why burial sites are often adorned with these flowers.

As often as I have had these flowers planted in various gardens over the years, I simply didn’t appreciate (or know) their historic symbolisms. Had it not been for traveling to India and attending such an unforgettable, extraordinary wedding, I would not have become interested in the marigold flower and its symbolisms. Now, a simple flower has the words “sacred” and “medicinal” attached to it. It opened up my eyes like the marigold’s petals open to the sun!

photos by Gina

Stories like this can be found in the book, A Magic Carpet Ride on link below.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/069271393X/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

Part 1 (The Baraat ceremony and the processions involving marigold leis), etc. is found on the blog below.)

India- Exotic Land of Ceremonies

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Memphis is known for its iconic Beale Street, Graceland and Peabody Hotel ducks but did you know it has other eclectic and charming districts that tourists should definitely check out? One of those districts is the hip Cooper Young area.  Our Air BnB was located within the Cooper Young area and we were able to stroll through our quaint neighborhood onto the intersection of shops and cafes.

One particular restaurant and bar was called The Beauty Shop which used to be just that!- a beauty shop that was actually the first co-ed beauty shop and barber shop all in one. Now transformed into a restaurant with the hairdryers still in place, we got to sit in the booth where Priscilla Presley used to get her beehive coiffed.

The menu was impressive and the ambience was purely retro. Totally fun! After a glass of rose wine and a healthy salad and yummy sides, we took a short stroll through the area and back to our Air BnB. Victorian houses, craftsmen bungalows and other charming houses filled the neighborhoods.

A short ten minute or so uber drive to Beale Street made this a nice area for lodging. Overton Square is another revitalized area to check out. For my second trip to Memphis, these “finds” were nice to add to the famous Beale Street. Check them out!