Brown Paper Packages Tied Up w/String
- Michelle Thomas
- 04 Jun, 2011
A sari is a single piece of material, wrapped around and around a woman’s body then thrown over the shoulder and draped almost to the... Read More ››
India's Eunuchs
- Jonit Mata
- 20 Mar, 2011
In Mumbai last summer, Michelle and I twice ran into hijras, or eunuchs, as they’re referred to in English…once while stopped at a red light in an... Read More ››
Meaningfully Mute with Wordless Expressiveness...
- Michelle Thomas
- 19 Dec, 2010
I walk the streets of India oftentimes in this very state. Traversing India is like taking a river swim – the fantastic part about being... Read More ››
Frohliche Weinachten
- Michelle Thomas
- 17 Nov, 2010
Selecting Chennai – India’s fourth-ish largest city – as our port of entry into India is comparable to the average European deciding to launch their... Read More ››
Lakshmi Schmakshmi
- Maureen Fetscher
- 07 Nov, 2010
Hello everyone! Joni, Michelle, and I have finally reached the peace and solitude of the Cardamon Hills in the state of Kerala. We have settled... Read More ››
In India There Is No Place To Buy Toilet Paper
- Mata Traders
- 23 Oct, 2010
Most Indian women decorate their face, be it w/ yellow facial dye or a multitude of multi-colored dots. We’ve visited enough temples to recognize that... Read More ››
Families on Motorbikes
- Jonit Mata
- 22 Oct, 2010
Something you really don’t see in the U.S. is the family motorbike ride. I was determined to get a few shots this time in India. Read More ››
Mamas and Babies
- Jonit Mata
- 14 Oct, 2010
Mata means mother in Hindi, and we are always inspired by the strength and dedication of the mothers we meet in India. Read More ››
Crazy Animal Town
- Jonit Mata
- 04 Oct, 2010
Udaipur is one of my favorite places in India, especially because of its animal life. It’s like being on safari, without leaving the city. I’ve... Read More ››
Cows Of Udaipur
- Jonit Mata
- 28 Sep, 2010
I just can’t get over the cows (and bulls!). They’re everywhere, just wandering around the streets and paths. They park themselves where the mood strikes,... Read More ››
PANORAMA
- Jonit Mata
- 19 Sep, 2010
Checking into the Panorama Guesthouse, my eyes scanned the lobby walls as I waited for the clerk to record my passport and visa information in... Read More ››
Ganpati Festival
- Jonit Mata
- 17 Sep, 2010
The Ganpati Festival is the annual celebration of Ganesh, the elephant-headed son of gods Shiva and Parvati. During the festival, Ganesh idols are paraded through... Read More ››
As Karma would have it...
- Maureen Fetscher
- 08 Aug, 2010
I’ve never done one of these group e-mails before, but I think now is as appropriate a time as any. I hope you all are... Read More ››
Harshali’s Story (everything is connected)
- Maureen Fetscher
- 04 Aug, 2010
I met Harshali two years ago when she was a shy 17 year old with limited English speaking skills. At that time she was working... Read More ››
Riding on a bus in India is a lot like watching television...
- Michelle Thomas
- 31 Jul, 2010
Only better. As the gray fumes from passing vehicles pump in between the bars on the windows, blurring your vision slightly, the scenes that pass... Read More ››
American Girls Can't Nod
- Michelle Thomas
- 24 Jul, 2010
Here in India – our destination for the next four months – the people have a habit of replying to questions with a sideways nod... Read More ››
Emails from India and a Loooooooooooooooooong shanti letter
- Mata Traders
- 15 Jul, 2010
Michelle, Maureen, and I first went to India in December 2003 and spent 4 months backpacking the country as part of a longer round-the-world adventure. ... Read More ››
Thanks for reading...
- Jonit Bookheim
- 01 May, 2010
Welcome to Mata Traders' blog! We'll use this space so you can learn more about Mata Traders and the women's cooperatives and artisans that make... Read More ››