I am someone who will pick up anything from my wardrobe and happily go on with my day. While traveling I look for comfort more than anything. But it all changed in Paris. I went to Paris with my sister Alka. She brought a sari along and insisted that I wear it in Paris in November! I kept delaying it but on our last full day in Paris she absolutely insisted that I wear that red saree. And it turned out to be fun! So much fun that we repeated this experience in other places too.
Chhavi and I went to Tokyo and Kyoto in Japan this year and the plan was to wear Indian dresses as usual for one photo opportunity. But Chhavi bought a Kimono in Kyoto! She would keep wearing it at every opportunity she got. I decided to wear a pre stitched saree.
On the day of taking pictures we were in Kyoto. I realised it would be easier if we walked to someplace nearby. Nishiki Market in Kyoto was walking distance from our hotel. It is a traditional market in Kyoto with restaurants and souvenir shops along a narrow street. So that is where we headed for our photo shoot.
On the way, a lady on her way to work stopped to help fine tune Chhavi’s kimono. Chhavi was a little surprised but she felt more comfortable after the adjustments the lady made to the length of the kimono.
On our way to the Nishiki Market we would stop wherever we thought it made for a nice picture. I love clicking pictures but I am not so fond of getting clicked, till I wear a saree. Chhavi is okay at getting clicked if she is in the mood. She is not too keen to take pictures though. But gradually she started taking better pictures too.
We went to the Nishiki Market in the morning and it was not that crowded. Chhavi tried a grilled Oyster for the first time in the market. If you plan on taking pictures mornings work better. The market gets really crowded around lunch hour.
After a while we walked back to our hotel and got into comfort walking clothes and shoes and went on to explore more of Kyoto!