The journey of finding said Saree has been a difficult one! My mother-in-law Sharon (who is absolutely wonderful) was kind enough to find me a Saree in Trinidad and bring it home a couple of months ago. For those who have experience buying Saree's know that you must have a petticoat (under garment like a skirt) and blouse made. I am resourceful and crafty but am severely lacking when it comes to sewing so the quest to find a tailor was a must!
I found an Indian store that was going out of business and bought a petticoat for a very reasonable price (yay me!). It wasn't until about a week later that I learned you should bargain down (even in Calgary) and this was after I went and bought all my jewelry at a store that wasn't going out of business... HUMPH! The experience was very overwhelming - being an "outsider" having never shopped for fabrics and jewelry I didn't know where to start so naturally I got some help! The service was much better than I was anticipating and I found that my mom, my sister (Brittany) and I were all enjoying ourselves. It has been such a treat to share this adventure with them and I am grateful that they were so open to this experience - thanks ladies :) Less than a week later Sharon and I went to Bhatia together to buy fabric and jewelry for her and once again it was enjoyable to have good company and good service.
After days of trying to find a tailor I finally got a call from Banho and made arrangements to drive to her house which just had to be on the other side of the city (a full 45 minute drive each way) but I was determined to have a "proper" Saree blouse made.
Banho is amazing! She is a 68 year old widow from Nairobi with 2 grown children. I was expecting to go get measured, discuss what I would like done and review costs then leave... simple right? Well... Banho and I hit it off... after an hour or so of trying to do measurements between looking at family pictures, and chatting I thought it was time to leave, you'd think it was time to leave too right? It's pretty customary for Indian people to invite their guests to join them for tea so naturally this is what she did. I was a little surprised as I am a perfect stranger at this point but I guess what better way to learn about someone than to talk over tea? So I stayed, and enjoyed myself.
Banho was so excited that I would stay for tea that she brought out 7 different Indian treats for me to try, and a treat they were! I enjoyed everyone of them. We discussed ingredients, and how to make each one. She was so happy watching me try everything, which made me happy too.
Banho is a very open minded, forward thinking person, her heart is sweet and pure. She wore a bindi(which signifies that she is a married woman) she told me she came to Canada after her husband was murdered and I couldn't help but tear up. She shared a few memories of him and her journey as a widow. She told me about the struggles of learning English, and driving and providing for herself. After 2 1/2 hours we finally said goodnight with plans that I'd come back for a quick fitting before she did the final stitching.
I though my second visit to Banho would be quick as I was going over in the later evening but Banho wanted to talk again and I just couldn't rush out on her - I was giving her the company that she so desperately was seeking and I was the one truly benefiting as she is such a delight. The fitting took all of 5 minutes, I left after looking through over 50 Saree's, learning about Ganish and an hour and a half later we called it a night.
Her humor and zest for life is contagious. I have a new friend whom I will have to visit every now and then... and a beautiful Saree blouse that will forever remind me of her.
