Travels with Tricia

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Photo du Jour: Mother & Child – Kochi, India

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Tricia A. Mitchell

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In the southern Indian city of Kochi, this mother and child sported bindis between their eyebrows, as well as sparkly bangles and dramatic eye makeup.

The young mother’s hair was also trimmed with a garland of fresh, aromatic jasmine — a practice that is customary with many of the ladies in the state of Kerala. On two separate afternoons, locals treated me to jasmine garlands, purchasing them from a flower merchant’s stand and then tying them into my hair. It was such a beautiful gesture and a generous way of sharing this custom with us. I was so very touched by my new friends’ random acts of kindness.

Mother and Child in India Black and White photo
Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

About the author

Hi! My name is Tricia Mitchell. I delight in telling stories about my slow travels through more than 65 countries. Some of my highlights have included sharing meals with locals in Armenia, Cambodia, and Tunisia; sipping sparkling wine with French cousins in Alsace; milking goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village; and training with a Japanese mine-clearance team in Laos. My husband, Shawn, and I are based in France’s Loire Valley.

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11 responses to “Photo du Jour: Mother & Child – Kochi, India”

  1. Rachael Avatar
    Rachael

    A lovely, uplifting post. I like your choice of B&W – very stylish.

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      I’m happy it struck a chord, Rachael. Whenever I go to India, I’m always impressed that some ladies wear elaborate saris, gold jewelry and flowers – even when picking tea leaves all day, or carrying bins of heavy soil on their heads.

      Reply
  2. travelingmad Avatar
    travelingmad

    Beautiful photos. I recently spent some time in India myself. Everyday I wanted a bindi and flowers in my hair also! I even got to wear a sari a couple of times. :)

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Travelingmad, thanks – a pleasure to meet you. How fun that you were able to wear the local accessories while in India. I just saw your sari picture – lovely! In what states of India were you?

      While in Munnar, I purchased one of the traditional Kerala saris (creme, with light blue and delicately-woven metallic gold). I look forward to having a special occasion to which to wear it!

      Reply
      1. travelingmad Avatar
        travelingmad

        Thanks! I was in Tamil Nadu, near Pondicherry. I love so much about Indian culture. It’s really beautiful. I also hope to have another occasion to wear my sari.

  3. kolkatakev Avatar
    kolkatakev

    Thanks for sharing your skills and experiences, an amazing culture and people, loving my time here in India. Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Hello again, Kolkatakev! It’s a joy to share the uplifting moments in particular.

      Say hi to India for us. :) I’m off to see what work you’ve been up to.

      Reply
  4. rigmover Avatar
    rigmover

    Great photos and good choice on the B&W.

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Thank you, Mark – I liked how the b&w made the jasmine flowers really pop!

      Reply
  5. In Search of Perfect Avatar
    In Search of Perfect

    Hi Tricia! I’ve enjoyed your posts immensely, and your traveling is such an inspiration to me! Therefore, I have nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award (http://insearchofperfect.wordpress.com/2012/04/25/paying-it-forward/) :)
    Yulia

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      So kind of you, Yulia – thank you very much! I’m really honored.

      Congratulations to you too! :)

      Reply