8 articles tagged with artisans
The first time I held a genuine piece of Fijian tapa cloth in my hands, I was struck by how something so seemingly delicate could tell such a powerful story. The intricate geometric patterns weren't just decorative—they were narratives, genealogies,...
After fifteen years of globe-trotting from the misty Scottish Highlands to remote Pacific villages, I've developed a knack for peeling back the tourist veneer of any destination. When my machine learning project with a Kampala wildlife conservation group landed me...
There's something about marketplaces that reveals a culture's true heart. As someone who's spent 15 years scanning faces and reading body language for the U.S. Border Patrol, I've developed a sixth sense for authenticity – a skill that serves me...
The morning air carries the fragrance of jasmine and incense as I make my way through Bangalore's bustling streets at dawn. It's my third visit to India's Silicon Valley, but this time, I've come with a singular purpose: to look...
The first time I glimpsed Sidi Bou Said from the coastal road, I was reminded of a cricket match in Santorini I'd covered years ago – that same striking contrast of whitewashed buildings against the deep blue Mediterranean, yet with...
When most travelers think of Puerto Rico, their minds immediately drift to San Juan's colorful colonial architecture, the posh boutiques of Condado, or the pristine beaches stretching along the coastline. But just 20 miles south of the capital lies Caguas—a...
The morning mist still clung to the terraced hills as I made my way through Bandipur's cobblestone streets, the scent of cardamom chai mingling with woodsmoke in the crisp mountain air. This charming Newari trading post, perched at 1,030 meters...
As an anthropologist who has spent decades exploring marketplaces across continents, I've developed a particular fondness for spaces where commerce and culture intertwine. Kuala Lumpur—a vibrant tapestry of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous influences—offers one of Southeast Asia's most fascinating...