Day 7: West across the Pacific Ocean to India. Around the World in 80 Days.

332 W. 63rd Street, Kansas City, MO 64113 PH 816-361-2500

www.worldswindowkc.com

Shop On-Line: www.worldswindowkc.store

Did someone invite you to read this newsletter?

Sign up here to receive future newsletters.

"Where the creativity of human mind, spirit and experience is celebrated everyday."

Stories from the global community

Come along on the journey!

Day 6: West across the Pacific Ocean to India

Destination: The State of Gujarat, India

Gujarat is the western most state of India. It is bounded by the Arabian Sea to the west, shares its borders with Madhya Pradesh in the east, by Rajasthan in the north and northeast, and by Maharashtra in the south and south east. Gujarat has 2 seasons - a wet monsoon season with an average of 47" of rain from June to September, and the dry season. Its elevation is 46' and the tropical savanna climate ranges from an average of 75F to 99F.

Our travel takes us to 2 locations: the city of Surat, located in Southern Gujarat on the banks of the Tapti River, and Nirona, located inland in Northern Gujarat. Each location has talented artisans and families who make wind chimes.

Fun Facts: Mahatma Gandhi was born in the State of Gujarat in 1869.

Also: This past Friday, April 24, the Pink Auto Taxis were unveiled - 15 three-wheeler rickshaws equipped with safety features that are run by women for women. The women will ferry schoolchildren and women passengers throughout the city. Ok, ladies traveling with us, let's go find them!

Art Form: Copper Bells and Wind Chimes

Bell making is a traditional art

form which originated out of the need to track herds of cattle throughout the remote areas of India. Herders knew the sound of their cattle by the tone of each bell. Generations later, these bells are still being made; some for temple purposes, some for herding, and some for decor like the bells and chimes we carry in our store.

One family has been making these bells for years and the tradition has been passed down from father to son. The bells begin as metal sheets once used as water drums or for other purposes and are bought by the artisans. The metal is then outlined so each bell can be cut with the least amount of metal going to waste.

Once cut, the bells are transformed

into their round shapes using basic hand tools and riveted together. They are then coated with copper shavings and submerged in fire to create a rustic and distinct look. The last step in making the bells is to hand tune each one to perfection. Each bell design has its own pitch which the artisans match each time they make another bell of that design.

Watching this amazing process unfold. . .

Making of Fair Trade Copper Bells

Many of the bells we carry are put together into mobiles or wind chimes combining copper or iron, hand blown glass beads, sometimes fabric and the unique bells. Each chime is tested to make sure it makes a distinct, crisp yet calming sound.

At World's Window, our bells and chimes primarily come through two socially responsible companies - Moksha Imports and Mira Fair Trade. Both companies are very involved in the lives of the artisans and the well-being of the communities where the artisans live.

Moksha Imports maintains the Shah Family Education Sponsorship Program. "Our main goal is to help out artisans - our artists who make our bells and our iron - we give them free help with medicine and doctors' visits and help with

education - fees, books etc. for each of their children". Usha Shah, owner.

Mira Fair Trade maintains a commitment to improving the overall well-being of the artisans and their families. They particularly focus on women and the economically disadvantaged and are involved with groups that work on community projects, such as building schools, digging wells, and working on irrigation and water projects.

Images courtesy of Moksha Imports & Mira Fair Trade

Shopping . . .

Are you ready to explore

what we have in our store?

With the gorgeous spring weather currently in Kansas City, these bells and chimes are wonderful additions to gardens, patios and decks. As a Mother's Day gift? Perfect!

www.worldswindowkc.store

Remember to get your Passport Stamped!

Click on the

"stamp" to add to your "passport."

"Collect" at least 12 different "country" stamps during the first 20 days of our around-the-world trip to be entered into the drawing for a $25 gift card.

At the end of our 80-day Around the World

excursion, all eligible travelers (minimum of 48 country stamps)

will be entered into a drawing for

a Grand Prize $100 shopping spree gift card!

Thanks for traveling with us today.

Where to next? Stay tuned!

We hope you enjoyed your "Day on your Own" yesterday along with the Putumayo music. It gave us, your tour directors, a planning day for the tours to come. Oh, and a bit of relaxing. If you haven't already done so, invite some friends to come along! There's still room on this journey!

We moved all of our potted plants outside yesterday just in time for the overnight rain. I stand in awe as I look around our garden and our neighborhood at the almost hourly changes to plants and trees. The songs of birds are mesmerizing and everything smells of spring. Other than traveling the world with you right now, this is one of my favorite things.

My other favorite thing for today, April 27, is that it is Lonnie and my 45th wedding anniversary! Yes, it was the 70's and we were married at a camp. We've been on lots of journeys together and we're still great travel companions through this thing we call life.

We THANK YOU for your continued online shopping support. YOU are an important part of what makes World's Window so special!