Peggy and I had visited Morocco as tourists 20 years ago but this was our first time as buyers. Traveling as business people is certainly an interesting way to experience the Berber-Arabic culture of the Atlas Mountains.

We traveled by train from Casablanca to the ancient capitals of Fes and Marrakech, with side excursions by horse, bus and taxi to the historic coastal port of Essaouira and the Middle Atlas Kilim production centre of Azrou.

The old Medinas of these towns have a Biblical feel. Clay and stone buildings crowd the streets and alleys, causing them to twist and turn in wonderful ways. Horses and donkeys seem to be everywhere, and all the people seem to know one another. After spending just two days in one place they come to know us as well, and are quick to help. Never did we feel threatened or nervous, and were always coming across interesting sights and smells.

Moroccans have been traders and salesmen forever. Normally when we buy in South East Asia there is very little haggling, but in Morocco haggling is the national sport; if you don’t they cannot respect you! We had quite an interesting time negotiating our way through the country. Morocco was one of our most challenging and interesting countries. The people, food and amenities were wonderful, while the buying and negotiations were much more complex than normal. After all the work we are very happy with what we selected.

Where else but Morocco can you find gorgeous Berber Kilims (flat carpets), soft leather products, Berber ceramics, Arabic furniture, bone mirrors, extra-long Saharan scarves and brass/gold plates? This year they can also be found in Manotick Station, at the Third World Bazaar!

In February of 2010 we visited the incredible country of India. Eighteen days does not give the country justice, but it did give us a good feel for Delhi and the province of Rajastan. The product variety is immense, the workmanship amazing and the quality strong. In Delhi we were able to source some wonderful glass products, silk scarves and ceramic products. Jodphur is a fantastic source of furniture, and those hand-painted Rajastani cabinets that so many of you have asked us for. Jaiselmeer, the sandcastle city in the middle of the Dhar Desert was a great source of linens, wool pashminas, musical instruments and jeweled tapestries. In Jaipur we were able to find more linens, ceramics and fantastic camel hair carpets. We are confident you will be impressed with our Indian purchases.

Trains are the way to experience India. While on one of our rides Peggy and Dick wrote the two short observations below.

India, the destination that has drawn explorers, traders, mystics and empires for centuries!

But it is not to be seen, rather, it is to be experienced, in one view – splendor, squalor, smell, taste; while overhead a supersonic fighter jet.

India, home of friendly people, efficient but dirty trains, fantastic architecture, crumbling neighbourhoods, confident cows!

India, the Experience!

Dick

Constant contrasts,

Senses are alive;

Land needing water,

Animals needing a home;

Eye contact and wonderment,

Both sides trying to imagine the other;

Gracious, Kindness and Enthusiasm

That is what I felt in . Incredible India.

Peggy

In 2008 we were able to return to our key suppliers in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cuba, and through associates buy directly in Bolivia, Guatemala and Nepal. We are very pleased with the selection and quality of our purchases.

In Thailand we found an incredibly gifted carving village. This year our Chaing Mai shipper brought us to the woodcarving village of Yu-Wah, in the Lana area of Northern Thailand. It was just a few miles south of Chaing Mai and we were thrilled with the craftsmanship of the producers. They had particularly good elephant carvings created from old teakwood.
After wandering from shop to shop, admiring and buying wooden elephants and furniture; we turned a corner and were startled to find a life sized teak elephant looking at us with sad, thoughtful eyes. He was spectacular and Peggy’s heart jumped. We knew he had a come at the Third World Bazaar. We named him Eddy on the spot; the new ‘brother’ to Freddy our large Kenyan Giraffe.

As we admired him we were introduced to Mr. Puc Jentalik, the Master Carver of the region, and Eddy’s creator. He has been carving for over 20 years and mentors the up and coming craftsmen in the village.

Mr. Jentalik described to us the process of creating such a magnificent piece of work. While Eddy is huge (almost 10 feet tall) Mr. Jentalik only spent one and a half months working on him (his students would take over a year). The first week is the hardest and most stressful period as the facial proportions are set. This time period is nerve wracking as he can not sleep until he is certain the proportions will fit the dimensions of the wood. The most important aspect of carving is to get the forehead proportions set correctly. When you see Eddy, you will be impressed with the skill of Mr. Jentalik.

We are honoured and thrilled to have brought Eddy to the Bazaar. He is one of four siblings. One is at the residence of the King of Thailand, another is at the new International Airport in Bangkok and one is at the Erewan Museum south of Bangkok. Eddy will greet you as you enter the Barn; look into his eyes and imagine.

Another Master Artist we buy from is Mr. Laurent Monique. He produces teak root furniture in Bali, Indonesia and we have been buying from him for four years now. His products have always been of the highest quality, have a wonderful feel and are striking to the eye.

Laurent is originally from central Sumatra and his wife Yenny is from Java. He lived in Antwerp Belgium for 8 years as he went to art school and started his trade. At one time he earned extra money carving Angles for the Antwerp Cathedral.

While working in Belgium he told his employer that back home in Indonesia he could make the root furniture that was starting to become popular in Europe. His employer became his first customer when he started making beautiful art pieces out of what was previously waste wood.

We are sure you will be equally impressed with the skill and craftsmanship of Laurent. Look for the spectacular high back chair which Laurent carved out of a 400 year old Teak root ball. It is spectacular!