Discovering India in the Caribbean






While Christopher Columbus failed to discover India
and landed instead in the Caribbean I managed to find
a trace of India on the island Marie-Galante, which
Columbus had named after his caravelle Santa Maria
la Galante. The idyllic spot in the blue, blue sea
belongs to Guadeloupe and is still a part of France.
Amazingly enough the French cling to this tiny
archipelago as one of their overseas provinces. French
is spoken, baguette is sold and one enjoys a delicious
mixture of spiced seafood and French cuisine. I was
there on a home exchange trip and had the most
splendid view to the Laguna on the main island
from my host's terrace.

Fashion on the island is all about pareos for the
beach and brightly coloured kaftans. On the main
road of Marie-Galante I discovered a lovely
boutique cum seafood restaurant owned by two
elegantly French looking sisters specializing in
ware from India. The charming sisters did their
best to convince me that I could not do without
an Indian dress and the coral pattern did the rest.

The label is Happy Few, designed in France, made
in India. I felt that was just right for me as I was
part of the happy few enjoying the privilege to stay
on the gallant Mary. There was a light breeze from
the sea playing with my dress and the accras, fried
dumplings stuffed with fish, tasted heavenly.




The dress holds its ground even back home where the green of vineyards and gardens is replacing the blue of the tropical sea. While I am frying some prawns a whiff of the Carribbean is permeating my kitchen.


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