The peacock is the national bird of India.
That makes sense. India, like the bird, is colorful and demonstrative, flamboyant and proud.
I learned this today from Farhat Jan, who sold me a lovely ceramic bowl with an inlaid peacock motif. He works at Cottage Industries Exposition in Mysore, which is a great place to buy textiles and other handicrafts.
The quality and selection are very nice, there is no pressure to buy, and Farhat and jeweler Tariq have excellent taste. They will also totally flatter and spoil a lady, bringing her as many cups of chai tea and engaging in as many odd conversations as she pleases.
During my two hours or so in his store, Farhat and I discussed everything from yoga and American running clothes to my daughter’s fascination with the Hindu god Ganesha (the “Elephant God”).
Tariq and I, meanwhile, spoke of American women’s propensity to overthink relationships.
“Do I want to be with him? Do I love him? Do I want to marry him? In India, it’s the other way around,” he said.
I found myself flirting.
