Spice Capital of the World, Kerala / January 2016

I've never seen so much spice in my life before. Sacks, and bins and tins galore filling the air with sweet fragrances. It's no wonder I got carried away and spent more than ten thousand rupees on cardamom, mace, nutmeg, cinnamon, star anise, cloves and more. We purchased the spices from a women's cooperative store that also carried souvenir items and other local fare. They had a hand-weaving loom in a back room. Raphael bought a lovely raw silk shirt there. The women were friendly and beautiful in their traditional white and gold saris. They spoiled us with spiced tea, egg puffs and dried fruit.