Last Day in Kashmir

My passport and tickets safely in my bag, and a whole suitcase full of beautiful Kashmiri embroidered goods, it was time to say goodbye to people and head for the airport. I had one very special delivery to make. A new pheran for my friend Rathi at the bakery. This tiny widowed woman had befriended me and gave me short lessons in Kashmiri every morning, and usually an extra piece of bread - piping hot from the oven. One morning she gave me two hard boiled eggs. And the chain from her neck, and the ring from her finger. In my shopping trip, I made sure I had a tiny pheran in muted colour just for her. I was delighted that it fit her!! And she was very very happy, too.





















A few other goodbyes, and it was time to head to the airport. Tahir met us on the road and had a vegetarian pizza for me. I was sick, though, and could only eat one small piece.

We made it to the airport in plenty of time, and with one last photo of Sami and me, I was off to the US. I will return to Kashmir, but now with all these photos, and many videos to turn into movies, I have plenty of work I can do for Sami and the disabled of Kashmir from wherever I am in the world. I am now ready to speak to any group who will have me.