It was a grey drizzling day as I crossed the border from Nepal back into India in August, 2007.

After spending the day at Nepali checkpoint and carrying my backpack across the wide river bridge onto Indian land I finally arrived at a muddy market street and probably set into the first motel my tricycle wala brought me to.

I also remember he was quite old for the job and I really felt colonial-style sitting in the back hearing his hard breath as he pedaled in the rain. I don't usually let the taxi drivers lead me to their choice of accommodation, this time I did and hope he got some commission from the motel as they often do.

However, back to the story here.

Having nothing special to do in town besides wait for the next day so I can continue to Haridwar, I got to roam the alleys around the market. On my to do list were a pair of flip-flops for bath/toilet use only. Got those in grey (Paragon or Beta brand...) and then I somehow stopped at this tailor stand.

He was easy going, open and chatty so I brought up my idea of having the Chacha Chaudhary on a cap. The character is in Indian comic featured in the daily newspaper strips.

He pulled out a huge nylon bag full of hats and I chose the least ridiculous one (In my dry western standards...)

He skillfully worked his sewing machine(not a specialized embroidery one) in tight curves and amazingly did it.

I wore this cap for several months till I left/lost it somewhere.

Sorry I can't remember your name, my friend... but I do remember YOU as you can see (& I hope eventually you will)



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Chacha Chaudhary - चाचा चौधरी - Handmade embroidered baseball cap - Special custom edition by this tailor - Banbasa Uttarakhand उत्तराखण्ड Indian comic book character - jpg documentary feature story photo Desi India pics photos IMG_3620