And so the journey begins...

Dear Mother,

I've never seen any place like India. At times I wish I had bigger eyes to take everything in. The smells, noise and colours are so far removed from my life in Scotland that given all the time in the world I don't think my imagination could have conjured such images. Although I've only been away from home for three short months, I feel I've aged 10 years easily.

Today I came upon an old woman sewing mirrors onto a skirt along the side of the road. One of her small mirrors caught the sun and, in turn, my attention. She saw I took an interest in what she was doing and gestured for me to follow her down a winding alley. After a few minutes we came to the front door of a looming old haveli mansion. We walked inside and it took my eyes a few seconds to adjust but, oh goodness, the marvels I beheld. Fabrics and textures and colours and threads- I truly felt like I was in an Aladdin's cave. I couldn't resist but purchase some scarves, blankets and bags for mother and hopefully my future wife and our family home. When the day comes that the war ends and I return to Scotland, with God's grace that is, these treasures I found today shall always bring me back to the warmth of this beautiful country.

Until next time,

Bloomsbury