The other day I was roaming around Fort Kochi when I popped into a tiny art gallery and met Victoria.  Victoria was the artist of all the paintings and owner of the gallery.  I never got her age, but I imagine she is in her late 50s or early 60s. She introduced herself and immediately invited me to sit down and join her for a cup of chai and medu vada (a savory South-Indian snack that is made out of lentils and looks like a doughnut).

We talked for about 45 minutes, mostly about her artwork.  She showed me a book that she had made of at least 25 pieces of her art, paintings and poetry. As I learned more about her art, I learned more about Victoria.  And as I learned more about Victoria, I learned more about Indian culture.