Pure Luxury

I sat on the soft velvet hassock, the scent of sandalwood and exotic spices drifting around me. A soft breeze blew through the open-air room as the young man seated before me gently took my hand in his. I smiled nervously and looked around, half expecting my husband to come walking up. I was giddy and excited - I'd never done anything like this before - but I forced myself to remain calm and steady. The young man began his work.

He held my hand in his left hand. In his right he held a small squeeze bottle that contained a thick brown paste. Slowly, carefully, he began to squeeze a thin line of the paste onto the back of my hand. I watched as the lines took the form of a lotus flower stretching across the back of my hand. The design grew larger and larger until my fingers, hand, and part of my arm were covered with swirls and flowers.

Afterwards, when I met up again with my husband and daughter, I was smiling brightly. Though I'd done a few simple henna designs myself at home, this was the first one that I'd had someone else do for me and the experience was so incredibly different. And it didn't end when the artist finished his work.

As we walked around the grounds of the renaissance festival, I had to be careful not to brush my arm against anything or it could smudge the design. But the caution I took made me feel special as opposed to feeling like a chore. Now, days later, I look down at the design and can still feel the curious mix of excitement and relaxation that accompanied getting the design.

It is tradition in India for a bride to get designs on her hands and feet for her wedding, and then not to do housework until after the designs have faded. I can just imagine how that must feel - to be adorned with beautiful, intricate drawings that give you the chance and excuse to hold yourself as special.

Feeling beautiful and special - what incredible, simple luxury!