This has nothing to do with my travels... appologies. I just found this beautiful article on media indigena and had to share (read: here). I am 100% guilty of buying into modern native imagery. I love Cowichan sweaters and feather headdresses from UO. However, this article has really opened my eyes as to how offensive this type of imagery must be for actual native people, whose artistic traditions were stiffled and made illegal by the very white colonialists who now consume these products today.
To share a quote from the media indigena article:
"Rather than buying a Pendleton-style bag mass-produced overseas and sold at Urban Outfitters around the world, why not buy a t-shirt, sweater or earrings from your local Indigenous craftsperson. Meet them, find out where they’re from, and the history behind their particular craft. In the process, you will be educating yourself about local Indigenous history and political struggles, and putting food on the tables of local artisans."
Heading to NZ anytime soon? Do you like vintage or boutique shopping? Adorable cafe's with delicious coffee and snacks? Cute tiled alleyway streets with street performers, sculptures, fountains, and music? Generally an amazing atmosphere?? Well, let me recommend Cuba street... probably the best urban area in NZ. We went shopping and cafe-ing during the day, then went to some amazing cocktail bars for drinks at night, then out dancing to an amazing 15 piece funk band later on. Just might be the best scenario I can think of! Here's a peak at my favs:
Farmers market!
This was my favorite vintage shop... crammed full of amazing finds! Check out the sheer beaded flapper dresses hanging from the staircase. I ALMOST bought a pair of leapord print creepers... but my suitcase/budget wouldn't allow...
This was my favorite boutique. All of their clothes are handmade by Wellington or New Zealand based designers. Super cute spot!
Finished off the day with a mango smoothie at Fidels, an amazing coffee shop. Had a love affair with their lemon meringue pie.
Statues and graffiti art along the way!
The Rugby World Cup fanzone. Pretty images were projected onto downtown Wellington buildings.
Drinkie time. Yummy cocklails at the Hawthorne Lounge... Plus marshmallo roasting in their fireplace! Awesome!
Drinkie time part 2... The Library bar.
Dancing time! This band is lovely... there's about 15 musicians (2 saxaphones, a trumpet, a trumbone, a keyboard, a dj, some sort of weird blowy piano thing...) and the crowd was very high energy, dancing until early morning.
