This Caftan is not vintage, not unless you consider 2001 to be vintage. What makes this caftan special to me, is that my mother and I got these matching caftans on a trip that she and I took alone together to the Southern Mediterranean. This sounds incredibly glamourous, no? No. Dont get me wrong, we had some great times on that trip, but we also has some pretty rough times literally. What kid would not accept their mothers offer to take them on a Mediterranean cruise? Well actually, probably quite a lot. It is not really the sort of trip that one takes with their mother. But I am actually doing what my husband calls "burying the lead" Because I have failed to mention that this cruise was actually part of what is called a "miniatures" cruise. Yep, a group of ladies that loooove miniatures, building them, buying them, selling them etc. So when you went on this cruise, all of your meals, and certain days at sea were spent with this group of ladies. My mom was a cool lady, and she loved miniatures, I love miniatures. These ladies, not so much, and frankly, not all that nice. I have blocked out the name of the woman that was the leader of the trip, but she was not particularly warm, and I remember that my mom felt the woman did not like her all that much, and that made me feel very protective of her. My mother was wildly sensitive, as am I, and I could not stand this big bully, oh the irony in that turn of phrase!
We travelled to Rome together, had a fabulous meal, made it to port, and bordered our vessel. It was an older, very worn ship in the Holland America line, called the the SS Nordam. We had some good times, and some very rough times on that trip, but one of the highlights was in Morocco. Being in the Grand Bazaar with my mother was simultaneously, hysterical and terrifying. As I turned around to find her, purse open, dollar bills flying out, surrounded by vendors attempting to sell her their wares. I swear at one point she had a monkey on her shoulder. Later, we ventured out to a rug, and housewares shop, where we drank sweet minted tea, and I politely haggled with them over slippers and caftans. I love this Caftan, now I have two. I have a dear friend that will look swell in it, and I think I am ready to pass it on. I still have mine, and her slippers, and another one, in a different color and pattern, that I will save for one of the girls. On this sweet Spring Break, I am so happy to be with my girls, and hope that one day, if I asked, they would come on a crazy adventure with me. Thank you mamma for your generosity, for your spirit, and your love.
