Behind the Scenes Travel Articles

Uzbek and Kyrgyz Food

On BTSA tours, we will learn about Uzbek cuisine as well as typical foods of Kyrgyzstan. We’ll eat delicious, fresh food everywhere, and learn about the local dishes in a cooking demonstration. Skewers of grilled chicken or ground beef are popular and delicious, as are…

Embroidered Randas on Guatemalan Huipiles

Guatemalan women create spectacular weaving and embroidery with colors, motifs and pattern arrangements characteristic of their communities. Stunning embroidery in myriad versions and degrees of complexity adorn their clothing, either in embellished bodices and necklines or decorative joining strips called randas…

Suzani Embroidery from Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is famous for intricate embroidery. The word “suzani” means needlework, but the word is typically used for wall-hangings. Nowadays Uzbek women adorn jackets, pillow covers and purses with finely embroidered designs too…

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How Moroccan Mosaics are Made: The Art of Zellij

The superb craftsmen behind the ancient Moroccan mosaic art of ZELLIJ are known as maallems (or Zellij artisans). They are expert masons, able to employ their painstakingly learnt wisdom and skill to design and create stunning tile work…

Art of Ghana: Hand-Carved Coffins

According to the traditional beliefs of the Ga ethnic group in Ghana, one’s life carries on beyond death. The Kane Kwei workshop in Accra, Ghana, creates special handmade coffins that are believed to ensure a fulfilling afterlife…