By: Zelie Pollon
SANTA FE (REUTERS).- Naina Valasai had never boarded an airplane before arriving in Santa Fe this week. In fact the 33-year-old from a remote desert region in Pakistan had never left her village before she was invited to present her ornately patterned ralli quilts at the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, taking place this weekend. “We were both afraid of the plane,” said Naina’s husband, 42-year-old Sadhumal Surendar Valasai, who by cultural norm had joined his wife on this long journey out of their village of Tehsil Diplo. “But if we want a better life for ourselves and the artists in our village then we must take these challenges.” Naina is one of 132 artists from 50 different countries gathered this weekend for the 8th annual Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, which is the largest