Its been a while since I wrote and updated the blog. Doesn't mean that I am no longer cooking or experimenting, however I was not feeling inspired to write. Nevertheless here I am today, we are already half way through 2015, life and time is passing us at jet speed and things, circumstances, people and nature are changing everyday. Well like they say Change is the only thing that is Constant, and this couldn't be more true. And to be quite honest, change is good. I love change and cannot cope with a monotonous life, and have been lucky enough to have an exciting and adventurous life full of surprises. Some surprises have been good and some not so good. But as in cooking, balance is needed in real life too, with the good comes the not so good.
2015 started with an amazing trip up North. New Years Eve was spent at a dhaba and first week of Jan was spent eating some amazing north indian delicacies, both at home and outside. By the end of the trip an unexpected visit to the doctor turned into a surgery with 2-3 weeks of rest. I have always been a very patient patient, and believe in the saying "whatever happens, happens for the best". And this unplanned surgery, was actually a blessing in disguise.
 |
| view from hospital room :) |
Firstly I got my health in order by one of the bestest doctor, who treated me like his daughter and not a patient. The hospital staff was beyond awesome; simple, kind, helpful and so efficient that you never feel like you are at a hospital. I cannot thank them enough for all that they did for me. I have lived in two of the most developed and advanced countries in the world, but I can say with full honesty, the health care in India is unmatched, as there is a lot of focus on "care" aspect of health care, which is probably what you need when your health isn't at its prime.
Secondly, I had to take some compulsory time off, which means no work and only focusing on eating well.
And here's the best part of it all, I was at Mum's place, and it was the best thing that could have happened to me. There is no greater pleasure in this world, than eating your mom's hand made food!! And this time I could demand and not feel guilty ;) that I wasn't helping (not that I ever did :p)
So I read, ate, slept and watched a lot of T.V. for the three weeks. But what really made me feel grateful and humbled was the love showered by friends and relatives.
Apart from your relatives, all elders are also referred to as uncle and aunty in India. I don't know if its the fact that we call them uncle and aunty or just the way Indian culture is, but by the time you grow up there isnt much difference between your relatives and your family friends.
Since I left my home at an young age of 19, I hardly met any of my dad's friends, who had known me since I was 8, their kids and I grew up together and to them I am like their daughter. Living overseas has taught me the value of my home country and all the relations that my parents have built over the years. When you live abroad, you start getting more isolated.
If I had been treated where I currently live, I would have probably had one or two visitors. But back home, I had a visitor every evening. It felt absolute amazing and I felt so loved and blessed.
When you visit someone in India, its inevitable that they bring you food, and/or invite them over for dinner or lunch. After so many years, it felt so good to visit all the family friends and although I wasn't feeling my best, I accepted all the invitations. Deep down I knew, these get togethers will help me heal faster and better. And that is exactly what happened.
Luckily there were no dietary restrictions for me post-surgery, except no chilli and street food.
I had the privileged of tasing some amazing chicken curry, baked spinach and corn, thai green curry and fresh home made poli (roti), followed by freshly brewed coffee and some belgian chocolates and gajar halwa. This aunty is a specialist (doctor), a socialite and an amazing home maker. Uncle is a super specialist (surgeon), who works in the UK. Hope you get what I am trying to say, no matter who you are, family comes first and this is what makes India so special. A home cooked meal, no matter how simple it is touches your soul.
An old friend of dad, invited us over for evening snacks and tea. Dad and uncle meet every evening for a coffee, that's how close they are. Seeing them together is so cute, they know each other well, have each others back and make sure they cater to each others food cravings. My dad is an avid tea drinker and I had requested a special gujarati dish called the dhokla.
So aunty made me fresh dhoklas which were finger licking good, but the sweetest part about this meet was the tea. Uncle instructed aunty to make tea, exactly like dad likes it. It was boiled, brewed and served with milk. The passion and love with which uncle poured the drink in my dad's cup was absolutely beautiful.
I am not sure if I will ever have a friend at 65, who will care so much for me. Now it doesn't stop at this, I love my tea strong and with ginger.
So aunty not only made a tea pot for the oldies, but my tea was made separately along with some yummy home made samosas.
We sat at their dining table, everything was laid out and the whole evening was spent over the table sharing our life experiences.
I only had three more days till my flight, and I decided to be brave and venture out a bit. This uncle invited us to his farm house, a 30 min drive from our place. We all drove down together, and if you know or have been to India, a road trip isn't very smooth, but uncle organised it all so well. Having lived in the western world for so long, I am so used to driving on your own, bringing your own food, drinks etc that this trip felt like I was home. There is no such concept of taking our own cars, bringing our own food and wine in India. If you are invited to someones place, the host will take care of everything. The saying "athiti devo bhava" (every guest who visits your home, treat them like god), is so true. So it goes without saying that this farm house was palacial and beautiful, but the food was even better. Farm fresh veggies were used, we sat outside amongst stars and devoured the deliciouness that aunty made. Usually the "maharaj" (cook) prepares the meals at the farm, but since they were on leave aunty made the food her self. And it was no ordinary meal. Simple, delicious and absolutely healthy food. It was a regional specialty consisting of kadhi, bhakri, methi bhaji, loni or makkhan (white butter) made from fresh cows milk. Each and every ingredient was organic and the love with which it was made was 100% pure.
We started the evening with some ginger tea and the good old vada pav and ended with lots of blessings and love.
I by no means am trying to brag by sharing something so personal. The sole purpose of writing this blog post, is to let you know that no matter what you do in life or where you go and how much success you achieve, respect and love your parents and people who have known you when you were at your worse and stuck with you through thick and thin, is unmatched.
So just be grateful for what you have and try to make the best out of a bad situation. Also remember life will put you in situations to make you stronger or sometimes to bring you back to reality if you have wandered too far away. :) I always believe, its all a part of the plan,
And lastly I want to say something, that I have always thought to myself and experienced over and over again. The one thing that will help you break the ice or bond with someone is food. I have met and continue to meet so many new and wonderful people everyday, and the only way I have got to know them or connect with them or in some instances became very close friends with them is via food.
I cannot thank my parents and all the wonderful aunty's and uncles for loving me, but I would like to thank them for healing my body and soul.
I read somewhere, "please be nice, this world needs more kindness and love right now", and it is so true. Everyday you open up Facebook, or watch the news or read the news paper online, there is so much negativity going around. And this trip back home made me realise there is still some humanity and selflessness left in this world.
Like us on Facebook
Comments