A Life of Spice

Ten reasons to love India. September 2009

 

A few years ago, I wrote a post on eGullet that about twenty reasons to fall in love with India. It has been a while and yet it is one of the posts I get most emails about. I love India, perhaps in a maniac, obsessive sort of way! So you will forgive me if my views are a bit biased, a bit romatic, a bit crazy, a bit passionate. There is a lot to complain about - as there is with any place on the planet. But in my humble opinion, there is a lot to love. There is a lot to learn from this country that not only survives but thrives inspite of chaos and poverty etc. It grows but one thing stays the same - the romance it envokes in my heart, the longing it creates and the best part - India makes me want to write. What more could a writer ask for?

So for those of you who want to see it, here are twenty reasons to love India, all of which still stand and I hhope will forever... and then

here are ten more -

1. The Taj Hotel in Mumbai -- you may wonder why I selected a photo that shows in interiors instead of the outside. Well, there is a reason. After the events of last year, I wanted to show how much work the hotel has done to restore all the charm. There are security guards and metal detectors at the entrance - a sad but necessary step. But inside, all the charm, all the elegance, all the glitz are alive and well. I saw movie stars, models, everyday folks and enjoyed delicious meals. Ah Taj!

2.   I just love this silly shot. This is one of the mall's in Delhi and this guy sits there each night playing the piano. Mostly ignored. But he shows up each day and plays the prettiest music. My kids loved him and danced to his tunes. I love the security guard in the picture...watching the paino guy so intently. I wondered what goes through the mind of a man whose job is so unappreciated. I guess this is my way of paying him some respect.








3. Now I show my ignorance for the world to see. You see, this is my favorite fruit of all time. I know in India, it is called a jamun but I NO idea what its English name is. If you can tell me what the correct name is, I will be forever grateful. I love, love this fruit. It is gorgeous purple in color, and tastes earthy and sweet and always reminds me of my childhood home. My cousins and I would sprinkle chaat masala on it and then chow down like there was no tomorrow. The local jamun walla or the guy who used to sell these in a woven basket on the back of his bicycle used to be my buddy when i was a kid. I must have purchased all his jamuns during all the summers I spent in India. Ah.. and the apples on the side are small but really yummy.. they were, the vendor told me pre-season before the Kashmiri apples make there debut

4. All the images below are of local flowers. Dont ask me their names, I dont know. All I know is that I love them. I love their colors, I love their shapes, i love their scents (most of them anyway) and I love their feel. They are as pure as the earth they are birthed from.

Ten reasons to love India. September 2009 (part 2)

Continued from the post above on Ten reasons to love India.

5. A writer I once read wrote that the best thing about India is that there is something different at each corner (I am paraphrasing here so forgive me). I loved what she wrote because it is not only true for each corner, it is true for everything. I shot this photo through the window of a relative whose house we stayed at. We have no idea who lives in this little paradise.. but arent they lucky? I could see myself in that little area, reading, writing, sipping mojitos. Also, this looks like a tailor-made place for Tony to visit.. Mr. Bourdain.. are you reading?

6. My dad took me to this totally crazy, old roadside book market in Old Delhi and can I tell you, I fell head over heels. It was a ROTTEN day to be out - steaming hot, high humidity and the crowds were maddening. I bribed my kids (and my dad) with goodies and cool treats so they drove alongside in their car as I devoured the market and made some great finds - old cookbooks, a book on the forts and palaces of India, coloring books featuring Indian Gods for my kiddos, Enid Blyton books for my older son and even a few old books in Hindi by the legendary writer Prem Chand for my dad.

7. So here is how Delhites were beating the heat this summer. The first is a guy giving away from cool water from his terracotta pots and the second is a guy selling lemonade.. India style! I am not sure how safe this water is to drink.. so be careful! Our tummies dont have the type of immunity needed, i guess!

8. I just had to take a picture of this sign. You will find this in every nook and corner of Delhi - small restaurants that serve all kinds of things -- bbq, chinese and biryani.. all in one spot and all with an Indian touch. i love it!

9. We saw this gorgeous temple on our way from Delhi to Agra. Out of the blue.. as we are driving, up pops this beautiful, white building. A line of devotees waited to go in. We did not have a chance to stop and go in but then perhaps this is one of the reasons I need to go right back!

10.    Okay... I love jewerly and this one. This shot is taken in Mathura. It is a city famous for being the birthplace of Lord Krishna. I loved this picture of the mom taking her son home from school. He was, at first, holding her hand and then let it go.  She was talking to him the entire time I watched her with her hands moving dramatically and her face full of wonder. I was so curious and wondered what they were saying but we were stuck in a car in traffic. The best part of this shot? Notice she is carrying his school bag for him.  I am guessing it was his mother.. no way for me to know. Regardless, a thoughtful lady with a cute young kiddo!

Monica Bhide and Don Rockwell invite you

I would like to invite you to an amazing event at Passage to India. Chef Sudhir Seth will delight you with delicacies from all over India. This Regional Cooking of India event is the first of its kind in Washington D.C. Space is limited and the deadline is tomorrow night (April 5th) to RSVP. The event is scheduled on May 7th at 5:00 p.m. at Passage to India in Bethesda, Maryland. The only way to attend is to register at www.donrockwell.com.

Please see for more details on how to register

20 reasons to fall in love with India

20 and counting

Delectable Delhi from Dusk to Dawn

To experience the way the real Delhities eat--at night, you need to go into the ordinary lanes and homes.