Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Friends and Mexican Food Can Cure Homesickness


Our last week and a half in India was spent with friends. It felt so good to be with familiar faces who know our families, who have been to the same places in California as us, who can even picture our previous homes, and who understand the goodness of a Mexican meal.

When we left Kerala, we flew to Bangalore, took a taxi to the train station, took a train to Mysore and a tuk tuk (but in Mysore they are called autos) to Camille and Zac's breezy apartment. It was so good to see them! You can forget that you're half way around the world from home when you are with friends.




They have been in Mysore for a few months and are pretty much locals now. They can easily float between the native community, the professional expats and the yogi implants- very impressive. We benefitted from this because they already knew all the good places to eat. So, basically, we went from meal to meal. Is there really any better way to travel?

Honestly, after spending a couple weeks eating in India, I had to admit that I sort of missed Indian food in America. I don't want to be the kind of person who likes the American version better than the original, but it was happening. There was a glimmer of hope in Kerala as things got a little spicier (and there was a pineapple curry for goodness sake!). Once we started eating in Mysore, it was like sigh of relief. Everything was delicious. We had curries and naans and chicken 65 (it has 65 spices!) and sweets. Matt has been loving thalis, so Camille and Zac took us to a place where you take off your shoes, sit on the floor at a low table, get a banana leaf, no silverware and scoops of delicious and endless food. Basically, they had about nine different dishes that you get to eat and as soon as you finish one they refill it until you finally come to your senses and realize that you just can't eat anymore (even if you want to) and wave your hand over your banana leaf, declining with your eyes because your mouth is still full. And then they chuckle at you. 





We also did enjoy some American food... I admit (for all of us) that we had a late night order from Dominos. You leave the country for a couple months and try to say no to Dominos when it's available... 

Camille and Zac have been working on creating the most authentic Mexican meal as possible. Curd works as sour cream. India has different-looking but good-tasting avocados (avocados!!!). Just before we arrived they found actual tortillas-  not Indian chapati that kind of passes for a tortilla, but actual tortillas. $12 for eight tortillas is totally worth it. Matt and I had previously found, tested and approved of tortilla chips made in India, so we got more of those along with tomatoes, onions, garlic and limes. Matt and I worked on salsa (felt so good to make something in a kitchen!), Camille made beans and veggie fajitas (fajitas are perfect since that's basically the one Mexican meal that doesn't require cheese), Zac mixed drinks and we were all very pleased. That meal satisfied some major cravings.



Other than eating we just enjoyed Mysore. Camille and I got pedicures. We went shopping at the mall (more cravings satisfied there). Camille passed on some sage advice. She made me aware of my "traveler's vision" when I told her how I wanted an Indian house dress. I had seen women wearing these colorful and patterned dresses driving through Kerala, and I'd seen them hanging in shops. They look so flowy and comfortable, but basically they are night gowns, muumuus, really should only be worn in the house. And I wanted one. I explained I could hem it a little shorter, it'd be like a colorful shift dress. Camille told me she understood, but you buy things in foreign countries, thinking they'll be great to wear at home, and once you get home, they just aren't as great. So far, I've resisted on the muumuu, but I'm not making any promises.

We also visited the city palace which was built in the early 1900s. It was grand. And had electricity, even an elevator. We agreed that it had an air of Downton Abbey. I think we could be on to something... Indian Downton Abbey. Camille and I will write it, Zac will direct it, Matt will write the music, we'll all have to do double duty and star in it (hardships). Masterpiece Theater won't be able to resist this spinoff. We'll be famous.






It was really wonderful to see a town here in India through the eyes of someone who knows it rather than with someone who you are paying to take you to all the sightseeing spots. I felt like we got to stop and really experience India for the first time on our trip. I found myself liking India. And it certainly doesn't hurt to be with dear friends.


After our glorious weekend ended, we took the train back to Bangalore. Oh, the train. No air conditioning is supplemented with no windows. People do sit at the edge of the train door while the train is in motion. There are rats at the train station and I did see a kid playing with a rat. What else are you going to do while waiting for a train? We splurged on air conditioning and assigned seating. After riding trains the last couple months, I have made one absolute decision. I would choose assigned seating over many other accommodations a train may offer, and I would pay more for that assigned seat. It's that worth it to know you will never need to battle for a place to sit.

Both trains we took had glittering garlands across the ceiling. I think it was decorated for the upcoming Hindu holiday, Diwali. But, as I've said before, India is a colorful place so I wouldn't be surprised if the trains are just normally garlanded.

We returned to Bangalore to visit a family Matt has known for a few years. They moved to Bangalore to run a children's home. 

While the kids were at school one day, Matt and I went to the Bangalore Safari. We saw lions, tigers and bears (oh my!).




But the best part was spending time with the whole family! It was very encouraging and uplifting to be with them. Many of the kids are second grade, so it satisfied my teaching withdrawals to help them with homework. We also played a lot of games, did the rainbow loom and set off firecrackers (which were being sold all over India for Diwali). The joy and surprise on their faces as the firecrackers sparkled through the air was priceless. (I won't put any pictures of the kiddos up, but I'll be happy to share when we get home.)

After a sweet farewell, and lots of hugs, we returned to the airport, this time for another international flight. At 5:00 the next morning we arrived in Sri Lanka!