Thursday, September 08, 2005
Another Indian Dinner
After work yesterday, one of those rare days when we actually got out on time, we, that’s Zac, Julia and I, headed back to the hotel with anticipation of going to visit with Ramesh and Srivani that evening. Zac arranged for a car and we were on our way by about 7:50pm. We met up with Ramesh on the other side of the bridge and followed him to his house.
Srivani was wearing another beautiful sari (I wonder how many the average woman has over here). Julia had decided to wear one as well. She has had a few made while here and they look quite nice on her as well. Srivani and Julia headed into the bedroom to adjust Julia's since she was complaining about it slipping when she sat down. When they emerged, Julia said one extra pin made all the difference. Ramesh gave Zac a "manskirt". They have another name but I don't recall and that's what Zac called it so "manskirt" is it. Of course we had to get a picture.
We sat and talked for a short while then went to the table to eat. What a surprise it was to see our food served up on banana leaves with no utensils in sight. I was told that we were gong to learn to eat "Indian style" with our hands. Apparently this is the normal way that they eat on a daily basis.
What can I say, wonderful people, awesome food, new cultural experience... put it all together and it was a great night. Srivani really outdid the last meal (which was awesome a well) with this one. Quite a combination of flavors, some spicey, some delicate, some sweet but all good. We topped it all off with some "very traditional Indian dessert". It was something called Ice Cream. Just kidding... but it was very good ice cream, creamy and sweet, it was just a little different from what we get but excellent flavor and texture. I'd already had some while walking down the street in town a couple weeks ago.
Eating with your hands is something we do back home a lot, with hamburgers, fried chicken, ribs, etc. This was way different. Most of the things on the leaf were designed to be mixed with rice so you seperate a little rice from the pile, reach out and grab something and drop it on top of the rice, mix well with your fingers, scoop it up by making a spoon of sorts from your fingers and stick it in your mouth. It was funny trying to get used to it but I had no trouble adjusting and ate everything there was to eat. You need to be careful there as Srivani doesn't like to see an empty plate so she comes around and adds to your piles of food. You have to really cover your plate up or she'll slip in there and add to it. We were all having lots of fun. I remember thinking how, at that point, I was really wishing Stacey could be there with me to share the experience.
We washed our hands and Ramesh and I went up and out to the roof/terrace so I could have a cigarette. Julia and Zac followed and we stood up there for a few minutes. Ramesh pointed out the house across the street that he also owned. Apparently it had been in his family for a few generations. He now rents it out to the Post Office. It was rather dark up there so we returned to the living room. Sat for a few minutes talking then piled back into our car and headed back to the hotel. We made it back for last call at Cheers, had a drink and headed to our rooms.
All in all, it was a great night.
Srivani was wearing another beautiful sari (I wonder how many the average woman has over here). Julia had decided to wear one as well. She has had a few made while here and they look quite nice on her as well. Srivani and Julia headed into the bedroom to adjust Julia's since she was complaining about it slipping when she sat down. When they emerged, Julia said one extra pin made all the difference. Ramesh gave Zac a "manskirt". They have another name but I don't recall and that's what Zac called it so "manskirt" is it. Of course we had to get a picture.
We sat and talked for a short while then went to the table to eat. What a surprise it was to see our food served up on banana leaves with no utensils in sight. I was told that we were gong to learn to eat "Indian style" with our hands. Apparently this is the normal way that they eat on a daily basis.
What can I say, wonderful people, awesome food, new cultural experience... put it all together and it was a great night. Srivani really outdid the last meal (which was awesome a well) with this one. Quite a combination of flavors, some spicey, some delicate, some sweet but all good. We topped it all off with some "very traditional Indian dessert". It was something called Ice Cream. Just kidding... but it was very good ice cream, creamy and sweet, it was just a little different from what we get but excellent flavor and texture. I'd already had some while walking down the street in town a couple weeks ago.
Eating with your hands is something we do back home a lot, with hamburgers, fried chicken, ribs, etc. This was way different. Most of the things on the leaf were designed to be mixed with rice so you seperate a little rice from the pile, reach out and grab something and drop it on top of the rice, mix well with your fingers, scoop it up by making a spoon of sorts from your fingers and stick it in your mouth. It was funny trying to get used to it but I had no trouble adjusting and ate everything there was to eat. You need to be careful there as Srivani doesn't like to see an empty plate so she comes around and adds to your piles of food. You have to really cover your plate up or she'll slip in there and add to it. We were all having lots of fun. I remember thinking how, at that point, I was really wishing Stacey could be there with me to share the experience.
We washed our hands and Ramesh and I went up and out to the roof/terrace so I could have a cigarette. Julia and Zac followed and we stood up there for a few minutes. Ramesh pointed out the house across the street that he also owned. Apparently it had been in his family for a few generations. He now rents it out to the Post Office. It was rather dark up there so we returned to the living room. Sat for a few minutes talking then piled back into our car and headed back to the hotel. We made it back for last call at Cheers, had a drink and headed to our rooms.
All in all, it was a great night.
