Heather's Quick Gudie to India!

Heather's Quick Guide to Indian Food and Eating!
1. Don't be afraid to get messy!
Indian food is eaten with the hands, it not only adds flavor (eg. they believe that all food eaten with hands taste better then food that is not, like the American idea of anything cooked over a campfire taste better, then just cooked in the oven). So to survive this part of life, wash hands before eating, and then Dive in with your
right hand only

2. Use only your right hand
Or at least try... Rip food using wrist action, and twist... To avoid using your
left hand some tactics have been useful in my case. These include but are not
limited to; sitting on your hand, resting your hand on your lap, leaning on it,
holding something else is your left hand, holding your drink in your left hand...

3. TRY EVERYTHING!
Even if you are allergic, chances are you will not be able to tell what is in it
so just get over yourself and try it! No matter if it is lime green and moving
thou cafeteria food from school is to be avoided...

4. Ask questions...
This falls under, you will have no idea what is in it... Ask what you are eating
(only after you have tried it). Even if it taste like molten lava, ask the ingre-
dents, and so the next time you know what you want to avoid! But chances are
it will have a long and complicated name, that even thou sounds easy, if you
actually remember what it is, you were probably taught in a different language
of what it was and you will not be able to find it again (such as asking for the
the name and getting if from a Gujarati family, and then asking for what you ate
at a Hindi restruant well that just will not work will it)

5. Tandoori, or anything of the sort is godly!
Anything made in a tandoori is godly! Tandoori Chicken, Roti made in Tandoori,
will be the best thing you have ever eaten in your life! (if you do not know what
tandoori is, i sugust you go TRY IT!!!!, or if you are too lazy, Tandoori is a big
clay pot that they slow cook things in... and it makes for an amazing taste!!!!)

6. Avoid Aloo Tiki....
No one can explain what it is, nor can they actually claim they like it,
It has only been described to me on multiple occasions (to make sure i avoid it
at all cost!). The explanation that was given for it is as follows;
Aloo Tiki Instructions
Step One:
Take Frito Chips (this is misleading)
soak them in water for a few hours, when that is done fry them again, and then
pour oil over the top of them
Step Two:
Take the entire contents of your refrigerator
Chop into tiny pieces
Stick in food processor
Stick mush in Blender
Step Three:
Combine ingredients of step one and two, and VIOLA!

7. Molten Lava is an essential dietary need
Spicy... well then that is ok, Not Spicy BE WARNED!
Be careful, thou they say it is not spicy... it normally taste like
LAVA, is running down your throat! Spicy foods are normally the good ones...
Here everyone (including myself) is convinced when they say not spicy, it
means burning FIRE!!!

8. Every food has its purpose...
Everything that is eaten has a specific purpose or value in your diet, along with
some things you cannot eat without eating another. So if you like the food but NOT
the hot green mechi (chilies) they have in it, well then those chillies probably
are there for a reason, and you cannot eat food A without Food B.





In other news!

India is going great! I love it here, still! (With some exceptions of college... it is kinda boring...) I have been keeping busy with many things (like ways to avoid college, though i still keep going, and will till semester...) I have met with all the Rotary Students, and have been to a Rotary meeting with the club that is hosting me. I have been to some birthdays and parties, along with a short trip to Bombay!

The Astrologers Birthday!
On Thursday, i attended my family's astrologers birthday party, which took place at a small jazz club that one of the local movie theater houses (very cute and quaint, and has good music and great food). It was a good party, and I also got to meet with the family Astrologer and his wife for a short time, and learned some neat stuff! Along with he promised to tell me about my astrology sometime. He explained to me that in Astrology, you have (sort of) two life paths, and he can look at you and tell you what your life path will be. The two life paths are Money and Sex. He looked at me, and said that I sometimes worry about Money but not to worry because i will have plenty, and that my life path was Money. My family informed me, that even though he was not the best practicing astrologer he has had much success from his clients.

The Sari Maker
On Saturday, i went to visit the family Sari maker, which is a much different experience. The little old lady runs a huge business in making professional dance Sari's and custom jewelry. Everything she showed us was the most eliabrate display of colors and everything! It was great!

My Indian Family
I have not said much, about my family here in India. They are great! My host dad runs a business dealing in Natural Gas (for like cooking and heating. We have a house in the city (which is more of a flat) and then a big lake house, about 25 minutes out of the city (which is where we go on sundays to relax, on the holiday). My host mom does a wide variety of things, and is really an overall fun person! My host brother (Pratik) just turned 21 and goes to University studying Business Management. I have a host dog too, his name is Rocky, he is the size of a small horse, but could not hurt a fly... They are all really fun to be around, and are always up to anything! I will get pictures as soon as i figure out how to!

Trips!
I also found out i will be taking a few trips most around Dec. or after Jan. to places in and around India! Trips for me are planned to Bombay (on my 18th birthday),
To The north of India (eg. Taj!!!) and to south India (eg. Goa!!!) And all the Rotary students are excited!

More to come!