Because HRLN has 26 offices around the country I have had a couple of opportunities to get out of Delhi and visit other units. I had 3 days working in the Mumbai office and this week did some training in the Kochin and Trivandrum offices in Kerala. This was a perfect opportunity to have a short holiday and spend 24 hours on a boat exploring the backwaters. It reminded me of what I knew, but had not experienced - the fact that India is a huge and diverse country.
This was my home for the night and this (above) was the view from my window. I had a cook, an engineer and a driver just looking after me - not a bad way to spend the day. The cook prepared 3 wonderful meals, unlike anything I had tasted before.
Up until now I have rather failed in the appreciation of Indian cuisine. It's not that I don't like it or mind the heat. Its just that I find it, well, rather "brown". It can be quite rich, heavy and oily, enjoyable once or twice a week but for me not once or twice a day. When I get a phone call from home often I'm preparing dinner I get asked the question "What are you having?". I can sense the anticipation of something wonderful and exotic. It then comes as somewhat of a disappointment when I reply "toasted cheese sandwich".
But here in Kerala my plate/banana leaf was arranged with a rainbow of different dishes, all fresh clean and tasty. A magenta beetroot salad, a yellow lentil daal, an orange pineapple chutney - and no brown. So it's not that I don't enjoy Indian food, it's just a question of finding the right region to suit my palate. And if eating here comes with a view of palm trees and sunshine on the water then so much the better.
hey ruth sounds like you had a good kerela trip. the pics are great, spl sitting here in cold delhi those lovely warm pics are so appealing! wish i could be there...
i cant believe it is already your last day at office...i sure am going to miss working with you. before you came i was a bit apprehensive since you were a bit elder to our usual intern lot and also a professional to boot! i was expecting someone with a lot of airs but you were such a surprise! this is what i was thinking while drafting the formal one on colin's behalf. if i had to say something i would say the best part about you is being so open about our office and appreciating whatever is there and not grumbling about what is not! i really appreciate this trait of yours... had you been a grumpy, complaining sort i would had to deal with it! you actually took to us like a duck to water...now i know what ppl mean when they say that line :)
have a good trip and we will meet once you are back in delhi.
ciao
suchi
Posted by: suchi | 16/01/2008 at 07:09
Hi Ruth,
i saw your snaps on kerala trip. it was really nice and i felt grateful to you. very nice to hear that you love the trip and food.
take care
Pretty
Posted by: Pretty | 15/01/2008 at 04:21
WOW sounds great. Book a table for 3 Saturday night!! Love Mum & Dad xx
Posted by: Stuart and Margaret | 11/01/2008 at 10:35