i wake up, soar neck (i guess aircondition over night is not a smart idea), a sligth headach, and tired - another night where i didnt manage to sleep proper, this is turning into a bad habbit, okay up, fast shower and get dressed and the off to our prep meeting (our company security team is here to meet us..) it seems like we are living in the "upper" class of Chennai, and that "law and order" is tight as the former CM (Chief minister) of India is living near by (that explains the armed guards out on some of the streets. Anyway after some briefings, so other agenda items, we get to do our first "team building" event, - draw you life, sounds pretty simple but for a non-creative person like myself it is pretty tough, i end up presenting something that Picasso couldnt even do .. - yes folks it was that bad (a lot of my team members - were nice enought to lie to me, and tell me it was good.. - guys thanks for the moral support), oveall it was great fun, to hear life stories from my team members in 2 min. max. per person .. so thats that, and now lunch time...
outside it is 30 degrees - and i am in a matter of min. dripping .. litterally dripping, taxi comes, "yes boss, i take you, come come boss" (i am starting to answwer back with "boss") and that how it is done, 80 rupees later, we are at a very nice restaurant, we have something that reminded me of a tomatoe soup, it was a bit sweet, but very nice, and then comes the typical India bread - wow it is soo good, and and Thali - which is, i guess one of the most traditional dishes in india, so for those of you that like me are new to indian food here is what thali is all about ... - imagine a round metal tray, yes one of those that is used in the bar to carry drinks on, then imagine 8 - 10 small metal cups with different sauces, imagine adding some rice there, and remember it is all on that metal tray, and on the bottom of the tray is a leaf from a plant or three or something..so you place the rice on the leaf, add your choice of sauce and mix it with your RIGHT hand (remember the left hand is for your toilet stuff..) and then you sling it into your mouth and it is PERFECT!! a bit spicy, not to much, and very tasty - so i have to admit this old saying .. that food is tasting better when you eat with your hands - in this case it is soo true... - wonderful lunch, again beats the typical one of sandwich and coke.. oh and i forgot to mention that the Thali is vegi-food, and i am not considering myself a big vegi-fan, but i am getting there...
Friends - remember one thing, while eating Thali, use your right hand, and leave the left your private visits :-)))
It would probably be a banana leaf.
ReplyDeleteHi Ramakant, - i found out later :-)) and yes you are right it was a banana leaf, and just now did i find out that you even fold it in a special way .. :-))
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