College students in the United States always joke, and often experience, the "freshman fifteen," that period of time in college when, because you are on your own for the first time, you gain fifteen pounds. I am fairly certain that no matter how long you spend in India,you will experience a similar phenomenon I will call the "India Fifteen."
The Indian Fifteen phenomenon has two culprits. The first is simple - the food is absolutely delicious. From Masala chips to dosas the size of a small country, it is impossible not to overindulge in the wonders of Indian food. Though at times you will crave a "non-veg" meal (I've never craved beef more in my life), it's difficult to not be able to find something that tastes delicious to your individual palate. My three favorite new discoveries? Pappad, a crunchy treat you can eat with your meal like bread and that one of our hosts kindly taught us how to make (and even provided us with some to take back to the States!); next is butter masala - rich, creamy, and absolute perfection; finally, dal, a black lentil dish, is delicious. This doesn't mean I haven't loved everything I've tried - hence the fifteen I will be carrying home with me to the US.
The second culprit is the people of India. Everyone I have met and dined with here has been an Indian version of our mothers. You know the kind - the ones who push food on you as soon as you return to your childhood home, who insist you are too thin, and pack you a snack for your ride home. Indians LOVE to watch other people eat. They are kind, hospitable people and as such, it's impossible to say no.
The Indian Fifteen phenomenon has two culprits. The first is simple - the food is absolutely delicious. From Masala chips to dosas the size of a small country, it is impossible not to overindulge in the wonders of Indian food. Though at times you will crave a "non-veg" meal (I've never craved beef more in my life), it's difficult to not be able to find something that tastes delicious to your individual palate. My three favorite new discoveries? Pappad, a crunchy treat you can eat with your meal like bread and that one of our hosts kindly taught us how to make (and even provided us with some to take back to the States!); next is butter masala - rich, creamy, and absolute perfection; finally, dal, a black lentil dish, is delicious. This doesn't mean I haven't loved everything I've tried - hence the fifteen I will be carrying home with me to the US.
The second culprit is the people of India. Everyone I have met and dined with here has been an Indian version of our mothers. You know the kind - the ones who push food on you as soon as you return to your childhood home, who insist you are too thin, and pack you a snack for your ride home. Indians LOVE to watch other people eat. They are kind, hospitable people and as such, it's impossible to say no.