I love India

There are moments of great revelation. Moments when you think thoughts you had never thought before. Like, do I really love my country? Will I miss it if I'm not living there? These are not questions you ask yourself on a regular basis. One tends to take one's country, one's environment for granted, like it's a given.

Last night, while craving for some Indian food (after having some excellent Xian, Cantonese, Vietnamese cuisine over the past few days) we stumbled upon not one, not two but three restaurants serving Indian food at Hong Kong's famous Lan Kwai Fong (LKF) district. Oh joy!!

The following exchange ensued between us and Jamal, the guy taking the order at Ebeneezer's -

Husband: "One chicken biryani and one boti kabab please"
Jamal: "Spicy?"
Me: "Yes please!"
Jamal: "Haan, Hindustaniyon aur Pakistaniyon ko toh spicy hi chahiye hota hai"
(Husband and I double take)
Husband: "Hindi sunn ke kitna achha lag raha hai!"
Jamal: Laughs
Me to husband: "We are coming here regularly from now on"

What followed was some really spicy and flavourful biryani and a yummy boti kabab roll.

With my mouthful of spicy tangy biryani and enveloped by the fragrance of familiar food, a thought came unbidden to my mind - "I love India."

And quick on it's heels another thought followed - "As long as I have Indian food occasionally, I won't miss it terribly."