masala

I had told Martin I would not need to return toIndia after this visit. I had tired of the throngs of people and noisy horns, but actually I was simply tired.

I easily loose myself in the maze of everyday. it is what brings me back time and time again. Yes, it is true India gets under your skin and when it begins itching. When it does you itch incessantly until you are raw and crying out for relief. Once the wound heals, you are once again lulled into its rythmic heart beat and you fall in love all over again.

As with any first love, it remains buried in the folds of your soul. To be able to linger in it's embrace again and again is the greatest gift of all.

For days, no,it has been years, I have hadnothing to write. Nothing to saybar a complaint or whine. India reached inside and with it's complex breath allowed me to remember.

India is like a great masala. Black pepper, cumin, tumeric, ginger, salt, corriander, common spice drawer ingredients, taste almost offensive to the tongue. To take a bit of pepper on your tongue would be wretched. But fry them together with a dollop ghee, add fresh peas and califlower, let it simmer a moment. The aroma is tantilizing. Spoon this over a plate of rice or scoop it up witha piece of chappati and WOW-the dish is amazing. Of course a good plate of rice is alwasy yummy, especially with a big pat of butter. But this, as is India, thrown together with just the right quantities and the world expands before your very eyes.