India Abroad

I keep a budget, a feathery idea, a dollar or pound sign floating in the either.  I live by it when I can, to prolong my travelling lifestyle.... until I'm done.  Unfortunately, this does not allow me to eat out as often as I'd like.  Swanky joints are a rare treat.

A river of curry! Sweet & Spice at Atwater Village

I went to an Indian canteen situated right at the end of my street.  India Sweets & Spices.  Their menu listings go on for reams, the meal combo seems to be the most popular choice.  I opted for a dosa at $5.48  I peered at the glass cabinet for a few moments at the India sweets, before 'Dosa, Dosa', sounded out the arrival of my meal.  It was served on a paper thali plate.  My cutlery was plastic.  Lucky for me it is all about the taste.  The spicy potato filling was strangely mashed, the spices subtle.  Duo chutneys, one red one green.  The tamarind was good, the coconut was bitter...almost an 'off' taste to it.  I troubled with the latter no more.  The sambhar (the curry gravy) was excellent.  Dense with veggies and with a mother of a kick.  I dallied over each mouthful.  I was stuffed as I scraped the plastic fork into near unreachable corners of my paper plate.  All I left was an ochre stain. 
My laden tummy was in no fit state for anymore food..so I ordered the samosa against my better/slimmer judgement.  It was the shape of a teepee. 

Taste o vision would be a boon for this pic!

 The pastry was crisp, chewy and delicious.  The filling was less so.  Mashed potato and a few lonely peas.  A watery date and tamarind chutney livened it up and I scoffed the lot. A bargain at 99c Whilst eating myself to an uncomfortable state of stuffed I read one of the newspapers, stacked underneath the largest TV I have ever seen.  Statueque, over -made up Indians danced across the screen in formation.  India Abroad.  Flicking through a few things caught my eye.

Eye opening...parents rally for suitors for their 'talented, rich, successful, handsome,' children...shouldn't prove too much of a bother then!

A Jain (vegan Indian) headed for the Deutsche bank?!

So much to explore in this world...I know only a mere scraping from its surface.  I get cross at myself when fear or comfort holds me back from venturing more.  I bless the Internet, its only failing is my lack of imagination.  I curse myself for every moment I let slip by not researching rare chamelions or learning a floor shaking tribal dance.  Kick myself for playing it safe when vast deserts and steamy jungles remain a 1D image in a dusty encylopedia packed away in box somewhere waiting for my return.  I vote for 48 hour days, teleportation, and lottery wins!  Utlised, of course, with a humble respect for the planet and zero carbon footprint.  Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream...