I love Gujarat…not because of Narendra Modi Ji…. But because
of the Gujarati food. Simple, clean, mostly vegetarian and light on the stomach
even if you devour and become a glutton…. from gourmet. No more troublesome on
the tummy! Any time in Ahmadabad a visit to “Sasuji” and “Aditi” Restaurants is
a must, that too after skipping lunch, so that I could do proper justice to the
spread in dinner. The Kichidi served in
the evenings with ghee is simply divine in these places. But when the food
comes at an unusual place totally unexpected one has to feel too blessed.
A few weeks back, I
was in Mumbai en route Madagascar. I was given nice tiffin of “Kaandvi” as
snack before leaving for the airport. It was very delicious, it just slipped
into the food canal smoothly…too good to describe. I was in the airport waiting
for boarding. Kenyan Airways Dream liner
787D was gleaming in the evening sun ready to depart. Fresh wind from Arabian ocean was embracing
the same as if to bid it good bye! The ground team was busy arranging boarding
in time.
I got lucky and got a window seat. As flying time to Nairobi
is nearly eight hours, I was praying that some- one who does not snore should
be seated next to me. Vijay Mallaya and
Air Asia popularized red color uniform for the Air hostess. Mallaya went out of
the way to keenly interview and recruit Airhostess of proper personality to
carry such red color. Kenyan airways, I do not know why they chose such red
color dress to go with their Air Hostess. Well that is their problem.
By now my adjacent seat was empty and the aisle seat was
occupied by someone in his late twenties. After the initial warm up smile next
it was time for him to greet me “ Khem Choo”. I was thinking for a second, for Gujarati’s
their language is “International language”. I also told him “ Charu che” and
tried to concentrate on the book in hand.
The flight took off and my neighbor looked at me again and
passed on something. I just looked at it and understood that it was home made “Ghutka.”
I politely declined stating that I do not take it. Now the seat belt sign was
off and after a few minutes it was time for drinks. By now my neighbor and a
few of his friends sitting in adjacent seats were in animated discussion. “
Bee, Threen Bottle Vodka le wanu che” another “ Vodka nathi Beer Charu
Che”.
The Airhostess asked my choice and I opted for apple
juice. My companion asked for Vodka and
water. He was pleading for two bottles. Firmly but politely he was handed out
only one bottle by the air hostess with an advice to go slow. Thus the drinks
session was on very interestingly.
My friend asked me
why I was not taking drinks. I told him I drink what I like. He was stating
that Gujarat is a dry state and he wanted to make good for what was he missing
all those in Christmas holidays. I learnt that he is a diamond cutter and
working in Botswana. Second round drinks came it was the same story. My friend
passed on his pack of macadamia nuts served in the airline as he wanted to
savor the full rich vodka taste. As it is an African delicacy I accepted with
whole hearted thanks.
It was time for dinner. My tray came first as I had
requested for AVML (Asian Vegetarian Meal). My neighbor was taken aback by the
stuff on my plate. He told me to wait and not to eat. I asked him why, he got
up and called one of friends to bring “ Teepla and Aam Ki Chutney”. Wow within
minutes the packs appeared in front of me.
I was forced to take two Teeplas
and spoon full of aam ki chutney. I asked my friend why did he do all these
things to me. Pat came the reply. “We always travel in groups and always carry
Teplas for Bee.. Threen Divas. This
journey is for a day and so I wish to share with you”. The Kasuli Methi in the
Teepla and aam ki Chuney combination was amazing.
By now I have started talking to my friend and learnt that
he was not a habitual drinker. This time he was drinking to get rid of his “sorrow”.
I wanted him to elaborate. He was upset that he could not get any alliance
during this trip and thus his marriage was going to be delayed.
In the end last round of drinks was on. I was asked my
choice by the airhostess. This time I opted for Vodka and passed on the same to
my neighbor. Let him irrigate his sorrows after all that was my way of showing
gratitude.
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