on food

it's not a question of how much i love indian food - the rich curries, tasty spices, plethora of vegetarian-friendly options - but how much i can continuously consume three times a day and still feel well-nourished.

one of the first "favorites" i discovered was sambar, a delicious tomato-y, onion-y (or whatever the chef fancies) stew served in a delicately small bowl alongside chutney, a nutty paste, and steamed idly (read: carbs). it's very very light compared to the heavier cooking of paneer (my guilty cheese pleasure) and even vegetables, which i usually find coated in tasty but oily sauces.

lunch at the office is served in equally delicate portions, with daal (lentils) and two veg dishes heavy in spices. unfortunately, the level of spice sometimes comprises my eating - my nose starts to run, my face feels hot, and sometimes i start feeling light-headed. AND i look really stupid sitting among colleagues in the office canteen.

the other night, an indian coworker hosted a biryani dinner. skipping work, his wife spent 8 hours cooking: she stewed the chicken just right, slow cooked the rice with milk (not water), spiced it with a layer of herbs and ghee, added another layer of rice...layer by alternating layer, until the final fluff and serve. the home cooked hyderabadi biriyani surely lived up to its name, but also propelled me into a very serious food coma - i fell asleep on the couch watching bollywood dance numbers.

while i've thoroughly enjoyed the culinary sampling, i'm starting to worry about nutrition - bread and sauces and morsels of heavily stewed vegetables aren't going to do it. as an antidote, i've begun twice-weekly stir fry veg nights. "LITTLE oil", i proclaim to the "cooks" in the guesthouse kitchen when i crowd in with them, causing confusion and amusement, to peel and cook my greens.

and after all, there's always mangos galore:

From the Dragon to the Elephant

The one year anniversary of my move home from China is nearing, but my heart has still not settled. Two months of Californian sightseeing and pre-med school “relaxation” and ten months of cramming, video lectures, and pretending NOT to be a medical student later, I have finally become more acclimated to being in the US, being a student, and being back (again) in Michigan. I have yet to fully grasp the profound impact of two wanderlust years in Asia…or the changes that have occurred in the past year, but I am ready to embark on a final adventure in this last summer of freedom, to India - the other rising global power.

Four days ago, I boarded a much anticipated flight after insurmountable stress and anxiety – the Indian government truly shat on my visa application. Months of excitement for India turned into mixed feelings, but the bitterness quickly subsided after I finally arrived in Hyderabad, and I am determined to make the most of my now-shortened trip. (On a side note, who wants to travel during the first two weeks of August??)

Sweltering 100+ deg heat aside, I can’t wait to explore the country (Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai), gorge myself on curry and biryani and experience the rich culture I’ve attempted to expose myself to in readings (Holy Cow |Shantaram) and conversation. I know I won’t get far in understanding such a diverse culture in eight short weeks, but I can at least appreciate.

On a professional level, I start today at LifeSpring Hospitals, a for-profit venture invested by Acumen Fund that delivers low-cost maternal health care to low-income women as an alternative to broken public institutions and pricey private ones.

A few other interns arrived weeks ago and informally oriented me to the company over the past two days. It’s amazing to be with a group of fellow grad students (business, engineering) where conversations on BoP | global health |business strategies | process improvement never end.

Luckily, at least two of them are of Indian descent and speak Hindi fluently. Compare that to my first day’s solo adventure, where attempts to exchange money took me zipping across town on a scooter that I had mistaken for a taxi (the guy wouldn’t accept money after dropping me off). Somehow, I found my way back to the “hotel,” which is comprised of two flats in an unnamed compound on an unnamed road. Love it!