I can’t
resist writing about it, the food is amazing.
This weekend I went to Vellore,
where there is an interesting old fort and a controversial golden temple, which
I enjoyed seeing both of, but I enjoyed my meals more. Most of the restaurants
around are vegetarian, which is great as I can confidently tuck into things
which I have no idea what they are. I knew when I ordered a thali that it would
be great, which it was (and a bargain at less than £1), washed down with a
lassi. My masala dosa the following day was so good I could have cried. The
other day I ate 9 puris in a row along with a large helping of chana masala,
which I have now learnt how to make so can hopefully recreate on my return to the UK. Today
I’ve eaten 10 bananas, but that’s because each one is only the size of my
thumb. They are growing at one of the school gardens, as are mangos, and it’s
mango season so happily I’m eating quite a few. Freshly made idli with coconut and
coriander chutney is becoming a favourite meal here from Britto’s kitchen, but
every meal is a delight. The coconut man cycles round the area in the morning
selling fresh coconut for 10 rupees a piece (about 12p), providing some great
pre-mid-morning chai refreshment. Mmmm.
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| Thali |
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| The coconut man |
Last week I
spent a couple of days at Arpakkam where RIDE has a small school. They take
children from reception age so some of them are so tiny, and so adorable! I also met some children from a local tribal
settlement, who can get food at Arpakkam school a few times a month. Apparently
they often only get one meal a day at home so RIDE is doing what it can to
improve the quality of life of the communities it works in.
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| Students at Arpakkam RIDE school |
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| Anu unpacking my delicious packed lunch |
Work has
been a bit slow this week because over the weekend some workmen accidentally
cut through the phone/internet cable while digging a hole. It’s my final week
here so I’m tying up loose ends and trying to absorb some more recipes from
Britto, and I’ve just been sari shopping so I can attempt to get creative
making lots of pretty things with my purchases when I get home.
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| sari shopping |
At the
weekend I’m off to Pondicherry for a few days before I travel to Mysore to meet my
Raleigh colleagues. I’ll attempt to post one or two more updates before I head
into rather more isolated life with a team of teenagers in tow!
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