In a Nutshell: Thanksgiving with the Indians

Flights: amazingly well spent and pleasing. I used to not sleep in planes; now I can for a couple hours.

Movies and TV viewed en route: Quand J’étais Chanteur (The Singer) featuring Gérard Depardieu as an aged lounge singer opposite his young love interest. I watched bits of this repeatedly and finally admitted he is an endearing character.
The Page Turner (also French), a mean-spirited film of a young pianist who is disillusioned during a recital/judging and gives up the piano. She later comes into the life of a family (the pianist mother being the one who dissed her at the judging) as a nanny and ruins their lives through treachery. She turns composition pages for this woman at a piano performance, hence the title.
The Break-up with Jennifer A. and Vince V. I tired of their constant bickering but approved the performances of the art shop receptionist and Jennifer A’s “brother.”
Fifteen minutes of Pirates II. Did not enjoy this and thought I would have nightmares of the tentacles. Yick.
One whole episode of MacGyver and a bit of The Love Boat (Doc was jumping up and down on a mini tramp by the pool. All the men had on tiny shorts. Long shorts are a pleasing change).

Illegality: snapping two pictures inside the Taj Mahal. My guide hissed to quickly take a picture of the inlaid stones while he shone a flashlight on them. I obeyed but these images will not implicate me being that I needed a flash (had my bulky camera with me).

What a huge proponent of light packing wishes she had packed: a nail brush (I simply walked outside and my nails became filthy) and a heel pumice (my poor feet were clad in sandals most of the trip (and most of my life); would that I could have filed them).

What I wish I hadn’t brought: multiple long pants and long sleeved shirts. The weather for the most part was hot and humid, especially in the south (Hawaii like climate). Knee-length skirts would have been perfect. (I had brought one and bought one there. I also wore long shorts some of the time.)

Bookshelf (in order of attack): Climbing the Mango Trees by Madhur Jaffrey (recent Knopf bio with recipes of the cookbook writer and actress); The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai (winner of 2006 Man Booker Prize); half of V.S. Naipaul’s India: A Wounded Civilization; half of A Princess Remembers: The Memoirs of the Maharani of Jaipur (purchased in Mumbai on a recommendation after I had visited the Rambaugh Palace, now a hotel, in Jaipur).

Animal Fair: elephants, camels, goats, cows, bulls, monkeys, cats, dogs, birds, two dead rats, one or more live rats.

Casualty: one black hair clip (see also claw) that is integral to my being. It was mercilessly crushed on the flight from Delhi to Cochi.

Loss: black yoga pants used for running around. I believe they must have been left in Jaipur, hung out to dry (literally).

Flavorings acquired: two packets of black peppercorns and 10 vanilla beans (gift of Nimmy Paul, cooking instructor). Two packets of whole cardamom and one packet each of nutmegs and fenugreek.

Spices I wish I had bought (what can I say . . . I was overwhelmed): chili powder, curry powder, and black mustard seeds.

Other purchases: textiles (Gandhi proclaimed the answer to India’s ills is the spinning wheel) and two pieces of cookware, one aluminum pot and one steel uruli, a flat bowl for stovetop (I will try to post an image) for a combined weight of about 4 kilos.

Brought home: a taste for marble.

Birds of a Feather

This morning I breakfasted with four peacocks. They flew into the walled compound probably looking for water. They approached the pool but flew off without drinking. I was eating an omelet, toast, papaya, and Cadbury drinking chocolate. It is quite a Western breakfast but it was nourishing and will prepare me for the day. I am staying at Jasvilas in Jaipur. It is an oasis. As Rachel prepared me, this is a third world country. The people are very welcoming, non-threatening, and good. I point out this place is an oasis because the streets are a different thing, but not dangerous. I haven't minded the driving (from my back seat in the taxi). People seem to know what they are doing and no accidents yet. Horns a plenty. I spent the first four days in Mumbai (Bombay) which is the second largest city (I believe population) in the world, after Mexico City. It never appeared super overrun so it paints a broad swath and the worst slums are not where I was. Brad, Angelina, and I are visiting India.

At home, preparations continue for Thanksgiving, arguably a perfect holiday. Do let me know your plans and any menu successes. I plan to make Thanksgiving at Christmas. Cami presented me with a portable Thanksgiving feast: candied pecans, dried cranberries, pringles (potatoes), a pumpkin seed bar, an apple pie Larabar, and turkey jerky. I will eat royally. Perhaps you wish your feast was as pre-pared. I hope someone is baking an Indian pudding. This is what I will try in the coming days. Rachel B. made the best baked gingerbread ever a week ago. I will also make this. I don't see why we need pie with these deadlies. Historically wholesome. I wish you all well and heap big blessings.