Compulsive chaat'ing

For normal people who come home from abroad, its usually jetlag that hits them the first few days after they land. Remember, I said - "for normal people". Second, for these aforesaid individuals, comes the nostalgia of homecoming. Probably their mom's filter kaapi or the familiar sights of their dads with the newspaper or their siblings setting off to work or studies, the maidservant, the newspaperman...so on and so forth.

So, what is it for me? Ha! Jet lag and I have lost touch with each other some years ago. The same insomnia that assails me across the seas, tags on like a leech out here as well. No issues on this. I am sleep-deprived there, that I am here as well. All is good on that front, we believe in consistency. Now, even before the euphoria of coming home sets in, there are two companions of mine that never fail to show up as a welcome sign. One would be an upset stomach and the second, dust allergy. Its a matter of hours after I land that I launch into a sneezing fit with a swollen/runny nose and an irritable throat. Around the same time the stomach decides to go for a toss. For the former, I am usually armed with a strong dosage of allergy medication from my doctor friend. OTC Claritin does nothing, not even helps me get some shut-eye. Big help, that!

Now for the stomach upset. This seemingly has been my bedside companion all my life. Amma has tried every kind of medicine possible-from antibiotics to Ayurveda, from homeopathy to yunani, from faith healing to getting my horoscope checked! Yes, therein we found our answer. Apparently some planet is in some key position-thus my stomach ailment will be my lifelong aide. There, we've solved that mystery.

The inevitability of such a situation only drives one to challenge it. Hence, stomach upset or not, I will be indulging in my favorite food of apna desh. Chaat!

Yes, this post is about my obsession with eating chaat. It is the single biggest ticket item I miss from back home(well maa-ke-haath-ka-khaana comes close, ok-they run neck to neck). There is not one chaat place worth its salt out there that comes close to serving some decent fare. I usually resort to bhel mixes from the Indian store to satisfy my cravings. Hence, whenever I am here, I make it a point to aggravate my tummy with a dose of chaat every evening.

Masala Puri. The quintessential chaat item of Bangalore. Pav Bhaji, Sev Puri, Bhel Puri, Kachori chaat, Pani Puri........sweet, medium, hot versions. Dowsed with a liberal dose of Cold badam milk or Chickoo milk shake or Pineapple juice.....be it Ganga Sagar, Shanti Sagar, Ice Thunder...the streets are littered with chaat places of every kind. Its a new item at a new place every day. Yes, this IS really the only thing I miss about being in the US. Easy access to chaat!

Tis the hour of twilight, as the cool breeze sets in like clockwork on the Bangalore skies a spoonful of a chaat item gets pushed into the mouth, followed by a gulp of cool badam milk.....what is a stomach upset, compared to the joys of such an indulgence?