“You are going to India?” be asked. “Then you must bring back some Kashmiri saffron because no more is coming in.” He thought for a moment. “And you must try black spot fish. Very delicious.” He thought a little more. “You are going to Kerala? This is the most beautiful part of India.”
So! I’m leaving for the west coast of India tonight. My head is spinning with visions of rosy peppercorns ripening on the vine and winged fishing nets on the vast Arabian Sea. Dreaming of idlis and appams, coconut curry and green chilies, a hundred varieties of bananas. Portuguese churches and pork vindaloo. Elephants, temples and rose-flavored kulfi. Bollywood bangles, scents at the attarwalla.
I’ll be back in March. See you then…