as some of you know, i have been guerrilla cooking for some time now. i was thinking about starting a separate blog all about cooking in a kitchen that has no stove, no fridge, an electric kettle and an ancient sandwich maker, but luckily decided against it.
The first night I realized I could make something other than a grilled cheese, I chopped up carrots and onions threw a dollop of butter in the sandwich maker and let the mixture "steam" to perfection. Once my carrot slices were soft, i tossed in a few spices (what spice did i use? my spices are labeled in Gujarati so your guess is probably much better than mine- definatly not oregano or thyme). While the veggies were steaming, I boiled water and in a few minutes a bowl of 2 cent ramen noodles were ready for consumption. Maggie (aka Ramen) noodles are a big hit in india! There are road side stands that make many varieties - all far too spicy and runny for me to enjoy. The sodium content of Ramen noodles terrifies me, so i skipped the spice packet and tossed the noddles with my steamy veggies for a complete meal. There you have it folks! Veggie Pasta a la India.
Two days ago I really stepped it up. Craving some protein i finally (for the first time since arriving in vegetarian paradise) purchased 2 eggs, some delicious indian yogurt, bananas, a pomegranate, and freshly baked bread. I dipped the bread into an egg/water mixture and plopped the french toast into my sandwich maker. Between the two pieces i diced some bananas and as soon as the light switched from red to green on the sandwich maker, i drizzled honey over the top. while my stuffed french toast grilled to perfection, i peeled my pomegranate (I am a pro now) and topped the burgundy seeds with a healthy dose of fresh curd. Breakfast for dinner- a classic!
I have some carrots and flour waiting at home- carrot pancakes? carrot cake? you better believe it!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
the group gathering around to look at the art they created. we had 2 days of clay workshops.
when there were workshops going on i snuck out and visited people in the village.
this older woman invited me to take pictures- when she said she had enough the camera had to be put away. the girls invited me into their home and one of their friends snapped this photo. 
every time i came by this man was laying down and would say "dance dance". group shot. the man got up to get me milk! 
I am in love with camels. This cow gave me milk. These little ones hatched while I was in the village.
Monday, December 14, 2009
THE BEST DELI IN THE WORLD
Alex's Onion Roll Deli in Royal Oak, Mi was featured on the Michiganphoto! Take a few minutes to listen and imagine my wide grin!Thursday, December 10, 2009
peace?
Last week, i joined a coworker on his first presentation to a small audience of college students for a discussion on peace and film. A sector of Drishti's work, that is quickly expanding, aims to engage the youth of Ahmedabad by creating space for them to artistically think about the topics they discuss in the classroom- to humanize ideas and concepts. Yesterday's talk was directly aimed at films ability to address conflict resolution and peace building. the talk started with- what is peace? The hindi fluttered all around me as the answers poured in but the few english words exchanged gave me a slight idea of the greater conversation. for the most part people (all men except one very timid woman) kept saying tolerance and acceptance. being at peace with what is around you. tolerating what is around you. a dream.
since arriving here i have read amartya sen's identity and violence. the book speaks to the way we simplify our identities and categorize too narrowly. he aims to remind us that people are mosaics- not singular identities. i think of this often as an AMERICAN JEWISH world partners fellow. when i have to introduce myself as such my mind floods with all the other adjectives i would chose to label myself as. one of the first things i learned to say in hindi is "i am not american, i am russian"- in part to open dialogue and encourage questions, but it is also a reflection of how i truly feel. I am very american- but that is not all i am. (I should probably note that i am not russian either, the soviet union crumbled in 1991 and I should learn the hindi word for Belorussian soon) Sen integrates fresh examples and writings to support his ideas creating a work that gives a fresh voice to the optimists of this world. his book makes perfect sense to me (expect and appreciate the diversity of ideas/identities) and his ability to express it in such detail amazes me.
simple enough yea? but good to be reminded. anyway here is my ramble...
when ateet was giving the talk i started to create a diagram in my mind... peace isnt an end goal we (not sure who the we is- so you decide) are rushing towards but rather a lifestyle we are preaching to resolve conflicts (both present and future). what does this lifestyle entail? appreciating the depth of those around us and within ourselves. how? by asking the RIGHT questions and not assuming that we always ask the best questions. To find the good in others, and our commonalities, we must enjoy the experience of asking rather than indulging our need to develop conclusions (engrained in us by our classroom educations- so whats your conclusion? start with the conclusion...). Cross-cultrual exchanges (accomplished through film or by strapping on a backpack) help you realize that the problems you face as an individual, couple, family, city, or nation are also faced by someone, somewhere else. this isnt to normalize the problem but rather to open an exchange of ideas to offer a fresh perspective on an old dilemma. words, pictures, images, faces, interactions send our minds racing- they challenge us to think.
maybe if we all thought a little bit more and bounced our ideas off of one another with the goal being to talk rather than to conclude we would have a much more peaceful society and a lot less of a dream. Warning: expect more on this topic and please contribute your thoughts.
TODAY is the start of our 3 day- Nazariya (our college student division) Films for PEACE Festival. This event, completely organized and run by college students, aims to promote and encourage awareness, appreciation and understanding of peace through films. During this festival, some of the most powerful films produced in various parts of the world will be presented. This Festival also promotes youth to raise their concerns for PEACE.
since arriving here i have read amartya sen's identity and violence. the book speaks to the way we simplify our identities and categorize too narrowly. he aims to remind us that people are mosaics- not singular identities. i think of this often as an AMERICAN JEWISH world partners fellow. when i have to introduce myself as such my mind floods with all the other adjectives i would chose to label myself as. one of the first things i learned to say in hindi is "i am not american, i am russian"- in part to open dialogue and encourage questions, but it is also a reflection of how i truly feel. I am very american- but that is not all i am. (I should probably note that i am not russian either, the soviet union crumbled in 1991 and I should learn the hindi word for Belorussian soon) Sen integrates fresh examples and writings to support his ideas creating a work that gives a fresh voice to the optimists of this world. his book makes perfect sense to me (expect and appreciate the diversity of ideas/identities) and his ability to express it in such detail amazes me.
simple enough yea? but good to be reminded. anyway here is my ramble...
when ateet was giving the talk i started to create a diagram in my mind... peace isnt an end goal we (not sure who the we is- so you decide) are rushing towards but rather a lifestyle we are preaching to resolve conflicts (both present and future). what does this lifestyle entail? appreciating the depth of those around us and within ourselves. how? by asking the RIGHT questions and not assuming that we always ask the best questions. To find the good in others, and our commonalities, we must enjoy the experience of asking rather than indulging our need to develop conclusions (engrained in us by our classroom educations- so whats your conclusion? start with the conclusion...). Cross-cultrual exchanges (accomplished through film or by strapping on a backpack) help you realize that the problems you face as an individual, couple, family, city, or nation are also faced by someone, somewhere else. this isnt to normalize the problem but rather to open an exchange of ideas to offer a fresh perspective on an old dilemma. words, pictures, images, faces, interactions send our minds racing- they challenge us to think.
maybe if we all thought a little bit more and bounced our ideas off of one another with the goal being to talk rather than to conclude we would have a much more peaceful society and a lot less of a dream. Warning: expect more on this topic and please contribute your thoughts.
TODAY is the start of our 3 day- Nazariya (our college student division) Films for PEACE Festival. This event, completely organized and run by college students, aims to promote and encourage awareness, appreciation and understanding of peace through films. During this festival, some of the most powerful films produced in various parts of the world will be presented. This Festival also promotes youth to raise their concerns for PEACE.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
dog days
I have a plethora of things to tell you about, but this morning my mind is occupied with the thought of wild, street dogs!Every morning I wake up, get ready, and stroll over to Uncle and Aunties house next door. They get the paper each and every morning and save the "ahmedabad mirror" (english section) for me to read. After a short chit chat i darted back into my house and made my way to the bedroom to tidy up (can you believe it, ma?). BUT THEN! As I began to make my way to the couch, my tired eyes met a pair of eyes that I had never seen before- those of a D-O-G. While I was at the neighbors house, this street dog
managed to slip in and find its way through my house- drinking water from each toilet (thats right! I have 2..count em...2 toilets!) and desperatly looking through my empty kitchen for a quick munch. However, the door was locked and I was not about to cross the dog in an attempt to set her free. So i screamed- "uncle! uncle! Auntie! Auntie!" I yelped until i realized no one can hear me and then switched to yelling for Ba, the kind lady that comes by every day to clean up the crib. 
She was not in the area yet, but luckily the girl that comes by for the trash (lots of people come by...) heard my desperation from the stairs and peeked in. She saw me hiding in my bedroom and the dog begging to be set free. The standoff came to a peaceful end with no one getting hurt. But, poor Ba did have to clean the paw prints smeared throughout the flat.
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