Happiness On A Plate

After my first Uber failed to arrive after 15 minutes, I canceled (they waived my cancellation fee due to the wait... thanks Uber!) and got a second one. I was already running late as I slid onto the backseat at 10:33 on Wednesday morning. Five minutes later and I was stuck in traffic. Literally not moving more than 100 feet in 10 minutes. So, my driver made a U-turn at the next available spot and headed off to my destination. Twenty minutes later and we were stuck in traffic again. Luckily this was only for a short time which didn't cause any unexpected delays.

During this whole ordeal, I was sitting in the back reading Askew when I came across a short paragraph that struck me as timely and broadly applicable to multiple places.

" 'You need expertise to be able to understand issues and work out solutions. We do not have a single subject specialist in our administration. No bureaucrat has the humility to say  "I don't know. I need help to find answers". Instead they assume that they are authorities on every subject.' " - V. Ravichandar as quoted by T.J.S. George in Askew 

I fully recognize that this is not the case everywhere and I do not intend for it to be taken as an all-encompassing blanket statement. It is, however, a concern which has been growing in several circles such as the sciences (my field - though technically I'd be in the applied sciences). Politicians with a science background are pretty uncommon and lobbyists may sway decisions regardless of what the science says. So what can we do? In the short time I've been here and after reflecting on the last few months in the US, I've realized that these types of situations leave a lot of space for expert individuals and citizen groups to make a difference. Get active in your community; whether it be small 'spot fix' projects, activism, or just attending city council meetings to lend your voice on a topic you're passionate and knowledgeable about, even small actions can make a big impact on somebody's life. Sure the changes might happen more slowly, but sometimes a grassroots approach can make a positive long-term change. 

The actual visit to the layout was short and sweet since my partner for the day had previously visited it. I still enjoyed walking around and observing the current infrastructure - specifically everything related to their water systems such as storm drains, water lines and storage, and sewage lines.

We wrapped things up there and headed to a nearby restaurant that served up an amazing North Karnataka-style dosa and chutney. After a filling lunch we walked to her place and chatted about everything from books to comparisons of water rights and regulations to the development of Bangalore while drinking a hot cup of chai. 

I made it back to Cuckoo in time to catch some other long-termers coming back for the evening. After confirming I had not yet eaten dinner, I was then asked if I wanted food and happiness in my life. Who would say no to that?? Our destination was a mystery to me but at 9:30 pm we arrived at Ramzan Food Mela.

For a bit of background, we are currently nearing the end of Ramadan - the month of fasting - which is being observed by Muslims from May 27th until June 24th. Observers will not ingest any food or drink (old-timers may also spit out their saliva) during daylight hours and then eat after sunset and again before sunrise. For many, the fast also includes refraining from smoking and sinful behaviors. This mela, or gathering, was set up close to a mosque as a place for Muslims to come together and break their fast. 
I've been waiting for some beef for a while now, but this was honestly some of the best cooked meat I've had in a while. Happiness on a plate, indeed! We shared a variety of dishes such as patthar ghosht - meat cooked on a stone, beef seekh kebabs, grilled rabbit, and an assorted platter of beef with Afghani beef chops and string hoppers (rice noodle-tortilla things). If you're a meat-eater and haven't visited a place like this, add it to your list.

These plates were followed by paan, which I cannot really begin to explain... The version I had was a betel leaf stuffed with shaved ice, a betel nut, gulkand, and covered in chocolate. This whole concoction is intended to be eaten in one bite, an endeavor at which I failed. Very messily. If I ever try again, I'll prepared and may have better luck. All-in-all, a sweet end to an eventful day. 

I'm still super new at this blogging thing so please leave a comment and let me know what you think or just say hi!