Raindrops on roses....

There are a lot of things that I love about India. Here are a few:

1) Little boys chasing kites in northern cities like Jaipur. Their eyes are turned towards the heavens as they scurry through the streets and it imbues them with an innocence I scarcely see on urban children here.

2) "Meals" for vegetarians. That's plural. In India they'll call a main dish "meals" and like to think it's because they plop enough food on your plate for multiple people. The sublime feeling of stuffing yourself with deliciously spiced, well cooked and healthy vegetarian entrees is the best (especially after being relegated to garnish and side dishes in many other countries).

3) The smell of jasmine. Most women in southern India tie an eight inch garland of jasmine to their hair and it scents an elevator or a small crowded place with a subtle sweetness. In the midst of all the horrifically stinky odors that India can produce, these white little flowers are an elegant and welcome reprieve.

4) Piles and piles of coconuts. Whether they are used for religious celebrations, the base for cooking delicious thalis, or to smash against a wall for fun, these are omnipresent. Prior to use they lie in verdant green heaps along the side of the road or next to a street vendor. After being used their now-brown and rough outsides are strewn everywhere as well. Most have been halved and after some time they harden to look like wooden bowls.

I will add to this list in the future......:)