Tools for Eating

 

This is the first home I arrived at in Calicut.

One lucky language tool is that all women can be called Auntie and all men can be called Uncle. Though know I know the names of the family. I will use Auntie and Uncle out of respect.

(This photo was taken prior to our departure) However, on the day we arrived the Auntie in the peach handed me a rose as soon as I got out of the car. It was so kind and made me feel like a princess.

Inside their home is floored in beautiful marble and the furniture is wooden and sturdy with soft comfortable cushions. 

Rahul and I were fed a divine lunch a potato stew with coconut milk, chilies, fresh black pepper, onion and some auntie magic. (I still have stew daydreams). Also a flavorful lentil dish and a few other lovely things like fried bread, chapatti and chutney.

I did get in a bit of cultural trouble when it came to eating with the chapatti*.  In Calicut the people eat with their right hand (the left is used for other less savory tasks). I am left-handed and that is the hand I eat with. A charismatic and directive Uncle corrected me. Rahul informed him I was left-handed. I was told I could eat with my left hand but not to eat with both hands. Which I think was a bit of jesting so I did not feel too bad.  Then an Auntie was so kind as to hand me a fork; a tool I requested and used the rest of my stay. My soul could be a bit Indian but unless it is Kentucky Fried Chicken I will be sticking to my fork.

*Chapatti is a flat bread like a tortilla.