Music Monday

Roti for Lunch!

source: chakali.blogspot.com

When in Rome, do as the Romans. The same rule applies when traveling in India.

And since I am a serious Foodie, I will try just about everything. One staple in India is Roti.
Rotli or Roti is a type of unleavened Indian bread that can be enjoyed with any vegetable or curry. Rotli, as they are known in Gujarat, India, are rolled very thin making them light and soft. They are cooked in two different steps — first on a tawa (or skillet) and then finished off on the open flame making them balloon up.
I really love munching on these wonderfully soft and fluffy rotlis, or rotis.
Bon apetit!
Thank you for stopping by. Namaste!

Theme Thursday: Thinking Outside the Box

Let's get one thing straight:  I am a creature of habit. I hate change.  Change makes me nervous. If I had my way, I would blissfully live my life inside my Comfort Zone 24/7.
But that won't ever happen.

My job obligates me to constantly Think Outside the BOX. 
It's not easy.  
This summer I'm slated to go to India on a research seminar.  While in India, I'm certain I will live out of my comfort zone (and out of a suitcase)...and thinking out of the BOX.  In order to research and learn, I have to go there with an open mind...and to identify and challenge all of my assumptions, my old ways of thinking and old ways of doing things.
Thanks for stopping by.
Namaste!

To sun or not to sun?

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, I worshiped the sun. I soaked up as much sun as I could, forever chasing that Golden Tan.
Well those days are over. I'm older and wiser now (no wise cracks please), and I've been slathering SPF 30+ sunscreen for the past 15 years. I just hate that gooey smelly stuff, but I don't want to look like a raisin.

Okay. Can we all agree that SPF is a requirement?  
Now it's time to talk about  head gear. 

Here in the States, a woman can wear just about anything on her head.  I like to wear fun baseball caps to keep that hot sun off my face. Here is my current favorite:

It's one of those cute caps from  Life is Good. 

But in India, women generally don't wear hats. They instead wear gorgeous scarves. I plan to buy some scarves there. But in the meantime, I will pack TWO caps. Why two? Because in 2007 when I went to India, I brought only ONE cap which I promptly lost at the airport here in New York. When I arrived in India, it was impossible to find a baseball cap to purchase. My brains FRIED SIZZLED in that sun. 

When traveling, I think it's a good idea to not stand out too much. So when it comes to headgear, I suggest moderation. Consider the following:

Nope.

Nope.

For heaven's sake, no.

Um, okay. This Yankee baseball cap has some potential value. You know why? You can barter it for something else, especially when you are short on cash. 

Oh, by the way. When traveling to India, I advise women to be prepared to cover the head, as it's required when entering some temples. 

In my next post, I will discuss further the importance of modesty in your attire.

Thanks for stopping by.

Namaste!