Eating in countries where you don’t speak the local language is always a challenge. That’s why many Americans only eat at five-star hotels where everyone speaks English. Since you have read this far into my blog posts, you know that’s not my style.
In preparation for this trip, I sampled all of the Indian food that I could find. The Whole Foods market near me had an extensive collection. I enjoyed every Indian meal that I tried. I thought that meant I wouldn’t have a problem here. I was wrong.
I soon discovered that I can’t just walk into a restaurant and order off the menu, even if the restaurant looks clean. (Most don’t.) I don’t recognize the names in the menu! The names all use the Roman alphabet but they might as well be written in Sanskrit. I have no idea what they are. I’m guessing that the names for Indian foods that I am familiar with are the Hindi names. Around here everyone speaks Tamil. Back in Hampi, everyone spoke Kannada. I am not about to order randomly off the menu without any idea what I am ordering.
Most of my hotels include a buffet breakfast. Usually a buffet is the best way to find food you might enjoy eating. My primary rule in any so-called developing country is “Bake it, boil it, peel it, or forget it.” I never eat any raw dishes. Too risky.
There are always at least half a dozen hot dishes being served at the buffet. To me, they all look like cloudy soup and taste as bad as they look. I’ve tried. I can’t eat any of them.
Some choices look like food that I recognize: donuts, pancakes, rice, etc. They aren’t! When I try even a tiny portion, I can’t finish it. Either they are filled with spices that burn my lips and taste horrible or they are some completely different food that just looks familiar. In any event I can’t eat them.
That leaves only two choices remaining from the entire buffet. They always have fresh sliced bread and a toaster. That meets my “bake it” rule. They always have some kind of fresh fruit or fruit juice. Close enough to my “peel it” rule.
I have discovered that, if I ask, they will always make an omelet for me. Close enough to my “bake it” rule.
Eggs, toast, and fruit. That’s enough nutrition to start my day but hardly Indian food.
I always pack emergency food when I travel. Always prepackaged items like granola bars or packs of nuts. That way, I will always have something to eat and I will have extra room in my suitcase on the way home. Anticipating that I would have trouble getting enough protein in a largely vegetarian country, I brought extra food on this trip. Enough food to supplement my protein every day.
With a hearty breakfast and one or two protein bars during the day, I meet my protein and vitamin needs for the day. After that, I just need some carbs.
I spend time every day as a hunter/gatherer. On my strolls, I scan the stores that I pass, particularly bakeries and grocery stores. Today, for example, I bought 6 large rolls, some kind of pastry filled with spices, and a snickers bar for 105 rupees (about $1.40).
If my goal on this trip had been to taste lots of Indian food, I succeeded. If my goal had been to eat lots of Indian food, I failed miserably. I’ve rejected nearly everything that I have tried.
Fortunately, my goal was to see ancient temples and to observe the people. On that, I have seceded marvelously!
