India: The Land of Great Eating

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It is no secret we love to eat and we don't even try to hide it. I won't go as far as to say that we define the enjoyment of the trip by the quality of the food, but...

Let's just say, India did not disappoint. We ate our way through this country!

We were vegetarians for almost the entire trip and were surprised that we did not miss eating meat. Once we left the holy community of Pushkar, we did start eating eggs occassionally. We tried a few dishes with chicken, but the quality of meat persuaded us to continue our vegetarian vacation.

Our meals were relatively inexpensive, even when we ate like kings. When we went to nice restaurants, ate huge meals and ordered sodas and/or beer, our meals averaged around $30 for all three of us.

The highlight of meals was probably the bread. Every meal included hot, fresh bread baked in a little wood burning, clay oven. We tried naan, chapati, bahtura, poori, roti and many others I can't name.

Diet soda was difficult to find and almost always cost more than regular soda. When we made a stop at a McDonald's we were surprised to find fountain drinks for all soda except diet soda, which was sold in a can. In an extra value meal, the drink cost more if diet soda was ordered.

I probably don't even have to mention that icy cold drinks are a pretty American phenemnon. We found ice in some places that catered to tourists, but many times they would ask how many ice cubes you wanted in your glass...2 or 3.

I think the high quality of food kept us from dreaming about comfort foods from home. We usually start craving something after a few weeks of travel--BBQ, Shamrock Farms quality beef, fountain drinks, steak strips. But this year, we really only missed cold soda drinks. On the last couple of days of the trip, we decided we also really missed Varsity Donuts in Aggieville.

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Photos

Our Cafe in Pushkar
Our daily visits to the cafe overlooking the camel herds in Pushkar led to the owner calling us by our first names.

Sunset Cafe...
...home of fantastic Nutella pancakes (crepes)!

Honeydew Cafe, Pushkar
Dad awarded it "best coffee" in Pushkar.

You Can't Make This Stuff Up
Walking in the dusty town of Pushkar, we never dreamed we would find anything resembling American food. But one day we stumbled upon this makeshift restaurant for Domino's Pizza!

Comments

[Cathy Hunt Cavitt]

Thank you for including me in your blog! I have so enjoyed the opportunity to participate (vicariously) in your wonderful trip!