With the navratras starting tomorrow a lot of my friends will be on a strict vegetarian diet and of course abstain from drinking alcohol as well. I was asked last night at dinner, if I keep the nine day fast. I tried being a vegetarian once. For a whole year. Even stuck to it on my yearly vacation abroad. Needless to say, it was quite an achievement. But not something I am likely to relive i n a hurry
I was warned that my experiments with vegetarianism would not work while I was on holiday in the meat-eating galaxy. But I was determined to try. I figured it was just a matter of being resourceful enough and ‘finding’ the right food. I was wrong. Normally, I do not spend too much time thinking about food. A good meal was never an issue, and did not require too much culinary arithmetic. This time it was different. I dreaded each meal as it would take me more than half an hour to decipher the menu and the ingredients in a particular dish. It was a lot of work, and not something that I am likely to endure again.
My experiment in the meat-eating galaxy made me realise a few things :
Lose ten pounds in three weeks —- No exercises, no regimen, no liposuction. Just travel to a country where the word vegetarian is alien, and the cuisine leaves you with little choice in terms of what you ‘can’ . Weight loss is a given.
Get used to amused waiters — Finding ways to explain to waiters, (who do not understand English) that you do not eat meat, fish and eggs is always a source of much amusement to others around you. They feel sorry for you. Heck, soon enough, you feel sorry for yourself.
Salad nightmares — The day I landed in India, after a three week vacation in the meat eating galaxy, I swore I would not eat ANY kind of salad for at least 6 months. No more lettuce, broccoli, radish, carrots or what have you. Not unless they are cooked till every nutrient is ‘dead’
Dessert mania — This is the only comfort when you are a vegetarian. I went on a dessert binge. Actually it was a safari, almost ! I tried every single dessert available on the menus. A couple of times, waiters would politely point out that the dessert I chose has eggs in it. My infuriated expression would normally have them walking away hurriedly. There has to be some amount of creative license even if one is trying to adhere to vegetarianism !
Appreciating McDonalds — For the first time in my life I started considering the Mcdonalds veggie burger food. Great food. I have acquired an unhealthy respect for french fries as well.
Pain-et-beurre–soon translated into a pain and a bore– Bread, butter and a lot of cheese !! Without them, the meat eating galaxy is unbearable.I found something else that I never paid much attention to earlier. Dips !! They can often be an entire meal.
Redefining cruelty — When you suffer as a vegetarian, you start hitting back at those that perpetuate such cruelty (while you are mostly thinking about your own suffering) and become a champion of all things vegetarian. Even though, prior to this vacation, you never had any strong sentiments on the matter and were just exercising a choice !
All fruited out — When you cannot find the veggies, fruits are a natural substitute. But there is only so much fruit that one can handle !! Soon you have had enough to feel berry fruity and ready to be served with cream !
Political discourse — This was my way of venting my frustration. Having controversial discussions on world politics while others are trying to enjoy a good steak. There is sweet pleasure to be had in such tactics. No one else enjoys their meal either
Desi revivalism — If you are an Indian vegetarian travelling abroad, you find yourself appreciating your local cuisine much more. Never in India do you truly appreciate vegetarian food. There is an abundance of it. It takes a trip abroad to realise that.
Of course, in all honesty,I eat mostly vegetarian food.But there is no denying that the occasional roast duck or mutton rogan josh is what makes it all worthwhile :) Bacon and eggs vs dosa chutney and the former wins hands down. Of course, I say that because being a Mallu I have more than my fair share of the latter !
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