Whenever we move to a different city, there is a lot of excitement and enthusiasm initially. It also comes with the challenge of experiencing and adapting to a new language and culture. We look forward to meeting new people, learn new things and generally develop a more well-rounded personality.
However, the adjustment period is not always a bed of roses. Life does get turned upside down a bit even if it’s moving a relatively short distance to Pune, Maharashtra. Everyday necessities that we take for granted become hard-to-get luxuries. And on top of that list is food (what else?!).
No other time is the change more distinctly felt, than at breakfast. For a guy who’s used to the regular pongal , idly-vada , sambar , it is indeed a gastronomical shock to face a situation where these items are unavailable. The restaurants that profess to serve South Indian food usually dish up hard-as-stone idly and sweet sambar .
It is not just the food that is different. The daily morning copy of our favourite newspaper is also distinctly absent. The Hindu is not commonly available here, and in the few newsstands that do stock it, it is usually the previous day’s edition and costs Rs. 2 extra!
I have spent many mornings, cycling on different routes, searching for good restaurants as well as the big newsstands. After many unsuccessful attempts, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I learned to cook and more importantly, coax other capable people to cook for me. And as for the newspaper, well, I just decided to read it online.
The writer is a NIT Tiruchi graduate
