Devika's birthday was this week and her parents came up from Delhi to surprise her. They were staying with a friend of theirs that her mother had met at a writing workshop about half an hour from Rakkar.
On the evening of her birthday, we all hopped into her parents' car and drove to the house where they were staying. It was a beautiful place even more out of the way than where we live. They greeted us around a little bonfire where one of the cooks of the house roasted chicken, vegetables, and paneer on kabobs over the open flame. I haven't had meat like that in a long time. It was really wonderful. In the mean time, I snuggled with their 1-month-old puppy. I do miss having clean healthy dogs around that you can pet without fear.
I did discover, however, that when people make lemonade around here, they like to put lots of salt into it. Next time I'll ask for no salt. After we feasted on the kebobs, we were surprised by a soup brought out to us. Then the told us that that was all merely the appetizer. We were invited inside for the real dinner.
There was more food than we could all eat together and it was all wonderful. I know I'm not the only one who stuffed herself just because the food was too good to stop eating. And then, of course, there was cake. Indian cake tends to be drier than American cake, with thick, sweet icing that almost seems like whipped cream. Different but delicious.
It was wonderful to be able to meet Devika's parents. They have extended an invitation to us to visit them when we are down in Delhi any time.
Sounds like a great day :D
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