Barbecue nation

I'm full and it is midnight. We just got back from a restaurant, Barbecue Nation, that was quite ridiculously good. And it was a buffet I think. Ale might have to roll me into Bed. The appetizer alone was all sorts of meats and vegetables that are grilled in front of you on a mini grille. Then there is a very large spread of all sorts of Indian dishes: chicken Bryiani, Butter chicken, etc etc. and then is the best part, the desserts. We had such good gulab jamon and a rice pudding.

This wasn't even the best part of the day! So yesterday afternoon, Ale and I tried on like 10 different saris of Mrs. Thacker. Should wrapped us all up and we danced around the house. We each picked out several to wear to the wedding festivities since saris are one size fit all! Then today we went over to Vishal's fiancées house and she had us try on more saris and some Indian dresses. I ended up picking one of Amoolya's saris for the evening dance the night before and then one of Mrs. Thackers for the morning ceremony. Then Amoolya brought us shopping down the street from her house to find blouses to fit us. Blouses are not one size fit all, and originally we thought we could borrow Amooyla's blouses, but turns out Ale and I aren't Indian girl thin. Shocker. So off we went to a store for some ready made ones to match the saris. Now this was not necessarily our most favorite activity, as standing in front of bright mirrors trying on short blouses that show off your newly growing belly isn't exactly my cup of tea. But fat jokes aside, it still was fun playing dress-up. The ladies at the shop loved dressing us up. They were draping the sari on me and all crowding around. Amoolya was laughing and answering their questions about who we were.

We also got to do a little shopping and looking down the street. There were all these beautiful flowers that are used in weddings, to wear and decorate their houses with. Next week, Amooyla is bringing us shopping at Commercial street for bangles, shoes, and more. This just keeps getting better!

Besides for this, I went to clinic this morning. Nothing too much to write home about. There were the usual PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) causing infertility, prenatal visits, abnormal bleeding, etc. Oh I met three Swedish med students who are here for several weeks in Obstetrics. They were very sweet and we got to compare and contrast our medical systems. I find it so fascinating. They do 6 years of med school, then 2 years internship, then 6 of residency. If I'm remembering correctly. This rotation in India is also their first exposure to obstetrics.

In regards to our other meals today, Mrs. Thacker made dosas (our first time trying hers) and a semolina upma for breakfast. Lunch was aloo parotha (potato stuffed bread deliciousness.) Needless to say, I'm getting pretty good at reading at Indian menu. Ale and I sometimes reflect on the fact that we will never be able to eat at an Indian restaurant again in the states and not feel like we are missing something. I can't even eat in some here. For example, the pickles (not american pickles but pickled vegetables to eat with veg meals) are just nothing compared to Mrs. Thacker's pickles. My friend Vikram used to act like he was too good for the Indian restaurants in Gainesville and Liz and I would make fun of him. I can now understand where he is coming from.

Lets see. In other news, Ale and I got a 2 hour nap this afternoon. Life is very taxing here in India.

Pictures: a)Ale and I in Amooyla's closet b)at dinner c)a wall of saris