First Spring

February 22, 2014

Never thought Delhi would have a Spring time. It's not just clearly we can see. But when you see some details, there are many changes among the higher temperature. I was surprised at some of trees at Deer Park actually changes and grew new leaves. It's not just some cool Indian youngsters wearing lighter cloths and being more fashionable. The sun is warmer and the air is fresher besides a guy's wide open shirts that shows his chest hair.

Picnicking crowds are another scene proofs. And I realized that more young couples are there for their love and smooching in the park. And there was me. carrying the camera and trying to catch some Spring moment. It was pleasant and nice. All of a sudden I was so happy that I have this park near home. So that I can be serene and peaceful from the chaotic roads. All the deers are my favorite. But today I was so lucky that a Peacock opened his feathers to his disable love mate. That was Fantastic. My steps were lighter than before cause I was thinking that I can see more often now and then.

Invitation

January 13, 2014

Having a small party with friends is such a joy. I get excited when I prepare those parties. Through living in my 8 years of abroad life, I became quite a cook. I only used to cook Korean dishes. But now my cooking spectum is expended to other cuisines. Anyone would know the feeling as same as I do when guests are having a great time with your foods and hosting. And that is all about the small parties.

I thought I am well prepared by now. I've thrown many dinner parties and afternoon tea parties. I was so happy finally got friendly with oven to bake sweets. So I was so ready that my stuff came to India and settle down in my own apartment. Cause I can do those parties again. So far it had been great. Good people and good times with them. But some way I have yet to learn more how to throw a party.

I have some Indian friends before I came to India. I met them in Shanghai and we are still keeping in touch each others. I thought I knew how to serve dinner for them. But real India, the India that I am living is a lot more diverse than my thought. My excited hands were chopping onions and hot chillies. And making pancakes on two stoves. Then I start to grill 'Sam-gyob-sal' (means Pork belly) on a grill pan. As the guests came to my home, everyone was happy and excited about the house and the smell of home cooking.

How stupid I am. I didn't realized that there are vegetarians and India is a sort of headquarter of vegetarians. Of course there are vegetable dishes I made. But the appetizer soup was Kimchi Pork soup. I spent almost half of day to make the broth to be rich and the meat and Kimchi to be softened. So two of the guests could not eat the soup. One was a vegetarian and the other doesn't eat pork. Big sweat on my forehead invisibly. I just assumed that no beef is the safe choice for Indians. Luckily there were some vegetable dishes on the table and we had a great time, honestly.

So I thought once was a small mistake by my ignorance and it would not happen again for next time. My mistake starts from I assume I got this one. I made a perfect one this time. I've seen her eating meat. So I'm fine today. But unfortunately she only eats chicken. No pork, no beef or fish. Here I am. I blew it again.

Then last weekend, I invited some friends(different small group). I've had them before and I thought I am 100% sure I am safe on this time. They are all Indian Americans and They were here before. I made Korean rice cake soup. This is a tradition for Korean people eat on a New Year day morning. I made vegetarian broth and separated toppings like chopped scallions, thin strips of pan fried eggs, chopped Kimchi and soy sauce based grilled beef. and 2/3 of pancakes were vegetarian as well. Now I got this for sure. I was convinced that I made it perfect this time. I asked lightly to one girl that had pork at my table last time. "You are okay with beef, right?" Of course she doesn't eat beef. So none of them eat beef. I blew it again. Well the main course was easily vegetarian so everyone had their gigantic dishes. But I'm not yet there to be a perfect host.

It's always good to check check the preferences. What they don't eat from allergies to customs and traditions. If I ever only lived in Korea, I'd never learn these stuff. Yet there are too many things to learn. All of a sudden I thought of a small story from Aesop's fables. A fox and a crane invites each others and they quite didn't get the concept of welcoming their guest to a dinner table. How did I miss that. I guess I am learning these little by little by my own mistakes.

I think I'm ready now. Simple rule! Ask them first. And jump in to cooking. Who knows I prepared vegetarian meals and someone might say I don't eat mushrooms and I put mushrooms in every dishes. Knock on wood. I'll do my best.

Adjusting

August 18, 2013

It could be wonderful to live where I love to be. Delhi was such an out of blue. Honestly, still I don't feel that I moved to here. Maybe because I still don't have a home yet and didn't start a single daily life routine yet. The place I am staying now is a bit out of the downtown. So I'm making all these excuses not to go out. In fact there's nothing to see out near the hotel.

But I'll take my camera tomorrow and look for some sight. In some way, my heart is not settled in here yet and I got to be open that wall I made on my heart. Nothing is going wrong and I may think afraid of all the elements of Delhi. The crazy honking and aggressive drivers are making me cray and still afraid of people who wants to sell stuff for me on streets. Probably the book I read on the way to here that says all the bad things happened to the writer and he believed that brought many good lucks aren't yet reliable to me.

Wake up. And go see the world. If I don't reach my hands to Delhi, Delhi will never come to me.

Wash it off

August 12, 2013

The first day I arrived in Delhi was black dark night. Everything was hidden behind of darkness. But the airport was enough to show me what it's like to be in India. It's struggling with its people. So the airport is not letting anyone to be in at the arrival. I know they want to make sure the new airport is not filled with homeless people and all other people from different reasons to be there.

Some say India is the most vibrant and amazing place on earth and it should be the last place to visit. I haven't found a proof of that. But soon I will find out. But it seems that I may not agree with that. Cause of equality of human being and miss treating of low caste people. Sure, every human society have its own value of human being. But it seems that obvious divided class system is doing any justice for being equal. Some day I may feel so happy about meeting so many kinds of people that are so amazing. But some day I may encounter the moment that makes me angry and disgust by those situations.

I should not scared of this already. It'll be day by day learning thing. Although in front of a supermarket show window says "Happy to see you" sign and two bagger ladies in front of the store are such an irony. Should I better get used to it or give my hands to them every time? I didn't cause their poverty. But some way it is such a heart breaking and cultural shock. I want to ask those people who says India is amazing. What is so amazing?

I want to know and I want to see. The old man I met who was wearing turban and treating the house help and others like shit was enough not to agree with that. I'm sure that kind of people are everywhere. But not in that obvious first moment. Afternoon rain shower made everybody busy. Rain drops on the car window should wash away this kind of questions and paradox. Hope tomorrow will be better.