Hmmmmm... Maaaan...I can't wait for these long lazy post-lunch hours to tick along to my favorite time of the day - TEA TIME! :-)))
Tea time symbolises for me lovely, quality time with my family over a steaming mug of the milky sweet Brooke Bond masala chai (imported from India, specially bought and packed with extra dose of love by parents!). Its the time to trade stories on the day's activities or the uselessness our jobs and bosses or simply gossip about people we know. It's the time to peel away the layers of worry and stress and live in the moment.
As you know, I grew up in Chennai, where the evening cooled down enough from the sea breeze to allow us the pleasure of sitting in our garden under the shade of the mango and chikoo trees. Ours was a corner house located at the intersection of two major roads with a lot of footfall and considerable traffic. Sitting there with my granpa and leisurely sipping the sweet and spicy concoction, it felt like being on an oasis while the world around us carried on in its frenetic pace.... Of course, the fun was in the many observations one could make of human nature, sitting in the relative obscurity of one's garden - and my granpa was great company in that bit of indulgence :-)
This was a treasured time especially after a long 1 hour journey from my college, which was in the middle of nowhere, riding back to the city in a college bus that was starved for seats (we were literally piled two-high on almost every seat!!). As I entered the work force later, tea time was no longer a specific time but was more a symbolism - for escaping the claws of work and taking a few minutes for self or a quick catch up with friends for a short chat or a time to unburden ones worries while drinking the hot, soul-cleaning tea.
But, no matter how many times I have had tea during the day, I never skip having a cup of tea with my husband when we get back from our offices. The countless images built over the years of sharing thoughts and time has to be relived yet again...every day! :)
My first apartment in NY had a balcony, where we used to sit on a camp chair and observe everything around. From the height of the 17th floor, it was like looking at an ant farm bustling with vigorous activity down below... In our current apartment, there isn't a balcony but the window with the tree outside and the biscuits accompanying the tea are sufficient to create the ambiance. To me, the true pleasure in eating a biscuit is derived when it is dipped in hot tea making it so soft that melts in your mouth - my favourites are Marie, Parle G or even Brittania.
Speaking of biscuits, I have a bone to pick with the Americans. The US of A does not seem to get the concept of Indian (or is it British?) biscuits. They have cookies, which are too heavy and buttery or crackers which are not sweet! Their "biscuit" is actually just a bread roll! A biscuit has to be crunchy, sweet and above all dippable in tea!
Oh! look at the time - it's already tea time indeed! Well, how time flies when one relents to just a little bit of nostalgia. :) I am off for my cup of awakening................
Tea time symbolises for me lovely, quality time with my family over a steaming mug of the milky sweet Brooke Bond masala chai (imported from India, specially bought and packed with extra dose of love by parents!). Its the time to trade stories on the day's activities or the uselessness our jobs and bosses or simply gossip about people we know. It's the time to peel away the layers of worry and stress and live in the moment.
As you know, I grew up in Chennai, where the evening cooled down enough from the sea breeze to allow us the pleasure of sitting in our garden under the shade of the mango and chikoo trees. Ours was a corner house located at the intersection of two major roads with a lot of footfall and considerable traffic. Sitting there with my granpa and leisurely sipping the sweet and spicy concoction, it felt like being on an oasis while the world around us carried on in its frenetic pace.... Of course, the fun was in the many observations one could make of human nature, sitting in the relative obscurity of one's garden - and my granpa was great company in that bit of indulgence :-)
This was a treasured time especially after a long 1 hour journey from my college, which was in the middle of nowhere, riding back to the city in a college bus that was starved for seats (we were literally piled two-high on almost every seat!!). As I entered the work force later, tea time was no longer a specific time but was more a symbolism - for escaping the claws of work and taking a few minutes for self or a quick catch up with friends for a short chat or a time to unburden ones worries while drinking the hot, soul-cleaning tea.
But, no matter how many times I have had tea during the day, I never skip having a cup of tea with my husband when we get back from our offices. The countless images built over the years of sharing thoughts and time has to be relived yet again...every day! :)
My first apartment in NY had a balcony, where we used to sit on a camp chair and observe everything around. From the height of the 17th floor, it was like looking at an ant farm bustling with vigorous activity down below... In our current apartment, there isn't a balcony but the window with the tree outside and the biscuits accompanying the tea are sufficient to create the ambiance. To me, the true pleasure in eating a biscuit is derived when it is dipped in hot tea making it so soft that melts in your mouth - my favourites are Marie, Parle G or even Brittania.
Speaking of biscuits, I have a bone to pick with the Americans. The US of A does not seem to get the concept of Indian (or is it British?) biscuits. They have cookies, which are too heavy and buttery or crackers which are not sweet! Their "biscuit" is actually just a bread roll! A biscuit has to be crunchy, sweet and above all dippable in tea!
Oh! look at the time - it's already tea time indeed! Well, how time flies when one relents to just a little bit of nostalgia. :) I am off for my cup of awakening................
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh..... reminds me of home and the gud ol' "cutting malai marke" .... ;)
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