I am a Tourist

And if you feel just like a tourist in the city you were born
Then it's time to go
And define your destination
There's so many different places to call home
- You are a Tourist, Death Cab for Cutie

I am  in that strange frame of mind. Where I want to bottle all the familiar aromas of my world, from Ally's grubby hands after school to jalebi's frying outside Bikanervala. I am getting vague and nostalgic towards things I used to love, a few books, a couple of collectibles from our 15 year journey in this 'gaon' and the last time I broke a Borosil mixing bowl I didn't even flinch! These are signs, signs of things to come and I feel ready, for once I feel ready.

Despite the sombre introduction to this post, we are going to end up talking about food, as we always do. My emphasis on good food comes from a deeper place, food stays with you, it builds you, it repairs you, body, mind and soul. So though books satisfy and collectibles complete the 'want' in life, it is only the food you eat that actually becomes you. So my food journey continues. Even though I cook everyday, I don't always eat what I cook. I have always preferred food that is cooked for me, even when there is lasagne for the family or for an order, I'll eat the 'sambhar-rice' made by our cook.

This is has been compounded by the fact that I have been going to the nooks and crannies of Delhi for paperwork and stuff and bumping into foods of the past (Karim's Jama Masjid) and culinary urban legends (sweets from Chaina Ram, Chandni Chowk!). Karim's is iconic I know but there are certain nuances you will only find there, the seekh kebabs are stupendous, they taste of real meat and flavours of real spices, amazing balance. The Gosht (Mutton) Biryani is so perfect that you dare not ask for 'raita', just sliced onions and mint/green chilli chutney. The 'naan' has a signature hint of sweetness that comes from the lightly fermented dough, there is probably yogurt there somewhere, they are airy and fabulous. Pick up round, sesame 'rusk' from the guy outside and if you want to walk off the food, hop over to the brass market next door. We had started the day with breakfast at Saravana's, amazing Thali at noon, hits the spot! Followed by 'karha' prasad at Bangla Sahib which was blessed dessert in its truest sense, lovely! And the 'peda's' at Hanuman Mandir led us to all our Gods in a day.

But there are few places that I have never been to even though I was born and brought up here (albeit with a 4 year break, but still!). Majnu Ka Tila in the DU North Campus was one such place. My blogger friends who are MKT veterans were kind enough to take me there, these guys are totally the best, believe me, if you love food, you know and understand 'love' and these guys are brimming with it. Shoutout to Charis, Sid, Sangeeta and Avanti (click on their names to see what makes them famous!). Majnu ka Tila was kickass, even though most of the market was closed for 'prayers', we were there to eat and eat we did! Our journey started at the mouth of an alley, where a lady sat with a little soup vend, it looked like soup but then everything in MKT is in bowls, so?! She was a 'laphing' vendor, arrowroot pancakes (steamed), rolled and sliced, much like fettuccine, topped with faux meat made with flour (you will not believe its not chicken), and then flooded with soy, warm water, chilli oil and vinegar. It is so good, so good! *No words!

Further up, I found the cutest ever single serve cups with lids, at 400 bucks a pop I was going to get just one (am not allowed to collect, for the lack of space or whatever, sore topic!!), while we checked that out, Sid was kind enough to pop into a quaint little Tibetan 'canteen' (for the lack of a better word) and grab us a table. We had chilli pork, pork salad (perfect, thin slices of pork tossed in an Asian dressing with greens), beef with mushrooms, pork with thin noodles, thyngmo's and apple beer. The food was hearty, distinctive and very potent, the meal seemed heavy while eating but once we were done, we were out looking for pancakes.

My discovery and rediscovery of this city is making me feel all sort of things, I am elated to be able to absorb all this, I am stumped by the possibility of missing it all so terribly, I am a tourist, in the city I was born and I think it's time to go!