On holidays, Indians eat wholeheartedly. The beginning of spring is celebrated with a yogurt drink called “bhang” with nuts, and they eat lots of halava. Holidays rarely go without salads with tomatoes and mint, rice pudding, and dishes decorated with dried fruits. Indian table etiquette is different from Europeans’. Guests are ushered to seats at the table, and it is forbidden to change them. Food is served first to the oldest man, then to the rest of the men, afterward to the children, and the turn of women comes last. Until the oldest begins to eat, no one can touch his/her food. Before eating, hands are washed thoroughly, because many dishes are eaten with hands. They are again washed after eating. You do not need to thank your hosts for the food as this is regarded as payment.
In India, there are a huge number of restaurants, cafes and other establishments in which chefs and cookery experts are happy to prepare excellent dishes for visitors. There is an unusual café in Delhi called “Kunzum Travel”. It was created specifically for travelers. This is a kind of club where you can converse with like-minded people over a cup of tea or coffee, and also read or buy books related to travel. Here they sell wonderful cookies, and the payment for these pleasures is symbolic. In Bombay, there is a café called “MoMo”. The place is spacious and bright, has large tubs with plants between the tables, and serves great Indian food. In Hyderabad, lovers of the unusual can find the restaurant called “Taste of Darkness”, where visitors eat in absolute darkness.
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