Yesterday, I cycled to Silversands. The camp was empty of guests - and almost empty of staff. I first met Meipal, who'd been home for the night and was on his way back to work. He'd seen me and came running, arms in the air, yelling - with a huge smile: "welcome Pernille madam". Besides Meipal, the only ones in camp were Negiji (Negi: last name - ji: for respect and age) and Manosh.
Even if there are no others, I cannot visit camp without at least one cup of welcome chai. Meipal cooked - I documented:
First, mash a big chunk of ginger and put in the pot with water
Add tea powder
And sugar...
When the mix is boiling pour it into the milk powder
And back in the pot
Add more tea
Finally pour the chai through the strainer into the cups
...And here you go a damn good cup of chai is ready!
After a cup of tea and a conversation in Hindi (the kitchen in Silversands has always been one of the best places to learn Hindi) and me promising to stay for lunch, I strolled down to the beach. Here, I could sit, first in the sun later in the shade to the view and sound of Ganga, reading Salman Rushdie's fantastic auto-biography until I was summoned back to the kitchen because lunch was ready. And who could anything but (yet again) love these guys for making a special table (out of a frost box) with chair and spending extra time making more and better food just for me? I couldn't! I can love the vegetable dish, the fresh chapatis, the cold and clear water, the suggested red chili for desert. All done just because they like me. I can love to bits!
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