Feb 13, 2019
Brunch in Guatemala is definitely nothing like New York.
seen from Brazil
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Brunch in Guatemala is definitely nothing like New York.
Fiambre!
Yesterday was Dia De Muertos and here in Guatemala, everyone participates in paying homage and respect to the dead by setting up Ofrenda’s and eating Fiambre.
What is Fiambre you ask?
It basically takes 2-3 days to make and is a combination of A LOT of meats + vegetables pickled in vinegar and spices mixed all together.
Shoutout to Boris & Roxi for making me some vegetarian Fiambre so I could try a little bit of their culture — man! Was this delicious!
It tastes like desi-onion-pickles but in a stew form. 10/10 would have it again!
Soul Spot 2 — Ayyam-i-ha version with the wonderful humans of Guatemala 🙏🏽
Theme: love & service
Making homes out of people
If you’re reading this and haven’t been living under a rock, you likely know I moved to Guatemala about 4 months ago from my beloved New York. if you’ve ever moved, you also know how challenging it can be and the nuances of getting used to a new reality of “home”. For some of you, moving is probably very easy and part of your annual-routine or even if it isn’t, the concept of “home” is something you carry with you. However, for some of us, we make homes out of people.
If it wasn’t clear already, I’m part of the “some-of-us-” club and after getting too used to moving from country to country as a child, I started finding homes in people and experiences. In retrospect, I clearly didn’t get the people-also-leave memo (not in a morbid way but in a ‘that’s life’ kinda way) and oftentimes take your piece of home with them.
Needless to say moving to Guatemala has been an experience; I’ve even made some friends since the last time I shared a life-update with you all and had more solo time, cried a lot more, cooked a lot more, learned A LOT more Spanish and I even gained a few pounds (this is not a good thing but hey! this is not only about my highlight reel).
You know what though? I still didn’t think It felt like home here. After all, the people who have all my pieces of home are scattered around the world living their best lives successfully.
Don’t get me wrong, I did all the cliche-Meher things to make this feel like home. I got some candles, put the oils in my humidifier, moved furniture around and hung up some artwork in my already very-furnished Airbnb. There was even that one time I was stranded in a random town in Guatemala and got my period, no tampons/pads in sight and yelled in my head “I JUST WANT TO GO HOME!” (I guess ‘home’ is all about perspective?). I looked under pillows, inside closest and outside the window....still, nothing. Still no home feeling! Eventually, I got busy with work, grocery shopping, my go-to manicure place, the cafe guy who knew my order and so, I stopped looking for it.
Fast forward to today, as I sit with a few new friends in Antigua at this really cute cafe that would 100% make the list of “most Instagrammable places” in New York and it just hits me.
“Hold up...I have a few weeks left in this city. Who knows where I’ll be End of March?!”
Fast forward a few more weeks, as I co-host my 2nd Soul Spot in Guatemala, sitting in a room full of new friends, strangers and friends who feel like family now, I welcome that feeling back in. The bittersweetness of leaving a place that so quickly (and surprisingly) became home, leaving people that gave me perspective, effort, and endless warmth and hopefully taking the version of “me” that can now go for long walks alone, dinners alone, adventures alone and maybe someday even a movie or concert.
I don’t think there was an “Aha!” moment for when Guatemala started embodying the stability and comfort of home but here we are and here I go again! I’m not sure when the barista at the cafe across my apartment became “the cafe guy who knows my order” or the nail spa near my apartment became “my-go-to nail place” but surely and slowly, all the little things contributed to a wholesome home away from home away from home. While I miss all my homes scattered all around the world (ya’ll know who you are), this time around I would like to think I’m packing up all the little homey-pieces of Guatemala with me on the next adventure. Perspective truly is EVERYTHING.
Just in case you were wondering, Guat really IS Extra — I’ve met some of the most welcoming people and lived some of the most exciting adventures here; I urge everyone to make a trip out here sometime.
I’m not sure how the next chapter is going to unfold or the surprises life plans to throw at me but if every surprise life-adventure is filled with as much joy, hurt, laughter, happiness, courage, and perspective as Guatemala... “my heart is in a constant state of thanksgiving” (Baha’i Writings).
Until next time.
Blessed to wake up to fresh flowers in the house courtesy of Sonia (the helper for the apartment I’m staying in).
It’s about the little things :)
Kadai Paneer and Punjabis — Name a more iconic duo, I’ll wait.
First of all, Happy Diwali to all my desi-peeps celebrating this joyous occasion!
Secondly, Let me tell you a little tale about how ya girl temporarily got over her fear of doing things alone real quick and took herself out to a solo-dinner at Little India today courtesy of Sardar UncleJi.
So I guess it’s true when they say “you can take an Indian out of India but you can’t take India out of an Indian” because after being severely deprived of my consistent brown-town presence in Guatemala, I basically yelled across the street at an Uncle-Ji in a Pagari (turban worn by Sikhs).
Me *impulsively*: Sat-Sri-Akal Ji!
Him *crosses 2 streets over to me*: Hola! Buenos Tardes. Ki Tusi Ithe Se Ho? (are you from here?)
Me *looking for my Uber*: Nahi, not really — just saw a familiar face toh socha kuch boloon! (so I thought I should say something) I’m running to go find Indian food.
Him *points to my potential-uber*: Kya baat hai! (Oh wow!) Go to Little India, it is pretty close by and the store next to it sells paneer.
Me *walking away*: Arrey Uncle Ji...apne toh mera din banadiya! (Oh Uncle...you made my day)
Him *waving*: Have a good evening beta, mucho gustos!
Who knew a basic-short-quick interaction in Hindi/English/Punjabi could postpone the scheduled homesickness that easily?
It’s been 1 wonderful week since I’ve been in this beautiful city and 1 week too long away from my beloved Paneer. So I finally resorted to the gift that keeps on giving — Google Ji — and recommendations + Uncle Ji and ended up at Little India.
This is not going to be a food review cause let’s be honest, beggars can’t be choosers so I’m gonna take whatever Paneer I can get; Yes, I’m also hashtag blessed to even have such trivial problems. Anyways, they were playing Shiela Ki Jawaani and Barso Re, so I mean...it doesn’t get browner than that am I right? They even gave me some Raita (shared it with HR in spirit) and Masala Chai (missed my lovely Chinu) on the house!
P.S: Mom & Dad if you’re reading this — don’t worry, I was not “too friendly” with a stranger and/or give him any personal details.
P.P.S: Yes the leftovers are going to turn into corn-tortillas-Kathi-rolls for Sunday dinner
Too Brown for my own good?
Took me a whole week to find someone who speaks Hindi. Who knew I would miss basic things like this?! Current mood:
* playing Dance Pe Chance in the background *
Whole experience/story coming in the next post 😏
Things you can get for $5.00 in Guatemala!