2/4 reflection and food

Reflection
Some times, when I put myself "out there" emotionally, I experience expectations, and with them, disappointment. So I asked myself, how do I live without expectations?

1) Focus on my five senses - "just being meditation" I call it. What do I see, hear, smell, feel, taste? Watching my mind as it wanders away from the senses, noting that I am "elsewhere," and not "here."

2) Investigation - what is the source within myself that is the cause of this expectation?

3) Love all aspects of myself - no denial, no rejection, just acceptance of all aspects of me.

4) Live with an open heart. The more I live in my heart, the more connected I feel, the less "me" getting in the way, and the more satisfied and content I am.

Food
Sheila mentioned to me that mostly, what I write about is food. "I really like food," I replied. India used to be number two on my list of favorite cuisines, just behind Thailand. While traveling in North India it had risen to a tie for first. With the addition of South Indian cuisine, she stands alone at number one.

Pondicherry is known for its "fine dining," but for me, the street is the place to eat. Here is my street food menu:
- 3 idlis, one vada, served with two types of coconut chutney and sanbar - 15 rupees (33 cents)
- puri masala (three small fried breads with a potato curry) - 15 rupees
- 2 prawn cakes (sort of like crab cakes) - 10 rupees (22 cents)
- a plate of puri masala chat (bits of crunchy fried bread, chick pea curry, onions, cilantro, with mint and tamarind sauces - 10 rupees
- egg paratha chop (flaky chapati-like-bread chopped up with eggs, onions and spices) - 15 rupees
- masala chai - 5 rupees (11 cents)

This morning our street stands selling idlis and chai were closed, so we went to our favorite restaurant. If you are visiting Pondicherry, check this place out: Surguru Spot at #12 Jawaharlal Nehru Street.

masala dosa - 39 rupees (86 cents)

puri masala - 37 rupees (81 cents)

And, of course, my favorite - IDLIS! - 26 rupees (57 cents)