With much consternation,
I drove south to return to the reststop/convenience
store and Indian restaurant. I went for the sole purpose
to get photographs as proof that I wasn't kidding.
When I entered the convenience store, I
immediately went to the restaurant buffet.
The plan was to take a picture of the lunch.
The buffet consisted of curry
chicken, tandori
chicken, kofta,
mixed vegetables, rice, and paneer.
As I surveyed the buffet, I peripherally noticed some
items on the shelves I passed.
"Wait a minute," I said to myself.
I turned around and went to the cashier who had previously
given me directions to Santa Fe. This time I asked him
for a basket. I was ready to shop.
What I came across was not only a convenience store,
not only a Indian restaurant, but also a bazaar
of Indian
ingredients.
Not missing this opportunity of unfettered access and
convenience, I was able to peruse the authentics
on the shelf as if I was shopping for the perfect snack.
This was too casual!
I found spices and products that I can't wait to try
to cook and taste. I spent a half-hour or so in glee before
eating lunch in delight.
Once the basket was full, I turned to the buffet, filling
the tin to the top, smushing the cardboard lid down so
I could seal the platter.
"What no naan,"
asked the cashier suppressing his Hispanic
accent.
I huffed and went back to complete the
buffet meal, then finalized the credit card-sized purchase.
I got into the rental and drove over to a roadside flea
market where the competitively priced selection consisted
primarily of firewood and slabs of adobe quarry.
I ate, ate, ate ingredients, that tasted really really,
really really good!
Ken/Ed/daddy
