Yesterday we were on Lindsay Street (the road that runs in front of New Market). It was raining, and though it was only 6 in the evening, it was dark. The pavement in front of the shops have been occupied by hawkers of all colors and shades.
We wanted to go to Raymond's, and there was just enough space in front of the shop to allow us to make a dash for it. After we finished, we stood just outside the door on the first step, which was covered, waiting for the driver to bring the car.
The human drama being played out in front of us on the sidewalk was typical, lovable Cal.
On the right was this movable cart fitted with a coal chulha - the Indian cooking stove - with a Tibetan/Sikkimese cooking vessel, on one side. It had 4 large pans fitted one into the other. In the lowest, thupka was boiling away, and the other three pans had momos steaming in them. Next to this was a stack of bright green square plates, bowls one on top of the other, and spoons in a mug. There was another vessel with a sauce in it, and a bottle of ketchup. The remaining bit of space on this cart was used as a tabletop to fix the momo platter for the customers. A steady stream of people kept the momo-man busy. He had rolled up his trousers and was happily and busily serving all his customers, completely oblivious of the rain. Beside this cart was another one selling tea in the earthern cups or bhaands.
To our left was this amazing cart called Dosa Bagan - literally meaning Garden of Dosas or Dosa Garden!!! There were two men with shower caps on their heads to keep their heads from getting wet, and they had these two huge stoves in front of them on which they were cooking, turning out idlis, vadas, and dosas with their accompanying chutneys. Plates with compartments were stacked in one corner with spoons. They were serving customers almost non-stop, there were so many people wanting a South Indian snack!
This was not the time to think hygiene.......it was the happiness on the faces of the people snacking away in the rain that was a treat to watch.
And why not?
Why should they let a little rain spoil their Saturday outing, pray?
