India trip: Punjab land of Agriculture

cooking on traditional woodstoves

cow dung, dried and made into big patties -- then burned in the woodstoves 

cooking on traditional wood stoves

I arrived in India a few days ago. It's been a whirlwind since then! This is my 7th time in India, but each time there is a bit of culture shock that one has to overcome. The first couple days are a mixture of loud horns, living the village life, lots of relatives, jet lag, no sleep and just adjustment in general. I'm staying at my mom's ancestral home in a village in Punjab, India. Punjab is known as the bread basket of India. Agriculture runs in the blood of the people from here. The house is in the middle of fields.  It's absolutely beautiful to be surrounded by fields.  In these past few days I've fitted in: eating saag with makhi roti (a traditional meal of Punjab) with lots of Makhani (whipped butter), an attempt to learn how to ride a scooter (vespas are really common here), riding a three wheeler, shopping in the traditional markets, and then shopping in a mall that transformed you from being in India to feeling like you were almost back in North America, visiting relatives, and eating lots! My sleep is still have a major problem adjusting, and my sinus/cold/allergies have began -- as they always do when I come to India at this time. Otherwise I'm having a great time, trying to absorb everything in!

Will continue to keep you updated on the trip here on the blog. And since I have data on my cellphone plan, I am also posting to Instagram and twitter with the hashtag #fnfindia. Follow Along!