Another Belated Appreciation: India (or more specifically, its food and intrepid people)

Spectra and I are vegetarian. We’re not obnoxious about it, or at least I hope we aren’t. Like if we ask a server if something is vegetarian we’ll take their word for it if even when we’re not sure they get what we mean by “vegetarian.” There’s a surprising amount of leeway despite the apparent obviousness contained right there on the face of the word.

Even in the US where Spectra and I speak the de facto national language and come from the same culture, people struggle with the concept of vegetarianism. People often start with the idea that it means you don’t eat cows or pigs, then eliminate poultry, and then finally--only after much reluctance and consternation--conceed it CAN mean no fish/seafood too. I don’t blame non-vegetarians for the misunderstandings. For most meat eaters, which is the vast a majority of the human population, not eating meat is as inconceivable as eating meat is for me now. I mean, I know I did eat it once upon a time, but I recall it now like I do being a teenager. It’s purely hypothetical.

What I’m saying is finding vegetarian food can even be a struggle in the United States. So finding it after factoring in language gaps, cultural barriers, and sea based societies can be a crushing challenge. So Spectra and I do what we can to avoid eating animals and try not be jerks about it. We have subsisted on bread from time to time and I’m sure we will again. Such is life in an extreme global minority.

Of course there is one place where vegetarians are normal. Not in the majority but not far off either. A place where instead of ticking down the meats a vegetarian probably doesn’t eat; they start by assuming you don’t eat any meat and ask about things like eggs and dairy. You know, to figure out if you’re actually vegan.

As a vegetarian the existence of India is a gift from the gods (or more specifically a gift from Annapurna Devi, the Hindu goddess of nourishment). Not only did Annapurna see fit to make food exist, the entire Hindu pantheon worked together to make sure there are lots of Indian people and that they’re prone to lighting out around the world. Every place we’ve been so far has had Indian people and restaurants. And every place we’ve been Spectra and I have been relieved to find them.

Whether the Hindu gods did this specifically with the intention of helping peripatetic vegetarians from societies around the world I can’t say. If I could say you should fear me greatly for it would mean I’ve come to set right what’s clearly wrong. But I can’t say so don’t fret about it. Nevertheless, Spectra and I doubt we’ll ever be able to truly show our gratitude for the existence of Indian people, their intrepid ways, and sublime food.

Thank you, Indian people. And thank you too, Annapurna Devi.

Where would vegetarians be without Annapurna Devi? We don't want to know.