THE AIR IS CRUNCHY!

Perhaps it's the weather. There were fewer people than normal about in Chinatown. The chachanteng where I went for lunch had four tables, a total of six customers, besides myself. Though the orders to-go suggested that many more people were eating their food than was evident. My usual sheltered niche along a nearby street kept me from getting rained on, but nearly every passer-by had either an umbrella or a grumbly expression. Sometimes both. Street corner auntie in her own portico was dithering, also clear of falling rain.

Fried egg man (煎蛋佬) headed past long after the restaurant closed. I expect he was probably heading to a different place to have two eggs in addition to his lunch.

Quote from the apartment mate: "The two service types diverge, therefore the approach has to be different." This seems axiomatic, but does not apply to this situation.
His approach, quite likely, remains the same.


At the present time, it is marginally warmer than North India. But during the height of the day it will around eighty degrees there, though dry and smoggy. Whereas at that time it will likely be around mid-fifties here, and still inclement. Despite the gloomity and discomfort most people will nevertheless prefer here to there. For one thing, it's breathable.

We'll sadly have to survive without the samosas and pakoras, fried in a vat of dubious cooking oil on a wood fire, so delicious, so delicious. Or the masala chai.
Hot, fragrant, dubious, and similarly heated.

In Bombay it will be at least ten degrees hotter than Delhi, also without precipitation, but scant smog because it's on the coast. And personally I think I should prefer berry pullao or brun maska anyhow. They have Irani cafes there.

The nearest thing we have to an Irani cafe in the Fort Area is a Chinese bakery with back tables where there is pleasing chatter in Toisanwaa or Hong Kong Cantonese.
With hot naai cha (奶茶), and egg tarts.


My teatime was exceedingly pleasant. I barely participated in the conversation, but enjoyed a calmer level of people watching than normal. The weather did not dampen the spirits, but did keep people away. One old auntie with tooth problems did make it in, having had a doctor's appointment nearby anyway. I admire her determination. Especially when she then snacked on something hard and crunchy (一個硬硬脆脆嘅曲奇餅 'yat go ngaan ngaan cheui cheui ge kuk kei peng'). We now all know about her teeth.




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