My first indian taste in the Philippines was an exploratory one. While my first few bites here happened during the inductions and trainings. Until one day, I was “expectedly unprepared” (weird, huh! expectedly because I knew that was coming, unprepared because I didn’t know it would happen that fateful day) to have lunch with my closest indian officemates (that time) in one of the indian restaurants nearby. I didn’t beg off because one of them was leaving then for good. So, it was like my first and last bonding with her.
In that especially chosen nearby indian restaurant I had this “tortang talong (scrambled eggplant)” look-alike for lunch. We had the same orders (intentionally, with a choice that they thought I can manage) and just when I perceived mine was spicy, theirs was too much. I had to put butter on it ala-pancake eating to lessen the spicy feel at tongue. While they suggested as they enjoyed eating it with yogurt, I can’t imagine and didn’t try. I am just not too ready, where’s the adventurer in me? 
We ate with our hands (without washing first, that’s standard). When you’re in Rome, do what the Romans do, as they say. So I was the only Filipino in that restaurant, I tried my best to act and feel that I am among them, just one of them. Well, that “torta” was so filling.
And the adventure didn’t end there. Since Indians generally do not brush their teeth after each major meals, they normally have these grains ala-breath freshener in each restaurant. I was so surprised when I was given a handful of that. And they asked, “is it good?”. “Yeah”, I replied.
At the end of the day, it is really interesting to learn and experience new culture. And I strongly believe that aside from the language barrier, the spices and/or food makes a big difference.
