Pav bhaji and the traveler’s psyche

I have heard from reliable sources that Hyderabad offers some the best Pav Bahji ever in the world.  So good is it that certain sheikhdoms will have it flown in from direct from Hyderabad daily.  It is soaked for hours in simmering butter, and is worthy of international notoriety.  Of course, it is made by the street vendors, and the challenge will be to resist it.  The well established wisdom is avoid food from the streets lest you desire to succumb to the potentially gastro-toxic organisms your body has never seen before.  I am torn on this matter.  On one hand, what better opportunity to sample this delectable treat than with a group of physicians primarily composed of infectious disease specialists?  To pass it up would be a terrible a loss.  On the other hand, I have been fooled before.  I have faced the horror of street fair without the comforts of my everyday home surroundings , and it wasn’t pretty.  I may have been mistaken for an addict in withdrawal – sweaty, delirious, and desperate for relief.  If I had the energy to get out of bed at that time, I’m sure that’s what people would have told me.  Instead, they saw me four days later without pitty.  Who would eat that stuff of the streets?  I guess I got what I asked for.  But man that food was good.

I’ll be prepping my stomach in the upcoming weeks.  Only 1.5 months to go.  I can’t wait to see the colors of Hyderabad, the smoltering heat, and of course doing what we love for people in need.  One challenge will be the language barrier, and I hope I can learn enough for basic communication.  I don’t suspect it will be easy to learn medical jargon, but if I’ll be happy if I can pick up everyday-isms.  I am narrowing down my area of expertise, so I can’t wait to get started.