The Breakfast Rants

Breakfast in our era has become a matter of many debates in the circles of the health enthusiasts. They keep debating about the essence of its existence altogether noting it might give you a fat tummy. Breaking the fast early in the morning with a piping hot cup of tea or coffee to me is like finding a new reason to live each day!

The breakfast is always an essential part of our travels which is almost always “budget”. That meal most of the time becomes the only square meal we can have before we reach our destination at the nightfall. So we love our breakfast and pay due respect to it not only when we are travelling but even when we are not. Some breakfasts are very plain and simple by which I mean the buffet breakfasts that come as a package deal when you book a hotel. You can always close your eyes and can see what the spread will be like, however, in some parts of the world they are done a bit differently. For example, while in Malaysia, we were shown to a usual spread of eggs, breads and cereals along with Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai and Teh Tarik.

 

 

    Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai and Teh Tarik

Another time in Agra, India, we followed the mouth-watering aroma of the aloo paratha at the break of the dawn (well before the breakfast hour) having had nothing to eat the previous night and were invited to eat. And eat we did!

Aloo Paratha

 Although these breakfasts are nice and even life savers, they are not as exciting when you go out and hunt for something to eat early in the morning in a brand-new place! The excitement is more than the anticipation of the food. It is about this mysterious place which is still stretching and yawning before the hustle and bustle of the daily life starts. The character and pace of each place becomes visible in the early mornings. For example, at Dwarka which is a tiny religious town in the state of Gujarat in India, we hunted in vain for breakfast. No one was awake early in the morning and the streets were empty. We later learnt that the Dwarka-ns do not indulge in breakfast! Then in Paris, we would smell the freshly baked buttery croissant and espresso coffee in the tiniest neighbourhoods. People would be jogging and catching their breath with the morning news and a strong espresso. There was no mad rush to be the first person to show up at work. In New York however, the American coffee is always mixed with the eternal busy-ness of the fast walking and quick talking workers.

Croissant and espresso

One time we were travelling in Venice, Italy. The Italian espresso is strong for my taste and after a while I thought of doing as the Romans do (while in Rome). I observed that the early morning natives would drink espresso and a clear liquid of some sorts with their fresh bread and butter. I showed the waiter what my neighbour was having and asked him to serve the same stuff. I took a big swig of the clear liquid and got a strong dose of alcoholic shock before I realized anything. Everyone had a laugh at my expense. It was grappa and I gulped the whole shot in one go in empty stomach! Needless to say how my day went after that.

         Grappa and Espresso

Then there were these comfort breakfasts of Melbourne, Australia. We would stop by the shops in Mount Dandenong on our way to Sherbrook, especially during winter. We would warm ourselves sitting near the wood burner while sipping the minty hot-chocolates. The white cockatoos and the rainbow lorikeets would amble outside and raise a racket. The smell of the freshly baked breads out of the ovens were simply heavenly!

                           A view from the Cafe

Among all the breakfasts we had during our travels my all time favourite was the one in Marrakech, Morocco. We would amble through the old lanes and by-lanes of the old Kasbah and visit the shop frequented by the locals. We always ordered the same stuff, Msemmen (a paratha) and honey. It just went very well with a couple of cups of sweet mint tea. They had many others in the menu for breakfast such as a sandwich with boiled eggs and harissa paste, fava bean and vegetable soups and baklavas and plenty more. And there were fruits, fresh and dried

       

                  

         Msemmen and mint tea, Fava bean soup

The anticipation of something new when waking up makes breakfast exciting to me. During the holidays it becomes extra special as there is something novel to discover just beyond this morning ritual. In a new place it slowly reveals the way of life, either with a morning call for prayers, jangling of church or temple bells, or frequent honks from the cars. My breakfasts are all mingled with their unique smell, taste and sound.

How do you like yours?