My daughter: How’s the India trip going?
Me: Good and bad. Yesterday I had what I’m sure was a 32-hour flight to Dubai, during which the gentleman seated next to me decided he would be most comfortable if he crouched on his knees on the seat, his feet poking into my thighs beneath our shared armrest, while he hunched forward with his business end approximately level with my face. But I also had what Dubai Airport considers an iced coffee.
Iced coffee, probably served with insulin chaser. [No, I didn’t get a picture of the contortionist in the next seat. My guardian angel—in the uniform of an Emirates steward—reminded him that they needed to be able to see his seatbelt. Grumbling, he abandoned his attempt to channel his inner simian.]
Today I had two root canals in Mumbai. But I also had fabulous masala papad in a roadside restaurant that looked like it just landed from Oz right after they discovered Technicolor.
No, I didn’t get a picture of myself apres root canal, face swollen and drooling. Some things must never be seen… [image credit, Janine Smith ©2020]
Tomorrow I’m thinking if I sprain my ankle, maybe I could also have incredible parathas…
Roadside parathas, which I will eat when I can feel that side of my face again.
NOTE: sadly, the double root canals aren’t my first experience with medical tourism. [See: Delhi Belly: a level of hell that Dante missed.] In 2020, medical tourists are expected to come to India to spend over nine billion dollars on world-class medical expertise, exotic locations, and parathas.
Barb Taub 
Hmm, I could learn to like coffee if it was always served like that! Sorry to hear about your root canals. They’re never fun in any land.
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Honestly Kass–by the time any actual coffee was experienced, you would have completely forgotten its presence. (We’re talking ice cream, fudge sauce, whipped cream, chocolate bits, two chocolate striped and filled pirouette cookies, a chocolate chip biscuit, and perhaps, an espresso although I couldn’t be sure…)
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My kind of coffee!!
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I want the milkshake…uh…coffee.
My husband wants to know if you intentionally chose India for your root canals and if so, why?
I want to know if the name “Barbara” is unique to the extent that your O.P. card needed no surname. Really? They have no one else named Barbara who has ever visited India and needed medical services?
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OH I am so happy you made it. I think you should compile a travel book of pictures of the amazing coffees you’ve had around the world. I would buy it.
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You may be right! But I’d probably double in size while doing the research… The things I have to do for my art.
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Seat mates can be very odd. I’m glad the attendant changed his position. 😉 That’s a long way to go for a root canals. I can understand going for the food though. 😉
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It was a long way to go, but I’m so lucky I can combine getting high tech treatment with a trip to one of my favorite places to see some of my favorite people!
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I first thought that was a plastic sculpture ad, then I realised it was your coffee! And followed by TWO root canals? Did you upset someone? 😉
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That’s the weird part. I’m not sure if there is someone up (or down) there who really likes me, but is also really upset with me or if this is some new instant karma-balance program.
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Hahaha. 😀
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Uh oh! Barb’s in India again! Enjoy the rest of your trip, I look forward to more updates.
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Parathas, temples, elephants, and fabulous food: all the usuals are scheduled, although perhaps the root canals could have been better timed.
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Was India warned? Is that the reason the recent riots? Back in in India and nothing to do but eat and be beaten up. Cant wait for the upset
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I’d like to go on the record as stating that despite the past five years’ visits, India doesn’t seem to be holding any grudges.
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It’s a big country with the potential for isolated grumbles that have yet to coalesce into a full blown grudge… just keep moving Barb and they may never nail your MO as a serial comic…
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Omg…two root canals! 😲 Hope the the rest of your trip is without incident. Enjoy!
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It does seem like things can only go uphill from here!
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Not sure I like the idea of suffering first, then a treat? It can’t be compulsory…
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My theory? I’m in some beta test program for instant karma-balancing. Pretty sure that’s it.
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Please let me know if it works, as I have some that needs help!
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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I love reading anything you write, Barb. It is all so visual!! Hopefully, you visited India for other reasons than the two canal fillings?!
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Thanks for those kind words! Actually, my two oldest friends and I go to a different state of India each year. Luckily, we’re not even close to hitting all of them yet!
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How wonderful! Only thing, I’d want to adopt all the orphan children… xx
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Root canals anywhere are not good! The iced coffee looks wonderful, though not if it leads to root canal treatment but I’d happily risk a sprained ankle for the paratha. Looking forward to further updates.
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Updates coming, although I hope I don’t have to balance karma. If this escalates, I’ll have to wrestle crocodiles to get a decent Thali meal. (Totally worth it for the one we had today though!)
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You do know that dying whilst (hee hee) on vacation is considered gauche?
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Hmmm… wonder what the karma-balancer for death would be? Ride on the Maharaja’s Express? (https://www.the-maharajas.com/)
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OK I’M IN!!
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Oh boy – I’d never make it. I can hardly stand plane trips over four hours! Hope all goes well!
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Here’s the thing. If my trips went well (or even not too badly), what would I ever have to talk, laugh, and—most importantly!—blog about?
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Root canals!! You do know how to have fun. That coffee looks fabulous. Enjoy the rest of your trip. xo
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Wait—you mean everyone doesn’t go to the other side of the world to sit in a dentist’s chair? Who knew?
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I want that iced coffee thingy packed with ice cream, chocolate, and some kinda alcohol. Yum. Takes the edge off of anything, like a root canal or unusual person sitting next to you in an airplane. I think it would also work for screaming children, in laws, snow days… could be a long list. 😀
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