This morning, while wiping the counter clean, I saw a young fellow hunched over a physics book with his plate of pao untouched — the curry going cold. Told him, “Zav, baba, first fill the belly, then the mind will crack that equation.” In my twenty-seven years here, I have learned that no amount of reading on an empty stomach will nourish the soul. Nourish yourself properly, and the answers will come.

This morning, the old transistor played a Radio Ceylon recording. My neighbour said, "Anthony, that sound is pure pazham pori — sweet and crisp." Small things connect, no? Reminds me, my new batch of vindaloo is ready for tasting, baba.