Indian food rules and Indian aunties can become adoptive mothers on the spot!

Last night it was the first time that I experienced the Open House tradition. What that basically means is that on certain holidays (Deepawali for Indians, Hari Raya for Muslims, Chinese New Year for Chinese), the wealthier of people open their houses and give food to whoever happens to pass by. It is meant as a means for better off people to share with others who have less. And for people to gather and celebrate together (which basically means eating). If in old times, people would just put their food in front of their house and gather people from all over, now it's a bit more formal, in the sense that the hosts generally invite their family and friends to come over. Though any passer by is more than welcome too!

So you can understand that when the Indian auntie and uncle that have the shop in the neighborhood (and whose son I teach) invited me to their Open House on Sunday I could not refuse.  I went there about 8pm, starving (I had prepared properly:)), and planning to meet some of my other students too. It turned out about 6 of them came, so we were a happy bunch, eating, talking and laughing together!

The Open House was a nice experience for multiple reasons.
  1. The food was amazing! I was completely shameless and when auntie asked "rice or dosa", I looked innocent and asked "Both?":) I ate a lot and was very happy about it! 
  2. It was really cool to go into their house. I knew that the uncle had been in the police force before retiring, but what I did not know was that he had been in the security guard of the Prime Minister. So he had met the last 3 reigning rulers, had photos in the office of the PM (which here is like a place that people know about but are almost never allowed to see!!), and even had been decorated by the King. Needless to say how proud he was when showing me the photos (that were ruling the living room) and telling me the stories. He is a lovely man!
  3. I am not sure you all understood the dimensions of the event. The Open House had started from 12am, and it was planned to last until midnight. 150 people had come already when I left...which was at about 10pm
  4. I met really nice people from the neighborhood - good food and lots of laughter are usually the best experience! I particularly liked a couple - she was Malaysian, he was Indian from India, who had moved to Malaysia 10 years ago. Both Muslims and making tons of jokes about him trying to find other wives and what she does to prevent it. They just seemed so happy and open...it was lovely to meet them!
  5. One of the uncles there started asking me if I go to church here - first Putrajaya (where there are only mosques anyways) and then Kuala Lumpur. I said no, that there are no orthodox churches in KL from what I know. His immediate reaction was "Oh, but then you are lost". I found that really interesting and quite honorable of him. See, here, people are generally always talking about which religion you are...it was quite nice to see also that it doesn't necessarily matter which one you belong to, just that people realise how important it is to be "something".
  6. At the end auntie gave me the hugest hug ever and asked me what I want for when I leave...a sari or just long pants and blouse (also traditional Indian). I kept saying...but auntie, I'm here for a year. She was like...yes, that's fine, but you just tell me what you want and I give you! :)
Needless to say, I left with the warmest feelings ever from that house! And the fullest belly ever also! :)