Sometimes we decide we know something before we’ve even encountered it and by doing so, more often than not, we make that person, place, meal, into something it’s not. This presumption has the power to scramble our expectations and expectations play a large part in our actual experience. Expectations can set us up for disappointment, sure, but they can also sweeten the pot when what we were hoping for shows up even better than we dreamed.
When you hear the word safari, what comes to mind?
Spotting zebras? Giraffes nibbling on tall trees off in the distance? Brave guides dressed in khakis leading you through the jungle? Spotting a pride of lions feasting on a wildebeest? Whatever came to your mind, I bet it involved high stakes, rare sights, and an adventure that possibly involved danger.
For years I’ve gone to India and heard experiences referenced as a safari.
“Let’s go on a safari to the river.” “Our school went on a bus safari to visit temples.” “The trip to the market proved to be a successful safari.” I always kind of giggled to myself thinking, how sweet they’ve mixed up the meaning and turned excursions into adventures.
On my last trip to India, we booked a tent stay in the Thar desert. Part of the tent experience came with a Jeep safari through the desert. Of course, the deep grooved meaning of safari came back to me and I thought, “Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my!” I knew nothing about the difference between the jungles or deserts of Africa and the deserts of India, but I expected the ride of my life!
We arrived and the tent camp looked like it was out of a movie. We watched the sun set atop ornately decorated camels. The next morning, as promised, we piled into a Jeep to go on safari!
My trip mate Bryn and I were thrilled as the Jeep zoomed up and over steep sand dunes. We truly felt like we were on sand roller coasters. And we saw peacocks, antelope, and chinkara, which are Indian gazelles. But no zebras. No lions. No apparent risk. Where was the danger? Where was the adventure? The views were lovely, don’t get me wrong. But we kind of felt cheated out of our safari experience.
That night in our tent, we looked up the meaning of the word safari and learned that the Swahili word safari means journey, originally from the Arabic adjective سفر (safar) meaning a journey, traveling, touring or voyaging.
Aha!
Sometimes we think we know something, and we make it into something it’s not. Apparently, we go on safaris all the time.
Once I returned home to New York I began to apply the newfound meaning of the word safari. Any trip we take can be considered a safari. Shopping, exploring the farmers’ market, hiking, road trips. Those are external journeys with physical destinations.
And then there are the internal safaris. We can take an internal safari with meditation, prayer, or even an afternoon nap. Journaling in the morning explores your thoughts and is a private way to lay a peaceful foundation for your day. Even watering your plants is a meditative safari connecting us to nature.
I realized that my spiritual practice of chanting mantras is my favorite mode of transportation for an internal safari. And my weekly dance class is a safari of expression and creativity. These safaris teach me to soften my expectations because I don’t always know where I’ll land. Which is what makes my life exciting!
And then there are the safaris in the kitchen. We can take safaris through food groups, recipes, and culinary techniques. Our journeys in the kitchen can have adventure and daring, or they can be a sweet little trip down memory lane of childhood macaroni and cheese.
Cheese! One of my favorite things to eat in India is paneer. Paneer is a fresh, unaged cheese made by curdling milk, straining the curds, and then pressing them into a magical homemade cheese!
I’d always assumed paneer was a labor-intensive delicacy. Sometimes we think we know something (about food) and we make it into something it’s not. Paneer is so simple and can be made with two common ingredients that I bet you have in your refrigerator right now - milk and lemon juice. A safari to India starts with a trip to your refrigerator, and it’s easier than you might expect.
Bryn and I are returning to India March 13-25, 2023. We’d love for you to join us on an unforgettable journey. The trip goes to our favorite cities Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodphur, and a new place Chhatrasagar (possibly involving another safari?) It’s a retreat hosted by Bryn and her NYC yoga studio Yogamaya. Of my five trips to India, four of them have been with Bryn. I’d love for YOU to join me on my sixth trip! The early bird price ends December 8 and deposits are due December 31.
Email bryn@yogamayanewyork.com to get more information.
Homemade Paneer
INGREDIENTS/EQUIPMENT:
6 cups whole milk
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 colander (or a fine mesh strainer)
1 cheese cloth (or tea towel)
1 large bowl to collect whey
1 or 2 heavy objects (I use a 5 lb gym weight)
DIRECTIONS:
Pour the milk into a heavy bottom pot & bring it to a boil on a medium heat.
Stir occasionally to ensure the milk doesn't get scorched at the bottom. Be careful the milk
doesn’t boil over!
Spread the cheese cloth over the colander and place over a large bowl to catch the whey.
When the milk comes to a boil, pour in the lemon juice. Then gently stir the milk until you
see the milk begins to curdle. If the entire pan of milk doesn’t curdle, add a bit more lemon
juice, stir and wait.
Turn off the heat and let the paneer settle for 1 minute.
Pour the entire paneer along with its whey into the colander. Rinse it under running water to
cool it enough to handle.
Gather the edges of the cloth around the curds and ring the cheese cloth to press out the whey
and form a ball. Squeezing out any excess whey or water.
Place the cheese cloth wrapped ball of paneer on a sheet pan with the heavy object resting in
another pan on top to press the paneer. After an hour, discard the whey from the plate as it
drains.
After another hour of pressing, remove the cloth and cut the paneer into cubes. At this point
you can brown it in oil and add to your favorite curry sauce!
