On Christmas Day 2022, I woke early, dressed swiftly and headed for my destination. No time to linger and enjoy the views of Vembanad Lake from the Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty lobby or to admire the treasures in the hotel’s jewel-box store. My husband and I had one goal in mind: the Malabar Café and the buffet breakfast for which the hotel is renowned.
We joined families, honeymoon couples and Christmas-time tourists to survey pastry, cheese and fruit stands, tables of casseroles and curries, and cooking stations where chefs steamed, grilled, fried and magicked up a cornucopia of spicy South Indian dishes. I settled on two dosa with coconut and peanut chutneys, three idli with a side of masala so hot it was called ‘gunpowder’, and a generous serving of chilli-flavoured beef sausages.
Next up? Second servings of all the aforementioned.
‘And after this, I’m having a waffle,’ I told my husband.
‘A waffle? When last did you eat waffles?’ he asked.
‘Maybe 25 years ago, but who’s counting? I’m going to enjoy all of this as long as possible, including the waffle. With cream.’
‘And after that?’
I considered the options. Ten days of full-on food indulgence preceded by years of disorderly eating were about to end. The answer to his question was obvious. ‘After the waffle, a strong coffee, of course.’
‘Order me a cortado,’ he said. ‘I’m going to get a croissant.’
‘And perhaps some of that cake?’
No doubt about it: a detox and reset couldn’t come a moment too soon. And overloaded plates, waffle and cake were the least of it.
About change
Bu hikaye Fairlady dergisinin July/August 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Fairlady dergisinin July/August 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
'DESIRE IS NOT WHAT MATTERS'
Emily Nagoski wrote the book on women and desire - literally. And then her own sex life dried up. Here's what a prolonged sex drought (and a load of research) taught her about maintaining intimacy in a long-term relationship.
'We have to tell HARD STORIES'
Theatre director and playwright Yaël Farber is spending time in South Africa after her critically acclaimed run of King Lear at the Almeida Theatre in London. We chatted to her about the importance of the pursuit of truth.
THE WHY, THE WHICH & the wardrobe
We really got into it this month! Read on for more on the allure of a loosey-goosey jumpsuit, vintage-hunting and jingle-jangling jewellery, the best places to find quality African design and short-girl styling tips.
LIFT your GAME
Thought weightlifting was just for bodybuilders and powerlifters? Not so. In fact, 'lifting heavy shit' may be the secret to longevity, hormone regulation and mood for women through perimenopause and beyond.
TREATMENT PLAN ON YOUR MARKS
Armed with a six-month programme from Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates, Jennifer Morin set about tackling her sun damage and melasma.
PLAYING YOUR CARDS RIGHT
Here's how to get the most out of loyalty cards.
BIG SKY Country
Namibia. Twelve friends, five vehicles, 4000 km, thirteen days. Eight punctures, one angle grinder. One martial eagle, one full moon, one ghost town. Plenty of top-quality braais, maybe not quite enough oysters... and the best time ever.
IS YOUR HOME MAKING YOU SICK?
Leaks, damp and poor ventilation in old or poorly built new homes are being fingered for a growing health concern: mould.
HOW TO REALLY GET TO KNOW SOMEONE
The Korean word 'nunchi' describes 'the ability to be sensitive to other people's moods and thoughts'. It's an underrated skill that we seem to have lost.
How to write a memoir
Whether you want to share your experiences and insights with the world, leave a legacy or track pivotal experiences for yourself, writing your memoir can be a grand and worthwhile adventure. Here's some advice on how and where to begin.
