When I woke up this morning I had it in my mind I was going to catch the metro into Delhi and be a tourist for the day. The longer the morning drew on, the more I realised I didn’t actually want to do this; I just felt like I should, given that I was in a new place. The truth was I just wanted to enjoy the fact that I didn’t have anything I had to do, which meant for the first time in a while I could do sweet-FA. And that is exactly what I did. Kind of. I watched some more Suits, then ventured to the mall to do some grocery shopping for dinner and print my flight documents. Going to the mall is still an annoying experience. When they saw me today, the security guards called the manager, who again chased me down to see what I was up to.

I had plans to make a pavlova and a crispy chicken and asparagus dish, as a thank you to my lovely hosts; however, on searching the supermarket for various ingredients, I resigned myself to making simpler dishes with what I could find. At home I watched some more Suits over lunch, then entered the kitchen. The first thing I did was make the base and caramel for a banoffee pie. Then I prepared the ingredients for the main: fried tortillas with oven-baked potato chips. The main didn’t turn out very well as I added way too much salt. Fortunately (and despite not finding the right sugar or cream) the dessert worked out. All throughout my mind was processing the fact that tomorrow I leave India for home, something I am incredibly ready for. I want to be away from India. I want to see my family. I want to see my friends. I want some peace and quiet. I want some nature and open space. I want to feel home.

India, you’re beautiful, but I gotta go