This Corner of the Earth

"This corner of the earth is like me in many ways
I can sit for hours here
and watch the emerald feathers play
On the face of this I'm blessed
When the sunlight comes for free
I know this corner of the earth it smiles at me"
Lyrics from Corner of the Earth by Jamiroquai

I started my road trip here. 7 different emirates. All to be covered in 3 days. To meet different branches of our organisation- different people.
They welcome us. They greet us. Great hospitality. Friendly. Passionate. Emotional. Practical. Business-like. Forceful. Interesting. Many conversations. And many adieus wishing us a safe trip on the road.
I wished I could stay longer in each city or town to know more about people. Not just talk to them about customers, sales, feedback, issues and business. I wanted to know them. Understand their life. Want to see the city. See the lives people lead. Just 3 hours away from homeland, but things are so different here.
Last stop on last day is a small town called Al Ain. We have a branch there. We are late. The office is shut. We meet the care-taker/security guard. He shows us around. We are dead exhausted. Al Ain is warmer than the other cities. Al Ain must be deep into the desert, i console myself, the summer isn't here yet.
We finish our work. 4 tired people. 3 days of road trip. We are going home!

I ask the security chap. "Where do we get some good tea here? "
"Right across the road, just behind that store."

We walk.It was not just across the store. Quite a distance to get there. It was a small cafeteria run by our friendly folks from Kerala, South India. I walk in.
"Do you have tea?"
"Yes, saar"

We order for 2 teas, a bottle of water, a soft drink. My eyes stop at a counter. Pakodas, samosas, vadas. Awesome. I order for some onion pakodas.
No one dares to touch it. The cafeteria could be a shady place for people from uptown Dubai.
I smell some cooking, Kerala parathas.
"Wow! Can you pack me some?"
"Yes, sir. How many?"
"4. Dinner is here too!" I exclaim.
"Chicken or mutton curry, saar?"
"Chicken"

Parcel arrives. I have finished my own plate of pakodas and my tea.
"How much?"
"10 dirhams."
"And how much for the parathas and curry"
"10 dirhams all inclusive, saar"

"Wow", I tell myself." This is like the small malayalee joint back in coimbatore"

I walk with pride. I have quenched everybody's thirst. I have had pakodas and tea, something i haven't done in months. I am carrying kerala parathas and curry for dinner.

I walk to the car humming....
"This corner of the earth is like me in many ways ...
...
..I know this corner of the earth it smiles at me"