Being raised by Malayalee parents in Mumbai has certain benefits associated with it. Some of them from the top of my head are
- Non mallu accent Hindi
- One more language to add in your profile - Malayalam (at least the spoken part)
- Ability to have both north and south Indian food (without reservations).
I would like to delve a bit on the third point. Now it may not seem to be huge deal but ask my friends from north who were posted in Trivandrum or Chennai or ask my relatives from Kerala who had to endure trips to the North and you'll get to hear their survival tales.
Both food styles differ hugely and it takes time to get accustomed to it. My friends had to stick mainly to the so called dhabas (even the north Indian food here has a southern touch) for their main course and found their recourse in Maggi during those inevitable bandh / hartal days. For my realtives, it was the presence of fresh coriander leaves in the food which was totally unacceptable (even my wifey is a prey to this syndrome). The notion of having chappati for breakfast, lunch and dinner is another thing they can't come to peace with.
This is where I consider myself to be truly blessed since I have adapted very well to both styles of food which gives me better flexibility while travel or dining out.
