In a recent sojourn in Melbourne, I noticed the lack of Melbournians acutely affecting me. Going to restaurants and bars, I found people of various ethnicities serving everything from Lebanese Boreks (image on left), to pizzas, to dips, Greek food, Asian cuisine, INDIAN cuisine..Italian fare...the choices were unending. Its true when they say a city is truly a melting pot of cultures when you are greeted by people of all origins and races.Its both good and bad in my opinion, when a country is invaded by people from other nations trying to scrounge a living for themselves they are more often than not, accepted by the people they have come to live amongst. These are the people who didn't have much of a say in their nations cultural mix. Politics and financial strength were at high priority amongst decision makers who you may call greedy? allowed the influx of immigrants. Dare I complain as I too was allowed into paradise.
That was the bad, here's worse, as in a democracy, once you cast your vote, there's not much else you have a say in. Taxes will rise if the "democratic" government decides it wants to, health and welfare benefits will be cut whether you like it or not! What democracy? Did I veto either of the above to happen, was I asked? No! instead the government spent $4 million in gathering opinion on whether its OK to spank ones child when they misbehave.
I'm not complaining...I'm merely trying to think from a citizens perspective. Whats in it for them?
The other side - cultural diversity implies tolerance and acceptance. If a country ONLY had people of their nation and no outsiders, you can forget about getting Pad Thai in Downtown Auckland or Churros in Melbourne CBD.
Samosas in Southall would be tantalising for the Brits too and don't forget the eternal favourite Butter Chicken from Birmingham. (psst I only mentioned those cities as they went well with the Brits craving for these not so delicate Indian delicacies).
Reminds me, just the other day when myself and the other half were craving for Paav-Bhaaji (Indian for bun and veggies) we could (a) source all the ingredients easily from one shop and cook at home or (b) pop down to JJ's in Sandringham, Auckland about 4 k-licks away! You bet we chose the latter option but that was a couple of weeks back, today we're cooking it at home!
Catching up on news from the homeland has become so much easier off-late with the plethora of mind boggling websites from India projecting everything from plane crashes to suggestions to elevate ones sex life. Nice.
I was last in India for my wedding (which went very well thank you) and was exposed to the modern age of satellite media and advertising - I was truly taken aback by the concepts and boldness of the adverts. I find adverts in the Pacific so much more subdued and sometimes well...boring. One of the recent adverts for Yoghurt was really good, I would recommend viewing this one. The music is good but the advert is for the NZ market and made across the ditch in Austraalia!
I think I've spoken too much about food this time around. Peace out...hope to be more readable next time around - Kiwi Music maybe?... As they say in New Zealand - Pō Marie (Goodnight)
