Amanda: Kavitaji’s Words of Wisdom
May 23, 2011I lived with two Indian families during the course of my stay abroad. Most Indians value family a lot, and many live in large extended-family homes. With servants, sibling quarrels, dogs with a vengeance, the drama of existence, and the strangeness of American boarders…there was never a dull moment in either of the houses I lived in.
What I loved most about my host families though, were my two Indian host mothers. Like any good mataji, Krishnaji and Kavitaji made sure we were well-fed and happy. I shared several interesting and insightful conversations with Kavitaji over tea. One of my favorites occurred when I commented on a Bollywood actress in the newspaper. What ensued was a lesson on staying young and beautiful from Kavitaji:
Kavitaji: How old you think I am?
Me: um…??? Forty?
Kavitaji: Nooo! Forty-seven…aha.
Kavitaji: You want to know secrets to staying young and beautiful?
Me: By all means!
Kavitaji: Three secrets. First, put mustard seed oil on your hair every night. Keeps grey hairs away. You already do this. Second, drink 8 liters of water a day. Third, be happy, which you already are!
Words of wisdom from my sweet Kavitaji! I am pretty sure drinking 8 liters of water a day would turn me into a human filtration system…but besides that, looks like I’m on the path to eternal youth and beauty!
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