Tea Time!!!
Guys India and Nepal were amazing! The hospitality is something I will never forget. One of my favorite things about India and Nepal is how they love honoring their guests by serving TEA!
It started in India at our orientation. We would have two breaks within the day for Chai Tea and snacks.
Then when we got to our ministry we found out we would be getting Tea in the morning and before dinner.
This was such a gift and we would look forward to it everyday.
Even as hot as it was outside and how hot the tea was served in metal cups, it was too good to turn down.
Also to add to the tea time…every night in the villages we visited, we would be served Thums up-(it’s equivalent to coke) and Sprite. This was such a treat but I have to admit, we ended up expecting it every visit and missed it when we didn’t get it.
I think I drank soda these last two months more than I have in the last 5 years!
So then we get to Nepal and I quickly realized tea time was still a thing.
So first, I get to the tattoo shop and they instantly asked if I wanted tea. Of course I said yes and quickly after, a young boy brings me some tea.
Then, after I got my tattoo, I was hanging out for a bit using their WiFi to talk to my fam. As I was there, the tattoo artists were hanging out and invited me to have tea with them. I truly enjoy times like this!
A few days later I went to a small little shop to send home some stuff. As I was filling out papers, the guy working asked if I wanted some tea. At first I wanted to say no because I had to go but it’s a beautiful part of their culture and these are the small moments you have to be interruptible and just enjoy. We ended up having a great convo about Buddhism and Christianity and I made a new friend 🙂
As we got to our new ministry hosts house, he invited us into his home to explain the organization, more about himself and more about the routine. While we were talking we were served tea and cookies.
When we visited the home for the girls who were in recovery from exploitation and being in brothels, one of the leaders spent time taking about the organization and we were served tea and crackers!
Tea time just kept getting better and better!
As we headed into the village and trekked the mountains, we were served tea at their homes.
We learned that it was an honor for the the untouchables to serve us tea and for us to actually drink it because not even their own society would take anything from them.
It was a way for all of us to feel comfortable and just enjoy each other’s company.
I love this part of their culture and I hope that I can carry on this hospitality at home.
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So i was going to post this before I got to Rwanda but now I’m here and Tea time is still a thing! 2x a day! It’s AMAZING!
Each country had their own twist on tea but I love it!
Seriously blessed over here- It’s the little things that bring so much joy!<3
