I rented a car (practicing driving) on Saturday and was out to a local Starbucks here in Burbank with my room mate. I ordered my favorite Cafe Latte and he ordered some type of Chai (Tea) which brought back memories of my dad. He used to try different recipes of tea on Sunday evenings. He picked up the recipes from local dailies or magazines. Most Sundays you can see him with a bit paper cutting and he will ask everyone in the household to try his new tea. As a coffee drinker, I was reluctant in taking tea. I did not want to be the lab rat. I tried (in fact forced to) it once and believe me, it was really good. I started liking his tea and waited for his next experiment. I think he can make tea with most spices.
I used to make fun of him by saying ” If you ever lose job, start a tea shop and we can make money”. I miss the tea and the fun now.
If I go back to India and tell him tea costs $3 here, he will make the conversion calculation and ask how can people drink tea for Rs.150 145. I think most Indian parents think that way. I don’t blame them. I like it in a way.
it is raining chai in my memories. 
P.S.:- This post is for the real tea master – my dad.
