On a warm summer morning in May, the first rays of sun emerge at the horizon as I lay curled up on the 6 x 2 feet seat of the Humsafar Express Train on my way to Varanasi. An ancient temple town known for its mystic spirit located in India on which land the pure Ganges flows.
I was woken up by a man yelling at the train vendor. Squinting my eyes trying to adjust to the light, slightly annoyed at the noise, I attempt parting my eyelashes. I look out for my phone for the time. 6:30 am flashes on my lock screen. With eagerness in his tone, he asked again Chai kab aayega? (When will tea arrive?). To which the vendor replied Aayega aayega (On its way) as he walked past me.
Time passed and there was no sign of chai. A strange concoction of anticipation mixed with restlessness mixed with a tinge of sanguine started brewing in the air. The brew brought people together, they began opening up about their endless love for chai. The man who initiated this conversation hailing from Bihar in the north of India declared how his mornings don’t begin if not for chai. Someone shared how they treat themselves with a chai every few hours.
The conversations soon moved into getting to know each other, their stories, their reason for travel and beyond. Occasionally, when a train vendor happened to pass by, he would be enquired about the arrival of chai.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, at 9:20 am a faint aroma of hope filled the air, the atmosphere grew frenzy and the word spread through the entire compartment like wildfire. As the chai vendor poured one cup at a time, I was taken to different timelines in the journey of a mere leave that made it so far.
As in the legends, I saw the leaf allowing itself to be discovered by Emperor Shen Nong by drowning in the boiling water, revealing its refreshing aroma and enticing him to taste it around 2737 BCE in China.
I saw the infusion taking over the hearts of the Chinese making its way to the first book of tea Ch’a Ching or Tea Classic through the writer Lu Yu during the late 8th Century. I saw it reaching Japan through a Buddist Monk and winning over the Japanese.
I saw it forging ahead to Europe and reaching Holland through the Dutch in 1606. Reaching Britain through the British East India Company in the 1600s, then India in the 1800s. Making its way through political conquests, control and controversies and smuggling scandals. Spreading its wings beyond the wealthy to reach every commoner, blending its way through the needs of different times. Madam, Chai the tea vendor jolted me back to the moment as he handed me my chai.
Back from a time travelling experience, I watched in awe as the once strangers were now connected. Chai became their mutual reality through which now they shared a bond. One they’ll cherish in the years to come.
The magnificent journey of a humble leaf warmed my heart, as a voice in my head reaffirmed If a leaf can do it, so can you!