Majhot, Himachal Pradesh, India, 11th September 2016,  9:30 pm:

Mela Ram Uncle had told me earlier in the evening that dinner for tonight would be just Daal-Rice. And the Daal had Urad, Moong and Chanaa. While sitting down for dinner, I saw another dish put up.

On enquiring, I was told that the new dish was Gucchi – Wild Mushrooms (locally known as Cheun). This mushroom has various medicinal properties and is very costly. Apparently, the selling price this year was a whopping Rs. 16,000 per kg!

Mela Ram Aunty found these while cutting grass on her way back home from the village (where she had gone to offer condolences). Some other women saw Aunty picking the Gucchi and thought she would sell it to them. But Aunty brought it home for me! 🙂

Now that’s one costly dinner I had and priceless. And had I not enquired, I would have just finished dinner oblivious of what I was eating.