This past weekend Karma Kitchen opened its doors in Dubai. And it couldn't have been more wonderful! It still feels like a dream that everything came together so seamlessly and in the process touched us all so much that we're still carrying the joy well into the week. The space was offered to us by a simple Gujarati restaurant here, run by Nitin bhai whose smile reminds me of Jayesh bhai. He and his wife treat every customer like family and always insist that they eat "just one more chapati". Many a times if a customer doesn't have enough money on them, Nitin bhai will lovingly tell him it doesn't matter, he can pay next time. Overall, it couldn't have been a more ideal space for Karma Kitchen to start :)

The 22 volunteers came together so naturally, we'd got all the positions filled in 2 days! And even though most of us were meeting for the very first time, there was an instant bonding and lots of hugs and massages were exchanged. We were a little bit wary since this is Dubai - the land of laws & fines, that customers would be skeptical and may not warm to the concept immediately, but boy were we wrong!?

The guests would walk in puzzled and look up at the sign board to confirm they've come to the right place, and then cautiously take their seats, wondering what they were signing up for. But just a few moments and interactions with servers later, they were telling us how this is exactly what Dubai needs more of. Some guests who are alone here, away from their families told the servers they were reminded of their moms and sisters. Others told us how they haven't smiled so much in awhile. One man who had been sitting there while we were decorating the place, came back with his wife later, because he wanted her to experience this. Two gentlemen offered their own restaurants (famous chains in Dubai) to run the concept.

But the most beautiful takeaway was really that sense of love, joy and exhilaration in the faces of volunteers, guests and the owners :) And I can feel myself being kinder to people on metro, to my Mom at home, to my colleagues at work this week. That's the most powerful, wonderful thing :)

Many bows of gratitude to all the ServiceSpace family for serving as inspirations many oceans away. We all thought of you guys and sent you so much love.