Spice Jar

Living and working in Neericode is a bit different than being in the middle of a big city. Our shop, Spice Jar, is right opposite the Neericode Shiva Temple. You can hear the bells ringing in the mornings and evenings, which is a nice way to keep track of time. The air around here always has a bit of a scent to it—peppery, earthy, and sometimes a bit sharp from the dried chilies. We spend a lot of our time weighing things out and putting them into bags. It’s repetitive work, but there’s something calming about it. The building itself is quite old and has these thick walls that keep it a bit cooler when the sun is beating down outside. We don't have any fancy displays or bright neon signs. People just know we’re here. Sometimes neighbors stop by just to chat for a bit, and we don't mind the distraction. It gets a bit hectic during festival times because of the temple being so close, but we’ve learned to manage the crowds. My hands usually smell like turmeric by the end of the day, no matter how much I wash them. It’s a small, local operation, and we don't try to be anything else. We focus on getting the spices ready and making sure the bags are tied tight. It’s a simple life in Neericode, and we’re quite content with the way things are going in our little corner across from the temple.