The first time I ate Indian food was in Hong Kong. My husband and I were wandering down the alleys and byways, and found this little restaurant in the basement of one of the buildings. Since we had no experience, we simply told the waiter to feed us whatever he thought best. I distinctly remember samosas, black pepper pappadams, another flat bread, and numerous curries. We loved it so much that when we found a police cordon around the restaurant we'd planned for the next night, we went back for more Indian instead (and this time we knew what to order). When we got back home (then Hawaii), a freind of ours had a new (Indian) sister-in-law, and was learning to cook from her. Since then we've often cooked it, although, as I said, we mostly eat prepared since there are only two of us, and only so much room in the spice cabinets (yes, plural. I have so many spices it is ridiculous).
I cannot recommend more highly going to an Indian buffet. There is very little food I like on a buffet line, but this allows you to try a number of dishes without commiting to one. Some I've been to actually have a vegetarian line and a meat-eaters line, always all-you-can-eat. It makes it so that you can have a dab of this and that. One in Victorville, California was especially great because we'd sit down and Mr. Singh (yes, I do know that was his name and what it symbolizes) would bring out a plate of tandoori chicken, fresh off the grill to your table. The curries, breads, salads etc were on the buffet line. I've been to similar places in Charleston, Alexandria, Madison, etc. We don't have an Indian restaurant near us, so we count on my own abilities, Kitchens of India, Patak's, our Pakistani friend's friends. I think another good Indian moment was when we were sitting at his pied a terre apartment to meet a friend of his. The man said he wanted to cook for us, but where could he get spices. I laughingly told him that I'd take him. There is a bulk spice merchant right across the street. He and I had a blast shopping for the spices, and the next day he cooked for us. Beats anything I could do.
Thanks also for the link - how did you do that? Your camera - I need to take some food pictures for 
