Have you been hugged lately?

laughterbubbles Travel - Cities and Towns , ,

Have you been hugged lately? It’s a wonderful feeling.

Get one today!
Get one today!

I am new to hugs. I would give a half – hearted one and let the person go, till one day my daughter’s new friend, met me for the first time. She immediately got up and gave me one of the tightest – I wont let you go soon- kind of hug. I was surprised and I admit it took me a few moments to reach out and hug her back. I also admit that I was a bit taken aback and thought it was a bit much, but when I left the room and went into my own, I remember feeling this fuzzy warm feeling, like I have never felt before. It was a I ask for nothing back – hug.

I have always hugged and cuddled the kids. And it has held me in good stead, because even now at the threshold of adulthood, they are still easy to hug, and now I need it more than them.

I have a cousin. He always hugs as a greeting. A nice warm, huge hug, accompanied by, a hearty laugh. His eyes light up, his never- been – cut moustache curls into his cheeks and, we all get left feeling so very special.

So often when I am at a loss for words, I just give a hug. What can oft repeated words convey that a hug cannot?

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So all you mommies, daddies, husbands, sisters (Mine is awesone! She hugs and kisses,) please go out there and hug your loved ones. Life is too short. It’s a matter of one second to let go of your inhibition. And the returns are unbelievable.

Maybe one day you will convert a non-hugger like those kids converted me!

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PS: Try hugging a dog. It’s even better!

My kids and other animals.

laughterbubbles ROFL, The people around us! , , ,

Many years ago we lived in a small cottage. My family on the ground floor, and a big fat snooty woman, her arrogant husband and their nice children, on the 1st floor. Opposite building had, assorted kids of assorted ages and dispositions. A mad gardener who had pyromania, a piano teacher, assorted movie personalities, and a few undescribable human beings.

I wanted my kids to learn some of the same elements of wildness, that I had, and, which had turned clumps of my mother’s hair startling white. So the kids raced around barefoot and ate with dirty hands, climbed trees, cycled at dangerous speeds, rummaged in the overgrown garden and of course lived with assorted animals.

We had one dog, and another walked in our garden leaving his siblings with their mother. He was all furry and cute and was promptly adopted. The lady upstairs had cats – lots of them. They slunk around all over the place, hissed at my dogs and drove them batty. So much so that when my daughter went up to play with her kids, one of my dogs kept guard, giving her warning barks- telling her not to get too friendly with the cats. We kept fish, but they ate each other up. Many other dogs ran amok in the compound and my dogs would take off randomly, to the beach. We had direct access to the beach, which was also an invitation for more wild dogs.

One day the kids ran in, highly excited. There was a gaggle of them kids. (I felt so proud looking at my dirty haired, filthy nailed, muddy faced kids..!!) In her tiny hands, my daughter had a small baby parrot, looking all disoriented and bewildered. We immediately fashioned a large basket, tied up at four ends, looped up the rope and hung it high on our, open-to-sky balcony. We were reluctant to close the bird in a cage. It was a fledgling, could barely fly, and we all feel in love.

Nippy (for he loved to nip at my gold earrings) soon grew, as did the blood lust of my younger dog, Teddy.  When we realised he could fly, but could not stay up for too long, we had to put him in a cage.

For flying practice, Nippy was taken to our closed living room and left to experiment. He would flutter, rise to the ceiling, try to sit on the fan (switched off obviously) and then land on my shoulder, climb up my neck and nip my earrings. We were both in love with each other.

Soon Nippy was desperate to fly all the time. We all wanted Nippy to be one with the wild, and so we started leaving the cage door open. Until one day I saw something, which had my heart beating in my mouth, and my knees as weak as a limp cucumber. Nippy would step out of his cage and stand on the door, giving the skies a good, once over. Teddy would place himself strategically right under the door of his cage. He would smack his lips and then hang his jaw open.  Just hoping that the bird would fall into it. At this point Teddy made direct eye contact with the bird. Open mouthed and slack jawed I moved closer and saw the little bird’s heart beating wildly in panic. His little beasts were moving as rapidly as a flag in high winds. I promptly shooed the dog away to the other side of the house and had him kept with the watchman. I had nightmares of waking up one day, and seeing small birdy feathers and a few bones on my balcony, and Teddy sitting in a corner and looking like – well like – a dog, who has swallowed a bird.

Teddy - at age 13. Connoisseur of birds and rats.
Teddy – at age 13. Connoisseur of birds and rats.

One day Nippy was gone. I admit I looked hard at Teddy, opened his jaw and checked, and all that, but apparently, Nippy had flown his (makeshift) nest! Teddy was bereft for days.

We have since shifted, kids have grown, so have the dogs, but I still look for Nippy across the skies when I hear parrots every morning. Teddy of course had plenty of wild dreams, when he would smack his lips and paw the air, thinking he had killed that damn unreachable bird.

The gaggle of them kids, have grown. Some become film heroines, some doctors, and my kids still have fond memories of those wild days.

 

Long Summer Shadows

laughterbubbles Those words that rhyme.

I wrote this a while ago.

The sea has always been a part of my life. I can be called fanciful for saying, that when in need of guidance, I would stand next to the sea and get my answers. I have never regretted all those decisions taken on the basis of these answers.

Long summer shadows,

Over cool, cool sand.

Sitting by the beach,

I gaze at the sea.

The waves are talking,

And the wind is whispering –

It’s secrets to me.

 

Secrets of life,

And, talks of living.

What I understood is –that,

Life is for forgiving.

 

Love the ones you love,

Never forget to tell them so.

Hugs should be free,

Even for your foes.

 

Spread good rumors.

Let the dirty ones rot.

Fill up everyone’s happiness pot.

 

Laugh a lot.

Dance in the moonlight.

Hold on to dreams.

And let the stars connect.

 

And when you get up.

(From the cool, cool sand.)

Your leg might be asleep.

But your soul has been set free.

Appu (2778)

 

Peanut Curry

laughterbubbles Recipes.

I visit Bangalore (now Bengaluru) quite often. The local care taker’s wife is an amazing cook. So intermittently I will post recipes from her kitchen.

This is Rekha. Most of the ingredients she uses are from her village. They are fresh, and have an aroma, not found in the markets here.

Rekha. Clean, neat and methodical.
Rekha. Clean, neat and methodical.

Ingredients. 

Peanuts 200gms. (Raw with skin. Not roasted)

♦Try and use the best quality and freshest peanuts available. You cannot use salted or roasted peanuts in this recipe.

Green chillies 2 large ones

Tomato 1 large or 2 middle size ones

Kadi patta (6 big ones of 8 to 9 small ones)

Mustard seeds Appx ¼ teaspoon

Sambhar masala ½ + ½ teaspoon

Haldi ¼ + ¼ teaspoon

Dhania powder ½ + ½ teaspoon

Oil 4 to 5 tablespooons (dont worry, it wont be floating in oil)

Onion 1 small – chopped

6 pods of garlic crushed

Kadipatta 6 leaves (No. I have not repeated by mistake)

Red chilli dry 1

Salt.

For the Tadka
For the Tadka

Method.

Crush the peanuts.

Crush them with a heavy vessel. Here we used a stone garlic pounder.
Crush them with a heavy vessel. Here we used a stone garlic pounder.
This is how it looks after de skinning.
This is how it looks after de skinning.

De Skin them. The old fashioned Indian way is the best.

De Skinning the peanuts.
De Skinning the peanuts.

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Keep aside.

Make a paste of Tomato and kaddipatta (the first lot), with a little water.

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In a kadhai (indian wok), add oil. Let it heat then sprinkle the mustard seeds.

Add onions and garlic.

♦Nope , I have not missed the kadipatta and chillies both green and red. Rekha adds them after the onions have roasted, so that the chillies and kadipatta does not burn.

Once the onions have roasted, add the red and green chillies, and kadipatta.

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Add the crushed peanuts. Add salt. And haldi, dhania powder, sambhar masala. At this point add the first half of the given quantities.

Roast the peanuts for a few minutes.

Add the tomato paste.

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Now add the rest of the masala – ie:  haldi, sambhar masala, dhania powder.

Cover the dish and cook for a good while. The peanuts should cook.

Check for salt and serve hot with Jowar Roti.

 

♦Please excuse the picture quality. The Bangalore weather, does not lend to continuous bright sunny moments.  When Rekha was making this dish, it was pouring outside. The air got nippy, and as the aroma of the food rose up, we started thinking of this peanut curry with hot soft Jowar Roti.

Do send comments on this one. Rekha will be very pleased.

 

Amsterdam.

Image laughterbubbles Travel - Cities and Towns , , ,

Amsterdam had me dumbfounded and the first day my mouth was hanging open, like a teenager confronted with a pop star. Its a city of pleasures, and sins.  Cycling and food. Walking and museums. There is a museum for everything – Handbags and purses, Hemp and Marijuana, Rembrandt and Van Gogh. We did not visit any museum. The three short days were spent discovering the streets of Amsterdam, and cycling all over the city. Its great, because the amount we ate, we put on no weight.

We stayed in the Hotel Okura. It’s a little away from the heart of the city, slightly secluded but by no means boring. In fact the bars and pubs near the hotel were buzzing with mad FIFA spectators. (Holland was playing again’st Australia.) The crowds were dressed in Orange and they were all out on the roads. Our hotel had the most happening bar. Great music and great drinks.

Coffee Shops. This according to me, is the biggest draw.  Joints are available everywhere. I mean you have to go to a coffee shop, which are everywhere. This hilariously sells absolutely no coffee. Only joints of various kinds. From the mild to very severe. We took one the last day. The mildest one. With great great apprehension. Nothing really happend, but as I was told by locals later, for a good high, one should go towards the local areas and get one there. It was very peculiar experience for us. Standing on the road and smoking a joint – legally.

Legal joint!!
Legal joint!!

Condomerie. Forget the kids, even we were educated. Massively if a bit inappropriately. This shop has only condoms, usable and unusable. They have a window display they change often. You must go in and buy one. http://condomerie.com

Window display of condoms.
Window display of condoms.

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So many to choose from!
So many to choose from!

Window Shopping. Amsterdam is known for window shopping. You must have heard of the women, dressed up– um! actually dressed down and displaying themselves behind windows. We did not enter any of these. There the kids put their foot down (much to our relief). In fact we were having an inner fight between embarrassment and intrigue. They are to be found in the red light district. Unfortunately I have no pictures. It was’nt allowed.

Cycling. Cycling is a must in Amsterdam. It’s the best way to see the city. We cycled every where. All hotels provide cycles, or you can hire them. Everyone drives almost the same type of cycle. 50,000 cycles are stolen per year, so the fancy ones are taken out only for recreation. The only problem we encountered was quite hilarious actually. We had trouble finding parking for cycles! It’s safest to lock them again’st poles, and poles were normally taken!! Everyone in that city is armed. The cycle locks are so huge heavy and vicious, one twang across the head and Whoosh!

We saw beautiful houses by the canal. Small but so gorgeous. One day we bought some cheese and wine and saddled up, and cycled to Vondel Park.

Picnic in Vondel Park.
Picnic in Vondel Park.

You must pick up Cheese. Amsterdam is known for it. The shops themselves are very interesting. They offer free tasting. I loved the “old amsterdam” variety.

Heineken Experience. The old brewery has been turned into a museum of sorts. (This is the only one we went to) One gets a nice 4D experience, water sprinkles and all.

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Canals Of Amsterdam.
Vondel Park
Vondel Park

 

Heineken Experience.
Heineken Experience.

EATING PLACES

We ate in road side joints as well as 5 course meals.

Maoz. Must eat. Located all over the city, a super duper cheap and massively filling meal.

Hotel Okura. Five course meal. Fabulous. Even more fabulous for non vegetarians.

The bar in Okura is very lively too.

Chilled Tomato soup In Hotel Okura
Chilled Tomato soup In Hotel Okura

Cooking Class. If you like cooking, book a class in Taste Of Okura- Hotel Okura. Even if you are not staying there. And if you prefer vegetarian, let them know before hand. They accomodate.

Taste of Okura. Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce.
Taste of Okura. Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce.

 

And that’s the summary of our memorable Amsterdam trip.

NOTE : If going with kids, make sure they are adults or atleast somewhere on the way there.

 

RTO – Rotten Traffic Officers.

laughterbubbles ROFL

The biggest mistake I have ever made was to loose my license. No – Actually it was not making a copy of my license.

And because I had lost my license, and of course the RTO did not have records of the 5000 odd licenses they make per day, I had to apply for a new one. It’s online now – By The Way. For all ye people who looked at me with pity, and said “You had to go to the RTO? Why? I sat at home and it was sent to me” Yeah! Lucky you! But I had to go for it! Tsk!!

Online dates were not available, so I decided to do it the old fashioned way! Through an agent – which was a driving school. When I signed up, I was given a badly printed-paper with road signs and laws and bi laws and side laws and the works. On the day of the test I went through it with a smug smile, thinking – ‘what the heck, its all common sense.

Needless to say it wasn’t as easy as, just going to the RTO and filing the paper and sitting for the tests. I was told my date was for the day before and I would have to go to an officer (who would definitely be a stern fat man, sitting in an air conditioned room with few more fat sweaty people running around trying to please him). I was told to say I was unwell on the scheduled day and could not make it and to please allow me to do it today. All bloody lies. I was hale and hearty and drinking beer.

After this I told the man that I was doing no more favors for him. Either he does this dirty work or I move on. At one point he said he was obliging me –(Obliging me?? Him?? I was paying HIM money! I was funding his next paan, cigarette and drink!) It’s at that time that I threw the papers on the ground and stalked off. (And had to explain later, why my important documents, had shoe prints on them.) Needless to say he came running behind me, saying he was only a mere sub agent, not in his hands and all the regular blah blah!

Now the RTO looks very, very impressive- the new one In Andheri. One cannot see it, from the main road, because all roads to the RTO are closed off. How do we get in? Through a by lane, with an illegal entry via a non-existent U turn. Yes – This leads to the RTO!!! I was roaring with ironical laughter.

Once you get in, it’s the same old office most of us have been to. Sweaty people holding thin grainy papers in their hand, milling around, agents shadily standing in corners, tobacco stained betel juice coloring the “DO NOT SPIT” signs, and office windows with clerks permanently on lunch break.

The learners license test was done, and I passed!! Of course it was all common sense, because nothing, which was shown in the printed-paper, by the agent, was asked in the test!

On the day of the driving test 30 days post the learner’s test, the agent came to us, very surreptitiously and asked us to go the adjoining plot, to give the driving test. Why was he whispering, and looking around shiftily like a drug dealer, I will never know. But I must say I was intrigued! Maybe the local Don had just given a test too? Like I said – “Everyone” now has to give a test!! (SMUG SMILE)

The “test” plot was a death trap! It was a huge ground. Dogs were running around and chasing – Goats! The “Test” road was a huge stretch of quick sand! There, exists (hopefully it hasn’t fallen since the week before) a tin roof shed, the size of a single bed! Approximately 50 people were standing underneath it. (Bombay lends its own laws of mathematics). This shed was next to a stinking toilet, very thought fully displayed as GENTS and the other one as LADEEZ. I heard somebody saying there is no water in the toilet. Which made me laugh again – at the irony behind it all. For – it was pelting with rain, and broken buckets were installed under the shed to catch the leaks and they were over flowing. Discarded tires were filled with rainwater, and old discarded bottles were swimming in the muck, but no water in the toilet!!

I was finally giving the test. Ladeez first you see! It thankfully wasn’t in the quick sand road. I was told to reverse. I put the car in gear and was about to reverse, when the instructor(?) says, don’t press the accelerator! The car was stinking and all I was thinking of was boiling my hands sterile, so I just did what he said. After a few feet, I was told to move ahead and stay on the left. Again changed the gear and without pressing the accelerator, I moved ahead. Before I could brake, the clutch slammed down, the car braked and I was told to get out! I had passed!!!!!! I really cannot say what I felt, because I was numb from the experience. I don’t think I will quickly get into road rage again, its not the fault of the drivers on the road, because as long as you know which gear is what, thou shall be passed.

I am waiting for the license to arrive by post. This time I shall be keeping the copy with my jewelry in the safe deposit box.

 

Exhausting Teenagers.

laughterbubbles The people around us! ,

I had written this piece exactly two years ago.

All of this is based on facts!!

My teenager is a “last minute -er”. Technically she is no longer a teenager. And she has gone for her first unsupervised coed holiday. Exams got over a week back, since then it has been difficult to get her out of bed, unless, she hears of a party or night out! Then she is ready within minutes.  Time obviously waits for no one. It did not for her too.

I kept saying pack bags, “Yes ma! I’ll do it” I was hearing that in my dream for days! I am sure she was too!

This was how her day went – for a 4 pm flight for which she HAD to reach the airport by 2.45pm.

11am

She wakes up.

Starts throwing clothes from the cupboard into the floor, and from the floor into a bag, (which was changed twice) Then she dashes off for a shower, which amazingly takes only a few minutes. But that’s because it’s to her benefit.

12 noon.

Madam dashes off to a suburb 10 km away to get a form signed by her dance teacher for her CAS hours, without which she will not qualify for her IB diploma. BTW this form was printed and ready to be signed five days ago. Meanwhile her brother re packs her bag. The poor chap will wince if he sees the state she brings it back. I can visualize him, shaking his head in disgust.

1.25pm

She arrives and sits for lunch. When I chide her for doing things and the nth second, she – without any regret, bats her eyes at me and says “Mamma you know I do things last-minute. You should be prepared!”

1.55 pm 

We scan her form, to upload to CAS. The scan of course takes longer than it should. And but obviously even the WI FI is slow today.

Finally it’s uploaded and strung up in her school system, then my child starts hunting for the teachers phone no, who has to approve the forms. She decides to call him on way to airport.

2.20 pm

We all walk down to bid her a goodbye. And we realize she has not printed her ticket. Again the printer throws a tantrum and does not print. She now has to use her PNR and considerable charm to get into the check in counters.

2.55 pm

She leaves and I crumble into a ball of exhausted heap. I suddenly hear a whizzing sound come from my work table. Her ticket is now printing itself!! I am sweating and very willing to swap my three-year old niece and nephew who make me run behind them for hours, in lieu of this exhausting teenager.

You can see me in an hour at the foot massage parlor.

London

laughterbubbles Restaurants, Travel - Cities and Towns

London for me is always going to be a work in progress. In March, I was traveling to Spain, and as usual we came back home, via London. The minute I landed into Heathrow airport, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. The kind one feels when one is back home from a scary journey. (No!  Spain was not at all scary! It’s just that kind of feeling!) I told the husband, I felt like I was home. I have studied in London for 2 and half months a few years back, and this city will always hold a special place in my heart. So – London will always be a work in progress, because I will keep going back to it and trying out new stuff.

We have done all the touristy things, so this post is totally about food and drinks.

Old favourites.

Wagamamma. It’s a fast food Japanese place, where one sits on a communal table. You will have your own place, but a stranger might be sitting next to you. It wont bother you, because everyone is looking down, busy swallowing their food. It’s wholesome and tasty! http://www.wagamama.com/

Tamarind.By far my favourite Indian restaurant in London. To my mind the quality and service beats the more known places like Veeraswamy etc. http://www.tamarindrestaurant.com/

Novikov. This is a gem among restaurants. Expensive, for sure. But if you have to have one good meal in London, it has to be here. This location houses Asian and Italian restaurants. I’ve only eaten in the Asian, and I absolutely love the food. They have a fresh farmers market within the restaurant. You can purchase vegetables and sea food and take it back home. You can also choose which sea food you would like to eat. Enough food for vegetarians. Try different cocktails and Japanese Whisky. BOOK IN ADVANCE http://www.novikovrestaurant.co.uk/

La Bodega Negra Go to the one in Old Compton Street, Soho. Dark, with a speakeasy feeling. You enter into a craven dark and not dingy. It’s gothic and grunge mixed into one. This is the ambience. The food is as amazing. Fusionish Mexican. Spend a great evening there. BOOK IN ADVANCE http://www.labodeganegra.com/

THE NEW ONES.

Cantina Laredo Fancy Mexican Restaurant. Definately stands out from all other Mexican joints. Good for lunch too. http://www.cantinalaredo.com/

Roka Japanese lunch. Very busy place. I felt a hint of racism here. But absolutely brilliant food. Must go. http://www.rokarestaurant.com/

Avacado sushi in Roka.

Avacado sushi in Roka.

InParma by Food Roots. Oh Dear!! I am going to go mad writing this one. What can I say. If you are offered a last meal on earth get it here. Its not only the food, its also the passion behind it. The near perfect absolutely fresh ingredients. Simple fare, no over cooking, no over flavouring. Have the Parma Ham and the cheese and the polenta and the pasta of the day. And then have the Lambrusco wine.

This is how the wine is served.

This is how the wine is served.

We cancelled another dinner booking a few days later and went there again. Please dont miss this one.

Dishoom.  If you are craving a good Indian wholesome meal, realise your craving here. Crazy decor, huge place and hearty home food. We tried almost everything, after which I had to leave my family and go get some air, or I would have fallen asleep. I loved the Rajma chawal. It was done to perfection and the aroma of the food itself started a food coma. Lunch or dinner. Oh! and try their lassi and give their nimbu paani a miss. It tasted exactly like the one I have early morning for — um!! http://www.dishoom.com/

Bombay roadside toilet in London

Bombay roadside toilet in London

 Raclette  Borough Market On Saturday, (though I believe its open every day now!) the farmers, organic food makers, dessert chefs, Swiss gourmand, beer brewers, organic butchers, fish mongers, cheese makers, Spice mixers – you name them, and they throng to Borough Market to sell their wares. Over the period of time I have bought drunken cheese (soft cheese infused with potent red wine), truffle flavoured honey, spices for Hungarian Goulash, Organic farm milk, fresh cupcakes, Freshly brewed beer, proseco with Creme de Cassis. I have seen 20 types of tomatoes, mad variety of garlic, and foods from regions beyond London. All of this draws me to Borough Market, but what I truly make that compulsory visit (and take everyone I know there) – is for the Raclette. There are numerous food stalls, I have never even seen what they serve. I head straight to the Raclette stall with one minded bullishness. They make it right in front of you. The rapidly melting cheese, oozing into a ready dish of smashed potatoes, laden with gherkins and pickled baby onions – its poetry. Sheer Prose. Its mind-blowing. Grab a proseco first. I cannot give you directions. It’s a labyrinth in there and it’s madly crowded. So do a recce and only then pounce on the food _ Oh! Dear. The Raclette stall also has cheese sandwich. Yeah! it’s a Cheese OverLoad.

The aroma will make you drool.
The aroma will make you drool.
Proseco- Proseco with Cassis, Proseco Lemondade.
Proseco- Proseco with Cassis, Proseco Lemondade.

Dosa If you are craving Dosa, and Papdi Chaat, head to 5th floor food hall of Selfridges – Oxford Street. It will make you happy – I promise! OTHER THINGS TO DO. Neal’s Yard. Cute quaint place, In Covent Garden. Its within the Seven Dials Street. Neals’ Yard, is this small little colourful yard, with a Gypsy Bohemian feel. Colourful organice cafes, Pubs and restaurants. Visit the Neal’s Remedyshop. Its got organic creams. I love their ” Bee Lovely” hand cream. They also keep essential oils. Wait up and ask for advice. They are really happy to help. Covent Garden. Very cute place. Lots of restaurants, Pubs, Roadside shows. Pubs. How can one go to London and not go to a pub. How can you not have a pint of Guinness everyday? They are scattered all over. And come 4 pm, you can see throngs gathered there for a quick pint before they head home. Once – I was standing out and the husband went in to get us a pint each. A man walked out of the pub with a huge glass of ale in his hand and crossed the road to a kerbside. I must have glanced down at my watch and then up again and caught sight of him once more, and he was wiping his moustache with the sleeve of his shirt.That huge glass was over. In approximately 30 seconds. Don’t underestimate the Brits!

$ pm Friday rush to grab a pint.
4 pm Friday rush to grab a pint.

Catch a play. Or a musical. whatever but see one. Your London experience is not over unless you do. Lookup on google and book tickets online. I use http://www.ticketmaster.com (go to the UK page) Or you can go to Piccadilly or Leicester Square and book one in the booths there.