Saturday, July 26, 2008

Chintu programme in good company: my self

Saturday’s onset started with rains. It was decided the earlier day to go to mt Mary church. But looking at the sky and continuous pouring rains didn’t somehow give the courage to do so…somehow deciding to finish off what was once decided the feet left for the church. Located on the mountain this church and mainly its surroundings were classy. Not a hi fi church, but simple gothic design columns and the statue of mother Mary and baby Jesus staring serenely…this is one idol…considered to give you whatever you wanted and the offering given was just a way of fulfilling the gratitude to give when one got whatever one desired for. Truth in the “iccha devat” was not known but surely believing in god gave one confidence to perform better, performing mostly for the goal but without actually attached to it. Since it was a Saturday, coupled with rains and morning, hardly some people were found in church. Only one church door was opened even 10 minutes of sitting in silence just hearing chirping of sparrows was enough to feel good. A refreshing silence and solitude, both mental and physical. It made the feel of being closer to god…just happy with the environment. It made lifes troubles in a microcope and they seemed just so small. Life was fine. Warm and fresh from inside and a real good start to a glorious weekend.

Friday, July 25, 2008

On a rainy day

Today is a Friday (till now) and its raining incessantly in Mumbai…stopping and raining again. Friday was meant to be jeans day (or casual day…but I am always in my fave outfit jeans so its jeans day)so I wore my “only jeans” (most of my faves are transported back to Thane…and monsoon surely not a season for jeans as it makes you heavy weight champion once they get wet)…not ready to part with jeans I folded it and headed to the office sporting an umbrella…but rains are rains…the moment I was out of builing they came crashing to meet earth and poor me was caught in their meeting. Water quicky pooled around me…up to my ankles…freezing cold water made my feet white and numb…the jeans were half soaked. There was rain and wind…moist cool wind. I loved it…it made my already cheery Friday mood rocking fresh.
The bus came a bit late and we were stuck in the traffic…but I didn’t mind it a bit…I was just euphoric. watching the rain pattering on closed bus windows like a child…all fascinated with a smile on my lips…mind became a “bhoolbhulaiya” of thoughts but none too bad…all of them pleasant. We changed the bus and I sat at the window saet (which are plenty for the choice…since our bus stop is the staring point)…and was one of the few who kept their windows open. The cold moist air made me have Goosebumps…but it made my mood very light…enjoying every bit of this lovely Saturday to the fm radio tunes…needless to stay…today was one of the rare times when I didn’t snooze in the bus :)

The witches of the sand eat sandwiches

“bhukela” atma. Is what happens when not breakfasted and lunch is too early…what I always like at such times is mouthful and “healthy” stuff…Mornings are and never were for batata vadas sorry my best temptation
Sandwich always feels better for stomach and for the mood. I have tried sandwiches in restaurants…and to tell you frankly I have never come across any restaurant (I have never been to Taj) which serves tasty and filling sandwich. What we get is stale bready crust…tasteless limp vegetable bread…or even plastic film wrapped soggy stuff that gets sold on stations and out of town trains that I eat only if I am dying…and can’t face fried stuff in morning
The thelas always come to rescue at such times…as they serve some of the best and exotic sandwiches…fiery or mild as per requirements and surely you don’t have to finish them with a dose of tomato catsup (yup ketchup is actually catsup). Be it toast or sada…grilled and grilled with cheese…such sandwiches always make me totally satisfied and satiated.
My first stop was at andheri it self where I was born and brought up. Where I say…the prominent market area where every thing and anything available…sandwich thela walas are also in abundance. There is this sandwich wala where my sis and I have eaten…god knows for how long…his sandwiches were considered the best…till I met mr gupta…located near market…his sandwiches are clean (in spite of being a thela), having fresh ingredients and hey he even knows my preference of extra potato with my sandwich…these two sandwich walas don’t sell toast sandwiches…
The next stop is near my college in Matunga…this also a thela…It gave me first sense of independence of ordering something by my self for my self…and in limited pocket money…his were also the first sandwiches that I saw topped with sev…
Mithibai college sandwiches come close behind…with their variety and tasty sandwiches…the first time I ate grilled sandwich..@40 rs surely bore a big hole in my at that time a students pocket.
Sandwiches at churchgate, near alliance francaise the Bombay main office and American council were better for my pocket and tasty stuff…both the toasted and sada versions…with the thela wala non committal when asked for extra quantities of sauce and chutney…that quelled the hunger along with the seemingly miniscule sandwich for a growling stomach. The seemingly elusive sandwichwala at Somani School gave better and economical fare than the somani canteen itself. The sandwich was good . this was one person who knew how much chutney to slather and how much sauce to be splattered on his efforts…if at all the sandwich needed to be splattered…depended on “user requirement” This sandwich gave me extra time to spend with my classmates guffawing and gossiping over sandwiches. Both toasted and sada like our talks sometimes crispy, chirpy and sometimes worried (especially at exam time)
Lastly the sandwich at Thane…that I almost always have with my better (?) half…over a lot of chat (from end) and laughter (both of us) the sandwich disappears leaving us full for some time till dinner is prepared.
Subways somehow gives my variety of bland sandwiches or submarines…veggies stashed between two slices of French bread…one has to oft take care that the ingredients don’t fall ,the mayo does not smear ur lips and that u appear sleek and elite while eating them.
The chutney sandwiches of mahableshwar where fiery green chutney was subdued by butter…making the result absolutely delectable.

Sandwiching at home was always with superior results with “chow-mous” at aai’s where she sandwiched leftover potato sabji in two slices of bread and toasted it. The result for a mid afternoon snack was simply out of the world or cheese toast in the morning…The cucumber sandwiches of butted slices and salty peppery paper-thin cucumber slices…or sandwiches that I prepare of coleslaw and dinner rolls at home…”ghaspus” I love u

As I write this my mouth is already watering and I am heading for fridge…thinking of having wafer sandwich…wafters crunched between buttered bread slices…surely will satiate my craving for chips and desire to eat

For kanchipuram idli

After heading to the bank early in the morning on a sturday  I requested aai to have “kanchipurm idli” at Radha Krishna…makeupd Udipi restaurant
The udipi restaurants are best visited for udipi I mean south Indian stuff….coz sandsiches will be limp and tasteless and poor versions of potato vada or alu bonda…instead of fiery “batata vada”
But with rasam vada , medu vada,idli and dosa-uttappa you can seldom go wrong…and this restaurant also serves one classic called “kanchipuram idli”.
The idli took long to arrive…but when it did and I put the first bite in my mouth…virgin…without accompaniments like sambhar and chutneys…it tasted heavenly. When you put some cardamom, and sugar in normal idli batter, decorated with raisins and cashew nuts steam it in banana leaf and drizzle it with pure ghee…the effect is spectacular and mouthwatering and with its three sisters of sambhar, a white coconut and an orange dal chutney…the effect was…………………………..so good that I am willing to sacrifice my every Saturdays sleep for this divine idli

Water my dearie…fresh clear water

Yesterday many reasons prompted me to go back to our place. Better half is sun soaking in San Fran and I have to do the needful. I was worried about the amount of water at our place reached rock bottom. A friend had half heartedly volunteered to stay overnight and fill the tank…no one could blame him…each person had his/her priorities and if I would have been his place I would have said plain “NO”…
Why so much hustle and bustle over water??? The reason is we get water only for few hours every day…twice a day…but in summers the water became a rare commodity (demand more than supply funda) and the twice a day time table had become once a day hurry…
I dumped the remaining parcels and was on verge of leaving when I heard hiss of the taps. I had forgotten that summers are long gone and rains have reached their mid. Voila…I tested the tap…and voila out gushed water as if it no longer wanted to stay in the confines of the tap…I quickly filled the tank…relishing the fact with a smirk on the face that…the tank was getting full in a jiffy. Now I would have water when I came back…for so much work that involved the valuable water. I filled the tank…water bottles and like a long lost friend late to go home…the supply stopped…me all satisfied. With the same half smile I locked the door and headed at aai’s

Life on a rainy day

It started raining in Mumbai, after just so many days. Mother nature had pity on us and sent her favorite son “monsoon” to freshen the surroundings with his weapon “rains”, and Mumbai got drenched (for good in the rains)…he he like a small child I used to pray when I got up and when I exercised that it should rain so much that it would be a welcome holiday “blame it on rains”…but clever rains never gave me the opportunity to do so.
Yesterday I had work to do, trying to see if I could get water tank filled at our place…and since I am going there…dumping remaining clothes and other parcels.
I got down at “teen hath naka” at Thane and headed at our place…the environment was truly divine…humid air had been replaced by cool fresh air…water water every where and at time rains drizzling as if they had indeed become lethargic after a long day…from past few days they were truly acting like government employees giving the “HOOL” of coming and never actually doing I mean never actually coming…but past few days was a welcome change. Rains had indeed transformed the place. And Thane is still green…and having mountains…though those mountains are becoming slowly naked with continuous encroachment…for them to become bare and a perfect example of Mumbai will still take time…
Rains had used their magic wand to make greenery so lively and so much shades colorful…just like jade country…the mountains were hazy with cloud formation and there was mild fog…that added to romanticism…I was famished…my dinner would still take a long time to come…and I was in mood for a fiery toast sandwich…my mouth watered as the Bhaiya started preparing my order….and I ate the whole sandwich in a record time of 7 minutes…The hunger + cool rains and hot sandwich had its effect…making me more stronger I headed at our place. After dumping stuff and filling water I left for back long journey to Mumbai…I mean andheri  the season had made the roads shine and cool night air made me think of my irritating better (?) half who loved rains himself. Bus was procured late…not many people and bus depot in pitch darkness save for the flashlight of a mega mart…finally bus arrived and I seated my self near the window…enjoying the cool moist air of which I never had my fill…listening with now come now gone radio stations…when I went off to sleep I didn’t realize….I got up only after the bus reached powai lake…glistening at night…looking like a bejeweled lake in the renaissance hotels lights…The bus still took some time till I managed to get down, a bit late…blame it on rains ..but no one on the road…every one at their warm homes…lonely and the wet glistening path…shimmering in moon light took my exhausted sleep drunken self to aai’s warm cooking and a warm bed.. my feet gathered speed……and I headed home..

Of petpuja

Looking of me no one will even think that I eat…forget about loving food. But I honestly do…collecting food articles, reading about different variety food trying new stuff and always seeing recipe serials is one of my favorite pastime…this also includes trying something new or trying some where new…of course…veg stuff..
I always believe that we always appreciate food when we are our hungry best…and this is what happened when I headed to my place yesterday. I was FAMISHED. I thought of batata vada (my all time fave) and bhajias ( not that fave) but as I dragged my self to our place…with a very heavy and bulky bag…I saw it
“thela” or in “pur” English “hawker”. And it sold my favored snack…sandwich…but I was in no mood for veg sandwich, and the environment made me crave for something warm…and at last I ordered for a veg toast sandwich. I mentally drooled as I saw the bhaiya preparing the sandwich…and finally toasted and gave it to me…”less butter” and without makeup of chutney and sauce…I gulped six pieces in a record time of 7 minutes. I love “hot from the oven” fresh stuff…piping hot batatas vadas or even plain roti just made…fresh and letting of its anger of roasting with a steam…
The green chutney dug claws on my tongue with its fieriness. The tomato and cucumber slices were almost liquid in the sandwich…mixed in the garam masala potato “chokha” in the sandwich…the hot water that they emanated made my lips burn and letting off the steam from the sandwich with “huh and haas” I finished off the sandwich…and coupled with free potato slice…I headed for my journey…strangely satiated at the economical humble fare of toast sandwich

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

For u my better (?) half

I have written about all the people who matter to me in my life and you are one of them..but I had left with little words to describe...How can one define sunshine?? Thats what u are...the sunshine in my life..the one constantly encouraging...never restricting...always helpful and having a good ear to my woes...giving me hope when I lack it the most.making me laugh with ur silly jokes and making me cry with ur songs (yes they are that bad:))

Thanks for bieng in my life...I cant say more...yaar vocab hi nahin bachi...but the perpetual, seemingly "foolish" smile says it all.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

an ode to "aai"

My first best friend was and is always u
I can share everything without constraints with u
U know what goes on in my mind
u know when I hurt
when I am happy
ur heart aches when I cry
n u r happiest when I show a hint of smile
u are there even before I say HELP
u give me words of advice even when I say I dont need them
u care even when I say care a damn
u come back even when I push u away
U forgive even when I use spiteful words
u give me strength when I need the most
u love me even when I am wrong
I love u aai for who you are
coz for you are the one who loves me inspite of my rejections inspite of my imperfections
And If I could ask one thing to god...that would be ur daughter in next birth too

For u only

Now that I spoke of of one friendship..my other best friend left for better pastures in the land of better opportunities...I was sad when I heard initially that she is leaving for USA infinitely...would miss her for our daily chais...her valuable help in translations with her limited knowlege in french...when I was almost drowned in my work...her concern when I had heartbreak and her triumph when I got what I wished for the most...she came for the wedding reception inspite of having to go on the same day out of town...and I was never there when she needed me the most...where was I???
whatever it is...u are strong darling...and this break was what u needed the most...
and whereever u are and whatever u will be doing...I will be somewhere ...thinking of you...and I am just a phonecall away
ciao at the moment...and dont stop salsieng in life
Love u darling:)

Forgiven...Thanks Vaiju:)

One of my lovliest friends, who I manged to forget from my memory of holes was Vaiju...
No school or college friendship here...it was when both of us raw (well, she was trained raw)starting our first job.
what started as real work related calls to employee gossip budded into real friendship. I was the keeper of her secrets (as usual)and she was my strength...later our jobs and later her marriage and shifting to Dubai took us apart...life was now on virtual means by the use of email.
and then one day that stopped too...till I announced that I have found some one crazy enough to get married to me. she was the first one to pity him and marvel at my luck :):)...but later somehow I actually FORGOT to invite her for the wedding...(blame it on my memory of holes...again) later when she understood, she didnt say a thing and just stopped communicating :(...I missed miss rani mukherjee (she had that look and god she sounded like her too)...
Then one day when I was feeling unusually lonely...she just called to say that she is back in Mumbai for some time...and then...*#%&^@!~..
I just said "I am sorry vaiju..." and she bieng that big hearted piecian...forgave me...and I got my friend again
THE END...or was that the beginning of much more deeper freindship...I am now sure of the other option:)

Mahila mandal

Now a days I look forward to lunch time. Not because I am too hungry. (which I am usually) but because I get to meet them. These "them" have worked with me before but I was never this close to them...it was only when my better half left for overseas than I got hold of their company and which was for good.
Three is never a crowd...we love to share anything and everything...not really soulmates...but ones who make a bit tasteless life spicy for some time...a piece of harmless gossip, diet tips, project talks, back biting managers , project woes is done collectively over rapidly cooling lunch at rush time...its a pleasure when I get a call or a ping on my communicator "lunch...?"
Its amazing.and I never realise when the lunch time passes away...it makes somewhat drab worklife bearable.
Thanks Chums...u wont be forgotten and even when my better(?) half (?) arrives I wont stop lunching with u...so much for a nice friendship