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