WELCOME SAYS CATA :)

We parked the car and picked our picked the bags.
It was a beautiful street with beautiful houses.

Cata was waiting and welcomes with a warm hug and walks us to the house to settle down.
She introduced her husband Carlos and two Kids, elder daughter Leonor and younger son Joao.

Between the hugs, handshakes and smiles; before I dropped the bags and before I get into the house says something the Leonor.

Ó Mãe .... Ele é o primeiro da Índio na Barriosa. 

Everyone is Ooops!!

To be continued

EVENING IN SERRA D'ESTRELAS

The sun does not sets at 6 PM in the mountains of Portugal.

An evening walk in an Indian village is followed with the fragrance of the incense sticks and prayers bells goes ting..... !

But our arrival in Barriosa was around 8 PM in the evening and it was still bright sky but the Church bell did rang. The rhythm was perfect. Cata, the sister of our friend Tiago  was waiting for our arrival.

Blue sky, a small chapel or village church and dilapidated stone houses. The streets well paved and houses full of flowers.

PAUSE AND REWIND TO PORTUGAL!!

Play. Pause. Rewind. Forward. Fast Rewind. 

Exactly, like a Music player the life flows into a container which doesnot have any shape. There is a pre decided schedule for memories to take shape but the time makes us pause,  fast forward, rewind, play etc

Like in my blog, sometimes its the past memories, sometimes a future dream and sometimes its the unexpected present. 

Today memories of Portugal is back again as I see a picture from Guimarães stating, "Aqui Nasceau Portugal" and I am going to rewind to where I left last time.

Pause : Rewind 

29:05:2013

Barriosa!!

DRINKS AROUND THE GLOBE !!

The road we follow shows us many faces. Traveling is not just for sightseeing or stepping into beautiful photo frames. It is also to meet the locals, eat their food and drink what they drink.

For me, the trick to successful traveling has been stepping into the local's shoes. Like very famously said while in Rome, be a Roman. While in Switzerland, one has to eat Fondu, similarly eat Ceviche if you are in Peru. One has to drink Ginjinia in Portugal and Mojito if you go to Cuba.

Often their is a conflict which drink is from where! Like can we say where is tea originating from China or India. Although we celebrate it as a drink from India. Its very typical to see Chaiwala( Tea vendors) almost every street in India. That is if Pisco is Chilean or Peruvian. Like Human beings food and drinks have traveled across the globe. Each drink or food has a story to tell, unwind its history.

What a pleasure, I found one link today which resolves the conflict more or less. I would put the link on the bottom of this post. While Chile wins the Pisco drink, Peru has won Pisco Sour.

Drinks around the world
1. Absinte - France
2. Aguardiente - Colombia and Equador
3. Akvavit - Denmark
4. Almdudler - Austria
5. Arak - Iraq, Israel and Lebanon
6. Araqi - Eritrea
7. Bajtra - Malta
8. Balsam - latvia
9. Becherovka - Chzech Republic
10. Bedouin Tea - Egypt
11. Belikin - Belize
12. Brandy Sour - Cyprus
13. Brannvin - Sweden
14. Brennvin - Iceland
15. Brugal - Dominican Republic
16. ceasar - Canada
17. Caipirinha - Brazil
18. Castel Stout - Cameroon
19. Celtia - Tunisia
20. Chay - Azerbaijan
21. Chibuku - Zimbabwe
22. Chicha - Venezuela
23. Coconut Arrack - Sri Lanka
24. Gin - England
25. Ginjinha - Portugal
26. Guaro - Costa Rica
27. Guiness - Ireland
28. Hawaiian Sea breeze - Hawaii
29. Hinano Beer - Tahiti
30. Horilka - Ukraine
31. Irish Wisky - Northern Ireland
32. Coca Cola - USA
33. Jenever - Netherlands
34. Kava - Fiji
35. Koskenkorva Viina - Finland
36. Kriek - Belgium
37. Kuche Kuche - Malawi
38. Kumis - Mongolia
39. Grappa - Italy
40. Maghreb mint Tea - Morocco
41. Maotai - China
42. Mastika - Macedonia
43. Mate - Argentina
44. Mekhong Whisky - Thailand
45. Mojito - Cuba
46. Mosi - Zambia
47. Mount Gay rum - Barbados
48. Ouzo - Greece
49. Palinka - Hungary
50. Palm Wine - Philippines & Nigeria
51. Penderyn Whiskey - Wales
52. Pisco - Chile
53. Pisco Sour - Peru
54. Rakia - Slovenia & Bosnia
55. Rhum Barbancourt - Haiti
56. Rooibos Tea - South Africa
57. Jamaican Rum - Jamaica
58. Rum - Nicaragua
59. Sake - Japan
60. Sangria - Spain
61. Schnapps - Germany
62. Seco Herrerano - Panama
63. Shah Hawaash - Samala
64. Singani - Bolivia
65. Single Malt Whisky - Scotland
66. Soju - Korea
67. Tatanka - Poland
68. Tea - India
69. Tei - Ethiopia
70. Tequila - Mexico
71. Tuica - Romania
72. VB - Australia
73. Vitalo - Republic of Congo
74. Vodka - Russia
75. Wadadli - Antigua

The list is long and many countries have many drinks. Still there are much more like Raki from Turkey which is commonly drank in every turkish house, a Lassi is a must after an Indian meal, I cannot forget the taste of the green wine which is a rarity of Portugal, Cuba Libre from Cuba.

So much to explore! So much to travel!

The information on the origin of the 73 drinks listed above is courtesy the below link :
http://imgur.com/wMGZ7SC

A LAHORI TRUCK

There is no such word called a Lahori Truck.
Its just for the language, the ideas playing in my mind and the beauty of the trucks.

The trucks in Pakistan are very beautiful. I read that its evident from the truck to say which region the truck driver belongs to. Every driver decorates its truck with peculiar designs from his region.

Well I do not know enough to guess that but they all look so beautiful and a big attraction.

It is almost irresistible to share few pictures as to be able say how beautiful they are.

PS : The above pictures are from online sources and not mine.

A TRAVELER WITH A SWEET TOOTH

JHAJARIYA, A DESERT OF INDIAN ORIGIN

The new Google ad has gone viral for all the history, nostalgia and goose-bombs.
I got very curious about the delicacy "Jhajariya" after watching the ad and I did google on it, to see that it has made everyone curious. People are rushing for corn to make it. A sweet dish of Indian origin which is very popular in Lahore, Pakistan. Although I have no idea where in India it originates from.

I am a traveler with big Sweet tooth. I always wanted to visit Lahore for its strikingly similar Mughal Architecture as we have in India. I think the trucks in Pakistan are very beautiful for the way they are decorated and now the Jhajariya.

 I always say that one country I really fear to travel is Pakistan as who knows I might be killed there. This feeling is very obvious as I am from India. But my friend Siva from Kuala Lumpur with an Indian origin tells me that its not like that. He was very well treated and found people very generous and humble while traveling in Pakistan.

Who knows may be one day I would have a chance to travel in the beautiful city of Lahore to enjoy their Jhajariya and take a ride in those decorated trucks.

LET'S ASK OUR FRIEND !!

Today, my evening started with big nostalgia !! It was a virtual travel. I traveled between ideas, across boundaries and continents. I traveled from places I have been to place I have no idea what it is called.

It all started with the advertisement of Google. The new one which connects two childhood friends separated overnight for the partition between India and Pakistan.

The same old story with new flavours. But may be the flavours are nurtured very well. It is for certain that the concept came from someone who cooks his curry with the spices coming from the Kollam district of Kerala. The best spices are here which got the world to colonize it.

Never mind even if it is not from there and from someone living on Starbucks. It is the best for getting me goose-bombs. It kept me wondering about Google. How much it has be there always between everything.
How much it help me for my assignments in school,to find a job in Duetsche Bank. To peek into private lives of the millionaires to know if all their money is launder. But it was always like a tool for help until one day my friend Kim Bruchle told me in Cape Town that Google is his friend. Or the way he says, Let's ask our friend Google.

That day I realized the importance Google plays in our Lives. When ever I dont know, I cannot decide or ignorant, Google helps me like my best friend. From how many countries are there in this world to how Nicholas Sarkozy fell in love with Carla Bruni. From the work of Russian and German spies to how many kinds of authentic pastas are there in Italy. Now we can travel between end of the world in Argentina to middle of the World in Equador from our desktop. Of course doing it by your own has its own charm. I know it for myself.

It always has many many stories to tell, many paths to trek. Like this ad "Reunion" in which the grand daughter manages to search the Faizal sweets near Lahore gate from his Grand - father's best friend in Pakistan. From the visa requirements to the weather in New Delhi all at your finger tip.

Really !! Let's ask our friend Google.

MY FOOD BUCKET

My Chada khai 

I wake up absolutely thrilled like every one else. What would be the surprise. What would the dishes and deserts.

We donot have a tradition to wish each other for this day but share our delicacies with family, friends and relatives. For being the generstion X, everything becomes happy '---' for us. I called some friends and family to wish Happy ChadaKhai. Got some smiles.

The day started and my sister got me Zeera rice, Prawn fry and Chicken curry. Mutton roganjosh and Peas fish was cooked at my place which I shared with my friend Lisa. I was invited to my uncle's house for Mutton curry and Chilly Lobsters. 

Later in the evening, I made a surprise visit to another sister's place and the menu was Nan, beans and potatoes, Chicken masala and a Speciality all the way from Mumbai. 

My sister's friend was visiting from Mumbai. All the way he flew with a KFC bucket as we do not have KFC chain in my city, Bhubaneswar.

Although I did not diet all month with conditional food, I thoroughly enjoyed all the feast. 

Reminds me of another saying, "Finger licking food".

CHADA KHAI : A FEAST

Its evident from this blog and time & again I have mentioned that in India we have many many festivals.

So if India celebrates many festivals then in Orissa its much more. We have a local saying, "Baara masa tera puja". Meaning in 12 months we have 13 festivals. 

One of them is Chada Khai which last about a week. Chada khai meaning the big feast after the whole one month of conditional food habbits. 

The Catholics have lent days before thanks giving. The buddhist does it too. In Islam, they feast after one month of Ramadan. The hindus does Navaratras which is 9 days of fasting. 

In Orissa we have one month of conditional food habbits. It starts from Kartika month, around mid september as per the Lunar calender. People eat twice a day. Only vegetarian food consisting of Rice and a curry made of pulses and vegetables. Its goes like that for whole one month. The month ends with the full moon day and calls for a feast. 

Usually its the next day after the full moon day. But after a month of conditional eating the feast goes on for a week. There is a flood of delicacies. 

I do not follow this religiously and enjoy anything on my way like pork, fish, chicken, mutton, crab etc. I even ate crocodile tail in Singapore and frog limbs in Jalan Alor of Malaysia. Will that stop  me to not enjoy this feast ? Nooooo !!

I am waiting for the day tomorrow for what would be my food bucket ;)

SACHIN MANIA IS ONNN

India is birthplace for many religion like Hinduism, Budhism, Sikhism and many more.

There is yet another religion here called Cricket. Yes its a sport; a match between two teams with eleven players each and everyone's life is after the ball. While one team hits it to touch the boundaries the other tries to stop it. It was not made in India but worshiped by Indians.

But its not just these 22 players, the entire nation plays the game. Yes its a religion for the madness, superstions and huge fan following. 

I remember praying god endlessly during the final match of Cricket World cup between India - Sri Lanka in 2011. We all went crazy and went to streets to celebrate . That evening it was Holi, Diwali and Christmas for us. 

Now the fever is on for the star of Indian cricket team who played his last test match. There is Sachin Tendulkar everywhere. From elders in the park to the kids in the school all celebrating his last match. 

Every where its love for this Marvel who is driving all crazy. People are happy and emotional.

Everytime in my travel, people ask me what is cricket?

I always tell them that its the football of India and Sachin Tendulkar is our Maradona of Argentina or Eusébio of Portugal. 

Let the game continue!!

14TH NOVEMBER(CHILDRENS DAY)

 Happy Children's Day

Every year on 14th February, India celebrates Children's day to mark the birth anniverssary of Honourable Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first prime minister of Independent India for he always showered affection on kids and considered them as future of India. 

This year too the celebration was on. I remember my childhood days when we used to have holidays and a fancy dress competition to look crazy. May we had to take out all frustration of the Halloween, As to be honest, as a kid I was not even aware of the Haloween. I remember making apperances as a greedy priest, Lord Krishna, big moustache brat and once I danced with couple of friends when my trousers dropped while dancing.

Coming back to Nehru's Birthday who is considered as the Architect of Modern India, to which many friends wrote of course he was, as his personal rivalry with Mohd Ali Jinnah for the premiership of Indepedent India to create a separate Muslim country and resulted in the present boundaries of India. So you see he did draw lines like an architect. 

So much was happening on this day that I had to write about it. 80 % of the country who worship Cricket was watching Sachin Tendulkar's last match. Rest 19.991% who are ignorant about it or dont follow cricket got a chance to know about it. 

The remaining fractional population was thrilled to share their childhood pictures in Facebook. So cute they all looked. Thank to our parents who always love us.

A dear friend Prasenjit says: that its a pleasure to see all sharing their Childhood pictures on facebook for childrens day, not to forget there is world's nude day on its way. Fingers crossed. 

Many were sending their opinions in Whatsapp to say what they feel about Childrens day. The pictures below are their contributions. 

Come on guys, this great man of our country must have done something for all  these attention. 

PS : This post is just intended to create some humour and should not hurt anyone's sentiments.

HAPPY CHILDREN'S DAY

HAPPY CHILDREN'S DAY

On this occasion I remember my Childhood. The smiles I shared with my friends, the little walks, talks, the consolations, pranks, scorecard, rank in class, the competition etc

 My childhood is fun. Its beautiful and every little smile drives you back there. Every one tells you are a small child now. Wait till you grow up. Yes I waited to grow up back then, to be a grown up, to do things which is forbidden. But if I have a chance now, then I would love to go back in childhood. Who does not want!!

I wish there is a time machine to take us back there. Hypothetically, if we have a chance to go back to my childhood, then what would you like to add to it?

Well in my case, its traveling. If I could travel more, in fact much more than I did :P

But do kids really think of traveling. Not sure they just want to be kids.
It does not matter if we are grown up. There is one day to be a child.
 Happy Children's day to all

ONE QUESTION, SHAKUNTALA DEVI !!

In my school days, I remembered answering a two mark question.
Q:Who is Shakuntala Devi?
A: She is the Human Calculator.

Little I remember about her achievements. A lady born with a gift.

Is it her genes as she was a born genius. She was only three and shocked everyone with her ability to remember numbers in the card game. Her father refused to be a priest to work for a circus as a Lion tamer.

When she was 6 years old her father took her for street shows as she had the talent to crunch numbers. She has quite a life story. 

From the circus to the streets of Bangalore, later migrated to London. Then she returned back to India. From her marriage to an Indian Administrative officer from Kolkata to write a book, "For Straights only" about Homosexuality. It has nothing to do with numbers but to understand Homosexuality for her own marriage. From traveling around the world for her arithmatic skills to find a place in Guiness book of World Records.

She returned to Bangalore in early 1980s post her divorce and lived her last on 21st april 2013. A face full with wrinkles of life.
Today is a pride day as we celebrate her 84th Birth Anniversary.
While google found an innovative way to tribute her a doodle with her picture and its a big pride for all Indians, I wish if I could have ever met her for a travel Query.

Honourable Shakuntala Devi, Can you please calculate how many kilometers I have walked in the 30 countries I have been to :)