A link to my poem on Womens Web...

Would love to share this link to my poem...I hope you enjoy it!

http://www.womensweb.in/2014/10/let-me-be-me-poem/

I think...

What is it that continuously lives within us? What are we doing always, subconsciously if not consciously? Starting with too many questions is like hitting hard on my readers but this is interesting and I am sure it is making you 'THINK' for an answer and before you have thought, let me tell you that thinking is a process, which goes on knowingly & unknowingly within us! 

A glimpse of my viscious thinking cylce.

I think about should I sleep for 10 more minutes,

Then I think about my morning cuppa when out of bed,

I think about what for breakfast

How lucky I was as a kid, runs a thought!

I think about the little one so cute and curled up in her cot,

I think about not waking her up, should I kiss her or not?

Tik Tik Tik - I think about the running time,

I think about what to dress,

I think about what to eat for lunch when only my breakfast has settled in my tummy,

I think about which train to catch,

I think about, will I get a seat?

When on train I think of work,

I think that I am so unprofessional about sneaking in late at work,

It's OK I say with a smirk,

When at work I can't stop thinking about the little one at nursery,

Then creeps in the 'mother's guilt'

I think about what to cook for dinner while eating lunch,

Finally I pack my bag to leave and think if anyone has seen me leaving early,

As I walk I think about the bus and train,

On the train I again think about my day,

When I get off the train, I only think of my little one,

Then we walk back home happily,

But as we walk, I think about what to feed her for dinner,

I think about some recipes I noted for her,

I think about not giving her junk is better, 

And finally the day is officially over and I am tired of thinking,

But I realised that one can't really get rid of it,

There is nothing untouched and unreachable,

At last I go to bed thinking about the day next!!

Am I the only one who 'thinks' always?

 

 

 

Links to articles on Women Web

A summary of  my articles published on Womens Web...


http://www.womensweb.in/2014/07/becoming-a-mother/

http://www.womensweb.in/2014/07/good-touch-bad-touch/

http://www.womensweb.in/2014/08/joining-work-after-maternity-leave/

http://www.womensweb.in/2014/07/yummy-mummy-fad/

Happy Reading..

Proud to be a WOMAN...:)

http://www.womensweb.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Womensweb-Writer-Badge.jpg

Indian? - South, North, East, West or Central

Being an Indian, brown skinned, dark eyed, black lustrous straight locks is definitely enough to attract those lovely blue eyes. Aadhya often grabs a heap of attention on the train, bus, park and nursery for having those beautiful tuft of hair with lovely black big eyes.

When I met an English lady:

Waiting for my turn to come at 'Supercuts' and Aadhya sleeping on my lap, seated besides was an old lady. She was lovingly looking at Aadhya and asked me if Aadhya eats well, sleeps well and if I get enough rest. Humbled and touched with her queries I answered.

The first thing she noticed was Aadhya's tuft of dark hair. She loved them and mockingly said,'I would trade anything for those lovely black locks'.

I smiled and started stroking Aadhya's hair and realized once again that they are lovely.

Looking at my toe-rings she must have guessed about me being Indian. With a twinkle in her eyes she said,' I had been to Kerala long ago. I still remember those lovely long hair with freshly cut, woven flowers tucked in. How jealous I was then?!'

Getting a bit carried away she continued, ' I love India. Kerala, Rajasthan are so beautiful. I had been to the Ajanta caves too. Explicitly beautiful. As a memoir I bought beautiful fabrics, sarees with golden borders for my friends and family. That trip to India was so currilicious and aromatic.'

Full of charm, diversity and so much of variety to offer, India for outsiders is like a different world. It hurts when anyone mentions about poverty, corruption  and rapes though.

I must confess that by now I was missing India to an extent that I wanted to board a flight right away! This was India for her probably she only shared the best and probably kept the worst experiences with her.

Meeting an Indian in the UK:

Coming back to track, we Indians are blessed with very attractive sharp features. Some of us are so blessed that they guess right from which part of the state you belong to on the basis of skin color, height, accent, ornaments etc etc. 

Brown skin, big eyes, distinct eyebrows and raised cheek bones is enough for an Indian to make out that I belong to the southern part of India. Are you a South Indian? My patriotism towards Maharashtra and Karnataka is being questioned then. I reply, 'My mum is a Kannadiga, well from North Karnataka and Father is from Maharashtra.' The next question shoots, ' You said Trupti Sharma, which sounds non-Marathi'.

Well I expect this question these days and then with a smile I reply,' I am married to a Punjabi'.

We are so inquisitive about xyz's origin. To speak to an Indian one has to know whether he/she is from South, North, East, West and Central.

Meeting an NRI in UK

Recently on my journey to Cambridge, I had to change my train from London Paddington. First timer on a tube at Paddington and presentation at Cambridge this time, I was a bit nervous. The tube arrived and I stepped in. Unsure whether to sit or stand, at times I am so indecisive about small things and finally perched, noticing that besides me was a gentleman wearing a 'Kadaa-bracelet' symbolizing that he was a Sikh (I too am blessed with guessing ability). Settling down, opened my bag and took out a map, which was tucked in a novel that I was reading. With some handwritten points on the ma,  it was evident to anyone on the tube to make out that I was a first timer travelling on  tube. 

When nervous, diffident and upset 'soliloquy' helps a big deal. I whispered a little louder to myself, 'Good, you are doing well'.

Folding the map and tucking it in the novel, I packed my bag waiting for St Pancras station. 

'Hi, I am Michael', said the gentleman perched besides me.

'Oh Hello, I am Trupti', I replied with a smile.

'Are you a first timer on the tube? You seem nervous', asked Michael.

'Yes I am but I should be fine. Earlier it was with my husband that I had been on tube and this time I am all by myself' , came my reply.

'Don't worry, I am walking towards Kings X and I can accompany you', with a very English- English accent showing his concern.

Not sure whether to say yes or refuse, I finally agreed to walk with him. 

After knowing that I am off to Cambridge for a presentation, he definitely was impressed.

He hesitantly asked me, ' I guess you are a South Indian'.

I quickly replied, 'Partly. Now that I am married to a Punjabi I feel that I am an Indian first then anything else because I feel that I am part of a National Integration program. My daughter will have traits of Maharashtrians, Kannadigas, Punjabis and if we stay her for a bit more longer then English too'.

Michael laughed and said, 'I guessed that you are a South Indian as I saw that novel in your bag. There is something very classy about South Indians - 'Books are for them'. 

He chuckled and added,' A Punjabi with a novel is a rarity, instead a can of beer suits better than a book!'

We both laughed off.

I unconvincingly said, 'There are some exceptions though. My husband likes reading only Science Journals but not a can of beer'. He too agreed about this exception.

We spoke volumes about the current scenario in India, changes needed, scope of progress and touched many topics about India. Some discussions may not lead to a Eureka moment but might leave you feel happy and satisfied. This was one of them.

At last we reached our destination. Saying 'Good-bye and Thanks' I had almost forgotten about my presentation and nervousness was miles away!

Got into the train and couldn't stop thinking about how being Indian is sidelined when it comes to South, North, East, West and Central! India has more to offer besides 'curries and chutneys' and why is there a necessity to tag ourselves with South, North, East, West and Central?

Conversing to an old English man on the train long back, his sentence struck me like a lightening that forced me to think.

 He said, ' I love India. For me India is India and I don't believe in South, North, East, West and Central'.

He questioned to me, 'What about Indians, do they feel the same?'

I was speechless and without an answer.

The best I could do was only smile. To my rescue my destination station had arrived.

Rushed to the door, alighted the train with lot of thoughts in my head but a blank face!

'Eat-sy Beet-sy Wrap'

It is tough for me to decide whether I enjoy writing or cooking. An amateur in both cases, love them to the core. They both surprise me and everytime I indulge in either of them I feel that I have reinvented myself.

I don't want to keep you all waiting, presenting 'Eat-sy Beet-sy Wrap'. My 30th blog, a healthy, delicious and filling wrap. On my way back from Bath Spa to Bristol one corner of my brain is subconsciously thinking of 'what can be cooked for dinner?' Today it striked me that I have lot of left over stuffed in the fridge and I never bin any left over unless unfit to consume. Eureka 💡, a wrap striked me like a lightening!

Ingredients:

Beet root - grated, medium sized
Red Onion - finely chopped, medium sized
Cabbage - grated, same as the size of Beet
Baby Spinach leaves - about 20
Carrot - grated, same quantity as Beet and others
Dill - finely chopped, fistful
Cucumber - a small cup, finely chopped
Mixed herbs - one tsp
Chaat masala - one tsp or according to your likes
Humour or any spread will do.


Left overs:
Rice, Cholle/chick pea sabzi, steamed green moong, dahi wale alloo sabzi. Everything in the same proportion as the Salads. Frankly this can be made without setting any proportions.

Now take a mixing bowl and mix all the ingredients. Add a tsp of mixed herbs, a tsp chaat masala, finely chopped Dill enough to add some flavour, salt to taste, drizzle pepper, squeeze half a lemon juice.

Take a tortilla wrap (wholemeal, white or any of your wish). Warm it as per instructions. Spread some houmous or any spread evenly. I also used a spicy burger spread to make it more delicious. Any spread or chutney of your choice goes well in this wrap. 

Take the mixing bowl, add the salad and left over mix on this base very evenly. Remember that the layer shouldn't be neither thin nor thick, optimum enough to impart the taste and crunch. 

Voila...your deliciously nutritiously heavenly easily preparable wrap is ready in 20 minutes! 

Tips: Lemon juice has vitamin C which enhances the assimilation of iron/ferrous. This prep is rich in Ferrous due to Spinach and Beet root and hence squeezing lemon juice is a must!

Any vegetables, lentils, left overs can go in this wrap.

A colourful delight is good for your health. Beta carotene, chlorophyll, fibre, protein, carbohydrate. In short a 'nutritious punch'

I hope you'll try this or many of them know this! Eat healthy and think healthy...Cheers!!!!

Summer of 80's and 90's...

England is experiencing the best Summer this year. When in India I never appreciated sun, sunlight, bright day...took everything for granted. To appreciate sun and celebrate a sunny day one needs to witness the darkness and dullness  brought by the wicked winters. A sunny day in England brings so much of cheer and with near to accurate weather predictions, everyone makes sure to make the fullest out of a 'bright sunny day'.

 Today was one such beautiful day.  I stepped out of the train station and to my left was a small square area with chairs as comfortable as shacks. As many as 30 such very comfortable chairs were arranged in that square which  was covered with an artificial green lawn and chairs above it. Behind this sitting area are coffee bars, eateries. And to create a musical atmosphere a singer with his guitar a lodspeaker and music is in the air! People facing the sun, a cuppa and a book, some knitting, some chatting, some relaxing all with the music playing, echoing in background. I know Bryan Adams Summer 69 is brilliant but everyone has some unforgettable memories of Summer. 

As a school going kid if ever asked about my favourite season then by default was 'Summer'. The three reasons were: Summer holidays, Mangoes and my birthday! Hard to find someone who isn't proud about his birth date, month and season. It is kiddish but dwells within us. Life was all sorted then as a kid. Holidays meant being at home, telivision, friends, fun, food, masti at outdoor games and late night chats with friends in porches on rota basis. I and my brother were lucky to have parents who were equally enthusiastic about taking us to various parts of India whether a religious trip or a touristic trip didn't matter, all that mattered was being together. Nothing fancy, extravagant and stylish. Our holidays were very simple but have etched long lasting memories. As a grown up now, holidays then were enjoyable because parents took the pain of planning, packing and organising. It was Aai who packed my stuff like I do for Aadhya! Summer holidays were the most awaited and many still love those mangolicious summers. It really didn't matter Alphonsos or any, mango meant mango..sweet or sour! Maharashtrian households indulged into 'Aam-ras' feast and as kids we absolutely waited for the first mangoes landing home from the market. I still remember Aai squeezing out the mango pulp and keeping aside tha seeds for us to relish..yummm! I bet we all at least of my generation and the previous licked the trickling drops of mango juice which ran while squeezing a mango and it was fun. There weren't spoons and knives but only mangoes and hands when a 'stone man' must have seen a mango hanging over the tree, so the easiest was squeeze and relish. Imagine Adam and Eve waiting for a knife to cut and eat that wisdom apple!!! Summer was 'the time' when cousins visited us and vice versa. I remember Aai planning pickles, jams and papads for the entire year. Aunties from neighbourhoods would join hands to get this summer work done and we as kids would take care of the papads kept for sun-drying, some already found their way in our stomachs before drying - perks!  After dinner trips to an outlet which served freshly crushed sugarcane juice used to be fun. Those hobby classes, library memberships, swimming classes..new friends and something new to learn.

As kids, did we ever bother about sunscreen lotions to avoid the tan? I never did. Summer meant holidays and that meant freedom from every thing - school, homework, routine and every single thing which wanted us to be disciplined.

Has 'Summer' changed for me? Not a kid anymore now but I confess honestly of missing those days. Summer in England is all about dresses, fashion, barbeque, beaches, tan and rendezvous with friends. Definitely Summer of 80's and 90's will always be the most cherished and missed....but when in England be an English..:)

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara - make it worth.

Writing a new post is a process that I enjoy the most. Deciding the topic, concoction and more importantly effortlessly maintaining a flow throughout to make a readable and enjoyable post with which my friends, readers connect very easily. I am always on a look out for what can be a potential new post and this one now has emerged out of nowhere. Definitely a movie title ZNMD is linked with 'making your life worth'. A movie script will now be connected to a 'real' story of a 21st century girl Poonam Rajput. An engineer who won her degree with a distinction & has secured a job at TCS, a bright student throughout her school. No big deal you would say! There are many who achieve this. Let me introduce you all to an Engineer Poonam Rajput but a bit differently.

There are very few movies which I feel like watching a second time. Be it Bolly or Holly. One such Bolly movie is ZNMD. All Bolly lovers very well know this abbreviation so I need not explain. It is hard to find one, who hasn't liked this blockbuster and I am no exception. Realistic story to whom each of us can relate, memorable characters, lovely music, fun, humor at its best and not to forget infectiously picturesque, gorgeous Spain! Why is it that you relate to a movie? Either a part of the story scripted has happened with you or you desire something like that to happen to you. This movie very clearly meant and explained that 'you live once and make sure that you thoroughly live it'. Do whatever you want to, materialism is not life, find some time to spend your money, deal with some bitter truths of life, take unknown challenges, overcome your fears and limitations and so on. The characters made sure that they thoroughly do all of this during this rendezvous. Best scene in the movie for me was when the horses are running with their shiny hair flaowing with the wind, not bothered about much happening around, not bothered that they are being watched by a bunch of youngsters paralleling them. Aren't we like those horses? Chasing our dreams, ambitions and many times not knowing what we are chasing and while this chasing we tend to be quite immune to our surrounding, problems and sufferings of others. Some of us do manage to take a note of these but have no time to react, or some react but not act, or some act but not effectively and a very few of us do that effectively.

A normal day at office. Was waiting for the nutrient medium to cool down before some inoculations. Casually surfing the net and pops a ping 'Hi', it's Poonam! A fresh graduate who has secured a first class with distinction thorughout her engineering and now with a secure job in TCS. I congratulate Poonam and her Mummy on her success. A very cheerful, bubbly and lively girl Poonam is. She sends me a lot of cartoon cute pics for Aadhya. Poonam has seen Aadhya in pics and finds her very adorable. Our chat went like this:

 Me: Poonam, Congratulations. I am proud of you. You have made your Mum proud

Poonam: Thanks Didi. You and all others have always supported me to get here.

Me: We all are with you.

Me: What are you up these days? What about your job?

Poonam: I have got one in TCS but yet not joined

Poonam: There is still some time before I join. I have joined  'Sapling  School' and work with Mummy . I work there during day time, help the staff, teach the children and after the school hours I teach the underprivileged kids. I love to teach them . They are so affectionate.

Me: I am really very proud of you Poonam. Keep it up!

Poonam is only 21 year old. She lost her father when she was little, perhaps too little to understand what father means and how his loss will affect her life. Poonam's mother Ms Meena Rajput toiled hard, ran a mess at Naitonal Chemical Laboratory premises. She sacrificed her life, feelings, curbed her emotions and only lived for her daughter. Earned a living by cooking, making lunch & dinner tiffins and all of this with dignity. A very brave woman indeed who fought against many odds. Family for Poonam meant only her Mummy. Meena Aunty one day decided to stop cooking and joined a school. She had collected enough money for Poonam's education. All her efforts, hard work, suffering as a widow/single mum has been worth in the form of Poonam. I am not only impressed with her academic achievements but this sensitive side of hers. A very young girl who chose to deal with educating underprivileged kids over living in dreams and having a life of her own. Doesn't this convey something? She might not be able to pursue her dream of continuing with this social event after she joins her lucrative job at TCS but at least she initiated doing in what she believed. With a free time after studies and new job she could have chosen to do anything, for her ownself but she chose this. Does she feel for them because she too has had a tough life seeing her mother toil for her? Generally, do we feel for sufferings and problems of others only when we have gone through it?

I still wish to do something valuable for the upliftment of the society and I try to do it whenever possible in any form. It is so enchanting to see a fresh young breed too wants to do good for the society in this era where any youngster can get carried away. We live once and why not make it worth? I would do this not because I want generations to remember me as a social reformer or someone great but for my soul, soul-peace and soul-happiness. If you have something good/better/best in you, why not pass it on? If you have the potential of making a difference then why not use it in a right way?

In a true sense 'Zinadagi Na Milegi Dobara - make it worth, how you make it worth is your choice!'

Flashback

A lot of effort goes in tucking your bed neat and tidy with no creases, just plain. After a good night's sleep, I spend at least 5 minutes to make the bed. I can stand a messy house, sink with flooded utensils, but not an unclean gas hob and undone bed. So every morning Aadhya helps me doing the bed, you know what I mean...she just makes it difficult:)

That morning I felt that the sheet needs to be changed. Very quickly I took a washed, clean white sheet with pretty pink flowers boldly printed. The sheet was smelling sweet due to the conditioner, but it felt as though the bold pink flowers did! During my act of actually spreading the sheet Aadhya gets very excited. She likes sitting on the bed and under the sheet which is flowing over her head, sometimes tickling her cheeks and covering her eyes for a fraction of seconds; it's like the peek-a-boo moment for her and then when she sees me in front of her that lovely giggle is to die for and melts my heart. I don't care if I am getting late, it's worth a moment to be lived.

This one incident always reminds me of my childhood. Our maid dried up all the washed laundary on a metal string in our small porch. The clothes merrily swayed and flowed with the breeze and the favorites was to tangle ourselves in Aai's Saree. Chiffon, cotton, polyester every type of fabric used to smell Aai. Tangling and untangling were so fun and relaxing. My brother loved hiding under these sun dried/baked clothes once off the string. He buried himself under the heap and I used to dig him out.

I so miss those days where these letting things lit up a smile on our face. Nothing expensive really, but the joy was invaluable. Do you remember those puddles of muddy rain water in which tapping your feet and jumping was an Olympic sport? With all guilt on your way back home because the shiny, sparkly shoes were no longer the same. How would you face your Mom? When was the last time you sat your feet soaked in water and then suddenly splashing all over finding yourself drenched? Sharing a chocolate with your sibling? I always saved my chocolate and would share it with him. Well, don't think that I was always a caring and protective elder sister, I never left a chance to tarnish his image by gossiping about him to Aai and then he too reverted leaking all our secrets that we had promised to keep. Some crazy incidences were how fast does one finish eating food, reach home, wake early.. endless!!! In our school we weren't allowed to wear a watch until we entered standard VII. I and Raju(brother) used to walk to school. To know the time we always peeped in a shop with a wall clock having a pendulum, an old styled but bold enough. It was legible from the opposite side of the road. We actually had to turn to peep in the shop from the opposite side. Can you believe we had a rota system! isn't that funny, weird, but yet thoughtful for that age? It was a trend in our colony to train your sibling(s) to ride a cycle and I did that for him a couple of times. The huge lovely Mango, Jamun trees were loaded in summers, leaving us feel so greedy. I yet cannot forget that chase when the security found us performing the act of hailing stones at those gorgeous mangoes. Those mangoes and Jamun won from the chase tasted sweetest. A bite of raw tangy sour mango smeared with salt-chilli powder , the sourness leaving your eyes shut and unknowingly the tongue touching the pallet, it was fun indeed! 

Life was fairly simple. There was no stopping to meet your colony friends after the school. There was so much I was living at that one moment due to Aadhya. I lifted her, gave a tight hug and kissed her. Her one such innocent act transported me in the past without any time machine. I really pray that Aadhya too has such fantastic memories which will make her feel insane but brings a smile on her face even after years. Flashbacks rejuvenate your soul...don't they? 

Pretty Woman or Stepmom?

My love for Julia Roberts is mainly because of my mother. Not a very fluent English speaker but a voracious reader, she always read various articles on Science, food, fiction, movie reviews. She has watched very few English movies that can be literally counted, amongst these are her 2 favourites Pretty Woman & Stepmom. Are these her favourites due to her love for Julia or these being simply classics. Whatever it is hard to decide if Julia makes you fall in love or the script. Recently I re-watched Pretty Woman and Stepmom. It just striker me, they don't make such classics anymore. Categorised as 'rom-com' but it makes you feel so real. This could happen with anyone and the ease with which the story unfolds can be compared to water flowing in the springs, finding its own way, nothing can force it to change its path.

Julia is so addictive, seductive and lovably simple as a 'hooker'. She made me realise the fact that hooker are human beings with obvious emotions and principles. I loved when Julia says to Richard that 'nobody dreams of being a hooker'. I couldn't agree more with this. It is nonetheless a modern day fairytale where a 'hooker' struggles hard to make a living and ends up meeting her prince charming who is a 'multi-millionare'. She boasts that she earns 100$ a day but uses a safety pin to bind her boots, runs away when she realises that she doesn't have enough money to pay the rent. She gracefully transforms herself from a hooker to a fashionista learning to match the likes of Richard and she succeeds leaving everyone surprised including herself. The costumes are so classic, elegant and rich which Julia carries with such poise and grace leaving a desire in your heart for them. That dark cherry Red lipstick, aahh she doesn't look cheap or vulgar in that. An honest souled hooker who doesn't practice lip to lip kiss has her own rules and boundaries defining true love. Too gracious, honest, elegant and lively to be a hooker,there would have been no other choice than Julia for portraying this role. She etched a place in many hearts. That straight from heart smile, those tears out of true love, that change realising herself was marvellously played by her. I want to tell her some day that not only Richard but the whole world fell in love with you Pretty Woman!

Are you interested to know how this Pretty Woman proved herself being a 'Stepmom'? She was terrific, brilliant, ravishing and again very honest. Honestly honesty brings the best out of you and kudos to Julia for standing up against Susan Sarandon, A sensible and touching movie with great performances. I was completely floored by Susan as Jackie, a loving, caring & protective mother who is always doubtful about a career oriented new girlfriend (Isabelle) of her ex-husband. This is complicated but the flow of the story is brilliant and persuades you that this ain't impossible. Here Julia pours in her heart to be the best Stepmom or rather a cool, friendly Stepmom to Anna and Ben. She is amazing but always is overlooked by Susan. I must say no one better than Susan could have done this role. The touching Daughter Mom moment where they decide not to say Never-Never but say Always-Always and its a promise-promise under the white moon, over the white horse with white snow everywhere. Beautifully shot! The scene where Susan sees Julia singing a song for Ben depicts a mixture of emotions with tears in her eyes. Confused whether she is happy Julia taking away her kids, Jealous because Julia was getting closer and closer, Unhappy because very soon she would die and her kids won't miss her. Susan leaves you surprised with her calmness when she discloses the news about Lymphoma to her family, the way she answers Ben about death. She says that though physically absent, he could carry her everywhere. The rug and magicians cloak as Christmas gifts made me cry! Finally on a Christmas eve the whole family is together..including Julia. It is all about Susan but Julia brilliantly plays a modern, fashion photographer who is uber cool chick and does everything with great elan. She loves her boyfriend,  a father of two kids and is ready to commit her life to them. She walks out of her job, its all about standing by your decision. It also about being a 'Mom'...about being a beautiful woman.

Julia certainly redefines and justifies 'Stepmom'

I highly reckon everyone to watch these classics, most of them must have and if not then hurry up!!!

Idli, Dosa and Filter Coffee in Paris...

 Did you dream of having authentic soft, porous mini Idlis merrily swimming in that tangy, spicy but delicious Sambar with a generous amount of ghee floating in that typical steel elliptical plate followed by a crispy, brownish, to die for masala dosa with a rich, frothy and falvoury 'filter caafee'? Given the fact that Indians are ardent food lovers, dreaming is not an amusement but did you dream eating all this in Paris? If you ask me..certainly not! In all my French classes it was only about Champs-Elyssee. Our French teacher never mentioned about Sarvanna Bhavan. For me France was about Baguettes, Croissants, Cheese and Wine but to be frank I fancy none of these. Thanks to our friends SA and KR for this info about Sarvanna Bhavan. Besides Eiffel, Louvre and many other beautiful places I was secretly looking forward to our visit to Sarvanna Bhavan. Nothing could budge me now...even a severe throat infection leading to swelling of vocal cords and temporary loss of voice. I was to travel but voiceless! Quiet and harrumphing the journey begins.

We landed in Paris - city of great history, city of sculptures and paintings and probably the most romantic city on the planet on 18th of June. Took a tram to reach the hotel and collected our room key and by the time we were actually settled, it was dinner time and so it had to be Sarvanna Bhavan. I had almost started visualizing Idli, Dosa etc etc but was hiding that from KS. Since we came to UK, one the most missed moments (as long as a decade but seems like moments) were our stay in 'Pune'. Everything in Pune was just so perfect and our never fading love for 'Wadeshwar'. There are loyalists who would get into an argument over food served at different food joints. Some belonged to 'Vaishali', some to 'Rupali' and some to 'Wadeshwar'. I never argued but 'Wadeshwar' was absolute for my taste buds. I was missing those Ghee Idlis, Set Dosas, Masala Dosa, Pesarattu and my all time fav. Walnut brownie with a slab of vanilla seved with hot chocolate in a cute little beaker.

As I was thinking about all of this, KS saw SB (Sarvanna Bhavan) on the opposite side of the road. A few minutes before I was missing Wadeshwar and now I couldn't wait to enter SB. By the looks it didn't appear as a very high class, fancy restautant but then who cares - food is what matters! A step in and the aroma of Dosa, Sambar and everything delicious mesmerized me. I squeezed KS's arms, harrumphed and whispered, "Can't wait for Masala Dosa" and he gave a smile to me and replied "Patience". The interiors weren't very great, minimal spent rather nothing spent. I was expecting something very classy with Indian art (elephants) but nothing of that sort. A bistro in UK has to meet the taste of customers and there is a decent effort put up to make it welcoming which was lacking here but it was packed with French, English and Indians. No one bothered about anything but food and this is how it has to be. After all I was here only for 'food'. It took us almost 10 minutes to find a place. Happily now I was looking out for the waiter to come. At last probably out of sympathy and pity a waiter was walking towards our table.

Waiter:  Vannakam 'Amma'? 

Me: Whispered 'Hello' and smiled

Waiter: with a strange look on his face (bends down)...Order ready?

Me (clearing my throat): Mini Idlis and Masala Dosa...

Waiter: With a sign language index finger on his ear and then with a thumbs up, moved his thumb which meant 'I can't hear you'

KS helped me and repeated my order.

Waiter noted down and grinned at his versatility of being able to converse with a 'dumb' customer.

It is very hard to be patient, calm when people on the table besides yours are happily hogging and you are waiting impatiently for your order to arrive. Finally the waiter came with my order and my heart was racing like a comet. Control Control and Control was what I was reminding myself! As soon as he kept it on our table I rubbed my palms and was ready. The Dosa was absolutely a delight. Idlis dipped in Sambar were amazing and I was satiated. To end it all filter coffee was a must...leaving a South Indian Resto without a Filter Coffee is a crime! I looked at the waiter and this time I pointed to 'filter coffee' printed in the menu card. He grinned and moved his hands on his throat and then made a zero by touching index finger and thumb while other three fingers spiked out which meant 'it's good for throat'. So now he knew that I had a throat problem. Before I could say something, he asked KS if I was dumb by birth or have recently lost my voice. I was shocked and KS couldn't stop laughing. He said to the waiter that it is an infection and I am on antibiotics. He smiled again which showed his appreciation that I was fine and left to get some coffee.

Finally our affair with the South Indian food was about to get over as it was time to leave. A lovely time spent, peaceful time for KS as I couldn't speak, delicious food and very Indian hospitability with satiated hearts, stomachs and taste buds we left 'Sarvanna Bhavan' which was a good omen for out further trip...promised to myself that I will visit again for sure!

Do you fancy dreaming about having your favourite food on the Eiffel? Then dare dreaming....everything is possible...Cheers!!!