Rain

I have been in California for a year now and in all these days today we got rain - I mean a rain like we used to get back home in India. Previously it used to be just a spray of water and that too lasted for few hours.

For me rain means a good downpour. I still remember when I was in my sixth standard we had such heavy rains that my school was closed for 5-6 days. It was like having summer holidays all over again! But the best days were when we used to walk to the school and then at the school gate watchman used to say “school is closed today!” We had many days like that, I loved getting drenched in rain, used to have umbrella but it was treated like any other toy and it obviously did do its work J When I get back home mum used to get so mad, she would use few colorful words towards the school and then I used to get earful for getting drenched. Like all mothers she was worried that I will get fever, but as far as I remember I never got fever because of rain.

Here the rains are not same. It gets so cold, right now its 8 deg centigrade and the wind is make the cold unbearable. In this kind of climate no one would venture out to get drenched, no not even me J But I am writing this sitting in my balcony! The wind is picking up now and my hands are getting number… J I better get back in.

I am glad that it rained today, even though I dint get drenched I did get to enjoy the pitter patter of rain J

Visit To Napa Valley

 

This weekend we decided to go to Napa valley. It’s about one and half hour from home. The weather here has chilled a bit and its one of the most scenic drives to the Napa vineyards, so we decided to make a trip. 

We started our trip at 10 Am - woke up late... Sunday :-) Had light breakfast and started out drive. It was cloudy and ever so slight breeze was promising it to be a great day. We dint have any specific plans, just wanted to enjoy the drive and I wanted to go a vineyard. Previously we went there, but we started very late - 2PM by the time we reached there all the vineyards were closed for public (They close at 4:30 -5PM) So instead of vineyards we ended up visiting the Napa outlet malls :-( This time I don’t want to repeat the same mistake.

In fact this time I did some research, almost all the vineyards have web sites, and they offer a variety of packages. Tour through the vineyards, Wine tasting, dining etc., There is a culinary program as well where you can participate and cook with a chef. Trekking and biking are the most popular activities. Hot air Balloon rides are also available - someday I will take that... Just gliding over these scenic mountains covered with lush green trees, yes someday :-)

Our first stop was the visitor information center, there a good lady explained us all the famous places we could visit and gave us the maps. Armed with our maps and vineyards pamphlets we headed towards Napa.

As we were interested in drive we selected only two stops

1. Sterline Vineyard and

2. Old Faithful Geyser of California.

Sterline Vineyard is one of the biggest vineyards. The tour prices range from $20 - $100. We selected the basic tour which included a ride in the aerial tram, self guided tour of the vineyard and tasting off FIVE sample wines :-) I have never tasted wine in my life and I definitely wanted to try out that. This vineyard is spread out on 2-3 small mountains. Thought the Ariel ride is for a short duration 5-10 minutes, it gives a wonderful view of the settings. The attendants at the tram are very friendly; they even offered to take a picture for us :-)

We walked through the distilling and the storage facility. TVs were placed at different locations; videos were explaining the interties of wine making process. On our way we were offered different varieties of wine samples. I always thought wine will have this sweet pleasant taste, but that was not the case. I dint like the first four samples - they were bitter. But the last one was the sweet wine. I was tempted to buy one bottle of that wine but I will stick to grapes :-)

The terrace offers a beautiful view of the vineyards and adjacent to that there is the wine tasting room. If you’re into wines you can spend long hours here, sipping the wine of your taste and enjoying the scenery. We spent lot of time at the terrace and then the aerial tram took us back. 

Our next stop was the Old Faith Full Geyser of California. This Geyser is in Calistoga (1299 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515) I have never been to a Geyser. Just few days back I saw the Yellow Stone National park Geysers and was thinking I have to make a trip there. The water rushing from underground is amazing to watch and it has that magical quality! Even when we were entering this place I was thinking what are the chances of witnessing a Geyser burst within 30 minutes? (We came here at 4:30 PM and saw the board which said working hours 9AM - 5PM!) Just within 5 minutes there was this eruption of water. It was some 12-15Ft high it was beautiful, clear water with a gushing beautiful sound. There was a warning sign posts saying don’t go too near to water and don’t touch the water as it may be very hot. There were small fish in water, I don’t know what variety are those but then I thought if they can live there the water may be not that hot. So I touched it, it was warm. This water has high mineral content and it is routed to different spas that are located in the area. The water and the soil are believed to contain healing properties. Within those 30 minutes the geyser erupted two more times. On an average every year this geyser bursts every 40 minutes. No wonder it’s called a faithful geyser!

After this pleasant and eventful drive through the wine country we returned back home tired but fully satisfied. This was a trip where I did many things for the first time Sat in a aerial tram, Saw how wine is made, Tasted the wine for the first time, Saw a geyser and I actually plucked a bunch of grapes, it’s against law. But then what is the fun if you don’t break (- bend) few rules :-)

That’s all for now... Bye.

Duniya

Duniya - This is a song by Raageshwari.

I was just watching this song on youtube  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8KnkHR1g9A 

It brought back so many memories... I was in 10th class when this song was aired for the first time. I absolutely loved this one. The voice, lyrics, locations... in fact I like every aspect of it. I used to dream of going out like that, living my life this way...

I had a wish list based on that!!! It sounds so silly , a wish list based on a song!!! 

But I really had that... These were the wishes

1. Having a pair of jeans!!! – I have that :-) Till 6 months back I never wore jeans! 

2. Going to a beach - I have visited many beaches now. I just stand on the beach in ankle deep water and look out... I love everything about beaches the sand, calm soothing sound of the waves, the way they touch my feet... The way sky changes its colors at sunset... And collecting shells.

3. Visiting all the places in the world - This is a work in progress...

4. Buying a good camera - I have that... But I am always ready for an upgrade! Many of my friends say if this girl has a camera in her hand she forgets everything.  I love taking pictures and they do come out well from time to time :-)

5. And falling in love... This was my favorite. I did this as well and now I am married to my best friend and love of my life. Living life alone was fun but after I met him all the joys have increased by tens and thousands of folds...

Gosh!!! I totally for got that this was about a song. That is the beauty of this song, it just make you fall in love with LIFE.

And I have one more wish not just based on this song, (though it’s the highlight of it) I want to live my life to the fullest, always smiling and helping others.  Even if I don’t help anyone I definitely don’t want to hurt anyone.

Do have a look at this song…

Last Weekend

What I did last weekend...
We had our neighbours for lunch Sunday afternoon.
The menu for the lunch was
Tomato Soup
Fries - onion pakoda, palak pakoda and aloo pakoda
Vegitable biryani
Bagara Bigan
Chana Masala
Plain rice
Kakarakay vepudu
Dondakaya Vepudu
Custard
Ice Cream and
Salad

Chat Bhandar

            In Hyderabad there is a chat bandar called Gokul Chat Bandar. Here you can get every verity of mouth watering chat. What makes this place so unique is the verity of items that it offers and the price. You can find the items like Mirchi, Pav Bhaji, Pani Puri, Somosa , Cachori, Ragada, Bhel Puri, Save Puri etc. Some items are served in sweet-cold yogurt. This yogurt verities are not that spicy and yogurt adds that bit of extra flavor. All these items are priced in the range of Rs 20 - 25. 

            The Chat Bandar is situated in the busy locality of Koti Bazar. This place is know for Big collages, General hospitals, shopping area and traffic. Many people visit this place especially students. I have gone to this place so many time. During college and after that as well. Almost for every treat this was the place to be. Who can resist yummy food !!! Because of the price at which these are offered we could offered it within our allowance. 

            I have tried out almost all the varieties that are offered on the menu. I don't like spicy food but still I eat all the hot items and then I cool off with a dhai puri or any of the milder sank. So every time I go there I end up eating two plates :-) After eating my favorite 'snaks' I happily go home and skip my dinner :-))

            Because of the popularity of this place its always crowded. Initially it was a 2-3 rooms shop where all the cooking was done. Costumers used to stand on the foot path and eat. There is some place behind the shop where 20-30 people can stand and eat. Now the shop has expanded, sitting arrangement is provided in first and the second floor. It has the restaurant kind of atmosphere.  As you can expect I like the old way, nothing can beat the experience of holding a hot plate in your one hand and balancing you back pack and eating while having a conversation with your mouthful with your friends. That sounds gross but these are the experience that stay with you... (Yeah... you can call me nuts!)

            As a popular hang out this place also has suffered some tragic events. These being the closure of the place by the municipal authorities and the 2007, bomb blast. Few years back the place was closed down for health concerns. Municipal office said that the food was not prepared in hygienic manner. The shop was cleaned up and it opened soon and with in no time the business was as usual. In August 2007 there were two bomb blast within few minutes in Hyderabad. One was in Lumbini park and other was at Gokul Chat bandar. At least Forty people were killed in these blasts. It was closed for more than two months. After the investigation and major reconstruction it was reopened. This time security guard is placed and backpack are not allowed inside. And the life goes on...

            I was so happy when the chat bandar was reopened. It shows that we are not scared. The terrorist cannot rule our lives. Ha how my post has change... All I wanted to write was how much I like the food at Gokul. Yeah I miss the food and all the good times I had there. Next time when I go home i will definitely go there and eat to my hearts content. This is one of the thing i miss about my home. I have been raving about chats and all but the best food I have eaten till now is the one that my mom makes... Its right - "We appreciate the things only when they are lost."

The Voice In My Head

Today I was seeing or to put it rightly I was staring at the image I have chosen to be displayed on this blog... The one which has these beautiful fragile flowers that are rising from the ground to the sky. What made me choose this particular Image? I like this picture, these flowers captured the essence of thoughts.
I pictured thoughts like these flowers, thousands of them springing from the fertile grounds of our mind and presenting themselves. This is a never ending process. Our mind is always working - even when we are sleeping (dreams), all these thoughts go on and on.
Few years back I attended a yoga class. There I was introduced to the art of meditation (It's another story whether I continued to practice what I learned!!!) We were taught the techniques of calming our minds and knowing the actual thoughts that's running in our mind.
At any time you just give a pause to the activity that your doing and hear to that 'voice' in your head - yep to that all familiar voice. It says so many things at a time. You want to know what my mind is saying right now - "clean up the house, wash those dishes in the sink they have been there from yesterday, throw the garbage out... Did you water those plants? When will you get back to the C book that your supposed to read now? Oh that mystery novel is so tempting its sitting right next to you... come on read it - just few pages.... When will you complete the subject books???.... I am hungry... What's there for lunch?"
This is just a small segment of thoughts that are going through my head now. Just like in the picture where some flowers are in the focus while some are not so are the thoughts. After few minutes you forget what you were thinking. You may recall it or just like these fragile flowers they are lost forever.
How can one capture these thoughts? Can anyone accomplish all the things they think of?I guess we cant... All we can do is divert these thoughts in one single channel and try to achieve the goals. In this process we leave behind so may things, we could have done, so many different lives we could have lived...
All that matters is what are our priorities and what are you going to about them? and the single most important question "Am I doing right???"
Thus we are all guided, saved, ridiculed, confused and many time tortured by this voice - The Voice In My Head.

Corn

Yesterday in the farmers market I bought few corn cobs. I have so many Good memories associated with them...

With the first shower of Monsoon rains I used to run home from school and ask dad for corn. In our place we call it Makka Butta". (Well I am Hyderabad - India) The vendors who sold the corn had a typical set up. They used to have wooden cart, which was basically a wooden board placed on a metal frame and which moved on four cycle tyres. It allowed the vendors to have mobility so that they can move from street to street and sell they goods.On the cart there was an iron container which holds burning coal. On this red burning coal corn is roasted. Taste of a corn done in this way is so good - hmmm my mouth is watering with these thoughts... The cart had enough space to store up some 70 to 100 corn cobs and enough char coal.

Selecting the right corn was a ritual to Dad. He would press and see for a good quality corn in this initial selection only 2-3 corns were discarded and then if he liked the feel of a corn he will remove the cover a bit and look at the corn beads. They should look good and feel good. They should not be too soft or too hard. Small beads will just melt away on your mouth, they will be sweets but then you will not have nothing to munch and if the corn is too hard it will be tough to chew and taste will not be good and more importantly it will be no fun!!! So dad will select only the 'good' corn and give it to the vendor. He will then remove its cover and place it on the hot charcoal. From time to time it will be roasted such that corn is done in all sides evenly. When its done it rubbed with lemon which is dipped in a bit of salt and chili powder. These add up with the sweet taste of corn and provide you a delicious delight... When you hold the corn in your hand you can feel the warmth and the smell is inviting you to just dig-in.

When Dad used to buy me corn mum always said "Why do you buy her that now, She will not eat any thing for dinner..." Well mum, now i am having corn for lunch :-) Its a whole meal for me. Its nutritious and it tastes Good with capital G :-)

Corn is best enjoyed during the rainy season, with temperatures coming down and having hot corn cob in your hand is magic. For me rains meant corn and vice verse. Here in California I cant get the vendors who will roast me the corn. Some day I will try roasting the corn on a barbecue grill for now I eat it raw. It does not have the same taste but then its the corn and for now that enough for me...

See how one Innocent looking corn cob can wrap up so many memories in it. That was the nostalgic trip I took for today. I munched up my corn, enjoyed it alot and shared these memories with you... Hope you had as much fun as I had writing it...

That's all for now.

Enjoy and have lots and lots of fun...

Bye.