Thursday, August 31, 2006

When White Hits

I am learning Ghazals.

When I was learning Hindustani Classical Music (which was indeed a very, very long time ago), I used to look upon it as a chore. Something that I had to do, because my parents made me do it. Occasionally, a scant raga would make magic, but very occasionally. I would have continued learning music had my then teacher not insisted on tedious exams which she made very uninteresting and unappealing to a 15 year old.

I always wanted to be able to sing and dance in public, not that I plan to, but still the ability to be able to do it would be nice . Things that I have been very, very very self-conscious about. Now that the opportunity presents itself, I will not let it go. Also, after ages I have found a teacher I really liked and who did not make it sound dull and boring and a cross to bear as many teachers often do. She also made me forcibly sing a chota khayal which I really had not sung for the last 15 years. I picked up Malkauns (wrong time, but atleast I remember it well) and I was scared of her reaction and that she would laugh at my face. She did not, she told me instead, I was perfectly in rythm (taal) and my pitch was correct. I'm glad she refrained from commenting on my voice, though. I can also look forward to lots of entertainment. The teacher knows everyone in town, or so she claims AND has all wrong info. She knew one of my acquaintances who I pretended not to know and gave a long, involved story about how everyone knew the lady because she was a plastic surgeon because there were very few plastic surgeons in town, when in reality the lady is a paeditrician. I didn't let on because I found it v. entertaining and somewhat reminded me of my sister.

I'm finally doing everything I wanted to - learning my kind of music (ghazals), my kind of dance (salsa), my kind of instrument (saxophone - my poor neighbours! My lungs are seriously aching, whoever knew!) and getting to know my kind of people. Pity V's not here though.

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Gotta Travel On

Since my birthday is coming up, I think it is only fair to put up a list of things I want, in the misguided notion that people might give me stuff that I actually want.

1. Bunches of lilys, liliums or white/ yellow/ pink roses.
2. Sandwich griller - From sis
3. Kitchen scales - from sis
4. Weighing scales - funky ones and not the kinds you find at your doctor's chambers
5. Glass jars and bottles for preserving food and not snakes in methylene
6. Bob Dylan's Modern Times - Gia (THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! and HUGS)
7. A bottle of Moet & Chandon
8. Dinner at Westview, ITC Sonar Bangla

I'm turning 30 this year, so I really need cheering up, wouldn't you?

Monday, August 28, 2006

Dachau Schloss - 2




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Dachau Schloss - 1




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Dachau Gedenkstätte

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Guess Who's Back?

VARSHA COMMOTION!

MUAH! MUAH! MUAH!

Friday, August 25, 2006

Arbeit Macht Frei

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Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Country Pie

I could spend years here, swilling weissbeer and watching the world go by.

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In the Village - Germany

This is in the village. This is one of my favourite pictures. I was looking at these kids from across the street as they waited to be picked up.

I don't know why I like to photograph old signs.

Or corner signs.
Or happy, blue houses.
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World Cup Meals

I don't want to let on where exactly I had this meal, because it would give away a post I am planning. This is however a Bavarian meal, and the potatoes, the fish, the mushrooms in the salad and the appel strudel were marvellous.


Grilled Fish with potatoes - I don't even remember which fish this was, but it was perfect. The potatoes were beautiful, fresh and cooked perfectly and that little pile of grated radish was absolutely fresh and complimented the fish and potatoes very well.

This salad is composed of lettuce, other salad greens, grilled mushrooms, tomatoes, boiled eggs, grated radish and herbs.
Wheat beer. Yummy! Cold and refreshing and just what I needed after a trek uphill.


Appel strudel and vanilla icecream.
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Simple hearty meals and a lovely, sunny day. Bliss!

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Be Happy

I was told to be happy. So, I bought 5 Anthony Bourdains from Amazon. NOW, I'm happy.

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Tuesday, August 08, 2006

I'm Back

Except my idiot service provider is not. They've still blocked my blog and have earned mucho abuse from me.

I was planning to post today but am very tired, so the food and travel stories are pushed back some more.