tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75261953016872009992024-02-07T05:30:22.682-05:00My TakiThe musings of a woman, a mother, a wife and a friend,a writer, a foodie, a book-fanatic. Welcome to my world, spend a moment or two and drop me a note...In anticipation.....Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-76662059679481880752017-08-19T09:18:00.003-04:002017-08-19T09:18:50.624-04:00So Long England, 'til we meet again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> Two weeks ago, I packed up the last of my clothes, threw away half finished bottles of ketchup, mustard, chipotle sauce and drove away from the house that had been my home for the past year. It was bittersweet; I was sad to leave Weybridge but I was looking forward to spending the next two weeks as a resident tourist in London; a farewell tour of sorts, a re-run of the greatest hits and experiences of the year. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> Now, at the airpot, as my husband checks in the last of our 9 suitcases (total weight 175 kilos!), I realize that this is it. My year of living in this country - a country with almost 2000 years of recorded history, a country that has a nasty historical relationship with my native land, India yet today counts people of the Indian sub-continent as its largest immigrant community - has come to an end. It was time to recapture how I spent 378 days on this island. I have gained a different perspective on my life in the US by living in a similar yet different culture. I have seen the role of government in taking care of its vulnerable citizens and read about the bureaucratic challenges of a big government. I have watched people foster communities without compromising their personal space, cherish history and natural resources with great pride while adapting technology to make everyday life simple and I have:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">toured magnificent castles at Windsor, Edinburgh, and Hever and gilded palaces - Buckingham, Kensington, Hampton Court and Osborne palace and tried, in vain to keep track of English history and numerous families that have made up the English royalty since 1066</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">reveled in landscaped gardens and grand manor houses at National Trust properties like Polesdon Lacey, Claremont gardens, Gatton Park, Box Hill and Painshill Park</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">participated in the Royal Regatta at Henley-on-Thames, driven through picture perfect villages of warm yellow colored houses in Oxfordshire and marked off filming locations from the Midsomer Murders and Inspector Morse series</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">walked in the countryside straight out of a Thomas Hardy novel with hills colored in different shades of green dotted with white puffs of the sheep kept in check by straight drystone walls in the North country and tall hedges everywhere else</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">punted on the Cam along the backs in Cambridge, walked in the shadow of the towering spires in Oxford and felt a twinge of envy at the well-dressed scholars of Eton College</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMKWJyle170gT_JjzL_Ayf-mhBbviJVQBpw1hAK0vV2p2A3rZIDYkXtiF0yF_8t5QCWGewdiBd9OJICw-KVRbebkher0KnoohW_-IjnyTtxA7-xeOXSkXf8UclZFxd6SWsCAKCANCwPpb/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_13ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMKWJyle170gT_JjzL_Ayf-mhBbviJVQBpw1hAK0vV2p2A3rZIDYkXtiF0yF_8t5QCWGewdiBd9OJICw-KVRbebkher0KnoohW_-IjnyTtxA7-xeOXSkXf8UclZFxd6SWsCAKCANCwPpb/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_13ab.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</span><ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">driven my car onto the ferry at Portsmouth and onto a train to go through the Eurotunnel at Folkestone, driven almost 8700 miles in all from the gorgeous Isle of Wight, to the pebbled beaches of Brighton and along the gorgeous West coast of Scotland</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">driven on narrow village roads with cars parked on either side, only to see the oncoming driver pause to let me pass, through roundabouts as small as a painted circle in the middle of the road to a large stretched polygon with five exits, feeling the collective movement of cars flowing through the circle in harmony, and struggled with extremely tight parking spots in parking garages at Windsor and Weybridge</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">felt my heart soar with Beethoven’s Fifth played by the Surrey Mozart Players at the ancient Trinity church in Guildford, felt goosebumps listening to Ravi Shankar and Philip Glass’s composition played on India’s Independence day at the Royal Albert Hall and stared in amazement at the glorious mosaics on the ceilings of the St Paul’s cathedral while attending evensong </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">minded the gap on the Tube platforms, walked endless steps through the tunnels and rode up and down deep escalator wells to get onto the streets of London and tried in vain to keep up with the fast walking, extremely fit men and women dressed in their usual stylish best, no matter what the weather</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">experienced theatre in the West end and shopping on Regent Street, ogled at high fashion with unapproachable prices at Carnaby and Mayfair, watched a game of cricket in Hyde park and strolled in St James’s Park shielding myself from the feral pigeons</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">eaten the best Indian food in my life, ever. Period. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">felt the joys of ordering groceries online to be delivered at home the day after we returned from a trip, and the ease of buying fresh, ready to cook meals, small packaging sizes of produce and single servings of wine in bottles at the grocery stores</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">enjoyed many a pints at quaint village pubs and sophisticated gastropubs, indulged in fish pie, fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, roasted lamb, Yorkshire pudding, dainty crustless sandwiches of egg mayonnaise and watercress or cucumber and dill with cream cheese, sticky toffee pudding, Victoria sponge, exceedingly flavorful ales and Gin and the occasional Pimms </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">lived in the art form that is the English garden; whether outside a tiny cottage in Shere, walled gardens at Hampton Court or the profusely flowering and scented RHS Wisely, Savill Garden, Isabella Plantation and Queen Mary’s garden</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFvFnevXOPjQ8BlJCkR_xFQ0a5JTXM2rmSUf70rBB9GGRptGFkL1hShvg0wU_CeS0Sfk40ydNtALMi_12loGVatbcXEIYVv0swb_aRcW1laY3qlVP9OvhvahWI7ezdsczNbTWF_H4zHtx/s200/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_15d6.jpg" width="150" /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HTUYlU1B5HdygoOriNwmxUwxHn2WcnsabT6gyjQeEtcUn_26MUpIy0dlTqSkk_4meRDdV6qRD22JqskBDKWzL6cf76lp5BqTH-IuA-MbxvSqm0Bj0nhP5OAZ3wmQ5_BImzwfpDhtto6X/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HTUYlU1B5HdygoOriNwmxUwxHn2WcnsabT6gyjQeEtcUn_26MUpIy0dlTqSkk_4meRDdV6qRD22JqskBDKWzL6cf76lp5BqTH-IuA-MbxvSqm0Bj0nhP5OAZ3wmQ5_BImzwfpDhtto6X/s200/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1400.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxt6yHmZZNlDM35_NMt345R3nhwZJHZ00D8YAbu8DWomNi41O28r61ZrNVLiL-OOeyicrZ8S103l7upY2ofwFy4rj612UbX-m9PS6XZCwegOYkUO2QpfRmoqAF2h6vPbGOQKq5Ng1tSig/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_128f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxt6yHmZZNlDM35_NMt345R3nhwZJHZ00D8YAbu8DWomNi41O28r61ZrNVLiL-OOeyicrZ8S103l7upY2ofwFy4rj612UbX-m9PS6XZCwegOYkUO2QpfRmoqAF2h6vPbGOQKq5Ng1tSig/s200/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_128f.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">hiked the rolling Surrey Hills in the North Downs, stark white chalk cliffs of the South Downs, and the rainy peaks of Catbells Fell in Lake District; looked in wonder at the countless white, brown and black stockinged sheep as well as the Galloways and hairy cows grazing everywhere on this island </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">experienced glorious sunsets, sweet birdsongs of robins, magpies, and finches every evening right outside my bedroom window, and brilliant blooms of labernums, magnolias, peonies, rhododendrons and horse chestnut blossoms all through spring</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">walked on miles of public footpaths through kissing gates and over stiles in meadows, heaths and ancient woods of oak, beech fern and bluebell carpets in spring or buttercups, poppies, cowparsley, foxglove and daisies in summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">played miniature golf, got scared at Chessington and was transported to a bygone world on the Bluebell railway</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">watched proudly as my daughter learnt to canter on a horse and finally conquer her fear of water, and my son sing old English songs and Latin hymns with his school Choir </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">enjoyed the Queens language spoken in its best form, making up my mind to use <i>whilst</i>, <i>reckon, row ( instead of argument), and give you a ring</i> in my vocabulary</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">perused innumerable antique stands at the Alexandra palace fair, Sunbury market and Portobello road along with my husband, appreciating the British knack for re-using things till they break, and bought many more used books than I donated at various Hospice and Charity shops</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">felt frustrated with the tiny washer-dryer at my flat, rudimentary telephone coverage and unsatisfactory customer service on the phone but experienced excellent personal service in stores in London </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">seen more ducks, swans, dogs and horses in everyday life than I have ever seen before,</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">almost drained my credit card buying English pottery at Stoke on Trent</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">walked the birthplaces of Wordsworth and Jane Austen and stomping grounds of Shakespeare, Samuel Johnson and Dickens </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">mastered (well, tried to) the Essentials of Cuisine techniques at Le Cordon Bleu in London </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">marveled at treasures from all over the world at the National Gallery, Victoria & Albert and British Museums, learnt about the personal horrors of the Great war at the Imperial War Museum, vintage cars and airplanes at the Brookland Museum, got my fill of old Jaguars and MGs, and brand new Bentleys, Aston Martins and Maserattis on the streets of Weybridge, Cobham and Esher</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">participated in a Medieval fair, International fair, flag hoisting and concerts along with the wonderful ACS Cobham International school community </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">And cliched though it may seem, I have made friends with people from all over the world and memories that will last me a lifetime. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
</div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-24571041507498501612017-07-26T14:56:00.002-04:002017-07-26T15:00:17.349-04:00My personal Odyssey - Winter in Greece<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> Oscar Wilde once said, “Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us.” </span><span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue';">Throughout the past year, I have made regular entries into this diary, most of them from my experiences traveling in Europe. Today, I am looking back to our trip to Greece in the winter of 2016, to what I remember of this highly anticipated trip which had a couple of surprises in store for us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> I remember landing at the <b>Athens</b> airport, feeling goosebumps seeing signs in “ancient Greek”, trying to decipher the lambda, omega, chi and alpha to read out words and names like I would in a ‘normal’ language, not in the language I have always associated with scientific nomenclature.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> I remember walking up to the ground level at the Syntagma Square metro station and feeling a blast of cold wind hit me.The sky was gray, and a large construction crane was right in the middle of Athens’ central square. Chaotic traffic, rushing people and tall leafy trees braved the cold wind. I was hoping for a sunnier welcome in this Mediterranean city.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> I remember dragging suitcases along Mitropoleos Avenue to our hotel and passing cafes and bakeries lined with custard pies and pastries in phyllo dough, gyro and souvlaki stalls and stores selling ouzo and Tsipouro and smiling to myself, thinking, ‘Now this feels like I am in Greece!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> I remember walking through the Monastiraki neighborhood, on narrow, winding cobblestoned lanes lined with souvenir shops, climbing steadily uphill when the Acropolis came into view. I remember marveling at the scale of the Parthenon even from a distance, though it was covered in scaffolding and construction equipment. As the twilight spread across the sky, the large columns lit up in a creamy halo from the lights and the entire scene just felt magical.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wnEFnvWJ_rctv_r4YPAM2xxMfJxy6tjY7oWNGUVKXya8knUNc9OyhODDDa4JaaUi8LSEygP6A8HfjJD8oHGO5SakX2ekcLPcFGEul3Odx_qvBjNysPnADvy0HXWEAsh46NAGFSt7UouO/s320/Greece3.JPG" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDw6ouBliGRR30woypCTOHOd23oi5aIjuvvP1S08mva_7Z4tzqIpFidiYaaDVRQn35Uj4JQ9GRtrl8xlOYviZ3XZ4UKJizUHSOR3vRDEalutzdV9sT94M_ysmRdKZqQUUg1zI4k4gi4XHj/s1600/Greece2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> I remember walking past the Agora, through the Arch of Hadrian and the Monument to the winds, thinking of the mythology associated with the city state of Athens, appreciating the fact that the Western civilization as we know it started and flourished here. It is quite remarkable how the modern-day citizens of this country have preserved and protected what they could find of their ancient heritage so that the rest of the world may appreciate it.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDw6ouBliGRR30woypCTOHOd23oi5aIjuvvP1S08mva_7Z4tzqIpFidiYaaDVRQn35Uj4JQ9GRtrl8xlOYviZ3XZ4UKJizUHSOR3vRDEalutzdV9sT94M_ysmRdKZqQUUg1zI4k4gi4XHj/s1600/Greece2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDw6ouBliGRR30woypCTOHOd23oi5aIjuvvP1S08mva_7Z4tzqIpFidiYaaDVRQn35Uj4JQ9GRtrl8xlOYviZ3XZ4UKJizUHSOR3vRDEalutzdV9sT94M_ysmRdKZqQUUg1zI4k4gi4XHj/s320/Greece2.JPG" width="320" /></a>I remember thinking the same throughout our visit to the <b>Museum of the Acropolis</b>. Wandering the halls, admiring the incredible statues of Athena, Dionysus and countless other gods, excavated ruins of the Parthenon reliefs as well as everyday objects, the reproductions of the magnificent Caryatids, learning about the pottery and painting techniques of the ancient Greeks, I couldn't help but wonder how much of this information I would be able to recall in a few months!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE88R3H2qJ4Z2K6uYL-mWxxBjoNbXUTgl4OGnYAz93YER4Uewe3Dp_ZFQVVHXc0s2dDq_D9-B3STxsyWpjLweerfurbXoZ6CPxS7UT9umWPb7a1776NUHW-vKqbYw_Huf72gpSfLAx63Z8/s1600/Greece1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE88R3H2qJ4Z2K6uYL-mWxxBjoNbXUTgl4OGnYAz93YER4Uewe3Dp_ZFQVVHXc0s2dDq_D9-B3STxsyWpjLweerfurbXoZ6CPxS7UT9umWPb7a1776NUHW-vKqbYw_Huf72gpSfLAx63Z8/s320/Greece1.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> I remember climbing innumerable stone steps through the neighborhood of <b>Anafiotika</b> in the shadow of the Acropolis, scaring sedate alley cats while walking along tiny white washed houses with green shutters and red tile roofs, family <i>taberna</i>s, and little cafes selling strong greek coffee in copper <i>briki</i>s, listening to accordions and bouzouki playing timeless tunes in the weak afternoon sun.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">
</span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">
</span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIUaiqAg8VfpJ0PWUmYlhp9AYrDFrECEWkfeogictxzKvSa109-nYkYQSqoXDmghbg-nJRmupo62lP1ojDVaEuoDBpqyicyEl6ABg5zwY8aOCp1ca-f4STcD4O_gCPITtmrdmpAbDru4x/s1600/Greece4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIUaiqAg8VfpJ0PWUmYlhp9AYrDFrECEWkfeogictxzKvSa109-nYkYQSqoXDmghbg-nJRmupo62lP1ojDVaEuoDBpqyicyEl6ABg5zwY8aOCp1ca-f4STcD4O_gCPITtmrdmpAbDru4x/s320/Greece4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> I remember walking the campus of ruins under the Acropolis - the immaculately preserved <b>Theatre of Dionysus</b> wondering how it must have looked when the citizens gathered here for debates and theatre and feeling small under the the remains of the sprawling Odeon.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">
</span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZR4prIZOMFibFvrp7DvKeU-pHGG-LdjsCp7FzUQW21d1nFYunp31fJklOck71bMtRpIqwc_JzQeG7Qwwa1xwyHbAd3EEaGR1BkCuph_h02QuR3RM-35t85Eaz-GNdBmtbZiPBOcbya8K/s1600/Greece5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZR4prIZOMFibFvrp7DvKeU-pHGG-LdjsCp7FzUQW21d1nFYunp31fJklOck71bMtRpIqwc_JzQeG7Qwwa1xwyHbAd3EEaGR1BkCuph_h02QuR3RM-35t85Eaz-GNdBmtbZiPBOcbya8K/s320/Greece5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLAsByU9l_T9o8WlkO9KXIWUE53nhBNJJF7Pkmvoe_COzuGqStb-iSY8dWRBKxfBlZa9fFaNnKVHvVm4CCQswlquffteBCpAeYuJf30IJRt0FiGMUYLVNxjlozvtFcNXpYjjBAdspFV-L/s1600/Greece6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLAsByU9l_T9o8WlkO9KXIWUE53nhBNJJF7Pkmvoe_COzuGqStb-iSY8dWRBKxfBlZa9fFaNnKVHvVm4CCQswlquffteBCpAeYuJf30IJRt0FiGMUYLVNxjlozvtFcNXpYjjBAdspFV-L/s320/Greece6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> I remember turning a corner and seeing the massive gate, the Propylea and large marble steps leading on to the campus of the temple of Athena Nike, the <b>Parthenon</b> and the Erechthion. I remember how grand the Parthenon looked up close even with the scaffolding and the construction equipment marring its facade. I tried to imagine it brightly painted with the iconic Doric columns and the triangular pediments which once were decorated with massive sculptures depicting the birth of Athena. On the other side, the Erecthion stood proud with the Caryatids - the six women carved into columns - holding up its porch. Seeing these buildings that I had learnt about in school and later on watched on screen was an incredibly humbling experience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">
</span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNprAMgeG_EftfowqONP9AXmskxF7TeG2vLEWnY3e5pmn94ay68Hptkx388mL8YpuPKmkDO3lP29SiPKKyW7PFQI-lZptDZSeao5jLmQ74VYXZRkflgeThDQEunkCvVatgEeVcRSNgDYX/s1600/New.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNprAMgeG_EftfowqONP9AXmskxF7TeG2vLEWnY3e5pmn94ay68Hptkx388mL8YpuPKmkDO3lP29SiPKKyW7PFQI-lZptDZSeao5jLmQ74VYXZRkflgeThDQEunkCvVatgEeVcRSNgDYX/s320/New.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmY7BwMCdSubyvwtvhfFuq2AfZ7U-lxQM3lDtOkHgguSBDYwxzTKHmQ206-0O2Sgo-sbrCh_kOr0vv8AvWsyaQucSNTrOSIYNVhjjDZvkjZ1atwbVrDOnIcCwFus16tx-BPwVVrPQce5lh/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_bbb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmY7BwMCdSubyvwtvhfFuq2AfZ7U-lxQM3lDtOkHgguSBDYwxzTKHmQ206-0O2Sgo-sbrCh_kOr0vv8AvWsyaQucSNTrOSIYNVhjjDZvkjZ1atwbVrDOnIcCwFus16tx-BPwVVrPQce5lh/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_bbb.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcaHHN8uXxK3xgXIwFqXMlzKarHLsxNE15np1SleKpNdHBnYMIltsPTq4ogVcKLZuTYPKpoO8GEVxnMYVTiD3E648lQ06TB1HIaeTPBwlkghARgYSkLgrGscv98flPtc__lWmpv8ztrYL/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_be0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcaHHN8uXxK3xgXIwFqXMlzKarHLsxNE15np1SleKpNdHBnYMIltsPTq4ogVcKLZuTYPKpoO8GEVxnMYVTiD3E648lQ06TB1HIaeTPBwlkghARgYSkLgrGscv98flPtc__lWmpv8ztrYL/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_be0.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-edQ_kFVF-SvhdySo5H5OBHcjVK0E9sCW6zjf1ZRb10DSsiluRIOEw31exmYsurJx7YzXvXFlmVse_CE-55vGgBHRETQ-Rza2jp4s5Yw_rvVmSO4EEMODxiqD1jBxofMnefJ4d98xenPl/s1600/Greece7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-edQ_kFVF-SvhdySo5H5OBHcjVK0E9sCW6zjf1ZRb10DSsiluRIOEw31exmYsurJx7YzXvXFlmVse_CE-55vGgBHRETQ-Rza2jp4s5Yw_rvVmSO4EEMODxiqD1jBxofMnefJ4d98xenPl/s320/Greece7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18LVby6wT0vx31rv3rXf_RqwaJUygnlYt-t7jI8IdYs8iBVGp_N0HIvwWqvDy9ru73U9oPhtRCgEQrJ-As3f8THXpFY-9WyKCn_bmMuJMgrfU1my_I3n9tM6LnV30Q1Of2qsbFAgZBeSp/s1600/Greece8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18LVby6wT0vx31rv3rXf_RqwaJUygnlYt-t7jI8IdYs8iBVGp_N0HIvwWqvDy9ru73U9oPhtRCgEQrJ-As3f8THXpFY-9WyKCn_bmMuJMgrfU1my_I3n9tM6LnV30Q1Of2qsbFAgZBeSp/s320/Greece8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> I remember the<b> food and drinks</b>! Whether main meals or snacks, I did not eat anything in Greece that I did not like. Borek, souvlaki, gyro, olives, tzatziki, a cucumber, onion and tomato salad drizzled with the freshest olive oil, moussaka, pita, pastitsio, baklava and heavenly galactoboureko - every meal was an ode to the taste and smell of olives, lemons, seawater and sunshine. I read this quote by the Nobel laureate Odysseas Elytis, on a menu card about what he thinks Greece is made out of - “If you deconstruct Greece, you will in the end see, an olive tree, a grapevine and a boat remain. That is, with as much, you reconstruct her.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8XQrq6tKHX-aNxOmi_ilurh_lUYXMlZ0vO5m0Zd0P8LipZZunadCG5lMtsEab104H39jQ0aArMVakyVWFnQId6ZODFgAjSShm7Pj8SoyJpKlPoeHh4aMskS2MUps6fFxbts52tqHvtUq/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_bc3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8XQrq6tKHX-aNxOmi_ilurh_lUYXMlZ0vO5m0Zd0P8LipZZunadCG5lMtsEab104H39jQ0aArMVakyVWFnQId6ZODFgAjSShm7Pj8SoyJpKlPoeHh4aMskS2MUps6fFxbts52tqHvtUq/s200/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_bc3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5OmFejwF8e4GC_C4thVlBjG4tIqQHRbkVYfkhXG2wZW5ugAh0d-SrHA9hAV_nJbpd8Ib4bWITiTDcNx9hlrkfmjxgHwrPxE_vrGrJkXVvh8scuVUeCRStwHeIB6WZiT0BdXGCyM-7-SH/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_bdb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5OmFejwF8e4GC_C4thVlBjG4tIqQHRbkVYfkhXG2wZW5ugAh0d-SrHA9hAV_nJbpd8Ib4bWITiTDcNx9hlrkfmjxgHwrPxE_vrGrJkXVvh8scuVUeCRStwHeIB6WZiT0BdXGCyM-7-SH/s200/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_bdb.jpg" width="150" /></a> <br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> I remember my wallet being stolen from the pocket of my coat, exactly on the street where every tour guide book warned of pickpockets and in spite of all my efforts to be a wise traveler! This and the historically cold winter that Greece experienced around the time we were there were two big black marks against an otherwise wonderful trip.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> I remember driving almost 3 hours out of Athens on highways, through mountain passes, and along narrow cliffside roads in search of <b>Delphi</b>. I had not anticipated the stony hills, cold winds and eventual snow(!) and wondered a few times if the trip was worth the effort. Past the ski resort of Parnassus, the signs for UNESCO heritage site of Delphi, Temple of Apollo and museum started to appear. By the time we reached the temple complex, it was an hour before closing time on a cloudy and cold evening. As I walked through the ruins, it was easy to see why this tiny village on Mount Parnassus was chosen as the seat of the Oracle of Delphi in the Temple of Apollo. If one walked all the way from the city of Athens and climbed the impossibly rocky mountain peaks, the Oracle would surely be satisfied with his piety and peek into his future! Here, too, the ruins are preserved in remarkably good condition and the footprint of the temple gives the visitor an idea of how grand the structure must have been. The artifacts found during excavations and restorations are showcased in the fine museum next door and display the wealth that the citizens of the various city states must have possessed and what they offered to their Oracles.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23MckDGtRURoQZDK_JL5lp3tge1HWhxhEmRrR9ki2va_y8gQpiis0pTtL6DJeeDBAP-VbZzR1RpGrbu15M0KNtGl48oGh13fYa2GIJLDSDdumoMIf3q8iJUvh_OrUPEY2q8AopOosMTHj/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b7d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23MckDGtRURoQZDK_JL5lp3tge1HWhxhEmRrR9ki2va_y8gQpiis0pTtL6DJeeDBAP-VbZzR1RpGrbu15M0KNtGl48oGh13fYa2GIJLDSDdumoMIf3q8iJUvh_OrUPEY2q8AopOosMTHj/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b7d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> I remember waking up really early one morning to get to the port of Piraeus and boarding the sleek high speed catamaran - the Flying Dolphin. Whizzing past lush islands in the Sarconic Gulf, in a very quick hour, we reached <b>Hydra.</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgTXrwWaLCy5AGR2VRecnOGP9D8kfLjDQSX52fhtX62v3jgJFBCVWDA16qchtOO8u9FwzpuZQ-UCy-THpL1mUTwtEik8e82JtbRcdTbdnduf-BIkzj6ReylUlnfyrAT-RhMIwU23FdkvH/s1600/Greece9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgTXrwWaLCy5AGR2VRecnOGP9D8kfLjDQSX52fhtX62v3jgJFBCVWDA16qchtOO8u9FwzpuZQ-UCy-THpL1mUTwtEik8e82JtbRcdTbdnduf-BIkzj6ReylUlnfyrAT-RhMIwU23FdkvH/s320/Greece9.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">
</span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Pulling into the harbor, the view was breathtaking. It felt as if someone had painted a picture and proceeded to build it out. Small fishing boats and sailboats bobbed in the blue-green water, houses, buildings, and church steeples painted in pastel hues of yellow, blue and peach topped with orange tiles climbed the hills, holding on to struggling greenery between them, while the rocky mountains of the Zogeri range rose behind it all, into the clear blue sky. This tiny island has been protected as a heritage site and no vehicles are allowed into town; that work being done by donkeys and horses, that wait patiently at the harbor. Being out of the peak season, we were worried we wouldn't find any open restaurants but ended up eating a meal of the freshest seafood served by a very courteous staff. An obligatory touristy ride on the donkeys for kids through the deserted town ended our day on this picturesque Aegean island.<br />
<br /></div>
</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> I remember spending two restful days in an Agrotopista (farmhouse) in the tiny village of New Tiryntha, outside the port of Nafplion. Surrounded by citrus orchards and groves of olive trees, waking up to crowing roosters and friendly dogs, shopping in the local market for succulent lamb and cheese, it was a break from the history overload and big city experience of Athens. However, we did stumble upon the magnificent stadium of <b>Epidaurus</b>, at the site of the ruins of the ancient healing center dedicated to Esklepion and tested out the acoustics of this ancient amphitheatre. One can actually hear even whispers spoken on the central ‘stage’ on top of the 50th row of seats, carved into the mountainside!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> I remember praying that the weather plays nice as we boarded the plane for <b>Santorini</b>. We had planned the second leg of the Greece trip as a quiet, non-sight seeing stay on one of the most famous of the Greeks Isles. Winter in Greece was said to be mild but unpredictable and we were hoping to get at least couple of days of sunny weather. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">
</span></div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: 'helvetica neue'; text-align: justify;">
I remember feeling a foreboding sense of quashed plans as I got out of the plane at the Thira International airport in Santorini to grey clouds and very strong, cold winds. Driving up to the hotel along the hillside, the extreme geography of this volcanic island was on full display. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'helvetica neue'; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYv3umsUZcT1KK320TUoAiIwnOLBr83qbZMARDXjkE51t7vEpL384SfwJjwp6hrpX0yUuUcx-j5rHkRR0vLJjUt-TX0nqEpzHFGIPZ2etRQtvA5EjYOmAhQrOCA392VeYa8ZTHYYxXsU0/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b0a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYv3umsUZcT1KK320TUoAiIwnOLBr83qbZMARDXjkE51t7vEpL384SfwJjwp6hrpX0yUuUcx-j5rHkRR0vLJjUt-TX0nqEpzHFGIPZ2etRQtvA5EjYOmAhQrOCA392VeYa8ZTHYYxXsU0/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b0a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: 'helvetica neue';">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'helvetica neue'; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN0LqDx0cCFCA94oUmH96zH7HE-ytOE99e9QapkHMBuSza-06S9olljhBjVtcj3dtKpw7IDK9PGzQ6a7l9k-IdJu6viduFsVN8pCqcrGYrExucddDQnpubP3sELlEluX8wINyudRykJ3Y/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN0LqDx0cCFCA94oUmH96zH7HE-ytOE99e9QapkHMBuSza-06S9olljhBjVtcj3dtKpw7IDK9PGzQ6a7l9k-IdJu6viduFsVN8pCqcrGYrExucddDQnpubP3sELlEluX8wINyudRykJ3Y/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b41.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: 'helvetica neue'; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'helvetica neue'; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMmUWeSWlD1ChZp8oicW1DlbhU3QebJjt64kfO5-AsJLn_yMUBmnPFwR2y0vU8Yx5_pVfhvslHZb2h_1WVrKjClsgjrB1sC2WfHRZYKCPTn0ZYEMiFIDqKj0Mg49cW1Iz2Zwx2Sj6V_Pc/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMmUWeSWlD1ChZp8oicW1DlbhU3QebJjt64kfO5-AsJLn_yMUBmnPFwR2y0vU8Yx5_pVfhvslHZb2h_1WVrKjClsgjrB1sC2WfHRZYKCPTn0ZYEMiFIDqKj0Mg49cW1Iz2Zwx2Sj6V_Pc/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'helvetica neue'; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'helvetica neue'; text-align: justify;">
My memories of the five days on this island are of fantastic sunsets, crystal clear azure water on powdery black sand beaches, extreme winds, gorgeous views of the caldera and the blue-roofed soft white houses, deserted towns and eating Chinese food from the same family-run restaurant for lunch everyday.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'helvetica neue'; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JoiOyJJPrg25icfr4GT3lKWRYuncoc8vuUrx7fOumskM8e2gfNU8aWAdI4P6Yi7u_xc8Dz9iY8rigORNxrlbev9lmLnV4VvoGUpj2ixnzJBOP5me_wySRDhiaA013gLsEjWMoNZeLro8/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JoiOyJJPrg25icfr4GT3lKWRYuncoc8vuUrx7fOumskM8e2gfNU8aWAdI4P6Yi7u_xc8Dz9iY8rigORNxrlbev9lmLnV4VvoGUpj2ixnzJBOP5me_wySRDhiaA013gLsEjWMoNZeLro8/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b32.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: 'helvetica neue';">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-QdhNxM8K2xV3pyWQye7fGbcrLIqO_KUv8fAQgnnnP8eNj1hdlS-Od-erxifyWdtL2OSUpSpwwPjH8la40lrDENU9uLjdBTJgzTUxz5fCfg95jgOhkhx7b5oda1TYyVBzHSKLI5392Sc/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_ba3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-QdhNxM8K2xV3pyWQye7fGbcrLIqO_KUv8fAQgnnnP8eNj1hdlS-Od-erxifyWdtL2OSUpSpwwPjH8la40lrDENU9uLjdBTJgzTUxz5fCfg95jgOhkhx7b5oda1TYyVBzHSKLI5392Sc/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_ba3.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
<div style="font-family: 'helvetica neue';">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'helvetica neue'; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'helvetica neue'; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">This was a trip that did not turn out as planned and Santorini is first on my list of places I hope to return to, most certainly in summer!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'helvetica neue'; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'helvetica neue'; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9mhEGV3rvEWX4HRbxHFtx2uQE2d0eZmabLk_rMdUUofH1ZIQQWRdCfCUHV8N7u3Wn6fSI-JMe2RuNOGrh-Myttc2UffbGCgRnkPlO6OqWteDE5e0-p_RyoLcYdYCc4_oeQXS2LBV-uPD/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b1f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9mhEGV3rvEWX4HRbxHFtx2uQE2d0eZmabLk_rMdUUofH1ZIQQWRdCfCUHV8N7u3Wn6fSI-JMe2RuNOGrh-Myttc2UffbGCgRnkPlO6OqWteDE5e0-p_RyoLcYdYCc4_oeQXS2LBV-uPD/s400/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b1f.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">Greece as I experienced it was thrilling, majestic and unpredictable. With a famously glorious past, this nation struggling to find its identity in the present, still has a lot to offer to the world - in food, music, nature, art, and most of all, really friendly people. This eventful trip to Athens and Santorini has given me memories and taught me lessons to last a lifetime. <i>Efcharisto kai antio, Greece!</i></span></div>
</div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-41496343270378709232017-06-05T05:59:00.004-04:002017-06-05T05:59:41.217-04:00"A Turkish Delight on a moonlit night"- the song is right!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> As Constantinople, Byzantium and eventually Istanbul, for almost 16 centuries, this city has beamed as the Imperial capital of mighty empires. Today, Istanbul is the cultural heart of Turkey, a vibrant bridge across the physical and philosophical landmasses of Europe and Asia, located on the Sea of Marmara and straddling the powerful Bosphorus Strait. Beckoning tourists and traders alike, it has utilized its strategic position at the crossorads of two continents to grow into a fast-paced modern economy while preserving its glorious past.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Arriving at the Attaturk airport and driving on the wide, well maintained highway to the old town, the modern metropolis is on display through high-rise buildings of steel and glass, shopping malls, nightclubs, and restaurants boasting local and international cuisine alike, while cruise ships docked in the port on the Bosphorus Strait, wait for their travelers who seek to soak up the magic of this ancient sprawling city in just a few hours. However, a</span>s you start climbing one of the seven hills that the city of Istanbul is built on, it's famed past and rich culture starts to make its presence felt. Slender minarets with golden crescents on top, wide domes of mosques and squat buildings of white and beige topped with red tiles or flat terraces squeeze together in the same space. The excited chatter of hundreds of tourists mingle with the laughter of pretty young women wearing colorful headscarves and brightly colored robes, insistent salesmen calling you to their carpet stores while the sleek Tramway whizzes past Roman ruins of the Hippodrome and the grand residence of the Ottoman emperors. You are in Istanbul!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojh67tMPSSmKpUs14Xt-vGUAgUwXcSWL6xn0jNGE4CwuD6eeTv-Sz5ah6hD2jVOEg3BA_g4rtyPzmk3Idwkx-IjwFJfWgYgNsLI5WRtHu-tYbyo_ZEulLzp9ypW5Hpz0y0quJpjiROtvg/s1600/HS4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojh67tMPSSmKpUs14Xt-vGUAgUwXcSWL6xn0jNGE4CwuD6eeTv-Sz5ah6hD2jVOEg3BA_g4rtyPzmk3Idwkx-IjwFJfWgYgNsLI5WRtHu-tYbyo_ZEulLzp9ypW5Hpz0y0quJpjiROtvg/s320/HS4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIX2RtKSNUPV_sjpJzXiJcJsa4dRogkV1Z35M_jVXjR3o3XmLeKsrtpTNPCy83aXzWdHbNS2ZxPvMMGHIGCifwFZpQcc8HBJwDQXRl_c4jDPPKgj-jIcJ904HgLFo6dT2bTepepoj1xYlq/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIX2RtKSNUPV_sjpJzXiJcJsa4dRogkV1Z35M_jVXjR3o3XmLeKsrtpTNPCy83aXzWdHbNS2ZxPvMMGHIGCifwFZpQcc8HBJwDQXRl_c4jDPPKgj-jIcJ904HgLFo6dT2bTepepoj1xYlq/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1137.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsWeLBF-thr74581avyMN7_G8Ua2xPdSHfCIMbkLYPr7ZgpFWugKznIM-u3MQ1-9fGuky4AEx6mLIiozAankFmWzinGLl45k5k1aI4XwupZYpi-ZInF0u7v96PK-nwbvdMAxWywk45SSd/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_111e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsWeLBF-thr74581avyMN7_G8Ua2xPdSHfCIMbkLYPr7ZgpFWugKznIM-u3MQ1-9fGuky4AEx6mLIiozAankFmWzinGLl45k5k1aI4XwupZYpi-ZInF0u7v96PK-nwbvdMAxWywk45SSd/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_111e.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Along with mosques and their minarets, kebab cafes and koftecisi, flowers are a constant presence in Istanbul. Flowers and fruits have held a high regard since the Ottoman times and it has been carried on into the present. It is said that when Mehmet the Conqueror invaded Constantinople in 1453, he was so impressed with the love of flowers of the locals that he commissioned a portrait of himself, sitting with a rose, not his sword. </span></span>Seemingly impromptu flower beds appear along main streets and street corners, most of them with vibrant tulips- the symbol of the Ottoman empire - and welcome visitors and locals alike. The love of flowers is on grand display in the expansive urban park in the Erminou district, the <b>Gulhane Parki</b>. Originally a part of the gardens of the Topkapi palace, entering this public garden through the stone archways on Alemdar Caddessi one is greeted with a pleasing colorful sight that is sure to soothe the soul. Carefully crafted flowerbeds of tulips, pansies and other brightly colored flowers thrive alongside playful fountains, leafy<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"> Erguvan or Judas trees that sprout pink clusters and </span>old plane and cypress trees that provide a haven in the middle of the bustling city outside.</div>
</div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;">
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxOYI47YYm7RxiM2GDzuWz6GauzwtixvILehAqTt9cPBMzzZVA7o31ruOk4_Izs06ceeEPmM3I3pGXPIZEoEYrl6MO7kTKSOFTvzALJ7Tc78eY4Jl_OQ2hKneHw9ItdLurkcPsARhOLzo/s1600/cjox8YDQTuu6FBKEwl2LUw_thumb_1115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1024" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxOYI47YYm7RxiM2GDzuWz6GauzwtixvILehAqTt9cPBMzzZVA7o31ruOk4_Izs06ceeEPmM3I3pGXPIZEoEYrl6MO7kTKSOFTvzALJ7Tc78eY4Jl_OQ2hKneHw9ItdLurkcPsARhOLzo/s320/cjox8YDQTuu6FBKEwl2LUw_thumb_1115.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Built between 1460 and 1478 AD under the rule of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, <b>Topkapi Palace</b> served as the seat of the Ottoman Empire for almost 400 years. It is now a museum housing weapons and armaments of the Turkish military, porcelains and calligraphy as well as sacred relics of the Ottoman empire. The palace complex is arranged in a series of four courtyards with the buildings surrounding them in an example of classical Ottoman architecture. Brilliant tile work in the Iznik style along with intricate plaster work in the Rococco style architecture adorns walls and ceilings of every building, the most dazzling display being in the Imperial Council (Diwan-i-Humayun) </span>and the Harem. Exquisitely carved niches, fireplaces and ornate decorations on ceilings using wood and tile immerses the visitor into a world bygone when the Ottoman empire, at its peak ruled the land from South east Europe all the way through North Africa. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSDEeO_dG_T_ZhWl_slpqwWLh5QmQ5FHyiXrFncmylZwvRGUzFRvKeZUR-uZEymjn1zFnb3SdsuPlg423wyxSYLAON_G01JqmwVb8Cn3mBTjLm-tBgP3e7sL4_81S6TFI2aiEAsqhPxhd/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSDEeO_dG_T_ZhWl_slpqwWLh5QmQ5FHyiXrFncmylZwvRGUzFRvKeZUR-uZEymjn1zFnb3SdsuPlg423wyxSYLAON_G01JqmwVb8Cn3mBTjLm-tBgP3e7sL4_81S6TFI2aiEAsqhPxhd/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1129.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXb6Z-hPCmyGy-4U4s3Y0Hh2Ao1WBDtA0bQxGkwmXyPAiL7v9B6cgPaFYw127ZIPCO3JA040u4WUlbfIL9q_5izfiRp4SoWzM6tiwF3oqW8JlW5t-eIkWBsRDSzdUry_1w7mbu7r9El_8/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_10f8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXb6Z-hPCmyGy-4U4s3Y0Hh2Ao1WBDtA0bQxGkwmXyPAiL7v9B6cgPaFYw127ZIPCO3JA040u4WUlbfIL9q_5izfiRp4SoWzM6tiwF3oqW8JlW5t-eIkWBsRDSzdUry_1w7mbu7r9El_8/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_10f8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2utUkwV27mHsHAAOUUAY9jy0yL7BEHGOJKTlrzwnAjU3_Za3rBVhOBBmYzXjg0X1I4Gy9cSjkfgUirTlTapufbJmutIZp44tsA7LvU5cN4f3yTwab-VMIqe7fGdxRqydOJ19_8Jxk2JH/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_10f3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2utUkwV27mHsHAAOUUAY9jy0yL7BEHGOJKTlrzwnAjU3_Za3rBVhOBBmYzXjg0X1I4Gy9cSjkfgUirTlTapufbJmutIZp44tsA7LvU5cN4f3yTwab-VMIqe7fGdxRqydOJ19_8Jxk2JH/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_10f3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-NUdZv2OmF1rwTvPMrrb0GO2QZI1LOykgmvV-1cUh3JiXUoiEIMT1qk-LFGKhxq-QzGLVSOc8I1UrQ6u4wkDQ6GgcElCqqBgdcaJPKJBRvKjShe9Y8J4yG3Rq3f56V3ygAkddXoH_QBi/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_10ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-NUdZv2OmF1rwTvPMrrb0GO2QZI1LOykgmvV-1cUh3JiXUoiEIMT1qk-LFGKhxq-QzGLVSOc8I1UrQ6u4wkDQ6GgcElCqqBgdcaJPKJBRvKjShe9Y8J4yG3Rq3f56V3ygAkddXoH_QBi/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_10ed.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAvnuYVInP_iTngOY4owAH9woFTZnoZfs0As0OOVo2VMLEz3izQToGHQRy_fRQWOzmJooZXht_F6MRDgNSUfQSnh3l_LxcSh2PKi0ELhyphenhyphenWnt9f1rvgvp7-cxIaAWj62t299iqG3r2mdY4/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_10f0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAvnuYVInP_iTngOY4owAH9woFTZnoZfs0As0OOVo2VMLEz3izQToGHQRy_fRQWOzmJooZXht_F6MRDgNSUfQSnh3l_LxcSh2PKi0ELhyphenhyphenWnt9f1rvgvp7-cxIaAWj62t299iqG3r2mdY4/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_10f0.jpg" width="240" /><span style="color: #454545; text-align: left;"> </span></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDB5eyTC6gOQjE5eT1rAobT1jNx58rcXBShqU-TPtGbAgWjlu-5cHAnQooVP3kjJ8n2Z8IXlezbsOsYBOGDHiSnkLLAiAS-artKssooMYEFyYY4lttM7VMl9AEIQKl5-psexFg4QmiWBdu/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDB5eyTC6gOQjE5eT1rAobT1jNx58rcXBShqU-TPtGbAgWjlu-5cHAnQooVP3kjJ8n2Z8IXlezbsOsYBOGDHiSnkLLAiAS-artKssooMYEFyYY4lttM7VMl9AEIQKl5-psexFg4QmiWBdu/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1100.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpdG3QR2LVvqUriEUtmgeYySV_euqFJmxVBVADQ_Bai6cpCPeMnay2v5w1Y_6HaKPNNS5PbrN5zMAPjcS0dLW_EtzWwVaQoyy8auomv41UaC4V5YagIv9MOuieTU6Naq-DLM9Yul9JgAd/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpdG3QR2LVvqUriEUtmgeYySV_euqFJmxVBVADQ_Bai6cpCPeMnay2v5w1Y_6HaKPNNS5PbrN5zMAPjcS0dLW_EtzWwVaQoyy8auomv41UaC4V5YagIv9MOuieTU6Naq-DLM9Yul9JgAd/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1110.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The iconic building most often associated with Istanbul's glorious history is the imposing </span><b>Hagia Sofia. </b>It came into existence as a Byzantine church built under the orders of the emperor Justinian I between 532 and 537 AD. After Constantinople fell to the Ottoman empire in 1453, it became the Imperial mosque until 1935 when the founder of the republic of Turkey and its first President, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk secularized it and turned it into a museum. However, when you enter the large space that exists under the all encompassing dome, you do not think of its glorious history but gaze up in amazement at the incredible Byzantine architecture of soaring columns and grand arches supporting the massive dome, every inch of wall and ceiling space adorned with intricate mosaics in gold leaf and bright hues of blue, green and red that illuminate the space underneath. A series of windows on the upper gallery filter out sunlight through sheer alabaster screens, which falls on the intentionally unadorned <i>minbar</i>, where the imam would lead the faithful in prayer. There is a subtle yellow glow all around you and in spite of the hordes of awestruck visitors whispering around you, one is are transported to a quiet, peaceful place where you can only marvel at man's extraordinary creativity and the passion with which successive generations have managed to keep this masterpiece intact. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_MKzdGBimJHUcFWjik4SJqh2EWgDo0Sa31fqKX9uvoFPeCbQnCflLjHAJ3wvRGss4XoF7ysjUl6F4SMaMB7UYvTdj8AWcXJ_yCgK2Gxi92ba7mWB-0wArlN4fOBciAp-6I4SJ8r1JjFs/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_10db.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_MKzdGBimJHUcFWjik4SJqh2EWgDo0Sa31fqKX9uvoFPeCbQnCflLjHAJ3wvRGss4XoF7ysjUl6F4SMaMB7UYvTdj8AWcXJ_yCgK2Gxi92ba7mWB-0wArlN4fOBciAp-6I4SJ8r1JjFs/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_10db.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqo7WLApCi8YqOH_jwtPTXNkK5DDYk7RBqDYNHHBR0Dqv-bfivNuyiRclwgETOUy-AfOAm-VwegOBDKaOJxnG7_Bk-dCijyiZDcBkHhmkV8VrWyVwtIB01RUVoTqHttqxrV9M99aQ0I5C/s1600/HS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqo7WLApCi8YqOH_jwtPTXNkK5DDYk7RBqDYNHHBR0Dqv-bfivNuyiRclwgETOUy-AfOAm-VwegOBDKaOJxnG7_Bk-dCijyiZDcBkHhmkV8VrWyVwtIB01RUVoTqHttqxrV9M99aQ0I5C/s320/HS2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjDnpa73Le0N8y96oc0Ck60zJIOucbpbTS5urdI9KwP_84DkZFfTl6uHtfi-BLSfNc3CkeFYeBUf_5F9hKuCFMIgCHCEa_tqoKDRCCa6Ao_-oswhnvis3WwezLf_a3a6kCYvvPhBqDBF-/s1600/HS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjDnpa73Le0N8y96oc0Ck60zJIOucbpbTS5urdI9KwP_84DkZFfTl6uHtfi-BLSfNc3CkeFYeBUf_5F9hKuCFMIgCHCEa_tqoKDRCCa6Ao_-oswhnvis3WwezLf_a3a6kCYvvPhBqDBF-/s320/HS3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNDCu787Dh_Ga-BZPHPzFF3FAHzPd-BU2TqqRq1yFYbTY59FUK7A58CrttJlXeCHF1OCFBJZ_KBHpXoyB5m27TMeiz1mYeTbaiahHlXpwFV9olhku4aA7wm30C5mArV5D08HwhBeiSrOz/s1600/HS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHDBMIm_1rgF_8uFhBlDGx8tLcmcG_CkRvSqID99dS0ELqm1maQfdfR-kWhNgztikNWpOTM1WDCNhkJFDH7GgQMMtAQ2G4shIn280TccU4RxMT-VHXCWuPC8IE3zio7CZu6Xq7Sm0uILr/s1600/HS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHDBMIm_1rgF_8uFhBlDGx8tLcmcG_CkRvSqID99dS0ELqm1maQfdfR-kWhNgztikNWpOTM1WDCNhkJFDH7GgQMMtAQ2G4shIn280TccU4RxMT-VHXCWuPC8IE3zio7CZu6Xq7Sm0uILr/s320/HS.jpg" width="213" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNDCu787Dh_Ga-BZPHPzFF3FAHzPd-BU2TqqRq1yFYbTY59FUK7A58CrttJlXeCHF1OCFBJZ_KBHpXoyB5m27TMeiz1mYeTbaiahHlXpwFV9olhku4aA7wm30C5mArV5D08HwhBeiSrOz/s320/HS1.jpg" width="213" /><span style="color: #454545;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNDCu787Dh_Ga-BZPHPzFF3FAHzPd-BU2TqqRq1yFYbTY59FUK7A58CrttJlXeCHF1OCFBJZ_KBHpXoyB5m27TMeiz1mYeTbaiahHlXpwFV9olhku4aA7wm30C5mArV5D08HwhBeiSrOz/s1600/HS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Across the Sultanhemt square sits the magnificent <b>Sultanahemt Mosque</b> with its characteristic six minarets instead of the usual four. The pencil thin minarets with three balconies adorned with intricate <i>muqarnas </i>- stalactite decorations on the corbels - encircle a magnificent building complex topped by five main domes. The interior is awash in light reflecting off the brilliant blue Iznik tiles bordered by intricate designs in red, green and gold. More than 20,000 tiles display exquisite designs of tulips, cypresses and fruits. The soaring arches made in the Ablaq style with alternating tiles of dark and light stone, banisters carved in stone, and over 200 stained glass windows take one’s eyes up to the heavens, apropos to this place of worship.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYyBPoOknmT_Rv2ZkjfyzfEf6QhkqGsQshmTelwIUoT6mM9Y0h0OgU8P3Da9P3S9PAuK2Lt9xRZOKy-_eI86IIPlWS6U_bHkJfeJwB5LA9NXfaBBy58wrKkPEG-1nSLqJAqe3vGJlB9Ow/s1600/jKQATWk3SDyhNgSxhnZi1w_thumb_10d8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="862" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYyBPoOknmT_Rv2ZkjfyzfEf6QhkqGsQshmTelwIUoT6mM9Y0h0OgU8P3Da9P3S9PAuK2Lt9xRZOKy-_eI86IIPlWS6U_bHkJfeJwB5LA9NXfaBBy58wrKkPEG-1nSLqJAqe3vGJlB9Ow/s320/jKQATWk3SDyhNgSxhnZi1w_thumb_10d8.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fOhFKv6ZUJjrOjq9UMqwKI7ptDJJePeDgmNM-6Vq_6tfq9TZSfaaTTg3-dUb2fFgHDX0lp2opW-yRBMDJ6Q6GMAs7jW7Av-0WIq6OL5-WT0HnOrmOQLuFNRFLfhER6tYQBHOfcAd9ZsL/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_10a5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fOhFKv6ZUJjrOjq9UMqwKI7ptDJJePeDgmNM-6Vq_6tfq9TZSfaaTTg3-dUb2fFgHDX0lp2opW-yRBMDJ6Q6GMAs7jW7Av-0WIq6OL5-WT0HnOrmOQLuFNRFLfhER6tYQBHOfcAd9ZsL/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_10a5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCotYNPI-LMlhQZwMh7u8okykh3I2ZL9ofRjjCdu0WgDx-YhD-o9VtYZ86bJULzfHIuzcRhP775twmXL2_3yhDjtT5Q_nItRel3HWRuhKra9ZzDay8y0H6HXcnTByO2iHoeQbm4MpCo9K/s1600/HS5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEYI1QiwTNufzLhuPY97xh_EUW7m4tLcHVCSaI3Io2k6s5D-BFQhmT_sk_WeLKjsWSJTcoi4dhM0Q5qUFxbj3gxOFqvAGWKsEnAxE_MqQPhLBA-l567ASppdrC_aqxf0kInFbVTkiNYtz/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEYI1QiwTNufzLhuPY97xh_EUW7m4tLcHVCSaI3Io2k6s5D-BFQhmT_sk_WeLKjsWSJTcoi4dhM0Q5qUFxbj3gxOFqvAGWKsEnAxE_MqQPhLBA-l567ASppdrC_aqxf0kInFbVTkiNYtz/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1092.jpg" width="240" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCotYNPI-LMlhQZwMh7u8okykh3I2ZL9ofRjjCdu0WgDx-YhD-o9VtYZ86bJULzfHIuzcRhP775twmXL2_3yhDjtT5Q_nItRel3HWRuhKra9ZzDay8y0H6HXcnTByO2iHoeQbm4MpCo9K/s320/HS5.jpg" width="240" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTmc1zt9yEDmsv8MMKciLwDzdoUWmqsCguRcwkaDLQbwzzy4YkOUhBiXvIqKrvPhLoJlhRyiBCQtMQsXR9vTAv_dlAB8pI2CgTDjapF9K7zCAmjzdVm4X4l4aYUGyVX6g1jsBIC2dJoF3/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_109b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTmc1zt9yEDmsv8MMKciLwDzdoUWmqsCguRcwkaDLQbwzzy4YkOUhBiXvIqKrvPhLoJlhRyiBCQtMQsXR9vTAv_dlAB8pI2CgTDjapF9K7zCAmjzdVm4X4l4aYUGyVX6g1jsBIC2dJoF3/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_109b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This was also the place for a spirited discussion between the kids and the adults about how does covering one's head show respect to God, and why do women have to follow a dress code to enter the mosque while all men have to do is not wear shorts. </div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OQwDfWw3zHZD45GCI0-6GTOqyv9Ml0jcUkLnQKwAIuboqqBOjEroq9l43MvlfMR52qHkDbcBUF3q2mNCqtYuLmfpce-LWeZ2bs0dIuxZG8TGfSbt3rvENfTV46ZI7PMQ7eFhJx_99-wi/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_108f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OQwDfWw3zHZD45GCI0-6GTOqyv9Ml0jcUkLnQKwAIuboqqBOjEroq9l43MvlfMR52qHkDbcBUF3q2mNCqtYuLmfpce-LWeZ2bs0dIuxZG8TGfSbt3rvENfTV46ZI7PMQ7eFhJx_99-wi/s200/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_108f.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;"> One cannot visit Istanbul and not talk about two essential experiences - the food and the hamam. Whether it was drinking freshly squeezed <i>nar suyu(</i>pomegrante juice) inside the Topkapi palace gardens, or the tangy <i>Ayran </i>that accompanied the succulent <i>kofte</i> at the famed Sultanahmet Koftecisi, savoring braised lamb served over silken eggplant puree with bulgur pilaf and a side of <i>piyaz, </i>or the </span>intriguing <i>Testi kebab </i>- a dish of meat and vegetables slow cooked in a sealed clay pot which is brought to the table or heavenly rose-scented baklava, one can only say <i>“Sherefe!”</i> with a glass of Raki in honor of this satisfying and soulful ancient cuisine. </div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OQwDfWw3zHZD45GCI0-6GTOqyv9Ml0jcUkLnQKwAIuboqqBOjEroq9l43MvlfMR52qHkDbcBUF3q2mNCqtYuLmfpce-LWeZ2bs0dIuxZG8TGfSbt3rvENfTV46ZI7PMQ7eFhJx_99-wi/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_108f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgC7AgZcSEtSv9qHYg2pXM-TXM3zcUSPWERH420ETnOJ72pjo5vVKwkZRAqK9U5LNLodPmB0A6Q1kBYKk77ZxM9ARbN7_tGn7MDdzGN4yIvJ3LVvPh0iGaQHIIDELYNUR1z1zOlc-4oo_/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_10a4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgC7AgZcSEtSv9qHYg2pXM-TXM3zcUSPWERH420ETnOJ72pjo5vVKwkZRAqK9U5LNLodPmB0A6Q1kBYKk77ZxM9ARbN7_tGn7MDdzGN4yIvJ3LVvPh0iGaQHIIDELYNUR1z1zOlc-4oo_/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_10a4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The communal experience of a Turkish bathhouse is as unique in its ancient roots as in the unassuming, un-selfconsious manner in which it is handled. <b>Cemberlitas hamami,</b> designed by the famed Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan in 1584, is a good example of this. The cavernous bath of pink stone with hot marble slabs to lie on, niches along the walls to bathe after a satisfying scrub with a traditional <i>kese,</i> followed by a relaxing massage is cleansing and rejuvenating like no other bath you have ever had! </span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwTF0qzwHAAL8xodHPi4FcyNiydAUhhAiYFFYJY8mVRbZR8sGgv5m5w4ERAOXbjjyVrSKWo1OfXwbMOBNvsgCIgIu0zWtKSIUgYYW2C6Tyc4oP3dMeHtGDIU8aa-zhlzHtLqxWGcC_JMU/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_10af.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwTF0qzwHAAL8xodHPi4FcyNiydAUhhAiYFFYJY8mVRbZR8sGgv5m5w4ERAOXbjjyVrSKWo1OfXwbMOBNvsgCIgIu0zWtKSIUgYYW2C6Tyc4oP3dMeHtGDIU8aa-zhlzHtLqxWGcC_JMU/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_10af.jpg" width="240" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxSKKITDmGm4pirtBkj0mi4P-foW37Sfe14-0oSempT-4D6cd0o2dPLB0YSt5mIFH3mSxredDMdgeYUcp-4nuWVjx474Avx0hrmHAiiQl_Yp7_xZG7PhT1xuCxOnidL0cgJM9GkQcjTs8/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxSKKITDmGm4pirtBkj0mi4P-foW37Sfe14-0oSempT-4D6cd0o2dPLB0YSt5mIFH3mSxredDMdgeYUcp-4nuWVjx474Avx0hrmHAiiQl_Yp7_xZG7PhT1xuCxOnidL0cgJM9GkQcjTs8/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1085.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwTF0qzwHAAL8xodHPi4FcyNiydAUhhAiYFFYJY8mVRbZR8sGgv5m5w4ERAOXbjjyVrSKWo1OfXwbMOBNvsgCIgIu0zWtKSIUgYYW2C6Tyc4oP3dMeHtGDIU8aa-zhlzHtLqxWGcC_JMU/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_10af.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaFfOb0A80gukGoiYprJ8eGWO4J0sWqoTtlpFdZRx3hAeEn8gbiMUDq0HXE86fs9xwf214vOUfLLQdWdkNPuHnVzJjgmKH3HhdUs-lAElIm3p9eQvkzNSU9jHz-uMvNiqRdqrhVp4mTBU/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaFfOb0A80gukGoiYprJ8eGWO4J0sWqoTtlpFdZRx3hAeEn8gbiMUDq0HXE86fs9xwf214vOUfLLQdWdkNPuHnVzJjgmKH3HhdUs-lAElIm3p9eQvkzNSU9jHz-uMvNiqRdqrhVp4mTBU/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1096.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojh67tMPSSmKpUs14Xt-vGUAgUwXcSWL6xn0jNGE4CwuD6eeTv-Sz5ah6hD2jVOEg3BA_g4rtyPzmk3Idwkx-IjwFJfWgYgNsLI5WRtHu-tYbyo_ZEulLzp9ypW5Hpz0y0quJpjiROtvg/s1600/HS4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqjSkW-SaMiaax42-e72KbWc9G09jl8c6EQcQAAnDBlOKIxftmFeLr_TwLnzqC3Mtd-ugWz2xJQ2iJs7erPW_Ha-yFxg8qrAe9ujTEIEQjwpnA84Hwp3RG1f5eO86__HIJZsUhgwLBWo7/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqjSkW-SaMiaax42-e72KbWc9G09jl8c6EQcQAAnDBlOKIxftmFeLr_TwLnzqC3Mtd-ugWz2xJQ2iJs7erPW_Ha-yFxg8qrAe9ujTEIEQjwpnA84Hwp3RG1f5eO86__HIJZsUhgwLBWo7/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1093.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY6V9oUisYDGmMTbtAolKYouXr2g1ZrbCEkJu_vnzzyBvRT_0zwshACbmgg7JM_Ko2AezizYBCYNorpMDlj_N4m_97sMR3vudWDc1lPbihNY4ENTAbo5cbIkAv9BB2dKHretZF947T7AQ/s1600/HS6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY6V9oUisYDGmMTbtAolKYouXr2g1ZrbCEkJu_vnzzyBvRT_0zwshACbmgg7JM_Ko2AezizYBCYNorpMDlj_N4m_97sMR3vudWDc1lPbihNY4ENTAbo5cbIkAv9BB2dKHretZF947T7AQ/s320/HS6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Istanbul is a city like no other. A city of pretty girls in head scarves enjoying hookahs on the sidewalks of <i>nargile cafes</i> at midnight, of the sounds of the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer five times a day, of the modern trams chugging through the age old neighborhood of <i>Sulemaniya</i>, crossing the Galata bridge to Taksim Square, of the underground Basilica Cistern built in the 6th century to provide water to the great palaces of Constantinople, of strong coffee and fragrant teas, of spices and carpets sold by insistent traders in the Grand Bazaar, of military vehicles standing guard at the Annual Tulip festival as a testament to the modern troubling times, and of tulips, pomegranates and whirling dervishes. When Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk says “If I see my city as beautiful and bewitching, then my life must be so too”, I cannot help but agree.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
</span></div>
</div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-18492205736702806192017-05-14T07:09:00.002-04:002017-05-14T07:09:41.189-04:00Degustation with tranquility - Burgundy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none;"> After a hectic March due to an unexpected, unplanned trip to India, we needed a place to get away, to slow down and rejuvenate. A cross-channel road trip through the famous <b>Burgundy</b> region sounded like just that kind of trip. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmqhGH0HjticZ5mWdYxt83Yrab_vM8CHJLuG3KfwSighd2ptFafDKjpCvSfyZtXyaoZ6k7-6tQGsZwKT3JbvytRVkwKD2GFHQc0uqYw_kUCLltWNqZrmUk9-lZmcPnbv-i1uSk87RfAkP/s1600/Burg1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmqhGH0HjticZ5mWdYxt83Yrab_vM8CHJLuG3KfwSighd2ptFafDKjpCvSfyZtXyaoZ6k7-6tQGsZwKT3JbvytRVkwKD2GFHQc0uqYw_kUCLltWNqZrmUk9-lZmcPnbv-i1uSk87RfAkP/s320/Burg1a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none;"> An hour and half drive from our house took us to the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone and before we knew it, I was driving our car into a train that was going to take us under the English Channel, through a 38 km long undersea tunnel! The 35 minute trip in one of human kind's crowning glories of engineering achievements went by quick and we emerged onto a sunny Spring afternoon at the Calais terminal in France. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none;"> Driving out of the terminal, we got onto the busy A1 motorway and started the 503 km journey though the heartland of France. The steady traffic of loaded lorries and fast cars with license plates from countries all over Europe had us frustrated as we were falling behind schedule. Getting off the A1 and on to the A6 - <i>Autoroute du Soleil (</i>Motorway of the Sun) however, the landscape changed to rolling hills with large fields in varying shades of green alternating with blazing yellow rapeseed fields. On the horizon, white windmills stood guard while grey and white clouds played tag with the sun. Our bucolic road trip had begun!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkMzUUL7gIPHptXW-UT1SdWdL6GFhB1sIZWfWZWlFmHopXRWx0zx_QTsEK9nwALM6qThN9IiIkqnzdVYBNNpeN6OC7E-zxGjidJlPGIFZZDOV6mMt4DsXlAV-i9cAq4JM1z_jj1lQtkdS/s1600/Burg3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkMzUUL7gIPHptXW-UT1SdWdL6GFhB1sIZWfWZWlFmHopXRWx0zx_QTsEK9nwALM6qThN9IiIkqnzdVYBNNpeN6OC7E-zxGjidJlPGIFZZDOV6mMt4DsXlAV-i9cAq4JM1z_jj1lQtkdS/s320/Burg3.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjLcha85uA4B53yCLvt8jRvck4a9CmBOSWJlCt3BhDJd6rvBnGE0OWDFtiYiVpWO6DyugPwazaufTEX_GcStbL5oqFGrrWmZ6O3LFg29QKvMOAljN4R_-oMWPSor1Z_9Hpe26oqMdAPk1/s1600/Burg1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjLcha85uA4B53yCLvt8jRvck4a9CmBOSWJlCt3BhDJd6rvBnGE0OWDFtiYiVpWO6DyugPwazaufTEX_GcStbL5oqFGrrWmZ6O3LFg29QKvMOAljN4R_-oMWPSor1Z_9Hpe26oqMdAPk1/s320/Burg1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJOJoAkaGz1YlyGcPLkeG7Aj2u44LpFDzuL4Awwhn_50GZqSZNByKnn0v4xNUtk6JdjvBIaWZ6vy75_5LoZ2eiFc1Vhw_szkaBug4uFOd0Dn8ovc0AxprJ2u5CSHi66MwfFmt8DWMxA-k/s1600/Burg4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJOJoAkaGz1YlyGcPLkeG7Aj2u44LpFDzuL4Awwhn_50GZqSZNByKnn0v4xNUtk6JdjvBIaWZ6vy75_5LoZ2eiFc1Vhw_szkaBug4uFOd0Dn8ovc0AxprJ2u5CSHi66MwfFmt8DWMxA-k/s1600/Burg4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJOJoAkaGz1YlyGcPLkeG7Aj2u44LpFDzuL4Awwhn_50GZqSZNByKnn0v4xNUtk6JdjvBIaWZ6vy75_5LoZ2eiFc1Vhw_szkaBug4uFOd0Dn8ovc0AxprJ2u5CSHi66MwfFmt8DWMxA-k/s320/Burg4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As we made our way through the hills and vales of France crisscrossed with small rivers and streams every few miles, the landscape was agricultural, but no vineyards were in view. We were headed to the famed </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">Cote d’Or</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">, home of the haughty Burgundy wines but there was not a grapevine in sight. What we did see were herds of white Charolais cows, dirty sheep and handsome horses grazing to their hearts’ content. Soon, we were driving through tiny medieval villages with ancient stone houses, leafy squares around the village church with its characteristic slate steeples and musical names like Sauvigny, Joux de Ville and Lucy le-Bois eventually to Avallon and our destination - a farmhouse converted to a charming bed and breakfast. We had been on the road for more than 9 hours and it was time for dinner and an early night. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RpbSVi6TlZ3L2NBIeXKwaqDX304XkVn4NHmfw9rN5K8KWkbqqA5cpF_o-R25q0-8Ajr5tSWeQbdHV5kh23SFY4G_JjhvVq634FyanVB6WI6OONUgkFn6UuzJx0zb-dYrKBsUKumYSOU4/s1600/Burg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RpbSVi6TlZ3L2NBIeXKwaqDX304XkVn4NHmfw9rN5K8KWkbqqA5cpF_o-R25q0-8Ajr5tSWeQbdHV5kh23SFY4G_JjhvVq634FyanVB6WI6OONUgkFn6UuzJx0zb-dYrKBsUKumYSOU4/s320/Burg2.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvULpzx9uAl-IBku4DvxTsYTgP5ElgCn11KdWZeHgl8eTD2k9tCPO7HveIePhD6L95LLhqxZRzwW7oUfBo-zOnvCMTyJidXjzAkmTEp74v9ApLEzcUMyALPm2fURmx31PfiLgvsFOycxdc/s1600/Burg10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvULpzx9uAl-IBku4DvxTsYTgP5ElgCn11KdWZeHgl8eTD2k9tCPO7HveIePhD6L95LLhqxZRzwW7oUfBo-zOnvCMTyJidXjzAkmTEp74v9ApLEzcUMyALPm2fURmx31PfiLgvsFOycxdc/s320/Burg10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"> With no sight-se</span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">eing stops on the agenda, this trip was about driving through the hills and vales of the French countryside, stopping on the side of the road to ‘frolic in the fields’ as the kids called it and tasting the famed Burgundy wines in tiny family-owned </span><i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">Domaines. </i><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">We met some of the friendliest people anywhere in Europe as we drove on the </span><b style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">Route des Grand Crus</b><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"> passing villages with names seen on wine-bottle labels around the world - Chablis, Vosnee-Romanee, Aloxe-Corton, Nuits Saint George, Gevrey-Chembertin. We explored vineyards with inviting signs for </span><i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">degustations</i><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">. We listened as a passionate </span><i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">vigneron</i><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"> explained the essence of Burgundy wines. How unlike Bordeaux wines which depend on the skill of the winemaker, the wines here are entirely a reflection of the </span><i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">terroir</i><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"> where the grape comes from - the composition of the soil, the water and the air where the plant grows. We learnt how the location of the vine - whether at the crest of a hill, along the sloping sides or in the shade of a rocky hilltop makes the difference between a cheap-ish, everyday-at-6pm Village, medium priced yet lofty Premier C</span><i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">ru </i><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">or the high and mighty, only-open-it-for-anniversary or to impress your neighbor Grand Cru.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6lqaStLBGP-JkHN7_38C7wwreUN1J83hdrmBmdnJXSdF2krKwhnvCEyjAlMXqobRjsTjHHftydeQj8ltQ4mhlsTAWTyKJD3pJe7yupC8IwLd0yeFylTN8oN2pcM8CDLDfK3BrCVPcBRY/s1600/Burg5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6lqaStLBGP-JkHN7_38C7wwreUN1J83hdrmBmdnJXSdF2krKwhnvCEyjAlMXqobRjsTjHHftydeQj8ltQ4mhlsTAWTyKJD3pJe7yupC8IwLd0yeFylTN8oN2pcM8CDLDfK3BrCVPcBRY/s320/Burg5.jpg" width="240" /><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"> </span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yOXpBSlNdWIxDRXAu8yv7M-_aF4wfl6DePm4bVdy2eBoNq2AYavzJGHFpTwfP1oAvulklpjJikcB0D0QBE1-9mI8cggCfqESzpAU3xBF2q_hUlAboZJ3-okr-4RbH9hX_JioM1GRn1Bn/s1600/Burg9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yOXpBSlNdWIxDRXAu8yv7M-_aF4wfl6DePm4bVdy2eBoNq2AYavzJGHFpTwfP1oAvulklpjJikcB0D0QBE1-9mI8cggCfqESzpAU3xBF2q_hUlAboZJ3-okr-4RbH9hX_JioM1GRn1Bn/s320/Burg9.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none;">We walked through ancient towns of Vezelay, Comarrin, Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, admiring the pointed slate steeples of churches that looked like the tops of medieval helmets, drove along the river Yonne and Burgundy canal that nourish this verdant valley, explored the hilltop castle of the Duke of Burgundy at Chateauneuf-en-Auxois and walked along the ruins of Alise-Saint-Reine where </span>Vercingetorix,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> the last king of Gauls, fought an epic battle again Julius Caesar. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluX1mRa2pDInECVYvTSzjeLZmPDUh3rflmII9QRjJNAcOaR43QDqcjF1VoMT2oZMnC-gaP35589cnS17yWmDIgkdE2CgkCU94nwbtl2puEeEKTp27o30xqlj90yWx04GkdOspobHgLJPE/s1600/Burg6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluX1mRa2pDInECVYvTSzjeLZmPDUh3rflmII9QRjJNAcOaR43QDqcjF1VoMT2oZMnC-gaP35589cnS17yWmDIgkdE2CgkCU94nwbtl2puEeEKTp27o30xqlj90yWx04GkdOspobHgLJPE/s320/Burg6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhau2IRZ56QLWubE6tFskVNQvQ46j0VQ5CHuobrTyNIpEw-IjEstGHF_y6HNkeHpmSvsYS8rSbekySgmsAkHfegYe0owZxTodoVkK25nu5nhWpvucrmRWu9boN-xLWJEaLZGG9kNxVhyphenhyphen9pC/s1600/Burg7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhau2IRZ56QLWubE6tFskVNQvQ46j0VQ5CHuobrTyNIpEw-IjEstGHF_y6HNkeHpmSvsYS8rSbekySgmsAkHfegYe0owZxTodoVkK25nu5nhWpvucrmRWu9boN-xLWJEaLZGG9kNxVhyphenhyphen9pC/s320/Burg7.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQG-cRef1jmJYyr8d8x44x4hZzBWVcVsju8Ld4DmiDfrmnWPNknwCSdpiBrshPGnRosXaXhM2t0lj1VQ_Xri6B0XYJM8i1gmZb1a2ZHq0Cavy5vGUrO11WV3d66m1_TxGgTlAb1syG5Lbm/s1600/Burg8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQG-cRef1jmJYyr8d8x44x4hZzBWVcVsju8Ld4DmiDfrmnWPNknwCSdpiBrshPGnRosXaXhM2t0lj1VQ_Xri6B0XYJM8i1gmZb1a2ZHq0Cavy5vGUrO11WV3d66m1_TxGgTlAb1syG5Lbm/s320/Burg8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKVNDCBH3s2tsJy7Hr-CnuT5_bPNjd-QwiLCsh4iTxiT-oCiM8HgIK0p4nB3l2ye37W9WiM9c4nzWud9XhVcyO-xBj7D3CdYJVeMsaaBK9_NCy0oswPSalfrkfR-ssdrS2iNcuyIiV7w8/s1600/Burg11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKVNDCBH3s2tsJy7Hr-CnuT5_bPNjd-QwiLCsh4iTxiT-oCiM8HgIK0p4nB3l2ye37W9WiM9c4nzWud9XhVcyO-xBj7D3CdYJVeMsaaBK9_NCy0oswPSalfrkfR-ssdrS2iNcuyIiV7w8/s320/Burg11.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There was time for some ‘sight-seeing’ in the charming town of <b>Beaune</b>, in the form of the Hospices du Beaune. Founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin as a charitable hospital for the poor, it is now a museum and an excellent showcase of 15th century French architecture. The glazed tile roofs of red, brown, green and yellow tiles laced together in intricate patterns is a trademark of Burgundy architecture. A visit to a local antiques fair and shopping ended another gorgeous day in Bourgogne. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Gqf4n9r0vXuaYiO0cg1ENgaXJRbPcMOCQUuajQgSugJyjUj0gKmWzRsy2YtGiIhRz03RNSNTyr9oewAZwExPSOYAGYBZtkwJCXYMoAY5FapiVCwfjTq333b1sfUV7BEKt7HCCvV-mwYI/s1600/Burg13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Gqf4n9r0vXuaYiO0cg1ENgaXJRbPcMOCQUuajQgSugJyjUj0gKmWzRsy2YtGiIhRz03RNSNTyr9oewAZwExPSOYAGYBZtkwJCXYMoAY5FapiVCwfjTq333b1sfUV7BEKt7HCCvV-mwYI/s320/Burg13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAroA0Am5StXlEFjb3XN0K6YiyjQ0SZi2328pvJuAg6QNS1OhQH4uadhVd7i8TNCWPrWQsSxnau6q8imc-H0-zyYyIAPCrz9JT7DWmkCHbpm4oNxdwpfqumXg41YTNrj2mDMWUnGT6YzPU/s1600/Burg14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAroA0Am5StXlEFjb3XN0K6YiyjQ0SZi2328pvJuAg6QNS1OhQH4uadhVd7i8TNCWPrWQsSxnau6q8imc-H0-zyYyIAPCrz9JT7DWmkCHbpm4oNxdwpfqumXg41YTNrj2mDMWUnGT6YzPU/s320/Burg14.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsWRP-BoNWXG-zxybbkgVMvXTS7QS23tIp3XiDg43xUvTFeNqfPPjn-0qaquDC9fp3ts85ejaC3uZnN_ubhTvqCsnjbZtgwA1XXm8yNLGeDsBoqn3ak-IrL4LCf_2wxeoL8ktDrm1L4uO/s1600/Burg15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsWRP-BoNWXG-zxybbkgVMvXTS7QS23tIp3XiDg43xUvTFeNqfPPjn-0qaquDC9fp3ts85ejaC3uZnN_ubhTvqCsnjbZtgwA1XXm8yNLGeDsBoqn3ak-IrL4LCf_2wxeoL8ktDrm1L4uO/s320/Burg15.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none;">So, let us talk about the food, shall we? Obviously I am not the first person to rave about French food, but eaten here on the land where it grows, without the pretense of a Paris bistro or cafe, your tastebuds take your soul to a sublime place where the nothing can go wrong. Whether it was home-made, creamy foie gras, or fresh salad dressed with a drizzle of truffle oil or perfectly cooked duck confit or fall-of the bone beef bourgogone, <i>Jambon perseille</i>, <i>Oeuf en gelee</i>, <i>Oeuf en meurette </i>- perfectly poached eggs in a silky red wine sauce or the cheeses - firm and creamy Comte, the sharp Tonnerre or the prickly Epoisses….this list is a long one. The chefs here are quite comfortable with their cooking skills to experiment with unusual ingredients in traditional dishes like a dash of ginger syrup in a light vinaigrette or curry powder on perfectly cooked Potato Parmentiers. But there is such a thing as too much of a good thing, I suppose and we found ourselves seeking out the familiar banality of McDonald’s, KFC(Kentucky French Chicken) and Subway for lunch a few times, although we stayed true to the mood of our trip by washing them down with the local Vueve Ambal!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSsR-V_Z8Ng8bWamV9lcFAHYVGo4avPSPQDd_G24pTcv2w1wdOjKf-etyef2_F3NGB34f7dAdWGO1LdzOmO37TLKGWNyTAwtaPQsGiRPHgciA_mRqVea5DOXjE9RfDEwOHIBpjsZFpAtb/s1600/Burg16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSsR-V_Z8Ng8bWamV9lcFAHYVGo4avPSPQDd_G24pTcv2w1wdOjKf-etyef2_F3NGB34f7dAdWGO1LdzOmO37TLKGWNyTAwtaPQsGiRPHgciA_mRqVea5DOXjE9RfDEwOHIBpjsZFpAtb/s320/Burg16.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQc4DNyBPoC7nO8x332IOSYwZ6vFMfcCUuPVDiMsoXOMy6E9OOCRBvfcZkpxcAxnrC2Cj_CfUR24j0xbDNIkSNqHCMR-a8bEL16yNiQLut9_Ibt9lTNCux-YvjsHq1C8MHrd9esuGLmBxX/s1600/Burg12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQc4DNyBPoC7nO8x332IOSYwZ6vFMfcCUuPVDiMsoXOMy6E9OOCRBvfcZkpxcAxnrC2Cj_CfUR24j0xbDNIkSNqHCMR-a8bEL16yNiQLut9_Ibt9lTNCux-YvjsHq1C8MHrd9esuGLmBxX/s320/Burg12.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We said a<i>u revoir</i> to the peaceful Bourgogne region with a renewed appreciation of the rural life, a life led close to the land and in harmony with nature. And wishing we had more time to indulge in this pastoral, peaceful way of life, we powered up the GPS and plotted our route to the predictable chaos of real life.</div>
</div>
</div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-48621095054568321852017-03-09T07:30:00.000-05:002017-03-09T07:43:18.471-05:00A Trip to Portugal - Lisbon and Sintra<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Tucked away in the southwest corner of Europe, Portugal is an unassuming gem that has not yet received its due as a premier tourist destination. Before this trip, all I knew about Portugal was what I had learnt in social studies class in school - that it was the home of Vasco da Gama, the first European to land on India’s shores. With the promise of mild weather in the middle of February and a chance to go to the beach, a week long trip to Portugal was planned. This account also gives me a chance to showcase the photographic talents of my travel partner and all-around gentleman, Partha Chakrabarti.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; min-height: 18px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Mary McCarthy, the American novelist wrote "Any Portuguese town looks like bride's finery - something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue". To discover that for ourselves, we planned a two part itinerary - first stop was the capital city of Lisbon and nearby Sintra followed by a road trip to the popular Algarve coast and back up to the </span>monastery towns of Alcobaca and Batalha to complete the loop. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 18px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAPNzgZW7tT29jmEJaz7dHljoFAou53OlXHP1qPCe75L00WjtbASB1YhAGH4JKcdEUk9UoLkcAYM7XL9MJz3m_HEmVhfKoJRrR1bFA4QT0dIbQLjfX2KPBOTb2MsIVA-MsgA_noCD4iiw/s1600/Lisbon4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAPNzgZW7tT29jmEJaz7dHljoFAou53OlXHP1qPCe75L00WjtbASB1YhAGH4JKcdEUk9UoLkcAYM7XL9MJz3m_HEmVhfKoJRrR1bFA4QT0dIbQLjfX2KPBOTb2MsIVA-MsgA_noCD4iiw/s320/Lisbon4.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Befitting any European capital city, Lisbon has its modern side with excellent infrastructure, modern buildings and public transportation. But it is the Old town comprised of Alfama, Bairro Alto/Chiado and Baixa that exudes the charm of old world Portugal. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmc_tOedwjvGIMkxWqVoU9WnENh91twlPwfFpPaOjtufoPv16_P3KRUvOkxjqEH0-1HOGja7qcrHxoq1E-Yeykz5V2B9gLOyk-Js8hq1tG14HzS479a2dgybq6AtRw7-yS8oOjO4m3P5NG/s1600/Lisbon1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmc_tOedwjvGIMkxWqVoU9WnENh91twlPwfFpPaOjtufoPv16_P3KRUvOkxjqEH0-1HOGja7qcrHxoq1E-Yeykz5V2B9gLOyk-Js8hq1tG14HzS479a2dgybq6AtRw7-yS8oOjO4m3P5NG/s320/Lisbon1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQUZy8_Sr4agv7jCVXXhf4tTwTPAWEKazmK1hKsCd57ZWl6u7Me7FRth9GURsFKXRA9MuiHqrgeOGkk5v3ofsKXingng7E665u-4a-ZWv-gkhz3daMoXimT0GtLkBaTDJQ8JoBGXJwYHE/s1600/Lisbon3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQUZy8_Sr4agv7jCVXXhf4tTwTPAWEKazmK1hKsCd57ZWl6u7Me7FRth9GURsFKXRA9MuiHqrgeOGkk5v3ofsKXingng7E665u-4a-ZWv-gkhz3daMoXimT0GtLkBaTDJQ8JoBGXJwYHE/s200/Lisbon3.JPG" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2ONtlO62nwO7GErwOYP6fUvj1hpQlCjKcROLXs1M6C3bTkjdtX-2PnMjffJ-OPBmAEU_gW8zax1gplBBjbnatQhazkHVUUTyOkoEUGUX93GEDVJjkbqyFFaporiQrkmtpWQ9Q0Ql5AQs/s1600/Lisbon2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2ONtlO62nwO7GErwOYP6fUvj1hpQlCjKcROLXs1M6C3bTkjdtX-2PnMjffJ-OPBmAEU_gW8zax1gplBBjbnatQhazkHVUUTyOkoEUGUX93GEDVJjkbqyFFaporiQrkmtpWQ9Q0Ql5AQs/s200/Lisbon2.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcToupHLpLOkmQtjDr2DvrJMQu8cgZXXeHoQGJFR9VepNcDgF0k0waLJgT_-mVuiMetPltqZ6v6XHfxmoKuD-DglLbMQ2aaYfcq6XLPQtgyy3U1w_iVNSiOCGtaF-oNKjT-oalJZ3l0Hig/s1600/Lisobn5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcToupHLpLOkmQtjDr2DvrJMQu8cgZXXeHoQGJFR9VepNcDgF0k0waLJgT_-mVuiMetPltqZ6v6XHfxmoKuD-DglLbMQ2aaYfcq6XLPQtgyy3U1w_iVNSiOCGtaF-oNKjT-oalJZ3l0Hig/s200/Lisobn5.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Narrow cobblestone roads lead up and down steep hills, tiny trams and funiculars jostling for space with tiny tuk-tuks whizzing past laid back pedestrians, spectacular tile work-<i> azulejos-</i> on walls of buildings topped with red terra cotta tiles, tiny houses squeezed next to restaurants serving bacalhau da bras, grilled sardines, <i>arroz do mariscal </i>and pasteis de natal. World famous retail chains sell trendy clothes and accessories next to old stores selling traditional painted ceramic roosters, cotton fabrics with intricate embroidery and lacework, tablecloths and purses made of cork, and tiles. </div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLXD0bJNTFT-5-ACnZ2ZxR-BLSfOqi5UpyUzYWaBqN-qUDKWNVZXMNeDshvui0QXFfmdtk_w2Dsa5pnl0iYo-gZk5LUhDwzmfdMwOc8593BKNA1VFlghTxB5l6cQMQnZmcHjmMcFLGnhJ/s1600/Portugal+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLXD0bJNTFT-5-ACnZ2ZxR-BLSfOqi5UpyUzYWaBqN-qUDKWNVZXMNeDshvui0QXFfmdtk_w2Dsa5pnl0iYo-gZk5LUhDwzmfdMwOc8593BKNA1VFlghTxB5l6cQMQnZmcHjmMcFLGnhJ/s200/Portugal+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 15px; text-align: left;"> Tiles are everywhere is Lisbon. Elaborate nautical scenes painted on ceramic glazed tiles in blue and white, art deco patterns in brown and green, and biblical vignettes in red and gold adorn the walls of churches and office buildings alike. Whether it is the <i>Cervejaria Trindade</i>, a cavernous erstwhile monastery converted into a brewery and cheery beer hall or a fountain on the sunlit terrace in the <i>Jardim Julio de Castilho,</i> art here is expressed not just on canvas or linen but also on ceramic tiles.</span></div>
<div class="separator" dir="rtl" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" dir="rtl" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNdGjqTNyUuFzbVw4dQKPklsj3gGmzFxFZkkEUW_rXq-wpxgrOFzt3Kj4B8UAK_MXN-eFB0iUg-jQ9nkZ4Rq2CKcdtFg5mQ-JXzU3d4fPv21HTypY3JmcdFZvpItWhaOD5a768_8glltg/s1600/Portugal+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNdGjqTNyUuFzbVw4dQKPklsj3gGmzFxFZkkEUW_rXq-wpxgrOFzt3Kj4B8UAK_MXN-eFB0iUg-jQ9nkZ4Rq2CKcdtFg5mQ-JXzU3d4fPv21HTypY3JmcdFZvpItWhaOD5a768_8glltg/s320/Portugal+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s320/Portugal+6.jpg" width="240" />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
Walking is certainly the best way to explore the alleyways of this charming old town is to walk and alleys, stopping at the numerous <i>mirador-s </i>(view points) and gardens and the small kiosks for a quick sip of delicious port wine.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3vVJYuWXj8srrqaD8OjH8KSEMXZdF9PNrfnhG2JuiozDG6kAh1pIvgP2iVcNZ_EAMdtUSVyfNTVb33lBaRmuwZLVoYShztr3nhEioLGvCJ_4SC7Yz0GZ5Ucb0sj4PTi_vi-kBCbvUkFS/s400/Portugal+3.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic: Partha Chakrabarti</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJYdQmKy4Cyt4eJdnkZqi6o1WadlkJ6gGMbW_gDoLJ0thjwhKvG6WMmBIWpLonfhFesTayEDdHrYD1hPGjkrukOmuyLpEHYwiS011vEphc8I4smjXTxQoxeQtalQPeUweQs-1-6UXmBKQ/s400/Portugal+4.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic: Partha Chakrabarti</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"> With a 1,115 mile long coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, nautical exploration and naval might has featured heavily in Portugal’s history. The Caravel, a small highly maneuverable sailing ship along with two crows features in the coat of arms of Lisbon and the armillary sphere is present on Portugal’s flag. It was no surprise then that it was a Portguese explorer, Vasco Da Game who eventually succeeded in finding out the naval route to India. He is held in high regard everywhere is Portugal, especially in Lisbon. He is entombed in a shrine in the magnificent Jeronimo’s monastery in Belem and a large statue of him stands alongside that of Marquis de Pombal, on the arch at the Prada de Commercio. The Marquis was who was responsible for the quick and successful reconstruction of Lisbon after a massive earthquake flattened the city in 1755. </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><b> Jeronimo’s monastery</b> is a splendid example of Portuguese Neo-Gothic Manueline style of architecture. Named after King Manuel I under whom it developed in the late 14h century, this decorative style employs intricately carved stonework in portals, niches, columns and ceiling featuring maritime themes, armillary spheres, botanical and Christian themes as well as images and influences from newly explored lands. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFW-gllgJOdpSiuqbSfGPs-H4PFtN0DndvvGC5RULPgY2z0coCHaiDPB_dpoy0k6_YS3APxz8xjn314dbZ9oK9Wq8Sr3Uq-UxP9tlI5iP8RYF0viwgfDf9EqQWviLTvO8cFT-IL-Qnai-7/s1600/JM4.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFW-gllgJOdpSiuqbSfGPs-H4PFtN0DndvvGC5RULPgY2z0coCHaiDPB_dpoy0k6_YS3APxz8xjn314dbZ9oK9Wq8Sr3Uq-UxP9tlI5iP8RYF0viwgfDf9EqQWviLTvO8cFT-IL-Qnai-7/s320/JM4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAqTZaORIAQ1wO6fHiJGHiDslb_HvJHZmlUlIcWTMiKAUNv2_DJp-_Js-IvCykSWcWr-Pk8_Vr8Za7yNxwUuAQ6YEfBTF8kaomKXfHIGLU7Ub0TXOzL8qHiHDXCKgdSax6h9I5023rfVA/s1600/JM2.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAqTZaORIAQ1wO6fHiJGHiDslb_HvJHZmlUlIcWTMiKAUNv2_DJp-_Js-IvCykSWcWr-Pk8_Vr8Za7yNxwUuAQ6YEfBTF8kaomKXfHIGLU7Ub0TXOzL8qHiHDXCKgdSax6h9I5023rfVA/s320/JM2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMV772pSHZV-jo_09Irc_KascBNzIDtW-bMYUr1gs-LAJnK2Ef3fyrl7c5kfTosB3tsOD3Eri-4KTEUUQXmSf23Lb3vQTfasHj0FZHurh21jlQ-9GzoWB1uOEooSUhbdndOd2ynUvBbi7L/s1600/JM3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMV772pSHZV-jo_09Irc_KascBNzIDtW-bMYUr1gs-LAJnK2Ef3fyrl7c5kfTosB3tsOD3Eri-4KTEUUQXmSf23Lb3vQTfasHj0FZHurh21jlQ-9GzoWB1uOEooSUhbdndOd2ynUvBbi7L/s320/JM3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4XKJChPcUMit60wPywnY8qky6WBA0iXnzJovAyXuzzuO50niL_2GLEnPSLPgJS_uSQXKKXhLm-lsaI4Z-8dmehPJaWiUNjHhpTgvwT8We0tH_5NAwZA6zLabMevL-AhE58sDPVRNEfVR/s1600/JM1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4XKJChPcUMit60wPywnY8qky6WBA0iXnzJovAyXuzzuO50niL_2GLEnPSLPgJS_uSQXKKXhLm-lsaI4Z-8dmehPJaWiUNjHhpTgvwT8We0tH_5NAwZA6zLabMevL-AhE58sDPVRNEfVR/s320/JM1.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRY_T8doqFxhh0wt20LBetVmhXLqL5HEW2cVnNInjMBcM0OhOJcu8wxguEjMMD2Rj0jqgXdmD12dI2B6ks5hYtX4OUIrkmLTTerva7T2R0ZZCIqM_Qcpn6qPPN83pG7J8_K6J1E5bBXa6-/s1600/PdC2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRY_T8doqFxhh0wt20LBetVmhXLqL5HEW2cVnNInjMBcM0OhOJcu8wxguEjMMD2Rj0jqgXdmD12dI2B6ks5hYtX4OUIrkmLTTerva7T2R0ZZCIqM_Qcpn6qPPN83pG7J8_K6J1E5bBXa6-/s320/PdC2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqu27hepVjU_qpotruw4ow_Mp1Y6MiYdTkXnmqjyAz7VVR8Etk54817qJK41wJJWjOEBnQplpl-8kUsqEkTzpVPhdRd5BKP1l_jGDGt-Y9tQYkb7dXWzbQzIUBdJXU5ViFZXIc1zGUO-Ez/s1600/PdC3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqu27hepVjU_qpotruw4ow_Mp1Y6MiYdTkXnmqjyAz7VVR8Etk54817qJK41wJJWjOEBnQplpl-8kUsqEkTzpVPhdRd5BKP1l_jGDGt-Y9tQYkb7dXWzbQzIUBdJXU5ViFZXIc1zGUO-Ez/s320/PdC3.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 15px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While the <b>Praca do Commercio</b> at the end of Baixa, a wide open square along the Rio Tagus, welcomes the visitors to this quaint and unassuming city, the <b>Castelo do Sao Jorge</b> stands guard at it’s highest point. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5deICRSgDkFCVPD3eoRuvQTIKq79vk1LlfueewhHoA9A3sXx1F-mIOTkXjsFHb5DkvEnkyZ8QqkNIg9j3wGjn1rR4BXMIJ0XXTSFkxqwfvcVeGVpoTRPJksz1vYqGkHDMMd-PYKvg4RG/s1600/Castle1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5deICRSgDkFCVPD3eoRuvQTIKq79vk1LlfueewhHoA9A3sXx1F-mIOTkXjsFHb5DkvEnkyZ8QqkNIg9j3wGjn1rR4BXMIJ0XXTSFkxqwfvcVeGVpoTRPJksz1vYqGkHDMMd-PYKvg4RG/s320/Castle1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNshB8GsPyCrdM52GmN4STA3p7aPEex6QKCnbJ6G-9nDH9XFM9ZnsaXqIrTMJjYNWu68mFjNNfzSiTJ2f7lNhMSVVej0_71KakhhOWLnN0JVvKQPLwpyfzpqjFSvDhsRtTo_pGBDUGOW4/s1600/castle2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNshB8GsPyCrdM52GmN4STA3p7aPEex6QKCnbJ6G-9nDH9XFM9ZnsaXqIrTMJjYNWu68mFjNNfzSiTJ2f7lNhMSVVej0_71KakhhOWLnN0JVvKQPLwpyfzpqjFSvDhsRtTo_pGBDUGOW4/s320/castle2.JPG" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 15px;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dating back to the medieval times, this Moorish castle has been used by successive Portuguese royals as a residence and as a show of their military might. Though most of what remains now are ruins, this citadel complex offers some of the best views of the city of Lisbon. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"> A short 30 minute drive to mountains north of Lisbon took us to the town of <b>Sintra</b>. This small town hosts many of Portugal’s national monuments and has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Our destination has been described on the internet and guide books as 'Disney-esque', brightly colored castle on the top of a hill. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3nvWb5pUCeQ_vF0iGIn9Y3loOBPPxacWSL02TQoCVLW9e8Q3KSNJ6KU8SKxgzE9IqM8y0phPpYOqCNleMaSkgeZoyNbw6-Km7Ru9akaxqOfiMXvDlVTZuOW5y7zJrvQsPjQfUxMpTHtA/s1600/SP2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3nvWb5pUCeQ_vF0iGIn9Y3loOBPPxacWSL02TQoCVLW9e8Q3KSNJ6KU8SKxgzE9IqM8y0phPpYOqCNleMaSkgeZoyNbw6-Km7Ru9akaxqOfiMXvDlVTZuOW5y7zJrvQsPjQfUxMpTHtA/s400/SP2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpslWc5HU4wYhchLhUB5gMK3iUEMCudTLIu958loJa8mIMwDuATcSJKRgFIGIclVpskc8f1gCEvWGOXWsDa7kCc1nyawoAMTVe-tb5QpFc9BJvYMPHmilD5Q77UsRQTEHKSAa0I8l3_Ioc/s1600/SP1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpslWc5HU4wYhchLhUB5gMK3iUEMCudTLIu958loJa8mIMwDuATcSJKRgFIGIclVpskc8f1gCEvWGOXWsDa7kCc1nyawoAMTVe-tb5QpFc9BJvYMPHmilD5Q77UsRQTEHKSAa0I8l3_Ioc/s320/SP1.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 15px;">As the summer palace of the Portuguese royalty up until the early 20th century, the Pena Palace is an adorable dollhouse in bright red, yellow and blue, topped with domes, clock towers and terraces. Built in the Romantic style in the early 1800s, this national monument started its life as a chapel and monastery for the monks of the order of St. Jerome. After the earthquake of 1755, King Ferdinand II acquired the monastery and the land surrounding it and commissioned the construction of the present day palace. Moorish arches and domes are mixed with Neo-Manueline stone work on classic Gothic columns and topped with gargoyles. This is a fantasy land, where the best elements of art and architecture over two centuries is displayed with wild abandon. From the statue of Triton showing the allegory of creation to the arches of the Queen’s terraces, the beauty carries on inside as well. The Royal chapel with its exquisite alabaster carved altar, azulejos adorning every wall, stucco and masterfully painted walls and ceiling serve as phenomenal backdrop for exquisitely carved furniture and everyday objects.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXp6jkKHvzigK6NN5hDrD2HF3kv3pNdFZqaaI8weig67ReO3SZxyBiGPankp9CXE3vUc9lKSFtCweiWsycQhGaRdlzSf9lDNQagh-dc0t71LkI1PuP3isobC7jSiIU91VKq6pJBs0kdrgf/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_df3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXp6jkKHvzigK6NN5hDrD2HF3kv3pNdFZqaaI8weig67ReO3SZxyBiGPankp9CXE3vUc9lKSFtCweiWsycQhGaRdlzSf9lDNQagh-dc0t71LkI1PuP3isobC7jSiIU91VKq6pJBs0kdrgf/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_df3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyKSeDuZVewgtbfMH7IR6hyphenhyphenjet2cKLn8nzsd2XIoRpCw40-jrS9PORJVJYoMM2f6nbDb6duTHhyphenhyphenylOQAkU71fqD9d0lqaLxMrUo09ocC9HLAkqRWdkv1Le-RtosMXquktsiDaqgLJ9wmr/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_dfe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyKSeDuZVewgtbfMH7IR6hyphenhyphenjet2cKLn8nzsd2XIoRpCw40-jrS9PORJVJYoMM2f6nbDb6duTHhyphenhyphenylOQAkU71fqD9d0lqaLxMrUo09ocC9HLAkqRWdkv1Le-RtosMXquktsiDaqgLJ9wmr/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_dfe.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiwlsH05bmP5fjNTmPOTUedqGHCOvcPoAnG75_0u1ULEW1UDi4JBYgHhgnkANjVHN4xJ4piACiG4mzZc3q1TsuyUHJOMPhHYNafuM8T2WX__PF-5ZTr_EmRS1ZXJyGEl1N0glK45etO4_/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_df8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiwlsH05bmP5fjNTmPOTUedqGHCOvcPoAnG75_0u1ULEW1UDi4JBYgHhgnkANjVHN4xJ4piACiG4mzZc3q1TsuyUHJOMPhHYNafuM8T2WX__PF-5ZTr_EmRS1ZXJyGEl1N0glK45etO4_/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_df8.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZFoouqUlPIkAWn_llOaQdNAE2VrxS7sJVZTC34XcDOXBTq-kC2t2EkMEuwMO_yvPiqX7Jm7cg9WueC-Wg_fdJOdRlx6kqGT_TbBoW46t-i6MBTXcGh09Yg5teuDl5UEF-T5d69HlYq0s/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_e09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZFoouqUlPIkAWn_llOaQdNAE2VrxS7sJVZTC34XcDOXBTq-kC2t2EkMEuwMO_yvPiqX7Jm7cg9WueC-Wg_fdJOdRlx6kqGT_TbBoW46t-i6MBTXcGh09Yg5teuDl5UEF-T5d69HlYq0s/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_e09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcrdJismo3YCAWTLu37fIBRFOB8uV3_lbCp0h6jzjmInEHFFIAcTNRAFGHHrDTnhjNhdG01YfQseq1Ew9BFsTxFW0pxZmeQpwGQMbF5Dj7NE6gVmYOHxRjFz_mJd69UgLMiDTHZ5UuZcP/s1600/Portugal+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-37389826958262135142017-03-09T07:21:00.000-05:002017-03-09T07:21:05.252-05:00A Trip to Portugal - Algarve and the Monastery Circuit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The second leg of our Portugal expedition was a road trip from Lisbon south to the wild coast of <b>Algarve.</b> Driving on the well-maintained Highway A2 also called Via Infante <span style="font-family: inherit;">de Sagres, we traversed the region of <b>Alentejo,</b> knowns as the 'bread basket of Portugal'. Rolling green hills dotted with yellow wildflowers lead to grazing cows and sheep. Groves of really tall trees as far as we could see. These unusual trees look </span>like long sticks where </span></span>trunks are stripped to a smooth brown surface and the branches form a tight ball at the very top, llke dark leafy green cotton balls. <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">These are cork oak trees which yield cork, one of the most important exports of Portugal. The Alentejo extends all the way to the coast with small white washed houses with blue stripes and inviting beaches like</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Cabo Sadrao and Arrifana.</span></div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRTVSQnBuLjOL8ETIjglxmGL0w2rKCoTCLjsdb259zpypo4WFSLSPj529ePx9nnMrIwu5yx41t7V89Rg36VmFwRhiaV3-Nty18Q7RnQJ8iiSxJR4t7EnFK76UxdzwryMbuHkwHZLNYUbF/s200/Cork-Oak-Bark-Shed-Bark-Nature-Bulletin-Board-Cork-505266.jpg" width="200" /></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"> Our destination, <b>Sagres </b>is the south-westernmost tip of continental Europe. In summer, this is a popular beach destination for Europeans but in February we found it to be a quiet village with phenomenal views of cliffs jutting in to the Atlantic. Though the water was too cold to swim in, the sunny days gave us a relaxing break from sight-seeing and souvenir shopping.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRqSecyiBKMM-0GmxWewjL-9hKn2NJdQ32NRF9kjkPX224Ztei0nOaQaSXHhilZ8XDPHOUQ4VaCkUGNLwmllAIyuS8TaHr9skWfp9fKwucnQ_Hr08PYtixfzdMZalzRFX407OaPBdHvkU/s1600/alg1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRqSecyiBKMM-0GmxWewjL-9hKn2NJdQ32NRF9kjkPX224Ztei0nOaQaSXHhilZ8XDPHOUQ4VaCkUGNLwmllAIyuS8TaHr9skWfp9fKwucnQ_Hr08PYtixfzdMZalzRFX407OaPBdHvkU/s320/alg1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI29rk-uDbK7Fohz40q2qNKkOvWh6tcxQtQRkPv3c_ORej7IE6LcxAiOl-FxtffxSv1b_TxrKmsW72z5Bn7VbWm0nChuIRwzEufuIJz_zkhjesJRjDRqzgeGSu6C6rDknG8ww5MecylAgR/s1600/alg2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI29rk-uDbK7Fohz40q2qNKkOvWh6tcxQtQRkPv3c_ORej7IE6LcxAiOl-FxtffxSv1b_TxrKmsW72z5Bn7VbWm0nChuIRwzEufuIJz_zkhjesJRjDRqzgeGSu6C6rDknG8ww5MecylAgR/s320/alg2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaoHMnJfmiloSNEiZKUthaFpfYDHPhbVJHNIvHpLLo832w390zOPBa3TIwAFiPMUnXa4P9cL5SlM6RBogbRn4v27sVaBlStp78WFrfjS8fprMdYWonZbcUfxRMpYTeKkuYy0baZ47HweF/s1600/alg3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaoHMnJfmiloSNEiZKUthaFpfYDHPhbVJHNIvHpLLo832w390zOPBa3TIwAFiPMUnXa4P9cL5SlM6RBogbRn4v27sVaBlStp78WFrfjS8fprMdYWonZbcUfxRMpYTeKkuYy0baZ47HweF/s320/alg3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0XmoRD4ezdmqNsJPuZCYbocrUthyphenhyphenFty0VB7Jh-3r3PkddMiAo37VTRy208nVFGvekySwAOFHyQdSZg_LZKMzrhKwEPnPhyDqhO3poer1NOgTDDxFpGLZ3B-7GaELlPRkG0n7MM4e03kV/s1600/alg4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0XmoRD4ezdmqNsJPuZCYbocrUthyphenhyphenFty0VB7Jh-3r3PkddMiAo37VTRy208nVFGvekySwAOFHyQdSZg_LZKMzrhKwEPnPhyDqhO3poer1NOgTDDxFpGLZ3B-7GaELlPRkG0n7MM4e03kV/s320/alg4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPjn2RTs2PbTrAJeAmi8-UiqWECYpfgBeyXVwvG8X95nHiRECeMhqq-SltlLgNpgBPKOwF4IWA_WPC9jkm_HwEQUNp-imQLQqLwEnIWw5HGCmWE8hRrbt8uXxHWtiKLv5DQqqhEWVP6j9/s1600/alg5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPjn2RTs2PbTrAJeAmi8-UiqWECYpfgBeyXVwvG8X95nHiRECeMhqq-SltlLgNpgBPKOwF4IWA_WPC9jkm_HwEQUNp-imQLQqLwEnIWw5HGCmWE8hRrbt8uXxHWtiKLv5DQqqhEWVP6j9/s320/alg5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"> The monastery circuit of Alcobaca, Batalha and Fatima is well regarded among the faithful. Along with the religious significance, the monasteries of Alcobaca and Batalha have historical importance to the Portuguese people and have been efficiently preserved and maintained. The monastery at <b>Alcobaca</b> has a striking Gothic facade and a stark interior which reflects its main purpose. This was a house of prayer not celebration. It is also the final resting place of King Pedro I and his murdered mistress Ines Castro. </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsI94mmedg6MNGEHg6K3ljgNo5PTS_DZTDOMo_1-sLlSzeG6kBDeVMBmdVvf0ab-YxbxsSw7c6OVavCIeSSylc13or5RlQ_BmgTipd4W3uGi0xbYN0G3XSXZWwKzNQEIg2XrN-ogVUqGm/s1600/JrwobYBBS4Oc7aBWYVUZxw_thumb_d5c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsI94mmedg6MNGEHg6K3ljgNo5PTS_DZTDOMo_1-sLlSzeG6kBDeVMBmdVvf0ab-YxbxsSw7c6OVavCIeSSylc13or5RlQ_BmgTipd4W3uGi0xbYN0G3XSXZWwKzNQEIg2XrN-ogVUqGm/s320/JrwobYBBS4Oc7aBWYVUZxw_thumb_d5c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DbbZXVVmfCB0ePhmWR2eGaEU0gzlrxjK5FBlLu5Mj3S9EN-JpTfBZbYdByAB3Sax_xCx2EyORebOEyQga1YsrpZJkJ5XhedQyLXCn61MoRsML8Ynotep0vuCTzy3AXfGHoRw7If9Xdqi/s1600/alc1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DbbZXVVmfCB0ePhmWR2eGaEU0gzlrxjK5FBlLu5Mj3S9EN-JpTfBZbYdByAB3Sax_xCx2EyORebOEyQga1YsrpZJkJ5XhedQyLXCn61MoRsML8Ynotep0vuCTzy3AXfGHoRw7If9Xdqi/s320/alc1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"> The monastery of <b>Batalha </b>however, dwarfs the visitor with its grandeur and architecture. Built to commemorate the Portuguese victory over the Spaniards in Aljubberra in 1385, this monastery also served as a burial church for the Aviz dynasty of the Portuguese royalty. The central courtyard and the royal cloisters exhibit more of the Manueline architecture showcased in Jeronomo’s monastery in Lisbon. The wide pointed Gothic archways are layered with elaborate stonework featuring royal symbols of the armillary sphere and the cross of the order of Christ. </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXXfnjY_l1LQ17Q-hyY9uWmneKx1rkfgAZJR8QRkkmUSLuH1briipABlq83SDScUKsNatgQR_V4ri40law9Gam684wH0Y3DyKybIlEg5bpSrsjYKQrtjGlD0M0XT2EuPDX5Ne1GVqXi3Q/s1600/BT1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXXfnjY_l1LQ17Q-hyY9uWmneKx1rkfgAZJR8QRkkmUSLuH1briipABlq83SDScUKsNatgQR_V4ri40law9Gam684wH0Y3DyKybIlEg5bpSrsjYKQrtjGlD0M0XT2EuPDX5Ne1GVqXi3Q/s320/BT1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXewAJ4eBAX56EnTzjgTE5diSbRyoY3dCfKlz9dITOZzpGijD14mqOC6qFs2roF1IbnkCv2jiPtNS3_ID_YD79LNDf83jwazMWMWqpsH1kEDVrLumIykw3EW6xV6qZ4VZ5c0Oq0ZH84c8G/s1600/BT4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXewAJ4eBAX56EnTzjgTE5diSbRyoY3dCfKlz9dITOZzpGijD14mqOC6qFs2roF1IbnkCv2jiPtNS3_ID_YD79LNDf83jwazMWMWqpsH1kEDVrLumIykw3EW6xV6qZ4VZ5c0Oq0ZH84c8G/s320/BT4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbs4CoFnf9upiLME7rY948LBxJp-A3ScqgqP83lw9KaH-9-VNFhq2H7alzuWrnZHkrdJ6OqooK53XwuW4mQbjRV8Cm5yBjzXO6Hlm0jQPt13UfwQ1ACQgzMZBk8eCJ5TMAHe8SExTWrOU/s1600/BT5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbs4CoFnf9upiLME7rY948LBxJp-A3ScqgqP83lw9KaH-9-VNFhq2H7alzuWrnZHkrdJ6OqooK53XwuW4mQbjRV8Cm5yBjzXO6Hlm0jQPt13UfwQ1ACQgzMZBk8eCJ5TMAHe8SExTWrOU/s320/BT5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgPpz0L6h5j7oSWass2yJ-vBFLFw81WjhLHgAxqyTTbiK5hkepazPXo2IKMOdTflyNeDocON40oqVFSBPjBJdJvvfYO3gEFVBkEzdJ-zUyPkTF2jBW_CEdYsBQOXVG1rsbCR2DxnD3peW/s1600/BT3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgPpz0L6h5j7oSWass2yJ-vBFLFw81WjhLHgAxqyTTbiK5hkepazPXo2IKMOdTflyNeDocON40oqVFSBPjBJdJvvfYO3gEFVBkEzdJ-zUyPkTF2jBW_CEdYsBQOXVG1rsbCR2DxnD3peW/s320/BT3.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
</div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"> Given the importance of the Atlantic ocean in historical and present-day Portugal, we decided to end our trip on its coast. The fishing village of<b> Nazare</b> is quintessentially Portuguese. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">A well constructed promenade rings the beach and the town is settled around it. Rows of nets hold gutted fish and squid left in the sun to dry and little old ladies wearing traditional dresses and scarves sell roasted chestnuts and dried fish to snack on. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPB9oBc-rlcfbaobzV6ZjJLEUOZLdtDW2AX_wlCfKDexXBslXy8aFdw4GZKvow9sclItqfmc6UIAOwwymJchlcgeLJ7QxggtIlcC7SttGlVJqTOFYvDbF1P4eCin2BLOkRbIJZfHWAXuVZ/s1600/NZ1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPB9oBc-rlcfbaobzV6ZjJLEUOZLdtDW2AX_wlCfKDexXBslXy8aFdw4GZKvow9sclItqfmc6UIAOwwymJchlcgeLJ7QxggtIlcC7SttGlVJqTOFYvDbF1P4eCin2BLOkRbIJZfHWAXuVZ/s320/NZ1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtMzB5TjAeIE_TJ7d9sN9tVpA03Rk0oPZ6iYpKIklNUUEnY_a2TMo-8X2rm1T9mb8S301I3SBwAMVIDWlsf0GUpEWq9iTS64AF0m-W7HfR_cRRjJDoeoI48HQBNjMFvIHaswA1cgnKUUk/s1600/NZ2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtMzB5TjAeIE_TJ7d9sN9tVpA03Rk0oPZ6iYpKIklNUUEnY_a2TMo-8X2rm1T9mb8S301I3SBwAMVIDWlsf0GUpEWq9iTS64AF0m-W7HfR_cRRjJDoeoI48HQBNjMFvIHaswA1cgnKUUk/s320/NZ2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhab_z9LE4Lk4hIYG8gQLcpq58xa0YUwORNbylvpujm8q5ivMfCuLXM8Q2BPv4CRhC6KCvLaM5Ssttb8L76zMFToBwP6WNgTDcwyolwI2rUwL3eqjbLg5etptH9wX79Rn83p-GeXfl_hlfK/s1600/NZ3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhab_z9LE4Lk4hIYG8gQLcpq58xa0YUwORNbylvpujm8q5ivMfCuLXM8Q2BPv4CRhC6KCvLaM5Ssttb8L76zMFToBwP6WNgTDcwyolwI2rUwL3eqjbLg5etptH9wX79Rn83p-GeXfl_hlfK/s320/NZ3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAf2XpAG-9zdeSFZEgKOUc36bGHh4wEO8T_Wat1ZTX1OnIq335STrj8hwY92h8TOEs-bKuRKK1D0RDHIlLQDJxz4nQ-05whXfUfFrv62-HtgLCgIl8ZQ1z_NXkqhUrOJ5GNUUw8r4aEn7b/s1600/NZ4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAf2XpAG-9zdeSFZEgKOUc36bGHh4wEO8T_Wat1ZTX1OnIq335STrj8hwY92h8TOEs-bKuRKK1D0RDHIlLQDJxz4nQ-05whXfUfFrv62-HtgLCgIl8ZQ1z_NXkqhUrOJ5GNUUw8r4aEn7b/s320/NZ4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The pace of life here is slow, as is it should be, calling you to relax and let your worries be swept away by the crystal clear green waters of the Atlantic. Here, as everywhere in Portugal, life is meant to be taken one day at at time, savoured like fine port wine and inhaled deeply like the fresh, salty Atlantic breeze.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 18.0px}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style></div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-73135675935845586292017-01-17T08:19:00.000-05:002017-01-17T08:56:49.866-05:00Mallorca - our Mediterranean paradise<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The continent of Europe lies in the temperate climate zone, which means around the end of October, it is difficult to find a warm, sunny place within 2 hours of flying time from London. The trees were bringing out their golden wardrobe, the sun was beginning to doze off around 4pm and autumn was making its presence felt. Winter with its short, cold rainy days and long, colder nights was around the corner and a week in the sun was what we needed. A group of islands to the east of Spain caught our attention. While living in California, I had come across brightly colored Majorca ceramics and that was all I knew about Majorca, Spain. The weather forecast predicted average highs in the high 60s (Fahrenheit) and pictures of the idyllic blue green waters of the Mediterranean sealed the deal. We were going to Mallorca!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oq_0EpjiZscSRDyC9Zr5SAO2W-Y1c4BZ7NcLBH6KaXfXzjP3zOm8hErBL2y4h64OeREki5BW9UeFvxqAyjPYKinYobbQxjLkRAnGJDC6AXOF7LxdU7ZR5rYlL8DE-Y3nyKWauNumT0Z1/s1600/Mallorca+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oq_0EpjiZscSRDyC9Zr5SAO2W-Y1c4BZ7NcLBH6KaXfXzjP3zOm8hErBL2y4h64OeREki5BW9UeFvxqAyjPYKinYobbQxjLkRAnGJDC6AXOF7LxdU7ZR5rYlL8DE-Y3nyKWauNumT0Z1/s320/Mallorca+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mallorca is the largest of the Baleariac islands in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a popular tourist destination with a modern international airport at its capital city, Palma de Mallorca. Going to a country where English is not the official language always excites me as it is an immersive experience in a language like no other. Over the years, I have tried, unsuccessfully, to learn Spanish but have only managed to know enough to read my way through signs, instructions and brochures. It was therefore very surprising see that at the airport, the signs were in English, German(!), Spanish and more Spanish, though not exactly. It was only later, at the hotel when I asked the receptionist about it, that I found out that Germans make up the majority of tourists in Mallorca and Spanish is not the official language. It is Catalan, specifically a dialect known as Mallorquin which sounds like Spanish but is not quite Spanish. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Palma is the hub of tourist activity in Mallorca. It is a big city like any other with impressive infrastructure and facilities. But we were in Mallorca to to get away from it all. So we picked up the rental car and headed for Cala D'or, a sleepy village on the island's east coast. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Highway MA-19 winds through the central plain or Es Pla as it is locally known. It is a scraggly almost arid landscape; not what one expects on an island. There was no verdant shrubbery, palm trees frolicking in the wind or the salty smell of sea air. Instead, gnarled, knobbly and stout olive trees stood betweens acres of reluctant grape vines in front of rocky hills jutting out of the ground as far as the eye could see, under a bright clear blue sky. As we were got closer to the coast, we drove through sleepy villages-it was siesta time after all- with modest white-washed houses with green shutters, red tiles and delightful names like Felantx and Santanyi. Here the landscape was agricultural with narrow roads flanked by large orange and lemon orchards. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Cala d'or</b> was exactly I was hoping it would be. The town center is a maze of cobblestone streets with stores and cafes serving olives, iberico and serrano ham, pa amb oli with Mallorcan cheese and fresh seafood and padron peppers! We settled on paella for dinner and called it a night.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgez06wPlDtpbGH4VYXhfsGrhjhNMq_73GtKt7_n03iZmFcKzhK3Pus8fmY-WamzauRrUiB1aqQzdMF_lPlrkCUIxG8ooOBvW_kdMkp0Nn6AoCfI70bsJPuraBTLSDjMdZcAC2uByP63ELs/s1600/Mallorca+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgez06wPlDtpbGH4VYXhfsGrhjhNMq_73GtKt7_n03iZmFcKzhK3Pus8fmY-WamzauRrUiB1aqQzdMF_lPlrkCUIxG8ooOBvW_kdMkp0Nn6AoCfI70bsJPuraBTLSDjMdZcAC2uByP63ELs/s400/Mallorca+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwjvoezRNYKhZhj6F1PBDwphz11RhywDtn4JQeczWZ78WRxWqGW9qkF-ml9q6g9x2RwE6tD53W6cCBYcflvJJDctiUQftM6xMW0SsL-JcBy4wiROerxzWC1odWbQcZrJJo5BuPCbZwL2b/s1600/Mallorca+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwjvoezRNYKhZhj6F1PBDwphz11RhywDtn4JQeczWZ78WRxWqGW9qkF-ml9q6g9x2RwE6tD53W6cCBYcflvJJDctiUQftM6xMW0SsL-JcBy4wiROerxzWC1odWbQcZrJJo5BuPCbZwL2b/s320/Mallorca+9.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHfYG5esqwKWkpm1UGaKFg0vL6P_6HgOz9kwWH0bOMbdWL5KLiPqBWcwzglTYrwI4dd-9JM29RC2E8D-WXkYfRsj_t0fwhoNkfS7uHkFSwT1BBMRoYmaf5jYLgvfbHAgrvL7WgeLrVUqe/s1600/Mallorca+10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHfYG5esqwKWkpm1UGaKFg0vL6P_6HgOz9kwWH0bOMbdWL5KLiPqBWcwzglTYrwI4dd-9JM29RC2E8D-WXkYfRsj_t0fwhoNkfS7uHkFSwT1BBMRoYmaf5jYLgvfbHAgrvL7WgeLrVUqe/s320/Mallorca+10.jpeg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3O3AxBxr7qx8-C6BK3r_T7fSLTyQmEPQ3z-EplYeQe-volDL2U9kq4arZS-dKYEfYYXlEEDIRtDm0ug5wUdwhN6N9uyI5cPOn7FXHpHAJY3v_4eO8xHlxI7-bt3go3EKb3uqIoNOIsOEM/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3O3AxBxr7qx8-C6BK3r_T7fSLTyQmEPQ3z-EplYeQe-volDL2U9kq4arZS-dKYEfYYXlEEDIRtDm0ug5wUdwhN6N9uyI5cPOn7FXHpHAJY3v_4eO8xHlxI7-bt3go3EKb3uqIoNOIsOEM/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_904.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You don't need much when the water is warm, you are a short drive away from a fine sandy beach and the beach is not over run by people. To the sound of crashing waves and giggling children, add the call of the local fruit vendor selling pineapples and coconuts to the amused foreigners and the smell of fried sardines wafting from nearby cafes - it is a picture perfect postcard! However, there is always land to be explored and on one of the days, we took out the car and the maps and headed out to explore the rest of the island.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Driving west, we left Palma behind and climbed up and down the rugged mountain range of <b>Serra de Tramuntana</b>. The entire mountain range is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, owing to its importance in the cultural and agricultural life of its settlers. Our first stop was <b>Port D'Andratx.</b> Lore has it that this natural port was raided frequently by Turkish pirates and to preserve their town, the locals moved it inland to Andratx. Whether at the water or inland, this lovely town is surrounded by fortifications and boasts an impoing Gothic parish church.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9OZ-Z1NFHwHAlJBNRczdhFhGrIx8W1iu6tQmNd7OYvqDgu3ruJBAIHKPObGLT2fO1CYb63f29MTejuJDLgv4hmrowaNiBRVVPAgzP64h9jIplvf9QKljvpqboHvT1wQt4wQA8Uc8GCq4/s1600/MAllorca+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9OZ-Z1NFHwHAlJBNRczdhFhGrIx8W1iu6tQmNd7OYvqDgu3ruJBAIHKPObGLT2fO1CYb63f29MTejuJDLgv4hmrowaNiBRVVPAgzP64h9jIplvf9QKljvpqboHvT1wQt4wQA8Uc8GCq4/s400/MAllorca+3.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBAiDwiFXfcS06nwJujav59nVN-GkxvX8hp0BbE_JAhN6ybISDtFyRf_ZFds8zlpNILsjw3yAP2Daa86M1rfmTB_H4FpjqpyaR79-D9sJeoqP1YHOzgV5eLYuknqxVmN4NpFLJoSnLCNZ/s1600/Mallorca+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBAiDwiFXfcS06nwJujav59nVN-GkxvX8hp0BbE_JAhN6ybISDtFyRf_ZFds8zlpNILsjw3yAP2Daa86M1rfmTB_H4FpjqpyaR79-D9sJeoqP1YHOzgV5eLYuknqxVmN4NpFLJoSnLCNZ/s400/Mallorca+5.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGdHwS8NXSwWKqVSxzDQyVlntLV9Yi5p-LbaVNXyksZbcOAkLmLb9buktF0A7i73-ehqOrfKIIPBqR-9IJ8M1iX5rofF5kcyv_o6c89wQE0eUiRytInt2fK6-KedA1b_u6XExu3ZEM-zq/s1600/Mallorca+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGdHwS8NXSwWKqVSxzDQyVlntLV9Yi5p-LbaVNXyksZbcOAkLmLb9buktF0A7i73-ehqOrfKIIPBqR-9IJ8M1iX5rofF5kcyv_o6c89wQE0eUiRytInt2fK6-KedA1b_u6XExu3ZEM-zq/s400/Mallorca+4.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdjgx2t_bfDYw4AGUF1ywtXRaeUIP4nCwMM0T1oIAkOBLfkjkYbcYE5clcWpdnDbGld1tRYsviFwMvs6mVzZuMpVpKOP3pSLSChhqNLXBk8jbwA1eda2mc7s87da3ENJ9PYYrRW57ASwR/s1600/Mallorca+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdjgx2t_bfDYw4AGUF1ywtXRaeUIP4nCwMM0T1oIAkOBLfkjkYbcYE5clcWpdnDbGld1tRYsviFwMvs6mVzZuMpVpKOP3pSLSChhqNLXBk8jbwA1eda2mc7s87da3ENJ9PYYrRW57ASwR/s400/Mallorca+6.jpg" width="300" /></a> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Driving further along the jagged northwestern coast of the island, the majestic blue green waters of the Mediterranean lie at the bottom of rugged formidable cliffs shaded by pine trees. This is not an easy landscape to conquer which makes it quite impressive to see fields of grapes, almonds and citrus here. The mountainous landscape is latticed with a network of dense dry stone walls known as paret seca made of irregular stones, diving the land into parcels. It is not uncommon to see these walls creep up along the cliff faces and carve out terraces on which the locals farm and tend to livestock like their ancestors used to. The Moors who came to this island in 902 AD are thought to have brought this knowledge with them from their native arid Africa. The technique is still in use here leading to agriculture being a vital part of the economy alongside tourism. This is unspoilt Mallorca at its best. Delightful towns of <b>Estellencs</b> and <b>Banyalbufar</b> and further north, <b>Valdemossa </b>beg you to stop your wanderings and take in the sprawling vistas, inhale the fresh air and leave your worries behind.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIW4GseeGh7LaQDS4zHrCCDtiDQsoAb9k7cS_umJ_yYp5QO5eXmX6Vud5FGo32iPECtW04ZUUeDcBVZQ9NlB5Yl3HUcXzJXCGnzjRE7xLyT_pSgV1Za6Oi_z4rOL2f0QlEMdlvxX64YqZj/s1600/Mallorca+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIW4GseeGh7LaQDS4zHrCCDtiDQsoAb9k7cS_umJ_yYp5QO5eXmX6Vud5FGo32iPECtW04ZUUeDcBVZQ9NlB5Yl3HUcXzJXCGnzjRE7xLyT_pSgV1Za6Oi_z4rOL2f0QlEMdlvxX64YqZj/s400/Mallorca+7.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQguIdXSSRjcmID31JSetA89G1XRUrMcgxCbUTsSxJrOOxQa4p-AIG1dhnPhfk3rfQdDhEWTGe3_dbZ7fDGZ5mM8TjnYSZaT0MXGIKhtS0gxs8DCup4iLeKG6p1-lwT5uo8t2nYLquRdt/s1600/Mallorca+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQguIdXSSRjcmID31JSetA89G1XRUrMcgxCbUTsSxJrOOxQa4p-AIG1dhnPhfk3rfQdDhEWTGe3_dbZ7fDGZ5mM8TjnYSZaT0MXGIKhtS0gxs8DCup4iLeKG6p1-lwT5uo8t2nYLquRdt/s400/Mallorca+8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAD4-aHva67b3WmnRlaMzO80SgEGj-9pvxhYrRJp4_w8x7uv3z8jVaPJSf6Z_I1jIVlNd9uUGAFhncbMPkC5h7p94SjMXxXoVuNt-0kpxwPHFjzY9A_uysxI-W0DJejaxDDKM86QgewsWZ/s1600/Mallorca+12.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAD4-aHva67b3WmnRlaMzO80SgEGj-9pvxhYrRJp4_w8x7uv3z8jVaPJSf6Z_I1jIVlNd9uUGAFhncbMPkC5h7p94SjMXxXoVuNt-0kpxwPHFjzY9A_uysxI-W0DJejaxDDKM86QgewsWZ/s400/Mallorca+12.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
A couple more days of glorious sloth on the beach ensued and the day before we had to head back to reality, we decided to venture out into Palma. After walking the narrow lanes of the old town, we reached the star attraction, the Cathedral of Palma.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The cathedral of Santa Maria de Palma or<b> La Seu</b> as it is commonly known is a Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral towering over the bay of Palma. Work on this cathedral began in 1229 AD under King James I of Aragon and was finished in 1601. However, work continued into the present century when the famed Catalan, Antonio Gaudi took up the work of restoring this behemoth of sandstone held together by arches and flying buttresses. The cathedral is adorned with Gothic style elements like gargoyles, railings and spires and the preference of horizontal lines over vertical. It is believed that 15 generations of architects worked on this cathedral, to make it the masterpiece it currently is. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcU448yUMnyg53KMRVbNLn4z9-lrjNdnWPQFjPFSX0B3w2sR5YR-chmK-gMy_lshf2dYIr7DFtBRg-o8KiXvdNscirSx5VEI4lQ0p9gvqrCyYpKK5N4-9nnvUF4sTQiM6QAl3qjiox29_/s1600/Mallorca+13.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcU448yUMnyg53KMRVbNLn4z9-lrjNdnWPQFjPFSX0B3w2sR5YR-chmK-gMy_lshf2dYIr7DFtBRg-o8KiXvdNscirSx5VEI4lQ0p9gvqrCyYpKK5N4-9nnvUF4sTQiM6QAl3qjiox29_/s400/Mallorca+13.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1X6oCqmBdUgTda-z4Eqc_BLr01dUmC91BOsScwG3sJGz5GPitz_JsgZc14CcUtyKnpCWb3WmUHGQ4-qfVq6OZd-97Fkw7_hWp_eHNpm98lXFH_O1XHIN785Q6ZtuF9qBjsZ_vJ8H3GJt/s1600/Mallorca+14.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1X6oCqmBdUgTda-z4Eqc_BLr01dUmC91BOsScwG3sJGz5GPitz_JsgZc14CcUtyKnpCWb3WmUHGQ4-qfVq6OZd-97Fkw7_hWp_eHNpm98lXFH_O1XHIN785Q6ZtuF9qBjsZ_vJ8H3GJt/s400/Mallorca+14.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"> Stained glass windows occupy the place of pride in any chapel, church, or cathedral. However, the Rose window on the eastern wall of this cathedral, 12 m across and studded with 1236 pieces of stained glass, is the largest and most majestic sight to behold.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheF5wzjxNPcD_lUnaR112JWXG2_jQnVdaQMY0vcva6mVOc9mJWmFBb76sXQXvCeZyv497B6B_B1NLuJGpKjagjQRy3OM9gVxr_fZnqDgHtuuuO3XSrYuwI9uS96bS0yQOK3ArmATeMXgLS/s1600/MAllorca+15.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheF5wzjxNPcD_lUnaR112JWXG2_jQnVdaQMY0vcva6mVOc9mJWmFBb76sXQXvCeZyv497B6B_B1NLuJGpKjagjQRy3OM9gVxr_fZnqDgHtuuuO3XSrYuwI9uS96bS0yQOK3ArmATeMXgLS/s400/MAllorca+15.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvligVcl0NBMOHxDhhzIYlZaJOqecCm_TSW_2pz6BVzwbAJ-bztfxJNoB1XyqD2BeIKTvE_fBffktfBxa-n8z8miQXm93dueBDhmJeMYWEVYfOoI7611iZXwLi5P9zJ7PFjhaJeyPp6s3q/s1600/Mallorca+17.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvligVcl0NBMOHxDhhzIYlZaJOqecCm_TSW_2pz6BVzwbAJ-bztfxJNoB1XyqD2BeIKTvE_fBffktfBxa-n8z8miQXm93dueBDhmJeMYWEVYfOoI7611iZXwLi5P9zJ7PFjhaJeyPp6s3q/s320/Mallorca+17.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghi-b1UtdFrxkBiP21LyfdmQybFWlWUa4fw9do5QRzc0UXQAO8bbE-R43U4N5GTiIdNUAcmburqDXCU1quumch9qsHljmJ3zI2hBfxVa7VWIJw2XLl9k4jdJVagaohDlBTrSEuRMQrnkdk/s1600/Mallorca+16.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghi-b1UtdFrxkBiP21LyfdmQybFWlWUa4fw9do5QRzc0UXQAO8bbE-R43U4N5GTiIdNUAcmburqDXCU1quumch9qsHljmJ3zI2hBfxVa7VWIJw2XLl9k4jdJVagaohDlBTrSEuRMQrnkdk/s320/Mallorca+16.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Our time at Mallorca had come to an end. One week is not enough time to appreciate this island's people, culture and Nature. We bid adeu (goodbye in Mallorquin) to our Mediterranean pardise that has inspired the likes of Sands, Borges and Agatha Christie and promised we will be back, soon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-41559166800737226612017-01-11T18:21:00.001-05:002017-01-11T18:21:07.839-05:00Hiking in Surrey - Gomshall Mill Pub & North Downs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There is no dearth of quaint buildings in Surrey. So far, the quaintest of them all has been the Gomshall Mill Pub. A 17th century riverside mill with original beams and floor boards, there is a tiny river that still runs through this building! Starting the hike up to North Downs on a misty December morning, the air was fresh, crisp and heady with petrichor (which means the pleasant smell when rain falls on dry soil - latest addition to my vocabulary; courtesy of my 12 year old son). The dried leaves were rustling underfoot, the moss shone a brilliant green. And at the end of a grueling 6 mile hike, a festive, cozy little pub awaited the muddy boots and sweaty shirts. The picture of the telephone booth outside the pub and that of the cozy interior was taken by my friend Amanda of the AWS Country hikes, who has been foremost in introducing me to this beautiful landscape of Surrey.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjk199fhaJ8xx0fYyfSBHvf_axFTZan1z14yFfWSi6wf2IlzZA2XwmKFUfE4x-4-bH7j3ZuZUQ1dlTqUJMTHRnFMeI59BmYqDdO64vqcZ4RBSQOK5r_iNMMg-9Rpr36u72QMEuflv8BOk/s1600/Gomshall+3.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjk199fhaJ8xx0fYyfSBHvf_axFTZan1z14yFfWSi6wf2IlzZA2XwmKFUfE4x-4-bH7j3ZuZUQ1dlTqUJMTHRnFMeI59BmYqDdO64vqcZ4RBSQOK5r_iNMMg-9Rpr36u72QMEuflv8BOk/s400/Gomshall+3.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1qyRpPxfAGG4nSxQPTnALgntKQtU1HKtpf9jGgIfeN86FNMEZM-0r0MjNb1RrUCMLOYOpeL677YNsAEEMHh4VMbYbEOQK7QT5XsuNFram44VFX7-irsXn_ixFN6u6JpMqInOAst4puyX/s1600/Gomshall+5.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1qyRpPxfAGG4nSxQPTnALgntKQtU1HKtpf9jGgIfeN86FNMEZM-0r0MjNb1RrUCMLOYOpeL677YNsAEEMHh4VMbYbEOQK7QT5XsuNFram44VFX7-irsXn_ixFN6u6JpMqInOAst4puyX/s400/Gomshall+5.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-_uzTaM04XI7ii9A1EHWsDaJWfSBYHU159JwE9K_4M0yWlRPGv_FZK3pu0jkzHEPYCeDuMqPDwB0_oaUJ82s2wKPwwDoJm8fCZHDvdG51m2wxsHr_yNX5JDqLp3VBysbkuW2woCUShQc/s1600/Gomshall+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-_uzTaM04XI7ii9A1EHWsDaJWfSBYHU159JwE9K_4M0yWlRPGv_FZK3pu0jkzHEPYCeDuMqPDwB0_oaUJ82s2wKPwwDoJm8fCZHDvdG51m2wxsHr_yNX5JDqLp3VBysbkuW2woCUShQc/s400/Gomshall+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaG7LYS33yO8UVCM_ExnFg4OArL3kRCwJ_ljH8XbJpWSMgAk26S6rrs6xH24GWxbXHeF31yV1wh_XeT5t1ZAAEP15h7m5_ZTeJ98seaE24AgI4C_OD6mU8-0so0XBHZzHi_tecCjJ6obX_/s1600/Gomshall+4jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcn4ROP4pe6yk7zWXL4wYrWE-oMd0ecUtUpEImQTnseaeWf9EAe34cAkx_0e5qBcXU0TGSOh-ZqxDyMD2Ot_RX8k3_bf8CF0zPe9X614ZTyY1axFzbDH_mazeXSySXee_AcCqXe8aKpznG/s1600/Gomshall+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcn4ROP4pe6yk7zWXL4wYrWE-oMd0ecUtUpEImQTnseaeWf9EAe34cAkx_0e5qBcXU0TGSOh-ZqxDyMD2Ot_RX8k3_bf8CF0zPe9X614ZTyY1axFzbDH_mazeXSySXee_AcCqXe8aKpznG/s320/Gomshall+9.jpg" width="318" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaG7LYS33yO8UVCM_ExnFg4OArL3kRCwJ_ljH8XbJpWSMgAk26S6rrs6xH24GWxbXHeF31yV1wh_XeT5t1ZAAEP15h7m5_ZTeJ98seaE24AgI4C_OD6mU8-0so0XBHZzHi_tecCjJ6obX_/s320/Gomshall+4jpg.jpg" width="240" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsj4PcRfHrxWZveeoikY8iwJESSSjx29AXBc2u-KznbWE8dj8ht63VNnfv1PApj01-evnfPrehjUNxkpr1xVFLHHw1dugGu39JlPUTtK_n4ocCHl7rOcrmBPPNTjG07a73o0qkixs_x8I/s1600/Gomshall+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsj4PcRfHrxWZveeoikY8iwJESSSjx29AXBc2u-KznbWE8dj8ht63VNnfv1PApj01-evnfPrehjUNxkpr1xVFLHHw1dugGu39JlPUTtK_n4ocCHl7rOcrmBPPNTjG07a73o0qkixs_x8I/s320/Gomshall+1.jpg" width="320" /><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietDhCwKLer4aHkq55uD-L0GRyIVAevLbcl4yUjo7NelOAThymJ8SejzAA2l0A-kDb280hGTTjaML2JhWiw7vCoQRLzXCJQF0ryJtzF221fx27pXBi7STlZdnTD9D9_pUwFA8um7LR7347/s1600/Gomshall+2.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietDhCwKLer4aHkq55uD-L0GRyIVAevLbcl4yUjo7NelOAThymJ8SejzAA2l0A-kDb280hGTTjaML2JhWiw7vCoQRLzXCJQF0ryJtzF221fx27pXBi7STlZdnTD9D9_pUwFA8um7LR7347/s320/Gomshall+2.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-yxUsseAkRddvzhGFM56tsSiDl_TWh18QNyk5S8OS-bmnAin2oLaxYe08B_RxaizUCvR6ESQGQ6HuvzYD2hBDKGAn04R10ByUkPDSGXb9S1wA4LtM5V7-u7xtwlkGXwkeTOLvieFcBjT/s1600/Gomshall+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-yxUsseAkRddvzhGFM56tsSiDl_TWh18QNyk5S8OS-bmnAin2oLaxYe08B_RxaizUCvR6ESQGQ6HuvzYD2hBDKGAn04R10ByUkPDSGXb9S1wA4LtM5V7-u7xtwlkGXwkeTOLvieFcBjT/s320/Gomshall+8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-70517630159446910082017-01-11T17:40:00.001-05:002017-01-11T17:42:24.861-05:00Hiking in Surrey - Windsor & Eton<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Windsor, a lovely town on River Thames, in south east England is home to Windsor Castle, a residence of the British Royal Family. It is also across the river from the town of Eton, which is home to Eton College. An independent boarding school for boys aged 13-18, Eton College was established in 1440 by King Henry VI and is one of ten 'public schools' in England. It has educated British Prime Ministers, aristocrats and scores of fictional characters including Bertie Wooster, Captain Hook and Mark Darcy. Walking along the Thames in a loop going from the Windsor castle, and along the various buildings that form the Eton College, I did see scores of fresh faced boys in coat tails rushing about with an air of purpose; whether genuine or forced upon them, I couldn't tell. We were constantly reminded not to take pictures which would show the faces of these boys. You never know which billionaire, President or King is paying the meagre <span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">£</span></span>37000 and change per year to educate their sons here, to take over the world. I did, however take lots of pictures of the Crooked house, delightful pubs, swans frolicking on the river and pastoral landscapes that soothe the soul.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF75IPIijT4PKbSrXUZLN3qeihmvob8AOkrvZcrqn7pzWCQUbg01DEFoKJmLG_o-euerosZ_vphejEIbsMk66RzcgYAQp1hkY41kjDmiXhu_B58gje6uU6sUO5PDvkYD9dg2XzqyEPbAuQ/s1600/Windsor4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF75IPIijT4PKbSrXUZLN3qeihmvob8AOkrvZcrqn7pzWCQUbg01DEFoKJmLG_o-euerosZ_vphejEIbsMk66RzcgYAQp1hkY41kjDmiXhu_B58gje6uU6sUO5PDvkYD9dg2XzqyEPbAuQ/s320/Windsor4.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Crooked House of Windsor, built around 1687, stands on an 'outrageous slant' and is still in use.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsw10Okd1GjeP090INDlRWbpPAvV3Lxj2vBI1OZRb1RX2dRMoCcrD8K9i8wjgTBJgieh_CxYts5z1dItN09bARWo-itFXuY36CoDZSHlH-OFPX6eewHUC9UvLyYho5fB75ZrajfxQ_VEnI/s1600/Windsor+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7jxIFJtK72yIAgPyAP6ra5Ln6de4LvEYk_Dr9orC97hP7gTxYeBqYXg4e1I-wOKvQAw_TU88rOG1jhoPCbC6wYHZw7nQbaULxglx8QcMf2hpkz8tkXFfg5XsIotVS8YLx21sTQq3_eq_/s1600/Wimdsor+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7jxIFJtK72yIAgPyAP6ra5Ln6de4LvEYk_Dr9orC97hP7gTxYeBqYXg4e1I-wOKvQAw_TU88rOG1jhoPCbC6wYHZw7nQbaULxglx8QcMf2hpkz8tkXFfg5XsIotVS8YLx21sTQq3_eq_/s400/Wimdsor+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsw10Okd1GjeP090INDlRWbpPAvV3Lxj2vBI1OZRb1RX2dRMoCcrD8K9i8wjgTBJgieh_CxYts5z1dItN09bARWo-itFXuY36CoDZSHlH-OFPX6eewHUC9UvLyYho5fB75ZrajfxQ_VEnI/s1600/Windsor+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsw10Okd1GjeP090INDlRWbpPAvV3Lxj2vBI1OZRb1RX2dRMoCcrD8K9i8wjgTBJgieh_CxYts5z1dItN09bARWo-itFXuY36CoDZSHlH-OFPX6eewHUC9UvLyYho5fB75ZrajfxQ_VEnI/s400/Windsor+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Windsor Castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4cDewxIMdLLnCyyerUsSdEVZrM8EDirSnKKoUuiNViARAHYxhmE9V7gcAMzQXPUJbrwrEUbOMPB8JImmSz8TeycoGxlmGSkvSplEXXBkrfc2RanNumk-iQJbI51jjL1C7zlY3KnylnRy/s1600/Windsor+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4cDewxIMdLLnCyyerUsSdEVZrM8EDirSnKKoUuiNViARAHYxhmE9V7gcAMzQXPUJbrwrEUbOMPB8JImmSz8TeycoGxlmGSkvSplEXXBkrfc2RanNumk-iQJbI51jjL1C7zlY3KnylnRy/s400/Windsor+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you know the way to...<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0s_7FuZJ8P2xvbYAdfj3iLkTZgZax_lIOMcE6YK2JsZbhJVErDFRvl_d2AoGiFBn36KkL2adVeK3TOtJPnaG6tjZv1JThya6k0DCx-m920Ju5ptZuMJBgWVUSqrnHKCNFgqrsXPGI7woN/s1600/Windsor+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0s_7FuZJ8P2xvbYAdfj3iLkTZgZax_lIOMcE6YK2JsZbhJVErDFRvl_d2AoGiFBn36KkL2adVeK3TOtJPnaG6tjZv1JThya6k0DCx-m920Ju5ptZuMJBgWVUSqrnHKCNFgqrsXPGI7woN/s400/Windsor+5.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlRAgvPqlySUHUIm1uHni6jShyg9syOZYQGWkCkocZmGJ4KC2OVZTG1pwGgwjQICcv6q5-0sUC7C9DlArEFkmbz4H3m86uWA6X7J9GNOE9DKLdi2irrjnb3lh2w6xxurkDEiMbMptodpA/s1600/Wimdsor+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlRAgvPqlySUHUIm1uHni6jShyg9syOZYQGWkCkocZmGJ4KC2OVZTG1pwGgwjQICcv6q5-0sUC7C9DlArEFkmbz4H3m86uWA6X7J9GNOE9DKLdi2irrjnb3lh2w6xxurkDEiMbMptodpA/s320/Wimdsor+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's in a name?....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAA507qyoSn2d-WuqBcujqQICSTH2T_py2SCDzi_9DnsJiYth1oMZ1dfcb2R_7rjrW81mwyD8G7ioI3df-yv-jGgsp8OhpSydTPbfqRbvYl80djbkYKK6TcyJcz-vJZYSG874XQ3q4fRg/s1600/Windsor+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAA507qyoSn2d-WuqBcujqQICSTH2T_py2SCDzi_9DnsJiYth1oMZ1dfcb2R_7rjrW81mwyD8G7ioI3df-yv-jGgsp8OhpSydTPbfqRbvYl80djbkYKK6TcyJcz-vJZYSG874XQ3q4fRg/s320/Windsor+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">....this describes it well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Lno7wjtau0NSe6IQ_g90hTcD6y_As3RoMUGimoyxW0L1F8F997Jngd2EzCXm521jtDl0ph0vhN9G1cqJh7DRUSO7d1PPW7vF84GXbXLn4jR5XBKx5ndtRl8n-DpSg0ifZY6u8MMZRXFm/s1600/Windsor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Lno7wjtau0NSe6IQ_g90hTcD6y_As3RoMUGimoyxW0L1F8F997Jngd2EzCXm521jtDl0ph0vhN9G1cqJh7DRUSO7d1PPW7vF84GXbXLn4jR5XBKx5ndtRl8n-DpSg0ifZY6u8MMZRXFm/s320/Windsor.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing else matters.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-15253451902643953912017-01-11T14:02:00.004-05:002017-01-11T14:02:50.635-05:00Hiking in Surrey - RHS Garden Wisley <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Wisley, one of four gardens run by the Royal Horticultura Society (RHS) was founded by a Victorian businessman George Fergus Wilson in 1878. From a site of 60 acres, it has now grown into a large and diverse garden covering almost 240 acres. The diversity of the plants and associated gardens makes it impossible to appreciate everything in one visit. I will surely be going back a couple of times at least especially in Spring.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBwXNhHxNYpJmRfUV0Fa_swBHjgh4zVI8h31pwtZvlLryglFursy_tVRXMxE1n1Zz7nJuKlmCOkQcyX-FNPg3JzgJVRJ0JocXRSMCF8mDfuxizhIiiOxiXcb7PqmezMQ16PDVtYxpLsqM/s1600/Wisely+Hike1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwJbeUOsGD_AIzNAWzPBxXpyzOdx_EsM-pmWOjyROe8rCsn_mbymEJfjvF9odSzczts56xpnhx0hVqNx5L9lYH5FzkIX2J6tDnf3Uu72eES84wnBl0dtdVzdI_ysiNfOXnGg-PKUsE1B8/s1600/Wisely+Hike2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwJbeUOsGD_AIzNAWzPBxXpyzOdx_EsM-pmWOjyROe8rCsn_mbymEJfjvF9odSzczts56xpnhx0hVqNx5L9lYH5FzkIX2J6tDnf3Uu72eES84wnBl0dtdVzdI_ysiNfOXnGg-PKUsE1B8/s320/Wisely+Hike2.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBwXNhHxNYpJmRfUV0Fa_swBHjgh4zVI8h31pwtZvlLryglFursy_tVRXMxE1n1Zz7nJuKlmCOkQcyX-FNPg3JzgJVRJ0JocXRSMCF8mDfuxizhIiiOxiXcb7PqmezMQ16PDVtYxpLsqM/s400/Wisely+Hike1.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<br />
<br />
Roses, Dahlias, Sunflowers, giant Hydrangeas and so many more flowers....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_U-644I8dFn3rvCEQvY9j9W0z6w_afKWT5VM0_3Kix6VNj_hxPPYtGHhOkQas7yQbMmu3rbyVCkbHJuip5i4IRv9_cE4An-ftfx0DcdIXiF2GAL7v3ZK-PvhvEOg5fm7hseHVbUoq3dD/s1600/Wisley+Hike3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_U-644I8dFn3rvCEQvY9j9W0z6w_afKWT5VM0_3Kix6VNj_hxPPYtGHhOkQas7yQbMmu3rbyVCkbHJuip5i4IRv9_cE4An-ftfx0DcdIXiF2GAL7v3ZK-PvhvEOg5fm7hseHVbUoq3dD/s400/Wisley+Hike3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzsMH24kd1qfu62At9wGi6XbEvnLYEjEwhPx3x7BljnL6UGSIk_Hal0ZSoN5CUEGJ9J8xK7MLn42PdgBgEJuMK9P51i1Nhrtf4MPSLZ9pfJrifvqq7yZIzYAPgdEFDUbWNTKb95L32kmT/s1600/Wisley+Hike6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzsMH24kd1qfu62At9wGi6XbEvnLYEjEwhPx3x7BljnL6UGSIk_Hal0ZSoN5CUEGJ9J8xK7MLn42PdgBgEJuMK9P51i1Nhrtf4MPSLZ9pfJrifvqq7yZIzYAPgdEFDUbWNTKb95L32kmT/s400/Wisley+Hike6.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8Qib_dGwZuGwtToy1N1_bwNgP4LxXrTjXIu9mqo9UcNnOZPfiSs4cNwPPGlQwNe7O_ut3RL9RE8v7yyeFvwxfOGfiMBHSS9w7YsC64X6bNCydap5oumDjPGbPzK7TR0Cg3jeoCJpqRoB/s1600/Wisley+Hike5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8Qib_dGwZuGwtToy1N1_bwNgP4LxXrTjXIu9mqo9UcNnOZPfiSs4cNwPPGlQwNe7O_ut3RL9RE8v7yyeFvwxfOGfiMBHSS9w7YsC64X6bNCydap5oumDjPGbPzK7TR0Cg3jeoCJpqRoB/s400/Wisley+Hike5.jpg" width="300" /></a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXrpRecUGqb9HLfNrBi8UUz_4QGAyTEdGcBSwvAeBSnbFdDBtcjCD0Hr-lKSj2_QIiQq5X25xKM3ZpDj5LjRLSsLEED2IeM9inj9m2Y7wRb_I3yiyro_i3yfSw6GIlryIt1NyCuvbVYxH/s1600/Wisely+Hike7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXrpRecUGqb9HLfNrBi8UUz_4QGAyTEdGcBSwvAeBSnbFdDBtcjCD0Hr-lKSj2_QIiQq5X25xKM3ZpDj5LjRLSsLEED2IeM9inj9m2Y7wRb_I3yiyro_i3yfSw6GIlryIt1NyCuvbVYxH/s400/Wisely+Hike7.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Productive and pretty apple and pear trees, trained to grow in restricted spaces, so as to be suitable for small gardens.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hYzFoy2X74Qs02_ztsMKvhCh2Q4iNxWmbhhRPXOQk-p9PaHLUWpVn1y-mUdT1cfz8vc6sDAcDdgBGhZUC-S0sombovZSlHCF7UR322ELps1cu4HjOXcn5YhRWE17XMis_yqWCeL0e-dv/s1600/Wisely+Hike8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdyX6YSxXuyRlQuqFuR2kPrUar2su6SfmvNgfoEE8b4-Gp4rDNg07wnxB-tqKg2KJBepfl_tJGubNc4RXS8SYaRUekuGb1-EmMDU-O_3r4h_UEreu5sYrx3vSdDblVS9-MYWZ98fVYswF/s1600/Wisely+Hike9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdyX6YSxXuyRlQuqFuR2kPrUar2su6SfmvNgfoEE8b4-Gp4rDNg07wnxB-tqKg2KJBepfl_tJGubNc4RXS8SYaRUekuGb1-EmMDU-O_3r4h_UEreu5sYrx3vSdDblVS9-MYWZ98fVYswF/s400/Wisely+Hike9.jpg" width="300" /></a><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hYzFoy2X74Qs02_ztsMKvhCh2Q4iNxWmbhhRPXOQk-p9PaHLUWpVn1y-mUdT1cfz8vc6sDAcDdgBGhZUC-S0sombovZSlHCF7UR322ELps1cu4HjOXcn5YhRWE17XMis_yqWCeL0e-dv/s400/Wisely+Hike8.jpg" width="300" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdyX6YSxXuyRlQuqFuR2kPrUar2su6SfmvNgfoEE8b4-Gp4rDNg07wnxB-tqKg2KJBepfl_tJGubNc4RXS8SYaRUekuGb1-EmMDU-O_3r4h_UEreu5sYrx3vSdDblVS9-MYWZ98fVYswF/s1600/Wisely+Hike9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a></div>
</div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-82763621890744517502017-01-11T07:50:00.001-05:002017-01-11T07:51:03.991-05:00Hiking in Surrey - Denbies Vineyard<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A vineyard in the south east of England? Sure,why not? And if 265 acres of grape vines on the gentle slopes of the hills around you are not a good enough view, why not climb the said hill!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOE9O3B7L7vJdbh64WRS0eSK2XeeZ4msN7xROJJv940bFDAjJMezr8L538Zzz87Gh1ehHGLpsiPx09lbRWrtWxs6pZV6321_xUmIc0gLCOPdh0tTA4D7roX279P1kbqRhvgJBnlGAo0tfB/s1600/Denbies+Hike8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOE9O3B7L7vJdbh64WRS0eSK2XeeZ4msN7xROJJv940bFDAjJMezr8L538Zzz87Gh1ehHGLpsiPx09lbRWrtWxs6pZV6321_xUmIc0gLCOPdh0tTA4D7roX279P1kbqRhvgJBnlGAo0tfB/s320/Denbies+Hike8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOous64CiObu4EVvyX5IPqQAwD5ABF98vJcM6-Lr_lbEuycR59CIf6Euda7rIxp4i6hkj5zMCvyZ1ODeDcE8OIh5Gqdd9-e8Z7j8dKIBcBRJWeE1ox6jhp_s_ZOc-BvE_kkV4iqyww4ncY/s1600/Denbies+Hike2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOous64CiObu4EVvyX5IPqQAwD5ABF98vJcM6-Lr_lbEuycR59CIf6Euda7rIxp4i6hkj5zMCvyZ1ODeDcE8OIh5Gqdd9-e8Z7j8dKIBcBRJWeE1ox6jhp_s_ZOc-BvE_kkV4iqyww4ncY/s320/Denbies+Hike2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfWrx57mh9sohUin47LU-Oqyqt8rtY0Jz2mrcQ_2j3GALdggWpajJLuyRbE1TyqBvNZpmakQL7x_DWYZKZmd38dzEoUTBGULe2enYIB_d3PYtOou4bBDOiCKXO8PgBP8SlFtTOWnxorCU/s1600/Denbies+Hike1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfWrx57mh9sohUin47LU-Oqyqt8rtY0Jz2mrcQ_2j3GALdggWpajJLuyRbE1TyqBvNZpmakQL7x_DWYZKZmd38dzEoUTBGULe2enYIB_d3PYtOou4bBDOiCKXO8PgBP8SlFtTOWnxorCU/s640/Denbies+Hike1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKL0SrEa0bko5jbaUh1wMvKPfysEJvcIPVUrc8jMGhPBRv0FsikWDHtbcXuNDSWcHDR1monySWVXnHswPFYjmiy9TEkey4vQ59KFCEdF4-M1Ut1OB_0xhNdqqqkMN4UDqVTbktQQ_oKBhP/s1600/Denbies+Hike6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKL0SrEa0bko5jbaUh1wMvKPfysEJvcIPVUrc8jMGhPBRv0FsikWDHtbcXuNDSWcHDR1monySWVXnHswPFYjmiy9TEkey4vQ59KFCEdF4-M1Ut1OB_0xhNdqqqkMN4UDqVTbktQQ_oKBhP/s640/Denbies+Hike6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2Sc1RNpYxabyd0E4EyBlTQooPSYoHZz4QBmy1NsQcbHPjNxEdhHYZr1SQNZ5wI3FFccXzbu4XFbMq-Pf4LwoTK7g04oY3yP-axeM8sQf2TM9VVVXUw3C8iIz_nmbzSiGagwEKTStYMvg/s1600/Denbies+Hike3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2Sc1RNpYxabyd0E4EyBlTQooPSYoHZz4QBmy1NsQcbHPjNxEdhHYZr1SQNZ5wI3FFccXzbu4XFbMq-Pf4LwoTK7g04oY3yP-axeM8sQf2TM9VVVXUw3C8iIz_nmbzSiGagwEKTStYMvg/s640/Denbies+Hike3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And be sure to say "Hiya" to some sturdy Galloways and resting sheep as you take in the magnificent view.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxj29DplXwAyWCgpedFq7zpl4E2TIfd9LtVn5zC6aY4M9It5SRRN1kxlXZejnokcXXma6y-RvyqVnIRIm_jcnBRXTa2STuHkxYONiszSG7WWhb5ZHvZuIBmGvTiJWfw1VcJ4327omBa31P/s1600/Denbies+Hike7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxj29DplXwAyWCgpedFq7zpl4E2TIfd9LtVn5zC6aY4M9It5SRRN1kxlXZejnokcXXma6y-RvyqVnIRIm_jcnBRXTa2STuHkxYONiszSG7WWhb5ZHvZuIBmGvTiJWfw1VcJ4327omBa31P/s320/Denbies+Hike7.jpg" width="240" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZkZTon8z_6aII-SWiDVo8yWSnqEaTWZu6McWJPm4aMIGl_i24Z5XBvnkuFxq1pBltPKEBXbu9knCOhdHwGYV86E7i1fx9u3JMoTg_zcZSsi15vH4QCUguwcTv7A3E_FKQKVCFPQmC_Qi/s1600/Denbies+Hike4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZkZTon8z_6aII-SWiDVo8yWSnqEaTWZu6McWJPm4aMIGl_i24Z5XBvnkuFxq1pBltPKEBXbu9knCOhdHwGYV86E7i1fx9u3JMoTg_zcZSsi15vH4QCUguwcTv7A3E_FKQKVCFPQmC_Qi/s320/Denbies+Hike4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-65741542694836536332017-01-11T07:24:00.003-05:002017-01-11T07:54:21.280-05:00Hiking in Surrey - Box Hill<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i> 'Leafy Surrey'</i> as it is known in England is an area of rolling chalk downs, ancient woodlands, canals, rivers and impeccably landscaped gardens. With woodlands covering over a fifth of its area, Surrey has the honor of being the most wooded county in England. Hence, this is the ideal place to indulge in one of the great English past times - all weather Walking. Whether by themselves, in groups or with their furry four-legged companions. the English love to walk. The hikers, the Ramblers and even the runners - this beautiful countryside beckons them all. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Box Hill and Stepping Stones Pub walk</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Box Hill is a summit in the North Downs, with a maximum elevation of 735 feet. Lying within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), these chalk slopes support over 40 species of trees and wildlife. If you are brave enough to climb the hill, which featured in the 2012 Summer Olympics cycling road race events, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the English country side that you could only have imagined, as a teenager, reading Thomas Hardy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3K2PfDI7J7BVoqLM-FYAXmFINQSOHacNh6DZY0BoPeWRrqY2I-Xd_ovXlE2_cFzwl1FqiK9uoOc3qifotjJksZK8_tSns38l0r5yBlZgPg2X5nn9JS4CF4u6R1JQqLYepR6Fgm0VRcxdI/s1600/Stepping+stones+hike2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3K2PfDI7J7BVoqLM-FYAXmFINQSOHacNh6DZY0BoPeWRrqY2I-Xd_ovXlE2_cFzwl1FqiK9uoOc3qifotjJksZK8_tSns38l0r5yBlZgPg2X5nn9JS4CF4u6R1JQqLYepR6Fgm0VRcxdI/s400/Stepping+stones+hike2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUf1Ild7IgZG4i9K1gtOutWs3hw8attU1U9s3bMiQhx3vtwAKHfwlBGGFizYte-2LvduAHpWJuFh-AE7bzzAxSTe5-HWgA5bcJMLocNL0JBNb8aVbVMtBgMQOhbSax-pvFu35zYqFE07OC/s1600/Stepping+stones+hike3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUf1Ild7IgZG4i9K1gtOutWs3hw8attU1U9s3bMiQhx3vtwAKHfwlBGGFizYte-2LvduAHpWJuFh-AE7bzzAxSTe5-HWgA5bcJMLocNL0JBNb8aVbVMtBgMQOhbSax-pvFu35zYqFE07OC/s400/Stepping+stones+hike3.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
The quaint little pub at the end of the walk is no small consolation either.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Z1Lt7ykCquzv4jEMnxxj5YY3kpcR8EMX3GpJsDzxff8NkxYyQNI1U-qUHyJE1eqyzTdC1QV3sifdvdlcCIw2CD2mJnt4I0bf4ZnwOPX6CbNOHJd_cI32uM1I8AVPPEh5yuqMbcPOt-5i/s1600/Stepping+stones+hike1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Z1Lt7ykCquzv4jEMnxxj5YY3kpcR8EMX3GpJsDzxff8NkxYyQNI1U-qUHyJE1eqyzTdC1QV3sifdvdlcCIw2CD2mJnt4I0bf4ZnwOPX6CbNOHJd_cI32uM1I8AVPPEh5yuqMbcPOt-5i/s400/Stepping+stones+hike1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-44028062764103841682016-09-12T07:04:00.000-04:002016-12-07T07:15:44.770-05:00One month Anniversary <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
‘Congratulations!” I chirped, as my husband was getting dressed.<br />
"Congrats to you, too", he replied. But as he turned to me, I saw him thinking.. What date is it? Congrats for what? Anniversary? Something about the kids?<br />
"It is our one month anniversary today. One month in UK,"I chuckled.<br />
"That's right! It has been a month already, hasn't it?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI85edc1MXuzIsDjOSoBh9lzmXewbCCab1KkeVNZ_8D9F1-SqohGJZSDaJNwTaM0-c_evAmJTq3Lmq8x3cV-Tyw3qNTUDfCwFr2CnTok-lAk7vYP8cirKGYjUsPvWblbk3ZAKl2dxTm8eG/s1600/union-jack-clipart-vector-graphics-593-union-jack-eps-clip-art-vector-FDXham-clipart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI85edc1MXuzIsDjOSoBh9lzmXewbCCab1KkeVNZ_8D9F1-SqohGJZSDaJNwTaM0-c_evAmJTq3Lmq8x3cV-Tyw3qNTUDfCwFr2CnTok-lAk7vYP8cirKGYjUsPvWblbk3ZAKl2dxTm8eG/s200/union-jack-clipart-vector-graphics-593-union-jack-eps-clip-art-vector-FDXham-clipart.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Day 31 of our Year in UK. The month flew by fast. Moving into the flat in Surrey, settling in with school schedules and exploring the country on weekends had left us in a whirlwind. As I sit down to think about the bygone month, there is so much that comes to mind that I will split this post into two parts. Here is Part One.<br />
<br />
The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name United Kingdom is its greatest import - the English language. A year spent immersed in the Queen's English, to hear what has become my de-facto mother tongue being spoken in its 'native' form, by the people who claim to have invented it, was a dream come true. And I am enjoying every moment of it. How can you not swoon when you hear the morning news anchors say <i>churlish</i> or <i>peripatetic</i>, when you are asked very politely to wait <i>whilst</i> your order is being processed and your Amazon Prime order is <i>dispatched</i> within a few hours to be delivered by the Royal Mail. The cable TV technician waves a cheery <i>Cheers </i>just as the well meaning neighbor asks, "How are you getting on, then?", the pitch of her voice climbing melodically with every word and the question mark, just breaking off to float silently down to the ground?<br />
<br />
And it is not just the way they speak. The British have a penchant for naming things. My personal favorite, the inimitable Bill Bryson wrote,"At a minimum the name should puzzle foreigners-this is a basic requirement of most British institutions-and ideally it should excite long and inconclusive debate, defy all logical explanation, and evoke images that border on the surreal.” The naming skills apply to all walks of British life. For example, at the local pub, you can order black pudding, Hog pudding or kippers; pasty, steak and kidney pie or plain old Victoria sponge. Welsh rabbit, Toad in the hole or Spotted Dick are nothing like you would imagine them to be. However, you will not go wrong with the ubiquitous fish and chips - the freshest fish fried in the lightest batter and thick cut chips slathered with malt vinegar or the generous Sunday roast -with its roast lamb and Yorkshire pudding (which is not a pudding by a long stretch) with Sticky toffee pudding and Devonshire Cream. An afternoon delight - fragrant warm black tea, served in a cup and saucer with a small scone, biscuit or a slice of cake. And then there is the beer. Unlike its Belgian cousins, the English brew is lighter in taste and calories so you end up drinking a lot more than you should. And it is not your fault, really. Inviting building claiming to be 'free houses' are open day and (most of) night at every corner. With names like The Bricklayers Arms, The Waterman's Arms, The Queen's Head, The Pyrotechnist's Arms, The Hung, Drawn and Quartered, The Drunken Duck, The Fighting Cocks, The Pig and The Goose or Ye Olde Cheshire cheese, there is always a place to throw back a pint or two.<br />
<br />
As you drive out of London on the notorious M25, the landscape changes from stone, glass and concrete to rolling hills and grasslands. The green you see through the window is fresher, deeper,and crisper than anywhere else. The ever-present cool island breeze carries with it a damp freshness that sustains Mother Nature at her very best. The citizens of this nation take their role as care-takers of their surroundings very seriously. The National Trust, The Wildlife Trust and National Nature Reserves are just some of the organizations that work to conserve, protect and promote the 94,00 odd square miles of mountains, meadows and water bodies on this island. Buildings of limestone, Portland stone and sandstone adorned with slate roof or tiles stand in harmony with miles of heathland sprouting heather and gorse, grounded by beech, silver birch, oaks and rowan trees laden with cheery red clusters. Rivers, streams, lakes and shallow ponds store the plentiful rainwater and nourish the vegetation all around. Modern buidlings made of glass, stone, stucco or red bricks are spoilt for choice as they draw on inspiration from centuries of different styles of architecture.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEo-iVG0phqq-R6k-45aGfAQD6MLfys6pytaVzYe4NaDc8ghq7yecZY-qUeNSkhGE3SuyloVR_PQjvb6ELyz7Q4C7gxuPOc_Axu-d75JQ8RTihJW-WFA4nwdXm7hpeyNowhrODPCPubIo4/s1600/Courtyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEo-iVG0phqq-R6k-45aGfAQD6MLfys6pytaVzYe4NaDc8ghq7yecZY-qUeNSkhGE3SuyloVR_PQjvb6ELyz7Q4C7gxuPOc_Axu-d75JQ8RTihJW-WFA4nwdXm7hpeyNowhrODPCPubIo4/s200/Courtyard.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fBtmUJdrBcozD38TiDCm8rpMdq8f3r5vsqie_I8Vhd-3Q9znJKtkHEsUy_-n0dJ8wcMLGJzZhRDhfmGwzHKqBI4wqXbsRfJFsKVhDuSd6S_Ila-d353vaQI6T5xNVE0gVIWpxoQKTRZ6/s1600/stream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fBtmUJdrBcozD38TiDCm8rpMdq8f3r5vsqie_I8Vhd-3Q9znJKtkHEsUy_-n0dJ8wcMLGJzZhRDhfmGwzHKqBI4wqXbsRfJFsKVhDuSd6S_Ila-d353vaQI6T5xNVE0gVIWpxoQKTRZ6/s200/stream.jpg" width="150" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh35yQPuZs9ZhDkfB8b1ScRXj2IQXqLxz5C050R1FDjFcbCtWGvnSRt0u_EbRru15ia9X6YtG74B7huIWynTM-qLXAXfKb2u6YRB-UE0M5NYz3yADvYKnCgKgThQF19raXjyFbXyHZdPpr/s1600/Farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh35yQPuZs9ZhDkfB8b1ScRXj2IQXqLxz5C050R1FDjFcbCtWGvnSRt0u_EbRru15ia9X6YtG74B7huIWynTM-qLXAXfKb2u6YRB-UE0M5NYz3yADvYKnCgKgThQF19raXjyFbXyHZdPpr/s200/Farm.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
Though nature is allowed to run wild, the British gardens are anything but. Symmetrical flower beds, with plants arranged in order of height or varying shades of foliage are encircled by tight stone walls. Hedges are pruned with surgical precision whether they are inside the garden or lining the narrow winding streets that pass through lush rolling hills where sheep and cows graze all day. Perhaps, this is what he was describing when Shakespeare wrote :<br />
<br />
“This royal throne of kings, this sceptered isle,<br />
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,<br />
This other Eden, demi-paradise,<br />
This fortress built by Nature for herself<br />
Against infection and the hand of war,<br />
This happy breed of men, this little world,<br />
This precious stone set in the silver sea.” </div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-80956091251457764922016-08-16T06:55:00.000-04:002016-08-16T07:07:39.012-04:00Moving Day...again.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A gentle breeze is playing with the leaves of the ash tree while somewhere above, a pigeon is cooing contently. It is 3 o'clock in the afternoon and I'm sitting at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of Twinings Tea. If you walked into the house right now, you would think we had lived here for years. The truth is, we moved in just three days ago.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSmCvTiMxWS-Ocwi4NFGHgiyuxuMHHNrVdv5kuX60phIRpRwPvIK6nc7-zoz0X-_9OdG29eOx_id1i8kJuJx-9tE9LfH2Xo_BGV3xB_RdaWUaXOc7OeoYe8CJ04RRsHbvTqNz_IstWQND/s1600/moving-clipart-moving-clip-art-4.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSmCvTiMxWS-Ocwi4NFGHgiyuxuMHHNrVdv5kuX60phIRpRwPvIK6nc7-zoz0X-_9OdG29eOx_id1i8kJuJx-9tE9LfH2Xo_BGV3xB_RdaWUaXOc7OeoYe8CJ04RRsHbvTqNz_IstWQND/s200/moving-clipart-moving-clip-art-4.gif" width="157" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Having enjoyed our intial days as tourists in hotels in Central London, we were getting restless for space. The novelty of living out of suitcases and searching for new restaurants for every meal was wearing off. Since we had already received the keys to the flat, we decided to move in one day ahead of schedule. We had opted for a fully furnished flat instead of a bigger house considering the temporary nature of our stay here. In many ways, this move was not the same as all of the earlier ones. And there have ben quiet a few of those.<br />
<br />
Moving has become a recurring event in our family. When we meet new people and talk about our past, the seven towns we have lived in and stories about our moves become engaging topics of conversation. Since the first move from India to the US, with only the proverbial suitcases in hand, we found ourselves packing and moving every 2-3 years. We have lived on the western and eastern coasts of US and also the mid-west. We moved across continents for a two year stint in India, before coming back to the US and now, we are here in the United Kingdom. When we bought our first house, we moved all our possessions with the help of some well meaning friends and Subway sandwiches. As the years went by, things started adding up. We have moved our belongings on an 18 wheeler truck across the country, in a giant container on a ship to India and this time in sturdy cardboard boxes for air cargo.<br />
<br />
This move feels different; temporary and liberating. We have a timeline here and all decisions are based on that. We are not looking to settle down in the best house we can buy and decorate it with our style of furniture and appliances. We need the essentials to cook, clean and live comfortably for one year and plan all the trips we can possibly take. So, we brought pillows and comforters and toys with us so that we would have some familiar things from 'home' and ordered the rest on Amazon. This feels like an extended sleep-over. Settling in did not take more than a weekend.<br />
<br />
My family moved a lot when I was a child. I did not grow up in the town I was born in. In fact, I did not live there till I turned 16. Living in different states with different cultures and languages made me appreciate the diversity in Indians. I became fluent in 5 languages. I don't have trouble talking to strangers or making friends. A life like this makes you a constant traveler and that helps you take risks, give people more leeway than you normally would and hence be less judgmental. Great for forming relationships!<br />
<br />
However, I miss the feeling of belonging to a place. I am jealous of people who can call themselves native Punekars, or New Yorkers. I have roots but they are aerial, branching out in search of light and water and thriving wherever they find it. I am from nowhere yet I belong everywhere. Maybe that is why I try to live each day the best I can because I don't know when and where I will move to next.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-41981554435272897662016-08-03T04:12:00.001-04:002016-12-07T06:24:39.871-05:00Day 2 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The narrative of the history of London as a metropolis has three bold points: the Great Fire of 1666, the Great war (World War I) and World War II. These were events when not only was the city rebuilt</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">but it was also redefined. There is evidence of that grit in the architecture of this city throughout. Sir Christopher Wren was the principal architect in the rebuilding of the city after the Fire. A permanent monument that he designed stands close to where the Great Fire started and devoured the entire city in 4 short days.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The </span><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Monument </b><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">is a fluted Doric column built of Portland stone, topped by a gilded flaming urn. It stands at 202 feet, the exact distance between this site and Pudding Lane where the fire began. You can climb the 311 steps on the narrow winding staircase to the top but we decided to pass and move on to next line in our itinerary.</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/The_Monument_to_the_Great_Fire_of_London.JPG/800px-The_Monument_to_the_Great_Fire_of_London.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/The_Monument_to_the_Great_Fire_of_London.JPG/800px-The_Monument_to_the_Great_Fire_of_London.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Walking over from the Monument, we made our way to the Tower. The famed <b><a href="http://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/#gs.e72rKSs" target="_blank">Tower of London</a></b> is an imposing castle built by William the Conqueror around the end of 1066 on the banks of the majestic Thames. Most people recognize this landmark as the infamous prison where Anne Boleyn, Sir Thomas Moore and Oliver Cromwell were held captive and later executed. We took an hour long guided tour led by Andy, one of the 38 Yeoman Warders<b> </b>who lives in the Tower. He was loud, brash, funny and very informative. He helped us get oriented to the layout as well as to the history of the Tower. After getting a lot of information which included the definition of what exactly it meant to be “hanged, drawn and quartered" or what your days would entail if you were imprisoned in the Tower, we were left to explore the rest of the complex on our own. The <b><a href="http://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/discover-the-towers/the-white-tower/#gs.wWbkE7I" target="_blank">White Tower</a>,</b> an imposing medieval palace built in the 11th century is still used as an Archive and storage for the Royal Armory. It has permanent exhibitions featuring arms and ammunitions used by the monarchs over the years. I found this to be an ingenious use of historic buildings, not common in other parts of Europe. Instead of locking up buildings as historic in the interest of conservation, the old buildings in London are retro-fitted and used, thereby ensuring their regular upkeep and </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">maintenance. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The piece de resistance of the day was of course the </span><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Crown Jewels</b><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">, housed in the Jewel house. The exhibition features the jewels and ceremonial pieces like sword, scepter and orb used by different English monarchs. The one we wanted to see was at the end of the tour. The <a href="http://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/visit-us/top-things-to-see-and-do/the-crown-jewels/diamonds-and-crowns/famous-diamonds/#gs.7zVxsnQ" target="_blank">Kohinoor</a> diamond, that sits atop the Crown used by the current monarch EIIR - Elizabeth II Regina (the official Latin name for </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Queen Elizabeth II</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">). Even as school children, all Indians are told that among all the treasures looted by the British during the Raj,</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">the Kohinoor diamond was the most precious. Seeing it in real-life, however</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">in a bombproof glass case, studded in a velvet purple crown, along with other precious stones, it feels underwhelming.This is a piece of rock, shinier than others lying next to it in the bowels of the Earth, found and given a high value by men. Sure, this has come from the Kakatiya dynasty in Hyderabad by way of Babur and countless other hands, but what exactly gives it any value? Wars were fought over these and other shiny baubles? What a waste!</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgoxe8baiVuA6HfOEuGnWP2e147OINFGD9s2hFzsgvFu6vx2VaaydygSqyB-K4Sg75D2SFG1xlO_nLWVqGO0zibH9HmXJdGo4KBnWRIGvrQF_Olnn85VSOgPBbckkuH0s8bP3G93P_SHE/s1600/IMG_3662.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgoxe8baiVuA6HfOEuGnWP2e147OINFGD9s2hFzsgvFu6vx2VaaydygSqyB-K4Sg75D2SFG1xlO_nLWVqGO0zibH9HmXJdGo4KBnWRIGvrQF_Olnn85VSOgPBbckkuH0s8bP3G93P_SHE/s320/IMG_3662.jpg" width="320" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrkRCcq2MHCCUaHTHzemeUsTkzoMwRfhKFNQ22Eb65WwC6t0Mo9Qy2nvFO8KxFcZtddY8xAFOQ3_oeYWrUOLm8qEgb1GCheA_yOVdhTEOmFtT5g4pPofogJW4vGqyR7as9t8T3ZCVMOVP/s1600/IMG_3663.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrkRCcq2MHCCUaHTHzemeUsTkzoMwRfhKFNQ22Eb65WwC6t0Mo9Qy2nvFO8KxFcZtddY8xAFOQ3_oeYWrUOLm8qEgb1GCheA_yOVdhTEOmFtT5g4pPofogJW4vGqyR7as9t8T3ZCVMOVP/s320/IMG_3663.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQsyXLgbImMx0UtohEK0HXNwDi6lp0ghRFtROWf98UEloT5RaHDB2_r2P7UOYwPPMXTAbP9q0dPL0cS_ZwJDx52pYXuRGaAouAvCFfXDbfdo0r-u_ZkBpHxp2Gvu2_f6Qntw_EVfGRe5R/s1600/IMG_3657.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQsyXLgbImMx0UtohEK0HXNwDi6lp0ghRFtROWf98UEloT5RaHDB2_r2P7UOYwPPMXTAbP9q0dPL0cS_ZwJDx52pYXuRGaAouAvCFfXDbfdo0r-u_ZkBpHxp2Gvu2_f6Qntw_EVfGRe5R/s320/IMG_3657.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZIjwVO0Y72n8nvkd6NrHXv5u4Pkc5oB-EGuzU-NvR3hhhP_9ShF5-jNONbnIzVFw4DhPJE9n5pPAKT7rfvovjR2gKhWPfbp7OgTh2Us5YRMu-CJhcgd3Q0fpoPEBlb4w-q5HssZmruwj/s1600/IMG_3660.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZIjwVO0Y72n8nvkd6NrHXv5u4Pkc5oB-EGuzU-NvR3hhhP_9ShF5-jNONbnIzVFw4DhPJE9n5pPAKT7rfvovjR2gKhWPfbp7OgTh2Us5YRMu-CJhcgd3Q0fpoPEBlb4w-q5HssZmruwj/s320/IMG_3660.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Our day of discovery of the system of the English Monarchy ended at the <b>Tower Bridge</b> or the London Bridge. It was day spent in reflection and deep appreciation for the respect that modern-day Britons have for their monarch and tradition which allows the monarchy to exist in this modern Republic. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
</div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-32370204403925306482016-08-02T14:21:00.000-04:002016-08-02T14:53:36.877-04:00Day 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">London is a blur of grand Victorian buildings next to towering facades of glass and steel. People are always walking here-walking fast and with a purpose. Smartly dressed women who can rock culottes or red canvas shoes and confident men wearing sharp blue suits or pink shorts walk on narrow pavements - some on their phones, some chatting with friends and a lot of them, smoking. Tourists stop every now and then to marvel at the sights and take selfies. The red double decker buses make impossible turns through narrow streets that make taxis and cars envious. Every few blocks the <a href="http://www.ltmcollection.org/roundel/about/detailedhistory.html" target="_blank">Roundel</a> announces the entrance to the lifeline of London, the Underground or the Tube as it is fondly called, to stations like Charing Cross Road, Piccadilly Circus, Marylebone, Embankment and Westminster. Restaurants, boutiques, brand name stores from all over the world, bespoke tailors and robe makers, hat stores and off-licenses all buzz with activity. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">As we make our way through the tourist highlights and learn how to eventually become residents, I invite you to come along on this adventure with me. Through these posts, you will experience the thrill and trials of an ex-pat family making their life in a new land, as well as learn some tips and tricks that you can use as travelers anywhere in the world. Check out the pages <b><a href="http://mytaki.blogspot.co.uk/p/blog-page.html" target="_blank">Tips for Travelers, </a><a href="http://mytaki.blogspot.co.uk/p/london-check-list.html" target="_blank">London Checklist</a></b> and <a href="http://mytaki.blogspot.co.uk/p/restaurant-reviews.html" target="_blank"><b>Restaurant Reviews </b></a>for practical information you can use and other stuff that will just convey my excitement and awe.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">First, we start the tourist phase of our year in the United Kingdom. It took us two days of sleeping until 10 am to get rid of the jet lag. Arming ourselves with the Tube maps and Oyster Cards, we set out to explore this gem of a city. We joined the Londoners and tourists on their streets, walking on roads marked ‘look right’ or ‘look left’ right on the road at every intersection. We took the Tube, ‘minding the gap’ and got off at Bond street station. This exits out to the fashionable Bond and Oxford Streets, throbbing with hundreds of shoppers. The smaller streets off these two streets house some of London’s most expensive real estate. Red plaster buildings established in 1869, Victorian brick buildings adorned with iron-work on balconies sporting blue plaques saying “ Man of Science Thomas Young lived here 1773-1829” and posh modern buildings of glass all stand side by side. With a little shopping out of the way, we were out of this area and on to see the most touristy of all London sights - the <b><a href="https://www.londoneye.com/" target="_blank">London eye.</a></b> The London Eye is a mechanical marvel and it certainly looks like it. At an impressive 443 feet, it stands as Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel and awe-struck tourists sit in glass capsules as the wheel moves at 0.6 miles per hour. One rotation of the wheel takes about 30 minutes and it is good way to see the city’s crowded landscape from a different vantage point. We had bought standard tickets online but that did not save us much time as we still had to go through security. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGETw7Fp1nPaeTyuz_rT76i7lqXc1BWdF_w4mcnABAaUHkhdGDl0e2BE8xHq2IzeWl8NH5Lyo2PTEoXw63ceWkVjqpWWzjJpEYnxHLiYs8-eLZT1AjxXyvC1vPMSaUlAeyfZpn_F5XAls/s1600/IMG_3653.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGETw7Fp1nPaeTyuz_rT76i7lqXc1BWdF_w4mcnABAaUHkhdGDl0e2BE8xHq2IzeWl8NH5Lyo2PTEoXw63ceWkVjqpWWzjJpEYnxHLiYs8-eLZT1AjxXyvC1vPMSaUlAeyfZpn_F5XAls/s320/IMG_3653.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGINbWCvWjibFb7p1KqZdNQnkYGFNv_uCPVydn9_PQ3ilUWdMs9CdpgiKbJQlsnFL9gjSVmTO8HCdx8CqWhQQZlX8DDa0GVCaXSkDurdv_EHo7U6aVqDmAc8X1DEFtI_5o5K-ceVGtFTd/s1600/IMG_3654.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGINbWCvWjibFb7p1KqZdNQnkYGFNv_uCPVydn9_PQ3ilUWdMs9CdpgiKbJQlsnFL9gjSVmTO8HCdx8CqWhQQZlX8DDa0GVCaXSkDurdv_EHo7U6aVqDmAc8X1DEFtI_5o5K-ceVGtFTd/s320/IMG_3654.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11px;">On the day we visited, true to London weather, the skies were cloudy and gray but we got a really good view. It is a fun activity to do with the kids.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11px;"> </span></div>
</div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-17397293111296357902016-07-27T14:45:00.000-04:002017-01-07T14:04:12.581-05:00The story so far, Part II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
What is a trip without a few bumps on the way? Reaching Logan airport with enough time on hand, we checked in at the Virgin counter. We got three boarding passes but there was something wrong with the fourth ticket - our son’s. Somewhere along the reservation pathway, the last name was spelled wrong on his booking. A simple slip to fix, you would think. Well, it took four employees, two phone calls and 30 restless minutes to sort it out. Then, except for a flight delay of 30 minutes, the rest of the evening was smooth sailing. The airline food and staff were extremely courteous and we had a good nap before it was time to descend into Heathrow airport. As we were gliding into town, a very wide Thames came into view. Then the London eye came out of nowhere and next to it, the Big Ben.In between the turns that the pilot was making because five other flights were lined up to land around the same time, I could see the greater London area laid out under me; a lot of green broken by twisting and turning roads and magnificent buildings- old and new. It took all of my self control to not scream in glee.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">En route to the hotel, the jet lag hit all of us, except the ever-energetic 8 year old girl. We could not sit straight through the 45 minute drive to our hotel in Central London. One of the few times I forced myself to stay awake, we were driving on a leafy cobble-stone street lined on one side by a lush green park and on the other by a serious looking brick wall with fencing and security cameras on top. While we were trying to figure out what lay beyond the fence, we came upon a mass of people looking towards an imposing building. In between the sea of humans, I saw a row of red shirts and black hats and it hit me- this was the Changing of the Guard which meant we were outside the Buckingham palace!!! What an incredible sight. Though the traffic and tourists were all around, it was an amazing first look at the iconic building that is on the top of every tourist’s list. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Driving up to the Threadneedles Hotel it was a kick to see familiar names like State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank, next to Lloyds, RBS and HSBC. This area is known as Bank for a very obvious reason. We managed to marvel at the hand-painted Victorian stained glass dome of the hotel lobby before tumbling into the room for a much needed nap.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Rested, refreshed and feeling human again, we set out for dinner in one of the typical London taxis to...</span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2rfFyGi4PYzaw4EsKtrl7o4Wnmjs8zvPhZKC7ZNeGsXv3KC7Nvz5QNBlRXoBblI_a5lG2LDUrlMrAWuRhmwZuUR9MxoR_alhjSGStvchnU67WlGYjaMjfOJtZJDbV9-NKziPfTtrv9Ld/s1600/IMG_3631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2rfFyGi4PYzaw4EsKtrl7o4Wnmjs8zvPhZKC7ZNeGsXv3KC7Nvz5QNBlRXoBblI_a5lG2LDUrlMrAWuRhmwZuUR9MxoR_alhjSGStvchnU67WlGYjaMjfOJtZJDbV9-NKziPfTtrv9Ld/s200/IMG_3631.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> ...Dishoom, an Indian restaurant in the Shoreditch area.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVzTC95M2qle4Ct8QBfIxM3GDDbkGF4IJK5qiVU0xegrJ-07UoZ-XNdCqRZ5AIYLkkZ90T17pakNffcM_3niUhSgyorSNLA50wIFsB-Dw2zPVoBw3G7NIoT-n4TfrHbSonsxaM5CIMzNF/s1600/IMG_3632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVzTC95M2qle4Ct8QBfIxM3GDDbkGF4IJK5qiVU0xegrJ-07UoZ-XNdCqRZ5AIYLkkZ90T17pakNffcM_3niUhSgyorSNLA50wIFsB-Dw2zPVoBw3G7NIoT-n4TfrHbSonsxaM5CIMzNF/s320/IMG_3632.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-kerning: none;">T</span>his popular and highly rated eatery is not just a nod to the Iranian cafes of a bygone Bombay but hugs the essence of nostalgia while comforting you. From the instructions written in Hindi, to stained mirrors lining the wall next to dark wood paneling, the entire place has a down to earth charm that feels like sitting down on your friend’s sofa for a lazy afternoon chai and snack. Settle into one of the booths with a Rexine sofa, pour some water from a wobbly steel jug into a steel glass and imagine what the food might taste like. Whatever you can imagine, it tastes way, way better. The menu is a listing of popular snacks like bhel, samosas, chillies cheese toast along with tried and true favorites like lamb raan, biryani and black daal. The flavor of the dishes is unabashedly Indian, the freshness of the ingredients and the skill of the chefs shines through.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdT-2blrOojwyfuhLlWixYGfMk2WqqATr8DXKrahpUkSMhLAD_iqvv1CSsL5g-pJYjqr90PwaiiQhAJ9_YlkehxdCoKJ1akXym09PTgpjVFT9fYwkHtPxth1yv8tCp4xP4B_swXMirmC2h/s1600/IMG_3634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdT-2blrOojwyfuhLlWixYGfMk2WqqATr8DXKrahpUkSMhLAD_iqvv1CSsL5g-pJYjqr90PwaiiQhAJ9_YlkehxdCoKJ1akXym09PTgpjVFT9fYwkHtPxth1yv8tCp4xP4B_swXMirmC2h/s320/IMG_3634.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
T<span style="text-align: left;">his is the food you wish you made in your home and is served with a smile by a friendly and efficient staff. Dishoom deserves all the accolades it is getting and much, much more.</span></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-13456107099809705992016-07-26T07:24:00.000-04:002016-07-26T07:24:02.286-04:00London calling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The story so far, Part I</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
April 2016 was the two year anniversary for my husband at his work. As the challenge of learning and working in a new environment was wearing off, I sensed he was getting restless for the next thing. When we moved to the greater Boston area, we had decided that we would try to stay put till the kids went off to college. So he did the next best thing. He pursued an opportunity to work with the same company, in a different city, which turned out to be London, England! When we discussed this, another move albeit a temporary one, it took me two days to go from "Are you sure we should do this now? The kids are just settling in. It is going to be hard to come back to 8th grade for our son." to "Oh man, I cannot wait!" </div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our 8 year old daughter mirrored her brother's shocked reaction but changed it to a a hesitant "I want to go, but I will miss my friends. That is why I want to stay". However, my son was inconsolable. Given our history of moving every two years, he refused to believe that this was a short term assignment, a one year 'sabbatical'. We explained, cajoled, consoled threatened and ignored him for the next 48 hours. In the middle of the morning on the third day, my sweet 11 year old, texted me from his school bus, "I am ok to go to London, Mom". And that was it. All four of us were going to be spending a whole year - July 2016 to July 2017 - in London! The possibilities, as they say, were endless.</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Weeks of paperwork and trans-Atlantic calls followed. After the much-awaited assignemnt letter detailing the 'ex-pat package' was received, the priority was to enroll the children in a school. An exhaustive Google search revealed that admissions to local state schools (equivalent to public schools in the US that our kids were used to) in UK are done the fall of the previous year. I searched for schools in highly rated Local Authorities around central London as we were hoping for a city life experience for this year. I learnt about over-subscribing, wait lists, free schools and discussions on Mumsnet.com forums about families moving into cities like Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea and paying exorbitant rents only to find out that their kids were bussed to schools in other areas. We did not want to take this chance and it was now clear that the kids will not be schooled in the local British system. We followed the path most expats take and decided to look through the International schools. The adage 'Seek and ye shall find' was probably coined with a divine conotation, but it is truest in the context of the modern day wonder of Internet. A few week's worth of searching and re-searching followed by telephonic conversations with always helpful directors and deans of admissions, followed by two days of intense personal meetings at the short listed schools and our children were enrolled in the school we liked, ACS in Cobham.</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now the kids were really excited. It was June and school work was getting wrapped up here and they were busy planning end of the year activities and parties. I had to answer questions like "Will I be able to learn badminton from a real teacher there?"(as opposed to mom)," Can I join the cricket team?", "Do they teach Shakespeare?", "Will we have a big house?", "Can I take the bus?", "Can I take the train by myself?", "Will they have horse riding lessons? In the school?"</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was starting to wonder if they would be ready to come back after just one year.</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This was going to be the year of travel and adventure for us. We had to remind ourselves that we had not won the lottery or struck gold and our travel plans would have to fit similar limitations in budget and time off from work any other year. But the idea of being at the doorstep of an entire continent just brought out the Christoper Columbus in us and soon we had a must-visit list of countries. Using the school's holiday calendar and the work days off, we soon had weeks and weekends marked in a cheery pink with the intended destinations. Visa appointments for a UK work permit and a quick house hunting trip followed. Family was notified and the tickets were booked. July 24 2016 was picked as the start date of our year of adventure. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The day arrived hot and bright. The suitcases were packed and whatever did not fit in them had already been shipped. We were ready....London, here we come.</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Z-3OX268Eb5nKZCHE4SE-QWsez6Nst4Cj4HRFfLT_AxTRFqFgxarEkje0tJXD9t8PFR6EZNmflrfkafVNddDU02p4JOKHH4t3W1NiNwC6DxuDXFHWS3r_L9JE9LdBHm-GMx9zyq7bsEd/s1600/2-London.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Z-3OX268Eb5nKZCHE4SE-QWsez6Nst4Cj4HRFfLT_AxTRFqFgxarEkje0tJXD9t8PFR6EZNmflrfkafVNddDU02p4JOKHH4t3W1NiNwC6DxuDXFHWS3r_L9JE9LdBHm-GMx9zyq7bsEd/s320/2-London.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-41873480852365242592016-02-04T21:51:00.000-05:002016-12-01T04:46:44.611-05:00All the Light You Cannot See by Anthony Doerr<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX184969239" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX184969239" paraeid="{a15f19bb-8729-4ff3-b09c-9d5687909ed9}{167}" paraid="1565310576" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.anthonydoerr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/all-the-light-we-cannot-see-9781476746586.in01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.anthonydoerr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/all-the-light-we-cannot-see-9781476746586.in01.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> It is difficult</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> to assign a t</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">itle to a story in a way </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">that it conveys the essence of the story and touches its core</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Anthony Doerr has succeeded in </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">overcoming this difficulty, </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">brilliantly.</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">All the </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">L</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">ight </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">W</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">e </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">C</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">annot </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">S</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">ee is a story </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">about</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> the </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">p</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">hysica</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">l</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> absence of light</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> - </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">in case of it</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">s blind protagonist Marie-Laure </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">LeBlanc - </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">as well as </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">a </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">metaphorical absence – in </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">case of the other protagonis</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">t, </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">an</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> orphan German boy, Werner</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Pfennig</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">. </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">G</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">rowing up </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">on opp</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">osi</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">te sides of history</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> these two young people bring alive the </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">sweeping tragedy of the S</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">econd </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">W</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">orld </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">W</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">ar and the horrible events</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> in </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> German</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">y, Russia and France. </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">T</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">heir lives pla</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">y out </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">independent of each other yet </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">destiny </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">brings </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">them together at a crucial juncture</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">both</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">o</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">f</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> their lives and that </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">of</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> the </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">W</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">a</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">r</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="color: red; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">This parable is swee</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">ping yet intimate, panoramic yet microscopic. </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">T</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">old in two voices in alternating chapters</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, t</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">his is not an example that a novice writer might follow in terms of the theory of writing. </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">The edicts of point of view</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, structure, character arc, scene-sequel </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">etc </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">are</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> upended in favor of short chapters and shorter paragraphs and sentences</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> that convey just enough information for the reader to make up his </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">mind</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">. Doerr </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">appeals to all of the</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> reader’s senses except the sigh</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">t </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">in s</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">cenes where</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Marie Laure</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">'s point of view</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">is expressed </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">and uses </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">detailed</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> scien</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">tific enquiry when the story fea</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">tures Werner. The pace is crisp and the language, exquisite. The story gallops through the final years of the War yet finds time to </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">languish in little alleyways and </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">nooks and</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> corners long enough to engulf the reader and transport them into its core. There is a surreal, almost magical nature to the entire story. If it were to be made on screen, it would be made in a sepia tone, with bright flashes of color in between to jolt the viewer out of their lassitude. </span><span class="EOP SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span><br />
<div class="Paragraph SCX184969239" paraeid="{a15f19bb-8729-4ff3-b09c-9d5687909ed9}{167}" paraid="1565310576" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="EOP SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX184969239" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX184969239" paraeid="{a15f19bb-8729-4ff3-b09c-9d5687909ed9}{194}" paraid="1359532154" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">The writer’s </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">tone </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">feels apologetic</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> at times, as if he is sad to tell</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> you</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> a story which may make you cry in the end. But he holds </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">your hand </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">the entire way and does not rush you; let</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">ting</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">you </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">enjoy the melancholy or ecstasy by your own timetable. The</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> secondary chara</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">c</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">ters are </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">well-developed</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">; </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">everything and everyone</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> is in the story for a re</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">a</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">son. I would have liked it even more, if it was slightly shorter. The last three or</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">four chapters felt </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">extraneous</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, a</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">s if Doerr was having so much fun w</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">ith his characters that he </span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">did</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> not</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> want to let them go. And I for one, do</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> not</span><span class="TextRun SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> blame him.</span><span class="EOP SCX184969239" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX184969239" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX184969239" paraeid="{a15f19bb-8729-4ff3-b09c-9d5687909ed9}{196}" paraid="1540698617" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-55277235702495159112013-07-08T09:38:00.000-04:002013-07-08T09:42:17.007-04:00The Art Forger by B.A.Shapiro<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img height="200" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" width="133" /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pablo Picasso is believed to have said, “Every now and then one paints a picture that seems to have
opened a door and serves as a stepping stone to other things”. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The series of paintings titled <i>After the Bath</i> by Edgar Degas have inspired author <a href="http://bashapirobooks.com/" target="_blank">B.A. Shapiro</a> to do just that. She uses it as a stepping
stone- rather, a diving platform in her book, The Art Forger to examine art, the
artist and the value of art. What makes a piece of art valuable? Is it the art
itself or the fame (or notoriety) of the artist? Can an artist get more value
as a forger of a painting made by a famous artist while being ignored for her
original work? How much do the experts really understand about what they assess
and how much stock should a non-expert put in their recommendations and
valuations? A struggling painter Claire Roth tries to reconstruct her shattered
professional life and find answers to questions such as these in this brisk
paced tale filled with intrigue and gorgeous details of place and time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The main character is explored in detail and so
are the myriad techniques of painting - Impressionist, classical and
contemporary. The same cannot be said of the rest of the characters and
the relationships Claire has with them. The detailed analysis of paintings and painting
techniques, of Degas himself, of the world inhabited by artists,critics and collectors tilts
the balance of the story away from the minds of its characters. There is a love
interest in the story which is portrayed in a hurried and callous way, along
with a lot of secondary characters and events that are unrelated to the main
story. The ending is abrupt and leaves the reader feeling shortchanged.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In spite of these shortcomings, The Art forger is a fast read
with exacting details and descriptions of works of art that will make you want
to find out more about the intriguing world of artists and art collectors. </div>
</div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-81621466318541170762013-01-17T15:54:00.001-05:002013-01-17T15:56:21.982-05:00Fishy.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
“Something
smells good, Mom”, my eight year old son calls out over the music of “The
Adventures of Tintin” that he is watching with his five year old sister. The
smell interrupts my husband’s Saturday night semi-fugue state, induced by old Hindi
movie songs, <i>ghazals</i> and single malt
Scotch. My industrial grade Viking hood is doing the best it can, but is no
match for the heady fragrance of dinner, cooking in bubbling oil on its way to
a heavenly state of golden brown crispiness. I am frying Pomfret.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRWnmCTXL8cNbLFhIjoQYk9krG8t5VfaEREjIYUJsEdOlbeqVbZ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRWnmCTXL8cNbLFhIjoQYk9krG8t5VfaEREjIYUJsEdOlbeqVbZ" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Wikipedia
says pomfret is a perciform fish belonging to the family Bramidae. It is found
in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. I say, they have no idea what
Pomfret is.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Pomfret
is my mother, announcing on a Saturday morning, that my brother and I were to watch
out for and stop the local fishmonger as
he made his way through the neighborhood. The object of our attention for the
rest of the morning was a short, dark man with round eyes and a quick smile.
His bushy mustache apologetically made up for a receding hairline. He usually wore
a <i>mundu</i>, a long rectangular cotton garment
worn at the waist, and a shirt, with a scarf-like piece of cloth wrapped around
his head.. He would ride into our alley on a bicycle with a basket tied precariously
to the back seat. He announced his presence with a loud horn – the sound a
cross between a duck’s quack and a broken reed. It was in this basket, over a
thin layer of ice, under dark green banana leaves, that he presented the manna
from local rivers and the Arabian Sea, occasionally his prized catch, the pomfret.
It is an exciting day for us because cooking fish at home was a show of
culinary bravery for my mother. She had grown up with strictly vegetarian, staunch
Hindu parents and had tasted meat only after she got married .She was
adventurous enough to cook fish but was not confident about buying or cleaning
it. That was Amma’s job. “Amma” is
Malayalam for mother and to us, it seemed like the whole town called her Amma.
She was a stern lady of indeterminate age, who worked in our house as a housemaid/translator/spreader
of neighborhood information. As soon as the fishmonger stopped in front of our
house, Amma was dispatched to do the needful. She wiped her strong and heavily
wrinkled hands on her work cloth and walked up to him. She gave the man a
once-over as if silently warning him against any mischief. Then she peered into
the basket and moved back the banana leaves. She picked up the plumpest,
whitest of the fish and gave it a good sniff. If it passed her olfactory test,
its gills were pried open. If it was nice and pink inside, Amma gave the man a
slight toothless smile and picked a few more. The care with which she picked fish
for us made us feel like royal children, whose food was tested for poison
before it was served. After the necessary payment was made, all of us followed
Amma to the back of the house where she proceeded to clean and prepare the fish
and hand it over to my mother for further processing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Pomfret
is my father, ordering fish for me, at every restaurant that we went to, even
when it was the most expensive dish on the menu. The love on his face, having
ordered the best dish for his favorite child, in my opinion, was returned with
a grin on my face, when the waiter brought the plate of crisp golden fried fish,
head intact, eyes open, garnished with red onion rings, chopped cilantro and a
lemon wedge. For my brother and I, eating out at a restaurant was a luxury, a
status symbol. To have a special dish ordered just for me was hence, a momentous
achievement. Over time, the restaurants changed from a “dining hall” of five or
six tables covered with white table cloths over worn out reddish brown carpets lit
by shabby chandeliers to avant garde restaurants in five star hotels in Mumbai
but the ritual never changed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Pomfret
is little fingers, peeling off the crisp skin to reveal firm white flesh held
together by a skeleton of long bones. The fingers do not have find and remove tiny
bones that hide inside other kinds of seafood. The fish has been fried whole, with
two short slits on each side where the marinade of garlic, ginger and turmeric,
green chilies, cumin, coriander and salt has made its way inside. The skin is a
crispy golden brown, while the flesh has cooked in a fragrant steam of the marinade,
giving it a flavor even the finickiest of eaters cannot ignore.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
The
smell reaches deep inside me, taking me back to the land where I grew up,
thousands of miles away from this beautiful prairie that we now call home. It is
the link from my childhood to the life that I am trying to create for my
children. It inspires me to make memories with them, which they can turn to,
when they grow up. I hope that this fine specimen of the Bramidae family thrives
and multiplies for generations in the saline ocean waters so that my children
can share the joy of a perfectly fried pomfret and steaming rice with their loved
ones, for years to come.</div>
</div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-69133446606664515192013-01-14T14:48:00.002-05:002013-01-17T15:56:40.612-05:00A different shade of green<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
A line of old Ambassador cars greets you as you step out of Kochi
International Airport. This is one of only two states in India where these rotund and sturdy cars of the 1980’s have not fallen out of favor. Sleek
elegance, modern amenities and power are aspects not associated with this car,
but their drivers do not seem to mind. Well-maintained city roads direct the
fast and unruly traffic and billboards advertise mega gold jewelry
marts and silk saree emporiums. As you make your way towards the rural
interiors, you remember the caption on the tourism department’s brochure – Kerala,
God’s own country. Roll down the windows - use your biceps, no power windows
here - and inhale the gorgeous sea air, there is no doubt you are in a tropical
paradise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No matter what the
season, there is equilibrium between the water content in the atmosphere and
the air so that there is just enough air to let you breathe comfortably but the
humidity makes it thick enough to be palpable. Paddy fields, with thick
sheaves of rice, sitting in puddles of water put on an intense display of green.
Acres upon velvety acres are tended to by hand, mostly by women, who try to coax
rice, the life blood of the region, from this stubborn plant. The straight,
brown trunks of the coconut trees rise up tall with a head of lush long, yellow–green
fronds. It is capped off with a big bunch of coconuts and stalks of small
yellow fragrant flowers. The soft, flimsy stems of the banana plants
support wide leaves and big bunch of fruits which are loved by humans and
animals alike. Elephants are the workhorses here, carrying loads of timber from
forests with the same aplomb as serving in religious festivities in temples,
decked in gorgeous livery. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aHeI1GIo1Cqloe3JamO1BMid29snSEdXmq9IZcb-H2Ui86dXbaOidIClIYIL12068SCZbmi2yNb8dbwpTQomYVjebv3yVZhVgsShDL4FOV_v5AMZ3mcjJSm1zdoW1oB8O8PpO0t5dVY/s1600/kerala1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aHeI1GIo1Cqloe3JamO1BMid29snSEdXmq9IZcb-H2Ui86dXbaOidIClIYIL12068SCZbmi2yNb8dbwpTQomYVjebv3yVZhVgsShDL4FOV_v5AMZ3mcjJSm1zdoW1oB8O8PpO0t5dVY/s320/kerala1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, there is the water. Tucked away in the southwestern corner
of Indian peninsula, Kerala has a long coastline along the Arabian Sea. This is
the landing ground for the majestic monsoon, which gathers up from the Indian Ocean,
drenching the land for most of the year. Water collects everywhere; in small
ponds, lakes and gurgling streams, filling up with water lilies and buffaloes
in the blink of an eye. Three large rivers traverse this small state spilling
their energy onto the shores and into the people. The vast waters of the
Arabian Sea to the west of the land mass form the perfect backdrop for the
tiring sun to rest, every evening, bathing the coconut groves and rubber
plantations in a surreal golden hue.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The houses are modest, complementing a population that is
cultured, conventional and hardworking. One or two story concrete buildings,
painted in light colors with red tiled roofs. A compound wall marking the
property line and a gate, usually an intricately welded iron one, making you pause
before you enter. The yard is dirt with bushes of brightly colored flowers
along the walls. Hibiscus, gardenias, jasmine and roses vie for attention under
the tall presence of coconut palms and jack fruit trees. The scent in the air is
primal, of a happy balance between nature and its human tenants. Technology and
the progress that modern amenities promise have found their way to this remote
corner of land but the culture of respectful indulgence in nature’s bounty has
created a harmonious lifestyle for its population. With as many people wearing the
latest fashion in jeans, skirts and pants as there are men wearing the cotton <i>mundu </i>and young girls wearing the silk white
and golden <i>sarees</i>, God’s own country
is not stuck in time. She is relishing time, as it flows like the deep waters
of the Periyar river towards the sea.</div>
</div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-76479820288230096732012-08-14T23:58:00.001-04:002012-08-14T23:58:36.000-04:00Back To School<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
“Can I wear this right now, Mom?” My seven year old son asked
me at the checkout counter, fully expecting me to say no. He had a brand new
back pack in one hand and a big bag full of folders and pencils and supplies in
the other. I started to say no, out of habit, but I stopped myself. His
enthusiasm and genuine excitement rubbed off on me and we walked out of the
store with him wearing a new jacket and an empty backpack on his back.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
In case you missed all the advertisements, it is Back to School
season! With just a week left to go before school starts, we braved the pouring
rain and similarly motivated families to go shopping for clothes and school
supplies. The atmosphere in the store was akin to Christmas. Bright signs and
flags marked the way to a large section of the store dedicated to Back to School
items. Some frequently bought items were packaged together into convenient
bundles for hassle free shopping. There were three or four rows of shelves for
just binders and folders. Pencils, crayons, markers and sharpeners were
spilling out of cleverly placed end caps. Overall there was a mood of gaiety
and celebration all around. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
This made me think about my back to school routine. I spent
most of my childhood in a small south Indian town which had one hospital, four
churches, two temples, a small vegetable market, one bakery and one stationary/book
store. Summer vacation ended around the last week of May and we made that first
trip to the school, before the school began, to get our school uniforms. That
was the beginning of the week long ritual to get ready for the new school
year. A list of textbooks and notebooks
was provided by the school but everything else was optional and left entirely
to the financial ability of one’s parents. Pencils were mandatory till the
third grade and after that; we could only use fountain pens. That meant bottles
of nasty smelling Camel brand blue ink also made their way into the shopping
bags. Backpacks were made of durable canvas and were available in basic colors
such as black, blue, beige etc. Pencil
boxes were fashion accessories. In the higher grades, we had to buy the
geometry box with a compass, divider, ruler, Set Square, protractor, eraser and
a pencil sharpener. Mechanical pencils were a big deal, available in bright
colors and usually “imported”. Being
that the highly anticipated southwest monsoon usually made its entrance around
the same time as the school started, raincoats and umbrellas were a necessary
purchase. A stop at the local Bata store for a pair of black lace shoes and
white socks completed the shopping trip.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The second part of the ritual was a family affair. We would
lay out the books to be covered and labeled. Rolls of brown paper were taken
out along with sheets of name labels. My parents would cut out the brown paper
needed for covering each book and meticulously cover and tape that book.
Warnings on keeping the books neat and organized ensued. When they thought I was
old enough, I was trusted to cover my own books and a few of my younger brother’s.
There were single lined notebooks for Social Studies and Science, four-lined
books for English and two-lined books for the two local languages, Hindi and
Malayalam. While my parents worked hard
to make them look academically dignified, I would open up textbooks and browse
through lessons on the Human Body, Differentiation, Robert Frost and the vast
maze of newsprint that was to be my companion for the next year. The final touch
was the label. Very basic in form, this was a rectangular piece of paper with
pre-printed lines for Name, Std., Section, School and Subject. With each passing
year, new and exciting innovations occurred in the field of the labels. One
year it was sticker labels while another was all about Mickey and Minnie and Donald
Duck or bright floral prints or cute animal themes. My father would then write
our names, proudly and neatly, on these labels, with more instructions and
warnings to keep the covers and labels on the books at least till the first
Terminal examination. Then all the books and pencil boxes were put away in
the respective schoolbags, awaiting the start of yet another exciting year.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQopzo3e4biYTlajI1jxVCpzbnOpZbx2TyBxN5sqIG17MHPwm4_" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQopzo3e4biYTlajI1jxVCpzbnOpZbx2TyBxN5sqIG17MHPwm4_" width="168" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The school lists have changed, the supplies options have
upgraded significantly but the excitement and anticipation of going to a new
class with some old and some new friends, is still the same. For my children, at
this age when getting the right pencil grips, erasers and sharpeners is as
critical as finding out who will sit with you in the class and on the school
bus, which kid you will have to avoid and what the new teacher will be like, back
to school shopping is an important event, as it was for me. I am looking
forward to the new school year and I smile as we join this last minute frenzy
of back-to-school celebration. </div>
</div>
Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-62754187038158521992012-05-27T00:07:00.000-04:002012-05-27T00:07:56.900-04:00Travel by Stomach - Colombia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I love Latin American food. Having lived in California, I fell hard for the bright flavors that result from the combinations of onions and garlic and tomatoes and avocados and oregano, combined with lots and lots of varieties of chilies. The ingredients are familiar to an Indian palate yet their distinct application results in a flavor very different from the Indian cuisine that I grew up with. I visited Puerto Rico recently and that food solidified the favored status of Latino food for me. After I tried Peru, we stayed in the South American continent and moved on to Colombia. Picking just a few dishes for this project was difficult and I have decided to go back and try some more of the recipes that I have gathered for Colombia, later. I have used this beautiful <a href="http://www.mycolombianrecipes.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> a lot in my research and kudos to Erica for introducing her native Colombian culture in such an amazing way.<br />
The ingredients are easy to find and the dishes taste as good as they look. Enjoy!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Fried plantains - Platanitos.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Every South American country has its version of these delectable chips. These chips are twice fried and hence have a dense center yet crispy exterior. Cut the plantains on a bias so that when the chips are flattened after the first frying, they get long and thin, perfect for scooping the spicy aji or hogao sauce.</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWJEArWUp2M46fVNvzo-MS6F62QR9zrt1slBbeA3lk2fFIDB5_6CBsPVqDwCQkNo3BMJJDK2thlOspTBKTvlZVpekih05XxUNBd7KGWl_IHYeKVrlp2MT1pkJj5H3x0_wrga0LBaMR63w/s1600/IMG_3904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWJEArWUp2M46fVNvzo-MS6F62QR9zrt1slBbeA3lk2fFIDB5_6CBsPVqDwCQkNo3BMJJDK2thlOspTBKTvlZVpekih05XxUNBd7KGWl_IHYeKVrlp2MT1pkJj5H3x0_wrga0LBaMR63w/s320/IMG_3904.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Ingredients:</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 semi ripe plantains, peeled
and cut on a bias into 1 inch ovals</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.5pt;">Canola oil for frying</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bowl of cold water <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Salt<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fill a wrought iron skillet 1
-2 inch deep with canola oil and heat. Peel and slice the plantains on a bias. Fry
the slices, in small batches in a single layer, without crowding. Fry for 2-3
minutes till golden. Do not fry till brown!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Take the slices out and drain
on a paper towel, dip in a bowl of cold water for a few seconds and drain again
on paper towel. Place on a smoot surface, cover with a plastic wrap and press
down with a mallet or the bottom of a heavy pan. Fry these flattened slices in
hot oil till golden brown. Take them out, drain on paper towels and season with
salt while warm. Serve with hogao or Colombian aji made with jalapeno peppers.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Hogao</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 17.6pt;">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.5pt;">A traditional Colombian sauce, this can be used with any dish as a dipping sauce or a condiment. I stored some in the refrigerator and it was good even after 7 days. A variation of this can be made by adding </span><span style="line-height: 22px;">chili</span><span style="line-height: 16.5pt;"> powder or chili flakes to add a little heat.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV6uKJZnGOe3teiHMVRVKCw0XBZQK9D0R8ciOtSMIMm_dr3x5hFSLA1uOQ8WY4FzT7iRJMI_ig_XfkFl5fZxT3WtZZaFz82M1rURiZ07RLGnxYuzOQyR3c7mATDpAjZolw400IWv-_bK8/s1600/IMG_3906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV6uKJZnGOe3teiHMVRVKCw0XBZQK9D0R8ciOtSMIMm_dr3x5hFSLA1uOQ8WY4FzT7iRJMI_ig_XfkFl5fZxT3WtZZaFz82M1rURiZ07RLGnxYuzOQyR3c7mATDpAjZolw400IWv-_bK8/s320/IMG_3906.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">INGREDIENTS<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 cup
chopped scallions (white and green parts)<br />
2 cups fresh chopped tomatoes<br />
1 clove garlic, minced<br />
1 teaspoon ground cumin<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tbsp
canola oil<br />
¼ teaspoon salt<br />
¼ teaspoon ground pepper<br />
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">DIRECTIONS<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. Heat the oil in a saucepan,
add the tomatoes, scallions, garlic, ground cumin and cook gently for 10
minutes, stirring until softened.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. Reduce the heat to low, add
the salt, pepper and cilantro, cook for 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally
until the sauce has thickened. Check and adjust the seasoning<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0in 0in 17.6pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>Colombian Aji with jalapeno<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #111111;">10 jalapeno
peppers, seeded</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #111111;">1/4 cup water</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #111111;">1/4 cup white
vinegar</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #111111;">1/4 cup fresh
lemon juice</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #111111;"> 1 1/2 cup
chopped green onions</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #111111;">1 cup chopped
cilantro</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #111111;">2 tsp salt </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Blend all the ingredients well until smooth. Serve
cold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt 0.75in; text-align: left;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt 0.75in; text-align: left;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt 0.75in; text-align: left;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Arepas</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt 0.75in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The first time I ate Arepas was when a dear friend from Venezuela made them for me. At the time it seemed a lot of work and I remember her cooking them in the oven. This recipe is easy. If you have any experience making tortillas or roti, this will be a natural progression. The areapas however, do not taste like either of them. The cornmeal makes an earthy bread that is rich and grounded at the same time. Lightly brush with butter as soon they are done and serve warm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt 0.75in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCq-dUkvCyG22JJ-ihlVljb0R6pvNb7BoIcSd_e0oKznaz-8fsGzgLg17REeAT72fNKsP-wGwBcz8itJwdi_SeVLY9_ZdToy9jvM3ZD7Z2qbEi8OLOJ3pI2aOCEAyes1XNWnS_PQrSAtu/s1600/IMG_3908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCq-dUkvCyG22JJ-ihlVljb0R6pvNb7BoIcSd_e0oKznaz-8fsGzgLg17REeAT72fNKsP-wGwBcz8itJwdi_SeVLY9_ZdToy9jvM3ZD7Z2qbEi8OLOJ3pI2aOCEAyes1XNWnS_PQrSAtu/s320/IMG_3908.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt 0.75in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt 0.75in; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">INGREDIENTS<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">1 cup<span class="apple-converted-space"> pre-cooked cornmeal or arepa flour</span></span><a href="http://www.mycolombianrecipes.com/masarepa"><span style="color: #940f04; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
</span></a><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">1 cup warm water<br />
1/3 cup queso blanco, grated<br />
2 tbsp butter<br />Salt to taste</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Makes 6 arepas.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 16.5pt;">Combine the cornmeal, warm
water, cheese, 1 tbsp butter and salt, mixing thoroughly. Let mixture stand for
five minutes.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 16.5pt;"> Knead with your hands for
about 3 minutes moistening your hands with water as you work.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Form small balls with the
dough. Place each ball between 2 plastic bags and with a flat pot cover flatten
to ¼ inch. Or flatten them on the palms of your hands after you oil them. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 16.5pt;">Add the butter to a nonstick
pan over medium heat. Place the arepas in the pan, and cook about 3 minutes on
each side, until a crust forms or they are golden brown.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 16.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 16.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 16.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.5pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Bistec a la criolla - Steak in creole sauce</i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Wmu-0y2yrCNKhWMwjTODwGPgzBUto_23KUDTJ1iK6epUcjjQwvsAawL3Z8SB9DC_MhMHEWWU5W-fa8LhzvDtleG3oTn8qRRET-5HUfg1fT2Pcr573CZtFGY55xspEqEukGKM6RRDfi5U/s1600/IMG_3907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Wmu-0y2yrCNKhWMwjTODwGPgzBUto_23KUDTJ1iK6epUcjjQwvsAawL3Z8SB9DC_MhMHEWWU5W-fa8LhzvDtleG3oTn8qRRET-5HUfg1fT2Pcr573CZtFGY55xspEqEukGKM6RRDfi5U/s320/IMG_3907.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.5pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 16.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ingredients</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #111111;">2
pounds skirt steak, trimmed and cut into 4-6 equal portions</span><br /><span style="color: #111111;">2 tbsp. vegetable oil</span><br /><span style="color: #111111;">4 garlic cloves, minced</span><br /><span style="color: #111111;">2 tsp. ground mustard</span><br /><span style="color: #111111;">
1 tbsp. ground cumin</span><br /><span style="color: #111111;">
Salt and black pepper</span><br /><span style="color: #111111;">
2 tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped</span><br /><span style="color: #111111;">1 1/2 cups</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>hogao (creole sauce)</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="color: #940f04;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 16.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Place the steaks between
sheets of wax paper, then pound until each steak is about ¼ inch thick.</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Place the pounded steaks in a zip lock plastic bag. Add the mustard, cumin,
garlic, cilantro, salt and pepper.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight making sure that the steaks are evenly covered.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.5pt;"> In a
large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Place the steaks into the skillet
and cook for 3 minutes per side.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
Add the hogao, cover and cook for 7 minutes more.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 16.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 16.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 16.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 16.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7526195301687200999.post-43273243839255823982012-05-24T00:58:00.002-04:002012-05-24T01:03:56.988-04:00Travel by stomach - Peru<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Peru was fun - cooking Peruvian food, that is. There were two ingredients that came up again and again in the recipes I looked at - <i><a href="http://southamericanfood.about.com/od/glossaryofterms/g/ajiamarillo.htm" target="_blank">aji amarillo</a></i> and <i>huacatay</i> (black mint). They are available online but I did not have the time (or the patience) to wait for it. I checked a couple of international markets, Whole Foods and a bodega, with no luck. So, I used jarred hot, yellow chillies and jalapenos for the former and a mixture of fresh mint, cilantro and dried basil instead of the huacatay. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><b>Peruvian rice</b></i></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">This is a very easy recipe that results in fragrant and flavorful rice, versatile enough to be used as a side dish or even as the star of the meal.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYV7_sKy3Bcqy9kNioh8M4bOfUkHrWGTR6vAMs86Sn3MWGODP5QsQfriZsU_Zbc9v5N3npmA5TxfNj-upccD5v_Ds4oLL0-IpSU9FekeLRE22BJ-EFatfhSXsAQamvzs7FFFYMbe7YWqZ/s1600/IMG_3851-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYV7_sKy3Bcqy9kNioh8M4bOfUkHrWGTR6vAMs86Sn3MWGODP5QsQfriZsU_Zbc9v5N3npmA5TxfNj-upccD5v_Ds4oLL0-IpSU9FekeLRE22BJ-EFatfhSXsAQamvzs7FFFYMbe7YWqZ/s200/IMG_3851-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 garlic clove , mashed<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tablespoons olive oil<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4 cups water<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tablespoons lemon juice<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">½ teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 cups long-grain
white rice
(eg. Basmati)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wash
and drain rice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Saute
garlic in oil for a minute or two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Add
water, lemon juice and salt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bring
to a boil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gradually
add rice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cover
and simmer 20 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yuquitas Rellenas - <o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">Stuffed Yuca Balls</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">If you forget for a while that you are eating deep fried starch, wrapped around a piece of cheese, you will realize these balls are heavenly. Crunchy on the outside, starchy and smooth on the inside. And then, you bite into the salty creamy piece of cheese.This recipe is worth the effort.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yuca
is a root vegetable, also known as cassava and manioc root. It can be peeled
and boiled just like potatoes. It is readily available in most major grocery stores. These crispy little balls are made by shaping the mashed yuca around a
piece of queso fresco, then rolling them in bread crumbs and frying them until
golden brown. The result is a crispy shell around a soft starchy filling, with
melted cheese in the very middle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHhSUnqZJ1Hw4xW_6dM116EATxjmRmF8wJfQodOzpcyZ44hnwaelrFHx1fthKZ9sMW2Bkfxa2nBIxgA6hY7oGK6tixJESMpKi0cpBpdm0Wd1uAUJ3hjzrHPXNCOEXfhNYiGhWj6oRxLl0/s1600/IMG_3852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHhSUnqZJ1Hw4xW_6dM116EATxjmRmF8wJfQodOzpcyZ44hnwaelrFHx1fthKZ9sMW2Bkfxa2nBIxgA6hY7oGK6tixJESMpKi0cpBpdm0Wd1uAUJ3hjzrHPXNCOEXfhNYiGhWj6oRxLl0/s200/IMG_3852.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Cook
Time: </b>15 minutes<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ingredients:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1
pounds of yuca root<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4
ounces queso fresco, cut into 1/2 inch cubes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1
egg<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2
slices of bread<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10
saltine crackers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Vegetable
oil for frying<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Salt
and pepper to taste<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bring
a large pot of salted water to a boil. Peel the yuca root and cut it into 3
inch long pieces. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Add
the yuca to the boiling water and cook for about 20-30 minutes, until the yuca
is very tender and can be easily pierced with a fork. It should be fall apart
when poked with the fork. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Drain
the yuca and remove as many of the woody stems from the center of
the root as possible. Pass the yuca through a potato ricer or grate with a box grater to remove any remaining fibrous strings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Season
the mashed yuca with salt and pepper to taste. Let cool for 10 to 15
minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Place
2 tablespoons of mashed yuca in the palm of one hand. Make a small well in the
middle, and place a piece of cheese in the well. Wrap the mashed yuca around
the cheese, and roll between your hands to make a round ball. Repeat with the
remaining mashed yuca. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In
a deep skillet or wok, heat 2 inches of vegetable oil. Fry the yuca balls in
batches until lightly golden. Drain on paper towels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Crack
1 egg into a bowl and whisk lightly with a fork. Process the bread with the
crackers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Roll
each ball in the egg and then in the bread/cracker crumbs, until well coated
with crumbs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fry
the yuca balls a second time, just until they are golden brown and crispy.
Drain on paper towels and serve warm with aji de huacatay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 17.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>Aji de huacatay- modified.</i></b></span><span style="color: #111111;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Ingredients:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 hot yellow
chile peppers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2
jalapeno peppers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4
cup plain peanuts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 cup
of Huacatay substitute (equal parts mint
and cilantro and half measure dried
basil)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Canola
oil <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2
cup evaporated milk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2
cup queso fresco<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 or 3
crackers (saltines or oyster crackers)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">splash
vinegar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">salt
and pepper to taste<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> R</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">emove seeds and veins
from the peppers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 4.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18pt;">Heat the skillet on medium high heat. Add the
peppers, peanuts, and herbs to the skillet . Toast these ingredients slightly
without adding any oil. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18pt;">Add the contents of the skillet to the blender
and add evaporated milk, salt, pepper, and cheese.B</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18pt;">lend the mixture. The mix will be thin. Add the
crackers until you have achieved the desired consistency. Add splash of vinegar
and salt according to your taste.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><b>Chupe de camarones </b></i></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This
hearty chowder is flavored with aji amarillo peppers. I used a mixture of jarred yellow peppers and jalapenos</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Cook time: 30 minutes</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ingredients:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1
pound raw shrimp (unpeeled)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2
tablespoons olive oil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2
tablespoons butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Juice
of 1 lime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1
large onion, chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3
cloves garlic, minced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2
tablespoons minced jarred yellow peppers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tablespoon minced jalapeno pepper</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2
tomatoes, seeded and diced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1
teaspoon cumin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1
teaspoon dried oregano<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1
packet of Goya seasoning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3
cups seafood or chicken stock<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 medium yellow potatoes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1
cups frozen peas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1
cups frozen corn kernels<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 6 oz. evaporated milk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1
cup crumbled queso fresco cheese<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Salt
and pepper to taste<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Preparation:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Heat
the olive oil and butter in a heavy soup pot over medium high heat. Add the
shrimp and sauté until pink, about 3-4 minutes. Remove shrimp to a bowl and let
cool. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Add
chopped onion, garlic, and chile pepper pastes to the soup pot. Sauté over
medium heat until onion is translucent and fragrant. Add tomatoes, cumin, Goya
seasoning, and oregano and cook until tomatoes are soft. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Peel
the potatoes and cut into 1 inch cubes. Add potatoes to pot with the seafood
broth, and simmer until potatoes are very tender, about 15-20 minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While
potatoes are cooking, peel shrimp (reserving several shrimp unpeeled for
garnish, if desired). Season shrimp with salt and pepper and toss with the lime
juice. Set aside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Slice
one ear of corn crosswise into 2 inch pieces, and remove kernels from remaining
2 ears. Add corn pieces and corn kernels to pot along with the peas. Simmer for
2-3 minutes more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Remove
chowder from heat, and stir in evaporated milk and queso fresco cheese. Stir in
shrimp with the lime juice and season chowder with salt and pepper to
taste. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Serve
chupe in bowls, garnished with shrimp, crumbled queso fresco cheese, and
chopped fresh oregano or cilantro.</span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i>Aji de gallina</i></span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">is a
delicious Peruvian classic - slightly spicy and rich from the unusual
cream sauce made with ground walnuts. This dish is traditionally served over
rice, with boiled yellow potatoes and black olives. This dish uses the aji peppers for the color and slight heat and I wish I had the real peppers. but the combination of hot yellow peppers and jalapenos worked really well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Cook time: 1 hour</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ingredients:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1
1/2 pounds chicken breast<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4
cups chicken stock<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2
cup vegetable oil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3-4
yellow peppers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 jalapenos</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2
gloves garlic, minced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1
large onion, finely chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3
tablespoons chopped walnuts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3
tablespoons grated parmesan cheese<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4
slices white bread<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3/4
cup evaporated milk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfNVw9d5e9GHgUg4EPDDLwlw0younVjpln4gH8FpG14rD20m5wdSExYjIBYI56-ej4sMkeABXXpAPo-NEOi4RzbwsKPxMNoUQooBACrA5_G7FeAZEvUlzFa9EUtoPcWz5Y2IRkjRTUAfK/s1600/IMG_3853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfNVw9d5e9GHgUg4EPDDLwlw0younVjpln4gH8FpG14rD20m5wdSExYjIBYI56-ej4sMkeABXXpAPo-NEOi4RzbwsKPxMNoUQooBACrA5_G7FeAZEvUlzFa9EUtoPcWz5Y2IRkjRTUAfK/s320/IMG_3853.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Preparation:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cook
the yellow potatoes in salted water until tender when pierced with a fork. Let
cool, peel, cut into quarters, and set aside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Place
the bread in a small bowl and pour the evaporated milk over it to soak. Set
aside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Place
the chicken breasts in a pot with the chicken stock, and bring to a simmer.
Cook for 10-15 minutes, until chicken is just barely cooked through. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Set
chicken aside to cool. Strain broth and reserve 2 cups. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Remove
stems and seeds from the peppers. In a blender, process peppers with the
vegetable oil until smooth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sauté
the garlic and onions with the puréed peppers and oil, until the onions are
soft and golden. Remove from heat and let cool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Shred
the cooled chicken into bite-size pieces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In
a blender or food processor, process the evaporated milk and bread mixture with
the nuts and parmesean cheese until smooth. Add the cooked onion mixture and
process briefly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Return
onion mixture to pan, and add 1 1/2 cups of the reserved chicken stock. Bring
to a low simmer, and stir in the chicken. Heat until warmed through, adding
more chicken stock if sauce is too thick. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Serve warm over rice.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>Swapna Chakrabartihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586880411530793850noreply@blogger.com0