St Louis and Vegetarian Food

Meskerem - The Ethiopian Restaurant

Meskerem(September) is the first month of Ethiopian Calendar. I visited last month before my travel to South America. The meal at a Ethiopian restaurant works in different fashion. Generally the group of people sit in front of a platter placed at the center of a table. The platter can be mix of Vegetarian, Beef, Lamb or chicken. One eats this with ingera which is made of fermented tef, a rye-like Ethiopian grain (looks somewhat like Indian Dosa).

I being a lone Vegetarian, ordered a vegetarian platter alone and my friends had their share of tibs. The Veggie platter contained Miser Alech, Miser Wat, Shro Wat and couple of mixed vegetable curries. Miser Alech is split lentiles cooked with ginger, garlic, onions and olive oil. Miser wat is similar to alecha, with berbere sauce instead of curry and they used the yellow lentils. The Shro Wat is made of chickpeas with berbere sauce. The vegetable curries consisted of one made with beans carrots and onions in tomato sauce and other being cabbage and potato with ginger and garlic. It was the bread or injera that was most interesting as it reminded us of dosa, however it was different in taste more sour and double the size of home made dosas. Also they are not brown probably they make sure it stays white and remove from the pan before it changes the colour.

I read that the Ethiopian food is generally spicy but the food at Mekerem was milder than I expected. No complaints but probably one needs to mention the chef that Indians can stand much spicier food. It also served avacados and veggie salad for appetizers. I would definitely suggest my friends to visit this place and have a delicious meal.

Escaping Ernesto

Been long time again and I am back now to write here. Been a pretty happening month until now. Moved out of Louisville last month and now I miss it here in VA. Well its hurricane season in US east coast. Ernesto threatened to become next Katrina, but lucky for all it turned out to be less than a storm. Every long weekend I am not supposed to be home, I need to travel out and not spared this time either. I have no clue how the hurricane and storms get such names, the latest being Florence today.

Was planning for a drive along the US's most travelled scenic drive of Blue Ridge Parkway but Ernesto again scared us of flash floods along the drive. So had to take a traditional US Hwy I81 to reach Gatlinburg. The closest city for Smokey Mountain, this city offers plenty of entertainment for all kind of people. I took off early in the morning to escape the mad rush to national park and spent some good time amidst the nature all alone. This picture here was taken early in the morning when rest of the crowd was still asleep in their log cabins. Sun was just out on sky to illuminate this small stream of water and I was so excited to get a best shot of this natures wonderful portrait. I was standing on couple of slippery boulders to get the best view and Voila!! this is just amazing. Thats when i realized i had slipped my leg and was falling into water. I was lucky to save my camera but nothing else of my clothes from top to bottom. I guess it all happened so that I can remember for my life.

The rest of the trip was pretty normal with a hike of 2-3 miles to Laurel falls and then driving along the scenic coves and mountains. The national park is home for more varieties of plants and flowers than any place in america. Unfortunately we did not come accross even a single bear. Also watched a old barn yard with a mill running on water powered non polluting machinery that might be 100 yrs old. Not surprised as I've seen similar ones still being used in villages of India.

So after three days when i return, the storm Ernesto had vanished to NYC and north east states while Florence began to form as bigger threat along the Atlantic. Hope I find another place to escape this weekend from the Florence...

Remembering Rajasthan

The good things in life comes often but one that remains for long can be called as best. The place I am trying to savour at this moment is Rajasthan. Rajiv, Praveen and myself set off to this epic journey (for me it was epic) during last diwali (first week of Nov) that ended 15 days.

I wish I could have written my experiences in a diary at that time. But was so lazy that we assigned this job to Rajiv, and well he did a great job in writing the travelogue after we returned (I will copy the complete travelogue into a blog later so that I can link it up here). Its a great treasure for all three of us to remember the places we visited during the 15 days.

The name Rajasthan brings memory of colours, deserts, palaces and forts. Rajasathan has a rich and colourful history and perhaps the most popular destinations in India. The kingdoms of Rajasthan have created numerous forts and palacaes and havelis that are excellent example of Jain and Muslim architecture. The food is vegetarian everywhere and one can find non-veg probably in Jaipur and few major cities only. Didn't we enjoy the food, even Chinta did not complain (poor you ... always outnumbered when we are around).

Other day when switching channels on Ravi's television, i saw The Jungle book and that reminded me of Blue city Jodhpur and Mehrangarh fort. The trip to Rajasthan shall be remembered for the folk music we heard in Udaipur and Jaisalmer, Rajasthani Thali lunch at a local restaurant there, great temples of dilwara, handicrafts emporiums (for wrong reasons), deserts and camels, pushkar's cattle fair, pink floyd cafe, the long train journies, variety of rickshaws, enjoying my skills on camera, the forts and guides we took, local bus rides, dal baati, ...

Sigh ... theres so many others too... the list is endless ...

Here's link to my imagestation album,

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2117334075

And one for Rajasthan Diaries goes here:

http://rajasthan-travelogue.blogspot.com/

To Kill a Mockingbird

A novel by Harper Lee, that prevades the idea of racism and acceptance. I haven't read the book but had a chance to view the movie tonight. Perhaps its one of the movies(novel won the Pulitzer Prize in 1960) that moves anybody.

Atticus has built a whole value system around the idea that a person must examine and respect who people are and where they come from. This includes even the most unsavory characters like Bob Ewell and Mrs. Dubose. When others would rather forget about these people, Atticus takes the time to understand them. This is a value Atticus passes onto his children as well. Towards the end of the novel Scout says, "I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks." She understands Atticus' belief that all human beings must be accepted and treated equally.

The role of Atticus played by Gregory Peck and yes he's done an excellent job on it. I also read that Mary Badham became the youngest girl to recieve an Academy Award Nomination for her portrayal of Scout in this movie. The story has so many characters and you may think why these people were introduced at all. Despite how easy it is to judge others, once you look closer, you see something more in everyone. No one is what they truly seem to be, everyone is differnt and has something that that motivates them to be who they are. In the end Atticus's children have become tolerant and accepting all the people. Now they share their fathers view for looking deep into people before making any judgement on them.

Here's one more discussion I came along and you might like to read.

Code of Conduct

In To Kill a Mockingbird there are two different codes that come into conflict. There is the older, archaic notions of Southern chivalry and class, held by most of the town of Maycomb.. It is a code defined by racial supremacy and maintaining the status quo. When Mayella Ewell confronts the men in the courtroom and challenges their honor, she is making it an issue of white against black. It is not a matter of right and wrong, but a matter of trusting the word of a white woman over that of a black man. And rather than seem like "nigger lovers," they take the side of the Ewells.

Perhaps no one embodies the old Southern code more than Aunt Alexandra. It is she who believes that her prestigious lineage makes her superior to most others. She sees herself as a lady, and that her families fine breeding leaves them separated from people like the Cunninghams, the Ewells, and any African American. Although she sympathizes with Tom's plight, she believes that Atticus should not take on his case. Aunt Alexandra's notions of right and wrong do not include all people equally, and the town operates the same way.

It is Atticus who is the standard of a new code. Atticus stands up for right, no matter the situation. When other put parameters around who they will help, Atticus stands by anyone in need, regardless of their race or social standing. And Atticus goes beyond just helping others, he takes the time to understand them. He points out to Scout that to truly understand a person you must get inside their skin and walk around in it for awhile. Atticus does this with all the people he associates with. Rather than writing people off as "trash" or social deviants, he analyzes people and comes to a greater understanding of them. Unlike Aunt Alex, Atticus' code requires understanding, sympathy and consistency among all people.

Lake Tahoe

Day 4, month of May. Was long weekend for me. Well its only for few companies in Louisville. Its Oaks day (name given to Grade1 Horseracing thats an annual event in Louisville) marking the beginning of Kentucky Derby. Thousands of people throng to Louisville this day. People from all over US, many from Europe too come here to blow their money on betting on horses. What a shame !!!

I fly to California to meet Chinta and spend weekend at SanFransisco. Alas he's got office on Friday too. I spend my day watching Indian movies (Its kind of rare to get indian movies in Louisville for me...), Being Cyrus and hey a teluu movie too called Ghajini (did not understand a bit but the actress is real good looker called asin). Chinta is back and now am looking forward for some real happening for weekend. So we plan to go to Lake Tahoe thats 4 hrs drive from Belmont. Nishant and his friend also wants to join and so we plan to go early in morning.

Saturday morning we start to Lake Tahoe and reach as planned around tenninsh (I do not remember exct timing now). Here it is and aren't we surprised by the place.
We read it's supposed to be one of the deepest, largest and highest lakes in USA. The lake is situated on the border of Nevada and Clifornia. We did not drive as far as Nevada, but covered the californian side of lake completely. This image is of Emerald bay where we sat for almost two hours just enjoying the nature. Arthi was busy in taking snaps all the time and myself and Chinta were discussing our good old days in b'lore and bombay. Well let me tell all more about the Lake. Although for much of Tahoe's perimeter, highways run within sight of the lake shore, some important parts of the California shoreline now lie within state park or are protected by the US Forest service. Lake Tahoe is about 22 mi (35 km) long and 12 mi (19 km) wide and has 72 mi (116 km) of shoreline and a surface area of 191 square miles or 495 square kilometers (Theres more to it than i can remember ... do read in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Tahoe).

Lonely in Louisville

Been a while since i went out. And everyone who knew me had only one question, where had you been over the weekend ? Frankly nowhere after the grand Rajasthan trip (Oops i did go to Lake tahoe last month). Quit the silicon valley of india and now back in United States, brings back the memories of my earlier visits.

Louisville, the place i live, the name itself sounds its a small village, unheard of to many including me. A person like me who like living in Bombay, this tiny city feels lazy. True its a small laid back place on the Ohio riverfront and close to cities like Cincinnati, indianapolis, and chicago (4-5 hrs is considered closeby). But theres more to this place, like Kentucky Derby, Bourbon whiskey, Music concerts on riverfront and other places and ofcourse home for so many healthcare companies. And yeah i too work for one of the healthcare cos called Kindred Healthcare.

Saturday, here I am sitting in a coffee shop and chatting online with friends back in india, looking for something to do all the time. I know only one person here, Danny, whos behind the counter of this coffee shop and serving coffee for its customers. Theres a huge world outside waiting for me to explore it, well am waiting for that too. Am missing all my aquaintances back in india and thats what taking me more time to get used to live here alone or make new friends around. Then come tomorrow theres Bardstown Road and i end up in another coffee shop and stay hours together figuring out what next to do.

I think i am getting lazy and thats what bothering me. Atleast it feels better when i think i am writing it down here. I shall write about Lake Tahoe visit in the next blog.

And hey America just wait i am coming.