The Sulaimani

Sulaimani, the tea with no milk. Refreshingly sweet... and light on your wallet too.

(At Sneha, Opposite Mahim Church)

Photo of the day

If you want to survive on the roads in Mumbai, do away with these rules ;)

Just kidding. Unfortunately there are people here who care a damn about these rules, and hence as a reminder, one often finds electronic signboards staring back at the dweeb on the wheel.

Not that he cares to follow them.

(Because it's the law we may follow it. But only the person who's driving.)

(The first thing that one does on noticing this sign is looking out to see if other vehicles are parked in front of the sign. If the rule is already broken then no harm.)

(The one who's always respected.)

Divinity in and around

* Gods can be found everywhere in this country. You just need to look for them and who knows, you may find them in the hollowed trunks of trees...like this one.

We had stopped for a Raspberry Duet to get some relief from the sweltering heat on a Sunday afternoon at Malabar Hill. I looked around and saw this amazing sight. Isn't it true? God exists everywhere. You just need to look out.

Me and my friend had been on a photographic journey to Tungareshwar. This was some time in mid August when the mountain plateau is in full glory. On our way I stumbled upon this shop that sold little framed pictures of Gods and Goddesses.

Yet another one from the same place.

The journey with a Cause-way

For the last few days we'd been thinking of making a trip to town. No specific agenda, just plain gallivanting.

Things to do:

1. Head straight to Colaba Causeway

2. Jazz around

3. Look for inexpensive clothes and accessories

4. A drink at Leopold's or Mondegar's

5. Some pictures

6. A meetha paan

7. Loads of fun

Break!

The city never sleeps...someone or the other is always awake.

But here it is. A quiet morning in South Bombay. A taxi-driver taking a short nap after a busy night's work. 

Sabudana khichdi

If in Maharashtra, do it the Maharashtrian way...enjoy their yummy fastfoods. 

No No! Don't get me wrong. I'm not talking about the ready-to-eat food served at the local Chinese walla. Here the term fastfood refers to 'food that you are allowed to eat when you are fasting'. 

Interesting isn't it? That's what India is all about...in fact we can boast of a culturally varied fastfood fare ;) Ever heard of that?

Now let's get back to Sabudana khichdi - a yummy snack made of sago (sabudana). It's easy to make. Really! But only after some practice. Sago can be a rogue if you don't handle it properly. 

The first time I tried making this khichdi, it ended up as poppadums. 

The second time I made it, my husband sensed that there was something wrong in the preparation. The sago hadn't turned completely transparent. I told him that there is something wrong with the sago. And I don't think he'd believed me.

I realised that I was messing it up with the '

soaking time'. Finally, Ramya's mom set it right for me. And now I am an expert. 

Look here...

You can also make sabudana vadas out of this. 

One place where I've devoured this delicacy is at Prakash, Shivaji Park, Dadar (W). This place is quite popular for it's authentic Maharashtrian fare. 

So go ahead and indulge in some sagoooooooooooooo!

Designer trucks

The traffic scene in Mumbai is miserable. Pavements are a rare sight and if at all you spot a few they are already encroached. And amidst all this chaos you come across these huge trucks in their colourful designer garbs. Well, it's nothing compared to the beautiful trucks that one gets to see in Pakistan or Afghanistan, but it's not bad either. Recently I spotted one on the Western Express Highway. I liked the blue coat of paint on the truck. It was a cheerful blue. Here, have a look!

Road Block

One sight that the eye does not ever miss on the streets of Bombay is the amicable relationship between man, machine and animal. It's not uncommon to see a herd of cattle plodding amidst heavy traffic, causing vehicles to honk and stop till these domesticated mammals don't reach a safe spot. Sometimes these mammals are in a mood to take it easy. They decide to slacken their pace and maybe even rest their posteriors in the middle of the road, much to the ire of the motorists. And you dare not act funny by getting out of your vehicle, protesting against these tamed creatures. They just might not like it and then you've had it. Suddenly you realise that they've become stock-still. So the best thing to do is sit back and relax. Time will show :)

Juhu Beach

A visit to Bombay is almost incomplete without a trip to the famous Juhu Beach. And the best time to be there is when the sun sets, a time when the foodstalls open their shutters to give out the aroma of steaming hot pav bhajis and mouthwatering bhelpuris and chaats. And as the night becomes younger the place gets more crowded with colours - colours of the balloons, the toys that go up and down in the air, the bottles of syrup that line the shops, the kulfis, paan - almost everything that you wanted to taste about the local fare.

Sev at display in a chaat stall

Colourful syrups ready to flavour snow-cones (ice golas)

Steaming hot potato patties

The Taj Mahal Hotel

An architectural splendour, overlooking the Arabian Sea and The Gateway of India, the Taj has always been an iconic landmark of the city of Mumbai, since the time it was built in 1903. Every Indian who visits Mumbai goes to see the The Taj Mahal Hotel. Every Mumbaiite aspires to be inside the Taj at least once in his lifetime...so what if it's only for a cup of tea :)

Know more about The Taj here

Thali at Gajalee

A Malwaani thali at Gajalee - chappattis, solkadi, Bombil fry, Surmai curry and potatoes and peas cooked together.