Sinbad

The thought of traveling around the world experiencing the beauty of different places gets me all excited. Even being to different places within my own country of India is a thrilling prospect. Though not an regular traveller I treasure memories of places i have been to, from hill stations to historical landmarks, from cities to the core of forests, from freezing lakes to extremely hot dust bowls. Even within and around the singular city of Mumbai there is so much to see and experience. And to travel add the variety of food....yummmm...and its such a heady mix.

I envy the Sinbads of the world who I believe are privileged to indulge in so much variety in their lives.

Experiencing the WOMAD (read my post : http://a-muse-me-india.blogspot.com/2009/04/womad-simply-superb.html ) was like pouring oil in the flame of wanting to experience the diversity of the world. From listening to 'world' music, to letting my tongue savour different recipes & cuisines, to seeing the God created natural wonders, to the creativity of man through art, dance and architecture ...my heart is thumping for more.

Am taking baby steps in fulfilling these my cravings but at least I know am walking in the direction pointed out by my heart. I'd like to have a 'crew' for my 'voyage' or even a first mate. (any volunteers?) Sharing the wonders of the world with someone multiplies the pleasures, actually,we tend to lose the essence of some wonders if traversed alone. Come on friends and family take me on your ship or sail with me. What am suggesting is from the simple 'share' the new recepie you learnt to joining in on treks, holidays and the like. From suggesting new restraunts to pointing out a hidden cave.... The "variety" available is like the treasures in Ali Baba's cave. Sail ahoy!!!

2Toes - Part 2 (Surprising Diets)

As she has grown from a tiny pup to a pretty full grown spaniel, 2Toes has entertained us no end with her eating habits. She has consumed and relished food items varying from bananas to raw karela (bitter gourd /pavekya). As a pup she was fed on cerelac as a baby. She showed her craving for various foodstuff as early as her 2nd day at our home. Mum and me were celebrating her arrival with a pizza and she wanted to be part of the feast. Her whining and finally 'sit in the further most corner of the room' protests showed her thorough disappointment on being denied the treat. She even held the grudge for 24 hours. As she grew up we began to realise that she loved fruits. The smells of mangoes used to drive her crazy with greed. In her 4 human years I believe she has eaten more fruits than I have in my 30 years of existance. Infact after every meal she needs a plantain (green banana) as desert. So that amounts to a minimum of 3 times a day. While eating she gives the impression that she eats her meals in a hurry so as to get to the dessert (plantain) as soon as possible. She has a taste for mangoes, apples, pineapples, bananas, jack fruit, sometimes even pomegranate and water melon. (I had taught her one trick within just half an hour using arils of the pomegranate fruit as incentive).

2Toes choice of foods seems like one who is conscious of diet and healthy foods. While my Mom cuts vegetables 2Toes will patiently wait, as she expects mom to keep a portion of the veg. for her. She has thus eaten bitter gourd (karela), ladies fingers, methi leaves, carrots, cucumbers, french beans, green peas, cabbage, .... all in the raw. And she seems to relish them as she always comes back for more. There was a time when a whole carrot became a regular snack between breakfast & lunch. Occasionally it was substituted with the other vegetables. It was interesting to watch her sit with the carrot (which contrasted against her shiny black fur) held up between her paws as she bit into it.

Besides these naturally occurring foods she loves ice cream (especially mango flavoured). She cannot resist the smell of cheese or peanut butter on bread either. Peanuts, cakes, curd with honey and other items of interest. When she was little, she used to run to the kitchen whenever a coconut was cracked open for a share of the coconut water which Mom & Dad would thoughfully keep for her. She soon learnt the taste of coconut too and not surprisingly relished it.

Currently, her regular day begins with 2 chappatis & milk & a little flavoured supplement followed by a portion of plantain, all this by 7:30 am. Her lunch has to be served sharp at 12 noon. This is a mix of boiled rice and mince meat which she gulps down followed by another portion of kela (plantain). She expects 4 (nothing less, nothing more ) biscuits for 'tea time snack' at 4 in the early evening. (This is one time she does not insist on following up with plantain though she would gladly have if offered). 2Toes is particular about the biscuit being 'Marie'. She has an early dinner (at 7:30/8:00 pm) comprising of a couple of handfuls of 'Pedigree' and yes followed by her 'must have' dessert. If the family is having fruits after their dinner she will patiently wait for her share of the fruit as well.

I have something to learn from her.

"Increase my fruit intake"!!

"Eat on Time" &

"Have an early dinner"

2Toes - Part I (The begining)

2Toes is a black female english cocker spaniel. Her full name at registration is 2Toes Adora and yes we add Vaz at the end as she is so much part of the family. She was born to Cherry & Mango on 29th April 2005 in Mumbai, India in the home of Dr. Srinivasan. I saw her for the first time on 16th June '05 as a little pup about just half a foot in length. She was in a huddle with her sisters and brother on a sack. I remember that on the day she chose me not the other way round. Cause when I called out to the lot ...she came wobbling on her unsteady legs straight to me while the others wandered around.

While I acquainted myself with the whole family she chewed on the hem of my denims and played with my shoe lace and then as though to say "you are mine" she nestled her head on my shoe and fell asleep.

I had made my choice or actually she had made hers... though she lacked the sheen that was on the fur of her siblings, or that she seemed the least active of the lot did not matter. As i left with her cradled like a baby in my arms, her mute caretaker communicated through Dr. Srinivasan that I had picked the most intelligent of the lot. Almost 4 years now since she became family and I believe the caretaker was right about her. Intelligence is something 2Toes has displayed right as a pup and continues to amaze us with.

Her comin home was like the arrival of new born baby. I dashed off with by good buddy Cecil to buy baby foods and toys while my mother and she bonded. We had visitors regularly dropping in to see the new addition. And yes, she loved the attention. She was the Baby of the the house (and still is ) :-)

Love Fool

1st April 2009 ...its almost 3 months since i saw you.

The 3rd day of this year, I packed my bag, then hugged you & kissed you good bye.
I was leaving on a jet plane ...knowing that it wud be a long time till i was back again.
I saw the question in your eyes ...I felt the heaviness in my chest and my eyes moistened as i turned to go.
I wonder at times if this journey is worth it ...leaving you behind like that? Whether the material gains is worth the sacrifices of mine and the sacrifices of all those back home. How do i put a value to things like your enthusiastic and joyful welcome when i come home after a hard days work.

I close my eyes and the various things we did together flash across my mind :-
- Our walks together, where I got looks of envy and you of admiration
- Our little fights over trifle matters which we resolve quickly ....you probably do not even recall our fights..'make up & move on' to the next good moment being your philosophy of life.
- The times I pampered you ; My fingers in your soft hair; Me scratching your back.
- You snuggling close; Your wet kisses ...
- Watching you sleep; Us falling asleep together.
- The things you communicated ...
- The way you loved to be complimented ..and be showered with gifts.
- The good times we had at the beach ...

I find it hard to explain to myself why am away ...Not as hard as to explain to you that ....

2Toes ...I miss you.