In search of the "City of Joy" (Calcutta)

Let's face it, a 16 hour work schedule can tone down your cooking inspiration.
I haven't been cooking a lot lately, except when i really need to eat something and nothings available in my refrigerator except raw vegies. Yesterday was different, very different- while i relaxed in my apartment i had the time to go through the cooking blogs once again.

The pancake recipe was more than inspiration, decided to go grocery shopping. Luckily, in Calcutta, India (where I am) you get everything. So, i did some really good shopping from mayonnaise, sandwich breads, almonds, mocha coffee, chicken, eggs, pizza base, cheddar, mushrooms, cheeseballs, chinese sauce all in good spirit to finish it off with a large pizza, coke, garlic bread with cheese dip and some good friends.

I have my refrigerator loaded with left over pizza, so the pancake has to wait. To top it off, we ended up in a quiet beautiful spot in "Princep Ghat". It's a perfect view with River Ganges flowing and the two prominent Calcutta bridges, boats can be seen now and then which includes a grand floating restaurant all lit up for the night.

I fell in love with Calcutta for the first time and it couldn't have been better. It's one of the places which can soothe you, comfort you, bring back the real you. It is a far cry from the sophistication of shopping malls and the pizza places, the restaurants and hustle of the city. The place has the power to bring back the poetic instincts, the sensibility and the affinity for life.
I am glad I found my own spot in Calcutta, like I have with most cities....something that makes you feel at home.

In the process, found friends, real friends for lifetime!

I promise to carry my camera next time I happen to stop by "Princep Ghat".
(pictures: Google images)

why am i not married?

I am used to constant honking by now and trust me the summer here is humbling. It's March and I wake up at the middle of the night sweating. I am still trying to live life in local terms, so i am yet to turn on my ac.

Amidst my crazy life and almost 16-18 hours of work schedule, I try to keep sane. Problems never stop and i do miss the spring breaks and the wonderful weather in Chicago now. Most of all the food with Easter coming along.

I have toned down my cooking expriments for the lack of time and the ingredients. So, most of the time it is all about doing it the local way. While my domestic help is completely ignorant of time and the fact that she gets paid to do the work, needs to show up at times. She has her own way of disappearing for days and I end up doing my work as well as hers.

The charm of the city lies in the people and the lifestyle. While you can step into local shops and then bargain for everything from grocery to clothes, you can get into the swanky newly popping all over the town huge shopping malls where every brand is available (local as well as international) and of course comes with a huge price tag.

Neverthless the people are friendly, some genuine some overly friendly (curious) trying to step into my life and finding out the nitty grities of my life in Chicago. Questions never cease- why I am still not married and when I intend to do so, takes over the conversation anytime. I am good at dodging questions these days, may be thats why i earn my living talking- talking to clients, talking to poeple, talking to the team......

Life goes on while I wait desperately to take a much awaited break. A beach, water and some peace!