31 October 2017

A little something for me too…

A lot of things were accomplished this trip – the top two missions were to be with dad and mom and also try to meet some old teachers. Could not meet many – actually any – of my old classmates, friends from neighborhood and all that. Although, did get “bhaiphnota” after three and a half decades from my sister.

Finally, it was time to do something just for myself.

After alighting at Frankfurt airport, went to the biggest Duty Free shop and got hold of one of those helpful young gentleman from the store. They had a huge wine and liquor section.

I am nothing if not a bunch of quixotic passions put together. Since gin is my major area of focus this year on the cocktails front (and looking at my inventory, it is promising to go well into next year), I asked him if he could show me some German gin. He got me a bottle of Monkey 47. But I have already gone thru that. He had none other.

Changed my tack – showed him the list of 11 countries that I have gins from.

“If you can get me gins from any country other than these 11, I will buy them”.

We settled for Norway and Japan!!

What can I say? Apparently, I have more “research” in front of me 🙂

Category: Cocktails, Vacations | 3 Comments on A little something for me too…
31 October 2017

That is nuts. Errr… I mean coconuts…

Walked up to the empty Lufthansa counter to check in for my flight back and did my usual small talk with the young lady at the counter – you know “How long have you been with Lufthansa?”, “Are you from Delhi” and all that. And in the middle of that I yelled “Whoa!”.

She looked at me inquisitively.

I was still staring at the memo listing the stuff I cannot have in my checked in luggage!! After glancing thru the usual list of dangerous things, I came to a screeching halt when I saw the picture of a coconut!

Coconut??

Coconut?????

Why is the coconut in the list?

What did the poor coconut do? When is the last time a terrorist threatened national security with a errrrr…. coconut?

On an aside, WHO is carrying coconuts in their carry on luggage?

P.S. I am no expert, but I assume the shape of a grenade and the water inside has something to do with triggering the alarm system? But why ban even the half-coconut? (Look at the picture). Again, I do not know why anybody would want to carry half coconuts in their checked in luggage either…

Category: Humor, Vacations | 13 Comments on That is nuts. Errr… I mean coconuts…
28 October 2017

The mix master!!

Mathew Lepcha from ITC Sonar in Kolkata is undoubtedly one of my most favorite mixologist. Will definitely feature in my Top 3. Anytime I am near Kolkata, I have to drop by at his bar to pick up a few more lessons in organic chemistry.

Today, I learnt a new trick of making some very interesting looking cocktails that includes baloons, isopropyl alchohol, syringe and dry ice!!! We exchanged a lot of notes today about cocktails.

In the end, he made a special drink for me and I had to guess the ingredients – I got 2 out of 4 right. The base of green cocounut water and the rose essence – although I missed the lack of pink color and went with rose syrup. I could not decide between rum or vodka – it weas rum – I am a gin guy and not a rum guy – and I could not name the khus. Khus is not something I use much in my drinks. I liked it. Especially for the hot Atlanta summers, it would be a good substitute for mints.

Very few people are as knowledgeable and as passionate about mixology as Mathew is. The guy is an absolutely delightful person to know. If you like cocktails, he is totally the guy you have to know!!!

Category: Cocktails, Intersection Points, Vacations | 8 Comments on The mix master!!
28 October 2017

Reflections…

Watching how dependent my dad’s fragile health is on my mom’s efforts and attention… how my mom’s timely actions is the difference between his ability to breathe or not, spend endless hours in his own soiled clothes or clean ones, be able to sit up or just lay there…

… I am moved to a very emotional yet sobering conclusion …

… I better be nice to Sharmila from now on 🙂 🙂

Category: Humor, Vacations | 5 Comments on Reflections…
27 October 2017

A few birds with one stone

After keeping all of us awake thru the night, dad finally settled down and went off to sleep around 6 in the morning.

That left me with an window of opportunity to get a few things done. I needed to check on a few folks and also finish off my run. Needed 6 more miles to get to the 100 mile mark for the month.

So, basically I kept running in the streets of Kalyani going from one house to the other. The icing on the cake was when I went to check on a gentleman who I had fortuitously met a year back and lately has been fighting back cancer, I ran into his son and daughter in law there too! They would be none other than our own Partha and Sreyashi – erstwhile denizens of Atlanta who live in St. Louis now.

I even got their two year old daughter to come out for a walk in the streets with the promise of the one incredible allure Indian streets have for all two year kid visiting from USA – street dogs!!!

Category: Running, Vacations | 5 Comments on A few birds with one stone
16 October 2017

From the bartender’s corner – Tokyo Kaikan Gimlet

Not a bad cocktail for a cold fall evening like today. It is smooth but has enough stiffness to take in the the coldness of the evening. Rather simple ingredients – freshly squeezed lime juice, simple syrup, Rose’s sweetened lime juice and Gin. I have to admit that I am not sure why the recipe calls for the Rose’s juice after I had already put in fresh lime juice and simple syrup. But going my the end product, I am not complaining, mind you!!

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