Encounter with a Handsome Chef

Go on a solo travel

I am a solo traveler. I love traveling alone especially at places which are safe for females. Like any other woman, for me also, safety comes first. I was on a business trip to one of the safest countries in the world. After a long tiring day of back to back meetings I wanted to spend a relaxing evening all by myself. Recommended by my colleagues I went to the roof-top restaurant of the 5 Star Hotel where I was staying.

My colleagues were right, it was a beautiful place. More than the place,  people were all decked up like superstars, quite an enjoyable view. I looked so bad and so ugly in front of them. Some people actually stared at me, they must be wondering from where this ugly alien landed there. My "I don't care a damn" attitude saved me, helped me stay cool there. But I was welcome by a pretty female attendant. Not just that, I was offered complimentary cocktails. 

When I go to new food places which I have no clue about, I normally play safe by asking recommendations to the attendants or managers. So when a male attendant came to my table to take order, I asked him what he recommended to have with a couple of drinks. He recommended a lamb dish. Since I like lamb,  I said yes. But when the dish was brought on my table, it looked yuck, the meat looked raw. I told the attendant bluntly "Please take it back, I am not having it. Replace my order.". On that he said he had to ask the Chef if the order could be replaced. I said "Then please go and ask.". 

After 5 minutes a tall, handsome and very charming gentleman in a spotless white chef apron came to my table and greeted me "Hello Miss!". He introduced himself as the Chef of the restaurant. He looked British with a very heavy British accent. Then he continued "My friend told me that you didn't like my food.". In my mind I said "But I like you Mr Charming.". He politely said that there is no issue in replacing the food. At the same time  he explained to me how the dish was made, tried hard to convince me that I would love it. But I was very adamant and not to be convinced. To be honest, my full attention was on his deadly handsome look, I didn't get a word he said in his heavy British accent. He looked vulnerable and very cute when he understood I was not convinced. Then he asked "Do you like salmon?". When I said I loved it,  his eyes brightened with enthusiasm and told me about his signature salmon dish. This time I genuinely listened to him and it sounded very tempting. We started enjoying our conversations. He even told me about his hobby of mixing music. Why do all good things come to an end? An attendant came and disturbed us. Someone was asking for him. He smiled to me and said "Sorry, I have to leave. Your salmon will be here soon.".

Life in a Delhi Metro... (Episode 6)

Am I Pretty

A moody day which was later turned into a cheerful day...

It was a moody day for some reasons related to my health. A mother and a small girl sat next to me. The small girl sitting right next to me kept staring at me. Normally I talk to small kids in metro but that day all thanks to my mood, I was in no mood to talk to anyone. So mean of me,  I didn't even smile at her. But the next thing changed my mood 180 degree. This little girl whispered to her mom (which was actually loud I could hear) - "Mom, see this girl sitting next to me, she is very pretty. Am I pretty like her?". Her mom first looked at me and then told her...  "Oh My God! You are just 7 years old and you want to look pretty. Yes yes you look pretty like her. Happy?". The little girl smiled at her mom and said yes. It was such a good feeling, this small girl lightened up my mood and reason for her momentary happiness was me.

An adventurous journey in the quest of something unknown

An Adventurous Journey to Rajasthan

Our adventure started from the very first moment of boarding our train. When train arrived at our station, our compartment was already full like a Mumbai local train. We were surprised to see the so called educated people in office formals were passing comments on us and the non-educated crowd were the ones who offered us seats. We realized it is not education but the up-bringing which matters more in making a person a good human being.

Next morning we reached Jaisalmer. Happiness is having good friends. A friend in need is a friend indeed. But we never knew that the contact given by our friend was a big man in the town. We didn't need to mention the address of our host to the auto-wala, just the name was enough. Interesting right? We landed to a very beautiful house surrounded by sweet people. We were total strangers but so warmly welcomed by each member of the big joint family. Their house looked like a heritage home. We could see the famous Golden Fort, the only living fort in the world right in front of their house. We were offered authentic Jaisalmer sweets and snacks. They were just out of the world. And trust me, they couldn't be found anywhere else in Rajasthan. We couldn't thank enough to these amazing people for their superb affection and hospitality. 

Watching the sunset

Sand dunes...  we were going to experience sand dunes for the first time in our lives. Sitting on camels we headed for the Thar desert. I can never forget that I sat on Hrithik Roshan, my camel name. Sitting on the desert watching the sunset I wondered myself "Did I belong to this place?". For a moment I wished if time just stood still. The night was waiting for us. So we headed to our camps where there were bonfire, music and dance. A turning point came when I started dancing with the gypsy dancers. I gelled so well with them. I could dance exactly the way they did. It was effortless. I felt like it was something which I love doing, which I have been doing. I wished the night never ended and I kept on dancing with them. 

 

Rajasthan is a beautiful place. I have only praises for Rajasthan and people of Rajasthan. The magnificent gigantic forts will take your breath away. But what attracted me the most are the colorful gypsy people. I see them as artists expertise in dance and music. If you see through my eyes, Rajasthan is a colorful and musical place all because of these lovely gypsy people. My love and affection for the gypsy people, love for their music and dance, the unforgettable night of my dance with gypsy girls made me wonder if my quest is over, have I got answer to my question - "Was I a Rajasthani in my last past life?" The irony is answer came in a form of another question... "Was I a Rajasthani gypsy girl in my last past life?".

Woman's Body is Sacred. Respect Her Body

Respect Woman

God dwells in us. So, is our body the temple where God resides? I was in a crowded family restaurant in Cannaught Place, Delhi. While I was heading to my table carrying the food tray, suddenly light went off and it was all dark. It was something which was not at all expected from a famous multinational food chain. My next immediate worry was if anyone touched me (my body). It was totally black for 30 seconds.

I am a strong independent woman but 30 seconds of darkness scared the hell out of me with the thought that if someone touched me. I cannot imagine what would have gone through the victims of molestation and rape. I also cannot imagine what would have gone through sex workers who sleep with many men for their bread and butter. I pray to God to give them the power to face the agony inside them.

   

When God created woman, He made her body sacred with the power to cleanse impurities inside her. He also gave her the power to give birth so that the mankind continues. Woman knows her body is sacred and allows it to be touched only by one man - love of her life, her soul-mate. Respect woman and her body.

Do it... Hold Her Hands

Hold Her Hands

Mother Mom Mama Mommy Mummy Maa Amma Ami Mare Ema Nu...  all these unique words mean the same - the woman who gave us birth, who brought us to this beautiful world. We all love our mom. But how often do we express our love to her? We all are so busy in our own worlds that we forget mom is growing old. Think about it. 

Love your mom, show that you love her. Make her feel special in every small possible ways. You don't need to wait for Mothers Day or her birthday or any festive occasion. You don't need to buy a diamond necklace to make her feel special. Simply tell her you love her, you miss her. These simple words mean a world to her, no diamond can replace them. Spend time with her, make her feel that she means the world to you. 

Hold her hands. Don't wait for your mom to become old or weak. You don't need a reason to hold her hands like she didn't need any reason to hold your hands when you were small. I have seen people holding their mom's hands because she has problem walking or she was weak or old. Then there are another type of people who hold their mom's hands because they just want to make her feel special. Which type you are?