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My favorite things

I am a man of simple needs or so I think.

Love traveling - to see, to smell, to eat and to learn.  Some of the favorite places visited that I might actually go back for more include Japan and New Zealand and Europe for the most part.

Love eating - I said that already -

  • Pomfret fry - not many know how to but when done right this is an amazing fish dish
  • Batata Wada - used to be a cheap delicacy on the Pune Mumbai express route at a station at the bottom of the ghat called Karjat made by a family called Divadkar's.  Came with a garlic, red chilli powder mixture called chatni.  There were some claims it had saw dust but it was still tasty.  Nowadays I opt for another purveyor at a way stop, this one in the hills of Lonavla also on the same route.
  • Coconut Chikki - one of those truly desi treats that when done right is a blissful time suck.  Literally.  It is a sugary hard candy like substance that you can stick in your mouth and salivate over.  Best ones are Maganlal's in Lonavla.
  • Mitha Paan - a mouth freshner and again a desi treat - done right is another time suck.  Many local establishments in Pune or Mumbai by the roadside.  The shadier the outfit the better the Paan.
  • Pav Bhaji - If memory serves the one outside VT now CST station called Canon has/had the best.
  • Sushi - I love fish and their eggs.  The freshest deal was outside Tokyo's Tsukiji market which I visited recently.  Japanese government is moving this world's largest fish market to make room for an Olympics village.
  • Burger - A meat patty inside a bun.  One of the very best ones was at a place called Fergberger in Queenstown, NZ.  Fresh is the taste - the meat walked in as we waited in line so did the buns (From the bakery next door) and the condiments included a berry jam and beet slices.  One of the memorable lamb burger was labeled Bun Laden.
  • Pilsner - tried some good stuff in Germany but call it nostalgia I still remember the taste of a chilled Hayward's and Kingfisher blue to be my faves.
  • Mojito - a good one crafted with just enough mint and sugar and ice.
  • Old Monk Rum - with water and ice - perfect any evening.
A good read - comedy mostly and serious stuff in form of non-fiction for the most part.  It tends to be far more exciting than fiction.

Purpose in life - other than leave behind a productive citizen in the form of our child, I am not sure.  I wasn't consulted beforehand.

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