Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan's Blog, page 109
October 15, 2016
Newsletter: eM's Quick Guide To The Goa Life (part two)
(Part one here.)
(Sent out as my newsletter last month, subscribe here.)
Week two of my Month In Goa life, and I think, I really do think, I can see myself living here. Probably not full time, but for a few months of the year, definitely. And to that end, we've been looking at places we can rent at affordable prices so as to always have a house we can run away to. It's a different sort of tourism--house hunting--and it's been fun looking at all these homes and trying to picture them as Home. Well, Another Home, anyway. I've been imagining something wildly different from our Delhi house, which is, of course, the place of my heart (if only I could collapse it and carry it around with me like a snail), so that each home is distinct from the other. I've been itching for some kind of CHANGE in my life this last year, something new and different, and moving towards becoming the global citizens we want to be (few months in Delhi, few months in Goa, few months abroad, maybe?) feels like the coming together of something that's been simmering at the back of my head for a while. However, all this is purely hypothetical at the moment, so more updates as and when I have them. (We're probably going to share with a friend who lives in Goa full time, so as to halve the rent and also have someone always living in the house, which is important because even a few weeks of neglect makes the old Portuguese houses return to the wild.) (UPDATE: Reader, we rented it.)
This week in SKILLZ: Have been trying to master the art of riding a scooter. That's how everyone here gets around from old grannies to young college girls, and so I was all, "How hard can it be, really?" It's not, but it's still a little scary. I realise that the fear bit in my brain (the amygdala, an "almond shaped structure in the limbic system") works a little harder than most people's, which is why I'm usually risk averse. However, K is a good teacher, and often sits right behind me so he can take over control if I begin to lose it, and maybe soon, I'll be able to ride that sucker by myself.
This week in food and drink: Mainly drink. A kind Delhi friend (hi Niyati!) introduced me to Black Jewel gin at hers, a while ago, as an Indian gin you could only get in Goa, but which was pretty good. (Not Bombay Sapphire or Tanqueray good, but one step up from Gordon's. Beefeater, perhaps?) It's distilled in Italy, but sold here at a ridiculously low price for good gin (Rs 520!) and after re-drinking it at my friends, who had a little bit left in a bottle, we went in quest for it at several different liquor stores until we finally found it. That's my evening unwind now, local gin with local tonic and another friend taught me to slice a green chilli down the middle to add a little extra sparkle to it. I've ensured everyone I know here has tried it, and so there'll probably be a huge demand for Black Jewel pretty soon. (Delhi friends, I'm bringing back a few bottles in my suitcase for you all to try!)
Also, OMG OMG, it's avocado season! And it's best to eat it now, says the cook, because during season, which is fast descending on us, the prices are ridiculously high for all the foreigners who demand avocado on everything. We always have fresh guac in the fridge. Guacamole and gin and tonic. Mmmmm.
This week in clothing experiments: So I thought I'd be very practical in Goa and live off only seven dresses, rotating them every week. HOWEVER, that was a TERRIBLE idea, and I am now thoroughly bored of all my clothes and never want to see them again. I'm all like, "WHY DID I PICK THESE ONES?" and thinking longingly of my lovely dresses hanging in my cupboard at home and half of the ones I brought don't even FIT properly and basically I'm going to have to buy some tourist tat or die of Closet Boredom. Is that a thing? It should be. I have never felt so unfashionable.
This week in stuff I wrote: On Aunty Feminist, talking about why progressive parents can also be protective * In my relationship column I talk about ghosts of social media and the "so-and-so is now typing" ellipse **
Saturday link list: Home births are on the rise among India's middle class. ** Dalit food and the history of it ** Roald Dahl's granddaughter on "Mold" her beloved grandpa. **
(Sent out as my newsletter last month, subscribe here.)
Week two of my Month In Goa life, and I think, I really do think, I can see myself living here. Probably not full time, but for a few months of the year, definitely. And to that end, we've been looking at places we can rent at affordable prices so as to always have a house we can run away to. It's a different sort of tourism--house hunting--and it's been fun looking at all these homes and trying to picture them as Home. Well, Another Home, anyway. I've been imagining something wildly different from our Delhi house, which is, of course, the place of my heart (if only I could collapse it and carry it around with me like a snail), so that each home is distinct from the other. I've been itching for some kind of CHANGE in my life this last year, something new and different, and moving towards becoming the global citizens we want to be (few months in Delhi, few months in Goa, few months abroad, maybe?) feels like the coming together of something that's been simmering at the back of my head for a while. However, all this is purely hypothetical at the moment, so more updates as and when I have them. (We're probably going to share with a friend who lives in Goa full time, so as to halve the rent and also have someone always living in the house, which is important because even a few weeks of neglect makes the old Portuguese houses return to the wild.) (UPDATE: Reader, we rented it.)
This week in SKILLZ: Have been trying to master the art of riding a scooter. That's how everyone here gets around from old grannies to young college girls, and so I was all, "How hard can it be, really?" It's not, but it's still a little scary. I realise that the fear bit in my brain (the amygdala, an "almond shaped structure in the limbic system") works a little harder than most people's, which is why I'm usually risk averse. However, K is a good teacher, and often sits right behind me so he can take over control if I begin to lose it, and maybe soon, I'll be able to ride that sucker by myself.
This week in food and drink: Mainly drink. A kind Delhi friend (hi Niyati!) introduced me to Black Jewel gin at hers, a while ago, as an Indian gin you could only get in Goa, but which was pretty good. (Not Bombay Sapphire or Tanqueray good, but one step up from Gordon's. Beefeater, perhaps?) It's distilled in Italy, but sold here at a ridiculously low price for good gin (Rs 520!) and after re-drinking it at my friends, who had a little bit left in a bottle, we went in quest for it at several different liquor stores until we finally found it. That's my evening unwind now, local gin with local tonic and another friend taught me to slice a green chilli down the middle to add a little extra sparkle to it. I've ensured everyone I know here has tried it, and so there'll probably be a huge demand for Black Jewel pretty soon. (Delhi friends, I'm bringing back a few bottles in my suitcase for you all to try!)
Also, OMG OMG, it's avocado season! And it's best to eat it now, says the cook, because during season, which is fast descending on us, the prices are ridiculously high for all the foreigners who demand avocado on everything. We always have fresh guac in the fridge. Guacamole and gin and tonic. Mmmmm.
This week in clothing experiments: So I thought I'd be very practical in Goa and live off only seven dresses, rotating them every week. HOWEVER, that was a TERRIBLE idea, and I am now thoroughly bored of all my clothes and never want to see them again. I'm all like, "WHY DID I PICK THESE ONES?" and thinking longingly of my lovely dresses hanging in my cupboard at home and half of the ones I brought don't even FIT properly and basically I'm going to have to buy some tourist tat or die of Closet Boredom. Is that a thing? It should be. I have never felt so unfashionable.
This week in stuff I wrote: On Aunty Feminist, talking about why progressive parents can also be protective * In my relationship column I talk about ghosts of social media and the "so-and-so is now typing" ellipse **
Saturday link list: Home births are on the rise among India's middle class. ** Dalit food and the history of it ** Roald Dahl's granddaughter on "Mold" her beloved grandpa. **
October 14, 2016
Today in Photo
My little vampire and his afternoon nap. Squishy has an overbite and slightly crossed eyes and is the world's cuddliest cat. I read somewhere that since black cats gave been so persecuted all through the ages, only the friendliest ones survived and passed on that DNA. I don't know if that's true, since we've only ever had the one black cat, but if you have a #housepanther too, let me know! #catsagram #squishy
via Instagram
October 12, 2016
Today in Photo
Busy morning watching over the neighbourhood. No bird call, no squirrel chirp will get past her. She is the one who waits. #catsagram #olgadapolga
via Instagram
October 11, 2016
Today in Photo
I got this book at a friend's giveaway as she was moving house last year but only just read it yesterday. It's gorgeous, magic realism in the style of Like Water For Chocolate about a girl born with wings but also her strange and wonderful family. If you love Wes Anderson movies (I do!) you'll be crazy about this book. Mostly for the wings. Which of us haven't wished for wings all of our childhood (and for some: most of our adult life)? #nowreading #200in2016 #mrmbookclub #bookstagram
via Instagram
October 8, 2016
Today in Photo
Back in Delhi, and there are still a few things I'm happy to return to. #homeiswheretheheartis
via Instagram
October 5, 2016
Today in Photo
All good things come to an end and so does my #monthingoa. However, HOWEVER, I return with a pretty big souvenir (which I had to leave behind, this metaphor might be too much) this house! We rented it with the fab @madamexmeow who is going to live in it full time while we shuttle back and forth between Delhi and Goa. It needs a LOT of work, since it's been empty for over four years, but with a little TLC, I'm sure this old lady will be gorgeous and ready to party again. (so will I, the other old lady) #traveldiary #goanway
via Instagram
October 4, 2016
Today in Photo
Probably my last beach photo from my #monthingoa. Today at the Taj Holiday Village near Calangute where the sky was crazy beautiful. Impossible to edit without making it look fake, but this is just HDR, believe it or not. #traveldiary
via Instagram
October 2, 2016
Today in Photo
On a friend's recommendation:, Agatha Christie's Autobiography. As engaging and vivid as her murder mysteries, helped in part by the fact that she lived a terrifically interesting life, growing up towards the end of the Victorian period. Can't put it down and also have taken to downloading all the books she read growing up. This with yesterday's massive steak lunch at the Lila cafe, quite the right meal for Agatha who was passionately fond of steak herself. #monthingoa #traveldiary #nowreading #mrmbookclub #bookstagram #200in2016
via Instagram
September 29, 2016
Today in Photo
Saw this broken down old house on the way to lunch and thought I'd go all Secret Garden with it. Well.. It was a sort of secret garden, a large bird fluttered away as I stood by the door but also managed to step in a whole horde of fire ants. In an instant they were everywhere, my feet, my toes, up my dress and all the mystery of the photo was pretty much ruined by me doing a dance and K checking to see if any were on my bum and so on. So. Um. Yeah. Modelling is dangerous. #monthingoa #traveldiary
via Instagram
September 26, 2016
Today in Photo
It was only after watching that modern classic Clueless yesterday that I realised I didn't remember whether or not I'd read Emma. It seems like a pretty obvious answer: have you read Emma? Duh, of course I have. But I couldn't recall anything from the book except for Mr Woodhouse's love of gruel. So I'm counting it as a "new" book and enjoying myself thoroughly. Funner still because in my head Alicia Silverstone IS Emma and I'm all "way harsh, Tai" #bookstagram #mrmbookclub #nowreading #200in2016 #monthingoa
via Instagram
