Episode 8- Made in China

Good Morn/ AN/Eve (depending on when you see this!)

18^th June, Saturday, Father’s Day eve, (‘though morning), saw us take an unchartered route. In fact, even during our first visit here, almost everything in the market was ‘Made in China’, even the Mickey mouse keychain. This was one mystery I was not able to unravel, till I was told all this had something to do with low cost of production, cheap labour etc. etc. (Ironically, in the various debates going on in the US w.r.t. the elections in 2012, everyone was harping on the need to re-start production here (among other issue) Otherwise, most items of clothing are either made in China, Korea, Bangladesh and India!

Made in USA is restricted to cosmetics & of course, tons & tons of foodstuff. By the way, this reminds me of our schooldays, when a lot of items were Made ‘by’ USA. Keychains, torches, nail cutters, you name it & the guy would be selling it on the Pune-Mumbai trains, especially between Karjat & Ambarnath, I think, with Kalyan & Ulhasnagar in the middle. Got the connection with USA? So, to get back to China. There’s this huge place called the Chinese Market, & anything & everything that is connected to ‘genuine’ Chinese(alternately spelt Chainees, Chainis , Chayniece, …the list is endless!) food, is available here. Please see the accompanying snaps for proof! So, if you are planning  to make anything ‘Manchurian’, Chinese Bhel, Chop-suey etc., you are on the wrong path. Please visit any of the new Udipi places in Pune/Mumbai.

'Halwa'-Black Pomfret

Giant Red Lobster-in the tank!

The Fish Expert!!

Indian Mackerel

Having said this, let me tell you that the items on display were colossal ! There were easily, easily, over a hundred varieties of each item(rice, noodles, dried fungi, dried vegs,) and of course Fish. I have never seen so many kinds of fish, even in the museum or encyclopedia. But what warmed the cockels of my heart, was to see the good old ‘Bangda’ or Indian Mackerel, White (?) Pomfret (‘paplet’) and ‘Black’ Pomfret(‘Halwa’),on display. Of course, the sights of the fish were also accompanied by the smell!. By the way, can someone enlighten me on the origin of the phrase “something fishy”? And since fish is not my cup of tea, we headed to the Veg stalls, where we picked up some good fresh vegs, at a bargain.

That done, it was a  routine goodwill tour of Macy’s, Walmart, Dierbergs.etc. But browsing through the  enormous choice of books at ‘Borders’ or ‘Barnes & Noble’ is equally enjoyable. One can pick up any of the reference books, buy a coffee at ‘Starbucks’ and be oblivious to the cruel, materialistic  world.  But we are mere mortals, unlike the sages, who lived only ‘by the books’, and therefore, the rumblings in the stomach was a signal to look for an energizer stop or spot, whichever. So, at Radhi’s suggestion, we decided on the Red Robin, a place for authentic gourmet Burgers. For details, please see photos, duly labelled for your reference!! Thanks Radhi & yes, we thought of you!

Need I say 'Where?'

Janu & Jenny at RR

The rest of the day was gainfully spent, at the other routine stops. Gainfully, obviously for the shopkeepers!! 

The Balaji Temple

There is a 'Hindu' temple here, (actually a Balaji replica), which is a must for all Indians visiting St. Louis. Once inside, there’s no telling whether you are back home(Tirupati) or St. Louis! There is a small cafeteria that serves typical South Indian snacks/meals, at a price. The only difference between the original & this one is that the ladies wearing  jeans are not turned away. But, there seems to be an unwritten rule here, which is followed more strictly than the Franciscan or whichever Order of monks, adhere to; SILENCE!! Added to this is another rule that most Indians abroad follow to the ‘T’. “Thou shalt not show recognition to a fellow countryman!!”

Sunday was generally spent in relaxing and doing the odd household chores, ironing, dusting(whatever little). 

K, J & J at Westport

Streetlights at Sheraton Chalet

We decided to check out Westport, another strip mall, but with more eateries than shops. The Sheraton Chalets were beautiful & high class, (incl the rates!) and a wide choice of cuisines. In the evening, we went over to the Pais, colleague & good friends of Jenny , Janu. The agenda was a Bar-be –cue. After being entertained by Atharva & Uddhav, Satish & Shubhi’s boys, we got down to the serious task of tucking into the goodies coming out of the spit.

There were Veg   Kabab skewers, Drumsticks(N Veg of course) and Asparagus stalks. Yum. Talking about Drumsticks, the more popular item here are the Chicken Wings, popularly known as Buffalo Wings(eaten with a blue cheese sauce), named after the place where they were ‘invented’. (In India, we call them Lollipops!) .There are regular championships of Wings eating  out here, beside other  variations (viz. sausages, beef chilli, etc.,you know, ‘Man versus Food’ types)

That’s it folks, for the present. Next week we are off to Chicago. The weather promises to hold out all the 3 days. We are also looking forward to meeting Anju & Jack, especially since we missed them by a day, when we were here last.

A Baseball game at Stacy Park.

The Jacobs at the park.

The Constant Twosomes!

The above three snaps have been taken at Stacy Park,one of the many parks in St. Louis.Holidays will find lots of family groups coming out to have fun. Here, in the first picture, is a group playing Baseball. These parks are so spacious (I've said this earlier) that there is enough place and one'sown 'space'. And very, very neatly kept.

Chalo. so Long for now.

Till then, TC have fun. Hope you liked this one!

Ashok Gune

Episode 7

St. Louis

Good Morning All Ye Faithful!

For those of you who are familiar with James Hadley Chase,(Yes, you could start a book at Delhi & finish it by the time you reached Ambala Cantt.i.e. or Dhuri, if you wish!), all his protagonists are either ace reporters or photographers, gone to seed, yet, masters of their art, with their ear to the ground. And they hang out at places where you got the cheapest bourbon & greasy, oily, dripping-with- chilli hot dogs/burgers! My connection with the truly American burger/hot dog began with JHC.

I have been chasing this dream of putting down a couple of these, washed down with Bourbon, as they call it. My last visit to the Land of Plenty was a disappointment with regard to sinking my teeth in these culinary masterpieces. We travelled coast to coast, but like the Holy Grail, the HD was elusive.

Till last week! Right under our noses, the Creve Coeur parish held a Carnival




(Fun Fair to the uninitiated natives) and would you believe it, there was this stall, selling all things banned by the health inspector, with the Good ole Cheese Burger & Hot Dog high on the list. For 2 $ apiece, it was too much of a temptation, not to yield to. And another 3$ for a cup (read Lassi type glass) of Budweisser (on tap), what more could you ask for? Boy, my trip was made & sad memories of the last visit, washed away by the first gulp of Bud Light! This was the typical Bar-be-Que spit, on the lawn, with an apron-clad chap tossing the burgers with practiced ease. And of course, there was a wide choice of dressings, starting with relish, sauerkraut, onion, ranch  & mayo!!It was a typical community affair, much as we have in our colonies/societies, except that you wouldn’t find the ‘panditji’ asking you for a glass of beer! (Here, the pastor was the chief host!) So, stalls selling eats, clothes, gifts etc. & all the proceeds going to charity. Good fun. And of course, the various rides, carousels etc.

As regards the ‘wash’, I just picked up a ‘Wild Turkey’, 101% proof. Brother, was the gobbler a real cobbler. Finest Bourbon from Kentucky.

The weather has not been too good last couple of days, but the week-end has seen a sea change, beginning last night (Friday) with showers that cooled the air, bringing the temp down from 95 F to 68 F, this afternoon. We have just returned from a short picnic, if you can call it that, from the local Creve Coeur Park.

I think I mentioned it in my earlier mails, but this is a vast, beautifully wooded area, lovely roads & small covered & uncovered sit-outs. So, with SMT(‘sasta, mazboot tikaoo) Chinese, something like what our Nepali/Garhwali ‘chefs’ churn out, and a hamper of Samuel Adams beer, we spent a lovely day  playing cards,( music of course) and  God, not playing spoil-sport, overcast sky but no rain, birds all over, their presence noted only due to their songs and the occasional White-tailed deer, passing by you, within stroking distance. I could feel Sherwood Forest. (Except that there were Red deer in Sherwood!)

We headed for home around 4:30 and after a most welcome cup of Tea, generally flipped out, each one in his/her own chosen way. Jenny back to work, Kalpana for  walk, following which, she & Janu raided a few of the Malls, and yours truly, reliving the 60’s, with a string of Clint Eastwood ‘Spaghetti Westerns’.

Early dinner &  to bed. This has been a short one, keeping in mind, ‘If brevity is soul of wit…..!’

So long folks.  Keep watching the space on your monitor, for the next episode of my Ramblings. Till then, as they say, TC & keep J

Ashok Gune  (10 June 2011 in commemoration of completing One month’s stay!)

P.S. One oversight in my “When Nature Calls”. The poet in question (‘Leisure’) is William Henry Davis & not Hillaire Bellock. My corrected draft has the right info. I goofed on that, but.. “Insaan akhir galti ka putla..etc.

Michigan Part 2

Day 2- Meijer Gardens, Windmill Island.

Welcome back!

Another ‘hearty’ b’fast , at IHOP (why do they call it ‘hearty’, because it really fills your tummy? 

B'fast!

Meijer Garden

Mr. Meijer's Cottage

I guess the heart pays for these indulgences, later!), and we were off to the second part of our adventure, that is the Frederik Meijer (pronounced Mayer, or Measure as in Leisure/Pleasure a la Fauja Gill ! ) Gardens & Sculpture Park. This is a One-man collection of sculptures, but more importantly, his largesse at donating over 130 acres of beautifully landscaped property, to the Municipal Council. The place is teeming with  flowers & cacti,  from almost all over the world, grown under controlled temperatures, birds, cottages etc. Of particular interest, is the Children’s Corner, where awareness of the Country, natural resources etc. are brought home to the children in the most amazing way.

Orchids

Children's Park

A 30 min. open bus drive through the park, especially for seeing the sculptures, is another highlight. I was not totally blank, because I had heard of Henry Moore, and 2 of his pieces were on display!!  

Alphabet Sculpture

A Henry Moore Sculpture

 They have a central building housing the 2 underground lobbies, used for exhibitions, seminars etc. In fact, there was an Iris show on that day. I have some pictures of these beautiful flowers. And of course, the ‘gift’ shop, cafeteria etc. From here, we moved back & ahead of the Dutch Village, to see the Windmill Island. Unfortunately, it started to rain & by the time we reached the Island, there was a proper downpour. Yet, we made it up to the Coffee and gift shops. As expected, some very typical/ethnic merchandise was on sale, including Fudge & Peanut Brittle. But, I will give the palm to our good ole Maganlal Chikki, in comparison to P’nut brittle! The rain having eased a bit, we made our way across a quaint bridge over a river and entered into a typical Dutch Farmland. But the prize attraction was the Windmill, transported from Holland and re-assembled here. And it is still used to grind the wheat/corn etc.

Bridge to Windmill Island

Original Windmill-5 Storeys high

Flour Delivery Chute

We took a trip of the 5 storey Mill. Except for nuts & bolts for fastening, everything else is pure wood, including the gears, shafts etc. Having understood the business of milling, we left for home, via the Macaroni Grill, an Italian Restt.  

Inside the Macaroni Grill

Man doesn't live by bread alone!

Chicken Parmigiana (Can't see it, as it is
smothered under the Cheese!)

Food, was superlative, as was the drink, in this case, 2 repeats of a good Mojito cocktail.(I have yet to get used to pronouncing the J as H, as far as anything Latin is concerned. By the time I return, I’ll probably be spelling Hoppy’s name as Mojite! No ‘J’okes!!(figure that out)

Honda

Memorial Day

Next day was a Big Day in the US. Memorial Day. The last Monday of May is celebrated as Memorial Day. I will not say much about how it is celebrated, because it makes me feel utterly ashamed, though not totally helpless, when I see how the Three Services are treated in India. All the graveyards were looking so colourful with flowers & flags all over. Having remembered their soldiers, the Country was on a holiday. And I think, by an unwritten custom, all the Harley Davidsons, Triumphs, Yamahas & Hondas  etc. are on the road. What a bike! What a bike!! Truly, fit for a Man! And the best part is that most of the riders were all veterans! Hats off to them.

After attending to one small puncture, we found ourselves headed for Lion’s Beach, St.Joseph, MI.

The Old Man & the Sea....and SHE!

Beachcombers-J & J

    Fortunately, there was no parking available at the main shore, so we headed to the lesser populated beach of Lake Michigan. Boy, what a sight! An endless body of water, small boats all over the places and lots & lots of families, out there! And did we appear out-of-place! It was as though we were the most formally dressed people there. Do you get me Steve? The return trip was faster, as there were no holdups on the way back.(The traffic going up was still heavy & slow).  

Heavy Up traffic!

We took a short lunch halt at a Subway outlet. Frankly, I found this kind of food much better in all respects i.e. no oil/grease, low on calories, if you went easy on the dressing and easy to handle! Yet, we all split a footlong sub in two! And a BIG glass (easily 2 ltrs) of Fanta! With a change of a fresh driver, we were home by 7 pm. One of Janu’s friends, Vidula had sent hundreds of Idlis with gallons of sambar & chutney! At least I ate as though there was no tomorrow; for as Confucius,  (or Kung-fu-tse) say, “To eat is Divine”……I’ll drink to that!

That’s it for now. As Scarlett O’Hara said, “Tomorrow is another day”.

Till then, TC & keep smiling J

Ashok Gune

 In this case

t

Michigan Part I

Michigan  (It’s Misheegun  pl. My daughter nearly passed out when I pronounced it the way it’s written. Didn’t know there was such a French influence here too. Similarly Chicago! But what about Chicken ‘n’ Chips ?

Day 1- Dutch Vill., Dunes & Grand Haven

Howdy folks!

It’s been some time since we last spoke; It’s also been  a week since our return from Michigan, where we had a blast. So, this overdue mail.

Leaving in the not so comfy time of afternoon,(Since our SIL was working) and a few unscheduled stops for remembering something forgotten, we hit Rt 40, which would take us to Grand Rapids, via Springfield- Bloomington-Joliet. The GPS (remember this gizmo? I still swear by it) indicated that we would be home by 9:50 pm. However, progress was pretty slow due to construction work on the Highway, what with all left lanes being closed. It was good to see Janu at the wheel , so confident of herself. She’s always been a good driver, as are most of the ladies from my family(There are the exceptions who prove the rule!!)

The Holiday Inn neon sign was a great relief at 11:30pm. This time though, we followed the Army rule of being self-contained for 72 hrs and so, didn’t have to look for a Diner at that late hour. A home- made meal has no, rpt, no substitute. And so to bed.

A quick, but not so light breakfast at Denny’s, and we were off to the Dutch Village, aptly located in Holland, but in USA. Those of you blessed with an elephantine memory, may recall that during our last visit, we spent a day at St. Charles, a small locality in St. Louis & where people still observe the customs, eating/dressing habits,  of the Country their ancestors migrated from, to settle in the USA. And so, you will always hear people talk of their origin, and with a lot of pride. The Dutch Village is one such place, where we were transported to the real Holland! Starting from a typical folk dance, we went through the entire gamut of being witness to the making, (& buying of course!)

 








Candles, pottery, clogs, anything & everything  edible, wearable or portable. The Candle making is an amazing piece of art. Dipping the candle in different vats of molten wax, cooling it & then cutting out the design in just 15 mins! It’s worth what they sell it for. For graphic depiction, please go through the array of photographs, so painstakingly taken by us all (or is it we all?)

A quick bite,  and  a lot of deliberations regarding the next POA, we decided to go to the Sand Dunes of Saugatuk. According to local legend, these dunes were formed due to mass scale tree felling, which resulted in all the sand from the beaches, pile up, almost 350 ft! Also, there was a village called Singapore, inhabited by Indians (Red), which got wiped out by the dunes. So, the He-Men of the family,(need I take names?) , decide to risk life & limb, and take a ride in the 18 seater vehicle.

Since it was closing time, there were just the 2 of us, but just as we were to leave, an Indian Family  (Not Red!), of 6 landed up in true style(!) and barged on to the van. The ladies of my clan were a bit skeptical about by my endurance at riding this ‘juggernaut’. So, I assured them A La Gen Macarthur, that “I shall be back!” (scholars of Mil Hist, pl cnfm) Then of course, for about 30 mins., we were subjected to some really breathtaking  gradients ( & some well-rehearsed jokes!) All my instinctive reactions, cultivated over the years as a Tankman, came in handy, and I wore a triumphant look, like Caesar’s, when we came back.

Anyway, before I proceed, I must tell you that in our  many attempts to kill up to 4 hours, a stroll on the pier was one such, but at least we could Ooh & Aah at the Yachts of various sizes & configurations. Right out of “The Lives of the(Filthy) Rich & Famous”! As the evening wore on, I realized that I had  worn shorts (if that’s what u call these multi-pocketed combines between shorts & Trs) which were not adequate to keep the cold out. So, with the ethos of, Grin &  ‘Bare’ it, that’s what I did.

The fountains, frankly didn’t impress much, although the show was a good one, held on a hill across the water body. An hour later, we were back in our rooms, ready to crash for the day.

That‘s it for now. Watch out for Part 2 of this episode, coming to you shortly.

Till then, TC. . Hope you enjoy my attempt at capturing some good moments etc. As I said in my first mail, it’s my way of saying “Wish you were here” & showing you the US, through my Magic Eye!

Cheers!!

Ashok Gune