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