I was visiting the city after nearly two decades. I really didn't expect to remember anything from the memories that I have, it felt like I was visiting a new place for the very first time. When places change in a short span, imagine how much two decades can have an effect. Bangalore was nothing like what I remember. Until I was in my higher secondary school, visits to Bangalore and Ooty was an yearly affair. Our tours stopped when I came to twelfth grade and somehow I never managed to go back to Bangalore.
Though we didn't have relatives living in Bangalore even then, we had very close family friends to visit. Now I have my friends, and I have been planning nearly two years to make this visit. Still I never realized I would make it this time. It was sudden plan, all after seeing the Double Decker train plying between Madras and Bangalore, that we planned it just like that. From my childhood, I always had a penchant for Double Decker modes of transportation. I remember making a bus travel just to get on the Double Decker bus when I was a kid. So this train captivated my interest. With boys on their vacation, we thought would make it with Konda.
We weren't very sure we would make it as all our weekends were booked. Yet we went ahead with booking just to make sure we have the tickets, if we decide to go. Until the last moment, we weren't sure, yet I made sure I had the BM posts ready and all scheduled. However another unexpected travel hindered my plans on making the last week posts ready. So you know how I missed making the samosas as planned.
Coming back to our story of Samosas and what not, it was more a pun
on the fact that I ended up eating Samosas on the train, which I tell
you, is a taboo in my family. Dad being a doctor would never approve of
it. And hubby dear knowing I have lived all my life without the joy of
what a travel would bring upon, made sure he got everything that went
across us in the journey.
We boarded the train at about quarter past seven. We had the expected pictures in front of the train, with Konda being so embarrassed at my behavior. I now know how it must be for a teen to feel embarrassed at the elder's antics. I used to be so touchy on such things during the same age myself. Being in 30's gives you a care not attitude that can't be felt unless you reach that age!
Anyway hubby dear was so happy we got the top and asked us to walk around the place to see how well it's done. Being part of the railway fraternity, gives one a sense of pride as if the train belongs to you. Well I still have that sense and feel very proud of how it's been constructed. We finally settled when the train started moving. First came the breakfast, a parcel of Idli, Vada and Chutney. Sambar sadly missing in the package, we had to settle for whatever was in the offering. Once that was done, I was playing with the camera. Konda was getting restless with the endless clicks that was in progress.
Next came a call for Samosas. Hubby dear looked at me expectedly. I hear a voice from somewhere, saying nooo. But then another voice very close by says I should atleast try. So we got a plate of that. I wanted to dissect to see what the stuffing was. To my horror, it was carrots with curry leave and mustard tempering. I am not a person who can accept fusion very easily. If one can blend it such that you can't obviously differentiate, it's okay with me. Else these mix and match is a no no in my books of cooking. Very neatly I removed the stuffing and ate the outer crispy layer, which was surprisingly very good.
So for the lack of actual Samosa recipe, I have two Samosa pictures to share with you guys!
On the row in front of us, was a family of three with a daughter almost Konda's age. All through the journey, the father ensured he got everything for the kid, making sure she was always eating non stop. The train stopped in about 4 -5 stations in between. We reached the Bangalore Cantonment at about 1 pm. My friend V, came to pick us up. She lives near Ulsoor lake and yes we had a glance at the lake and saw it was quite nice.
For all the non conforming cook that she is, she gave us a feast of typical Iyar sapadu, a full course meal. We were so stuffed that we couldn't think of anything. Though we were badly in need of a siesta, we managed to stay put and spent time with my friend's family. We had plans of going shopping in the evening.
We went to the Forum mall and by the time we managed to come back, it was raining. The mall is just as you expect, as it started raining heavily the travel from one spot to another became even worse. On the way we saw MG Road, commercial Street. I said I dont' have the patience for shopping. And I had asked for props shopping the next day. So all I was expecting was just roaming around the city.
For dinner we went to the Nakshatra, Nagarjuna Restaurants. Hubby dear sternly gave a look that said I am not supposed to take the camera out. So unfortunately I had the dinner without a single picture clicked. By the time we returned back, it was quite late and we were still feeling stuffed. After a stroll for a while, we retired to sleep.
Since my friend was running the Marathon the next day conducted by the TCS, she woke up early and left by the time I got up at 7. I was planning to make Poori channa for her daughters. So the entire morning was spend just with breakfast and relaxing in front of the idiot box.
We went out for shopping for the blog. Imagine six of us trying to pick up stuffs for the props. There was nothing that I won't get in madras, I simply wanted to have things to remember my weekend. Once the shopping was done, we roamed around trying to figure out where to land for lunch. We had to catch the 4.20 shatabdi, another of my first.
We finally landed in UB city, a class of its own. Finally a place you can fall in love with. It is beautifully constructed and reminded me of those outdoor cafe shops I saw in SFA. We booked table in Rajdhani, an authentic Rajasthan joint. The kids played in the fountain that was there in the center.
For a food blogger, it was a delicious sight. For people like my husband, it is surely not a place to eat. They serve about 10 different subjis, 3 sweets, chats and starters. Hubby dear can't eat such small servings of so many varieties. Since I had the camera ready, I had a fun time clicking away the dishes.
Everything tasted great. Of course as expected I didn't remember anything in the end. However it was a memorable lunch.
We had just enough time to reach the station. We bid our friends and thanked for their hospitality.
Boarded the train at 4.15 and settled in Shatabdi. I always wondered how I missed travelling by this train. Since the trains's introduction, I never travelled in train much. So this experience was wonderful. With the food being part of the fare, you get endless items to give you occupied. They served Samosa for snacks and I clicked a pic of that.
Since there is no stopping in between the travel time is much less and we reached home at about 10 pm.
Coming back to an empty home made us miss the boys.
Guess what when they saw the pictures, both of them started saying we have to take them soon. So another trip surely awaits us!
.jpg)
