DOOR TO DOOR

 

This Garlic trader walks

the lanes selling his bulbs

house to house . Known

as Veluttu Ulli (white onion)

it's a must for any curry .

 

All types of vegetables are

delivered in this way for the

convenience of her-in-doors.

 

These services are common

place to see in India ,selling

at 80 Ruppes per Kilo , the

pungent herb pervades the

neighbourhoods air .

 

 

Love from XRX

NATIVITY

HALLELUJAH THE SON OF GOD IS BORN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And when they were come into the house ,

they saw the young child with Mary his

mother,and fell down, and worshipped him :

and when they had opened their treasures ,

they presented unto him gifts ; gold , and

frankincense , and myrrh .

 

MATTHEW 2 : 11

 

 

Love from XRX

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY

 

BLOG READERS FROM RJB GOES

 

May your turkey be succulent and mince pies delicious .

And Brussel sprouts not too mushy .

Oh,and cracker gifts not too crappie,

All my blessings to you from the jungle edge .

 

 

 

Love from XRX

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

THE BLESSING BUDHA SAYS " HAPPY CHRISTMAS "

"I am as light as a feather,

I am as happy as an angel,

I am as merry as a schoolboy,

I am as giddy as a drunken man,

A Merry Christmas to everybody".

 

"What's today?"cried Scrooge ,

"EH?" returned the boy ,

"What's today my fine fellow?"

said Scrooge.

"Today!" said the boy ,

"Why, it's CHRISTMAS DAY"

 

"It's Christmas Day!" said Scrooge

to himself."I haven't missed it ,

the spirits have done it all in one

night .They can do anything they

like .Of course they can".

 

CHARLES DICKENS

 

Love from XRX

WINTER SOLSTICE

THE SHORTEST DAY UPON US - SEASONS GREETINGS ...

India is in the northern

hemisphere but being

close to the equator

the daylight hours don't

change too much .

 

Here's some tropical

flowers to cheer your

dark cold days ahead .

 

The yellow blooms

are known as Ladies

slippers .

 

A HAPPY AND PEACEFUL SOLSTICE TO ONE AND ALL ...

 

 

Love from XRX

THALI MEALS

Traditional Kerala food

tastes best cooked on a

coconut fire and served

on a banana leaf .

 

It's a vegetarian unlimited

eat-all-you-can lunch ,so

hurry - hurry - hurry ,

come and get your curry .

 

Rasam ,payasam ,pickles

lassi ,thoran ,samba ,rice

and pappadoms this is

my daily yummy feast .

 

If you think my blog is

boring-leave a comment .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love from XRX

VARIETY BANANAS

ANOTHER POSTCARD FROM INDIA

These colourful plantains

have orange flesh and are

a southern speciality .

 

Known as Rektha Kathali

their heavy meat is a meal

in it's own .

 

Perfect for cooking ,dipped

in batter and deep fried in

coconut oil - an excellent

afternoon tiffin .

 

Scroll this way for more

tasty snacks ...

 

Love from XRX

BANANA CHIPS

These deep fried banana chips

are just the ticket for the arduous

trek to Sabarimala.

 

Clad in black, barefooted and

unshaven the pilgrims endure

many hardships along the way

including lack of water.

 

Every year hundreds of thousands

make the journey to climb the

golden steps and receive the

blessings of God.

 

I'm reconing these coconut oil

fried snacks are very high in

cholesterol but taste Devine .

 

 

 

 

Love from XRX

LORD AYYAPPA

SWAMI SARANAM AYYAPPA

Chant the devotees of the

Hindu bachelor God .

His holy shrine is amidst

the dense forest high up

in the western ghats .

The trekking route runs

40 Km through leach infested

Jungle to the Temple Sabarimala

his Sacred abode .

 

 

 

 

Love from XRX

MORE SPICE SIR ?

Explosions of aroma hit your nose,
Constantly here raw spices masala,
Powders essential oils and the sickly,
Sweet smell of hot Coconut oil frying,
Banana chips for Pilgrim snacks
It's a long walk to AYYAPPA'S abode .

Love from XRX

KUMILY SPICE

Kumily town is full of flavour ,

100 spice shops line the high street and

at last the Works department have laid

sidewalks so there is less chance of being

rundown by hectic traffic madness

added too by heavy rush of pilgrims.

 

Love from XRX

GETTING GOING

LANDED SAFTLY FEELING RATHER JET-LAGGED

It's wonderful to be back in India -
Looked everywhere for concrete Kangaroo's
at Cochin airport but alas none to be seen ,
Sophie Mol will be turning cartwheels !
If you don't know what on Earth I'm on about
Read The God of small things by Arundhati Roy .

Love from XRX