COD Heaven II - my online favorites

If you are in India...and you have unexpected guests...and your fridge is rather empty - noooo worries! You see: - a full meal, wine and some dessert - it is all just a phone - call away. Within a small hour (+-) it will all be delivered right at your doorstep. Oh yes. You can pick up your phone and order food, drinks, dessert, medicine (!) - almost anything, and pay COD - Cash On Delivery when they show up with your goodies. I early on blogged about COD heaven, being a very impressed newly-arrived expat in India!

If you do not have to feed some hungry unexpected guests right away, and have a bit more time, the online-order shops are really great. You book online, and they deliver to your doorstep. I have gathered a short list of some of my own favorite online-shops. As mentioned in my Christmas shopping tale: what I write about are just my personal choices - not a complete guide. I like:

• Danzbread - for fresh dark bread delivered every morning 
• Foodesto - for gourmet food, cold cuts, cheese etc 
• Localbanya - for all kinds of groceries 
• Organic Garden - for organic fruit, vegetables, rice etc

• Flipkart - for books, games etc
• Healthkart - for sports-stuff, vitamins, personal care etc
• Indiacircus - for home decor, art, gifts etc
• Book My Show - for tickets to movies, theaters, concerts etc
  

In addition to these, there are a lot of online shops for ... - well, anything you can think of. In fact, you may not need to leave your house at all! But a bit boring, eh? A stroll in the markets or to the local shops has it's charm - and you don't wanna miss out on having a cup of chai with some new friends, do you? Well, you know that I don't! So, let me round this up by sharing some colorful moments from - just walking around:

So, as you may have guessed, dear reader: I say yes, please - to both. Yes to the amazing online-shops of India and yes to the fun of exploring the local markets. Do you have any favorites?

I hope you have had a good start of the week, and wish you a nice evening from Mumbai!

My Top 5 - January in Greece

Well, even though most people choose to visit Greece in the summer, the winter can be quite pleasant too. At least here where we live, and in my bubbling joy of being here, I decided to come up with a top 5 list (!) of my favorite things! Maybe for inspiration - if you should happen to visit Greece in the winter, dear reader:-) And as for the pale promise: I didn't have to wait too long until a soft breeze of summer headed my way....

1. Alkyonides days is the name of an almost non-interrupted period of summerly days with clear blue sky, sun and warm temperatures, which occurs in January almost every year. It is a meteorological phenomenon of the central Greek climate, but also has a lot of mythology and stories connected to it.

2. Ta fota. The lights. Just as Christmas and New Year's  is over, a new big celebration comes up on the 6th of January, when the Greeks celebrate Ta fota. It is to remember the Christening of Jesus, and in a way it functions like a Christening of the new year. The fun part is when the priest throws a cross into the sea, and men and women throw themselves in the cold water to compete for catching the cross. The lucky one receives blessings, glory and fame, and also some money....

Pic from news.gr

Pic from videotex.gr. The lucky one in Nea Peramos.

3. Coffee outside. The sun is warming, but it is not too hot, only pleasant - to gather at an outdoor cafe and catch up with family and friends. And the cafes are crowded. I don't think anything or anyone can stop the Greeks from enjoying their cold frappe, warm nes or the small Greek coffee at the cafeterias. Ever.

Cafe me gusta - our favorite cafe i Kavala:-) 

4. Basari. If you have followed my blog for a while, you will know that I have been an enthusiastic visitor at the markets in Mumbai. And I am on- in Greece too! And as always: go with the flow- do as the locals! So, wherever you see hoards of Greek women fighting over some clothes: join the party- it is bound to be a good bargain!

Only 2 euros- and one happy sales-lady

Season for mandarins now! Yummy!

5. A walk along the sea. Always a favorite of mine, but the Alkyonides days,the lack of crowds of people, tourists in combination with the magnificent light - makes it a more than just a pleasant experience in January. Peace and quiet. The sound of the waves hitting the shore. Flisvos. Love it

 Bye bye from Greece! I hope you are well and happy, dear reader - wherever you are!

Shopping for Christmas - Mumbai style

I think I might have a love-hate relationship with shopping in India. Either I am in and out so fast that the trailing staff only gets a quick glimpse of my fluttering dupatta as I head for the exit OR I start to chat with the staff and I kind of just stay on, at least until I have had a chai, heard their life story, and I can wander happily off knowing that I am now part of their extended family:-)

Yes, December is here and some Christmas shopping is inevitable. I have decorations, remember?- now we are talking purely presents! I find it a bit tricky to recommend the best places for Christmas gift shopping in Mumbai- because we all have our taste, right - and I humbly admit that my knowledge of shopping here will always be limited, as I discover new places all the time! I think you can live here a life time - and still be exploring new shopping options! But, let me share some of my favorite spots and tips for good buys - as they are right now! And remember- it is personal, and my view may have been influenced by a good chat over a spicy chai:-)

Where to shop? 

You may probably either love or hate shopping at the open door markets in Mumbai. Perfect - if you love hoards of people, lots of noise and endless rounds of bargaining (look here for some basic tips)  - and an opportunity to get unique presents and get a feeling of the bustling crazy Mumbai life. Here are markets I like, and also some gift-tips:

• Bhuleswhar market - for clothes and fabrics, garlands, decorations and last but not least: my favorite spice shop: Motilal Masalawala. (Turmeric (haldi), Garam masala and chicken masala are my favorites, and I got some for presents too.)  
• Crawford market - for lamps, ornaments, decor and trees head to Lohar Chawl. Really cheap (also brand) all kinds of beauty stuff at Beauty Centre. Delicious sweets, dried fruits and nuts at Ramanlal's. Something special for the passionate baker - at Arife's.   
• Chor's bazaar - for old Bollywood posters (I love those), artifacts, coins, souvenirs and antiques
• Gol Deval markets - My favorite! bangles, copper cups & mugs (to keep the cold drinks cold, and the warm warm:-), - just a that-something-special-place! Lots of handicraft-items. 
• In other parts of the city you will also find some good markets, like the IIT market in Powai and the Santacruz market. In Bandra, I always end up at the bazaar-like ELCO market as my most beloved tailor is there - and I found some amazing embroidered kids' blouses in one of the shops:-)  

If you start to sweat just by the idea of open markets, there are lots of other options. Of course: the Holiday melas- often where the NGO's sell their products, and this year I was lucky enough to find a lot of presents there (and to chat - great combo:-) 

You can check out the Oberoi arcade at Nariman point - chatting with Kavita at Le Printemps (a pure paradise for leather-lovers:  you can get or have made just about anything there) or with Navin at Rishi Gems (artifacts, small statues, boxes etc) is always fun. 

Many Mumbai expats know Harry at Bhaghem Bombay, Fort (souvenirs, art craft, and last but not least: jewelry). Now, that is a shop where you can easily spend some hours. I did quite good, until I discovered that Harry spoke Greek and he started to tell about back then when he helped Greek seamen in Mumbai to phone home. I was lost, and so was my time schedule. I could just picture the mustached Kostas (in tears of homesickness) talking to his mama in Athens on the phone from India - with a compassionate Harry next to him, patting his shoulder, handing him napkins..

Oh, well. If you are down at Fort, you may as well also drop by Chimanlals - remember? The place for gift-wrapping stuff. My tip is that you will easily spend quite some time in that paper-heaven. At least I did.

For a not-so-personalized-but-more-efficient-shopping round, you may want to hit one of the many huge Mumbai malls - Phoenix High Street in Parel, Phoenix Market Centre in Kurla, R-city in Ghatkopar or Infiniti or Inorbit in Malad, which are the ones I know the best.

What to shop? 

1. Books. Since I love receiving books, I also believe it is a perfect present:-) If you are an expat, make your folks a favor and introduce them to some of the many excellent Indian authors - whether it is fiction, non-fiction, novella, poetry, travel-books or cooking books! Or a 2014 calender- with decor and quotes and an overview of all the Indian festivals (so they can plan when to visit you next year!). You find bookstores like Crossroads and Oxfords in most malls.  
2. DVD / CD. Why not spread some exotic feel-good Bollywood stories and music? Most films come with English subtitles. I like English Vinglish and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Dvd's and Cd's are also sold in most bookstores. 
3. Clothes. You can bling someone up with new Indian outfits. But don't go completely crazy - a silver glitter sari is maybe not what your aunt in a snowy village in the Alps has on top of her list. Or who knows? Maybe it is! Anyway- lots of choices, or you can settle for some shawls or dupattas - thin or thick - they are usually a hit:-) 
4. Jewelry. Good expat gifts (take up no space in the suitcase, right?). I like the colored stones, and the watches are beautiful. And if you can not find anything, you can have jewelry made for you (read: for your gift-receivers) - just as you want them. One piece only, how about that? 
5. For kids. From my own experience these items has caused standing ovations among the recipients: A) Indian Barbie dressed in sari, preferable wedding sari. B) Plastic rickshaws. C) Art craft sets to make bangles, magnets, cards etc. All with fantastic Indian colors and motives. D) Soft toys- elephants and camels:-) I like the toy shop at the Infiniti mall.   
6. For teenagers. Phone and PC covers and bags are popular gifts. You can find them ready made or have one made in the pattern and color you like. Also bags, jewelry and sports stuff may be a hit, but again: know your recipient - teenagers are... well teenagers:-)      
7. General gifts. At Good Earth, Bombay Store and FabIndia you can find souvenirs, gifts, tablecloths, clothes etc. Also knock yourself out in the malls. No lack of shopping opportunities!
   
   My hottest tip (!): get a gorgeous gift bag or box, and fill it up with Indian tea, Indian spices, some sweets, nuts or dried fruit and maybe a product or 2 from the Biotique Botanicals Ayurvedic series- facial cream or bodylotion - or a Jasmine perfume. The magic scent of India - perfect for Christmas:-) 

Well, I hope you enjoyed my little tour-the-shops-of-Mumbai-tale? As you see, the greatest shopping experience for me is the one which comes with a friendly smile and a really good story! The best presents can be just that, remember? A smile, a chat, a tea or a meal shared with friends...

So, the shopping is done! Yey! Now, I sit at my balcony - in 30' degrees and sunshine, with my cup of tea and Driving home for Christmas. I light a candle (!), send some warm thoughts to people I love, sharpen my pen, and I start to write my Christmas greetings.

Warm thoughts to you, dear reader!  Have a wonderful week!

2 awards and some mela - moments

So, my red chili on the balcony can again enjoy the company of shiny stars and blinking bulbs! I sip my tea, enjoy the warming sun, and admire the result of last year's hunt for Christmas decorations in Mumbai - which has now been put up around the house again. My favorite place is the balcony: palms, bushes and flowers dressed up in tiny light bulbs. Happy December dear reader! Am I in Christmas spirit? Nah.. 

I am sitting here feeling grateful though. You see, 2 fellow blogger friends have nominated me for 2 awards - to show that they appreciate my blog. Yey! Someone enjoy what I write:-) It feels good:-) It seems to be "pay-it-forward" awards - so I will in return show appreciation to some of the bloggers I like! Looking forward to that: - to give a nice encouraging pat on the shoulder, in a way:-) Stay tuned on that one.

So, plenty of X-mas decor from last year - no need for new stuff - but you might remember that I have loads of gorgeous wrapping paper, boxes and gift-bags laying around? So, following the urge to find something to put inside all that - led me to a mela, organised by the American Women's Club.

Mela is a word from sanskrit, meaning a fair, a get-together. It is used in India for all kinds of gatherings f.ex cultural or commercial. It can include activities, shopping and dining options and entertainment. This mela included lots of stalls from Mumbai NGO's - selling their products - so a good opportunity to get great handmade gifts and supporting a good cause at the same time! Here are some of my mela-moments:

Akanksha is an NGO working to empower children from low- income communities, with a special focus on art classes. The kids' art is the inspiration behind the products: bags, watches, bangles, cards, calendars etc.

Great mousepads with quotes and colorful motives. 

Save The Children India is an NGO which runs a number of projects and focuses on improving education, health and living conditions for underprivileged children. They also have projects for women.

Beautiful bags for sale - at the Save The Children India stall. 

The Mann Center is an NGO which focuses on education and growth of children and adults with special needs. They provide training and adjusted programs to enable them to live as independently as possible.

Very lovely people at the Mann Center stall - and gorgeous stuff for sale too:-) 

Please check out the AWC homepage for a list of all the NGO's that were present at the mela, and for more info about the event as well. You can also order items through many of the NGO's webpages, or choose to support their work in other ways. They are doing a lot of good things. Many of them, like "my" NGO, are working for improvement in education and living conditions for children. What can be more important?

And talking about kids - my friend fell so head over heels in love at that mela! She ended up walking happily away - carefully carrying with her 4 handmade elephants and 2 camels! Lucky kids - who will get a soft elephant from auntie for Christmas:-) Although I do suspect she will keep at least one elephant for herself:-) 

Cute elephants from fourtyredbangles:-) 

Hope you have a good Sunday, dear reader! Bye bye from the red-chili-and-star-decorated balcony:-)

The art of gift - wrapping

So, my friend's little son had his birthday, and he was opening gifts. He struggled a bit to get the paper off one of them. - Oooh, a car! We applauded encouragingly when a green truck revealed itself from within the shiny red gift-paper. The boy gave the car a rather uninterested glance - and turned his attention back to the paper. Red and bright, with some glittery spots. He giggled and waived it triumphantly in the air, carefully inspecting it, making a ball of it - which he lost on the floor. Crisis! His mum picked it up, and tried to sneak it out to the garbage. NOT a popular decision with Birthday Boy whose face turned completely red, and I swear that his furious screams could have waken up a sleeping giant! The mum hurried back - with The Paper! Oh joy! He laughed and hugged it dearly - like he was welcoming a long lost friend.

And I don't think he is the only one who has fallen in love with the shiny wrapping paper rather than with the gift inside? But maybe usually kids? Well not anymore! Because, my dear reader, let me say one thing: if you ever get a present wrapped up in gift paper from India, - well, then my guess is that you might act just like that little boy! Oh yes! I am not joking. You will admire it, caress it, and maybe even make it into a ball and throw it in the air while you scream with joy?! Who knows?!

And if you have one of these relatives- I think we all do - you know, the ones who walk silently around picking up the used gift wrapping paper, smoothing it out, while mumbling: it-is-a-shame-to-throw-away-something-so-beautiful. Well, I am pretty sure that they will go bananas by the sight of the gift paper from India, and don't be surprised if you yourself start to act that way too! You might feel a sudden urge not to let that paper get away..

So, envelopes, paper, small cards, big cards, gift tags, wrapping paper, small boxes, big boxes, stars, small bags, big bags, frames - all with patterns and colors and decorations which are simply amazing. Small pieces of art, really. Invaluable tools for taking the art of gift-wrapping to a new level.. Just have a look:

Frames; perfect for the annual pictures of your kids, - to their grandparents:-) Bags, paper and boxes in all sizes and colors you can imagine. Everything you need to wrap up your gifts!

Colorful envelopes with small glass pearls, and gorgeous patterns. A gift in itself:-) 

Wrapping paper, cards and bags. And my favorite: elephant envelopes:  perfect gift-bags for shawls, books and cd's!

You may find envelopes, paper and gift bags in most book stores in India. I found some beautiful gift bags and cards in a shop at Hasnabad Lane in Santacruz. I got totally lost (in a positive way) in Chimanlals at Fort. The problem there is to be able to decide what to get. When a friend and I just went there - we spent hours. Really, hours. So, know this, dear family and friends - your Christmas gifts will have a captivating look this year. Be prepared to hang on to your paper and to guard it from lurking relatives:-)

Beautifully decorated small paper stars:-) They have them in Chimanlals - in lots of different colors.
You build them (read: open them) - but very easy- peasy! ( IKEA-style) Perfect for upcoming Christmas:-)  

Have a wonderful day, dear reader, and thanks for following! Bye bye from Mumbai! 

Dressing for Diwali - Diva style?

Diwali is about celebrating good over evil and about hope and good wishes. And the festival of lights is just around the corner.. People are preparing. Rows of different colored light bulbs are coming up on the buildings, - more and more for every day - creating a fairytale-ish atmosphere... The shops are full of people searching for gifts, looking at clothes and buying beautifully decorated baskets filled with dried fruits, nuts, chocolate, spices, tea - to give to their family, friends, colleagues and neighbors...  Cards are being written, rangolis put on floors, menus are planned and light bulbs and flowers are emerging outside private homes, public buildings and along the streets. It is very beautiful. Lights and colors everywhere.

The markets is a popular place to be, and I went with some friends to check out the Santacruz area - lots of stuff for you if you wanna go all bling bling this Diwali and dress up Diva style, or if you want to dress up someone else (Diva-style or any other style), buy gifts, decorations or simply take in the atmosphere of the Mumbai pre-diwali spirit. Just have a look:

Diwali decorations, stationary, diyas, gift bags, fabrics, jewelry... it went on and on... 

And if your clothes are not colorful or bling-y enough for you, you can always spice them up with some neon, gold or silver lace or some contrasty dupattas:

And not to forget: bangles, earrings and everything else in any color you would like - or you would like someone else to have... :

If you do not do well with decisions, this is not the place for you! Pick and choose - yes, fine.... But which one(s) to choose? Welcome to bangle bling bling heaven:

I am exited about the days to follow. For me the most important: the unique atmosphere of this festival and the opportunity we have been given to share the joy with good friends. I feel grateful. And looking around me, I am thinking that we should maybe put up some colored light bulbs on the balcony too. A lot of blinking lights going on, I tell you... After all: we are in India - and it is soon Diwali!

Enjoy your moments, dear reader, wherever you are! Bling bling from Mumbai!

Spices for body & soul

Thali is for me India-on-a-plate. Those small bowls filled up with yummy stuff - each one with it's own flavor, color, taste and identity. And still complementing each other, making a balance, a wholeness. Spicy, bland, bitter, creamy, sweet and sour. It all comes together perfectly, and where would that thali be without spices?

Ah, those Indian spices, dear reader. I tell you, my taste buds have never been challenged this much anywhere else in the world! Tasting and eating. Cooking with spices in a whole new way. Shopping for spices at the markets. Chatting with the sellers, trying out something new, bringing home my favorites. Ginger, chili, turmeric, cinnamon, cumin, coriander and uncountable masalas'. The colors are vibrant: red, orange, yellow and green. And check the health benefits: spices may f.ex. help for depression, digestion and different aches&ouches around the body. At Indiaparenting you can find a list of the most common spices, their benefits and as an extra bonus for us never-giving-up-to-learn-Hindi-people - the name of the spice in both English and Hindi.

So, spices for body and soul, dear reader. Here are a few shots from shopping spices at stalls and markets:

Tasting new nuts

My garam masala being measured up

Pick and choose! 

And then conveniently enough - loads of fresh vegetables and herbs next door -
 just waiting eagerly to be added some spices:-)  

Spices for body and soul. Another important ingredient adding color, flavor and spice to my life is music. And like with the spices: I have my favorites, but I am more than open to try new stuff! And India has certainly introduced me to some new catchy rhythms! Once a week I meet with a group of ladies and a dance teacher - and we dance modern Indian music, and very often music from Bollywood - films. We have a lot of fun, and what a great feeling that music brings me! The catch is that very often the song is completely stuck with me for the rest of that day. Here we go again! Now, we are dancing to Balam Pichkari from the film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Spice for body & soul - music and wellness. Have a look - catchy, eh? (PS: Reader outside India: The scenery is from the Holi-festival! And yes, we do throw colored powder and water at each other. And some do dance around like this:-) )Enjoy!

So, more spices in my everyday life? Well, for you with a taste for mystery, I can report that the mysterious wall outside our door, remember - has now vanished. Our new neighbors-to-be wanted to follow vastu -principles and had it built as a part of a new entrance complex. However, since it limited the access to the fire exits, cable-storage and common space - it went down again. So, now it looks like this.

Oh, well, some surprises kind of spice up our daily life, I guess:-) I hope you have a good Friday, dear reader, and I wish you a wonderful spicy weekend:-)
Ta ta!

My favorite-spices-on-a-plate  - love the size & flavor of those cinnamon sticks! 

Decorating for Diwali and a Mysterious Wall

She sat outside the hut, looking up at us, as we came closer. She could be maybe 5-6 years old. She smiled and looked down at the little lamp burning next to her - giving a yellowish light to the dark alleyway. - It is for welcoming Lakshmi, my friend said  - that is why they lit the lamps - to welcome the goddess to their home, and hope she will bring prosperity and wealth. 

Diwali is coming up, dear reader. The festival of lights. It is glamorous, almost magical and enthusiastically celebrated by all people (myself included). And I can feel the pre-Diwali spirit over Mumbai now... Expectations, excitement, preparations, joy...Diwali commercials all over - and people are shopping to decorate for the festival. To go with the flow: so did I, and set out for the Bhuleshwar market.

At Diwali, people dress up in their best clothes, and this is the time to appear in a new and impressive creation! It is usual to give clothes and saris as gifts as well, and what a fest of fabric, color and glitter we found at the market:

Rangoli is a beautiful way of decorating for Diwali. Intricate vibrant patterns are being made on the floor, outside your door, using colored powder. If you think it sounds to complicated to make, they also sell large round-rangoli-look-a-like-stickers. 

And with lots of powder, some skills, talent and patience, you might be able to make something like this:

We also found other glittery stickers for decoration - swastika (for good luck) and footsteps to stick on the floor outside your entrance door or outside rooms - to show the gods where to go and welcome them. Remember only to stick them the right way - they should show the way in to your house and not leaving it..

In the most colorful part of the market we found garlands. Big and small garlands to decorate your front door,your car, bicycle - wherever you want basically, for good luck and for welcoming the gods.

And finally the diyas, the small oil lamps. During Diwali found lit outside every house, big or small. Remember, the diya that I had first seen - next to that little girl- in the slumhut. Representing hope and joy.  

So, then I come home, with my decor-Diwali stuff, standing in the elevator thinking how great this will look outside our door. I come out of the elevator. I stop. Is this my floor? When I left that morning, everything was normal, but during the day, a wall has risen in front of our door. Yes, dear reader. A wall. I am speechless. And a bit impressed that they managed to erect a wall during some hours only... But what is going on? Hm - those rangolis might have to wait a bit to go on that floor... 

Stay tuned to follow my mysterious-wall-tale, dear reader... And Diwali is coming up 1-5. November by the way, so still plenty of time..:-) 

Wish you the best, and thanks for following:-)