Bombay’s Machli

by Adrienne Wilson on

There have been several nights, many moons, and tons of dreams where I’ve imagined myself
fully immersed in India’s culture, people, beat, sound, pace,
living, music, land and especially cuisine. Spices, curries, masala and so much flavor leave’s a very lasting
impression on every East Indian dish. Which is probably the reason I embraced this
Washington Post story on
the machli or fish dishes of Bombay. 

 

An Indian cookbook author explores the fishy restaurant scene of Bombay and provides all the delicious
details.  And even if Bombay is not on your radar try finding Bombay duck, a long slim fish or some
red-tiger prawns Indian style in your neighborhood.  Those interested in the real deal cuisine scene of Bombay can
find additional information here.

Cool or lame? When Celebs Travel

by Erik Olsen on

Am I the only one that hates it when celebs do travel shows? Is this irrational to dislike it when Cameron Diaz is
overseas with a full camera crew and makes like she’s roughing it? I mean, just look at the opening graph of
this New York Times piece about her new
show “Trippin”. She’s sitting at the Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles, eating her arugula and proscuitto with her
fingers and hawking her new program where she ventures to “wild places” in ecological jeopardy.  This is total
jealousy, right? I’m pissed that some Hollywood star who makes several orders of magnitude more money than I do gets to
traipse around the globe. And it seems to be for a good cause, right? Or is it just kind of lame that celebs take up
these causes when all they are, after all, are actors?  Help me out. Cool or lame?

Festival Abril in Spain

by Erik Olsen on

When we think of Spain (especially those of us who have lived there) the name invokes images of vibrant nation,
Latin passion, bull-fighters, flamencos, sleeping a lot in the afternoon (just messing with you, Juan!). Of course, one
of the most beautiful and happening parts of the country is the Andalusian region in southern Spain, considered lazy by
the Northerners, but the epicenter of fun by many others. The richness of Sevilla blooms during the month of April when
the annual week-long festival — Abril
Feria, or April Fair, takes off. Pungent Fino, dancing women, great food…add this to your European trip if you’re
going to be near Spain next month.

REALLY Good Friday With Beer

by Erik Olsen on

Good Friday has passed. And the Pope is sadly no longer with us. But for those still in the
religious spirit, hhere is a great NPR audio
story to listen to.

In the Mexican state of Chihuahua, the Tarahumara Indians observe Holy Week in an unusual way. NPR’s John Burnett
shows how the annual religious drama has been affected with the addition of a a sacred social lubricant,
a corn beer called tesguino. And how during Easter Week the entire town becomes like a mixture of Animal House and
The Mission.

Listen to the NPR story

Doing Mexico Right

by Erik Olsen on


What to do in

good ol Mexico? It’s a question lots of people ask. The problem with Mexico is that you can do down there and end
up in one of the crappy tourist cities where everything is expensive, cheesy, noisy and lame. But that’s not the way to
do Mexico. To do it right, you head down the coat to some of the lesser known areas like Puerto Escondido or
Tulum (although the latter is becoming better
known).

 

Well, in this piece in the

Chicago Trib, the writer heads to Oaxaca and Merida, which are two fine areas similar in character
(though no beach) to what I just described. Fewer tourists, more interesting, authentic culture. The way to go to
Mexico.