It was love at first sight at Dilli Haat. I was looking for a present for my cousin and his new wife when these open doors beckoned. Provenance: Bassi, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. Some large ones, about a foot high, some small, the size of my palm. I peered inside one—the doors unfolded, and on panel after panel there were stories begging to be told. ‘Jangli kahaani’ announced one box painted in green with tales from the Panchatantra. Others had mythologies. Dwarka Prasad Jangid, the craftsman, took me through the stories—the Ramayana, the lilas of Krishna, Dashavatara… I returned again to a small one that seemed most right — blazing red and utterly charming. Rs 250, he quoted. I’m a notorious bargainer but I paid up quietly.
Siteseeing
“Foodies eat where they’re told. Chowhounds blaze trails”
www.chowhound.com
If food figures prominently in your travels, you must bookmark this site. But if you fancy yourself a foodie, prepare to be sneered at, for this appears to be a level up: “Chowhounds know where the good stuff is, and they never settle for less… We’re not talking about foodies. Foodies eat where they’re told. Chowhounds blaze trails.”
These are primarily food forums or boards as they are called here. The site is American and there’s a strong US bias, but it has interesting international sections too and it’s great for picking up random gyaan you didn’t know you wanted, as well as of course, answers to specific queries. If you’re seeking advice on planning a foodie trail in Florence or wanting to know what the best food souvenirs are from Jodhpur, this is where to stop.
The supra site, Chow, is more food than travel, but it’s fun. It has recipes, several interesting guides, and stories as well as restaurant listings (again only limited to the US). Do check out a section called ‘You’re Doing it All Wrong’, which has videos teaching you how to cut and serve cheese and, yes, how to steep tea.