Sundays in My City - A Lengthy Lunch at the Salt Water Cafe - September 23, 2012

The Santos family of Sahar Village in Mumbai is like family to me.  During my
first stay in India - four months - I lived with Odelio, Lorna, Nick, Jake and, last
but not least, Skip, the family pooch.  I can't believe I've only been to see them
once during this stay - partly because I'm quite a distance away and, with
Nick and Lorna's work schedule and Jake's school and studies, there is not
a lot of time.  My "nephew", Nick, has been working in Dubai.

Happily for me, he is home for a couple of months before starting a new job in
Dubai.  He and his good friend, Snedan, came to have lunch with me 
yesterday at the Salt Water Cafe, my favorite Bandra West restaurant.

We ate and laughed and talked and, before we knew it, we'd been at the 
Salt Water for three hours.  It was so much fun, though, and it delights me
that two young men would take the time to come and hang out with their 
"aunty".

We shared three excellent appetizers and three desserts but each ordered
our own entree.  On the weekends, during certain hours, there is a cocktail
special for 999 rupees ( about $16 ) - quite an assortment and, as far as I
know, it is unlimited.  Since drinks are pretty pricey at the Salt Water, I chose 
to do the special &, four drinks later, I felt I had my money's worth. 

As always, the food and cocktails were excellent and, in spite of the fact
that the restaurant was filled to the gills, we got superb service.  

I laughed and told Nick and Snedan that we had come a long way from our
first outing together when I had just moved to Mumbai - an afternoon of 
several fancy concoctions at Hagen Daas.

Before Nick heads back to Dubai in Novemger, we're going to try another
place about which I've heard good things - Global Fusion.

While I waited for the boys, I went ahead and ordered appetizers so they 

wouldn't have to wait.  All of them were wonderful.  We had a huge plate of

assorted vegetables in an olive oil ( one of the best olive oils I've ever tasted ),

with green and black olives.  There was also cheese on the platter with the 

artichoke hearts, eggplant, zucchini and yellow summer squash.

Nick arrived, wearing a Monarch of the Seas t-shirt which brought tears to my eyes!

This was a delicious polenta crusted chicken with a spicy sauce which I've had

on several occasions.  The only new dish, for me, of the three appetizers was

a wonderful calamari and prawns, not breaded, with lemon and coriander in the

marinade.  I could easily have eaten a second one of those!

While the boys drank Budweiser, I had my second vodka drink, a very yummy and 

spicy bloody Mary.  

Nick Santos and Snaeddan Keppler Vaz

In a tribute to my Southern roots, I decided to have a bourbon mint julep.  The

bartender really is good as this tasted right on a par with that at the Brown

Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky.

Snaeddan ordered lamb shanks - something I've always wanted to try since

I love lamb.  They don't look as good as those I've had on Royal Caribbean

ships, though.  I had a beef tenderloin burger on a whole wheat bun with

Brie - yummy.  I love their lamb burger, too - and once I ordered the "Almighty

Burger", a HUGE concoction with two beef tenderloin burgers, cheese, egg,

and some other things.  You can't get your mouth over it, though.  I had to

cut it in four sections!  Nick chose a chicken dish which he seemed to eat 

with delight.

My final cocktail on my drink tour was tequila - a delicious margarita.  I'll

tell you, Salt Water does an excellent job with their cocktails.  They have

some speciality drinks, too, 

All three of the dessert trio were delicious but my favorite is the chocolate

bomb ( I think that's what it's called ).  Once you put your spoon into it,

warm chocolate syrup oozes out.  A scoop of raspberry sorbet accompanies

it.  Definitely worth the calories!

This coffee creme brulee was so yummy.  Of course, creme brulee is at

the top of my favorite desserts list.  

Our third dessert was cheesecake...nice but just cheesecake, as far as I'm concerned.

I've certainly had better, including my pumpkin cheesecake I make at Thanksgiving.

Nick said he had never eaten cheesecake before.  I wonder how anyone, even in

India, reaches his 21st birthday without having tasted cheesecake!

As we got ready to leave, we had a waiter take another picture of us.  I am 

sure I had a couple more pounds on my frame than when I entered Salt Water.

I am really not losing weight this India visit, what with regular, delicious meals

cooked by my wonderful housemates - I'll just be happy if I don't gain any

weight!

I am participating in 

Unknown Mami's Sundays in My City

I haven't visited her in quite some time and I love

her blog.

Nick's 21st Birthday, Better Late Than Never - January 12, 2012

I must say, I've been a bit remiss about posting since I got to India.  It's not
that I haven't been busy...and I HAVE been taking pictures...but I am having
so much fun, I find myself, at 2AM, eyeing the computer, then looking
longingly at my bed.  Somehow, bed wins out.  Then, lathered with Odomos
cream to fend off the attacking swarms of mosquitoes, with the ceiling
fan swirling, I cover myself with a blanket and sleep happily until Kamlah
wakes me with a cup of fragrant chai in the morning.

I cannot believe the number of parties that take place around here!  Of
course, one would expect them with Christmas and New Year's but, then
there was the January 1st First Communion round of parties.  That is a
really big deal here in India, akin to a wedding celebration, almost.  I'll
have to post some of those pictures as well.  Also, there WAS a wedding
here in the compound...on December 28th.  And, next, on January 6th, was
my nephew ( well, for all practical purposes, he is my nephew - I've
dubbed him such and he has made me his Aunty ), Nick's, 21st
birthday.  When I asked Nick what he would like for this special
occasion, he asked for me to write him a poem.  He inherited my Canon
digital camera when I bought my new Canon G12 so he thought that
was more than sufficient.

So a poem he got and I told him it would appear on my blog...sweet
kids here, they think my blog is a big deal.

For Nick, On His 21st Birthday

From His American Aunty

I haven't spent much time with you,

I've lived so far away,

But I can't say how much it means,

To share your very special day.

I only saw you once before,

You were cute as you could be,

The sweetest little seven year old,

Having fun and running free.

I must say, you sure have changed,

You are quite the man,

Most handsome, and so nice to me,

Since my visit here began,

I have had such fun with you,

And it's such a thrill to me,

Every time I see you smile,

And say to me, "Aunty" .

You've made me feel so welcome,

As have your entourage of friends,

That's part of why I'll feel so sad,

When my special visit ends.

I know your folks are proud of you,

As you turn twenty-one,

I know you'll be a great success,

But don't forget to have some fun.

With much love, Nick, and all good wishes for the future.

Aunty Carmen

Of course, his mom and dad, my beloved friends, Ode and Lorna Santos

threw him an incredible party, with aunts and uncles contributing all sorts of 

great food for the event.  There was a DJ and the party was in full force 

until Mumbai's finest arrived about 2AM to tell us to shut the music down.  

We did tone it down a bit but kept on dancing for a couple hours more.

Beautiful Mumbai moon

The outdoor contingent

Usually, some finds a log to burn outdoors...it helps to keep the mosquitoes 

away and adds a little warmth for the cooler late night temperatures.

Family and neighbors, Vera Pereira and Lulu Santos

Me and my other sweet nephew, Jake Santos

Party animals

Proud mom, Lorna Santos, and Nick's true aunt, Sonia Santos

This is my beloved friend, Ode Santos, who I met on my first Royal 

Caribbean cruise, the Monarch of the Seas, on April 16, 1995, right after 

we sailed out San Juan.  He was the Champagne Bar bartender and,

during that seven day cruise, I spent a great deal of time there.  He was the

first Indian I ever met, really, and we became instant friends.  Through him,

I met so many other Indian crew and that was the start of my relationship 

with the country and so many people.  In February 1997, I spent ten days

in Mumbai as the guest of Santos and his wife, Lorna, and I am back with

them this visit, and with their boys, Nick and Jake.

Chef Kumar, who actually has been a chef for Royal Caribbean and

other cruise lines, whipped up several fabulous batches of pasta for

Nick's birthday party

This is me with Noel Pinto.  He parked my walker and appointed himself my champion

for the whole evening.  Every time I got up, he would be at my side to escort me.  If I

needed a drink ( it was Old Monk Spiced Rum for me all evening ), he would pour it

And he was a terrific dance partner!  No matter that Noel is about forty years younger

than me!!!.  

Vera Pereira

This is me, minus makeup.  I was racing out in the morning, 

late, and I had no time for it.  I don't think I've been out in public,

minus my eyeshadow, in 20 years.

It was really a great party.  All of Nick's friends are terrific and so much fun. 

The adults always join in the dancing, too, partly, I think, because the music is

something that everyone can enjoy - less toxic than what I often hear at home...

not a lot of ramp with profanity, insanity, or depravity.