Wink Away!

Hello readers,
We bring you another edition of the wink. Its no better than the previous one, we solemnly say. (At this moment, you can take some time off to grumble about the same-ol-writers and same-ol-columns)
In our Chow-really-mean,we have Oye Amritsar. In the hop-scotch, we hop to Hampi. In our pretend-to-ha-ha, we have a Miss-Invention, badly mis-firing.
Our three primary columns are still Wine,Dine and Dance, Wanderlust and Funny Side Up. We just wrote different names to cheer you up a bit.

Happy reading.

Wine, Dine and Dance: Oye Amritsar!

Right in the heart of the eateries and pubs (Church Street), rests a piece of rural Punjab (I assume the “rural” part). Its on the roof top. But since I went there in broad day light, it seemed just like “rural punjab” to me. The story begins with Lassi. Drink as much as you want, if you can. But if you are a Jal Jeera fan, like me, drink in. Then the story takes its Punjabi note, serves really hot puris and other “authentic” eats. One thing is that in broad day-light, you cannot a-la-carte. You have to eat on the buffet and let me tell you, its not bad at all. In fact, its exactly what I recommend. The starters were things I liked the most. There is lots more on the menu – I'd ask you to pig out. The ambiance is very “typical” with one-liners that are “world famous in Amritsar”. The music is Bollywood and in that good. Its fun to eat while humming “Dard-e-Disco”. Totally Thumbs Up stuff, this.

Wanderlust: Hop to Hampi

Come, wear your shoes, take a skip and hop to Hampi. Get a map, read some history and you're good to go. Hampi is a magnificent ruin - from the Vijayanagar Empire. The nearest place to stay is Kamalapura. There are a lot of options to find roofs and one of it is the Mayura, a government undertaking. You can rent cycles out on hourly basis and cycle into Hampi and wander around. It has its usual pitfalls – the touts, the “travel-guides” and its wise to exercise caution. A Hampi ground survey can take you 3 days, easily. There are important things to see, the “inverted” mantapa, the akka-thangi rocks (although, this one is more story-gas than most others), the lotus mahal, the pushkarani (you'll see that many movies have been filmed there). Its wise to go to Hampi when its not summer. There is also the “purandara mantapa” across the river. Try the Vittale temple for some breath-catching architectural splendour (including the "musical pillars") There are cute little stores near the Virupaksha temple which are “lonely-planet-recommended”. Lots of old coin sellers and “photographers” around that area, along with stone carvers and general things-that-are-foreigner-centric. Try and “imagine” a little and Hampi rises from its tombs and looks like a palacial, wonderful ruin – something really that befits Royalty.

Funny Side Up - A Miss-Invention!

We invented the “gentleman”. Its our concept. He is “charming”. He opens heavy doors and lighter ones. He offers to carry our coats. He makes “polite” conversation. He puts his coat down on puddles so we don't have to step on slush. He never forgets to “thank” us. He laughs at all our jokes. And today, thanks to all the “women are equals” thing, our gentleman – the concept we developed, nurtured, nourished so we can flatter and fatten our ego, is gone. Gone are the days where the guy would open the door, instead he probably expects some to be opened for him. I can no longer wait for a bunch of roses at my door! There are no people that would come to my rescue when my car doesn't start (partly because I do not start it). There are no volunteers to carry books or laptops. Its become such a mean, man friendly world. I'm almost beginning to think that “equality” was a guy's answer to the “gentleman”. And they have succeeded, to gently put it.
What ever happened to getting the car-door opened? What happened to the ever caring gentleman? He has been replaced by one that well, oh, is tiresome. I found myself asking the same question. After the works of the the legendary women like "Jan Austen" who tried to keep the tradition of the gentleman alive (bless her soul), how could he disappear so suddenly! The men have gotten their vitamins and have been donning thinking cap.
Equality. Thats what killed our gentleman.