5.7.06

The parents are here.

And from the minute they stepped in to the house, I started bickering with them. *Sigh* It promises to be an eventful visit.

As soon as we dumped the luggage and all, my father took out three packs of sweets and insisted that I wolf down some. I refused. He insisted. I refused. He said, "No mamma, don't say no." That was it. I screamed.

Next I stepped out from the bath to find a suspiciously bright living room. My father had taken down the curtains, to let in some breeze. "No, no let it be! You don't know...that window lets in a lot of dust and is very public -- anybody can see what is happening inside," I started off.

My mother pulled me aside and said, "Don't do chik chik with your father."Well, to say so, I felt quite ashamed of being so ill tempered. But it's one of those things I can't help.

I have made a kind of deal with myself-- not to lose it during their stay here. For whatever and however I do react, the truth is, it's good to see them.

In the meantime, I have just made two Yankee friends from Kansas. I met them, Jo Ann and Jeanie, when I was dining out a few days ago with friends T and C. Jo Ann and Jeanie are here on a cultural exchange from Kansas University with a couple of other girls and boys. The meeting sparked off a Sunday shopping and eating out expedition. It was amusing to introduce them to our street food. After a few gol gappas, they stopped. They were scared of getting tummy aches. But they did love the dal makhni, naan, reshmi kebabs and malai kofta dinner we had at a GK restaurant.

Curiously they had never heard of gelatos. And I was determined that they should have it. So I mentioned it a zillion times. Till the time came to take them there for dessert. When I realised that I had forgotten where exactly Gelato Vittorio was. It was their friend, Seth, who finally led us to it. It was embarrassing, alright. Seth had this mischievous look about him as he assured us that he would make sure we 'hop, skip and jump' to Gelato Vittorio.

At Gelato, there were eight of us trying out different flavours at a go. Whisky Irish Cream, Ferrero Rocher, WildBerry...I can actually remember the taste of the Whisky Irish Cream.*Drool* In fact, Kristy swore that if I opened a gelato joint of mine in Goa, she would be my loyal customer. Amen to that..

24 comments:

Sonia said...

err, i haven't heard of gelato vittorio either!

and good luck with the parents! mine are driving me up the wall!

sinusoidally said...

If they are from Kansas city they can't be Yankees! Most Americans reserve the usage of that term (in derogatory sense) for people from NY and other areas in the vicinity.

Good luck with the rents. Mine insist on opening the windows as well every time they visit. Some similarities are so striking amongst parents across the board!

AB said...

Sonia: I didn't mean gelato vittorio. I meant just the gelato.

Sines: Oops! *Sheepish grin* I didn't mean to be derogatory at all.

Ron said...

You exposed your American friends to gol gappas!!?? Goodness. Now they will develp the "Delhi Belly" and insist on sharing all the gory details with you. At least thats what most firangs I have dealt with the the recent past have done. They are obsessed with the Delhi Belly!!

As for your parents. Awwww. Dont scold them too much. N eat the mishti na...how can you say no to mishti from Kolkata!? (horrified look)

Anonymous said...

Yeah home coming (either by the parents or you) can be quite an experience! And roadside food is so yum no? Alas mom ALWAYS has to put in a cautionary word! If you are ever down here in Pune do remember to try something called Vada Pav. Its out of this world!

8 by 52 said...

But that's the worst you can do, you know - say no to food from home on Day 1 of your return or their arrival. It's a universal truth - parents and grandparents think the only way they can show their love is by stuffing you with food.

Anonymous said...

Would you believe this - I haven't had my first gelato yet. Sigh!

Ardra said...

ahhh- parents- its so tough to stick to resolutions- where parents are concerned...but yeah- we cant do without them...
ardra

AB said...

Ron: Lol...The Delhi belly. I sure hope they don't get it for my own's sake then:-)

The mishti which they got is shorbhaja. And I just hate dudher shor like anything. Though my friends wolf it down and say they love it, I can't make myself do it.

Grey Shades: Somehow I miss Calcutta's street food. Even the gol gappas there are different and somehow yummier. And yes, I have heard of vada pav from my friend who studies in Pune. She's swears by them.

8 by 52: That is so true. They are stuffing me with vegetables. Which I love. So I am not complaining right now.

Toe knee: That calls for a visit to Gelato Vittorio. Let's make it our next meet point in that case.

Ardra: That we can't. I have been very mean to them the first day. But things are much better now. Actually I love their pottering around the house and doing small small things.

Kaj said...

aaah.. parents... and those little things they say and do!! =)

btw where's gelato vit? authentic italiano??

I have missed indian street food so very much.. am living off bhel puri at the mo!

jai hind, jai pani puri

AB said...

Gelato Vittorio is in GK-1 M block market in Delhi. Gee I think I am doing a PR job for it. I better ask Vijay Arora for a cut...;0) Arora even went to Gelato University (fancy no?) in Italy before he opened this gelato store. So you can safely presume that it is authentic.

First Rain said...

Hello AB! How's ye? Gelato ...hmmm... now, now I must resist temptations... I must try to at least!

Anonymous said...

Hi,

I didn't have much work today. i cam across ur blog and read ach and every post that u have written. It has been three hours and i am finally done with it. It's also time for me to leave office.

U are definitely a very good writer bcoz there r very few things in this world that can hold my attention for 3long hours. I really enjoyed reading ur blog . Its quite interesting and funny.

I do hope that u find the guy of ur dreams soon . Maybe u shud try giving a shot at websites like Shaadi.com,. U get a hell lot of variety there :)

Thank you for being urself in ur writing.

Sachin

AB said...

First Rain: Hey you. Am fine. Even you haven't tried gelatos?

Sachin: You are sweet. Thanks.

Shaadi.com! Hell no...My parents have been urging me to. I have given up hope.

By the way, do keep coming back.

Sunrayz said...

Gelato Vittorio?! I missed that the last time I was in Delhi.Our hang out from work (thanks to an American boss with a weakness for Italian parmaham)was 'Flavours' ;)

Parents at home- thunk of all the food you wil get. Made just for you...!

AB said...

Sunrayz: I used to love Flavours too. The food I think though is not as good as before. The last time I went with S and E, my former flatmates, it was really sad.

Yeah, the food is a big plus and now it seems I have never lived away from them. Kind of. Maybe in some time I will change my mind again;)

Jay said...

Be nice you your mom and dad! You still need to get your dowry!

AB said...

Jay: Lol. Thanks for the pointer;)

Sonia said...

parents still keeping you busy? and away from blogging?

AB said...

Sonia: Kind of. Busy with stories too:(

Zaphod said...

been a pleasure reading your blog...are now in the 'reading it' list on my own blog! thanks

Grey Shades said...

Hope you are doing well AB!

AB said...

Yes *touchwood*

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