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.

Welcome to the Wink

Hello Readers,
It is a pleasure to welcome you to the wink again ( ;) ;) ;) ) It has been raining and for some of us, it means clean vehicles, better looking rooftops and much greener trees. At the Wink, we've spent our time THINKING (now, isnt that productive?)
But here's something else we did - we wrote some nice columns (ahem) for you to read. Our regular columns - the Wine, Dine and Dance trying the copper chimney, the Wanderlust musing about Masinagudi and our Funny Side Up - where we're Joking again.
Thanks for writing to us. It keeps us motivated to write too. We look forward, as ever, to hear what you have to say. Send in a mail to welcometothewink@gmail.com with your comments.

Wine,Dine and Dance - Copper Chimney

When I went to Copper Chimney (and thats atop the Bangalore Central. If you don't know where that is, its near Garuda Mall. If you need directions to that, well,its best to ask someone) I half expected it to be a Chinese place. I blame it on intuition – and thats why people say, you mustn't trust intuition so much. (Or don't they say that?) Its quite a climb to that place (the elevator doesn't go all the way up). It is very chic. Sleek design of the place makes it look extremely “modern”. There is the balcony, where you can gaze down at Bangalore from. Its a view that one must definitely want to see – especially in the nights, when Bangalore glows. The food is very Indian, very niche though and not to mention, expensive. The Bar has the essentials and more. They also can rustle up lovely mocktails. It has all the ingredients for a relaxing meal – the right ambiance, the right music, lighting and food. The food can take some getting used to. They have Rotis in their Breads section of which I have never heard of (but that could also be attributed to my ignorance too) Some of them in the Rotis, were extremely different. Its definitely worth a try. If you have the taste for it, you might like it. I enjoyed the rich feel to the place. I liked the way the menu card looked. I liked the place, in general. Don't tell me I did not warn you, it makes your purse much lighter.

WanderLust - Misty Masinagudi

Wanderlust – Masinagudi

In the shadow of the Nilgiris, one could find Masinagudi – a home to resorts, forests and elephants. You could reach M from Bangalore, by going towards Mudumalai. I have always believed that if you see a place near the mountains, walk towards it. Go deeper towards the mountains and Masinagudi unfolds. Its numerous luxury resorts (each better than the other) and mist cast a spell (I spelt that right, didnt I?) Masinagudi attributes its name to a tiny little temple of “Masinamma” which is at the village. The village stretches for about two streets and phew, its pitch dark after six. The resorts are a little away from the village, more towards the mountains. And the taxis at the village would take you there for a Rs 50. Some resorts you could try are “Ombalan's” and “Bamboo Banks”. There are a lot of things you could do at Masinagudi – take a mountain walk and so on. The forests are very deceptive though and is very much real – with its tigers and elephants (Tuskers too) and bears. Masinagudi is a place to unwind with your latest buy from Crosswords. Its beautiful, mist-ical and very close to Ooty. You could take a look at close by places like Singara and so on. If you meet a tusker while you do so, convey my regards.

Funny Side Up - Just Joking!

I once told a joke aloud. Less than two people reacted to that and the reaction was a mild tilt of the upper lip and a polite nod. Born to a family of jokers (I mean, people with a good sense of humour) I was deeply offended. It shook my roots, which were in the funny pond. My great grandfather was a great story teller. I have heard stories about him, and I strongly believe thats what they are – “stories”. I hear that even today, in his village, when they think about his jokes, they laugh so loud that the others mistake it for another-loud-thing-thats-not-done-generally-by-most-sane-people. My father cracks me up with his funny questions (One common one being, “what do you intend to do the rest of your life? Watch television?”) My mother is even funnier. She says to him, “Of course not!” But I stand out. I said “I will work, of course” (Now, if that isn't a scream!) I always thought my brother was the funniest, he added, “Do as I did. Work hard”. Now, if that isnt our mantra!