a stupid's journal : food

Jodhpur : Blue city of Royal People

11:11 AM

Jodhpur, I do not know what this name signifies but the city is so beautiful that you would love it. Apart from the main sight-seeings, there is a lot in the area which has the potential to leave you awestruck.

Well, if you check on internet about "things to do" in Jodhpur, you might get only few things and that too to see. But once you get there, you have a lot many options. Right from the point you deboard your train, you can hire a bike. I myself didn't hire a bike as I was unaware of the availability of this service.

So now you have got a bike and you can ride away wherever you like. As I have told that I didn't take any ride for hire. So, you know, a bike and a lots of roads and one needs nothing more than that.

And yeah, apart from the awesome biking experience (which apparently feels like riding in California) there's a big royal palace of the royal family of Jodhpur. The palace is called "Umaid Palace". The things which make this palace worth visiting are firstly its location. It is located on some hilly location from where the city view can be observed.

These hills are not what we see in hill stations but they are different. I don't know why but I felt connected to the place while I was there. And second thing about the palace is that it is constructed with lock mechanism. This means that the whole palace can be taken to any other location with just dismantling the palace. I don't know if you were interested in the architecture.

Now people like me might not find this palace to be awesome. Guys, just go and have a look on Vintage car collection of the Royal family. It's definitely worth the Rs.30 of your ticket. (For foreigners, it's Rs.100).

People like me never like the construction which has been done very recently. I mean, history is meant to be old!

Simply head towards the fort. Anything like lock mechanism of vintage car collection gets fade before the high walls of the fort. I could easily imagine the terror in the attacking soldiers!

This fort charges some nominal charges for entry into museum and the cameras. A local said that this fort is also the property of the family who lives in the Umaid Palace. Well, a king should not charge tickets!

Having seen whole of the fort, you will be little tired as the fort is too damn big and every other turn leads to a slope. So you will be completely satisfied with the city. If you stamina allows, go back to your hotel and leave on foot, roaming around the local market.

Talk to the locals and enjoy their sweet Marwari!

And one thing I want to share is the handicraft shops. Firstly the prices are too hyped and secondly much of the stuff isn't even handicraft. So there's no point buying those "handcrafts" but if you have a fat budget, go for it.

I completed the city and its sight-seeing in one day. But if you really want to explore a city like Jodhpur, stay there for few couple of days.

And yes, I forget to tell you the one common attraction of foodies. There's a place near Railway Station called "Doodh Mandir" (Temple of milk). This place is famous for it "Kadahi wala doodh". This is the best thing I found in Jodhpur!

So this was about Jodhpur and you can surely find much more than this. Just keep your explorer eye open!

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Cha Bar - for coffee and book lovers

6:37 PM

Lately, I have been in the search of some place which can offer me peace. There are many places of that genre but I was searching for something that would charm me, tempt me to come again and again. Couldn't find any unless I came across this another "hole in the wall" of Delhi.

Wandering around the main hangout point, Rajiv Chowk, I got to see this very ordinary entrance for Oxford book store. It is located in N block and I entered just to explore through some books. The guard asked me to submit my bag and I went up through stairs.

There comes the fun part. Right through the entrance, I wanted to pull out my phone and start clicking. Not because I saw many books there, but the decorum of the place is just awesome. Plain and simple, light to sooth eyes and colorful books as the tonic for brain full of boredom.

The book store have put everything right on place so that you can explore to the maximum and find the right book for you. Wait! Aren't you a book lover? Don't worry, you must be a foodie I believe!

Attached with the book store, is Cha Bar. I am not aware of the meaning of Cha but the closest I could fathom is it concerns "Chai" or Tea. Again the food area is just awesome with decorum, crown, ambiance and obviously FOOD.

One thing that I noticed their was all the workers, cooks and the waiters, were North Easterns. I think it is some kind of organisation for them. But why would you care! The food is "yum" and finger liking (only if you eat with hands and not forks).

The place generally remains filled with couples and friends. (a good option for non-alcoholic get together)

I liked the place much as it offers two of my favorite things side by side, Books and Tea (or coffee). I'm definitely going to Cha bar again for some more time of light, cheerful and delicious experience.

Remember Guys, this time for a change, Non alcoholic drinks (in Cha Bar). See you guys there.

Note: I'm always in search of some good "non popular" food points. You might want to tell me at least one such "bistro" in comments. ( know a new word here, bistro means a small and inexpensive restaurant)

If you like what I write, please let me know in comments and if you really liked it, share the post using below hashtags.

#bringPeace

#stupidOnSunday

Travel while you are out of money

12:46 PM

If you like traveling then there is no point cancelling your travel plans just because you are on tight budget. There are things you can keep in mind while preparing your itinerary that would help you cut down the expenses. No doubt, reducing the prices will reduce the luxury from your trip but at least, you are getting to go somewhere. And moreover, travel was never about five star hotels, it's about the most you can get to explore.

No going further into theoretical aspects, let's discuss some points on how one can travel even if he's broke or on a very tight budget.

1. Forget hotels and look for hostels

No doubt you can get a hotel after you get to a place by exploring the nearby areas. But you might end up listening "sorry sir, we are already full". To avoid that, you can always prebook your hotels and do check for them online. There are more chances that you can get hotels at cheaper prices. Other option is, forget hotels as you are on a tight budget and you do not care about luxury at all. Try finding hostels where rooms are shared by all those who are "broke"! It definitely increases the chances of making new friends and the experience is worth trying.

2. Indian trains are awesome

If you are travelling and you have enough time, choose trains over flights. Indian trains are awesome as you get to meet new people and more likely, you would meet some groups that are travelling to the same place. Stick with one such group if it allows and your further expenses are reduced. (Sharing guys!!) In the trains also, try travelling at night as that would eliminate the need of AC coaches. Regular sleeper class would be fine! (be daring enough and travel in General class, prices are lesser than a pizza)

3. Taste the local food, it's delicious

If you are travelling to some place and demands some "home like food", then you are just piling up your bills. Ask the locals about places where you can get their native food. Locate one such restaurant and have fun. Having their food would ensure two things, one your expense and other, a worthy experience. If you want to have some alcohol, try buying it from wine shops and have it at home. Otherwise you can go to a good bar, enjoy the hyped prices and get drunk. Then pay for the cabs and all because you would need someone to drop you to your hotels or hostel. Keep in mind that you are on budget.

4. Missing home? Text but don't call

This one is the least considered factor that introduces few hundred bucks to expenses and no one thinks about it. When we are not in home state or country, the roaming call rates are another hole in your pocket. But calling home is important, right? You can always find free wifi connections. Sometimes in hotels or hostels, a coffee cafe or at some public area (like in Cannaught Place in New Delhi, though for 20 mins) Use internet calling over normal phoning. Text your dearest ones and send them your photos over internet. This probably would lessen missing!

5. Always pack light

Get a good backpack and pack only those things which are necessary. Carrying too much clothes will not do any better. Just pack some basic clothes as per the required weather of the place. Apart from clothing, there are things like headphones which occupy extra space, so you better get earphones. A light and compact water bottle, canvas shoes, a smartphone (instead of a bulky camera) are some things you might want to carry. The point in carrying a light backpack rather than a bulky suitcase is that you can carry you luggage anywhere. It's much easier with a backpack.

I hope these things would sometime lower your expenses. You can share your ideas about travelling for less in comments. I would totally love that!

#StupidOnSunday
#bringPeace

The Chocolate Villa

8:57 PM

Few days back, I was looking for some decent cafe to sit around and spend some of my valuable time eating food. I came to know a place named "The chocolate Villa". The place is filled with lots of cakes and other chocolate dishes.

This baestro is loaded with loud music and sounds from the kitchen, all mixed up in a random manner. And the lady running the place says, "isi mein toh maja aata hai". So if peace is what you seek, you might have to look for another options but if you seriously want some good chocolate food, just get inside once. You'll love the place.

Now talking of the restaurant, it is not at all difficult to find. Once you have found it, just step inside and get lost in the world of chocolate. Sitting couches are comfy and spacious for holding even a group of buddies. You can play chess in there while having food or waiting for it. The walls are covered with quotes for chocolates. Their love for chocolate is easily visible.

I don't know how their entire menu would taste but I loved what I had there. I had a veg cheese grilled sandwich with chilled Virgin mojito. ( I got a green apple soda free too). As the place holds a name with chocolate, how could I not order a chocolate dish!

I had sizzling chocolate brownie. The presentation was so good that I wanted to see it sizzling one more time. But as you know, every food lover is on tight budget. (hehe).

Because of the tight budget, I couldn't have much of their cakes. But I did click some pictures. The menu is yummy and affordable with lots of offers that can be availed easily.

One thing more the last there told be about the place is their agenda.

1. No eggs
2. No hukkah and alcohol
3. Fresh food

So the people with "clean souls" can visit the place anytime without any doubt. And those with a soul like mine, can visit for the chocolate.

Also if you have a problem sitting inside a cafe, they do have open sitting in balcony too. You can take your food there and keep sitting their as long as you want. Apart from food, take your book or journal with you. The place offers calmness if you know how to draw it.

Here are some other pictures that doesn't match up with the text above. I know I'm not good clicking but this is it. You better see taste these cases yourself.