where others come for vacation ...
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Gondola'ing upto Klewenalp Station @1593 m.a.s.l
Ski-Dooing to Silbi's Alpine Hut Tipi Stube @ 1700 m.a.s.l
Rinsing, Boiling, Chopping, Baking, Mixing
and also Improvising in the makeshift kitchen
Guests popping in once in a while -- the smells raising their curiosity and Appetites
Finally all set -- Garnishing, tasting... ummmm.. Delicious!!!
Indian Tradition has it that Food is the best Gift that can be given and when it's cooked with love for a friend and his guests, it's truly Divine.. 
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33 days, 7 cities, one hectic trip back home.
Helping parents deal with an alcoholic son, feeling their pain, sadness and helplessness..
Daily visits to hospitals, Search for a suitable rehab center..
Joy of meeting my niece after 4 years - albeit in the Hospital.
Bursting out in tears while packing the alcoholic brother's suitcase for the hospital -- feelings of pity, sadness, anger. Wanting to run away from his now revolting alcoholic personality.
Reliving childhood memories of the family: Playing cards together, morning Yoga sessions, visiting the house where we grew up, meeting with parents of childhood friends and school-teachers... Priceless!!
Read more: A Bittersweet Trip back home -- mid Jan - mid Feb
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Growing up, once-in-a-while our Sunday breakfast treat used to be Jalebis, Dhoklas and Samosa. Since i wasn't a big fan of Sweets back then (whatever happened now?), i would happily trade my share of the oh-too-sweet-and-darned-drippy Jalebis for the spongy-spicy Dhoklas.
For those of us who've never had afternoon tea in an Indian household - Dhoklas are feather-light and fluffy yellow savoury cakes made from a fermented batter of gram flour (besan) and semolina. Spiced with a bit of chilli, tempered with mustard, cumin seeds and curry leaves, these light and airy bites are packed with flavour - one can easily down quite a few without noticing. Steam cooking makes it easily digestible, so there’s always room to enjoy one extra fluffy-as-a-cloud, melt-in-the-mouth Dhokla…and still not feel heavy or guilty for that matter.