Amedama on the Go Go

Hijacked - and then on to Noma, Copenhagen

Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry for the prolonged absence.  A funny thing has happened to me over the fifth and sixth months of my pregnancy, my head and heart have been hijacked.  It suddenly occurred to me how little I knew about babies and that there was this huge lexicon, really a new language that experienced mothers were now throwing my way - attachment parenting, parent directed parenting, co sleeping, bisphenol A, fetal alcohol syndrome, perineal massage, hypnobirthing, bradley method, strep B, mastitis, nuchal translucency screening, etc.  And all the new choices to make - which baby monitor, where to give birth, what to do about work, childcare and on and on.

I could go on for pages about all the issues and new things there are for a new mom to  think through but I'll just leave you with this last one, apparently, its very important for a woman to have a strategy as to how she's going to use the toilet after giving birth.

I don't mean to make pregnancy sound daunting and stress inducing (although sometimes it is).  Its actually much more exciting and fun than any of the minor troubles and frustrations that come along.  Feeling this little thing inside of you kick, grabbing your partner's hand so he can put it on your bump and feel it too - that experience alone more than makes up for any negatives.

So baby has hijacked my time in the last two months leaving very little time to blog... and oh, there has been a lot to blog.  I still haven't told you about cruising through the backwaters of Kerala on a private houseboat, and we've been to Dubai and Chicago in the meantime.  Not to mention a few really good meals in London.  And at some point I need to put up a list of some of the best baby clothes shopping I've found on the internet (really hard to stop myself, baby clothes are hard to resist).

However, the thing that forced my hand here is something that I can't bring myself to not blog.  We were in Copenhagen last weekend and had a stunning meal at a restaurant called Noma.

Trishna

We almost missed out on this restaurant.  Trishna's is famous in Mumbai for its pepper garlic King Crab.  It also happens to be a place frequented by the who's who list of Mumbai elite.  For a city with a population as large as Mumbai there is a very insular upper class society.  They shop at the same stores and frequent the same restaurants (go to the same schools, have their hair done in the same salons, take tea at the same hotels, etc).  Walk into Indigo and it will seem as if everyone knows each other, this is because they do. 

I kept hearing that Trishna's had sufferred from this kind of attention.  A victim of its own fame and popularity with Mumbai's jetset.  Foodie friends told me to go elsewhere for my seafood fix but I was either there on a night when the kitchen was very on or Trishna's is sufferring from reverse snobbery.  The seafood is of excellent quality and their preparation of it is very special.  I think you'd be hard pressed to find the dishes here prepared at this level anywhere else in the world, which makes it a must visit if you are in Mumbai.

Swati Snacks

When in Mumbai you'll definitely want to try the famous street food.  Unfortunately, as a tourist you should also be justifiably wary of trying the street food.  There's an amazing night market in back of the Taj Mahal but unless you've been living in Mumbai for several months and have acclimitased your stomach, I wouldn't advise eating there.  Instead, go to Swati Snacks.

Taj Mahal Palace

India is not an easy place to travel in.  It's hot, noisy, the traffic is unbelievable, and the constant stream of people wanting to guide you, trick you, sell something, or beg money is unrelenting.  But on the other hand, India has some of the most beautiful hotels I've ever had the pleasure to stay at.  It's a good thing too, because when travelling in India you need an oasis where you can recharge, rest, and relax in order to get ready to go out and once again face the challenges of India's cities.

Our first few nights in Mumbai, we stayed at the Taj Mahal Palace.  The hotel is a tourist destination in and of itself.  Situated right beside the Gateway of India, the hotel is an architectural treasure dating back to 1903. 

Alphonso Mango

I apologize again for going MIA but I have a good excuse.  I've been in India and have lots to tell you about.  Specifically, I've been in Mumbai (Bombay) and Kerala.  I kept asking friends before I left if I'd be there in time to taste the famed Alphonso Mango and I kept hearing conflicting reports.  Mumbaikars now living in London were telling me "No, it's too early",  and others saying, "Yes, and bring me back a box!" 

KaDeWe

KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens or Department Store of the West) is a Berlin Institution.  One of their biggest and best department stores, you can browse for makeup, accessories, clothing, household goods, and books.  But far and away the best reason for a visit to KaDeWe  is to wander around its massive food floor. 

Eating Berlin

I mentioned previously that I don't think Berlin is a great food city but there are some interesting things that one ought to try while in Berlin.

Fischers Fritz

Berlin is not a great food city, its just not.  Although, I'd love to be convinced otherwise and I keep trying to convince myself that somewhere in the city there is a restaurant that will knock my socks off.  I haven't found it yet.

This time around we went to Fischers Fritz which is a one star (we heard rumours that they were hoping for two this year but they didn't get it) seafood restaurant.  I walked out with very mixed feelings.

Ku Damm 101 vs Marriott

One of the nicest things about Berlin is how affordable the city is compared to most other cities in Europe.  Even for a visitor the hotels are very reasonably priced.  You can go for dirt cheap budget stays all the way up the scale to the Adalon or Hotel de Rome, or even the Schlosshotel vier Jahreszeiten. 

I usually go midmarket, I like comfort, I like amenities, a gym and/or pool is nice, and if they have a spa that's a plus for me.  Also, for a short city stay, I don't like to break the bank.

This time around we decided to stay at Ku damm 101.  I didn't really do much research.  I had read a couple of recommendations of it as a design hotel and then did a cursory glance at tripadvisor and Ku damm's website and we booked. 

Strolling Berlin

(Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church)

What I like best about Berlin is that its such a laid back kind of hip city.  Unlike the maniacal pace of London, New York, or Tokyo, even unlike the buzzy city of Paris, Berlin manages to be a chilled out city that is still on the cutting edge. 

One of my favourite things to do when I'm there is to walk around.  The architecture is excellent and the artwork you stumble onto is also brilliant.  Not to mention the excellent people watching in the evenings on Oranienburgstrasse.