Farm to table Experience in cuba

I never thought after my Cuba trip in 2017 that I will go there again next year but well sometimes your inner wish is heard. After some thought, I booked my second Cuba trip in 2018 February. 

But this time I decided to do a few different things. I was reading a lot about Cuba in the meantime and was collecting information about what different things  I can do this time. While surfing on the internet I found a page of "Give Globe a day". There I read about this volunteering programme at an organic farm in Cuba for a day. It was very interesting.

 
One has to go to this organic farm near Havana and work there for a day and enjoy some good meal prepared from the fresh farm produce. The cost was approximately 20 CUC very fair price.

The farm I worked at is owned by a lovely couple Annabelle and Alfredo. Very lively, energetic, kind, knowledgeable people.

I wrote an email to them asking about the overall plan and cost etc... To my surprise, I got a reply very promptly. They both speak very good English so communication was easy.
The day plan is normally like this; they pick us up from our place in Havana and also drop back to Havana for a very fair price of 30 CUC.  Once we go there we get a wonderful breakfast of some fruit-flavored yogurt, Fresh Cuban coffee, fresh juice, and some fruits. I am just used to eat typical test less supermarket bought yogurt but when I tested this at the farm it was very tasty. Never had such good yogurt before. 

After this wonderful breakfast get on to work. This varies from day to day and season to season. Just follow Alfredo's instructions. It’s really a pleasure to work and also makes you realize how much physical energy you need even to do a small job at the farm. Work goes on until 11:30 Then nice walk around this very big farm of 15 acres or hectors 😕i am not so sure about the unit of measurement. And then the best lunch ever cooked by Annabelle using everything produced on the farm. I really never had this tasty food before in Cuba.

I got picked up from Havana at 7 in the morning and the person who came to pick up really came at the specified time. which is not normal in Cuba. But he was on time. After that we drove to the farm .it takes around 1 hr. This time Alfredo’s father Oscar also came with us to the farm. He lives in a city and visits the farm from time to time. He also speaks very good English so we had a very nice chat during our drive. One of his sons works currently in India with some IT firm and so we were talking about India.

At the farm, Annabelle and Alfredo welcomed me with a big smile. Annabelle is originally from Nicaragua and was working as a chef in France. Alfredo is originally from Peru and an IT engineer was also working in France. 4 Years ago they both decided to leave France and come to Cuba to start their organic farm family. They both learned on their own about farming and now have this beautiful, big farm with many new ideas to implement.
The farm has different vegetables, fruits; some usual fruits and some which are not so easily available in Cuba nowadays e.g. a fruit called Mamey Santo Domingo, beans, sugarcane, and many more things.

Annabelle cooked very delicious food for us that day. We also had Barbequed meat which was done with a self-made barbeque. Grilled on a very low flame for a long time. That had an excellent test.

After lunch, we relaxed under the tree. And around 3 it was time leave 😞. It was a day very well spent. Went back home with some very good positive energy.

I really wish to go there again. 

If you happen to be in Havana then I really recommend to spent a day in this beautiful farm and with this positive people.

You can always write to them on this address: tungasuk@gmail.com 

More details of their farm you can read here: http://tungasuk.com/about-us-nosotros/

In general, in Cuba I met very nice, kind people and this wonderful couple is very special. I wish them all the best in all of their future plans and really wish to see them again and again.

By

Anagha Datar

माय-मराठी

ज्ञानेश्वरांच्या हस्तस्पर्शाने पुनीत झालेली व समग्र संत वाङ्गमयातून भक्तिरसात रंगलेली, ती आपली मराठी,

महाराष्ट्राचा त्रिकालाबाधित गौरव व भूषण अशा शिवछत्रपतींच्या गुणगाथेची, शाहीरी परम्परेची, ती आपली मराठी!

भारुड, गोंधळ, वग, लावणी आदि लोक कलांचा कणा असलेली, ती आपली मराठी,

स्वातंत्र्यपूर्व काळात, टिळक, सावरकर आदिंच्या जाज्ज्वल्य देशभक्तिने ओजस्वी झालेली, ती आपली मराठी!

तर, स्वातंत्र्योत्तर काळात, संयुक्त महाराष्ट्राच्या चळवळीत, प्रा.अत्रे, प्रबोधनकार ठाकरे प्रणीत मराठी अस्मिता, ती आपली मराठी!

न्यायमूर्ति व रमाबाई रानडे, महात्मा ज्योतिबा व सावित्रीबाई फुले, महर्षि कर्वे यांच्या प्रखर समाजाभिमुखतेमुळे, स्त्री शिक्षणाचा श्रीगणेशा करणारी, ती आपली मराठी!

संगीत नाटकांची दैदीप्यमान परंपरा लाभलेली, ती आपली मराठी,

कुसुमाग्रज, कानेटकरांच्या अलंकारिक, भव्य-दिव्य शैलीने नटलेली व शिवाजी सावंतांच्या प्रासादिक शैलीचे 'उत्तरीय' ल्यालेली, ती आपली मराठी,

बाबासाहेब पुरंदरे, ना. सं. इनामदार, रणजीत देसाई आदिंच्या ऐतिहासिक साहित्याने गौरवान्वित झालेली, ती आपली मराठी,

खांडेकर, गोनीदांच्या प्रतिभेने बहरलेली, जीएंच्या वैशिष्टयपूर्ण तरल शैलीने 'ऍनिविओला' बनलेली, ती आपली मराठी!

गदिमांसारखा शब्दमहर्षी अन सुधीर फडक्यांसारख्या महान गायक-संगीतकराच्या संगमातून उगम पावलेल्या 'गीत-रामायणा'ची जननी, ती आपली मराठी!

भा.रा. तांबे, इंदिरा संत, बा.भ. बोरकर, वसंत बापट, मंगेश पाडगांवकर, शांता शेळके आदि कविवर्गाच्या शैलीने नाद, सूरमय झालेली, ती आपली मराठी,

'आरतीप्रभू', मर्ढेकरांच्या काव्याने कधी दुर्बोध, कधी आत्ममग्न तर कधी प्रगल्भ झालेली, ती आपली मराठी,

'पुल' या महाराष्ट्राच्या लाडक्या व्यक्तिमत्वाच्या चतुरस्त्र लेखणीने गळ्याचा ताईत झालेली, ती आपली मराठी!

वपुंच्या कधी मिश्किल, खुमासदार तर कधी हृदयस्पर्शी लिखाणाने नवी कात टाकलेली, ती आपली मराठी,

गाडगीळ, मतकरींच्या कधी मिश्किल, कधी वास्तववादी तर कधी गूढकथांत गुंतलेली, ती आपली मराठी,

बहिणाबाईंच्या काव्यातून वर्हाडी बोलीचे पाणी व महानोरांच्या कवितांतून रानवारा प्यायलेली, ती आपली मराठी,

जयवंत दळवींच्या लेखणीने अंतर्मुख, हृदयद्रावक करणारी तर दांभिक, परंपरावादी संकल्पनांना छेद देत थेट प्रश्नाला भिडणारी 'तेंडुलकरी' शैली, ती आपली मराठी!

लवचिक, लडीवाळ, तर कधी ओकेल अंगार, अशी ही माय-मराठी!

राजभाषा असूनही आज वाटते काहीशी हतबल, हाक मारत्येय पुनरुत्थानासाठी!!

By 

Aakansha Phadke

Mumbai, India 

Recipe - Orange Choco chip Muffin

125 gms whole wheat flour.

110 gms sugar.

80ml oil.

2 eggs.

1/2 teaspoon baking powder.

1/8 teaspoon baking soda.

Orange essence 1 teaspoon.

Orange crush 2 tablespoons.

A handful of Chocochip.

Procedure:

Sift flour..baking powder..baking soda...keep aside.

Whisk oil sugar together...add essence...add 2 eggs...mixed slowly...

Now add flour mixture...Whisk altogether...do not over mix the batter...

Now add the orange crush...mixe them well

Add Chocochip and fold it slowly...

Pour into muffin cups...

Bake them for 20 to 25 minutes at 150 degrees...

By 

Sonali Bhattacharya,

Banglore, India

तिची जिद्द

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तिचं वय सदुसष्ट. लहानपणापासून अनेक चढउतार बघीतलेले, अनुभवलेले.आता मुलासुनांच्या राज्यात सुखाऩ साय धरलेली. सायीसारखी नातवंड पण आता मोठी होऊ लागलेली.एकदम स्थैर्य आलेलं आयुष्याला.पण एकाजागी बसवतंय होय! सतत काहीतरी व्याप मागे असण्याची सवय. देवदयेनं बिपी, शुगर असलं काहीही मागं लागलेलं नाही. भजन, भिशी मध्ये रमणारा जीव नाही तिचा. मग काहीतरी नविन शिकायचं ठरवलं. मोडी शिकायचं. सुरुवात केली. हळूहळू शिकण्यामधला रस वाढत गेला. वेडच लागलं म्हणा नं. लहान मुल जसं नविन लिहायला शिकल्यावर सतत काहीतरी लिहीतं तसंच. दिसेल ते मोडीत लिप्यंतर करु लागली. मग ठरवलं भगवद्गीतेचे मोडीत लिप्यंतर करायचं. तो दिवस होता आषाढी एकादशीचा. विठू माऊलीचं नाव घेऊन केली सुरुवात. चातुर्मासाचे व्रतच. संस्कृत भाषा जोडणारी. अनेक जोडाक्षर तिच्यात. पण न थकता नेटानं काम सुरुच ठेवलं. प्रत्येक काम वेळेच्या आत पूर्ण करण्यात तिचा हातखंडा. हे पण काम संपवलं की तिनं दसर्याच्या आतच. आता काय? वय कितीही असलं तरी कुणीतरी मोठ्या व्यक्तीनं कौतुक करावं अशी ईच्छा असतेच नं. मोडी एक ऐतिहासिक लिपी. आणि ईतिहास क्षेत्रातलं ऋषितुल्य व्यक्तीमत्व आदरणीय बाबासाहेब पुरंदरे. होय त्यांनाच आपलं काम दाखवावं असं ठरवलं. पण कसं? काय करावं बरं? योग काही जुळून येईना. पण तिची ईच्छाशक्ती प्रबळ. मोडीच्या लिप्यंतर स्पर्धेत तिनं भाग घेतला होता. त्यात बक्षीस मिळालं. पुरस्कार मिळणार होता बाबासाहेबांच्या शुभहस्ते. बक्षीसापेक्षा हा आनंद खुपखुप मोठा. तिनं दाखवली तिची वही तिथं. प्रत्यक्ष बाबासाहेबांनी कौतुक केलं.  तिचा,तिच्या जिद्दीचा उल्लेख केला भाषणात. हे अजुन एक अनपेक्षीत बक्षीस. भरुन पावली ती आणि आम्ही पण. आई, खरंच खुपखुप अभिमान वाटतो तुझा आणि तुझ्या जिद्दीचा.  मनीषा ढापरे , पुणे

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जर्मन वर्मन

एकीकडे अमेरिकेतील मॅनहॅटनमध्ये शशी गोडबोले इंग्रजीचे धडे घेत होती आणि साधारण त्याच काळात मी इकडे जर्मनचे. भारतात असताना थोडेफार शिकले असले तरीही ती थीअरी असते आणि पहिल्या १-२ कोर्सेस मधले अगदीच बेसिक होते. प्रत्यक्षात इथे आल्यानंतर खूप गोष्टी बदलतात, रोज एखादे नवीन संकट उभे राहते. कधी थोडेसे काही जमले तरी जग जिंकल्याचा आनंद होतो आणि कित्येक वेळा अगदी 'चुल्लूभर पानी में डूब मरू' अशी अवस्था होते. या सगळ्याला इथे शिकण्याची जोड मिळाली तरीही नवीन प्रश्नांचा, गमतीशीर घटनांचा प्रवास सुरु होतो आणि काही आठवणीत राहण्यासारखे किस्से घडू लागतात.  

Dusky Dawn

the WATER is on FIRE

it's an all-black coast

drenched in sludge

a lone seagull returns from afar

unassuming

submerged in SLICK

it tries desperately

to flap its wings

a cry of agony

melts the thick AIR

the SUN plays hide and seek

as if contemplating

emerging from the nightmare

the bird looks on

for a chance to shed the dark mantel

and come alive once again

By

Yashaswini Patwardhan

Karlsruhe, Germany

बाबा

अहो बाबा ते अरे बाबा, प्रवास विलक्षण आहे, असतो,

अहो असो किंवा अरे, बाबा हा बाबाच असतो!

आपल्या सगळ्यांचाच तो वाटाड्या असतो,

कधी धाकात, तर कधी मिशितल्या मिशीत हसतो,

अहो असो किंवा अरे, बाबा हा बाबाच असतो!

दिवस रात्र काम करताना, मुलांच्याच विचारात मग्न असतो,

स्वतःच्या पायात चप्पल नसली तरीही मुलांसाठी काय घेता येईल,

ह्याचा भुंगा घोंगावत असतो,

अहो असो किंवा अरे, बाबा हा बाबाच असतो!

मुलांसाठीची स्वप्न आणि डोळ्यांत साठवलेली त्यांची कौतुकं,

असा हा मिश्र भाव असतो,

बायकोच्या साथीने सांसाराचा गाडा पुढे पुढे ढकलत असतो,

अहो असो किंवा अरे, बाबा हा बाबाच असतो!

म्हणता म्हणता पिल्लं घरटी सोडून जातात,

कधीतरी “बाबा” अशी प्रेमाची, हक्काची हाक पुन्हा येईल,

म्हणून गॅलरीत सतत घुटमळत रहातो,

अहो असो किंवा अरे, बाबा हा बाबाच असतो!

आयुष्याच्या सायंकाळी, समुद्राच्या रुपेरी वाळूत,

जमा, वजाबाक्या मांडत बसतो,

क्षितिजावर मावळणारा सूर्य मग, बरंच काही सांगून जातो,

अहो असो किंवा अरे, बाबा हा बाबाच असतो!

By

K. Vrishali

Reading, UK.

कुछ और पंक्तियां

कुछ लोग जीते है ..

आगे के समय में ,,

मर जाने के लिए ..

आब तक तो मै जी रही हूँ 

पिछले समय में 

मार चुकी हूँ कई बार 

जिससे तुम मिले हो ...

मिलते हो ,,

बात करते हो ,,

वो तो एक लाश है ,,

एक ऐसी लाश ,,,

जिसे तुम जिंदा करने की कोशिश करते हो ..

By

Pradnya Rasal

Ahmednagar, India

Konkani fish recipe

Konkani fish:

Ingredients

500gms Pomfret (OR Surmai) (OR Dorade),

Curry: 

2 tsp Coriander seeds,

2-3 Garlic Cloves, 

1 tsp turmeric powder, 

2 tbsp red chilli powder,

1 chopped onion, 

1 tsp tamarind pulp OR 2-3 dry Kokum fruits, 

Cooking oil, 

salt to test 

Fish fry: 

1 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste, 

2 tsp Turmeric powder, 

2 tbsp Tamarind pulp OR Kokum syrup, 

1/2 cup suji Or fine Rava, 

2 tbsp chilli powder, 

Cooking oil, 

Salt to test 

Futti-Kadi:

2 tbsp Cocum syrup,

1 finely chopped green chilli,

1/2 tsp coriander and cumming seed powder,

pinch of black salt and sugar,

Salt to test, 

Chopped Corriander

Procedure

Marination:

1. Clean and wash fish pieces by lemon juice and water. 

2. Take ginger-garlic paste, salt, turmeric powder, tamarind pulp and mix it well. 

3. Take the cleaned fishes and apply the mixture prepared on to the fish and leave it for 1 hour for marination. 

Curry: 

1. For making the curry paste, take all dry ingredients, half portion of chopped onion and tamarind pulp and make a fine paste out of it. 

2. Heat pan with 2 tbsp of cooking oil. Add remaining chopped onion and stir it well until it becomes translucent. 

3. Now add paste and stir properly. When it loses oil, add 3-4 cup of hot water and fish pieces (head and tail) into the pan. 

4. When curry boils up, fish pieces come at the surface of the curry. That indicates your fish pieces are cooked. 

5. while serving garnish curry with chopped coriander. 

Fish Fry: 

1. Take rava, add a pinch of salt and red chili powder, mix it well. 

2. Apply this mixture to the marinated fish pieces. 

3. Heat pan, add sufficient oil for shallow frying.

4. Fry the fish pieces nicely from both the sides. 

Futti-kadi: 

1. Take one medium glass full of water, and add all the mentioned ingredients to it. 

—————————

Additional tips

1. Use water with lemon juice to wash the fish pieces, this reduces the smell. 

2. For marination, you can use - Lemon juice OR vinegar OR tamarind pulp OR Kokum syrup. But tamarind pulp OR Kokum syrup is best for taste.

By

Prachi Karekar

Stuttgart, Germany

Istanbul Diary

Turkey as a holiday destination was always on my favorite list. This year in summer we got chance to visit Istanbul and Antalya. Istanbul, historically the most important city of Turkey, is an incredibly exciting and happening and one of the most inspiring cities we have been visited so far. It is a home of breathtaking architecture, culture, delicious food and the warmest as well as the most genuinely hospitable people we have ever met in Europe. We visited Istanbul in August, pretty hot, humid and most busiest time of the year

Istanbul is the economic, financial and cultural capital of Turkey, located on both sides of the Bosphorus, it is geographically interesting as it straddles two continents. The western half of the city is situated in Europe while the eastern half is located in Asia. Isn’t it incredible to experience that you can cross the continent in 10 mins by walk over bridge or ferry? However don’t worry, you don’t need to cross continent daily as most of the city's major attractions are in the west side and in Sultanahmet and Beyoglù.

Day 1:

We arrived in Istanbul and checked in into our apartment in Taskim square in the afternoon. We stayed at as Taskim has good train connectivity to all the tourist places as well as it’s a lively and safe place to stay in Istanbul. As it was quite sunny and lively, we took at walk from Taskim to Galata Tower and Galata Bridge, which is the nearest tourist attraction from Taskim square. Galata Bridge is known for fish restaurants as well as small vendors, selling fresh fish. While, fishermen line up both sides of Galata Bridge day and night and catch fish, on the level below you will find a wide range of fish restaurants. As you wander under bridge, near restaurants, vendors and restaurant owners will attract you, try to catch your attention. Keep walking and try a best and fresh fish sandwich from street side sellers. Believe me; you will long remember Galata Bridge for the taste of fresh and spicy fish sandwiches. Don’t miss it.

As you walk from Eminönü', the Galata Tower, a small but historically important icon of Istanbul, catches your attention. Either climb it as all do or just take around some photos, spend some time around. Once you move on, walk up the crowdy Camondo steps or walk on street, you will come across many small and old shops – Music shops, cafes, gift items. The historic funicular that runs from Karköy to Tünel may just be the answer for those that do not like to walk up hill.

On our return way, we walked up hill from Galata Tower via reached Istanbul's famous pedestrian Avenue Istijal Caddesi, taking us Taskim square. If you don't feel like walking, one of the famous historical a red tram will comfort you. Either you walk or take tram, explore the side streets that lead from here, there is a whole new world waiting to be found.

Day 2:

Next day we visited in Sultanahmet at Sultanahmet area, where you will find most of the
tourist attractions of Istanbul.

Hagia Sophia (aka Aya Sophia): Hagia Sophia was a Christian church built in the year 537; however it later became a mosque in the year 1453 and finally in 1935 Museum. You will be in awe of its beauty as you stand under the Dome taking it all in. Take the stairs to the gallery where stunning mosaics dating back to the 12th century can be seen. As one of the most beautiful buildings in Istanbul it is a sight that shouldn't be missed.

Basilica Cistern: Just on the age of Sultanahmet square diagonally opposite the entrance to Aya Sophia is this wondrous reminder of the past. The cavernous underground basilica cistern was originally used to store water for the palace and other buildings in the area.

Sultanahmet imperial mosque or blue mosque: Across Sultanahmet square facing Aya sofia stands the city's main mosque with its six minarets. It is known affectionately as the Blue Mosque because of the blue iznik tiles that decorated the walls. You need to make sure you have suitable clothes to enter this mosque otherwise you may get suitable clothes at the entrance.

Topkapi palace: This palace was the home of the Ottoman Sultans during the 15th to 19th centuries. There are four courtyards with beautiful gardens and fountains surrounded by a
multitude of buildings housing the harem and the Imperial treasury are must-see don't miss the stunning 86 carat pear-shaped spoon maker's diamond, the armory, the Hall of the privy chamber and the Throne room where the Sultan received his guests. Then at the end walk to the garden for a fabulous view over the Sea of Marmara. 


Day 3:

Visit to Istanbul is not complete unless you take a night cruise on the Bosphorus. This is called as The Bosphorus Cruise. The cruise starts from near Galata Bridge and through the Istanbul's waterway that divides its Asian sides, takes you for around four hours giving you glimpse of history, culture and liveliness. In these four hours cruise, we could gaze numerous old palaces, mansions that line the shores of Bosphorus and various Light decorated bridges along with panoramic vistas of the famous waterway as cruise gently past glittering silhouettes of famous monuments like the Blue Mosque and Lender’s Tower. While enjoying the outside view, you can indulge yourself in unlimited onboard drinks.


One of the key attractions on this cruise is Oriental house dinner and cultural programs. Food with a selection of Turkish specialties served onboard, feasting upon grilled meat and flavorsome items.

Last but not least, the mesmerizing and enchanting moves of a Turkish belly dancer and a
traditional folkloric show, made this cruise worth it. Included, pick up and late night dropping service to apartment made our evening very comfortable. We slept that night dreaming Turkish beats and dance moves. 
















Next day, our next destination Antalya was waiting for us.

By

Anagha Majahan

Stuttgart, Germany