Kurma

Had a great time in the gorgeous temple this morning, led some chanting and read from the great classic "Srimad Bhagavatam". The resident Deities of Radha Govinda are stunning.

Before we started the cooking class, Ann Palmer, a reporter from The Belfast daily newspaper 'Newsletter' conducted a little interview, as her photographer fired away from all angles.

Apparently the article is due this coming Monday. I'll be in Belfast that day, so we shall see.

Our little cookery class went exceptionally well. Fifteen students thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Here's what we cooked:

Fiery South Indian Toor Dal Soup (Rasam)
Bengali Royal Rice (Pushpanna)
Creamy Cauliflower and Potato Supreme (Gobi Alu Bhaji)
Savoury Fresh Cheese Balls in Creamy Tomato Sauce (Malai Kofta)
Succulent Gujarati Pumpkin
Coconut and Rice Flour Crepes Stuffed with Seasoned Potatoes (Masala Dosa)
Fresh Mint Chutney
Anise-flavoured Doughnuts in Strawberry Yogurt (Malpoura)
Vrindavan Saffron & Lemon Sherbet

More good stuff tomorrow!

Discuss Comment [0] Trackback [0] A Class Act

We set off on the Friday afternoon for the drive to Inishrath Island. The weather was wet and overcast, and the traffic intense. It seemed that the usual 2 hour drive would take far longer today. From my apartment South of the city in Shankill we had to manouevre our way through the downtown and busier than normal pre-weekend traffic. Perhaps Saturday's one-of-three U2 concert had swollen Dublin's population. Bono is certainly a cult hero here, and his sell-out events will attract over 180,000.

Speaking of Bono, we passed his stretch limousine entourage on the way; when in town he stays down South as well. We honked the horn, I gave a little wave, someone in his car rolled down a tinted window, and a hand with a can of Guinness emerged. That just about says it all.

We drove through picturesque villages and finally reached the border. Our destination was in Northern Ireland, which as you all know is part of Great Britain. But there were no signs, no border patrols, no visa checkpoint with heavily armed troops - nothing, in fact that would even suggest we were crossing the border except for this lone statue.

After crossing a little river we were in Northern Island. The only notable proof we had changed countries were the speed signs, now in miles instead of kilometres.

The road to Inishrath is just over the border. We turned to the right and negotiated a pretty laneway, at the end of which was this sign.

Our ferry crossing to the island was imminent. If this sign didn't spell it out...

...then this one sure did!

We drove down a slippery slope and there was our ferry, looking like one of those things that landed troops on Dunkirk.

The lake crossing was quaint, with ducks bobbing, fish pointing their little faces out of the water, and beautiful water orchids and lilies adorning the shores.

We drove off the ferry, up a slope and there was the beautiful old building, looking quite grand in the last rays of the late evening sun.

We were here - on a Hare Krishna Island! I settled in for the night, ready for a busy two days of cookery classes.

Discuss (3 responses) Comment [3] Trackback [0] Over the Border