A Journey to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
I recently traveled to Darjeeling for a holiday. During my stay, I visited the famous Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. This institution holds a special place in India's history. Jawaharlal Nehru founded it in 1954. His vision was clear. He wanted to build a strong mountaineering culture across the nation.
Tenzing Norgay's successful Everest climb in 1953 inspired this move. For seventy years now, the institute has trained countless Indian mountaineers. They learn skills to conquer peaks safely.
Exploring the Museum's Treasures
The HMI museum offers a deep dive into this legacy. You can see mountaineering gear from different decades. Galleries display stories of famous climbs and cultural anthropology exhibits.
Visitors also find quirky items there. Giant scale models of the Himalayan range catch the eye. Another highlight is a massive Zeiss telescope. Adolf Hitler gifted this telescope to Nepal's king back in 1938.
Ekta Tribal Cafe: A Women-Led Culinary Experience
My travels took me to Kevadia in Gujarat's Narmada district. There, I discovered the Ekta Tribal Cafe. Local women from self-help groups run this charming eatery. They serve rustic indigenous flavors with pride.
The cafe feels open and airy. Vibrant artwork decorates its walls. An all-women staff dressed in purple saris and aprons welcomes diners warmly.
Menu Highlights and Recommendations
The cafe offers two main options. You can choose a regular thali or go for an unlimited one. I tried both during my visit. I strongly recommend the unlimited thali for a fuller experience.
It includes a special khatti bhindi sharbat. This drink uses roselle flowers. You also get churma laddoo, roti with drumstick leaves, and various condiments.
Several dishes stood out for me. The methi gota tasted delightful. Bajra rotla offered a hearty texture. A well-tempered Gujarati kadhi completed the meal perfectly.
A Sweet Discovery in Mumbai
This season brought a delightful dessert find. The Lovefools restaurant in Mumbai serves a unique cake. It features two distinct layers. One layer is a soft almond sponge. The other is a thick chocolate ganache. Both layers get a hint of orange flavor.
The almond cake feels light like a mawa sponge. The chocolate holds its shape well when you bite into it. This dessert reminded me of childhood memories. It took me back to the 1990s and those Amul orange chocolates with gold and orange wrappers.
I don't crave this cake constantly. But when I visit The Lovefools, I always order it. I prefer sharing a slice rather than eating a whole one alone. The real joy comes from enjoying desserts with loved ones. That feeling creates the perfect ending to any meal.
Remembering Firefly: A Space Western Legacy
A close friend passed away recently. This loss brought back many memories from our two decades of friendship. We shared countless books, memes, and pop culture recommendations. One recommendation stands out clearly: the TV show Firefly.
Joss Whedon created this early 2000s series. It starred Nathan Fillion, who later gained fame in Castle. Firefly blended space adventure with Western themes. It featured rich characters and nuanced writing.
Unfortunately, networks cancelled the show after just one season. I might never have discovered it without my friend. He sent me a download link years ago. Until recently, his contact photo on my phone showed Fillion's Firefly character.
For some reason, Fillion's portrayal of a kind-hearted captain always reminded me of my friend. This connection makes the show especially meaningful to me.
