Christmas is in the air

Since childhood I was very much attracted to Christmas. In those days , in children story books I saw many times nice pictures of Santa Claus , Christmas tree with gifts around , snow and a table full of cakes and cookies....I was really fascinated by these pictures and always wanted to celebrate Christmas.
In year 2000 few days before Christmas me and one of my friends went to a mall in Camp area, pune near Westend cinema. It was all nicely decorated for Christmas and shops were full with gifts in very attractive packing....whole environment was very beautiful. Me and my friend were drinking coffee there and I told to my friend, it will be so nice if we get a chance to celebrate the Christmas in a real Christmas celebrating country like Somewhere in Europe or America. And to our surprise, next year my friend got married and went to USA and celebrated Christmas there and I got job in Germany and got a chance to celebrate Christmas there :) seems like Santa really heard our wish and apparently fulfilled it too. :)
In 2001 first time I got a chance to experience the real Christmas, its preparation, snow and all fun. But still I was not very happy as I didn't celebrate it with any family.
Soon I got familiar with the German Christmas market concept. Every year 4 weeks before Christmas, in every German city and town starts the Christmas market. Its fun to go there with friends and drink Glühwein which is a warm spicy traditional German winter drink made from warmed wine. Eat special traditional food, enjoy small shopping. My favorites in Christmas market are Glühwein, Schupfnudel, rosted chestnuts, and warm waffles. Going to Christmas market every year is like tradition for me and my husband. :)
In year 2004 I celebrated Christmas with my real German family...well that was my husband's family. :) First time I also got my gift kept under the Christmas tree. It was really a fun to celebrate it with family.
In our family this 2 and half days of Christmas are celebrated traditionally with the whole family and close relatives. Normally in catholic families Fish is cooked on 24th Dec. for the dinner. Well in my family nobody is very religious but still my mother-in-law cooks very testy fish with different cooked vegetables and salad on 24th dec. After dinner all the relatives gather to have fun, give gifts, drinking good wein, eating christmas cookies and special small breads cooked by my mother-in-law specially for christmas. My mother-in-law decorates her Christmas tree every year very nicely. We all keep our gifts under the tree and then in the night the gift opening starts. That’s the best part :)
Remaining 2 days we all gather together at my in-laws house and just eat and eat and drink and chat till late night.
In these two days my mother-in-law and her sister cooks really good food. Normally for lunch some very good and rarely cooked meat like a deer or rabbit is served with soup, salad, special German noodles called 'Spätzle', Knödels and different sauces. These Knödels are normally made in two different types. One from the bread and another from the potato. My favorite is potato knödle . My father-in-law cooks it very good. Different wines, beers and small shots increase the test of the food.
After this heavy lunch we all go out for a long walk in the forest behind the house. After coming home from the freezing cold ; coffee and Christmas sweets are must.
Normally in the evening very light dinner is served. Normally for dinner we eat different salads, different types of breads, cheese, Asparagus rolled in ham.
After these Christmas days then slowly everybody starts to pack back to go back home with the decision to make diet for next few days which hardly happens :)
This Christmas is exactly like I always saw in the pictures and movies....
For me the biggest attraction of Christmas was the snow but now after living almost 10 years here, I can definitely say that I really hate the snow now. But still I love to have white Christmas. Christmas without snow is not a real Christmas. I wish to have snow for Christmas but then after that wish to have nice warm, sunny weather. :) I hope Santa Claus  will hear my wish and hopefully fulfill it too :)
But till then Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all. Have a white Christmas with lots of gifts and fun.

Halloween at Burg Frankenstein

The German word Burg means Castel. Burg Frankenstein is about 5 km south of Darmstadt in Germany. This castel was first built in 1100 and expanded in the 14th and 15th Centuries. In 1976, American soldiers stationed in Darmstadt founded an annual Halloween festival at the castle, which has grown to become one of the biggest Halloween festivals in Europe. There are few stories about this castel.

Every year there is a big famous halloween event at the castel for 3 weekends near halloween. On these weekends , there are different horror shows, enactments of some horror plays and party. Last year one of our friends told us about this and we decided to attend this halloween show and party this year.
It is necessary to buy the tickets well in advance as the tickets are limited and many people attend this shows.
Well i was very excited to go there as this was my first Halloween party ever. One day of this halloween weekend is for children above 7 years and other day is for adults above 14 years of age .
The event organisation was really good. We all have to park our cars at the bottom of the castel and from there goes a shuttle bus every half an hr. or so till the top of the castel taking all people.
When we went at the top of the burg, we saw monsters , witches , zombies , ghosts walking around , getting ready for the show.
Exactly at 7 p.m. the door to the horror world opened. We all went inside and it was really cool .....There were many graves, some torture chamber, fireworks, flaming swords . It was all dark and the people wearing masks and dresses of monster, witches, werewolves, Vampires, spirits , ghosts , orks were coming suddenly in front of us and try to horrify us. The place was full with screaming and laughfing . The special effects of lights and music increased the horror effect.
While walking, we saw there was a group of few witches and monsters who used to select randomly any person walking by and keep him/her inside an empty box and close the box for few seconds till the person inside screams .... most of the time young, blond , thin girls used to be the target :)
Once a werwolf came in front of me and pressed my nose :). One monster tried to kill me :)
At one spot there was a device called guillotine. This is a device used for carrying out executions by decapitation. It consisted of a tall upright frame from which a blade is suspended. This blade is raised with a rope and then allowed to drop, severing the head from the body and people were allowed to go there to get decaptivated just for fun. And one monster was controlling this decaptivation event :)
Soon we reached the main show area. First they started with enactment of a story of a devil and two prists as exorcists. Then there was modern dance of witches and monsters. While we were watching this, some vampires and monsters were walking among us and trying to horrify us. some people were screaming, some were clicking photos with them.
After this first show we went to other part of the castel where another show was going on. Where some witches and werewolves were fighting with eachj other and then the looser was hunged up and killed :) Then there was another show where 2 orks and some witches were fighting with each other with swords.
All these shows are repeated 3 times at different times. so that all people can see it. Every weekeend there are different shows.
After a long time we had a really interesting saturday evening. I am not sure if i could enjoy this every year but its definately worth watching once.
This was very exciting and interesting Halloween I had after a long long time.

                                                                                                                                     

My Patisserie Course

Yesterday I attended a Patisserie course at crown plaza hotel. Till now I always used to wonder this dessert buffet at crown plaza . Always used to think that it must be something that only professional cooks can do but never thought its actually really simple to make even at home.
This was my first time to attend such course here in germany. We were almost 13 people in the course. course timing was at 14.00hr. and exactly at 14.00 hr. the head cook with his 3 assistants came where we were seating and introduced him and his team to us. Perfect german timing..... :) Everything was well organised. the whole staff there was also very  friendly. We all got one cocktail as welcome drink. when we heard this one of our team member asked oh...is it possible to cook after drinking alcohol? the chef said....well professionals like me can manage it better after 1,5 promillo but u should not :)  well he was kidding. But we all got anyway alcohol free cocktail. then we all got a nice  apron and cooking hat , a booklet with all recipes that were planned for our course. We all were instructed to wash hands first and then put some disinfection lotion on hand and only then we could enter the kitchen. All perfect planned and hygienic. I really liked this.
It was a good experience for all of us to see this big kitchen and all big machines these people are using there and also meet the kitchen staff. There was a little buffet of sweets and small starters for us to eat during our course .
We were divided into 2 groups and two of the assistants headed each group. These two assistant girls were also very friendly and explained us very well and also answered all of our questions. We all also got chance to do things own our own. It was really enjoyable.  We made Creme brühle, Shoko creme brühle, Hessisches tiramisu, Himbeer cream, Cappuccino trüffel. All are my favorites and really easy to make.

It was good to know how stressful the cook's job is in such a big restaurants. the head cook told us in such hotel chains, everything has to be perfect and so we all have to concentrate a lot while cooking . They all have long hrs. of work and gets only 1 hr. of  break during the work. Most of the time they cannot even seat at one place and have proper  lunch . Mostly they all eat some small stuff during the work. Take short break and eat and then again on the work. Its really funny , the person who cares for other's good health with healthy and perfect cooking cannot really get time to look after his /her own health. He was further saying because of stress many of the cooks are also smokers. Its also now a days really difficult to find good cooks as many of the students from hotel management colleges are not really willing to work in the kitchen. Only people who can really take this much stress and can really enjoy the cooking work can stay longer here. These people also get less time for family. Mostly during festival times , they can not take holidays as they have to serve us. It was really interesting information to hear.
I also met new people there , learned how to make these delicious desserts, got a chance to know more about cooking job, work in this big resturant's kitchen. Now I feel even safer to go to crown plaza and eat in their restaurant as I have seen it now how they really work there.
Now planning for my next course also at crown plaza for christmas baking and I am sure it will be also a good experience like this and can surprize my family this christmas with my desserts and christmas cookies :)

  

Eating, Eating and Eating

FOOD....amezing word and my the most favorite. After looking at me anyone can see this. :)I am not very choosey person about food but I just love to eat. I like to try out different food types. Food from different counties, different resturants, veg, non-veg....all.
From childhood I used to enjoy eating in resturants but my parents were against it. My mom used to cook definately good food at home so she wanted me and my sister to eat at home but we were more interested to eat outside. I know my Grandmother used to take me, my sister, my cousine...to eat outside after we finish our exams and also after we get our results. That used to be a fun day for us. Going out with grandma , then shoping and then eating our favorite dish in resturant...wow that used to be the best day as a child.

In those days another favorite programme was eating Paav-Bhaji at Jayashree near Sarsbagh with my cousines. My Mavashi and Uncle used to take me and my sister along with her children there many times. That time it was very small resturant but test was really good. After they opened many branches all over pune but then it was no more fun to go there.

As i started going to college, my resturants visites started increasing. And till that time I also got freedom from my parents to do what i like.
When I was studying (hahahahah ????) in S.P. college, our best meeting spot was S.S. The main attraction there was Vada-Paav and Samosa Paav. Still some times when i go to pune, i try to go there atleast once to eat Samosa-Paav. In those days another attraction was to go to Vaishali to eat S.P.D.P. But it was far away and so could not go that often. But my mom used to like Dosa at Vaishali ...so sometimes then on sunday we all used to go there.
My another all time favorite eating spot is marzorin sandwitches at M.G.Road. Even my father used to like those sandwiches so i was officially allowed to go there often :) Last time I took my hubby also there and now he also likes those sandwitches.
When I was doing my Masters, me and my family used to go almost every sunday out for lunch and so obviously it was a job for me and my sister to find out a new resturant for every sunday. One of us used be in that resturant atleast once before and so could give good advice to my parents :) My parents used to be amezed with our resturant knowledge :) That used to be real fun sunday. But that time my eating world was limited to Veg food only. As my parents are strictly vegiterian, we used to eat veg only. But out of curiosity I tried 2-3 times chicken. But did not feel something very special about it.
During college days, me and my friends used to go many times on our motor bikes to Sihgad to eat Kanda Bhaji. and now even my hubby is a big fan of that kanda bhaji.... It is a must programme for him to go to Sihgad and eat Onion Rings :)
After coming to germany, my food world widened drastically. I am basically curious about different food types so never had problem to adjust myself with german eating habits. Here I tried all kinds of food. My resturant love has not changed here too.
One of my favorite resturants is Sushi resturant in Heidelberg. Me and my hubby , we both are sushi fans. Just cannot stop eating sushi. Italian and chinese food joints are always on our list. I
specially like Duck made in chinese style and different pastas from Ialian resturants. We also love Mexican food. And till now Enchilads in Mannheim is the best resturant I found for Mexican food.
When I came to germany , I was really not good at cooking and was also very lazy ..so mostly used to eat outside only. During that time I started liking a very special and famous food in Germany....Kebab...well its not german but Turkish...still very comman in germany. In early days kebab and pizza was all time favorite and affordable too :)
Luckily I got many friends here who could cook very good and so used to get always good food to eat.

After marriage I became even more lucky because now I got my hubby and mother-in-law who could cook very good. :) In the first year of marriage I don't even remember cooking more than 12 times in a year. Many times my hubby cooked or we went outside to eat. Every saturday my mother-in-law used to inviate us for lunch. There I tested first time a real typical german food. And i liked it. Its mainly different types of meat but with some typical german souce and it tests very good.

One very famous dish from Black Forest area is Käsespätzle which I like a lot. When i was living in black forest area , I used to eat this whenever possible.

During Christmas its a big eating time which I really love. First eating in Christmas market and secondly at my in-laws house cooked by my mother-in-law, my hubby's Aunt and his Grand Mother. They all cook so delicious food these 3 days....wow yummy......One is on 24th night what my mother-in-law gives with drinks is her special breads with some potato and cucumber filling, then very delicious Cream Rolls made by Grand Mother and third one is "Kartoffel knoedle" (potato dumpling) made by my father-in-law and Christmas special Vanilla Sugar Cookies . Just amezing. There is much more to eat but these 4 are my most favorites.

Around 4 years ago I suddenly got interest in cooking and now is much better cook than before.

I cook now lot of different things...Thai, Chinese style,Indian even some times typical maharashtrian.... like Puri, bhaji, shirkhand and my hubby also likes it ....atleast thats what he told me :), different pasta, cakes.....and sometimes evem my own creation :)

One thing I must say...all my cooking is inspired from cooking websites...without internet I would have never learned this much cooking. On internet there are many times Videos to look at the actual cooking process which has definately helped me a lot.

No one could belive that I can cook and we both can eat that too. :) But my mom belived it when I actually cooked for her during her germany visit :)

Its fun now to cook at home too. But still Resturant is always a first prefrence for both of us ...no dought.

Champagne Testing

As born and brought up in a typical Indian family, even saying the word "Alcohol" was not really allowed. So drinking alcoholic drinks was ofcourse completely prohibited. :) So ofcourse i was not knowing much about types of alcoholic drinks, or anything much about it.

After coming to Germany I came to know very first time about German Beer Culture. Here beer is not just alcohol , its a culture. Every small town has their own special beer brands , of which they are really proud. I got a chance to visite the biggest German Beer festival... Oct. Fest and was really impressed with it. Big tents, live folk music in the tents , lot of people drinking 1 liter of beer glasses one after another and those waitresses holding this big 1 liters of glasses atleast 10 at a time togather in both hands , in their traditional dresses...all is just amezing.
Well going in those tents and not drinking beer is definately a crime :) ofcourse i did not make that crime. :) But i am really not a big fan of beer. I like more Wine and Champagne.
2 Years ago one of my friends told me about Champagne Testing in france and since then wanted to go there. Finally this year managed to go to Champagne Region of france for Champagne Testing. Its really good to get all this information and see the cellers of these Champagne producers.
We visted 2 of the many Champagne producers....one of which was the biggest Champagne producer and another was very small but very old Champagne producer. It was definately big difference in both the tours.
The biggest producer i visted was Moët & Chandon . It was a hour tour with testing at the end. But it was all commercial. tour costs 14 euro if we want to test only one of their many champagne types. and ofcours cost increases if u want to test more.
Originally it was only Moët but then after few years one of the doughters in the family married into a Chandon family and this son-in-law was very active in this family business of Moët. so after few years the name changed to Moët & Chandon . And currently it is one of the biggest and famous Champagne producer. They produce around 26,000,000 bottles of champagne per year. Champagne is nothing but a Sparkling Wine . Only the Sparkling Wine produced in this chanpagne region of france is allowed to have a name champagne. This is all because of the special quality of graps produced in this region. All the work of cutting graps is made by hand and not by machine. In chanpagne production many steps are done with hands. Champagne growing region is about 34,000 hectares. Out of this almost 1000 hectors region belongs to Moët & Chandon.
There is one special type of champagne and i.e. called "Vintage Champagne" This means that it is only made in the best year, and all grapes used to make it were harvested in the same year. Ofcourse it costs more than the normal one. One of the tour guides told us that they are expecting that this year could be a vintage year.
Another small producer we visited was Forget-Brimont. Its one of the small producer but very old brand. This name is the combination of the names of the owner and his wife. Here ofcourse there was no official tour of the celler with money but we had an inofficial tour and champagne testing after that. It was more personal tour. The woman who showed us all their process and gave information was really emotionally attached with this brand. The owner of this brand is now very old and his 2 doughters are not willing to look after this family business and so he is selling now his champagne business to another person. I felt little sad when i heard this. The annual production of Forget-Brimont is around 280 000 bottles. Very less compared to other big brands but test is equally good.
There are many more producers in this area and may be I can visite few more of them next year. Till that time I will enjoy my current champagne collection :)

Spargel (asparagus)

Last week I saw Spargel field and farmers working there. And suddenly smell that spargel season is coming near. Spargel with Hollandaise sauce.....wow yummy.
Asparagus or Spargel as called in german is one of my favorite vegetables. Ofcourse I was not knowing about this vegetable before....I ate this vegetable first time in Germany. In germany we get mainly white spargel. May and June are the months of fresh Spargel. this is the main season. We get spargel whole year in super market as deep freezed or in a glass but fresh spargel is something different...no comparison with anything from the deeep freeze....In these 2 months there are numerous roadside stands selling spargel , also the weekly markets, super markets ....everywhere selling fresh spargel and people are buying as much as possible :) All resturants have special spargel menu.. Its amezing time.
These 2 months we have most of the time different spargel recipes at home. And one very important event since last 3 years..... spargel Buffet in Hotel Crown Plaza in Heidelberg. We go there since last 3 years... A big buffet with many different testy spargel food items. yummy.......
I still remember my first spargel cooking...:) I saw it in the saturday market and bought it. I was not knowing that I have to pill it before cooking. So I cooked it as it is and then it was hard time to eat that :) But now I am very clever....and buy only pilled spargel....The most boaring job in spargel cooking is pilling it. And another very difficult job is to take out the finished spargel from the fields. Luckily I don't have to do that job...its farmer's job :)
In spargel season , I normally go on my cycle to spargel fields in the nearby villages and buy it. Then cooking it and eating with nice Hollandaise sauce, and extra crispy potatoes.....wow I am already smelling it :)
One of the simplest and testy recipe of spargel which i make is that boil the spargel, roll it in ham , top it with some cheese and bake it till the cheese melts..... wow...I am hungry now :)
I live in a area which is very famous for good quality of spargel and I am really happy to live here. Now I am waiting for the first spargel road side stand to open....few more days to go and then yummy yummy spargel in my tummy :)

Wandern(Hiking) How I Fell in Love with Hiking in Germany

Being born and brought up in Pune, walking was never really my thing. Until I was about 23, I hardly walked anywhere. It was always an auto-rickshaw, my beloved scooty, or a car. Walking just for fun? Not a chance!

Everything changed when I moved to Germany. I didn't have a German driving licence, I didn't own a car, and taxis were (and still are!) quite expensive. That left me with only one option—walk... and walk... and walk. 🙂

One day at my gym, I noticed a poster for an event called "Wandern on 1st May." That was the first time I had ever heard the word Wandern. A German friend explained that it's a long-standing tradition in Germany for families and friends to go hiking on May 1st, which is a public holiday. I instantly loved the idea. The weather is usually beautiful in May, so spending the day outdoors with loved ones, surrounded by nature, sounded perfect.

That year, I signed up for the hiking event organised by my gym. It turned out to be an unforgettable experience. We were a group of around 40 people, walking through forests and green fields under a bright blue sky. The route was about 15 km long, and in the afternoon we stopped at a cosy little restaurant in the middle of the forest for coffee and cake. It was simply wonderful. From then on, I made sure to join the May Day hike every year.

My interest in hiking grew even more after I got married. My husband is a complete sports enthusiast. Whether it's cycling, hiking, snowboarding, or almost any outdoor activity, he's always ready for an adventure! We bought a hiking map of the trails around our city and soon started hiking almost every Sunday during spring and summer.

Before long, I got used to walking up to 20 km over seven or eight hours without much difficulty. Every Sunday morning we'd pack our backpacks with water and snacks, put on our hiking boots, and head out. I even had my hiking poles for extra support on steep climbs and descents. We explored mountain trails, forests, and open fields, and every hike offered something new. The scenery was always breathtaking.

I'm really grateful to my husband for introducing me to this wonderful hobby. Thanks to him, hiking became something I genuinely look forward to. After every hike, I felt refreshed, relaxed, and full of energy.

One thing I truly admire about hiking in Germany is that it's for everyone, regardless of age. I've seen many people in their seventies and even older enjoying long walks through forests and mountains. Their energy and positive attitude towards life are truly inspiring.

My husband's grandmother is a perfect example. Even though she's over 80 years old, she still goes for 6–7 km walks during summer and enjoys swimming regularly. She believes in staying active and making the most of every day, and I think that's a wonderful way to live.

Some people even go on multi-day hiking trips with just a backpack. They hike a certain distance each day and spend the night in simple mountain huts (Hütten) built especially for hikers. These huts aren't luxurious hotels—they usually have basic dormitory-style accommodation and breakfast—but they provide everything you need after a long day on the trail. I haven't tried a multi-day hike yet because I'm still not sure if I'm fit enough for it, but maybe one day I'll give it a try.

So far, my favourite hiking experience has been in Ischgl, Austria. My husband and I spent three days hiking through the Alps, and it was absolutely incredible. It was my first time hiking at such high altitudes, where the weather could change within minutes. Sometimes the fog became so thick that we could barely see more than 50 metres ahead. It was both exciting and unforgettable. The mountain landscapes were simply breathtaking.

Spring is here again, which means it's almost time to lace up our hiking boots and hit the trails once more. Let's see how many hiking adventures we can fit into this season. One thing is certain—I never imagined that someone who once hated walking would one day fall in love with hiking!

TV channels and my favorite serials/shows

I love watching TV. Once upon a time when i was young :) , i was not allowed to watch TV a lot. In fact my parents did not buy TV till I pass my 10th class exam. Thats normal...but may be thats why i am now adicted to watch TV. :)
In germany, most of TV channels show American serials translated in german. They have really few serials which are originally German and also enjoyable. Channels like ZDF, Das Erste have all original german shows but in my opinion they are nothing else but boaring. So out of all these original german TV shows there are really few serials/shows which i really enjoy to watch.
My most favorite german TV serial on RTL channel is "Alarm für Cobra 11"....full action packed serial. I started watching this serial because i used to like one of the actors a lot...but then after few years he lfet the serial and now another one joined it ...he also good.
Another favorite show is Stefan Raab's "TV Total ". When i first time watched this show...i felt it very similar to very old TV show in india "Movers and shakers " by Shekhar suman. They both have the same style of witty and funny comments on other channel's shows, giving very less chance to talk for a guest on the show while interviewing him/her. But still Stefan raab has his own different style...no dought.
One very interesting informative show is "Stern TV" moderated by Günther Jauch . I like this show mainly because of different topics he talked about. Very informative show.
Few years ago when i lost my job , i had lot of time in hand...and that time i used to watch one coocking show....that was my one of the favorites...it was from "Tim mälzer" I used to like his way of communicating with viewers, his very easy to do recipes, and his type of telling how to do this recipe. Then soon i got the job and never got a chance to watch that show again. Now I even don't know that shows still exists or not....
One very interesting comedy show on SAT1 is "Sechserpack" ..there is a group of 6 people and they act in different short comedy stories. The jokes are too good in the show ....most of the time.
In reality shows, i watch mostly Super Talent and DSDS...the main interest in this shows is Dieter Bohlen's straight forward, brave and some times contraversial comments on the candidates and Bruce Darnell's german comments in American accent and his emotional drama :)
All other American serials on german channels translated in german are also good. Serials like CSI newyork, CSI miami, Criminal intent, Burn notice, Gilmore girls are few of my faviourates.
Actually Nick channel is supposed to be for children but big children like me :) also like to watch this channel. All serials from Schnider's factory like "i-Carly, Drake and Josh, Zoy101" are just amezing. And how can I forget "The simpsons and SpongeBob"...really good cartoons. Allthough I think Simpsons is really not for the children.
But there is still one serial...which is just not comparable to any of the serials and my The most favorite is none other than "FRIENDS"...there is just no comparision to this serial. Around 4 years ago my sister presented me DVDs of all the 10 seasons of FRIENDs....and since then don't know how many times i must have watched it. My husband does not understand how can i watch this over and over again when i alreday know all the jokes , exact timing of the funny comment coming from which character. :) I also don't know why l like this serial soooooooooo much...but hey i don't even care to find the reason. May be its the best chemistry of all actors, good story, problems and happy moments coming in the life of these 6 friends can happen with anybody like u and me....joey's innocance...no idea....what exactly makes this serial so amezing........But one thing i know that this brings smile on my face everytime i watch...It makes me forget all my stress, problems atleast for some time and thats enough for me.

Bollywood in Germany

Now its been 10 years I am living in germany, but i remember those days in 2001, 2002...that time i was new in germany, not knowing language so not much social life . That time watching Hindi films was the only good entertainment. I remember i used to go to Indian shop in stuttgart which was 90 k.m. away from my place once in a month and used to buy few bollywood films DVDs :) I have now such a big collection of movies... But now i can just rent it for 1 euro...saving lot of place at my home .
Then sometime in 2004 somebody told me that there is "kabhi kushi kabhi gum" movie on german TV channel.... I was so excited to hear that. That time i did not have TV at home ...so i asked my would be husband if i can watch this movie at his home. he had to work late in the co. so i watched that movie with my mother in law..... in my excitment i forgot that even if its bollywood movie , it will be translated in german. I realized it when i started watching it ....and was a bit disappointed. But atleast songs were in Hindi :) My mother-in-law was surprised to see the movie and aksed me are all the indian boys like this?...I said no...no...that just a movie...not reality.

Since then I watched many bollywood movies on german TV channel. It helped me to increase my german knowledge definately. They show here mainly sharukh khan's movies. He is a very famous bollywood actor in germany. Specially women, girls are crazy about him. Bollywood is a good topic to start conversation here :)

I know one german woman from my Bharatnatyam dance class.....she is realy big fan of him. She keeps on talking about shahrukh khan and in general bollywood movies always. Sometimes she tells me ...hey there is this and that movie at 2 O' clock in the night on some channel... And i just say...hmmm ok. Her wish is to go to Mumbai and see sharukh's house and get his autograph. Once she told me , she watched some documentry /interview of sharukh khan on CNN two times...well 2 times the same even though she don't understand a single word of english. :)...she watched that just to see him. she is a real FAN i must say.

Recently I joined Bollywwod Dance Course. I got surprised to see 12 german girls attending the course. They all r just crazy about bollywood movies, music and ofcourse Sharukh khan.. :) Its funny to explain them the meaning of movie songs in german as my teacher also don't understand the language...i am the only one who can tell the real meaning :)
Slowly bollywood is spreading everywhere in the world. it has become an interesting subject evrywhere. In germany too mostly women are facinated by bollywood love stories, music and clothes...it feels amezing to see this. two years ago in frankfurt book festival, there was a special book "The bollywood Coock book"
I know bollywood makes complete useless, sensless, logicless movies many times but music is amezing and what more dance lovers like me should expect ? :)

MY Dancing

I like to dance....doesn't matter what type but i just love to dance.I started to learn North indian classical dance "Katthak" when i was 6 years old. But soon left the class as i wanted to play with my friends...was not ready to stop that in between and go to class alone.
But still continue dancing in school competitaion, at home ... everyhwere :)
After coming to germany suddenly got very much interested again in South indian classical dance "bharatnatyam". Well it was definately not easy to find a teacher in germany . That time was living in a very small village in germany. so it was almost impossible to find bharatnatyam teacher but aha.... was lucky to find a teacher. And guess who was she....a German girl who had completed her Arngetram was ready to teach me bharatnatyam once a week. I was really happy. But after 2 years i moved to another far away city and she also moved to another city, so my dance class stopped. Then I got interested in Salsa dancing. and started to attend weekend workshops with one of my chinese friends. That music was just amezing. But after marriage stopped that as my hubby was not so much into dancing salsa. :(
Then one day attended one diwali festival in heidelberg and found a new bharatnatyam teacher. and ya...thats what i call now a real Globalization :)....An indian girl learning indian classcical dance in Germany from a Polish teacher :) This new teacher is also very good and i really like to learn from her. Since last 3 years my class is going on very well. I am enjoying it.
I really never thought that in germany i can find a bharatnatyam teacher. but ye...i found it.

DSDS 2010(Deutschland sucht den Superstar)

Deutschland sucht den Superstar 2010
I am watching this show now since almost 5 years.........and to be very frank i am getting boared now. This year specially i really don't like any of the candidates....
This year i really do not like one thing.....glorifying Menowin's jail stay. RTL is giving such a wrong message to young people.....young people will think ; its really cool to go to jail.
You can go to jail and come out and get a cool chance again in life.
Every time showing how melowin was in jail and how it was sad and how now he has got a second chance....But they never show that he went to jail because of his wrong deeds......
The second irritating woman is Nina Eichinger. She never say her own opinion. why....she always say "Ich stimme dieter zu oder Ich stimme volker zu" ...she can never comment on the singing quality of any of the candidates....always some stupid comment on dress, looks ..thats it. why she is jury? A big question to me.
Any way this is what i think