In life, there are always things that you set out to make a success out of it. There are others that become a success without you even knowing it. Blogging Marathon is an event, a group that's been so successful because of the enthusiasm each and every member who joins the group, has shown to date.
With a blog that was going in full swing, with cramped events and other things I always end up doing, wanting to start a new blog just because my son wanted his picture, sounded very silly. Yet I ventured into it, hoping this will be a forum, a medium, through which I could share my vegetarian recipes, Kid friendly dishes, and Diabetic Diet. But as they say, too many things happen and you don't know what hit you, same happened and I wasn't even updating the space after a while. That's when I decided to do a marathon.
Blogging Marathon started in Jan 2011 and we reached 25 Editions this February 2013. About 70 bloggers have been part of this group to date and some 25 bloggers have been doing the Marathon more frequently. When we realized we would be reaching a Silver Jubilee soon, somebody suggested we all meet. And that caught on!
This was nearly some months back. I wasn't even sure if we would actually do it. Then Vaishali suggested we all visit her place, with reasons as to how we would actually get away from our home, spend time with friends, and have a different experience. When I mentioned this to Hubby dear, he was all for it and soon made me book tickets! Of course, there were hundreds of emails in between, and nothing actually looked feasible.
Vaishali with her unflinching sweet nature persuaded many of them to take up the trip. When we booked our tickets two months back, we still felt a bit unsure if we will actually do it. Then this 8th February, when five of us met at the airport, with families in tow, it felt so real and very thrilling. This was my second trip on my own. The first time I had gone all the way to SF, at least this time I had friends along the journey.
Along with me, I had Padma, Kamalika, Nandini, Rajani. We were enjoying our journey, peeping out every now and then and capturing the pictures. At one point, we saw a long rope-like object that was so dry and we didn't know what it was until it struck us that it could be a dried-up river and within minutes we saw Sabarmati river in view. The first sight was so captivating.
We landed in Ahmedabad at quarter past ten. Vaishali along with Archana Potdar was there to receive us. As we made our way towards the hotel owned by Vaishali, I fell in love with the city. For a person who never thinks another place other than Madras is beautiful, this surely was a great feeling. The roads were so wide and clean and the weather was so cool.
Did I mention that Vaishali and Pradnya were insisting on a dress code for all three days of our trip? Well, the dress code when we landed in Ahmedabad was supposed to be in shades of Red, Pink, and Orange. So you can imagine all of us in that shade and we took a while to get out of the Airport.
You can check out the below picture to see that. Another funny incident that happened before we all could get out of the airport was the incident Vaishali and Archana had. They saw a group of ladies in red and they were wondering if it was us. Since they hadn't met any of us, they had their doubts, when all of a sudden a male joined them! They were flabbergasted at the near escape they had in not approaching them! Looks like Friday was a day for Red and pink. They were laughing away when they saw us and shared it with us.
We reached The Nest soon and were welcomed by Vaishali's Husband and staff. She had even had a big lamp ready to be lit. When I was singled out to do the task I was so shy and called out everybody to join me. It was really such a wonderful feeling to be honoured like this. Thus started our three-day sojourn of great friendship and extraordinary feeling.
We literally had to rush through as we had to get ready for the BM Chef select and we had a contest to do. Though I wasn't really keen on participating, I just did, knowing sure well the expertise of my fellow BM'ers. Vaishali's hospitality is out of the world! Just as she does everything so well, this was no different.
She asked us if we would want to visit their hotel Kitchen, all of us looked as if it was a question to be asked even!. So bang we went in, about six of us, and saw different things happening at the same time. The kitchen was a busy place and I don't think the staff really liked us in, however, they were such a sport and tolerated us for three days. Imagine being disturbed by crazy people who were busy clicking away food and not bothered about people. Vaishali introduced me to the Chief Chef, he was too fast in his language for me to understand clearly. However, I tried my best to follow.
Nandini got her 10 month's old Son, whom we started calling Baby Choo, he looks exactly like Baby Bink of Baby's Day out. He got Kichidi made and it looked so appetizing for us.
He showed me how they start their day and the things they prepare ahead, the three basic gravies that are made, bhuna masala, etc.
The lunch had Lollipops with Garlic sauce, Paneer chilly, Tandoori Salad, Papad
Followed by Fried rice, Paneer schzewan, Paalak Corn Gravy, Capsicum, and Tomato Stuffed Garvy with Assorted rotis, ending with Chas.
We didn't have any dessert, can you imagine why?
This is why!
These were the dishes that everybody got in for the BM Chef contest. The Chief Judge was Vaishali's Son, including her family including, her husband, her daughter, and her MIL, and of course her cute grandchildren.
We were supposed to be judged on Taste, Presentation, Innovative.
The judges complained that it was a pretty tough competition. And we were happy to hear the appreciation each of us was getting. Whether the judges were indulging us or not, the test lies in the eating right. And the kids were coming back for a second and third helping of some of the dishes!
Vaishali outdid her self with her Pani puris, including 6 different panis, the dal was channa dal. Obviously, we were blown off! Hers occupies the center stage!
Pradnya who joined us after lunch came with her cute little 3 yr old son. She was the master brain behind all the planning and helped Vaishali with the Itinerary planning. She got in a delicious plater with tarts and different fillings along with Paneer cigars. The one arranged as a triangle is her dish!
Rajani made 7 different cookies, and she claimed she didn't want to participate in the contest. Yet everybody was so taken in with her cookies.
Padma got Sunnundalu, the authentic Andhra Sweet. Know what, this was one of the dishes that kids kept coming back and she even made a batch for them on the final day! She decorated in muffin liners.
Nandini presented a very innovative Chocolate Bruschetta,
Archana got some authentic Goan Dish Churma, and Danish Dream Cake.
Kamalika got Palkova.
While I had taken Kajas
The above were some of the misc pictures I captured.
Vaishali arranged for a photography session with her friend. It surely was a good learning session. I am sure you can find the difference between my pictures and the others too.
After the Photography session, we exchanged gifts. It was a feeling that felt like you were back in school, exchanging gifts happily without a care in the world. It felt like Alice in wonderland, looking and opening each gift. The only difference here is, almost all the gifts were food-related, be it actual food or props!
The paper bags were the goodies that Vaishali gifted us. The picture in the left-center one were all the gifts all of us got for each other. All the gifts were so thoughtfully made and got, and I am sure my friends will agree that we couldn't meet Vaishali's goody bag. We were shocked, thrilled, and felt out of the world checking out her bag, everything was handmade, so thoughtfully done.
Tinkers that we were browsed through in the early evening!
After the shopping was done, Vaishali took us to another heaven! The street food Joints. It was a gastronomical experience at the best. Imagine a bunch of Food bloggers who lets loose on a road that hosted so many chats, fast foods. It boasted of Ragda Pattice on Pani Puri, Dal Vadas, Masala Puri Sev, Tawa pulao, Gujarathi Pizza, Pav Bhaji.
We literally didn't know which one to attack first! The tawa pulao was too delicious. Kamalika was so taken in that she said she would pack some for her folks back home.
While we were busy attacking the food, one of us actually told the cook that we would want to watch the Tawa pulao being made. All of a sudden there was a commotion and I didn't know what hit us! All of a sudden I saw Kamalika, Archana, and Nandini running with their Cameras. I almost thought it either started raining or something else happened. It was amusing to see them getting ready to click pictures of the pulao being made.
The Gujju Pizza was amazing, the base was a thin crusty with Pav masala topped with 2 inch grated cheese. It was simply divine to dig in!
We thought we didn't have space for anything, but guess what. Vaishali ordered Kulfis, Kesar, Chocolate, and Regular. Gosh being spoiled for the choice was a hard thing.
It was nearly 11 pm when we finally decided to get back. PJ flight was at midnight and I was going to pick her up along with Rajani. Though I had spoken to PJ so many times, I hadn't actually seen her. So it was fun finally putting a face behind the voice and the blog!
When we came back to the hotel it was almost nearing 1 am and we just crashed out, as we had an early morning thing planned!
This is the end of Day 1, come back to read what we did on Day 2!
I know it's really a long post, I tried hard to short it as much as I could. The memories that we got are still fresh, the friendship that formed and got sealed with this trip, was much more than what I can say!
Special thanks to Kamalika, Vaishali, PJ, and Padma, for sharing the pictures used in this post.
rajani says
I enjoyed reading each and every word here in this post, Valli! You have described the day so really well. It was almost living through the day again 🙂
I am yet to start my post. I have no idea where to even start :))
Amelia says
Hi Srivalli, great posting. Thanks for sharing with us, looks like you have a great time. All the food look superb and mouth watering.
Have a nice weekend, regards.
Gujarati Zaika says
Great posting. I love your friendship...
Gayathri Kumar says
This is not a long post Valli. Hope you have added each and every detail so that bloggers like me who missed it will at least read it and enjoy it. That must have been fun. Need to show this to hubby so that I get a chance in the next meet...
Foodiliciousnan says
I just wrote the post and realised I've missed so many details! Super post Valli. It was great going through the entire day1 again! I guess I'll leave the readers to read everyone's posts to form a good picture of all that happened!
Momsters says
Superb post Srivalli, shows u all had a lot of fun.
Jayashree says
Lovely post, Valli.
Harini-Jaya Rupanagudi says
It is great to have had such wonderful experiences and memories for sure!
Pavani says
Hope I was there too 🙁 Loved reading the post Valli. Thanks for sharing all the details, it was almost we were with you the whole time. Can't wait to see what u guys did the next 2 days.
Chef Mireille says
With so many posts to read during BM, I have to admit that I skim most posts, however I read and savored every word. You really captured the spirit and emotion of the day with your writing. It was like I was there with you (like I wish I had been). Must have been so much fun!!!
Kalyani says
wow ! wonderful to read ur experiences… Look forward to Part 2 … this must have been a gastronomical delight 🙂
Pinksocks says
Oh I so wish I was there to live the moments with all of you. It was such a brilliant chance to meet the bloggers we love. Kudos to the guys who made it 🙂
Savitha Ganesan says
Wow.So much fun u guys had.Sure these are nostalgic memories.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
I am jealous here guys! Wish i was there with all of you. Very well written Srivalli and it clearly shows how much fun all of you had 🙂 Hopefully one day i can be a part of it too 🙂
Saras says
Each and every words made me to feel how you guys enjoyed your days. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experiences with us..
Suma Gandlur says
Did you keep a journal or what? :))
I usually cannot recall the details of our travels after a while. Glad to hear your fun filled experiences. If I had been in India, I would have definitely joined you.
sushma says
Such a nice post valli. Hope u all had fun filled trip. Thanks for sharing all the fun u all had.
Priya says
Oh god, how you remember everything Srivalli, i have a short memory loss you, seems you guys had loads of fun and many more beautiful moments together, seriously after seeing this post, am asking my husband to go to India to settle there. Such a beautiful post, enjoyed reading each and every lines.
Nalini's Kitchen says
Nice write up Valli,I can imagine how much you enjoyed the trip and food from your words..feeling jealous.
Padmajha PJ says
It was a great trip Srivalli and I am really glad I was a part of it.
Thanks for this post. I enjoyed reading it and came to know everything that happened before I got there.Living those moments again 🙂