Jose Montenegro had a very interesting life story to tell. He was born and raised in Panama City, decided he wanted to see the world, so he travelled to India and lived there for a while. Or at least I think that's what he said, I was only one week into my crash course in Spanish :)
Today he was out with his flute to celebrate new years and earn some coins.

Snorkeling in Thailand

33

Vietnamese Pho Soup

Over the long weekend, a friend came over and taught me how to make one of my all-time favourite dishes: Vietnamese Pho Soup. This special dish taught me how to eat with chopsticks - a skill I've mastered so well I can catch flies in the air. This special dish is also my WMD against the common cold, which brings to me to a little story of how I first got exposed to this wonderful meal ...

One day in the late 90's, I came to work on Monday morning very sick and dehydrated. I had been coughing all weekend, I had a runny nose, I was puking - everything. I was a mess. The guy who worked next to me (Nick Lee, if you are reading this, e-mail me!) suggested that I should try something called Pho which might make me feel better. So for lunch we went to Pho 88 at Steeles and McCowan in Toronto for my very first bowl.

It was soooooooo delicious. Up until then, my idea of a good soup were instant packages of Lipton's Chicken Noodle Soup or 33¢ per pack Mr. Noodles. What a load of crap! Anyway, as I was fiddling with these two stick-type utensil devices ... my sinuses started to clear up ... my coughing ceased .... the inside of my body felt saturated ... I think my IQ even doubled and my biceps grew by two inches ... it was amazing.

The next day I felt 100% healthy and ever since then, whenver I would feel like I was going to be sick, I would have pho. And I didn't get sick again for years until I moved to Europe (I didn't find one decent pho place anywhere in Europe). And now I can cook it myself :)

Fantasy 101

The University of Athens ... almost makes me want to go back to university again just so I can walk up those steps and take philosophy - in a toga of course! :)

Indian Vegetarian Cooking - Night 6

Spicy Aloo 6 large potatoes 3 tbsp of oil 1 tsp of mustard seed 1 tsp of cumin seed 1 tsp whole coriander seed 1/2 tsp of salt 1/2 tsp chili powder 1 tbsp of fresh coriander chopped	Boil the potatoes whole in a pot for 7 minutes and peel the potatoes Cut into 4 pieces Heat oil in the frying pan Add cumin seed, mustard seed, coriander seed Add potatoes and fry them for 6 minutes Add salt and chili powder Cook until potatoes are done Add fresh coriander
Aloo tikki 5 large potatoes boiled peeled and mashed 1/2 cup frozen peas 1 tbsp fresh coriander washed and chopped 2 fresh green chilies chopped 1/2 tsp of chili powder oil for frying 1/2 cup of bread crumbs 3 tbsp of flour	Heat oil in a pan, add peas and saute until soft, keep aside Mash potatoes, add peas and green chili Add coriander, chili powder and breadcrumbs. Mix well Divide into 8 equal portions Make balls and flatten them, roll them on the flour and breadcrumbs Shallow fry them on a flat pan with a little oil until golden brown
Chana Masala (Curried Chickpaes) 1 cup of chickpeas soaked overnight then cooked for one hour 4 cups of water for boiling the chickpeas 1 large onion finely chopped 1 large tomato finely chopped 1 small piece of ginger finely chopped 2 green chilies chopped 4 tbsp of vegetable oil 1/2 tsp cumin seed 1/2 tsp chili powder 1/2 tsp garam masala 1 tsp salt 1 bay leaf 1 small piece of cinnamon stick handful of fresh coriander washed and chopped	Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seed, onion and ginger, cook for 5 minutes until golden brown Add tomato, cook for 7 minutes Add bay leaf and cinnamon stick Add chickpeas and spices, cook for 10 minutes (add water if chickpeas are dry) Add garam masala and coriander
Naan 3 cups of white flour 1 tsp of oil 1/2 tsp of sugar 1 tsp of salt 1.5 tsp of yeast 1 cup of warm water 4 tbsp of butter	In a big bowl, add flour, salt and oil. Mix together In a warm cup of water, add sugar and yeast and let it set for 10 minutes Knead the flour with water and let it sit for one hour Use the dough to make flat pieces and heat in oven for 3-5 minutes on broil

Indian Vegetarian Cooking - Night 5

Subji (vegetable) Pakora 2.5 cups of besan (gram flour) 2 cups of spinach, washes and chopped 2 medium potatoes peeled and chopped 2 small onions sliced 2 green chillies chopped 1.5 tsp salt 1 tsp red chili powder 1 cup of water oil for frying	Make a think batter with all the ingredients except oil Heat the oil in a skillet Deep fry spoonfuls of the batter and turn until golden brown Drain and then put on paper towel Serve hot with chutney
Bread pakora 2 cups of besan (gram flour) 1 onion chopped into long thin pieces 1 cup of spinach chopped 2 green chilies chopped 1/2 tsp of salt 1/2 tsp of chilies powder 1.5 cups of water 6 slices of bread cut into halves oil for frying	Mix the flour with water and make a thick batter Add onion, green chilies, spinach, and chili powder and salt. Mix together. Heat oil in frying pan Coat each bread piece with batter Deep fry in hot oil until golden brown Serve hot with chutney
Dhani (Coriander) chutney 1 bunch of fresh coriander washed 5 fresh green chilies Juice of 3 limes 1 small onion cut into 4 pieces 1/2 tsp of salt	Add coriander and onion to the blender Blend for 2 minutes Add green chilies and lime juice Blend until a smooth paste Add salt and mix
Mithi (tamarind) chutney 225g tamarind 1/5 cups of brown sugar 1/2 tsp red chili powder 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper 4 cups of water	Soak tamarind in the water for 2 hours Strain through a soup strainer and add salt, chili powder, pepper and sugar Cook on medium heat for 20 minutes

Indian Vegetarian Cooking - Night 2

Spinach and Dal 1 cup of yellow lentil (Moong dal) 4 cups of water 1 cup of spinach washed & chopped 1 small onion chopped 1 small tomato chopped 2 green chilis chopped 3 cloves of garlic minced 3 tbsp of oil 1/2 tsp cumin seed 1/2 tsp of turmeric 1/2 tsp of chili powder 1/2 tsp of salt 2 tbsp of lemon j	Wash lentil in several changes of water Put lentil in the pot Add water, salt, and turmeric Cook on high heat until it starts to boil, then cook on medium heat for 20 minutes Add spinach, and cook for another 5 minutes Heat oil in the pan, add cumin seed, cook for less than 1 minute Add onion, garlic until golden brown Add chili powder and tomato and cook until soft Add masala to the cooked lentil, add lemon juice Add fresh coriander and chilis
Green Beans and Potato 1 pound of green beans washed and cut into small pieces 4 large potatoes peeled and diced 4 tbsp of oil 1/2 tsp cumin seed 1/2 tsp chili powder 1 tsp salt 1/2 tso of garam masala 1/2 tsp turmeric powder handful of fresh coriander chopped	Heat oil in a pan Add cumin seed, cook for less than 1 minute Add potatoes and cook for two minutes Add salt, turmeric and chili powder Add beans and cook on medium heat for 20 minutes Add garam masala and fresh coriander Serve it hot
Rice and Tomato 1 cup of basmati rice 2 cups of water 4 tbsp of oil 2 tsp of mustard seeds 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp chili powder 2 onions chopped 1 small tomato chopped	Pick through rice and wash in several changes of water, soak for 15 minutes Heat oil in a pot with the lid Add mustard seeds, cook for 1 minute Add onions, cook for 5 minutes Add salt and chili powder Add tomato, cook for 5 minutes Add rice, cook for 2 minutes Add water, cook on high, allow it to come to a boil before putting the lid on Cook at low heat for 10-15 minutes or until rice is cooked
Kachumber salad 1/2 cup radish diced 1 large tomato 1 small red onion diced 1 large carrot diced 1 small green chili diced 1 tbsp lemon or lime juice 1 tbsp fresh coriander chopped salt and black pepper to taste	Mix all the vegetables Add lemon or lime juice Add salt and pepper Toss well Add coriander Enjoy!

The Kensington Market Sesame Street tragedy

Kensington Market is a hip area of Toronto with a European pedestrian-only sort of feel. It's a vibrant multicultural community where one can buy a wide variety of delicious fresh fruit, funky clothes, spices from around the world, and tacky souvenir junk. Plus there is a diverse mix of seemingly excellent restaurants which is sure to bring me back.

But my favourite photo of the day, which may be blasphemous to KM residents, was just outside the market. Don't feel bad Grover, seeing Big Bird get decapitated would freak me out too:

Indian Vegetarian Cooking - Night 1

I signed up for Indian Vegetarian Cooking with the Toronto District School Board. Our teacher, Neena, will be teaching us dishes from the Punjab region of India.
This is what we cooked the first night (but this is a picture of leftovers, next time photos of fresh food will be taken):

Aloo Gobi - Potatoes and Cauliflower 1 cauliflower cut into flowets 4 large potatoes cut into cubes 1/4 cup of oil 1 tsp cumin seed 2 medium tomatoes chopped 3 cloves of garlic finely chopped 2 inch pieces of ginger cut into tiny cubes 1 tsp of salt 1 tsp of red chili powder 3/4 tsp turmeric 1 tsp garam masala 2 tsp of coriander leaves chopped 2 tsp of water	Heat oil in a skillet and saute cumin seed for about a minute Add garlic and ginger, cook for about a minute Add salt, turmeric and chili powder Add tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes Add potatoes, cauliflower and cook on high heat for about a minute Lower heat, cover and let simmer for 15 minutes until the cauliflower and potatoes are ready. Stir frequently to avoid burning, and add water when needed. Add Garam Masala Garnish with chopped coriander leaves
Rice and Peas 1 cup basmati rice 2 cups of water 1 cup of peas 4 tbsp of oil 1 tsp of cumin seeds 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp chili powder 2 onions chopped	Wash rice in several changes of water Soak rice for 15 minutes Heat oil in a pot with the lid Add cumin seeds, cook for 1 minute Add onions, cook for 5 minutes Add salt and chili powder Add peas, cook for 5 minutes Add rice, cook for 2 minutes Add water, cook on high, allow it to come to a boil before putting the lid on Cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes or until rice is cooked
Dalfry 1/2 cup red lentil 1/2 cup yellow lentil 4 cups of water 3 tbsp vegetable oil 1 tsp salt 1 tsp turmeric 1/2 tsp chili powder 1 small onion diced 1 large tomato diced 1/2 tsp cumin seed 2 tbsp of lime juice 3 tbsp of fresh coriander	Wash lentil in several changes of water Put lentil in the pot and add water, salt and turmeric and let it boil for 20 minutes on medium heat Heat oil in heavy saucepan, add cumin seed and chopped onion, cook until golden brown Add chili powder Add tomato and cook for 5-7 minutes Add fried masala to the lentil Add lime juice Add fresh coriander
Boodi Raita 1.5 cups yogurt 1/2 cup boondi 1 pinch red chili powder 1/2 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 cup of water 1 tbsp of fresh corainder finely chopped	Soak boondi in hot water for 5 minutes, then drain Run under tap water to cool boondi Press out excess water Beat the yogurt and water together until it is smooth Add all the other ingredients including boondi Mix well Serve cold

Iron like a lion in zion

Saw this in Toronto near Bathurst & Bloor.

Best! Friends! Ever!

Wow, what a way to start 2008! First, a 1996 bottle of Dom Pérignon with loved ones ... and then when I got home, I opened up Facebook to find this picture on my FunWall:

That's Lev, Matthew, Jesse, and Ning, my flatmates while I lived in Thailand between Oct 06 and Apr 07. I miss you guys and will be back to see you soon!

Mystery finally revealed (2/3rds of it anyway)

This sign was taken in a market in Beijing. We wondered what the last three could be in English and I just found out two of them:

My view

I am pretty happy with the layout and the space I have, but without a doubt the best thing about my place is the view.

My first reader request :)

Akira Kurosawa is a famous movie director from Japan whom I had never heard of until recently talking with my friend Bo. She recommended three of his movies and somehow it became my homework to watch all three and write a review of each. First up, Rashômon!

Rashômon was filmed in 1950 in Kyoto, Japan and won the top prize at the Venice Film Festival that year. It begins with a heavy rainstorm where, under the shelter of Rashômon Gate, a priest and a woodcutter contemplate a trial they were just witnesses for.

Essentially a Sumarai (Takehiro) is dead, his wife (Masako) has been raped, and a bandit (Tajomaru) is accused of the crimes. (note: I will tend to describe the characters by their roles rather than their names to make it easier for us non-Japanese people to follow)

During the trial, each of these three characters explain what happened ...

The samurai begins by confessing to the murder of the samurai and the rape of his wife. As the samurai and his wife were walking along a trail through a forest, the nearby bandit was just napping under a tree. That is, until a cool breeze both woke him up and swayed Masako's veil just enough to reveal a face that the bandit had to have. To the court, the bandit continues to brag about how he tricked the samurai away from the path, defeated him in battle, and left him tied up for his wife to see. The wife insisted that one of them must die, so the bandit untied the samurai for a fair fight to the death. Naturally, he won.

The wife tells a different story however. After the bandit raped her, he left, and she killed her husband because she could not tolerate his looks of disgust. She thought about killing herself, but she was not strong enough.

Now the dead samurai, through a 'medium' with funky eyebrows, tells his version of the events. After the bandit raped his wife, she was quick to run off with him, but not before insisting that the bandit should kill her husband. Both men are shocked by this that they become buddies. The bandit tosses the wife to the ground and asks the samurai if he wants him to kill her. The samurai says to let her go and ends up committing suicide out of shame.

So far each participant tells a very different story and the story teller turns out to be the murderer. I think it is a very weird aspect of human nature that (in a warped view that somehow makes weird sense) taking the life of another is viewed upon as being honourable. As the movie viewer trying to make sense of what is going on, the story gets even more complicated. It turns out that the woodcutter actually saw everything, not just the dead body (which hurts his credibility). Basically, it is a mix of all three stories with the bandit murdering the samurai in a duel. But is this true? We are not led to believe so. In the last scene, it seems like the woodcutter and priest are talking to the viewer, not each other. We hear:

"Just think, now. Which of these stories do you believe?"
"This doesn't make sense."
"All men are selfish and dishonest. They all have excuses."

Suddenly, a crying baby brings in a new twist, but it doesn't help explain why at least 3 of the 4 stories were fabricated, or who may have been telling the truth. The woodcutter walks away from Rashômon Gate with the baby. The movie ends.

WTF?!

I watched the movie again to see if the director left us subtle clues and it didn't take long for one to appear. The very first line of the movie is: "I just don't understand it." Oh Kurosawa, you are one clever dude and were way ahead of your time! The 'it' is the whole movie, and we were not meant to understand what really happened. This movie is about how we all act according to our own self-interests, and how any conflict can be summarized by the expression: There are two sides to every story, and then there is the truth.

Brilliant.

To me, this movie is like what 'Hey Jude' is to 'Yakety Yak', 'Super Mario Bros' is to any Atari game, 'Ten' is to 'Cherry Pie', and 'Reservoir Dogs' is to 'Prince of Thieves'. Each of these were such a huge leap forward from what was considered great shortly before, that it is astonishing to think about how these ground-breakers ever got to be made.

Sure, great stories have been told as early as the Odyssey, but in the relatively new world of film in the 50's, this piece is timeless.

A sight that sees (and hears) back

A lookout (hearout?!) tower in Valletta Harbour, Malta. (2004)

Strokkur - my best ever lucky shot

This photo of Strokkur was taken in Iceland during the summer of 2001. Strokkur is a geyser which erupts reliably every 15-20 minutes and reaches heights of 20m.

At first, the water is calm and still. Slowly, the water begins to bubble then slightly boil, then BOOM - this bubble forms and vanishes in a small fraction of a second before giving way to a tower of boiling hot water. It's quite spectacular.

Since this shot was taken with a film camera, I was very lucky to capture the bubble at what must be very close to its maximum size.

The Porch of the Maidens

The Erechtheum at the Acropolis. These are replicas however to protect the originals from further erosion.

There is an error on Wikipedia at the moment. It correctly states that one of the maidens is in the British Museum, but there are in fact four maidens in the Acropolis Museum. The sixth maiden has been destroyed.

A front porch, in Venice

Masjid Terapung, a beautiful mosque in Penang