I just got off the phone with the Swedish Embassy. And I just really can’t get over how rude that particular embassy is. They act like they are the freaking MI5! I had no problems with the Swedish Embassy in London, but every time I need to communicate with the one here, I am aghast at how rude they are. Let me just disclose the fact that the people I deal with there are not the Swedes, but locals working for the Swedes. Don’t get me wrong; I love the Swedes, hence why I made a call in the first place.
Let me give you a background and motive behind the call. I rang them up to find out if there were any events that the Swedish community might have for Christmas or perhaps for Santa Lucia. Similarly to what the Spanish community have here, or even the Swedish community in London. However, this is the phone conversation I had which I absolutely did not expect.
Me: Oh hello, I was wondering if there were any events for Christmas?
Bitch on the line: What about?
Me: Errrm, well I was wondering if the Swedish community perhaps had an event to which I could go to? Something for Christmas or Santa Lucia?
Bitch: But, who are you?
Me: (WTF!?) What do you mean?
Bitch: Who is this?
Me: (Like you would know me?!!!) Umm, my name is Monica…? I’m not with any company, I am just inquiring really.
Bitch: Why is it you want to know?
WHAT THE HELL?? I all of a sudden felt like a criminal for wanting to celebrate some Swedish Christmas cheer!! I’m not asking for a fucking visa you know! Perhaps some mandelmusslor or a bottle of gurka!
Me: (Errr, well I would like to terrorize your people for the recipe of Janssons Frestelse, Bloody hell!!) Errr, because I realise that 13th of December is Santa Lucia and it's Christmas and I thought perhaps the community might be having some events. (Obvously!)
Bitch: But why?!
Me: (WHAT DON’T YOU GET!!!??? – I decided to use the relative card…) Well I have my in-law who is Swedish coming down , and it would be nice to take them to a Swedish event here.
Bitch: Who is your in-law?!
Me: (Like you would know him!!! Good god woman!!!) Look, I just want to know if there is an event or not with your embassy.
Bitch: You must be invited by the ambassador to be part of his guest list.
Me: So it’s not open to the public then?
Bitch: No, only for the ambassador and his guests.
Would it have killed you, to just say that in the bloody first place???!!!
It reminded me what an awful experience it is getting ones visa and dealing with these bastards. Oh well… guess I will just have to stick to whatever Spanish events there may be. Joke is, I am not even related to any Spaniards. (Yet.)
Oh the joys of the third world.
I stumbled on a place that may as well put an end to my endless search for decent bread in this country! This French boulangerie is called Lartizan. Whilst having dinner at Mickey's Delicatessen, we were served a bread basket (which by the way, we had to pay for) that had an assortment of which seemed to me as, proper breads. I had been let down the last few times, yes, even from The Pen bakery. As I reached for a piece, I was given a ray of hope when the I felt it's hard crust and moist center. It isn't Borough Market quality, but damn well close enough.
We found out that right next door to the restaurant was the French boulangerie and they bake their own breads and pastries right in their shop. I was rather impressed with the selection, but even more so that they had samples with their respective names (see 3rd photo), making it easier to choose from. Smart! After oohing, ahhing and drooling, I finally made a choice which seemed the closest to Poilâne. Hopefully, it will taste as lovely as how it's wrapped.
Champorado is a typical Filipino dish that can be eaten at breakfast or as an afternoon snack. It is basically chocolate rice porridge that is made from glutinous rice, sugar, cocoa and milk. Growing up, we normally would buy the champorado mix at the supermarket. But I learned from my sister that it was dead easy to make and decided to give it a go.
I have come to the conclusion that Champorado originates from Mexico (Galleon Trade connection, I assume). Champurrado in Mexico is a warm thick chocolate drink which they drink for breakfast. It is made from masa harina, piloncillo (small blocks or bricks of unrefined solid cane sugar), water or milk. Just like the Philippine version, their Champurrado is also available as a mix in the supermarket. (Must ask Paula to send me some!)
The best way to have the Philippine Champorado is chilled the next day, which is exactly how I will have it tomorrow. Yum!
Ixora Coccinea also known as Dwarf Santan or Jungle Geranium, but to me this flower is simply known as Santan. I was in my grandparent's drive way and saw how perfectly this round cluster of Santan formed. My grandmother explain that it is 'spring' and this is why all the flowers have bloomed so beautifully. 'Spring?' I thought to myself, 'it is 33 degrees and in the height of summer!'. I was immediately reminded of the summers when I was a child and I would sit on the grass, by the Santan bush in my grandmother's garden. I would then pull out one stem among the cluster, remove the pin like part on the top of the flower from its tubular stem, invert and sip on the juice of the flower. It's amazing how seeing simple things like these can bring back memories from 20 years ago.
The photos above are reminiscent of my childhood. Every morning or afternoon you would either hear the Taho man's clown hooter sound off or him simply calling out "Taaahhhhhooooo". My nanny would make sure she would catch him in time to buy me my favorite "street food", Taho. Most Taho vendors walk with two buckets balanced by a wooden plank on their shoulders, some (like my Taho vendor) rides a bike, which makes it quite tricky to catch him! I used to love watching the Taho man prepare taho with his two aluminum buckets with its compartmentalised ingredients. One bucket just for the Tokwa or Tufo (Bean Curd), another bucket divided into two sections for the Sago or Tapioca Pearls and the last compartment is for brown sugar syrup known as Arnibal. It is usually served to you quite warm, but some people do like eating Taho cold. The Taho could have possibly come from Chinese influences, as they have something identical, if not similar, called Douhua.
Ever since I arrived here, I have been craving for Taho and have been quite vocal about it too! Yesterday morning, when I woke up I heard his clown horn go off and my mom rushing to tell me that he was outside our house and asked me if I wanted some Taho. My immediate reaction reminded me times of my childhood, grabbing 20 pesos (£0.20) and a glass, (plus, this time, my camera) and rushing out the house giving it to the Taho man. I think he must have thought I was crazy for photographing him but it was hard not to. It tasted as good as I remembered it to be, and it will always remind me of happy memories of my childhood.
¿Qué vas a hacer en la próxima semana? El Instituto Cervantes de Manila, lo abrirá los puertas a la publica por una día. Todo el dia Feria del Libros, seguido por alguno de la tradición espanola.
What are you doing next weekend? Instituto Cervantes Manila, will open its doors to the public for the day. A whole day of the book fair, followed by some of the Spanish traditions.
