Sunday afternoon, woods and wild strawberries

Sunday afternoons are always so lazy, specially if it is summer. A time for a stroll, or to simply be lazy at home, reading a book, talking, and writing. It always feels so relaxed and cozy.

Last Sunday I was at Blaž’s place, like usual. We had just finished watching the world cup match, Slovenia against Algeria. It was a boring and slow match (for me, a complete non-sport person, most sports and matches are like this anyway). Nonetheless, Slovenia scored a goal and got her first ever victory at the world cup. And that was something to be happy about. The TV was still on, and I was on the couch writing. It was so hot and sunny outside.

The previous day, they had got a visit from their neighbor who told them that there are small and sweet wild strawberries growing on the hill. Blaž’s mother had suggested us to go strawberry picking. She knew our interests in these things, and also simply wished us to have a stroll outside. However, I had said that I was not going out before the sun goes a bit low.

Late in the afternoon as the sky was sort of preparing for a shower, we decided to go before the rain sets in. Going to the woods or in the fields always needs a few things to be done, even if it is just somewhere close by. And applying that repellent for ticks is one of the most important. Every time after coming back from wild I must check myself for ticks, and until this Sunday I was not very sure about what I was checking and how do they look actually! While giving us a plastic container for keeping any “harvest” that we might have, his mother suggested to not be disappointed if there were not many strawberries. And despite of saying "yes" to her, I really hoped we get. I love strawberries and picking them in the woods must be fun. I always like the idea of eating fruits that I myself plucked from the tree. And if the tree is going wild, and I pluck the berries as I walk by, it is so much more fun and interesting.

We set towards the woods across a small meadow on hill. It was nice to be in those woods after a long time. Under the green canopy we walked listening to the birds. The smell of the wood was refreshing. And I always love the crackling sounds as dry leaves break under my walk. The walk was really short and soon we reached the opening at the meadow behind the houses. This part is new to me; I had never been there before.

The meadow was beautiful and so calm. Grass was growing deep. Along with the chirping of birds, the buzzing of bees now created music. A pleasant smell of grass and weeds filled the air. We did not know the exact location of the strawberries; and started walking down the meadow, our feet sinking in the grass.

Grass flowers grew as big as me. Tiny gentle wild flowers gave more color to the green. Butterflies were fluttering around. One sat on flower nearby. I observed its grey wings with delicate white patterns as it enjoyed the nectar. Small snails were clinging to the thin stem of the plants; their house had spiral patterns captivating one's interest. Several yellow flowers dotted the meadow. They were tiny and had shape similar to irises. Bees were buzzing around everywhere. And then I heard a louder buzzing coming from a bigger insect. It was a hornet, and we had to stand still and divert our way a bit. Grasshoppers weren’t lagging behind. And dragonflies with bluish wings were all around. Among all those colors, I loved these two flowers particularly; both tiny and gentle. One was white, tiny, with petals more looking like spikes and radiating out. They were so open, welcoming the afternoon sun. The other one, similarly tiny, was purple in color. These very bright petals revealed more details as I looked closer. From its purplish white center, little bright white dots and even smaller black dots radiated in each petal. These delicate detailed patterns in nature always intrigue and amaze me. How much care the nature takes to make each of its creations beautiful! Even creations as “insignificant” as this tiny wild flower.

Till then we had no luck with strawberries. We saw a few plants, but didn’t see any strawberries growing. And then suddenly I spotted one small red ball in the weeds. It was a single one. Smelling sweetly delicious. However, that was the only one we could find; and we decided to return home, sadly with the empty box. Either we did not find the place or they are already plucked, we assumed.

And as we were almost down on the road from the pretty meadow; literally by the houses, we spotted them. First three little ones. And then a whole lot of them. Growing delectably. Just there!! The next moment we were already busy plucking those berries in delightful red color exhibiting their ripeness. We had almost “finished” it, when the same neighbor saw us and told of some close by place where more grow. Those, he said, were more round and big. And, of course I had to go there even though the path was lost amidst thorny bushes. We reached the same meadow but from a different direction. And, in the process got a few scratches as thorny branches caught my dress. One cannot miss the bright red amidst all green, specially when one is looking for them. There they were, red and round, looking so tempting. I was delighted. Soon our box had a little pile, and satisfied we started towards home. My hand smelled so nice of wild strawberries. And the same mild sweet fragrant filled the box.

Strawberry flavor was never palatable for my taste. It still is not. Same as most of the artificial fruit flavors. It smelled like cough-syrup. And though cough-syrup to me is one of the tasty tonics, I disliked ice-cream with the same flavor. Thus, I never had any fascination for strawberries until I had some real ones in Mahabaleshwar. Nevertheless, they always remained as a rare and expensive treat. And now here in Slovenia, I enjoy them, both in taste, smell and texture. A complete treat to my senses. Yet, I did not know that wild strawberries are so small and different in fragrance, with a hint of wilderness in them.

It was thus an exotic treat with wild strawberries the past Sunday. And I “discovered” that vanilla ice-cream tastes awesome with wild strawberries!!!

Cadbury Fruit and Nut

Rishte pakne do... Let relationships flourish…

Last January during my trip to Kolkata, one day was particularly dedicated to ‘food shopping’. Spices, different dry mixtures, snacks, things that I miss in Slovenia were all on the list ‘to buy’. And of course there was Cadbury.

So at this particular chocolate shop at Barabazar where all kinds of Indian and foreign chocolates are sold, we went to get my favorite ones. I asked for 5 each of all kinds of Cadbury chocolates, from classic Dairy Milk, to Fruit and Nut, Crackle, Temptations, Nutties, Bournville and so on.. And also of course 2 bags of Éclairs. The person at the shop was definitely amazed and surprised! He was unable to understand the reason behind my buying chocolates from India for taking back to Europe. Generally it is the other way round! Unable to resist his curiosity, he even asked me the reason. Well, the reason is simple. Despite of getting the finest chocolates in Europe, Cadbury will always remain as one of my favorite. After all I have grown up with it. And I would have bought more, if the weight allowance had let me do so..

Today after a good lunch I was craving for some sweet and decided to have one Fruit and Nut. And as I unwrapped it, childhood memories unfurled.. Memories of not only the sweet creamy chocolaty taste, but also of sweetest relations.. I went back around 22 years in time..

It was a Sunday morning. I was sitting in my dida’s (grandma) kitchen on my small circular ‘pidi’, a wooden seat. My dida was busy cutting potatoes for the simple tasty curry that goes with luchi, the typical Sunday breakfast of Bengali household. I guess I was being my usual self, busy chattering to her. Dadu (grandpa) came from the market with the week’s vegetables, fishes, groceries etc. The rule was, whenever my grandparents would go out, I was supposed to get a treat of some candy after they returned. And this time was no exception either. Dadu had brought me a Cadbury Fruit and Nut!!

It was the first time I got it. It was a “new” chocolate for me! I was so excited and couldn’t wait to unwrap and have a bite. But before unwrapping, I took a notice of the wrap. And a picture got imprinted in my mind forever.

It was usual Cadbury purplish blue wrapper with white in the middle. The picture of assorted fruits and nuts on a side. And the usual Cadbury logo, with “Fruit and Nut” written in red. Though essentially similar, the complete get up was quite different from the present one. They layout was much simpler and less stylish. It was a much plain paper compared to the shiny glossy plastic wrap today. The paper was just wrapping the chocolate in the golden foil, and the shorter sides had the golden foil visible. The whole look was much simple, less glossy or commercial back then. But it was special to me nonetheless. First, as dadu had brought it for me! It was something “new”, and I always have this special interest in new things. Moreover, I would mostly get a small candy or lozenges, maybe my favorite fruit; thus a chocolate being a rare treat was special always.

I demanded to have a piece of it then and there, even before breakfast. And dida agreed to give me only one block. But dida’s “taler bora”, as she lovingly calls me because of my constant demands, was of course not quite satisfied. I agreed with having only one little piece of it before breakfast; but it had to be a perfect square, without uneven edges from casual breaking. So dida had to actually cut the edges and make them smooth. And those little bits of chocolates that resulted from the “smoothening” of edges weren’t wasted either! I rolled them between my fingers to make a small little ball. And then with my chocolate block and ball, away I went to the backyard to enjoy my sweet treat..

This was my first memory with “Fruit and Nut”… A picture that came back to me decades after as I sat there enjoying it in a far away country. And it brings memories with it that are sweeter than the chocolate itself. It brings all love of my dadu who is long lost from me. And all love of my dida who lovingly fulfills all my wishes.

Fruit and Nut is not only about a good chocolate. It is about all the memories. It is about relations and persons closest to me. Cadbury is all about memories. Memories with special moments from past years, memories colored with different relations. I had a Cadbury for birthdays, any other special occasion. I would treat myself with one after results are out, after achieving something, or when I am simply bored and even sad. It is the chocolate I got from all people very dear and close to me. Cadbury to me is truly celebrating relationships.

And, as I make new memories with good European chocolates, Cadbury will always continue to remain as one very special and favorite…