haradwaj LS

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  • Ring has a key or key has a ring !!!

    I am told this key costs 800 euros to replace. I don’t know if it is to scare me from losing it or is it true.

    But there is precision in this key. The key has a small freely rotating ring in it!!!

  • Sambar

    Sambar

    Serves: 4

    Cooking time: 40 mins

    Ingredients

    1. Dal: 1 cup
    2. Onion: 1 large
    3. Tomato: 1 Medium
    4. Vegetables: carrot, beans etc
    5. Chilli: .5 tsp
    6. Curry Leaves: few
    7. Hing: 1 pinch
    8. Turmeric: .25 tsp
    9. Sambar powder: 1.5 tsp
    10. Oil
    11. Mustard: 0.5 tsp
    12. Jeera: 0.5 tsp
    13. Salt
    14. Sugar

    Procedure

    1. Boil dal and keep aside
    2. Heat oil and then add mustard and Jeera. Wait for it to splutter.
    3. Fry cut onions till glassy
    4. Add tomatoes and cook till mushy.
    5. Add turmeric and hing and fry lightly
    6. Add Sambar powder and chilli powder
    7. Add the boiled dal.
    8. Add salt and tamarind to taste
    9. Add cut veggies.
    10. Cook for 2 whistles
  • Happurg Hike

    Happurg Hike

    The Saturday hike with Highlights e.V was awesome. Highlights e.V is an NGO which works for Mental health and wellbeing. Especially this one focused on international community where mental well being and health is often neglected.

    Courtesy to this group I enjoyed a nice hike on the Happurg trail. A well organized hike with roughly 30 people. There were people from India, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Italy, Croatia, Tunisia and some more. This internation collection made the trek more interesting.

    The group gathered in the morning at the Nurnberg train station at 9.30 am. A half hour train ride took us to Happurg station. The roughly 10km hike started at the Happurg train station with the organizers setting the ground rules for the hike.

    Happurg train station

    The hike started with a steady climb through the winding roads of the Happurg residential area.

    Roads to start of tail

    After a short walk we reached a pair of gates which marked the start of the trail. The initial segment was a bit steep and we walked in a queue. With a leader leading us from the front and another experienced hiker walking at the back of the queue ensuring no one was left behind.

    Walk in line

    After the first climb which took us 1 hr we met a fox compass. Thanks to the compass we got our first beautiful view of the city below.

    Fox Compass
    Happurg below

    We continued walking for another 1 hr. In the mean time we got to know each other. Between these interesting talks we did not realize that we were close to the peak. We stopped for a quick lunch and reached the peak soon.

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    The descent from there on was whole another story. The first part was easy. We quickly reached the Hohler Fels – a rock structure.

    Hohler Fels

    The real fun began after this point. The road ahead was a slippery slope. With many people tumbling and rolling, this segment made the highlight of the trek.

    Slippery slope

    After the treacherous segment we reached the lower regions where we found a WW-2 tunnel system called Doggerstollen. It was an attempt at creating an underground aircraft production line. But the war ended before this could be operational.

    Doggerstollen

    Finally, at the base we sat by the beautiful lake chitchatting, skipping stones and enjoying the view.

    Stausee

    The 6 hour hike left us all mildly exhausted and full of memories worth remembering forever. Everyone had a smile on their face with the satisfaction of completing the hike. We were already asking the organizing team if there are plans of any more hikes.

    I had never expected my first week in Germany to be so eventful. This was all possible thanks to the wonderful coordination by Highlights e.V.

    Nice work guys!!! And thank you once again!

  • City Registration

    City Registration

    City registration is an essential part of living and working in Germany. I did my registration today at Erlangen. Lucky for me, my flatmate helped me do it. She accompanied me all the way to the Rathaus and waited for me. This Blog should guide you through the process in Erlangen.

    Pre requesites

    Before you go for the city registration you need to have the following documents

    1. Wohnungsgeberbestätigung
    2. Passport
    3. Marriage certificate (if married)
    4. Previous city regisrtation document (if you have stayed in Germany before)

    Wohnungsgeberbestätigung: The word is a mouthful but it means Confirmation of residence form. It is not the same as the Rental Contract. I got both the documents together. Wohnungsgeberbestätigung looks like this.

    Wohnungsgeberbestätigung

    Process

    The registration happens at the Rathaus. Click here for the Google map link. The Rathaus opens at 8 am. It is better to reach early as the queue builds up quickly. Also, they may not entertain you if you reach late.

    Once at the Rathaus, you need to get a token. The token dispensing machine looks like the photo below. You need to press Burgerservice.

    Token vending machine

    The tokens are called in the display. There were 7 counters out of which 6 were serving the Burgerservice. It took them under 30 mins for 15 tokens.

    The officials are very helpful. Provide them with the documents that they ask for. If you have the registration from an earlier time in Germany, then volunteer to provide the document. It makes it easier for them to fill in the documents.

    In about 15 mins you will be done with your city registration. They will provide a regisration confirmation document.

  • T-0 : Takeoff

    T-0 : Takeoff

    Unlike many other changes, which often feel subtle this one has a clear demarcation. This flight journey  separates me and my family by 4.5 hrs, transforms me into a student once again , a foreigner living in a new country. I will soon be calling a new place my home for a couple of years.

    Of course, there is the sadness in leaving the loved ones behind. I felt the same when I left home for the first time 20 years ago. But now no one talks about it. So this too shall pass! Besides, some very young readers follow the blog and I don’t want to sound too sensitive.

    So, I started the journey with 47 kg of luggage, a box of sweets and one Meghana biriyani (I intended to get 2 but then I ran out of space). Among the luggage was my radio, which I am eagerly waiting to listen to. I especially enjoy the short wave and effort needed in tuning the radio, the static noise, the poor audio quality and the foreign music.

    Bangalore T2 terminus

    The box of sweets is for my new roommates — 2 of them are Germans. So I hope they enjoy it. The biryani is for an Indian friend who has been craving it. I know that feeling from last year!

    The first Etihad flight took me to Abu Dhabi. The  connecting flight to Munich was scheduled after two hours but it got delayed by three hours. I had nowhere to reach so I was fine with it.

    Abu Dhabi airport

    But the cherry on the top was the free food they offered due to the delay. I bought a chicken wrap, Sprite and potato chips. I couldn’t eat it all so I packed it for my lunch.

    Free food to compensate delay

    The only slight worry was the Biryani. The airhostess in both the flights were so kind to keep the biryani in their fridge.But, I hope it has not gone stale during the wait at Abu Dhabi.

    I have another two hours to reach Munich and 2 more to Erlangen. I am looking forward to meeting the friend and handing over the Biryani. I am also excited to meet my new roommates. Later this week I shall meet a few other new friends I’ve made. I have also signed up for a hike this Saturday.

  • Black Gram Curry (Saurashtra Style)

    Black Gram Curry (Saurashtra Style)

    Ingredients

    1. Black Gram: 150 gms
    2. Onion: 1 large
    3. Tomato: 1 large
    4. Curry leaves
    5. Corriander leaves
    6. Chilli: 1
    7. Ounty Powder: 1 tbsp
    8. Mustard: 0.5 tsp
    9. Salt: to taste

    Procedure

    1. Boil Black gram for 3 whistles. Do not throw the water.
    2. Heat oil and add mustard seeds, slit chilli and curry leaves
    3. Fry Onion till it becomes glassy
    4. Add Tomato and cook till it becomes mushy
    5. Add Ounty powder and fry for 30 secs
    6. Add the boiled black grams and the water from the boiling.
    7. Add salt to taste and cook for sometime.
    8. Add corriander for garnishing
  • Black gram Ambat

    Black gram Ambat

    Ingredients

    1. Black Gram: 150 gms
    2. Onion: 1 large
    3. Tomato: 1 large
    4. Curry leaves
    5. Corriander leaves
    6. Ounty Powder: 1 tbsp
    7. Mustard: 0.5 tsp
    8. Salt: to taste

    Procedure

    1. Boil Black gram for 3 whistles.
    2. Heat oil and add mustard seeds and curry leaves
    3. Fry Onion till it becomes glassy
    4. Add Tomato and cook till it becomes mushy
    5. Add Ounty powder and fry for 30 secs
    6. Add the boiled black grams and add 1 glass of water.
    7. Add salt to taste and cook for sometime and cook for 1 whistle
    8. Add corriander for garnishing