When I saw yesterday’s Daily Post prompt, Describe a Perfect Meal, I thought immediately of a dinner I was invited to several years ago.
The details of the menu have receded from my memory. What remains now, more than 15 years later, is the memory of the afternoon.
It was at the home of friends, a couple, who I have great affection for. He had been a diplomat and linguist who had had an assorted number of interesting occupations. He had lived in several countries, including a few in North Africa. She was vivacious, warm and funny. Together they had lived in several countries, including Germany and Columbia. Together, they were the picture of a lovely and loving couple who doted on each other.
Dinners and dinner parties in their home were occasions. Their guests, friends from all over the world, speaking several languages – Spanish, French, German – would discuss wines and books, art and politics and everything in between. Nothing was ever off the table.
The dinner that has stayed in my mind took place on a Saturday in summer. I can’t remember now if they had said dinner or lunch but whatever it was, it lasted from mid-afternoon until very late, so late, they invited my partner and me to stay over. I was definitely tempted — mostly so we could continue the conversation at breakfast!
It began with a light soup followed by 4 or 5 different courses, including one of pasta. That much, I remember. Each was small, about the size of tapas, and complimented by the perfect selection of wine.
There were no more than 6 or 8 of us, including our hosts, at this party. The afternoon unfolded in slow motion, there was no rush. We ate sumptuously and drank copiously, the conversation flowing as freely as the wine.
A perfect meal
I have fleeting images of that meal. But what I remember clearly was how lovely the meal was. Of course, after all that wine, I’m sure I was also more than a little buzzed.
I’ve always wanted to re-create the experience but I’m not sure I could. It was a once in a lifetime moment that will live in my heart forever.
A perfect meal, to me, isn’t so much about the menu, it’s about who’s sharing it with you.
This disturbs me so much, I hardly know how to write about it. “Survival launches tourism boycott of “human safari park.”
What the hell is a human safari park? I had to read the headline several times before I got it. The more I read, the more my blood boiled. I can’t even find the words to express my disgust.
“The Association of Tour Operators in India’s Andaman islands has come out in support of Survival’s call for tourists to stop using the illegal road that cuts through the forest of the recently contacted Jarawa tribe.
President of the Andaman Association of Tour Operators, Shri M Vinod, told Survival, ‘We don’t support ‘Jarawa tourism’. We have written to the administration asking for an alternative route so the tourists do not have to use the Andaman Trunk Road’.
Jarawa boy
Survival and local Andaman organization, Search, in June launched a tourist boycott of the illegal road, which takes thousands of tourists a month through the heart of the Jarawa’s land.
Tourists are risking the lives of the hunter-gatherer tribe, who have only had friendly contact with outsiders since 1998. The 365 Jarawa are likely to have little immunity to new diseases and could be devastated by an epidemic.
Last week, Sonia Gandhi, President of India’s ruling political party, discussed the Jarawa’s situation at a meeting of the powerful National Advisory Council. Mrs Gandhi is believed to be very concerned about the Jarawa. A recent report, commissioned by her, is said to emphasize the negative impact of the road and tourism.
Tourists treat the Jarawa like animals in a safari park by throwing biscuits and sweets for them. A number of Jarawa children have been hit by moving vehicles whilst trying to grab these treats. One tourist described his trip, ‘The journey through tribal reserve was like a safari ride as we were going amidst dense tropical rainforest and looking for wild animals, Jarawa tribals to be specific’.
Survival’s Director, Stephen Corry said today, ‘It’s great news that the tour operators want to avoid using the Andaman Trunk Road. With their support, there’s surely no obstacle to a complete ban on tourists traveling through the reserve. The authorities should take notice, and provide an alternative route as soon as possible.’”
We’re bigger and better than this. At least, we should be.
How Does Survival Help?
Since 1993 Survival has been urging the Indian government to close the road, protect the Jarawa’s land, and allow them to make their own decisions about their future.
In 1990 the local authorities announced that they intended to forcibly settle the Jarawa. Forced settlement was fatal for other tribes in the Andaman Islands, and has always been so for newly contacted tribal peoples worldwide. Following a vigorous campaign by Survival and local organisations, this plan was eventually abandoned.
In 2004 the authorities announced a radical new policy, stating that the Jarawa would be allowed to choose their own future, and that outside intervention in their lives would be kept to a minimum.
The Indian Supreme Court ordered the closure of the road through the Jarawa’s land in 2002 – yet it remains open, and poaching and exploitation are posing increasingly serious dangers.
Survival is campaigning to ensure that the road is closed and the policy of minimum intervention adhered to.
When you’re young, the simplest thing can cause a great deal of angst. For me, it was my family name. It’s quite unremarkable in the scheme of things but it took me a while to figure that out and even longer to embrace it.
As my mother used to tell it, when I was little, whenever I met anyone, I’d always tell them my full name. As if that wasn’t enough, I’d spell my last name, emphasizing the ‘y’ and the ‘e.’ I didn’t want anyone getting my Mayne wrong.
Then I started going to school with Thomases, Browns, Smiths, etc., and as the only Mayne, I was teased relentlessly (main road, horse mane, you get the picture). My then uncommon name, the name I had been so proud of, began to feel like a weight I didn’t want to carry. (When you’re little, you want to be special. Then comes that awkward time, when you just want to be regular.)
Bordeaux from Chateau du Mayne
I was not quite 6 when my mom, a school teacher, moved to a new school and took me with her. There I heard about a student, Jasmine Baskiratic (I’ve spelled it phonetically), whose name sounded weirder than mine. Almost all the kids called her ‘Basket Racket.’ I never did. I was just relieved not to be the object of everyone’s ridicule.
Moving to Canada, so many names were unusual (to me) that mine didn’t even raise an eyebrow. From time to time, though, I’d get asked if I were related to a Mayne the person knew.
I was taken aback the first time I was asked. The attendant at the gym on campus, another student, asked if I were Robert Mayne’s sister. I chucked, out of relief (I’m not the only one) and because of another story my mother used to tell. When she was pregnant, my grandfather was so sure I would be a boy that he named me Robert and called me Bobby Mayne until the day he found out that I was a girl. (I like Bobby Mayne.)
Over the years, I’ve come to accept the uniqueness of my name. People have remarked on its musicality, the way it flows easily off the tongue. Someone even said that it sounded like a stage name.
All of this helped me get comfortable with my name. And since it’s taken me so long to accept, I vowed never to change it.
I stopped in my tracks one day in my favorite liquor store when I noticed a bottle of Bordeaux with my name on it. My head swelled! I was so stoked, I ordered a couple cases and sent a bottle to family members. I also included a note telling them that it had been such a good harvest that year and demand was strong. Unfortunately, it meant that they could get only a bottle.
Just before my aunt returned to the U.K., I presented her with a few bottles. The look on her face when she saw the label is forever etched in my memory.
When friends came over, I’d put a few bottles out without making an announcement. It was fun to watch as the first person noticed the name. I still get a kick out of doing that.
I had hoped to visit the Chateau Grand Mayne on my trip to France but I ran out of time.
As if having a vineyard and wines with my name weren’t enough, one night I stumbled upon a place called Mayne Island. Named after Royal navy lieutenant, Richard Charles Mayne, Mayne Island is 21 kilometers square and home to about 900 permanent residents. It is located off the coast of British Columbia and north of Washington state’s San Juan Islands.
Now I’m definitely on the map! How many people can say that?
Mayne Island
I’d never Googled my name until I started writing this piece and was surprised to find it in the urbandictionary (I didn’t even knew one existed!). The Urbandictionary attributes its meaning to, among other things, a corruption of the word ‘man’ as in the movie Scarface and its use in the South. Of course, that makes absolutely no sense to me.
But I found two people with the same names as my uncles, Cuthbert and Seymour. Cuthbert, 1544-1577, was an English Roman Catholic priest and martyr (it took guts to be a Roman Catholic in England at that time), and Seymour, is a Canadian poet and literary translator. (I have some impressive shoes to fill!)
Mayne is said to be a derivation from the Latin magnus and the French magne which mean great, large, rich, powerful.
I’ve heard that there are Maynes in Spain, Australia, Canada, Venezuela, the US and Ghana. My family’s still unsure whether Mayne came to us through Scotland or Ireland — we’ve heard both. But following my journey of acceptance, it doesn’t matter much now where it came from. What matters is how I wear it.
I could listen to Cassandra Wilson all day and not get bored. Her voice soothes, cajoles and stirs something deep within. I’ve been a fan for years but I’ve only seen her once in concert.
Cassandra Wilson photo courtesy of allstarshots
A jazz singer, songwriter, producer and vocalist with an incredible range, Cassandra Wilson blends blues and country easily into her music. She has recorded more than 20 albums and soundtracks and has won several awards, including two Grammys. In 2001, Time Magazine named her “America’s Best Singer.”
Cassandra Wilson was born in Jackson, Mississippi on December 4, 1955.
It’s a beautiful day here in New York. Sunny, not too humid, with a gentle breeze. I can’t think of a better way to spend the day than on a blanket in Central Park.
I’m sure I won’t be the only one there so I’ll have to get there early and secure a nice spot on the Great Lawn.
The Great Lawn, one of the most famous lawns in the world, is located on 55 acres from 79th to 85th Streets.
The Great Lawn has been the venue for world class performances by the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera.
On Monday, July 11th, opera lovers can attend a concert in the park. For details of the schedule, go here.
And for tickets and information on Shakespeare in the Park, check out their website.
I’ve packed the food, the blanket and my hat and I’m heading out to celebrate this beautiful day. Whatever you’re doing or plan to do, enjoy!
Watching the launch of NASA’s Space Shuttle Atlantis this morning almost brought tears to my eyes. I cheered as the jets fired up and the shuttle, untethered from its moorings was propelled into space. I thought of the ingenuity, courage and vision it took to develop the program and maintain it for thirty years. And I was thankful.
As Atlantis blasted into space at speeds of up to 19,000 miles per hour, I recalled the first walk on the moon that Astronaut Neil Armstrong described as “a small step for man, a giant step for mankind.”
I recalled the time back in June, 1983, when I saw the Enterprise, the first Space Shuttle Orbiter, after it landed at Uplands Airport in Ottawa. It was exciting to see Enterprise up close.
I’ve watched many launches over the years and I remember exactly where I was on that January morning when the Challenger exploded.
Unfortunately, it’s only when accidents happen that we stop to think of the amount of work and skill each launch takes and the inherent danger that exists in space exploration. Even through these tragedies and the unfortunate loss of lives, NASA’s scientists and engineers were gaining the experience necessary to make the program the success that it’s been.
Space Shuttle Enterprise at Uplands Airport, Ottawa, June, 1983
I stopped watching after that. So, today, as I watched, I said a small prayer of thanks when Atlantis took off safely.
Several years ago, I saw the Aurora 7, one of the earlier shuttles, at the Intrepid Air and Space Museum. I was shocked at how small it is inside. So small, I wondered how comfortable the astronauts were when they were riding in it.
When I think if it now, I feel badly for every time I’ve complained about the seat space on airlines.
But even with the size, I would have given a vital body part to be able to see the Earth from so high up. It would have been the ultimate travel experience. I hope that day will come during my lifetime.
It might seem as if the shuttle program has been of little benefits to us. On the contrary, space technology has been used in among other things, medicines and biotechnology to improve our health, and in communications.
I don’t understand why the program as we know it today is being shelved but I look forward to whatever new door opens us and hope that it’ll bring more of us closer to going into space.
So goodbye, Atlantis. I wish you a safe return to home base.
I’m not what you’d call an animal lover so going on safari would not have been on my list of things to do on vacation. But when my friends and I decided to go to South Africa, we also decided we’d do everything on each other’s lists.
Since all three of us wanted to see Victoria Falls, our travel agent suggested we do our game-watching in Zimbabwe at Hwange National Park.
She also recommended a lovely safari camp, Makalolo Plains, which is located about 2 hours’ drive into the park. Even when she told us that Makalolo was not like the kind of camp we would have been exposed to, I still didn’t know what to expect. We were very pleasantly surprised.
They treated us to tasty lunches, sherry when we returned at nights from game drives and sumptuous dinners, including wines.
Since the camp is surrounded by animals – elephants, lions, buffalos, zebras, giraffes, etc., we were surprised to return from our morning game drive on our second day to find lunch would be served al fresco.
Lasagna for lunch
Looking at these photos brings back warm memories of the wonderful time we had at Makalolo Plains.
I was at the nail salon a few years ago when I discovered this recipe for Broccoli Grape Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette in a magazine. I figured since it had two things I love, broccoli and grapes, it would be worth trying out.
I was also intrigued by the combination or broccoli and grapes and wrote the ingredients in my notebook. The next time I had family and friends over, I tried it. It was delicious! And the most important thing is, my friends loved it. My cousin always complains that I experiment with new recipes when I have people over but even she raved about it.
The flavor of the broccoli, the crispness of it blended well with the sweetness and soft texture of the grapes. The citrusy flavor of the vinaigrette gave it a kick.
The other thing about the Broccoli Grape Salad is that it is very simple to make. Since it’s so easy and everyone loves it, I usually make a large bowl and keep it in the refrigerator, especially in the summer.
Several months after I discovered the recipe, the citrus vinaigrette I was using disappeared from the supermarket shelves. I was crushed. I visited several supermarkets in different neighborhoods trying to find it. Eventually, I gave up and went online. I’ll share below the one I finally decided on.
Here’s the recipe for Broccoli Grape Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette. Hope you get to try it. When you do, let me know what you think.
Broccoli Grape Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
2 bunches broccoli fleurettes, cut into bite-sized pieces (You can also blanch the broccoli to soften them up)
4 cups of red, seedless grapes, halved (or 2 of red, 2 of green)
1 cup sliced almonds
Directions
Prepare the citrus vinaigrette following the directions below and set aside.
Place broccoli and grapes into a large bowl
Pour citrus vinaigrette over the salad mixture, stirring until combine
Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to blend
Add nuts before serving.
Note: The salad can be doubled very easily if you have a crowd.
Citrus Vinaigrette
Ingredients
1/2 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 orange)
1/3 cup fresh grapefruit juice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
Preparation
Combine all ingredients in a blender; process until smooth. Pour into a bowl; cover and chill.
Note: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Yield: 1 1/3 cups (serving size: 1 tablespoon)
Citrus Vinaigrette recipe courtesy of myrecipes.com
Treasure Beach is small community on Jamaica’s south western coast that prides itself with being friendly and very laid back.
A fishing community with six miles of beach, rocky coastline and private coves, Treasure Beach it is the perfect place to get away from it all.
I’ve been going to Treasure Beach for several years now, most times to attend Calabash, the international literary festival, which brings scores of lovers of the written and spoken word to this far off the beaten track place to listen to soak up world class literature.
I’ve also been to Treasure Beach when the festival is not in session. It’s a beautiful place. Here are a few of the reasons I keep going back.
One of the things I love about Bond is seeing the locations where the stories are set. So as I watched one film after another in the Bond marathon on Sleuth this weekend, I began compiling a list of places Bond’s taken me over the years. And it’s a pretty impressive list. (I got Wikipedia’s help in confirming some of the places of interest as well.)
Dr. No (1962) I was still in diapers when this Bond, the first in the series was, was filmed in Jamaica. The story was set in Kingston, with the beach scenes filmed at and around the Dunn’s River Falls area in Ocho Rios.
Note: Ian Fleming wrote twelve of his James Bond novels at Goldeneye, his home in St. Mary, Jamaica. There’s a James Bond beach and the newly named Ian Fleming International Airport in St. Mary.
James Bond Beach, Jamaica
From Russia with Love (1963) I knew what I wanted to do in life after I saw this movie in my twenties: I wanted to traipse around the world watching James make his Bond films. From Russia with Love took me to London, Zagreb, Belgrade, Istanbul and Venice.
Goldfinger (1964) James sent me a special invitation to watch filming in England, Geneva, parts of the U.S. and Mexico. The highlight, for me, was going to Fort Knox. I hated when Goldfinger’s henchman painted Goldfinger’s assistant with gold paint.
Sean Connery
Thunderball (1965) I stayed in one of the rooms while James stayed at the spa in England, then went with him to France, Paradise Island (Bahamas) and the U.S.
You Only Live Twice (1967) I watched James disguise himself as a Japanese man and get married in Japan. I also followed him to Hong Kong.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service(1969) The first
Roger Moore
time Sean Connery did not play Bond but nevertheless, I followed him to Portugal and Switzerland. If you look behind Moneypenny, you can just see the hat I was wearing at James’ (real) wedding to the countess. Sadly, she was killed on their way to the honeymoon.
Diamonds are Forever (1971) I was one floor above when James killed Peter Franks in the elevator in Amsterdam. I knew James would win but I was so nervous, I couldn’t watch. I also flew to Tokyo, Cairo, Southern France, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Baja.
Timothy Dalton
Live and Let Die (1973) The first Bond with Roger Moore and the first time Bond went uptown to Harlem. By the time I realized he was there and ran down to where they were filming, they were gone – to Jamaica and New Orleans.
The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) I’d never been to Beirut, so I was excited to have Bond take me along with him. We also dropped in to Bangkok, Macau and China and returned to Hong Kong. That Scaramanga was an evil man!
George Lazenby
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) I’ve never worried about the villains because I know James can hold his own. But I was worried for him when I saw Jaws. Man, he was scary! Apart from the locations, the best part of this film, was the car that could go underwater. I was one of the extras on the beach but when the camera panned in my direction, I was so excited by the car, my eyes almost popped out of my head. They had to cut me out. I still have my memories of being in the Alps, Scotland, Cairo, Luxor, sailing down the Nile, and Costa Smeralda.
Moonraker (1979) I’ll follow Bond anywhere but I didn’t think he’d take me to outer space. Yes, that’s where we went in this film. We also went to France, Venice, Rio and the Amazon.
For Your Eyes Only (1981) I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful location than Greece. I had a lot of fun with the rest of the crew in Meteora and Corfu, in Madrid, and Cortina d’Ambezzo in Italy.
Octopussy (1983) From Jag Mandir in India, we flew to West Berlin, East Berlin and Feldstadt. India was a blast!
Pierce Brosnan
A View to a Kill (1985) My heart was almost in my throat as I watched the Grace Jones’ character fly off the Eiffel Tower with James in hot pursuit. Zorin’s chateau (Chateau de Chantilly) was like being in the lap of luxury. Great to see Ascot before the races and the crowd, Serbia and San Francisco.
The Living Daylights (1987) Timothy Dalton joins the franchise as the new Bond. I tagged along to Bratislavia (Slovakia), Tangier, Vienna and Baluchistan (Pakistan). The highlight, for me, was watching the filming with the muhajadeen in the desert in Afghanistan.
License to Kill (1989) Key West was the setting for the beautiful wedding that opens this installment of Bond. Again, I was among the guests celebrating then followed James to Bimini.
GoldenEye (1995) Pierce Brosnan takes over as Bond, Judi Dench became M and I continued following Bond. This time, to Monte Carlo, St. Petersburg and Puerto Rico.
Daniel Craig
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) I went with James to Hamburg (Germany), the South China Seas (China) and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam).
The World is Not Enough (1999) I never tire of following James around. This time, it was to Bilbao, Spain, Istanbul and Baku in Azerbaijan.
Die Another Day (2002) I was in North Korea when James posed as an arms dealer. Sadly, he was captured but as soon as he was released, I was with him in Havana, London and Iceland.
Casino Royale (2006) Connery as Bond set the standard that, to my mind, only Daniel Craig can surpass. That long chase scene sent my blood pressure through the roof. Prague, Lahore (Pakistan) Mbale (Uganda), Nassau, Miami, Montenegro, Venice and Lake Como (Italy).
Quantum of Solace (2008) James is still mourning the death of Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale. I was in Siena when he brought Mr. White in for interrogation. I had just stepped out of the room when all hell broke loose. The chase and my travels continued in London, Haiti, Bregenz (Austria), Talamone (Italy) Bolivia and finally Kazen in Russia.
The next Bond is due to be released in 2012. Watch for me in one of the scenes.
