Satara Sightseeing:

Kas Plateau
Sajjangad Fort
Thoseghar Waterfall
Barmotechi Vihir
Sangam Mahuli
Pateshwar Temple

Places to Visit in Vietnam:

Coconut Coffee @ Cong Capphe , outside St. Joseph Cathedral
Hoan Kiem Lake - Huc Bridge, Turtle Tower
Pho Ly Quoc Su - for noodle soup called Pho (Hope they serve it with chicken!)
Halong Bay Cruise - Paradise Cave
Hoi An - Com Ga (for chicken and rice dish called Cao Lau), water puppt performance
Kim Bong carpentry village, Tra Que Herb Village (Garden Restaurant - spring rolls & Tra Que salad), An Bang beach
Hue - Royal tombs of Nguyen dynasty
Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi Tunnels

Woman Of God - James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

Frankly, I picked this one up based solely on its plot - which involved Vatican and selection of new Pope. I was hoping for behind-the-scene intrigues and twists as in The Conclave. The book contained neither. That, however, wasn't the source of my disappointment.

What disappointed me greatly was the fact that I couldn't understand what exactly did the author(s) want to convey. That a human being has the ability the commune with God without the help from any clergy or holy men/women? That humans would do well to listen to their inner voice when it comes to their calling in life? That those who work with the poor and downtrodden are the only ones who are doing God's true work? Or that He works in mysterious ways?

So it was with only a half-hearted enthusiasm that I could follow the life of one Brigid Fitzgerald as she worked with the poor of South Sudan on two separate occasions, helped nab a genocidal maniac, got married, lost her husband and baby, married a priest, again lost her husband and ended up starting a revolution of sorts when it came to the matters of the Catholic Church. I couldn't help  but roll my eyes as the warm feeling in heart, the sensation of raindrops drying on skin and gentle breeze indicated that God was trying to say something to Brigid. 'Hey, you left out the white light' I felt like telling the author(s).

But above all, what riled me most was the thought expressed in the novel that God has brought us into this world but we all are responsible for our lives. He cannot intervene. Really? I don't have any problem in being responsible for my life but then I would have much preferred it if God had given me more control over it. And if He had sent me on Earth with a little booklet explaining the rules of the game. And if He had promised not to disrupt the best-laid plans with His neat little tricks. Oh, and BTW, if He expects us to manage our own lives, why do we need to pray to Him?

I guess God, if at all He exists, would do better than take a hands-off approach, if He wants His creation to make it into the next century. As of now, that looks pretty dicey to me.

The sunset was more than an hour away when we decided to stop for a tea-break. The sky was overcast but it didn't look like it would start raining immediately. But the air had certainly turned cooler as we made our way to the small hotel in the little village.

There were about 10 tables inside - only half of them occupied at the moment. From the looks of it, everyone was busy having tea. So that's what we ordered. But we were hungry as well so I inquired about the snacks. Only two items were being served at the moment - Batatawada and Onion Bhajiyas. Who can resist Onion Bhajiyas when there is a hint of rain in the air? We just hoped they would be hot and crispy.

The lights went out as soon as our tea was served. But the occupants seemed used to it - there weren't any collective gasps. Actually, if I remember right, I was the only one who exclaimed out aloud. The owner calmly reached behind his back to turn on a switch - that lit up the counter, thanks probably to an inverter. The rest of the crowd went on drinking and eating. In due course, we were served with the bhajiyas. They weren't hot but they were crispy - with a side of spicy garlic chutney and fried green chillies. A perfect snack for a rainy cool evening. As we bit into the first bhajiya, the lights came on, as if on cue.

I munched on the bhajiya and sipped my tea as the piece of sky outside turned dark with rain clouds. There was no 5-star seating arrangement, no waiters in crisp uniforms milling about, no gourmet food on menu. But for some unfathomable reason, this moment will remain forever etched in my memory.

It's true what they say about simple moments in life bringing immense joy.