“Sharmaji lets go to Californya” I ping Sharmaji around 4 pm . His reply “Chalo”
We take lift go to ground floor, out of our office building 2 mins walk, small gate way out – and we are there – “Californya” the Chai Kadda ( Tapri) :) Its buzzing with people having “Chudd Chai and Kaddi” (hot tea and snacks) and Sutta ! :D
Saw some familiar faces and exchanged smiles , checked the snacks section , saw something new – I asked the vendor “Eda Endoa ?” (What is this?) He said its made out of Channa, pudina . It looked like vada and beinga foodie I just thought of trying one … it was hot and crispy , it was delicious !! Sharmaji – Try karenge – mast hai - I shouted – Channe vaali hai … he said Chanaa !! na baba :D . I laughed and walked towards him , and then he saw the snack I was having – “his eyes widened – and he exclaimed “Falafel” I will have one too ! I was surprised what happened suddenly and what’s Falafell ?
The regular snacks you get there Vada (Parrip and uzhunnu) Bonda (Aalo and sweet) Bhajji (Mirchi and kaccha kela) , Pazham Pori, Kerala special and yday I had this new stuff – “Falafel” . ….. Sharmaji grabbed one from the few of the falafel left and having a bite exclaimed – it tastes just like the one we used to get un Kuwait …. And then he gave a brief description of how falafel is made and how they used to love having it as snacks as kids when in Kuwait .. was happy to see he finally getting something he likes .. and amazed tonrealise you get food of Middle East here at a Tapri /Tattu Kadaa .. ..
I have been hearing about “Californya” since 2007 when we had just come to Trivandrum and I was working with my previous company at city premises office, and it was only in 2009 that I actually went to this Chai ki Dukaan with 2 of my friends ramu and buzy B , we all used to have hectic work schedule and I was fed up having pantry tea , so I asked ramu lets have some good tea , he said there is a place but not sure if I will be comfortable – I told him I need good tea , so he said “Ok , let me check with busy B too” and that’s how I became quite regular visitor at californya. One place I get to see people from other company, some time friends from my previous company, sometimes some familiar faces from church , chindu , jinu, shashi, shamu, mathai, shantu, sundar,anu,kabir,hari, .. yea not many women come there – but there has been change in 2 years , now I see quite a few girls coming there for tea. I had to stop going there when I was expecting Ezekiel – that place is unofficial smoking zone near our office :) almost after gap of 1 year when I wanted to go to Californya , both my friends ramu and busy B were too busy . .. and I got sharmaji’s and anto’s company … over the teas got to know sharmaji and anto better .. anto’s order is usually “3 strong chai, water less milk more !” :) Sharmaji will have his sutta , and I will have some Kaddi :)
Over the years the californya setup though basically has remained the same but they have become more enterprising with number of snack items, sitting arrangement and service.looking back have quite a few good memories of having tea with friends – during summer when it is re hot aal nd we all are sweating profusely but still having Hot hot tea with a Vada , abusing our hectic work life…. while drizzling standing under the plastic sheet and enjoying every sip – laughing loud and raising glass of tea to say hi to familiar faces , though the set of friends have changed and sometimes do wish company of Purne friends , but Chai ke liye friend zaroori hota hai , naya purna koi bhi chalta hai :) … Its drizzling now … perfect time for adrak waali chai and garam garm pakodey … .. :)
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