Nibbling on Gentlemen's Toes in Vizag!

Just finished a terrific lunch at the brand new Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Vizag. The chef was kind enough to make some fiery rassam which I combined with soothing curd rice. But the delicacy I enjoyed was tendli ( not the cricket legend), Telegu-style. My local host, Soumya ( actress Gautami's niece) googled the word 'tendli' and came up with the english equivalent, which is 'Gentlemen's Toes.' Earlier, we'd sampled Ladies' Fingers ( bhindi ).... and now it was time to share a laugh over our menu. It must be the heat here - over 33 degrees. But I am equally sure it's the madness of the royal wedding that we are all o.d.ing on. I loved being on the Headlines Today show in Delhi yesterday, and even those long hours at the studio ( from 2 p.m. to 10 30pm), flew by because all of us were having so much fun! The international votes are divided over Kate's gown - I liked half of it - the top half. The rest looked far too clunky and heavy... like it belonged to a dowager queen, not a freshly minted Duchess. William looked like his late mother, Princess Diana in military gear ( Michael Jackson would have loved his uniform). It was really Harry the Hottie who stole the show, with his naughty expression, all those gold braids and that bed hair. As for Kate's sister Pippa in that super sexy Baywatch dress - what was she thinking? Sure she has a great butt, and she probably figured it would get maximum footage as she held Kate's train down the aisle. But hello! wasn't her look a bit too tarty for such a regal occasion? As for Princess Anne and her daughters, their ghastly clothes looked like the ladies had ripped up their old sofas in a rage,and hastily created those ugly, flower print outfits. Victoria Beckham resembled a witch - Cruella De Ville herself - such harsh make-up for a day event! This faux pas is enough for her to lose her place as a fashion icon. The Queen looked like a dotty daffodil. And Camilla, like a rottweiler on an outing.
This memorable day belonged to the radiant bride. From Plain Kate to Catherine the Great - what a fantastic ending to a decade long prem kahani. I think this shaadi will last - both of them looked genuinely in love, and the double whammy provided by the bonus chumma, only added to the magic.
I get back to Mumbai tomorrow. But only after watching a performance of 'Waiting for Godot' staged by 'Applause' in Vizag. No, it's not a Telegu version, one of the 'tramps' played by Surya, tells me seriously. Pity!