Why this blog is called "Gallimaufry".

gal-uh-MAW-free\, noun.

Originally meaning "a hash of various kinds of meats," "gallimaufry" comes from French galimafrée; in Old French, from the word galer, "to rejoice, to make merry"; in old English: gala + mafrer: "to eat much," and from Medieval Dutch maffelen: "to open one's mouth wide."

It's also a dish made by hashing up odds and ends of food; a heterogeneous mixture; a hodge-podge; a ragout; a confused jumble; a ridiculous medley; a promiscuous (!) assemblage of persons.

Those of you who know me, will, I’m sure, understand how well some of these phrases (barring the "promiscuous" bit!) fit me.

More importantly, this blog is an ode to my love for Shimla. I hope to show you this little town through my eyes. If you don't see too many people in it, forgive me, because I'm a little chary of turning this into a human zoo.

Stop by for a spell, look at my pictures, ask me questions about Shimla, if you wish. I shall try and answer them as best as I can. Let's be friends for a while....

1 February 2009

Susegad.



''Susegad'' is a term Goans use for themselves. It is not just an adjective that identifies a laid-back , unhurried attitude to life. It is a civilisation. It is a whole way of life which demands that you relax, take your time, enjoy life, be happy. There has to be, after all, much more to life than speed and competition and the attendant greed it brings.








Shimla hasn't heard this word, but it lives it out. Shops open around ten a.m. and shut for lunch. They open again at three p.m. or so (depending on the owners' ability to rouse themselves from siesta) and shut in the evening at nine p.m.
Just look at the signs in the pictures. They tell you a lot about the Shimla businessman. Maybe the Ramalinga Rajus of the world need to take a leaf out of his book?


Even the newer and swankier establishments are not immune to the afternoon break!



3 comments:

Atoorva said...

A Goan friend -new to New Delhi , was enjoying her siesta when at 3PM ,on a burning May afternoon, she was disturbed by a cablewallah for payment. She gave the money but very sweetly told the lad that this is not the right time for any decent man to be out on the streets. Back home in Goa , only street dogs and salesmen are out at this hours.
Lovely post. Your blog brightens up my days .

Geetali said...

Thank you ,Atoorva. You're much too kind.

Deepa said...

loved the post, and loved Atoorva's comment even more! bless you and keep writing!

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