Kids are always kids !!!

 My nephew Aniruddha is football fan too. ..!!! 

Now FIFA World Cup matches are going on, I started to tell my limited knowledge of football game. 

Me  :  Aniruddha,  FIFA World Cup matches are going on  .. ..!!! 

Aniruddha  :  Yes  , this time 48 countries are participating...... 

Me :  That is a huge number   !!!  

           Can you name some of the countries   ???? 

I thought he would name  2-4 countries. 

Aniruddha  :  OK

                          I will say continent wise. 

European continent

Austria

  Belgium

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

  Croatia

  Czechia

  England

   France

  Germany

   Netherlands

 Norway

  Portugal

  Scotland

 Spain

  Sweden

   Switzerland

  Turkey

South American continent

Argentina

Brazil

 Columbia

Ecuador

Paraguay

Uruguay

North American continent

Canada

United States of America

Mexico

Asian continent

Iran 

Iraq

Japan

Jordan

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

South Korea

Uzbekistan

African continent

Algeria

Cabo Verde

Cote D'ivore

Democratic Republic of Congo

Egypt

Ghana

Morocco

Senegal

South Africa

Tunisia

Central America and Caribbean

Cuba

Panama

Haiti

Curacao

Oceania

Australia

New Zealand

By hearing the names of countries continuously without a break , I forgot to count them    !!! 

Still I am recovering from the shock    ....!!!!

Differences between Lime and Lemon ??

  Lime and lemon look similar at first glance.

But their colours, flavours, textures and culinary uses are quite different.

1.   Limes have bright green skin.

      Lemons have vibrant yellow colour.

2.  Limes taste sharper and slightly bitter.

      Lemons have cleaner and mild sweet citrus flavour.

3.  Lemons are larger and oval shaped.

    Limes are smaller and rounder.

4.  Lemons contain more juice compared to limes.

     Lemons are ideal for baking and lemonade recipes.

5.  Lemons contain more vitamin C than limes.

      These make ideal immunity drink.

What does M1 on train coach mean ??

 The M1 coach is part of Indian railway's newer planning.

These markings M1, M2, M3...... refer to AC 3 - tier economy coaches. 

Difference between regular 3AC coach and M1 coach  ----

Standard 3AC coach has 72 berths

M1 has 83 berths

3AC coaches offer slightly more space and features like privacy curtains.

M1 coaches are more compact and have features like charging points, reading lights, fans and air-conditioning.

Welcome traditions around the world

  Yesterday I had written an article about Slovakia's welcome tradition using food. 

But Slovakia is not alone   !!! 

There are other countries too following the same tradition. 

1.  Date and Arabian coffee

             In many countries across middle East, guests are traditionally welcomed with dates and Arabian coffee. 

2.  Aloha welcome with Poi

                 In Hawaiian culture, guests are traditionally welcomed with a dish made from taro root called Poi and the spirit of Aloha. 

3.  Milk tea welcome ceremony

                    In Mongolia and Tibetan plateau, guests immediately upon arrival are greeted with butter tea or milk tea.

4.  Kalach Bread Welcome 

                      In Ukraine and Russia, guests are traditionally welcomed with ceremonial bread called Kalach often accompanied with salt.

                       It is similar to Slovakian tradition  !!!

Even in our house, we greet guests with offering coffee or buttermilk to drink.

WE DON'T MAKE IT A BIG ISSUE   !!!

Why Indian PM was greeted by bread and salt in Slovakia ??

 PM Modi became the first ever Indian Prime Minister to visit Slovakia since the country got independence in 1993.

He was received by Slovak foreign minister and accorded a symbolic, traditional Slovak greeting, offering of bread and salt.

What does it mean ?? 

           In Slovak and traditional Slovak culture, greeting an honored guest with a loaf of freshly baked bread and a small dish of salt is the highest expression of hospitality, respect and good will. 

            Bread represents prosperity , sustenance and sharing of blessings. 

             Salt symbolizes lasting value and enduring friendship. 

             It is a welcome tradition where food is used   !!!!