UnHip LA

 

This was my weekend in Bollywood:  gathered with a Meetup group and watched Dhoom 2 at a spotless apartment in Pasadena. The host provided us with a tasty assortment of Indian sweets and snacks.  If you have not seen a Bollywood movie, I strongly suggest you rent one and enjoy it.  The dancing, music, colors, hunks, fantastical action scenes, and romance made Dhoom 2 a feast of fun. I am now president of the Los Angeles Abhishek Bachchan Fan Club Meetup group.

The next day I ventured out to Artesia with P.  Artesia is home to Little India, a community of South Asian shops, restaurants, and businesses, about 20 minutes south of L.A.  P was kind enough to show me around.  We ate at Surati Farsan Mart, and I had a Pav Bhaji, "spicy mixed vegetable dish," and Dahi Puri, "small deep fried whole wheat puffy shells stuffed with beans and potatoes, covered with sweet and spicy sauces, topped with yogurt," and drank a chiku shake (chiku is a tropical fruit). ($3.50, $2.75, and $2.00.)

Here are the pretty Dahi Puri:

 

I am a HUGE fan of Indian food and this was very tasty!  If only there were one of these on the corner from where I live.  The portion was Goldilocks’ "just right." P explained that this is a snack size, not a full meal.  Apparently Indians like to snack and graze - me too.  Then we walked around briefly, passing colorful sari shops, groceries, and jewelry stores.  I was surprised that when an Indian man bumped into me at the grocery he said sorry and excuse me.  This politeness would never ever happen in a Korean grocery store, nor a Chinese one.  (I’m Korean, I can say this.) 

 

 

Here are some links to learn more about Little India:
http://www.artesiaindia.us/

http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2004-11/
2004-11-15-voa23.cfm?CFID=145910607&CFTOKEN=32648329

Movie theatre showing Bollywood fare and other international cinemas:
Naz 8 Cinema in Artesia/Lakewood 
On Tuesday, all Hindi movies are $5, all day! 

Dhoom 2:
movie site with trailer (you have to watch it!)

And Abhishek Bachchan!!
fansite

Abhishek and crew (Big B., Aishwarya, Bipasha) will be touring and performing Indian dance numbers!  The Unforgettable Tour 

Dhoom Machale!