Dears, Ema and I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Lea and Victor Rangel-Ribeiro in New York, on Sept 15, 2008. We went up to the Curry in a Hurry restaurant on 28th and Lexington. The fare was OK(taste wise) but the conversation was electric and fun. We chatted for a good while and it was as though we had known each other for years and years. I believe that up to a point, I almost had Lea believing that I was a school (Class) mate of her father.(:-) Till she caught on to me. I suggested to her that I was having a similar privilege on GoaNet where a couple of revisionistos were (at least temporarily) in the belief that I was from the Kunbi tribe.
Why are you folks surprised? Am I not from the Kunbi tribe? I believe I am. Regretfully, I cannot reveal other details of our conversation with Lea and Victor, as it might be matter for another short story compendium, and subject to copyright (:-). All I can relate at this time is that it was pure fun for Ema and me. Victor was his usual (I hope) (:-) consummate gentleman self and Lea was her delightful brilliant and radiant self. They are two very gracious Goans. The next time around, we have to visit them in Munroe,NJ where I have offered to be the 'mesta' for selective items.I will be in-charge of the Pakodas, Aloo-Bondas (Batata Vada) and possibly Bhaji Puri (for the last item, I will be the executive mesta - Ema will do the needful). Those wanting additional items will have to order from the menu (:-) Earlier on Sept 13th, we stopped over in Philadelphia and met two very nice Goans, Wilma and Bambino Martins. Our stop over in DC was too short to meet with another delightful Goan friend of ours, Fr. Francisco Alves. We intend to see him when we are in Virginia in November. Our favourite task is to head out to the real hole-in-the-wall Delhi Dhaba (like Cafe Prakash) and grab something vegetarian or non.As our stay in Virginia is likely to be slightly longer in Nov, we intend to also hook up with Oscar Noronha, another nice and cultured Goan gentleman whose family is a friend of our family. Once again - it was a true delight to be with such polite and cultured Goan company. The last time we had this honour was in Toronto with Ben Antao, Mervyn Lobo, Silviano Barbosa, Bosco D'Mello, Olinda Fernandes, Roland Francis, and Francis Rodrigues and his wife. good wishes to all jc
