Reporting from Springfield

Hello all...

i'm recovering from the sprained neck at a brisk pace in the rolling green hills of Springfield, OH. I'm now able to walk without looking like i've got a 2-foot steel rod up my derriere, which is what i had to do for a couple of days, in order to limit the movement of my upper vertebrae.

My uncle and aunt live up here in this mini-mansion sort of place, in this secluded suburb flanked by golf courses and lightly-wooded meadows. The decor is mainly Baroque-inspired, with sprinklings of italian and a dash of contemporary where needed. Their Drawing-room is the sort of place you'd expect to pay a fee just to peek inside. Loaded to the gills with items such as crystal animals, metal statuettes inspired by the tale of Moses, the very essential Lladro porcelain showpiece(What is it with us Indians and our obsession with useless porcelain?) and other baubles, it's the kind of place where you'd have to sit like a statue yourself in order to fit in.

The rest of this pile is more practical, in the sense that you're not afraid of sitting anywhere, lest you break a priceless artefact. The kitchen is well-endowed, the baths are quite fine, and the bedrooms are just right. The real beauty lies on the outside, where the fall season is painting the land with vibrant colour, and every morning presents a differently-hued vista. Throw in a nice little river, and it would be perfect.

This trip is also getting to be profitable gastronomically. We had our dinner yesterday at this all-mexican outfit, where i ordered a sort of steak(bad choice, i know) the rest of the food was quite good, but my order wasn't really up to the mark. My aunt very helpfully pointed out later, as i was finishing my dinner, that this isn't really a good place to eat steak...good timing.

Our lunch today was at this little Boucherie-cum-deli, where i had a decent slice of beef encased in a rather nice sandwich, accompanied by a nice coffee. The place is a chain operation, but the food was of a high standard, someting not usually associated with food chains. later we got ourselves a good sourdough loaf, which tasted really swell.

Later on in the evening, i'm going to see my 8-year old nephew and possibly meet my cousins(one of whom i've never laid my eyes on ever) and finally do some shopping.

Music- N.F.A.K- maye ni ma jogh fareed de jaana...