Second Cross

Hi - do you known where is Kalpatru? I asked the shopkeeper on second cross, who was sitting at his counter not doing anything in particular.
I had already made a few rounds up and down the street searching for Kalpatru. There were just too many distributaries off the second cross, which seems to be a fertile delta for humanity, for me to investigate each stream. Hence this question to the shopkeeper.
However, instead of giving me the location of Kalpatru - he decided to teach me how to fish. His response was an algorithm:

• Are you sure it is on second cross?
• If yes, then yes - you are on the right street.
• Now look, there are multiple roads branching off the second cross
• Start from this end - and keep on looking into each side street as you move down the second cross.
• At the end of second cross, if you haven't still found Kalpatru, call the person who gave you the address!

How did I end up on second cross in the first place? I was supposed to meet a friend there who also gone to Kalpatru for first time and together we had to get a chore done. And yes, I had already called the friend earlier and his advice was - it is off the main street - just ask any shopkeeper and they will direct you to the apartment.

Now, I was in a fix. This seemed to be a recursive loop. Call the friend, he tells ask shopkeeper, while shopkeeper has given the algorithm which seems to be too much work and might end up in me calling my friend again.

Anyway, I called my friend again - and ask for the nearest landmark - upon which both of us realized that the apartment I was searching for was on the third cross and not second!

Duck-Roast

Appa - are you going to get Duck Roast? asked Pranit on our first day in Langkawi. His eyes were twinkling with mischief.

Let me transport you to Cochin to better appreciate this question.  I love reading about local delicacies and where to eat - and Cochin was rated highly for - guess what - Duck Roast. One fine evening we left the car at home-stay and started in search of duck roast. First I tried at the top recommended restaurants but surprisingly they did not have any - next at lesser starred ones - and finally at anything goes.

We must have walked two kilometers crisscrossing the streets of Fort Cochi - until-
our light backpacks became heavy,
feet started aching,
and in general all of us were tired and irritated.

I would get into restaurant, rest would try to follow in - I say try to get in because even before sitting down, the only question I asked that day was - Do you have duck roast?

Finally we got served Duck-Roast. It was not so much fun - and hence the term "Duck Roast" has a special meaning. By now you understand - each one of us have our own duck roast. I hope you have one too - do share and let's have some fun.