Ghostly encounters in NE Florida

With Halloween just around the corner, some people begin thinking of ghosts, but Ghosts and ghost sightings are not just confined to Halloween. Many people claim to have seen ghosts or evidences of them all during the year. Two books about ghosts in Florida detail such events.


Ghosts of St. Augustine
David Lapham
1997, Pineapple Press, Sarasota
In twenty-four stories set in St. Augustine, people see ghosts and observe evidence of ghostly activities. A chill will run down your neck as you read accounts of objects being moved, lights clicking off and on, mysterious smells emanating from corners and shadows drifting in and out of rooms. You may find yourself looking around for reassurance that you're really alone.
St. Augustine has had 400 years of frequently violent history, and many residents do believe that some places in the city are haunted.  Ghost Tours of St. Augustine conducts ghost walks to point out such places to tourists.

Haunt Hunter's Guide to Florida
Joyce Elson Moore
1998, Pineapple Press, Sarasota
You'll learn of thirty-three places in Florida haunted by ghosts. The book divides Florida into seven regions. The author then details the ghostly tales about places in the region, visiting info and directions to the locations.
Northeast Florida has ten places where people have told of seeing ghosts or evidences of ghosts: They have been seen at Ft. Clinch St. Park. A mysterious woman in white has been seen at the Tabby House on Ft. George Island. Kingsley Plantation was the location of a moving bed and a gingerbread aroma. Guests and employees of the St. Francis Inn in St. Augustine have reported presences, sounds and whispers. Figures and footsteps at the old lighthouse have convinced some people that it is haunted.
Other Northeast Florida ghostly locations are the Castillo de San Marcos and the house at 46 Avenida Menendez in St. Augustine, the Devil's Millhopper in Gainesville, Herlong Mansion in Micanopy and Washington Oaks State Gardens. The Herlong Mansion was actually investigated by "ghostbusters."

You can also take a Florida Ghost Tour at Daytona Beach, Haunts of the World's Most Famous Beach

Hundred-foot journey for foodies and romanticists

Novel: The Hundred-Foot Journey, by Richard C. Morais  
Film:  directed by Lasse Hallstrom

Just 100 feet across from each other in the small village of Lumie`re, France, two competing restaurants fight for control and public recognition.  Le Saule Pleureur, a haute cuisine French restaurant is owned by the haughty Madame Mallory. Maison Mumbai is a newly opened restaurant by the Kadam's, a boisterous Indian family from Mumbai (formerly Bombay).  These completely opposite cultures become the stage for hard feelings, conflict,   and a little comedy.

Madame Mallory has ruled her restaurant serving perfect, classic French food for years.  She has no competition and is both feared and respected by her staff and the townspeople.  Her life is totally set, or so she believes with only a second Michelin star for her restaurant
missing.  Gaining this star is her main mission in life.

The Kadam family owned a successful restaurant in Mumbai until it was burned to the ground in a political riot.  The mother/wife is killed and the bereft family decides to move on, first to London, then to Lumie're, a small town in rural France. They believe it is fate that they stay there after their car breaks down.  They find a dwelling big enough for the family and a restaurant, across the small road from Le Saule Pleureur.  They put up their Indian decor, play loud Indian music, scream directions to each other and open for business. Madame Mallory's peace, decorum and happiness are violated.  

Hassan Haji a 17 year old son of the Kadam family is Maison Mumbai's chief cook.  Eventually his talent is recognized by Madame Mallory: 
 "He has it," she hissed.  "He has it."
"What? He has What?  Who has what?"
"The boy," she croaked.  "The boy has what. . .Oh, the injustice of life."
The injustice, of course, is that he has the talent for cooking that she wishes she had.

She is determined to become his teacher and make him a chef.  She goes on a hunger strike until Papa Kadam agrees he can live at her restaurant and be tutored. The cultural conflict, the tutoring, a little romance are the basic plot elements of the book and the movie.  

Morais writes lovely descriptive passages about the food and the countryside, but I enjoyed the movie more than the book.  Except, of course, it was the book that made me first at the theater when the movie opened.  The film's Mumbai scenes of the food market crowded with people are colorful with beautiful foods, Indian wares, saris, and excitement.  The movie characters are more fully described and seem more like real people. Morais's portrait of Madame Mallory is somewhat stereotypical.  In the film she is a human being with faults, but also some kindness.  

Truth be told, I liked the happier ending of the film.  Yes, perhaps it was a bit sentimental, and the novel more realistic this time, but it was a more satisfying outcome for the characters I had come to care for.  Helen Mirren is perfect as Madame Mallory.  Manish Dayal's portrayal of Hassan is wonderfully innocent and earnest.  Papa Kadam, played by the Indian actor Om Puri, is the ideal Indian papa.  For sure, both the movie and the book will make you want to go out for Indian food.

                                                Some spices of Indian cuisine