
Lounge Loves: People watching, rum-aged coffee and more
Coming home to a fridge stocked with interesting condiments brings me a lot of joy. I've dabbled in making my own aioli and XO sauce, but chilli oils hold a special place in my heart. I've tried many versions, from Moi Soi to a small business in Kalimpong, but Nomad's Bacon Chilli Oil has come out on top. This indulgent condiment is like a hybrid of bacon relish and chilli oil—it pairs surprisingly well with pesto on a Margherita pizza and adds a fun kick to sweet corn chicken soup. Its got chunky bacon bits, Byadgi chillies (the kind used in Mangalorean ghee roast) and Sichuan peppercorns. It's become my go-to way to curb my craving for several strips of bacon—just a little taste goes a long way.
Beyond the museums, flea markets, food and drinks, one of the perks of being on vacation is watching people go about their day. Imagine sitting in a park and just looking at the world around you with no interruptions of work calls/mails/texts—a child playing with his father, a dog chasing a ball, a woman running in a leopard catsuit, two girls drawing each other's portraits, a formal suit-wearer hurriedly walking past with grocery bags, two young boys laughing while looking at their phones. You see them and cook up stories in your head about who they are, though there's no actual desire to get to know them or their life stories. In those few minutes, life seems good and all figured out.

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