Del Lobo writes poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction and currently lives on the Sunshine Coast in B.C. She earned a B.A. in International Development at the University of Guelph and is now studying Creative Writing there. Her short stories have appeared in Canadian Stories, Potato Soup Journal and other publication
Author: Delma Lobo
I was born in Mapusa, the capital city of the Bardez region. I'm told that the hospital where my mother gave birth to me was situated right beside a fish market. It's a probable cause for my love of seafood.
My mother hailed from Aldona and my father from Bodiem, two villages in North Goa. A narrow rivulet separated these villages a while back. Now the river is no more. When I spent my summer vacations ('50s and '60s) in either Bodiem or Aldona, a boatman ferried our family back and forth. I was baptized in the lovely St. Thomas Church in Aldona.
Because of my father's work, we lived in Bombay (Mumbai now) and I lived in two locations - Mazagon (Dockyard Road) and Sandhurst Road (Umerkhadi). I attended Rosary School right across from the Dockyard Railway Station.
I enjoy reading, writing, walking, watching films and cooking. I love shells, beach glass and spending time in nature.
Travelling is another one of my favourite activities and provides for me a welcome perspective.
Dabbawalla – Wizard
Dabba is a hindi word for box and walla is a suffix of the previous word which means 'doer' or 'holder'. So, dabbawalla is, indeed, the carrier of a box. The three or four tiered dhaba is also known as tiffin. The terms dabbawalla and tiffin carrier are used simultaneously. What does the box contain?… Continue reading Dabbawalla – Wizard
An Ode to Papa
Papa, my maternal grandfather, lived in Alto Ranoi, Quitla, Aldona. He and my grandmother raised six children in a large house. I believe all his children were born in that house but I cannot be sure. It's true that some of his grandchildren were born in there. Papa, I'm told, in the days when he… Continue reading An Ode to Papa
Mapusa Market on a Friday
This market is definitely something to experience. Don't forget to hone your bargaining skills and expect to haggle. It's totally expected of you, the buyer. Of course, you can choose to ignore this advice and pay the asking price but the experience is bland and hardly adventurous. Bear in mind, it's not cool to haggle… Continue reading Mapusa Market on a Friday
Cashew – A Fruit
I'll bet you didn't know the cashew is a fruit. Am I right? If you didn't grow up in cashew country, how would you know? Most people think that the nut itself grows on trees. Few know that it is actually attached to a fruit and that the fruit is utilized as well. So that… Continue reading Cashew – A Fruit
Engaged to be married
When a dear neice told me of her forthcoming engagement, I was excited and sad at the same time. I live in Canada and she lives in India. How would I celebrate with her? I wanted to share my excitement with my Canadian daughter but the idea of an 'engagement' being such a big deal… Continue reading Engaged to be married
Village Chapel
On the little road that led from the junction of the church road and the village road, on the way to Mae's house, there is a chapel much like this one. A simple little chapel where you could see the cross through a barred off entrance. It wasn't meant to be like a church where… Continue reading Village Chapel
Mapusa Fish Market
It's my birthday tomorrow and my mother told me that while she waited in anticipation for my arrival, all she could smell was fish, I decided to write a blog about the Mapusa market. Yes, you got it, I was born in Mapusa supposedly not far from the fish market. I can't remember if… Continue reading Mapusa Fish Market
Jackfruit
Who remembers this? Mae had a tree right at the foot of the property. If you went over to the steps and stood on the highest part of the concrete, you could reach these. Still, who wanted to grab the pokey exterior. We waited until someone else had the nerve to open it, what a… Continue reading Jackfruit
Tendli Pickle or Tindora
While talking to my cousin in Brampton recently, she reminded me of this wonderful pickle made from tendlis or gherkins, how they are known in the West. Frankly, I've never seen this vegetable in mainstream grocery markets but I suspect that Indian grocery stores worldwide carry them. I remember the vegetable itself is quite bland… Continue reading Tendli Pickle or Tindora
Del Lobo 