TRAVEL DIARY

A weblog regularly updated by Jodi Rose.

Thursday, February 05, 2004

3:30 PM
Posted by jodi rose

My first day at ABC. Slightly disoriented but no doubt I will find my way around these corridors eventually. Saw the lovely Heather-Grace in the canteen when I went down to have coffee and intro briefing with Robyn. I love how people just pop up in your life - that's Sydney for you, 28 years of networking and playing has to leave its mark.
The cycle to work from redfern was quite enjoyable, managed to avoid most of the main roads and hills, found parking in the car park amongst many other bikes. Have started on the project management for my australian bridge extravaganza, finally made contact with the right person at vicroads about getting access to Westgate bridge, now I'm just waiting for them to email the forms. Don't want any hazardous activity on those cables.
Settling in to my new room - it's very fabulous being in the den out the back, I've sourced that kitsch wallpaper with pictures of forest and sunsets, and am planning a redecorating working bee soon. You have been warned.
The girls are having a BBQ on sunday, I've been out for a drink at zanzibar on king st the first night - strawberry caprioska, my new favourite, vodka, crushed strawberries and heaps of lime, yum - and some dodgy hawaiian themed bar in bondi last night full of english backpackers, who can probably spend an entire year here without meeting a real live aussie. We had gone out in search of a bath from the half-dozen being thrown in a skip yesterday, but they had all disappeared. If anyone knows of a spare bath going to a good home, let me know.
Tonight am braving the art scene, a show at new contemporary gallery in the QVB with Zhao Bandi - a chinese conceptual artist who photographs himself and his panda all over beijing, then an imperial slacks group show at artspace. All in the name of research - it's fun having the energy and wanting to get out there in the world again. I'm loving the steamy heat, even when it gets rainy it's still all humid and tropical. The novelty will probably wear off soon.
Learnt something today from JOhn, that the halves of mangoes are called 'mango cheeks'. neither Sheree nor I believed him, then I did a google and there are hundreds of recipes for mango cheeks - grilled with brown sugar looked good!
Ahh the joy of being in a workplace with other people around. It was a lonely old year in that sculptors gallery.

Grilled Mango Cheeks
Preparation Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes

4 medium mangoes (1.7kg)
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons dark rum

Peel mangoes; cut two "cheeks" from each mango by slicing lengthways on either side of seed.

Preheat oven to moderately hot.


Place mango cheeks, flat-side down, in grill pan; cook until mango is beginning to brown.

Transfer mango to baking dish; sprinkle sugar and rum over mango.

Bake mango, uncovered, in moderately hot oven 8 minutes.

Top mango with passionfruit pulp and serve with cream or ice-cream if desired.

SERVES 4

TIP: This recipe uses only the mango cheeks; use any remaining mango flesh in a salsa or salad.