I&rsquom a sucker for shiny, new things. Antiques especially leave me cold. Wandering through Kochi&rsquos Jew Town&mdashwhere every second shop trades in &lsquojunk&rsquo&mdashI was arrested by the cheerfully utilitarian display at C.K. Prabhakaran&rsquos , a spice shop. The stuff was clearly good and dirt-cheap too. Embarrassing amounts of nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, peppercorns (black and green) and vanilla pods were promptly purchased. Where was I going to put it all I needed my own spice box. I asked for one at Crafters. They only kept old ones&mdashgnarled and varnished entities from a bygone era. &ldquoBut I want something I can use.&rdquo They could get me one, they said. Minutes later this rubber wood beauty was presented to me. Damage Rs 300.
