Its that time of the year when seniors are remembered. The one whom you hated for leaving his white gigantic small-clothes in the loo. The one who saw right through you when you walked by him. And many others. I talked to a senior and he transformed the stuff I had written about my summer project beyond my belief. I mean, its easier to believe that Jayalalitha was an actress once! [ and a fit one at that!]
CVs, companies, PPTs. The trio that decides many destinies. Not to forget interviews where, it is said, the true traits pop out. Uiii ma! If the interviewer is a good looking lady, I am doomed.
Its also that time when people find pleasure in poking fun at me.
"Why are you alone in the mess?"
"What is the story? what is the status?"
"Treat treat treat"
The first two are only harbingers of the Grand Inquisition, which I have so far avoided. It is the last one that really makes the baniya inside me flinch with fear. Say that again!? As it is, living on this earth is such an expensive proposition. Why complicate it?
A recent conversation with Sis centered on the convo. And I find it incredible that my stay at this place is coming to an end. It looks like just yesterday when I moved out of IITK. And today, another moving out... But sis had other things and questions in mind. "You don't have anyone in mind, do you?" "That girl, what happened to her" "You are not telling me the truth!"
A few more of these and a digit would be added to my phone bill for the month. The figure at present is sufficient to disqualify me from several baniya communities!
I dont know what is Core
because GameTheory is bore
Warehouse dont matter to me
Its only such insanity
Leadership and Vision are gigantic shit
in 22 minutes I humbly quit
Economics is dull and slow
I only wait for the time to go
Those trembling limbs and pounding heart
Is such a work of God's art
Snuggled in the arms of quiet,
I wish I could forever hide...
.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Monday, December 25, 2006
Back to old ways in Wimwi-pur
Wimwi-pur is awash with the cries of phoren-return junta. Their eyes are still gung-ho with the memories of the beauty [and beauties] of Europe. I took a walk along the brick laden campus and the feeling of having arrived really arrived. I mean, I expected to feel wonderment at why I had landed in a brick factory. Instead, I felt as if I had never gone anywhere. Only the faces seemed new.
But I can't really call these ways old. They are so new, its almost like a dream. Sapnon ka mahal. Khayali Pulao? That last word brings back such vibrant memories of the frantic activities that used to take place at dinner time in Tauschie Dorm. Onion getting sliced to pieces, old dishes being cleaned, new recipes being mulled over. . .
And I return to the old question I once mulled over. Yes, people do get incredibly lucky at times. Like the time when I got sick and the doctors said, "Ise dawa ki nahi, dua ki zarurat hai". Or when I almost sank into a water tank like a polythene bag full of wet mud but was rescued just-in-time.
People do get lucky at times.
People now ask me if some developments have taken place. Oh come on, we live in a developing country. What do you expect?
On other developments, Ghalibiano has developed a soft corner [or rather, a 3 bhk chumree] for a certain French girl, widely known in WHU for her oui sounds and uiimaa! looks.
Strato's bheja is turning out to be tastier than the mess food here. And I am no less than hooked. While her threats to ban remind me of a certain Mr Khomeini, I have a demonstrated capability of lift and throw. Now, that is deadly. So deadly, its wise for people to buy medical insurance policies by the dozens.
What is real, and what is true,
until it gets all over you?
Ah this feeling, so divine,
never thought she would be mine!
But I can't really call these ways old. They are so new, its almost like a dream. Sapnon ka mahal. Khayali Pulao? That last word brings back such vibrant memories of the frantic activities that used to take place at dinner time in Tauschie Dorm. Onion getting sliced to pieces, old dishes being cleaned, new recipes being mulled over. . .
And I return to the old question I once mulled over. Yes, people do get incredibly lucky at times. Like the time when I got sick and the doctors said, "Ise dawa ki nahi, dua ki zarurat hai". Or when I almost sank into a water tank like a polythene bag full of wet mud but was rescued just-in-time.
People do get lucky at times.
People now ask me if some developments have taken place. Oh come on, we live in a developing country. What do you expect?
On other developments, Ghalibiano has developed a soft corner [or rather, a 3 bhk chumree] for a certain French girl, widely known in WHU for her oui sounds and uiimaa! looks.
Strato's bheja is turning out to be tastier than the mess food here. And I am no less than hooked. While her threats to ban remind me of a certain Mr Khomeini, I have a demonstrated capability of lift and throw. Now, that is deadly. So deadly, its wise for people to buy medical insurance policies by the dozens.
What is real, and what is true,
until it gets all over you?
Ah this feeling, so divine,
never thought she would be mine!
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Back to apna desh...
When we boarded the flight in Frankfurt at 11 am, it was 8C outside. Slightly raining, and cold winds were blowing. And before we landed in Mumbai, the stewardess made an announcement that made my heart melt. The outside temperature in Mumbai was 28C, and this was at midnight! Even the thought of noon hours left me flinching. The sweater and jacket that I had put on were now hanging on my shoulders.
I couldn't have asked for a warmer welcome on return to apna desh!
The first thought that comes to one's mind [apart from 'Oh! so we have finally arrived' ] is , 'Oh, Mumbai airport isn't even as good as many railway stations in Germany'. True indeed. The number of shops in Cologne hauptbahnof [central station ] would put any decent sized mall in India to shame.
But this pessimism doesn't last long as you begin to imagine about the implications of your having arrived. Ah, so&so is gonna be around in 2 days. Ah, we can go to so&so place and hog. And oh, I can clear my backlog of movies, and talk to didi and bhaiya without worrying so much about the time. And finally, no more multiplying prices by 60!
Its already been 2 days since I came here. Acclimatization to the new surroundings didn't take long though. The cool air from ceiling fans, the taste of roti smeared in ghee, the not-so-odorless air, the horny cars and bikes and not having to cook before eating or wash dishes after eating!
And now, I am sitting in my room, eating sleeping and watching movies. Only few things can make life more fun, and they'll all come an eon later!
I stumbled upon this piece and I think its among the most beautiful juxtapositions of words I have ever come across:
"If there's ever a time that I should learn everything you
know, I will unlearn everything I know and start all over again.
The time shall never come when you cease to amaze me,
amuse me or excite me."
I couldn't have asked for a warmer welcome on return to apna desh!
The first thought that comes to one's mind [apart from 'Oh! so we have finally arrived' ] is , 'Oh, Mumbai airport isn't even as good as many railway stations in Germany'. True indeed. The number of shops in Cologne hauptbahnof [central station ] would put any decent sized mall in India to shame.
But this pessimism doesn't last long as you begin to imagine about the implications of your having arrived. Ah, so&so is gonna be around in 2 days. Ah, we can go to so&so place and hog. And oh, I can clear my backlog of movies, and talk to didi and bhaiya without worrying so much about the time. And finally, no more multiplying prices by 60!
Its already been 2 days since I came here. Acclimatization to the new surroundings didn't take long though. The cool air from ceiling fans, the taste of roti smeared in ghee, the not-so-odorless air, the horny cars and bikes and not having to cook before eating or wash dishes after eating!
And now, I am sitting in my room, eating sleeping and watching movies. Only few things can make life more fun, and they'll all come an eon later!
I stumbled upon this piece and I think its among the most beautiful juxtapositions of words I have ever come across:
"If there's ever a time that I should learn everything you
know, I will unlearn everything I know and start all over again.
The time shall never come when you cease to amaze me,
amuse me or excite me."
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Last day @ WHU
And just like a flash, the time to say goodbye has come. Actually I am saying this just to feel pleasant about my stay here. I now know that the theory of relativity isn't as bizarre as it sounds. Its very much for real; the last few days have been as long a year each!
In fact, I wonder why people have not been updating their blogs. Most of the people on my blog roll haven't updated in many days. A good, albeit poignant post came up in Smoochy's blog and it struck a chord in my mind.
Some people really do stand out, and that they stand out does not take time to figure out. You instantly trust them and you trust them without misgivings. And it doesn't matter whether or how they reciprocate. You recall the remotest memories from your childhood because you are no more afraid of being stupid. And even the darkest corners of your heart are accessible to them on a coffee table. God forbid, you know in your heart that whatever comes of it, it would all be worth it. For in those sweetest moments, when you are yourself without any masks and are loved for what you are, lie the treasures that can last a long, long time.
Speaking of other concerns, packing all my stuff within the space and weight constraints is turning out to be a tricky business. The Swiss and Belgian chocolates, the gifts and souvenirs are all packed. I have skillfully packaged the glass stuff, and positioned the PlasterofParis statue. And feel like a mule who is about to carry all that luggage. Well, at least the cabin luggage would need to be carried around at times, and my gawd, it IS heavy!
It feels great to be leaving this place before the real chill has set in. Come to think of it, even my definition of 'the real chill' has changed. The 4-5 C that we frequently live in doesn't seem like an aberration. May be the 30C temperature at Mumbai will thaw a lot more than just packed chocolates!
Fodder for the chewy minds:
Oh, like it was meant to be,
a lonely heart by a lonely sea,
The sinking sun, then almost gone
and waves worn out of rocking on.
Its then that you stumbled on me,
on a dark night, by the lonely sea.
I waved across, you smiled at me
and filled my floundering heart with glee.
In those thoughts and words you said
You painted me all bright and red !
Since then I never thought of me
as a loner, walking by the sea...
.
In fact, I wonder why people have not been updating their blogs. Most of the people on my blog roll haven't updated in many days. A good, albeit poignant post came up in Smoochy's blog and it struck a chord in my mind.
Some people really do stand out, and that they stand out does not take time to figure out. You instantly trust them and you trust them without misgivings. And it doesn't matter whether or how they reciprocate. You recall the remotest memories from your childhood because you are no more afraid of being stupid. And even the darkest corners of your heart are accessible to them on a coffee table. God forbid, you know in your heart that whatever comes of it, it would all be worth it. For in those sweetest moments, when you are yourself without any masks and are loved for what you are, lie the treasures that can last a long, long time.
Speaking of other concerns, packing all my stuff within the space and weight constraints is turning out to be a tricky business. The Swiss and Belgian chocolates, the gifts and souvenirs are all packed. I have skillfully packaged the glass stuff, and positioned the PlasterofParis statue. And feel like a mule who is about to carry all that luggage. Well, at least the cabin luggage would need to be carried around at times, and my gawd, it IS heavy!
It feels great to be leaving this place before the real chill has set in. Come to think of it, even my definition of 'the real chill' has changed. The 4-5 C that we frequently live in doesn't seem like an aberration. May be the 30C temperature at Mumbai will thaw a lot more than just packed chocolates!
Fodder for the chewy minds:
Oh, like it was meant to be,
a lonely heart by a lonely sea,
The sinking sun, then almost gone
and waves worn out of rocking on.
Its then that you stumbled on me,
on a dark night, by the lonely sea.
I waved across, you smiled at me
and filled my floundering heart with glee.
In those thoughts and words you said
You painted me all bright and red !
Since then I never thought of me
as a loner, walking by the sea...
.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Experiences in Europe - Part 2
It was around a year back that I signed up for an exchange program. Many of my friends who had initially shown interest had backed off. And I felt a little stranded. While the thought of going back to Europe sounded interesting, the financial implications were daunting. I was going to drill a hole the size of Bombay High into my future earnings. And all this, when I wasn't even sure what job I would land , how much I would earn and so on. In the end, I decided to take the risk even though I had come to consider as incredible the idea that I would be leaving all my friends behind.
The first thing one notices about Germany is cleanliness. The next blink on the radar screen is the use of technology in simplifying the most mundane tasks. And then you notice the subtlety of German humor, the German beer and bread, the polished politeness, the almost religious following of traffic rules, the blandness of food, sometimes even the racial overtones, the high standards of living, the low cost of food, the culture of family, the contempt bordering on scorn for the old, the efficient public transport system and the fickle weather.
If you stand in front of a zebra crossing without traffic lights, even a speeding car will stop to give you the right to passage. And people do that with a smile. You will only rarely hear people honking - it is considered the equivalent of swearing. If you do money transfers [not the online version], you will also notice that the banking system here is not so fast. In most offices, one can find people almost always on time, though Friday after lunch hours are exempt from this consideration. Technology dissipation as also internet penetration is high.
The thing that makes Germany so mobile is its efficient public transport. DB, the national train company offers trains that run on time, train connections that are very methodically scheduled and train staff that are courteous and helpful. Within cities, howsoever small, one can find a backbone of buses that run with high frequency. In most cities, the bus network is supplemented by trams, metro trains and local trains. However, don't bother to think about the complex classification system for trains.
Tourism in Europe is facilitated tremendously by the unbeatable combination of great value travel offers, efficient transport systems and easily available information. For instance, we bought the two month unlimited Eurail pass. With that, we could travel in any of the 18 countries, for 2 months. The only extra payment would be for the reservation or sometimes for the supplements. While ours was a hit-and-run kind of tourism, necessitated in part by the desire to compress as many tours as possible in the 2 months, anyone who travels extensively can save enormous amount of euros using travel passes. In short, extensive travel is cheap, one time travel is costly. Sometimes, it is outrageously costly !
Speed and comfort: When we cruised in the international ICE train from Brussels to Cologne, we realised what acceleration does to body. The neck becomes a little stiff, the ears frequently block out, and you can feel your back pressed against the seat. But the ride is almost as smooth as a glide, even at such speeds. We missed sitting in the TGV trains in France, but I am sure we did get to travel at around 270kmph on that ICE. Another pleasant aspect of travel in Europe is that there are very few people in the train, unless there is some special occasion. So, empty seats are aplenty and there almost always is space to stretch out. Watch out for Italy though. Trains there can get late, they are often crowded and petty crimes are frequent.
A sense of history: Pantheon was built around 50BC and Collosseum was built around 70AD. Its a brilliant feat the Greeks have achieved by building such long lasting structures. You might argue that even Ajanta and Ellora caves have survived, but these are architectural wonders. Huge, intricate and imposing.
A pleasant climate: While the weather is unpredictable, the climate is very amenable to tourism, except during the extreme winters. The vegetation that grows in this climate varies from trees that shed their leaves to trees that remain green throughout the year. Hence the variety of colors. There is no dust in the air, and pollution levels are low, hence it is difficult to make out how long someone has been wearing some dress. So you can manage with a lighter luggage.
Various moods: Romance in Parisian lanes or Venetian gondolas, wonder at monuments like Eiffel Tower and St. Peter's, bask in nature's beauty in Switzerland, explore the mysteries of BlackForests, experience the weather beyond the Arctic Circle by going to Rovaniemi or gawk at the technological marvels. There's something that suits every taste. And there is no dearth of activities.
I guess thats an inch too long. Should end the verbal spew now.
Meanwhile, 5 more days!
The first thing one notices about Germany is cleanliness. The next blink on the radar screen is the use of technology in simplifying the most mundane tasks. And then you notice the subtlety of German humor, the German beer and bread, the polished politeness, the almost religious following of traffic rules, the blandness of food, sometimes even the racial overtones, the high standards of living, the low cost of food, the culture of family, the contempt bordering on scorn for the old, the efficient public transport system and the fickle weather.
If you stand in front of a zebra crossing without traffic lights, even a speeding car will stop to give you the right to passage. And people do that with a smile. You will only rarely hear people honking - it is considered the equivalent of swearing. If you do money transfers [not the online version], you will also notice that the banking system here is not so fast. In most offices, one can find people almost always on time, though Friday after lunch hours are exempt from this consideration. Technology dissipation as also internet penetration is high.
The thing that makes Germany so mobile is its efficient public transport. DB, the national train company offers trains that run on time, train connections that are very methodically scheduled and train staff that are courteous and helpful. Within cities, howsoever small, one can find a backbone of buses that run with high frequency. In most cities, the bus network is supplemented by trams, metro trains and local trains. However, don't bother to think about the complex classification system for trains.
Tourism in Europe is facilitated tremendously by the unbeatable combination of great value travel offers, efficient transport systems and easily available information. For instance, we bought the two month unlimited Eurail pass. With that, we could travel in any of the 18 countries, for 2 months. The only extra payment would be for the reservation or sometimes for the supplements. While ours was a hit-and-run kind of tourism, necessitated in part by the desire to compress as many tours as possible in the 2 months, anyone who travels extensively can save enormous amount of euros using travel passes. In short, extensive travel is cheap, one time travel is costly. Sometimes, it is outrageously costly !
Speed and comfort: When we cruised in the international ICE train from Brussels to Cologne, we realised what acceleration does to body. The neck becomes a little stiff, the ears frequently block out, and you can feel your back pressed against the seat. But the ride is almost as smooth as a glide, even at such speeds. We missed sitting in the TGV trains in France, but I am sure we did get to travel at around 270kmph on that ICE. Another pleasant aspect of travel in Europe is that there are very few people in the train, unless there is some special occasion. So, empty seats are aplenty and there almost always is space to stretch out. Watch out for Italy though. Trains there can get late, they are often crowded and petty crimes are frequent.
A sense of history: Pantheon was built around 50BC and Collosseum was built around 70AD. Its a brilliant feat the Greeks have achieved by building such long lasting structures. You might argue that even Ajanta and Ellora caves have survived, but these are architectural wonders. Huge, intricate and imposing.
A pleasant climate: While the weather is unpredictable, the climate is very amenable to tourism, except during the extreme winters. The vegetation that grows in this climate varies from trees that shed their leaves to trees that remain green throughout the year. Hence the variety of colors. There is no dust in the air, and pollution levels are low, hence it is difficult to make out how long someone has been wearing some dress. So you can manage with a lighter luggage.
Various moods: Romance in Parisian lanes or Venetian gondolas, wonder at monuments like Eiffel Tower and St. Peter's, bask in nature's beauty in Switzerland, explore the mysteries of BlackForests, experience the weather beyond the Arctic Circle by going to Rovaniemi or gawk at the technological marvels. There's something that suits every taste. And there is no dearth of activities.
I guess thats an inch too long. Should end the verbal spew now.
Meanwhile, 5 more days!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
The Lull ...
... before the storm?
I don't know.
I have failed a covert mission last week. And I may have compromised my identity to FSB.
I will ruffle many a feather when the news of my daylight robbery spreads.
Who knows, one of my sneaky plans might incite the ex-gymnasts from UP into plonking me in broad daylight!
Any of these would be more exciting than the current lull in my life. And the only activities in the next 6 days that will break this monotony are cleaning up the kitchen, making the oven's exposed surface shine like Anupam Kher's takli, packing my suitcase and cleaning my room. Quite a wishlist, and irrespective of whether you think it is sad or weird, I am actually looking forward to these activities.
Khali dimag, stoopid shaitan ka ghar!
KamJo knows how to make hearts melt. And without casting aspersions on either his tendencies or mine, I must admit that he is one of the few people who have the ability to make me feel really special with their compliments. Like he did with his comments on my previous blog. Vielen Danke, Herr Joshi!
The boredom is aggravated by the conspiracy of these people at thinks.com. I play the codebreaker and crossword puzzles on this website almost daily. And now, they have reduced the number of initial hints in codebreaker from 3 to 2. So, from a position where I could finish the codebreaker in anywhere between 1 min to 3 mins, now I struggle to finish it at all. I end up having to do at least one 'reveal letter' cheat but I am going to beat it one day. About the regular crossword, the lesser said the better.
Its that time of my stay here when these realisations dawn:
"Oh no, how am I supposed to take these glass thingies without getting them manhandled and heartbroken by zaalim luggage handlers at AirIndia?"
"Oh holy smoke, what am I gonna gift so&so? Why didn't I buy something when I went giftshopping? How could I be so insanely stupid?"
"Should I buy more chocolates?"
Ghanta leaves for apna mulk tomm. That only aggravates the longing to be back to what I call my home [and home away from home].
~Sigh~
I don't know.
I have failed a covert mission last week. And I may have compromised my identity to FSB.
I will ruffle many a feather when the news of my daylight robbery spreads.
Who knows, one of my sneaky plans might incite the ex-gymnasts from UP into plonking me in broad daylight!
Any of these would be more exciting than the current lull in my life. And the only activities in the next 6 days that will break this monotony are cleaning up the kitchen, making the oven's exposed surface shine like Anupam Kher's takli, packing my suitcase and cleaning my room. Quite a wishlist, and irrespective of whether you think it is sad or weird, I am actually looking forward to these activities.
Khali dimag, stoopid shaitan ka ghar!
KamJo knows how to make hearts melt. And without casting aspersions on either his tendencies or mine, I must admit that he is one of the few people who have the ability to make me feel really special with their compliments. Like he did with his comments on my previous blog. Vielen Danke, Herr Joshi!
The boredom is aggravated by the conspiracy of these people at thinks.com. I play the codebreaker and crossword puzzles on this website almost daily. And now, they have reduced the number of initial hints in codebreaker from 3 to 2. So, from a position where I could finish the codebreaker in anywhere between 1 min to 3 mins, now I struggle to finish it at all. I end up having to do at least one 'reveal letter' cheat but I am going to beat it one day. About the regular crossword, the lesser said the better.
Its that time of my stay here when these realisations dawn:
"Oh no, how am I supposed to take these glass thingies without getting them manhandled and heartbroken by zaalim luggage handlers at AirIndia?"
"Oh holy smoke, what am I gonna gift so&so? Why didn't I buy something when I went giftshopping? How could I be so insanely stupid?"
"Should I buy more chocolates?"
Ghanta leaves for apna mulk tomm. That only aggravates the longing to be back to what I call my home [and home away from home].
~Sigh~
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Experiences in Europe - Part 1
KamJo asked me to share some of my wonderful experiences from the Eurotrip. I think its high time I did.
But since there was so much that we saw, I will first talk about what we saw. And this post will be full of links to photos that illustrate all the superlatives that I am going to use. We all know how many words a picture can speak!
Beautiful Natural landscapes: Switzerland is by far, the most beautiful place in Europe, especially if you arrive during autumn. There's something about European trees that gives them leaves of vivid colors. And when fall comes, you can see just about every color hanging from the trees. Put a blue lake and a beautiful and snow-capped mountain in the backdrop and you would know what I am talking about.
However, more vivid and beautiful colors can easily be seen in Scandinavia. In the northern regions of Finland and Norway, especially if you drive in the country side, you will feel like you are inside a giant rainbow. Only, the colors are all intermixed making it the among the most beautiful natural kaleidoscopes. Similarly, though not quite equally beautiful scenes are to be seen in the BlackForest region in Germany.
Recommendations:
The bus ride from Haparanda to Lulea, both in Sweden. Quite easily among your most endearing view of Mother Nature's colors.
The train ride from Lucerne to Interlaken in Switzerland, called the 'Golden Panoramic Pass' and dubbed the most beautiful train ride. Hop off at Brienz and stay there for 2 days, doing nothing except gazing at the scenery, and I assure you, no landscape will ever look beautiful enough.
Close in competition is the train ride from Oslo to Bergen in Norway. As the train chugs along, the landscape keeps changing, and you see green mountains, golden forests and snow covered regions in this one ride. And to top it all, you reach Bergen which is famous for its fjords.
Beautiful Urban Landscape: If I were to call one city beautiful, it would be Venice. For the weak hearted, it is enchanting to say the least. Canals and pigeons abound in this city, as do gondolas. A ride in a gondola with your loved one is among the most romantic things ever [along with Parisian adventures]. And if you come to Venice and don't notice the special things about Venetian masks and Murano glass, you must be incredibly stupid or completely blind.
On the more modern side is Stockholm, which is beautiful for the magnificient juxtaposition of the old with the new. Walk along the seaside, venture into the museums or watch the Royal Guard Change ceremony at the Royal Palace. Or gaze and marvel at the modern buildings. For those who are still wonderfully single, it would be interesting to note that Swedish ladies are amongst the most beautiful in Europe, alongwith Greek, Spanish and Italians.
Imposing Architecture: Quite clearly, a city which has a history of many millennia can be tough to beat on this count. Rome stands out as the city with innumerable imposing monuments. From those that are old enough to be ancient, may be even prehistoric, to the newer ones. From St Peters's Square to Collosseum to Acropolis. While the Basilica is simply stunning, other lesser known monuments are also very big and beautiful.
Paris and Rome are architecturally the two most well endowed cities in all of Europe.
Mercedes Museum: The multi-storeyed museum in Stuttgart is simply among the best structures in Germany. Technologically advance and aesthetically well designed, its the mecca for Mercedes lovers. It houses a dazzling variety of cars - from the first ones degined by Otto to the concept cars.
This is what I saw. In a next post, I will talk about how I felt.
Meanwhile, through a noble but sudden scheme of things, I realised how awfully bad I am at impersonating people, even through the web channel. To my credit, the impersonation was across genders :O and I was talking to Strato, so I was excited and typing at supersonic speed! :))
Also, I am almost done with the gift shopping. For myself, I have bought a plaster of paris statue which I liked, but needs to be clothed a little before I can put it up for public display in my room.
And here's one of the best quips I have heard in some time :
Me: But I put in so much effort to produce these PJs and you don't even appreciate that.
X: Arrey yaar, "in constipation, even crap is hard to produce"
But since there was so much that we saw, I will first talk about what we saw. And this post will be full of links to photos that illustrate all the superlatives that I am going to use. We all know how many words a picture can speak!
Beautiful Natural landscapes: Switzerland is by far, the most beautiful place in Europe, especially if you arrive during autumn. There's something about European trees that gives them leaves of vivid colors. And when fall comes, you can see just about every color hanging from the trees. Put a blue lake and a beautiful and snow-capped mountain in the backdrop and you would know what I am talking about.
However, more vivid and beautiful colors can easily be seen in Scandinavia. In the northern regions of Finland and Norway, especially if you drive in the country side, you will feel like you are inside a giant rainbow. Only, the colors are all intermixed making it the among the most beautiful natural kaleidoscopes. Similarly, though not quite equally beautiful scenes are to be seen in the BlackForest region in Germany.
Recommendations:
The bus ride from Haparanda to Lulea, both in Sweden. Quite easily among your most endearing view of Mother Nature's colors.
The train ride from Lucerne to Interlaken in Switzerland, called the 'Golden Panoramic Pass' and dubbed the most beautiful train ride. Hop off at Brienz and stay there for 2 days, doing nothing except gazing at the scenery, and I assure you, no landscape will ever look beautiful enough.
Close in competition is the train ride from Oslo to Bergen in Norway. As the train chugs along, the landscape keeps changing, and you see green mountains, golden forests and snow covered regions in this one ride. And to top it all, you reach Bergen which is famous for its fjords.
Beautiful Urban Landscape: If I were to call one city beautiful, it would be Venice. For the weak hearted, it is enchanting to say the least. Canals and pigeons abound in this city, as do gondolas. A ride in a gondola with your loved one is among the most romantic things ever [along with Parisian adventures]. And if you come to Venice and don't notice the special things about Venetian masks and Murano glass, you must be incredibly stupid or completely blind.
On the more modern side is Stockholm, which is beautiful for the magnificient juxtaposition of the old with the new. Walk along the seaside, venture into the museums or watch the Royal Guard Change ceremony at the Royal Palace. Or gaze and marvel at the modern buildings. For those who are still wonderfully single, it would be interesting to note that Swedish ladies are amongst the most beautiful in Europe, alongwith Greek, Spanish and Italians.
Imposing Architecture: Quite clearly, a city which has a history of many millennia can be tough to beat on this count. Rome stands out as the city with innumerable imposing monuments. From those that are old enough to be ancient, may be even prehistoric, to the newer ones. From St Peters's Square to Collosseum to Acropolis. While the Basilica is simply stunning, other lesser known monuments are also very big and beautiful.
Paris and Rome are architecturally the two most well endowed cities in all of Europe.
Mercedes Museum: The multi-storeyed museum in Stuttgart is simply among the best structures in Germany. Technologically advance and aesthetically well designed, its the mecca for Mercedes lovers. It houses a dazzling variety of cars - from the first ones degined by Otto to the concept cars.
This is what I saw. In a next post, I will talk about how I felt.
Meanwhile, through a noble but sudden scheme of things, I realised how awfully bad I am at impersonating people, even through the web channel. To my credit, the impersonation was across genders :O and I was talking to Strato, so I was excited and typing at supersonic speed! :))
Also, I am almost done with the gift shopping. For myself, I have bought a plaster of paris statue which I liked, but needs to be clothed a little before I can put it up for public display in my room.
And here's one of the best quips I have heard in some time :
Me: But I put in so much effort to produce these PJs and you don't even appreciate that.
X: Arrey yaar, "in constipation, even crap is hard to produce"
Friday, December 01, 2006
Bunder-fool
Weeks of idleness can make a bunder-fool out of any sane person. I am trying to remember the last time when my IQ wasn't in the sub-zero region. My own jokes are becoming yuckier [like they show in Bollywood movies, I have begun hearing echoes of 'eww eww' in my dreams]. However, I didn't like Borat. Nopes, not at all. Letterman's interview with Borat was funny, but thats about all.
Intermittently, I am propounding theories. Life's like a bicycle ride, na!? You go too fast and you risk an accident. You go too slow and you fall. And unless you know where you are going, you are bound to crash into something you didn't foresee.
Like this one time when my didi crashed straight into a rustic lady, who was on her way carrying groceries to the market for selling. And there can be few things more unwanted than crashing into ladies in Banda. If it had been me instead of didi, I would be wearing a wig by now.
It looks like just yesterday when we were standing in front of a noticeboard, looking for group members. That was one of the first few days at IIMA. And now, the last term will start in less than 3 weeks. So much has changed. I entered some 'circles of trust' and exited some. Somethings haven't changed so much. My weight still refuses to cross the magic figure of 53. I still like to surprise people. And my plans are stil foiled by fate.
I guess the next 12 days are going to be the longest so far!
Who gripes too hard the dry and slipp'ry sand, Holds none at all, or little, in his hand. - Robert Herrick
Intermittently, I am propounding theories. Life's like a bicycle ride, na!? You go too fast and you risk an accident. You go too slow and you fall. And unless you know where you are going, you are bound to crash into something you didn't foresee.
Like this one time when my didi crashed straight into a rustic lady, who was on her way carrying groceries to the market for selling. And there can be few things more unwanted than crashing into ladies in Banda. If it had been me instead of didi, I would be wearing a wig by now.
It looks like just yesterday when we were standing in front of a noticeboard, looking for group members. That was one of the first few days at IIMA. And now, the last term will start in less than 3 weeks. So much has changed. I entered some 'circles of trust' and exited some. Somethings haven't changed so much. My weight still refuses to cross the magic figure of 53. I still like to surprise people. And my plans are stil foiled by fate.
I guess the next 12 days are going to be the longest so far!
Who gripes too hard the dry and slipp'ry sand, Holds none at all, or little, in his hand. - Robert Herrick
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