CrossRoads - The "jOuRnEy" in the making...

Hero of the Day

2011-10-17T11:37:00.000-07:00

Jump to October 28th, 2011

DELHI, WE ARE METALLICAAAAA!!! As James Hetfield in his trademark, ever enchanting scream addresses the thousands of rock fans gathered for a worship well deserved at both ends. The setting couldn’t be more apt. The winter mist looms against the backdrop of lights, show and the ‘four horsemen’.

How big is this? Well if you’re a true rock fan, it’s blasphemy even to make an attempt to answer such a question. Sometimes gravity cannot be explained, it just needs to be experienced. So I’ll obviously keep it at that. There’ll be many though who would be attending because well

1. they have heard of a Metallica song , the ubiquitous Nothing Else Matters at some happening joints in the city
2. an international act is performing in our Sadi Dilli, or,
3. because it’ll be ‘not so cool’ to be left out from the most talked about event of the month, or
4. simply because Sunny and Bunty from the neighbourhood are also going.

Most of the young students and urban professionals of India’s english music following population did start with the likes of Bryan Adams [ Delhi’s missed out on this, ‘Sad but True’ ] and Michael Jackson, and then maybe moved onto bands like Bon jovi, RHCP and Guns and Roses. The next step was vital and defining though.
Metallica is like a band, pun intended, which separates the religious metal and rock listeners from the alternative ones, quite distinctively at that. If it gets into your blood it’s like the perfect launch pad for more great music and opens up into the spectacular world of Iron Maiden, Slayer, Slipknot and the list continues. Metallica seemed like a bridge to me, perfect, a threshold, a brilliant one, for the next level.

After live concerts of Roger Waters and Iron Maiden in India, this is definitely the 3rd most significant concert for us. It would have been a dream come true if Jason Newsted could have been witnessed too, with his powering bass lines, but then we would make do with Robert. After headbanging on their audio files a million times over, gaping in awe at their concert DVD’s and S&M performances, and singing in tandem at rock pubs all over India, this is pure Salvation, closest we can get to it, and no one’s complaining.

I can’t wait for that unnamed feeling, of those almost synchronized movement of heads to Lars’ thundering drum beats or thousands gripped by insanity air guitar-ing along with Hammet’s riffs and a loud vocal of Hetfield’s ‘Seek and Destroy’ seeming like a Dolby Surround sound in open air. There will be many a beautiful evening in Delhi this winter, but this one will be Special, Time will March On this October evening and rightly so.

I will be there, and am sure many of you, my metal head friends will be too, celebrating while our heroes take us through a trip. I will feel like the ‘Hero of the Day’ and am sure each one of you will too. Metallica maketh our Dream come True…finally…

Getting lost within myself
Nothing matters, no one else
There is nothing more for me
Need the end to set me free

2011-01-26T05:59:00.000-08:00

Kolkata (Calcutta), India

Darjeeling, India

Paris, France

Barcelona, Spain

Rome, Italy

Marseille, France

Bruges, Belgium

Bergen, Norway

Munich, Germany

Berlin, Germany

Stockholm, Sweden

Kalimpong, India

Pune, India

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Today’s Pain ; Tomorrow’s Gain

2010-12-18T12:46:00.000-08:00

Every individual, in his/ her lifetime does conjure, acceptable or otherwise, of coming to think of a moment/ phase from which they learnt the most, or in common parlance an instant where in, you could list out your greatest achievement, so far. This could be an out – n – out philosophical Sunday brunch exercise over Enya swooning in the background, or more apt in today’s times, a preparation of the so called probable questions expected from the savior across the table in the myriad interviews you’re about to face, to get so called in line with Life.

Most of the statements being made up, and at those rarest of the opening of the third eye, when you actually sit down with a scotch in one, and nothing much to put your other hand to, you wonder…..whether one is supposed to remember and list down in bullets, the learnings’ of the so called phase in life, that so damn-right changed you or when you felt like the Achiever of the decade forgiving All and sundry. Or should it come to you naturally, like the smile on your face, when you see the sun set against the water-line.

I till now fell in the former, but now proudly, spill onto the latter. The last one and a half years of my life, especially the last one year, has been nothing but the toughest and most grueling one, by far [in distance and context]. Having been able to complete my MBA with grounded colors, nonetheless, expectations were flying in weird capacities and imaginations. Contradictory to popular belief and my own expectations, I had been looking after the Rural Sales channel for a respectable FMCG firm in India.

Over these one and a half years, I have been given a life – time opportunity of travelling across the length and breadth of this gorgeous and delightful country of ours, literally, something which people would sacrifice, to do. Having worked in East, West and North already, considering a stage so early in my career, I couldn’t have asked for more. From the remotest of Maoist infected interiors of Bengal, to coming home to the city in the night, witnessing the two sides of India, and feeling helpless and drained. From the organized, and the awakening in rural Maharashtra, to the ‘colorful’ and celestial life at Pune. To the ‘final frontier’ in sales, UP, to the hills of Uttaranchal. Moving in and out of cities like it was my park and the lanes were there waiting, to be treaded upon.

But more than all of that, I would remember something else, for a long long time to come. I would recall how coming from a completely opposite background being in charge of a team from the grass roots of as they say the Real India. Its like putting the Colin Farrell out of the Phone Booth straight into the fields of the war at Troy. Having been able to see the life at the grassroots and villages all over the country, very very closely, their lifestyle [if I could call it so], their aspirations, their idols, their mode of entertainment, their grief…and more importantly THEM. Learning small things from them, which we in the city, or if you reading this write up, overlook, the humility, the small sources of happiness and the incapacity at times for deviation and hence insanity. The fact of how important Bollywood and Cricket actually is to this country and its citizens, can never be understood from the seats of our plush living room sofas. Of how life changes in these small villages at the onset of a festival or celebration, and how their belief in GOD just keeps them going on and on.

Courage and Adaptability were only fancy words, thrown here and there, making the world look a tad more intellectual and erudite. Living these words was a whole different Ball Game, only the stadia kept changing. To strangle your inhibitions and become a kid again, making a weird blank face whenever the word Ego was thrown into the dusty air was an experience in itself. To be away from all the things I have loved, so dearly, and yet maintain the relation passionately and believing in its magic has been a chapter in itself. Thrown into the world of sales [Note : FMCG sales is the only hardcore sales, please do not try and sound hard’ly’ working people by associating the sales you do with FMCG. It ain’t even come close enough, and I could write that for you, if you would require a copy] and its mannerisms, could be a whole different book series in itself. So I’ll keep that for later.

Character and Confidence carried a whole new different meaning now. The actual faces of Hardships were known, what with all its expressions thrown in as freebies. A separate new set of list became clearer, better known as the list of ‘Things for Granted’. All this would go a long way, as anything now, from here, would just seem like a luxury, a pampering. Adversity has been dealt with, at least for the time, I would like to believe.

If I said it was all a cakewalk for me and I could adapt like a surfer does to the waves, I would be lying like a - whatever evil comes to your mind [you have a quite a choice, at that]. Whenever I felt like this is it, I don’t deserve all this; I could get any other more ‘comfortable’ role, regretting all am missing due to this, the ol’ life, there was this infamous picture which erupted from some genius spot in my brain and it read, as the famous construction sign reads : Today’s Pain, Tomorrow’s Gain.

Value was known, and valued more, of time, pleasure, company and its moments, money, solitude. Travel in its truest sense, was absorbed, and not the package ones, with the glitter and handouts, the brochures and guides. The travel of unpredictability, travel of not knowing where I would be tomorrow this time, travel of how I would be wherever I would be that time, travel of just being able to travel, the joy of it, and nothing else, the rawest form that there could be. Of Living the Life, of mobility, literally out of a bag [and where-in the bag slowly takes the place of your BFF (as Paris Hilton would like to say)], of meeting new people, hearing a different dialect or language every other week, and take in to the nuances of the cultures at display. Of being able to think their way and understand their move before they did mine, because they were the majority and me the minority. I was learning, they were just being themselves, with their everyday routine. I was and am The Journeyman.

Today I move onto another sales channel, and again it’s quite an opposite of sorts, seems the unpredictable attribute just loves being my mate, gladly so. I take a crossover from Rural India to the new emerging India, handling the Modern Trade [swanky malls et al] end of the sales business now. Tomorrow there will be a new set of experiences, a different world, different challenges and a different force, and there would be a Different – ME too, ready and waiting at the other end with arms wide open. After all I’m 4 states, ‘n’ number of numbers [my friends love this part about me, Read: they are ready to kill me for the same], 4 visiting cards, a million bus, train, air tickets, hotel bills and a bag full of memories and experiences old.

So I’m equipped to bring on my A –Game….let’s see what the World has.

P.S : now at least I would have one answer ready for the interviews, god save me on the others!!!

`

Room Service

2010-07-26T10:22:00.000-07:00

“When a hotel room's the closest thing you got to home
You could be in Philadelphia you could even be in Rome”

Its been roughly over a year, my association with the corporate arena, and to be more specific the “sales world”. But no, this is not a cribbing session on sales, that will follow later [to everyone’s delight], for documentation sake or more. This one is close though – on a lifestyle which the sales force have to adopt and live by, voluntarily or otherwise…

I have been living out of an American Tourister bag since the past few months, moving in and out of hotels, places and cities like it was no one’s business. Post school, it seems India has become my playground – yes it being a very bold statement…but I would repeat it, if need be.

I am not aware if all hotels and its rooms were meant to have this uniformity in design and content, but they sure adhere quite well. A few things up front:

 I can randomly dial numbers now and get room service / housekeeping, given my in depth knowledge on their prescribed range

 I have to take a quick glance at the key to remember my room number every time I do call

 More often than not I utter the room number of my previous room in the last city I was at

 My interaction at the reception/staff has become mechanical and duly follows a linear mode

 My arrangement of laptop, books and diaries are of the same nature in all rooms, if I have to adjust in any way, it’s a shady room…Period

 I without taking a look at the menu, order precise food items and have a high hit ratio at that

 The most astounding : From a hotel room, I cannot within a short time frame conclude on which city I am in…I would have to ThINK for that…to make things clearer to those who are already laughing at my state, I present a live case, which took place a week back…

One of my dear Mba batch mates called from the Ambal land down south of the IT origin and in between mutual cribbing sessions happened to ask me which city I was in (which seems to be a joke doing rounds within my friend circle these days). I frankly could not at once answer her, as this was my third city in as many days, so I took a quick glance towards the hotel menu. Usually this does the trick, and, I answer, before the other person can notice a hitch. But this was not going to be that easy, because on the menu were listed :

KUKREJA GROUP of Hotels
• Delhi
• Lucknow
• Kanpur
• Varanasi

The menu was playing with my mind, and hence had to use reserve brain power in order to answer the undesired question of the season. My friend in all its moment did take full advantage (as I would have done) and “thy trip taken”…royally at that…

So, well this is going to continue and run through the year. Would have to devise a way out, and create a code of some sort, as I know that in the deep and remote corners of forgotton lands lie my friends, faced with a common enemy. I will rise to the occasion and deliver…or whatever!!!....

Till then keep humming this while I pack and check out…

“Ya I've been on the road nearly all my life
Been around the world 'bout a thousand times
Still a knock on the door makes me nervous
I think I'll see you standing there - but no
It's only room service - ya room service”

Red Wine on Shooting Star

2010-04-20T00:30:00.000-07:00

I had a dream, I, stood beneath an orange sky,
With her standing by,
Said ‘you look so beautiful tonight’
She held o wine, red or mine,
Standing by, the felt of hand,
The eyes speak, oh so fine,
Away from you, be killed if moved,
Your love’s a definite crime

I had a dream, I, stood beneath a felted sky,
Looked like a picture, sounds like a tale
It’s all true, in feeling I failed,
The wine had spilled, dress on fire,
Poker face, love’s on hire

I had a dream, I, stood beneath a darkened sky,
Woke up, with this dream within a dream
The hand’s not mine, distance resigned,
Another setting, another rhyme,
Past was life, future a lie,
The feeling morphs, breaks into a cry

If only she could help herself,
To regain within the designed frame,
To have moved from the sane,
For yourself;
Cuz love’s crazy, defined insane

A drop of tear,
With hands so cold,
A thought I could hear,
If only time could hold,
The eternal spark,
The serene heart,
But it dawned;

Society is such, love, an overrated fuss,
Regrets rule over trust,
One life is no reason,
Belief equated to animated treason,

Are we living the way we would have?
Are we believing in what we should have?

The wine in glass, the dress a class,
My hand in hers, lifted the curse,
It could have been a perfect take;
Chemical romance to this day
Life’s content, decision met,
Our Glory, Love Story…

Breaking News...

2010-02-15T10:41:00.000-08:00

This may well sound like one of the many forwarded mails spamming our inbox. But at times, one just has to pause and look, stop and stare and realize what each and every word means, what the feelings emote and how the mind and more importantly our heart react.

This is with reference to a recent terror attack on the 13th of February, at the infamous German Bakery eatery on the North Main road at Koregaon Park, next to the Osho International Meditation Centre. It’s no use stating the facts and the numbers.

I am writing this as a selfish soul, as I’ve never thought about similar atrocious attacks with such provocation. I haven’t seen death so closely, until now, and hence maybe these words. Putting it very simply, one of them could have been me, easily; it was just a matter of minutes and some really good deeds accumulating to fate working to our favor. Now many will frown at this attribution to luck, etc, understandably. But honestly its times like these one starts believing in destiny, fate, the ‘luck factor’ and all which completes the ‘gyaan’ circle which we so effortlessly ignore and push aside. The five who died at the table, with the bomb, could quite easily have been me with four friends, who were looking for a place at the packed Bakery just minutes before and deciding not to sit after one big table became empty at the rear end of the place.

German Bakery: at the corner of Lane A, the lane where we reside. A literal second home for us, the vibrant hangout/joint, which also by the way provided us with our daily meals, at breakfast, lunch [on weekends] and dinners. It was always the familiar faces munching on the burger, chewing on the salad or sipping on the many shakes and juices on offer. The Nepalese crew with the loveliest of smiles and always ‘Happy to Help’ attitude.

For one of us, it was The Home who also used to at times stay at his second home/place in the one room flat of his. He was riding on some magical guidance for sure which took him to a rock concert nearby, or else, one would have never liked to guess the consequences. For another, who called from the bakery to another, and then deciding to push off to his place rather than waiting, heard the shudder and shiver as soon as he took off on his bike. For the three of us, who entered our flat and heard this loud thud, as if a building had just gone down. Basically, a few minutes here and there, the faces could have been different, the result the same: Death.

We could not believe what we were hearing, or we were trying not to. We were trying not to accept what we saw, but we had to, when we saw our neighbor in blood, walking up the steps. Watching the live coverage on the news, and realizing it was the same place we had spent the maximum time at, the spot at the end of the lane, where a few minutes back, things were as lively and joyous as ever and now smeared in blood and distorted bodies, sent a chill for sure. We were and are feeling sick and pathetic and more importantly helpless, certain that these feelings would not fade quickly. One of us, voiced that if anything had happened to his friends, he might as well have taken the violent route ahead himself. It does not matter whether the victims are young or old, nationals or foreigners, Christian or Muslims, what is common amongst them is that they were innocent individuals, sure of returning home to their bed that night…almost sure…

One cannot be sure of the future, take one day at a time, thank God for it, every single day, enjoy those moments, treasure each one of them and be the NOW…Do what you got to do now, if you have to say things to someone, if you have to complete something left for the future, live NOW!!!...[I apologize for the pessimistic undercurrent in the note, but that’s how reality shapes up things for us, whether we like it or not, the faster we accept and realize it, the better for us.

You realize you cannot take anything for granted, not even time, forget about people. You realize that life is not in your control at all times, as much as you would disagree with that. You realize the hate around you, and how at times, it beats peace and love to the finishing line. You realize the power of fear and to what extent it drives people. You realize that, at times good is beaten and evil prevails.

As one of my friends said, correctly so, ‘Please, Please, Spread the Love people…just Spread the LOVE….and hope.

ALL is WELL…???

2010-02-04T11:31:00.000-08:00

The term ‘Idiots’ have come into a wide variety of uses, via discussion and speculation, especially since the release of the movie. Though it’s quite interesting to observe and note as to how society, as a wholesome body, views an idiot, and, how an individual does.

An individual may have two distinct sub- perspectives to this entire ‘title’. How society [family, friends, and people around him] views him? How he views himself? This is no different to the personality theory which we have gone through ‘n’ number of times: The Real Concept and the Social Concept.

Now I came across 3 individuals, with diverse, yet common backgrounds, while on my extensive travels in Bengal recently. Each one had a story I was moved by, and I believe there might be many like them, here and there, around us, with us…Hence shall use the common parlance of Tom, Dick and Harry….will keep it to the point and brief….watch out though for the symptoms….

TOM: Smart, intelligent, young, brilliantly creative and a decent level of humor. Works hard, gets de-motivated when he lets himself down, ethical in nature and formidable when he knows he’s right.

In a stimulating society resplendent with opportunities, he would be equipped with enormous potential. A Commerce student just like me, with willingness for further education and knowledge, but it’s a pity that he does not possess the financial backing, necessary in today’s world. The only difference being I have done my B.com from a ‘reputed and prestigious’ institution and he from an unknown one. I had options and he had doors slammed. We had numerous discussions on topics like interests and hobbies, rural India, nature, etc. Can’t comment much but all I know is that he could not make use of his will to the utmost of his inner desires. He is seen by society as what he is today and not what he could have been.

DICK: An ex-professional footballer, has played for a few top league clubs, was also called for a squad representing the country. He’s been to European and South East Asian countries to represent clubs. Due to financial or health reasons he had to leave the sport, had to move away from what he did best, from what he believed in.

Now he is in sales, moving from shop to shop taking orders, day in day out, something I could see he is not good at, and more importantly not enjoying. Resulted in him cheating the distributor of some money, as his performance was not up to mark, got caught and was fired. He is seen by society as somebody who’s not good at his work, as someone who is struggling, someone dishonest.

HARRY: a man in his mid-30’s, street smart, respected and amiable. He at one time was running multiple small businesses. He liked doing that…..Period. Was doing well and was also part of a sales force for a company. He had that entrepreneurial streak in him, quite evident at that.

A few years back he had a life-threatening accident on the railway lines. He says and I quote “the villagers where I met with the accident still call me a miracle”. After multiple bones, torn tissues and shut down ventures he still is a salesman at a company, the streak dying a forced death. He has to bear expenses for his health and his wife’s, which takes a toll. The society sees him as a person, who is still where he was some years back, if not worse.

There is a thread between these three individuals, and many such beings. Given a different circumstance, a different occurrence and a different setting, maybe they would have been heroes of their time and place. Heroes and not ‘Idiots’ [not the literal colloquial meaning, but negative nonetheless.

Society sees and clubs them as certain characters, the depressing and disheartening part being, when they themselves start to lose belief in themselves and start doubting their abilities. Start wondering if Heroes and stars are only to be dreamt of or celebrated on 70mm screens on Fridays. Three great minds, deteriorating and becoming stale….If that’s the case, we really have to ask is “ALL ‘really’ WELL???

Sales – on - Song

2010-02-04T11:30:00.001-08:00

Morning blues, another route,
A different beat, quite a feat,
Monday mornings, weekends in sight,
It’s a thin line between the wrong and right
Move in step, tongue in cheek,
Rain’s –a – falling, figures seem bleak,
Retail card, pushing hard,
Shop to shop, till we drop.
This is the scheme, selling style,
Chik, Spinz, Fairever, Nyle,
Seasonal plight, display delight,
Target seeking , JC meeting,
Cavinkomm, Sales on Song,
Stories to hear, a million faces,
Learnt from time, left my traces.
I salute the Field and their Force,
Cheers to them and may we Grow…

This is It....R.I.P MJ....

2010-02-02T09:32:00.000-08:00

Wrote this for my buddy's bachelors invite....the night before.....loved the feel aftr finishin.....was godspeed and satiating....:)

Think you’re Dangerous and Bad enough???

You believe you can take the Blood on the Dance Floor???

Just Keep the Faith and gear up to Jam

We gonna be starting somethin’ and

Give in to me cuz You’re not Alone and That’s the way you make me feelCalling all Billy Jeans in Black and the Smooth Criminals in White

Be ready to Heal the World

Whether you’re a Smooth Criminal or a Liberian Girl,

The question now is…..Will you be There???

P.S. It’s gonna be a Thriller…!!! And trust me you’ll Remember the Time….for years to come….till we are done…J

Sunday Afternoon Outlet...

2010-02-02T09:21:00.001-08:00

Dhaaaaaansh!!!!....Clink…Clink….that’s the audio byte which got me off my feet in the middle of Denzel’s dazzling dialogue delivery….[woah managed four consecutive one’s with ‘d’…]…..on a Sunday afternoon…’not kool’ as I would have typically reacted…..but only to find out it would all be worth it….soon…

Cause : Neighborhood kids playing a game of Sunday cricket

Stimuli : Window breaking in the bathroom

Reaction : To be discussed in detail…..here on…..

Initially I was a bit disturbed at the past 7 seconds. I gazed out of the window only to see an empty play arena….and then a sight which defined the moment for me…..an innocent set of eyes, full of fear, peeks out from behind a wall to check if a middle aged aunt would come screaming and hurl out all her Sunday morning frustration through the choicest of expletives.

I picked up the ball and collected the shards of glass, putting them aside, in a secluded corner. Thought would shout, but then decided age hadn’t got the better off me. Could actually see myself in one of those fearing, mischievous, yet innocent children, after having broken many a window and glass during my time at the ground. Of how we would rush to the nearest bunker/ cover when an uncalled for shot towards an uncalled for direction would be made. Which would usually be followed by a week’s ban of us playing in that vicinity…..then the next neighborhood…..and the next…that was my and am sure most kids journey….pure in its own simplicity…

Coming to the reaction :

I just threw the ball back and jokingly advised them to play a little carefully, and hit better shots. They were quite shocked, the reaction quite deferred from the usual. They had smiles, unmatched, unparalleled….innocent.

I became an angel in their eyes…..felt nice…reminded me of those days and sunny afternoons…..with caps and bats….fights and the rush for cold water…..kept thinking of it….halfway through the movie….sorry Denzel…..

P.S.: Window was already broken…..they just increased the gap….so that I could see the world more clearly out of a much bigger outlet…..

Stockholm | Cruise

2009-09-22T12:44:00.000-07:00

SWEDEN | COPENHAGEN | Cruise

After the sojourn at Copenhagen, we headed off to the next Scandinavian behemoth….SWEDEN!!! Early morning, we wake up from the luxury laps of the expensive beds we paid for…our first and last luxury booking on a Eurail. After exchanging the Krones with another set of the same….Danish with the Swedish ones…we headed off in search of a hostel in accordance with our exciting night plans at Stockholm. The original Ice Bar, the sunshine on the streets and the glittering water all made it a joy to tour the city on foot. Stockholm, like most of Sweden is a set of islands, all connected, appealing and resplendent in its entirety.

After reluctantly not taking accommodation at a ship youth hostel, we settled in for a cheaper one. We also completed the most integral part of the morning and quite efficiently at that – collecting the passes for the DJ TIESTO show, which was scheduled after a few days. Even though we had pre empted all sorts of things going wrong with that one, to our delight….it all worked out just fine. The rest of the day, which honestly seemed quite a drag as we just couldn’t wait for the high-time, going aboard the cruise, comprised of the following:

1. Visit to the Coin and Currency museum [which had free entry on that particular day of the week]. Also the presence of the World’s Largest Coin, was appealing enough.

2. The discovery of a café run by a Pakistani dude, who apart from serving us a customized pasta delicacy [the best dish on the entire trip], also provided us with an hour long discussion in sub continental mother tongue’s. He also proved to be our savior the very next day, be responding to our fussy dietary needs [read: Jajoo]

3. A million more pictures, till our trustworthy batteries ran out on us, yet again, with all the trust we had, to betray us at the most scenic spots.

4. Running towards the cruise liner, fearing we might miss that one too, going by enough evidence of a 2 month history timeline.

Coming to the cruise, it was a Viking Line cruise one of the famous carriers in that part of the world. It was a two day trip, Stockholm – Helsinki – Stockholm. Another first for us, we were eager, and already flowing, before the latter happens literally.

We make it in time for the boarding and it at first seemed like a culmination of a 5 star on water and an airport. After a brilliant reception and welcome, we managed to find our way to our cabin. Dumped our bags and just went exploring the structure and its insides, the most exciting corners of the ship being the Duty Free shop and the club.

As the night dawned on us, we braved our way to the deck, and when I say ‘brave’, trust me it was worthy of a Red and White Bravery Awards nomination if not winning it out and out. With some of our structures, the wind would have literally blown us out onto the Baltic Sea. It was chilly, and while I write this, I still feel that clip through my neck and hair right now. We then directed our efforts to the edge and given the sleet cover present, it is safe to say we were outta mind, high on momentous glory.

Out comes the multi faceted sandwich, customized to the last detail, and prepared with heart felt warmth by our Pakistani friend from Stockholm and click goes the beer can, one of the many, I must add here, as we conveniently decided, out of the blue [color seems apt as we were on sea]at the duty free shop that we have to consume all brands of beer available that night, and don’t even get me started on the number on sale. Let’s just say it reached quite a ‘high’ figure. So this moment on the deck, which I term as the Globaliz-ing moment of our Trip is for the following reasons:

 On a Swedish Cruise Liner
 Enjoyin the sumptuous Sandwich made by a Pakistani
 Along with a beer brewed in Holland and another in Germany
 Somwhere in the Baltic Sea
 Towards Finland
 And all experienced by an Indian

Unable to find a more appropriate definition and understanding of the clichéd term. It’s special when you experience it, rather than just reading it in texts and glossy covered magazines. After the wind on the face and delight in your stomach experience, we staggered back[ we literally were moving backwards, thanks to the wind] to the interior confinement of modern luxuries. To further the cause we headed straight to our rooms to make sure our trip and purchases from the duty free were in good stead, if you know what I mean. After hasty swigs we left for the club scene, which was trippy in itself, as all rooms were anyways having private crazy parties and to top it all, the club had views of the serene water world outside giving one a kick one, he could never expect to imagine or wonder. Some of my dear friends had to call it an early night, as they could not handle the first experience, of, mixing waves splashing and alcohol splashing in their stomach too well.

For others, well all I can say is, we were there to Livin’ it Up!!! …..Aboard Style….Another dream realizes on this journey of a lifetime….:)

Scandinavia Alla....Copenhagen...

2009-05-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

COPENHAGEN :

Well we got onto the final leg of our marathon journey and hence SCANDINAVIA!!! Our first stop plausibly had to be Denmark. We made our way from Berlin via Hamburg and its well “much enjoyed events” from the train journey to the walk at Ripperbahnhof at 3 am.

So when we did arrive in the morning at Copenhagen, the capital we were a bit tired, mentally and physically. First things first we had to get our Euros converted into Danish Krones and our mathematical cells again were called upon, also use of our income statement and Balance Sheet of the next few hours had t be thought upon.

Hence after doing darshan of the much heared about “Tivoli Gardens” we sought the tourist destinations which woudnt demand much effort, so to say [never once foretelling what lay ahead]. We started from the Botanical Gardens and another famous garden/ park in the heart of the city. It was just like in the fairytales, verdant grass, pristine water bodies [not to mention the other celestial bodies all around us], leaves of multitude both seen at their abode and sparkling the streets. Inside the Botanical Garden there also was a green house packed with rare species from the plant kingdom, flora and fauna abound to our hearts content in this scenic city. After taken the “NATURE-al path” we decided on paying visit to a random museum of art. Again was a diverse hence enjoyable usage of time.

We then made our way to the Royal Gardens and this again was a sprawling spread of land, and aptly fit for a King and his Queen. With a mini palace separated by a sleek water body it was another chapter, another fairytale.

It was getting insanely windy and the temperatures falling. Note: we still we were on foot all this while and not once did we make use of the Danish transport system. Our plan of visiting the Carlsberg Brewery though had to be omitted as it would close by the tie we would have reached….damn.

We then headed off to the most popular tourist location of Copenhagen : The Little Mermaid. This was the infamous site and character on which Hans Christen Anderson’s work by the same name stands apart. But it never did mention that it was built on the other extreme of the city and we made our long walk with shopping bags and heavy jackets and the unwelcomed gusts of wind with us. On reaching the place we could see the tourists making the most of their new Asian made digicams. And so we delightedly obeyed too. It was a nice piece of work but we couldn’t figure out what was so famous with it. Or maybe we were too tired and our expectations just increased with every step we took towards to Mermaid [apart from imagining Mermaids]. We somehow managed to make our long walk back to the station, this time viewing the city in all its lights and then spending some time at the Hard Rock Café, Copenhagen…a perfect ending one would say….and we obliged.

Hamburg Sista Sasta ve...

2009-05-26T14:52:00.001-07:00

Luckily on our train journey to Hamburg almost all of our co passengers were football fans of Hamburg FC who had been for an away match to Berlin. And the Germans really do love two things the most: Beer and football. Let me tell you or rather warn you that a blend of these two could be a lethal combination. Thanks to this feature we experienced the most enjoyable and memorable train journey ever. What followed was a series of events one could just think back and laugh their guts out about kinda thing. Fans with crates of beer and massive flags just stormed the train and well it was quite a normal course of events for them. A large amount [number recall is quite weak] of beer consumption followed with drinking games with crazy soccer fans and to top it all we found out that their team had lost….Imagine if only they would have…..

We made some crazy friends of the fans and since we had some time to kill at Hamburg till our next train to Copenhagen we were taken to a sports bar at the Hamburg station for further intoxication rounds. We then made our way to the “lively and vivid” area of Hamburg, Rieperbahnhof which seemed a mini Amsterdam, of whatever I remember…all in all a Dream come true of partyin with insane football fans did materialize and this I would remember for time to come….

Hamburg Sista Sasta Ve….the chant we were shouting in the city at 3 a.m.

Berlin...The Historic and Political capital of the World...

2009-05-25T11:07:00.000-07:00

Chilly gusts of wind greeted us onto the German capital, seeming to compensate for the lovely time we had at Munich. After the tiring forceful walk from the Bahnhof to our first stop which was well invariably the German Parliament or better known as in German parlance “The Reichstag”. The structure from outside quite failed to give us any kind of hint which would draw us to such a guess. This primarily was due to the Indian mindset of everything administrative and political and certain imagery to that. The building was an authoritative one but at the same time there seemed connotations of contemporary linings which made for a pleasurable and distinct blend of sorts. We jumped at the offer to take the free tour of the parliament. This was due to one of the following plausible reasons or the combined appeal of all of them on the different sub levels of our psychic:

1) FREE !! FREE !! Our penchant for anything…FREE
2) Tour of a parliament, u gotta b kiddin me….
3) Escape from the rain
4) Two pretty [decent description chosen] beings of the opposite gender in the line.

NOTE : The above points are not in a particular order or preference except for number 1

On entering the Reichstag an air of unexpected seriousness overshadowed our intentions. We were highly impressed on learning of the history surrounding this place and the importance attached to it. The relatively rebuilt structure was based on principles of transparency and trust. This was mainly because of its history and the ruling government’s relation with the German people. Visitors could from above watch parliamentary sessions in progress and on prior reservations also attend them from the stand allotted. We made our way out after quite an eye opener tour of the historic venue and losing the pretty beings in the crowd.

Our next stop which was a few strides away was the popular and recognizable Branderburg Gate. This venue again held high degrees of importance in German and European history. A spot for many a post-war celebration, revolutionary marches, inspiring speeches and many more of the same bracket. A symbol of power and grace it sure was a winner with the tourists. Right opposite the Branderburg Gate was Hotel Adlon, the one from whose window Michael Jackson had held his baby out for his fans. Also a Starbucks is fitted where a sumptuous and worthy purchase was made. And as fate would have it we were on tine for a free walking tour. With no plans as such as to where and how to go we decided once again to listen to our pockets, quite seriously at that.

After being divided into groups and assigned guides we were taken along a fixed route along the significant points and spots in this historical city. The whole concept of a free walking tour quite caught my fancy, which was nothing less that brilliant and an all win situation in the end. Another astonishing fact being that most of the guides were not local Germans, but tourists who had been staying in the city for a few years or so. We headed to the Holocaust memorial site next to the Branderburg Gate which was in remembrance of the atrocities met out to the thousands of Jews. The site was composed of gray stones of a cuboid nature and placed in an ascending order open to multiple interpretations which has a fair bit of controversy itself.

We then made our way to the most popular and heard of in every tourist –to- see- list in Berlin….the erstwhile BERLIN WALL and along with it the history being recited by our Guide. This sure felt special, simply to be standing there and imagining the happenings on that very ground and how it affected people and their views around the world. Even more shocking was the story of how only “two words” brought down the Berlin Wall…and these were “Effective Immediately”, the build up to the story even more astounding to hear. We then made our way to Charlie Checkpoint, the most famous crossing point between East Germany and West Germany where numerous hilarious escapades have been documented. Other spots of visit included the Memorial for Book Burning and few other significant locales.

Finally on the steps of one of the palaces was a perfect and picturesque way of signing of our walking tour of this deep rooted and essential city in every respect. After this 3 hour story session on Berlin and its history I was quite drawn towards it and the first thing which dawned upon me was how much the city would have meant without the inputs. According to me Berlin served as the chief and the most vital city for its part in history and relation to world political issues. It was undoubtedly the seat of world agenda and its activities, whether it be the Nazis, the Soviets, etcetera. Fell in love with Berlin for entirely different and unforeseen reasons…

Just before we caught the night’s train to Hamburg we had one of the best dinners on our Euro Trip. Roast marinated - Chicken and beer out in the Berlin cold on an empty gurgling stomach…now that’s what I call Life….

Munchen/Munich...Danke

2009-04-14T03:17:00.000-07:00

Munich: We reached Germany late at night, this not being our first time in the country thanks to the sojourn at Cologne previously on our Benelux trip. It though wasn’t the warmest of welcomes and trust me, we hadn’t even started with our free usage of public transport, ruling that out as a reason for such unexpected greeting. Whoever we spoke to especially the officials, cops or the railway DB staff, there was a rude sense underlining their tone of speech. Either it was simply that they didn’t get enough beer for the night or it had to be the lovely wheatish color which we without a choice carried as baggage with ourselves.

A funny incident happened just as we were leaving the Bahnhof [station], there were two well built guys with marks on their faces which could have easily passed off as scars, were staring at us. I noticed that and very wisely thought it had been a long time in Europe to feel scared of anything in particular, definitely not two ruffians trying to give us the look. Hence I went ahead and did the inevitable: and returned them with the favor with a correct proportion of aplomb and grace. The next 5 mins were a lesson not to be forgotten by any of us. They followed us mysteriously for quite some time and at their correct moment told us to halt. This is the best part. They took out two wallet sized purses and just like Holly flicks flash their identification of being from the “Police”. We were smarter than them thanks to IMDB, and didn’t believe them so I asked them to show their identification again. On confirmation and making their mood even worse when we realized that we were in a badly ordered burnt soup we decided to listen to them. Unfortunately one of us wasn’t carrying his passport and that for some time did cause problems as relationship building wasn’t where we were really scoring enough points.

Out on the streets, looking for a hostel to crash we observed the much heard about partying culture of Germans. Everyone was happy because everyone seemed drunk. That later I concurred was the key and helped in formulation of the German Happy – Happier Theory. There were only two types of Germans, either they are drunk -or -they are not, the ones who are not come across as rude just because they are not drunk or haven’t had the time to have one till that particular point of time. The ones who are luckily drunk are the happiest bunch in the world chilling like the best moving from pub to street and a roundabout.

Our bunks were more like an ancient concentration camp but we couldn’t refuse it thanks to the free shots which were part of the deal. With a “no spread” early morning breakfast we headed out to D.A.C.H.A.U., the first concentration camp by the Nazis an hour away from Munich. This was on reference as a must visit by our Xim friends who had already been to Munich. Open to the public now, the place gives a feel and information of how life was inside the camp for especially the Jews during Hitler’s regime; the Third Reich. On entering, the place actually sends a chill down the spine and one can relate to and feel a sense of sorrow and grief. There were on display the means and tools used by the Nazi soldiers and also a video to succinctly inform us about life inside the camp, all in all “hair raising”. After spending quite some time inside the camp visiting the model bunks, dorms, toilets and the gas chambers we made our way back to Munich. This being one visit we were not going to forget even if we tried.

Our next stop was the Munchen Olympique Arena. This was the site of the infamous 1972 Olympics where the Israeli contingent was attacked and killed. The venue though was highly impressive and we were shocked at the way it was superbly maintained. Now used by the Bavarians for their daily activity the infrastructure has been aptly utilized and is a jewel in the city of Munich. The campus’ green and eco theme was a pure joy and it was more like we were crossing a natural park dipped in pristine flavor. After almost covering the whole of the area and half a million pictures we headed out towards the BMW Welt [World].

BMW or Bavarian Motor Works has its headquarters in Munich and also on display for its customers and admirers world wide a range of automobiles and the works. From simulation drives to state of the art engines and with a classy and suiting décor and bistro it sure was a treat and insight into the developed and industrial side of Munich.

Our next stop was the Aliianz Arena, home to the well-known Bayern Munich Football Club. This stadium was special in its architecture and presentation and hence another must visit especially for football crazy fans like me. The stadium’s outside shell is illuminated in a delightful way changing its color thrice every evening, which being red, white and blue. On reaching there what happened next was destiny. There was a 2nd division match in progress between FC Ausberg and another local team: a derby. 10 minutes were left and came this young chap [ who was going to be christened as our 5th angel] running towards us, not in a very good mood and made our night by throwing his ticket in disgust at us. It didn’t take us long to come back to our senses as obviously time was not on our side. I being the only football fan simply ran with the ticket to the entrance gate and started begging the security to let me in and then other joined me in giving our patent “We have come all the way from India” lines. I would not give up as this would be a dream come true watching a match the Allianz Arena and that too unplanned. After a few minutes of pleading and 4 pairs of folded hands they agreed to let us one by one only. So I rushed in first and the Dream surely came true. My first European football ground…..Live…..Dream…aha…those few minutes passed off so quickly even though it seemed like eternity. After watching a few crosses I ran back and the cycle continued with all four of us managing a glimpse of the pitch. We were ecstatic.

Once the fans trotted outside it got crazier. The winning team fans were on a complete high and the losing one’s trying their best to avoid and ignore them, unsuccessfully though. As the main transport from there was the metro, it got insane, a few fights and crazy football fans battling against each other. The FC Ausberg [winning team] fans lined up against one track and the losing team against the other, no matter if they had to travel to the opposite direction of the city. They couldn’t and wouldn’t travel on the other train. We got on with the jubilant fans who for the entire trip kept jumping in the metro, cheering and shouting, making a noise which could be of parallel to the inside the stadium. A few of the losing fans had to bear the brunt of the others throughout the journey irrespective of age and gender. It all depended on what colors you were of and supporting. Insanity defined, definitely one of the craziest times of Euro trip. I had heard and pictured such activities sitting at home watching such matches but to be there and see it happened in front of your eyes and expectations getting beaten and battered…..it was like Dreaming and Flying at the same time without a parachute on…..That was MUNICH….Wo Hoo!!!

Start of the Final Lap...

2009-04-01T11:00:00.000-07:00

11th Nov: We take off for our last lap [or so I thought], it was the biggest of ‘em all…just like they keep the best for the finals. This particular trip taught us more in planning than 1387193 lessons in the same had even come close to. We also came to know the actual meaning and the relevance of the term itiniery which is a word highly abused by all…u had to see ours…n then you would agree with me….whole heartedly and sympathetically. 15 days with pin point timelines and around 7 countries to be covered…..from the Mediterranean beauty to the Scandinavian beauties…aha wata plan….after all we were pursuin an Mba, we woudnt dare let the educational system of India down like this.

We leave Marseille on the 11th and comfortably take our plush seats. After switching trains at Lyon en route to Geneva and spending time switching seats for an hour or two everything is and goes as per planned which we were not quite used to….something’s gotta give way…damn it, it’s a Euro-Trip and we were obliged. Such spectacular scenes pass by that we were more than certain that Switzerland couldn’t be far off now thanks to the image we carried in our minds thanks to Mr. Yash Chopra and his brethren. The arrival time passes by and we haven’t reached our destination of Geneva. Well either the train’s late which is next to impossible [as impossible as trains are on time in India] or we are in for something unplanned for. The latter sounds better…only in a story though. After much deliberation of nonsense amongst us we found out that we were sitting in the wrong compartment and the train had split in two in midway at one of the stations. We were still very much in France and had mistaken its beauty for Swiss lands. We got off at the next station and somehow managed to reach Geneva at the earliest. Oh wata start to the final course….we were oozing of confidence….lol….wateva.

We obviously were delighted at being in Swiss land mainly for two important reasons: firstly, we were in SWITZERLAND!!! And secondly we had reached there without visas and free of cost which was a point of achievement especially for Jajoo. As we could not betray our past we decided again to travel without buying tickets. We strongly advocate that travel must be made free to Man…one n ALL!!!....and we practice this religiously. We roamed the whole of Switzerland professing this concept and lived the Swiss dream munching on Swiss dark chocolate which btw we had to buy as shoplifting comes with a high fine package along with it. We crossed right through the country and finally reached Innsbruck in the middle of the night to chance upon our first meal at Burger King and to Jajoo delight a yum V-E-G-etarian burger on the menu…officially. To add bring in some amount of craziness we decided to switch plans and leave for Vienna the same night as we were way too lazy and tired to find a place to crash.

Vienna : chilly winds greeted us to the land of Amadeus Wolfgang Mozart and the seat of Western Classical music in the world. We saw the infamous Opera and other popular tourist sites after which as fate would have it we got divided in two groups of two each losing our way. Jajoo and myself in one and Tapan and STD aka Sashi in the other. Both of us decided that we just had to visit the United Nations headquarters at the UN Centre in Vienna. There are only 4 UN headquarters in the world and we were lucky enough to be too close to one of them to ignore it. We again made a risky trip via multiple trams, trains and subways to finally reach the tall and commanding structures. This is where we met our 4th or 5th angel…am losing count now…As the timings for tours and visits had just gotten over we got into the Bollywood acting mode and gave a Filmfare winning performance with lines such as “We have come all the way from India just for this” and other such preposterous and horrendous stuff. We finally got the best deal, not only did we get to enter the area but also a free guide just for the two us…I mean next stop’s gotta be Mumbai for both of us. The tour was quite nice and we felt qite important for no obvious reason as such apart from clicking away millions of snaps amidst the flags of the member-nations of UN. Luckily we met the other two at the station and made our trip to Salzburg.

Salzburg: Reaching in the middle of the night we somehow managed to find our hostel and the next morning made our way to certain gardens parks and museums in the light shower. This is was the land of Sound of Music and scenic landscapes and this is where we met an Indian lady selling interesting flavored and creamish alcoholic drinks. We then made our way to Hangar 7, a display section for Red Bull the energy drink manufacturers. That’s all we knew and we headed out again via free transport mediums. We reached the last bus stop but coudnt find the Hangar. We were stuck in the middle of a highway with rain and wind blowing on our faces. Finally after a stopover at McD we decided to carry on our search and finally chanced upon the place. The Hangar 7 was tastefully done showcasing everything Red Bull was associated with especially the sports and its sponsorships. Various models of planes, bikes and other automotive works were exhibited. The ride back was known this time around…thankfully so.

2009-02-12T13:23:00.000-08:00

Paris ki Pari: We were in Paris, for the second round which again would prove to be inadequate, pleasantly enough. Paris woah!!!.....one of the power capitals of the world and we were here….for he 2nd time. Taking off from the first one the metro/tube reminded us of the Cal metro in terms of the number of people thronging the place but the frequency sure delighted us. It was a convenient mode of transport which was what it had meant to be. Some of the compartments also sported hot looks.

Paris is a unique and fabulous tourist destination and hence marketed and maintained in an even graceful manner. There are myriad places to visit and is a vast city. Paris is so famous from a tourists point of view was confirmed by the tourist information office at the Gare du Nord [station]. He was flabbergasted when asked for where to visit apart from the Eiffel and Louvre and other few known to us. From his look it seemed as to how we could arrive in Paris without knowing A-Z of the city.

Our first destination was the beautiful St. Marguerite Basilica. The weather really was depressing in all its elements with the cold breeze and occasional rain which splattered on our faces. We speculated as to how clear and enjoyable the weather would eventually be once we reached the mighty Eiffel. We made our way to the Grande Arche. This seemed like the corporate part of the city. To welcome us was this massive gate or arche from which I believe it got its name from. Wherever the eye moved from there on in terms of direction or distance one could see only steel structures jutting out of the ground as an attempt for the sky. All kinds of MNC’s names led signage to these sky scrapers and hence lend its equity with poise. We then moved onto the renowned and well-recognized Champs Elysees which also seemed to be the major artery of the capital. This was erected in commemoration to the French soldiers who had lost their lives. Right bang in the middle of the multi-point crossing it lent the place the expected sense of elegance. On both sides of the road were brands of every category and any name one could imagine and more importantly afford. One actually felt and sensed a power while walking on this street. I remembered this spot from the various celebrations the French carry out especially the glorious World Cup wining gala festival in 1998.

Our next and ultimately final stop or more appropriately termed destination was the Tower de Eiffel or popularly known as the Eiffel Tower. Made by Gustavo Eiffel this structure and world wonder have always fascinated me especially after viewing the documentary on Discovery. It had become a dream to watch it in person after attaining the facts about this construction. The Tower was supposed to be constructed in Barcelona by Gustavo Eiffel but was eventually done so at this spot as an entrance to a fair. It was also supposed to be dismantled after a year. But the French fell in love with it and hence to our delight and fate it still stands at the very same place. It has on it three coats of color currently a reddish brown at its three levels so that from afar it looks like just one shade. Bunk the facts and history let’s get down to the place….for real…live!!!

The first sight of the Eiffel Tower left me yes in wonder…..I mean isn’t that what a Wonder of the World supposed to do….according to me if it doesn’t then it’s not one. The first picture or thought which came to my mind was that of walking through that gate at the Taj Mahal…..another masterpiece. There sure was a connect between these two attractions and historic spots, both also left me motionless and staring at them for approx 7 minutes, no blinking involved. To read about it and be amazed is one thing and to witness the spectacle and monument is another experience altogether. From every angle and with every step it seemed more attractive than the previous moment. After clicking around a million pictures at every possible and impossible angle we made our way to the base and joined the snaky line for tickets or Billets. My i-pod comes out….it had to. Had to be one with one of the most important things in the world to me….if I could I would have taken a football too. World Hold On…plays on…and it sure is on my command at least that was what it felt like while moving up the lift to the 1st floor. Deciding on to move to the second level straightaway it gets colder and makes way for Limp Bizkit, my all time favorite and an inspiration to other forms of music was the obvious choice. It was like Fred paving the way for me. The music just cut out all forms of human efforts which tried very hard to spoil this special moment via intervention and affirmed the fact that at times its always better to be one with the nature or excellence delivered by man. This was quite an irony on my part as it was built by the vision of one such individual. The work and talent of many such workers who believed in the vision and the architecture is exemplary especially considering the time at which it was thought of, planned and built. We moved onto the second floor and Limp moves onto Lakshya which seemed apt for the situation and view….oh wata sight….the city of Paris right beneath you and one sight captured thousands of people and numerous man made houses and cars, along with the river and lined up trees. I changed the song to Swades and put on my favourite song which I purposely had not heard on this entire trip and had kept it for a exceptional moment like this…which truly deserved the value of this song.

We couldn’t hide our excitement and wanted to at once to move onto the final or 3rd floor. As soon as we move onto the 3rd floor there was this really chilly breeze which greeted us. “Kuch paane ke liye kuch khona padta hai”… I took out the i-pod and finally toggled to Pink Floyd as I knew taking it out another time in this wind would be physically impossible. From here it just seemed like the city of blinding lights…unaware of the height at which we stood we sure were at a high and with Gilmour singing it seemed an out of world experience. We noticed this small window and found a man selling champagne for 10 Euros. We had been quite very thrifty in our spending on our Euro Trip….so far. At the price quotation we didn’t even think twice or exchanged any kind of acceptance looks. We just had to have it for the appropriate cherry on the top adorning this momentous occasion. As per Jajoo a very deserving scene took place after this. A French individual came and asked for the price and at hearing it slowly turned away dejected finding it too expensive. For us it seemed like a moment for further celebration and a few laughs. “Learning to fly”….”High Hopes”…”Comfortably Numb”…”Wish you were here”…each one sounded so apt and fitted in perfectly….insanity….too good to be true and real. The weather was challenging to say the least and the champagne kept spilling over as I was literally shivering. We also did the inevitable and yet surprising. We peed on the 3rd floor of the Eiffel….obviously in the WC facility. One had to after the guzzling of coke cans which were not allowed at the security check. Every tourist was enjoying this special moment and romance was definitely in the air, the cold one. It is said that a large number of proposals are made at the Eiffel which did not a come as a surprise to me. I ended up with random talk with many of them and happiness and achievement seemed contagious. I asked myself what else could one ask for, what else could one see more pretty and gorgeous than this, how higher could man go from here.

Simply a dream comes true…simply…

Reluctantly, once we came down from a distance we could see the Eiffel to our amazement sparkling and glittering in blue… incredulously.

Shine on you Crazy Diamond…

Troughs and Crests...of the XP....

2009-01-19T04:58:00.001-08:00

Dreams!!!...The Unbeatables

1) a:Nou Camp Barcelona vs Valencia
b:DJ Tiesto live at Stockholm
2) Champagne on Eiffel Tower 3rd level
3) Getting sloshed in train post Berlin match with soccer fans en route to Hamburg
4) Norway in a Nutshell
5) My first omlette/ and delicious Chola sabji

The Piss offs

1) Lack of the thing called sense of humour
2) Non- party and music people who prefer sitting at home and watchin a movie rather than go for a killer European party.
3) Mediocrity
4) Irresponsibility and immaturity
5) Inactive and lazy even for 3 months in a foreign land which surely is a life time opportunity.

Lyon

2009-01-18T12:30:00.000-08:00

Well sometimes when you’re really pissed and can’t take anymore of some people or the surroundings, or people’s disrespect for time and more pathetically other people’s time, or the mediocrity or any such likewise stuff what do you do??? You take a trip alone. That’s what I did and went to Lyon. You start respecting solitude much more when you realize what you were missing out on, diluting your best part with others and not making the most of it.

Lyon is different in character to Marseille, is a more busy and on the move town professionally. It also is the city which has a branch of my beloved school La Martiniere. Its main attraction though is that of the Basilica on the top of a hill which overlooks the entire city more as if its always looking after it. The Basilica in itself is beautiful and the scene from the top is breath taking. One can see the city with its houses as toys and trees, seemed like this is God’s view of us, the people too. The path which went down from the Basilica was definitely one of a fantasy world. Narrow path, curving, trees with golden, orangish and yellowish leaves, scattered on the ground. A sight of an old couple walking down that road in front of the statue of Jesus surely caught my sight and is something I wont be forgetting for a long time to come. It as they say was a picture worth a thousand words….with a few more zeroes added to it.

Monaco/ Monte Carlo

2009-01-18T12:24:00.000-08:00

This time we were joined by our two flat mates from IIM B for this trip. Somehow all southern French coast cities look the same with the picturesque horizon and beaches, with the golden sand and the even more magical sunshine. Monaco also shares this commonality. There was a mini fair or mela on when we reached the famous place mainly because of two reasons. One, the Grand Prix which takes place every year and it happens right here on the city roads and has no special track as such!!! Secondly because of its Casino which draws the who’s who from all over the globe to show off and donate their wealth. Monaco as many do not know is a separate state altogether and is only supported by the French in some essential matters like military etc. It comprises of around 80% of businessmen and trust me their net worth is definitely sum long figures which explains the cars and the luxury yatches.

Talking about cars it was advised to us by a few Ximb friends from Lille whom we accidently ran into, that just a stop outside the Casino would give us a free road show of the top most luxury and sport cars in the world from the Ferrari’s to the Lamborghini’s. As we reached the place it sure was like a ramp show for cars whizzing past showing off their powerful engines n all. Cars were standing for customers who would dish out enough money for taking a ride in them either as pillion or in the hot seat itself and they totally worked on the human vice of temptation.

I am what I am…

2009-01-07T22:50:00.000-08:00

Phase I

[I] AM the sun that shines, that shines on me,
Am the rain that soaks, that soaks with the sea,
Am the thought that blinks and it’s gone
Am the plant that grows, not withdrawn

Am the Time that returns, returns for more
Am the fire that glows in the light
Am the Hero that saves one and all
Am the Awakened while you sleep tonight

Am the air in search for space,
Am the pebble that shines in disgrace,
Am a tree on a hill, one of its kind,
Am a room; no windows, only blinds

Am the wave which makes its own way,
Am the cloud that bursts upon,
Am the ray which makes your day,
Am the rhyme that goes on n’ on

Am the wheels that keep on rolling,
Am the Emperor, whose Kingdom’s come
Am the crack that allows the night with light,
The mind and its might [The Pizza and its slice]

Am the crowd on sunset boulevard,
Am you and the person next to you,
Am a one-liner, not ignored
Am the last train and your thought of the day,

Am the size that fits all,
Am the dog and the bone,
Am a single…and counting more
I am a Rolling Stone

Am a player with infamous own goals,
Am the President and a beggar’s chores,
Am the headlines and a newspaper unsold,
The ink’s getting over…runnin out cold

Am the potter’s mould,
Am a font too bold,
The winning moment in sport,
I’m perfection…only untold

Am a tired bed and battery in red
Am a skirt too high, a superhero sans flight
The centre in a round table, a shadow in the dark
Popeye with spinach…am an invisible mark

I’m the No.1 on the charts,
Am without a Pulitzer, Nobel and Oscar awards,
I’m writing and you’re reading now
I’m thinking and you……disbelieving somehow

This rhyme I keep under wraps,
I trust the beat demanding to snap,
The words I trust, it’s you I fear,
To look through me….to read my words

Forza Italia...!!!

2008-12-24T16:34:00.000-08:00

Yes so we were finally on our way to tour the country where soccer is the official religion, the land of Mafia’s and Al Pacino, of Julius Ceasar and Donatella Versace…of Pizza and pasta…..ah wata ‘perfect ending to the intro’….contrary in itself…???...Forza Italia!!!

It was there before we knew it….Vintimille was the first Italian territory we laid our tired, sleepy yet eager feet on. We went to the beautiful sea side and back in time for our ride to Genoa…one of the oldest Italian cities. It having a rich history of its own kept us on our feet….literally in our stop stay out there.
Pisa mein Pizza: Our next sojourn was at Pisa….yes it’s leaning all right…and that’s all there was to it….as per the information guide. So it was a nice “ice- creamy walk” to the tower. The first sight though was a wee bit unanticipated for my impatient set eyes. It really was not as tall and majestic in height as I remember ogling in those Encyclopedias at junior high. It just started off the ground….and finished….but yes what’s vital to all of us was that it sure was leaning….no tricks up there…

Since our pre determined quota of snaps had to be met….we decided to do it on the only leaning object in town….the tower. This started our Jeetendra antics and even the old man would have been proud of us then. We were literally jumping our asses off to get some nice “in the air” pics taken by a Swede, oh we sure got the looks and the pains on our landings. This was only after a myriad attempts at pushing and preventing the tower from falling and the miniscule differences in frame and vision which revealed the hoax and the rabbit outta da box…back to Gare….ahem Station…

Rome/Roma: All roads lead to…our train went via tracks…or so it seemed…but it sure led us right. Greeted by an enthusiastic guy, middle aged trying to help us out with accommodation confirmed our location in this world. We were quite apprehensive at first but on no other options available we remembered God and took the chance. Well what the hell…..”When in Rome do as the Romans do”…

We seemed to have got ourselves a pretty nice deal with our own apartment kinds due to lack of other occupants. The morning after we found this Bangladeshi restaurant in the neighborhood and it seemed more like we sure were in Asia rather than Europe. Desi food at a more or less seemingly peanuts price and a look outside only caught glimpses of Asians walking past. 3 months over already…???

Our next stop was at the infamous and colossal Colosseum…[am so damn sure the word came from there and hence just put them together….brothers in Arms…]. After reaching the place I couldn’t be more sure that the word had to be related one way or another. The sight required is one of pan-vision. The Colloseum was just as I had imagined it to be……a massive historical stadium and one could still hear the crowd’s cheers at the Gladiators last swipe of its sword into the belly of the beast if one pressed their ears close enough. The entire area around the Colloseum is high on historic value and showcases truly why Roman Architecture is deemed to be one of the finest.

We made our way onto The Pantheon amidst building, museums and structures of conspicuous elements of notable and eye catching architecture, style and design. The streets made even more sense and the Time more valuable as I was in the middle of flipping Fountainhead pages and thoughts. My favorite site though was the visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The gigantic palatial kinds Roman administrative centre was a definitely a sight to behold not only for its size but also for its pristine beauty. Of white marble [Italian for sure], and a portrayal of the respect displayed to the soldiers who had lost their lives in the World War only added to the effect. And for once a beauty like that could be accessed without paying an abnormal fee of some double figure Euros.

Then we chanced upon streets where shops exhibited nothing but top of the line brands…..and we aware….Brand Awareness. All throughout our trips the onus of interpreting the map was on me and I sure did deliver, have turned into an ace Navigator ready to be hired for any race…as anyways placements seem a distant dream. Again a few free bus trips ended the touristic day for us.

Vatican: We finally arrived, more of an extension to the city but obviously given the special place [with no pun intended]. The first sight is met with the St. Peters Basilica dome and the vast expanse of concrete in front for services and ceremonies. We started the tour of the Vatican from the renowned Sistine Chapel. This structure is composed of innumerable rooms and hallways, balconies and galleries, all adorned by only the finest and most excellent of artifacts, paintings, sculpture and other such artistic objects. The ceilings had some mind blowing paintings on them and we argued as to the means of how that was made possible. The Sistine Chapel is brilliant in its own unique sense and with the strict security and no pictures allowed it only extends that feeling of specialty and respect. Only the Louvre could be listed as better if one was to rank…reluctantly.
The Sistine Chapel leads into the way to the St. Peters Basilica. On entering the only sentiment that eclipsed us was that of grandeur. It was huge under the dome and with a perfect and striking mix of opulence, magnificence and talent it was a sight to behold. As we walked inside the dome one could witness the history and also the artistic beauty which existed. The best part being that it didn’t matter which religion one was from. The Vatican to sum it up is definitely a must visit in a life time along with Rome.

Venice: As we reached the place where almost all romantics and definitely the entire female population of the world wants to visit and maybe even settle down our initiation was not quite something to remember. The issue was simple…..there was no place to put up. All hotels and hostels were fully booked thanks to an annual marathon which was to be held the next day…..I mean wat were the odds???.....1/365…crazy…..Hence after trotting almost the entire city looking for accommodation we were so sure that it’s gonna be us and the road tonight….now that would be really romantic right?Walking with our bags we used to attempt at deceiving any individual or group whom we found suspicious. By God’s Grace….and note the CAPS on that….we did get an address of some hostel in an alley [obviously intercepted by a water canal] which might have rooms. What’s the harm in knocking on another door and ringing a few bells? We took our chance and there was this old couple who rented out beds for travelers like us. It was really their benign nature which saved the night for us. They accommodated us even though all their rooms were full and somehow we arranged something in the living room and slept there. She definitely was an angel for us, [the 4th as per Jajoo’s calculations till now] not knowing how much that gesture of hers had meant for us. Not only did we get shelter but also an experience of staying in an authentic Italian household as our breakfast suggested.
But first lemme describe to you Venice at night, under the mystic stars and shining water thanks to the moon. Shelter taken care of now we had to fulfill our second basic physiological need of food and it seemed like the bad luck continued as everything closed on our second round of the city. But what we saw defined Venice to the hilt. Almost 93% of the people walking the streets were drunk or about to be in the near future. The rest 7% had just got off the station looking for accommodation like us. I had very high expectations of the romantic element in the city and it didn’t disappoint me on this beautiful night. Couples walked so close together and by together I mean literally together. Age no bar every individual seemed to be enjoying their time over here no matter where they came from and with whom…..lol. As my friend Seeteez would have said….”everyone was set and scene ban raha tha.”

After the filling Italian breakfast we started out on the morning tour of the city. As heard, it is a maze of narrow streets and alleys and on every nook and corner a canal with aquamarine water and artistic facades in the background emerged. We made our way to the famed Rialto Bridge and to the most popular tourist destination of St. Mark’s Piazza or place while clickin some hundred pictures on our way as every view was nothing less than spectacular. St. Mark’s place is well-known for one thing and this one figures out as soon as one steps foot there…..the pigeons. They are in huge numbers and maybe even surpassing the human count. Tourists trying to click pictures while feeding them makes their concentration look even more threatening. We tried too and I personally didn’t like the weird sensation on my shoulders and palms while feeding them. This is also where a lot of famous movies have been shot. 2 weeks after our trip this place was flooded with thigh high water.
We then went onto witness the marathon and a canal ride [which we had to take being in Venice]. Venice by the way is the largest non motorable part of Europe and every kind of transportation is through the water or on foot. While on our ride we saw some fantastic sights and also the world famous gondolas again with couples occupying and gracing them. Before we realized we were again running late for our train. Venice overall I think personally is a bit overrated, maybe because of my sky high expectations. Brugge I thought which seemed like a preview or mini Venice seemed a better choice.

Milan mein Milan: I had this image of Milan being a scary place horded by mafia’s of various families carrying guns in their long leather jackets. Fortunately we didn’t encounter with the latter but it sure was spooky and intimidating when we arrived late at night at Milan. As I had observed in many San Siro matches that there was a dense fog which hung quite low I could see that this extended to the entire span of the city as well. To make matters worse our destination hostel was quite far away which required us to tread via abandoned roads and districts. We walked remembering all Italian gods at once and people whom we loved and our courage increasing with every step we took in the hope that the hostel was constructed keeping in mind that petrified tourists could reach faster. We finally found the place and then had dinner outside with a weather which could easily be mistaken for a place on a hill station and reminded me of Darjeeling. Our first stop in the morning had to be the San Siro, the fortress, for the ignorant it is the football stadium, home to two of the most successful Italian and world clubs, AC Milan and Inter Milan. Many greats have exhibited their skills here and written history in this stadium. It’s like the Mecca for soccer fanatics like me and my pilgrimage was successful. The stadium looms large over its surroundings and commands respect just by the way it is built. It is majestic and definitely an apt home for two historic clubs and for a country so crazy over the sport.

Our next stop was a castle as per our tourist map which we thought was a waste of time and quickly moved to the Duomo region which was the main area of the city. We then pampered ourselves with Italian Pizza admiring both Italian fashion and beauty. This was like unreal…..we were sitting in a fashion capital munching on authentic Italian Pizza and observing a literal ramp show in progress. The temporary Duomo Rock fair was a pleasant surprise for me but as desperate as I was to get inside Jajoo very politely reminded me of our train timings and that we cannot afford to miss anymore of them. But we were quite a rich bunch and we did afford to miss a train from Nice to Marseille on our way back.

BE-Ne-Lux...

2008-10-17T04:57:00.000-07:00

First International Travel:

From the Goa of France i.e. Marseille… from the buses[ where every pair of ears have to have a thin strand of white headphones (Read: i-pods)plugged into them, seems like this is their pass to entry as tickets anyways are not checked and mandatory top of line fashionable shades on their pretty faces] we decided to honour other countries as well for a change…not that travelling was our primary motive…studyin was…[3 beers down]…ignore the few ‘does not make sense words’…

Brugge ki Blues : The countryside truly is at its best in Belgium with its Monopoly houses which all seem so similar and it makes me wonder whether people [Read:Men] don’t at night kinda get confused…if you know what I mean…it basically is like this Ideal or Fantasy towns one imagines of….pruned gardens with lush verdant gardens, cows and horses healthier than a huge number of people in different parts of the world, smiling faces, soothing weather…it for sure was the best place we’d been till now…we took a Canal ride to start with showing us around the mini-town and it was more of a preview to the legendary Venice or let’s say the Pilot version…Next we munched on the best French Fries we’d ever had anywhere in the world…and the irony of it all…we’d come from France [not that French fries were invented there or anything like that].

We then purchased irresistible ice cream scoops with everyone complaining about cold and such immaterial aspects also…and how could we bid adieu to this lovely place without having paid our due respect to the Brewery and ‘The Belgian Beer’…oh wata feeling…!!! Reluctant to leave but as we had already postponed our plan for something like 2 hrs we took a ‘strong’ call [note: post-beer]. Still Jajoo n Tapan inspired by their fav DDLJ wanted sum similar scene and hence last moment frantic running towards the station and we miss it again…so we take a train to Brussels again to reach Amsterdam…

Amsterdam ki Dam’e’ : the first pre dominant colour we observed was obviously bright ‘Orange’…couldn’t b ne other as no other colour could be seen….I felt like a complete local with my now proud purchase of the similar coloured UCB pullover…
It seemed like this famous capital has been artificially monitored into a must visit stop on an individual’s Euro-trip plans. There didn’t seem any spectacular historical or scenic spots but yes it’s as they say ‘ek sonhar ki aur sau lohar ki’….Enter: the Red Light District…I know most of you had directly come to these words without even reading da above words… …..must be the ‘highest’ district in the world for sure….if you know what I mean….I named it the ‘City of Free Will’…u need to actually crane your neck to get some oxygen as till now it’s just ganja and charas’s purple haze which delights your lungs…This place rocks not because everyone is stoned…that would be a lame and old joke [ateast acc to my standards]….but you’ll find people of all nationalities and genders [ not many options there] in their elements out here…and then you have these small cubicles with a particular gender displaying the god-showered beauty which they have been blessed with, teasing as if no one is even looking at them [which would be insane and humanely not possible]daunting and other words which cannot unfortunately appear on a mainstream blog of a respected individual like me….lol…we enter a bar where mushrooms and dope seems their best seller with TOMA rates shooting off the roof…and sexed out psychedelic music on which anyone music lover itself could reach Cloud No.9…there is no bloody escape…’aadmi jaaye to kahan jaaye’…and then the World blames us…unfair I say…

Koln/Cologne ka Zone: well this was more of a stop than a destination more like events in our life our apart from Death….k now it’s getting philosophical. We just had an hour or so…but luckily we were in the right Zone as I mentioned before. There was Koln’s renowned Church which acted as a neighbor to the station. But the highlight surely was the realization of being on the land of 4711 Eau De Cologne…and hence visit to the original store and indulgence in memento shopping.

Luxembourg ki Luxury: We travelled in this country+city+capital which seemed smaller than Cal also…with hardly anyone on the streets. ..and no of buses = population* 2.343…and it seemed like buses and other such amenities are provided by the govt to its people so we too became temporary citizens and used bus service without tickets…yet again. We found accommodation in a youth hostel which seemed like a mini hotel or so…and had a pleasant stay which included a mighty game of chess and a historic win…my first international win…in any sport that too…

The morning was dedicated to roaming the streets of the city over which hung a foam/fog…couldn’t make out…there were castles, forts and churches, bridges, splendid landscapes. Out comes the map and we start the walk. Am thinking of applying for Luxembourg citizenship, don’t think there would be more than 100 MBa’s in the country…lol…

Brussels: did not have much time to see the entire city. Unfortunately could not meet a friend in the city and just visited the city centre which itself presented a window to the culture and ethnicity of the place. It had a few mystic and old-church like feel to the city. The trip back was more of a sprint for the Beijing Gold rather than a stroll to the station…another DDLJ take…???

First Trip...

2008-10-13T03:15:00.000-07:00

Our first trip: more of an experiment for our future out-of-country [ahem read country here refers to France n not India, for the time being atleast] journeys. So we try and comprehend the Eurail way of travelling or planning let’s say. A special mention of the trains out here in Europe. We initially miss the Indian way of constant and habituated botheration from ‘muri’ and ‘caffi-chaaaaiii’ walas as hunger drum beats play a nice rhythm in our bellies. More importantly the first thing we all noticed was the unavailability of signs like “To Stop Train, Pull Chain”. The so-called WC’s out her can pass as a stylish room to a cannot move space of 4-walls. Stylized in pastel shades of great taste and 68912 facilities in their. As we get over the new way of physical movement we see huge villas out from our well fought window seats. We guess right; we are nearing St. Tropez and eventually Cannes. Then we see this familiar board of Cannes and very arbitly we just get off the train with our bags….but we were on our way to Nice…..ahhhh….who cares…

Cannes and Khan-nes: Seemed Hollywood of Europe….beautiful sun adorned houses and villas with magnificent huge god knows how many stars hotels providing abode to the hordes of personalities. Jajoo also decided to get a picture taken with him acting his way into a public toilet and just then the door opens and three insane people run for cover…only 2 survive. We paid homage to the centre or hall where the Annual Cannes Film festival takes place. The Red Carpet really gives you the kick in the back and opens your eyes if there was ne chance of you thinking this was just a hoax of a dream. We walked up and down the carpet and felt like yes stars and then again…we left a note for Ash next time she’s there. There were also these hand prints of famous celebrities on the paths….and due to a strike on that day we cudnt get ours done…. The main port side is again very stunning with private yachts lining our way. A scenic view of the Mediterranean Sea from there with boats, yachts and a lighthouse complimenting the view. Then after a pathetic Dharmendra and Mausiji scene and a nice chat with some Uk tourists [Jajoo really was interested in one of them more than his claim of being concerned in UBS where she worked] we made our way to the Old Church. The view from there was simply breath-taking. We could see almost the entire city from there or at least all the paths we’d traversed.

Nice was Nice: The entire train route from Cannes to Nice was wow….the track right besides the sea and the sun shining brightly. There was this gigantic hotel in the shape of a ship. Nice has an excellent city centre with a massive open space and a creative Buddha look statuettes atop thin pillars. The beach was pretty too and the sidewalk was bustling with tourists. A musically perfect moment was the teenager strumming his guitar to Dylan’s ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ and couple sitting on a bench staring out at the crystal blue sea.

Paris ke Pari: Our first TGV ride…Paris surely was chilly[weather wise] as warned by my huge number of international and firangi friends from Europe. What happened next was something we surely didn’t see coming…not even with our specs back on. We were basically ‘escorted’ by the police for not carrying our original passports and literally taken on a tour of the city in a police van. The entire episode which is much more than the one line written above really left us infuriated in the heard about racist approach adopted by them. We definitely let them know what we felt about the entire thing though and how wrong they were. For more details you can contact me…later….it became chilly otherwise too…if you know what I mean…
In Paris one surely feels the power….you are in one of the most important and power capitals of the world. It surely is a sign of Globalisation. The Paris metro definitely reminded me of Cal Metro though. Not as clean as its Marseille counterpart and uff so crowded. It’s planning though is worth mentioning connecting this huge city with more than double digit lines. We planned to see the Eiffel and Louvre but after walking in circles for the next 30 mins we shortlisted our alredy short list to just the Louvre.

Louvre : is actually this colossal palacial now turned into museum place. Da Vinci Code flashes by…when you enter and se those pyramids….and you start lookin’ for other such famous signs. Just close your eyes and and point on the map and there will be a citizen from that country of passive choice for sure. The museum is highly unlikely to be seen in an entire day too…we felt otherwise…tried to make the best of whatever time we had. The Museum mainly has three divisions housing different artifacts and art. Every division is massive in its own with multiple rooms, painted ceilings and alleys with specialized corners. Surprisingly, personally there were a number of other objects of art and sculpture which impressed me much more than the infamous Monalisa. The huge painting right opposite the Monalisa was unbelievable….truly…it was of the Feast with Jesus. Also a couple of paintings by one Giovani Paolo Pannini was simply out of this world…..wat vision….crazy…..his paintings had everything which the Louvre housed. It had paintings, sculptures, people, and places on a single piece of canvas….WOW!!!...stood there for like 15 mins staring...in awe…The most memorable part of the museum for me though was the section of Napolean’s Apartment….the bedrooms, the dinner table, the fireplace…each and every drape,chair, carpet out there oozed grandeur and royalty. It actually for a moment takes you back in time and you start imagining how things would have been during those times. The entire museum inspires you no matter how ignorant one is of the history behind the works exhibited out there. Makes you aware of the passion of these artists and talented individuals for whom their work was all they saw and…achieved. Conclusion: The LOUVRE must be visited once in your lifetime folks…for sure….it’s a must watch and should feature in your “List of 100 places to visit before I visit Heaven/Hell…”

Am excited about my next week’s trip to Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg…yes am studyin too….hopefully…till then Au Revoir…

Marseille ....The City...

2008-10-07T10:21:00.000-07:00

After 3 International flights, 4 Airports, 3 Countries, 23 hours of approx travelling with all complex calculations of time travel and some 1000 miles we reached our home for 3 months, dropped by a cabbie pledging his allegiance and association for Mithun Chakrabarthy. This driver was definitely a pauper in comparison to the high profile bus driver [could have easily passed off as a model] from Marseille Airport to station. Fell in love on the first look with the roads [no holes], traffic [organized] , non polluting stylized cars of the various brands which one only dreamt of on Indian roads. Our first sight in the morning [late afternoon] after trying hard to feel of something called being “jet-lag” was of the crossing next to our house with a splendid view from our window, that’s when we named it Times Square.

As we stepped out onto the streets [very clean] and mainly pavements [as rules are followed here and hence we adhere], some aspects caught our attention. The citizens of this beautiful country have an excellent sense of fashion and style and which is truly reflected in their dressing sense. World titles are not merely thrown without any meaning what so ever. They are very fashion conscious which is independent of the time, age or even gender. Yes it was not just the youngsters and potential models that were high on style quotient but also senior citizens [a huge number of the population] with great zeal. This was highly inspiring, exhibiting the fact that they still live their lives each day no matter whether they are past their prime or not. And yes the thing that justifies this the most is the figure which carries those wonderful dresses, this might be due to their being so health conscious and also to the amount they walk on a given normal day.

As for the beauty it is a shame…seriously they don’t realize how beautiful and pretty they are. Every face leaves you breathless and obviously staring which goes without saying. My first thought was that the city was the stage and its roads the ramp. Each one a model in their own respect. Most of them look straight outta the movies, as if you just played them on your VLC player last night. Every face is smiling and seems ready to help, this is purely because of the fact that people here do what they want to and they have a great deal of time to practice and indulge in their interests and hobbies.

A major or I should say the Brigadier problem here is that of language for students [etudiants] like us who even after 3 months of basic French language course can hardly understand the language and more importantly their accent. Very few can speak English and hence we hardly use that and are always in the attempt to do the same. Hindi too is not very frequently used due to the previous failed attempt. So basically to conclude, we are without a knowledge of language here and literally quite lost…. Though the sight and first exchange of words in Hindi with some other Indians at the campus was like being given Bhaji with Pav [and an extra pav]. Campus here is great , though initially getting to the classes becomes a race against time.
Though even here at Marseille, we have duly displayed our brilliance for not following rules and other such lines to adhere to. The very first travel by bus was made without purchasing a ticket, Indian way???....well call it whatever you feel like it was a natural course of action with straight faces “all the way”

We also paid a visit to the City Centre of the city on the Vieux Port. This trip took place only due to the complete accidental meeting with two Pakistani girls in the metro. It was like true friendship across the border in a different land…..now what do you call that???....is there a term???? Anyways Jajoo entered depression when they decided to address him as Bhaiya and did not accept money for Coke. They played the perfect guides in a city in which they too had arrived only some weeks back…. [embarrassing]. The Vieux Port was simply stunning…the only problem being we didn’t know what to keep our eyes on….if you know what I mean. It was like Paris Fashion Week goin on [with no Paparazzi] at one of these crossings…I shall never forget those few minutes and the ‘heavenly crossing’. Few streets down the line we experienced a completely different set of emotions. There were these set of youngsters who were quite determined to get something of value from our respective bags and thus started a classic Hollywood chase with Jajoo in the lead with all pun intended. We escaped though and luckily for them we didn’t steal anything from them instead. Then Hollywood gave way to Bollywood, as our lead actor Jajoo was posing and me the aspirational photographer turned director was taking a nice shot of him with the background of the City Centre. We hear a voice….MOVE MOVE!!!!.....and the next thing we see moving is a Tram comin straight at us with its horn blaring…..and yes we did do a “double Ghulam”…..better than Amir too it seemed. So we did a two first of sorts…filmed a high quality Bollywood shot and also made them blow the goddamn horn!!!....our ears ache because of the silence on the streets…..uff…..We also did an Indian bargaining stint for shades….with the huge Black guy and stopped after getting a Euro off and the contours on his face started changed…
A few of my dreams also came true: played football with 2 street kids in the alley like they show on those foreign sport ads. Also played football on the beach with a team of 8 and mini goals….with people from faraway places…..aha…..wata feelin….

One definite add on to our profiles if not academics on our CV then definitely on our Marriage proposal CV…..lol….has to be our new acquisition of cooking talent…..name it Rice, dal, curry,burger,coffee,tea, Maggi, noodles, maggi again and last but not the least MAGGI!!! Jajoo says his dowry would definitely taken a new leap. We have become experts at supermarkets and shopping without reading the language or understanding what’s Veg n what’s not…..as Veg here includes egg, chicken and other similar kinds of meat….wondering what the other sector comprises of….We have also acquired this innate ability to multiply anything with 7 in like……0.00000232939 secs aprox…..thanks to the Euro conversions….though the supermarkets and retailing here are really superior and now the theory on the Retail Management makes much more sense. Food has been another issue of sorts…the 3 of us represent the entire range of eaters possible…One who would eat anything that moves…..Another would not even look at anything that moves [or is moved even by hand] and am somewhere in between…

So here it is….More later….about our travels and more crazy occurrences…till then….Peace…!!!

Question bout IT...!!

2008-10-01T08:53:00.000-07:00

Where do you come from, where do you go?
Decorating your dreams, that’s all you know.
Drifting in the streams, whispering in the ears of love,
Can’t see you but running in the blood of my nerves.
You are the wind, you’re the breeze
You are the zephyr, you’re the trees.
You are the life and the heart;
Or are you just a mere shadow so far?
Have you come to give or just to take away?
What do I ask you? Where have you come from?
Who are you?

When you walk the leaves fall,
Candles light when you speak,
When you stroll the clouds crawl,
When you stop the hearts meet.

Lashing with the waves of the sea,
Is it just the wind?
Rustling with the leaves of the tree; or,
Is it the dove’s wings?
Is it true? Are you sure?
Or are you a mere mirage of the reflection I know?

Where do you come from and where do you go?
Decorating your dreams, that’s all you know.
Who are you?

Euro 'Trip' ....the StarT...Chapter I...

2008-09-29T06:02:00.000-07:00

September 24th, 2008…..the day…..or more appropriately the dawn I [and some others] was eagerly awaiting was here. It wasn’t that easy a road to reach and be sitting at the renovated GVK Chhatrapati Shivaji Mumbai International Airport….n am not talkin abt the Mumbai traffic….but much more. 6 of us who have never set foot outside the famed Indian borders [I’ve though sneaked into Nepal a coupla times for shoppin’]…..6 of us who were more curious than the batsman awaiting his 3rd umpire decision and without a doubt knew that the next 90 days wud b nuthng less than an adventure of sorts……..this was definitely a “trip”…..a “trance “of a different hue…..
For me it was more of a milestone….[all faff and travelling technical words r like so similar….lol…]. Have always wanted to study in a foreign univ + international travel [as much I loved travellin within the country] + closer to my 2 passions of Music and Soccer and + Yes!!! France…..EUROPE!!!!.......In life at times things just work out for the heck of it happening…..my plan too took its share of beating but at last…..Alas…..thanks to some very special people in my life…..am here writing this post in a different land, breathing air which smells new….
Coming back to our journey and its much awaited details…..
Our myth of super sexy international air hostesses got lost and evaporated with the propane and its burning…..they were nothing less than stentorian teachers….dark frames, muscular and huge….not hot but bloody scary….n hence minimal use of the “call air hostess syndrome” which was pre planned by the guys……infact our respect for Kingfisher grew with every meal and every terrifying exchange of French words which took place…on top of that the coffee served made us realize the importance of milk and sugar…..and more of it….looks like they steal every sachet of it and feed it again to their cows…recycling it seems ….damn…...and hence Coffee [sans milk sugar] + bun dipped in + Kung Fu Panda = survival aboard Finnair……Indian style “ Jugaar”. With the huge palette of entertainment feeds[movies,sitcoms,audio] available in front of u….n wen u feel like ‘vasool-ing’ every bit of that ticket price…..u actually end up losing much more…..these human minds….u end up startin n listenin to lil bit of few things…..as weneva u start sumthng new the opportunity cost theory in Mba classes haunt you….and yes u change……and change…..and also keep smiling at the thought that you get to keep the freebies on flight…..duh….u r fuckin payin for them…..n that too hav paid in advance…..all 6 of us waitin as to who wud ask whether the beer and juice served are charged or not……and the moment we find out its not….row 24’s consumption is way more than the entire economy class….:)
Our flight gets delayed and we [read: Padhiary, the star in our group….Note the word ‘shining’ is dismally and consciously given a miss] get worried about our connecting flight from Helsinki to Paris. Just before we land at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport the sight below is worth a thousand words…oh sorry thousand islands…..spectacularly spread out below us…..as if unravellin the European mystery steadily….the houses seem to be Cut-Copy-Paste straight from Monopoly………….wat an Intro!!!....oh wait….no we have to announce that we Indians have arrived and so the star, Padhiary gets up and takes someone else’s handbag[by mistake]….but before he gets a Finnish fist on his face I advise him against doin things like that…..
We land and can’t even breathe International O2 ….our connecting flight wud leave in the next 30 mins from some other corner of this mall…..oh sorry airport…..we like other smart ones keep following directions….but get separated in this Modern Kumbh Mela….all adorned with everything…..though I didn’t even have the time to look around in the midst of the 1000m Olympic gold with baggage….but there was one thing which struck me…..out of nowhere this couple gets up amidst others drinkin wine and sharing a light chit chat…..and start doing salsa in the middle of the airport……wow….I mean WOW!!!.....one moment I definitely won’t forget….and the next thing to unfaze me was my name being announced….felt special….Aha!!!
We were the last ones to enter the flight and this time an intro to the so called ‘rude-french’ people…..seems the flight was waitin for us….hahhaha…..n faces stare at us hurling abuses +sarcasm in more than 25 different languages at one time ….Globalisation I say…..nono….thats not all…we still waitin for Ms Sweta…and so Padhiary star goes looking for the lost planet breakin all rules and norms of outer space….and the flight waits for 15 more mins…..n the staring does not stop…
Indian Version: We were being ‘checked out’ before people ‘checking ‘ us in….
Oh she arrives…..and smiles to everyone’s amazement……my eyes change view and…a French woman reading a paper with Headlines blaring out…..”Indian workers kill CEO”…..she turns around stares back…..that’s what I call a ‘killer-look’.
Flight from Helsinki to Paris was serene….pristine and other such similar sounding words….I pod is released from my bag….Floyd unveiled….n lemme describe the sight out of my lucky window seat….3 simultaneous planes with us….looked like human birds…flyin in harmony….many more trails of previous flights bein seen…..the paths of unknowns to unknown destinations…..wierd….and still we knew that all would meet on this land called Earth…..As I secretely thank the Wright brothers for their thought and vision….I see massive masses of snow below me…..wow….after 5 mins eyes open oh sorry….they were clouds….one cannot make out the difference between snow and cloud…..different forms of water maybe…..”It’s all the same, only the names have changed-Bon Jovi” …..stunning and magnificent….thought it was Greenland…..the song changes …..”Rise Up”…..Apt…..very apt……
“My dream is to fly; oh by the rainbow so high……my dream is to fly……Direction SKY…”

Pursuit of Happyness...

2008-08-18T13:55:00.000-07:00

Far away in the distant land,
The Sun shines brighter than here,
You don't seem to have been there,
But you are sure to know

You travel to that distant point,
Which made you feel so low,
Now you see another one,
Which has an even brighter glow

Still passionate, vision ahead,
The path is crooked, your mind is set,
Bag full of sunshine, bread and stick,
Treading on the Alchemist's trick

You reach the junction, the green is gone,
It's like the one before,
You wished you'd known

Will is brittle, but you're strong,
Know you ain't right, neither is it wrong,
Last gasp of courage, body and soul,
Set out for that final goal

This has to be it, no further trick,
Joy and Happiness, dearly missed,

Oh' Lord
I've travelled the world and seven seas
The nine planets, days and weeks,
Where I can I find it that makes me smile
The last I remember, when I was a child

Dear Son,
Firstly, you're still a child,
In the Lord's eyes you're still wise,
Go, return to that place you started from,
Everything's there what you're looking for,
Greed and jealousy I did not provide,
Contentment, one should strive

Sorry Lord, but I am weak,
Peace, I know now, resides in my plea,
I'll spread this message through this song,
Your light and Man's wrong

Chapter III_B School

2008-08-08T15:06:00.000-07:00

Percentile cracked, call converted,
The news took some time
In the end it was worth it

Hostel callin', baarish fallin'
New faces, past traces,
Campus life, Wi-Fi,
Grass was greener on this side

Intro time, dunkin' style
Media & PR, class CR,
"Nao change in asset, nao change in liability"
MBA = Faffin' ability

Jhabier walk, chalk talk,
Term I, run lola run,
Sanjay bhaina and mess bills,
X- Cafe, on top "Skill"

'Respect', NFS in QM- II,
DJyin' with the JLT crew,
Xsys had our nights alive,
SAXIM was on overdrive

C.Q.P.I, AIS, gtalk, ping!!!
Summers, seniors, kotwal sings,
PB, hollywood, seen n 'SAW',
Badminton court in one call

B-block, family, 162-181,
Nimbu pani, maggi, stomach burns,
Freud, Kotler, Buffa Sarin,
Word, Excel, SPSS ----> day dreams

World issues, 4P's, marketing,
Quizzes, GK, global warming,
STD calls, run-down halls,
i- Ball blasts, snacks @ 5,
Alarm rings, knock on the door, "Are you alive ?"

OBL, FIFA, Wal-mart, stu mail,
B'day song, Xpressions on,
Baton passed, MBA done,
Farewell guys, see you on the next run...

Chapter II_College

2008-08-04T13:43:00.000-07:00

Here's the middle point from where I stand now
What goes around; comes all the way back around

Standing in queues,interview flu,
6a.m.-9:40, military school,
Summer mornings, dogs and me,
Winter ones, even dogs flee

Hot samosas, day department,
Bye-pass wind, CCD stint,
Attendance issues, dizzy stir,
Roll no 180, Yes SIR!!!

Angel sent form, 3years saved,
Without AIESEC life seemed a waste
New group, chance pe daance,
Kya network hai, Sydney to France

EPL, Gunners, Orkut, Swades,
Lakshya, Park St, Scrapbook, Momo place,
Part I, Biographies, shirt craze,
Introducing to you now the official RAT race

The bitchy CAT, the squeky meow,
You get the persentile, no one asks how,
Life = 4 options, True/False,
The only line, " Did you get a call?"

CD collection, beer mild,
Part II form, Shisha nights,
Skolling, roll calls, @ jives,
Conference, meetings, youngistan vibes

F.R.I.E.N.D.S., Prison Break, Leno n Seinfeld,
SN, The Force, IC at Agra held,
Days became nights and nights to days,
Life became nothing but the Crystal Maze

Cafeteria, Gupta's, KFC,
Badminton, FIFA, MSN till 3,
Uncertain, unemployed, one vision,
All I could put in was blood, sweat, tears for one reason

Chapter I_School

2008-08-02T04:22:00.000-07:00

Summer Holidays, bending rules,
Glass of milk, black shoes,
Late to school, morning blues,
Trip to zoo, honking car pool

Smiling strangers, wierd noise
First abuse, new joy
Breaking rulers, set theory
Chalk powder, duster toy

Poster man, churan guy,
1:20, canteen chow,
Relay race, First fight,
Girls on da other side

B'day parties,Treat treat!!!
Hallmark,socials,KJ,KY,
First date, special call,
First CD, school belt and tie

VP call, house match score
You're here!!! conc. H2 SO4,
Night-out, mail id's,
Trip taking,Osama, 9/11

First cell,first mall, Nicco park,
Innocent dolls,
Career, stream, future, man,
College, fast food, Coke can

Bunking classes, football matches,
TK,Dubey,Modex,PK Dey,
Peer pressure, MTV,
Back then we lived life our way

Henry, Floyd, Limp Bizkit, LP,
Heart break, trust, love and bliss,
Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Manali, Nainital, Vaastav, PJ's,
Metallica, Hrithik, Me and DJ???

Head-banging, psy, rap n house,
Late night calls, Jerry the Mouse,
GI-Joe, Monopoly, Hot wheels, and He-man,
Let's reminisce it as much as we can

Time's a changin'
Hair styles fadin'
For the next part of 'our' story
Wait and be patient...

Hurt

2008-07-28T10:13:00.000-07:00

I have fallen in love with these lyrics.....very close.....

I hurt myself today
to see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
the only thing that's real
the needle tears a hole
the old familiar sting
try to kill it all away
but I remember everything
what have I become?
my sweetest friend
everyone I know
goes away in the end
and you could have it all
my empire of dirt

I will let you down
I will make you hurt

I wear this crown of thorns
upon my liar's chair
full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair
beneath the stains of time
the feelings disappear
you are someone else
I am still right here

what have I become?
my sweetest friend
everyone I know
goes away in the end
and you could have it all
my empire of dirt

I will let you down
I will make you hurt

if I could start again
a million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way

Dont think Now......:)

Every [.....]

2008-05-17T01:31:00.000-07:00

This one's basically jotted keeping in mind the Vodafone theme....the new one [happy to help],just coudnt get it off my mind.....n also special mention of Divya for reviving ['inspire' more relevant] the desire in me to write again.....the words r really really simple....n jus came about with the flow.....

Every morning ,beside my side
You'll be there,I don't ask why?
Bright lights; what you are
Reaching you soon,now not that far

Every where the streets are same
The alleys,the path,the bye-lanes
The boulevard's getting shorter
The vision of your brain

Every face I see, it makes me smile
There ain't a bigger lie
And when It's your face I see...
I'll tell you when you tell me

Every deed I do,it's for the good
I would be GOD,if that were true
The mass is selfish,the intent is blind
You're the worst cuz you think you're kind

Every day I feel it's still the same
I keep marching ahead and back in vain
Time keeps ticking ahead
And that's all you gain

Every song I sing I sing for you
These five words I bring to you
Yes I know it's the wrong count
But it's you,the sadist,that makes me frown

Every time I write
Time passes by
Never to return;no heed, no call
Nothing but the lie
Time is something that may change me
But I cant change time
That's why I'm still writing
This eternal Rhyme

Every right I speak is left alone,
Like the little kid without a home
Like Time words don't come back
That's why I'm taking time to write

[ Every poem I write,I write to you
Every rhyme I think,it rhymes with you
Every beat I hear,it comes from you
If you don't believe,do write one too]

Game - over.....!!!!!!!

2008-03-06T11:52:00.000-08:00

I Wanna Play A Game With You.......

People say "life is a game" I believe its so true....and there's more .....there have been various feelings/emotions which I have gone thru over da past week which in a way is quite normal but at times not at those inexorbitant levels to screw your mind up in those eternal moments of the unhabituated...realization,chaste,love,new found friendship,past memories,anger,isolation,dependence,warrior,race,pitch,eagerness.....
all of dem and counting...

It all started from a series of a particular kind of movie....highly unlikely?????.....SAW it is....for all those fans out der I'm sure u'll understand straight away and you can skip this para altogether...or b more passionate abt it...
ders so much in da concept behnd this apart frm da "Gore factor" [which after a point becomes part and parcel]...no not Mr.Al...the concept basically being about how one's life is at his own hands and the only way he can undo his mistakes is by recieving pain and sacrificing of certain degrees and magnitude...

Its all abt "mind games".....the craziness....the Jigsaw.....how much one values his life,actions,deeds,Time,people,surroundings,Decisions,lives.....more and MORE!!!How much do we realize,repent and reminisce.....Do we require someone to make us aware of this bitter and unpopular feeling of truth.....????If yes.....then SAW is da way ahead.....

If you WIN.....ur a better being.....if not then...

It's Game-OVER!!!

This Game-OVER is not restricted to our lives only......but also to lost time....which I just realised.....regrets and complaints.....value of time....which is not gonna turn back creating the same environment and more importantly da same people...but by da time we realise that it's yes Game-OVER!!!.....speak to people you want to.....dnt wait for a particular god send moment.....the time u speak that itself "is the moment".....u never kno about tomorrow or or a minute later also.....another potential n genuine friend gone out da window....go weep on the laptop.....

Sorry Game-OVER!!!

Some times one has to take decisions.....for people,groups,clans.....Yourself!!!......its about weightage....about repercussions,future,sentiments,mob mentality.....

At times its about lockin yourself in a dark room....n while ur in der...u wonder hows the light outisde and wen can u shine out der.....but Decisions it is my Friend.....thats why they are called decisions.....regret or ignore it's always...

Game-OVER!!!

dnt kno how to end this piece of my mind.....so lets just say...till another Crossroad...

"Game-OVER"!!!

Winter of '07

2008-01-06T12:14:00.000-08:00

At times [as I have already written]......one does not know the value of things till they r not taken away........or disappear.......

This winter I met some of them.........ppl very close to my heart.......spent time with them.....now thts life.....:)

saw the biryani plaza of India.......Hyderabad......nice city......had higher xpectations though.......

Back in cal for da new years met ppl frm skool......it was a nice feeling.....the same people........it's all the same;only the scenes have changed......Mr.JoVI.....was rite...

Overall a great ending to greater year......hope da next one's even better man....all geared.........:)

Hiatu$...

2007-12-15T15:57:00.000-08:00

The last time I contributed to my own blog was at 1:47pm on the 10th of August...reasons aplenty....

~Lack of time.....as relatively busier schedule now.....
~Other priorities.....[shud kill myslef for writing this].....or rather after i post this one...:)
~Found more interstin website links n LAN games to take over free time.....[if there is any at this place].....

But the most significant reason i would say is none of the above...[my fav opton in CAT exams].......

On a more serious note[pad]...

Sometimes you just don't want to think and fill up your web log...mayb der r no thoughts worth writing abt.....if thts da case....it wud mean tht I'm a time Murderer and self destroyer....even if der r thoughts you just can't put dem down.....its der but not der.....it matters bu not ne more......thts wat I wud like to believe....for the time bein atleast....

N der r times wen jus cant stop thinkin n writin n thinkin then writin sum more n then only writin as it jus comes naturally and the words keep gettin typed...."JUST LIKE THIS...s.d.grw.cgj.t....s.fs..s........srry.......:)

This is one of those times as u must hav already guessed by the lenght of this post.
Though der r sum meaningful things which I wud want to talk about....feelings...

It's cliche wen u hear that "you know the actual value of sumthing wen it's not with you"...but it cudnt b more true....

Over the past few months I hav felt this.....whether it b parents[family],friends,times,experiences,environment......not to misinterpret that my time here is relatively worse off.....I'm lovin it.....:)

Even a short duration of feelin of detachment frm sumthng close to ur heart [no matter how artifcial it mite b].....can make one realize the value and importance of something.

At times ppl disappoint me with their thought process and outlook....but then without that the world wud b so bland and i like Spice......I have tried to shorten the duration of burden and carried on waste thoughts.....[operations lectures ppl].....I'm learning.....dnt know da pace though.....:)

As of now it's end terms,House music,group work [nething but that],"random" and "arbit" chllin......to the "Major Level".....
Very happy that a very close friend of mine got engaged....n have trips lined for the comin season....Travellin....yeah!!!!

Dnt know wen i wud write next.....mite be next year or cud b after a few hours itself......Were u listenin???

$till WalKinG...

2007-08-10T13:47:00.000-07:00

Well the path is da same.....but yes it's far more greener and cleaner than I had thought and said...

Its been almost 2 months now and it feels like something like 8 [I dont know how I came up with this digit in particular].This place surely "rocks" and I'm happy I ended up here rather than a place which would have got my expectations running sky high just to disappoint me further...

I believe if one wants to and possesses the willingness to, can learn a lot of varied things in these 2 years given the platform.Or one can just be with the mindset of attaining theoritical knowledge.I think I have alredy made some fantastic and excellent friends here which would make this phase of the journey even more enjoyable.

The best part so far has been the fact that I have got involved in areas which truly are my passions[read:media,PR,drums,music,DJyin,soccer,games] and I enjoy pursuing them not considering them as work.One also has to prioritize his time involvement as there is lots on the plate,but limited space in the stomach.Asking myself what is it that I want....

Those late night walks,nights on the terrace luking at da sky,maggi and NP in the canteen.....or FA classes.....[soon to be replaced by Marketing].

Shine on you crazy DiamonD...

more later....:)

The Path from da Crossroad......

2007-06-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Well this is what life is all about some people say...

Its about paths and choosing them...more importantly walking on it even though you know it might lead to nothing else but a jungle......a dense one.....

I decided on one such path and that being pursuing MBA

2.5 years down da line on da 7th of June I did reach the end of the path......oh and yes the jungle was there too which I had to go through.....which made the destination[Lakshya] an even more desirable one...

Ximb Happened...

Today while I write my blog from the computer room at Ximb its a great feeling...

The place is great.......clean and green...da best way to describe it...the people even better....

Hope to have a learnin n fun filled 2 years here....

more later.....

$oNgoLoGy...

2007-05-24T11:58:00.000-07:00

There's another world inside of me that you may never see.
There's secrets in this life that I can't hide.
Somewhere in this darkness there's a life that I can't find.
Maybe it's too far away or maybe I'm just blind, maybe I'm just blind.

Swades Train Scene

2007-05-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

India Unbound….ed

2007-05-10T14:53:00.000-07:00

Proud to be an Indian!!!!!!!!!

Proud to be an Indian???????

Well we all are and no doubting that…..but are we aware of the history of the land politically and economically:pre and post independence????

There is this book by the name “India Unbound” by Gurucharan Das, which really does give us an insight into this field. I plead my ignorance here of being unaware of events and things which had and have shaped our economy and governance to what it is today.I also am happy that I chanced upon this book before my ignorance would have turned into stupidity and worse on…….

Through this book we are enlightened of how the country was under the British and its implications which were also of advantage to the country, contrary to what the popular belief is. The political and economic state of the country post independence, ideologies and beliefs of leaders like Nehru and Indira Gandhi,1991 liberalization of the economy and its ramifications across sections in the country are some of the myriad things which are beautifully explained here.

I believe this is one book which every youngster [no matter what field one is interested in] should read in order to be cognizant of India’s past and how events and leaders can alter the course of history.It also reflects interestingly the mindsets of Indians and their cause-effect syndrome.

Competition is not always adverse as was thought by leaders and law makers due to which millions had to suffer, the economy being affected the greatest. It was this very competition, which changed the economic landscape of the country post 1991.It, is shocking as to how such educated and learned economists of the country faltered and guided the country to unproductive and regressive paths.

I hope the leaders and policy makers have realized the faults and its effects today and more importantly by us Indians!!!!!!!!!

Long Live India………………..J

The Google Economy

2007-05-10T14:44:00.000-07:00

GooooOoOOoOooogLe………
...........
synonymous with search……..almost entirely………that’s what comes to my mind [and millions others’] when I hear the word now included in the dictionaries too. I have literally fallen in love with this organization….its inception, values, leaders, culture………..list goes on n on……

Larry Page and Sergey Brin the two “rockstars” who started this rave of a company and motto of “Don’t be Evil”.The ideology at Googleplex is of making products not for minting money but which would be beneficial to people and then the product is of such high quality that it itself draws the sound of the nickel.These two are so committed to making the clichéd usage of “The Information Age” a lot of sense by making comprehensive and relevant[through Page Rank] information available to people all over the world…..kudos to them….J

The myriad products offered by Google itself reflects this belief,whether it be Gmail,Google News,Google Earth, Google Scholar,etc.Each having the distinct flavour of Google,a carry forward of its trademark simple homepage on white background in this clustered age of advertisements and its periodic “doodles” on the sign Google.Here’s the best part,Google makes its money through advertisements based on its search results and Google itself doesn’t market or advertise itself but still has created an invaluable salivating brand equity.

One would not realize the effect this one corporation and its products has on entities and people all over the world,which believe or not are colossal to be understating it…..this is what is the “power” of The Google Economy.

I cannot imagine being online without Google being a part of my screen and there are millions like me who consciously or unconsciously are indebted to it.But professionals feel this is just the tip of the ice berg, with loads to come from the Mountain View stable. It has truly revolutionized the way people function online bringing efficiency to the core of all activities. Google does not follow other so called major firms in its proceedings and ensues in what it believes would be best for the people and in sync with its objectives as a concern,this leading to a lot of spats with Microsoft and Yahoo.

Birds have news that Google is now working on biotechnology and genetic information which would be a significant step in the field of health and medicine.People would be able to realize their own genes and customized therapies and treatments……sounds crazy…well that’s Google for you if you already had any doubt.

There might be a better search engine,email,etc devised by a company in future but none would be like Google and the way and speed in which it has reached:to this point that it has made its way to my blog…… Google shall always be a part of HistOry though its nowhere close to it also as of now……Long live Google.

By a Googler [forever]……………

$oCcEr...........all da waY....................!!!!!!!!!!

2007-04-08T11:44:00.000-07:00

GoOooAaaaAaAaAaL!!!!!!!!!!!

You must have heard it “n” (make it “m” in case of India) number of times especially when the Brazilians, better known as Samba boys play the world’s most beautiful game i.e.Soccer.Well it is just not an attractive way of celebration,or a marketing move by the boards to promote their sport (read:unlike other sports).This cry is full of passion,energy,jubilation,emotion……I could go on and on……J.This is what defines the sport in all its entirety and the people associated with it.

Soccer Gyaan:

Soccer……there could be myriad reasons why this is the “most popular sport in the whole wide world”[Disclaimer: Ignore the above line at your own risk……instead ask why is it so popular………and the latter is not www as in internet protocol] and I’m sure even the universe for that matter [I can’t picture aliens playing cricket in Mars and cheering for a six].My journey with this beautiful sport started back in the “Summer of 99” and not 69 during the Cricket World Cup in England…..ironical?????I like any other young Indian boy was always unconsciously hooked onto the religious sport of cricket until this fortunate summer where the sporty eye had been finally awakened.

I have to confess it does take time to understand the intricacies of any sport and be passionate about it.One definitely cannot force himself to like a sport or be coerced to do so. Gradually I got myself into the mode and “cycle” of loving soccer year in year out.

Well if you thought the World Cup was exhiliharating….you ain’t seen nothing yet. There is so much variety for a soccer lover even within the sport itself. On an International Domestic [another oxymoron] level you can choose between The English Premier League, The La Liga[Spain],Seria A[Italy]…….each having its own distinct style of play. On a European front The UEFA Champions League is strongly recommended where in the top clubs of the countries compete on a common platform exhibiting their different styles of play.

Ask any soccer fan, of any club for that matter, and he/she shall literally squash your notion that the game is only about that one moment of brilliance when the goal is scored. There’s so much more to the game than that and can only be understood once you start watching the game yourself.

Am not writing any more as I have to get back to my clan of soccer maniacs…..but if you want to know any more about the game and its peripherals do write back….shall be more than glad to help you peep into this side of the world.

1st Lesson:Manchester United is not the only club in the world and David Beckham and Ronaldo are not the only soccer players born……J

~Gunner for Life~

Hey Rockstars…..well I’m a hardcore ardent Gunner [Arsenal fan:for readers of the above para].They definitely play the most beautiful soccer in all of Europe and die hard fans of other clubs also do agree to that.What initially attracted me to their game was their swift one-touch style of passing,their counter attacks and definitely the passion for the sport and the club as a whole.

The USP or the distinct feature of this club I believe is that unlike other European top flight clubs the Gunners do not buy and recruit big names[read: Chelsea] and win trophies there on based on their sheer proved brilliance. We purchase unknown budding youngsters who fit into the Arsenal style of soccer and then are developed to become the biggest names in Europe. Some of them being Dennis Begkamp,Thierry Henry, Patrick Viera…….in the coming future I’m sure that Cesc Fabregas shall also feature in this list.The maximum credit for this must be attributed to the Coach,The Proffesor Mr.Arsene Wenger……he’s a true rockstar man…….:)

Every year I set out on an excellent journey as the Premiership unfolds.I have friends [read krazy Maniacs with a capital M] who support their respective clubs especially Manchester United and Chelsea and its really great to fight it out with them carrying on from where the players left at the soccer field.

I respect Man U,Chelsea and Liverpool as clubs for their history and the passion with which they play.But Manchester fans don’t just rejoice in the high number of “Devil” following you people have.As per my experience youngsters who don’t know S about Soccer when asked will say they are Manchester fans simply because that’s the only name they have heard….especially popularized by the treble in 99.

Barcelona is another club which I root for….as they play a similar style of soccer as Arsenal….very exciting and entertaining.

Do get back all you soccer fans irrespective of your club choices…..it’ll be great to know you maniacs…………..:)