Lyon

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

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.

First Trip...

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…