Paris - Week 5
Day 30 - 22nd August Tuesday - Champs Elysses Again!
Returned home late from work today..so Sachin and me took my mom to the only place that is open after 8...Champs Elysses..as far as I am concerned, Champs Elysses itself is a tourist destination..walked along to the Virgin Megastore..another glimpse of Davy Jones at the Disney store...that character must have been conjured up by an extremely gross person..and I am sure, just like Frankenstein he must have been astounded by his ghastly creation!! I deviate as usual from the topic..then walked over to FNAC..the Merc showroom...man to be rolling in that much money!!
Pit Stop at Sephora..even if I have no intention of buying anything, I am yet to walk out of Sephora without a Sephora bag on me..the lure is too much to resist!!! Reached home late enough...mom had as usual made some yummy food...my fave bhindi fry..so ate well and tachi..
And in response to a comment on my previous post, tachi is the fuel on which I run all day long..I have on occasion survived without food..but without tachi..I have no life..no soul..
Day 31 - 23rd August Wednesday - A month in Paris
Today I finish 1 month in Paris..time seems to fly...feels like yesterday when Sachin and I decided we would not like Paris and we kept calling it a village..now, we both seem to be madly in love with this city....Celebrated my one month with a nice bottle of wine..Grand Vin Bordeaux..have improved my wine gyaan so those of you interested in buying a good bottle for the "Higher-ups", do give me a holler...shall be glad to assist..the wine was really good..soft and mellow...not too sweet..just right...Took mom around to La Défense..saw the sky rises , the mall inside..Auchan..and back..
Day 32 - 24th August Thur
Reached home early today so we went around to Galleries LaFayette...another shopping paradise..dunno how or why my daily activities almost always involve shopping or travelling in some way...I'm in the wrong profession, I swear...anyways...La Fayette seems to be the most advertised shopping area in Paris..right from Charles De Gaulle to the metros to billboards, Galleries LaFayette is widely advertised...and boy..the hype is totally worth it!! Huge buildings..one for women..one for men..and god-knows how many more..every brand known to man, woman and child is here I guess...and the mall itself is an example of opulence..with an ornate dome and carved balconies...nice place to shop if you ask me..you get culture ( I am
sure shopping can be classified as a culture, an activity, a hobby and a lot more)..you get aesthetic beauty..you get an "experience to remember"..I am coming here again..just to look around and soak in the place if nothing else!
Returned home to a nice sambhar, courtesy Sachin and out!
Day 33 - Friday - Travel Time!
Leaving on a Euro Lines bus to Amsterdam today..Yippee!!! For the first time, I was actually going to a place without doing any research whatsoever!! So, I was not being my usual cock sure self this time! Anyways the bus was quiet comfy..I have been spoilt for bus journeys by a particular someone..but in spite of the obvious absence..I slept quite sound!
And this is an extremely short post by my standards!! My gift to all my readers...ha ha
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Monday, August 28, 2006
Paris - Week 4
Day 25 Thursday - 17th August
Anu was coming in today, so I was all excited abt that. She reached safely but as is generally the case, I was swamped with work..all morning I was jobless...and just when I had to leave, things started falling into place!!! Murphy is the most influential man in this century and many to follow I am sure...
Introduced Sachin to the evils of taking the bus from office to home. Don't think he is every gonna walk again or maybe just outta sheer desperation. I like walking..correction..I love walking..remember the time in Jerusalem when all Sandeep and I did was walk..and of course the brilliant walk around Paris with JP..the problem with having a love for walking is that you don't realise how tiring/painful it can get for the people around you...But anyways, Paris is a beautiful place to walk around and the route to the office is complete with a nice bridge over the Seine and a glimpse of the Eiffel..
Took Anu to the symbols of Paris..the Grand Arch, the Eiffel and Arc De Triomph!!! She was quite impressed!!! The Eiffel tower twinkling at Trocadero can be an overwhelming sight...even for the seasoned traveller who has been there and done that...and everytime I look at that sight..it still manages to take my breath away..
Returned home to a good South Indian meal and tachi..was out like a light
Day 26 Friday - 18th August
Got up 4 hours later to pick my mom up from the airport...Was sleep walking and I didnt realise it till I actually opened my eyes 20 mins later!!! Reached the airport well ahead of time..and stood watching all flights from the UK or US either being cancelled or postponed...
Later today, as we all revelled in the magnificence of Paris and wondered about the plight of our country we realised something...India has always been a peaceful country..we have never conquered another country or kingdom and we don't have any plans to..On the contrary, we have always been the plundered and besieged underdog. Goes a long way in explaining the difference in our country and say, a country like France. They were ruled by kings who acquired hordes of money from plundering and conquering lesser kingdoms and this money they put in to the infrastructure of their city. Paris has had a metro since 1910!! Bangalore will hopefully have a metro in 2010. A century behind??? And what do we lack?? Brains?? Manpower?? Money?? Infrastructure?? Or should we just blame our kings for it??
Showed my mom a little of St.Michel Notre Dame and then the Arc de Triomph..nice day in all..had a bad pizza on Champs Elysses and returned.
Day 27 Saturday - 19th August
Woke up quite early but by the time we left for Mont St. Michel, it was past 11 am..after going around Paris we managed to set off on the right road..Typical European country side..lush, verdant, breath taking...I could go into rhapsodies describing the place but shall refrain from doing so..it has to be seen to be believed..
Reached this quaint town called Caen (pronounced Koh..)...very pretty town with the river running right through it...and yachts anchored along side the road...reached there around 1.30 and we were positively ravenous..however, French law (or so it seemed) does not "allow" most establishments to serve food after 2...So by 1.45, all doors closed upon us...managed to find an Arab guy who bent the rules..and we had a feta cheese sandwich for lunch. Went to this beautiful cathedral...but you see one cathedral in Europe, you have pretty much seen them all. Have a strange feeling of deja vu as I write this blog coz I have a strange feeling of having written these things already...
Drove on to Mont St. Michel..dozed off for a while but Anu told me that the scenery outside was just beautiful..the weather in France is an unpredictable as a woman's moods...One instant its sunny..the next it it's pouring so hard that you cant even see the road in front of you..the third..its cold and the 4th its probably sunny again...
Stayed at this nice European Villa at Mont St. Michel and visited the castle and its narrow alleys filled with shops..saw the Atlantic Ocean for the first time...Mont St. Michel is on the north western coast of France..just overlooks the English Channel...reached the villa and sunk...into these super soft beds..had a good sleep...
Day 28 Sunday - 20th August
Woke up really late....left Mont St. Michel...on the way to Paris, stopped at this château ruins in Domfront where we also had our lunch...consisted of croissants and brownie...abt the only vegetarian food we managed to salvage from the place..reached Paris around 6...and then set out to the Eiffel and Arc De Triomph...saw the Eiffel twinkling again..and this time Sachin captured it on the handycam..so I have the moment stored for posterity..
Climbed up the Arc De Triomph...the view!!!!! You ain't seen Paris if you haven't gone up the Arc...what an amazing view..12 roads...from allsides of the Arc..Champs Elysses..the Grand Arch..Sacre Cour...the Pantheon...the Eiffel..the Concorde..Notre Dame..its Paris in a nutshell..so if you have only an hour in Paris and you wanna see it all..climb up the Arc De Triomph at night..
Returned home to crash..
Day 29 Monday - 21st August
Woke up an hour later to drop Anu off at the airport..drove the car a little on the way back..was totally kicked abt it...reached the hotel and promptly fell asleep again with the consequence that I was quite late to the office..my bad!!
As I read this blog, I feel that the quality of my writing is drastically deteriorating...i seem to be going through a slump of sorts..so I’m sorry if I have bored ya..shall endeavour to improve!!!
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Paris - Week 3
Day 15: Monday
Put up my post on Belgium...Got a lot of Oooohs and Aaaahs abt the Belgium pics :-) Got a few mails appreciating my blog..thank you people.
Had lotsa domestic chores to do..my room looked like a tornado has ripped through it..so left early for home..went to the supermarket to pick up milk, onions, bread etc....I almost sound like a Frau..Did not feel like cooking...was too tired with all the travelling and having fun that I just slept.
Day 16: Tuesday
Hmmm...the problem with writing posts a week after is that you can’t remember much abt most days...So I shall write abt something else...to all the Soap addicts...please please please keep me updated on the happenings on Desperate Housewives and Bold and Beautiful...do it as a personal favour to me and you earn eternal gratitude..there is nothing more frustrating than watching these in French and kicking yourself for not knowing the language..I have gone to the heights of muting and trying to lip read but failed miserably...so please..I beseech you kindred souls! Maybe I need help! I think I need to join Soap-ics Anonymous or something..
Day 17: Wednesday
Picked up a Lonely Planet - Paris from the library..read and read...learnt a lot about the history of Paris..blah..blah..interesting read..managed to get my laundry done as well...and found the treasure trove of beautiful places that Paris holds! All excited, I made plans for Sachin and me for the weekend...
Day 18: Auchan...Lost
I think the gods of direction are very displeased with us when we go to Auchan. Because Sachin and I are known to have a fairly good sense of direction...we managed Antwerpen and Brussels without getting lost! So, after spending 3 weeks in Paris, we could only blame God for our misfortune..we took the bus this time..got down at the right stop( apparently!)..but finding ourselves on unchartered territory, we took the next bus and headed 2 stops ahead and walked back to the hotel...hopeless!!! or just Auchan I guess...
Day 19: Swiss Embassy and Invalides
Went to the Swiss Embassy today to enquire about the Swiss visa..No can do..so trudged back to the office. Did a spot of exploring before that though and chanced upon this beautiful area in Paris known as Invalides. Beautiful gardens..wide, cobbled avenues..some brilliant examples of Gothic/ Renaissance architecture..Just so you all know..I was not mindlessly loafing on an office day but was looking at the most optimum way to get to the office and that involved this pleasant, gifted walk. Reached office and gorged on a triple cheese pizza for lunch! Realised..Blue cheese does not go down too well with me...end of Another working week..
Day 20: French..maybe Italian!
Yo...beautiful morning..got up late..had a nice breakfast of cheese toast and we left on our day out in Paris...moi wearing a nice summer dress..and looking all french( according to Isoup a lil Italian maybe!)..Went to Louis Vuitton on Champs Elysses..Aaaaah..the cheapest thing there was a keychain the size of a 1€ coin worth 140€...OMG..but the place was amazing..as is my wont..fell in love with 2 dresses, a top and a diamond something and the Louis Vuitton brooch! I am seriously high maintenance!!! Went from here to the Hugo Boss showroom...I actually did not like their collection this season so we left soon enough! And then..the reason I was all excited about Paris..Chanel..Ooo la la..it is the city of the rich if not famous...have always wanted to possess a piece of Chanel...will have to most certainly defer that wish for the time being..but the lone disappointment at Chanel was not getting a glimpse of the LBD that Chanel is most famous for ( for the fashionably challenged..LBD = Little Black Dress, immortalized by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's!)..from here, we walked down to the Concorde and then...through the Jardin des Tuilleries to..the Louvre..its breathtakingly beautiful..and really huge!! walked inside the famous glass pyramid and went in..it was almost closing time so we just got all the information we needed and headed out..From here, walked towards La Seine and then walked on towards St. Michel Notre Dame..the area around this place is very parisien..picked up my first piece of Parisien clothing..a beret!!! totally rocks..dont think I will ever wear a cap again...went to the church and all tired, we trudged home..
Day 21: Sunday
Cooked a hearty meal..we ate well and left for the La Défense mall in the hope of buying a much needed raincoat..but everything was closed so we just watched Pirates of the Carribean and returned..nice movie..Orlando Bloom totally rocks!! complete paisa vasool..
Day 22: Monday
Did some work at the office and left for the La Défense mall again..and this time we returned triumphant! I got myself a cute raincoat ( reminiscent of little Red Riding Hood!)..also got meself a jigsaw puzzle! Made a nice sambhar and thats the end of Day 22
Day 23: Jai Hind
Happy Independence Day..went back to Champs Elysses..that place is magnetic..you cant help but go there..besides its the only place in Paris that is open after 8pm and that is open on public holidays (like today)..No, the French dont celebrate the Indian Independence day but across Europe, today is the day of Assumption (think it is to do with Christianity...not sre! I got a holiday..thats all that matters!)..went to GAP..fell in love..went to Sephora..fell in love again..bought a Hermes deo....rocks!!! Went to Haagen Das..fell in love..ate some brilliant ice cream...went to the Eiffel..stood amazed at the power of human imagination..returned home to make a kick ass Gobi Manchurian and rasam..divine end to another perfect day in Paris..Cant believe its already been 23 days..Time flies...
Day 24: Wednesday
Wrote this blog..did some work..super sleepy so leaving now...Au Revoir
Put up my post on Belgium...Got a lot of Oooohs and Aaaahs abt the Belgium pics :-) Got a few mails appreciating my blog..thank you people.
Had lotsa domestic chores to do..my room looked like a tornado has ripped through it..so left early for home..went to the supermarket to pick up milk, onions, bread etc....I almost sound like a Frau..Did not feel like cooking...was too tired with all the travelling and having fun that I just slept.
Day 16: Tuesday
Hmmm...the problem with writing posts a week after is that you can’t remember much abt most days...So I shall write abt something else...to all the Soap addicts...please please please keep me updated on the happenings on Desperate Housewives and Bold and Beautiful...do it as a personal favour to me and you earn eternal gratitude..there is nothing more frustrating than watching these in French and kicking yourself for not knowing the language..I have gone to the heights of muting and trying to lip read but failed miserably...so please..I beseech you kindred souls! Maybe I need help! I think I need to join Soap-ics Anonymous or something..
Day 17: Wednesday
Picked up a Lonely Planet - Paris from the library..read and read...learnt a lot about the history of Paris..blah..blah..interesting read..managed to get my laundry done as well...and found the treasure trove of beautiful places that Paris holds! All excited, I made plans for Sachin and me for the weekend...
Day 18: Auchan...Lost
I think the gods of direction are very displeased with us when we go to Auchan. Because Sachin and I are known to have a fairly good sense of direction...we managed Antwerpen and Brussels without getting lost! So, after spending 3 weeks in Paris, we could only blame God for our misfortune..we took the bus this time..got down at the right stop( apparently!)..but finding ourselves on unchartered territory, we took the next bus and headed 2 stops ahead and walked back to the hotel...hopeless!!! or just Auchan I guess...
Day 19: Swiss Embassy and Invalides
Went to the Swiss Embassy today to enquire about the Swiss visa..No can do..so trudged back to the office. Did a spot of exploring before that though and chanced upon this beautiful area in Paris known as Invalides. Beautiful gardens..wide, cobbled avenues..some brilliant examples of Gothic/ Renaissance architecture..Just so you all know..I was not mindlessly loafing on an office day but was looking at the most optimum way to get to the office and that involved this pleasant, gifted walk. Reached office and gorged on a triple cheese pizza for lunch! Realised..Blue cheese does not go down too well with me...end of Another working week..
Day 20: French..maybe Italian!
Yo...beautiful morning..got up late..had a nice breakfast of cheese toast and we left on our day out in Paris...moi wearing a nice summer dress..and looking all french( according to Isoup a lil Italian maybe!)..Went to Louis Vuitton on Champs Elysses..Aaaaah..the cheapest thing there was a keychain the size of a 1€ coin worth 140€...OMG..but the place was amazing..as is my wont..fell in love with 2 dresses, a top and a diamond something and the Louis Vuitton brooch! I am seriously high maintenance!!! Went from here to the Hugo Boss showroom...I actually did not like their collection this season so we left soon enough! And then..the reason I was all excited about Paris..Chanel..Ooo la la..it is the city of the rich if not famous...have always wanted to possess a piece of Chanel...will have to most certainly defer that wish for the time being..but the lone disappointment at Chanel was not getting a glimpse of the LBD that Chanel is most famous for ( for the fashionably challenged..LBD = Little Black Dress, immortalized by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's!)..from here, we walked down to the Concorde and then...through the Jardin des Tuilleries to..the Louvre..its breathtakingly beautiful..and really huge!! walked inside the famous glass pyramid and went in..it was almost closing time so we just got all the information we needed and headed out..From here, walked towards La Seine and then walked on towards St. Michel Notre Dame..the area around this place is very parisien..picked up my first piece of Parisien clothing..a beret!!! totally rocks..dont think I will ever wear a cap again...went to the church and all tired, we trudged home..
Day 21: Sunday
Cooked a hearty meal..we ate well and left for the La Défense mall in the hope of buying a much needed raincoat..but everything was closed so we just watched Pirates of the Carribean and returned..nice movie..Orlando Bloom totally rocks!! complete paisa vasool..
Day 22: Monday
Did some work at the office and left for the La Défense mall again..and this time we returned triumphant! I got myself a cute raincoat ( reminiscent of little Red Riding Hood!)..also got meself a jigsaw puzzle! Made a nice sambhar and thats the end of Day 22
Day 23: Jai Hind
Happy Independence Day..went back to Champs Elysses..that place is magnetic..you cant help but go there..besides its the only place in Paris that is open after 8pm and that is open on public holidays (like today)..No, the French dont celebrate the Indian Independence day but across Europe, today is the day of Assumption (think it is to do with Christianity...not sre! I got a holiday..thats all that matters!)..went to GAP..fell in love..went to Sephora..fell in love again..bought a Hermes deo....rocks!!! Went to Haagen Das..fell in love..ate some brilliant ice cream...went to the Eiffel..stood amazed at the power of human imagination..returned home to make a kick ass Gobi Manchurian and rasam..divine end to another perfect day in Paris..Cant believe its already been 23 days..Time flies...
Day 24: Wednesday
Wrote this blog..did some work..super sleepy so leaving now...Au Revoir
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Hey Bro
Not quite sure..what I wanna convey..since the word brother conjures many many memories..all pleasant of course..so I guess I shall just write what comes into my head..be warned...
Not quite sure where to start from..given that I know each of you for different periods of time...my relation with no 2 brothers is the same...
My first notion of a brother was Adi...I was around 2 when he was born...and I think we have fought non-stop since then...but in spite of the fights...he is still the apple of my eye...and I try to spoil him as much as I can...its still not enough though (I don’t think it ever is!)..I wish for him to achieve every dream he dreams...and may nothing be too high for his reach...Al the best Adi....you ever need a guiding hand..you know I'm right there..
The next brother I knew was Sumanth..my big brother..We are both very similar..complete brats...superbly lazy..believe that what can be done today..can also be done tomo..drive Suchi up the wall!!!But he is such an amazing brother...even though the miles may separate us..I can always count on him...He is my pillar of strength and if I ever need an encouraging word or a listening ear..I turn to him...Thanks a lot bro..May you grow from strength to strength in your new career..
Then there is Karthik..the order of listing the brothers is purely random..so don't feel offended if ur at the end...U still mean the same to me..anyways..Karthik baby-sat me when I was young and I think indelibly stamped a part of him on me...the things we do..the way we think...are all unbelievably similar..wishing you all the best brother...may you continue to enjoy success both personally and professionally..
Joel...a kid..still think of him as the guy with Hazel eyes...the only one who claims to be scared of me..a cute kid..very hard-working..very sweet..and unbelievably forgetful! Did I forget to mention super intelligent?? A potent combo...Great guy to know in all..A hopeless guy to have on a bike though..
Anyways..All the best for your career Joel...do well...excel!
Ravi..the only North Indian in my list...had the pleasure of working with him in my final year project. Very dependable guy..you know you can count on him..no matter what the situation..All the best bro..for your future plans..May you achieve all that you wish..
And last but certainly not the least....JP!!! My mentor..friend..philosopher and guide..all rolled into one..brilliant company..never a dull moment when he is around..once he starts talking..I think I am one of the few ppl who can manage to get a word in! And he is just brilliance personified...one of the few ppl I get intimidated by...All the best JP...may you excel in all that you do...Wish you to have the Midas touch...though I think you already do!!
Special mention here for Sachin..technically my first boss...an amazing guy..we get along like a house on fire..and incidentally the only bro I spent Rakhi with this year...in Paris!!! Wishing you all the best Sachin...
So, once here is wishing each and everyone of my brothers..for all they have done for me...a Happy Rakshbandhan..this is a whole lot more sugary than I planned..so if any you get diabetes reading this..I sincerely apologize!!!
Not quite sure where to start from..given that I know each of you for different periods of time...my relation with no 2 brothers is the same...
My first notion of a brother was Adi...I was around 2 when he was born...and I think we have fought non-stop since then...but in spite of the fights...he is still the apple of my eye...and I try to spoil him as much as I can...its still not enough though (I don’t think it ever is!)..I wish for him to achieve every dream he dreams...and may nothing be too high for his reach...Al the best Adi....you ever need a guiding hand..you know I'm right there..
The next brother I knew was Sumanth..my big brother..We are both very similar..complete brats...superbly lazy..believe that what can be done today..can also be done tomo..drive Suchi up the wall!!!But he is such an amazing brother...even though the miles may separate us..I can always count on him...He is my pillar of strength and if I ever need an encouraging word or a listening ear..I turn to him...Thanks a lot bro..May you grow from strength to strength in your new career..
Then there is Karthik..the order of listing the brothers is purely random..so don't feel offended if ur at the end...U still mean the same to me..anyways..Karthik baby-sat me when I was young and I think indelibly stamped a part of him on me...the things we do..the way we think...are all unbelievably similar..wishing you all the best brother...may you continue to enjoy success both personally and professionally..
Joel...a kid..still think of him as the guy with Hazel eyes...the only one who claims to be scared of me..a cute kid..very hard-working..very sweet..and unbelievably forgetful! Did I forget to mention super intelligent?? A potent combo...Great guy to know in all..A hopeless guy to have on a bike though..
Anyways..All the best for your career Joel...do well...excel!
Ravi..the only North Indian in my list...had the pleasure of working with him in my final year project. Very dependable guy..you know you can count on him..no matter what the situation..All the best bro..for your future plans..May you achieve all that you wish..
And last but certainly not the least....JP!!! My mentor..friend..philosopher and guide..all rolled into one..brilliant company..never a dull moment when he is around..once he starts talking..I think I am one of the few ppl who can manage to get a word in! And he is just brilliance personified...one of the few ppl I get intimidated by...All the best JP...may you excel in all that you do...Wish you to have the Midas touch...though I think you already do!!
Special mention here for Sachin..technically my first boss...an amazing guy..we get along like a house on fire..and incidentally the only bro I spent Rakhi with this year...in Paris!!! Wishing you all the best Sachin...
So, once here is wishing each and everyone of my brothers..for all they have done for me...a Happy Rakshbandhan..this is a whole lot more sugary than I planned..so if any you get diabetes reading this..I sincerely apologize!!!
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Rakhabandhan
To all my brothers
Here's wishing each and every one of my adorable brother's a very Happy Rakshabandhan. May the bond we share grow stronger with each passing year. Missing you all today and I hope you know that you all make my world a better place to be in!! Thanks....
Your naughty sis,
Amu
Here's wishing each and every one of my adorable brother's a very Happy Rakshabandhan. May the bond we share grow stronger with each passing year. Missing you all today and I hope you know that you all make my world a better place to be in!! Thanks....
Your naughty sis,
Amu
Monday, August 07, 2006
Belgium...aaaah!
Day 12: Change of Plans!
Our initial plan for the weekend was to spend Saturday idling in Paris and spend Sunday at Futuroscope, which is a sci-fi theme park abt an hour's drive from Paris. We were just about to book tickets to Poitier (which is the nearest city to Futuroscope) when on a while we decided to check ticket prices to Brussels. It didn't seem too expensive, so in an instant Futuroscope was ditched and we decided to go to Brussels.
Sachin and I went to Gard De Nord to board the 20.55 train to Brussels but decided against it. What was the point in going to a place at 11 in the night? So bought tickets for the 7.55 train next morning and went to an Indian Restaurant (again!) for dinner. A place called Gandhi which is apparently a chain of Indian restaurants across the world. They use the name Gandhi and serve meat! Sacrilege..at least to me it was...almost the same as asking a Brahmin to
advertise for KFC...Nonetheless had a decent Dal and Bhatura and left for home.
Day 13: The most beautiful place in Europe
Left for Brussels as scheduled. Got up at 5.30..I am sure there are people reading this blog who know what a Herculean task that is for me...anyways..switched on the TV from my bed so that I don’t fall asleep again..and watched the first English program on TV outside of CNN and BBC...nice Kate Hudson movie..Raising Helen..another movie wish fulfilled..finally got up at only 6...raced around and finished getting ready by 6.30. Had already finished packing the previous night like a good child..
Sat in the Thalys train..Thalys is the name of the international railways plying acrossEurope..you also have Eurail and Eurostar..Anyways, boarded the train and promptly fell asleep! Its a 80 minute journey to Brussels so after a round of tachi had an excellent breakfast on the train..
Reached Brussels..went to the tourist information centre and asked the lady for sightseeing places in Brussels and out came a variety of brochures in all sizes, colours and languages! All gratis of course..Belgium has 4 official languages and thankfully one of them is English...so communication was not going to be a problem here..thank god! Read the tour itinerary and figured out the must see places here..
Started off at the Grand Place. We decided to foot it in Belgium which we later decided was the best thing we could have done..The place is filled with architectural wonders and beautiful gardens everywhere! While walking to the Grand Place, we passed hordes of chocolatiers..I could barely contain my glee!!! I was literally the kid in the candy store...there were chocolates in all possible varieties!! After all, its the land of Godiva..(and I am sure everyone
know abt the legend of Lady Godiva..so I shall not elaborate!)
Coming back to the Grand Place. It is this huge square that is covered by huge palace like buildings everywhere..and they were selling flowers ion the square and it looked very picturesque. It is the picture you have in your mind when you think of Europe...finished with the Grand place and kept walking around..chanced upon this desi mall where all the shop keepers were Indians...didn’t even look too much..went then to the Galleries which is this huge closed
promenade of all the top European brands..their version of Champs Elysee I guess..too cool! Saw their opera House which actually didn’t look impressive architecture-wise but the listing of the concerts more than made up for it..Started with Mozart..went on to Bach, Vivaldi,Brahms....wish i could have stayed and attended at least one concert.
Went then to St. Michels Cathedral..I haven't been to Notre Dame or the Sistine Chapel but this place would definitely give those 2 a holy run for their money!!! the stained glass paintings on either side, the oak carved confessional boxes, the stone carvings of all the apostles of Christ...I could go on...really really beautiful place...and its just as beautiful outside the cathedral as well..a nice garden and loads of nice buildings on all sides...
Walked around to the Royal Place, saw a Palace, court of Justice, a couple more beautiful gardens...after a while, we just gave up...each building was better than the other..and even the houses had a similar facade to match the buildings alongside them..we just kept clicking...saw the Atomium from afar..its this huge structure of an atom along with the cohesive bonds between particles made in steel(I think!)...nice shiny thing...got a nice postcard of it..
Had a decent Italian lunch..had a Gazpacho..which is a cold soup..now the thing abt cold soup is that since it is not cooked..you get each flavour very distinctly in your mouth..unfortunately..im the kind who enjoys subtle nuances and play on flavours..basically like mildly flavoured food....safe to say the gazpacho didn't go down too well with me..had the only veg éntree on the menu..penne with cheese..was super filling so barely eat half my plate..then went
around hunting for the railway station and guess what...I heard the least unlikely sound in Europe...HIMESH RESHAMMIYA!!! Can you believe that?? I heard
Aashiq Banaya Aapne...and some Indians grooving wildly to it!!! Blech!!!
Took the train to Antwerp..was super super sleepy....so just slept the entire 1 hour..reached Antwerpen (in Flamish!) and headed straight to tourist information ( :-) ) ..got a map of Antwerp along with a friendly guy who suggested we rent bicycles!!!Sachin and I were mighty kicked abt the idea and went about hunting for the bicycle renting place near the station...finally found it after 20 mins..and got 2 nice, new, shiny yellow bikes!! toally cool we decided...I had been dying to have the Belgian Waffles..so we found a cafe where they served them and settled down..got a mikado Waffle..which is waffle with cream (slagroom in Flamish) and ice cream and sugar syrup...yummy...ate that and had a chocolade (in flamish) milkshake and dinner was done..
Once that was done with, we started off hunting for youth hostels to spend the night..we struck out at 2...that’s coz there is a summer festival happening in Antwerp right now....but managed to find accommodation in the Jewish section of town..since we were riding it wasn't much trouble(!)..got into the hostel and crashed for abt an hour..around 9pm we set out to the centre of town..walked along the Scheldes river..enjoyed the view of Antwerpen...then went to La Bodyguita..a salsa bar in Antwerp....the people who came there were amazing dancers...it was just magnificento..decided that I needed to learn salsa... returned to the hostel around 1 and crashed....
In all a beautiful day!
Day 14: Antwerpen...Happy Friendship Day..
Happy Friendship Day..have already written a post on this...so my dear friends read it..celebrated Friendship Day, with a good friend (Sachin) in Antwerpen...nice!
Woke up at 10 and left the hostel by 11...there are loads of flea markets around Antwerp...on account of the summer festival..so stopped at the first one..and picked up a nice summer dress..have always wanted one...very pretty..went around some more...
Had brunch in the city centre...I had this huge serving of Antwerp's famous fries..We then went to the Cathedral of our lady..beautiful..has paintings by the famous Belgian painter..PP Rubens everywhere..after walked around the square..Btw..today is no automobile day in Antwerp..at least in the city centre..so we could only see pedestrians and cyclists..
Saw this super cool march past of people dressed in the old regiment uniforms..very adorable..then went into the maritime museum that is housed inside a castle..saw most of what there is to know abt building a ship/yacht and running it..etc..very interesting..left then for the diamond district...Antwerp is very famous for its diamonds...bloody expensive though...just saw lots of pretty things I couldn’t afford and then we left for Brussels!
Brussels to Paris...and voila I am home again! dunno why..but Paris has started to feel like home to me now...strange but true..there is that instant ease and comfort and warmth that you feel in familiar surroundings...
End of Day 14 and a beautiful weekend
Our initial plan for the weekend was to spend Saturday idling in Paris and spend Sunday at Futuroscope, which is a sci-fi theme park abt an hour's drive from Paris. We were just about to book tickets to Poitier (which is the nearest city to Futuroscope) when on a while we decided to check ticket prices to Brussels. It didn't seem too expensive, so in an instant Futuroscope was ditched and we decided to go to Brussels.
Sachin and I went to Gard De Nord to board the 20.55 train to Brussels but decided against it. What was the point in going to a place at 11 in the night? So bought tickets for the 7.55 train next morning and went to an Indian Restaurant (again!) for dinner. A place called Gandhi which is apparently a chain of Indian restaurants across the world. They use the name Gandhi and serve meat! Sacrilege..at least to me it was...almost the same as asking a Brahmin to
advertise for KFC...Nonetheless had a decent Dal and Bhatura and left for home.
Day 13: The most beautiful place in Europe
Left for Brussels as scheduled. Got up at 5.30..I am sure there are people reading this blog who know what a Herculean task that is for me...anyways..switched on the TV from my bed so that I don’t fall asleep again..and watched the first English program on TV outside of CNN and BBC...nice Kate Hudson movie..Raising Helen..another movie wish fulfilled..finally got up at only 6...raced around and finished getting ready by 6.30. Had already finished packing the previous night like a good child..
Sat in the Thalys train..Thalys is the name of the international railways plying acrossEurope..you also have Eurail and Eurostar..Anyways, boarded the train and promptly fell asleep! Its a 80 minute journey to Brussels so after a round of tachi had an excellent breakfast on the train..
Reached Brussels..went to the tourist information centre and asked the lady for sightseeing places in Brussels and out came a variety of brochures in all sizes, colours and languages! All gratis of course..Belgium has 4 official languages and thankfully one of them is English...so communication was not going to be a problem here..thank god! Read the tour itinerary and figured out the must see places here..
Started off at the Grand Place. We decided to foot it in Belgium which we later decided was the best thing we could have done..The place is filled with architectural wonders and beautiful gardens everywhere! While walking to the Grand Place, we passed hordes of chocolatiers..I could barely contain my glee!!! I was literally the kid in the candy store...there were chocolates in all possible varieties!! After all, its the land of Godiva..(and I am sure everyone
know abt the legend of Lady Godiva..so I shall not elaborate!)
Coming back to the Grand Place. It is this huge square that is covered by huge palace like buildings everywhere..and they were selling flowers ion the square and it looked very picturesque. It is the picture you have in your mind when you think of Europe...finished with the Grand place and kept walking around..chanced upon this desi mall where all the shop keepers were Indians...didn’t even look too much..went then to the Galleries which is this huge closed
promenade of all the top European brands..their version of Champs Elysee I guess..too cool! Saw their opera House which actually didn’t look impressive architecture-wise but the listing of the concerts more than made up for it..Started with Mozart..went on to Bach, Vivaldi,Brahms....wish i could have stayed and attended at least one concert.
Went then to St. Michels Cathedral..I haven't been to Notre Dame or the Sistine Chapel but this place would definitely give those 2 a holy run for their money!!! the stained glass paintings on either side, the oak carved confessional boxes, the stone carvings of all the apostles of Christ...I could go on...really really beautiful place...and its just as beautiful outside the cathedral as well..a nice garden and loads of nice buildings on all sides...
Walked around to the Royal Place, saw a Palace, court of Justice, a couple more beautiful gardens...after a while, we just gave up...each building was better than the other..and even the houses had a similar facade to match the buildings alongside them..we just kept clicking...saw the Atomium from afar..its this huge structure of an atom along with the cohesive bonds between particles made in steel(I think!)...nice shiny thing...got a nice postcard of it..
Had a decent Italian lunch..had a Gazpacho..which is a cold soup..now the thing abt cold soup is that since it is not cooked..you get each flavour very distinctly in your mouth..unfortunately..im the kind who enjoys subtle nuances and play on flavours..basically like mildly flavoured food....safe to say the gazpacho didn't go down too well with me..had the only veg éntree on the menu..penne with cheese..was super filling so barely eat half my plate..then went
around hunting for the railway station and guess what...I heard the least unlikely sound in Europe...HIMESH RESHAMMIYA!!! Can you believe that?? I heard
Aashiq Banaya Aapne...and some Indians grooving wildly to it!!! Blech!!!
Took the train to Antwerp..was super super sleepy....so just slept the entire 1 hour..reached Antwerpen (in Flamish!) and headed straight to tourist information ( :-) ) ..got a map of Antwerp along with a friendly guy who suggested we rent bicycles!!!Sachin and I were mighty kicked abt the idea and went about hunting for the bicycle renting place near the station...finally found it after 20 mins..and got 2 nice, new, shiny yellow bikes!! toally cool we decided...I had been dying to have the Belgian Waffles..so we found a cafe where they served them and settled down..got a mikado Waffle..which is waffle with cream (slagroom in Flamish) and ice cream and sugar syrup...yummy...ate that and had a chocolade (in flamish) milkshake and dinner was done..
Once that was done with, we started off hunting for youth hostels to spend the night..we struck out at 2...that’s coz there is a summer festival happening in Antwerp right now....but managed to find accommodation in the Jewish section of town..since we were riding it wasn't much trouble(!)..got into the hostel and crashed for abt an hour..around 9pm we set out to the centre of town..walked along the Scheldes river..enjoyed the view of Antwerpen...then went to La Bodyguita..a salsa bar in Antwerp....the people who came there were amazing dancers...it was just magnificento..decided that I needed to learn salsa... returned to the hostel around 1 and crashed....
In all a beautiful day!
Day 14: Antwerpen...Happy Friendship Day..
Happy Friendship Day..have already written a post on this...so my dear friends read it..celebrated Friendship Day, with a good friend (Sachin) in Antwerpen...nice!
Woke up at 10 and left the hostel by 11...there are loads of flea markets around Antwerp...on account of the summer festival..so stopped at the first one..and picked up a nice summer dress..have always wanted one...very pretty..went around some more...
Had brunch in the city centre...I had this huge serving of Antwerp's famous fries..We then went to the Cathedral of our lady..beautiful..has paintings by the famous Belgian painter..PP Rubens everywhere..after walked around the square..Btw..today is no automobile day in Antwerp..at least in the city centre..so we could only see pedestrians and cyclists..
Saw this super cool march past of people dressed in the old regiment uniforms..very adorable..then went into the maritime museum that is housed inside a castle..saw most of what there is to know abt building a ship/yacht and running it..etc..very interesting..left then for the diamond district...Antwerp is very famous for its diamonds...bloody expensive though...just saw lots of pretty things I couldn’t afford and then we left for Brussels!
Brussels to Paris...and voila I am home again! dunno why..but Paris has started to feel like home to me now...strange but true..there is that instant ease and comfort and warmth that you feel in familiar surroundings...
End of Day 14 and a beautiful weekend
Happy Friendship Day
Happy Friendship Day
What is a friend? The Oxford Dictionary defines a friend as a person with whom you share a bond of mutual affection. For me, a friend is that and a whole lot more..a source of hope, courage, inspiration, strength, laughter...a shoulder to lean on...a person to share dreams and ambitions with...ok this is starting to sound like a sappy Celine Dion number so I shall stop..
I want to thank all my friends for...well, being my friends firstly..and for always being there for me..in the past 6 years I have gained a lot of friends and lost a few as well...have learnt a lot of lessons in friendship, love and family from you all…
This post is for all those lost friends…we can't go back to what we had...but we can at least try and have something tangible in the future...
This post is also for all my best friends...an elite club that forms the foundation of my existence...this group includes people from my family who are more like friends and friends who mean as much as family to me..if I haven't told you this before, then I'm telling you now..I love each and every one of you..and I may not be the best at keeping in touch or mailing..but you can bet that I am thinking of you..and you are not forgotten..
This post is for all people I have known in the past 22 years...who have been a part of my life..for brief sojourns.but who have managed to make a difference in that short time...
Thank you all...
What is a friend? The Oxford Dictionary defines a friend as a person with whom you share a bond of mutual affection. For me, a friend is that and a whole lot more..a source of hope, courage, inspiration, strength, laughter...a shoulder to lean on...a person to share dreams and ambitions with...ok this is starting to sound like a sappy Celine Dion number so I shall stop..
I want to thank all my friends for...well, being my friends firstly..and for always being there for me..in the past 6 years I have gained a lot of friends and lost a few as well...have learnt a lot of lessons in friendship, love and family from you all…
This post is for all those lost friends…we can't go back to what we had...but we can at least try and have something tangible in the future...
This post is also for all my best friends...an elite club that forms the foundation of my existence...this group includes people from my family who are more like friends and friends who mean as much as family to me..if I haven't told you this before, then I'm telling you now..I love each and every one of you..and I may not be the best at keeping in touch or mailing..but you can bet that I am thinking of you..and you are not forgotten..
This post is for all people I have known in the past 22 years...who have been a part of my life..for brief sojourns.but who have managed to make a difference in that short time...
Thank you all...
Friday, August 04, 2006
Paris - Week 2
Week 2 in Paris
Day 8: Tragic news...and an Italian dinner
This is to pay homage to Anand Prakash, a dear friend from RV who passed away on Friday evening in a road accident. He was my lab partner in RV and together we have shared some very memorable times...May your soul rest in peace buddy and I pray for strength and courage to your near and dear ones.
Had a royal case of Monday morning blues...the rain outside didn't help. Anyways, left for office by around 9.30...didn’t have much work in the morning since my workload for the week is decided in a meeting that happens post lunch..so Monday morning in general is when I complete work I could not finish last week or like today, update my blogs and do some general time pass. Lunch today was just awful!!!! They had put meat in all of the salads...who on earth eats coleslaw with raw beef pieces! All I could salvage was a plate full of raw cucumber and a dessert (thankfully, that was sans meat!). JP gave me his portion of fries so in all I managed to fill myself. Post lunch, had my weekly status meeting and then did a lil more work. Spoke to an old friend, Bindu for a while. I was quite shaken by the news abt Anand, so speaking to Bindu helped me feel better. Thanks di! JP had some last minute shopping to do so we headed to Champs Elysses (where else!)...and went to Sephora and bought all the requisites. Reached home by around 10.
Had promised the lads an Italian dinner so started working on my promise. In the meanwhile, JP started packing my stuff. JP is leaving tomorrow (boo hoo!) so I was moving into his room. This exercise was for many reasons. Firstly, his room is bigger since it doesn’t have a balcony. I have spent a total of 15mins in the balcony in the past 1 week so it’s a waste of space for me. Secondly, my room is on the topmost floor of the hotel so it gets heated up quickly. Thirdly, Sachin lives across the hall from my new room so it’s safer as well. And most importantly, this room has double the closet space of my existing room. For those of you who are familiar with my clothes fetish, you can well imagine what a relief this was for me. Anyways, 2 hours later, we had an Italian feast of Penne in Arabiata sauce and Alfredo sauce with garlic bread on the side. It looked totally scrumptious and tasted quite good, if I say so myself. Post dinner, washed all the vessels, moved most of my luggage to Sachin's room and slept at 3.
Finito Day 8
Day 9: In mourning
This week seems to have a ghastly ring about it! But today's mourning was coz JP was leaving. He was brilliant company for a week and now he is going away (waaaaaaaaaaah!). Got up early so that I could chat with him and all the time, he was like Amu, don’t get into trouble. I think he managed to convey the same message in 8 different ways! (at least it seemed that way). So, another new entry into the ever growing list of people who believe, that wherever Amu goes, trouble follows. Why? Why? Why?
Anyways, moved all my stuff into Sachin's room and left for the office. Was super tired coz of all the moving around and late nights. Reached home early and again unpacked all my stuff. Sachin made a yummy potato sambhar and rice so ate that and then we decided to go for a walk and explore the area near our hotel. Our findings included a KFC, MacD and Pizza Hut along with loads of local fast food joints offering every possible cuisine from Italian to Chinese to Japanese and even Turkish! We returned by around 1 and tachi...
Day 10: We like to carry our world with us..
Sachin and I are planning a trip up north to the Brittany coast this weekend. We needed a car for this purpose so we took an extended lunch break and decided to go to Clichy in the north of Paris. We had the joy of travelling in an RER which is a double decker train. I could barely contain my childish joy..but it moves real slowly so it took us an hour to reach Clichy...Walked around till we found the address we were looking for and it turns out you need an international license to drive in France which neither Sachin nor I possessed. So that! Totally sucks..puts a spoke in many wheels...anyways headed back to the office. I was already exhausted but managed to get some work done nonetheless...
In case you're wondering abt the title of this day, here it comes. One of my colleagues is returning to India today so he wanted to distribute his extra groceries. Very sweet thought. And Sachin and I got the lion's share since we are staying so long. OMG!!! this guy had literally brought India to Paris..every little essential you might need including saumph, varieties of sambhar/rasam powder....and some powders of questionable origin!!! Im pretty im done with grocery shopping for the rest of my trip here...but nice gesture so I thank this dear colleague if mine as well...But it is true that we Indians literally carry our world with us wherever we go...the maggi and the MTR powders form an essential part of our luggage..Guess its coz the vegetarians like me would starve otherwise...
Anyways, arranged everything in my lil kitchen and my home for the next 3 months is set!
End if Day 10
Day 11: You and I.....in this beautiful world...
Got a SIM card today...so feel like humming the Hutch song..I am connected again ppl..shall mail across the number soon enough...did nothing else today..work was a disaster!!!!nothing seems to be working...I have 50% of this week's work target to achieve...am just waiting for that wave of panic to set in...which results in frenzied activity and then everything gets done...I cant work without pressure..maybe I am a mutant...maybe I'm human...
Day 8: Tragic news...and an Italian dinner
This is to pay homage to Anand Prakash, a dear friend from RV who passed away on Friday evening in a road accident. He was my lab partner in RV and together we have shared some very memorable times...May your soul rest in peace buddy and I pray for strength and courage to your near and dear ones.
Had a royal case of Monday morning blues...the rain outside didn't help. Anyways, left for office by around 9.30...didn’t have much work in the morning since my workload for the week is decided in a meeting that happens post lunch..so Monday morning in general is when I complete work I could not finish last week or like today, update my blogs and do some general time pass. Lunch today was just awful!!!! They had put meat in all of the salads...who on earth eats coleslaw with raw beef pieces! All I could salvage was a plate full of raw cucumber and a dessert (thankfully, that was sans meat!). JP gave me his portion of fries so in all I managed to fill myself. Post lunch, had my weekly status meeting and then did a lil more work. Spoke to an old friend, Bindu for a while. I was quite shaken by the news abt Anand, so speaking to Bindu helped me feel better. Thanks di! JP had some last minute shopping to do so we headed to Champs Elysses (where else!)...and went to Sephora and bought all the requisites. Reached home by around 10.
Had promised the lads an Italian dinner so started working on my promise. In the meanwhile, JP started packing my stuff. JP is leaving tomorrow (boo hoo!) so I was moving into his room. This exercise was for many reasons. Firstly, his room is bigger since it doesn’t have a balcony. I have spent a total of 15mins in the balcony in the past 1 week so it’s a waste of space for me. Secondly, my room is on the topmost floor of the hotel so it gets heated up quickly. Thirdly, Sachin lives across the hall from my new room so it’s safer as well. And most importantly, this room has double the closet space of my existing room. For those of you who are familiar with my clothes fetish, you can well imagine what a relief this was for me. Anyways, 2 hours later, we had an Italian feast of Penne in Arabiata sauce and Alfredo sauce with garlic bread on the side. It looked totally scrumptious and tasted quite good, if I say so myself. Post dinner, washed all the vessels, moved most of my luggage to Sachin's room and slept at 3.
Finito Day 8
Day 9: In mourning
This week seems to have a ghastly ring about it! But today's mourning was coz JP was leaving. He was brilliant company for a week and now he is going away (waaaaaaaaaaah!). Got up early so that I could chat with him and all the time, he was like Amu, don’t get into trouble. I think he managed to convey the same message in 8 different ways! (at least it seemed that way). So, another new entry into the ever growing list of people who believe, that wherever Amu goes, trouble follows. Why? Why? Why?
Anyways, moved all my stuff into Sachin's room and left for the office. Was super tired coz of all the moving around and late nights. Reached home early and again unpacked all my stuff. Sachin made a yummy potato sambhar and rice so ate that and then we decided to go for a walk and explore the area near our hotel. Our findings included a KFC, MacD and Pizza Hut along with loads of local fast food joints offering every possible cuisine from Italian to Chinese to Japanese and even Turkish! We returned by around 1 and tachi...
Day 10: We like to carry our world with us..
Sachin and I are planning a trip up north to the Brittany coast this weekend. We needed a car for this purpose so we took an extended lunch break and decided to go to Clichy in the north of Paris. We had the joy of travelling in an RER which is a double decker train. I could barely contain my childish joy..but it moves real slowly so it took us an hour to reach Clichy...Walked around till we found the address we were looking for and it turns out you need an international license to drive in France which neither Sachin nor I possessed. So that! Totally sucks..puts a spoke in many wheels...anyways headed back to the office. I was already exhausted but managed to get some work done nonetheless...
In case you're wondering abt the title of this day, here it comes. One of my colleagues is returning to India today so he wanted to distribute his extra groceries. Very sweet thought. And Sachin and I got the lion's share since we are staying so long. OMG!!! this guy had literally brought India to Paris..every little essential you might need including saumph, varieties of sambhar/rasam powder....and some powders of questionable origin!!! Im pretty im done with grocery shopping for the rest of my trip here...but nice gesture so I thank this dear colleague if mine as well...But it is true that we Indians literally carry our world with us wherever we go...the maggi and the MTR powders form an essential part of our luggage..Guess its coz the vegetarians like me would starve otherwise...
Anyways, arranged everything in my lil kitchen and my home for the next 3 months is set!
End if Day 10
Day 11: You and I.....in this beautiful world...
Got a SIM card today...so feel like humming the Hutch song..I am connected again ppl..shall mail across the number soon enough...did nothing else today..work was a disaster!!!!nothing seems to be working...I have 50% of this week's work target to achieve...am just waiting for that wave of panic to set in...which results in frenzied activity and then everything gets done...I cant work without pressure..maybe I am a mutant...maybe I'm human...
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