A Parisian Affair

I dont remember why I always put visiting Paris for later. I think it had something to do with the aura that I associated with the city, that I wanted it to be extra special when I first went there. With my easter weekend plans going down the drain, making that Paris trip was suddenly the most convenient option. So in a flurry I booked my tickets deciding to bask in all the aura by myself.

Easter weekend meant that Paris was really crowded. But it also meant that the city was bustling with life. I guess that is the case throughout the year. I loved the street musicians and artists, especially at eh Sacre couer, whipping the crowd to a song-and-dance frenzy.

The Eiffel tower the symbol of Paris, was magnificent, even more at night with the lights on. I spent a good 8 hours around it, revelling in the moment, and taking pictures. Sheer beauty.


I went to Versailles Chateau but skipped it after seeing the queue there, and instead, went to Rolland Garros, which for me was far more significant than another cathedral or castle. The tour was very enlightening, and I can now watch the French Open with a fresh perspective.

Walking down one of the most gorgeous stretches of land, from the grand Arc de Triomphe down the awesome Champ de Elsyees to the Louvre, I realized why this was billed as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The charm, which for me makes a place memorable, was there to see.


The Louvre was a disappointment. Descriptions in French and sold out audio guides ruined it for me. And I failed to see how the Mona Lisa, which was clearly a tourist attraction, was a better painting than many of the others on display. Anyway, it was the last part of my trip, and after downing a sumptuous beaf steak with cheese sauce, I went to catch my mitfahr.

No trip ends without adventure, and it turns out that the guy had committed to more people than the places he had in his car. We decided to dump the guy and look for alternate transport. Looked like I was in for a long night, possibly lying around in the station. But they dont call me bookie for nothing. While the others bought train tickets at double the price, I went to Eurolines station and waited hours till the time of departure of the bus to Germany. Persistence always pays, and I got a last minute ticket thanks to a no-show.

I was unsure how travelling alone would work out. But there was enough life on the streets to keep me occupied. And I could go where I wanted when I wanted. The map in my hand took me everywhere, and I didnt have to listen to any 'My feet are hurting. Lets get back', a regular thing with many of my travel mates here. And I dont know how many would have been game for 8 hours doing nothing around the Eiffel.

Paris, the City of love, the City of Lights was beautiful. The Champs de Elysees deserves more than a 20 minute walk, and I will be there again, next time with company.

Lost in translation

I am in a new place with no friends. So I went to this barbeque party in an attempt to make some friends. But the only result of that party is this post, where I will describe a typical international get-together/party here. I have been to a few, and its very interesting how every gathering follows this pattern. The scene is an afternoon barbeque during a warm spring day.

German dude kicks off with the beer. Lets call him Andreas
Andreas: 'Prost' ( German 'cheers')
Everybody: 'Prost. Weißbier is too sour. Augustiner this. Oktoberfest that. My father-in-law's beer blah blah.'
This goes on for 15 minutes. Then

Mexican dude: 'You should try Tequila from Mexico'
Fernando( from Spain, duh): 'Once I had 20 tequila shots'
Hot Chick 1: 'I cant have more than 5' hahaahahaaaa
Andreas : 'Weissbier is ze best'
This goes on for 25 minutes (since all alcohol is now under discussion). Then

Hot Chick 1: (In summer) 'The weather is so nice and warm' (and what you are wearing is what is keeping me here)
(In winter) 'It so so cold…brrrr' (again what you are wearing is the only saving grace)
Fernando: 'In Spain I would be lying on the beach now' (summer and winter)
Andreas : (In winter) 'Anybody got some gluhwein?'
Everybody: 'Winter this. Spring that. Barbeque blah blah'

Cool French stud walks in. 'Hi.. I am George'
Hot Chick 2: 'I can speak some French. Jeblaah blooh' (I am sure that is the end of her french)
George: 'You mean Jeblooh bleeh'
Hot Chick 1 and 2: hahaahahaaaa
Fernando ( who HAS to say something ): 'In Espanyol it is 'barrrriittooo lola''
Hot Chick 2: 'barito' hahaahahaaaa
Fernando: 'no do rrrrrrrrr'
Everybody: 'er' hahaahahaaaa
Someone to me: 'How many languages in India?'
Me: 'Around 20 main. Thousands of dialects'
Everybody : 'Wow. Bavarian dialect this. Austria that. Antartica blah blah'

So those who know atleast two European languages run the show. The French guy is enjoying the most because everyone loves his language. Nobody wants to know any Indian words. Everyone learns two foreign words, only to forget them before they reach home. Meanwhile, Fernando has his arms around Hot Chick 1 and 2 and is clicking a pic to be uploaded on Facebook that evening. And wurst is ready.

Me : 'I dont eat pork.'
George : 'You dont eat 'cow' also right?'
Me: 'No, I eat 'cow''
Andreas: 'Indian curry very spicy'
Me: 'Yeah'
Everybody: 'Wurst this. Pizza that. Bretzel blah blah'

This is what I call culture small-talk. Something which is quite boring when done over and over again. I generally don't enjoy small talk. In fact, I avoid any kind of small talk like the plague. I love hanging out with good friends, talking to them, doing some activity like movies, or sport. I think I am good at big-talk. But meaningless conversation with the 'hi-bye' people is just not my cup of tea. I hate situations like eating with people I dont know well, or bumping into people in the store, or on the way to the loo.

Unfortunately, you have to go through the small-talk to reach the big-talk stage. Which probably is the crux of my inability-to-socialize problem. It is not because I don't try. The introvert in me just isn't helping.

Lets hope the situation changes. Till then,

Prost.

World Cup Glory

Every four years comes a time, when you pin all your hopes on your team to bring home the coveted trophy, the World Cup. And my team is Argentina for football and India, of course, for cricket. This post is not about football. Maybe I should have written about it during my depression at the end of Argentina's campaign. Anyway, back to cricket. Cricket is not my favourite sport, not by a long shot. I have even often argued with people about it being a non-sport because of the limited physical activity involved. But I am an ardent follower of the game when India plays, a die-hard Sachin Tendulkar fan and like most Indians, someone who dreams of the glory Team India would one day bring us. Nothing can unite millions of people and generate a positive hysteria like sport and in India, nothing can create this passionate frenzy like cricket.

It has been a long wait. On the previous five occasions ( I wasnt around in '83 and my zilch memory of the next two means I didnt watch them), all dreams were shattered by a couple of early exits and a few heartbreaking late losses. This was betted as our best chance, and more importantly for me, this was Sachin's last chance to win the most prestigious event of them all, the only achievement left for the 'Son of the Nation'. The three knockout matches against Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka had made me a nervous wreck. But India came on top and sent me along with a billion other people over the moon.

With Argentina disappointing yet again after making a promising start, and Federer and Chelsea hardly winning anything, I had made a resolution that I should not let losses in sport affect me. After all, people I dont know personally doing something beyond my control shouldnt ruin my health, right? Wrong!!! The Indian World Cup win reminded me how going through the agony of defeat and longing for that win multiplies the joy and sense of accomplishment when victory finally comes. The seemingly crazy dependence of happiness on sport may not be such a bad thing after all.

Jai Ho.

Carnival colours

People in high spirits, in whacky colorful costumes and the shutterbug in me had a reason to rejoice.

When someday became today

One of the things on my 'someday' list was skiing, and when SkiDubai came up, I thought that it would be the closest I would get to crossing it off. I didnt know then that pretty soon I would be skiing in the Alps. I had planned it for this winter, and have been gathering all the ski equipment for over a year now. So got myself registered for this weekend course, and what an awesome weekend it was. Though I felt like a loser when it started, I somehow stuck in there, and at the end of it I was so thrilled because my moving, turning and braking were all so smooth. The first day's skiing was only on a small slope, but today I was skiing on the beautiful alpine slopes on a snowy day, and I am a happy man. I fell a lot, but nothing too nasty and not as much as much as I thought I would.





I am not done with skiing, and more trips are on the cards. I am really glad I finally got it rolling. I think everyone has a 'someday' list, and should make an effort to shorten it. Lack of motivation levels and enthusiasm ruins it for most people. Luck has played it's part for me, but I am sure nobody in the same position as me feels the kind of satisfaction I am feeling right now. Let the good times roll !!

Yet another memorable homecoming

I am going home....

again !!!!! Eight months after returning from my previous trip to dear motherland. People here joke that I should get a season ticket. Hehe, maybe I should, because clearly my heart is not here and I am always looking for a reason to go. I advanced my earlier planned March trip , so that I can be a part of Aansans wedding, meet Kabu who also comes down during Christmas, play with Dhaani and I dont have to miss the other usual suspects for three more months. I hope the trip is gonna be as awesome as the last time. And I really hope this time Dad will understand when I have to leave home to meet my friends. The idea of arguing with him again is the only disturbing thought in my head now. It can be really difficult to make him understand the importance of just having fun, why I go to the people who I have good times with, and how it does not mean that I love my family any lesser. All the sacrifices, all the efforts I take to see Dad and Mom happy, and still they are insecure. Its a pity they dont see the love. Anyway, I am off to have a good time, to spend time with my favourite people, to hog away to glory, and away from the depressing winter to enjoy the warmth. The toughest part, shopping is almost done. Hope to bring lots of smiles with the things I have got for my people, and hope to have lots to write about at the end of it all.