World Watch Live

Finally a few moments....

2010-10-03T16:26:00.004+02:00

I haven't blogged in a long time. With all this hype about twitter and facebook, maybe blogs are losing their charm.

I've been incredibly busy in the past few months. With work, family and a few trips, blogging takes a back seat. It is a little busy at work but I think I can manage. I visited Loire valley in France a few months ago. Driving through the French countryside dotted with castles (chateaus) and vineyards was a pleasure. Though I felt, the entire region was a little sleepy.

I went on a trip to Berlin in Germany recently. The airport was a disappointment but I could smell history in the city. The tour guide spoke on and on about the monuments like the Berlin wall, Brandenberger gate, Concert Hall, University, Churches...but I felt there was some cyncism in his tone. It was like there was an invisible voice telling us "this is my city..we've gone through a lot but still haven't reached anywhere". There was contempt for Angela Merkel which I found surprising because I know she is one of the most(if not the)powerful women in the world. I guess they have their issues but It was like he wanted to tell us how "the lady" (Angela) is responsible for everything.

Thats the informal update for now..back to watching the Common Wealth Games inaugural ceremony on TV...CWG - much maligned event but let us see how it turns out!!

Let's get cooking!!

2009-12-12T11:42:00.005+01:00

I'm watching one my favourite programmes on TV - Saturday Kitchen Live. The whole concept of fresh ingredients and cuisine fascinate me. This programmes shows bits of BBC's cooking shows plus guest chefs prepare some fabulous food in the studio :)

Being the Christmas season, all cooking shows are concentrating on baking cakes. I've never been too successful with baking cakes - except with the packaged flour mix variety. That's hardly any creativity!!

I'm still very good with non-vegetarian items. I can make lovely Chicken curry laced with spices and herbs or even the biriyani. I make spicy fried fish during weekdays and recently made my first kutchi mutton biriyani (rice and meat cooked together with yoghurt and spices).

I'm not a stickler in terms of presentation because it is the taste and aroma of the dish which matter to me. I appreciate some of the beautifully presented food in top-notch restaurants or shown on TV. I remember one of the dishes shown in BBC's Masterchef finals - an appetizer delicately presented inside a smokey glass dome. It looked like heaven in a plate even without tasting.

One of the tastes that I have always enjoyed is Thai. I think that has got to do with my love for coconut milk based curries. I just love the lemon grass, ginger and citronelle flavours that are infused into the perfumed scampi or meat curries. One of my favourite dishes is the Thai green chicken curry.

We used to visit a tiny Thai restaurant near our house. It was small and quiet but always full. The food was of a good quality and the service was good. We still eat from that place but we just order a take away. It's much easier to eat at home with the baby around.

My baby loves our traditional Indian dishes despite having the Belgian fare in the creche during the week. He loves the rice, sambar, dal or yoghurt mixes that we have at home.

This convinces me that our palates are influenced by genetics more than our current conditions. An Asian palate will always be tuned to spices regardless of the geographical location!!

Things can go horribly wrong at times...

2009-12-06T23:14:00.005+01:00

I'm in no mood to sleep today. I can't believe how things can go incredibly wrong at times.

For a few weeks, I was battling the usual cold and sore throat that is characteristic of this season. Then, my tiny tot got a really bad throat infection followed by an allergy. His skin was red with rashes one day. Luckily, it was a quick fix with some medicines his doc prescribed.

Again, as we settled into normal life, my baby boy got a severely high temperature or fever. We spent some time in the Emergency Room in the hospital to do all the tests. Luckily, it is a classic case of cold and sore throat. He has got loads of medicines to take which are making him drowsy and listless.

As if this wasn't enough, I just caught the "pink eye". My eyes are swollen and infected. The doctor says it will be over in a week. I'm spending my time alone and suitably quarantined to ward of the spread of this infection.

All these years in Belgium and I never got any form of malaise. I guess this is my time to remember that health is wealth. My husband is bearing the brunt of all this as he is stuck with taking care of both of us.

But yes, I have reason to celebrate today. After about four years of marriage, I got a hot cup of coffee at my bedside today. Isn't that wonderful??

Living life a day at a time...

2009-11-28T19:03:00.002+01:00

Life is warming up slowly since I've joined back at work. My new assignment is exciting and challenging. Nevermind that I don't have a clue as to how I will proceed. I'm hoping that all will proceed smoothly as time goes on.

The morning bus journey with my baby on the pram is an adventure. It is easy to board and get down from the new STIB buses. On bad days, the old, yellow buses will ply on my route - and the nightmare begins. Luckily, some kindred spirit will help me manage to get on the bus.

Weekends are busy days. I have so many chores to do...neverending tasks. I guess it is the same for all mums.

You start appreciating your parents more after becoming one yourself. It's exciting but tiring to be responsible for a little human being. The chores zap a lot of energy off you but the baby brings in positive vibes. I have high regard for all the hard-working mums out there...hang in there!!

What's hot and not about twittering??

2009-09-29T11:37:00.010+02:00

I consider myself reasonably tech-savvy. I email regularly and use gtalk, skype, yahoo messenger etc. to chat. I use the internet to read the news and search for services (restaurants, train, bus, weather etc). I also maintain a blog and have a couple of social networking accounts.

I was constantly hearing about twitter especially on news channels. Breaking news updates quote tweets from around the world. It was as if everybody around was twittering away.

I signed up for my own twitter stream a few days ago. Honestly, I haven't gotten hang of it yet. It looks like twitter users can post bits of info online. Those who are interested can follow these tweets and be informed.

News channels give breaking news updates on twitter. Politicians record their daily travails to keep their subjects informed and entertained. Twitter is especially useful to those on the campaign trail to post micro-messages to the vast online public.

Within the few days I've been on twitter, I have learnt interesting facts about those who I follow. For example, my brother in Dubai is now enduring a fitness regimen. My journalist brother in India has updates on anything to do with telecom. My friend in Ahmedabad, India woke up at 4 AM because of the constant barking of dogs!!!

CNN breaking news posted about Iran's nuclear test missile.
And dear me...what did I post?? I twittered about the dull Belgian weather and the humble apple crumble I made!!!

9/11 - Another year goes by..

2009-09-18T09:12:00.005+02:00

We were huddled around the table for a post-dinner discussion when our Muscat brought up friend Tina (fondly called muscat-biscuit) received an sms. Her American friend claimed that an airplane had hit the World Trade Center in New York!!

It sounded outrageously unbelievable to us students living in a remote village in Allahabad, India. I suggested that she sms back that Taj Mahal had melted away due to acid rains.

Her friend was getting angry by now because we were not taking him seriously. We turned on the old TV in the dining hall to confirm and yes, news channels were reporting that planes had indeed hit the WTC.

This single incident had shocked the world and made life come to a grinding halt. More terror attacks were to follow like the London bombings, Mumbai hotel attacks etc..

Terror attacks are no more a surprise since it's so frequent despite increased safety measures. It is an unsettling feeling knowing that terror can strike anywhere.

At times, it seems as though we are fighting a hidden enemy...or as some may put it - an enemy within. Every anniversary of 9/11 is a chilling reminder of this axe looming overhead waiting to squash its prey.

Smallest town on earth..really?

2009-09-06T19:15:00.011+02:00

There is nothing so petite about the town claiming to be the smallest ville on earth. Tucked away inside the Ardennes forest, this quaint town has enough charm and character to match any mighty tourist city.

Durbuy was listed as one of the twenty must see locations in the Visit Belgium website. I wondered what was so special about this small town to make it a must-see location.

The drive from Brussels to Durbuy was superb with fantastic views of the Belgian countryside. As we neared the Ardennes, the farmland gave way to towering cliffs and dense vegetation.

The last stretch of road leading to Durbuy was tiny with the lane narrowing and bending at sharp angles. Alas, the sight of Durbuy before us was breathtakingly beautiful.
Durbuy had the look of a town right out of the Middle ages. The Chateau, uneven cobbled streets, little rugged caves and the rocky hillocks surrounding the town made it seem as though time stood still. The Ourthe river was visible from every nook of the town.
It was clear that tourism was big in Durbuy. Hotels and restaurants could be seen everywhere. The tourist train was doing rounds through the streets. Mothers with strollers trotted about in the nearby topiary. The cafes were packed with tourists on a weekend break. I figured that trekking and adventure sports were also a hit with so many dirt bikes parked in and around the town.
My favourite place was the St. Amour Confiture shop, the outlet of the neighbourhood jammery. The shelves were lined with a variety of jams (onion, fig, orange, lemon, strawbery, raspberry, myrtilles, rose and so much more), syrops, special Durbuy beer, chocolates etc.
I wished I could sample everything in the shop as I had never ever seen such a collection of jams and jellies. I finally left with the jam of figs, roses and some chocolates.

Frank had to drag me away from this jammy paradise. I promised myself that I would be back..but this time to relax for a few days in one of the many hotels.

Right on Track: The Belgian Grand Prix

2009-09-03T22:31:00.008+02:00

Watching the Belgian Grand Prix from the VIP gallery of Ferrari was a dream come true for my husband Frank. The outcome of the race was even more sensational with Ferrari winning the title and the Force India team clinching a podium finish.
I have seen the Spa-Francochamps circuit while on a leisure trip to Spa a couple of years ago (Read -- There is a place called Spa!!).It looked as if perched in the middle of nowhere from the rugged TEC bus we were in. We were not impressed with Spa then but this time Frank was clearly on top of the moon.

He was babbling out of excitement in being able to watch the F1 from the red VIP stand, the home of the most prestigious F1 team. He kept stressing that the babes in the adjoining Martini stalls were gorgeous much to my amusement. The guests in the F1 Ferrari club wined and dined in style while watching the race. Champagne and wine to tease the appetite and platters of skewered prawns, lamp chops, beef brochettes, grilled monk fish and much more to add to the luxury.
Frank was taken aback by the preparations that go into making an F1 race a success. The car as well as the driver need to be maintained to the minutest level possible. The tyres have to be kept in a temperature controlled environment. The engineers and mecanics have to be on alert throughout the race. There are so many similar nuances to be kept in perspective such as the fuel levels, weight of the car, engine technology and not to mention, the physique of the driver.
(Photographs Courtesy - Mr. Philippe Bogaert)
With all this planning and detailing, it might seem as though F1 is a precision-driven sport. On the other side, the huge budgets and extravaganza make it more of entertainment.

So here is the million dollar question: Is this a sport showcasing skills and technology? Or else is this some form of gas guzzling, cash crunching entertainment?? I guess the debate will just never end...

These are a few of my favourite spots...

2009-08-23T12:27:00.015+02:00

I'm nearing three years of stay in Belgium. During this time, I've visited some interesting tourist sites in and around the country.

I loved the places that I visited. Some were more memorable than the other but they all helped me understand European life a little more.

I'm listing down some of the best places I visited in Europe starting with the best liked and down the pecking order...

1. Amsterdam (Wednesday in Amsterdam)

Nothing beats Amsterdam in terms of excitement, culture and tolerance. An hour long cruise down the winding canals showcases the true beauty of the city - rows of canal houses with hooks on the top facade, crown shaped church spiral, museums of every kind, Anne Frank house, Nemo, floating pagoda restaurant and the list goes on.

A walk through the red-light district and a visit to the Sex museum near the railway station will touch upon the well known tolerance of the city. A rare sight for those from the East where it is a taboo to even mention the subject.

2. Maastrict (Destination Maastrict)

I can still feel the uneven, cobbled streets and the gentle breeze from River Muese (Maas) when I think about Maastrict. I huffed and puffed while I climbed up the spiralling stairs to the St. Jean's church belfry. St. Servatius basilica ranks as one of the most glorious monuments I have ever seen in my life.

3. Rotterdam (Rotterdam - A Taste of Modernity)

Modern yet an amazingly refreshing city - the highlights being the Erasmus brigdge, the harbour, Euromast, Speedo boat and ofcourse, the Pancake cruise.

4. Paris (It's the season to be jolly)

Well, Paris is just Paris - a tourist paradise which cannot be described.

5. Dinant (Charming Dinant)

Dinant is charming town bordering the River Muese with a towering citadel and world war bunkers. The cruise through the river reveals the scenic beauty of the town.

6. Belgian Coast (Oostende / Knokke / Blankenberge)

We took a ride on the tram that chugs along the coast and it was well worth the trouble. But what surprised me most was the Atlantic wall with its underground war bunkers - a testament to German ingenuity.

7. Keukenhof (The Keukenhof Experience)

Fields of tulips in all colours lined the road leading to the gardens as if welcoming us. It felt heavenly inside with flowers of every kind and shape. Swans quietly glided away in the green- tinged waters nearby. I have never seen any other place nearly as beautiful and well kept as the tulip gardens of Keukenhof

8. Grand Place (Of Moules Frites, Escargots & Waffles)

I pop into the crowded Brussels city centre once in a while on a sunny day or during christmas . The golden gilted guild houses, artists sketching away, chocolate fountains, waffles and ice cream shops are all huddled together in the vicinity.

Toss in a generous helping of street artists (some smeared with shiny silver paste and others with musical instruments), vendors selling hot wine or snail soup, and the small statue of a boy pissing (mannequin pis) - and you have Grand Place in all its splendour.

9. Bruges

A little bit of the medieval era in Belgium - ideal for kindling a quick romance and for the lovely canal ride.

10. Atomium & Mini Europe (Hallmark of Brussels)

The huge steel balls suspended in air can be seen from many places around Brussels. Mini Europe, the park with miniature European monuments, took a long time to visit. Neverthless, the trip was informative with the interactive exhibits.

So, these are a few of my favourite places that I would love to visit yet again!!

I stumbled upon these interesting reads...

2009-08-19T12:48:00.005+02:00

Morgan in Africa

Morgan, a young American, is an aid worker living in Africa (mainly Rwanda and Barundi). She explains her experiences in Rwanda as a development intern with UNHCR in the first phase of her blog. Later on, she returns to the neighbouring Barundi as an executive with an international organization.

Through her blog, she took me on a journey into Rwanda - a country healing from a horrible past. The Rwandan markets, food, hotels, houses, and people come alive in her posts.

She loves her goat brochettes, bonds with her Rwandan friends and learns to beat the sweltering summer and the ever-present mosquitos.

The lady even learned the Rwandan language and has a lengthy dictionary posted online. She delves into the history of the country and the current state of political affairs in her blog. A bit controversial (maybe), definitely informative and a rare look into Africa.

I have to admit that I read Morgan's blog from cover to cover (meaning from the first post to the most recent in blog parlance). It is an extraordinary look into African culture and customs through the eyes of a Washingtonian. You can find her blog here: Morgan in Africa

Diary of a White Indian Housewife

Being a housewife in India is a tad bit difficult for even the seasoned Indian woman. The traditions, culture and communal bonds can be stifling. Then, imagine a white Australian lady married to an Indian man living in a chaotic metropolis like Mumbai...

That is Sharrel's story. She has stuck on in India for more than a couple of years beating all odds. Her take on life in India with its never-ending festivities, spicy food, exotic travels and travails is amusing to say the least.

She claims to have discovered herself in this deeply spiritual country. Find her here in the Diary of a White Indian Housewife..

Maasmechelen Shopping Village - for the shopoholic in you!!

2009-07-30T12:08:00.010+02:00

If you can't get enough of rue neuve in Brussels, head out to Maasmechelen shopping village in Limburg. The brands you dream of are lined up all ready for you to gobble up in this shopper's paradise.

It's a chic place to hang out and do some window shopping if you can ward of the temptation to own some of the best brands in the business.

We took a trip to Maasmechelen out of curiosity...but ended up buying some things as well. The atmosphere is leisurely compared to the other shopping centres.

Cafes, well-designed company outlets and the village feel will make you want to stick around. It is sale time in Maasmechelen at this time of the year and most of the coveted items are flying off the racks.

I couldn't help thinking if recession is still a reality while looking at the crowds swarming into the outlets. Ahh...we all want a piece of the luxuary pie and who cares about the depth of our pockets??

Maasmechelen is a good place to relax as it is very close to Belgium. The shopping experience is better than the crowded city shops. The cafes serve amazing food including some of the best traditional fare.

We wrapped up the trip with a few scoops of icecream from the corner shop in the shopping village. The icecream flavours tasted authentic than artificial.

I mean mint and melon tasted just like the real stuff. Now, that is a wonderful way to end one of those rare sunny, summer days in Belgium.

The photos speak for themselves...the countryside..the brands..shopping and the architecture!!

Time flies by...

2009-07-13T16:50:00.005+02:00

Ahh...Its lovely to see the mercury rising in Belgium today.. I took a walk with the baby and went to the nearby park. As usual, I sat down and thought..thought...and thought about the month long vacation that flew by.

To be honest, this vacation to home in India was a chaotic mixture of good times and bad times. I felt so distant and disconnected from reality all throughtout. Strangely enough, I was so out of place in the country I called home.

People changed..places changed shape..new buildings and crowded streets were too much to bear with the humid atmosphere. Yet, it was comforting to meet family and friends and have the baby's baptism ceremony done.

We flew on Etihad airways (round trip) from Brussels to Cochin (Kerala, India) via Abudhabi. While the Brussels-Abudhabi flights were super comfortable and classy, I can't say the same about the Abudhabi-Cochin trips.

The aircraft was smaller and dingy for the Cochin flight. The waiting area of the Abudhabi airport for this flight was cramped and overflowing with people.

As for the food factor, I would say Etihad serves above average meals - menu card with three choices.

I can't forget the frenzied swine flu checking at Cochin International Airport. A hall full of people from the morning international flights were waiting to submit a declaration stating that they didn't have swine flu...

There were no temperature checks (not even manual) or body heat sensing cameras...just filling up the form and waiting (about 3 hours) in an endless line right out of long haul flights from around the world...beaurocracy at its best...

During the no swineflu declaration submission, I felt funny (as though anyone would willingly declare/diagnose that they have swineflu) and frustrated (imagine waiting with a baby battling the above 30 C temperatures for the first time in his life).

But I must give credit to the medical personnel at Abudhabi airport - they were using heat sensing cameras and screening all the passengers coming out of the flights...At least somebody knows what to do!!

World Environment Day on June 5th....

2009-06-03T16:11:00.002+02:00

We have just a couple more days to go for the World Environment Day on June 5th. Another day will go by with the characteristic fanfare meant to show that we care about nature.

While in Belgium, try to be as environment friendly as possible. Even if we try our best to turn off heating and lights when not required, we might get slapped with high electricity bills from Electrabel - the Government company which controls electricy supply and billing in Belgium.

And it is better to segregate garbage into different coloured bags and avoid notices from the commune. Hey, your appartment syndicate or maintenace company might even show up to urge you to do the same correctly. How is that for some real motivation?

Companies are struggling to go paperless these days. Its great to be able to read, edit and send documents online. If you need to print, the advice is to use both sides to save paper.

We've got all the rules in place for going green. The question is "how many of us will walk the talk"?

Living on the Edge - The Dangerous Art of Train Hopping

2009-05-28T10:29:00.008+02:00

I was incredibly sad to read about the train guard who lost his limbs in a tragic train accident last week. As someone who travelled daily by Belgian rail the past year, I can relate to what must have happened.

It seems that an elderly passenger tried to board the train through the train guard's door just as the train was about to leave. In the aftermath, both the passenger and the train guard were injured.

All passenger doors close when the train is about to leave except for the train guard's door. The train guard then keys in the signal and boards the train.

I used to see this ritual repeat at every station. As a result, I was aware that the only door open incase I was late was the train guard's door.

I had to brave the Brussels city traffic and road repairs on my way to the Brussels Central station. The race to get to office on time brought on an maddening adrenalin rush.

The thought of my Boss noticing the constant late arrivals to office made me jittery and ready to take risks. I had already given all the possible excuses like rush hour traffic, road construction, train cancellation / delay, sickness and so on...

Almost always the train was already on the platform as I arrived. One quick glance at the train notice board, and I would scoot off to the platform to board the train.

I would then search frantically for the open door at the train guard's end. A swift entry into the train and I was guarenteed a comfortable journey to office in time.

I was very late once and tried to board through the guard's door. The lady train guard flailed her arms in despair and stopped me from entering. I was very angry at her as I was hopelessly late for office. I now realize that she was only doing her duty and following the safety protocol.

Jumping into trains is routine in Mumbai where the local trains are the lifeline of the city. I was one among the masses who depended on the local trains to commute to work once upon a time.

Mumbai local trains stop only for a few seconds in a station. The crowd presses in and out of the compartments and accidents are common. It is downright dangerous to travel on Mumbai locals for those not familiar with the peculiarities of this mode of transport.

Belgian trains are many times more safer in comparison. It is only common sense to not hop into a train almost ready to leave through the guard's door. Unfortunately, in these stressful times, common sense is very uncommon.

Back to Pavilion: It's Vacation Time!!

2009-05-26T09:08:00.019+02:00

We are gearing up for our long-awaited visit to India. Finally, we have our chance to be back home after a gap of two years. It's going to be a bit special this time around since I'm going back with a baby in tow.

Our family members are anxiously waiting to see the newest member. They have seen loads of pictures of the baby and they've seen him through the webcam. But nothing beats cuddling and playing with him in real-time.

It's monsoon season in our home state of Kerala now. We might just escape the high temperatures this time in favour of the rains.

Keralites call their state "God's Own Country" in celebration of its pristine beaches, backwaters, spices and cultural extravaganzas. Tourism is really big in Kerala and even National Geographic's Traveller magazine rated it as one among the 10 must see destinations in the world. That is pretty neat for a tiny strip of land with limited resources.

I am looking forward to having some authentic Kerala food liike the spicy, red Kottayam fish curry with Tapioca mash. Ohh..and I want other delicacies like Karimeen (Pearl Spot Fish) fry, appams (flat bread) and chicken stew.

The baptism ceremony of our baby is first on the agenda. I'm looking forward to seeing all our friends and family who will turn up for the event...

I still have the hard task of packing ahead of me. I have to remember to take our stuff especially the baby's items for our month long visit.

We are travelling with the baby for the first time. So, I have to make sure that all that is needed for the long flight is packed and reachable when required.

So, there is lots of planning, packing and thinking to do before we fly out of Belgium to "God's Own Country"...

Sunny days are here again...

2009-05-25T09:33:00.007+02:00

We woke up to some lovely, sunny weather in Brussels yesterday. The sun rays filtering in through the curtains into the living room were a sight for sore eyes.

The dull, grey Belgian weather is very hard for me to digest after being used to bright days in India. My three month old baby just can't bear the little sun that we get here.

We took him out to a wonderful park near Zaventem yesterday just so that he gets a little used to the great outdoors. I'm afraid he didn't like it much. He shut his eyes very tightly in protest.

The park we went to yesterday had a calming effect on me. There were a couple of small, interconnected lakes with a pavement to walk around in.

We could hear the constant quacking of the ducks which swam around in the lakes. The black and white swans gliding across the water were a sight to see...

I wish we would get some more warm weather in Brussels this week. I am going to take my son outdoors for more time to get him used to the natural light. Otherwise, our Belgium born Indian will have a hard time adjusting to the hot Indian summer.

Congratulations to My Little Sister!!

2009-05-24T18:07:00.004+02:00

I'm so happy for my little sister for clearing the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT - www.nift.ac.in) entrance exams. She's into the prestigious institute in style with a great All India rank also.

NIFT is India's premier network of institutes for anything to do with design - like apparel, textile, fashion design, fashion communication, fashion management.. The institute is set up and run by the Ministry of Textiles of Government of India.

The entrance exam sifts out the best creative minds suited for the course from the many thousands of aspirants. The exam is conducted in two parts - with a written test as well as a studio test / situation test.

I can only call her from Belgium and wish her all success. She will have to go to Delhi for the counselling and pick up the course major and institute of her choice based on the availability.

She is so different from me - so talented, creative and beautiful inside out. She is the best looking out of all the three sisters. Needless to say, she's got the best fashion sense too...

I'm only worried that she will have to pursue a gruelling 4-year course away from home.

hmmm...reminds me of...no pains - no gains...

Does atmosphere@work matter?

2009-05-20T10:20:00.005+02:00

I just read some articles on diversity and inclusion posted on my company intranet. It was exciting to know more about the initiatives aimed at empowering employees. This got me thinking about what makes workplaces tick.

I have very little work experience in comparison with the industry veterans I just read about. However, I have had the great fortune of working in many organizations during this limited time.

My first taste of industry experience came when I joined as a student trainee in an Indian Seed Company M. Company M was renowed as a leader in agricultural seed production and a pioneer in biotechnology.

The atmosphere at their corporate centre was very formal. I remember facing a panel of executives during my first round of interviews. In crisp and cutting tones, they reiterated that this company was not the place for young females.

This did dash my hopes but I stuck on there adamant to prove that women can do difficult jobs.

I did prove that the project given to me can be done by a woman. I travelled around to all the rural parts of Karnataka to evaluate the seed production fields in scorching heat. I took the intercity back to Bangalore every week where I was based.

There were no women employees in the production centre located in a no-man's land except for a cleaning lady. She was so happy to see me and always brought me a freshly-plucked rose from the garden and a cup of tea.

The work atmosphere was totally formal like I anticipated but the people were warm and helpful. I was doing my training under the guidance of a well known, elderly professor. He treated me very well and I am grateful to him for opening up a whole new window of knowledge.

I moved on to a national environmental organization as their media officer. The programme officer I worked for was very demanding. I remember having long review sessions with her.

I loved their campus in the Indian city of Ahmadabad. It was full of life with monkeys jumping about in the trees, peacocks fluttering around and red brick buildings designed to accomodate the flora and fauna. I enjoyed travelling to network offices, organizing pre-publication workshops and attending international conferences.

I came to Mumbai city with a job in a leading commodity exchange E in their research & development wing. The managers were very welcoming and informal. We went out for lunch together (even with the senior R&D managers) on saturdays mostly every week.

We had celebrations for almost everything in exchange E - for eg. when the exchange increased business, women's day, diwali, new year etc. The most exceptional aspect being that people were appreciated in the company.

As a small organization, it was possible for the managers/HR to celebrate personal milestones like weddings and birthdays. I was surprised to be called in to the managers cabin one day only to find that my team mates were gathered inside as well. They presented me with a gift to celebrate my wedding.

I moved to Brussels, Belgium after marriage and worked briefly for a small, international organization.

The Executive Director of that organization is still special to me. She is a very dynamic and accomplished lady. As the driving force behind the organization, she promotes and motivates her team members with a rare zeal and enthusiasm.

Alas, I still had to move on to greener pastures. I now work for an Indian information technology giant. The opportunities in this IT company are challenging and I was blessed to be able to take up an innovative assignment for them in Brussels.

I loved the work but I didn't find the particular project management very suitable. The project managers were not people-oriented at all. I felt as if I was just a number in their rolls.

This was also true with all the other team members although I am not authorized to speak for them. It was more like the people for the project and not the reverse. The feeling that people did not matter took a lot of joy out of doing the work.

I can't remember a single team outing during a one year period. Team-building efforts were practically non-existant.

This is not true about the IT company in totality. There are many initiatives for fostering a sense of belonging from a company perspective but it just didn't trickle down to my project.

I believe that people quit workplaces because of the way they are treated. The organization that values its workforce and provides the right atmosphere will win in the long run.

Work place culture and atmosphere are crucial for me to be satisfied with what I am doing. It is a fine balancing act for companies as well as for the individuals who form the company.

Baby on Board!!

2009-05-08T10:13:00.005+02:00

I knew my life had changed forever when I saw his tiny body squirming on my belly in the delivery room. I felt relieved that the long labour session was finally over. Frank and I were overwhelmed with joy at the sight of our son.

I must thank the hospital staff in Brussels who gave me the best care possible before and after the delivery. They were so professional and sympathetic in comparison to the hospital staff I have seen in India. I am sure that less population and more facilities help them maintain such a cheerful disposition.

In Belgium, there is five days mandatory stay in the hospital after delivery. The doctors, mid-wives and even the physiotherapists kept checking on me and the baby during these days. It was a bit annoying at times because somebody was coming for rounds just as I was trying to catch a bit of zzzs.

It was difficult to adjust to the routine of the baby at first. He kept waking up in the night. I felt he was also adapting to this earthly life just like we were to having him around.

My son was born with a head full of hair and with his eyes wide open. Friends, relatives and hospital staff kept commenting on the eyes much to our surprise.

Our home also geared up for the new-born with additional cupboards, crib, changing table and an extra tiny bed for the living room. The excited first-time father also stocked up on toys, cuddly teddy bears and lots of clothes. This is despite me emphasisizing that it will take a while for the baby to be able to play with all the toys.

Its exactly three months since this handsome baby boy entered our life. He is more like a little person now.

He smiles innocently and starts cooing in baby language when we are around. I can't decipher much of it but I see that his daddy also speaks to him in the same weird language.

He flails his arms and legs as though he is cycling most of the time. It is exciting to see him roll around in bed and occasionally turn over. I know these are all developmental milestones in the growth of the baby.

I can see my whole life flash before me when I look into his crystal clear eyes. I see my past, present and future in him. Words cannnot explain the feeling of motherhood. It must be experienced to be understood.

Rotterdam - A Taste of Modernity

2009-04-17T15:08:00.016+02:00

Most of the European cities I have seen have an element of history written in their architecture and layout. The buildings are centuries old but painstakingly restored and modernized so as to retain their character.

Rotterdam is exceptional in this regard with its strikingly modern architecture. I hear this is because Rotterdam was heavily bombed during World War II forcing the city to be rebuilt completely in an updated style. As the largest port in Europe, Rotterdam is a significant part of commerce and trade in Europe.
The Euromast tower dominates the skyline of Rotterdam. I saw adventurous tourists trying to climb this tower with ropes (not an activity for the fickle-minded). From below the tower, these daredevils looked like beads strung on a rope.
From the riverside, we can see ships anchored on the port offloading after the long journey.

Another interesting sight is the Spido boat taking tourists around for a view of the harbor. We could see many Spido boats going back and forth but we chose to take a cruise on the Pancake boat instead.
The Erasmus bridge is another modern feature of the Rotterdam skyline. We went under this bridge while on the Pancake cruise.
This picture was clicked while we waited at a signal. The road in the front opened up to allow the boat to pass. I got out of the car to watch the bridge open slowly and took this snap.

The buildings in Rotterdam reflect the ultra-modern and sleek architechture of Europe. Rotterdam is also famous for cube houses...well they are houses shaped like cubes.

We also drove around the old part of Rotterdam harbour. It looked like a marina full of private boats.
The "Pancake Cruise"was the highlight of our trip to Rotterdam. For a fee of 12 Euros per person, one can have a hour long cruise and eat as many pancakes as you wish with a myriad of toppings. The toppings range from the obvious maple syrup, honey, sugar etc. to eggs, bacon, fresh fruits and cream.

Unfortunately, we did not book tickets in advance (via the internet) like the many people who turned up for the cruise. We bought tickets on the spot after the reserved passengers boarded.

The lower deck is most sought after since the pancakes are made and served there. We were on the upper deck since we got our tickets later. The view from the upper deck was fantastic but we had to go down to the lower deck to get our share of pancakes and toppings.

There are boats plying on the river in yellow and black (standard taxi colours). These are water taxis ferrying passengers within the city... yet another mode of transport unique to Rotterdam.

By dusk, we noticed the decorated boats gearing up for the day's evening cruise. I remember that there was a floating Chinese pagoda restaurant anchored closed to the Euromast tower.

Rotterdam is an excellant example of the the versatility of Europe with its high-rise buildings, cube houses, amazing port facilities, ships, boats, water-taxis, floating restaurants, the Erasmus bridge and the Euromast tower.

We took some time to take a promenade along the harbour to catch the refreshing breeze. At the end of the day, I was glad to be able to visit this great city.

"Den Haag" or The Hague - Seat of the International Court of Justice

2009-04-17T10:21:00.016+02:00

"Den Haag"(The Hague) has a reputation for being very international owing to the many institutions located there. The city is always in the news in connection with the International Court of Justice or International Criminal Court.

While in Hague, I realized that the international nature of Hague was different from that of Amsterdam. Amsterdam is exciting, highly touristy and inviting. In stark contrast, The Hague is a sleepy town without the toursitic pomp of Amsterdam.

We reached Hague after a few hours drive from Brussels. We fumbled a bit on finding the entry point to the city from the highway. We got some brochures outlining the attractions in Hague from the tourist office.

We walked around the city for sometime observing the architecture and lifestyle in Hague. It looked like a cosmopolitan city with many expatriates in town for work purposes (not for tourism).

In the centre of the town, there was an enclosure with sand sculptures of the buildings in Hague...nothing spectacular but interesting indeed.

The Dutch government buildings are based in The Hague although Amsterdam is the official capital. This complex of buildings, called Biennhof, houses the Parliament and the Prime-Minister's office of Netherlands.

The Government complex had an ancient castle-like look with beautiful architecture and canals all around.

The fountain in the inner compound of the complex had lovely carvings of golden colour.

I found The Hague to be only mildly interesting as I didn't feel that there was much to see there compared to all the media attention the place gets.

However, I must say that the architechture is impressive and the city is green and picturesque. The tram lines cris-cross the old and cobbled streets lined with cafes. This gives Den Haag the feel of a picnic spot rather than that of a genuine tourist destination.

Once Upon a Time...

2009-04-16T09:28:00.005+02:00

It's been a long time (over a year or so) since I have blogged. There are good reasons for this long break from writing.

The year 2008 was very hectic for me on a personal and professional level. After the chaos and mayhem of the previous year, I am back to my relaxed pace of life in Brussels. I thought it would be interesting to put down a few lines about the year gone by.

Although last year was quite tough, it was also a year of many milestones. I completed the assignment at work. The assignment that got was open-ended...meaning I had to create protocols and patterns from scratch. It was a role-based assignment requiring a lot of patience and creativity. I lost my cool at times during the the ups and downs of the assignment...but in the end I am satisfied with the results.

I also completed my evening French course. It was difficult to manage the classes, work and the travel all together. I didn't get so much time to study for the many tests but I managed to pass and scrape through the level.

On the personal front, I had an absolutely wonderful time. I got my first baby a couple of months ago. I am thrilled and overjoyed to have this handsome baby boy in my life. I am currently revelling in the joys that only motherhood can bring.

Frank and I managed to squeeze in a bit of travel during the weekends or holidays the past year. We visited the historic "Den Haag" (The Hague),ultra-modern Rotterdam and the charming Tournai.

So here it is - a short summation of all that happened during this long break from blogging. As always, I will update the blog with a little more details about the places we visited in 2008!!

Knokke - A Belgian Seaside Resort!!

2008-05-18T20:30:00.008+02:00

Sunny days are never be wasted in Belgium. I mean temperatures around 22 to 26 degrees when I say sunny weather in Belgium.

Fortunately for us, this weather coincided with the long weekend. We decided to explore the coastal resort of Knokke during the holidays.

As a seaside resort, the main attraction of Knokke are its pleasant beaches. I felt as though all of Belgium had flocked to the coast to enjoy the sun.

Belgians bare it all and take to very little clothing during these rare sunny days. Knokke was no exception and was teaming with people enjoying the sun.

The Butterfly Museum in Knokke looked very ordinary from outside. We were taken aback by the recreation of tropical atmosphere inside. Butterflies of all colours fluttered around as though in it's natural surroundings.

It was an amazing sight to yet again see natural beauty in its purest form.

Knokke is also known for the Zwin nature reserve. This preserved area is exceptional as it is the resting ground for a variety of birds.

This coastal town is yet another example of the beauty of the Belgian coast. It is surprising that a tiny country such as Belgium can offer such a wide range of tourist spots.

Days of Our Lives - The Keukenhof Experience

2008-05-18T10:46:00.010+02:00

The great advantage of being based in Belgium is the ability to travel to nearly all European countries with ease. I feel lucky to be able to visit so many countries and attractions within a short span of time.

I visited Keukenhof, dubbed "the most beautiful spring garden in the world", a week ago. I was mesmerized by the flowers, colours and the natural beauty of the garden.

The famed Keukenhof gardens are located in Holland, a country known for tulips. The two hour drive from Brussels to Keukenhof is an interesting experience.

While nearing Keukenhof, the winding country roads are lined with tulip fields on either side. This is a very charming preview to the beautiful gardens.

Since this garden is only open during a month, there is an enormous inflow of visitors everyday. To make matters worse, we went to Keukenhof on a public holiday.

As expected, there was a crowd but we were able to enter fast because we purchased our tickets online.

What I saw in Keukenhof is an unbelievable display of tulips in different colours. The landscapingis picture-perfect with an interspersing of water, trees, greenery, tulips and other flowers.

For the few hours I spent in the garden, I felt as though I reached paradise. It was heavenly... Only nature could bring forth such a riot of colours.

A picture speaks a thousand words. You can experience the magic of Keukenhof through these images...

I saw tulips in different colours, shapes and sizes all around Keukenhof garden.

The narrow, stone-paved pathways in the garden are lined with tulips.

The tulip fields outside the garden are amazing...an ideal background for personal portraits :)

This lovely white swan swam by us while we relaxed near the vast pond inside the garden. Just check out the clear green water... almost too difficult to believe that it's for real.

The costumed actors strutting about add to the old world charm of Keukenhof.

I am delighted to have visited this world famous spring gardens. It is an ideal and enjoyable weekend destination.

I'm in French Class Again!

2008-02-18T23:19:00.003+01:00

I kicked off my next level of French classes in style today. I am so proud to be doing the level 5 course in French this time.

It is a little bit of effort for me to get to the French school now since I work a little far away. I am on a assignment in a neighboring town about an hour from Brussels Central.

By the time I got to the French school today, I was nearly exhausted. I hopped trains and buses to reach just in the nick of time.

I was considering dropping the course due to the travel. Then I figured I would continue since I adore the language. I believe that nothing is a pain if you have the will to follow through.

I have about 8 students in class this time. The prof is a plump and expressive lady. Since this level is more advanced than what I took last time, I sometimes miss what she teaches. I just about managed to do all the exercises and respond in class.

I was really tired in class today. In contrast, my prof was on a high dose of caffeine. She was using a lot of actions to support her constant chatter. She wandered from one topic to another effortlessly. She then gave us a considerable amount of homework to do in preparation for the next class.

It took me an hour more to come back home. I didn't feel so lonely since the bus was packed.

It was the end of a long but productive day. I just hope that I will be able to follow through with this routine in the coming months.

Valentine's Day in Brussels!

2008-02-17T20:51:00.012+01:00

It is fun to have a day dedicated to love. I don't know what love really means. I just know that it cannot be described but only felt.

Valentine's day was the most awaited day when I was in hostel during undergrad days. Most girls waited for their Valentine to come with red roses for them in the morning.

Our batch of girls always dressed in pink on that day just to mark the occasion. Ofcourse, some of us got red flowers (meaning love) and the others got yellow flowers (friendship). Everybody got some flower and that was the important part.

I was in the yellow flower category for most of the years I spent there. I watched all the commotion from the sidelines.

In my final year (when I finally lightened up a bit), I got a red rose from a very special friend of mine. He was a sweet, carefree chap whom I liked but not loved in the real sense of the word.

The best Valentine's day surprise came a long time after that first red rose. I got twelve red roses delivered to my office from my husband who lived in a different continent at that time. He also sent me a cuddly, soft teddy bear which was to be my constant companion for a while.

As I walked back to my desk from the lobby with the perfect dark red roses, my colleagues looked on with excitement.

The next year, my husband forgot that it was Valentine's day until the end of the day. He scrambled to some shop and managed to bring me white lilies.

This time around, it was me who forgot about Valentine's day. I was so caught up during the day that I didn't realize that february 14th was around the corner.

I came home after a long day and found a heart-shaped chocolate box and a box of Burberry perfume. I normally don't like formal gifts but I welcome anything from my husband on Valentine's day.

I don't know what more surprises will come in the coming years...but I sure think it is worth celebrating love even if only for a day.

Its the season to be jolly...

2008-01-11T10:11:00.001+01:00

It has been a long time since I have updated my blog. There was just too many events going on that I simply could not devote any time or make an effort towards another post.

Christmas was an exceptional time in Brussels. The city was decorated with lights, bows, bells, trees, holly wreaths and stockings. Grand Place was fully lit complete with the Christmas tree and the manger (with real sheep inside!!).

We also made some quick visits to Antwerp, Amsterdam and Paris during the holiday season. It was very chilly (temperature hovering around 0 degrees C) during our visit to Antwerp and Amsterdam.

Paris trip was really memorable since the weather was also quite favourable (10 degrees C) and because it is Paris!! We took the open tours sightseeing bus for the whole day and went around the city. This gave us the freedom to "hop-on" and "hop-off" as per our needs in different parts of the city.

During school years, my French teacher used to show us a glossy books with pictures of famous Paris landmarks and explain each location in detail. At that time, Paris was tucked away in another corner of the world only to be seen and heard through books and videos in French class.

I remembered each of these locations when I went around the city this time. The song Madame taught us in school O Champs-Elysees was buzzing in my head as we criss-crossed this famous avenue bordering the river Seine.

The other locations like Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, Tour Eiffel and the Louvre looked picture perfect even on a hazy winter day.

We stopped by the famous Notre Dame Cathedral immortalized by Victor Hugo in his work The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The cathedral attracts droves of tourists everyday. The gargoyles, ornate ceilings, picture panels, paintings, sculptures, decorated altar pieces and the sheer enormity of the structure is captivating.

Paris looked even more lively after sunset. The buildings, boutiques, bars, discs were all fully lighted making it truly a City of Lights.

I did not feel the distance between Brussels and Paris on board the high speed train Thalys. It was a smooth 85 minutes train ride between the two cities.

My liking for this city extends to the French language also. I am beginning another course in French the coming month. I believe that this language is as poetic, romantic and beautiful as the capital city of France.

Reubens - The Master Comes to Town...

2007-10-14T11:45:00.001+02:00

Place Royale (Royal Square) is the most sought after location in Brussels by those who want a touch of the culture of Belgium. This location is the central part of the Royal Palace of Brussels.

The gigantic, columned buildings speak volumes of the position of the royalty in Belgian history. Besides the royal buildings, there are churches, vast greenery and the supreme court, all located close to the Place Royal.

Most of the buildings that formed the royal complex are now museums or office buildings. The square is usually teeming with people moving in an out of offices or camera-toting tourists.

This year is called 'the Year of Europe in Brussels' in commemoration of the establishment of the European Union headquartered in this city. There are numerous shows and exhibitions in Brussels to celebrate this momentous occasion.

The Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Brussels brought together a wonderful collection of paintings by the dutch master Reubens. The museum already had about fifty paintings done by Reubens or by his studio in Antwerp. In addition, other works by the master were brought from celebrated museums around the world like the Louvre (Paris), the Prado (Madrid) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York).

I took a course in art history during my school days. This gave me a slight overview of the painting styles of artists around the world.

I couldn't resist this chance to discover Reubens' artistic genius on the basis of nearly one hundred and twenty works. It was a rare opportunity to experience all that I heard and learned about this dutch painter.

Most of Reubens' paintings were commissioned by churches or monasteries. Therefore, many had biblical themes and subjects. He is also known for decorating the ceiling of Antwerp cathedral.
Some of his paintings depict greek mythical characters. One of the works on display was a huge tapestry (or wall hanging) portraying the triumph of the catholic faith.

Reubens' paintings feature full-figured, voluptuous women. This style, called 'Reubenesque', shows plump (but not fat) figures in a graceful pose.

The visitors can examine the life sized portraits and paintings and hear commentaries using the audio guide. They are also given leaflets explaining the significant works on display.

I loved being at this exhibition because this gave me an opportunity to enjoy the mastery of Reubens. I felt so lucky to be able to see world renowned paintings done by a genius that I had only known through texts and prints so far.

Thai Festival in Brussels!!

2007-10-13T21:50:00.000+02:00

The mouth-watering aroma of thai food was lingering in the air when we came out of the metro station. The crowd was hurrying to savour the colours of thai culture at Place Dumon, the venue of the thai festival of Brussels.

This festival, organized by the Royal Thai Embassy of Belgium, showcased everything thai - arts, dances, sports and more importantly food.

The crowd was mesmerized by the variety of food prepared by the thai restaurants in and around Brussels. There was a queue at every counter with people busily experimenting the many thai dishes. I started my gastronomic journey with a plate of assorted thai appetizers. There were meat balls, small chicken grills, prawns and other delicacies. Then, I moved on to fluffy rice and green chicken curry. Green chicken curry, a thai speciality, is an infusion of chicken chunks in fresh herbs, coconut milk and aromatic spices.

Graceful thai dancers performed on the stage while the crowd enjoyed the food. Thai handicrafts, carved vegetables and painted umbrellas were on display much to the delight of the crowd.

Thai massage was also a popular option at this festival. It was soothing to watch trained personnel from thai parlors massage those who wished to relax.

The entire event was an enticing exhibition of everything Thailand has to offer visitors.

Delightful Bites - The Spanish Tapas Experience

2007-10-02T20:13:00.001+02:00

All good things in life come in small packets...at least that is what I can say about my tapas experience.

Tapas is a variety of appetizers in Spanish cuisine. It may be a medley of vegetables with olives and cheese or even consist of non-vegetarian exotics like octopus, squid and mussels.

Frank is very familiar with the tapas experience. He enticed me into trying a tapas restaurant for dinner one friday.

The restaurant we went to is called Le Bar A Tapas. This restaurant has a queer look with dim lights and antique furniture.

This place certainly resembled a meat eaters paradise. The entire place was decorated with cured (dried, smoked) meat chunks in varying shapes and sizes.

The menu was full of non-vegetarian choices. I looked puzzled when Frank ordered so many tapas for us.

Tapas is an appetizer and is served in little mud pots. The portions are very limited. We need to eat a combination of tapas to form a full meal.

Within minutes, there was an array of mud pots on our table. There was liver cooked in red wine, fried silver fish, ribs, chicken in honey sauce, spicy chicken wings and mussels cooked in garlic.

I loved the chicken liver cooked in red wine. It tasted so rich and full of flavour. The silverfish (tiny fish with silver lines) added a crunchy touch to the meal. The ribs and chicken wings were something to chew on while we conversed. The chicken in the honey sauce tricked the tempted palate with contrasting tastes.

My favorite tapas was mussels in garlic. The half open mussels with the chunk of meat in the center was an absolute treat.

I enjoyed the tapas experience that evening. It was a meal full of little surprises in different colors and flavors.

I am clamoring for more mussels and tapas each day much to the dislike of my irritated husband who introduced me to this unique cuisine. For the time being, I just can't wait to have my next round of tapas.

Atomium & Mini Europe - Hallmark of Brussels

2007-09-30T18:04:00.002+02:00

Atomium is universally recognized as the symbol of Brussels. This monument was originally built for a world fair in 1958 and the structure soon became a part of the Brussels skyline.

I have seen the Atomium many times from afar but I wanted a closer look. I went to the Atomium and the adjacent Mini-Europe park on a lazy saturday a few weeks ago.

Atomium looked just the same to me but just a little bit bigger - more like gigantic. It represents the 9 atoms of a molecule magnified 165 million times. The balls are interconnected by escalators and visitors have a panoramic view of the city from the top.

Atomium and the neighboring Mini - Europe are popular venues for special events in Brussels.
Mini-Europe is a carefully designed park with miniature models of the popular landmarks in Europe. Like the name suggests, the park has all the scaled models of monuments in Europe such as the Eiffel tower, L'Arc de Triomphe, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Colosseum and much more.

This park is a wonderful mix of history, geography, architecture and leisure. Most of the displays are fun and also interactive.

You can play with the remotely controlled boats in the canals (modeled like the ones in the English Channel)...The ground beneath you trembles with a loud bang if you activate the button on the volcano. The Spanish bullfighters move around in the ring amidst the roar of the spectators at the touch of another button.

While Atomium is a symbol of Brussels, Mini-Europe introduces the visitors to the marvels of the European continent.

Visiting this side of the city was a complete learning experience for me. Atomium and Mini-Europe are two attractions that one should not miss while in Brussels.

Of Moules Frites, Escargots and Waffles!!

2007-09-28T20:28:00.001+02:00

Belgium is known for moules-frites (a popular combination of mussels and fries), escargots (garden snails) and waffles. These dishes are served in elite restaurants as well as in street corners.

I tried some of these national favorites a few weeks ago during one of our random wanderings. We ordered moules-frites from a tavern near the grand place (city center).

A pot of steaming mussels and a plate of fries were soon placed on the table. The sight of half open mussels in a huge pot disgusted me at first. I just didn't want to open the shells and eat the morsel of meat.

I was tempted by the aroma of mussels cooked with garlic and leeks in dollops of butter. I decided to try a few mussels.

I can still feel the taste of the first mussel I tried. It was moist and packed with flavor. The broth was even more savoury. I couldn't resist finishing the pot and sipping the warm broth.

Escargots or garden snails are eaten as appetizers by the Belgians. We found an old couple selling escargots soup in a crowded street near the mannekin pis, the popular statue near the city center.

I did not try the snail soup. I could not even consider eating slimy garden snails.

This was not a problem for adventurous Frank. He had the snail soup and proclaimed that it tasted just the same as mussels.

Waffles are another Belgian gastronomical speciality. Hot waffles are sold at corner shops and food stalls in Brussels.

I like having the Liege waffles topped with strawberries and cream once in a while. It melts in the mouth and tastes simply divine. Waffles, chocolates and pastries are some of the sweet pleasures of Belgian cuisine.

French Immersion in Brussels..

2007-09-02T16:51:00.001+02:00

Knowing French and speaking French is not the same. I noticed this when I came to live in Brussels, a very francophone city.

French was my second language all throughout schooling. I was proud of knowing another foreign language after learning French for about six years. I was in for a shock when I came to Brussels.

I realized painfully that I could not catch the flow of the spoken language. I could read and understand French but always heard only the first and the last words of the spoken word. The message in between was a blur.

I wanted to go for French classes ever since I came to Brussels to remedy my unfortunate condition.

I have always admired the French language. I believe it to be beautiful, romantic and passionate - almost like a language of love. I wanted to speak the language so badly. I was searching for a good language school in Brussels.

There was always some hindrance when I searched for language classes. Sometimes the timings didn't match or the school was too far. My quest for language fluency came to a stand-still for a while.

I was again searching for some intensive courses in French this summer. My internet search led me to a very reputed, government recognized language school in Brussels. I decided to give it a try.

I got on the bus to the institute after giving them a call to ask about the admissions. A very cheerful lady met me at their secretariat and explained the nature of the course to me. I was not yet convinced.

I met with Dominique next, the French professor, and asked permission to sit in class for an hour before deciding whether to join or not.

I was so impressed by her classes. It was perfect for my needs. The course was intensive but it was easy for me to follow. I had years of french lessons, the required vocabulary and grammer. The emphasis was on spoken language (oral) and this was what I had hoped for.

I stayed on for the entire day after informing Dominique that I was enrolling in her class. I also signed up for the entire course (50 hours in two weeks).

After a week of classes, I am so relieved to have gained the confidence to speak in French. I spoke in French to the police lady who came for a verification survey yesterday. My slightly bewildered husband looked on as I conversed with her. I felt so proud after the incident.

I understood the conversations around me for the first time after coming to Brussels. The announcements in the supermarket, the instructions at the shop counters, conversations in the bus and the random ramblings on the street all make sense to me now. It is all about picking up the flow of the language.

I was so excited after my first 25 hours of the course that I picked up French dictionary and newspapers for me to read from a shop near my institute.
There are 5 students in class besides me in my French class. We are allowed to speak only in French in the institute and the classes are held in only French (not a word of English).

Dominique, our instructor, has an interesting way of presenting the language. She is very enthusiastic and explains new French words using the French words we already know. If she can't get through to us, she uses actions (but never a word of English). She takes us to the video and computer labs (language labs) to help us understand the accents, tones and situations in French.

I made quite a few friends in my French class. Two of the lovely ladies in class are from Latvia. They work for the European Commission in Brussels. I go out for lunch with these two beautiful damsels to nearby eateries.

Inara, one of the Latvian ladies, is a tall and graceful female. I admire her maturity and her knowledge of world cultures and customs. She gave me a book called Monsoon Diary written by a South Indian about her Indian heritage. Isn't it so strange to get a book on Indian culture from a European?

Ivetta, the other Latvian, is vivacious, pretty and elegant. She has curly blond hair and takes great care to apply and reapply her make-up. I am not a fan of bright, violet lipstick but somehow, I love the contrast of her violet lips and clear, white skin.

Post lunch, we take a stroll on the crowded street below and visit a few shops. I gleefully notice few heads turning at the sight of a brown, Indian lady flanked by tall and fair-skinned European beauties.

Brigette, another one of the students, is a German expert in international relations for the European Commission. I look at her in awe during the coffee break as she explains her work and her trips to conflict zones such as Iraq, Afganistan and Kosovo.

Seyonara is a brazilian student who is here in Brussels to learn fashion. True to her interests, she stands out due to her stylish boots and chic outfits.
I can't leave out Claudio, a young Romanian, who boasted happily that he has a girl-friend in ever country he visits (how truly romantic).
I have the next 25 hours to finish up next week and we will sink into a more advanced
level of French.

There are downsides to this entire episode. I feel so tired after each day because the session is so intensive (continous thinking and training the brain to accept a foreign language). I go to bed early but need a crane to lift me up in the morning (Thank you Frank).

I constantly rush to the bus stop only to miss my bus by a whisker (how annoying). Then it is a harrowing 20 minutes wait at the bus stop followed by a sleepy 40 minutes bus ride.

The benefits of the course far outweigh the cons. I love the feel of the language around me during the classes. I try to extract the maximum out of the language classes with a zeal and persistence that amazes even myself.

It is one more trying week of intensive language lessons for me. I am going to make the most out of the experience.

As for now, Au revoir from Brussels!

Wednesday in Amsterdam!!

2007-08-16T17:26:00.001+02:00

Amsterdam is a city that is famous as well as notorious. The city is famed for its varied heritage and lively nature. It is also one of the few places in the world where drugs and prostitution are legal.

Versatile, tolerant and cosmopolitan is how I would describe Amsterdam after my trip.

I remember reading 'The Diary of Anne Frank' during my junior school days. Amsterdam, the setting of the diary, came to life through the eyes of a jewish girl hiding from the German secret police in the attic of a warehouse during World War II.

I am so happy to be able to visit the city I visualized through the memoirs of Anne Frank.

Amsterdam is promoting tourism in a big way. The campaign 'I amsterdam' is directed at the huge influx of tourists to this city. The tourist office has combination passes and maps to all the attractions in Amsterdam.

We were offered 'I amsterdam' passes from the tourist office. This 24 hour pass gives you access to most of the museums, attractions and canal cruises in Amsterdam for a bargain price.

Then, it was a grand chase to savour the flavours of this vibrant city.

Amsterdam, often referred to as 'the Venice of the North' is a city floating on canals. Concentric rings of canals run through the historic settlement of the city.

Canals offer the most efficient mode of transport around the city. The canal buses, ferries and boats stop at all the major locations including museums and shopping centres.

With a canal bus day pass, visitors can hop in and out of as per convenience.

We took a cruise on the 'Holland International' canal bus to discover this city perched on waterways.

The cruise boat slows down near the attractions offering the visitors a closer look of the main attractions. The tour guide also gives a commentary about the monuments all throughout the cruise.

The architecture of the many monuments and museums lining the canal is remarkable. On the way, you can get a splendid view of the patrician houses that are so characteristic of the the 17th century Holland.

The old, curved bridges of Amsterdam add charm to the architectural marvels of the city.

There are houseboats anchored by the banks of the canals in Amsterdam. I was amazed to find classy houseboats converted into offices, restaurants and homes. The thought of sitting in a floating office amused me but this is so true in Amsterdam.

The old houses of Amsterdam still have a hook on the top of the facade. The stairways inside the building are steep and narrow. Heavy items were lifted to the top floors of the building using a rope on this hook in the olden times.

Like the rest of the European cities, the public transport system is well-integrated. The trams criss-cross the city and run on top of the bridges across the canals. There are buses plying on the road and numerous trains coming in and out of Amsterdam. Besides, the famous canal buses and ferries offer an alternative mode of transport.

There are bicycles everywhere in Amsterdam making it a distinct feature of the city.

Museums

Most of the museums in Amsterdam are located together in a place called Museumplein. The world famous Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh museum attract huge crowds.

The masterpieces of artists such as Remrandt and Van Gogh are exhibited in these museums.

I was happy to take along some prints of the famous art works from the souvenier shop inside the museum.

I also visited the Biblical Museum in Amsterdam located in a canal house (house facing the canal). This museum mainly cantained artifacts, manuscripts etc all related to the Biblical times.

There was an exhibition on the three main faiths - Christianity, Judaism and Islam in the Biblical Museum. Models of the temple in Jerusalem, Jerusalem city and the tabernacle were on display. There was a small garden in the premises of this canal house with plants mentioned in the Bible.

Anne Frank House (picture above) is one of the most visited museums in Amsterdam. There is a long queue in front of this museum all the time.

There is also a branch of Madame Tussaud's with its collection of wax statues in Amsterdam.

Eat Out!!

Amsterdam is home to so many nationalities and cultures making it a melting pot of cuisines. The streets and canals are lined with eateries and restaurants serving cuisines such as Chinese, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Indian.

We enjoyed some delicious Vietnamese food from a restaurant overlooking a canal. I loved having the special, home made, Australian fruit ice-creams that are available in different flavours (mango, litchi, passion fruit, raspberry, strawberry) from a shop in a street alley.

There is a very famous Chinese floating restaurant (picture above) that is a copy of a similar restaurant in Hong Kong.

Drinking!!

Amsterdam is known for drinks, drugs and women.

Heineken brewery is based in Amsterdam and brews famous beer. The company museum has exhibits relating to the history of the brewery, the brewery house and also film exhibitions.

Churches

One of the oldest churches of the city has a dome in the shape of the Austrian crown.

St. Nicholas church is located right outside the Central station. The dome and interiors are highly ornate with decorated pillars and statues.

Yet Another Side of Amsterdam!!

Amsterdam is a notoriously tolerant city. Drugs and prostitution are legal in this city. Not only is it legal, there is even a Cannabis Museum dedicated to the many uses of this plant complete with a hemp garden in display.

It is hard to miss the casual attitude of the people towards sex and nudity in Amsterdam. There are streets lined with sex shops and film shows in and around Amsterdam. There is even a 'Sex Museum' in Amsterdam in the Red Light district (De Wallen) of Amsterdam.

The picture above is part of a giant hoarding mounted above a bridge on the canal. The other side of the hoarding had details of an exhibition to be held in the city (no prizes for guessing what the theme of the exhibition would be).

There is a lot to Amsterdam than that meets the eye. There is something for everyone in Amsterdam - be it the eateries, cruises, museums, science centre or even the architecture.

Visiting Amsterdam was such a rich and moving experience for me. There was so much to see in Amsterdam and so little time.

I was a little unhappy to leave behind such a colourful location but the memories of the time I spent in Amsterdam will remain with me for a lifetime.

Work...At Last!!

2007-08-02T08:28:00.000+02:00

I managed a small breakthrough yesterday by finding something worthwhile to do while I am here in Brussels. I got associated with an international association that was looking for a Research & Communications Specialist.

Their office is located in the most prestigious avenue of Brussels. This is the most happening place in the city. I looked around and found a community much unlike the calm, residential township where we currently stay.

I saw busy tram lines neatly criss-crossing the area. The wide avenue had very posh boutiques all around. Young people in minis and micros were thronging the stylish eateries in the area. People in crisp suits and leather bags were hurrying in and out of the many glass towers lined along the busy avenue .

I really liked the bunch of people in my office also. They were very friendly and made me feel comfortable.

I started doing a bit of work yesterday after a very long time. It felt different to be back at a desk in front of the system. I had trouble concentrating yesterday because I was so overwhelmed with the newness of the place.

Hopefully, that will wear out with time and I will get an opportunity to hone my skills.

There is a place called Spa!!

2007-07-30T20:45:00.001+02:00

I never knew the word Spa originated from a place in Belgium until Frank came up with this idea to visit the Belgian town of Spa. As always, I checked up on the web to find places to visit in Spa.

We got into an Inter-City train headed towards Eupen from Brussels Central. We got down at a place called Verviers Central to take a local Belgian (B-Rail) train to Spa. Spa was the last stop for this train.

We were puzzled at first to think that a town which gave the name "Spa" to the world could be so tiny. The station was quite isolated and there were few people around. Best of all, everyone seemed to known everybody else in this town.

True to its name, the Spa mineral water bottling plant (Spa Monopole) is located right outside the railway station. The town is famous for naturally-occuring, thermal fountains with high mineral content.

We walked around and came to a fountain called "Pouhon de Pierre le Grand". This is the water fountain from which Tsar Peter the Great drank and got cured from his illnesses. Visitors are free to sample the water from this fountain.

The heat on this day was unbearable in Spa. It was a sweltering 36 degrees in Spa on that day. There are mineral water pouches kept along the roadside for the comfort of the travellers in Spa.

Frank is an ardent admirer of car racing and ofcourse the Grand Prix. Spa Francochamps Grand Prix circuit as well as the Race Car Museum was about forty minutes away in a nearby town called Stavelot.

We went to the tourist office to ask for directions to Stavelot. The lady explained that there were not many buses operating to Stavelot during the weekends.

We decided to take a chance and hopped on to a bus to Stavelot. It took us some time to get there because we had to also wait in some "no-man's land" bus stop for a connection bus to Stavelot.

The bus ride reminded me of travels in my home state of Kerala with its winding, narrow roads and lush greenery. On the way, we were able to view the Spa Franchochamps Grand Prix circuit.

The Franchochamps Race Car Museum is situated in the vaulted basement of an ancient Abbey (Monastery) called the Abbey of Stavelot. The Abbey is huge and much of it is restored into a queer mixture of the ancient and the modern.

The first floor of the Abbey houses a collection of historical artifacts relating to Spa and Stavelot. The painstakingly restored structures take you on a walk through life in Spa during the various time periods.

The architechture is also distinct since it is an enhancement of the original Monastery structure. The walls are adorned with figures of Mother Mary and the Saints. The original items used for worship in the monastery such as the chalices, manuscripts, staff etc are kept for display.

It was a practice in olden days for monks to brew beer in this part of the world. The resulting Abbey beer (trapiste) is famous for its flavour and great spirits.

The second floor had an exhibition on this ancient tradition of beer making. There was a collection of equipments as well as explanations into this process.

The basement of the Abbey was the star attraction of the day - The Spa Francochamps Race Car Museum. Spa Francochamps Race Car Museum is a treasure trove for Grand Prix lovers.

Race Cars and bikes from as early as 1900s are on display in the basement. This rare collection of automobiles within this vaulted space transports the visitor into another world.

For the first time during our many visits together, Frank was able to guide me through the exhibits. He had a lot to explain about the cars and bikes on display. I could see the manifestation of man's fascination with the wheel in him.

Abbey of Stavelot took us quite a bit of time to cover. We managed to take a bus to Verviers Central (our initial connection stop) to catch our train back to Brussels.

The Abbey of Stavelot is a great place to visit for those in love with race cars and the Grand Prix. I didn't feel the same liking for Spa though.

I felt that Spa was more or less isolated unlike rest of the tourist spots in Europe. Despite its famous name and origins, Spa lacked the charm.

The town is not very commercialised or tourist-friendly. I didn't see many visitors in Spa. Clearly, the town Spa does not live up to its name.

We were tired at the end of the day and dozed off in the train to Brussels. At the end of the day, I was glad to be back to the bustling Brussels city life away from the land of the thermal springs.

What's happening??? - A Picnic

2007-07-30T20:09:00.000+02:00

It has been a long time since I published something on this blog. A lot has happened in between. Some good and some bad but ofcourse, everything happens for the best.

The two significant events in between was the picnic organized by Frank's company and our trip to Spa. The picnic was a good time for all the employees in Belgium to get together along with their families. It was organized in a park located near the Netherlands border.

This park was an ideal picnic spot. The organizers certainly picked a very good location for the event. There was enough space and facilities for a myriad of recreational activities. There were many restaurants and one such restaurant was booked entirely for the employees and their families.

Four gigantic buses took us to the park in the morning. It was one of those occasional glorious days with lots of sunshine.

The group was split into smaller teams to compete in an obstacle course first. I found this activity very difficult and tiring. I participated just to exhibit the tiny bit of team spirit in me.

We all proceeded to the restaurant for a sumptous meal of what seemed like an endless array of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. I can remember grilled chicken, fish fillets, meat cuts, salmon along with fries, rolls, pasta and pizza.

We were all given a stack of coupons for drinks. There was just too much of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available in the restaurant. Belgium is known for its beer and on this day, beer was flowing in the park.

I am very fond of pedal boating. I got very excited seeing the boating facilities in the park. I managed to convince Frank (that was difficult) to do some pedal boating.

I did have some fun during pedal boating although we did it for only a short while. It brought back memories of picnics with my family in USA.

We moved on to mini-golf later during the day. This was the first time I associated with anything remotely associated with this sport. I always used to wonder why well-dressed men are walking around with sticks in a lush surroundings trying to nick a ball into a hole in the ground (as seen on tv).

Surprisingly, I really enjoyed mini-golf. I realized that it required some style, finesse and technique to be able to get the ball into that hole.

I did some bowling too in the end. Despite Frank's best efforts to make me aim for the pins, I always had the ball moving towards the corners. Hey, maybe I will improve if I get to practice it just a little more.

I am not so much of a picnic person especially if I am out with the "not my types". However, this day was not as bad as I expected it to be. I was involved in so many activities that I didn't realize that it was time to get back onto those huge buses to head home.

A Belgian Summer!!

2007-06-29T10:15:00.001+02:00

It is not exactly summer here in Belgium. The temperatures are cool and at around 16-21 degrees celsius. That is hardly any summer temperature in any part of the world.

The length of the day is much longer than before. The light licks the edges of the windows at around 4:30 in the morning. Better yet, the sunlight remains till after 10 in the night.

This is in stark contrast to what used to happen during the winter here. The sun used to come out only after 10 in the morning. Besides, the skies darkened right after 3 in the afternoon. That is a very gloomy time period to be in this country.

Getting up in the morning used to be such an ordeal during the winters. The cold, foggy mornings coupled with the absence of sun forced me to bury into the blankets more.

Now, with the abundance of sunlight peering out through the curtains, the mind is more ready to accept the breaking of dawn. The sun remains well past bedtime these days. Although the longer days are fun, I feel strange going to sleep before the sun sets.

I think the weather influences my emotions a lot. Bright and warm days cheer me up more than the darkness of winter. I also feel the freedom to move around more these days without fearing an impending darkness.

I am just waiting for the chilly winds to subside. Then, I will be able to enjoy the sunshine more than now.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

2007-06-11T11:34:00.003+02:00

This is a common question faced by children around the world. As a child, I was always perplexed by this query.

I had clear goals for my life during my student days. It was not always constant. However, I always strived for some form of acheivement.

I still have not reached anywhere I had envisioned myself to be. In the process, I have realized that life is very unpredictable. It takes you on a wild ride to unimaginable destinations.

My life is a journey full of surprises. I got many undeserved blessings. I also have many regrets that I am desperately trying to ammend.

I was always the studious type in school. I was a model student in many ways. I was anxious to learn and willing to travel the extra mile.

My diligence was rewarded with good grades and many certificates of academic merit. I travelled to distant locations for my college education. I finished the course with an excellant academic record despite the difficult conditions.

I managed to secure an admission to a specialized course in a very good institution. This institution provided the ideal conditions for relaxed learning.

The teaching was not according to the traditional means. It was more like exploring the frontiers of the field of study. The entire process was a discovery that led to new ways of thinking.

My first job was with a very reputed educational organization operating in a niche area. I was not very happy to do some routine duties. I found it boring and unproductive.

Subsequently, I moved on to one of the metros in India for a new opportunity. I got a job profile which didn't have many boundaries.

It was in tune with my line of specialization. It was exciting to be part of the knowledge centre of the company. Besides, I loved researching the strategic initiatives of an organization that welcomed fresh approaches.

Unfortunately, I could not continue this stint for long due to family pressures. It was disheartening to leave a profile that gave me the most satisfaction.

I know I am still reeling from that shock. I am also in search of a similar profile in my new surroundings.

I know that what I am aiming at is not so easy. It has been a weary journey for me but I am not ready to give up just yet.

The shy, reserved little girl sitting in a corner of the classroom has travelled too far to surrender to destiny. I still have dreams that I keep alive.

I want to do something meaningful in my life. I want my skills to be used and developed. I want a happy and peaceful family life. Above all, I want to be the best human being that I can be.

I am praying for divine intervention in acheiving these small goals. It is going to be a rough pursuit. But, what is life without these goals and challenges?

Highs and Lows of Expatriate Life in Brussels, Belgium

2007-05-30T12:20:00.001+02:00

Expatriate life is full of ups and downs. It is like a pendulum of emotions oscillating between towering mountains and abysmal pits.

I am desperate to find a middle ground. I am yearning for a place of comfort. At times, I find it for a short moment but that solace never lasts very long.

Here is a list of the highs and lows of living among strangers in a very curious place:

What I like the most about Life in Brussels...

Living with my husband - I like the small joys and pains of family life. I delight in our companionship. I despair at our slight disagreements. After all, life is this mixture of experiences.
Quiet Surroundings - Belgium is a very quiet country where people value silence. It is quality living at its best.
Random Wanderings - I like moving around in Belgium. It can be just a walk around the neighbourhood or trip to a friend's house. It can be visits to a shopping mall. It may even be hopping to tourist destinations. I enjoy all the outings just the same.
Cleanliness - There is greenery all around. The roads are neat. The neighbourhoods are well planned and carefully laid out. Best of all, the country is littered with parks loaded with fresh air.
Environmentally Conscious - Garbage is meticulously sorted to ensure recycling and reusing. Shops generally do not give out plastic or paper bags. Customers are expected to bring their own carts and bags. No where else have I seen such a level of concern for the environment.
Integrated Transport System - The buses, trams, metros, trains, flights all operate in a coordinated manner within Belgium and also with respect to the rest of Europe. You will never get stranded in Belgium without any mode of transport. The credit goes to the efficient public transport system of this country.
Everything is Online - You can chart your journey on the public transport system websites, check your flight status, book your tickets and even do your shopping online in Belgium. Most of the forms and notices can be downloaded from the internet. The list is endless. Technology is exploited very well in Belgium.
Healthcare - Public health infrastructure is excellant and dependable. That itself is a major relief for those living abroad.
The Royal Touch - The Belgian royal family plays an important part in the country's history. There are palaces, churches, gardens, pavilions, parks and other monuments all around the country dedicated to the family that still rules the Kingdom of Belgium (Le Royaume de Belgique).

What I Dislike about Belgium...

Confusion - The country is slightly schizophrenic. The roads signs are confusing and in different languages (mainly French and Dutch). All the landmarks, buildings and streets have names in the two official languages. The people speak either of these languages or a combination. English is not very widely used. Public notices, bills, offices etc. use either of the languages. It is all very confusing to an outsider.
Bureaucracy - There is a huge amount of paper work and procedures for anything and everything. Foreigners are subjected to this systematic torture due to the elaborate functioning of bureaucracy. It feels like the commune (town administrative unit) keeps a tab on all your movements.
Weather - The climate is a major dampner. The days are cold and morose. The skies are grey and depressing on most days. It rains sporadically every now and then. The weather makes one want to stay indoors all the time.

What I Miss about India...

I miss the feeling of being home. I search my mind for memories of the colourful imagery and variety of people of India.
I miss my family. I wish I could spend time with them more often especially for family occasions. Everyone just about becomes a voice at the other end of the telephone when you are living overseas.
I always wish I could have continued working. I know this would have been possible if I was home.
I would have heard from my friends more often if I was in India. It is easy to maintain contacts over the internet...but I am sure I would have been part of a closer-knit community in India.

Expat life is not challenging without these hurdles. Neither is it amusing without the many simple pleasures. That is why I say it is a blend of highs and lows.

Feminism and Me

2007-05-25T13:32:00.001+02:00

I am scared of considering myself as a 'feminist' for fear of evoking the negative connotations of that word. Although I am a staunch ally of the womens' rights movement, I would not dare to call myself a 'feminist' in the conventional sense of the term.

I have strong views about the position of women in the society. I believe that a woman is never below a man in her ability to set sail in the stormy sea of life. Like most others, I am proud to see fellow women succeed in all walks of life.

I cheer when the likes of Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Condoleeza Rice, Sonia Gandhi and Segelene Royal voice their opinions in public. My heart was filled the day Wangari Maathai stood on the stage to recieve her Nobel Prize for Peace. Likewise, so many women have proved to the world that success is a personal journey totally independant of gender.

Some women have flawed perceptions of their role in society. They believe that womens' liberation involves freedom from the traditional roles of women such as cooking and cleaning. They also feel that hating men is a form of feminism. I consider these women to be a confused lot not sure of the very nature of women.

A woman is often a daughter, wife, mother, sister and a friend rolled into one. It is the woman who makes life around her blessed or cursed. Women need to understand that there is nothing demeaning about fullfilling the demanding chores of daily living. Those around will definitely reciprocrate the efforts of a well-meaning woman.

Women also have certain rights along with the responsibilities. Universal womens' suffrage guarentees all women the right to participate in a democracy. The increasing percentage of women in leadership positions around the globe is a good indication of a progressive society.

Closer home, a woman should have the right to make decisions on the domestic front. After all, she is the corner-stone of a family, the basic unit of society. She should also have the right to choose and pursue a meaningful career.

I get enraged while watching clips of abuse of women on TV. No religion or culture can justify such henious practices.

Sadly, women are kept veiled and segregated in some societies. They are not given the opportunities to learn and improve. They are kept isolated by oppressive regimes and treated as mere objects. Society should never condone such practices.

The value of a woman is priceless. Those who have experienced the strength, companionship and care of a woman will know their true essence. I firmly believe that a society that protects and respects its women will go very far in the future.

Addicting Actions..

2007-05-24T18:38:00.000+02:00

I have had a strange captivation for the written word for a very long time. It started with flipping glossy magazines as a toddler.

My strong language programmes in school pushed me further into this habit. Now, with the advent of the information super highway, reading is more like an obsession to me.

During elementary school in the US, I was too shy to admit that I had read 'The Scarlet Letter' for my sixth grade summer project. This master piece by Nathaniel Hawthorne dealt with some mature themes and was not the perfect reading matierial for a school girl of my age.

My tryst with books continued even when I joined a convent school in Mumbai. I was caught reading 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by the Principal (a nun) during school hours. I went to the Principal's office to recover my confiscated book expecting some form of reprimand. Strangely enough, she returned the book without saying a word.

I was more into journals, magazines and newspapers during my college days in Allahabad. I still read some amazing books that came my way during that period. Some of my all time favourites like 'The God of Small Things' (Arundhati Roy), 'City of Joy' (Dominique Lapierre) and 'The Thorn Birds' (Colleen McColough) were read during my student life in Allahabad.

I couldn't get enough of the newspaper that was kept in the hostel lobby in Allahabad. That single copy of the newspaper was meant for about 300 girls in hostel. Somebody always took it to their room after the lunch hour. Besides, our gruelling schedule in college did not leave enough time for frequent trips to the library.

I ordered my own copy of 'The Hindu' from the local newspaper vendor. That paper was a Delhi edition that came a day later to Allahabad. Neverthless, it served my purpose.

I was known as the girl who went around to other people's rooms to borrow/read newspapers in my hostel. There were a number of girls who ordered dailies other than the one I bought.

During our hostel farewell, my juniors called me onto the stage and presented me with a package. Beneath that colourful gift wrap was a bundle of old newspapers. The crowd roared when I opened my gift. I remember feeling sheepish but I figured this was better than being known for something else.

I was really glad to have complete access to the internet and a wonderful library during my post-grad days. A Suitable Boy (by Vikram Seth), a book that I read during these days, provided me with some priceless insights about choices in life.

I enjoyed my work as a Research Executive in Mumbai mainly because it revolved around this addiction of mine. The Research team had a small library of latest journals, newspapers, internet and subscriptions to online databases at their disposal. I loved getting paid for doing something I considered my hobby.

Marriage disrupted this obsession of mine to a certain extent. I was allured by the passion, love and strength of being in a relationship.

I am back to my habits now that life has stabilized just a little more. I am lucky to have a husband who understands this uncanny obsession.

He has taken subscriptions to various magazines he knows he will never get time to even skim over. He brings me few newspapers from office everyday knowing my liking for curling up in bed with the daily roundup of news. He even introduced me to an exclusive portal meant for self-learning.

There are very few people whom I have met who share this genuine fondness for print. I must mention that I met one such specimen, Akshay, during post-grad days. There is no end to the expanse of topics we cover when we both start talking. The rest of the gang used to melt away out of sheer frustration when we were in the state of conversation.

I know that too much of anything is not helpful. I try to balance the other activities in my life with my hobbies. I don't know how successful I am in doing that but I am definitely trying.

Hot Girls and Cool Guys!

2007-05-22T09:28:00.000+02:00

I had a chat about the thought processes of guys and gals the other day with my friend Akshay. We used to have a lot of these random ramblings over a cup of tea in the college canteen. We still do communicate online and it feels just like old times.

He mentioned that most girls ask about their appearance to their boy friends at some point during the relationship. They want to know if they look better, have become fat or added weight.

The poor guy doesn't know that he is walking into a trap when faced with this seemingly innocent query. Guys, being simplistic in nature, respond with the utmost sincerity. The sensitive girl in question harbours this thought everytime she interacts with this honest fellow.

This is where I feel a little bit of white lies does no harm. Guys have to learn to tread carefully on this one if they value their relationship.

I figured out exactly how the male mind works only after living with one of the typical specimens. I realized that the amazing facet of the male psyche is it's simplicity.

The female mind is always wandering into the ifs and buts of an issue. The male mind is binary. They see only the two natural possibilities. They can't fathom the intricacies of probabilities and consequences like the females.

There was a time when I expected my husband to infer my likes and dislikes without expressing them verbally. I thought that he would figure out what I wanted through the many perceivable signs. The funny part is that he could never understand what I was trying to convey.

I found out that communicating with him just required discussing openly. He is not tuned to analyzing and deliberating my actions. It is just not his style of functioning.

He would understand more if I could just blurt out my thoughts without beating around the bush. This straight-forward approach saved us a lot of misunderstandings in the future.

I consider this to be the fundamental difference between the two genders. Girls tend to think too much and make a mountain out of a mole hill. Guys, on the otherhand, ignore even the mountains of life.

Both the attitudes are extreme. Following the middle ground is the key to a path of compromise.

May Mayhem!

2007-05-21T09:15:00.000+02:00

Frank and I are expecting a period of chaos at the end of this month. We are preparing to shift to another appartment a few yards away from this one. The decision to move was an impulsive as well as emotional one for both of us.

Frank started looking for a house even before I joined him in Belgium. He is very used to living in spacious and luxurious surroundings. The only exception to that came when he started living in Europe. The appartments in Brussels (Europe) are generally small and cramped compared to other parts of the world. I would say that they are miniature copies of those in the United States.

I remember asking him over the phone about his new house when he moved into his tiny, serviced appartment before I came to Brussels. He didn't sound happy at all. He said it resembled something of a dark hole. Mom and I had a laugh over his comment in India at that time.

He was still living there when I arrived in Brussels in October. He had already booked another furnished, one bedroom appartment nearby. We were just waiting to shift after that place became available.

We shifted to this place on a cold, winter morning early in december. The appartment was small but sufficient for a couple. It was on the eleventh floor at the end of a row of appartment complexes. The building was quite old and the appartment required some maintenance.

The Land Lord was quite understanding. He managed to fix up the leaking faucets, damaged cupboards and replace the broken furniture within a few weeks.

We even started decorating our new abode with photographs and paintings. Frank managed to get souvenirs from his many business trips across the continent to fill up the showcase in the living room.

The lack of space to accomodate any relations who may visit us during our tenure here was bothering us. We were once again on the look out for an appartment with a couple of extra bedrooms for this purpose. That is when we saw an advertisement for a bigger appartment in the same area.

Frank contacted the advertiser and took an appointment to visit the place. We both went there the following weekend.

The appartment was spacious, had the extra bedrooms we wanted and was well designed. I liked the snazzy kitchen and the large balcony space. We loved the fact that it was on the first floor right in front of the bus stop.

Frank was eyeing me the entire time during our visit that day. He was searching for my reaction. I liked the design, layout and location of the appartment. I was still concerned and cautious about making a decision.

The appartment came unfurnished. This meant that we had to buy our own furniture for the house. I was not too happy about bearing that initial investment.

The kitchen was fully equipped meaning that it had the refrigerator, oven, stoves, cupboards, microwave and dishwasher installed. We had to bring our own crockery. We didn't have any furniture or crockery of our own since we currently live in a furnished appartment.

I knew Frank would not back down just due to furniture. He is the kind of person who would strive to make a dream come true despite all odds. Within a week, he managed to round up the essential furnishings for the house. Yesterday, he hauled in a giant TV from somewhere for our new house.

He is still running after all the legal wrangles of renting a house in Belgium. This includes the hefty security deposit, bank guarentee papers and contracts. We are almost done except for the trouble of shifting our belongings.

The new Land Lord and his wife were not so sure about renting their appartment to an Indian employee. Frank asked him to come to meet him in his office. The Land Lord was more than happy to rent it to us after visiting Frank's attractive office in a prime locality. I can even imagine Frank giving his usual business talk in his deep voice to convince this chap.

Shifting into a new house is a big responsibility. We have to change our address in the commune for updating our Belgian identity cards. We have to transfer our phone and internet connections. Our electricity account also needs to be changed. All this is in addition to moving our personal possessions.

This last week of May will be a very hectic week for both of us. I am excited about moving to a new place but afraid of the tiring procedure. Then again, there is no gain without the pain.

I will miss my view from our eleventh floor balcony. I can see the flights taking off and arriving at the Brussels International Airport from here. I also have the sight of a beautiful garden below.

We will be closer to the ground in our new home. It will not be the same as living in the air like on the eleventh floor. I am hoping that the increased space and better facilities will make up for this small disadvantage.

Grocery Shopping in Brussels

2007-05-16T11:36:00.000+02:00

I know that shopping for provisions is not one of the most enviable tasks for many of us. It is a routine chore that cannot be avoided.

It is easy to walk around open-air markets in India for groceries. The market place is full of fresh produce and many vendors. With a little bit of bargaining, we can get the best food items for a reasonable price.

Supermarkets in Brussels offer a wide variety of produce also. I usually go to different shops during the week to compare and contrast the items and prices. The supermarkets are quite large with different departments for fresh produce, stationary, clothes and even furniture.

In these department stores, everything is sold under the same roof. All the items are sorted and placed in racks. The shoppers can walk around this endless maze of shelves to pick and choose whatever they need.

I am a slow shopper in comparison to Frank, my husband. I like reading all the labels on each of the items. Ofcourse, all the labels are in French and Dutch. It takes a long time for me to translate the labels and register them into my memory. I also like buying new products or different brands each time.

On the other hand, Frank is a frantic shopper. He scours through the shelves in no time. He manages to pick up most of what we need within minutes. I think he is slowing down a bit now a days when we are together to adjust to my pace.

I am now used to grocery shopping in Brussels. I get to know a great deal more about the origin of the produce from the labels. Banana from Equador, grapes from South Africa, oranges from Spain and a host of other items from all around the world are up for grabs.

There is an entire section in the store dedicated to wine also. We are still trying to find some sweet wine around here. I am sure its available but we will have to sift through the shelves and find the right french words.

I especially like the 'Boulangerie' (Bakery) counters in these markets. There is an endless array of tarts, cakes, croissants, baguettes and freshly baked breads for sale. There is often an instrument in the bakery area for slicing the bread that looks like it was taken from medieval times.

I do enjoy the supermarket experience in Belgium. It is nice to find everything you need stacked in the same space.

Retailing is becoming a phenomenon in India as well. Carrefour, Metro, Field Fresh, and Reliance are vying for a share of this market. Hopefully, by the time we return to India, we may even have the same stores in India.

Memoirs - My Student Days in Gujarat

2007-05-14T11:24:00.000+02:00

My campus in the Indian state of Gujarat was a world apart from my previous one. The old campus was reminiscent of its heritage and historical significance. It was a pioneering Institute offering a niche area of study. It was famed for it's glorious past of about a hundred years. In contrast, the institution that I joined next had no history at all. It prided itself on novelty, world-class standards and strong industrial connections.

This new institution was located in Gandhinagar, the planned capital city of Gujarat. The city was divided into small units or sectors with all the amenities for quality living. The college was nothing more than a few buildings when we arrived. Construction matierial was strewn all around and there were piles of rubble everywhere.

Within a few months, multi-storied buildings, the hall of residence, sports facilities, an open-air theatre, a resource centre, faculty buildings and lecture halls were built. The campus was soon covered with a smooth carpet of grass and dense vegetation.

I loved hanging around the large lotus pond and fountain near the entrance to the college along with my friends. We were a close-knit group and this lush campus was the perfect venue for such friendships.

The best part about this campus was that there was no sense of day or night. The numerous lights blazing overhead made sure that the campus remained bright even in the night. This was a treat for the students who were always outside in the canteen or food court area.

The food courts served a variety of great meals and snacks. Each of us had our favourite dishes when we got together for dinner. I loved having Chicken Biriyani for dinner from Brajwasi caterers. My friend Peter was content with a plate of chilly chicken and rotis. Akshay always chattered endlessly over a cup of coffee from the Fresh & Honesh Cafe in the campus. We made fun of Vinu for eating curd rice daily. Shyama preferred to have dal, rice and pickle in true simplistic style.

We were a mixture of tastes but we were always somewhere in the campus. We retired to our rooms very late in the night. I can't remember being in the hostel rooms for more than a few hours everyday. I was either walking around the campus or chatting with friends over a cup of masala chai (tea) in the food courts.

I liked the spacious, well-stocked Library and Resource Centre. The labs were open everyday with round the clock internet connection. With all these facilities, this place was sort of a paradise for all of us.

I missed these good times for a great many days after I left the place. This was the only place where I felt a sense of freedom as well as that of responsibility. I like to call my troubles after leaving this campus as "withdrawal symptoms". The remarkable campus facilities and the academic atmosphere was addicting. It took me a few years afterwards to understand that life did not come with all these packaged amenities.

The two years I spent in Gujarat will stay close to my heart. I don't think I will ever come across such comforts and enjoyment again. It was clearly the best of times!

Memoirs - My Hostel Days

2007-05-11T11:33:00.001+02:00

I left that campus bordering the Yamuna river almost five years ago. I can still feel the pulse of that North Indian city at the confluence of the three holy rivers. It was my home for four long years. It was from an institution located close to this city that I completed my undergraduate education.

It was an unconventional place in many ways. The campus was almost cut off from the city because of the river. The Yamuna bridge, the only connection to the city, was always crowded and congested. The vehicles on the lower tier of the bridge trembled as the trains roared above them. The pollution was unbearable. The occasional breeze carried with it the stench of a city bursting at its seams.

A few minutes walk from this chaos led to the vast expanse that was my campus and home for a long time. The campus looked like was planted there from elsewhere. It was a complete contrast to what the city was. It was green with red brick buildings. Flowers bloomed at all times. The landscaping was perfect. One of my favourite past-times was sitting under the arches in the Administration Block and staring at all that life around me.

Despite the beautiful surroundings, the institution was a tough place. Most students believed that surving the Institute took a lot of effort and prayers. The climate was extreme. It was an alternation between freezing winters and sultry summers. The summers were especially rough with hot, gusty winds. The hostels did not have heaters or coolers. The drinking water had a hard, metallic taste. The food lacked variety and was bland. A third of the first year students got either malaria, jaundice, typhoid or a combination of these.

I went through a period of shock during my first months there. Then, there was a period of denial during which my subconsious failed to register that I was away from home. The final relief came while bonding with peers in the hostel and classes. There were students from all the states of India and from countries such as Bangladesh, Kenya, Rwanda and Burma. There was so much of variety of people in the Institute. We celebrated together all the festivals of the representative Indian states and countries.

There were three men's hostels, one international hostel and a women's hostel. The women's hostel had about three hundred girls. This was the most curious place in the Institute. This hostel had its own mini campus. There was a high wall around it with many security guards posted around the structure. The women's hostel resembled a fortress designed to keep the species of the opposite sex at bay (or to contain the female species).

It was a totally different regime inside the women's hostel. Believe it or not, this was an incredibly hard place to live in especially for the newcomers. The newcomers were paraded for many months and methodically scoffed at.

The warden was a coward who ignored the atrocities. I remember her asking me if I was facing any troubles during my first week in the hostel. Considering that I was dressed like a clown with oil dripping down my head, I was sure that she could infer something. Ofcourse, I said I was fine and had no complaints. She smiled dutifully at my deranged appearance.

The first year is the longest and the most painful. I must have shed enough tears for a life time during my first year. The following years were full of activity. The friends circle enlarged and there was always some festival going on in the campus. I learned to decieve and lie to suit any circumstances. My survival instincts sharpened and my confidence increased.

By the time I finished my course, I was a changed person. I went in to the Institute as a naive teenager. I came out as a cunning young lady. From my experiences in the Institute, I learned to cleverly mask my mischiefs. I went through the joys and troubles of independance. I learned to manage myself mostly through trial and error.

My time in the Institue was full of ups and downs. I remember my circle of friends and the events we organized together in the Institute. I have such fond memories of the late-night hostel events. It was something close to a bunch of females going insane throughout the night and into the wee hours. I remember travelling to waterfalls, picnic spots, field and industrial sites in our yellow Institute bus. I remember vividly the many fights in the hostel with rival student factions and especially with seniors. There was a lot of bottled-up rage and frustration in all of us.

My years in the Institute was a time of mixed emotions and experiences. I consider it to be both the best of times and worst of times. When I look back, living there for four years is something I cannot even imagine repeating. That life seems so mythical and unbelievable to me now just like that ancient city.

Oprah and Her Dreams...

2007-05-02T12:49:00.000+02:00

I was watching the popular talk show host, Oprah Winfrey, talking to Larry King today. I couldn't help wondering about these two successful individuals who have altered the course of TV history. It was as though the two legends were exploring their phenomenal achievements.

Oprah comes across as a sincere lady despite her wealth and fame. She shared some of her childhood memories during the interview. Her recollections of her youth are not pleasant. They are stories of abuse including that of a failed pregnancy during her teenage years. Despite all odds, Oprah forged ahead. She won scholarships, awards and recognition during her studies.

Oprah started her talk show during the 1980s on a very low scale. The 'Oprah Winfrey Show' was an instant hit. She has never had to look back ever since. She won multiple Emmys for her performances. 'Oprah Winfrey Show' is now the highest rated talk show in TV history. Oprah, also an acclaimed actress and publisher, is the richest Afro-American of the 20th century.

I have seen her show many times over the years. She has the striking ability to emphatize with her guests. She is a responsive talk show host who shares in the troubles of her guests. I have seen her distribute gifts including homes and cars during her show. Her latest philantrophic effort is the leadership academy for underprivileged girls in South Africa.

"The drums of Africa are still beating in my heart", she screamed to the crowd during the inaugration of her school. This school is close to her heart. It is the begining and end of her dreams. Oprah is back to her roots in South Africa to do what she does best - giving back to society.

The Film Parzania - Remnants of an Unforgotten Tragedy

2007-04-30T08:15:00.000+02:00

Unilike the previous few weeks, we spent this weekend holed up inside our house. Ofcourse, we did our routine grocery shopping on saturday but that was it. It was just bouts of sleeping, eating, TV and enjoying the view from the balcony. There was some time to catch up on the movie Parzania.

The DVD was lying around for a while. Parzania is based on the 2002 Gujarat riots that shook the communal fabric of India. The movie is very bold in its depiction of the events that led up to the riots. Parzania explores the tragedy, pain, violence and the conspiracies behind the riots through the simple tale of a family caught in the storm.

Most directors would not have the nerve to portray the Gujarat state government in bad light but Parzania delves deep into the state administration. It highlights the flaws behind the approach of the Government in the aftermath of the riots. This movie critiques the Indian society and its misgivings through the eyes of an American who comes to learn about Gandhi. There is a subtle constrast here as the American comes to Gujarat, the birth place of Gandhi, to learn about the non-violent ideals of Gandhi. Instead, he witnesses one of the most gruesome tragedies of all time.

The plot revolves around a Parsi (origins in Persia) family who lived in a predominantly muslim neighbourhood in Gujarat. Nasserudin Shah plays a very loving father in Parzania. His content life is spoiled by the communal violence that takes his son away from the family. Saritha is a resilient mother coming to terms with the loss of a child in Parzania. The viewer can feel the agony of the family as they frantically search for their son after the riots. The callous attitude of police and the senseless acts of the state authorities are skillfully woven into the grief of one family.

I remember being in Ahmedabad shortly after the riots. There were some reminders of the violence like the charred hotel complex in the down-town area of Ahmedabad. I remember walking through one of the pre-dominantly Muslim pockets in the city with my Bengali friend in search of some shopping bargains. There was some demonstration going on in the city commemorating a Hindu festival that day.

I can distinctly remember the piercing look in the eyes of the people in that area. Their expressions revealed the horror they endured in the past few months. Perhaps it was a grimace of intense hate towards life after the tragedy. My hindu friend and I were slightly unnerved while being in that area. She was fumbling to remove the 'bhindi'on her forehead, a mark related to the hindu faith. We never ventured into those areas again and the image of the people there haunts me in a strange way.

Parzania captures the plight of a terror-stricken community through a simlple story. It is effortlessly told but leaves a lasting impression. The violence of Gujarat riots is recounted yet again through Parzania.

There are many lessons to be learnt from history. Understanding history is important because history should not be repeated. Movies like Parzania send out this message to the masses. The message that terrible events such as Gujarat riots should never occur in a country of many religions.

Discovering the Orient in Brussels

2007-04-25T15:09:00.001+02:00

True to its cosmopolitan nature, Brussels is proving to be a treasure house of monuments linked to various cultures. Most of these structures are associated to the Belgian royalty to an extent. During one of our weekend strolls, we chanced upon an oriental connection in this city.

We set out on a bright sunday afternoon to visit the royal greenhouses in Brussels. We made our way to the nearest tram stop in search of the vast expanse of greenery in Laeken also know as the 'domaine royal'. Soon, we realized that there were many sites related to the royalty in this particular section of the city.

We first came in the vicinity of the Notre Dame Church, a structure built in grand, gothic style. This church was built in 1854 by King Leopold I in memory of Louise-Marie, the first queen of Belgium. The front portion of the church, unlike the other sections, looked bright due to the restoration work.

The many nameboards in the area pointing in many directions confused us. We came to the royal parc situated a little away from the church next. We kept walking since our final destination was the royal gardens.

After covering a considerable distance under the blazing sun, we saw the gates of the Laeken palace where the royal family currently resides. There were scores of people lined up in front of the gate. Many of these people merely walked upto the palace and returned. This convinced us that this was not the entry to the gardens.

We moved further ahead in an attempt to locate the entrance to the greenhouses. The gardens were located behind the high, metal walls bordering the side-walk. However, we could not find a viable entry point.

Just as this endless walk tired our minds, we came to an area that resembled the images of the Orient we have often seen in magazines. We had stumbled upon the 'Museums of the Far East' consisting of the Japanese and Chinese pavilions commissioned by King Leopold II in the early 1900s.

These exotic towers were designed by the French architect Alexander Marcel to commemorate the exchange of economic and cultural links between Europe and the Far East. Though built according to European principles, much of the opulent facades and decorations were brought from China and Japan.

Inside the pavilion, there are paintings, pottery, porcelein and delicate china on display. There was an atmosphere of elegance inside the buildings. Light filtered in through the coloured, glass windows. Warriors, kings, dragons and mythical characters sprang to life from the paintings and artifacts hung on the walls. The dark and solemn appearance of the Japanese towers present an aura of mystery as though origniating from the ancient culture of the Orient.

Although highly ornate, the Chinese pavilion offers a brighter view. The marble stones and golden metallic carvings add lustre to the the finely furnished interiors. Many items pertaining to the Far East are on display here including metalwork, engravings, paintings, ceramics and sculpture.

This exhibition is an absolute treat to see. It is an indepth look at the culture and traditions of a culture rooted in folklore. These towers are an amazing contrast to the glass buildings so typical of present-day architecture.

Although we missed the royal gardens, our original destination, we were not very disappointed. Instead, we were delighted to discover this path to the Orient in Brussels. I am sure that there are so many more such intriguing sights in this city. I hope that we will keep unravelling the many attractions of Belgium. .

Through Mine Eyes - Destination Maastricht

2007-04-20T17:48:00.001+02:00

Extended Memories - Destination Maastricht

2007-04-20T15:46:00.001+02:00

The skies welcomed our decision to tour the historic city of Maastricht with blazing sun-shine and unusually warm temperatures. Maastricht, a city situated on both sides of the River Maas (River Meuse in French) in the south-eastern part of Netherlands, is arguably the oldest in the country. The city overwhelms visitors with its archeological remains, ancient city walls, centuries-old basilicas and labyrinthine caves all entwined along the banks of River Maas. Anyone visiting Maastrict will get a sense of the rise and fall of the many civilizations that thrived here ranging from the Celts and the Romans upto the current population.

The beauty of Mastricht lies in the existence of aging monuments in the midst of a modern and cosmopolitan metropolis. It is hard to imagine an Aston Martin parked alongside the historic city wall but that is the bewildering contrast that this city offers. The buildings look antique as though they date from a different era. Peer through one of the grand windows and that thought will instantly fade away. These buildings are fitted with all the modern amenities preserving the classic architecture but without missing any of the comforts.

One of our first stops in Maastricht was the 'Apostelhoeve' vineyard nestled in the scenic valley of the Jeker on the south side of the city of Maastricht. The large tourist bus we were travelling in somehow managed to get past the narrow, winding roads leading upto the vineyard. The entire area is full of Cherry blossoms making this location a photographer's paradise. During the guided tour inside the vineyard, we were shown the places where the vines are cultivated, the area where the delicate manufacturing process of wine takes place and the cellar where the wine is kept until maturity. There was a wine-tasting session afterwards during which all the visitors got to taste at least three different wines made in 'Apostelhoeve'.

We came back to the banks of River Maas for a boat trip leading to the famed St. Pietersberg caves. The churches, charming villas, sprawling landscape, appartments and other city structures on either side of the river are a sight to see. The warm sunshine and the cold breeze evoked a mixture of emotions in us while we were aboard the boat.

The St. Pietersberg caves are the result of prolonged excavation in search of a building stone called Marl. The mining left a network of more than 20,000 passages. The terrifying darkness and chill atmosphere inside the caves speak volumes of the lives of the miners who worked in these caves. The caves were also a source of refuge for the city inhabitants during times of war. The guide, holding an old-fashioned lantern, outlined the history of the caves and the meaning of some of the inscriptions on the walls. Some of the inscriptions marked the ownership of certain portions of the caves, others were charcoal-engravings displaying religious & patriotic emotions and still others were advertisements meant for the local population. The stone-hewers who worked long hours in these mines also scribbled on these walls in an attempt to preserve their memory.

We were back on the boat after this hour long tour of the caves. The captain explained a little about the city while we cruised down the river. We entered Belgian waters for some time but then reversed to the centre of Maastricht. We were back in the Crown Plaza hotel situated adjacent to the river after a tiring day in this border city nestled between Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

We were on a mission to discover the heritage of Maastrict the next day. A walk through the old city centre is the best means to discover the historic structures, churches, cobbled streets, decorative buildings and the city wall. The boutiques and eateries along the narrow streets swarmed with people out for a leisurely stroll. In the midst the old city, there is a park offering a splendid view of the city wall as well as some respite from the crowds.

Onze Lieve Vrouwebasiliek (Basilica of the Virgin Mary) is one of structures dominating the old city centre. This millstone structure dates from before 1000 AD and is among the oldest churches of Maastrict. The entrance to the impressive basilica is through a dimly-lit prayer hall. The chapel is lighted with candles lit by the faithful who throng the basilica in search of the blessings of Virgin Mary. The interiors of the church are richly decorated with tapestries, stained-glass, silver figurines and sculptures depicting biblical characters.

We moved on to the market square or the main Vrijthof Square in Maastricht. Besides the bustling commercial activity, the main attractions here are the Guard house, St. Johns Cathedral and the St. Servatius Basilica.

St. John's Church, built in the 13th century, has two towering, gothic spires overlooking the city. There is a distinct pulpit and some paintings dating from the 1400s. The tower can be reached through a narrow, spiral staircase consisting of 218 stairs. The steep climb up is tiring but there is a breath-taking view of the city from the top of the spires.

After a dizzying descent through the stairs, we decided to tour the Treasury Basilica of St. Servatius. I was taken aback by the sheer magnitude of the basilica. This imposing structure is a treasure trove of culture, history, tradition, architecture and religion. The basilica encompasses all the charms of the city and pours forth a saga of the greatness of its inhabitants. The remains of the first Bishop of the low contries, St. Servatius, is interred in a crypt below the basilica. This shrine, called the Chest of Emergency, houses the skeleton of the Bishop. Other treasures inside St. Servatius Basilica include the cup of St. Servatius, the bust reliquary, the pectoral cross, the key, the crosier and the items made in precious metal or ivory all dating from the 10th to the 15th century.

I felt a deep sense of history and tradition after viewing the relics. I kept thinking of how difficult it must have been to build such a gigantic structure and decorate it so richly. The ceilings had intricate chandeliers, elaborate paintings and complex sculptures. The arches were collossal and fashioned in the early baroque style. Even the flooring was unique with patterned tiles and carvings. This basilica is monumental and I consider visiting this structure to be the experience of a life-time.

We made some time for shopping in the Maastricht streets adjoining the city square. There are a large number of boutiques and department stores in the city-centre region. The shops cater to a variety of tastes and interests. There are small restaurants serving customers local delicacies, antique shops revealing instant bargains, garment outlets marketing aggressively and haute-couture boutiques with fashion accessories on display.

I left Maastrict feeling mesmerized at this combination of a glorious past and the ultra-modern present. The old co-exists with the new in Maastricht or in other words, the past is cherished and preserved in this city. It is exactly this blend that draws tourists to this region. A few days in Maastrict left me awed at the genius of its former citizens and the nurturing approach of the present authorities. To the visitors, it seems as though the city is touching modernity while firmly holding on to its past. I am sure that Maastricht will satisfy those who are on the look out for adventure, nature, history, religion as well as some enticing city-life.

Extended Memories - Along the Belgian Coast

2007-04-11T15:08:00.000+02:00

A promenade on the seaside is the most popular way to spend the holidays. For those who are wondering whether Belgium has a beach, the answer is a resounding yes. Oostende, the northern end of this small country faces the North Sea. This resort city on the Belgian coast is the famed summer residence of the Belgian royal family. Oostende is mired in history just like many other locations in Belgium.

My husband and I teamed up with another family to catch some of the seaside attractions in Belgium. We woke up early on Easter monday to catch the morning train to Oostende. We had already noted down the main attractions in Oostende the previous night and set out to conquer this list of places.

The Brussels Central Railway Station was more crowded than usual. I figured that most of the people were hopping to tourist destinations on account of the public holiday. We got into the crammed mid-section of the train but couldn't find any seating space. We walked all the way to the last train cabin in search of vacant space. We found a quiet corner to sit through the one and half hour train journey.

Oostende station is extraordinary in the sense that this is a combination of a harbor and a rail station. From the platform, we can see ferrys and ships anchored in the harbor waiting for passengers. It is possible to ferry across the North Sea to Dover in England from this harbor in Belgium.

The twin towers of the St. Peter and St. Paul church captures the visitor's attention from outside the station. The church is located a stone's throw away from the station. This gothic structure is built entirely in sandstone and dates from 1904. The church houses the mausoleum of Louise-Marie, the first queen of Belgium. Peperbusse, a smaller tower next to the church, is the remaining portion of the original church dating from the 18th century.

There was an Easter Eucharist service going on in the church when we arrived. We could hear the church choir playing hymnals. A musical band along with people dressed in colourful, traditional attire were waiting outside the church for the Easter procession.

The view inside the church was spectacular with beautiful stained glass windows depicting the Belgian royalty. I was taken amazed to see that the offering for the Eucharist consisted of bread and fish. Oostende was and still is a fishing town. Perhaps this is the explanation for fish being offered at the altar. This church was brighter in appearance compared to the black, stony appearance of the churches I visited before.

We decided to return to the harbor to see the Mercator ship. This is a ship that the Belgian Navy used for training and instruction until 1960. The ship is now a floating museum offering visitors a glimpse of life at sea. There is a collection of articles on display pertaining to Belgian maritime history. The quarters of the naval lieutenants, officers, commandments and captain are preserved for posterity.

Mercator was also part of many scientific expeditions and these trips are chronicled in the tabloids mounted on the hallways. The mortal remains of the Belgian priest, Father Damien was brought back to Belgium from Molokkai islands in this ship. I remembered reading about Father Damien during my school days when I saw the photographs and inscriptions indicating the transport of his remains. This priest dedicated his life to the betterment of leperosy patients in the Hawaian islands of Molokkai before finally succumbing to the disease himself. I am glad that this service to humanity was recognized by the Belgian government and that his country offered this great man his final resting place.

After touring the Mercator, we went to the tourist office and took combination tram & museum passes to Raversidje or the beach side of Oostende. The view of the coast as the tram moves along the coast is magnificient. There were many beaches, hotels, taverns and shops catering to the tourists relaxing in the sun. After getting down at Raverside, we decided to visit the monuments in the area before returning to the beach.

One of the shop owners in the area told us that the museums and nature reserve would be only a ten minute walk. We started walking towards the path she showed but it was a very lengthy route. After about forty-five minutes of walk through a winding pathway, we reached a beautifully maintained exhibition area. We got tour guide phones from the main hall to guide us through the exhibits.

The complex set of tunnels and bunkers called the Atlantic wall used by the German forces was truly a sight to see. This seaside area was used during both the world wars to house the German forces, to monitor the enemy and to launch attacks. The remnants of the world wars, including the sea mines, torpedos and bofors weapons are still intact. I was impresed by the clever outlay of the underground bunkers and tunnels providing a maze of pathways for movement and attacks. There were outlets and equipements for keeping a watch on the enemy from below the ground level. I am still dazed by the ingenius design of the bunkers by Germans.

The summer residence of Prince Karel of Belgium is preserved in all its beauty in an adjoining area. This villa contains many of the prince's personal memorabilia including many of his artistic works. We were able to listen to the descriptions of the items on display by keying in the exhibit numbers on the phone we were provided with. The exhibition was especially interesting since we could understand the significance of the items on display. This walk through the Atlantic wall and the museums took us about three hours but it was truly a walk through history.

We walked back through the same narrow pathway to the beach and stopped to inform the lady we met in the shop before that it was more than a mere ten minute walk. She was amused and chuckled sportingly. We stopped over at the beach for a couple of hours afterwards. The chill waters and the gentle breeze was refreshing after the long walk.

We were all hungry by the time we reached back to the railway station. We grabbed a quick meal of burger and fries before heading to the platforms to take the train to Brussels. All of us dozed off on the train after the tiring and eventful day. I know that we covered a lot of ground on Easter monday, 2007. The towering St. Peter's church, a floating museum, sandy beaches, underground structures and the imposing harbor are my memories of the day spent in Oostende. I know that these images will be imprinted in my memory forever because it was a walk through years of history.

Extended Memories - Charming Dinant

2007-04-11T13:04:00.000+02:00

What can be better than a long weekend, warm weather and sunny skies for visiting some of the most charming locations in Belgium? Ofcourse, nothing more was needed for two restless souls searching for the perfect sites to visit in this miniscule country in the heart of the European continent. Plan, plan and plan ahead was the buzzword for filling up the Easter weekend. I decided to scour the web for interesting places to visit in Belgium.

Belgium is immersed in history and littered with battle grounds ranging from Napolean's Waterloo to the World Wars. This is a 'must-see' country for history buffs with many heritage sites worth visiting. The monuments and remnants in Belgium entice visitors with its saga of constructions, conquests and subsequent rebuildings.

My husband and I decided to visit some of the historically significant cities in Belgium for some serious soul-searching. Little did we realize then that the stories we had learned through text books would come alive for us in these few days. We decided to visit a small town called Dinant, 65 km south of Brussels, on the banks of the River Muese on saturday. We charted our iteniary well in advance so as to maximize our time spent in Dinant.

We caught the early morning train to Dinant from Brussels. The somber Brussels landscape quickly faded into calm, scenic country-side. After winding its way through valleys, mountains and canals, the train pulled into the small railway station in Dinant. One look at the town from the railway station assured us that the place was indeed tiny.

The Citadel and the Notre Dame Cathedral are two prominent landmarks in Dinant located close to the railway station. These two monuments are located so close to each other that they look like one on top of another. The Cathedral has an onion-shaped dome that is often considered the symbol of the Dinant skyline. The structure dates from the 12th century but was oft destroyed by invaders. Inside the church, there are many religious objects including decorated candle-stands, ornate altars and iconoclastic paintings.

The Citadel is perched on top of a rocky cliff and overlooks the Cathedral. There is a steep train of 420 steps to climb to reach the fortress for those who are adventurous. For lazier creatures like us, there is a sky cable car ferrying passengers back and forth. The Citadel was mainly used to protect the city and as a storehouse for armaments. It houses war memorabilia from from the medieval times upto the world wars.

We saw a museum of armaments, dioramas depicting life during medieval times and a collapsed bunker from World War II. This bunker was damaged during the bombing and is preserved in its original form. It is hard to pass through the bunker without feeling dizzy due to the gravitational pull. After touring the Citadel, we decided to climb down the steep, narrow stairway. There are over 400 steps to this descend and is certainly not recommended for the faint-hearted.

After a quick lunch, we started exploring the town again. This time, the cruise boats taking tourists for an hour long tour on River Muese caught our imagination. We were soon inside the boat wandering along the Muese River. We saw architechurally important buildings and a grand casino supposed to be one of the oldest in Belgium. The recently renovated Casino on the river bank looked splendid from the cruise boat.

It was soon time for us to catch our train back to Brussels. We left this charming town with fond memories of a day well-spent. A magnificient fortress, a gigantic church and a scenic river are the ingredients to the success of this incredible tourist town. This is one many get-away locations in Belgium far from the bustling Brussels city-life. Dinant offers visitors pristine country-side, abundant waters and spectacular monuments. Moreover, the town has centuries worth of stories to showcase to the world.

10 Short Cuts to Happiness!

2007-04-02T13:16:00.000+02:00

People often find it difficult to reach contentment even when they are richly blessed. There are reports of celebrities committing suicide or falling into long years of drug abuse despite their riches. This proves that unlike the popular perception, money has very little to do with satisfaction.

So is there a short cut to happiness? Here are some tips that I follow to keep moving towards the happier end of the road.

1. Never compare with others.

This is a golden rule. Remember that your brain tricks you into believing that ‘the grass is always green on the other side’. If you compare, you will always end up feeling short. Then there is a mad scramble to catch up and try to beat someone else. You are never going to catch up just because this feeling is just a figment of your imagination. Be inspired through the lives of people who have conquered odds but always remember that you can only be yourself.

2. Count your blessings.

I used to be overly concerned about what I did not have. Before long, I realized that this was eating away my pie of happiness. I also found out that I have so many obvious blessings that I took for granted just because I focused more on what my friends or cousins have. Instead, I now concentrate on my blessings especially my family, friends and my circumstances. This is a sure way to happiness as it alleviates a whole lot of misery.

3. There is joy in giving.

I have noticed that I feel most happy whenever I am able to give. Of course there is joy in receiving but there is much more of it while giving. A thoughtful gift or a word to someone in need is a sure step to happiness.

4. Help those who are in need.

There is a huge mental satisfaction when you are involved in helping others. There is something alluring in being of assistance to others. I found a lot of pleasure in helping others with studies during my college days. Many of my juniors in college came to me for advice. I was so happy to realize that I was a source of inspiration for them.

5. Prioritize

I have seen many people obsessed with their careers. Most of them find very little time for family and friends. I feel sorry for them since I am sure that they will come to a point of regret sometime at the end of their productive lives. This points to one of the most important rules of life - prioritize. If you make sure that you have time for others, others will surely find you in your hour of need.

The busy executive will never realize that his wife is continuously building up negative thoughts in her mind. The overly busy mother will never realize that there is less of her in her child’s life. It is a vicious circle. So, make time for your friends and family before time runs out.

6. Think before you act.

Most unpleasant actions can be avoided by triggering the thought process. There was a time when I was quick to react. I would blow my fuse every time someone disagreed with me. It took me some time and a lot of interaction with different types of people to realize that slow to anger is a sure key to success.

7. Experience positive vibes.

The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of a possible course of action is all that could go wrong after implementing it. I would have a short bout of imagination where all these wrong effects haunted me as demons. Fortunately, I have now realized that much of it is due to negative feelings. I now try to fill myself with positive images that reinforce a positive outcome. Needless to say, that works well.

8. Manage your desires.

Ambitions are a part of life but desires have a tiny role. Desires magnify emotions and point to inadequacies. I would consider having a meaningful career as an ambition but trying to outsmart others for that undeserved promotion is more of pursuing a desire. Manage those desires before they manage your life!

9. Don’t aim for revenge.

I used to keep a count of the wrongs that others did to me. This was before I came to know the power of ‘letting go’. Otherwise, the counts keep increasing as well as negative needs for revenge. I don’t aim for revenge anymore or keep a track of those who have wronged me. This is a sure step towards happiness.

10. Be yourself!

There is magic in believing that you are unique. I know that I am a person with a difference with distinct abilities and needs. I carry this positive reassurance throughout my journey of life. This realization will pave your path to success.

Species Undefined – The Men in My Life

2007-03-29T12:54:00.002+02:00

It is often remarked that women are the most complex out of the two sexes. That may be true but I am sure that men are by far the most diverse. There is such a variety in terms of personality, behavior and physical stature. I have had the fortune of being associated with some of the most amazing male specimens in my life.

Each of them has enriched my life to a great extent. I am grateful to them for helping me in times of need, showering me with warmth when I felt down and for the wonderful companionship I have felt through their lives.

Most of us would associate love, care and affection with mothers but I have a different story to tell. My mother was largely occupied with my sister during my childhood since we were born only a year apart. She also had a career to cater to making spending time with me very difficult. I associate much of my childhood memories with my father as he filled into her shoes.

My father perfectly balanced his busy, public profile and his large family. He took us to school and kept a watch on us after we were back. He did this in unconventional ways but always with a certain grace. I remember him letting us play under the huge Almond tree after school in the premises of the institution where he taught. His eyes were occasionally peering out of the classroom window to make sure that we were alright. Other times, he took us to the library and gave us magazines to flip through while he worked. I could only admire the pictures in those glossy magazine pages since I didn’t know how to read then. This fascination for magazines, journals and books continues to this day.

He helped me with my homework as I moved into a new school system in the United States. He came to meet the teachers regularly and was active in the Parent Teacher Association. I was always welcome into his cabin in the University where he was a doctoral student. He introduced me to all the latest journals and newspapers in the University library while I was just in school. He made me believe that he needed a shortened newspaper because he didn’t have time to read the newspapers. He wanted me to condense each day’s news from leading newspapers like ‘The New York Times’, ‘The Washington Post’ and ‘The Star Ledger’. I did not realize then that he was opening a window to the world by asking me to read those papers.

Life was not always about work for him. He played badminton and Frisbee with his children while hot barbecue was being prepared for dinner during summers. He took us to the University gym for sports and games. He showed us the beauty of nature during our trips to the University arboreum.

He was also adamant that I spent time away from home during studies. I found it difficult to live alone at first since I missed the presence of my father. As an educationist, he believed that living with peers in a hostel environment would increase self-reliance and boost social skills. After spending about seven years in hostels and other places, I now know that he was absolutely right. I faced a life where I made my own choices, suffered or enjoyed the consequences of my actions, forged life-long friendships and shook off my fear of being on my own.

Throughout my lifetime, I have felt his presence as a guiding force. There is a special place in my heart for this remarkable man who is strong enough to tackle problems with ease but gentle enough to search for solutions. He showed me the power of mental resilience, spirit of humility and the influence of good-will. He is one of the men who have influenced me so much and I am very blessed to have him in my life.

I am amused at the striking resemblance in the voices of my father and my brother. My six-foot, dark & dusky brother looks very different from my father. Yet, I can feel the same traits running through him as well. He is very caring but at the same time very paranoid about all his sisters. My brother is more of a man of action and is quick to react. His giant frame deceives his tender nature. We both worked in the same building in Mumbai but for different companies. He was always so obsessed with my safety especially while commuting to and from work. He is an honest and genuine person and I am very proud of him.

My brother’s one-year old son is the other significant presence in my life. This hyper toddler brings unspeakable joy to the entire family. I enjoyed playing with him and crawling after him. He has a way of looking back to see if anyone is following him before speeding away. I have never seen such fast-paced crawling in all my life. I will always remember his innocent and playful character. He is the crawling wonder in my family.

Likewise, my brother-in-law is also another example of the diversity of male species. He is temperamental but jovial. I am sometimes shocked by his carefree disposition. He is the one who got me accustomed to my new home in Pune. He took me around to all the shopping centres and malls in the city. He accompanied me to the hospital when I went to do my lengthy medical check-up in the absence of my husband. The look of desperation on his face as he waited for me in the hospital lobby for my check-up to be over is imprinted in my memory forever.

I also have many friends who characterize every possible facet of the male psychology. I am in constant touch with my highly intelligent and super 'know-it-all' friend from post-graduate days. I liked conversing with this self-proclaimed ‘geek’ because he is one of the very few people with whom I can discuss any topic without sounding philosophical and profound. I have never seen such a wide array of interests ranging from technology, science, current events, history and sports emerging from a single brain. He reminds me of those men who are achievers in life but believe that they have “miles to go” before they sleep.

During my college years, I have also come across men who valued the old ideals of chivalry or respect for women. I am highly indebted to a friend of mine who supported me through thick and thin. He never forgot to call me whenever I felt lonely or overwhelmed. His voice was a support through the trying periods of my life. He is one of the few people I feel that I have the right to call at any time for help. I have an air of confidence in asking him for a helping hand for I know I won’t be denied.

Throughout life, I have encountered men with unique personalities. I cannot forget the dreamy Piscean who planned celebrations for my achievements even without my knowledge. I came to know of his fondness for me only during the last few months of my four-year tenure in college. It seemed more childish to me but I was surprised to see that he was sincere in his efforts. I even had a friend from Rwanda who shared his culture and experiences with me. Then, there was the elder colleague of mine in graduate school to whom I went to for advice. I have no words to describe the many men who enlightened me with their companionship.

This list will be complete only with the mention of the most important man in my life now. His personality defies all the boundaries that I set for the description of my husband. I find him to be different from my expectations in many ways. However, I believe that he has bettered my imagination.

I expected a quiet and calm partner in my life. I got a warm and boisterous husband. I got a person who stops at nothing to achieve his goals. I asked God for a partner who was content with what he has. Instead, I got a man lurching for the skies.

He is known for his determination and admired for his wit. He conquers my pensive attitudes with loads of energy. He is known for his impatience but he makes time for my wanderings. He spends time in the city centres looking around just because he knows I enjoy it. This impulsive man waits for me outside offices while I attend interviews. He assists me during my hospital visits and helps me with medications. He is everything I dreamed of in a husband but within a very unique mould. We are like two divergent beams filling light in the darkness. We are distinct but pursue a common dream. We are living proof of the old adage “opposites attract”. Out of all the men I have known, he stands out just because he is mine.

Update - May 2009

I have to update this post with a mention of the most special man in my life now. The long wait to bring him into this world was worth every second.

My life has changed dramatically after his birth. He fills my days with smiles, coos and laughter. I feel a sense of pride when I look into his eyes.

I realize that being a parent is a huge responsibility. I am awed by the task of transforming my tiny baby boy into a caring and sensitive young man.

I am sure that both of us will discover and learn much during this challenging journey of life.

Marriages are made in heaven…

2007-03-21T13:20:00.000+01:00

I still can’t believe that I made the single-most important decision in my life within a mere forty minutes. The stage was set that day in August for the customary prelude to the arranged marriage. The prospective groom comes to meet his bride to be so as to make a final decision. The parents had discussed this match for a couple of months and agreed on a suitable meeting venue. As in the case of modern arranged marriages, there is never any coercion since the children are free to accept or reject the match.

As a free-spirited young lady, I was never in the right frame of mind to get married. I wanted to work more and pursue higher studies. My head was brimming with ideas and I was sure that a wedding at this time would foil all my planning. I was also sure that I will always be plotting my next moves and marriage would never figure in my lengthy list.

I belong to a traditional society where staying unmarried is akin to being afflicted with some disease. I knew that my parents would never allow me to keep my single status any longer. I didn’t have a choice in that matter but I knew I would get to pick the most suitable person.

I was considering a shift of residence and other job opportunities. I had many job applications floating around and was waiting for the elusive interview-call.

That summer was therefore an intense time for me in-terms of personal and professional life. Mumbai would be the venue for meeting the husband-to-be. I got the railway reservations done for traveling to this great metropolis of modern India. Just as all the plans were looking picture-perfect, catastrophe struck.

Strong rain showers lashed the entire western India. Mumbai and adjoining areas were flooded with monsoon waters. The communication and transport infrastructure was severely damaged. The railways cancelled all their services. Mumbai city was crippled leaving scores of its stranded inhabitants scurrying for cover.

I was only too happy that my ordeal was postponed. I had read too much about these meetings. There were often the prying eyes of the future in-laws, criticizing comments in some cases, bashful grooms-to-be and difficult decisions to be made. However, the delay was short-lived. The groom had only a few days to spend in India and he was due to continue his global travel ventures.

Air travel had resumed in India despite the bad weather. I managed to get flight bookings for Mumbai. There was again a last-minute delay in the travel after I reached the airport in time for the early-morning flight. A plane had over-run the runway in Mumbai and the airport was not accepting further traffic until the plane was removed. In the mean time, the rains in Mumbai worsened.

I sat inside the airport blissfully unaware of what was going on. I was already checked-in and waiting for my flight when I received a phone-call from my brother who was waiting to receive me in the airport in Mumbai. I noticed the pandemonium in the airport with delayed and cancelled flights. People were standing in long queues but were not given boarding passes.

“Avoid traveling to Mumbai unless absolutely necessary”, a sharp voice beamed through the airport speaker system.

Within minutes the passengers were up and running to cancel the tickets or to make alternate arrangements. Some passengers with small kids in tow lamented about missing their connection flights. Others were arguing with the airport personnel. Confusion filled the airport lobby.

There were others who accepted their fate and waited patiently. Some families spread sheets on the ground to settle down their weary children. The normally calm airline staff members were fretting. Confusion reigned supreme as airlines were unable to pacify the irate customers.

I was thinking of an alternate course of action. I thought of cancelling or postponing the flight. I would then have to retrieve my checked-in baggage. I would have some difficulty going home in the adverse weather. I decided to wait and monitor my flight status. The major private airline cancelled all their flights to Mumbai. I was booked on the national carrier and they had just labeled my flight status as “indefinitely delayed”.

I approached the counter for further enquires about my flight. The lady in charge explained to me that they don’t have any information from Mumbai airport. She told me that the airline was willing to take the stranded passengers to the nearest airport hotel. They agreed to bring us back as soon as the flights to Mumbai resumed. I realized that this is the only viable option. I was soon sent to the comfort of a nearby hotel.

I was able to relax and have refreshments there. I spent hours surfing the TV channels in the hotel room waiting for some information from the airport. It was about ten in the night when I got a call from the hotel informing me that my flight was ready for travel. I was already sleepy by then but managed to scramble down to the hotel lobby.

Upon reaching the airport, I realized that passengers were still stranded. The private airlines were not being given authorization to land in Mumbai. The national carrier that I was flying on managed to get a slot. After a quick security check, the flight took off and was on its way to Mumbai. However, the plane had to still circle around Mumbai for some time before given clearance for landing.

I reached Mumbai at around two in the morning. It was not so difficult to locate my brother. His tall stature made sure that his head was visible amongst the crowd waiting for the delayed passengers. He also had his regular Punjabi taxi-driver with him. We loaded the taxi with my luggage and got inside to go to his house in Mumbai.

My unlucky streak continued even then. The taxi refused to budge and was stationed like a stubborn child facing reprimand. My brother and the jovial taxi-driver got out and pushed the taxi. The motors came to life after some frantic pushing. I saw the submerged roads, flooded shanty-towns and people trying to make it home even at that odd hour.

I relaxed for a couple of days in my new surroundings. The preparations were on for the important meeting in Mumbai. The groom had to travel to Mumbai from a neighbouring city to meet me. Even his plans were thwarted a couple of times due to the weather conditions. The day before the suggested date for the meeting, I received an interview call from a Mumbai-based company as a result of an application I had sent months earlier. They seemed very happy to know that I was already in Mumbai. They asked me to come in the next day in the after-noon for the interview.

I was pleased to have both the events on the same day. I was only anxious to get it over with. It would be thrilling to experience the results together. Hospitality is revered in the Indian culture and meetings such as this one required the utmost perfection. My brother arranged to have my aunt come the next day for some guidance.

I got up early in the morning to fix up a meal of chicken stew and bread, halwa, fruits and sweets. I wanted the meeting to be as natural as possible. A flash of lightening went through my head as the door-bell rang. I was wondering whether I was ready for entering into marriage. It meant a lot of commitment, changes in life-style and many compromises. My head was exploding with thoughts as I was called to the living room to meet the guests.

I was glad that the atmosphere was very informal. We both went to a corner to talk in peace. I was shocked to see that the groom was not following the conventional norms. He was in casuals and was in a relaxed mode. He outlined to me a little about his past, his aims and his vision for the future. I distinctly remember him telling me that his family wanted a daughter and not a daughter-in-law. We had a brief exchange of experiences and ideas. In India, the final decision is always made collectively as a family. Contrary to that, he expressed his decision to proceed with the marriage.

I was happy with the proceedings of the day and was still thinking of coming to a conclusion. I was impressed by the laid-back nature of the groom, his reasoning, his ability to communicate and strong personality. I considered myself an accomplished lady educated around the world and pursuing diverse interests. I was sure that he would match my abilities if not better them.

My brother and I rushed to the job-interview venue as we were running late. I didn’t relax much until I came to the lobby of the office. I met with the interview panel within a short time. The interview was a little lengthy but was quite simple. I was able keep poise and answer well all throughout. I was sure that I would be called for the next round.

As expected, I was called for another round the next day and joined soon. During my tenure there, I have never come across such an immediate appointment in that company. It really mesmerizes me to date. That is one of the fondest memories I have of that place. The decision to leave my job was especially painful because of that swift appointment. The job was satisfying, rewarding and the people were warm to me. My work was appreciated and my views were valued. I am trying to find a job in this new country. I have gone through many rounds with companies here and even reached final stages. However, I have not seen the same level of openness to diversity in companies here in Belgium.

After that customary meeting with the groom, I made a quick decision to marry him. Both the families worked on the details of a marriage to be held six-months later on my birthday. We both came to know each other more only after the event was fixed. I believe that there is a great deal of trust that we placed on each other in making this decision.

Choosing a life-partner is a difficult decision that people take years to finalize. They wait for the right time and person. Arranged marriages work on the concept that it is not so much about finding the right person but in being the right person. This brisk decision is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. Although we are completely opposite personalities, there is a common chemistry binding us together. We laugh at our differences and the very few similarities.

Entering into marital life is one of the most life-changing incidents. It is a unique learning experience. There is going to be a lot of marital bliss and some inevitable arguments. All healthy relationships have difference of opinions also. The success lies in managing the differences and keeping the delicate balance of life. It is often said that marriages are made in heaven. I would like to add that heaven is made on earth for those in successful marriages.

Sights and Sounds of Belgium...

2007-03-16T12:32:00.000+01:00

Life in a different country can be the ultimate challenge in many ways. Scholars have coined the term "culture shock" to describe the feeling. Needless to say that the experience is shocking but also interesting. Its all a matter of perspective.

For me, the relocation to Belgium was a combination of both these emotions. I was happy to see a new country and experience new cultures & traditions. At the same time, it was a personal blow to be away from family and friends and the society I belonged to. I still miss the warmth of old friends, my work, familiar destinations and the country that I call 'my own'.

For those coming from hot and sunny countries such as India, Belgian weather is a dampner. The skies are mostly grey and rainy. The howling winds keeps you trapped inside your home. It takes great effort to ward off the depressing emotions associated with this climate. I am now waiting for the sunny summer respite.

The architechture and sights of Belgium more than makes up for the unpleasant weather. I have seen some of the most magnificient structures in the world right here in Belgium. Many of the buildings are grand and magnificient. I am captivated by the renaissance-style statues and carvings. The cobble stone roads and narrow streets transport me to an ancient period. The entire place feels like a leaf out of a history text-book detailing the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Art History. There is an over-abundance of museums in the country specialising in subjects ranging from the most obvious to the definitely obscure.

The Grand Place is one such monument in Brussels and is the town hall building of Brussels. I was fortunate enough to see the decorated building during christmas festivities. There was an immense crowd of visitors thronging the enclosed space at that time giving the entire light-show the feel of a carnival. The sight was spectacular and one of the best christmas decorations I have seen in my life-time.

The public transport in Belgium offers efficient and cheap travel options . The cities are well-connected. The buses, trams and the metro are integrated to provide a comfortable travel experience. I found the transport a little strange at first since transport from one place to another sometimes required using all the modes available. A short distance might need travel on the bus, tram, train and/or the metro. I am not known for my ability to figure out road directions. So, I a beginner in terms of deciphering Belgian public transport.

I did visit some of the cities in Belgium including Brugges and Antwerp. Antwerp has the trade-mark, old-world charm of Belgium. I was impressed by the distinct architecture, grand cathedrals and public squares. The city is the second largest in Belgium and lies strategically on the banks of the River Scheldt. This port city is a centre of commerce and economically significant as the seat of the Belgian diamond industry. The various museums include the Diamond Museum, National Maritime Museum, Royal Museum of Fine Arts and the Fashion Museum.

Brugges is another famous Belgian tourist spot known for its canals, gabled houses and winding streets. This city is aptly called the 'Venice of the North' due to it's canal system. The city is preserved in all its beauty for all those who wish to take a peek into the past. This is one of the Unesco World Heritage Sites (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/996) famed for medieval architechture and historic settlement.

Belgium is not all immersed in the past despite the old structures and architecture. Even the ancient buildings are conveniently restored and have all the modern ammenities. I am amazed to see that some of the most powerful organizations of present day are based out of Belgium. The most famous of is the European Union and associated agencies in Brussels. This definitely marks Brussels as the power-house of Europe since many important decisions are made here. Similarly, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) also operates out of Brussels. I am always stunned to read the NATO placards on buses and to look at the modern NATO complex in Brussels. I secretly wonder if it really refers to the same NATO I hear about in the newspapers, internet and in TV news reports.

The difference in language is what makes the country difficult to live in. Belgium is officially bilingual with French & Dutch as the official languages. The same place or street in Belgium can be referred to by two or more names. This makes life miserable especially for the foreigner in Belgium. Some parts of the country rely on French more and the other on Flemish/Dutch. The confused english-speaking people are somewhere in the middle trying to make sense of any of these languages.

For those living in Belgium, at least a slight understanding of either French or Dutch is mandatory. The supermarkets are lined with products labelled only in French or Dutch. The official communication and billing (house rent, electicity, gas, telecom) are all done in either of these two languages. I have successfully managed to grasp enough of French to understand what I read. However, I have miles to go before I can start conversing to the native speakers here.

Sometimes, the words become clearer to me a few minutes after it is spoken. By that time, the speaker would have disappeared after figuring out that I am either dumb or deaf. I had a very nice lady telling me about choosing pine-apples in the super-market the other day. As usual, I understood the conversation late. I did manage to give a wide grin to prove my friendliness but she must have come to any of the deaf or dumb conclusions by then.

Another time, I tried in vain to ask a super-market employee for green chillies because I couldn't locate it anywhere in the vegetalbe shelves. He consulted all his colleagues and still could not figure out what I wanted. Then I realized that I should pick up useful French vocabulary. That is still continuing and it is a relief to be able to know the French equivalents of common items. I can now understand bits and pieces of conversations. I am sure that my language will just improve over time. Hopefully, I will be one more language richer when I leave this country.

Undoubtedly, there are difficulties in leaving home and living in a distant land. But there are overwhelming positives as well. I believe that I can understand cultures and view-points better after this experience. I also hope that this will enrich my life and improve my personality. Life is definitely challenging with all the liguistic and cultural barriers here in Belgium. Yet, the novelty of it is enticing and opens a new window to the world.

Through Mine Eyes - St. Michael's Cathedral, Brussels

2007-03-15T14:01:00.003+01:00

Through Mine Eyes..

2007-03-13T09:05:00.000+01:00

I am mighty pleased by the glorious sunshine we are getting in Belgium this week. I adore the occasional bursts of sunshine breaking the monotony of the usual dark, grey Belgian skies. Around here, the skies always seem to chant frightening tones warning those venturing outside to be wary of impending rain showers. So, a sunny weekend definitely means visiting some of the popular Brussels attractions without getting drenched and being blown away by the chilling breeze.

I wanted to see the St. Michael's and St. Gudula Cathedral ever since I came here. I have always glazed at it with admiration from the windows of the yellow public buses. I finally got to see the grand gothic structure this saturday. This cathedral is dedicated to the two patrons of Brussels, St. Michael's and St. Gudula and was built around the thirteenth century. The architecture is magnificent as expected. The twelve pillars of the cathedral are decorated with statues of early christian saints such as St. Paul, St. Mathew and St. Philip.

The Cathedral also has smaller chapels attached dedicated to patron saints. The stained glass windows are richly decorated with work alluding to biblical themes. There are portraits of the Belgian royals who contributed to the construction of the cathedral on the massive walls.

The remains of the original church present in this location are preserved in a crypt below the cathedral. This monument has been renovated many times and is preserved in all its beauty. This is the place where the royal family comes to worship. There is a photo gallery near the entrance of the cathedral with pictures of the weddings and other sacraments of the royals that took place in the cathedral. This marks the significance of this cathedral in the country's history.

The cathedral was full of activity with people moving about viewing the statues, stained-glass paintings and relics. There were others offering prayers, lighting candles and sitting silently on the pews. I noticed an aura of sanctity inside the cathedral despite the constant flow of people. The atmosphere of strength in the cathedral was remarkable. It was as though the well-chiselled statuettes held some powerful energy.

The 'Palais Royal' or the Royal Palace was the next place of visit. I was impressed by the enormity of the buildings and I couldn't believe that such opulence was possible even in the days of royalty. This is unlike any hi-rise buildings of our time. The buildings are huge, interconnected and spans quite a lot of territory. This bulding is mainly used as the office of the King and also as Government offices. The palace is open to the public only for a few days in June. Visitors can see only the outside of the palace now but the view is worth the effort.

Brussels also has a Palace of Justice believed to be the biggest building built in the nineteenth century in the world. This gigantic edifice is a treat for the eyes. The tomb of the unknown soldier of Belgium is situated next to this structure. The Palace of Justice is currently the seat of the Supreme Court of Belgium.

Brussels also has many interesting restaurants for those who enjoy eating-out. Brussels Grill is one such joint situated on Avenue Louise, a famous street in Brussels. The inside of the restaurant is dimly lighted with ornate chandeliers. There are mirrors strategically placed all around the restaurant to accentuate the effect of the chandeliers.

This is where we decided to have lunch after the long walk through the city. This place mainly serves grilled chicken, meat, barbecued ribs and salmon roast. There were also many drinks on the menu with highly-imaginative names. The food was generally good, mildly-flavoured and a little heavy. The lunch was the fitting finale to the trip and we hurried back home to enjoy the rest of the weekend.

A Tribute to the Feminine Spirit!

2007-03-08T17:48:00.000+01:00

"The strength of women comes from the fact that psychology cannot explain us. Men can be analyzed, women... merely adored." - Oscar Wilde

She is a mother, a sister, a friend, a wife, a nurse, a nurturer and so much more. She has diverse talents and forges relationships with others. She can connect well and is emotionally sensitive to the needs of those around her. She is often lost in thoughts and has powerful dreams. She wins great praise with her feminine grace and gentle words. After all, she is a woman and she is not weak at all.

There were days when women were considered delicate. It is not so anymore since women have proved their mettle repeatedly. Traditional roles of women have slowly wilted and they now occupy the coveted spots in all spheres of life. Condoleeza Rice, the United States Secretary-General, advises the top executive of the United States. Her movements are fodder for the papparazzi and her words are resounded all across the globe. Oparah Winfrey, a celebrated talk-show host, won accolades for opening a school for the under-privileged children of South Africa. All eyes are set on Hillary Clinton, a US Senator, as she prepares to tackle the presidential election. These women exude the courage, determination, versatility and the humanitarian facets of the female personna.

Very few men can match the emotional-sensitivity and the warm nature of women. Most women can sense other people's difficulties without a single word spoken. This is an amazing intrisic trait of women that makes her excel in her traditional roles as wives, sisters, daughters and friends. Women in the medical profession use this innate ability to patiently care for the sick. Those in the teaching profession form strong bonds with the students to effectively guide and mentor.

Besides all this, women are clever and crafty. They are gifted with foresight and can see clearly through others intentions. This warm, charming but intelligent mix is a deadly but efficient combination. There is no question as to women being the "weaker sex" any more. The feminine spirit is unconquered and indomitable.

Here is a salute to women all over the world on "International Women's Day", a day dedicated in honour of the phenomenon called 'Woman'. All you need to do is just look around you to catch a glimpse of this amazing species. They are everywhere but conveniently blend into the background. Yet, they make their presence felt throughout with unparalled simplicity and kindness.

Fishing It Out!

2007-03-07T17:36:00.000+01:00

We have all heard of the amazing health benefits of eating fish. The lean, flaky and delicious fish meat is supposed to be high in omega-3 fatty acids. It is also rich in Vitamin A, lowers the risk of heart attack and even contributes to intelligence. With so many benefits, fish seems to be a veritable treasure trove.

I was watching a programme on BBC the other day that outlined the beneficial aspects of eating fish. A few stressed-out London cabbies were asked to go on a high-fish diet. Their stress or hormone levels were monitored before and after the experiment. I was astounded to note that the stress levels of these cabbies decreased after just a couple of weeks on this diet. They responded better to customers and had improved tolerance to the agonizingly slow traffic in a busy city like London.

Although I am a hard-core non-vegetarian, I was never so interested in eating red-meat dishes. I come from a region where the people are fond of fish. I know that my maternal grand-mother and mother don't even eat meals properly without a dash of fish curry. We always had a variety of fish in our house and even had a long list of family favourites.

I got a new splurge of energy after watching that BBC programme and decided to add more fish dishes to our non-vegetarian diet. The names and types of fish are so strange and varied in the country where I currently reside. To add to the confusion, all the labels and descriptions are also in a foreign language. Therefore, selecting and buying fish is more of an adventure for me and includes researching species names, common names and cooking tips.

Last week, I managed to buy 'fillet de pangasius' and tried frying it with spices. The common name for this fish is 'Iridescent Shark' and is mainly used by the Vietnamese. Despite the name 'shark', Pangasius is actually a sort of Catfish. Pangasius fry was very tasty and I got bold enough to try something else this week. After careful deliberation, I selected "fillet de cabillaud" today. This is supposed to be 'Cod fish' and from what I have read, has a mighty tasty flavour. I am planning to make a traditional, spicy fish curry with this Cod fish.

Ofcourse, I use canned Tuna fish to make fish cakes quite frequently. I also stock up on frozen prawns to make a trade mark 'prawns in coconut milk' curry. So, I have been using some sea-food items in the past but I'm going to aggressively add to that list with more fresh fish dishes. If all the beneficial effects of consuming fish are true, I am certainly looking forward to a healthier and more intelligent me.

I am now concerned more about how to monitor for these changes. Will I become smarter, better equipped to deal with pressures and have high tolerance levels? Is fish really good for health or is it mere publicity? And more importantly, are favourable health changes more due to positive thoughts and reflections rather than dietary changes? I will surely find out soon after some tricky experimenting.

Always Connected!

2007-03-06T10:11:00.000+01:00

It is now difficult for me to think of a time without the sleek and trendy gadgets that keep us connected all the time. We talk and chat using laptops, cells and palm-top devices while eating, sleeping, walking, driving and other activities. It is multi-tasking at its best and those who master this art are the most successful in today's fast-paced world.

The technology companies continously innovate to cater to the constantly-changing tastes of the people. It is a mad scramble amongst these companies to market the most tiny, fully-enabled gizmos. In the same way, we are over-enthusiastic to own these shiny gadgets regardless of how useful it will be for us. It is a matter of prestige to own the latest equipments and accessories. The companies target their advertisements on the youth because they are the most faithful consumers in this technology-crazy world.

I always wonder whether being connected all the time is really good for our lives. It surely has its benefits. The word 'global village' denotes the advances in information & communication technology. Time and distance are not a factor anymore. People telecommute to work everyday and that can bring considerable ease to the quality of life. Companies conduct business around the world from any location and business booms from this kind of networking.

Everybody has the power of knowledge since information dessimination is so easy over the internet. The internet is also relatively inexpensive and that increases the strength of this medium. It is possible to connect to any remote corner of the earth and communicate with anyone from anywhere. The internet is powerful, unique and is now a global phenomenon. Cell phones are a rage across nationalities and beyond race barriers. Everybody is connected and can be reached all the time.

It is hard to imagine that all this was a novelty just a few years ago. Land phones were most common and cordless phones were considered advanced. This was the time that people could conveniently slip-away for some solitude without any disturbances. There was a structure to life then since work was in office and did not follow into home. We concentrated on what we were doing at present and not on the blabbering over the phone. The family dinners were without the annoying mobile ring tones and mid-nights without the flickering monitor of the laptop.

Moving back to that leisurely life-style of yesteryears is not advisable or even possible now. Life is all too advanced and there is a formidable urge to be connected. The pros of communication technology definitely outweighs the cons. The increased reach of technology, information access, faster exchange of ideas and ease of conducting business make this boom worth the effort.

Sometimes, I think of those times when I had to wait patiently for hours for half an hour usage of internet. I also wonder about the slow and broken internet connectivity we used to have and it seemed like ages for a page to load. I remember the obsolete, bulky computers I used to practice in schools. I remember queuing infront of the public-phone booth for making that weekly call home while away in college. Then, I am puzzled to realize that it was all just a few years ago and so many changes have happened in very little time. It also dawns on me that technology is being updated at such a fast pace and that the future holds so many surprises and promises.