Europe 2010

It was an early arrival in Paris on 15th Sep thro Delhi. Had talked to a few of the fellow delegates over phone…knew none of them. But by the time we arrived in our hotel at Verona, Italy before noon that day, the coagulation had taken place. Four of us, Prasanth from Kolkota, Nikhil from Delhi. Deepak, a budding Architect from Pune (nicknamed ‘Italliano Penisotto’ during the tour – in jest!!!) and I formed our team. We all felt that we had known each other for years.

My dreams of sleeping off the Jet Lag were turned down and off the four of us set off to Simione, a dream island near Verona. It was worth it, and the Italian lunch at the local restaurant was fast/big and great. The chef – a Punjabi youth settled and well integrated there.

Prasanth’s knowledge of Italy was commendable – but then he is a frequent visitor there-and some command over the language came in very handy. (he sells, apart from other stuff, bowling alleys made in Italy). This combined with in depth knowledge of the hospitality industry, wine and food which came bundled with Nikhil (he has been on wine tours in Italy before) made us Italians overnight. Deepak provided the variety entertainments, all youth fun and BINDAAS…he was the fun guy around…except his constant departures whereby we had to literally take turns ensuring that he was around (wouldn’t be far, clicking off with a camera almost as big as he was, though much more complicated-the camera). Even the ever pleasant faces of Prasanth and Nikhil showed cracks once in a while…but nobody wanted to lose Deepak to the Italians.

I pause here, to thank Vandana and Rahul Mehrotra, the organizers of the tour (LEMS VeronaFIERE-India) who ensured our comfort and safety, though they were quite strict on our attendance at the venues…as they ought to be…thanks again, I suppose, from the whole group.

Furniture/furnishings/lighting the whole day, the evenings at peace in the lanes and squares of Verona, Visit to Juliet’s home and a photograph of the famous balcony, not to mention the photo op of caressing Juliet’s bronze B – a ritual there, for both the male and female visitor. The naked right breast polished from the caressing…the other veiled and aging. Of course, a visit to the night clubs and the amateur drama and music shows going on in various public venues, seated on card board stools. Some drinking GAPPA, the others on beer/ wine and colas.

Topped off by a visit to Venice (only Nikhil and I). He showed me the famous bar where the ‘Belloni’??? was invented – a wine based cocktail – Harry’s bar, was it??? or was that Paris?

Leaving the group behind was saddening, but off went Nikhil and I to Paris, he onwards to London. Paris, in solitaire, for two days…walking tour of the Right Bank, ably escorted by Alex, a Parisian. A bar near the stock exchange where the beer prices soared up and down depending on all sorts of international economic indexes. The Harry’s bar there – where the Bloody Mary was invented for Earnest Hemmingway. Seems his wife Mary did not take to his drinking. Told the bar man he wanted a drink which his wife would not take for alcohol – the resultant mix fooled the wife. Hemmingway came in the next day and told the bar man “Fooled her – the Bloody Mary” and a legend of a cocktail was born. The Ritz, the first classified hotel in the world- albeit with attached toilets and a family restaurant (previously, the women ate in private). The bar – called “The Hemmingway”- though he never stayed there, too expensive. Diane did, just before her untimely death.

Once more a glance of I M Pei’s glass pyramid at the Louvre. Walk down the Champs de Elysee, on to the Arch D’Troimphe”. Avoided Gustav Eiffel’s tower, spent two days there last time, attempting to sketch thro the haze of unlimited alcohol. A dry run of sorts this time.

22nd September 2010-breakfast in Paris and lunch in Amsterdam. I Amsterdam, too private to blog. But did go to IHS in Rotterdam and to the Dutch countryside, fishing villages and cheese farms. And being more advanced and liberal than most other nations---life was a breeze there; constant travels to the far skies and beyond…

Back to Delhi via Paris, almost missed my flight out of Europe, and in Delhi, a lost luggage. But there was an army of Air France officials there handling lost baggage – it seemed that this was an everyday affair. Purchase at the duty free, credit card wouldn’t work because lines were faulty…but then we are a big country…Power cuts ET All – welcome back to India!!!

Back home on terra firma…….

Mox-Sep 2010