Friday, February 06, 2009
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Roma
Is BEAUTIFUL... and that would be an understatement!
Believe me!!!
It is so different from the rest of Europe - where if you've seen
one, you've seen it all. It is for the exceptions like Rome that
you should explore all of Europe.. hehe now thats my convenient
excuse :) But truly, Europe is magnificent - and the biggest
incentive for taking up a job in my entire career.
So our trip to Rome started off pretty dicy. Since its almost 1000km
away from Munich it was a long ride ahead. That too on a weekend.
But fools go where angels fear to tread. Hehe.
So there we were, 18 of us in 2 big vans, in freezing fog and snow and
icy roads. The drive was pretty scenic - too bad we drove in the night.
Planning to do that trip in the day time some day to see the beauty of
Austrian Alps in broad daylight.
Rome was rainy on Saturday and it reminded me pretty much of the
lashing rains in Pune/Mumbai in monsoon. Colloseum and the Roman
Forum took most part of our Saturday. Awesome places, especially the
ruins of the forum. The magnitude of the structures there dwarfs you,
literally and figuratively. We then meandered (read lost) our way around
Rome and finally reached the Spanish Steps (which is very similar to the
Church in Panjim).
The next day was reserved for the Vatican which luckily was open and free
that Sunday (It is free last Sunday of every month). Started with the famous
St.Peter's square and St.Peter's church. Then moved to the Sistine Chapel
which amazed us all no end. It is just unbelievable and I have no words to
describe it. You have gotta see it to believe it. The paintings, the marble
figures, the floors, the tapestry - all is mind blowing. It took Michelangelo
4 years to complete the fresco's in the Chapel and 9 years just to do wall
behind the altar. He painted "The Last Judgement" on the wall. The details
leave you in awe. Like I said, no words to describe, its a show stopper !!
Then it was time to leave and on public demand half of us left for Pisa.
Leaning Tower of Pisa was not so much of a wonder after the Vatican.
(I tried getting the stamps/coins of the Vatican but couldn't. Was
disappointed.) Finally reached base at 6:30am on Monday morning and
surprisingly everyone was so charged with the trip, all were in office by
9:30 am! :)
Forgot to mention, the pizza's and pastas of Rome were a huge disappointment.
Surprised? I was too.
More later.
Believe me!!!
It is so different from the rest of Europe - where if you've seen
one, you've seen it all. It is for the exceptions like Rome that
you should explore all of Europe.. hehe now thats my convenient
excuse :) But truly, Europe is magnificent - and the biggest
incentive for taking up a job in my entire career.
So our trip to Rome started off pretty dicy. Since its almost 1000km
away from Munich it was a long ride ahead. That too on a weekend.
But fools go where angels fear to tread. Hehe.
So there we were, 18 of us in 2 big vans, in freezing fog and snow and
icy roads. The drive was pretty scenic - too bad we drove in the night.
Planning to do that trip in the day time some day to see the beauty of
Austrian Alps in broad daylight.
Rome was rainy on Saturday and it reminded me pretty much of the
lashing rains in Pune/Mumbai in monsoon. Colloseum and the Roman
Forum took most part of our Saturday. Awesome places, especially the
ruins of the forum. The magnitude of the structures there dwarfs you,
literally and figuratively. We then meandered (read lost) our way around
Rome and finally reached the Spanish Steps (which is very similar to the
Church in Panjim).
The next day was reserved for the Vatican which luckily was open and free
that Sunday (It is free last Sunday of every month). Started with the famous
St.Peter's square and St.Peter's church. Then moved to the Sistine Chapel
which amazed us all no end. It is just unbelievable and I have no words to
describe it. You have gotta see it to believe it. The paintings, the marble
figures, the floors, the tapestry - all is mind blowing. It took Michelangelo
4 years to complete the fresco's in the Chapel and 9 years just to do wall
behind the altar. He painted "The Last Judgement" on the wall. The details
leave you in awe. Like I said, no words to describe, its a show stopper !!
Then it was time to leave and on public demand half of us left for Pisa.
Leaning Tower of Pisa was not so much of a wonder after the Vatican.
(I tried getting the stamps/coins of the Vatican but couldn't. Was
disappointed.) Finally reached base at 6:30am on Monday morning and
surprisingly everyone was so charged with the trip, all were in office by
9:30 am! :)
Forgot to mention, the pizza's and pastas of Rome were a huge disappointment.
Surprised? I was too.
More later.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
The fall of the Elephant
The image of - not just a visibly upset but - a verbally upset
Roger Federer moved a lot his fans. I am one among them.
Some more wait for him to match Sampras' record of 14
Grand Slam titles - and we hope it will not be a long wait.
Nevertheless, it was a truly well deserved win for the Spaniard.
The errors made by Federed in the last game helped bring in
his victory quicker.
Ofcourse I am Nadal fan as well, but my loyalties are currently
dominant with Federer and so I cant help but wish for Fedex to
race through in the French Open and Wimbledon.
Keeping my fingers crossed.
Roger Federer moved a lot his fans. I am one among them.
Some more wait for him to match Sampras' record of 14
Grand Slam titles - and we hope it will not be a long wait.
Nevertheless, it was a truly well deserved win for the Spaniard.
The errors made by Federed in the last game helped bring in
his victory quicker.
Ofcourse I am Nadal fan as well, but my loyalties are currently
dominant with Federer and so I cant help but wish for Fedex to
race through in the French Open and Wimbledon.
Keeping my fingers crossed.
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