Satuerday Oct 01 2010
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7:40 am land in Madrid, local time, go thru the wrong line, was ment for EU citizens. then had to get back into the end of another line. Was asked what I am going to do in Spain, said, may go visit Porutgal or go to Czech republic. And mostly in madrid to visit muesuems.
by the time i got to the luggage pick up, my luggage was not there as by then it was some other airlines. in panick mode asked the green dressed police. Who did not seem to speak any english... okay here is my first encounter in an non-english speaking country and the start of the universal language of signs.
they point me in a general direction, what looked like some Airline counter. Go there and see my luggage was kept outside. Tell the guys that its my luggage and in broken english he asks me for my ticket. show him the ticket and get my luggage.
Now to get to the Metro.
Was walking along atleast know to read the script guiding me to the Metro. Gosh it would probably a bigger nightmare not been able to even read the script. Imagine been in countries where I cannot read the script. China, japan. korea.
See a tourist info counter with a huge queue. hahaha people from europe complain about indians not having the disciplin and cutting lines,, these guys here seem to do it too.. Great eye opener to their Double talk and bull shit of culture and superirority.
The impatient lady at the tourist info seems more interested in giving me a prepared lecture than been able to answer my quesiton about the Abino tourist pass for the metro I wanted. She seemed surprised and looked like someone hearing about that for the first time and said that there is no pass like that.
So make my way to the exit and hop on to a bus that would take me to the Terminal closest to the Metro. once there see an information center for Metro. with two lovely girls. Ask them if they spoke english. With a poker grumpy face she says yes and so ask her about where I could get the day pass. She says she has it, again not a trace of smile. Good english, but grumpy looking customer service.
Get the Abino or abano tourist pass (latter realized that I could get that at vending machine too), and make my way down the esclators. just following the crowd and looking at the metro map. Glad I did a bit of home work in philly about the trains and connection trains to take.
Reach Euro building around 10:30am. pass a Burger king on the way. Shocked to see that they only open after 12 noon and open till 12 midnight.
The guy at the euro building checks my reservation and then says the my room is not ready and it may take about another hour. Atleast this guy seems to be trying to speak some english. Must be the guy I spoke to on the phone trying to make the reservation.
Ask him if I could leave the luggage there and take a walk out towards the real madrid stadium
The streets seem deserted @10:30 am did hear that the spanish party till early morning and then sleep the whole satruday and then hit the clubs again on Sat night.
The only crowd seems to be at the stadium, where people were getting down bus loads. Must be one of the most popular attractions.
Around 12noon get back to the Euro building and still the room is not ready. So take a walk to burger king and have my break fast or is it late dinner EST.
Again the only person speaking english there was the manager. The other people seem to be from South America and not knowing a word of english.
Get back and was given a room 412. great looking room for 65 euros. with 2 beds, kitchen with cooking pots, couch that could be pulled out into a bed. 2 tvs. Would have been great for a family.
Try to get into the shower and find that the tap was not working . Call up reception and tell the lady about it. Says will send maintence guy. and it might take upwards to an hr. Ahh i need to go out and if this guy takes an hr to come. when will i have my shower. So go down and try to talk to the guy who seemed to know a bit better english. Ask his if they could change my room so that I could have my shower. he says the rooms are not ready. dammmm here it starts the famous Spanish Customer service or lack of it.
Frustrated get back to my room and then go down again after 30 mins to find out about the maintaince guy. because now they stopped picking up my phone calls.
He says the maitance guy is coming. Get back to my room to find the maintence guy there working on the loose tap. Then he shows me the trick at holding it down and turning it. Well atleast it works. just for this one shower and one toworrow morning.
have the shower and head back to the metro towards the heart of Madrid. SOL.
walk around the place, go to the Plaza Mayor. There is an Argentinian festival going on there.
Was thinking about the Tapas evening get together organized in the Euro building. was it at 5:30 or 7:30. anyways see decide to be there by 6:30. reach back to the room around 5:30 relax a bit and then head down to the bar. And meet up with the bunch of people who said even they were confused. So have a couple of root beers and after exchanging a few pleasentaris its time to run out. Get to know that most of them were staying downtown near SOL. So I decide to join them and tell them about the Plaza mayor and the Argentinian festival going on there.
Get a few people interested, Alan, jil, kim and gaby. the others take off.
my aim was to hit the salsa club close to Sol. jill seemed interested. kim and gaby head off from the plaza mayor as kim was not taking to the crowds. jil been from NY was comfortable. I liked the crowd engery there.
we decide to walk around to find a place to eat. after walking around a bit and getting put off by the prices. Alan splits and then jil wanted to go to her room and rest up.
So I was left all alone to explore the streets of madrid. try checking on the clubs, the first one I could not find. then after asking a few people who were trying to speak english got to know that its been closed permanently. So try to go to El son. around 10pm and the club was empty. was told that it might get people by 12 midnight. Now i remember again that these guys do not come out till 1am and party on till morning.
Got a bus to catch in the morning to Soria. So decide to call it a night and go enjoy the rest of my 65 euro bed.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
OCT - 01, Fri, Flying off to Europe
Friday, OCT 01 2010
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Got up and did more of Packing.
hahaha todays horoscope speaks volumes about what I think is an issue with me. Something I am working on reducing.
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Your Horoscope - Today, Oct. 1, 2010
You have a generous nature when it comes to relationships, vin. It's easy for you to give of your time, money, and energy in a way that makes life easier for others.
**********************************************************
Got to work around 7:15.. sent out the time sheets
Have now to decide what time to take off from work.. aim for 12 and maybe make it out by 12:30.
The two books I got from Borders should be of some help when I am all alone and wondering where to go.
Made it out of work, around 12:30. got to home and then did the last minute check and re-adjusting.
Got into the train around 1:20pm changed at the station before 30th. And got on to the train to airport. all for $10 day pass. nice to have the train station just outside of my appartment.
Gave the day pass to one of the guys at the security.
Got into the airport and decided to exchange my $$$$ to euros. ended up getting a lousy exchange rate and additional fees. so in effect paying 1.62 for a euro.
Flight was okay. had to pay $6 for alcoholic drinks. bummer, lousy US airways.
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Got up and did more of Packing.
hahaha todays horoscope speaks volumes about what I think is an issue with me. Something I am working on reducing.
**********************************************************
Your Horoscope - Today, Oct. 1, 2010
You have a generous nature when it comes to relationships, vin. It's easy for you to give of your time, money, and energy in a way that makes life easier for others.
**********************************************************
Got to work around 7:15.. sent out the time sheets
Have now to decide what time to take off from work.. aim for 12 and maybe make it out by 12:30.
The two books I got from Borders should be of some help when I am all alone and wondering where to go.
Made it out of work, around 12:30. got to home and then did the last minute check and re-adjusting.
Got into the train around 1:20pm changed at the station before 30th. And got on to the train to airport. all for $10 day pass. nice to have the train station just outside of my appartment.
Gave the day pass to one of the guys at the security.
Got into the airport and decided to exchange my $$$$ to euros. ended up getting a lousy exchange rate and additional fees. so in effect paying 1.62 for a euro.
Flight was okay. had to pay $6 for alcoholic drinks. bummer, lousy US airways.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sep 30, Euro trip tomorrow
Thrusday, Sep 30 2010
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Woke up with mixed feeling and trying to pack things up and not forgetting anything. do the math on the number of shirts and pants I might need. Will it be warm or cold?
As per suz who was there a few weeks ago, she said that it was a bit below warm as its in the mountains and she wore jeans.
So dropping the shorts and only taking jeans.
Called up the bank in india, grrrr did not have my account number with me.
around 10am got call from mom about it. need to call the bank today evening.
Was too lost in solving the issue that came up yesterday... this sucks, I am leaving tomorrow and nothing happens for a month and suddenly on the last day... grrr hahaha these are the funny tests in life.
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Woke up with mixed feeling and trying to pack things up and not forgetting anything. do the math on the number of shirts and pants I might need. Will it be warm or cold?
As per suz who was there a few weeks ago, she said that it was a bit below warm as its in the mountains and she wore jeans.
So dropping the shorts and only taking jeans.
Called up the bank in india, grrrr did not have my account number with me.
around 10am got call from mom about it. need to call the bank today evening.
Was too lost in solving the issue that came up yesterday... this sucks, I am leaving tomorrow and nothing happens for a month and suddenly on the last day... grrr hahaha these are the funny tests in life.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sep 29, Confusion
Wednesday Sep 29 2010
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one more day and then I am set for the trip. Getting mixed feelings. More because of traveling alone. With not much purpose. As suz put it, she has been enjoying every moment and still does not want to return back home after 3months. Well she is a women, so its easier and more exciting for her.
How many doors would open for a short dark guy like me?
Remains to be seen.
It was funny how I passed out around 7:30pm yesterday and woke up after 2am with beeping from the microwave. I had put the chicken curry to heat up for 2 mins and just laid on the couch and next thing I know its 2am.
Got the curry out and put it back in the Fridge for todays lunch.
Got to work around 7:30am and got talking with Sweta, as she will be taking care of stuff in my absense from India. Gave her the contacts to contact in case of some emergency. As I will not be able to be in touch as may be deep in some mountains of Soria where they do not have cell phone access. Not sure of internet.
then there she mentioned about the mosque-temple issue thats been fermenting in India. A verdict from the court been pending tomorrow. The whole of India is waiting with anticipation and peoples religious sentiments are waiting to blow over.
I just hope that the fools don't kill anyone fighting with each other.
But I am glad I was able to talk to her today as there is no knowing what could happen tomorrow after the verdict.
Its also funny how the one door closes, another opens up concept is so much around us.
Here I just lost the last of the free wi-fi connection at home and suddenly the personal eamil access at work opens up.
It was like a switch.
Guess I am going to enter into a new phase of my own life. Watched the vaughn video and almost moved to tears and choked up to know that there are people in the world who are like me. It would be interesting to spend time with the group of people who seem to come from different places. Hope to make some very good friends of like thinking people.
Only pending "to-do" is getting some Euros for pocket change. Better to use Credit card as it seems to have lower margin of exchange compared to directly getting Euros from the bank.
---------------------
one more day and then I am set for the trip. Getting mixed feelings. More because of traveling alone. With not much purpose. As suz put it, she has been enjoying every moment and still does not want to return back home after 3months. Well she is a women, so its easier and more exciting for her.
How many doors would open for a short dark guy like me?
Remains to be seen.
It was funny how I passed out around 7:30pm yesterday and woke up after 2am with beeping from the microwave. I had put the chicken curry to heat up for 2 mins and just laid on the couch and next thing I know its 2am.
Got the curry out and put it back in the Fridge for todays lunch.
Got to work around 7:30am and got talking with Sweta, as she will be taking care of stuff in my absense from India. Gave her the contacts to contact in case of some emergency. As I will not be able to be in touch as may be deep in some mountains of Soria where they do not have cell phone access. Not sure of internet.
then there she mentioned about the mosque-temple issue thats been fermenting in India. A verdict from the court been pending tomorrow. The whole of India is waiting with anticipation and peoples religious sentiments are waiting to blow over.
I just hope that the fools don't kill anyone fighting with each other.
But I am glad I was able to talk to her today as there is no knowing what could happen tomorrow after the verdict.
Its also funny how the one door closes, another opens up concept is so much around us.
Here I just lost the last of the free wi-fi connection at home and suddenly the personal eamil access at work opens up.
It was like a switch.
Guess I am going to enter into a new phase of my own life. Watched the vaughn video and almost moved to tears and choked up to know that there are people in the world who are like me. It would be interesting to spend time with the group of people who seem to come from different places. Hope to make some very good friends of like thinking people.
Only pending "to-do" is getting some Euros for pocket change. Better to use Credit card as it seems to have lower margin of exchange compared to directly getting Euros from the bank.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sep 28, mail from Gui and Suz
Tuesday Sep 28 2010
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3 more days and I am on my solo trip to Europe. Not really sure and filled with doubts. Especially with bad memories and experience of sick behavior from the one European that I thought I knew.
Left a very bad impression of Europeans as a whole and their un-hospitable and selfish way of thinking and behavior.
So different compared to the feeling of hospitability and warm concerns that I and many others extended to her.
Got to try and focus on the positive, now that Gulia seems to be making plans and the effort to try and meet me in Madrid. so different from the selfcentered behavior of someone else.
And the mail from Suz seems to be very encouraging too. lets see how it works out. Stepping into the unknown realm. My first ever trip to Europe all alone and on a budget.
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3 more days and I am on my solo trip to Europe. Not really sure and filled with doubts. Especially with bad memories and experience of sick behavior from the one European that I thought I knew.
Left a very bad impression of Europeans as a whole and their un-hospitable and selfish way of thinking and behavior.
So different compared to the feeling of hospitability and warm concerns that I and many others extended to her.
Got to try and focus on the positive, now that Gulia seems to be making plans and the effort to try and meet me in Madrid. so different from the selfcentered behavior of someone else.
And the mail from Suz seems to be very encouraging too. lets see how it works out. Stepping into the unknown realm. My first ever trip to Europe all alone and on a budget.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sep 27, short new week before trip
Monday, Sep 27 2010
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4 more days to trip to Spain. Anticipation building up. not sure what to expect, don't know the language, don't know anyone there.
Just going there on a fancy after getting de-motivated by not been able to make the trip to Czech.
was so looking forward to meeting and experiencing Czech after hearing so much about the sweet lil place called Othrokovice. But things happen and people give us attitude which does not go with good hospitality. Then why would one want to go to places where one is not welcomed. Rather made to feel like an enemy.
so I Rather go to places where one is made to feel welcomed.
Well thats life, some people make big claims about their culture at every possible opportunity, a culture that they themselves don't hold highly in regard and are constantly looking to adopt someone elses culture,, hehehe.. funny and with out any logic is some peoples thinking.
The worst part is changing the values of ones culture to suit the needs of the moment and fancy full thinking. Well people tend to be fools and will always be lying to themselves and surely to others with out any deepth in their superficial life.
Its like painting a house in bright attractive colors that is construted with bad material and bad foundation. Soon the venere of superficialy will collapse and the house will crumble.
Its just sad and painful to watch someone you love end up been so blind and oblivious to what we tell them or try to communicate with them. More because of their own self centered ego that prevents them from feeling any sense of humbleness more greared towards arrogance and selfishness.
There is only so much you can do. Then have to harden your heart and move on. It was not ment to happen. Just have to be more careful about my choices going foward. Thou the child like innocence and sincerity in me has taken a beating with all the cruel words and hurt from been at the receiving end of someone elses thoughtless and selfish behavior.
Cheers to lifes for its hard lessons.
Lessons learnt by analysing and understanding the past, revealing with each new day a new understanding. Never to forget the past lessons. Which helps in the main function of Understanding. Because lessons are okay, but not of much use, if we do not analyze and understand the lesson. And with each passing day when we look back at various lessons and experiences, we have a whole new understanding. That I belive is whats called Evolution of thoughts and understanding.
Got to work late around 8:20 which is still early. now its 9:20am and yet I am the only one in the room. :)
Called up anup to make him the beneficiary of my 401
He is going to Italy around Oct10 for a week along with Smitha. So both of us will be in Europe at the same time.
Had biriyani for lunch. with chicken manchurian indian style.
Then meditated for 30 mins. must have been really weak. As I passed out.
So now should I go to Vango for one last dance before heading out to Europe. Does not feel that enthusiastic going there alone. but lets see the people I got to know in the group. How it works out. Go with an open mind. But now it does not feel that enthuisiastic or any kind of build up anticipation. Kind of feels hallow, rather not something I would like to do on my own. Well this should be an experience for me to do something on my own. Used to been a team player, now I need to see how well I can do things on my own in a foreign country that i have no knowledge of language, place or culture.
lets see what Guilia has to say about this.
-------------------
4 more days to trip to Spain. Anticipation building up. not sure what to expect, don't know the language, don't know anyone there.
Just going there on a fancy after getting de-motivated by not been able to make the trip to Czech.
was so looking forward to meeting and experiencing Czech after hearing so much about the sweet lil place called Othrokovice. But things happen and people give us attitude which does not go with good hospitality. Then why would one want to go to places where one is not welcomed. Rather made to feel like an enemy.
so I Rather go to places where one is made to feel welcomed.
Well thats life, some people make big claims about their culture at every possible opportunity, a culture that they themselves don't hold highly in regard and are constantly looking to adopt someone elses culture,, hehehe.. funny and with out any logic is some peoples thinking.
The worst part is changing the values of ones culture to suit the needs of the moment and fancy full thinking. Well people tend to be fools and will always be lying to themselves and surely to others with out any deepth in their superficial life.
Its like painting a house in bright attractive colors that is construted with bad material and bad foundation. Soon the venere of superficialy will collapse and the house will crumble.
Its just sad and painful to watch someone you love end up been so blind and oblivious to what we tell them or try to communicate with them. More because of their own self centered ego that prevents them from feeling any sense of humbleness more greared towards arrogance and selfishness.
There is only so much you can do. Then have to harden your heart and move on. It was not ment to happen. Just have to be more careful about my choices going foward. Thou the child like innocence and sincerity in me has taken a beating with all the cruel words and hurt from been at the receiving end of someone elses thoughtless and selfish behavior.
Cheers to lifes for its hard lessons.
Lessons learnt by analysing and understanding the past, revealing with each new day a new understanding. Never to forget the past lessons. Which helps in the main function of Understanding. Because lessons are okay, but not of much use, if we do not analyze and understand the lesson. And with each passing day when we look back at various lessons and experiences, we have a whole new understanding. That I belive is whats called Evolution of thoughts and understanding.
Got to work late around 8:20 which is still early. now its 9:20am and yet I am the only one in the room. :)
Called up anup to make him the beneficiary of my 401
He is going to Italy around Oct10 for a week along with Smitha. So both of us will be in Europe at the same time.
Had biriyani for lunch. with chicken manchurian indian style.
Then meditated for 30 mins. must have been really weak. As I passed out.
So now should I go to Vango for one last dance before heading out to Europe. Does not feel that enthusiastic going there alone. but lets see the people I got to know in the group. How it works out. Go with an open mind. But now it does not feel that enthuisiastic or any kind of build up anticipation. Kind of feels hallow, rather not something I would like to do on my own. Well this should be an experience for me to do something on my own. Used to been a team player, now I need to see how well I can do things on my own in a foreign country that i have no knowledge of language, place or culture.
lets see what Guilia has to say about this.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sep 26, Narayan - vicky motor cycle diaries biriyani
Sunday, Sep 26-2010
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Watched the motor cycle diaries. The DVD that was given to me by Gia in 2006. Funny that I had it for so long and never got around to watching it.
Afternoon we had the Biriyani and then went to peace valley with narayan and viki
They did not seem particularly interested in getting on to the kayak or the boat.
Then took them to the farm. hoping that the mini golf would get them excited. They just seemed to be in a very Indian mood of sitting at home and watching TV or a movie. But sorry I don't have a TV.
Around 4:30 they take off. Viki dropping Naryana in New jersey.
Evening dropped off the check for next months rent.
internet net was down, got another connection.
Then hit the gym doing the cycling for 1 hr on level 3 resistance. Was watching the Amazing Race.
Wish I could participate in one of those races going around the world. Not really to win, just for the experience of the race and doing some of the cultural tasks of that particular region.
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Watched the motor cycle diaries. The DVD that was given to me by Gia in 2006. Funny that I had it for so long and never got around to watching it.
Afternoon we had the Biriyani and then went to peace valley with narayan and viki
They did not seem particularly interested in getting on to the kayak or the boat.
Then took them to the farm. hoping that the mini golf would get them excited. They just seemed to be in a very Indian mood of sitting at home and watching TV or a movie. But sorry I don't have a TV.
Around 4:30 they take off. Viki dropping Naryana in New jersey.
Evening dropped off the check for next months rent.
internet net was down, got another connection.
Then hit the gym doing the cycling for 1 hr on level 3 resistance. Was watching the Amazing Race.
Wish I could participate in one of those races going around the world. Not really to win, just for the experience of the race and doing some of the cultural tasks of that particular region.
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