Weekends in most small German towns are quite boring. Already aware of the situation, I always try to plan for the weekend well ahead in advance. And this is what I did after I and Anas committed ourselves for a rendezvous in Hamburg this weekend. Actually Owais was also supposed to come but since he had some errands to run, he excused himself. Nevertheless I met Anas at around 2:30 PM in Hamburg Station on Saturday. Soon we proceeded to the city centre and strolled around for a while. Then we took a round-trip boat ride which was somewhat boring and time-consuming. After that we went straight towards the stadium to watch the match between Germany and Sweden but before we could reach there, the match ended with Germany winning 2:0. Despite that we did manage to catch the celebrations that followed, which continued for more than a couple of hours. It was absolutely amazing. Later on we realised that its past 9:30 in the evening and it might be difficult to get a meal or shelter anymore. Immediately we moved firstly searching for the place where we parked our car and then searching for a hotel. Only at around 11:00 PM we found a hotel that was not fully booked. At that time I was longing for Döner Dürum (a Turkish dish) and so we again wandered from one street to another to find some Turkish restaurant but in vain. Finally we settled for a pack of Pringles. The next day after having a heavy breakfast we again went to Hamburg city centre and did some more sightseeing. At around 4:00 PM we went to the hamburg station where I bid Anas goodbye. Altogether a great weekend for me to cherish it lifelong.

My flight landed in Ancona at 1205 hours. Reluctantly as was instructed I went to the SIXT terminal to get a rented car. I was reluctant for the sole reason that last time in Milan I was denied a rented car from HERTZ because I was carrying an Indian Driving Licence !!!(although the only requirement to drive a vehicle without holding a residency in that country for not more than three months in almost any EU country is to have a valid driving licence written in English or that country’s official language). This in spite of the fact that I had my company’s HERTZ credit card and the fact that I have already driven in many EU countries as well as in the USA. Anyway, this time around they happily rented me a car – a Honda Jazz. I am not a Honda fan but I was so happy at that time to get a rented car in the first place I didn’t bargain for a better car. But given its 2006 make and it being automatic which I prefer, I don’t have any gripes.

Anyhow, just as I was out of the airport I faced quite an embarrassing situation. As soon as I entered the expressway I saw the toll booth fairly common in Italy. As usual I avoided the “TELEPASS/ViaCard (I think that’s what they call)” lane and proceeded towards “Cash” lane which was empty with no vehicles around. I quickly drove upto the booth but was surprised to find no one inside. It was practically a zugzwang situation for me for I was supposed to do something but had no idea what. Should I turn back immediately? Or should I wait for someone? Luckily for almost one minute (it felt like an hour in that situation) no vehicle came behind me and yelled, instead an officer started shouting from his office from the other side in Italian…. Even though it was inaudible I understood that he was hinting me at pulling the tag to open the barricade. I - a moron - then remembered the system here in Italy and immediately did so and proceeded cursing myself for being such a dolt. But now when I give it a second thought I think it wasn't really so stupid of me. Actually that booth never looked like an automatic one I was familiar with. It was a makeshift. Nevertheless, I moved on trying to forget it all and relax and enjoy the weather. But with those crazy Italian drivers it was impossible to maintain ones composure. Somebody told me once: more you move south in Italy, worse will be the traffic, better will be the cuisine, and more will be the crime. True to that I faced all sorts of frantic drivers who don’t have a moment’s patience. Add to that the fading/missing lane markings and traffic signs posted without sense made my trip an unforgettable one. I even once turned right instead of going straight after confusing the “keep right” sign to “compulsory right turn” because of the angle of the white arrow!! Anyhow I managed to reach Senigallia safe and sound.

Senigallia is a nice place. Even though I couldn’t explore the city as much as I would have liked to, I did manage to see it’s picturesque and never-ending beaches. Alas, my trip was a short one and I had to return to Ancona for my return flight, but here also I was in for a surprise. Guess what!! I was told that Germany in no more a schengen country during the world cup tenure (I have a schengen visa which normally permits one to visit most of the EU countries under schengen law without any passport checks etc). But after long discussions they gave me the boarding cards and loads of advices, warnings,……. It turned out to be a damp squib. Nothing happened. No passport check. Nothing. The plane landed smoothly and left the tarmac towards the domestic arrival hall. And now I am here at Lufthansa lounge in Münich waiting for my connecting in-land flight and simultaneously trying to connect to the internet which apparently after a brief free stint is now payable :(

Today I am leaving for Germany. No, not for football WC. Its part of my work. Actually I am no more an ardent football fan but I like to play it enthusiastically. Nevertheless, what made me write this blog is that irritating formality of procuring a visa everytime you want to travel abroad. I loathe this whole procedure of getting an appointment to visiting the consulate and waiting there for a couple of hours only to be granted a visa within a minute because you are a frequent traveller. The 9-11 tragedy (or its pretext) has only worsened the situation. Not only is your personal appearance required in most cases because not many travel agents are entertained, you need to furnish all sort of weird documents too failing which you have to apply anew with those missing documents i.e. more wait!! It leaves me baffling as to why in this age of globalisation we still have to go through these hassles/red tapes? I just hope for a better future and look forward to a great time in Europe.

Hi everyone... noticed this new look with which I have arrayed my blog.... Impressive.. err... awesome.... aint it?? so please leave a comment... or let me put it this way: I want you guys to leave a comment otherwise I will never know who came so close to knowing the greatest human on this planet!!!!

Hey guys.. if you think you can play Tetris well enough. Think again. If you are still sure, check this out - The 2001 Tetris Japan Finals.

Yesterday was a great day for me. At first it was the thrill of watching the French open final between Nadal and Federer. Basically I wanted to see Nadal in action but wanted Federer to lift the cup but it was not destined to be so. Anyway a great match to watch. Then the Formula 1 championship was also going on and I didn’t want to miss it. Here also I wanted to see Alonso in action but am a great supporter of Schumi. Then there were some good football matches and the cricket test match between India and West Indies was also in the pipeline. I watched all of them with due attention till the wee hours of the morning. Apart from these I also had a chance to watch two movies. But what left me awestruck was a mind-boggling and overwhelming 1.5 hour documentary refuting 9-11 terrorist attack theory. This video has been made by an American who has tried to prove his points very well. For example, if you see any video of the twin-towers collapsing, you will notice small explosions in lower levels too implying a planned implosion as against what has been told by the US officials. I know its very long to download it but I must tell you its worth the wait. This is only a part of what all has been researched. For more videos you can search under google video or click here

Anyway, for me it was a pretty interesting day except that the sun was creating havoc with mercury hovering at around 44 degrees!!

This is what I wrote after I succesfully created another blogspot identity (http://ithinkthisisthelongestbloggerblogname.blogspot.com/)
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SCHEISSE
Yes.... this is the German word for what I experienced today trying to find an out-of-the-world name for one of my test blogs. I tried all the possible combinations (even using some German words) but in vain. You name it and you have a blog waiting for you even though nothing might be inside for the last few years. Finally the weirdest thought struck me and here I am with this cool address. Now I am sure nobody will ever look at this blog and I can try various stuffs without anybody having to gray their hairs trying to figure out what I am upto.
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Apropos the title, I share a nice incident I had last year in Chicago. While waiting for our turn at a local bowling club we went to the kiosk in its premises. There we ordered our stuffs but something struck me. On the top rack I noticed the word "IITYWIMWYBMAD" written. After pondering over it for few minutes I couldnt take it any more and finally asked the pretty lady to which she simply stated: If I told you what it means would you buy me a drink. I was spellbound only to realise later that I should buy her a drink which she gracefully declined.