Am in a terrible mood. Ask me why..

Hello everybody,

Am in a terrible mood. Ask me why..No, it's actually bittersweet. To cut the story short, let me start at the very beginning. A good place to start, I guess..
A long time ago, I dreamt of a holiday in Europe with my family. Saved like a squirrel with four hands. Finally, when the nest egg had gotten respectable, in Feb this year, applied to our 'Authorities' for permission to go on this holiday in summer. All seemed smooth. Got the visas, which had looked out of reach initially. Was all set to go on the 24 th May. ONE week before departure, got a short official letter. I had been transferred to Vizag. Got to report by 31 July. With a heavy heart (not the best of news before a holiday!), packed rucksacks and off we went. Have an aunt in Paris, a cousin in Zurich, and a friend in Den Haag. And took a 15 day pass on the Eurolines International bus company. In Paris, my daughter Sareena came down with Scarlet fever, which she had acquired from her school.. Lost four days, morale was in the pits. Still, managed to salvage some time for sightseeing. In Barcelona, almost lost my all - passports, money etc to scamsters masquerading as Tourist Police 'searching' for drugs. Got rescued by my wife in the nick of time.

Thence to Lyon, in France. A sweet, pretty old world France. After a few more countries and mis adventures, returned to Delhi on 23 June. Anyway, read the piece below, which I filched from my wife's folder, written for her school. (It has glossed over the dark parts).

Let me go back to moping and thinking about how I am going to cope the next 8 months alone at Vizag. They might join in April 2011. She's already threatened to take a house on hire and continue in Delhi till I manage to get retransfered here. A dim prospect, knowing my personnel dept. Anyhow, I will have your company to keep me busy. Read on..

A DREAM

If I can do it so can you. All you have to do is to dream with eyes wide open. Months of meticulous planning and persistence finally led us to take on Europe on road. The large and loud advertisement in the news paper to spend seven nights and eight days in Paris repelled me from the very beginning. It wasn’t the destination but the journey that was of prime priority.

Paris was our first halt. The city not only lives up its legacy but has a lot more to offer. Its strikingly imposing structures, some of which date back to the 16^th century make you wonder of how they have been preserved in such pristine condition. How does the Seine flow so serenely with pride, defying any modernisation. The blend of war and peace is overwhelming here.

We moved on to the sun smitten coast of the Mediterranean at Barcelona. One is never too old here. A fun filled place, blessed with ample bounties of nature. Here everybody talks of Gaudi. We were bewildered by this best hidden secret of Spain. An architect who daringly brought the theme of an underwater world on to the surface in mosaic with all its hues and surprises.

Munich was grand and wild. We were lucky to be part of the 852th anniversary celebration. People poured on to the town square in their traditional costumes, barrels of beer lined the cobbled streets, strings of sausages hung like garlands from the kiosks and music filled the air. We danced with the locals till midnight before dropping dead on to our bunk beds at The Tent (a camping site in Munich).

Lyon is the pretty and dainty sister of Paris. People here are very friendly, warm and caring. The hostel was nestled on top of a hill, overlooking river Rhone and the candidly lit city. We had our dinner on the terrace and met thirsty travelers from all over the world.

The Euro Line bus took us to Geneva, on our way to Zurich. We ran around the lake, excited by the bonus offered. Switzerland is truly God’s own haven where lakes are larger than land, flowers overpower trees and people are obsessed with silence. The public systems are technologically so advanced that we seemed to be from centuries back and beyond. We traversed the length and breadth of this country in absolute awe.

The Dutch are sweet devils personified. Adventure and thrill runs in their blood streams. The country turned orange on the day Holland won the semi final in FIFA. And obviously we had to be there to witness the euphoria. Amidst all the chaos you could still mistake the town of Delft to be a painting. We were intoxicated by the chocolate crepes and lemonades at the wayside cafes.

Coming back to Paris on 21^st June was mind boggling. The city treated us to Fete de la Music. For a moment it seemed like a hallucination. On this day, musicians from all over the world converge to Paris and perform anywhere they find a place. Without any fatigue we must have walked twenty kilometers that evening. I guess that is why it is said that music heals.

And a visit to the countryside and Loire valley seemed a calming interlude, with cherry laden trees and tables decked with the good life. Can one ask for more?

I must share with you the must dos we had taken care of before leaving which held us in good stead through the month long journey. Remember to invest in a good rucksack, two pairs of sturdy walking shoes and a yearly membership of Hostel International. Since one has to carry one’s own luggage, keep it simple with accessories for all unpredictable weather. Now are you ready to go!!!

Sushmita