My trip to Luxembourg

It is quite unusual that I am stuck in a foreign country over a weekend on business purposes, but that’s exactly what happened this weekend when I had to stay put in Brussels to attend a client meeting, scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday. Absolutely no point in going back to India on Friday, and returning back on Sunday night. Unfortunately no “friends” to hang out with as well; hence the need to plan to do something on the weekend and that too alone.  Had been to Brussels before, so was not so interested to go around the city. Eventually decided to take a train and visit the neighboring country Luxembourg.

Well the name might not even ring a bell to many a lot in India, it is my interest in philately and knack to know about as many countries that I was aware of a country called Luxembourg.  For those who haven’t heard, Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in Europe (or world) – landlocked in western Europe bordered by Belgium, France and Germany. It has a population of approximately half a million and an area of less than 3000 sq km. Luxembourg city is the only major city and capital of the country.  

So, I set out on this Saturday morning around 9:30 am in the morning from Brussels to explore this new country. After a whole week of nice weather in Brussels, it seems to ditch me when I wanted to go out for a tour.  More than the temperature, it was the wind chill that continued to bother as I made my way to Brussels North station. Soon I headed towards my destination, which is about a 3 hrs ride.  About 30 minutes, we crossed the main throughfares of Belgium and were out on the countryside – vast sprawling fields, nice picturesque houses, loads of animals grazing. If not for a wildlife safari, it was quite an animal exhibit all along the way - cows, horses, donkeys, mules, sheep, goat and even one instance could spot even rabbits. It was foggy and the weather gloomy but nevertheless enjoyed the ride. Heard Luxembourg food is a delicacy, but my India taste bud was craving for something spicy after several days of European means.  So on my arrival at Luxembourg and feeling hungry I hit the first outlet of McDonalds to feast on some spicy chicken wings and crispy fish burger.  

The city of Luxembourg is quite small, almost everything centered around the Central Station. I opted for a city sight-seeing on one of the hop-on hop-off tourist double-decker buses.  It is about an hour’s ride, the English commentary in the bus narrates about the country’s past, ruins and castles and evolution into the modern era.  Luxembourg has one of the strongest economies in the world today, and is the seat of several institutions and agencies of the EU. The bus journey took me past the Constitution Square (Golden Lady Memorial), Grand-Ducal Palace, Old Town, City Gardens, Museum of Modern Art, Thungen Fortress, Auchan Shopping Mall and back to Central Station.  I got off the bus to see the Thungen Fortress as well as paid a visit to Auchan Shopping Mall. Courtesy the bad weather, chances of good photography was rare. Back near the station, I walked along the streets to do some window shopping and picking up my much valued souvenirs.  Thoroughly enjoyed and satisfied, I decided to have a Belgian beer to quench my thirst sitting at one of the roadside pubs before heading back to Brussels.  

It is nothing spectacular, but wonder if I will ever come back to this ‘unique’ country of Luxembourg. Nevertheless, it is a tick in the box and an addition to my list of “visited’ countries (no matter how much I have covered in 5 hours). If you are ever stuck over the weekend in this part of Europe and is already done with your popular and regular touristic destinations, it is worth considering Luxembourg for a day’s outing.  It is cheap, and shopping for ladies can be fun !!!!

Back to Colombo

Going back to Colombo from the outset had been an exciting prospect; the very thought of meeting friends or visiting places where I roamed around almost a year back or enjoying the sea-side culinary delicacies is fascinating.  So when Karthiga called up in June to invite for her marriage the decision to travel was spontaneous.  The icing on the cake was of course Brig’s ability to travel too.  When I visited Brigitte @ Zurich in May, I never thought we will meet up again so soon, and that too at SriLanka.   

Leading upto the trip was fun, thinking about what all we (me, Mukula and Brig) can accomplish to do/see keeping our commitments for the marriage.  For Mukula it is the first time in SriLanka, good that she is a CSC-experienced IBMer and had met Brig earlier so engaging herself in conversations was not that difficult.  Of course, eventually I became the outsider as the two ladies happily deserted me often to take care of their own chores…..poor me!!!  

Anyway on reaching Colombo on a hot sultry afternoon we were picked up by Brig and Karthiga’s mom from the airport and we went straight to the hotel. It is no surprise that we stayed at Galle Face Hotel; for me and Brig we wanted to relive the experience.  By around 4:30 we are finally back to our favourite spot, seated at a table with LION beer in hand overlooking the sea.  It’s such an amazing experience in such a wonderful setting.

Karthiga and Krish joined us for dinner at TAO’s. Interestingly, TAO’s have a new “dress-code” policy – so guys watch out.  You are not allowed to enter in shorts, but for the ladies it is OK even anything “shorter” is fine J. Thanks, they didn’t force me to wear the sarong so long I keep my legs covered …. but sorry no picture to share!

So my CSC friends – do these words “hoppers, laksa ….” ring any bell ? well, that’s we had for dinner.  No one ordered PAPAYA Juice, though.  We were told that this precious fruit has been kept aside in storage to cater to a huge demand from an east European #happymaker visiting in late September………

Marriage took precedence over the next couple of days.  Karthiga and Krish make a wonderful couple,  of course Krish doesn’t realize now what he is getting into (we all married men know that well !!!!), at the moment they are both head-over-heels and madly in love.  To see Brig in a sari(something I was looking forward since the last trip) eventually materialized on 9/11 (famous day in world history) and indeed she was looking good and very different.  While I was busy with photography and Mukula got involved in some ceremonial things Brig was the center of attention, being the most photographed person in the entire crowd barring the couple.  Strangely, I have never spent so long (3.5 hrs) in a temple but it’s all for a friend’s cause. It also gave me the opportunity to meet up with LSF and WSO2 friends (Mano, Sanjiva, Chanaka, Iromi, Mufthas, Devaka and others).  Mt. Lavinia is the only other place we managed to visit during these 2.5 days.

So, overall a wonderful trip – a mix of fun and socializing.  The sea at Galle Face is definitely much more rough, gloomy weather throughout not allowing us to enjoy “OUR SUNSET” experience and Hua, believe it or not the crabs are on strike.  I couldn’t find CRAB on the menu at any place.  Finally, we almost missed our flight on the way back, that’s another story… some other time.  Me and Mukula are almost certain to go back to SriLanka sometime soon to see the country, till then….

Indian Cricket : Dhoni must bat higher up in the order

You may call this an irony but Indian cricket has reached its peak as well as its worst during the last 6 months, something they have never experienced in the last 2 decades.  Winning the ICC World Cup has been a dream run for Indian cricket and its billions of spectators, but a 0-4 whitewash against a good English side has been equally demoralizing and devastating.  While many things are being spoken about and reported in media, but as a true fan I always want my Team India to succeed and win.  I watch every match with enthusiasm and renewed hope that things will turn around and the disappointment actually intensifies when you see them losing, and losing making the same mistakes over and over again.  

Talk about Injuries - a professional sportsman can get injured, but aren't we carrying the baggage too much ? Can't we have a team of fit 15-16 people ? why does it always happen that we end up with 12 or 13 to pick from ? I don't believe players fake injuries, it's the administration and the coaching staff who are negligent - either over-looking or not able to bring in the right discipline. During the recent England series, so many players got injured while fielding - are we not agile enough to field in these close-in positions ? Is there a lack of technique (it is also a key in fielding) ? I have never been a big fan of Duncan Fletcher, English cricket emerged once Andy Flower took over.  I feel we took a backstep by bringing in Duncan Fletcher, after Gary Kirsten. Perhaps a fitter, leaner, recently-retired cricketer should have been a better choice with this bunch of youngsters. May be Anil Kumble, or the likes of Michael Bevan, Steve Waugh (not sure who the right choice will be, but someone from just one generation ahead).  And finally, I must say (despite being a huge, huge fan of MS Dhoni) that it baffles me to see him batting so low down the order.  He is the most calm, composed player in the India's Next Gen team, and he has the charisma to deliver from the front.  The type of bold move he showed by promoting him up in the order during the WC final (and what a gem of an innings that was !!!) was completely lacking in England.  Yet MSD is our only hope to revive the current situation.  Perhaps I am biased, but Tendulkars and Dravids have to go one day and there cannot be a better leader than Dhoni to mould this current bunch.  As always optimistic I sincerely hope India will perform better in the One Dayers !!!

Ajinkaya Rahane impressed me during the T20 game,  Rohit Sharma needs to learn fast that he needs to contribute when it matters most, else the investment must shift on another promising cricketer.  Rohit has failed to live upto his expectations, and time has come to either perform or perish.  Would have liked to see Varun Aaron instead of Vinay Kumar in Indian line-up. 

Three weeks of leisure

The very thought of writing my own Blog was there in my mind for quite sometime.  And, what better opportunity can it be to start as I take a break for 3 weeks from work, courtesy job switch.  It is not an easy decision to leave a company where you spent 13+ years, in fact literally grew up in your professional career.  I joined IBM back in 1998 with lots of dream, ambition and indeed it has been an incredible journey.  It's not money, not the recognition but the very need for a CHANGE has driven me to accomplish this "seemingly impossible" task, as perceived by many of my well-wishers. 


These last 3 weeks have been wonderful and very different where you do not have a set routine. You do what you want to do - sleep, read magazines, play games, surf internet to check out vacation options, watch cricket (though pretty demoralizing with a pathetic display of Indian cricket team in England) or indulge in long-term hobbies. It was last Monday, when I felt like doing a 'census' of my stamp collection.  3,282 from 152 countries - it was fun going thru' my old albums, categorizing the new ones.  Visiting Jog Falls and River Tern with family was also fantastic, enjoyed every moment of it.  Stay at River Tern Lodge stands out, the location has been outstanding and having a drink (college style) sitting on the bridge connecting the island (where our cottages were) and the main reception under a moonlit sky has to be the highlight.  Cannot discount the 1500-stairs climb down and then UP to see the Jog Falls - thanks to my much improved fitness from playing cricket regularly on the weekends :-).  In between, also visited Kolkata to meet parents and grandmother - freaked out on Hilsa Fish, the Bengali delicacy during the monsoon.  


Overall, a nice and leisurely 3 weeks.  Tomorrow morning, the alarm is set to 7 AM - back to routine as I embark on my new adventure "Ericsson".