Life in a magic world

My habitacion (accommodation) was arranged through Airbnb in Madrid. It was a long story of persuasion to finally get a night accommodation in Madrid. I was looking for a cheaper place to stay on the day of my arrival as my train to Seville was next day afternoon. I got good options near the railway station called Atocha. Later I got a regret mail saying that the host denied accommodation due to some repairs of her house taking place that point of time. Then around six bookings, proceeded with cancellations. Meantime my research scholar tried through his contact in Ireland to confirm one place. As per his advice I used the option, instant confirmation and got a place of Pablo and Leire at a coast of Approx 3500 for one night. Then I realised this amount is more or less equal to the standards of a three star hotel.  As there was no option, I chose the option to stay there and finding this place. After reaching in the late evening at around 10.45 pm. There was no one to ask the d...

After arrival, I had an unknown emotional upsurge. Some kind of excitement , but fear at some corners. I have to reach the city. From google, I downloaded the city train network, but virtually to get ticket and finding the right place was a question. Moved to the arrival hall, found that the wifi is working. The only hope of international connectivity as I didn't have international roaming in phone.  After collecting baggage, I dared to ask the security people to ask where can i take the train. They advised me to go to departure area, their I can take a free shuttle bus to terminal 4 (currently I was in Terminal 1). Moved towards the elevator, and reached the upper floor of departure. Then stepped out to find my bus. I noticed a Mercedes bus with a lady driver who looked nothing less than a hollywood actress. Boarded the bus. Three other passengers joined. The bus started at right time. The bus had only 4 passengers, but it was moving at a speed of around 120 km/h speed. No tra...

The waiting for Visa killed my patience. I thought I would loose an opportunity to visit because of Visa rejection. But before few days of departure, I got it confirmed. The dreams of my trip has already taken off. The Air India flight depart from New Delhi to Madrid (Thrice in a week) at 4 pm. After completing the boarding procedures, I moved to Boarding gate no. 4. Flights to Dubai was also leaving from there. But for me, it was surprising that the the departure gate was less crowded and more passengers were foreign citizens.  The boarding time was given one hour departure of the flight. This buffer time include an extra verification procedure by Air India staff to make sure that passengers to Spain are holding proper documents including visa.  The Air India flight was parked at the parking bay, the bus carrying passengers moved to the aircraft, and my mind was filled with lot of thoughts and bit of tension that I am leaving India, even though it is for a short period....

It started from a conference alert appeared in the mailbox. Followed the link to the conference organisers. Further browsing triggered curiosity to check the history of the University of Seville. Really surprised to see that this great institution is 500 years old...... Send my abstract titled Demonetisation and its effect on Indian Tourism Industry. I got acceptance of abstract as per the schedule. Next was to check the total cost. The airfare kills people like me who wish to roam around the globe. Got a little higher fare to Madrid from Delhi and return. After interactions with the conference organisers, I booked my accommodation at a hotel in Seville. Meantime, the eccentric search for local transport ended up me to book tickets in  AVE the high speed train from Madrid to Seville....

Visit to a Museum of Modern Art, Caldhera Museum A painting from the museum Objects kept inside the museum an object of modern art View of the area visit to food museum Table ready for guests -just for display out team listen to the expert Quinchen check the food  The Master Chef explain to our team live demo visit to a near by hill (Muttarona) enjoying the evening 

Today is October 10. It is almost one month we left Armeno. But the memories still cherish our every day life and feel nostalgic about the environment at Casa dei Padri. This article I would like to dedicate to Peter, the Mayor of Armeno and Ms. Elisa, our host at Casa dei Padri. Peter A very interesting person with full of energy. His presence creates a positive energy in the group although he speaks more in Italian and less in English. HE cared me very much from beginning, picked me from Arona, driven by himself, and showed us even the room at the Guest house. He again dropped me at Arona while I left to Rome, and then again picked me up from Arona. The day I came to know that he is the Mayor of the city I was really shocked. I asked many people is the fact correct. Every one said yes. I couldn’t imagine such a situation in a country like India. Even Shree from Sri Lanka told the same thing. He always used to motivate every one by individually asking about how everyone is fee...

On 5 th September, I did a small presentation on how teachers are treated in India and the tradition of Guru Shishya as per our culture. I wrote the sloka “Guru Brahma......Guruve Namah” in Hindi and explained the meaning to the participants and those teachers present. Then I requested Prof. Danismo, Prof. Cantoni and Dr. Silvia to come in front. Then as per Indian traditions I touched the feet of our teachers in Summer School and sought blessings. This was a real surprise for the whole participants and teachers as they had never heard of it before. The professors were really shaken by the greatness of Indian custom of respecting the teachers. Prof. Danismo hugged me by saying our country is really great and that moment even I had tears of happiness in my eyes. (Photo: Mengo) My morning walk: As my body clock didn’t work with Italian time, I used to wake up early in the morning some time at 4 or 4.30 am.  My patience level broke as the day starts, then I moved ou...

My entry Pass for the function The big day came. I got ready at 2.30 am and waited for the father to go Vatican. He came with his personal car, in which I boarded with Mr. Shine, a Senior Manager of a Swedish Firm in Bangalore, with his son. In few minutes we reached Vatican. 3 am  6.30 am We expected a huge crowd, but there were very less number of people at St. Peters square. There would be less than 25-30 people. We also sat near to the barriers, where the guards told us that the gates will open at 7 am only. Slowly people started arriving and the noise around also were going up. By 5 am the entire area was crowded with people. The barricades were slowly moved inside along with that the entire crowd were also moving. I found people sitting next to me were from Ecuador, Spain, and a Christian priest from USA. The wait continued till 7 am and slowly the entry was allowed.  There after a run towards the security gate for screening of bags. Slowly I f...

                                                                                                                      Rome....the eternal city tempted me before starting my trip to Italy. The occasion came on 3 rd of September (Saturday). Peter dropped me at Arona station at early morning 6.20 am. The station was not even having a single passenger at that time. Since I had booked the ticket in advance, there was no need to tickets. I had to travel from Arona to Milano Centralle by regional train then Milano to Roma Termini station by a high speed train. The LCD display indicated that the train arrives at platform no. 3. Peter came along with me till the plat form and he advised me to take a m...