This week, a company is launching technology that will make it possible for someone to choose what appears on phones that have Caller ID, the feature for displaying identifying information about an incoming call.
It could be a different phone number, or even a few words, said Jason Jepson, founder of Star38, which has developed the commercial Caller ID spoofing service.
Sales of Star38 will be limited to licensed private investigators and collection agencies, Jepson said. The service will cost $20 a month plus airtime charges.
The technique for replacing the usual bits of identifying information, such as phone number and name, that accompany inbound calls was discovered a few years ago by hackers. Privacy advocates fear that in the wrong hands, commercial services have the potential to be abused. For instance, telemarketers could use technologies similar to Star38's to trick people into answering a call that looks like a familiar phone number.
Star38 aims to overcome the stigma created by earlier pranksters and thieves.
"Unfortunately, what's happened is some hackers have got to it first and gave it a bad name," Jepson said. "If they step back and see the forest through the trees, they'd realize what they are doing is hard and illegal. What we are doing is neither."
The company plans to explore other markets as well. For example, Jepson said he's begun talks with Musicphone, a San Francisco-based service that lets people send songs, along with personalized messages, to any kind of phone--cellular or standard.
Musicphone wants to use Star38's software to send even more information about certain artists, he said. A Musicphone representative could not immediately be reached for comment.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Lyon Lelaigal
I had a wonderful weekend…after a long time. On Friday night left for Lyon from Grenoble and stayed there for the night ..night life there is too good...I was just walking in the city till 2 am on Saturday
The surprising and perhaps fortunate fact about Lyon as a travel destination is that it's still relatively undiscovered -- the stunning city center remains a hidden treasure. Although the city's vitality is perceptible in ancient streets with restored buildings, there are still many pockets of the city where renewal has yet to penetrate. These backstreets and courtyards may seem daunting, but the history embodied in so many of them makes even the narrowest of crooked staircases fascinating.
Later the next morning I was joined by three more people from HP India...
Then we all went around and enjoyed the city…there is a old town...an amphitheater and an old church...a very old one..
No wonder why the city is declared as heritage site by UNESCO ...
Lyon enjoys a reputation as France's culinary capital, but the city is also known for its luminosity. Buildings and fountains are beautifully lit at night, creating a magical atmosphere. Cross the River Saone by one of its passerelle bridges on a summer evening at sunset, and you'll see the city glow with a hazy, burnt-orange light.
Some nice pictures can be view from ICI , French word for here.
Then came back to Grenoble on Saturday night and then on Sunday morning to Geneva ..
The surprising and perhaps fortunate fact about Lyon as a travel destination is that it's still relatively undiscovered -- the stunning city center remains a hidden treasure. Although the city's vitality is perceptible in ancient streets with restored buildings, there are still many pockets of the city where renewal has yet to penetrate. These backstreets and courtyards may seem daunting, but the history embodied in so many of them makes even the narrowest of crooked staircases fascinating.
Later the next morning I was joined by three more people from HP India...
Then we all went around and enjoyed the city…there is a old town...an amphitheater and an old church...a very old one..
No wonder why the city is declared as heritage site by UNESCO ...
Lyon enjoys a reputation as France's culinary capital, but the city is also known for its luminosity. Buildings and fountains are beautifully lit at night, creating a magical atmosphere. Cross the River Saone by one of its passerelle bridges on a summer evening at sunset, and you'll see the city glow with a hazy, burnt-orange light.
Some nice pictures can be view from ICI , French word for here.
Then came back to Grenoble on Saturday night and then on Sunday morning to Geneva ..
Grenoble’ille Ganesh
I was just praying to God as I wanted to celebrate Ganesh Pooja in a big way. As a sign of “get lucky” I met Saravanan, not Lord’s Ganesh brother, a student who is working in HP, doing his intern. I met him in “Namastey restaurant”. I went there with a few people from India who have come here on business trip, for dinner. Then he invited me for the next day pooja. Oh what a way to celebrate. U can make out this from the Picture itself.
Monday, September 27, 2004
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Hailstones hit me
Yesterday we had a hailstorm here in Grenoble. I have seen these earlier once when I has a child in India and a few when I was in Germany. But this was very different one, The hailstones was up to the size of big grape fruit, like the one genetically modified.
I was traveling in the tram to reach home. I have to change tram to reach to my house, I was exactly caught while doing so. So I had to wait there for things to get settle down and then continued my way home.
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
Once again after a long break
I must admit that its been a long gap since I had given an update on the site….. OK here I go…
I came back to France on 7th July and from then on having a tough time. I had to get my resident permit for that I need a address proof, for that I need a house, for that I need a bank account, for that I need a residence proof and it goes on like this.
After all the difficulties I managed to open a bank account and was very happy to discover that I managed to get a house the way I liked it and way I wanted to make the payment for the rent/electricity and all other amenities. In a way I was very lucky to get such a house. But ill luck is there always… The worst part of it is yet to begun.. We are a group of 3 families came from India, the other two are married and have kids. I’m only bachelor fellow. They both got the house and insured and all went on well. I was also following on the same steps. Here I have my surprise. The agreement for the house was taken on my company and the Insurance was on my name. The housing agency did not want to issue the key for me as the insurance was not meeting the required standards. Then I had to run here and there and try to ask for my bank to change the name. It they its not possible. Then I had to cancel this insurance and then move to another company who would give me the way I wanted the insurance.
And now I have moved into my house. More later with on the updates weekend travels I had made so far soon. In the mean time enjoy some flicks from Venkat
This one is too Kadi.Get set to Check ur IQ.
Q. What is more difficult than getting an elephant in a car?
A.Getting 2 elephants in a car!!
Q.What is more difficult than getting 2 elephants in a car?(Don't raise the number.) A.Getting 2 pregnant elephants in a car!!!
Q.What is more difficult than getting 2 pregnant elephants in a car? (Don't use another adjective for elephant).
A.Getting 2 pregnant elephants on a scooter!!
Q.What is more difficult than getting 2 pregnant elephants on a scooter? (Don't change the vehicle or animal).
A. Getting 2 pregnant elephants on a moving scooter!!!
Q.What is more difficult than getting 2 pregnant elephants on a moving scooter? (Don't use another adjective for scooter).
A.Getting 2 pregnant elephants on a moving scooter,up the hill !!
Q.What is more difficult than getting 2 pregnant elephants on a moving scooter,up the hill? A.Getting 2 pregnant elephants on a moving scooter,up the hill, in stormy weather!!!
Q.What is more difficult than getting 2 pregnant elephants on a moving scooter,up the hill in stormy weather? (Enough of you, now don't add single word in your previous answer ). A.Getting 2nd elephant pregnant, on a moving scooter,up the hill,in stormy weather !!!
More later.....
I came back to France on 7th July and from then on having a tough time. I had to get my resident permit for that I need a address proof, for that I need a house, for that I need a bank account, for that I need a residence proof and it goes on like this.
After all the difficulties I managed to open a bank account and was very happy to discover that I managed to get a house the way I liked it and way I wanted to make the payment for the rent/electricity and all other amenities. In a way I was very lucky to get such a house. But ill luck is there always… The worst part of it is yet to begun.. We are a group of 3 families came from India, the other two are married and have kids. I’m only bachelor fellow. They both got the house and insured and all went on well. I was also following on the same steps. Here I have my surprise. The agreement for the house was taken on my company and the Insurance was on my name. The housing agency did not want to issue the key for me as the insurance was not meeting the required standards. Then I had to run here and there and try to ask for my bank to change the name. It they its not possible. Then I had to cancel this insurance and then move to another company who would give me the way I wanted the insurance.
And now I have moved into my house. More later with on the updates weekend travels I had made so far soon. In the mean time enjoy some flicks from Venkat
This one is too Kadi.Get set to Check ur IQ.
Q. What is more difficult than getting an elephant in a car?
A.Getting 2 elephants in a car!!
Q.What is more difficult than getting 2 elephants in a car?(Don't raise the number.) A.Getting 2 pregnant elephants in a car!!!
Q.What is more difficult than getting 2 pregnant elephants in a car? (Don't use another adjective for elephant).
A.Getting 2 pregnant elephants on a scooter!!
Q.What is more difficult than getting 2 pregnant elephants on a scooter? (Don't change the vehicle or animal).
A. Getting 2 pregnant elephants on a moving scooter!!!
Q.What is more difficult than getting 2 pregnant elephants on a moving scooter? (Don't use another adjective for scooter).
A.Getting 2 pregnant elephants on a moving scooter,up the hill !!
Q.What is more difficult than getting 2 pregnant elephants on a moving scooter,up the hill? A.Getting 2 pregnant elephants on a moving scooter,up the hill, in stormy weather!!!
Q.What is more difficult than getting 2 pregnant elephants on a moving scooter,up the hill in stormy weather? (Enough of you, now don't add single word in your previous answer ). A.Getting 2nd elephant pregnant, on a moving scooter,up the hill,in stormy weather !!!
More later.....
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
some thing new
I'm very happy to know that my writing on Frankfurt and Mumbai airport got possted in
Sleeping in airport
This site gives a nice read.
Do u all know Yahoo is giving 100MB for the e-mail and u can send an 10MB mail, that's intresting.
Sleeping in airport
This site gives a nice read.
Do u all know Yahoo is giving 100MB for the e-mail and u can send an 10MB mail, that's intresting.
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
After long time
I’m back after a hectic schedule. I’m sorry for not writing anything for a long time.
There are a couple of things I just want to touch base.
I have come back to Bangalore and have a range of topics to discuss on. Its starts with the benefits of Election to some fun on Auto Reply.
Bangalore is so far good except for the fact a thief broke into my house and had his share. I lost my favorite new NIKE AIR shoe along with the NEW Woodland pair. This let me down a lot. I know its silly to feel for shoes but I had a special liking for the NIKE one. Ok from there I move to Elections. U would have all have read a lot about elections. I’m not going to talk about the outcome of the elections, but here it’s about when we have a election what changes we c in our daily life. U could really c how the streets are decorated with colorful hoardings. They bring color to life, not just that colors but also shades. One day in the summer I was waiting for my pickup. During that time I was feeling little comfortable standing there, which is not the usual case. I was surprised to c one of the leaders cut-out was put there and he was standing there with the usual political style. This gave me enough shade to protect myself from the sun-rays(soorya oli not SOORYA). Once the elections are over as usual people are allowed to suffer when these are pulled down.
There is some pun I had observed in Out of office Auto reply long time back which I want to share with u all today. There was an instance when there was a vacation plan …it so happened that people had put others as contacts have also gone on vacation pointing to the people who have also gone on vacation. In such an instance an Out of office reply is observed just a mere ritual. Religiously no body bothers to follow the same.
Then to my favorite topic … eating out in B’lore. I must admit that I didn’t have much time to explore B’lore eat outs. Normally on weekends I go to Chennai and hardly have company to have food in B’lore. Last week Syam from Satyam came to B’lore and we had a nice time. The restaurant’s I tried are around and in MG Road. I had been in HYD MAHAL on Brigade Rd., u get nice northi food there. The Kebab was really super along with the Birayani. The Birayani was mild and it’s a prefect blend of spices. The other restaurant that needs a mention is on the MG road itself. It’s the EBONY which is on the 13th Floor in Barton Center on MG Road. The food that’s available ranges from Parsi to Continental. We tried some starters on Parsi and Continental for the main course.
There are a couple of things I just want to touch base.
I have come back to Bangalore and have a range of topics to discuss on. Its starts with the benefits of Election to some fun on Auto Reply.
Bangalore is so far good except for the fact a thief broke into my house and had his share. I lost my favorite new NIKE AIR shoe along with the NEW Woodland pair. This let me down a lot. I know its silly to feel for shoes but I had a special liking for the NIKE one. Ok from there I move to Elections. U would have all have read a lot about elections. I’m not going to talk about the outcome of the elections, but here it’s about when we have a election what changes we c in our daily life. U could really c how the streets are decorated with colorful hoardings. They bring color to life, not just that colors but also shades. One day in the summer I was waiting for my pickup. During that time I was feeling little comfortable standing there, which is not the usual case. I was surprised to c one of the leaders cut-out was put there and he was standing there with the usual political style. This gave me enough shade to protect myself from the sun-rays(soorya oli not SOORYA). Once the elections are over as usual people are allowed to suffer when these are pulled down.
There is some pun I had observed in Out of office Auto reply long time back which I want to share with u all today. There was an instance when there was a vacation plan …it so happened that people had put others as contacts have also gone on vacation pointing to the people who have also gone on vacation. In such an instance an Out of office reply is observed just a mere ritual. Religiously no body bothers to follow the same.
Then to my favorite topic … eating out in B’lore. I must admit that I didn’t have much time to explore B’lore eat outs. Normally on weekends I go to Chennai and hardly have company to have food in B’lore. Last week Syam from Satyam came to B’lore and we had a nice time. The restaurant’s I tried are around and in MG Road. I had been in HYD MAHAL on Brigade Rd., u get nice northi food there. The Kebab was really super along with the Birayani. The Birayani was mild and it’s a prefect blend of spices. The other restaurant that needs a mention is on the MG road itself. It’s the EBONY which is on the 13th Floor in Barton Center on MG Road. The food that’s available ranges from Parsi to Continental. We tried some starters on Parsi and Continental for the main course.
Monday, April 05, 2004
Kind of Enter-attain-meant
My favorite part time out here (In France ) is to watch all Latest Tamil movies and a couple of programs on MTV in the evening from 21Hrs to 23Hrs and the my most favorite past time of mine is cooking. What’s Cooking Guys?
On MTV there are ranges of programs (somebody please correct the spelling, u need to accept that I think of work always),is what need to be explained here.They are called as "MTV Personality Shows" It starts with my favorite “Scare tactics”, “I bet you will”,"VIva la Bam","WildBozy" and it goes on. The best things is why is such kind of programs are not made in Indian MTV. There are a few but they are not of this quality. One question that occurs to me is in a country like USA where they sue u for everything if such kinds of quality programs are made why not in a country like India they can do that. Come on can some one tell them to do this?
And now coming to my another favorite past time of mine is cooking. Cooking is such an easy one, a few items to be added and a few not to add, mind this otherwise u end up spoiling the complete dish. This skill I learnt it over a period of time. Imagine I made aloo parata last weekend within 45 minutes… and it was a grand success. People tell me often here pls keep u r laptop aside and start with cooking as main business ;-) Who knows i might be a great hit here...
More on these would be written later please revisit this session
On MTV there are ranges of programs (somebody please correct the spelling, u need to accept that I think of work always),is what need to be explained here.They are called as "MTV Personality Shows" It starts with my favorite “Scare tactics”, “I bet you will”,"VIva la Bam","WildBozy" and it goes on. The best things is why is such kind of programs are not made in Indian MTV. There are a few but they are not of this quality. One question that occurs to me is in a country like USA where they sue u for everything if such kinds of quality programs are made why not in a country like India they can do that. Come on can some one tell them to do this?
And now coming to my another favorite past time of mine is cooking. Cooking is such an easy one, a few items to be added and a few not to add, mind this otherwise u end up spoiling the complete dish. This skill I learnt it over a period of time. Imagine I made aloo parata last weekend within 45 minutes… and it was a grand success. People tell me often here pls keep u r laptop aside and start with cooking as main business ;-) Who knows i might be a great hit here...
More on these would be written later please revisit this session
Why men are called Gentlemen and women as Ladies?
I know and u all know, Men can handle things in a gentle way in all aspects of life. They have this special touch, Be it a business meeting or be it an social party they know it. On the contrary when I tried to find the meaning of Ladies, in daily use tool MS-Word .., u would be surprised by the result I got, it told me “not found ladies” u will be flabbergasted with the words that it pointed to “lack of understanding” U know by now why we are Gentlemen as always J
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
About me
I'm a proud Aries, to describe myself I'm a strong rushing RAM.
Any need for this? Just to blow my own horn here. I would like to share most of my travel experience along with other events also here.
What am I doing currently: Working in France
Status: Currently looking out a nice girl to marry me
Not to miss section: Sites u should for sure look at
Some achievements of mine
Highest international border crossing: France - Germany (11 times)
Coasts visited Bay of Bengal (India), Arabian Sea(India), Mediterranean Sea(France) , North Sea (Antwerp, Belgium) and Atlantic Ocean (Cardif, Wales)
Countries & Cities visited but yet to get in Swiss, Italy, Spain and Dubai
Countries Visited France, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, England, Wales and Austria
Any need for this? Just to blow my own horn here. I would like to share most of my travel experience along with other events also here.
What am I doing currently: Working in France
Status: Currently looking out a nice girl to marry me
Not to miss section: Sites u should for sure look at
Some achievements of mine
Highest international border crossing: France - Germany (11 times)
Coasts visited Bay of Bengal (India), Arabian Sea(India), Mediterranean Sea(France) , North Sea (Antwerp, Belgium) and Atlantic Ocean (Cardif, Wales)
Countries & Cities visited but yet to get in Swiss, Italy, Spain and Dubai
Countries Visited France, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, England, Wales and Austria
Adventure at Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Last week (3rd week of March) it was very tiring with lot of work and also the next week was promising to be a lengthy one. Now you will have to agree that I’m really busy. So decided to do some outing in a big way so that I feel bit relaxed. On Saturday finished my lunch early (let me call its as brunch) and wanted to go to Gares (railway station in French). After the hearty meal my legs were not willing to move out of my apartment, they were pulling me to sleep (which I’m blessed with at any time and any place I can sleep, not in meeting I need to admit). I wanted to go out at any cost this weekend so proceeded to Gares.
In the Gares I went and enquired as how we go to Mont-Blanc, in Chamonix. Mont-Blanc is the Alps range which borders Italy, Swiss & France. It’s the highest peak in Europe with lot of glaciers. Chamonix offers excellent option for all those who have some or little adventure spirit in them. Ok let me talk about this place in detail later. Then went to the booking person in Gares and asked him how to reach Mont-Blanc. He said we will have to take a train which is at 8.15am the next day and would reach the place by 1.30 pm after changing 3 trains, and way back he informed us that we have a direct bus. I was happy to hear on the return journey, but wanted to reach early. Asked him to check on the earliest connection. He said there is one at 6.05am leave Grenoble and reach Annecy at 7.41 from there at 7.57 take the second train to St.Gerrais and reach les Bains at 9.35 and at 9.52 take a train to Chamonix at 10.32 hrs. I was very happy to see the schedule. So 3 of us decided to go, and was checking on the fares. The booking clerk told us it could cost 168 Euros. Then I saw there some board on discounts, I asked him what is that about. He told me that there is a Rhone-Alps travel card (that’s the district I’m in France). If you buy that get you get 50% reduction for travel made on weekends and holidays & 25% on weekdays, and it was valid for 3 people including the person who holds this for a period of one year. Oh my God it’s a steal, so we went ahead and bought a ticket including a 40 Euro discount card, which costs us only 124 Euros. Then happily went home after doing some shopping in C&A with big discounts. After reaching home I watched 2 latest Tamil movies. I need to admit that I hardly see movies in India but here I’m totally spoiled, I almost watch 2-3 movies a weekend. There is an Srilankan store who gives us all latest movies in VCD @ 1.5 Euros per movie. This is a nice time pass. The next day we were supposed to take a train at 6am, before that I should get my photo fixed on the ID provided to me on the discount card.
On Sunday I left early, leaving behind the other two to come join me at 5.50. I went there early to the railway station to get my id fixed with photo. When I went to the tram stop I discovered that on Sundays we have the first one at 5.50 am to reach Gares. So rushed back to the apartment and made a call to a taxi and we all 3 left together. Then happily we got into the train at the right time and was eagerly awaiting to get down at Annacy (remember this train is going to Geneva in Swiss). From there we will have to take another train and reach St.Gerrais and then by another train to reach Chamonix. We were like waiting for our stop to arrive, and did not come till 7.55. We were passing a very big lake and it was very beautiful and the train had to pass thru a lot of tunnels. It was really a sight worth watching. But we were like little worried as the train was traveling without any stop. And the train was approaching a station I quickly went the map in the train and checked what the destination we were approaching the station. To my shock it was the station before the final destination. I was little worried as the final station was a different county (swiss), which is not in Schengen states, and to top all this I was not carrying my passport. There are a very high chances that we would be deported if we reach Geneva in Swiss and we will be in deep trouble. So decided to hop off at this station. Good we did that; otherwise we would have invited serious trouble, that doesn’t mean that we did not have any now after getting down here. There was a lot in store when we got down here. This place is a remote station in the border of France & Swiss, on the France side. When we got down and enquired with the ticket inspector we were informed that we were traveling in the wrong compartment. Actually this train, which originated in our place goes to two destinations. Here in Europe I need to tell u one train goes to 3 places. That’s is how our next train was. We where in utter shock not knowing what to do. I’m normally very careful about this as I have traveled in lot of trains like this in Europe earlier, where in one train going to many places. Some how I over looked this and it passed my notice. So we enquired from him as how we reach from that place-Belegrade to our final destination. We were told that the next train is at 11am and would reach Chamonix by 1.30 only after changing another train. 3 Hrs in that station is a big time. You know after all bomb blast in Madrid and bomb scare in France trains we can expect the worst thing ahead of us in the next 3 hrs. We went to the only bar in the station and picked up the long coffee and sat there and spent our next one hour. After we decided to come out and explore it there are any other option available. Here is our trouble starts. Police intercept us and ask about whom we are and our details. 2 of us did not have passports and luckly we have our company ID, since it’s a famous company with a brand, we are saved. Then we explained them what trouble we are undergoing and they end up with a smile. This we have to do atleast 2 more times. In the mean time we saw what all destination out train would reach, then we discovered that our train and another train, which was about to leave, have the same end point. So one of the person was pushing us to go ahead and go by this autobus and atleast reach another destination, so that it will be a kind of change of place. But exploring further later after reaching out final destination we discovered that it was on the totally in the direction opposite we were supposed to reach. That destination is close to the Italy border. My God, I was insisting that we only go by the plan what was suggested at 8am and was denying to look at other options. In a way it was good. Otherwise we would have landed in another corner of France and would have invited more trouble. Then at 11am our train came. It had 8 coached and of them 2 were attached to another 2 which was already in the platform and then the next 2 goes to Geneva, next 2 to another place were we planned to take an en-route and the first 2 to our second stop before our final destination. Oh my goodness one train can go to so many places … no wonder why we are here. The train finally left for our second destination. This train went past the swiss border and was also into one swiss station. It legal to travel inside swiss with a valid ticket to another location in France. If u get down then you are caught and sent back, depending on u r luck. So we just sat in the train waiting for it to come into the France range. After leaving another 2 coached there in that station we came back in France with 4 coaches with 2 coached heading to the destination we are supposed to go. And finally we arrive at our second point. From there we took another train to Chamonix. This train is very special. This is called Mont-Blanc express and this goes to Swiss Alps. If u a resident of that region you need not buy a ticket to travel by this train it seems. The travel is free. Its like traveling in the mini train that takes us to Ooty from Mettupalayam. The train is multi colored with France and Swiss flag and the train is well decorated. We had a nice ride on a smooth, comfortable train through spectacular snow clad Alpine scenery. Along the line there are a number of stations with easy access to tourist sites such as the Mer de Glace and Aiguille du Midi.. From the French station of St Gervais with a steep climb to the Chamonix valley. After running the length of the valley, they pass through the Montroc Tunnel to a high point near le Buet in the Vallorcine valley. The excitement continues above a stunning precipice towards the Trient valley. Another tunnel marks the beginning of the final descent into the Rhône valley and the town of Martigny. After all this adventure here we are at Chamonix.
Chamonix
The town of Chamonix Mt-Blanc is 1042m (3,396 ft) above sea level at the foot of the Mt-Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe at 4807m (15,770 ft). The resident population of the valley is about 10,000. The seasonal workers and tourists can add another 100,000 on any given day in a winter high season week and 130,000 in the summer. This is very similar to Garmisch in Germany, which I had been to with a similar experience earlier some 3 years back during my visit to Germany. Garmisch is in Germany Alps which borders 4 countries, they are Germany, Italy, Austria and Swiss. Then we did not want to waster time and rush to the cable car station to explore the beauty of this region. Then the Discover the beautiful region of the Mt Blanc and the Valley du Trient was done by using another train + cable car + a long walk in the mountains. The Montenvers Train departs from it's own station next to the main station in Chamonix. This old funicular climbs a steep track to a stunning vantage point above the Mer de Glace. From here, views of Les Grandes Jorasses and the Les Drus are exceptional. From the top station at Montenvers walk down to the glacier and into an ice grotto. This is the most exciting experience. As we reached the glacier it was very slippery. This valley is very scenic and equally a very difficult terrain to walk in the snow. This is called the Sea of ice. Really as the name goes we didn’t find any snow. We saw some ice caves and ice cubes, no snow. It makes very difficult to walk without the right kind of shoe or gear. We enjoyed the ice cave they have spread some carpets so that its easy for us to walk in the glaciers. Then after a visit to the caves we came out and there a beautiful spread of ice and glacier. They have marked the area and was clearly mentioned that we enter that area at our own risk. We decided to take a walk and a few places we had a fall, I went on back in one place since it was very difficult to walk. It’s not snow or ice .. it’s a glacier so u can’t walk on that. In some places people have put some snow so that we could walk on them and get into big caves. I tried getting into one cave I was close to only 10% of it inside. Suddenly we discovered that some snowfall was making a fresh blocking the entrance. So I rushed out and did not want to take a risk. Only very few people go to that area so it was worth taking the risk. The color of the glacier is one that requires a special mention. Its sky blue color and it will give a special kind of reflection if you travel there in the morning early. After visiting all this we came back and the rain started. Luckly we have an excellent bus driver who had put on some nice French Jazz. We enjoyed our way back to Grenoble also. My only disappointment was I wanted to take ski but could not do that due to lack of time. Any it ended well except a few hitches. That’s ok.
In the Gares I went and enquired as how we go to Mont-Blanc, in Chamonix. Mont-Blanc is the Alps range which borders Italy, Swiss & France. It’s the highest peak in Europe with lot of glaciers. Chamonix offers excellent option for all those who have some or little adventure spirit in them. Ok let me talk about this place in detail later. Then went to the booking person in Gares and asked him how to reach Mont-Blanc. He said we will have to take a train which is at 8.15am the next day and would reach the place by 1.30 pm after changing 3 trains, and way back he informed us that we have a direct bus. I was happy to hear on the return journey, but wanted to reach early. Asked him to check on the earliest connection. He said there is one at 6.05am leave Grenoble and reach Annecy at 7.41 from there at 7.57 take the second train to St.Gerrais and reach les Bains at 9.35 and at 9.52 take a train to Chamonix at 10.32 hrs. I was very happy to see the schedule. So 3 of us decided to go, and was checking on the fares. The booking clerk told us it could cost 168 Euros. Then I saw there some board on discounts, I asked him what is that about. He told me that there is a Rhone-Alps travel card (that’s the district I’m in France). If you buy that get you get 50% reduction for travel made on weekends and holidays & 25% on weekdays, and it was valid for 3 people including the person who holds this for a period of one year. Oh my God it’s a steal, so we went ahead and bought a ticket including a 40 Euro discount card, which costs us only 124 Euros. Then happily went home after doing some shopping in C&A with big discounts. After reaching home I watched 2 latest Tamil movies. I need to admit that I hardly see movies in India but here I’m totally spoiled, I almost watch 2-3 movies a weekend. There is an Srilankan store who gives us all latest movies in VCD @ 1.5 Euros per movie. This is a nice time pass. The next day we were supposed to take a train at 6am, before that I should get my photo fixed on the ID provided to me on the discount card.
On Sunday I left early, leaving behind the other two to come join me at 5.50. I went there early to the railway station to get my id fixed with photo. When I went to the tram stop I discovered that on Sundays we have the first one at 5.50 am to reach Gares. So rushed back to the apartment and made a call to a taxi and we all 3 left together. Then happily we got into the train at the right time and was eagerly awaiting to get down at Annacy (remember this train is going to Geneva in Swiss). From there we will have to take another train and reach St.Gerrais and then by another train to reach Chamonix. We were like waiting for our stop to arrive, and did not come till 7.55. We were passing a very big lake and it was very beautiful and the train had to pass thru a lot of tunnels. It was really a sight worth watching. But we were like little worried as the train was traveling without any stop. And the train was approaching a station I quickly went the map in the train and checked what the destination we were approaching the station. To my shock it was the station before the final destination. I was little worried as the final station was a different county (swiss), which is not in Schengen states, and to top all this I was not carrying my passport. There are a very high chances that we would be deported if we reach Geneva in Swiss and we will be in deep trouble. So decided to hop off at this station. Good we did that; otherwise we would have invited serious trouble, that doesn’t mean that we did not have any now after getting down here. There was a lot in store when we got down here. This place is a remote station in the border of France & Swiss, on the France side. When we got down and enquired with the ticket inspector we were informed that we were traveling in the wrong compartment. Actually this train, which originated in our place goes to two destinations. Here in Europe I need to tell u one train goes to 3 places. That’s is how our next train was. We where in utter shock not knowing what to do. I’m normally very careful about this as I have traveled in lot of trains like this in Europe earlier, where in one train going to many places. Some how I over looked this and it passed my notice. So we enquired from him as how we reach from that place-Belegrade to our final destination. We were told that the next train is at 11am and would reach Chamonix by 1.30 only after changing another train. 3 Hrs in that station is a big time. You know after all bomb blast in Madrid and bomb scare in France trains we can expect the worst thing ahead of us in the next 3 hrs. We went to the only bar in the station and picked up the long coffee and sat there and spent our next one hour. After we decided to come out and explore it there are any other option available. Here is our trouble starts. Police intercept us and ask about whom we are and our details. 2 of us did not have passports and luckly we have our company ID, since it’s a famous company with a brand, we are saved. Then we explained them what trouble we are undergoing and they end up with a smile. This we have to do atleast 2 more times. In the mean time we saw what all destination out train would reach, then we discovered that our train and another train, which was about to leave, have the same end point. So one of the person was pushing us to go ahead and go by this autobus and atleast reach another destination, so that it will be a kind of change of place. But exploring further later after reaching out final destination we discovered that it was on the totally in the direction opposite we were supposed to reach. That destination is close to the Italy border. My God, I was insisting that we only go by the plan what was suggested at 8am and was denying to look at other options. In a way it was good. Otherwise we would have landed in another corner of France and would have invited more trouble. Then at 11am our train came. It had 8 coached and of them 2 were attached to another 2 which was already in the platform and then the next 2 goes to Geneva, next 2 to another place were we planned to take an en-route and the first 2 to our second stop before our final destination. Oh my goodness one train can go to so many places … no wonder why we are here. The train finally left for our second destination. This train went past the swiss border and was also into one swiss station. It legal to travel inside swiss with a valid ticket to another location in France. If u get down then you are caught and sent back, depending on u r luck. So we just sat in the train waiting for it to come into the France range. After leaving another 2 coached there in that station we came back in France with 4 coaches with 2 coached heading to the destination we are supposed to go. And finally we arrive at our second point. From there we took another train to Chamonix. This train is very special. This is called Mont-Blanc express and this goes to Swiss Alps. If u a resident of that region you need not buy a ticket to travel by this train it seems. The travel is free. Its like traveling in the mini train that takes us to Ooty from Mettupalayam. The train is multi colored with France and Swiss flag and the train is well decorated. We had a nice ride on a smooth, comfortable train through spectacular snow clad Alpine scenery. Along the line there are a number of stations with easy access to tourist sites such as the Mer de Glace and Aiguille du Midi.. From the French station of St Gervais with a steep climb to the Chamonix valley. After running the length of the valley, they pass through the Montroc Tunnel to a high point near le Buet in the Vallorcine valley. The excitement continues above a stunning precipice towards the Trient valley. Another tunnel marks the beginning of the final descent into the Rhône valley and the town of Martigny. After all this adventure here we are at Chamonix.
Chamonix
The town of Chamonix Mt-Blanc is 1042m (3,396 ft) above sea level at the foot of the Mt-Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe at 4807m (15,770 ft). The resident population of the valley is about 10,000. The seasonal workers and tourists can add another 100,000 on any given day in a winter high season week and 130,000 in the summer. This is very similar to Garmisch in Germany, which I had been to with a similar experience earlier some 3 years back during my visit to Germany. Garmisch is in Germany Alps which borders 4 countries, they are Germany, Italy, Austria and Swiss. Then we did not want to waster time and rush to the cable car station to explore the beauty of this region. Then the Discover the beautiful region of the Mt Blanc and the Valley du Trient was done by using another train + cable car + a long walk in the mountains. The Montenvers Train departs from it's own station next to the main station in Chamonix. This old funicular climbs a steep track to a stunning vantage point above the Mer de Glace. From here, views of Les Grandes Jorasses and the Les Drus are exceptional. From the top station at Montenvers walk down to the glacier and into an ice grotto. This is the most exciting experience. As we reached the glacier it was very slippery. This valley is very scenic and equally a very difficult terrain to walk in the snow. This is called the Sea of ice. Really as the name goes we didn’t find any snow. We saw some ice caves and ice cubes, no snow. It makes very difficult to walk without the right kind of shoe or gear. We enjoyed the ice cave they have spread some carpets so that its easy for us to walk in the glaciers. Then after a visit to the caves we came out and there a beautiful spread of ice and glacier. They have marked the area and was clearly mentioned that we enter that area at our own risk. We decided to take a walk and a few places we had a fall, I went on back in one place since it was very difficult to walk. It’s not snow or ice .. it’s a glacier so u can’t walk on that. In some places people have put some snow so that we could walk on them and get into big caves. I tried getting into one cave I was close to only 10% of it inside. Suddenly we discovered that some snowfall was making a fresh blocking the entrance. So I rushed out and did not want to take a risk. Only very few people go to that area so it was worth taking the risk. The color of the glacier is one that requires a special mention. Its sky blue color and it will give a special kind of reflection if you travel there in the morning early. After visiting all this we came back and the rain started. Luckly we have an excellent bus driver who had put on some nice French Jazz. We enjoyed our way back to Grenoble also. My only disappointment was I wanted to take ski but could not do that due to lack of time. Any it ended well except a few hitches. That’s ok.
Popular pranks I played
Calling my friends wife who has applied for US VISA, as though I’m calling from consulate office and asked for her date of birth and mother’s maiden name etc.
Calling on of the delivery head in one of my previous office and discussing on resource allocation.
Calling up one of my faculty (most favorite coordinator) as another person my in batch and informing her that Venkat (that’s me) had met with an accident.
Hacking the people password when they enter in ATM and discuss the PIN on the phone
Call someone and tell them that I’m angry and serious because of their act (which I’m not at all, have u ever seen me serious)
Calling my people in office as DSA (direct sales associates) of popular multi-national banks and provide information on the loans and credit cards and finally give my number to contact
Played computer games in one of my office in one late night and made my Project Manager join me on that
Calling on of the delivery head in one of my previous office and discussing on resource allocation.
Calling up one of my faculty (most favorite coordinator) as another person my in batch and informing her that Venkat (that’s me) had met with an accident.
Hacking the people password when they enter in ATM and discuss the PIN on the phone
Call someone and tell them that I’m angry and serious because of their act (which I’m not at all, have u ever seen me serious)
Calling my people in office as DSA (direct sales associates) of popular multi-national banks and provide information on the loans and credit cards and finally give my number to contact
Played computer games in one of my office in one late night and made my Project Manager join me on that
Thursday, March 11, 2004
Monday, March 08, 2004
Merci to Marseille
I had been to Marseille on the last weekend. Infact we (Siva, Ilan & myself) started to go to MONT-BLANC for ski, but the climate very foggy so all buses were cancelled. In the last minute decided to go Marseille. We bought the ticket in Grenoble and we have only 5 minutes to catch the TER train... it was fun to run and catch the train. We had to travel by a TER & a TGV trains to reach that place.
We went to Valance and then from there by another TGV train we went to Marseille. This TGV train station of Valance needs a special mention. Its built on top of the tracks. I think TGV train stations are separate from normal train stations. It’s like an Airport. This has all TGV trains coming and branching. Its one of its kind in the world it seems. Then we reached Marseille.
At Marseille the train station was on top of a hill. We had to climb some 100-150 steps to get down to the city. This city is also well connected by trams, buses, waterways and trains. The city is so beautiful it doesn't resemble “no other city”.
The city is on a beautiful Mediterranean coast. It has a natural harbor. Its a modern, cosmopolitan city located in southeastern France on the Mediterranean Sea, dating back 2,500 years, it is now France’s second largest city. Greeks discovered it in 600 BC.
Its the most renowned and populated city in France after Paris, MARSEILLE has - like the capital - prospered and been ransacked over the centuries.
It has lost its privileges to sundry French kings and foreign armies, recovered its fortunes, suffered plagues (two of them), religious bigotry, republican and royalist terror and had its own Commune and Bastille-storming.
Our journey started from Vieux-Port (old harbor), then the climb up the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica - the "God Mother" who watches over the city gives an excellent. Some facts about the place “the height of the statue 12.5 m weight of the statue 9796 Kgs weight of the great bell 8234 Kgs”
The attached file is the view you get from there only. There are close 140 islands that make this place; you can view almost lot of these from there. One of the islands houses the famous Jail “” - This jail inspired Alexandre Dumas to write the book "Count of Monte Cristo"
There are numerous forts, It was the presence of so many Marseillaise Revolutionaries marching from the Rhine to Paris in 1792 which gave the Hymn of the Army of the Rhine its name of La Marseillaise , later to become the national anthem.
Today, it's an undeniable fact that Marseille is a deprived city, not particularly beautiful architecturally, and with acres of grim 1960’s housing estates. The houses have big gardens and they all dates back many years.
Yet it's a wonderful place to visit - a real, down-to-earth yet cosmopolitan port city with a trading history going back over 2500 years. The people are gregarious, generous, endlessly talkative and unconcerned if their style seems. The best thing is every body speaks very good “Anglais”, one more reason why I love Marseille.
When roaming around the street I saw lot of posters saying March 13th is the Carnival day in “Marseille”. I was telling Siva that we should have come next week. It would have been more fun. The reason why I was missing it was I had attended the Carnival in Koblenz when I was in Germany . The God Mother of Marseille was hearing my lament all the while and she has some surprise for me.
She was very kind to me, after we got our return tickets confirmed when we came down the railway station to grab some thing for dinner we saw lot of color paper pieces striven around. She gave the pointer as to which direction the carnival parade had gone. We closely followed the trail of the music, which took us to the carnival streets. Looks like this was a prelude one to the next week's one...I was thanking God for directing me here. And I enjoyed myself.. Took a couple of photos along with the people dressed crazily "real crazy I mean in all sense" ... then we had to run back to get our train for our way back to Grenoble. The fun did not end there.......
When we reached Valance we were informed that we would have to travel by bus as this sector was closed due to the security reasons. Guess what ??? Some one has planted bombs in the railway tracks in France 32000 KM railway network - that’s the threat. The group, known as AZF, said it would explode the 10 devices unless a ransom of $4m and 1m euros (£2.8m) was paid. Read more on this
So when we boarded a TGV bus the real fun ... remember the grab we got to have for the dinner. After getting into the bus I open my salad and started having that. Siva and myself sat in the seat just behind the driver. I was about to finish my grab..in the mean time Siva offered Ilan some food. The bus driver didn't notice this. Ilan refused to have as he was saying ‘we don't know if we can have it inside the bus’. But Siva insisted and gave him the salad. He had to take the salad from the polythene cover... so this is the culprit. The driver of the bus saw this and pulled the bus to the side of the road and halted it. He was shouting in French, which we didn't understand. Then we had to hurriedly put back everything in the bag and wait for the arrival at Grenoble.
We went to Valance and then from there by another TGV train we went to Marseille. This TGV train station of Valance needs a special mention. Its built on top of the tracks. I think TGV train stations are separate from normal train stations. It’s like an Airport. This has all TGV trains coming and branching. Its one of its kind in the world it seems. Then we reached Marseille.
At Marseille the train station was on top of a hill. We had to climb some 100-150 steps to get down to the city. This city is also well connected by trams, buses, waterways and trains. The city is so beautiful it doesn't resemble “no other city”.
The city is on a beautiful Mediterranean coast. It has a natural harbor. Its a modern, cosmopolitan city located in southeastern France on the Mediterranean Sea, dating back 2,500 years, it is now France’s second largest city. Greeks discovered it in 600 BC.
Its the most renowned and populated city in France after Paris, MARSEILLE has - like the capital - prospered and been ransacked over the centuries.
It has lost its privileges to sundry French kings and foreign armies, recovered its fortunes, suffered plagues (two of them), religious bigotry, republican and royalist terror and had its own Commune and Bastille-storming.
Our journey started from Vieux-Port (old harbor), then the climb up the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica - the "God Mother" who watches over the city gives an excellent. Some facts about the place “the height of the statue 12.5 m weight of the statue 9796 Kgs weight of the great bell 8234 Kgs”
The attached file is the view you get from there only. There are close 140 islands that make this place; you can view almost lot of these from there. One of the islands houses the famous Jail “” - This jail inspired Alexandre Dumas to write the book "Count of Monte Cristo"
There are numerous forts, It was the presence of so many Marseillaise Revolutionaries marching from the Rhine to Paris in 1792 which gave the Hymn of the Army of the Rhine its name of La Marseillaise , later to become the national anthem.
Today, it's an undeniable fact that Marseille is a deprived city, not particularly beautiful architecturally, and with acres of grim 1960’s housing estates. The houses have big gardens and they all dates back many years.
Yet it's a wonderful place to visit - a real, down-to-earth yet cosmopolitan port city with a trading history going back over 2500 years. The people are gregarious, generous, endlessly talkative and unconcerned if their style seems. The best thing is every body speaks very good “Anglais”, one more reason why I love Marseille.
When roaming around the street I saw lot of posters saying March 13th is the Carnival day in “Marseille”. I was telling Siva that we should have come next week. It would have been more fun. The reason why I was missing it was I had attended the Carnival in Koblenz when I was in Germany . The God Mother of Marseille was hearing my lament all the while and she has some surprise for me.
She was very kind to me, after we got our return tickets confirmed when we came down the railway station to grab some thing for dinner we saw lot of color paper pieces striven around. She gave the pointer as to which direction the carnival parade had gone. We closely followed the trail of the music, which took us to the carnival streets. Looks like this was a prelude one to the next week's one...I was thanking God for directing me here. And I enjoyed myself.. Took a couple of photos along with the people dressed crazily "real crazy I mean in all sense" ... then we had to run back to get our train for our way back to Grenoble. The fun did not end there.......
When we reached Valance we were informed that we would have to travel by bus as this sector was closed due to the security reasons. Guess what ??? Some one has planted bombs in the railway tracks in France 32000 KM railway network - that’s the threat. The group, known as AZF, said it would explode the 10 devices unless a ransom of $4m and 1m euros (£2.8m) was paid. Read more on this
So when we boarded a TGV bus the real fun ... remember the grab we got to have for the dinner. After getting into the bus I open my salad and started having that. Siva and myself sat in the seat just behind the driver. I was about to finish my grab..in the mean time Siva offered Ilan some food. The bus driver didn't notice this. Ilan refused to have as he was saying ‘we don't know if we can have it inside the bus’. But Siva insisted and gave him the salad. He had to take the salad from the polythene cover... so this is the culprit. The driver of the bus saw this and pulled the bus to the side of the road and halted it. He was shouting in French, which we didn't understand. Then we had to hurriedly put back everything in the bag and wait for the arrival at Grenoble.
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
"la fondue" - meaning the melt
I would like to share this experience with u .. This was on 24th Feb I had been to a restaurant to taste one of the classical French food from the region where I stay, Rhone-Alps.
It was just bread portions with melted cheese.
This preparation is some what complicated.. the cheese, not the ordinary cheese, is a special one which, is melted in a red wine. The wine is first heated so that the alcohol evaporates and then the cheese is mixed. This is allowed to boil. This is the first mix.
Later they come and pickup u r order .. we need to select along with what mixture u want that first mix...
the available combinations are all greens / onion / mushroom / vegetables / meat varieties
Then depending our choice the mixture is added and then it is served in a saucepan with a burner under that. This mixture needed to be stirred constantly so that wine and the cheese don’t get separated.
They give u a special type of fork with which u take the bread crump and soak it in the mixture. The catch is u r bread should not be dropped when u take it out as the mixture is little hard. Its fun. If U forfeit, who ever saw u dropping the bread can ask u to do what ever they want. It was sheer fun. A couple of people dropped this and was asked to do a lot of things. All People (except few like me) time take wine along with that.
Now coming to the desserts part. Fresh fruits like apple, berry, strawberry, kiwi, orange, banana etc are served with a cream in a plate. Then a hot chocolate is kept in a saucepan, u need to take the fruit/fruits along with/without the cream soak it into the hot chocolate and eat that.
"Bon appetiet" - Burp
It was just bread portions with melted cheese.
This preparation is some what complicated.. the cheese, not the ordinary cheese, is a special one which, is melted in a red wine. The wine is first heated so that the alcohol evaporates and then the cheese is mixed. This is allowed to boil. This is the first mix.
Later they come and pickup u r order .. we need to select along with what mixture u want that first mix...
the available combinations are all greens / onion / mushroom / vegetables / meat varieties
Then depending our choice the mixture is added and then it is served in a saucepan with a burner under that. This mixture needed to be stirred constantly so that wine and the cheese don’t get separated.
They give u a special type of fork with which u take the bread crump and soak it in the mixture. The catch is u r bread should not be dropped when u take it out as the mixture is little hard. Its fun. If U forfeit, who ever saw u dropping the bread can ask u to do what ever they want. It was sheer fun. A couple of people dropped this and was asked to do a lot of things. All People (except few like me) time take wine along with that.
Now coming to the desserts part. Fresh fruits like apple, berry, strawberry, kiwi, orange, banana etc are served with a cream in a plate. Then a hot chocolate is kept in a saucepan, u need to take the fruit/fruits along with/without the cream soak it into the hot chocolate and eat that.
"Bon appetiet" - Burp
Saturday, February 07, 2004
MY FIR on SKI experience ...
Last weekend went for a Ski .. oh what an experience ...
It was fun. It requires great technique to do that. I fell down close to 5 times and on the 6th time I picked it up so perfectly... only to try to learn how to stop. I managed to stop and then started skiing in the reverse direction. What a fun it was…fear mixed with excitement is the only way I could describe... let me try to put as best I can as how I skied, I’m a math’s graduate so let me give you geometrically.
When u slide down u come in a line, say which is 180 degree in a straight line with u r chest facing the snow and gliding down....then to stop u should take a 90 degree turn which is relative to the line from the straight line u will make an perpendicular one ...
This is how u stop... later before I could go back to the 180 position I made a further turn and came to 0 degree which is just the opposite of the direction i came in at 180 degrees...so I was traveling in reverse...with my back facing the snow. In simple term I was traveling in the reverse direction. My back facing the snow.
That’s sheer fun. I might go for a ski again one more time ... its sheer fun.
It was fun. It requires great technique to do that. I fell down close to 5 times and on the 6th time I picked it up so perfectly... only to try to learn how to stop. I managed to stop and then started skiing in the reverse direction. What a fun it was…fear mixed with excitement is the only way I could describe... let me try to put as best I can as how I skied, I’m a math’s graduate so let me give you geometrically.
When u slide down u come in a line, say which is 180 degree in a straight line with u r chest facing the snow and gliding down....then to stop u should take a 90 degree turn which is relative to the line from the straight line u will make an perpendicular one ...
This is how u stop... later before I could go back to the 180 position I made a further turn and came to 0 degree which is just the opposite of the direction i came in at 180 degrees...so I was traveling in reverse...with my back facing the snow. In simple term I was traveling in the reverse direction. My back facing the snow.
That’s sheer fun. I might go for a ski again one more time ... its sheer fun.
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