Bill Gates is reportedly the world's most spammed person.
So they have decided to to replace the CEO of Microsoft. Guess who is going to repleace him?
Steve Ballmer has requested me to take over due to this and there is a great support around the world. I wish I can dream like this... :-)
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Screensaver tackles spam websites - Make Love, Not Spam
This is a very intresting project which was undertaken by Lycos. But as know all good things come to an end.
Initially :
Sites selling spam goods and services are being targeted. Net users are getting the chance to fight back against spam websites. Internet portal Lycos has made a screensaver that endlessly requests data from sites that sell the goods and services mentioned in spam e-mail.
Lycos hopes it will make the monthly bandwidth bills of spammers soar by keeping their servers running flat out.
The net firm estimates that if enough people sign up and download the tool, spammers could end up paying to send out terabytes of data.
Cost curve
"We've never really solved the big problem of spam which is that its so damn cheap and easy to do," said Malte Pollmann, spokesman for Lycos Europe.
"In the past we have built up the spam filtering systems for our users," he said, "but now we are going to go one step further."
By getting thousands of people to download and use the screensaver, Lycos hopes to get spamming websites constantly running at almost full capacity.
Mr Pollmann said there was no intention to stop the spam websites working by subjecting them with too much data to cope with.
He said the screensaver had been carefully written to ensure that the amount of traffic it generated from each user did not overload the web.
"Every single user will contribute three to four megabytes per day," he said, "about one MP3 file."
But, he said, if enough people sign up spamming websites could be force to pay for gigabytes of traffic every single day.
Lycos did not want to use e-mail to fight back, said Mr Pollmann.
"That would be fighting one bad thing with another bad thing," he said.
Slow down
The sites being targeted are those mentioned in spam e-mail messages and which sell the goods and services on offer.
Anti-spam screensaver scrapped
A contentious campaign to bump up the bandwidth bills of spammers by flooding their sites with data has been dropped.
Lycos has shut down the campaign saying it had been started to stimulate debate about anti-spam measures and had now achieved this aim.
The anti-spammer screensaver came under fire for encouraging vigilante activity and skirting the edge of the law.
Sites swamped
Through the Make Love, Not Spam website, users could download a screensaver that would endlessly request data from the net sites mentioned in many junk mail messages.
More than 100,000 people are thought to have downloaded the screensaver that Lycos Europe offered.
Lycos Europe statement
The company wanted to keep the spam sites running at near total capacity to make it much less financially attractive to spammers to operate the sites.
"The idea was simply to slow spammers' sites and this was achieved by the campaign," the company said.
Initially :
Sites selling spam goods and services are being targeted. Net users are getting the chance to fight back against spam websites. Internet portal Lycos has made a screensaver that endlessly requests data from sites that sell the goods and services mentioned in spam e-mail.
Lycos hopes it will make the monthly bandwidth bills of spammers soar by keeping their servers running flat out.
The net firm estimates that if enough people sign up and download the tool, spammers could end up paying to send out terabytes of data.
Cost curve
"We've never really solved the big problem of spam which is that its so damn cheap and easy to do," said Malte Pollmann, spokesman for Lycos Europe.
"In the past we have built up the spam filtering systems for our users," he said, "but now we are going to go one step further."
By getting thousands of people to download and use the screensaver, Lycos hopes to get spamming websites constantly running at almost full capacity.
Mr Pollmann said there was no intention to stop the spam websites working by subjecting them with too much data to cope with.
He said the screensaver had been carefully written to ensure that the amount of traffic it generated from each user did not overload the web.
"Every single user will contribute three to four megabytes per day," he said, "about one MP3 file."
But, he said, if enough people sign up spamming websites could be force to pay for gigabytes of traffic every single day.
Lycos did not want to use e-mail to fight back, said Mr Pollmann.
"That would be fighting one bad thing with another bad thing," he said.
Slow down
The sites being targeted are those mentioned in spam e-mail messages and which sell the goods and services on offer.
Anti-spam screensaver scrapped
A contentious campaign to bump up the bandwidth bills of spammers by flooding their sites with data has been dropped.
Lycos has shut down the campaign saying it had been started to stimulate debate about anti-spam measures and had now achieved this aim.
The anti-spammer screensaver came under fire for encouraging vigilante activity and skirting the edge of the law.
Sites swamped
Through the Make Love, Not Spam website, users could download a screensaver that would endlessly request data from the net sites mentioned in many junk mail messages.
More than 100,000 people are thought to have downloaded the screensaver that Lycos Europe offered.
Lycos Europe statement
The company wanted to keep the spam sites running at near total capacity to make it much less financially attractive to spammers to operate the sites.
"The idea was simply to slow spammers' sites and this was achieved by the campaign," the company said.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Weekend
Normally weekends bring lot of happiness, especially when u r in Europe. In north of France people when we meet after the weekend they ask did you party but in the south of France where I stay they ask you what did you do this weekend? It's like asking what activity did you do. In the south of France there are lot of activities like scuba diving when your near the coast, If you are in the Alps like me in summer its normally some trekking, rock climbing and in winter ski. Oh I need to plan for the Ski this winter also. I started my blog with the first blog on my 1st ski experience only. I was checking some youth hostel booking in Chamonix the whole place has been booked till the April 2005. Oh my gosh this is impossible.
So I did some movie watching and planning for my Christmas holidays. U can soon c some more Places as Virtual tours in coming weeks. Keep checking.
Oh I forgot some thing here is the link for the visit to Parc de la Tete d'Or. This is an heavenly collection of the fall season.
So I did some movie watching and planning for my Christmas holidays. U can soon c some more Places as Virtual tours in coming weeks. Keep checking.
Oh I forgot some thing here is the link for the visit to Parc de la Tete d'Or. This is an heavenly collection of the fall season.
Air Taxis :-) Cool...
A private engineering company servicing the British air force says it's 18 months away from introducing a flying taxi that could ferry passengers from the outskirts of London to the city centre in three minutes, and for the cost of a conventional fare.
The Jetpod T-100, a virtually silent, six-seat, twin-engine jet replete with horizontal and vertical thrusters that allow it to hover like a helicopter, will reach 560 km/h and needs just 125 metres of space to take off or land.
Priced at under $1 million US each, the Jetpod will coast onto grass or dirt runways less than one-tenth the normal length, dotted throughout a city. It isn't meant to travel between cities or ferry monied folk to weekend homes, but will concentrate instead on winging suburbanites downtown for about $60 to $75.
It's a cheap solution for cities that are looking for creative ways to reduce traffic congestion -- and a gamble for entrepreneurs looking to tap into what is predicted to be a lucrative commercial market for urban micro-planes in the near future, its inventors say.
"It's the right moment for flying machines, I guess," Mike Dacre, managing director of the plane's developer Avcen Limited of London, said Tuesday. "If you live to be 300 years old you don't expect to get the kind of response we've had so far."
Interest from investors and the public has been frenzied since the design was unveiled last week. Dacre has given non-stop interviews and received inquiries from as far as New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates. The firm's website shut down after receiving 16 million hits.
Jetpod's rugged undercarriage is being built to withstand multiple daily flights over low terrain, and a proprietary noise attenuation system reduces the whooshing of its engines by 50 per cent over today's light jets.
The demo now under development will be flight tested over the coming months, and should be certified to fly in Britain within five years, Dacre said.
The Jetpod T-100, a virtually silent, six-seat, twin-engine jet replete with horizontal and vertical thrusters that allow it to hover like a helicopter, will reach 560 km/h and needs just 125 metres of space to take off or land.
Priced at under $1 million US each, the Jetpod will coast onto grass or dirt runways less than one-tenth the normal length, dotted throughout a city. It isn't meant to travel between cities or ferry monied folk to weekend homes, but will concentrate instead on winging suburbanites downtown for about $60 to $75.
It's a cheap solution for cities that are looking for creative ways to reduce traffic congestion -- and a gamble for entrepreneurs looking to tap into what is predicted to be a lucrative commercial market for urban micro-planes in the near future, its inventors say.
"It's the right moment for flying machines, I guess," Mike Dacre, managing director of the plane's developer Avcen Limited of London, said Tuesday. "If you live to be 300 years old you don't expect to get the kind of response we've had so far."
Interest from investors and the public has been frenzied since the design was unveiled last week. Dacre has given non-stop interviews and received inquiries from as far as New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates. The firm's website shut down after receiving 16 million hits.
Jetpod's rugged undercarriage is being built to withstand multiple daily flights over low terrain, and a proprietary noise attenuation system reduces the whooshing of its engines by 50 per cent over today's light jets.
The demo now under development will be flight tested over the coming months, and should be certified to fly in Britain within five years, Dacre said.
Interesting stuff
Just checked this link..This is really cool ... Just move the mouse in and out and you can travel through a different world. Make sure you stop here and there and have a look at the place Click here
Enjoy you visit
Enjoy you visit
The Hitchhiker - Australia is famous for this also
This story happened about a month ago, in a little town in Victoria, Australia, and even though it sounds like an Alfred Hitchcock tale, apparently it's real.
This guy was on the side of the road near Terang, hitchhiking, on a very dark night and in the middle of a storm.
The night was black and no cars went by. The storm was so strong, he could hardly see a few feet ahead of him.
Suddenly he saw a car coming towards him. It stopped. The guy, without thinking about it, got in the car, closed the door and then realized there was nobody behind the wheel.
The car started slowly. The guy looks at the road and sees a curve coming his way. Scared he starts to pray begging for his life. He hasn't come out of shock, when just before he hits the curve, a hand appears through the window and moves the wheel. The guy, paralysed in terror, watches how the hand appears every time! they get to a curve.
The guy, gathering strength, gets out of the car and runs to the nearest town. Wet and in shock, he goes to a pub and asks for 2 shots of whiskey, and starts telling everybody about the horrible experience he just went through.
A silence enveloped everybody when they realized the guy is crying and isn't drunk.
About half an hour later, two blokes walked in the same pub and one said to the other "Look Bill, there's the wanker that got in the car while we were pushing it!!!"
This guy was on the side of the road near Terang, hitchhiking, on a very dark night and in the middle of a storm.
The night was black and no cars went by. The storm was so strong, he could hardly see a few feet ahead of him.
Suddenly he saw a car coming towards him. It stopped. The guy, without thinking about it, got in the car, closed the door and then realized there was nobody behind the wheel.
The car started slowly. The guy looks at the road and sees a curve coming his way. Scared he starts to pray begging for his life. He hasn't come out of shock, when just before he hits the curve, a hand appears through the window and moves the wheel. The guy, paralysed in terror, watches how the hand appears every time! they get to a curve.
The guy, gathering strength, gets out of the car and runs to the nearest town. Wet and in shock, he goes to a pub and asks for 2 shots of whiskey, and starts telling everybody about the horrible experience he just went through.
A silence enveloped everybody when they realized the guy is crying and isn't drunk.
About half an hour later, two blokes walked in the same pub and one said to the other "Look Bill, there's the wanker that got in the car while we were pushing it!!!"
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Attention grabbing CV
This is doing the rounds in Microsoft, and therefore, might prove the adage that attention grabbing CVs can actually make a difference ... from GG post.
When The Known Devil is Better Than an Unknown God: An Empirical Study of the Antecedents and Consequences of Relay CEO Successions
If all corporations take Rice University’s advise, then you all will be looking for new gigs. In a recent study they found that that despite a sharp increase in the number of CEOs at U.S. companies have been recruited from outside those firms, a new study suggests that boards of directors should look inside their organizations before filling this critical position. Love the name of the study by Yan (Anthea) Zhang of Rice University’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management and Nandini Rajagopalan of the University of Southern California
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
World's first Diamond Cricket Ball
Alston Koch, managing director, Fior Drissage, holds a perfect made-to-scale diamond and gold cricket ball, which has been brought to Australia to celebrate the start of the cricket season and the opening of their jewellery store in Melbourne.
Making a claim for the Guinness Book of Records as the only one of it's kind in the world, it is made with 2704 diamonds and 18 carat gold stitch.
The ball, which was made in Sri Lanka, weighs 53.83 carats and has a pure 'gold' seam of 125 grams. The material used to keep the diamonds on the ball is similar to the one used on the wings of NASA space shuttles.
Making a claim for the Guinness Book of Records as the only one of it's kind in the world, it is made with 2704 diamonds and 18 carat gold stitch.
The ball, which was made in Sri Lanka, weighs 53.83 carats and has a pure 'gold' seam of 125 grams. The material used to keep the diamonds on the ball is similar to the one used on the wings of NASA space shuttles.
What they don’t teach in Schools….
The job we do has nothing to do with what is studied at school or collage, for many people, I think so. As what is taught in schools less than 15 or 20 per cent of what we learned would be relevant. What we get in college is a chance to interact with some really sharp people.
Having left campus and arriving into the corporate world, you quickly adapt to excelling within a structure in order to earn your rewards. Despite B-school teachings, strategy and out-of-the-box thinking take a backseat and the activity trap takes control of your life. After all, you have joined the rat race and you learn, like Pavlov’s dogs, that rewards follow a pattern. Suddenly, 15 or more years go by and there is a paradigm shift and no more patterns.
Read on more in these here….
Having left campus and arriving into the corporate world, you quickly adapt to excelling within a structure in order to earn your rewards. Despite B-school teachings, strategy and out-of-the-box thinking take a backseat and the activity trap takes control of your life. After all, you have joined the rat race and you learn, like Pavlov’s dogs, that rewards follow a pattern. Suddenly, 15 or more years go by and there is a paradigm shift and no more patterns.
Read on more in these here….
The China Price
This article is a very nice read…Is there any one in India reading this…this details how US is facing problems due to China.
How much of a problem? That's in fierce dispute. On one side, the benefits of the relationship with China are enormous. After years of struggling to crack the mainland market, U.S. multinationals from General Motors to Procter & Gamble and Motorola are finally reaping rich profits. They're making cell phones, shampoo, autos, and PCs in China and selling them to its middle class of some 100 million people, a group that should more than double in size by 2010. "Our commercial success in China is important to our competitiveness worldwide," says Motorola China Chairman Gene Delaney
How much of a problem? That's in fierce dispute. On one side, the benefits of the relationship with China are enormous. After years of struggling to crack the mainland market, U.S. multinationals from General Motors to Procter & Gamble and Motorola are finally reaping rich profits. They're making cell phones, shampoo, autos, and PCs in China and selling them to its middle class of some 100 million people, a group that should more than double in size by 2010. "Our commercial success in China is important to our competitiveness worldwide," says Motorola China Chairman Gene Delaney
Monday, November 29, 2004
A walk in the woods
On this visit to Lyon I was welcomed by Venkat in the railway station with a Pepsi Energy Drink. Then went to his house and was welcomed with Carrot Halwa. Then a dosa camp with Chutney and sambar, after all this we took a walk to the Parc de la Tete d'Or. The whole day just went of in the park like that. The park has a beautiful lake, a small island in the lake and a zoo also in the park. Since it was the just the beginning of winter so the final touch of autumn was seen there. It's very true every leaf in autumn is a flower. Most French people would find themselves in Lyon for business rather than for recreation: it's a get-up-and-go place, not a lie-back-and-rest one. Then came back in the evening had a nice Cabbage porial, with a nice sambar and rasam.
Lyon is organized into arrondissements. The centre of Lyon is the Peninsula, the tongue of land between the rivers Saone and Rhone, just north of their confluence. This strip of land is very good by night. One thing we need to learn is the way the illumination is provided to the buildings in the night us worth mentioning.
LYON is physically the second biggest city in France. Viewed at high speed from the Autoroute du Soleil, the impression it gives is of a major confluence of rivers and roads, a multitude of Renaissance buildings. But what has stamped its character most on Lyon is the commerce and banking that grew up with its industrial expansion. It is this that gives the town its staid, stolid and somewhat austere air. The building of the Bank Credit Lyonnise is impressive. From any corner of the City u would be able to c the building. It's very impressive in the night.
The city is now busy forging a role for itself within a new Europe, with international schools and colleges, which is why Venkat is there, and the new HQ for Interpol, a recently inaugurated eco-friendly tram system, a second TGV station with links to the north that bypass Paris, and high-tech industrial parks for international companies making it a modern city par excellence.
Lyon is organized into arrondissements. The centre of Lyon is the Peninsula, the tongue of land between the rivers Saone and Rhone, just north of their confluence. This strip of land is very good by night. One thing we need to learn is the way the illumination is provided to the buildings in the night us worth mentioning.
LYON is physically the second biggest city in France. Viewed at high speed from the Autoroute du Soleil, the impression it gives is of a major confluence of rivers and roads, a multitude of Renaissance buildings. But what has stamped its character most on Lyon is the commerce and banking that grew up with its industrial expansion. It is this that gives the town its staid, stolid and somewhat austere air. The building of the Bank Credit Lyonnise is impressive. From any corner of the City u would be able to c the building. It's very impressive in the night.
The city is now busy forging a role for itself within a new Europe, with international schools and colleges, which is why Venkat is there, and the new HQ for Interpol, a recently inaugurated eco-friendly tram system, a second TGV station with links to the north that bypass Paris, and high-tech industrial parks for international companies making it a modern city par excellence.
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Problem
Currently I have problem with the Internet connection at home, Soon will be back with updates. In the mean time enjoy this very nice game.
Here's a fun little online game from a German website
You have to click on "weiter" on the first page to get the game to come up.
The object is to keep the drunk walking without falling over, by rolling your mouse from left to right. You can't see your mouse, so it's not as easy as you think!
Here's a fun little online game from a German website
You have to click on "weiter" on the first page to get the game to come up.
The object is to keep the drunk walking without falling over, by rolling your mouse from left to right. You can't see your mouse, so it's not as easy as you think!
Sunday, November 21, 2004
When You Have Finished
Some thing interesting happened on 18th the 3rd Thursday. We had the awards function for the last financial year which followed the lunch session. It seems the third Thursday of November every year in France that's when and new wine for the season is released. Now coming to Indian food I have graduated to prepared Gobi Manchurean, which is a happy event to note for me.
Food this is some thing I die for, I hope a few not. For me after coming to France it has been an adventure every time I go to a lunch or dinner out here. I keep my finger crossed till the dish is served. One best thing about the food is the bread that's served. For my breakfast these days I just hang on to the Croissants and the lunch with a soup and a spread of desserts available in the office which includes cheese, you have a wide range to select from, So I really enjoy my lunch. Cheese comes in various varieties. In the last one month I had more Cheeses and various varieties. That's about the French food. And coming to dinner I'm an Indian that's what reminds me of the food I need to eat.
The best thing that prompted me to write this is about table manners. The common way to show that you have finished your meal is to lay your fork and knife diagonally across your plate. Place your knife and fork side by side, with the sharp side of the knife blade facing inward and the fork, tines down, to the left of the knife. The knife and fork should be placed as if they are pointing to the numbers 10 and 4 on a clock face. There is some other way to say that you are not happy with the food. But what is this picture is all about. I have decided in the picture the best way I feel when I dine with these people.
What is it? Confused, that's why I have placed the knife and fork pointing out.
Food this is some thing I die for, I hope a few not. For me after coming to France it has been an adventure every time I go to a lunch or dinner out here. I keep my finger crossed till the dish is served. One best thing about the food is the bread that's served. For my breakfast these days I just hang on to the Croissants and the lunch with a soup and a spread of desserts available in the office which includes cheese, you have a wide range to select from, So I really enjoy my lunch. Cheese comes in various varieties. In the last one month I had more Cheeses and various varieties. That's about the French food. And coming to dinner I'm an Indian that's what reminds me of the food I need to eat.
The best thing that prompted me to write this is about table manners. The common way to show that you have finished your meal is to lay your fork and knife diagonally across your plate. Place your knife and fork side by side, with the sharp side of the knife blade facing inward and the fork, tines down, to the left of the knife. The knife and fork should be placed as if they are pointing to the numbers 10 and 4 on a clock face. There is some other way to say that you are not happy with the food. But what is this picture is all about. I have decided in the picture the best way I feel when I dine with these people.
What is it? Confused, that's why I have placed the knife and fork pointing out.
Friday, November 19, 2004
CyberLouvre - Bon tour
How many of you long to go to the Louvre museum and checkout the stuff there? Its an wonderful collection next to the Vatican Museum.
I stumbled on a link which can take u on a virtual tour through. It introduces visitors to a tour of the museum and provides an opportunity to become familiar with the Louvre collections and history. It take lot of time to explore each collection. U can enjoy at your own pace. The world famous collection is here any guess what is there?
I stumbled on a link which can take u on a virtual tour through. It introduces visitors to a tour of the museum and provides an opportunity to become familiar with the Louvre collections and history. It take lot of time to explore each collection. U can enjoy at your own pace. The world famous collection is here any guess what is there?
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Italy means history
Our 4 day trip to Italy started on 10th November. In the evening for our train to Rome we had to change 3 trains. One from Grenoble to Chambery and from there to Torino which is the first stop for our entry into Italy and from there to Rome in the night.
For me Italy is Popes, Painters, Pisa, Pizza, Piazza, Poets, political puerility and Potentates and last not the least the cappuccinos. Visited Rome, Florence, Pisa and Venice.
Facts about Italy
Be aware that prices in Italian bars and cafes double (sometimes even triple) if you sit down, Stand and have u r coffee u pay 1.3 Euros sit in the bar and have the same coffee u pay 2.5 and u sit in the cafes and have the same coffee its costs u 5 Euros all this in the same shop. So beware don't tell me that I didn't warn you.
The driving style is pretty same like India so don't worry all u have to do is drive on the other side of the road, which we always do that. So cool no problem at all.
The TV antennas are same like it used to be in India. All houses have at lest 10 -15 of them.
Food u get in plenty don't worry about it at all, U name it u will get it. Watch out the prices normally doesn't include a welcome tax, which can go up to 3-4 Euros in a mid size restaurant per person. So check about this before entering any restaurant. Lets start with the places I have visited in the order listed below
For me Italy is Popes, Painters, Pisa, Pizza, Piazza, Poets, political puerility and Potentates and last not the least the cappuccinos. Visited Rome, Florence, Pisa and Venice.
Facts about Italy
Be aware that prices in Italian bars and cafes double (sometimes even triple) if you sit down, Stand and have u r coffee u pay 1.3 Euros sit in the bar and have the same coffee u pay 2.5 and u sit in the cafes and have the same coffee its costs u 5 Euros all this in the same shop. So beware don't tell me that I didn't warn you.
The driving style is pretty same like India so don't worry all u have to do is drive on the other side of the road, which we always do that. So cool no problem at all.
The TV antennas are same like it used to be in India. All houses have at lest 10 -15 of them.
Food u get in plenty don't worry about it at all, U name it u will get it. Watch out the prices normally doesn't include a welcome tax, which can go up to 3-4 Euros in a mid size restaurant per person. So check about this before entering any restaurant. Lets start with the places I have visited in the order listed below
Vatican City full view
Arriving at St. Peter's Square, we are immediately impressed by the size of the memorable square facing St.Peter's, surrounded by the magnificent four-row colonnade
masterpiece of Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Only when one gets inside the basilica, slowly climbing up the sweeping three flights of steps designed by Bernini, one will be truly amazed by the size and splendour of the largest church in the world, the symbol of
Christianity, extending over a total of about 22,000 sqm.
The building is 136 m. high, the diameter of the Cupola, designed by Michelangelo, measures 42 m. It is possible to reach the top of the Cupola climbing 330 steps: once up there the view of the square below and of Rome is unforgettable. The church contains the masterpieces of important artists: the 29 m. high bronze baldachin by Bernini, the Pietà by Michelangelo, the tomb of Clement XIII by Canova and the mosaic of the Navicella by Giotto, located above the middle entrance to the Portico.
Numerous and timeless are the works of art, mainly paintings, kept in the Vatican Museums, which preserve the art of the most illustrious artists of all times. A visit to the Sistine Chapel, a milestone in the history of Italian painting, should not be missed.
Brief historical outline
The first basilica of St. Peter, belonging to the Vatican City, independent State since 1929 (Lateran Pacts), was built by emperor Costantin about 320 A.D. near the necropolis which included the tomb of the martyrized Saint, that can still be visited today. Around 1450, reconstruction works were first entrusted to Bernardo Rossellino, later on to Bramante who designed a Greek-cross plan basilica, and then to Raphael who designed it, instead, following a Latin-cross plan. The design by Bramante was resumed and enlarged by Michelangelo in 1547. Before its official conservation in 1626, the church was modified by Carlo Maderno who reverted definitively to the Latin-cross plan.
masterpiece of Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Only when one gets inside the basilica, slowly climbing up the sweeping three flights of steps designed by Bernini, one will be truly amazed by the size and splendour of the largest church in the world, the symbol of
Christianity, extending over a total of about 22,000 sqm.
The building is 136 m. high, the diameter of the Cupola, designed by Michelangelo, measures 42 m. It is possible to reach the top of the Cupola climbing 330 steps: once up there the view of the square below and of Rome is unforgettable. The church contains the masterpieces of important artists: the 29 m. high bronze baldachin by Bernini, the Pietà by Michelangelo, the tomb of Clement XIII by Canova and the mosaic of the Navicella by Giotto, located above the middle entrance to the Portico.
Numerous and timeless are the works of art, mainly paintings, kept in the Vatican Museums, which preserve the art of the most illustrious artists of all times. A visit to the Sistine Chapel, a milestone in the history of Italian painting, should not be missed.
Brief historical outline
The first basilica of St. Peter, belonging to the Vatican City, independent State since 1929 (Lateran Pacts), was built by emperor Costantin about 320 A.D. near the necropolis which included the tomb of the martyrized Saint, that can still be visited today. Around 1450, reconstruction works were first entrusted to Bernardo Rossellino, later on to Bramante who designed a Greek-cross plan basilica, and then to Raphael who designed it, instead, following a Latin-cross plan. The design by Bramante was resumed and enlarged by Michelangelo in 1547. Before its official conservation in 1626, the church was modified by Carlo Maderno who reverted definitively to the Latin-cross plan.
Vatican Museum
The Rome - Vatican Museums and their immense wealth of art, resulting from centuries of papal collections and commissions, offer an extraordinary experience in which the relevance of the works on display is heightened by the splendour of the structures in which they are displayed, and that are in themselves worth a visit. We do not proceed through buildings designed specifically to allow the large numbers of contemporary visitors to see artistic objects in a functional manner, but we walk through the galleries and rooms of papal palaces, at one time reserved for a small elite. The Museums offer a great variety of collections, including ancient Greek as well as Roman art (of which the Vatican owns the largest collection in the world), Egyptian and Etruscan art and, of course, the great masterpieces of Renaissance art with the frescoes of the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel. This is a great opportunity to realize how coming to Rome often has more to do with remembering what we have always somehow known, than with discovering things for the first time. Images that are strongly related to the identity of Western artistic culture are here. The restoration of the Sistine Chapel lasted 20 years and revealed the brilliance of the original colours, allowing us to fully enjoy the details of the biblical episodes on the ceiling and of the Last Judgement by Michelangelo, with its almost 400 figures captured in the most dramatic moment in the history of humanity. The Sistine Chapel also contains the famous 15th century frescoes by Botticelli, Perugino and Ghirlandaio, among others.
Piazza di Spagna
A meeting place for both Romans and tourists, Piazza di Spagna is famous for its theatrical staircase, a creation of Francesco De Sanctis, and for its fountain known as La Barcaccia, designed in 1629 by Pietro Bernini and his son Gian Lorenzo in the shape of a boat semisubmerged in water.
At the top of the Spanish Steps is the Church of Trinità dei Monti, erected by order of the king of France Louis XII in 1502. Farther along, on the left, is Villa Medici, today seat of the Academy of France. The streets that host the most important fashion shops, but also the sites that have left a mark on the history and the culture of Rome depart in rays from Piazza di Spagna. In this respect a visit to Caffè Greco in Via Condotti is not to be missed.
At the top of the Spanish Steps is the Church of Trinità dei Monti, erected by order of the king of France Louis XII in 1502. Farther along, on the left, is Villa Medici, today seat of the Academy of France. The streets that host the most important fashion shops, but also the sites that have left a mark on the history and the culture of Rome depart in rays from Piazza di Spagna. In this respect a visit to Caffè Greco in Via Condotti is not to be missed.
Originally Piazza di Spagna was named after the imposing church at the top of the great flight of steps, Trinità dei Monti, one of the French churches of Rome. Only in the 17th century, when Palazzo Monaldeschi became seat of the Spanish Embassy, did the square become knows as Piazza di Spagna in order to win the rivalry with France, owner of Trinità dei Monti.
Trevi Fountain
The spectacular effect of the Rome - Trevi Fountain is not revealed gradually; none of the streets leading to it is in axis with the fountain itself. It is rather the sound of the water that suggests its proximity, but we reach it all of a sudden, and it is as if a curtain was lifted in front of our eyes in a surprise effect that never fails. Designed in the 18th century by architect Nicola Salvi and built over thirty years, the Trevi Fountain is the celebration of water as a symbol of life, health and change. Its location indicates the end of the course of the ancient aqueduct of the Acqua Vergine (19 BC), the history of which is related on the reliefs in the upper section of the facade. The charm of the fountain is enhanced by the contrast between its large size and the small square that contains it and seems to almost compress it, along with its location on the side of a building that does not allow the viewer to walk around it as it normally occurs. The personification of Ocean at the centre of the structure appears to emerge from the water on a chariot led by sea horses and tritons, amidst rocks that are decorated with the representation of thirty varieties of plants. The overall effect is a unique combination of sculpture, architecture and nature in which we can imagine the building blending with the rocks and the gushing water.
Don't forget to throw the famous coin to ensure your return to the Eternal City.To respectthe proper procedure one must stand with one's back to the fountain and throw the coin with the right hand over the left shoulder.
Don't forget to throw the famous coin to ensure your return to the Eternal City.To respectthe proper procedure one must stand with one's back to the fountain and throw the coin with the right hand over the left shoulder.
Pantheon
The Pantheon is an impressive example of the exquisite architectural technique of ancient Rome. It consists of a huge cylindrical body of equal height and width, covered by a great hemispherical dome. Important artists such as the painter Raphael are buried there, as well as the Italian Sovereigns of the period when Italy was a monarchy.
Opposite to the Pantheon is Piazza della Rotonda with its beautiful fountain designed by Giacomo Della Porta.
Opposite to the Pantheon is Piazza della Rotonda with its beautiful fountain designed by Giacomo Della Porta.
Brief historical outline
Built as a temple dedicated to all the gods, erected by Marcus Agrippa in 25 B.C. and later rebuilt by Hadrian around 120 A.D., the Pantheon underwent several transformations: a Christian church in 609 and a fortress in Medieval Times.
Piazza Navona
From an air view, the arena-like shape of Rome - Piazza Navona can be easily noticed. As a matter of fact, the piazza was built on the Stadium of Domitian, whose ruins can still be admired in the adjacent church of Sant'Agnese in Agone. The church, designed by the great architect Francesco Borromini, is an excellent example of the Roman Baroque architecture.
In Piazza Navona are three fountains: Fontana del Moro, Fontana di Nettuno and in the centre of the square Bernini's magnificent Fontana dei Fiumi. Four allegorical statues portray the Nile, the Ganges, the Danube and the Rio de la Plata, symbolizing the four corners of the world.
In Piazza Navona are three fountains: Fontana del Moro, Fontana di Nettuno and in the centre of the square Bernini's magnificent Fontana dei Fiumi. Four allegorical statues portray the Nile, the Ganges, the Danube and the Rio de la Plata, symbolizing the four corners of the world.
Capitol Hill
Since its origins the Rome - Capitol hill has been the seat of the city's government and the adequate place for solemn public celebrations. Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo, is surrounded by three noble palaces: the central one, Palazzo Senatorio, is the seat of the Municipality whereas the two on the sides, Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nuovo, host the treasures of the Capitoline Museums. The Capitoline Picture Gallery contains over 200 paintings from the 14th to the 18th centuries by extraordinary painters such as: Tiziano, Pietro Da Cortona, Caravaggio, Guercino, Rubens and many more. The square is dominated by a copy of the bronze equestrian statue of Marc Aurelius that survived destruction because it was believed to represent the Christian emperor Constantin. We tried to take a picture of this but could not. The elegant plinth was designed by Michelangelo. The original can be admired inside the adjacent Museum.
A new passageway connects Piazza del Campidoglio to the terraces of the Vittoriano which offer a breathtaking view of the city. The monument was inaugurated in 1911 to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the unification of Italy and since 1921 has been the site of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Capitol
For the greatest visual impact, approach the Capitoline Hill from Piazza d'Aracoeli and ascend the cordonata, a stepped ramp also designed by Michelangelo. It is guarded at the bottom by two ancient Egyptian granite lions and at the top by two mammoth statues of Castor and Pollux, which were excavated from the nearby ghetto area in the 16th century.
Collosium
The Rome - Colosseum owes its name to a colossal bronze statue, representing the Emperor Nero, more than 35 m. tall, that used to stand in this area. Symbol of Rome worldwide, the Colosseum was built by the emperors of the Flavian dynasty between 72-80 A.D., on the site once occupied by an artificial lake belonging to the magnificent Domus Aurea, a compound of buildings and gardens built by Nero now in ruins but with beautiful decorations which inspired Renaissance painters. This place in the olden days the Romans used to watch the beast Vs beast, beast Vs human, human Vs human. The beasts were brought from Africa and were tamed by making them run in the colosseum. Later these are made to fight. We went for an 2 hours tour there we were explained by all the important aspects of this Colosseum.
Gladiators attacking me at the Colosseum
As many as 100.000 cubic meters of travertine from the Tivoli quarries were used to build this amphitheatre, the largest ever built in Roman empire. The Colosseum could hold more than 70,000 spectators who could watch the fights between gladiators, the hunting of animals and, at the very beginning, the naumachias: naval battles that took place in the arena that was flooded. Can u see me attached by the gladiators.
The architect who designed the Colosseum is said to have been thrown alive to the wild beasts as a reward for his own work, thus inaugurating the long story of blood and cruelties of the building he himself had conceived.
In the Middle Ages the Colosseum was transformed into a fortress.
The architect who designed the Colosseum is said to have been thrown alive to the wild beasts as a reward for his own work, thus inaugurating the long story of blood and cruelties of the building he himself had conceived.
In the Middle Ages the Colosseum was transformed into a fortress.
Colosseum - Now A Sacred site
Later on, stripped of its structures, it became in turn a quarry for building materials and finally the seat of hospitals, fraternities and craft guilds. It was only towards the middle of the 18th century, that Pope Benedict XIV had it decreed "sacred site", and the plunder and devastation was stopped. You can see on the lower right hand corner. Every day some mass are held there
Roman Forum
Forum is the most important archaeological area in Rome, extends from the Capitol Hill to the Palatine. As far back as the 7th century B.C., the Forum was the
centre of political, commercial and religious life. Later on, to the original Roman Forum were added the Imperial Forums: Foro di Cesare, Foro di Augusto, Foro di Nerva, Foro di Vespasiano and the most imposing one, the Foro di Traiano, of which one can still admire the huge Column of the Markets.
centre of political, commercial and religious life. Later on, to the original Roman Forum were added the Imperial Forums: Foro di Cesare, Foro di Augusto, Foro di Nerva, Foro di Vespasiano and the most imposing one, the Foro di Traiano, of which one can still admire the huge Column of the Markets.
Palatine
Palatine hill Rome first became a city on the Palatine Hill on 753 B.C. It later became a place where palaces were built by the many emperors and the rich lived. On the Palatine hill, you will find mostly ruins of palaces and homes of the rich. The Circus Maximus was located next to the Palatine Hill. Stadium Of Domitian on the Palatine Hill. Private hunts, games and fights were held for Domitian in this stadium
Florance
This place was a last minute choice as we wanted to go to Pisa. But I heard from a lot of people that it's a city that not to be missed. True it's a city that should be in not to miss session. The cultural and historical impact of Florence (or Firenze if you're looking to impress) is overwhelming. Close up, however, the city is one of Italy's most atmospheric and pleasant, retaining a strong resemblance to the small late-medieval centre that contributed so much to the cultural and political development of Europe. Our stay was in a youth hostel which is out of the city in a mount. This was for sure a wonderful place there. We walked in the mountain that night and reached that place.
Its striking buildings, formidable galleries and treasure-crammed churches attest to the Florentine love of display. Even long after it had been eclipsed on the political and economic fronts, Florence upheld its elegant appearance: and its skyline, with its russet rooftops and lofty domes, is indeed picturesque.
The glory of Florence is rooted in its past. The Medicis commanded the city's fortunes for centuries and, as patrons, they encouraged the Renaissance's influence on the city. We just roamed in the night and saw a few very very nice places there.
Florance - Duomo
You will probably spot Brunelleschi's sloping, red-tiled dome - predominant on Florence's skyline - from a far but when you first come upon the Duomo (cathedral) from the crowded streets around its square (Piazza del Duomo) you will doubtless be taken aback by the ordered vivacity of its pink, white and green marble facade.
Brunelleschi won a public competition to design the enormous dome, the first of its kind since antiquity. Although now severely cracked and under restoration, it remains a remarkable achievement of design.
The great temple's full name is Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore and it is the world's fourth-largest cathedral. It was begun in 1296 by Arnolfo di Cambio and took almost 150 years to complete. It is 153m long and 38m wide, except the transept, which extends 90m. The cathedral it replaced, dedicated to Santa Reparata, fitted into an area extending less than halfway down from the entrance to the transept.
Florance - Piazza della Signoria
A massive holding tank for tourists (if you want space, bring a bicycle bell), the city's most splendid piazza was created virtually by accident in the 13th century and - lined with replicas of famous sculptures and historical buildings - has been the hub of Florentine political life ever since.
Cellini's Perseus, holding Medusa's severed head, served to warn Cosimo I's enemies of what would happen should they cross the line, and is the finest original work on the piazza. The story about this was told to us by Dalareen. We saw all this in the night. I wonder how this could look in the day.
Its striking buildings, formidable galleries and treasure-crammed churches attest to the Florentine love of display. Even long after it had been eclipsed on the political and economic fronts, Florence upheld its elegant appearance: and its skyline, with its russet rooftops and lofty domes, is indeed picturesque.
The glory of Florence is rooted in its past. The Medicis commanded the city's fortunes for centuries and, as patrons, they encouraged the Renaissance's influence on the city. We just roamed in the night and saw a few very very nice places there.
Florance - Duomo
You will probably spot Brunelleschi's sloping, red-tiled dome - predominant on Florence's skyline - from a far but when you first come upon the Duomo (cathedral) from the crowded streets around its square (Piazza del Duomo) you will doubtless be taken aback by the ordered vivacity of its pink, white and green marble facade.
Brunelleschi won a public competition to design the enormous dome, the first of its kind since antiquity. Although now severely cracked and under restoration, it remains a remarkable achievement of design.
The great temple's full name is Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore and it is the world's fourth-largest cathedral. It was begun in 1296 by Arnolfo di Cambio and took almost 150 years to complete. It is 153m long and 38m wide, except the transept, which extends 90m. The cathedral it replaced, dedicated to Santa Reparata, fitted into an area extending less than halfway down from the entrance to the transept.
Florance - Piazza della Signoria
A massive holding tank for tourists (if you want space, bring a bicycle bell), the city's most splendid piazza was created virtually by accident in the 13th century and - lined with replicas of famous sculptures and historical buildings - has been the hub of Florentine political life ever since.
Cellini's Perseus, holding Medusa's severed head, served to warn Cosimo I's enemies of what would happen should they cross the line, and is the finest original work on the piazza. The story about this was told to us by Dalareen. We saw all this in the night. I wonder how this could look in the day.
The leaning tower of Pisa
The Tower of Pisa is the bell tower of the Cathedral. Its construction began in the August of 1173 and continued (with two long interruptions) for about two hundred years, in full fidelity to the original project, whose architect is still uncertain.
In the past it was widely believed that the inclination of the Tower was part of the project ever since it’s beginning, but now we know that it is not so. The Tower was designed to be "vertical" (and even if it did not lean it would still be one of the most remarkable bell towers in Europe), and started to incline during its construction.
Both because of its inclination, and its beauty, from 1173 up to the present the Tower has been the object of very special attention. During its construction efforts were made to halt the incipient inclination through the use of special construction devices; later columns and other damaged parts were substituted in more than one occasion; today, interventions are being carried out within the sub-soil in order to significantly reduce the inclination and to make sure that Tower will have a long life.
In all, this story it is possible to find a meaningful constant, the "genetic code" of the Tower: its continual interaction with the soil on which it was built. Today's works for the safeguard and the conservation of the Tower with very advanced methodologies are designed to fully respect this constant. They allow only 30 people every half an hour from 10am to 6.30 pm. The climb to the top is an remarkable one. You will automatically feel inclined when you walk up to the top. You get an excellent view from the top. No wonder why it’s considered as a WONDER
In the past it was widely believed that the inclination of the Tower was part of the project ever since it’s beginning, but now we know that it is not so. The Tower was designed to be "vertical" (and even if it did not lean it would still be one of the most remarkable bell towers in Europe), and started to incline during its construction.
Both because of its inclination, and its beauty, from 1173 up to the present the Tower has been the object of very special attention. During its construction efforts were made to halt the incipient inclination through the use of special construction devices; later columns and other damaged parts were substituted in more than one occasion; today, interventions are being carried out within the sub-soil in order to significantly reduce the inclination and to make sure that Tower will have a long life.
In all, this story it is possible to find a meaningful constant, the "genetic code" of the Tower: its continual interaction with the soil on which it was built. Today's works for the safeguard and the conservation of the Tower with very advanced methodologies are designed to fully respect this constant. They allow only 30 people every half an hour from 10am to 6.30 pm. The climb to the top is an remarkable one. You will automatically feel inclined when you walk up to the top. You get an excellent view from the top. No wonder why it’s considered as a WONDER
Venice
Venice is built on 117 small islands and has some 150 canals and 409 bridges (only three of which cross the Grand Canal). The historic centre is divided into six sestieri (quarters): San Marco, Dorsoduro, San Polo, Santa Croce, Cannaregio and Castello. It covers a deceptively small area - if you don't get lost (which you will!), walking from Cannaregio in the northwest to Dorsoduro in the south should take only 30 minutes. The city's 'main street' is the Grand Canal, which passes each of the districts as it twists along the length of Venice from the railway station to San Marco. The day we went there it was raining. The whole evening it was raining and we checked into the youth hostel and were going around. It was great traveling from one island to another by boat, the point worth mentioning is the getting lost in the islands. You can find your way back with the help of the map provided. We went around in the night trying to discover an Indian restaurant and had nice fun getting lost there in the city.
Some 3 bridges out here...
The Photo was taken from the 4th bridge here..Let me mention about Rialto, It has always been the commercial heart of Venice, so it's hardly surprising that the first bridge over the Grand Canal was built here. Today the area is still famous for its bustling fruit & veg market, but because of its central position, the bridge itself is neck-deep in stalls selling tourist souvenirs.
The neo-Gothic arches of the Pescaria are only a hundred years old, but the tradition of selling fresh fish here goes right back to 1300.
The city's oldest church, the Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto, is virtually in the middle of the market and was supposedly founded on 25 March 421, the same day as Venice itself.
The neo-Gothic arches of the Pescaria are only a hundred years old, but the tradition of selling fresh fish here goes right back to 1300.
The city's oldest church, the Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto, is virtually in the middle of the market and was supposedly founded on 25 March 421, the same day as Venice itself.
St Mark's Basilica
St Mark's is one of the most spectacular houses of worship in the world, attesting to the Venetian Republic's former maritime and commercial might. Adorned with an incredible array of plundered treasures, it is a seething mass of domes and arches. The basilica was modelled on Constantinople's Church of the Twelve Apostles and consecrated in 1094. It is famous for its golden mosaics, particularly those above the doorways in the facade and decorating the interior domes. If you can wrench your eyes away from their glitter, take time to admire the 12th-century marble pavement. U can c Gai , Dal and Simha before the basilica.
St Mark's Square
Napoleon dubbed it the finest drawing room in Europe, and visitors and pigeons alike have been flocking here for centuries to strut and crow. There is a constant carnival atmosphere thanks to the cacophony of duelling cafe orchestras, cooing pigeons, and constant traffic of waiters serving alfresco diners. U can see me flocked by pigeons.
Now that most visitors arrive in Venice via the railway station, the magical symbolism of the waterside Piazzetta San Marco has to a great extent been lost, that's what people say. I tell u it still has the same charm.
Now that most visitors arrive in Venice via the railway station, the magical symbolism of the waterside Piazzetta San Marco has to a great extent been lost, that's what people say. I tell u it still has the same charm.
Venice - St Mark's flooded
The piazzetta's two columns bear emblems of the city's patron saints: the winged lion of St Mark and the figure of St Theodore. St Mark's Square is one of the lowest parts of the city, and so is always the first to be covered in water when the acqua alta (high tide) arrives - a magical sight on a moonlit night.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Sparkling Diwali Wishes
Wishing you joy and happiness through my blog with this Diwali Wishes.
I wish you of prosperity and well being for your friends/ loved ones.
I was little busy with work and planning for the 4 days vacation to Italy. I'm there in Rome on the day of Diwali. Have a nice vacation.
I wish you of prosperity and well being for your friends/ loved ones.
I was little busy with work and planning for the 4 days vacation to Italy. I'm there in Rome on the day of Diwali. Have a nice vacation.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
The odd Indian standard time offset
"India's time zones were established in 1884. However at that time there were two standard time zones, Bombay Time and Calcutta Time. The IST came into effect in 1905. However, Bombay still persisted with its own time zone, 39 minutes behind IST, until 1955"
Ah, Bombay, the USA of India. Glad they came around.
Ah, Bombay, the USA of India. Glad they came around.
Monday, November 01, 2004
Paris connection
Let me take u to place I had been so that u can know what these places are and u can also visit these virtually. I have made my best to capture the details here.
Trip to Paris started with a bang, myself, Ramesh, Dalareen & Gayathri went. Narasimha didn’t want to come as he had already visited it, that’s the saddest part as we missed the photographer of the group, it was captured by an budding expert Gayathri. We traveled from Grenoble to Paris in TGV (Train a grand vitesse, meaning High-Speed train). This journey of 650 km was covered in just done in 3 hrs. Check out more info on TGV ICI
After reaching Paris we went to all places mentioned below. First destination was Arc-de-trimph. Then went to Arch de defence and later to museum of the army and invalides. There we met a nice person who is from Pondicherry who is serving the French army. So we managed to get a free ticket for the entry to invalides. He explained beautifully about the museum and about Napoleon. From there we went to the Tower Eiffel and had a splendid view of the Paris from there both in the evening and night. There after the next day we went to Versailles and spent the morning there. From there straight to NotreDame and the evening in Louvre then back to Grenoble
Trip to Paris started with a bang, myself, Ramesh, Dalareen & Gayathri went. Narasimha didn’t want to come as he had already visited it, that’s the saddest part as we missed the photographer of the group, it was captured by an budding expert Gayathri. We traveled from Grenoble to Paris in TGV (Train a grand vitesse, meaning High-Speed train). This journey of 650 km was covered in just done in 3 hrs. Check out more info on TGV ICI
After reaching Paris we went to all places mentioned below. First destination was Arc-de-trimph. Then went to Arch de defence and later to museum of the army and invalides. There we met a nice person who is from Pondicherry who is serving the French army. So we managed to get a free ticket for the entry to invalides. He explained beautifully about the museum and about Napoleon. From there we went to the Tower Eiffel and had a splendid view of the Paris from there both in the evening and night. There after the next day we went to Versailles and spent the morning there. From there straight to NotreDame and the evening in Louvre then back to Grenoble
Louvre
The Louvre began as a fortress in 1190 and later became a royal residence. In 1793, it was transformed into a museum and was recently modernized and expanded. The "Grande Pyramide" designed by I. M. Pei, which actually serves as a skylight to the entrance, is only one of the billion-dollar additions. The Louvre's collection of the world's art spans over 3,000 years.
The best places to visit is the Napolean's appartment. The entire place are divided into 7 departments: Oriental, Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, Art objects and Graphic Art. In addition to these departments is a section devoted to the history of the Louvre as well as rooms devoted to African, Asian, Oceanic and American art.
The Mona Lisa and Radeau de la Meduse paintings are the Masterpieces, the Victory of Samothrace and Venus de Milo sculptures. Not to miss are the new Richelieu Aisle, the Arc de Triomphe du Carroussel and the Perrault colonade.
The best places to visit is the Napolean's appartment. The entire place are divided into 7 departments: Oriental, Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, Art objects and Graphic Art. In addition to these departments is a section devoted to the history of the Louvre as well as rooms devoted to African, Asian, Oceanic and American art.
The Mona Lisa and Radeau de la Meduse paintings are the Masterpieces, the Victory of Samothrace and Venus de Milo sculptures. Not to miss are the new Richelieu Aisle, the Arc de Triomphe du Carroussel and the Perrault colonade.
Les Halles
Of a rare architectural harmony, this fashionable area is bordered by private mansions dating from the 16th to the 18th century, quaint passages and medieval streets. Once a marsh filled area, many monks and knights moved here after the 13th century, but it was only at the beginning of the 17th century that it became a centre of elegance and festivities.
Now it is an area composed of beautiful private mansions, now museums or libraries, and elegant buildings set around paved courtyards.
Chatelet and Les Halles are full of life day and night. The square and nearby Place du Chatelet are bordered by cafes, nightclubs and restaurants. The glass-domed Forum des Halles houses a good selection of shops.
The Pompidou Center is famed for its architectural design. To the East lies the busy Place de la Republique which remains lively both day and night, with a good variety of brasseries and restaurants. The narrow rue des Francs-Bourgeois is ideal for window-shopping. There is a wonderful array of home interior shops, designer boutiques and galleries standing alongside elegant Renaissance-style houses.
Now it is an area composed of beautiful private mansions, now museums or libraries, and elegant buildings set around paved courtyards.
Chatelet and Les Halles are full of life day and night. The square and nearby Place du Chatelet are bordered by cafes, nightclubs and restaurants. The glass-domed Forum des Halles houses a good selection of shops.
The Pompidou Center is famed for its architectural design. To the East lies the busy Place de la Republique which remains lively both day and night, with a good variety of brasseries and restaurants. The narrow rue des Francs-Bourgeois is ideal for window-shopping. There is a wonderful array of home interior shops, designer boutiques and galleries standing alongside elegant Renaissance-style houses.
Place Concorde
Between the Champs Elysees and the Tuileries Gardens, there lies the Place de la Concorde. With traffic roaring and careening about seemingly in all directions, it is easy to feel lost in its 84,000 square meters.
Built between 1755 and 1775, many important historical events took place here. Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette and 1119 other people lost their lives here, among them Charlotte Corday (the murderess of Marat), Danton, Philippe and Robespierre.
In the center of the square is the Obelisk of Luxor, a pink granite monolith 23 m (73 tt) high and weighing 220 tons. It is 3300 years old and decorated with hieroglyphics exalting the reign of the pharaon Ramses II.
The obelisk was presented as a gift to Charles X by the Egyptian viceroy in 1829. The monument was installed here under Louis Philippe who, bearing in mind the death and destruction witnessed by Place de la Concorde, was pleased to have found a non-political monument to replace the unpopular Bourbon Louis the XVth statue. It took three years of travelling from the Nile riverbanks to get the Obelisk to Paris.
This is a nice corner in Paris. The giant wheel at the back ground is the one that inspired the great London eye. This is one of the important things which Paris takes pride of.
Built between 1755 and 1775, many important historical events took place here. Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette and 1119 other people lost their lives here, among them Charlotte Corday (the murderess of Marat), Danton, Philippe and Robespierre.
In the center of the square is the Obelisk of Luxor, a pink granite monolith 23 m (73 tt) high and weighing 220 tons. It is 3300 years old and decorated with hieroglyphics exalting the reign of the pharaon Ramses II.
The obelisk was presented as a gift to Charles X by the Egyptian viceroy in 1829. The monument was installed here under Louis Philippe who, bearing in mind the death and destruction witnessed by Place de la Concorde, was pleased to have found a non-political monument to replace the unpopular Bourbon Louis the XVth statue. It took three years of travelling from the Nile riverbanks to get the Obelisk to Paris.
This is a nice corner in Paris. The giant wheel at the back ground is the one that inspired the great London eye. This is one of the important things which Paris takes pride of.
Champs Elysees
Eternally popular, the 8th district of Paris has its focal point the Arc de Triomphe. You will find haute couture stores on the avenue Victor Hugo.
The sweep of the Champs Elysees leads down to the Rond Point, intersecting the avenues Montaigne and Matignon, continuing to the Place de la Concorde, with its obelisk from the Temple of Luxor.
The glamour of the Champs-Élysées, triumphal avenue aiming toward the Arc de Triomphe, particularly its upper end is dominated by airline offices, car showrooms, and bright, light shopping arcades. There's the Lido cabaret, Fouquet's high-class bar and restaurant, and plenty of cinemas and outrageously priced cafes to bring the punters in. At Christmas this is where the fairy lights go, and on December 31 everyone happily jams in, in their cars, to hoot in the New Year.
The sweep of the Champs Elysees leads down to the Rond Point, intersecting the avenues Montaigne and Matignon, continuing to the Place de la Concorde, with its obelisk from the Temple of Luxor.
The glamour of the Champs-Élysées, triumphal avenue aiming toward the Arc de Triomphe, particularly its upper end is dominated by airline offices, car showrooms, and bright, light shopping arcades. There's the Lido cabaret, Fouquet's high-class bar and restaurant, and plenty of cinemas and outrageously priced cafes to bring the punters in. At Christmas this is where the fairy lights go, and on December 31 everyone happily jams in, in their cars, to hoot in the New Year.
Pont Alexandre III
Inaugurated for the World Fair of 1900, with its single arch and sculptured decorations, the Pont Alexandre III is the most elegant bridge in Paris.
Versailles
Versailles is an exception to our list, since it is not really a Museum nor it is in Paris. It is, however, the best one day trip you could make while in Paris. Louis XIV built this palace in just 40 years to make it the residence of the court and the capital of France. Its gigantic proportions (the western facade is nearly 2,000 feet wide) and the masterpieces of French artists and craftsmen were used by Louis XIV to showcase the power of the French Monarchy.
The Chateau of Versailles is an architectural splendor Galerie des Glaces (Gallery of Mirrors),the Royal Chapel and the Petit Appartement are the visit to the park are the most important activities to be done. The park is over 200 acres and one full day would not be sufficient to explore it.
The Chateau of Versailles is an architectural splendor Galerie des Glaces (Gallery of Mirrors),the Royal Chapel and the Petit Appartement are the visit to the park are the most important activities to be done. The park is over 200 acres and one full day would not be sufficient to explore it.
Sunday, October 31, 2004
LaDefense
On the Place de la Defense,the "Arche de la Defense" is a skyscraper, a government office tower. All buildings around this are skyscrapers only.
Located in the modern business district, La Defense, a few kilometers west of Paris, the Grande Arche was built by Danish architect Otto van Spreckelsen in 1989 for the 200th anniversary of the 1789 French revolution.
The Grande Arche is white. It is a 106m high cube and has a pre-stressed concrete frame covered with glass and Carrara marble from Italy. Its spectacular architecture was a daring technical achievement when it was designed and built by the Bouygues French engineering company.
From this place you can enjoy a fantastic view of Paris, Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees and the historic axis through the capital and its outskirts. All important places in Paris are through this axis only.
Located in the modern business district, La Defense, a few kilometers west of Paris, the Grande Arche was built by Danish architect Otto van Spreckelsen in 1989 for the 200th anniversary of the 1789 French revolution.
The Grande Arche is white. It is a 106m high cube and has a pre-stressed concrete frame covered with glass and Carrara marble from Italy. Its spectacular architecture was a daring technical achievement when it was designed and built by the Bouygues French engineering company.
From this place you can enjoy a fantastic view of Paris, Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees and the historic axis through the capital and its outskirts. All important places in Paris are through this axis only.
Saturday, October 30, 2004
ArcTriomphe
Commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon, shortly after his victory at Austerlitz, it was not finished until 1836. Engraved around the top of the Arch are the names of major victories won during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. The names of less important victories, as well as those of 558 generals, are to found on the inside walls. Beneath the Arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and eternal flame commemorating the dead of the two world wars.
Here every Armistice Day (11 November) the President of the Republic lays a wreath. On 14 July - the French National Day - a military parade down the Champs Elysees begins here. The view of the Champs Elysees and all the 12 roads that view..oh my god its breadth talking one..
Here every Armistice Day (11 November) the President of the Republic lays a wreath. On 14 July - the French National Day - a military parade down the Champs Elysees begins here. The view of the Champs Elysees and all the 12 roads that view..oh my god its breadth talking one..
Tour Eiffel - Click here
The Eiffel Tower was built for the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889 commemorating the centenary of the French Revolution. The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII of England, opened the tower. Of the 700 proposals submitted in a design competition, Gustave Eiffel's was unanimously chosen.
At 300 metres (320.75m including antenna), and 7000 tons, it was the world's tallest building until 1930.
The tower has three platforms. A restaurant (extremely expensive; reservations absolutely necessary), the Jules Verne is on the second platform. The top platform has a bar, souvenir shop, and the office of Gustave Eiffel.
There the wax models are kept in such a way u see them as they are discussing about it.
From its platforms - especially the topmost - the view upon Paris is superb. It is generally agreed that one hour before sunset, the panorama is at its best, and during this visit of mine I was there exactly at that time.
At 300 metres (320.75m including antenna), and 7000 tons, it was the world's tallest building until 1930.
The tower has three platforms. A restaurant (extremely expensive; reservations absolutely necessary), the Jules Verne is on the second platform. The top platform has a bar, souvenir shop, and the office of Gustave Eiffel.
There the wax models are kept in such a way u see them as they are discussing about it.
From its platforms - especially the topmost - the view upon Paris is superb. It is generally agreed that one hour before sunset, the panorama is at its best, and during this visit of mine I was there exactly at that time.
NotreDame
Proceeded by a Gallo-Roman temple to Jupiter, a Christian basilica, and a Romanesque church, construction of Notre-Dame de Paris began in 1163 during the reign of Louis VII. Pope Alexander III laid the foundation stone. Construction was completed roughly 200 years later in about 1345.
In 1991, a 10 year program of general maintenance and restoration has begun, and sections of the structure are likely to be shrouded in scaffolds for the foreseeable future.
During its history, Notre Dame has been the site of numerous official and other ceremonial occasions. In 1430, Henri VI of England is crowned here. The 2nd December 1804, after the anointing by Pius VII, Napoleon seizes the crown from the pontiff and crowns first himself, then Josephine. The 31st May 1980, after the Magnificat of this day, Pope John Paul II celebrates Mass on the parvis in front of the Cathedral.
The most important about this place is, All roads distances in France are calculated from the "zero kilometer", point located on the square in front of Notre-Dame
In 1991, a 10 year program of general maintenance and restoration has begun, and sections of the structure are likely to be shrouded in scaffolds for the foreseeable future.
During its history, Notre Dame has been the site of numerous official and other ceremonial occasions. In 1430, Henri VI of England is crowned here. The 2nd December 1804, after the anointing by Pius VII, Napoleon seizes the crown from the pontiff and crowns first himself, then Josephine. The 31st May 1980, after the Magnificat of this day, Pope John Paul II celebrates Mass on the parvis in front of the Cathedral.
The most important about this place is, All roads distances in France are calculated from the "zero kilometer", point located on the square in front of Notre-Dame
Friday, October 29, 2004
You send it
This is a very nice site to send big files to friends. Here is how it works...
Choose who you want to send a file to. Select a file to send. U r file will be stored by YouSendIt without ever filling up your recipient's mailbox. The file will be there for 7 days.
Happy Storing
Choose who you want to send a file to. Select a file to send. U r file will be stored by YouSendIt without ever filling up your recipient's mailbox. The file will be there for 7 days.
Happy Storing
Thursday, October 28, 2004
the cherry the french left behind
Don't miss out on the second page commencing Father Ceyrac...
I keep wondering why is it so?
I keep wondering why is it so?
Friday, October 22, 2004
Whats all about Algebra...
Teacher Arrested
At Phoenix Sky Harbor airport today, an individual later discovered to be a public school teacher was arrested trying to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a setsquare, a slide rule, and a calculator. At a morning press conference, an FBI spokesperson said he believes the man is a member of the notorious al-gebra movement. He is being charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of math instruction.
"Al-gebra is a fearsome cult," the spokesman said. "They desire average solutions by
means and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in a search of absolute value. They use secret code names like 'x' and 'y' and refer to themselves as 'unknowns', but we have determined they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval with coordinates in every country. As the Greek philanderer Isosceles used to say, 'There are 3 sides to every triangle'."
When asked to comment on the arrest, one of the arresting officers said, "If God had
wanted us to have better weapons of math instruction, He would have
given us more fingers and toes."
At Phoenix Sky Harbor airport today, an individual later discovered to be a public school teacher was arrested trying to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a setsquare, a slide rule, and a calculator. At a morning press conference, an FBI spokesperson said he believes the man is a member of the notorious al-gebra movement. He is being charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of math instruction.
"Al-gebra is a fearsome cult," the spokesman said. "They desire average solutions by
means and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in a search of absolute value. They use secret code names like 'x' and 'y' and refer to themselves as 'unknowns', but we have determined they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval with coordinates in every country. As the Greek philanderer Isosceles used to say, 'There are 3 sides to every triangle'."
When asked to comment on the arrest, one of the arresting officers said, "If God had
wanted us to have better weapons of math instruction, He would have
given us more fingers and toes."
Wish you all a Happy Dushhera
Dandiya Dances
Once again it's that time of the year when night turns into day and the city reverberates to the beat of countless drums. It’s Navratri time as we all know. It was Narasimha who met Sanjay and had an invitation to join the Desi group to discuss the plans for one Dandiya night in Grenoble.
But in a land where food, finance and fun have held sway there is a small population of likeminded people who are hell bent on stemming the rot and preserving the cultural heritage. So went of to discuss on what we should be doing for eating on that day during the get together and on for the event. Let me explain how this dance evolved.
Among all the dance forms, Raas Garba is the most well known outside Gujarat and is the most ancient one too. The lasya nritya performed by Krishna approximately 5,000 years ago is still intact. The love of Radha for Krishna has become immortal and the dance performed by Krishna with the gopis was Raas which is the all-time favourite dance style of Gujarat.
Ideally, two circles formed by men and women move in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions with two sticks called dandiyas held in their hands. The song sung on the occasion is essentially an amorous one. Raas is a very energetic, colourful and playful dance providing opportunity for acting and exchanging messages through eye contact. It is no wonder that many romances bloom during Navratri and hence the popularity of the dance among the younger generation. I’m missing this fun in Grenoble and going to Paris. We had just been to the practice session last Sunday. I wish the function a grand success.
Monday, October 18, 2004
Chamarousse
This forest plateau located at 1500 meters on the Belledonne range offers beautiful tracks for either classic or skating cross country skiing. You can discover the beauty of the mountains in two ways --> Thanks to snowshoe tracks and also 40 kilometers of cross country skiing tracks are maintained and made safe on the plateau de l'Arselle. We took the snowshoe track with the travel from Grenoble by car to the family skiing Roche Béranger at Chamrousse 1750. So we went there and played a while in the snow. That’s how the Saturday came to and end.
The photos are uploaded here
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Facility to retain one mobile number across operator in Pakistan launched
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has decided to introduce mobile number portability (MNP) to enable cellular mobile subscribers to retain their mobile phone numbers when they change mobile operators.
An official of PTA said that the introduction of this facility would foster effective competition and establish competitive telecom regime with multiple players offering innovative, high quality and cost-effective services to the consumers.
"This service will also strengthen competition by lowering the barriers for customers who wish to change operators," the official said.
The facility would also enable the mobile users to keep their contacts intact even after they change the operator.
The cellular mobile operators (CMT) would be asked to implement the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) from the first week of May 2005. In order to implement this policy, PTA is planning to prepare a consultation paper to suggest the best technical solutions for its implementation.
A draft policy will be formulated and issued after detailed study and seeking comments from the stakeholders especially on technical, administrative and financial solutions, by the end of January 2005.
The PTA has asked the specialists on the subject that they may convey their views and suggest appropriate solutions.
Are people in India hearing this….This for sure shows the positive side of Pakistan
An official of PTA said that the introduction of this facility would foster effective competition and establish competitive telecom regime with multiple players offering innovative, high quality and cost-effective services to the consumers.
"This service will also strengthen competition by lowering the barriers for customers who wish to change operators," the official said.
The facility would also enable the mobile users to keep their contacts intact even after they change the operator.
The cellular mobile operators (CMT) would be asked to implement the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) from the first week of May 2005. In order to implement this policy, PTA is planning to prepare a consultation paper to suggest the best technical solutions for its implementation.
A draft policy will be formulated and issued after detailed study and seeking comments from the stakeholders especially on technical, administrative and financial solutions, by the end of January 2005.
The PTA has asked the specialists on the subject that they may convey their views and suggest appropriate solutions.
Are people in India hearing this….This for sure shows the positive side of Pakistan
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Points to ponder
Gradual improvement is inevitable for Success, so here goes the words of Bollywood icon Rajkapoor, A performer is termed to be successful only when he is successful in breaking his own record. If he fails in giving better product than the previous one, people corner him saying his time is over. So the gradual improvement is inevitable to continue the success graph.
Let me give u some Corporate Management Tip
When there's nobody around, you must to get approval from superiors to do any task. But when the superiors are around, you need to take initiative and do stuff pro-actively, without waiting for approval.
So don't blame me next time.... :-)
Let me give u some Corporate Management Tip
When there's nobody around, you must to get approval from superiors to do any task. But when the superiors are around, you need to take initiative and do stuff pro-actively, without waiting for approval.
So don't blame me next time.... :-)
This secret was bound to be leaked at some point
Uh-oh. This secret was bound to be leaked at some point.
The authors of the new book "Crap Jobs" took an unscientific email survey
among people in the United Kingdom, asking them to list what they thought
were the worst jobs in their homeland. And, as one might imagine, the
Brits came through with some rather candid responses.
When all the ballots were counted, there it was for all to see: Listed
just below phone sex operator (No. 1) and ferry cabin cleaner (No. 2), was
being an IT manager (No. 3). No surprise to you, right?
The poll also placed database builder at No. 14 on the list of bad jobs
(just behind landfill executive); Internet consultant came in at No. 72,
just behind maggot farmer. It wasn't immediately clear if the results
reflect the perceived difficulty of a job in IT, or whether they simply
indicate a lack of respect for technology.
The authors of the new book "Crap Jobs" took an unscientific email survey
among people in the United Kingdom, asking them to list what they thought
were the worst jobs in their homeland. And, as one might imagine, the
Brits came through with some rather candid responses.
When all the ballots were counted, there it was for all to see: Listed
just below phone sex operator (No. 1) and ferry cabin cleaner (No. 2), was
being an IT manager (No. 3). No surprise to you, right?
The poll also placed database builder at No. 14 on the list of bad jobs
(just behind landfill executive); Internet consultant came in at No. 72,
just behind maggot farmer. It wasn't immediately clear if the results
reflect the perceived difficulty of a job in IT, or whether they simply
indicate a lack of respect for technology.
Monday, October 11, 2004
Chambery'ille Chennai vasigal (Lot of people are from chennai who came to this trip)
The last weekend trip started with Venkat & Vijay coming to Grenoble on Friday night. We all had a nice food for the night and then planned for the next days. The next day in the morning Narasimha, Gayathri and Dalareen joined us and we had Rava masala dosa with Sambar and lemon rice. After that we started to Chambery by train from Grenoble, without Dalareen as she was sick. Dalareen we missed u a lot on this trip. We reached there in the late afternoon. The origins of the town of Chambéry are to be found in the Roman history. Chambéry plays an important part in the history of Western Europe in their capacity as "doorkeepers of the Alps", and made the name of Savoie famous all over Europe. After the French Revolution period of large-scale urban works gave the town most of its contemporary look. A new page was turned for Chambéry in 1860 when Savoie was reunited to France following the treaty of Turin of March 24, 1860
Chambéry then became a mere county town, nevertheless retaining from its glorious past a natural pride, a few institutions, strong juridical and commercial traditions, a picturesque center with narrow streets and alleys, and rich mansions below the ducal castle...
Until the end of WW II, the town hadn't changed much, but in May 1944, an air raid destroyed one-third of the historic center. The reconstruction that followed gave the town a new appearance, and low-cost housing developments were built in the suburbs.
Today the town intends to take the best advantage of its history, traditions, and firm commitment to culture to assert its role as Alpine heartland of Europe.
Chambéry is situated between the Bauges massif and the Chartreuse mountain range, in the cluse that bears its name. To the south the town stretches out to the vineyards on the hillsides of the Combe of Savoie ; to the north it almost reaches the shores of Lake Bourget — France's largest natural lake. This is the biggest lake that covers Aix-Les-Ban & Annecy. I think I need to post on those visits also …let me do that soon.
We came out of the Gares (Railway station) and saw the Velo Station (cycle stand in our local bashai) . Then we went Inside and hired the cycles. We had to pay a deposit of 1500 Euros, but finally managed to pay Euros 1000. Then after with the map we asked him what is the best place to go around.. he suggested that Lake Bourget which would be like 1 hour drive from that place. It was like already 3.30 in the afternoon and we had to return the cycle back 7.00, So after the initial adjustment we decide to go on the way suggested. We went in the opposite direction. When we started reading all the places which are supposed to come in the right was coming in the left and places which are supposed to on the left are on the right…then the best things struck our mind 2 option ..one either we turn the map or we better turn..the first one was best. After this we started taking pictures of all the nice landscape and this delayed our journey further. On the way we discovered that this lake is out of Chambery. So we left the city roads and then joined the Main roads.. It was nice traveling in the cycles in the Auto Bhan (these are highways) .. all the cars were going in slow speed because of us. After some nice spaghetti turns we landed on the other side of the roads and joined the beautiful corner. This is where all begun. I have loaded the movie of the path we took. Kindly have look at that also. Then we went cycling all the way blocking the road where ever we felt like..I know those people would have been cursing us. After a long drive with 2-3 halts we reached the lake. Oh what a sight. The best thing about the entire trip was the weather. This really helped us to keep going. After reaching there all the effort are paid. We had an excellent view of the place and that reminded again about the “Shabari malai”. After this we had to rush back ‘cause we had to return the cycle. On the way we stopped, u know why. We saw a APPLE tree. Vijay was the one who spotted this and we all came back. Like Manga adichifying we did Apple adichifying and enjoyed the apples. This is a first time for a few who saw the apple tree. It was a green apple tree…and we did what best could be done there and then no stopping on way back. After we retuned the cycle we went in search of Quick or Mac D. Most of the old town is now a pedestrian area, so it is a pleasant place to stroll around and visit. So we went on and finally stopped in Monoprix. Grabbed a few chips and croissants and finished the dinner and came back.
We planned to go Alps-de-heuz, but the weather god wanted us to take some rest.
That’s the way the weekend came to an end.
Chambéry then became a mere county town, nevertheless retaining from its glorious past a natural pride, a few institutions, strong juridical and commercial traditions, a picturesque center with narrow streets and alleys, and rich mansions below the ducal castle...
Until the end of WW II, the town hadn't changed much, but in May 1944, an air raid destroyed one-third of the historic center. The reconstruction that followed gave the town a new appearance, and low-cost housing developments were built in the suburbs.
Today the town intends to take the best advantage of its history, traditions, and firm commitment to culture to assert its role as Alpine heartland of Europe.
Chambéry is situated between the Bauges massif and the Chartreuse mountain range, in the cluse that bears its name. To the south the town stretches out to the vineyards on the hillsides of the Combe of Savoie ; to the north it almost reaches the shores of Lake Bourget — France's largest natural lake. This is the biggest lake that covers Aix-Les-Ban & Annecy. I think I need to post on those visits also …let me do that soon.
We came out of the Gares (Railway station) and saw the Velo Station (cycle stand in our local bashai) . Then we went Inside and hired the cycles. We had to pay a deposit of 1500 Euros, but finally managed to pay Euros 1000. Then after with the map we asked him what is the best place to go around.. he suggested that Lake Bourget which would be like 1 hour drive from that place. It was like already 3.30 in the afternoon and we had to return the cycle back 7.00, So after the initial adjustment we decide to go on the way suggested. We went in the opposite direction. When we started reading all the places which are supposed to come in the right was coming in the left and places which are supposed to on the left are on the right…then the best things struck our mind 2 option ..one either we turn the map or we better turn..the first one was best. After this we started taking pictures of all the nice landscape and this delayed our journey further. On the way we discovered that this lake is out of Chambery. So we left the city roads and then joined the Main roads.. It was nice traveling in the cycles in the Auto Bhan (these are highways) .. all the cars were going in slow speed because of us. After some nice spaghetti turns we landed on the other side of the roads and joined the beautiful corner. This is where all begun. I have loaded the movie of the path we took. Kindly have look at that also. Then we went cycling all the way blocking the road where ever we felt like..I know those people would have been cursing us. After a long drive with 2-3 halts we reached the lake. Oh what a sight. The best thing about the entire trip was the weather. This really helped us to keep going. After reaching there all the effort are paid. We had an excellent view of the place and that reminded again about the “Shabari malai”. After this we had to rush back ‘cause we had to return the cycle. On the way we stopped, u know why. We saw a APPLE tree. Vijay was the one who spotted this and we all came back. Like Manga adichifying we did Apple adichifying and enjoyed the apples. This is a first time for a few who saw the apple tree. It was a green apple tree…and we did what best could be done there and then no stopping on way back. After we retuned the cycle we went in search of Quick or Mac D. Most of the old town is now a pedestrian area, so it is a pleasant place to stroll around and visit. So we went on and finally stopped in Monoprix. Grabbed a few chips and croissants and finished the dinner and came back.
We planned to go Alps-de-heuz, but the weather god wanted us to take some rest.
That’s the way the weekend came to an end.
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
WHO DOES WHAT
A very nice one...I had a hearty laugh
A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning.
The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don't have to
wait as long to get our coffee." The husband said, "You are in charge of cooking around
here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."
Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should
do the coffee." Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me." So she fetched the
Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it
indeed says..........
"HEBREWS"
A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning.
The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don't have to
wait as long to get our coffee." The husband said, "You are in charge of cooking around
here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."
Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should
do the coffee." Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me." So she fetched the
Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it
indeed says..........
"HEBREWS"
Annecy
Annecy trip details...
Let me start with this old update on Annecy trip, and then I will go on back and share all other weekends later on the trips to Aix-Les-Bains and my second trip to Chamonix and on the Secessaney ones.
It was in the month of August, We had a crowd of around 50000 people in Annecy. This is the first time I have ever seen a crowd in this place, No I saw a bigger one when I was in France on 1-May-2002 Oh that as the election time and the same coupled with the May day celebration …my god I can’t imagine what it was like.
Ok now the festival of the lake d'annecy is the major traditional event of the festival season which takes place each year first Saturday of August. During the evening, while the sun laying down, tens of thousands of spectators gathered on Pâquier, vis-a-vis with the lake to attend a gigantic spectacle "Pyromelodic" which mixes during more 1h30 without interruption the fireworks, the music and the text, the lights and the lasers. It’s a event to watch. We just drove to Annecy that evening. We took a pedaling boat and went across the lake. We just go the ticket to watch it from a long distance. Then we went to the place designated for us to watch the firework and other laser shows etc.
The magic of water, the music and pyrotechny make Festival of the Lake each summer a famous event: many tickets of entry are sold by advance (platforms and lawns) while 150 000 people attend the event since banks of the lake, surrounding mountains or hundreds of boats gathered behind the zone of shooting of the fireworks.
Organized by Annecy Events, it is held each year according to a different topic ("Songs of Europe" in 2003, "film Musics" in 2004). This year very nice movie numbers are played. The best thing is the fire works are designed to be in sink with the music. The origin of the festival of the lake d'Annecy date of 1860, from the 28 to August 31 of this year, Emperor Napoleon III and l'empress Eugenie are the hosts in Annecy at the time of the festivities for the fastening of Savoy in France. To honor of their majesties, the city organizes a festival of lake night which marks the origin of traditional “Fête of the Lake”. Average the techniques deployed are enormous: lt’s the space of the spectacle: 700 meters points of shooting of the fireworks: 4 large punt forms of 250 m2 each one, 21 punt forms of 25 m2, 20 mobile rafts of shooting. This device ensures a perfect vision of the spectacle for all the spectators. An approximate number of projectiles:2305 candles, 16 500 bombs, 750 pots with fire a number of points of wiring for sound: 14 autonomous electric output: 1250 kcVa including 450 helped (emergency lighting of the site and wiring for sound).
I was just sitting on the banks with my legs dripping in the water, and after a while moved to a boat there and started lying down and having an aerial view. This event I will never forget in life.
The pictures captured during the visit are stored here.
Let me start with this old update on Annecy trip, and then I will go on back and share all other weekends later on the trips to Aix-Les-Bains and my second trip to Chamonix and on the Secessaney ones.
It was in the month of August, We had a crowd of around 50000 people in Annecy. This is the first time I have ever seen a crowd in this place, No I saw a bigger one when I was in France on 1-May-2002 Oh that as the election time and the same coupled with the May day celebration …my god I can’t imagine what it was like.
Ok now the festival of the lake d'annecy is the major traditional event of the festival season which takes place each year first Saturday of August. During the evening, while the sun laying down, tens of thousands of spectators gathered on Pâquier, vis-a-vis with the lake to attend a gigantic spectacle "Pyromelodic" which mixes during more 1h30 without interruption the fireworks, the music and the text, the lights and the lasers. It’s a event to watch. We just drove to Annecy that evening. We took a pedaling boat and went across the lake. We just go the ticket to watch it from a long distance. Then we went to the place designated for us to watch the firework and other laser shows etc.
The magic of water, the music and pyrotechny make Festival of the Lake each summer a famous event: many tickets of entry are sold by advance (platforms and lawns) while 150 000 people attend the event since banks of the lake, surrounding mountains or hundreds of boats gathered behind the zone of shooting of the fireworks.
Organized by Annecy Events, it is held each year according to a different topic ("Songs of Europe" in 2003, "film Musics" in 2004). This year very nice movie numbers are played. The best thing is the fire works are designed to be in sink with the music. The origin of the festival of the lake d'Annecy date of 1860, from the 28 to August 31 of this year, Emperor Napoleon III and l'empress Eugenie are the hosts in Annecy at the time of the festivities for the fastening of Savoy in France. To honor of their majesties, the city organizes a festival of lake night which marks the origin of traditional “Fête of the Lake”. Average the techniques deployed are enormous: lt’s the space of the spectacle: 700 meters points of shooting of the fireworks: 4 large punt forms of 250 m2 each one, 21 punt forms of 25 m2, 20 mobile rafts of shooting. This device ensures a perfect vision of the spectacle for all the spectators. An approximate number of projectiles:2305 candles, 16 500 bombs, 750 pots with fire a number of points of wiring for sound: 14 autonomous electric output: 1250 kcVa including 450 helped (emergency lighting of the site and wiring for sound).
I was just sitting on the banks with my legs dripping in the water, and after a while moved to a boat there and started lying down and having an aerial view. This event I will never forget in life.
The pictures captured during the visit are stored here.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
La Grave- La Meije
On Friday evening I went and meet Narashima to ping him to know about week-end plan. I was staying late from office as there was some activities to be completed before the week comes to an end.
Then we got to know we could go to this place called Le Grave. On Saturday we had nice food at home and went to the railway station to enquire as to how to reach La Grave. We got to hear that we should be able to reach there by bus. So the next day we where all set to go there.
As soon as we landed there we discovered that this place is a unique resort offering wilderness skiing and breath-taking slopes.
La Grave - La Meije is one of the world’s great skiing places and one you just cannot miss. For years, the sheer beauty of the place, the quality of the snow and the off-piste ski area have attracted people in the know from all over the world. We didn’t go there to Ski …we just wanted to see the glacier. We where banking on the La Meije Glaciers Aerial Tramway (Téléphérique) provides the sole access to this high altitude glacial terrain, and carries passengers to the Ruillans Pass at 3200 meters in 30 minutes. But we got the information that its close in autumn.
So we just went around and got the information as to how to go there. To our surprise we came to know it would take some good 3-4 hrs by walk to reach to the peak to see the glazier.
So a walk in the town reveals here you won't find any wooden chalets. The rarity of wood as well as some spectacular fires in the past centuries have discouraged the local population from building with wood. Traditional architecture in the La Meije area is exclusively stone.
Blocks of tuff (a volcanic rock) or shale are sealed together with an earth-based mortar. Rooftops are two-sided and covered with slate or flagstones, here again for fire protection. Houses are built on the natural rock foundation and set into the hillside in a cascading terrace formation. Numerous traditional passageways called "trabuc" link the houses together to create a tight network that visitors often lose themselves in.
Here there are no luxury accommodations. Its not a huge holiday centers. No ugly clusters of lift structures invading the landscape, only the La Meije Glaciers Aerial Tramway and a few drag lifts. No shopping center, just a few traditional shops.
The La Meije community does not experience the huge tourist invasions common to conventional resorts, and the population varies only slightly throughout the year. There are just over 600 inhabitants, made up of both locals and former French and foreign vacationers who fell in love with the site and settled there permanently. Although the La Meije area draws its resources today mainly from tourism, it has never sold its soul, and proudly preserves its authenticity.
So we just started our trek at around 11.30 am and reach the 1840 meters by 1.30pm. U can find a picture of mine taken there. So we just spent a little time there and decided to come down. On the way in the near some place where there was a lot of Blocks of tuff we sat there and had our lunch. There after once we where about to reach the village we took a break near the place and enjoyed playing in the cold water. Missed taking picture in both the places.
The best thing of the entire trip was we were listening to the some devotional songs while we were going in the bus. Oh what a combination…In the Alps with the songs ..it was a very nice thing. As we got down we forgot to collect the cassettes. Narasmiha was saying if we are destined to get it we will get it. So on the way back we got into the same bus and the cassettes were there. It was really a lucky trip.
Check for the picture here
Friday, October 01, 2004
Swiss entry
After so many trips to Europe my dream of going to Switzerland has come true. The thing I saw there was the private banks. That's really a big story..the first train from my place leaves at 6.05 am ... I had a discount ticket which would get me 50% for weekends...But to my dismay I had to buy the ticket from the counter...which open only at 6..Finally managed to get the ticket at 6.02 and rushed to the platform. So with this first tension was over...later we got into the train and left for Swiss...
When the train reached the platform at Swiss we had to go through the immigration..nothing big.. but it gives the same feeling like when ever u enter some other country how the inspection is done...So similar setup was there... both the countries office was there in the same building ..first clear the French one and then next is the Swiss one...after doing so ..then u r allowed to enter the country...
Geneva is Switzerland's third-largest city, but surely the most international: a third of the population is from elsewhere. The city is crowded with museums, has a rich cultural calendar, lot of activities, a plethora of mouth-watering cuisines, Mac D is one best things with veg burger available there along with Onion rings from Burger king.. and is ideally placed for excursions into the Swiss and French Alps.
Basking in the sunshine of its peaceful setting on Lake Geneva's banks, this acclaimed neutral territory displays an obvious self-confidence.
First thing we need to money Swiss franks ...I didn't have Swiss francs..so we had to wait in the station and get the change...
After that when we went to tourist office we discovered that it is close for sunday. So went into an hotel and got a map..What an idea ??? Venkat logic Venkat login Kalaku..I'm patting on my back
And then after we went into Mac D and wanted to have the veg burger...its a things which u will never get in France..So got hold on one and had my bite...later went to another tourist office and even that was closed but there we could c a detailed map and a Geneva guide was kept there...
Got hold of one guide and then we discovered that we could get free cycle there in the town...Went to the office and deposited some security money and then took the cycle and moved to all around the city. Its a seven gear cycle..with 3 mode what not in that cycle.
The first thing is the big park we went to and there we saw the Chess board drawn on the floor with big coins...there played a quick game of chess and then moved to the heart of Geneva..The first one we saw first the Water jet...that's the main attraction of this city...
The iconic Jet d'Eau, the world's tallest fountain, shoots water into the air with incredible force (200kmh/124mph and 1360 horsepower) to create a 140m (469ft) plume. At any one time seven tonnes of water is in the air and much of it can fall on spectators on the pier. The Jet is shut off during gusty weather.
Then we just went on the cycle and covered the entire northern part of the lake-side...and then after...we went into the old town...this had lot of nice places like a swiss corner..this is one of the oldest joint in Europe, it seems..and then after that visited some church and then another garden...soon it became afternoon and then we went and visited the UN office / WTO office and other places. The Broken chair reminds one about the people who are not willing to sign the treaty for banning land mines.
Then again to the northern side of the lake...we just took the cycle and where just driving thru that...
After all this tiring trip in the evening went to Burger king and had onion rings...Burger king is another place which u will not find in France..
Its really strange that u don't get onion rings and Veg. burger in France...Why so..
I eat good food man..I will have to write on that little later..
Then way back to France again u will have to come through the customs and immigration ....Even for the french people..All u need to do is just show u r identity..that all...nothing big this time unlike the one which is a detailed one when u enter..back to France
Wanna have a go around Geneva … Click here
When the train reached the platform at Swiss we had to go through the immigration..nothing big.. but it gives the same feeling like when ever u enter some other country how the inspection is done...So similar setup was there... both the countries office was there in the same building ..first clear the French one and then next is the Swiss one...after doing so ..then u r allowed to enter the country...
Geneva is Switzerland's third-largest city, but surely the most international: a third of the population is from elsewhere. The city is crowded with museums, has a rich cultural calendar, lot of activities, a plethora of mouth-watering cuisines, Mac D is one best things with veg burger available there along with Onion rings from Burger king.. and is ideally placed for excursions into the Swiss and French Alps.
Basking in the sunshine of its peaceful setting on Lake Geneva's banks, this acclaimed neutral territory displays an obvious self-confidence.
First thing we need to money Swiss franks ...I didn't have Swiss francs..so we had to wait in the station and get the change...
After that when we went to tourist office we discovered that it is close for sunday. So went into an hotel and got a map..What an idea ??? Venkat logic Venkat login Kalaku..I'm patting on my back
And then after we went into Mac D and wanted to have the veg burger...its a things which u will never get in France..So got hold on one and had my bite...later went to another tourist office and even that was closed but there we could c a detailed map and a Geneva guide was kept there...
Got hold of one guide and then we discovered that we could get free cycle there in the town...Went to the office and deposited some security money and then took the cycle and moved to all around the city. Its a seven gear cycle..with 3 mode what not in that cycle.
The first thing is the big park we went to and there we saw the Chess board drawn on the floor with big coins...there played a quick game of chess and then moved to the heart of Geneva..The first one we saw first the Water jet...that's the main attraction of this city...
The iconic Jet d'Eau, the world's tallest fountain, shoots water into the air with incredible force (200kmh/124mph and 1360 horsepower) to create a 140m (469ft) plume. At any one time seven tonnes of water is in the air and much of it can fall on spectators on the pier. The Jet is shut off during gusty weather.
Then we just went on the cycle and covered the entire northern part of the lake-side...and then after...we went into the old town...this had lot of nice places like a swiss corner..this is one of the oldest joint in Europe, it seems..and then after that visited some church and then another garden...soon it became afternoon and then we went and visited the UN office / WTO office and other places. The Broken chair reminds one about the people who are not willing to sign the treaty for banning land mines.
Then again to the northern side of the lake...we just took the cycle and where just driving thru that...
After all this tiring trip in the evening went to Burger king and had onion rings...Burger king is another place which u will not find in France..
Its really strange that u don't get onion rings and Veg. burger in France...Why so..
I eat good food man..I will have to write on that little later..
Then way back to France again u will have to come through the customs and immigration ....Even for the french people..All u need to do is just show u r identity..that all...nothing big this time unlike the one which is a detailed one when u enter..back to France
Wanna have a go around Geneva … Click here
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