World Watch Live

Finally a few moments....

2010-10-03T16:26:00.004+02:00

I haven't blogged in a long time. With all this hype about twitter and facebook, maybe blogs are losing their charm.

I've been incredibly busy in the past few months. With work, family and a few trips, blogging takes a back seat. It is a little busy at work but I think I can manage. I visited Loire valley in France a few months ago. Driving through the French countryside dotted with castles (chateaus) and vineyards was a pleasure. Though I felt, the entire region was a little sleepy.

I went on a trip to Berlin in Germany recently. The airport was a disappointment but I could smell history in the city. The tour guide spoke on and on about the monuments like the Berlin wall, Brandenberger gate, Concert Hall, University, Churches...but I felt there was some cyncism in his tone. It was like there was an invisible voice telling us "this is my city..we've gone through a lot but still haven't reached anywhere". There was contempt for Angela Merkel which I found surprising because I know she is one of the most(if not the)powerful women in the world. I guess they have their issues but It was like he wanted to tell us how "the lady" (Angela) is responsible for everything.

Thats the informal update for now..back to watching the Common Wealth Games inaugural ceremony on TV...CWG - much maligned event but let us see how it turns out!!

Let's get cooking!!

2009-12-12T11:42:00.005+01:00

I'm watching one my favourite programmes on TV - Saturday Kitchen Live. The whole concept of fresh ingredients and cuisine fascinate me. This programmes shows bits of BBC's cooking shows plus guest chefs prepare some fabulous food in the studio :)

Being the Christmas season, all cooking shows are concentrating on baking cakes. I've never been too successful with baking cakes - except with the packaged flour mix variety. That's hardly any creativity!!

I'm still very good with non-vegetarian items. I can make lovely Chicken curry laced with spices and herbs or even the biriyani. I make spicy fried fish during weekdays and recently made my first kutchi mutton biriyani (rice and meat cooked together with yoghurt and spices).

I'm not a stickler in terms of presentation because it is the taste and aroma of the dish which matter to me. I appreciate some of the beautifully presented food in top-notch restaurants or shown on TV. I remember one of the dishes shown in BBC's Masterchef finals - an appetizer delicately presented inside a smokey glass dome. It looked like heaven in a plate even without tasting.

One of the tastes that I have always enjoyed is Thai. I think that has got to do with my love for coconut milk based curries. I just love the lemon grass, ginger and citronelle flavours that are infused into the perfumed scampi or meat curries. One of my favourite dishes is the Thai green chicken curry.

We used to visit a tiny Thai restaurant near our house. It was small and quiet but always full. The food was of a good quality and the service was good. We still eat from that place but we just order a take away. It's much easier to eat at home with the baby around.

My baby loves our traditional Indian dishes despite having the Belgian fare in the creche during the week. He loves the rice, sambar, dal or yoghurt mixes that we have at home.

This convinces me that our palates are influenced by genetics more than our current conditions. An Asian palate will always be tuned to spices regardless of the geographical location!!

Things can go horribly wrong at times...

2009-12-06T23:14:00.005+01:00

I'm in no mood to sleep today. I can't believe how things can go incredibly wrong at times.

For a few weeks, I was battling the usual cold and sore throat that is characteristic of this season. Then, my tiny tot got a really bad throat infection followed by an allergy. His skin was red with rashes one day. Luckily, it was a quick fix with some medicines his doc prescribed.

Again, as we settled into normal life, my baby boy got a severely high temperature or fever. We spent some time in the Emergency Room in the hospital to do all the tests. Luckily, it is a classic case of cold and sore throat. He has got loads of medicines to take which are making him drowsy and listless.

As if this wasn't enough, I just caught the "pink eye". My eyes are swollen and infected. The doctor says it will be over in a week. I'm spending my time alone and suitably quarantined to ward of the spread of this infection.

All these years in Belgium and I never got any form of malaise. I guess this is my time to remember that health is wealth. My husband is bearing the brunt of all this as he is stuck with taking care of both of us.

But yes, I have reason to celebrate today. After about four years of marriage, I got a hot cup of coffee at my bedside today. Isn't that wonderful??

Living life a day at a time...

2009-11-28T19:03:00.002+01:00

Life is warming up slowly since I've joined back at work. My new assignment is exciting and challenging. Nevermind that I don't have a clue as to how I will proceed. I'm hoping that all will proceed smoothly as time goes on.

The morning bus journey with my baby on the pram is an adventure. It is easy to board and get down from the new STIB buses. On bad days, the old, yellow buses will ply on my route - and the nightmare begins. Luckily, some kindred spirit will help me manage to get on the bus.

Weekends are busy days. I have so many chores to do...neverending tasks. I guess it is the same for all mums.

You start appreciating your parents more after becoming one yourself. It's exciting but tiring to be responsible for a little human being. The chores zap a lot of energy off you but the baby brings in positive vibes. I have high regard for all the hard-working mums out there...hang in there!!

What's hot and not about twittering??

2009-09-29T11:37:00.010+02:00

I consider myself reasonably tech-savvy. I email regularly and use gtalk, skype, yahoo messenger etc. to chat. I use the internet to read the news and search for services (restaurants, train, bus, weather etc). I also maintain a blog and have a couple of social networking accounts.

I was constantly hearing about twitter especially on news channels. Breaking news updates quote tweets from around the world. It was as if everybody around was twittering away.

I signed up for my own twitter stream a few days ago. Honestly, I haven't gotten hang of it yet. It looks like twitter users can post bits of info online. Those who are interested can follow these tweets and be informed.

News channels give breaking news updates on twitter. Politicians record their daily travails to keep their subjects informed and entertained. Twitter is especially useful to those on the campaign trail to post micro-messages to the vast online public.

Within the few days I've been on twitter, I have learnt interesting facts about those who I follow. For example, my brother in Dubai is now enduring a fitness regimen. My journalist brother in India has updates on anything to do with telecom. My friend in Ahmedabad, India woke up at 4 AM because of the constant barking of dogs!!!

CNN breaking news posted about Iran's nuclear test missile.
And dear me...what did I post?? I twittered about the dull Belgian weather and the humble apple crumble I made!!!

9/11 - Another year goes by..

2009-09-18T09:12:00.005+02:00

We were huddled around the table for a post-dinner discussion when our Muscat brought up friend Tina (fondly called muscat-biscuit) received an sms. Her American friend claimed that an airplane had hit the World Trade Center in New York!!

It sounded outrageously unbelievable to us students living in a remote village in Allahabad, India. I suggested that she sms back that Taj Mahal had melted away due to acid rains.

Her friend was getting angry by now because we were not taking him seriously. We turned on the old TV in the dining hall to confirm and yes, news channels were reporting that planes had indeed hit the WTC.

This single incident had shocked the world and made life come to a grinding halt. More terror attacks were to follow like the London bombings, Mumbai hotel attacks etc..

Terror attacks are no more a surprise since it's so frequent despite increased safety measures. It is an unsettling feeling knowing that terror can strike anywhere.

At times, it seems as though we are fighting a hidden enemy...or as some may put it - an enemy within. Every anniversary of 9/11 is a chilling reminder of this axe looming overhead waiting to squash its prey.

Smallest town on earth..really?

2009-09-06T19:15:00.011+02:00

There is nothing so petite about the town claiming to be the smallest ville on earth. Tucked away inside the Ardennes forest, this quaint town has enough charm and character to match any mighty tourist city.

Durbuy was listed as one of the twenty must see locations in the Visit Belgium website. I wondered what was so special about this small town to make it a must-see location.

The drive from Brussels to Durbuy was superb with fantastic views of the Belgian countryside. As we neared the Ardennes, the farmland gave way to towering cliffs and dense vegetation.

The last stretch of road leading to Durbuy was tiny with the lane narrowing and bending at sharp angles. Alas, the sight of Durbuy before us was breathtakingly beautiful.
Durbuy had the look of a town right out of the Middle ages. The Chateau, uneven cobbled streets, little rugged caves and the rocky hillocks surrounding the town made it seem as though time stood still. The Ourthe river was visible from every nook of the town.
It was clear that tourism was big in Durbuy. Hotels and restaurants could be seen everywhere. The tourist train was doing rounds through the streets. Mothers with strollers trotted about in the nearby topiary. The cafes were packed with tourists on a weekend break. I figured that trekking and adventure sports were also a hit with so many dirt bikes parked in and around the town.
My favourite place was the St. Amour Confiture shop, the outlet of the neighbourhood jammery. The shelves were lined with a variety of jams (onion, fig, orange, lemon, strawbery, raspberry, myrtilles, rose and so much more), syrops, special Durbuy beer, chocolates etc.
I wished I could sample everything in the shop as I had never ever seen such a collection of jams and jellies. I finally left with the jam of figs, roses and some chocolates.

Frank had to drag me away from this jammy paradise. I promised myself that I would be back..but this time to relax for a few days in one of the many hotels.

Right on Track: The Belgian Grand Prix

2009-09-03T22:31:00.008+02:00

Watching the Belgian Grand Prix from the VIP gallery of Ferrari was a dream come true for my husband Frank. The outcome of the race was even more sensational with Ferrari winning the title and the Force India team clinching a podium finish.
I have seen the Spa-Francochamps circuit while on a leisure trip to Spa a couple of years ago (Read -- There is a place called Spa!!).It looked as if perched in the middle of nowhere from the rugged TEC bus we were in. We were not impressed with Spa then but this time Frank was clearly on top of the moon.

He was babbling out of excitement in being able to watch the F1 from the red VIP stand, the home of the most prestigious F1 team. He kept stressing that the babes in the adjoining Martini stalls were gorgeous much to my amusement. The guests in the F1 Ferrari club wined and dined in style while watching the race. Champagne and wine to tease the appetite and platters of skewered prawns, lamp chops, beef brochettes, grilled monk fish and much more to add to the luxury.
Frank was taken aback by the preparations that go into making an F1 race a success. The car as well as the driver need to be maintained to the minutest level possible. The tyres have to be kept in a temperature controlled environment. The engineers and mecanics have to be on alert throughout the race. There are so many similar nuances to be kept in perspective such as the fuel levels, weight of the car, engine technology and not to mention, the physique of the driver.
(Photographs Courtesy - Mr. Philippe Bogaert)
With all this planning and detailing, it might seem as though F1 is a precision-driven sport. On the other side, the huge budgets and extravaganza make it more of entertainment.

So here is the million dollar question: Is this a sport showcasing skills and technology? Or else is this some form of gas guzzling, cash crunching entertainment?? I guess the debate will just never end...

These are a few of my favourite spots...

2009-08-23T12:27:00.015+02:00

I'm nearing three years of stay in Belgium. During this time, I've visited some interesting tourist sites in and around the country.

I loved the places that I visited. Some were more memorable than the other but they all helped me understand European life a little more.

I'm listing down some of the best places I visited in Europe starting with the best liked and down the pecking order...

1. Amsterdam (Wednesday in Amsterdam)

Nothing beats Amsterdam in terms of excitement, culture and tolerance. An hour long cruise down the winding canals showcases the true beauty of the city - rows of canal houses with hooks on the top facade, crown shaped church spiral, museums of every kind, Anne Frank house, Nemo, floating pagoda restaurant and the list goes on.

A walk through the red-light district and a visit to the Sex museum near the railway station will touch upon the well known tolerance of the city. A rare sight for those from the East where it is a taboo to even mention the subject.

2. Maastrict (Destination Maastrict)

I can still feel the uneven, cobbled streets and the gentle breeze from River Muese (Maas) when I think about Maastrict. I huffed and puffed while I climbed up the spiralling stairs to the St. Jean's church belfry. St. Servatius basilica ranks as one of the most glorious monuments I have ever seen in my life.

3. Rotterdam (Rotterdam - A Taste of Modernity)

Modern yet an amazingly refreshing city - the highlights being the Erasmus brigdge, the harbour, Euromast, Speedo boat and ofcourse, the Pancake cruise.

4. Paris (It's the season to be jolly)

Well, Paris is just Paris - a tourist paradise which cannot be described.

5. Dinant (Charming Dinant)

Dinant is charming town bordering the River Muese with a towering citadel and world war bunkers. The cruise through the river reveals the scenic beauty of the town.

6. Belgian Coast (Oostende / Knokke / Blankenberge)

We took a ride on the tram that chugs along the coast and it was well worth the trouble. But what surprised me most was the Atlantic wall with its underground war bunkers - a testament to German ingenuity.

7. Keukenhof (The Keukenhof Experience)

Fields of tulips in all colours lined the road leading to the gardens as if welcoming us. It felt heavenly inside with flowers of every kind and shape. Swans quietly glided away in the green- tinged waters nearby. I have never seen any other place nearly as beautiful and well kept as the tulip gardens of Keukenhof

8. Grand Place (Of Moules Frites, Escargots & Waffles)

I pop into the crowded Brussels city centre once in a while on a sunny day or during christmas . The golden gilted guild houses, artists sketching away, chocolate fountains, waffles and ice cream shops are all huddled together in the vicinity.

Toss in a generous helping of street artists (some smeared with shiny silver paste and others with musical instruments), vendors selling hot wine or snail soup, and the small statue of a boy pissing (mannequin pis) - and you have Grand Place in all its splendour.

9. Bruges

A little bit of the medieval era in Belgium - ideal for kindling a quick romance and for the lovely canal ride.

10. Atomium & Mini Europe (Hallmark of Brussels)

The huge steel balls suspended in air can be seen from many places around Brussels. Mini Europe, the park with miniature European monuments, took a long time to visit. Neverthless, the trip was informative with the interactive exhibits.

So, these are a few of my favourite places that I would love to visit yet again!!

I stumbled upon these interesting reads...

2009-08-19T12:48:00.005+02:00

Morgan in Africa

Morgan, a young American, is an aid worker living in Africa (mainly Rwanda and Barundi). She explains her experiences in Rwanda as a development intern with UNHCR in the first phase of her blog. Later on, she returns to the neighbouring Barundi as an executive with an international organization.

Through her blog, she took me on a journey into Rwanda - a country healing from a horrible past. The Rwandan markets, food, hotels, houses, and people come alive in her posts.

She loves her goat brochettes, bonds with her Rwandan friends and learns to beat the sweltering summer and the ever-present mosquitos.

The lady even learned the Rwandan language and has a lengthy dictionary posted online. She delves into the history of the country and the current state of political affairs in her blog. A bit controversial (maybe), definitely informative and a rare look into Africa.

I have to admit that I read Morgan's blog from cover to cover (meaning from the first post to the most recent in blog parlance). It is an extraordinary look into African culture and customs through the eyes of a Washingtonian. You can find her blog here: Morgan in Africa

Diary of a White Indian Housewife

Being a housewife in India is a tad bit difficult for even the seasoned Indian woman. The traditions, culture and communal bonds can be stifling. Then, imagine a white Australian lady married to an Indian man living in a chaotic metropolis like Mumbai...

That is Sharrel's story. She has stuck on in India for more than a couple of years beating all odds. Her take on life in India with its never-ending festivities, spicy food, exotic travels and travails is amusing to say the least.

She claims to have discovered herself in this deeply spiritual country. Find her here in the Diary of a White Indian Housewife..

Maasmechelen Shopping Village - for the shopoholic in you!!

2009-07-30T12:08:00.010+02:00

If you can't get enough of rue neuve in Brussels, head out to Maasmechelen shopping village in Limburg. The brands you dream of are lined up all ready for you to gobble up in this shopper's paradise.

It's a chic place to hang out and do some window shopping if you can ward of the temptation to own some of the best brands in the business.

We took a trip to Maasmechelen out of curiosity...but ended up buying some things as well. The atmosphere is leisurely compared to the other shopping centres.

Cafes, well-designed company outlets and the village feel will make you want to stick around. It is sale time in Maasmechelen at this time of the year and most of the coveted items are flying off the racks.

I couldn't help thinking if recession is still a reality while looking at the crowds swarming into the outlets. Ahh...we all want a piece of the luxuary pie and who cares about the depth of our pockets??

Maasmechelen is a good place to relax as it is very close to Belgium. The shopping experience is better than the crowded city shops. The cafes serve amazing food including some of the best traditional fare.

We wrapped up the trip with a few scoops of icecream from the corner shop in the shopping village. The icecream flavours tasted authentic than artificial.

I mean mint and melon tasted just like the real stuff. Now, that is a wonderful way to end one of those rare sunny, summer days in Belgium.

The photos speak for themselves...the countryside..the brands..shopping and the architecture!!

Time flies by...

2009-07-13T16:50:00.005+02:00

Ahh...Its lovely to see the mercury rising in Belgium today.. I took a walk with the baby and went to the nearby park. As usual, I sat down and thought..thought...and thought about the month long vacation that flew by.

To be honest, this vacation to home in India was a chaotic mixture of good times and bad times. I felt so distant and disconnected from reality all throughtout. Strangely enough, I was so out of place in the country I called home.

People changed..places changed shape..new buildings and crowded streets were too much to bear with the humid atmosphere. Yet, it was comforting to meet family and friends and have the baby's baptism ceremony done.

We flew on Etihad airways (round trip) from Brussels to Cochin (Kerala, India) via Abudhabi. While the Brussels-Abudhabi flights were super comfortable and classy, I can't say the same about the Abudhabi-Cochin trips.

The aircraft was smaller and dingy for the Cochin flight. The waiting area of the Abudhabi airport for this flight was cramped and overflowing with people.

As for the food factor, I would say Etihad serves above average meals - menu card with three choices.

I can't forget the frenzied swine flu checking at Cochin International Airport. A hall full of people from the morning international flights were waiting to submit a declaration stating that they didn't have swine flu...

There were no temperature checks (not even manual) or body heat sensing cameras...just filling up the form and waiting (about 3 hours) in an endless line right out of long haul flights from around the world...beaurocracy at its best...

During the no swineflu declaration submission, I felt funny (as though anyone would willingly declare/diagnose that they have swineflu) and frustrated (imagine waiting with a baby battling the above 30 C temperatures for the first time in his life).

But I must give credit to the medical personnel at Abudhabi airport - they were using heat sensing cameras and screening all the passengers coming out of the flights...At least somebody knows what to do!!

World Environment Day on June 5th....

2009-06-03T16:11:00.002+02:00

We have just a couple more days to go for the World Environment Day on June 5th. Another day will go by with the characteristic fanfare meant to show that we care about nature.

While in Belgium, try to be as environment friendly as possible. Even if we try our best to turn off heating and lights when not required, we might get slapped with high electricity bills from Electrabel - the Government company which controls electricy supply and billing in Belgium.

And it is better to segregate garbage into different coloured bags and avoid notices from the commune. Hey, your appartment syndicate or maintenace company might even show up to urge you to do the same correctly. How is that for some real motivation?

Companies are struggling to go paperless these days. Its great to be able to read, edit and send documents online. If you need to print, the advice is to use both sides to save paper.

We've got all the rules in place for going green. The question is "how many of us will walk the talk"?

Living on the Edge - The Dangerous Art of Train Hopping

2009-05-28T10:29:00.008+02:00

I was incredibly sad to read about the train guard who lost his limbs in a tragic train accident last week. As someone who travelled daily by Belgian rail the past year, I can relate to what must have happened.

It seems that an elderly passenger tried to board the train through the train guard's door just as the train was about to leave. In the aftermath, both the passenger and the train guard were injured.

All passenger doors close when the train is about to leave except for the train guard's door. The train guard then keys in the signal and boards the train.

I used to see this ritual repeat at every station. As a result, I was aware that the only door open incase I was late was the train guard's door.

I had to brave the Brussels city traffic and road repairs on my way to the Brussels Central station. The race to get to office on time brought on an maddening adrenalin rush.

The thought of my Boss noticing the constant late arrivals to office made me jittery and ready to take risks. I had already given all the possible excuses like rush hour traffic, road construction, train cancellation / delay, sickness and so on...

Almost always the train was already on the platform as I arrived. One quick glance at the train notice board, and I would scoot off to the platform to board the train.

I would then search frantically for the open door at the train guard's end. A swift entry into the train and I was guarenteed a comfortable journey to office in time.

I was very late once and tried to board through the guard's door. The lady train guard flailed her arms in despair and stopped me from entering. I was very angry at her as I was hopelessly late for office. I now realize that she was only doing her duty and following the safety protocol.

Jumping into trains is routine in Mumbai where the local trains are the lifeline of the city. I was one among the masses who depended on the local trains to commute to work once upon a time.

Mumbai local trains stop only for a few seconds in a station. The crowd presses in and out of the compartments and accidents are common. It is downright dangerous to travel on Mumbai locals for those not familiar with the peculiarities of this mode of transport.

Belgian trains are many times more safer in comparison. It is only common sense to not hop into a train almost ready to leave through the guard's door. Unfortunately, in these stressful times, common sense is very uncommon.

Back to Pavilion: It's Vacation Time!!

2009-05-26T09:08:00.019+02:00

We are gearing up for our long-awaited visit to India. Finally, we have our chance to be back home after a gap of two years. It's going to be a bit special this time around since I'm going back with a baby in tow.

Our family members are anxiously waiting to see the newest member. They have seen loads of pictures of the baby and they've seen him through the webcam. But nothing beats cuddling and playing with him in real-time.

It's monsoon season in our home state of Kerala now. We might just escape the high temperatures this time in favour of the rains.

Keralites call their state "God's Own Country" in celebration of its pristine beaches, backwaters, spices and cultural extravaganzas. Tourism is really big in Kerala and even National Geographic's Traveller magazine rated it as one among the 10 must see destinations in the world. That is pretty neat for a tiny strip of land with limited resources.

I am looking forward to having some authentic Kerala food liike the spicy, red Kottayam fish curry with Tapioca mash. Ohh..and I want other delicacies like Karimeen (Pearl Spot Fish) fry, appams (flat bread) and chicken stew.

The baptism ceremony of our baby is first on the agenda. I'm looking forward to seeing all our friends and family who will turn up for the event...

I still have the hard task of packing ahead of me. I have to remember to take our stuff especially the baby's items for our month long visit.

We are travelling with the baby for the first time. So, I have to make sure that all that is needed for the long flight is packed and reachable when required.

So, there is lots of planning, packing and thinking to do before we fly out of Belgium to "God's Own Country"...

Sunny days are here again...

2009-05-25T09:33:00.007+02:00

We woke up to some lovely, sunny weather in Brussels yesterday. The sun rays filtering in through the curtains into the living room were a sight for sore eyes.

The dull, grey Belgian weather is very hard for me to digest after being used to bright days in India. My three month old baby just can't bear the little sun that we get here.

We took him out to a wonderful park near Zaventem yesterday just so that he gets a little used to the great outdoors. I'm afraid he didn't like it much. He shut his eyes very tightly in protest.

The park we went to yesterday had a calming effect on me. There were a couple of small, interconnected lakes with a pavement to walk around in.

We could hear the constant quacking of the ducks which swam around in the lakes. The black and white swans gliding across the water were a sight to see...

I wish we would get some more warm weather in Brussels this week. I am going to take my son outdoors for more time to get him used to the natural light. Otherwise, our Belgium born Indian will have a hard time adjusting to the hot Indian summer.

Congratulations to My Little Sister!!

2009-05-24T18:07:00.004+02:00

I'm so happy for my little sister for clearing the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT - www.nift.ac.in) entrance exams. She's into the prestigious institute in style with a great All India rank also.

NIFT is India's premier network of institutes for anything to do with design - like apparel, textile, fashion design, fashion communication, fashion management.. The institute is set up and run by the Ministry of Textiles of Government of India.

The entrance exam sifts out the best creative minds suited for the course from the many thousands of aspirants. The exam is conducted in two parts - with a written test as well as a studio test / situation test.

I can only call her from Belgium and wish her all success. She will have to go to Delhi for the counselling and pick up the course major and institute of her choice based on the availability.

She is so different from me - so talented, creative and beautiful inside out. She is the best looking out of all the three sisters. Needless to say, she's got the best fashion sense too...

I'm only worried that she will have to pursue a gruelling 4-year course away from home.

hmmm...reminds me of...no pains - no gains...

Does atmosphere@work matter?

2009-05-20T10:20:00.005+02:00

I just read some articles on diversity and inclusion posted on my company intranet. It was exciting to know more about the initiatives aimed at empowering employees. This got me thinking about what makes workplaces tick.

I have very little work experience in comparison with the industry veterans I just read about. However, I have had the great fortune of working in many organizations during this limited time.

My first taste of industry experience came when I joined as a student trainee in an Indian Seed Company M. Company M was renowed as a leader in agricultural seed production and a pioneer in biotechnology.

The atmosphere at their corporate centre was very formal. I remember facing a panel of executives during my first round of interviews. In crisp and cutting tones, they reiterated that this company was not the place for young females.

This did dash my hopes but I stuck on there adamant to prove that women can do difficult jobs.

I did prove that the project given to me can be done by a woman. I travelled around to all the rural parts of Karnataka to evaluate the seed production fields in scorching heat. I took the intercity back to Bangalore every week where I was based.

There were no women employees in the production centre located in a no-man's land except for a cleaning lady. She was so happy to see me and always brought me a freshly-plucked rose from the garden and a cup of tea.

The work atmosphere was totally formal like I anticipated but the people were warm and helpful. I was doing my training under the guidance of a well known, elderly professor. He treated me very well and I am grateful to him for opening up a whole new window of knowledge.

I moved on to a national environmental organization as their media officer. The programme officer I worked for was very demanding. I remember having long review sessions with her.

I loved their campus in the Indian city of Ahmadabad. It was full of life with monkeys jumping about in the trees, peacocks fluttering around and red brick buildings designed to accomodate the flora and fauna. I enjoyed travelling to network offices, organizing pre-publication workshops and attending international conferences.

I came to Mumbai city with a job in a leading commodity exchange E in their research & development wing. The managers were very welcoming and informal. We went out for lunch together (even with the senior R&D managers) on saturdays mostly every week.

We had celebrations for almost everything in exchange E - for eg. when the exchange increased business, women's day, diwali, new year etc. The most exceptional aspect being that people were appreciated in the company.

As a small organization, it was possible for the managers/HR to celebrate personal milestones like weddings and birthdays. I was surprised to be called in to the managers cabin one day only to find that my team mates were gathered inside as well. They presented me with a gift to celebrate my wedding.

I moved to Brussels, Belgium after marriage and worked briefly for a small, international organization.

The Executive Director of that organization is still special to me. She is a very dynamic and accomplished lady. As the driving force behind the organization, she promotes and motivates her team members with a rare zeal and enthusiasm.

Alas, I still had to move on to greener pastures. I now work for an Indian information technology giant. The opportunities in this IT company are challenging and I was blessed to be able to take up an innovative assignment for them in Brussels.

I loved the work but I didn't find the particular project management very suitable. The project managers were not people-oriented at all. I felt as if I was just a number in their rolls.

This was also true with all the other team members although I am not authorized to speak for them. It was more like the people for the project and not the reverse. The feeling that people did not matter took a lot of joy out of doing the work.

I can't remember a single team outing during a one year period. Team-building efforts were practically non-existant.

This is not true about the IT company in totality. There are many initiatives for fostering a sense of belonging from a company perspective but it just didn't trickle down to my project.

I believe that people quit workplaces because of the way they are treated. The organization that values its workforce and provides the right atmosphere will win in the long run.

Work place culture and atmosphere are crucial for me to be satisfied with what I am doing. It is a fine balancing act for companies as well as for the individuals who form the company.

Baby on Board!!

2009-05-08T10:13:00.005+02:00

I knew my life had changed forever when I saw his tiny body squirming on my belly in the delivery room. I felt relieved that the long labour session was finally over. Frank and I were overwhelmed with joy at the sight of our son.

I must thank the hospital staff in Brussels who gave me the best care possible before and after the delivery. They were so professional and sympathetic in comparison to the hospital staff I have seen in India. I am sure that less population and more facilities help them maintain such a cheerful disposition.

In Belgium, there is five days mandatory stay in the hospital after delivery. The doctors, mid-wives and even the physiotherapists kept checking on me and the baby during these days. It was a bit annoying at times because somebody was coming for rounds just as I was trying to catch a bit of zzzs.

It was difficult to adjust to the routine of the baby at first. He kept waking up in the night. I felt he was also adapting to this earthly life just like we were to having him around.

My son was born with a head full of hair and with his eyes wide open. Friends, relatives and hospital staff kept commenting on the eyes much to our surprise.

Our home also geared up for the new-born with additional cupboards, crib, changing table and an extra tiny bed for the living room. The excited first-time father also stocked up on toys, cuddly teddy bears and lots of clothes. This is despite me emphasisizing that it will take a while for the baby to be able to play with all the toys.

Its exactly three months since this handsome baby boy entered our life. He is more like a little person now.

He smiles innocently and starts cooing in baby language when we are around. I can't decipher much of it but I see that his daddy also speaks to him in the same weird language.

He flails his arms and legs as though he is cycling most of the time. It is exciting to see him roll around in bed and occasionally turn over. I know these are all developmental milestones in the growth of the baby.

I can see my whole life flash before me when I look into his crystal clear eyes. I see my past, present and future in him. Words cannnot explain the feeling of motherhood. It must be experienced to be understood.

Rotterdam - A Taste of Modernity

2009-04-17T15:08:00.016+02:00

Most of the European cities I have seen have an element of history written in their architecture and layout. The buildings are centuries old but painstakingly restored and modernized so as to retain their character.

Rotterdam is exceptional in this regard with its strikingly modern architecture. I hear this is because Rotterdam was heavily bombed during World War II forcing the city to be rebuilt completely in an updated style. As the largest port in Europe, Rotterdam is a significant part of commerce and trade in Europe.
The Euromast tower dominates the skyline of Rotterdam. I saw adventurous tourists trying to climb this tower with ropes (not an activity for the fickle-minded). From below the tower, these daredevils looked like beads strung on a rope.
From the riverside, we can see ships anchored on the port offloading after the long journey.

Another interesting sight is the Spido boat taking tourists around for a view of the harbor. We could see many Spido boats going back and forth but we chose to take a cruise on the Pancake boat instead.
The Erasmus bridge is another modern feature of the Rotterdam skyline. We went under this bridge while on the Pancake cruise.
This picture was clicked while we waited at a signal. The road in the front opened up to allow the boat to pass. I got out of the car to watch the bridge open slowly and took this snap.

The buildings in Rotterdam reflect the ultra-modern and sleek architechture of Europe. Rotterdam is also famous for cube houses...well they are houses shaped like cubes.

We also drove around the old part of Rotterdam harbour. It looked like a marina full of private boats.
The "Pancake Cruise"was the highlight of our trip to Rotterdam. For a fee of 12 Euros per person, one can have a hour long cruise and eat as many pancakes as you wish with a myriad of toppings. The toppings range from the obvious maple syrup, honey, sugar etc. to eggs, bacon, fresh fruits and cream.

Unfortunately, we did not book tickets in advance (via the internet) like the many people who turned up for the cruise. We bought tickets on the spot after the reserved passengers boarded.

The lower deck is most sought after since the pancakes are made and served there. We were on the upper deck since we got our tickets later. The view from the upper deck was fantastic but we had to go down to the lower deck to get our share of pancakes and toppings.

There are boats plying on the river in yellow and black (standard taxi colours). These are water taxis ferrying passengers within the city... yet another mode of transport unique to Rotterdam.

By dusk, we noticed the decorated boats gearing up for the day's evening cruise. I remember that there was a floating Chinese pagoda restaurant anchored closed to the Euromast tower.

Rotterdam is an excellant example of the the versatility of Europe with its high-rise buildings, cube houses, amazing port facilities, ships, boats, water-taxis, floating restaurants, the Erasmus bridge and the Euromast tower.

We took some time to take a promenade along the harbour to catch the refreshing breeze. At the end of the day, I was glad to be able to visit this great city.

"Den Haag" or The Hague - Seat of the International Court of Justice

2009-04-17T10:21:00.016+02:00

"Den Haag"(The Hague) has a reputation for being very international owing to the many institutions located there. The city is always in the news in connection with the International Court of Justice or International Criminal Court.

While in Hague, I realized that the international nature of Hague was different from that of Amsterdam. Amsterdam is exciting, highly touristy and inviting. In stark contrast, The Hague is a sleepy town without the toursitic pomp of Amsterdam.

We reached Hague after a few hours drive from Brussels. We fumbled a bit on finding the entry point to the city from the highway. We got some brochures outlining the attractions in Hague from the tourist office.

We walked around the city for sometime observing the architecture and lifestyle in Hague. It looked like a cosmopolitan city with many expatriates in town for work purposes (not for tourism).

In the centre of the town, there was an enclosure with sand sculptures of the buildings in Hague...nothing spectacular but interesting indeed.

The Dutch government buildings are based in The Hague although Amsterdam is the official capital. This complex of buildings, called Biennhof, houses the Parliament and the Prime-Minister's office of Netherlands.

The Government complex had an ancient castle-like look with beautiful architecture and canals all around.

The fountain in the inner compound of the complex had lovely carvings of golden colour.

I found The Hague to be only mildly interesting as I didn't feel that there was much to see there compared to all the media attention the place gets.

However, I must say that the architechture is impressive and the city is green and picturesque. The tram lines cris-cross the old and cobbled streets lined with cafes. This gives Den Haag the feel of a picnic spot rather than that of a genuine tourist destination.

Once Upon a Time...

2009-04-16T09:28:00.005+02:00

It's been a long time (over a year or so) since I have blogged. There are good reasons for this long break from writing.

The year 2008 was very hectic for me on a personal and professional level. After the chaos and mayhem of the previous year, I am back to my relaxed pace of life in Brussels. I thought it would be interesting to put down a few lines about the year gone by.

Although last year was quite tough, it was also a year of many milestones. I completed the assignment at work. The assignment that got was open-ended...meaning I had to create protocols and patterns from scratch. It was a role-based assignment requiring a lot of patience and creativity. I lost my cool at times during the the ups and downs of the assignment...but in the end I am satisfied with the results.

I also completed my evening French course. It was difficult to manage the classes, work and the travel all together. I didn't get so much time to study for the many tests but I managed to pass and scrape through the level.

On the personal front, I had an absolutely wonderful time. I got my first baby a couple of months ago. I am thrilled and overjoyed to have this handsome baby boy in my life. I am currently revelling in the joys that only motherhood can bring.

Frank and I managed to squeeze in a bit of travel during the weekends or holidays the past year. We visited the historic "Den Haag" (The Hague),ultra-modern Rotterdam and the charming Tournai.

So here it is - a short summation of all that happened during this long break from blogging. As always, I will update the blog with a little more details about the places we visited in 2008!!

Knokke - A Belgian Seaside Resort!!

2008-05-18T20:30:00.008+02:00

Sunny days are never be wasted in Belgium. I mean temperatures around 22 to 26 degrees when I say sunny weather in Belgium.

Fortunately for us, this weather coincided with the long weekend. We decided to explore the coastal resort of Knokke during the holidays.

As a seaside resort, the main attraction of Knokke are its pleasant beaches. I felt as though all of Belgium had flocked to the coast to enjoy the sun.

Belgians bare it all and take to very little clothing during these rare sunny days. Knokke was no exception and was teaming with people enjoying the sun.

The Butterfly Museum in Knokke looked very ordinary from outside. We were taken aback by the recreation of tropical atmosphere inside. Butterflies of all colours fluttered around as though in it's natural surroundings.

It was an amazing sight to yet again see natural beauty in its purest form.

Knokke is also known for the Zwin nature reserve. This preserved area is exceptional as it is the resting ground for a variety of birds.

This coastal town is yet another example of the beauty of the Belgian coast. It is surprising that a tiny country such as Belgium can offer such a wide range of tourist spots.

Days of Our Lives - The Keukenhof Experience

2008-05-18T10:46:00.010+02:00

The great advantage of being based in Belgium is the ability to travel to nearly all European countries with ease. I feel lucky to be able to visit so many countries and attractions within a short span of time.

I visited Keukenhof, dubbed "the most beautiful spring garden in the world", a week ago. I was mesmerized by the flowers, colours and the natural beauty of the garden.

The famed Keukenhof gardens are located in Holland, a country known for tulips. The two hour drive from Brussels to Keukenhof is an interesting experience.

While nearing Keukenhof, the winding country roads are lined with tulip fields on either side. This is a very charming preview to the beautiful gardens.

Since this garden is only open during a month, there is an enormous inflow of visitors everyday. To make matters worse, we went to Keukenhof on a public holiday.

As expected, there was a crowd but we were able to enter fast because we purchased our tickets online.

What I saw in Keukenhof is an unbelievable display of tulips in different colours. The landscapingis picture-perfect with an interspersing of water, trees, greenery, tulips and other flowers.

For the few hours I spent in the garden, I felt as though I reached paradise. It was heavenly... Only nature could bring forth such a riot of colours.

A picture speaks a thousand words. You can experience the magic of Keukenhof through these images...

I saw tulips in different colours, shapes and sizes all around Keukenhof garden.

The narrow, stone-paved pathways in the garden are lined with tulips.

The tulip fields outside the garden are amazing...an ideal background for personal portraits :)

This lovely white swan swam by us while we relaxed near the vast pond inside the garden. Just check out the clear green water... almost too difficult to believe that it's for real.

The costumed actors strutting about add to the old world charm of Keukenhof.

I am delighted to have visited this world famous spring gardens. It is an ideal and enjoyable weekend destination.

I'm in French Class Again!

2008-02-18T23:19:00.003+01:00

I kicked off my next level of French classes in style today. I am so proud to be doing the level 5 course in French this time.

It is a little bit of effort for me to get to the French school now since I work a little far away. I am on a assignment in a neighboring town about an hour from Brussels Central.

By the time I got to the French school today, I was nearly exhausted. I hopped trains and buses to reach just in the nick of time.

I was considering dropping the course due to the travel. Then I figured I would continue since I adore the language. I believe that nothing is a pain if you have the will to follow through.

I have about 8 students in class this time. The prof is a plump and expressive lady. Since this level is more advanced than what I took last time, I sometimes miss what she teaches. I just about managed to do all the exercises and respond in class.

I was really tired in class today. In contrast, my prof was on a high dose of caffeine. She was using a lot of actions to support her constant chatter. She wandered from one topic to another effortlessly. She then gave us a considerable amount of homework to do in preparation for the next class.

It took me an hour more to come back home. I didn't feel so lonely since the bus was packed.

It was the end of a long but productive day. I just hope that I will be able to follow through with this routine in the coming months.