Last weekend, saw the latest offerening from the world's oldest frachiese James Bond. One of few theatres show english versioned movies. We got the last few tickets, if we had reached 10 minutes late, it would have been "See Another Day".

       "Die another Day" - I really wonder who comes up with such a fancy titles. "Tomorrow Never Dies", "Yesterday is in Coma", "Day before Yesterday is dead"etc.etc..

        Pierce Brosnan is good if acting like a Bond with girls & guns around him is the benchmark. But, his gadgets are getting a bit repetitive, especially the chase & fight between two cars in Iceland. Villain's car launches colorful rockets, Bond's BMW tracks them and destroy it in the air. It reminded me the Mahabharatha with Arjuna & Karna exchanging similar artilleries in a bit dry background in a epic battle.

       Meanwhile, my friends who visited BMW museum in Munich(two hrs from here), said that they couldnt find this model in the museum. I decided not to dissapoint them telling the truth that its special cars made for Bond movies and they don't really exist.

         Otherwise, it is typical No-brain-only-brawn movie, with the World under threat which Bond alone can save it. May be next movie should be 'how to save the people from Veerappan', that would make it a interesting movie. Though it may not appeal world wide, it will certainly be more challenging that Bond would have ever seen in his life so far.

     No No! It was not a mistake. It is Polish Times II only. I visited Poland again during August this year.

     German & Poland share a border. (was not good for either of them). So, I decided to visit Poland to see the old friends, twardogora village,Bosch etc…

    Visa process was a complicated one. Meanwhile,Radek, my polish friend (& teacher) had read Polish Times accidentally and angered by the contents asked me to visit Poland again as a punishment. He helped me in getting the visa by contacting the consulate and getting the details.

     Though they are neighbouring countries, I had to travel 14 hrs to reach Wroclaw from Stuttgart. In the night train, the ticket checker took my ticket and was lost. When I found & asked him, he said he will give later. Worriedly, I went to sleep. Later around 5 AM, he woke me up and gave the ticket and told me that my station is coming in another 30 minutes. I was really impressed, surely I would have missed the station, since I was in deep sleep. :)

     During the night, somebody switched on the lights, and two cops came in. They asked for passports, and especially my visa & passport went under severe scrutiny. Routine check at the border.

     Finally reached Wroclaw and Radek had come to receive me. My complete stay was in his house which was in a lovely country side.

    Being in Poland, now I could see the differences between the developed Germany and developing Poland. My perspective about Poland underwent some change.

     Met all the colleagues and friends in Bosch. They were surprised by my sudden visit. Suddenly, I realised a small problem, I was talking in German with them, and find it difficult to talk in Polish, though I could understand them.

     They reminded me that I was the topper of my polish classes. I told them that its my first day and difficult to remember Polish immediately. I could later speak bit more fluently in Polish. But it was mix of German, Polish & English.

     My co-ordinator Darek briefed about the changes in the plant & in department, including the news that a girl has joined the IT department :O) As I told earlier, they are moving to new Wroclaw Plant shortly. Many of my old colleagues/friends are moved out (Philippe & Franek are in Paris now).

     A lot has happened, one of my colleague was getting married the same weekend, another had a baby and Jacek has found a girlfriend. Two years was indeed a long gap. I couldn't meet many other friends since they were on Vacation.

     Later I visited my old flat, where I spent my six months and I was not able to see many old faces. Also visited the Wroclaw Rynek, my favourite weekend place since it had KFC & McDonald. Went to Corona, unfortunately the Indian restaurant had moved out long back. 

    Quite a few changes, but not many. Big shopping galleries have come up. Meanwhile, I was getting to my top form in Polish language on my forth day, which was unfortunely last day.

     Before closing this Polish Times, I would like to emphasize why language is so important:

Place : Railway station Ticket counter
Background : U get many discounts in germany for travelling. For young people especially, if you are less than 26, you are eligible for discount

Chandru : hello 

Lady at counter : Hello 

Chandru : Do u speak English?

Lady : (smiling) Yes. A little.

Chandru : I need to buy a ticket to Munich. I would like to take the next train.

Lady : Oh! Ja, its 33 Euros for one way.

Chandru : Good! Here is the money.(..Just remembering about the offer) Excuse me, I am 26 years of age, will that be helpful?

Lady : Sorry! But, I am already married.

Chandru : (Blink! Blink!) Oh Fine! ("But why she should tell me that, normally I was told that Germans are very private!! Meanwhile what about my discount?")
 

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Quote for the week

"Stop cooking by receipe books; You could die by misprint"

-????? (chandru?)
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That's all folks!! ciao!

Your Friend,
Chandru
Editor, 
Euro Times
http://eurotimes.50megs.com