Few bits of good news for Indians in recent times in Hollywood. Manoj Shyamalan gave Mel Gibson his top grosser of his life. "Signs" movie has poured around 220 Million dollars so far. Hailed as "Next Speilberg", his movies add spritiualism with thrillers, a rare combination but a field where Manoj excels. I had written about "The sixth sense" 2.5 years ago in Polish Times as Oscar favourite which it wasn't so. May be this one?!

 Another Desi, Shekhar Kapur's "Four Feathers" also released among high expectations. Contrary reviews notwithstanding, this movie too was reportedly a good one, good enough to ruffle few feathers among Hollywood media.

 'Signs' of changing times!!!

Kahani Mera Ghar ki!!!

 We are meeting after a long gap.  Like some coffee or tea?? No!! Fine.

             Well, I have written in polish times about my Polish apartment a la hitchcock's surroundings. If not opposite, its quite different in Stuttgart here in Germany. In every aspect it is different,starting with: numerous Bosch colleagues around, great transportation facilities unlike in Twardogora-Poland, easy accessibility to outside world such as telephone, Internet connection and so on. But smaller than polish one, it is well furnished.
 
 

                       But, It is a perfect flat for Boschlers due to its proximity to Bosch office. Since it is maintained by Bosch itself, everyother facility is free of cost. Full of Boschlers from all other parts of world like Korea, Italy, China, Japan etc..
 

 A Close encounter with House Owner:

             Our house owner(infact, building Supervisor), following the german tradition has set the rules like minimal cleaning by tenants and thorough cleaning by her everyweek. I was told that kitchen should be clean to a certain extent.

               But how will I know the limit unless I cross it ?! So, maintained my own level of cleanliness.  One fine day, found a (warning) letter with in my room. "You should keep your kitchen clean otherwise you have to pay extra 50 Euros, Check the Contract.." and an arrow to the copy of contract which was attached. Blink! Blink!!  Hee Heee!! These are Part and Parcel of life!! :-)

 Me & owner lady didn't see eye to eye during that time. But, ever since I knew the limit, I am maintaining that level of cleanliness. (That's smart!!) I ban cooking two days before the day they clean.

 Okay!! Now, you would now started imagine about my kitchen. Well here it is..

 Oh! No! So much fuss about so little kitchen? Well, can we call it a kitchen? Good Question!

        I call this Attached Kitchen (like attached bathroom!)! Then how will you describe a kitchen which is 2x3 feet with a heater & washbasin in that. Underthat, we have a Refrigerator ( misnomer - call "Refrig" only!!) & a dust bin. First time, I mistook it for a wardrobe and about to keep my dresses inside it. Luckily, the burner was not switched on. (what burner?)

         Well, there isn't any burner, two metals which can be heated, normally slower than our burners,especially when you use non-flat bottomed containers. If you start cooking for Breakfast, it will be ready for dinner. :-( (Example of safety-first attitude of Germans!!) You can even carry the kitchen to your new house too.

         Waste Management is a big concern here. U have to put papers, bio-gradebale, bottles & Tins in different waste bins. Well, we have only one place in India to dump the wastes - The ROAD!! So, You will most likely find our Indian friends here dumping the wastes in those bins around the night when not many people notice..:-)

           We do have a silence Zone hours like 10 PM to 5 AM and 1 PM to 3 PM, moslty relaxing hours. Dog should be kept quiet (they do so!) and kids too should be quiet (they don't!). Last week, we were watching a tamil movie after dinner, with usual comments & jokes. Tring! Tring!!

 "Hi, I am your neighbour! (next room) Well, I am hearing you from time to time! ....."

 To avoid such calls, you should inform your neighbours if you are planning to make a party. Even better idea is to invite the neighbour also for the party. Still you can aviod few complaints from some 70+ people who complain about everything. (Luckily we don't have one in our building!!)

 P.S: Nowadays, the house owner is more friendly as I keep my kitchen clean. Another reason is I am speaking to her in better German nowadays. So, She smiles more nowadays when I ask for any help. (No No!! No request for Dinner from her! After all, she is 60+ and has a grand daughter!! You guys.. Sigh!!

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Quote for the week

The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.

- Oscar Wilde
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That's all folks!! Adios!

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