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 17 April 2003 So, Finally, US has conquered Iraq after what I consider a surprisingly one sided war. Nobody expected Saddam to go down like this. I was still waiting till the last day that Saddam will come up with some nasty surprise. Wondering, why he didn't even try to use those alleged Weapons of Mass destruction (WMD) against allied forces. (assuming he had them!) As usual, Saddam is not yet captured or his body is not available. Probably he has taken a clue from Osama bin episode and gone into hiding (most probably in Pakistan). I have not watched CNN for last one month. Its always stuffed with war-strategy and unclear still pictures. Sort of made this war into a live spectacle. No other news was being reported. Much more relieved that the war was over. There were millions of people all over the world who protested through demonstrations, rallies etc. But finally Bush had the last laugh. Thats what counts! WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY EASTER!
My Italian Diary: During the weeklong Christmas holidays, I was in Italy, as it is warmer there among all european during the winter. Italy is from where Romans ruled the world. With a long history than many other European countries, Italy is full of life and tradition.
I have written my week long experiences in two editions, this being the first one. Have a nice reading! Function check_immediately(void){
Day One: Pope & Vatican City Reached "Roma Termini", Central Railway Station around 9 AM after starting from Stuttgart yesterday evening via Munich. Youth hostel was good and decent, was my first impression. check_immediately(); Vatican City, Smallest country in the world, was not as huge as expected but was big enough. (Should be called Vatican Square!) Good weather for the whole day, the St.Peter's "DOME" was the biggest I have ever seen in my life. The trip to the top of the dome was wonderful. A great view of Rome though Fog was not kind enough. Inside the Church, there were Confession-booths of many languages. You can't give the excuse that you could not confess since there were no German speaking priests. I thought of going to one booth and confess on "Euro Times", but decided that I can do it at the end of Euro Times.
Know what? Traffic looks more like India. But, Wait, that was a close shave. Hmmm….. Are yaar? My brief stay in Germany has blunted my sharpness and I am struggling now to cross a 10-meter road without a signal. Too bad! (lost all your traditional values chandru??) Lunch: Pizza, the most famous gift from Italy to world. Then there is Spanish Steps. Tradition says that, if a lovely lady sits here, within 15 minutes, a young man invariably will come and offer a rose to her.
If you are a man, you are supposed to offer a flower to the ladies there. I expected a huge Q with rose in hand, but was disappointed. I tried the same trick, but the guys accompanying those gorgeous ladies weren't that friendly. It was not so romantic for me. There was another Piazza (Square) called del popolo with twin churches. Back to hostel, Bread with Paneer masala was the dinner. We had free internet access and DVD movies for free. Cool!!
Day Two: Naples - A tryst with Mafia! Today trip was to Naples, entry to the Mafia world. I figured out that it will be risky adventure to go to Naples, since every travel web site talked about the dangers of going to this city. check_immediately(); ( Make this even more frequent!) Naples railway station was deserted
and nobody was ready to give any information. Throughout our journey, I
was looking for the signs of danger in every person.
It was back in my mind that this place was not safe. There were some women during our journey to Pompeii. Lady 1 : "You know what? Yesterday
my husband killed three people in one gun shot!"
No Chandru! Keep control of yourself. It's just an illusion. Come on! Don't lose your mind. Saw some Indian faces in the shops, may be there is training contract between Bombay Mafia & Naples Mafia. Somebody shouted "India! Bombay! Namaste!" & my doubts were confirmed! Pompeii Town: When the Vesuvius volcano erupted many centuries back, Pompeii was drowned. They have preserved the town like old days including a big amphi-theatre and it was a mini Colosseum. Returned back to Naples, got freakish & went to see the port and Mediterranean Sea that night. Then we were into Shivaji-nagar kind of market area where everybody was staring at us. If somebody had grabbed my camera, nobody will turn a eyelid. Such an air of insecurity was prevailing there. Damn, all those spy novels that I read were returning to haunt me. For once, I thought the last edition of Euro Times was already over. Somehow we returned back to the metro station, after inquiring around 10 person (selecting very meticulously "old men with family"! That reduces the risk of being misguided). Naples in fact, is one of the most densely populated cities in the world.
Further south from here, will take you to Sicily, the home of Godfathers and Mafia's hub. For us, it was enough to visit Naples itself. Till, I reached our safety haven of Youth Hostel, I was on high alert.(like RED in US home security) I almost forgot to mention: "PIZZA" was invented in Naples 1889 in Brandi Pizzeria. Day Three: Gladiators check_immediately(); Colosseum: Home of Gladiators; Used for fun & entertainment. Colosseum wasn't majestic as it looked in the days of Caesar. Infact, it's in a ruined state and interior was even worse. Bit disappointed. When I entered the Colosseum, felt an echo "Maximus, Maximus". (Effects of the recent movie, "THE GLADIATOR") The interior is being repaired and renovation goes on forever. Locals dressed like Gladiators were making good money outside. It was funny to see them carrying pizza and coke for lunch in the gladiatorial dress.
Piazza Venice was another huge Monument that raised the comparison between Paris and Rome. They both have equal share of world wonders (Eiffel tower & Colosseum respectively), museums, architectural gems etc.
Back to hostel. It resembled the college hostel i.e. stinking shoes, crowded beds and happy people and a friendly atmosphere. It was long Christmas holidays and everybody was on Internet and booking flights & trains to various European cities. Handful of American students too, those life-sucks-lets-do-something-different types, Few shared our dormitory rooms & some interesting discussions were there during the night. American 1: Hey guyz, how long are
you in this hostel?
God bless America! Day Four: Museum, Museum everywhere..! check_immediately(); They call Rome as "Living Art Gallery". And you see museums in every corner. Its like "This is my house, two bedrooms with attached toilet, its kitchen, and that’s the Museum and that one is drawing room. The museum has the 'oldest tooth brush' used by my great-grandfather who was the fifth cousin of sixth generation of Caesar" Vatican museum : An Italian version of Lou vere museum of Paris. Michelangelo was one big shot, built buildings incl., Vatican Dome, Paintings etc. Lunch: Pizza in Vatican Museum.
Tomorrow is Christmas, so planned to visit Vatican City to see the celebrations. Surprise! There was not even a proper lighting in the Vatican and POPE was not coming out that day. A small stage was put up and some people were singing and that’s all. Strange it may sound but I couldn't meet a single priest in Vatican outside the church. Even Colosseum was not properly lit and Gladiators were doing night duty. Trevi Fountain - Tradition goes like this: If you turn your back to this fountain and throw a coin over your head, your next trip to Rome is confirmed. (But travel expenses are yours!) I wondered how the guys who clean the fountain would visit other cities with money taken from this fountain.
To be continued.. **********************************************
"Computers are useless. They can only give you answers" - Pablo Picasso
That's all folks!! ciao! Your Friend,
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Cut&Pasteright Euro Times 2002
