Hot Madras Cafe

Today is last day of the year...2014. It is time to take review of passing year and plan for new one. When I was child, for me new year was just a party, when all members of our joint family use to sit and eat together and enjoy programs on TV. Those were very much enjoyable, memorable days. But now, whole family is dispersed at various places around the globe. In recent years, like many others, I have started to take review and make new resolutions on 31st December.  Some years are remarkable in our life which we don't forget. Some years are general when we just live routine life. For me this year was special, different.  In 2014, I joined the new job, new role, at new location. I dared to break my comfort zone, disturb my settled life, and take new challenge. It was not easy decision for me. But I am very thankful to my wife for her constant support. I visited many new places this year. I learned from and made friendship with, many new people.  I crossed India...

Actually I returned from Paris ten days ago. I wanted to write this post just after returning but couldn't find time. Life is too busy now a days. In last two months I visited many places in Paris, seen many new things, meet new people from France and outside France. I got chance to see a different culture, different place on this earth, a different lifestyle, different and very fascinating nature and weather. I am very glad that I got this opportunity. I observed people in Paris, their behavior in society, their respect and faith in law and system. I saw their patience while working, while in traffic or while in public transport. This is something I think all Indians need to learn urgently. Whenever I was outside in Paris, in my mind, at background, a continuous comparison was running between Indian way of doing things and French way. I was thinking how to bring or do the same things in India, but after two months and coming back, I feel that we have to solve our problems on...

Now, its been one and half month that I am away from my family. This is fourth month in all, that I am away from my family in this year. One year before, if someone would have said this to me, I probably would not have believed. But we can never know what life has put in our plate for us in future. In the same way if someone would have told me that I will be cooking everyday for muself, and that too good (at-least I think )...I wouldn't have believed. But its true. I am cooking for myself everyday. Am I cooking good or not so good.. well I don't know. But, I have survived my food for last one and half month, so it should be good if not best. So, do I like to cooking ? Yes certainly. Why? Because, it is a place where I can do experiment. Its a place where I can show my creativity. Now a days I am cooking for myself in the morning and in the  night. I am sure there are many men who are cooking everyday.  Everyday, I plan new dish or same dish with new and...

Disneyland Paris...its a dream land. I visited it recently. I am writing it here to provide some guidelines about the visit. First of all, it is to be noted that, tickets needs to be purchased well in time. In Europe, for any ticket, like bus, flight, train or any other, it is better to be sooner. It will always be cheap. One good news is that tickets are available with validity of even one year. Hence it will be possible to attend anytime in one year according to our convenience Except for some days. On its official website you can also check for offers if any. If going in group there could be better offers. Remember that, there are two parts of Disneyland.  1. Disneyland Park and 2. Walt Disney Studios. Separate tickets are needed for each. It is better to get both the tickets at the same time. Its cheaper. Also, tickets are present to cover both the parks in one day or in two days. If you are going on weekend better to cover it in two different days. I feel it i...

Paris is famous for its museum, for Eiffel tower, as a city of romance but also it is famous for its best ever public transport service. City is divided in various zones. There are four ways of transportation, bus, metro, tram and RER (it is a railway). But the best part is they are well connected with each other. For regular travelers it is possible to buy just one Navigo card. It is the pass or card, by using which it is possible to travel by any of the above means in any zone of the city. So good thing is, it is literally possible to travel at any part of the city without carrying a single cent for complete one month.  Based on zones and the tracks of metro, tram etc. city maps are available. These maps are elaborate and self-explanatory. Once understood how to read, then it is possible to roam at any part of city without opening mouth. Tram or metro are running at every 3 to 5 minutes. So waiting is minimal. Inside the metro, or tram or RER, all stations on that root ...

Today it is Sunday, October 26, 2014 while I am writing this post. Today, at 3.00 O’ clock in the morning all clocks are shifted 1 hour behind here in France . So, at 3 all digital clocks, all computer clocks, all mobile clocks automatically starts displaying 2.00 AM.   All mechanical clocks need to be taken back 1 hour manually. It is special day here in Paris or maybe at many parts of Europe. May be it is common for Europeans, but for Indian like me it is new funny event.  When I woke up today morning my digital clock and Mechanical clock shows one hour difference. :)   In India there is only one time zone. And time is same all the year. But, in Paris, it changes twice year. In March on last Sunday, they will restore all the clocks by 1 hour. It is done here for daylight saving. I think it is good idea and necessary step, because during this time of year, there is dark outside until 8.00AM.   But, all daily routine work starts early morning...

This was my second weekend in Paris. Now, I am settled in Paris, I know the routes, I know how to search routes for any location. I am ok with food and weather. Language is not problem. People try their best to speak in English. At the same time I am trying my best to know more and more French words. My senior here company suggested some locations to see for week end. I decided to follow him. He suggested many places near Eiffel Tower. On Saturday, I started my tour with visit to a very famous place i.e Assembly Nationale. The moment I saw this building and some statues in front of build all I could say "Wow". Frankly speaking I need all kind of good adjectives to describe Paris. Its so beautiful everywhere. Does anybody know meaning of word Paris, is it Beautiful? Assembly Nationale is Gorgeous building. It is in front of Siene river. From, the bank of Siene, if looked around, in any direction, its simply beautiful view. Siene was flowing silently, and l...