AC/DC in Hockenheim Ring

It was amazing to be able to ride our bikes through some woods to go see a rock concert - AC/DC in Hockenheim ring! So close to home. Ofcourse it was a very prudent thing to do considering the jam cars were stuck in.

My skepticism were laid to rest once they started playing.

THEY WERE GOOD!! Next to Rolling Stones concert in Bangalore, these guys come in a close second. It was a great show.

They first had an engine on the stage, then a life size, air blown 'Rosie'...cannons, and finally ended with fireworks.

I am SO GLAD I WENT.

The energy levels were just amazing.

Ah! we need one in Germany too

I have always wondered WHY bottled water is so popular in this country. Tap water in Germany has among the highest quality standards. I find it appalling, that I cannot get a glass of water from the tap in a restaurant. I have to BUY a bottle - sometimes it costs more than a tall glass of Beer!! Ridiculous. So I have started carrying a bottle of water with me from home.

I fully support this campaign done in UK and any such countries where Tap water is as safe.

Here are some reasons why...

Read more about this campaign at We Want Tap...

One industry thats NOT hit by the economic downturn - why am I not surprised ?? :D

The global crisis has been eating away at popular confidence in bankers, in managers, estate agents, politicians and even journalists. But not bakers, oh no, not bakers.

Bread sales were up again in Germany, the tenth year in succession; the business is worth 16.7 billion dollars and looks set to do well as long as Germans eat their weight – 87 kilos – in bread rolls every year.

Kudos to the german backeries - (and Germans) I am definitely a small but regular contributor in keeping this industry growing ;)
Read the full article

Verdict: Signature food is always unhealthy!!!

• Waffles, French Fries & Chocolates in Belgium
• Deep pan, Chicago style Pizzas in Chicago
• Sinful stuff at the French patisseries
• German backery products (everything but the breads. everything that just calls out to you when you enter the backery)
• Quattro Formaggi (Four cheese) pizzas in Italy
• Cheese platters all over Europe
• Masala dosa in Southern India
• Samosas in Northern India
• The list goes on...
  (I havent even included ANY of the wines, or other forms of alchohol in here)

Being vegetarian, perhaps I manage to filter OUT quite a bit already. But still!! Gastronomy is such an integral part of 'experiencing' a place but unfortunately experiencing it, comes with loads of guilt too :(

How THE HELL am I supposed to keep my weight in check?? Do I now start living in the gym?

Brussels impression

On our way back from Brugge, we briefly stopped in Brussels. Since we didnt have a whole lot of time nor a map, we decided to hop on to a tour bus. we got to see all the important sights around...
Interestingly, Congo was a colony of Belgium (didnt know that). There were actually people on the streets that seemed to hail from there. I wondered...wow! thanks to some historical incidents, life of some people has (hopefully) changed for the better. Considering the conditions in Congo, I would imagine, life in Brussels would be better in many ways.

Perhaps one of the 'positive' sides of colonialization.

Brugge Impressions: 2

Handmade 'lace' is all over Brugge. I learnt about the legend of lace making, the industry, visited the Lace museum etc.
However it was sad to see, despite its beauty, popularity, the 'clothing' made of this was rather unimaginitive and lacked any style. They were very obviously mass produced - meant for tourists. While I can understand that, it was a pity that I didnt find a single store in Brugge that sold clothing using lace in a more stylized fashion. The only interesting pieces of 'clothing' were aprons.

Something about these traditional hand made crafts that somehow do not get integrated with 'fashion.' Even in India, such rustic, traditional hand made crafts tend to not make their way to the drawing boards of fashion designers.

While there are organizations that try to do work directly with craftsmen, it is such a miniscule segmet of the industry. If only it became a LITTLE more mainstream - we and our generations to come would continue to enjoy these crafts around us besides being a great encouragement for the craftsmen to continue lucratively.

Brugge photos

Brugge Impressions 1:

I had to buy some special Belgian chocolates in Belgium.
Tourists had lined up to buy chocolates at this store. As each on got their turn to place their order, the lady at the store comfortably and gracefully switched languages to communicate with her customers.

As I waited for my turn, I observed and admired the lady switch from Spanish to Flemish to German to French and finally to English (for me)
Hats off!

Got my Mini today :)

Chronology of my cars:
2009...
Mini Cooper Cabrio
A brand new one again. Thanks to my employer.
Added yellow to the color pallette of my cars...its really nice.
Looking forward to summer!!
I joined the 'Mini Cooper' fans in Facebook!

2006...
Maruti Suzuki Swift VXI
A brand new one this time!! Finally! For the first time.
I waited patiently for Suzuki to launch it in India. Waited for the initial rush to get over (6-10 months waiting time)...finally got my own.
Color: Red
I love it when I see another Swift on the roads here in Europe :)

2001-2006
Maruti 800 DX
A 1987 model, the iconic first car of the great Indian middle class :)
Color: Blue
I was very surprised to see similar cars (Alto, old Polo and Twingo) on European roads.

1998-1999
Premier Padmini
A 1975 model for 25 thousand rupees (my own hard earned money) from my uncle.
Color: White
Its quite close to a Trabi :)