22 years an Immigrant
It's actually, 19 years a Canuck. But then, 22 rolls off the tongue smoothly and has so many possibilities. You can say two two twennytoo one score and two (…
Punjabi in Paris – Lazy Le Mans
Ok, at the outset, I must explain that it is I who was ( and is ) lazy, not the city of Le Mans. How lazy? Well, consider that I…
Zero to Six in Five and a Bit Minutes.
You already know that I was born. "Well, duh!", you say, "how else would you be writing this rubbish?" Yes, your head is screwed on right and all those wires…
Tarun and Kavita
When Tarun announced he was getting married, we were living in Lake Gardens, in the flat made famous by The Cantankerous Cat. This was the ground floor apartment where we…
Immigrant Tales – Arrival
This was my second ( or third, if you include the Nepal adventure ) foreign trip and I had much on my mind. This was my second trip to North…
Immigrant Tales – Departure
Actually, the notes are not early. They're late. Late by about 19 years now, will be exactly 19 years late on the 2nd of June 2016. Yes, you are very…
Immigrant Tales – Alien food
I think you all know by now, or should, that I moved countries. In fact, I moved continents. Not physically, no. No, not literally! That's impossible! I moved myself from…
Punjabi in Paris – Day 5 – Vast Versailles
So here we go again. Another travelogue. This time to a hunting cottage of the Kings of France. Now if you’re thinking about a run down, ramshackle wooden cabin in the woods, remember:
- This is France
- It had a Revolution ( The Revolution ) yup! Capital T, Capital R. Long before the Ruskies, the French showed the world how it was done. In spectacular fashion. “Here your Majesty, if you please. Step up right here. Now, sire, put your head here, like so… Oui, Oui. Allez, Monsieur Bourreau!“
- Among the reasons for The Rev was royal excess.
Right! Stage set, then. Off we went, (more…)
Punjabi in Paris – Walking Woes
I’d known about the walking bit. In fact, I’d gone out of my way to buy some comfortable walking shoes. But, as the poet Burns said, the best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley. It was entirely my fault and the fault of my map-reading skills. Apparently, I’d forgotten a lot in the 40 years since I was an Eagle Scout.
Our first full day in Paris was supposed to (more…)
The Chennai Conflict – 2
My stay in Chennai was not a very happy one. I was already well-short of being gruntled. ( see history in Part 1 ) I found the ultra-conservative nature of the locals disconcerting. Every light switch, every fan, fan regulator, every keyboard, monitor and tape was (more…)