Counting the Days...

So finally, the day is almost here. After a very forgettable 3 weeks of trying to resolve incomprehensible visa and residence permit issues in France, i'm finally going home on the 27th of July !!

Too many mixed feelings as of now. I know i'm going to miss Grenoble the moment i take my flight. I guess it's not so much the place, but the people in France that i will really miss. But i know i'll be back in 3 weeks, so i guess it shouldn't be so bad... i hope ! Besides, i am looking forward to going back, considering i haven't been to Bangalore in a year (already!!).

I'm wondering how i will react to things when i get to India.
I get there at midnight, so i won't see too much traffic i guess.
How would the next day be?

I want to meet so many people. People i should have met before leaving, but couldn't (or didn't bother to). People i missed in the past 1 year, every time i was reminded of them by something around me. Parents, Shwetha (haven't seen you in almost 2 years!), Amit, Ram (too bad you aren't around)... and so many others...
People i didnt think i'd miss, but i missed nevertheless.

I wonder if the food would be too spicy !
I wonder how i'll react when my mom makes "beley saaru"... the same curry i cursed a million times, saying "again??"... i think i'd gulp it down all too willingly, but please, no tomatoes !

Airlines Hotel. Just one really oily plain dosa will do. Likewise, some Kesaribaath please !
A Corner House Super-Scooper Ice Cream !

How has Bangalore changed?
Any more shopping malls?
Any more changes in names of roads?
Any more Victorian buildings torn down?
Any more politicians staging a dharna in front of Cubbon Park?

I haven't driven in a year !
I miss my motorbike !

At the end of this entry, i'm sure i've missed out something... or lots of things !I'll keep updating before i leave... 9 days to go !

Been there, done that - Part 2 !

some pictures from the Formula 1 weekend !!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swaroopsrinath/sets/72157600831469498/

Been there, done that !

I realised a long standing dream, last weekend... I was at the 2007 Formula-1 French Grand Prix !!

I started watching Formula-1 in 1998, when Mika Hakkinen was standing at the top of the podium every other Sunday afternoon. Of course, McLaren runs in my blood, and i cant stand the Tifosi. Nor can i stand Michael Schumacher (just laying to rest any doubts). Yes, it broke my heart to see Kimi Raikkonen leave the silver team, and put on the scarlet red :-(

Anyway, getting back to the race this weekend. I had planned it well in advance, and had booked the Grandstand ticket in February, and a hotel room, and train tickets... all organised. Off i went on friday 29th, early in the morning. I arrived at Nevers at 11am, and went straight to the circuit. Even as i entered the stands to take my seat, i heard the revving of those magnificent machines in the pit garages, and i knew how my weekend is going to turn out !

Friday :
2nd practice session for F1
Practice session, GP2
Practice session, Porsche Super Cup

Saturday :
3rd practice session for F1
Qualifying, GP2
Qualifying, F1
And a nice little cameo appearance by Schumi and Zidane, for a charity event.

Now, i paid through my nose (and every other conceivable orifice) to buy the best seat in the house, across the pit straight, and the start finish line... So for 3 days, i got to watch all the stars walk in and out of the paddock club, all the team bosses like Ron Dennis, Jean Todt and Flavio Briatore... totally worth it !

Sunday was the real big day... awesome race, except the result was not what i would have ideally liked to see. But hey, i guess the entire weekend was an experience, and it would be an understatement to say "a great one"... it was completely awesome !

Will put up pictures soon, and add the link to this page... keep coming back !


Note :
I have to mention this... because i found it wierd. Before the race, the French National Anthem was played. For some reason, i seemed to respect it more than the Frenchmen around me. I stood up, and i kept quiet while it played. (come on, it is my adopted home for the time being). The French didnt seem to care !! Also, when it ended, they clapped !! It was all a bit new to me, because as far as i know, we dont clap for the Anthem in India... isn't that considered disrespectful?? Well... i'm not saying it's wrong... it's different, which is the only reason i noticed!