Vedasri Siddamsetty

“If you dont mind, it doesnt matter,” goes a wise saying. Apart from the deep truth it holds, its a key to a life of less worry, no stress and great satisfaction. The line could very well be a jest for life in Switzerland.

The Alps are the prettiest mountain ranges ever and the terrain of Switzerland is extremely beautiful. Driving into Switzerland the first town welcoming is Basel. The city of beautiful churches, sunshine and the River Rhine flowing in its tiffany blue spectacle. Getting past Basel is not easy, its charismatic, luring and beckons one with its rich diversity and sparkling eaves. The River Rhine is no less persistant. But all derived was a drive through Basel and food in Auto-Grill!

Auto-Grill is something that makes driving in Switzerland so much more comfortable. Much like the Swiss restaurant Marche, the Auto-Grills here are places with a variety of food options and even scrumtuous desserts.  The strawberry tart gets a full on 10 for its taste, asthetics and crunch. Its not expensive and well, that makes it taste a wee bit better! Coffee is on the house, ofcourse with the tart.

After burning the tyres a couple of hours more we reached the sleepy little hamlet of Engelberg. Nestled in the Alps this town of 3000 people is much more than what meets the eye. The motto or tagline of the Alpine country of Switzerland is “Get Natural”,  and Switzerland does not get more natural than Engelberg. The drive was made even more beautiful with cloudy skies, picturesque mountains, impeccable roads and breezy encounters. After the brief shower and the lovely drive we were greeted by a dainty rainbow on arrival. Ofcourse I have seen rainbows before, but this one has been the clearest, picturesque and perfectly storybook rainbow ever. At the Treff’s hotel our cosy corner room was spaciously flooded with ambient light, I think sunlight in Schweiz is ambient in nature! And a privy balcony, that was more like a terrace. Need I say anymore about the view from there? It’s sufficient to say that though I normally prefer beaches, an encounter with Engelberg was all it tookfor hearting the mountains! The mountains are still, changing, tussling with the clouds, holding the rain and are responsible for rainbows.

Time seems to be frozen here in Engelberg, and despite the feeling, the Swiss clocks chime away with precision every single minute and second. The train station at a stone’s throw, making all of Switzerland seem just moments away! The sleepy Engelberg is infact the base of the Mount Titlis. Changing a serie of cable cars the mountain is accessible and without the rarification of air its a breeze. At Engelberg though there are a host of hotels but staying in a Bed and Breakfast makes more sense I would think. If not Treff’s hotel should be your choice. Manned between 7 30 am and 9 00 pm its just like a home. Carry the front door keys if you think you will be late, the sign said. Wow what trust levels! Then I realised that such trust levels were only a way of life in Switzerland. Breakfast at this humble hotel was simple with a generous supply of cheese. Different types and various kinds of cheese and bread dotted the table with their usual accomplices and satiated the hunger developed by the clear mountain air.

On the way, everywhere are seen the very good-looking swiss cows! Grazing all day wearing their trade-mark bells and enjoying the weather, its just another day for them. Some are decorated and others bare. Yet they all serve the same purpose and await the same fate. Against the green grass and the alpine flowers they make a very pretty picture.

First stop on the way to Mount Titlis has the hiking paradise of Trubsee, all equipped with a lake. Hiking, rowing, climbing are all popular sports with the Swiss. Pretty women, Handsome men, Young and Old, everyone hikes here and if they cant (which in itself is a rarity) they will walk. That and ample amounts of cheese, chocolate results in their rosy cheeks, clear complexion and God-given Blue-as-the-sky-eyes. Every person if not every second person is blessed with cheery blue eyes that are lucid and crystalline in quality. We shared our cable ride with a Swiss family on their way to Trubsee for a much-enjoyed hike. As they got off we continued our way up but decided to come back to Trubsee in a short while. The Mount Titlis was going to be the first stop. The last of the cable cars to change is the Rotair, the worlds first rotating cable car. A rotating car was something that gives us a bit more of the much-loved Alps!

Up on Titlis there are a range of activities. From snow-boarding to skiing, from sledging to traditional dressing there is a lot to do. Taking the Ice-Flyer we first made our way to the ski-zone. The views from the Flyer are spectacular, suspended on a precarious looking seat with the armrest as guard, that moves scarily and the alps at our feet. Moments that cannot be captured and feelings that will never be forgotten! The dangerousness of the Alps caused several of those heart-beat moments. The wedges, crevices the deep cuts and swerves in the white white snow, all glaring back at the camera, as if rightly saying that they can never be captured in a single frame. Riding the flyer with the Alps some thousands of feet below is a far image of the houses of Engelberg. Some on the hill, some at the base, looking pretty and feeling peaceful. The ride is very delectable, calm with hardly any sound than that of the steel rope that runs the pulley.

Once on the mountain its snow-time fun on a roll! The feet sink into the fresh snow(we were literally the first ones to land on the mountain that day) our footsteps or rather footsloshes remained. If you thought walking on sand and running on the beach sand was difficult the snow is much much worse! Did I forget to mention Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan?! How could I! On Mount Titlis are huge life size cut-outs of the two cine-stars in their “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” costumes. The movie that was shot in the midst of the Alps and features a lot of this country has been solely responsible for a mercurial peak of tourism in the last 16 years. So innumerable Indians dot this place every year! Skipping the predictables we headed to the snow-sports!

Sledging, snowboarding on about 5 types of boards took the next couple of hours. So much so that I wouldnt be wrong to say that by the end of the adventure I had several candid moments(not just dashing, but bouncing, falling  and whooshing through the snow), tanned a zillion shades and was utterly famished. But it was such great fun. Snow-fights I proclaim are the most glamorous way to fight ever! Once we slide down the slope, we each have to carry the boards and make our way to the walkalator that helps us back to the top from where we slide again, and again and again and agian! As more people poured in all the boarding got funner and more and more exciting. It was sad to leave but with all else waiting it was finally time to head base.

So making our way down we decided to stop by at Trubsee where earlier our cable-mates got off. At Trubsee we were enamoured by the peaceful and beautiful lake. The paths of stone, naturally made, sidelays of grass with cows grazing, bells chiming and the placid waters. What a view! The lake for your information comes with row boats. The boats with first-aid kits, life-jackets and oars are clipped to the jetty and are free to use. Simple pleasures of life, rowing away to the centre of a lake that is bare minimum, so very natural and utterly beautiful. We sighted a couple of others on the lake having great family moments. This lake connects to two others, their shades of blue mingling, their air tingling and bells of cows jingling. The naturalness of Switzerland is at its best here. For once in Switzerland time freezes and we dont. 😉

After the balmyness of a lake its time for lunch. Note that all activity in the Alps stirs hunger, burns calories and leaves behind on you happiness and joy! You cannot help smiling and feeling as fresh as that Alpine flower in the midst of July. Any guess what the Alpine flower is? Never mind shall break it to you soon! For now its time to head to the Cheese Factory.

At Engelberg is an old cheese factory that is attached to the monastry. I had heard a lot about Swiss Guards but Swiss Monks? Well apparently they are a cut above the rest too. Walking through the streets of Engelberg we passed by a wayside stream and a young bella having her lunch. Lunch by the stream, among the flowers. Summer in Schweiz is a stunner. She looked so happy to have the sun in her eyes while she munched on what looked like a sandwich. Such Bliss!

The monastry is sombre yet playful from the outside. It employs wooden construct with large windows, sloped roofs and all else. Very much like the Swiss Architecture. Theres no room for tackiness in Swiss architecture, its crisp, intelligent and though ancient has deep shades of modernity. The slopes of the roofs on the houses, the church, the quarters are all the same here and all different from the other parts of Europe. The wooden construction is often built upon and intermediated with stone. While today the modern swiss architects like Peter Zumthor have exhibited a remarkable mastership over concrete and stone. The flowers dot the monastry in their bright colors and brilliant arrangements. Its actually all over the country, the flowers, on streetlights, on window-sills and in the planters on the foot-paths. The walk through the monastry is an experience. Cheeses are of plenty types, we got to see the making of the Brie variety. After curdling, setting it takes about 8 days for the cheese to happen! The making of cheese is quite magical and thats why I use the word happen.

A chef works in continuity making cheese while we eat a srumptuous cheese salad with olives, lettuce and tomatoes. For dessert its a local pastry delicacy of raspberries. The meal and calories were much a necessity after a thrilling morning! Then we walk to the church that the monastry is attached to. A couple of lads skate-board outside the church. The church is so calm, so pretty and so Baroque! One wouldnt expect the inside after the exterior. As the church bells gong we lit candles, said our prayers and then  headed out to the streets of Engelberg!

The good part is that the weather here never makes you tired. Atleast in July it doesnt. In Engelberg you hardly can spot people and that makes the vacation so much more privy. The streets are quaint and stylish while the goods are uber expensive. One simple haircut is priced at 95 euros! Good Lord! Work or no work people have 35hrs/week work-hours. After 5 30 they are off. No matter who they may be! In Engelberg the pubs and bars are open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the rest of the time they are simply arent! 😉 Oh well maybe they are open but only till 5 30 ;). But on these specific days the place is transformed. There is then an influx of people, incessant chattering is in the air and the town literally comes alive. On these days the places stay open till wee hours in the morning. Going by all that I think that Engelbergians work only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday!

The house-keeping lady at the hotel comes in during the same hours and this one lady handles the 20-odd rooms of the hotel. The one receptionist does mailing, booking, is the concierge and all else. The Swiss dont believe in wasting, be it time, money or resources, mostly in that order. Architecture embodies all what the Swiss believe in, its simple, its modern, devoid of anything that would waste resource and most importantly very very intelligent. If there is one attribute to the architecture of modern and ancient Swiss architecture, its intelligence. Coupled with the scenery and the surrounds its pretty and super-natural. Tensile roofs are employed at all the places wherein shade or roof is required, so intelligent and so environment friendly. The Swiss dont really construct unless they really need to. The house, the stream and the mountains, the pictures I drew first, we all drew first in our books are what Switzerland is all about. The chimney-house, the sloped roof, the attic window, wooden doors, the stream, the snow covered mountains, the rising sun, the rainbow they are all here and all reminscent of first standard drawing lessons in school.

The pretty Alpine flowers I spoke of earlier that dot the landscape are Edelweiss. Dont I simply love them! It is the unofficial national flower of Switzerland. The tune from Sound of Music fills the air as the hummable number fills my head,

Edelweiss, edelweiss, every morning you greet me.
Small and white,
Clean and bright,
You look happy to meet me.
Blossom of snow
May you bloom and grow,
Bloom and grow forever.
Edelweiss, edelweiss, bless my homeland forever

Small and white,

Clean and bright,
You look happy to meet me.
Blossom of snow
May you bloom and grow,
Bloom and grow forever.
Edelweiss, edelweiss, bless my homeland forever

In Schweiz, its mind over matter all the way!

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The most wondrous and the greatest Italian city  is by far Rome. It was certainly not built in a day, not commissioned by one emperor and certainly not envisioned by one architect. All roads lead to Rome the say, it’s hard to imagine why not. Our road led to Rome as I sat transfixed taking in the architecture piece by piece from the fringes to the centre. The architecture of Rome as is their art is impeccable, it speaks of Vinci’s proportions, stone by stone. There is enough, the scale, the proportions, the illusions, enough to take one’s breath away, at every turn, at every cross.

Like in Paris none of the streets cross perpendicularly, I wonder why? Heading right into Rome, into the city centre one stumbles into the Trevi fountain. The fountain is one of the examples of the very Roman feature of the “Aquaduct”. Water was carried through this Acqua Vergine into the Baths of Agrippa for about 400 years. The Trevi Fountain is an end to the aquaduct, a practice that the Romans employed for all their aquaducts. Its just that this fountain is the grandest, and whats better it grants three wishes. For a price ofcourse. Throw a coin into the clear pool of water from your right hand and over your left shoulder. One for coming back to Rome, one for luck and one for love. I threw mine earnestly. The crowd at the fountain are not baffling, nor are the cents, pence, paisas, that rest on the base of the cryctal clear water. The fountain is sparkling just like the water. The Trevi fountain I just realised was only a brief of what was to follow.

The Romans are a different set of people. Very different from their Italian counterparts. *wink*

The trees that flank the streets are called umbrella pines. And clearly thats beacause the pines are shaped to look like umbrellas. They make for pretty foregrounds with the Roman Ruins in the back. No matter where in Rome one is sure to bump into a sprinkle of ruins here and there. The ancient buildings seem so natural in the Roman settings and the the air so sublime, that it spells bounds the viewer as the city narrates a tale. Remus and Romanus two brothers were set to sail as infants in a basket by their father who feared that like said in their fate, they would turn quarrelsome, and split the empire. Found and raised by a sheppard, they grew up only to seal their fate. Together they built the city of Rome, sculpture by sculpture and paver by paver, yet they fought. Romanus killed Remus and named the city after himself. Someone once said that well-behaved people hardly make history. The statement clearly fits the bill here.

Rome is located on the River Tiber and encircles the holy city-state of the Vatican. The seat of Catholic power, the home of the Pope and the host to the most incredible square in the world. Though named such the St Peters Square that hosts the Pope, the Basilica and the Catholic greats is not a square. It is infact an oval. The Basilica on the east is much like the usual Basilicas except for the fact that its much larger, much grander and houses the greatest talents that any building could have ever boasted of. Bernini envisioned and drew the plans, the construction process passed through several other hands before reaching Michelangelo. Who then finished the dome, and painted the Sistine Chapel. The Swiss guards, guard the compound in 1 hr shifts. Their dressing reminded me of jokers in a circus, but they should straight and still, valiant and strong. The Pope gets nothing but the best I gather. Inside the Basilica among all other Pope’s lay the Pope John Paul II waiting to attain sainthood. The church is a display of the greatest Baroque art on its ceiling. Adorned with the usual Rose windows, they let in light and fill the place with Godliness.

After our religious encounters it was time to see what Rome was all about. The Colosseum. If you ever get past the numerous ruins of the citadel the shopping quarters, the commercial quarters and the old streets you walk into the Wonder called the Colosseum. While all the other ruins stand half-sunk into the ground, the Colosseum stands on the ground. Two earthquakes have dismembered the building quite a bit but even with whats left of it, it takes the cake. All of it. Romans loved to watch fights when they were not fighting I gathered. The complex structure of the Colosseum in its underground channels is exciting. Well I must say if wasnt for the motion picture, Gladiator I wouldve have so completely been blown over by visiting the Colosseum. In this age, we had to make do with costumed warriors who took victory pictures with us and gladly accepted a sum, that was a bomb! Its hard for me to believe that the Colosseum was once covered in white Carrara Marble. Its better this way I think. Atleast its mystyfying if not elusive. The large iron clamps that held the marble onto the stone and brick structure were removed making deep holes in the building. But the Colosseum as it stands today is warm, inspiring and gratifying. It doesnt speak of riches, nor does it speak of rags. Its simply above all that. Thats all.

The Colosseum is flanked by an Arc, it certainly was the father of the Arc de Triumph and the India-Gate as the resemblence is uncanny. The cobbled streets are very wide, considering the century they were built in. Ahead of the Arc is a hill. Rome is a city built on seven hills. The hill by the Colosseum is the most important one, the Palatine hill, from where Roma had her humble beginnings.

Finally for the architects, art-lovers I have one suggestion. The pantheon. Dont go by the surface. This building, the temple to the Gods, has been my personal favorite in Rome. It is the most perfectly proportioned building. Proportioned not with the human scale in mind, but the scale of God. Think of all the basic shapes we were taught in architecture school? Well they are all found here, in perfect balance and order. Unfortunately it hasnt been conserved in the most deserved manner, but it showcases a peak, in the world of architecture. Built by Hadrian in 126 AD it is old, 43.3 m tall and round. With an occulus of light and a dome to match it is inspiring. Centuries old, this building, piece of architecture does not tell a tale, unlike its contemporaries, it sings an epic.

Many centuries later one thing about Rome is the Vespa and the other thing is the movie the Roman Holiday. Both do great justice to this delible city. Youve got to drive a Vespa and watch Ms Hepburn atleast once to truly delect this city. With a scalding nose and burnt hair I suggest a scarf and sunblock in addition. Lest Roma turns you into what the painters call, burnt sienna.

The Gleaming Leaning Tower of Pisa enrobed in white Carrara marble stands inclined on the town that is about a 100 kms from Florence. The drive through the Italian state of Tuscany is just as described by Frances Mayes in her book Under the Tuscan Sun. The town is just short of being sleepy! With a more subtle ambience and quietly magnificient houses, Pisa has more than just the Leaning Tower. Though the tower is quite a wonder for the way it stands. Precarious, yes, doubtful, no.

The Tower was built in 1173 AD and is actually the bell-tower of the cathedral of the city of Pisa. It was never intended to lean! Soon after the commencement of the construction the soil began to give way. This caused the then 2-storeyed tower to sink, miraculously just about enough to prevent a collapse! The builders unfazed by the soil spell, stopped for a couple of decades before continuing to build the unfinished tower. The stopping of the construction is touted as the reason the tower didnt completely collapse as time is said to have allowed the half complete tower to settle into the soil conditions. The construction of the tower is said to have been halted on several other occasions during which Pisa was busy fighting wars. It was in the late 1300s that the tower saw final completion! In the 19th century several conservation and strengthening efforts were made on the tower. The conservationists did a good job I must say. Cause today the tower stands tall, is gleaming white and it bends over.

The corinthian capitals encircling the tower on every storey are striking features apart from the fact that it leans. With an accessible top of the tower, the view of old Pisa is reminiscent of the charming old town scenario. At about 55 meters tall the height of the tower does not tower over the Basilica and the Baptistry. The trio lie within a compounded area with an expanse of garden which is a different.

Carrara marble against the blue blue skies makes for a pretty picture. A kid or two is seen running into the sprinklers in the lawn for that much needed heat relief. The fact that the lawns are off-limits doesnt seem to matter. The atmosphere in Pisa is serene but around the Leaning tower its playful. People of Pisa are seen to have a healthy sense of humor as they not only tolerated but nutured the quirky tower. Demolishing the tower as it sunk during its 2nd storey of construction apparently never once crossed their mind. Rebuilding as per plan never crossed anyone’s mind. They went with the flow then and improvised a situation. Many generations ahead the easy-going nature of the Pisanos still holds good. Pisanos are true blooded Italianos!  Without freaking out on a freakily 3degree angled tower they gave themselves, not the tallest, not the costliest but the most quirkily cool tower in the world.

The calmness of a great place is felt here.

Numerous tourist kiosks line the compound that sell Italian leather, souveniers and lots more. Narrow lanes lead from the compound into the city of Pisa, the old town and the new. There is no dearth of food here too, a gelato is right around the corner and you can always expect a tranquil Pizza in Pisa. Less competitive than the Florentines, the Pisanos drive politely, smile incesantly and get along easily!

From the Miracle square in Pisa one is certain that the Lord smiles down on this cool little city in Italiano. As the Pisanos most conveniently believe in miracles.

Vegetable Florentine was my favorite dish as a young girl. I feel nostalgic now to reminisence of the restaurant Palace Heights where it was once made of an impeccable standard. What I didnt quite know then was how it was made or where it came from. Many years later I discovered the cheesy creamy spinach dish comes from Florence, and the city like its namesake dish is unbelievably delicious.

Its the city in which Renaissance peaked, art and architecture of the Renaissance age are at their Sunday best here. Its also the city thats home to one of the world’s most gifted architect, painter and sculptor – Michelangelo Buonarroti. The great artist signed off only one of his works, the Pieta, on which he wrote Miguel Ángel de Florencia, translating to Michelangelo of Florence.

Piazzele Michelangelo is on a hill along the south bank of the Arno River in Florence. It offers a stunning view of the city. On the piazzele is the statue of David. Not the original ofcourse but a huge metal work on similar proportions. The sculpted man David is considered by many as the symbol of a “Perfect Man”. The piazzele offers the skyline that constitutes of the Duomo, the Campanile and the Baptistry. The three ingredients of the Catholic churches. Looking down at the clear blue skies and the burnt sienna roofs supplemented by stone facades the picturesque quality of the piazzale is premium. Art is sold on the street in Florence. Am not talking of poster prints or else, its the oil paintings of a brilliant standard, all sold for paltry prices of 5 for 10 dollars if you get lucky. Getting lucky also means not getting caught with such possessions. It is illegal now to buy art off the streets of Florence.

A pretty picture is a picture of Florence with sunflower fields in the foreground. Italian fields tend to acres and acres of sunflower fields. They are so yellow and so optimistic. Like it is believed it was incrdible to see them turn towards the sun. Water-colors, Oils, stone sculptures and all things of the Renaissance age are everywhere in Florence. Some you can see, some you can feel and plenty you can buy. As a fine art conoisseuer there is a feast for one’s senses in this age-old Magnificient city. One remarkable quality I personally found in Florence is its state of timelessness. The Buildings of Florence do not look old, or if they do they aged very very gracefully. It is one of those cities that manages to look young and ever fresh as a daisy.

The piazzale done we were now all set to meet our guide Mark, sorry Marco, at the Duomo just after lunch.

Lunch was delicious. If one thing Italians know how to do very well, its cooking. They are masters in many trades. Pasta is at its best here. For a while I scouted for vegetarian pasta at the Cafe Duomo, right across the Duomo. So happy to find an array of veggie options, my plate was stuffed with gourmet Italian fanfare upto the very brim. I dont remember well enough the names of the dishes I got to eat. But I assure you it doesnt matter cause everything you get to eat in Italy is bound to be out of the world. One of the pastas on my plate was Spinach agnoletti, the other a tomato based Fusili. A hearty Italian meal I say! To top it off with a cut fruit drink. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name but will give you a description. A large mug is filled with cut fruits of watermelon, melons, apples, cherries, plums, blackcurrants and like. Cool water is poured in the glass upto half. The water from the fruits trickles into the rest. The result is this refreshing fruity drink/fruits that is a saviour in the harsh Italian Summer!

Marco, our guide, waited with us as we queued to the Duomo. The Duomo like its contemporaries is oriented in the east-west direction. The Baptistry to the duomo heading west to east while the bell-tower or the Campanile is flanked to the northern  side of the Duomo. The Duomo is very densely decorated on its outside with rather stark and simple interiors. False windows and irregular sized of columns are used in the Duomo. Legend goes that the Duomo was built as a competition to the one in Sienna. People wanted to build a bigger and better Duomo than the one in Sienna. Hence they kept improvising on the original plans as and how they were constructing. Renaissance churches serve as pictorial books. Christianity is propelled and taught throught the imagines and stories depicted on the walls of the church. The gilded doors tell a story, the dome tells a story, whats more the rose windows too tell a story. It is indeed a beautiful and marvellous way to proclaiming a religion.

The cobbled streets and the hoards of tourists make the ride for a Florentine a tad bit more adventurous. They will drive close to you, scare you and have the last laugh. Its a miracle that a dozen people dont get killed in Florence going by the driving skills exhibited here. One gelato per hour may be the only thing that keeps one sane in the mercurial temperatures. The Uffizzi Gallery hosts the original marble statue of David. Male nudity is exhibited a plenty as it was considered beautiful in the Renaissance age. Medusa’s chopped head held by a gallant warrior is another pride of Florence. The piazzas are the best part of Florence and the architecture sublime. Ahead of the Uffizzi gallery is the Arno River and the last remaining bridge across the Arno. Germans have been said of bombing all the ancient bridges across the Arno in Florence during the second world war. What a pity!

The kings old palace leads to the new New Palace, that is bigger and hence better. Folklore speaks of a tale where men would tie a lock long the balustrade of the Arno and throw the keys into the River, claiming their love is locked and will never be opened or let loose. It neednt be said that the number of locks found there are just too many. Kiosks are up to sell more locks. The Arno flows out gently and swiftly without as much as a hiss. The Florentines love their city and the noble families here have patronised art for over a dozen centuries. Most of the ancient marvellous architecture found here are a result of a community donation. Its very warm and touching to feel the air of Florence.

Sometimes the locals are found to be grunting at the multitude of tourists here. Thats their way of marking their territory. My suggestion would be to tread softly. Its a beautiful place and thats a definite. Top five by Forbes and thats proof!

The now famous phrase in Italian literally translates to “the good life”. And thats what life in Italy indeed is!

With the midsummer heat burning our backs we began the journey into the land where every square inch seems to be planned, drawn and built with complete deliberation. Nature hath no fury here or if it ever did, Italia never did care.

Starting our long winding journey in Venice we hop skipped and jumped to Florence and Pisa before finally stopping in Rome. These four cities may well be the microcosm of Italy. Venice as Venezia, Florence as Firenzi, Pisa as Pi:za and Rome as Roma are as dramatic as they come. They enliven the senses and keep the admiration on at all times.

The Venetian charm and the city of the canals is as romantic as Italy can ever get. The wonderful system of canals preserved till date and the quiet gondola ride leave you to marvel at the 400 yr old architecture, as claimed by the gondolier, while he croons a classic Italian number. With museums around every turn one would find it hard to believe that 60000 people live in Venice. Doesnt seem so, not at all. Ducking the tourists and finding an off-beaten path will be unlikely here. The little bridges that cross the canals are said to be 400-odd in number and open onto plazas or market places or simply another narrow street. The canals cool the temperatures in Venice, keep it comfortable and almost balmy without much doubt. The narrow streets are tunnels of air that keep Venezians breathing. Walking through the street and jumping on and off a gondola taxi may not be as romantic as riding the decorated gondolas themselves. Either way a ride is totally worth it.

When you get off the ferry in Venice the first thing that catches your eye apart from the dome of St Marks Basilica is the Doge’s Palace. The facade of the building in its color and pattern is a refresher. The rose-tinted street lamps were my personal favorite in the city. So much drama street-lights can do. Venice literally has a touch of pink. It reminds you of roses, wine and masquerades. The Venetian masks scream out of the kiosks that dot the place.

By far Venice is a setting. The whole time one is there it feels like a carnival is waiting to begin, with the stage literally set. The pores do less than absorb the setting. In the mind one can clearly place the time of the grand balls, the masked encounters and the sagas that Shakespeare wrote of. The Merchants of Venice with the trading quarters today holds less importance today than the days of lore. The plazas, the churches, bell-towers and the palaces take the centrestage with the canals leading. The masks sold all over the city are what completely what Venice is all about. Available in different sizes and an array of colors they spell festivity. A fridge magnet in the bag we walked on to the Murano Glass store.

Glass-blowing, imaginative as it is, sets the temperature soaring to a dainty 142 degrees. A wee bit exaggeration I say! But its practically too hot to breathe around the kiln and am surprised to see the master effortlessly make us a glass horse in what seemed like a couple of split seconds. Setting the horse to cool in a temperature-controlled oven for 8 days we sent poking around the expansive showroom. The Murano Glass Chandeliers are my personal favorite and choice here. Without a house to house the chandelier the good self settled on a cut glass set. Pretty and dazzling. The murals and art works are spectacular and can be custom -made. The chandeliers though rock!

The plazas in Venice are filled with pigeons, who look well-fed and frankly fat by bird-charts! They nimbly walk around and rarely fly. Restoration works are on big time in Venice. If one manages to detach themselves from the romance the gondola ride brings along there is more to the architecture in Venice than what meets the eye. The scale and proportions are the same as any other Italian city but the angle of the perspective completely differs. Smelly canals you say? Well about that I cant differ! Nevertheless getting off the gondola, which by the way is a charmer by itself, onto front doors is a marvel. Cruising along to buy flowers on the way. Well it cant be more perfect!

The two most used word to describe Venice in the travel books are – sinking and crumbling. I surely hope not.

You are what you eat, yelled my Grandfather into the handheld. His frustration was palpable when I told him of my dinner that day. Mc Shake, Fries and Bread-Butter I had said. He wasnt one bit amused.

Yesterday my Father told me of Djokivic’s diet that assisted him on his mission for gold. This after persistantly following up with me on the blues that sugar brings along. I do pay heed to the exceedingly well delievered sermons but slip up with that occasional cone of ice-cream or a snip off a bar of chocolate.

With my over-active imagination working on my impending doom with my eating habits, I pulled out the age old food pyramid chart. So going by my Dadu’s words of wisdom for a wonderfully balanced life I should be going after the wonderfully balanced meal, I gathered!

It looks very simple doesnt it? With a little bit of effort shouldnt be too hard to accomplish, me thinks.

And then I was reading about Djokovic’s gluten-free diet. Processed foods are bad. Well common-sense says that right? But looking at the above chart I realised that the “Rice and Alternatives” are all locked with gluten as each of it is processed! Oh No! So the chart is obviously not perfect to follow. Well exceptions if you are chinese and make your own noodles. But hey! the flour would be processed too right!

So I embarked on a new food chart after countless seconds of my research.

Following the chart now means, more chopping of vegetables, more visits to the super-market per week and more importantly snacking at the the fruit shop rather than Starbucks. Am allowing myself milkshake at the pretext of milk so Starbucks has a chance. 😉 Some benefits of writing rules are that you get to find some loopholes! Well eliminating rice and alternatives is not only going to be tough but reasonably impossible! So am putting it in up there. Oil has never been an enemy but butter has! Thats higher up to increase its chances of altogether toppling from the list 😛

Done that next I think that there’s never a better time to start than now, they say. Lets see how this turns out. Since it isnt a diet it doesnt have an expiry date :P. Green is trending. Health conciousness is trending. Djokovic is trending. Veggiedom is trending.

Heres hoping that the next call with the Grandpa does not end disastrously!!!

 

For all you architecture junkies, some heads-up on schools, here goes:

http://www.graduatearchitecture.com/ARCHSCHOOLS/archschools_en.html

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Falaise Vase by Ferréol Babin

The melting vase on rocky bases allures. The Glass-blowing skills in full use, amuse. The fresh design debuts at the 6th edition of Design Parade.

Write-in if interested!

There is something about happy people that always brings a smile on our faces. The smile is of joy if you are a favorable person or of contempt if cynicism runs in your veins. But by far its really a boon for one to stay happy-go lucky.

So in the rat race of the world where every achievement counts and every move matters how does one lighten up?

Well tough moments come in every one’s life and these are things to do to  stay happy and go lucky in times of both, calm waters and stormy weathers.

1. Breathe! Its the simplest and the foremost thing on the list. Its amazing what a couple of deep exhalations can do.

2. Assume that everyone has good intentions. Now this is really hard at times but it does work out well. Like when a bad stare happens or bad-mouthing happen, its impossible but try, it may not have instant effects but it does have lasting ones. But this one assumption will make your life awesome.

3. Do not try anger like ever. I quote, “Getting angry is like drinking poison while hoping that the other person dies! “. Anger does not accomplish anything. Ever.

4. Smile. Or better still make faces 😛 Stretch your imagination via the facial muscles.

5. Ride a bicycle, row a boat, jump on a trampoline, do art projects, read children’s books, dance. Turning up the volume and dancing in the living room is sure shot happiness. Get in touch with your childish side and remember not to take life so seriously.

6. Remember everyone is entitled to an opinion. And you are entitled to yours.  So throw caution to the winds and speak your mind. Honesty is really the best policy. Peace of mind guaranteed!!! If others dont get it, dont fret. You dont have to love the world and they dont have to love you!

7. Be persistant with good humor. Laughter is the best medicine. Find your funny bone and cherish it.

8. Set boundaries and hold your ground. Much as you want to be a push-over to please people and keep peace, its important for your own sanity to firmly and kindly stand-up for yourself. While looking for the best in people do not turn a blind eye to nastiness!!!

9. Forgiving and letting go make way for cheer and happiness. Negative out positive in. Again and again. Forgiveness is  a favor you do for yourself. Communicate. Write.  Get it out of your system.

10. Have your dreams, believe in them and cherish them, luck is but belief. Thats the beauty of dreams, that is their power. The more you cherish them the more likely they are to happen!

These things I gather from the life seen so far but it really depends and varies from person to person. To each his own, a very wise friend told me yesterday. So I guess do whatever suits you, but do suit up in that chink of shiny armour!

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After a long stint I’ve had the opportunity of travel yet again and this time it was all suite(d) up!

The Venetian in Macau is definitely a glorious address. It was ours for two days! 33-091, The Venetian, Macau! The Royale Suite is something I cannot for sure stop raving about. The moment you step into the hotel the sheer magnamious size gets your attention as does the expansive detailing done to mimic the City of Canals, Venice. St Marks Square is recreated, the canals are recreated the blue skies between the facades are recreated. If I say its Venice minus the smelly canals I wouldnt entirely be wrong! The hotel lobby is very welcoming and grand. The Great hall with all the escalators and the painted ceiling is beautiful. If there is one thing that the Venetian scores full points on the architecture and interiors its the proportions. Its easy to mimic but to mimic well is quite a challenge. And at the Venetian there is no room for tackiness. Its regal, beautiful and charming.

If the hotel was impressive the suites make double the effect. All suites the resort hotel leaves you with a princely feeling. The room is grand in size with a king bed and a step down sette area with the minibar, a second television and the writing desk. The sofa bed adds an extra bed to the suite when necessary. The suite(d) up bath complete with a dresser is quite effective. It has all the ingredients of a glamor room. The views from the room are beautiful. The very new next-door neighbour, The Galaxy hotel makes a pretty picture in the foreground while the Macau tower adds to the background. Macau has several bridges connecting to the three main island. The hotel is a world in itself with several entertainment and dining options. Vegetarian food is not too hard to find and with the number of Indians in the zone Indian food is also not a treasure hunt!

Of the entertainment options a ride on the gondola as the boatsman sings you a tune will make a cherished memory. The shallow blue waters of the canal and the cloudy blue skie are quite surreal. The Zaia show may not be the best of the Cirque du Soleil but is a must-do at the Venetian. Personally I loved the score, the tune of which I could not stop humming to the very next day, the trampoline, the trapeze acts and the hot air balloon effect. The clowns as are in all circuses hilarious! Then we did something that was a pleasant surprise – the Ice World at the Venetian. The Ice sculptures are so very pretty but the temperatures are frigid!!! The Wonders of the World and the Carousel make intricate ice sculptures while the Winter forest and the Ice Age make perfect settings. The 4 pools and many Jacuzzi’s tucked away amid foliage and statues are a complete pleasure to unwind at. The heated jacuzzis remind one of the Roman Baths.

The highlight of the trip, or rather the crazy adventure that sent my adrenalin sky-rocketing was the 233m/764 feet jump that we did atop the Macau Tower. That is the World’s highest bungee jump and its one of the most awesome things ever!!! Standing on the observation deck with the sign, “Caution : Falling People” is quite a sight to watch, but actually falling off is another thing altogether. The 10sec free fall is beautiful, the highest free fall time in the world, an then as you fall the feeling is quite spectacular. Of the ten seconds of my free-fall, half was spent on being struck by an incredible feeling. Upon the first rebound I couldnt stop screaming my lungs out with the thrill. With the second rebound I got comfortable but the vocal chords wouldnt want to stop yelling!! Peppy tracks at the fall, the tracks keep you in good humor and the claps at the landing, by all the others who’ve been there and done that, add to the excitement too. The Hacknett company that organizes the bungee is very professional and with the safety harness its safe! So once you decide to jump there is no more fear but total excitement. It was my first bungee jump so the instructor had got me looking straight ahead into the blue blue skies before I actually jumped. Well looking straight down is pretty scary!!! The feeling on the whole was very very thrilling.

After a sumptuous lunch at the Spaghetti House in the Galaxy hotel we saw the show in the hotel lobby which is extremely grand. What with the fountain rising and all. Enrobed in Italian Marble on the floors and the walls the Galaxy hotel looks extremly rich and splendid. Brightly lit makes a stark contrast with the Venetian that is rather sober but extremely likeable. The Cotai strip where the two mentioned hotels are located are also home to the Hard Rock hotel, the City of Dreams and the Crown. We also saw the show at the City of Dreams called the Dragons Treasure. The 360 degree projection narrates a story of the dragons, treasure and sprinkles upon us good fortune to win some more at the casino. Its a different matter altogether that it really didnt work! On us! Macau probably didnt live up to its hype (as the Las Vegas of the East) but gave us an extremely memorable and splendid holiday. We couldnt leave without the famed egg-tart which we had aplenty from Lord Stowe’s Bakery. I would recommend the bakery whole-heartedly. Its delicious!

Another crazy hotel is the Grand Lisboa. With a see to believe exterior its view is to be taken all in good humor. The interiors are rather old and tacky and very forgettable. But the trophy like form with gold all over is hilarious and foolish. Yet it marks its place on the skyline of Macau.

Macau with all its properties and many more in the offing looks promising.We saw atleast 5 more large-scale mega-hotel projects coming up. The older properties are alright but the Cotai Strip looks and feels very ambitious and knowing of the Chinese tenacity it should all be complete in 2012 like they claim. Of the other properties the Four Seasons that adjoins the Venetian looks chic with a majoe set of duty-free shoppes.

The ferry terminal at Macau runs ferries to Hong Kong every 15 minutes. If you are taking one to the airport my one strong advice would be to be early or on time!!! Because otherwise you’ll need to take the Air-shuttle that takes you on a 15 min helicopter ride from Macau to Hong Kong. Pretty neat though!

On our way back we stopped in Hong Kong to make a dash to the Victoria Peak. The peak tram is an experience in itself. Built by the British it is one of the remnants that gives you a slice of history and takes you up to the Victoria Peak in a tram in about 8 min. The beauty is that the tram inclines almost to 30 degrees at its steepest and is absolutely crazy. For a second I wondered if trams can actually do that. Well apparently they can. And the fact that it opened in 1888 makes it marvellous. The tram chugs you up to the Sky Peak that looks down to the Victoria Harbor on one side and the South China Sea on the other. The weather was stunning and the views breathtaking. The skyscrapers on one side and the beep blue sea meeting the cludy skies on the other side were scintillating. Like travel always does this time too I found an insight. Standing on the peak looking out at the sea I thought that no amount of reading about places (am not underestimating its charm though) can give you the feeling of the place, the wind in your hair and tingling in your skin. And unknowingly I was then bitten by the wanderlust!

The Madame Tussauds am sure will make the trip worth your while at the Peak. We opted for a our very own wax hand unison instead of paying homage to the wax statues. Then as we tried holding on to our fragile hands we dashed on to the airport. The drive from Central Hong Kong to the airport is pretty long and picturesque. Crossing two suspension bridges the airport in on reclaimed land on a different island. The airport is huge with a plethora of dining options giving it the laude of the best Dining options in the World. After eating running to the gate and buying from the Disney shop it was finally time to go home. Landing in Singapore and getting home marked the end of an amazing trip to what I will definitely remember as the Las Vegas of the East.

 

Recently watching Kung-fu Panda got me thinking of animation movies. One of the greatest results of animation is the popularisation of the fairy-tale.

Its the 88th year anniversary this year of the Walt Disney Company  that churns out animated movies, books, merchandise year after year. All the fairy-tales of the Disney company find their origin from folk-tales all around the world. Whether it’s Beauty and the Beast set in Paris or Arabian Nights set in the Middle East, some major countries in the world are covered till date. With increased technical skills and animation facilities the company is beginning to make movies with flawless rendering. Animation art has truly stepped up!

“If you can dream it, you can do it”, quoted Walt Disney. He dreamt and did as a living example. From a Mickey Mouse to the Epcot Centre, Disney sure has a way of getting into your living room.

As you grow older you may choose to love them or hate them, but there is no way you can ignore them!

Which one is your favorite fairy-tale?

 

 

Architecture is an exhaustive profession whose realms are diverse and interests varied. The main ingredients that are extremely important in the make of a good architect are in order of importance, Creativity, Analytical skill, acute Observational ability, excellent Communication skills,  Math Ingenuity, Spatial Quotient, Aesthetic taste,  Determination and unending Optimism. Its because it takes all this and more to shape the buildings; as Mr Churchill very famously remarked, that will then shape us. Architectural education has on its shoulders a rather grave responsibilty as all the specified ingredients are to be finely blended in exact amounts. The education drafted out is therefore long and extensive. In the quantum of years it would take for one to be licensed could easily vary from 6 to 10 years depending on which country you study in.

On average the five years of architecture school would take a lot of grit and steely resolve to finish. It definitely is not rocket science but the fact that it involves arts, sciences, topped with plenty of opinions and the underlying notion that nothing is wrong or right make it a little more complicated that rocket science. Now if you have registered as an architect and completed the first leg of your education then congratulations. As an architect you will end up doing a lot of work directly or indirectly concerning buildings and will realise as projects unfold that architecture is a highly rewarding profession.

Many architects continue professionally unhindered with a Bachelors degree in Architecture. A professional license is technically all you need to practise. Once in possession, you are good to go. Its a start.

But knowledge like they say is a bottomless well. If you want to specialize then the options are plenty. After reaching the crossroads yet again, I mulled over the possibilities. Listed below are ten specializations to choose after a degree in architecture***:

1. Masters in Architecture – Choose to spend a couple of more years in college to sharpen the design quotient. Technically in most colleges it would mean another round of  electives, a dissertation and thesis much like the final year of the degree cours in architecture. It would help to further research possibilties and additional licenses if applicable.

2. Masters in Landscape Architecture – The blooming world of architecture. Technically it adds on an entirely new layer much different from the mainstream architecture course. From Botany to Site Planning the range is different as the canvas and the tools change. To be a landscape architect, this specialisation would be a must. Licensing bodies in landscape architecture are gaining momentum just as the field is growing and hence a degree to practise will be essential.

3. Masters in Sustainable Design – Complementing the previously acquired know-how of architectural design this specialization is one of the latest in the architecture market. The construction industry is expensive and expansive. The basic act of building has always been anti-nature. The act of building damages the ecology but building sensibly and sensitively making use of cutting-edge design and innovation may well be the answer to our planet’s survival.

4. Masters in Product Design – Designing free of bye-laws/codes and restrictive schedules and cost is what lures some architects into product design. The mass-productive aspect of product design may be said to be somewhat a bonus. Norman Foster and Frank Llyod Wright have always maintained that products need to be designed as per the buildings they will inhabit. Nevertheless this field is as ancient and as important as architecture itself.

5. Masters in Urban Design – Designing and planning buildings may be one challenge but to plan a city that houses a multitude of people and buildings is a much bigger challenge. With an interest in larger spans of things and administrating the design of a city is certainly not for the faint-hearted. Urban Designers could well feel like they are playing God.

6. Masters in Architectural Conservation – Monuments are declared heritage buildings and decreed to be conserved for the future. With a degree as such, one aims to work on culturally significant buildings, work with people from varied backgrounds and help on preserving monuments of the past. From presentations to actual work on the monument, the field of conservation calls for an immense passion for old structures.

7. Masters in Real Estate – To foray into the big bad world of real estate a degree in MBA may seem more useful. Nevertheless the masters in Real Estate will help to understand the largely unorganised sector in construction. Finance will be an important subject and analysing the feasability of projects and megaprojects will be an important aspect in this field.

8. Masters in Urban Planning – A field of work now finally getting its due is the Masters in Urban Planning. Statistics is the main subject here. A thorough understanding of development densities, population and planning parameters will help in large-scale planning projects. Working with the government or as a consultant will be sought.

9. Masters in Project Management – The goldmine in the field of architecture, Project Management has just about risen from the horizon. The field is high-paying and extremely fierce. Working on project management one will be expected to see a project from its concept to completion stages with targets and deadlines set in accordance. Like an orchestra manager one will be expected to liase with contractors, clients and consultants to get the project to meet the schedules.

10. Masters in Architectural Journalism – Yet undiscovered but waiting in queue is the Masters in Architectural Journalism.  A select number of colleges in the United Kingdom have embarked on the professing of this degree. MIT has started on an interdisiplinary course between architecture and media. With a demand from readers for writers on architecture its a course for the future.

***The list however is not exhaustive.

Architectural education varies in different countries and sometimes continents. Some subjects may be well chosen in anticipation of places where they will be put to practice. Owing to different climates, cultures and geographies for the field of Architecture, “the world will never be flat”.