Three Parisian Nights

The high speed Thalys train to Paris gave us giddiness sometimes. It was like aeroplane on the land. The compartment was filled with Indonesian tourists. It seems they have come to Netherland on a package. A man in black uniform, looks like a train staff, on seeing us folded his hands and said `vanakkam’ and then he introduced that he is a Tamil from Srilanka, came as a refugee now a French citizen, working here. Guessing us we are from India he welcomed us using Tamil word, the only Tamil word he knows.  The Thalys train took roughly four hours to cover the 800 km distance from Amsetrdam to Paris. 

 

 

We crossed over to Belgium passed through Brussels and on the way a signboard showing direction to Zaventum airport was seen. It was at Zaventum airport in Brussels , the deadly bomb blast took place  a month ago. Throughput our journey we had feared for such disasters, though luckily nothing happened.  All public places in Europe, security measures are not up to the threat the region faces. Throughout our train journeys from country to country, nowhere our passports were asked for. It was needed only when we booked ticket to Paris at the Amsetrdam station.

On reaching Paris’ Gare –de- Nord railway station things were entirely different. A temporarily arranged security checking was there at the station. The passengers alighting and boarding the international trains were thoroughly being scrutinised. Police personnel in Black uniforms examined the passports vary carefully. Their body language and seriousness in the faces show how much they are scared and shocked by the serial bomb blasts in Paris and tragedy in the neighbouring Belgium.

France is still under the emergency law. The atmosphere really makes our less confident. We approached the information centre. We saw unfriendly faces everywhere. It seems no one even cared of listening a question asked in English. It is French everywhere.  Finally with the help of gestures and English we convinced one person at the information centre and got to know the way to reach the hotel little far away from the station.

On arrival itself Paris, about which I have heard and read a lot since childhood disappointed me. I thought of Paris as the most beautiful place in the world. I have read that Paris was the centre of culture, fashion, arts, film, music, architecture; renaissance etc…and peaceful. But to me Paris resembled some Asian capital cities. The rush, the chaos and uneasiness, we can feel in Asian cities. Paris altogether gave me is feeling.

Gare –de Nord is in the neibhouhood of a sprawling Asian market in which an Indian can buy anything we think exclusive to India, including saree ,glass bangles and even sindoor. The shops are mostly run by Srilankan Tamils and North Indian business houses. Outside the station, it was raining and we were without umbrellas. We walked in the rain to the taxi stand. Here we have spotted our Saravanabhavan and which gave us a lot comfort. Since it was not mealtime and having  luggage we chose to eat there after settling down at the hotel

The taxi took us through the busy streets. The streets and the hustle- bustle reminded us of Bangalore. While passing a fly over we have seen refugees have taken shelter under it. The comfort, the serenity, the safety feeling and the cleanliness we experienced in Germany and Netherland were not visible here. It took more than half an hour to reach the hotel.  It was at the end of somewhat calm residential area at St. Denis. And our hotel was on the bank of huge canal. From our window we could see the busy traffic through the canal.

At the Hotel reception, it was a mess. Being Sunday, no one was available for any work. The hotel manager was running here and there to arrange rooms for the guests. His black curly hair and dusky skin made us guess that he was from some Asian countries. His urge to provide the room for the family first assured us that he might be from some neibhouring countries. He was from Srilnaka. Yes, two weeks of stay in Europe made us experts in this guessing game. Colour of skin, eyes and, demeanour would definitely tell us a person belongs to which race and which country.

At the reception we continued waiting. Meanwhile, made friends with a mother-daughter duo from Dominican Republic. The daughter Lumi is a student in Madrid , Spain. Mother came to visit the daughter and they had set out for a tour. They are waiting for checkout and heading to Italy. Lumi talked non-stop in her Spanish laden English. At the moment she looked at me she pointed out to the bindi on my forehead and stated `you are from India’. She was full of admiration towards India, Indians, the colours, fat Indian weddings and the family system.

She told that her mother had an Indian friend and she knew so much about India. She has seen her wedding album, hence knew the fat, colourful Indian weddings. She is not at all happy about her country and culture. She may settle down in Spain. I told her to marry someone from India and settle there if she is so fascinated by India. She laughed loudly and translated it to her mother. Their taxi came and they rushed outside saying goodbye.

By the time our room was ready. It was deadly cold and raining. Anyway we decided to go out once the rain subsided. Since it was Sunday, it was completely deserted. No shops were open and even tram and bus services were closed. This is a major problem in Europe. On Sundays, everything would come to a stand still. Even in Hotels, they would close the restaurants on Sundays just like Malabar region especially Malappuram during Ramzan. But Transport would be available in Malabar.

I was tired and Paris did not rouse any enthusiasm in me. We wished to have some warm foo and water. Cold juice, cold water, cold food and that too in such weather, how these people survive? I wondered.  Anyway, in the next morning we decided to go for the city tour and went to the underground metro station as per the advice from the hotel reception. They also warned us to be very careful since the security situation is grim and the refugees are freely roaming around. Many incidents of thefts and snatching were being reported every day. The unmanned, unchecked underground metro station scared us. The unfriendly faces at the counter spoke something in French when we asked for tickets. Somehow we spotted a lady who understood English and with her help we took tickets and swiped it and entered the platform.

 All sign boards in the platform were in French. With another woman’s help we got in to a train and she communicated to us that we had to get down the same stop where she would. We followed her. Once got out of the train she told us to catch another train to reach our destination from a different platform and then she rushed away. We left clueless and finally decided to come out of the metro trap and look for a bus which would take us to our destination. We reached the Asian market nearby the railway station, Gara-de -Nord and had Indian food from Saravanbhavan and recharged really.

 Next day we set out for the city tour. We took the bus to Opera and from where we got in to city sightseeing bus. The bus first took us to the Notre-dame church. The church premises were brimming with tourists. Security checking was in place. The medieval Roman Catholic church is important to Christianity since its reliquary contains broken crown of thorns, a piece of true cross and holy nail. Its architecture beauty must be the main attraction for the tourists.

We had a stop at the opera, French victory column and finally at the Eiffel tower. At Gare-De Nord Asian market surroundings we have seen posters in French depicting Eiffel tower with the Islamic State flag flying on top of it. The sight of Eiffel tower reminded me of those posters I saw yesterday. The packed premises of the tower and the vendors running after each tourists made us uncomfortable. Snipers were present here and there, may be in the background of threat to the tower. Still we felt doubtful about the security arrangement. People of all races and hues were freely roaming around. How could a few snipers manage a terror attack? . In fact this constant fear of imminent terror strike doused our spirit in Paris. We dropped the idea of going up to the tower since the long queue at the ticket counter and the drizzling despite Ritvik’s long face.

The last day in Paris on April 27^th we decided to visit the nearby mall , more than  a kilometre away from our stay. We did shopping and had `Indian food’ from a Pakistani restaurant at the Maques mall. From our stay in Europe we understood one thing the brand `Indian’ enjoys market value. We did not see anything loudly announcing ‘Pakistani, Bangladeshi,  Afghani,  Srilankan etc… Instead they also market ` the brand name` Indian’.

Early morning we were ready. Two international airports are there in Paris. We had to go to the Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport which is half an hour drive from our hotel. While waiting for the taxi, The Srilankan manager who was at the desk, told us about a police raid that night after some suspicious activities were noticed in the Hotel and surrounding area. He told that every day something related with terrorism happens and that badly affects their life.

 The French are really terrified and psychologically affected by the terror strikes. The manager told us these are quite new to the French government and the people, India has been used with the threat of jihadists for centuries and it culminated in the formation of Pakistan. ` you may find it strange, but here we are scared and feel very insecure’ he concluded while saying goodbye to us.

On reaching airport, again we felt disappointed. Anyone can enter till the check in counters. No checking at all. Remember it was at the check in counter, the blast killed many in the Brussels airport. While waiting for our turn we saw two policemen were combing the area with the help of a German Shepherd, Ritvik called out `Sundari’. We really missed our ` Sundari’ in the long stay abroad.

Finally on board , thinking about the chaos in the Abudhabi airport, I tried to sleep. Hunger has already died. So no need to open the food packets which definitely would not suit our palate. Now the only wish is to have some brown rice and sambar. From Abudhabi we had to change flight. Till Abudhabi it was Ethihad and from there it was Jet. They have code share agreement. Abudhabi airport is a mess. No system was in place. It was as if we have landed some railway station in India. The worst airport I have seen in India is Kozhikode. Seeing Abudhabi  I retracted from my earlier conclusion. Landing Bangalore and completed the formalities we came out relieved. In Kerala, it was the election time. Once the border crossed we could get the heat of it. Police stopped our car and took the details saying that they have to ensure no liquor is entering the state.   The first thing we have to do after reaching home is to bring back Sundari. She must be waiting for us..

Stranger in Middenbeemster

Initially Netherlands was not in the itinerary of our three nation European tour. But when came to know it is the Tulip season in Amsterdam, we included Amsterdam too in the list. Once in Amsterdam we felt happy and overwhelmed at our decision to visit this place too. The scenic beauty of Amsterdam can be compared to nothing.

The ICE bullet train from Berlin reached Amsterdam in the evening.

From Berlin to Amsterdam, the train journey was through German villages

 It was sunny though bitter cold prevailed. The railway station provides facility of metro as well bus, tram transportation to various parts of the city. The main entrance of the station was facing the beautiful backwaters of Amsterdam. From the tourist information centre we got the number of the bus we have to catch to the place Zandam, where we had booked our hotel. Unlike Germany people here are more friendly and helping. Above all they speak and understand English. Boards are also displayed in English along with Dutch. While waiting for the bus, we enjoyed the beauty of backwater. Everything is as punctual as in Germany. Our bus No 391 reached on time at the exact point. We got in to it took the ticket from the ticket vending machine beside the driver. The bus ride was really nice. The green patches, grazing cows, water canals and beautiful little houses surrounded by small gardens are picturesque.

Tulip farm

Zandam is an industrial area with so many hotels in the surroundings. The area is neat and clean. We settled ourselves in our room and rested for the night. Next morning we planned for a city tour. At the bus stop we met an interesting father-son duo. Steven and his little son Henry have driven all the way from Manchester to Amsterdam. Both are adventurous and that day they are out for cycling though the villages.

We got in to the prescribed bus and reached the city centre which houses Madam Tussauds’  wax museum and the red light are of the capital. Amsterdam tourism invites the tourists to have a look at the life of their red street which is on one side of the city. Streets were brimming with tourists from all over the world. Tour and travel agency offices are doing brisk business. Everyone is heading for Kaekenhof, the Tulip garden. We chose to have a city tour on that day plus a visit to the cheese factory, wind mills and UNESCO heritage site at Middenbeemster.  In the city, except the wax museum nothing much to cater our interest. So we decided to see the UNESCO heritage site. We got in to a bus which, according to the driver would take us to the UESCO heritage site. It was marked in the city map too. In Europe, bus journey is a pleasure.

Though we confused little bit and changed buses meantime, we finally reached Middenbeemster, the UNESCO site. Contrary to our expectations it does not have any remains of fortress or palaces but it is a beautiful village with lot of streams, gardens and the Victorian style buildings. It is a preserved site for its ancient beauty of sorts, that is what the booklet describes.

tulips ............tulips ..............everywhere

 We walked to and forth and finally reached at an old Anglican church. It is here we met Dr Aads, a young man trained to be a plastic surgeon. He was excited to hear that we are from India. He offered to take us to a tulip field. Initially we were reluctant. In a foreign land, a stranger……But he opened his car door for us. We went with him to see the tulips farms. It was like pink carpet unrolled to the end of horizon. Here, we became more friendly and opened up his mind. He knew India.  He has an Indian friend. He knew its history, the Kashmir issue, Narendra Modi etc…

He further talked of his fear about the refugees who have already made their presence visible in France, Belgium, Germany and even his own country Netherlands. He is angry about the government policies which is not taking any strong decision on the issue. He frankly told` Hindus/, Indians are peace loving people, I have no fear about any religion, Hindu, Christian, Budhists, Sikhs but I don’t want Islam here’’. `No one in Netherland wants them here, we are afraid of them ’’. He talked about the blast at Brussels airport, attack in Paris. He again asked how India deals with such large Muslim population so peacefully.

He was pouring down. As a medical student, he was never bothered about all these, but now he started reading and understanding just to be prepared about the impending danger.

With Dr Aads in Midden Beemster

We pieced together the information he gave in his heavily Dutch accented English. We decoded it as; Netherland has a sort of UPA model government in power, a minority government with a weak leader at helm. So not able to take or implement any strong decision regarding anything. People are angry. There are parties like Left Front we have here, who is always destructive. People are angry and they feel insecure.He also talked about the German based anti-migrant organisation PEGIDA too.

 People in Europe are carefree, least bothered about any issues and happy–go- lucky type. Even after the terror struck Brussels and Paris, security measures are meagre. No police, no metal detectors, and whatever we have been familiar with in our capital are not visible in the capital city of Netherlands.  Frankly speaking, we felt really insecure in Europe. Every unattended bag gages at the railway stations and airports scared us. Even after such deadly attack in the Brussels airport check-in- counter, at the Paris international airport also we have seen people freely roaming around the check-in-counters. What I understood is, these countries may not have enough force to tackle this situation since they never presumed a situation like this will arise.

Dr Aads offered us to take to old wind mill and later he dropped us at our hotel. Saying good bye, he said, may be in another ten years we will come to India as refugees. `You are always welcome as guests, not as refugees. This is your soil, you have to defend it. Leaving your beautiful land and running away is the worst act of cowardice’, no one should do it, I told. He thought for a while and drove away.

The next day is Kaekenhof, the Tulips. This time no independent journey.  We have to take tickets from a travel agency and get in to the assigned bus. In a fully packed double decker bus too, the sights on either side of road are so enchanting. We passed by the Netherland’s Schiphool airport which is constructed four meter under sea level. Flights are landing and taking off all the time.

In the  bus the guide was explaining the Tulip history. Her Spanish lazed English is echoing in the bus. We understood that Tulips are not local to Netherland . Its real home was Himalaya and Aden in Middle East. It was brought to Netherland by a Netherland envoy to the Ottoman Empire. Now Netherland is proud of 800 tulip verities. As Kaekenhof is reaching both sides of the road we can see tulip farms in various colours. Tourists in the bus literally now out of control seeing this and looked  confused which side to look at.

 Kaekenhof farm is sprawling in 32 hectors. It’s beauty is beyond words. Tulips …tulips everywhere.  Thousands of tourists are leisurely roaming around the Tulip garden., taking snaps and selfies.

Tulip garden, Kaekenhof

There are restaurants in the garden. We have started avoiding food survived on fruits and water since the continental food bored our palate. Whenever felt hungry, the urge to fly back home would grip us. Otherwise we would hunt for Indian restaurants.

 But to our surprise we realised that in Europe many Indian restaurants are fake. The restaurants under the banner Indian or Desi are being run by Pakistanis, Bengladeshis and even Afghans. We have seen only two pure Indian restaurants in Europe, The Saravanabhavan and one named Gandhi in Amsterdam. Saravanabhvan has hotels in Frankfurt, Berlin and Paris. We were really confused and surprised at non-Indians and especially, the Pakistanis using the brand name Indian. The Pakistanis, Bengladeshis , Afghans and Srilankans all have come to European countries as refugees. Thankfully we haven’t seen any Indians as refugees but as tourists or business men on travel.

We returned from the Tulip world by evening.  We have to catch early morning high speed train to Paris next day. 

Germany: An experience for life

Landing at Frankfurt airport, we were not that much enthusiastic about Germany. Germany was never in our itinerary. But we got the visa to Germany even though our first preference was France. In France Ritvik had spotted places like Reverie, Nice, and Versailles etc. When I saw the truck attack in Nice later in July just two months after our trip, I held my breath in shock.

A Frankfurt street

The Ethihad flight was on time. The landing was tough; really felt I would throw up. The food served by the airline was horrible. The flight took off from Abudhabi airport with some verses from Quran. Ethihad does not consider the feeling of people from other faith? If any of our public transport system  does such a thing, Oh!, I can’t think of the clamour following it. Many would cry that our secularism and the very existence of the country itself are in danger. 

The Frankfurt airport had a deserted look. No such rush and chaos we have experienced at the Abudhabi airport.  After collecting baggage we went out of the airport. At the entrance we got some sort of information with a map from an arrogant receptionist. With the map in hand we three, Milton, Ritvik and me stood thinking next step outside the airport in the taxi bay. Seeing a taxi we called for him. He looked like an Indian but was a Pakistani.

 Inside the car he spoke in Urdu and we in Hindi. He came to Germany as a refugee during the 1971Indo-Pak war. He was from Pak Punjab and occasionally visits Pakistan. But their greatest wish is to see the Taj Mahal once, but never got a visa. Even in conversation I could not help watching the streets, its cleanliness and discipline. Everything is properly planned and implemented. No rush on the roads. No poster laden walls.

 We reached our hotel after half an hour drive and spending 30 Euros. At the hotel, in Ostbahnholf, a smiling receptionist searched for our booking details. She remained the only smiling German face I can remember throughout our stay in the country. For a while the advertisement of Luftansa Airlines came to my mind in which the grandpa tells the child that` you know the Germans are a bit different and they are very serious’.

When we gave a single note of 500 euro for the hotel rent, she gave us the first lesson that 500 euro note is a rarity in Europe. Almost all services in Germany would be available in exchange of below 500 euro. As per her advice we went to the nearest bank, called Post Bank and collected changes for our 500 euro. Each and every single euro is countable unlike our one rupee two rupee coins. Even cent has certain value. You need not carry bundles of euros. But never multiply it with Indian rupee. Think in euros, eat in euro and sleep in euro policy would help you in Europe.

 Frankfurt streets always have a deserted look, a look we may get only during hartals in Kerala. But all public transport services would be there  in place. Everything is in order. If a tram was to arrive a particular stop, you need to be careful about the time only. That particular tram or bus would arrive at the station on time, neither a second early nor late. Hence no need to check and cross check. The first day itself we got familiar with it and without asking any doubt to anyone we found it very easy to travel across the city.  If everything is in systematic, nothing matters other than money.

Next day after having the breakfast of egg and bread we set out for sightseeing. Being a modern business city, FrankFurt does not have much to offer for a traveller who wishes to revel in sightseeing. Except the sky scrapers and business establishment, there is the Main River and the old city of Romer Berg ,

Frankfurt is the place where Germany's major autobahns and railways intersect. About 350,000 people commute to the city each day, not counting the 710,000 people who really live here. With a huge airport — the third-largest in Europe — it is the gateway to Germany and for many people also the first point of arrival in Europe. Further, it is a prime hub for interconnections within Europe and for intercontinental flights. Frankfurt is the most diverse city in Germany and has the highest percentage of foreigners in the country.

Romer Berg is the old city centre which houses an ancient church and many ancient building with architectural importance. In the evening when we went to the Romer Berg, at one corner some musicians were doing a sort of concert and people were seen enjoying it. Frankfurt is the birth place of Goethe and university is there in his name in Frankfurt. It was raining in Frankfurt throughout our stay. Rain was not disruptive like in our Kerala. The neat and broad streets and proper foot path really made enjoy the rain while walking through the street.

In Europe, Two things which I like the most was there are no autorikshaws  and two wheelers. There are cycles and specific cycling paths too. So the road remains always free. No jams. People use public transport since it is cheap, fast, neat and timely.

Our departure to Munich was from Hopanholf railway station in Frankfurt. The ICE (Inter City Express) with a speed of 320 Km /hr would take us to Munich . It would roughly take three hours to cover the 250 Km distance. Waiting at the Railway station we met a Tamil business man who has been visiting Europe once in a year for the last thirty years. He was visibly happy to meet an Indian family at the railway station. He was going to Hamburg. He was so excited about his last day’s visit to the German-Swiss border town Basel. He was like more like a traveller than a businessman. Meanwhile his train came and rushed. away saying goodbye. After some time our train arrived. Ritvik was all in excitement. His greatest wish to enjoy a bullet train ride was coming true.

The train was in its maximum speed. Good journey. Beautiful landscapes. We were passing through German villages. Long rows of solar panel could be seen quite often. Even the houses had solar panel on the sloppy roofs. Germany is making best use of alternative energy sources. Weather was pleasant. American fighter jets were seen crisscrossing in the blue sky. It was Ritvik who confirmed it.  They must be heading for Syria to fight ISIS.

Munich street

Heavy downpour welcomes us in Munich. Rain always comes with chaos even if it is 

Germany or back at wayanad. Alighting from the train we were literally stranded at the station. The station was brimming with people blacks, whites blond….people of all nationalities and races. Meanwhile we went to the nearby information centre from where as usual we got a map with some sort of information. We came out of the station but it was pouring down. We waited. When the rain subsided we headed towards our Hotel which was nearby the railway station. Munich was a sort of multi ethnic city. Streets were busy but still disciplined and clean. Unlike Frankfurt we met refugees here. Refugees not only from crisis ridden Syria and Libya but mainly from the erstwhile East European countries like Romania and Poland. Some were roaming around and some were sitting with their pet dogs and begging. Is it the end of communism???? What blah ..Blah the communists shout  in  Kerala still!!!!!!!!!.

Munich is home to many national and international authorities, major universities, major museums and theaters. Its numerous architectural attractions, international sports events, exhibitions, conferences and Oktoberfest attract considerabletourism.^] Munich is one of the most prosperous and fastest growing cities in Germany. It is a top-ranked destination for migration and expatriate location, despite being the municipality with the highest density of population in Germany. Munich nowadays hosts more than 530,000 people of international background, making up 37.7% of the entire population.

Munich,( Munchen in German), the capital of Bavaria is the third largest city in Germany and situated on the bank of river Isar.  There are many churches of architectural beauty and palaces of dukes and Bavarian rulers were beautifully preserved in the city.  English Garden and the BMW museum are also something worth seeing.

Next day morning, we rushed to catch the first city tour bus. Getting down from the city tour bus at Marian Platz, the open square, we walked slowly through the street with huge malls on either side. It was extreme cold. We rushed in to a mall to escape the deadly weather. Inside it was warm and we roamed around and warmed ourselves and came out. Meanwhile we did some shopping too. It was at the end of winter season and sale was in full swing. So woollens were somewhat cheap only if you think and calculate in euros.

By evening after having dinner at an Afghan run restaurant we started our preparation for Berlin.

Marian Platz

Train journey is superb in Europe. You would not get tired. Timing would be perfect. No unending wait at the railway station.  Our train, the high speed one would take 5 hours 30 minute to cover more than 500 KM distance from Munich to Berlin. The railway station at Berlin, the capital of the country was huge. Still the clear signboards guided us to the right direction.

At the tourist information centre we met a priest, Fr Augustine from Kerala who was  recently posted to the German city of Cologne. He was in the task of learning German. And before officially taking charge and enrolling for German language study he had set out for a whirlwind tour of Germany. Next day throughout our city tour he remained with us as a good companion. He gave us some more intimate information about life of Germans.

Germany was a bundle of chaos, sorrows, losses and despair after the Second World War. Millions and millions of men folk either killed or decapitated. According to Fr Augustine , It was the woman power regained the lost glory of Germany. They kept Germany from further destruction. They worked hard and contributed nation building. But in the process they forgot marriage and family. The concept of marriage and family has become a rarity in the country. Man and woman live together but refuse to be part of the institution called marriage and to have children. He quoted a fellow priest’s struggle to bond a man and woman in the Parish through marriage after almost two decades of living together. They rear pets, not kids, says Fr Augustine.

Another interesting thing he shared was the believer’s tax. If any one believes in the religion, they have to pay tax to the government. So people declare they are not believers. Hence the churches in Europe got in to great trouble. It is in this vacuum, Islam penetrates. They spread radical ideology. They buy churches and turn those in to mosques. Europe is now paying the price of their casual and carefree attitudes. Now the far right groups are becoming very strong in Europe and they are against Islamisation. The PEGIDA movement (Patriotic Europeans Against Islamisation of Europe) is getting great support across Europe.

The work force is a problem in Germany. The workers are mainly from erstwhile communist countries like Poland and Romania. They are brought in en- masse to undertake farm labours . Sometimes they stay back and become German citizens. Migrants from Turkey, Srilnaka, Afghanistan, Palestine and Pakistan are plenty in German cities.

Meanwhile, we spotted our hotel location in the map and got in to prescribed bus after wishing ` see u tomorrow’ to Fr. Augustine .  Hotels in Europe are of same nature. Unlike India you would get no service. No one would be there to pull your baggage, open the door, bringing water etc. You can be at your service.

Berlin is a historic city which still carries the scars of world war and partition. The historic Berlin wall was running in the middle of the city parting it in to West Germany and East Germany. East Germany had been ruled by the communist government installed by the then USSR. West Germany was of course supported by the democratic front led by America. But the world powers failed to see the sorrows of the families, friends separated by the Berlin wall. People sneaking in to the West Germany from East Germany were common. Hence East Germany constructed the huge wall with check points just to stop its citizens to escape to West Germany. If caught they would be shot dead. Such deaths had been covered under thick shroud of secrecy. In 1990 the citizens of both the Germany broke open the walls and the two Germany became one.

The remnants of the walls are preserved at Charlie checkpoint, which is symbolically maintained to remind Germans about the Berlin wall era.There are many ancient churches in Germany destroyed fully or partially in the Second World War. Germany had to struggle a lot to recoup the world war losses.

We went to see the biggest zoo in the country. But we could see animals and birds can be seen in our zoos and national parks. Except Penguins nothing caught our interest and we soon cut short our zoo visit.

Then we went straight to Victory columns and spent some time there. Ritvik with his newly found friend climbed up. Rejecting his compulsions to climb on top of the column, I told I had climbed on top of Qutab Minar and Juma Masjid in Delhi and this is not greater than those.  In fact I was too tired to be on top of the column.

Then we took the bus for city tour and roamed around city seeing the English garden, The Reichstag building (German parliament) etc..

We decided to end the roaming as all were tired. We sought the help of a bus driver to fix our direction. He advised to catch the train and alight at the next stop.  We crossed the road and reached the station and got in to the train. But in fact that train was going to the opposite direction to where we had to really travel. The tickets we took were meant for that direction.

Within moments we were caught and asked to alight at the next station. Ticket examiner asked for our passports. All four including Ritvik shocked. We provided our passports and they asked to pay 60 euros each. Pretty good amount!!  We tried to convince that all happened because of our ignorance. They were convinced but not ready to release us. For 5 euro ticket we had to pay 60 euro each!! They gave two options, either pay the fine or let them call the police. They were kind enough to finally exclude me and Ritvik from remitting the fine. Even otherwise we were ready to pay the fine would never opt for the second option. The officer asked ` In India is it not a crime to travel without a proper ticket?. We replied in chorus ‘it is a crime’.

 He was trying to say this in his German accented English that ignorance itself is a crime. We do agree and I told myself ignorance is a crime, entire Kerala would better convert to a jail since according to me my state is the capital of ignorance. Paying the fine we rushed to catch the right train with the tickets took with the help of the TTE from the ticket vending machine. Frankly speaking we were little tired of being caught for such a silly offence.

We decided to be more cautious in our onward journey and started our hunt for the train ticket to Amstedam.