Monday, February 20, 2006
One-stop Shopping
On the way to the airport I spot a cheerful sign. 24 hour service it says.
Ambulance.
Or hearse.
I guess that covers all bases.
Ambulance.
Or hearse.
I guess that covers all bases.
Incredible India
What an amazing place of contrasts. Kolkata will host an LCG Tier2 for ALICE and Mumbai one for CMS. A workshop in the former, focusing on the last 10-15 years of HEP Computing – the transition from Fortran, Patchy, Zebra and a whole gamut of home grown tools to ‘industry standards’ and C++. Workshop in Mumbai, followed by a conference on Computing in High Energy Physics, at which the President of India made an appearance.
The two cities seem to be separated by more than a width of a country – or even sub-continent. So different in style and flavour. After a mere eleven days, it feels as if I have always been here. Waking to the sight of the sun rising behind the Gateway of India. Horns honking like geese. Birds crying evocatively across the manicured lawn of TIFR, which stretches down to the Arabian sea. The curious ‘figure of eight head movement which means yes, but could easily be mistaken for no. The food – which bears little comparison to that offered in the curry houses of the rest of the world.
Will I be back? I reckon so…
The two cities seem to be separated by more than a width of a country – or even sub-continent. So different in style and flavour. After a mere eleven days, it feels as if I have always been here. Waking to the sight of the sun rising behind the Gateway of India. Horns honking like geese. Birds crying evocatively across the manicured lawn of TIFR, which stretches down to the Arabian sea. The curious ‘figure of eight head movement which means yes, but could easily be mistaken for no. The food – which bears little comparison to that offered in the curry houses of the rest of the world.
Will I be back? I reckon so…
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Down Under
So what does one bring back as a souvenir from down under? Various things were suggested, including a kangaroo (which apparently means "don't understand you" - i.e. the reply to the question "what are those strange animals called"), a pair of teeth (from my brother, who lost a pair in Sydney, but that is quite another story), or just a didgeridoo.
Apart from the best Fish&Chips that I've ever had (somewhat transitory), I think that a didge has to be the best bet. Attempts to record it as a ring tone for my phone have been unsuccessful so far (somewhat overblown breathy sound dominates), but I'll keep trying...
Apart from the best Fish&Chips that I've ever had (somewhat transitory), I think that a didge has to be the best bet. Attempts to record it as a ring tone for my phone have been unsuccessful so far (somewhat overblown breathy sound dominates), but I'll keep trying...
