Repairing my punctured cycle tyre

Recently my cycle tyre got punctured...so took the cycle to the cycle shop for repairing the tyre...you know how much it costs to repair a punctured tyre here in Germany... 20 Euros...I was shocked to hear that price..since I didn't have any other options...I had to leave the cycle in the workshop and paid 20 Euros...then I took the cycle back from the workshop...and it got punctured again...:( I was really pizzed to pay another 20 Euros to fix my tyre...I asked my colleagues what to do...they said its common for the Germans to fix their punctured tyres on their own..:) So, I decided to repair the punctured tyre on my own...got the help from my colleague Mirco..he gave a very good training during the lunch break.. I never never thought that I would fix the punctured cycle tyre on my own one day in my life...;) Then I remembered my father who used to do most of the things by himself... Germany is indeed a "Service Desert" ;)

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

Merkel's Retirement

Mr. Herald Merkel, my lovely mentor cum friend recently invited to his house to celebrate his birthday and also his retirement from the job which he has been doing for years...It was a big gathering of many oldies ;) had a chance to meet many oldies of different personalities who fought in the second world war...the doctors..the Professors...the Bank Chiefs....the overboasting Business guys ;)...it was a great chance to spend some time with them and hear their experiences...Merkel has now decided to spend more time for his wife ;) but I guess he cant have children at this age oh no...he already have two sons... :D...wants to travel a lot...my goodness has he left any continent in his life to visit....probably may be Antartica is the missing one ;) ... wants to play Golf...very good sport for a guy who can't touch his toes :D Jokes apart....Wish you a great, happy, peaceful retirement days with your family...Alles alles gute Herr.Merkel :)

Liebe Grüsse,
Sathish Kumar S

Heidelberg, South Germany

I was staying at my school friend Parthiban's place in Stuttgart during Christmas holidays.... so decided to roam near by areas of Stuttgart...Heidelberg came to our mind... Heidelberg is a scenic city in South Germany situated on the banks of river Neckar...Heidelberg castle is worth visiting...we went to the top of Heidelberg by the mountain train which is called the Koenigstuhl...gives a panaromic view of the city of Heidelberg...sun was shining but it was freezing to the core....It was a great day with typical South Indian flavour of jokes and surcasms with our gang ;)

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

Scenic Salzburg, Austria

Two weeks of holidays.... what to do.... where to go... Salzburg in Austria came to my mind...decided to celebrate my Christmas holidays in Salzburg, Austria..took a flight from Hamburg to Sazburg by TUI fly airlines...my school friend Parthiban joined me in Salzburg directly from Stuttgart.....the weather was shit for the first day....sun god appeared on the second day....Salzburg is a picturesque city situated on the banks of the Salzach river, at the northern boundary of the Alps...birth place of Mozart...

Old city, Hohensalzburg which gives panoromic view of the city, Mozart's geburtshaus, Hellgrun garden are some of the important spots to cover...the important place to see in Salzburg is Untersberg which is around 30 kms from Salzburg...around 1880 m high...cable car takes you to the top...this ride in cable car is simply awesome....ofcourse all cable car rides to the top of the mountain is always fascinating...had a lovely time playing with the snow...this place gives an amazing view of the city of Salzburg....Salzburger Weihnachtsmarkt is worth mentioning....if one wants to taste the European culture...Salzburg is the place...amazing architectural buildings... Salzburg worth going once... :)

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

Christmas evening with Merkel family

Time goes really fast... this is almost my fourth Christmas in Germany.... What could be a better place to celebrate Christmas evening in Hamburg...its none other than at my mentor's place... his son and daughter-in-law came from London for the Christmas evening...with candles burning on the Christmas tree at the corner..with gifts and lovely wishes being exchanged...lovely awesome delicious dinner...what an ambience...typical German Christmas evening...

Herald gifted me a Wurst which is one of my favourite dishes in Germany ;) and more importantly gifted me a "Steurerklarung Software" (Tax Clearance) which I very badly needed in the recent times being a IT guy ;)... Germans always say their tax regulations are one of the complicated in the world...Herald's duty is to do mentoring during my studies to show German culture and make me feel integrated in to the society...What I can always says is...he has done exceedingly well than what he is supposed to do...a man who imbibed lot of confidence in me to lead a life in German society...our bond of love, affection and respect have grown in proportions in the recent years...I owe you a lot Herald... Well ask any German how special it is to invite a person for a Christmas evening...The answer says it all... :)

Hats off to Merkel family!!
Sathish Kumar S

Magnificient 2008

The year which gave me lot of joy, happiness, success and peace was none other than 2008 mainly because of the fact 2007 was really hard…. One really knows what happiness is after a stint of real tough times…that’s the case with me too…. Let’s have a short recap of how the year turned out…

January:
Came from Berlin after really tough times during my Thesis and job hunting…defended my Thesis for my Master of Science under Prof. Killat… a big relief after stressful days..

February:
Attended my spring school classes of my MBA…with lectures from one of the best Professors in the field of Strategy and Business Planning…. Thoroughly enjoyed the Blah Blah stuffs of MBA…

March:
Applied for my work permit…had some relaxing days before I started my work…Backpacked to Eastern Europe to countries like Hungary, Austria, Bratislava and also to Barcelona…. It was a great time with my friends (Andreas, Veera, Juan)

April:
Started my full time work as a Software Developer in Werum Software Systems… had lot of doubts, speculations about the work, colleagues…it was certainly an inquisitive start to the work…

May:
Went to Denmark with Bernd, Vijay, Hemant, Rushi…explored Denmark by renting a car…BBQ in Denmark coastline…fun in the beach and in the countryside of Denmark…memorable time

June:
Summer was its peak…Enjoyed playing Cricket in the weekends…had tussle and enjoyment in the game…Had a class trip to Cuxhaven…Played Beach volleyball with our friends along the coastline…great experience…

July:
Programmed our Process Automation Execution Software (PAS-X) in PDA….thoroughly had the job satisfaction after a long time in my career…guided by great analytical thinkers….

August:
Finished my MBA studies by giving the final propositions and shifted from Hamburg to Lüneburg mainly for the fact that I want to sleep more in the morning… Was making all preparations for my mom’s arrival in Germany…

September:
Was counting my days for mom’s arrival in Germany… it was a great moment when I picked her up in Frankfurt….celebrated my 26^th birthday with her and my good friends….

October:
The most important moment of the year 2008… mom’s presence for my MBA graduation ceremony…. The moment which I cherished to the core in the year 2008… had a great fun with her…cooked different kinds of food… had a great Diwali time with her and my good friends…

November:
Had to say good bye to my mom…It wasn’t certainly easy for me after her presence with me….but life has to go on…got used to the lonely way of life….

December:
Had a Christmas celebrations in my office… I was the Santa Claus… had a relaxed month in the work…no big deadlines and tasks…

All in all, it was a year where I enjoyed success, happiness, peace through out the year…It was quite opposite to what I experienced in 2007… I thank all my friends and well-wishers who were part of my happiness in 2008.. I don’t expect 2009 to be same as 2008… because lightening always strikes once ;)

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

Christmas Celebrations.. Who is the Santa Claus ?

Obama as President in USA, Sathish as Santa Claus in Germany..;) this was the caption suggested for this article by one of my colleague ;) Recently we had Weihnachtsfest (Christmas celebrations) in my office...there was a mail to all the members in the office for the voluntary representation of Weihnachtsmann (Santa Claus) during the Christmas celebrations...Just had a glimpse of my Annual Day celebrations in school days...Then I thought why not and thanks to the motivation from Jan ;) Covered my face with a mask so that the kids don't have to be frightened and they don't have to say "Mummy Mummy...Weihnachtsmann spricht mit einem accent!! Er sieht sehr schwarz aus"...It was a hard time wearing the mask for one and half hours...I was sweating to the core when the temeparatue was around -3 outside hheeheee but thoroughly enjoyed the experience...I should say the German kids were very introvert..well thats a typical German culture...;) Followed by nice dinner and drinks...Day to remember!!

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

War against Mumbai or against religion ?

Deep condolescence to all those people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the financial capital of India. I am sure my piece of article will not bring any change in the situation what’s happening there but I felt, I should express my views on this particular incident which has happened in Mumbai. It’s solely my opinion and not to hurt anybody’s feelings and ideas.

Dating back to the days when Britishers tried to explore India, they always found one great weapon than the bombs and shooting guns, it was none other than “Divide and Rule”. They have adopted this policy exceedingly well in almost every corner of their colonial acquisition and succeeded to greater heights and it payed rich dividence to their master plan. It was between Hindus and Muslims in Indian sub-continent, Tamils and Sinhalese in Sri Lanka and the example goes in every corner of the world where they occupied. Even after they left these countries, they have plown the seeds in the early centuries which resulted in a situation which no body could have imagined for.

Ok, can we all blame the Britain for their cunning attitude? They have benefited out what they executed. We suffered it under their hands for many centuries and has the time not arrived to realize what has happened in the name of religion is all stupid and chaos. Well it was in the early stage in 1947 to realize that. But has the time not arrived after many decades to stay united and become stronger and stronger and make the western world which conquered us make jealous of our progress and developments. Well Dr. Abdul Kalam realized it, that’s why he visioned a rocket to moon and he succeeded it. If the politicians and the normal individuals from both India and Pakistan realized it, then both the countries shouldn’t be spending millions and millions of dollars for fighting in Siachen glacier in one of the world’s top most battle field, both the countries shouldn’t have suffered because of two great wars between them, to all the atrocities happening in the Kashmir valley, to all the communal violence which has happened in both the countries in the last decades in the name of religion.

Europe suffered severely and the Europeans have realized tolerance is the best way to maintain harmony with neighboring nations. Do we need yet another kind of third world war in Asia especially between India and Pakistan to come to a conclusion not to fight anymore? Religion is a way to lead a life. It can be in the form of any religion. No religion says to kill people to satiate their dreams. People getting so acrimonious, hatred in the name of religion and using religion and their god to kill people is totally unacceptable and barbaric. Has the terrorists succeeded in their attempts? Yes, they did atleast killing some 300 people and bringing international attention. What will be the reaction from the Indian Government and can we be sure that this attack will not happen anymore. Who’s the ultimate winner of this cold battle existing between the two oldest possible civilizations of the world? This is a never ending story unless and otherwise each and every individual realize what’s happening in the name of religion is stupid and non-sense. I really doubt whether such a situation is feasible in the foreseeable years in the Indian sub-continent. By that time, I could feel real catastrophe on the cards. It’s a pity. Well everything happening in this world is all destined :(

Cheers,
Sathish kumar S

Great Indian day with a German

I have been in Germany for three years, I haven't met any German in this span of three years who was very much interested in exploring India to the core... it was none other than Heike from Solltau, Niedersachsen, Germany...Thanks to Vasantha Aunt who introduced Heike to me..What a day I had with her family...her son picked us from the Bahnhof to the Wietzendorf, a small village near Solltau where Heike lives...then we had a great Lunch...with Upma and Sambhar...Lecker....Great work from Heike and Vasantha Aunt...

Then followed by Bollywood collections and videos...man Sharukh Khan is an ultimate hero everywhere...I never knew this guy had this much popularity through out the world...What amazes me about Heike was her passion for India...my goodness...she speaks Hindi...she has Hindi script in her computer to practise...the quiz programme which she made about India...watches all Hindi programmes in the internet...travelled and explored almost every part of India in gross-root level and wants to live in India....Heike, you definitely have shown your LOVE towards India...I can always assure you that India will definitely reciprocate your LOVE...:) I am really satisfied that I met atleast one German who loved my motherland to the core from the heart...Hats off to you Heike...

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

catch( Exception e ) in the midst of Snow :)

I still remember when I used to travel to office in Chennai with temperatures hovering around 40°C in the month of may...before I reached the office I would have taken bath with sweat and spreading around the bad odour to all my colleagues in office ;) After some years, I totally experienced a contrasting situation when I was travelling with my bicycle to office...the sun god disappeared and snow was falling on the way to my office...with temperature close to (-)..complete white background...What a contrasting situation I could have imagined for...It was a great feeling to develop and debug my application by looking in to the snow outside my window in my office...Ich liebe Schnee ;)

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

Michael Kitzelmann's 32nd Geburtstag :D

Michael Kizelmann, Scheisse Deutscher von Köln... ;) mein sehr gute beste freund in Deutschland.. recently celebrated his 32nd birthday in Hamburg... It was a typical German evening with Sauerkrat as the dinner food followed by as usual beers and alcohols...Tried Averna for the first time.. Lecker...It was a group of around 10 people and then went to Reaperbahn to shake our butts...Kitzi you have offered me a lot during my stay in Germany and you have travelled along with me both in good and bad times...Keep in touch wherever we are and whichever part of the globe we are.. Nice to have you as my buddy :)

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

Modern Frankfurt

After sending mom back to India from Frankfurt airport, I wasn't in a great mood to explore Frankfurt...Took some time to come out of the emotions and as usual back to form with the camera in one hand and map in the other...Out of all the cities I have seen in Germany, Frankfurt is the only city which is very modern, has huge sky scrappers and very American...Frankfurt can not be included in the European city ;)... Had a chance to go to the top of Main Tower which gives panaromic view of the city of Frankfurt...worth going to the top...Awesome view... Rest nothing much to see...Frankfurt mainly known only for its International Airport...

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

Memorable time with amma

Time goes really fast...One month flew away like a second...one of the best memorable moments which I had in Germany...All comes to an end...It wasn't certainly easy for me to come out of the situation with out her after having spent the golden times with her...well life has to go on...The moment when I last kissed on her face and said bye to her in the airport still resides in my eyes...Certainly couldn't control my emotions after that...Thanks to Indian couple who helped her in the airport to board the flight and make her reach safely in Chennai...I really thank god for making this dream happen in my life... :)

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

Diwali 2008

Out of all the Diwalis I celebrated in Germany, this Diwali was something special...mainly because of my mom's presence...had a great Indian evening with all my friends with special South Indian dishes...can you imagine...we prepared 12 different dishes...Idly, Dosai, Poori, Potato Subji, Kuruma, Chicken 65, boiled eggs, sambhar, cabbage poriyal, pakoda, fried rice, pachadi... great moments...amma asirvatham amma samayal....:) Took an off from the work and watched all special programmes in Sun TV, Vijay TV...I loved it...I hope to celebrate the coming Diwali's in the same fashion if I am lucky :D

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

The moment which healed my pain!!

A small narration: When I was a child, I used to travel to my father's native place Salem in Yercaud Express sitting next to WC because of the crowd...slowly it changed to travelling in 2nd class reservation compartment...after that it changed to Air Conditioning (AC) compartment...and then to British Airways travelling via London...and then slowly to 15 countries in Europe...and finally it came to a situation of my beloved mom coming to Germany for my MBA graduation ceremony :)

There are various moments which I cherished in my life to the core but nothing can be compared to this...my mom's presence in MBA graduation ceremony and it certainly healed lot of pains in my heart...

1. This moment healed my mom's thirst of me not being a doctor....mainly because of the fact I left the Medicine seat which I obtained...

2. This moment healed my pain of not studying in US...but the country with which I didn't expect anything gave me hell lot of things...Deutschland hat mir viel gegeben....:)

3. This moment healed the pain which I suffered when Prof. Killat who stripped my ass in the mid-term presentation of my Master Thesis...But thanks Prof...now I feel whats happiness :)

4. This moment healed the pain which I suffered when I was hunting for jobs in Germany and the rejections which I got mainly because of the strict visa regulations and language constraints....

5. This moment healed the pain of loneliness, depression and the disappointments which I suffered during my tough times in Germany....the sacrifice which I made in Food, Entertainment, Friends, Cricket, Movies, Indian girls ;)

My friends always say that I am always an unsatisfied guy but now I should say to the mirror that, "I am satisfied with what God has given me :)". I love you amma !!

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

Amman temple with Amma :)

Any Indian who has stayed in Germany for a considerable amount of time shouldn't miss Ham Amman temple in North Rhein Westfallen state and the case holds good for my beloved mom..She was thrilled, excited, happy when she entered the praharam...This temple has been sort of important spot for all the desis in Germany...Whats special about this temple is the Gopuram and the ambience it presents in a foreign soil...Thanks to Sri Lankan tamils for their strenous efforts to build this shrine...

Got delayed because of the connecting train...was searching for some accomodation in the 11th hour finally my good friends Vijay Anand and Karthick turned in to the show...The kind of hospitality shown by Karthick to my mom....my goodness...No words to describe...Thanks Karthick...A day to remember!!

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

Indian evening with Bhagavan family

Followed by a German evening on Saturday, was a typical Indian evening on Sunday in Bhagavan uncle's house...Special thanks to Sudha aunt who prepared delicious Indian food - Thayir Vadai, Sambhar Vada, Fried Rice, Apple pickle... Had a chance to meet another Indian family with their kids...followed by a funny discussion of marrying a German or an Indian...finally the argument settled for marrying an Indian girl...:D Mom felt very homely....One more day to remember!! Thanks once again to Bhagavan uncle and Sudha aunt...

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

German evening with Mark

Recently my colleague Mark Rueter invited me and my mom to a typical village festival in his place Wetzen....Initially I was skeptical about bringing mom to this fest, but Mark forcibly took my mom to this fest in his car....Drunk a big bottle of beer next to mom along with Mark ;) I did shooting for the first time and I correctly targetted the nucleus and won a prize.....the prize was none other than 3 Kgs of chicken ;) followed by wonderful music and food...Mom danced along with other German ladies....it was a great opportunity for her to see how Germans celebrate their special evening...Thanks once again to Mark for the invitation... A day to remember!!

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

Navarathri festival with Dandia

What could be the best place to make my mom happy in Europe... Switzerland, Paris, London..No!! Then what else....Yes... Celebrating Navarathri festival in Hindu temple... She felt really happy to see Navarathri celebrations in foreign land...the festival was marked with traditional slokas and mantras and followed by arathi...The most important event in this Navarathri festival is DANDIA...played it for the first time and I cherished playing it like gilli ;)....More importantly mom enjoyed to the core... :)

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

Octoberfest

When I say to my friends in other parts of the world that I live in Germany...the next question what they will be asking is "Have you been to Octoberfest ?".. Having stayed in Germany for three years, I didn't find the right time to go to Octoberfest...finally the time has arrived to go to this wonderful fest in Germany...The highlighting feature of Octoberfest is the typical Bavarian dress and the beer...with thousands and thousands of crazy drunkards roaming in the streets and babes exposing their assets ;)

First we went to BMW museum...a must see museum for all the Automobile nerds...this place is highly picturesque with small hill top...lush green grass near the lake...feast to the eyes..I didn't drink much in this fest mainly because of the fact that I need to pick my mom next day from Frankfurt...otherwise the story would have been different....:D Anybody who has spent some time in Europe...never miss Octoberfest!!

Sathish Kumar S