Mastering London!

These two days have been evenful ones - the painful part of not being able to update this blog notwithstanding....and the days have been sunny, so my all new Pringles sweater has been worn well! Please to see the pictures...wore a tie too today!

Was feeling a little lost at not being able to get my bearing right: so decided to sort that out. First things first. Started off a little early yesterday - and walked a different route. Straight down Tottenham Court Road, no short cuts. Landed up at Traffalgar, and thereon to The Strand. Far less of our office rush ( we normally walk against the crowd, emerging like rats from rat holes through the Underground tunnels - aah, the joy of walking down through central London, without a commute attached to it!) - and nice, stately buildings on the way through. Got a better perspective too - and before one knew, I was in Aldwych - and well in time for the morning seminar : that on the British Economy. Significantly more focussed, and a nice perspective of the shifting economic policies particularly of the Labour party. The exposition on the Margaret Thatcher era was lucid, and well explained - will be keen to explore that a lot more when we do research on her leadership style later in this course. Still remain zapped, as seemed the Prof, on what the economic arguments were for Britain staying away from the Euro ( though it is not an issue at the moment) apart from any nationalistic feelings.

Ah! We all became rich! The first tranche of our scholarship stipend was paid out. A princely sum of 250 pounds - and our LSE ID cards. Which meant we could spend a bit on getting our cell phones topped up, buy Oyster cards for travel and the like.....aah! the joys of studenthood.

( Incidentally, our status at LSE is interesting - we get all student benefits, but for many purposes are seen to be at the faculty / staff level too). So, got into the fixing of logistics for the Geneva/ Brussels leg of the jouney. Jessica at the STA ( a travel agency for students) was most helpful - hopefully will manage in about 15 pounds per head per night.

My academic supervisor is a Turkish lady - with a delightful accent. Had a longish chat with her, and then was free. Walked across to India House ( right across, and in the same line as Bush House/ Australia House) - Anupam was extremely hospitable, and had a tandoori murga in his wood panelled room. The building is grand - and I think reasonably smartly maintained by embassy standards.

Cold and gusty outside. Must get the overcoat soon. No point in getting caught off guard, should the weather get a lot chillier.

Chillier? How can it be ? For it turned out to a home cooked Biryani night....Tushar, our architect, turned chef for the evening, to churn out a masterpiece....all well and happyfor everyone! our sandwich resources are increasing by the day - have cling flim, a lot more veggies ( so much more expensive than the meats) and now finally some mustard and pepper. Happy times at lunch at School)!

Pace picking up- with project work commencing. Today;s seminar was an excellent one on the social scene in Britain, particularly the changing dynamics of ethnic groups. Stunned that there are just about 8% ethnic by population - though the city of London would make you feel it is 5 times as much!! Pakistani & Bangladeshi ethnic grouos are truly not too well off - the overall suspicion levels are just way too high in the society. See a lot of signs on buses calling up people to join up muslims in britain for peace etc etc. But the Underground bombings have truly shaken up the country.

And Howard ( the Course Director) held an engaging session on presentations, and follies in presentations very effectively. Time well spent.

The afternoon was sunny - and had a lovely walk along the Thames, ( the London Eye is a new addition - we go up there tomorow- is a new addition and adds a new dimension/ incongruity to the landscape) into Westminster amd the parks as I picked up the long awaited overcoat that ol' pal Saugata had thoughtfully left behing for me with his friend.

Was extremely pleased. the highpoint was walkin through St James Park, with the leaves falling off - and squirels the size of rabbits. The Mall, Pall Mall, Piccadilly - the layout is now clear. And oh, accidentally reached St Ermin's Hotel on Caxton street - where we had stayed on our visit to the city nearly a decade ago.

Another Day Dawns...

…and if it is anything like yesterday, I will be very pleased indeed. Our existence at Scala House is now taking the shape of a home base…and nothing better than the nice, big breakfast of last morning…..check this out: lady grey tea, apple juice, muesli with milk, whole grain bread, sausages and another round of tea to wash it all down. All on a nicely set breakfast table. Good start to the day.
As bright and sunny as ever – and a brisk walk brought us into LSE in no time, or so we thought. Howard, the course director, was livid! We were a full minute or two late (some of having lost our way around the LSE buildings – it was after all, only our second day here!) – and ironically the discussion was on Time Management!
Everyone played safe, and so after the break, we were in a full ten min early – and might as well, because Sir Robert Worcester (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Worcester) was there too for a seminar on “British Politics in the Global Age”. A 73 year old, he seems to be the authority on such matters like opinion polling. Interesting, but too many diversions into Trinidadian politics etc – and perhaps missed a simple overview that we all needed to understand stories from labour….
Lunch – getting smarter by the day. Food on campus is by no means cheap, and what is cheap is hardly fulfilling. The highlight of the afternoon was a session with Sir Howard Davies, the Director of LSE (http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/meetthedirector/aboutHowardDavies.htm). He was extremely upto date on a lot of matters on India, including micro details. Coming up next week, is a discussion between him and Allan Greenspan…it should be a big one.
One also had a brief interaction with Sir Nicholas Stern, ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Stern) now fresh back at the LSE, and the Academic Patron on the Gurukul programme. Again, a wonderful experience. We hope and expect to see a lot more of him soon. His essays are truly effective, and the last years lecture on the economics of climate change was a big hit.
Got a feel of what is coming up for us in the next weeks, including visits to instituitions of interest. And a formal dinner of some British – German body. Things seem structured and in place. Today, I am expected to meet my Academic supervisor. The professional Mentor next week. Next week is on The Globalising Context of Leadership...look forward in particular to Transparency International.
Sunny in the morning, rained in the evening. Got back to Scala, and then the boys stepped out to have a draft beer at a pub – and got a big kick on getting a 25% students discount on our beer. Tushar, who we have not yet introduced, is an architect who works in a specialised field of conservation & restoration. Sainsbury was tested out, as a variety for Tesco – and passed well. The evening back at Scala was important to get almost everyone together, for some riotous moments and a sing- song. Goutam’s stories of Korea and Koreans were pure masala! And the discovery that a GBP 2 bottle of wine tastes just fine made the day complete. No sign of the pakis as yet – they should be here in a day or two. The group is getting along well.
PS: A very important event. I now have, very truly, a Natwest Bank account in London. Important, because just before I went to Bangladesh, I had been sent forms for one, filled them up – till the last minute googlies happened then. But now, I do have one. And no thanks to any employer! Cheers to that.

Heathrow Express & Good Samaritans

The three of us hummed and hawed for a while about the preferred way of getting to Scala House….more for the thrill of it, and seeing the baggage we had decided to take the non stop Heathrow Express to Paddington. There was a catch – on Sundays there is a 50% discount, for a group of 4 passengers, we were just three. Accosted a Tamil couple with a child near the counter, and they were more than happy to save the pennies too. They had huge luggage – enroute the US – and we helped them with it too. Upto the lift, down the lift, through a tunnel, through turnstiles – and made it onboard the first train leaving, after some drama ( including the baby on the pram out, the Mum in the train with the doors closed) …but were at our best…and helping out well.

The journey was smooth – Mukand commenting on all railway matters, speed, quality of railway lines and before we knew we were at Paddington. But not a patch on Hong Kong’s Aiport Express. Nice, quaint station. Helped the Tam family get off, baby and six bags off. We’d enjoy Paddington more, if not for the 25 Kg carton that Mukand had ( needless to say, without wheels!). Tried extricating a trolley- couldn’t crack it. Wisdom dawned, and the Cloak room was used to dump the carton. Taxi or Tube from here? Decided on the latter – and after some more adventures, hopped on . At 4 Quid a ticket, not really cheap. Got off Euston Square, and emerged like a rat from the burrows into the Central London! Not entirely a coincidence that this was a station without escalators. The good Samaritans helped a struggling chinky lady lug up her suitcase on the steps, in addition to our own. And then started the long march.

Directions had to be sought – and the group set the ground rules. If we have to seek directions, must do it from the pleasant, stylish ladies only – and on a Sunday evening, there were a number of them around ( headed to Theatres in the are?? ). Huffed and puffed our way down Tottenham Court Road, till atlast we reached Scala House! Bliss!

Most of the girls were already in, and had set up a full fledged kitchen too in one of the flats. Goutam was my flat mate – and the neighbouring flat would go to two Pakistanis: one, a CSP officer, currently Secy to Governor of Sind, and the other an SP. They haven’y yet come, so yet to meet them.
Scala House looked neat, very functional and well appointed. Having seen a change of owners, it is in a little bit of transition. But the kitchen is cool – huge oven, dishwasher, fridge etc. Little things like Hangers missing ( and no strainers for tea – they call England a TEA drinking land ).

There is a Tesco a minute away, so khana-peena should not be a problem. It opens at SIX in the morning, would you believe that? Unpacked – a suitcase does pack in a lot! Just like being back to a hostel room. Dinner was done by the ladies – and again daal – bhaat !!! I start my cooking tomorrow, come hail or snow. Have a view of the London eye and a bit of the London skyline – including planes landing.
Had a walk around town- did not get much bearings but did figure Covent garden, China Town, Leicester Aquare, Oxford street are all a stones throw away. Remembered Leicester Square which I had visited with Richa in 1998 – and suddenly, one hears a booming voice say “Shraman, Shraman Jha- saala, yahaan aya aur bola bhi nahin… “…turned around to see none other than Dr Anupam Ray, an old diplomat friend from Dhaka! It is a small world. The India House is apparently next door to LSE so should be seeing him a fair bit and catching up.


LSE…..Jhalak Dikhla Ja….

The morning dawned. Rainy. Blustery. And very cold!! Regretted not getting a jacket/ windcheater. Goutam has been kind enough to lend me one. But nipped down to Tesco to get an umbrella first. And off to school we went – Tushar, the conservation architect, leading the pack with his directions

Brisk walk, navigating through the rain as we walked – but made it to LSE just in time. No campus as such, but a collection of buildings. A few are old, a few brand new. But they sit in well together. Howard Machin, our course director, met us at the airport and we were shepherded up some winding corridors and stairs to a wood panelled class room, with big windowns ( 6th floor) and a little balcony around it. The admin briefing followed with Joy & Ranil in attendance as well – and a look at the programme for the week. The weather we were told, would clear up by 11 – and it miraculously did! Blue skies, bright sun, brisk breeze. Could have been Darjeeling.
Lots of plans on the week. Seminars start soon. Couses to be chosen. Allan Greenspan’s lecture coming up. A big file of readings. Figuring out the huge library. Opening Bank accounts. Societies to join. A formal meeting with the LSE director ( Big Man)….and a part of the induction on Friday is a walk to Tate Modern and drinks on London Eye ( hope it is paid for by the LSE!). The Michaelmas term starts Oct 4 – so we have a little quieter time before the hoards descend. 8000 students overall – you need scale to be viable. Research needs money. Undergrad overseas students pay a lot.

We are on Staff status at the library – can borrow upto 40 books or journals at a time. Have not read so many in my whole life!

Lunch posed a dilemma – we are still getting used to the prices. Paying 60p ( student rate) for a cup of tea - or for Mulligatany soup ( sambhar masquerading as soup)….still seems criminal. Went for the toasted sandwich. Need hot food. Used the afternoon to fix up local UK mobile from a Paki shop – and realised everything should be bargained for, a minor lesson the hard way.
LSE is beautifully located. A minute from the Royal Courts of Justice, Traffalgar etc. Autumn leaves falling off. Nice.

The walk back was with the office crowd. Good that we do not need to take the Underground – it would be stifling. Lovely sunshine. Free papers being doled out. Will carry my camera now. Not to be missed photo ops.

Tesco visited. Well stocked up. A good hot dinner. Ready for Tuesday. And a hearty Breakfast.

I Eat My Words.....

The departure was smooth and not particularly eventful. The cyclonic rain not withstanding, one made it to the Calcutta airport in time. Rumjhum got up in time to see me off at the car, and was a trifle disappointed not to be able to come to the airport – but given the rain, no point in taking a chance. Richa ensured that the last of the essentials were fitted into the suitcase even as I decided on them at the last minute. At that wee hour, the International airport was teeming with passengers – and the see – off crowd. Discovered a few flights ( Thai/ Druk/ Air India ) were all delayed – so the chaos was imaginable. Nonetheless, the boarding was smooth – despite the waterfall curtain that was set up at the aircraft door. A little gap between the aerobridge and the door meant that you did not have to reach London to get wet! The captains apology was “These planes were not really meant for Calcutta weather” – Really! If we talk of rains, we talk of London….bit then that will have to wait.

Squeezed myself into the seat – the tiniest space, comparable with good ol’ F-28’s of Biman. Had to juggle a fair bit to get my laptop bag under my seat. But realised there and then that there was no way I could get it out during the flight. And then a one and a half hour delay before we left – the baggage did not match, the external power went off ( and hence the air conditioning) etc etc. Had Moin as the Bangla speaking crew – never could get to ask him if he was Zak’s cousin from Sylhet or not. The rest were a mixed bag of David Beckham’s & grumpy, stocky women. Wonder what happens when Jet/ Kingfisher really pick up with their quality of service. The inflight magazine is average, very average – but had an interesting article on British cuisine. Must ask KC to check out www.books forcooks.com.

Finally we take off – seemed smooth, only later were we to learn about how wrong we may have been! Waited anxiously for the breakfast to arrive. No mega choices here – a straight veg – non veg. The former being “alu – kobi” and announced as such. Took the latter tray with high expectations – and nearly spilt it! For the folding table was broken at the hinge. Not exactly the best maintained are we, eh? The first impact of globalisation hit me – but perhaps the picture is what you’d want to see. Amul butter, Karen Anand’s mixed fruit jam, and a local cheese – along with Priya Cream Cracker biscuits. As desi as it gets – or an acceptance of these brands reputation at the International level? A bottle of Gleneagles Scottish mineral water saved the day – but pray, why ? why not a Bisleri straight? Cheaper and as good. Was it a nationalist identity comment? No clue. The tea was however good.

Drifted off for a few hours. Dreamt of Ananya’s tip about the self service bar at the back of the plane. But did not have the heart to wake up my two neighbours to squeeze myself out. Goutam, a fellow scholar was on the aisle, and a TCS engineer on way to LA sandwiched on the middle seat. A snack service came by – “All Day Deli’, with a cold cheese bun, and some shortbread and a welcome drink of water. Nibbled and let go. Would do justice at lunch.
Figured out the bar – was nice top see miniatures still in use, and my greedy eye tried to espy the few rare ones that would be welcome in my collection. Picked up a few interesting ones too. Now comes the much awaited lunch…..looked forward to a good roast or something. The anti-climax was as sharp as it gets – veg or non veg. Both Indian style. Bhaat-Roti-Dal and a curry. With Kheer to follow. Convinced me that the Brits are 100% Indianised now. Regretted my post of the day before with my resolve to avoid the stuff.

The landing at Heathrow, in good weather was unexpectedly quick – and dramatic. For as soon as we touched down, did we see ourselves escorted by three light- flashing fire engines….something was amiss. Learnt it was something about the tyres. News from Calcutta on Monday clarified it all. ToI had reported parts of the tyre were left behind at Calcutta airport during take – off!

Heathrow 4 looks a lot more like the modern SE Asia airports than the other terminals. Immigration took surprisingly long – the difference between the 30 Sec experience in 2004 was stark. Luggage recovered, co-ordinated with Goutam( a Tata Steel man) and Mukand ( the railway man from Gauhati) to find our way into town.

LSE/ London/ UK ….here we come.

Overall: BA is a direct flight, and is quite disciplined. Other than that, nothing really to speak of. And the leg spaceis significantly less than, say a Thai or a Singapore. But a ten hour straight flight is not bad. And yes, discovered how little I know about central asia and Eastern Europe geography. Could not even recognise most of the names on the air show map. Must make a note to set that right.

About to depart...

Need to detox!!

Plans for Departure!

All set!

The last of my bhaat - dal - tarkari meals. Not going to touch the stuff ( out of choice!) till I am back on Christmas. The bags are packed. The packet of respectable teas are in.

Now, what do I have on the flight tomorrow?

And I thought I was getting away from Stress!!