Part 1 Memories of Journey - Paris to Rome by Road
This is about some of my memories of my romantic and pleasant road journey in Europe ...
A couple of years back I got a phone call from my daughter who was doing MBA in an internationally top ranking business school in France . She told “ Mom , both you and papa have to come here in another two weeks . “
“ But why ? “
“ I am going to get my MBA degree . My convocation is in the second week of July . Both of you are coming here , no excuse . “
“ I have only a US visa , how can I get it so soon? “
“ Just talk to your regular travel agent . It’s not a big deal “
“ OK, you hang up, let me try . “
Immediately I talked to my local travel agent . He also said “ it can be done ,it is our routine business .Leave it to us and you plan your journey and let me know dates of travel so that I can book seats for you . “
He asked me to give copy of some documents , passport and photographs . He sent his man to my house to collect these documents and in a couple of hours he was there to collect them from me . He told us “ Your Schengen visa will be ready in Delhi . My boss has asked you to collect it from Delhi . You just tell us the date of travel so that we can get your tickets . “
I just told him our travel date . And what a wonder my agent called me after ten days “ Your Schengen visa is ready at Delhi , you have to collect them from our Delhi office . I have already sent your tickets through my man . But due to shortage of time , we could not manage Swiss visa . You will miss Switzerland . “
“ No problem . Our main goal is France . “
The Schengen visa was recognised by most of European countries except Switzerland , Britain and a few more European union countries .
Immediately I called my daughter and told her our date of arrival in Paris . She was delighted . She went to Paris straight from the USA where she was working and we have not met her for the last two years . She was doing her MBA at Insead, one of the top business schools in the world . We were equally excited to visit Paris , known as the fashion capital of the world . Anyway, finally we boarded AirFrance and within nine hours we were at the Charles de Gaulle international airport in France .
I was amazed to get clearance from customs and immigration in no time . I found my daughter waiting just near the carousel to collect luggage . Soon we came out and saw her car parked just a few metres away from the exit gate . I was surprised and asked “ How could you park your car here ? It’s no parking zone . “
“ Mummy , I was late to arrive here and so I parked here . But just see the police ticket on the windshield glass . “
“ So it means , Baby you are going to be quizzed and fined by the police . “
“ No worry , mummy . I have taken this car on lease for a year . The owner will settle and hopefully he will not charge any sum from a student . “
She drove us to her apartment near her business school .A small apartment with all facilities including a balcony . I saw a big closet in the room and asked “ What’s there in the closet ? All your clothes are lying outside here and there . “
She laughed and opened the door of the closet and to my surprise it was a small kitchen inside a wardrobe having a stove and wash basin and other facilities .
Well it was the first week of July and it was very hot in France too . Convocation was scheduled the next morning in a gorgeous hall just close to the famous Chateau of Versaille , near Paris .
Next morning we were taken to the venue by a chartered bus . It was a marvellous hall almost opposite to the Chateau .We were supposed to visit there after the convocation ceremony .
It was a nice ceremony . Students from all over the world studied in Insead . Each of them came in their national dress to receive the degree . After the ceremony there was an arrangement for snacks and drinks. There we met several parents from different countries and chatted for some time with a couple of parents . Parents of one of my daughter's classmates were from the U.K. His son was associated with film directon in Hollywood . They appreciated my daughter’s achievements and were surprised how Indian woman could reach this prestigious business school although two more Indian girls were in Insead .
After that we proceeded to the Chateau . It displays the history of France including the palaces of various kings . The hall of mirrors inside the chateau is wonderful. It's a world heritage site and worth seeing .Facing the Chateau was a huge and beautiful garden which looked endless .
From there we proceeded to the famous Eiffel tower of Paris . We had to get in a very very long queue to get tickets for the lift which takes visitors up the tower. There are different rates for different levels . But the lift of the Eiffel was also unique. It doesn’t travel straight up but it travels in an inclined sloped way . It was an unforgettable scene to have a glimpse of the beautiful city of Paris . We did enjoy everything so far but of course it was too tiring . But we had to finish all these visits by today as we were leaving Paris for Italy the next day around 10 am and that too by a car .
That night we could hardly sleep . My daughter had ordered breakfast from a nearby server who frequently used to serve her lunch or dinner on off days .
Contd.
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