The quaint Visa Officer and other trivia

Had an interview of sorts with the Visa officer at the French consulate in Mumbai. The Officer couldn't believe that two people (Vinay and me) with absolutely no French between them, except two words (Bon jour!) were going to France to learn and teach. We tried to convince him that the school we are going to was an 'international' school where English is spoken and used but he was still muttering, but you don't know my country, you simply don't know my country'. After some suspense we got the Visa. On our way out I caught the officer looking at me with a wry, knowing smile. I could almost read his mind.... These guys are going to have a pretty rough time in beautiful France... but I warned them... in french of course (Ces gars-là vont avoir un temps assez rude dans la belle France ... mais je les ai mis en garde). Thanks to Google translator.

The Eyjafjallajokull Volcano creates a buzz

It was an uncertain week for us folks who are planning to visit Europe this summer. The Iceland Volcano with an unpronounceable name, typical of North Germanic languages, made sure that every hiss, crackle and regurgitation of ash and lava it made was followed and reported by International Media. But the photographs are fantastic! Nature, red in tooth and claw! (http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/04/more_from_eyjafjallajokull.html).

The flights have resumed and I hope to fly off to Paris on the 4th of May. THe Visa is one last hassle to clear before I leave.

Invitation to be a teacher with L'Ermitage Paris

I am giving a shot at blogging. There is a necessity, I suppose because I have been invited by Chris Hunter, Director of L ' Ermitage school near Paris to be a teacher in his school for a period of 6 weeks, coming May. I thought it'll be swell to share my experiences as an Indian teacher teaching French students in Paris. I'm excited. It will be vacation time for us here in India but Ermitage works till early July.