New Year's Eve

I finally managed to spend my new year's eve out of home. A significant feature considering my track record in the previous years. Myself and Anish hit off on a pub at around 7.30 pm. The basic assumption was that it will be next to impossible to gain a place on such an occasion as it nears 12 and also the necessity of the fairer sex to act as a passport for entry. (my apologies to the women folk for any feeling of hurt whatsover)We felt very good to see that we were the first people in. The pride of having planned out things well was evident. At 10, it was still us with a few others. Both our assumptions were turning out to be false. The idea of disappointment may have had more to do with the second assumption turning false and this leading to the fact that the crowd would be less interesting than usual:-)

Anyway by around 10.30 we were out of Eighties and into Club 9 which was where we saw the year pass into 2004.

Another learning a few days back was that it is essential to get an yellow fever certificate to apply for an African Visa. And one of the two places, the vaccination is done is at Seaman's medical organisation at Ballard Estate. The fee is Rs 150. The surroundings are nowhere near to being called a clinic, but I suppose that is the way the programs of the WHO are run! So dont take much notice, since this is the way , millions of people have got it done and you are no exception. The reward is that of getting a certificate duly stamped and signed...You are ready for getting the visa!

I think I will devote my next blog to Steve da who retired today.