TV Is Cool Advertisements of new age television sets in India highlight the number of channels the box can receive. And there seem to be as many channels on air. But in Rome, the television sets (at least the ones in the Westin Excelsior Hotel) receive just 21 channels, two of them being BBC World and CNN, and four or five in Arabic and other languages of Middle East Islamic countries. But they also offer a host of utility services like interactive information databases and pay-channels, a few of them of the adult variety. In Lisbon, 45 channels are complemented by radio broadcasts and videos-on-demand. Pay-channels and the facility to use Sony's Play Station complete the picture. As for content, well, it is the usual mix of music, movies, soaps, serials, news, food, travel, education, science and nature, sports and general entertainment. Lisbon Is A Party In June A few off-work hours were available before the Indian team emplaned for the flight back home from Lisbon. With official assignments closing the night before, one wished to make the most of the time available. "What are the things that are not to be missed in Lisbon?" "Portuguese young women!" Pat came the reply from a new friend who shall remained unnamed here. (Even if you ask, I won't tell you if he is in government service or if he is with the external affairs ministry). Apparently, *it* is all legal in Portugal. All *it* takes is $ 100. Of course, the friend said it in jest. But it is a fact that tourists with time to spare do mark out a few hours to spend with local women who are said to be "friendly, well-mannered, fun-loving and safe". They are good-looking too. The locals celebrate birthdays by throwing parties at restaurants that offer a variety of live cultural programmes, dancing, ballads and typical Portuguese music. Patrons join the artistes on the dais and dance together. Impeccably dressed bearers/servers double as tenors and singers to entertain the patrons. A 12-stringed Portuguese guitar is invariably part of the instruments of the orchestra. As a local magazine put it, in June, Portugal's month for annual celebrations, Lisbon (population = three million) indeed becomes "a gigantic stage for partying, for nights awash with the aromas of roasting sardines, basil, bonfires and fireworks. The fun is all in the streets, in the 50 or more open air parties called arraiais that overflow the sidewalks in the city's old quarters, festooned with lights and packed with stalls, cafes, dancing floors, music concert arenas and sizzling barbecues." A landmark of particular interest to Indians is the Indian embassy area, where a statue of Mahatma Gandhi has been installed at a busy junction. Francisco pointed it out with pride and joy. "We love Gandhi." Why do the Portuguese love Gandhi? "Well, Gandhi is a global citizen. He gave the world the secret of joys of peace and non-violence. Portugal was under dictatorship for a very long time. So the most famous apostle of democracy and peace is a great source of inspiration for us." Portugal is also known for its numerous top quality golf courses and wine. Malls and exclusive wine stores have on their shelves a seemingly endless variety of Portuguese wine. Sintra and Cascais (pronounced Kashkaish) on the outskirts of Lisbon are two tourist destinations where fine red wine is offered as sample in tiny glasses. If one tastes, say, ten varieties in samples, that might give one a heady feeling. The lush green heights of Cascais offer a memorable multi-sensory experience: roaring skyblue waters of the Atlantic, bright sunshine, and a nippy, gusty wind full of the fragrance of damp-and-drying woods. In June and July, temperatures tend to drop suddenly after midnight for a few hours as icy winds from the Atlantic caress Lisbon. The ubiquitous red-tiled sloping house-roofs and majestic castles and spires, which offer a pretty sight as the aircraft descends in Lisbon, lend a distinct touch to the city. So do the tidy, bright Roman buggies powered by huge, well-built horses. BACK     NEXT: Namaste Pradhan Mantri-ji; Your Bharat mahaan; Vignettes of Rome; Asians Ahoy!; Life and style in Rome; Vajpayee da Gama; Dining with a VVIP's daughter-in-law; Spotlight on Portugal; The old and the beautiful Portuguese; Youth on their toes; Air-India to remain Air-India; How India will get UN Security Council seat; New Millennium, old communication methods; Modern Maharajas have the cake and eat it too; A joyous nation dives to depths of sorrow. Tell us what you think of this diary
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