One Night at Ventimiglia
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 Posted by nitesh
Surojit shares his experience
Keeping up with the snapshots from Europe, here is one of the most enlightening experiences I have ever had. It painted a very different picture of Europe, far different from the dazzling lifestyles that we are so used to hearing.
Last week was the winter break in France, and a few of us took up the opportunity to travel to a few neighboring countries. Animesh and I decided to explore Italy. So on last Tuesday night, we set off on our own 'Italian Job'. Now, all trains from France to Italy go through a small coastal town called Ventimiglia. We took a train from Nice and arrived at Ventimiglia at 12 midnight. Our connecting train to Milan was at 4:30 in the morning. So there was a long, cold wait at Milan. Little did we know how fast time would fly.
Imagine! We get off at Ventimiglia at midnight. It's freezing cold. And as we enter the station, the first thing we hear is BLARING LOUD PUNJABI MUSIC!!! I mean, this is some nondescript Italian town, far from the sunny fields of the pind. It's 12 in the night. And Punjabi music!! WOH!! We look around and find this dimunitive guy, all huddled up in his jacket, sitting in one corner of the platform, with the sweet voice of Whatever Singh emanating from his mobile phone. Believe me, when you haven't seen an Indian for a long time, iis thrilling. Shy at first, he finally came up to talk to us.
'Pakistani?' Imagine that. He thought we were Pakis. Turns out there is reason for that. Most Indians holidaying through Europe don't usually travel budget (or with atleast such low budget as us). That route is mostly traversed by Bangladeshis and Pakis, who mostly engage in manual labour.
Anyway, we got talking. This guy has had the widest experience in Europe. He's Indian, name's Jogga, and works as a house painter in Paris. Doesn't have a visa or anything. So how did he come to Europe, one might wonder. He took a plane to Cuba (with a Cuban Visa), and in the stopover at Amsterdam, he got out of the plane and came out of the airport. Of course, he promptly got arrested, and spent 2 months in jail. Then, he somehow bribed his way out and went to Paris, and started working. Now he cannot go to back to India from France (no visa!!!). So he travels frequently to Italy, where Visa processes are lax. He is trying to prove that he stays in Italy so he can get the Italian givernment to give him a Visa!!! In fact, he just got chased down by the Italian police that very evening in Ventimiglia station. He managed to give them a slip and was back at the station trying to get a ticket to Milan. Now that's called living on the edge.
And that was not all. In the course of the night we met 3 friends travelling to France (or atleast trying to). One was an Afghan, the second a Palestinian, and the third an Arab. Now all these guys were in the same state as Jogga - no passports, no papers, and not a cent in the pocket. In fact, the Italian police had given the Afghan 5 days to get out of Italy. So he is fleeing to France. Turned out the guy was an interpretor for the NATO soldiers in Afghanistan, and had managed to smuggle himself into Europe through Turkey. In true Italian style, someone conned him a 150 Euros in Udinese (in Italy). Left a bad taste (and more) in the mouth. All three were completely frustrated with Europe, and really homesick. The Palestinian guy has a French wife, but is willing to leave her and go back to his home. All 3 of them were actually hoping to get arrested so they can be deported back to their countries.
Now, here is an fun fact for you guys (since we are studying Trade). It's not very easy to get deported. It costs 6000 Euros, and you will only get sent to GUESS WHERE. Oh yes! GREECE!!! Further procedures from there on. Getting arrested is the easy part.
If you think only Asians are in a bad state, you'll be dead wrong. Even the white have their problems. There was a French guy we got talking with. Now this bloke has come from Australia, where he went to get a job. But couldn't, because of his knowledge (or the lack of it) of English. But he is a musician, and was carrying a bongo of some kind, and a long horn (which is an aboriginal instrument from Down Under). Hometown in Marseille, Antoinne (his name), was trying to hitchhike his way back home. He actually asked us if he could make some money in Nice or Cannes to get a ticket to Marseille. He had had not eaten for two days, so we offered him some biscuits we were carrying. In return, he offered us a smoke. And considering a pack of smokes here cost 4-5 Euros, that's saying something.
So you see, not all that glitters is Europe. There is the other side of the story too. And hopefully you've enjoyed reading this one.
Cheers!!!
His earlier post: It's not all fun & games at the exchange program
Keeping up with the snapshots from Europe, here is one of the most enlightening experiences I have ever had. It painted a very different picture of Europe, far different from the dazzling lifestyles that we are so used to hearing.
Last week was the winter break in France, and a few of us took up the opportunity to travel to a few neighboring countries. Animesh and I decided to explore Italy. So on last Tuesday night, we set off on our own 'Italian Job'. Now, all trains from France to Italy go through a small coastal town called Ventimiglia. We took a train from Nice and arrived at Ventimiglia at 12 midnight. Our connecting train to Milan was at 4:30 in the morning. So there was a long, cold wait at Milan. Little did we know how fast time would fly.
Imagine! We get off at Ventimiglia at midnight. It's freezing cold. And as we enter the station, the first thing we hear is BLARING LOUD PUNJABI MUSIC!!! I mean, this is some nondescript Italian town, far from the sunny fields of the pind. It's 12 in the night. And Punjabi music!! WOH!! We look around and find this dimunitive guy, all huddled up in his jacket, sitting in one corner of the platform, with the sweet voice of Whatever Singh emanating from his mobile phone. Believe me, when you haven't seen an Indian for a long time, iis thrilling. Shy at first, he finally came up to talk to us.
'Pakistani?' Imagine that. He thought we were Pakis. Turns out there is reason for that. Most Indians holidaying through Europe don't usually travel budget (or with atleast such low budget as us). That route is mostly traversed by Bangladeshis and Pakis, who mostly engage in manual labour.
Anyway, we got talking. This guy has had the widest experience in Europe. He's Indian, name's Jogga, and works as a house painter in Paris. Doesn't have a visa or anything. So how did he come to Europe, one might wonder. He took a plane to Cuba (with a Cuban Visa), and in the stopover at Amsterdam, he got out of the plane and came out of the airport. Of course, he promptly got arrested, and spent 2 months in jail. Then, he somehow bribed his way out and went to Paris, and started working. Now he cannot go to back to India from France (no visa!!!). So he travels frequently to Italy, where Visa processes are lax. He is trying to prove that he stays in Italy so he can get the Italian givernment to give him a Visa!!! In fact, he just got chased down by the Italian police that very evening in Ventimiglia station. He managed to give them a slip and was back at the station trying to get a ticket to Milan. Now that's called living on the edge.
And that was not all. In the course of the night we met 3 friends travelling to France (or atleast trying to). One was an Afghan, the second a Palestinian, and the third an Arab. Now all these guys were in the same state as Jogga - no passports, no papers, and not a cent in the pocket. In fact, the Italian police had given the Afghan 5 days to get out of Italy. So he is fleeing to France. Turned out the guy was an interpretor for the NATO soldiers in Afghanistan, and had managed to smuggle himself into Europe through Turkey. In true Italian style, someone conned him a 150 Euros in Udinese (in Italy). Left a bad taste (and more) in the mouth. All three were completely frustrated with Europe, and really homesick. The Palestinian guy has a French wife, but is willing to leave her and go back to his home. All 3 of them were actually hoping to get arrested so they can be deported back to their countries.
Now, here is an fun fact for you guys (since we are studying Trade). It's not very easy to get deported. It costs 6000 Euros, and you will only get sent to GUESS WHERE. Oh yes! GREECE!!! Further procedures from there on. Getting arrested is the easy part.
If you think only Asians are in a bad state, you'll be dead wrong. Even the white have their problems. There was a French guy we got talking with. Now this bloke has come from Australia, where he went to get a job. But couldn't, because of his knowledge (or the lack of it) of English. But he is a musician, and was carrying a bongo of some kind, and a long horn (which is an aboriginal instrument from Down Under). Hometown in Marseille, Antoinne (his name), was trying to hitchhike his way back home. He actually asked us if he could make some money in Nice or Cannes to get a ticket to Marseille. He had had not eaten for two days, so we offered him some biscuits we were carrying. In return, he offered us a smoke. And considering a pack of smokes here cost 4-5 Euros, that's saying something.
So you see, not all that glitters is Europe. There is the other side of the story too. And hopefully you've enjoyed reading this one.
Cheers!!!
His earlier post: It's not all fun & games at the exchange program
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