Overheard conversations

(Burial monument to Luffo Numal in a church in Ravenna)

The Goddess gave me the gift of speech, Pallus courage, Dion the smile. I'm not dead! Death becomes a wonderful life for the just.

(linguam habui charitum. cor palladis. ora diones. non perii. mors est splendida vita bonis pini num car)

(Belgian journalists comment on an opening scene from the game "Dungeon Siege", March 2002)

"He shovels, he shovels, everyone is afraid of his shovelling!"

(From Anthony & Cleopatra)

"It is reported thou didst eat strange flesh, which some did die to look upon"

(in changing rooms at Jesus Green open-air swimming pool, Summer 1998)

Boy: Brian! Brian! Brian Batichario!

Brian: Brian, that's me.

Boy: You're not Brian.

Brian: Brian Batichario. That's me.

Boy: But... you're fat!

Brian: I'm Brian Batichario.

Boy: I'm looking for a different Brian. Brian! Brian!

(in a guest house lobby in Udaipur, India, Christmas Day 1992)

"Actually, I'm thinking of changing my quarry."

(the road outside the Indian embassay in Kathmandu, December 1992)

"Let's do a Millenium Falcon."

(sign for Sorhus Leyana at Cambridge University Botanical Gardens, July 2000)

The world population of this tree in the wild may be less than ten individuals, all of which grow in Brecknock.

(from a poem by John Betcheman, I think)

Do you tickle your arse with a feather, Mr Perwick?

— What did you say, boy?

I said, "Particlarly nasty weather, don't you think?"

(a leaflet from a hotel in Varanasi, India)

Be aware of the cheaters & nasty peoples

Anything is Possible at Varanassi Rly. Station & bus. Station

Hotel Chandra offers you homely atmosphere (i.e. non disturbance, cordial reception & reconciliation at every step).

At Varanasi Station many cheaters like Rickshaw & Auto Rickshaw drivers may misguide you: e.g. Hotel is raided due to drugs, badly situated, too far from City.

Some people may say Hotel Chandra Bombed yesterday & it is closed.

Some people may say himself as manager of Hotel Chandra & it is fully occupied. Please don't trust them.

Beware of these nasty peoples. They take away the foreigners in lonely dark place & rob the goods & leave them naked.

Many Rickshaw & Auto Rickshaw drivers will not carry you to Hotel Chandra. They will deny as they don't know because they get heavy commission from other Hotels.

In any case of misguidance or being cheated from such people. Please refuse to take help of such people& believe on yourself.

Good luck. Thanks.

(a bus ticket at Varanasi bus station, India)

Please be careful for Time.

(poster in Delhi Airport buses, India)

Look under seat for bomb

then report it

get reward

earn money

(from the forums at somethingawful.com)

Once when I was rather young I had a very long dream where I fell in love and lost it. Very powerful dream, especially since I was so young and had no experience with relationships nor any desire to have any. Every few years I get the feeling that something very important happened in this dream and I can't remember what it was.

Welcome to the Indian Embassy Kathmandu Consular Section

Notice regarding consular services for foreign nationals

Working hours: 0930-1230hrs Acceptance of visa application forms from foreign nationals; 1645-1730hrs Collection of passports with visa endorsements.

Transit visa: Transit visa is given for 15 days (maximum). Applications for these are available near sentry box. Filled in forms may be tendered at Counter 'A'

Tourist visa: Clearance for tourist visas is processed at Counter 'B'. Please fill the prescribed fax/telex form carefully and hand over with a Rs. 300/- fee per application, obtain a receipt. Clearances received will be displayed outside Counter 'B' please allow a clear margin of 3-4 days for such clearances. After clearance is received, please obtain an endorsement on your telex cash receipt. Go to Counter 'A' along with filled-in application form and your passport for tendering visa fees. See visa fee schedule near Counter 'A'

All other visas go to Counter 'B' for obtaining clearances.

Note 1. All payments will be accepted in Nepali currency only. 2. Please tender exact change otherwise you could en counter delays.