Tanja Falkenberg's Birthday Party

On 21 June 2006 my friend Tanja (the lovely blonde next to me) celebrated her birthday. In keeping with the omnipresent soccer/football atmosphere, she baked a "soccer" cake and offered face painting to those willing to mimic the antics of Putty, the ultimate fan on the American television comedy series "Seinfeld". Along with a very pretty and special little guest at Tanja's party, I also decided to show some German spirit....why not...this soccer fever is contagious! This is definitely one of those occasions on which the proverbial expression 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do' rings true.

Soccer Sunday in WM 2006 Country

On Sunday, 18 June 2006, three of us went to see the large viewing screen erected in Frankfurt for the World Cup Soccer 2006 Event. Larry, Uwe and I enjoyed the ferris wheel ride - here is a photo of Larry and I eagerly awaiting the next available carriage:


Perhaps the most exciting and interesting part of this 2006 World Cup is the spirit of the soccer (or football, as most people in the world term it) fans.



















The Germans have done a splendid job with the entire organization of the event. A double-faced screen is in the middle of the Main in Frankfurt, close to the Römer and Eisener Steg, to enable all to enjoy the soccer/football matches.

Arabian Fantasy Night in Bad Nauheim, Hessen, Germany on 03 June 2006

My lovely friend Asra has a very special and unique ability - she does henna body painting. As most already know, the World Cup Soccer matches for 2006 are being played in various cities in Germany. In order to celebrate the participation of the Saudi Arabian soccer team in Germany, the members of which happened to be staying in a hotel in Bad Nauheim, a special event was held. The theme was Arabian Fantasy and my friend Asra contributed her outstanding work with henna. Attached are some photographs, one of Asra and me, and the others of Asra's amazing creativity.

On this evening Asra decorated 80 hands in total, one of them being mine.













Indians and Arabic-speaking peoples tend to use henna painting for very significant celebrations. One must wait for the henna to dry, apply a coating of sugar mixed with lemon water and then wait until the henna has dried completely to the point of falling off by itself. The remaining design lasts approximately two to four weeks, depending upon the individual's skin.