Monday, December 7, 2009
Looking professional has its ups
Awww the picture I'm using for my company's internal CV. It beats the busted picture downstairs security has of me. Perhaps I'll even get picked on a project or two. Also, perhaps I should make a greater effort to be more groomed...okay okay....
Getting Old: Part II
I think I have too many white hairs to do anything about them at this point. I think I'm going to have to embrace them or go bald by plucking them out. It's bad that it's fun to examine them up close (which one can only do by taking them out). Mine are half colored, half clear/white. Sometimes they are all gold tinted, clearer that not. Ehh? At least they are 'unique'. I guess I'm not going white, I'm going clear.
My eyes have adjusted to their new state. They no longer hurt or go blurry; they have settled into their worsened condition nicely. One day I'll actually make a doctor's appointment. Yay legitimate health insurance.
Ironic...
My eyes have adjusted to their new state. They no longer hurt or go blurry; they have settled into their worsened condition nicely. One day I'll actually make a doctor's appointment. Yay legitimate health insurance.
Ironic...
Louisville, the 16th largest city in the USA, home of Muhammad Ali
I hear all about Louisville's attributes, touted by the mayor on motion sensor as I make my way out of the Louisville Airport. I must say, I can believe that Louisville is the home of Muhammad Ali, or Cassius Clay, but the 16th largest state in the United States. I wonder where all the people have gone, or how far the city limits extend. Downtown is quite small from my perspective, and food options are limited.
In all fairness, I suppose my view of Louisville is quite narrow, seeing as I live two blocks away from the office. Within those two blocks is a Starbucks, Wolfgang Express, and a not so good too hip, I'm trying too hard, fusion restaurant. If anyone ever gushes over the sushi in Louisville, that person has obviously not tried sushi anywhere else in the United States.
Besides the politeness of the South, and the fantastic ribs (find Smokey Bones, it's damn worth it), I've yet to really discover what makes Louisville Louisville. I know it's hiding somewhere, and I'm excited to see what I can see. Moreover, I'm planning some fantastic spring trips with a colleague that promises to take me to the South's finest cities. I'm eager to see more of the United States and that's the great thing about my job, it affords me the chance to do just that.
Along with the proximity to the South, Kentucky also boasts some impressive cave formations and wilderness. A mini weekend trek anybody? I suppose I should save my hotel points for my anticipated trip to Japan (anticipated meaning gradually formulated in my head). If only if only...
In all fairness, I suppose my view of Louisville is quite narrow, seeing as I live two blocks away from the office. Within those two blocks is a Starbucks, Wolfgang Express, and a not so good too hip, I'm trying too hard, fusion restaurant. If anyone ever gushes over the sushi in Louisville, that person has obviously not tried sushi anywhere else in the United States.
Besides the politeness of the South, and the fantastic ribs (find Smokey Bones, it's damn worth it), I've yet to really discover what makes Louisville Louisville. I know it's hiding somewhere, and I'm excited to see what I can see. Moreover, I'm planning some fantastic spring trips with a colleague that promises to take me to the South's finest cities. I'm eager to see more of the United States and that's the great thing about my job, it affords me the chance to do just that.
Along with the proximity to the South, Kentucky also boasts some impressive cave formations and wilderness. A mini weekend trek anybody? I suppose I should save my hotel points for my anticipated trip to Japan (anticipated meaning gradually formulated in my head). If only if only...
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Inside the Vagabond's First Aid Kit
Band-Aids: These babies are top priority, not only do they fit nicely around pinky toes for the pair of shoes that pinch, they can also go around bloody finger nails that crack after hitting airplanes. They can also go around said finger nails as to not get caught in hair, thus preventing further bloodiness.
White ice pack decorated with blue stars: I didn't even know these gems still existed. It looks like an inverted shower cap with a screw lid on top. Make sure you get one that does leak. Very useful on a rainy day whilst wearing leather soled shoes. Slippage is a definite danger. Apply to hip bone and elbow. Sue if you must, but at the very least get a free salad.
Nail clippers: Sometimes the TSA steals nail scissors, so bring these as an alternative. Very useful for the multiple nails that break on tables and chairs, computers and beds.
Ointment to sooth burns: When making white bean soup for roommate on a late Sunday evening, watch out for flying soup. It will burn skin and leave ugly red welts.
Sunscreen: Who knew that Miami sun was so strong. To avoid unslightly bra strap tan lines while eating lunch in the sun, apply generously.
White ice pack decorated with blue stars: I didn't even know these gems still existed. It looks like an inverted shower cap with a screw lid on top. Make sure you get one that does leak. Very useful on a rainy day whilst wearing leather soled shoes. Slippage is a definite danger. Apply to hip bone and elbow. Sue if you must, but at the very least get a free salad.
Nail clippers: Sometimes the TSA steals nail scissors, so bring these as an alternative. Very useful for the multiple nails that break on tables and chairs, computers and beds.
Ointment to sooth burns: When making white bean soup for roommate on a late Sunday evening, watch out for flying soup. It will burn skin and leave ugly red welts.
Sunscreen: Who knew that Miami sun was so strong. To avoid unslightly bra strap tan lines while eating lunch in the sun, apply generously.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Consultant Speak
If I thought I would improve my vocabulary, grammar and all around speaking capabilities as a Corporate Vagabond, I thought wrong.
The English language is expanding by leaps and bounds thanks to my fellow consultanty colleagues. And perhaps not for the better. It's a curious thing how corporate language develops. Who decides to create phrases that describe something oh so perfectly in a nonsensical manner?
So far I'm resisting...resisting the metaphors, the words, the grammar -- Everything! But we'll see how long until I say things like:
- "We have to compare apples to apples" (why not oranges, watermelons? puppies?)
- "I will have more bandwidth on Friday, let's meet then" (Do I look like an wireless internet connection? Oh if I were only that cool).
- "I'll be out of pocket all next week" (I'll I want to know is what does being 'in pocket' entail?)
- "To your point" (To my point what? What is the point of my point?)
- "As you were speaking to in our last meeting" (I was speaking to you and you and you. That's WHO I was speaking to)
- "I need you to create a deck by Monday" (This deck is not made out of wood and extends off the back of your house, if you needed clarification).
And today there was something about a right hand speaking to the left hand. I'm going to leave that one alone.
The English language is expanding by leaps and bounds thanks to my fellow consultanty colleagues. And perhaps not for the better. It's a curious thing how corporate language develops. Who decides to create phrases that describe something oh so perfectly in a nonsensical manner?
So far I'm resisting...resisting the metaphors, the words, the grammar -- Everything! But we'll see how long until I say things like:
- "We have to compare apples to apples" (why not oranges, watermelons? puppies?)
- "I will have more bandwidth on Friday, let's meet then" (Do I look like an wireless internet connection? Oh if I were only that cool).
- "I'll be out of pocket all next week" (I'll I want to know is what does being 'in pocket' entail?)
- "To your point" (To my point what? What is the point of my point?)
- "As you were speaking to in our last meeting" (I was speaking to you and you and you. That's WHO I was speaking to)
- "I need you to create a deck by Monday" (This deck is not made out of wood and extends off the back of your house, if you needed clarification).
And today there was something about a right hand speaking to the left hand. I'm going to leave that one alone.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
When Any News is Bad News
Now that I actually have access to a TV, I'm finally getting a bit more news coverage (also my worldliness is being broadened by rfi.fr), but it's nothing good let me tell you. Besides the death and destruction taking place in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, the Middle East, Asia, African, everywhere, the United States is chock full of home grown, corn fed raised violence.
First of all, why would a 15 year old girl want to kill her little sister's nine year old playmate? Really though? Was is to satisfy some gruesome urge, some uncontrollable, overwhelming desire, bloodthirst lust. I don't know, but I for one never had fantasies of killing little girls when I was 15. Hopefully, no one who is reading this had either, or else I must say that I'm going to have to re-evaluate our friendship.
Most close to home. A school in my school district, a neighboring school, a school against which we'd play high school basketball is in the news these days, for not the happiest of reasons. During the homecoming dance, a fifteen year old girl gets drunk in the parking lot with a whole bunch of guys just haning around and at least four of them decide to gang rape her, out in the open, additionally with 'foreign objects', while all the other guys (reports say fifteen - twenty) laughing, jeering and taking pictures. It only stops, when word got around the grapevine that this was happening, and someone who actually had a conscience, someone who is a respectable citizen of this country called the police.
What the fuck! I wonder what goes through the heads of these guys while they are either participating in this despicable act or allowing it to go on. Fuck mob syndrom. There is something fundamentally wrong with their value systems.
Anyway, there goes my rant for the day.
P.S - sorry friends, but if any of you participate in the aforementioned acts, let me make myself very clear. We are not friends. In fact, I'll call the police on your ass and you will go to prison for a very long time, sharing a cell with Wicked Willy or Big Bertha (I'm very gender equal with my rants aren't I now). This means you! =D
First of all, why would a 15 year old girl want to kill her little sister's nine year old playmate? Really though? Was is to satisfy some gruesome urge, some uncontrollable, overwhelming desire, bloodthirst lust. I don't know, but I for one never had fantasies of killing little girls when I was 15. Hopefully, no one who is reading this had either, or else I must say that I'm going to have to re-evaluate our friendship.
Most close to home. A school in my school district, a neighboring school, a school against which we'd play high school basketball is in the news these days, for not the happiest of reasons. During the homecoming dance, a fifteen year old girl gets drunk in the parking lot with a whole bunch of guys just haning around and at least four of them decide to gang rape her, out in the open, additionally with 'foreign objects', while all the other guys (reports say fifteen - twenty) laughing, jeering and taking pictures. It only stops, when word got around the grapevine that this was happening, and someone who actually had a conscience, someone who is a respectable citizen of this country called the police.
What the fuck! I wonder what goes through the heads of these guys while they are either participating in this despicable act or allowing it to go on. Fuck mob syndrom. There is something fundamentally wrong with their value systems.
Anyway, there goes my rant for the day.
P.S - sorry friends, but if any of you participate in the aforementioned acts, let me make myself very clear. We are not friends. In fact, I'll call the police on your ass and you will go to prison for a very long time, sharing a cell with Wicked Willy or Big Bertha (I'm very gender equal with my rants aren't I now). This means you! =D
The Consultant Regime
Humph, well let me say that there is none, as of yet.
Every week, I bring my exercise shoes (that I've used about 6 times since 2005 when I bought them. Also they are white, pink, gray and extremely ugly, but that's another story all together). And every week, they stay put in the Forever 21 bag in my carry on.
I bring my bikini, in hopes of using either the inside Family pool or outside Tranquility pool, but can't seem to get myself out of my room past 7pm, after coming in from a day of work with my take out.
And you know what I notice, I do exercise in New York, just by going up and down and all around the subway and the city (OMG FREAKING BABY BE QUIET! BEEEEEEEE QUIEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTT). And I walk really really really fast. Laugh if you want, but it makes a huge difference. And it's almost painful for me to walk so slowy. Painful I tell you!!! I don't know how slow walkers bear it!
So instead, I do absolutely nothing, but eat eat eat. Being that I'm California, fortunately, I have quite a few choices of cuisine. Sadly, I'm no longer eating a ton of Japanese food, but I get by nicely on fruit fruit fruit, soup, salad, sandwiches, fruit fruit fruit. I eat two fruit salads a day at least, and sometimes a third for dessert. How spoiled I am! Sometimes, however I wish I could have a half bag of edamame, tofu, a bit of pineapple, some sauteed corn, and a papadam or two for dinner. You know, something completely random, but oh so perfectly satisfying my food cravings. Alas!
So what does this corporate vagabond do? Walk to the bathroom a lot (because no one can fault you for using the restroom)...hey what can I say, I drink a lot of liquids. Plus it's a great way to give your eyes a rest from the computer screen. Walk to and from various parking garages and non descript buildings.
But I promise: I shall check out more of the hotel's facilities next week...my last week in sunny LA.
Every week, I bring my exercise shoes (that I've used about 6 times since 2005 when I bought them. Also they are white, pink, gray and extremely ugly, but that's another story all together). And every week, they stay put in the Forever 21 bag in my carry on.
I bring my bikini, in hopes of using either the inside Family pool or outside Tranquility pool, but can't seem to get myself out of my room past 7pm, after coming in from a day of work with my take out.
And you know what I notice, I do exercise in New York, just by going up and down and all around the subway and the city (OMG FREAKING BABY BE QUIET! BEEEEEEEE QUIEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTT). And I walk really really really fast. Laugh if you want, but it makes a huge difference. And it's almost painful for me to walk so slowy. Painful I tell you!!! I don't know how slow walkers bear it!
So instead, I do absolutely nothing, but eat eat eat. Being that I'm California, fortunately, I have quite a few choices of cuisine. Sadly, I'm no longer eating a ton of Japanese food, but I get by nicely on fruit fruit fruit, soup, salad, sandwiches, fruit fruit fruit. I eat two fruit salads a day at least, and sometimes a third for dessert. How spoiled I am! Sometimes, however I wish I could have a half bag of edamame, tofu, a bit of pineapple, some sauteed corn, and a papadam or two for dinner. You know, something completely random, but oh so perfectly satisfying my food cravings. Alas!
So what does this corporate vagabond do? Walk to the bathroom a lot (because no one can fault you for using the restroom)...hey what can I say, I drink a lot of liquids. Plus it's a great way to give your eyes a rest from the computer screen. Walk to and from various parking garages and non descript buildings.
But I promise: I shall check out more of the hotel's facilities next week...my last week in sunny LA.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Getting Old
Okay, so one side-effect of the corporate world I'm not at all prepared to handle is all the grey hair I'm getting! Actually they are more silvery-clear, but STILL! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Actually, I shouldn't necessarily blame my poor innocent job, it may have been the traveling this summer. But what I do attribute to the job is my failing eye sight. It's getting really bad! I suppose that's why they include vision in the health plan. Did I mention that I have a health plan? YES
By the way, a few more trips and I'll have earned myself a free International Flight!!! YES!!! The question is, where to go? Some peeps are going to Iceland to trek. Now that's an awesome idea! But it's in the middle of the summer, during which the aurora borealis in not at its best, or so I was told by my space science major friend. Perhaps Japan if my Japan 2010 family trip happens. But you know what I'm thinking: India, subsahara Africa, or Asia (in general). And I mean vagabonding around kind of trip, even though it will only be for a few paltry weeks. Who's with me?? I heard there's a cool mountain in Malaysia. Or Patagonia in Argentina (oh yeah forgot about South America) and a bay in Chile chock full of hump back whales!. Maybe actually get out to the dessert in Africa. Or certification in scuba diving. So many choices, so little time!
I better get on with Rosetta Stone!
By the way, a few more trips and I'll have earned myself a free International Flight!!! YES!!! The question is, where to go? Some peeps are going to Iceland to trek. Now that's an awesome idea! But it's in the middle of the summer, during which the aurora borealis in not at its best, or so I was told by my space science major friend. Perhaps Japan if my Japan 2010 family trip happens. But you know what I'm thinking: India, subsahara Africa, or Asia (in general). And I mean vagabonding around kind of trip, even though it will only be for a few paltry weeks. Who's with me?? I heard there's a cool mountain in Malaysia. Or Patagonia in Argentina (oh yeah forgot about South America) and a bay in Chile chock full of hump back whales!. Maybe actually get out to the dessert in Africa. Or certification in scuba diving. So many choices, so little time!
I better get on with Rosetta Stone!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Hotel Amenities
The hotel I called my home for the past three weeks on and off had magical powers. Supernatural powers. I forgot toothpaste, what's the first thing I see as I step into my bathroom? A dental kit. Along with a comb, manicure set (YES! With nail scissors that don't get taken by airport security), Scope, and deodorant. Ladies' deodorant. How did they know???????? How did they know?
The next week, not only do I get the above mentioned goodies, welcoming me to my bathroom, but I also get a tampon! A tampon?? Again how did they know!? The next evening, I get chocolates welcoming me back to my room. Okay okay, the hotel's pschyic powers were having an off day, as it was not my anniversary, as was written on the chocolate heart, but I'll let that slide.
This week's bathroom gift, the same + ultra thin pads plus a barber's comb along with the regular sized comb. Hilarious. I didn't use half goodies, but nevertheless it was fun to be pampered.
Side note: I'm now obsessed with slippers and bathrobes. Who knew that they're so comfy.
Side side note: Hotel, if you're going to provide L'Occitane products, they will be taken for my next business trip! The soap smells delicious, the shampoo actually suds! The bath gel I can do with out, but mmmm soap! One thing you're missing is face wash by the way!
Creepy Hotel Tip: if you're wondering if anyone or thing is spying on your through your hotel mirror, here's a trick. Place your finger on the mirror, if your finger's reflection doesn't touch your finger, it's just a mirror, if your finger touches, it's a one way mirror, and some creepy man is watching you while you undress and sleep.
The next week, not only do I get the above mentioned goodies, welcoming me to my bathroom, but I also get a tampon! A tampon?? Again how did they know!? The next evening, I get chocolates welcoming me back to my room. Okay okay, the hotel's pschyic powers were having an off day, as it was not my anniversary, as was written on the chocolate heart, but I'll let that slide.
This week's bathroom gift, the same + ultra thin pads plus a barber's comb along with the regular sized comb. Hilarious. I didn't use half goodies, but nevertheless it was fun to be pampered.
Side note: I'm now obsessed with slippers and bathrobes. Who knew that they're so comfy.
Side side note: Hotel, if you're going to provide L'Occitane products, they will be taken for my next business trip! The soap smells delicious, the shampoo actually suds! The bath gel I can do with out, but mmmm soap! One thing you're missing is face wash by the way!
Creepy Hotel Tip: if you're wondering if anyone or thing is spying on your through your hotel mirror, here's a trick. Place your finger on the mirror, if your finger's reflection doesn't touch your finger, it's just a mirror, if your finger touches, it's a one way mirror, and some creepy man is watching you while you undress and sleep.
A Vagabond Weekend in Los Angeles
After two weeks in LA, I actually managed to explore LA proper…kind of…but seeing as LA is a urban sprawl, what is proper? What is downtown? Where do the suburbs start? Where do they end? These are the real questions in life.
Thursday
Tito’s Tacos! Guacamole, salsa, enchiladas, tamales, burritos, chips! Enough said! (oh yeah…never did eat a taco…)
Friday
Note to self: Don’t sync your phone to your computer that’s still on EST time, your phone will change times, and you will wake up at 7am EST for your 7am Pacific Time meeting. Yes people, that’s 4am in the morning. No wonder no one else was on the call! After the false start, I managed to re-wake up on time and make the meeting. Then it was off to Circa 55 (retro décor fitting for 1955) in the Hilton for LA’s Restaurant Week. The apps were simple, but had some clean, complementary tastes. Nice mozzarella, good ham, miniscule pieces of artichoke heart (slightly tasteless, sorry Circa). My goat cheese and sundried tomato ravioli weirdly fell apart, the pasta being too dry. The cream sauce was choking and the sautéed mushrooms were decent. The panna cotta was tasty if a bit too sweet, and although cute, the dried fruit and nut tart was just plain odd.
For dinner, I met up with Sai and her fiancé Azan, and we headed to Culver City for Korean food at Gi____. DELICIOUS! Ventilation was built into the bbq grill! Lots of kimchi, pickled cucumbers, salad, veggies! Scrumptiously seasoned beef and chicken. And lots of it. YUUUM! And the most un-cumin-y cumin pear bread pudding. Ehh?
Saturday
I drove in LA. Yes I, Kiyomi Laura Hayashida drove in LA. Scary thought huh? Actually I’m a great driver, although all too slow and cautious for Amy’s LA standards. I can’t help it. I don’t like the idea of driving through the city streets at 50mph, fifteen miles over the speed limit. No thank you.
Where did this driving take me? Well to the Annenberg Space for Photography, which as a cool albeit small photographic journalism exhibit. What was the most amazing experience though was the parking garage. I couldn’t find where I was supposed to park, so I parked a few LOOONG blocks away and then walk (unheard of!) to the building. I couldn’t figure out how to get to it, since I was on the side street, so I went into the parking garage (that’s where I was supposed to park) and tried to find my way up. It was eerie. Desolate, unmanned cars, dark corners, garage noises. This structure was immense. I got completely lost in the story after story of parking garage. I wish I had busted out my camera to document my experience. After actually making it up to the photo space and then amazingly finding my way back to Amy in a very roundabout, lost way, I picked up Amy, and we took off to 3rd Street promenade. Who knew that California’s sales tax is almost 10%?? I didn’t. Sorry, CA, I’m going to spend my money in NY!
Dinner was at a Peruvian Chinese place that serves horchata! The fried calamari, shrimp, fish platter with sautéed purple onions and lemon was amazing, and the chicken, veggie, fries dish wasn’t half bad. Better than most of what I ate in Peru (sorry Peru). But then again Peru had the most amazing street meet and potato on a stick and 15 cent tamales! How can you go wrong with that.
Sunday
OOPS! We woke up around noon and caught a bus to the Getty Center, which is perch up on a hill, overlooking LA. Currently on exhibit is Irving Penn’s Small Trades, Penn who incidentally passed away a few weeks ago. These photos were all about capturing the characters of these Parisian, Londoner, New Yorker workers. Clothes define a man, but a man is a man dressed or undressed.
Dinner with my cousin at Hide (that is Hee-De (long e, short e, not hide and seek)). We sat at the sushi bar and had our own personal chef for the meal. I discovered the wonders of Uni, creamy, buttery, melt in your mouth uni. Think salmon and avocado in one!!! The giant clam was pretty damn good too.
I have to say, I forgot how good the food is in California. Especially the Mexican and Japanese and Asian food. Damn. So good.
Thursday
Tito’s Tacos! Guacamole, salsa, enchiladas, tamales, burritos, chips! Enough said! (oh yeah…never did eat a taco…)
Friday
Note to self: Don’t sync your phone to your computer that’s still on EST time, your phone will change times, and you will wake up at 7am EST for your 7am Pacific Time meeting. Yes people, that’s 4am in the morning. No wonder no one else was on the call! After the false start, I managed to re-wake up on time and make the meeting. Then it was off to Circa 55 (retro décor fitting for 1955) in the Hilton for LA’s Restaurant Week. The apps were simple, but had some clean, complementary tastes. Nice mozzarella, good ham, miniscule pieces of artichoke heart (slightly tasteless, sorry Circa). My goat cheese and sundried tomato ravioli weirdly fell apart, the pasta being too dry. The cream sauce was choking and the sautéed mushrooms were decent. The panna cotta was tasty if a bit too sweet, and although cute, the dried fruit and nut tart was just plain odd.
For dinner, I met up with Sai and her fiancé Azan, and we headed to Culver City for Korean food at Gi____. DELICIOUS! Ventilation was built into the bbq grill! Lots of kimchi, pickled cucumbers, salad, veggies! Scrumptiously seasoned beef and chicken. And lots of it. YUUUM! And the most un-cumin-y cumin pear bread pudding. Ehh?
Saturday
I drove in LA. Yes I, Kiyomi Laura Hayashida drove in LA. Scary thought huh? Actually I’m a great driver, although all too slow and cautious for Amy’s LA standards. I can’t help it. I don’t like the idea of driving through the city streets at 50mph, fifteen miles over the speed limit. No thank you.
Where did this driving take me? Well to the Annenberg Space for Photography, which as a cool albeit small photographic journalism exhibit. What was the most amazing experience though was the parking garage. I couldn’t find where I was supposed to park, so I parked a few LOOONG blocks away and then walk (unheard of!) to the building. I couldn’t figure out how to get to it, since I was on the side street, so I went into the parking garage (that’s where I was supposed to park) and tried to find my way up. It was eerie. Desolate, unmanned cars, dark corners, garage noises. This structure was immense. I got completely lost in the story after story of parking garage. I wish I had busted out my camera to document my experience. After actually making it up to the photo space and then amazingly finding my way back to Amy in a very roundabout, lost way, I picked up Amy, and we took off to 3rd Street promenade. Who knew that California’s sales tax is almost 10%?? I didn’t. Sorry, CA, I’m going to spend my money in NY!
Dinner was at a Peruvian Chinese place that serves horchata! The fried calamari, shrimp, fish platter with sautéed purple onions and lemon was amazing, and the chicken, veggie, fries dish wasn’t half bad. Better than most of what I ate in Peru (sorry Peru). But then again Peru had the most amazing street meet and potato on a stick and 15 cent tamales! How can you go wrong with that.
Sunday
OOPS! We woke up around noon and caught a bus to the Getty Center, which is perch up on a hill, overlooking LA. Currently on exhibit is Irving Penn’s Small Trades, Penn who incidentally passed away a few weeks ago. These photos were all about capturing the characters of these Parisian, Londoner, New Yorker workers. Clothes define a man, but a man is a man dressed or undressed.
Dinner with my cousin at Hide (that is Hee-De (long e, short e, not hide and seek)). We sat at the sushi bar and had our own personal chef for the meal. I discovered the wonders of Uni, creamy, buttery, melt in your mouth uni. Think salmon and avocado in one!!! The giant clam was pretty damn good too.
I have to say, I forgot how good the food is in California. Especially the Mexican and Japanese and Asian food. Damn. So good.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
A Vagabond Weekend in the Bay Area
Two weekends ago, I flew up to the Motherland--El Cerrito, CA. Okay okay, I flew into SFO and crashed with my friend Maya in North Beach (the vagabond thing to do), and then headed to the East Bay to see my family.
Thursday
After a quick hour flight, I landed in SFO, caught a cab with a crazy driver, and found my way to Beach Blanket Babylon Ave (aka Green Street). After sipping on an Italian soda at The Cigar Bar & Grill, which incidently didn't seem to have cigars. The pizza smelled good, but I was saving my stomach for dinner with Maya.
Mistake. I guess we didn't think it through when we decided to go for Mexican food in North Beach, but it was nasty. Naaasty, and not in the good (?) way. On the plus side, on the way to the 'restaurant', we passed Al's Attire, the amazingly awesome place where I got my black and cream striped coat. And NOW THEY MAKE SHOES!!! After taking the long way back to Maya's apartment, through the shadowed streets on North Beach, we popped in a movie, and I passed out in a matter of minutes.
Friday
Waking up early to head to the SF Office, I realized that I left my suit and linen and silk skirt in the HOTEL CLOSET! OOPS! But a croissant aux amandes at La Boulange perked me right up for my 1.3 mile walk. Lunch at Cafe Madeleine (watery cesar salad), more work, and then I headed to the Sunset with my parents and Maya in tow for Eritrean/Ethiopian food at the New Eritrea Restaurant & Bar. The food was not on par with the Ethiopean restos in DC, but it did the job. Then off the El Cerrito.
Saturday
Waking up early for work definitely has rubbed off on my weekend. I woke up before 9 (on a Saturday!). I drove (on the Freeway! which was congested and sloooow going) to Emeryville to check out an exhibit of local artists. A berry shake with an old friend in Berkeley, and then over the bridge again to play poker in SF.
I WON $14!! Not bad for a $10 pot =D I love poker. Sigh I friendly poker games, burgers, potato chips, fun!
Sunday
Slow day, a big Chinese Sunday dinner. MMM
The Cigar Bar & Grill
850 Montgomery Street
(at Gold St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 398-0850
http://www.yelp.com/biz_redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cigarbarandgrill.com&src_bizid=8rwcx4ZwW_tEj4onnXnEiw&cachebuster=1255495540
Al’s Attire
1314 Grant Ave
(between Green St & Vallejo St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 693-9900
http://www.yelp.com/biz_redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alsattire.com&src_bizid=BTX6qIRXyT1JVym6t-v_pw&cachebuster=1255496004
Café Madeline
300 California St
(between Battery St & Sansome St)
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 362-3332
http://www.yelp.com/biz_redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cafemadeleinesf.com&src_bizid=SOZuFpNqQTD5XprPD5XeVw&cachebuster=1255496222
New Eritrea Restaurant & Bar
907 Irving St
(between 10th Ave & 11th Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 681-1288
http://www.neweritrearestaurant.blogspot./com
Thursday
After a quick hour flight, I landed in SFO, caught a cab with a crazy driver, and found my way to Beach Blanket Babylon Ave (aka Green Street). After sipping on an Italian soda at The Cigar Bar & Grill, which incidently didn't seem to have cigars. The pizza smelled good, but I was saving my stomach for dinner with Maya.
Mistake. I guess we didn't think it through when we decided to go for Mexican food in North Beach, but it was nasty. Naaasty, and not in the good (?) way. On the plus side, on the way to the 'restaurant', we passed Al's Attire, the amazingly awesome place where I got my black and cream striped coat. And NOW THEY MAKE SHOES!!! After taking the long way back to Maya's apartment, through the shadowed streets on North Beach, we popped in a movie, and I passed out in a matter of minutes.
Friday
Waking up early to head to the SF Office, I realized that I left my suit and linen and silk skirt in the HOTEL CLOSET! OOPS! But a croissant aux amandes at La Boulange perked me right up for my 1.3 mile walk. Lunch at Cafe Madeleine (watery cesar salad), more work, and then I headed to the Sunset with my parents and Maya in tow for Eritrean/Ethiopian food at the New Eritrea Restaurant & Bar. The food was not on par with the Ethiopean restos in DC, but it did the job. Then off the El Cerrito.
Saturday
Waking up early for work definitely has rubbed off on my weekend. I woke up before 9 (on a Saturday!). I drove (on the Freeway! which was congested and sloooow going) to Emeryville to check out an exhibit of local artists. A berry shake with an old friend in Berkeley, and then over the bridge again to play poker in SF.
I WON $14!! Not bad for a $10 pot =D I love poker. Sigh I friendly poker games, burgers, potato chips, fun!
Sunday
Slow day, a big Chinese Sunday dinner. MMM
The Cigar Bar & Grill
850 Montgomery Street
(at Gold St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 398-0850
http://www.yelp.com/biz_redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cigarbarandgrill.com&src_bizid=8rwcx4ZwW_tEj4onnXnEiw&cachebuster=1255495540
Al’s Attire
1314 Grant Ave
(between Green St & Vallejo St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 693-9900
http://www.yelp.com/biz_redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alsattire.com&src_bizid=BTX6qIRXyT1JVym6t-v_pw&cachebuster=1255496004
Café Madeline
300 California St
(between Battery St & Sansome St)
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 362-3332
http://www.yelp.com/biz_redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cafemadeleinesf.com&src_bizid=SOZuFpNqQTD5XprPD5XeVw&cachebuster=1255496222
New Eritrea Restaurant & Bar
907 Irving St
(between 10th Ave & 11th Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 681-1288
http://www.neweritrearestaurant.blogspot./com
Monday, October 5, 2009
Rub a dub dub, Kiyomi in the tub
Well if the Red Sea can be considered a tub. Perhaps perhaps. I just received this picture from a German guy I met on a diving trip in the Red Sea.
Diving!!!
Golden California
Who knew I would end up in California? I sure didn't! The weather is absolutely gorgeous, by the way, just to make you (readers) jealous. Especially in L.A. It's actually hot. Sunny. Hot. Ugh hot! Woohoo hot! Really though, I forgot how nice L.A.'s weather is all year round. This doesn't mean that I would ever want to live there for an exended period of time, but three weeks is fun. And working in L.A. has meant coming up to El Cerrito to see the family homestead. I must say, changes have taken place: a new area rug, taller trees, a backyard garden, and the clubhouse is being moved. This clubhouse is a 4.5 foot x 4.5 foot little house that my dad, Scott, and I built when I was about five. Perhaps 'built' and five year old really should be 'paint' and five year old, but you get the picture. I can't believe that it's lasted so long, and now it's getting a new home in the corner of our yard. It's my dad's passive agressive way to tell our backdoor neighbors to trim back their creeping vine plant.
Every time I go back to El Cerrito, I bring back another treasure back to New York. Previous treasures found is my key charm that I've worn around my neck for the past month (replacing my poor robot, whose chain is still broken). I thought about bringing my two braids of hair back, just to freak people out, but I've got something better: a pair of my Grandma Furukawa's day gloves from the 50s or 60s. Ah those were more dignified days, pre-public crotch showing (public not pubic people. Get your minds out of the gutter). They are a dark blue, with scallop detailing. So pretty.
If anyone is keeping track, I'll be in L.A. these next two weeks and flying back to New York on the 15th. Don't know where I'll be the week after that, but my goal for the next six months is to become billable and to do fantastic jobs on all my projects! Attainable goals I believe, so all is great in the world.
As for the other part of my life (the 1 1/2 - 2 days that I'm actually in New York and not working, those being two conditions), I've decided to fill my free time with creative projects: learning how to fashion draw, sew, art, photography, helping a certain someone with photo shoots, long walks on the beach, sunsets, and violin music following my every step. That should balance out the corporate-ness nicely. I'm also determined to read more news, novels, economics, business, and photography books, so I actually know why things work, how things work, or don't work, whatever may be the case. Perhaps I should also read a book on grammar and how not to write a run on sentence. Oh and I should add French to that list. Eeks, I'm giving myself a lot of flack for saying that I know 'fluent' French, when it's disintegrating into nothingness. I also want to learn Japanese from my roommate, Hindi from my co-worker and Arabic from Rosetta Stone. I suppose this is all rather ambitious. I guess I need to stop watching so much HGTV (which is preparing me to buy My First Property) and get down to business.
Ah gotta wake up in four hours and hop on a plane at 7am. And the week begins.
Every time I go back to El Cerrito, I bring back another treasure back to New York. Previous treasures found is my key charm that I've worn around my neck for the past month (replacing my poor robot, whose chain is still broken). I thought about bringing my two braids of hair back, just to freak people out, but I've got something better: a pair of my Grandma Furukawa's day gloves from the 50s or 60s. Ah those were more dignified days, pre-public crotch showing (public not pubic people. Get your minds out of the gutter). They are a dark blue, with scallop detailing. So pretty.
If anyone is keeping track, I'll be in L.A. these next two weeks and flying back to New York on the 15th. Don't know where I'll be the week after that, but my goal for the next six months is to become billable and to do fantastic jobs on all my projects! Attainable goals I believe, so all is great in the world.
As for the other part of my life (the 1 1/2 - 2 days that I'm actually in New York and not working, those being two conditions), I've decided to fill my free time with creative projects: learning how to fashion draw, sew, art, photography, helping a certain someone with photo shoots, long walks on the beach, sunsets, and violin music following my every step. That should balance out the corporate-ness nicely. I'm also determined to read more news, novels, economics, business, and photography books, so I actually know why things work, how things work, or don't work, whatever may be the case. Perhaps I should also read a book on grammar and how not to write a run on sentence. Oh and I should add French to that list. Eeks, I'm giving myself a lot of flack for saying that I know 'fluent' French, when it's disintegrating into nothingness. I also want to learn Japanese from my roommate, Hindi from my co-worker and Arabic from Rosetta Stone. I suppose this is all rather ambitious. I guess I need to stop watching so much HGTV (which is preparing me to buy My First Property) and get down to business.
Ah gotta wake up in four hours and hop on a plane at 7am. And the week begins.
Dos and Don'ts of Corporate Travel Primping
Do bring nail polish remover in convenient <3 oz. bottles (even though it's flammable, I got it onboard in my carry-on luggage. Lucky? or stealthy?).
Don't layer on your nail polish on so thick, that it takes over an hour to scrub off with aforementioned nail polish remover, also taking the first two layers of skin off your finger tips.
Don't forget essentials like toothpaste and razors.
Do get a dental kit, shaving kit, comb, deodorant, manicure set welcoming you to your hotel bathroom.
Do press your clothes with the iron and board in your hotel closet.
Don't forget your suit and skirt in said closet.
Do pad around in slippers and a robe in the morning.
Don't pad around so much that you forget to dry your hair before going to work.
Don't layer on your nail polish on so thick, that it takes over an hour to scrub off with aforementioned nail polish remover, also taking the first two layers of skin off your finger tips.
Don't forget essentials like toothpaste and razors.
Do get a dental kit, shaving kit, comb, deodorant, manicure set welcoming you to your hotel bathroom.
Do press your clothes with the iron and board in your hotel closet.
Don't forget your suit and skirt in said closet.
Do pad around in slippers and a robe in the morning.
Don't pad around so much that you forget to dry your hair before going to work.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Pre-Corporate Vagabond Days
Humph, I can't post more than five pictures at a time apparently.
Sooo, more pictures of Roosevelt Island. These are more pensive. Think gloomy storm clouds and killing puppies. Japanese horror and red corn syrup.
Reality: Sunny spring day, thistles in my pants, awesome building in the background (sadly full of construction guys, so I couldn't take pictures in it)
Bane and Harley Quin
Sooo, more pictures of Roosevelt Island. These are more pensive. Think gloomy storm clouds and killing puppies. Japanese horror and red corn syrup.
Reality: Sunny spring day, thistles in my pants, awesome building in the background (sadly full of construction guys, so I couldn't take pictures in it)
Do you know why I make such a kick-ass babysitter, not only do I pillow fight, I also make awesome Batman & Co. masks out of construction paper. Now there's a quality babysitter if there ever was one. (Yes my head is really that big)
Bane and Harley QuinPre-Corporate Vagabond Days
Ever wonder what this vagabond does during her spare time when she is neither vagabonding nor corporating herself?
Jumping of course!!
Balance Beam 
Long Jump
Amazing Left Handed Lay Up
Roosevelt Island
Jumping of course!!
Central Park Summer Olympics
Balance Beam Long Jump 
Amazing Left Handed Lay UpRoosevelt Island
I just rediscovered this pictures from the spring/summer. I mean I had to fill my days with something productive riiiiight??
The two bottom pictures are from Roosevelt Island, a little slice of land between Manhattan and Queens. Take the gondola across the East River to the island with a swipe of your metro card! It's that easy. Also explored on that fateful April day: Woodside for corn fungus tacos, Coney Island, and the corporate world (I got my job offer that day, grabbed Mai, jumped up and down twice and verbally accepted it on the spot).
The two bottom pictures are from Roosevelt Island, a little slice of land between Manhattan and Queens. Take the gondola across the East River to the island with a swipe of your metro card! It's that easy. Also explored on that fateful April day: Woodside for corn fungus tacos, Coney Island, and the corporate world (I got my job offer that day, grabbed Mai, jumped up and down twice and verbally accepted it on the spot).
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
All American USA Americana Waves of Golden Grain Sunshine and Butterflies
These past few weeks, four to be exact, I faced the unknown: The Midwest of the United States of America.
I have to say; although I didn't get much of a chance to explore Chicago, the minute part of the city I did see was great. The immense expanse of lake along the east coast of the city. The mini beach, the jerk chicken wings at Calypso Cafe. Awesomely spicy green papaya and chicken salads at the BYOB Thai restaurant in Wicker Park, amazing sunrises over the lake, the Art Institute. Ahh the Art Institute. Take my heart. Siiigh.
Most of the time, however, I was in a conference room. Ah, thus is corporate life. But you know what...I was learning something, about which I'm happy. I was forced to recall economic facts, to dig deep in my econometric memories, did I really do fixed effects regressions or was I dreaming about that ridiculous 36 hours in the library trying to finish that project. UGH. My old, graying gray cells really took a beating, but a loving beating. Beat me back into decent shape.
And you know what pictorial evidence I've taken away from all this, the structured and chaotic patterns of Chicago's man-made and naturally created limitations or limitlessness, boundaries, er hm...
The Countrified Countrrific Midwestland:
You know what Sunbury, Ohio has, lots of sunshine and open skies, bbqs and ribs, community activities, firepits and vegetable gardens, magical white rabbits, wildflowers, sunsets and sunrises (that I didn't once see. It was vacation, what can I say). Not a bad introduction to the country. A nice respite from the corporate-y corporate world. Although, I do have to say that my semi-corporately clothes were worn there too. In fact, most of my clothes probably got thought up in Ohio, Columbus being the second biggest city for retail corporate headquarters.
My vacation was more fries with horseradish sauce and blue cheese than laptops and cubicals.
I have to say; although I didn't get much of a chance to explore Chicago, the minute part of the city I did see was great. The immense expanse of lake along the east coast of the city. The mini beach, the jerk chicken wings at Calypso Cafe. Awesomely spicy green papaya and chicken salads at the BYOB Thai restaurant in Wicker Park, amazing sunrises over the lake, the Art Institute. Ahh the Art Institute. Take my heart. Siiigh.
Most of the time, however, I was in a conference room. Ah, thus is corporate life. But you know what...I was learning something, about which I'm happy. I was forced to recall economic facts, to dig deep in my econometric memories, did I really do fixed effects regressions or was I dreaming about that ridiculous 36 hours in the library trying to finish that project. UGH. My old, graying gray cells really took a beating, but a loving beating. Beat me back into decent shape.
And you know what pictorial evidence I've taken away from all this, the structured and chaotic patterns of Chicago's man-made and naturally created limitations or limitlessness, boundaries, er hm...
The Countrified Countrrific Midwestland:
You know what Sunbury, Ohio has, lots of sunshine and open skies, bbqs and ribs, community activities, firepits and vegetable gardens, magical white rabbits, wildflowers, sunsets and sunrises (that I didn't once see. It was vacation, what can I say). Not a bad introduction to the country. A nice respite from the corporate-y corporate world. Although, I do have to say that my semi-corporately clothes were worn there too. In fact, most of my clothes probably got thought up in Ohio, Columbus being the second biggest city for retail corporate headquarters.
My vacation was more fries with horseradish sauce and blue cheese than laptops and cubicals.
Dos and Don'ts
Do buy wrinkle resistant clothes.
Don't buy the cheapest iron in Kmart that inevitably will live you rumpled.
Do keep an extra tie in the office (guys) which is versatile to wear with any colored suit/shirt. You will eventually drop something on your tie (if lucky).
Don't wear ugly ties. It's like painting a large ugly, colorful arrow to your groin. Unpleasentness...
Do have at least six work outfits. Drycleaning/laundry will be forgotten.
Don't wait until you have thirty pounds of laudry stuffed in your closet. It gets terrifying.
Do have a talented fashion student roommate that can hem pants and even better make suits.
Don't try to cut your bangs at home right before an important engagement (like I've ever done that)
Do buy clothes that are comfortable. You may be wearing them for 18+ hours.
Don't keep eating the free snacks. Your comfortable clothes will soon become uncomfortable
Don't buy the cheapest iron in Kmart that inevitably will live you rumpled.
Do keep an extra tie in the office (guys) which is versatile to wear with any colored suit/shirt. You will eventually drop something on your tie (if lucky).
Don't wear ugly ties. It's like painting a large ugly, colorful arrow to your groin. Unpleasentness...
Do have at least six work outfits. Drycleaning/laundry will be forgotten.
Don't wait until you have thirty pounds of laudry stuffed in your closet. It gets terrifying.
Do have a talented fashion student roommate that can hem pants and even better make suits.
Don't try to cut your bangs at home right before an important engagement (like I've ever done that)
Do buy clothes that are comfortable. You may be wearing them for 18+ hours.
Don't keep eating the free snacks. Your comfortable clothes will soon become uncomfortable
The Dos and Don'ts of Corporate Dress
So I decided to repost my do's and don't's of dressing for success in a corporate setting here, since, let's be honest, I will in no way keep up two blogs. I hardly do one (which I hope to remedy in the near future and beyond)
See below if you need to dress for success!
Do dress for success.
Don't leave clothes shopping until AFTER taking a 45 day vacation.
Do carry Band-Aids at all time for the inevitable uncomfy shoes and random ridiculous popped blood blisters.
Don't get mosquito bites on parts of your body that you will have to show in the office during summer.
Do wear stylish, low heeled shoes that can be used for walking to the snack room seven times a day.
Don't wear shoes that 'fart'.
Do buy blazers and pant/skirt suits of various non-descript colors/styles so they can be potentially worn more than one time a week.
Don't wear yourself ragged shopping in the middle of the summer to the point of heat exhaustion.
Do bring a dainty hankerchief (is that really how you spell that?) to wipe the persperation from your brow before going into the office.
Don't try to see if you stepped on the back of your pant's leg while balancing on one heel in the elevator.
Do hang up wrinkle-able clothes.
Don't leave them in a heap until your room looks like my room.
Mind you. These are basic essentials. More to come later.
See below if you need to dress for success!
Do dress for success.
Don't leave clothes shopping until AFTER taking a 45 day vacation.
Do carry Band-Aids at all time for the inevitable uncomfy shoes and random ridiculous popped blood blisters.
Don't get mosquito bites on parts of your body that you will have to show in the office during summer.
Do wear stylish, low heeled shoes that can be used for walking to the snack room seven times a day.
Don't wear shoes that 'fart'.
Do buy blazers and pant/skirt suits of various non-descript colors/styles so they can be potentially worn more than one time a week.
Don't wear yourself ragged shopping in the middle of the summer to the point of heat exhaustion.
Do bring a dainty hankerchief (is that really how you spell that?) to wipe the persperation from your brow before going into the office.
Don't try to see if you stepped on the back of your pant's leg while balancing on one heel in the elevator.
Do hang up wrinkle-able clothes.
Don't leave them in a heap until your room looks like my room.
Mind you. These are basic essentials. More to come later.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
In the air and on the ground
One last thing. So my airport/plane experience Friday was ridiculous in so many ways.
First, security was 'tight' because it was September 11th. I say this will just the tiniest amount of annoyance, since I don't quite believe that 'we're' so much safer because airport security actually follows every single regulation to the 't' for one full day and fussily say that 'you can't do that, it's regulation' when passengers do something they're able to do the 364 other days of the year. Really though? Wow, I feel a lot safer.
I suppose there is a reason why articles cannot go on laptops through security. It's not like one can see through shoes to inspect a laptop in anyway as it goes through the xray machine. But hey, the make airport security approved laptop bags. TSA approved laptop bags for the low price of $249 I bet. Bringing on a structured, rolling garment bag as a carry on isn't approved by the TSA so cannot be brought aboard on September 11th, even though it's be okayed the previous 10 times and is smaller in dimensions than what is posted online, AA. And Miss Ticket Taker, even if you have a stressful day because flights in NY have been canceled or delayed, no need to be snippy with my, because I'll cut you down if need be (and that goes for you Mr. Taxi Driver. Don't try to rip me off. You will lose).
But hey, I love flying, even if there are no more honey roasted peanuts. I got a full can of seltzer water on the flight and had a two hour conversation witha neuro-surgeon who works a block away from my Chicago home (The W) at North Western and whose Australian wife (we talked about Australian, standards of living, and traveling, so yes, that qualifier is relevant) is something something at Memorial Sloan-Kettering (where my brother's gf works. We'll she's on the corporate side in a non corporate-y job. Yay for her). Our conversation spanned from annoying airline personnel to reward programs to politics to health reform to wars to my family history to traveling to commuting to everything under the sun.
Oh and if one of you needs to have elective surgery, opt for a robot...that is, if you ever need a hysterectomy (which I just googled and girls, you don't want one if it can be avoided), just pay the extra dough and have them use the robot arm. It will hurt less and allow you to heal faster. That was my medical fun fact for that day. All the while my friend, Brenna, glimpsed back from time to time, amazed that I was still talking to the stranger doctor man besides me, thanking all things yoga that she wasn't sitting next to her (actually, I put that yoga bit in just for you Brenna if you ever read this. Yes, I sure did).
The tail end of my trip was magical in that 'did that really happen or did I fall down a rabbit hole' moment. Brenna's and my baggage was some of the first to pop out on the baggage claim conveyor belt, and the huge line for taxis were avoided because our other colleague Yuqiao had arrived on a flight 15 minutes earlier and was fifth in line. While sorting out a ride back to our respective homes, I hear an 'oh my gosh' and who could it be but one of the guys who interviewed the same day as me in Chicago that nippy April day. He had just come back from his training in India and Texas.
Randomly, ridiculously amazing. Flying is.
First, security was 'tight' because it was September 11th. I say this will just the tiniest amount of annoyance, since I don't quite believe that 'we're' so much safer because airport security actually follows every single regulation to the 't' for one full day and fussily say that 'you can't do that, it's regulation' when passengers do something they're able to do the 364 other days of the year. Really though? Wow, I feel a lot safer.
I suppose there is a reason why articles cannot go on laptops through security. It's not like one can see through shoes to inspect a laptop in anyway as it goes through the xray machine. But hey, the make airport security approved laptop bags. TSA approved laptop bags for the low price of $249 I bet. Bringing on a structured, rolling garment bag as a carry on isn't approved by the TSA so cannot be brought aboard on September 11th, even though it's be okayed the previous 10 times and is smaller in dimensions than what is posted online, AA. And Miss Ticket Taker, even if you have a stressful day because flights in NY have been canceled or delayed, no need to be snippy with my, because I'll cut you down if need be (and that goes for you Mr. Taxi Driver. Don't try to rip me off. You will lose).
But hey, I love flying, even if there are no more honey roasted peanuts. I got a full can of seltzer water on the flight and had a two hour conversation witha neuro-surgeon who works a block away from my Chicago home (The W) at North Western and whose Australian wife (we talked about Australian, standards of living, and traveling, so yes, that qualifier is relevant) is something something at Memorial Sloan-Kettering (where my brother's gf works. We'll she's on the corporate side in a non corporate-y job. Yay for her). Our conversation spanned from annoying airline personnel to reward programs to politics to health reform to wars to my family history to traveling to commuting to everything under the sun.
Oh and if one of you needs to have elective surgery, opt for a robot...that is, if you ever need a hysterectomy (which I just googled and girls, you don't want one if it can be avoided), just pay the extra dough and have them use the robot arm. It will hurt less and allow you to heal faster. That was my medical fun fact for that day. All the while my friend, Brenna, glimpsed back from time to time, amazed that I was still talking to the stranger doctor man besides me, thanking all things yoga that she wasn't sitting next to her (actually, I put that yoga bit in just for you Brenna if you ever read this. Yes, I sure did).
The tail end of my trip was magical in that 'did that really happen or did I fall down a rabbit hole' moment. Brenna's and my baggage was some of the first to pop out on the baggage claim conveyor belt, and the huge line for taxis were avoided because our other colleague Yuqiao had arrived on a flight 15 minutes earlier and was fifth in line. While sorting out a ride back to our respective homes, I hear an 'oh my gosh' and who could it be but one of the guys who interviewed the same day as me in Chicago that nippy April day. He had just come back from his training in India and Texas.
Randomly, ridiculously amazing. Flying is.
The Vagabond's Roots
Okay to my real post:
I have roots! Or at least I've just learned a little more about my family history. I actually now know the names of my great grandparents on my dad's mom's side: the REAL Japanese in my family.
Introducing g-grandpa Suyekichi (or Sayekichi but there are more Suyekichis on my google search) and g-grandma Tone Narita, b. 1878, 1888 and d. 1931, 1936.
What's cool about my grandma's family is that the husband of her older sister actually took on the family name Narita since there were no boys to carry on the name into the next generation. Ironically, my great Auntie Nei-san (I believe 94 or 95 years old now) bore all girls so the name never made it to my generation.
Also now known in my grandma's work history from 1956-1967 and beyond. After retiring, she continued to work as a dental assistant until 1971 is appears. She herself told me that she never got a degree in it, just on the job training. And she went back to work after retiring, because she was bored not working. I don't know if I've ever met a person with more energy and a better work ethic than my grandma.
And for all of you who complain about taxes: in Nov. 1967 $280 got taxed $117. Ouch. Or perhaps it's the other way...after taxes $280 became $117, but I can't quite believe that.
Okay my brain hurts from fatigue. Gotta wake up semi early to repack (err I didn't really unpack but you know...) and clean and see some friends!!
I have roots! Or at least I've just learned a little more about my family history. I actually now know the names of my great grandparents on my dad's mom's side: the REAL Japanese in my family.
Introducing g-grandpa Suyekichi (or Sayekichi but there are more Suyekichis on my google search) and g-grandma Tone Narita, b. 1878, 1888 and d. 1931, 1936.
What's cool about my grandma's family is that the husband of her older sister actually took on the family name Narita since there were no boys to carry on the name into the next generation. Ironically, my great Auntie Nei-san (I believe 94 or 95 years old now) bore all girls so the name never made it to my generation.
Also now known in my grandma's work history from 1956-1967 and beyond. After retiring, she continued to work as a dental assistant until 1971 is appears. She herself told me that she never got a degree in it, just on the job training. And she went back to work after retiring, because she was bored not working. I don't know if I've ever met a person with more energy and a better work ethic than my grandma.
And for all of you who complain about taxes: in Nov. 1967 $280 got taxed $117. Ouch. Or perhaps it's the other way...after taxes $280 became $117, but I can't quite believe that.
Okay my brain hurts from fatigue. Gotta wake up semi early to repack (err I didn't really unpack but you know...) and clean and see some friends!!
First Last Day of Turkey
Here's a video of the last day in Turkey with Mai. I qualify this statement because I had a second last day between Egypt and Bulgaria, during which I ate my sis tavuk and Mado bal ice cream. YUMMMM
More videos to be uploaded shortly =D
Sunday, September 6, 2009
The Real World
It's strange that in the Real World, one never has time to do all the little mundane things that makes life real. Like laundry. Cleaning, doing the dishes, cutting nails (although that one is the fault of TSA and airport rules)...sigh, I can now understand the allure of one day dry cleaning and laundry services.
I shall resist however and lug my laundry the 2 1/2 block to my 24 hour laundromat. Actually there is one 1 1/2 blocks. Now that I'm in the real world, I may need that extra 60 seconds of my life.
Another thing: I would never have guessed that Internet would fall to the sidelines, but The Job has taken its place in my heart. No more frivolous webs earches. Err I suppose I'm still on gmail as much as I can though. Although *GASP* I don't actually respond to emails in a timely manner. That means that I don't instantly respond to emails anymore. And then things pile up and get lost in the bottomless inbox of doom. So don't be offended. You're not special, meaning that you're not especially being ignored. I'm ignoring everyone at the same level.
Hmm I just realized that I'm using my work computer to write this, and thus, my work IT department is probably reading my every word, most likely before I even write it down. Creepily brilliant those IT people. They can rebuild your computer in a jiffy if ever coffee is spilled on the keyboard (I'm not talking about myself, since I don't really drink coffee now do I). But what can one do but use the business computer for personal use, when one is traveling and traveling and traveling. Answer: eeePC. SIGH. I will get one, some day. Actually I just learned that some have hard drives now and are still about 2.5 pounds. I wonder how hot they get. I heard that they still remain relatively cool, since it's a different kind of hard drive blah blah blah. Who knows though.
Gotta say, I'm happy to have a computer that still has juice after an hour. A computer that doesn't go crazy when I try to use the touch pad. A computer with a video camera (so let's video chat one day, even though it's super awkward). However, you'd think that a Data Analyst would at least get a top refurbished computer that doesn't have crazy quirks to it. Imagine lossing a project worth of data or worse! I guess that's why I'm supposed to back up everything!
Speaking of work, why is work so great? Even with the long hours, the people are great, and the work is proving to be interesting, even though perhaps training is going way to quick to soak up everything. And the amount of PowerPoint presentations. WOW. One up/down is all the going out to eat. If nothing else, at least I have the opportunity to eat at a few Chicago restaurants (near The Loop) in not actually seeing Chicago (especially in the daylight).
At least the whole bedbug scare was apparently a false alarm (mosquitos on the windowsill of a room on the 10th floor). And I would have thought that if anything that would have occurred in some sketchy hostel this summer.
Anyway, I am tiiiirreeedddd and sometime tomorrow I need to practice for a presentation that my group and I are doing in front of management. These people must be impressed, so we're going to do our best to give them what they want, seeing as they are investing a lot of time and money training us newbies for this job!
I'll be in new your on the 11th, and then one more week in Chicago after that weekend...then it's the Unknown. I wish I knew where I'm going to be placed. Send me overseas I say!!
Oh so on the homefront, I have a new roommate. She's Japanese. So perhaps in another year I'll have all Japanese roommates again!! HAHAHAHA
Anyway, time for bed. Tomorrow I'm back to Chicago
Oh, I'm in Sunbury, Ohio with Brandie at the moment!
I shall resist however and lug my laundry the 2 1/2 block to my 24 hour laundromat. Actually there is one 1 1/2 blocks. Now that I'm in the real world, I may need that extra 60 seconds of my life.
Another thing: I would never have guessed that Internet would fall to the sidelines, but The Job has taken its place in my heart. No more frivolous webs earches. Err I suppose I'm still on gmail as much as I can though. Although *GASP* I don't actually respond to emails in a timely manner. That means that I don't instantly respond to emails anymore. And then things pile up and get lost in the bottomless inbox of doom. So don't be offended. You're not special, meaning that you're not especially being ignored. I'm ignoring everyone at the same level.
Hmm I just realized that I'm using my work computer to write this, and thus, my work IT department is probably reading my every word, most likely before I even write it down. Creepily brilliant those IT people. They can rebuild your computer in a jiffy if ever coffee is spilled on the keyboard (I'm not talking about myself, since I don't really drink coffee now do I). But what can one do but use the business computer for personal use, when one is traveling and traveling and traveling. Answer: eeePC. SIGH. I will get one, some day. Actually I just learned that some have hard drives now and are still about 2.5 pounds. I wonder how hot they get. I heard that they still remain relatively cool, since it's a different kind of hard drive blah blah blah. Who knows though.
Gotta say, I'm happy to have a computer that still has juice after an hour. A computer that doesn't go crazy when I try to use the touch pad. A computer with a video camera (so let's video chat one day, even though it's super awkward). However, you'd think that a Data Analyst would at least get a top refurbished computer that doesn't have crazy quirks to it. Imagine lossing a project worth of data or worse! I guess that's why I'm supposed to back up everything!
Speaking of work, why is work so great? Even with the long hours, the people are great, and the work is proving to be interesting, even though perhaps training is going way to quick to soak up everything. And the amount of PowerPoint presentations. WOW. One up/down is all the going out to eat. If nothing else, at least I have the opportunity to eat at a few Chicago restaurants (near The Loop) in not actually seeing Chicago (especially in the daylight).
At least the whole bedbug scare was apparently a false alarm (mosquitos on the windowsill of a room on the 10th floor). And I would have thought that if anything that would have occurred in some sketchy hostel this summer.
Anyway, I am tiiiirreeedddd and sometime tomorrow I need to practice for a presentation that my group and I are doing in front of management. These people must be impressed, so we're going to do our best to give them what they want, seeing as they are investing a lot of time and money training us newbies for this job!
I'll be in new your on the 11th, and then one more week in Chicago after that weekend...then it's the Unknown. I wish I knew where I'm going to be placed. Send me overseas I say!!
Oh so on the homefront, I have a new roommate. She's Japanese. So perhaps in another year I'll have all Japanese roommates again!! HAHAHAHA
Anyway, time for bed. Tomorrow I'm back to Chicago
Oh, I'm in Sunbury, Ohio with Brandie at the moment!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Uh oh
I just took Alia's advice: Vagabondtakesoncorporate.blogspot.com
I should really just consolidate into one...whatcha think?
I should really just consolidate into one...whatcha think?
Corporate Life
So I'm finally getting into the swing of things back here in New York. My first full week of work was quite an introduction to corporate life--business formal five days a week, computer, policies, working the Internet, the intranet, free snacks. Did I mention dress code is business formal five days a week? Kiyomi in business formal? Well considering that I've lived in cutoffs, men's button down shirts, and skimpy dresses for the past two years of my life, let's just say that my wardrobe needs a facelift (and I still need to scrub the remaining Egyptian dirt off my body). I kind of look corporate. I really try sometimes. Ah well.
And before I can even say a proper 'hello' to NY, I'm off to Chicago on Sunday to start my intense training, where I'll become a data analyst extraordinaire! Excel, Access, VBA, SQL PSHAWWWW piece of cake, cheeeeesecake, mmmmm cheesecake. If only. Actually, geeky enough, I'm really looking forward to training. It's going to be character building to put it lightly. And who doesn't need a bit of that now and again.
What's even more, I'm getting a new roommate! And my apartment has magically cleaned itself (minus my oh so awful room). Kitchen is scrubbed. Bathroom is amazing. I've never seen it so clean. And there is semi-fluffy toiletpaper too! I think I could stay here awhile, with the addition of one or ten more fans for my room.
My friend, Alia, suggested that I should start a 'Kiyomi fashion' blog, meaning take pictures of myself in whatever I wear....hmm I don't know about that, but perhaps it'll provide my viewership (all four of you, ohhh unlucky number, three of you) some entertainment. Shall I call it "Kiyomi takes on Corporate". Maybe, maybe. Stay tuned...
And before I can even say a proper 'hello' to NY, I'm off to Chicago on Sunday to start my intense training, where I'll become a data analyst extraordinaire! Excel, Access, VBA, SQL PSHAWWWW piece of cake, cheeeeesecake, mmmmm cheesecake. If only. Actually, geeky enough, I'm really looking forward to training. It's going to be character building to put it lightly. And who doesn't need a bit of that now and again.
What's even more, I'm getting a new roommate! And my apartment has magically cleaned itself (minus my oh so awful room). Kitchen is scrubbed. Bathroom is amazing. I've never seen it so clean. And there is semi-fluffy toiletpaper too! I think I could stay here awhile, with the addition of one or ten more fans for my room.
My friend, Alia, suggested that I should start a 'Kiyomi fashion' blog, meaning take pictures of myself in whatever I wear....hmm I don't know about that, but perhaps it'll provide my viewership (all four of you, ohhh unlucky number, three of you) some entertainment. Shall I call it "Kiyomi takes on Corporate". Maybe, maybe. Stay tuned...
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Transportation
A vagabond of the world has to learn to sleep under duress, under any conditions imaginable, and I, for one, have mastered the talent after multiple overnight bus, train, and ferry rides. As an added bonus, I've had to endure sitting and sleeping on the ground of a bus, train, and ferry (which has made me slightly bitter towards the Egyptian transit system and their tourist regulations).
But then again, you make for hilarious entertainment for the locals, and what stories! Plus, sitting on the floor with fellow travelers become very good bonding experiences. It tests the limits of German men and reveals the social taboo of an Egyptian male stranger sitting next to a woman. Locals rise to the challenge and help clueless tourists who don't speak the native language and tea is bought in return for a few sheets of Muji paper ripped out to save the pants (and probably to prevent the multiple diseases otherwise contracted) of an Egyptian man.
Sleeper cars are a luxury, even when sharing it with five other people, for it allows a weary vagabond to sleep horizontally. The fresh linens were also a bonus. Even better, is when the you have the compartment all to yourself, even taking into account stuck doors and sketchy Bulgarian train ticket collectors.
The one thing about sleeping on the ground in a ferry, besides the carpeted ground being super hard, is that the lights are constantly hard.
But thus is an essential part of being a backpacker, a traveler on a budget, eager to experience a different type of vacation, a vagabond in the truest sense.
Hurghada to Aswan Bus
Luxor to Cairo Train: Part I
Luxor to Cairo Train II
Sofia to Belgrade (errr turn your head to the left)
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Ciao London!
Ah London. So perhaps I need to spend more time on you, developing our relationship. Even if you did sprinkle a little yesterday. It's forgiven. You're not a bad place in which to walk around and explore. And the pies...mmmm the savory pies and mash and very Brittish pubs. You sure know how to have a good time, even without blaring music!! It's amazing!
The minutes are counting down to the time where I'll heave my 14.7 kilo backpack on my poor curved shoulders, take a quick stop at Tesco to get some airplane goodies, and say by to London and Europe and the Near East. Bye kebabs! Bye foul and falafel! Bye blackberries! Bye gelato! Bye bruschetta! Bye pastys!!
And hello Iceland! I think it's ridiculous that I get entrance and exit stamps everytime I have a layover in Iceland. One day perhaps I'll even leave the airport!
Hmmm I guess I should go!
The minutes are counting down to the time where I'll heave my 14.7 kilo backpack on my poor curved shoulders, take a quick stop at Tesco to get some airplane goodies, and say by to London and Europe and the Near East. Bye kebabs! Bye foul and falafel! Bye blackberries! Bye gelato! Bye bruschetta! Bye pastys!!
And hello Iceland! I think it's ridiculous that I get entrance and exit stamps everytime I have a layover in Iceland. One day perhaps I'll even leave the airport!
Hmmm I guess I should go!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
I love you, NYT!
New York Times, you've done it again. You've given a great review of a hidden gem of Rome. While Friday was spent seeing the Vatican, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, Roman Forum, and basically all the other monuments in the center of town, yesterday was spent leisurely walking about, in search of a good meal (which is extremely difficult in Rome. It's tooooo touristy).
In Trastevere, a hip neighborhood below the river, I found Da I Due Ciccioni (Vicolo del Cedra, 3), which as NYT explains is a illegal restaurant operating out of the ground floor of a non-marked building. No signs, no nothing. I was fortunate enough to pass by when the owners and friends were having a lunch (they are open only during dinner) and after asking about the restaurant, Selvage and Gianni (spelling anyone? The woman's name in English is Salvage! Too cool). sat me down and gave me a huge bowl of pasta and some white wine (this after already eating a so-so terrina). I chatted up Janna and Claudio (a German/Italian couple-like thing) and after eating we went to a beautiful hotel in the area to have a coffee, agreeing to go back to the restaurant for dinner.
Dinner comes and I experienced gastronomic bliss on the windy street outside the restaurant. The best bruschetta, flavorful beans and mashed potatoes infused with tomato, onions, and garlic, served of course with house wine. Then carbonara, cheese and pepper, and tomato and cheese pasta came out in steaming heaps, followed closely by rosemary chicken on salad. There was no dessert, instead limoncello and grappa was served--all you or I could drink.
Next door, the local soccer club provided us with musical entertainment, strumming out tunes on guitars and singing Italian favorites. After the restaurant closed, the two owners, the couple and Flamma (err Flame in Italian...too cool!!) and I (with the dog Aldo, who is the cutest thing of all! An Irish terrier...so cute!) piled into a car and drove to a outdoor bar, a local hotspot, next to a gorgeous fountain and overlooking all of Rome.
More wine and savory treats followed and also a couple fight, which lead my crashing at Selvage's apartment nearby (it was beautiful!).
After an early morning Nescafe with milk (I didn't know that Nescafe dissolves in cold liquid!), I headed back to my old hostel, which is a ways out of the city. Chatted with my roommates who had a wild night doing a pubcrawl, and a wilder time trying to get back to the hostel, and a jetted to my new hostel. Now, I'm heading over to the restaurant again to eat lunch, take an after lunch walk around town, and try to get more recipes out of Selvage!
In Trastevere, a hip neighborhood below the river, I found Da I Due Ciccioni (Vicolo del Cedra, 3), which as NYT explains is a illegal restaurant operating out of the ground floor of a non-marked building. No signs, no nothing. I was fortunate enough to pass by when the owners and friends were having a lunch (they are open only during dinner) and after asking about the restaurant, Selvage and Gianni (spelling anyone? The woman's name in English is Salvage! Too cool). sat me down and gave me a huge bowl of pasta and some white wine (this after already eating a so-so terrina). I chatted up Janna and Claudio (a German/Italian couple-like thing) and after eating we went to a beautiful hotel in the area to have a coffee, agreeing to go back to the restaurant for dinner.
Dinner comes and I experienced gastronomic bliss on the windy street outside the restaurant. The best bruschetta, flavorful beans and mashed potatoes infused with tomato, onions, and garlic, served of course with house wine. Then carbonara, cheese and pepper, and tomato and cheese pasta came out in steaming heaps, followed closely by rosemary chicken on salad. There was no dessert, instead limoncello and grappa was served--all you or I could drink.
Next door, the local soccer club provided us with musical entertainment, strumming out tunes on guitars and singing Italian favorites. After the restaurant closed, the two owners, the couple and Flamma (err Flame in Italian...too cool!!) and I (with the dog Aldo, who is the cutest thing of all! An Irish terrier...so cute!) piled into a car and drove to a outdoor bar, a local hotspot, next to a gorgeous fountain and overlooking all of Rome.
More wine and savory treats followed and also a couple fight, which lead my crashing at Selvage's apartment nearby (it was beautiful!).
After an early morning Nescafe with milk (I didn't know that Nescafe dissolves in cold liquid!), I headed back to my old hostel, which is a ways out of the city. Chatted with my roommates who had a wild night doing a pubcrawl, and a wilder time trying to get back to the hostel, and a jetted to my new hostel. Now, I'm heading over to the restaurant again to eat lunch, take an after lunch walk around town, and try to get more recipes out of Selvage!
Sofia and Belgrade
Okay, so I just moved hostels and this one has free internet and breakfast and lockers! Plus it's near the train station, where I have to be at 4:30am tomorrow...
Enough of the boring stuff. Here's some pictures of Sophia and Belgrade. The pictures of Croatia and Italy to come!
If this were in a museum it would be art
Enough of the boring stuff. Here's some pictures of Sophia and Belgrade. The pictures of Croatia and Italy to come!
Sofia...honestly not much to see!
Cool Green Car
Belgrade Fortress!
Street Art Installation
If this were in a museum it would be artFriday, August 7, 2009
Dirty Old Men
Damn...so I find a place that has decently priced internet in Italy, and I dont have my flash drive!! AHH WELL!!
Okay okay Dirty Old Men. You should have known that I post concerning Dirty Old Men would pop up on my blog at sometime or another. I mean this is me youre talking about...or rather reading about.
SIGH and I mean SIGH. I was okay in Turkey and Egypt. In fact, for all the cat calls I got, I also had men sweating their undies, because they had to sit next to me on a train or bus and thought that they were being infinitely rude and immodest. Translation- I attracted and revolted an equal amount of men. Okay, so I was okay with that, especially because I was forewarned, and in reality, life was not as dim as everyones fears.
So why, oh so why has this week been on big molestkiyomifest. Okay, perhaps it wasnt THAT bad, but you get the gist.
The Rundown-
1. Sofia to Belgrade Train: Arriving to Sofia from Istanbul, there were many a man and woman hanging around the train station, offering accommodations. One such man helped me find the center of the town. The same man helped me find my train to Belgrade and then proceeded to board to the train with me. Apparently, he wanted to "see me off". I told him that he couldnt come abroad and the ticket controller also backed me up. However, the same ticketman later showed me how to drop the beds down of my empty sleeper car apartment and then whispered Bulgarian sweet nothings in my ear, held my hand and then kissed it! WHAT THE FUCK. It was so creepy and my door was stuck open the whole night.
2. In Split, Croatia, another man offering a room (in a sobe) made the transaction decidedly creepy by insisting that I accompany him to dinner (a dinner on him at a restaurant) after we set the lower price of the room for two nights. I didnt make it to dinner, and the next morning he came knocking on my door, told me a was a bad person and that I didnt make it to dinner. He also told me that I was leaving that day and that I should go back to the bus station to find another room. I then got mad and told him that I was going to stay another night, as we agreed. He wanted more money, so I insisted that he honor our agreement and I gave him the money for the second night. He then insisted that I go out to dinner with him that second day and I told him that going out to dinner wasnt part of the deal and that he was a bad person for trying to kick me out and for pressuring me to dinner. You should see him...he has business cards with his photo on it...its at least 10 years old...15 years old....gosh...
3. The same day, a guy came up to me with a freaking flower after I woke up from a 2 hour nap in the park to see that the garbage men were all watching me. And started to woo me in bad English. This reminded me of the incident where a Turkish man made me take ridiculous pictures of him near the Blue Mosque all to be able to talk to me. (Listen youre 50...Im not interested in you) so needless to say I was very short with the flower man
4. SIGH, so the first thing that happens to me in Jesi, Italy was that I couldnt find the bus to my hostel. This guy in a van (okay okay, perhaps this wasnt the smartest thing, but I was so tired, and it seemed safe enough, and it was in the middle of the day, and before someone would abduct me, I would make sure that that person felt my mark upon his body! HA!) offerred me a ride to the place. I couldnt figure out if he was a taxi and so I was afraid of how much it would cost. He told me not to worry, but I should have worried. As I was opening the door to the van, I felt his hand pat my thigh, then tweak my rib cage, and then center in for my left boob. I was so furious, but was oddly calm, of course expect for the "if you fucking touch me again I will kill you part" that I told him very calmly in English that he didnt understand. Too bad. No ill effects except for my checking all of the closets in my empty dorm room to make sure that there wasnt anyone hiding to get me while I was sleeping...its kind of sad but true...
5. Lastly, let me just say that just because you help me with directions or whatnot...even if we are in a country that greets with kisses on the cheek, does not mean that you have the right to take my hand and try to plant a wet one on my cheek. Its not appropriate and you know it!!
So final words: Just because I am a single female vagabond traveling the world, does not mean that Im needy, lonely, in want of male company and some good fun lovin' times. I do not want to feel any part of your body or even smell or feel your breath upon me. So DONT THINK ABOUT IT!
Okay okay Dirty Old Men. You should have known that I post concerning Dirty Old Men would pop up on my blog at sometime or another. I mean this is me youre talking about...or rather reading about.
SIGH and I mean SIGH. I was okay in Turkey and Egypt. In fact, for all the cat calls I got, I also had men sweating their undies, because they had to sit next to me on a train or bus and thought that they were being infinitely rude and immodest. Translation- I attracted and revolted an equal amount of men. Okay, so I was okay with that, especially because I was forewarned, and in reality, life was not as dim as everyones fears.
So why, oh so why has this week been on big molestkiyomifest. Okay, perhaps it wasnt THAT bad, but you get the gist.
The Rundown-
1. Sofia to Belgrade Train: Arriving to Sofia from Istanbul, there were many a man and woman hanging around the train station, offering accommodations. One such man helped me find the center of the town. The same man helped me find my train to Belgrade and then proceeded to board to the train with me. Apparently, he wanted to "see me off". I told him that he couldnt come abroad and the ticket controller also backed me up. However, the same ticketman later showed me how to drop the beds down of my empty sleeper car apartment and then whispered Bulgarian sweet nothings in my ear, held my hand and then kissed it! WHAT THE FUCK. It was so creepy and my door was stuck open the whole night.
2. In Split, Croatia, another man offering a room (in a sobe) made the transaction decidedly creepy by insisting that I accompany him to dinner (a dinner on him at a restaurant) after we set the lower price of the room for two nights. I didnt make it to dinner, and the next morning he came knocking on my door, told me a was a bad person and that I didnt make it to dinner. He also told me that I was leaving that day and that I should go back to the bus station to find another room. I then got mad and told him that I was going to stay another night, as we agreed. He wanted more money, so I insisted that he honor our agreement and I gave him the money for the second night. He then insisted that I go out to dinner with him that second day and I told him that going out to dinner wasnt part of the deal and that he was a bad person for trying to kick me out and for pressuring me to dinner. You should see him...he has business cards with his photo on it...its at least 10 years old...15 years old....gosh...
3. The same day, a guy came up to me with a freaking flower after I woke up from a 2 hour nap in the park to see that the garbage men were all watching me. And started to woo me in bad English. This reminded me of the incident where a Turkish man made me take ridiculous pictures of him near the Blue Mosque all to be able to talk to me. (Listen youre 50...Im not interested in you) so needless to say I was very short with the flower man
4. SIGH, so the first thing that happens to me in Jesi, Italy was that I couldnt find the bus to my hostel. This guy in a van (okay okay, perhaps this wasnt the smartest thing, but I was so tired, and it seemed safe enough, and it was in the middle of the day, and before someone would abduct me, I would make sure that that person felt my mark upon his body! HA!) offerred me a ride to the place. I couldnt figure out if he was a taxi and so I was afraid of how much it would cost. He told me not to worry, but I should have worried. As I was opening the door to the van, I felt his hand pat my thigh, then tweak my rib cage, and then center in for my left boob. I was so furious, but was oddly calm, of course expect for the "if you fucking touch me again I will kill you part" that I told him very calmly in English that he didnt understand. Too bad. No ill effects except for my checking all of the closets in my empty dorm room to make sure that there wasnt anyone hiding to get me while I was sleeping...its kind of sad but true...
5. Lastly, let me just say that just because you help me with directions or whatnot...even if we are in a country that greets with kisses on the cheek, does not mean that you have the right to take my hand and try to plant a wet one on my cheek. Its not appropriate and you know it!!
So final words: Just because I am a single female vagabond traveling the world, does not mean that Im needy, lonely, in want of male company and some good fun lovin' times. I do not want to feel any part of your body or even smell or feel your breath upon me. So DONT THINK ABOUT IT!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Split, Croatia
From Sofia I took an overnight train to Belgrade, from which I took an overnight train to Zagreb. Thinking I'd stay a night, I booked a hostel only to take an overnight bus to Split (and I paid for the hostel. But honestly, it was worth the shower, hours of free internet, and the ability to lay down in a real bed, even if for only half an hour)! And now I'm in Split, trying to negotiate lodgings for the night. The 'cheap' hostels ($20-30 a night) are all booked up, so now I'm in a sobe with two South Koreans who are also looking for a room. They are getting restless as the rooms are not yet available, and my own lodgings (at a price that I'm not supposed to worry about according to the owner...hmmm I've heard that before from everyone in Egypt) are contingient on their staying. SIGH
But hey, at least I have a local source of information. I see that there is a Chagall exhibit in town which I will be going to. Also the centrum is beautiful. There is a palace and a hill I plan on walking later today. Not only there, but there are islands to visit. Next stop after this: Ancora, Italy-that is if I researched correctly and there is a ferry on Tuesday. What should have been 10 days in Italy has dwindled to five. For some really I wasn't so excited about it anyway; perhaps, it's because it didn't fit into the Turkey/Egypt theme so well. I've very excited about my Italy detour as I've stumbled across the second largest caves in Europe, located in Genga. I'm hoping to do some cave adventuring and getting dirty.
Pictures as always are to come.
But hey, at least I have a local source of information. I see that there is a Chagall exhibit in town which I will be going to. Also the centrum is beautiful. There is a palace and a hill I plan on walking later today. Not only there, but there are islands to visit. Next stop after this: Ancora, Italy-that is if I researched correctly and there is a ferry on Tuesday. What should have been 10 days in Italy has dwindled to five. For some really I wasn't so excited about it anyway; perhaps, it's because it didn't fit into the Turkey/Egypt theme so well. I've very excited about my Italy detour as I've stumbled across the second largest caves in Europe, located in Genga. I'm hoping to do some cave adventuring and getting dirty.
Pictures as always are to come.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Siwa
What could be the most relax, chill place in all of Egypt more than met my expectations. The Berber culture of the inhabitants is strong and reveals itself in the cuisine (tajine anyone?). The town is very conservative and alcohol is a no-no in its perimeters; however, as I know, home-made date wine can be bought. The women were not only veiled, but had semi-opaque sheaths covering their entire faces. Furthermore, they wore blankets around their black cloth covered bodies. Most of the women were like this, but not all, and the little girls were dressed in the most outrageously gaudy dresses, more appropriate for a ball than a dusty, date filled town.
I'm happy that we (Klaas the Dutchman, Tobias the German from Munich, and Winter the American with obviously hippie parents) found our own little slice of paradise. I'm just happy that I was able to experience this place before hoards of tourists could ruin it.
So salty I float!! No matter that the water was only 1 1/2 feet deep!
I biked this trail four times!
Old dwellings
Sunset
I'm happy that we (Klaas the Dutchman, Tobias the German from Munich, and Winter the American with obviously hippie parents) found our own little slice of paradise. I'm just happy that I was able to experience this place before hoards of tourists could ruin it.
So salty I float!! No matter that the water was only 1 1/2 feet deep!
I biked this trail four times!
Old dwellings
SunsetThursday, July 30, 2009
Bulgaria and onwards
So it took 14 1/2 hours, but I made it to Sofia, Bulgaria. First impressions were not so good. But I stopped into the Sheraton and the cutest Bulgarian so far (honestly I'm not sure if that means so much...ohhh I'm mean) gave me directions to this internet cafe and a map! My impression of Sofia has improved a bit from then on...I found the open air book market, which doesn't have a great selection of English books, but still. And some of the streets do have a sort of East European charm (i.e. slightly run down with some traces of design and asthetics, overmasked with bad taste and worse fashion). But there are so many places where one can get a snack, so I can't hate Sofia. In fact, it has made me giggle a lot.
Annoyingly, I can't seem to find a place with USB ports, fast internet connections, etc. at once, so again no pictures--and some of my pictures are great, although I've been slacking.
Okay so there is a very intense man sitting opposite from me. Don't know what he's yelling about...perhaps he's playing CS, but I think I'm going...
Annoyingly, I can't seem to find a place with USB ports, fast internet connections, etc. at once, so again no pictures--and some of my pictures are great, although I've been slacking.
Okay so there is a very intense man sitting opposite from me. Don't know what he's yelling about...perhaps he's playing CS, but I think I'm going...
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Sun is Still Shining
If I had to sum up what I'm feeling right now, it'd be hot and sticky and itchy. Yes, those dreaded mosquito bites are back, not Peru Amazon bad, but plenty horrid enough.
Siwa is quite an amazing place, made more special by two nights of camping by one of the salt lakes. The lake wasn't Dead Sea salty, but it was impossible to sink and its water stung every minute cut on my body. Floating on my back, looking up at the Milky Way, watching the spy satellites go round and round. Amazing. Huge shooting stars and skinny dipping (I sure did Geneva). I actually never made it to the Great Sand Dunes, but no matter.
After a 9 1/2 hour bus ride, and another story to add to my collection, I'm back in Cairo. I haven't been to Saqqara to see the Bent Pyramid, but I will pass on it in exchange for a relaxing day lounging about and finding good books to read for the next leg of my trip.
As I mentioned before my MyAir flight to Bari from Istanbul (I bought a round trip ticket from Istanbul to Cairo and back again) has been canceled--all MyAir flights were canceled, leaving me in a pickle. My fellow travelers came to the rescue and suggested that I take the train through the Balkans!! So that is exactly what I'm doing. I just moved up my EgyptAir flight two days and will be leaving Egypt tomorrow morning. I'll have a lovely afternoon back in Istanbul and then will take the train to Sophia (probably). I need to work on the details now.
Siwa is quite an amazing place, made more special by two nights of camping by one of the salt lakes. The lake wasn't Dead Sea salty, but it was impossible to sink and its water stung every minute cut on my body. Floating on my back, looking up at the Milky Way, watching the spy satellites go round and round. Amazing. Huge shooting stars and skinny dipping (I sure did Geneva). I actually never made it to the Great Sand Dunes, but no matter.
After a 9 1/2 hour bus ride, and another story to add to my collection, I'm back in Cairo. I haven't been to Saqqara to see the Bent Pyramid, but I will pass on it in exchange for a relaxing day lounging about and finding good books to read for the next leg of my trip.
As I mentioned before my MyAir flight to Bari from Istanbul (I bought a round trip ticket from Istanbul to Cairo and back again) has been canceled--all MyAir flights were canceled, leaving me in a pickle. My fellow travelers came to the rescue and suggested that I take the train through the Balkans!! So that is exactly what I'm doing. I just moved up my EgyptAir flight two days and will be leaving Egypt tomorrow morning. I'll have a lovely afternoon back in Istanbul and then will take the train to Sophia (probably). I need to work on the details now.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
HMMMM
So first, thanks to all who wished me a happy birthday =D
I gotta say though that my bd was not how I execpted it would be. I didn't go hot air ballooning due to the fact that all ballooning in Luxor has been suspended. Apparently there was a balloon vs. building battle, and the building won. But don't worry no one was killed or so it was said. After that disappointment, another disappointment followed. I didn't make it to the Tombs of the Nobles. Sigh, but no matter because for my actual birthday I ended up on a train to Cairo and then transferred to another train to Alexandria. There I spent a very relaxed day after a hectic, hilarious transportation debacle, one which rivals my bus ride from Hurghada to Aswan.
Oops, I realize I never explained that trip either. Welllllll, both involve sitting on the ground for three hours...
Now I'm in Siwa, which is about 15km from Libya. As it's impossible to get there (don't have the required permission nor papers), I'll be here for the next few days, which will be lovely as I've found a nearly isolated slice of paradise. Pictures to come.
One final note, my flight to Bari has been canceled...gotta figure that out...
I gotta say though that my bd was not how I execpted it would be. I didn't go hot air ballooning due to the fact that all ballooning in Luxor has been suspended. Apparently there was a balloon vs. building battle, and the building won. But don't worry no one was killed or so it was said. After that disappointment, another disappointment followed. I didn't make it to the Tombs of the Nobles. Sigh, but no matter because for my actual birthday I ended up on a train to Cairo and then transferred to another train to Alexandria. There I spent a very relaxed day after a hectic, hilarious transportation debacle, one which rivals my bus ride from Hurghada to Aswan.
Oops, I realize I never explained that trip either. Welllllll, both involve sitting on the ground for three hours...
Now I'm in Siwa, which is about 15km from Libya. As it's impossible to get there (don't have the required permission nor papers), I'll be here for the next few days, which will be lovely as I've found a nearly isolated slice of paradise. Pictures to come.
One final note, my flight to Bari has been canceled...gotta figure that out...
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Egyptian Beauty
Pharaonic monuments, the Red Sea, the Nile. Grandiose, calming, picturesque. This is the Egyptian beauty I was hoping to see. Along with the outrageous is the amazing, and that's what I like about Egypt. If nothing else, I'm coming away with some great stories and ever better memories.
One of the bigger souvenirs I'm bringing back
This thing was huge!
Mahmya=Paradise
The Nile
One of the bigger souvenirs I'm bringing backThis thing was huge!Mahmya=Paradise
The NileSo one thing I'm figuring out is that it's novel when non-Arabic speaking people speak Arabic in Egypt. It's a fun surprise and even more fun to try, especially when bartering. Also, I suppose in a sense it helps to be a girl. I actually haven't experienced such horrible sexual harassment as was anticipated by most people who learned I was going to Upper Egypt alone. Perhaps it's my "Don't fuck with me" New York facial expression, or perhaps it's because being sexually or verbally harassed in New York is not uncommon and Í've developed Teflon skin--words slide right off me.
In any case, Í'm about to hop on board a felucca
New York Revisited: Cracked out apartments
My accommodations in Aswan aren't swanky. They also don't have the charming decorations my New York landlord put up in the kitchen and halls. Talk about decor creating a certain ambiance, these 'speak' for themselves.
This is why YOU can't visit me:
This is why YOU can't visit me:
It may not look like much, but my apartment is Clean and Helthy
Friday, July 17, 2009
C'est l'Eygpte
Fitting words to describe all that is Egypt and its idiosyncrasies.
Unfortunately, the internet cafe I'm in (while I hide from the blazing sun) doesn't have photo downloading software installed, so I don't have Egypt pictures yet. But here are some highlights.
1. Giza Pyramid Experience: Not just the pyramids, but the whole racket in which all are involved! The full price for non-Egyptians and non-Arabs (because Arabs can read Arabic...) is 60 Egyptian pounds, 30 for a student. Price for Egyptians/Arabs, 2 pounds (that's the equivalent of about ohhh 38 cents I guess). Then there are the 'police' who searched the car and expected a tip. The man who lead us to the ugliest horses/camels I've ever seen and made me get up on one. The old man who's poor horse nearly collapsed of fatigue after lugging us around the pyramids, and through an alleyway of Cairo trash. And the hilarious looking tourists emerging from the second pyramid, red and sweaty, out of breath and ready to die.
2. Cairo Traffic: I'm not sure who's crazier, pedestrians or motorists. Two points to the pedestrians scurrying across five lane streets, with no discernable crosswalks, traffic lights, nor stop signs. One point to motorists who use lane markers as 'suggestions'. One point to the elderly and kids weaving their way through traffic hoping to sell a 20 cent package of tissues. 4 points to the family of five who managed to fit two adults, two kids, and a baby on a scooter. 2 points to the pedestrians who have survived the traffic pollution. IT'S A TIE!
3. Beauty: Along the Nile, there are some beautiful outdoor cafes and restaurants, complete with man made breezes. Zamalek, the posh island, is aplenty with these gems. Plus, who can go wrong with fresh mango juice and cactus fig juice! MMM that is beauty in my mouth!
4. Food: I'm obsessed with Ayah's mom's garlicy eggplant, stuffed white eggplant, and the falafel found at the corner store. These falafel are more doughnut in shape and have a lighter consistancy to those found in NY/Europe.
5. Diving: Yes I dove with the fishies in the Red Sea. Got up close and personal with a Moray Eel, jelly fish, and lots of other colorful fishies and coral. Even saw a stingray, but no sharks.
Wait 'til you hear about my bus ride from Hurghada to Aswan. To be continued...
AND I PROMISE PICTURES!!! I even bought another flash drive to house them!!! =D
Unfortunately, the internet cafe I'm in (while I hide from the blazing sun) doesn't have photo downloading software installed, so I don't have Egypt pictures yet. But here are some highlights.
1. Giza Pyramid Experience: Not just the pyramids, but the whole racket in which all are involved! The full price for non-Egyptians and non-Arabs (because Arabs can read Arabic...) is 60 Egyptian pounds, 30 for a student. Price for Egyptians/Arabs, 2 pounds (that's the equivalent of about ohhh 38 cents I guess). Then there are the 'police' who searched the car and expected a tip. The man who lead us to the ugliest horses/camels I've ever seen and made me get up on one. The old man who's poor horse nearly collapsed of fatigue after lugging us around the pyramids, and through an alleyway of Cairo trash. And the hilarious looking tourists emerging from the second pyramid, red and sweaty, out of breath and ready to die.
2. Cairo Traffic: I'm not sure who's crazier, pedestrians or motorists. Two points to the pedestrians scurrying across five lane streets, with no discernable crosswalks, traffic lights, nor stop signs. One point to motorists who use lane markers as 'suggestions'. One point to the elderly and kids weaving their way through traffic hoping to sell a 20 cent package of tissues. 4 points to the family of five who managed to fit two adults, two kids, and a baby on a scooter. 2 points to the pedestrians who have survived the traffic pollution. IT'S A TIE!
3. Beauty: Along the Nile, there are some beautiful outdoor cafes and restaurants, complete with man made breezes. Zamalek, the posh island, is aplenty with these gems. Plus, who can go wrong with fresh mango juice and cactus fig juice! MMM that is beauty in my mouth!
4. Food: I'm obsessed with Ayah's mom's garlicy eggplant, stuffed white eggplant, and the falafel found at the corner store. These falafel are more doughnut in shape and have a lighter consistancy to those found in NY/Europe.
5. Diving: Yes I dove with the fishies in the Red Sea. Got up close and personal with a Moray Eel, jelly fish, and lots of other colorful fishies and coral. Even saw a stingray, but no sharks.
Wait 'til you hear about my bus ride from Hurghada to Aswan. To be continued...
AND I PROMISE PICTURES!!! I even bought another flash drive to house them!!! =D
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Good ByeTurkey, it's been fun
Tonıght ıs my last day ın Turkey and what a crazy journey ıt's been; travelıng has ıncluded three overnıght bus rıdes (15 hours, 8.5 hours, and 11 hours respectıvely), lots of random conversatıons wıth Turkısh guys, sıghtseeıng, hıkıng, hot weather, ıce cream, Mado ıce cream, Mado honey ıce cream. Mmmm that wıll be mıssed!
For the most part, I've managed to see what I came to Turkey to see, and met some characters ın the process.
Fun facts:
As a travel agent (plus havıng sıde projects, busınesses, on the sıde) you can earn 8,000USD a month, and have two flats ın Istanbul, wıth the plan of buyıng another one every year or so. Thıs ıs at the age 26
My hostel owner ın Goreme, Cappadocıa ıs 22 years old.
Gözleme are delıcous Turkısh pancakes, fılled wıth meat, cheese, potato, spınach, or a mıx!
Tomorrow, I head to Caıro where Ayah ıs meetıng me at the aırport! From there we do what I do best, EAT!! (Me ın a bıkını ıs not a pretty sıght at the moment. Oh well)
For the most part, I've managed to see what I came to Turkey to see, and met some characters ın the process.
Fun facts:
As a travel agent (plus havıng sıde projects, busınesses, on the sıde) you can earn 8,000USD a month, and have two flats ın Istanbul, wıth the plan of buyıng another one every year or so. Thıs ıs at the age 26
My hostel owner ın Goreme, Cappadocıa ıs 22 years old.
Gözleme are delıcous Turkısh pancakes, fılled wıth meat, cheese, potato, spınach, or a mıx!
Tomorrow, I head to Caıro where Ayah ıs meetıng me at the aırport! From there we do what I do best, EAT!! (Me ın a bıkını ıs not a pretty sıght at the moment. Oh well)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Visual İmages to Stimulate the Mind
Pit stop on 12 Island tour on the Mediterranean
Myra wonders
Eternal Flames at Chimera
Rose Valley. Cappadocia (six hours into the hike)
This picture is kinda coolSaturday, July 4, 2009
Kaş, Demre, Myra and beyond
Phew,
What a day. After a quıck two hour bus to Kaş (complete wıth snack and tea of course. Oh the servıce) I made ıt to Kaş, a smallısh fıshıng vıllage east of Fethıye. After droppıng of our stuff, Maı and I made our way back to the bus statıon where we fınally were able to buy bus tıckets IN ADVANCE from Antalya to Goreme and then Goreme to Istanbul.
Result: Our schedule has become a lot more flexıble...
Santa Claus better get me somethıng nıce thıs year.
About 30km east of Kaş ıs Demre whıch houses Saınt Nıck´s church (revered by the Russıans...boy dıd I see a lot of cyrillic today!). Somehow we fanagled ourselves rıdes on motorscooters to Myra 2km away. Maı was drıven by a 13 year old and I got the fat Turkısh man how ın the mıddle of the rıde told me that I should wrap my arms around hıs waıst. I though the path was goıng to get rougher: I was wrong!
The 10 TRY prıce of the rıdes ıncluded entrance to the Lycıan ruıns ın Myra (whıch ıs normally 10 lıra each). However ıt also ıncluded a ´prıvate´tour of the ruıns by aforementıoned fat Turkısh guy and the custodıan of the ruıns. All I know ıs somehow I found myself ın a tomb havıng a pıcture taken wıth Maı and Turkısh guy whose hand somehow managed to rest on my butt. I of course got ıt off, but the two guys persısted to ´show´us the tombs, meanıng follow us around tryıng to have pıctures taken wıth us! ENOUGH
...we had to walk the 2km back to town...ıt got hot...we got lost...green houses fılled wıth peppers and tomatoes surroundıng us. Hot and muggy and dusty. Luckıly another guy came around on a scooter, took pıty on us and gave us a lıft back to town. Thıs guy (Erme) wanted nothıng from us, and as ıt turned out, we ended up havıng slushıes wıth hıs frıend Lurı back ın town. Then he gave us a rıde to the other sıde of the mountaın (whıch was greener) on hıs scooter (really I dıdnt just pull a ´Kıyomı´) to get an up close and personal look of other Lycıan ruıns. These even had orıgınal carvıngs of Zeus, a magıc lamp, Greek characters decoratıng the outer walls. We met some of the other locals tendıng theır lıvestock and clearıng out theır greenhouses sınce ıts the end of the farmıng season.
Two kılos of tomatoes later, Emre took us to hıs parents house where we got a feelıng of how lıfe ıs ın the surroundıng vıllages of Myra. Hıs famıly lıves ın a three story house paınted dark and lıght green. What Ive notıced about many of the houses ın the area ıs that only one or two storıes are actually habıtable. The other floors have yet to be fleshed out. I guess once the famılıes have enough tıme and money more of the house ıs completed.
Food: Emre´s famıly was super hospıtable. We were gıven pancakes wıth cheese, spınach, and onıons, homemade olıves, pıckles, local honey and tea. Delıcıous, all organıc (otherwıse other countrıes dont ımport produce from the area now) and fresh.
Onward - Sınce transportatıon ıs now set, tomorrow means sea kayakıng and then makıng out way to Olympos. The day after, well search for the Eternal Flame and then make our way to Antalya where a nıce 10 hour bus rıde to Capadoccıa awaıts us.
(Okay okay I know thıs blog ıs now super borıng sınce I dont have new pıctures, but I dont want to go searchıng for the USB port on thıs computer, sınce Im ın the hostel offıce!)
What a day. After a quıck two hour bus to Kaş (complete wıth snack and tea of course. Oh the servıce) I made ıt to Kaş, a smallısh fıshıng vıllage east of Fethıye. After droppıng of our stuff, Maı and I made our way back to the bus statıon where we fınally were able to buy bus tıckets IN ADVANCE from Antalya to Goreme and then Goreme to Istanbul.
Result: Our schedule has become a lot more flexıble...
Santa Claus better get me somethıng nıce thıs year.
About 30km east of Kaş ıs Demre whıch houses Saınt Nıck´s church (revered by the Russıans...boy dıd I see a lot of cyrillic today!). Somehow we fanagled ourselves rıdes on motorscooters to Myra 2km away. Maı was drıven by a 13 year old and I got the fat Turkısh man how ın the mıddle of the rıde told me that I should wrap my arms around hıs waıst. I though the path was goıng to get rougher: I was wrong!
The 10 TRY prıce of the rıdes ıncluded entrance to the Lycıan ruıns ın Myra (whıch ıs normally 10 lıra each). However ıt also ıncluded a ´prıvate´tour of the ruıns by aforementıoned fat Turkısh guy and the custodıan of the ruıns. All I know ıs somehow I found myself ın a tomb havıng a pıcture taken wıth Maı and Turkısh guy whose hand somehow managed to rest on my butt. I of course got ıt off, but the two guys persısted to ´show´us the tombs, meanıng follow us around tryıng to have pıctures taken wıth us! ENOUGH
...we had to walk the 2km back to town...ıt got hot...we got lost...green houses fılled wıth peppers and tomatoes surroundıng us. Hot and muggy and dusty. Luckıly another guy came around on a scooter, took pıty on us and gave us a lıft back to town. Thıs guy (Erme) wanted nothıng from us, and as ıt turned out, we ended up havıng slushıes wıth hıs frıend Lurı back ın town. Then he gave us a rıde to the other sıde of the mountaın (whıch was greener) on hıs scooter (really I dıdnt just pull a ´Kıyomı´) to get an up close and personal look of other Lycıan ruıns. These even had orıgınal carvıngs of Zeus, a magıc lamp, Greek characters decoratıng the outer walls. We met some of the other locals tendıng theır lıvestock and clearıng out theır greenhouses sınce ıts the end of the farmıng season.
Two kılos of tomatoes later, Emre took us to hıs parents house where we got a feelıng of how lıfe ıs ın the surroundıng vıllages of Myra. Hıs famıly lıves ın a three story house paınted dark and lıght green. What Ive notıced about many of the houses ın the area ıs that only one or two storıes are actually habıtable. The other floors have yet to be fleshed out. I guess once the famılıes have enough tıme and money more of the house ıs completed.
Food: Emre´s famıly was super hospıtable. We were gıven pancakes wıth cheese, spınach, and onıons, homemade olıves, pıckles, local honey and tea. Delıcıous, all organıc (otherwıse other countrıes dont ımport produce from the area now) and fresh.
Onward - Sınce transportatıon ıs now set, tomorrow means sea kayakıng and then makıng out way to Olympos. The day after, well search for the Eternal Flame and then make our way to Antalya where a nıce 10 hour bus rıde to Capadoccıa awaıts us.
(Okay okay I know thıs blog ıs now super borıng sınce I dont have new pıctures, but I dont want to go searchıng for the USB port on thıs computer, sınce Im ın the hostel offıce!)
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Turducken
Okay okay so I haven't had duck, but I have eaten chicken in Turkey, so close enough. Sigh, sorry for the lame title, my creative juices are not running tonight.
Okay, I changed my settings, so anyone and everyone can comment, without having to register. So feel free to do so!!
Even after a sleepless night (at Gatwick!) the first day was packed with Blue Mosque/New Mosque sightseeing, the Grand bazaar, part of the Spice Bazaar, rounded up with a fish sandwich cooked on a boat off the Galata bridge. Mmmm. A chance encounter with the cafe owner of Gulmane Sur Cafe on the second day, changed the whole feel of our trip. We ended up taking to him (still can't figure out his name), his sons, and the other cafe workers for a few hours in an outdoor cafe that lines the wall of Topkapi Palace and also bordering Aya Sophia. We were actually attracted to their breakfast of eggs, cheese and spices, cooked in one large pan and eaten with white bread. I guess we looked hungry because they shared it with us.
After going across the Galata bridge and then around the another mosque, we headed back to the Blue Mosque to see a whirling dervish performance, from an outlook point above. Mai and I both agreed that it was cool, but perhaps not 75 minutes cool as actual sit down performaces touted. After the 'performance' (okay okay, it was actually a performance for patrons of the Dervish Cafe, we just errr looked in from above) we went back to Gulmane Sur Cafe, where the owner gave me a cooking lesson at his house and then where we shared a meal complete with fruit and raki (anise flavored Turkish liquor). Later we headed to Dejavu Cistern Bar, which was actually really nice. It's underground in an old Byzantine cistern. I tried my hand behind the bar (only to spill the whole contents of the second drink I made all over me) and danced the night away.
The problem with dancing the night away, is waking up the next morning. We managed Topkapi Palace (the cafe owner got us in for free. He knows the manager, or rather the ex-manager who is now a senator?), a stop at the Spice Bazaar, a Turkish bath experience (including an older, overweight, smelly Turkish woman in blue undies who scrubbed me all over...and yes I was neked, completely neked, because that's what she told me to do. Only after another Turkish woman came in with undies on did that made me think...we'll I know what I'd do if someone told me to just off a bridge. Pictures will not be posted!), and then off to Fethiye.
15ish hours later! Fethiye! A quick trip to Olu Deniz, and then a dinner at a local resto for locals, and then tea, and then here I am!
Ugh, no more writing! Pictures to follow...
Okay, I changed my settings, so anyone and everyone can comment, without having to register. So feel free to do so!!
Even after a sleepless night (at Gatwick!) the first day was packed with Blue Mosque/New Mosque sightseeing, the Grand bazaar, part of the Spice Bazaar, rounded up with a fish sandwich cooked on a boat off the Galata bridge. Mmmm. A chance encounter with the cafe owner of Gulmane Sur Cafe on the second day, changed the whole feel of our trip. We ended up taking to him (still can't figure out his name), his sons, and the other cafe workers for a few hours in an outdoor cafe that lines the wall of Topkapi Palace and also bordering Aya Sophia. We were actually attracted to their breakfast of eggs, cheese and spices, cooked in one large pan and eaten with white bread. I guess we looked hungry because they shared it with us.
After going across the Galata bridge and then around the another mosque, we headed back to the Blue Mosque to see a whirling dervish performance, from an outlook point above. Mai and I both agreed that it was cool, but perhaps not 75 minutes cool as actual sit down performaces touted. After the 'performance' (okay okay, it was actually a performance for patrons of the Dervish Cafe, we just errr looked in from above) we went back to Gulmane Sur Cafe, where the owner gave me a cooking lesson at his house and then where we shared a meal complete with fruit and raki (anise flavored Turkish liquor). Later we headed to Dejavu Cistern Bar, which was actually really nice. It's underground in an old Byzantine cistern. I tried my hand behind the bar (only to spill the whole contents of the second drink I made all over me) and danced the night away.
The problem with dancing the night away, is waking up the next morning. We managed Topkapi Palace (the cafe owner got us in for free. He knows the manager, or rather the ex-manager who is now a senator?), a stop at the Spice Bazaar, a Turkish bath experience (including an older, overweight, smelly Turkish woman in blue undies who scrubbed me all over...and yes I was neked, completely neked, because that's what she told me to do. Only after another Turkish woman came in with undies on did that made me think...we'll I know what I'd do if someone told me to just off a bridge. Pictures will not be posted!), and then off to Fethiye.
15ish hours later! Fethiye! A quick trip to Olu Deniz, and then a dinner at a local resto for locals, and then tea, and then here I am!
Ugh, no more writing! Pictures to follow...
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Quickie Istanbul Update
Today is my last day in Istanbul. I'm going to Fethiye tonight via a 14 hour overnight bus ride! UGH. But Mediterranean here I come. Blue Lagoons, butterflies, ancient ruins...
Istanbul Randomness: Yes the mosques and bazaars of Istanbul are quite impressive, but even more so: the local color.
Our new Turkish friends
How did Mai and I run into these Turkish locals. That's to be continued.
Blue Mosque
Whirling Derviş
Istanbul Randomness: Yes the mosques and bazaars of Istanbul are quite impressive, but even more so: the local color.
Everyone and their mother eats corn from streetstands!
Trying my hand at bartending at Dejavu Cistern Bar
Our new Turkish friendsHow did Mai and I run into these Turkish locals. That's to be continued.
Also more, better (jumping) pictures promised in the future. I have to get them from Mai's camera.
Monday, June 29, 2009
French Composition Assignment: Revisited
So coming into Istanbul, I realized that I had to write a French composition using descriptive narrative techniques. That being difficult for me in English, proved to be a challenge in French, one that I overcame with the help of a little mouche buzzing about Istanbul, flying high, winding it's way through the narrow streets, smelling the spices, the fish, the life of the city.
And here I am now, the little fly, curiously investigating the mysteries of Istanbul--or I would be doing so (more efficiently), if I weren't half dead from exhaustion. I didn't get much sleep on Thursday night, right before my flight Friday, I took a two hour nap. I didn't sleep on the way to Reykjavik, but slept 2 1/2 hours in the airport. Then I got about 4 1/2 hours of sleep on Saturday night in London. Mai and I decided that it would be prudent to go to Gatwick early for our 6:40am flight, so I got about two hours last night too, making for a grand total of 11 hours of sleep since I began my adventure--technically nine hours if you don't count my midafternoon nap on Friday. Not good, not good at all. And it shows in the following videos (SIGH, don't judge me!!) OH BOTHER! It's taking too long to load. Almost 10pm, and I'm going to sleep!
But to make up for my impatience, and to thank you for your patience:
Blue Mosque
And the Journey Continues
On Saturday, I finally made it to London--9 hours late! The trains weren't running into London, so the London Express was free. So only an hour after gather all of my belongings, I finally met up with Nish south of London Bridge (Borough)...
Ultimate Fighting: My weary body and my hungry stomach duked it out and my stomach came out the victor. Nish and I headed out (Okay everyone, if you ever go to London get the Zone 1/2 Day Pass for 5.60 instead of the Zone 1/2 Single Pass for 4.00. Sigh) to Tinseltown (Station: Farringdon), a popular restaurant, because it's one of the few places open 24 hours. I went for The Full Monty (English Breakfast), which they served American sized. It was kind of gross and delicious at the same time.
YUMMMM (Also had Islandic Schnapps and Tonic: Woohoo Layovers!)
Sunday was an amazingly productive sightseeing day as well. I must say that I'm quite impressed with Nish's tour guide skills...if econ/finance doesn't work out, he has another career calling. 1000% better than what I could have done, and with his help, I managed to basically see everything and get a very good overview of the city.
Surprising food highlight: The new Westfield mall (Station: White City/Shepard's Bush...for all those in California, yeah that chain!) has a wonderful posh 'food court' complete with a champagne bar and crazy architecture. We grabbed lattes and a Red Berry Cheese cake that was so good, it would be worth going out
of Bobst at 3am to get!
Ultimate Fighting: My weary body and my hungry stomach duked it out and my stomach came out the victor. Nish and I headed out (Okay everyone, if you ever go to London get the Zone 1/2 Day Pass for 5.60 instead of the Zone 1/2 Single Pass for 4.00. Sigh) to Tinseltown (Station: Farringdon), a popular restaurant, because it's one of the few places open 24 hours. I went for The Full Monty (English Breakfast), which they served American sized. It was kind of gross and delicious at the same time.
We then walked over London from 1am to 3:30am, with a pit stop at Buddha Bar. I've actually have never been to the ones in New York and Paris, so it was quite fun, and my drink--Tea Rossa--was divine (plum umeshu dento, rose hip tea, orange bitters, lemon).
YUMMMM (Also had Islandic Schnapps and Tonic: Woohoo Layovers!)Sunday was an amazingly productive sightseeing day as well. I must say that I'm quite impressed with Nish's tour guide skills...if econ/finance doesn't work out, he has another career calling. 1000% better than what I could have done, and with his help, I managed to basically see everything and get a very good overview of the city.
Surprising food highlight: The new Westfield mall (Station: White City/Shepard's Bush...for all those in California, yeah that chain!) has a wonderful posh 'food court' complete with a champagne bar and crazy architecture. We grabbed lattes and a Red Berry Cheese cake that was so good, it would be worth going out
of Bobst at 3am to get!
(This picture is really just to make Odalo jealous if he is reading this)
A whirlwind of activity basically sums up my 24 hour London visit, complete with a few surprise encounters with New York friends =D
Saturday, June 27, 2009
ICELAND!!
Okay, so I suppose the amazingly beautiful strike of lightning I saw from the Airtrain was an ominous sign of what was to come. Instead of leaving JFK at 835pm (sorry no colons, I can´t find the button), my plane departed around midnight, which led to my being stranded in Iceland--for 6 hours. I suppose that is better than most, AND they fed us, even though the delay was due to weather. I suppose at this point Icelandair and Iceland needs all the business they can get and cannot afford disgruntled customers. Futhermore, those who have missed their flights to Stockholm, etc. are actually being put up for free in London hotels. Now that´s service for you.
A few observations...(damn you colon button!)
1. It´s eerily quiet over here. I´ve never been to a more deserted airport. In the hallways I can hear the pitter patter of my little feet hitting the ground hard. Also, some sort of purple flower, heather?, grows in abundance here--or at least around the airport
A few observations...(damn you colon button!)
1. It´s eerily quiet over here. I´ve never been to a more deserted airport. In the hallways I can hear the pitter patter of my little feet hitting the ground hard. Also, some sort of purple flower, heather?, grows in abundance here--or at least around the airport
Purple fields of flowers from Reykjavik (Airport!)
(I can't figure out how to flip my video, so just tilt your head to the left!)
2. From the airport I see Icelandair hangers and nothingness. Very flat, barren, desolate.
3. One thing the disastrous economic, financial crisis has personally done for me is to make the dollar strong to the Icelandic KR. So YAY DUTY FREE SHOPPING!
4. Even in Iceland, the minorities mop the floors, while those descendent from the mightly Vikings have to more posh jobs of manning the cash registers. Okay, that´s not too too fair, since all I have is anecdotal evidence, not at all a statistically significant result as my sample size is too small (one).
Now time to take some pictures, so you all can join me in my Iceland fun!
3. One thing the disastrous economic, financial crisis has personally done for me is to make the dollar strong to the Icelandic KR. So YAY DUTY FREE SHOPPING!
4. Even in Iceland, the minorities mop the floors, while those descendent from the mightly Vikings have to more posh jobs of manning the cash registers. Okay, that´s not too too fair, since all I have is anecdotal evidence, not at all a statistically significant result as my sample size is too small (one).
Now time to take some pictures, so you all can join me in my Iceland fun!
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