the yellow spacesheep

2006-11-09T00:33:00.000Z

The peasant and the English Rose.
I lived my life in the fieldsamong the sheeps and the goatsI saw the stars glowing brightI saw the life going pastI drank from the springsI played with the lizardsI walked up and downmountains and riversI tasted the olivesbig green and hardi ate feta cheeseand drank from the vineyardYears went pastno changes no lusti was there all alonein my own worldTill one day I metmy fairyShe was beautifuland tallfull of stories from the worldbeyondI danced with the fairyshe was my friendshe told me her secreta place beyondwhere people are whitewith eyes like oliveseyes like the sea eyeslike I had never seen.I talked with the fairyshe told me to learnto travel beyond the mountains andthe river with the tentI was alone on my journeyin a different worldthe stars stopped glowingthe sky was greymy heart sankmy belly hurt there was nocheese leftnot one olivethe noise of my herdwas in the pastpeople's voicesand cars noisesuntil I saw my rosemy english roseshe had the most perfect colorher petals were redand soft like velvether leaves were greenthe scent was pureI was so glad to find herbeautyI looked at my rosethe noises stopedthe herd voices startedI was at the riverplaying with the bugsi was on the mountainsinging alongRose, my english roseu made me happyyou took my sorrow awayu lit my day.Rose my english rosedont ever leave melove me the way i amwith a peasant's upbringingRose my english Roseyou make me happyYou bring smiles andlaughter all alongRose my english roseI close my eyesI hear your voiceI smell your scentI hold you in my handsand fly awayRose my english rosegoodnight!

hey all

2006-10-04T17:00:00.000+01:00

I am all fit and new life and changes are ahead as scheduled....I suppose every now and then, seems to be every two years , I change my life. Thi Summer was supposed to be fun and it partly was but not like the old days. I had a lot of dramas going on. One of them my split up, my broken 5th metatarsal on my foot, my house hunting etc etc Cant and wont remember all. Eventually I am happily of a single status, looking for a new flat that luckily will be the one I go to view tomorrow, started my Uni course MA in Human Resources , I try to find a way for changing jobs but the current one pays well and is easy so wont bother at the moment. The most importnat is that I am all fit now and therefore I can walk dance run etc etc God one month in a cast and walking on crutches depending on people taught very good lessons and I will start appreciating them, I will feel for these people with disavilities taht live in non respectful cities and their lives are a misry because of the system... Imagine if London is bad what the other cities are like.

Unfortunately have not lots of time to elaborate on this , I shall do so on another posting....HEy jenny a big kiss wherever you are in Asia, Ali you are very brave and there is nothing wrong with feeling lazy, at the end of the day noone likes a job. Business might be an interesting subject as fundraising but when you have to do it as a task is boring and depressing, think the money and at the end of the day if it does make you feel very low find other ways to go round it and make it fun...Love you lots and You look amazing at the pics, who was that guy??heheheh
The rest of you guys love you as always.write me soon

The right leg Model - Jenny Teng reports from Laos

2006-09-21T17:07:00.000+01:00

Sabadii!

Is it getting tedious if I write again that we have been traveling in the mountains (again) for 2 days on the long and winding road, and it's making me dizzy. Sometimes I just want to continue reading weather Mister Darcy will ask Elizabeth's hand again, but the bus shakes me up and down, left and right - I can't keep my eyes on the lines of the pages. And I hope I do not make my email read like a tourist brochure if I mention (again) how beautiful the long and winding road is, with it's grazing cattle on the green valley's, pretty but simple villages of the minority people and the forever rolling hills.
The bus journey's between our places of interests always takes a full day of travel, I have very well accustomed to the exercise of wild-peeing (it took some training though), and whilst relieving myself behind a low bush, I gaze out over the fantastic landscape of terraced ricefields and white clouds hugging the green mountain peaks etc. etc. etc. - I warned you it's getting monotone? - But, it's so true and it's so nice! And I love Laos!

Vientiane (the French named it from Viengchan), is unlike any capital city on earth. The citizens are not rushing to anywhere, streets are deserted after nine in the evening and the highest building is a 15-storey hotel that overlooks the Mekong. We've rented a Honda 110cc today and driving around is not at all like in Saigon, Hanoi or Phnom Penh. In contrast it's not the traffic we have to skillfully manoeuvre through ( I wonder if rush hour exist here), but the potholes. Reading a map is not so easy either, since the street names are not in English except for some big main roads, so we've to look for landmarks, and what else can that be than temples, and how many temples are there in this city! We've lost most 'passion' for temples - have seen sooooo many these last few months, but we went to the Pha That Luang anyways, coz hmmmm... it's picture is on the cover of my guidebook... And well, it is the national symbol of Laos. And it supposely should contain a hair of Buddha.

We're also in the hospital of Vientiane this morning, so Alex could be treated on his mosquito bites which were badly infected. So, makes us both on antibiotic's now, since I was treated for the same problem in the hospital in Luang Prabang a couple of days ago. Mine was more severe, I woke up one morning and couldn't walk! I thought it would pass (I think that of everything that happens to me), and said I cannot walk but I can cycle (with one leg), so - on y va to the waterfall! But I got tricked and detoured to the hospital and the doctor there gave me so much pain cleaning the infected wounds, I thought he was amputating my leg without anesthetic. Anyways, I can forget my career being a right leg model now, as from my knee to the ankle on my right leg, it's just plain ugly and is most likely scarred for the rest of my life.

Before we came to Vientiane. We visited Phonsavanh in the Xieng Khuang province. More than 200 million tonnes of US bombs in total we're dropped in Laos during the war in the sixties and this province has been most heavily bombed. (Sometimes the pilots just emptied there planes in Laos on the way back from 'Nam) It's an ironic sight to see that the locals have been re-utilizing the detonated bombs as domestic appliances such as barbecue's and plant pot's. Very clever, though.
Also strange is the Plain of Jars, big massive stone jars (some much bigger than myself) are scattered around several area's around Phonsavanh, it's mysterious, nobody knows the origin or purpose of these stone jars. Theory says they are related to funeral vessels. We had to walk through the ricefields and cowshit to reach one of the sites, but it was lush. And I picked the unripe fruits from a guava tree and ate it coz it's lunch time. At another site large bomb craters were all around the area, making it quite exiting and we had to be sure to stick to the marked tracks. Landmines left from the war 30 years ago are still exploding everyday!

We had Japanese for dinner tonight, it was 'save' and better than my expectations. (And it's the most expensive 142,000kip (USD14,20) we have spend on food for months!) In Laos some plates might come as a surprise. Seated at a Lao dinnertable, I can bet, the intrepid connaisseur of the exotic foods can have the time of his life. Seeing people eating duck embryo's or pigsoffal doesn't make me shiver much anymore. But, having honeybee's larves, bats, swallow's, squirrel's, rats etc. etc. etc. to the local diets is just too beeeeeeeeeeeeerk!!!!! So, many dinners we keep it to veggie noodle soup, and it's so so cheap - they should give it to us for free.
Alex lost more weight he said (he weight himself in the hospital today). What a bastard!

We travel to the South tomorow.

Jenny - did I already said I love Laos?!

Diary :Broken Leg Day lost count

2006-09-16T17:04:00.000+01:00

I have to say that my new cast definetely looks better that the other one. I was asked at the hospital what color I would like to have it made, chose black to go clubbing, but start regreting it now, should have taken the glowing the dark color as this would guarantee that noone would step on my foot.

I have to admitt that the greek hospital despite looking quite unorganised did the right diagnosis and put on the right plaster as well. The English hopsital obviously more organised and a bit , slightly more, bureaucratic. So slightly that has made me walk kilometers in order to get a single paper. What can I say. I cannot complain further than this, they all have been very nice to me and hopefully the y all did their job and my foot is gonna heal quickly cause this immiobility and the crutches start to get to my head big time.

There is 4 more weeks if you believe it that my recovery will take, therefore I plan to visit Mama soon since I cannot be arsed doing all the chorus in my house in UK. No matter how clean I try to keep this house it always looks so dirty. Good thing I am moving out of this house, had some very good times but the state of the furniture and the carpets odor start getting to me. Imagine paying all these money 470 pounds, like 600 euros or more and double in US dollars just to have a double room , on the fourth floor, zone 3 (45 min from central), in a council estate ( which means all these kids and people on benefits), and you agent saying that this is a Bargain. Sorry but this is insane, and bargain my arse if this i a quality living. There you go it all came out....

Anyway, hopefully my next flat, like the 5th in 2 years , ehehhehe, will be better. I don't give up hope...thats all form a rather frustrated disabled council estate tenant. Keep your legs straight on the ground and together : ))))

Jenny Teng hits Laos

2006-09-16T16:56:00.000+01:00

God I couldn't wait to post this mail I received from Jenny Teng. Jenny you really made me laugh big time. Please dear readers read the following adventure of Jenny Teng, by the way Jenny I love you so much and miss you more:

Sabaidii!

Exit Vietnam

We're out of the capital city by 8am with the crammed Hanoi City Bus. The connection busses that followed each other came quickly, we never waited too long and didn't pay more than locals do either. It went so smooth and sexy, I thought we we're going to win the grand prize of this Amzamig Race on who were going to be first getting a stamp from Lao immigration.
The further away from Hanoi and it's vincities the lesser the well-groomed Viet-yups with their latest Motorola's. We see a different sight of Vietnam when the transport continued up to the highland of North West Vietnam and etnic minority people walked their way up and down the mountain and they carry loads of burden in a sack or weaved basket on their backs. At Mai Chau (abt 120km from Hanoi/ 240km from Lao border) the bus guy kicked us out, it was the end of the transportation. In fact, it was the end of all transportation! Bugger! Are we gonna be stuck here in this single-sealed street town where dogs are being weinie roasted on a barbecue?! (I'm so sorry to have witnessed that.) We dragged our bags along the street and on passing a cafe, the owner called us inside his house. On informing him and his wife our mission, his wife went to make a few phonecalls. When she returned to us she tell us she has a friend who can drive us to Lao border for 1 million Vietnamese dong (63USD). After some thoughts we settle with that (the friend has already arrived in his compact Suzuki), the image of the cremated dog is just too horrible to stay here longer than needed. And do we have other options? Well, on a motorbike has been offered too? But, motorbike? 240km? I don't think so. I concluded that this Suzuki is the next best thing after a SOS helicopter to get out of this place. We paid our fare - Euro accepted.
And at 2.20pm the journey continued in the mountains, on a very very long and winding road (here we didn't know yet that the long and winding road will be continuing for the next 3 days). I suppose our driver realize immigration close at 6pm - he is races through every curve. Alas, it was 6.20pm on arrival at the Vietnam/Lao border. We spend the night in a dirty and dark room a pension 100 meters from Vietnam immigration boot. So close and yet so far... Despite the wooden bed without matress we had a sound sleep, it must have been the long journey.
Next morning I'm having a tremendous stomach ache and Alex is putting on his fancy tailor made pants in Hoi An because he's afraid Lao immigration might not like his colonizing French looks and will refuse his entry. Hmmmm... Suspicious, I'll say.
The Vietnamese custom officers were done with us quickly, they checked our bags throughly and swiftly and stamped our exit out of Vietnam.
It's a 200 meter walk to the Lao immigration.

Enter Laos

There were many tribes people going to Vietnam side to sell their goods, their weaved baskets were loaded with fruit and veg (maybe some opium at the bottom...). We walked over to the Lao immigration boot and I'm thinking this is yet another great landborder crossing to remember - the scenery is amazing, it's so quiet and peacefull, the little river below us is flowing further down to the base of the mountain and we're surrounded by a jungle of green and some tribes people.
We handed our passports with pre-arranged visa's and arrival cards to the officer and then just wait. I look at Alex, he look so silly in his brand new fancy pants and dusty wrinkled shirt... The officer called me to him and said; "Miss, excuse me. Your passports... You can stay in Laos for 1 month. Please, pay me 1 dollar."

So, we're here! In LPDR - Lao People Democratic Republic. We love it! We arrived this afternoon in Luang Prabang by a riverboat 7 hours down on the Mekong. Since arrival in Laos we have been traveling only through the mountains in the remote Northern provinces to finally reach here. It has been amazing! The mountain scene is incredible. To die for - but I won't, coz I haven't been to Guam yet. Three days of the very long and winding road, up and down the mountains, once with an old bus that was losing bits and pieces along the potholed way, and all other times with Korean pick ups, that besides transporting people, also transports, well, everything else possible actually. The journey takes a whole lot of endurance and a half but it's absolutely worth it. Plateaus of paddy fields are spread out on the base of the mountains, villages of the etnic groups are scattered around here and there, bamboo huts and wooden houses on stilts. Sometimes an avanlache. Big King Kong trees all around - fantastic giant fern trees, we have a jungle around us! But then the dark comes and we're still on the bloody bus on the never ending route 6! I feel sypmtoms of uneasiness coming up me - what if the bus breaks down ( it already did ones!) We're out in the nowhere and can only see as far as the headlights of the bus reaches. So, in the night we've been breaking up the journey and rest in bamboo huts. (I found out my lover is not so conditioned as he may look like - he's scared of very big insects! I had to chase the friggin' flying frog out of the hut.)

Laos is least visited country in South East Asia, thus comparing to neighbouring countries we have not met many 'falang' Westeners (up to today - Luang Prabang is a white hippie town). Anyways, you know you have arrived in 'backpackers haven' (for some) when banana pancakes is on the breakfast menu and Pringles and Diet Coke is on display in the shops. (And marijuana/opium is discreetly offered on passing by any guy in the streets).

Lao people are amazing! So smiley, honest, friendly and relaxed.
Laos, what a great refuge for the traveler.

Jenny
Loving Laidback Laos.
Loving the Lao way of Life.

DIARY: Broken Leg day 7

2006-09-09T12:53:00.000+01:00

A week on crutches and my popularity on the streets has risen dramatically. I think using crutches and walking a puppy might have the same effect on people. People, feel free to ask me what happened, how do I feel, sympathise with me and offer help if needed. I am well ,well impressed and I start to enjoy all this attention. I always thought that I had a problem with approachability. I think people didn't find me quite approachable for some reason. Being vain, I am thinking that this is because I am so perfect that people feel that they should keep their distances, now that I am vulnerable people feel that I am only human and not a greek god anymore that they should be scared of. I couldn't think of any other explanation.
Last night I went out clubbing, that was an experience hehheheheh. At first the doorman hesitated as to if I could get in , I insisted for my rights and they let me in. The club was not busy when we got there and I found all the places where I could rest. I danced on my crutches to electro sounds and many but many people, on their highs or lows, came and talked to me. A girl from Argentina, shared with me her experience of having broken her leg in three places, intorduced me to all of her friends and we all danced together, well I kind of did. I still have to work on my crutche's moves, but I am getting better by the day. Another guy, a bit out of space, but still nice, he proposed me to visit his hospital to be treated as he was an X-ray specialist. Very touching though, that all these people wanted to include me in their groups. I am telling you that has never ever happened before. I think it is good after all to be vulnerable. Show your defects.Don't be scared and don't mask yourselves. I think that this is the message that I am receiving all this week. Probably that is a lesson that the powers of universe want to teach me , be approachable, stop seeking perfection and enjoy life the way it comes!
A big kiss to everyone! I am human and vulnerable.

DIARY: Broken leg day 6

2006-09-08T15:38:00.001+01:00

It is always good news to hear that at least one of your friends is having real adventurous and that she puts heself through odd situation for the real experience and here we go once again, me on my sofa and JENNY TENG reporting from HANOI Vietman:
Xin Chao!

One hope to expand a sensible proportion of Zen and patience by trotting on Buddhist grounds for a considerable duration of time. But... you'll be pulled back to this corrupt earth when they want you to show them the money! At the local bus station - the bus guy inflate the fare to an absurd number - what is he taking me for? I could have been picked up by an airconditioned tourist bus from my hotel for 2 dollars, but nope - I walked out a kilometer out of town in 35 degrees celsius with my 23kg backpack and choose to sit at the back of this shitty old bus far away from the Goddess of Mercy on the dashboard, sitting way at the back with the bicycles and other passengers luggage, and he think I do that for fun? I pay 45 cents and that's that, you unreasonable bus bastard! I know the market, I didn't just land on the Asian regions yesterday. Don't even start negotiating with me. You be a fool to fool me. Grrrr... It's hopeless, I irate only myself, and if anyone's bloodpressure is on the rise, c'est le mien, coz at the end they always win (coz of my good heart :) - and I end up paying atleast the triple fare.
Vietnam people's rights to free-entrepreneuring sometimes gets a bit too crazy. Some merchants out here have given me a banana (the fruit) instead of paying my change back in money - Like everyone else in the world! The first time that happens, you go: 'HeeheeHaahaa, pulling my leg, aren't you?' or you think the communists have set the year back to zero. But, nope they are for real and you'll get used to it, now I just negotiate for two bananas. Sigh... I don't even like banana's!
Yesterday I've been 'stolen' of 1,500 dong, because I've been payed back 5,000 instead of 20,000 - the notes are of same same blue color. No, that's not a mistake of the seller, it's a common DVD (Dirty Vietnamese Deceit)!
I know, it's not alot of money... but it's the principle... it's Stop the Fraud on the Innocent Tourist! Should I start a campaign and print some t-shirts? I'll bet that sells well next to the existing "Goodmorning Vietnam" tees. Soooo clichι that!

Alex has lost admirable weight this last month! How he does it? Has the beach activities done him good? Have I done him bad? Is a tape worm feasting inside him?
As for me... yum yum springrolls!

We nearly missed our Danang - Hue train, because the need and must to get some ca phι 3 mins before the train leaves. Oh yes, since the very first introduction of Vietnamese coffee to us, we really cannot start our day without it.
The 3hrs journey with Vietnam Railways was fantastic! A great scenic route through the forested Hai Van Pass and dark tunnels, we look down from the mountain on deserted beaches, beautiful bays, fish farms, conical hats dotted on paddy fields... We want more of these journey's! Unfortunately, we start to feel the results on our sore backs and behinds after an hour from sitting on the 4th class wooden hard seats. The stench of durian, dried squid and breast milk piercedhrough our clothing. And what the huh? The people behind me are having a barbeque?!
To our big surprise Vietnam Railways catered a free lunch with the trip. OK, the food is not of gastronomic quality (any quality at all) to sent a review to the Sunday Times to. But, there's a springroll lady pushing her cart through the compartments! Haha!

Imperial city of Hue was great! Renting a bicycle and going around the sights of yet another a World Heritage Site that Vietnam is counting (there are 5) is alot of fun. However, I strongly do not recommend the rip off boat tour down the Parfume River unless your really interested in seeing all the tombs of the dead emperor's of Vietnam's Dynasties. (Visiting one tomb is definately enough). We're unlucky that our hostess on the boat was a ghetto Viet-girl lacking all the basic manners.
Hue's roll-your-own-springrolls we're delicious and cheap!

We left Hue on a nightbus to Ninh Binh (well prepared this time), and from here we rent a motorbike to visit Tam Coc, the landscape here is like told from a fairytale... Rockformations rising out from the green rivers and surounded by paddyfields. Pretty! It was such a sweet day! Two cheeky 60yr old ladies rowed our little boat on the river and through the caves of the rockmountains. There were lots of domestic Sunday tourists around and we yelled 'Konichiwa' at them for laughs.

From Hanoi we've booked an overnight trip to Halong Bay (World heritage Site), we came back this afternoon. Halong Bay is amazing, when at Tam Coc the big rocks rise up from the river, at Halong Bay mountains rise up from the emerald sea. Eagles circles around the mountains and even with many big tourist ships sailing around and anchored in the middle of the sea in between the mountains it was quite peaceful (when the Karaoke from of the other boats stopped.) Last night was spend under the blanket of the stars and the full moon...
OK, so I've been in Vietnam for 6 wks (with a guidebook!) and I only just found out that Hanoi is the capital city and not Ho Chi Minh City. Doh! That explains my confusion when I read the Viet Nam News (English newspaper in Vietnam).
My highlights in Hanoi are the food (ofcourse) and Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum. We went through 5 security checks! before finally seeing the dude. It's a weird experience, sure seeing a dead man is not fabulous, but this is Ho Chi Minh though, very intact and well-preserved with his white hair and long white beard. Most of the visitors are Vietnamese, it's like a pilgrimage for them to see uncle Ho resting here, I saw some Vietnamese getting emotional at the exit of the mausoleum.
I've saved a copy of the newspaper to find this local noodle restaurant in Hanoi, it's been wks I read this rave review in the paper and I was determined to find this little joint. And delicious it really was. The thing abt the food in Vietnam is - you keep discovering new flavours, herbs and spices everywhere and everytime. And the baguettes gets bigger and bigger the more you're up North. The baguettes are the only good thing the French left to Indochina.
Hanoi's streets are disorientating me, Hanoi's traffic is making me deaf, Hanoi's weather is making me sweat alot and Hanoians don't stop staring at me.

We have no more time to travel further up to the highlands of Northern Vietnam, we are now psychologically stressed abt our border crossing to the Lao side. I do not want to get on one of the tourist busses that is offered everywhere in Hanoi for 20 bucks that crosses the border in central Vietnam. There's a border point open in the North since 2004, but none of the travel agents in Hanoi says it's possible or open to foreigners, I think they just want me to book a bus ride with them. The Loa embassy says it's difficult at this Northern Nam Xoi/Na Maew frontier. And I say: "Life is an adventure!" From many hours of research on the travel forums on the net it seems that travelers get through but it depends on their nationality, and transportation is really tricky. However, having some cash with you to bribe the guards is always helpfull. We are leaving tomorow to test out this new bordercrossing.

Jenny - tired and hot

DIARY: Broken Leg day 5

2006-09-07T12:08:00.000+01:00

It is a lovely morning here in London and it has been nice weather for the last week. That is a good thing because otherwise I might have been freaking out thinking that in Greece the weather is absolutely amazing.

Once again I follow my morning routine of chatting on msn around the world, checking the company's intranet, all the blogs I read, doing my online banking and researching the net. I start to realise how addicted I am to technology and in specific internet. Once I work i dont really care that much , but once I am at home , I can spend a whole day on my laptop, I rarely use TV and If I remember I will put some music on . Otherwise the only sound is this of my keyboard. Well, hope my addiction wont get worse now that i am stranded on my couch.

However, I can say that for having a broken foot, to be accurate and not leg, I go out a lot.
Yesterday, I went to the hospital all by myself with our Indian mini cab driver. He was not very communicative, he didnt even answer to mu request to stop on the way for a cashpoint. It is highly unusual for an Indian cab driver to be so quiet. I was starting to get pissed off for his customer service and then I didnt bother anymore. I thought he might be going through some difficult times or he might be supersticious and think that a broken leg might bring him some bad luck. While I was thinking all these and getting annoyed by the fact that I met so much humanity these days, only for him to destroy the whole atmosphere, we pulled over to a cashpoint. I thought ohhhh that was so nice of him, he might not speak but at least he did it. % minutes later I was cursing the silent short fat bald man. The journey to the hospital is 7 pounds and he thought that it will be ok to add an extra pound. That really pissed me off. It happens all the time. 1 pound is not much but the fact that taxis in London are overpriced as it is, the fact that you agree a price with the agency and then a short fat bald silent f***** comes to change everything, including my mood.

I entered the hospital just to see about 30 people waiting, some crying , some almost ready to faintand some in casts like me. Well is this my new hang out place type of thing I thought to myself and sat down waiting for my turn. I had to rush to the hospital as my toes were looking all bruised, dark blue, red and black. So i thought might be the cast that is very tight and constricts the circulation. 1 hour and 45 minutes later, I was dismissed as avery healthy boy and was sent home. I was told that the original swelling and hematoma was just spreading as the swelling was going down and I should not worry.I should not worry? I think that is quite relevant after what you usualy listen on the news. ( like: He went for a flu , was sent home and died on the way etc)

I took the public transport on the way back, which is quite good as it leaves me just outside my doorstep. Once again everyone was polite with me and was given a seat and asked if everything is ok. What I noticed though is that i tend to meet a lot of people on crutches everywhere and they all want to share experiences!

Last night I went to a club with a friend that picked me up and to my surprise there you go, another guy on crutches. To the point that a guy standing next to me asked me if that is the latest fashion, I told him that he was right and that he could get his crutches free at any hospital in the country. He was not delighted with answer.

Thats it for the day my dears, I better do something adventurous today so I can talk about it tomorrow!Au revoir!

DIARY: Broken Leg day 4

2006-09-06T12:11:00.000+01:00

Stranded on my couch, embracing my laptop, I am finally enganged in all these tasks I was meaning to carry out for years. I even started organising the cds that are on my living room's shelves. They had been sitting there for the last two years gathering dust. God I must be very bored!

I am one of these people that like music and dancing, but cannot be arsed to buy cds. I have no clue who wrote the music or who is the singer, let alone what song it is. I just dont have enough memory for all these information. I can never participate in any music conversations since I was never interested in learning all these by heart. Some people can tell you the album, year , the singer, even the number of the song on the cd, NO WAY I would remember all this. I have to admitt that I do love music, but dancing for me is the ultimate expression, even better than painting or writing. It is magic.

I should have become a dancer as my balarine friend says. Too late now, I am too old for this, I mean on a professional level always. The only problem I have with dancing is that I dont like steps, well I didnt use to, now I do start to value their existence.

The music I love is electro, house, trance, progressive house and all the variants that exist. I can dance and get myself in a trance, without drugs. It is so expressive and such a personal experience. Dont take me wrong I do listen to other types of music, but if I would like to feel high , I would have to listen to the above or Spanish, Latin music.

Anyway, enough with music and dancing.

Back to having a broken leg. Everyday , I have to force myself to move around the house and everyday it seems more and more difficult. It starts to get to my nerves that a single task will take 10 times the normal time to be carried out. The only good thing I can see through all these is that now , I am more careful, focused. I will plan ahead of every movement what I have to do. I will try to find new ways to carry out a task, I will calculate the odds, I will use all tools provided without enlisting any help. To be honest even if I wanted someone to help me there is noone around. Everyone is working or on holidays.

Frustration has not settled in yet cause I suppose the internet is a very good media of communicating with many of my friends without feeling lonely. I even started exploring new things on the net, not porn only anymore heheheheh. Thanks god that I will soon start university so I might visit the library and borrow some books to make some advanced reading I meant to do for the whole summer. I shall see!

I even started thinking of returning to painting , but something always keeps me away. Probably the fact that I always considered it a very lonely activity. I shall try to overcome my laziness and pick up my pencils and start drawing. Hmmm it sounds like the gym, when you feel out of energy and have no motivation whatsoever and then you start and you cant stop.

I plan, I plan as always lets see what I will actually do. Probably go clubbing and turn a blind eye on all these cause life is short and what is the point anyway. I better find the love of my life. Where? Who?

Random thoughts, Random pictures, Random life...

Random Mobile pictures

2006-09-05T02:38:00.000+01:00

Thats what the following pictures are. Random mobile pictures that remind me of moments I ve spent all around Europe and I share with you. Enjoy!

2006-09-05T02:37:00.000+01:00

these eyes will be found at Hampstead heath, London

2006-09-05T02:36:00.000+01:00

valencia es la tiera de las flores la luz y de la amor

2006-09-05T02:35:00.000+01:00

Valencia, sunset in the Arts and Sciences city

2006-09-05T02:34:00.000+01:00

Budapest, a cow icecream, they are all around Europe, the cows i mean

2006-09-05T02:33:00.000+01:00

This the proof that I am greek and not only greek but also close relative to Apollo, the greek god of beauty (hhheeheheh)

2006-09-05T02:32:00.000+01:00

gay pride july soho london

2006-09-05T02:31:00.000+01:00

a tree looks at me with her eyes

2006-09-05T02:30:00.001+01:00

eat the banana

2006-09-05T02:30:00.000+01:00

Rome unique, romantic, spectacular, I love you

2006-09-05T02:29:00.000+01:00

Vienna

2006-09-05T02:28:00.001+01:00

Vienna

2006-09-05T02:28:00.000+01:00

a boy's piss, amsterdam , maneken piss

2006-09-05T02:27:00.000+01:00

the lotus tree

2006-09-05T02:26:00.000+01:00

Jesus o JEsus

2006-09-05T02:25:00.000+01:00

JEsus is alive

Disabled for a while!

2006-09-05T02:14:00.000+01:00

Hello my friends

Well these days is what I call a broken flower.

I have a broken foot, dont ask how I did this

I broke up with my partner

However, I can still see the positive in all these despite stranded on a bed!

Well there must be a reason for all these happening, I shall enjoy my new journey with crutches and and I can assure you it is painful.

I can only say that I totally understand disabled people and it is so obvious now how difficult their everyday life can be. So I ask all to show more respect towards them. To explain how difficult it is: think doing one task, like carrying a bottle of water. Sounds easy? Well now think that you have two crutches, which balance all your weight...
Not easy huh?

On the other hand, I found out that there are many people that are ready to help and people look at you in a very sympathetic way. I saw humanity for the first time and I was even allowed to enter a bus free of charge. God that's unique for London. I thought that there is no humanity here whatsoever, I can assure you otherwise...That actually made me happy.

The only bad thing is that using the crutches make my palms hurt since balancing on them with all of my weight is not a good idea. I might hurt my hands, what does this mean?
Boredom and loads of internet to keep sane or insane.

Well i suppose the next few days I wlill be sharing with you my broken leg lifestyle.

One last thing, shower is tricky!
HEHEHHEHE

Kisses

Jenny Teng is now stranded on a Vietnamese Island!

2006-08-10T19:46:00.000+01:00

Jenny Teng reports:

Xin chao!

The Mekong River here has the same same dirty brown colour as it has in previous Indochina country we visited. Vietnamese language (Kinh) sounds the same same, but different from Khmer. Vietnamese food is same same, but much better!

Cross bordering Cambodia to Vietnam was a leisurable meander on the Mekong River. Slowly but surely (6 hrs on a boat) we arrived at Vietnam immigration, paying a little immigration fee (why not just call it corruption fee) and then handing over our documents with the government officials for the stamp which ensure us to be allowed in Vietnam for 30 days - while were forced to lunch at neighbour restaurant who overcharge immensely for a little drink and bite. Anxiously, I was awaiting for the Apocalyse Now and the fresh springrolls.
At borderpoint coneshape hats appeared from the left and right on bicycles. We're in 'Nam!

We stayed near the Cambodian border the first two nights in Vietnam. Chau Doc is a pleasant town in the Mekong Delta, besides the town on land, there are also houses built on stilts on the river and floating houses, floating petrol stations, floating churches - everything you can find on land land actually - and this floating town goes along with the water level, it's rise and falls with the tide.

The guidebook tells us something amazing abt an island in Southern Vietnam called Phu Quoc Island, it's tropical and laid-back, lovely and sees only few tourist. The local guide in Chau Doc told us there is a typhoon coming that way and we could get stuck in the storm... Sometimes my short nose get caught too deep in the guidebook, and is very happy to read something abt 'few tourist' or 'unexplored', and having a typhoon heading my way only makes the adventure more exiting.
Hence... We're stuck on an island!!!
We suppose to stay here 3 or 4 days, now we're here a full wk already. No boats are leaving the island due to the storm. (We are 3 hrs away from mainland by speedboat.) We get up at 6am every morning to check if anyone is sailing off, but the weather is being nasty to us. And what do you do when you're stuck on this Phuket-in-it's-seventies island? We went to Paradise last night. Paradise... boys and girls is your worst halucination... It's your school disco with go-go girls. It's where you dance next to a short Vietnamese kid who's half your size and age and moves more feminine than I do when I do my ultimate best to be a lady. It's where you buy the local girl who thinks she is your best friend because she said Hello to you this morning at your bungalow and she orders a small bottle of water at 30.000 dong, and you're like; Why didn't you order a Heineken for the same price?! Paradise is not what it sounds like. Don't be dazzled...

But outside in the real Vietnam, everyone is working very hard for themselfs and their family. The Communist Party of Vietnam guarantees the freedom to do business, and we see that the nation is entrepreneuring, pursuing money, meeting the Western standards... Vietnam is following trail of Malaysia and Thailand to become the next economic tiger in South East Asia. Soon Vietnam will join the WTO and international names like Walmart and Tesco will enter. Will the national Trang Nguyen coffee places be taken over by the Starbuck's I ponder...
Speaking of the black stuff, the Vietnamese brew amazing nice strong coffee's! They should export this stuff if they don't already. A Vietnamese white coffee consist of 40% condensed milk, it's so strong and sweet, it's knocks you out from your sleep in the early mornings. I really need it every morning.

We have spend a million this week on the island. Aren't we rich? No, we're not. The local currency is so small and the food is very cheap, we spend less than 10 USD per person per day.

You might have noticed that I have been using the we-form instead the usual me, myself and I. For the first time in four continents, I'm not on the road, in the air or at sea alone. My travel partner for the complete sojourn of Indochine is French - really the whole of the trip untill November, coz I promised his mom to bring him back home myself. Whahhaha! All humor aside, it's not so lovely dovely allways as the romantics may think. I've said 'I hate you' more times in this 2 months than I have in nearly 2 yrs being together. But hey, just because you're not working and you're in a tropical climate doesn't mean you're on holiday, quoi?! I know it's bad of me to make Alex' s life very anti-relaxed with my stubborn-do-it-my-way-Sinatra-ass most of the time. Okay, all of the time... But, pas de stress, everything is however very ying and yang.
Hi hi.

Closing time... the internet place.
If there is no boat again tomorow, then we'll take the plane to Ho Chi Minh City.

See you soon.

JT

.....Art reminds you that you have a soul!!!

2006-08-10T18:12:00.000+01:00

Well it defintely does and what more appropriate as a proof rather than the following blog...http://williebaronet.blogspot.com/...just brilliant.

Well done!

It is a must see site!

Jenny Teng Reports from Cambodia!

2006-08-01T15:16:00.000+01:00

JT is a very close friend of mine and I am so lucky to have her in my life, lets say that she is synonymous to adventure. I mean real adventure. She is always traveling, backpacking in off the beaten track places. Now she is in Asia, after visiting her native Malaysia, she did Cambodia and as she informs us in the following email she is off to Vietnam and I am geting so jealous...Firts cause I would love to see her since I miss her so much and second cause I would die to have these experiences...Yo FEMME NOMAD go tell us your story:
Sua s'dei!

Although I haven't been able to use above to greet the Khmers alot. The Cambodians are always faster greeting us: 'Hello lady/sir! You want to buy T-shirt/ scarf/postcards/book/coconut/cold drink... etc.' One hunderd of them all together. And three thousand times a day. We've lost our cool abit, when we were cycling around Siem Reap and Angkor for 2 days in the heat, sweating like fat pigs. But these vendors are only very young children, no need to loose our cool and slap them. Ha! Just joking, of course! We come in peace.

Ten years ago in the Frisian countryside some stranger mentioned something abt Cambodia, it was something silly; whether I was adopted from Cambodia. But it made it on my list. Hence, I'm here to check it out.

Temples of Angkor
Angkor Wat is the mommy of all temples, the biggest religious building ever build. The three temple towers doom up when I walked over the causeway crossing the huge moat, through the 475m long avenue to the main entrance, passing through 2 libraries (empty), 2 pools (empty), the hall of thousand Buddha's (empty) - getting there... And then finally, it's in front of me, and I stare at it in awe, and it is hot, but the pilgrimage is not complete if I don't climb up the very steep stairs 55m up to the central tower...
Reaching the divine kingdom of the gods is not made to be easy.
We've seen abt all the temples of Angkor; very amazing ones also are Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm (both Tomb Raider locations), at Ta Prohm the ensemble of the snap happy Japs of the Nippon Travel & Tours prove themselfs again that they are the world greatest amateur photographers, flashing and clicking their Nikon's as if their lives depends on it and posing themselfs silly in front of the infamous Tomb Raider tree. But this 500 year old tree with it's giant roots enstrangeld in the ruins is really beautiful. The green jungle has grown in and through the brown grey temple ruins.
The many many amazing temples and temple ruins we've seen in Angkor will last us till the year 3006. We can leave them and only speculate of how one hundred yrs ago with only manpower they could have builld and carve all this in the smallest details. Only the top 10 self-established God Kings of Angkor with godlike qualities of Shiva and Vishnu can get people to do this.

Cambodian Landmine Museum
Funded by mister Aki Ra, a former child soldier of the Khmer Rouge, his parents have been killed by the KR and he was then raised by the KR. The story of his life is incredible. After the war, where Aki Ra has fight forthe Khmer Rouge, the Vietnamese army and eventually the Cambodian army, the went to work for the UN, helping them to clear the many landmines that had been laid over the years. After the UN peacekeeping force have left, Aki Ra is still clearing the mines at this moment to help his people. Landmines in Cambodia is the worst in the world, an estimated 4 - 6 million dotted abt the country side. 85% of the Cambodians live on the countryside. Seeing amputees everywhere is not so strange anymore.

Khmer food
Not too bad really. And if we stay away from the places where they have English menu's we save loads of money. A portion of noodles from a lady at the market place is 2000 riel (40 cents USD), at backpackers eating places this could be 2 dollars. We've eaten some great stuff, even if we had to scoop the intestines out of the soup. But, I'm not getting near the deep fried creepy crawlings that you normally would find in the bathroom floor and walls. Sometimes I eat something, and it just taste so much different than that I think it should be tasting, but just swallow it quickly or spit it out, just don't even speculate abt the ingredients. We definately are not getting even near the KFC's (Khmer Fried Chicken).
I've been food poisoned only one time (from an egg!).

Bloodbank
Hospitals in Cambodia are relying on the blooddonations from healthy travelers. The Siem Reap hospital must be been the most friendly place in the world, where I have ever donate my blood. And you get a free t-shirt and a packet of cookies on your way out!

Endangered specie
In Kratie (Eastern Cambodia) we rented motorbikes and va-va-voomed to the Mekong river where the Irrawaddy dolphins lives. Experts say there are only abt 60 orso left in the whole of the Mekong river. Guess, we are very lucky people to saw 4 of them. Their heads look abit like a dugongs head. It was a really nice and quiet day on the river, just us and the dolphins.

Cambodian Circus
One word for the traffic in Cambodia - especially Phnom Penh, CRAZY! It's a joke, it's a circus! Going out in the street is like trowing yourself in in the lions cage. Vehicles racing towards you from all directions - even on oneway streets, everyone has priority, of cours nobody gives directions and it's dusty like hell. It is like going to hell. When we cycled to The Killing Fields (mass graves of Khmer Rouge victims), it literally felt like we went out to the 'Killing Fields'. The Cambodians may look like such calm and quiet people, but put them behind wheels (any wheel, even oxcart) and each one of them will transform into a Schumacher.
Surely, Cambodian roads are in the top three of the world worst. Traffic and the state of it alike.

Monsoon
We're in the middle of the monsoon. Everyday it rains heavily for 2 hours straight and then it is over. That's untill we went to the Cambodian coast, we're hoping for a little Khmer sur Mer at Sihanouk Ville (South coast) for a tan line instead of the usual dust line. Alas, we returned back to the capital after two days. It never stoppped raining in Sihanouk Ville - we got stuck in the guesthouse for 2 days, stuck behind the cable TV, untill the monsoon rain kept pouring down creates a powercut which saved us from being square eyed. (Though, now I missed the final of Lost Season 3!)
We did see that during the dry season Sihanouk Ville could be a Koh Pha Ngan type of place - many sophisticated beach hangouts, so am glad have missed that, since the street of where our guesthouse here in Phnom Penh is a Koa San Road, Bangkok equivalent thing.

We've done our shopping for a ticket out of the Kingdom of Cambodia this afternoon, for as little as 7USD we'll be in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam tomorow afternoon. That, involving a slow boat on the Mekong river (they say abt 4 hrs - but they also say abt 6 hrs...). We'll see, the Vietnamese visa is valid for 30days, so have plenty of time...

Will let you know soon.

JT

londonemigrant.blogspot.com

2006-07-18T11:39:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,

Please visit my new blog and become a member in my effort to stress the problems and the importance of emigration and diversity around the globe.

Please voice your opinion and raise your hands against disrimination, poverty, exploitation.

Lets all help to make this world a better place cause we can.

Fight for your rights.

Fight for justice.

Fight for your freedom.

Fight for a world free of poverty and exploitation.

Fight for peace and progress.

Free yourselves from the chains or slaverY, be a person and not a number.

BE HUMAN, EXPRESS YOURSELVES, SHOW LOVE, SHOW SYMPATHY, SHOW TOLERANCE, SHOW UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT.

Giving a few coins or a cheque to a charity will not help this world unless if you raise your voice!

COME AND VISIT londonemigrant.blogspot.com

An advocating leader I am!

2006-07-09T01:30:00.000+01:00

You are an Advocating Leader.

personalDNA
about you

You are a Leader
Your solid grounding in the practicalities of life, along with your self-assuredness and your willingness to appreciate new things make you a LEADER.
You're in touch with what is going on around you and adept at remaining down-to-earth and logical.
Although you're detail-oriented, this doesn't mean that you lose the big picture.
You tend to find beauty in form and efficiency, as opposed to finding it in broad-based, abstract concepts.
Never one to pass on an adventure, you're consistently seeking and finding new things, even in your immediate surroundings.
Because of this eagerness to pursue new experiences, you've learned a lot; your attention to detail means that you gain a great deal from your adventures.
The intellectual curiosity that drives you leads you to seek out causes of and reasons behind things.
Your confidence gives you the potential to take your general awareness and channel it into leadership.
You're not set on one way of doing things, and you often have the skills and persistence to find innovative ways of facing challenges.
You are well-attuned to your talents, and can deal with most problems that you face.
Your independent streak allows you to make decisions efficiently and to trust your instincts
You are balanced in your approach to problem-solving, not letting your emotions hold you up.
You have a strong sense of style and value your personal presentation - friends may even seek your style advice from time to time.
Generally, you believe that you control your life, and that external forces only play a limited role in determining what happens to you.
If you want to be different:
There's more to life than the practical - take some time to daydream and explore the aesthetic sides of things.
how you relate to others
You are Advocating
Being social, empathic, and understanding makes you ADVOCATING.
Some people find being around others exhausting—but not you! You are energized by spending time with friends, and you are good at meeting new people.
One of the reasons you enjoy conversation as much as you do is that you often learn about yourself while talking things out with a friend; you realize things about your own beliefs while discussing them with others.
You have insight into what others are thinking and feeling. This ability allows you to be happy for others, and to commiserate when something has gone wrong for them.
You are highly compassionate, and being conscious of how things affect those close to you leaves you cautious about trusting others too hastily.
Despite these reservations, you are open-minded when it comes to your worldview; you don't look to impose your ways on others.
Your sensitivity towards others' plights contributes to an understanding—both intellectual and emotional—of many different perspectives.
As someone who understands the complexities of the world around you, you are reluctant to pass judgments.
Your independent streak allows you to make decisions efficiently and to trust your instincts
You are balanced in your approach to problem-solving, not letting your emotions hold you up.
You have a strong sense of style and value your personal presentation - friends may even seek your style advice from time to time.
Generally, you believe that you control your life, and that external forces only play a limited role in determining what happens to you.
If you want to be different:
While it's important to think about others, don't forget to take some time for yourself, and occassionally to put yourself first.
Take some time to spend with a few close friends; although it's difficult to find people to trust, it's worth the effort.
When you have great ideas, it can be hard to relinquish control, but it can also feel good to take the pressure off and enjoy someone else leading the way.
Personal DNA Map

Life has so many twists

2006-07-08T00:03:00.000+01:00

Tonight is a night of self criticism.

I thought that I had finally come close to achieving my masterplan and it failed.
My career didn't move this vital step I was expecting, my personal life lives a downfall. Thankfully I have my friends but even them, they are scattered round the globe.
I still believe, I am in a good position compared to other people.
The only thing is that I feel a bit empty of feelings.
I feel empty and weary.
I am not depressed, I am just wondering what happened to me.
I remember myself when I started this journey of exploration that I was full of enthusiasm, passion, anger, love, curiosity,willingness, ready to throw everything away in order to succeed what I wanted.
I was lucky enough to succeed in many things, achieve many targets, live almost all of my dreams so far. So the reality now landed me a bit roughly. A reality I am not used to.
I feel like the 7 good years of pharaoh are over.
Hope I am mistaken, I just need to believe that my path changed and time has arrived to discover something different. Something more important yet. I think time has arrived to discover myself again. Reinvent myself!
My old masterplan is not valid aymore, need to create another one from scratch, one that will be more flexible and adaptable.
I am not sure if this will take me back on my path.
I dont even know what my path is anymore.
I am in an empty house, that is perfectly clean for the first time, have all the material things I want, live in the city I like, travel the world as and when I like, but looking back I miss my old self.
I have a picture of me on a fishboat, cruising the sea, careless, with wild hair and a decisive look. That was long time ago. I am not careless anymore, have no wild hair and my look has changed, is more diciplined, more boring.
I was told recently that I am an empty person, I have no passion, I dont value love, I am boring.......... You know what, I start to believe this.
I start to believe that in the process to suceed superficial things I lost touch with my heart or is it because I live in a jungle city?
I have to be the lion to keep things safe.
I dont know, I think it is time I refind myself, I rediscover my passion.
My passion for art. I used to love art. Now I am not even moved. This is sad!
However, I think a person is allowed to be more than one thing and I am definetely one of these characters that like a cameleon can change colors and adjust to all environments.
So what is my color now?
I think is a pale tone of something. It is time I get some vivid colors back.
Life has many twists and I have a path, hope this steep hill has a bright yellow sun on the other side!

Solo Para TI

2006-07-04T20:33:00.000+01:00

I am told I have no feelings
I think it is true
cause i dont express my feelings
like you do

Though deep in my heart I always have you
Your eyes , your smell, your lips
Your Love , your thoughts, your dreams
Your words, your smile, your everything

I made you think I am like a stone
A stone out of ice
that melted only with love
when it was build with hate

I always tried to do what was best
and I knew that it was wrong
I made you think I am perfect in everything
I made you feel less than you are

You are more than I ever made you think
Cause I was afraid that I will loose you
I was more jealous than you ever thought
I love you more than I ever have loved

You are better than I am
cause you are not perfect
you have passion and love
you see straight into the heart

you took my heart into you hands
i felt the warmth
but my past didnt let me
believe in that

You are the most lovely person I ve ever met
and I kept you away
i started building my cold heart
and lost you forever

I told you that this is the end
cause I am sincere
cause i still love you a lot
that explains my tears

I loved every moment with you
You never made me sad
and I made you feel quite bad
I was trying to teach you reality

I should teach myself
how to accept love
without price
without lines or borders

I did believe in your dreams
cause i dreamt with you
I do elieve in you
cause I know you are strong

My mistake was that i tried to change you
and you did
I didnt focus on my change
and I missed

Hope you forgive me
if you think I wasted your time
but I am telling you
I never did

All my love is with you
as always will be
All my thoughts are with you
and next to you I will be

Te Quiero tanto mi amor
Como tu quires a mi!

A THOUSANDS WORDS TOLD YOU!!!!

2006-07-04T18:04:00.000+01:00

2006-07-04T18:03:00.001+01:00

they byzantine pictures

2006-07-04T18:03:00.000+01:00

the church

2006-07-04T18:02:00.002+01:00

our friend

2006-07-04T18:02:00.001+01:00

the port

2006-07-04T18:02:00.000+01:00

all white with vivid colors

2006-07-04T18:01:00.001+01:00

perfect

2006-07-04T18:01:00.000+01:00

the little church

2006-07-04T18:00:00.002+01:00

love the sea

2006-07-04T18:00:00.001+01:00

art moments

2006-07-04T18:00:00.000+01:00

The mills again

2006-07-04T17:59:00.001+01:00

just one more

2006-07-04T17:59:00.000+01:00

I am in love with this

2006-07-04T17:58:00.001+01:00

The liitle VEnice

2006-07-04T17:58:00.000+01:00

A close tradinional look

2006-07-04T17:57:00.002+01:00

the door

2006-07-04T17:57:00.001+01:00

Cheap and very good

2006-07-04T17:57:00.000+01:00

She was beautiful and me allergic to cats!

2006-07-04T17:56:00.001+01:00

The models of the island

2006-07-04T17:56:00.000+01:00

Totally greek architecture

2006-07-04T17:55:00.002+01:00

SO beautiful

2006-07-04T17:55:00.001+01:00

The whole family

2006-07-04T17:55:00.000+01:00

The mascot

2006-07-04T17:54:00.000+01:00

Take the small fishboat round the beaches

2006-07-04T17:53:00.002+01:00

arty moments

2006-07-04T17:53:00.001+01:00

The windmills

2006-07-04T17:53:00.000+01:00

Here the globe parties

2006-07-04T17:52:00.001+01:00

WELCOME TO MYKONOS ISLAND< PART OF THE CYCLADES ON THE AEGEAN SEA

2006-07-04T17:52:00.000+01:00

the ceiling in the restaurant. Grant!

2006-07-04T17:51:00.000+01:00

All religions are here

2006-07-04T17:50:00.002+01:00

more of the skyline

2006-07-04T17:50:00.001+01:00

Derelict. Like the colors

2006-07-04T17:50:00.000+01:00

The Cat. MALE as far as I can see

2006-07-04T17:49:00.001+01:00

the scripture

2006-07-04T17:49:00.000+01:00

The ad

2006-07-04T17:48:00.000+01:00

REad

2006-07-04T17:47:00.002+01:00

THE flag

2006-07-04T17:47:00.001+01:00

Small alleys , more

2006-07-04T17:47:00.000+01:00

Small alleys

2006-07-04T17:46:00.001+01:00

The marina

2006-07-04T17:46:00.000+01:00

A greek crhistian orthodox church

2006-07-04T17:45:00.001+01:00

The old city, more

2006-07-04T17:45:00.000+01:00

The old city

2006-07-04T17:44:00.001+01:00

The skyline in contrast with the rest of the city Arhitecture

2006-07-04T17:44:00.000+01:00

Surf dudes

2006-07-04T17:43:00.001+01:00

The old city

2006-07-04T17:43:00.000+01:00

By the beach

2006-07-04T17:42:00.001+01:00

THE med surf experience

2006-07-04T17:42:00.000+01:00

Tel Aviv

Have a Sneaky Look!

2006-07-04T17:33:00.000+01:00

Hello my dear friends around the globe. They say pictures are a thousands words and they can tell many more. I strongly believe so. i took pictures for you from Mykonos island and Tel Aviv in Israel. The latter one I was supposed to post it moths ago , so since I empty the memories out of my digital , here you go . I share them with you.
I do really enjoy life as of lately , amidst major changes which I promise I will share with you as soon as possible.
Ali thanks for your comment and a big kiss to the rest of you.
i know I haven't kept a regular posting on here but had promised to myself to enjoy this summer. It is always better to gain experiences that you can share later in the days of logic and tranquility! At the moment my rational self has left my body and my party animal rose from the dead! For some strange reason I feel much better, I feel my age and I definetely have a great time...... Have a sneaky look then....mwah!

Summer Here We GO!

2006-06-01T18:52:00.000+01:00

i know I havent posted anything for quite a long time, but as always have been busy being on holidays, applying for a new job within the same company (hopefully something more boring and responsible), Organising things like my holidays in Malaysia at the end of the month for a few weeks, devoting time to my partner and in general enjoying life partying round Europe.

Gosh I am tired reading back. I dont know why but I decided that this summer will be devoted to prtying and having a good time. Its been a long time I had a proper summer and I definetely lust one. Therefore, i really doubt that there will be many more posts on here for the next few months. However, after this I will have to get organised and focus as new studies start, hopefully new job resonsibilities and the rest.

To be honest I secretly hope that something amazing will happen and all my hard planning will deteriorate for something more exciting, adventurous and new. All my plans are about settling down so that scares a bit the shit out of me cause basically I ve never done this before, I ve never stayed in the same place for more than 6 months. Well prefer not to think about it.

It is the Summer time and looking back in the past I had some fabulous ones so I want this one to be special for some reason. Anyone to join me on the greek islands?

Kisses

SOS- WE NEED HELP!

2006-05-09T18:08:00.000+01:00

London is one of the cities that serve the purpose of the failed "American dream". I came to this conclusion after discussing this with many locals and emigrants all from very different backgrounds that live here.
People have a false idea of London as a free and very democratic met,ropolis where people can move to and they will succeed. There is this general concept that London is one of these very cool cities, that is ahead of its time, all main business deals happen here, liberties are closely guarded and people can express themselves freely and act freely in a safe environment. It is supposed to be the center of Europe where people live happily, earn loads of money and have the best parties ever seen or heard. It is cosmopolitan and tolerant to everyone and basically is an ideal city to live in.
Well my dear reader, if that is what you think of London, you are deceived to believe all wrong things. I know that in my blog lately I am quite negative in my approach to many things. However, the ying and the yang come together, the bad and the good. I can act as the advocat's devil occassionaly.
The reality in London is very different. It is not only the best parties and the most amazing art galleries and exhibitions, it is not only tolerant and so cosmopolitan ....No it is not , sometimes it is not this at all. I live here for two years already and have traveled to many places and many destinations. I can compare and I am entitled to express myself. London is what I would call the modern Babylon. A metropolis, a grant metropolis, where people speak hundreds languages and thousands dialects, all religions are present here, all ways of expression can be found, anything you can think of, I suppose exists here. Parallel to this fascinating world, exists poverty, racism, trafficking of humans, drugs dealing, high criminality, ghettos, lack of democracy in a very patronizing system, exploitation, lack of trust in people... You will just say, so what , this exists everywhere. Exactly, but at least other places are decent enough to name their problems and not hide behind the perfect equal opportunities city that will make your dreams come true.
I was chating to many people lately and listening to their frustrations. They were all very upset with the lack of quality. Quality of life, which means, decent salaries, decent housing, decent education etc.
Once you want to live in London get ready to abandon the way of life you are accustomed to. Unless if you are a millionaire. If you are educated, you will earn a bit more that the average. You will have to share a flat since housing is so expensive and the idea of renting your own house is off-putting, unless if you are willing to spend 2/3 or more of your salary to do so. Going out is not that expensive. Local transport is extornionate, especially for what you get. Transport in London is ridiculously overpriced as housing is. Having found a flat won't solve anything, since you have to get on with your flatmates, that can be anyone and anything. Then you have to sort out the bills that arrive all the time, accompanied also by threatening letters if you are a bit late. So you better get organized and keep close check on your bills, since out of nowhere, you might end up in court , paying a few hundreds more and getting a lovely criminal record. You think I am joking? Well, I am not. I am fighting a case with London Transport at the courts. An 80p ticket, has cost me a criminal record and several hundred pounds and it was not even my fault. I just happened to be at the wrong place the wrong time. You see If you are visiting East London ( see Peckam), you should worry less about the criminality ratings (gangs and ghettos, people living under third world conditions)and worry more about the transport inspectors. The roadside mashines might not be working to issue tickets but still you will be sent straight to the court. You see it is not South Kensington here (posh, upmarket area),and you cannot get away with a 20pound fine. This is what we call equal opportunities.
The governent on the other side has made sure that immigrants wont integrate in the local community. That's why London is a modern example of how you can build more ghettos and how you can manipulate ethnic groups. For instance, if you get off at Housnlow central, you wouldn't tell that you are in London. You would think you are in Pakistan, India or somewhere else in South Asia. White people are rare, African black prefer east London and Chinese towards the center. The thing is that these people restrict themselves in their own communities, they cannot communicate in english many times and they carry on with their traditions as normal.For example, girls are forced to prearranged marriages. If they object they might have to fear for their lives.
It is as if all other minorities around them dot exist. Hounslow is only one example, that I happened to witness. There are many other areas in London, not to say that almost every area apart from the touristic ones are like these. GHETTOS is what they have created, so this is an image of cosmopolitan London, where people are not racists and they like interacting and meeting new cultures and build their future together. The idea that London is being presented like this make me want to laugh or cry. I have never met more racists anywhere else. I feel that there is no official policy of integration in this country.I dont understand why. All these immigrants and asylum seekers are accepted just to lower the national wages and boost the economy. I will never understand, how people are able to live on 700 pounds when 1/3 of it will go to transport and the rest to housing. Visit London suburbs, away from the so beautifully designed touristic areas and you will see what I mean.Visit Camberwell Green, Peckam, Housnlow and so many other areas that look like a war-zone. Of course nice areas like Hampstead, South Kensington, Marylebone, City, Canary Wharf are being kept immaculate. What about all the surrounding areas that litter lies on the streets and beggars, homeless people and criminality ratings are being shot through the roof?
I think the governement and all the ones responsible turn a blind eye on all the injustice happening around.Not to mention the illegal employment and the lack of eqaul treatment. Daily i hear stories of discrimination and injustice taking place. People being made to work unlimited amount of hours with minimum pay, only because they had never been told their rights. People being prosecuted for unimportant things while criminals are being released by mistake. It does frustrate me all this injustice and it does make me angry more for the fact that London is still being considered the "American Dream"'.How is this possible when all that is being achieved in this city is to bring the worst out of its inhabitants. A metropolis that people learn to survive on jungle tactics. Hit first to avoid being hit. There is no trust among its communities, there is no trust among its ghettos, a metropolis that you have to make sure that you keep your eyes open and buy a new pair of eyes to watch your back from unnecessary stabbing.
I am stunned to hear that millions, billions of pounds are being spent to overseas wars to bring justice to the world, when the country in itself lives the worst decadance. Transport is poor,people live on the dole, 15 years old children have themselves 3 children each and use the state benefits, emmigrants are being exploited, food is tasteless, the gap between rich and poor is widening, students have to take extraordinary amounts in loans that they will have to pay off for the rest of their lives, police cannot cope with criminality, gangs are out of control, underculrures are being encouraged.....Do you know what is this to me, chaos! That is why BNP the neonazi party is gaining ground in this liberal and democratic society. People are frustrated, they feel that they are being taxed for the air they breathe, they feel discriminated, let down. What is being done for all these?Patronizing, fines, prosecutions, deprivations of staturory rights (terrorist act law, you can be kept in detention for as long as needed) etc. Where do they really want to lead this society? It is definetely a far cry from the image that is being advertised.
THIS IS LONDON. WE NEED HELP!! So if someone cares please raise your voice.

RELIGION - DIVERSITY - TOLERANCE -ME ME ME

2006-04-09T15:37:00.000+01:00

What is religion? what is god? what are the gods? who created us? what created the universe? what made us believe in gods? why do we still believe in god? why do we need to believe? why they are so many names for the same god? why people fight for god? why people die in the name of god? why are there wars for the gods? why god allows us to kill each other in his name? who will go to the paradise? the muslim , the christian , the protestant, the catholic, the orthodox, the jews, the buddhist, the hindu? who will reincarnate?
Once again I ask you to open your eyes and minds!

First of all, muslims, christians, jews and all religions believe more or less in the same thing. They preach humanity, peace, love, devotion, morals, altruism.
They all have a gods representative in their stories. Buddha, Moameth, Jesus Christ etc
Many modern religions are inter-connected. For instance, muslims believe in Jesus Christ as a prophet but worship Moameth as their Gods representative. Christians share the same god with Jews but Jews are still waiting for the Messiah. Confused?

The world functions in a very simple repetitive way. I have refered to this many times. You have to read behind the lines and have to look deep in the actual story-history. History has been written by people, people that we dont know, people with intentions, people of various beliefs, people that were followers of kings or presidents. In a nutshell, i dont believe that historical facts as presented are objective. However, reading different historians you get a general aspect of the things. You get to understand that actually the world is actually functioning in the very same way that a neighborhood does, or a flat share. People of different backgrounds gather together and try to live in harmony or not.

Religion is the same, it started when people were primitive and wanted to give an explanation for the existence of world and natural phenomena around them, evolved with knowledge, science and became a powerful tool in the hands of the mass manipulators. As easy and simple, thats why we have now muslims and christians fighting. Well there is no bad or good guy, no better or worst religion. What exists, is the explotation of the masses, that live in fear of being punised by the powerful God that sees and cures everythings, that punishes and offers mercy.

What is, that the masses dont realise?

We created Gods that look like us and act like us, with temper and passion, with bad morals, with hatred, with love. We made an idol of ourselves. We look at the sky and we use it as a mirror. Our god , our powerful god, the King of all, our father, ourselves. Yes the one you adore is not someone else but you, you are worshiping yourselves. You kill each other cause you want to , not because HE/She told you to do so. You follow your manipulators cause you decide to do so. Cause you are afraid to open your blindfolds and see beyond. You prefer to live in a false state of security when you can change all these and live in peace. You are spoilt and selfish creatures really. You hide behind taboos, cause it comforts you. You dont live your life and certainly you will never make full use of your capabilities, at least not for a good reason. You lead a religious life for the shake of it, FOR YOUR OWN INTEREST.

At the end of the day if you are so religious, why are you not sharing your goods with your neighbours . Why don't you help ? Why are you so greedy? Why do you fall for a few more notes (money)? Why don't you say what you really think?Why do you let your children get brainwashed in the same manner? Why don't yousave the planet you live in? Why do you kill, rape, steal, deceive, cheat,lie? Why do you go to war in the name of peace and god? Why do you witness all these people dying without acting?WHY?

I tell you why, cause you don't give a damn. You don't give a damn if the planet is being destroyed. You dont give a damn if your neighbour dies. It is all ME ME ME ME ME. Well go on and worship yourself in the temples or open your eyes and do something about all this misery around you. It is your choice!

V

2006-03-31T12:10:00.000+01:00

Last night I went to the cinema to watch "'V"for Vendetta. The synopsis is as follows:

Set against the futuristic landscape of totalitarian Britain, V For Vendetta tells the story of a mild-mannered young woman named Evey (NATALIE PORTMAN) who is rescued from a life-and-death situation by a masked man (HUGO WEAVING) known only as “V.” Incomparably charismatic and ferociously skilled in the art of combat and deception, V ignites a revolution when he urges his fellow citizens to rise up against tyranny and oppression. As Evey uncovers the truth about V’s mysterious background, she also discovers the truth about herself – and emerges as his unlikely ally in the culmination of his plan to bring freedom and justice back to a society fraught with cruelty and corruption.

The whole movie summarises under the following phrase:
"People should not be afraid of their governments , governments should be afraid of their people''

The movie has got a clear message. People are being manipulated everyday by propaganda created by their governments and the media. A recent example of this propaganda is the war in Iraq. People all around the globe were led to believe that the war was against those creating nuclear weapons. However, due the course of the events it was found that there was no such evidence against Iraq. Definetely, Iraq had a dictator at the time, but people were misled to support something that did not exist. The same happened in Britain. The governments use new tactics every day to distract the attention of the masses away from the true issues.
I live in London and I cross my heart , people are more interested to read the starsigns, or the gossip columns rather than to follow the important political decisions taken by those that they elected. The film is all bout these things, tries to pass a message saying that unless people wake up from their comfortable living they will end up in a totalitarian Britain, World. In a nutshell, history repeats itself. Do you remember Hitler and the way he assumed power? He was elected to power, I believe we are not far away from repeating the history ourselves. I hope before this happens we will all wake up.

Connect your mind with you soul!

2006-03-30T10:47:00.000+01:00

The following text has been taken without permission from my friend's blog ali2africa.blogspot.com- it summarises all my thinking and inner search for quite a long time.
I hope you read carefully and find something life changing in it:

Dear Mark,
I, too, am a searcher. I haven't stayed in the same spot for more than a year and a half since I was 15. All this moving around has taken me to 2 places in Brasil, Austin, ABQ twice, and now 2 places in Mozambique. I feel a compelling need to keep moving forward, to have new experiences and meet new people, all with the idea that out of it all I will gain some life lesson essential to my time here on earth.What I've learned from it all is the following:- the huge revelations and life lessons never come at the time or place where you expect them to.
- the boring, sedentary times can actually be those revelations in disguise, and you only realize it later.
- every part of the journey serves a purpose. You are where you need to be now, and you will end up where you need to be when it's time.
- at some point it becomes obvious that it is time to stop searching, at least in terms of moving around to new places or changing careers. How do you know when you've found what you're looking for? Your body will tell you. Not your mind, your body. I know this sounds strange, but I'll try to explain what I mean in a litte bit.
- being happy and feeling satisfied with life will happen, but it's not at all the way you imagine it should feel like, and it is still rife with ups and downs and depressed periods. The difference is that you feel an overwhelming sense of calm and grounded-ness that rides you through the uncertain parts of life and always leads you back where you need to be. I always found that to be missing when I was in an intense " searching" phase. I would just search and search and at the end of the day feel very unsettled. Excited by life and in love with the people around me, but unsettled.I can tell you I've been through fabulous times and also some very terrible ones. Many people have criticized the way I've lived my life, but I don't regret anything. But recently, I've received a loud and clear message that it's time for me to stop. I need to put down some roots, have some stability in my life, stay in one spot for a while.Several things pointed me to this conclusion at the same time. The first was having lived for 9 months in Chimoio sharing a house with 5 other people. It was one of the hardest things I've done, for several different reasons. It undoubtedly brought out the worst in me. I wanted to run out of that situation after about month 2, but I made myself sit still and ride it out. I learned a lot. At the end of nearly a year, I decided that it was time to move on. Not because I was running away, but because a very wise voice inside me said I'd gotten all I needed out of the situation and it was okay to recognize that I was in a bad place for me.The second thing was the Nia intensive training that I did in Cape Town. Nia is basically a way of finding health and healing through movement. It combines dance arts, martial arts, and healing arts to help each person find exactly what his/her body needs. Nia is very much about getting in touch with the body, doing what your body naturally tells you it needs. When the body is healed, the mind will also be healed. It involves a lot of philosophy about mind-body connectivity. So at the training, we did an intensive week of Nia and at the end all the participants became certified to be Nia teachers.I love Nia, but the intensive was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I found myself very, very resistant in the first few days. I even plotted how I could make an excuse to leave the training after day 2. But again I made myself sit through the uncomfortableness of the situation. I got physically ill on day 3, and then it was like I'd crossed over to another place. I became acceptant of the process and made it through the rest of the training. I learned how to get in touch with my feelings, feel how they affect my body, and move my body the way I am called to move to help heal the feelings. It has been life-changing.I know it may sound like a lot of hoo-haw, but it reminds me a lot of what you said about accessing your feelings to become a good actor. In Nia, you have to access your feelings and let them move your body to truly get the most out of dance. You only become a good Nia teacher when you access those parts of yourself.I learned that I have been living my life completely in my mind. I have a fabulous life in my mind - I write, I think, I read - and I am recognized because of my mind - my work - and I let my mind make my life decisions - mostly rational and "thought out". But the mind can many times lead you astray, and a life lived wholly through the mind is an unbalanced one. I am learning how to live through my body again, and the body will never guide you wrong.Let me give you an example:Our Nia teacher told a story about a friend who was agonizing over whether or not to marry her boyfriend. This woman asked all her friends for advice, made lists of the pro's and con's of marrying this man, went to a psychologist, discussed it with her family, etc. And she still couldn't make a decision as to what was right for her life. So when she finally asked our Nia teacher what she should do, the teacher said to sit in a quiet place for 30 minutes and think about her boyfriend. Then, she said for the friend to notice what she felt in her body. So the next day, the friend came back and said that she'd sat for 30 minutes and thought about the man she was considering marrying. The teacher asked what she felt in her body, and her friend said that she felt her throat closing up, like she was being strangled. That was the unmistakeable message from her body that marrying this man was not the right thing to do.So all through the rest of the Nia training, I tried to reconnect with my body and stop analyzing everything. I just danced and moved and meditated, doing everything my body wanted. All of a sudden, I became overwhelmed with a feeling that I needed to grow roots. I wanted to stay in the same place, be grounded. I felt this both in my dance, as well as in a larger way in my life. Interestingly, when we would do evaluations and feedback for each other as part of the training, everyone commented that my energy was not grounded, that it seemed as if I was dancing on air. Quite literally, the physical manifestation of what I need in my life right now.I want to settle down, stop moving around, and grow my roots. Ricardo and I moved away from Chimoio in January and finally found an apartment in Maputo, the capital, at the beginning of March. We are now living together in an environment that I feel is good for me, where I can concentrate on my life and work and be a happy person at the same time. When I think about settling down, everything in my body feels joy. That's how I know this is the right thing...

2006-03-21T22:13:00.000Z

spanish nature without the flu

2006-03-21T22:12:00.000Z

drunk with spanish Rioja helps at the fiesta

2006-03-21T22:11:00.000Z

detail

2006-03-21T22:10:00.000Z

Falla

2006-03-21T22:08:00.001Z

smoke excitement and big BOOOms

2006-03-21T22:08:00.000Z

BOOOM

2006-03-21T22:07:00.000Z

here we go BOoooom

2006-03-21T22:06:00.001Z

The fireworks

2006-03-21T22:06:00.000Z

all take part

2006-03-21T22:05:00.000Z

the Fallera Major

2006-03-21T22:04:00.000Z

more traditional dresses representing different eras of the spanish history

2006-03-21T22:03:00.000Z

Falla_ the paper sculpture- that will be burned at the end