Its finally here!

Finally, my countdown ticker is over. It seems like eternity. Anyway, glad that it's now here.

I've not been in the mood to post or write since last week. Had a few attempts at it, but each time I gave up...discarding or saving the post which never gets published (which is never completed anyway).

Goin home in 2 hours. It's gonna a be a long and tiring one. Since I've got some time before my taxi arrives, I thought I'd leave a short post here before I go off.

3 months have been a pretty lengthy time. Especially in a town like this where not everyone speaks your tongue and life is boring. Can't wait to get home.

Till I have the mood to post again ;)
Ciao2.

Counting down the days

Recently, I've been quite motivated to finish whatever I have on hand. I wouldn't want to increase my chances of coming back to this place again. 3 months is long enough to torture my homey soul to the max. Besides, fall is almost here...winter is next. I wouldn't wanna be here when all that happens. Chill wind has been rising lately, blowing constantly despite the sky's gray or the sun's shining. Everyone is showing some slight symptoms of catching cold. I am not spared too.

Talks have been going on...emails have been flying around...the decision has yet to come. Though, I'd be expecting something final, some time this week. So far, everything seems well. I have made myself clear to the 'necessary' parties that I would 'prefer' not to come back here anytime soon. And by the look at things, so far...I think everything's cool. Let's just hope I'm not wrong.

Anyway my flight has been confirmed for next Friday and with my visa's expiry coming up soon...I am bound to go back no matter. Whether I'll be back again after a week's break back home...fate decides.

17th & 18th September - Cloudy & Rainy

For the past few weekends, I've been frequenting Venice more than ever. Now that I'm determined not to make any more long-haul trips and to take it easy for the rest of my remaining days here, I guess I have nothing else left to do when weekend comes.

Yesterday, like my past few trips into the city...i had something to achieve. I'm going in to get some Wings from Burger King. But after a few attempts to 're'-locate that shop...i failed miserably. Lost in those winding streets...I just cant seem to recall...how to get there anymore. It must have been my 5th or 6th time, rounding that area...till i gave up...bought a gelato...and asked for direction, which I should have done so earlier on...but i guess i was either too stubborn or...too shy ;")

The direction was pretty simple, "head straight on...take the first right turn...across the bridge...the first open area, that's where it is". And indeed it was. I knew it was somewhere close...but I just kept goin around it. Anyway, I had a BIG BOSS burger for eat-in and packed another 2 boxes of wings to take away for my dinner.

I got home at about 5pm. The sky starts to rumble in the horizon...and after a while, rain starts pouring down. It didnt stop...till this morning, then it started again. I think it's probably gonna rain till late tonight. So much for having MOONCAKE. Well, i've got the cake alrite...guess there wont be any moon to see.

Fruits on sale
It was shipped in by boat like these

Plenty of tees, all colourful and cheap
Rialto Bridge, always crowded with tourists wanting to snap a picture home
The sky's turning grey when I'm heading back
When i was heading back, I saw this: A continuation from my BAD BAG post last week. This is an example of the authority chasing down the illegal traders. Somehow, its like those VCD/DVD seller back in Asia. They have had a 'lookout' or some sort. Notice the way the way looking at that direction and already packing their goods? :)
This is what they saw coming their way :)

The Moon and The Cake

It's this weekend i was told. Being far far away from home is something which I find quite frustrating sometimes. It's one of these moments, that I miss home even more. Though i dont fancy mooncake much, just for the sake of living some Asian (Chinese) moments here...I bought a box of Mooncake last week from the chinese grocery store. I'm getting it earlier just because I've seen the rack a week earlier and it was quite filled with the number of available boxes...but last week...half the rack was gone...so I had to get my hands on one before the actual week. A single yolk-white lotus paste of 4 pieces...costs about 14,50 euros. (The amount of money I spend nowadays out of boredom...I couldnt even start...and wouldnt want to as well.)

I'm gonna spend some quiet moment at my apartment...looking out to the sky from my window(roof)...sipping a nice warm cup of green tea and having a piece or two of the mooncake, hopefully the moon is gonna be as round as it is gonna be...back home.

Bad Bag

The weather has changed abit recently. Leaves turning brown and falling...the slightest sign of the coming of autumn. My favourite season of all four. Im usually quite easily affected by the weather. Gloomy days...I'd usually like to hide in my room, being anti social for a while...talk lesser than i used to, read a good book by the window...and turn up to watch the grey sky occasionally. A good way to pass a grey day. But sometimes reality bites...I had to work. No room for doing what my heart desires.

The wind's getting chilly again in the evenings and sometimes in the very early of the morning too. It's still quite hot in the afternoon though. Hmm...when will this end?

I went into Venice again today...I cant recall this is the xth time. But having nothing to do, and not in the mood to go anywhere...anymore. It's just the only possible thing I could do in this small part of the world on a quiet Sunday afternoon. Only a short walk...2 hours plus maybe. Just cruising the usual streets. And making radical occasional turns. To my surprised i found a couple more NEW streets today. And then there was Burger King. Another fast food shack I would enjoy coming again. No wonder they said Venice is a big maze. You always end up on different streets every time u enter if you dont already know the route. A good thing too...coz if you follow the norm...u'll never get the chance to explore the whole of it.


I learnt a new phrase today. BAD BAG. When I was goin places in Europe, I've seen street peddlers, black people mainly...they are selling Guccis and Pradas and LVs most of the time. Displaying their goods on a white cloth they spread over the floor. Today, like the usual...there are plenty of them...and I notice a bright yellow sign right beside one of them. Explaining the process of how these people work. It's of course illegal to do trading of immitation goods. But they termed it as BAD BAG. First of all, if you bought one of these...u can get fine up to 10,000 Euros...(which is alot of money!). These sellers are mainly illegal immigrants, which means this is the only possible job they can do. Third, The Maker of these goods are usually children from the age of 9 to 13. They work up to 18hours a day, 7 days a week and in a very poor condition. And last, The Boss from these sorta organizations are usually the ones who benefits the most. So before you get all cheap and buy these things next time, think again...you are indirectly supporting this kinda organization.

Daniel Powter - Bad Day

Been repeating this song awful lot lately.
Just thought I'd share the lyrics out.
---
Where is the moment we need it the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue sky's fade to grey
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on

You stand in the line just ahead of the law
You're faking a smile with a coffee to go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces everytime
And I don't need no carryin' on

Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

Well you need a blue sky holiday
The point is they laugh at what you say
And I don't need no carryin' on

You had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day

(Oh.. Holiday..)

Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing it turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong
Well I'm not wrong

So where is the passion when you need it the most
Oh you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost

Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
You've seen what you like
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

Had a bad day
Had a bad day

The Next Paris Trip

I know this is a week late. But I've not got the time to write much lately. So I'm compiling a paragraph..save it as draft...and adding another whenever I have the time.
---
The second time I set foot on Paris' soil, just 3 weeks from my first. I took RyanAir, the only budget airline that flies from Venice's Treviso airport to France's Beauvais airport. The cost was about 110 Euro for a return trip inclusive of tax. Took a connecting bus from Mestre to Treviso...an hour's journey due to the peak hour. Reached Treviso by 6:30pm on Friday evening. The sun was about to set now. The season is starting to change...daylight is not that lengthy anymore. My plane doesnt leave till 8:20pm. After I checked in, I spent some time lingering around the waiting area, checking out the only souvenir/chocolate/perfume shop in this small airport.

The boarding call came shortly after my snack. I was hungry. The wasn't any queue to board...just like the previous time. The crowd was just pushing through, as if they don't know the meaning of QUEUE. I made it to the plane without much of a hassle. I too have to keep a close distance to the one in front of me, to prevent these people from cutting in. So much for a civilized country. I've never been onto AirAsia before, this is my first(or rather second) budget plane ride. But RyanAir is all good. Comfortable black leather seats, nice stewardess and plenty of snacks to choose from. I bought a blueberry muffin and soup for my dinner. The flight took 2 hours, which reminds me of my monthly flights to Jakarta not so long ago. I kinda miss those days.

I landed in Beauvais in France. Just about 45mins away from Paris. This too is a small airport. I guess budget airlines are not allowed to stop at those huge international airport. So I had to take a bus into Paris. For a return bus trip it was 26Euro. Not that cheap I'd say. The ride felt like a long one...maybe I'm just tired and can't wait till i check in to my hotel and call it a night.

The next morning I woke up feeling even tired than the night before. Maybe because the hotel's bed wasn't as comfortable as the one I had back in Venice. I spent almost my entire day at Printemps (one of the most frequented shopping complex in Paris...all under one roof).


One block of the 3 blocks of Printemps
When I arrived by the RER its already lunch time. Huge crowds were gathering at the many entrances of this 3-building complex. I picked on of the less crowded ones and quickly made it through the door and head up to the salon, where I made an appointment right after lunch at 2pm for my haircut. Then I'm off to the top floor restaurant for my lunch. I ordered a Roasted Pork Ribs. A sumptuous meal. Though I regretted not able to finish it.

A pretty nifty spot for lunch.

My lunch-Roast Pork Ribs with Sweet Potato Fries


After lunch, it was almost time for my new make-over. So I headed 2 floors down to the salon. I was immediately ushered in...and assigned a stylist. The was even an english speaking stylist that recommended me a new hairstyle. I happily accepted his suggestion but at the same time I actually crossing my fingers. Hoping for a best bet. It felt as if im placing a bet on the gambling table, only this time...its my head im betting on, or rather...my hair. 2 hours later. I turned out alright. It's actually even better than what I've expected. No wonder most of the stylist back home came here for their training. Definitely worth a visit if you're here in Paris.

Summer sale's over now. So I only shop around for a little while and its almost dinner time. I'm gonna have to catch Eiffel tower before it gets dark. I needed the day and night view. So, this is the best time to go.

The queue was pretty long on both sides. Took me about 30mins or so to get my LIFT ticket to the top floor. There's also a WALKING ticket. I'd rather take the lift this time. Getting up is not easy too. The queue to the lift itself is not short either. And you would have to get off, change lift on the 2nd floor to get to the top. And there's another queue right there. This place is jammed packed with people of all nationality. By the time I got all the way to the top floor. It's already dusk. It's a breathtaking view from the top. After I had captured enough pictures, I headed down to the 2nd floor for a snack. I was munching away on my double sausages sandwich when I heard some ruckus from the outside. Looking out of the glass window, I saw people looking up to the sky...they face...pale, lit by the flashing of white lights coming from above. I too, of course rushed out...and what I saw was something truly unforgettable. The tower was 'dancing' before my eyes. The small lights are coming from corners of the tower. Bathing it in pure white light. I was awe-stucked for a while. Stood still, savouring that moment.


One of many the Eiffel Tower pictures I took.

Eiffel Tower after dark.
'Dancing' mode

Home is that far away from this part of the tower


View from above

Sun set view from tower top


By 9:30pm, I'm ready to head down and to my next destination - Hard Rock Cafe, Paris. The queue at the lift to come down was long, now that everyone has admired the night's main event (the dancing lights)...everyone just wanna get down and head home. Well, there wasn't actually a LINE...it was just a huge crowd of people gathered at the lift, waiting for it to come up. There are 2 couples of old folks behind me. They sort of eased their way through to get behind me and stood by me till the lift door open. Then to my surprised...these old couples ain't your typical weak, fragile bones grandparents. They pushed. And they pushed hard! I was like carried off in a sweep of a ocean wave. They pushed me and the person in front of me...all the way...ignoring all other people's shouting, swearing and crying. They just dont seem to care. I was in between. I cant fallback nor move to the front. I basically have no say in where I was pushed to...squeezed in between. They got into the lift alrite, with me too. The door closes right behind us, just after we entered. I can see eyes turning red and faces black from the people still standing outside the lifting as our lift starts to ease its way down. They will have to wait for the next...or the one after. These 2 old couples doesnt seem to feel any guilt or embarrassment at all. Not a single bit. They acted as if nothing has happen. Grrr...felt like slapping them twice on their wrinkled faces. Once we got out of the lift to the ground floor, they just rushed out into the horizon and was gone before I could have a second look at them.

The dinner at Hard Rock was uneventual except for a few usual staring eyes from those foreigners sitting next to my table.

A starter for a main
The next day i spent my entire morning at the Lourve. Purchased some more souvenirs.

The crowd at Mona Lisa's 'foot'
This is the only picture that caught everyone's attention


Caught a Metro to Notre Dame.

Notre Dame
After snapping some pictures and sitting around for like 10mins or so, its already evening. KFC for dinner. Somehow, it didnt taste that great this time. I dont know why. Perhaps I dont miss it so much now. 8pm and its early retirement for me.

The 3rd and last day...not much time left till my flight. I need to catch the 3:30pm shuttle bus to the airport. So I just went around town to do some light shopping. Along Metro line 1...where I can catch the connecting train to where my bus is waiting.

I reached home the other night, was exhausted until today. A weekend trip tend to get me all washed-out...most of the time. A 3 days 2 nites in Paris this time, is no longer the usual rush...but it's still a lil tiring, somehow.

Paris is unlike Venice, its a city with skyscrapers.


The clouds were plenty that day