Fifa Fever

Its almost a week now. Time flies when you're occupied.

I havent been able to write after I got back from the trip last Sunday.
Partially it was due to the fact that I was so tied down with work, I gotta complete something by this week so that the people here wont have an excuse to hold me back any longer.

The trip last weekend was really an experience. A new sensation that I've never felt before. A high one too.

I booked the taxi from my hotel in Mestre to the airport the night before, told them I wished to leave at 6:30am. I woke up late. Rushing out of my door, I made the taxi driver waited for 15mins. I was lucky he wasnt any typical Italian. And that itself, was already an exciting morning for me. An early dose of adreneline to kick start my day. Having to rush out the door and packed whatever's not packed from the night before. I remembered I was smiling in the cab after that.

Getting on the plane from Venice's Marco Polo airport at 8:55am, flying north-west bound for 1 hour and 10mins, I reached Cologne's Bonn International Airport right at about slightly past 10 in the morning. The weather was rather hot. The airport was crowded with tourists. There were counters everywhere with signs about the upcoming football match - the match I was gonna watch on that day. I managed to get the Fly and Rail with the air ticket I bought with an additional 19Euro per day. With this ticket, I get unlimited rides on trains to any destination in Germany. Save me alot of effort of having to queue up for tickets and worrying about how much to pay etc. Ease of mind. Something I dont mind spending when I travel.

Once out of the arrival hall, I followed the signs to the train tracks just two levels below. The train arrived at the platform in less than 3 mins. I boarded. It took me to the central station in less than 15mins. Pretty efficient. I like this place already. People speaks english, streets are clean, trains are good. I tried not to compare with what I get in Venice. But I just can't help it.
Once I got out of the train station, I flagged a cab, showed them an address and they took me to the place where I'm gonna collect my ticket to the world event. The place was a makeshift office, an apartment located at some narrow streets with no signboard except for a small doorbell with the company label. I bumped into a father-son czech. They were there to collect their tickets too.

Another cab ride after that took me to my hotel. Where I had just booked from the internet without really looking much at the details. The price was reasonable enough and location was (i think) good. So I just placed the booking. It turns out, the hotel was a surprised. It was all good. And better. Another surprise for my already good day. This is indeed A DAY. The building is not big, but its really classy and the room, is just...perfect. After I'm done checking in, and since the game was at 6pm...I still have 4 hours to go, before I need to head to the stadium.

I went out, and with the map the hotel provided me...I headed to the nearby subway station...which is only 3 mins walk. I took the train from the opposite side :P I should be heading to the central station again, which is only 2-3 stops from my hotel. But instead I went 5 stops to realize I was on the opposite track. Well, its an adventure anyway...so I got off, head across the street and waited another 15mins for the next train and back tracked about 8 stations to get to the central station.

Central station was full with people, with banners, flags, signs etc. Football fanatics. With bright costumes, heavy makeups. I can already feel the party mood here, and this is not even the stadium yet! The Catheredal was just outside the station, alot of people has been gathering at this huge open area and by the stairs to the cathederal. I went around shooting pictures, posing with all the interesting people i saw. It's a bright sunny day, the weather's perfect. I guess it's just a perfect day after all. Or was it just my mood? :P

I met an Indonesian there while taking pictures, she was there alone. So we decided to help each other with the picture. She has been in Cologne for 5months now and she speaks german. She is on one of those cultural exchange program. She was really surprised that i'm a Malaysian and even more, when she found out I was in Jakarta for 2 years...AND I SPEAK indonesian :P Though, my indonesian has deteriorated after I left Jakarta but i guess I havent lost all of it yet. From that moment onwards, I was blurting out words in Indonesian for my 2 days in Germany. Hmm...somehow its kinda ironic...i dont think i've spoken that much of indonesian in a day even back in Jakarta.

My newfound friend was not goin for the match. But she followed (or rather I followed her) to the stadium. When we got there, the crowd and the mood has gone up a few notches as compared to those at the station. Though most of them from the station did made their way to the stadium with us. The train was packed. Mostly czech supporters on my car. Singing along as we go. It was a fun thing. Everyone's smiling, cheering. The faces were so much different compared to the faces ... after the game. I guess they never saw that coming. Neither did I.

We took some more pics at the entrance. More people goin around with signs "I Need Tickets". Too bad. I'm hugging onto mine very tightly. Afraid that I might lost it. Before we parted ways, we exchanged emails and phone number. My Indonesian friend is a friendly one. She has nothing on the weekend, so she said if im up for it...she could bring me around on Sunday before I leave Germany. I told her I'd get back to her in the evening after the game. Then there's the goodbye and I queued up for the ticket inspection.

Inside the stadium, it was a completely different world. This is really a PARTY. And only privelleged ones are allowed to enter. The very few that has the ticket compared to the crowd outside. I met a Czech guy at the entrance, he said he was there with friends. He is very lucky he managed to get the ticket just earlier. I asked him, how much...he said "300 Euro! But I'm so lucky! There are alot of people still waiting out there...they cant even find a ticket!" And in my mind, I was saying to myself "Wow, and i bought mine at 190Euro...same category as yours...if i were to throw it out at 400 or 500. My trip here would be an all PAID one." Hmmm...but nah...that wasnt what I wanted anyway. I'd rather keep the ticket and enjoy the experience :P.

The game was a great one. I wont elaborate much. I can't even put into words what I felt during the game. It was a really grand experience. One that I would remember and cherish forever. The excitement, the passion, the crowd, the cheering, the mood...everything...was then one. And I felt it all at the same time.

After the Czechs lost to Ghana by 2-0, before I realize it...the whole stadium was left with the majority of Ghana supporters. Where has all the Czechs gone to?

I stayed till it was 9pm then headed back to my hotel. Hungry. Tired. On the way I sms my indonesian friend for the next day's plan. We are gonna meet at noon at the cathederal.

That nite after I have showered. I went out to look for food. It was already almost 10:00. The streets are still crowded with people at the sidewalks and sitting at cafe watching big screen tv's that was showing the match between Italy and USA. I made my way to a local brewery, suggested by the hotel staff. ordered a pork knuckle and beer. It was a sumptious meal. The very taste of Germany. It's a fine day indeed.

The next morning, there was breakfast in the hotel. Then I just went out to a nearby store to get a calling card and call home. By 1130, I had checkout from the hotel and headed to the Cathederal where I'm suppose to wait for my new friend. When I got there, she was already waiting at the stairs. She said she needed to visit the cybercafe to upload some pics she took from yesterday. So she brought me an older part of the town, where the charges for the internet cafe is just 75cents / 30mins. Cheap! Compared to the one I have in my hotel in Venice. Well, thats an entirely different story...perhaps another time.

After we're done with the cafe, she brought me back to the town centre where there was Rein and Boon. One was the bridge, one the river. Erm...I think. Anyway, there was this big bridge that spans across a river. It was quite a pleasant sight. Not bad for sight seeing. Then we went to some shopping district. Too bad its a Sunday, so most shops...like any other place here in Europe, do not operate on Sundays. So its all look and no buy. Good thing. Cause I've spent a bomb on this trip already. Gotta save up some.

At 4pm, it was time for me to head to the airport. We took our last pic together. Said our goodbyes. I hopped on the train, waited a while and it sped off to the airport. My flight back to Venice leaves at 6. But apparently it got delayed. And I got home...although rather tired...but still managed to spend an hour on WoW before I call it a day...or rather...a great weekend.

* I cant seem to post any pictures here...no idea why...everytime i upload, once done...nothing happen...i got tired of trying...i'm leaving for home in 5 hours...so maybe next time ;)

*Decided to upload to imagestation instead. Since I've got plenty and it's difficult to post everything here. So here goes...view album

My New Ride

Its 'officially' summer now. The sun's been shining since the past few days. The strong cold wind, occasional rain and gloomy weather are all history for now.

When I was younger I have had this wish. A wish that I could someday be like those people on TV that rides their bicycle to work. Today my wish is a reality. I ride a bicycle to work. On a warm summer's day...it's a good day today.

I managed to get the bike from the hotel. It so happens that a Polish colleague who's staying at my hotel rented a bike from them and told me last week that they actually do provide bicycles for rental. Though I've been trying to look around town my last trip here but at the end, I got too lazy to continue. I didn't know that I don't even have to LOOK far. It's just right under my nose. I guess this is all part of life.

With the bicycle lane which covers almost 80% of the route from my hotel to work. Riding is a breeze. Especially in the summer mornings when most of the people will be out with the bike, either to work or otherwise. On the downside, I'm still gonna have to be extra careful when I cross the road or watch where I'm going. I dare not hook my ipod to my ears...at least...not until I'm comfortable. The drivers here are mainly hellish hounds and not to mention that I haven't been riding a bike for years. AND an extra tip that my Polish colleague gave me last week...there was one incident long time ago...a foreign employee that came to this office for a short working trip...rented a bike...and got killed in an accident. Hmmm...I hope I can make it back home.

The Monster in Me

Sometimes...I'm afraid of myself.
When I get bored, I do alot of crazy shit.
I was feeling rather edgy since the past 2 days.
Though I might not think of it as something big.
Usually I get over such feeling very fast.
But most of the time, with a price.
This time...the price is pretty big.
After I have done such damage to myself...I think back and got scared.
As if I just looked into a mirror and found that I'm staring right into the eyes of a monster.



In just merely 30mins. I have shifted drastically from the state of just surfing leisurely on the internet...to spending almost 500Euros. I have just purchased a returned flight ticket, booked a hotel room and got myself a ticket to watch the World Cup 2006 (Czech vs Ghana) match in Cologne, Germany next weekend.
...And I dont even consider myself as a big fan of football.
I just hope the experience would be worthwhile.

... the things I do out of boredom.

The 'Yay' too soon...

I guess I shouldnt get too excited when it comes to things like this. More or less I would have anticipated that something such as this, will happen. If it doesn't, its a bliss. But blissfulness cant be hoped or wished for...it should come naturally, when you least expect it. Thats why its a bliss.

Anyway...I guess all I have to do now is to endure another two more weeks here. Sighs.

Hopping the isles

It was a long weekend here in Italy. Friday was the republic holiday. I almost had to work that day, but thanks to my luck...i guess, in the end...they gave up and said I could have the day off as they did.

Friday, I was just lazying in my apartment. Busy with World of Warcraft (WoW) again. I managed to get to level 20 now. Plenty of new, cool spells i could use. My druid gets to morph into a Cat now. Awesome! Now i can run faster and with the ability to hide from my enemies...I gotta play more...Hopefully I dont get over it soon. I was almost getting bored already when I got to level 18 and 19. Now, this the feeling was renewed.

Saturday, I was determined to go out. Can't stay in for the rest of the long weekend. Been wanting to go for the island excursion since my last trip here. So this is it. After all, it's a long weekend and I've got nothing else to do except...WoW. Nah...gotta get some life! I intended to catch the morning excursion which starts at 9:30am by the 'vaporetti' in Venice. Too bad, the bus that took me to Venice came late. So I missed that one. Had to go for the 2:30pm session instead. So I spent a few hours lingering around Venice, waste some time to queue up (a long queue) for the basicila visit, and had Burger King for lunch. Strange thing is...I never bothered to visit the basicila after being in Venice for so many times. Good that I have too much time on hand this round. After all that, it was time to get on board. This excursion is only 19Euros...which pretty cheap. A 3 & 1/2 hour trip, they took me to Murano, Burano and Torcello. These 3 islands are the only islands which tourists mainly hops. Murano is famous for its glass making. Burano is a fishing village and famous for its lace and multi coloured houses. And Torcello is one of the islands' first capital. It has an old catheral but by the time i got there, it's closing...so I didnt manage to get in. Well, no loss there I suppose. By the end of the trip, I was tired, cold and hungry.
I thought of eating dinner but in the end, I just got myself a calzone. A pastry with ham, mushroom and cheese. Thats dinner. Hmmm...no...dinner was at 9:30pm...Maggi Mee Curry with egg. Yeah, guess the calzone did not last very long.

Sunday, it is today. It's gonna be over in an hour. Once I'm done with this...I'm off to read some then to bed. I went into Venice again, gotta buy some stuff for some people. Kinda like running errands. I was kinda lazy to go at first...but in the end...well, I managed to drag myself out of the door. I was there for a few hours, then hurried back and prepared lunch. The lunch lasted till dinner. So I dont have to cook again tonite.

That's the long weekend...and my last weekend here...I hope. Next weekend...I'd be home! :) Yay...!

Slovenian Sanctuary

It was last saturday morning that I went for this trip. One of my colleague here has been so kind to invite me to join her and her boyfriend to a trip which both of them and another 67 people has planned for sometime. A kayaking trip for their kayak club to a small town in Slovenia, just about 20mins outskirts of the Italian border.

I basically just tag along on this one. I am not prepared to do any kayaking. I have neither the proper gear or equipment. And most importantly, I dont know how to kayak. I've only done it once or twice in my life.

There was some minor 'confusions' when I arrived at the Slovenian checkpoint. I guess checkpoint like this one, probably hasn't seen an asian passport before. They had to flip through manuals, check on the computer and made some phone calls before putting a stamp on my passport and let me through.

I stayed in a hotel, just upstairs a restaurant. With 35 euro/nite, the room was cozy enough and has 3 single beds all for myself. The rest of them have their own camps at the campsite just about 2-3km from my hotel. So usually after my shower in the hotel, I'd walk down to the campsite just to sit with them. I cant speak italian, nor can they speak english much. So most of the time, it's only me and my colleague or her boyfriend talking. Occasionally, there were a few who were not so shy...would walk over and have a line or two to converse with me.

On Saturday night, there was a huge campfire and dinner. Barbeque. It was really good. The meat, the bread and the crowd. Though at first it seemed kinda awkward for the rest of them to have an asian in their crowd, towards half of the dinner...we sorta sparked off into quite a topic. Those few who speaks a little english, my colleague and her boyfriend, wanted me to teach them how to count from 1-10...in mandarin. Though i'm no expert, but 1-10 is still more than what i can do in this case. The crowd then grew to a larger number, attracting more attention. And at the center...there was me :"). It was a great evening, we enjoyed the talk...and the laugh.

The next day my colleague and some other women and children (those who didn't participate in the kayaking)...went for a walk to the waterfall. The scenery was amazing! I've never seen such a view before in my entire life. Cold mountain air, birds...flowers...bees...waterfall...natural rock formations. It's just good to have been there. I guess this is my once in a lifetime experience. I probably won't be back there anymore in this life.
















As for this week, I was doing world of worldcraft most of the time. I finally found the signal for the broadband downstairs. Though its only at 40%(+/-) but its good enough to keep the game goin. With a daily subscription of 14.95 Euro...its probably the same as going out and spending money.

Night of the Baccarata

It's raining this morning. It was raining too last night when I went to Venice after work for a baccarata. My fellow colleagues have very nice to invite me for my 2nd baccarata in life. It was a good round. We went from one pub to another...drinking and snacking as we go along....chatting, laughing and giggled like girls when we got drunk...though my italian is not as good as their english...they did put in alot of effort to make sure I wasn't bored or left out from our group of ten.

I was rather drunk in the end. Hmmm...I think I had...2 glasses of Spritz, 2 glasses of red wine and a glass of white wine. We visited a total of five bars in Venice...luckily, we have some locals among our group so they know where to go and how exactly to get there. If its not for them we'd probably end up at some tourist bar instead. Those bars that they have brought us to were very authentic ones...original Venetian style. And the snacks were awesome too. It was a great night out. I took the bus home after all that...can barely held myself together. Luckily the alchohol did not stretch into full effect on my way home. It's only when I got into my room that I started to feel dizzy and couldnt even stand up properly. I didnt know how I managed to shower though but I did had a quick one...and head to bed with my hair still damp. And best of all, the whole night's expenses were all paid. Though I offered to pay for a couple of rounds...but they insisted that we will do it again...I can pay another time. Fine People, Fine Wine...what a night!

I think this is my 2nd red wine...
I think this is the last bar we visited...
I think this is the 3rd bar...or 4th...
I think this is the 3rd...or 2nd...
This is definitely the 1st bar...
Chichetti...small light bites...

My first glass of Spritz and Chichetti...