Take note, gate A5 of Dublin airport has free wireless access. Also take note that checking in is a nightmare and if you are flying out of here today, almost all the flights are delayed. My flight to Milano sure is.
No time to write much as the opportunity cost of this update is getting ready for the next leg of the conference marathon. My 2 presentations at the conference at Trinity College went well. Even if I do say so myself. I have 2 presentations and one discussion tomorrow, and the final presentation on the 1st. Will write more about my amazing 3 day tour of Southern Ireland with the zanniest group of 14 PaddyWagon-ers. Now back to my slides.....
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Monday, June 20, 2005
At last, I can actually access my site. Now no excuses for spelling errors.
The last few days with Dr C have been quite fun. I think the Scot in him likes my feeble attempts at haggling. We had our first month anniversary dinner at M on the Bund...Dr C included. The weather was fabulous, smog levels low so you could actually see the buildings across the river, even the masses on the Bund, the food delicious and the conversation was flowing as easily as the wine. On Saturday, my last day, we took a cruise down the river. I bought the wrong tickets so we ended up on the peasant boat...no air-conditioning. But the crew were kind enough to drag out a few plastic chairs so we sat up on the bow. Turned out great actually, and 3 times cheaper. We went to the antique market again as Dr C wanted to get a couple of 5 feet cranes for his garden. He likes his garden ornaments. We ended the day with a rather overpriced chinese dinner at the Peace hotel and drinks at the Jazz bar. I gave Dr C a huge hug as I would not be seeing him until end July.
Arrive in NL yesterday evening. As we were landing, although the air was clean and refreshing, and the weather glorious, I felt quite sad and wished I was back in smoggy Shanghai. The seperations are getting harder and I felt awful knowing that Dr C would be touring Beijing on his own. We did not know how to keep him entertained, what with D working such long hours, so we arranged a private 4 day guided tour of Beijing. How would he find the guide at the airport?? What if he didn't? Did he remember to take the list of phone numbers I had jotted down? Would the guide understand his need to rest? Maybe I should have insisted that D lend him his mobile..
And so, I land, and what do I find?..hundreds of passengers stranded as there was a power failure and the trains were not running. I considered getting a hotel room, but decided to trust the Dutch. The trains were on track within an hour (they are very good at this sort of thing the Dutch) and I was off. On the train, I began thinking about how ridiculous this commute is. I made a decision. I would let go of my room and just do what I have been doing for the past 18 months, do my thesis while on the road.
I got home last night and told my landlady and she was surprisingly very supportive (as if it mattered). So supportive that we spent the whole day today getting boxes, me packing, and transporting 9 boxes to the post office to be mailed to Canada (her support mattered..heh). Funny how your whole world can be reduced to 9 boxes approximately 15 kilos each. I am really a nomad now...
A nomad who is freaking out. I have to give 4 presentations on Monday, I have not prepared the slides, I cannot get accomodation in Dublin (bloody Coldplay and U2 just have to have concerts in Dublin next week) and so decided to sign up for a tour...but the tour ends on the 24th while my conference accomodation is only provided from 26 June onwards...the pubs there had better be good as I may need to cheer myself up a bit...
The last few days with Dr C have been quite fun. I think the Scot in him likes my feeble attempts at haggling. We had our first month anniversary dinner at M on the Bund...Dr C included. The weather was fabulous, smog levels low so you could actually see the buildings across the river, even the masses on the Bund, the food delicious and the conversation was flowing as easily as the wine. On Saturday, my last day, we took a cruise down the river. I bought the wrong tickets so we ended up on the peasant boat...no air-conditioning. But the crew were kind enough to drag out a few plastic chairs so we sat up on the bow. Turned out great actually, and 3 times cheaper. We went to the antique market again as Dr C wanted to get a couple of 5 feet cranes for his garden. He likes his garden ornaments. We ended the day with a rather overpriced chinese dinner at the Peace hotel and drinks at the Jazz bar. I gave Dr C a huge hug as I would not be seeing him until end July.
Arrive in NL yesterday evening. As we were landing, although the air was clean and refreshing, and the weather glorious, I felt quite sad and wished I was back in smoggy Shanghai. The seperations are getting harder and I felt awful knowing that Dr C would be touring Beijing on his own. We did not know how to keep him entertained, what with D working such long hours, so we arranged a private 4 day guided tour of Beijing. How would he find the guide at the airport?? What if he didn't? Did he remember to take the list of phone numbers I had jotted down? Would the guide understand his need to rest? Maybe I should have insisted that D lend him his mobile..
And so, I land, and what do I find?..hundreds of passengers stranded as there was a power failure and the trains were not running. I considered getting a hotel room, but decided to trust the Dutch. The trains were on track within an hour (they are very good at this sort of thing the Dutch) and I was off. On the train, I began thinking about how ridiculous this commute is. I made a decision. I would let go of my room and just do what I have been doing for the past 18 months, do my thesis while on the road.
I got home last night and told my landlady and she was surprisingly very supportive (as if it mattered). So supportive that we spent the whole day today getting boxes, me packing, and transporting 9 boxes to the post office to be mailed to Canada (her support mattered..heh). Funny how your whole world can be reduced to 9 boxes approximately 15 kilos each. I am really a nomad now...
A nomad who is freaking out. I have to give 4 presentations on Monday, I have not prepared the slides, I cannot get accomodation in Dublin (bloody Coldplay and U2 just have to have concerts in Dublin next week) and so decided to sign up for a tour...but the tour ends on the 24th while my conference accomodation is only provided from 26 June onwards...the pubs there had better be good as I may need to cheer myself up a bit...
Thursday, June 16, 2005
DrC and I set off this morning to explore Shanghai. Last night was "globalisation night". A Malaysian chick takes her Canadian dad-in-law to the French quarter in Shanghai to watch the State of the Origin match (Aussie Rules) at the British Bulldog Pub. Which is located opposite the American Embassy. We Quesidillas and bangers and mash.
This morning, we viewed Shanghai from the upper most observation deck of the Oriental Pearl Tower. As we had not had breakfast, we had brunch at the revolving restaurant. DrC has trouble walking, but he has a mean independant streak, so these little breaks had to be made inconspicuously. Our next stop was the Yu Yuan gardens, where we sat in the pavillions at discrete intervals to admire each section of the amazing garden. We finished our day tour at the Starbucks which faces the famous tea house. DrC was dripping in sweat and in obvious need of rest. I introduced him to the Iced Mocha grande while he regaled me with stories of his childhood and his courtship of D's mum.
We might actually go for some Chinese food tonight. I want him to try duck's tongue. Yummm..
This morning, we viewed Shanghai from the upper most observation deck of the Oriental Pearl Tower. As we had not had breakfast, we had brunch at the revolving restaurant. DrC has trouble walking, but he has a mean independant streak, so these little breaks had to be made inconspicuously. Our next stop was the Yu Yuan gardens, where we sat in the pavillions at discrete intervals to admire each section of the amazing garden. We finished our day tour at the Starbucks which faces the famous tea house. DrC was dripping in sweat and in obvious need of rest. I introduced him to the Iced Mocha grande while he regaled me with stories of his childhood and his courtship of D's mum.
We might actually go for some Chinese food tonight. I want him to try duck's tongue. Yummm..
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
I am off to the airport to pick up DrC, D's dad. He is visiting us for a week, then hopefully off to Beijing next week. We have insisted that he walk on the wall, stand in the middle of Tian Amen and explore the Summer Palace. He is 78...this is the time to do we say.
I suspect he is afraid that he may not recognise me, what with this being China and all. He lives in the prairies, so I totally understand. He jokingly suggested that I hold up a sign at the arrival hall. I have made one...It reads "Dr C: President of Celine Dion Fanclub."
Reminds me of the time a friend held one up for me at Heathrow, except that read "SJ: Alcoholics Anonymous."
I suspect he is afraid that he may not recognise me, what with this being China and all. He lives in the prairies, so I totally understand. He jokingly suggested that I hold up a sign at the arrival hall. I have made one...It reads "Dr C: President of Celine Dion Fanclub."
Reminds me of the time a friend held one up for me at Heathrow, except that read "SJ: Alcoholics Anonymous."
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
What did we expect
Michael Jackson has been acquited. What did we expect? It seems that his mother began to cry, Randy and LaToya were jubilant. M daintily dabbed his eyes and hugged his lawyers. The jurors deliberated over 7 days and took only 2 votes. They found there was insufficient evidence, and they didn't like the mother. Was it weak prosecution or masterful defence?
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Shenzhen
Shenzhen is not what I expected it to be. From the rather daunting pieces of random cautionary advice given by D's Shenzhen-based project mates, I thought it would be more of a cowboy town, like Tijuana or Johore Baru. You know, those towns that seem to thrive only by the grace of a much more cosmopolitan and expensive city nearby. The place to get cheap beers and a decent meal at halfway decent prices. Shenzhen however is so very much a city alive. While it's topography is very similar to that of Hong Kong, but without being surrounded by water, it has its own charm, and quite unique from Beijing or Shanghai.
We arrived at the airport very late at night on Friday, and at the hotel very very early on Saturday morning. I hate arriving at night because I prefer to get my bearings when I first arrive. We slept a bit and woke up again at a more decent hour (noon...heh) to grab a bite to eat before wandering about. D had the weekend off...yay! Emerging from the hotel, armed with a trusty map, we looked for a coffee shop. We found one round the corner from the hotel that serves THE BEST French toast. Fluffy crustless egg drenched triangles with a thin layer of tahini in the middle. We had Blue Mountain coffee on Saturday and Hawaiian Kuona yesterday. What can I say, we really like the French toast.
After breakfast, we hopped into a taxi and pointed to the Shenzhen Fairy Lake Botanical Garden. We wanted to see the famous petrified forest and the Paleontological Museum. Of course once we got there all the maps of the 8000 mu park were only in Chinese. We find that unlike Shanghai and Beijing, tourist spots in Shenzhen mainly cater for Chinese tourists. We finally managed to get to the museum by hopping on a bus and another open air tram at the Hongfa Buddhism temple. After exploring the museum and cooling ourselves down with a nice cold drink in the petrified forest, we found our way back to the entrance of the park and found a cab to take us to Dapeng Ancient Village, which is 45 minutes away.
Dapeng is located in the eastern part of Shenzhen and is said to have been built during the Ming Dynasty to fight against the Japanese invaders. The village is surrounded by a wall, and you enter through a rather imposing imperial like gate. Once you enter, you find yourself in what can only be said to be a rather dilapidated housing area. We walked along the little alleys, looking into people's houses, wondering how they lived in such conditions. Mind you, this was not a recreation. Trash was just left laying about, and you could smell the lack of proper sanitation. After a nice stroll, wandering into several residences that had been remodeled in a museum-like way, and throwing oranges into a wish tree (D found this to be the second most enjoyable part of the day), we decided to call it a day. We had not counted on there being no cabs in such a remote area. After unsuccessfully trying to flag a cab/hitch a ride on the main road, we were approached by a man who kept pointing towards the direction we wanted to go and to the back of his motorcycle. We kept repeating the words "taxi". He kept on nodding and finally we figured he wanted to give us a ride. As we were up sh*t creek anyway, we both hopped on the motorbike and whizzed down the highway..helmetless and destination unknown. After 5 minutes, we found ourselves in a larger village, at the bus station. We were so touched by his kindness, especially when he refused payment and D had to practically shove cash into his pocket (This dangerous motobike ride was by far D's favourite part of the day...what can I say, he is just a boy). We took a taxi back to the hotel, freshened up, and met up with J at the Hilton Bar for a few G&Ts on the 56th floor.
On Sunday, after our French toast, we took a taxi to Minsk World. The Minsk is an anti-submarine and anti-aircraft USSR aircraft carrier which has been refurbished to become a sort of theme park. It is said to be the "first large military park of the world combining the functions of sight seeing, recreation and popular science and national defence education together". We just wanted to go because it provided us an opportunity to stand on the decks of an aircraft carrier. We found the Russian dancers performing on stage in the middle of the plane "garage" quite funny, but the Chinese "soldiers" in camouflage tight trousers and halter neck shirts doing "military maneuvers" in ballet slippers had us rolling on the floor. The size of the ship, the 48 missiles primed and ready for action, the armoury next to the recreation room...now that was nothing to laugh about.
After sweating half a day on the Minsk, I persuaded D to get a haircut with me, Thai style, at the hotel. This means that instead of sitting in chairs, we lie down on a special modified beds which have a sink at one end. Our heads are suspended on padded head supports while our hair is being washed. After the hair/head massage, the shampoo girl then proceeds to massage our arms and hands, and our shoulders. Once that is done, only then are we moved to the chairs to get our hair cut. All this for RMB60 each.
We had roast goose for dinner. A perfect end to a great weekend.
We arrived at the airport very late at night on Friday, and at the hotel very very early on Saturday morning. I hate arriving at night because I prefer to get my bearings when I first arrive. We slept a bit and woke up again at a more decent hour (noon...heh) to grab a bite to eat before wandering about. D had the weekend off...yay! Emerging from the hotel, armed with a trusty map, we looked for a coffee shop. We found one round the corner from the hotel that serves THE BEST French toast. Fluffy crustless egg drenched triangles with a thin layer of tahini in the middle. We had Blue Mountain coffee on Saturday and Hawaiian Kuona yesterday. What can I say, we really like the French toast.
After breakfast, we hopped into a taxi and pointed to the Shenzhen Fairy Lake Botanical Garden. We wanted to see the famous petrified forest and the Paleontological Museum. Of course once we got there all the maps of the 8000 mu park were only in Chinese. We find that unlike Shanghai and Beijing, tourist spots in Shenzhen mainly cater for Chinese tourists. We finally managed to get to the museum by hopping on a bus and another open air tram at the Hongfa Buddhism temple. After exploring the museum and cooling ourselves down with a nice cold drink in the petrified forest, we found our way back to the entrance of the park and found a cab to take us to Dapeng Ancient Village, which is 45 minutes away.
Dapeng is located in the eastern part of Shenzhen and is said to have been built during the Ming Dynasty to fight against the Japanese invaders. The village is surrounded by a wall, and you enter through a rather imposing imperial like gate. Once you enter, you find yourself in what can only be said to be a rather dilapidated housing area. We walked along the little alleys, looking into people's houses, wondering how they lived in such conditions. Mind you, this was not a recreation. Trash was just left laying about, and you could smell the lack of proper sanitation. After a nice stroll, wandering into several residences that had been remodeled in a museum-like way, and throwing oranges into a wish tree (D found this to be the second most enjoyable part of the day), we decided to call it a day. We had not counted on there being no cabs in such a remote area. After unsuccessfully trying to flag a cab/hitch a ride on the main road, we were approached by a man who kept pointing towards the direction we wanted to go and to the back of his motorcycle. We kept repeating the words "taxi". He kept on nodding and finally we figured he wanted to give us a ride. As we were up sh*t creek anyway, we both hopped on the motorbike and whizzed down the highway..helmetless and destination unknown. After 5 minutes, we found ourselves in a larger village, at the bus station. We were so touched by his kindness, especially when he refused payment and D had to practically shove cash into his pocket (This dangerous motobike ride was by far D's favourite part of the day...what can I say, he is just a boy). We took a taxi back to the hotel, freshened up, and met up with J at the Hilton Bar for a few G&Ts on the 56th floor.
On Sunday, after our French toast, we took a taxi to Minsk World. The Minsk is an anti-submarine and anti-aircraft USSR aircraft carrier which has been refurbished to become a sort of theme park. It is said to be the "first large military park of the world combining the functions of sight seeing, recreation and popular science and national defence education together". We just wanted to go because it provided us an opportunity to stand on the decks of an aircraft carrier. We found the Russian dancers performing on stage in the middle of the plane "garage" quite funny, but the Chinese "soldiers" in camouflage tight trousers and halter neck shirts doing "military maneuvers" in ballet slippers had us rolling on the floor. The size of the ship, the 48 missiles primed and ready for action, the armoury next to the recreation room...now that was nothing to laugh about.
After sweating half a day on the Minsk, I persuaded D to get a haircut with me, Thai style, at the hotel. This means that instead of sitting in chairs, we lie down on a special modified beds which have a sink at one end. Our heads are suspended on padded head supports while our hair is being washed. After the hair/head massage, the shampoo girl then proceeds to massage our arms and hands, and our shoulders. Once that is done, only then are we moved to the chairs to get our hair cut. All this for RMB60 each.
We had roast goose for dinner. A perfect end to a great weekend.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
It really is quite funny. I can update my blog through "blogger" but cannot view it as "blogspot.com" is unavailable.
I am multitasking here. Typing, trying to search for CNN on the hotel tele, and waiting for the water to boil as in desperate need of some hot tea. It has been a long day. With map in hand, I sought out sights I missed last December. I decided to walk it but did not count on poor orientation skills and locals pointing me in the opposite direction. After walking in circles, finally found a gaggle of aunts who provided me with pretty detailed directions, in Mandarin of course, but I found what I was looking for (sweet they were). Which was Beihan Park, a lovely little park behind the Forbidden Palace. Strolled around for a bit, enjoying the good weather, (dammit, 90 channels and still no CNN) people watching,before making my way toTien Amen Square. I stand under Mao's portrait, trying to visualise the chaos and carnage on that fateful day. It disturbs me so I head in the direction of Jiongua Lu, towards the silk market. On my quest to find a carpet.
After walking for 45 minutes I finally find the new site of Silk Street Market. The one D and I went to in December is no more and in place of the open market stalls, a brand spanking new mall. I am on a mission with no time to lose. I locate a carpet I like and steel myself for the game we are about to play. A price is quoted, I gasp in horror, and get ready to walk out. Another price is then given, I hesitate at the exit and without counter-offering, walk back showing slightly more interest in the carpet. After being shown a few more carpets, I name a ridiculously low figure. They gasp in shock horror but show me what I can afford. I hesitate. This goes on for another 2 and a half hours. After an 80% discount, I come out of the market with a divine silk carpet. Paying less than what I anticipated.
I am multitasking here. Typing, trying to search for CNN on the hotel tele, and waiting for the water to boil as in desperate need of some hot tea. It has been a long day. With map in hand, I sought out sights I missed last December. I decided to walk it but did not count on poor orientation skills and locals pointing me in the opposite direction. After walking in circles, finally found a gaggle of aunts who provided me with pretty detailed directions, in Mandarin of course, but I found what I was looking for (sweet they were). Which was Beihan Park, a lovely little park behind the Forbidden Palace. Strolled around for a bit, enjoying the good weather, (dammit, 90 channels and still no CNN) people watching,before making my way toTien Amen Square. I stand under Mao's portrait, trying to visualise the chaos and carnage on that fateful day. It disturbs me so I head in the direction of Jiongua Lu, towards the silk market. On my quest to find a carpet.
After walking for 45 minutes I finally find the new site of Silk Street Market. The one D and I went to in December is no more and in place of the open market stalls, a brand spanking new mall. I am on a mission with no time to lose. I locate a carpet I like and steel myself for the game we are about to play. A price is quoted, I gasp in horror, and get ready to walk out. Another price is then given, I hesitate at the exit and without counter-offering, walk back showing slightly more interest in the carpet. After being shown a few more carpets, I name a ridiculously low figure. They gasp in shock horror but show me what I can afford. I hesitate. This goes on for another 2 and a half hours. After an 80% discount, I come out of the market with a divine silk carpet. Paying less than what I anticipated.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Shanghaied
At last, I have finally been able to find a way to access blogspot. It took me much longer than finding a route to the University website, but I did it. Now, just have to figure out what to write..heh.
I am finding this second trip to Shanghai much more interesting than the first. Granted it was a very short visit last December, and we only found just enough time to get in the main tourist sites. This time however, I am getting a better sense of the city, its people and its extremely vibrant cosmopolitan "underbelly". With D spending very long hours at the office, I have been able to spend whole afternoons just strolling along the tree lined streets of the French Concession, looking into the old rather dilapidated colonial mansions, imagining what it must have been like in yesteryear to live in such elegant surroundings. When I get hungry, I just find a little shop and with alot of hand signals and smiles, I order what I think will be edible. Inevitably I get a bowl of something delicious for ridiculously low prices. At night, D and I will catch a cab and head towards Xin Tiandi, a pedestrian mall of cafes, bars and boutiques (like Shanghai Tang) set in restored colonial buildings. Ironically, this area where a G&T can cost from RMB40 to 70 (a price of a meal in a nice restaurant elsewhere), is also the site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party.
While I enjoy my daily jaunts into the city, where I just get a cab, point to an area on the map, and wear down my walking shoes until I get tired and get into another cab to take me home, I enjoy my weekends with D the most. Last weekend we had breakfast near the Dongtai Antiques market where we strolled along the supposedly antique laden stalls, looking through mounds and mounds of pottery, carvings, bowls and jade. We had no intention of buying anything until we wandered into a furniture shop and found a gorgeous cabinet. The price was very reasonable but I wanted to look around before we made a decision. We then discovered that the shop was only a showroom and that the factory was not too faraway by cab. So of course D and I were flagging a cab within seconds. We got to the factory, looked around, and spent the next 3 hours haggling over a solid elm antique cabinet, 2 smaller cabinets to be used a bedside tables and a coffee table. After 3 hours we got them to knock down 60% of the asking price and to ship the things to NY only in August. While I am pretty sure that we could have got them to take off another 5%, it just felt like a very fair compromise. Also, unlike in Beijing, where the shopkeeper will pull out a figure from thin air and inflate it 10 times when they see D, the starting prices were quoted on a the price tags.
After our extremely fruitful day, we decided to have drinks on the terrace of M on the Bund. We liked it so much we made a reservation for our first month anniversary dinner next week. We saw the sun set and headed home. Where we find out that D's Dad may be visiting us next week. He may be joining us for our anniversary dinner.
I am finding this second trip to Shanghai much more interesting than the first. Granted it was a very short visit last December, and we only found just enough time to get in the main tourist sites. This time however, I am getting a better sense of the city, its people and its extremely vibrant cosmopolitan "underbelly". With D spending very long hours at the office, I have been able to spend whole afternoons just strolling along the tree lined streets of the French Concession, looking into the old rather dilapidated colonial mansions, imagining what it must have been like in yesteryear to live in such elegant surroundings. When I get hungry, I just find a little shop and with alot of hand signals and smiles, I order what I think will be edible. Inevitably I get a bowl of something delicious for ridiculously low prices. At night, D and I will catch a cab and head towards Xin Tiandi, a pedestrian mall of cafes, bars and boutiques (like Shanghai Tang) set in restored colonial buildings. Ironically, this area where a G&T can cost from RMB40 to 70 (a price of a meal in a nice restaurant elsewhere), is also the site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party.
While I enjoy my daily jaunts into the city, where I just get a cab, point to an area on the map, and wear down my walking shoes until I get tired and get into another cab to take me home, I enjoy my weekends with D the most. Last weekend we had breakfast near the Dongtai Antiques market where we strolled along the supposedly antique laden stalls, looking through mounds and mounds of pottery, carvings, bowls and jade. We had no intention of buying anything until we wandered into a furniture shop and found a gorgeous cabinet. The price was very reasonable but I wanted to look around before we made a decision. We then discovered that the shop was only a showroom and that the factory was not too faraway by cab. So of course D and I were flagging a cab within seconds. We got to the factory, looked around, and spent the next 3 hours haggling over a solid elm antique cabinet, 2 smaller cabinets to be used a bedside tables and a coffee table. After 3 hours we got them to knock down 60% of the asking price and to ship the things to NY only in August. While I am pretty sure that we could have got them to take off another 5%, it just felt like a very fair compromise. Also, unlike in Beijing, where the shopkeeper will pull out a figure from thin air and inflate it 10 times when they see D, the starting prices were quoted on a the price tags.
After our extremely fruitful day, we decided to have drinks on the terrace of M on the Bund. We liked it so much we made a reservation for our first month anniversary dinner next week. We saw the sun set and headed home. Where we find out that D's Dad may be visiting us next week. He may be joining us for our anniversary dinner.
Thursday, June 02, 2005
I have been so busy that I have been unable to even think of updating this blog. This wondering nomad is going to be on the move in a few hours so what do I do...spend the few precious minutes I have in my soon to be vacated office alleviating guilt.
I have had to pack up all my lovely books and files into nice big boxes so the movers will be able to transport them to the building across the road into my brand spanking new personal office on 22 June. Why am I packing so soon you ask?? Well, in addition to packing my lovely books and files during the day, at night I have been packing my lovely clothes and shoes (much more appreciated after lost but later found luggage episode last week) into dinky suitcase as leaving for Shanghai this afternoon. So just as I am about to be absent from my office for months on end, the administration decide to give me my own room. I have no idea where this room is, and when I get back here in August I just know that I will be faced with nightmare of trying to locate my room, boxes and computer, but at this moment in time I am just so very happy to have my own personal space. Albeit unable to enjoy it...
I love travelling, I really do, but sometimes I think travelling can only be fully appreciated if you have a homebase to return to, a sanctuary to look forward to when you tire of the travels. After leaving NL this afternoon, I will only be back here for a couple of days end June before hitting the road again for various conferences until end August. Just enough time to do laundry I hope. I have been thinking of giving up my room here, but where would I store my personal rubbish? In KL with my parents? In Canada with D's dad? No, I think in my heart I want to be a traveller, but not really a nomad. I know I need to at least feel some sort of connection with homebase, and for the moment my homebase is a little room where I store clothes and shoes that do not travel with me, and various bits and bobs that I am sure I will chuck when I do finally move to a home.. somewhere...else...where ever that may be.
On my last trip to KL, on the national airlines, I felst a bit sad when the stewardess announced "And to all our Malaysian passengers, welcome home" . If only...
On a less melancholic note, I have printed out detailed Shanghai walking tour suggestions which I downloaded from the net, and various restaurant suggestions. I was there in February for only a few days hence just stuck to the lonely planet suggestions. This time I intend to see the real Shanghai...well, as much as I can with a very conspicuous ang mo trailing me...
I have had to pack up all my lovely books and files into nice big boxes so the movers will be able to transport them to the building across the road into my brand spanking new personal office on 22 June. Why am I packing so soon you ask?? Well, in addition to packing my lovely books and files during the day, at night I have been packing my lovely clothes and shoes (much more appreciated after lost but later found luggage episode last week) into dinky suitcase as leaving for Shanghai this afternoon. So just as I am about to be absent from my office for months on end, the administration decide to give me my own room. I have no idea where this room is, and when I get back here in August I just know that I will be faced with nightmare of trying to locate my room, boxes and computer, but at this moment in time I am just so very happy to have my own personal space. Albeit unable to enjoy it...
I love travelling, I really do, but sometimes I think travelling can only be fully appreciated if you have a homebase to return to, a sanctuary to look forward to when you tire of the travels. After leaving NL this afternoon, I will only be back here for a couple of days end June before hitting the road again for various conferences until end August. Just enough time to do laundry I hope. I have been thinking of giving up my room here, but where would I store my personal rubbish? In KL with my parents? In Canada with D's dad? No, I think in my heart I want to be a traveller, but not really a nomad. I know I need to at least feel some sort of connection with homebase, and for the moment my homebase is a little room where I store clothes and shoes that do not travel with me, and various bits and bobs that I am sure I will chuck when I do finally move to a home.. somewhere...else...where ever that may be.
On my last trip to KL, on the national airlines, I felst a bit sad when the stewardess announced "And to all our Malaysian passengers, welcome home" . If only...
On a less melancholic note, I have printed out detailed Shanghai walking tour suggestions which I downloaded from the net, and various restaurant suggestions. I was there in February for only a few days hence just stuck to the lonely planet suggestions. This time I intend to see the real Shanghai...well, as much as I can with a very conspicuous ang mo trailing me...
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