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phoenix-knight · 1 year

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reflection

TW: depression, anxiety, bpd, suicidal thoughts, self-harm.

the last time i went to therapy we did an exercise which shook my mind a little. she asked me the reasons why i chose law as my major for uni, and i told her i had a talent for debating, writing, storytelling and languages. as far as she could see these were all things that i loved and hoped to use in a profession which is a good match to those skillsets, what happened? why was it causing me so much confusion and upset?

i realized that the reasons i thought law was a good match for my skillset do not exist anymore, or rather i never got to start. not that its too late now but there are only 2 years left in my 5 year degree, which will be hectic af. 2020 COVID hit its peak, my college life started on Microsoft Teams and logging in just to sleep through the classes. the downward spiral which began in 11th grade culminated in crippling depression and anxiety in the 12th grade when i was about to make the change to uni.

i felt nothing, and the numbness scared me more than feeling all the highs and lows. 2 years...i scraped through them and did the bare minimum, pacifying the 'gifted kid' expectations of myself inside me, telling myself that i had to focus on doing what i had to do to survive even if that meant being ok with passing an exam, not topping it. the bland poorly made hostel food did not help, and the constant depressive episodes had me awake till 4 AM then asleep till the afternoon. i'd stare at the ceiling for hours after i woke, not getting up unless i had to go to the washroom. i only ate when the hunger made my stomach ache and i could not have my meds without eating first. i forgot to eat half the time. i was alone in a different city and i did not have my best friend physically with me.

in my desperation, i clung to the only hands i could find when i searched the dark, that is those of my now former friends. i came out of the social distancing and quarantine so starved for human connection that i trusted the wrong people with my vulnerable self. obviously i wasn't damn well thinking straight, if i was then i would not have trusted people who have known me for less than 6 months with my whole medical history. but i had no choice because the emergencies happened every other day, i attempted every time i was alone and the intrusive thoughts got too overwhelming. i had to msg them crying that someone had to drag me away from there or i was about to throw myself off the building. looking back i was so grateful to have friends at all, people who tolerated and acknowledged my presence, because i could barely tolerate myself.

i wanted to erase myself and the life which gave me pain as i breathed. i felt like a disgusting waste of space, a burden to everyone i touched. i never realized it was the least bare fucking minimum, to help when needed and care when hurt. i did not even tell them shit unless it came to violent panic attacks, anxiety attacks or just frozen stupor of me unable to breathe, move or think. was it ever a burden at all? was i just too starved of love to see that what i thought was unimaginable generosity was just the bare fucking minimum? they were peers who were just as fucked up as i am if not more, who had not even properly known me for more than 6 months, and i still apologized for everything they said i did to hurt them regardless of whether it was my fault or not.

i felt horrendously guilty, and suffered through weeks of anxiety and random panic attacks because i felt their loss. i gaslit myself saying, everything is fine, they're not leaving, you're just being paranoid and anxious until everything blew up in my face at the end of 2nd year. i was forced to move back in with my parents and commute the 2 hours to uni everyday as a day scholar although it exhausted the fuck outta me. the whole of 3rd year was spent just dragging my ass outta bed and managing my attendance because of all the backlogs i already had. getting on my own two feet took everything i had, and ironically my mental stability came when i distanced myself from everything and everyone i thought was my support in uni. i had so much shit to do and so much to catch up with, i threw myself into it and hit the ground running. i was finally able to complete all existing and pending exams at the end of 3rd years with months of breaking my back, working my ass off to break that vicious cycle of despair.

thats why i don't blame myself for what happened or what i had to do to survive...because i was there and i know how bad it was, how much worse it got and where that lead me. i did what i had to do to survive. i did not deserve to be ganged up on, and read my list of sins like i had sold their kidneys for a laptop. i did not deserve being told that i was a liar, a manipulator and a person who had taken advantage of them by using my mental illnesses as an excuse. after that fiasco, i asked around to convince myself i was not hallucinating my feelings, and turns out my gut feeling was right. it took a lot of reflection to make myself see that this was not how friendship or even human connections work. the people i loved most, my best friends at home, had never resorted to the type of shit i was subjected to. we always managed to calmly talk it out and work together to strengthen the relationship, instead of being ambushed like i was that time. the communication was not non-existent or so poor that everything was taken out of context and misunderstood.

i chose to stop talking to them, and for the first time in a long time, peace was there when i finally learned to prioritize doing what needed to be done for my own mental health. right now, although nothing went the way i thought it would 4 years ago, i am back to square one. i will probably have to rethink what i wanna do with this damn degree and the career i may choose since i lost all these years to mental illness. for the first time since forever, i am truly breathing. i have the conviction to say i survived through the worst of it despite everything. i am able to like being myself sometimes. and my 17 year old self would be proud of who i have become while enduring everything that life threw at me.

your anger, your depression, your anxiety, your truths, your tears, your lies, your despair, your hatred, your desire, your longing and your love...they are all trying to tell you something you might not be ready to hear and accept. so...listen, and believe that voice.

never blame yourself for the what you had to do and the person you had to be to survive the darkness.

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greenbagjosh · 1 year

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Friday 10 July 1998 - ICE monoblock once again, after the Eschede disaster - ruins of the GDR in Potsdamer Platz - new cities on the world clock in Alexanderplatz - early evening in Frankfurt an der Oder and Slubice, Poland

Friday 10 July 1998

Hi everyone, Grüß Gott, Guten Tag and dzien dobry

Today twenty years ago, I went on a three day weekend to Berlin, Frankfurt an der Oder, Slubice in Poland and back via Leipzig and Nürnberg Hbf. This would be my second visit to Berlin overall, as my previous visit was in January 1997, not exactly the best time to visit. This time I planned to see more than I did then. Before you read any further, I plan to break the journey into three parts, Friday the 10th, Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th. Berlin is a big city, with so much history in the last 60 years at least, and proper time spent to enjoy it is necessary.

I was able to take a day off work, as I had accumulated more than seven hours of overtime. I was not paid overtime but was allowed compensation days if certain conditions were met. I had to validate my Eurail Pass and use one day for the 10th going over to Berlin, and I paid 89 D-Mark for the return trip for Sunday the 12th (1998 FIFA World Cup Final, Brazil vs France). Already in May 1998 I had booked two nights at the Berlin youth hostel located near Wannsee in the former "American Sector". I took the early ICE high speed train called the "Justus Freiherr von Liebig" (1803 - 1873, bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justus_von_Liebig), the replacement for the "Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen", damaged about 11:10 AM on 3rd June 1998 in Eschede. Because the von Liebig train did not go to Berlin, but rather to Hamburg, I had to make a transfer at Fulda, to connect to the train for Berlin Zoologischer Garten, which in 1998 was the main terminus for eastbound trains as the current Hauptbahnhof was not yet built. The train left Munich about 5:35 AM. In 1998 the section between Munich, Augsburg and Nuremberg, were not high speed, neither was the existing section between Munich, Ingolstadt and Nuremberg, so it would not arrive in Nuremberg until about 6:55 AM. The morning was generally cloudy. I had my trusty "coffee bottle" with freshly brewed coffee in my backpack and about eight cans of soda at 330 mL each. The train stopped at Würzburg at 8:15 AM (Würzburg is the birthplace of Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki). It went not west to Aschaffenburg or Frankfurt, but rather north to Fulda, Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe and Göttingen before going further north to Hannover and Hamburg. The train arrived at Fulda about 9:10 AM. I listened to the Hessischer Rundfunk top of the hour news and heard All Saints' cover version of Red Hot Chili Peppers "Under the bridge" after that. At Fulda I alighted and had to wait for the Intercity train to Berlin. I would have been able to continue with an ICE train but due to the disaster at Eschede, lines operated with the ICE-1 series had many taken out of service. So I made do with the IC, and it arrived on time at 9:12 AM. The train went through Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe, Göttingen, Braunschweig, Wolfsburg, Potsdam and Berlin-Wannsee station. The train arrived about 12:28 PM at Berlin Zoologischer Garten. Before exploring Berlin, there was some business to take care of at the station.

In Berlin, you can buy a single day pass at a reasonable price. I am not sure what it was in 1998 but in 1997 it was 10 D-Mark. For a three-day pass, namely a 72 hour pass, you can also get discounts on tours and various products. The cost was 29 D-Mark. There was a ticket in the booklet that BVG sold, and it had to be stamped before use. Stamped only once, otherwise it would be considered invalid by the ticket inspectors and I would have been subject to a fine of 80 D-Mark. I stamped the pass, and then headed on the S-7 to Nikolassee via Westkreuz. The trains were of the BR-481 series, and stations announced by the voice of Ingo Ruff, as I remembered from January 1997. My hostel was, despite being located near Wannsee, was actually closer to the Nikolassee station. And about a half mile walk from Nikolassee. I checked in and left my luggage on the free bunk bed in the room. As it was the Love Parade weekend, the hostel would be very full. I rested for a few minutes, and before I left, I took my Eurail Pass with me and my remaining cans of soda in case I were to get thirsty on the way. The coffee bottle was empty.

After a short rest, I left the hostel about 2 PM, with only my small bag with sodas, my Eurail pass, and passport. It was time to explore Berlin. I walked back to Nikolassee to take the S-Bahn to Potsdamer Platz. I wanted to not take the S-7 but the S-1, which was possible. The difference is going through Anhalter Bahnhof, Potsdamer Platz and Friedrichstraße underground, where S-7 is either elevated or at-grade only. At Yorckstraße I was listening on my radio to RTL 105.6 FM. Then when the train went underground for Anhalter Bahnhof and I lost the signal. Oh well.

During the Cold War, Anhalter Bahnhof was the last station in the West Berlin S-Bahn, before approaching the Berlin Wall, as the next station would be Potsdamer Platz which was closed then. Both stations in 1998 looked like they were nicely refurbished after Reunification. I exited Potsdamer Platz to have a look around to see how much of the wall I could still see. Most of it had been torn down, and in 1998 there was only the empty space remaining. If you were to look at an aerial photo of it today, you would not be able to really tell that there was once a wall. The area has long since been built up. I did find a wall to take a selfie from, and I managed to find a wooden wall. If I could not find a cement wall, I thought, well, the wooden one will do, it is close to the original site anyway. So, there you have it, the story of the selfie of me trying to climb a wall.

Between Potsdamer Platz and the Brandenburg Gate, there was a small memorial to the victims of the Third Reich. Honestly I do not know if that was erected either during the Cold War or after Reunification. I have only a few photos of that.

Because the Brandenburger Gate was not too far, I decided to walk on over. Brandenburger Tor was probably the most famous landmark of Berlin, that showed the division of West and East Berlin. On the west side there was the wall blocking access to it. It was accessible during the Cold War only from the East, namely, USSR controlled, side. Even when the Soviet troops had withdrawn, many former Soviets, in 1998, Russian citizens, remained behind and sold USSR memorabilia, such as military caps, belt buckles, insignias of the USSR, Matryushka nesting dolls. On Saturday the 11th July 1998, Brandenburger Tor would be quite busy and so would Unter den Linden up to Alexanderplatz. For that reason, Potsdamer Platz and Unter den Linden stations would be shut for the day. More about that tomorrow.

I wanted to see the Reichtstag building. It would be a short walk to Scheidemannstraße to see the Reichstag. The rebuilding of the Reichstag into the new Bundestag, would not be complete for several years. On the front it had "Dem Deutschen Volke" (to the German People). During the Cold War, the Reichstag building was located in the West. The government in 1998 was still in Bonn but would transfer to Berlin during the Gerhard Schröder (SPD, 1998 - 2005) government.

After that I thought it appropriate to explore into the former East Berlin, where there were no significant attractions. I took the bus to Französische Straße, the U-6 to Oranienburger Tor, then a tram to Brunnenstraße/Invalidenstraße. Note, on the U-6 from Stadtmitte to Reinickendorfer Straße, were "ghost stations" that the U-8 went through but did not stop. The tram went through an interesting part of the former East Berlin, looked like what I had seen in high school German class. The stop "Monbijouplatz" did not exist in 1998 so after Oranienburger Straße, was Hackescher Markt. For some strange reason or whatever, I got the idea to take the train further east to Frankfurt an der Oder and cross into Poland, before it got too dark. So I did that, taking the U-8 from Rosa Luxemburg Platz to Alexanderplatz, taking the S-Bahn to Ostbahnhof, and taking the Berlin-Warszawa-Express to Frankfurt an der Oder. I had my Eurail Pass and unless I was going further to Warsaw Centralna, I did not need any reservation. The PKP train was as nice as the Intercity train. The train passed by Ernkner which is the farthest east on the Berlin S-Bahn system.

I think I arrived at Frankfurt an der Oder about 6:30 PM. The train station looked like time stood still from the Cold War. Station signs looked similar to the ones I saw in Prague. The trams ran from the station to Magistrale, where the car and footbridge was located to cross the Oder into Slubice, Poland. Back then all Frankfurt an der Oder trams were from the Tatra factory in the Czech Republic as a legacy of the Cold War. There was a McDonalds at the intersection of Karl Marx Straße and Rosa Luxemburg Straße, for some reason it had a more profound effect on me that I would have preferred. At the time McDonalds was featuring Greek-style hamburgers with feta cheese, called "McKronos". I could not resist, so I had a simple McKronos burger and small drink. After eating and going to the bathroom, I made my way across the "Most Graniczny". At the time I did not know the Polish phrases "nie mówie po Polsku" (I do not speak Polish) or "nierozumiem" (I do not understand). After passing the German customs booth, I had my passport stamped on the Polish side. The first thing I saw was Rondo Solidarnosci (solidarity roundabout) and I walked along to the DK 31 road, otherwise known as aleja Mlodziezy Polskiej.

I withdrew some Polish Zloty at an ATM since the D-Mark was not accepted. Just enough to get by in town. The only thing I bought was a Döner Kebap and some soft drink. Most of the rest of the time I wandered around for half an hour. Some things I noted, were a Zywiec beer sign at what is today's King Nazar Kebap, the post office sign "POCZTA", a cigarette shop, a movie poster for "Seven Years in Tibet" with the title in Polish, a few FSO Polonez sedans and Fiat 126p, the Polish version of the Fiat 500 or Yugo. There were some kids playing soccer and one had a big net over him and I did not know enough Polish to ask why. If you see the photo and ask me why that boy has a net on him, I don't think I can explain the circumstance even twenty years on. I had the radio with me, and I recorded some Polish broadcast, including the song "Siedze i mysle" by Beata Kozidrak off the airwaves. I do not know the radio station anymore. I walked back over the Most Graniczny to Germany, had my passport stamped both by Poland for exiting, and Germany for entering. Then I took the tram back to the rail station, and took a RegionalExpress back to Berlin Ostbahnhof. I heard "Music was my first love" by John Miles, prior to accidentally changing the station to one that was playing "Achy breaky heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus. From there I took the S-7 back to Nikolassee, and made it back to the hostel before 11 PM.

I felt I accomplished much on Friday 10 July 1998, but for Berlin there was still more to see. There is still Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th. And the final games of that year's FIFA World Cup to be played.

Until next time.

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simmos-blog · 1 year

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Still the Goat

Thursday 11th May

Just mushrooms on toast for breakfast today as I’m eating too much. Not very good though, it was half a plate of mushrooms and 2 slices of dry toast.

The American ladies were having breakfast, they are just walking 4 miles to Ravenscar today (hardly worth putting your boots on) but they were both having full English.

I was on the trail by 9.15 and after a brisk walk down to the sea I was then climbing my way up a couple of hundred steps to the top of the cliffs. Five minutes later I was at the wonderfully named Boggle Hole Youth Hostel where again you descend to beach level before climbing back to the cliff top. On the way I passed a school party who were probably staying at Boggle Hole. One young lad told me there were 56 of them all chattering away. It seemed a well organised group which is just as well as they weren’t far from the cliff edge.

Within 15 minutes I made the trip down to the beach again so by now I had a serious sweat on. Once back on the cliff top it’s not far to Ravenscar but the last mile does involve a fairly steep ascent as you walk up past Peak Alum Works which has been preserved by The National Trust. I didn’t divert into the quarry but I did have coffee and a toasted teacake in the NT cafe at the top.

The weather was warm and at times sunny. I then had a good spell of flat/gently downhill walking which upped my average pace. I passed a few people many of whom were walking the dog. One couple were making a rather laboured descent down some steep slippery steps when I caught up with them. I was descending fast and she said “you’d better come through your moving much quicker than us”. I accepted the invitation and quickly left them behind. They then passed me later when I sat on a bench to admire the view and have a snack. We briefly exchanged pleasantries but I was soon up and moving and caught them at the next ravine again picking their way down some tricky and muddy stone steps. I was moving fast when the husband saw me and shouted “look out it’s that ruddy mountain goat again”. That why todays blog is entitled “still the goat”.

I did drop down to the beach at Hayburn Wyke to see the waterfall there. It was better this year with more water flowing and I chatted to a couple throwing sticks into the pool below the waterfall for their dog to recover. The dog was quite the diver disappearing under waster for 15 seconds at a time. It is though a big climb back to the cliff top and I made heavy weather of it as its steep, slippery and the weather had warmed up.

I was general feeling good and moving well and I was soon at Scalby Mill which is the entrance to Scarborough from the north. It was then just half an hour to my hotel via Peasholm Park and the ice cream shop.

I’ve got a nice room and I’ve taken the opportunity to wash my very sweaty shirt.

Dave kindly picked me up and I’ve had a very nice diner with Dave, Sally and Milo their large but well behaved golden retriever. I walked back but the trio accompanied me half fearing I might get mugged! I think that’s pretty unlikely in Scarborough particularly as I look as if I have spent a few nights sleeping in a bus shelter.

I’ve had a small wine and booked for breakfast in the morning (£12.50) so I will be trying hard to get my monies worth. I’m meeting up with Dave, Sally and Milo on the seafront in the morning. I’m planning a visit to Lucy’s shack at Cayton Bay as she does a very tasty tea loaf. I’m sure Milo will be pleased as every time I’ve been there have been loads of dogs.

So todays walk was 14.7 miles with plenty of stiff climbs but I’ve managed it comfortably if a little slower than yesterday. The fine weather has meant lots of great views and I’ve enjoyed myself.

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eliza-scstudyabroad · 1 year

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Hi everyone! Here is a part 2 to my spring break adventure! I got back to Brussels Sunday the 9th, and I had about two days to rest. That Tuesday, the 11th, I headed to Vienna.

I got to Vienna around 1am, but I had booked a bus to Ljubljana, Slovenia for 3am… so I checked into the hostel, got cleaned up and then headed to the bus station to start my journey. It was about 5 hours long and wow was it uncomfortable. I tried hard to sleep but it was almost impossible. I finally got to Ljubljana around 9am and mustered up the energy to have myself a day! I went into town and decided to get traditional Slovenian dumplings. I went into this cute restaurant, got a coffee and two dumplings to try, one chocolate raspberry and one meat.

They were SO GOOD. They were different than what I had in mind, instead of just filling inside dough, it was dough and filling layered, almost like a lasagna. They were so good and so filling. I then set out to explore the town. It was absolutely beautiful, with gorgeous buildings, trees and a river running through. I felt like I was in a fairytale.

I stopped in some souvenir shops to get some postcards. They had the cutest merchandise, I learned that it was the city of dragons, so pretty much everything had cute dragons on it.

After a few hours, I took a bus to Lake Bled which was amazing. I walked around the lake and I ended up taking a hike which despite what they said on the internet, was SO HARD. But it was so worth it when I saw the view.

I ended up just walking around the lake for a few hours before I sat and grabbed a Lake Bled cream cake which was delicious.

I got the bus back and then headed back to Vienna for the night.

The next day I met up with a friend studying in Vienna and he began to show me around. We saw the crypt in the cathedral which was super cool but kinda scary. We spent most of the day in the Art Museum which was so amazing. There was so much to see and it was fascinating. For dinner I had some traditional Schnitzel which was so so good. We did trivia after which was fun (minus the fact that we lost).

The next day it was absolutely pouring so we got a bit of a late start. We headed to Schönbrunn Palace which was just so beautiful. The inside was incredible, so much detail and so much gold, I loved it. We hung out with some friends that night and of course I tried a traditional Bratwurst which was so yummy!

I had to go to the airport pretty early so I woke up and went to catch my flight and now I’m in Brussels and back to class unfortunately. I am super happy to be back though, it is finally warming up and I am super excited! We are getting to the home stretch which is insane.

Have a great week guys and I will be writing on here soon!

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navabharathnationalschoolsstuff · 2 years

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The benefits of sport in the integral growth of the student

CBSE Schools in Coimbatore

Sport improves lung capacity and heart function, which leads to an increase in the volume of oxygen that the brain receives, improves circulation and strengthens the heart. In short, exercise improves general physical condition and psychological well-being. Simply with this affirmation, the importance and benefit that sport exerts on the human being would be more than verified. However, the schools toffer the conclusion that sport is a tool of great educational value if it helps children and young people learn the importance of discipline and the effort to achieve what they want. In addition, these activities contribute to better concentration, essential to optimize study hours.

Best CBSE Schools in Coimbatore

The various analyzes that have been carried out on sports and school performance are indisputable. Firstly, from a physiological perspective, they point out that practicing sports improves brain processes, since the cellular and molecular components of the brain are stimulated. Regular exercise favors the good physical and mental development of students. Sport also helps the growth of muscles and bones, while developing pleasure for movement and exercise. It is proven that physical exercise practiced regularly prevents some diseases such as obesity, osteoporosis or heart disorders. Can you ask for more? Yes, because, in addition, the practice of sport provides a feeling of relaxation and happiness; the generation of endorphins and dopamine (pleasure hormones) makes us feel good. Physical education and extracurricular sports: essential In the field of education, many times there is a tendency to think that the subject of physical education is not very useful.

CBSE Schools in Coimbatore For 11th and 12th

Nothing is further from reality; The fact that children and young people practice sports can only translate into benefits. Physical exercise favors the growth of bones and muscles, it can correct possible physical defects, it is an injection of self-esteem, it increases intellectual capacity, it improves productivity; It provides energy and is a source of growth and personal development, since values of companionship, flexibility and conflict resolution are acquired. By exercising, students feel better about themselves, less stressed and find a way to open up to others and overcome their shyness or possible complexes. They learn the importance of counting on others, develop their sociability and have the chance to make new friends with whom they share their passion for sport. In the same way, sports improve and reinforce a series of psychological variables such as self-confidence, level of activation and motivation, which are key aspects with a role in daily life, the foundation of personal development. Through physical education, children and young people express their spontaneity, encourage their creativity and allow them to know, respect, value themselves and value others.

CBSE Schools in Coimbatore With Hostel Facilities comprehensive training Sport and physical exercise contribute to the integral formation of students. Thanks to their practice, children awaken their motor skills and intelligence and it is essential for them to develop globally. It promotes the creation and regularization of habits, develops the pleasure of movement and exercise, and stimulates hygiene and health care. The regular practice of sport is an important value and need in any social or demographic group. The student who practices sport has more chances of developing and enhancing a series of new strategies and skills. He learns to follow some rules, to have certain responsibilities and to work in a team taking into account his peers. He assumes the importance of respecting authority and the value of respecting adversaries. In our school, there is a commitment to the practice of sports by students, both in their development in Physical Education classes and in the multitude of extracurricular activities offered to students.

#CBSE Schools in Coimbatore #Best CBSE Schools in Coimbatore #CBSE Schools in Coimbatore For 11th and 12th #CBSE Schools in Coimbatore With Hostel Facilities

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totallyhussein-blog · 2 years

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Rwanda seeks weapon of mass distraction to UK deportation plans

The Guardian reported on Friday, how the Rwandan Government were preparing to welcome asylum seekers on Tuesday until a dramatic 11th-hour ruling by the European court of human rights.

Government officials in Rwanda are now accusing refugee and human rights campaigners of prejudice, saying the country’s record of human rights breaches is a thing of the past.

The Rwandan government has also hired strategist Harry Burns, who ran the British Labour Party’s election campaign in 2017 and is now the managing director of the PR firm Chelgate Consulting, to facilitate Rwanda's attention from the international media.

As the Guardian highlighted, British reporters were recently granted access to the Gashora transit centre, which is used for processing asylum seekers evacuated from Libya.

The visit was controlled by Rwandan government officials who closely monitored journalists as they toured the sprawling facilities. Asylum seekers were hand-picked for interviews in advance and spoke glowingly of the conditions and questioned why anyone would not want to stay there.

Reporters were also invited to visit Kigali’s Hope hostel, where those deported from the UK would be taken and were again shadowed by Rwandan government officials. Sandrine Mushimiyimana, who was working in the site’s gift shop did not accept criticism levelled at the £120m partnership between Britain and Rwanda.

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doof-doofblog · 4 years

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"Right!"

Friday 11th December 2020

Hello again everyone! Hope you've all had a good weekend. I apologise this post is late, I feel over the weekend the news about Barbara Windsor's death got me more than I had expected and I just didn't feel up to writing anything, also working 2 jobs as well can get in the way of writing this blog. But I'm now going to focus on getting this blog up to date. Hopefully come Thursday this week, I will all up to date with the blog and EastEnders. Thank you all for your on-going support and patience.

So let's jump into the episode - oh my it was another jam packed one wasn't it! Firstly, I just want mention Bobby and what such a brilliant actor Clay Milner Russell is! The beginning of the episode I found really intriguing. Bobby stood in the police station, waiting to be questioned, he is absolutely convinced that he's to blame for his Father's attack. At first you seem to think it really was him - he confesses by basically saying that it's his fault that his Dad got attacked. However as Jack continues to question him, it becomes aware that Bobby truly isn't the one to blame for the attack on his Dad. I don't know whether it has something to do with his mental health or OCD or religion, but he truly believes that because he didn't count the correct amount of numbers, he's to blame for his Dad's attack. I can't applaud Clay Milner Russell enough, having to come into a new role (even though he's been in the soap for a while now) without having any previous acting jobs, and to have been given such a gripping storyline - it's pretty impressive I have to say! I think it's easy to say that Bobby can be cleared a suspect, as it's come to clear to us a viewers and to Jack, being a police officer, Bobby is mentally unwell and maybe needs to be assessed, why does he think he's to blame? Just because he's gotten into a ritual of counting and he firmly believes that if he counts to a certain number, everything will be okay. It must be his OCD making him believe it? I hope he'll eventually get the help he needs as it's quite clear he needs it.

The second thing I want to mention is Rainie!! She's finally returned to the Square after disappearing for about 48 hours (or maybe more)! Her poor husband has been going out his mind with worry, leaving her countless phone calls and text messages, you can understand his relief when he's finally reunited with her. However it's not long before a police officer approaches them and inform them they're needed at the station for questioning. Firstly, Rainie appears to have no idea what has happened on the Square in her absence, she appears to be shocked after hearing the news about Ian. Only the interesting thing is, later on in the episode, she's on her own walking to the Cafe, when Callum spots her and hurries to have a word with her. When they're sat together and Callum is asking her all sorts of questions, it becomes clear that she's knows more than what she's letting on. She informs her Brother-In-Law that she told the police that during the night Ian was attacked, she was in fact at home with her husband watching Deal Or No Deal - (Is that even still on TV?!). But when Callum asks her further questions she responds with "No Comment!" - as if she doesn't want to give out any more information, or maybe to hide the fact that she does know something? Later on in the episode, Rainie appears to have cleaned herself up and had a wash as Stuart returns home from the police station. Rainie starts to beg forgiveness from her husband after leaving him in the lurch the way she did, and also not responding to his messages, I think we can all tell that she simply hasn't been with her Mum's - had she been sleeping rough? Or maybe gone to a hostel of some kind? Her face is in complete worry and concern as she panics her husband might've thrown her under the bus. Stuart softly questions her statement to the police, about them being home together, she nods tearfully. He then drops the bomb that he in fact gave the police the exact same statement - he was at home with his wife watching Deal Or No Deal! They both jump for joy in unison as they believe that they're alibi's are clear and that they've helped each other.

This episode seems to be all about alibi's doesn't it? Another person who's fretting about their alibi is Max. After pleading Linda to tell the police that they were together on the night in question, he seems to be having second thoughts? He visits her at the laundrette and she informs him that she told Jack that Max with with her. However, Max reveals the one thing that we didn't know earlier, that they didn't spend the whole night together, just part of it. So in all fairness, what did he do for the rest of the night? Where did go? Who did he see? As much as he seems grateful to Linda for giving him the alibi, later he informs his brother Jack, not to listen to a word she has said. It's quite interesting that he's chosen not to accept her alibi, as Jack states, the whole entire Square will be pointing at him and questioning him! Max admits that he can live with being looked at and gossiped about. Part of me is thinking is he doing this for Linda?! Is he doing it for her sake as he doesn't want to be the reason for her and Mick to call an end to their marriage?! It is an interesting one - why would Max not snatch up the alibi whilst he can? Or is he really a proud man and is certain that he has nothing to hide - so why would he need one? I don't know, I am simply guessing at this point. I'm just simply giving out my thoughts on what Max could be thinking.

Meanwhile, whilst all this is going on in the Square, sweet Honey has come up with an idea to hold a community Christmas dinner for those who have very little on Christmas Day. After what happened with her son, Will, shoplifting for his poor friend, she feels that maybe this should be the time when everyone rallies round together and help the community. She pulls in Jay and Isaac to help and even Billy agrees to help by asking Max if they could use the restaurant as a venue. I think this is a lovely idea and it seems only perfect for Honey to be the one behind it, as Jay explains she can cook and she seems to be the only one who cares. If this community Christmas Dinner takes place, it'll be very interesting to see on Christmas Day, that's for sure. Either way I'm looking forward to seeing it come together and have Honey be right in the centre of it, as she well deserves to be after what she's recently been through! Could this Christmas Dinner in fact be the start of her blossoming romance with Jay? (Yes! I'm still convinced it's going to happen - sooner or later!)

Looks like there are still people who are still needing an alibi, specifically Tina and Ben. Even though Tina admitted to hitting Ian, the main thing is is that their encounter happened at the Beale household and not the Vic. After being questioned, it was revealed that Tina went straight home after her punch up with Ian and the only person who will be able to vouch for her for would be a pizza delivery boy who delivered pizza to the wrong house. Since then, Tina has been trying to track down the pizza boy but to no avail. She spots Jack on the Square and asks him about Ian's condition, which we then find out is that he survived his operation, much to her relief. However it's then that Jack states that Ian isn't out of the woods yet, plus the main fact is, if Tina can't find the pizza boy for give her the alibi she so desperately needs, she will remain a suspect. Whereas Ben's story hasn't been mentioned yet - as far as we're concerned, no one knows when Ben was when Ian got attacked, the only thing that's known for sure, is that Ben did leave the pub that night - but did anyone see him? Will anyone really be able to give him an alibi? Callum perhaps? If it comes to it that Ben doesn't have an alibi, will Callum fight for his boyfriend and possibly give him a false one? Who knows? Things still yet remain to be seen when it comes to Ben, what do you think?!

Does anyone else think Sharon is acting very shifty?! Since agreeing to marry Ian, I am so convinced that she has something to do with Ian's attack - or maybe she knows more than what she's letting on. the thing that really stood out for me was when she and Kathy were talking to Ian just before he was due to go in for surgery. She happened to mention something along the lines of "I'm waiting for my wedding ring!" - what a thing to say just as someone is about to go into theatre! The thing that pops into my head as soon as she says that, is that as soon as she gets the ring on her finger, she'll basically own half of what Ian has - I'm guessing. I am still SO convinced that she's learned the truth about Ian's involvement in Dennis's death, that she is definitely out for revenge. If killing him hadn't worked, she will go to the next best thing and take him for everything that he's got! Even later on the in episode, Kathy questions whether Sharon will have their marriage annulled, as everyone knows she doesn't love him the way he loves her. However, interestingly, Sharon admits to Kathy that after seeing Ian pleading to her to marry him, she explains that it's become clear how much they need each other, and especially him during this tough time he's having. For her it's not a case of she won't annul the marriage, but she can't. In all seriousness - what's the difference?! Or am I just missing something? Don't you guys agree though? Why on Earth would she marry her best friend after just a few weeks prior to rejecting him?! She must be out for revenge or something?!

Right so, the Panesar's are also looking shifty! On the Square, it looks as if a van has some interesting with regards to Ian's attack. Kheerat is walking along the street as he watches with great suspense at the police investigating the vehicle. However it's only later on when Jack visits the shop to question both Suki and Kheerat about their whereabouts on the night in question, Suki reveals that she was at Ruby's club. Which, I guess is try - as we saw she was sat at the bar, but how long was she there for? Could she and Kheerat have cooked up the plan to attack Ian together?! However, when Jack takes an interest in Kheerat's whereabouts, Kheerat reveals that he wasn't even on the Square at the time of the attack and just happened to be out of time in a meeting. But then, to his surprise, Jack questions the vehicle in which he drove to the business meeting and whether there was some kind of accident. He then drops the bombshell that the van has been taken for testing as there had traces of blood found on the vehicle. Instantly you can see Suki and Kheerat have a panicked look in their faces, as Jack leaves the scene, Suki seems to lay into her son about being careful, however Kheerat informs his Mother not worry as he will sort it. Later on in the episode, we see a hooded figure enter some type of building after entering it in some kind of alley way. As Kheerat enters his office we see a hooded figure sat in a chair waiting for him, he mentions to the unknown figure that the police are sniffing round and asking them dodgy questions. Suddenly the figure removes his hood and we see that it's actually Peter!!! He asks why the police would go the Minute Mart, but as their conversation continues it looks as if Peter and Kheerat are more involved together as they are in the attack than we first believed. They agree to give each other alibis!

So what the heck does this mean?! The only thing I can think of is that both Peter and Kheerat had it out for Ian and they both went to the Vic for the same reason, but maybe things got out of hand and one witnessed the other attacking Ian? I'm unsure. I don't think they would've planned anything together, I do think they crossed paths purely by accident and because of their mistakes of getting caught, they basically have no choice but to give each other an alibi. So - who do I think attacked Ian?! Sharon, Peter and Max are on the top of my list. However I could be wrong, as we still yet to hear/see Ben's encounter of the evening. My opinion could change over the coming episodes, I do not however, think it was either Bobby or Tina - I feel I can positively rule them out! I'm feeling a little unsure when it comes to Stuart and Rainie, I'd like to think it's not either of them, but like I said - who knows? My views could change.

Do you guys have any thoughts or theories as to who could be Ian's attacker?! I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions! Please feel free to leave me a comment or message I'll always find the time to respond. Enjoy the rest of your evening folks and I'll be back again tomorrow evening! Love you all xXx

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loptgangandi · 5 years

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so! literally no one asked, but these last 3 weeks have been a hell of a ride let me TELL YOU

so happy mun-day now you get to hear all about it!! (with pictures, I’m not a monster)

here’s the cliffnotes version:

december week 1: simultaneously moved back into a place and took classes then moved out of that place while taking classes and planning a 2-day overland trip from sweden to madrid. took said trip.

december week 2: attended the unfccc climate conference COP25 in madrid, got kicked out for protesting in solidarity with indigenous ppl & kids, got let back into COP the next day & proceeded to go to more panels and also protests. no i did not see greta thunberg but she was there. I did not see harrison ford either. I did shake al gore’s hand tho.

december week 3: week #1 with my mom’s new twin one-eyed cyclops kitties (yes both of them), spent the week frantically writing 2400 words of nonsense that hopefully resolved themselves into two coherent enough papers to snag me a nice grade then took a 36-hour trip up to london to see my sister perform at her bitchin new job.

elaboration under the cut.

Hell Week (or) Why You Sometimes Should Fly to Climate Conferences

So, after the nonsense with The Roommate From Hell (reddit rant here), I moved out of my room at her place and back into the dorms (where I still had a lease through the end of December). That required a fair bit of effort, but I moved things bit by bit over the course of about a week, and it was manageable.

But I had to be out of the dorms and have the place clean by the time I left for the climate conference, which in itself was a whole lot of coordination. Wednesday the 4th of December was probably among the worst, most frustrating days I have ever had, and I desperately hope I never have to deal with that level of fuck this fuck you fuck me fuck everything for a very, very long time. Somehow -- by some miraculous act of the gods -- I pulled it out, and managed to get my stuff into my friend’s basement, my plants into another friend’s apartment, my bags packed, my room clean as a whistle, my self moved into my hostel, and to every damn class that week. My interrail tickets came the day I planned to leave -- it was a tight fit -- and I managed to book trains and busses from Uppsala to Madrid with half an hour to spare, and get on the first train (Uppsala to Stockholm) in good time.

The next 48 hours went like this:

Stockholm -> Copenhagen (by train): uneventful, but Copenhagen train station on a Friday night is a little dicey, especially when you’re dragging around a 45 lb suitcase and another 15 lbs on your back

Copenhagen -> Hamburg (by overnight FlixBus): Uneventful, and I was sitting by a window with no one sitting next to me, so I was able to doze a bit on the trip.

Hamburg -> Basel (by high-speed rail): This one I should have booked. The website said that a reservation was recommended, and I understand why. If I’d had a quiet cabin -- or even just a consistent seat for the whole 7-hour journey -- I’d have been able to get a decent night’s sleep. Instead, I kept having to move to give people their reserved seats, and didn’t get more than an hour of uninterrupted sleep.

Basil -> Olten (train): this one was a mistake

Olten -> Brienz (train): where the fuck am I

Brienz -> Lausanne (train): oh right yes that’s the direction I want to go yes good get on that one

Lausanne -> Geneva (train): oh thank fuck, I 100% know where I am and am back on track. Sunglasses & 30 hours without sleep is a Look.

Geneva: Spend 3 hours with my mom, put a week’s worth of clothes into a considerably smaller suitcase, eat dinner. meet mom’s new kittens, Saga and Luna

Geneva -> Lyon (bus): Get confused about which bus to get on, get told off by the bus driver we were trying to convince to let us on his bus, realized mom had been trying to put me on the wrong bus. Get on the right bus. Go to Lyon with bus driver who speaks no French or English, only Spanish.

Lyon -> Barcelona (night bus): Hell. Just. Absolute Hell Bus. Wanted To Die all night. Assigned to aisle seat just before the very back next to a very, very tall man who was quite polite but had no room for his legs. Behind us were two men, one of whom was loudly chewing gum until he took off his shoes and fell asleep, the other of whom snored like a gd bulldozer. Aisle seat and wailing baby a few rows down meant that my chances of sleeping comfortably were 0. I did manage to doze off a bit, but only because I was so strung out from not sleeping the night before. Eventually made it to Barcelona alive and lent my phone to the very nice lady with the wailing baby (plus like 5 other family members, none of whom had cell service).

Barcelona -> Madrid (train): Absolutely gorgeous train ride through the Spanish countryside that I really did want to stay awake to enjoy. Managed to do so until we got to an elevation where it was just thick, dense fog and I let myself fall asleep.

Madrid: I arrived at my hostel groggy, dazed, and in pain from two bad nights in a row. I considered a nap, but also considered that I’d need to wake up early the next morning and would need to fall asleep. Opted to try to set up my COP25 blog instead. Failed due to aforementioned grogginess. Walked to the corner to get some food and tried to pay for it with Swedish kronor, which didn’t work. Apologized, explained to the amused man that it had been a long weekend, paid him in Euros instead. Used the hostel’s dry sauna (!!!!), took a shower, and went to bed.

COP25 - The Old White Fuckening

So, listen, I’m not going to go into detail about COP. If you want to read about how much of a tonedeaf clusterfuck the negotiations were (as opposed to the really interesting, inspiring stuff happening in the side sessions), BBC has some good articles.

If you want to listen to some of the press conferences and plenaries, here they are. I especially recommend the ones by the Women’s Earth and Climate Caucus, Fridays for Future, and as many of the Indigenous Peoples’ statements as you can (most of them are in Spanish and/or Portuguese. Because the COP was supposed to be held in Chile, many of the registered Indigenous participants were from Amazonas because it was supposed to not be far to travel).

If you want to listen to some of the side events, the webcasts have been recorded here. Click the link, and then click “Join the event.” I again recommend the ones by Indigenous groups (if you can understand them -- we all had translation headphones in the sessions, but I don’t speak Spanish, so I can’t really go back and revisit them). Also, this "feminist attempt at connecting the dots” on “climate crisis, corporate power, and climate finance” and this one session from a Nigerian NGO and the government about One Health and the connection between climate change, disease, and other health risks -- and how badass Nigeria is at tackling them.

On the subject of tonedeafness, some absolute bullshit went down on Wednesday, December 11th.

Here is the article on BBC, but it’s a bit incomplete.

Here’s what happened.

COP25 2: The Old White Fuckeninger (Starring Military Police!)

So on Wednesday, December 11th, Greta Thunberg -- environmental wunderkind with truly glorious bitchface -- sat on a panel before a hall full of condescending adults in which she demanded accountability and immediate action from national leaders.

At the end of her speech, the delegation of Fridays for Future -- Greta’s own youth movement, which has become a global phenomenon -- stormed the stage. Representatives of Fridays for Future admitted that they knew what they were doing was against the rules, and they were ready to face the consequences: having their admission badges taken away (being “debadged”), and not being blacklisted from future UNFCCC events.

Neither of these things happened. Instead, UNFCCC praised the young activists, and let them keep their badges.

A few hours later, another activist group in attendance -- not an Indigenous one, a point that was raised by a young Native American man during the Fridays for Future press conference -- staged a sit-in outside the main hall where a large plenary meeting was scheduled. Said meeting was full of gimmicks, including a live call to the International Space Station so an astronaut could talk about the view of climate change from space.

I was going to attend the plenary. I joined the protest instead.

Admittedly, the decision was partly made for me by security. After pushing, shoving, and jostling the (mostly adult, heavily Indigenous, mostly PoC, heavily female, heavily Queer) protesters, as well as violently snatching their badges off their lanyards, security started herding them -- as well as anyone in proximity -- out into the open docking area outside the hall. One woman nearby, who hadn’t meant to join the protest and who had just been filming, tried to duck out of the group and got sternly told by a security guard “No. Keep going forward. No turning back.” A similar thing had happened to me -- I hadn’t made up my mind about joining the protest, because I didn’t have all the information -- but security made the decision, and in the end, I’ll always prefer to be with the people facing the police rather than those they’re protecting.

It was... furious. It was emotional. The leaders of the protest had us form a circle and turn our backs on security and the door. WoC -- many of whom were Indigenous -- led not just standard protest chants, but songs. Renewal songs, fight songs. The common theme was the intersection of environmental justice and femininity, queerness and suffering under colonization, anti-capitalism, anti-exploitation, and a call for colonizers to repay the colonized for all of the loss and damage already caused by climate change (climate reparations).

Eventually, UNFCCC made a decision. They decided to close the door on us. Security “escorted” us to the docking bay entrance, and the military police took over. Fortunately, none of them started anything. Obviously, none of the protesters did either. We made it back to the venue entrance eventually, but only those with journalist/media badges were allowed back in; the rest of us were not. Even people with Observer badges (like mine) who hadn’t been part of the protest weren’t being allowed in. But some people who were panelists, delegates, etc. came out to stand in solidarity with us.

Once it became clear that no more joint actions would be taking place, I went home, and waited to see whether the negotiators would be able to talk UNFCCC into letting us back in.

They did. Can you imagine the headlines? “UNFCCC Kicks Out Protesters, Bars Civil Society Observers From Climate Talks.”

Talk about going down like a lead balloon.

Which is about what the conference in general did. I was able to go back and get some more stuff out of it... including another big protest, this time led by Fridays for Future and sanctioned. It was so, so good. Many of the people from Wednesdays protest were also there, and while spirits weren’t exactly high, the emotions being expressed were more along the lines of determination and tenacity than fire and fury. Both are valid, and both have their place, and it was nice to have a balance -- especially at the end of the week, when we were all flat-out exhausted.

The Aftermath

And then I just didn’t stop moving. Saturday and Sunday I spent exploring Madrid and staying out late, Monday I flew back to Geneva from Madrid (because absolutely fuck Spanish busses and also absolutely FUCK FRANCE’s weeks-long general strike that I’m sure was for something very important. I’m sure. Because France never strikes over trivial things).

Tuesday-Friday was a takehome exam that I swear to god was more labor-intensive than my actual undergrad thesis, and Saturday-Sunday I flew to London to visit my sister at her new job as an actor in Shrek’s Adventure. Mom was supposed to go with me, but she has a slipped disk and sent me up alone. Which was nice -- my sister and I almost never hang out just the two of us. But that’s another thing I’ve been dealing with -- quite a bit of extra Stuff To Do that Mom Can’t Do because Back Hurty and there have been days when she literally could not move.

But now I am here! I still have work to do, and it’s holidays so there’s Holiday Stuff happening, but I’m hoping to get back to writing here in the next few days.

And if you’ve read all of this, you’re fucking incredible and I love u and here are some one-eyed black babie kitty gremlins for ur viewing pleasure.

<-Saga | Luna ->

They’ve got little bare patches on their tummies because bbies gotta be spayed

They got this tower two days ago and have learned to share, but the learning curve was steep

Saga doesn’t like cuddles but she likes pats and being in the vicinity of humans

Saga says hello

Pictured: Luna in my arms, Saga in Proximity

Luna stole my Spot!! >:C

If Saga steals something and then tells u to answer a riddle to get it back pls let me know. she does that sometimes. it’s very naughty.

#ooc tag #long post #if u read thru to the end there's kitties :3 #or you can just look at the kitties #it's not like I'll know #anywhere that's where I've been #I have literally Not Fucking Stopped for like a month

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sidlyrics · 4 years

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Organizing the trip

If the events you'll be going to are in the same city as the one you're travelling to, it'll probably be very easy to organize everything, but if you have to move around or go to more than one live, you'll have to look for transport, acommodation, food, etc., so I've made this guide sharing a bit of my experience in case it is useful for someone when they are organizing their own trip.

Transport

Even though it's possible to buy a JR pass, which enables us to take any JR trains, some metro lines and some buses for the period we get it for, we thought it was a bit too expensive. Also, once activated, you have to use it in a certain period of time (that is to say, if you have a 7-day pass, you can't use it on 7 random different days, it will last exactly for a week since you first used it). However, it's true that travelling on train is really comfortable and fast, so if you don't mind spending a little bit more, maybe this option is worth it for you. Thinking that the tickets had been already quite expensive, we tried to look for other alternatives and we found a bus company, Willer, that offers passes for more affordable prices. There is a 3-day pass, a 5-day pass and a 7-day pass, but they don't have to be consecutive days, you have a few months when you can use them any time. Depending on the dates you'll be travelling, you can also get a discount: if you travel only from Monday to Thursday, passes are cheaper. Each day you use the pass, you can take up to 3 day buses and one night bus. After checking our live plan, we chose the 5-day pass including weekends. Also, we always took night buses, so we could sleep on the bus and save some money from the hotel. Night buses usually leave between 10 pm and 12 pm from Tokyo's city center and arrive at the destination around 7 am, so it's possible to use the rest of the day to go sightseeing. Plus, busses are adapted, so seats are more comfortable, they have a thing to cover your head in case you want more privacy, they have lockets to charge your electronic devices, etc. They'll also make a few stops and you can get off the bus to buy something or use the bathroom at the service area.

However, we didn't go to every live by bus, so I'll briefly explain our travel plan:

Bus to Sendai (July 5th) - Day 1 of the bus pass // Live at Sendai // Night at Sendai (July 6th) and train to Utsunomiya (July 7th) // Live at Utsunomiya // Train to Tokyo (July 7th)

Train to Saitama (July 9th) // Live at Saitama // Train to Tokyo (July 9th)

Bus to Kanazawa (July 11th) - Day 2 of the bus pass // Live at Kanazawa // Bus to Tokyo (July 12th) - Day 3 of the bus pass

Bus to Nagoya (July 14th) - Day 4 of the bus pass // Live at Nagoya // Bus to Tokyo (July 15th) - Day 5 of the bus pass

Bus to Osaka (July 17th) // Live at Osaka // Bus to Tokyo (July 18th)

As you can see, the last two trips Tokyo-Osaka-Tokyo weren’t included in the bus pass and I had to buy them separately, but doing that by train can be around 15000 yen, while it was only 5000 yen by bus. For Saitama, since it's only half an hour from Tokyo, you can easily get there by train for around 500 yen. On the other side, since the lives at Sendai and Utsunomiya took place one after the other, we decided to spend the night at Sendai and go directly from there to Utsunomiya (it's half-way between Sendai and Tokyo). In any case, Willer doesn't have buses from Sendai to Utsunomiya, so going by bus wasn't even an option. At first, we thought that it was possible to take local trains, which are slower and, therefore, cheaper, but when we arrived to the train station we were told that there were only shinkansen (bullet train). When you buy your tickets, it's possible to choose a carriage with reserved or unreserved seats. We chose the latter because it was a bit cheaper and, since the train had such a high frequency (maybe it's just that it wasn't rush hour, I don't know), there were a lot of empty seats, so we could sit down. If you look for information about the tickets and timetables online on Hyperdia (you can only check, you can't buy tickets), it might be understood that the price of the tickets will be the one that pops up when you select your seat type.

However, it isn't like that, to that amount on that menu, you have to add the base price that is written in the "fare" column (then, if we choose an unreserved seat, it won't be 3530 yen, but 8040). You can probably picture our faces when the lady selling the tickets told us the actual price. In order to go back to Tokyo from Utsunomiya, there are local trains, so you can choose between going on a bullet train (40 minutes more or less) or take one of those local trains (an hour and a half), which are also a lot cheaper (1500 yen one-way).

Acommodation

As I mentioned before, we were travelling on night buses so we didn't have to pay for a night at a hotel. However, we did have to stay for one night at Sendai. The original plan was to not spend a cent on acommodation and just find any way to spend the night there, but when we arrived to Sendai we saw that it wasn't that simple. At first, we thought that, being summer, since it's hot in Japan, we could just stay at a park or something. But rainy season was a bit longer that year and, once there, it was raining and cold. Since we couldn't stay in the open, we tried to find a place to stay. We thought that, since konbini are open 24 hours and some have an area with sofas or seats to eat, we could just stay there. This might sound like a good idea, but in fact that area will be closed by 11 pm, probably to avoid people doing what we were planning to do. Therefore, now out of options, we finally faced the fact that we would have to look for a real acommodation. Being only one night, we didn't mind sharing the bathroom or bedroom, so we ended up choosing a hostel that was 2000 yen per person. In case someone goes to Sendai and wants to stay there, it was the Sendai Guesthouse Umebachi. It is a traditional house, rooms are for four people and the bathroom was shared (there were two showers, but they are closed so no one will see you). In the mornings they offer coffee, milk and toasts, so we could grab some food before leaving. Plus the staff speaks English. The only problem we encountered was the bed, since it was a futon. It was okay at first, but not being used to sleeping on a hard surface and given that the sun rises early and there are no window blinds, we were already awake at 5:30 am.

Food

Depending on your budget, you can either go to restaurants or find cheaper options. Among those, konbini food is okay. For 300-400 yen there are premade dishes (and they are surprisingly yummy), but for 100-200 yen there are sandwiches, small bento boxes (with omelette, chicken, sushi, etc.) and onigiri (the tuna and mayo one is a hard drug). If you buy cup ramen, you can ask them to prepare it for you, and you can also ask them to heat the premade dish you've picked. If you go to restaurants, there are some Japanese fast food chains, like Yoshinoya, CoCoIchi or Tenya, but I admit we just went in whatever place we found, be it a konbini, restaurant or fast food chain. If it helps, we found out about some traditional food from different cities and I can link to some restaurants we went to, in case someone wants to go to the same place.

Tokyo: Our criteria to pick restaurants was completely random, but we went to some that we liked. In Asakusa, at Kaminarimon Maruka we had some cold noodles. In Shibuya, we ate at a sushi restaurant, Uobei. It is not the best sushi ever, but it's okay and cheap (it will arrive to your seat on a conveyor belt), and in Shinjuku we went to a yakiniku restaurant, Rokkasen. In Ikebukuro, even though it's a chain, we went to Tonkatsu Wako. I love tonkatsu, and the rice, cabbage and miso soup are "refillable", so you could ask for more, it was awesome.

Sendai: There was a restaurant near the hostel that they recommended to us. It is quite small, but the owners were nice and they were fascinated about us being there. The staff doesn't speak English, but they asked if yakitori and sashimi were okay (I loved the sashimi), and we ate that. Some salarymen found us entertaining and ordered typical dishes from Sendai for us to try. I don't remember what the first two were, although one was some kind of oyster and the other one was fish, but the third one was fried tofu (I remember because it was super dry and I didn't like it, but the other two were good).

Utsunomiya: The typical food from this city are gyoza. There are a lot of restaurants in the area near Heaven's Rock, so it'll be easy to find one. There was also a mall (and even though we couldn't find the source, it smelled like there was a pastry shop) and there is also a cafeteria called Barisai Cafe where they sell pancakes, cakes, etc.

Nagoya: Eel is typical from this city, but we were a bit disgusted by the thought of it, so we ended up having lunch at a Okinawan-style meat restaurant.

Travel insurance

Even though it might seem useless, we hired a travel insurance with IATI because we had read that health service in Japan is expensive. After all, it was worth it, because my friend got sick and they wouldn't even sell paracetamol at the pharmacy without a prescription, so we had to go to the doctor just for that and we weren't charged anything, even the insurance company helped us get an appointment for that same evening. Also, the doctor who helped us spoke perfect English and she was really caring.

Internet access

Being two people, we decided to rent a pocket wifi. It is a portable router that works anywhere you go. The battery lasts around 10 hours, but it had an extra battery to recharge it, so it could last a whole day. The good thing about pocket wifi is that there is no data limit and you can connect more than one device. We rented it here. It is also possible to buy a data SIM card. You have different options and prices, depending on the period you want it for, the number of GB, etc. You can order them online, before starting your trip, or just get them already in Japan, since there are shops at the airport where they'll install it for you.

Places to visit

Since we arrived early at each city, we could seize the morning to go sightseeing. I'm writing below the names of the places we visited in case you'll be going to any of these cities and want to check this out.

Sendai: Aoba castle, Zuihoden

Utsunomiya: Oya-ji (you can take a bus directly from the train station), Utsunomiya castle

Kanazawa: Kanazawa castle, Kenroku-en, geisha district (there is also a temple district here, it's signaled)

Nagoya: Nagoya castle, Atsuta-jingu

Osaka: Osaka castle, Dotonbori, Amerikamura

#SID #Tutorial #sidlyrics #シド

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greenbagjosh · 2 years

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Monday 11 November 2002 - daytime stroll in Copenhagen before returning to Germany - windmill sightings - the night train to Switzerland

11 November 2002

EN Hi everyone. Twenty years ago today, I took the night train to Zürich, Switzerland, through Bremen and Baden in Aargau. I had to take a 9:30 AM train from Copenhagen to Hamburg and have a layover for a few hours to see whatever I did not see on the 8th and 9th. When I boarded the train about 8 PM in Hamburg Hbf, I had a nice first class compartment to myself.

DE Hallo allerseits. Heute vor 20 Jahren bin ich mit dem Nachtzug über Bremen und Baden im Aargau nach Zürich in die Schweiz gefahren. Ich musste einen Zug um 9:30 Uhr von Kopenhagen nach Hamburg nehmen und ein paar Stunden zwischenhalten, um zu sehen, was ich am 8. und 9. nicht gesehen habe. Als ich gegen 20 Uhr in Hamburg Hbf in den Zug einstieg, hatte ich ein schönes Erste-Klasse-Abteil für mich allein.

DK Hej allesammen. For 20 år siden i dag tog jeg nattoget til Zürich, Schweiz, gennem Bremen og Baden i Aargau. Jeg var nødt til at tage et 9.30-tog fra København til Hamborg og have en pause i et par timer for at se, hvad jeg ikke så den 8. og 9. Da jeg gik ombord på toget ved 20-tiden i Hamburg Hbf, havde jeg en fin førsteklasses kupé for mig selv.

SE Hej allihopa. För tjugo år sedan idag tog jag nattåget till Zürich, Schweiz, genom Bremen och Baden i Aargau. Jag var tvungen att ta ett 9:30-tåg från Köpenhamn till Hamburg och ha en paus i några timmar för att se det jag inte såg den 8:e och 9:e. När jag gick ombord på tåget vid 20-tiden i Hamburg Hbf hade jag en fin förstaklasskupé för mig själv.

FR Salut tout le monde. Il y a vingt ans jour pour jour, je prenais le train de nuit pour Zürich, en Suisse, en passant par Brême et Baden en Argovie. J'ai dû prendre un train à 9h30 de Copenhague à Hambourg et faire une escale de quelques heures pour voir tout ce que je n'ai pas vu les 8 et 9. Lorsque je suis monté à bord du train vers 20 heures à Hamburg Hbf, j'avais un joli compartiment de première classe pour moi tout seul.

Guten Morgen! Good morning! God morgen! It was Monday 11th November 2002, and I had to go back to Germany and then on to Switzerland for my second part of the November 2002 journey. I woke up about 7 AM, decided not to have breakfast at the hostel, took a shower and checked out. I took the metro to Nørreport and the S-Tog to København H. I left my wheeled bag in a locker. I was able to find some place selling pastries and coffee. I wanted to also see Tivoli Gardens, or whatever I could, and have a daytime view of Rådehus, Rundetaarn and a part of the Kongens Nytorv and Rosenborg Slot, or Rosenborg castle.

After I saw the Rådehus, Rundetaarn, Kongens Nytorv and Rosenborg Slot, I took the S-Tog to Svanemöllen. There was not much to see, I just wanted to ride the S-Tog as far as I could. I went back to København H and did a little more shopping. I managed to buy some CDs, "Da Capo" by Ace of Base and "Another Chance" by Roger Sanchez. The prices were a bit more reasonable, about $22.00 per CD as opposed to $30.00 in Sweden. After putting those in my green backpack, I went to collect my wheeled bag, and boarded the IC3 diesel train to Hamburg Hbf.

The train left about 9:30 AM for Høje Taastrup, Rødby Færge, Puttgarden, Lübeck Hbf and Hamburg Hbf. The weather was kind of chilly, maybe in the mid 40s, about +7 C, sometimes with rain. Along the way, I saw several windmills. The train was at Rødby Færge about 10:30 AM and rolled on to the ferry after dropping off passengers. About 10:45 AM the ferry departed for Puttgarden. It took around 45 minutes to cross the Femer Bælt, which to me, seemed like a part of the Baltic Sea. The Duty Free shops were open around 11 AM until 11:20 AM. The train rolled off the ferry around 11:35 AM and stopped to pick up passengers at the Puttgarden rail station right outside the ferry terminal. Until we reached Lübeck, the train would be relatively slow, probably the train might not arrive in Lübeck until 12:15 PM.

The train arrived in Hamburg around 12:45 PM. Everyone departed the train, and the cleaning crew got to work, before the next departure to Copenhagen about 1 PM. I on the other hand, took my wheeled bag and placed it in a locker. Then I had some time to do a little sightseeing of Hamburg until about sunset. I walked along the Reeperbahn and then near Rathaus and Dammtor. About 4:30 PM, the sun was about to set, so I went back to Hbf. The train would not leave until 8 PM, so I took an S Bahn to Harburg, which is the furthest south station in Hamburg before crossing the Ländergrenze into Lower Saxony. I explored there for about half an hour, and bought myself a hamburger without cheese, at a snack bar in the station, to prove that I actually ate a hamburger in Hamburg. I went back to the train platform for Hamburg Hbf, and I saw this youth that was either drunk or under the influence of some hard drug, sleeping on the stairs. The police were on scene and had nudged the man to see if he were still alive. My train to Hbf came in time so I did not have to continue watching.

At Hbf, I bought some reading materials, before collecting my wheeled bag. It was about 7:45 PM when I went to the platform and car where I would sleep for the next twelve hours. The train that I booked the first class cabin, was a EuroNight train. My compartment had two beds but the top one was not booked. I had a sink in the compartent but was asked not to drink the water, for that reason, they gave me a bottle of water free of charge. The bathrooms were down the hall. About 7 AM they would serve me breakfast. The train staff took my passport for the evening, and they would give it back at breakfast time, prior to arriving at Baden AG.

The train left at 8:05 PM. Its first stop was Bremen Hbf, southwest of Hamburg. I had never been to Bremen, and the stop was so far my only visit up to November 2022, though I plan to visit it in February 2023. Bremen is, like Hamburg, a Hanseatic city-state. Berlin, to some degree, is its own city state within the Bundesland of Brandenburg. About 8:45 PM, the train left Bremen to head south. About 9 PM I went to sleep, waking up on occasion to go to the bathroom. Sleeping in a moving train has its merits and faults. One of the concerns is the feeling of moving laterally in the compartment bed. The train did not stop in Hannover or really anywhere else in Germany, except Basel Badischer Bahnhof. Then it crossed into Switzerland, but that will be for tomorrow.

Please join me again tomorrow, for when I arrive in Zürich HB, and then take the train to Bern and also to Frauenfeld in Thurgau and back.

Gute Nacht! Good night! Godnat!

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lucy-travels · 5 years

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6 mistakes I’ve already made in New Zealand

6 is a weird number, I know but, I tried to think of 10 and realised that I’ve done pretty well so far, to say that I didn’t really know what I was doing when I came out travelling here in New Zealand.

I’ve only been here for just over a week so I think 6 mistakes is great. But these are tiny things that most people probably wouldn’t even think of so don’t follow in my footsteps and read this post on what NOT to do!

1. Planning my flight to get in at midnight

This was probably the worst of the mistakes I have made throughout this whole post which is why I have placed it first to make sure you don’t do this.

The thing is with getting an international flight into a foreign country isn’t just the fact that you’re going to be knackered in general but it all the things you have to do whilst you’re knackered. For example: after collecting my bag from the conveyor belt and getting through customs I then had to order a taxi. I chose Uber as I thought that this would be the safest way to travel to my hostel. It’s tracked and you can clearly see who’s picking you up. This leads me to another mistake I made. We’ll call this mistake #1.5.

1.5. Cards/ travel cash cards

Make sure your travel cash card or credit card that you were going to use in your new country is attatched to your phone already! Mine wasn’t and I was paying for my taxi ride + all sorts of bananas and breakfast stuff for the next day with my Apple Pay alread set up wth my British bank and god knows how much they charged me for using that!

1. Back to number one

So, as I was saying I was incredibly tired and I got to my first hostel at around 1:30am. I’d never been in a hostel before and I was lugging around my big backpack, along with my carry on. Luckily I let the hostel know that I was going to be late checking in and someone was there at reception helping me check in. But the real problem began with the room as it was pitch black and I didn’t want to wake any of my roomates up with noise that I was making! I had to rustle through my bag to find my toiletries and then had to take everything out so I could find my PJ’s and clothes for the next day as I did not want to have to repeat my actions again in the morning.

Tired and jet-lagged I went into the shared toilet and got myself sorted only having to go back in the room and make my bed. Nightmare. It felt like one thing after another. Trust me when I say that arriving in your hostel at midnight is the worst. I definitely did not make friends that night. I only got about 2/3 hours of sleep that night as I was due to be picked up by a tour bus at 7! I think I’m only just shaking off the bags under my eyes from then.

2. Not checking if I need a Visa

I bet you’re thinking - Lucy this is probably the first thing I would’ve checked, and you’d be right to think that as I did the same. As soon as I booked my flights to New Zealand back in March I did exactly that as I checked all the countries I was planning on flying to including NZ. The government site told me that there was no Visa required for a British citizen to enter the country and so I went on with my travel plans not thinking of that as an issue again.

Fast-forward to October 12th. I’m at the check-in desk at Manchester airport with a huge grin on my face and the lady saw where I was flying to and asked me if I’ve got my Visa. I said no, with confidence, and there becomes my issue. “No problem” she says, “just buy one online now and it might come through today”. MIGHT. You can tell that I massively panicked on the inside and held the tears in, thinking that I wasn’t organised and made a mistake. I mean, I literally wasn’t even a big deal as it only took like 5 mins for the e-mail confirmation to come through but after months of planning you wouldn’t think the last thing to get for the trip wouldn’t be at the 11th hour at the check-in desk.

So, moral of the story is double check EVERYTHING. I don’t care if you got confirmation of your hotel reservation months ago. Check again just in case you got the wrong date or the wrong room. Check to see if you need a Visa the week before you leave for your trip just in case they change the regulations like mine did! October 1st 2019 they changed the regulations... 11 days out. Bloody typical.

3. Not asking for a window seat

I’m the type of passenger who likes their room. I’m an aisle seater because I like to stretch out and go to the toilet without having to ask the person next to me to get up. But in this instance I was on the 2nd leg of my flights and I got an aisle seat, however I knew I wanted to sleep on this flight and it would’ve been much more comfy if I was leaning against the side of the plane. What did actually end up happening is that I fell asleep on the aisle seat and the two guys next to me we’re pretty much bursting for the loo and didn’t want to wake me. Bless them. They pretty much charged passed me as soon as I woke up. I don’t blame them. But also, as I was asleep I was being knocked by all the trolleys and cabin crew down the aisle so I really didn’t get a decent night sleep. If I had just asked to switch I’m sure they would have obliged as I think the aisle is the favourite.

4. Not bringing enough warm clothing

This is a big one as well! Why did I think going to New Zealand in the Spring time would mean sun all the time. It doesn’t. So far I’ve spent most of my time in my one jumper I brought with me and my leggings. Not once have I worn my shorts as it’s just too bloody cold for that. And I’m in the North island! I can’t imagine how cold it is down South.

I pretty much packed 5 t-shirts and 2 long-sleeved t-shirts (just in case it was cold 🙄) and about 12 vest tops. What an idiot. I’ve already done a load of washing since that’s all I’ve worn. Gloves and hats have also been worn so don’t underestimate a well-known warm (kind of) country being flipping freezing most of the time.

5. Bringing too much cash

It’s always good to bring a load of cash because you never know when you’ll need it. Most places take card these days but a lot of the time there’s the option of paying cash. I found myself using my travel cash card more than anything as it’s obviously the most efficient way for me to pay my accomodation on my phone and activities I was doing. So, I saw my balance going down on my card and I still had a load of cash that I just couldn’t really use for any of the common things I was paying for. So I’m kinda trying to use up my cash so I don’t have loads to carry around with me and to make me feel better about not seeing my bank balance decrease severely each week. Really, I think cash should be used in emergencies. There’s not really a time you’d need unless you were somewhere remote but, it is a good idea to keep hold of some.

6. Not bringing talcum powder to the beach

I think this is a widely know travel tip now but if you don’t know here we go. I was at Hot Water Beach, Hahei a couple days ago and we got the chance to dig a hole in the sand and relax in the hot bath it created from the water. It was such a relaxing experience however, afterward standing up in the cold wind, sand flying everywhere and feeling the sand in your bikini bottoms from the bath it was the most uncomfortable experience as everywhere hurt! Now, if I had talcum powder with me I could’ve covered myself in it which dries up all the moisture on my body, allowing the sand to fall off easy. I had to sit on a bus for 30mins with the sticky sand on my body, itching me. When I could’ve used talc and felt relaxed. Good tip.

Those were my top 6 mistakes I’ve made already in New Zealand and I’m sure there’s loads more to come. I hope this had helped you see the small details of travelling and how to avoid these mistakes. If you’d like to comment or give me a dm I’d love to hear your thoughts on what you want to know whilst I’m out here!

#travel blog #travel #travelling #mistakes #solotravel #visa #newzealand #backpacking

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rei-usa · 2 years

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July 11th, 2022

Sitting in the train in…I don’t know. Well it’s on its way to Trondheim.

Goodness did this journey start rough. Leaving the states was a nightmare and I generally get a little sad before I leave for a big trip because I start to really appreciate how good life really is. Bruce knows when I leave and fuck that is hard but remember my goals and always be thankful. A way of showing gratitude to my youth, time and spirit is by taking this trip. Who would have thought that a direct flight to Oslo would be $149 USD. Certainly not me. I was itching to go on a trip and there it was. Interestingly enough, the advertisement popped up a couple of days after I met some people from Sweden, outside of Moab, Utah in a bouldering canyon. Unfortunately, we didn’t keep in touch. <- That’s a different story.

Anyway! At that price, I truly cannot afford not to go.

I felt as if I was forgetting everything. Just the important things like my main credit card, covid card, a plan, my brain… Fortunately, other than booking a flight, I had made one wise decision, booking a hostel for 2 nights. Little did I know that would be my golden ticket into the country.

Arriving to the airport 50 min before my flight, I had noticed that TSA is no longer asking people for their boarding pass. This is the third time in a month this has happened. They are exclusively checking identification, that’s it, anyone can go through now I guess. I walked to the gate and there was a line so I quickly went to go order a 2x bloody to go and walked straight to the gate to find out that I didn’t “check-in” and the flight was oversold. What in the flying fuck? (Don’t make a scene Reilley because it’s going to make the situation worse and you can’t think and the 18y/o boy would have gotten high off of it.) So, I walked away and checked the digital board to see if there was another flight available that would get me to my connecting flight in time to catch the 18:05 flight. There was one single flight, one terminal away. No time to pee, no time to drink or cry or complain. Only just enough time to find a solution. I walked up to the ticket counter and the young girl was so pretty and kind. She told me to buy the cheapest ticket within the next 24 hours and she could just change it to the current flight. Per usual, my phone was working fine up until the payment part. Okeeeyy, let me unload my 26lb backpacking backpack and bring out the laptop and pray this internet connection is stronger than the phone. Just a few minutes before the gate was about to close and $362, I made it to my 12A seat. What a luxury, this girl hooked it up! Well, now my $202 ticket just increased a sum. The couple I sat next to looked so comfortable that it made me uncomfortable. Relaxed, stress free, watching their ipads that are plugged in and fitted to the seats with their airpods, watching some sort of program while wearing face masks only to pull it down every 5 seconds for a sip of fresh water out of REI plastic water bottle to chase down the hot burritos they brought for themselves. UGH! Why did that bother me so much? Was it because I had just been kicked off my flight because the airline oversold the flight and I didn’t “check-in” (BTW, out of the 300+ flights I have never not checked-in), or because I didn’t have the chance to fill my water bottle and was parched, hungry, sad, tired and alone? They even received a full beverage can when the flight attendant walked by and were offered ice. Now I’m just complaining. What did I do to make everything more uncomfortable though, open the shield for the window after my nap so they couldn’t see the screen because the sun was shining. It was an immediate difference. Ipads went away and 5 minutes later, we were talking.

Rodrigo from Atlanta that owns the restaurant, Frida’s. It’s easy to make friends at the airport bar. Or any bar for that matter.. bar flies fly together.

Amanda, amanda, amanda, you made my flight experience. Flynorse, you have no idea what you’re doing but that’s okay. Your willingness to please the customer is incredible and admirable. Your staff has a lot of patience and is there to please. After the stress of missing one flight and feeling like chopped liver on the second, I walked into this flight confident because Amanda had asked me personally if I preferred a window or isle seat and damn girl, I want a window for this 9 hour and 10 min flight please. As I had just finished talking with her, I over heard a young man with an extremely large backpack say, “I need a seat. I just booked this reservation a few hours ago”. At that moment, I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be. That felt very reassuring. Upon boarding, the flight was baron. 3 isles of 3 and only 2 in my row of 9. It was the most comfortable international flight I had ever been on. The moment the plane took off, everyone moved into whatever seat they wanted and only but an hour or two later, were the hot meals served, good thing I paid for one because I certainly needed more food, and the flight attendants had to ask each individual person, “Is this your assigned seat”. I was excited to say yes and have my meal served to come to find out that it wasn’t in their system. Go figure.

At least, or most, I made it safely.

#ilovetraveling #travelingsucks

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heyshanii-blog · 6 years

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I’ve been the type of person who always plans ahead of time where they’ll celebrate their birthday. After travelling to VISA free countries, I thought why not celebrate it in a OECD country.

OECD (the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) is an international organization which countries who are considered members of it, stimulate economic progress and world trade.

Ranked as the 11th largest economy in the world, South Korea has drawn the world’s attention for being a popular tourist destination, notably among us Filipinos. Hence comes the question if we need a VISA. YES, we do! Don’t fret though cause South Korea’s VISA is not only easy but also FREE.

TRAVELLING TO SEOUL FROM INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Almost all of the international flights land at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1, including Cebu Pacific and there are several ways to get to downtown Seoul.

BY AIRPORT RAILROAD EXPRESS (AREX Express Train): The fastest way to get to downtown Seoul (Seoul Station) in exactly 43 minutes, without any station stops. A one-way ticket costs KRW 9000 for adults and KRW 7000 for children. Save even more on the adult fare if you purchase beforehand in Klook (KRW 6400). Be advised though that the train only runs from 5:23 AM until 10:48 PM.

BY AIRPORT RAILROAD EXPRESS (AREX All Stop Train): The second fastest way to get to downtown Seoul (Seoul Station) in approximately 58 minutes, with 13 subway station stops. A one-way ticket costs KRW 4150 with a T-Money Card. Take note that the train only runs from 5:25 AM until 11:39 PM.

BY BUSES: Take it only if you’re arriving during off hours as its way more expensive and takes longer than the subway. You can inquire at the Airport Information Desk on the 1st floor for the late-night airport buses to Seoul Station which costs KRW 9000.

BY TAXI: Most convenient yet the most expensive as it will roughly cost you KRW 60 000 – 80 000. The drop charge is KRW 3600 and the distance charge is KRW 120.

HOW TO GET AROUND

Seoul’s subway system is pretty efficient that you won’t need any other form of transportation. Most subway fare costs KRW 1250 for short distance trips. It can be a bit confusing but look around for these signs.

Take note where your nearest entrance is from and to where you are going.

Look out for these head signs as it tells you which way to go depending on the line number.

It tells you the line number’s transfer lines, last stop and which station is it headed next.

Watch out for the arrow sign which tells what’s the next subway station.

The only time we used a different mode of transportation was when we got on a bus on our way to N Seoul Tower, and when I rode a taxi back to the hostel as I was out after 11 PM when the buses and subways’ operating hours end.

Heads up though, Seoul requires heaps of walking so make sure to wear your comfiest shoes.

MONEY SAVING TIPS

WHAT TO DO IN KOREA

1.) Relive the Joseon Period in a Hanbok and get lost in a maze of traditional houses at Bukchon Hanok Village

Hanbok is the traditional Korean dress worn by both men and women during festivals and celebrations. There are plenty of hanbok rental shops near the Village or the Palace, but you can rent in advance through Klook for KRW 15 000 for 4 hours.

Bukchon Hanok Village will take you back in time as it is a maze of narrow alleyways and traditional Korean houses called hanoks. Regardless of being a tourist destination, please be respectful as it is still a neighborhood.

Subway Station: Anguk Station (Line 3), Exit 1 or 2

2.) Watch the Changing of the Guards at Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palace

Seoul has five Joseon royal palaces, but these two are the ones you shouldn’t miss. Gyeongbokgung the main palace where the changing of guards happen at 10 AM has an entrance fee of KRW 3000 and closed on Tuesdays, while Changdeokgung, a UNESCO Heritage Site and home to Huwon, or the “Secret Garden” has an entrance fee of KRW 5000 and closed on Mondays.

Our feet were tired enough to explore both. However, if you plan on visiting all the palaces, get a discounted entrance ticket with the Integrated Palace Ticket for KRW 10 000. For those wearing a hanbok, you are free to enter the palaces.

Subway Station: Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3), Exit 5 or Anguk Station (Line 3) Exit 1

3.) See North Korea on the DMZ and JSA Tour

Demilitarized Zone refers to the 4 km wide buffer zone dividing the North and South Korea. Within the DMZ is the Joint Security Area where the North and South Korean soldiers stand face to face, regarding it as “the most dangerous place in Korea.”

You can book through Klook the DMZ Tour (Imjingak Park, Freedom Bridge, the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, the DMZ Exhibition Hall and Dora Observatory) for KRW 50 000, JSA Panmunjom Tour (Freedom House, Conference Room, Bridge of No Return and the Ax Murder Incident area) for KRW 86 100, or DMZ and JSA combined tour for KRW 130 000.

Please follow proper dress code: – Jeans are allowed as long as not faded, ripped, or torn in any way. – No shorts or skirts. – No shirts or tops without sleeves or exposing the midriff. – No sandals, flip-flops, or open-toed shoes. – No athletic, military, or oversized clothing.

4.) Spend the day being a kid at heart in Everland Resort

Everland is South Korea’s biggest theme park, made up of five themed zones— Global Fair, Zootopia, European Adventure, Magic Land, and American Adventure.

The most popular attractions at Everland are T Express, one of the world’s fastest wooden rollercoasters, and Panda World, which is home to a pair of giant pandas gifted to South Korea by Chinese president Xi Jinping as a sign of friendship.

The park, which dresses up to match the season, is big enough to make you hungry and thirsty, but you can get food and drinks at a reasonable price ranging from KRW 4000 — KRW 20 000 at their restaurants and snack bars.

We were lucky enough to catch both parades at 3:30 PM and 8:30 PM, however, we opted to skip the fireworks display at 9:30 PM because of the subway’s operating hours.

A one-day pass to Everland costs KRW 54 000 for adults, but you can get them for KRW 35 000 if you purchase them in advance through Klook.

Check out this blog post for a handful of details about Everland.

How to Get There: Gangnam Station (Line 2) → Joengja Station (Sinbundang Line) → Giheung Station (Bundang Line) then transfer to Jeondae Everland Station (Yongin Everline Line) → Take the free shuttle bus to Everland

5.) Visit Nami Island, Gangchon Rail Park, Petite France and Garden of the Morning Calm

Having no idea how Koreans celebrate Chuseok, we went off to Gapyeong in the hopes for the autumn foliage on my birthday. Thinking it will be an easy trip as it has been a favorite day trip, we started at 11 AM and got confused on how to get there as you can either take the subway or ITX. The traffic was severe too due to the holiday that we ended up exploring Nami Island only. Nevertheless, we made the most out of our day, and I will surely come back the next time I’m in the country. For now, you can head off to Travel Intern’s blog for more details on how to DIY the trip.

If you’re going to all four attractions in Gapyeong, it’s best that you avail the Gapyeong City Tour Bus, an unlimited bus ride within a day for KRW 6000. You can purchase the ticket from the bus captain and show it at every pickup point.

NAMI ISLAND

Nami Island, a tiny half-moon shaped island, is a must-visit for anyone travelling to South Korea and you can explore it in less than a day. Aside from being storybook beautiful, it is officially known as the Naminara Republic, a micronation with passport and flag. Before you can board a ferry onto the island, you’ll need to purchase an “entry visa” which costs KRW 10 000 for Koreans, but just KRW 8000 for foreigners.

6.) Lock your love and get the best view of the city on top of N Seoul Tower

Not only does N Seoul Tower give you sweeping aerial views of Seoul, but it’s where you can “lock your love” for all eternity as well.

You can get to the tower by either riding the shuttle bus for KRW 1250 or take the cable car for KRW 9500 for adults and KRW 6500 for kids roundtrip while one-way costs KRW 7000 for adults and KRW 4000 for kids.

The entrance to the Observatory is an additional KRW 10,000 for adults and KRW 8,000 for kids, but you can get them for KRW 6,400 and KRW 5,400 respectively if you purchase them in advance through Klook. The Observatory gives you a 360° panoramic view of the entire city, best during sunset or at night.

How To Get There:

— by Cable Car: Myeongdong Station, Exit 4 → walk straight towards the Hoehyeon Intersection to the right of Pacific Hotel → turn left towards Namsan Park/Tunnel which is up to the hill → take the Namsan Oreumi (slanted elevator), located at the entrance of Namsan Tunnel #3, connected to Namsan Cable Car

— by Shuttle Bus: Chungmuro Station, Exit 2 → go straight to the bus stop and ride Namsan Sunhwan Shuttle Bus No. 02 or 05

7.) Rejuvenate and relax in a jjimjilbang

A jjimjilbang is a gender-segregated public bathhouse in Korea where locals come to unwind, hang out and engage in a whole host of health and beauty rituals that go far beyond a quick soak.

I saw loads of this in Korean drama scenes and wanted to try it myself. Fortunately, a foreign friend happens to plan on staying overnight at one. Among all the bathhouse in Seoul, we went for the Siloam Spa near Seoul Station. On our way there, we passed by Seoullo 7017 or “SkyGarden“, which marks the transformation of an overpass highway to a pedestrian oasis in the middle of Seoul where you can get tourist information, rest, and have a light meal or snacks.

I paid KRW 12 000 for nighttime use and given a locker key to store my shoes. After doing so, I handed my locker key to the front desk, in exchange for a towel, a pair of pyjamas and a different locker key with a number on it where I stored my stuff which you can wear on your wrist.

What you need to know if you’re going to the gender-segregated baths, you need to go naked, bringing only a small towel and toiletries. Fear not! Koreans consider this normal in jjimjilbang. Before bathing, wash first and if you’re going to the saunas, change into the pyjamas.

You can get a scrub for an extra KRW 15 000 – KRW 20 000. Lastly cap off a good sweat with a cold sweet sikhye, a traditional fermented rice drink, or steamed sauna eggs called maekbanseok gyeran.

How to Get There: Seoul Station, Exit 3 and cross the streets then take the stair up to the Seoullo 7017

8.) Shop and eat till you drop

Seoul is a shopaholic’s paradise. There is so much to buy here, from accessories, clothes, foods, cosmetics and even socks may it be in the shops, streets or the subway.

MYEONGDONG

Home to high-end brand stores and Korean cosmetics, the best time to come here is around dinner when the street stalls open so you can feast on street food while shopping.

Subway Station: Myeongdong (Line 4), Exit 7

HONGDAE

Hongdae, the abbreviation of Hongik Daehakgyo, gives you an energetic hippie vibe as it’s home to one of the top fine arts colleges in South Korea, Hongik University. Aside from the artsy nooks and trendy clothes and accessories hanged for sale, it comes alive at night with the street performances and nightclubs blasting their stereos on. We party hard here on my birthday going home at 5 in the morning.

Subway Station: Hongik University (Line 2), Exit 8 or 9

EWHA WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY FASHION STREET

The streets around the university is a shopping haven for women. Before hitting the shops, take a few minutes to check out Korea’s largest underground campus, Ewha Campus Complex.

This fashion street shopping unmistakably targets students at Ewha, so expect the shopping to be trendy and at the best bargain.

Subway Station: Ewha Woman’s University (Line 2), Exit

9.) Eat a live octopus in traditional market

If there’s one thing I wasn’t expecting on this trip, it’s eating a san-nakji or live octopus. Gomawo Sam!

Bought live before being chopped up and served raw on a plate, the tentacles continue to wriggle about for a long time despite being detached from the octopus’ body which contains ganglia. Drizzled with sesame seeds and served with a soy-wasabi dipping sauce, it was better than I had imagined. Just make sure to chew it well as there are reports of a few deaths by choking from the tentacles latching on to people’s throats.

We went to Namdaemun Market initially, but they close earlier due to Chuseok, Korean’s Thanksgiving Day. Luckily, we found a stall that still sells some octopus at Gwangjang Market. Expect to spend around KRW 10 000 per octopus with preparation.

10. Cafe hopping

Seoul has no lack of aesthetically-pleasing, eclectic and Instagram worthy cafés that you can spend a week just doing café hopping. We didn’t have much time to do it, but I’ll surely update the list the next time I’m in Seoul.

STYLENANDA PINK POOL CAFE This gorgeous pastel pool-themed café has got to be one of the Instagrammable places you should mark on your bucket list.

Subway Station: Myeongdong Station, Exit 6

LINE FRIENDS CAFE AND STORE

I didn’t have the chance to go to LINE Friends Cafe and Store in Itaewon, which is a 3-storey high building with a concept cafe at the top level. However as I passed by Ewha’s Fashion Street, I surprisingly found one of their flagship stores.

Subway Station: Itaewon Station, Exit 3

SAMPLE ITINERARY & BUDGET

A week isn’t enough to experience everything in Seoul but here’s a sample itinerary of the must-dos.

Like what I said in How Do You Travel, travelling doesn’t need to be expensive. What you need is thoughtful planning and sorting out the fixed and variable costs through budgeting.

Reserving and paying in advance makes the budgeting smoother too, still, do it only after you get your VISA approval. We booked our accommodation and most of our activities in Seoul a week after we got ours. Leaving us with the transportation, meals and extras (souvenirs, party expense) to plan out.

TOTAL

PHP 10 000 to spend before the trip and PHP 10 000 to spend in Korea with the meals and transportation expense. Have in mind that this estimate doesn’t include souvenir or shopping. If I spend more on that day, then I’d cut back in fickle expenses– it’s as simple as that.

A Week in Seoul, South Korea for PHP 20 000 I've been the type of person who always plans ahead of time where they'll celebrate their birthday.

#wanderlust #Seoul #Travel

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tuscanwalker · 6 years

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August 30: Lisbon Part 2

Our first full day in Lisbon and we met two nice women in the breakfast room from Brockville and Montreal who are walking the Camino starting tomorrow morning. It seems that, like us, they are doing it as a sort of post retirement affirmation that they still have things to accomplish in this life. One called it her Route 66. They will start a day ahead of us and are taking less rest days, so it is unlikely that we will see them again. This is the nature of these walks, brief acquaintances that become parts of fond memories.

Up early today to take the train 40 minutes west to Sintra. Sintra is in the mountains overlooking the Atlantic coast and served as a refuge from the summer heat for royalty and nobility dating back to the reconquista in the 12th Century. The must see for most people is the Pena Palace. Built in the 1840s upon the ruins of a 15th century monastery destroyed first by lightening and then by the 1755 earthquake (which apparently did not like church buildings) it looks like it belongs in the Magic Kingdom in Disneyland.

Walking down the mountain, you can also visit the remains of an 11th Century Moorish Castle and when you reach the historic city centre you can see the 12th Century Palácio Nationale, the only remaining medieval palace in Europe. Far less popular (or crowded) than the Pena, it is worth a visit if only for the amazing azulejo tile decoration. If you have more time than we did, there are several other home built by British and Portuguese nobility that now operate as museums.

Returning to Lisbon in the late afternoon, we had our pilgrims credentials stamped at the Cathedral. We will have these credentials stamped each day in church’s, city halls or hostels (twice a day once we reach Galicia) to prove that we have completed the pilgrimage and receive your Compostela (or Certificate of Welcome for those not motivated by religion). This is similar to the Testimonium Kim and I received from the Vatican upon our arrival in Rome.

This is the point where I issue a bit of a warning. If you are coming to Lisbon, it seems much busier than it was 10 years ago. Where Lu-Anne and I basically walked into the Monasterio de las Jerónimos and onto the Santa Justa Elevator, there were hour long lineups for both (sorry LuAnne the cafe at the top of the elevator is gone, so no Bob Dylan with a heavy Portuguese accent). Similarly in Sintra we shuffled through the Pena Palace shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the sheep. It seems unfortunate from my perspective, but is simply a fact of life that one must accept, the World is a much smaller place than it use to be

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adventuresofalittlehedgehog · 6 years

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We’re alive!! Just got back from our four day Lares trek to Machu Picchu a few days ago. Man, it’s been a crazy few days. On the first day the tour guides picked us up at around 4 am and drove us to the hot springs. It was so nice, kinda bizarre though with the boiling hot water and the freezing air. We then had breakfast there and drove to our trailhead, where we met the rest of the crew. We hiked for about 8 miles that day entirely uphill, with a break for lunch, before stopping at our campsite at this gorgeous lake. We then had a huge super, all the meals on this trip were huge, even with ten hikers and two guides we couldn’t finish it all. They managed to do it all in just a tiny tent too, which was very impressive. After that we went to bed, it was freezing that night. We were wearing all our winter gear, had down sleeping bags and hot water bottles, and we were still pretty cold. In the morning they woke us up with coca tea though, which was really nice. The second day we hiked up the rest of the mountain, which had an altitude of 4,800 meters. The second day was definitely the most difficult, especially since there was an issue with the water that day. Somehow the drinking water they gave us got gasoline in it, making it undrinkable. No one knows exactly how it happened, the guides said it had never happened before on any of the previous treks. We’re guessing that the tap water they used got contaminated somehow, since that night they had used a kitchen in a small house. But because of all that we didn’t have water for most of the day. It worked out ok though, the cooks had some clean drinking water ready for us at the lunch spot, and even had one of the horsemen run back and bring us some water at the halfway point. The hike itself was beautiful. The mountain pass took us right by these two glaciers called Pitusiray and Sawasiray. Our guide was telling us about this legend that the two glaciers were lovers from two separate towns. Their parents forbid them from being together, so they went up into the mountains and asked Colque Cruz, another glacier, to let them be together. Colque Cruz gave them permission, but they had to stay in the mountains forever. While we were up there we did this traditional coca leaf ceremony asking the glaciers for a wish, it was really beautiful. After the ceremony, we started to work our way back down the mountain. It was pretty snowy, when thinking about this trip I did not think about taking snow into account. One of the hikers we were with got an idea to slide down the snow as a shortcut, so all of us were skiing down the mountain without skis, it was so much fun! Once we got to our lunch spot, the rest of the hike was a lot easier. We spent the night in this farm area, it was really bizarre looking out our tent and just watching a herd of llamas and alpacas pass through. The third day after breakfast one of the local farmers around where we were staying brought some traditional clothes for us to try on and taught us this traditional dance. The guy was super nice, we left him a bunch of school supplies we brought with us to share with the kids around the area, I hope they like them! That day we only walked 6 miles, so it wasn’t too bad. We were out of the Alpine tundra by that point, so it was a lot warmer than the previous days, and it was all downhill. It honestly felt just like the hikes we did back in Oregon to prepare for this. During the entire trek we’d been picking up litter while we were walking, the previous days it had only been a couple bottles, maybe a candy wrapper or two, but that day we ended up picking up three garbage bags full of trash. It was insane, and we only picked up a fraction of what was there, since we simply didn’t have enough room to carry it all. I hope we were able to make a bit of a difference, it was heartbreaking seeing all that garbage everywhere. We were all done hiking by around 1 or so, so we had our last lunch with everyone, said good bye to the chiefs and horsemen, and got back in our van for the rest of the trip. We stopped by this salt mine on our way, and it was really neat! I never really thought about how salt was made, they basically just run water through these caves, then they keep them in pools and let the water evaporate. I’d never seen that much salt before in my life, it almost looked like snow. After the salt mine we drove to this small town called Ollantaytambo, where we hung out and explored until dinner. Then we took a train to this other small town called Aguas Calientes, located right outside of Machu Picchu, and spent the night in a hotel there. The town was super crowded. It turns out the day we planed on going to Machu Picchu, July 7th, was the 11th anniversary of Machu Picchu being declared a World Wonder. So everyone was there to celebrate. We had no idea the anniversary was that day, we had tried planning it so we didn’t go on a big holiday, but there are just so many celebrations in Peru that it’s impossible to keep track of them all. It was kinda jarring going form there being like ten people and a llama around for miles to thousands of people in a tiny town. So to get to Machu Picchu, you have to take a bus from Aguas Calientes, since Machu Picchu is located in the middle of a bunch of mountains. The first bus arrives at 5:30 am, but people start lining up around 1 or 2 in the morning. We were up at 3 am and got to the line around 4, and there was already a huge line. While I’ve never been black friday shopping, this felt a lot like a black friday line. Once the bus got there it was pretty efficient, but once we got up there there was already maybe a thousand people in a huge crowd up there. The place itself didn’t even open until 6 am, and once it did open everyone was trying to get through these tiny doors all at once. All in all, it was very overwhelming. Once we got inside we had to hike again for about fifteen minutes to reach Machu Picchu. It was beautiful, but really crowded. Our guide was telling us that they’re only supposed to let in 5,000 people a day, but many people find a way around that, so there’s probably 7,000 people there a day. The tour of Machu Picchu took us about four hours, the entire time we were only allowed to move in one direction without stopping, besides a few designated rest areas. Again, very overwhelming, but it was really amazing seeing how much of Machu Picchu survived all these years. Our guide was telling us that when the Spaniards arrived, the king saw how they were destroying all the temples and building churches on top of them. So he ordered that the city be abandoned and all roads leading to it be destroyed. And it worked, they never found Machu Picchu. After the tour we headed back to Aguas Calientes and explored the town a bit. There was a huge parade going on for the anniversary, so it was pretty crowded. The town was cute though, very touristy. We then got one last lunch together as a group before taking the train back to Ollantaytambo. Getting on the train was a little terrifying, since there was a huge riot going on at the train station. A lot of people had come from the surrounding area for the celebration, but there wasn’t enough room for everyone to fit on the train. The train has separate cars for tourists and locals, the tourist car being very fancy but expensive, and the local cars just selling as many tickets as possible and having people stand. People were pissed off seeing them let tourists in but not the locals, despite them having already bought a train ticket, so everyone was yelling and pushing when we got to the train station. Once we got on the train everything went pretty smoothly, it was still a pretty scary experience though. Once we got back to Ollantaytambo we took a bus back to Cusco. We got back around 7 pm or so completely exhausted. We then had a bunch of trouble back at the hostel, we tried to get dinner there and they gave us the wrong meal and forgot our drinks, they gave us a pretty bad room and another girl’s bed, it was all pretty stressful after the long day we’d had. The last couple of days we’ve spent just resting. I’m sick again... Got a pretty nasty cold I’m trying to get over... We moved to a different hostel today that has heat, which is super nice. We’re only going to be in Cusco another couple of days, and we’re going to try and take it easy while I’m still fighting this cold. There were a couple sights nearby we’re going to try to visit, but overall the plan is to just rest until we head to the jungle.

#machu picchu #peru #hiking #lares trek #llamas #salt mine

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