Back to reality.

I was looking at the calendar 2 days ago.
GOSH! It's 25 April already.
How time flies!
I don't want to go back to Singapore yet.
I haven't have enough of fun.
But just 2 more months left
In the past, whenever I count down, it's always to end of exams or some happy events
I am always glad to do count-downs
But definitely not this time.
You guys must be thinking I am so bad
I don't miss my family, my friends in Singapore.
Yeah I do miss them at times
But sometimes I feel that other than being physically absent
In fact, I interact with them more now that I am here
I chat with my friends online almost every other day
I exchange emails with them all the time
I skype with some friends in Singapore almost every week
As for my family, yes I believe they miss my presence just like I miss them
Nonetheless, my absence has not caused much disturbance to their lives I guess
Look beyond the physical aspects and you will understand


I've benefited a lot from this exchange
Independence is what I've always had
But ability to survive on own is what I've enhanced to my existence

1) The toilet light bulb fused today
If it was in Singapore, I doubt I will ever be bothered about it.
"Daddy, the light bulb fused."
That's what most probably will happen but not today
I removed the cover, checked the voltage of the bulb, headed to the supermarket.
Browsed for the correct one
Removed the cover, fitted in the new one.
At least that's something I'd never do in Singapore.

2) Cooking.
I've always taken for granted my meals in Singapore.
When you have 8 coffeeshops, KFC & Mcdonalds in your neighbourhood
finding food should never be a problem
But everything is different here.
Yes, Mcdonalds is still within walking distance
But the cost itself scares you off.
My fav. hangout place other than the retail outlets is Supermarkets!
Eating out is a daily affair in Singapore to me.
However, it's a luxury right here in Sweden.
I promise to cook something for my family when I am back.
And, to never take having a meal for granted. :)

My perspectives, my attitudes, my likes and dislikes
They've all changed after briefly 4 months.
I view everything from a different perspective now.

Asian Dinner Party

22nd April 2008-Asian Food Dinner Party
Organised by Japan.Taiwan.Thailand.Singapore.China.Iran
One of the Japanese exchange guy initiated it
I just played along
Supposingly, I was supposed to make Chicken Rice
But it was kind of last minute and I got lazy
So I made FRIED RICE instead.
The dinner was fabulous.
All these whiles, the Caucasians had been dominating the parties.
It's like they are always the majority
But this time, we turned the tables around.
Check the food out!

Japan-Soba with Omelette.Japanese Spring Rolls.Taco Rice
Taiwan-3 Bei Chicken.Oyster sauce veggies.Baked Potato with mushrooms.Rice with tomatoes
China-Dumplings.Some spring rolls.
Thailand-Vegetarian Curry.Vegetarian Hot & Spicy Soup (Not tom yam)
Singapore-Singapore Curry.Fried Rice
Iran-Persian (Potatoes+Rice)





Met 2 Singaporean guys there, supposingly they are on NOC
Another kind of exchange which requires them to work and study concurrently
It was really cool!
I mean other than my mahjong khakis, I never met any other Singaporeans
We exchanged contacts, talked about SINGAPORE of course
How we miss those local cuisines.
So we decided to make CHAR KWAY TIAO for lunch the next day
Since their workplace is just 5 minutes from my hostel
Too bad I only met them now
If I'd met them earlier, it'd have been great.
We could have traveled together to some cities etc
Anyway, late is better than never.

Our Char Kway Tiao!


Kamala (Thai).Kenneth.Me.Monica (Singapore UNITES!)


Strategies & Incentives Classmates.
Kohta (Japan).Monice.Me.Emile (Dutch).Gergely behind (Hungarian)

One of them is a Computer Science Student and he's really nice
Used to be from Ngee Ann too!!
He helped me installed a lot of great and chill programmes on my MacBook!
Then today, which is Sunday, he invited me over for Herbal Chicken Soup as Dinner!
Though I am not a Chinese-food lover, I enjoyed the meal!
3 of us plus the Japanese girl who lives opposite him

And some outdated photos from the French Dinner.
Don't know what's wrong with my eyes.
My new found friend, Sergio.
We met first during the Mexican party but I don't know him well yet.
Actually, he stays in the same block as me.
Then at the French Dinner we talked more and that's how I know him better!
He's really cool and really nice.
I like to talk to him because he's very knowledgeable yet humble.
Totally have the whole artistic thingy going on. :)

Maki(Japan).Me.Sergio(Mexican).


Armen (My fellow soccer buddy). German but grew up in Spain
Die-hard Barca Fan.
That's his cap that I am wearing. He has a super small head.
Luckily my head is small enough that I can fit into it without much effort.


After seeing all these pictures
You should understand why I am reluctant to head back to Singapore!

Decision

I made a quick and hasty decision today.
Was deciding between buying an LV bag or going to Greece?
Everyone said I was crazy when to choose the bag over Greece.
Am I?
But I don't really like traveling by myself.
I hate Loneliness..
But anyway, I clicked on the button to my air-ticket to Greece ultimately.
No regrets yeah?!

Prague Day 1-3rd April

Departure-13:45 hours Stockholm Cityterminalen
It wasn't a planned trip.
Just because I'd the Eurolines Pass which expires on 5th April.
I wanted to fully utilise it.
22-hours bus journey to Prague.
Stockholm-Copenhagen-Berlin-Prague
It wasn't as bad as I thought.
I read books.listened to music.slept most of the time.

Prague's settlements is built around the Vltava River.
5 Main areas-Josefov.Mala Strana.Stare Mesto.Nove Mesto.Vinohrady
I went on the free Prague tour at 2p.m after I arrived at 12:30 p.m
It took me on the Left Bank Tour to Mala Strana
Weather was good, sunny and cooling.
The hostel I was staying is just within 5 minutes from Wenceslas Square (new town hall)
The thing about Prague is I don't know much about its history
All the names that were mentioned in the tour were strangers to me.

National Museum

The city is beautiful but congested.
Like Singapore's Orchard Road
You see traffic jams almost everywhere.
Plus, the drivers there are really reckless.
They stepped on the accelerator the moment the light goes green
There wasn't any intention to give way either

Streets of Prague

Typical tourist attractions I visited
1) Old Town Sqaure
Surrounded by churches, Church of our Lady, St James's, St. Nicholas etc.
The same names appear so many times in different cities that I no longer can recall them.
But I learnt something different in Prague.
Architecture.
The guide dwell into the different architecture styles
Gothic.Renaissance.Baroque.
Gothic-Pointed edges.Depicted humans as helpless beings.No control over own fate.
Renaissance-Beautiful images.Depicted world as beautiful.Self-control over one's fate.
Baroque-?? No Idea.

Old Town Hall

Gothic -style Church-Church of our Lady I thinkRenaissance-style building

2) Astronomical Clock
Just another Glokenspiel alike attraction
At every hour, the astronomical clock goes off and the window opens.
Not that fanciful.
But it was populated with tourists,Czechs alike.
Monument of 27 crosses.
Represents the death of 27 students who fought for their religion.
Can't relate the story completely because the guide wasn't a native English speaker
She couldn't explain much.
Just 27 students who protested against the Catholics
Ended up being killed.
Their heads were chopped off and left at a prominent bridge
To remind people loyalty to the state religion

Prague underwent a lot of change of rule
From the Romans.Bohemia.Habsburg (Austrian rule).WWI-Czechoslovakia.WWII-Nazi Rule.Post-WWII-Communism.Independence to form Czech Republic.

Astronomical Clock

27-crosses monument

3) Prague Castle
Everyone talks about how beautiful it is etc.
It looks nice because it's at an elevated ground.
From afar, it looks amazing
It's probably one of the best Castles around.
Going up the Castle steps were amazing because you could admire the scenery along the way. :)

View from the Castle StepsPrague Castle-Green top, St. Vital's Cathedral-2 towers

There are actually 3 courtyards in the castle and each has its own story.
To take over Prague, you have had to conquer the castle first. :)
the Czech President's office was right in the Castle.
If he's in, the Czech flag will be flying
If the flag's not up, he's out of office.
That's a funny way of differentiating isn't it?

3rd Courtyard-President's Office. No flag=not in office

4) St. Vital's Cathedral
You can't miss this Cathedral.
Like the one in Vienna, it's amazingly HUGE!
Its construction was done by 2 different architects
Displayed 2 different styles when you look at it from different angles.
Opposite it was the St. George Basilica
Apparently, cathedral and basilica serve different purposes
But as a Non-christian, non-catholic, i can't really explain.

St.Vital's Cathedral-View 1

View 2View 3-Run-down, of lower quality materials apparently

St.George Basilica

Famous Golden gate to the Castle

5) John Lennon Wall
Now you must be wondering.
What's the Beatles doing in Prague?
Shouldn't they be in Liverpool?
John Lennon was a peace activist in disguise
He wrote songs, lyrics and books on peace
And later became a pacifist hero among young Czechs when he died
Communism banned western pop music in Prague
However, in 1980s, beatles lyrics secretly appeared on this wall
The secret police never managed to keep it clean
There was a lot of latent political messages back then
When Prague finally broke free from Communism
The wall was kept intact
It signified human's freedom in speech.
Anyone can paint anything on this wall today
Write whatever he or she wants.
Which means it's legal to vandalise but only on this WALL!
Cool!

6) Mala Strana
A really quiet and peaceful on the left bank of the river
Houses along the streets here have names
According to their renaissance representations
Picturesque and a fav. movie and commercial set

St.Andrew's Cathedral

House of the Golden PigHouse of the 3-fiddles. Belonged to a family of violin-makers. House at the Golden Horseshoe-so-called for the statue of St Wenceslas, whose horse was said to have a gold horseshoe. Check out day 2's post on Wenceslas Square with St Wenceslas statue.

7) Charles Bridge
The HOTTEST tourist spot in Prague.
Charles IV brought Prague into its Golden Age
He brought a lot of new concepts into Prague's architectures during his rule
Charles Bridge was built during his era which explains why it's named after him.
It's one of the remaining STONE bridges in Europe today.
Imagine it has been around for more than 600 years!
There were some renovation works ongoing
Millions of statues dominating the bridge
Vendors selling art and crafts
Street artists playing music
To my surprise,
I SAW MY SWEDEN MAHJONG KHAKI on the BRIDGE!
It was such a surprise
Didn't expect to see them
Arranged for dinner but the message didn't get through

Area under Charles Bridge-known as Little Venice. This area was originally just water. People reclaimed land so it looks like it rose out from the water.

Mission Impossible Shooting Scene, Tom Cruise exited from this house. :)

Charles Bridge from afar. See the statues?

On Charles Bridge itself.More of it...
Busking Music-Spot where I met my Mahjong KhakisMy falafel lunch cum dinner

Ended the day kinda early because everything closed by 8p.m!
The city lies dead at 8p.m.
Only the club areas are active.
Headed to the supermarket and guess what I bought?!?
EGGS back to STOCKHOLM!! hehe...
Crazy me but it was like half the price in Stockholm so it's definitely worth it. :)

People from all walks of life.

The Edinburgh trip has changed my life in Stockholm.
I have been dining with those Europeans like twice or thrice a week.
I can Only come up with one conclusion
Whether you are Asian or European, you always have problems.

I have seen so many of them so troubled and unhappy the past week.
We were just sitting around in the Kitchen and sharing OUR lives.
Though they appear to be smiling, partying all the time
There are things that they want to forget and get over with too :)

Maybe we will seek complaining, turning towards close friends or even hiding our feelings
But they choose to do it by running away from their country
By drowning themselves in alcohol
People who escape from unresolved relationships
People who haven't been at home for more than 2 consecutive months in 2 years.
People who go on exchange so that they can break free from their parents

All sorts of reasons and problems
Suddenly it just reminded me "Always look beyond the tip of an iceberg."

Last Saturday
I was out clubbing with them
It has been a long time since I went
Learnt another new drinking game!
It's called 3-Men.
Rules are simple but when you drink a fair bit
You start to forget them and that's when you get the penalty drink
Imagine downing one shot of GORDON GIN ?
OMG! Trust me, it sucks!
I'd rather get a Vodka shot.

My days in Sweden are nearing.
I will miss the days here seriously
So I plan to spend more time here in May
To see more of this beautiful city
Create more precious memories.

Berlin day 2-31st March 2008

Finally at the 12th day & last day of my trip! Woohoo~

Wasn't a busy day so I don't have much to talk about.
Some unhappy things happen in the morning when we arrived.
Ended up we didn't go to the planned underground bunkers.

Went shopping, bought my BIRKS finally.
Got my HRC shot glass
Shopping at the cheap supermarket,Lidl.
It was another feasting day.
Kim ate 3 hotdogs!
I ate only 1 because I left my stomach for my MCDONALDS!
Ate the shrimp burger meal with my waffle fries 6.29 EUR!
Freaking $13 for Mcdonalds but heck.

I was just trying to be funny! haha..

Also, had DUNKIN DONUTS!
How i miss them though krispy kremes is equally good.
Still vividly remember CC.CB.Me bought 3 dozens of donuts from KL in June! haha...
When we pass the customs at Johor
I think the immigration must be laughing at us, 3 DONUTS-fanatic? haha..
Oh! Went to the Parliament house.
Was so unlucky.
The glass dome was closed for cleaning and maintenance.
If we'd gone on the first day
We'd have been able to enter it.
Anyway, the view was fabulous as usual.





Share a little story of how the Berlin Wall broke down.
It was an error.
People were protesting on the streets etc.
The press secretary had to start a press conference.
Minutes before it, he received a memo from the governing official.
He was the one who ordered the Berlin Wall to be demolished.
He screwed it.
It was a mistake. haha..
That's how irony life is!

The rooftop of the church had chipped off. Seriously, I don't know what happened. I am puzzled.
Difference in traffic lights. If you see this traffic light, you are in East Berlin. If you see the normal traffic lights, you are in West Berlin. Cute right?With that, I put a . to my 12 days Europe adventure. :)

Brussels-30th March 2008

When you arrive in a European city on Sunday, don't expect to see much. It's just gonna be you and yourself! But brussels was a bit different. According to some Belgians, the Belgians are so hard party-goers that they don't sleep. I agree to a certain extent. At 6 a.m in the morning, some clubs were still operating and there were drunkards hanging around.

But trust me, Brussels is really a 1-day see-everything city. I concur with some of my Singaporean friends here after visiting.

Grand market place

City Hall-in the day

City Hall-at nightI like the structure at the top of the building!

Beers.Chocolates.Waffles.Fries.Mussels that more or less summed up my day in Brussels.

Hoegarden.Stella Artois.Duvel
Godiva.Leonidas.Seashell chocos.Cate d'cor.More chocolates.
Belgian waffles are the best
Fries originated from belgium but the French stole their product.So it became french fries.
Have MUSSELS in BRUSSELS.You can't be wrong.

See the chocolate-my saliva is so drooling...

Belgian Fries?The big pot of MUSSELS !

Interesting people:
There are police posts every 500m in the city centre I'd say and you see police officers everywhere. I think it's because Sat is a party night and they are afraid those drunkards would start creating trouble on Sun morning. As we were waiting for the tourist office to start business, we met 3 policemen at the main square and started chatting with them. However, they weren't too well-versed in English so it was really hilarious the way we communicated. French is actually the official language in Brussels and it was good practice for me. Road signs, menus and directions were all in French and people spoke the language everywhere. It's pleasant to be there immersing in that beautiful language. I could understand people briefly but I can't speak the language well. You need the accent to speak French. I need time to pick it up. When I speak French, I sound like those Caucasians trying to speak Chinese. hehe... Anyway, we started asking the policemen where to get the best fries, the best mussels, the best chocolates etc..

Just random pics..See the sun!

My Dream House!

Oh yeah, Tin tin is from belgium. We went to the comic museum but we didn't enter. haha.. It's freaking expensive 10 EUR per person and we felt it wasn't really worth the money. :)

Tips:
To get the cheapest mussels, go to this small street by Rue du Marche-aux Herbes. There's a whole stretch of restaurants offering set dinner for mussels at 10 EUR. Don't settle for the first one. The first will most probably offer you something looks like a good buy but everyone down the alley will do the same thing. The deal just seems to get better with each passing restaurant. Kim wasn't in for mussels so it's just me! But because it wasn't the mussels' season, the mussels weren't that huge! Wait till the mussels' seasons and you will get those HUGE and JUICY ones! However, the meal was probably the best one I had during the 12 days' trip.

The street to go..

Appetizer-Prawns in garlic sauce with bread
Main Course-Mussels in cream sauce with Spaghetti in tomato sauce
Dessert-Brownie Cake

This is a "restaurant" that we passed by. There weren't seats. Everyone just stood eating. But there was live music and people ordered wine, seafood and savour it... I love that feel....

The Atonium. The 9 atoms represent the 9 states of Belgium. Oh ya, there's a MINI EUROPE in Brussels where they have miniature displays of all key tourist attractions in Europe like Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, Pisa's leaning tower, Rome's Colosseum etc. If you can't visit all, maybe you should go Brussels? haha...
Au revoir Bruxelles, Salut Berlin!