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Playing Host

19 Aug

I went to the school today after lunch to attend the Cultural & Educational Exchange Program whereby M1’s school hosted some Japanese students for a week long visit. M1 gave a very confident, warm and welcoming speech. I would have stuttered and err-ed and umm-ed my way through.

We are playing host family to a bubbly 17-year old student who will stay with us for 3 days to learn more about the typical family in our country. Unlike playing host for a party and having friends over for dinner, this is a totally new thing.

But this experience brings back some good memories of when I was 15 then and went on an exchange program myself. I stayed with an Australian host family in Gloucester, Australia for two weeks. That was a fun time dinosaur years ago.

Nonetheless, I hope she will learn a thing or two in terms of food, language, culture and lifestyle while we should seize this opportunity to brush up on our hosting ability.

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The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

26 Jul

It must be a good business decision to code-share, no? I am a graphic designer and no MBA holder but this must be the reason in order to make a profit.

I must say Air France’s A340-330 is not very comfortable. The personal screen in front is so small like a Nintendo compared to the screen in Etihad’s A330, which was sized like an iPad. It’s pretty obvious the former has older planes while the latter has a newer fleet. The seat and leg room comfort also differs very vastly. Guess who is better? And let’s not go into the entertainment offering.

From the service point of view, I was disappointed that I did not get the basmati rice offering on our return journey on the Paris-Abu Dhabi leg on Air France. After six days of raw beef, salad and baguette, the Asian in me was crying for rice! Let’s see if I get to fulfill my rice craving from Abu Dhabi to KL with Etihad.

But I must say Air France has nice cheese.

Analyzing the good and the bad, I suppose I can conclude and say code-sharing is to balance the cost and make the ticket affordable. After all, one can’t expect the sky and more when paying peanuts.

Two hours into flying, we were served lunch and yes, I did get my rice finally. Here’s one happy passenger to endorse the airline.

But sometimes it’s not the airline but passengers from hell who makes a situation ugly. Like the one sitting right behind me who kept kicking my seat. Mind you, it’s not a child but an elderly.

And to top it, after the meal when everything was cleared, I reclined my seat only to have it pushed back and hear her bitch that I cannot do that!

Goodness! Obviously she has never flown before and does not know passenger ethics. Kept right on bitching to the hubby who turned his head and was pissed with her manners. I pinged the stewardess to come referee the situation, as we both didn’t want this to mar the end of our pleasant holiday. Promptly she came and explained in some indecipherable language to the ignorant behind (who was still bitching) that it is perfectly fine to do what I did, and nicely told me to go ahead with it! So I stretched my seat out to the max. After all, I am also a paying customer like everyone else.

The stewardess then showed the ignorant to recline her seat, which she probably did not know how in the first place. 1-0 in favor of Etihad over the passenger from hell; well done.

Occurrences like this are rare in this era I must admit and despite the good, bad and ugly of flying, it is not going to deter me to more trips, planned or impromptu, in the future!

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A New Currency

26 Jul

With four hours to kill before our final connecting flight, I needed a drink. My brother bought me a Pepsi (they don’t have Coke) and received Chiclets chewing gum as change!

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We’re Coming Home

26 Jul

We got to the airport on time to witness some drama. The police held the traffic up for awhile as it seemed that there was an unattended baggage left at the curb. The taxi guy explained that the bomb squad was probably called in to do something about it. Then all traffic was cleared and we arrived at our departure gate.

Taxi guy then tried to rip us off when we paid him the amount we calculated was right. He argued that it was not eighteen per person but eighty nett. We think he pretended not to hear when we asked to confirm eighteen per person earlier. Anyway, phone calls ensued, curses could be heard and angry faces shown. In the end, taxi guy asked for another ten to settle amicably which the hubby gave in to but the sibling disagreed. He also apologized and wish us well after pocketing that ten. Hypocrite or hospitality? Hmm.

We got into the line to check in. And another slow process. Now it seemed that the baggage conveyor belt was down and everyone has to pushed their luggages to another area once the check in process was complete. This must be because CDG is under renovation.

Every step along the way was slow. Going through immigration and the scanning. I was made to remove my boots.

The walk to Gate 38 was forever as it was the furthest in one of the off terminal pods.

Boarding was late and haphazard. There was no orderly line and rather disorganized. But we took it in stride, after all, we are going home. But as if our shopping earlier was not enough, the hubby bought a bottle of duty free whiskey.

The sales lady said it was a good choice as Japan has been prohibited from making more of it for the next 50 years after the earthquake caused the nuclear plant to leak. Wow. Upon hearing that, my sibling bought two bottles! I rolled my eyes and thought, let the men up each other, either way, I get to drink for free! Heheh.

Soon all travelers were settled in and getting restless and boisterous. We departed CDG half an hour late. At this point, I thought I should jot down my musings.

Two hours into our flight, we were served dinner. By now, I am feeling very sleepy. Tired from the 9500 steps and 3.3km shopping marathon, it is inevitable tiredness kicks in. I am envisioning a soothing massage come Saturday. Hopefully it will materialize but as our Saturdays are usually packed with ferrying M2 for her extra classes at school and tuition, the want continues to be wishful thinking.

I chose a red wine to pair with the beef offering that I had no choice but to take. The chicken and the basmati rice were all gone by the time the stewards came to us. Sigh… rice intake will have to defer another day. So with a slight buzz, I hope to doze off.

The sleep or the attempt to do so was just so uncomfortable. Every angle that I turned was just not right. There was not enough leg room. Before I know it, I slept through breakfast and woke up. We are descending into Abu Dhabi soon! Gosh. Didn’t I actually sleep?

The A340-300 landed at 6.45am Abu Dhabi time. Another twelve hours or so to go and we will be finally home.

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Finally!

26 Jul

All good things must come to an end. Boarding in 15 minutes.

Bye Paris. We will find time to visit again in the future but not in July. Too hot even for me, someone from the tropics!

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A Different Adventure

24 Jul

Today I embarked on a different visual appeal: shopping! The weather is much, much better today, cooler and feels more rightly so that I am in a foreign country than in KL.

The train was packed at ten. Is this rush hour? Stepping out from the sardine pack, one must be aware of signages and not follow the herd. Yesterday in my state of tiredness, I got out of the train and simply followed the crowd to another train line instead of the exit! So, ‘sortie’ is what I have to look out for…

Three hours into my shopping, I must admit it’s a tough job! Whether in KL or Paris, shopping is not quite my thing. M1 and M2 are constantly on my mind as I browse to get them things. And being in Lafayette, there was wifi, so I was able to chat with M2 for awhile.

I found out the reason for her panic attack. She was getting back her school test results! The fear of not doing well got the better of her resulting in dizziness and nausea. Poor child.

Well, the overall results are an improvement so this calls for gifts from Paris! M1 should not be left out too for I should mention she aced her interview with the school board and has been selected as head librarian of the school! Her mummy taught her well how to talk as if presenting a design pitch to a client. Well done girls! Lotsa prezzies coming your way!

By 3pm my legs started to give in; I was dragging my feet, now very heavy with those boots. I quickly made my way out from the shopping haven and hopped onto Line 7 to get back to FaceTime with them before their bedtime.

All in all, 9500 steps, 3km and almost 200 calories for the leisure pace.

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Another Day at Another Museum

24 Jul

The walk from the train station was quite an energy zapper! Thank goodness for the two-day museum pass for I wait in a shorter line to get inside Musee d’Orsay.

I must say the crowd here is less frenzied. There is a sense of order, respect, awe and hush as I admire Van Gogh, Seurat and Gauguin’s work, along with the few in the room with me.

But as I walk through the rooms, the stillness in the air changed as I entered the Impressionist exhibit.

My heart palpitates as I set my eyes on Claude Monet’s work. He inspires me to no end! Makes me want to whip out my sketch pad and draw haystacks or towering poplar trees.

The other Impressionists somehow do not move me as much, I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because since college I have been fascinated with Monet and his style.

I went back to view Van Gogh again hoping that maybe he will inspire me. But the crowd has grown and the noise level has increased. Too noisy to be moved and the guards are more strict (than at the Louvre) when it comes to photography. Loudly, they reprimanded adults like little kids and for all to turn around to see, when they spot a smartphone taken out taking aim at a painting! Wow. Authority at its best here.

I feel very tired at this point. Yawn; must be from the earlier walk here. By 12.15pm I came out from the museum! 4080 steps, 1.43km and only 79.7 calories. Could it be the speed of 0.9kph that is causing the tiredness?

After grabbing a quick baguette bite, I dispensed with stereotype and took out my mini umbrella to shield me from the intense heat as I make my way over to the other Musee de l’Orangerie. But alas! It’s closed. Disappointed I had to change plans.

And from here on, things started to spiral downwards. My pedometer was not on for the last hour and a half. So earlier figures are way off!!! And suddenly the skies are turning grey with rain threatening.

I find myself wandering towards the Eiffel Tower and detoured to Musee du quai Branly in case it does rain.

Branly is pretty cool from the architecture point of view. Funky walkways, curvy and no straight walls. But a bit psychedelic if you asked me. You have to really watch where you walk else you might walk into a display! The displays… gosh, they are pretty creepy. Artifacts are not my cup of tea. Back to the building and its shades. Man it’s really playing on your eyes or it is really dark outside.

I peeked out a window and yikes, it is raining! I guess I am staying put for awhile…

It didn’t just rain, it poured. For situations like these, I am so glad I am wearing boots. Taking a risk, I made my way to the Eiffel Tower. The rain has subsided to a drizzle and like yet another sucker for the ‘been there, done that’ syndrome, I had to take a picture of me and the tower. Pretty dramatic sky in the background.

By now, my options to continue on seems rather uncomfortable. The bottom half of my pants are drenched and the energy sapped even more. The appeal of the cooling temperature is not enough. It is only 3pm and I want to crawl into bed to rest….

But the spirit persisted and I sauntered on to the Trocadero! Along the way, I discovered Musee d’Art Moderne and enjoyed more paintings. When I was done, I came out to hot weather. Eeeks. The mini umbrella proved to be useful in rain or shine conditions. So glad I brought it along.

Anyway, I made my way through Champ-Élysées and got onto a train and headed back to the hotel.

What a day! Despite missing an hour and a half of data captured, today I walked 19,877 steps and close to 7km, burning 391.8 calories.

Dang, I need a beer!

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You Gotta Have Good Shoes

23 Jul

Today I walked a lot. Left the hotel at 9.30am to go to the Louvre. I opted for my padded and comfy boots over my sandals which was a good thing, for I did 18,126 steps over a distant of 6.34km. In the process 365.2 calories was burnt.

I don’t think this could be achieved if the shoe choice was not right. Keeping up the speed of 0.8kph, this stats are way much better over a usual round of 18-holes for golf.

Let’s see how I fare for tomorrow when I visit another museum.

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Sculptures at the Louvre

22 Jul

I know it’s a sculpture but in reality, does the leaf always stay in place to discreetly cover over, you know… there?

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Day at the Museum

22 Jul

It’s another hot day and a very long queue to see Mona Lisa!

The hubby and the brother went off for their business meeting, so I am left to discover Paris on my own. Donning my super comfy Blundstone walking boots instead of sandals, I took the train from Gare de L’est to Musee du Louvre.

I am determined to visit the Louvre this time as I missed it on my last trip here, back in 2008. And being a single person tourist today, things are moving quite fast. Good.

The buzz inside is so reverberating. Didn’t realize that the lure of art is so strong for people from all over the world.

Sculptors amazes me. They get so right into the details of the anatomy right down to the butt crack! Lovely cheeks, no? This was just a small detour before the big attraction.

Ceiling art are also amazing pieces of work. How do these artists endure the neck cramp painstakingly getting the details for us to appreciate? I get a neck cramp by just looking at all these!

Like every other ardent tourist, I made my way to get a glimpse of the Mona Lisa.

Alas! Being a short person I can’t even get close. This is the closest! I think it is overrated. At least cameras are allowed unlike the Sistine Chapel where everyone has to be hushed while being ushered in.

Mona looks green, probably from all the attention and nausea from the noise and smell. Hahaha….

Why is she such a fascination? I think it is more of the ‘been there, seen it, done that’ syndrome that people are thronging Room 6.

The crowd is just too much and I am getting a headache from it all. So am plugged into my music to drown out all the museum excitement which I don’t really need as I explore and jot my observations along the way.

I attempted again, sucker for the ‘been there, done that’! And succeeded to get a closer picture.

I find this picture comical. How does one go to war without any loincloth or something to cover that part of the anatomy?! Aren’t they putting themselves at risk for such exposure? Tsk! Tsk!

It is interesting to note also that while sculptures are crafted with so much details on the body muscles and hair on the head and crotch, all sculptures do not have armpit hair! Maybe this is deemed ugly that can mar the beauty of the body?

I have been wandering through the many halls housing many themes and era of art pieces. Three hours into my exploration, I have walked 2.78km and took 7948 steps and burnt 164.1 calories. Yes, I am one of those who likes to record my physical efforts. I lost my pedometer awhile back but thank goodness for the iPhone, I have an app on it to do the job!

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