In the vacuum

I designed
I predicted the expectation
I drew ideas

Time consumed
Clustered in the mind
Then, I redesigned
I filled.

Then,

I'm free.

Reckless Abandon

It is indeed a rainy season and the weather starts getting colder, just before the actual arrival of winter. I had a pretty interesting weekend (in the rain) in Brussels nonetheless. I was introduced to 'covoiturage.com' by Mariane, my good friend and now a host sister when I had an urge to divorce Paris. The plan didn't work out since I wasn't prepared for the ultimate unplanned, but it did happen 2 weeks later. I just decided on the spot when I could no longer stand working on my 5th essay in the same week. Paris was driving me a bit nuts...

I was in a car with 4 other strangers and 3 hours later the rain embraced me coldly in Brussels. Despite the 40 hr non-stop rain, which was sort of a downer, Brussels was still small. It's the size that perhaps really made me feel comfortable while holding an umbrella. I left a few CouchSurfing requests the day before the trip and received quite a prompt reply by a local. Sam became those among the first CS hosts I "surfed" with, after Egypt. Sam is not Egyptian, but I found his hospitality as much appreciated as those Egyptians. He did startle me a bit at first, though, with his tall build and timid personality, but he was indeed a good host...fully verified by me as his first surfer. :)


Unplanned was my plan. I ended up at a random housewarming party until late in the first night and ended up crashing at one of the 'covoituragers' (who I ended sharing the ride back to Paris in his blue Mini). The people there were relatively friendly and open-minded (not so much like Parisians), if I'm honest. I also ended up joining a free Saturday walking tour (in the rain) with random travelers at USE-IT (http://www.use-it.be), made informed thru CS. We walked hours from streets to alleys and ended with a stylish-looking mug of brews. I topped the day walking some more on my own under a black umbrella. Sunday was spent trotting some more around the city and visiting a few museums - Magritte Museum being one in particular. I was just blown by his mental artwork. They say "don't ask about waffles when in Brussels", I wound up having a few of them. Yum! Of course, I didn't miss another Belgian 'thing'. I was told Neuhaus is the the best chocolate in the country. Before heading to the blue Mini, I grabbed some back for my French host. I'm sure they've had enough of smelly cheeses.

Back to Paris and home almost 2 a.m., I was bound to have a new essay submitted in two days. It was brilliant!

A group photo taken at USE-IT office : 13 November 2010

Halloween, not for Paris!

I had long reckoned Halloween to be a sort of special day in Paris. Well, it kind of was, but less far than I'd expected. I spent the evening with "Walking Sunday", a weekly organized walking-tour by Science Po, at Cimetière du Père-Lachaise. I thought the visit was really appropriate for the day - cemetery and Halloween, but turned out it wasn't exactly the best time to pay a visit since everyone probably thought the same as I did. I shall go back alone again, perhaps on a snowy morning of Sunday. It must be a more pleasant and spooky visit. I didn't get to see all those famous graves - be it Chopin, Marcel Proust, Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde - along with many other famous dead. We ended up having some drinks nearby (the graveyard) and I decided to catch a metro back for dinner.


Soon came the night, I was on my supposedly Casper costume I got (from the night I snuck in in my host brother's room when he was away). I was quite satisfied, with the additions of fake nails and black goggles - I was all set ready to go! It wasn't long after when I decided to come back home. A good 'buddy' of mine with some other friends of us went to this party (organized by International Affairs Association of Sciences Po) at a pub called Cap Rouge (23 Rue Mouffetard) in the 5th arrondissement. The place was a rat hole; there wasn't at all space to move. The most disappointing was probably the vibe; very few made an effort to jazz themselves up for the night and the place was rather dull. Between waiting for other friends and attempting to make the decision on where we were heading to, I realized I might best catch the last train home. The plan of going to ShowCase - the supposedly biggest Halloween party in Paris - was perished. We bid each other goodnight. I was back on the train in my costume thinking how more demoniac the night could have turned out had I been in Bangkok.

4 essays due this month. I guess I should go to sleep now. Another day off to muscle tomorrow!

*On the way back, I supposed the girls ,too, didn't have their best Halloween...

Broken

2:15 a.m.

Fear was felt and the thought swirled into anxiety. It wasn't too certain; it was far yet it was monumentous. Powerless and small. Shattered by my own curiosity and relentlessness. Forsaken I have, but what was I to do to retain myself in the unchanged? Stray and swayed in inconsistency. I was stuck in dichotomy of what was thought to be absolute, the opposite was yet to be found.The mind was wandering about, but must one know where he stood? Weak and powerless. The proud is stumbled in self-defeat. It peaked and slowly remedied. Another day was yet to come and it went on.

Underground Stories

In spite of its untidy and rarely a piss-like smell, I still find my underground travels in Paris quite enjoyable. I remember taking a train (RER B) for the first time from Charles de Gaulle airport to my residence near La Defanse and how much I enjoyed an accompanied sound of violin strung by an old man. There are many real talents out there both under and on the streets of the city, and I quite like them as far as I don't end up tipping involuntarily.

I was in St. Michel metro station the other day, and a recognizably Southeastern European lady stood just after the yellow line on the opposite side and started to sing a supposedly her traditional folk song loudly. Though understandably pestered by some in the crowd, I found it rather intriguing - hence stood watching for some minutes and missed a couples of trains as a result. In the train moments after, I managed to have myself comfortably seated and started to read a newspapers I grabbed from the campus. There, I again heard a familiar song sang by a lady. As she walked closer did I recognize her to be one of the Roms begging for money. Shunned by almost all the passengers she was trying to solicit from, I, also, felt contemptuous towards what was happening at first. But as she went on begging sadly, I started to felt sympathetic for her. I don't want to carry on talking about the whole Gypsies situation in France, but I simply think they deserve some space and acceptance from the people, especially the Parisians. We really live in the capitalism, don't we?

Just yesterday when I was walking down the metro to catch a train home, again, I was struck by an assembly of happy musicians who were musing their instruments and singing in harmony. It's seemed to me that there is no better way to travel to and from Paris than descending down its busy underground.

Sciences Po

It's been 2 weeks of the first semester at Sciences Po - the institution of prestige - amidst Paris. I have found myself adjusting quite a bit with a uniquely tough assessment and teaching method here. Each of the 5 classes, out of 7 which I'm taking this semester, requires the presence the famous exposé or oral presentation, apart from long essays, and, in some instances, fiche technique or fact-sheets analysis. I have fortunately, at this very point, given 3 different exposé, one of which required 40-minute talk and had already amounted 40% of one of my final grades. Understandably, with a scarcity of time and energy, I wasn't able to pull off my best. I hope they weren't too bad, though.

Being among the exchange students and not being able to speak sufficient French, I have hardly been associating with the French students and got to learn about their culture as much as I expected. Let alone my French; it's still going nowhere. I should commit more with it as I go. I should! Students here, especially the exchange batch, are made up of those from many top schools all over. As such, I'd initially felt a bit intimidated and unqualified. The city itself becomes my comfortable asylum. Often I felt fortunate to have been given an opportunity to be here, live with a local family, and, at the same time, study in a place where everybody would 'wow' if asked where I go to. Oh and I'm starting to work soon, too. :]

Time flies by so quickly that I haven't seen an obvious progress nor change - not my French - to say the least. Cliché as it sounds, but why not seize every opportunity given for I wouldn't suffer in the end. The weather has gone under 20 in the past few days. I'm expected, at least, a new physical change, very soon.

A quiet afternoon in Suresnes...

i was in front of a blank page on my computer screen, thinking what i should write. again, i ended up writing on my physical journal in the past few weeks. i guess i'd never be quite accustomed to blogging as much as i would like to.

[2]wo weeks was how long i have settled in Suresnes, a western suberb of Paris with a nice family of a friends of mine i met in Bangkok. it's amusing to think what could have happened, as once debated, if i decided to make my way here last year, the year when most students would decide to go on an exchange program. it 'd have been different from the beginning; from flat-hunting, meeting the first few people, and having the first few close friends. i doubt if i'd ever meet those encounters or get to see where i might have ended staying.

this is yet my final year and i have been kindly destined to be with this nice family in a nice neighborhood, and with whom I would unfortunately get to conveniently converse in english with. i haven't met many people of my age apart from my 'buddy' (thoughtfully stipulated and paired by the university) whom i have hung out with for a couple of times and who has been truly hospitable, and two other fellow-exchange students from the same university I came from. after sorting out my new life and witnessing Paris and some of its magnificent particles, I feel quite ready for the new semester.

luckily, the school this year has put an extra effort to welcoming exchange students. 'buddy program' was a case in point while a few other organizations were established to help to facilitate new comers. i also signed up for 'welcome program' which will be held for a week prior to the first semester, where students will be "doubly" welcome, informed all the know-hows about the school and paris in general, taught the language and "french methodology", and essentially shown how to party like Parisians! that was at least what i read off from a booklet anyway.

meeting new people would be what i'm looking forward to the most. it is even so because i can't think of one school that hosts more incoming exchange students with as many nationals as Sciences Po. thank the system for turning all of its third year pupils into out-going exchange students somewhere outside the country and leaving some room for all of us. the number in fact has no significance to me whatsoever; i would rather end up having a few good friends than a hundred friends-for-granted.

sometimes things are meant to be kept private - probably why i'd not ended on this site too frequently. but here we are, a story to tell from a blank page a while ago.

Out out and about in Cairo

Recorded: 8 Aug 2010

I ended up going to the famous Giza pyramids with Sunny, a Belgian Couch Surfer I was sharing the same host with. The driver who drove Sunny from the airport to Ketty’s place turned out to be our chauffer for the day. 6 hours were spent incessantly, yet exhilaratingly. Despite my initial intention to travel alone, I was glad in a way that Sunny - as the name suggested – made the trip even more luminous notwithstanding the heat of the dessert.

It didn’t disappoint me a wee bit. It was such a wonder to have witnessed and felt this ancient splendor. I only imagined these colossals being in a friendlier weather. But looking at it, I couldn’t bargain for more. 20 minutes away, we found the first pyramid of humanity, Saqqara, or mostly known as the step pyramid (of King Djoser). I was even more enthralled when we went underneath many other pyramids in the immediate vicinity to have a good look at the remains of what once the tombs. Some walls looked aged with beautiful relief carvings while others were embellished with the ancient hieroglyphics that drew profound stories. I only wish I understood some of them. I felt at peace despite having to crawl in a small and dark passageway to see one of the tombs. They simply took my breath away!

We arrived home around 4 p.m. as planned and had some relaxing hours before we headed to downtown to meet a fair number of locals, most of whom are Couch Surfing members and other travelers. The night was spent care-freely and I got the chance to taste the famous local drinks, a succulent mango juice and tea. Oh and I topped the night with 2 Egyptian pound shisha! My night was going minty!

First day in Cairo - doubt

I found my first day in Cairo very much flavored. After having lodged at Ketty's place, an amicable Belgian woman who has become my first host on Couch Surfing, and who was also welcoming another Couch Surfer from Belgium, I, despite an immediate jet lag, decided to begin my journey to a bustling downtown Cairo. I decided, though, that I visit the Old Cairo or Coptic on my way to the city. There, I went into an old church called St. Georges and had some local tea with the locals afterwards. While strolling, I found that many locals enjoyed having their pictures taken, especially the young ones. I ended up taking loads of pictures just of them. Just next to the church stood the mosque named Amr Ibn Al- Aas soon as I walked in my hands instinctively did their job of snapping the scene. I sat down and had a quiet hour for myself. I was at peace just to be able to listen to those chants from the old Quran-an scripture.

It was 3 p.m. when I took a metro to downtown Tahrir Square and rushed myself into Egyptian Museum to Sadat station where I'd gotten off. With the International Student ID (ISIC) (I made one on Khaosan Road), I ended up paying half of what I was supposed to pay without (60 Egyptian Pounds, L.E.), which I was very much happy about. In it, I was amazed to have seen those ancient artifacts and evidences left from the civilization. Had I be more passionate about archeology, I reckoned a more pleasant visit. I nonetheless left the place with a heap of wonders on my shoulder and a deep appreciation, especially after having decided to pay extra (60 L.E.) to see those mummified bodies of the kings (i.e. Ramses II) and queens (i.e. Hatshepsut) as far back as 2,000 years ago. The bodies were amazingly intact and to have starred at those temples face-to-face in a foot-long distance, I was totally in awe.

I left the museum 3 hours later to get a taxi to Khan el Khalili the world's oldest/famous open air market that still remains unchanged since the 14th century, I was without my knowledge, however, about to be trapped by an apparently friendly taxi-driver. He marched his way through Cairo's typical congested street and offered me a cheap ride. He told me he'd take me to the Giza Pyramids since the market wasn't quite yet at its best hours to visit. On he told that I could ride a camel around and see the sunset by the pyramids and bring me back to downtown - all for 30 (L.E.). He seemed unquestionably nice however and I was gullible enough to buy his hoax. Once on the way, I started to feel apprehensive after pretending to ask for his number in case I would use his service in the future. I tricked him into saying I didn't get the number right. In turn, he gave me a different set of numbers that I for once caught he was just making it up. I was still on a mobile and my instinct told me I was no longer on a safe ride. Again, I tricked him into saying that I had a back pain, which I in fact did, and that I needed to get out of the vehicle for a stretch. I thought I would get away with this trap swiftly. Unfortunately, as I flagged a new taxi on the roadside, he jumped right out of his seat and started abominating me into words and turned into a different person; a brother to enemy. Worst yet, he started demanding me for more money and tugged some 70 L.E off of my wallet and left dissatisfied. What a ride!

I though to myself after the day (after having gone back to the market which was just fantastic): what if I didn't get out of that taxi and let him take me to where he said he would. I didn't trust him wholeheartedly as I learned more about his ploy (I thought that at least), but rather I told myself to take this 'leap of faith'. It could be just another tourist trap and I might have enjoyed the ride. Or it could have turned out truly unpleasant. What would have happened if I didn't cheat the destiny? What would have happened if I didn't have this doubt at all?

In the end, I was glad all this happened. One truth I know for fact however is that I never drank as much water as I did here; 5 liters at least in the first day. I just felt I have absorbed Cairo it all in... in o n e s i n g l e d a y.

The Inception (not by Christopher Nolan)

I had the thought of creating a travel blog in the past few weeks prior to my trip to Egypt. I've been journaling my stories, reflections, insights, epiphanies, revelations, nonsense reviews, and what not on my personal papered journal for a good while. But I thought traveling, which could be ample of intensity and insights, could be worth sharing as I personally am driven by Into the Wild's final bite: "happiness is only real when shared." And without a lengthy prologue, I shall have my first story documented. :]