The 4 of you were by my side,
The laughter, tears, the whole ride,
I never thought that I would feel this way,
So lost without you, that I cannot say.
I miss the stupidity, the 'low down' phase,
The long aimless drives,
And the ruckus we raised.
D you are to me my all,
Without you, I wouldn't have grown.
You have always been supportive and by my side,
For that, by your way I will always abide!
G you are to me my all,
A friend, a daughter, a sister and more.
I know we have seen some rought times,
But between us that changes NOTHING at all.
S you are to me my all,
A friend, my fool and of course my score.
Seeing you upset can bring me down,
I always wish for you a cheer and never a frown!
A to me you are my all,
If not for you I was not me at ALL.
You came and changed my life so,
Without you how I would have gotten by...
I will never know!
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
I'm feeling... I don't really know what I'm feeling...!
I decided now that I have the time... I'm going to fill in my blog spot!
Just a glimpse of what is on my mind as of now!
Here I am sitting in my own house... Something I have been looking forward to do in SO long now...
In my room, in my house... with my dog... and the girls...
But something just doesn't feel right...
Something is either different or missing. I can't quite put my finger on it.
I don't know if I am feeling scared, upset, happy.... I really for once don't know...!
There are SO many things to look forward to.. and I am really happy to be back here.. (i think!) But still I feel like there is something missing...
What part of me have I lost of misplaced.. That's making me feel lost in my own territory...
Has it been that long that I feel like this is not mine anymore...??
Or is it just that its been SO long and change always brings strange feelings along with it...
????
Anyhow... Just something on my mind... and the time to pen it down!
:)
Just a glimpse of what is on my mind as of now!
Here I am sitting in my own house... Something I have been looking forward to do in SO long now...
In my room, in my house... with my dog... and the girls...
But something just doesn't feel right...
Something is either different or missing. I can't quite put my finger on it.
I don't know if I am feeling scared, upset, happy.... I really for once don't know...!
There are SO many things to look forward to.. and I am really happy to be back here.. (i think!) But still I feel like there is something missing...
What part of me have I lost of misplaced.. That's making me feel lost in my own territory...
Has it been that long that I feel like this is not mine anymore...??
Or is it just that its been SO long and change always brings strange feelings along with it...
????
Anyhow... Just something on my mind... and the time to pen it down!
:)
YOU...
... Have put up with my grumpiness more than anyone outside my family...
... Are Family...
... Make driving aimlessly a pleasure...
... Are the only one who takes my shit and makes me feel like nothing happened...
... Never answer the phone...!! :P
... Will always be my pillow...
... Are and always will be my bandar...
... Are the one person I feel the need to see almost everyday...
... I miss as though I've lost myself...
... Are my Yin...
... I get mad at in seconds...
... Are someone I can't be mad at for more than a second!
... Are the only one who'll miss my hamada! :P ...
... The only one who LOVES my stubborness...
... Are as stubborn as me, and I totally adore that...
... Have the best hugs ever that always make me feel secure...
... Spoil me to the max...
... Are always looking out for me...
... Always know when something is wrong...
... Always know and remember things that make me feel good...
... Always go out of your way to do things you can really do without (for me)
... Always make a note of the small things... that matter...
... Always know that most of the time... a hug is all I need...
... Come at 1am just to say 'hi' cause we haven't seen each other in 2 days!...
... Look at me and it makes me feel like everything will be alright...
... Have faith in me more than I have in myself...
... Will probably not know how to reply to this post,
But you will love me with all your might...
... And I literally love you more!
... Are Family...
... Make driving aimlessly a pleasure...
... Are the only one who takes my shit and makes me feel like nothing happened...
... Never answer the phone...!! :P
... Will always be my pillow...
... Are and always will be my bandar...
... Are the one person I feel the need to see almost everyday...
... I miss as though I've lost myself...
... Are my Yin...
... I get mad at in seconds...
... Are someone I can't be mad at for more than a second!
... Are the only one who'll miss my hamada! :P ...
... The only one who LOVES my stubborness...
... Are as stubborn as me, and I totally adore that...
... Have the best hugs ever that always make me feel secure...
... Spoil me to the max...
... Are always looking out for me...
... Always know when something is wrong...
... Always know and remember things that make me feel good...
... Always go out of your way to do things you can really do without (for me)
... Always make a note of the small things... that matter...
... Always know that most of the time... a hug is all I need...
... Come at 1am just to say 'hi' cause we haven't seen each other in 2 days!...
... Look at me and it makes me feel like everything will be alright...
... Have faith in me more than I have in myself...
... Will probably not know how to reply to this post,
But you will love me with all your might...
... And I literally love you more!
A Child Was Born Again!
7th January 2007.
We had a late night before, and last minute we decided on going on a field trip to a place called Fagnoon in a place in the country side of Cairo.I managed to wake myself up at about 815, drag myself out of bed and get ready. And get Geet (my housemate) and Salman (my Pakistani friend bunking on my couch) out of bed and get them ready.
We had our taxi out and waiting for us downstairs at about ten to 9. We had to go pick up a new trainee called Nath and head to the AAST Cairo's university. This trip was organized by the Aiesec team of that university. Reached there, met Boogie and a lot of the AAST Cairo Aiesec team. There was about 14 of us. Got together and jumped into this little mini bus ( mini van really ). The bus ride was about 50 mins away. It didn't seem that far away, there was enough singing and talking to keep us all going. There was a girl called Mayar who was totally freaking out the way the driver was driving (which I came to realise she should cause of the way SHE drives herself!).
Finally we arrive at this place caled Fagnoon. Its a guy who's a artist. He lived out of Egypt most of his life ( personally I feel he stayed in Italy) and now he came back to Egypt, bought a plot of land in the country side and decided to turn it into this art farm, or art school. Its a very very basic looking place made up with bits and pieces but its absolutely FANTASTIC! The pictures do not justify it. Its nice and peaceful and big. The first thing we did when we got off was got greeted by this guy. He kind of gave us this briefing and told us that we could choose any two activities. There are a lot of things to do on the farm. From painting, pottery, carpenter, carpet making and what not. He told us this is a place to come and find yourself, be yourself or be anyone you want to be. Be a child. Choose the age you want to be. 4, 5, 3, 12 whatever we fancied.He told us to take off and explore and see whatever we'd like!
So we took off!! The first thing we saw was these bunch of cots all lined up. They are all made with thick cotton and colorful strings. We got straight on and ran the way through to the other side like children! (well at least tried to run!!) To start with, this is what we did. Gave us the biggest smiles ever!
Then we went in further to discover that there were these strings up everywhere... WE could climb up onto them and plonk ourselves on them and be sitting close to the ceiling. Imagine to be like a HUGE hammock. That was seating about 12 - 14 of us at the same time! It was fantastic. Like monkey bars, or an obstacle course! :) After sitting and catching up with everyone we decided to get down to business. We all agreed that we would pick pottery and painting as our two activities! So first we hit the potters wheels.
There we all went and sat and found our wheels and started off... By the time we got to the second pot that we were doing.... started the clay fight! That was the end of the pot making!!! There was slush being thrown everywhere... We were running in all directions, chucking clay and mud on each other, making well sure that no one... I repeat NO ONE leaves clean. I managed to stay clean for some time to come, but them came the bucket of SLUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then no one was safe! The pictures dont tell you anything, because we were well clean while the pictures were bein clicked. After the cameras were put down, the dirt became soo much worse!It felt as though we had all gone back in time. Back in school when we used to have sand pits, and we used to get messy and not care. WE were all kids all over again! When you do whatever, not worrying about what others will think????!!!!! Who cares. This is something on children do. Do everything without judgment or the fear of being a football of other people's opinions. Its the most free feeling I've felt in yyyeeaaaarrssss!
After about a good hour or more I think we decided to kinda stop and try and clean up. But then again, every time someone would try and clean up we'd start up all over again. Anyhow, somehow we managed to stop and TRY to clean up! Time to clean up made us realize how dirty we all were. Slush and mud in our hair, bodies, clothes!! WE can't leave the chunks of clay to dry in the hair and had to get it out of our faces! Eyes, ears, noses alike! lol
Took some time off sitting and chatting and exploring the place while we waited for food! There were some swings about so we all headed there and sat there swinging and chit chatting and exploring the rest of the farm.
Food took some time to come, by which time people were all dead and waiting. We had ordered something called Fatir. It’s like this one big pie but this one was plain. You can have it in different ways, stuffed with all you want. But we had it plan along with honey, black honey (molasses) and some sort of cheese as the dips to go along! That was fantastic!After food we were all rejuvenated! It was time to PPAAIINNTTTT!!!Went up to the higher floor. The Floor and everything was covered in paint! It was great. WE were given a piece of wood each and bunch of water based paints and brushes and we were allowed to do what we liked. So we all plonked ourselves down on the floor and began. The idea was to be kids so the painting was like kids too. Finished our paintings and guess what we went onto doing. Of course... PAINT FIGHT! That was fabulous! It started in a very civilized manner, and then it just got down right ugly! Not only were we painitng on people, we were splattering our brunshed on people and then just blatently throwing the tiny tubs of paint on each other! Some people decided to be chiken and run away!! ;) But we managed to cover everyone with paint eventually! :D
After this we were well tired. Managed to find a comfy spot and stay put till the time came to leave. Whether it was out on the swings, or the weird high hammock things close to the cielings!This was such an eventful day. I came to meet a wonderfull bunch of people and spend a fantastic day with them, and share memories with them for the rest of my life. This is definatly one of those unforgettable days for me. Its made such an impact in my life.
In the whole rush of wanting to grow up... as children we loose the innocence and childlikeness that we all have. I think its high time we go out and find what we once lost.... Its something that keeps one sane. Think of it like therapy if you make. Some people do laughter therapy, others work out etc etc. Try and see if finding the child in you works for you. I think it works for everyone. Gives you the rush of energy that's needed and the break for the world of pretend that we live in. There are only a few times in life I feel like people can be themselves. And in times like these... those moments of being the way we really want to be.... are dissappearing...So make the most of things... and if you get a chance to do something like this... GO FOR IT... If not... I'll make sure I take you through a life changing experience once you come to visit me here in Cairo or at least try and make my own way to show you this anywhere in the world!
As always, with all my love and well wishes. Hope you enjoyed another day of my life! And maybe felt a bit light hearted :) I'm feeling as light as a feather and as innocent and playful as a child!!! :)
We had a late night before, and last minute we decided on going on a field trip to a place called Fagnoon in a place in the country side of Cairo.I managed to wake myself up at about 815, drag myself out of bed and get ready. And get Geet (my housemate) and Salman (my Pakistani friend bunking on my couch) out of bed and get them ready.
We had our taxi out and waiting for us downstairs at about ten to 9. We had to go pick up a new trainee called Nath and head to the AAST Cairo's university. This trip was organized by the Aiesec team of that university. Reached there, met Boogie and a lot of the AAST Cairo Aiesec team. There was about 14 of us. Got together and jumped into this little mini bus ( mini van really ). The bus ride was about 50 mins away. It didn't seem that far away, there was enough singing and talking to keep us all going. There was a girl called Mayar who was totally freaking out the way the driver was driving (which I came to realise she should cause of the way SHE drives herself!).
Finally we arrive at this place caled Fagnoon. Its a guy who's a artist. He lived out of Egypt most of his life ( personally I feel he stayed in Italy) and now he came back to Egypt, bought a plot of land in the country side and decided to turn it into this art farm, or art school. Its a very very basic looking place made up with bits and pieces but its absolutely FANTASTIC! The pictures do not justify it. Its nice and peaceful and big. The first thing we did when we got off was got greeted by this guy. He kind of gave us this briefing and told us that we could choose any two activities. There are a lot of things to do on the farm. From painting, pottery, carpenter, carpet making and what not. He told us this is a place to come and find yourself, be yourself or be anyone you want to be. Be a child. Choose the age you want to be. 4, 5, 3, 12 whatever we fancied.He told us to take off and explore and see whatever we'd like!
So we took off!! The first thing we saw was these bunch of cots all lined up. They are all made with thick cotton and colorful strings. We got straight on and ran the way through to the other side like children! (well at least tried to run!!) To start with, this is what we did. Gave us the biggest smiles ever!
Then we went in further to discover that there were these strings up everywhere... WE could climb up onto them and plonk ourselves on them and be sitting close to the ceiling. Imagine to be like a HUGE hammock. That was seating about 12 - 14 of us at the same time! It was fantastic. Like monkey bars, or an obstacle course! :) After sitting and catching up with everyone we decided to get down to business. We all agreed that we would pick pottery and painting as our two activities! So first we hit the potters wheels.
There we all went and sat and found our wheels and started off... By the time we got to the second pot that we were doing.... started the clay fight! That was the end of the pot making!!! There was slush being thrown everywhere... We were running in all directions, chucking clay and mud on each other, making well sure that no one... I repeat NO ONE leaves clean. I managed to stay clean for some time to come, but them came the bucket of SLUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then no one was safe! The pictures dont tell you anything, because we were well clean while the pictures were bein clicked. After the cameras were put down, the dirt became soo much worse!It felt as though we had all gone back in time. Back in school when we used to have sand pits, and we used to get messy and not care. WE were all kids all over again! When you do whatever, not worrying about what others will think????!!!!! Who cares. This is something on children do. Do everything without judgment or the fear of being a football of other people's opinions. Its the most free feeling I've felt in yyyeeaaaarrssss!
After about a good hour or more I think we decided to kinda stop and try and clean up. But then again, every time someone would try and clean up we'd start up all over again. Anyhow, somehow we managed to stop and TRY to clean up! Time to clean up made us realize how dirty we all were. Slush and mud in our hair, bodies, clothes!! WE can't leave the chunks of clay to dry in the hair and had to get it out of our faces! Eyes, ears, noses alike! lol
Took some time off sitting and chatting and exploring the place while we waited for food! There were some swings about so we all headed there and sat there swinging and chit chatting and exploring the rest of the farm.
Food took some time to come, by which time people were all dead and waiting. We had ordered something called Fatir. It’s like this one big pie but this one was plain. You can have it in different ways, stuffed with all you want. But we had it plan along with honey, black honey (molasses) and some sort of cheese as the dips to go along! That was fantastic!After food we were all rejuvenated! It was time to PPAAIINNTTTT!!!Went up to the higher floor. The Floor and everything was covered in paint! It was great. WE were given a piece of wood each and bunch of water based paints and brushes and we were allowed to do what we liked. So we all plonked ourselves down on the floor and began. The idea was to be kids so the painting was like kids too. Finished our paintings and guess what we went onto doing. Of course... PAINT FIGHT! That was fabulous! It started in a very civilized manner, and then it just got down right ugly! Not only were we painitng on people, we were splattering our brunshed on people and then just blatently throwing the tiny tubs of paint on each other! Some people decided to be chiken and run away!! ;) But we managed to cover everyone with paint eventually! :D
After this we were well tired. Managed to find a comfy spot and stay put till the time came to leave. Whether it was out on the swings, or the weird high hammock things close to the cielings!This was such an eventful day. I came to meet a wonderfull bunch of people and spend a fantastic day with them, and share memories with them for the rest of my life. This is definatly one of those unforgettable days for me. Its made such an impact in my life.
In the whole rush of wanting to grow up... as children we loose the innocence and childlikeness that we all have. I think its high time we go out and find what we once lost.... Its something that keeps one sane. Think of it like therapy if you make. Some people do laughter therapy, others work out etc etc. Try and see if finding the child in you works for you. I think it works for everyone. Gives you the rush of energy that's needed and the break for the world of pretend that we live in. There are only a few times in life I feel like people can be themselves. And in times like these... those moments of being the way we really want to be.... are dissappearing...So make the most of things... and if you get a chance to do something like this... GO FOR IT... If not... I'll make sure I take you through a life changing experience once you come to visit me here in Cairo or at least try and make my own way to show you this anywhere in the world!
As always, with all my love and well wishes. Hope you enjoyed another day of my life! And maybe felt a bit light hearted :) I'm feeling as light as a feather and as innocent and playful as a child!!! :)
A NIGHT OUT IN CAIRO (the other side of the city!)
[NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT.]
19th Oct, 2006.
I must say has to be one of the most eventful evening's I have ever spent!:)
My German friend, Didier was leaving Egypt on the 20th so we decided we have to all
spend time together before he leaves. He was spending the day with me at work,
so after we decided to go and get some sheesha and food and chill out. Went to my
favorite joint, called El Shader. Its the best place ever. So chilled out and
totally cool!
There was Ron, Didier and myself over there. We were supposed to be joined by Didier's boss Mac
who decided to join us at home instead of Shader.
We headed home and decided we'll relax and chit chat there with a couple of
beers. ( Little did we know that the night had a lot more in store for us!;))
Mac was this vibrant man, over the top a bit, but I loved that about him! He was soo
English.. brought back soo many memories... A few phrases that he used took me straight
back to being in Birmingham. I was having a good laugh.
We were soon joined by my Mexican friend called Manuel. He was a bit bored himself so he decided
to join in our evening... Little did he know how this night was going to turn out!:)
All of a sudden at about 10 30 we decided that my air con wasn't doing a good job of cooling
so we should go out somewhere. And Of course, Didier being the FAB dancer that he
is, we decided to go dancing. Went to Cairo Jazz club and didn't get in. It was a
special night on and it was either reservations or couples only. We were 4 guys and
only 1 me!:)
So we decided to move somewhere else. Being that it was too early, Mac suggested his local
pub in Maadi. He said we could go and play pool for a while till it was partying time!
We were all fine with that.
The other highlight of the night was the driver we had. The men were nice enough to
squeeze in at the back and give me the front seat. But I think I would have done anything
to trade!!!
We had a hero driver who I'm sure thought he was gonna get to work in one of the bond
movies or something like the fast adn the furious... Or he wanted to be a ralley driver
or he just had a subconcious wish to die!!(AND TAKE US WITH HIM)
I have never seen driving at such rediculously high speeds in the middle of high traffic
and trucking areas!!
The fact that the guy was havin a beer with us was enough for me belt up and pray for dear life!
Anyhow, We took of from close to where I live to Maadi. Reached this place. It was called Maharaja and Zen Zen.
Indian and Chinese cusine. I was a bit confused. I thought we were going to a pub. Never the less I thought maybe
they had a bar inside.
I had to make a quick phone call so I told the guys to carry on inside and that I would join them in a couple of minutes.
As I was finishing up my phone conversation, I saw Didier and Ron walk out and wait for me. As soon as I finished,
they had these funny looks on their face.
They came and said, 'well, its kinda dodgy, not really... just full of hookers!'
'Oh well', I said. What can we do:) Its gonna be an experience. So in we went.
Walked through the empty resteraunt to the back to a set of doors. As soon as we walked through those doors the whole scene changed.
Tables to start with, a pool table, a bar and lots of women! Not Egyptian. By the looks of it they were either from Thailand, or Sudan.
More black women though.
Walked to the end and got the last table in the place. I first sat facing the enterence and then I felt like I had to turn my back to
the audience. So I changed seats.
Now that I had my back to the place, I was facing Ron, Didier, Mac and the wall!!:) Which wasn't too bad at all!!:)
Manuel was doing a great job of filling me in on all details of what was going on behind me. :)
How he thought that the women were UGLY:) and there was only one who could probably be transported out and passed off other wise!
I was absolutly fine there .. and didn't really bother about anything, till the time one of the girls came over to the table next to us, to get 'nothing'
and look and me and gimme this look!
That's when I sort of, kind of felt umcomfortable. Just that look.
Manuel was quick to tell me that the look was soo specifically, ' we do not like new faces around here..'!
LOL
and just checking out who I was and how I was..!! Oh dear.. that was fun...
I have to say.. it was an experience...
After a while of chit chatting and singing along (to some really good music that was put on by Mac on the jukebox) we decided to go to the other place Mac
had told us about. So that we could dance a bit and basically get out of the place which was kinda making people feel awkward. Well it wasn't that bad for me.
I was taking it as an experience. My friend Didier was too worried about what people would say or think!:)
You could see it on his face. He msged me saying, ' awkward'! hehe
OK. Decided to take off from the place. Didier and I were walking out and I all of a sudden was very concious of the fact that I was walking arm in arm with him!
My instant reaction was to push him away!:) How strange. I don't care what people think on a normal basis, but still somehow I still managed to seperate and walk away!
Our bond driver went off to go and get the car. While we were waiting talking about the other place that we were going to.
All of a sudden there was this car reversing at full speed and screetching! That soo had to be our car. The driver was a great guy.. but I probably won't
be sitting in the car he's driving again!
:)
Another 20 minutes of hard core praying to grab on to dear life... And there we were. In a place called 'Coma' (Ok with a name like that, I should have figured really.
There weren't many other options for how it would be!:)
It was in a hotel. Walked in and saw this biiigggg huuuggeee ugly face on the left hand side. With its mouth WIDE open! This was the enterence to the club!
THe good thing was this club was ABSOLUTLY empty. SO basically it was all to ourselves. No matter shady or not.
Mac told them not to play arabic music and automatically they switched to english 80's music!
We stayed there for an hour or so. Dancing, well at times or like complete lunatics at times:)
Which was absolutly great fun. It was the first time for Manuel to see us like that.. We all know we're insane, it was his first time to see it! lol
At about 20 to one my tummy wasn't really helping me. It was giving me a bit of a hard time ( I had just about recovered from an upset tummy!) So I decided that we will leave by 1. I was going to take either Manuel or Ron back with me but both of them were ready to leave as well!
While we were leaving, the DJ put on some songs that really took me waaayyy back in time. I grew up listening to these songs, Seeing my parents hear and dance to these songs. I had to stay back and dance a bit longer.
At about quater past my tummy just couldn't stand it anymore.. I had to leave to go home and to my bed!
So I decided to take leave! Three of us left Didier and Mac to enjoy their night which continued till about 4 in the morning!:)
I dont think I could have done it with the work I had the next day!
All in all it was on hell of an entertaining night. We all had a good laugh. Glad we could actually take it in good spirits. Ron and Manuel were surprised that I took it in the right spirits. AS far as I'm concerned its all good for an experience. ITs a side of Egypt I would have never gotten to see otherwise..!
Like I said. I think I was a bit taken aback only because its Egypt. THis in India or Thailand or elsewhere is expected. Here it took some time to sink in!
I dont have many pcitures of the night.. Just one of the pick up joint we went to. Miguel did go to the loo as an excuse to get pictures and was being inticed by the women on the way there.. But he failed to get more than one picture.. He thought he got them but he didn't!
I would say better luck next time... But I am not so sure that there will not be a next time!:) lol
So you got to make do with what we have!
:)
TIme for me to sign off! Lots of love to all as always,
Regina Felangi! ;)
19th Oct, 2006.
I must say has to be one of the most eventful evening's I have ever spent!:)
My German friend, Didier was leaving Egypt on the 20th so we decided we have to all
spend time together before he leaves. He was spending the day with me at work,
so after we decided to go and get some sheesha and food and chill out. Went to my
favorite joint, called El Shader. Its the best place ever. So chilled out and
totally cool!
There was Ron, Didier and myself over there. We were supposed to be joined by Didier's boss Mac
who decided to join us at home instead of Shader.
We headed home and decided we'll relax and chit chat there with a couple of
beers. ( Little did we know that the night had a lot more in store for us!;))
Mac was this vibrant man, over the top a bit, but I loved that about him! He was soo
English.. brought back soo many memories... A few phrases that he used took me straight
back to being in Birmingham. I was having a good laugh.
We were soon joined by my Mexican friend called Manuel. He was a bit bored himself so he decided
to join in our evening... Little did he know how this night was going to turn out!:)
All of a sudden at about 10 30 we decided that my air con wasn't doing a good job of cooling
so we should go out somewhere. And Of course, Didier being the FAB dancer that he
is, we decided to go dancing. Went to Cairo Jazz club and didn't get in. It was a
special night on and it was either reservations or couples only. We were 4 guys and
only 1 me!:)
So we decided to move somewhere else. Being that it was too early, Mac suggested his local
pub in Maadi. He said we could go and play pool for a while till it was partying time!
We were all fine with that.
The other highlight of the night was the driver we had. The men were nice enough to
squeeze in at the back and give me the front seat. But I think I would have done anything
to trade!!!
We had a hero driver who I'm sure thought he was gonna get to work in one of the bond
movies or something like the fast adn the furious... Or he wanted to be a ralley driver
or he just had a subconcious wish to die!!(AND TAKE US WITH HIM)
I have never seen driving at such rediculously high speeds in the middle of high traffic
and trucking areas!!
The fact that the guy was havin a beer with us was enough for me belt up and pray for dear life!
Anyhow, We took of from close to where I live to Maadi. Reached this place. It was called Maharaja and Zen Zen.
Indian and Chinese cusine. I was a bit confused. I thought we were going to a pub. Never the less I thought maybe
they had a bar inside.
I had to make a quick phone call so I told the guys to carry on inside and that I would join them in a couple of minutes.
As I was finishing up my phone conversation, I saw Didier and Ron walk out and wait for me. As soon as I finished,
they had these funny looks on their face.
They came and said, 'well, its kinda dodgy, not really... just full of hookers!'
'Oh well', I said. What can we do:) Its gonna be an experience. So in we went.
Walked through the empty resteraunt to the back to a set of doors. As soon as we walked through those doors the whole scene changed.
Tables to start with, a pool table, a bar and lots of women! Not Egyptian. By the looks of it they were either from Thailand, or Sudan.
More black women though.
Walked to the end and got the last table in the place. I first sat facing the enterence and then I felt like I had to turn my back to
the audience. So I changed seats.
Now that I had my back to the place, I was facing Ron, Didier, Mac and the wall!!:) Which wasn't too bad at all!!:)
Manuel was doing a great job of filling me in on all details of what was going on behind me. :)
How he thought that the women were UGLY:) and there was only one who could probably be transported out and passed off other wise!
I was absolutly fine there .. and didn't really bother about anything, till the time one of the girls came over to the table next to us, to get 'nothing'
and look and me and gimme this look!
That's when I sort of, kind of felt umcomfortable. Just that look.
Manuel was quick to tell me that the look was soo specifically, ' we do not like new faces around here..'!
LOL
and just checking out who I was and how I was..!! Oh dear.. that was fun...
I have to say.. it was an experience...
After a while of chit chatting and singing along (to some really good music that was put on by Mac on the jukebox) we decided to go to the other place Mac
had told us about. So that we could dance a bit and basically get out of the place which was kinda making people feel awkward. Well it wasn't that bad for me.
I was taking it as an experience. My friend Didier was too worried about what people would say or think!:)
You could see it on his face. He msged me saying, ' awkward'! hehe
OK. Decided to take off from the place. Didier and I were walking out and I all of a sudden was very concious of the fact that I was walking arm in arm with him!
My instant reaction was to push him away!:) How strange. I don't care what people think on a normal basis, but still somehow I still managed to seperate and walk away!
Our bond driver went off to go and get the car. While we were waiting talking about the other place that we were going to.
All of a sudden there was this car reversing at full speed and screetching! That soo had to be our car. The driver was a great guy.. but I probably won't
be sitting in the car he's driving again!
:)
Another 20 minutes of hard core praying to grab on to dear life... And there we were. In a place called 'Coma' (Ok with a name like that, I should have figured really.
There weren't many other options for how it would be!:)
It was in a hotel. Walked in and saw this biiigggg huuuggeee ugly face on the left hand side. With its mouth WIDE open! This was the enterence to the club!
THe good thing was this club was ABSOLUTLY empty. SO basically it was all to ourselves. No matter shady or not.
Mac told them not to play arabic music and automatically they switched to english 80's music!
We stayed there for an hour or so. Dancing, well at times or like complete lunatics at times:)
Which was absolutly great fun. It was the first time for Manuel to see us like that.. We all know we're insane, it was his first time to see it! lol
At about 20 to one my tummy wasn't really helping me. It was giving me a bit of a hard time ( I had just about recovered from an upset tummy!) So I decided that we will leave by 1. I was going to take either Manuel or Ron back with me but both of them were ready to leave as well!
While we were leaving, the DJ put on some songs that really took me waaayyy back in time. I grew up listening to these songs, Seeing my parents hear and dance to these songs. I had to stay back and dance a bit longer.
At about quater past my tummy just couldn't stand it anymore.. I had to leave to go home and to my bed!
So I decided to take leave! Three of us left Didier and Mac to enjoy their night which continued till about 4 in the morning!:)
I dont think I could have done it with the work I had the next day!
All in all it was on hell of an entertaining night. We all had a good laugh. Glad we could actually take it in good spirits. Ron and Manuel were surprised that I took it in the right spirits. AS far as I'm concerned its all good for an experience. ITs a side of Egypt I would have never gotten to see otherwise..!
Like I said. I think I was a bit taken aback only because its Egypt. THis in India or Thailand or elsewhere is expected. Here it took some time to sink in!
I dont have many pcitures of the night.. Just one of the pick up joint we went to. Miguel did go to the loo as an excuse to get pictures and was being inticed by the women on the way there.. But he failed to get more than one picture.. He thought he got them but he didn't!
I would say better luck next time... But I am not so sure that there will not be a next time!:) lol
So you got to make do with what we have!
:)
TIme for me to sign off! Lots of love to all as always,
Regina Felangi! ;)
EGYPT VS CONGO LIVE!!!!! I've never felt so EGYPTIAN!:)
3rd of Feb, 2006.
There is the African Cup 2006 going on. And its being held in Cairo. FOOTBALL!!
What I didn't realize was that the Egyptians are crazier than the English when it comes to footy!!
Who would have known!
On the 2nd of Feb I got a call asking if I wanted a ticket to go see the quarter final match between Egypt and Congo!
There have been two matches before this. The first one I didn't watch and I got blamed for the game tying!
I was told I was an Egyptian now..and because I didn't watch it... They tied and didn't win!
The second game I went to watch in a friend coffee shop and Egypt won (2-1)!!
Hence why I was told I have to go watch this match! I claimed that Egypt will do extremely well as I was going to watch the match!!:)
A friend of mine came to pick me up at about half 12 in the afternoon. Even though the match was not until seven!!
Apparently they shut the gates at 4 so you have to be in before that!
And the stadium itself is ffffffaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr away!!
WE met up with a few more of the girls and we were off!!
Flags out of all windows and the sun roof! Cheering away to glory!!!
Got to the stadium and I could feel the energy of the people!!:) there was thousands of people all around. Dressed in red, white and black! the Egyptian colors!
Met a few more of my friends... and we started walking in. There were so many people!!! We had to pass through 4 security gates before we actually got in!!
We got and went to get our seats!! WE were right up close... and had seat in the middle...
It was really good...
Slowly in a matter of mins the stadium got completely full up...And then started the cheers...
There were all sorts of cheers...all in Arabic of course!! There were a zillion flags being waved around, there were whistles, the Egyptian tabla which people use with the cheers, the huge drums, the horns, the big funny hats, the colorful wigs, the people with the faces painted... red, black and white!!
From four up until half six... there was so much cheering going on.. And the teams hadn't even arrived yet!!:)
Then they showed the busses for the teams pull up... As soon as that was on the screen the stadium went totally ballistic!!
There were screams and cheers...
They play four beats on the tabla and as soon as they are done, people scream " MASR!" Which is the name of EGYPT
There is soo much emotion... Can you just imagine....20,000 people screaming MASR at the same time!!!
It was totally crazy.
Then came the teams on the ground it self... Of course everyone was on their chairs and screaming out players names...
They had the two teams stand together, had the national anthems done.
Of course the national anthem for Congo went unnoticed, but when it came to Egypt. Just think about 20,000 people singing it LOUD AND CLEAR!
Anyhow... The game started and so did the cheers!!
I'll try my best to explain them to you!!
Then there was one, which is actually a song.. but its a good cheer for the Egyptians I guess... It goes like this...
" a la la la la la la la la la la la la, eh da eh da eh da eh da eh da eh da da!"
the a la la is just la la as you figured.. eh da means what's this!!
Then there was ... Hopa eh Hopa aa Insha Allah hanek Sab! Which is ... hopa eh hopa aa.. god willing we will win!
Then there was another one... This also was for the goal keeper from the Egyptian side... he does this dance when he makes a good save or when Egypt scores... So the whole stadium is screaming "Oros Hadere!" Which means Dance Hadere!!
Hadere is the guy;s name....
Then there is one where they just count... Wahd, Itnen, Taleta, Arbaa
One, two, three, four...
I didn't really figure out why they did that till after the match.. I thought it just went well with the tabla!!:)
but I realized that's its a way of saying that's how the goals keep coming. one after another!!
Its like counting goals before they come!
The Egyptian team is not a bad team. They are above average. And they can really hold up their game.
They were playing very aggressively but kept missing the goals in the first 15 mins or so.
Then came a goal from one of their players who has been in the team forever!
The man is 39 and still going strong!! After that, they just kept coming!!:)
They scored twice in the first 45 mins!! It was fantastic... every time the ball was close to any goal post... every one would stand up from their seats!! no one wanted to miss anything!!
Then Congo scored once. It was the most silly goal I've ever seen... It was sheer luck I guess...
Anyhow.. Then there was the waves in the crowd...
The whole stadium had the wave running around it... Once it started there was no way it would end unless its done about five or six rounds..!! Please were very enthusiastic!!
After the first 20 mins of so... The group I was there with, we were all going completely mad:) I was cheering with them in Arabic.. We were dancing on the chairs... clapping.. playing the table... waving the flags... screaming on the top of our lungs!!
It was amazing.. The spirit was just so high at that time I swear I felt EGYPTIAN!!
I've never felt like this before...
Maybe because it was my first time to go and see a live match.. or maybe EGYPTIANS are totally mad when it comes to footy!
No matter what... I have to say this was an experience of a lifetime!!
The next half say Egypt scoring two more goals. Egypt won 4-1!!!
Time up was the best thing ever!! It was like the whole of Egypt was celebrating!!
WE tried to rush our way out of the stadium... There were oh so many people ...
Everyone was screaming, singing... hugging each other!! so over excited.. and why shouldn't they be!!
It was so good!!! There was a strange energy... The whole of the country came together!! Its all for football!! I guess we do it when it comes to cricket as well.. But I still feel that there was more oneness here... I don't know why....
Came out and started making our way to the cars... it was like one big fat carnival outside.... people dancing on the roads.. cars everywhere.... people hooting their horns in a certain way to announce that Egypt had won... People hanging out of their cars screaming MASR absolulty over joyed with the fact that they had won!!
Roads were totally jammed... getting to places took forever!!
But the sprit was there.. which made the traffic seem a lot less painful. People walking by.. congratulating each other.. so happy... for each other:) random strangers talking and dancing together... fireworks on the roads!!!
you name it .. and it was there!!!
I've never seen people so united ever!!
I was never really a footy fan... But living in England taught me to enjoy it...
Even there I have not seen such spirit like I saw today!!
Its about 130 AM right now.. I got back home like half and hour back...and believe you me.. I can still hear the cars honking away and people screaming MASR!!:)
So after this great evening.. I was told I must go see all matches Egypt plays.. if not I must at least watch them on the telly..and My friend believe I'm the lucky mascot:)
I shall definitely do that for all of them! And for the great time and oneness they showed me!!
It was really an experience worth having and I'm glad I did!!
Who would have thought, Me and FOOTBALL!!:)
But It was GREAT!!!!!
There is the African Cup 2006 going on. And its being held in Cairo. FOOTBALL!!
What I didn't realize was that the Egyptians are crazier than the English when it comes to footy!!
Who would have known!
On the 2nd of Feb I got a call asking if I wanted a ticket to go see the quarter final match between Egypt and Congo!
There have been two matches before this. The first one I didn't watch and I got blamed for the game tying!
I was told I was an Egyptian now..and because I didn't watch it... They tied and didn't win!
The second game I went to watch in a friend coffee shop and Egypt won (2-1)!!
Hence why I was told I have to go watch this match! I claimed that Egypt will do extremely well as I was going to watch the match!!:)
A friend of mine came to pick me up at about half 12 in the afternoon. Even though the match was not until seven!!
Apparently they shut the gates at 4 so you have to be in before that!
And the stadium itself is ffffffaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr away!!
WE met up with a few more of the girls and we were off!!
Flags out of all windows and the sun roof! Cheering away to glory!!!
Got to the stadium and I could feel the energy of the people!!:) there was thousands of people all around. Dressed in red, white and black! the Egyptian colors!
Met a few more of my friends... and we started walking in. There were so many people!!! We had to pass through 4 security gates before we actually got in!!
We got and went to get our seats!! WE were right up close... and had seat in the middle...
It was really good...
Slowly in a matter of mins the stadium got completely full up...And then started the cheers...
There were all sorts of cheers...all in Arabic of course!! There were a zillion flags being waved around, there were whistles, the Egyptian tabla which people use with the cheers, the huge drums, the horns, the big funny hats, the colorful wigs, the people with the faces painted... red, black and white!!
From four up until half six... there was so much cheering going on.. And the teams hadn't even arrived yet!!:)
Then they showed the busses for the teams pull up... As soon as that was on the screen the stadium went totally ballistic!!
There were screams and cheers...
They play four beats on the tabla and as soon as they are done, people scream " MASR!" Which is the name of EGYPT
There is soo much emotion... Can you just imagine....20,000 people screaming MASR at the same time!!!
It was totally crazy.
Then came the teams on the ground it self... Of course everyone was on their chairs and screaming out players names...
They had the two teams stand together, had the national anthems done.
Of course the national anthem for Congo went unnoticed, but when it came to Egypt. Just think about 20,000 people singing it LOUD AND CLEAR!
Anyhow... The game started and so did the cheers!!
I'll try my best to explain them to you!!
Then there was one, which is actually a song.. but its a good cheer for the Egyptians I guess... It goes like this...
" a la la la la la la la la la la la la, eh da eh da eh da eh da eh da eh da da!"
the a la la is just la la as you figured.. eh da means what's this!!
Then there was ... Hopa eh Hopa aa Insha Allah hanek Sab! Which is ... hopa eh hopa aa.. god willing we will win!
Then there was another one... This also was for the goal keeper from the Egyptian side... he does this dance when he makes a good save or when Egypt scores... So the whole stadium is screaming "Oros Hadere!" Which means Dance Hadere!!
Hadere is the guy;s name....
Then there is one where they just count... Wahd, Itnen, Taleta, Arbaa
One, two, three, four...
I didn't really figure out why they did that till after the match.. I thought it just went well with the tabla!!:)
but I realized that's its a way of saying that's how the goals keep coming. one after another!!
Its like counting goals before they come!
The Egyptian team is not a bad team. They are above average. And they can really hold up their game.
They were playing very aggressively but kept missing the goals in the first 15 mins or so.
Then came a goal from one of their players who has been in the team forever!
The man is 39 and still going strong!! After that, they just kept coming!!:)
They scored twice in the first 45 mins!! It was fantastic... every time the ball was close to any goal post... every one would stand up from their seats!! no one wanted to miss anything!!
Then Congo scored once. It was the most silly goal I've ever seen... It was sheer luck I guess...
Anyhow.. Then there was the waves in the crowd...
The whole stadium had the wave running around it... Once it started there was no way it would end unless its done about five or six rounds..!! Please were very enthusiastic!!
After the first 20 mins of so... The group I was there with, we were all going completely mad:) I was cheering with them in Arabic.. We were dancing on the chairs... clapping.. playing the table... waving the flags... screaming on the top of our lungs!!
It was amazing.. The spirit was just so high at that time I swear I felt EGYPTIAN!!
I've never felt like this before...
Maybe because it was my first time to go and see a live match.. or maybe EGYPTIANS are totally mad when it comes to footy!
No matter what... I have to say this was an experience of a lifetime!!
The next half say Egypt scoring two more goals. Egypt won 4-1!!!
Time up was the best thing ever!! It was like the whole of Egypt was celebrating!!
WE tried to rush our way out of the stadium... There were oh so many people ...
Everyone was screaming, singing... hugging each other!! so over excited.. and why shouldn't they be!!
It was so good!!! There was a strange energy... The whole of the country came together!! Its all for football!! I guess we do it when it comes to cricket as well.. But I still feel that there was more oneness here... I don't know why....
Came out and started making our way to the cars... it was like one big fat carnival outside.... people dancing on the roads.. cars everywhere.... people hooting their horns in a certain way to announce that Egypt had won... People hanging out of their cars screaming MASR absolulty over joyed with the fact that they had won!!
Roads were totally jammed... getting to places took forever!!
But the sprit was there.. which made the traffic seem a lot less painful. People walking by.. congratulating each other.. so happy... for each other:) random strangers talking and dancing together... fireworks on the roads!!!
you name it .. and it was there!!!
I've never seen people so united ever!!
I was never really a footy fan... But living in England taught me to enjoy it...
Even there I have not seen such spirit like I saw today!!
Its about 130 AM right now.. I got back home like half and hour back...and believe you me.. I can still hear the cars honking away and people screaming MASR!!:)
So after this great evening.. I was told I must go see all matches Egypt plays.. if not I must at least watch them on the telly..and My friend believe I'm the lucky mascot:)
I shall definitely do that for all of them! And for the great time and oneness they showed me!!
It was really an experience worth having and I'm glad I did!!
Who would have thought, Me and FOOTBALL!!:)
But It was GREAT!!!!!
Chinese New Year 2005
This is what I wrote in Feb this year....It was Chinese New year here in Shanghai...Hope you enjoy it!
I just had to get up and write this out..I don't think I could have slept otherwise!
It was the 8th night (feb 2005), One night before Chinese New Year!
People had told us that it would be really colourful...But as far as I was concerned there was nothing great till 1030 that night....I mean our houses are more lit up and decorated on Diwali in India...
I got ready to go to bed at 1030. Read a little and then tried to sleep... There were sounds of pataka's (fire crackers) and ladi's but it wasn't much!
Just as I kind of got some sleep...All of a sudden there was non stop noise! So much of that one just could not sleep...even if they tried!
The dark room was all lit up by all the light outside! It was totally crazy...even if you had the curtains drawn.. the light was fighting its way into your room!
I had to get up and see what all the fuss was about...
It was about quater to 12 in the night... All I had to do was life my head to look out the window..
And it was gorgeous!
There were fireworks everywhere!:) It looked like shooting stars all over!!
It was very very noisy... but that didn't seem to matter after a little while!
The colours were soo enchanting and beautiful...
BLue, Red, Green, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Purple, Orange...And soo many more!
There was constant noise of the ladi's going on at the back...
Like the one's that are really long...like 1km.
THis is like Diwali for them, Just that the Chinese are totally mad when it comes to fire works!:)
I could see all the different types of fireworks..near and far....you could see quite a bit away..
But it only took a matter of five mins or so for the city of Shanghai to dissappear right before my very eyes... Apart from the four big buildings closest to my apartment complex, I could see NOTHING....
No houses, no buildings...small or big....ABSOLUTLY NOTHING!
I decided to go out in the balcony to have a look.. It was gorgeous!
The people outside our building were bursting the most beautiful fire crackers... And it was all there...right in front of me!!
Soo close!! It was beautiful...Brought quite the smile to my face!
But unfortunately I could not stand there for more than five mins..
It got way too smoky for me to be standing there.. I could breath and sense the pollution... In my throat!
Once I got back in ...I got back in my bed and was still looking out my window. I could see the fireworks close by! and a few specs which were the fireworks happening at a distance!
Because of the cloud of smoke, you could not really make out much!
It was about 1235 at night and the firerackers were still going strong!
There were less of fireworks in the sky...but the noise was still there going strong!
It was totally crazy..I just could not stay in bed...I had to write about it!
Hope you maybe tried and imagined how my Chinese New Year started!:)
Its a shame something this beautiful comes with a price... A price of pollution...
In which the beautiful city of Shanghai was lost in for a few days!
Kung Hei Fat Choi....Which means happy chinese new year....to all of you!
I just had to get up and write this out..I don't think I could have slept otherwise!
It was the 8th night (feb 2005), One night before Chinese New Year!
People had told us that it would be really colourful...But as far as I was concerned there was nothing great till 1030 that night....I mean our houses are more lit up and decorated on Diwali in India...
I got ready to go to bed at 1030. Read a little and then tried to sleep... There were sounds of pataka's (fire crackers) and ladi's but it wasn't much!
Just as I kind of got some sleep...All of a sudden there was non stop noise! So much of that one just could not sleep...even if they tried!
The dark room was all lit up by all the light outside! It was totally crazy...even if you had the curtains drawn.. the light was fighting its way into your room!
I had to get up and see what all the fuss was about...
It was about quater to 12 in the night... All I had to do was life my head to look out the window..
And it was gorgeous!
There were fireworks everywhere!:) It looked like shooting stars all over!!
It was very very noisy... but that didn't seem to matter after a little while!
The colours were soo enchanting and beautiful...
BLue, Red, Green, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Purple, Orange...And soo many more!
There was constant noise of the ladi's going on at the back...
Like the one's that are really long...like 1km.
THis is like Diwali for them, Just that the Chinese are totally mad when it comes to fire works!:)
I could see all the different types of fireworks..near and far....you could see quite a bit away..
But it only took a matter of five mins or so for the city of Shanghai to dissappear right before my very eyes... Apart from the four big buildings closest to my apartment complex, I could see NOTHING....
No houses, no buildings...small or big....ABSOLUTLY NOTHING!
I decided to go out in the balcony to have a look.. It was gorgeous!
The people outside our building were bursting the most beautiful fire crackers... And it was all there...right in front of me!!
Soo close!! It was beautiful...Brought quite the smile to my face!
But unfortunately I could not stand there for more than five mins..
It got way too smoky for me to be standing there.. I could breath and sense the pollution... In my throat!
Once I got back in ...I got back in my bed and was still looking out my window. I could see the fireworks close by! and a few specs which were the fireworks happening at a distance!
Because of the cloud of smoke, you could not really make out much!
It was about 1235 at night and the firerackers were still going strong!
There were less of fireworks in the sky...but the noise was still there going strong!
It was totally crazy..I just could not stay in bed...I had to write about it!
Hope you maybe tried and imagined how my Chinese New Year started!:)
Its a shame something this beautiful comes with a price... A price of pollution...
In which the beautiful city of Shanghai was lost in for a few days!
Kung Hei Fat Choi....Which means happy chinese new year....to all of you!
Pets, Me & China:)
I am what they call an animal lover!!
You have to see me when there are animals around me!
From dogs, cats, to cows...I just love animals...
At one point in life..I so wanted to work in the Sandiago Zoo....!!
I think I might just try and volunteer sometime in my life:)
I have been in Shanghai for about 3 months now....
And I miss dog back in India.... I swear she is more human though!
I wanted to get myself a pet....Cause its just me!
I told me driver to take me someplace they sell pets..
So he took me to the cricket market on ' '....
It wasn't the best thing to look at...but still we ventured in!
One shop after the other...One could hear me getting louder and louder:)
"awww", "oh so cute!" so on and so forth!:)
My first pet in Shanghai believe it or not was a tiny little turtle...
A terrapin really..:)
But unfortunately he fell very ill and died...
I was really miserable for about three days...
After which I decided I needed another pet or else I would not be happy!
So then...I was back off to the Cricket market..With my driver...(who
loves this market....wants me to go there every week so he can go
too:)!)
There were so many animals there...
Puppy's who were just adorable....Cats and kitten's 'meowing' away in
there little cages...(but I wouldn't dare get a cat, my mother is not
a cat person!)
Birds of all sorts, different shapes and sizes and colours!!
Fish...!! the amount of fish and variety...!!
Frogs, Turtles, Roaches, different types of reptiles, Hamsters, Mice,
Rabbits, I mean you could find just about any animal there...and if
not...you just have to ask and people will manege to get one for you
somehow!
After roaming around for quite some time...I came across this side
stall where this lady had a huge cage full of little bunny rabbits!!
They were just so adorable...
White ones with pink eyes!!
Black ones, dark grey ones with patched of different colours.....
Amongst about 25 or so of them....There was this wittle bunny
wabbit...who was just the cutest!!
I didn't know if it was a he or a she, how old it was...All I knew is
it was just a replica of bugs bunny...The same grey colour....A white
belly and white socks on her paws:)
I knew the second I saw this bunny..It was going to be mine...
I made up my mind...
I was a bit weary because I wasn't too sure about the health...But I
did read about how to get your pet..and what all I must look out for
before buying.
The other thing about this market is that NO ONE speaks English...
None whatsoever...No calculators...(at least I didn't come across any)
So if you do go there...make sure you got someone who speak Chinese!
Anyhow...After I got her, I fixed an appointment with the vet to clear
doubts and wonder if I bought my pet from a decent place or not!
It wasn't really a pet store we're used to!
But I was told it was perfectly fine...and I had a very healthy little
bunny who was about 6-8 weeks old..and was a she!!
I named her Lola bunny and she has been the excitement of the house...
She gets all the loving one could ever want. My mother, who is not
much of an animal person really....wants to hold and pet her most of
the time! My father is always happy to give her some love, he is more
like me when it comes to animals...
And with me of course she is my baby!!
She makes me smile....she is just like a little baby...you hold her
for a little while and she falls asleep in my arms like a little
baby!!
Its such a good feeling...as soon as I open the door to come in the
room after I have left her....
I have this little thing running towards me...As though she's complaining...
Its nice to have her! She's always happy to see you!:)
She has got smiles to all of us.. And is so precious!!
Now comes the hard part of litter training her..and trust me....ITS NOT EASY!:)
But having a pet is sure worth it!
If you're an animal lover....I would suggest you just go down to the
market and have a walk around...Its not too big, not very clean either
but still worth a visit...
You get to see quite a few interesting animals there...all sorts of
pets people in China keep:)
You have to see me when there are animals around me!
From dogs, cats, to cows...I just love animals...
At one point in life..I so wanted to work in the Sandiago Zoo....!!
I think I might just try and volunteer sometime in my life:)
I have been in Shanghai for about 3 months now....
And I miss dog back in India.... I swear she is more human though!
I wanted to get myself a pet....Cause its just me!
I told me driver to take me someplace they sell pets..
So he took me to the cricket market on ' '....
It wasn't the best thing to look at...but still we ventured in!
One shop after the other...One could hear me getting louder and louder:)
"awww", "oh so cute!" so on and so forth!:)
My first pet in Shanghai believe it or not was a tiny little turtle...
A terrapin really..:)
But unfortunately he fell very ill and died...
I was really miserable for about three days...
After which I decided I needed another pet or else I would not be happy!
So then...I was back off to the Cricket market..With my driver...(who
loves this market....wants me to go there every week so he can go
too:)!)
There were so many animals there...
Puppy's who were just adorable....Cats and kitten's 'meowing' away in
there little cages...(but I wouldn't dare get a cat, my mother is not
a cat person!)
Birds of all sorts, different shapes and sizes and colours!!
Fish...!! the amount of fish and variety...!!
Frogs, Turtles, Roaches, different types of reptiles, Hamsters, Mice,
Rabbits, I mean you could find just about any animal there...and if
not...you just have to ask and people will manege to get one for you
somehow!
After roaming around for quite some time...I came across this side
stall where this lady had a huge cage full of little bunny rabbits!!
They were just so adorable...
White ones with pink eyes!!
Black ones, dark grey ones with patched of different colours.....
Amongst about 25 or so of them....There was this wittle bunny
wabbit...who was just the cutest!!
I didn't know if it was a he or a she, how old it was...All I knew is
it was just a replica of bugs bunny...The same grey colour....A white
belly and white socks on her paws:)
I knew the second I saw this bunny..It was going to be mine...
I made up my mind...
I was a bit weary because I wasn't too sure about the health...But I
did read about how to get your pet..and what all I must look out for
before buying.
The other thing about this market is that NO ONE speaks English...
None whatsoever...No calculators...(at least I didn't come across any)
So if you do go there...make sure you got someone who speak Chinese!
Anyhow...After I got her, I fixed an appointment with the vet to clear
doubts and wonder if I bought my pet from a decent place or not!
It wasn't really a pet store we're used to!
But I was told it was perfectly fine...and I had a very healthy little
bunny who was about 6-8 weeks old..and was a she!!
I named her Lola bunny and she has been the excitement of the house...
She gets all the loving one could ever want. My mother, who is not
much of an animal person really....wants to hold and pet her most of
the time! My father is always happy to give her some love, he is more
like me when it comes to animals...
And with me of course she is my baby!!
She makes me smile....she is just like a little baby...you hold her
for a little while and she falls asleep in my arms like a little
baby!!
Its such a good feeling...as soon as I open the door to come in the
room after I have left her....
I have this little thing running towards me...As though she's complaining...
Its nice to have her! She's always happy to see you!:)
She has got smiles to all of us.. And is so precious!!
Now comes the hard part of litter training her..and trust me....ITS NOT EASY!:)
But having a pet is sure worth it!
If you're an animal lover....I would suggest you just go down to the
market and have a walk around...Its not too big, not very clean either
but still worth a visit...
You get to see quite a few interesting animals there...all sorts of
pets people in China keep:)
Mother Teresa's children's Home in Jangpura; My Experience
‘How will it be?’, ‘Will they like me?’, ‘How will I react?’, were just the kind of questions which were in my mind when I entered Mother Teresa’s home in Jangpura. The ‘not knowing’ what’s going to happen feeling, was exciting as well as scary.
Anyhow, up the stairs and through this door lead us to a long corridor, with doors leading to different rooms. The first door led us to a room of children who are 80% physically ok. There were some wounds on their body that were visible ( which were caused by the kids fighting amongst themselves ), but that was about it. They could walk around, run around, talk to you, understand you, scream, shout and run just like any other child.
The next door opened to a big room with a whole lot of cots. The kids in this room were mostly mentally and physically challenged. They needed assistance in anything and everything they had to do. To move, to eat, to sit, or even go to the toilet.
The third room at the end of the corridor was the one that got to me the most. It was full of cots just like the one before…Just with a few more cots in it. Though these cots weren’t for disabled children. This room had new born babies and children under two years old . Kids who have been abandoned!! The first question that came to mind was, ‘ How can people just abandon such little, beautiful, new born, or young cute kids?’
As we walked in.. A whole lot of kids came running and charging at us. They were so very happy to see us. They all wanted to hug us… be around us and not leave our sides. At first I don’t really think I was feeling anything, then the felling of , ‘oh my god, how do I do this!!??’ and then the realisation of how these kids are no different from other kids their age. That whole things from no feeling, to ‘oh my god’, to they are lovely took less than one minute of my time. It was incredible. Sure there were times I felt so bad for some of them, I used to cry after leaving and thank god that he made me the way I am, and gave me the family I have.
The first day we went there, we didn’t really get to do much. We were a little late. As we entered the kids were having their lunch served to them. To my surprise, leaving two kids, all the children were eating by themselves. Mentally or physically challenged or not.
I volunteered to feed one girl called Dolly, while Simran sat and gave the other kids company. She spoke to them and gave them company. A girl called Babita got extremely attached to Simran, while I grew very fond of Dolly. Every time I went there, I would sit with her, help her and feed her. She could understand me perfectly, she just couldn’t reply back because of her disability. Her head was permanently bent to the right, she couldn’t walk or use her hands . She needed constant care. Someone to constantly remind her to straighten her head ( which was very difficult for her ). Even opening her mouth to take food in was an effort….Her brain knew what to do…but it took time for the brain to send the message to the muscle and make her do something. Nobody knew why she was like that….The sister’s believed it was a birth defect…I wasn’t so sure myself.
One day I went to the home and found Dolly missing. I got extremely worried as I had become quite fond of her and knew that she could not manage by herself. It was then I found out that she had gone back to her home. That got me a little more worried for her. Will anyone in her family be able to give her the care she needed? Will anyone have the time or patience for her? To try to understand her or anything she might want. Or just to sit and talk to her. I know that’s what she really wanted. Just someone’s company…for someone to sit and talk to her. But all I could do now, was hope and pray that she would be well taken care of.
After a few visits, it got a bit confusing for us. Now that all the kids knew who we were, they all wanted our attention. Altogether and all at once. We didn’t know who to be with. With one child one minute and another the other. They all used to keep pulling and fighting over us. Which really wasn’t good. It took us sometime to make them all understand that we would manage to spend time with all of them. It was just that they would have to wait and have just a little patience. How do you make any 5, 6 , 7 or 8 year old understand that! That was the time we didn’t know how to handle the kids.
Then came the end of summer and time for both Simran and myself to return to our respective countries. I don’t know about Simran, but I sure felt like it was one of the hardest things I had to do. Leave all those children behind. I could see how they would eagerly wait for us around lunch time. It was the bright few hours of the day for them, when they had someone else apart from the sisters to be with them, play with them, talk to them.
At the beginning, as I mentioned earlier, I used to really thank god that I was the way I was. Had a family to take care of me and my needs, had myself in one piece, didn’t have some one beating me or treating me unjustly. But at the end of the two months, I realised that each one of these children were very special in their own way. They had the will to go on, and the positive attitude that very few adults have. I hope and pray that all these children get adopted to good homes and a few good people who manage to make donations and generous enough to help cure the other children there with the medical help that is needed.
Anyhow, up the stairs and through this door lead us to a long corridor, with doors leading to different rooms. The first door led us to a room of children who are 80% physically ok. There were some wounds on their body that were visible ( which were caused by the kids fighting amongst themselves ), but that was about it. They could walk around, run around, talk to you, understand you, scream, shout and run just like any other child.
The next door opened to a big room with a whole lot of cots. The kids in this room were mostly mentally and physically challenged. They needed assistance in anything and everything they had to do. To move, to eat, to sit, or even go to the toilet.
The third room at the end of the corridor was the one that got to me the most. It was full of cots just like the one before…Just with a few more cots in it. Though these cots weren’t for disabled children. This room had new born babies and children under two years old . Kids who have been abandoned!! The first question that came to mind was, ‘ How can people just abandon such little, beautiful, new born, or young cute kids?’
As we walked in.. A whole lot of kids came running and charging at us. They were so very happy to see us. They all wanted to hug us… be around us and not leave our sides. At first I don’t really think I was feeling anything, then the felling of , ‘oh my god, how do I do this!!??’ and then the realisation of how these kids are no different from other kids their age. That whole things from no feeling, to ‘oh my god’, to they are lovely took less than one minute of my time. It was incredible. Sure there were times I felt so bad for some of them, I used to cry after leaving and thank god that he made me the way I am, and gave me the family I have.
The first day we went there, we didn’t really get to do much. We were a little late. As we entered the kids were having their lunch served to them. To my surprise, leaving two kids, all the children were eating by themselves. Mentally or physically challenged or not.
I volunteered to feed one girl called Dolly, while Simran sat and gave the other kids company. She spoke to them and gave them company. A girl called Babita got extremely attached to Simran, while I grew very fond of Dolly. Every time I went there, I would sit with her, help her and feed her. She could understand me perfectly, she just couldn’t reply back because of her disability. Her head was permanently bent to the right, she couldn’t walk or use her hands . She needed constant care. Someone to constantly remind her to straighten her head ( which was very difficult for her ). Even opening her mouth to take food in was an effort….Her brain knew what to do…but it took time for the brain to send the message to the muscle and make her do something. Nobody knew why she was like that….The sister’s believed it was a birth defect…I wasn’t so sure myself.
One day I went to the home and found Dolly missing. I got extremely worried as I had become quite fond of her and knew that she could not manage by herself. It was then I found out that she had gone back to her home. That got me a little more worried for her. Will anyone in her family be able to give her the care she needed? Will anyone have the time or patience for her? To try to understand her or anything she might want. Or just to sit and talk to her. I know that’s what she really wanted. Just someone’s company…for someone to sit and talk to her. But all I could do now, was hope and pray that she would be well taken care of.
After a few visits, it got a bit confusing for us. Now that all the kids knew who we were, they all wanted our attention. Altogether and all at once. We didn’t know who to be with. With one child one minute and another the other. They all used to keep pulling and fighting over us. Which really wasn’t good. It took us sometime to make them all understand that we would manage to spend time with all of them. It was just that they would have to wait and have just a little patience. How do you make any 5, 6 , 7 or 8 year old understand that! That was the time we didn’t know how to handle the kids.
Then came the end of summer and time for both Simran and myself to return to our respective countries. I don’t know about Simran, but I sure felt like it was one of the hardest things I had to do. Leave all those children behind. I could see how they would eagerly wait for us around lunch time. It was the bright few hours of the day for them, when they had someone else apart from the sisters to be with them, play with them, talk to them.
At the beginning, as I mentioned earlier, I used to really thank god that I was the way I was. Had a family to take care of me and my needs, had myself in one piece, didn’t have some one beating me or treating me unjustly. But at the end of the two months, I realised that each one of these children were very special in their own way. They had the will to go on, and the positive attitude that very few adults have. I hope and pray that all these children get adopted to good homes and a few good people who manage to make donations and generous enough to help cure the other children there with the medical help that is needed.
Things You Learn Living in England Long Enough!!!
Three years pass by really quick!!
Its an amazing experience...if you ask me...
One learns how to speak English, both in a deplorable common vernacular and with a lingustic flair.
No matter how progressive the local politician, The English will always be a class divided society.
Black tea's are far better without sugar!
You get introduced to proper DJ culture.
One gets Privvy to nightlife where designer drugs are cheaper than the actual door cover, and often are about as, if not cheaper than beer!!
You meet soo many different people from all over the world...Most of my close friends are not even English! STeven is a Fun Loving Moody but an absolutly fabulous American, Ilze a darling South African, Amina a Lazy but totally lovely Egyptian, Mikhail is a Indian version of Jey from Friends, Priya is scheming:) sweet and brutally honest Englishgirl (Indian origin) and Nick. Now he's English!:) WHat else can I say!..and how can I forget Sarah..She's from london..but she;s totally crazy!:)
Despite making an effort to get groceries every week...one ends up going every month..and then has trouble carrying back all the bags...(of course we walk..we're students!)
No matter what happens....YOU ALWAYS END UP RUNNING AFTER A BUS... at least once a day!
The traffic in the hotspots stays jammed soo long that you could walk to your destination quicker!
I got to see the Justin Timberlake concert, twice, FOR FREE (thanks steva!) and he also smiled just for me:)
I lived in halls all the three years, but wiht very different experiences each year!
Aslo living in Brum is what living in Britain is all about.. and London should be distinguished as its own country:)
As one of my friends pointed out..the pros and cons of socialised medical care. (Need a flu shot? done!! Need major medical attention?? Sign in and wait upto 6-18 months!)
Secretly most Brits wanna get out and head off to America and they hate the French adn Germans..too much! (the feeling is mutual!)
Something in a grocery store marked EXTRA HOT is normally not spicy at all...this coming from someone who can't eat chilli at all..
Go to the right place and you can sometimes get the hot food you want!:)
THe British have amazingly thick skin.. never have I seen soo many people out at night in skimpy clothes...(clost to nothing) in the dead of January at minus temperatures! Coats were invented..why??
If co-habiting with a Brit - in any capacity - Never let them wash your dishes! Trust me..
I've seen it rain for 56 hours straight!
THe first year of being in England I saw the sun 3 days of the year!
I suffer from SAD (Seasonal Adjustment Disorder) - But sometimes secretly enjoyed it!
Some of my dearest friends I met at where I work and not uni!!
How the pound sterling stays stong I'll never know~ Nobody is in any rush to get any business done!
Magret Thatcher will be loved and hated by equal parts of people.
Chips doesn't mean Ruffles lays...It means fries! If you wants the other one's they are called crisps!
Mayo on Chips is really good..!! adn Kebab is the most liked dish in ENgland belive it or not! (we beat fish and chips!)
Also...Exotic food...is Thai food...nothign else!:)
I totally missed India when I was in England...But Now that I'm not there ...I SOO MISS BEING THERE!! and of course all my friends who were more like family to me!
I do hope I get to see them soon..Who would have thought we all would stay in such cose touch!! but we are!
I love you guys...and hope to see you really soon!! Love to all! xoxox
Oh and steva this is all totally you..but I soo had to put it up! xox
Its an amazing experience...if you ask me...
One learns how to speak English, both in a deplorable common vernacular and with a lingustic flair.
No matter how progressive the local politician, The English will always be a class divided society.
Black tea's are far better without sugar!
You get introduced to proper DJ culture.
One gets Privvy to nightlife where designer drugs are cheaper than the actual door cover, and often are about as, if not cheaper than beer!!
You meet soo many different people from all over the world...Most of my close friends are not even English! STeven is a Fun Loving Moody but an absolutly fabulous American, Ilze a darling South African, Amina a Lazy but totally lovely Egyptian, Mikhail is a Indian version of Jey from Friends, Priya is scheming:) sweet and brutally honest Englishgirl (Indian origin) and Nick. Now he's English!:) WHat else can I say!..and how can I forget Sarah..She's from london..but she;s totally crazy!:)
Despite making an effort to get groceries every week...one ends up going every month..and then has trouble carrying back all the bags...(of course we walk..we're students!)
No matter what happens....YOU ALWAYS END UP RUNNING AFTER A BUS... at least once a day!
The traffic in the hotspots stays jammed soo long that you could walk to your destination quicker!
I got to see the Justin Timberlake concert, twice, FOR FREE (thanks steva!) and he also smiled just for me:)
I lived in halls all the three years, but wiht very different experiences each year!
Aslo living in Brum is what living in Britain is all about.. and London should be distinguished as its own country:)
As one of my friends pointed out..the pros and cons of socialised medical care. (Need a flu shot? done!! Need major medical attention?? Sign in and wait upto 6-18 months!)
Secretly most Brits wanna get out and head off to America and they hate the French adn Germans..too much! (the feeling is mutual!)
Something in a grocery store marked EXTRA HOT is normally not spicy at all...this coming from someone who can't eat chilli at all..
Go to the right place and you can sometimes get the hot food you want!:)
THe British have amazingly thick skin.. never have I seen soo many people out at night in skimpy clothes...(clost to nothing) in the dead of January at minus temperatures! Coats were invented..why??
If co-habiting with a Brit - in any capacity - Never let them wash your dishes! Trust me..
I've seen it rain for 56 hours straight!
THe first year of being in England I saw the sun 3 days of the year!
I suffer from SAD (Seasonal Adjustment Disorder) - But sometimes secretly enjoyed it!
Some of my dearest friends I met at where I work and not uni!!
How the pound sterling stays stong I'll never know~ Nobody is in any rush to get any business done!
Magret Thatcher will be loved and hated by equal parts of people.
Chips doesn't mean Ruffles lays...It means fries! If you wants the other one's they are called crisps!
Mayo on Chips is really good..!! adn Kebab is the most liked dish in ENgland belive it or not! (we beat fish and chips!)
Also...Exotic food...is Thai food...nothign else!:)
I totally missed India when I was in England...But Now that I'm not there ...I SOO MISS BEING THERE!! and of course all my friends who were more like family to me!
I do hope I get to see them soon..Who would have thought we all would stay in such cose touch!! but we are!
I love you guys...and hope to see you really soon!! Love to all! xoxox
Oh and steva this is all totally you..but I soo had to put it up! xox
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