November 14 2010
Manila, "la noisy"
Today marks the second week that Yanik and I have been in Manila. In the words of my Executive Director Anriette Esterhuysen, "Manila is hard work." Daily excisions on the metro, walks to the super market, and tourism leave us completely exhausted after as little as two hours - everything takes time; there are people everywhere; its so polluted; it's incredibly hot; but most of all….it's just so damn noisy!!! Today I woke up at 5:30 in the morning to the "sweet" sound of motorcycle motors. Everyone sounds like they have a Harley Davidson (you know, those retardedly loud ones?!), horns are exceedingly loud, traffic in general is loud; in the malls there are 5 different types of music blasting out of stores at any given time; rides and video games, Christmas music, and on top of that, people use noise makers to draw attention to their stands. I honestly think my ear drums have been damaged on account of so much noise - I've even noticed I speak louder to people after having being in a mall or being outside. And it;s not like I've been wanting to spend my time in malls…but it's so hot that it's a cool and air-conditioned break…but the main reason is that you need to pass through malls to get to various transit lines, and it seems there is a mega mall at every metro stop. It's ironic that not so long ago I was appreciating the silence near TonSai, Thailand, because Manila is quite possibly the noisiest city on the planet.
Needing to escape the cityscape, last weekend we headed to a crater lake within a crater lake. (what?? you ask). It's a biiiiiiig volcano that erupted and eroded and inside is another smaller volcano with a lake. We stayed at a dingy, rip-off hotel right on the lakeside, and set sail on the lake the following day to hike up the sweltering (we're talking 38 degrees plus 90% humidity -or more!- and exposed to the sun) amongst donkeys and other tourists riding the donkeys….so guess what we were stepping on the whole time up! The view from the top was beautiful though, as were many views during the hike. There is something truly magical about volcanos an the power they hold. Perhaps it's because despite their beauty they are so deadly, or perhaps it's just because they are so exotic to me as a Canadian; but there is a special energy to volcanos.
Tomorrow is also the big day - the day we go pick up our passports with our visas to India, inshaAllah. Tuesday we set off to Puerto Galera - FINALLY! It seems I;ve been craving the beach side for so long. Not only just the beach side, but also a feeling of "home", which so far has been a bit difficult to get, since we're not at our "final" destination (I know, I know, it's about the journey and all…), but I think staying put in a beautiful place for one month where I have the space to practice yoga and meditate; a place far from this noisy city; and a beautiful paradise will sooth my city-shot nerves! I can't wait to dive, and I can't wait to start meeting people, seeing beautiful landscape, and just be in an inspiring place.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monday, November 01, 2010
Sawatdee ka
A word from Thailand before we leave it on our way to the Philippines.
It's been a long time since I've heard silence. Real silence. The kind of silence that is so rare, it's almost unsettling. Yanik and I went on a little hike yesterday, up into a carst mountain, which was really more like a scramble. We climbed up using our hands and feet in the red clay. Once we came up to a clearing, we came upon a clearing that made us feel like we were in pre-historic times....Hello Jurassic park! Everything was so vast, the trees so big, and the song of the cicada so loud! The rest was just silence. And I thought to myself, how sad. Silence is such a stranger to us now, that we don't even know what to do with it anymore. It truly is a limited resource and I read something about noise pollution a while back and the fact that there are hardly any truly silent places in the world anymore. It makes me wonder if there is any way to preserve it in an ever growing, changing and louder world. I would have stayed longer to just enjoy the silence but I almost felt like I shouldn't be there - like I was spoiling it somehow.
I'm currently in Ton Sai Thailand, after a hectic 4 days in Bangkok. The bustling city was fun for a while, but towards the end I felt agitated and saddened, and just wanted to leave. Yank has dubbed it "Bangkok, la maléfique". I suppose it's because there is something inherently sad in a place that attracts people based on their weaknesses: sex, drugs, alcohol, consumption (shopping, food, drinks, etc.). Needless to say we managed to enjoy ourselves... The city itself is much like what you'd expect from an Asian mega-city - stuffy, noisy, humid, and chaotic. So arriving to a tiny little paradise on the sea-side was a much-welcomed change. Everything is different. There are no cars (though I'm pretty sure I did see a truck!) and there is no pavement. I wake up to the sound of geckoes, birds, and monkeys. And it's refreshing. The travellers here are mostly climbers and people who are here to chill out. No old men with young thai girls; no gangs of 20-something-guys that want to go to a "ping pong" show; no one trying to sell you dreads, a pad thai or a fish foot massage (yes, a fish foot massage); no one constantly trying to sell you a tuk tuk ride with an obligatory stop in a jewellery shop or tailor (though I must say, I got a stellar pair of silk and wool pants, tailor made for very cheap!).
A three-hour delayed overnight bus ride later (ah developing countries….), a stop from one crooked mini van company to the next, and a boat ride later, we arrived in Ton Sai. It's pouring out now, and it has been for the past two hours or so, and that's also been relaxing. We're in our little cabana, working, listening to some music and the sound of rain, in the dark (there is no power in most places from 6 am to 6 pm) and I figured it was a good time to revive this poor excuse for a blog.
So, here's to bad blogs, the rainforest, cabanas and Thailand!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
to tango hopefuls
I went to my first tango lesson yesterday - which was both taxing (so HARD!) and fun (well, when you dance with a guy who knows what he is doing, that is). I've derived a few lessons I thought I'd share with you, before you even thought about attempting a tango class:
4) Don't show up an hour late
My new Brasilian friend, Jandi, told me to show up around 9, when in fact, the class started at 8. It wasn't a problem since the class was a bit chaotic and included all levels - but I did feel extremely lost for the first 20 minutes, not to mention rude. Also, since I had missed the warm up, I missed the intros and ice breakers which tend to be useful when you are dancing with strangers! Luckily, the crows was super friendly...
3) Don't go on a day when you've worked almost 11 hours
your brain just doesn't seem to work as well, and you may space out from time to time. This makes concentrating on the steps, engaging in conversation with others and keeping up rather difficult.
2) Make sure you bring a cell phone
I was worried about the guys approaching me and it being a bit of a meat market, but people really were there to dance! It was a wonderful relief and the atmosphere was great! Somehow though, I DID manage to get the number or 2 hot German chicks and a Brazilian girl... go figure!
1) Don't have garlic for supper that night!!
Quite possibly the most important lesson to remember, is to consider what you have for dinner before hand; bringing a pack of gum is also rather handy, as the use of garlic may also deter future dance partners, especially in a dance where you sometimes need to lean on each others' foreheads (see image).
There you have it, my friends - GUM, cell phone, and a fresh brain and you're set! (Sense of rhythm not included...)
Saturday, September 27, 2008
just to brag....
I thought this was pretty neat! (She says as she flips her collar up) I am now officially the French Media Contact for APC! Let's just hope I can fill my predecessors shoes....
we made it...
Last weekend, the internationals and I had grandiose plans of getting out of the city and hitting up the sand dunes of Rocha, going to the beach, and possibly hiking in an Ombu forest - but guess what - it was rainy again. Evaluating the circumstances (money, weather, etc.) we decided against it. Besides, I get to be here for the summer, so it's definitely worth it for me to wait! But that meant I was going to be in rainy, grey Montevideo, which wasn't all that enticing either. Sunday morning, Katarina, Antoine and I decided to go despite the rain. We all felt like moving and breathing some fresh air. So we decided on the Cerro Pan de Azucar, a nature preserve only about an hour or so out of the city.
No sooner than five minutes on the bus, it started pouring rain outside. I don't mind hiking in the rain and I figured it would die down eventually anyway. Half an hour into our bus ride, smoke started coming out of the bottom of the bus, and boiling water gushed out from under the middle seats and rushed all the way down the front of the bus. Making an emergency stop on the side of the road to investigate, we were back on the road some five minutes later. Then again, the smoke started coming out - so we stopped a second time. Five minutes later we were on the road again (phew...). The water and smoke started up again, and the drivers finally gave up and called the technician (without informing the passengers what we were doing, what was going on, etc.). So we all waited *somewhat* patiently. An hour later, I was getting extremely antsy, hating the fact that I was in the middle of nowhere and couldn't do anything but wait. I was wondering why I left the house, when I could have been cozy at home, instead I was in the cold bus, in the rain, a ways away from our destination that was slowly losing its appeal to me anyway.
About an hour and twenty minutes, we were back on the road, and arrived in Pan de Azucar town half an hour later. By the time we got there, it was past 1pm and we were somewhat concerned with time - we still had to GET to the hill, climb it, come down, and catch the bus back before 6:30. And the next bus going in that direction wasn't coming for another half hour. Luckily by then it had stopped raining.
So we stuck it out, and ended up at Pan de Azucar nature preserve, all itching to hike! We were delighted to see animals (in caged areas, unfortunately, but still in a wild area). Tiny jaguar-like animals, animals that were a mix between pigs and guinea pigs, tons of birds, and other animals I had never seen before in my life greeted us along the walk to the trail entrance. As soon as we got into the forest, everything was so peaceful and beautiful, and the little train soon became full on scrambling, requiring the use of both hands to get up and weave between the boulders. Absolutely divine! Once we came out of the forest and started getting closer to the top, we were faced with INTENSE wind! It was blowing so hard, we couldn't stop laughing! http://www.flickr.com/photos/borderlys/2879984085/sizes/s/ We were well inside the cloud, and the sound inside the big cross was ..... FREAKY! ...we took our photo ops and hurried down (safely, of course) down to the forest.
Snacked at the bottom, had some tea and made the bus back in a nick of time - everything flowed perfectly and we were home by 8pm!
Since last Sunday, the sun has come out from the clouds, the days are getting longer, and people are starting to poke their heads out from their huge wooden doors. The city is showing a completely different side now (one that I've also been anxiously awaiting!), and it's colours are starting to show themselves. Tonight I am going to some of the festivities that are being put on to celebrate the arrival of spring. Tomorrow, I might hit up Piriápolis, a near by city on the water. I think I am also going to go soak up some of the sun on the rambla now...
No sooner than five minutes on the bus, it started pouring rain outside. I don't mind hiking in the rain and I figured it would die down eventually anyway. Half an hour into our bus ride, smoke started coming out of the bottom of the bus, and boiling water gushed out from under the middle seats and rushed all the way down the front of the bus. Making an emergency stop on the side of the road to investigate, we were back on the road some five minutes later. Then again, the smoke started coming out - so we stopped a second time. Five minutes later we were on the road again (phew...). The water and smoke started up again, and the drivers finally gave up and called the technician (without informing the passengers what we were doing, what was going on, etc.). So we all waited *somewhat* patiently. An hour later, I was getting extremely antsy, hating the fact that I was in the middle of nowhere and couldn't do anything but wait. I was wondering why I left the house, when I could have been cozy at home, instead I was in the cold bus, in the rain, a ways away from our destination that was slowly losing its appeal to me anyway.
About an hour and twenty minutes, we were back on the road, and arrived in Pan de Azucar town half an hour later. By the time we got there, it was past 1pm and we were somewhat concerned with time - we still had to GET to the hill, climb it, come down, and catch the bus back before 6:30. And the next bus going in that direction wasn't coming for another half hour. Luckily by then it had stopped raining.
So we stuck it out, and ended up at Pan de Azucar nature preserve, all itching to hike! We were delighted to see animals (in caged areas, unfortunately, but still in a wild area). Tiny jaguar-like animals, animals that were a mix between pigs and guinea pigs, tons of birds, and other animals I had never seen before in my life greeted us along the walk to the trail entrance. As soon as we got into the forest, everything was so peaceful and beautiful, and the little train soon became full on scrambling, requiring the use of both hands to get up and weave between the boulders. Absolutely divine! Once we came out of the forest and started getting closer to the top, we were faced with INTENSE wind! It was blowing so hard, we couldn't stop laughing! http://www.flickr.com/photos/borderlys/2879984085/sizes/s/ We were well inside the cloud, and the sound inside the big cross was ..... FREAKY! ...we took our photo ops and hurried down (safely, of course) down to the forest.
Snacked at the bottom, had some tea and made the bus back in a nick of time - everything flowed perfectly and we were home by 8pm!
Since last Sunday, the sun has come out from the clouds, the days are getting longer, and people are starting to poke their heads out from their huge wooden doors. The city is showing a completely different side now (one that I've also been anxiously awaiting!), and it's colours are starting to show themselves. Tonight I am going to some of the festivities that are being put on to celebrate the arrival of spring. Tomorrow, I might hit up Piriápolis, a near by city on the water. I think I am also going to go soak up some of the sun on the rambla now...
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Mastering Mate
So I FINALLY got off my hiney and bought all the required elements to a proper mate kit:
1) Mate - the receptacle (gourd, typically of the squash family) itself is of utmost importance
2) Bombilla - metal straw - possibly even more important than the mate, since you could theoretically make yourself a mate in a coffee mug or small bowl; it just doesn't look as good.
3) Thermos - this is more important if you're on the go. Otherwise, how else will you drink mate while walking down the street!
4) Yerba mate, of course!
note: you can also buy a leather bag in which to carry your mate, but I wouldn't recommend it if you are on a budget!
Now that I am finally set up, I asked my roommate, Andrea to give me a lesson on preparing mate (tea is just so much simpler!).
1) Fill your gourd to about an inch of the top. Tip it to the side until the herbs hit your hand (make sure you keep the yerba in its vertical shape).
2) Pour some lukewarm water, and allow for the herbs to absorb some of the water and expand. This prevents the leaves from burning, and for better absorption.
3) Place your bombilla with the flat part against the herbs, and tilting it against your gourd. Dig in there, and make sure it stays in place.
4) Fill your mate with boiling water, sip, and enjoy the first mate (right. It's generally quite bitter and hot)
5) Offer to your friends...but beware, there is a certain etiquette to be followed...
See the photographic version of the instructions here!
"the office"
This is the entry I sent to the listserve to the IISD as part of my internship program. It's nothing new, but I wanted to keep it somewhere, so if you have some free time, you can learn a bit more about what I am doing....
ok, so I am going to try not to be completely envious of Alison and the others that are currently in HOT countries, as it appears I have landed in a Latino version of Britain. Much like Vancouver, it's cold and rainy and gross out right now; but when it's nice out, it sure is nice out! I suppose that comes hand in hand with living on the waterfront and arriving at the tail end of winter. The 91% humidity (and lack of sleep) didn't help me avoid the sniffles either! So here I am, drinking some homemade ginger and lemon tea, getting ready to tell you all about my first two weeks here.
If, for the training week, we "hit the ground running," then I do believe I have hit the ground here darting in a 100m sprint! The days have just flown by since I first started, and the entire APC team has made me feel more than at home. My first assignment, to help me get to know the team a little bit better, consisted of re-writing everyone's teaser bios (the few sentences that appear next to their photo on the public site). I have to say, what an accomplished, inspiring bunch of people! The richness of the organization is its diversified and world-wide staff. Today for example, I was had to help test the Moodle chat and whiteboard functions by participating in a chat session with people from South Africa, Mexico, Czech Republic, the Philippines and Canada! I sift through at least 50 emails a day (some of which are irrelevant to me), but the weekly updates always give me a laugh. They are a mix of work and personal life that have that water-cooler conversation feel to them. Aside from re-writing some of the site content (I will also have to produce some French abstracts and articles based on the PDF of a new African initiative), I have also been put in touch with some international media outlets, for which I will be the liaison (yay!). This is because the information coordinator for the site (who also happens to be Canadian!) will be leaving the organization, so I will be taking on some of his roles and assignments. The added responsibility however, also means that I have been putting in some extra hours on the side to read up on ICT policy and some of the site's content. It's been great though, and reading has not felt like a chore; rather, I see it as a matter of interest and concern for a job well done. Further to this, my manager and I met today in her home office to discuss the media monitoring project I will be working on based on the previous intern's recommendations. I'm starting to work on it as early as tomorrow, and would like to have the matrix and evaluation system semi-finalized by the end of the month so that I can work on the monitoring for the next 5 months. I'm also looking at ways of making this a long-term project that they will continue once my term has finished.
Since it's a virtual organization, I don't know that many people here yet – fortunately though, both my roommates have made it easier for me to meet people. I've also found a cute little yoga studio (which you can read about here : www.borderlys.blogspot.com), where the people are friendly.
I've attached a photo of my work space with my co-worker Analia. It's in a house-turned-office, owned by some young architects. I also posted a photo of the view, two steps out my front door. You can view more photos on my flickr page: www.flickr.com/photos/borderlys . Consider yourself warned - they aren't all * ahem * work related. You can also read my somewhat irregular ramblings of anything and everything on my blog (see above).
Hope you are all well!
Lisa
ok, so I am going to try not to be completely envious of Alison and the others that are currently in HOT countries, as it appears I have landed in a Latino version of Britain. Much like Vancouver, it's cold and rainy and gross out right now; but when it's nice out, it sure is nice out! I suppose that comes hand in hand with living on the waterfront and arriving at the tail end of winter. The 91% humidity (and lack of sleep) didn't help me avoid the sniffles either! So here I am, drinking some homemade ginger and lemon tea, getting ready to tell you all about my first two weeks here.
If, for the training week, we "hit the ground running," then I do believe I have hit the ground here darting in a 100m sprint! The days have just flown by since I first started, and the entire APC team has made me feel more than at home. My first assignment, to help me get to know the team a little bit better, consisted of re-writing everyone's teaser bios (the few sentences that appear next to their photo on the public site). I have to say, what an accomplished, inspiring bunch of people! The richness of the organization is its diversified and world-wide staff. Today for example, I was had to help test the Moodle chat and whiteboard functions by participating in a chat session with people from South Africa, Mexico, Czech Republic, the Philippines and Canada! I sift through at least 50 emails a day (some of which are irrelevant to me), but the weekly updates always give me a laugh. They are a mix of work and personal life that have that water-cooler conversation feel to them. Aside from re-writing some of the site content (I will also have to produce some French abstracts and articles based on the PDF of a new African initiative), I have also been put in touch with some international media outlets, for which I will be the liaison (yay!). This is because the information coordinator for the site (who also happens to be Canadian!) will be leaving the organization, so I will be taking on some of his roles and assignments. The added responsibility however, also means that I have been putting in some extra hours on the side to read up on ICT policy and some of the site's content. It's been great though, and reading has not felt like a chore; rather, I see it as a matter of interest and concern for a job well done. Further to this, my manager and I met today in her home office to discuss the media monitoring project I will be working on based on the previous intern's recommendations. I'm starting to work on it as early as tomorrow, and would like to have the matrix and evaluation system semi-finalized by the end of the month so that I can work on the monitoring for the next 5 months. I'm also looking at ways of making this a long-term project that they will continue once my term has finished.
Since it's a virtual organization, I don't know that many people here yet – fortunately though, both my roommates have made it easier for me to meet people. I've also found a cute little yoga studio (which you can read about here : www.borderlys.blogspot.com), where the people are friendly.
I've attached a photo of my work space with my co-worker Analia. It's in a house-turned-office, owned by some young architects. I also posted a photo of the view, two steps out my front door. You can view more photos on my flickr page: www.flickr.com/photos/borderlys . Consider yourself warned - they aren't all * ahem * work related. You can also read my somewhat irregular ramblings of anything and everything on my blog (see above).
Hope you are all well!
Lisa
Monday, September 08, 2008
Return of the toque
I FOUND MY TOQUE!!!!!!
OH JOY!!!!!
Today was the last day that I tried to look for my toque, figuring that if I hadn't seen it lying on the street by now, that I wasn't going to find it. It was a hard decision to make, since part of my just felt that I was supposed to find it. So just as I was a few steps from home (incidentally, not far from where the taxi had dropped me off) a car drove away, revealing a lonely flattened toque that had lost its way! Nothing against my new toque - it's also great - but it doesn't have the love I put into it....
OH JOY!!!!!
Today was the last day that I tried to look for my toque, figuring that if I hadn't seen it lying on the street by now, that I wasn't going to find it. It was a hard decision to make, since part of my just felt that I was supposed to find it. So just as I was a few steps from home (incidentally, not far from where the taxi had dropped me off) a car drove away, revealing a lonely flattened toque that had lost its way! Nothing against my new toque - it's also great - but it doesn't have the love I put into it....
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Week two, here we go!
After my first week of work, I am feeling pretty good about my internship! So far, I've been given very precise instructions for the different projects I'll be working on, and my manager has been great in giving me instructions and helping me set goals for the day and week. It's nice to work from her home office, since I don't have to worry about little formalities (like what to wear, being 5 minutes late, etc.), and sometimes I even get to work with a kitty on my lap! She also makes the best coffee in the whole entire world! So far, I've mostly been getting familiar with the organization, re-writing teaser bios (a few sentences that appear next to the people's photos on the site). It's actually a great way to get to know members of the organisation! It's quite interesting to learn the culture of this virtual organisation - things like the informal weekly updates (personal and work related) allow for a more personal, "water cooler" type of interactions. I've had a little introduction to the media impact monitoring and evaluating aspect of my internship, as well as a briefing on the media relations aspect. I still have so much reading to do before I feel comfortable with the site content because for now, I still feel like there is an overwhelming amount of information on the site. My plan to read up on policy this weekend didn't quite come to fruiting either....
I did have a great weekend though! I went out with "los internacionales," which is what I have dubbed the ex-pat and international crowd living here at the moment. We stayed out all night; I lost my beloved toque on the way home; and felt the repercussions of dancing until 6am the next morning. To make things worse, the next day Katarina and I went to the market, which, as it turns out, closed early because it was raining out. Walking in the rain for a few hours, lack of sleep, then going to bed late-ish a second night didn't exactly do wonders for my health. Where is that echinacea tea when I need it?!?
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Shanti, I'm home!
Ever since I arrived to Montevideo (what, a whole 5 days ago…) I’ve been struggling somewhat to practice yoga. I’ve wanted to, my body has certainly craved it, but closing myself off in my room when I am in a new place that still remains largely undiscovered just doesn’t make sense somehow. Yet, I do think I’m at a point in my yoga where I could benefit from individual yoga – after all, I don’t want to be dependant on others leading my practice all my life. Individual practice was something I used to do regularly, but once I started going to Bodhi Tree, and my practice kept getting stronger and stronger (and I am not just referring to asanas), I got lazy and stopped discovering yoga on my own. I figured this would be the perfect time to do that.
Buuuuuuuut, I just couldn’t resist the cute little friendly yoga studio a few blocks from my house! It certainly is not the pristine environment of Bodhi, but there was something so warm about this place, with its paper lamps, Ganesh posters, incense, and welcoming owners/teachers. The class simple (and short!), but I left there feeling happy and serene. I decided I may not come to the studio several times a week, but I might splurge on 2 nights a week here and compliment it individual practice.
It’s funny how I am immediately drawn to the yoga community. I used to be so intimidated by it, but now it’s feels like home, wherever I am….
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Day 2
Day 2
Well, my impression of Montevideo has altered itself slightly after today. It seems perhaps Sundays are the days to go out…The Rambla was bursting with activity, and the little amusement part that was closed yesterday (odd, for a Saturday, wouldn’t you say?) was in full operation, and its neaby cafés just as busy. I met my manager, Karen, who took me up to the “cerro” (the hill, or “mountain”), where the best views in town can be found. Ironically, it is also one of the poorer areas of town; yet, it is also a colourful and charming area of town. I’ll have to go back and take some pictures! The view on Montevideo was indeed wonderful, especially with the approaching sunset, giving the sky a pinkish hue. On the way back home though, as I walked from Karen’s house, I was reminded of the fact that poverty still does exist….As I was coming out of the supermarket and putting my money away, I saw a man notice this very fact. As I turned out of the store, I saw (or felt him) turn in my direction and follow me. I felt a sharp flash of pins throughout my body and I knew he had a motive. So I quickly and nonchalantly I went back into the store for a few minutes, and when I came out, he was gone and I scurried the entre 40 metres back home from the market.
Tomorrow is my first day with the APC! I feel excited – I am finally working in something I feel passionate about! I feel nervous – I hope I can fill in Kelly (the previous inter)’s shoues. Mostly though, I feel hopefu – this is paving the way to my future in development and I want to learn as much as possible and do as much as possible. Really, the meaning of “give and take” has never made more sense to me.
Well, my impression of Montevideo has altered itself slightly after today. It seems perhaps Sundays are the days to go out…The Rambla was bursting with activity, and the little amusement part that was closed yesterday (odd, for a Saturday, wouldn’t you say?) was in full operation, and its neaby cafés just as busy. I met my manager, Karen, who took me up to the “cerro” (the hill, or “mountain”), where the best views in town can be found. Ironically, it is also one of the poorer areas of town; yet, it is also a colourful and charming area of town. I’ll have to go back and take some pictures! The view on Montevideo was indeed wonderful, especially with the approaching sunset, giving the sky a pinkish hue. On the way back home though, as I walked from Karen’s house, I was reminded of the fact that poverty still does exist….As I was coming out of the supermarket and putting my money away, I saw a man notice this very fact. As I turned out of the store, I saw (or felt him) turn in my direction and follow me. I felt a sharp flash of pins throughout my body and I knew he had a motive. So I quickly and nonchalantly I went back into the store for a few minutes, and when I came out, he was gone and I scurried the entre 40 metres back home from the market.
Tomorrow is my first day with the APC! I feel excited – I am finally working in something I feel passionate about! I feel nervous – I hope I can fill in Kelly (the previous inter)’s shoues. Mostly though, I feel hopefu – this is paving the way to my future in development and I want to learn as much as possible and do as much as possible. Really, the meaning of “give and take” has never made more sense to me.
First impressions
It’s Sunday morning; I am listening to some mellow tunes and drinking a freshly brewed coffee. I should be drinking maté, I suppose, but I’ve got a whole six months to pick that habit up anyway.
So I’ve been in Uruguay now for one night and one full day, and while in some respects I found what I was expecting, in other ones, I am picking up on some cultural differences.
I arrived Friday night, exhausted after 30 hours of traveling…(I guess saving a few bucks and taking the Ferry may not have been the most brilliant of ideas, since I waited about 6 hours at the station, and took the ferry for another three). It was 9pm or so by the time I arrived, but Analía, my coworker was there to pick me up, and in good spirits. She brought me to my apartment, where Andrea, my Uruguayan roommate showed me the ropes, and even ordered pizza for us, since she figured I would likely be hungry. Katarina, my other roommate from Germany came in shortly after, with a British friend (Patrick), and Antoine, a French-German guy who has been here for three weeks. So, within a few short hours, our apartment was already an international haven!
The next day, Andea took me for a walk about the Rambla, which is essentially a boardwalk along the river, which extends with miles of beach front alongside of it. We did mandatory stops to the cash machine and so on, but it wasn’t until the afternoon, when I set off by myself that I really started getting an idea of what Montevideo is really like.
This place redefines chill. At first I thought the city was empty because I was expecting this capital city of one million people to be bustling with activity. Instead, I found youth strolling about quietly with their parents and grandparents, groups of young people sitting in parks or along the rambla drinking maté, people walking their dogs, groups of young boys or men playing soccer in fields, but no one sitting in cafés! The people here may be more European in some ways but the café culture I was expecting certainly wasn’t there last night….until I went out for dinner at 11:00 with Andrea and a few of her friends (thank god I had already eaten earlier!). I then met up with Katarina at a friend’s house, who was having a party and spent time getting to know a few locals, and some local foreigners, from Bolivia, Germany, Japan, Brazil, etc. So far, insertion into the “ex-pat” circle has been easy, but what I am most eager to do, is get to know some locals, drink mate with them, and learn more about Uruguayan life-style and Uruguayans themselves. While I am sure poverty exists, it is not as overt as in other developing countries, so I am left with an impression of a country that defies “third world” characteristics…it truly feels like a developing and emerging country, where a new middle class is beginning to emerge.
So I’ve been in Uruguay now for one night and one full day, and while in some respects I found what I was expecting, in other ones, I am picking up on some cultural differences.
I arrived Friday night, exhausted after 30 hours of traveling…(I guess saving a few bucks and taking the Ferry may not have been the most brilliant of ideas, since I waited about 6 hours at the station, and took the ferry for another three). It was 9pm or so by the time I arrived, but Analía, my coworker was there to pick me up, and in good spirits. She brought me to my apartment, where Andrea, my Uruguayan roommate showed me the ropes, and even ordered pizza for us, since she figured I would likely be hungry. Katarina, my other roommate from Germany came in shortly after, with a British friend (Patrick), and Antoine, a French-German guy who has been here for three weeks. So, within a few short hours, our apartment was already an international haven!
The next day, Andea took me for a walk about the Rambla, which is essentially a boardwalk along the river, which extends with miles of beach front alongside of it. We did mandatory stops to the cash machine and so on, but it wasn’t until the afternoon, when I set off by myself that I really started getting an idea of what Montevideo is really like.
This place redefines chill. At first I thought the city was empty because I was expecting this capital city of one million people to be bustling with activity. Instead, I found youth strolling about quietly with their parents and grandparents, groups of young people sitting in parks or along the rambla drinking maté, people walking their dogs, groups of young boys or men playing soccer in fields, but no one sitting in cafés! The people here may be more European in some ways but the café culture I was expecting certainly wasn’t there last night….until I went out for dinner at 11:00 with Andrea and a few of her friends (thank god I had already eaten earlier!). I then met up with Katarina at a friend’s house, who was having a party and spent time getting to know a few locals, and some local foreigners, from Bolivia, Germany, Japan, Brazil, etc. So far, insertion into the “ex-pat” circle has been easy, but what I am most eager to do, is get to know some locals, drink mate with them, and learn more about Uruguayan life-style and Uruguayans themselves. While I am sure poverty exists, it is not as overt as in other developing countries, so I am left with an impression of a country that defies “third world” characteristics…it truly feels like a developing and emerging country, where a new middle class is beginning to emerge.
A second attempt
It's quite obvious that I was unsuccessful in maintaining my blog after my Euro-trip, but now that I am in Uruguay for 6 months, I decided to give it another shot (and perhaps use spell check this time!).
So, stay tuned for my thoughts, impressions and experiences in Uruguay...
So, stay tuned for my thoughts, impressions and experiences in Uruguay...
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Help me, I am trapped inside an ice cube!
just thought you should all know, this is what I do with my time, rather than study.....
Christmas anyone?
Holy Crap! When did time decide to fast forward over to Christmas? Nothing signifies the coming of Christmas in my family like fruitcake does. That's because we all have to partake and put our love into it.
I don't know about you guys, but the days leading up to Christmas used to go by SOOO slow, and I used to linger by the tree, looking at all the wonderful gifts I would get to open: Christmas just couldn't come fast enough.
I wish I could get that feeling again; however, now it just seems like another day, and the reason I am so excited about it, is because I get a day off work, which means I can concentrate on my homework (despite my current procrastination).
Also, what happened to a White Christmas? Is it just a thing of the past? I know I sure can't envision Christmas if I don't even have to warm up my car in the morning.....
Anyway, all this just to say have a MERRY CHRISTMAS, even if you don't realize it's Christmas Eve yet....I need to get some homework done so I can go cross country skiing today.
I don't know about you guys, but the days leading up to Christmas used to go by SOOO slow, and I used to linger by the tree, looking at all the wonderful gifts I would get to open: Christmas just couldn't come fast enough.
I wish I could get that feeling again; however, now it just seems like another day, and the reason I am so excited about it, is because I get a day off work, which means I can concentrate on my homework (despite my current procrastination).
Also, what happened to a White Christmas? Is it just a thing of the past? I know I sure can't envision Christmas if I don't even have to warm up my car in the morning.....
Anyway, all this just to say have a MERRY CHRISTMAS, even if you don't realize it's Christmas Eve yet....I need to get some homework done so I can go cross country skiing today.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
B tard
“B” tard.
Ok, so I know I am geeking out by getting all upset about my B average right now, but it’s seriously hurting my intellectual ego right now. I can’t help but feel inferior when it seems like I am part of the 8% (this is a hypothetical number I have used to emphasize how I feel) that is not being rewarded with As every second day. And yes, we do get assingments back every second day because we have to hand some in every second day.
I am trying to be positive about this – really, the point in my doing this Master’s is to learn. It’s to improve. Nonetheless, when the options are A, B, or fail, I’ll take the A thank you. None of this second grade B shit. “But Lisa,” I am sure you are now thinking, “you speak five languages! Get over it already, you are not an idiot!” To that I say “Who cares. It’s not getting me As at the moment, is it?!?!”
It’s ironic, because just the other day one of my professors was talking about how grades get you to the Master’s, but once you are in, they are baisically irrelevant. The fact that I get Bs won’t prevent me from getting a job; it won’t prevent me from getting published (I doubt this will be the case anyway); regardless, it just plain feels shitty and nothing (other than getting an A, of course) can make me feel better about it.
Ok, so I know I am geeking out by getting all upset about my B average right now, but it’s seriously hurting my intellectual ego right now. I can’t help but feel inferior when it seems like I am part of the 8% (this is a hypothetical number I have used to emphasize how I feel) that is not being rewarded with As every second day. And yes, we do get assingments back every second day because we have to hand some in every second day.
I am trying to be positive about this – really, the point in my doing this Master’s is to learn. It’s to improve. Nonetheless, when the options are A, B, or fail, I’ll take the A thank you. None of this second grade B shit. “But Lisa,” I am sure you are now thinking, “you speak five languages! Get over it already, you are not an idiot!” To that I say “Who cares. It’s not getting me As at the moment, is it?!?!”
It’s ironic, because just the other day one of my professors was talking about how grades get you to the Master’s, but once you are in, they are baisically irrelevant. The fact that I get Bs won’t prevent me from getting a job; it won’t prevent me from getting published (I doubt this will be the case anyway); regardless, it just plain feels shitty and nothing (other than getting an A, of course) can make me feel better about it.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
mr sandman, bring me some SLEEP!
....so it's 1:21 am and for the second night in a row, I can't sleep. Asides from this being extremely frustrating, it's somewhat concerning. I need my mind to be sharp so I can do all my work! It seems I get sleepy precisely at the wrong time -- during class. Contrary to my usual get-tired-at-10:30-go-to-bed-at-11-wake-up-at-6am routine which has kept my body and mind in tip top shape so far, my bodily schedule is all out of whack. OUT OF WHACK I SAY! It has since turned into a go-to-bed-at-2-wake-up-at-6am routine, and I don't think I even need to explain why this is a bad thing. Ever seen sleepy Lisa? Sleepy Lisa = grumpy Lisa, and grumpy Lisa is no fun at all.
We could turn this into a riveting phiosophy 101 excercise:
Lisa is sleepy
Lisa is grumpy
Therefore if Lisa is sleepy, she is grumpy.
and now we have a truism. I think. Please keep in mind that I took this class some 6 years ago, and it was in French, too boot.
On top of all this I have thoughts of constructivism, functionalism and liberal pluralim running through my mind. Then there's the inductive qualitative paradigm that pops up now and again, and "am I properly using a semi-colon in this sentence?" .... "oh! now, what about dependant clauses?!" and "yeah that guy in my class is pretty cute", and "how the hell did I manage to talk for $142.79 worth on my cell phone last month?!"..................
Now if you will excuse me, I am going to try to convince my body (and mind) to sleep.
We could turn this into a riveting phiosophy 101 excercise:
Lisa is sleepy
Lisa is grumpy
Therefore if Lisa is sleepy, she is grumpy.
and now we have a truism. I think. Please keep in mind that I took this class some 6 years ago, and it was in French, too boot.
On top of all this I have thoughts of constructivism, functionalism and liberal pluralim running through my mind. Then there's the inductive qualitative paradigm that pops up now and again, and "am I properly using a semi-colon in this sentence?" .... "oh! now, what about dependant clauses?!" and "yeah that guy in my class is pretty cute", and "how the hell did I manage to talk for $142.79 worth on my cell phone last month?!"..................
Now if you will excuse me, I am going to try to convince my body (and mind) to sleep.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Back to school!
Well I have been wanting to update my blog and had many an entry idea, but unfortunately I never got arround to it, my enthousiasm for the entries has since faded and I been simply too busy with working, trying to stay in shape, eat well and get all my pre residency work and readings done. So I write to you from rainy Vancouver, and until it startd raining like crazy I thought I might like to move out here in the next year or so...it seems to be the place to be, since most of my good friends are here and I would like to be a part of their lives; and I also feel it would be easier to take on the new healthy lifestyle I am trying to take on here in in Vancouver. There are yoga places, organic food stores and sushi restaurants everywhere here! what's not to like?! Rent is also cheaper here (or the same price, at the most) compared to Calgary......
Really though, Vancouver is beautiful. It's grey, but manages to remain so colouful! The leaves are bright orange and bright red and green, even if they skies are grey. Just the rain......the damn rain! The weather really is much milder and it's nice to be here....
So I stat school on Monday and I am definetely looking forward to it! Got just about all my readings done and am feeling pumped. PUMPED I TELL YOU!
nerdin' out,
Lisa
Really though, Vancouver is beautiful. It's grey, but manages to remain so colouful! The leaves are bright orange and bright red and green, even if they skies are grey. Just the rain......the damn rain! The weather really is much milder and it's nice to be here....
So I stat school on Monday and I am definetely looking forward to it! Got just about all my readings done and am feeling pumped. PUMPED I TELL YOU!
nerdin' out,
Lisa
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Low Batt.
Well I haven't even been home a month and I have already managed to tired myself out so much that I already have that "stuggling to keep your head above water" syndrome. Part of that is due to the comute in traffic during rush hour, which takes nearly three hours out of my day. We could put it this way - I get up at 6, leave at 7 as the sun goes up and work til 6 and arrive arround 7:30, again in time to catch the sunset. (Neat thing is during the monring I dive towards the East and in the evenings drive back towards the West) But between prepping for school, trying to make a representative online album of the past 10 months of my life, looking for a job (this means getting up at 5:30 am to complete and read over cover letters that were composed at 11 pm the night before), catching up with friends and doing frisbee, yoga and squash; I have come to the conclusion that I am forgetting to take care of the most important person in my life: me. So if that means that it's Saturday night and I played Frisbee for 5 hours today and am too tired to go for dinner with friends, then I simply won't go! I think mainly I just need to get enough rest to be able to enjoy my outings, since now they have become another thing that has to get done.
On another tangent, I went out last night and saw many old friends associated with my ex, Darryl and with my former job at Neteller. Although it was really great seeing all of them again and I had a good time, especially watching his band play, all this weird nostalgia set in. Not nostaliga as in "I want to relive this" but more like "Yup. No need to go back there again....." I guess it's a healthy feeling?
Regardless, now I am waiting for my supper to cook, with which I will stuff myself, to later keel over and sleep for as much as 12 hours until day break. Great plans huh?
On another tangent, I went out last night and saw many old friends associated with my ex, Darryl and with my former job at Neteller. Although it was really great seeing all of them again and I had a good time, especially watching his band play, all this weird nostalgia set in. Not nostaliga as in "I want to relive this" but more like "Yup. No need to go back there again....." I guess it's a healthy feeling?
Regardless, now I am waiting for my supper to cook, with which I will stuff myself, to later keel over and sleep for as much as 12 hours until day break. Great plans huh?
Sunday, September 24, 2006
gettin' whipped back into shape.
Yeah. My return to Canada has been somewhat hectic...I had wanted to write all about the Brighton chronicles and my time in Brighton with Scott but unfortunately too much time has gone by and it's just all one hillarious blurr to me right now.
I have, however, been keeping quite busy. Within one week of being home, I was already moving out temporarily to Bearspaw to house/pet sit. It's great -- I get a view of the rockies, I get the company of 2 big dogs and one cute cat, and I get an hour and 15 minute drive into the centre of town everyday. yugh. Why am I doing this again?? Oh yeah, wait, I know why...BECAUSE I AM BROKE ASS!!! (and they are paying me) Actually I ike housesitting but the timing this is a bit bad right now. I am housesitting for 3 weeks, which happens to be within my first month back, so I am running arround, driving nearly three hours a day just to go for a beer kind of thing. The problem is that I WANT to see my friends and I want to go out but once I get here and it's nearly 8pm, there is no way in hell that I just want to hop in my car again and drive out to the city centre. I can't afford anything anyway.
In other news, I played my first game(s!) of Ultimate Frisbee today...WOO! It was a jolly old time, except that I nearly died. What was I thinking!?! I can't run like a mad woman and chase a frisbee for two hours! I have walking muscles, WALKING! After our victories (not because of me, might I add) my toe curled up involuntarily and I couldn't get it back to normal!!! I litteraly had to pry it open with my fingers to seperate it from my foot. It wasn't painful per say, but it was most definetely weird. I think anytime your body does something your brain didn't ask it to is guaranteed to be slightly odd.
So now I am in Bearspaw with Socrates watching me as I type this between the online orientation for my Master's, online job applications, msn, and translating for a friend....which I should get back to.....
I have, however, been keeping quite busy. Within one week of being home, I was already moving out temporarily to Bearspaw to house/pet sit. It's great -- I get a view of the rockies, I get the company of 2 big dogs and one cute cat, and I get an hour and 15 minute drive into the centre of town everyday. yugh. Why am I doing this again?? Oh yeah, wait, I know why...BECAUSE I AM BROKE ASS!!! (and they are paying me) Actually I ike housesitting but the timing this is a bit bad right now. I am housesitting for 3 weeks, which happens to be within my first month back, so I am running arround, driving nearly three hours a day just to go for a beer kind of thing. The problem is that I WANT to see my friends and I want to go out but once I get here and it's nearly 8pm, there is no way in hell that I just want to hop in my car again and drive out to the city centre. I can't afford anything anyway.
In other news, I played my first game(s!) of Ultimate Frisbee today...WOO! It was a jolly old time, except that I nearly died. What was I thinking!?! I can't run like a mad woman and chase a frisbee for two hours! I have walking muscles, WALKING! After our victories (not because of me, might I add) my toe curled up involuntarily and I couldn't get it back to normal!!! I litteraly had to pry it open with my fingers to seperate it from my foot. It wasn't painful per say, but it was most definetely weird. I think anytime your body does something your brain didn't ask it to is guaranteed to be slightly odd.
So now I am in Bearspaw with Socrates watching me as I type this between the online orientation for my Master's, online job applications, msn, and translating for a friend....which I should get back to.....
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