So... Did you see my previous post? I was testing my vlogging abilities. It's one thing to speak smth in front of a camera. Is another thing to make it meaningful. AND an entirely different thing to actually post it, so that everybody will see. I admire those who have the gut. For some I wish they didn't. LOL! But let the ranting about hiking continue.... with part 2. Why Moldovans Don't Hike?
And yes, there is part 3... My Favorite Places to Hike
I hope it's somewhat useful and entertaining... Once I learned to laugh at myself, it cracks me up every time I watch it - esp. part 1. Thank you for taking the time. Big hug! Leave a comment. Even if cheesy.
One day I have decided to move to London. Seriously. And the day of the move came. It was in August last year. I started writing this post on August 28... Uh! Life caught me in a tumble.
Many Londoners won't like hearing this, but I actually like the rain. It's cool.
Everyday there are new things happening. And everyday I'm thinking to write them down. And everyday that doesn't happen.
Besides new curious things to see, there are some new words to learn as well. For ex. people use serviette for napkin, underground or tube for metro, lue for bathroom (not sure even how to spell it) and so on.
It Does Say Underground and Toilets after all
The accents are something else. But that would be impossible to express in writing. The only case that I remember, just because I could not get it even for the 5th time, is the word "cutlery" that sounded 100% "calorie".
That's because this place is a big jungle where monkeys from all over the world gather and each thinks they know how to speak the language. At first I was worried about my accent and wanted it to sound British. I would be very surprised when people said it's beautiful and even found it sexy. I'm OK with it just being beautiful. Now, I think I will keep it. It's part of the journey of self-acceptance after all.
Part of the London Jungle
Attempts at Keeping it Green
Fascinated
One of the Bridges
People here were very helpful from the first time I stepped on this land. Some offered to help me with the luggage on the steps out of the underground. And no, they did run away with it. Others helped me figure out the payment system for the transportation.
The Real Jungle
People here complain. After all this is not paradise and all the PR and marketing in the world can't hide the real. I heard they complain like nowhere else. I even heard someone feeling bad about complaining prior to coming here. But then, after coming here, he discovered it is actually trendy.
It Looks like People Here Are Not Too Fond of This Place and Their Politicians
Speaking of transportation, very soon I learned it's a money drainer. But not without limits. It's a pretty good service after all. Considering it moves around over 8.5 million people everyday and more.
USEFUL TIPS : If you come to London, even for a short time, get an Oyster card for traveling on any type of transportation (ask the assistants at the tube station). It costs 5 pounds, which will be refunded if you return your card at the end of your trip. With this card you will get a daily cap on your travel so you're not spending endlessly.
You can top it up at any underground station as well as at various convenience shops around the city.
If you don't have enough money for a trip, you can still take a bus for just one trip and then the money will be deducted when you top it up next time. Click for TFL travel fares and more.
That’s right who wouldn’t… Yesterday I went shopping.
Initially, I was going to spend 30 min. on it, but what an impractical idea… Why
did I think I that I could never spend 4 hours in one store only?
I used to think the saying “shop till you drop” was made up
because it rimes beautifully, but now I know it actually is true. When my friend
Ann arrived 5 hours later I was asking her, if she has something to eat.
After another two hours inthe next store I chose two items and was ready to go. Yes, only
two. After all that time? Exactly. Whoever thinks shopping is just for fun or a
waste of time… not true. I realized this is a way to build up your biceps,
gluteus maximus, quadriceps, back, abdominals, cardio, and many more. Not to forget
the brain employment that goes into sorting, comparing, analyzing and deciding.
The real fun awaited me in the end. The original total price was
$84. But with all the discounts and the coupons the store offered, I
ended up paying $1.52. I walked out of that store with the sensation that I got
hit with a canister. Really? $1.52? Hah! What a steal!
I love this country. Who wouldn’t?
And listen to this. If for any reason I’m not happy with my
purchase I can return it within a couple or three months and get all my money
back. This is called the return policy. For that money, why wouldn’t one be
happy with any purchase?
This past May I visited the north part of Italy. Although it rained most of the time - not the usual weather - some days were sunny and favorable for exploring...
You know how sometimes in order to understand something you’ve
got to be there and experience it? So is Milano. Why are people, celebrities or
Russians so drawn to it? I’m not sure, but this is what I think it is:
It’s the magnificence of creation. It’s art within art.An electrifying clash of antique and modern.
It’s spacious, grand, luxurious, beautiful… The exuberant
architecture encapsulates the diversity of clothing styles, both a hallmark of
God’s gift of creativity and aesthetic to humans. No human could fail to
appreciate it, because in every human soul there is a longing for beauty, a
longing for greatness and a longing for fascination.
Although just an echo of eternity, it gives a glimpse of the
pleasure that awaits each child of God.
Of course, there are those who can care less about this side
of things. Those would use a piece of clothing bought in Italy to pump their
ego, reassure themselves of their importance and try to impress.
It's bloody cold. It's been like that for over 2 weeks. Lately it also started raining. I don't mind any of these. Not at all. Not if...
…if I just could return to a warm home… It's that simple. I'm trying to keep a positive attitude, to be brave. I tell myself: this is not a problem, it's ok. Except, I hate the cold. I hate the way it makes me feel, the way it impairs my capacity to... anything. But... I've got to be brave. I can handle it.
I like the good intentions of our mayor to turn on the heat in the city. The only small, insignificant thing is that they don't warm me up. But I've got to be patient. It just isn't my house's turn yet. Why can’t we just turn it on when WE need it? Wasn’t c o m m u n i s m just a wonderful idea?
Whew! What a life! Can it really be more thrilling? Listen to this...
I'm sitting here in my little room in my big, empty house after a day of work. And what work? I'm almost afraid to say, 'cause you might get jealous. But I'll risk. Carrying clay and horse manure for my aunt who is helping me repair the stove... winter is coming. Yeah, that's what we use here for such works. I've got to mention gluing wallpaper to the walls... have I ever dreamed of anything like this? But it's worth the reason. 'Cause see...
... another exciting thing is the small group with the teen girls from the village. We talk about life and adventure and traveling and my best friend J. Oh, we also play fun games and drink hot tea. So, I'm getting the room ready. :)
However exhilarating that may sound, I must tell you, it is not the last highlight of the day yet, 'cause then I retreat to my little room to watch one of my favorite movies, the kind with spiders and magic. Yeyyyy! Spooky stuff. And... I hear some increasing noise under my sofa, around my desk, scratching and trotting... Like something is coming... Hoah! That would have scared you, but not me. I'm used to that by now - my all time companions, the mice! Now, I have to admit they are going a little over board this time...
In the Pacific Northwest there is a large cultural variety, freedom of expression and artistic creativity. People dress from very sloppy to very weird, wearing 18the century costumes, or bright outfits on streets, driving unusually shaped motorcycles and engaging easily in a conversation with a stranger. Art The variety and options one has are endless. There are all kinds of dance classes one can take, all kinds of dance clubs one can go to: ballroom, Irish, Hip-hop, Arabian, Bhangra (Indian), pure Salsa, 80th, soul & funk, etc. All genres of music to learn. All these for any age- 3 to 80. All kind of churches to choose from.
Art takes all forms of expressions, whether it’s paintings, handmade items, music and there are opportunities to learn just about anything: leather crafts, such as beautifully impregnated belts, etc. wood carving, jewelry making, beads making, fancy cooking, dog training, acting, instrument playing…
In Portland you will find plenty of gigs in acting, singing, dancing, modeling, and so on and so forth, taking into account the artsy mood of the place. Many theaters and two film schools are in the area. However, art, as anywhere, is not well paid, so the artist often has to get odd jobs to pay the bills. Cuisine There are all kinds of cuisines to be tried: Mexican, Indian, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Greek to name a few. Lots of places to go and have dinner. There are lots and lots of jewelry and items from all around the world for sale. There are stores ranging all styles and prices. Very accessible price wise. Science US is where a lot of scientific research and development is taking place, so there are as many possibilities to explore science, as exploring arts. Young boys and girls already know what they are getting into when they decide to pursue sciences. Being a place of great diversity, Portland has a lot of IT geeks, especially with Intel Company there. However, many broke away from Intel, unwilling to deal with its rigid and demanding culture, that sucks all out of you. So, there is a lot of intellectual capacity that go into start-ups. Live IT forums take place usually at local breweries, such as Green Dragon, etc. micro-breweries being a trademark of Portland. That’s where any IT savvy can exchange information with other, this being seemingly a great opportunity for keeping up to date, as well as developing community. Tourism There are many beautiful places to visit, such as mountains, the ocean coast, the arboretum, the zoo (animals living in a close to natural environment, not in cages) river walks, beautiful bridges across Willamette river, the mountain gorge with waterfalls, the downtown with light decorated trees, etc.
Since there are so many cultures around, there is room for all of them to practice their own religions, traditions, interests as well as open up, inviting others to experience it, via their dances, food, art, religion. They set up businesses: restaurants, shops, neighborhoods (ex. Japanese Gardens, China Town).
Portland is very much community oriented. People are usually very friendly, networking, creating relationships, open to help each other, hang out with each other, that’s why the laid back feel of Portland as opposed to cold, living in a bubble lifestyle in cities like New York and Los Angeles.
People in US can be as miserable as in any country where the living conditions are far worse. There is discontentment with what they have, worry, anxiety, stress and depression. There is lack of values and purpose in life. People commit suicide.
There is much more superficiality in relationships. People are nicer outwardly, but it doesn’t always reflect what they mean. They are just as reluctant and hesitant to trust others and be open. They usually hide their true feelings under a smile.
In the Pacific Northwest particularly, people are very environment conscious, almost going to extremes, telling you when going into a forest were you are supposed to step and where not. They care about animals and wildlife, sometimes more then about people.
On Lifestyle…
There are many old people, living alone in huge, large houses, with lots of stuff accumulated: furniture, canned food, cleaning supplies, tools, clothes, electrical appliances, cookware, etc. etc. This will all get thrown away or sold for pennies after they die. I thought of the many in Moldova that lack the basics.
There are plenty of gay people outwardly showing their orientation. There are pastors who are gay that live with their partners. The mayor of Portland is gay involved in a scandalous affair, because he lied he had sex with an intern, prior to his election in the office, before that boy turned 18.
A lot of the bums there are dressed better than many people in Moldova, meaning you’d never guess that is a bum. There are services that take care of them, so that according to the official statements, there is no reason for anybody in Portland to go hungry.
People there are used to recycling everything, so they will never throw all trash in a pile. They separate glass, paper, newspaper, carton, tin cans (after are cut, washed, bent flat, and the paper tag removed) yard waste (leaves, grass, branches), plastic, and then what is left goes to regular trash.
On Religion…
There are all kinds of churches, however, people follow various religions, a lot into Buddhism and its various implications. Churches that accept gay people usually hang out a multicolored flag outside the building. Churches remain rigid and opinionated about things, this way often pushing people away.
