poo poo

I say, the best time to use the washroom on our floor is at 1:45pm. This is right after the cleaning lady bleaches the stalls to death and the toilets look and smell brand s-porcelain new (mmm mmmm)! This cannot be said for the conditions of the toilets when it's 12:30pm which carry a 24 hour usage accumulation of toilet paper all over, befoulment and miscellaneous stains . And since the dutch diet is high in fibre from all of the grainy breads you eat... well you're bound to use it at least once.

According to Steve, the first floor washrooms are different in a sense that they have signs saying if you do not work on the first floor, then please don't use them. That's where he goes to sleep sometimes (according to him).

p.s. they also re-filled the soap machine! Finally.

V Day 1 (part1): Treviso!

Alright! So trip three out of the A'dam consists of going to the boot-shaped country we all know is Italy. I didn't know what I was expecting, maybe some good pizza and some nice architecture here and there - but in the end it was so much more. This country, the people, the food, the language just rocks! And what happens when you group a Columbian, a Romanian and a Chinese Canadian together? Well you'll see! Read on!
Our adventures start at 4am for me waking up and ready to leave at 4:30am to walk to the train station and go to the airport. I knock on Ana-Maria's door and she just woke up and tells me we weren't meeting until 530. Ok, no problem, I guess a cab would only be about 3 Euros each. Times passes, 530, Ana calls for a cab, the guy says it will take 30 minutes; Ana is getting anxious and wants to be on her way. 15 minutes later Camilo STARTS to worry; we leave the boat and walk to the street. Well in a total 1.75 hours after I was ready to go, the cab comes, we're shittin our pants as check in closes at 6:40 so we tell teh driver to book it- we make it by two minutes before close after a 40 Eur cab ride. This Canadian had the shoulda, coulda, woulda thoughts running in his head - but the yoga keeps him cool. At least we made it and we're on our way (albeit running to the gate with sweaty cheeks).



We land in Treviso, the absolute SMALLEST airport I have ever landed in. basically the airport (the older part) can accommodate one flight at a time. (You were right Danielle!)

Immediately through the gate we are warmly greeted by Domenico Rositano! He is from AIESEC Venice, and our tour guide for the day before getting us into Venice. This is above and beyond any aiesecer that I know so far (well maybe except my buddy Ellen) that not only greeted us, but was willing to take us to all the sites and then drive us to Venice which was about 30-40 minutes away; all this plus an exam he was to write that night!

We pack into his Smart For Four and then head to town.

We park and by browse the city streets foot. Immediately you get that European sense with the clean, but intimate streets and the subtle peace and beauty of the architecture. Along our unmapped journey are the sites of the town including Domenico's University, the local fish market, main piazzas of the city and some other miscellaneous sites.

At a local produce store with fresh cheeses, wine and Camilo's artichokes that are well known in the area.

The Late Romanesque-Early Gothic church of San Francesco

Behind the statue on in the pic on the right is a United Colours of Benetton Store. Now who knew that the headquarters of this Italian retailer was in this small little city? Not me!

At first I didn't trust the water, but then Domenico assured it was clean, so after numerous pics with us in various poses practically molesting and then drinking from the... ahem... fountain, we refilled our bottles and continued on. Bellisimo - I love Italia!

Around one fo the streets, Domenico stopped us and pointed out a toiletry machine embedded in one of the walls of the building. From thereon, Domenico entertained us on giving us the ins and outs of one of the particular items.

Ana Maria stopped in one of the local book shops and picked up some Italian books. Apparently Italian and Romanian languages are quite similar and she took the opportunity to pick up some reading material to further her knowledge!

Let me just say in the span of about four hours we sat down and had good ol' Italian breakfast (coffee/pastries), afternoon drinks (Spritz), and Lunch (beer and pizza!) - I love the Italian way of eating - frequent and at a slow pace!

After showing us the sites, we head into Mestre , meet up with Alessandro, another aiesecer knowledgeable of our accommodation details as Domenico sets off to write his test! Mestre is the mainland next to the islands of Venice. Our hotel/hostel is a five minute walk from the main train station. We check in and settle for a bit, and then decide to head to Venice for a little browsin'!

Treviso, Murano, Venezia!

Venice, Italy in a Nutshell: three days of the best in architectural beauty, food, people and language I have experienced so far. Italy is my favourite country on this side of the planet hands down. I have a strong, STRONG attraction to this place and carnival was an excellent way of experiencing Italia off the gun. I've met some incredible people and I can't help feel that I will find myself back in this boot-shaped country very very soon.

A Down to the core shout out to my new Italian and German buddies Domenico and Markus for making this trip the MOST worthwhile ever. Especially Seniore Rositano who saved us on our last night there and got us safely back to Treviso. I would take a bullet for this guy any day; No Domenico - YOU ARE THE BEST!

Expect posts this week.

CIAO!

Courtesy of Steve-o

Shannon Falls, British Columbia. Picture taken sometime Fall 2006 (Sept 16th ish) during mountain biking roadtrip with my bud Steve-o.

Doin' up a side-arm balance.

Facebook

This program is craaazy. I have no idea how people I haven't seen in over ten years are contacting me. One day I will figure it out.

Chillin on a Sunday.

Two Sundays ago, just chilled again and hung out with Erica, Christian, CY and Sophie. After the gym, met up with the gang and went to Kalvarstraat where Christian was looking for a cuban cutter (if that's what they are called) and then met up with Sophie for some coffee.
Then walked around and met up with CY for more afternoon drinks.
Then headed over to EF's for some HNIC and Schwarmas! Sweet. A great Sunday...

EDUN

At the farm?!

The other day I was crossing paths with a couple of chickens strutin' around in the neighbourhood. Not like at home where we have deer, coyotes and rabbits.

Lunch! Now I smell like Surinam.

Had lunch with ALL the trainees (and former trainees, now permanent) in the Oval Tower today ; this was a rarity as 8 separate work schedules don't always come together at lunch. I must admit it was the first time all of us got together and it was nice be around people of the same age group at lunch.

Darn, i should've had a camera for the occassion!

The eight consisted of Luiz (Brazil), Dennis (Brazil), Hermine (Sweden), Aga (Poland), Ana-Maria (Romania), Sandy (Canada), Dian (Indonesia) and myself!

We went to this Surinamese place that took forever to get us our food- Fun nevertheless!

Ciao!

What's that smell?

My shirt and sweater smells funny today. It's a combination of outdoors, sweat and cigarettes. I think that one load a month is starting to show.......or smell.

Nice, France - la semaine prochaine!

Nice has been booked and confirmed with my good friend Erica. March 3-5! Have to pull out that embarrassing French again.

@ buddy!

I haven't seen Ellen since christmas as she's been busy with school and Make a Move though she was been keeping in contact via email which was nice. We finally met up for lunch on a Saturday at this cozy little sangle place on Spui named Singel 141 (the name of the store was it's address)

She is the President of Make a Move - basically almost @ A'dam's equivalent of Careers Day but much more intense and business oriented. check it out by clicking link above.

BMG

for the amount we paid, I don't think it was worth it. if it was about 70% cheaper then maybe we'll talk.

Congee at Fong's

Today CY and EF and I planned to do the congee at Erica's place as we were all starving for a little Chinese soul food. I got the Chinese donuts and egg tarts, CY got the spam and EF made the congee. Damn it was good. I had like seven bowls. Now my tummy is full of white carbs.

Swiss Day 3

I was contemplating whether to go one more day, but was too tired and was thinking that with rental again and another lift ticket I would have to shell out another 100 CHF. Well I already did the alps so we decided to walk the town during the day and maybe head back with some souvenirs.

By 2pm or so, we headed picked up our stuff and headed to the trains back to Geneve. I got off and wandered the streets and the shops looking for souvenirs and take in more sights where as Patty went to the airport to meet up with her company and head to Evian, France (yup where the bottled water comes from) for a conference.
Uneventful, but peaceful, and managed to find some stuff to take back!

I actually went back to the hostel in Geneva and then stuck my luggage in one of the lockers and just pretended I stayed there the night before. When grocery shopping, and then chatted with the other backpackers in the kitchen. Met a girl from US, a guy from France and another girl from France.

Stayed until 11pm, and caught the last train to the airport as my flight the next day was at 6am again and check-in was at 430am. Let me say this was my first experience sleeping at the airport. It's funny cause most people on the same flight did the same thing and we all "claimed" our little spots in the airport like rows of chairs, corners and under the escalators for some privacy. They actually shut down the airport at 1am (lock doors and turn off lights) and then at about 4am when they reopened. When they did, security came over and asked for all of the overnighters' passports and asked them questions to make sure they were passengers and not just hobos. I think I would have passed for one. Made it back to Adam by 8am and in the office by 915. Boy was that a gross shift.
All in all a nice trip, but a little boring if you don't plan on doing out-doorsey stuff. And since most things were either closed (UN, jet d-eau was off (the intense water fountain)) or dead (the flower clock) and no conventions were going on (famous Geneva auto show)), then there really wasn't anything to do, especially when there's hardly any night life (maybe we were looking in the wrong places). But the BEST part of the trip: Ripin up the slopes at Verbier (told you Patty!)

At first I wanted to go my traineeship in Switzerland bad, but now I'm glad I am where I am, albeit i think my French would've vastly improved if I went there.

Peace out and bon soir!

c

Swiss D2

So Day 2 started out early to catch the 6am train from Geneve to Martigny and then switch to Le Chable in order to get to Verbier. Luckily I brought my boots as the one day board rental was only 30 CHF ~ 30 CAD. It was my first time on the train from city to city and it was a nice experience - it felt very European then!. The ride to Martigny was not bad but since it was so dark out couldn't really see anything.

Then took the St. Bernard Express to Le Chable, and then took a gondola up to Verbier. We checked into "the Bunker" which is basically Verbier's only hostel at a sports centre and they turned an old bomb shelter into a bunch of stinky dorms. When we arrived, there was this huge stench and it was gross; Patty said it smelled like dirty socks (I thought it smelled like crusty brown streaked underwear). The good thing was that since it was a Sunday, most of the people were leaving when we arrived and the 25CHF per night gives you free access to the large swimming pool, breakfast, locker and a nasty place to sleep!

We then picked up our equipment and headed up the hill for a day's ridin! Boy was it sunny, Patty was already gettin red on her first run and I applied sunscreen every run. It was like spring conditions so the User Friendly Jacket was perfect all day. the sun was out and not a cloud in the sky let out some breath taking views. I kept taking photos until the low battery indicator came on.




Ended off the day taking a pic with a St. Bernard on top of the hill where this professional photographer was raking it in. Yes I bought my pic and yes it was expensive - but might as well!! Sorry mom!
After a tiring day, we headed back and swam at the centre for 2 hours (never done that much swimming in a while)! and then walked the village a little bit at night and then came back and crashed after an filled and exhausted day.

Swiss post one was quite big

my eyes are blurry from staring at the computer screen.

Swiss day One

Flight comes in Friday evening, and Patty's comes in Friday night. I check into the hostel first and await her arrival. Hostel was one of the nicest and cleanest I have been in and not bad given the price, however the place like the city was soulless.

Once Patty arrived we decided to wander the streets of Geneva for a bit. After walking about an hour or so, we realized we traversed half of the city haha - oops. We were also looking for possible night life, but there was hardly a soul on the street - interesting...


Saturday morning, we planned to see all the sites, and we did sort of. Went to the flea market at the Plain du Plainpalais which ended up being a little disappointing as it looked like one huge garage sale. Then Parc des Bastions where we saw huge chess boards and statues of the city's founding fathers.
We then took a stroll through the streets of Vieux Geneve (the old town) and went to Cathedrale St. Pierre, the highest point in the old town. there were some nice shops (but many closed on sat) and some street vendors where I got myself a nice plaid scarf for 10CHF (~ 10 CAD).
When we accidentally arrived at the main shopping street, Patty and I raved about the presence of actual people! The city felt ALIVE all of a sudden
After some time on the street we went back to hostel to check into another room for night #2 ; a cheaper room, but I though was just as good as the first!


The sun came out after check in, and this time we took the tram north to go to the UN headquarters (closed that day), musee de croix rouge (red cross museum).

Then we headed back into town to grocery shop (Migros) for our days in Verbier (decided to ski since we realized we almost saw everything in the city). We were going to head to a cafe called "Central Perk" that was suppose to be a living shrine of the coffee house on "Friends" but was too tired to do that - oh well!

Found ourselves a nice (but expensive) cheese fondue place (Patty insisted we do it for the sake of having fondue in Switzerland). It was very good, and along with the Mont Blanc beer, but I DO NOT see how someone can have more than one pot (it's all you can eat), cause that cheese is HEAVY.
Then headed home as the train to Martigny - Le Chable was at 6am. bleh. but exciting nevertheless!

PS. when I look back at all the pictures, I thought I took them over two days when in fact it was only one. Gawd!