I know, I know, I have not been updating my blog again. Its not that I did it on purpose. I just didn't have the time to sit down and write. Or maybe its more like ...I just do not have any PC at home after I gave my brother mine. Now, I hope things will change a bit as I just found out the PC at my mom's place has access to internet! Good news!
After 3 weeks back from Nottingham, I am still jobless. Yes! You heard me, JOBLESS. But I have a lot of work to do. I have a lot of running around to do. I've got some offers which is related to my interest and specialisation but none of them are on black and white yet. I know I have to start from scratch again - meaning : if I really want to go on free-lance, this is the time. This is the moment of truth. But, can I afford to wait and see the results? Can my current financial situation last till I get my first payment? Don't talk about banks.....they have already started calling me for payments. Quietly, to myself, I have agreed to take in those 3 jobs. 2 of them are related to my specialisation in customer service training, and the other is related closely to my interest : coaching basketball.
Don't ask me....I don't know whether time permits me to handle all 3. But one thing I know, I want to give it a try. Currently, I don't want to think about resting or relaxing. I just want to stay focus, and deliver all the things expected from me.
To my friends out there....please support me, please pray for me. I need all the support I could get. Thank you.
Wednesday, July 27
PLKN - Sesi 3 2005
Well, I think whoever read my blog knows that I was called to be the trainer again for the 2nd time. This time the Module is called "Modul Integrasi". Why? because it consists of topics like cross culture, cross religion, cross sex, moral, etiquette and roles and responsibilities.
This time , we had a small group of trainees but more trainers. There were about 130 trainees and 10 trainers.
We were warned that usually the 3rd session of the year will includes a lot of trainees who are school drop-outs, teenagers with attitude problems etc... My opinion on them? hmm...oh yes, they did make me lose my voice.Until now,2 weeks after the session,I still have not got my real voice back yet.Hahah.Rock!!! And I noticed that this group of trainees are a bit naughtier, they had problems to pay attention and listen to the trainers UNLESS the trainers know how to attract their attention. Mostly, 90% of them have working experience.But one good thing about them is,if we tell them our life experience and if it is a bit like their experience,then they will listen to us.They will not only listen to us, but told us their experience and what they had gone through. I noticed that a lot of them came from poor family and they are not the 1st or last child but more of a 2nd last or 3rd last child in the family. Maybe their parents didn't pay or gave less attention to them. Pity them.
But I know,these kids can change.Hopefully the next trainers who takes over,will be able to change them. We can only teach and pray for the best,the rest is on them.
By the way,I got an "adopted son" from the camp. I hope I will be able to help him out in the future.Eventhough I know that I am too young to be a mother to a 17 year old kid!
This time , we had a small group of trainees but more trainers. There were about 130 trainees and 10 trainers.
We were warned that usually the 3rd session of the year will includes a lot of trainees who are school drop-outs, teenagers with attitude problems etc... My opinion on them? hmm...oh yes, they did make me lose my voice.Until now,2 weeks after the session,I still have not got my real voice back yet.Hahah.Rock!!! And I noticed that this group of trainees are a bit naughtier, they had problems to pay attention and listen to the trainers UNLESS the trainers know how to attract their attention. Mostly, 90% of them have working experience.But one good thing about them is,if we tell them our life experience and if it is a bit like their experience,then they will listen to us.They will not only listen to us, but told us their experience and what they had gone through. I noticed that a lot of them came from poor family and they are not the 1st or last child but more of a 2nd last or 3rd last child in the family. Maybe their parents didn't pay or gave less attention to them. Pity them.
But I know,these kids can change.Hopefully the next trainers who takes over,will be able to change them. We can only teach and pray for the best,the rest is on them.
By the way,I got an "adopted son" from the camp. I hope I will be able to help him out in the future.Eventhough I know that I am too young to be a mother to a 17 year old kid!
Monday, July 25
Wake up late on Sundays? Dream on...
For the past 2 weekends, or to be precise on Sundays, I had to wake up early. How early? oh...you can say as early as 6.15am... This was what happened for the past 2 weekends..
2 weeks ago, my friend and I were in JB. Johor Bahru. My friend had to pick me up from the PLKN camp in Port Dickson at 11pm Friday night and we reached JB at 3.30am. Guess what? We had a meeting appointment at 8am. With 3 hours sleep - just imagine how our eyes were at that time. Our activity went on throughout the whole day until 11.30pm at night. Yup - no rest at all. Then, the next day, on Sunday, we had to wake at 6am because we aimed to leave for Singapore at 8am. Well, Singapore was holding its "Great Singapore Sale". So both of us were excited to do some shopping or at least window shopping. I guess it was a waste of time and energy. There was nothing much to buy, even to see!! There were also shops which didn't offer any discounts at all. It was so frustrating.
We left Singapore, then JB , and I reached my camp back at 7pm. By then, I was lack of sleep, lack of energy, and just imagine the next day I have to face the kids again.
And last week Saturday and Sunday,was spent in Kuala Kangsar. We had an invitation to join and watch on how a successful basketball team practise daily. We left KL at 4am and reached KK at 7.30am. What a drive! Everybody was still sleeping soundly and we were already on the North South Expressway. The whole day was filled with basketball practise and game. Oh ya...and not forgetting the food. We tried the Laksa, pau, Mee Kari Sup (1st time I tried this) and also cendol. Oh...did I mention about the durian and mangosteen? It was excellent! And guess what? I had stomach ache just before our basketball match in the evening. Argghh...... hmm...I wonder why......
Sunday morning, we had to wake up early again as by 7.45am we had to be at the court. I was given the responsibilities to be the referee for the match between the current team and their old boys!! What a tough job!! The last time I became a referee was 10 years ago. After lunch, we headed back to KL. We reached KL at about 7.30pm. It was definitely a tiring trip but it was fun - totally fun and memorable experience.
There goes 2 Sundays - waking up early in the morning.
And guess what? This coming Sunday - I have to be JB again to coach the girls. Another early Sunday for me. And I am looking forward to a Sunday which I can stay in bed.....maybe it will only be a dream.
2 weeks ago, my friend and I were in JB. Johor Bahru. My friend had to pick me up from the PLKN camp in Port Dickson at 11pm Friday night and we reached JB at 3.30am. Guess what? We had a meeting appointment at 8am. With 3 hours sleep - just imagine how our eyes were at that time. Our activity went on throughout the whole day until 11.30pm at night. Yup - no rest at all. Then, the next day, on Sunday, we had to wake at 6am because we aimed to leave for Singapore at 8am. Well, Singapore was holding its "Great Singapore Sale". So both of us were excited to do some shopping or at least window shopping. I guess it was a waste of time and energy. There was nothing much to buy, even to see!! There were also shops which didn't offer any discounts at all. It was so frustrating.
We left Singapore, then JB , and I reached my camp back at 7pm. By then, I was lack of sleep, lack of energy, and just imagine the next day I have to face the kids again.
And last week Saturday and Sunday,was spent in Kuala Kangsar. We had an invitation to join and watch on how a successful basketball team practise daily. We left KL at 4am and reached KK at 7.30am. What a drive! Everybody was still sleeping soundly and we were already on the North South Expressway. The whole day was filled with basketball practise and game. Oh ya...and not forgetting the food. We tried the Laksa, pau, Mee Kari Sup (1st time I tried this) and also cendol. Oh...did I mention about the durian and mangosteen? It was excellent! And guess what? I had stomach ache just before our basketball match in the evening. Argghh...... hmm...I wonder why......
Sunday morning, we had to wake up early again as by 7.45am we had to be at the court. I was given the responsibilities to be the referee for the match between the current team and their old boys!! What a tough job!! The last time I became a referee was 10 years ago. After lunch, we headed back to KL. We reached KL at about 7.30pm. It was definitely a tiring trip but it was fun - totally fun and memorable experience.
There goes 2 Sundays - waking up early in the morning.
And guess what? This coming Sunday - I have to be JB again to coach the girls. Another early Sunday for me. And I am looking forward to a Sunday which I can stay in bed.....maybe it will only be a dream.
Friday, July 22
Home sweet home
I know...I know....it has been hmm.....almost 2 weeks from my last blog? ya........I was a bit busy. Actually very busy. I arrived in KLIA on Saturday 9th July......after nearly 5 hours of turbulance on the flight. Arghh...couldn't even eat properly. The food sucks. But.....the flight was quite empty, so I got 2 seats to myself.hahahah...heaven. Before even finished unpacking, I had to leave for PDS Resort Camp to be the trainer for the National Service. So, off I went - reporting duty on the 12th July until 19th July. Came back on the 20th July - tired....sunburnt....lack of sleep.....you name it. And only today I am a bit free to write something. But again...sorry I couldn';t write a long one. Time is limited. Well, when you are jobless, you have more things to do and run around compare to when you are working. And that is what I am facing now......
Friday, July 8
Final night, final day in Nottingham
Yesterday was a busy day for me. No...not doing any work. But busy meeting some friends for the last time. Friends that I don't think I will be seeing them again unless they come to my part of the world.
Whom did I meet? well...lets see.... I went and saw Victor. Yeah..he's the guy I borrowed my German phrase book from. Then I went for a drink with Elena, Tamara, Ginger and Lara. Just sit down and chat with them. And later I went out with Magda.Yes, Magdalena. She is a very sweet girl from Poland. We had coffee at McDonalds.....not exactly coffee coz they've ran out of coffee. It was a sad day for me. A very sad day as I'm leaving for good.
Oh...not forgetting, I had coffee with my 2 Malaysian friends . I've mentioned about them in my previous blog. Ya...and this time it was my treat. Sorry guys, I invited you, so its my treat.
I'll be leaving Nottingham for Machester Airport maybe at about 2pm. I have to revalidate my ticket first when I reach there. Oh....and I still have problems packing. I've repacked for 3 times already. I hope they allow my luggage in - its 26kgs now. Why can't they allow until 30kgs?
Talking about luggage - My heart and memories can take in a lot. I guess if we are able to weigh it, it would be a few tonnes, or is it a few hundred tonnes? But yet, it still allows us to deposit new memories especially the good ones. I have deposited a lot of fond memories here. I hope it stays in there and help me through out my future life.
Somebody mentioned to me , "Harimau tinggalkan belang. Kita tinggalkan kenangan dan teladan untuk dicontohi dan diamalkan, insya Allah"
Signing off from Nottingham, UK.
Whom did I meet? well...lets see.... I went and saw Victor. Yeah..he's the guy I borrowed my German phrase book from. Then I went for a drink with Elena, Tamara, Ginger and Lara. Just sit down and chat with them. And later I went out with Magda.Yes, Magdalena. She is a very sweet girl from Poland. We had coffee at McDonalds.....not exactly coffee coz they've ran out of coffee. It was a sad day for me. A very sad day as I'm leaving for good.
Oh...not forgetting, I had coffee with my 2 Malaysian friends . I've mentioned about them in my previous blog. Ya...and this time it was my treat. Sorry guys, I invited you, so its my treat.
I'll be leaving Nottingham for Machester Airport maybe at about 2pm. I have to revalidate my ticket first when I reach there. Oh....and I still have problems packing. I've repacked for 3 times already. I hope they allow my luggage in - its 26kgs now. Why can't they allow until 30kgs?
Talking about luggage - My heart and memories can take in a lot. I guess if we are able to weigh it, it would be a few tonnes, or is it a few hundred tonnes? But yet, it still allows us to deposit new memories especially the good ones. I have deposited a lot of fond memories here. I hope it stays in there and help me through out my future life.
Somebody mentioned to me , "Harimau tinggalkan belang. Kita tinggalkan kenangan dan teladan untuk dicontohi dan diamalkan, insya Allah"
Signing off from Nottingham, UK.
I am a lucky person!!
Today, at 9.45am, when I was in town with my brother, my cousin called.She said, " K.Ina we are very, very lucky. Just to inform you London has been bombed at a few places including the bus".
I was shocked. I couldn't say a word. I just asked, are you sure? Coz we were there yesterday.We were right there, in the middle of London, at 9am...exactly about the same time when all these things happened today. According to the news, 6 underground station and 3 buses was hit. Yeah...3 of the double decker buses. We took the bus yesterday. A few buses to go from one place to another. And everybody was so happy when they annouced London 2012. Tourists flocked the city.
But I guess, that was yesterday. Today, its a different environment altogether. They showed on TV people in need of emergency assistance. The town area looks empty. The public transportation is suspended temporarily for people best interest.
I guess we are lucky. Very lucky.
Things do happen for a reason. oh ya......and did I mention that I also got a call.They want to hire me for the National Service Camp again! Yes!! I know!! NS!! And guess what?? I have to report duty on Tuesday for the whole week. I know! I know! I am a very lucky person, huh? Everything just seem to fall in place....with me reaching KL on Saturday, a meeting arranged on Sunday, need to go and sign the acceptance letter on Monday and report duty on Tuesday. I'll definitely be busy for the next 2 weeks! Alhamdulillah, at least I've got something to do and make me busy.
I AM VERY LUCKY!!!
I was shocked. I couldn't say a word. I just asked, are you sure? Coz we were there yesterday.We were right there, in the middle of London, at 9am...exactly about the same time when all these things happened today. According to the news, 6 underground station and 3 buses was hit. Yeah...3 of the double decker buses. We took the bus yesterday. A few buses to go from one place to another. And everybody was so happy when they annouced London 2012. Tourists flocked the city.
But I guess, that was yesterday. Today, its a different environment altogether. They showed on TV people in need of emergency assistance. The town area looks empty. The public transportation is suspended temporarily for people best interest.
I guess we are lucky. Very lucky.
Things do happen for a reason. oh ya......and did I mention that I also got a call.They want to hire me for the National Service Camp again! Yes!! I know!! NS!! And guess what?? I have to report duty on Tuesday for the whole week. I know! I know! I am a very lucky person, huh? Everything just seem to fall in place....with me reaching KL on Saturday, a meeting arranged on Sunday, need to go and sign the acceptance letter on Monday and report duty on Tuesday. I'll definitely be busy for the next 2 weeks! Alhamdulillah, at least I've got something to do and make me busy.
I AM VERY LUCKY!!!
Thursday, July 7
London ,my camera and Olympics 2012
The last time I went to London was my first time there with my hubby, in February this year. This time I went with my cousin. Well...you could say that I was forced to go. I didn't want to as I was broke. And I know that my brother will hesitate allowing me to go to London. But my cousin told him, " She has been here for the past 3 months and she has not been anywhere. I will sponsor everything". And hey, presto! I was allowed to go.
We left the house at 5 am, and walked to town because 1st, it was already bright, like 8am in Malaysia, and 2nd, because I wanted to enjoy my last moments in Nottingham with this nice weather. The journey was spent by....guess what...sleeping! Hahaha...I was too tired. The moment got on to the bus I slept until we reached London. In London, my cousin said, we were only going to use buses as its much cheaper so we had coffee at McDonalds and waited for off peak hour to purchase the tickets.
This time, I managed to visit the Westminster Abbey, the Big Ben and also the London Eye. I missed it when I came with my hubby because we couldn't find it!! Can you believe it?? Oh ya...my camera made a big mess when we were infront of the Big Ben. It couldn't focus!!! I hate this camera. I mean I love it but it always give me problems when I really need it. Especially when I really need to take photos of these places to show my hubby back home. Hahaha... Hmm.....we also went for window shopping in Harrods.I was too broke to buy anything but she bought for me a Harrods bag as it was on sale. Yes! It was the Harrods Sale! Amost everything was slashed down. And oh my god!! The food hall. It was amazing! The way they presented the food, the counters, the chocolates, the sushi bar.....the list goes on and on.
Oh before I forget, we were on the bus, at the Trafalgar Square when they annouced that London won the vote to host the Olympic Games for 2012! Everybody was shouting and screaming happily. What a coincidence! To be here when they annouced it.I managed to take photos from the bus we took!
We left London on the 8pm bus, after a whole day of walking around. The bus left on time and reached Nottingham at only 11.45pm as we were stucked in a bad traffic jam on the motorway. I was getting a bit bored on the bus, put on my cousin's CD man (I know its a bit outdated) and sang. Yes!! I sang on the bus and I noticed the guy infront of us was looking back and wondering whether I am crazy. Hahahah!!!! I just couldn't care less. I mean I don't sing in public but nobody knows me, and I'm going back to Malaysia tomorrow, well, I don't care! I just felt like singing!
I have blisters (which I hate most) on my feet but I guess, I don't really mind coz I think I will not be coming back anymore or maybe in the next 10 years! Or maybe until I get a job which will send me training / posting in the UK.Hahahaha dream on....
We left the house at 5 am, and walked to town because 1st, it was already bright, like 8am in Malaysia, and 2nd, because I wanted to enjoy my last moments in Nottingham with this nice weather. The journey was spent by....guess what...sleeping! Hahaha...I was too tired. The moment got on to the bus I slept until we reached London. In London, my cousin said, we were only going to use buses as its much cheaper so we had coffee at McDonalds and waited for off peak hour to purchase the tickets.
This time, I managed to visit the Westminster Abbey, the Big Ben and also the London Eye. I missed it when I came with my hubby because we couldn't find it!! Can you believe it?? Oh ya...my camera made a big mess when we were infront of the Big Ben. It couldn't focus!!! I hate this camera. I mean I love it but it always give me problems when I really need it. Especially when I really need to take photos of these places to show my hubby back home. Hahaha... Hmm.....we also went for window shopping in Harrods.I was too broke to buy anything but she bought for me a Harrods bag as it was on sale. Yes! It was the Harrods Sale! Amost everything was slashed down. And oh my god!! The food hall. It was amazing! The way they presented the food, the counters, the chocolates, the sushi bar.....the list goes on and on.
Oh before I forget, we were on the bus, at the Trafalgar Square when they annouced that London won the vote to host the Olympic Games for 2012! Everybody was shouting and screaming happily. What a coincidence! To be here when they annouced it.I managed to take photos from the bus we took!
We left London on the 8pm bus, after a whole day of walking around. The bus left on time and reached Nottingham at only 11.45pm as we were stucked in a bad traffic jam on the motorway. I was getting a bit bored on the bus, put on my cousin's CD man (I know its a bit outdated) and sang. Yes!! I sang on the bus and I noticed the guy infront of us was looking back and wondering whether I am crazy. Hahahah!!!! I just couldn't care less. I mean I don't sing in public but nobody knows me, and I'm going back to Malaysia tomorrow, well, I don't care! I just felt like singing!
I have blisters (which I hate most) on my feet but I guess, I don't really mind coz I think I will not be coming back anymore or maybe in the next 10 years! Or maybe until I get a job which will send me training / posting in the UK.Hahahaha dream on....
Monday, July 4
Thank you my friends...
After the Germany trip, everything is now clear. Clear of when I would be going back to Malaysia for good. Now I start to feel the sadness. I know I would be happier back home with my hubby, but there are some things here which taught me a lot of things. It gave me strength, support, advise to go on with my life and not to give up. I learned that other than myself, there are other people who sacrifised for their family, their work.
Saturday, was my "official" last working day with the restaurant. Saturday too, was my last time travelling on the bus from Nottingham city centre at 12 midnight.And Saturday too , would be my last day spent with my special friends here whom I am able to call them "teachers", "colleagues", "friends". Its so weird when you meet these nice people outside of Malaysia. Words or even presents or gifts will not be enough to say thank you to all of you. You have been excellent listeners, excellent advisors (I hope so), excellent colleagues and definitely excellent teachers for my japanese cooking classes. You guys have treated me well for the past 2 months I was there. I promise, Insya Allah, I will not forget all your teachings.....heheh (I wonder which one). And maybe one day, if I manage to open my own stall/restaurant, I will definitely ask for your advise and out in your names as my mentor! I hope one day my hubby will be able to meet you all in person. It would be great.
I'm sad that by Friday next week, I'll be leaving Nottingham for good and leave my new friends here.
I'm sad that by Saturday next week I won't be able to cuddle and hold Ammar for the next, I don't know how many more months. I hope he still remembers me when we meet again.
BUT
I am definitely happy and looking forward to see my hubby again!!!
I am looking forward to my new job in Malaysia.
I am looking forward to meet my friends again.
Oh Yes!! I am happy indeed! I am excited to go back!!
To Sam, Mie and Andy.......thank you very,very much from the bottom of my heart.I wish you guys all the best and may your dreams come true. Insya Allah, one day, we'll meet again.If you need any help,I will try my best to help you. That's the best I could offer.
Saturday, was my "official" last working day with the restaurant. Saturday too, was my last time travelling on the bus from Nottingham city centre at 12 midnight.And Saturday too , would be my last day spent with my special friends here whom I am able to call them "teachers", "colleagues", "friends". Its so weird when you meet these nice people outside of Malaysia. Words or even presents or gifts will not be enough to say thank you to all of you. You have been excellent listeners, excellent advisors (I hope so), excellent colleagues and definitely excellent teachers for my japanese cooking classes. You guys have treated me well for the past 2 months I was there. I promise, Insya Allah, I will not forget all your teachings.....heheh (I wonder which one). And maybe one day, if I manage to open my own stall/restaurant, I will definitely ask for your advise and out in your names as my mentor! I hope one day my hubby will be able to meet you all in person. It would be great.
I'm sad that by Friday next week, I'll be leaving Nottingham for good and leave my new friends here.
I'm sad that by Saturday next week I won't be able to cuddle and hold Ammar for the next, I don't know how many more months. I hope he still remembers me when we meet again.
BUT
I am definitely happy and looking forward to see my hubby again!!!
I am looking forward to my new job in Malaysia.
I am looking forward to meet my friends again.
Oh Yes!! I am happy indeed! I am excited to go back!!
To Sam, Mie and Andy.......thank you very,very much from the bottom of my heart.I wish you guys all the best and may your dreams come true. Insya Allah, one day, we'll meet again.If you need any help,I will try my best to help you. That's the best I could offer.
Sunday, July 3
Cologne and FIFA World Cup 2006
Alhamdulillah, we managed to travel to Cologne and came back safely. We flew off to Cologne on Wednesday 29th June and came back on Friday 1st July. It was a tiring but an "eye-opener". That was my first ever trip to a country which most of the people there do not speak English. Luckily I borrowed my ex-classmate's German "phrase book" for the trip. Thank god, it was definitely useful for us.
When we reached the airport or another name for it is Koln/Bonn Flughafen, we had to find our way to the town or the Central train station in Cologne. Its the Koln Hauptbahnhof(HBf). Guess what? We had to buy tickets from the machine. And its all written in German! Arghh... They use codes for different types of towns or cities and you need to know where you want to go in order to buy your ticket. Key in the code, and the machine will tell you the amount to be paid. We struggled. Waiting for the train was another issue as we did not know which platform to go to. We ended up asking another tourist who was also heading the same way.
It took about 20mts to reach the Koln HBf. The station is so huge. There are a few types of train that use the station as their main station. We managed to find our way down and again had to ask people for directions to the tourist information centre as all the signboards are in German. The information centre was about 50metres away from the station. Thank god.
Our accomodation which was the Backpackers Station Hostel was only around the corner. Hmm......we could actually tell people that we stayed at the Hilton Cologne because it was just opposite the road! To tell the truth, this was the 1st time ever I have ever travelled to a foreign country and stayed at a backpackers hostel. I couldn't imagine how it would be like. It cost us 16Euros per person per night. We planned to stay for only 2 nights. They provided the sheet, blanket and the pillowcase - but we had to collect them and put them on ourselves. That's ok.
Oh...did I mention that we booked the cheapest available beds? It was in a 6 bed - room. When we went in, we saw 3 beds were already occupied. We were hoping that all of them are girls or at least they are nice guys.(bear in mind this is a hostel in Germany). We guessed the 1st bed belonged to a girl, the 2nd bed too (coz the owner uses Kao Biore and has a make-up bag and a nice pair of bedroom slippers) and the 3rd owner was a guy. We got the 2nd one wrong. She was a he....or more like in between. He was a very nice chap from Japan. Managed to get some info from him though. The 3rd guy was a French guy who was interested to convert to Islam. Oh man....I felt bad because we gave him a bad impression by staying in the room eventhough we still had our tudung on. The girl came back quite late so we didn't have the chance to talk to her. When we left the next morning, she was still asleep and checked out before we returned. I wasn't feeling comfortable staying in the same room with strangers. I guess this is part of the survival if we have a tight budget.
The next day we went and visited the Dom Cathedral. It was amazing. It looks like one of the Lord of The Rings Building. Yeah...yeah...I know.....I am obsessed with LOTR. What can I do. I just love that movie. Its is so huge and so grand. We did when in and it was very impressive on the inside. We also visited the Imhof Stollwerck Museum which is a 'chocolate' museum. They showed how the chocolate is processed and made. And at the end of the machinery there was this chocolate "fountain" which produces chocolate non-stop. We could actually dip wafers in it and eat it immediately! I wish I could have one of that in my house! We also went to 2 more museums which are Smisch-Germanisches Museum and Museum Ludwig. Well, I guess museums are still museums. No need for me to elaborate on that.
We took lots and lots of photos of the Museums and the Dom Cathedral. Yeah...without me in the photos coz I don't look photogenic and will definitely spoil it.hahaha. Talking about food - we had chips twice and fish twice. For me, no rice for the whole month is still ok. But not for my cousin. By the end of the 2nd day, she was weak. The third day, she had problems to carry her bag which is only a quarter of my bag's weight.
Since it rained the whole day on the third day, we just went for window shopping. I guess we didn't come prepared with raincoat. Oh yeah...another thing we noticed was that a lot of the people there uses bicycle to move around. Its not even the "mountain" or "racing" bicycle, its the old type that my late grandpa use to own. The big, black one which is quite difficult to ride. They even have a place where you can rent it! No thanks for me. It has been ages since I last rode a bike. My brother has 3 and offered me to use it, but its just still lying there in the basement.
I enjoyed my trip to Koln, especially when I know that Koln is the host for FIFA World Cup 2006. I bought some souvenirs too.hehehe...just to proof that we were there a year before the actual one.
I hope one day, I will return to Koln and also other countries/town in the European Union.
Yeah...I would love to go to Brazil and Barcelona.One day.......
When we reached the airport or another name for it is Koln/Bonn Flughafen, we had to find our way to the town or the Central train station in Cologne. Its the Koln Hauptbahnhof(HBf). Guess what? We had to buy tickets from the machine. And its all written in German! Arghh... They use codes for different types of towns or cities and you need to know where you want to go in order to buy your ticket. Key in the code, and the machine will tell you the amount to be paid. We struggled. Waiting for the train was another issue as we did not know which platform to go to. We ended up asking another tourist who was also heading the same way.
It took about 20mts to reach the Koln HBf. The station is so huge. There are a few types of train that use the station as their main station. We managed to find our way down and again had to ask people for directions to the tourist information centre as all the signboards are in German. The information centre was about 50metres away from the station. Thank god.
Our accomodation which was the Backpackers Station Hostel was only around the corner. Hmm......we could actually tell people that we stayed at the Hilton Cologne because it was just opposite the road! To tell the truth, this was the 1st time ever I have ever travelled to a foreign country and stayed at a backpackers hostel. I couldn't imagine how it would be like. It cost us 16Euros per person per night. We planned to stay for only 2 nights. They provided the sheet, blanket and the pillowcase - but we had to collect them and put them on ourselves. That's ok.
Oh...did I mention that we booked the cheapest available beds? It was in a 6 bed - room. When we went in, we saw 3 beds were already occupied. We were hoping that all of them are girls or at least they are nice guys.(bear in mind this is a hostel in Germany). We guessed the 1st bed belonged to a girl, the 2nd bed too (coz the owner uses Kao Biore and has a make-up bag and a nice pair of bedroom slippers) and the 3rd owner was a guy. We got the 2nd one wrong. She was a he....or more like in between. He was a very nice chap from Japan. Managed to get some info from him though. The 3rd guy was a French guy who was interested to convert to Islam. Oh man....I felt bad because we gave him a bad impression by staying in the room eventhough we still had our tudung on. The girl came back quite late so we didn't have the chance to talk to her. When we left the next morning, she was still asleep and checked out before we returned. I wasn't feeling comfortable staying in the same room with strangers. I guess this is part of the survival if we have a tight budget.
The next day we went and visited the Dom Cathedral. It was amazing. It looks like one of the Lord of The Rings Building. Yeah...yeah...I know.....I am obsessed with LOTR. What can I do. I just love that movie. Its is so huge and so grand. We did when in and it was very impressive on the inside. We also visited the Imhof Stollwerck Museum which is a 'chocolate' museum. They showed how the chocolate is processed and made. And at the end of the machinery there was this chocolate "fountain" which produces chocolate non-stop. We could actually dip wafers in it and eat it immediately! I wish I could have one of that in my house! We also went to 2 more museums which are Smisch-Germanisches Museum and Museum Ludwig. Well, I guess museums are still museums. No need for me to elaborate on that.
We took lots and lots of photos of the Museums and the Dom Cathedral. Yeah...without me in the photos coz I don't look photogenic and will definitely spoil it.hahaha. Talking about food - we had chips twice and fish twice. For me, no rice for the whole month is still ok. But not for my cousin. By the end of the 2nd day, she was weak. The third day, she had problems to carry her bag which is only a quarter of my bag's weight.
Since it rained the whole day on the third day, we just went for window shopping. I guess we didn't come prepared with raincoat. Oh yeah...another thing we noticed was that a lot of the people there uses bicycle to move around. Its not even the "mountain" or "racing" bicycle, its the old type that my late grandpa use to own. The big, black one which is quite difficult to ride. They even have a place where you can rent it! No thanks for me. It has been ages since I last rode a bike. My brother has 3 and offered me to use it, but its just still lying there in the basement.
I enjoyed my trip to Koln, especially when I know that Koln is the host for FIFA World Cup 2006. I bought some souvenirs too.hehehe...just to proof that we were there a year before the actual one.
I hope one day, I will return to Koln and also other countries/town in the European Union.
Yeah...I would love to go to Brazil and Barcelona.One day.......
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