September in Copenhagen Part 1

Catching the guards' turning towards our direction can take minutes
and it was a windy morning. Brrrrrrrrrrrr!

Guards at Amalienborg Palace, the queen's residence.

"Meeting the Little Mermaid, the most famous statue in Scandinavia.
This bronze statue "Den Lille Havfrue" was inspired by Hans Christian
Andersen's The Little Mermaid, of the world's most famous fairy tales.
Edvard Eriksen's sculpture, unveiled in 1913, rests on rocks right off
the shore. In spite of its small size, the statue is as important
a symbol to Copenhageners as the Statue of Liberty to New Yorkers."
(Frommer's Europe by Train)

The best way to see this city founded by Bishop Absalon in 1167 is
getting into one of those Hop On-Hop Off bus tours. We paid for
a two day pass with Tivoli entrance for DKK 220 per adult which is
roughly 40US$.

Visiting friends posing in Amalienborg Palace

Feeling like travelling in The Netherlands with so many bikes all over.

Arriving in Koebenhavn H (main station), these huge ceiling
lamps never fail to impress me everytime I come to this city.

A comfortable Danish train. Can't believe it can float!

You would just not believe that such ferries carry trains, trucks,
trailers, hundreds of cars, motorbikes, campers and travellers.
It takes about 45 minutes to cross from German Puttgarden to Roedby.
I paid from Cologne main station to Koevenhavn H return 167.10 Euro
with Bahncard 50. Check offers from German trains especially
starting from Hamburg.

One of the famous landmarks of the city - Carlsberg. In 1847, the famous
beer was brewed in this brewery in Valby.

Bella Italia Sojourn-Other Images

You will not miss them.
They will offer you everything. When it is raining, they have umbrellas.
They have hats to protect you from the burning heat of Italian sun
and weather. They have fans, flashlights, toys and posters.
They are so patient, will engage you in conversation when you
try to bargain. Ten Euro worth of summer hat becomes eight Euro
and you become so delighted. Then they have to run as soon as
the policemen really show interest in them and start confiscating
their goods. Where do you all come from? All the colors of humanity
in this cosmopolitan city of tourism, history and culture?
How much will you be able to keep after a hard-day of hawkings
and running? How much will your family get from this 8Euro per hat
goods you offer? How long will you work today while we complain
about the heat, about the 5.50 Euro worth of a small bottle of
water we ordered from this "tourist trap" restaurant in front
of the Colosseo. Will you have a place to go home to? Will you have
to live in constant fear of being arrested for not having the right
papers, for not having the "right" color of skin to enjoy Bella
Italia? How do you feel looking at us waving to us your hats,
fans, umbrellas and shawls while we look down upon you still not
certain whether to get one fan or not until the tourist bus leaves
and we forget all about you, and we are just confronted with
our own discomfort, budget and safety.
Ah...how I wish I could one day tell you all, okey today you
will all take a rest from your work. I will buy all your goods
or you could keep your wares but enjoy a holiday today. See the
city with another eyes, without your fear, without your anxiety.
At least one day to enjoy Bella Italia!

Italian Sojourn August 2011

Bella Italia!
This time with one of my BFFs and her daughter and a quasi
last minute travel planning. I paid for my Cologne-Milano
Europa-Spezial with reservation for 103.50Euro. Check especial
offers by Die Bahn but you need at least three days before
the actual travelling day. We left Cologne at 10.53, reached
Zuerich at 5pm to get our connection to Milano. We reached Milano
at about 9.10pm with some 20 minutes delay.
Our Travel Schedule:
August. 18 - Travel to Milano, Overnight Milano
August 19 - Travel to Padova, visit to St. Anthony
overnight with Cecil S. in Padova. We were instantly
invited to join an instant party of Pinays with adobo,
sinigang na baboy and pasta with crabs and ube cake.
August 20 - Tour of Venice...what a hot day!
August 21 - Travel to Rome - Vatican City overnight in 3-star Hotel
for 120 Euro for three persons. Air-conditioning was super!
Check Euro Star Italia for special free ride for children
below the age of 12 travelling with parents. Could be
a real treat.
August 22 - Tour of Rome with the Hop on - Hop off for
20Euro per adult. Also especial treat for children but
be sure you have hats and fans as Rome is unbearable in the
month of August. Compare offers of the different tours before
booking. Other Hop on-Hop off companies include night
tours, a bit more expensive but you see more.
August 23 - Train travel to Pisa...ah what tourists do to get
photos of the leaning tower.
One hour train to Firenze to see David,ate expensive ice cream
and then took the train back to our hotel in Milano.
August 24 - tour of Milano's Duomo and the shopping alley
but stayed inside hotel as heat was getting unbearable.
We were also just feeling sooooooooooo exhausted.
August 25 - took our booked train back to Alemanya
and we reached Cologne at 7.25 pm hungry for German food!
We would like to return soon to Bella Italia but maybe
not during the hot days of August.
Buona Giornata!

Meet, Eat and Learn

My status says in my other site says:"Have a Meet and Eat date with
my Muslim girlfriend today at 17:00. Looking at the how to get to
her place sketch, I think it will be just about 20.39 when I reach
her flat...sunset in Germany. We can eat.”
The delay of the train gave me a plus point.I managed to be just on
the time she wanted us to be in her apartment. Was ahead of the other
women and had time to try on some batik loose blouses from
Indonesia left to her by her friend.
Then our starters of sliced baguettes with German red cherries and
American yellow cheeries which we easily finished with sparkling wine
brought by another woman guest to post celebrate her birthday.
Weather was grey looking like the sun has set early that day.
Kani informed us that she could break her fast as she was not feeling
well so my fear of getting the first bite only after 8.30pm that day
was unfounded.
Soon she was calling us to her kitchen/dining room and surprised us
with a festive serving of Nasih kuning or yellow rice with
accompaniments of rendang ayam (chicken rendang,) semur or beef
cooked in soya sauce, serundeng (roasted spicy coconut) gado-gado,
steamed vegetables with peanut sauce and krupuk - prawn crisps.
For our dessert: Sweet potatoes and bananas cooked in coconut milk
and Rujak, mixture of tropical fruits i.e. mangoes, pineapples,
carambola (balimbing) sprinkled with grounded peanuts and drizzled
with spicy tamarind sauce.
Between our bites and second servings, we talked about Indonesian
languages, rituals in Bali, about the existing caste system in
Indonesia and the status of homosexuals in Germany and in the home
countries of the invited guests.
Kani even patiently taught each one of us how to weave pandan leaves
used as decoration for the offerings to the different gods and spirits.
And as especial treat, every woman brought home a doggie bag of her
festive meal. What a thoughtful hostess. I asked her what she would
be doing and cooking at the end of Ramadan. Sneaky me!
Terimah Kasih, Kani! Salamat! Danke! Thank You!

Pinay von Alemanya

Big Treat from Rose of NL

Good that I responded to her message and we settled to meet up.
I cancelled my planned trip to see the Gay Parade in Amsterdam
as weather report showed "Precipitation 70%." It rained heavily
too in Rotterdam but we found our way through the weekend
market buying cherries, cheese and dates. She suggested
a restaurant named Amigo especializing in Mexican food. She said
it would be her treat. Ay! Talagang Hospitality Ala Pinay.
And what a treat! Thanks a lot. I will always associate this
restaurant Amigo with my Amiga Rose...Hasta Luego!

Instant Lunch-Within the Budget

Every seasoned traveller knows it...how to live on within the
planned budget for the day. In my case, it was just an incident
that I saw this chicken shop while searching for an Indian shirt
in this multicultural part of Rotterdam. So I thought why not try
itm and instantly I thought of my friend Min who goes crazy
looking for the Colonel when she visits me. We don't have this
chicken shop in our city but instead a rolling chicken on grills
comes every Thursday but for her it's the Colonel's or nothing
at all.
I took this 3 piece Box menu costing 8.45Euro.
Converted into the current rate, it is roughly 508.83pesos.
It was filling I should say but too big for an Asian woman's
stomach. I found the coleslaw not so tasting like what I
expected and the chicken...well crumbly but not that especial.
I still would prefer the especial fried chicken of my friend
Yvonne...she should be called General and not just Colonel for
making her own version of crusty, delicious fried chicken.
Hope she reads this blog and make me a fried chicken when
we do our Meet and Eat day.

Summer in Rotterdam

Buwan ng Agosto, Buwan ng Wikang Filipino

(Source:internet)

Buwan ng Wikang Filipino. Unang araw pa lang ng Agosto, nagsimulang
sumikat ang araw. Mga tatlong linggong halos di nakita ang araw.
Walang tigil ang ulan. Panahon ng tag-lamig sa kainitan.

Mahirap din magsulat sa sarileng wika. Ang pagiisip ay halo-halong
salitang banyaga.
Di ko alam para bang ako'y nagsusulat ng tula
Lahat ng salita ay parang inuugma (wow ang lalim)

Anong gagawin sa unang araw ng Agosto
Nasanay na yata ako sa lamig at ayaw na sa init.

Pinagmamasdan mula sa bintana
mga nagdadaang tao may dala-dalang kundi aso ay bata
pero mas maraming may dalang tuta.

Ang summer job ko ay gumawa ng libro
Sa pagaaral ng wikang Filipino
Ang mga pahinang di pa napupuno
malibang sa Ano pong pangalan ninyo.

Ay buwan ng Agosto
Huwag kang masyadong iinit
Sapagkat ako'y sanay sa lamig.

Kaunting ulan hiling ko sa yo
Para sa aking mga tanim na self-supporting
Kaunting init laban sa depression
Kaunting hangin parang de abaniko
Habang naglalakad o nagshoshoping
Para di uminit ang ulo
sa taas ng mga presyo.

Tapos na muna dito ang blogging
Kontrata ng trabaho
Ay dapat isipin.
Susunod na pahina,
Kumusta po kayo
Mabuti naman
Anong Status ninyo?

Dogs Day

I was posting the other day the short encounter I had with
a German woman who was strolling with her poodle. "Paula, don't
stop on the middle of the road. Go, move futher," she was telling
her curly-haired white poodle. Actually, it was an encounter
with her poodle and not with her as Paula refused to move
and kept on staring back at me...on the middle of the road.
Good there was not much traffic that day. Most probably all gone
to get tanned and escape the German winter this summer.
A day later, (see the photo above)in a neighboring Dutch
village, I met this friendly woman with her flock of Shih Tzu
and other equally "fierce" looking puppies. She agreed to my
shooting her dogs, digital that is, and the puppies showed more
cooperation, stopped and stared back at me.
What could she be telling them later after I said thank you
and praised her flock? "Now, don't be too friendly to
strangers, little puppies. She might post you and you don't
get your royalties."
This is by the way, the day when the Philippine AZKALs,
strayed dogs lost to the national team of Kuwait.
A dog day afternoon.

Shopping in Germany

Sure you know that brand. It starts with B. Sandals or clogs,
good for your feet, good for your health, damageproof. For many
years, they have been identified as "official" footwear of German
developmental workers;alternative, sturdy, practical. Worn with socks,
they made a good piece of conversation among the onlookers but
that's another story.
I don't want to give shoes as gifts so I'm buying someone
a pair or two as she claims she couldn't walk comfortably with
other brand of shoes. I tried some pairs and I felt like
I'm a personified Donald Duck...too wide, too long and
felt like I couldn't control my direction. But I have to get
the ordered shoes.
Price ranges from 39.95 to 89.95 depending on the style.
I was so busy looking for the sizes that I didn't see
that they were not all really Made in Germany even if the store
logo says Made in Germany, Tradition since 1774. I realized it
only when I was trying them again at home and read the labels.
Made in Spain, licensed by B. One pair has the label B, Made in
Germany which I got on summer sale for only 24.95Euro It used to
cost 49Euro. Will they get cheaper in winter, I wouldn't know.
The cheapest stuff, pink slippers are Made in
China for 9.99. Very light, a must if you're using public showers
for the holidays. Needless to say, not when you're going to
China. Such stuffs are freebies, you could bring them home
as souvenirs.
The next door leads to an outlet of another German brand; no, not
the one with the monkey which guarantees jobs for Germany.
Posh, too. But I won't say the brand. I didn't get my size.
Besides, how would a personified Donald Duck or Daisy
look like with that designer's suit walking with B'stock?

Cross-posting: Pin@ys in Greece

I got this posting in another site...well in Facebook actually.
I would like to share it with you. Thanks Margie.
Posted by Kasapi Hellas
Dear Mr Theodorakis,
When will the lack of awareness end?
I’m sure you consider my question to be impertinent, but I’m actually being quite polite when you consider the feelings that are not being expressed. What I really want to say is that your statement in Naoussa on June 27th when you claimed that Greece had become the “Filipineza” of the troϊka and the IMF is thoughtless, hurtful and racist. I also know that to continue expressing my feelings in this way would be both useless and damaging.
I don’t want to make things worse. My aim is not to insult or to stand as your judge, but to attempt to make you understand what you have actually said. I would like to give you the opportunity to see how hurtful and unjust your statement is. I’d like you and others like you to realize that Greece cannot move forward by trampling on others. Filipinos are a just people. They are your allies and stand in solidarity with Greeks in the hope of finding common solutions. They deserve and it is their right to be treated better.
The truth is that you are a good man. I know you have worked all your life for justice and the good of your people in the best way you knew how. You have bravely spoken out with integrity in times when the risk to your own freedom was high. You have been a freedom fighter as an individual, as a musician and as a politician giving courage, hope and inspiration to people around the world. Your personal story is more than impressive.
And yet you have no awareness whatsoever of the racist attitudes that you are reinforcing while attempting to speak for your own people. Why should a floundering nation of Greeks be compared to Filipinas? How can you callously categorize Philippine women in a way that ignores their individuality, their intelligence, their strengths and their charms? How can you use hard-working and courageous people as a symbol of everything that you find humiliating, a symbol of servitude?
Is your hurt as a Greek so deep that you cannot see that you are being oppressive towards people who themselves have been badly used by both the Greek and the global economy. Just the fact that you choose Filipinas to show your indignation means that you know something of the injustices that these people face. This does not give you the right to humiliate them in trying to express your own humiliation in the face of the measures being forced on Greece during the current economic situation.
I know Greek people use the word “Filipina” as a catchall term for a domestic worker, but that doesn’t make it right. Babiniotis, who compiled the well-known and very comprehensive dictionary for the Modern Greek language, distanced himself from all responsibility for the entry “Filipineza” by stating that he was merely recording the common usage given to the word by the Greek people themselves. He rightly claimed that he was not responsible for giving words their meaning. However, while defending himself, he obviously felt no obligation to attempt to right the wrong that has grown within the Greek language that he claims to love so well.
Surely, Mr Theodoraki, you remember that no one is free until everyone is free. Surely, men like you and Babiniotis, who have the attention and respect of so many millions of people, can use that attention to influence positive change rather than adding to the injustices.
Think about what you have said. Think about your indignation at what is happening in Greece and then think about the indignation of the Filipino people and how they have been used over the years. If it weren’t for globalization, you might never have met a Filipina in your life. Filipinas do not want to leave their families or their country to come and work in your homes. The global economy forces them to do so. However, regardless of the necessity, they come with their dignity intact, knowing who they are and how to cope with every situation.
Greece would be lucky indeed to be able to truthfully compare itself to these people who have migrated from the Philippines in search of a better life. Their search has always added greatly to the richness of every country they enter!
Sincerely,
Margie Doyle Papadopoulou

TGIF! Marketing on Friday

This is not an ad for any product nor study on the current prices
of groceries. I just took an hour or so from my paper works to fetch
from our Friday market what I've been wanting to eat since the other
day. I have been craving for cherries for days but won't give in
to the temptation and buy from the regular fruit store selling
imported huge, round cherries for 11.90Euro a kilo.
While waiting for my turn in this long line of faithful
"Suki" buyers of this most patronized fruits and veggies
stand in this Friday market,I could enjoy hearing the small
talks of the locals: Greetings, "Guten Tag", "He has a stroke and
now in hospital," "She has amaurosis," (I tried hard to remember
the word so I could google it later but I could also have misheard
what the woman has said.),"Korea, that country is poor, isn't it?"
(They were talking about the latest news on the doping case of two
North Korean football players in the Women's World Cup games
happening currently in Germany.), etc, etc, etc. Wish I could tape
all the talks while waiting to get my cherries.
For the purchase of blackberries, strawberries and a kilo
of cherries (see photo above), I paid only 7.40Euro. TGIF! It was
worth waiting for Friday marketing.