If you are an Agatha Christie fan, do you know that she actually wrote Murder on the Orient Express in Room 411 of Pera Palas Hotel in Istanbul?
Apparently Warner Brothers wanted to make a film of the missing 11 days in her life, you know it was when she disappeared but was found in a resort under her husband's lover's name. From consulting a medium, the room was searched on 7 March 1979 and a rusty key was found under the floor boards. Sad to say, the hotel President demanded an exorbitant sum and Warner Brothers refused to comply. Therefore, her diary for that period is still locked somewhere and the key to access that was in turn locked in a safe to safeguard the Hotel's interest.
I was fascinated reading this account on pages 98 and 99.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Thursday, June 20, 2013
(254) Himalaya by Michael Palin
I happen to have an elder brother who continually buys and reads travel books and then generously passes them to me.
This is one book which describes places that I wish I could go. But of course I have not the financial means to travel to such far off the beaten track countries. Even if I have a sudden windfall that solves the money angle, I do not have the necessary mobility to tackle mountain paths.
It was a happy few days that I spent living my armchair traveling through Palin's eyes. I particularly want to visit Bhutan, the country with clear, clean air that is still made up of many acres of virgin temperate forest.
One day I might just go and visit a few friends who live in Kunming and add on a side trip to Lijiang. With really cheap fare offered by Air Asia, dreams do come true!
This is one book which describes places that I wish I could go. But of course I have not the financial means to travel to such far off the beaten track countries. Even if I have a sudden windfall that solves the money angle, I do not have the necessary mobility to tackle mountain paths.
It was a happy few days that I spent living my armchair traveling through Palin's eyes. I particularly want to visit Bhutan, the country with clear, clean air that is still made up of many acres of virgin temperate forest.
One day I might just go and visit a few friends who live in Kunming and add on a side trip to Lijiang. With really cheap fare offered by Air Asia, dreams do come true!
Monday, April 22, 2013
(239) Human suffering in Greece
One of my brothers work in a Bank. We were discussing about such countries like Greece, Cyprus, Spain, France ... According to him, the problem in Cyprus is unique because it is part of the European Union. While it might not work for Cyprus to opt out of EU, it is not feasible for the single common currency to keep bailing out one country after another.
He read somewhere that one Greek Headmaster said that there were children in the city that went to school with no food in the tummy. Parents could have been unemployed for at least two years, have little marketable skills and could no longer subsist on social security that have been cut drastically. People who were formerly civil servants usually do not upgrade themselves thinking they have an iron rice bowl (unbreakable). I find urban children going hungry shocking. On our TV screen we see that refugees in Africa were fed. In fact I just saw ethnic Muslim Myanmarese walked into refugee camps on one of the International news channels. Sure, during WW2, my mother's family(one widow with five children) survived on sweet potatoes and other roots. But at least they had one meal daily. My father was old enough to run errands for the Japanese soldiers, his family had rice to eat throughout the Japanese occupation.
Pulling my view finder from Greece to my country, we also have a huge civil servant population. Similarly our debt to earning ratio is not exactly healthy. I certainly hope that the coming election would change deep seated problems like that so that we would not face in the future what Greece faces now.
He read somewhere that one Greek Headmaster said that there were children in the city that went to school with no food in the tummy. Parents could have been unemployed for at least two years, have little marketable skills and could no longer subsist on social security that have been cut drastically. People who were formerly civil servants usually do not upgrade themselves thinking they have an iron rice bowl (unbreakable). I find urban children going hungry shocking. On our TV screen we see that refugees in Africa were fed. In fact I just saw ethnic Muslim Myanmarese walked into refugee camps on one of the International news channels. Sure, during WW2, my mother's family(one widow with five children) survived on sweet potatoes and other roots. But at least they had one meal daily. My father was old enough to run errands for the Japanese soldiers, his family had rice to eat throughout the Japanese occupation.
Pulling my view finder from Greece to my country, we also have a huge civil servant population. Similarly our debt to earning ratio is not exactly healthy. I certainly hope that the coming election would change deep seated problems like that so that we would not face in the future what Greece faces now.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
(224) Age of great mobility
I came back from an inter-denominational prayer gathering. Around the table sat seven individuals. Winnie just came back from a few weeks in Indonesia. She founded a scattering of pre-school classes in the highlands and still raises fund for the literacy project.
Evon visited her social worker friends in China. Mr and Mrs Sebastian just came back from Miri. My husband is going on a trip in two weeks to Chiangmai to look up friends. That left Emily and I who did not go anywhere the last month and we have no trip planned for the next month.
We belong to an age of high mobility. Air tickets are relatively cheap thanks to budget airlines. We talked about the avian flu in China. Yet none of us fear enough to curtail our jetting about. None of us are in business nor do we work for corporations. Most of us are semi-retired or self-employed. No wonder any virulent bug gets passed from passenger to passenger and within days it could spread all over many countries.
Evon visited her social worker friends in China. Mr and Mrs Sebastian just came back from Miri. My husband is going on a trip in two weeks to Chiangmai to look up friends. That left Emily and I who did not go anywhere the last month and we have no trip planned for the next month.
We belong to an age of high mobility. Air tickets are relatively cheap thanks to budget airlines. We talked about the avian flu in China. Yet none of us fear enough to curtail our jetting about. None of us are in business nor do we work for corporations. Most of us are semi-retired or self-employed. No wonder any virulent bug gets passed from passenger to passenger and within days it could spread all over many countries.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
(218) Good Food Moments
There are two main groups on earth: those who eat to live and the others who live to eat.
Out of my children, Elizabeth and Michael love to eat. They often count on their fingers what dishes they like from their favorite restaurants. I enjoy good food too, but my memory often zooms in on children and adult's foibles or antics I could not help but observe. They would remind me of food we shared from years past but to be honest, I have forgotten or only vaguely recall with a lot of reminders.
However, there are a few good food moments that I would not forget :-
1. Eating freshly caught prawns in a fishing village near Singapore. My grand ma steamed them and they tasted heavenly. I was six years old, it was the first time my father took me back to his hometown. I have not tasted any better prawns since. For my American readers, prawns are like shrimps but they are slightly different.
2. When I was young, my family was so poor that my brothers and I would only get to eat fish ball noodle only if one of us had fever. I still recall my mum would walk with the healthy children across the main road to buy fifty cents' worth of Teo Chew fish ball noodle soup (rice noodle called kway teo) cooked by a man in a tiny roadside stall. Of course the sick child could hardly swallow much as fever was often caused by sore throat. The rest of us would share and feast over the remainder. As our mother and grandmother would brew Chinese herbal tea often, sicknesses were few and far in between. All the more wonderful when we had a chance to eat the precious noodle.
3. When my husband and I brought the children to the beach, we ate in a small restaurant in Pantai Remis. That was the only time we had a steamed silver pomfret (a delicacy Chinese value in my country) that required no ginger, spring onion nor sesame oil. It was absolutely fresh and sweet.
4. During my last visit, my uncle, auntie and cousin (from China) took us to the famous Sar Hor Fun in Canton. They generously ordered three types of Hor Fun (rice noodle). The best was the noodle in clear soup. I can't quite recall if it was served with meat or fish ball. Neither am I certain if it was pork or beef ball. But what impressed me was the simple soup and the noodle that crunch just the right amount.
So you see, I am a simple eater who enjoy non-sophisticated food.
Out of my children, Elizabeth and Michael love to eat. They often count on their fingers what dishes they like from their favorite restaurants. I enjoy good food too, but my memory often zooms in on children and adult's foibles or antics I could not help but observe. They would remind me of food we shared from years past but to be honest, I have forgotten or only vaguely recall with a lot of reminders.
However, there are a few good food moments that I would not forget :-
1. Eating freshly caught prawns in a fishing village near Singapore. My grand ma steamed them and they tasted heavenly. I was six years old, it was the first time my father took me back to his hometown. I have not tasted any better prawns since. For my American readers, prawns are like shrimps but they are slightly different.
2. When I was young, my family was so poor that my brothers and I would only get to eat fish ball noodle only if one of us had fever. I still recall my mum would walk with the healthy children across the main road to buy fifty cents' worth of Teo Chew fish ball noodle soup (rice noodle called kway teo) cooked by a man in a tiny roadside stall. Of course the sick child could hardly swallow much as fever was often caused by sore throat. The rest of us would share and feast over the remainder. As our mother and grandmother would brew Chinese herbal tea often, sicknesses were few and far in between. All the more wonderful when we had a chance to eat the precious noodle.
3. When my husband and I brought the children to the beach, we ate in a small restaurant in Pantai Remis. That was the only time we had a steamed silver pomfret (a delicacy Chinese value in my country) that required no ginger, spring onion nor sesame oil. It was absolutely fresh and sweet.
4. During my last visit, my uncle, auntie and cousin (from China) took us to the famous Sar Hor Fun in Canton. They generously ordered three types of Hor Fun (rice noodle). The best was the noodle in clear soup. I can't quite recall if it was served with meat or fish ball. Neither am I certain if it was pork or beef ball. But what impressed me was the simple soup and the noodle that crunch just the right amount.
So you see, I am a simple eater who enjoy non-sophisticated food.
Friday, February 22, 2013
(213) Three days two nights in Sandakan
My husband paid a nominal amount during a charity fund raiser and obtained a coupon for two nights' stay in a fairly new hotel in Sandakan.
I was disappointed as I was hoping for somewhere in London, Melbourne, Chiangmai, or Hong Kong. After offering to let one of my children to travel with daddy, each one refused to go. Reasons are varied: no friends there, nothing much to see or do there, it is a gruffy old town ... In the end when we found economical air tickets by Air Asia, I decided to come myself.
The only place I have been to in Borneo is Sibu, Sarawak before coming to Sandakan. To be brutally frank, I was not impressed at all with Sibu. But my missionary friends are right, Sandakan is much more attractive than Sibu. I like the coastal scenery. For being the second largest city in Sabah, it has a laid back charm like Ipoh.
My husband and I enjoyed the only Korean eatery: Seoul Palace(I think). He had beef and I ordered an omelet. We went to have western lunch near the Alice Keith house. Scones were on promotion. The beef stew offered was delicious! The best place we ate in was the Sea King: we had a steam red snapper Cantonese style (Sandakan is also called Little Hong Kong), beef cooked with black beans (highly recommended), fried kalamari ring(squid) and a simple garlic fried vegetable.
Neither my husband nor I are big on wild life, we spent virtually all our meals chatting with our friends. It actually turned out to be a trip to renew friendship.
I was disappointed as I was hoping for somewhere in London, Melbourne, Chiangmai, or Hong Kong. After offering to let one of my children to travel with daddy, each one refused to go. Reasons are varied: no friends there, nothing much to see or do there, it is a gruffy old town ... In the end when we found economical air tickets by Air Asia, I decided to come myself.
The only place I have been to in Borneo is Sibu, Sarawak before coming to Sandakan. To be brutally frank, I was not impressed at all with Sibu. But my missionary friends are right, Sandakan is much more attractive than Sibu. I like the coastal scenery. For being the second largest city in Sabah, it has a laid back charm like Ipoh.
My husband and I enjoyed the only Korean eatery: Seoul Palace(I think). He had beef and I ordered an omelet. We went to have western lunch near the Alice Keith house. Scones were on promotion. The beef stew offered was delicious! The best place we ate in was the Sea King: we had a steam red snapper Cantonese style (Sandakan is also called Little Hong Kong), beef cooked with black beans (highly recommended), fried kalamari ring(squid) and a simple garlic fried vegetable.
Neither my husband nor I are big on wild life, we spent virtually all our meals chatting with our friends. It actually turned out to be a trip to renew friendship.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
(119) Home sweet home
I am back to the land of 56% obese people by medical charts. Well! One glaring difference I can see is that there are too many fast food places here. In Danang and Hoy An, they have yet to have one McDonald!
A second difference is the mode of transportation, here we only see foreign workers cycling while in Danang those who could not afford motorcycle still bike around. Thirdly, people in the Danang-Hoy An area sleep early, by ten most houses are dark. Here, we see streams of vehicles running in the highways and the byways way past midnight.
Of course we could vote for the most livable place on earth, but could we really choose a better spot and be able to really move and settle there just like that? Perhaps when one is a billionaire? Quite a few of those rare breed moved to Singapore and jacked up their per-capita income. A friend of mine who have ties in the island nation said that such astronomical wealth did not add any benefits to the have nots in the streets of the island. The high exchange rate is the main reason that I have not visited Singapore for years even though it is the nearest foreign country to me.
A second difference is the mode of transportation, here we only see foreign workers cycling while in Danang those who could not afford motorcycle still bike around. Thirdly, people in the Danang-Hoy An area sleep early, by ten most houses are dark. Here, we see streams of vehicles running in the highways and the byways way past midnight.
Of course we could vote for the most livable place on earth, but could we really choose a better spot and be able to really move and settle there just like that? Perhaps when one is a billionaire? Quite a few of those rare breed moved to Singapore and jacked up their per-capita income. A friend of mine who have ties in the island nation said that such astronomical wealth did not add any benefits to the have nots in the streets of the island. The high exchange rate is the main reason that I have not visited Singapore for years even though it is the nearest foreign country to me.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
(117) Comparative sizes
I am currently in Danang, Vietnam. This is my first visit to this country. The first striking thing I noticed is the slimness of Vietnamese in general. When I visited Thailand in 2000, what I saw was the contrast between the thinness of women below 20s and the heaviness of older women. After a few visits, I realized the contrast was brought on by they way they added sugar to their regular diet. Once a woman gets married and have children, her slowed metabolic rate could not burn the excess sugar taken on a daily basis.
While I was petite as a foreign student in USA. Now I am grossly over weight in Vietnam. Interestingly I have only gained 15 pounds in the interim period. Girls my height here have impossibly small bone frames. According to our tour guide, Vietnamese were incredibly poor ten years ago. Most families could not even afford night lights. What they did make aplenty were babies. He came from a family of twelve children. Now the government only allowed two children per family. There is of course enough for everyone to eat in the country now as the country is opened to investors.
What I found difficult to believe is that couples who hardly had enough to eat ten or fifteen years ago could produce a baby each a year and most of them did grow up! What about malnutrition? Childhood illnesses? Childbirth complications?
While I was petite as a foreign student in USA. Now I am grossly over weight in Vietnam. Interestingly I have only gained 15 pounds in the interim period. Girls my height here have impossibly small bone frames. According to our tour guide, Vietnamese were incredibly poor ten years ago. Most families could not even afford night lights. What they did make aplenty were babies. He came from a family of twelve children. Now the government only allowed two children per family. There is of course enough for everyone to eat in the country now as the country is opened to investors.
What I found difficult to believe is that couples who hardly had enough to eat ten or fifteen years ago could produce a baby each a year and most of them did grow up! What about malnutrition? Childhood illnesses? Childbirth complications?
Sunday, November 4, 2012
(102) East met West
My last blog, Feeding Station, seemed to have been received well. Let me continue, the gentleman who has been such a blessing to the needy in Penang went on to tour Thailand and he landed in a hostel for poor hill tribe children in Chiangrai state.
This orphanage or hostel was founded on faith, people and Christian organisations from many parts of the world donated funding to feed and educate the children of minorities who otherwise would not receive any education. Our friend met a Thai widow there and to cut a long story short, they were married and worked in this place where abandoned children find hope and future.
Well, the East is still the East while the West remains the West. I stepped into a rather volatile situation where the East and the West clashed. Since I am an Asian who speak English, I was asked by both sides to speak to the other. After listening to the long and short of it, I came to the conclusion that the Thais were expecting the white man to behave like a Thai since he has been there for quite a while (in their opinion). However, nobody could change his culture in such a short time (as far as I know). The white man obviously was behaving like a sincere crusader but no one appreciated that.
For a while I believed both parties were right in their own ways. Yet I know that if there was conflict both parties must be wrong too. After praying for wisdom and a persuasive tongue, I ventured to try to be a peace-maker. After assuring the hosts that they did have a right to set down some basic rules for the guests, I explained that once a Thai lady married a white man, she should step into his culture. That would most easily be accomplished when she follows her husband to his country. Therefore, the hostel should release her so that she could be with her husband in his own country (she was a staff member prior to marriage).
For the newly wed, I explained that they need to start anew. After all, she has not gone over to meet his family at that point. Why not take her over to Australia, let her stay long enough to get her permanent residency. After that, if they so feel called, they could always return to Thailand and start their own work in any way they see fit.
The day after I provided a solution and talked to both parties, I could sense relief and the very worked up people relaxing. My friend, the Thai lady, was really excited about her forthcoming trip to Australia. The hosts, which was made up of many families serving in the community, were most pleased about their white guest willing to leave for a few months. As my white friend worked out the finance side, his wife said that she would be more than willing to work in his home town at any jobs she could find. Hence everyone was focusing on how to help the couple make the trip. Conflict flew out of the window, truce was declared and the atmosphere really improved. They did leave for Australia in a few months' time and stayed on there.
This orphanage or hostel was founded on faith, people and Christian organisations from many parts of the world donated funding to feed and educate the children of minorities who otherwise would not receive any education. Our friend met a Thai widow there and to cut a long story short, they were married and worked in this place where abandoned children find hope and future.
Well, the East is still the East while the West remains the West. I stepped into a rather volatile situation where the East and the West clashed. Since I am an Asian who speak English, I was asked by both sides to speak to the other. After listening to the long and short of it, I came to the conclusion that the Thais were expecting the white man to behave like a Thai since he has been there for quite a while (in their opinion). However, nobody could change his culture in such a short time (as far as I know). The white man obviously was behaving like a sincere crusader but no one appreciated that.
For a while I believed both parties were right in their own ways. Yet I know that if there was conflict both parties must be wrong too. After praying for wisdom and a persuasive tongue, I ventured to try to be a peace-maker. After assuring the hosts that they did have a right to set down some basic rules for the guests, I explained that once a Thai lady married a white man, she should step into his culture. That would most easily be accomplished when she follows her husband to his country. Therefore, the hostel should release her so that she could be with her husband in his own country (she was a staff member prior to marriage).
For the newly wed, I explained that they need to start anew. After all, she has not gone over to meet his family at that point. Why not take her over to Australia, let her stay long enough to get her permanent residency. After that, if they so feel called, they could always return to Thailand and start their own work in any way they see fit.
The day after I provided a solution and talked to both parties, I could sense relief and the very worked up people relaxing. My friend, the Thai lady, was really excited about her forthcoming trip to Australia. The hosts, which was made up of many families serving in the community, were most pleased about their white guest willing to leave for a few months. As my white friend worked out the finance side, his wife said that she would be more than willing to work in his home town at any jobs she could find. Hence everyone was focusing on how to help the couple make the trip. Conflict flew out of the window, truce was declared and the atmosphere really improved. They did leave for Australia in a few months' time and stayed on there.
Friday, September 14, 2012
(56) One-man international aid organization
This article is found in the January 2003 issue of Reader's Digest. I will just give a few details:
Name: Hannes Urban
Nationality: Austrian
Occupation: Taxi driver
Projects: 1. Bringing clothes for South African homeless children
2. Bringing boxes of medicine to indigenous Mexicans
3. Providing clean and safe drinking water in needy community in a South African village
Organization: Wir Helfen (We help, in German)
Internet site: www.wir-helfen.org
Donors: Friends, passengers, pharmaceutical companies, shipping companies, airlines
Peter Langthaler(provided $5000 to transport medicine to Sudan)
Helper: Christine Urban (sister-in-law of Hannes)
Contact: Dr. Juan Romero, Cuautepec, Mexico City
Thobeka Sidlayi, Rohlweni, 320 Km from Durban
From the article, Hannes started with travelling, then he was called to do this work.
Name: Hannes Urban
Nationality: Austrian
Occupation: Taxi driver
Projects: 1. Bringing clothes for South African homeless children
2. Bringing boxes of medicine to indigenous Mexicans
3. Providing clean and safe drinking water in needy community in a South African village
Organization: Wir Helfen (We help, in German)
Internet site: www.wir-helfen.org
Donors: Friends, passengers, pharmaceutical companies, shipping companies, airlines
Peter Langthaler(provided $5000 to transport medicine to Sudan)
Helper: Christine Urban (sister-in-law of Hannes)
Contact: Dr. Juan Romero, Cuautepec, Mexico City
Thobeka Sidlayi, Rohlweni, 320 Km from Durban
From the article, Hannes started with travelling, then he was called to do this work.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
(978) An Emperor's scissors
About a year back, I was in Silver City buying a pair of scissors for my mum. Choosing among about seven different brands, I was taken with one called "Chang Siow Chuen". "Chang" is as in a "piece" of paper. "Siow" means small. "Chuen" means spring or brook.
During my visit to HanChow, where the famous West Lake is, I heard a true story from my local tour guide. Many, many years ago, an Emperor came to the south of the great river. He went up to have green tea in a tea house on a hill next to the famous West Lake. As he was enjoying his cup, the sky turned dark. He left on a sedan chair. But, alas, as he reached the bottom of the hill, it started to pour. Well, even the Emperor could not control the weather. Hence he sheltered beneath the nearest roofed entry way of a civilian's house. Fifteen minutes after the rain started, it grew heavier. The Emperor decided not to twiddle his thumb anymore but to walk into this man's shop to see what he made.
It was a cottage industry making scissors. While waiting out the rain, he tried quite a few pairs and bought one pair to take back to the forbidden city. The following year, he was so delighted with this "Chang Siow Chuen" scissors that he solemnly declared this brand the imperial brand which would supply him all his palace needs.
Imagine, it must have been hundreds of years later now, this same brand is still being in production and it is sold thousands of miles away from China. There must be something about its design or quality, otherwise I would not have chosen it in a hardware store among many brands.
During my visit to HanChow, where the famous West Lake is, I heard a true story from my local tour guide. Many, many years ago, an Emperor came to the south of the great river. He went up to have green tea in a tea house on a hill next to the famous West Lake. As he was enjoying his cup, the sky turned dark. He left on a sedan chair. But, alas, as he reached the bottom of the hill, it started to pour. Well, even the Emperor could not control the weather. Hence he sheltered beneath the nearest roofed entry way of a civilian's house. Fifteen minutes after the rain started, it grew heavier. The Emperor decided not to twiddle his thumb anymore but to walk into this man's shop to see what he made.
It was a cottage industry making scissors. While waiting out the rain, he tried quite a few pairs and bought one pair to take back to the forbidden city. The following year, he was so delighted with this "Chang Siow Chuen" scissors that he solemnly declared this brand the imperial brand which would supply him all his palace needs.
Imagine, it must have been hundreds of years later now, this same brand is still being in production and it is sold thousands of miles away from China. There must be something about its design or quality, otherwise I would not have chosen it in a hardware store among many brands.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
(977) Managing luggage weight
I shared with a lady in my little tour group how I kept my luggage weight down. A few months before a planned trip, I would be on the look out for clothes suitable for use in that country at that season of the year. Since I recycle used clothes year round, I pick out suitable clothes and try them on. Then I wash them and store them until the trip.
During the trip I try to wash them and let them drip dry in the hotel bath room. However, I could not do that in my Shanghai trip, we changed city everyday. Whether the clothes are clean or not, I pack them nicely in whatever shopping bag I have on hand. The last batch of recycled clothes were taken by the toilet custodian. I explained that due to weight consideration, I had to leave them behind. She was smiling when I reassured her that they were reasonably new clothing.
For all my six trips to Thailand, I have donated clothing to orphanages. In Sibu, Sarawak, I left them with a Seminary secretary who promised to wash them before donating to an aborigine own thrift shop. In Hong Kong, I left my bag in the service corridor of a big shopping mall. It was a neatly packed hotel laundry bag, all in one glance one can tell it is clothing and a bomb. Perhaps security would send it to good will. If not, a kitchen worker may find the clothing useful for her children. In Switzerland I left my clothes with my hostess who would bring it to The Red Cross.
That way, it is easy to stay within the strict weight limit of airlines. Whatever few items I purchase, they take the place of the clothes given away. I return to my home country with the same number of luggage and almost the same weight. Not being well-to-do, I see each trip as a blessing. By choosing to give away clothing, I am merely passing the blessing on to the poor folks in that country.
During the trip I try to wash them and let them drip dry in the hotel bath room. However, I could not do that in my Shanghai trip, we changed city everyday. Whether the clothes are clean or not, I pack them nicely in whatever shopping bag I have on hand. The last batch of recycled clothes were taken by the toilet custodian. I explained that due to weight consideration, I had to leave them behind. She was smiling when I reassured her that they were reasonably new clothing.
For all my six trips to Thailand, I have donated clothing to orphanages. In Sibu, Sarawak, I left them with a Seminary secretary who promised to wash them before donating to an aborigine own thrift shop. In Hong Kong, I left my bag in the service corridor of a big shopping mall. It was a neatly packed hotel laundry bag, all in one glance one can tell it is clothing and a bomb. Perhaps security would send it to good will. If not, a kitchen worker may find the clothing useful for her children. In Switzerland I left my clothes with my hostess who would bring it to The Red Cross.
That way, it is easy to stay within the strict weight limit of airlines. Whatever few items I purchase, they take the place of the clothes given away. I return to my home country with the same number of luggage and almost the same weight. Not being well-to-do, I see each trip as a blessing. By choosing to give away clothing, I am merely passing the blessing on to the poor folks in that country.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
(975) Unexpected trip
I just came back from the very first package tour in my life. Prior to this, I have always gone to foreign countries where I either know the language or I have at least one contact who is a local. Perhaps I am no longer young and am rather set in my ways. It took me about ten days to decide to go on this journey when my husband received a coupon that entitled us to a five day four night free stay in three star hotels in four different cities(One of which is Shanghai), we were given guided tour and most meals were included. Since I was not really interested in any guided tour as a rule, I left it for my husband to decide. He prayed and declared he received his answer the next day. We found the cheapest fare within the stipulated period and booked the tickets by faith.
Interestingly, after we paid for the air tickets, an anonymous person passed $1,000 to us through a third party for the forthcoming trip. By then, I was convinced that we should go to this country on this package tour. As my husband was choosing the travel period, he mentioned that it would be during the brief rainy season. I remembered praying that if God is the one who wants us to go to this country during those few days, then could he please graciously give us good sunny weather that is not too hot.
During the journey, our beautiful tour guide commented a few times there was forecast of rain for the few days we would be in each city. But what happened was that as soon as we arrived in a city, the sky turned clear, and it often rained either at night or right after we departed from that city. A few fellow travelers claimed that we brought our tropical sun with us. When this fact was brought up a second time by another tour guide, I could no longer hold my tongue and said that God answered my humble prayer uttered as we booked our air tickets. He is a loving heavenly father who cares for little things in our lives.
Much to my surprise, I did not find this trip too tiring. Perhaps as we traveled in a small van, there is little wasted time waiting for errant late stragglers after each location we visited. It was rather fun to get to know the other family which included a grandma in her eighties and two teenagers.
Interestingly, after we paid for the air tickets, an anonymous person passed $1,000 to us through a third party for the forthcoming trip. By then, I was convinced that we should go to this country on this package tour. As my husband was choosing the travel period, he mentioned that it would be during the brief rainy season. I remembered praying that if God is the one who wants us to go to this country during those few days, then could he please graciously give us good sunny weather that is not too hot.
During the journey, our beautiful tour guide commented a few times there was forecast of rain for the few days we would be in each city. But what happened was that as soon as we arrived in a city, the sky turned clear, and it often rained either at night or right after we departed from that city. A few fellow travelers claimed that we brought our tropical sun with us. When this fact was brought up a second time by another tour guide, I could no longer hold my tongue and said that God answered my humble prayer uttered as we booked our air tickets. He is a loving heavenly father who cares for little things in our lives.
Much to my surprise, I did not find this trip too tiring. Perhaps as we traveled in a small van, there is little wasted time waiting for errant late stragglers after each location we visited. It was rather fun to get to know the other family which included a grandma in her eighties and two teenagers.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
(799) Dream comes true (icing on the cake)
When I gave up my lecturing post to relocate to where my husband's new job was, just about everyone near and dear had negative comments to make. What they predicted came true. I could not find any equivalent career path. Exactly as they put it, I had committed a career suicide.
In the intervening years, I took up challenges that God brought to my doorstep.I listened to my neighbours and encouraged them whenever they needed building up. I volunteered at the Stroke Centre.When I heard that someone in the same residential area needed an extra pair of hands to help a special child in therapy, I became that needed pair of hands. When my daughter brought friends home, I fed them and helped with their homework.Without meaning to, I became an instrument of help. It was satisfying doing all those things but they did not bring much rewards financially.
Then I had to move back to the city. Life is of course very different in the city compared to a small town. Here we find that folks actually went on yearly vacations and blew a hundred and twenty thousands in one trip. I found myself telling God how I wish I could afford to take my child far away for once.
Shortly after, I was invited to visit Switzerland by a friend's friend. Now, there was no way I could save up airfare for two people within a few months. Even though I thought it was impossible, I still mentioned about the invitation to my mother. Apparently, my mum remembered years ago my dad brought back a calender with the view of the Matterhorn. I (probably aged five) told my siblings that one day I would travel to see the snow mountain. Based on that, my mum offered to pay for my air ticket. My friend, the would be travel companion, secured a few low fare tickets. And so I was able to take my youngest to the beautiful country. To think, the King of Kings (my God) actually cared enough to grant a wish. It was just a wish for something extra. After God put a spread of a feast in front of me, He gave me a nice piece of cake topped with the best ice-cream.
* sea-animals 4260 from hickerphoto.com
Monday, February 13, 2012
(773) Lilies of the fields 2
When Elizabeth applied for a pre-university scholarship a few years ago, we prayed for warm clothes. The equivalent of two suitcases came. I washed them batch by batch and stored them with moth balls.
She went for two interviews but in the end she did not win the coveted scholarship which would enable her to study in a Scandinavian country. I kept all the clothes just in case she has a chance to go abroad. For universities, she was accepted in my alma mater in USA with generous aid. She was rejected by Hong Kong University but she was accepted by the most prestigious public university in my country. While we have the once-off funding to send her for the first year, we are not quite sure we could swing a US education without having her incur in debts. So after much prayers, we decided that a bird in hand that is affordable is worth more than one far away. Accordingly she enrolled in the nearby university.
What am I going to do with the four drawerful of winter and autumn clothes? When I saw Elizabeth's friend wearing a knitted sweater in her freezing(it was a new building with powerful air-conditioners) church, I went straight to the point and asked if she would like to be the happy owner of similar sweaters of different hues. She was delighted with my suggestion. Last night I actually emptied almost two drawers and packed a boxful of such items for her.
Elizabeth suggested that maybe God sent the clothes for her friend through us. Well, that could be so. But being a practical person, I was careful to keep every piece that Elizabeth had worn in Hong Kong and Chiangmai when we visited those places in December of previous years.
* Name of this blog came from Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not,they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
She went for two interviews but in the end she did not win the coveted scholarship which would enable her to study in a Scandinavian country. I kept all the clothes just in case she has a chance to go abroad. For universities, she was accepted in my alma mater in USA with generous aid. She was rejected by Hong Kong University but she was accepted by the most prestigious public university in my country. While we have the once-off funding to send her for the first year, we are not quite sure we could swing a US education without having her incur in debts. So after much prayers, we decided that a bird in hand that is affordable is worth more than one far away. Accordingly she enrolled in the nearby university.
What am I going to do with the four drawerful of winter and autumn clothes? When I saw Elizabeth's friend wearing a knitted sweater in her freezing(it was a new building with powerful air-conditioners) church, I went straight to the point and asked if she would like to be the happy owner of similar sweaters of different hues. She was delighted with my suggestion. Last night I actually emptied almost two drawers and packed a boxful of such items for her.
Elizabeth suggested that maybe God sent the clothes for her friend through us. Well, that could be so. But being a practical person, I was careful to keep every piece that Elizabeth had worn in Hong Kong and Chiangmai when we visited those places in December of previous years.
* Name of this blog came from Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not,they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
(682) Staying on
It was interesting to note that the first shop we visited was run by two Indian brothers. We went in to browse as there were cloths of lovely colours and sheen. We had no intention of purchasing as we wanted to look around to see more of what were offered. The proprietor was courteous and helpful. He showed shawl after shawl of different price range and design. In the end we did make a few purchases.
My friend actually made a few outfits there within the short time we were there. The tailor was a Nepalese born in Myanmar. Since his entire family was in Thailand, they must have naturalized. Prices were unbelievably low. I guess labour is cheap there. Living standard was relatively low. We chose a guest house own by a Dutch man. As we were within walking distance of the night bazaar, we strolled along night after night. One night we even bought a long skirt from a stall owner who is a white woman.
Being a tourist destination, I am not surprise to see a lot of white visitors. Yet I am taken aback by the number of foreigners who manage to stay on and actively make a living there serving the other tourists.
* tourist with camera CoolClips from dir.coolclips.com
Friday, January 21, 2011
(363) Two Hotels in Hong Kong
Two years ago Elizabeth and I visited Hong Kong. We stayed in Dorset Sea View. While it was satisfactory in every way, the price tag was quite high. Therefore we decided that if we visit again, we would trawl the net for something more affordable.
This round we found another hotel which is way lower in room rate. A few days before we left, I actually wondered what would be the reason for such low rates in such an expensive place. Later I found out. All around and behind the hotel we find shops selling wreaths, cremation urns, joss sticks, paper clothes, paper handphones ... and yes, in the back streets: coffins of every shape and style.
I personally don't mind all these shops, in fact I enjoyed all the fragrant flowers: big and small and of all colours. But my mother has a pathological fear of coffins. So I took care to by pass that short street as soon as I fixed it in my mind. Funny thing I saw four coffin shops but neither my mum nor my daughter noticed them.
We counted six Red Bridal Teashops in one area. While it offers every necessity for weary travelers, it was pathetically small. I suppose it was my fault for not persuading another soul, whether friend or relative, to make up a group of four. I tried, honestly I did. Once the air tickets were purchased, the die was cast. My aged mum and underage daughter refused to entertain the thought that I might be given a room on another floor. They agreed to make do and crowd three to one room.
You should see and hear us laugh each time we enter our room. I would slot in the card and hold the door open as widely as it would go, my mum who is seventy eight would walk in side way with her huge hold all with her tumbler of water, warm clothing and umbrella .. Then she would sit on the toilet seat leaving the narrow passage way for my daughter to bring in the many shopping bags. Elizabeth would walk to the head of the bed, take off her shoes and crawl up the bed. Then I would go in, lock the door, bring out the first suitcase from the window recess to take out clothing for my shower ... At any one time two people must sit down, one on the bed and the second on the chair before a third can pack or unpack.
But you can't beat the low room rate. The bed is solid and comfortable. The toilet is clean. Everything from TV to air con to tea kettle are new and in working order. For one person, or for a loving couple on honeymoon, you cannot get a better hotel room for the asking price.
This round we found another hotel which is way lower in room rate. A few days before we left, I actually wondered what would be the reason for such low rates in such an expensive place. Later I found out. All around and behind the hotel we find shops selling wreaths, cremation urns, joss sticks, paper clothes, paper handphones ... and yes, in the back streets: coffins of every shape and style.
I personally don't mind all these shops, in fact I enjoyed all the fragrant flowers: big and small and of all colours. But my mother has a pathological fear of coffins. So I took care to by pass that short street as soon as I fixed it in my mind. Funny thing I saw four coffin shops but neither my mum nor my daughter noticed them.
We counted six Red Bridal Teashops in one area. While it offers every necessity for weary travelers, it was pathetically small. I suppose it was my fault for not persuading another soul, whether friend or relative, to make up a group of four. I tried, honestly I did. Once the air tickets were purchased, the die was cast. My aged mum and underage daughter refused to entertain the thought that I might be given a room on another floor. They agreed to make do and crowd three to one room.
You should see and hear us laugh each time we enter our room. I would slot in the card and hold the door open as widely as it would go, my mum who is seventy eight would walk in side way with her huge hold all with her tumbler of water, warm clothing and umbrella .. Then she would sit on the toilet seat leaving the narrow passage way for my daughter to bring in the many shopping bags. Elizabeth would walk to the head of the bed, take off her shoes and crawl up the bed. Then I would go in, lock the door, bring out the first suitcase from the window recess to take out clothing for my shower ... At any one time two people must sit down, one on the bed and the second on the chair before a third can pack or unpack.
But you can't beat the low room rate. The bed is solid and comfortable. The toilet is clean. Everything from TV to air con to tea kettle are new and in working order. For one person, or for a loving couple on honeymoon, you cannot get a better hotel room for the asking price.
Monday, January 3, 2011
(356) The high light of travelling - talking to a local person
It was rather cold in Hong Kong. Since I have a seventy-eight-year-old in my care, we did not go sight seeing. We went on one sub-way journey and it was enough to frighten my mother who had never seen people rushing around in such a manner. Thereafter we "sight see" from the bus.
We found neighbourhood shopping centres to have our meals in. We particularly enjoyed the low rise and scattered shop lots in Yow Onn. There we had to share a table with a local man. He proved to be friendly and interesting to talk to.
According to him, Hong Kong changed a lot the last thirteen to fourteen years. That many years ago, one who was prepared to work hard could find a job, by working hard at it would earn enough to live on. Now, there are many positions available all over the street, but the pay is actually less than the rates twelve years ago in real terms.
He has three children. The eldest just graduated in Canada. He went for her graduation and found that food was so costly that if he converts everything into Hong Kong dollars he could not swallow a bite. His eldest girl is looking for a job now. Failing that, she plans to marry her sweet heart and stays on. His two other children are studying in Hong Kong. He would consider migrating should the daughter decides to apply for the family later on. He said that of course he prefers Hong Kong over Canada. But at the rate things are moving, he fears for his family's future.
This man looks like he is in his late thirties. We were surprised that he has a daughter at least twenty one years old. He has gentle eyes and talks in a very quiet and unassuming manner. He works for a company that helps people move, they renovate apartments and refurbish old buildings. Now I realise why a lot of Hongkies migrated before China took over, it was probably because of precisely this reason.
We found neighbourhood shopping centres to have our meals in. We particularly enjoyed the low rise and scattered shop lots in Yow Onn. There we had to share a table with a local man. He proved to be friendly and interesting to talk to.
According to him, Hong Kong changed a lot the last thirteen to fourteen years. That many years ago, one who was prepared to work hard could find a job, by working hard at it would earn enough to live on. Now, there are many positions available all over the street, but the pay is actually less than the rates twelve years ago in real terms.
He has three children. The eldest just graduated in Canada. He went for her graduation and found that food was so costly that if he converts everything into Hong Kong dollars he could not swallow a bite. His eldest girl is looking for a job now. Failing that, she plans to marry her sweet heart and stays on. His two other children are studying in Hong Kong. He would consider migrating should the daughter decides to apply for the family later on. He said that of course he prefers Hong Kong over Canada. But at the rate things are moving, he fears for his family's future.
This man looks like he is in his late thirties. We were surprised that he has a daughter at least twenty one years old. He has gentle eyes and talks in a very quiet and unassuming manner. He works for a company that helps people move, they renovate apartments and refurbish old buildings. Now I realise why a lot of Hongkies migrated before China took over, it was probably because of precisely this reason.
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