Selemat pagi
Bali, oh dear Bali – how you live in your own world. Indonesia is mainly a Muslim country, but on the island of Bali, they practice their own unique version of Hinduism and speak Bahasa Indonesian. You’ll find offerings (usually consisting of a small square bowl made from a palm leaf filled with cooked rice, flowers and sometimes sweets and crackers) placed in front of every doorstep of every temple, house, restaurant and even your rented room. The women will do these offerings and you often find them too busy to attend to your holidaying needs as they are constantly preparing for offerings, festivals or ceremonies. There’s even a little temple for each rice field and a big one for each farm, a temple for different occasions and special days of praying i.e the gods of metal and aluminum, including the gods in your car/scooter. I love this place. It’s spiritual and it’s not forced onto you (like certain countries I know, wink). You almost cannot help to love these people and respect their ways; they sometimes laugh things off too easily perhaps. They are ofcourse not all innocence though. You have the bad guys and you have the cockfighting culture. And these poor roosters are everywhere on the side of the road, in a small cage, ready for sale and fighting.
I came to Bali with a crazy traveling schedule, all marked off on my map. But I got there, and for the first time (especially realizing that I’m not an air hostess anymore, that this is not a layover, and that I need NOT bounce around like a gummy bear trying to see as much as I can) I learned how to be still. And do as little as possible, and absorb it all. So I stayed in Ubud. For 9 days. In ONE place. At a homestay with a lovely, true Balinese family (3 generations). My porch overlooked a peaceful forest where I did yoga every morning and enjoyed my bowl of fresh fruit and sometimes even fell asleep with a book chilling on my deckchair. It was surely heavenly! My journey was special to me. I made friends with my 61 yr Hawaiian lady neighbour who took me on her scooter (or she on mine) and she would take me around to cute areas and warungs (cheap eating places) . We fell over on our scooter one day, from slippery moss. Poor thing. I still have the memories when I look at my bruises, haha. So I was happy with my choice of place, and felt content. My other neighbour, a very strange Japanese guy, soothed my heart daily with his guitar/harplike looking instrument. I miss him now..
Even though I felt safe at night walking around through my village, dogs are always a big threat. Better to walk around with a pocket full of stones, or pretend you’re picking one up to throw at them. Dogs are very unloved and mistreated unfortunately. Ubud (the cultural centre town of Bali) is very alive, and there’s a program for each day of the week. There are sooo many foreigners who live there and many I’ve heard speaking the language fluently. I went along quite fine with Ubud’s rhythm, hanged out in libraries, a French café that plays a movie – Bali in 1930 – in a loop. I went to Yogabarn (very famous amongst us yogis) and even attended a 3 hr international workshop. Great venue, excellent teachers!
Ofcourse, the traditional dance performances were not to be missed and I found this truly an interesting experience.
And I saw a luwak, walking right on my porch! A week before I left SA, I was told about this animal – a civit cat whose favourite chow are coffeebeans, of the finest kind. They collect it’s poop (as everything just goes straight through its system)and you end up paying an expensive amount to enjoy its coffee. I say: “EEEEEWWW!!!!” You can find this is SA also….
Other things in Bali that are truly spectacular, is the greenery. The ricefields and watching the riceworkers. Kids playing with kites. Ducks. Nothing has changed since 1930 and thus Bali is the most consistent place I’ve been to.
I decided to cut my holiday short, but before doing so, I got off the island and went to another – to Nusa Lembongan. It’s very quiet and definitely a big hit for surfers and divers. Here, in this village life, I continued to learn to be still and be ok with doing nothing. I have come a long way.
Now I find myself in Delhi…. Lots to tell you about that, very soon!
So, all my lovely people - I hope you are doing splendid. Do know that this planet is your playground. People say that they wish they had my life. But what is my life? Life is just how you want it. We get too engrossed in our busy lives and get carried away with what we really want. In my next letter I’d like to share with you my thoughts about a crazy place like Delhi and that contentment is really just a choice. Blaming and making excuses take you even further away from that. But, but, but….shhh…
I wish you happiness.
Terimah kasi – for letting me share.
Big smooches,
A
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
rally in the alley - goodbye galley. Senegal, Dakar and saying bye to Dubai
Bonjour!!
So I finally and happily hung up my flight attendant uniform and left the soulless Dubai:) And let me tell you of my last endeavour in my career before doing so - Dakar, Senegal
Senegal is the Westernmost country of Africa, French speaking (aswell as Wolof, a local language) and slaves used to escape to America from the island off the coast called - Island Goree.
I explored this entire little island of only 1200 people - there is a school and hospital and everything, just no roads and cars. We know Dakar from the offroad rallies that used to be held there, and I was fortunate enough to see this famous route. Just getting there, was a rally on it's own, haha (an hour's drive from our hotel) Next to this area is the Lac Rose (Pink Lake) - a salt lake (where people can float like on the Dead Sea) which actually reflects pink in strong sun due to high mineral concentration and the presence of micro-organisms in the water. That day it just looked brown to me. There were heaps and heaps of salt harvested by the locals.
Our hotel was absolutely gorgeous, more like a resort and right next to the beach. I enjoyed my last walk in my uniform through the airport and blew a kiss in the air in memory of my chaotic (yet fantastic) life as an airhostess.
I stressed a bit from sorting out all my cargo and loose things while in Dubai. I had to sell Suzibob (my beloved superbike). My last day was spent at a yoga festival (bliss!) and the night at a trendy bar on the beach. I feel human again. I sleep. I sleep well. And I don't miss Dubai at all. It was incredible to live in the present/moment and be content with all my decisions. I had a blast during my 3 and a half years with the airline and I can count many blessings. I had the best flatmate I could have ever asked for, and an adorable feline companion. Right now I'm in my little village hometown, Vanrhynsdorp. And I'm taking the time to reflect on my life again - something I believe best we do from time to time. It doesn't matter where we come from, fullstop. We adjust, either way, to who we really are.
I'm in SA for 2 weeks and off I'll go to Bali for about a month - yes, to do a little more of nothing and enjoy this journey of freedom.Fullstop
Big African hug!
Alta
So I finally and happily hung up my flight attendant uniform and left the soulless Dubai:) And let me tell you of my last endeavour in my career before doing so - Dakar, Senegal
Senegal is the Westernmost country of Africa, French speaking (aswell as Wolof, a local language) and slaves used to escape to America from the island off the coast called - Island Goree.
I explored this entire little island of only 1200 people - there is a school and hospital and everything, just no roads and cars. We know Dakar from the offroad rallies that used to be held there, and I was fortunate enough to see this famous route. Just getting there, was a rally on it's own, haha (an hour's drive from our hotel) Next to this area is the Lac Rose (Pink Lake) - a salt lake (where people can float like on the Dead Sea) which actually reflects pink in strong sun due to high mineral concentration and the presence of micro-organisms in the water. That day it just looked brown to me. There were heaps and heaps of salt harvested by the locals.
Our hotel was absolutely gorgeous, more like a resort and right next to the beach. I enjoyed my last walk in my uniform through the airport and blew a kiss in the air in memory of my chaotic (yet fantastic) life as an airhostess.
I stressed a bit from sorting out all my cargo and loose things while in Dubai. I had to sell Suzibob (my beloved superbike). My last day was spent at a yoga festival (bliss!) and the night at a trendy bar on the beach. I feel human again. I sleep. I sleep well. And I don't miss Dubai at all. It was incredible to live in the present/moment and be content with all my decisions. I had a blast during my 3 and a half years with the airline and I can count many blessings. I had the best flatmate I could have ever asked for, and an adorable feline companion. Right now I'm in my little village hometown, Vanrhynsdorp. And I'm taking the time to reflect on my life again - something I believe best we do from time to time. It doesn't matter where we come from, fullstop. We adjust, either way, to who we really are.
I'm in SA for 2 weeks and off I'll go to Bali for about a month - yes, to do a little more of nothing and enjoy this journey of freedom.Fullstop
Big African hug!
Alta
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Cherry on top (Yoga in Pondicherry, South India)
Alo alo
Finally someone kicked me under the butt to write something, and I just thought for a person who lives her life so openly, I'm just way too quiet lately.
I've just returned from two more weeks in India for level 2 Yoga teacher training. I went to the South this time, Pondicherry (or Puducherry) 3 hours (or 160kms) away from Chennai (or Maadras). The French ruled this territory for 300 years, so it's very evident in this cute, messy, little town.
The street names are all in French, which makes it quite ridiculous (and ironic) to get a tuc-tuc driver to understand where you are directing him to, so you stick to Indian sounding shops. French restaurants do not have a trace of French food, and you end up being stuck with South Indian curries everywhere you go.
Luckily our yoga resort was a few kilometres away from town and we felt quite secluded and private in our 'sanctuary'.
In the beginning I thought: what on earth am I doing once again in chaotic India studying and twisting and bending from 6 in the morning to 8h30 at night, where I should be holidaying on some tropical island, reading my book, sipping on icy cocktails and not using my brain. I almost gave up. I've been doing a lot of travelling this year and not enough chilling out. But then 5 days later, the healthy eating, the calm meditations and the postures of incredible yoga, turned me into a joyful Alta again. My fellow students were awesome, and I met up with some old teachers from last year (same Australian company). For the ones who don't know how badly flying and jetlag mess with your body, you have no idea how absolutely wonderful it is TO BE ABLE to go to bed @10pm, get up @6am, go to the loo right after breakfast - if you know what I mean (and again sometimes after lunch) and feel your body do 'normal' things.
Yoga and all that comes with it, always make me feel present, and present in my body. It calms me down and helps me to think more clearly. And the way it massages my organs, strengthens muscles that seem impossible to find or even describe, and stretches my body leanly to make me feel like a ballerina, all make me grateful for having found this path. I lost more weight, probably most slender I've ever been - I'm not talking about thin and anorexic looking (well, my mom seem to disagree), but I feel better than I did when I was 21. Yesterday was my last meal of fish and eggs, so I am completely vegetarian now and not looking back. I feel great!
Which leads me to tell you that I will be quitting Emirates soon. I'm just waiting and fighting hard to get surgery organized with the company - to sort out my vericose veins in my legs, from all this flying. I should be done with Emirates by end of January. Then I plan to stay in Dubai for another year perhaps and teach yoga. Opportunities are big here. Ideally I'd rather be in Cape Town ofcourse. Also, some shocking news: Param and I broke up about 4 months ago. It was 5 wonderful and crazy years, a beautiful book that came to an end. We remain friends.
The weather is superb in Dubai at the moment, so I'll have some biking news and adventures to share with you soon.
I do look forward to hearing back from you folk. It's been a while.
May I add that I wish you a fantastic closure to 2010 which is coming to an end. Have a jolly time during the festive season and may you find emotional, spiritual and physical health part of your priority list of prosperity. Feel great and live great. Be 2011 find you harmony in everything you encounter. It's your birthright:)
Big Ohm,
A
Finally someone kicked me under the butt to write something, and I just thought for a person who lives her life so openly, I'm just way too quiet lately.
I've just returned from two more weeks in India for level 2 Yoga teacher training. I went to the South this time, Pondicherry (or Puducherry) 3 hours (or 160kms) away from Chennai (or Maadras). The French ruled this territory for 300 years, so it's very evident in this cute, messy, little town.
The street names are all in French, which makes it quite ridiculous (and ironic) to get a tuc-tuc driver to understand where you are directing him to, so you stick to Indian sounding shops. French restaurants do not have a trace of French food, and you end up being stuck with South Indian curries everywhere you go.
Luckily our yoga resort was a few kilometres away from town and we felt quite secluded and private in our 'sanctuary'.
In the beginning I thought: what on earth am I doing once again in chaotic India studying and twisting and bending from 6 in the morning to 8h30 at night, where I should be holidaying on some tropical island, reading my book, sipping on icy cocktails and not using my brain. I almost gave up. I've been doing a lot of travelling this year and not enough chilling out. But then 5 days later, the healthy eating, the calm meditations and the postures of incredible yoga, turned me into a joyful Alta again. My fellow students were awesome, and I met up with some old teachers from last year (same Australian company). For the ones who don't know how badly flying and jetlag mess with your body, you have no idea how absolutely wonderful it is TO BE ABLE to go to bed @10pm, get up @6am, go to the loo right after breakfast - if you know what I mean (and again sometimes after lunch) and feel your body do 'normal' things.
Yoga and all that comes with it, always make me feel present, and present in my body. It calms me down and helps me to think more clearly. And the way it massages my organs, strengthens muscles that seem impossible to find or even describe, and stretches my body leanly to make me feel like a ballerina, all make me grateful for having found this path. I lost more weight, probably most slender I've ever been - I'm not talking about thin and anorexic looking (well, my mom seem to disagree), but I feel better than I did when I was 21. Yesterday was my last meal of fish and eggs, so I am completely vegetarian now and not looking back. I feel great!
Which leads me to tell you that I will be quitting Emirates soon. I'm just waiting and fighting hard to get surgery organized with the company - to sort out my vericose veins in my legs, from all this flying. I should be done with Emirates by end of January. Then I plan to stay in Dubai for another year perhaps and teach yoga. Opportunities are big here. Ideally I'd rather be in Cape Town ofcourse. Also, some shocking news: Param and I broke up about 4 months ago. It was 5 wonderful and crazy years, a beautiful book that came to an end. We remain friends.
The weather is superb in Dubai at the moment, so I'll have some biking news and adventures to share with you soon.
I do look forward to hearing back from you folk. It's been a while.
May I add that I wish you a fantastic closure to 2010 which is coming to an end. Have a jolly time during the festive season and may you find emotional, spiritual and physical health part of your priority list of prosperity. Feel great and live great. Be 2011 find you harmony in everything you encounter. It's your birthright:)
Big Ohm,
A
Friday, July 30, 2010
The Undutchables (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Goede dag
My news are getting rarer as your comments/replies/feedback are decreasing as well as my new destinations. I finally made it to Amsterdam! And wow! It was everything we have heard of Amsterdam, and yet so much more. It made me think and wonder how come the Dam is so different if the Dutch are so conservative and the whole experience was just made interesting. I'll cut to the chase and share my experience. Two South Africans and one Thai crew joined me into my urban excursion while we were waiting for Petra (my very good friend from South Africa) to finish work and join us later.
So:
-We saw public male urinals in the middle of a sidewalk. It is just a stand and men pee there openly. I couldn't believe it. According to Petra, they tried a more closed-off version for females, which unfortunately turned into a cubicle for horny druggies
-The Red Light District is so open, we just 'stumbled' upon the area. Yes, it's actually like a shopping window and girls are displaying themselves cutely to passing men. I took my new camera with it's superzoom, and 'stole' a photo before we got into the area. It's highly prohibited, although no signboards saying so. I guess it's just common sense. But isn't weed illegal?
-The city is surrounded by canals and bridges and I kept thinking we were walking in circles. It was beautiful. Also, it being summer, the sun supplied us with perfect weather and only went down after 10pm
- People smoke weed on the sidewalk and the smell lingers in the air all over the city. That's just strange. Walking in a modern city where weed is legal. How is that even so? Also, there are many weed and seed shops, museums, information centres and 'colleges'.
- I've never seen so many bicycles/cyclists in my life!!! Thousands are parked everywhere, and they are old and not looked after well. It sounds like the only thing that gets stolen often in Amsterdam. It's quite frightening dodging fast cyclists, trams, buses, cars and other pedestrians. As a biker myself (in a crazy place like Dubai), I'm afraid to take on the engineless two wheels in a place like Amsterdam.
- We had pancakes for lunch - Dutch style. They put bacon and cheese, spinach or whatever is on the menu, on a pancake. I ordered in Afrikaans. Being brought up as a South African, it just tasted wrong. I kept wondering where the cinnamon sugar was. We had Heineken also throughout the day. It's originally from Amsterdam
- Meeting up with Petra was just fantastic!! Her Dutch is fluent by now and it was awesome to hear her talk to the locals. She is such a great mind and so easy to hang out with. We went to the massive iAm-sterdam sign and hanged around for a bit and ended the day with a lovely, chatty dinner.
I was lucky enough to catch Dominique (also a good South African friend) in London on my previous layover and went for a healthy vegetarian (she turned vegetarian also) picnic in Hyde Park sporting pink and red sunglasses that I acquired for our outing, haha. She will be touring Eurasia on her vespa!
Anyway, coming back to the Dutch and our history and orange - I don't know why South Africans would refer to it as their Fatherland or think that they can speak Dutch. I felt no connection and there are no similarities to the culture. The Dutch did make me feel very short though, hehe.
Nog een prettige dag toegewenst
Totziens
Alta
My news are getting rarer as your comments/replies/feedback are decreasing as well as my new destinations. I finally made it to Amsterdam! And wow! It was everything we have heard of Amsterdam, and yet so much more. It made me think and wonder how come the Dam is so different if the Dutch are so conservative and the whole experience was just made interesting. I'll cut to the chase and share my experience. Two South Africans and one Thai crew joined me into my urban excursion while we were waiting for Petra (my very good friend from South Africa) to finish work and join us later.
So:
-We saw public male urinals in the middle of a sidewalk. It is just a stand and men pee there openly. I couldn't believe it. According to Petra, they tried a more closed-off version for females, which unfortunately turned into a cubicle for horny druggies
-The Red Light District is so open, we just 'stumbled' upon the area. Yes, it's actually like a shopping window and girls are displaying themselves cutely to passing men. I took my new camera with it's superzoom, and 'stole' a photo before we got into the area. It's highly prohibited, although no signboards saying so. I guess it's just common sense. But isn't weed illegal?
-The city is surrounded by canals and bridges and I kept thinking we were walking in circles. It was beautiful. Also, it being summer, the sun supplied us with perfect weather and only went down after 10pm
- People smoke weed on the sidewalk and the smell lingers in the air all over the city. That's just strange. Walking in a modern city where weed is legal. How is that even so? Also, there are many weed and seed shops, museums, information centres and 'colleges'.
- I've never seen so many bicycles/cyclists in my life!!! Thousands are parked everywhere, and they are old and not looked after well. It sounds like the only thing that gets stolen often in Amsterdam. It's quite frightening dodging fast cyclists, trams, buses, cars and other pedestrians. As a biker myself (in a crazy place like Dubai), I'm afraid to take on the engineless two wheels in a place like Amsterdam.
- We had pancakes for lunch - Dutch style. They put bacon and cheese, spinach or whatever is on the menu, on a pancake. I ordered in Afrikaans. Being brought up as a South African, it just tasted wrong. I kept wondering where the cinnamon sugar was. We had Heineken also throughout the day. It's originally from Amsterdam
- Meeting up with Petra was just fantastic!! Her Dutch is fluent by now and it was awesome to hear her talk to the locals. She is such a great mind and so easy to hang out with. We went to the massive iAm-sterdam sign and hanged around for a bit and ended the day with a lovely, chatty dinner.
I was lucky enough to catch Dominique (also a good South African friend) in London on my previous layover and went for a healthy vegetarian (she turned vegetarian also) picnic in Hyde Park sporting pink and red sunglasses that I acquired for our outing, haha. She will be touring Eurasia on her vespa!
Anyway, coming back to the Dutch and our history and orange - I don't know why South Africans would refer to it as their Fatherland or think that they can speak Dutch. I felt no connection and there are no similarities to the culture. The Dutch did make me feel very short though, hehe.
Nog een prettige dag toegewenst
Totziens
Alta
Friday, April 16, 2010
Borneo to be wild (Sarawak, Borneo)
Selamat datang
I am glad to be able to share another intense and spiritual journey with you, the one I just returned from. I remember very well, in 2003, embarrassed that I knew nothing of the world, I spent my days in the library picking up books about countries, cultures and languages (as I never paid attention in Geography and History class in school) One of the many books I picked up then, was called BORNEO, and it became a dream to be in one of its villages. I never put energy into it and never thought about it again. Then I 'randomly' (yeah right) met Wellena, a village girl from Borneo, and I shyly asked her to be my friend (I haven't done this since I was 10?) We cooked for each other every now and then in order to meet up, as she just 'happened' to live in the same building as I. I, 'coincidentally', had leave on the days she was going to have her engagement ceremony....I 'miraculously' got on a overbooked flight with a standby ticket. This was clearly meant to be. And....so I went
Borneo is the 3d largest island in the world, basically between/amongst Indonesia and Malaysia - and at the same time the island is divided between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The island has a typical jungle feeling to it, lush green bushes, ferns and big forest trees, lakes and green bushy mountains.
Her friends immediately took me in as their own and treated me with warmth. By the end of the first night, I could sing most
karaoke songs fluently in Malay (Iban, to be exact), lol!!! The next day was the big one. Went to her village, which is a 2-hours drive from Kuching. Kuching is the capital of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak. Once there, I watched how many village women cook and prepare
for the night's celebration. I instantly fell in love with Wellena's grandma, who reminded me of my own, which took me back to my childhood and my hometown and how I came about being the person I really am (i was fortunate enough to experience the real old Afrikaans tradition through my granny). Also, a part of me felt Malay. I connected with all 300 ppl that night and my job was to walk around with a 1,8 L btl of local spirits (langkau) and offer it to everyone individually. I was given TWO of these bottles. People were allowed to negotiate, and sometimes I couldn't get out of one, and I basically had a shot for every 10th person, lol!! This was a part of the tradition. After my job was done (labeled: the sadong girl), I grabbed one of the old aunties by the hand, and we opened the dancefloor. One local song came up and everyone was doing the line dance (remember Achy Breaky Heart??) I joined right in. People were AMAZED that I knew their local song's dance, hahahaha (they obviously thought they had started it). The end of the night, everyone was drunk(including me), and Wellena's dad and grandma became my own:) It was one of the most amazing experiences to me to be a part of all of this. I had no judgement, no complaints, just simple observations. Wellena said that's what she loved about me and therefore she never apologize for her family. I cried. I remembered that she, at first, tried to convince me to rather come to the wedding in France (her fiance is French, many people assumed therefore I must be his family friend, as we were the only whities there) but I would never even think twice about my options.
My dream came true, and it's one that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I am being blessed endlessly and I am in joy.
Then off we went to Gunung Gading National Park to go see the rafflesia - the world's biggest, smelly and carnivorous flower only found in Borneo and that only lives for a few days. Anti-climax sorry, we were misinformed as the flower died the day before already:( So, we went back to Kuching, where I saw the cat museum, haha (Kuching means cat) and I spontaneously decided to go back to Dubai - so a nice weekend for me in Borneo, all turned out super. I have no idea how it was possible, but I got on a overbooked flight again - as in 30 ppl overbooked. Even the crew couldn't believe it. To surprise Param when I got home. He was still up @6am and speechless when I walked in. Yes, Param has been staying with me for 2 months now. We will probably always be together or find ways to make it work. Boer maak 'n plan, as he says......
May you all realize your dreams and know that anything indeed is possible. I wish you a wonderful day and look forward to your replies
Big hug,
me
Ps. there are soooo many more Malay words in Afrikaans than just piesang... it's funny:)
I am glad to be able to share another intense and spiritual journey with you, the one I just returned from. I remember very well, in 2003, embarrassed that I knew nothing of the world, I spent my days in the library picking up books about countries, cultures and languages (as I never paid attention in Geography and History class in school) One of the many books I picked up then, was called BORNEO, and it became a dream to be in one of its villages. I never put energy into it and never thought about it again. Then I 'randomly' (yeah right) met Wellena, a village girl from Borneo, and I shyly asked her to be my friend (I haven't done this since I was 10?) We cooked for each other every now and then in order to meet up, as she just 'happened' to live in the same building as I. I, 'coincidentally', had leave on the days she was going to have her engagement ceremony....I 'miraculously' got on a overbooked flight with a standby ticket. This was clearly meant to be. And....so I went
Borneo is the 3d largest island in the world, basically between/amongst Indonesia and Malaysia - and at the same time the island is divided between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The island has a typical jungle feeling to it, lush green bushes, ferns and big forest trees, lakes and green bushy mountains.
Her friends immediately took me in as their own and treated me with warmth. By the end of the first night, I could sing most
karaoke songs fluently in Malay (Iban, to be exact), lol!!! The next day was the big one. Went to her village, which is a 2-hours drive from Kuching. Kuching is the capital of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak. Once there, I watched how many village women cook and prepare
for the night's celebration. I instantly fell in love with Wellena's grandma, who reminded me of my own, which took me back to my childhood and my hometown and how I came about being the person I really am (i was fortunate enough to experience the real old Afrikaans tradition through my granny). Also, a part of me felt Malay. I connected with all 300 ppl that night and my job was to walk around with a 1,8 L btl of local spirits (langkau) and offer it to everyone individually. I was given TWO of these bottles. People were allowed to negotiate, and sometimes I couldn't get out of one, and I basically had a shot for every 10th person, lol!! This was a part of the tradition. After my job was done (labeled: the sadong girl), I grabbed one of the old aunties by the hand, and we opened the dancefloor. One local song came up and everyone was doing the line dance (remember Achy Breaky Heart??) I joined right in. People were AMAZED that I knew their local song's dance, hahahaha (they obviously thought they had started it). The end of the night, everyone was drunk(including me), and Wellena's dad and grandma became my own:) It was one of the most amazing experiences to me to be a part of all of this. I had no judgement, no complaints, just simple observations. Wellena said that's what she loved about me and therefore she never apologize for her family. I cried. I remembered that she, at first, tried to convince me to rather come to the wedding in France (her fiance is French, many people assumed therefore I must be his family friend, as we were the only whities there) but I would never even think twice about my options.My dream came true, and it's one that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I am being blessed endlessly and I am in joy.
Then off we went to Gunung Gading National Park to go see the rafflesia - the world's biggest, smelly and carnivorous flower only found in Borneo and that only lives for a few days. Anti-climax sorry, we were misinformed as the flower died the day before already:( So, we went back to Kuching, where I saw the cat museum, haha (Kuching means cat) and I spontaneously decided to go back to Dubai - so a nice weekend for me in Borneo, all turned out super. I have no idea how it was possible, but I got on a overbooked flight again - as in 30 ppl overbooked. Even the crew couldn't believe it. To surprise Param when I got home. He was still up @6am and speechless when I walked in. Yes, Param has been staying with me for 2 months now. We will probably always be together or find ways to make it work. Boer maak 'n plan, as he says......
May you all realize your dreams and know that anything indeed is possible. I wish you a wonderful day and look forward to your replies
Big hug,
me
Ps. there are soooo many more Malay words in Afrikaans than just piesang... it's funny:)
Monday, April 12, 2010
tripoli to Libya (Tripoli, Libya)
Hey guys,
while I wait to get the photos from the adventure I just returned from, I'll send you a little bit of news about Tripoli in the country Libya - North Africa.
Not much to say.... to me it had the same vibe as Morocco, perhaps even more boring. It was an interesting experience as a woman, to hear men shouting from passing cars - but like crazy shouting, something hysterical, a bit mental. In my mind, I was wondering what was wrong with these people, until my accompanying friend told me it was for me, gosh, then I became aware of it all. And cool enough, my friend just happened to be someone I've been going on random bike runs with and whom I'd hang out at the bikeraces. Met him through a friend, and he got pulled out on my flight last minute (he's crew as well)
We went strolling, exploring some streets and then at night a few of us went looking for a local restaurant where they had baby camel on the menu:(
We smoked some shisha, saw few loose Roman ruins and went back to our hotel, which is probably the best looking building in the whole city. There are photos of Kadafi everywhere.
Ja, and that's it.
Thank you for all the awesome birthday wishes. I had a ball. Picnic on the beach and then a "P" party - I came as a prisoner, haha
Next newsletter on it's way shortly.
Be well and be happy,
Alta
while I wait to get the photos from the adventure I just returned from, I'll send you a little bit of news about Tripoli in the country Libya - North Africa.
Not much to say.... to me it had the same vibe as Morocco, perhaps even more boring. It was an interesting experience as a woman, to hear men shouting from passing cars - but like crazy shouting, something hysterical, a bit mental. In my mind, I was wondering what was wrong with these people, until my accompanying friend told me it was for me, gosh, then I became aware of it all. And cool enough, my friend just happened to be someone I've been going on random bike runs with and whom I'd hang out at the bikeraces. Met him through a friend, and he got pulled out on my flight last minute (he's crew as well)
We went strolling, exploring some streets and then at night a few of us went looking for a local restaurant where they had baby camel on the menu:(
We smoked some shisha, saw few loose Roman ruins and went back to our hotel, which is probably the best looking building in the whole city. There are photos of Kadafi everywhere.
Ja, and that's it.
Thank you for all the awesome birthday wishes. I had a ball. Picnic on the beach and then a "P" party - I came as a prisoner, haha
Next newsletter on it's way shortly.
Be well and be happy,
Alta
Sunday, December 13, 2009
going, Goa, gone! (India)
Alo!
The end of the year is excitingly close as another brilliant year awaits us. Allow me to share my experience in Goa with you.
So.... I went to Goa, South/West India to do the yoga teacher training course by an Australian company. We stayed at a stunning tropical retreat center surrounded by
beautiful nature, in fact my hut/shack was right next to the river and I brushed my teeth and showered everyday overlooking this (had no window, just a hole in the bathroomhut) and went to bed hearing crickets, frogs croak and sometimes rain, and then waking to the sound of birds. Food was lovingly prepared (onion-and garlic-free) by a Nepalese kitchen team, all vegetarian and healthy, and we drank filtered water from the well. 
Meals were shared with an amazing bunch of bright and open-minded people sharing a common passion - the love of yoga, health, life and nature. I was in paradise once again! Class started at 6am every morning and the last lecture ended at 20h30. Yes, looong, sweaty, intense days. Sometimes when we got the chance, we would gulf down our lunch quickly and go for a dip in the ocean (which was like a 50ms walk over the slender wooden bridge that crosses the river) We learned so much, my head was spinning and I felt like a beginner in yoga (even though I've been doing yoga for almost 5 years) We were teaching public classes and being assessed already on the 4th day. There were 3 programs, and in the teacher training, we were 8 students. We bonded so well with each other including the teachers, it was all very wonderful! We celebrated the end of the course with a drum circle and dancing on the beach with bonfires. (but the course continues as I am left with lots of assignments and teaching hours before I get certified)
And off I went into the unknown for another 6 days, solo. All I knew is that I wanted to explore Goa. I had a map and an idea. Long story short... I ended up staying in a village in North Goa where there were no other foreigners, just me. The only tourists you saw were the ones riding scooters through this village. I spent my days lazying around, eating, going to the beach, walking and some days my 'driver' (the one whose family house I was staying in) would take me on day trips (i even peeped into Maharashtra, just a ferry ride from Goa, and already the Maharathis were different - dressed differently, different food, different language - isn't India just amazingly endless) Goa feels like another country, not just India. The people are totally laidback, they have a chilled attitude, (like don't worry, be happy), very friendly - they are just different. Goan prawn curry is fantastic, and oh yes, the Goan trance parties are great... even though they are hard to find these days (because the police bans them). I even attended a fashion show party. I did clothing shopping till my money ran out and I had to get some more from my credit card. The clothing there is absolutely awesome, just my style. And very fashionable and stupid cheap. Oh and the architecture is something else, especially the capital city, Panji/Panjim/Paniji - same, same.
Goa was ruled by the Portuguese till 1961, so it still has a big Portuguese influence very visible in the architecture and religion. Overall Goa is just absolutely gorgeous, beeeg open beaches, beautiful skies with lots of fluffy clouds, breathtaking sunsets, amazing weather (in November), coconut trees, holy cows,
great food and cheap accommodation. I fully enjoyed the experience and am very grateful for attracting such wonders in my life:)
Then instead of going to Madagascar, I popped into Cape Town where I JUST holidayed. I finally went up Table Mountain and Lion's Head again (for sunrise) and spent my days with Pookie. It was bliss. It is always tough leaving that gorgeous city.
And with the ending of this entry, I wish you jolliness in this festive time (although I think it is always time to be festive), I wish you a superlative year ahead or at least seeing the perfection which is in every moment, that you can look at things with a judgeless view and appreciate things for what they just are, that you find success and joy in your days, and that you'll love yourself and feel blessed to be the wonderful beings that you are.
In the happiness of having yummy yogueta lollipops in my kitchen, health and with love,
Alta
The end of the year is excitingly close as another brilliant year awaits us. Allow me to share my experience in Goa with you.
So.... I went to Goa, South/West India to do the yoga teacher training course by an Australian company. We stayed at a stunning tropical retreat center surrounded by
beautiful nature, in fact my hut/shack was right next to the river and I brushed my teeth and showered everyday overlooking this (had no window, just a hole in the bathroomhut) and went to bed hearing crickets, frogs croak and sometimes rain, and then waking to the sound of birds. Food was lovingly prepared (onion-and garlic-free) by a Nepalese kitchen team, all vegetarian and healthy, and we drank filtered water from the well. 
Meals were shared with an amazing bunch of bright and open-minded people sharing a common passion - the love of yoga, health, life and nature. I was in paradise once again! Class started at 6am every morning and the last lecture ended at 20h30. Yes, looong, sweaty, intense days. Sometimes when we got the chance, we would gulf down our lunch quickly and go for a dip in the ocean (which was like a 50ms walk over the slender wooden bridge that crosses the river) We learned so much, my head was spinning and I felt like a beginner in yoga (even though I've been doing yoga for almost 5 years) We were teaching public classes and being assessed already on the 4th day. There were 3 programs, and in the teacher training, we were 8 students. We bonded so well with each other including the teachers, it was all very wonderful! We celebrated the end of the course with a drum circle and dancing on the beach with bonfires. (but the course continues as I am left with lots of assignments and teaching hours before I get certified)And off I went into the unknown for another 6 days, solo. All I knew is that I wanted to explore Goa. I had a map and an idea. Long story short... I ended up staying in a village in North Goa where there were no other foreigners, just me. The only tourists you saw were the ones riding scooters through this village. I spent my days lazying around, eating, going to the beach, walking and some days my 'driver' (the one whose family house I was staying in) would take me on day trips (i even peeped into Maharashtra, just a ferry ride from Goa, and already the Maharathis were different - dressed differently, different food, different language - isn't India just amazingly endless) Goa feels like another country, not just India. The people are totally laidback, they have a chilled attitude, (like don't worry, be happy), very friendly - they are just different. Goan prawn curry is fantastic, and oh yes, the Goan trance parties are great... even though they are hard to find these days (because the police bans them). I even attended a fashion show party. I did clothing shopping till my money ran out and I had to get some more from my credit card. The clothing there is absolutely awesome, just my style. And very fashionable and stupid cheap. Oh and the architecture is something else, especially the capital city, Panji/Panjim/Paniji - same, same.
Goa was ruled by the Portuguese till 1961, so it still has a big Portuguese influence very visible in the architecture and religion. Overall Goa is just absolutely gorgeous, beeeg open beaches, beautiful skies with lots of fluffy clouds, breathtaking sunsets, amazing weather (in November), coconut trees, holy cows,
great food and cheap accommodation. I fully enjoyed the experience and am very grateful for attracting such wonders in my life:)Then instead of going to Madagascar, I popped into Cape Town where I JUST holidayed. I finally went up Table Mountain and Lion's Head again (for sunrise) and spent my days with Pookie. It was bliss. It is always tough leaving that gorgeous city.
And with the ending of this entry, I wish you jolliness in this festive time (although I think it is always time to be festive), I wish you a superlative year ahead or at least seeing the perfection which is in every moment, that you can look at things with a judgeless view and appreciate things for what they just are, that you find success and joy in your days, and that you'll love yourself and feel blessed to be the wonderful beings that you are.
In the happiness of having yummy yogueta lollipops in my kitchen, health and with love,
Alta
Thursday, October 29, 2009
the terror goes to tehran (Iran)
Salaam
A quick weekend away to…… Iran!!! (“some people think I’m bonkers”, does this ring a bell??) Yeah, I went to Iran, and it was great, haha!! David, a ‘penpal’ (as we would call it in the old days) whom I’ve never met, was going to meet me somewhere about 2hours away from the airport, sent me a taxi driver to pick me up. I had no visa, and no local address, neither my two phones worked there (Iran is very roaming unfriendly), but hey, I always manage
So, then I met David, who is a very sweet guy.
He took me around the North and South of Tehran, which is such a massive city, yet absolutely gorgeous, nothing I EVER imagined it to be. Hugged by mountains, decorated by long, tall trees, celebrated by
rebellious people, women who are forced to be covered (including me). The traffic is also mad, but the fastest moving I’ve ever seen. People drive soooo fast, even scooters and bikes(without helmets ofcourse) zip through cars as if they’re in a video game.
David and his brother (who is a very skilled driver), took me go-carting. The Iranian girls even go to a place like that in high heels. Wait, let me draw you the picture first. As ‘covered’ as these women are, there are a lot more going on behind the ‘scenes’. Most women had nose jobs done (you’re not cool if you haven’t), their eyebrows are slim and perfectly tinted, thick lipstick and upright postures (well yeah, similar to most Arab countries ie Egyptians, Lebanese, Dubai locals). You might find two cars driving in front of you very slowly, occupying most of the road space and you cannot pass, and find no one hooting at them… David told me this is the ‘dating system’. In those few seconds, this would be where the phone number exchanging takes place. They will meet later that night, and sex is guaranteed. Mmmm, interesting. It is also normal to have more than one girlfriend or boyfriend. Women even made a pass at David while I’m sitting right next to him, haha. There is no party scene, no clubs or pubs, no alcohol. But people find a way to entertain themselves, and it gets pretty wild.
I was really surprised by how beautiful the city is, especially at night. We smoked shisha at a popular peak, overlooking the city lights and listening to classical Iranian music. And I’ve found a vegetarian Iranian dish that blows my mind! (luckily I can get it in Dubai also). So all and all, it was a pleasant experience. Not recommendable to go there without the help and knowledge of a local, as the people don’t speak much English and don’t seem very approachable. A few days before my arrival, there were elections, so the place seemed a bit unstable, but it smoothed out by the time I got there:) And unfortunately for me, on my return back to Dubai, everything worked out fine, until we got stuck inside the aircraft for 7 hours!!! (technical reasons) and therefore I missed my work flight to JNB, had to see my manager etc etc.
Now, I’m off till Dec3, going to Goa (India) for 3 weeks (of which 2 weeks is for yoga teacher training) and then hopefully Madagascar for 10days, if I get a travel partner.
The year is nearing to its end again, wow. I hope you are all healthy and enjoying the interesting weather.
Love to you,
Khuda'afis
A
A quick weekend away to…… Iran!!! (“some people think I’m bonkers”, does this ring a bell??) Yeah, I went to Iran, and it was great, haha!! David, a ‘penpal’ (as we would call it in the old days) whom I’ve never met, was going to meet me somewhere about 2hours away from the airport, sent me a taxi driver to pick me up. I had no visa, and no local address, neither my two phones worked there (Iran is very roaming unfriendly), but hey, I always manage
So, then I met David, who is a very sweet guy.
He took me around the North and South of Tehran, which is such a massive city, yet absolutely gorgeous, nothing I EVER imagined it to be. Hugged by mountains, decorated by long, tall trees, celebrated by
rebellious people, women who are forced to be covered (including me). The traffic is also mad, but the fastest moving I’ve ever seen. People drive soooo fast, even scooters and bikes(without helmets ofcourse) zip through cars as if they’re in a video game.
David and his brother (who is a very skilled driver), took me go-carting. The Iranian girls even go to a place like that in high heels. Wait, let me draw you the picture first. As ‘covered’ as these women are, there are a lot more going on behind the ‘scenes’. Most women had nose jobs done (you’re not cool if you haven’t), their eyebrows are slim and perfectly tinted, thick lipstick and upright postures (well yeah, similar to most Arab countries ie Egyptians, Lebanese, Dubai locals). You might find two cars driving in front of you very slowly, occupying most of the road space and you cannot pass, and find no one hooting at them… David told me this is the ‘dating system’. In those few seconds, this would be where the phone number exchanging takes place. They will meet later that night, and sex is guaranteed. Mmmm, interesting. It is also normal to have more than one girlfriend or boyfriend. Women even made a pass at David while I’m sitting right next to him, haha. There is no party scene, no clubs or pubs, no alcohol. But people find a way to entertain themselves, and it gets pretty wild.
I was really surprised by how beautiful the city is, especially at night. We smoked shisha at a popular peak, overlooking the city lights and listening to classical Iranian music. And I’ve found a vegetarian Iranian dish that blows my mind! (luckily I can get it in Dubai also). So all and all, it was a pleasant experience. Not recommendable to go there without the help and knowledge of a local, as the people don’t speak much English and don’t seem very approachable. A few days before my arrival, there were elections, so the place seemed a bit unstable, but it smoothed out by the time I got there:) And unfortunately for me, on my return back to Dubai, everything worked out fine, until we got stuck inside the aircraft for 7 hours!!! (technical reasons) and therefore I missed my work flight to JNB, had to see my manager etc etc.
Now, I’m off till Dec3, going to Goa (India) for 3 weeks (of which 2 weeks is for yoga teacher training) and then hopefully Madagascar for 10days, if I get a travel partner.
The year is nearing to its end again, wow. I hope you are all healthy and enjoying the interesting weather.
Love to you,
Khuda'afis
A
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Simply Asia (Bangkok and Shanghai)
Huhloh
Huan jing
...and as that song goes: "Some people think I'm bonkers!" I know how the singer feels, hehe:) Because what have I been up to again lately?? Mmm...
So,
I only had one day off after Dusseldorf (which I forgot to mention last time - I planned on visiting my dear friend in Amsterdam, but unfortunately the itenary from the metro system was incorrect and it didn't work out, so I just rested. Then the Bangkok-Hongkong trip.. It works like this: We fly to BKK, stay for a day, don't check out (yay, no packing and unpacking), then shuttle to HKG and back. In HKG we leave the aircraft and get to wander around in the airport for 4 hrs or go to our own lounge where we get free snacks, drinks and internet. Back in BKK we stay another day. Throughout this, we keep handing over/being handed over the aircraft to the other crew we saw the day before, the once ahead or behind in the same trip.
Bangkok: What did I do in Bangkok?...mmmm...well...the usual.... massages, shopping and eating like a pig. Went on the skytrain for the first time in Thailand. Excellent!
And.... then I went to Patpong. This is an area... a 'district' I've always wanted to experience. I went to go watch the famous/infamous ping pong shows. All by myself, coz crew were either sick or tired. These places are superdodgy stripclubs, except that they don't strip, they are already naked when you enter and are hanging around
on the stage like jellyfish in a tank. Then one comes forward and gives you the 'show' of your life! Now, I've heard all kinds of stories, but I will only share what I've experienced myself. The highlighted is not for the sensitive. (Ma, stop reading, heehee) One girl put ping pong balls up her punani(hahahahaha) then shoots it back while a 'floor'person picks it up with a fishnet. One pulled a string out that never seemed to end, one sucked water from a bottle and transfered it to another and then came to put the two bottles on my table asking for money(gross), one sucked rings with a tube and put the rings over a bottle. It's a freakin sex circus!!!!! After 20mins I couldn't watch anymore and tried to leave. This wasn't so easy. They tried to con me like they do all foreigners, I threatened them, they threatened me and after much negotiation, I left safely. It's all part of the journey. Ok, tick, done!:)
Shanghai: Went to the Jade Buddha Temple (wish I could share the video clips), lots of open praying and chanting going on.
Then went walking for 2 hours in an area where I honestly saw NO foreigners, just little Chinese people. Just my style;) Saw many males without their shirts on (it was very hot and humid), saw the usual 'stunts' of families on scooters, crazy traffic and stinky roads. I must admit, I'm not a fan of China. I don't get the 'rhythm', whereas places like Thailand and India etc, I feel I just fit in!!
Hope you enjoyed:)
Ramadan Karim!
Take care Chinas
Alta
Huan jing
...and as that song goes: "Some people think I'm bonkers!" I know how the singer feels, hehe:) Because what have I been up to again lately?? Mmm...
So,
I only had one day off after Dusseldorf (which I forgot to mention last time - I planned on visiting my dear friend in Amsterdam, but unfortunately the itenary from the metro system was incorrect and it didn't work out, so I just rested. Then the Bangkok-Hongkong trip.. It works like this: We fly to BKK, stay for a day, don't check out (yay, no packing and unpacking), then shuttle to HKG and back. In HKG we leave the aircraft and get to wander around in the airport for 4 hrs or go to our own lounge where we get free snacks, drinks and internet. Back in BKK we stay another day. Throughout this, we keep handing over/being handed over the aircraft to the other crew we saw the day before, the once ahead or behind in the same trip.
Bangkok: What did I do in Bangkok?...mmmm...well...the usual.... massages, shopping and eating like a pig. Went on the skytrain for the first time in Thailand. Excellent!
And.... then I went to Patpong. This is an area... a 'district' I've always wanted to experience. I went to go watch the famous/infamous ping pong shows. All by myself, coz crew were either sick or tired. These places are superdodgy stripclubs, except that they don't strip, they are already naked when you enter and are hanging around
on the stage like jellyfish in a tank. Then one comes forward and gives you the 'show' of your life! Now, I've heard all kinds of stories, but I will only share what I've experienced myself. The highlighted is not for the sensitive. (Ma, stop reading, heehee) One girl put ping pong balls up her punani(hahahahaha) then shoots it back while a 'floor'person picks it up with a fishnet. One pulled a string out that never seemed to end, one sucked water from a bottle and transfered it to another and then came to put the two bottles on my table asking for money(gross), one sucked rings with a tube and put the rings over a bottle. It's a freakin sex circus!!!!! After 20mins I couldn't watch anymore and tried to leave. This wasn't so easy. They tried to con me like they do all foreigners, I threatened them, they threatened me and after much negotiation, I left safely. It's all part of the journey. Ok, tick, done!:)Shanghai: Went to the Jade Buddha Temple (wish I could share the video clips), lots of open praying and chanting going on.
Then went walking for 2 hours in an area where I honestly saw NO foreigners, just little Chinese people. Just my style;) Saw many males without their shirts on (it was very hot and humid), saw the usual 'stunts' of families on scooters, crazy traffic and stinky roads. I must admit, I'm not a fan of China. I don't get the 'rhythm', whereas places like Thailand and India etc, I feel I just fit in!!Hope you enjoyed:)
Ramadan Karim!
Take care Chinas
Alta
Thursday, August 13, 2009
free fremantle, Perth (Australia)
Heya!
Whooooosh, my life is a tumbledryer and my head is spinning. LOL! I have been partying way too much and unfortunately alcohol was involved. I had another absent at work (missed my flight), a kick under the butt and now it seems Alta is back on track. So, let me tell you a little bit about Perth.
I successfully swapped my London flight to go to OZ instead and it was good to be back in Australia, even though it was a direct 11 hour flight. It is winter there now and the weather was glorious, stunning. I got up early in the morning and took a train to Cottlesloe... a cute neighbourhood right on the ocean. My map led me to the beach, I sat there for a while and counted about 34 surfers in front of me, around noon on a Monday.
Then I decided to go further (bought a day pass train ticket) and went to Fremantle, the last stop. A harbour town. Perth, especially Fremantle has a lot of history with the Dutch and the little town itself looks European. I had lunch at the waterfront and a walk through the park and to my amazement in front of me which I thought were seagulls, on a closer zoom, they were actually white parrots. Everywhere. In the trees, on the grass...
I found the people very friendly, especially the elder ones. Reminded me of the uncle and aunts from my own little hometown:) Had a walk through the CBD and it was so much like Cape Town. It's amazing how much Australia is like SA, just without the crime. I miss hooooome!!!
I'll be coming home the end of the month, finally, after 6 months!! For a few days. Meanwhile, I'm going on a Bangkok trip tonight, then China and a visit to good old Jimmy in Dar E Salaam (another London swap)
Hope you are all good. Am looking forward to meeting up the ones I can:)
Mwah mwah
See ya later
A
Whooooosh, my life is a tumbledryer and my head is spinning. LOL! I have been partying way too much and unfortunately alcohol was involved. I had another absent at work (missed my flight), a kick under the butt and now it seems Alta is back on track. So, let me tell you a little bit about Perth.
I successfully swapped my London flight to go to OZ instead and it was good to be back in Australia, even though it was a direct 11 hour flight. It is winter there now and the weather was glorious, stunning. I got up early in the morning and took a train to Cottlesloe... a cute neighbourhood right on the ocean. My map led me to the beach, I sat there for a while and counted about 34 surfers in front of me, around noon on a Monday.
Then I decided to go further (bought a day pass train ticket) and went to Fremantle, the last stop. A harbour town. Perth, especially Fremantle has a lot of history with the Dutch and the little town itself looks European. I had lunch at the waterfront and a walk through the park and to my amazement in front of me which I thought were seagulls, on a closer zoom, they were actually white parrots. Everywhere. In the trees, on the grass...
I found the people very friendly, especially the elder ones. Reminded me of the uncle and aunts from my own little hometown:) Had a walk through the CBD and it was so much like Cape Town. It's amazing how much Australia is like SA, just without the crime. I miss hooooome!!!
I'll be coming home the end of the month, finally, after 6 months!! For a few days. Meanwhile, I'm going on a Bangkok trip tonight, then China and a visit to good old Jimmy in Dar E Salaam (another London swap)
Hope you are all good. Am looking forward to meeting up the ones I can:)
Mwah mwah
See ya later
A
Friday, July 31, 2009
Houston, we have a problem (Houston, Texas)
Howdy, how ya'all doing?
So imagine this.... I get up at 05h30 Saturday morning... I get ready for work....I fly...I work...I rest and sleep for 4 hours in our crew rest....I work some more...I wait and stay up while passengers are sleeping....I walk around listening to the cruising of the aircraft....I shit a little in my pants during turbulence...I visit the flight deck crew...I'm tired...I'm being silly with my crew to stay awake and positive....and by the time I sit in my jumpseat and hear the captain say we must get ready for landing, I look on my watch...it's around 2am, Sunday in Dubai...!!!! I have been inside an aircraft for 17hours and flew back in time... it's Saturday, 4pm in Texas, people are still waiting for the evening to come. I should be sleeping... but hey, things to do, places to see:)
So me and the First Officer (an Afrikaner) and a Polish girl hired a car and off we
go on our own little roadtrip to the NASA Space Center. It's like a NASA museum and it was awesome to relive the first landing on the moon, see the spaceships from inside... how they lived, ate and showered... the highs, the disappointments (there were a few theatres showing videos - like the explosion of one of the spaceships) etc... We even got to see the real life simulators that they use today.
Then off we went to Galveston.. a little island about an hour's drive. The scenery and everything changed and we found ourselves in a gorgeous little American
neighbourhood with white picket fences,
double storey wooden houses with big American flags hanging from it, being a Sunday we saw lots of Harley Davidsons and even a bike gang (yo yo yo American brother style).
The weather in Texas is hot and humid. Being used to living in a painful sauna right now, that weather was heaven! We walked along the beach (the water is brown) and had some local Texan beer at a pub and made friends with the locals and ended up at a "Waterfront" style harbour and had a beautiful seafood feast.
The next day (2days layover) we went to the Cheesecake factory (for the ones that don't know me really well..., I'm a sucker for a good baked cheesecake) :) . This was in the Galleria mall which is very well known in Texas (there are TWO Macy's!)
Me and Anna were looking for cowboys (man, this girl is just as crazy and adventurous as me, if not more) and we finally found one in civil clothes. When he asked me where I'm from, and on my reply he ofcourse responded: "You don't look black to me". Don't LOOK black, wtf?? I said: "Sir, you need to get out more often" We didn't even bother to explain where Poland is:)
Overall, the trip was amazing, as I mentioned before... everything in America feels like I'm living in a movie.
I hope ya'll have a great weekend
Take care now
A
So imagine this.... I get up at 05h30 Saturday morning... I get ready for work....I fly...I work...I rest and sleep for 4 hours in our crew rest....I work some more...I wait and stay up while passengers are sleeping....I walk around listening to the cruising of the aircraft....I shit a little in my pants during turbulence...I visit the flight deck crew...I'm tired...I'm being silly with my crew to stay awake and positive....and by the time I sit in my jumpseat and hear the captain say we must get ready for landing, I look on my watch...it's around 2am, Sunday in Dubai...!!!! I have been inside an aircraft for 17hours and flew back in time... it's Saturday, 4pm in Texas, people are still waiting for the evening to come. I should be sleeping... but hey, things to do, places to see:)
So me and the First Officer (an Afrikaner) and a Polish girl hired a car and off we
go on our own little roadtrip to the NASA Space Center. It's like a NASA museum and it was awesome to relive the first landing on the moon, see the spaceships from inside... how they lived, ate and showered... the highs, the disappointments (there were a few theatres showing videos - like the explosion of one of the spaceships) etc... We even got to see the real life simulators that they use today. Then off we went to Galveston.. a little island about an hour's drive. The scenery and everything changed and we found ourselves in a gorgeous little American
neighbourhood with white picket fences, double storey wooden houses with big American flags hanging from it, being a Sunday we saw lots of Harley Davidsons and even a bike gang (yo yo yo American brother style).
The weather in Texas is hot and humid. Being used to living in a painful sauna right now, that weather was heaven! We walked along the beach (the water is brown) and had some local Texan beer at a pub and made friends with the locals and ended up at a "Waterfront" style harbour and had a beautiful seafood feast. The next day (2days layover) we went to the Cheesecake factory (for the ones that don't know me really well..., I'm a sucker for a good baked cheesecake) :) . This was in the Galleria mall which is very well known in Texas (there are TWO Macy's!)
Me and Anna were looking for cowboys (man, this girl is just as crazy and adventurous as me, if not more) and we finally found one in civil clothes. When he asked me where I'm from, and on my reply he ofcourse responded: "You don't look black to me". Don't LOOK black, wtf?? I said: "Sir, you need to get out more often" We didn't even bother to explain where Poland is:)
Overall, the trip was amazing, as I mentioned before... everything in America feels like I'm living in a movie.
I hope ya'll have a great weekend
Take care now
A
Monday, July 6, 2009
overlayed (Dar Es Salaam, Paris and Rome)
Hey!
Hoe gaan dit??
forgot to tell you guys...
I went to Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) again last month, and guess what?!? I went to that same island, and I found Jimmy the Rasta again;-) It was a lovely reunion, and we spent a few hours together again, and this time Jimmy gave me his mobile number (he has been keeping in contact with me by sending a sms once a month from a different number, au).
The shells he picked up for me this time, were much bigger, the weather was amazing as always
Oops, and I forgot to mention that I went to Paris again, last month at some stage, or was it the month before? (it was my very first flight/layover with my new career - a year and half ago) and it was good to be back there and fall in love with it all over again. We just went into town again, saw different angles of the city and of the Eiffel Tower and went inside the Notre Dame:)
Then I went to Rome..
and it was a walk through history itself. Rome was definitely not built in one day,
hehe. I did not find the Romans as nice as the people from Venice and Milan, and therefore don't like the place as much.
I am going through a phase of not being too excited about my layovers and therefore it reflects in my newsletter, which I'm lazy to write:) Forgive me. I know you have been waiting for this a while... and yes.. I will definitely still send you photos of the new uniform.
My motorcycle license application is strong in progress, and Wednesday I'm going for my final test. Wish me luck;-)!
I miss Cape Town, and all you beautiful people
Rock on!
Alta
Hoe gaan dit??
forgot to tell you guys...
I went to Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) again last month, and guess what?!? I went to that same island, and I found Jimmy the Rasta again;-) It was a lovely reunion, and we spent a few hours together again, and this time Jimmy gave me his mobile number (he has been keeping in contact with me by sending a sms once a month from a different number, au).
The shells he picked up for me this time, were much bigger, the weather was amazing as always
Oops, and I forgot to mention that I went to Paris again, last month at some stage, or was it the month before? (it was my very first flight/layover with my new career - a year and half ago) and it was good to be back there and fall in love with it all over again. We just went into town again, saw different angles of the city and of the Eiffel Tower and went inside the Notre Dame:)
Then I went to Rome..
and it was a walk through history itself. Rome was definitely not built in one day,
hehe. I did not find the Romans as nice as the people from Venice and Milan, and therefore don't like the place as much.
I am going through a phase of not being too excited about my layovers and therefore it reflects in my newsletter, which I'm lazy to write:) Forgive me. I know you have been waiting for this a while... and yes.. I will definitely still send you photos of the new uniform.
My motorcycle license application is strong in progress, and Wednesday I'm going for my final test. Wish me luck;-)!
I miss Cape Town, and all you beautiful people
Rock on!
Alta
Saturday, June 13, 2009
pearl of Africa (Entebbe, Uganda)
Oyotya (aw-yaw-tia -> i struggled with this at first)
(btw. the greetings I use in my letters are actual words that I learn and use onboard or in the country,
and the response from the locals are great!)
And apologies for sending some news only now, thanks for bearing with me - I am going through a silly phase and get lazy to write. Nevertheless, I'm back with little news...
Went to Uganda (swapped my Heathrow for it), Entebbe. Similar to Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana - dirty roads covered in red dust, bikes and crazy taxis (saw an accident between a scooter and a bakkie which blocked our way, so our busdriver went over the pavement to get us at the airport in time, haha), people very friendly, huge Indian community as there were 4 Indian channels on tv, and a Hindu temple in Kampala (the area we stayed in). All I aimed to do in Entebbe, was to see Lake Victoria, and we happened to stay right next to it, haha (it was the backyard of the gorgeous and stunning resort we stayed at),
so I didn't leave the resort. We witnessed the friendliest, beautiful and social dragonflies ever! They followed us like curious puppies and even paused for a couple of photos. Wow!
At night you could hear birds, frogs and crickets. And there were many horses at the stables. The weather was perfect! The crew was lovely! It was a transit flight, which means we stop in Ethiopia first (where I learned some more words again, lol)
I had 7 days off and planned on coming to Cape Town or at least any other continent, but unfortunately flights were full everywhere, so I am staying in Dubai. I picked up a flight to Rome (yay, finally) also. So, more news to come later
We have new uniforms, which were launched on the 7th of June. I love it!! Makes me feel corporate and sexy at the same time;-)
Best wishes to you all
Werabe
Tulabangane
--
A
Let your soul stand cool and composed before a million universes - Walt Whitman
(btw. the greetings I use in my letters are actual words that I learn and use onboard or in the country,
and the response from the locals are great!)
And apologies for sending some news only now, thanks for bearing with me - I am going through a silly phase and get lazy to write. Nevertheless, I'm back with little news...
Went to Uganda (swapped my Heathrow for it), Entebbe. Similar to Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana - dirty roads covered in red dust, bikes and crazy taxis (saw an accident between a scooter and a bakkie which blocked our way, so our busdriver went over the pavement to get us at the airport in time, haha), people very friendly, huge Indian community as there were 4 Indian channels on tv, and a Hindu temple in Kampala (the area we stayed in). All I aimed to do in Entebbe, was to see Lake Victoria, and we happened to stay right next to it, haha (it was the backyard of the gorgeous and stunning resort we stayed at),
so I didn't leave the resort. We witnessed the friendliest, beautiful and social dragonflies ever! They followed us like curious puppies and even paused for a couple of photos. Wow!
At night you could hear birds, frogs and crickets. And there were many horses at the stables. The weather was perfect! The crew was lovely! It was a transit flight, which means we stop in Ethiopia first (where I learned some more words again, lol)I had 7 days off and planned on coming to Cape Town or at least any other continent, but unfortunately flights were full everywhere, so I am staying in Dubai. I picked up a flight to Rome (yay, finally) also. So, more news to come later
We have new uniforms, which were launched on the 7th of June. I love it!! Makes me feel corporate and sexy at the same time;-)
Best wishes to you all
Werabe
Tulabangane
--
A
Let your soul stand cool and composed before a million universes - Walt Whitman
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
little piece of heaven, Zanzibar (island off Tanzania)
Jambo
Habari
Inhale slowly, aaaah exhale even slower. Tons and endless amounts of fresh crispy air, clear headed, tensionfree and no traces of jetlag. An amazing and most relaxed holiday I’ve experienced so farJ I have been dreaming of this and am still fantasizing on the memories of it…
Karibu to Zanzibar! Pookie and I (by the way, we want to be together and still love each other dearly, it is just not possible for us right now) explored Zanzibar Town (Stone Town – a world heritage site) on arrival. Very interesting historical creation of Arabic architecture (old wooden doors),
small alleys, many scooters, cats with beautiful eyes, black women in abayas (those black dresses), rastas, old buildings that are peeling, spice markets, fish markets and random people trying to sell random stuff.
Then we went to the North (Kendwa – close to Nungwi) where we sat on the beach as a romantic couple watching the stunning sunsets every evening
(stayed there for 3 days), ate good food (I gained some weight), (I) slept an average of 9 hours daily excluding the many times I fell asleep on the beach or a hammock, long walks and generally chilling and listening to music.
We mutually felt it was time to move on and explore other parts of the island, so we went to the East coast to Jambiani. We basically had a beach and lodge to ourselves living in a village (May is low season, apparently the worst time to go – blah blah, luckily I never listen to these things, because we had amazing and perfect weather). Our bungalow was right on the beach (5meters away) and we spent our nights sleeping outside on the stoepbed covered by a mosquito net (they chowed me alive nonetheless). Went for a tour to the village Kizimkazi and into the deep, deep sea where we swam with dolphins!! Had lunch in a local’s home, wow!
Life is slow on the island and we chilled. Content.
Finally back at the airport, I checked my roster online (I’m on standby remember) and saw that I have a rest day the following day, so the Pookies stayed one more day in Stone Town where we experienced the night markets (where they sell freshly catches of the day and freshly squeezed sugarcane juice). Explored a new area and enjoyed our last moments together, the weather was gorgeous.
Back at the airport I had an interesting experience. In my flight to Dar, I sat right behind the captain, haha (smallest aircraft I’ve seen and been on – seats only 12) and no co-pilot, a passenger sommer seated himself next to the captain. A 15-minute flight cruising at an easy breathable 7000ft!!
Aaaaaah, life is wonderful
Upendo,
Alta
Habari
Inhale slowly, aaaah exhale even slower. Tons and endless amounts of fresh crispy air, clear headed, tensionfree and no traces of jetlag. An amazing and most relaxed holiday I’ve experienced so farJ I have been dreaming of this and am still fantasizing on the memories of it…
Karibu to Zanzibar! Pookie and I (by the way, we want to be together and still love each other dearly, it is just not possible for us right now) explored Zanzibar Town (Stone Town – a world heritage site) on arrival. Very interesting historical creation of Arabic architecture (old wooden doors),
small alleys, many scooters, cats with beautiful eyes, black women in abayas (those black dresses), rastas, old buildings that are peeling, spice markets, fish markets and random people trying to sell random stuff.Then we went to the North (Kendwa – close to Nungwi) where we sat on the beach as a romantic couple watching the stunning sunsets every evening
(stayed there for 3 days), ate good food (I gained some weight), (I) slept an average of 9 hours daily excluding the many times I fell asleep on the beach or a hammock, long walks and generally chilling and listening to music.We mutually felt it was time to move on and explore other parts of the island, so we went to the East coast to Jambiani. We basically had a beach and lodge to ourselves living in a village (May is low season, apparently the worst time to go – blah blah, luckily I never listen to these things, because we had amazing and perfect weather). Our bungalow was right on the beach (5meters away) and we spent our nights sleeping outside on the stoepbed covered by a mosquito net (they chowed me alive nonetheless). Went for a tour to the village Kizimkazi and into the deep, deep sea where we swam with dolphins!! Had lunch in a local’s home, wow!
Life is slow on the island and we chilled. Content.
Finally back at the airport, I checked my roster online (I’m on standby remember) and saw that I have a rest day the following day, so the Pookies stayed one more day in Stone Town where we experienced the night markets (where they sell freshly catches of the day and freshly squeezed sugarcane juice). Explored a new area and enjoyed our last moments together, the weather was gorgeous.
Back at the airport I had an interesting experience. In my flight to Dar, I sat right behind the captain, haha (smallest aircraft I’ve seen and been on – seats only 12) and no co-pilot, a passenger sommer seated himself next to the captain. A 15-minute flight cruising at an easy breathable 7000ft!!
Aaaaaah, life is wonderful
Upendo,
Alta
Friday, May 8, 2009
Star of Africa (Accra, Ghana)
Atisen
First of all, my head is still spinning from all the traveling I did last month, and now that I'm on standby, my life is turned upside down again... I've been meaning to write this long ago, just never had the time. I never get used to staying up at night, getting up early or forcing myself to sleep during the day, but at least I get used to missing out on sleep. Soon I'll be 40.
So, like I said last time, I was off to London, instead I went on a 4day trip to Ghana. One of my personal goals, is to see more of Africa this year. So far so good:) The trip works like this: we fly to Accra (Ghana), land afternoon, book into our hotel (which we get to keep for 3 days without having to check out). Spend the day and night in Accra (where we went to the beach, ate local food = disgusting,
be surrounded by hundreds of people trying to sell stuff to us while we are trying to relax on the beach, play an ancient game with the locals then end up buying the game, smoke shisha AGAIN, look at the many men jogging passed training for soccer or something = creating an entertaining scene of an African Baywatch movieset for women, haha, get a peaceful snake wrapped around my neck and pay for that, then finally get tired of trying to relax and go back to hotel)
Then we work a 'normal' 10 to 4 day flying quickly to Abidjan and back (Cote d'Ivoire = Ivory Coast) and have the rest of the afternoon free again (where we went back to the beach because there was a beach party, drank local fermented palm 'beer' = disgusting, got harassed more, tried to dance to live reggae music while being surrounded by locals, get overpriced on our dinner, then finally give up and go home, screw this)
Have half the next day free, go to mall where we found Truworths, Woolworths, Game, Shoprite, Huisgenoot, Savannahs, Lutzville wine!!! and got curious about the amount of South Africans in Ghana!!?
Felt like a little holiday, easy flight, friendly people. They openly practice Christianity (you'll walk into the clothing shop and the guy in the back is blasting his gospel album)
Average beach, average place, average experience:)
Meanwhile, Rico wanted me back, spent two more weeks as his girlfriend and had a lot of fun, then I had to break up with him last night:( It's the right thing to do:) Pookie is the love of my life!
For my vacation that is finally approaching, I'll be going to another African destination: Zanzibar!!
So stay tuned, watch this space:-)
How are you doing?
Hugs,
A
First of all, my head is still spinning from all the traveling I did last month, and now that I'm on standby, my life is turned upside down again... I've been meaning to write this long ago, just never had the time. I never get used to staying up at night, getting up early or forcing myself to sleep during the day, but at least I get used to missing out on sleep. Soon I'll be 40.
So, like I said last time, I was off to London, instead I went on a 4day trip to Ghana. One of my personal goals, is to see more of Africa this year. So far so good:) The trip works like this: we fly to Accra (Ghana), land afternoon, book into our hotel (which we get to keep for 3 days without having to check out). Spend the day and night in Accra (where we went to the beach, ate local food = disgusting,
be surrounded by hundreds of people trying to sell stuff to us while we are trying to relax on the beach, play an ancient game with the locals then end up buying the game, smoke shisha AGAIN, look at the many men jogging passed training for soccer or something = creating an entertaining scene of an African Baywatch movieset for women, haha, get a peaceful snake wrapped around my neck and pay for that, then finally get tired of trying to relax and go back to hotel)
Then we work a 'normal' 10 to 4 day flying quickly to Abidjan and back (Cote d'Ivoire = Ivory Coast) and have the rest of the afternoon free again (where we went back to the beach because there was a beach party, drank local fermented palm 'beer' = disgusting, got harassed more, tried to dance to live reggae music while being surrounded by locals, get overpriced on our dinner, then finally give up and go home, screw this)
Have half the next day free, go to mall where we found Truworths, Woolworths, Game, Shoprite, Huisgenoot, Savannahs, Lutzville wine!!! and got curious about the amount of South Africans in Ghana!!?
Felt like a little holiday, easy flight, friendly people. They openly practice Christianity (you'll walk into the clothing shop and the guy in the back is blasting his gospel album)
Average beach, average place, average experience:)
Meanwhile, Rico wanted me back, spent two more weeks as his girlfriend and had a lot of fun, then I had to break up with him last night:( It's the right thing to do:) Pookie is the love of my life!
For my vacation that is finally approaching, I'll be going to another African destination: Zanzibar!!
So stay tuned, watch this space:-)
How are you doing?
Hugs,
A
Sunday, April 26, 2009
turkish delight (Istanbul, Turkey)
Merhaba
Heya, hasn't it just been a beezzy month of globaltrotting and entertaining you with it:)!!
Meanwhile I've been to Tunis 3 times this month, no need to tell you much, just that each time I feel the same fresh feeling on arrival. The place is just plain gorgeous and I'm in love with it. I went to England, where it is Spring and the flowers and trees are beautiful and there is actually a bit of sun. Am going there again tomorrow, hopefully can meet an old school friend of mine.
Oh yes, the few curious ones who were asking for the juicy bits from my last letter... about Rico... Well, I have been seeing Rico for a month and a half, blonde haired blue eyed 39-year old who I communicate with in Afrikaans (being half Saffie, half Swiss) who would marry me tomorrow. Ah, life!
And in between I responded spontaneously to an invite to go to Istanbul......
- with Param! I squeezed this in right between two flights of mine, where I had 3 days off... and off we went. Param came from Israel on his way to Cape Town and I met him there.
And Istanbul blew me away. Oh wow! Man, the place is amazing. First of all, the Turkish (most of them) are genuinely, friendly, hospitable people that would stop you in the middle of the road to ask what you are looking for and give you the needed direction and then finish it off by asking where you are from and that you are welcome in Istanbul. Even the cabdriver would direct you where to walk, and then you tell him that you actually would like to catch a ride... Lol.
Istanbul is DEFINITELY where East meets West. Tulips grow everywhere, European trees, cats, shisha, humus, mediterranean food, laundry hanging from railings next to the cute flowerpots, colourful buildings that fall apart, clean streets, underground apartments, shitty sewerage systems (excuse the pun) and being one of the most expensive cities to top it all (we paid around R500-700 a night for a room in a hostel, the cheapest we could find). Param and I didn't plan much and spent most of our time on foot just exploring and getting lost. The Blue Mosque was stunning as well as inside,
the Hagia Sophia (AyaSofya) museum was great also - these two were our point of direction, we walked passed them 42 times, haha.
We stood right in the centre of the universe (called the Million Stone - because many many years ago that is where they measured everything from). In the evening (both actually) we ended in a backpacker style restaurant (cushions on the floor and low tables)... where u get beer towers (this long big tube of beer that you pour yourself, draught style, 2.5L) You get a t-shirt with every beer tower. We had TWO of these, hahaha! And a shisha (waterpipe). The place was packed with Australians (it is Anzac weekend) and fish bowls were going from one mouth to the other (filled with lots of cocktails and straws).
It was all happening, the music, the vibe. Man, it was awesome. Soon I was shouting: "Been here, done that, GOT THE T-SHIRT!" Hahahaha. We were quite sober for two who had 5L of beer;) Then we had an interesting incident with a guy that became friendly with us, driving us around, offering us (more) beer, and me threatening him with the police at the end of it.(This has to happen, makes the journey so much more enjoyable). Always go with your gut feeling..
And then Rico broke up with me on the 3d day..
Even though it's been a Arabic/Muslim overload for me, and hopefully I won't have shisha for another 6 months, it has been an amazing month.
Next month I'm on reserve again and a bit of holiday in between, so surprises surprises:)
Money unit in Turkey: Turkish lira
Drive on right side of the road
Teşekkür (Tooshekkur)
You guys rock!
Mwah
A
Heya, hasn't it just been a beezzy month of globaltrotting and entertaining you with it:)!!
Meanwhile I've been to Tunis 3 times this month, no need to tell you much, just that each time I feel the same fresh feeling on arrival. The place is just plain gorgeous and I'm in love with it. I went to England, where it is Spring and the flowers and trees are beautiful and there is actually a bit of sun. Am going there again tomorrow, hopefully can meet an old school friend of mine.
Oh yes, the few curious ones who were asking for the juicy bits from my last letter... about Rico... Well, I have been seeing Rico for a month and a half, blonde haired blue eyed 39-year old who I communicate with in Afrikaans (being half Saffie, half Swiss) who would marry me tomorrow. Ah, life!
And in between I responded spontaneously to an invite to go to Istanbul......
- with Param! I squeezed this in right between two flights of mine, where I had 3 days off... and off we went. Param came from Israel on his way to Cape Town and I met him there.
And Istanbul blew me away. Oh wow! Man, the place is amazing. First of all, the Turkish (most of them) are genuinely, friendly, hospitable people that would stop you in the middle of the road to ask what you are looking for and give you the needed direction and then finish it off by asking where you are from and that you are welcome in Istanbul. Even the cabdriver would direct you where to walk, and then you tell him that you actually would like to catch a ride... Lol.
Istanbul is DEFINITELY where East meets West. Tulips grow everywhere, European trees, cats, shisha, humus, mediterranean food, laundry hanging from railings next to the cute flowerpots, colourful buildings that fall apart, clean streets, underground apartments, shitty sewerage systems (excuse the pun) and being one of the most expensive cities to top it all (we paid around R500-700 a night for a room in a hostel, the cheapest we could find). Param and I didn't plan much and spent most of our time on foot just exploring and getting lost. The Blue Mosque was stunning as well as inside,
the Hagia Sophia (AyaSofya) museum was great also - these two were our point of direction, we walked passed them 42 times, haha.
We stood right in the centre of the universe (called the Million Stone - because many many years ago that is where they measured everything from). In the evening (both actually) we ended in a backpacker style restaurant (cushions on the floor and low tables)... where u get beer towers (this long big tube of beer that you pour yourself, draught style, 2.5L) You get a t-shirt with every beer tower. We had TWO of these, hahaha! And a shisha (waterpipe). The place was packed with Australians (it is Anzac weekend) and fish bowls were going from one mouth to the other (filled with lots of cocktails and straws).
It was all happening, the music, the vibe. Man, it was awesome. Soon I was shouting: "Been here, done that, GOT THE T-SHIRT!" Hahahaha. We were quite sober for two who had 5L of beer;) Then we had an interesting incident with a guy that became friendly with us, driving us around, offering us (more) beer, and me threatening him with the police at the end of it.(This has to happen, makes the journey so much more enjoyable). Always go with your gut feeling..And then Rico broke up with me on the 3d day..
Even though it's been a Arabic/Muslim overload for me, and hopefully I won't have shisha for another 6 months, it has been an amazing month.
Next month I'm on reserve again and a bit of holiday in between, so surprises surprises:)
Money unit in Turkey: Turkish lira
Drive on right side of the road
Teşekkür (Tooshekkur)
You guys rock!
Mwah
A
Monday, April 13, 2009
a holy holiday, Jordan
Marhaba!
Hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend. I spent mine exploring the Holy Land (in Jordan) a little and was blown away with the amazing experience.
We (Rico and I) landed in Amman, and explored the town a bit. The city is sooo cute (from some photos I've seen, it looks a little like Israel).
Buildings are all clustered in the same off-white/pinkish colour and same design, just different heights. And because it's very "hilly", ups and downs, it gives an interesting effect to the image. We had a feast in some local restaurant that night, smoking shisha till it came out of our ears, lol. The traffic is chill and the people are really friendly and helpful (or trying to help at least).
Then off we went to Petra (Wadi Musa). A 3hour drive south through red dry land. South and then west becomes very mountainous. Petra took my breath away. It is such a cute town and the surrounding mountains and roads hugging it, are stunning! We dropped our bags and went to the main gate where we were about to embark on our hiking journey to one of the 7 wonders of the world. Words can not describe this place and neither can photos. It's almost unbelievable. An entire 'city' has been built in rock, about 2000 years ago. It took us about 2-3 hours to reach the top (we weren't aware of this) and once there, we found the cherry on the cake. The aweinspiring Al Deir, a religious meeting place(monastary) in those days. I stood in front of this grand carved rock and struggled to get it all 'in'. It was overwhelming!
Then we had a chat with the Bedouins selling their jewelry over a cup of strong coffee and mint tea. There are donkeys, horses and camels everywhere (including the unfortunate 1000s of people wandering the sites) and so we each grabbed a camel to relief us of a portion of our descent. And THIS was another highlight of my life. I raced on a camel!!! The crazy (yet beautiful Captain Sparrow looking) cameltender listened to my request to go faster, so got on the saddle with me and we went as fast as these camels could go!!!!
They listen like horses. So Rico and I were in our own race. This to me was ecstasy!!!!
Then afterwards another feast at a local spot, including Petra 8% beer and local red wine. The weather btw was fabulous!
Then a beautiful drive to the Dead Sea(3hours).
Along the road we saw many goats and sheep with their shepherd and dogs.
We were soon floating and I was trying to do a few moves and flipped over.
What a disgusting experience, hahaha!! Take a small glass of water, put 42 spoons of salt in there and throw it over your face. (the water is just to make it splash). If you play with salt again, you might realize salt has an oily texture to it. The water felt like this, a bit greasy. It evaporates fast, leaving a thick white trace all over your scalp and body, and then you begin to itch. I'd rather use a lilo. Covered myself in mud for some free spa treatment and soon I was surrounded by some 10 local men, staring at this woman in a costume (they are not used to it, it's like this in Dubai also, hehe)
Then on our way back to Amman, we saw the Dana Village down in the Rummana Mountain ranges.
We drove passed Mount Nebo (where Moses was buried) on our way to Madaba (the town with the most memorable places in the Holy Land) and you could actually feel the Jesus/Bible vibe around these areas. I could just imagine an Arab Jesus, with his long robe walking with sheep through these beautiful farmlike stony yet green bushy fields with an air of Peace, Love, Calm and Joy:) In my mind everything came together, as if I understood the history. Israel is afterall just on the other side of the Dead Sea where we were.
We had lunch in Madaba (which is an interesting Arabic Christian town) at some real skanky local diner. I ate fresh chickpeas for the first time (comes out like peas).
Back in Amman, we stayed in the Old Town, at backpackers. Short and schweet. Rico allowed me take the lead in the trip, but mostly we went with the flow. Oh, how fantastic is it that I go through immigration with just a stamp in my lovely South African passport, and Rico pays 20JD (R200) and wait in a queue to get a visa with his Swiss passport, haha!! In Jordan, everyone has the same habit: "Where are you from?" (reply) South Africa. "Welcome". :)
Bless in bliss
Mwah
A
Hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend. I spent mine exploring the Holy Land (in Jordan) a little and was blown away with the amazing experience.
We (Rico and I) landed in Amman, and explored the town a bit. The city is sooo cute (from some photos I've seen, it looks a little like Israel).
Buildings are all clustered in the same off-white/pinkish colour and same design, just different heights. And because it's very "hilly", ups and downs, it gives an interesting effect to the image. We had a feast in some local restaurant that night, smoking shisha till it came out of our ears, lol. The traffic is chill and the people are really friendly and helpful (or trying to help at least).Then off we went to Petra (Wadi Musa). A 3hour drive south through red dry land. South and then west becomes very mountainous. Petra took my breath away. It is such a cute town and the surrounding mountains and roads hugging it, are stunning! We dropped our bags and went to the main gate where we were about to embark on our hiking journey to one of the 7 wonders of the world. Words can not describe this place and neither can photos. It's almost unbelievable. An entire 'city' has been built in rock, about 2000 years ago. It took us about 2-3 hours to reach the top (we weren't aware of this) and once there, we found the cherry on the cake. The aweinspiring Al Deir, a religious meeting place(monastary) in those days. I stood in front of this grand carved rock and struggled to get it all 'in'. It was overwhelming!
Then we had a chat with the Bedouins selling their jewelry over a cup of strong coffee and mint tea. There are donkeys, horses and camels everywhere (including the unfortunate 1000s of people wandering the sites) and so we each grabbed a camel to relief us of a portion of our descent. And THIS was another highlight of my life. I raced on a camel!!! The crazy (yet beautiful Captain Sparrow looking) cameltender listened to my request to go faster, so got on the saddle with me and we went as fast as these camels could go!!!!
They listen like horses. So Rico and I were in our own race. This to me was ecstasy!!!!Then afterwards another feast at a local spot, including Petra 8% beer and local red wine. The weather btw was fabulous!
Then a beautiful drive to the Dead Sea(3hours).
Along the road we saw many goats and sheep with their shepherd and dogs.
We were soon floating and I was trying to do a few moves and flipped over.
What a disgusting experience, hahaha!! Take a small glass of water, put 42 spoons of salt in there and throw it over your face. (the water is just to make it splash). If you play with salt again, you might realize salt has an oily texture to it. The water felt like this, a bit greasy. It evaporates fast, leaving a thick white trace all over your scalp and body, and then you begin to itch. I'd rather use a lilo. Covered myself in mud for some free spa treatment and soon I was surrounded by some 10 local men, staring at this woman in a costume (they are not used to it, it's like this in Dubai also, hehe)Then on our way back to Amman, we saw the Dana Village down in the Rummana Mountain ranges.
We drove passed Mount Nebo (where Moses was buried) on our way to Madaba (the town with the most memorable places in the Holy Land) and you could actually feel the Jesus/Bible vibe around these areas. I could just imagine an Arab Jesus, with his long robe walking with sheep through these beautiful farmlike stony yet green bushy fields with an air of Peace, Love, Calm and Joy:) In my mind everything came together, as if I understood the history. Israel is afterall just on the other side of the Dead Sea where we were.We had lunch in Madaba (which is an interesting Arabic Christian town) at some real skanky local diner. I ate fresh chickpeas for the first time (comes out like peas).
Back in Amman, we stayed in the Old Town, at backpackers. Short and schweet. Rico allowed me take the lead in the trip, but mostly we went with the flow. Oh, how fantastic is it that I go through immigration with just a stamp in my lovely South African passport, and Rico pays 20JD (R200) and wait in a queue to get a visa with his Swiss passport, haha!! In Jordan, everyone has the same habit: "Where are you from?" (reply) South Africa. "Welcome". :)
Bless in bliss
Mwah
A
Saturday, April 11, 2009
breakfast in tunis, Tunisia
Salam!
My goodness, I haven't even heard of Tunis before joining Emirates... and how this place took my breath away. North Africa, close to Morocco - Tunisia. Tunis to me was like cruising on Campsbay drive, going to Greece, romantic French and strong Arabic. The people are chill, friendly and seem to be happy (man, our cabdriver was a lunatic, he gave us the most amazing experience). Roman ruins are quite a regular sight, yellow blossomed trees (could only get the name in French), mandarin and lemon trees, winding roads, antique and new cars, mopeds, beaches, pizza shops and just plain beauty. Our driver took us (we were 7) to Carthage (pronounced French - Kar taj), where there is a beautiful mosque and some ruins overlooking the peninsula, to Sidi Bou Said, where you would find markets and little coffeeshops, and finally La Marsa beach.
The hotel was absolutely marvellous! I left my balcony sliding door open, to find myself waking up to the peaceful sound of birds on my birthday. We get a massive breakfast buffet for free for crew. Yes, I had to work on my way back on my birthday, but was blessed with amazing crew.... who reminded me of my birthday every 5 seconds, and right at the end after landing (even though it was 1am and my birthday was actually over), they surprised me with a cake and candles, and a perfume bought from duty free, even including Emirates stationary birthday card signed by all in their respective languages. Bless them:)
I would recommend Tunis to anyone. It's an all-in-one mix of the whole world:) And it's romantic!
Money unit: Tunisian dinar
People drive on the right hand side
Hope you are all fabulous
I love my job!
Hugs to you all
Mwah
Ella Alleqa'a
A
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