木曜日が祝日で、ドナーレポートの期日が迫りに迫っているにも関わらず、1日有休を取って2泊3日の小旅行に行ってきました。すごーく楽しかった！今焦って報告書仕上げていますが。
今週の土曜日に初のイタリアへ出発です。（研修ですよ念のため）その後2日お休みを取り、ベルギーとパリに行ってきます。楽しみ！ ベルギーでは8年以上会っていないスペイン人の姉妹みたいに仲の良かった友達に会うのです。２晩でどれだけキャッチアップできるのかな。
I took one day leave as Thursday was a holiday, and I went on a short trip. It was fantastic!!
Then, I am off to Italy for the first time (this is work related-- training) this Saturday. I will take 2 days off at the end to visit my good friends in Brussels and Paris. Look forward to it very much!
lundi, mai 31, 2010
jeudi, mai 20, 2010
My New Apartment
As I mentioned a few times, I have moved to a new apartment at the end of April.
My close friend who had lived here for 4 years was leaving and her apartment was going to be available. I loved my previous apartment, but my landlady raised the rent by 20% after 1 year. The area was getting much noisier after a tower building in front opened a rooftop bar where they played loud music. So, even though there was less than 1 year left in this country and I dreaded the thought of moving, there I go, I moved. The move was not as traumatic as I expected. I think I am actually quite good at it…! I requested the office pick up track and hired a couple of laborers off the street. The lane was so narrow, the car had to stop in the middle and people pitched in to carry things to my new place, which was nice.
So, my new apartment, it is on the 3rd floor of a house (they call it “flat” here). I have 2 bedrooms (small ones compared to the last place), 2 bathrooms, bigger kitchen with a space for dining area and tiny side/storage place with a living room. It is less luxurious than the other place, but it is nice and cozy. The only complaint that I may have is the size of the bed. I am surprised how I got used to sleeping on a queen size bed, though I am occupying a small fraction on the side. That’s probably one of few luxuries in my rather simple life. Somehow when it comes to the space (of a room and bed), I have been spoiled having lived in Canada and other countries.
I am really happy in my new place and feel good energy. It’s got a nice breeze in the evening. The walk to the office is more pleasant. Dogs bark loudly, but there is no escape from this in this country, so relatively quieter. The landlady is lovely, and I feel good. I more or less finished decorating the place, and I feel very much at home. I look forward to inviting friends for meals and get togethers.
My work is really crazy busy at a moment, so it is nice to go back to place where I can truly relax.
My close friend who had lived here for 4 years was leaving and her apartment was going to be available. I loved my previous apartment, but my landlady raised the rent by 20% after 1 year. The area was getting much noisier after a tower building in front opened a rooftop bar where they played loud music. So, even though there was less than 1 year left in this country and I dreaded the thought of moving, there I go, I moved. The move was not as traumatic as I expected. I think I am actually quite good at it…! I requested the office pick up track and hired a couple of laborers off the street. The lane was so narrow, the car had to stop in the middle and people pitched in to carry things to my new place, which was nice.
So, my new apartment, it is on the 3rd floor of a house (they call it “flat” here). I have 2 bedrooms (small ones compared to the last place), 2 bathrooms, bigger kitchen with a space for dining area and tiny side/storage place with a living room. It is less luxurious than the other place, but it is nice and cozy. The only complaint that I may have is the size of the bed. I am surprised how I got used to sleeping on a queen size bed, though I am occupying a small fraction on the side. That’s probably one of few luxuries in my rather simple life. Somehow when it comes to the space (of a room and bed), I have been spoiled having lived in Canada and other countries.
I am really happy in my new place and feel good energy. It’s got a nice breeze in the evening. The walk to the office is more pleasant. Dogs bark loudly, but there is no escape from this in this country, so relatively quieter. The landlady is lovely, and I feel good. I more or less finished decorating the place, and I feel very much at home. I look forward to inviting friends for meals and get togethers.
My work is really crazy busy at a moment, so it is nice to go back to place where I can truly relax.
dimanche, mai 16, 2010
All work and no play makes....
I am happy to have finally a day off to myself today.
It's Sunday and I am not seeing anyone or having any appointments whatsoever. Normally, I would call up a friend of mine, but I am just content this way today.
Things have been quite hectic these days. Due to the 1 week general strike, work is delayed and piling up. As for the private life, meeting many new people, going to parties, still doing yoga and the dance.
So, this is more like all work and all play makes me really tired!
This morning, I got up relatively late (7!!), tidied up my place, re-arranged the apt (now things are where they should be more or less in the new apartment), cooked pasta for lunch, ran a few errands, and now I am sipping lemonade and snacking on a chocolate cup-cake and surfing online. I look forward to perhaps watching a movie in the evening. What a luxury!
More Images from Dhaka
こんな感じの渡し船に乗りました。現地の人は向こう岸に渡る為の交通手段ですが、私たちは見学でその辺をぐるーっと回ってもらいました。
スターモスクにて。タイルがとてもきれいです。ちなみにこの国は、モスラムなので女性は原則として、みんなクルタスルワール（スルワールカミーズ）で、スカーフが必須らしいです。
mardi, mai 11, 2010
Dhaka Trip
日本に帰る直前のお友達と3泊４日でバングラデッシュのダッカに旅行してきました。As usual my trip is three-prone approach that is sightseeing, shopping and eating.
Sightseeing:
Went to the port and took a small (and somewhat scary) wooden boat to go around the port.
Saw a gorgeously tiled mosque, called “Star Mosque”, the parliament building, local market and some nice architecture around the city.
Shopping:They have wonderful fair-trade craft and clothing stores. I went crazy with sandals and bought 4 pairs!! They are so reasonably priced, too. I also got one lovely kurta set. Earrings, scarf, tiny pouches and my very first sari! I may attend my friend’s wedding, and I want to wear one for the first time. I had no clue how to choose one. For saris, apparently combination that would never work for regular clothing (such as green and orange together type thing) is a go. I just listened to the advice of others purchased one of bright pink and blue color silk with some flower patterns. Waiting for my sari debut day!!
Dining:
I was craving for seafood. I ate shrimps at every dinner. My highlight was eating at a Vietnamese restaurant, which is not available where I am now. I had shrimp spring rolls, pho noodle and fried banana and was completely satisfied. One dinner was at a seafood restaurant where I had calamari and paella among other things. Only thing missing from these wonderful meals was a cold glass of beer or white wine, but never mind. This is a Muslim country, where most restaurants are dry.
Other:
The friend that I was traveling with used to work there, so I met with her friends and colleagues, which is always a nice addition to a trip.
We hired a car and driver to take us around everywhere, and stayed in a nice hotel. It was a rather a trip de luxe for us. But, it didn’t cost that much including shopping. The city is much modern than where I am now. I was completely like a country girl overwhelmed by the modernity of the city. People are extremely friendly and nice and gave a bit different impression than N. people.
I just had so much fun. I have become an unofficial sales agent for the country and telling everyone how great it was and that they should all go!!
mercredi, mai 05, 2010
Back safely
from my trip! I almost had to walk from the airport with my luggage because of the strike (no cars allowed), but luckily vehicles from my office happen to be there to pick up someone. Me and my friend benefited from the ride. Such a chaos in the country. This is the Day 4 of the strike not sure how long it will last..
Will upload fun stories and pics from trip!! Sending lots of love to friends and families!!
Will upload fun stories and pics from trip!! Sending lots of love to friends and families!!
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