If you don’t know any German, you might only know their stereotype of being too organized. At least that’s what I thought before I come to Germany… ironically, I was using preconception myself to form my opinion.
I was wrong. In fact, I wasn’t even excited to go to Berlin. But by the last day I realised that I didn’t want to leave. The city was devastated during the war, but it was also the one with the fastest and better recovery – and now it’s just beautiful. Someone told me also that it is the greenest city in all Europe – and it is isn’t surprising when you see things like the Teargarden because of the quantity of trees that they have there, but in fact they are all around the city. And if you walk around these forests on a nice sunny day, you’ll find families having barbecues or friends having open-air private parties. When the sun is out, nobody stays at home. Berlin is not at the seaside, but they do have beach bars. All along the river, people can have drinks in beach chairs or just relax and read a book at the grass. So nice, the energy is pleasant and peaceful. Yeah, they are super organized and everything seems to work perfectly, but people in Berlin are pretty free to do whatever they feel like. I went to a manifest parade on the workers’ day and all kind of rebels were there, rebelling against capitalism. The subway at weekends is open all night, and the crazy 25 Club is more than just an after hours one – it’s an all hours, open from Thursday to Tuesday 24 hours!
Do the Berliners try to forget the past? No, they are not trying. In fact, they keep it more alive each day, opening museums in the streets and privates, maintaining pieces of the wall that was the symbol of the division of the city, and even talking about it without worries. A perfect example that the best way to walk to a bright future is to look to the bleak past knowing to not repeat the same mistake again…
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Sunday, 11 May 2008
Tech-Tokyo
I always heard that Japan is extremely hi-tech, so before arriving I was imagining Tokyo as a city similar to The Jetsons. Ok, I’m exaggerating. But once I got to the airport, I was surprised with something that I haven’t seen on the airports around the world: fingerprint identification. In Portuguese! For me, of course, because I gave them my Brazilian passport.
To go to my accommodation I took a bus transfer from the airport, and it wasn’t a big deal. No automatic roads; and the driver was driving the car without automatic pilot or any other robotic help. I was almost forgetting about these technological things until I went to the washroom. The toilet seat has automatic heat and some other functions, to wash yourself when you are seated. Too strange for me; I couldn’t try. There are some things that are better to keep the traditional way. In the streets, there are lots of vending machines, which I only know for selling beverages or snacks. In Japan, you can buy also sushi or even underwear! The nightclubs do not escape from all this technology. We went to one that you can only come in if another guest already allowed in authorizes your fingerprint. If you belong to the lucky group of people, you can enjoy rooms with modern karaoke or virtual golf. Japanese people love these things. Not just singing and playing, but all the wonders of the modern world. I can’t deny that I had fun on the photo machines. You enter the cabin with your friends, pose for the picture and then run to another cabin, where you can customize your photos with drawings and frames, the machine sends your artwork to your cell phone via Bluetooth or infra-red and prints it as a sticker. The best! I trusted so much on Japanese modern techniques that I went to a hair saloon and got my hair what we know in Brazil as the “Japanese straight”. I love it. But I was really amazed when my new friend Ryoko, the Japanese girl that went to he Smirnoff Ten selection final with Takashi, showed me the functions of her cell phone. It has free TV access with perfect image, reads business cards and keeps it in your contacts, recognizes these new barcodes that some stores and restaurants have for the to customer connect to the website of the place by the phone and, the best, makes video calls! You can see whom you are speaking to, in real time!
After that, we were discussing what is next. Is it possible to invent more and more things? I hope that the teletransportation comes soon. Than I’ll not have to go to the other side of the world to see these new and old wonders…
To go to my accommodation I took a bus transfer from the airport, and it wasn’t a big deal. No automatic roads; and the driver was driving the car without automatic pilot or any other robotic help. I was almost forgetting about these technological things until I went to the washroom. The toilet seat has automatic heat and some other functions, to wash yourself when you are seated. Too strange for me; I couldn’t try. There are some things that are better to keep the traditional way. In the streets, there are lots of vending machines, which I only know for selling beverages or snacks. In Japan, you can buy also sushi or even underwear! The nightclubs do not escape from all this technology. We went to one that you can only come in if another guest already allowed in authorizes your fingerprint. If you belong to the lucky group of people, you can enjoy rooms with modern karaoke or virtual golf. Japanese people love these things. Not just singing and playing, but all the wonders of the modern world. I can’t deny that I had fun on the photo machines. You enter the cabin with your friends, pose for the picture and then run to another cabin, where you can customize your photos with drawings and frames, the machine sends your artwork to your cell phone via Bluetooth or infra-red and prints it as a sticker. The best! I trusted so much on Japanese modern techniques that I went to a hair saloon and got my hair what we know in Brazil as the “Japanese straight”. I love it. But I was really amazed when my new friend Ryoko, the Japanese girl that went to he Smirnoff Ten selection final with Takashi, showed me the functions of her cell phone. It has free TV access with perfect image, reads business cards and keeps it in your contacts, recognizes these new barcodes that some stores and restaurants have for the to customer connect to the website of the place by the phone and, the best, makes video calls! You can see whom you are speaking to, in real time!
After that, we were discussing what is next. Is it possible to invent more and more things? I hope that the teletransportation comes soon. Than I’ll not have to go to the other side of the world to see these new and old wonders…
Tokyo
Hair up. Colourful hair. Colourful socks. Yes, if you stop to analyze Tokyo from the foot to the head, you’ll have a chance to improve how many different colours your eyes are capable of seeing.
It’s a technological city, lit by thousands of advertisements: outdoors, giant televisions reflected in glass buildings and banners with the Japanese symbols that jump off from each commerce. During the day, office people run through the streets, in a place that seems have more inhabitants than free spaces on the floor. At night, I got confused – I didn’t know if I should look for all the lights or for the fashion wear of every Japanese person. Beautiful clothes, I almost went crazy at the 109 Shopping Centre, in the Shibuya district. Tokyo might be the most expensive city in the world, but probably is also the richest in variety. You can find any type of night club: from a Latin Salsa until a bar that guests can come in only showing their fingerprints, and inside this luxury paradise they can sing in a modern karaoke or play virtual golf with friends. Amazing. And, ironically, it is in this super developed city where the nature is shown at its most special. Sakura, the Japanese tree, is in a moment that happens only a week per year: they are blossoming with beautiful white flowers. It makes this city even more beautiful and traditional.
For sure, all this impressed me. And I’m not a fan of big cities, but Japan’s capital won my attention. I’m glad that we have two more weeks here – even though this time is barely enough if we want to know everything that this megalopolis has to offer!
It’s a technological city, lit by thousands of advertisements: outdoors, giant televisions reflected in glass buildings and banners with the Japanese symbols that jump off from each commerce. During the day, office people run through the streets, in a place that seems have more inhabitants than free spaces on the floor. At night, I got confused – I didn’t know if I should look for all the lights or for the fashion wear of every Japanese person. Beautiful clothes, I almost went crazy at the 109 Shopping Centre, in the Shibuya district. Tokyo might be the most expensive city in the world, but probably is also the richest in variety. You can find any type of night club: from a Latin Salsa until a bar that guests can come in only showing their fingerprints, and inside this luxury paradise they can sing in a modern karaoke or play virtual golf with friends. Amazing. And, ironically, it is in this super developed city where the nature is shown at its most special. Sakura, the Japanese tree, is in a moment that happens only a week per year: they are blossoming with beautiful white flowers. It makes this city even more beautiful and traditional.
For sure, all this impressed me. And I’m not a fan of big cities, but Japan’s capital won my attention. I’m glad that we have two more weeks here – even though this time is barely enough if we want to know everything that this megalopolis has to offer!
Saturday, 10 May 2008
Thai Paradise
Paradise. No, this time I’m not talking about Brazil. You are probably tired of me talking about Brazilian wonders all the time, but this is because I’m super patriotic. Also it’s about my personality; for sure there are other Brazilians that prefer the European life or the US development. But I love nature. And that’s why Thailand won my heart and it’s the number one for me among the countries that we’ve been on this world trip.
We started in Bangkok. Big city, with giant shopping malls between Buddhist temples. Super good night life. On my first night, I just went for a walk to recognize my hotel’s neighborhood. It was Monday, so I wasn’t expecting to find much around. But I was surprised when I found this street with 3 bars and 2 night clubs – all open and busy. The same happens every night in RCA, a street closed just for people and with lots and lots of options of clubs. And, of course, the Koh San Road, the tourist street that I wrote about on my last post. But luckily I found the most original night club in the place that was also my prefered in Thailand: the islands. In Ko Samui, I loved the Ice Bar. Ok, I know that a bar where everything is built in ice (chairs, tables, sculptures, even the glasses) is not so new, there are many in different parts of the world. But on a tropical island, on 30ºC almost all year? Everybody gets there wearing skirts, shorts and sandals. They put you in a giant warm winter coat and give you gloves. But you can stay inside the Ice Bar only until your feet start to get cold – no stress… it’s only though two thick doors and you are back to the beach climate. And than you can enjoy the heat of the night on the street of Green Frog and Mint clubs – in or outside these places, people are dancing until 2 a.m. By law in Ko Samui, all bars must close at this time. Of course that this is not applied to the Full Moon Party that happens in Ko Phanghan, the island just beside Ko Samui. People come from Europe, Australia and all different countries to this amazing party, which is among the 10 biggest parties in the world. The long Hadrin Beach gets crowded with people coming in and out the clubs that play all kinds of music styles. And it goes until the sunrise. The sun makes the scene even more beautiful and for those that don’t want to go to bed can choose to go to an after party on “Backyards Club” or can get into their swimming clothes and purify their souls in the blue sea.
Wow! Energy is necessary to enjoy the Thai Islands. I’m glad that this was not a problem to me or the Smirnoff Ten, so I can leave this country without regrets. I have to go, but I bring with me the taste of wanting more. And who does not want to stay forever in the paradise?
We started in Bangkok. Big city, with giant shopping malls between Buddhist temples. Super good night life. On my first night, I just went for a walk to recognize my hotel’s neighborhood. It was Monday, so I wasn’t expecting to find much around. But I was surprised when I found this street with 3 bars and 2 night clubs – all open and busy. The same happens every night in RCA, a street closed just for people and with lots and lots of options of clubs. And, of course, the Koh San Road, the tourist street that I wrote about on my last post. But luckily I found the most original night club in the place that was also my prefered in Thailand: the islands. In Ko Samui, I loved the Ice Bar. Ok, I know that a bar where everything is built in ice (chairs, tables, sculptures, even the glasses) is not so new, there are many in different parts of the world. But on a tropical island, on 30ºC almost all year? Everybody gets there wearing skirts, shorts and sandals. They put you in a giant warm winter coat and give you gloves. But you can stay inside the Ice Bar only until your feet start to get cold – no stress… it’s only though two thick doors and you are back to the beach climate. And than you can enjoy the heat of the night on the street of Green Frog and Mint clubs – in or outside these places, people are dancing until 2 a.m. By law in Ko Samui, all bars must close at this time. Of course that this is not applied to the Full Moon Party that happens in Ko Phanghan, the island just beside Ko Samui. People come from Europe, Australia and all different countries to this amazing party, which is among the 10 biggest parties in the world. The long Hadrin Beach gets crowded with people coming in and out the clubs that play all kinds of music styles. And it goes until the sunrise. The sun makes the scene even more beautiful and for those that don’t want to go to bed can choose to go to an after party on “Backyards Club” or can get into their swimming clothes and purify their souls in the blue sea.
Wow! Energy is necessary to enjoy the Thai Islands. I’m glad that this was not a problem to me or the Smirnoff Ten, so I can leave this country without regrets. I have to go, but I bring with me the taste of wanting more. And who does not want to stay forever in the paradise?
The Chosen One
The chosen one
I’ve been travelling for 4 months already. I still have more than the half of the trip – is this good or bad news? It’s super good that I have 6 months left, but I get sad just thinking about this life finishing in September… But it’s ok. No dramas; what I wanted to say is that even if I still have 10 countries to go this year, I’m almost sure that I’ve visited already the best one: Thailand.
Before getting here, the comments that I heard were basically: “You have to go straight to the islands rather than Bangkok”. I was imagining that the capital of this country would be at least chaos. But who said that exaggerated, and a lot. I love the city, reminds me of my hometown, Sao Paulo: shopping centres, all kind of night clubs, street foods, as well… But here they have something that my city hasn’t: the Koh San Road, a street that focuses on the backpackers and tourists in general. It’s crowded with people 365 days per year, during the morning the travellers go shopping at the hippy stands (or are surrounded by sellers). But at night that things get hotter. People from all parts of the world together in one spot - imagine the result. And that is also what happens at the islands, but with a completely different scenario. Much more what I like; those who’ve met me know that I’m more a nature girl. So I escape to Ko Phi Phi, one paradise that was devastated by the tsunami in 2004. It is now practically reconstructed, and it is one of the most beautiful places that I’ve been. The beaches have the basics to form a view that your eyes never get tired of looking: white sand, blue sea, clear water, green palms. Besides that, the giant rocks that surround the island and the different species of fish swimming with the people make this place even more special. The surfers can leave their boards at home; the sea is super flat, like a pool. Perfect to rent a kayak, and that was what I did. I paddled to the loneliest little beaches, but decided to park on the Monkey Beach, the most beautiful one in my opinion. I spent almost all day inside the water, swimming with the little fishes and watching the come-and-go of the boats that offer a tour around the island to the tourists. I didn’t want to leave that place, but I had to when it was the end of afternoon and the tide was getting too low. This made my goodbye even more unforgettable: while I was paddling, I could see all the corals and fish under my kayak. Wonderful; it was difficult to leave the sea. There is no picture that can show this moment. It’s a shame that Asia is far from Brazil, and not so many Brazilians have to opportunity to come. But this is a place that is really worth spending all your savings to travel. ?we have to guarantee the visit here in this life, right?
I’ve been travelling for 4 months already. I still have more than the half of the trip – is this good or bad news? It’s super good that I have 6 months left, but I get sad just thinking about this life finishing in September… But it’s ok. No dramas; what I wanted to say is that even if I still have 10 countries to go this year, I’m almost sure that I’ve visited already the best one: Thailand.
Before getting here, the comments that I heard were basically: “You have to go straight to the islands rather than Bangkok”. I was imagining that the capital of this country would be at least chaos. But who said that exaggerated, and a lot. I love the city, reminds me of my hometown, Sao Paulo: shopping centres, all kind of night clubs, street foods, as well… But here they have something that my city hasn’t: the Koh San Road, a street that focuses on the backpackers and tourists in general. It’s crowded with people 365 days per year, during the morning the travellers go shopping at the hippy stands (or are surrounded by sellers). But at night that things get hotter. People from all parts of the world together in one spot - imagine the result. And that is also what happens at the islands, but with a completely different scenario. Much more what I like; those who’ve met me know that I’m more a nature girl. So I escape to Ko Phi Phi, one paradise that was devastated by the tsunami in 2004. It is now practically reconstructed, and it is one of the most beautiful places that I’ve been. The beaches have the basics to form a view that your eyes never get tired of looking: white sand, blue sea, clear water, green palms. Besides that, the giant rocks that surround the island and the different species of fish swimming with the people make this place even more special. The surfers can leave their boards at home; the sea is super flat, like a pool. Perfect to rent a kayak, and that was what I did. I paddled to the loneliest little beaches, but decided to park on the Monkey Beach, the most beautiful one in my opinion. I spent almost all day inside the water, swimming with the little fishes and watching the come-and-go of the boats that offer a tour around the island to the tourists. I didn’t want to leave that place, but I had to when it was the end of afternoon and the tide was getting too low. This made my goodbye even more unforgettable: while I was paddling, I could see all the corals and fish under my kayak. Wonderful; it was difficult to leave the sea. There is no picture that can show this moment. It’s a shame that Asia is far from Brazil, and not so many Brazilians have to opportunity to come. But this is a place that is really worth spending all your savings to travel. ?we have to guarantee the visit here in this life, right?
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
Try the tradition
It’s difficult to explain what I thought about India. It’s really difficult to see the poverty. But at the same time, I can say that this is the country that I most liked to find out about on this trip. Why is that? I had to have some moments of reflection about it. I think that I was kind of disappointed with the world. Please, I don’t want you to think that I’m not enjoying this trip! This is still my perfect dream coming true. But because of the globalization, internet and everything that makes the Earth seem smaller than before, the big cities are becoming more and more similar. You can be in Sao Paulo or Shanghai, but you will always find Italian restaurants, hip hop clubs, denim jeans, etc. It is not easy to maintain the tradition nowadays. India has a strong sense of tradition. This brings a magic and interesting spirit to the country. When I went to visit the India Gate, in the centre of Mumbai, I received a blessing from a Hindu guy. He drew a “third eye” on me and gave me a wristband, that I’m not taking off until the end of the trip. Of course I had to give him some money, but that really doesn’t matter. I loved the experience. Unfortunately, the night scene is western style. But in Mumbai I went to some really nice clubs, like Toto Garage Club, a bar that has the decoration imitating a garage. After there, we went to Blue Frog, a club with live beat box music and good vibes. But how did we get from one place to another? Rickshaws, with a picture of the Buddha in its decoration. Yes, we have bananas (I hope you know this expression). But we have more Masala (typical food)! Try it!
Indian Spirit
One thing that I always liked to do when I’m on a bus is watch the people walking on the streets. What are they thinking about? Where are they going? How are their lives? The difference is that I usually have these moments in the traffic at home in Sao Paulo, and this time it was doing a tour in Mumbai, India!
The scenery that I see through the window is almost chaotic, horn noises constantly, and hardly any pavements. I saw a girl dressed in a sari, the traditional Indian costume, without shoes and with her feet deep in a hole of brown water. Our guide explained to us about Karma – a Hindu and Buddhist expression. According to some beliefs karma is a reflection about what a person did in a past life, . The difference is that in Hinduism, the ideal is the total purification and not being born again; and in Buddhism the man shall born as many times it’s necessary for him to achieve the enlightenment – the truth of life. Wow! In Mumbai, which is not a super structured city and I’d hurt my toes lots of times kicking rocks on the streets, something captivated me. I think that what I really liked was the cultural shock. I asked an Indian lady why some women use everyday the sari, while others wear jeans and Western clothes. I thought that had something to do with if the woman is married or not, but I was wrong. She explained to me that it is a question of opinion. Lots of women prefer to maintain the tradition. And that was exactly what I wanted to see around the world. In India I was able to feel the energy of a people that love their history, their religion, their music. On the first night that I went out, I had lots of fun. I was still stunned with the city and I couldn’t believe when I saw this super fashionable club in the middle of the small and disorganized bazaars. Among music from the 80’s, traditional rocks and electro-pop, the DJ played lots of Indian hits. Super uplifting; everybody was singing, jumping and with the arms in the air. Good vibes! By the end of the first song I was already involved by the energy of the crowd. This place is called “Poison”, and that night was a “Bollywood Night”. I’d never heard about this Indian cinema industry, but it seems that they are a huge success in Asia, North America and Europe. Super fun, I loved it. They have lots of unbelievable special effects and dance scenes during all the film. In fact, this is a unique category. Like this country: it’s unique, it’s India.
The scenery that I see through the window is almost chaotic, horn noises constantly, and hardly any pavements. I saw a girl dressed in a sari, the traditional Indian costume, without shoes and with her feet deep in a hole of brown water. Our guide explained to us about Karma – a Hindu and Buddhist expression. According to some beliefs karma is a reflection about what a person did in a past life, . The difference is that in Hinduism, the ideal is the total purification and not being born again; and in Buddhism the man shall born as many times it’s necessary for him to achieve the enlightenment – the truth of life. Wow! In Mumbai, which is not a super structured city and I’d hurt my toes lots of times kicking rocks on the streets, something captivated me. I think that what I really liked was the cultural shock. I asked an Indian lady why some women use everyday the sari, while others wear jeans and Western clothes. I thought that had something to do with if the woman is married or not, but I was wrong. She explained to me that it is a question of opinion. Lots of women prefer to maintain the tradition. And that was exactly what I wanted to see around the world. In India I was able to feel the energy of a people that love their history, their religion, their music. On the first night that I went out, I had lots of fun. I was still stunned with the city and I couldn’t believe when I saw this super fashionable club in the middle of the small and disorganized bazaars. Among music from the 80’s, traditional rocks and electro-pop, the DJ played lots of Indian hits. Super uplifting; everybody was singing, jumping and with the arms in the air. Good vibes! By the end of the first song I was already involved by the energy of the crowd. This place is called “Poison”, and that night was a “Bollywood Night”. I’d never heard about this Indian cinema industry, but it seems that they are a huge success in Asia, North America and Europe. Super fun, I loved it. They have lots of unbelievable special effects and dance scenes during all the film. In fact, this is a unique category. Like this country: it’s unique, it’s India.
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