The Dilemma

Now back to the earlier mentioned crisis I was going through. If you remember from a previous post I mentioned that I realized despite the good weather conditions, September wasn't a good time. Well, to be exact, dates towards the end of September will never be a good idea, unless you're there to be part of the festivities.

Remember, October 1 is China National Day. Read >>> Fully booked hostels, trains and streets packed with people. I had my bed booked until 30th of September and I was scheduled to catch the train to Shanghai.

Great! Poor Planning Jowe.

So after a few days of confusion and ...... confusion, I decided to re-route. Book a ticket out of China.

An addition to my checklist before going to a country. List down the Holidays, just in case.

Temple of Heaven

Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

Maiko left and headed back to Shanghai. It was just Taru and me left in the same room. So we decided, being our last day, to go to the Temple of Heaven.

It was a success for us going through the train system. It wasn't that hard at all since the signs were both in Chinese and English. Good because I wasn't totally up for the challenge. However, in saying that, I slowly got a grasp of the symbols and how each direction, i.e. North-South-West-East, had it's own symbol in the Chinese language. So at least that was a good start for me. 

When we got out of the train, the smog was so intense that we realized we were squinting because it was hurting our eyes. I knew back then that China had a reputation for high pollution levels, but I wasn't expecting it to be that bad. We purchased the tickets at the gate and referred to the map. 

The Temple of Heaven is located right in the Chongwen District of Beijing. Apparently, it was a sacrificial building back in the ancient centuries of the Qing and Ming Dynasties. I wouldn't have thought of that had I not read further about the place. It looked so serene and peaceful to be a sacrificial temple. It started out as a park for the general public, showcasing ancient philosophy, religion and history. The size of the whole park seemed to have outsized the area of the Forbidden City, which was amazing. From the outside, people would notice that the whole park is protected by a long wall. The northern part was built to be higher than the southern part which depicts the belief that the heaven is higher than the earth. The actual Temple of Heaven is divided into 2 encircling walls, an inner and outer.

We started to walk through the park and decided to check out the happenings around before further exploring. It was really cute how the locals communed, doing their own different things on a Sunday morning. Some ladies were knitting and some guys were playing cards or backgammon. The whole dynamics of the Chinese families were fascinating to watch. Taru and I just smiled as we walked through one of the hallways, while we observantly watched a few men play a game with what seemed like a small tennis racket and catching a heavy piece of ball. It was more to do with the art and grace of catching the ball, rather than the energy and force of smacking it back to the other party. 

We walked further and got to the first major building, The Altar of Prayer for Good Harvests, which can be found in postcards of the Temple of Heaven Park. The emperor would go there to pray for good weather and abundant harvests. It was the first building built in the Park, a small complex consisting of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and Altar for Grain Prayers. There was a pre-wedding photo shoot at the foot of the building. The bride was in her striking but elegant red gown and the groom was in the usual men's black attire.I know Taru got a little bit annoyed with me because I stole a few shots without asking the couple's permission. My way of thinking was, since they opted to have a public photo shoot, then it must be for public consumption as well. 

We continued on to the rest of the buildings around. There were a few artists busking and a few just playing around with some kids. We slowly found our way to the Imperial Vault of Heaven which was also surrounded by the Echo wall, which by the way, didn't seem to echo our voices when we tried. The Vault was  the location of the Heaven Worship Ceremony. The whole architecture apparently utilizes the theory of sound waves, combining the Echo Wall, Three Echo Stones and the Dialogue Stone.We lingered for a while, watching the people try their luck with the Echo Wall. However, after a few minutes, we found ourselves secretly laughing because the efforts were so much that it was more of shouting than echoing that we could hear them. So much for sound wave theory. As usual, the Vault itself wasn't available for public viewing in the inside. People just stood at the doorway and took turns checking out what was in the interior. 

We walked further along and finally got to the main architecture the Circular Mound Altar, which is the actual Temple of Heaven. Located in the South part of the park, this was the main location of sacrifices on the day of Winter Solstice. People seemed crazy taking photos standing on the Circular Mound, trying to fit everyone on the small circumference on the ground. We lingered for a while and found it a little bit touristy for our liking. So we found a side staircase where we sat down for a while until I finished filling up my postcards. The smog was still annoying in the background. As we walked back to the main entrance, we noticed a sign that caught my attention, I couldn't help but take a photo. Now, there must have been a previous situation that caused authorities to put up that sign. Definitely, why would someone be there during a thunderstorm??? Go figure. 

We chose a different path to walk. We knew we were finishing our Beijing trip soon. It was a nice day hanging out with Taru as we talked about a lot of stuff. We decided to end the day by having dinner at a Chinese place near our hostel. We made a toast and discussed further travel and life plans :)

The Forbidden City

with Taru and Maiko

After going through the Jinshang Park and having a wonderful interactive experience we decided to stop by a small food place along the streets. It was more of us wanting to experience a local scene rather than the usual Chinese posh Restaurant setting. It was rather a little bit awkward at first because we noticed all of the customers were men...not a single female in the place. You know those cowboy shows where a stranger comes in through those swinging doors, everyone stops talking in the bar and looks at the person... enter cowboy sounds. Well that's what we felt. I guess, imagine a Chinese cowboy though. hahaha. Hilarious. Well, we didn't let the scene intimidate us. We had the grouchy girl take out an extra table along the small space of a sidewalk. We were smiling, proud of ourselves. Cute. However we didn't look cute anymore after trying to finish all of the massive servings. So much for eating. I felt like a, well, cute panda with a stuffed tummy, wanting to have siesta. Errr Spanish Panda? 

The Forbidden City has been captured so many times in Asian History. It was given the names The Palace Museum, The Purple Forbidden City and also Gugong Museum. Located in the middle of Beijing, it is also situated across the known Tiananmen Square. It was built in the 14th century during the Ming Dynasty and spanned through until the Last Emperor in the Qing Dynasty in 1911. As it has been said, The Forbidden City is one of the largest and best-preserved complexes in the world. The main entry faces the South side of the city. The whole complex is shaped like a square, surrounded by a man-made moat which was a strategy to keep off any tries to invade the Palace. The high red wall standing 35 feet high felt like it gave more of a Chinese feel to it because of the hue.

We took a few minutes to stand in front of the grandeur. A few uniformed and non-uniformed guards were lined up at the gate as they meticulously eyed all of us entering The Palace. The crowd was a mix of locals and tourists. I'd say September was a good time because it wasn't hot. However, I realized later on, it wasn't really the best time for me....... I'll explain in the next post. 

We decided to do a toilet stop before walking the confines of the big complex. So that was when the happening..... happened. We were all pouting when we got out of the toilet... Maiko was fuming with rage, Taru was standing tall feeling successful and they were all laughing at me when I got out because I looked defeated and confused. Well... I seriously felt harassed. After a few minutes of toilet experience recap, we moved on and headed for the ticket booth. 

Taru chose the Finnish radio guide and I got curious with the Tagalog, so I rented it for the duration of the exploration. The moment I pressed on the start button, I found it quite weird listening to Tagalog... and not just the typical Tagalog, they were using deep words. 

Not all of the halls were open. A few were getting refurbished and a few had additional fees on top of the first ticket we've paid. The interesting roofs were tantalizing to stare at and I couldn't help but take a few photos.Going through the Meridian Gate, we found ourselves staring at the 5 bridges that represented the five Confucian virtues of humanity, sense of duty, wisdom, reliability and ceremonial propriety. 

The Hall of Supreme Harmony served as the "throne" where the significant events like coronations, birthday celebrations and military expeditions. There were also halls that were solely for the Empress, which was more for the women's activities. 

We finished the walk by going through the Gate of Heavenly Purity and decided to go back to the hostel. We were really exhausted so we just had a quick dinner and hit the bed around 10 pm.

Jingshang Park

The following morning us girls were on a mission, to visit the Forbidden City. Fortunately, it was just a few kilometers from our hostel. So we decided to go through Jinshang Park which would take us to the Forbidden City.

Jinshang Park

The Jinshang Park is a lovely landscape of gardens where a lot of the locals would commune on a weekend. The entrance was just 2CNY which made it more better. There were a lot of groups already when we got there. It was a Saturday morning and families were out and having quality time with the kids. 

It is located at the Jingshan Hill, which was originally named Wansui Hill (Long Live Hill), Zhen Hill or Meishan Hill. It was really admirable to see three different temples perched on the top of the hills, each point symmetrically distanced between each other. 

We stopped for a while and watched a group of older citizens practicing Tai Chi with a different twist. I sort of found it really cute. So I joined in after a few minutes. The locals were smiling at me although one of the older ladies found it rather annoying. I didn't mind at all, I still joined in. Taru and Maiko were laughing as I joined in.

After some time we continued on to top of the hill that gave us a splendid view of the whole Forbidden City. I guess we weren't really expecting that which explained our surprise and appreciation of the vantage point. We lingered for a while and savoured each moment up the hill coz we knew we weren't going back to the same location.

Walking on the Grounds of Jinshanling, Great Wall of China

The alarm buzzed around 7 am, I was still snuggled under the blanket, lazy to get up. One by one we woke up and prepared ourselves for the busy day ahead.

We went down and ordered our free breakfast and sandwich for packed lunch. The hostels' cafe was packed, majority of us booked for the tour. By 8:30 am, our guide arrived and we were off.

Great Wall of China here we come!Maiko and I were seatmates in the bus.

The Great Wall is one of those places that I believe would be on everyone's bucket list of places to go to before they die. It's not just the grandeur of the walls but also the centuries and dynasties that went through the formation that makes its existence to have great significance in China's history. 

It was during the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC) when the emperor Qin Shi Huangdi decided to build the structure. Interestingly enough, in Chinese it is called "Wan-Li Qang-Qeng" meaning 10,000 Li-Wong Wall (10,000 li = 5000 km). It was under his reign that several Warring States were united, thus, the opportunity to have 4 old fortification walls connected and even more extended. It was impressive to know that it took 500,000 laborers to work on the walls. These efforts were to use the wall as defense against the nomadic Huns. Fire signals were used to let people know if Huns were approaching. Going back in history, the Huns were the armies of north Central Asia or also known as Mongolia who savaged villages throughout Asia and Europe from the 3rd to 5th century.

The Qin Dynasty was ousted by the Han Dynasty that led to building the second part of the Wall. They built the second part of the wall, still in the efforts to protect the kingdom from the raiders. A lot of the first structures were degrading due to the war but the constructions were still ongoing. 

In 1115 the Jin Dynasty came into play the Mongols were still on to China. Additional works were done to the north and south walls however raiders were still on to them. Thus, the construction of the Third Wall.In 1276 the Mongols were successful to overthrow the Jin Dynasty but because of the lack of wall defense, the Ming Dynasty was able to regain power.

With the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) , the stretch was extended with an addition of 6,400 km over 200 years. There were additions of watch-towers and cannons.  However, in 1644 the Manchu took over and started the Qing Dynasty. During those times, the wall saw more degradation with some people using rocks from it to build other edifices for personal use.

By the time we arrived, the sun was high up and I was happy that I didn't take my jacket with me or I would have regret it so much. I was awestruck by the length of the wall.... even to the distance where I couldn't even see where it ends. We were all happy....all impressed. Seriously, it was breathtaking. And I'm happy it was just a bunch of us walking that part of the wall. Woot woot! :)

We stopped at the different outposts, peeking through the small crevices, imagining centuries ago when the

soldiers would be on guard for any Mongolians in site. I remember blurting out a thought/question, "How could they have managed to walk along these walls in heavy armour?" It might have sounded blonde, but that was all I could think of.

The Jinshanling wall was truly challenging most especially parts where we had to go up steps which didn't seem to be built for humans, well for me it felt like it was for long legged people. I found it interesting to pass through a few posts where water,fizzy and food were sold. It was more amazing when one of the guys showed me a photo from his girlfriend who visited the same wall 5 years ago. It was the same guy who was selling the stuff. That just told me that he did this job everyday. Awesome. 

We ended the walk at the border of Simatai. I could clearly see from the distance who rugged that portion was, which explained why they had it closed to the public. 

Us girls ended the night with authentic Chinese dinner and of course local BOOZE! :) It was well-earned after the strenuous walk up the Great Wall of China! :)

Roomies in my Beijing dorm

I woke up after a few hours, my tummy churning...famished.

The girl on the other end of my bunk just arrived. She looked over and smiled. Her name was Taru, she was from Finland. She was very friendly and we immediately chatted about our previous travels and plans in China. She arrived just a few hours after me, and of course she saw me all snuggled under the sheets... hopefully not snoring. Apparently, she's been on the Trans-Siberain train and also explored Mongolia. The photos were amazing and the stories were awesome. Thus, why as of this writing, I've been recently considering to include Mongolia in my future travel plans. 

After some chats we decided to book the tour for the Great Wall of China, Jinshanling side. Earlier on, before I headed for Beijing, a friend of mine advised me to avoid the most visited part Badaling. It's the easiest to walk BUT most crowded. That goes without explaining the presence of photo bombs. On the other hand, Jinshanling was listed as one of the most interesting and challenging. Simatai was also one of my options but based on research at that time, it was closed due to maintenance works. I was glad that the hostel was organizing trips to Jinshanling or else getting on the public transpo with no idea of any Chinese words would have been the greatest challenge I've ever experienced on my travels. 

I went out for a quick bite, scanned a few shops mentally tagging each food stall I'd like to try in the next few days. The aroma was intense as I walked the street, temptation all around. But it was a little bit late for a hearty dinner, so I settled for the barbeque of internal organs. YUM! :D An Asian delicacy indeed. 

When I got back to the hostel, there was already another girl on the top of my bunk. Her name was Maiko, from Australia, half Japanese and half German. She was very bubbly with a jolly laugh. She's been around a few places in China and have been staying with her friend back in Shanghai for a couple of days. Her travels involved going around Asia, and I was happy to know she had the Philippines in the list. 

So, after a few more chats, she agreed to join us for the Jinshanling walk. 

In the middle of the night, I heard someone come in but the lights were off. So I didn't bother to say hi anymore. Later we all got introduced to Aditiya from Indonesia, and that's a whole story in itself.

Enroute China and making it to Beijing

Dongcheng District

It took a lot of convincing on my part that I had to go through to China despite the possibilities of cancelling my Tibet trip. I told myself earlier on that if I have to cancel my Tibet, there was no point for me to visit China anymore. That was me and my stubborn head. 

Well, the next idea was, if I was canning the China trip, Vietnam was the other option or Turkey. But, money wise, it wasn't practical for me to ditch my booked Beijing flight and purchase another one. 

And so, on the 23rd of September 9:30 am, I arrived at Beijing, China.

To be honest, I didn't have any expectations. I was warned by various people about the huge language difference. For sure I would have a bit of challenge there. So yes, that was a given. At the time I was enroute China, I wasn't happy about what was going on between them and the Philippines. They've been trying to own one of our islands and because of that I wasn't really keen to explore the country. My parents, most especially my Dad wasn't at all impressed that I supported their tourism by being there.

I arrived and got into a bad bargaining situation with the taxi I hired from the airport. Wrong move. But it was raining, and I wasnt in a good mood already, so I gave in. 

Now another thing to remember if you get to China.. and mind you, this is one of the best tips ever. Print out the address to make sure people would understand you if you're lost. 

The taxi driver wasn't familiar so he had to call the backpackers to make sure he was heading the right direction. After a few phone calls, he stopped along what seemed to be a major highway and advised me to walk down the alleyway where there were chinese lanterns hanging. In his crooked 1% English, I understood him for some reason. After that, I so felt like having a beer.

I asked a few people and eventually found the backpackers. It was Beijing downtown backpackers along No.85, Nan Luo Gu Alley,Dongcheng District, one of the alleys where there was abundance of street foods, restos and assorted options. I was actually surprised when people were smiling and friendly when I asked for help. Ive been told about the rudeness of some locals. But I assumed because it was a touristy street that they would be more patient with strangers. 

I got to my room, a 6-bed dorm, put on the sheets, had a hot shower (apparently it was cold in Beijing), and went for a quick snooze. 

Moving On

China was waiting, although 2 weeks later than planned. I knew with the change of schedule there were slim chances for me to push through my Tibet trip. So I told myself to see what options I had when I get to Beijing. If it was feasible, then I'd go for it. But if not, then I won't push it. 

My flight was in the afternoon. On my last night Ate Des and I had a chat through until the wee hours of the morning before we had a shut eye. I knew it was going to be difficult for us to catch up once I left London, so I maximized the time that I was there. 

She accompanied me to the airport and made sure I got to the gate safe and sound. It was hard for me to say goodbye but I guess goodbye's has always been part of this trip anyway. Besides, I knew I'd see her again

At 4:30 PM London Time, I was up in the air bound for Beijing, China.

BPI Awards Europe 2013 & My Last Night in Europe

It was my last 2 nights in London and also staying at Ate Desiree's place. I had mixed emotions with ending my Europe trip. But I knew it was always part of this trip..Moving on to the next chapter, next adventure, new horizons. Asia was the next and last stop, or so I thought. 

I passed by a Chinese take away shop and called up Ate Des to tell her that I was buying us dinner. When I got home Kuya Ray and Ate Weng were at home. The feeling of seeing them again and going back to the apartment was , in a way, as if going back "home". 

We prepared the center table and all sat down to eat dinner. Ate Des arrived after a few minutes. It was so cute, as we told each other updates while I was in Rome. And then, the news. I was included in the list of invitee for Kuya Ray's awards night. 

Now Kuya Ray was one of the Chemist who's been part of major projects in the Power companies of England. This has been well acknowledged, thus, his being an awardee of the first ever BPI Awards Europe. 

The dilemma. I didn't have a dress, I didn't have heels and I didn't have bling. Great. I said I was fine not joining them. But of course they said I was already added to the list. So it was a must.

So all night all we could do was to scavenge through the drawers of clothes that Ate Weng and Ate Dez had and find something that would fit me. It was hilarious to be honest :). Anyway, I ended up deciding to wear a long dress from Ate Weng, use Ate Dez's high heels and bling bling was provided by Ate Weng as well. All ready to go!

The day of reckoning came and we were all busy putting on makeup.
Ate Weng looked really lovely and had contact lenses on. Ate Dez was also looking pretty. Kuya Ray was looking formal, the awardee of the night. We were collected by the cab driver around 6ish in the evening. We were well on our way to the Millennium. :)

I had my camera with me. Ate Des took care of the video coverage and I was on that ask of taking photos of the evening. I was more than happy to do that, another photo opportunity for me in a different setting. Kuya Ray (Reynaldo Lachica) was the first awarded that night, the first and only Filipino chartered chemist and scientist in the UK. The second awardee was Junix Inocian, well known in the Batibot child program when were kids, but most especially for being one of the cast in Miss Saigon the musical.

It was a splendid night and we all had fun. It was also my last night in London, that goes without saying..Europe.

Catchup with Becky

with Becks

Becky was my seatmate and buddy when I joined the Moose tour back in Canada. The trip started from Vancouver all the way to Jasper National Park. And that's how it all started. 

Becky was on her first North America trip from London. Graduating with a degree of Psychology, she was then exploring the world on her own, something she was a little bit anxious about. I understood how she felt. We agreed it was more of who you would be meeting and sharing the experience with that seems to be scary at some point. 

She was back in England by the time I was on my way to London. Good timing coz she was on her way to London visiting friends and family. So we decided to catch up right after I got off the plane from Rome. 

It was really great seeing her again. We couldn't stop reminiscing about the Moose trip and of course I got updated with all of the goss after I left the group. They all found their way back to Vancouver why I opted to be dropped off at Jasper as I was well on my way to Edmonton after. 

She's found a job back at her hometown and would be soon seeing Flor in Amsterdam. Flor was another great gal we met on the Moose tour. 

I gave her a book I was reading. It was written by an English bloke entitled "An Idiot around the World Part II". It was hilarious, and that was my company whilst on my trip in Rome. I opted for something to do with travel, not too heavy and also inspiring at the end. She was flustered when I gave it to her, telling her that after she finishes it, she can pass it on to someone else she might deem worthy. 

After 2 hours I hugged her as she knew I had to rush along and go to my cousins place. We knew we would still see each other again somewhere somehow. It was a great feeling to be catching up with the people I've met earlier on this journey.

Last few moments in Rome

The following day I took my time coz my flight was in the afternoon. The girls left early, my roomies. I snuggled for a while in my bed before I dragged myself to have a shower and pack up. 

Rome was a last-minute decision. My filler for the extra time I had in Europe due to the extension I had to do for the China visa wait. For whatever reason, I felt like I was meant to be there at that point in time. And I think it was fair enough to say that everything did work out more than fine. So many unexpected events, but all memorable. 

I walked my way to Termini and passed by an old lady who was homeless and gave her a few things that I didn't need to take with me. As she smiled I could see her weary eyes look back at me with signs of gratitude. 

The flight was delayed and people weren't at all surprised. That was RyanAir for you, they all said. Well that was my last flight on RyanAir. I was bound back to London, my final stop before I left Europe. 

It was again a weird feeling.

My Last Day in Rome

On my last day in Rome I decided to take it easy. There was one last place I wanted to see, San Lorenzo. Why? well, I wanted to see Contemporary art, something to break the oldish Roman art that filled almost the whole city. San Lorenzo was actually a happening place, filled with a lively night scene, restaurants, pubs and cafes. But I wasn't there to eat out nor drink out. I was there for the street art scene. As I walked around I couldn't stop fixating my eyes on a stretch of wall with art painted all over.

These were all artworks created by the various contemporary artists of Rome.  The main name always mentioned in blogs and articles is Hogre. He seemed to have had a big impact on the history of street art around Rome. But of all the paintings, I adored those by Alice Pasquini a visual artist from Rome who's an illustrator, set designer and painter. She graduated from Rome's Academy of Fine Arts and has shared her artwork around the globe.

Maybe it wasn't that Personal, but I was Up Close Enough

Wednesday. It was a Wednesday. The day I've waited for. The Papal Audience.

I thought I woke up early enough but when I got to St. Peter's Square, I realized 8:30 was Sooo LATE. The crowd was chaotic, no line visible at all and everyone had a yellow paper in their hand. So much for planning. We were all there for the Papal Audience. 

I squeezed through, happy that I was by myself and so it was easier for me to slip through crevices in the crowd. I knew they wouldn't mind one person getting ahead or joining their queue. I eventually was lucky to get close to the arches of the Square. 

My determination paid off more than expected. I met an Italian lady in the crowd who could speak Tagalog and Spanish. I was surprised when she told me in my language to talk to her in Tagalog. Apparently she lived in the Philippines for 20 years. I then learned that she was a Nun accompanying her nephew who was a seminarian. He was rather shy and didn't speak much English, but friendly enough to make me feel comfortable with the idea of joining them for the morning. 

We found a place right in front of the second fence, a little bit far away from the stage but right in front of the

pathway where the Pope was to parade. Perfect spot. Plus, we had the 2 big screens on both sides, so we wouldn't really miss out on anything.

I sat there amazed by the vibe of everyone's excitement as we looked at our watches, awaiting the time when we'd see him pass by. It was the last Papal Audience for the month and also for the summer season. Winter Papal Audience were to be attended in the Basilica due to the weather conditions. 

I listened to the crowd and all of the different languages exchanged. Flags from different countries were flapping against the wind. The weather was on our side and everyone was happy. The emcee called out congregations who were there to visit the Pope. For each country that was called, the people cheered and waved the flag. I smiled and tried to capture the moment. 

Time ticked away and there he was, Pope Francis from Argentina parading through. He waved at the people and gave blessings to the babies who Mothers willingly reached out. As he approached our area, that was when I realized the people around us were all from Argentina. I felt tears welling up because of the rush of emotions. How I wish Mom was there, she would have been so happy. I texted my family and close friends that I was just 4-5 steps away from the Pope. I was so happy. 

He gave his speech in Latin which was eventually translated to several languages. I was happy too that the Nun beside me was trying her best to translate it to me without missing out on absorbing the Pope's speech. i just couldn't believe I was there at that very moment.

After the speech, I said goodbye to the Nun and her nephew. I was on a mission. I wanted to get up to the domes of the Basilica. And so, because of the wave of people wanting to exit the Square, I decided to jump over the fences to avoid them. The first effort was about to go disastrous until someone pulled me right on time to get my balance right. From there, I got the right strategy until I found myself at the steps of the Basilica. perfect! 

It was a little bit of a wait, but I eventually got there. i was really lucky that day, I got a discount to use the lift. :) So I found my way there, second person for the afternoon. Yehey! I didn't realize that there were more steps as you get out of the lift. But it was all well worth it. From there was the stunning top view of St.Peter's Square. Perfect way to end my eventful day in Rome! :)

Ostia Antica

The amphiteatre

I woke up the following day more pumped up. I was very much looking forward to Ostia Antica (http://www.ostia-antica.org/), 30 kilometers from Rome. Great! I knew I'd have the site to myself, well at least, have some moments where I can walk around and absorb everything around me. 

Ostia (mouth) Antica was Rome's seaport and they've said it might have been where the first colony of Rome once stood. The oldest find dates back to 4 BC. It was amazing to read that as early as 68 BC pirates were already active in the market of sacking what seems to be a good source of resources. Come to think of it, I couldn't imagine that during those centuries, there were already people who were cruel enough to savage other places. 

The port was set on fire, the consular fleet diminished and two senators were kidnapped. Pompey the Great then suggested to start the law Lex Gabinia which allowed him to raise an army and destroy the pirates. By the 2nd century it got filled with 50,000 inhabitants.

Although it was far away, I didn't actually find it a hassle. I walked again to my favourite transpo place to be, The Termini station. From there I took Metro B heading for Laurentina. I got off at the Piramide Station and transferred to the Ostia Lido Train. After a long travel, I got off at Ostia Antica stop. From there I found it easy to find my way because there were signs pointing to the site. It was a little bit of a walk but I found it relaxing because of the cool ocean breeze coming in. 

I paid the entrance fee and started my way through the site. That was when I realized how massive the whole town was. The stretch of debris, left over buildings.... it was great and I could imagine how the society could have had thrived in such a place. 

There was even a building there that served a pub. it was really cute as I sat down there for a while imagining Romans in their white robes and using the place to commune and share stories. There were also portions where intricate artistry on the floors existed. 

I enjoyed that day so much. Obviously I spent the whole day there allowing my feet to drag me anywhere I can go through, small arches, grassfields, around statues. It was amazing. 

I'd highly recommend visiting this place if you pass by Rome. :)

Exploring Rome

Just Walking

I recall years ago when the line from a Nike advert was picked up so quick by the public.. Just Do It! So after a 2-3 days of rest I decided to get up and fight the shaking knees. Oh yes... 

With enough energy, my eyes were more adept to my surroundings. The cobbled streets around the area looked old and a little bit rundown, but the vibe compensated it with life. Italian music sounded more familiar this time and the scent of pizza and pasta made my taste buds crave. But I was on a mission. To make up for lost time.

I found my way to Termini Station and headed for the Colosseum. Prior research told me it was best to buy the tickets at The Forum which was the next door neighbor. A strategy to avoid the long queues most especially in the summer months. You can also purchase the ticket online and get to line up at the fast lane. Or, another option was to go there a little bit late in the afternoon. I opted for the latter.

The queue was manageable but a lot of people were complaining already. Because I was still under the weather, I decided to flow with the crowd until I get my ticket. The fee was 12 Euros for adults, valid for 2 days and gives you access to the Colosseum, the Forum and Palatino. Not bad right?


The Colosseum

To be honest, before I got on the train, I was thinking to myself, "geez, another overrated place to go to where swarms of tourists would just annoy me." But, when I got out of the station and walked a few steps.... the facade before me was dumbfounding. Okay, so I was impressed.
This structure was initially constructed back in 72 AD during the Flavian Dynasty, era of Emperor Vespasian. The amazing elliptical design measures 188m by 156m with a height of 48m. Interestingly enough, it can accommodate 55,000 spectators. On the hundredth day, games were held by the next Emperor Titus, to inaugurate the building in 80AD, when it was completed. It has been said that approximately 9000 animals were slaughtered. I wasn't really sure if it was because of the games or if they were eaten. The portion of the building that now exhibits a crevice where debris must have fallen, is a living testament to the earthquake that befell the structure in 847. The marble cladding were later then used for buildings like St. Peter's Basilica and Palazzo Farnese.

I found it a little bit daunting when I entered, swarms of tourists flowed between arches, with so many efforts to have their faces in almost every photo. There were groups with guides and some who just wandered around touching the structures. At first I couldn't appreciate the grandeur. So I told myself, I'd better see this from a different angle or else I would have just wasted the money and effort to be there.

A lot of these along the streets

I later on found a more quiet spot down the hallway of arches, a little bit far away from the crowd. I soaked in the view and imagined the place centuries ago when gladiators fought their battles. Indeed, Romans were more fierce than Greek. It was then that it dawned on me how history proved such statements.

After reading through the writings they've put up, I decided to have one last look from the inside and then move on to the Forum, next door neighbor. As I got out of the Colosseum, I found a small hill to the right and walked up to get a good shot of the walls from the outside. I imagined roman robes flaring against the wind as they stood tall, mesmerized by this great structure. I took a break and bought myself bread for lunch from one of the street stalls.

The Forum & Palatino

Right beside the Colosseum stands the Palatine Hill and the Forum. Both with great significance to the Roman empire and the history of what was once a great nation.

The Roman Forum was said to be the main central area of the city, that goes without saying, this must have served as the birthplace of the ancient Roman empire. It served as the place to go to for religious activities, commerce, business, cult, prostitution and administration of justice. Weird if you look at the mix. The whole stretch of the street walks you along the Temple of Saturn, Temple of Vesta, Arch of Titus, and the church of San Luca e Martina.

The structures were  pretty amazing. Going through the different buildings just made me realize that Roman architecture looked so much grander than the Greeks. But to be honest, I still have a soft heart for Greece, so I'd say I still vote that they're much better :)

The Palatine Hall is one of the most ancient parts of the city. It is said to be the origin of the word "palace". Based on excavations, they said people started to live there around 1000 BC. The whole stretch of gardens and structures were once said to be the location of a cave according to Roman mythology. It goes with the story about 2 brothers Romolus and Remus. After an argument, Romolus killed his brother and that's how they said the name "ROME" came about.

I walked around and explored the grounds.  I passed by an excavation site with an ongoing dig. At some point I remember being fascinated by archeology but the career path wasn't at all promising so I ditched the idea. I lingered for a while and observed how they meticulously brushed the soil away, in case they came across a find. A few other tourists stayed and watched.

At some point I stopped and found a bench that overlooked the Forum. The intricately designed domes and

random artsy building

roofs were amazing to look. But despite the grandeur, for me, it just confirmed the idea that Roman society back in the days were all about building big and artsy, as if it was the living proof of their huge ego. Oops, I hope this doesn't come across as antsy.

It was around 5 pm when I finished the walk around The Forum. I got out of the area and crossed the street where I found some more archeological sites that didn't seem to matter to passersby. It was the free site and open to anyone. I guess the history wasn't that significant which was why it didn't occur to people to absorb its presence.

I stopped for a while to have an ice cream. The heat was slowing me down and the humidity was making me crazy. I chose a spot and watched people pass by, wondering what they were thinking as they looked around. I was having the dilemma in choosing between the talked about Spanish Steps or the Trevi Fountain. I ended up opting for the Trevi Fountain.

I walked through quaint alley ways that was filled with Pasta restaurants and other eateries. The lively vibe towards the evening was getting noisier as the people started to settle down at their fave restos, some maybe feeding the curious palettes.

Just right at the corner of Mcdonalds (yeah go figure, italian mcdonalds), I stopped to watch an artist work on a requested design by a lady. It was amazing how he used spray paint, cardboards and even the lid of a tin garbage can to get the shapes he wanted. The end-result was impressive but more so, the way he conceptualized it.  He only charged 10 Euros for his artwork, not  bad. I would say  he should have charged more than that. The lady walked away smiling ear to ear.

I eventually got to Trevi Fountain. It is one the most famous fountain in the world, with a Baroque design by Nicola Salvi and completed by Pietro Bracci. It was only refurbished by 1998 and in January 2013 the fashion company Fendi promised to sponsor the restoration for 20 months.

What I wasn't aware was the "coin throwing" thingie. So they say throw a coin right hand over left shoulder,
and make a wish. But nah, I didnt bother going back there just to do that. Despite the grandeur of the artistry in front of me, I wasn't happy with the crowds. Couples were just smooching away, taking so many photos in front of the fountain. It was stopping me from getting a good shot. So I didn't bother staying that long anymore. This was one of those situations when I'd say "Seen it, tick, i'm gone". I know it sounded really bad. But at that point, I was just pissed off.

I planned something different for the following day. A place far away from the busy crowd.

Hi. It's been a While.

I know. My last entry was still back when I was exploring Rome. And that was back in September. Today's November 5, 2013. And tomorrow I'll be flying out.

I owe this blog a lot of stories, from my last days in Europe to my flight and adventures in China and most of all, my homecoming and revisiting of roots, that goes without saying, reunions and catch ups with friends I haven't seen for 5 years.

Yes. It's been a While.

This nomad will be putting the next few months on hold. Travel plans has changed and decisions have been made. 

I'll still finish this blog, just the same as I'll finish an article I've promised to the Thomasian Engineer Journal. 

Life as we know it, and Life as we think we know it..... the curves that may lie ahead can sometimes lead you to a blind curve, unexpected.... boundaries? yet to be discovered. 

Yes. It's been a While.

a Sunday in Rome

I had 1 whole week in Rome. But my first few days were wasted on resting in the hostel. My first attempt to explore the city was a failure, my knees were weak and shaking and flu symptoms took me down until the onset of fever pushed me to stay in bed. I wasn't really sure what started it. All I could remember before I left London was an itchy throat and from there my temperature just went up so quick. 

I forced myself to get up and go for the 10am mass at the Vatican. That was top priority. It was just 1 metro ride from Termini Station, getting off at Ottaviano "San Pietro". I walked for a few blocks until I found the arches. There as I walked through the entrance, was the grandeur of the Vatican City. The square was packed with chairs to accommodate people who attended the Wednesday Papal Audience in summer.

Pope John Paul II Tomb

I realized I didn't have much recollection of the place. Photographs of the family's first visit during the early 80's were the only reminders of our tour. I was only 3 years old then, Dad carrying me on his shoulders. My sisters were old enough to wander around. Mom always said that Rome was my favourite place. Dad said it was only because that was the first city we visited. 

The gray clouds were already forming when I got there. The forecast was looking bad, but I was happy that I got there with no signs of rain yet. I quickly found the Swiss Guards at the Bronze doors right after security check point. One of the guards kindly handed out a yellow slip that was my entry for the Papal Audience the following Wednesday. (For more >> Papal Audience Info)

The mass was starting when I entered St. Peters Basilica. There was a guard at the end of the corridor, permitting only those who were interested to attend sunday service to enter the area close to the altar. We weren't allowed to take photos during the mass, which was good because some of the places in Europe that I've visited didn't care if people were roaming around with cameras flashing despite an on going service.

The whole service was in Latin. Of course that goes without saying that I didn't understand a word they said. There was a choir of what seemed to be highschool boys wearing red robes. The chanting was lovely to the ear, echoing around... I loved it. There was a procession of the bishops exiting as the service ended. I couldn't get a clear shot coz they were all walking so fast and the security guy was ushering me away. Each bishop wore a particular style of head gear or what they call a "mitre". On my way out, I found Pope John Paul II's tomb. I visited and stopped for a while to pay my respects.

The rain was pouring when I got out of the Basilica. To my dismay the whole square was packed with hundreds of people waiting for the Pope. Apparently, he comes out of the 2nd window of the apartment to lead the Angels prayer at noon. Whenever he is around he would do this every Sunday. It was amazing to see the devotion of the crowd. Despite the intense down pour they were still patiently waiting for the clock to hit 12.

Now at some point  I was telling myself it was crazy of me to be so cheap, not wanting to buy a raincoat

from the guy passing by... I was thinking it was a rip off to be paying 5 Euros. But seriously? Jowe? With the flu and all? I ended up buying one. Duh.

From the side of the arches I listened to the Pope pray the Angelus and say a short speech to his followers. A whole bunch of Argentinians cheered. I noticed a group of nuns from the Philippines, silently listening under the shelter of their black umbrellas.

I found my way back to the Metro, feeling weak. I was happy to have witnessed the event and was looking forward to the Wednesday Papal Audience. I got back to the hostel to a new 3-bed dorm and 2 new roomies. Yehsle from South Korea and a guy from Argentina.

I called it a night and snuggled under the warmth of the sheets. I had to make a pass on their night out. 

First Night in Roma

Before heading off to Gatwick airport, I had to pass by the China Embassy and pickup my passport. I was so relieved when I got my visa. I know I was pushing it too much. The guy before me was rejected. I didn't quite understand why though. But imagine if I was denied a visa and I already had my China flights all sorted out. geez.

It was gray and raining in London, the usual. I found my way to London bridge station and got off at East Croydon where I waited for my 1:08 pm train to Gatwick. Time flies when you're having fun, READ>>People watching while waiting. 

I was a little bit impressed with Gatwick. Everything was organized and security was strict. First time for my keychain to be taken away from me. But that was fine.

So I arrived in Roma around 6 pm and it was chaos when I got out of the airport. I guess thats typical.

Hostel Des Artes is located along Via Villafranca, just a few blocks from the Termini Station, the main station in Rome.  It was quite dark when I got out of the train station, feeling a little bit tired and woozy, I found my way easily to the place. A lot of Pizzeria places were along the sidewalks and I could hear heaps of Italians that night.

I got an upgrade from a 5-bed dorm to a 4-bed one, although, I couldnt quite use the context "upgrade" anyway. When I got in the lights were off and someone was already sleeping. I creeped in quietly and chose the bed closest to the window. The resto downstairs was buzzing with people having their late dinner. I was famished.

The place required cash only payment and I didnt have enough. So I had to walk to the closest atm machine, just to find out that it wasnt working for my mastercard. bummer. i wasnt in the mood and all i wanted was to have dinner and hit the bed. My fever was building up. A little bit grumpy, I walked back to the hostel and gave them an installment and said id pay the rest the following day. I was glad I was talking to the guy coz he was more nice than the pouty lady.

The pizzeria in the corner was my chosen place coz I didnt want to walk any further. For sure, Rome isnt cheap at all. gee weez! I went downstairs, avoiding the crowd of families and lovers seated outside. The waiter was really cheeky and asked, "table for 2?" I said "1" He said "2?" I said "1" Then he said 2 again, saying me and him. Cheeky. I smiled and said, Id like to sit down.

I ordered the cheapest on the menu which already cost me 4 Euros. Yeah I know, Im cheap, but hey, I knew I can get something more for that price had I been energized to walk further. Anyway, the 4 Euros bought me leaves. Yes, leaves. I felt like a goat. But, it went along with bread. So it was okay.

The waiter gave me a free shot of what they call Lemoncello which he said was on him. At first I thought it would just be tasing Lemony. But apparently it was a spirit. I gulped it down after my dinner. Again, at this point, I was getting annoyed with the waiters and chefs staring at me. Is it always like this in Italy if youre a solo lady traveling?

I walked to the counter and paid my bill. He then again gave me a shot of Lemoncello. This time I asked how much the shot was. He said it was on him again. Okay, now it was sounding dodgy. Then he asked if Im just traveling alone. I said yes, not wanting to chit chat any further. I said goodnight and he reached out his hand and gestured the beso. I shook his hand and of course, just like in French, with that gesture I thought he was just wanting a cheek to cheek. But NO! Gee Weez! If I could only poke his eyes with my 2 fingers I would have! GRRR. He was aiming for me lips. EEWWWW!!!

I quickly walked away and left the place. UGH!

I got back to my room and quietly sneaked under the blanket. My fever was getting worse. The bed was creaking as the dude 2 beds away rolled over. Later on I learned he was also feeling under the weather.

At 5 am, someone walked in. Another dude who just came back from partying.

The early noise of street cleaning could be heard from outside the window. I closed my eyes hoping the fever would go away so I could explore the following day.

The visa drama

I was supposed to leave Europe on the 10th of September. But as we all know, we can't always plan things perfectly. And when hiccups come your way, just accept it and deal with it. 

I ended up leaving London on the 22nd of September. 12 days later which meant the Tibet dream was over for the Asia leg. I was a little bit disappointed but I learned the art of letting go on this trip. There are things that you can't control which means don't push it too much of everything seems to be obstructed from having a worry-free adventure. 

I didn't over analyze the situation. By the time I got to the China embassy in London, I was told that online pre-booking for appointments were required and strictly imposed. They had a few consoles there with free internet. So I quickly scanned through for the next available date and time to book an appointment. To my dismay it was on the 8th of September. The window was too tight and I didn't want to push it. I had to reschedule my flight OR go somewhere else. All because of my negligence. 

Note: The Visa application office is at 12 Old Jewry, London EC2R 8DP and make sure you've got accommodation booked.

With that, I thought, since Tibet was out of the equation, what was the point of visiting China. Because of the political issues happening for the past years regarding Tibet, I didn't want to explore China at all. So.. Vietnam was the next option then Laos. But when I researched the prices, it wasn't practical at all. The next solution was to rebook my flight, which only cost me $150NZD. Good enough. Thus the departure of 22nd of September. 

I guess it was a blessing in disguise anyway. I was given the chance to see the Pope in Rome. And for me, that was an honour because he was just a few steps away.

Catching Up with family and friends in London

Catching up with my Cuz's

I got back in London and went straight to my cousin's place, Ate Dez. It was a strange feeling, knowing I was going back to where I started on my Europe trip. Arriving at her apartment was the confirmation that I've finished the Europe leg....though I didn't feel like I wanted to end there. 

with Ate Dez

We talked for so long, updating each other with what happened to her stories and as mine. I already gave her a gist of the adventures I've had (more of dramas)... it was good to see a familiar face and knowing that person wouldn't judge you at all. It was my first time to meet her flatmates. Ate Weng and Kuya Ray were also filipinos. I quickly warmed up to the them, as they to me, and we all ended up chatting.

As always, Ate Dez and I would usually camp out in the living room and talk until the wee hours of the morning, i.e. 4 am. Then wake up the following day, eat and then talk again. That was the cycle. But as I write this now, I actually miss them too. 

One day Ate Dez and I went to the London Eye. I haven't really been up there ever despite my visiting London for over 3 times now. I've never really desired to get on it anyway. We took photos around and met up with her friend Ate Roselle. It spontaneously became a girls night out without the booze. Instead of having drinks, we ended up with some yummy ice cream until midnight. We people watched and also talked about travel, love and how to know if a man is not into you and all that jazz. I learned a lot of things from Ate Roselle, which was good, at least now I think I've expanded my knowledge on the idea that Men are really from Mars.

I made sure that we visited Kuya Cyril and family who lived in Aylesbury. Ate Dez took the day off from work and we travelled by train. It took us 2 hours to get there but the ride was filled with our unending conversations so it was all good. We got there and all we did the whole day and evening was to eat. Oh yes, that's the Filipino way. hahaha. I was so BONDAT. what does that mean? Bloating and full because of overeating. Ate Linette, Kuya Cy's wife, just gave birth to their third son who apparently would be my grandson. It was really hilarious when Ate Linette left the baby to us because she had to collect her eldest son from school. After a few seconds of her walking out the door, the baby started crying. So imagine me and Ate Dez looking lost and trying our hardest to make faces and make him smile. Man, ain't easy to be a Mom, that's for sure! 

Catching up with Alf and Darko

with Alf

Last time I saw Alf and Darko was when they accompanied me as I left Hammersmith Station. And it seemed to be like it was just yesterday when Alf and I embarked on the Morocco adventure. Oh boy! yes, that was definitely an adventure! 

I met up with Alf at the London Bridge Station. It was so good seeing her again. I felt like there was so much to catch up on. She was my lifeline on the phone whenever I felt distraught sometime in the Europe leg. So far, she knew everything and even the deepest secrets. I was so glad to be talking to in person that night instead of just on the phone.

We walked our way to a Thai fast food place with yummy food. We chatted for almost 3 hours and updated each other. Oh yes, there were a lot of laughs about what happened for the past months since we last saw each other. As usual, the girls giggling. 

We met up with Darko later on. It was hilarious when we couldn't find him when Alf instructed him to go to London bridge. We were both waiting at Tower Bridge instead. I was just laughing while listening to the two of them talking on the phone. Well, to add up, I was shouting "Darko!" as I approached Tower Bridge. oops. wrong bridge. 

We lingered for a while by the river and found a bench. I also updated Darko of what was happening to me. After that we took some photos and said our goodbyes as they saw me off at Bus Stop 40.

Catching up @ Eastbourne

Mum, Johnny, Cath and me

I arrived at Hampden Park Train station earlier than scheduled. I hang out for a while at the new "Station Cafe", painted light blue, which was a few stores away from the railway. I ended up chatting with the new owner who was from Pakistan. He was a young lad at the age of 25, starting up his own business and hoping that it would work out. 

I walked back to the train station and found Mum around the corner, confused with the train schedules. I hugged her. It was so good to be back. It was again a strange feeling for me to be back again. Another confirmation that my Europe Leg was over.

I stayed at Mum's place for 5 days, catching up and just chilling out. I remember she'd always smile and laugh whenever I'd say "Let's Just Chill". There were days when we would walk Sky, who seemed to be more feisty than before. It was becoming more of a challenge taking her to the park. 

On the Saturday, I asked Mum if it was possible to visit Beachy Head. It is known to be the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain. It's name originated from the evolution of the French word "beau chef" meaning beautiful headland. There was a reason why I chose to explore that particular place in the Sussex Coast. Beachy Head has been known all over as the "Suicide Point", where some people would come from afar just to jump off the cliff and kiss death. I was so curious how it looked and if it was true that there was an imaginary vortex magnetizing certain people to jump. I'd say it would depend what state of mind you're in when you walk the cliffs. 

It was my first time to meet Johnny that day, Cathy's boyfriend. Sky was silent at the back as Cathy drove our way to Beachy Head. The skies were blue and it was a lovely day to go out for a walk. As soon as we arrived at the parking lot, Sky was already fidgety, excited for the walk. She had to be on a leash because it's been said that even dogs would run to their demise on that cliff. A few hiking groups were already ready for the walk though I wasn't really sure why they were all geared up. For me it looked like just a simple walk. 

Johnny pointed one of the vantage points. I followed and took a few photos. The views of the English channel were really stunning. The chalk cliffs were such a great contract to the dark blue sea. Mum wasn't really happy that Johnny and I were walking to the edges. But I've never really been afraid of heights, so I didn't give a fuss about it. As we walked further, I noticed a restricted area. Mum pointed out that it was the suicide edge of the place. I was about to go over the rope when I was told off. So we walked further until we decided it was time to have a beer. On our way back I looked at Mum asking if I could go over the ropes, then I looked at Cath for backup..until I was allowed. There were a few tombstones around, in memory of the lost souls who decided to end it all there.

I found it really cute attending Sunday service, sitting at the same pew, second one at the back set of rows. Her usual Church friends were all at the same position beside me, all ladies. Mum invited me to do the offertory with her.  I bought some cards from the Church and had morning tea after the service. 

On the afternoon of my last day Mum and I visited Dave, her eldest son. He was staying in a home just 2 bus rides away from Mum's place. I took my guitar with me coz I promised that I'd play him some songs. It was a good walk through Hampden Park to the bus stop. Mum and I did our brisk walk though she did find my stride too fast for her. Dave was in a good mood when we arrived. I met a few of the staff and we were told that he had an attack that morning. But he was looking fine and happy when we saw him. Mum introduced me and he held my hand for quite some time while staring at me. We went to his room and I found out that each of them had their own theme. He had his one decorated with army camouflage designs. His dresser had postcards glued to the doors, all them from Ate Jojo and John. Later on I played him a few songs. He listened and watched my hands strum the strings. It was so cute when Mum danced with him while I played Jason Mraz's song "I'm Yours".

Cathy ordered Chinese (from Eastbourne) for my farewell dinner. We were laughing all through out. It was just hilarious how Mum and Cathy had the typical British sarcastic sense of humor while Johnny and I would just eat away. Mum wasn't really into eating that much. After dinner, we had a box of chocolates and also the fortune cookies from the Chinese resto. We were all laughing because it seemed to coincide with our current states. 

The following morning I bid Mum goodbye and gave her a hug. I collected my guitar and other stuff that I left behind 3 months ago and hopped on the train bound for London. 

On my last week in Europe, there were 3 options. The top 1 was Ireland. Second in rank was Malta and last was Italy. It took me days to decide. And after a few suggestions from family, I made my final decision.

I chose to spend my last week in Rome, Italy.