a new meaning of 'recycle'

From Miss P. says

In Europe, there is an obsessive pre-occupation with recycling services. One must have the correct box for the correct re-cycable items, and they must be put out for collection on the correct day. Woe betide any local council who asks their inhabitants to make the effort to DELIVER the said reusable items themselves - it simply is too much. There are school runs to perform, dates to make, volunteering to do, family to care for and that is before we have even done the shopping (to buy more things to re-cycle) or been to work - right?

The fundamental difference that I have noticed, is that people see these discarded 'residual' goods to be of no value to them. If a person receives no immediate reward for taking the bottles to the bank, then they find the task harder. In my current home country, there is a visible value in these items. Many people make a living (ok- at the lowest level, a survival) out of recycling. Some of the wealthiest people in the country have made it through the re-cycling industry.

Everyday I see people with sacks of plastic bottles and inconceivable loads of wood / paper / polystyrene on their trikes. Just as I step out of my front gate, there is an unofficial patch belonging to a local man, who is either off gleaning 'stuff' or hanging out, perhaps bargaining with a passing trader over the buying price for their haul of plastic bottles. I have several times found him 'dismantling' electrical goods with a hammer. The streets are constantly host to the sound of makeshift hand bells rung by the 'rag and bone' trike men who will happily enable you to dispose of almost anything - these folk can be found exploring communal rubbish bins, en masse, at night. There appears to be almost nothing they will not consider.

It's a classic picture - the overloaded bike/trike or moped in a developing country. but still, it fascinates us 'westerners'. To me it is just a constant reminder of the ingenuity of man, the lengths people will go to to achieve their living, and the privileged world I have been born into.

at nats

Today I am at Nat's house. it's crazy with babies everywhere, but the roast dinner was amazing!!

chuffed

I'm really chuffed with myself today.
I got my own business card made and it looks really good.
it's a start. small steps as HCC says.

pick pocket

I saw a pick pocket the other day, round the corner from my home! shocker. he was actually running alongside a woman as she cycled along with her little bag over her shoulder. he was leaning over and trying to un-zip the bag as he ran along beside her. By the time i worked out what he was doing they were so far down the street i couldn't do anything, which begs the question, what does one do it this case? shout "stop! thief! and embark on a chase hopefully gaining the assistance of another member of the public?

In this country I'm not sure what i would do really, were I quick enough off the mark. I think I would say something, but I saw others better placed to help (ie, native speakers, also on bikes) who also noticed this event and who did nothing, just sort of watched to 'see what would happen' perhaps. Or maybe they were also so stunned that the victim and persuant were gone before they had a change to act. Who knows.

I have never had my bag picked (except that time in Brussels train station when they sole my sisters camera from my bag) but am certainly much more aware of it now.

Flickr or Picasa?

there are so many online photo album sites, each with a different approach. I did a bit of photo-box, to which my mum and sister are devotees, but got bored with it. Then I did an album on Flickr, but abandoned it when I started my blog and decided to commit to Picasa, because it has the same login as blogger, which is quite a daft reason, although it is good. But now I'm having a new dilema, I have re-discovered Flickr and want to defect.

I did some work recently, which required using some images that I don't already have, and I found loads of fantastic images on Flickr, from peoples albums, that I could 'borrow' How cool is that? I know it is a big debate, the whole creative property thing, but with Flickr you can choose whether to allow others to use your images or not. Now, I am certain that my friend HCC would be AGAHST at my keenness to join this gigantic worldwide photo give-away, but I take heaps of mediocre pictures, because I love the colour or whatever, and then just squirrel them away on my hard drive to little effect.

I want to share them.

So I want to defect, but have got a lot of pictures in Picasa, which is a bit annoying, I suppose I shall have to leave them there like a time capsule. It's the unfinished book scenario again, I shall just have to live with this one too.

write more read more

Every time I think to myself 'i should write on my blog', the thought is immediately followed by the thoughts - in this order - 'it will sound boring' and 'I haven't written for so long it would be pointless' followed by the questions ' why have I even got a blog?' and 'who reads it anyway?'

Well, now it is the time to either do it or kill it, as 'the blog' is presently just another cluttery thing in my head. I have woken up this morning- absurdly early - as can be the norm - with the very clear thought that I should write more. Not just write this blog, but generally writing anything and everything. It's good practice. being a design person, I generally stick to drawing or cutting and pasting (both in the IT sense and the junior school sense.) A friend told me recently she is writing all her memories down, as maybe she will get around to writing a book one day. Frankly neither of these have ever occurred to me to do, and although I have never considered myself a genius or even vaguely talented writer, I can at least write, spell, recount a story with correct(ish) grammar and a modicum of humor. All these plus the fact that a very excellent journalist I know and respect, did in fact compliment me on my blog once, mean that I have virtually talked myself back into being a diligent writer of blogs and other things.

Of course, reading can help to improve ones writing, at least, I think so. I find that reading a good book can actually inspire me to write. Perhaps my lack of writing is due in part to my lax reading habit, and dull addiction to suduko puzzles. I occasionally buy a book that I think I should read, or that has an interesting title, in the hope that I will read it and become re-inspired, but when it comes to the crunch I find myself whiling away my precious spare time watching DVD's of random BBC drama's, browsing through facebook, or doing those darn suduko puzzles. such a waste!! My very good friend JB is a huge reader, as is MJVB, and I am hugely envious of their book lists. I think I am from now on making a resolution to read more as well.

brilliant, it's decided. Mr V. will laugh at me for being so strict with myself (as he reaches for the remote control.) I have 2 books to read, and I will start one today.

I do have an as yet unexplained fear that that the book I will read next (this applies to any book) will be rubbish, and I will not enjoy it and waste my time reading it. The solution seems simple - just put it down or give it away, in any case stop reading it. However, I feel some sense of polite obligation to read that persons book, after all they have gone to the effort of writing it. The books I have ditched in the past have a habit of staying with me, mentally. They aggravate the back of my mind, as an unfinished task. The hobbit, Terry Pratchett, and Two Caravans, all came recommended, but have been left mid way (I think I ditched The Hobbit on Page 1) and yet I remember them even now with a small sense of guilt. I think I need to let them go... maybe stop worrying about such insignificant things! If I ditch 1 in every 10 books I read, at least i have read 9 good books. And, thank goodness I'm not a book critic - then I would probably have to read loads of drivel.

I will keep you posted!

workers

While I was in London I went to an exhibition of photographs made by my very good friend HCC. In fact she introduced me to writing a blog, and still puts me to shame with her consistancy of posting.

we had a great time drinking free wine and viewing the photographic exhibition. I am very proud of her, as she has spent the last 4 months determinedly working to get her book of portraits published. Naturally I have bought a copy.

Winchester Hat fair

Hello! hello hello...
i'm back, your favourite, albeit very lazy blogger!!

I have just spent the last two weeks in europa. It was quite fine, especially the Barcalona part. It's great - I get paid to shop, I am loving my job right now.

I also went to see my friends down south, which was far more important than any old toggs shops. On Saturday I was in Winchester, at the 'hat fair' a street theatre bonanza, which was fun, and luckily very sunny. I am not a HUGE fan of 'street theatre' . I mean isn't it just people begging for money by showing off and being silly?? but actually. i could not have got up and dome what they did, especially the acrobats, They were all very entertaining, and I was converted. (I'm still not convinced about the 'alternative dancers' though)

winchester Hat fair

Hangzhou

we went to Hangzhou for the weekend. It was beautiful and scenic and felt like a world away from the hustle bustle of home, although only 1 hr 20 on the train. we had first class train tickets, and a beautiful view over the Lake. There are still 12 million people in Hanzhou, but there is also a massive Lake and beautiful hills and countryside right on the doorstep. On Sunday we hired mountain bikes and cycled into the hills in search of Longjin, where 'the best tea in the world' is made. There we had a lesson in tea at the tea museum, and drank some tea in the beautiful gardens. It was great tea.

Hangzhou June 2008

down my street today

My street 001

I had a really nice walk home from the restaurant where i met friends for lunch. It is so nice to a have a couple of extra days off and just pootle about doing not very much. i have already watched 4 DVDs, although that's hardly surprising as I was suffering from a huge hangover on Thursday.

anyhow, I just wanted to show you how my street looks, now that the weather has improved, and the trees are coming out in the French Concession area. It's beautiful. I'm now waiting for the much talked of mosquitoes and roaches to appear, but as of yet (touch wood) I have not suffered from either. I have had a few mysterious bites, and yesterday I found a funny worm/silverfish thing in the dust under the bed (that'll teach me to be such a lazy cleaner) It's a good job I'm not too squeemish. I do however have a strong memory of reaching blindly into my washbag in Madagascar last year, and having a huge cockroach run up my arm as I disturbed him in his little hidy place ( my wash bag! ) I don't fancy a repeat of that this summer.

I definitely need to get a cleaner. this place is so DUSTY. it just gets everywhere.

The roof

They are building a roof on the old blocks next door to my apartment. They start at 6.30 am everyday, and work till sundown. It has been a bit quieter over this national holiday weekend, but i thought i would show you a picture anyhow.! The weather today is hot and hazy, around 24 degrees. it's wonderful, but a bit too hot for walking around or sitting in the sun ( unless you are very close to a pool!)

Terracotta warriors

Xi'an

Last Month, after a brief visit to the Olympic City, I went with TLE and JVP to an ancient city in the West. "Xi' (pronounced 'shi') means 'west'. T and I arrived first, and upgraded ourselves to an executive room at the Hyatt, while J followed arriving to find us drinking gin in the dodgy sports bar on offer within the hotel.

Saturday morning, after a leisurely breakfast, we made our way to the bus station. I had read that a trip to the warriors museum was easily done buy bus, rather than joining a 'tour' and risking exposure to many tourist traps, such as museums that you never wanted to see in the first place, housing disproportionate shops, and 'furniture workshops' mostly selling lacquerware. I know all this because of my experiences last year, in the same city. The public bus turned out to be easy and very well organised. we stopped at a natural spring 'palace' on the way , which was quite nice, but we hurried ourselves on to the main event. It was, after all, what we had come to see.

Even for the second time around (I never thought would find myself returning to this amazing place!) It was an awesome experience, and i took as many pictures as the first time, much to my own surprise.
THE STORY OF THE WARRIORS
The warriors were created as a personal army to the emperor Qin (chin) between 247 and 208BC. their purpose was to protect the emperor in his death. The mausoleum is 35 km outside the city, in an auspicious site between Mount Li and the river Wei. Pits containing warriors and tombs have been discovered in a surrounding area of 56 km.
Emperor Qin was the first Emperor to unite the 6 states that formed Ancient China at the time of his reign. Qin declared himself the first Emperor of China. and also ordered the formation of a single unified Wall to protect the Chinese from invading armies.

What I find so awe inspiring about the warriors are their faces, each is an individual, and one can only imagine that you are looking into the face of a man who lived 2000 years ago. Each body is an individual, every warrior is different. How else would these faces have been formed that by the observation of a real face? It is truly fascinating and far more exciting than looking at a computer generated image of a man who may have lived 2000 years ago, from some boggy remains.

The IKEA Effect

YES - it appears that I have been rather lazy AGAIN! and not written anything. I have been busy, finding a flat, moving in, going to England for a week, and then just working like a crazy thing for my new job. I've also managed 2 trips to IKEA (yes - they have it here - and not surprisingly it is IDENTICAL to Europe - how boring.) It amuses me that people all flock to the store, apparently to just 'hang out' and sit on nice sofas for a chat, and take photos of nice bedroom set ups and portraits of their kids sitting in 'trendy' furniture.

last weekend, I blasted round the store in true native style, scattering my fellow shoppers as if it were a supermarket sweep. Having spent the last few years of my life surrounded by IKEA furniture and accessories, i am truly sick of the place and have made a pact with Mr V. to NEVER BUY ANOTHER PIECE OF FURNITURE THERE! This vow excludes kitchen accessories, cushions and bedding, all of which i was desperatly in need of and do not cast any shadows on my life. the fact that most rental appartments of any decency here are fully IKEA furnished, is an unavoidable hazzard. My hope is that I need never increase the pain by purchasing any more.

more soon,
x

my Valentine

Lucky me had a dozen red roses delivered this Thursday. Somebody loves me! The sender didn't reveal their identity, but I have a good idea who it was. The office lady was really excited for me as she rushed over with the flowers when I arrived at work. I couldn't understand a word she was saying, but she had a big smile on her face, so I'm pretty sure she wasn't angry or anything.

Traditional house

Today I walked around town with my friend HC, who has come to visit me from the olympic city. I'm in the process of deciding which part of town to look for a place to live, so walking around and checking out the city has become my current preoccupation.

we went to an area of old housing that has been renovated and pedestrianised and now houses a selection of mostly western bars resaurantsand shops, we went , not because i want to live there, but because we wanted to have a coffee and visit the museum, where you can walk round one of the old style local houses, stuffed full of gorgeous antiques.

now I feel a bit ill, so am taking a rest before we go out for dinner.

New Years Eve

On New years eve I met up with my friends (presently I have about 3 friends here! - not bad going really) and we were lucky enough to have front row seats at an in-promptu firework display, thanks to a kitchen full of chefs, who appeared from a door in the wall beside the bar we were in, and set off lots of bangers in the street with great excitement, and then 15 minutes later dissapeared again into the door in the wall. The funniest part was that they all kept their chefs hats on, while running around lighting the very short fuses and dashing to take cover before the big bangs. They were having so much fun, and it was really entertaining.

This was not the only fireworks display in town, as you can imagine. There were bangs and crashes all over town all evening.

We made our way to a restaurant up the street, along with 100 or so others for a New Years meal. It was interesting, we met a few people, and then on to a nightclub. The nightclub was, well, a night club. lots to drink, a bit of dancing etc etc. I actually was not overly excited by the club, I mean it was good and enjoyable, but, not every week thank you..... well- maybe i'm just being a bit Bah Humbug. After all it was only last week that I found myself dancing on the bar in some latino place in front of all my new colleagues. I'm still wondering whether that was a clever thing to do or not...

perhaps i should give myself a rest for a while!

New Year's Eve

Today is New Years eve, and Tonight I'm going out for dinner in some kind of huge event. Not quite sure how that works, but I will find out later no doubt!

not having much luck posting pictures directly onto the blog, since the uploader always stops halfway ( very sus) so you'll just have to make do with my links to the photo albums for the moment!

happy birthday to me

Yay! It was my birthday on Monday, Luckily I'm on Holiday from work this week, because the office is closed for the New Year Celebrations.

I was delivered a huge bunch of flowers from my Parents, which was a wonderful surprise, and they make my room smell delicious. Boring old hotel suite rooms, aren't always the most fragrant places to live, especially ones with disposable underpants and sachets of lubricant for use by the bedside.

In the evening I was invited to JV's house for Champagne along with friends SM and LNP, and afterwards we all went out for a delicious meal to a Restaurant called M. We drank lots of delicious wine and got very loud, before leaving to drink more in a nearby bar, which was extremely empty on account of the fact that it was a Monday night and lots of people go away for the holidays.

pictures

My New Friends

OK, they are not really very talkative, and they can't come out for a drink or anything, but they have made me smile since I have been here!

Shanghai - snowmen

sunshine Sunday

I was woken by the sun shining through my window, FINALLY! what a relief. I hopped in a cab with my new colleague who is also new here, and we headed directly downtown to view the sights. It may be sunny, but it still remains cold as ice, so I am very glad I packed my big puffa coat.

we mingled with the rest of the tourists avoiding the street salesman offering us watches and handbags, and walked up the central shopping street, heading for a funky moroccan bar where we had a bit of lunch. I had a big big smile on my face today, the sun really cheered me up, and I'm happy to be here.

Yesterday I got my Teach-yourself language kit out, and started on my pronunciation. I hope nobody over heard me as I sat there in my room repeating all the foreign sounds from the cd! I'm determined to master a bit of this language, from my experience in Sausageland, I know that speaking some of the local lingo can seriously improve your enjoyment of a place. Lets see how it goes...!

extreme climates

The last three weeks have whizzed past in a whirlwind of packing, travelling, and generally having a rather exciting time. I think I shall write seperate pieces about it all, because it is rather diverse. In short, I've packed up my life, had a beautiful sunny and hot week in Thailand, Diving and relaxing, followed by an emotional farewell in Bangkok airport, and now here I am in my new home city under 2 inches of snow, freezing cold, and the whole country is in a pre-holiday frenzy as the CNY approaches and they are going to visit family.

I arrived Last Sunday, and am now installed in "Sun Shine International serviced appartments" as a temporary measure.My suitcases, however did not arrive. I'd sent them on from London,before I left, to avoid carrying them all the way to Thailand. So I have spent the first week wearing an interesting collection of 'beachwear' layered with as many teeshirts and tops to keep warm! Luckily my cases arrived on Friday to save the day.

What to name my new home? Well, I would use it's real name, but i don't need to, since anyone reading this actually knows where I am. The name of the city means "City By The Sea" so that is what I shall call it.

Snow is very unusual here, I think the last time it snowed like this was 20m years ago ( it gets longer every time i speak to someone about it...) and they are utterly ill-equipped for it. No grit, no clearing, nothing. the airport has shut down, the roads are a quagmire of freezing slush, and all the taxi's are hiding because they don't want to crash their cars. For a newcomer who speaks no language and has no clue where she is, it's all rather strange, not to mention dehabilitating. I am confined to a small area that I can walk within, being careful not to skid and fall over in the snow.

I am Tired from my first week in the Office here, getting to know my teams of colleagues, and just taking it all in. This morning I have found a global cafe and got myself online, which is quite a relief, as anyone who knows me will know that I do have something of a addiction to the Internet.

wet

It is really wet in London at the moment. This is the view I get as I walk to the office in the mornings. Utterly depressing, although I have to admit I am guilty of randomly breaking into a huge grin, because I know I am leaving soon, AND, even more exciting I'm going to Thailand next week to go diving and get some real sunshine YES!

For the moment I sit at my computer, feeling guilty because I have not written my blog for a bit, while Mr V watches a bank robber film on TV, and cooks fish pie. I just looked back at my blog and realised that I have recently over-used inverted commas, which is quite annoying to read. I shall try to avoid it in future. I have also realised that I tend to capitalise words that I think are important, and not those that actually warrant it. I'm sure you reading people don't mind. I've never won any medals for my grammar.

I met my friend HC from The Olympic City yesterday. We had some drinks in the pub and made plans to meet up once i'm settled in my new home. I'm really looking forward to it! Tonight I have to pack a suitcase to post to The City By The Sea. ( those caps are deliberate by the way)

Happy New Year!

Brilliant! it's 2008, finally. I have been looking forward to this year, as the last 7 months of last year have been a bit strange and uncertain, what with moving about all over the place, and not really knowing how the future would pan out. OK, so we never really know what the future holds, but it's usually safe to say that you know where you'll be living and and whether you will have a job or not.

Now the place to live and the jobs are pretty sorted, I can get back to the important tasks of having fun and enjoying life in general again. Or at least I would were it not for this stupid Christmas cold that refuses to budge. I think I will stay in bed tomorrow in an effort to kill it once and for all.

I'm quite excited today as i just got my computer back from the shop where they've done it up for me so I can use my shiny new I-pod toy that Mr V bought me for Christmas. The poor thing was seriously out of date and starting to struggle with websites and things because it was so 'old fashioned'

For New years eve we went to 'the village' in Germany, and saw our old friends and sat in our old favourite pub. quite nostalgic, but most heartwarming. The midnight 'diy' fireworks were exciting, in a kind of 'war zone danger' way, and the dash back to blighty with a few hours sleep and a raging hangover was not Ideal, but really glad we went.

Dusseldorf - New Year