Shopaholic & Sister, by Sophie Kinsella
Before going to Habitat, I was warned that I would probably get really bored at nights, so I should bring a good book…or five. I went to the library hoping to find some of the Harry Potter series (I’d had success reading the first two), but to no avail. I thought I’d probably want to read something really light while in Romania, so I looked for anything girly. I found one such book. Shopaholic & Sister. Perfect. Something I’ve been told is ridiculously easy to read.
I’m so proud of myself. I finished this book in three sittings. A little bit of reading on the plane from Budapest to Zurich, sometime on the train from Zurich to Neuchâtel, and the last parts of it, earlier today. It was SO easy to read!
It wasn’t serious, is wasn’t enthralling, but after finishing the book, I’m not left with any negative feelings towards it. Maybe because I wasn’t expecting anything big out of it, maybe because the whole way though, the intensity was at the same level (non-existent). I felt like I was just reading. Not for any important reason, but just to pass time, and fill my mind with words. It was just so easy to finish. I think it’d be a pretty good type of book to read in small doses, because the story line isn’t anything that needs to flow or anything.
I think this is the type of book that I should read for a little while, until I get into the swing of reading again. Maybe after I get used to action of reading, I can start up on “real” books again.
Right now, all I want is to read more. I think I’m going for quantity over quality at the moment. Chick lit, here I come!
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Oracle Night
Oracle Night, by Paul Auster
Read by recommendation, this was my first book after the For Whom the Bell Tolls roadblock. I think I like stories that have an “interesting” plot, whatever that means. Oracle Night’s a pretty short book, which made it a little less daunting.
It took me awhile to get started with the book, whether it be because I had company over for awhile, so my normal times that I could sneak a couple pages in here and there were taken up by entertaining or the sheer fact that I was out of my “reading regime”. Anyway, at some point I finally got around to reading the book. It was a slow process.
Yet again, as with most of the books that I’ve been reading I started to get a little bored by the end. I was having problems with the fact that I couldn’t sit down for a long period of time and read a substantial part of the book. It was the old problem of getting frustrated because I didn’t remember what had happened in the story previously.
At the beginning of the novel, I was a little thrown off by the “footnotes” that were in the story. I had to keep flipping back and forward to make sure that I’d read all of the footnotes and main story lines. After awhile though, I thought the footnotes were kind of neat, creating a different twist to a normal story.
The middle of the story seemed to be pretty interesting, but like I mentioned before, the end started to drag on. I was expecting something great to happen, but in the end it just fizzled.
Yet again, a book that was just OK. A little bit intriguing with the footnote additions, but in the end, nothing too spectacular. I still don’t know how to describe the type of books that I like.
At least I’m reading again.
Read by recommendation, this was my first book after the For Whom the Bell Tolls roadblock. I think I like stories that have an “interesting” plot, whatever that means. Oracle Night’s a pretty short book, which made it a little less daunting.
It took me awhile to get started with the book, whether it be because I had company over for awhile, so my normal times that I could sneak a couple pages in here and there were taken up by entertaining or the sheer fact that I was out of my “reading regime”. Anyway, at some point I finally got around to reading the book. It was a slow process.
Yet again, as with most of the books that I’ve been reading I started to get a little bored by the end. I was having problems with the fact that I couldn’t sit down for a long period of time and read a substantial part of the book. It was the old problem of getting frustrated because I didn’t remember what had happened in the story previously.
At the beginning of the novel, I was a little thrown off by the “footnotes” that were in the story. I had to keep flipping back and forward to make sure that I’d read all of the footnotes and main story lines. After awhile though, I thought the footnotes were kind of neat, creating a different twist to a normal story.
The middle of the story seemed to be pretty interesting, but like I mentioned before, the end started to drag on. I was expecting something great to happen, but in the end it just fizzled.
Yet again, a book that was just OK. A little bit intriguing with the footnote additions, but in the end, nothing too spectacular. I still don’t know how to describe the type of books that I like.
At least I’m reading again.
Friday, March 25, 2005
Next adventure looming
Tomorrow morning I will be getting on a bus, then a train, and then a plane on route to Budapest, Hungary. I will be there for two days, then go to Beius, Romania to help build houses for five days. Afterwards, I will return to Budapest for a night and fly to Athens, Greece. After two days in Athens I will be boarding a boat to cruise for four days around the Mediterranean, visiting Greek islands and making a stop in Turkey. I will return back to Neuchatel after this two week adventure and force myself to continue on with my dream life.
Booyah.
No updates until my return.
Booyah.
No updates until my return.
Monday, March 21, 2005
Paris Metro
Back from a weekend in Paris.
I LOVE Paris.
There's just something special about that city.
It's my third trip and I love the place even more than the first time I went.
I will write about the trip at some later time, but the point of this post is to say that I love the Metro.
Why? Because...
- It's quick
- I can drift
- It's a game
- It has lines that still run on wheels
- It has multiple pink lines
- It takes me from point A to point B
- I'm Amelie
- It's not confusing
- I feel anonymous
- It gets you anywhere
- It makes nice noises
- I can get serenaded
I want to do this with the Metro. I'm intrigued by this. And like this.
I can't wait to use the London Underground.
I LOVE Paris.
There's just something special about that city.
It's my third trip and I love the place even more than the first time I went.
I will write about the trip at some later time, but the point of this post is to say that I love the Metro.
Why? Because...
- It's quick
- I can drift
- It's a game
- It has lines that still run on wheels
- It has multiple pink lines
- It takes me from point A to point B
- I'm Amelie
- It's not confusing
- I feel anonymous
- It gets you anywhere
- It makes nice noises
- I can get serenaded
I want to do this with the Metro. I'm intrigued by this. And like this.
I can't wait to use the London Underground.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Still experimenting
A couple days ago, I cracked open a can of San Pellegrino Chino. I'd bought it in Milan the first time I'd been there, because I thought the can looked really cool. For some reason, I didn't open it until now. I think I initially wanted to keep it unopened, but I've realised that it really it's THAT difficult for me to go back to Italy to buy another can to leave unopened, so I thought I should probably give this stuff a try.
It's just pop, but a flavour that they don't have in Canada. It tasted yucky. Chinotto is "a small bitter citrus fruit similar to an orange giving an extraordinary distinctive bitter/sweet taste". It also gave a tinny aftertaste. A friend brought up the fact that I probably didn't really enjoy the taste of Chinotto because I didn't grow up drinking it, and he wondered if someone who had never drank Coke before wouldn't like the taste of it if they drank it later in life. I guess that's the same thing with me and strong cheeses. The only cheese I grew up eating was the yummy processed cheese slices (I really do like eating them), a couple Baby Bells here and there, a Laughing Cow triangle or two and of course any generic mozzarellas they put on pizzas or pastas.
So that's the Chino story.
I also tried Carpe Diem a healthy drink with ginko and good stuff like that. I should have clued in when the ingredients said something about fermented stuff. The only drinks that I've tried that include fermented stuff are alcoholic, and I don't like the taste of those. This stuff wasn't alcoholic, so I didn't mind trying it. It was all herbal and supposed to be good for you and stuff. Well, I don't like it. It tastes like something's gone bad (duh, it's been fermented). So I think I'll try it again. Oh, and the fact that the first time I went on the website, the quote they had was: "Don't reach for the stars, but seize this moment" (there are a couple different quotes that they cycle through) makes me dislike the drink even more. Of course you should enjoy the moment, but they're dissing people who reach for the stars!!! That's just pure-D wrong.
Ugh.
Sometimes experimenting with weird drinks works well, others, you just move on to the next and make mental notes.
It's just pop, but a flavour that they don't have in Canada. It tasted yucky. Chinotto is "a small bitter citrus fruit similar to an orange giving an extraordinary distinctive bitter/sweet taste". It also gave a tinny aftertaste. A friend brought up the fact that I probably didn't really enjoy the taste of Chinotto because I didn't grow up drinking it, and he wondered if someone who had never drank Coke before wouldn't like the taste of it if they drank it later in life. I guess that's the same thing with me and strong cheeses. The only cheese I grew up eating was the yummy processed cheese slices (I really do like eating them), a couple Baby Bells here and there, a Laughing Cow triangle or two and of course any generic mozzarellas they put on pizzas or pastas.
So that's the Chino story.
I also tried Carpe Diem a healthy drink with ginko and good stuff like that. I should have clued in when the ingredients said something about fermented stuff. The only drinks that I've tried that include fermented stuff are alcoholic, and I don't like the taste of those. This stuff wasn't alcoholic, so I didn't mind trying it. It was all herbal and supposed to be good for you and stuff. Well, I don't like it. It tastes like something's gone bad (duh, it's been fermented). So I think I'll try it again. Oh, and the fact that the first time I went on the website, the quote they had was: "Don't reach for the stars, but seize this moment" (there are a couple different quotes that they cycle through) makes me dislike the drink even more. Of course you should enjoy the moment, but they're dissing people who reach for the stars!!! That's just pure-D wrong.
Ugh.
Sometimes experimenting with weird drinks works well, others, you just move on to the next and make mental notes.
Last day of skating for the season
The Swiss don't believe in ice time over the spring in summer. At least in the non-major skating centres.
It sucks.
Last night was my last night of skating for the season with the CPNS...they have their final gala this Sunday, and then the ice is taken out. The arena's used for concerts, conventions, when not booked it sits there. Using less energy and spending less money than if there was ice in there. I noticed that one of the concerts coming up is the 2005 Star Academy tour. That's right, Star Academy. Star Academy may be bigger here than American Idol is at home.
It was a fantastic night of skating. I don't know if the ice was nicer because they recently had the Junior Challenge Cup 2005, but the ice was so smooth and fast. I felt like I was flying out there.
My jumps were amazing, and I did a 2T2T.
I stroked around for a good 15 minutes at the end. Just doing crosscuts, and Russian stroking and stuff. It just felt nice to skate. I did lots of spirals too. I love spirals.
I'm so glad I skated well for the last day out. I walked out of the rink feeling 10ft tall. I was so happy, and just felt so, I don't know...good. Yet again, I got that great feeling that I can't seem to put into words.
I think it's SO important that everyone has something that makes them as happy as skating makes me feel.
It sucks.
Last night was my last night of skating for the season with the CPNS...they have their final gala this Sunday, and then the ice is taken out. The arena's used for concerts, conventions, when not booked it sits there. Using less energy and spending less money than if there was ice in there. I noticed that one of the concerts coming up is the 2005 Star Academy tour. That's right, Star Academy. Star Academy may be bigger here than American Idol is at home.
It was a fantastic night of skating. I don't know if the ice was nicer because they recently had the Junior Challenge Cup 2005, but the ice was so smooth and fast. I felt like I was flying out there.
My jumps were amazing, and I did a 2T2T.
I stroked around for a good 15 minutes at the end. Just doing crosscuts, and Russian stroking and stuff. It just felt nice to skate. I did lots of spirals too. I love spirals.
I'm so glad I skated well for the last day out. I walked out of the rink feeling 10ft tall. I was so happy, and just felt so, I don't know...good. Yet again, I got that great feeling that I can't seem to put into words.
I think it's SO important that everyone has something that makes them as happy as skating makes me feel.
I will never be mouled out
This week at the caf, it's Moules et Frites week. Mmmm..mussels from Brussels...
The caf has theme weeks every so often (just like most cafs do around the world). One week was rosti week, this week it's moules week!!! (I get very enthusiastic about seafood)
You may think that moules at a cafe would be a little sketch, but they're delicious!!!
They even give you four different kinds of moules to choose from.
1. Mariniere (plain)
2. Poulete (cream sauce)
3. Curry (uh...curry)
4. I forget (tomato sauce)
And they give you a BUNCH!!!
It's fantastic!
I've had moules everyday so far, and by no means am I getting sick of them. One of the lovely ladies there laughs at me because I love them so much, but I really do LOVE seafood that much. I do miss seafood. At home, we eat a fair amount of seafood, and here I don't cook it for myself, so anytime I get the chance to eat some, I jump on it!
Anyway, I can't believe I'm eating moules et frites in a cafeteria and enjoying them immensely. What a fabulous week.
The caf has theme weeks every so often (just like most cafs do around the world). One week was rosti week, this week it's moules week!!! (I get very enthusiastic about seafood)
You may think that moules at a cafe would be a little sketch, but they're delicious!!!
They even give you four different kinds of moules to choose from.
1. Mariniere (plain)
2. Poulete (cream sauce)
3. Curry (uh...curry)
4. I forget (tomato sauce)
And they give you a BUNCH!!!
It's fantastic!
I've had moules everyday so far, and by no means am I getting sick of them. One of the lovely ladies there laughs at me because I love them so much, but I really do LOVE seafood that much. I do miss seafood. At home, we eat a fair amount of seafood, and here I don't cook it for myself, so anytime I get the chance to eat some, I jump on it!
Anyway, I can't believe I'm eating moules et frites in a cafeteria and enjoying them immensely. What a fabulous week.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Golden Gaels logos are everywhere...sort of
Someone I know was wearing a zip up sweatshirt with the Golden Gaels logo on it. Or so I though. When I asked her where she got it from (I knew she wasn't a student or alumni), she said that she'd actually bought it in Bern! Strange! She bought it only because it said something about Canada on it (it was a sweatshirt with three patches on it).
On closer examination, I noticed something odd about the logo. It didn't say "Golden Gaels", but "Golden Goalies". Hmmm...something wasn't right.
And below the crest was something about "Kingston, Canada", but there was also another city in there, that I didn't recognize (and that I can't seem to recall right now).
So it this sweater just like "Lido Dido 7-Op"? Or like the classics of "Panaphonic" and "Sorny"?
I didn't think Queen's Athletics was popular enough for Europeans to have knock offs for.
Weird.
On closer examination, I noticed something odd about the logo. It didn't say "Golden Gaels", but "Golden Goalies". Hmmm...something wasn't right.
And below the crest was something about "Kingston, Canada", but there was also another city in there, that I didn't recognize (and that I can't seem to recall right now).
So it this sweater just like "Lido Dido 7-Op"? Or like the classics of "Panaphonic" and "Sorny"?
I didn't think Queen's Athletics was popular enough for Europeans to have knock offs for.
Weird.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Florence and Siena
Last Tuesday (the one before yesterday) was a Cantonal holiday. The equivalent of a provincial holiday.
We took advantage of the long weekend by going to Florence and Siena.
Florence was just like all the other European cities that I've been talking about (with the necessary components to make it indeed "European"), so I won't get too much into that part of it. I will mention that for some reason, I was expecting the Duomo to look like the Duomo in Milan (gothic in style), but I was a little thrown off by the fact that this one was made out of red, green and white marble (symbolic colours). It reminded me of one of those 3-D puzzles.
I was disappointed in the lack of shopping that Florence had to offer, or should I say, the lack of affordable shopping it had. Does every Italian city have it's own Via Montenapoleone district?
The famed leather market was kind of fun. Bartering is definitely an art form, and it's interesting to see different people make their deals. True personalities really come out when haggling for the best possible price that you can (or are willing to) get. The people who are shy seemed to settle more, whereas the aggressive one either got amazing deals, or just didn't get anything at all. You know how alcohol sometimes brings out ones true character, I think the same can be said for bargaining. When bargaining, sometimes I get caught up in the moment, and then don't end up buying anything because I think that I'll be able to get a better deal elsewhere, or don't want to eat my words when I tell a vendor that "I won't buy it unless you give it to me for x amount." I hate eating my words. They never taste good. I was eyeing a fabulous "monk bag". I liked the pastel purple one (think Easter egg shade). The leather was SO soft. Mmmm...baby lamb...(animal activist, don't go all crazy on me, I just say it how it is.) I liked the suede one. I just didn't want to spend the money on it. I can always go back if I really change my mind. I'm sure it'll still be there.
Ponte Vecchio was crazy. The jewelry stores were too busy with bling. Since there was so much quantity that they wanted to display in their windows, everything just looked gaudy. My taste in bags shows that I enjoy a good amount of "gaud" every so often, but this was a little extreme even for me.
Speaking of gaudy things and jewelry, I did buy one silly thing this weekend. A gaudy pink bracelet. Unfortunately it's not in the same style as my belt and bag (that would be TOO much), but it's got big pink baubles on it. It was more expensive than I would have wanted to spend on such a juvenile looking piece, but it was in a little boutique, so I wanted to support the designers...and heck, I fell in love with it, so why do I need to justify it?
Meals were crazy. I was recently going over the pictures I took from the weekend, and I'm convinced, that my face is fatter than it is now. I didn't realise that food can go to your face that fast. I was shocked. Actually, disgusted. Still, the food was worth it (for the weekend). Lunches and dinners were 4+ courses long. Man alive that food was good. I can't even describe it. It was just FAN-tastic! I did reach my food tolerance limit on the last day though. I just wasn't hungry anymore. I don't know how the Italians do it.
I'd heard about how there's random body parts in different churches, and how you could see these random parts. On our day trip to Siena, I saw two. St. Catherine's head and one of her fingers. Apparently Catholics like to have something to pray to, and that's why they've got her finger and head in this one specific church. I think I would have been more interested in seeing them if they weren't covered in wax (the skin/colouring and such). Seeing bones would have made me like the authenticity of it more. Also, the display of her head was far enough away that I couldn't see the little details of her face (or it could just be that I'm pretty much legally blind). Oh well, it was an experience in itself. I'd never seen anything like it.
The statue of David was really impressive. It was a lot bigger than I expected it to be. I also liked "The Prisoners". All of Michelangelo's works blew me away. How such a hard material could be chiseled into such beautiful shapes. How someone could understand form and dimensions SO well that models weren't necessary. It's incredible. We did go to the Uffizi and see famous things in there, but that kind of art isn't really my style.
Oh, something that really surprised me was the amount of English speaking folks there. I truly do believe that I heard more English (sans British accents) in Florence than I did Italian. Not only did it thrown me off, but it was a little bit of a disappointment. I like being surrounded by the native language when traveling. Even if I don't understand what they're saying. It's just so much more authentic.
We took advantage of the long weekend by going to Florence and Siena.
Florence was just like all the other European cities that I've been talking about (with the necessary components to make it indeed "European"), so I won't get too much into that part of it. I will mention that for some reason, I was expecting the Duomo to look like the Duomo in Milan (gothic in style), but I was a little thrown off by the fact that this one was made out of red, green and white marble (symbolic colours). It reminded me of one of those 3-D puzzles.
I was disappointed in the lack of shopping that Florence had to offer, or should I say, the lack of affordable shopping it had. Does every Italian city have it's own Via Montenapoleone district?
The famed leather market was kind of fun. Bartering is definitely an art form, and it's interesting to see different people make their deals. True personalities really come out when haggling for the best possible price that you can (or are willing to) get. The people who are shy seemed to settle more, whereas the aggressive one either got amazing deals, or just didn't get anything at all. You know how alcohol sometimes brings out ones true character, I think the same can be said for bargaining. When bargaining, sometimes I get caught up in the moment, and then don't end up buying anything because I think that I'll be able to get a better deal elsewhere, or don't want to eat my words when I tell a vendor that "I won't buy it unless you give it to me for x amount." I hate eating my words. They never taste good. I was eyeing a fabulous "monk bag". I liked the pastel purple one (think Easter egg shade). The leather was SO soft. Mmmm...baby lamb...(animal activist, don't go all crazy on me, I just say it how it is.) I liked the suede one. I just didn't want to spend the money on it. I can always go back if I really change my mind. I'm sure it'll still be there.
Ponte Vecchio was crazy. The jewelry stores were too busy with bling. Since there was so much quantity that they wanted to display in their windows, everything just looked gaudy. My taste in bags shows that I enjoy a good amount of "gaud" every so often, but this was a little extreme even for me.
Speaking of gaudy things and jewelry, I did buy one silly thing this weekend. A gaudy pink bracelet. Unfortunately it's not in the same style as my belt and bag (that would be TOO much), but it's got big pink baubles on it. It was more expensive than I would have wanted to spend on such a juvenile looking piece, but it was in a little boutique, so I wanted to support the designers...and heck, I fell in love with it, so why do I need to justify it?
Meals were crazy. I was recently going over the pictures I took from the weekend, and I'm convinced, that my face is fatter than it is now. I didn't realise that food can go to your face that fast. I was shocked. Actually, disgusted. Still, the food was worth it (for the weekend). Lunches and dinners were 4+ courses long. Man alive that food was good. I can't even describe it. It was just FAN-tastic! I did reach my food tolerance limit on the last day though. I just wasn't hungry anymore. I don't know how the Italians do it.
I'd heard about how there's random body parts in different churches, and how you could see these random parts. On our day trip to Siena, I saw two. St. Catherine's head and one of her fingers. Apparently Catholics like to have something to pray to, and that's why they've got her finger and head in this one specific church. I think I would have been more interested in seeing them if they weren't covered in wax (the skin/colouring and such). Seeing bones would have made me like the authenticity of it more. Also, the display of her head was far enough away that I couldn't see the little details of her face (or it could just be that I'm pretty much legally blind). Oh well, it was an experience in itself. I'd never seen anything like it.
The statue of David was really impressive. It was a lot bigger than I expected it to be. I also liked "The Prisoners". All of Michelangelo's works blew me away. How such a hard material could be chiseled into such beautiful shapes. How someone could understand form and dimensions SO well that models weren't necessary. It's incredible. We did go to the Uffizi and see famous things in there, but that kind of art isn't really my style.
Oh, something that really surprised me was the amount of English speaking folks there. I truly do believe that I heard more English (sans British accents) in Florence than I did Italian. Not only did it thrown me off, but it was a little bit of a disappointment. I like being surrounded by the native language when traveling. Even if I don't understand what they're saying. It's just so much more authentic.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Very random...
I wasn't there to witness it, but on a recent trip to Prague, apparently there was a Queen's Golden Gaels sweater for sale in a local shop. It was a plain, crew neck sweatshirt, with just the Golden Gael crest on it.
How curious.
How curious.
Reading roadblock
I've been trying to read For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway, but three chapters in, I've put it back on the bookshelf.
I just don't find it interesting. I find myself just scanning the words, and going through the pages, but I'm not absorbing, or enjoying, or wanting to read more of the story.
I think I might just be a little intimidated by the fact that it's Hemingway (although I'm not sure why it would be intimidating at all), but the book just isn't working for me.
I'm going to move on to the next book for now, and maybe come back to this one.
I'm a little disappointed and discouraged, but hopefully I'll be able to find another book and get back into the swing of things.
I just don't find it interesting. I find myself just scanning the words, and going through the pages, but I'm not absorbing, or enjoying, or wanting to read more of the story.
I think I might just be a little intimidated by the fact that it's Hemingway (although I'm not sure why it would be intimidating at all), but the book just isn't working for me.
I'm going to move on to the next book for now, and maybe come back to this one.
I'm a little disappointed and discouraged, but hopefully I'll be able to find another book and get back into the swing of things.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
The Jade Peony
Read on recommendation.
The Jade Peony, by Wayson Choy
This book started off pretty slow. I was a little turned off by the fact that the characters spoke Cantonese as opposed to Mandarin, so I wasn't always sure what they were saying, but the translations helped for sure. I didn't like that when I sounded out the phonetic spellings of the Chinese in my head, it didn't sound like words that I new, but as soon as I read on a bit and saw the translation, for the most part, I could go back and give the Chinese a Cantonese slant (or at least what I thought was Cantonese) and could often understand it. For the phrases that weren't translated, I couldn't always figure out what they were saying, which was a little annoying to me, but I figured that most people reading this book don't know Cantonese so it shouldn't be a roadblock that I don't understand everything that was being said. I think the fact that it was three little stories threw me off. In term of, "what's the point of the book as a whole?". After awhile, I just accepted that I was reading words, and experiences of three different people, and that their stories didn't HAVE to relate to one another. The first two stories weren't bad (once I got into it), but the third, I thought was a little dull. I had to flip through the last one a little bit. Especially at the very end. I guess I could relate (or at least understand) the cultural issues that were talked about, so that was nice.
In the end, this book wasn't horrible, yet another OK book. The fact that it ended on such a low note can't be a good thing.
The Jade Peony, by Wayson Choy
This book started off pretty slow. I was a little turned off by the fact that the characters spoke Cantonese as opposed to Mandarin, so I wasn't always sure what they were saying, but the translations helped for sure. I didn't like that when I sounded out the phonetic spellings of the Chinese in my head, it didn't sound like words that I new, but as soon as I read on a bit and saw the translation, for the most part, I could go back and give the Chinese a Cantonese slant (or at least what I thought was Cantonese) and could often understand it. For the phrases that weren't translated, I couldn't always figure out what they were saying, which was a little annoying to me, but I figured that most people reading this book don't know Cantonese so it shouldn't be a roadblock that I don't understand everything that was being said. I think the fact that it was three little stories threw me off. In term of, "what's the point of the book as a whole?". After awhile, I just accepted that I was reading words, and experiences of three different people, and that their stories didn't HAVE to relate to one another. The first two stories weren't bad (once I got into it), but the third, I thought was a little dull. I had to flip through the last one a little bit. Especially at the very end. I guess I could relate (or at least understand) the cultural issues that were talked about, so that was nice.
In the end, this book wasn't horrible, yet another OK book. The fact that it ended on such a low note can't be a good thing.
The Da Vinci Code
After hearing way too many rave reviews about this book, I decided that this might be a good book to start my venture into the "literary world".
This by no means will be an extensive book review, nor will it be a spoiler for those who haven't read the book, it's just a forum for me to rant a bit, and hopefully encourage me to continue to read.
The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown
It was OK. I admit that I had a difficult time putting it down. I liking the fact that the chapters were so short, because in my short reading blocks on the bus, I felt like I was accomplishing something by finishing one or two chapters in such a short amount of time. I did have to flip back every so often to remind myself what had happened in the previous few pages. It started off pretty good. I wasn't into the whole plot of it. I wanted to know what was going to happen. The middle-->end though started to get a little boring for me. It was all the religious talk I think. I just didn't find it really interesting. It seemed more like a history lesson, and I wasn't a fan. I did flip forward a couple pages every so often, because it was just too boring, and I wanted to get into the plot part of the story. I was hoping the fact that it was set in Paris (and surrounding area), it'd be more interesting, because I'd know of some of the places that are mentioned in the book, and it's true, that did help a bit (I was imagining the characters going from place to place - well actually Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou going from place to place - can someone outside of the Neuch bubble confirm that this is true?), and maybe next time I'm in Paris, I'll look more carefully for some of the places mentioned. The "codes" were pretty cool I guess. I was hoping that there would be more of them.
In the end, I gotta say that this book started off strong, but towards the end, I just got bored of it. Even though I couldn't put it down, as I was reading, I was hoping that something great/exciting would happen, but it never did.
This by no means will be an extensive book review, nor will it be a spoiler for those who haven't read the book, it's just a forum for me to rant a bit, and hopefully encourage me to continue to read.
The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown
It was OK. I admit that I had a difficult time putting it down. I liking the fact that the chapters were so short, because in my short reading blocks on the bus, I felt like I was accomplishing something by finishing one or two chapters in such a short amount of time. I did have to flip back every so often to remind myself what had happened in the previous few pages. It started off pretty good. I wasn't into the whole plot of it. I wanted to know what was going to happen. The middle-->end though started to get a little boring for me. It was all the religious talk I think. I just didn't find it really interesting. It seemed more like a history lesson, and I wasn't a fan. I did flip forward a couple pages every so often, because it was just too boring, and I wanted to get into the plot part of the story. I was hoping the fact that it was set in Paris (and surrounding area), it'd be more interesting, because I'd know of some of the places that are mentioned in the book, and it's true, that did help a bit (I was imagining the characters going from place to place - well actually Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou going from place to place - can someone outside of the Neuch bubble confirm that this is true?), and maybe next time I'm in Paris, I'll look more carefully for some of the places mentioned. The "codes" were pretty cool I guess. I was hoping that there would be more of them.
In the end, I gotta say that this book started off strong, but towards the end, I just got bored of it. Even though I couldn't put it down, as I was reading, I was hoping that something great/exciting would happen, but it never did.
Reading
I've mentioned it before: I don't read.
I don't what it is, but I've never really been good at it. I find it really hard to walk into a bookstore or library and just pick up a fiction book and start reading. There's so many, so how do you know which one to pick up?
I usually try to read books that I know a lot of people have read. I figure if a lot of other people have read it, it can't be that bad. I think it just takes a lot for me to actually get started. Once I start reading though, I'm pretty good. The action of reading isn't horrible. And I do often find that if I'm reading a good book, I want to finish it right away.
People have asked me what kinds of books I like to read, so that they can give suggestions of what I might like, but I really don't know what it is that I like about a book, or what "genre" it is that I enjoy. I do know that I usually don't read books and look for deeper meanings (hence my dismal results in English courses).
I'm making an attempt to read more, because I know that it's good for you...and I'm game for anything that will make me a better person.
One problem that I've faced is that I often don't have time to sit down for a substantial period of time to read (or at least I haven't made time for it, or when I have time, I don't think of reading as how I should fill it). I've often tried to read on the bus or subway (thank you summer ROM jobs and RCM courses!), but what I've found it that I'll read a couple pages or whatever, but then when I return back to my book, I've forgotten what I've read and either get frustrated, or else I have to flip back (I hate to backtrack in life) far enough that I never seem to actually make any progress.
I tried a little bit in the summer, and it worked out quite well. I read the first two Harry Potter's (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) and The Devil Wears Prada. All three were enjoyable. I also read Life of Pi, but didn't enjoy it as much (the bulk of the story was fine, but the end was blah...I felt confused after finishing the last page.)
I've consistently read John Grisham's lawyer books. It all started with an aunt giving my brother The Rainmaker, which I boldly started to read, and enjoyed, and since then, I've been able to make myself read all of his law-ish books.
I wanted to continue this venture, but I was worried that, well, once here, all the books would be in French, although my language skills aren't completely horrible, it's just not what I wanted. Sure, they have English books in stores, but I'm not a book buyer. I really don't find books a worthy investment. Similar to magazines, I don't see the point of spending money on them, because once you're done reading them, your done. If you read it again in the future, you know what's going to happen, or what it's about, so what's the point?
[Note: I'm only really talking fiction books here.]
Luckily for me, there are three special people here who have a plethora of books, and are so well read that I should be fine. Thank goodness for them.
Hopefully with this latest attempt, not only will I learn to fit reading into my everyday life, but I'll also be able to figure out what kind of books exactly do I enjoy. Thoughts, suggestions and opinions are always welcome.
I don't what it is, but I've never really been good at it. I find it really hard to walk into a bookstore or library and just pick up a fiction book and start reading. There's so many, so how do you know which one to pick up?
I usually try to read books that I know a lot of people have read. I figure if a lot of other people have read it, it can't be that bad. I think it just takes a lot for me to actually get started. Once I start reading though, I'm pretty good. The action of reading isn't horrible. And I do often find that if I'm reading a good book, I want to finish it right away.
People have asked me what kinds of books I like to read, so that they can give suggestions of what I might like, but I really don't know what it is that I like about a book, or what "genre" it is that I enjoy. I do know that I usually don't read books and look for deeper meanings (hence my dismal results in English courses).
I'm making an attempt to read more, because I know that it's good for you...and I'm game for anything that will make me a better person.
One problem that I've faced is that I often don't have time to sit down for a substantial period of time to read (or at least I haven't made time for it, or when I have time, I don't think of reading as how I should fill it). I've often tried to read on the bus or subway (thank you summer ROM jobs and RCM courses!), but what I've found it that I'll read a couple pages or whatever, but then when I return back to my book, I've forgotten what I've read and either get frustrated, or else I have to flip back (I hate to backtrack in life) far enough that I never seem to actually make any progress.
I tried a little bit in the summer, and it worked out quite well. I read the first two Harry Potter's (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) and The Devil Wears Prada. All three were enjoyable. I also read Life of Pi, but didn't enjoy it as much (the bulk of the story was fine, but the end was blah...I felt confused after finishing the last page.)
I've consistently read John Grisham's lawyer books. It all started with an aunt giving my brother The Rainmaker, which I boldly started to read, and enjoyed, and since then, I've been able to make myself read all of his law-ish books.
I wanted to continue this venture, but I was worried that, well, once here, all the books would be in French, although my language skills aren't completely horrible, it's just not what I wanted. Sure, they have English books in stores, but I'm not a book buyer. I really don't find books a worthy investment. Similar to magazines, I don't see the point of spending money on them, because once you're done reading them, your done. If you read it again in the future, you know what's going to happen, or what it's about, so what's the point?
[Note: I'm only really talking fiction books here.]
Luckily for me, there are three special people here who have a plethora of books, and are so well read that I should be fine. Thank goodness for them.
Hopefully with this latest attempt, not only will I learn to fit reading into my everyday life, but I'll also be able to figure out what kind of books exactly do I enjoy. Thoughts, suggestions and opinions are always welcome.
What do I miss?
Lately, I've been wondering if there's anything that I really miss about home. Sure, the friends and family thing is obvious, but what about the other random stuff?
I've got some people coming to visit that keep asking me what it is that I miss most, that they can bring for me, and I'm drawing blanks.
Keep in mind, that I'm fully stocked up with canned/dried Chinese food items and maple syrup.
I'm really trying hard to think of stuff, but it's not working out too well. Is there really nothing so Canadian, that I can't think of something to add to my list?
The above is a little misleading. I mean, I DO miss stuff, but it seems that everything that I miss can't really be packed up in a suitcase and brought over for me.
Any suggestions of things that I might be forgetting about? (Maybe I haven't seen the stuff in 6 months, so I don't even remember that it exists.)
Let's see: (in no particular order)
1. White hot chocolates from Second Cup. "Skim milk, no whip". Especially from the location across from the ROM. (Yes, I know that they have the mix, but it's just not the same.)
2. Club Monaco/Caban
3. Bloor St.
4. That special tofu/fish dish from Sang Ho on Dundas
5. Mom's "sour and spicy" fish dish
6. Seafood in general (well, except for moules...I've had plenty of that)
7. Tofu
8. Skating at the Galaxy
9. Judging
10. Driving
I've got some people coming to visit that keep asking me what it is that I miss most, that they can bring for me, and I'm drawing blanks.
Keep in mind, that I'm fully stocked up with canned/dried Chinese food items and maple syrup.
I'm really trying hard to think of stuff, but it's not working out too well. Is there really nothing so Canadian, that I can't think of something to add to my list?
The above is a little misleading. I mean, I DO miss stuff, but it seems that everything that I miss can't really be packed up in a suitcase and brought over for me.
Any suggestions of things that I might be forgetting about? (Maybe I haven't seen the stuff in 6 months, so I don't even remember that it exists.)
Let's see: (in no particular order)
1. White hot chocolates from Second Cup. "Skim milk, no whip". Especially from the location across from the ROM. (Yes, I know that they have the mix, but it's just not the same.)
2. Club Monaco/Caban
3. Bloor St.
4. That special tofu/fish dish from Sang Ho on Dundas
5. Mom's "sour and spicy" fish dish
6. Seafood in general (well, except for moules...I've had plenty of that)
7. Tofu
8. Skating at the Galaxy
9. Judging
10. Driving
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
I think I've fallen in love...
This past weekend we went skiing in the alps again. I go into the ski shop to get some gear and I see a guy with nice eyes, so I take a risk.
...
...
No no no, don't get your hopes up. My risk was to ask him about renting "short skis". Not quite "snowblades" (I don't think the store had them), but actually, short parabolic skis. They went up to my waist. I didn't really care what he gave me, I just told him I wanted to try something a little different, perhaps those "short" thingies that I'd seen other people wearing, so he gave me the short skis.
I'd heard about snowblades when they came out, oh, I don't know, back when I skied (so over 9 years ago). I'd seen people with them on in Canada, and someone had mentioned that I might enjoy them, because they provide a feeling similar to skating.
Anyway, so I'm ready to try something new. Sans poles, of course. I asked him about how they'd feel, would I be falling all over the place or what. He said, yes it's different, so I might have difficulty. I started to get a little worried that I wouldn't have fun with them, because the whole day, I'd just be re-learning how to ski.
The first bonus: Easy to carry! I've never been adept are carrying poles, and skis, so this was fabulous. I didn't have poles, and now I had tiny, light things to carry instead. It was great!
Once we got up the gondola, I put them on, and immediately I felt at ease! It was easier to "skate", I didn't have those stupid poles tying up my hands. I felt free!
When we were skiing, I had such a great time! I could go faster (and I wasn't scared to go faster for some reason), turns were easier, I loved the fact that I had my hands free. I felt like I was hopping back and forth more. It was just SO easy.
I'm sure I probably looked like my arms were flailing about, but I really felt in control the whole time.
The guy in the shop was right, they ARE skis to "play" with. I don't know why/how/what made them more "playful", but I really did feel like I was playing instead of just plain, boring, old, regular skiing.
I tried turning, and skiing backwards for a bit, but I think I need to try a little bit more next time.
I think I want to try the real Salomon snowblades sometime, because apparently they're more "playful", because both ends are turned up, making it even easier to do spins and stuff, but I've also been told that they're softer, and for "real skiing", they're just too shaky.
I forgot to mention that one of the reasons that I wanted to try these skis out, was because I'm considering investing in some sort of ski equipment. I wasn't sure if it would be worth it for me (I don't ski very often), also I'm still hoping that the art of snowboarding will miraculously appear in my muscle memory (I've tried twice, and I'm getting just a little frustrated). On top of that, I'm lazy, and don't feel like carrying around all the skiing stuff. Hence the short skis. I remember seeing people hop on the train wearing their boots and just carrying the skis. So convenient. So fun. They're still a trend, and like I've experienced, they really are more fun! Who knows...another potential money spending venture in the works!
...
...
No no no, don't get your hopes up. My risk was to ask him about renting "short skis". Not quite "snowblades" (I don't think the store had them), but actually, short parabolic skis. They went up to my waist. I didn't really care what he gave me, I just told him I wanted to try something a little different, perhaps those "short" thingies that I'd seen other people wearing, so he gave me the short skis.
I'd heard about snowblades when they came out, oh, I don't know, back when I skied (so over 9 years ago). I'd seen people with them on in Canada, and someone had mentioned that I might enjoy them, because they provide a feeling similar to skating.
Anyway, so I'm ready to try something new. Sans poles, of course. I asked him about how they'd feel, would I be falling all over the place or what. He said, yes it's different, so I might have difficulty. I started to get a little worried that I wouldn't have fun with them, because the whole day, I'd just be re-learning how to ski.
The first bonus: Easy to carry! I've never been adept are carrying poles, and skis, so this was fabulous. I didn't have poles, and now I had tiny, light things to carry instead. It was great!
Once we got up the gondola, I put them on, and immediately I felt at ease! It was easier to "skate", I didn't have those stupid poles tying up my hands. I felt free!
When we were skiing, I had such a great time! I could go faster (and I wasn't scared to go faster for some reason), turns were easier, I loved the fact that I had my hands free. I felt like I was hopping back and forth more. It was just SO easy.
I'm sure I probably looked like my arms were flailing about, but I really felt in control the whole time.
The guy in the shop was right, they ARE skis to "play" with. I don't know why/how/what made them more "playful", but I really did feel like I was playing instead of just plain, boring, old, regular skiing.
I tried turning, and skiing backwards for a bit, but I think I need to try a little bit more next time.
I think I want to try the real Salomon snowblades sometime, because apparently they're more "playful", because both ends are turned up, making it even easier to do spins and stuff, but I've also been told that they're softer, and for "real skiing", they're just too shaky.
I forgot to mention that one of the reasons that I wanted to try these skis out, was because I'm considering investing in some sort of ski equipment. I wasn't sure if it would be worth it for me (I don't ski very often), also I'm still hoping that the art of snowboarding will miraculously appear in my muscle memory (I've tried twice, and I'm getting just a little frustrated). On top of that, I'm lazy, and don't feel like carrying around all the skiing stuff. Hence the short skis. I remember seeing people hop on the train wearing their boots and just carrying the skis. So convenient. So fun. They're still a trend, and like I've experienced, they really are more fun! Who knows...another potential money spending venture in the works!
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
I should have listened to my gut instincts
Before arriving, I thought that it would be wise to not try Chinese cuisine while here in Neuch (and Europe in general). I wasn't sure how real the food would be (I don't think I could have dealt with chicken balls and radioactive-red sweet and sour sauce), and well, my expectations would just be too high, no matter how good the food really was.
One night a couple weeks ago, a friend really wanted Chinese, so I gave in. I thought, might as well try it, because who knows?
So we went to a restaurant that was authentically decorated, and had a little worship/prayer/shrine thingy in the corner. We spoke French to the host, but I could hear Mandarin coming from the kitchen. Very well spoken Mandarin, with perfect accents.
The chopsticks were wooden, you know, the ones you have to break apart, but they were resting neatly on chopstick holders.
The menu was in French and Chinese. The prices were VERY expensive, but I'm told that Asian cuisine in Europe is still quite a novelty.
We decide on a couple dishes, and I looked at the appetizers to see if something caught my eye. Maybe a soup. I see "Pekinese Soup" (I think that's what was written), and notice that it's supposed to be spicy (the wheels are turning). I wonder if it's "sour and spicy soup", but don't really know what the French equivalent or the real English equivalent of the name is. So I asked the waiter in Chinese, and he says yes. Success! I would have also liked to get a tofu dish (I've been craving tofu recently), but my friend wasn't up for it.
The soup arrived, and I am happy to report that it was fabulous! I REALLY REALLY liked it! (And I'm quite the connoisseur of "sour and spicy soup" if I do say so myself.) It even had "black wood fungus" in it (no pieces of tofu though).
We'd ordered a random mixed mushroom and vegetable dish as well as a duck dish (along with white rice of course). I was EXTREMELY disappointed. The plates were tiny, and it was just a mixture of chopped up stuff. Your generic stir fry in sauce. How disappointing (especially given the cost).
Oh well, at least there was that soup. I'd go back to the restaurant and just order the soup (but nothing else...after this experience, I don't think I'd want to try anything else).
That's just the first experience. (You would have thought the first one would have clued me in.
Round 2:
Setting: New Year's Eve (this was asking for trouble)
I figure, it's New Year's Eve, I should probably go out and have a really good meal. Asian if possible. So I decide to go out with a couple friends for dinner at a local establishment (different from the first) that has apparently been featured in tourist brochures/guides/what have you.
The whole experience didn't start well. I mean, to get to the restaurant, you had to walk through a pub. It was 6:30pm, and the restaurant wasn't even open yet. In fact, we ran into the owner, who was hanging out in the pub. He said to come back in half an hour. A little annoying, but it's Europe, and they eat a little later here, so fine, we'll come back.
We return at 7:30ish or so, and in the pub, are greeted by another person. She asks if we don't mind having our dinner in the pub. Same food, but different locale. Is she kidding?!? It's New Year's. I don't want to be eating the best meal of the year in a smokey, loud, football on the TV pub. We say no, we want to eat upstairs (looking back, I can't believe we played along, and didn't get the hint that this was a sign of things to come). We follow our disgusted hostess upstairs, and (surprise surprise), we're the only patrons. Still, it's well decorated and they're playing ethnic music in the background. We sit down, look at the even-more-than-the-first-restaurant overpriced menu, which really didn't have too many options, and try to decide what we want. Every two seconds, the hostess/waitress comes over to ask if we're ready, if we really do want to eat, what we want to eat, what kind of food we want to eat, etc etc. (I'm a little ticked off by this point, but it's New Year's Eve, so I stick in there.) After awhile, we order a couple dishes and relax/chat for awhile.
The food comes, and while the appetizer was ok and the smell and sizzle of the hot plate dish was fabulous, the rest was...well...not.
Suffice it to say, it made me wish I was in Toronto, having a good meal at home. (No, not homesick, but sad.)
This restaurant did not receive a tip that night. They didn't deserve one, and their food was WAY too overpriced to begin with. I'm embarrassed at how much I paid for a meal I didn't enjoy.
The moral of the story: I'm NOT going to eat Chinese food in Europe. I will refuse.
One night a couple weeks ago, a friend really wanted Chinese, so I gave in. I thought, might as well try it, because who knows?
So we went to a restaurant that was authentically decorated, and had a little worship/prayer/shrine thingy in the corner. We spoke French to the host, but I could hear Mandarin coming from the kitchen. Very well spoken Mandarin, with perfect accents.
The chopsticks were wooden, you know, the ones you have to break apart, but they were resting neatly on chopstick holders.
The menu was in French and Chinese. The prices were VERY expensive, but I'm told that Asian cuisine in Europe is still quite a novelty.
We decide on a couple dishes, and I looked at the appetizers to see if something caught my eye. Maybe a soup. I see "Pekinese Soup" (I think that's what was written), and notice that it's supposed to be spicy (the wheels are turning). I wonder if it's "sour and spicy soup", but don't really know what the French equivalent or the real English equivalent of the name is. So I asked the waiter in Chinese, and he says yes. Success! I would have also liked to get a tofu dish (I've been craving tofu recently), but my friend wasn't up for it.
The soup arrived, and I am happy to report that it was fabulous! I REALLY REALLY liked it! (And I'm quite the connoisseur of "sour and spicy soup" if I do say so myself.) It even had "black wood fungus" in it (no pieces of tofu though).
We'd ordered a random mixed mushroom and vegetable dish as well as a duck dish (along with white rice of course). I was EXTREMELY disappointed. The plates were tiny, and it was just a mixture of chopped up stuff. Your generic stir fry in sauce. How disappointing (especially given the cost).
Oh well, at least there was that soup. I'd go back to the restaurant and just order the soup (but nothing else...after this experience, I don't think I'd want to try anything else).
That's just the first experience. (You would have thought the first one would have clued me in.
Round 2:
Setting: New Year's Eve (this was asking for trouble)
I figure, it's New Year's Eve, I should probably go out and have a really good meal. Asian if possible. So I decide to go out with a couple friends for dinner at a local establishment (different from the first) that has apparently been featured in tourist brochures/guides/what have you.
The whole experience didn't start well. I mean, to get to the restaurant, you had to walk through a pub. It was 6:30pm, and the restaurant wasn't even open yet. In fact, we ran into the owner, who was hanging out in the pub. He said to come back in half an hour. A little annoying, but it's Europe, and they eat a little later here, so fine, we'll come back.
We return at 7:30ish or so, and in the pub, are greeted by another person. She asks if we don't mind having our dinner in the pub. Same food, but different locale. Is she kidding?!? It's New Year's. I don't want to be eating the best meal of the year in a smokey, loud, football on the TV pub. We say no, we want to eat upstairs (looking back, I can't believe we played along, and didn't get the hint that this was a sign of things to come). We follow our disgusted hostess upstairs, and (surprise surprise), we're the only patrons. Still, it's well decorated and they're playing ethnic music in the background. We sit down, look at the even-more-than-the-first-restaurant overpriced menu, which really didn't have too many options, and try to decide what we want. Every two seconds, the hostess/waitress comes over to ask if we're ready, if we really do want to eat, what we want to eat, what kind of food we want to eat, etc etc. (I'm a little ticked off by this point, but it's New Year's Eve, so I stick in there.) After awhile, we order a couple dishes and relax/chat for awhile.
The food comes, and while the appetizer was ok and the smell and sizzle of the hot plate dish was fabulous, the rest was...well...not.
Suffice it to say, it made me wish I was in Toronto, having a good meal at home. (No, not homesick, but sad.)
This restaurant did not receive a tip that night. They didn't deserve one, and their food was WAY too overpriced to begin with. I'm embarrassed at how much I paid for a meal I didn't enjoy.
The moral of the story: I'm NOT going to eat Chinese food in Europe. I will refuse.
Monday, February 14, 2005
Happy Valentine's Day!
I never really understood why this day's so special, and that statement's not coming out of bitterness or anything. I'm a very happy young lady.
It really is, just like any other day. I think the same about all holidays...they're just like all the other days in the year! I never really understood the fuss (although, as I've mentioned time and time again, I quite enjoy the lights, glitter and glam of Christmas).
I did find it funny though that this evening, the flower shop at the gare had the longest line I'd ever seen. It contained only men.
Fresh cut flowers ARE pretty special.
It really is, just like any other day. I think the same about all holidays...they're just like all the other days in the year! I never really understood the fuss (although, as I've mentioned time and time again, I quite enjoy the lights, glitter and glam of Christmas).
I did find it funny though that this evening, the flower shop at the gare had the longest line I'd ever seen. It contained only men.
Fresh cut flowers ARE pretty special.
Friday, February 11, 2005
Vienna (finally)
I haven't written about my trip to Vienna over the winter holidays yet. It wasn't intentional, it just happened that way.
Vienna was wonderful. Another grand European city, complete with the necessary components that each European city must have:
1. A castle
2. A big church
3. A pedestrian street
4. A market
5. An open square
6. A LOT of museums
We visited Schonbrun castle, which was a knock-off of Versailles. Having been to the original, needless to say, I wasn't too impressed. I feel in my time in Europe, I've seen enough castles, that, well, quite frankly, they're getting a little boring. You would have thought that someone who loves sparkly and ornate things (along with "dream homes" - I used to love going to the Home Show and wish I had the perfectly decorated mansion) would love the glitz and glam of castles, but they just don't do anything for me.
Our hotel was really close to both the cathedral and the pedestrian street. I really love the hustle and bustle of big cities, and since we visited Vienna during the holidays, the streets were PACKED. I got that great feeling of being anonymous, walking down Yonge/Bloor Sts. I just feel FABulous strutting down the street knowing full well that no one cares about/is looking at me. I wouldn't change a thing.
Who knew? Vienna has some great shopping. And dare I say that people in Vienna were better dressed than in Milan?!? Perhaps too bold of a statement, but there were some really posh looking people. Fur coats were in full effect. Stilettos and uberchicness too.
We didn't visit any museums (except for the castle) during the trip. It wasn't a way that I wanted to spend my holiday. I didn't mind walking around and looking at the architecture and impressiveness of all of the buildings/structures/monuments/statues, but I wasn't prepared to read too much about them, or do the "educational" thing. I like when people tell me stories (so tours are okay), but my disliking of reading is too strong.
When we were there, we noticed a lot of pig figurines, candies and toys. We couldn't figure out why...I was pretty sure that the pig wasn't the symbol of Vienna, but we found it odd that they were EVERYWHERE. A previous post explains that they symbolize good luck, and the abundance of them made sense because we were there around New Year's.
Being the ultimate tourist (I think it's more the musician in me), I wanted to find the Danube and go to a concert. I have many snaps of me trying to touch the famed river, and we paid big bucks to listen to a bunch of Strauss, Lehar, etc. I was actually impressed at the programme, because it only had 2 overplayed pieces. Soon I understood. I think there were more encores than pieces in the programme itself, but at least it made for a super fun concert. It really wouldn't have been complete without the most famous pieces. It was kinda fun because the conductor sometimes played along with the orchestra on his violin. It was a bit Andre Rieu-ish, but definitely not as tacky. It helped that the musicians weren't dressed in period clothing, although instead of wearing all black like most orchestras that I've seen, there were some pretty ornate evening gowns. Oh, the concert hall was amazing.
Funny thing about my time in Vienna. In German, Vienna is Wien, so it was "Wiener" this, "Wiener" that. I kept getting really confused when I read signs. I could help but think of sausages, hot dogs, or frankfurters. You know, like, what's a wiener symphony? A wiener tour? They take you around and show you different types of wieners? Surely you understand my confusion.
Vienna is also on my list of cities to return to. There a couple things that I'd like to do/see that I didn't get to do/see this time, but no biggie, it's just an overnight train/short plane ride away!
Vienna was wonderful. Another grand European city, complete with the necessary components that each European city must have:
1. A castle
2. A big church
3. A pedestrian street
4. A market
5. An open square
6. A LOT of museums
We visited Schonbrun castle, which was a knock-off of Versailles. Having been to the original, needless to say, I wasn't too impressed. I feel in my time in Europe, I've seen enough castles, that, well, quite frankly, they're getting a little boring. You would have thought that someone who loves sparkly and ornate things (along with "dream homes" - I used to love going to the Home Show and wish I had the perfectly decorated mansion) would love the glitz and glam of castles, but they just don't do anything for me.
Our hotel was really close to both the cathedral and the pedestrian street. I really love the hustle and bustle of big cities, and since we visited Vienna during the holidays, the streets were PACKED. I got that great feeling of being anonymous, walking down Yonge/Bloor Sts. I just feel FABulous strutting down the street knowing full well that no one cares about/is looking at me. I wouldn't change a thing.
Who knew? Vienna has some great shopping. And dare I say that people in Vienna were better dressed than in Milan?!? Perhaps too bold of a statement, but there were some really posh looking people. Fur coats were in full effect. Stilettos and uberchicness too.
We didn't visit any museums (except for the castle) during the trip. It wasn't a way that I wanted to spend my holiday. I didn't mind walking around and looking at the architecture and impressiveness of all of the buildings/structures/monuments/statues, but I wasn't prepared to read too much about them, or do the "educational" thing. I like when people tell me stories (so tours are okay), but my disliking of reading is too strong.
When we were there, we noticed a lot of pig figurines, candies and toys. We couldn't figure out why...I was pretty sure that the pig wasn't the symbol of Vienna, but we found it odd that they were EVERYWHERE. A previous post explains that they symbolize good luck, and the abundance of them made sense because we were there around New Year's.
Being the ultimate tourist (I think it's more the musician in me), I wanted to find the Danube and go to a concert. I have many snaps of me trying to touch the famed river, and we paid big bucks to listen to a bunch of Strauss, Lehar, etc. I was actually impressed at the programme, because it only had 2 overplayed pieces. Soon I understood. I think there were more encores than pieces in the programme itself, but at least it made for a super fun concert. It really wouldn't have been complete without the most famous pieces. It was kinda fun because the conductor sometimes played along with the orchestra on his violin. It was a bit Andre Rieu-ish, but definitely not as tacky. It helped that the musicians weren't dressed in period clothing, although instead of wearing all black like most orchestras that I've seen, there were some pretty ornate evening gowns. Oh, the concert hall was amazing.
Funny thing about my time in Vienna. In German, Vienna is Wien, so it was "Wiener" this, "Wiener" that. I kept getting really confused when I read signs. I could help but think of sausages, hot dogs, or frankfurters. You know, like, what's a wiener symphony? A wiener tour? They take you around and show you different types of wieners? Surely you understand my confusion.
Vienna is also on my list of cities to return to. There a couple things that I'd like to do/see that I didn't get to do/see this time, but no biggie, it's just an overnight train/short plane ride away!
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
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