Today I woke up, looked at my watch and hp. It says 1030. I on my laptop. It says 1130. Confused. 1130?! I want to go church which starts at 11. Am I late? Well, I thought my com gone bonkers again. So I changed the com time. I alighted at central station, and looked at the central station clock. It says 1240pm! my watch and hp says 1140! I was like "WHAT! what's going on." nevertheless, i seems like im utterly late for church for 1.5+ hours. I wanted to go home. But then decided to pay the church a visit and maybe talk to the pastor. I did. And the service still had quite long to go, much to my surprised. I found out later, today had only 23 hours, officially. Summer time, means it becomes 1 hour faster. Then when summer ends, that day would have 25 hours. Kinda stupid really. To adjust your clock twice.
I walked in, everyone's seater. Pastor preaching. Then pastor stopped and said "Hey John! That's John, all the way from Singapore". He's the first pastor I know that do that. Usually, pastors would get kinda irritated by people walking in late, always saying that it disrupts the atmosphere and distracts people. Not this one.
After service, Pastor invited me to his house, with 2 more leaders. Amazing. I am struck by such hospitality. Although I felt that I need to plan for Italy trip, a little time with him would help I guess. Since I have not seen him for so long. We bought us pizzas. I have never seen such huge pizzas. It was really GOOD. ESP the chicken with cashew nuts one. Then we talked. His apartment is AMAZING! It is 8th floor, one of the highest floors in Oslo, and it overlooks the mountains and sea and sky. Omg. And its a huge apartment. I have never seen such a huge bathroom and bathtub in my life.
We had pizzas, and watched "walk the line", a true life story of Johnny Cash. IDK who he was. But I learnt, that if Elvis was number 1, he was number 2. He was a little older than Elvis prolly. But his life story was amazing. His marriage to June Carter, a fellow singer, was the best media news that ever occurred. This mad man, left his wife, and proposed to June, 40 times, before June accepted. I would debate whether this is acceptable though. However, besides his weird r/s life, it was a Great movie to understand about human fraility.
At night, pastor drove us back, and I learnt that near his house is a good & Cheap sushi restaurant.
Pastor has actually lived in Thailand for 8 years, and speaks fluent Thai. He was born in Japan and lived there till 4. He spoke fluent Japanese and then according to his parents, completely forgot all Japanese within 2 months of moving to Norway. He's Norwegian white man. He loves Asia, and all Asian food. And agrees that there's no food like Asian food. And he's been to Singapore Many times. Understand how fast and stress the society is. He said "Put a Norwegian student in Singapore, and he'll turn crazy. Norway is so slow, but people in Norway dont realise how slow their country. Most of them think that its very fast paced." Maria, a fellow Norwegian student, who intro me to the church, felt that Norway was fast. I think she'll die if she goes other ctys.
Saturday
How to minimise chances of getting robbed in Italy.
1) Do not take up any offer from anyone, no drinks no nothing. EVEN IF THEY TREAT YOU TO A DRINK FOC! DONT BE SO TAN XIAO PIAN YI, cos that drink is confirm DRUGGED!!.
2) Do not even answer them if they talk to you. Pretend to talk on the phone, most of the time, when it seems to be in an area where someone is likely to talk to you (eg. waiting areas).
3) Wear 3 layers of pants. Keep you wallet and camera in the inner most layer. Dont even take them out in public. When need be, go to a toilet. Keep a little cash in your outer pocket just in case u need it instantly. NO. KEEP cash underneath shoe. No cash, absolutely non in any pockets.
4) Avoid superfluously taking pictures. It will make you an obvious tourist. (you can save batt too) Just take 1 picture at every spot.
3) Always carry an Italian newspaper or magazine. It'll make u look less like a tourist.
4) Stay away from people. ALL OF THEM.
5) DO NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING THAT's happening. Even if you stay in a hostel, and a neighbour comes knocking heavily at ur door telling u an emergency has happened, DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR.
6) DO NOT EVEN TALK TO KIDS OR WOMEN. NO MATTER HOW CUTE OR BEAUTIFUL THEY ARE.
BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL OF KIDS WHO ASK FOR CHARITY. DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO BEGGARS. some of them are really rich and are just there to see who's rich, then their friends will rob them.
DO NOT REPLY TO BEAUTIFUL WOMEN WHO ASK FOR HELP/FAVOR, no matter who trivial and minute the help is. The more beautiful they are, the more dangerous ,esp if they flash their tits or legs, or smiles at you.
7) If suddenly a bunch of kids appear and confuse you, DO NOT STAY THERE. RUN!
8) Do not put anything on the compartment of the backpack that's easily accessible.
9) LOCK YOUR BACKPACK. With good locks.
10) ALOT of pickpockets are kids! Kids that are as tall as your waist! Makes it much easier for them!
11) DO NOT FLASH YOUR BELONGINGS. GO TO A TOILET IF YOU NEED SOMETHING
12) AVOID DARK ALLEYS. DO NOT SLEEP IN THE STREETS OR EVEN IN STAIRS AND ROOFS. JUST SPEND THE BLOODY MONEY ON HOSTELS DAMN IT. ITS WAY BETTER THAN BEING ROBBED.
My gosh. Me being such a friendly and open person, will need God to make me do all these! And to keep the thieves away from me.
1) Do not take up any offer from anyone, no drinks no nothing. EVEN IF THEY TREAT YOU TO A DRINK FOC! DONT BE SO TAN XIAO PIAN YI, cos that drink is confirm DRUGGED!!.
2) Do not even answer them if they talk to you. Pretend to talk on the phone, most of the time, when it seems to be in an area where someone is likely to talk to you (eg. waiting areas).
3) Wear 3 layers of pants. Keep you wallet and camera in the inner most layer. Dont even take them out in public. When need be, go to a toilet. Keep a little cash in your outer pocket just in case u need it instantly. NO. KEEP cash underneath shoe. No cash, absolutely non in any pockets.
4) Avoid superfluously taking pictures. It will make you an obvious tourist. (you can save batt too) Just take 1 picture at every spot.
3) Always carry an Italian newspaper or magazine. It'll make u look less like a tourist.
4) Stay away from people. ALL OF THEM.
5) DO NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING THAT's happening. Even if you stay in a hostel, and a neighbour comes knocking heavily at ur door telling u an emergency has happened, DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR.
6) DO NOT EVEN TALK TO KIDS OR WOMEN. NO MATTER HOW CUTE OR BEAUTIFUL THEY ARE.
BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL OF KIDS WHO ASK FOR CHARITY. DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO BEGGARS. some of them are really rich and are just there to see who's rich, then their friends will rob them.
DO NOT REPLY TO BEAUTIFUL WOMEN WHO ASK FOR HELP/FAVOR, no matter who trivial and minute the help is. The more beautiful they are, the more dangerous ,esp if they flash their tits or legs, or smiles at you.
7) If suddenly a bunch of kids appear and confuse you, DO NOT STAY THERE. RUN!
8) Do not put anything on the compartment of the backpack that's easily accessible.
9) LOCK YOUR BACKPACK. With good locks.
10) ALOT of pickpockets are kids! Kids that are as tall as your waist! Makes it much easier for them!
11) DO NOT FLASH YOUR BELONGINGS. GO TO A TOILET IF YOU NEED SOMETHING
12) AVOID DARK ALLEYS. DO NOT SLEEP IN THE STREETS OR EVEN IN STAIRS AND ROOFS. JUST SPEND THE BLOODY MONEY ON HOSTELS DAMN IT. ITS WAY BETTER THAN BEING ROBBED.
My gosh. Me being such a friendly and open person, will need God to make me do all these! And to keep the thieves away from me.
19 days in the arctic (Part 4 =D)
I reached Tromso Airport, at about 845pm. To find that the Airport is very "re nao" with lotsa people, surprised me. I was looking for a place to sit, bcos I was planning to spend the night sleeping over at the airport. It was late. The bus I wanted to take was not functioning. So I plan to wake up when there's light and plan how to get to the Island.
I sat beside a Malay-looking girl. She looked Malay, familiar to me, makes me feel closer and comfortable with her. And she actually looks lost, but she isnt. So I said "Are you Norwegian?". And the conversation continues. I learnt that her name is Fortune. She's lived in Norway for 10 years (or was it since she was 10?). From her, I learnt not to take the expensive city bus, but a local bus to city. And that she has never heard of the Island I was heading to. She showed me to the local bus stop. And then she offered me a place to sleep for the night. Really amazed by her kindness. At the busstop, we talked to another Norwegian girl. She said she knew about Singapore from Pirates of the Carribean. Interesting.
Then, I received a phone call. It was Tomas, the guy who offered me free accomodation. He said hes around town and can pick me up from the airport. So it was great, that I dont have to look for the Island myself. So I said goodbye to Fortune, wish her luck with her medicine course, and met Tomas. Tomas took me to his Island. And for the 1st time, I had a real eye-opener and how things work there.
He had gone to the city, to collect drinking water (the while tub), empty the shit box (on his hand) and buy food.
I saw a crazy full food on the plane. It was so bright and big, I could not believe it. I can actually see the craters. At the Island, I took this picture. Although my hand shook (my camera is old camera with no anti-shake), this picture still shows how bright the full moon is. This will be where I stayed for the next 14 days. A cabin by the sea and mountains. Amazing.
Inside, I saw for the first time, how he make a fire. The pieces of wood were big pieces which he picked up from supermarkets/petrol stations (i think), and then he chop them into smaller pieces with a saw. Then he cuts them with a dagger into smaller thin pieces to burn.
And cook using the fire.
And his dog is really pampered and friendly. Just first day, he wanted me to play with him in the floor. This face up and hand gesture means he wants me to get down to play with him (I was told).
First dinner in the SUPER COSY cabin. I was completely overwhelmed by the warmth of the cabin, partly bcos I have not have a proper shelter and sleep for 5 days already. And the Nomad cooks good food. He has this fish, which is called a Stone-bitter. Which is an arctic fish, which likes to bite stones. I have a friend who likes to collect stones. I hope she doesnt like to bite them.
That night, I had the best sleep, since a long time. And I rested my leg and body, after walking more than 5 km the previous day. The Nomad gave me a perfect bed. Super comfortable, with quilts and Big Pillows. Im really overwhelmed by the gesture.
Next morning, the Cabin.
The snow is unbelieveably soft here. Which makes walking extremely tough as well. But the warm gulf stream ensures, its quite comfy. Not too long though.
I love it when the dog runs towards me from 50 metres :).
Afternoon. The sun is over the mountains.
And a fighter plane flew by.
End of Day 6, 11 March 2009.
I sat beside a Malay-looking girl. She looked Malay, familiar to me, makes me feel closer and comfortable with her. And she actually looks lost, but she isnt. So I said "Are you Norwegian?". And the conversation continues. I learnt that her name is Fortune. She's lived in Norway for 10 years (or was it since she was 10?). From her, I learnt not to take the expensive city bus, but a local bus to city. And that she has never heard of the Island I was heading to. She showed me to the local bus stop. And then she offered me a place to sleep for the night. Really amazed by her kindness. At the busstop, we talked to another Norwegian girl. She said she knew about Singapore from Pirates of the Carribean. Interesting.
Then, I received a phone call. It was Tomas, the guy who offered me free accomodation. He said hes around town and can pick me up from the airport. So it was great, that I dont have to look for the Island myself. So I said goodbye to Fortune, wish her luck with her medicine course, and met Tomas. Tomas took me to his Island. And for the 1st time, I had a real eye-opener and how things work there.
He had gone to the city, to collect drinking water (the while tub), empty the shit box (on his hand) and buy food.
I saw a crazy full food on the plane. It was so bright and big, I could not believe it. I can actually see the craters. At the Island, I took this picture. Although my hand shook (my camera is old camera with no anti-shake), this picture still shows how bright the full moon is. This will be where I stayed for the next 14 days. A cabin by the sea and mountains. Amazing.
Inside, I saw for the first time, how he make a fire. The pieces of wood were big pieces which he picked up from supermarkets/petrol stations (i think), and then he chop them into smaller pieces with a saw. Then he cuts them with a dagger into smaller thin pieces to burn.
And cook using the fire.
And his dog is really pampered and friendly. Just first day, he wanted me to play with him in the floor. This face up and hand gesture means he wants me to get down to play with him (I was told).
First dinner in the SUPER COSY cabin. I was completely overwhelmed by the warmth of the cabin, partly bcos I have not have a proper shelter and sleep for 5 days already. And the Nomad cooks good food. He has this fish, which is called a Stone-bitter. Which is an arctic fish, which likes to bite stones. I have a friend who likes to collect stones. I hope she doesnt like to bite them.
That night, I had the best sleep, since a long time. And I rested my leg and body, after walking more than 5 km the previous day. The Nomad gave me a perfect bed. Super comfortable, with quilts and Big Pillows. Im really overwhelmed by the gesture.
Next morning, the Cabin.
The snow is unbelieveably soft here. Which makes walking extremely tough as well. But the warm gulf stream ensures, its quite comfy. Not too long though.
I love it when the dog runs towards me from 50 metres :).
Afternoon. The sun is over the mountains.
And a fighter plane flew by.
End of Day 6, 11 March 2009.
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