Bea In Europe

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY

2009-05-15T15:10:00.001+02:00

Goodbye, well, almost

2008-12-06T19:02:00.001+01:00

I can't believe my time in Olomouc is almost up. Seems like I just got here.

But then again, maybe not. I've just been through so many things, experienced so many new things, met so many people, been to so many places.

I think it's safe to say I spent my time here quite well. :)

More than anything, I will miss the new friends I made over here. We won't be together again like this. Di, Armin and Sarah are going off to Krakow, Olena to Gottingen, while Gena and I go off to Bilbao. And who knows where we will end up after that.

I know it's cliche, but I'm going to say it again. It's the friends you make along the way, those who leave their footprints in your heart, that make your journeys all worth the while.

But before the sad goodbyes, hello schoolwork! I'm still not done! Freakin' essays and presentations. I have lost all ability to write. Gah!

Beautiful Budapest

2008-12-03T23:44:00.022+01:00

My trip to Budapest was the best ever. Oh I would go back there in a heartbeat.

I cannot post all my pictures from there because I have a gazillion of them. But here are some. It's so freakin' hard to upload photos!

This is the Basilica of St. Stephen. So huge. Quite imposing during the day. Awesome at night.

We ate at a local restaurant that served Hungarian-Greek food. Food was yummy, the beer was great :)

Cruising down the Danube River at night is one amazing experience. Definitely the highlight of the trip!

Anyone who wants to go there just tell me, and I will jump on the next train to meet you there. :)

:)

2008-11-24T10:28:00.001+01:00

Snowed In

2008-11-24T10:07:00.004+01:00

The snow has finally come. I didn't know it would be so much fun! If it weren't so freakin' cold I would love for it to snow all year! But that's kinda an impossibility ain' t it, hahaha. Oh well. But bring it on! Can't wait to do more sledding, have snowball fights, and make my first snow angel! Yipee!

Home?

2008-11-07T14:09:00.003+01:00

I am back in Olomouc, after a week in Italy. Whew.

Really feels like home already. I was so relieved to be back. I felt like I was back on home ground, thus safer and more confident. I felt quite the opposite in Rome.

I don't know why I wasn't as enthusiastic as I thought I would be over Rome. But Assisi was great. I do plan to go back, if only for the wonderful people I met when I was there.

There are so many photos to post. I haven't even posted the ones from Budapest, still my favorite city.

I should do that soon, after I finish all my schoolwork! Hahaha.

Vienna waits for you

2008-10-28T20:56:00.018+01:00

We had a long weekend due to the holiday on October 28 so the Six-Pack decided to go on a trip. Bosnia was the country of choice, as Armin, our resident Bosnian, wanted to go home anyway.

Unfortunately for those from developing countries, meaning Olena (Ukraine) and me (Philippines), visas take two weeks to process so we couldn't join the North Americans and EU citizens on the said trip.

We decided instead to join them on the train to Vienna and then part ways, off to Bosnia for the visa free guys, and Hungary for us restricted to the Schengen area.

Here are some photos we took in Vienna. We were rushing around so fast that I'm afraid I can't identify most of them , and so I will refrain from naming any at all. Haha. So this set of photos will have to remain under the category of Somewhere-In-Vienna.

Happy Birthday

2008-10-20T10:48:00.007+02:00

You are the light of my eyes,

You are the sultan of my heart.

Happy happy birthday honey!

Third date it is

2008-10-18T19:50:00.002+02:00

Of course I remember. It did take me awhile but I sure know where this was taken. At Josephine's in Tagaytay, we went with Luke and Cristina.

Ten points! Or do I get a star? :)

Photo Quiz

2008-10-18T07:49:00.003+02:00

I found this old photo from the third date i guess :).... lets see if you can remember where this was taken :)

Hatice's 4th Birthday

2008-10-16T16:20:00.003+02:00

Virtual Birthday

We celebrated Hatice’s fourth birthday with a simple blowing of candles and lots of balloons. Daddy bought her a cake and dressed her up as the princess that she is. And guests came online to wish her a happy one -- Bea from Olomouc and Babaanne (grandmother) and Amca (uncle) from Istanbul.
Happy birthday princess! May all your wishes come true

Practice Makes Purr-fect :)

2008-10-13T20:03:00.001+02:00

Nora: Practice Makes Purr-fect | Movies & TV | SPIKE.com

Sleeping With The Cat

2008-10-13T14:19:00.001+02:00

Football Fever

2008-10-08T15:53:00.002+02:00

8 October 2008

2008-10-08T15:27:00.005+02:00

I forgot to write about my trip to Brno and the Moravian Karst. Oh we had so much fun.

We first dropped by Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic, which is about an hour and a half away by train from Olomouc. We didn’t have much time to spare so we just went to see the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul, and the Spilberg Castle. Both were quite lovely. And we had a great time just taking photos.

From Brno we went on to Blansko, where Tes had a cottage by a lake. It was dark when we got there so it was a bit scary trekking around the lake in complete darkness with a teeny tiny flashlight to guide us. But the cottage was a delight. It was just small but really cozy.

The next day we went to see the famed Moravian Krast. We walked and walked and walked. My legs almost died getting there but when we got there and I saw the gorge, it was beautiful.

From up the hill we went down again to go to the caves. We first went into Catherine’s cave, which was named after a shepherd girl who got lost and died in the cave after she went looking for one lost sheep. How tragic is that? (I personally would have left that dumb sheep to find its own way home :P ) Anyway, the cave was really nice. The “Bamboo Forest” was really cool. And there was stalagnate called the Turkish Minaret, which I just had to take a picture of, for Jay to appreciate, hehe. But the best formation was the Witch. It was just awesome. Really looked like an old crone with a stick.

After Catherine’s Cave, we were lucky to get tickets for the Punkva Caves. The formations of this one were not as interesting for me. The Mirror Lake was pretty nice but nothing held my attention until we reached the bottom of the Machoca Abyss. Good god, it was jaw-dropping eye-popping amazing breathtaking. Just look at the pictures.

We tore ourselves away from that beautiful sight and hopped onto these small boats for an underground river cruise. There wasn’t much to see, or maybe we didn’t see much because we didn’t have an English-speaking guide to point out things to us. The fun part was the unintentional bumper boat experience we ended up having. Two boats crashed into ours twice in the dark. So much fun. Haha.

That ended our caving experience. We thanked Tes and said goodbye and took the train back to Olomouc. Arriving late at night, we called it home for the first time. :)

07 October 2008

2008-10-08T15:16:00.004+02:00

Already things are getting better. The sun has been shining almost everyday since I last wrote. I like all my teachers. And I am really liking the new friends that I’ve made. We call ourselves the Six-Pack, hehe.

Also, one old friend already took the time out to pass by this little town of Olomouc to see me. It was great to see Enrico again. It’s nice to make new friends but old friends are just wonderful to have.

I didn’t know where to take him, as I still don’t know my way around town. We ended up eating at the same Chinese Restaurant on the Town Square twice. And since I had an exam the next day, Enrico walked around town by himself. And got to know more locals in that one afternoon than I did in the almost three weeks that I’ve been here.

It’s a shame that he didn’t get to meet the Six-Pack as they went to Prague for the weekend. I MUST go with them the next time.

Now I’m looking forward to meeting up with Fiore in Italy. Her trip got pushed back a week but that’s okay. Italy, here I come!

07 October 2008
8.30 p.m.

:(

2008-09-26T12:21:00.000+02:00

Girl in Olomouc

2008-09-26T08:45:00.002+02:00

A little girl
Thought she was all grown up
She decided to leave home and all she loved
And try it out on her own

The little girl took a bus, a train, a plane
To go as far away as she could
And with little thought and even less care
She built herself a place to stay.

A little girl sits alone
In the little house she’s made
She wonders finally to herself
What it means to be all grown up

The little girl is cold and lonely
The place she found has beauty but no warmth
And in that solitary moment
She finds that she is lost

A little girl
In a little house away from home
Cries her eyes and all her heart out
And starts to grow up

26 September 2008
7.40 a.m. Olomouc

25 September 2008

2008-09-25T19:41:00.004+02:00

We had about a couple of hours free in between classes today. We went around town and took some goofy pictures. Some locals were making fun of us but we didn’t care. WE were having fun!

I’m beginning to appreciate this town more and more, despite the weather. Who knows, maybe at the end of the semester, I won’t want to leave! Haha.

There are so many statues, fountains and columns and nice old buildings. The cobblestone streets are beginning to grow on me as well, despite the fact that I can’t wear any of my high heeled shoes anymore.

Still have to get used to the food though. Lunch today was not good. Oh well.

This weekend we plan to go to Brno and a nearby town. Brno is the second largest city in the Czech Republic and it’s just two hours away. I forget the name of the other place, but it’s where one of our Czech classmates lives. She’s going to let us stay at their cottage and we’re going spelunking. Whee!

I’m taking a class on Witchcraft and Magic. The professor seems pretty cool. Actually, all my professors seem to be cool. I think I shall enjoy school.

Which is what I’m here for – must not forget that! Haha.

25 September 2008
7.40 pm Olomouc

I Miss you

2008-09-24T06:09:00.007+02:00

All days are nights to see till I see thee,
And nights bright days when dreams do show thee to me

22 September 2008

2008-09-23T08:48:00.002+02:00

I’m pretty psyched. Fiore is getting sent to Italy for an assignment. So I guess I’m flying there to see her.

We’ll probably do a tour of Italy. Whee! Rome, Milan, Florence, Palermo, Venice and I don’t know where else. I want to be under the Tuscan sun! I want to see Portofino! I want to gawk at things and exclaim, bellisima!

But before I forget, I need stuff from Manila so I think I will begin listing them down, hehe.

Sinigang mix
Aji ginisa mix
Lotion
More lotion
Hand cream
Contact lens solution

I hope my sister won’t mind bringing all that! :)

22 September 2008
8.30am Olomouc

21 September 2008

2008-09-23T07:58:00.001+02:00

It’s a Sunday, I got nothing to do. Olomouc is a pretty quiet town. But I’m okay with that.

I can’t wait for classes to start. I want to start doing something. I want to start a routine or a rhythm going. I need some direction.

Can’t believe it’s only been 14 days since I left Manila. It seems like forever.

Was talking to Janice who is in Japan right now. She just made some sinigang. I am so jealous. Maybe I should buy a pot and make some for myself. I just don’t know how I will manage that with the teeny tiny kitchen I have. Not to mention the lack of a rice cooker.

I need warmth!

21 September 2008
1.05 pm Olomouc

Özledim Seni Çok

2008-09-21T17:13:00.000+02:00

20 September 2008

2008-09-21T08:38:00.001+02:00

I haven’t written in so long. I just am so tired. As in really tired.

Maybe my body was just needing its normal dose of rice. I feel a bit better now, after having a good Chinese dinner last night.

I am in Olomouc now. I breezed through Prague without seeing much of it. Boo. I was hoping to see more of it before coming to Olomouc but that wasn’t meant to be. I guess I will see it some other time.

What’s happened since I left Istanbul? Hmm. It was a good flight, but the airport officials were pretty snooty. Asked me to step aside and checked my visas for the longest time. I was cross but I guess I can’t blame them. Aah. The inconviences of having a Philippine passport. Oh well.

Mr. Gryc and Helena picked up. They are such angels. The airport is quite far from the city center, I wouldn’t have been able to get to the city so easily.It was a shock to step out of the airport Christ Almighty, it was freakin’ cold. Good thing I changed my mind about wearing a short skirt!

After picking up my box from Radka’s house, we went to their house, put down my stuff, and had some coffee. Helena walked me around town for a bit. It was more to get me my Czech sim card and exchange money so we didn’t do much really. Went back home and had a yummy Czech dinner.

We planned to do more sightseeing in the morning but got the bad news that I had to be in Olomouc that day. Again, the Grycs are such angels. They piled all my stuff back into the car and drove me all the way here! I really wouldn’t know what to do without them. They are so sweet. And they told me that anytime I want to go to Prague, their home is open to me. Aww. I feel so blessed. Really.

Anyway, I rushed through registration stuff with Eva, the volunteer student assistant who has been really great with us. I have met my classmates and they are really nice. I am quite happy with our small group—me, a Filipino, Sarah, an American, Gen, a Canadian, Armin, a Bosnian, and Diana, a Portuguese. And then we have four Czech classmates.

I’m still in settling down mode over here. It still feels strange, and I am far from happy. I don’t know what it is. But I dearly hope to start feeling at home and more comfortable with the as yet strange surroundings.

I actually prefer Istanbul. I think. I don’t know yet. Let’s see. That’s really all I can say. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.

20 September 2008
12.45pm Olomouc

Random Istanbul Photos

2008-09-20T15:50:00.001+02:00

15 September 2008

2008-09-20T15:38:00.000+02:00

I didn’t do anything yesterday. Had a headache. And was terribly depressed. Woke up on the wrong side of the bed I guess. I was cross at Jay the whole day.

Today we went to the hamam! I loved it. The scrubbing down and the sauna bit. How do I say this, I didn’t know I needed that much scrubbing!Haha.Goodness. The article on Lonely Planet about Turkish baths is so true! Down to the massive breasts of the, err, scrubber. And I got to touch them too,haha.Not on my own accord, mind you.

Anyway, I felt quite good after that. I was smiling again after such a bad day yesterday.

In the afternoon we went for a drive with the cousin of Jay’s mom and her son. We went to the northern part of the Golden Horn. Goodness, everything was just so nice. I could just drive around all day and be amazed at what I see. If I could drive, that is.

Felt the need to eat something familiar, so I had a burger from Burger King. What comfort. But it’s quite expensive here. Oh well.

Chatted with Jay and Hatice for quite some time. Jay’s working on the Bea in Europe blog. I want to add some things, but due to certain technical problems, that will have to wait ‘til I’m in Olomouc.

In the evening,we visited the sister of his mom. Goodness, so many people were waiting for us.I don’t know exactly who the others were,but there were sons and daughters and grandchildren involved.One thing struck me: the young women were so pretty!And the kids were so cute.And they were all very nice.

We watched a match between Besiktas and Trabzon. Unfortunately, it was quite lame. It ended 0-0. How sad.

Ate too much today. Gotta start dieting again! I won’t fit into my clothes anymore at the rate I’m going. Eek.

But to end this on a positive note, even though I’m getting fat, people still think I have the prettiest hands, fingers to be exact. Hehe.

Hoscakal!

14 September 2008
11.36 pm Istanbul time

12 September 2008

2008-09-20T15:32:00.000+02:00

Just got back from Uncle Devrim’s house on the Asian side. We had dinner with his family and Nilufer. I think I like her. She’s just a year older. We talked a little today about how confusing life is and how difficult it is to make choices.

We went to visit the grave of Jay’s father. Best cemetery I’ve ever seen. It’s on a hillside – you get a sweeping view of the city. The place itself is quiet (of course) and lovely. I love the trees. I seem to like taking pictures of graves, haha.

A friend of Jay's mom went with us to the cemetery. Can’t remember her name though. She’s quite old, and has had breast cancer for the longest time. But the miracle is that she seems quite healthy. She was walking along with us, refusing a hand when climbing, asking if I wanted some help with the water jug! Amazing.

She read my fortune the other night – after drinking Turkish coffee, you turn your cup upside down, and someone reads your fortune. She saw birds and light in my future. Said there is happiness in my near future. And that I will fly high, and my dreams will come true. How perfect is that?

But who knows what tomorrow brings? Let’s see.

I’m pretty pooped. It’s almost 6 am in Manila. I better get some sleep.

12 September 2008
11.10 pm Istanbul time

11 September 2008

2008-09-20T15:26:00.000+02:00

I couldn’t write last night.

I saw so many places yesterday. Yesterday was the best so far.

Jay’s mom took me on a boat ride down the Golden Horn to cross over to the Asian side. From the boat you see the city rising from the sea, the distant hills dotted with minarets from this and that mosque or palace.

We walked around Kadikoy for awhile, I ate some doner. Yum! Then we took a bus that would take us back to the European side via the bridge. My goodness. Crossing the bridge was wonderful. The view was great. I couldn’t stop taking photos.

Back in Europe, we got off and walked some more. I got to see more of the old walls of Istanbul. Also passed by the Christian cemetery, and then a Muslim cemetery. These I saw merely walking back to Jay’s house.

In the afternoon, she took me out again, this time to the mosque in Eminonu. It’s like their version of St. Peter’s in Rome. I don’t mean its religious equivalent, but its dove thing equivalent. So many birds on the square. And people buying bird food to feed to them and get their photo taken in action.

We went inside the mosque and I heard people praying. Well it was more like someone chanting into the microphone and the people praying along quietly to themselves. I had to wear a veil to enter this one.

From there we walked again to the Grand Bazaar, saw more things. I guess I will when I drop by again on my way home to Manila. Can’t store whatever I’d buy for more than a year!But my goodness, so many stuff to buy! Spices for one. Then carpets, that nargile, jewellery, etc. I have to remember that mom wants a musical instrument.

After the Grand Bazaar, she took me to an underground water cistern from the Byzantine period. That was cool. I will let the pictures do the talking for this one. I told Jay I want him to take me there again – there’s a nice little café right by the exit that looks so quaint and romantic.

And that was it for the day. I was wasted. Well, maybe not me, but my feet. They hurt until now actually. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to do more walking today – which I am sure is on the agenda.

I am cross with Jay. I had a hard time reaching him last night. I don’t want that to happen again. Ever.

He just called. And despite everything, and I guess, because of everything, I miss him so much. I don’t know what to do anymore.

I hear his mother preparing breakfast for me outside. I better go. Because I love breakfast over here! Cheese, bread, butter, olives, jam, even freshly squeezed orange juice! Çok lezzetliydi!

Gotta go!

11 September 2008
6.57 am Istanbul time

9 September 2008

2008-09-20T15:21:00.000+02:00

Don’t feel much like writing. I’m falling asleep.

Today was much like family day: went to the market with Jay’s mom, went to the gym with Jay’s brother.

But of course there was more sightseeing. An Orthodox church nearby with Jay’s mom. Then the Sultan Ahmet Mosque and the Hagia Sofia with his brother. We also went to the Grand Bazaar. But we didn’t tarry too long there. Jay warned me that the prices there are too much touristy.

Today, the saying “a rose, called by any other name, would smell as sweet,” is challenging me. I don’t know what to think anymore. Let’s see how things go.

Really sleepy.
Bye.

9 September 2008
11.56 pm Istanbul time

8 September 2008

2008-09-20T15:03:00.000+02:00

End of day one. I woke up early so it’s been a bit of a long one.

Jay’s mom took me out. We went to the market. Angel and Fiore would die. Such wonderful smells. Fresh dill, newly baked bread, olives of all kinds, spicy peppers, spring onions. Such wonderful sights. Big red tomatoes, giant cabbages, mounds of green pepper.

After the market we walked a long road lined with shops. Mostly shops of wedding dresses. Never saw so many of them in my entire life.

We bought many things, all for me. Socks of all kinds, long sleeved tops, leggings.

I wanted to eat shish kebab so she brought me to this small restaurant. Yum! Jay is right, the restaurants back home don’t stand a chance against the real thing. I want some more! But I think tomorrow I shall try other things. Like borek and that dessert Sarah was telling me about.

In the morning, Jay’s mom showed me their family photos. Tonight, I showed her mine.

They also have Deal or No Deal over here, but the format is much different.

I can’t stop missing Jay. I want to experience this whole thing with him. Oh well.

We walked so much today. I don’t know how she does it. I was huffing and puffing already – it’s quite embarrassing actually. Unhealthy me! I think I shall finally start drinking those multivitamins.

I think I shall sleep now. It’s past 4 am Manila time.

I hope to upload pictures soon and start my travel blog. I hope Jay hasn’t forgotten to start our blog – our countdown.

That’s all for tonight. Goodnight!

8 September 2008
11.15 pm Istanbul time

7 September 2008

2008-09-20T14:58:00.000+02:00

I always thought I would love jetting around the world. Today I discovered that I am not up for it. It meaning the long travelling hours stuck in a plane with nothing to do. I would imagine that I wouldn’t be feeling this bad if I weren’t alone. Still, any companion would not be able to take away the aching muscles and throbbing headache I have at the moment.

Darn, the battery of this laptop is pretty useless. It’s going, going, soon to be gone. I will write again some other time.

Dear god, I miss Jay so much. The reality of a year and a half of being apart is just beginning to sink in. was looking at the stuff that I can buy onboard, and all I see are things I want to get for him. Oh well.

Until next time.

10.57 pm Manila Time
7 September 2008

6.September 2008 Departure Day

2008-09-10T13:35:00.000+02:00

Terminal 3 8.45 pm Bangkok Flight

When you're so lonely lying in bed
Night's closed its eyes but you can't rest your head
Everyone's sleeping all through the house
You wish you could dream but forgot to somehow
Sing this lullaby to yourself.
Sing this lullaby to yourself
And if you are waiting, waiting for me
Know I'll be home soon darling I guarantee
Dry up your tears if you start to weep
And sing this lullaby to yourself
Cause when I arrive dear it won't be that long
No it won't seem like anytime that I've been gone
It ain't the first time it won't be the last
Won't you remember these words to help the time pass?
So when you're so lonely lying in bed
Night's closed its eyes but you can't rest your head
Everyone's sleeping all through the house
You wish you could dream but forgot to somehow
Sing this lullaby to yourself.