This week has literally run slowlier than other weeks, just because that I am exiting and looking forward to India. Especially on Monday and Tuesday! I was sort of confused on Tuesday, I thought it was already Wenesday. But then things changed over night. Since Wenesday I started to feel stressed because I still have so much to do. I started to worry if I will not manage everything within Friday. Although I felt that I was running out of time, I still had to keep waiting for Friday, but we are soon there!
I finished packing on Wenesday evening, after a lots of pack and unpack(over and over again). I do not know how heavy the bag is, but it is heavy enough for little me! Oh dear, it was not easy to pack this time. I have not been in Thailand for 5 years now and I think I have forgotten how hot it is there. That was my problem.
What I have in my bag is mainly just clothes, because I will not shop clothes there like crazy. I made a promise this year that I shall not buy clothes, exept from when I needed. This time might be the only chance for me visiting the country, so I will surely buy some clothes as sourveniers. If they sell t-shirts, I am the first lady in the line! Alright, I am not going in detail about things I have in my bag. I want to mention things that I think it is clever to bring along.
- Visa card(debit or credit is up to you, but the most important thing is that you have to have enough money on your account, otherwise you will experience awkward situations.) or cash. If you bring cash, be careful!
- A thin overcoat. You may think that you it will be hot when you land. What about on the flight? From my travel experiences, it is often cold on the flight.
- A pair of comfortable shoes. It is not about how they look on your feet, but how comfortable they are when you wear them. Some airports can be really huge and you might will be running from a terminal to another, you never know if your flight will be delay or not. So how ugly your comfortable shoes look, just put them on, or do you risk getting sore legs?
- Antibac napkins/ gel. There are many thousands people in an airport a day. Bacteria is everywhere, even on the seat in the flight or on the table that you will enjoy your delicious lunch. These napkins/ gel will take away the bacteria on your hands when you are not available to wash them.
- Kleenex/ pocket tissues. Oops, did you spilled your softdrink on your wonderful t-shirt? Here, use Kleenex! A must. And always very useful.
- Passport. You will never get out of the country without this tiny booklet with an ugly picture of yourself. Do not forget to get visa in good time before the departure, if the country that you are going to claims.
- Cellphone. Always useful. I do not need to explain, do I?
- Travel insurrance(card). You can not say for sure what is going to happen in the next 2 hours. Make sure that you have one before you go somewhere.
- A good book. Whenever you get bored. A book is a good company. Or a gameboy/ nintendo DS etc. for whom prefers so.
- A camera. What kind of camera or how big it should be, that is up to you. The memories will not always stay on your mind, therefore you need a camera that can memorize for you. Very important!
- Many note papers with all the important numbers. Numbers on your visa card, passport, inssurance Policy No., housephone, cellphone. You should have in different places, in case you loose one. This is very important, esspecially when an accident happens to you.
These things means a lot to me and I always get opportunities to use them. Maybe they will be useful for you too one day?
I wish you a Happy Holiday and Happy Easter! I am off for India.
Dancerwithoushoes
Mar 25, 2010
Mar 22, 2010
Good news and more information
First of all I would like to thank you the person who rated my entries. I do not know yet who that person is, because he/she did not leave a message after him/herself. Anyways, if you are the person who rated my earlier entries, please comment and let me know who you are. So that I can thank you!
Secondly, on Friday the19th March, the passports returned from the Embassy of India in Norway. I was really worried about that. A week before someone from the embassy called to the house telephone and talked to my mum. Ther person did not intruduce him/herself that he/she was calling from teh Embassy of India or so. The person just asked if my mum talks English. She thought it was a phone seller, so she was not interested in what that person said. Suddenly the person just hung up, just like that. My mum found out afterwards where the person called from. She sent me a message that I had to phone back. Yes, I did. I did many times actually. I tried and tried to reach someone, but it seems like no ones is in the office then. I started to be more worry about the visa and the passports, since I heard that many people lost their chance to go to India because they did not get their passport or visa before their arrivals. Luckily, we were not one of them.
Thirdly, about the insurance. I published an entry before about it. The man on the phone was completely wrong. I still have insurance with my mum untill 1st of March 2011. I guess the man was only trying to make us pay for something we really do not need to. Anyways, this rubbish is out of the world now. I do not need my own insurance before next year!
Then I will bring some information and pratical tips.
Now I can look forward to going to India and pack without a worry. I am really exited indeed! And I am feeling weird sometimes when I think about it. I guess I have got travel fever or something... It is not even a week to go. Oh my, I am feeling so exited!!! But this is abnormal, I have not begun to pack yet. Normally I alwasy use to pack latest 1 month before the departure. It is not even a week left and I have not yet begun! Hopefully I will not forget anything important and get stressed. I found some clothes, but I have to decide one more time(I wonder if I want to add more clothes or just buy some new there. I made a promise to myself that I will not buy clothes this year. So far I have not. What would you do if you were me?! I am asking for suggestions/ advice.).
Secondly, on Friday the19th March, the passports returned from the Embassy of India in Norway. I was really worried about that. A week before someone from the embassy called to the house telephone and talked to my mum. Ther person did not intruduce him/herself that he/she was calling from teh Embassy of India or so. The person just asked if my mum talks English. She thought it was a phone seller, so she was not interested in what that person said. Suddenly the person just hung up, just like that. My mum found out afterwards where the person called from. She sent me a message that I had to phone back. Yes, I did. I did many times actually. I tried and tried to reach someone, but it seems like no ones is in the office then. I started to be more worry about the visa and the passports, since I heard that many people lost their chance to go to India because they did not get their passport or visa before their arrivals. Luckily, we were not one of them.
Thirdly, about the insurance. I published an entry before about it. The man on the phone was completely wrong. I still have insurance with my mum untill 1st of March 2011. I guess the man was only trying to make us pay for something we really do not need to. Anyways, this rubbish is out of the world now. I do not need my own insurance before next year!
Then I will bring some information and pratical tips.
- Today's currency: 100 NOK = 771,01 INR.
- The weather is HOT! 36°C in the day and about 20°C in the night.
- "Avoiding culturally inappropriate clothing can help enormously. Steer clear of sleeveless tops, shorts, miniskirts (ankle-length skirts are recommended) and any other skimpy, see-through or tight-fitting clothing. Baggy clothing that hides the contours of your body is the way to go. " I think this is especially meant for women.
- "Keep conversations with unknown men short – getting involved in inane conversations with men can be misinterpreted as a sign of sexual interest. Questions such as ‘Do you have a boyfriend?’ or ‘You are looking very beautiful’ are indicators that the conversation may be taking a steamy tangent. Some women prepare in advance by wearing a pseudo wedding ring, or by announcing early on in the conversation that they are married or engaged (even if it isn’t true)."
- "When interacting with men on a day-to-day basis, adhere to the local practice of not shaking hands. Instead, say namaste – the traditional, respectful Hindu greeting – and bow slightly with the hands brought together at the chest or head level."
Now I can look forward to going to India and pack without a worry. I am really exited indeed! And I am feeling weird sometimes when I think about it. I guess I have got travel fever or something... It is not even a week to go. Oh my, I am feeling so exited!!! But this is abnormal, I have not begun to pack yet. Normally I alwasy use to pack latest 1 month before the departure. It is not even a week left and I have not yet begun! Hopefully I will not forget anything important and get stressed. I found some clothes, but I have to decide one more time(I wonder if I want to add more clothes or just buy some new there. I made a promise to myself that I will not buy clothes this year. So far I have not. What would you do if you were me?! I am asking for suggestions/ advice.).
No private picture this time. I found a wonderful picture of "City Palace in Jaipur".
If I am not wrong, we are going there too!
Dancerwithoushoes
Mar 20, 2010
General Assembly in Oslo
I was on AFS GA in Oslo last weekend(12th-15th og March) with another volenteer from Nordreisa. During the weekend I did not catch much of sleep. I felt really exhausted for 2 dayes after I cam home. That was tough.
Cause to the snowstorm we had last Friday the flight had almost 2 hours delay. So we landed very late in Oslo Airport Gardemoen. From the airport we took a taxi to the Hotel, where we were going to stay during the GA. The taxidriver drove 140km/h at the area where the limit was just 100km/h. I was a bit shocked, but luckily I am still in once piece! Haha. We arrived at the hotel at half past midnight. Got checked in, ate a little bit before we went to bed, then the clock was already nearly 2 o'clock in the night.
We had to get very early on the Saturday morning, because we were be having a breakfast meeting at half past 8. If I am not wrong we woke up at 7 o'clock! Then after the breakfast meeting, we had the whole day long with AFS's GA program. As usually AFS loves to arrange luxury dinner on Saturday evening. Yes, this time too. The dinner was good. It was modern Western-style, and I'm surprised that I liked it.. I sat at a table with other adults and more important persons in AFS. It felt like I did not fit there, but it was way from feeling uncomfortable! I seldom feel uncomfortable with people from AFS. Although I did not drink as many glasses of wine like the other did, I did not feel like they were staring strangly at me either. And a woman, who sat beside of me, still remembered me. She was the one who called me at 10 o'clock in the morning and told me that I have got a hostfamily in Switzerland. That is almost 3 years ago, but she still can remember me. That is what I call impressive!
Sunday was mainly about voting the AFS head person, the new rules and much more. We stayed one more day in Oslo, because we had to stay untill the end of the GA. So we slept at Liv-Heidi's appartment in Oslo, she works in the AFS office ine Oslo. She is a very nice and lovely person. She smiles a lot, when she smiles you will smile too! On the Sunday afternoon I got to see the city of Oslo more properly. I seriously did find the city just ugly, sad and modern. Well, the impression of the city made me be surer that I do not want to spend the rest of my life living in that city. I already missed the mountains outside my house, while I was walking in the streets there. Hopefully I will find more positive sides about Oslo, when I have movde there to study. On Monday we woke up at 8 o'clock and then we had to rush to the train station to reach a train to the airport. We managed all the journey home very well. No delay.
Cause to the snowstorm we had last Friday the flight had almost 2 hours delay. So we landed very late in Oslo Airport Gardemoen. From the airport we took a taxi to the Hotel, where we were going to stay during the GA. The taxidriver drove 140km/h at the area where the limit was just 100km/h. I was a bit shocked, but luckily I am still in once piece! Haha. We arrived at the hotel at half past midnight. Got checked in, ate a little bit before we went to bed, then the clock was already nearly 2 o'clock in the night.
The first message: Oslo, New time 21:15
As we were waiting for our suitcases.
Then we finally arrived at the hotel and this is our night-meal.
He is from Thailand. He opened the GA, playing the flute.
She is also from Thailand. She danced a thai dance. She did it very well!
So in the evening as we were having the luxury dinner time. There were 3 young people who performed unwritten play. That was the day's best entertainment! I like the guy in blue t-shirt best, he was so dramatic. And his hair is really cool!
The appetizer. Small lobsters with chili. It was not hot at all!
The main court. Chicken with a sauce that I do not know the name of.
The dessert. Creme brulee and coffee.
Afterwards I sat around and talked to other people.
Sunday was mainly about voting the AFS head person, the new rules and much more. We stayed one more day in Oslo, because we had to stay untill the end of the GA. So we slept at Liv-Heidi's appartment in Oslo, she works in the AFS office ine Oslo. She is a very nice and lovely person. She smiles a lot, when she smiles you will smile too! On the Sunday afternoon I got to see the city of Oslo more properly. I seriously did find the city just ugly, sad and modern. Well, the impression of the city made me be surer that I do not want to spend the rest of my life living in that city. I already missed the mountains outside my house, while I was walking in the streets there. Hopefully I will find more positive sides about Oslo, when I have movde there to study. On Monday we woke up at 8 o'clock and then we had to rush to the train station to reach a train to the airport. We managed all the journey home very well. No delay.
The view from out hotel room. The elavator was right outside the window.
The hallway.
Our room was on the 3rd floor. So this picture is taken from the 3rd floor. A London phonebox!
The entrance. Picture is taken from the 3rd floor.
The reception.
In the lobby. I would like to recommend people to be hostfamily for AFSers!
The bar. If you turn right and go further, you'll be at the eating hall.
Haha. AFS's on the screen. Lovely!
A good joke.
The Parliament House.
The Grand Hotel. On the balcony on the 3rd floor is where Barack Obama and his wife stood and waved to the audience last year.
1st floor: AFS Norway International Exchange
In the evening we went on dinner with 2 other ladies from AFS office in Finland. Her you see a shopping mall "Aker Brygge".
Where we had our dinner. Big Horn Steak House.
From left: AFS Finland, Liv-Heidi, AFS Finland, Ingrid(volenteer from Nordreisa) and me. Sorry, I do not remember their names...
The City Hall of Oslo.
As we walked home to Liv- Heidi's place, there was a shop named: The little cocosball factury. I would not like working there. I will get fat from the first day. Haha.
Monday. On our way home.
Dancerwithoutshoes
Mar 9, 2010
Travel insurance and shots
Never joke with insurance company. A lady told mum earlier that I don't need one, because I still have the family insurance untill I turn 21. To be 100% sure mum phoned the company last week. A man told her that the lady was wrong. I should get my own insurance, because I will turn 20. I am pretty confused now. Who lies here? Who shall I trust on? Mum and the man did not really fight, but they did discuss about money. I did not hear all of it, because money is incredibly boring subject(but one of the most important one though) I know. So they end up in agreement. He promised to send the travel insurance card and the bill(of course!). Strangely I have not seen anything of it yet. I hope that it will soon arrive, because it is almost just 3 weeks to go now... I sent an e-mail to remind them, and I told them that I keep waiting in just one week otherwise I will contact another company. Hehe.
Please visit the company's website(I use this one):
Europeiske (Norwegian)
It is a part of the company "If...".
So on Monday I got shots, right. Unfortunately, they did have a combination shot against Hepatitis I and II, so they put on me 2 shots. One against Hepatitis I and another one for Hepatitis II on my left arm. It did not really hurt, but I still do not like it! Anyways, then I got a shot on my right arm against Tetanus. This shot really hurt me badly..
DO NOT look at my (panda)eyes!
Please visit the company's website(I use this one):
Europeiske (Norwegian)
It is a part of the company "If...".
So on Monday I got shots, right. Unfortunately, they did have a combination shot against Hepatitis I and II, so they put on me 2 shots. One against Hepatitis I and another one for Hepatitis II on my left arm. It did not really hurt, but I still do not like it! Anyways, then I got a shot on my right arm against Tetanus. This shot really hurt me badly..
As you can see my poor arms after the torture.
The background is blue, just like the feeling after 3 shots on one day. Yes, I was feeling a bit blue.
Dancerwithoutshoes
Mar 7, 2010
Skiing and more preparation for India
So, I'm finally back. On the 28th of February I, my mum and another thai- lady who lives in the village went skiing together. In Norway the most do cross country skiing, so this is very typical Norwegian. Cross country is a challenging sport, but very nice one too. It is challenging because 1) you need to know the technique of how to walk with those long and thin skies, 2) you need to have strong legs to walk up in the mountain and arms to pull yourself forward or up, 3) you need good balance, 4) if you want to race, you really need good condition! I am not born with the skies on my feet like the most of the Norwegians are. I fell just twice on the way down, but I remind you that I haven't been skiing for almost 3 years... I was expected to fall much more times than that, but I ended with a new record. Haha, I am so proud! And I wish that my father could had seen me like that day. He would had been proud too..
We had amazing weather, but a bit too cold(-8°C). Anyways, we had great fun that day. I let the pictures explain you our skiing day.
More preparation for India, please scroll down.
We had amazing weather, but a bit too cold(-8°C). Anyways, we had great fun that day. I let the pictures explain you our skiing day.
More preparation for India, please scroll down.
Kristine Naming, my goddaughter. Isn't she adorable?
We had some trouble with Kristine. She did not want to join us and cried a lot to get her will.
The first stop. Here you see my mum with my old skies, they are extremely short.
Snow, snow, lots of snow!
Up you go, ladies. You can make it!
Soon at our turning spot. We just had to check out the view..
A bit trouble with the skies.
So here we are at our turning spot. As you can see the elch has been there too.
Check out the view behind us. Lyngen alps, they are very famous.
Poor Kristine's mum. She had no energy to walk up. She chose to climb up instead.
Ah, fantastic! Don't you agree?
Ready to turn back down?
My skies are 180cm long - also longer than me. Hehe.
My track and mum's track.
-The End-
Alright. About the visa for India. We have sent the passport and the application form to the Indian Embassy in Oslo. So surely they are under progress. I hope that I will not get in trouble with getting the visa. For a week ago, Solfrid, my dearest friend, has alreadu started to pack for the India trip! I though I was a person that starts packing way too early, but I was wrong. Solfrid started before me this time. But hey, I just started packing today. I put SKIP-BO(an awesome card game), the sunhat and some clothes. I have made a list for 2 months ago about what I shall pack, and I believe that the half part of the list has to be unimportant. Hehe. Mum said that I should take clothes for couple of days, and that I rather shall buy clothes there. For 2010 I made promises to myself, and one of them was not to buy any clothes. And so far so good. I think I will pack enough clothes for the vacation and if I nessessary really need more clothes, I could buy. On Monday the 8th of March, I will get the second shot against Hepatitis I & II and another one against Tetanus. One on each side, and I will be working at school with children the rest of the day. Oh dear, but I will survive! I am a superwoman, aren't I?
Dancerwithoutshoes
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