Finally I am back...
I have been thinking of blogging for ages. Unfortunately, it was never a priority. So much has happened in the last 1 month. I left Rotterdam for India from Aug 20th and we came back on Sep 15th - a whole 27 days journey! I loved it though I am emotionally and physically different now.
It is really cool to be back to Rotterdam.
Standing at the rooftop of Hofdijk, I can see the city centre of Rotterdam. It feels so familar, just like home. I couldn't help smiling, it feels so good coming back. Regardless how facinating India is, almost all of us wanted to be back so much. Yesterday, I went to the market - same crowded, people yelling. I really want to sit outside of Dudok for an apple pie and hot chocolate. Or chill at the old harbour for a drink. They are definitely on my to-do list before I leave for country visits.
Today is mid-autumn festival, a Chinese festival for families to gather together. I called my parents, same old words - I need to see the doctor because I am still ill back from India. I went to the China Town for some cantonese dim sum - it was brilliant! Again, I ordered too much. Pity that I couldn't buy any mooncake because it is Sunday, supermarkets are all closed before 2pm. What a lazy country!!! I guess it is good enough. If it was not Cliff, I won't even know it is mid-autumn day anyways.
I got my residence card, ALREADY! I don't need to go to Rjiswjik for re-entry VISA any more. And my VISA's for Asian countries will be faster due to my residency. ;-)
I am still a bit sick.
I am still having stomach upset and a bit of fever. I wonder if the damage of being in India is permanant or what?! I broke my head on Day -1 of the conference. I was having really serious diarrhea. I blacked out at 4pm after toilet. I unfortunately hit my head on the luggage stoll and I was stuck there for at least 30 minutes until Oriana (my roommate) came and asked if I was okay. I even didn't know I broke my head and bleeded all over my face. Then I lied on the floor and though I was gonna die cuz it must be malaria cuz I felt really weak. Hours late in the morning, I found my face covered with blood in the mirror. Again, a couple of more hours later till 3pm, I finally got a doctor and sent into the closest hospital (as dodgy as you can imagine) for IV and plastic surgery. (If you know my parents, make sure you don't tell them about this part of the story.) I've never had any surgery in my life! I had no scar on me, whatsorever! I lost my 'virginity' here. I was not sure what does this mean. Everything has its first times. Sometimes, it comes very dramatic. The hospital was unbearable. Lying there alone was very boring, I managed to get out at 11:30pm. For the rest of the conference, I had zillion times explaining what happend with my forehead. Obviously, I shouldn't drink any more! ;-)
I am not too bothered by my scar. I just wish it will disappear before I go back to see my parents. They've protected me so well that I've never got hurt or anything. At the same time, it strikes me how pampered I am, I don't even know how to take care of myself. Meanwhile, I keep on telling myself how lucky I was - I didn't break my eye! Many of my teamates were ill, some of them for more than once! Just make sure you don't bang your head randomly!
India is a free land.
As a Chinese, I cannot help comparing. I compared a lot when I was writing my graduation thesis. The non-stop comparison goes into my 2nd trip to India as well. I've seen so much variety. Jaipur, Delhi, Bombay, Agra, they were all different. They all had different characters. (I wonder if Agra is famous for food poisoning or polluted water or what?! Kidding.)
I didn't go to see Taj Mahal after living in Agra for 3 weeks, a stone throw away from Taj! I know it is very stupid. But I was either busy or sick or both. This means I need to pay more visits (I wish!) to India. I am still a bit scared of Agra, even Indians got sick.
More interesting than shopping or sightseeing, is spending time with Indian families. I had the luck to stay with Vaibhav, Rajiv and Abhinav's families. They were all very different parents but all gave me some insight of Indian families. I still remember Vaibhav's mom was smiling at me everytime she saw me and invited me to visit her again. Rajiv's mom is very calm, wise and good at comforting people. She encouraged me to be more brave when I was tearing missing my parents. Abhinav's mom thought we were dating (hell no!). She showed me how people were celebrating the Ganesh festival (an interesting Hindu religion festival, the god Ganesh is the elephant). It was all interesting conversations and things to see.
I loved the 3 cities as well. Jaipur has a bit too many animals though - elephants, camels, monkeys, cows and even horses! It was chilling, old, historical, intellectual (as how Vaibhav is) and a great shopping place. I bought a beautiful bed spread embroided elephants with golden stitches.
I didn't see much of Delhi. But I loved the Lotus Temple - peaceful. It has no god and no electric lights in it. It is naturally bright and quiet. I can sit there forever, enjoying the silence, breeze. I cannot remember clearly what it stands for, something about peace and freedom. Every religion has its HQ in India. This is how tolerant Hindusm is.
Bombay is a party place! Or maybe because I was with Abhinav. It was fun seeing how he was meeting his friends again after 5 or 6 years. I share his feeling not being able to connect with old high school friends who grew up with us together. His friends certainly reminded me of my friends at home, all working, dating someone, trying to settle down. Taking local train for 50 minutes from Vashi to central (actually south) Bombay was great fun. It was even more fun taking it back to Vashi with a 2nd class ticket. Centre Bombay has so much British influences. I guess it must have a quite big expatriate population. I had a great time hanging out with Abhinav and his friends in nice bar/restaurants and clubs. It reminded me of my very expat life last year in Beijing - hanging out with those boys (Adam, Rohit and Nick) all the time.
I love the Indian life style - get up with a cup of tea (or Chai, I am not sure what it should be called), breakfast at 11am, lunch at 3pm, dinner at 10pm. Food is of very strong tastes though tastes very similar for me. They are either very spicy or very sweet. Drinks are usually salty. I enjoyed all of them though I am not sure I want it all the time. Religion is such a big part of their life. Celebrating Ganesh festival, each and every family, rent a huge truck, singing and dancing all the way to dip Ganesh statues into the water. It indicates no matter how much you like something, you should be able to leave it as well. I always loved Indian wisdom. ;-) All the 3 moms have great cooking skills. I loved those home made food. It upsets my stomach a bit less. ;p
India is a lot about its colors, sounds, different life, religions, politics. I really wish it demostrates the true democracy on such a vast land. It takes time or even more than just time. But it is humanity - what we should all respect. I have so much faith in this country's future. I will go back to learn more about it.
IC was a blast!
I think most of us will agree that it is the best in the recent history. It gives this organization so much bread and salt to have things happen on the ground. It gives clear direction and approach of how we can make a difference. For me, IC certainly has a lot to summarize and learn from as me and my team's debute. I got amazed by a team of 20 different individuals setting up the same excellence bar and gave our best shots (this includes AI dance! ;-). It brings clarity of what needs to be done till IPM. And of course, it creates so much workload at the same time.
IC is different for me as AI and a Chinese MCP. I was a lot more restricted within APGN with the delegates I connected with. It is certainly because of my position rather than my personality. On the other hand, I really wanted to continue making good friends with delegates as I used to. Seems like I have a lot to realize at IPM 06 - my last AIESEC conference. This leads to an interesting discussion: quite a few people who know me fairly well were asking if I am gonna go for the top - running for PAI. The answer is not. I not yet feel attracted to PAI position. I really love my GN director position - the coolest on AI. Like Oriana said when we were doing hash run on Friday evening - we should give a toast to the five of us going to the ground in the next 3 months, facing all kinds of problems in countries, trying to make a change for this organization. Honestly, I cannot be more proud to take the challenge and wait to see the SOGA results in Jan.
It is really cool to be back to Rotterdam.
Standing at the rooftop of Hofdijk, I can see the city centre of Rotterdam. It feels so familar, just like home. I couldn't help smiling, it feels so good coming back. Regardless how facinating India is, almost all of us wanted to be back so much. Yesterday, I went to the market - same crowded, people yelling. I really want to sit outside of Dudok for an apple pie and hot chocolate. Or chill at the old harbour for a drink. They are definitely on my to-do list before I leave for country visits.
Today is mid-autumn festival, a Chinese festival for families to gather together. I called my parents, same old words - I need to see the doctor because I am still ill back from India. I went to the China Town for some cantonese dim sum - it was brilliant! Again, I ordered too much. Pity that I couldn't buy any mooncake because it is Sunday, supermarkets are all closed before 2pm. What a lazy country!!! I guess it is good enough. If it was not Cliff, I won't even know it is mid-autumn day anyways.
I got my residence card, ALREADY! I don't need to go to Rjiswjik for re-entry VISA any more. And my VISA's for Asian countries will be faster due to my residency. ;-)
I am still a bit sick.
I am still having stomach upset and a bit of fever. I wonder if the damage of being in India is permanant or what?! I broke my head on Day -1 of the conference. I was having really serious diarrhea. I blacked out at 4pm after toilet. I unfortunately hit my head on the luggage stoll and I was stuck there for at least 30 minutes until Oriana (my roommate) came and asked if I was okay. I even didn't know I broke my head and bleeded all over my face. Then I lied on the floor and though I was gonna die cuz it must be malaria cuz I felt really weak. Hours late in the morning, I found my face covered with blood in the mirror. Again, a couple of more hours later till 3pm, I finally got a doctor and sent into the closest hospital (as dodgy as you can imagine) for IV and plastic surgery. (If you know my parents, make sure you don't tell them about this part of the story.) I've never had any surgery in my life! I had no scar on me, whatsorever! I lost my 'virginity' here. I was not sure what does this mean. Everything has its first times. Sometimes, it comes very dramatic. The hospital was unbearable. Lying there alone was very boring, I managed to get out at 11:30pm. For the rest of the conference, I had zillion times explaining what happend with my forehead. Obviously, I shouldn't drink any more! ;-)
I am not too bothered by my scar. I just wish it will disappear before I go back to see my parents. They've protected me so well that I've never got hurt or anything. At the same time, it strikes me how pampered I am, I don't even know how to take care of myself. Meanwhile, I keep on telling myself how lucky I was - I didn't break my eye! Many of my teamates were ill, some of them for more than once! Just make sure you don't bang your head randomly!
India is a free land.
As a Chinese, I cannot help comparing. I compared a lot when I was writing my graduation thesis. The non-stop comparison goes into my 2nd trip to India as well. I've seen so much variety. Jaipur, Delhi, Bombay, Agra, they were all different. They all had different characters. (I wonder if Agra is famous for food poisoning or polluted water or what?! Kidding.)
I didn't go to see Taj Mahal after living in Agra for 3 weeks, a stone throw away from Taj! I know it is very stupid. But I was either busy or sick or both. This means I need to pay more visits (I wish!) to India. I am still a bit scared of Agra, even Indians got sick.
More interesting than shopping or sightseeing, is spending time with Indian families. I had the luck to stay with Vaibhav, Rajiv and Abhinav's families. They were all very different parents but all gave me some insight of Indian families. I still remember Vaibhav's mom was smiling at me everytime she saw me and invited me to visit her again. Rajiv's mom is very calm, wise and good at comforting people. She encouraged me to be more brave when I was tearing missing my parents. Abhinav's mom thought we were dating (hell no!). She showed me how people were celebrating the Ganesh festival (an interesting Hindu religion festival, the god Ganesh is the elephant). It was all interesting conversations and things to see.
I loved the 3 cities as well. Jaipur has a bit too many animals though - elephants, camels, monkeys, cows and even horses! It was chilling, old, historical, intellectual (as how Vaibhav is) and a great shopping place. I bought a beautiful bed spread embroided elephants with golden stitches.
I didn't see much of Delhi. But I loved the Lotus Temple - peaceful. It has no god and no electric lights in it. It is naturally bright and quiet. I can sit there forever, enjoying the silence, breeze. I cannot remember clearly what it stands for, something about peace and freedom. Every religion has its HQ in India. This is how tolerant Hindusm is.
Bombay is a party place! Or maybe because I was with Abhinav. It was fun seeing how he was meeting his friends again after 5 or 6 years. I share his feeling not being able to connect with old high school friends who grew up with us together. His friends certainly reminded me of my friends at home, all working, dating someone, trying to settle down. Taking local train for 50 minutes from Vashi to central (actually south) Bombay was great fun. It was even more fun taking it back to Vashi with a 2nd class ticket. Centre Bombay has so much British influences. I guess it must have a quite big expatriate population. I had a great time hanging out with Abhinav and his friends in nice bar/restaurants and clubs. It reminded me of my very expat life last year in Beijing - hanging out with those boys (Adam, Rohit and Nick) all the time.
I love the Indian life style - get up with a cup of tea (or Chai, I am not sure what it should be called), breakfast at 11am, lunch at 3pm, dinner at 10pm. Food is of very strong tastes though tastes very similar for me. They are either very spicy or very sweet. Drinks are usually salty. I enjoyed all of them though I am not sure I want it all the time. Religion is such a big part of their life. Celebrating Ganesh festival, each and every family, rent a huge truck, singing and dancing all the way to dip Ganesh statues into the water. It indicates no matter how much you like something, you should be able to leave it as well. I always loved Indian wisdom. ;-) All the 3 moms have great cooking skills. I loved those home made food. It upsets my stomach a bit less. ;p
India is a lot about its colors, sounds, different life, religions, politics. I really wish it demostrates the true democracy on such a vast land. It takes time or even more than just time. But it is humanity - what we should all respect. I have so much faith in this country's future. I will go back to learn more about it.
IC was a blast!
I think most of us will agree that it is the best in the recent history. It gives this organization so much bread and salt to have things happen on the ground. It gives clear direction and approach of how we can make a difference. For me, IC certainly has a lot to summarize and learn from as me and my team's debute. I got amazed by a team of 20 different individuals setting up the same excellence bar and gave our best shots (this includes AI dance! ;-). It brings clarity of what needs to be done till IPM. And of course, it creates so much workload at the same time.
IC is different for me as AI and a Chinese MCP. I was a lot more restricted within APGN with the delegates I connected with. It is certainly because of my position rather than my personality. On the other hand, I really wanted to continue making good friends with delegates as I used to. Seems like I have a lot to realize at IPM 06 - my last AIESEC conference. This leads to an interesting discussion: quite a few people who know me fairly well were asking if I am gonna go for the top - running for PAI. The answer is not. I not yet feel attracted to PAI position. I really love my GN director position - the coolest on AI. Like Oriana said when we were doing hash run on Friday evening - we should give a toast to the five of us going to the ground in the next 3 months, facing all kinds of problems in countries, trying to make a change for this organization. Honestly, I cannot be more proud to take the challenge and wait to see the SOGA results in Jan.
posted by Jingwei @ 5:36 PM
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