Little adventures...

Week 2 complete, in Switzerland...

 

This is my hostel and the first evidence of snow in Lausanne

This week has brought many little adventures. And with adventures come some laughs, some tears and some victories. The first adventure started when I had to go shopping in the rain. I myself, am not a huge fan of shopping. But it is a necessity, especially when it comes to groceries. My story starts in the rain. After a long day in the lab, running to the small grocery store on campus to restock my miniscule kitchen. I didn't buy too much, but it was enough to fill an entire paper bag. Paper bag being the keyword here. I am not one to get embarrassed easily, however should my paper bag get wet and all my groceries fall all over the place, I think then, I might be. So the mission was to get home, with bag intact. This proved difficult as I did not know the word for rain in French and so attempted making 'rain' signals to people so they'd understand my need to stand under the shelter and not in the 'wet area'. I also could not put the bag on the floor because that would ensure that the bottom of the bag get wet and well, I would then have the bottom fall away and no doubt, end up chasing grapes around the Metro stop. So, I put up with the cramping hands and walked on home. I managed. In celebration I high-fived the packet, only to find that my ever-cherished paper bag, had a plastic-like finish...

A very exciting thing happened this week - it snowed! I went right into it and stood there, in the falling snow, to experience the little snowflakes fall on my face and on my eyelashes. What a treat. I don't think I could ever get bored of watching falling snow. 

As I am staying in a student hostel, one needs to book in time to do one's laundry. I did not know this and so ended up wearing non-matching items to work until laundry day. Nevertheless, laundry day came round. Ever so proud of myself that I had: 1. remembered it was laundry day and 2. organised my clothes into two loads worth, I wandered up to the laundry room to begin load 1. Well, I do not yet speak French nor German which is unfortunate as these are the only two languages my washing machine uses. Not a problem, hello Google Translate. There is however bad signal in the washing room and so everything just takes that little bit longer. I decide to wing it. Clothes in, little soap piece in, close the door, press a few buttons and GO! My washing begins! At a closer glance I realize the little soap piece has jumped out from being IN the clothes to being IN the door. I of course, do not know what 'open' is in either foreign language. I egg the soap on, to jump back in with the clothes or for one of the items of clothing to 'hook' the soap back in with them. It is not to be. So I leave my washing to go round and round and decide that at least they get a good rinse! Needless to say, my one load of washing took around 4 hours, therefore only one load of washing was done. My next washing day is tomorrow - this should go a lot better.

This week I had many realizations and will do my best to take them with me as life goes on. One of them we know so well and yet never implement. That is, to never rely on anyone else to give us our happiness. We need to create our own happiness because at the end of the day, that is all we have to get us through. If anyone else gives us happiness, then that needs to be taken as a bonus. I realized this, when there was a time I wasn't in communications with some of my favourite people. Life gets in the way and you get so busy that before you know it, its too late to talk, or work becomes our priority. I got frustrated that I wasn't happy because for that portion of time, they were not in my life. That is when I decided that I cannot depend on others to make me smile and to make me laugh. Sure, its great when it does happen, but I need to learn to do those things for myself. It is a real hard lesson, because all of us find ourselves living from one moment to the next with our favourite people. However, we can most definitely try to make it that we are happy within ourselves first. 

The first bit of sunshine deserved a selfie!

This thought led me to another. When we are experiencing hard times, we truly need to remember and live off the good times, good moments and good laughs. Its almost as if you need to have a little box of memories that you can call on at any time to get you through a hard day. I am working on building mine up. I started with exploring some of Lausanne today and having a walk around Lake Geneva. Some photos of my journey are below :) Today I found a bit of adventure for myself.

There will be many more pictures of Switzerland to follow as the adventures are just beginning - but these are a start! Have a lovely week and go find or make your own happiness!

A side thought...

Emotions are a funny thing. They rule our lives. They can change our day. They can make our day. It’s all down to how we feel. They change when we are alone and when we are in a crowd of people. They change whether we listen to music or whether we are surrounded by silence.

Often we know exactly what we should be feeling in a certain situation and we just cannot get there. For example, I am given this amazing opportunity and I know I should be feeling excited, inspired and ready. But even in writing that sentence, I feel overwhelmed, nervous and very much like a small fish. It’s harder when people look to you as their pillar of strength because you in actual fact do not feel strong at all.

The same happens in love. One day, you know you should pull back and guard your heart and yet, the next, you are throwing yourself into something you are not sure will work but don’t want to be faced with the questions, what if I tried harder or what if I never told him? It is a complete catch 22 or being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Another plaguing and terrifying thought, is when are we ready? When are we ready to make a commitment, to say yes and to allow yourself to openly fall head over heels in love with someone? We never truly know. So by pulling yourself back, are you denying yourself the chance at love or are you making a wise decision to save yourself the heartache. The biggest problem is that by the time one starts asking themselves these questions, you have already lost your heart to someone and now, merely trying to make yourself feel OK with how you feel. However, you may think you are in love, but it is only ‘in love’ when it is reciprocated. Then, I believe, you can totally and completely fall, head over heels, in love with someone. And when that happens, it is beautiful. Scary, because you are at your most vulnerable, but beautiful. And if you can find a person who can completely hold and nurture that love, then that is when we should go for it.

Finally, there is an art to words that I have learnt over time. Having been through long relationships, short relationships and adventures (if I may) I have learnt that people take the words ‘I am in love with you’ and ‘I adore you’ too lightly. One person can love many people. However, to be in love with a person is completely different. You can only be in love with one person, or so you should anyway. I can barely handle one person, I am not sure how people handle more than one. Then, when you are involved with a person, you need to adore them. Treat them like your better half. Take their interests and dreams seriously and nurture them. When they share their problems, take them gently as you may not think they are problems at all but for them, they may be. Never stop dating. I read a saying once, that if you treat a relationship the same way you did in the first 3 months, your relationship will never see an end. People like being wanted and even more so, needed.

When you find a person, who you think you may be in love with, remember that when you say those words, you are opening yourself up and showing them your most beautiful and vulnerable self. Be ready to accept them as you want them to accept you. May we all find a little bit of love this year. 

Bringing in the New Year!

First off, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year… It is 2016. Seeing as 16 is my favourite number, I have decided that this will be a year for me as much as I can make it so!

And so far, it has started off with a bang. I am in Switzerland! I left Oman and landed in Geneva on the 30^th December. Talk about climate change, my world has completely changed and my body has not quite adjusted. A light breeze, and I am shivering from tip to toe. I have found since that a walk in the cold air is only cold for the first few minutes and very soon after, you are feeling nice and toasty!

I am in Lausanne. What a city. There is French culture everywhere. On my first night I decided to indulge myself. The restaurants here are cosy and warm. This particular restaurant had red wine walls, wooden furniture and smelled like cheese. Real French cheese. I ordered a glass of red wine. Sounded Frenchy so I went for it.  It was quite yummy. I actually should have taken note of the name. Guess I will need to visit the restaurant again!

The later it got, I noticed less people on the street and more in the restaurant. The restaurant became festive and you could hear a hum, roll through the growing crowds. A few families, but mostly couples. Although, the best part, was there wasn’t one phone on the table. All couples seemed to be locked into each other and avidly enjoying their partners’ stories. They all seem to be sipping something out of a big white mug – clearly it is the done thing here and requires investigation.

The owners of the restaurant are so passionate. You can tell that their restaurant is their life. They are interested in their patrons and are keen to help and make your experience in their extended home a memorable one. Their guests are like family and greeted like old friends. Everyone appears to know everyone, so that you can’t help but feel like a foreigner. The owner speaks English thankfully, as I am only beginning to learn French, and tells me of how the snow is late this year and it should arrive end of January. That is something to look forward to.

After I had had an amazing pizza and finished my wine, I enjoyed a chocolate dessert. Thereafter, it was back into the cold air for a stroll back home. The culture here most certainly has a way of capturing you and in so many moments, I wish I wasn’t alone and that they could be shared moments with loved ones. I wish for you that you make some spectacular memories in 2016 and have many shared moments. Make this year count. 

Quite the trip - flights through Africa...

There is something truly inspiring about traveling. The constant flurry of meeting new people, new smells and new sites, is enough to excite anyone with a dose of the travel bug.

I write this out of Tanzania. Didn’t think I would ever get here and yet, here I sit in the Flamingo Cafeteria enjoying an orange flavoured beer called a Twist. Before you get too excited, I am only in the airport. However, you are still surrounded by locals who are speaking Swahili and sharing their smiles.

My September journey out of Muscat, Oman to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia started at 4h35 am this morning, or so it should have. I was sitting on the runway for an hour, only to leave at 5h40 – an hour late. With my connecting flight to Johannesburg, South Africa only having a 45 min leeway, I knew I would miss my flight. But optimism seems to follow me and so I willed the plane to race ahead, possibly being able to catch up the time so that I could make my flight. It was not to be.

On the way to the plane at Muscat International Airport, some of the travellers are also a part of this race. Lots of bumping and pushing and “Yes, that is my toe!” and “No thank you, I would actually like to keep all 10”. Everyone likes to get close and hold onto you when there are bumps in the road, sometimes so much that you have to retrieve your arm back. But otherwise, we got on the plane all toes and arms connected.

Landing in Addis Ababa, we were met by a very friendly Ethiopian man who was dressed in all his airport gear, tie and all, who said quite matter of frankly, “The flight has left already. We will put you in a hotel and you fly tomorrow.” My initial thought was this is exciting – a free hotel stay in a new country! However, with an appointment scheduled at an embassy in Pretoria, there was no way I could arrive a day later. And so I make my way to a transfer desk where they offer me some other options. At this point, I am debating whether to raise my voice and demand that I get on the plane. But I just can’t do that. In addition, the lady that assisted me with other options was incredibly sweet and very willing to help. So smile on, we discuss the options. Either I leave tomorrow, or I catch a flight to Dar Es Salaam (new place!) and then catch a 3^rd flight to Johannesburg. I would arrive 5 hours later than originally anticipated but I would arrive today. So decision made, I was issued with tickets to Dar Es Salaam and off I went. At this point, considering I would be traveling more than 12 hours, I was very grateful I blow dried my hair as to not deal with a curly mess traveling through Africa.

Through the entire process, I cannot fault Ethiopian Airlines, aside from the delayed flight. Everything after that, they have approached with a smile and with the attitude that anything is possible and how can we fix this. This trip has also sparked a massive desire to travel into Africa. Addis Ababa – now that I have seen it for the first time in the daylight – is gorgeous. It consists of rolling green fields and beautiful hills begging for some adventure. And this was only what I saw from the airport. The sites from the airport in Dar Es Salaam are a little different. A bit drier and you don’t see the rolling green fields, but this country holds Mount Kilimanjaro. And that, is an attraction enough.

Although my day hasn’t gone according to plan, I cannot help but feel alive and fulfilled. It’s incredible. Africa is truly an amazing place and I want to see more of it. Africans as well, are a delight – a nation that loves their lands and its people and only wishes to share that with everyone they can. Every person should at some stage in their lives, fly through Africa. Don’t be conventional and choose the normal airlines. Be different and give yourself a cultural experience albeit from an airport cafeteria.

I will leave this little heaven soon and make my way to Johannesburg. I will be greeted with smiles and a comfort of feeling like home. Then I will catch the Gautrain for the first time and make my way to Pretoria. So many firsts in one day – it’s addictive. Wonder what tomorrow will bring – definitely something great J

A sideline adventure - becoming a Rescue Diver!

At the beginning of the year, I found a post on Facebook that said we should try and do something big and new every month of the year. One of my ideas was to do my Rescue Divers course and become a qualified Rescue Diver.

Once the seed had been planted, it was only a matter of time before I was itching to get it done. After having done my Advanced Divers course in Durban, South Africa at the end of November '14, I was still very much in love with being underwater. I also had an amazing instructor, who just so happened to also relocate to Oman at the beginning of this year. After many discussions on when would be a good time to get to the dive school where he worked, we made plans; and, at the end of July I was off to Dubai, to get a lift to Dibba, a little town at the very top of Oman. It can get a little confusing to explain, so I have added a link in, so that you can see where the dive school is exactly, as it borders the UAE.

Nomad Ocean Adventures - Google Maps

The trip from Dubai to Dibba is 2 hours by car. Not too bad at all. The dive school is called Nomad Ocean Adventures. What a place! Check out their website: Nomad Ocean Adventures 

Its a beautiful spot that makes you feel at home instantly. Above is a picture of the view from the school (the sea is so close!) and of the pool in the distance and where all the kits get organised for the dives. More pictures on their website! The people behind the scenes as well as the dive instructors are the best I have dealt with. Extremely professional and knowledgeable in all their descriptions and explanations. They run all courses at their school, which is a PADI affiliated school. They serve amazing food for lunch and dinners, so meal times are always eagerly anticipated. And if you are lucky, one of the instructors may even put together something real special, from his chef days! Also, while you are there you get to meet other divers who will be sharing their experiences with you when you travel to the dive sites. Many a laugh was shared with people who share the same passions as you do!

The Rescue Divers course itself is quite the challenge. Nothing like what you learn as an Open Water or Advanced Diver. In this course you learn to take care of others in an emergency. Its a serious course that requires focus, attention, practice, patience and utmost respect. All of which, you learn as you spend your days with the instructors. I did all my theory work as an e-learning student. You buy your pack online and go through all the sections as you would normally do on other courses. Much nicer to do it this way as you can do it in your own time and redo sections should you want to. Its exceptionally easy to use and all sections have videos that you can watch any number of times. The practical side thereafter is run at a school of your choice, of which mine was Nomad. You run through a number of scenarios numerous times until you feel confident about performing tasks in a real-life situation. 

As for the actual diving offered in this area: the water is beautiful and 90% of the time, you have crystal clear waters in addition to many fish at your fingertips. Also, the Arabian Sea is home to 5 of the 7 turtle species as well as whale sharks and black tip reef sharks. Well worth the visit.

Needless to say, that if you are a diver already and you are debating to which level to train up to, go to Rescue. It instills a confidence in you like no other course. You can help in any situation and potentially save a persons life. It is an absolute no brainer. If you are in the Middle East and you want a holiday as well as a course, go to Nomad. If you can travel there from further away, it will be a great trip. Take the plunge! 

It has certainly been awhile since my last blog post… It’s amazing that when you have so much to tell and to share that your energy levels decrease!

Following on from my previous blog post, we had an amazing evening at the 2015 Canadian Stampede. An amazing party was hosted at an amazing venue! Everyone dressed up so beautifully and it truly felt like we were in the middle of a serious Canadian barn party. It also proved to be a good place to meet some great people – new friends were made and dance moves shared as we partied the night away! My favourite picture from the event of my sister and I follows :) 

Soon after the Canadian Stampede, we were due to leave for Thailand. Final preparations were done and we were leaving on the 18^th March….. FOR A MONTH! The excitement was unbelievable. Will share news of my Thailand travels in the next blog post!

Hello March!

March is going to be a very exciting month for us here – as we will be traveling! More on that later J

After a month in Oman, I have learnt many things about how things work here or don’t. For example: everyone answers yes to everything and you are lead to believe that people understand exactly what you saying and it is truly a great feeling to be understood. Until of course you go back on your achieved ‘Yes” only to find out the answer could never have been yes in the first place. This has come to play when buying clothes and asking if they can be exchanged. “Yes!” they say. Only to get the response “No, no change” a few days later because something is too big or too small.

Following on from the wonderfully positive attitude of yes to everything, locals park anywhere. And I mean anywhere. They can happily leave their cars parked anywhere they feel there is space and sit there for ages. Or better yet, they leave their cars running so the air con stays at full capacity as the heat grows here, with summer approaching and disappear into the shopping mall.

Air con is everywhere here and so most times the heat is bearable because it is disguised by the wonderful coolness of the air con. With everyone having air con everywhere (shopping malls, homes, gyms, street cafes, etc.) there are many maintenance issues. And just like the internet maintenance crew, the air con maintenance crew is equally difficult to get hold of. While you wait, you can live with anything from waterfalls out of your wall (makes for a lovely water feature) or warm air flooding your house instead of cold. Both unbearable after a time. After many phone calls, the maintenance crew arrives. Not in a panel van or bakkie a.k.a. pick-up, but in a fancy 4-door car, with no tools! Fortunately, my dad has an extensive tool collection which they happily used to fix the air con. I wonder how other households manage! Oh the life in Oman! Never a dull day J

A normal shopping experience is the same as anywhere else, with a few differences. Every single trolley goes every direction, but forward. So if you don’t want to go to gym, never fear! Go to a shopping mall and walk up and down with a trolley. You shall be doing sideways lunges and reverse steps and if you really want to give yourself a good workout, try pushing two at the same time for a complete arm workout. In addition to that, girls try use the bathroom at home or at the malls. Don’t stop at a garage. Because you will think the toilets have been stolen as there is only a hole in the ground. Yes, only a very fancy hole in the ground. I shall let you imagine how difficult it is to go through with the entire performance. If that is not bad enough, there is never toilet paper, only a mini shower object. Enough said.

Aside from those challenges, which keep us laughing when retelling the stories, there are some amazing restaurants here. We have been introduced to some delicious Indian food as well as some restaurants which although not Omani, give us insight into what other places in the world offer. I have never been to America but I know that some of the food there is incredible. Service in a restaurant can also be entertaining, purely because in most places there is no service to speak of. You are wonderfully invited into the restaurant and thereafter it becomes a game of who can display themselves the best to get the attention of the waiters. To onlookers on the outside, seeing people stand up and wave their arms could be seen as awkward displays of dance to an unknown rhythm.

The pictures below are from our trips to the restaurants: the mini burgers are from a place called Slider Station. Amazing little burgers of all flavours and you can choose which you like! A Passage to India is a hidden gem here and is well worth the visit. The plate in the picture is what they bring to you after your meal. I don’t know about the little herbs and candy-coated herbs but I tucked into the sugar crystals.

We had the privilege of hosting Ed Sheeran here in Muscat. In Oman, we rarely get artists visiting so any time you can, you make sure you get tickets. The concert was incredible. Any chance you get, do yourself a favour and go and see him perform. Truly a musical artist and no doubt some awesome music still to come. I shall be learning some of his music on guitar! We arrived at the concert with the radio host saying that it would rain that evening. Now, living near the desert (Oman is very mountainous compared to other Middle Eastern countries) we thought the radio host was telling stories. But, not 10 minutes after arriving and just before the concert began, the heavens opened and the rain came pouring down! In a few minutes hundreds of people were absolutely drenched.  It was a short-lived storm but it left its mark. After the rain, fortunately the concert continued without a hitch and we danced and sang the night away. We also got the privilege of seeing the opening act Ryan Keen play. He was very good! Below is a picture of my sister and I at the gig! Some more pictures from the concert follow.

This weekend there is a huge party, the biggest of the year it has been said, called the Canadian Stampede. Everyone dresses up as a cowboy or cowgirl and there is line dancing to add to the whole experience. My sister and I have a love for anything country and so we have been looking forward to this since we bought the tickets (all 300 tickets sold out in 5 hours). I will be updating you with pictures in the next blog post! Have a wonderful March J