The title seems very serious and probably I’ve built some expectations in terms of its content. I’m not going to fulfill them. This post will be about growth, however in the most silly way.
One thing that I’ve just realized I’ve learnt here in Morocco is how to… look better at the pictures.
Yes. Because of so many trips, sightseeing, parties etc I was object of much more pics that ever in Poland. That made learn how to smile to look nicer and actually I’m more satisfied with me on the photos. Go to my picasa or Facebook to see how beautiful I am :P
I know – I’m so vain and narcissistic :P
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
[Catarina and Kamil] home alone
in the order of leaving:
Kojo (US)
Ida (US)
Tracy (US)
Daisy (US)
Alex (US)
Sadia (NL)
Sara (NL)
Christina (US)
Allen (US)
Cynthia (US)
Suzanne (NL)
Verena (DE)
Katusha (NL)
Tess (CA)
Naoufel (Morocco)
Amy (UK)
Charlotte (DE)
Khalil (TN)
Hayat (MA/NL)
Mona (EG/UK)
Arnica (NL)
Felicia (RO)
Yahaira (MX)
Ashley (US)
Dimitra (GR)
So it finally happened. I actually thought that it had already happened when I came back from Turkey but at that point I fortunately was wrong.
Now, it’s really happening. In my big flat, with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, toilet, kitchen, three balconies and huge living room there are only two (2) people living (I’m not counting ants and jumping spiders). Me and my dear Catarina from Portugal (hopefully, she’ll stay here long otherwise I’ll be totally alone!). Other 6 people left within last 10 days. And there is no one coming I guess until January or February or … who knows!
I don’t know if any of you has ever seen a movie called L’Auberge Espagnole. If not, please do it and thus you will have the chance to feel in what kind of environment I (I unfortunately must use this word) USED TO live.
Being in this flat with some many people was so crazy, funny, tough, challenging, cool and who knows what kind of other words I could use to describe it.
Just read what is going to change now:
There won’t be crazy parties with more than 30 people at the same time.
I will always know who is sleeping in the flat.
There will be much less mess.
The garbage will not be overflowing.
The refrigerator will be almost empty and it won’t smell bad.
12 roles of toilet paper will not be finished within 3 days.
I will be able to take shower without being threatened that someone will be doing the dishes at the same time at thus the stream of water will be smaller and colder.
There will be not that many random people in the flat.
All the buckets will be free without wet laundry of others.
It will be so fucking quiet.
There will be no long talks at night about life.
There will be no Romanian, Egyptian, Dutch, American and many many other nights with fabulous food.
There will be no neighbors pissed off with us dancing or listening to the music or doing thousands of other things.
The bottle with gas for hot water will be enough for one month and not one week.
There will be hardly any dirty dishes in the sink.
The kitchen sink will not be stuck with food and the bathroom stink will not be stuck with hair.
There will be no clothes hanging on the balconies.
There will be no having meals on the balcony with others.
The glasses and plates will not be being broken that often.
The door will not be slammed so many times.
The water and electricity bills will be smaller (but only in one month or something because we receive them delayed).
The bills for phone and Internet will remain the same.
Probably, we will still have cockroaches and lizards from time to time.
2 bedrooms will be totally empty first time since my arrival.
You will not have time wait in queue for the shower.
There will be no empty shampoo (and who knows what else) bottles under the shower.
There will be no people not letting you sleep or waking you up earlier than you were supposed to wake up.
There will be only one person saying “Oh Kamil! French fries again!”
We will not need another flipchart for writing down names of new people.
There will be less entertainment events.
We will not be going out that much.
There will be way less guests.
You will not be asked by others if you need anything from Label’Vie
There will be no group “picking coffee” in L’Equipe
There will be no guests of guests.
The door ring will almost stop ringing.
The downstairs door ring will almost stop ringing as well and you no longer will have to go downstairs to open the door because the button on the ”brown phone” doesn’t work.
The time when there is no one in the flat will be much often than the time of presence of at least one person.
There will be no people pissed off because of me listening to Bollywood songs or Madonna all the time.
No one will be pissed off not being able to find the kitchen lighter (usually taken by Catarina).
The kitchen lighter will not be lost anymore.
The red-black blanket will not be on the balcony anymore.
There won’t be thousands of laptops, plugs and cables on the table in the living room.
The Internet connection will be faster.
There will be no more people making fun of me being with (or under) my laptop.
There will be no people in their pyjamas.
There will be no more mud on the floor in the bathroom.
There will be more empty beds that the occupied ones.
Random guests or random guests of guests will not have to sleep on the floor anymore.
There will be no more friends/families from home countries.
There will be enough chairs (or too many?).
There will be no fear of plastic table in the living room collapsing because of too many things on it.
The kitchen closet will be almost empty.
To use a fork/spoon/knife/plate etc you will not have to wash it but just take it from the closet with clean dishes.
Kitchen-to-balcony door will be probably closed all the time.
There will be no more spoiled, grouse food.
There will be less grouse things in general.
The oven will not be opening itself and banging against the hard surface of the kitchen blat.
There will be enough place to cook stuff.
Your food will not be disappearing.
I won’t hear anymore “Kamil, the gas is over!/Kamil, when do we have hot water?/Kamil, will you buy the gas today?
There will be no people whom I had to help in opening window or balcony door in the living room.
There will be no more people asking me to throw away the garbage.
There will be no more people openly imitating the funniest things about our other flat mates.
I will have no room mate.
The kitchen sink will be probably empty most of the time.
There will be no more grouse leftovers on the table with thousand of ants eating them.
There will be no cleaning lady twice a week (no money for that :( )
There will be no bed sheets falling from the balcony and being brought back to the flat by some random Moroccan people.
There will be no more police in the flat.
The sound of falling nob in the bathroom will be much more rare.
There will be no new names on the “do you have facebook?” flipchart.
There will be no more AIESEC dances.
There will be no more postcards.
There will be no more weekend trips to different parts of the country.
There will no “Sex and the City” and other movies/TV series being watched together by more than two people.
There will be no more people complaining that the rent is too high.
I won’t be going to the bank so often to pay the money on the bank account.
There will be no loud “good morning” in the morning.
There will be no my favorite hair straightening device.
All the sheets and pillow-cases will be clean now.
It’s gonna be so empty now.
You will be able to use toilet or bathroom without closing the door.
My “flat accounting journal” will have almost no entries.
Oh fuck! I’m so gonna miss EVERYTHING listed above!
Kojo (US)
Ida (US)
Tracy (US)
Daisy (US)
Alex (US)
Sadia (NL)
Sara (NL)
Christina (US)
Allen (US)
Cynthia (US)
Suzanne (NL)
Verena (DE)
Katusha (NL)
Tess (CA)
Naoufel (Morocco)
Amy (UK)
Charlotte (DE)
Khalil (TN)
Hayat (MA/NL)
Mona (EG/UK)
Arnica (NL)
Felicia (RO)
Yahaira (MX)
Ashley (US)
Dimitra (GR)
So it finally happened. I actually thought that it had already happened when I came back from Turkey but at that point I fortunately was wrong.
Now, it’s really happening. In my big flat, with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, toilet, kitchen, three balconies and huge living room there are only two (2) people living (I’m not counting ants and jumping spiders). Me and my dear Catarina from Portugal (hopefully, she’ll stay here long otherwise I’ll be totally alone!). Other 6 people left within last 10 days. And there is no one coming I guess until January or February or … who knows!
I don’t know if any of you has ever seen a movie called L’Auberge Espagnole. If not, please do it and thus you will have the chance to feel in what kind of environment I (I unfortunately must use this word) USED TO live.
Being in this flat with some many people was so crazy, funny, tough, challenging, cool and who knows what kind of other words I could use to describe it.
Just read what is going to change now:
There won’t be crazy parties with more than 30 people at the same time.
I will always know who is sleeping in the flat.
There will be much less mess.
The garbage will not be overflowing.
The refrigerator will be almost empty and it won’t smell bad.
12 roles of toilet paper will not be finished within 3 days.
I will be able to take shower without being threatened that someone will be doing the dishes at the same time at thus the stream of water will be smaller and colder.
There will be not that many random people in the flat.
All the buckets will be free without wet laundry of others.
It will be so fucking quiet.
There will be no long talks at night about life.
There will be no Romanian, Egyptian, Dutch, American and many many other nights with fabulous food.
There will be no neighbors pissed off with us dancing or listening to the music or doing thousands of other things.
The bottle with gas for hot water will be enough for one month and not one week.
There will be hardly any dirty dishes in the sink.
The kitchen sink will not be stuck with food and the bathroom stink will not be stuck with hair.
There will be no clothes hanging on the balconies.
There will be no having meals on the balcony with others.
The glasses and plates will not be being broken that often.
The door will not be slammed so many times.
The water and electricity bills will be smaller (but only in one month or something because we receive them delayed).
The bills for phone and Internet will remain the same.
Probably, we will still have cockroaches and lizards from time to time.
2 bedrooms will be totally empty first time since my arrival.
You will not have time wait in queue for the shower.
There will be no empty shampoo (and who knows what else) bottles under the shower.
There will be no people not letting you sleep or waking you up earlier than you were supposed to wake up.
There will be only one person saying “Oh Kamil! French fries again!”
We will not need another flipchart for writing down names of new people.
There will be less entertainment events.
We will not be going out that much.
There will be way less guests.
You will not be asked by others if you need anything from Label’Vie
There will be no group “picking coffee” in L’Equipe
There will be no guests of guests.
The door ring will almost stop ringing.
The downstairs door ring will almost stop ringing as well and you no longer will have to go downstairs to open the door because the button on the ”brown phone” doesn’t work.
The time when there is no one in the flat will be much often than the time of presence of at least one person.
There will be no people pissed off because of me listening to Bollywood songs or Madonna all the time.
No one will be pissed off not being able to find the kitchen lighter (usually taken by Catarina).
The kitchen lighter will not be lost anymore.
The red-black blanket will not be on the balcony anymore.
There won’t be thousands of laptops, plugs and cables on the table in the living room.
The Internet connection will be faster.
There will be no more people making fun of me being with (or under) my laptop.
There will be no people in their pyjamas.
There will be no more mud on the floor in the bathroom.
There will be more empty beds that the occupied ones.
Random guests or random guests of guests will not have to sleep on the floor anymore.
There will be no more friends/families from home countries.
There will be enough chairs (or too many?).
There will be no fear of plastic table in the living room collapsing because of too many things on it.
The kitchen closet will be almost empty.
To use a fork/spoon/knife/plate etc you will not have to wash it but just take it from the closet with clean dishes.
Kitchen-to-balcony door will be probably closed all the time.
There will be no more spoiled, grouse food.
There will be less grouse things in general.
The oven will not be opening itself and banging against the hard surface of the kitchen blat.
There will be enough place to cook stuff.
Your food will not be disappearing.
I won’t hear anymore “Kamil, the gas is over!/Kamil, when do we have hot water?/Kamil, will you buy the gas today?
There will be no people whom I had to help in opening window or balcony door in the living room.
There will be no more people asking me to throw away the garbage.
There will be no more people openly imitating the funniest things about our other flat mates.
I will have no room mate.
The kitchen sink will be probably empty most of the time.
There will be no more grouse leftovers on the table with thousand of ants eating them.
There will be no cleaning lady twice a week (no money for that :( )
There will be no bed sheets falling from the balcony and being brought back to the flat by some random Moroccan people.
There will be no more police in the flat.
The sound of falling nob in the bathroom will be much more rare.
There will be no new names on the “do you have facebook?” flipchart.
There will be no more AIESEC dances.
There will be no more postcards.
There will be no more weekend trips to different parts of the country.
There will no “Sex and the City” and other movies/TV series being watched together by more than two people.
There will be no more people complaining that the rent is too high.
I won’t be going to the bank so often to pay the money on the bank account.
There will be no loud “good morning” in the morning.
There will be no my favorite hair straightening device.
All the sheets and pillow-cases will be clean now.
It’s gonna be so empty now.
You will be able to use toilet or bathroom without closing the door.
My “flat accounting journal” will have almost no entries.
Oh fuck! I’m so gonna miss EVERYTHING listed above!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
one night only – part deux
Greetings from the airport in Marseille, France where except me, there are only several people (I’ve never seen such a tiny terminal!). I have so little experience of traveling by planes but so relatively big experience of spending nights at the airports (Frankfurt, Casablanca and now Marseille). I’m unlucky but at least I don’t pay much for the tickets and this is probably the reason why my flights are at so weird times of the day and night.
To update you about my night in Casablanca (see the last post). After I finished that post, I interacted with the guard again. I was sitting at his office and charging my battery. Afterwards, I sat with him and he was teaching me French and some Arabic and I was teaching him some Polish. Then we were together reading some French magazine (not porn :P). It was so cool cause I was speaking French!!! :) Then he let me sleep on the soft coach of the cafeteria near his office whereas other people at the airport were sleeping on the uncomfortable, plastic seats. It’s good to have a big network of contacts :D
And today, it is my last night in France.
But let’s have some flashbacks of my stay here. After I arrived in Paris I waited a bit in the centre for one of MC members who were supposed to pick me up. In the meantime, I was admiring Paris. You should have seen me wandering around some random square and enjoying literally everything! Then sitting in a café and thinking “I’m in Paris!!!!!!!!” It’s because I love this city so much but still don’t know why. And the most weird thing – I enjoyed cold! I couldn’t believe that I actually liked the low temperature and this autumn weather that I couldn’t experience in Morocco. The air was so cool and fresh. The sky so grey and the leaves so yellow or orange. The soft wind touching my skin. I missed autumn – I couldn’t believe that.
But then, Paris decided to show his cruel face. The day I arrived the national strike started. It affected public transportation. Most of the lines of the metro were either delayed or suspended. Even my TGV from Marseille to Paris was cancelled but at that point I already knew that I wouldn’t take this train anyway since I was already in Paris. And I’m gonna get reimbursement for that.
Then the conference preparation started. It took us the rest of Tuesday and the whole Wednesday. Thursday morning, we took the bus from Paris to Bordeuax where the conference was supposed to take place. The bus was delayed and furthermore the whole trip lasted for almost 10 hours and because of that the conference started at 7PM instead of 3PM. We decided to move morning plenary to the next day and at the first day we only did the sessions that we planned to.
The conference was a challenge because of many delegates canceling their presence because of strikes. Secondly, we had logistical problems and our level of content preparation left much to be desired. However, despite all these problems we managed to deliver an amazing conference and the delegates were awesome too! It was such a cool experience!
On Sunday, I came back to Paris and on Monday morning by chance I managed to catch wi fi connection in the MC flat and as it turned out – only to get the bad news. My train from Paris to Marseille was called off which meant I didn’t have a mean to catch my plane on Tuesday. Unbelievably calm, I left the flat to have some sightseeing of Paris. I saw Arche de Trumph, Champs Elysees and Louvre (see the pics). Then I met my friend from high school – Agata and we spent nice time too hanging out in the city.
But eventually, I had to face my morning problem and went to Gare de Lyon to ask about my train. It turned out that I needed to buy another ticket for another train and spent seventy fucking seven (77) euro!!! I was so pissed off!!! I will be reimbursed for both cancelled train tickets but it’s only 57 euro in total! I’m gonna see if I can get more. France is extremely messed up country. I could rather expect it from Poland or Morocco but my worldview and my budget were challenged really painfully.
After taking the most expensive train in my life ever I arrived in Marseille where I met Cindy (LCP) and her team member Arnaud (VPTM). They were really cool and we had a drink in a cozy pub. Afterwards, I went to catch the last airport shuttle which I thought I missed and I almost got heart attack thinking of missing my plane to Fez and spending more money (not my money of course since I already have debts – rather borrowing money from others). Luckily, it was another bus and in a while I was sitting inside waiting for getting at the airport.
*** I have been just kindly kicked out from the Terminal 2 and asked to go to Terminal 1. #2 will be closed now (0.30AM) and reopened at 4AM. #1 is way bigger but still with few people looks like a ghost airport. Even some toilettes were closed (where am I supposed to sleep? :D kidding) and of course I couldn’t find a plug but this is normal everywhere I guess. Everything here is so weird and surreal. ***
Experiencing France, even though the tough challenges, was so cool. However, something that I was afraid of happened. It’s either scary or exciting – you must judge it. My plans for next year have to be really thoroughly considered and reviewed. I know that Paris would be a cool place for spending next year(s) but still one question needs to answered. As interns or as …? you know who! A lot of factors that I cannot influence has to be taken into consideration and decision will be made really soon.
More in the next episodes! :)
PS And now, back to the reality – still waiting for my plane for the next 6 hours , then flying to Fez, catching the awful, falling apart #16 bus to the station and spending 3 hours in the train to Rabat. But I still love my life :)
To update you about my night in Casablanca (see the last post). After I finished that post, I interacted with the guard again. I was sitting at his office and charging my battery. Afterwards, I sat with him and he was teaching me French and some Arabic and I was teaching him some Polish. Then we were together reading some French magazine (not porn :P). It was so cool cause I was speaking French!!! :) Then he let me sleep on the soft coach of the cafeteria near his office whereas other people at the airport were sleeping on the uncomfortable, plastic seats. It’s good to have a big network of contacts :D
And today, it is my last night in France.
But let’s have some flashbacks of my stay here. After I arrived in Paris I waited a bit in the centre for one of MC members who were supposed to pick me up. In the meantime, I was admiring Paris. You should have seen me wandering around some random square and enjoying literally everything! Then sitting in a café and thinking “I’m in Paris!!!!!!!!” It’s because I love this city so much but still don’t know why. And the most weird thing – I enjoyed cold! I couldn’t believe that I actually liked the low temperature and this autumn weather that I couldn’t experience in Morocco. The air was so cool and fresh. The sky so grey and the leaves so yellow or orange. The soft wind touching my skin. I missed autumn – I couldn’t believe that.
But then, Paris decided to show his cruel face. The day I arrived the national strike started. It affected public transportation. Most of the lines of the metro were either delayed or suspended. Even my TGV from Marseille to Paris was cancelled but at that point I already knew that I wouldn’t take this train anyway since I was already in Paris. And I’m gonna get reimbursement for that.
Then the conference preparation started. It took us the rest of Tuesday and the whole Wednesday. Thursday morning, we took the bus from Paris to Bordeuax where the conference was supposed to take place. The bus was delayed and furthermore the whole trip lasted for almost 10 hours and because of that the conference started at 7PM instead of 3PM. We decided to move morning plenary to the next day and at the first day we only did the sessions that we planned to.
The conference was a challenge because of many delegates canceling their presence because of strikes. Secondly, we had logistical problems and our level of content preparation left much to be desired. However, despite all these problems we managed to deliver an amazing conference and the delegates were awesome too! It was such a cool experience!
On Sunday, I came back to Paris and on Monday morning by chance I managed to catch wi fi connection in the MC flat and as it turned out – only to get the bad news. My train from Paris to Marseille was called off which meant I didn’t have a mean to catch my plane on Tuesday. Unbelievably calm, I left the flat to have some sightseeing of Paris. I saw Arche de Trumph, Champs Elysees and Louvre (see the pics). Then I met my friend from high school – Agata and we spent nice time too hanging out in the city.
But eventually, I had to face my morning problem and went to Gare de Lyon to ask about my train. It turned out that I needed to buy another ticket for another train and spent seventy fucking seven (77) euro!!! I was so pissed off!!! I will be reimbursed for both cancelled train tickets but it’s only 57 euro in total! I’m gonna see if I can get more. France is extremely messed up country. I could rather expect it from Poland or Morocco but my worldview and my budget were challenged really painfully.
After taking the most expensive train in my life ever I arrived in Marseille where I met Cindy (LCP) and her team member Arnaud (VPTM). They were really cool and we had a drink in a cozy pub. Afterwards, I went to catch the last airport shuttle which I thought I missed and I almost got heart attack thinking of missing my plane to Fez and spending more money (not my money of course since I already have debts – rather borrowing money from others). Luckily, it was another bus and in a while I was sitting inside waiting for getting at the airport.
*** I have been just kindly kicked out from the Terminal 2 and asked to go to Terminal 1. #2 will be closed now (0.30AM) and reopened at 4AM. #1 is way bigger but still with few people looks like a ghost airport. Even some toilettes were closed (where am I supposed to sleep? :D kidding) and of course I couldn’t find a plug but this is normal everywhere I guess. Everything here is so weird and surreal. ***
Experiencing France, even though the tough challenges, was so cool. However, something that I was afraid of happened. It’s either scary or exciting – you must judge it. My plans for next year have to be really thoroughly considered and reviewed. I know that Paris would be a cool place for spending next year(s) but still one question needs to answered. As interns or as …? you know who! A lot of factors that I cannot influence has to be taken into consideration and decision will be made really soon.
More in the next episodes! :)
PS And now, back to the reality – still waiting for my plane for the next 6 hours , then flying to Fez, catching the awful, falling apart #16 bus to the station and spending 3 hours in the train to Rabat. But I still love my life :)
Monday, November 12, 2007
news directly from the Casa airport
Apparently, I succeeded in getting connected. The story is hilarious.
I was sitting on the floor near a plug and watching one of my favorite episodes of SATC when I was approached by a guard who started watching with me. Then his friends came and we were all watching for a while. Then he invited me to a cafeteria near where he bought me Internet access voucher. He didn’t let me pay of course (as usual Moroccan) but obviously wanted something in return. He and his friends wanted to see … some porn movies. Yes… I said I had no porn movies but the guy was smart and he suggested google. With no excitement I agreed for that. His smartness was not deep and he (actually they) didn’t manage to find what they were looking for. All the sites were either non-free or they had to give email to receive some passwords etc etc Their excitement cooled down and so did the battery in my laptop (I actually made the process of the battery dying a bit faster to finish this embarassing story:). Then others went to sleep and the first one invited me to his office to charge my laptop (I may seem stupid for letting be involved in such stories but it was at the airport and they worked here so all seemed fine – anyway, whoever comes here to Morocco, s/he always happens to meet some Moroccans who are usually very good at making new friendships and providing you with involvement in funny stories; one has to understand that they usually don’t want to hurt or cheat you in anyway but they’re just very open and friendly – ask anyone else who was here). In the office (where I’m now), my airport friend is eating his breakfast/dinner (whatever – it’s 2 AM) and drinking the yoghurt I gave him (in return for Internet access) and I’m writing this post :) My check in starts in 3 hours. I wonder what else can happen here.
I’ll keep you updated :)
PS I was (and I am) speaking French with them! I understand most of the things and I can express a lot too! That's so cool!
I was sitting on the floor near a plug and watching one of my favorite episodes of SATC when I was approached by a guard who started watching with me. Then his friends came and we were all watching for a while. Then he invited me to a cafeteria near where he bought me Internet access voucher. He didn’t let me pay of course (as usual Moroccan) but obviously wanted something in return. He and his friends wanted to see … some porn movies. Yes… I said I had no porn movies but the guy was smart and he suggested google. With no excitement I agreed for that. His smartness was not deep and he (actually they) didn’t manage to find what they were looking for. All the sites were either non-free or they had to give email to receive some passwords etc etc Their excitement cooled down and so did the battery in my laptop (I actually made the process of the battery dying a bit faster to finish this embarassing story:). Then others went to sleep and the first one invited me to his office to charge my laptop (I may seem stupid for letting be involved in such stories but it was at the airport and they worked here so all seemed fine – anyway, whoever comes here to Morocco, s/he always happens to meet some Moroccans who are usually very good at making new friendships and providing you with involvement in funny stories; one has to understand that they usually don’t want to hurt or cheat you in anyway but they’re just very open and friendly – ask anyone else who was here). In the office (where I’m now), my airport friend is eating his breakfast/dinner (whatever – it’s 2 AM) and drinking the yoghurt I gave him (in return for Internet access) and I’m writing this post :) My check in starts in 3 hours. I wonder what else can happen here.
I’ll keep you updated :)
PS I was (and I am) speaking French with them! I understand most of the things and I can express a lot too! That's so cool!
Kamil in France
So as you may know I’m traveling to France today. Actually, I’m at the Mohamed V Airport in Casablanca, Morocco right now (not at the moment of posting but at the moment of writing). There is wi fi here but unfortunately you have to buy some credits and the place where they sell them is closed :( it doesn’t work with my debit card either (it’s high time to ask my Polish bank for credit card!). There is one additional stupid thing here at this airport. There is a huge terminal with wi fi but I didn’t find any plug available for users. I was lucky to plug my laptop at the information desk (which is closed right now otherwise I would be kicked out).
I got at the airport around 1h ago and will have to wait until 5 AM when my check in starts. Again, night at the airport. I’m thinking of a place to have a nap – toilet again as I did in Frankfurt in June? :)
*** I’ve been just approached by two nice policemen who took my passport, wrote down some info from it, gave it back, asked a few questions and then wished me “bon voyage!” ***
So, today was my one-day-before-departure day. As it usually happens, I was extremely pissed off and stressed. First of all, I was not supposed to spend night at the airport but be driven here by car. Unfortunately, my friend couldn’t make it :( Then I started thinking about all my travels, tickets, trains, reservation, luggage limits and all these shits. My Thursday TGV train from Marseille to Paris was cancelled due to strike just one day after I changed my flight and decided not to take this train. Nice, isn’t it? If I hadn’t decided to become faci I would be in serious problems. I’m still afraid about my Monday train (from Paris to Marseille). I emailed SNCF (French “PKP”) to give me money back for my cancelled train (they proposed either changing date or getting money back). I hope they won’t cancel my Monday train too. Otherwise, I will not catch my morning flight from Marseille to Fez next Tuesday (btw, exactly in one week I’ll be spending night at the airport – this time in Marseille). Another thing – next Monday I will come back from Bordeaux at 14.30 and my train to Marseille leaves at 15.20. It’s supposed to be enough but slight delay may cause me a lot of troubles. Next issue, my luggage for Marseille-Fez trip is only 10 kilos. I resigned from checked-in baggage and will have only hand baggage. That was stupid but the decision was made in August and at that time my trip to France was supposed to be shorter. Now, I hope they will not ask me to throw away some of my stuff.
Ok, I think these are all my frustrations for now.
Positive things – I’m going to Paris!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAA!!!! So cool !!!! I love this city !!! :) :) :) I’ll be faci at a conference of AIESEC in France. I will travel a lot within France (Paris>Bordeaux>Paris>Marseille). I won’t have much time for sightseeing though but hopefully will be able to take some pics and see the coolest places.
I also believe that the conference will be a chance to review my long term goals – especially in terms of “what to do next term?”.
That’s gonna be crazy week! Sometimes probably stressful and tiring but for sure I will remember it for a long time.
Keep your fingers crossed for my flights, trains, reservations and all that stuff.
I got at the airport around 1h ago and will have to wait until 5 AM when my check in starts. Again, night at the airport. I’m thinking of a place to have a nap – toilet again as I did in Frankfurt in June? :)
*** I’ve been just approached by two nice policemen who took my passport, wrote down some info from it, gave it back, asked a few questions and then wished me “bon voyage!” ***
So, today was my one-day-before-departure day. As it usually happens, I was extremely pissed off and stressed. First of all, I was not supposed to spend night at the airport but be driven here by car. Unfortunately, my friend couldn’t make it :( Then I started thinking about all my travels, tickets, trains, reservation, luggage limits and all these shits. My Thursday TGV train from Marseille to Paris was cancelled due to strike just one day after I changed my flight and decided not to take this train. Nice, isn’t it? If I hadn’t decided to become faci I would be in serious problems. I’m still afraid about my Monday train (from Paris to Marseille). I emailed SNCF (French “PKP”) to give me money back for my cancelled train (they proposed either changing date or getting money back). I hope they won’t cancel my Monday train too. Otherwise, I will not catch my morning flight from Marseille to Fez next Tuesday (btw, exactly in one week I’ll be spending night at the airport – this time in Marseille). Another thing – next Monday I will come back from Bordeaux at 14.30 and my train to Marseille leaves at 15.20. It’s supposed to be enough but slight delay may cause me a lot of troubles. Next issue, my luggage for Marseille-Fez trip is only 10 kilos. I resigned from checked-in baggage and will have only hand baggage. That was stupid but the decision was made in August and at that time my trip to France was supposed to be shorter. Now, I hope they will not ask me to throw away some of my stuff.
Ok, I think these are all my frustrations for now.
Positive things – I’m going to Paris!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAA!!!! So cool !!!! I love this city !!! :) :) :) I’ll be faci at a conference of AIESEC in France. I will travel a lot within France (Paris>Bordeaux>Paris>Marseille). I won’t have much time for sightseeing though but hopefully will be able to take some pics and see the coolest places.
I also believe that the conference will be a chance to review my long term goals – especially in terms of “what to do next term?”.
That’s gonna be crazy week! Sometimes probably stressful and tiring but for sure I will remember it for a long time.
Keep your fingers crossed for my flights, trains, reservations and all that stuff.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
may these networks last forever – part 3
My France plans have just changed!
But from the beginning… As you know a few weeks ago I booked TGV to Paris not to spend 5 days in Marseille only. I was in touch with my friend (an AIESECer who moved from Rabat to Paris) in order to have possibility of staying in Paris with some friends of him, instead of booking a hostel. Somehow MC (Member Committee) got to know that I was traveling to France and they offered me opportunity of being faci (=facilitator) at their National Conference “Spark” since one of the faci selected before had just resigned. Firstly, the negotiations about reimbursement, quick “interview” through gmail chat and checking possibilities of changing my flight and TGV. Then actually booking new flight, reaching agreement and getting down to work! The whole process took one evening and one morning – it was completely unexpected and unusual. But I it was fun.
It’s gonna be totally crazy! This Saturday I have one day local conference in Casablanca. On Tuesday (instead of Thursday which was the previous plan) I’m flying to Paris. 2 days of premeeting and then going for the conference to Bordeaux. Then back to Paris, taking TGV to Marseille and flying to Fez. And after being back in Morocco, hectic preparation to our National Conference “Kick-off”. That’s totally crazy but I enjoy it. It’s even more exciting since it involves different locations on different continents :)
And there is much more good things going on in my personal live but it’s not the place to write about it. Go to SATM to read it (if you don't know what it means just ignore it ;)
I so much like it! Everything! :)
But from the beginning… As you know a few weeks ago I booked TGV to Paris not to spend 5 days in Marseille only. I was in touch with my friend (an AIESECer who moved from Rabat to Paris) in order to have possibility of staying in Paris with some friends of him, instead of booking a hostel. Somehow MC (Member Committee) got to know that I was traveling to France and they offered me opportunity of being faci (=facilitator) at their National Conference “Spark” since one of the faci selected before had just resigned. Firstly, the negotiations about reimbursement, quick “interview” through gmail chat and checking possibilities of changing my flight and TGV. Then actually booking new flight, reaching agreement and getting down to work! The whole process took one evening and one morning – it was completely unexpected and unusual. But I it was fun.
It’s gonna be totally crazy! This Saturday I have one day local conference in Casablanca. On Tuesday (instead of Thursday which was the previous plan) I’m flying to Paris. 2 days of premeeting and then going for the conference to Bordeaux. Then back to Paris, taking TGV to Marseille and flying to Fez. And after being back in Morocco, hectic preparation to our National Conference “Kick-off”. That’s totally crazy but I enjoy it. It’s even more exciting since it involves different locations on different continents :)
And there is much more good things going on in my personal live but it’s not the place to write about it. Go to SATM to read it (if you don't know what it means just ignore it ;)
I so much like it! Everything! :)
Friday, November 2, 2007
people - part 4 "friends and impact"
I've just finished chatting with a few friends of mine. The discussions were on different topics. Either silly jokes, making fun of everything, sending each other stupid pics or movies or updating each other what we've recently been up to or serious discussing about the life.
It's not about the topics of course - it's about the people with whom you can talk about EVERYTHING. And again, I'm grateful that I have so many wonderful people around me! Here in Morocco and in other countries all over the world! Thank you all!
Another thing worth mentioning. I bet that many bloggers have same impressions like me - are our blogs read by others? Does the NeoCounter show the truth? Does [supposedly] hundreds of visitors really get our messages? Recently, I've been blogging about my problems and challenges in my personal life. It was hard but I managed not to be depressed and not to be deprived of the feeling that I love my life. I do love it! But, what's the greatest is that after reading my thoughts my good friend really got inspired and I guess she agrees with me when it comes to such philosophy of life. I'm so happy that I can help others! I'm so happy that I'm making the positive impact on others' lives! It’s an amazing feeling! Believe me!
Make life of others and yours more beautiful! :)
An inspirational video for the end:
It's not about the topics of course - it's about the people with whom you can talk about EVERYTHING. And again, I'm grateful that I have so many wonderful people around me! Here in Morocco and in other countries all over the world! Thank you all!
Another thing worth mentioning. I bet that many bloggers have same impressions like me - are our blogs read by others? Does the NeoCounter show the truth? Does [supposedly] hundreds of visitors really get our messages? Recently, I've been blogging about my problems and challenges in my personal life. It was hard but I managed not to be depressed and not to be deprived of the feeling that I love my life. I do love it! But, what's the greatest is that after reading my thoughts my good friend really got inspired and I guess she agrees with me when it comes to such philosophy of life. I'm so happy that I can help others! I'm so happy that I'm making the positive impact on others' lives! It’s an amazing feeling! Believe me!
Make life of others and yours more beautiful! :)
An inspirational video for the end:
balance
Yesterday, I was talking to my dear and old friend from Poland (friends since 2002) and was trying to cheer her up (everyone has challenges in theirs lives!).
The outcome of this conversation was:
-one shouldn't focus their lives on their families - it will hurt too much when a member of your family dies!
-one shouldn't focus on earning money - it will be hard to survive when your money is gone or when you have less of them than usually!
-one shouldn't focus on job - retirement or losing job will be tough to face!
-one shouldn't focus on relationship - they never last forever!
-one shouldn't focus on friends - they come and go or if not that, they die eventually!
-one shouldn't focus on any single thing! if you lose the centre of your life, the supreme goal you will be really depressed and recovery process will take too long (in worst cases it may never finish)
So what should you do?
What I do and what seems quite successful is to try to have balance between every aspect of your life. It's not easy but it's possible (anyway, who says life is easy??:) You have to care about friends, family, love, money, work and anything else that is important in your life. But don't put too much focus on only one aspect with forgetting about other ones! I don't say that I'm expert in achieving that but I've got the feeling that I'm closer and closer to ideal state. You have to diversify sources of your happiness. In case you lose one, you will still have others to keep you in better shape!
Enjoy living balanced life! :)
The outcome of this conversation was:
-one shouldn't focus their lives on their families - it will hurt too much when a member of your family dies!
-one shouldn't focus on earning money - it will be hard to survive when your money is gone or when you have less of them than usually!
-one shouldn't focus on job - retirement or losing job will be tough to face!
-one shouldn't focus on relationship - they never last forever!
-one shouldn't focus on friends - they come and go or if not that, they die eventually!
-one shouldn't focus on any single thing! if you lose the centre of your life, the supreme goal you will be really depressed and recovery process will take too long (in worst cases it may never finish)
So what should you do?
What I do and what seems quite successful is to try to have balance between every aspect of your life. It's not easy but it's possible (anyway, who says life is easy??:) You have to care about friends, family, love, money, work and anything else that is important in your life. But don't put too much focus on only one aspect with forgetting about other ones! I don't say that I'm expert in achieving that but I've got the feeling that I'm closer and closer to ideal state. You have to diversify sources of your happiness. In case you lose one, you will still have others to keep you in better shape!
Enjoy living balanced life! :)
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