Musical Chair

There is a new game in Paris, it’s called Musical Chair in Metro, and the most thrilling time to play is during transport strike. The game is just like the regular musical chair, but can only be played in a terminus station with many many (uncivilised) commuters elbowing for a limited seats.

When a subway slowly approaches the platform, everyone moves towards the edge. The train stops. Everyone eyes the door and waiting for it to open. Once the door slides open, everyone rushes in, eblowing and shoving others to get a seat. The loosers will be punished: they will be squash by other commuters entering in each station.

I reckon the best place to play this game is station La Défense, line 1, for maximum challenge. Where you will be pressed against men and women in suits and high heels.

Just another Strike

Welcome to France and embrace its national sport: strike

Today begins the second wave of strike by transport and energy workers. Since last week everyone has been anticipating this big day, trying to organise one’s life without public transportation.

I have been working on a design document that is has to be delivered by Thursday. Since I already collected the necessary information, I asked my client if I could work from home to finish the document. He agreed, with the condition that I ‘work hard for his project”.

I stayed home the entire day working on the document. Now the document is finished and in the hands of my boss. Tomorrow I will enjoy a day without work and pack my luggage for my long weekend in Madrid!

So I gave in

yes, I am in Facebook now. Fed up of hearing ''oh, it's in Facebook."

Work from home

I am working from home today because there is nearly no public transportation; there is a strike by public transportation worker to protest proposed reform on their pension privileges. In Paris, there are limited metro, bus or regional train running.

Since I have neither a car nor a bicycle, the only way for me to get to my office in the suburb is car-sharing. Hitchhiking might work too, the last when they had a transportation strike like this one in 2003, I managed to hitchhike with two cars to get to my office in downtown Paris.

Today I opt for the easy way, work from home and enjoy the calmness.

Jujitsu

Jujitsu is a Japanese martial art consisting primarily of grappling techniques. I found out there is a Jujitsu club near by my house and I decided to give it a try.

The session lasted 2 hours, it consisted of warming up, grappling with a partner and finally punching (with boxing gloves) with a partner. It was physically demanding, involving kicking and punching movements. Of course I was thrown to the floor a couple times (by tall guys), my arms and wrist twisted.

Overall I am happy with trial session, I think I’ll join the club so that I'll exercise on a regular basis, and learn a few self-defense moves : just in case if I ever got in a bad situation and I will run very fast.

Hola Madrid, Ciao Roma

Air France had a ticket sale on European destinations, I couldn’t resist the temptation and decided purchased a return ticket to Rome (for only 99 euros!).

November will be thrilling: one weekend in Madrid to attend a birthday party and meet old friends, and the following weekend visiting to Rome. It will be my second visit to Rome and I have a fond memory of my first visit nine years ago with my friend Lance. I am sure I will enjoy the food in both cities!

Don’t stay at V-Go’s Hotel and Guest house at Fethiye, Turkey

You might end up having some unpleasant souvenirs for a few weeks, just like me with these swollen red, itchy welts (bed bugs bites perhaps?).

I stayed 2 nights at V-Go’s hotel in September 2007, while I was there the hotel was run by 2 young men (less than 25-year old) and a teenager. My room seemed clean at first sight, but when I looked carefully I found stains on the mattress (maybe bed bug droppings?), on the walls and the dresser. I even found a hat between the night table and the wall. During 2 days, no staff came to make the bed and clean the bathroom.

When I woke up on the second morning, I noticed that I was having a few red, swollen insect bites, and I thought they were simply mosquito bites and thought they would go away in a few days.

Even 2 weeks after my stay at V-Go’s hotel, I am still suffering from 30 itchy welts all over my body. I put antiseptic cream on them but it doesn’t stop the itchiness waking me up during the night.

I finally gave up and visited my doctor this morning. He said these welts are indeed insect bites, plus allergic reactions. He prescribed a disinfecting body wash, a cream and antihistamine tablets. I also “flooded” my flat with bleach, and sprayed mild pesticides. Hopefully I didn’t bring any bugs back to Paris.