so, what's on dmentedboy blogger ? everything dmented about jxe's travels. here, there and everywhere.
dear wenmin.
so, having a good semester break ? well, thanx for getting me in touch with justo. he is a great host. showed me around, introduced me to some fantastic people and showed me what being spanish is all about. having such a great time. you have to make it here sometime soon. justo is waiting for you ;)
madrid
thursday 20th december & sunday 23rd, monday 24th decemeber 2007
day 98 & 101, 102
(madrid: random shots)
ok. after a hideously long 9 hour overnight train ride from santiagoDC, i arrived in a wet city. it literally rained the whole day. gawd. walking in the rain is painful but somewhat fun at the same time.
(madrid: the cathedral and the palace)
madrid is probably the most advance city in spain. the public transport here is every efficient. madrid connects to the rest of spain. the subway is fantastic. only problem is the cleaners are on strike. what is me and strikes ? the subways are filthy as. not trashed by the patrons by the cleaners (just to prove a point). i think thats dumb becoz they will eventually have to clean up all the gunk after the strike anyway. idiots.
(madrid: more random shots)
called up justo. he came out immediately and hang. boy i am impressed. he showed me the city in the rain. was kinda fun. got completely soaked and realized that my new pair of shoes isn't waterproof. sigh. i hate soaked socks. took me to some amazing local bar/restaurants. that night we went to alcala de henares, 30 minuted drive north from madrid and hang with several of his friends. ironically i saw more cars than people in that town. three, 30 something spanish guys, do really know how to have fun. i hope i dont lose it when i reach that age. we went to have some amazing tapas, went to a salsa club, a disco club and another pub. whoa. all that in one night. ok. i am an old 25 year old. just cant keep up !
(madrid: justo and gang)
sorry for the lack of pictures in madrid. it was wet and cold. too cold to take out the camera. hehe
xxx. j.
hey gloria and wenmin.
so, how are the girls going ? hope all is well with your studies and painting. keep me in the look ok ?
day 8 - my first loss
so, i had to go through immigration at the train station to get into france. the whole security check and x-ray scan of the bags. which is all fine. i almost forgot my rainbow umbrella. the security guard came after me to give it back to me. got up the train, 30 minutes to lille. was so excited to get into france BUT i left the umbrella on the train !!!! fucking hell. just dont tell susanne ok ! susanne u r not reading this are you ?
(random shots of ME !)
(lille streetscape)
Ok i am finaly in france and i am loving it. the thoughts and the feeling compliments.
Loving it:
1. the smell of fresh bread from bakeries
2. sitting at a cafe by the streets, having a croissant and cappuccino, sketching and watching beautiful people walking by
3. no buses with a groups of people wearing the same hat with a guide holding a banner or some sort.
(never seen before food - edible ?)
(window art)
4. no insipid tourist. i am a tourist but i have taste. i avoided the crowd and went exploring. i found a street where artist hangs their painting out on the windows. the whole street seems like a out door gallery and the best part ... its free !
(ok whats with europe?)
ok can somebody tell me if H&M the equivalent to giodarno in hong kong ? they are everywhere in europe. cheap and nasty ?
talking about cheap and nasty ? they've got bata here ? i'd always thought that bata is a malaysian brand. its so cheap and nasty we literally call it Buy And Throw Away. haha. i guess its a french thing too.
(Pl. de la Republique)
(my name is ...)
really love the square. could just sit here for hours. its for everyone, people come together to play drums, skate board, practice street performances, hang out, and ... art. some one was pasting posters of people holding a piece of paper saying "my name is ... " so cool. love it.
hating it:
1. my loss - the rainbow umbralla.
xxx. j.
