Bonjour Paris - Day 1

Our flight was scheduled at around 9 at Liverpool Airport, so early in the morning around 5 we headed out to the bus terminal. The morning started out very rushed for both Col and I. I had slept in because I was really tired from the day before and Col started packing till the early morning hours. In the end we missed on the 5:00 bus and had to wait for 7:00 bus at the bus terminal.


Once we got the airport, we met up with the others (Matty, Nelson and David) and quickly checked in. Seeing Matty was such a relief. I was so stressed and scared that we were going to be late while I was on the bus. I was also stressing whether they would let me on because I booked my flight under 'Sharon Wong' not 'Sharon Wai Yang Wong'. But in the end, it was just pointless stressing. They just glanced at my passport and automatically ticked me off their passenger list.


I sighed a massive relief. I was so worked up the whole entire morning and it was only then I could start breathing properly.


We boarded the plane, the type where you had walk on the tarmat to get on, and settled in for the hour or so flight to Paris.


I fell asleep and when I next woke up we could see land outside the window. It seemed like we were landing soon because we were very close to land but our plane kept on circling around the area. It was then that the captain informed us that due to hazard weather conditions we would continue circling Beauvais for a further 10 mins to see if we could land before we head to Lille instead. Looking from the window, the weather looked fine. But what did I know. In the end, we headed to Lille.

Initially from Beauvais, it would take us 1 hour to get into Paris. Now that we were in Lille, we had to take an extra 2 hour bus ride to Beauvais and then take our original airport transfer to Paris. A total of 3 hours bus ride. Unbelievable for the one with motion sickness, ie. me. During the last hour ride into Paris, Matty was slightly worried about our accomodation. The confirmation indicated that we check in by 2 but we were already late by 1 hour. David and Col insisted that it would be fine so Matty just quietly anxiously waited to get to the hostel.

From the bus terminal we took the metro to our hostel and checked in. We just made it before the cut off time for our accomodation but Col's booking was unfortunately cancelled because she was suppose to arrive between 11 and 3. When we got there it was already 5:30. However, with her expert haggling skills Col secured a bed for the night, and the receptionist was kind enough to continue trying for beds for her for the rest of our stay.

The hostel area was very sketchy and ghetto. There were ethnic people everywhere on the street outside our hostel and metro selling all sort of things. For example, Malboro ciggy's and metro tickets. I felt really uncomfortable there so I was really eager to see what David's neighbourhood was like.

David lived literally on the other side of the metro map to us. So it took us around 20 ~25 mins to get to his place. It was very residual and nice to something more local. We visited his place and got to meet his family before we went off to get dinner. By that time, all of us were starving.

The first stop was at the bakery, the baguettes were heaven. It was so good. Could not resist ourselves from eating it so we had to go back and buy another one. After buying dinner, which consisted of bread, cheese, jam and red wine, we headed back to our hostel and walked to Sacre Coeur. Since it was the station next to us, it only took us 15mins to get there.

The view from there was absolutely gorgeous, rather cold though but the food and wine helped warm us up a bit. We stayed for a while until we decided to head back to the hostel and rest up for tomorrow's walking tour, customarily planned by David.

That night we had no hot water but we met 2 very nice Brazillian girls who were sharing the room with us.

How do you do Lord Nelson?

So for my very first overnight trip on my exchange I decided to spend a weekend in London.
The train ticket itself cost £ 37.00 return, which was alright considering that other people also going down that weekend were paying £ 57.00.

I arrived on Friday around lunch time. The hostel I was staying, Belsize hostel, is located at Belsize Park and if you don't mind a little walk to the hostel from the station, it is a pretty good hostel to stay in. The price is reasonable for a night at £ 16.00. I was really happy with the service, the receptionists were really friendly and breakfast or lunch (depending which days you stay) were included. The only one exception was that there was no hot water on the first night. It was probably due to the fact that it was pretty late at night when I got back and all the hot water was used up by then.

Anyway, on the first day and went to Portobello Road. Oh, I absolutely love that place. It has literally everything vintage and cheap there. The road reminds of the movie 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks', I was humming the song as I walked along the street. From Portobello Road, I made my way to Borough Market and London Bridge. Borough Market is alright but not as good as I expected. There are a lot of good produce but a bit pricey in my opinion. London Bridge was a disappointment. I'd mixed it up with Tower Bridge and was really upset when I realised how small and unimpressive London Bridge was. Besides that, I enjoyed a very nice dinner from M&S sitting on the wharf facing Tower Bridge.

That night, I went with Col to listen to the BBC Symphony Orchestra ( £ 5.00 student discount with really good seats facing the middle of the stage). Absolutely enjoyed it. The solo pianist, Nelson Fraire, was simply captivating when he performed. I could not move my eyes away from the white keys of the piano. Col told me the program was put together very well, each piece was chosen very nicely to succeed each other. I wasn't sure exactly what she meant but it was definitely enjoyable.

On the second day, we joined the free walking tour around London. These walking tours are worked on a tip only basis. So depending on how well the tour guide was, that's how much they earnt. Our tour guide was amazing. He told us the history, funny stories and travel tips about London. I partically liked Trafalgar Square. I guess it was because I finally felt that I was in London whilst I was staring at the statue of Lord Heratio Nelson. It was very overwhelming.

The last day I was there, I spent some time in Hyde Park. Eventhough the weather I was a bit grey and windy, I braved the weather I sat down on one of the park benches overlooking the Serpentine. It is an absolutely gorgeous view. Little kids playing and walking with their grandparents, flocks of birds flying over and above the lake, people exercising, walking their dogs or just passing through and the glistening light on the lake. If I was a painter, I would have painted it but I sat there instead absorbing everything I could see, hear and feel.

I really enjoyed London. It is definitely a must visit.

Happy Birthday Cham from London

Happy 17th Birthday Cham.

I hope you had a wonderful birthday. I better not have done anything that I wouldn't do.
It would've been nice sharing London with you. There were so many places that you'll literally shop till you fall.

But I think above all, what I loved about London was the mix of old and new. Especially at the Shakespeare's Globe and Trafalgar Square. It feels like you are at a limbo. You're standing in the present but you see and feel the past with little reminders of statues, buildings or monuments in the city. Absolutely beautiful. Definitely look forward to my May visit back to London.

I was also very lucky to have picked a really nice hostel. It definitely made it that much more enjoyable.

Next stop: Paris

Willow weaving

For one of my course I have to complete 60 hours worth of volunteering in order to complete it and achieve the award. So for that reason, I volunteered for a willow weaving challenge on Monday.

Willow weaving is a form of envio art and it's so absolutely amazing. Willow grow very readily, even just by sticking it into the ground or water, it can grow and flower. By constructing a structure and planting the willow branches and weaving it through the structure, an archway, a dome or a sculpture can be created.

Following the instructions from Lesley, who is an environment educator, we weaved willow branches through the structures that had been designed and constructed by her. We spent up to 3 hours, weaving the base of the structure. The structure still looks really empty but we were told by Lesley that the willow will soon grow buds and when summer comes around, all the branches would have been weaved through the structure and an actual tunnel will be created.

I was so excited when she described it. To think that I was making something that would stand there for many years to come made me feel so happy and thrilled. I couldn't stop smiling the whole day.

Normality

At 8:26am, my watch stopped ticking.

For many of you who don't wear watches, you'll probably wouldn't understand the frustration I went through today. Every single time I wanted to check the time or I had someone asking me for the time, my right hand habitually shifted my left sleeve to reveal my watch. And every time I did this, it showed 8:26am.

It made me wonder why so many people get scared or frustrated when something out of the norm happens. I know for a fact right now, I don't feel entirely complete without my watch.

I came to Manchester to put myself out of my comfort zone, yet just because my watch isn't working I already feel uncomfortable. What would it be like when I go to Europe?

1 hour

As I was walking back to my dormitory after my 4pm class I noticed what made studying abroad that much more enjoyable than studying back in Sydney.

Over here, I live less than 10mins from my lecture rooms. 10 mins!! I roll out of bed, lazily take a shower and have breakfast, and casually WALK to my classroom. No 45min train ride and 20min bus ride. No waiting in the bus line for 891 on Eddie Avenue. Nor having to kick myself for forgetting something back home. Cause, home is just so close over here.

In BJ, my dorm was also just 10 min from my classrooms. Absolutely loved it. Remember walking out of the classroom after my nose bleed and happily snuggling into my bed after the 10 mins walk.

Gonna take full advantage of this...so long 1 hour trips...well, until I come back.

I appreciate...

It's been 2 works to date and I feel that I've already changed.


I'm appreciating a lot more, things that I've realised myself and others that people have pointed out to me.

In my 'Leadership in Action' class, the President of the University said that we are very priviledge to be here. We don't seem to realise this, until we look at people that are far worse off than we. Most of the time we only complain about being less priviledged compared to people that are richer than us.

I am priviledged and it is the result of my parents and their upbringing.
Since coming to Manchester, I have learnt to really appreciate my parents.

I have the most awesome and cool parents ever! On this trip, I have met two particular friends that have and still witness the issues of marriage in their parents. Parents that often argue and fight. Discuss about divorce. Complain to them how much they hate one another or how much they want to leave each other. Show disinterest as to how they feel or what they do.

I can't say that my parents are perfect. They still fight and argue over a lot of things and they complain about each other, but they never...never defame one another infront of us. I believe that's really important. As a child, we look up to our parents and see them in the best of light. I guess it's because we are innocent but it doesn't matter. We are suppose to hold our parents in high esteem and respect. But one parent attacks the other, it tears the child apart. And it's sad when I hear parents doing that.

Hearing all these problems among my newly found friends, I see myself as very fortunate. I have a brother and a sister but my parents still have time to nurture, care and spend time with each of us.


I am truly happy and appreciative. I love you mum and dad. Forever.

Manchester

Little facts I've learnt about Manchester and England.

1. Heathrow is not the most comfortable airport to be stuck in. They are also not the most helpful either. I lost my belt through security and they didn't even bother trying to find it for me. Customer service? Zilch

2. Taxi drivers in Manchester are really nice. They get out of the car to help you lift your suitcase into the passenger seat and spend considerable amount of time answering my enormous list of questions.

3. Manchester University is known to have the largest amount of students. Just look on Oxford St. and you'll see.

4. Not everyone has a strong pommy accent around here. Oh, and they don't call themselves pommys...it's brits.

5. Piccadilly Gardens is in walking distance.

6. ASDA is really cheap for groceries and PRIMARK is crazily cheap for clothing.

7. There are more flights that fly out from Liverpool than Manchester.

Someone asked me...

Before coming to Manchester, my uncle asked me what I wanted to get out from this trip.

A thousand reasons rush through my head, but I narrowed it to 3 reasons.

1) I want to learn to be independent. Last time I went to Beijing, I went with my brother. I mean I had an amazing time travelling BJ with him. But it's the same as doing it by yourself and having no one familiar to lean on. One day, I'm gonna step out into the world and I want the confidence to say, 'I'm ready...bring it on!'

2) I want to gain a broader view of the world around me and life in general. In Australia, I'm stationary. I go to university, study, go out and see friends. I'm doing things but I'm not stimulating myself with new sights, sounds or smells. I don't want to be ignorant for the rest of my life and just know what happens in Australia (and China/HK).

3) I want to increase my knowledge in arts, music, history and geography. I want to learn about places and people. See how they live in the past, present and in the future.

Chinese New Year in HK

For the first time ever, I spent Chinese New Year in Hong Kong.

Having arrived at 5am from Sydney, I was hoping for some nice relaxing time before I jetted off to Manchester. Did I not realise that Chinese New Year was a public holiday but I also did not realise that my 7 day of shopping was cut down to 3 days. ( 3 days of public holiday and I spent 1 day in Macau).

For heaven's sakes, these people are asian. Asian people do not close their shops on any occasion. I was absolutely speechless when I found out from my cousin. Completely speechless.

So all in all, I had a very disappointing time in Hong Kong due to the fact I got sick, many contributing factors from the company I had and the short amount of time I had to me myself and I.

Lesson learnt, never plan on going shopping during Chinese New Year in HK. NEVER!

British High Commission and VISA

This blog is dedicated to revealing the incapabilities and inefficiency of the British High Commission located in Canberra.

For Australia students who intend to study abroad in the United Kingdom for a period of about 6 months, we are required to attain a student VISA. The VISA is supposably take 25 working days to be processed from the day they receive it in Canberra.

I sent in my application the moment I got my confirmation letter from Manchester Business School, which as around early November (13th Nov to be exact). So counting 25 working days, I should have received it before Christmas. What followed was a series of unexpected delays.

Firstly, the commission closed from the 22 Dec 08 through to 2 Jan 09. This is quite understandable and forgiveable, because to be honest it is Christmas and everyone is entitled to spend it with family. (Not if you work for Myer as a christmas casual). Anyway, so trying to be understanding, I told myself to that I would wait for them to start work again and call them up to chase up my application.

What I got was an enquiry service that charged me around $2.55 a minute to enquire the status of my VISA. Not only did the woman not give me a clear answer as to how much longer I had to wait but she just cut me off by insisting on running a progress report.

Now this progress report is completely useless to begin with. It takes up to 24 hours for the progress report to be processed and the only thing it tells you is that you're application is still be evaluated and 'you will be notified as soon as it is approved'. How useless is that? It pretty much told me nothing. A complete waste of my time and resources.

So a week after the people from the commission had started work again, I called them up to ask them what else they could do for me to hurry up the process. Please note, I was being charged $2.55 a minute every time I called. And guess what, they did not have a fast track service at all. Not even when I explained to them that I had to fly out the next week. I was just told to stay put and wait.

After more chasing up, my VISA was finally approved and I had around 3 days left before the day I was to leave. You would think, 'great, good timing. They'll probably send the VISA on the Friday and you'll get it on the Monday or Tuesday.' Nuh uh, VISA's were only picked up by the couriers on the Tuesday afternoon. (The day that I actually wanted to leave.) The Express mail, which is an air courier, was very helpful in that they had a parcel tracker on their website which could be used to track your parcel. On Tuesday night, my VISA was scanned into the system and early Wednesday morning my parcel was in Sydney and ready for delivery.

At this moment, I was so relieved. I was actually able to breathe but around 11:00, the mail box was still empty. Mum, being mummy, told me to ring up the express mail and ask them where my parcel was. To my surprise, my parcel was labelled undelivered because there was insufficient detail for delivery. In other words, the British High Commission forgot to put my street number in the address.

The next moment, I was out of the door and driving to Green Acre to pick up the parcel instead of waiting for it to be delivered. It was about 1pm when I got back home with my passport and VISA in hand and around 3pm mum booked me onto a 10pm flight. 4pm, my group came over and had dinner with me. 7pm, Hermz drove me to the airport. And 10pm on the dot, I flew out of Sydney.

So, to anyone that is going to UK. Good luck with the British High Commission, I hope they are nicer to you because they were definitely not to me. I paid them to do their job but instead I had to go drive out to the postal headquarters to pick up my own mail because they couldn't correctly put my address on it and they gave me an entire 2 month of stress and anxiety, which probably could have caused a permanent heart condition if everything didn't work out in the end.

Please work out in the end.

I've been a temperamental bitch the whole entire month....all because of my VISA.

The fact is the waiting period is so agonising while you wait for things to be processed around you. And there is literally nothing I can do to speed it up or fast track it. I'm sitting dunce right now.

Everyone seems to think that everything will work out, but I don't like that. Not at all. I don't want to be rushed and hassled during my last week in Sydney, which it pains me to point out is next week.

Gahhh...I can't just stopping fretting over this. Please work out....please no more delays....please! I can't handle it much longer. Please...