The Dirty Bit

Up until recently my mobile phone provider would automatically save all sent and received text messages for my mobile number to an online repository. Think of it as an archive of all SMS communicated to and from your handset. So with the penultimate closing of my London Chapter, it's interesting to read through all the messages that I sent and received. They represent individual moments over the last two and half years. Starting with the initial messages introducing myself to my friends with my new +44 number, moving to the various dinners, catch ups, trips, birthdays, visitors, farewells, drunken text, random messages, congratulations and salutations. With enough thought I can recollect why I sent or why I received each message.

The question that comes up the most is "Why are you leaving?". I'm thankful to not be bound by ultimatums that many expats face, the most common being Visa issues and family commitments drawing them back home. The luxury of being able to decide to leave on your own accord is something that burdens many expats in London. From my experience there are two types of London Expats. The first are those who are in the UK to experience life abroad and dabble in European travel (2-4 years abroad). Secondly are those who have moved to the UK to establish themselves financially, these people usually get caught up with the appeal of Permanent Residence (> 6 years). Given that broad classification I fall into the former of the two.

To be able to travel all of Europe would require determination of epic proportions. For me, the idea of weekend trips no longer excited me and I was content with the amount of European coverage I experienced. The other factor was that of work and lifestyle, I needed a change that could only be satisfied by moving away from London.

With that being said it's only fitting that my final night in London would be spent surrounded by the familiar faces that have made my UK experience enjoyable. The night consisted of a trashy venue (Ruby Blue), cake, shots, conversation and of course, HK Diner. So with the 41 kgs (31 kgs luggage + 10 kg carry on) I left London with a small farewell party at Heathrow. Farewell London!

E'gipped

Where do I even begin with Egypt? It almost feels like the whole country has collectively decided to siphon every bit of your hard earned cash. Whether it be the Pound, the Yen or the Greenback the locals share the common occupation of trying to get a hold of your money. Sometimes you're lucky to walk away with some advice, a photo or if you're lucky, a souvenir. I was shocked to see a police man spend 2 minutes of his time to show me one particular vantage point, only to ask for money for his generous time. It's not hard to see why, the main bulk of the population look to be living under the poverty line and a couple of Egyptian pounds here and there can make a world of difference. Still, nobody likes to feel cheated, even if it is only a couple of bucks.

Egypt. Where buffets reign supreme. Where there's a DSLR everywhere you turn. Where it feels like tourism is driving the entire economy. Where a truck breaking down on the side of the road is the norm. Where you feel like that you're a statistic within the number of tourists. Then you see the Pyramids and learn of the rich history and suddenly you realise that being a statistic is all worth it. That the early starts and the habitual bus rides were minor in the greater scheme of things. That the food, the quality of accommodation and the conditions are probably a million times better than what most local Egyptians will ever experience. It's a grounding experience, you feel selfish, insignificant and ungrateful.

Jewels of the Nile Tour with Travel Talk

Day 1 Cairo, Cataract Hotel, Aswan Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, Mycrenos and Sakkara
Day 2 Aswan – Nile Cruise High Dam, Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk
Day 3 Abu Simbel,Aswan, Nile Cruise Komombo
Day 4 Nile Cruise, Edfu, Irish Pub
Day 5 Luxor, Balloon ride over west Bank, Donkey ride Disembark Nile Cruise,Temple of Luxor, Temple of Karnak NEW YEAR GALA DINNER IN LUXOR!
Day 6 Luxor, Cairo Valley of the Kings, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut,
Day 7 Cairo Egyptian Museum, Citadel of Saladin, Mosque of Mohamed Ali, the Hanging Church, Kahn El Khalili bazaar
Day 8 Cairo, 3rd January 2011

Currently reading 100 Years of Solitude.

Dubai

The Emirates Airline website states, 'Pets are not permitted in the cabin, with the exception of falcons between Dubai and certain destinations in Pakistan'. Strange yet true, this is one of the traditions that remains true in the present day; falcons allowed in aeroplanes. My visit to the United Arab Emirates, or more specifically, Dubai has been one of the more enjoyable trips this year. This is a somewhat partial comment as the agenda was to visit my sister on her last weekend in Dubai.

Not reknown for the sites, it was drastic change in scenary and culture which made this one of the more memorable trips of 2010. I have been meaning to swing by Dubai but given the nature of her job and the unpredictability of her whereabouts it's always a challenge to be able to meet her. The August long weekend proved to be ideal, she had no passport and I had nowhere to go. So with my stand by tickets in hand I headed to Heathrow after work in hope to catch a flight into the Middle East.

Arrived at Dubai International early Saturday morning, the flight had been comfortable but sleep was hard to come by. Greeted by my sister in the 'meeting area', also known as the pavement outside the Airport. It was hot, insanely hot. I could feel perspiration developing on the top of my feet. A short 30 Dirham cab ride and we were soon signing into one of many Emirates crew lodgings in Al Garhoud.

Plenty of activities to keep me busy. Lunch at Pier Chic, accessible by a simple cab, a gondola ride and a golf buggy down the wooden pier. Sister was cunningly encouraged by the restaurant to make the lunch time agenda my birthday which meant I had to pretend I was celebrating my special day all while enjoying the wonderful view of the Burj Al Arab. Being Ramadan, meant that majority of restaurants were not able to serve food until after sunset.

Managed to see most of the sights. At The Top - Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world (100 AED). Ski Dubai the indoor ski slopes at The Mall of Emirates (180 AED) . Dinner at Atlantis at the Palms and the dancing fountains of the Burj. Plenty of international food: Bobotie, Sushi and the traditional Iftar buffet.

Great trip overall. Don't think I've experience such a culture shock in a while. From the rules governing Ramadan. To the way people present themselves outside of the walls of their houses. Public Displays of affection aren't a common site, where even married couples don't hold hands. Yet you'll see grown men holding hands as a sign of friendship. Then there's the mash up of old and new. Men will sport the traditional Thwab or Dishdash, but you can't help but notice the Rolexes, Ipods and Blackberry accessories. The women are far more influence by western trends. Burqa clad women women littered with the latest array of Jimmy Choos and Chanel handbags - the only form of visual individualisation. Then there's the transient lifestyle of Flight Attendants, remarkable. Had to leave Dubai early, but the trip was definitely well worth it. It's opened a new desire to explore more Arabic/Middle Eastern destinations - there's so much out there!

Long weekend: Flame on!

Departing London with the 4 day weather forecast of:



To hopefully, something a little toastier:



Screen shots courtesy of BBC Weather (source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/).

YTZLLO

Very jet lagged. So familiar, yet at the same time foreign. It's great to be home!

Looks like it's time to wash those jeans - Still I can't wait to get back to London. I miss her ...

Why are you going there?

An impromptu trip over to Romania for a 30th Birthday weekend. Weather was miserable - I only took one photo (from inside a cab).


Not much doing - Stayed what can only be described as the Bucharest projects. Had a tour night guide. Typical boys' trip out to Eastern Europe.

Iceland Excursion

I was genuinely looking forward to this trip. The last few trips have been memorable but hardly distinguishable. Walking through the cobbled streets, looking at Churches, eating street food from that vendor in the main square. Wait a minute, which country was that again? In all honesty it does start to become slightly repetitive. This trip would also be different because we had a schedule and a list of things to do. In total, 11 people would embark on the 3 hour flight from London to Reykjavik.

Flights plus 3 nights accommodation at Hotel Cabin (£205). The flight was comparatively longer than most weekend trips but was comfortable and most importantly did not feel rushed. Hotel Cabin was basic but featured a shower which makes a mockery of Australian Water Restrictions. Speaking of water, the tap water was the best tasting water I've have ever tasted.

Day 1 (07/03/09):

0930: Breakfast
1000: Hire Car and drive around the Golden Circle (£25)
2000: Dinner reservation at Humarhusid (£60)
2330: Apotek Bar

That was at least the plan. We picked up the hire car just after midday and began our first day in Iceland.

Gullfoss Waterfall. Absolutely freezing up there, don't let the pictures fool you.


Geysir and Strokkur.


The National Park leg of our private tour suffered a premature end when our hire car showed little enthusiasm against the snow littered tracks.


Day 2(08/03/09):

0800: Breakfast
0830: Pick up
0900: Glacier Tour (17950 IKR)
0730: Northern Lights Tour (€40)

One thing I have prided myself on is surviving the London winter without the aid of gloves and an umbrella. After our first day out in uncomfortably cold conditions I decided I would not survive Iceland without gloves. We sat at bus terminal waiting for the tour bus to arrive when my friend spotted some gloves. "Psst, look somebody left their gloves here, why don't you take them?". I glanced over at the manky looking gloves and picked them up. Some poor tourist had left their gloves while waiting to be picked up. I brought them close to my nose and gave them a whiff. They reeked "Geez, they sink!" to which my friend replied "Do you want smelly hands or no hands?". Promptly I tucked them into my pockets and started our tour.


The glacier tour was amazing, our group consisted of 25 people and two guides. We were separated into two groups and given picks, crampons, pulleys and ropes and we began our ascent up the glacier.


We arrived back at the hotel later than expected. Thankfully our Northern lights tour was canceled. It was reported that for that night there was a 0% chance of seeing the aurora.

Day 3 (09/03/09):

0800: Breakfast
0830: Check out/Pick up (€25)
0900: Blue Lagoon (€18 entry)
1400: Airport Direct
1700: Flight


It's such a surreal feeling floating on your back in hot water while snow and ice blow across your face. What a lacky post.