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AH JAPAN. JAPAN JAPAN JAPAN JAPAN.
I could say "Japan" forever. As you can probably guess, I'm back from JAPAN! One of the countries I'd been dying to visit, a place I never thought i'd actually have a chance to.
The weather in Japan was beyond perfect (well we had 1 day of rain, but thats ok!). It was nice and autumnal in the south of Japan, the temperature was perfect, the leaves were a mixture of orange, yellow and green, and the sky was blue and clear. Cool breezy days with that hint of sunshine, I couldn't have asked for a time to visit Japan!
I have so much to share from food to outfits to locations, and all the things I did in Japan, so let me kick off the (probably long stream of) Japan posts by doing of them 5 Fun Facts!
1 | Black Cabs + Drivers In Suits
There is nothing quite like the black cabs in Japan. They have the most interesting looking black cabs with a Panda on top of it. We sat in one on the way to the airport on our last day in Japan (therefore no pictures because of the rush, sigh) and the driver of the black panda cab was dressed SO WELL. I reckon it is their uniform. He was all dressed up in a nice suit with vest. Oh it was cab heaven.
2 | Street style NOT = COLOURFUL
If you google "Japan Streetstyle" you get images of people dressed really interestingly with colours, and a lot of vibrancy. To the point I wish I could be them and be daring enough to play with colours in such a way. But, that isn't what Japanese street style is actually like. It's not what I saw at least.
(I was in the south of Japan, so that could differ from the rest of japan, i don't really know) But what I saw was a lot of black, and sure some colours, but most of them wear nudes, browns, navy, black and white.
3 | They are SUPER Hygienic
I've heard a lot of people comment about how clean Japan is, and considering Singapore is pretty clean too, I did not expect to be taken aback by the hygiene standards in Japan. But I was.
The roads were clean the malls were clean, almost all the toilets had disinfectant spray where you could wipe down the seats, and the most shocking thing happened when Jerald reached for a spoon in a jar at the ice cream shop.
We thought it was common to get another spoon on our own (since we were sharing an ice-cream) but it was unhygienic to stick our hands into that jar of clean spoons, so the server was most displeased when she saw us doing that, told us it wasn't right, and then proceeded to grab a hand full of spoons at the top layer and discarded them. All while maintaining a smile, hence, my next point.
4 | They Are The MOST Courteous People EVER
It's a known fact that the Japanese are extremely polite, but it's not until you see it for yourself that you get a shock at the level or courtesy that exists in their culture. They treat customers and people with the upmost respect and that made dinner/lunch/any service absolutely enjoyable.
Their patience at explaining the menu, the way they tell us to enjoy our meal, the way they speak, the way the address customers, its just all very courteous.
They have the tradition of bowing, and they do it so genuinely I can't help but bow back.
5 | The JAPAN RED
Ok, this may not be a legitimate thing, BUT, based on my observation, the red shade in logos, billboards, street signs etc. all have the SAME shade of red, which I bet is the shade of red on the Japanese flag!
There you have it! 5 Fun facts I discovered during my japan trip!
What other facts did you discover about Japan, or which were you surprised by? Let me know!
5 FUN FACTS: JAPAN
17 December 2015 Japan
Ah Europe. I miss the days I could book a flgiht/buy a train ticket just a couple of days in advance, hop on a plane (or train) on the Friday of that same week, and in 2-3 hours be in a COMPLETELY different city. As I study and scramble to keep head above the water with all the commitments and insane projects, tests, and deadlines I have in school, I find myself constantly reminiscing about the year that just passed. The time I was on my year abroad in London (read my tips on that here). It has only been only 3 and a half months since i've been back in Singapore, and already the memories from my exchange feel so distant.
Europe in a year. What a wonderful year it was.
From my internship in Paris to living for a whole year in London. I thought being away from home for a year would be too long, and that living in Europe for a year would give me sufficient time to explore the continent or learn more about the region, BUT I WAS WRONG. I could live here my whole life and still be fascinated - just like how after 21 years in Asia, I'm still as excited to go out and explore a different part of the region, and there is still SO MUCH I have yet to see!
Anyway, i thought i'd pay homage to my travels in Europe and come up with a list of 5 cities i'd love to revisit again.
I have been asked countless of times which are my favourite cities in Europe, and I never say just 1 city (the list goes on until I'm sort of telling my life story). So, are the 5 cities below, my favourite European cities (that i've travelled to/toured)? Maybe? But I can't say for sure. There were so many beautiful places I visited in Europe (Italy, Barcelona, Scandinavia - see what I mean about going on and on), and so many OTHER places I want to visit.
These 5 cities could be here because
a) I didn't spend enough time when in the city when I was there and had "unfinished business" or
b) I want to experience everything all over again, or probably both. All I know is, I enjoyed myself in these 5 cities, and would steal ANY chance to go back!
O N E: C O R N W A L L
With places like Cornwall, the pictures itself would make anyone want to go there. Seriously though. That gorgeous skies, the beautiful beaches and, cliffs and bluest of water. Everytime I read a cornish blogger's blog, I ask myself "why am I not living in Cornwall?!" Cornwall is so huge it doesnt really classify as one city. I've only been to west Cornwall, and even then I wouldn't mind going back. But i'd love to visit South Cornwall someday, heck maybe i'd jump on a plane, spend a couple of days in London, go to Cornwall and spend 2 weeks there. Someone please buy me an air ticket!
Cornwall is a place I will not hesitate to revisit if I get the chance to be back in the UK.
T W O: B U D A P E S T
If you saw my post titled Not Enough Time in Budapest, you would have guessed this. Budapest is a city I want to revisit just because there is so much to do, and I didnt get to do all that I wanted to. Also, the Daunbe River is but the most gorgeous thing ever. Walking around the river and looking on to the Buda (or Pest) side of it is something I could do over and over and over again.
T H R E E: I N T E R L A K E N
One of my biggest regret after my trip to Interlaken was that I did not get to go up the Swiss Alps.
Touristic or not, everyone has done it, and it has always been my dream to visit a mountain, experience what its like to see the snow caps of the alps. Learning about the mountains and rivers during geography lessons have only fuelled my appreciation and love for all things nature. Sadly, I didn't have that much time in Interlaken and it was rather pricy, somehow the situation led to me not being able to visit the Swiss alps.
I'll definitely have to visit Switzerland again someday - and Interlaken would be a stop in that itinerary!
To be honest though, one can never get enough of Switzerland. Its just incredibly beautiful! The landscapes are PHENOMENAL. Mountains, Greenery, rivers, the blue skies, it doesn't get any better than that!
F O U R: B E R G EN
I don't know why but despite spending the most time in Bergen during my Scandinavian solo trip, but I still want to go back! Visit the neighbouring fjords - another spectacle that one can see over and over again - climb another mountain, I don't have specific reasons why I want to go back, except... I just do? It's a really lovely, chill, city, if it wasn't that cold (and expensive haha!), i'd totally live here!
I must say though, I wouldn't want to go back alone. I'd love it if I had company so that I can try out the different cafés and food options in Bergen!
F I V E: A M S T E R D A M
Amsterdam...The first city I visited with Jerald, the first city I visited as a tourist, the city that made me fall in love with traveling in Europe! Amsterdam was so much fun, windmills, canals, autumn flowers, burgers, cheese markets, I would relive this experience again and again - I actually do, every time I see an image of Amsterdam's canals.
+ The people in Amsterdam are so nice and friendly, and they are EXTREMELY FLUENT in English - Yay to no language barrier.
Rotterdam is another Dutch city I'd love to visit someday, if I ever do, I'd not hesitate to stop by Amsterdam again!
One other country I loved that i'd want to visit again include CROATIA. Croatia is my ULTIMATE FAVOURITE European country. But I couldn't identify ONE city to revisit, plus, if I ever do go back, I would definitely want to see other parts of Croatia that i've never been to! The nature, clear blue waters, food and PRICE POINT is AMAZING in Croatia.
P.S. If you've never been to Croatia - just forget about the cities listen above and just go. Save up and go to Croatia! You wouldn't be disappointed!
Sadly, a return flight ticket to Europe would cost $1000 and my limited university student budget isn't going to cut it, so for now, it's more of exploring the neighbouring cities, seeing more of Asia learning the different cultures, visiting exotic places in South East Asia, and exploring the place I call home. Hopefully soon enough, I can make such a list for Asia!
Ah, selecting pictures for this post got me all nostalgic about my year abroad.
Explore, dream, discover indeed!
5 European Cities I'd LOVE to RE-VISIT!
29 October 2015 Europe
I'm back from a 10-day trip to Scandinavia (and then a short 4 days in Switzerland)! Now it's time for me to put a rest on the flying about and start revision for finals. Sigh.
Even though I'm on my year abroad, and my grades don't affect my GPA back home (THANK GOD), I still have to make sure I pass the year and not do too crappily. Guess it's time for me to play catch up with school after all the traveling around the entire year.
Before that, here's a short round up of my Scandinavia trip and 5 fun facts I discovered in my time there!
ONE: There are significantly LESSER people around
When I stepped into Copenhagen (the first stop on my trip), I was surprised at how empty it was. Somehow there were just not as many people around. It was such a refreshing change from London. As I moved up to Sweden and Norway, the number of people out and about seem to decrease even more! Maybe this is why everyone is so happy - No squishing and bumping into people makes everyone smile a little more.
TWO: There are ALL types of people
One of the girls I met told me "It's not just white people here", and she meant it in the nicest way possible. That was true! Tall, short, white, black, asian, young, old, it was quite an equal mix everywhere I turned. It could be because the cities I visited were more touristy and cosmopolitan, but that was definitely a nice observation :)THREE: The minimalistic lifestyle IS REAL - and very attractive might I add
I thought the whole minimalistic vibe wouldn't be as evident, or that it was merely a stereotype. But no, minimalism is REAL. You see it in their streets, their houses, interiors, stores and the way they dress. White, navy, grey, black, most of the people are dressed in Neutral shades, and the interior design of places are so minimalistic. Understated, but very classy. Clean and Bright. I just loved admiring the way everything was designed!FOUR: There is NOT A TRACE of a language barrier
I knew Scandinavians spoke english, I did not worry about the fact that I knew nothing about their language, but, the fact that EVERYONE could speak english, and SUPERBLY well, was unexpected. I would usually expect the younger generation to be really good, but in scandinavia, even the older people spoke good english. Moreover, they have signs in English too. It made getting around from place to place so effortless, I did not feel out of place, it was just...wonderful!FIVE: People say "Hi hi!" or "Hey hey!" instead of just saying it once
By far this is my favourite fact. FAV. Not to mention, everyone is so incredibly friendly!! Walking along the streets, or every time I stepped into the hostel, a café or a restaurant, I get warm smiles and a nice "hihi!" I loved it! Of course I would just say Hi once back. Anyone else who does it might come across a bit pretentious... I don't know, but the scandinavians totally pull it off. It is so freaking adorable the way they great everyone!Thats a short roundup! Of course, the usual facts on how scandinavia is really expensive holds true, but these are just some other interesting things I discovered on my trip there. I'll be posting more details on my travel adventures soon, so do check back! :)
Photos are from my Instagram feed.
Scandinavia Roundup: 5 Fun Facts I Discovered
20 April 2015 Scandinavia
That always seems to be a dilemma when deciding between what mode of transport you would want to take from city to city.
Most of the time, the bus is cheaper, however, you spend longer hours on the journey. Typically, i'll choose train over bus if a) The bus takes way longer or b) the price difference between both options relatively alright. Also partly because I have a railcard, so that gives me good discounts.
But a bus ride to Manchester cost me only 8 pounds whilst a train ride while a train ticket was over 20 pounds. So, I decided to take the 6 hours bus ride to Manchester (well it turned out to be 7.5 hours due to traffic). As this was the first time i've taken such a long bus ride (previous trips were not more than 3 hours per seating) I did some silly things, that resulted in self-inflicted PAIN. Literal pain.
Here are 3 things I think you should NOT do on long bus journeys - y'know, save yourself the agony:
1. Do NOT Bring Your Luggage Up The Bus
It doesn't matter if its small, if its your hand luggage, even if the bus driver tells you "It should fit."
If its bigger than a backpack, LEAVE IT in the luggage compartment of the bus.
Before boarding the bus, I asked the bus driver "Can I bring my luggage up the bus?" and he said, "Yeah it should fit." Well turns out, it didn't fit the over head compartment. I left it on the seat beside me, when right before the bus moved off, 3 guys came up, and most of the seats on the bus were filled. I thought my hand luggage would fit below the seat in front of me, turns out, nope! not quite. So the whole 7.5 hours journey my leg was tugged behind the luggage in front of me. After the 5-hour mark, toes were numb, knees were aching, and by the time I arrived to Manchester, I had to be one of the last to get off the bus because I couldn't straighten my legs.
The reason why I wanted to bring my luggage up the bus, was because I didn't bring another bag. I left my computer (for whatever reason I thought I would need it during the journey), and my food - which I finished 10mins into the journey.
Turns out, I had knee cramps and numb legs, all for nothing. I was hating on myself for not using my brain, and thinking that the bus seats were as wide as those on trains and planes.
The guy sitting beside me had a huge bag that didn't fit in the overhead compartment as well. And seeing that he had much longer legs than me, I doubt he had a comfortable journey. He kept stretching is his legs out to the aisle during the ride.
So heads up to those who will be taking long bus rides anytime soon: ALWAYS bring a small bag pack on board, and LEAVE your bigger haversacks and luggage in the luggage compartment (or in the overhead compartment if it fits) of the bus!
2. Do NOT Forget Entertainment
I know I was thinking, "Damn, I shouldn't have brought my luggage up on the bus!" BUT, the good thing that came out of that was that I had access to my book (yes, i know, i should have brought a small bag pack and put my book inside). I thought i'd spent my 6 hours alternating between sleeping and listening to my Audiobook on Audible, but after having earphones plugged into my ear for 2-3 hours, and after my 1 hour nap (I don't usually take naps, so 1 hour is really long), my ears were hurting slightly, and the seat was too uncomfortable for me to take another nap (I have a weird habit of only being able to sleep lying down or curled up) I was so glad to be able to have access to my book, which I read half of during the rest of the journey!
So, yes I agree - pack light, but make sure you have more than one form of entertainment. Unless, you can play candy crush or whatever iPhone game you like for 7 hours straight.
I don't enjoy playing games on my phone, and I get bored pretty easily, if you're anything like me, remember to bring more than one form of entertainment!
3. Do NOT Forget Food
If you never get hungry... ok no. Don't kid yourself. If its more than a 5 hour journey, you're bound to get hungry somewhere somehow! I mean I can even get hungry out of boredom!
In point 1, I mentioned that I finished my food 10 minutes into the bus ride. Yes. That was all the food I brought - 3 slices of pizza, sufficient for lunch.
This was my reasoning: Lunch at 1, Dinner at 6 (the estimated arrival at my destination), latest 6.30. I'll be fine. Unfortunately, No. I was not fine.
I started getting hungry at about 5.30pm, well technically, if the bus were to arrive at 6, i'd still be fine. But that ignorant assumption that the bus would be on time, was a pretty senseless one. I do not know whatever came over me, that I forgot to take into consideration the fact that rush hour traffic = DELAYS.
Needless to say, my stomach was growling and I was on the brink of starving when the bus finally arrived at 7.30pm. I rushed to grab myself some extra hot Nandos wings!
Sometimes, there will be pitstops along the way to your destination. In order not to spend unnecessary cash whilst traveling, its best to pack your own food, and pack SUFFICIENT. That way, you don't have to suffer from gastric pangs every 10 minutes while everyone around you is snacking away.
I think the 3 main issues resulted from my lack of foresight. So here's another do not. Do NOT Assume That There Will Be No Delays. Busses are NOT trains. Even trains have delays, but road traffic means delays could go up to 2-3 hours long.
There you have it, my lessons learned from a 7.5 hours long bus journey!
Do you agree with these tips, leave your suggestions in the comment box below!
Photos from out and about in Manchester, UK.
3 Things NOT To Do On Long Journeys
11 January 2015
In my 3rd week in Imperial College, my personal tutor/professor asked me, "What would you like to gain in your year here?" He suggested that I should have some goals/some targets for myself, even if they were not academically related. This way, when I look back on my one year abroad, I would be able to appreciate my experience and everything that i've learned.
Since a large part of my 2015 will be spent traveling (I hope! I mean i'm on a year abroad in Europe theres no reason not to), I decided to share some of my Travel Goals for 2015.
1. Travel alone to a non-english speaking country for at least 3 days
Starting off with a really specific one here. But I've thought about all the european countries - those that I have yet to make any plans to visit - and traveling to Portugal seems like a really good idea.
Some of you may know that I've lived/interned in Paris, where the national language is french, but I never really saw myself a tourist. I was sort of a half tourist half inhabitant. I'm pretty sure traveling alone as a tourist would be different.
Traveling alone in the UK is pretty ok because everything is in English and everyone can understand me. I would love to experience what it feels like to be alone as a tourist in a foreign land with a foreign language - I cannot even recognise Portuguese when someone is speaking it. Going to Portugal alone is definitely going to be interesting.
2. Go to Morocco
I would say Africa but No. I'm not backpacking the whole of Africa in 2015. I'll be realistic. Lets start out slow. I just want to set foot into the continent. Morocco is the nearest to Europe, so somewhere in 2015, I hope I find a way to go to Morocco - maybe during the cold January/February months to escape winter for a little bit. Definitely in need of some sunshine.
3. Travel Eastern Europe
Significantly cheaper than central and western Europe, yet also filled with so much culture and history.
I don't know much about eastern Europe, but I have half a year to find out before heading on a summer trip to a couple of cities in the region. Well thats the plan for now. Summer in eastern europe, lets hope it works out!
4. Join A School Organised Trip
Technically, it isn't organised by Imperial. It's just a group of students who organise trips to various parts of the UK, but i've never been on any of them unfortunately.
When I was in Oxford, I met a group of students from Warwick who were on sort of a school organised trip - basically the school organises the transport, and you get to visit the city free and easy on your own. They seem to know each other really well as they frequently go on those type of trips.
In 2015, I hope to be able to get my calendar to coincide with one of these trips and hopefully meet more international students who are on a 1 year abroad/1 year masters programme in Imperial.
5. Continue Traveling After Returning to Singapore
I've always loved to travel, and this year abroad just catapulted my love for traveling. I hope to be able to find the time (AND MONEY) amidst all the school work and commitments to travel - either alone or with friends, and just to visit more of South East Asia, perhaps go to Australia again or New Zealand! Maybe even Japan and Korea. There's so much of the world i'd love to see, hopefully I'm able to continue with traveling and blogging about it after this year in London.
Those were my 5 main travel goals for 2015! What are yours?
Since a large part of my 2015 will be spent traveling (I hope! I mean i'm on a year abroad in Europe theres no reason not to), I decided to share some of my Travel Goals for 2015.
1. Travel alone to a non-english speaking country for at least 3 days
Starting off with a really specific one here. But I've thought about all the european countries - those that I have yet to make any plans to visit - and traveling to Portugal seems like a really good idea.
Some of you may know that I've lived/interned in Paris, where the national language is french, but I never really saw myself a tourist. I was sort of a half tourist half inhabitant. I'm pretty sure traveling alone as a tourist would be different.
Traveling alone in the UK is pretty ok because everything is in English and everyone can understand me. I would love to experience what it feels like to be alone as a tourist in a foreign land with a foreign language - I cannot even recognise Portuguese when someone is speaking it. Going to Portugal alone is definitely going to be interesting.
2. Go to Morocco
I would say Africa but No. I'm not backpacking the whole of Africa in 2015. I'll be realistic. Lets start out slow. I just want to set foot into the continent. Morocco is the nearest to Europe, so somewhere in 2015, I hope I find a way to go to Morocco - maybe during the cold January/February months to escape winter for a little bit. Definitely in need of some sunshine.
3. Travel Eastern Europe
Significantly cheaper than central and western Europe, yet also filled with so much culture and history.
I don't know much about eastern Europe, but I have half a year to find out before heading on a summer trip to a couple of cities in the region. Well thats the plan for now. Summer in eastern europe, lets hope it works out!
4. Join A School Organised Trip
Technically, it isn't organised by Imperial. It's just a group of students who organise trips to various parts of the UK, but i've never been on any of them unfortunately.
When I was in Oxford, I met a group of students from Warwick who were on sort of a school organised trip - basically the school organises the transport, and you get to visit the city free and easy on your own. They seem to know each other really well as they frequently go on those type of trips.
In 2015, I hope to be able to get my calendar to coincide with one of these trips and hopefully meet more international students who are on a 1 year abroad/1 year masters programme in Imperial.
I've always loved to travel, and this year abroad just catapulted my love for traveling. I hope to be able to find the time (AND MONEY) amidst all the school work and commitments to travel - either alone or with friends, and just to visit more of South East Asia, perhaps go to Australia again or New Zealand! Maybe even Japan and Korea. There's so much of the world i'd love to see, hopefully I'm able to continue with traveling and blogging about it after this year in London.
Those were my 5 main travel goals for 2015! What are yours?
Travel Goals for 2015
3 January 2015
Autumn is starting to creep its way in; the weather is getting colder, the leaves are changing, the number of daylight hours are decreasing day by day. The arrival of autumn means my summer internship here in Paris has come to an end.
After living here for 3 months, its once again time to pack my bags and head off for the 2nd part of my Europe Adventure (otherwise known as #asiancarinaineurope on instagram haha!) - one year of exchange in London! Well, of course I get to spend 2 weeks in Singapore in between to administrative stuff. I REALLY miss the food in Singapore, and homecooked meals by my grandparents/father/other family members so i'm not complaining.
I would say living in Paris was a great experience. Would I live in Paris again in the future? Maybe not (IF I speak fluent french one day, i might consider). But given the same opportunity would I have agreed to come to Paris, DEFINITELY.
This summer internship in Paris has given me a fair share of discrimination experiences, banking issues, inefficient and incompetent delivery services, and transport issues - random breaking down of the metro during peak hours.
Nevertheless, i'm going to miss this place quite a fair bit, my lifestyle here (not going to miss work though! Working really does get quite boring. But the people in the office are quite fun, so that makes up), the food, the weather etc.
So here are the top 5 things i'll miss about my summer internship in Paris.
CROISSANTS
Being able to buy 1 Euro croissants from the bakery beside my apartment building, Le Grenier a Pain, has brought me so much comfort. Stressed from work? Get a croissant. Not sure what to eat? Get a croissant. Want a snack? Croissants. Even for no particular reason? Just get a croissant!
Biting into a yummy buttery flaky on the outside and soft on the inside piece of croissant for only 1 euros instantly brightens my day.
Generally you're able to get good croissants anywhere (Morning around 9 or 10am is the best time) as long as they are golden brown, warm and just out of the oven. If you're ever in Paris, get a croissant and remember to request for one just fresh out of the oven (normally they do give you the fresher ones - at least at the bakery near where i lived they did!)
P.S. They also do really good Chouquettes (my 2nd fav.)
P.S. And since we are on the topic of food, DUCK LEG CONFIT in Paris is always a good idea.
P.S. And since we are on the topic of food, DUCK LEG CONFIT in Paris is always a good idea.
FRENCH CLASSES
There is something special about taking french classes in France. Understanding the language really helps one connect with the country and the culture so much more. Plus, the french are nicer when they see you trying to fit in! I took french evening lessons at Accord, after reading a recommendation from Paris in four months. It was probably the only school that offered french evening courses in the summer! Lessons were 2x a week 1.5 hrs each, 40euros a week (cheaper than tuition in singapore!!) And I was there for 13 weeks (sans a few classes due to weekend trips).
I've taken french classes in NTU, but nothing quite compares to french lessons here in Paris. I feel like I learn so much more. It could be because
1) The whole lesson is COMPLETELY in french, definitely a culture shock.
2) You have to ask questions in French, sometimes the teacher will make you repeat the question until you get it with the perfect sentence structure before you get an answer.
3) You go at a pace suitable for you. One level is too easy? Just move right on to the next. Very much self-monitored learning. Coming from the Singaporean education system, this is so refreshing! I found myself actually putting in much more time googling phrases, finding translations, and I had a GENUINE interest in doing homework (comparing this to my willingness to do my tutorials in university)
4) Its super interactive. We play taboo in class, we act out skits with conversations, we talk about our day etc.
I really from the bottom of my heart look forward to EVERY french lesson after work! I am most definitely not fluent in french, but I give myself a pat on the back everytime I understand a word, phrase or sentence that is being said in french. I find so much joy in getting conjugations right, I enjoy testing myself when my colleagues speak in french to see how much I understand. So much joy in self-motivated learning!
I already miss my french teachers!
ANONYMITY
For 2 months (before Jerald came) I was alone, I knew nobody, nobody knew me. Living alone means not having to account to ANYBODY, You can go wherever you want, whenever you want. And thats exactly what I did.
Self prepared meals, waking up at whatever time during the weekends (usually pretty early) not having to justify how you spent your day, not having to share the toilet with anybody else, dressing as you please, eat whatever you want (30 euro meal? Who cares, just eat lesser the next day!) sharing as little or as much information as you want about yourself, amazing new found freedom.
That being said, I don't go out partying and staying out, I pretty much just enjoy being let off the hook as generally, parisians/french don't expect me to conform to societal norms (since i'm CLEARLY a foreigner), and I don't get judged! I can behave like a tourist, or like an inhabitant, which ever is more useful to whatever situation, and people buy it! See, no need for accountability, no need to think 'what will people think of me'.
THE WEATHER
Yes. The cold schizophrenic weather in Paris! That is the thing I will be dreading when I get off the A380 at Changi Airport. The weather in Paris was such a wonderful change from the hot and humid one in Singapore. In Paris, it never got hotter than 30 degrees, temperatures could be 20°C one day and 30° the next, choosing what to wear form the limited (and uncoordinated) selection of clothes I brought with me was honestly pretty fun! Plus, the office did not have a very strict dress code for the ladies. Jeans, dresses, leggings, skirts, sweaters, coats, bomber jackets, blazers etc. it was like playing dress up every morning!
The weather also made it REALLY enjoyable to walk from one place to another. You could walk for hours and not feel sweaty and uncomfortable!
I doubt i'd be able to experience another summer in a temperate climate for a while, and that is something i'll DEFINITELY miss! Not looking forward to the cold winter months. Then again, I've never experienced anything below 10°C in my life, so that's going to be an interesting experience.
THE CULTURE & MONUMENTS
Oh Paris. The Cathedrals, the Buildings, its Architecture, the Musuems (I'm more of a fan of the exterior of the musuems than the painting inside because honestly, i'm not that well versed in fine arts, oops). From the Palaces, to the Gardens, to individual squares, this is something i'm pretty sure I wouldn't find anywhere else. Paris is INDEED gorgeous. Even the architecture of apartment buildings and boutiques are wonderful! Just google BNP Paribas or Abercrombie and Fitch building in Paris. Like I said before, I don't think Paris is romantic, but it is most DEFINITELY beautiful. Its beauty extends far beyond the Eiffel Tower. FAR FAR FAR BEYOND.
Definitely going to miss roaming around aimlessly while admiring the architecture of buildings, flowers in the gardens, children playing, street musicians, horses riding by, the whole experience.
Paris is NEVER boring. There's so much to see, so many different arrondissements each with something unique to offer, I had so many places I wished I could visit but didn't have the chance to. Another reason to be back!
P.S. Even the interior deco of cafés and boutiques are fantastic. A little off point, but yes! I'll miss the beauty of this City.
I encourage everyone to visit Paris once in their lifetime. Sure the dirty streets and smelly metro stations do sometimes make it a little less charming (especially for someone coming from a place like singapore - maybe even Japan, Korea or anywhere where we are pretty used to the cleanliness of things and politeness of people), but you'll definitely fall in love with the city. Thank you Paris for being beautiful, thank you for the whole experience, thank you for the good and bad ;)
'Till we meet again,
Au Revoir.
The weather also made it REALLY enjoyable to walk from one place to another. You could walk for hours and not feel sweaty and uncomfortable!
I doubt i'd be able to experience another summer in a temperate climate for a while, and that is something i'll DEFINITELY miss! Not looking forward to the cold winter months. Then again, I've never experienced anything below 10°C in my life, so that's going to be an interesting experience.
THE CULTURE & MONUMENTS
Oh Paris. The Cathedrals, the Buildings, its Architecture, the Musuems (I'm more of a fan of the exterior of the musuems than the painting inside because honestly, i'm not that well versed in fine arts, oops). From the Palaces, to the Gardens, to individual squares, this is something i'm pretty sure I wouldn't find anywhere else. Paris is INDEED gorgeous. Even the architecture of apartment buildings and boutiques are wonderful! Just google BNP Paribas or Abercrombie and Fitch building in Paris. Like I said before, I don't think Paris is romantic, but it is most DEFINITELY beautiful. Its beauty extends far beyond the Eiffel Tower. FAR FAR FAR BEYOND.
Definitely going to miss roaming around aimlessly while admiring the architecture of buildings, flowers in the gardens, children playing, street musicians, horses riding by, the whole experience.
Paris is NEVER boring. There's so much to see, so many different arrondissements each with something unique to offer, I had so many places I wished I could visit but didn't have the chance to. Another reason to be back!
P.S. Even the interior deco of cafés and boutiques are fantastic. A little off point, but yes! I'll miss the beauty of this City.
I encourage everyone to visit Paris once in their lifetime. Sure the dirty streets and smelly metro stations do sometimes make it a little less charming (especially for someone coming from a place like singapore - maybe even Japan, Korea or anywhere where we are pretty used to the cleanliness of things and politeness of people), but you'll definitely fall in love with the city. Thank you Paris for being beautiful, thank you for the whole experience, thank you for the good and bad ;)
'Till we meet again,
Au Revoir.
5 Things I Will Miss About Paris
18 September 2014 Paris, France
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