tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63792735837855424342024-03-13T04:47:00.706+00:00around the worldTravel with me around the worldBeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-21421748974572606772021-02-18T13:44:00.002+00:002021-02-18T13:45:44.927+00:00Look up <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KItCeepF1sM/YC5tdl_gp9I/AAAAAAAALjE/Oo1AMQcbxmYvSdc9K-EE2GFs7diEAYRwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN5394.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KItCeepF1sM/YC5tdl_gp9I/AAAAAAAALjE/Oo1AMQcbxmYvSdc9K-EE2GFs7diEAYRwwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/DSCN5394.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8zR8ek0wbl8/YC5tVPP6tvI/AAAAAAAALi8/dWCzF87aBVkjO-BjcbS8AWSA0HF-WJb4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN5399.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8zR8ek0wbl8/YC5tVPP6tvI/AAAAAAAALi8/dWCzF87aBVkjO-BjcbS8AWSA0HF-WJb4ACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/DSCN5399.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhZQ8UnuD_8/YC5taGmf_gI/AAAAAAAALjA/jpL5iubJPVYohXg50qfO1XOcZd2sm7aVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN5403-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1987" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhZQ8UnuD_8/YC5taGmf_gI/AAAAAAAALjA/jpL5iubJPVYohXg50qfO1XOcZd2sm7aVQCLcBGAsYHQ/w388-h400/DSCN5403-01.jpeg" width="388" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MzmrQfAOpa8/YC5tngwb2WI/AAAAAAAALjM/UiejAwAqHWId7W-2H8yO5LRnpwGBILHLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/look%2Bup%2B1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MzmrQfAOpa8/YC5tngwb2WI/AAAAAAAALjM/UiejAwAqHWId7W-2H8yO5LRnpwGBILHLQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/look%2Bup%2B1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-21800727521161900682021-02-16T21:57:00.001+00:002021-02-16T23:08:30.474+00:00Boats on the Danube at Budapest - 2019<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4JKp29ng9A/YCw7Om8NwaI/AAAAAAAALcM/iBEZl4sFt1gKO_A4o2MkRRa3cNRErK4NgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN5599.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4JKp29ng9A/YCw7Om8NwaI/AAAAAAAALcM/iBEZl4sFt1gKO_A4o2MkRRa3cNRErK4NgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/DSCN5599.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a small one</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mIqjsvknHN4/YCw8CLjgp4I/AAAAAAAALcU/xSNHcthOtJM9lGsDSMiuA94e2euzT3IpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/100_2042.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mIqjsvknHN4/YCw8CLjgp4I/AAAAAAAALcU/xSNHcthOtJM9lGsDSMiuA94e2euzT3IpgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/100_2042.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a long one</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z-V5vk3Rjyg/YCxQEBzytdI/AAAAAAAALdQ/FgZ9kUFwriYwYBq82Gv6fHnvxPHBxzXqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/boats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z-V5vk3Rjyg/YCxQEBzytdI/AAAAAAAALdQ/FgZ9kUFwriYwYBq82Gv6fHnvxPHBxzXqQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/boats.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BWdZgjv73_o/YCw53NoA0WI/AAAAAAAALcA/4OFeAlWD7kUbkSqHnJGZrCsfhsnsZw6iwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN4622.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BWdZgjv73_o/YCw53NoA0WI/AAAAAAAALcA/4OFeAlWD7kUbkSqHnJGZrCsfhsnsZw6iwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/DSCN4622.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">getting ready for mooring</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WyrUTjiiijM/YCw4ojhf51I/AAAAAAAALb4/wFtGJ29-Gn0to8L1lRNNFOYITFXVp51SQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN4578-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WyrUTjiiijM/YCw4ojhf51I/AAAAAAAALb4/wFtGJ29-Gn0to8L1lRNNFOYITFXVp51SQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/DSCN4578-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-81742462680628888682021-01-20T01:57:00.002+00:002021-01-20T02:03:04.376+00:00What a year behind us! <p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oqIUAubN33w/YAeIfng58WI/AAAAAAAALVE/pX7v58Mhc54SUWIzWENQt0zr4OQtFVlTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s450/covid.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oqIUAubN33w/YAeIfng58WI/AAAAAAAALVE/pX7v58Mhc54SUWIzWENQt0zr4OQtFVlTwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/covid.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span>source: internet</span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Many of us are getting tired of wearing masks, working from home, physically isolated from our friends and loved ones, and told what we can't do. No amount of Zoom meetings can replace the face to face contact. These are very testing times for many. </span></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">But, it's not the time to develop a casual attitude because it's not over yet. Please, be cautious, place a high value on life. Don't take Covid lightly. Follow the guidelines provided by your local authorities. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #3c4245; font-weight: 700; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public" target="_blank">What to do to keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19</a> </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="text-align: start;">direct link to WHO website.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xd4-xnCgj30/YAeLtmlZmhI/AAAAAAAALVQ/ngJLT3J8dLofmhLBddt21_lVw0Kn-qTEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/be-ready-social-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xd4-xnCgj30/YAeLtmlZmhI/AAAAAAAALVQ/ngJLT3J8dLofmhLBddt21_lVw0Kn-qTEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/be-ready-social-2.jpg" /></a></div>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-28869919736362632932020-12-27T23:06:00.080+00:002021-01-04T20:22:47.433+00:00Pandemic fatigue - we can beat it<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dB4BJGnX1FY/X-kSvSOhVcI/AAAAAAAALTk/ovM3ajPZKJ83RrY2yD4-QWCvLcBRxnuGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC00647.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dB4BJGnX1FY/X-kSvSOhVcI/AAAAAAAALTk/ovM3ajPZKJ83RrY2yD4-QWCvLcBRxnuGgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/DSC00647.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a foggy, gloomy winter night in 2020 January</div><p style="text-align: justify;">Writing a so-called travel blog at a time when you can't travel to new places is gonna fell flat after a while. Posting pictures and writing about the normal life we had before the Pandemic is okay for a short time. Good memories help to go on, but sooner or later, one may lose the initial enthusiasm. I have to admit, I lost my enthusiasm.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">But, I try to stay connected to the outside world, make the best of my current circumstances, and stick to a routine.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=501100011&srcid=share" target="_blank">https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=501100011&srcid=share</a> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are really good suggestions on how to beat pandemic fatigue at the above link.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">Hopefully, we don't have to wait long to travel to new places.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7KrTtx9BROk/X-m_gtAGshI/AAAAAAAALTw/8vCVN30UqJAGMihwDu7wtGAMXD0CPTe9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1632/203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7KrTtx9BROk/X-m_gtAGshI/AAAAAAAALTw/8vCVN30UqJAGMihwDu7wtGAMXD0CPTe9QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/203.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-38212767673981068072020-11-22T00:42:00.002+00:002020-11-22T15:22:44.184+00:00Hangry<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aycucJi6zOo/X7mp46ZCHyI/AAAAAAAALRU/CnRG-SLjcAY84Z1PQvPmFdRLkSw0IkhtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/when-does-hungry-become-hangry.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="549" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aycucJi6zOo/X7mp46ZCHyI/AAAAAAAALRU/CnRG-SLjcAY84Z1PQvPmFdRLkSw0IkhtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/when-does-hungry-become-hangry.jpg" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The term, meaning bad-tempered or irritable as a result of hunger, was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in the January 2018 update. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I used to live in England (2005-2010), my friends and people, in general, found it funny that the word hungry and Hungary sound very similar, or they really didn't know how to pronounce Hungary. I often found myself in conversations that sounded something like the following.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">- So, you are from Hungry.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">- Almost, you left out the letter 'a', it's Hungary. H-u-n-g-a-r-y. But, when I am hungry, I am a hungry Hungarian. And sometimes I am hangry, an angry, hungry Hungarian.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I love playing on words😀. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>However, this is not just playing on words. It's real.<br /></span>People often get hangry when their blood sugar level is low, so do I.</span></div>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-51498797458407828892020-11-15T19:56:00.007+00:002020-11-17T17:46:37.211+00:00Home delivery - eating in is the new eating out<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">In 2009 on my first visit to China, I found it strange that McDonald's and other quick food chains had home delivery. Back then, it wasn't common practice in Europe. </span><span style="text-align: center;">Well, in 2020, we still don't have 24 hours of home delivery, as far as I know 😃.</span><span style="text-align: center;"> However, because of lockdown, it became the new eating out. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cwtWkcK0bsk/X7F_1ipWnoI/AAAAAAAALRA/64BZ2waVdyAKsuGToFUxZGkbsWC_aPG8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s993/scan0015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="993" height="254" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cwtWkcK0bsk/X7F_1ipWnoI/AAAAAAAALRA/64BZ2waVdyAKsuGToFUxZGkbsWC_aPG8QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h254/scan0015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-5820443642926316512020-10-25T17:28:00.020+00:002020-11-18T22:33:54.663+00:00Culture shock - a worst start possible<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Moving to a foreign country was one of my long-held dreams. I loved the English language and English culture. In 2000 I visited one of my friends in London. After returning home, I set my mind on moving there. The easiest way to find a job was to work as an au-pair/nanny (Hungary wasn't part of the EU yet). However, I was over the age limit accepted at that time. The agent seeing my determination suggested Spain as an alternative and only solution. I was devastated, who wants to go to Spain instead of England, it sounded crazy. A friend convinced me that I will lose nothing by trying it. But, I knew nothing about Spain besides the stereotypes, plus I didn't like the language. In my head, Spain was a place just like this postcard.</span></span></p><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9W84nOwszUs/SlcRc0N_DpI/AAAAAAAAB4o/8X9s8-Zt-00/s1600-h/scan0001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="451" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356769468531805842" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9W84nOwszUs/SlcRc0N_DpI/AAAAAAAAB4o/8X9s8-Zt-00/w640-h451/scan0001.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 282px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: justify; width: 400px;" width="640" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9W84nOwszUs/SlcRcoieXBI/AAAAAAAAB4g/Db6RjYcP4-Q/s1600-h/scan0003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;">To cut it short, I wasn't prepared at all before I moved to Spain. I could only say hello and goodbye in Spanish, that was all my language knowledge when I arrived in Barcelona. My first job was in a small city near Barcelona. Although my host family spoke good English, I couldn't find anyone else in that city who was willing to communicate in English. It made getting around a challenge. At that time, there were no smartphones with GPS. So, help from the locals was essential. But, they were an unfriendly bunch. Later, I found out that the city is known for its unfriendliness if you want to use other languages than Catalan (it must have changed since).</div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Besides my lack of Spanish, I know very little about life in Catalunya and in Spain. Shops closing at midday, having supper at late hours, going to bed after midnight, always being late, yes doesn't mean they will do it now and there ('tomorrow' attitude). Just to mention some of the cultural differences that made me feel uncomfortable, nervous, annoyed and agitated. Meanwhile, I continuously compared the culture I came from with theirs, the way of dealing with problems and life in general. This made adjusting to my new environment extremely slow.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Their customs and habits were strange to me, and mine was annoying to them. I felt I was forced to accept their way of living and thinking. After 3 months, our parts departed with my employer. This negative experience made me think of going home. But, inside I knew, going home and giving up would undermine all my efforts. I didn't wanna be one of those who goes home and talks about his/her bitter experience abroad.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It took nearly 6 months to turn the table around (improve the situation). I started to accept the Spanish way of life. Though it was a long process, Spanish culture taught me to enjoy life. Also, </span></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I came to love the language too.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"> There, I also learnt one of the most valuable lessons of my life, namely: to not compare cultures and countries with each other, but see them with an impartial eye.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">My friend was right, I lost nothing, but gained new friends, a beautiful language and a second home in those 3 years while I lived there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ffz7aYpyrM/X5YCxEUDrBI/AAAAAAAALKI/IlO1SHsE3kEWNLVcXx4W3mtGBoSDD0tBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s919/bcn%2Bwall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="919" height="395" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ffz7aYpyrM/X5YCxEUDrBI/AAAAAAAALKI/IlO1SHsE3kEWNLVcXx4W3mtGBoSDD0tBQCLcBGAsYHQ/w562-h395/bcn%2Bwall.jpg" width="562" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">image: https://www.amazon.co.uk/islandburner-Canvas-Skyline-Barcelona-Picture/dp/B07262DFTM</div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-84426497252638146392020-10-24T14:39:00.006+01:002021-01-10T21:33:19.421+00:00 Culture shock <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The feeling of disorientation experienced by someone when they are suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes. (Lexico)</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-62e025b6-7fff-b3c1-5f64-d5a89ce8dcc7"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The nervous or confused feeling that people sometimes get when they arrive in a place that has a very different culture from their own (Macmillan Dictionary)</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The feeling of being confused and worried that somebody may get when they visit another country or experience a different way of life or set of attitudes because the experience is so different from what they are used to. (Oxford Learner’s Dictionary)</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A sense of confusion and uncertainty sometimes with feelings of anxiety that may affect people exposed to an alien culture or environment without adequate preparation. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HCQC2LY7G3s/X5Qt7k_-7bI/AAAAAAAALJk/GXukjd8zMfc_TMOohwCbBmm2h69xhFfRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s980/Culture-shock-graph-980x515.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="980" height="336" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HCQC2LY7G3s/X5Qt7k_-7bI/AAAAAAAALJk/GXukjd8zMfc_TMOohwCbBmm2h69xhFfRwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h336/Culture-shock-graph-980x515.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To summarize: The feeling of confusion, disorientation, nervous feeling, being worried, a sense of uncertainty, sometimes with feelings of anxiety when </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">suddenly experiencing an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes that are very different from our own, without adequate preparation. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sure, not everyone experiences all the above-mentioned symptoms, especially when we are exposed to a new culture for a short time only. And not at the same time, that would make anyone's stay in a new place quite miserable. Also, it would put us off travelling for a life.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is said that culture shock is good for us. Experiencing different cultures widens our horizons and makes us more tolerant. There are more ways of living and doing things, one is not better than the other.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The problem comes when we are not prepared for it, when we start our journey with stereotypes in our heads, when we continuously compare a new culture with our own. The last two would prevent us from enjoying our stay. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the other hand, when it comes to preparation, it is very unlikely that we can prepare for everything. Even if you read a lot, watch documentaries and movies about the new place where you are heading, you will encounter unexpected things. Also, there is a big difference between going on holiday and moving to a new country. The latter has more stages and deserves a new post.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-71801704354920594222020-10-11T02:12:00.003+01:002020-10-11T02:12:33.829+01:00Stairs - Budapest<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsH50JrtUtw/X4JKvKmPmQI/AAAAAAAAK-8/M2Rz35y25Aw4ouDHcUcG-xyQ8fCGOph0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/100_1948.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsH50JrtUtw/X4JKvKmPmQI/AAAAAAAAK-8/M2Rz35y25Aw4ouDHcUcG-xyQ8fCGOph0gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/100_1948.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-meyubrv2mQk/X4Ja3Bv530I/AAAAAAAALDA/47u_gek7LSgc98xlf9Q49ro2TTWqOHiBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN5278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-meyubrv2mQk/X4Ja3Bv530I/AAAAAAAALDA/47u_gek7LSgc98xlf9Q49ro2TTWqOHiBQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/DSCN5278.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUi4dKV_glg/X4Ja3fnFapI/AAAAAAAALDI/Xobwt4mfTi8GxgKA0OR5Kc44vHr24TYnACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN5289-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUi4dKV_glg/X4Ja3fnFapI/AAAAAAAALDI/Xobwt4mfTi8GxgKA0OR5Kc44vHr24TYnACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/DSCN5289-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wcXKd77r1tQ/X4Ja3Ia0m3I/AAAAAAAALDE/N_VKueuJCFYLuTDh8injEoN5-OkD2MzdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN5295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wcXKd77r1tQ/X4Ja3Ia0m3I/AAAAAAAALDE/N_VKueuJCFYLuTDh8injEoN5-OkD2MzdgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/DSCN5295.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7IiTJFLySGk/X4Ja39i86MI/AAAAAAAALDM/e9tbWPYAMHMkmYqxmPJNgJqCl0KLF7JMACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN5411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7IiTJFLySGk/X4Ja39i86MI/AAAAAAAALDM/e9tbWPYAMHMkmYqxmPJNgJqCl0KLF7JMACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/DSCN5411.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><p></p>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-88555210786084527952020-10-11T02:03:00.001+01:002020-10-11T02:14:25.270+01:00Banska Bystrica - Coffee shops<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There are many fancy coffee shops in the city, the elegant ones with a high price tag.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">However, these ones weren't just cosy but affordable too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRjuFCpFZc4/X4JW97vvkOI/AAAAAAAALCo/fKU2VzXkoosVca-klKA0Udk_X6mbec1wgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/cameringo_20190930_144432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRjuFCpFZc4/X4JW97vvkOI/AAAAAAAALCo/fKU2VzXkoosVca-klKA0Udk_X6mbec1wgCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/cameringo_20190930_144432.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o6orwQO12rI/X4JW928k3DI/AAAAAAAALCw/eog9CwuOxjQY4BaLinDuDe2AWMWAtM_hwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/cameringo_20190930_145351.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o6orwQO12rI/X4JW928k3DI/AAAAAAAALCw/eog9CwuOxjQY4BaLinDuDe2AWMWAtM_hwCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/cameringo_20190930_145351.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHfZXPhgQFM/X4JW91PqczI/AAAAAAAALCs/VCRW-kiA3LYU1QYAVmh8YTBMlb6kHueJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/cameringo_20190930_170338.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHfZXPhgQFM/X4JW91PqczI/AAAAAAAALCs/VCRW-kiA3LYU1QYAVmh8YTBMlb6kHueJQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/cameringo_20190930_170338.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-30862559711226992362020-10-06T00:32:00.001+01:002020-10-06T00:43:56.485+01:00Mostar - Stari Most/Old bridge<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">An impressive bridge with a lot of history</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47GGZa6PfLE/X3upUHzy7uI/AAAAAAAAK94/kP7bPUtrHL8V1FG6JNCexNNJllvCrjKvACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1563216439478.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47GGZa6PfLE/X3upUHzy7uI/AAAAAAAAK94/kP7bPUtrHL8V1FG6JNCexNNJllvCrjKvACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/1563216439478.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4C4-imMww8I/X3upVICg56I/AAAAAAAAK-M/hxNYR1zb35gjRp_pamp7C3Ghyu8A0HeMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/cameringo_20190527_184750.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4C4-imMww8I/X3upVICg56I/AAAAAAAAK-M/hxNYR1zb35gjRp_pamp7C3Ghyu8A0HeMgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/cameringo_20190527_184750.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvvFesQSRCY/X3upUcJ3ojI/AAAAAAAAK98/bQS3QahG47comhCcHUKeiLFFEE0r-Y_rQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN4987.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvvFesQSRCY/X3upUcJ3ojI/AAAAAAAAK98/bQS3QahG47comhCcHUKeiLFFEE0r-Y_rQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/DSCN4987.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sSokPOdPLzw/X3upUdfJEXI/AAAAAAAAK-A/22pAKrv4iPQuIqJ0TVIbBNV69v9yJsFkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN4989-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sSokPOdPLzw/X3upUdfJEXI/AAAAAAAAK-A/22pAKrv4iPQuIqJ0TVIbBNV69v9yJsFkQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/DSCN4989-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-51411438882734425512020-10-02T23:48:00.009+01:002020-10-03T21:25:58.564+01:00Biáng - one of the hardest Chinese characters <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Biáng</b> is considered one of the hardest Chinese characters. It describes a type of noodle popular in Shaanxi province. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There are many videos on the net in which foreigners are testing locals in China on difficult characters. Most of the time, locals either don't know the meaning of those words or/and don't know how to write them. These videos are quite interesting to watch, but they are unfair at the same time. The Chinese writing system differs from the Latin alphabet based ones. Hearing a word in Chinese doesn't give a clue how to 'write' it down. Besides, being native of any languages doesn't mean we know all the words in the dictionary. </span></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wT0qyGnM_z8/X3epyu1e4fI/AAAAAAAAK9g/EbCbtetB0pYwRMnjtnweyr6ZNBcsmVhYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/biang%2Bin%2Bxian.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wT0qyGnM_z8/X3epyu1e4fI/AAAAAAAAK9g/EbCbtetB0pYwRMnjtnweyr6ZNBcsmVhYQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/biang%2Bin%2Bxian.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Somewhere in Xi'an</span></div><p></p>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-22713664625670170462020-10-02T23:03:00.004+01:002020-10-03T21:28:52.454+01:00En route to Mostar from Sarajevo (2019)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We travelled in the rain, but the scenery was stunning. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(My PC made this video for me from the pictures I have. Pretty good job from a machine.)</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='440' height='366' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxYMU0MaFC8_xk93D86AbizEh72wWHY5TlDN-UdLqzuatmQmKsGtoj3gOMABxjur75pzAhj2OwhFKwfIulR5Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p></p>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-37335656496919468052020-10-01T00:04:00.002+01:002020-10-01T00:10:23.324+01:00Writings on the wall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZgklwxCuRY/X3UOHc1hznI/AAAAAAAAKdA/tLZEndysgiUjNjODPGB-VoFDoZ99D9b2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN4755-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZgklwxCuRY/X3UOHc1hznI/AAAAAAAAKdA/tLZEndysgiUjNjODPGB-VoFDoZ99D9b2ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/DSCN4755-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sarajevo</span></div>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-39138132017343379902020-09-30T23:49:00.003+01:002020-10-01T14:57:56.881+01:00Let's dance<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Screenshots from a video, I recorded in Xi'an in 2018.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IU1EfGhpXvQ/X3UJyGUo9EI/AAAAAAAAKcs/WPkYVuJV7SY4eLT2FslyqsZvGvU8nb7QACLcBGAsYHQ/s1186/Screenshot_20190427-234903.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1186" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IU1EfGhpXvQ/X3UJyGUo9EI/AAAAAAAAKcs/WPkYVuJV7SY4eLT2FslyqsZvGvU8nb7QACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h240/Screenshot_20190427-234903.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yLdxXFQBGfs/X3UJyOYsp7I/AAAAAAAAKck/Mefr2YDryeMZHRmU24UNtndwSkoKeDxqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s841/Screenshot_20190427-234915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="841" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yLdxXFQBGfs/X3UJyOYsp7I/AAAAAAAAKck/Mefr2YDryeMZHRmU24UNtndwSkoKeDxqwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Screenshot_20190427-234915.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhewsxOjwT8/X3UJyKWUz8I/AAAAAAAAKco/g1ZNCNckjm45bBV6NtJ2Y24u-lO1HW0TACLcBGAsYHQ/s1140/Screenshot_20190427-234945%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1140" height="251" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhewsxOjwT8/X3UJyKWUz8I/AAAAAAAAKco/g1ZNCNckjm45bBV6NtJ2Y24u-lO1HW0TACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h251/Screenshot_20190427-234945%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-14412891244612380752020-09-30T23:34:00.005+01:002020-10-01T00:51:25.918+01:00Trams, trains and buses<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IGNbjI9mGPs/X3UC1oHLIuI/AAAAAAAAKbI/-tbk0h2oQ_chBEYw30d3GbjKMuXtgZZSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN4788-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1877" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IGNbjI9mGPs/X3UC1oHLIuI/AAAAAAAAKbI/-tbk0h2oQ_chBEYw30d3GbjKMuXtgZZSgCLcBGAsYHQ/w366-h400/DSCN4788-01.jpeg" width="366" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5-iAfJl2Ao/X3UC-Xu4lnI/AAAAAAAAKbU/4ZP3WPjU1kwywntrVz8BftB5I38sY41UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN4799-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1441" data-original-width="2048" height="281" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5-iAfJl2Ao/X3UC-Xu4lnI/AAAAAAAAKbU/4ZP3WPjU1kwywntrVz8BftB5I38sY41UQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h281/DSCN4799-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sarajevo</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jC0Iy9cyHuM/X3UC1fjVzlI/AAAAAAAAKbE/YF6l7qGrwh4EPUVqm3z8H4O74y2iaJX7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG-20170605-WA0002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jC0Iy9cyHuM/X3UC1fjVzlI/AAAAAAAAKbE/YF6l7qGrwh4EPUVqm3z8H4O74y2iaJX7ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG-20170605-WA0002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Prague</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppQH9lstHfw/X3UC185ExbI/AAAAAAAAKbM/huxUboOjfm4VmwEtPxERutcyUZ7TQtNVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PHOTO_20180624_204108-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1229" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppQH9lstHfw/X3UC185ExbI/AAAAAAAAKbM/huxUboOjfm4VmwEtPxERutcyUZ7TQtNVwCLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h400/PHOTO_20180624_204108-01.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">en route to Xi'an</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7CsBuaqNTQ/X3UGABy-5QI/AAAAAAAAKbw/V85Iubmohk4scjW0M2Fy8vy-zxJfGuUZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/cameringo_20190519_230321-01-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7CsBuaqNTQ/X3UGABy-5QI/AAAAAAAAKbw/V85Iubmohk4scjW0M2Fy8vy-zxJfGuUZgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/cameringo_20190519_230321-01-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Budapest</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2o2cjXoHbI/X3UC2CZDq0I/AAAAAAAAKbQ/MR0-Zlw1aXIpG77zA4UuMz5LMlYlCNWtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PHOTO_20191208_130911-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2o2cjXoHbI/X3UC2CZDq0I/AAAAAAAAKbQ/MR0-Zlw1aXIpG77zA4UuMz5LMlYlCNWtwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/PHOTO_20191208_130911-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Odessa</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WYjRUR6ovsg/X3UY8wxJraI/AAAAAAAAKds/IsURXy2wYrI8U9TRO75wckDJapqzsyF7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/guanddong%2Bbus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WYjRUR6ovsg/X3UY8wxJraI/AAAAAAAAKds/IsURXy2wYrI8U9TRO75wckDJapqzsyF7QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/guanddong%2Bbus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Somewhere in Guangdong province</div><p></p>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-5383588370175169862020-09-27T11:36:00.041+01:002020-12-27T23:20:02.593+00:00Pole to Pole with Michael Palin<div style="text-align: justify;">Last night flipping through the channels, I came across a real gem, Pole to Pole with Michael Palin. Interesting to see different cultures, means of transport, ways of traveling. It was filmed in 1991. You can witness some historical events, e.g., Michael leaves the Soviet Union, later in the same episode, he reads about its fall in the newspaper. <span style="text-align: center;">Luckily, it's on YouTube too. </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChAnL2vIUk43CcSonFMloYA/search?query=pole%20to%20pole" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Part 1-6 SD quality</a><span style="text-align: center;">, </span></div>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-12703174514073525242020-09-18T20:28:00.004+01:002020-10-11T02:18:50.455+01:00Airports<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-01c4d54e-7fff-d85a-8713-992daa8621c9"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">When you missed your flight or just prefer to spend the night there because of a very early flight.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KNJCReu0EqI/X2UCbOfp7MI/AAAAAAAAKXU/Pep_ieemJ-MVin9PBSeiFFstKwtZkMJowCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/100_0528.JPG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KNJCReu0EqI/X2UCbOfp7MI/AAAAAAAAKXU/Pep_ieemJ-MVin9PBSeiFFstKwtZkMJowCLcBGAsYHQ/w375-h280/100_0528.JPG.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6peZHbDc-VE/X2UCbI8kmgI/AAAAAAAAKXY/OPxVaPEZqlMg__zY0mmDAosGrF5DoyptQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/100_0529.JPG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="275" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6peZHbDc-VE/X2UCbI8kmgI/AAAAAAAAKXY/OPxVaPEZqlMg__zY0mmDAosGrF5DoyptQCLcBGAsYHQ/w367-h275/100_0529.JPG.jpg" width="367" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">When your flight is delayed</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SnTVEyiSXbI/X2UCfMn6YKI/AAAAAAAAKYo/SgnvDo_eY5UUdyFWugvGgZlkZBn4OpeTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/cameringo_20190529_112535-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1693" data-original-width="2048" height="302" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SnTVEyiSXbI/X2UCfMn6YKI/AAAAAAAAKYo/SgnvDo_eY5UUdyFWugvGgZlkZBn4OpeTQCLcBGAsYHQ/w364-h302/cameringo_20190529_112535-01.jpeg" width="364" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O6rxfZ6LquM/X2UCfYElG8I/AAAAAAAAKYs/_NGdTRKjWaItyt6-75g2QlufkUwwkvfhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1854/cameringo_20190529_123359-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1854" data-original-width="1308" height="389" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O6rxfZ6LquM/X2UCfYElG8I/AAAAAAAAKYs/_NGdTRKjWaItyt6-75g2QlufkUwwkvfhQCLcBGAsYHQ/w275-h389/cameringo_20190529_123359-01.jpeg" width="275" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-e60c4bff-7fff-e4a0-dc13-fe408aec9aec"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">At the boarding gates</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFSAcN2jhkM/X2UCbLAgG0I/AAAAAAAAKXQ/PZI6PPZUVVAWBARfb3xtpHOC8ssOQtvbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC01276.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="376" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFSAcN2jhkM/X2UCbLAgG0I/AAAAAAAAKXQ/PZI6PPZUVVAWBARfb3xtpHOC8ssOQtvbgCLcBGAsYHQ/w282-h376/DSC01276.JPG" width="282" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dsD1yeJqp1Q/X2UCcDNEeeI/AAAAAAAAKXo/2V7-0OnNO6o9WJ0GxkUs8Qd4AWnxrnxUACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSCF0226.JPG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="291" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dsD1yeJqp1Q/X2UCcDNEeeI/AAAAAAAAKXo/2V7-0OnNO6o9WJ0GxkUs8Qd4AWnxrnxUACLcBGAsYHQ/w387-h291/DSCF0226.JPG.jpg" width="387" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikHoa4fhjug/X2UCcXzulZI/AAAAAAAAKXw/04Qu8psg2gYMScfLd02pCR4G9ZmS8R20ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSCF0228.JPG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="287" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikHoa4fhjug/X2UCcXzulZI/AAAAAAAAKXw/04Qu8psg2gYMScfLd02pCR4G9ZmS8R20ACLcBGAsYHQ/w383-h287/DSCF0228.JPG.jpg" width="383" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUEJ51VdhGg/X2UCcQdj2wI/AAAAAAAAKXs/jsp7vXjA8aAL3UWlDO4l-qffjMnh2yfWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSCF0231.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUEJ51VdhGg/X2UCcQdj2wI/AAAAAAAAKXs/jsp7vXjA8aAL3UWlDO4l-qffjMnh2yfWgCLcBGAsYHQ/w384-h288/DSCF0231.JPG" width="384" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Almost on the plane</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FG6dJlzm9iA/X2UCdTmQCDI/AAAAAAAAKYE/y29QzSXmmIMfK81_xE6F8LNBf5oh9Ne8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20190526_233605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="378" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FG6dJlzm9iA/X2UCdTmQCDI/AAAAAAAAKYE/y29QzSXmmIMfK81_xE6F8LNBf5oh9Ne8QCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h378/IMG_20190526_233605.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xZT_h2UL8LE/X2UCcsNAkmI/AAAAAAAAKX0/bnuz3uZPucMH_Gb2U9ZRKMp8bjiQoAXmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20180611_194344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="287" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xZT_h2UL8LE/X2UCcsNAkmI/AAAAAAAAKX0/bnuz3uZPucMH_Gb2U9ZRKMp8bjiQoAXmwCLcBGAsYHQ/w383-h287/IMG_20180611_194344.jpg" width="383" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">We have arrived</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ucbIldDQqk8/X2UCeQzT68I/AAAAAAAAKYY/1wKXgr6h58I_RsYyb-huQ2aaCr7FzkVzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PHOTO_20191210_163321-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1430" data-original-width="2048" height="269" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ucbIldDQqk8/X2UCeQzT68I/AAAAAAAAKYY/1wKXgr6h58I_RsYyb-huQ2aaCr7FzkVzQCLcBGAsYHQ/w386-h269/PHOTO_20191210_163321-01.jpeg" width="386" /></a></div><p></p>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-76215890232611327592020-09-16T00:03:00.006+01:002020-10-11T02:17:41.680+01:00A view with music (from outside) 2013<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I loved this flat, it had a really nice view and 'natural air-con' due to its position.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ru21SujPlng" width="459"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sorry for the bad quality.</span></div><p></p>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-68225248199735651562020-09-15T11:52:00.006+01:002020-10-11T02:18:06.260+01:00A Table Mat from an Indian restaurant in Guangzhou<p></p><div style="text-align: center;">True, we can't go around to hug our friends, but we can hug our family members those who live with us in the same household.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ezr5jg7pQcE/X2CcGInn5zI/AAAAAAAAKVs/nRBEpBJn_WQ6_mqOWqXV6nJaniUQd7DFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/CamScanner%2B09-15-2020%2B12.40.34_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1411" data-original-width="2048" height="352" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ezr5jg7pQcE/X2CcGInn5zI/AAAAAAAAKVs/nRBEpBJn_WQ6_mqOWqXV6nJaniUQd7DFwCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h352/CamScanner%2B09-15-2020%2B12.40.34_1.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><p></p>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-53348864677886736032020-09-10T17:04:00.012+01:002020-09-15T17:46:01.504+01:00Virtual tour 5 - Autumn Forest Walk in Washington State, USA<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No forest nearby?<br />Come along and enjoy the natural sounds of the forest.</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/478TeAxm12g" width="480"></iframe> </p>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-18140899014319006072020-09-09T23:35:00.006+01:002020-09-10T00:49:01.879+01:00Virtual tour 4 - Durham, UK - "A perfect little city"<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">A captivating city with winding cobbled streets and a prominent peninsula crowned with the dramatic Durham Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site – one of the most stunning city panoramas in Europe and now home to Open Treasure, the Cathedral’s world-class exhibition experience.</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2KvuFpyXxUQ" width="459"></iframe></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Durham in 1960 </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_EDsLl4_ZVU" width="480"></iframe></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and in 2015</span></p>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-35297028261430872822020-09-09T08:00:00.027+01:002020-11-15T17:41:41.179+00:00Virtual tour 3 - Ha Long Bay, Vietnam<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's a river cruise time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a-mq7CkKww8" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>I didn't find one without music and distracting talking.</div><div><br /></div></div>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-7499360324561730492020-09-08T08:00:00.061+01:002020-09-08T10:39:32.769+01:00Virtual tour 2 - Hiking the Great Wall of China<div style="text-align: center;">How about visiting the Great Wall today?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GOAjg3CR2lM" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a longer hike (54 minutes) to those who want to enjoy the scenery a bit longer.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Put on your walking shoes. 😀)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x-WrfKWBpg4" width="480"></iframe></div>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379273583785542434.post-20313648791335837232020-09-07T13:54:00.006+01:002020-09-07T23:25:06.183+01:00Virtual tours and walking tours<p style="text-align: justify;">Due to Pandemic, most of us stuck at home and cannot travel far from home. We walk less than before. It's definitely true of me. For this reason, I decided to walk more. In the coming posts, I will choose places I haven't been to before. I know, through the screen it's not the same feeling as being there. But, stand up, follow the pace. It's not just good exercise but feels like walking on those streets and paths.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">There are many places on my bucket list. I hope in the future I can visit them in person until then we can go there virtually.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVMLSgDbKxo/X1YswRppOCI/AAAAAAAAKNg/GmFe9R-B_JAOjrABnvEI0Fx3dRknDZMiACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/100_2314.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVMLSgDbKxo/X1YswRppOCI/AAAAAAAAKNg/GmFe9R-B_JAOjrABnvEI0Fx3dRknDZMiACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/100_2314.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The first virtual tour/walk is in the previous post about Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul.</div>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927984823078365229noreply@blogger.com0