Old post: TG Experience – 20 Aug 2003

TG Experience – 20 August 2003

I am in Chiang Mai.

The city has not really changed much since the last time I was here. Well, maybe it has changed in many ways ‘physically’ (new shopping center, more high rise building and the public bus has come back!! Yeah!) but it still seems the same to me: a lazy town with mad song-taw drivers (public taxi) and the humidity that make me twist and turn in my bed all night long.

A couple of day ago, I was lying down on my sweaty back staring at the ceiling of my room while the fan was panning itself to the right and left at its own pace, I thought about the Greece trip. I could hardly believe that I actually have been to Greece and even more unreal to me that I am actually home…..

‘British Airway would like to announce the cancellation of BA…’

That panic moment at Athens Airport when my BA flight was canceled fifteen-minute before the boarding time. The confirmation by the official that the flight was REALLY canceled came 30 minutes later. The mop of the passengers was already gang up against the poor stewardess who probably didn’t know anything more than any of us: that the flight was canceled.

I decided not to join in with the mop, didn’t think that they would miss my participation either, also I didn’t think that my presence would turn the situation around. Looking about myself, I saw the familiar Thai int. airline logo blinking over the gate next to my ‘suppose to be’ boarding gate to Heathrow. A quick thought flash though my mind, and before any hesitation pop up, I decided to act on it.

‘I supposed to be catching TG 911 tonight from Heathrow to Bangkok but…’ ‘Can I join this flight?’. The TG ground staffs looked at me as if I was a con man, trying to bluff my way though. However, they decided to believe me. The lady (there were two staffs- him and her) told me that there is a chance, if BA decided to pay for the cost incurred from the process. She walked with me over to the BA counter. Stopped, and turned around. The counter and the stewardess were now flooded with angry-passengers whose eyes shown that they just couldn’t wait to tear the counter down and hijack the plane to fly themselves back to Heathrow.

The lady at the TG counter told me that she ‘will try her best’. She walked back to her counter, pick up the phone, dial the number and spoke in Greece into the phone. She hanged up, dial some other numbers, and again murmur away in Greece. I couldn’t tell at all what chance am I stand of getting on that plane but I could tell by her the way she place her hand on to her head and the tone; that this wasn’t going to be easy. So I started chanting silently.

I chanted hard, am sure she could hear me: we were only few feet away.

10 minute passed, she hanged up the phone. Told me to go and pick up my bag at belt number 4. BA and TG agreed to endorse my ticket so that I could fly back to Bangkok straight from Athens. Less than an hour before the flight taken off so it was a time to run!

So Run I did; liked being chased by a mad dog. I was the first one to get to the belt. I was hoping that my bag would be there right away. But as usual: the moment you need it to be right on time it would be late. I waited at the front of convey belt gate biting my nail, looking at my watch, looking at the belt, chanting hard, looking at the belt again still no sign of my bags, big sigh, looking at my watch again, still hoping but already thinking about something that I shouldn’t: ‘what if I couldn’t make it…’ .

After 20 minutes of waiting which at that time seems eternity, my bags finally appeared, they moved slowly though the black rubber curtains that brush against it harshly. I picked them up, swing the rug sack onto my back and rush to the departure zone of the airport which seems to me then; a marathon away.

I arrived at the TG check in counter 20 min. before the boarding time, panting like a dog under summer sun. I surrendered my passport and ticket, swing the two bags on to the scale, so sure that that was it.. I was on  my way home.

But it didn’t end there, there was some problems with my ticket: a) it didn’t included Athens’ airport tax and b) it was student ticket. Sigh -_-‘ couldn’t you just let me go!!!

‘54C this way sir’ I have flown with THAI many times before but that flight was the whole new experience: Smooth as Silk. I already felt at home the moment the wheel lift off the ground. No one was sitting next to me, so time for light out. Good Night Athens, Sawadee Bangkok!!

^_^ Thanks to Liz and her family for everything. The trip was unforgettable!

It wouldn’t be half as good without you

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Day Three – Five: Trets

11.07.10

Long and busy day, felt somewhat tired.  Listening to lectures in German tired me out more than I thought. Learnt two interesting points: What is Victory? and What is Protection and how to see things from Buddha Eyes .(basically, how to perceive reality).

Victory simply means never giving up. The second point really made a chord for me.  When I determine to chant for something to happen and it doesn’t – does it mean failure or simply it is not good for my life?  (Who decided?)  - I can not know.  Pressing on with redetermination and move forward is the key.  Forward with Hope!  And perhaps one day I look back and it might make some sense of why things didn’t happen as I wished for.

Spanish won the world cup.  Good team with patient.  To bed at 1142.

12.07.10

1535hr Trust in myself is what I lacked at the moment.  The fickle of my mind lead me to distrust myself.  I do know  what is best for me yet I get moved by comment and superficial feeling.

Had an idea about a business - (omitted here for self beneficial reason :))

2240hr

Dinner was great, big table with many people bringing food to share like a family.  I would love my wedding to be like this!  Talked to T.  Great conversation about relationship and then spoke with A.  Felt the pain in his heart that he is going through.  I had felt like him – no joy and everything it’s a painful struggle.  Went for a walk with R. and K. Was a good walk. Picked up rosemary on the way.  Went to chant more with K.  Pain dwell up.  I know his painful feeling about his relationship because I went through and make so many mistakes with mine.  How many more mistake would I have to learn.

While I chanted, I felt like free fall dropping into the dark cave of no end.  I see the impermanent of things and it depressed me.  But at the end, I visualised a flower of hope in the darkness.

Do schedule for tomorrow and go to bed at 0100hr.

13.07.10

Such a heavy day. Did not sleep well.  Woke up 0545hr to chant.  Soka chief for today.  Only U. turned up for morning prayer.  But never mind.  Slowly build the team up and finished activity well at noon.  Really tired but I have to do Master of Ceremony (MC) with L. for the afternoon.  Struggle.  Tiredness overcome me and negative mood dwell.  Tried to go to bed after Daimoku.  Not so much better.  Shower and up.  A.  really helped and support.  Agitated still.  Anyway, I went to the young men singing rehearsal for the performance in the evening and felt better.  Although I know I was in my ‘littleselve’ mood.  Z. really supported me.  Went to prepare for the MC.  Felt better and can see that L. was struggle.  We were poor the first MC round. But muscled it together the 2nd and 3rd.  Joyfully ended.

Freedom means I can do what I want or I can do anything?

Culture festival in the evening was great.

Got a FB message from A.  Felt relieves.  The environment started to manifest what is in my heart.  To bed at 1230.

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Top’s guide to York

Top’s guide to York

Day 1

Arriving at York railway station around 4 PM seem like it’d just been raining: the floor was still wet and people still hang on to their raincoats. There was no point in waiting for my friend at the station so I made my way out to the town, hopefully I wouldn’t get lost. As I walked out of the station, turned my head around. I thought I saw King cross station; York station looks very much like a miniature King cross. Although, its infrastructure and bracing is not as exotic and complex. I learnt later on that it was the biggest train station in the world back in 1887.  Next to it is the largest railway museum in the world, I was advised to spend at least 3 hours there or just give it a miss. I’m not a transporting kinda guy, so the latter was picked.

Following the sign: “City Centre”, I walked along a wet path which were carpeted with yellow-reddish leaf of maple; a subtle warning that winter was approaching. Panning my eyes upward, and there was, at least 3 metres in height and the length… I couldn’t tell, it just stretch on beyond my sight: York city wall. The wall is built with stone, I could see some people walking on it; I knew where I want to go next, but my stomach started to make their vote, and frankly it won.

I carried on walking toward the town centre, crossing a brick arch bridge, which goes over river Ouse.  The river cut though the heart for the city and was the main mean of transportation between London and York in the old day when car and train is not yet existed. I could tell that I was on the right direction toward the centre of the city; the street was getting more and more busy. York is really the city of tourism, just like our neighbor: Bath, so the living cost here is quite high. A cup of tea in York cost approximately 1.25 pounds.

After shut the noise of my stomach up with a sweet corn and Mexican chicken sandwich and a pieces of Yorkshire sponge, I walk around aimlessly, when I turned at a corner and got kick in the eyes with, a  Mega-sized gothic style building which is the largest of its kind in Northern Europe: York Cathedral. I stood there a long while, stunned, before take out my camera and click.

After the click, I turned around promised myself that I would go inside it, then gave my friend a called. He told me to meet him at his house to drop off my bag.

After unloaded my back, as I’m not a man who leaves thing hanging undone, my feet took me toward the city wall entrance. (There are many of them, scattered around the city)

The sky turned blue, and I could feel the cold breeze touching my skin softly. The site of York City from the wall is a breath-taking. I really did enjoy it but it was getting darker and darker so I decided to leave the other half of the wall to explore the next day.

Day 2

Woke up 9.30am, looked out the window, couldn’t help swearing to myself quietly; that yesterday’s blue sky, turned to the ugly-mud colour today. Anyway, never worry about thing that you can’t do anything about so I got dressed up and had abit of corn flake with hot tea to fuel me up.

I decided to take a bus tour around York, although personally I really hate the idea of sitting in the bright yellow bus, but weighting it over having to walk in the rain? Hmmm. tought choices…

The bus was a double-decker and cost 4.50 for students. It takes approximately around 45 min to 1 hours to go around the city.

After made myself comfortable, I looked around me and found that there weren’t many other people on the bus, must be the gloomy weather. After a while, the bus slowly pulled off the stop. Greeting from the bus commentator blast out from an old speaker next to me. He started the tour by introduce us to York:

“York were discovered and passed thought hands of the Romans, Saxons, Vikings, and Normans.

It wouldn’t be too wrong to say that the history of York is the history of Britain.” (from here, as I have never succeeded in passing my history exams, I found it was too ambitious for me to try to tell you what the guide told me. I shall leave you to discover for yourself at http://www.britainexpress.com/cities/york/history.htm )

York is not only renowned for its richness in history and architecture. It’s also home to ones of the best chocolate brands in the word – Terry’s (yes! The orange chocolate) and “take-a-brake” Kit Kat, not only just that but there are also countless numbers of small-household size chocolate shops scatted around the city. Each of them has their own specialities. It would take some time to go though all of them. It is a cheaper alternative to those who loyal to Belgium chocolate. Why? Because all the raw materials are imported from Belgium!  (I would advise you to try the one situated near Monk Bar, the owner was rather friendly and the chocolate….. mouth watering.)

Chip ‘n’ Dale might remind you of the famous Walt Disney’s chipmunks, but it wouldn’t do the same trick to those who live in York. It would remind them, especially the ladies of the famous two exotic male dancers who danced in a club and was once considered to be the greatest night out for all the ladies. However, It might be sad for some of you to know that it was then a long time ago. The club is now, closed.

York was also the place where Hollywood diamonds was unearthed, “James bond”-Pierce Brosnan was working at the Royal theatre of York before he was asked to take a small part in a play. One thing leads to another, and somehow the English man just made his way to Hollywood and never wanted to come back. Must be all the glittering.

And for Pubs. York is populating with old style English pubs. Every streets, either at the beginning or at the end you would find at least a pub. Why are there so many of them? In old time, the law of York City stated that every man and woman must go to Pub for a certain amount of day for each week. And if you don’t you will get fine. (Not a bad rule, I thought)

Jumping off the bus, I was back where I was started. The weather was still unfriendly: windy and showering. I decided to find something to warm up my stomach. Walking along, Church Street, a long queue stretched out outside a small butcher shop. Normally I would avoid long queue, but the aroma of the traditional roast pork that fill the air, was irresistible. After a while of queuing, a soft roll-roast pork sandwich resting peacefully and warm in my hand. A few steps from the shop along “Ye olde Starre Inne”, I found to get my drink: a cup of fresh Lemon juice and a place to sit down.

The warmth of the roll could be felt not anymore in my hand but my tummy.  From where I was sitting, I could see there was an open-air market located just nearby. As fast as my thought, I got up and walked toward the direction.  But there wasn’t anything much on at the market, I was advised by an old lady at a flower shop that there would be more things going on if I would come back at the weekend. So if anyone have chance to go to York for a weekend do let me know if you visited the Newgate Market.

The York Minister, the thrill that you will have, visiting it is unexplainable. It is the largest medieval gothic cathedral north of the Alps. You would not have been to York if you missed this. The best time for visiting is just before it close, when it is least busy( 5-6pm). The moment I sat down on a chair at a corner of the lady’s chapel of the minister. I felt as if the time in the minister had stopped, although the time outside and on my watch was still carry on moving. It gave me time to spend a quiet moment with myself, reviewing my thought and doing the soul-searching business. Niiice  : )

7.30: the minister closed. “Let’s called it a day”:- I thought

Day 3

Weather? Same as yesterday: Grey and cold

Packed my bag and get ready to head for Newcastle, but before that, I planned to drop by at Merchant Adventure, and York Museum.

The Merchant Adventure located near Fossgate. It is the oldest and the finest city guild in Europe (not another Engineering building where you can send your e-mail and print out your essay for free). Merchants conducted their affairs in the superb timbered great hall, which remain as it was since 1357/62. Worth a visit for those interested in Timber superstructure and wooden joints. (Anyone?)

Looked at my watch and it was 10.30, I got a train to catch at 11.00, I gave the York museum a missed.

London-Newcastle train arrived at the platform, I stepped on the train, turned my head and looked back once more, at the city of history York.

Next stop: Newcastle

Other Attraction:

York Dungeon

The Ghost Hunt

Treasurer House

Copper Gate shopping area

Accommodation:

http://www.york-tourism.co.uk/accom.htm#accomlist

Load of Thanks to : Bertie Hui, for a place that I can rest my head, and your words of comfort.

Day two: Nice to Tret – Carimari

0925 Waiting for Petra and Barbara at Nice train station. Fritz and Hannah left to explore the city. The heat was slowly rising and so the humidity and the crowds. By 0930 the station was heaving with people. Had a good deep sleep last night which left me a bit drownsy. After morning prayer, a random thought kicked in : What I thought to be may isn’t so.

1304 Moving at 150km/hr. After compromised the maze of Nice’s one way streets, we picked up the rented car and three other before filtered though the city toward the motorway. Completely exhausted from navigating, I nodded off as soon as we reached the motorway.
When I woke up, we were somewhere between Anthip and Marseille, I was disoriented. Motorway has a mystery power to typify the scenery along it, or perhaps it is the speed of which we travelled on it. It make the context of space and time in our memory seems irrelevant.  Try to find GPS charging cable in my day pack, not there. Did I forgot it at home, I hoped not.

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1340 Sitting on my bed, I felt the humid air in the room brushing against the cool air of the night.
The sound of Buddism chant echoed in distance. It had been a long day. German beat Uruguay to cling the 3rd place in the world cup. It was a good match, ended 3-2. Uruguay made German worked hard for it. I finally formed some sort of determination for this course – to engage with my goal and do my atmost to achieve it. There is a Japanese phase that describe the opposite of this and it called Carimari. Perhaps like the spanish sqiud ring, one dance around the goal and do the bear minimum and fail to achieve it. A perfect illustration of my last 6 mounts or at least the attitude I had. Sitting pretty on the fence, not deciding one way or the other. Painful reflection.

Mon Tour de France: Preparation I

One more day left before leaving Vienna for France and 1 week before my cycling trip began.
not many day left (1) but I think I’m nearly prepared:

• Accomodation – booked
• Route – sorted
• Hired bike – sorted
• Guide for each city – printed but not read, that will be my airport in transit reading..

The excution can only be as good as the preparation, if not worst.  Because one can only prepare for the known problem, and known-unknown problem.  However it is the unknown-unknown problem that always get me.  Thing that I don’t know exist.  The best I could do is to narrow it down and dear Buddha – I always would try my best to.  I know too well how bad it can get when things go wrong and worst when I am alone.   To make it more challeng, the extension of my French goes as far as “Parlez-vous anglais ?”  How do I say, my bike is punture? Not a clue.

Acccomodation: Overnight stay in France is not cheap.  Normally range between 30-40 Euro.  Youth hostel are avialable but not widely spreadout.   Due to cost contraint, I decided to plan my route around accomodation and I manged to book all my accomodation in the Youth Hostels as listed below.

Aix: Auberge de Jeunesse	19 Euro
Tarascon: Tarascon, 31 Blvd Gambetta 13150 Tarascon (Bouches-du-Rhône)	13 Euro
Arles: 20 Avenue Foch 13200 Arles x 2 nights	17 Eurox2 = 32 Euro
Nimes: 257 Chemin de l’Aubergue de Jeunesse 30900 Nîmes	13.35 Euro
Nice: 3, rue Spitalieri 06000 Nice	23 Euro
Total	102 Euro + some booking fee

Bike:  I decided to hire a bike instead of bring my own from Vienna.  Although the cost over all is more, (70 Euro in total – 5 days, 10 Euro per day, plus 20 for safety kits and baggage compare with 40 Euro surcharge for a return flight bringing my bike with German Wing).  My Poco Rosso (that’s the day bike I used in Vienna)  is not fit enough to take the hammering of over 300km journey.   In addition, as his name suggest he is not on the light side either.  Check out aixpritvelo.com for more information on hiring.  They are pretty good, responsive and helpful over the email.  I will let you know if the bike they provide is on-par with their service.

Route: I use http://www.bikemap.net/ to plan my route.  It’s a lot better than google map as it checks the verticle climb out and draw route profile too.  I learned my expensive and painful lesson – last trip I planned the route without taking into account of the vertical profile and arrived a the base of the countless hills of Cornwall, totally unprepared.

The rough map of my tour route is as below.  I will post a detailed route out individually later.


View Larger Map

Mon tour de France: Pre-trip

I am going to France for a cycling trip.  The precise area is South of France or Provence.  I have been in the area a few times with my Buddhism group as we have a centre in Trets, a little town near Aix.  I had opportunity to visit Aix, Trets and Carssis.  I witnessed the sunrise and sunset over the Montagne Sainte-Victoire, a magnificent scene that inspired many artists including giants like Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh.

but that wasn’t enough…

I want to see more, I want to know what is all the fuss about South of France that draw millions of tourist there, surely it can’t be only because it has and average of 330 days of sun per year?

And above all.  I want to see ‘her’.

I can’t remember the first time we met but it must have been somewhere in the UK some 10 years plus ago but I remembered clearly, the light colour of her dress and her lightly calming scent that has subdued me since that very first day.  I got to know her better and that she was also from an ‘Auslander’ like I was.  She was from France.

This trip is going to be a long one and again I am going alone.

Yes, alone again, and no I don’t want to go alone.  Having some sort of human contact called ‘friend’ is nice in any situations, especially when one riding in a middle of nowhere, and not-knowing-where one is.  My last cycling trip was Bristol-Land Ends in 2009 and that too was ridden alone.  I still remembered vividly how fearful I was when I got lost in a rural path somewhere between Taunton and Exmoor while the sun was slowly setting.  (Riding in the dark in a rural road has the same risk as riding bike on a fast speed rail track – you don’t know what coming behind you until it hit you).

What would happen if some unknown creature pop out from some cave and chase me…

Or if someone tries to steal my bike?

Anyway, why is it so hard to persuade people in my circle of friend to do a cycling tour?  Most people reacts with a big glowing eyes ‘ Wow, that sound really nice’ or something along that line that indicate their admiration to my proposal.  The conversation then went on for a while ‘where, what, when, how’ before a soft downcast rejection with something that means in short “Bike tour is not for me”.

Bike tour is the greatest invention since man learns how to put the two wheels together, for god sake!  And no you don’t have to be fit like Lance Armstrong to do it!!

Even he enjoys it!

I will take my further winching somewhere else.  Let’s talk about le tour!

Pictures credit (google.com)

Next: Preparation