Flashback on Pedro's friends

These are those exchange students on Cotton's. Singapore, Mexico, Germany, France and Portugal seated at the same table. Reminds me my UK student years.


This is us (Natalia was with us) last night at the Chinese restaurant outdoors, on one of the main Shanghai wide streets.

Gotta run now, more pics on the way!

Day 5

So, THE massage finally took place. We almost cried in pain...

It's a massage based on a 1 500 year old Japanese Acupressure therapy, incorporating amongst others, Shiatsu techniques.
It's an ancient healing art that uses manipulative techniques, fingers, thumbs, elbows and sometimes heels, to enable deep pressure to be applied on key points on the surface of the skin. When these points are pressed they release muscular tension, promote circulation of blood and ultimately self healing. Because this works on deep tissue it is a most effective method for treating specific tension related ailments and to promote overall well being rather than a therapy for pleasure and/or relaxation (as we were soon going to find out!).
Its techniques involve gripping muscles and is therefore carried out without the use of oil. This type of massage is also a treatment for the shy as it is carried out whilst the client rests FULLY CLOTHED in a specially designed orthopaedic chair.

Let me set it up for you. We both were sent to a small room where we were supposed to change into a sort of kimono, sort of pyjama. We were then asked to lay on these 2 beds facing each other. The girls came and started to massage with their thumbs and finger tips with such a pressure I could only hear "softer, please" from Pedro's side... I was suffering there too, but didn't want to say anything, as if it's the way it's supposed to be done, let's go with it. So, they massaged and beat us while we were fully clothed. They then did the legs which was also painful as they grabbed the entire muscles! After that they finally told us we could remove our shirts and then started to rub some oils onto our backs. That was my favourite, as it didn't involve any pain! They both then covered us with towels and went to pick up the hot stones, which were not only hot but EXTRA hot. The poor girls had to pick them up from their basket and place them on our backs (still covered with the towel). They let us there to absorb the heat for a while and then removed the towels and the burning started! These stones were sssoooo hot, the poor girls were shivering whilst they grabbed them and massaged our backs with them. They rolled them and the hot feeling they provided our back with was a mix of pleasure and pain. They used them for 30 mins and by the time they finished, we were exhausted!
That was crazy! But I liked it :)

We then went for dinner at a typical Chinese restaurant, where our choices were not always what we thought we had chosen :) We ordered a plate that was a dessert for main dish and a normal dish for dessert! But we had fun and payed very little, it was a very nice place out on the street, red Chinese lamps everywhere ...

Today I still don't know what's in store for me, I'll go out now and meet Pedro on the way from school. Maybe I'll have him as a bargain setter, as he's quite good at that!

Ciao!

More photos (from previous posts)

This is the view from the Bar Rouge (2 posts behind!)

This is the view from the Jin Mao Tower and its 87th floor bar, Cloud 9.

Day 3 and 4

After a sleeping day on Sunday to finally recuperate from all dancing the night before at the bar previously commented, we went out for dinner with Mattias and his girlfriend Michelle.

We went out for dinner at a yummy restaurant called Simply Thai where we had gorgeous food and a great time. We talked about all the fakes, handmade clothes you can order, about massages (I'll have mine tomorrow!!!!) and other particularities of Shanghai. Apparentely if you are in a cab and it happens your driver runs over somebody, you shouldn't even stop. This is because, according to Mattias, you might end up in prison as you are the responsible for the accident. Ending up in a Chinese prison doesn't sound a good thing, especially for this kind of absurd reasons.

Today, we did the modern district and went here:


behind me you can see the Oriental Pearl Tower which is 468 metres high. It is the highest TV Tower in Asia and is the third highest one in the world. The designers magically set the eleven beautiful spheres of various sizes up from the green grassland to the blue sky with two giant spheres shining like two rubies. The whole design is rich in poetic and pictorial splendor., which gives the tourists the impression that pearls of various sizes are dropping onto the emerald plate. It really is something else (you can read more about it in Pedro's blog, he went there a few days ago).

To cross the river, we used the "Bund Tourist Tunnel" which consists of a psychadelic ride inside cabins. The joy ride includes all sorts of lasers, freaky lights and screens. It's a weird experience, it looks like the "Tunnel of Horrors" of your local Fun Fair... Strange, to say the least.

As we came out of the tunnel, I saw this stand where my name could be carved in some sort of stone and used as a stamp. I had to have one for the sheer pleasure of having my name carved somewhere :) The initial price was 98RMB, which is roughly 10€, which we immediatelly started bargaining. At the end we got 2 stamps carved with both our names as they are and in Chinese characters for 100€. I also got a nice wooden box and ink for an extra 30RMB (from 50RMB)...

Off we went towards the Jin Mao Tower to have a tea on the reputedly highest bar in the world on the 87the floor. I could try and post a picture here, but as usual, this thing is giving me a hard time, so maybe later I'll try again. But it really is amazing...and tall!

We had tea and a chestnut dessert to the sound of typical instruments being played live. In the toilets, I had this lady who turned the taps of hot and cold water for me to wash my hands at the right temperature, hold the soap dispenser for me and waited to give me a hand towel... That is style... In Pedro's toilet apparentely he had a fantastic view while...well, you know!

We then met some friends at a restaurant where we had a great time, as our nationalities ranged from Portuguese, German, French to Philippine and Japanese.

Tomorrow, I'll finally will go to the fake market and to the tailor who has a reputation behind him already, with so many reccomendations from everyone (it seems the suits he's making cost only around 60€ and are of excellent quality, both fabric and cut wise).

I'm also going to my first massage, 30 mins Japanese Acupressure and then another 30 mins of Hot Stone Body Massage for the modic price of 13€... As for the moxa stick, I still haven't got round to make myself explained in a effective way and nobody has a clue of what I'm saying, to my huge frustration.

Anyway, talk to you tomorrow!

Day 2

Hello, this is us on day 2 in this beautiful district of old town. Located to the south of the Bund, the old Chinese city was a walled fishing town when the British arrived in 1843. Modern Shanghai grew up around it. It used to be a maze of tiny alleys, but the streets have been widened in recent years and are crowded with tourists. At the center of the Old City are the Chenghuang Temple and the Yu Garden, in which stands the Huxining Teahouse, said to be the model for the design on the willow-pattern plates much loved by Europeans in another era. The Bridge of Nine Turns zigzags to make it difficult for evil spirits to get across (since, as is well known, evil spirits have problems with corners). The Yu Garden is a classical Chinese garden with over 30 pavilions linked by a maze of corridors and bridges over ponds. It literally means the Garden of Peace and Comfort.

The Yu Yuan Garden is over 400 years old and its owner spent all his savings and 20 years building it to please his parents. Over forty spots, divided by dragon walls, wound corridors and beautiful flowers, form an unique picture featuring “one step, one beauty; every step, every beauty.”

We then had jasmine tea in the Huxining Teahouse, the one with the zigzag bridge over the pond where thousands of Chinese tourists were eating their fast food - dumplings with chop sticks.

The teahouse is a very old pagoda and all its corners are used for romantic tables with a view to the pond all around the wooden building.

All around the garden there is this huge bazaar which is another maze of narrow shopping streets with tiny shops selling everything from sweet water pearls (I've seen this beautiful necklace priced at around 140 €, which in 2 secs would already be mine for half), silk dresses, jade, teas, traditional ornaments. One stand that made us stop was this one where what was being sold were cut-outs of red paper framed against a white background. These were the most exquisite cut outs I've ever seen, I wish we took a pic. The man was quickly cutting the paper and out of that a garden would appear, with all the details of trees, birds and all little things alike. If you only saw the tiny size of this, you'd understand me.

We just had time to come back home, slip into something nicer and off we went to have dinner at a Thai restaurant in a private compounds with a few buildings where a wedding reception was taking place in one of the many pavilions around. This restaurant, Lan Na Thai, is on the 2nd floor of this colonial house located in the heart of the city, behind bustling Mao Ming Road. It's a gorgeous old country house with a huge lawn that makes you feel like you're in some rural garden idyll. The old-world interior décor includes ancient South East Asian and Indian artefacts, arranged so tastefully you half feel you've stumbled into a Country Life magazine shoot. Offset this with handsome hardwood floors and the latest ambient/lounge tunes and you'll begin to sense a certain melding of eras, at Face bar. The owner was a British businessman, Mr. Morris who was a boss of the dog-racing course in the 1920’s (now the flower market).

After a gorgeous dinner, scrumptious indeed, we moved on to a very trendy club (Bar Rouge)where from the terrace we enjoy the city from the standpoint of an early 20th century citizen, mixed with views on all things modern that Shanghai is building. It's decadence at its best, with flaming buckets of Moet champagne and burning bars with real fire and Shanghai dolls looking for business among the hundreds of foreigners around.

I'll post the correspondent pictures later, the blog is against me! As usual...

Day one

Hiya folks,

Just a short post to show me in front of the Jing An Temple, where people were burning incense sticks, holding them with both hands and praying to the four directions... It was a Buddhist temple and all Budhas were symbolised there and given offers.

As I said, this is just a peek.




Tonight is the Mid-Moon Festival and everyone will be out on the streets eating their moon cakes which Pedro garanteed were not worth the trouble :)

(I have so much more to tell, but no time to say it all...When I'll be back at Madrid, I will update this properly!)

Kisses

cool

Stick people took over my pc!!

Shanghai baby!

Yes, yes, getting all ready for the big trip.

Everyone around is getting all fed up (by being envious!)...

Even my boss was daydreaming about it :)

Girls are crazy, so jealous of all the shopping they think they are missing! My sister is flying straight as I arrive (just for the goodies!!!)...

Anyway, October is a great month!!!

Wish me good trip (after all it's 3 hours + 11 hours non stop flight). I'll be thinking about you guys...

Etiquette for Girls (1)

There is a new book called "Etiquette for Girls" which deals with the kind of things any 18 to 35 year old woman might need advice on (we are talking mainly about casual sex). It's causing a stir :)
Some extracts...

Infidelity
Before getting involved, consider the risks and what is at stake. If you're still powerless to resist, keep the truth to yourself: gossip has wings, and observers will pour scorn on your transgressions. When cheating on a husband/partner, be sure to cover your tracks. Destroy receipts you cannot explain away, delete incriminating text messages as soon as they're received, and be wary of e-mail. No secret is ever totally watertight, but try not to make things difficult for yourself: avoid using elaborate lies, and be wary of using friends as alibis without their permission beforehand. If you are the "other woman" remember not to get too involved: a married man rarely leaves his wife, and even if he did, he could well do the same thing to you. In general, don't be reckless with other people's hearts, and don't put up with other people who are reckless with yours.

Office romance and sleaze
Many a true love has been discovered at work, but it's a risky business. A bit like dropping a big boulder into a small pond, it will always create waves: you may end up being dumped in the office, and could even get fired. Only go public once your liaison has become regular reality. A well-timed newscast to colleagues may cause blushes, but it will also clear the air - presuming you've checked the small print to make sure an office affair isn't a sackable offence. If romance turns sour, be mature, keep a stiff upper lip and switch to auto-pilot. Give it time and hope to conquer the cringe phase. Should an unwanted suitor appear, act cool and be utterly unimpressed. If predatory behaviour persists, tell him calmly that you feel uncomfortable and (in extremis) be prepared to inform your superiors.

One-night stands
The one-night-stand (ONS) is a bit like fast food: tempting, but with nauseating afterthoughts. Make health and safety a priority. Always try to invite him back to yours, but if you insist on playing away, text a friend to inform them of your whereabouts. Avoid dark-alley gropery, and unladylike fumbling in the back of a cab. Once home, leave him to select a CD from your collection while you embark on a turbo-tidy. In the bedroom, forget about your normal night-time routine and leave pyjamas in their drawer. Discuss the necessaries to avoid planting any love children or disease, and you're away. If you're at his, the ONS isn't over until the following morning's "walk of shame" home in last night's outfit. Steel yourself and hold your head up high. At yours, offer him breakfast and (assuming you want no more of him) say that your mother is on her way round.

(You guys shocked? There's more...)

Etiquette for Girls (2)

Some more... I know you love it!

Sociable smoking

A few decades ago, no social occasion was complete without a cigarette box being regularly passed from host to guests, and back again. Today, smoking is a minority sport. Smokers are therefore advised to cushion their indelicacy with suitable manners and consideration for others. The host, and then those sitting near to the smoker, should be asked if they object to lighting-up. A furtive glance must then be cast around the room for children or pregnant women. Social smokers, who do not actually buy cigarettes, should rotate the suppliers of their freebies; if asked to donate, it is churlish (though tempting) to refuse. Always use a proper ashtray - never a wine bottle, flower plot, or used plate - and avoid allowing smoke to billow out of the nostrils. It is also inelegant to leave the cigarette unsupported in the mouth, or to exhale into someone's face.

Meeting celebrities

Planet celebrity is an alien world peopled by psycho fans and fame hags, so don't expect your idol to offer anything more than a glacial reception. With chance spottings - particularly when en famille - it's polite to ignore them. Permit yourself a brief smile if you must, but don't gawp, and if you must take a photo with the mobile phone, be discreet. When introduced, keep the chat pithy and pacy, and remember: there's no such thing as an original line, they've heard it all before. Feigning ignorance of their fame is a risky strategy: the wildly unfamiliar concept of anonymity may delight them, but these people have hefty egos, so you run a risk of incensing them and blowing it. Exploit their insecurities, butter them up, but keep it brief. And never ever remind them of previous meetings: they won't remember you.

Gossip, bitching, lies and excuses

The best gossip is always the most dangerous, but bear in mind that those who peddle gossip and bitch incessantly get a reputation. Rule number one is to watch your back. If you're overheard bad-mouthing someone, and are sure that umbrage was taken, apologise at once. If you're too spineless to do it in person, e-mail. Lies, on the other hand, can have a positive role (for instance to protect another's feelings), so it's worth learning how to tell a good 'un. The key is to keep it simple, involve no one else, and tell as few people as possible. If talking to a pathological liar, either ignore completely, or (in the case of a good friend) confront them with a well-timed "come off it!" Excuses are fundamentally the same as lies, so similar rules apply. False doctor's appointments can be useful, toothache is handy, but migraines and food poisoning are over-used and have lost all credibility.

The Independent

Olha que bonito! (para meninas!)

Encontra o homem que te chama gira, em vez de boa... Que te telefona de novo quando lhe desligas o telefone na cara... Que fica acordado só para te ver dormir...Espera pelo homem que beija a tua testa... Que fica de mãos dadas contigo a frente dos amigos... Espera pelo homem que te esta constantemente a lembrar o quanto significas para ele...e da sorte que ele tem em te ter... Espera por aquele que se vira para os amigos e diz..."É aquela..."

Because it's Monday...

...and I don't feel like writing.

Calvin always offers some good laughs. He's a good solution to non-inspirational days... :)

Love generation

Bob Sinclair - Love generation A small enhancement to your weekend and mind :) Love!

Top tips and quotes

This is one of my favourite quotes:

"Do not follow where the path may lead... Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

Robert Frost

Mr Frost had a few funny insights also, like "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life - It goes on"...

Among dozens more. :)

You may think about these quotes...

I'm going to start packing. Travel light there and come back loaded. Oh yes! My "Xmas presents season" solved! Hooray! I've spent all day today reading all tips to do good over there...things like bargain, bargain, bargain and stay away when you see somebody getting ready to spit are common advises! Also, most tips warn against working girls and their methods to scam foreign guys who are easy targets. But, above all, all tips refer to the fact that Shanghai is a beautiful, bright, busy, modern city. And that a picture of the Bund (the most modern and tallest side of the city with the ubiquous Pearl Tower) is absolutely a thing to take, especially at night - but only till 10 pm, when the lights go off!!! That's what a call a top tip!

Chuck says...

Work attitude

Need I say anything else about my feelings towards work these days?

Massages and Moxa

Today I remembered my massages in Prague. I would go 2 or 3 times a month to Stepanka and I'd leave her parlour in such a relaxed and serene state I just smiled the whole way home :)

She had these amazing hands and her technique was so professional and efficient that not many words were exchanged between the 2 of us for those 18 months. Well, the fact that I didn't speak any Czech and she any English didn't exactly invite to chat... But we got on perfectly with half words and smiles. After all, I wasn't there to speak.

What distinguish her was that she used a combination of Swedish and Chinese massages. All excellent (sorry, got reminiscent!). The Swedish is the traditional massage everybody knows, but for the Chinese, she used some stuff that you'd be suspicious of when you'd see it, but something that I soon dreamt of :) It's got a scary name, but it's the best thing ever: moxibustion. Indirect moxibustion that is, as the original really touches your skin (it's mainly used in Japanese or Chinese acunpucture). It is a heat application technique, comprising of a sort of cigar made of moxa, which is a herb that apparently us, Europeans, used to place under our pillows for sweet dreams. The cigar is litten and its heat is slowly spread throughout the back and neck. She would place the burning cigar very close to my skin and would slowly move it around. The heat sensation it provokes is absolutely amazing, especially when it is at the end of your spine, where your lumber region is.
You just want to shiver. But then you think twice and remember you are not at home with your other half. Well, some boys got in delicate situations, if you know what I mean.
I strongly recommend this type of massage, even if you don't have any pains on your back (well, I didn't!).

So there you go, some useful info for you!

Monday feeling

I wanted to post this on a Monday, but this internet thing is one heck of a killjoy sometimes and, though I had tried a number of times yesterday, only today could I post it.

No worries, the feeling runs throughout the week anyway :)

Also, yesterday, I was given the choice to take in more work and travel or to remain with the same and basically, don't travel as much. Hmm, what a choice. The volume of my work is to be increased 50%, which I should take smiling and with no extra demands, i.e., money talk. I still have to think on that one also especially as they are trying to make me go to Helsinki straight from Shanghai! What a poor end of holidays!

Anyway, people have a bit of nerve around here and keep asking me to bring them stuff from China, which I think it's a bit cheeky, but I smile to them and take my list out for them to see and write their request. The last one this morning was, believe it or not, sand. I didn't have the heart to say Shanghai is not exactly a beach resort...

Happiness

Scrivere e viaggiare senza la seccatura del bagagli.

Emilio Salgari

Today I'm on a quote day. Nothing new to tell you, except that the little toe finally is convinced that enough is enough and started another message, this time to revert the previous process and, therefore, I'm starting to feel better again. It took a few days, I have to give credit to my body, it really got united and followed little toe's orders remarkably. Today spent in bed is a balm and tomorrow I will be totally ok and can go out and meet the girls for some tea and cakes, yummy!

Tonight is the White Night in Madrid which means all museums, art galeries, some theathers, etc, will be open all night for free. 240 cultural activities to be seen and experienced from 9.30 pm till 7 am.

I declined. I guess all that cultural medicine wouldn't do me any good :)

I leave you with a quote that means a lot to me, especially lately, and I hope some people reading this will understand what I mean. This is what I wanted to tell you, and you know who you are (mysterious, hey?)...

Felicidad es la ausencia de miedo.

Eduard Punset

Dilemma

D. invited me to go with him to a special reception. The president of Portugal will be in Spain next week and the Embassy is inviting a selected number of people (well, the pretty ones, I guess) to attend a cocktail on Monday and on Tuesday a reception is given in the Royal Palace with the Kings of Spain. The Monday occasion I already turned down (c'mon, I have a oftamologist appointment which took me ages to book... isn't it more important than a cocktail with the President and the Embassador?). The reception at the Palacio del Pardo is a different story, as we get to know the Majesties, the Palace and other VIP and posh stuff.

My dilemma is what to wear, being a typical girl. In the invitation, the words long dress scare me. I don't own a long dress, I mean, one for this kind of solemn occasion.

I don't know how to bow for the Queen or the Princess.

This thing requires plenty of training and time to transform myself (hairdresser, manicure, make up, etc, etc). I can't just pop in after work. And, chances are that, feeling sick like I do now, I might contamine the King with my flu... Maybe the security people scan me right at the door and decide to leave me out, for fear of contamination or worse, embarracement for lack of a decent hairdo (with this rainy weather, everything is possible and my hair may get all frizzy and nasty!). I don't know whether I can risk my self-esteem...

PS - In case a long dress owner is reading this and is my size, please, please, give me a hand!!! Help me out!

Indexed

I found this funky blog, which I'll eventually add to my links, because it's just so funny and simple. It's all about drawings and charts like this one. Have a look.

http://indexed.blogspot.com

Flu?

I think I got the flu...

The little toe's message spread efficiently and today my brain feels sooooo sleeeepy. I found myself thinking about my bed in the middle of an email to Finland, about warm covers in the middle of a call from Portugal and in hot milk and honey in the middle of a query for production. I want to sleep.

Damn flu pills, they knocked me over totally. My performance today is equivalent to a sheep's days activities - not very productive.

Toes's orders

This morning, I imagine my small toe on the left foot said to my knee that he felt a bit ill. The knee, being all nice, offered to help the toe by weakening my left leg and passed on the message to my right leg. During the day I think they all spread little toe's message and the thing is that even up in my head the complaint registered, as it is feeling all hot and dizzy. The things our body decides against us are the strangest. All the bits of my body are conspiring today against me. Do you think my little toe on my left foot got a cold and wants me to go to bed and rest?

Reentrée

Last Saturday we had a reentrée party at Sandra and Paulo's apartment. It was delicious (not only the food, but the night itself). We lingered until around 6 am, which proves me right! We played a few games of logical thinking, where the people who didn't know the rules struggled to understand us, the illuminati :)

We then played a mimics game, guys against girls. Trying to determine films titles, both in English and Portuguese! Complicated venture, I'm telling you! But we all guessed, impressively!

We passed on to Trivial Pursuit. Of course the girls won :) I was still unconvinced about the Jacquard question: "What weaving machine did Mr Jacquard invent"? My automatic answer was the mechanical loom which, according to clever Trivial, it was wrong. It was supposed to be simply the loom. Right, I thought, I'm gonna set this straight. And I got the answer I was looking for.

We finished off by trying to strike a diva look, but only me and Susana got near :) - I'm trying to include here this pic, but blogger doesn't allow me, I guess we shine too much! I'll keep trying!

We were sorry for Filipa who had to leave us quite early to attend and rescue from the police one of her patients...

Kisses to everyone and let's recuperate for the next one, at Sofia's place, right?

Happy birthday!

It's my little sister's birthday today! Happy birthday sis!
Miss you.

End of week = Weekend

Hooray, the weekend is here!!!

Any plans, guys? (this is not a rethorical question, I'm really askin'... Do you care to share what your plans are, pliz?)...

The hotel with a teddy bear on each bed

Listen, and you may call me childish, which I totally agree, but there is this hotel, which won the award for best small hotel by the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence. This hotel is located in Chester, a small town in Cheshire, which I adored (I was already warned that I would love it by my parents. I confirmed that prediction). Chester is adorable. Even more so now that I know about this cute hotel (English love their teddies and my stay there helped me stick to that life-long love; Sarah, my housemate, also intervened :)

A "good to know" piece of info, never know whether it might come in handy. Girls push your boys to stay in cute places like this. What do you say?

Mistake

Check it out: "In geopolitical terms, calling for a ceasefire would not have stopped a single bomb from being dropped or a single rocket from being fired, but the whole of Britain was outraged by what they saw on television and there are times when government must consider public opinion."

Madrid Fashion Week

In an unprecedented attempt to set the rules, Madrid Fashion Week's organisers are turning down super thin models, for the first time in the fashion world.

This decision came about as last year's event raised a wave of protests from anti-anorexia institutions as a result of the choice of underweight models for Spain's biggest fashion event.

Following this, the organisers got firm and are using the body mass index (based on weight and height) to measure the models. So far, 30% of the women that participated on last year's event have been rejected. Models who are 1.75m tall must weigh a minimum of 56 kg. Esther Canadas, Spain's most famous model, is said to be out, as her BMI is reportedly of only 14.

Because fashion is a mirror and sets trends amongst teenagers, it's important to project a reflection of health. Images of waif-like or heroin chic models do not portray a picture of health and beauty. Clothes hang rather than snuggly fit. It's not attractive.


PS - You know Ana is an analogy? She is a role model to some, a goddess to others — the subject of drawings, prayers and even a creed. (No, it's not me!!!) Ana is short for anorexia.

Over the moon

Ferrari Enzo for 1€?...Anyone?

Ebay UK has among its offers, since yesterday, one of the most exclusive cars in the world on sale for ... grab your chairs: 99pence! Well, so far. This icon of wealth is being sold anonymously and is supposed to reach the exclusive price tag of more than 103,000 pounds...

If you fancy dreaming about owing one, have a go and bid... You never know what might happen :)

Photos and Curries

(me, Sofia, Patricio, Ali, Filipa, Sandra, Paulo, Nuno, Ana Lucia and their baby, Matilde)

There's us over at the roof terrace of La Casa Encendida where we saw 8mm films and photos of old times, as I commented on the previous post. It really was nice, the photo exhibition was in a room that they recreated as a home of the 6os. Big glass lamps, black and white small tv set, psychedelic wallpaper... The pictures were excellent, ranging from a picture of 3 nuns playing by jumping the rope, to 4 sisters in the 40s all dressed up to go shopping in Barcelona, to a picture of a whole family riding a bike going to a picnic... The homemade films were also interesting, as they depicted life as it was, although there were a few where the family tried to make up a storyline, and they were acting, but it was all so innocent and pure that we couldn't help being delighted.

We then moved on to a place to eat something and we ended up in Lavapies district, crowded. We sat outside and had great Indian food which we all loved.

We truly, madly, deeply loved our food - fruity rice (exquisite rice made with cinammon sticks and dried fruits) and Bombay chicken. It was very good indeed, added to the fact that we were eating outside on a warm Summer night in Madrid. We all had a great time. I've included here a breakdown of the most popular curries, for next time. No need to ask the Uruguayan waiter :)

Vindaloo

This well-known Indian dish had its origins with the Portuguese that came to Goa in Southern India in the 14th century. The Portuguese dish vinha d'alhos was signified by the marinating of pork in wine vinegar and garlic. The Indian populace, who favored spicier tastes, increased the amount of garlic used in the preparation of this dish and added spices, especially chilli, and eventually changed its name to Vindaloo. This dish has remained unchanged since that time and for the last 500 years the use of vinegar in this dish has remained unique to Indian cookery. It is the vinegar in this dish that brings out the delicious flavour and heat of the fragrant, hot and pungent spices The Curry Makers use in this blend.

Madras

Madras is hot curry that originates from the southern regions of India and the early British settlement. It is a curry with many variations that is signified by the use of coconut and chilli, which grow in abundance in Southern India. The Curry Makers Madras curry gains its heat from chillies and paprika as well as the final addition of lemon juice to further excite our taste buds. Beef and lamb as well as chicken are suited to this dish, while a lamb and spinach variation, known as Palak Goshi (also on the pack) uses yoghurt instead of coconut cream to create a lighter sensation. The great combination of flavours in this dish ensures its place amongst the most popular of Indian dishes.

Korma
The Korma has been around for centuries and as with many of the classic curries was perfected through a combination of Kashmir and Mogul adaptations. In its early days in India Korma was the dish of the courts and a chef had to display excellence in its preparation in order to cook for royalty. Its rich yellow sauce, coloured naturally with turmeric, being thickened with coconut and almonds distinguishes it from all other Indian dishes. The mild, mouth-watering flavour of the Korma, which complements lamb, chicken or shrimp / prawns can be further enhanced with the addition of sweet vegetables such as peas or sultanas.

Bombay

The Bombay curry is a medium curry of infinite variation. The curry Makers blend is exceptional in its use of the aromatic spice "Star of Anise", which has the distinctive aroma and flavour of aniseed. The sauce has the soft yellow colour of Turmeric, and is thickened with coconut cream and textured by a smooth paste of onion. In contrast with many Indian dishes the number of spices needed to create this dish is limited and when they are coupled with "Star of Aniseed" a truly outstanding dish is created that equally suits chicken, beef or lamb.

Tikka Masala

Similar in style to Butter Chicken Curry with more emphasis on it’s creamier tomato flavour enchanced with coriander and lemon. Milder slightly sweeter makes the Tikka Masala popular with younger families and those who prefer a more subtle curry than the robust styles of Vindaloo, Rogan Josh or Madras.

We finished off by eating an ice cream at Giangrossi. The waiter, a Brazilian, couldn't make up his mind on which language to use with us, starting off with English, then Spanish and finally a weird Portuguese. He asked us if we were visiting and when I answered "Vivemos aqui" - We live here - he didn't understand me! He really had trouble and we had to use other words. He said they in Brazil say "Vivemos ca" instead... What??? The 2 words mean the same. Go figure!

I then arrived home at around 2am and the mega catalogue operation of Ikea finally had arrived at my doorstep, leaving hundreds of chunky catalogues outside the main door. I picked one up and it immediatelly raised a doubt. It said - " These prices are valid for the Peninsula except Portugal". Umm, does that mean the Iberian Peninsula is comprised of more countries? Last time I checked, we were only 2!!! Does that make sense? Please help me understand Ikea!

Album Familiar

Today, me and the girls we are going to see an exhibition called Album Familiar 2006. It consists of photographs depicting the period after the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) and the transiction to democracy in 1978.

These are photos brought in by elder people from their family albums, they illustrate perfectly the lives of people during those 40 years.

It is in La Casa Encendida.

Summer in the city

Here's a compilation of cool pics portraying scenes of summer in some european cities.

The 4 phases of life...

You'd you care for some tea?

Ali gave me for my birthday a set of 3 chunky natural soaps from Enjabonarte. These smell wonderfully, besides being good for the skin. The set contained one made of eucalyptus, one of aloe vera and the other coconut. I'm an apologist for things natural (see previous post :) and especially when we are talking about health and beauty care. So, even without knowing it, Ali gave me the right present!

This came up, because as I was on the shower I suddendly thought (it happens, hey?) that I could well be on an eucalyptus forest, as I truly smelled like the trees! As I shampooed, another thought (oh my God, today I was prolific!). The shampoo smelled like Cocoa and the body whipped cream like Orange and Cedar. My imminent thought was that you could make tea and hot chocolate out of me! It just depended on the angle you'd immerge me on the water...

My kind of thing

Check also:

http://www.amyrue.com/
http://ervilhas.weblog.com.pt/
http://planetahilda.blogspot.com/
http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/wee_wonderfuls/

These are the cutest. I think we should go back to these handmade toys, teddies and accessories. I'm all in favour of local creativity and not Zara-like production for this kind of things!

Globish

Globish is not supposed to be a new language, but a tool. It does not have pretences of being a whole new idiom, as it's not a vehicle of a culture, but a decaffeinated version of English. Neither it is like Esperanto, which is an artificial language. It is a simple adaptation to be used by businessmen and tourists to get round their difficulties. Korea and Italy are already interested in this new jargon, and China is also going to publish the instruction's book "Don't Speak English, Parlez Globish".
Is this another utopian language, as Esperanto and Volapuk were?

Gibberish? Globish? It's all Dutch to some
By Geoff Strong

"du yu no vear dha laaybrari iz?"
"sar, yuwar baegej did naut kam baay dhis flaait …"

If you can't understand these sentences, don't worry — there's a translation at the end of the story. Meanwhile, you could just try reading them out aloud. It's not gibberish — it's Globish. Correction: one form of Globish. In the search for a language that can be understood across the planet there are now two new English-based offerings under the Globish name, one from France and the example above from India. The quest for universal communications is nothing new. Latin was spoken across the Roman empire until it gradually broke into separate languages such as French, Italian and Spanish. Arabic is widely used in Islamic countries and Mandarin was an attempt to unite the Chinese dialects. Then there were artificial languages such as Esperanto, Kosmos, Volapuk or Novial that fizzled. In the 20th century, English spread across the globe — partly on the back of US films, songs and popular culture. This has sparked anger among other aspirants for linguistic domination, particularly the French. So, about a year ago, retired computer engineer Jean-Paul Nerriere published his book Don't Speak English — Parlez Globish. It is essentially a stripped-down, simplified form of English with a vocabulary of only 1500 words, compared with 615,000 in the full Oxford English Dictionary. To support his case Mr Nerriere points out a phenomenon that has the guardians of his country's language at L'Academie Francais, boiling with anger. When, say, a Korean strikes up a conversation with a Colombian at an airport lounge, they are likely to do it in limited English with their own pronunciation. A native English speaker might have difficulty understanding. In 1998, another engineer, Indian Madhukar Gogate, put up a proposal to iron out irregularities in English spelling and pronunciation in a form friendly to non-native speakers. Melbourne University linguistics professor Michael Clyne thinks such efforts are doomed because English has established itself as the international means of communication.
- Translations: Do you know where the library is? Sir, your baggage did not come by this flight.

Felicidade

"Sou feliz só por preguiça. A infelicidade dá uma trabalheira pior que doença: é preciso entrar e sair dela, afastar os que nos querem consolar, aceitar pêsames por uma porção da alma que nem chegou a falecer."

Mar Me Quer

Mia Couto

Pictures that don't say the exact truth

Amazing collection of photos where the truth has been manipulated to hoax us. The controversy was retriggered again with the Beirut photograph by Reuters. It makes you think if the Big Brother fiction is really that ficticious...

Programmers

Just a quicky to share with the world how international cooperation is always a good thing! From China to Spain, me and P. managed to overcome our mutual computers' intricacies and within a while (well, hours!) we could both smile and see the result of our common efforts towards achieving a great technical outcome, already visible on this blog... the conundrum of attaching links to the sidebar (and yes, we already speak like 2 boring ugly and fat programmers).

Please, send in your links and blogspots so that I can add them to the list.

And if you have any questions about this amazing world of computer technology...don't ask me! I'm warning you!

2 continents

As my two great friends move to Asia and to Africa and experience 2 different cultures, languages, climates and accomodations (private joke), I'm left here all jealous and already making plans to visit them and absorb what they are absorbing, with eyes open well wide! Therefore the 'research' on cheap last minute flights is at its height...

Both have started their blogs to tell their experiences on the new lands. Can't wait to read them! We are, after all, a community of foreigners abroad and, as such, we should pass on this experience to our friends. We all write in English because our range of friends is so international that this is the only way to reach all of them at once. Hooray to English!!!

This is P's blogspot, he's still trying to adapt to this world of electronic internet postings...

And as for the other boy, he's just arrived over there and still trying to get an internet connection, we are all dependent on that! Good luck, buddy! And I must ask him first if he authorizes me to turn him into an international star, by spreading his blog :)

Lisbon (LX for friends)

On a festive kind of post, I must say that it was cool going off to Lx, to feel part of a place at last. At first it was like I was still here but suddenly all I was hearing was Portuguese. Initially that is a bit of a shock, it takes time to adapt and drop your active ears down, to a more relaxed mode. Then the food and prices, both vaguely familiar and nice to come back to. Although Lx is not exactly the mecca for shoppers, it was still cheaper than real Madrid... Every so often it should be part of employees regular updating training programme to be sent to their place of birth to get back to their roots, smells, sounds, visions. Kinda of a reality check, just to let us know we belong... Another interesting thing was the sea. Bluer than the blue sky. Red flag at the beach. At its best. Guincho beach was so windy that it should be called that > Windy! So windy not even the wind searchers could use it for their kites and sails. Sand flying in the air. Amazing conditions over there.
This beach is famous worldwide for its great windsurfing conditions, where thousands of sunbleached hair people go and try to surf those big bad waves and fly on the meantime. But the conditions are so damn great, most newcomers (not yet familiar with the territory and wind chills) just totally damage their equipment (ripped sails, broken boards, etc). That happened to a few experienced friends of mine who indulged on that great beach - sitting on the sand! Anyway, they were watching and learning... Another treat was going to the terrace bar of the Hotel Regency Chiado, built on the old warehouses (these were damaged by a monumental fire a handful of years ago, I still remember the date) of the main department stores of Lisbon. This hotel has such an amazing location. Just like the elevator of Santa Justa, where there is also a terrace bar, this is built on a hill overlooking the river and the castle. Uptown Lisbon. Please check the pics on that link, you'll like the place. You're welcome! Portugalia was another stopover, of course. Such an old and traditional Cervejaria. Steak Portugalia, the best! Nice! Very amuzing advertising. Ok, ok, enough about Lx. I was trying to post some pics to illustrate my words, but it seems my PC is having a bad hair day and keeps being very very annoying... As for hair, today I went to the hairdresser - how I needed it! - and shopping, all the perfect little things that make us girls very happy :)

Lisbon (LX for friends) - with photos

Hey, here are the recovered pics from the last unfortunate post (dear me, the trouble these gave me!). Enjoy Guincho and Lisbon:

Guincho at a not so windy day (can't see many windsurfers or kiters).

Lisbon seen from the St George's castle up on the hill.

The castle seen from the Elevator of Saint Justa.

The typical coffee (very black expresso) and the absolutely yummy Pasteis de Belem.

The Elevator of Saint Justa. A beauty.

View from the footsteps of Mr Jesus.

Cristo-Rei overlooking Lisbon from the south.

Please just go and see this pic in a large size, it's so incredibly beautiful!

More about Lebanon

Fortunately, my comments about Lebanon are getting more spaced out and that is good news, as no news is always a better thing in these cases.
Nevertheless, it's not over, it's the beginning in fact for so many.
With many European countries securing support financially and physically (troops are being assembled as we speak), Lebanon has yet another start-over. It's history repeating.

Spanish Cabinet approves 1,100 troops for Lebanon

MADRID (CNN) - Spain's Cabinet Friday approved the deployment of up to 1,100 peacekeeping troops for Lebanon, but that decision is subject to parliamentary approval on September 7.
Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega announced the decision at a news conference after the cabinet meeting, and it was the first time the government has publicly stated specific numbers of what its troop contribution would be.
Spain plans to lead a multinational peacekeeping brigade in Lebanon, Fernandez said.
That force is expected to include troops from Belgium, Poland, Finland and Portugal. Military officers from those countries were meeting in Madrid Friday with Spanish Defense officials to work out initial details, a Defense Ministry spokesman told CNN.

Portugal is also sending 140 engineers to help rebuild the country. It was the cheapest option (total cost will be 9,3 million euros, 70% of which payed by the UN). Portugal had 3 heavy reasons to send troops: a) as part of the UN and EU cannot ignore the effort of the members; b) Portugal must contribute to international security and c) Portugal has strategic interests in the Middle East...
In any case, we are sending a small amount of men, but I guess Portugal is a good example in situations like this, where its help is always one of the first few to be offered.

France is sending after all 2000 troops and commanding the international contingent.
All in all, it was all a matter of the neighbourly thing to do by Europe.

In another note, check this blog out. And this one, showing Madrid's concern.

This is to lighten things up. Have fun! Kisses!

Back on track

Hello my dears,
it's good to be back. But it was also great to be on holidays in my beautiful country, getting a proper tan and just chilling out, as one should.
Went to the beach, to some cool restaurants and terraces by the river and the sea. Saw the prominent Mr Jesus overlooking Lisbon, just like in Rio de Janeiro, got a bit lost in the shopping centers (cool!!!) and met interesting people.
Lisbon - it is really true - has this super shiny light about it, the city looks so pretty under that intense sunlight it's unbelievable. That's also why I use to call my home city the female city, as Lisbon has this special feel and light and colour. Porto, on the other hand, it's a bit more of a macho city as it's darker, more aggressive and colder. They complement each other.
I'll post some pics for you to see what I mean.

This is my beautiful Porto or Oporto. The boats you see on the river (on the left the Atlantic starts) are the rabelos, the old boats which were used to transport the wine barrels from the mountains. What wine? Port wine, obviously!
The river is Douro (literally translated of gold, as in the past it was said that metal could be found in it). It's a gorgeous place and I'm proud of calling it home.

This is my Lisbon, the city that I long to know much better than I do now. I still haven't gone to the castle, to the Oceanarium, to the Torre de Belém, etc, etc... On a more tourism-oriented visit, I guess I will visit all of this and more.
Lisbon is full of contrasts, as any big city or capital. In one street you are back in time where neighbours used to know each other lives through their windows, and in the other, you are in modern ages, where steel and glass are kings in the new buildings and where neighbours haven't seen each other, never.

Well, just go and visit Portugal, is well worth it, even if you are Portuguese and live there!!!