The Gypsygals

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gypsygalstales — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Bangkok Confidential: I'm Seriously Thinking of Moving to Bangkok

gypsygalstales — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

May 11, 2008

at the National Gallery in Bangkok

No, I don’t have any illusions about the so-called City of Angels. It’s definitely not home for this gypsygal soul (that will always be Ubud, Bali nor do I have a personal “connection” to Bangkok. I couldn’t fathom some people’s notion that Bangkok has, well, “character”. I mean, what the f***k is that? As far as I’m concerned, all places, all cities have character and culture of its own.

Manila is definitely “characterful”.

Street Beat

In one Manila-based media company where I used to work, the place is brimming with PRETENTIOUS characters. These pretentious people’s idea of traveling is to go to L.A. for a week and then brag about it, treating that trip as a status symbol. I didn’t have the heart to tell them that when I was in Singapore, even Singaporeans of modest means can go to L.A. AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR. I actually know one well-traveled Singaporean who thinks that L.A. is soooo OUT and BORING. My Ireland-based sister couldn’t be bothered by L.A. and decided (wisely, I would say) to spend her hard earned money going to more interesting places like London, Edinburgh, Siem Reap and, maybe in the near future, Yogyakarta.

I will admit though that when I was younger and was just starting to travel, I thought that Bangkok was so exotic that I often found myself going there just to take a short break from my high pressure job as a business reporter in an international newswire.

Later, as I travel more and learn more about life, Bangkok lost its allure. That was the time that I only stop by Bangkok enroute to somewhere else.

Which brings me back to the MAIN reason why I want to live in Bangkok, it’s the perfect place for this incurable wanderer. Bangkok after all, is a major travel center in Asia and you can get practically any connecting and/or direct flights anywhere from Bangkok’s airport.

Bangkok offers many choices for a traveler of any budget and inclination. There are upscale hotels and restaurants, but if you can’t afford to stay and dine at The Oriental, there are always more modestly priced establishments. Backpackers, flashpackers and budget travelers like me just go straight to the backpackers ghetto of Khao San, where for US$20 a night or less, one can avail of a clean air conditioned room with cable tv to booth.

Khao San is also home to all kinds of establishments that offer products and services any traveler might need: travel agencies, money changers, internet cafes, fastfood outlets, pharmacy, bookshops, bars and tourist information centers.

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At Ricky's Coffee Shop

I’m no shopaholic, but once in a while, I do need some retail therapy. Most of the time, I buy books (an addiction I shared with my sis, Aoi Soba and some of my closest friends). Whenever I’m traveling, I always make it a point to go to any book shop retailing previously owned books (it’s cheaper and more eco-friendly). In Bangkok, I get to indulge on my bookaholism (without having to bust my budget) by simply going to the secondhand bookshops that abound in Khao San (my favorite hang out: Shaman Books). Which brings me back to another reason why Bangkok is ideal place for travelers �" Why, it’s the perfect place to shop!

Oh PUH-LEAZE, let’s stop being hypocrites here and admit this simple TRUTH: Even these so-called budget travelers/backpackers/flashpackers can’t resist to indulge in wee bit of retail therapy when traveling. For some, they buy gifts to treat themselves, the others buy trinkets for friends and family back home. And of course shopaholics just buy anywhere and for any reason that they can think of!

In Bangkok, you can really indulge. There’s something to satisfy anyone’s budget and taste. There are air-conditioned shopping malls in Rama 1 road, the vast Chatuchak Weekend Market (where you really need a map just to shop. It’s sooo big, you can find anything here - from shoes and plants to antiques and fishing equipment); specialty shops and cafes in the business district of Sukhumvit, and if you’re just too lazy to go anywhere to shop, you can just stay in Khao San and just shop there. I for one, enjoy shopping in Khao San, not only for the books, but also because:

a) I love going to Boots (the UK-based retail chain has several branches in Bangkok) to purchase handmade soaps and yummy scented lotion. I’ve been fond of bath and body products, the fondness for which started during my teens, when I began using my mother’s Pond’s cold cream and Oil of Olay.

b.) I enjoy shopping at Lofty Bamboo, a boutique that sells bags, shoes, clothes, coffee and soap made by local Thai communities Thai. The products are a bit pricey though. For instance, I bought one woven bag for my sister and I had to pay roughly US$20 US dollars for it. That’s quite expensive by Thai standards as you can buy similar items for half the price in Chatuchak or in one of those stalls in Khao San. But the high degree of craftsmanship exhibited in Lofty Bamboo’s products is well worth it. Plus, I love the fact that this is a Fair Trade shop, socially responsible.

And after a day’s shopping and sight seeing, I usually find myself in Phra Athit, just a few blocks away from Khao San, where I often have a light dinner or snack at one of those artsy cafes based in one of the rows of Chinese shophouses. My favorite is Ricky’s Coffeeshop. I’m no fan of chinoiserie, but just sitting there, eating tuna pesto sandwich and drinking coffee, just relaxes me.

One of the main reasons which make shopping (and of course sightseeing) quite easy in Bangkok is the fact that this is a popular destination and thus there are tons of available information about this city. Aside from the usual suspects (Lonely Planet and Rough Guides), the Internet also offers a lot of info (my favorite sites: www.travelfish.org and www.journeywoman.com). I don’t bother buying and bringing bulky guidebooks whenever I visit in Bangkok. I just go to any 7-11 store or bookshop and purchase the very informative and funky Nancy Chandlermap and booklet. It’s so handy and reasonably priced (around US$8), and I just love looking at it. Nancy Chandler designs postcards too, and I love buying one and having it framed. It's cheap chic!

Teddy Bear Rice

Street Beat

at a cafe in Phr...

At Ricky's Coffee Shop

gypsygalstales — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Edinburgh

gypsygalstales — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

PICTURES ARE AT:http://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/aoisoba/blug/edinburgh/ It was known as Auld Reekie (Old smokey) due to the smell of peat and coal constantly burned there, but that is not the case anymore. Edinburgh combines all monuments in the narrow street with a castle perched on top of the hill. Edinburgh has something for everyone,it offers spectacular art treasure,sporting events and different festivals all throughout the year Edinburgh is a small city, so it's very easy to go around it Almost all the sightseeing spots are along the way of the ROyal Mile: from the Edinburgh Castle to the Holyroood castle. However, the street are cobbled and well you are traversing through a hill, so bring your comfy shoes with you 1.Camera Obscura- offers a natural cinema of live images of the surrounding city. it also includes close-up of stone masonry that couldn't be viewed with un-aided eyes 2. Edinburgh - perched on top of the hill, dominates the edinburgh skyline. It has withstood many sieges, eventuallty becoming a retreat for the medieval Scottish monarchy. From the esplanade, the entrance is thru the modern drawgate and gate house, eventuallt leading to the Half moon bbattery parapet. Inside is the crown square where one can wish to enter the National War Museum. Also in the square in onfe of the royal apartments is Queen Mary of Scots where she gave gave birth to James VI of scotland. For those who are always enthralled with the royal jewelleries, then the crown room is a must go place. THe scotish crown is the oldes in robe, said to date from 14th centre. The sceptre and the sword of James 1V also resides here Also in the crown room is the Stone of Destiny, more known as the Stone of Scone, the traditional coronation seat of scotish monarch which was stolen by King Edward I of england, but returned in 1996. One of the best known spectacle in the castel is the One O'Clock Gun, fired on the daily daily except on Sundays ar 1pm. 3. High Kirk of St.Giles Cathedral - Scotland's main cathedral, comprises of architecture dation from 12th century. The crown of the st giles is the spire supported by 8 butresses and topped with a golden waethercock. It's first miniter is the scotish reformer John Knox, a modern statue of him stoods on the main door. The cathedral interios features cetury staines glass,spendid memorials and a fine organ. The thistke chapel, a gift from Earl John David, is the most ornate building of its size in scotland. The ceilings are carved with the thistle symbols and the knight stalls are carved in oak. To be ordained as Knight of the Thistle is the greatest honor in scotland 3. Heart of MIdlothian- the hearshape cobble in the street, inspired bu the novel of Sir Walter Scott, signifies the centre pf the distict. HEre stood the old and new tollbooth, latter turned into jail prison, hence no surprise passesby spat on the spot- which now become an twisted version of a wishing well. Spit on it and make a wish 4. Mercat Cross- located on the farside of st.giles- where state proclamations are being made. Although destroyed in the 18century it has been restored.The capitol snf thr 8 medallions proclaim the royal arms of Britain 5. canongate toolboth -built in 1591 was a courthouse, prison, municipal centre place . To get a feel of how medieval scottish law works then this museum is worth a visit 6.Holyrood Palace- one of the ancient residence that is still being occupied by the British Royal family. It's name is taken from a relic, believing to be a segment of Christ's cross. Rood means Cross...get it? At the turn of the century, this is transformed into a residence for James iV of scotland, but he rarley stayed there. He opt to live in England, and rule scotland froma distance. Holyrood was also the residence of queen mary with her second husband Lord Darnley. Howver, Holyrood is most remembered for Queen MAry's secretary: David Rizzio - brutally murdered by Lord darnley. Allegedly David in fear even hid behind queen mary's skirt, to no avail as he got dragged and stabbed to death.Interestingly, Lord Darnley died from a bomb explosion, althoygh forensic exams shows rope burns on his neck. 7. GreyFriar graveyard and GreyFriar Bobby - The royal castles and palaces are not the most pictured place- tthat title goes to the statue of Bobby on top of the canldlemaker of the Bobby is little skye terrier who faithfully visited his master's graveyard in GreyFriar everyday for 14 years. His remains and tombtone can be found near the gate of Gravefriar's churchyard 8. St MAry's Cathedral and Eduardo Paolozi's scultpture - was the first catholic church built after the reformation, however it was destroyed by fire and the facade was only left from its original architecture. In front of the church are the humongous scultore of Paolozi,signifying the strong connections of Edinburgn and Italian families 9. Calton Hill - Another hill to conquer in Edinbirgh- sits at the east side of the new ton. From the top of the hill you can see the panoramic view of the edinburgh castle, the old and new town, and yes even the Holyrood palace with the Burns Monument on your foreground. On the Centre of the hill are the 12 pillars of the National monument to honor the soldiers killed in the napoleonic war. 10.Old Calton Burial ground - is the resting place of many scottish greatnames including david him. An obelisk to comemorate the exiled Thomas Muir is erected there as well. Also, the Emancipation Monument depicting abrahan lincoln with a slave kneeling at hhis feet, in memory of Scottish soldiers died in the american civil war 11. Sir Walter Scott Monument- the first monument you will see on stepping out of train station, is a memorial for Edinburgh most famous citizen. erected 8 years after his death. Incidentally, the balmoral hotel completes the picturesque surrounding of the monment. 13. Dynamic Earth - for the science lovers- offers themed galleries with interactive display on the formation and evolution of the planet

Who Are The Gypsygals?

gypsygalstales — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 06:24:45 +0000

Philippine-born sisters Prime Sarmiento and Nina Sarmiento are the "gypsygals" behind Gypsygals: Stories and Journeys. We created this site not only to share our travel stories and photos, but also to help other independent women travellers like us to wander around Asia and Europe. We hope that our tips, news and reviews will help our fellow gypsygals enjoy the journey. Prime is a Manila-based journalist who writes business stories for a living. But she also pens travel pieces to have a life - a means to feed her soul. Her travel stories have appeared in Frequent Traveler, BootsnAll, Getasia.com (defunct) and Marie Claire Philippines. She maintains a personal site, where you can view a portfolio of her published works: www.gypsywriter.multiply.com. Prime loves books, yoga, coffee, artisanal soaps and of course traveling! Nina Sarmiento is a programmer based in Cork, Ireland. She describes herself as a: Bookworm. Chemist. Systems Analyst. GameBoySP Lover. Off-Key Singer. Photographer wannabe.

The Organized Gypsy

gypsygalstales — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 06:50:29 +0000

( first published July 29, 2005 at my first blogsite:http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/gypsygal/) SINGAPORE ---If ever I win a Noble Prize for pre-travel preparations, my thank you speech has to include an acknowledgement to two important things that allowed me to organize my travel itinerary even if I’m still tied to my workstation in Singapore, writing news stories that will be published by my soon-to-be-ex-media company. I would like to thank the guidebooks (Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, Frommer’s), some of which I bought, others were borrowed from my friends - for giving me phone numbers, websites and addresses of hostels, hospitals, travel agencies, book shops and vegetarian restaurants; and a brief history and health advisory of all the countries I will be visiting in the next three months: Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Nepal, India and Indonesia. And second, from the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank the Internet which allowed me to do a multitude of tasks: from looking for a yoga center in Kuala Lumpur to buying a travel insurance to signing up for a trek in Pokhara to enrolling in a introduction to Tibetan Buddhism course in Dharamsala. All these were done while sitting in front of my PC, chatting with traders over the phone and pounding my keyboard to churn out the latest commodities news from Asia. I have this mania for organizing. And I believe it has something with having spent the past ten years working as a beat reporter. A job which required me to be fast but organized. My daily routine involved interviewing traders, politicians, pundits and psychics; surfing the net for some background information; and speed reading market analysts’ reports. I had to digest and sift a mound of information; and hopefully, produce a news story which is accurate, informative, concise and grammatically correct. And I had to this with a daily deadline in mind and an editor snapping at me to hurry up. I also had my share of travel bloopers - I ran out of money in Bangkok and had to borrow 500 baht from a Thai colleague for my departure tax. I almost starved in Melaka as I couldn’t find stalls selling vegetarian food. I missed my bus to Toronto because I lost my ticket somewhere in the streets of Montreal. And, during a news coverage in Mindanao, I had to make do with wads of toilet paper as a temporary sanitary napkin. An “unexpected visitor” came and I forgot to bring the real thing. So, by planning and covering my bases, I‘m hoping that I won’t make the same mistakes. Of course, I know that I can’t control everything. Shit happens and living means having to deal with it. But to me, all these crap that you’re not a real traveller unless you’ve been mugged, robbed, contracted malaria and stayed in the grottiest hostels is just that: CRAP. I doubt if experiencing these things will actually make anyone a more compassionate or a more learned human being. Being prepared will allow me to really enjoy my travels, and give me time and energy to meditate, do my asanas, write travelogues and blogs, snap some pics, and savor a fresh cup of brewed coffee. Mmmmmm.

A Shutterbug Shops In Singapore

gypsygalstales — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 06:53:28 +0000

first opublished August 1, 2005, www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal SINGAPORE --- It took me some time before I finally decided to buy digicam. I’ve been a photo hobbyist since 2002, not to mention that I always believed that my photography isn’t just a means of self expression, but also a tool which I can use in my profession as a journalist. My personal mantra: the words are there to explain, the images are there to illustrate. Both should tell a story and tell it well. But I always preferred film, believing that any serious photographer should learn how to operate a manual SLR first. I have two second hand Nikon manual SLR and an Olympus point-and-shoot film camera. I’m also bit short in cash. At a price of over 1,000 Singapore dollars (or roughly US$600) - it’s beyond my means to buy a digital SLR. Sure, I can always buy second hand, but unless I really know all the technical aspects of what I’m buying, I don’t want to buy a second hand camera (or a computer or household appliances, for that matter). So yesterday, I went to Mustafa’s and bought my first digicam- the Olympus Stylus 500 - a compact, weatherproof, point-and-shoot digital cam, with optical zoom lens. For 499 Singapore dollars, I think it’s reasonably priced and within my budget. I bought a digicam because I’m traveling and I’m blogging. Of course, I’ll be bringing my ole trusty Nikon. But how can I update my blog and inform my friends and families about my travels if I’ll be spending most of my time finishing my film; and looking for a photo developer and a scanner?

Where In the World is Mustafa's???

gypsygalstales — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 06:57:17 +0000

First Published August 1,2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal SINGAPORE --- So what and where’s Mustafa’s? For those who haven’t been in Singapore, Mustafa’s sort of a landmark in a country where shopping is sort of a national sport (next to eating, I think). Located in Little India (one of my favorite places in Singapore), Mustafa’s is a 24-hour shopping center, where you can just buy about anything (from digicams to underwear to canned garbanzos to jewelry) for reasonable prices. Perfect for those who are in retail therapy but don't have enough moolah to support their, uhm, "habit" . The downside is, Mustafa’s always crowded. So claustrophobes - beware! Plus, goods are stacked up together in such a small space that it’s difficult to navigate the grocery section with a bulky shopping cart. My colleague, Shahira, a Mustafa regular, swore that the best time to shop in Mustafa’s, if you want to avoid the crowd, is around 3 am. Of course that's good news if you're a night owl or an incurable insomniac. Otherwise, if you really want to shop at Mustafa's, you just have to muddle your way through stacks, shelves, shoppers and grocery carts.

Living and Leaving

gypsygalstales — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 06:58:46 +0000

First Published August 1,2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal SINGAPORE ---My friend Persis, a Malaysian filmmaker, asked me if I would miss my apartment in Singapore. It’s a fair question considering that I’m a homebody and I lived in this walk-up apartment for 3 ½ years (out of my 4 ½ years in Singapore). I’m house proud - I loved inviting friends to my flat because I was (still am) very fond of this apartment which I’ll be leaving soon. It’s an old apartment (about 50 years old). And as such it doesn’t have the amenities that once can usually find in the spanking new high-rise condominiums dotting the island state. There’s no swimming pool, no gym, no country club in my apartment block. But my apartment’s fully-furnished, spacious (over 100 square meters - that’s big in land-scarce Singapore), airy (BIGGGG windows), with paintings and photographs adorning its off white walls, huge patio. It’s in an apartment block surrounded by plants and trees (and some squirrels and birds). It’s near a bus station, a hospital, a botanical garden, and just a 5 minute-bus rude away from Orchard Rd-Singapore’s shopping central. *** But I laughed and told Persis, that it’s not possible for me to be attached to my apartment (or any place for that matter) as I don’t like staying in one place for a long time. “I must be a gypsy in my past life,“ I told Persis. Persis agreed, adding that even if I’m going back to Manila later this year (to pursue a post graduate course in anthropology in my alma mater -the University of the Philippines), she knows that I won’t stay in Manila for long. I find stability in movement. I’m one of those people whom Pico Iyer described as people “who travel by habit.” Which is why when I was 10 years old, I wanted to become a flight stewardess . I thought then it was so cool to earn a tidy amount of money and to travel anywhere, for free. But I’m too short for the job, less than 5 feet tall. But being “vertically-challenged” proved to be a blessing. I didn’t become a flight attendant but became a journalist instead. I get to travel, write, tell stories and earn a decent living out of it. *** I won’t miss the apartment but I will miss the feeling of independence of having my own place (as I lived with my parents back in Manila). I will miss the moments, the friendships I made, the love that I found and lost in that apartment. I will my fabulous flatmates - Yun Nar’s cooking and late night girl talks with Liana; the simple vegetarian meals that I learned to cook in the kitchen (hummus, toasted bread with vegemite and butter, adobong taukwa). I’ll miss those big parties which I hold in my flat (we had over 100 people coming in and out of the flat during the Haloween party held in 2003. It took me a week to recover from all the alcohol and food that I ingested that night) I’ll miss the my big living room where I do my yoga asanas And I’ll miss Butch - my neighbor’s cat. My favorite furry, fat cat. I’m fond of cats -they’re domesticated but they’re still wide. I love it that they’re independent, frivolous, playful, curious and naughty. *** And yes Persis, my bestest gal pal and partner-in-crime in Singapore, I’ll miss you too.

Butch and Me

gypsygalstales — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 07:01:10 +0000

Butch and Me

gypsygalstales — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 07:08:22 +0000

Butch and I in front of my apartment

PARTY! PARTY!

gypsygalstales — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 07:14:19 +0000

First Published August 14, 2005 www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal SINGAPORE ---I love parties! I love it that I can use it as one of my many justifications to break my diet, binging on wine, vodka, cheese, greasy onion rings and sugar-loaded pastries, without ever thinking about calories. (Because I tend to put weight easily) I also love hosting parties - organizing it, putting out invites, cooking and just chatting with guests. This may be because I grew up in a family who are sooooo into parties. In Tondo, Manila during the fiesta in honor of the Santo Nino (the Infant Jesus) - which is held mid-January, my parents, my aunts and uncles, my cousins and household help will all pitch in to prepare food for more than 50 guests who come in and out of my lola's house. Some of my titas and household help will be in the kitchen whipping up Filipino fare like mechado, kare kare and dinuguan. My uncles will be outside roasting pig, while one of my aunts or uncles or cousins are entertaining the guests, making sure that they’re comfortable, well-fed, and with the help of bottles of icecold San Miguel beer, "well-drunk."

At the lobby of Scarlet Hotel A Marilyn Monroe moment with the DJ Commodities Babes. From left -Feiwen, Glenys, Sha and Prime

And theres always someone snapping pictures ( my mom is one of them, a dedicated shutterbug and scrapbooker) making sure that all the happy faces, the yummy food and the noise will be preserved in posterity thanks to rolls and rolls of film... *** So I had parties galore , and I had fun, and I had wine and cake and cheese, I took pics , chat the whole night, and listened to some music ... and the pics uploaded here just proves how much fun I had! **** First in the list, Tita Beth’s birthday party in Windows Café at Club Street (a bar and restaurant row located at Singapore's CBD area) held Aug 2, Tuesday night, organized by the FLAG - a social club of Singapore-based Filipina professionals. ‘Ta Beth, who's been in Singapore for over a decade and now holds a Singapore passport, is FLAG's founding president. ***** Thursday night, August 4, I went with my fellow reporters in the Dow Jones Commodities Team in Singapore for a farewell dinner at the Breeze Cafe in Scarlet Hotel (also in Club St). We had some drinks (I had wine, the three babes had fruit juice) and finger food and massive dose of girl talk! Later we went to lobby of the hotel, wherein I insisted that we absolutely need to have our picture taken seated at the lobby's sofa. It's soooo Marilyn Monroe, I told them. *** August 5 was my last day in DJ. I had another farewell dinner with the commods team in Singapore, but this time, our editor joined the dinner. We went to Rang Mahal, a splashy North Indian resto at Pan Pacific hotel. It was here that they gave me my farewell gift-voucher for Nike. A week later, I used the voucher to buy a pair of trekking sneakers.

FLAG PARTY At Windows Cafe with FLAG Ladies. From Left, Teresa, Rosalie and Prime

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gypsygalstales — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 07:18:15 +0000

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gypsygalstales — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 07:32:32 +0000

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Goodbyes Don't Have to be Sad

gypsygalstales — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 06:46:29 +0000

First Published August 15,2005 at www.traveblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal SINGAPORE --- Life's a cycle. One thing must end in order to begin something new and hopefully, better. I know that and I think most people do. The thing is, sometimes, I forget that this is how life works, which is why sometimes I tend to hold on and resist change. Farewells, to me, are always sad affairs. It was always difficult for me to say goodbye to anyone I love. But I had to tell myself, time and again, that this is a cycle. Someone will have to leave in order for a new person to come into my life. Or that I have to leave to start something new somewhere, somehow. *** On August 5, I sent several emails to my colleagues, friends and industry sources. In my email to my friends, I wrote: Dear All: Hi, as some of you must know by now, I just quit my job to fulfill one of my biggest dreams: to backpack around Asia. This is my spiritual journey and I hope that you'll always be there to help me smile, be more compassionate, live again. Many thanks for all the lessons that I learned from each of you. Thank you for being a friend, a colleague, a flatmate, a (coffee and vodka) drinking buddy. And I would also want to apologize for whatever pain that I might have caused to any of you. Let me end this email by posting a quote from Pico Iyer -one of my favorite writers. I hope his words will explain why I'm a gypsy- I find stability in movement: "And if travel is like love, that is, in the end mostly because it's a heightened state of awareness, in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity, and ready to be transformed. That's why the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end." May you always be blessed. *** These are just some of the kind words that I got from my friends: from Sheila: "Enjoy your journey. May it transform you and make you grow." from Mildred: "i'm thankful to receive your mail & know a little about you, a free spirit soon to fulfill a dream which not many among us can dare to do, if i may say so...." from Fistri: "one of the things i'm gonna miss about you..your thirst for knowledge and this ability to challenge the norms and be who you are" from Mei: "Goodluck and happiness to you as you go on another journey. Be full of love and expect kindness to touch you. " from Iris: "My dear dear friend, I wish you the best experience you can have in your travel..yes it is indeed a spiritual journey, and I join you in love and prayers." *** I also sent farewell email to my DJ colleagues. Some kind words that I got: From Fitri, DJ Jakarta-based reporter: "Hi Prime Thank you for helping me during my first months in Dow Jones. It really helped me adjust with so much different working enviroment and pace with my old working place." From Ray, DJ-Canberra: "hey prime. you're gain is our loss methinks. good to work with you." From George, a copy ed in Singapore: "I just wanted to wish you good luck with whatever you do, and thanks for putting up with all my questions on your stories. " ***** I also wrote an email to traders and other officials who I usually interview for my commodities news coverage: Hi Everyone: Today is my last day in Dow Jones. I quit my job tofulfill one of my biggest dreams: to backpack around Asia. But before I zoom off, I would like to thank all of you forhelping me cover the Asian commodities market. And I got lovely notes from some of them: From Khun Yium, Bangkok-based economist: Prime, I am sincerely glad to know that you have achieved one of your biggest dreams. From Tony, technical analyst in Singapore: Giatay ! Go with God. from Mr Teo, KL trader: "Sad to here that today is your last day in Dow Jones, wethanks for your rubber informations and reports all this years which we find itvery useful for reference and for market analysis." from Mr KT Seong, South Korean trader: "As a reader of your good information letter, I mustexpress my heartfelt thanks to you. Sincerely hope you have great time, and please call mewhen you visit Korea. I will have some soju (Korean) for you*^^*" **** Reading them actually made me happy that I said goodbye, because it was only through their replies that I realized how much people care. I;m travelling solo but not alone. Farewells don't have to be sad affairs.

Laos In A Week

gypsygalstales — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 06:49:45 +0000

First published August 16, 2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal Chiang Mai --- or my first trip to Laos, I decided to join a group tour. While I always prefer traveling alone, as I want to explore a new place at my own pace (plus I need a lot of “quiet time” meditating, thinking and writing and just sitting still), this one time that I know that I need to be with a group as I know I can’t deal with Laos on my own. My biggest problem is the language barrier. English isn’t widely-spoken in Laos and it will thus be difficult for me go around this country given such handicap. I also don’t want to waste my time getting lost in a new city or queuing for bus tickets. So I signed up for the Laos Unplugged tour organized by the Melbourne-based Intepid Travel. The 11-day whistle stop tour is part of the company’s “Roam Basix” tour package - billed as “fun, flexible and affordable-back to basics!” At over US$700, I figured its reasonable as it includes accommodation in modest guesthouses, transpo and english speaking tour guides. And I’m joining a group -so why not meet new people and perhaps make new friends? I also love the fact that travelling with Intrepid helps local economies (the company uses locally-owned hotels and employ local tour guides) and the company’s contributing part of their income to several charity organizations in Asia. I want to travel and help make a difference. *** Day 1, August 16,2005: Chiang Mai I arrived in Prince Hotel around 3 pm. I flew from Singapore (with a brief stop over in Bangkok. It wasn't a direct flight--that's what I get for booking cheap tickets), in the middle of the monsoon season. I arrived at a time that this northern Thai city, which is home to numerous tourits who come here every year for hill tribe trekking, at a time that it's recovering from the flashfloods that engulfed its streets. I was reading about the flashflood on my flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. It freaked me out. It sounded like an omen - as if this trip isn't a good idea. It didnt help that i encountered some problems prior to this trip. My younger sis, who's now working in Singapore, was crying because of work-related stress. I didn't want to leave her, but I know I had to. So I comforted her and said I'll come back ("Lagi naman akong bumabalik pag umaalis ako, di ba?) I had some argument with Thai airways staff during the Bangkok-Chiang Mai flight as they failed to serve me a vegetarian meal even if informed the company a few days ago that I need vegetarian food. *** But the sky was clear and the floods have receded the day I arrived in Chiang Mai. It's as if God/Goddess/Universe's telling me not to worry, everything will be alright. I met Ping (our Thai tour leader) and my group mates that night: Kiwis Tim and Jennifer, a young couple (they've been dating for the past two years); another Kiwi, Graeme, a retired salesman who has travelled to over 70 countries around the world; and Jesus (yes that's his real name, I checked his driver's license. And since he's Spaniard, it's pronounced He-Sus, not Ji-zuz), who just finished studying an English language course in Sydney. All of us are in transit. The Intrepid Laos tour will officially finish on August 26, but all of us won't be going home just yet. Tim and Jennifer will be heading to Bangkok, mainland China and Hong Kong, before returning to Auckland. Graeme will be joining another Intrepid tour in Thailand; while Jesus will be bumming around in a Thai beach resort before flying home to Madrid. And I, I'll be spending some time in KL and Singapore (to repack my stuff) before heading off to the Himalayas.

Waiting For Ping

gypsygalstales — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 06:54:22 +0000

First published August 17,2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal Chiang Khong, Thailand -- The second day of our Intrepid tour's about waiting. Waiting for our bus, waiting for Ping to arrive. He's always late. It's Thai time, one of the Kiwis said. And that's when we started talking about Asia, and that things in these region are never on time (Singapore and Japan are the exemption, not the rule). My group mates were bored and I really can't blame them. We're all dying to get to Laos. But for me, I think, who just crashed and burned and trying to have my life back (after years of rushing from one news coverage to another, and later, after years of being confined in the desk) , waiting is about taking things slowly, learning to let go. Chill Prime!, I told myself. In Singapore, everything's has to be scheduled. In this time and place, everything just happens.. *** It took us over 8 hours (via cramped, rickety public buses, burning tires in mostly unpaved roads) just to travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong -Thailand's northernmost province and a crossing point into Laos. From here, we'll be taking a boat to cross the Mekong river, and enter Laos via the border town of Houi Xai. We stayed at a guesthouse (with beds full of ants, I had to put Off insect repellent lotion in the bedsheet and pillowcases) situated just in front of the Thai immigration checkpoint. *** Jesus, Graeme and I went for a walk around 8 pm. It was dark. There are some steeet lamps, barking stray dogs, and neon lights from some bars. We had a massage (cheap and good). But thats really it. There was nothing much to do in this town.

From Sawasdee To Sabaydee

gypsygalstales — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 06:57:55 +0000

Welcome to Laos This is Fhan, our guide in Laos, welcoming us to his country.

(First Published August 18, 2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal)

MEKONG RIVER --- Call me Fhan and we'll have a FUN time," that's what our Lao tour guide told us when he met us at the immigration checkpoint in Huay Xai. It was also him who taught us what's "Hello" in Lao. It's Sabaydee (and it's said with a smile). We completed visa formalities, changed baht to kips and took a tuk-tuk which took us to a port where a slow "tourist" boat (a house boat owned by a Lao family) awaits us, for a two day cruise in Mekong River. We're heading to Luang Prabang, but not just yet... **** I never enjoyed travelling by boat as I often get dizzy. Not to mention that I don't like travelling at such a slow pace. Why travel by boat, if you can get to your destination by plane (especially in the era of budget airlines, wherein, as one ad puts it, "Now everyone can fly") ? But as the boat glides slowly through the mocha colored Mekong River, I began to appreciate the slow boat travel. I sat beside the window to look at the verdant hills, feel the cool wind,

I want money,lots and lots of money! One US dollar is equal to 10,000 kips (Laotian currency). I need to carry a sack if I'm changing 100 US dollars in here!

read, write, think, listen to some cds.. Just let time pass by. It was also during this trip that I managed to get to know Fhan better. He told me he learned english in a Buddhist monastery (he was a novice in a temple in Luang Prabang), trained as a teacher, but left the teaching profession as being a tour guide pays more. A big thing for someone like him who's one of the family's main breadwinners. I enjoyed my first Lao meal in this boat. Sticky rice (served in a lidded wicker basket) , boiled bamboo shoots (it's bland. What gives it flavor is: you dip it in the fish sauce with chili peppers. Spicy and salty!) and mashed, grilled eggplant. Theres fried fish, but I didn't touch as I'm vegetarian. We ate with our hands, in a communal plate. Simple meal which befits a simple life.

Slowly Through The Mekong River This is me, enjoying the slow (boat) ride to Luang Prabang.

Hello from NZ! My IntMy Intrepid group mates -Kiwis Tim and Jennifer

The End of Roughing It!

gypsygalstales — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:00:57 +0000

First Published August 18,2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal PAK BENG, LAOS --- We spent a night in the tiny village of Pak Beng - a halfway point between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang. The slow boats don't travel at night so we have to stop here for dinner and get some sleep. A rustic town clustered with houses made of woodscraps and corrugated tin; and streets littered with stray dogs, and kids playing around, Pak Beng isn't actually a novelty for someone like me who've been to remote areas in the Philippines. I was after all a journalist, and journalist will go anywhere to get a story. The thing is, I went to these places for work. And while roughing it is supposed to be part and parcel of a backpacker's life, it was here in Pak Beng that I learned something about myself: I am a city girl and I live a city life. I hate Pak Beng. In fact, I woke up early (6 am) the next day because I cant wait to leave (our boat will actually depart by 8 am) But I cant just stand the musty, dark bedroom; the dirty bedsheet; the mosquitoes (I smothered myself with OFF lotion); the

Pak Beng The rustic village of Pak Beng

grotty communal squat toilet; the fact that theres only electricity until 10 pm, after that the village was in total darkness. Aaggh! I consumed several bottles of mineral water just for brushing my teeth, and washing my face. I didn't bother to shower. I hate the muddy market, the stinking smell of dried buffalo skin. *** Yeah I whined and whined but at the same time I was thinking: Here I am complaining about the toilet and the lack of facilties, but it never occured to me that things might be more difficult for poor people here. I doubt if they get adequate medical attention. Do they have enough to eat? Are the kids studying? Eat Your Greens Vegetable Vendor in Pak Beng

Pizza and HBO in Luang Prabang

gypsygalstales — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:06:16 +0000

First Published August 19,2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal Luang Prabang --- On our way to Luang Prabang, we had two brief stop overs. First was in an Hmong hill village, where curious kids follow us around as they love posing for our digicams. Me, with my pair of flat feet struggled to climb the muddy hill. Fhan had to hold my hand all the time as I was really struggling. The next stop was at Pak Ou Buddha caves where Fhan gave a brief lucture on what the different Buddha poses mean. The caves are a repository of old Buddha image. The Lao people are mostly Buddhists, and practices Theravada Buddhism. Hmong Kids *** "Ahh civilization! " Jennifer exclaimed upon setting foot in our airconditioned hotel in Luang Prabang. Rama Hotel's comfy, although it's not exactly a lap of luxury. But after roughing out for the past two days, any hotel which offers clean bedsheets, hot shower and cable tv are, for us, connotes five-star accomodations. We celebrated our "return to civilization" by splurging on dinner. That is, as backpackers with tight budgets, each of us usually spends an average of US$3 for a meal. This time around we spent around 10 US$ for

Follow The Leader Curious Hmong kids follow us around, wanting to pose for pics

dinner in this swanky cafe in Xiang Thong road called Cafe des Artistes. We all missed Western food (Tim was hankering for big juicy steak), fed up with a daily diet of fried rice and noodles. We all ordered pizza- thin crust, loads of melted mozarella cheese. Later we went back to our hotel for a dose of HBO.

Pak Ou Cave Buddha Images In Pak Ou Caves

Small Blessings

gypsygalstales — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 12:37:24 +0000

Kuang Si Waterfalls Not as majestic as the Niagara Falls, but fabulous just the same (First Published Aug 21, 2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal) Luang Prabang --- Our last day in Luang Prabang was a day for trekking and shopping. We started the day with a trip to the Kuang Si Waterfalls- a two-hour drive and about 35 km southwest from Luang Prabang. The picturesque multi-level falls tumbling through a series of pools is a favorite spot for camera-happy tourists and picnic-loving locals. Sure, it’s not as majestic as the Niagara Falls (which I’ve seen four years ago, on my first visit to Toronto), but it’s beautiful just the same and all of us (Tim, Jennifer, Jesus, Graeme, Fhan and his girlfriend) just snapped pics of the waterfalls (and pictures of us with the waterfalls in the background). Later, my more energetic group mates (Tim, Jesus and Jennifer) sprinted their way on top of the waterfalls. I followed them, slowly hiking my way up, coughing and sneezing, dealing with my flat feet, praying I won’t fall. I didn’t get on top though as it’s slippery. But the three of them went all the way up. Yeah, I know, I’m reasonably fit, with my regular gym outings, yoga and vegetarian diet – but I know I can’t keep up with them. But it’s

View From The Top (of a hill) The changing skies of Luang Prabang

ok. I’m not here to vie for a slot in the Amazing Race. *** In the afternoon, around 5 pm, my group mates (including the sexagenarian Graeme), who were still craving for some adrenaline rush, went to Phou Si Hill, as they wanted to climb the 329 steps leading to the hill’s peak, and watch the sun set. As for me, I stayed behind, still tired from the morning’s trek and the afternoon spent washing clothes in the bathroom. I said, I’ll be there later. Phou Si hill is considered as both the geographical and spiritual center of Luang Prabang. At the top of the hill is Wat Pa Houak - a Buddhist temple built in the 19th century. Tourists want to reach the hill’s summit not only because they want to watch (and take pictures of) the setting of the sun but also to marvel at the stunning panorama of the city. And you can only do this if you’re on top of the hill. I managed to haul my fat ass, my flat feet and chunky frame out of the hotel by 6 pm. I reached the hill’s summit around

View From The Top (of a hill) The changing skies of Luang Prabang

630 pm (after much huffing and puffing and sweating climbing the 329 steps). Of course, I missed the sun set. But my hard work was rewarded by a vista of the changing color of the skies. The indigo blue clouds slowly transforming into a swathe of red and black. And I was there, just savoring the moment, thankful that the Universe/God/Goddess gave me this opportunity to witness such spectacular display, grateful that I quit my tedious and senseless job. Now I can just live again. When was the last time I looked at the sky? In my former life as a business reporter, 6:30 pm means sitting in front of my PC, monitoring the ups and downs in the Singapore commodity exchange, filing a closing market comment for the day. All the time I was inside my cubicle, I didn’t even know whether it was raining or not, and definitely never had time to just breathe and look at the sky. The day ended with shopping in the night market, where I helped my mates save money by bargaining (and bargaining really hard) *** There were times that I wished I was

Shopping Galore Once again, my bargaining skills were put to test at the night market in Luang Prabang

more athletic and slim and gorgeous so that I could at least have a more “glamorous” career as a host of the many (adventure) travel shows in cable tv. But I’m not and I’m not into sports or outdoorsy stuff. I’m a meditative, cute, curvaceous earth mama, preferring the silence of asanas, the clicking of my camera. I am what I am. Finally, I have accepted that.

Bored In Vang Vieng

gypsygalstales — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 12:39:38 +0000

First Published August 22,2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal Vang Vieng, Laos --- After a 7-hour drive in unpaved, muddy roads; occasional toilet breaks in the bushes; surviving a road block (caused by a landslide) and heavy monsoon rains, we finally arrived in Vang Vieng. The laidback town of Vang Vieng, which is about 155 km north of Vientianne, is known for its beautiful caves. Backpackers, especially those who love the “great outdoors”, go to Vang Viang to explore the caves or to go “tubing” - riding on huge tractor inner tubes that float down in the Nam Xong river. But it was monsoon season, the whole area was flooded, roads are muddy, and caves are slippery. We stayed in a simple guesthouse, where each room has a bed, a fan and a bathroom. It’s basic really, but what I enjoyed most was the fact that we were in the fourth floor and had the wide balcony all for ourselves. My group mates, who were craving for some adrenaline rush, were bored and restless. They went out, they said that they wanted to explore the town. I said I won’t go with them as I needed to write. After doing my asanas in my bedroom, I immediately occupied the wide table in the balcony and brought out my journal, pen, my discman, a bottle of iced tea, and my guidebook. I was so happy, just sitting there, enjoying the tranquility of the place, writing in my journal. The problem is, my group mates, after about half an hour, returned to the guesthouse. Frustrated that they couldn’t do anything, they spent their pent-up energy talking. Well I really couldn’t care less if they talked for like hours. What I was really annoyed about was that they had to do all these talking in the balcony where I’m writing something. So I just put on my discman and listened to the meditative tunes of the sarod and the tabla. My group mates are fun and very nice people. But I just can’t be with them. I noticed that they’re just way too restless that they can’t understand the value of “stillness” of just staying there and enjoying what is now, and what is present. They also can’t understand my need for some quiet time because I’m a writer, and I need to write.

Overnight in Khao San

gypsygalstales — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 12:51:11 +0000

First Published September 4,2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal Bangkok --I flew from KL and had to spend a night in Bangkok to catch an early flight tomorrow for Kathmandu. For that, I went to Khao San Rd. The backpackers ghetto of Khao San in Bangkok isn't an ideal place to write. The whole area just assaults your senses, that you end up confused, distracted, dazed. Here's what Khao San is: loud music blaring from the stereo; fake cds, fake hair, fake ids clog the streets; tuktuks and motorbikes coming from just anywhere that you have to be extremely careful when you cross the street; a chockablock of guesthouses, bars, cafes and massage parlors; and backpackers from all over the world, of all shapes and sizes, bringing with them a variety of accents, smell, color. But I went here and stayed here anyway (not exactly in Khao San Rd, but in the nearby Tanee Rd) because it's cheap and convenient. Khao San doesn't just offer cheap accomodation ( I'm staying in a spotlessly clean room with its own bathroom, aircon, cable tv and fridge for just roughly $US12/night, inclusive of breakfast), but also cheap food, books and clothes. I can get a cab anywhere, so I'll have no problem getting to the airport on time. I got a decent vegetarian meal for less than US$3 in a restaurant (I'm quite terrified of eating in street food stalls); internet costs about $1 US/hour; long distance phone calls through public phone booth cost 7 baht/minute ( I refused to carry my cell) and I managed to shop for all the things that I need in my travels. For a paltry US$35 (and loads of bargaining), I got myself four second hand paperbacks, two pairs of cotton trousers, a pair of jogging pants, a nylon bag for my camera, three pieces of long sleeve cotton blouses (ideal for Nepal's nippy nights), a bottle of anti-dandruff shampoo and lip balm. I didn't got a sleeping bag though (nor a guidebook to Tibet and bhutan), resolving that tomorrow I can buy all these things, for dirt cheap prices (and with my well-honed bargaining skills, I can virtually get anything at a fraction of a price). Because tomorrow, I'll be staying in another backpackers haven: Thamel in Kathmandu.

Mega Nepal Mall

gypsygalstales — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 12:55:13 +0000

First Published September 5,2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal

Sadhu for Sale I have to pay 50 rupees just so this sadhu will pose for me. What can I say? In a capitalist world, everything's for sale.

Kathmandu --- One of the first things I bought when I arrived in Thamel - Kathmandu's backpackers center - was a calculator. Given my propensity to convert everything (in Singapore, US and Philippine currencies) and also to curtail my spending, a calculator is a necessity for me. Although I stayed in Singapore for over four years - a country where shopping is a national sport and the shopping malls lining Orchard Road are considered major tourist spots - I was never bitten by a shopping bug. I don't like buying things that I really don't need. It's a waste of time. money and energy. Plus, I learned my lesson. A few years ago, I was so depressed, that I used my credit card to buy my happiness. This even if I was a poor newspaper reporter in Manila. I incurred massive debts, that I had to accept tons of writing jobs just to clear my debts. The calculator, however, failed to curb my spending mania. My inner shopping goddess reappeared in Kathmandu. How can I resist, especially in Thamel, where every inch of the land was devoted to all forms of commerce - from

Shops In Bhaktapur Kathmandu is definitely a shoppers' paradise. Whether you are in Thamel or in any temples in the Kathmandu Valley, you'll always find shops selling all sorts of things - thanka paintings, food, film, ... [more]

cafes to shops selling frilly hippy skirts, from cd shops to guesthouses and travel agencies. So yeah, I bought myself some handmade paper, kurta, iodine tablets, Himalaya beauty care products, veggie burger, mango jam, coffee, shampoo, paperbacks...... I'm just thankful that I kept my credit card under my backpack. Whew!

Colors of Thamel Colorful bed covers for sale in Thamel

Temple Tour

gypsygalstales — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 12:58:40 +0000

First Published September 8,2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal Kathmandu --- Despite the hot and dry weather (and the fact that I can't wear shorts and spaghetti straps in this conservative country) and my dizziness (side effect of the anti-malaria tablets that I ingested), I still managed to take a tour around the Kathmandu Valley, visiting some of Nepal's most important temples from September 6 to 8. I guess, the fact that I had a tour guide and a chaffeur helped (thank you so much to my Thamel-based travel agent Bishnu Subedi). On September 6, I went to Pashupatinath to witness the Teej Festival, also known as the Festival of Women. Pashupatinath is one of Nepal's, and the Indian subcontinent's, most important Hindu temple. Located at the banks of the holy Bagmati River, it's a temple dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. During the Teej Festival, Nepali women go to Pashupatinath, clad in their red and gold saris, to call on Shiva to protect their husbands. "But what if you're single? " I asked Nirmala, the pretty and giggly doe-eyed receptionist who works in Bishnu's travel agency and who accompanied me to my trip to Pashupatinath. Nirmala, garbed in her

Off Limits As I'm not a Hindu, I can't go inside Pashupatinath's temple

festive green salwar kameez, is a single gal like me. She giggled and said, in broken english, that if I'm not married then I should ask Lord Shiva for a good hubby. Ah uh, ok. Anyway, given that I'm not Hindu (and therefore I can't enter the temple) and given that I spent my time in Pashupatinath taking pics instead of praying, I don't think that Lord Shiva will be giving me any hubby soon ( that's good though, as I enjoy my freedom!). **** On September 7, I went to visit Bodnath Stupa owing to my personal interest in Tibetan Buddhism. Later, we went to Kopan Monastery to inquire about classes on Tibetan Buddhism. Unfortunately, I have no time to spare for a formal 10-day Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism course. I told the monk that I might do it some other time. That night I called my nanay to greet her an advanced happy birthday (her birtday's on the 8th). **** September 8 - my guide and I went to visit Bhaktapur and Patan for another dose of Hindu Temples sight seeing . We walked around the cobblestone streets,

Pilgrims Sometimes, you'll stumble on good subjects by accident. As I was looking for a good angle to take pics of Nepali women celebrating the Teej, I discovered these Indian pilgrims who gamely posed for pic... [more]

which are again lined with shops, guesthouses and cafes. But the two compact towns in Kathmandu Valley still retained its old world charm. Nepalis, not tourists (unlike in Thamel) do live there, doing their stuff -cooking, selling food and clothes, making pots, worshipping in the temples, kids going to nearby schools. **** September 9 - took a tourist bus for a 7-hour trip to Pokhara.

Monkee See, Monkee Do Monkeys in Pashupatinath are soo fat and naughty. But what to do? No one can control these primates as they're considered holy. Hanuman, the Monkey God, is a much revered Hindu God.

Prime in Bodnath Stupa I insisted in going to Bodnath as Im personally interested in Tibetan Buddhism

Heavy Duty Baggage

gypsygalstales — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:23:14 +0000

First Published Sept. 11, 2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal Pokhara, Nepal ---Most of the time I travel light, preferring to buy essentials like pocketbooks, t-shirts or toiletries in any country where I'm staying. Given the might of the Singapore dollar (1 SGD = 2.2 ringgit = 22 baht = 5,000 kips=41 Nepali rupees ), I can easily stretch my budget without having to suffer from a backache or shoulder ache. As much as possible, especially now that I'm living a nomadic lifestyle (I spend most of my time in transit-waiting in airports, in bus stations), I really try to make my backpack weigh less than 15 kgs. After all, the only things I really need aren't heavy. My yoga mat, bra and disposable panties, my compact Olympus digicam (which I can easily fit into my pocket), my sony mini dv cam, my trusty SLR Nikon manual camera; travel documents; pen and paper; directory and maps, first aid kit, pen and paper. And of course some hard currency plus plastic money. But my heavy load has nothing to do with the bulkiness of my backpack or the weight of my luggage. Rather, my baggage is my passport. I'm a Filipina - and with that I have to carry a load of prejudices and insults. Because I'm a citizen of a developing country, and because a lot of my fellow citizens go everywhere just to escape poverty from home (never mind that they end up as maids, prostitutes or low paid workers), a Filipino traveller (unlike Aussies or Singaporeans who can just go anywhere) are viewed with suspicion. How can I forget the time that I went to Toronto, around four years ago, to visit a Filipino friend? From Singapore enroute to Toronto (it was a 20 hour flight), we had a brief stopover in Detroit. Oh God, it didn't matter that my passport says I'm gainfully employed (in an American media company, no less) or that I have a valid tourist visa to Canada. As far as the immigration officials in the US are concerned ( I should have spit on their smug faces. Those arrogant bastards!), I'm a potential TNT because I'M FILIPINO. "You're working in Dow Jones and you don't know that you need a transit visa for US?, " the immigration offcial chided me (Ohh, I won't forget that! And I wont forget the fact that we activists in Manila kicked out your damn US bases in Olongapo!!!). I was detained for a few hours in a small room together with other tourists who have no tourist visa (including a pretty Malaysian Chinese who works for the organizing committee of the Miss World pageant) , where I can't even pee without an officer escorting me to the bathroom. Last year, on my way to Perth (via KL), this pasty and overweight Australian woman officer scrutinized my passport, checking if my visa's genuine (touching it, making sure it sticks), badgering me with stupid questions like... "So, would you be working in Australia" (I'm like duh, no, I have a comfy life in Singapore, a good job in one of the world's biggest media companies and a fabulous flat in Steven's Close why would I give it all up to live in your stupid country?). I handed her my laminated EP card. Just to assure her that I'm a well paid expat. The moronic woman, I cant believe this, ignored the card and didn't realize what a green Emloyment Pass card means! (interestingly, its in Perth airport that I was hassled less. The burly immigration official saw my EP, immediately understood what it meant and said, "Enjoy your holiday!" ) I always consoled myself that life as a Philippine passport holder isn't that bad. I know Indian and Chinese passport holders need a visa for any country that they will visit and that they even have a harder time securing visa. And all these talk about Al Qaeda, terrorism etcetera made life difficult for travelling citizens from Middle East and/or predominantly Islamic countries. I also told myself, that at least in Southeast Asia, I don't need a visa. Boy ! was I wrong. In the past few weeks, I saw myself entrering and exiting the checkpoints in Woodlands (in Singapore) and Johor Bahru in Malayasia. All the time, I can see immigration officials from both sides of the causeway viewed my passport suspiciously, asking for return tickets, their attention focused on my "cancelled EP" passport page. One immigration official in Johor Bahru actually had the temerity to tell me "I don't believe you're travelling" (implying of course, that I like some Filipinos I personally know, are going to Malaysia just to extend their social pass in Singapore. Hoping that this will give them enough time to look for a job in the city state). That really irritated me, but I answered calmly, and said I quit my job, I'm travelling and here's my ticket to Bangkok, also my ticket to Nepal and to Delhi (Ahhh uhm by the way, do you want to see my bank account? Do you know that I have enough funds to travel for two years? Do you know that not all Filipinos are poor and willing to accept shit jobs? Do you know that I'm proud of being Filipino, of being who I am, of what I've become?) Of course, after seeing all my tickets, he had no choice but to give me a visa-free one month social pass in Malaysia. It's times like these that I wished I have the mentality of a typical, self-absorbed, shallow middle class young Filipino (some of my friends, unfortunately, are like that) . Filipinos who are educated (some of them even studied in the University of the Philippines, the premier state university, where part of the students' tuition was shouldered by taxpayers money), who live comfortable lives, with higher than average paychecks, but who do nothing but whine about corruption, poverty, govt ineffciency etcetera in the Philippines. Filipinos who will chuck their passports at a drop of the hat because "life is hard in Manila, there's pollution, our govt sucks, etcetera." The thing is, I'm not. I take my citizenship seriously, that I have a civic duty. Yes being a Filipino is an accident of birth. I didn't choose to be one, I was born a Filipino because I was born in the Philippines and my parents are Filipinos. And yes, in a more globalized environment, citizenship takes on a whole new meaning, one that transcends geographical boundaries, ethnic lines and political persuasions. But I can't just give up my passport and swear allegiance to a country just because I'm having a hard time travelling. Cmon, is that what citizenship is all about? You become a citizen of one country just for your own convenience? What is this, a shopping mall for passports? You buy, you consume, you dispose?

Dizzy Dolly In Nepal

gypsygalstales — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:32:44 +0000

First published Sept 11, 2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal Pokhara, Nepal --- It took me some time to update this blog as I was ill. For the past few days, I was dizzy and nauseaous. Everything I ate weighs like lead. I didn't have an appetite, but I had to force myself to eat biscuits, dhal or mashed potato just so that I'll at least have the strength to walk. Although I managed to do some sight seeing in Kathmandu (visiting Buddhist and Hindu temples), I spent most of my time, lying in my bed, praying to all Gods and Godesses (Christian, Hindu, egyptian, whatever!) that I be saved from all the debilitating travellers diseases (flu, malaria, dengue, hepatitis, typhoid). I was also busy thinking if all the precautions I took (immunization, anti-malaria tablets, lathering myself with mosquito repellant, putting iodine tablets in my bathwater, consuming bottled mineral water) are all for naught. I definitely contracted something. Maybe it's in the air. The backpackers ghetto of Thamel is so crowded (its a maze of stores, with every square foot's dedicated to serving the whims, wants and persuasions of all kinds of tourists - internet cafes, travel agencies, guesthouses, restaurants, yoga centers, massage centers, pharmacies, hair salon, the list can go and on...), and so crazy (where crossing the street's a hazardous activity, pedestrians have ro watch out for stray dogs, motorbikes and rickshaws that come from nowhere) that maybe, just maybe, I got dizzy because of all the madness in Thamel. I thought that maybe its because the food in Thamel (whether Nepali or western food) is either too sweet or too salty. I resolved to eat the biscuits that I bought in KL and had some bland dhal. It didn't work. Bishnu, my travel agent in Thamel, told me that I might be dehydrated and advised me to drink loads of water. I did. It didnt work. I was stoned during the 7-hour (air con) bus trip from Kathmandu to Pokhara, and had a major migraine in Pokhara. It's only after an uphill climb in Pokhara and being conned by two Nepali girls (who offered to guide me to my destination, but asked for 500 RUPEES!!!!! I balked and gave them 300 instead. I wanted to give them 100 NPR only, but I was a bit scared of the girls. We're on top of the hill, this is clearly their territory and they might push me down) . Anyway, it was in Sadhana Yoga center where I discovered the reason behind my nausea and dizziness. "Its those anti malaria tablets, " Asanga, the yoga teacher said. Apparently, this is one of the many side effects of malaria tablets. The drug is so strong, it can actually wreck havoc to your system. Especially for me, who seldom take allopathic medicine and has instead relied, most of the time, on the gentler homeopathic medication. And as it turned out, Asanga's correct. I checked the booklet attached to my box of anti-malaria tablets. Dizziness, nausea and vomitting) are side effects of ingesting these tablets.

Grrrl Power in Pokhara

gypsygalstales — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:49:54 +0000

The Guesthouse I stayed at the Chettri Sisters' Guesthouse in Pokhara First published Sept 11, 2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal Pokhara, Nepal ---My trekking adventure commenced in Pokhara - 200 km east, a 7 hour-bus ride away of Kathmandu. The laidback town of Pokhara is a gateway to the magnificent Annapurna range, and its also near the popular trekking routes. Which is why Pokhara’s Lakeside area is trekkers’ central - where guesthouses, trekking agencies, trek gear, massages for sored trekkers muscles can be found, bought, consumed. Fortunately, Lakeside’s not as crowded nor as filthy as Thamel. I stayed in the Chettri Sisters’ Guesthouse, at the northern part of Lakeside. It’s a bit of a walk from the city center (about a 10 minute hike), so I find it a bit inconvenient whenever I was looking for an internet café, a pharmacy, a grocery or a call center. But it’s ok as the area’s quiet, the staff, especially Bharat (who prepared delicious apple lassi for me), are very friendly and helpful, the tariff’s reasonable (For about US$7/night, I got a clean room with fan, writing table and bathroom); and the guesthouse stands just in front of the Phewa Lake (Nepal’s second largest lake). In the morning, I’ll go the guesthouse’s café, sit at the veranda, sip coffee and

Photo Op This was taken at the lobby of the guesthouse. From left, Prime, Nicky and Bharat

munch bread while marveling at the stunning view of the lake. The guesthouse’s owned and managed by the same fabulous trio behind the Three Sisters Adventure Trekking Co. It was here that I met Nicky - the youngest and that moment, the OIC of the guesthouse. Her two didis - Dicky and Lucky - were out leading a trek somewhere in the Himalayas. Nicky’s in her mid-thirties, wearing specs and salwar kammeez, with a round and friendly face (My mother has Tibetan blood, Nicky said, explaining her moon-shaped face). Smart, charming, hardworking and proud of their Nepali culture, Nicky and her two sisters are still single. Not married, not in any relationship. And why would they? They’re having too much fun just being themselves and doing what they want! (Who needs a man?) Nicky can’t see herself staying at home, cooking dhal bhat (steamed rice and lentil stew: Nepali’s national dish) for her hubby. In fact, she told me she’ll get bored if she just get stuck managing the guesthouse all year long. She can’t wait to lead another trek. (She promptly invited me to join the trek she’ll be leading in Tibet, on October 2006.) She's also thinking of going to Bhutan this December. This isn't surprising considering that she and her siblings (two sisters, five brothers) grew up in the Indian hill station of Darjeeling and trekking a way of life. Nicky’s especially proud of the trekking company that she an her sisters founded. Her company didn’t only give single female trekkers an option - I can travel alone or with a group, without compromising my safety. (Actually, one of the reasons why this trekking company was formed was because some female trekkers had bad experiences with male guides who took advantage of them). But more importantly, Nicky said the company gave Nepali women - especially those who came from remote villages, not highly educated, and with limited opportunities - a chance to have a better life. Not only do these women earned enough to contribute to their family’s finances, they also became more confident and independent. Lucky, I met later, when Nicky invited me for lunch a few days after I returned from my trek. I also spent a few hours teaching english to some of the girls staying at the training center which's adjacent to their house. Dicky hasn't come back from a trek in Ladakh. Nicky and Lucky are obviously happy and I don’t see them living another way of life. Who wouldn’t when you’re doing something you love, earning a decent money out of it, helping make a difference in this world, (and as a bonus-being recognized for what you’re doing - Nicky and her sisters and what they’re doing were featured in various news media)? The sisters are also concrete proof that business not all about the bottomline. It has a social purpose, because you create money not just to buy things, but to do something good. Anita Roddick would have been proud.

Video Days In Beni

gypsygalstales — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:52:28 +0000

First published Sept 12, 2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal Beni, Nepal --- Kulu and Maita - both are Magars whose families live in Nangi Village, took me to the local bus station in Pokhara. The Magars are one of the major ethnic groups in Nepal. They're of Tibeto-Burmese origin and live in the middle hills. The hardy and energetic Magar men constitute a big contingent in the renown Gurkha army. It took us five hours to reach the town of Beni (actually, it should just be a four-hour bus ride, but mini breaks (toliet breaks, waiting-for-more-passengers breaks, stoping-in-military-checkpoints-because of maoist rebellion-problem-breaks) stretched the four hour journey into a five hour trip. The rickety bus is cramped, uncomfortable and I was sweating all the time owing to the warm weather. (it's not an aircon bus). But it's ok, the view from my window was great. Kulu pointed at the snowcapped peaks of Annapurna, and it was awesome! Beni's a small rustic town full of houses of made of claybricks and tin roof. Kids, stray dogs, cows roamed freely in the streets. Beni is a popular stop over point for trekkers -which is why you can see several guesthouses, phone centers and shops selling

Of Apples & Oranges Fruit stalls like this abound all over Nepal. This stall's located in the bus station of Pokhara

trekking gear in Beni. We went to Beni's main Hindu temple (Shiva temple) where my digicam proved to be an ice breaker. There were some ladies there doing a puja, one lady's dancing, the others are chanting, and there were two guys playing a tabla. And me, as usual, a wide-eyed tourist, can't help but get take pics and videotape some of the event (my olympus digicam can take both video and still images). After a while i showed the video to the Nepali ladies. I didn't undertstand what they were saying but they were laughing, clearly amazed by this small contraption that took images of them singing and dancing, each of them eagerly getting hold of my camera, just to replay the video over and over again. We stayed in a guesthouse for a night, resting for tomorrow's major trek. The Green Green Bus of Nepal I took this while waiting for a bus that will take us at Beni. This is at the bus station in Pokhara

Vanity Ruleszzzz! In Beni, as in any villages in Nepal, small stores like this one, serve as beauty boutiques for Nepali women who like to adorn themselves. They're called cosmetic shops, and they're usually stocked wi... [more]

Puja In Shiva's Temple Nepali villagers in Beni singing and dancing, offering puja in Shiva's Temple in Beni

Breathing Lessons

gypsygalstales — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:54:30 +0000

Trekker Gal This is moi, exhausted but still smiling,as I trekked my way up to Nangi

First published Sept 13, 2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal Nangi Village, Nepal --- We arrived in Nangi village at 7 pm. It took us 12 hours to walk (and climb rocky hills) from our guesthouse in Beni to reach the hillside village of Nangi. The trek usually takes 7 hours, but I was really slow. Plus we took a lot of breaks - lunch breaks, snack breaks, tea breaks, wait-a-minute-I-have-a migraine-breaks, im-sooo-tired-i-need-to-drink-water-breaks. I really didn’t mind. This is why I preferred to trek on my own - I was able to do everything my way. What I cared about was I wanted to reach Nangi village before it gets dark-this was a rural village, don’t expect any street lamps (there weren’t any. Not in Nangi, not in any of the neighboring villages). One of the first things that Kulu taught me to do is to breathe through my nose, not through my mouth when climbing the steep hills (She heard me panting like a dog). She said breathing through the mouth would hurt my chest, making it more difficult for me to climb. Why was it I kept on forgetting what I learned from my yoga classes? (and Goddess knows I’ve done numerous asanas with various teachers in Singapore,

View From the Top I was on top of one of Nepal's hill when I took this photo. It's just sooo beautiful!!!!

KL, Manila and Bali). “Breathing is everything,“ Shilpa, my yoga teacher in KL, said in one of the yoga classes I attended. According to Shilpa, a slim and fair Malaysian Tamil who looks a decade younger than her 40 years, it's improper breathing that causes sickness. (Later, she talked to me and said that I am shallow breather. Which is true, I tend to breathe in and out through my chest, and not through the diapraghm.) Which is why, the whole time I was trekking, I tried to do the deep, longer ujayi breathe. I rolled my tounge, inhaled a mouthful of air and tried to push that air to my diapraghm, before exhling everthing, gradually, squeezing my diapraghm. You’d think that since this is just a hill, and not a mountain, a newbie trekker like me wouldn’t have any problems. Yeah, right. Climbing some thousands of steps towards the top of a hill was a struggle, notwithstanding my ujayi bhreathing. Kulu and Maita helped by carrying my bags, and the only thing that I ended up carrying was my digicam which can fit in my pocket. One of the villagers offered me a

The Round House This is where I stayed in Nangi. This is called the Round House - home for volunteers and teachers at Himanchal High School

cane made out of a branch from a guava tree - it functioned like a portable banister - I have to push one end of the stick against the ground, and then walk. It helped in balancing. It was very exhausting climb, but I survived and I enjoyed it. I savored the cool breeze while sitting on top of the hill, eating banana and apple. I sipped a cup of warm black tea on top of a big rock, while looking at big black cows grazing at the valley carpeted by grass and flowers and pinetrees. I said Namaste to villagers, who can barely speak English, but smiled at me nonetheless. I looked at the sky, and the eagles flying, soaring, free. I liked it that I discovered some things that I never know. There's this flower called bogi - which looks like a cross between baby's breathe and a daisty. I asked Kulu if the cows or the buffaloes eat those flowers. She said no. They're poisonous. So I said what's the use of these flowers.They seem useless. Kulu said that her mother told her once that if bogi grows in a certain piece of land, then that land’s not good for plantring grain. And I was just amazed knowing that whatever grows or lives in this world, God/Goddess put it there for a purpose. *** I stayed in the Round House - a two storey circular house made of mud clay and pinewood, and is used as a voluneter house and as a hostel for teachers who teach at the Himanchal High School - the school offers primary, secondary and intermediate education to the residents of Nangi and surrounding villages. The school was built in 1956 via funds donated by the retired Gurkha soldiers.

Single, Female and Trekking

gypsygalstales — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:56:16 +0000

First published Sept 19, 2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal Nepal ---Trekking is something one has to do with a group. Unless one has really mastered the trek route and/or prefers solitude (like if you want to meditate in the forest), trekking alone especially in an unfamiliar territory (like the rugged terrain of Nepal), is just plain stupid (not to mention, dangerous). However, it was during a group tour in Laos when I realized that I can't trek with a group, especially with a bunch of people who lead a more active lifestyle than I am. Although I'm still young and reasonably fit ( im vegetarian, I go to gym, do yoga regularly, I do yoga), I was really floored by my more energetic group mates. They sprinted their way on top of the waterfalls and on top of the hill, leaving a slowpoke (that's me!) huffing, puffing and sweating. The thing is, I still want to trek. A true-blue city gal who considers environmentalism among her favorite causes, I want to see the "great outdoors" --- trees, the forest, blooming flowers, birds fluttering in the air, local villagers. I want to see what it is that I'm trying to protect, and to know if it is really worth saving. Plus, I'm going to Nepal for the second time. The first time, in 2001, I spent all my time in the Kathmandu Valley, visiting Hindu and Buddhist temples; and in Thamel, where I shopped for some hippy chic blouses. This time, I want to trek and see the "real Nepal." And I did! I didn't trek with any tour group, but neither did I do everything alone. What I did was, I contacted the Pokhara-based 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking Group. And voila, for $US200, I got a female trek guide and a porter. From Sept 12 to Sept 17, I trekked with them, going through various Magar villages. I was tired, and a bit crabby at times, but I enjoyed it! (More trekking tales later....) The company, formed by three Chettri sisters (I'll write about a separate blog about these three kick-ass Nepali gals. They deserve it), especializes in providing local female trekking guides and porters to solo female travellers. The company's founders and their guides also lead all-women trekking groups who want to explore Nepal, India and Tibet . To anyone, especially women trekkers who are keen on the Himalayas, please check out www.3sistersadventure.com. And see how you can trek, while at the same time help provide opportunities to Nepali women.

Romancing the Blarney Stone

gypsygalstales — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:15:28 +0000

The castle was built by the local lord Cormac MacCarthy, other tourists find it disappointing being relatively small compare to the other castles (He must be in tight budget perhaps). The castle itself sits on a cliff of rock, serving as an excavation site for the castle. The castle structure implied that it was built in two stages; the right hand is a thin tall tower. The castle can actually be viewed in many angles; one of the good angles would be from the North Wall, giving the most imposing view of the castle, with walls that seems to slope inward. One can also immediately spot an encased large bay window projecting from a wall and supported by a corbel or bracket, which is actually the Earl’s bedroom window. There are also three large square holes as outlets for garderobes, and before you google the meaning of it, apparently it was built downwind :p The castle obviously back then was of great importance especially during the time of Queen Victoria I. She sent an emissary to the chief of MacCarthy clan to surrender to her the rights to the castle. The poor emissary, every time he tried to fulfill his mission, he was faced with endless nonsense, eloquent but without substance loyalty to the queen statements from the chieftain. The queen in frustration said: "Blarney, Blarney, what he says he does not mean. It is the usual Blarney." And thanks to Queen Victoria I, the new word was formed:Blarney! Still on the grounds, there is what they called the Badger’s cave. Well, the appearance may not impress much, it was told that, Lord Broghill, Cromwell’s general broke the tower wall to besiege the castle, the castle was empty except for 2 retainers., the rest had fled through this cave. Legend even has it that there are 3 passages that can be found, one to the lake, to Cork and even on to Kerry…but as they say, this being in Blarney. I didn’t stepped in, with my sense of direction; I might just really end up in China. Another structure caught my attention; it was the ruins of a Gothic mansion, called as the ‘Court’. It was a grand residence, with 3 •storeys high but the owners found it uncomfortable to live in. It was destroyed by the fire and was never restored. From my perception, the ruin blended well with the castle on the backdrop Origin: The Blarney stone’s reputation made a lot of statesmen, actors, orators, and writers join in the queue climbing the steps to kiss it, so that they will not be lost for words anymore. The stone is believed to be half of the original the Lia Fail or ‘Fatal Stone’, used as an oracular throne of Irish kings, the Harry Potter-version of ‘sorting hat’ , it was presented to Cormac McCarthy by Robert the Bruce in 1314 in recognition of his support in the Battle of Bannockburn. The power of the stone supposedly was then revealed to the MacCarthy’s by a witch saved from drowning, but hey we all love good stories here. Now, now, why should we pay just to blabber baloney things when you can do it freely? Baloney is not Blarney, there is a difference. Take this example given by the locals: Baloney is when you tell a 50 year old woman that she looks 18 Blarney is when you ask a woman how old she is, because you want to know at what age women are most beautiful… Don’t you agree ? Hold Me, Dangle Me, Kiss Me: Back then, to kiss the stone, you must be held by the legs, head downwards over the battlements, and kiss it while you get yourself dangled. So back then, we can only imagine how many people have muster their courage to do this feat, but thanks to ‘technology’, there are now iron bars that we can grasp so that hopefuls like me will only need to flirt with the danger. It was really an easy task, you lie down, hold the bar, kiss then smile at the camera….so I was really calm about it, besides a crew was also there to assist you in the kissing. When it was my turn, I realized that because of my short stature, my torso was also short! I had to lean more backward if I want to kiss the stone…I can feel my center of gravity was off down and I got sudden vertigo seeing the height of the castle from the ground in an upside down view. So in my first attempt I failed to kiss it…*sniff*sniff* after picking my confidence again, I was more composed now, I lie down again and I still cannot reach the stone! The kind man pushed me forward but with a strong grip on my waist, I then puckered up to the stone and give it with a big smack :D. I got up, my face was all red, the people after me, can’t help gushing “My God, that’s very scary for her” hahahahaha. Top is the Best Position: The stone is not the only thing that will make the climb worthwhile, looking on the view from the battlement would put you in awe. My friend, Coffeefairy, once said that “Ireland is so green”….i concur with her…even in autumn, it is soooo greeen. The Chambers with a view: While going down, I had then got a chance to explore the chambers of the castle, well the Earl’s does get the big room and I am still confused why is there a room called “the lady and the priest’s room’ :p The Family room was spacious and accessible to the kitchen, but it is still hard to imagine how they manage to move along on the castle with staircases that is very steep and narrow. I got myself stuck in garderobe, before I realize where I was..Ugh. Enchanting Rock Close: On ground again, started walking to the Rock Close to marvel again on the unrivalled beauty of Mother Nature. I did not get disappointed, the light rain shower, made the whole forest more vibrant green. I spotted the megalithic structure, dolmen first, and on a little bit further I bumped into the secluded passageway, descended by a steep flight of stone steps, called the Wishing stairs. Walk backward downs with eyes closed – and without stopping for one moment to think of anything other than a wish, then that wish will come true within a year….It may be true, but the stone is slippery so I might end up wishing I didn’t do it. I paid my tribute to the Witch’s Kitchen, contemplate at the Druid’s circle and tried not to imagine anything at the sacrificial Altar. I was taking a picture of the Head Druid’s cave, when a man suddenly emerged from it, I was so surprised that it made me jump and my camera nearly fell off. He said I can touch him, if I wanted to be sure that he’s real. Looking at the Witch Stone and I only had to use li’l imagination to realize who was imprisoned there, and I was really amazed by this nature sculpture. All in all I can say that the greens are intense, each crevice of stone, crevasses on the ground are enchanting, if not enchanted. Concluding my Blarney affair, others find the place and experience amazing, while the rest find it too hyped up and too passé. Personally, I was miffed with enchantment, for a day, I was transported back to my musings when I was a child, I got the feeling back of a curious child and feeling amused and amazed at the same time, that for me is simply mystical.

Self-Plucked Point: Cameron Highlands

gypsygalstales — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:51:11 +0000

It just hits us. We wanted a break. We need a quick out-of-country holiday without charging VL days. Chili F, got a good idea: Cameron. Based from hearsays, it’s akin to Baguio…cool climate (which is a welcome change as we were starting to look like prunes from heat and humidity), strawberries (uhmmm yummy!) and perhaps some cuties (yummier!) Anyhoo, the trip was a 2 days stint. We left our beloved host country at 10PM fri night. I think all of us were shivering from the relentless blast of air conditioner…except for one, who as described by Chili A as a ‘smartypants’ bringing a malong and sleeping peacefully all the way to the la-la land. When we woke up,this was the first thing that caught our attention And yes, we were trying to suppress our giggles to no avail. Alas, we forgot to take a pic along with it. Surprise, surprise the package that we took was in partnership with the Titiwangsa Tours…. Oh well, universe has a peculiar sense of humor. First, we got dropped off to our hotel. Thanks to chili F, we got this hotel. The lobby looks like going for a united nations theme with all the flags draping from the banisters. So, how was the climate there? Here you go: ‘Umph’ #1: Boh Tea Tree plantation Cameron Highlands named after William Cameron, a British colonial government surveyor who discovered the plateau on an expedition. The place became a hit after realization of the fertility of the lands. Currently, it is one of the biggest tea , vegetable producing area In my opinion, the first stop would have been more impressive without the pathetic ‘i-am-so-sick’ tour guide. This guide makes getting traffic in edsa more like a trip to heaven. Anyhoo, we were surrounded by a picturesque landscape so the innate shutterbugs in all of us were busy taking pictures and taking turn in posing. Check out Chili A and Chili F’s blog for better pictures here and here

Tidbit info: Tea like us also takes a break, after being pruned for 1 season it will rest for 1 reason before it will be pruned for harvesting again.Also, only the top of tea trees are harvested ‘Umph’ #2: Tea Factory Remember the sardine commercial by cesar montano, to assure the freshness of the product is that a factory was set beside the shore? Same idea with the tea folks, to assure the quality of the tea, they set up the factory near the farm,’to pick and pack’ on the same day. My 5kb memory is failing me now, the 2nd guide (a very good guide) gave us a rundown on the process. If I remember it correctly, it was drying, selecting and cooking.

‘Umph’ #3: Moss Forest Intriguing huh? It is actually ecologically informative on how mosses, yes the green icky ones, helps in conserving the rainforests. We were then asked if we wanted to go for the short trek to take a glimpse on the big pitcher plant. Three of us decided to be the trekker wannabes. Housemate L declined due to her asthma problem, another one declined as well saying he will accompany L (lamey excuse :P). Well, the trek may be a short one, but for someone whose idea of exercise is yawing 10 times a day, is not a picnic. The mud takes a lot of energy, it was stressful to concentrate not to slip or else get a muddy pants . Looking at this log already makes you wonder how can you step on it without getting a mud pack. The climax of the trek was to snap a shot of this wondrous plant: Sirit? Le Pitcher Plant Chili F was a real hustler err I mean she breeze through the trek and assisted the whale-coordinated me on the walk. Chili A also gracefully finished the trek while talking on the phone, beat that! The result was three with muddy trainers and 2 with squeaky clean trainers. ‘Umph’ #3: Chrysanthemum Farm Uhmm ..farm of chrysanthemums? Ah heck, the place is a good background for pictures, which we exactly did.

‘Umph’ #4: Water Cress Farm First this is the pic of our 2nd guide. I rate him one big smiley. Ok we never really went to the farm itself, but we just got a bird’s eyeview of it. Interesting enough, since farms are way down in a valley like landscape, a special cablecart is used to transport the produce from the farm to the main road. Too bad I can’t try it. ‘Umph’ #5: Self-Plucking Strawberry Farm Yes you read it correctly, that’s how they call farms wherein you can pick your strawberries. The only thing that impressed me here is that one Chili uses her charm on one of the tour staff, and it was rewarded with a jam ... blooming! Sino etetch! ‘Umph’ #6: Veggie/Flower Farm Totally forgot what exactly the farming process employed for these veggies, but the gist of it is that instead of planting them directly to the land, veggies are planted on this cushion like tube filled with sawdust and water is supplied in a controlled continuous way.

The other side of this farm is the floral section. For us Flower means K*#@% este flower shots pala

These are shots of the same flower at the same angle, but diff focus point. I can’t decide which one looks good.

I like this type of flower but I still don’t know what it is called.

‘Umph’ #7 Cactus Farm We just love farms, don’t we ;) Anyhoo, the farm indeed exhibits a lot of cacti variety The Organized Cacti Gang

The Little Pricks

The Big Horn The Graffiti Type The Medusa or Bad Hair Cactus Flashbacks to the ‘Umph #3’ Moss Forest trek…remember the sweat and breathless trek? I am so aghast to see… One Couple and lots of open mouth Picther Plants! Blegh! Now for my three fave shots A. The Rose Cactus B. Orange Contrasts Blue C. Well, Just Becoz…

The Kindness of Strangers

gypsygalstales — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:30:04 +0000

(First Published Oct 2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal) One of the valuable things that I learned while traveling is that there's no shortage of kindness everywhere. Journalism (and should I say, adulthood and the bitter experiences that I had to overcome) has made a cynic out of me, always suspicious of people's motivation, especially of strangers who want to befriend or help me. ( I was like, why? Do you need anything from me?). But it was during my trip from Kathmandu to KL last September 29 that I had a change of heart. Good Samaritans do exist and that while i can't be fully trusting of strangers (let's be realistic, psychos also EXIST) I should learn to give people the benefit of the doubt. The Nepal Air flight to KL was delayed by two hours. Of course, I was really annoyed that I had to sit there, looking at my fingernails more than half of the time. The thing is, delayed flights usually don't bother me because I always find a way to amuse myself - I either read, drink coffee, listen to some cds, write in my journal or meditate. I had a book with me and a discman during that time. But I didn't have the energy to do anything because I was ill-battling with head cold and fever. And while the aircon in the lounge of Tribuvhan airport wasn't really that cold, I felt I would freeze to death, or die from dehydration with me blowing my nose every five seconds. I was praying a lot. Praying that I won't faint. Praying that the plane should arrive soon so i can just sleep in the plane (the Kathmandu-Kuala Lumpur flight is about 4 hours long, enough for a catnap). I went out of the lounge as it was warmer. It was there that this curly-haired, thin, sari-clad Nepali gal approached me and mistook me (Oh God, I always get this) for a Nepali. I told her I'm not. And we chatted. She introduced herself as Radhika, a new grad, who's traveling for the first time in Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand). Radhika, like most Nepalis that I met, is really friendly. It was Radhika who actually made my plane trip to KL a lot easier. When our plane (finally) arrived, it was Radhika who found a way on how we can cut the queue. She told one of the airport guards that since most our co-passengers are traveling in a big group anyway (a group of Nepali workers hired by a KL-based employment agency), and their papers can be processed as a group, and not individually, maybe he can let us (two girls) get ahead of the loooooong line (and since this isn't Singapore where everything has to be in accordance with the rules...) we *rather Radhika got what she requested. On board, Radhika wanted to sit beside me. But no Nepali passenger will exchange his seat for either mine and/or Radhika's seat. I told her not to worry, I'll just sit down (I was really ill, I'll sit and lie down on the floor if I had to) and I'll talk to her later. Radhika, however, refused to give up. She talked to all stewards and stewardess, and with her natural spunkiness and a dose of feminine charm, she finally got us two seats at the BUSINESS CLASS section. (It was virtually empty, except for three Nepali workers who got lucky enough to be upgraded, free of charge). Oh God, I was just thankful for the wide berth, the extra attentive Nepali steward who'll give us water and/or juice at our beck and call. I chatted with Radhika, popped in my analgesic and slept my way to KL. The nap, the medicine and the comfy seat allowed me to recover. **** I never saw Radhika again. We exchanged numbers, but she never called me. As for me, I wasn't able to call her as I was sick for the past few days, battling with head cold, dry cough and fever. I was cooped up in my room most of the time, popping in pills, eating noodles out of Styrofoam cups and drinking juice and water. Which is why I wasn't able to write and update this blog). The only time that I left the guesthouse was when my sis came in for a short visit, for some retail therapy in KLCC. But it doesn't matter. I met Radhika at a right time, for the right purpose - to give me one of life's many lessons. And for that, I'll forever be thankful.

Lion Dance

gypsygalstales — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 11:48:47 +0000

During the Galungan Festival, some Balinese parade the Barong Ket - a mythical Lion-like creature which represents the forces of good. The Barong Ket stops in every shop or house, and proprietors usually give some donations for good luck.

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gypsygalstales — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 11:50:14 +0000

Life Goes on In Ubud

gypsygalstales — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 11:52:32 +0000

(First Published October 2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal) I came to Bali burdened by the images of bloodied victims of the recent bombing plastered in the pages of the Malaysian dailies. I was in KL when the second bombing in Bali occurred . I called my parents, and they were very worried. My dad has specifically asked me to return to Singapore, where it’s safe, no terrorist bombs will kill you (and I was thinking well, in Singapore, you’ll die not from bombing but from depression, heartbreak, psychosis and sheer boredom). My sister, who’s working in Singapore, also dissuaded me from going to Bali. I told them not to worry too much about me. That I’m not going to Kuta. That Ubud is different from Kuta. That I won’t be going to any nightclubs. That I’m going to Ubud just to attend the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival. That I won’t stay there for long. I actually wanted to stay in Bali for 3 weeks, but I don’t really want my parents to worry too much. So I figured, I’ll stay here 2 weeks, tops. Afterwhich I had to return to (boring, staid, depressing but safe) Singapore. **** Even if I'm of the opinion that these terrorists shouldn’t stop me from enjoying my life, I also had cold feet and almost cancelled my trip. I was even thinking of booking a trip to either Penang, Langkawi or Sarawak (after all, I can stay in Malaysia for a month, visa-free). I thought that the bombing will spook away all the tourists in the island. I thought that the organizers of the Ubud Writers festival will cancel the event. I thought that I will travel in a virtually empty plane, that I will arrive in the Denpasar airport, surrounded by grieving relatives and/or friends of the Bali bombing, that Ubud will be another ghost town - tourists are either going home or may be staying inside the guesthouses, too terrified to venture out. The only thing that pushed me to go on with my trip is the fact that organizers of the writers’ festival refused to cancel the event. In a letter posted in www.ubudwritersfestival.com, festival director Janet De Neefe, wrote : "The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival will go ahead as planned. We will not allow the terrorists to stop an event that we believe ultimately will benefit all layers of the Ubud community, Indonesia and South East Asia." But De Neefe also recognized the fact that security need to be tightened, she noted, "high security at all venues will be guaranteed. This will include uniformed and plain-clothed police, bomb detectors, sniffer dogs and security checks. All venues are distant from the road and parking in front of these venues will not be allowed. " *** I arrived in Bali three days ago. I arrived in an Air Asia plane which is about 90% full, most of them are Indonesians, but there are also passengers who are clearly going to Bali for a holiday - these include those 2 French backpacking dudes who were busy reading guidebooks and a couple of Singaporean ladies with their teeny weeny digicams in tow. In Denpasar airport, apart from tight security, everything seems normal. Tourists were there getting their luggage, looking for hotels, changing money. At Jalan Raya in Ubud, tourists were still there, sipping lattes in coffee shops, bargaining for souvenirs in Pasar Raya, chatting in internet cafes. Some shops however were closed as the locals were busy preparing for the Galungan - an annual festival which celebrates the victory of good over evil forces. “Well, I think the tourists know that Ubud is different from Kuta, “ said Yudha , an artist and proprietor of a New Age café in Peliatan, explaining why life goes on as usual in Ubud. Dek Gun, woodcarver and entrepreneur, was more conservative in his views. He said that if tourists will continue to arrive in Ubud in the next two months, then it means that *** Still, I had my doubts. Sure I love staying in Ubud and had in fact signed up for several workshop and talks to be held during the writers’ fest. In the past few days, I’m a bit perturbed by a lot of things. I was worried about the terrorists and that they may bomb Ubud next. I was so afraid of walking in the streets because there are so many stray dogs and I’m terrified of dogs. I also had some personal stuff which I have to deal with (I can’t write about that in my blog), that I was a bit edgy and rattled. So yesterday, I went to Bali Spirit in Jalan Hanoman for a one hour session of Vinyasa yoga. I need to calm my nerves, quiet my mind and stay fit. Breathing in and out, twisting here and there, doing sun salutations, reciting mantras - hey all helped to give me some peace of mind. Later I took out Sogyal Rinpoche’s Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, and learned more about the impermanence of life, the art of non-grasping and how meditation can help us see the real nature of the mind. “Learning to live is learning to let go.” - Sogyal Rinpoche

The Art of Letting Go

gypsygalstales — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 11:57:15 +0000

First Published October 2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal In a workshop about Eros and the Divine, and its significance in writing, our writing guru, Jan Cornall, mentioned that the principle of Eros is about “being alive and feeling alive.” Tapping into that energy, according to this Aussie performance artist/playwright/poet/songwriter, will help us in our writing process. Meditating, Jan said, will help us utilize that energy, noting that as a writer and practicing Tibetan Buddhist, “desire and longing are intrinsically linked to my meditation practice.” She then proceeded to guide us to meditate - with our eyes closed, our backs straight, breathing deeply. She asked us to think about a time that we felt some huge passion. To feel it, taste it, smell it, hear it. After about 10 minutes of meditation, she asked us to come back to the center, open our eyes and just write all about it in our journal. She urged us to write freely, without censoring ourselves. And I wrote. My pen scribbling the memories of long-forgotten passion, feelings of desire and longing filling the pages of my journal. **** Writing, in many ways, is about letting go. It’s about going deeper into yourself, confronting your inner demons, and releasing whatever it is that’s holding you from surrendering to life. I came to this conclusion after Maita, one of my mates in the workshop, told me that my writing lacked detail, that I’m holding something back, that I still write like a reporter - describing the facts, describing what I see not talking about what and how I feel. **** In the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, Sogyal Rinpoche, a renowned guru of Tibetan Buddhism, discussed how impermanence is part and parcel of our lives as a human being. He talked about how grasping at everything, which is bound to change to begin with, is the main cause of our suffering. Letting go, therefore, will set us free. “We are terrified of letting go, terrified in fact of living at all, since learning to live is learning to let go,” Rinpoche said. I pondered on Rinpoche’s words as I lie down in the floor, legs and arms apart, eyes closed, breathing in and out, my yoga teacher, in her soothing voice, lulls us to “Let go. Surrender. Trust. Nowhere to go. Nothing to do.” **** I remembered the time, not so long ago, that I refused to let go and just surrender to life. I was stuck in a job which practically retarded my growth as a journalist and as a human being. I refused to resign from my job, even if I was miserable, because I couldn’t give up the hefty paycheck, my fabulous flat in Singapore, the annual vacations overseas, the comfortable lifestyle. I can’t imagine going back to a poor country, to a life where I have to watch every penny that I spend; to my old cramped room in Manila where I have to live with my overprotective parents (I love them but …). Then one day, I woke up and it hit me. I can’t live like this anymore. So after countless meditation sessions, consultations with psychics, healers, astrologers; divinations with my goddess oracle cards, number crunching with my financial planner. After thinking and reflecting, feeling and seeking, I finally let go. I quit my job to fulfill one of my biggest dreams - to backpack around Asia. I followed my gypsy heart - the heart that finds stability in movement. So I traveled around Asia - learned to snorkel in Pulau Sibu, photographed temples in Luang Prabang, worked on my breathing and asanas in Kuala Lumpur, trekked in the rural villages of Nepal, marveled at the blue skies and the forested hills of Bhutan. **** And then I returned to Bali - my second home, where I belong. Bali seems to have this mystical energy that lures healers, psychics, artists, writers, seekers, priestesses, goddesses from all over the world. Bali’s full of people who let go of their former lives to recreate themselves. Take for instance Maita, a slender Javanese beauty, who left her job, family, friends and fiancée in Jakarta to pursue her personal calling in Bali. She works in an NGO to earn a living, but she’s an aspiring novelist, and is now working on her writing. And then there’s Liz, a Melbourne-based travel writer, who’s figuring out a way to move out of Australia and live in Ubud. Our workshop guru, Jan, is based in Sydney. But she keeps on going back to Bali to facilitate writing workshops, to inspire her writing, to just live. In one of her pieces she printed in her zine, Jan sang: “Drive me forever to your rice paddy temple/I don’t want to go back to my life, it’s that simple/I want to stay forever, I never want to leave/It’s here I begin my rice paddy dream. **** I met another Jan in Peliatan. She’s a tarot card reader and co-owner of a new age café. Jan, ex-corporate lawyer in London, ex-English teacher in Thailand, went to Bali a few years ago because one of her friends told her that she will find what she’s looking for in this island. For someone who’s into the arts and spirituality, Ubud proved to be an ideal place for this seeker. She eventually settled in Ubud, married a Javanese artist/musician, and is now reading tarot cards and offering workshops on tarot card reading. I went to Jan help me exorcise a ghost which has been haunting me for the past few years. Jan: The card says you’re trying to escape from something. Me: Yes I am. I’m running away. My heart’s telling me to go somewhere. But my brain says no, I will just get hurt. Jan: That’s your ego. Don’t listen to your ego. Follow your heart. **** I saw the artist last night in a jazz bar. I haven’t seen him for years but I know it’s him because he never changed - thick, waist-length hair, mahogany skin, a cigarette dangling from his long thin fingers. I didn’t expect that he’ll be there. I haven’t talked to him for a while. He’s a jerk. But that night, I don’t know. I wasn’t mad at the artist. In fact, I even went to his table to say hi. He smiled at me, as if he was greeting an old friend. As if nothing happened. We chatted and I was happy that his life is going well, and that he’s happy that my life turned out well. We both moved on and we’re just pleased that we finally had our closure. **** I thought about the artist and all the men I dated briefly. I reflected on the fact that I never had a serious relationship. And then I realized that this is because I never wanted the artist or any of these men that I dated. I never loved them. My gypsy heart belongs to another wanderer - someone who understands my independence. And this is perhaps why I love him most of all.

How I Got My Groove Back

gypsygalstales — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:06:59 +0000

First Published October 2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal It's called "active meditation". Our facilitator, Selena Bulan, explained that this meditation technique is different from what we usually do at the tailend of our yoga class - where we sit down, cross our legs, our eyes closed, breathing in and out, reciting a mantra. In active meditation, we have to move, literally, and dance, with our eyes closed. Dancing must be easy for Selena. Tall, slim, long curly hair, she generates an aura of natural born goddess. She's a woman who can't be loved and possessed because has to be adored and worshipped. She's both earthy and spiritual. Selena's one woman who can dance well because she can just let go and be her own goddess self. And me, I'm such a horrible dancer. I'm not surprised. Really. Reared in repressed, guilt-ridden Catholic environment. I was raised in a society which is unforgiving of free spirits. Conformity is the norm. It didn't help that I spent over four years of life in Singapore - where the word "anal retentive" defines the national psyche. But the active meditation, which Selena learned from the Osho ashram in Pune, India, allowed me to let go, unload the heavy baggage, and it just feels sooo light, so right. We started with wriggling our bodies - which reminded me of someone who's having an epileptic seizure. We stood up, with our eyes closed so we won't feel self-conscious. I bent and unbent my legs. I wriggled my hands, my flabby arms. My breasts bouncing freely, like beach balls. I swayed my neck. I took off my scrunchee and let my long thick wavy hair fall down. Selena said we have to wriggle our bodies to let go of all the tension that's holding us down. And that's just what happened. As I stood there, wriggling my body, I felt that I released this huge and heavy energy within me. And then I danced. My body suddenly remembered the long-forgotten moves which I learned from my belly dancing sessions in Singapore (I'm a belly dancing class drop out). I squeezed my tummy, and gradually, squeezed it out, undulating like a dancing snake. Then I swayed my hips to the left, and then to the right. I rotated my hips, clockwise to form the letter s, counter clockwise to form another letter s - forming a spiral - the symbol of inifinity. Then I shimmied --- and my body - my breasts, hips, legs, arms -- released all those negative vibes which has kept me in my shell for such a long time. I'm FREE!

stumbling on the rock of cashel

gypsygalstales — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 22:16:33 +0000

Going to dublin from cork, it's hard not to notice the castle atop the hill, we were wondering how to get there, it took us another trip to get the glimpse of the name:The Rock of Cashel. Standing on the limestone rock, the castle's presence dominates the whole town .The Rock of Cashel is apparently the site that St.Patrick converted the king of Munster. Unfortunately the saint accidentally stabbed the king in the foot with his crosier. The king, thinking it was part of the initiation rite, bore the pain. :p The complex displays arrays of celtic and medieval architecture. Not to miss are the ruins of a round tower, a Romanesque chapel, a Gothic cathedral, a hall building and several high crosses. The round tower and the cathedral are probably the earliest and esoteric structure in the complexes with height of approx 28 metres. Cormac's Chapel, unlike most Romanesque churches has the naves and altar spaces designs strongly suggesting germanistic influence, a feature quite obscure in Ireland. Not to miss the carvings on the archways and the frescoes ...although it wasn’t totally restored as the chapel literally 'wept' when it was closed down before. The hall is now restored and turned into a museum, showcasing the collection of silverwares and St.Patrick's Cross (a cross used in the inauguration ceremonies of the kings).Not to miss also is the sarcophagus of the Bishop that earned the title of half-up catholic and half-down protestant bishop The ground is actually a graveyard. So this is a real treat for 'graveyard goers like me (i only go in daytime okay?!), unfortunately, one of the highest cross was struck down by lightning. To add more on the history of the place, this is where Guiness was initially concocted. So beer drinkers, pay your homage as well :P

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gypsygalstales — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 06:40:28 +0000

Buddhist Monk At Shwedagon

gypsygalstales — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 06:43:59 +0000

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gypsygalstales — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 06:45:54 +0000

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gypsygalstales — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 06:47:18 +0000

Prime at Shwedagon Temple

gypsygalstales — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 06:48:17 +0000

This is (NOT) really about Aung San Suu Kyi but….

gypsygalstales — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 06:50:19 +0000

[caption id="attachment_112" align="alignright" width="500" caption="Buddha images at Shwedagon"][/caption][caption id="attachment_111" align="aligncenter" width="378" caption="Shwedagon Temple"][/caption]April 30, 2008 Myanmar It’s difficult not to be political about Myanmar. Not when the whole time I was there, I can’t access the internet nor avail of international publications (except for the Singapore Straits Times. which I’m sorry to say isn’t really my idea of in-depth reportage) because the military junta isn’t exactly press friendly. Not when the only report I hear or read about Myanmar is about the repressive military regime and the widespread poverty in Myanmar. Not when I had to lie about my real profession when applying for a tourist visa in Myanmar’s Embassy in the Philippines. This, even if my intention to go there was just to join my sister and her friends in their temple tour and NOT to report on how the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) continues to put Nobel laureate and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest. Well, I would be lying if I say that I’m not dying to do just that. Any ambitious journalist would have done that. But of course, I also heard that it’s illegal to go to Suu Kyi’s place and you can be incarcerated for doing so. Since I’m such a coward who cherish my freedom and creature comforts, I’d rather pass up that interview thank you very much. The only thing that I actually loved about the SLORC’ decision to keep the Myanmar isolated is the fact that the city didn’t lose its old world charm to the vagaries of modernity. Driving around Yangon is akin to watching a 50s movie - a sepia toned, laid back city filled with Chinese shophouses, trees in every street corner, and colonial style buildings, free from shopping malls, subways, cable tv and fast food. Of course I find that quaint at first. But what is sentimental isn't always pragmatic. A few days later I was already craving for Starbucks and HBO. After a sojourn in Myanmar I immediately went to Bangkok where I was veeeeeery thankful that I can stroll all day in an air-conditioned mall, have my coffee and cake in a western style cafe and travel around the city through the skytrain . I always felt some sense of peace whenever I’m inside a Buddhist temple (like the time that I was on a temple tour in Bhutan, Bangkok and Vientianne). But it wasn’t like that in Myanmar where, although I never did feel any negative vibe, I also didn’t get the aura of tranquility. Perhaps it’s because Myanmar’s history, (monarchs who fight each other to unify a divided kingdom, the Mongol invasion, the Anglo-Burmese war, the fight for independence from colonial rule) is filled with violence and strife, and some of its sacred sites even used to for political means. Take for instance the Shwedagon Pagoda. Shwedagon is Myanmar’s most enduring, most famous and most photographed cultural icon. Its soaring gilded stupa dominates much of Yangon’s landscape Built in the 6th century, the Shwedagon is home to the hairs of the Lord Gautama Buddha and pilgrims from all over Myanmar (and abroad) come here as it’s considered one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites. We were there for hours, and despite the drizzle (it was raining the day we arrived from Singapore. The cyclone will only come in a few days after that), we spent the day just taking photos of the stupa and the compound itself an of course posing for numerous photo ops. Devotees are however oblivious of these photo-happy tourists, as they were busy reciting their mantras, clicking their beads and making offerings to the Buddha. But more than a holy site, Shwedagon is also a very political area. In fact, Shwedagon was in the news in late 2007, when thousands of monks who marched around the pagoda to protest against recently enacted price increases. (the protest was later crushed by Burmese security forces). Not that this is anything new. Shwedagon has always been a potent political symbol and its premises used as an avenue for protest. In 1852, soon after the second Anglo-Burmese war, the victorious British forces occupied and controlled the Shwedagon, using it as a fortress that can lord over the city. Decades later, Burmese students will meet in Shwedaghon to plan a protest strike against the new University Act believing it would only benefit the elite and perpetuate colonial rule. In 1946, General Aung San addressed a mass meeting at the stupa to demand for independence from colonial rule. His daughter will follow his footsteps. In 1988, Suu Kyi addressed another mass meeting at the stupa, this time demanding democracy from the military regime.

Bagan Ruins

gypsygalstales — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 07:10:59 +0000

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gypsygalstales — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 07:17:00 +0000

buddha_statues

gypsygalstales — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 07:22:30 +0000

shwezigone

gypsygalstales — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 07:23:59 +0000

Hitlominlo Temple

gypsygalstales — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:56:15 +0000

Shwezigon Temple

gypsygalstales — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:01:07 +0000

Chillin' in Bagan

gypsygalstales — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:04:38 +0000

[caption id="attachment_107" align="aligncenter" width="336" caption="Shwezigon Temple"][/caption][caption id="attachment_106" align="alignleft" width="336" caption="Hitlominlo Temple"][/caption]May 1, 2008 No night bars, no cafes, no cable tv, no malls, no dating scene" how do you exactly ‘chill’ in Bagan? By simply taking the place for what it is, enjoying it for what it can offer, putting in your head that there’s more to traveling than looking for another sex-and-the-city adventure. But perhaps it’s easier for me to appreciate Bagan as I am after all a trained anthropologist and can thus enjoy walking through the ruins of what was once the one of the mightiest empire in Asia. Not that I didn’t get some temple fatigue. Who wouldn’t when, while driving around Bagan, I can’t see anything but trees and temples that dominate much of its landscape. And while I can appreciate the temples and what it represents in Bagan’s culture, I can’t help but feel assaulted by the images of temples around me. I did and for a time, regretted the fact that there’s no Starbucks or any western style cafes in Bagan as I was craving for latte, an air-conditioned room, bossanova tunes and a cozy sofa. That, however, was some fleeting fancy. How can I continue thinking of something as shallow as a cup of latte when Bagan is offering something more for the mind and the soul? Bagan after all, in its glory days, was the capital of what was once one of the major centers of Theravada Buddhism in Asia. Most of these major temples were constructed during the period 1000 to 1250 A.D., when Bagan was the capital of a large and powerful empire. King Anawrahta, who united the once warring fiefdoms under the Bagan empire, initiated a building frenzy which lasted for over two centuries. A devout Buddhist, Anawratha and his successors have erected over 5,000 stupas and pagodas for two hundred years before the Bagan kingdom fell, was overrun by the Mongol invaders and subsequently abandoned at the onset of the 14th century. Today, Bagan has been designated as an Archaeological Zone by the current military regime. Bagan is home to some 2,000 Buddhist temples - some of which are huge and glorious with its elaborate stonework, intricately designed murals and massive images of the Buddha. One of the most important temples is the Shwezigon Pagoda. Like its counterpart in Yangon, the Shwedagon, Shwezigon has a gilded stupa. At the time I was there, I wasn’t able to appreciate its golden color as it’s covered by cloth and being rehabilitated. That said, I can at least appreciate the fact that I visited an important and holy Bagan temple. The Shwezigon enshrines a sacred Buddhist relic - a copy of the Lord Buddha’s tooth relic which King Anawratha himself requested from the Buddhist kingdom of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). If Shwezigon has such religious beginnings, another popular Bagan temple, the Dhammayangyi (which scholars say means The Light of Buddha's Teaching), has, in contrast, very evil history. Bagan’s most massive shrine and noted for its fine brickwork, the Dhammayangyi was built by King Narathu who ruled in the 12th century. Narathu was one wicked king who murdered his brother and father to ascend the throne. When Dhammayangyi was being constructed, Narathu made sure that the temple will have one of the finest brickworks among Bagan’s temples by personally checking the brickwork. If he could stick a pin between the bricks, Narathu would immediately order the execution of masons responsible for such work. Another must see Bagan temple is Hitlominlo -the name is a misreading of the Pali word for “Blessings of the Three Worlds.” It’s easy to spot Hitlominlo as it’s one large temple situated near the main road. Hitlominlo was built by King Nantaungmya in 1218 and the king had it built, in this exact spot because it was here that he was chosen, from among five brothers, to be the crown prince. But the highlight of our trip to Bagan is spending one lazy afternoon at the Mingalarzedi ( the “Blessing Stupa”) - built in the 13th century by King Narathihapati, one of the last temples to be built before Bagan kingdom's decline and especially noted for its glazed tiles and fabulous brickwork. After taking tons of pictures around its compound, we climbed to Mingalarzedi’s upmost terrace" the best spot for a panoramic afternoon view of the ruins of the ancient city.

shwedagon

gypsygalstales — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:23:08 +0000

Buddha Images

gypsygalstales — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:24:54 +0000

Prime Sarmiento

gypsygalstales — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:42:14 +0000

The gypsygals

gypsygalstales — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:59:00 +0000

Angkor Thom

gypsygalstales — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:23:55 +0000

Looking at magnificent works of art such as Angkor Thom is a great way to boost your creativity.

temple-offering

gypsygalstales — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:28:54 +0000

PostCard Moment:Singapore

gypsygalstales — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 19:15:08 +0000

The bullfog...sitting idly an the entrace of the Singapore Botanical Garden. Waiting to be photographed,or maybe waiting for someone to rub it's belly...in the meantime he can be my boyfriend!

Punakha Dzong

gypsygalstales — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:10:33 +0000

Punakha Dzong

gypsygalstales — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:35:44 +0000

Botanical Museum

gypsygalstales — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 10:35:52 +0000

Botanical Museum. Yes, you read it correctly. No, it's not a place for fossilized plants. What you can see instead fresh and blooming. Am I referring to the Singapore Botanic Gardens? Actually yes, I took these photos in the Singapore Botanic Garden, but I do prefer it to call it the Botanical Museum. The origin of the term? It started with a conversation I had with a Singapore-based friend, whom I fondly call XVeggie (I need to write another blog post just to explainthe reason behind that nickname): Aoi (me): Hey, let's go to the Botanicals and have some photo session XVeggie (still dizzy from work): Botanicals? What are the things we can see there? Aoi (blink* blink): Uhmm...dinosaurs? XVeggie (serious now): Like a museum? Aoi: (evil straight face) Uhmm... yeah. I never managed to persuade XVeggie to come with me. I ended up going alone to the Botanical Garden. I got lost ( I do have a lousy sense of direction). The place is quite huge --- it's divided into three sections, with each section showcasing a variety of horticultural species. The wide variety of plants and flowers available is enough to awaken my inner botanist. Or my inner nature photographer for that matter: Travel Note: If you want to know more about the Singapore Botanic Gardens, you can visit its website at http://www.sbg.org.sg/ Here's the Google Map on the Singapore Botanic Gardens: http://maps.google.com/maps?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=singapore+botanic+gardens&fb=1&split=1&cid=0,0,12765544445366081550&ei=hmRgSqyzIJDy6gORi8iqCw&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1 Opening hours: 5 am to 12 midnight daily Admission Fee: Free How to get there: By Car: Car Parking Facilities are available at the Singapore Botanic Gardens' Visitor Centre, Bukit Timah Car Park at Bukit Timah Core, Botany Centre, Jacob Ballas Children's Garden and Public Parking along Tyersall Avenue. By Bus: Get to the Gardens by Public Bus via Holland Road or Bukit Timah Road. Via Holland Road: Take any of the following - SBS Transit 7, 105, 123, 174 or SMRT 75, 77, 106 Via Bukit Timah Road: Take any of the following SBS Transit 66, 151, 153, 154 or SMRT 67, 171 By Taxi: There is a Taxi Drop-Off and Pick-Up point at the Visitor Centre along Cluny Road.

Postcard Moment: Butter Lamps

gypsygalstales — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:19:42 +0000

Yummy looking candles offered at a Hindu Temple In Malaysia

Kris at Cory's Funeral

gypsygalstales — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:12:37 +0000

Popular TV host and Cory's youngest child Kris Aquino - together with hubby James and son Baby James - bid farewell to her mom who was finally laid to rest at the Manila Memorial Park

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gypsygalstales — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:15:30 +0000

Cory's Wake at the Manila Cathedral

gypsygalstales — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:19:02 +0000

Cory Aquino's remains were interred for three days at the 400-year old Manila Cathedral church - one of the most historic churches in this predominantly Catholic Southeast Asian country.

Remembering Tita Cory

gypsygalstales — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:22:09 +0000

Covering Cory: Thoughts and Tours

gypsygalstales — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:23:08 +0000

[caption id="attachment_208" align="alignnone" width="212" caption="Remembering Tita Cory"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_207" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Cory's Wake at the Manila Cathedral"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_203" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Kris at Cory's Funeral"][/caption] Posted by: Gypsygal Prime Photos by: Luis Liwanag (www.luisliwanag.com) It all started with a text message from Johanna. I was expecting to spend a quiet weekend - having coffee, working on my scrap book, blogging, chat with my friends. I am after all a business journalist - and with markets closed in the weekend, filing news stories on the Philippine economy is out of the question. But the much revered former Philippine President Cory Aquino died August 1, Saturday morning from colon cancer and with that my weekend was gone. Because in the end, I decided to stop being a "business journalist" and just be a JOURNALIST. But I'm getting ahead of the story. Let's go back to Johanna - regional director for Asia of Inter Press Service News Agency, where I occasionally contribute stories. The text came around 11 am, asking me if perhaps, can I co-write an obituary for Cory. Maybe interview some people about what Cory means to them and perhaps e-mail the story by uhmm, 3 pm? I actually wanted to say no. I have long programmed myself as a business journalist - and Saturday is day to chill out. Working on a Saturday is out of the question. But... well...I don't exactly know what happened that day. It must be one of those Blink-like moments that Malcolm Gladwell talked about, where you just make a split-minute momentous decision, without even thinking, without rationalizing - you just feel in your gut that you need to do it. So I just texted back and said "yes". By 6 pm IPS uploaded the story. *** I never thought about it again. Never mind that everyone - my neighbors, FB buddies, local and international media - were reporting and talking of perhaps the biggest and most (politically) significant funeral in the country. I went on filing reports on corporate earnings (Listed Philippine companies usually disclose their first semester earnings in August) for an international newswire where I usually file business reports. I went back to the same line of reasoning - I'm a business reporter and covering the funeral is not part of my job description. I remembered the time that I was still in another news agency -assigned to work as a commodities reporter. That was in 2001 - when another People Power Revolt booted out (another!) corrupt President. I was so moved by the event that I actually volunteered to cover the it. But the bureau chief shot down that suggestion, reminding me to do my job. So while millions of Filipinos poured out in the streets protesting against then-President Estrada, and while every media person I know is covering it, I was in the office, burning the phone lines, interviewing traders about the price of coconut oil shipped to Rotterdam's port. **** In her introduction to Delta of Venus, Paris-born writer Anais Nin narrated how she and her fellow writers were forced to write erotica based on the exact specifications of their client. They needed the money and this concern for cash outweigh whatever literary ambitions -or pretensions - they aspire for. And yet there's something within them that's waiting to get out. "We were haunted by the marvelous tales we could not tell, " Anais wrote. And that's how I felt while watching and reading about Cory's wake. I was haunted by a story that I can't tell. I was haunted by the fact that I can't practice journalism the way it should be practiced - witnessing and documenting history, being part of nation building. That bothered me. It bothered me so much, that in the end, I asked the editor of the news agency where I now work (put link here) if he will allow me to cover Cory's funeral. This time, I got a yes. I was so happy reporting about it that I really didn't mind if I had to log in more than 12 working hours just to get it done. This is the story that I needed to tell, and this is why - despite the many problems, disappointments and frustrations that got in my way - I can't really let go of this profession. **** Cory Aquino's death has been one of the most talked about topics in the past few weeks that even non-Filipinos (like my colleagues in the news agency) became very curious – not only of Cory but also of this huge drama over the death of a former President. I did my best to explain why – like she's an icon of democracy and she led the revolt that eventually toppled a much-hated former dictator. But if you want to learn more – and if you happen to be in Manila in the next few weeks – then I suggest that you join the special tour at the National Museum of the Philippines led by John Silva . Silva is a writer, fundraiser, advocate of arts and heritage preservation and consultant to the National Museum. I have participated in one of Silva's tours in National Museum (it's not about Cory though and I will put my own review of it soon) and I enjoyed it. Taking the two-hour fun -and educational – tour is like taking a crash course in Philippine arts, culture and history, without the boring bits (the most memorable part of that tour, as far as I'm concerned, is the first time that I finally behold the original Juan Luna masterpiece "Spolarium". IT BLEW ME AWAY! But that's for another blog post! ) **** Facts and Figures Tour Dates of Special Remembrance Tour: August: 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29, September: 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30 Time: 10:00am Venue: Museum of the Filipino People, National Museum Agrifina Circle, Rizal Park, Rear Entrance Fee: 500 Pesos (about 10 U.S. dollars) – for young people to 18 years) 800 Pesos (about 17 U.S. dollars) – for Adults Reservations necessary. Contact John Silva at: mobile phone: (63)-926-729 9029 (63)-917-419 5928 E-mail: jsilva@mac.com How to get there: By Public Transport: The National Museum is located near Rizal Park (Luneta). You can take the LRT and alight at the U.N. Avenue station or take jeepneys passing by Taft Avenue or Mabini. By Car: Drive towards Roxas Boulevard then turn right on P. Burgos St. (after passing Rizal Park). The museum in on the right, near the corner of Taft Avenue and across the National Art Gallery. Parking is available at the museum compound

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Remembering Tita Cory

gypsygalstales — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:06:39 +0000

DREAMING FASHION

gypsygalstales — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:18:11 +0000

NEW DELHI 2008: IN RECENT YEARS INDIA HA EXPLODE AS A NEW ASIAN ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE THAT HAS GIVEN WAY TO A NEW MIDDLE CLASS, GLEAMING CITIES AND MODERNITY FROM 14TH TO 19TH OCTOBER, THE INDIAN CAPITAL BECAME THE ASIAN CENTER FOR FASHION AND DESIGNER. Backstage at Indian Fashion Week, Delhi

US Economy in Crisis

gypsygalstales — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:27:25 +0000

Cleveland, Ohio March 26, 2008 Delivering warning and final eviction notices Detective Robert Kole of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department enters every situation with caution. When the residents are at the home he must assure that all is final and that the home is clear of weapons and that the residents are indeed moving out. If no one is there, then he must authorize that the door be forcibly open. He then enters and clears the house at gunpoint in hopes that there are no squatters or inhabitants threaten himself or the movers. He also clears the house for weapons. All emotions and fears are on the surface as some residents greet him by crying on his shoulder while others can threaten him with a weapon.

Manila Weekend: World Press Photo Exhibit

gypsygalstales — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:28:14 +0000

Posted by : Gypsygal Prime Photos c/o Konrad Adenauer Asian Center for Journalism (ACFJ) at the Ateneo de Manila University I'm not a big fan of malling as I don't believe in wasting time, money and energy on buying unnecessary things. But I do enjoy going to the shopping malls in Manila these days if only because I enjoyed looking at the striking images presented at the World Press Photo Exhibition - which was organized by the ACFJ and will run until August 23. The exhibit shows the winning photos in the annual World Press Contest, the international competition for news and features photography, run by the World Press Photo since 1952. This is dubbed as the most prestigious annual press photography contest in the world, with more than five thousand photographers all over the world participating every year. American photographer Anthony Suau received The Photo of the Year. Suau’s black and white photo, (which you can see somewhere in this page) shows an armed police officer cautiously clearing a foreclosed home in Cleveland, Ohio. “The image is an ominous one. A new kind of war, a war of economics, has arrived to invade our lives and our homes,” said the lead juror, American photojournalist Mary Ann Golon. (this was quoted from a press release issued by the ACFJ). (The other photo in this page - the one with the running model won first prize in the Arts and Entertainment Singles and taken by Giulio Di Sturco, Italy for Agenzia Grazia Neri). *** Although I did I did dabble in photography, I'm really not in the position to say what is or what is not a good photojournalism. But as an observer and a journalist, I enjoyed looking at the photos in the exhibit because of the many emotions that evoked within me - all at the same time . I was disturbed, awed, felt a sense of loss, escape and hope. *** I have posted here some of my favorite winning photos in the exhibit . So if you have time, please drop by in Mall of Asia and for once, stop buying things and start experiencing instead. **** How to get to SM Mall of Asia (SM-MOA) By Public Transport: Alight at the MRT's Taft terminal station. Then walk through the connecting bridge and head towards LRT-1-EDSA station. utside the LRT-1-EDSA station, just across Metropoint Mall, you will find orange jeepneys going to SM MOA. By Car: Drive towards the end of Epifanio del Los Santos Avenue or EDSA. Cross to Taft Avenue then Roxas Boulevard. After crossing Roxas Boulevard, you'll be at the road now called Macapagal Blvd. where MOA is located. [caption id="attachment_212" align="aligncenter" width="720" caption="A model hurries backstage during the show of New Delhi design house Gauri & Nainika, at the India Fashion Week, in Delhi, in October."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_214" align="alignleft" width="720" caption="Cleveland, Ohio March 26, 2008 Delivering warning and final eviction notices Detective Robert Kole of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department enters every situation with caution. When the residents are at the home he must assure that all is final and that the home is clear of weapons and that the residents are indeed moving out. If no one is there, then he must authorize that the door be forcibly open. He then enters and clears the house at gunpoint in hopes that there are no squatters or inhabitants threaten himself or the movers. He also clears the house for weapons. All emotions and fears are on the surface as some residents greet him by crying on his shoulder while others can threaten him with a weapon."][/caption]

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Weekend In Ireland: Festival of Music

gypsygalstales — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:37:29 +0000

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="318" caption="Jump! Jump!"][/caption]

: Jamming on the street

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="424" caption="Kids at Play"][/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="424" caption="string Em up!Uillian Pipe"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="318" caption="Pied Piper"][/caption]

Photos and Videos By: Gypsygal Nina

Text from: http://www.fleadh2009.com/

The Fleadh Cheoil (Festival of Music) is an annual Irish music competition organized by the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ ----that means “Gathering of Musicians of Ireland” in the Old Irish language.

The Comhaltas is a non-profit group involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music.

This year’s Fleadh was held August 16 to 23 at Tullamore, a county in midlands Ireland and better known as the home of the renowned Irish whiskey brand -Tullamore Dew

Tullamore hosted the largest festival of music, song and dance. Over 200,000 people from all over the world gathered together to participate in Ireland's largest cultural celebration.

I was there one weekend as part of the thousands who just can’t get enough of the cool vibe in the streets and pubs of Tullamore. I’m definitely going to this festival next year.

_______________________________________________ World Record for the Largest Traditional Irish Session Record smashed for the 3rd year in a row with 3,457 musicians, singers and dancers playing for 1 hour and 41 seconds in Market Square, Tullamore on 21st August. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di2wMzPbnT4] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPgU4Y5PiM0] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjnBgplwzqw]

PostCard Moment:Punakha Dzong, Bhutan

gypsygalstales — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:15:22 +0000

In Bhutan, the chief abbot’s winter residence is at the Punakha Dzong. Sitting at the confluence of the two rivers in the former Bhutanese capital of Punakha, this dzong houses many of the country’s historic and holy relics including the embalmed body of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Zhabdrung was the first monarxch to unify the various fiefdoms in Bhutan and in the 17th century defended the unified Bhutanese kingdom against the Tibetan invasion.

Postcard Moment: Angkor Thom

gypsygalstales — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:55:09 +0000

[caption id="attachment_261" align="aligncenter" width="717" caption="View from the Top (of an Elephant)"][/caption] Text and Photos By: Gypsygal Nina I finally got my first elephant ride while sightseeing at the ruins of Angkor Thom! Wheee! It did cost me and my sister (Gypsygal Prime) 20 U.S. dollars (we paid 10 bucks apiece) . But I think it's worth it. It gave me a bird's eye view of the complex atop the elephant. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="708" caption="All aboard!"][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="708" caption="the Thom, the elephant and Us"][/caption] Angkor Thom means "the great city" in Khmer and was established by one Angkor's greatest king, Jayavarman VII. He reigned in the 12th century and came to power following the defeat of the former Khmer capital by the Chams.

Angkor Thom

gypsygalstales — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 05:17:45 +0000

View from the Top (of an Elephant)

Angkor Thom

gypsygalstales — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 05:34:07 +0000

View from the Top (of an Elephant)

Weekend in Siem Reap: Angkor Wat

gypsygalstales — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:16:23 +0000

text by Gypsygals Nina and Prime photos by Gypsygal Nina We can only reserve three days to "flashpack" our way to Cambodia (ahhh, the agonies of having a day job!). So, the only way for us to savor this Cambodian trip is to go to a place that will best define Cambodia: the ruins of Angkor Wat. It's a no brainer. If you go to Cambodia, you should see Angkor Wat. It doesn't matter even if you have no ambition of being the next Margaret Mead (or Laura Croft, for that matter) and the reason why you went to Cambodia is just for the cheap booze and some partying. Cambodia is about Angkor Wat. Period . The Khmers are very proud of these world-famous hastorical ruins that you can't find its image not only in those tacky souvenirs (from key chains to mugs), but in their natrional flag. The Angkor Wat, literally means "Temple City". It's a combination of two Khmer words derived from the ancient Sanskrit language. The word "angkor" is derived from the Sanskrit word "nagara," which means "city." Wat is a Khmer term derived from the Sanskrit word "vattaram" which means "temple." The Angkor Wat was built during the reign of god-king Suryavarman II and it was here that Khmer kings ruled over a vast domain that span from Vietnam to China to the Bay of Bengal. (Yeah we know that it's really tiresome to know these details especially when all you want is to relax and not feel like you're cramming for your history exam. But, trust us, you can only appreciate Angkor Wat if you know just a teeny-bit historical info) Angkor Wat was originally built to honor the Hindu god Vishnu and is supposed to represent Mount Meru - the mythical sacred mount where Hindu gods resides. Experts until now are still mulling over whether it's a place for worship or was it a funerary temple for the king, citing that the temple is oriented to the west in contrast to the usual east. Oh well, they better make the walls start talking if they wanted to crack it. :) A distinct feature of the Angkor Wat is the lotus looking towers, which looks quite stunning - especially on sunset and sunrise (this is the perfect photo time for all ye shutterbugs out there) . It is advisable that you allot an ample time to walk around the compound, it is quite big. But we enjoyed just strolling along on the passageways and hopping from one terrace to another. Access to the upper areas of the temple was built to be exclusive for the king and the priest ( a staircase was built just for their use) . But that was eons ago. If you don't have a vertigo, try going up to the towers, climbing up those steep narrow steps. Well at least one can learn how to climb sideways and yes there are some steel bars and steel staircase (not on all places) for ease and to avoid corrosion of the temple. In any case, don't be a hero and think of your own safety before climbing. If you're not into climbing, then just walk around the temple and admire the walls filed with bas-relief friezes depicting episodes from the Hindu epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. British archaeologist Chales Higham, author of the Civilization of Angkor Wat has called these, "the greatest known linear arrangement of stone carving". But our favorite are walls depicting the Apsaras - those voluptuous celestial nymphs are a common motif in most Angkorian temples and were considered celestial entertainers of the court of gods.

Photo Essay: Dancing in Damhsa (Part 1)

gypsygalstales — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:16:09 +0000

Text and Photos by Gypsygal Nina I love living in Europe. It's such a cosmopolitan place and culture vultures like me can't get enough of it. While I do travel to many places in Europe (that will be the subject of my future posts), there are times that I just can't get out of Cork. Heavy workload, visa problems, tight finances....I just can't drop everything and fly to another country. But...I found out that I need not go somewhere else to get some ahmmmm "multicultural" experience. Damhsa – The Cork International Folk Dance Festival is held every year to brings in various groups from around the world to Cork, to entertain and introduce their cultures to the public. "Damhsa" is the old Irish word for "dance". So the Damhsa fest is a celebration not only of Irish dance, but all types of dance. I didn't expect that I'll have such a roll watching the Dahmsa performers. In fact I wasn't too keen on going here. I am not an dancer (must be in my genes, none of my siblings can dance!). I only went here, because a friend of mine kept on egging me to go with her. So I decided to give it a go. And I'm sure glad I did! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Shake your groove thing!: The British-Indian group Jugnu Bhangra was performing (what else?) the Bhangra - the Punjabi's traditional harvest dance. "][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Dancing is easy as 1-2-3: Punjabi dance and saris are as colorful as their culture"][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Cool Looks with Cool moves: Male Bhangra dancers wear brightly colored turbans and kurtas. "][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="YEs, the Filipina can! : The Filipino-Irish dance group "Bulaklakan" is perhaps the only amateur dance group who participated in the festival. But the group proves the Pinoy's natural sense of rhythm can trump even those professionally choreographed dance moves! "][/caption]

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Let us all help the victims of typhoon Ondoy

gypsygalstales — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:35:18 +0000

Posted by: gypsygal Prime I've been a travel blogger for the past four years and while it's an on-and-off thing or me, one thing remains constant: I never get tired of ranting and raving about the many places I visited here and abroad. But Typhoon "Ondoy" which ravaged most of the Philippine capital and outlying provinces have spurred me to stop navel-gazing for a while and write this "different" type of travel blog post. Ondoy, experts said was among the worst flood to hot the Philippines in the last forty years Our family "suffered" from the flood - a bit. Water seeped in our living room and my dad and the help had to spend hours just hauling out pails of floodwater out of our sala. Then of course, the brownout was terrible, there was no internet, the phone line was dead, and my mom was complaining all the time. Still, I consider myself lucky. Very lucky. None of us got stranded in traffic, we're still safe and sound, we have drinking water and food to eat and a roof over our heads. And for that, my family would forever be grateful. Others, however, were not. Various media outlets have reported about hundreds of people who lost evrything - their homes, famkily, livelihood, loved ones - because of the flood. Others died. Still others ended up stranded in their rooftop. Here are the photos posted by photojournalist Luis Liwanag in his FB account. The tourism dept. won't be very happy with this blog post nor would I earn brownie points for posting these pics. I'm more than happy to promote the "touristy side" of Manila, but as a journalist (and a human being), I can not post those kinds of pics when I know for a fact that this is what Manila looks like esoecially during the monsoon season. But most of all,I hope that through this blog post, I can do my own share in making life a bit easier for the victims of typhoon Ondoy. I compiled here a list of websites/numbers/e-mail adresses that you can contact if you wish to donate and/or volunteer in helping the typhoon victims: A. GMA News TV online published a comprehensive list of relief centers in Metro Manila where you can bring your donations: QUEZON CITY UP College of Arts and Letters Go to: College of Arts and Letters (CAL) University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City Hotline: 09296454102 (Prof. Roselle Pineda) Look for: Guard on Duty (in UP CAL) Operations: 24 hours until Wednesday tentatively You can: # Donate medicines, clothes, blankets, food to be distributed by Citizens’ Disaster Response Center. Erica Paredes Go to: Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City (Call or text contact number for complete address) Contact #: 09174741930 Look for: Erica Paredes Operations: Throughout the week tentatively, from 10 am to 6 pm You can: # Donate ready-to-eat foods like hard-boiled egg, bread, packed juice, sandwich filling # Volunteer to prepare sandwiches and distribute goods NoyMar Relief Operations – QC Go to: Balay Expo Center, Farmers Market, Cubao or in White Space, Pasong Tamo Ext., Near BMW, Makati Look for: Clare Amador or Jana Vicente Hotlines: 09285205508, 09285205499, 0908-6579998, 0939-3633436, 9137122 Operations: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the week until further notice. Website: www.marroxas.com You can: # Donate drinking water, old medicines, clothing, blankets, canned goods, noodles # Volunteer to man stations and repack food. Miriam Quiambao and World Vision Development Foundation Go to: One Orchard Road Building in Eastwood or at the World Vision office at 389 Quezon Avenue, corner West 6th St., Quezon City Hotline: 0917-8623209 Look for: The guard in the lobby (on One Orchard Road) Website: http://www.twitter.com/miriamq, www.worldvision.org.ph Operations: Until Sept. 28, 2009 (Monday), 24-hour operation You can: # Donate goods like clothes, blankets, canned goods, crackers, mattress, hygiene kits, noodles, bottled water, oatmeal, instant coffee, sugar (for relief pack to be distributed by World Vision) # Volunteer to help repack relief goods for World Vision starting today at 7pm # Deposit cash donations to World Vision Development Foundation, BPI savings account number 4251002415 and BDO savings account number 270043411 Philippine Army Go to: Philippine Army Gym inside Fort Bonifacio, Makati or General Head Quarter’s Gym in Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, EDSA, Quezon City Hotline: 892-3417 (direct line), 845-9555 (trunkline) local. 6464 and 6466 Look for: Any personnel on duty Operations: Ongoing everyday for 24 hours until further notice You can: # Donate relief goods (no cash) # Call hotline for rescue, evacuation or relief assistance. # Call to report missing persons Papemelroti Gifts and Decorative Accessories Go to: 91 Roces Ave., Corner Scout Tobias, Quezon City or mall branches in Ali Mall Cubao, SM City North EDSA, SM Fairview, SM Megamall, Glorietta 3 in Makati, SM Centerpoint, SM Southmall Hotline: refer to website for individual branch numbers Website: www.papemelroti.com Operations: Mall hours (10am-9pm), ongoing everyday until further notice You can: # Donate goods like canned goods, clothings, blanket, cooking utensils and other relief goods EXCEPT cash. Ateneo de Manila University Disaster Response Group Go to: Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights , Quezon City, Manuel V. Pangilinan Building Center for Student Leadership Lobby, University Dorm Cervini Hall Hotlines: 09089977166, 09178952792, 4266001 local 5050 Look for: Gio Tiongson, President, Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral Website: www.ateneosanggu.com Operations: 24-hour operations for the entire week You can: # Donate goods like bottled water, sardines, canned goods, candles, cup noodles. # Volunteer to help repack relief goods, administer basic first aid. # Report missing persons. # Seek evacuation/temporary shelter at University Dorm Cervini Hall. Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC) Go To: 72-A Times St., West Triangle Homes, Quezon City. Hotlines: 9299820, 9299822 Operations: 8 a.m. onwards. You can: # Donate money, old clothes, blanket, bigas, munggo. # Volunteer to help distribute goods. Radio Veritas Go To: Veritas Tower , West Ave. corner EDSA Look For: Karla Turingan Hotlines: 9257931 to 39, 0918VERITAS Operations: 24-hours, tentatively until Tuesday. You can: # Donate old clothes, food, assorted goods, bottled water, cash. Our Lady of Pentecost Parish Go to: 12 F. dela Rosa cor. C. Salvador Streets, Loyola Heights , Quezon City Hotlines: 632 4342397, 63 2 9290665 Operations: 7 a.m. till 10 p.m. Sunday, until further notice. You Can: # Donate packed meals, bottled water. MAKATI/TAGUIG/MUNTINLUPA Victory Fellowship – Fort Bonifacio Go to: Victory Fellowship, Every Nation Building , across Market-Market, Fort Bonifacio Look for: Pastor Bernard Marquez Hotlines: 813-FORT, 8171212 Operations: Tentatively until 5pm, may may extend hours. Entire week until Friday. Website: www.twitter.com/VictoryFort You can: # Donate canned goods, milk, bottled water, clothes, cash. # Volunteer to help pack relief goods Sacred Heart of Jesus Chaplaincy Go to: Hillsborough Village, Cupang, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila Hotline: 8428148, 8079847 Look for: Genelyn Sembrano, Meanne Cuneta Website: www.sacredheartofjesus-alabang.org Operations: Tuesday-Sunday (Sept. 29-Oct 4). 8 am to 12 noon, 2 to 6 pm You can: # Donate water, blankets, shoes, clothes and other goods # Donate in cash PASIG CITY LUZON RELIEF: Volunteer / Donate / Pray Go to: Renaissance Fitness Center, 2nd Floor, Bramante Building, Renaissance Towers, Ortigas, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City Hotline: 0929-8713488 Look for: Warren Habaluyas, co-founder E-mail: luzonrelief@gmail.com Operations: Monday to Saturday (Sept. 28-Oct. 3), 9am-7pm You can: # Donate non-perishable food items, beddings, pillows, blankets, clothes # You can donate cash but it is not encouraged b.ABS-CBN through its Sagip Kapamilya foundation is accepting food, medicinde and money donations. For donations, you can drop by at the Sagip Kapamilya Warehouse in 13 Examiner St. West Triangle, QC or at the JUSMAG HQ in Scout Bayora across Rembrandt Hotel. For more details, contact Sagip Kapamilya at 413-2667 or 416-0387. Look for Ms. Girlie Aragon. For cash donations, please deposit in the following accounts: Bank: Banco de Oro, Mother Ignacia branch Acct name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. Acct no.: 5630020111 Routing code for international cash donations BNORPHMM ABS-CBN Branch For overseas donations, please contact ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. at 1-800-527-2820. c. The Philippine Daily Inquirer,the Philippine National Red Cross, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Assisi Foundation and the Sagip Buhay Foundation launched a donation drive. Donations in kind, such as instant noodles, canned goods, formula milk, blankets and clothes may be brought to the Inquirer office at 1098 Chino Roces Ave. corner Mascardo and Yague Streets, Makati City, and to any of its classified ads branches, and to any McDonald’s branch within Metro Manila. For questions and other concerns, you csn call 8978808 loc. 260 and look for Megi Garcia. d. Bayan Muna accepts relief goods, donations for Ondoy victims at 45 K-7th St., Bgy. West Kamias, QC. Tel. 9213473. e. DLSU-Dasmariñas is accepting donations. please proceed to DLSU-D CAMPUS 2ND FLOOR SBC BLDG. in the Middle East: You may contact officials of Migrante’s chapter in Saudi Arabia - the Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS or Brotherhood in the Middle East). -KGS-Migrant chair Eric Jocson (mobile phone no. 0531822766) and secretary general Mike Garlan (050562989930) in Riyadh -Migrante-Al Khobar chair Choie De Leon (0569117563) and secretary general Gerry de Guzman (0507373906) Migrante-Jeddah chair Bob Fajarit (050502745340). In Europe: You can go to Oxfam http://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam_in_action/emergencies/philippines-floods09.html

boat

gypsygalstales — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:08:55 +0000

pail

gypsygalstales — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:11:00 +0000

How To Help "Ondoy" Victims

gypsygalstales — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:13:31 +0000

posted by Gypsygal Prime photos: thank you Luis Liwanag for photos posted in your FB This is sort of like part 2 of my previous post on Typhoon Ondoy. Below is another list of relief centers which I got from my anthro-diliman yahoo groups. so if you want to help, you can send money and/or food, medicine and clothing to the following drop off centers: In Metro Manila 1. Citizens' Disaster Response Center (CDRC) CDRC is is need of volunteers for the ongoing relief drive. You can go directly to their office at 72-A Times St., West Triangle Homes, QC., or call 9299820/22 for inquiries. 2. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan (BALSA) of BAYAN is calling for help for the victims of deadly floods. Please send in your relief goods (RTE foods, clothings, medicines, bottled water) & money to #1 Erythrina Bldg. Maaralin cor Matatag Sts. Bgy Central, Quezon City, tel. 4340624 and 09227852356. Other drop-off points and schedules of relief and clean-up operations will be announced soon. Kodao Productions is also accepting donations for BALSA. You can deposit thru METROBANK: Peso Account Account Number: 007636020520 Account Name: KODAO PRODUCTIONS ORGANIZATION, INC. Branch and Telephone No.: Examiner – Quezon Avenue (02) 3737340 Dollar Account Account Number: 636-2-63600299- 7 Account Name: KODAO PRODUCTION Branch and Telephone No.: Examiner – Quezon Avenue (02) 3737340 3. Computer Professionals Union All proceeds will go directly to CDRC. Account Type: CHECKING ACCOUNT Bank Name: BANCO DE ORO Bank Branch: Anonas-Kamias Account Number: 003988006344 Account Name: CP-Union.Org Inc tel no: +63 4134196 For Check donations: Checks should be issued to CP-Union.Org Inc. Please drop the check payments at 4F Victoria Building 1, 1670 Quezon Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City. For willing volunteers, please contact Leon at +63915 869 6474. CPU interns, volunteers and members are enjoined to support our team's effort to help typhoon ondoy's victims through CDRC's relief drive. Visit http://www.cp- union.com/ ondoy-relief Please coordinate with Leon (09158696474 or +63 2 4134196) 4. Kabataan Partylist and TxtPower Donations can also be sent to Kabataan Partylist Headquarters, 118-B Sct. Rallos QC. For more information please contact 09266677163 or kabataanpartylist@ gmail.co m. TXTPower and Kabataan Partylist urges its members, supporters and friends abroad to make donations via Paypal. You may also donate via SmartMoney (5577-5144-1866- 7103) or GCash 09266677163 or 0917-9751092. All donations coursed through the hotlines will be sent to the Philippine National Red Cross. 5. Bayan Muna Partylist Bayan Muna cancelled 10th anniversary celebration due Sept 30. Rechanelled all efforts to relief and rescue operations Metro wide. Volunteer, donate relief goods and material/financial support for those affected by Typhoon Ondoy. Bayan Muna Partylist relief drive ongoing. Goods & donations are accepted at the Bayan Muna National Headquarters at #45 K-7th St., Brgy. West Kamias, Quezon City or call 921-3473. 6. Migrante International (Philippines Chapter) Migrante is calling the attention of our fellow kababayans abroad and also their families here in the Philippines who can donate goods and/or financial assistance for the victims of typhoon Ondoy.All donations are accepted at the Migrante International head office at #63 Narra St., Brgy.Claro, Project 3, QC. Or may call at 4210768 and hotline no: 09212709079. Or may email your inquiries at migrantecampaign@ gmail.com. 7. Gabriela Women's Partylist Relief Drive of the Office of Rep.Liza Maza at Brgy. Bagong Silangan will start at (Sept 28) 5pm today. You may continue sending your donations at GWP HQ, 118 Scout Rallos, Bgy.Sacred Heart, Quezon City or call 929-5342. Bayanihan ng Masa: CALL FOR RELIEF GOODS AND CASH DONATIONS FOR VICTIMS OF TYPHOON ONDOY For cash/check donations please deposit to: Philippine Peso Current Account: c/o Rep. Liza Maza, Land Bank of the Philippines, Batasan Branch, Quezon City Current Account # 3125-0054-61 8. Polytechnic University of the Philippines PUP SKM Office, 2nd Flr. Charlie del Rosario Student Center 9. University of the Philippines College of Mass Communications For inquiries and details, contact, Gina, Dean's office, 928-3188. College of Social Work and Community Development Txt 0906-3504141 at 0939-3707556 (via Sinagbayan) UP Diliman USC Office, Vinzons Hall A. We are accepting the following donations. You may drop off your contribution( s) at the Church of the Risen Lord, UP Diliman campus. a. Food: canned goods, noodles, biscuits, bread, rice and potable water b. Clothing – usable, wearable, clean, and dry clothes (any size), slippers c. Beddings – blankets, sheets, pillows d. Toiletries - soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush e. Medicines - Paracetamol, Mefenamic acid, band aids, iodine, alcohol, Doxycycline, etc. B. Volunteers are encouraged to join the relief efforts. Please contact 0915-8666968 for more details, or drop by the operations center at Church of the Risen Lord, UP Diliman campus. a. Communications – with computers/laptops, cellphones, wireless landlines, radios b. Sorting and packaging c. Transportation – drivers, big cars, etc C. For assistance to flooded/missing UP Diliman students, you may send their name, college, location, contact details, and status (flooded, missing, stranded, sick) to any of the following: a. Cellphone: 0917-8619022 b. Landline: 219-9848 c. E-mail: updusc@gmail. com d. Facebook: updusc@yahoo. com You may also fill in the form at this link. D. Student organizations and local councils are highly encouraged to join hands with the USC in making our relief operations more efficient and responsive. Org heads are invited to contact 0917-8114511. 10. Kadamay Urban poor group KADAMAY accepts donations of relief goods at 12-A Kasiyahan St, Bgy Holy Spirit, Commonwealth, QC Tel 4274315 11. Salinlahi / Children's Rehabilitation Center Relief goods and materials may be dropped off in CRC office, #90 J. Bugallon, Barangay Bagumbuhay, Project 4, Quezon City. You can contact us at (+632) 913-9244 or 439-1053 and look for Malou or Sarah. For financial donations, you can deposit at: Account name: Children’s Rehabilitation Center Bank name: Bank of the Philippine Island – Kamias-Anonas Branch Account number: SA 3323-2050-85 Please notify us of your deposit for your official receipt. 12. KARAPATAN Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights Please send in whatever contribution that you can. Karapatan is now accepting donations. You may drop off your donations of relief goods at: No. 1 Maaralin corner Matatag Sts., Bgy. Central, Quezon City, 1100 Philippines. You may reach us at telephone numbers: (+63 2) 435-4146 or 434-2837 For cash contributions, please e-mail admin@karapatan. org for details. 13. Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) in cooperation with COURAGE PARTY LIST We are asking our member-unions, friends and fellow public servants to donate food (rice, noodles, canned goods etc..), clothing, bottled mineral water, mats/beddings and medicines (for colds, coughs, fever, flu and antibiotics) . Please send your support to COURAGE Party list National Headquarters at # 9B, KF Street, Kamuning, Quezon City or you may call their hotline at 4113965. Cash /check donations are also welcome. You may deposit them at COURAGE BPI account number 3043-5929-62. We are also calling all able-bodied individuals to volunteer their help in our campaign. For further details, please call us at telephone numbers 9262235 (COURAGE) or 4113965 (CPL). 14. Samahang Operasyong Sagip - Council for Health and Development Samahang Operasyon Sagip is a disaster response body convened by Council for Health and Development, Health Alliance for Democracy, Alliance of Health Workers, Community Medicine Development Foundation and Health Students' Action. These are health organizations based in Metro Manila. Please send your donations to the victims of typhoon Ondoy through the Council for Health and Development which holds office at #35 Examiner Street, West Triangle, Quezon City with tel nos. 929-8109 or email chdmancom@yahoo. com For your donations, please contact us at the address above or send it through the following bank accounts: Philippine National Bank Savings Account # 219-8303219 Bank of Philippine Islands US $ account # 314 00 5391 with the swift code BPIPHMM 15. Task Force Obrero The Task Force Obrero, of which KMU is a member, will be conducting relief operations and medical missions in the next few days. It is also part of the “Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan”, a disaster relief efforts of multi-sectoral groups spearheaded by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN). We are urgently in need of medicines, old clothes, mats, blankets, canned goods and other relief goods. Financial donations can be sent to the Task Force Obrero Philippine Peso Account: Account Number: 20-029-006840- 5 Name of Bank: Banco Filipino Bank Address: Kamias Branch, Quezon City Account Holder: Noel Colina and/or Priscilla Ang-Maniquiz Or thru Western Union or Xoom Payment: Ms. Priscilla Ang-Maniquiz Balai Obrero Foundation 63 Narra St., Proj. 3, Quezon City, Philippines Telephone Number: (632) 421-0986 Material assistance can be sent to: KMU 63 Narra St., Proj. 3, Quezon City, Philippines Telephone Number: (632) 421-0986 You may also reach us at kilusangmayouno@ gmail.com for questions and pertinent information. Overseas: 1. USA BAYAN-USA We are making this appeal for financial support as the current administration is woefully unprepared and unable to help the hundreds of thousands of our compatriots and friends. BALSA will be coordinating efforts to distribute food, medicines, clothing and other basic necessities to help the people through this crisis. Because BALSA is firmly linked with the masses, aid will directly go towards the basic sectors of society – the workers, peasants and the urban poor who make up the majority of the victims (despite media attention that “the poor and rich are equally impacted”). Donate Online via Paypal Or, donations can be directly deposited into the following account: Bank: Chase Account Name: BAYAN-USA Account Number: 340-209749-3 Thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Rhonda Ramiro, Secretary General of BAYAN-USA at secgen@bayanussa. org, or Jeff Rice, Finance Officer of BAYAN-USA at finance@bayanusa. org. Various Drop-off centers New York NAFCON (Nat’l Alliance for Filipino Concerns)/SANDIWA Nat’l Alliance of Fil-Am Youth are now receiving relief donations (clothes, blankets, medical supplies, monetary). NY drop-off @ BAYANIHAN Filipino Community Center, 40-21 69th St. Woodside, NY 11377. Call (516)901-1832 or email sandiwa.national@ gmail.com if you would like to help. New Jersey Drop-Off Points: 1) Sinugba Cafe – 561 Westside Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07304 2) Casa Victoria – 691 Newark Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07306-2803 You can send CASH through Metro Bank acct. 3 189 14540 1 For BAYAN’s “BALSA” (Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan) For donations in New Jersey please contact: (201)621-3156- Yves Nibungco (917)476-7855- Nick Cordero Los Angeles In Los Angeles area please contact Kuu Hilo (818)395-9207. You can send CASH through Metro Bank acct. 3 189 14540 1 For BAYAN’s “BALSA” (Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan) San Francisco/Bay Area For donations in San Francisco/Bay Area, please contact Ryan Leano (626)534-4971. Monetary donations can also be dropped off at these sites. Checks can be made out to “Lakasdiwa,” a non-profit organization that will send the funds directly to MIGRANTE International in the Philippines, a workers’ organization directly helping the victims in the disaster relief efforts. Please put “Typhoon Ondoy Relief” on the check’s note. Filipino Community Center 4681 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94112 Liwanag Kultural Center Hillside Park Clubhouse 222 Lausanne Ave. Daly City, CA 94014 Mondays 3:30-6:00 Tuesdays 3:30-6:00 Wednesdays 3:30-8:00 Thursdays 3:30-6:00 Asian Pacific Islander Youth Promoting Advocacy & Leadership Attn: Armael Malinis, AnakBayan-East Bay 310 8th Street, Suite 215 Oakland, CA 94710 Stanford’s Pilipino American Student Union (PASU) is also collecting donations to be sent to the Philippines to help victims of Typhoon Ondoy (international name Ketsana). If you would like to make a donation, please contact AV David at avhdavid@stanford. edu or (650) 491-4561. ***** The National Food Authority also e-mailed this press release: NFA Opens Four Metro Warehouses as Relief Collection Centers Agriculture secretary Arthur C. Yap has instructed the National Food Authority (NFA) to make available four of its warehouses in strategic locations in Metro Manila as collection centers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to receive relief goods from concerned individuals or groups who may wish to help alleviate the plight of the victims of typhoon “Ondoy” within the metropolis and across the country. Designated as DSWD Relief Collection Centers are the NFA Visayas Warehouse located along Visayas Avenue across the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) main building; NFA Kingswood Warehouse on No. 222 Quirino Avenue, Baesa, Quezon City (near Baesa Cemetery); the NFA-FTI Warehouse at the FTI Complex along DBP Avenue, Taguig City; and NFA Warehouse 1 in Antipolo, Rizal located along M.L. Quezon Avenue Extension (near Lores Market) in Antipolo City. For inquiries, all interested parties may contact the following NFA personnel: Manager Marciano Alvarez of the NFA Central District Office at telephone number 561-894; Billy Vallejera at 920-9605 (Visayas Warehouse) and Rene Pamilar at 362-4066 (Kingswood Warehouse); Manager Bernardo Asetre at 821-0783 and Jojo Muncada and Ric Bucad at 824-3301 for the NFA-FTI Warehouse; and Manager Romy Ragonton at 696-0785 for the Antipolo Warehouse. The warehouses shall be open for donations starting 1 pm on September 29, 2009 and shall be available 24 hours a day thereafter. Prospective donors can go directly to any of these warehouses or arrange for pick up by NFA trucks for large volumes of goods. The collection centers shall accept all kinds of donations in cash or in kind. All donations shall be received by DSWD personnel and donors will be provided a receipt for their donations. Aside from providing warehouse space, the NFA shall also assist in the repacking of relief items, delivery and distribution to disaster areas as identified by the DSWD. “We encourage all of our kababayan, especially those who have been spared from the typhoon’s wrath, to come out as one big Filipino family to help the hapless victims and uplift their spirits in their time of extreme need,” Yap said. ##

Photo Essay: Dancing in Damhsa (Part 2)

gypsygalstales — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 09:47:17 +0000

Text and Photos: Gypsygal Nina

The dance festival or Damhsa is a yearly dance festival event in Cork which aims to celebrate diverse cultures.

One of the dance troupes I admire is the Kupalo Ukrainian Dance Ensemble . The Canada-based group is touted as the cultural ambassador of the Alberta-based St. Basil’s Ukrainian Catholic Parish.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="The ensemble's name came from the Rite of Kupalo - an agricultural festival celebrating the summer solstice in Ukraine. Kupalo dance group members have easily filled up the stage and they did not disappont the audience with dance formation like the one shown here"][/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="The Kupalo group featured a summer solstice theme dance "][/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Each dancer wore beautiful, handmade costumes "][/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="The Kupalo group performs with dynamic style and energy!"][/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Did I mention that they were also good looking? "][/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="They're really awesome!"][/caption]

Photo Essay: Dancing in Damhsa (Part 3)

gypsygalstales — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:14:15 +0000

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="The Kabluchok Russian Group from Moscow performed a Russian folk dances. The group even has a musician hailing from Kazakhstan."][/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="453" caption="The Russians are not only good in ballet. They also know how to do the twist!"][/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Everyone cheered at the end of the dance fest."][/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="I hope we can have more festivals like these - we should respect and recognize diversity. It makes life interesting and worth living "][/caption]

Stranded in the City (of Baguio): Some Lessons In Letting Go

gypsygalstales — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:02:04 +0000

posted by: gypsygal Prime I'm stranded here in Baguio and loving it. Lisa, the innkeeper, can't believe that there's someone like me who is brave (or stupid) enough to go to Baguio in the middle of typhoon Parma. How can one enjoy Baguio's cool weather, galleries and nature parks amid the heavy rains, floods and landslides? Aside from the two Korean students who've been in Baguio for months to study english, I'm the only guest in Atenara, this cozy b and b (I know that sounds trite, but how else can I describe an ancestral house-turned-inn which Lisa filled up with her own collection of handcrafted furniture?) located just a few blocks away from the Baguio Botanical garden. I never expected that this will happen. I left Manila Thursday morning, a week after typhoon Ketsana wreaked havoc in the country's capital. My friend Avie told me that her Baguio-based aunt texted her to say that it was raining in Baguio and some roads were unpassable. But after checking with the bus company that all trips to Baguio will proceed as major thoroughfares are still open, I decided to pack my bags and hie off to a place where I can have some peace and quiet, a space to write for myself and do some projects that I always wanted to do but never had the time to finish. Far from the many distractions of Manila. I arrived in Baguio Thursday night, hungry and wet as Parma was then starting to unleash one of the worst floods that Baguio (and nearby provinces of Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija) will experience in recent years. *** Friday was really a bad, bad day for me. I can't stop worrying - what if I get stranded here for weeks? I don't have enough money to tide me over. I hardly know anyone here. There's no way I can work from here (sure I can report about the tragedy, but how can I file a story when the internet was down?). Besides, I just went to SM and oh, god, in Watson's (where I bought heaps of toiletries, fruit cups and medicine because as usual, I was overreacting - so afraid that I wil end up sick and hungry if the heavy rains continue thus forcing the only shopping mall in Baguio to shut down) - they were not accepting credit card payments at the moment because Parma caused some comnection problems. Without a credit card, Parma practically took away my security blanket, making me panicky and more prone to another round of my drama-rama. It didn't help that I was stuck in my room, watching cable tv all the time, seeing footages of flooding and landslides and evacuees crying for help. At night, I can't sleep, it was freezing cold (Nico, Lisa's cousin and Atenara's innkeeper told me later that the temperature dropped to 12 degrees Friday), that my blankets, socks, jackets anf mittens were not enough to keep me warm. **** I only slept for about three hours, but it was when I woke up Saturday morning that I learned to calm down. I hardly reacted even after Lisa told me that Baguio city was now isolated - bus companies cancelled as their trips to and from Manila - owing to floods and landslides. I don't know what happened - but that was the time that I find myself suddenly remembering all those stuff that I read in my books on Buddhism and yoga and other new age stuff: I let go of my inner control-freak and go with the flow. So instead of worrying about things I can't control, I decided to shut off the tv. I stopped trying to connect to the internet. I stopped trying to control something which I've known all along na hindi na talaga kaya ng powers ko (translation: that this is beyond my control) . So I prayed and quietly typed in my netbook. Here are some things that I learned because I got stranded in Baguio: 1. Quiet time = focus = productvity: with no internet connection, I stopped checking my e-mail evety hour; avoided Facebook, Twitter and Multiply; and refrained from reading the many blogs and newsites that I subscribe to. With nothing to distract me, I finished one analytical piece that I've been trying to write for the past few days. Now I'm stearting to write another feature (notbto mention thjis blog ;post) 2. Business lessons in a nutshell: I spent a lot of time chatting with Lisa - a typical connector who practically knows anyone ("That's why I don't have a Facebook account, I have too many friends.") Lisa is not only an innkeeper but manages a number of small businesses. She buys and sells vintage car, breeds dogs, supplies vegetables grown in La Trinidad to Manila, an idependent management consultant and webmistress of several income generating websites. For this serial entrepreneur, business is not just about making loads of money but having enough resources to sustain her lifestyle. Having multiple streams of incolme allowed Lisa to live in the city that she loves without having to give up her comfortable lifestyle. 3. There are small miracles everywhere: I was so absorbed with my masteral studies and journalism career,that I often forget the many small blessings that I should be thankful for. After Parma battered Northen Luzon Friday - killed hundreds of people and destroyed homes and farms - I woke up Saturday morning soo happy to see the sun and clear skies and feel the warm weather. I went for a stroll at the Baguio Botanical Garden - nature tripping, taking photos of pine trees and flowers. (I can't post them now, as I forgot that thingy which I use for uploading pics) I am thankful for the hot mug of brewed coffee, a time and space to write. I am just thankful to be alive, having another day to fulfill whatever is my life's mission.

Resiliency

gypsygalstales — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:09:53 +0000

The word "resiliency", second only to the term"recession" is perhaps the most used (and abused?) word that we use in writing business stories. I'm guilty of that. Whenever I write a story quoting officials declaring - for the thousandth time - that the Philippine economy is "resilient" that it can continue the grow despite the "global recession" thanks to remittances (oh yeah, I forgot, I also use the word "remittance" - a lot! I, after all, live in a country where going abroad to earn a living is a way of life, ) But it was in my recent vist (and being stranded) in Baguio that I actually learned what "resiliency" means. I was thinking about "resiliency" while having drinks with some journo-friends in Rumors - that famed watering hole in session road which Lisa compares to Cheers - the bar where everyone knows your name. That was the day after Parma slammed into northern Luzon, leaving Baguio city temporartily isolated as the rains caused landslides (damaging the main roads like Marcos Highway, and Nagulian that connect this mountain city resort to Manila). The electricity, which was cut off the day before, was restored (so no drinking in the dark for us). But a lot of people died while others are living in evacuation centers, displaced by the landslides. What surprtised me, however, was that Rumors, was jampacked, people were chatting and drinking as if nothing happened. I was like thinking-what are these people doing? Partying amid misery? But as my journo friends explained to me - this is not because the Baguio residents are so callous or just don't care whatever happened tp the victims. It's more because in many ways, Baguio city residents are true-blue survivors. Life goes on after a major disaster and residents know to stay ahead despite such setback. Parma, after all, is not the first calamity to befall the city. The 1990 killer earthquake killed thousands and isolated the city for months. The city recovered in the end, and its residents managed to at least rebuild their lives and homes destroyed by the earthquake. The city, meanwhile, continues to draw domestic and international tourists, enamored by its cool weather and bohemian vibe. **** It's also important to realize that Parma didn't just affect Baguio. Communities in the nearby towns of Benguet and other provinces in northern Luzo lost their homes, property, families and livelihood.. So if you want to help, here are some organizations that you may vwish to contact: If you are in Baguio city, you mat head to Cafe By The Ruins at Chuntug st, near the city hall. The cafe accepts donations in cash and kind (blankets, rice, beans and vegetables). The cafe has a soup kitchen which prepares food for evacuees. You may get intouch through http://cafebytheruins.multiply.com 2. You may also go to the Cordillera Peoples Alliance 55 Ferguson Road Baguio City 2600 Philippines pic@cpaphils.org www.cpaphils.org Tel. No. 63-74-304-4239 Fax No. 63-74-443-7159 3. You can donate via paypal at http://www.redcross.org.ph/

baguio_botanicalgarden1

gypsygalstales — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:59:37 +0000

baguio_botanicalgarden2

gypsygalstales — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:02:05 +0000

prime_botanical garden

gypsygalstales — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:11:23 +0000

This is me, gypsygal Prime, enjoying Baguio botanical garden. It was sooo cold, I had a jacket and bought myself a hat.

prime_botanicalgarden

gypsygalstales — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:22:52 +0000

This is me -Gypsygal Prime-just hanging out in Baguio. It was sooo cold, I had to wear a thick jacket and buy that hat in SM.

baguio_flower1

gypsygalstales — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:28:58 +0000

baguioflower2

gypsygalstales — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:36:57 +0000

Postcard Moment: Baguio Botanical Garden

gypsygalstales — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:41:07 +0000

I took these pics the day after Parma hit Baguio city. It was beautiful - the beauty after the storm. I love going to nature parks - looking at flowers, trees and just enjoying all those positive earth vibes! (text and photos by: Gypsygal Prime)

baguio-botanical

gypsygalstales — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:45:49 +0000

baguioflower2

gypsygalstales — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:00:26 +0000

baguio_garden_japan

gypsygalstales — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:05:44 +0000

baguio_botanical

gypsygalstales — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:22:45 +0000

Bulusan Lake

gypsygalstales — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:42:39 +0000

Bulusan Lake: I should really go for some swimming lessons

gypsygalstales — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:03:40 +0000

Text and photos by: Gypsygal Prime I'm a true blue city gal - born and raised in the city, and have traveled to several key cities (Melbourne, Toronto, Bangkok, Delhi - and perhaps in the very near future - Prague, New York, London, Cairo ) overseas. I love the color, the noise, the grittiness, the familiarity, the strangeness that every city has to offer. There was a time that I wished I was living in a quiet farm or perhaps spend my days trekking and doing all these i-love-nature-thingys, But my recent forays in the terkking-hiking-whatever reveaked the many many things that I miss about city living: sipping designer coffees, browsing books in my favorite bookstores, admiring paintings in galleries and museums, connecting with my media colleagues. But sometimes, I just need to get away from it all, so immediately packed my bags when Oxfam invited me for a brief tour of fishing communities in Sorsogon and how climate change is affecting them. It was a very tiring interview, spending most part of my daty, listening how erratic weather changes is hurting the community and livelohood of these fishermen. While i did learn loads, by the end of the day, I was really drained and felt "heavy". Which is why when Gil of oxfam suggested that perhaps I should see Bulusan Lake as a side trip, I immediately joined them. It was a grueling one-hour trip, traversing over rough roads, from Sorsogon city to the municipality of Bulusan. Someone like me who enjoy her creature comforts may have balked at the mere idea of driving through these roads. But then again, so what? I was rewarded by this stunning view of the lake - refreshing, nakakawala ng pagod! Just look at this: [caption id="attachment_330" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="Bulusan Lake "][/caption] According to the U.S.-based nonprofit Lakenet : Lake Bulusan is located within the Bulusan Volcano Natural Park. Bulusan Lake has interesting legends. It is said that a village once stood where Bulusan Lake is currently located. The legend suggests that a pagan chieftain once managed the land, and one day when he did not honor a promise he made to set his slaves free, waters came from the skies and flooded everything creating the lake. His slaves that were working in the fields survived the floods and are believed to have been the founders of the city of Bulusan. ******* [caption id="attachment_336" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Gypsygal Prime in Bulusan"][/caption] I was so stunned by its beauty that even if I'm not into water sports (as I don't know how to swim), I gamely joined Stef, Glen and Gil and kayaked in the lake. (But of course not without my lifesaver jacket) Ahhh, my arms were hurting, as I wasnt used to paddling kayak. But it was fun! I told Glenn, who's an avid surfer, that since I've always been keen on surfing (I saw Blue Crush [caption id="attachment_337" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Colorful kayaks in Bulusan Lake"][/caption] in Singapore several years ago. The surfer gurls and guys were so cool...) that it actually spurred me to go for swimming lessons. I stopped my lessons when I came back to Manila to pursue a masters degree. I was very busy. But kayaking in Bulusan (and my return to the gym to shed some of those unwanted pounds garnered by eating too much cake without doing anything to burn all those carbo and fat) is pushing me once again to renew my swimming lessons Gypsygal's Travel Resources: * Salvador Adrao, a tourism officer in Sorsogon, helped us in our Sorsogon tour,His company - Eco Donsol Tours - offers guided tours to Bulusan and other parts of sorsogon. Please visit www.ecodonsoltravel.com for more details. Or e-mail him at donsol.ecotravel@yahoo.com. * The Aggrupation of Advocates for Environmental Protection (AGAP) trains fishermen to conduct ecotourism tours in Bulusan (it was one of the fishermen who assisted me in my first kayaking adventure. The community based group promotes eco-friendly livelihood to protect Bulusan park. Aside from ecotourism, the group also sells delicious wild honey and pili oil. (Their office-cum-store is about a 15-minute ride from Bulusan lake) You may get in touch with them at agapbulusan@yahoo.com.ph Or call their president Philip Bartilet at +63-918-457-8767

prime-bulusan

gypsygalstales — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:08:53 +0000

prime-bulusan

gypsygalstales — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:18:30 +0000

Gypsygal Prime in Bulusan

prime-bulusan

gypsygalstales — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:36:42 +0000

Gypsygal Prime in Bulusan

kayak-bulusan

gypsygalstales — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:53:00 +0000

Colorful kayaks in Bulusan Lake

baguio_botanical

gypsygalstales — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:14:32 +0000

baguio_botanical

gypsygalstales — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:30:20 +0000

Baguio Botanical Garden

Bliss Cafe

gypsygalstales — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:41:27 +0000

Bliss Cafe

The View from the Good Shepherd Convent

gypsygalstales — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:19:49 +0000

The View from the Good Shepherd Convent

Horses At Wright Park

gypsygalstales — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:33:24 +0000

Ponies at Wright Park

Postcard Moment: Butter Lamps

gypsygalstales — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:56:26 +0000

[caption id="attachment_171" align="aligncenter" width="716" caption="Temple Offering"]Photo by Gypsygal Prime[/caption] Butter Lamps offered at a Hindu Temple in Johor Bahru, Malysia

Baguio Cathedral

gypsygalstales — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:17:59 +0000

Baguio Cathedral

prime_goodshephered

gypsygalstales — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:21:29 +0000

Taken at the observation deck at Good Shepherd Convent

wrightpark3

gypsygalstales — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:29:21 +0000

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gypsygalstales — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:11:48 +0000

messenger

gypsygalstales — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:13:04 +0000

This is not a travel post: Stop Killing Journalists

gypsygalstales — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:14:45 +0000

Text by: Gypsygal Prime Photos by Avi Olarte: Taken November 25 during the National Day of Indignation organized by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP). I need to deviate from my usual travel posts, as no working journalist can remain apathetic given such atrocity. The Maguindanao massacre – which involved the murder of 30 journalists – has been described as by the International Federation of Journalists as “the biggest single atrocity against journalists in recent history.” A week after the murder, the top suspect has been arrested and members of the powerful political clan being investigated and just about anyone can't hide their outrage against the perpetrators (“para lang silang pumatay ng lamok, one of my colleagues told me). I don't know if they're human. I can't call them animals, because that's an insult to my pet cat. And I don't think even the devil will appreciate being compared to them. It's very hard to just forget and let the courts decide. In a country which prides itself for having the freest press in Asia, it's ironic that several journalists have been killed in the line of duty. A lot of people, it seems don't appreciate a critical press or a journalist who's just doing his/her job . Walang traba-trabaho, lahat personal. Several analysts have already offered their explanation behind such audacity. You can read them here, here , and here. In an nutshell, it all boils down to a culture of impunity --- They can do this because they can . And as long as such culture persists no one can stop the killings - not only of journalists but also of anyone who will dare stand on their way. Which is why it's important to remain vigilant and to continue pressuring the government and all our institutions to ensure that justice will be done. I hope I can do my part as a journalist not only by blogging about it, or constantly updating and editing reports on the massacre, but also to join protest actions to ensure that justice will at least be done. The massacre, after all, is not just an assault to press freedom, but also a crime against humanity. Note: The National Union of Journalists of The Philippines, the November 23 Movement and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) are inviting friends and colleagues to take part in the International Day of Action against Impunity - a collective expression of outrage against the killings of journalists and innocent civilians in Maguindanao and the call for justice for all victims. They will be holding a presscon and a rally in December 9. Please check out for more details.http://nujp.wordpress.com/

primeconvent

gypsygalstales — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:36:29 +0000

The view from Good Shepherd's deck

wrightpark3

gypsygalstales — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:47:04 +0000

Ponies at Wright Park

Quickie: 48 Hours In....Baguio City

gypsygalstales — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:16:41 +0000

[caption id="attachment_368" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The view from Good Shepherd's deck"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_343" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Baguio Botanical Garden"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_370" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Ponies at Wright Park"][/caption] Text and Photos by: Gypsygal Prime Better known as the summer capital of the Philippines, travellers usually flock to Baguio to escape the heat and dust of Manila. Located some 1,500 meters above sea level, nestled within the Cordillera in northern Philippines, temperature in Baguio is always below 30 degrees Celsius (this even at the height of the summer months of March to April). In the colder months of January to February, temperature drops to less than 20 degrees Celsius– that's pretty cold for a tropical country like the Philippines. But there's more to Baguio than its mild climate. It has the vibrancy of the city minus the pollution and the crowds. Below are some of the things that you can do if you can only spare a weekend in Baguio. All the venues included here are at/and or near Session Road - - the city's commercial center and main thoroughfare: 1. Nature Tripping at the Baguio Botanical Garden -- The perfect place for people seeking for a moment of peace, the Botanical Garden is home to numerous pine trees and flowers. The park is soo huge, that you can always find a corner, where you can just let your mind wander. If staying still is not your thing, you can walk, jog, do the sun salutation, or perhaps be an amateur botanist by identifying every type of plant that you can find here. There's also something for art lovers here – right smack at the entrance is a beautiful bronze sculpture created by Filipino artist Ben-Hur Villanueva depicting the original builders of the city - Cordillera natives, Americans, Chinese and Japanese. Directions: Just a kilometer away from Session Road, Baguio Botanical Garden is at Leonard Wood Road. If you're taking a cab from Session Road, just tell the driver to bring you to the Botanical Garden (cab fare is less than two dollars, one way). If you're taking the jeep, you can take the jeep going to any of the following: Mines View, Pacdal, Beckel, Country Club, Navy Base, Tuding and Itogon. Facilities: souvenir shop, stalls selling snacks, toilet, some benches where you can sit, eat, write, and meditate; you can bring pets and kids Fees: None Business hours: Open daily. The gates close around 6 or 7 pm. 2. Horseback riding at the Wright Park – This is for you all cowgirls out there! Wright Park – named after Luke Edward Wright, who once Governor-General in the Philippines from 1904-1906 during the American colonial period,- is the only place in Baguio where you can rent and ride a horse for a few hours and explore Baguio on a horseback. Lisa, long time Baguio resident and rue-blue cowgirl, has suggested some horse riding trails here Directions: If you have a car (or in a cab), from Session road, go pass through Leonard Wood Road, past the Botanical Garden. When you reach Pacdal Circle, go towards the road which gently climbs uphill. If you’re taking the jeep, take the jeep plying the Plaza-Mines View route. Facilities: stalls selling souvenirs, and snacks, a small cafe called Cowboy's Haven Cost: 300 pesos (about 6 U.S. dollars) for a one hour ride (plus guide) 3. Picture taking at Mine's View Park –- Stand on top of the ridge and just marvel at the view of the old cooper and gold, a reminder that mining used tp be one of the key industries here. You can have your picture taken with the view of the minesite (obviously....) and the Cordillera mountain range as the background. Directions: If you have a car (or in a cab): from Sesion Road, climb up and turn to Leonard Wood Road and go straight up C. P. Romulo Drive. As the road climbing up curves left, you will be on Outlook Drive. Mines View Park will be at the top. Or take the jeep plying the Plaza-Mines View route. Just ask the driver to drop you off at Mines View Park. Facilities: stalls selling snacks, souvenirs, silverwork Entrance fees: None Business hours: Opens daily. 4. Buy bottles of strawberry jam, ube jam and peanut brittle at Good Shepherd Convent – Very near Mines View, this is the only place for the ultimate pasalubong from Baguio. The products were produced in the Mountain Maid Training Center (MMTC)- where the Good Shepherd nuns and the lay staff employ poor Cordillera students to make jams and other yummy food products including orange marmalade, pickles, sampaloc candies, mango jams…. (are you salivating already?) to be sold in the store (at the convent entrance) and thereby earn money for their schooling Popular Filipino food blogger Marketman just can’t get enough of these Good Shepherd products: “They really do have some of the yummiest peanut brittle I have ever tasted. Finely chopped peanuts in a delicious wafer thin caramel and flavored with just a touch of butter that is cut and expertly packed into cylindrical plastic bottles and sell for PHP95 for 500grams… what a deal!” If you feel a bit peckish, there’s another stall in which sells snacks like chicken empanada and cup cakes also made in MMTC. The store also sells the Good (Food) Book for 250 pesos each (or about 4 U.S. dollars)- a compilation of recipes by the Good Shepherd’s lay affiliates who are helping the MMTC in training Cordillera students. The store accepts credit cards, but better bring cash, because the machine sometimes don’t work. Website: http://www.goodshepherdsisters.org.ph/baguio Address: 15 Gibraltar Road, 2600 Baguio City Telefax: 6374- 4423865 Bonus tip: the convent has a deck which provides an excellent view of the minesite (I got my pic taken there.). You can skip Mines View Park and just head here 5. View some artworks (and have a good meal too...) - Baguio is a creative hub ( must be the weather, or the bohemian vibe or the proliferation of many parks and gardens in the city) , and if you just need to view some good artworks produced by mostly Baguio-based artists, I suggest that you go to some of these cafes (so you can have some hearty meal – and really good coffee – while looking at some paintings and photos. A meal for each person in any of these restaurants can run from,P200 to P500 (5 to 10 U.S. dollars) If you’re a vegetarian like me then I recommend what I believe is the best vegetarian restaurant in the Philippines: Bliss Vegetarian Cafe Its funky interiors and yummy vegetarian chicharon are just two very good reasons why you have to come to this place. Another favorite is Oh My Gulay! (OMG!), where I usually had some pasta and calamasi juice. Those who prefer a more vatied fare can head to the renown Café by the Ruins (which is just beside the Baguio City Hall) a. Bliss Vegetarian Café Address: Bliss is located in lobby of Hotel Elizabeth (Gibraltar St. Corner J Felipe). The hotel is near Wright Park. Business hours: Opens daily Monday: 6 pm to 9 pm Dinner Only Tuesday to Sunday: 11 am - 9 pm Tuesday - Sunday Website: http://blissnbaguio.multiply.com/ b. Café by the Ruins Address: 23 Chuntug, Baguio City Telephone: 6374-4424010 / 446-4010 Fax: 6374-442-5272 Website: http://cafebytheruins.com.ph c. Oh My Gulay! Address: Fifth floor, La Azotea Building,upper Session Road Just a few blocks from the SM shopping mall 6. Hear a mass at the Baguio Catholic Cathedral – or if you're an atheist, you can always go here just to admire of the country’s most beautiful architectural structures. The rose-colored church sits on top of a hill in the heart of the city and has a view deck where you can have a bird’s eye view of Session Road. The church was constructed Belgian Catholic Mission, consecrated in 1936 and dedicated to Our Lady of Atonement. During World War II, the church served as an evacuation center. Directions: From Session Road, pedestrians can take the long concrete stairways (with more than a hundred steps)). If you have a car (or in a cab), you can enter the Cathedral grounds via the access road behind the Baguio Post Ofice building. Address: Mount Mary, Cathedral Loop Telephone: 6374- 4424256 Fax No.: 6374-3042064 Website: www. baguiocathedral.com You can view the daily mass schedule here. 7. Shop till you drop - There are so many places to go if you need some retail therapy. In Session Road alone, you can either go to the mall, and/or haggle your way in the Baguio Public Market – cardigan, accessories, home furnishings, jam, bags, jams, strawberries. I personally recommend Narda’s Handwoven Arts and Crafts, which is just a few steps away from the Victory Liner bus station. The store sells woven bags, ponchos, placemats, tapestries and other home/fashion accessories. Oh they also accept credit cards. And store also operates a café (with Wi-Fi!) – where you can have some coffee after a day of shopping. Narda’s Address: 151 Upper Session Road, Engineer's Hill Telephone: 6374- 422 2992 Fax No.: 6374-443 9875 Website: www.nardas.com Gypsygal’s Travel Resources Baguo city is easily accessibly from Manila. The Victory Liner has the widest fleet catering to travelers going from Manila to Baguio. You can find schedules, ticket fare and terminal location in this site : http://www.victoryliner.com Here’s a link to an interactive map in Baguio. And if you want to know more about Baguio, then better head to www.gobaguio.com the most comprehensive website on anything and everything about Baguio. [caption id="attachment_345" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Bliss Cafe"][/caption]

ARTOFLOSING2_web

gypsygalstales — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:55:37 +0000

The Art of Losing Yourself pampering kit by Leyende

Moisture Dab (8)

gypsygalstales — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:57:46 +0000

Human Heart Nature products

mm-all-3

gypsygalstales — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:59:22 +0000

Muni Travel Journals

travellingeurope125x125

gypsygalstales — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:03:01 +0000

ARTOFLOSING2

gypsygalstales — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:03:48 +0000

Art of Losing Yourself pampering kit by Leyende

mm-all-3

gypsygalstales — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:05:28 +0000

Muni Travel Journal

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gypsygalstales — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:08:06 +0000

H2Oh-noes

gypsygalstales — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:11:06 +0000

H2Oh-noes

gypsygalstales — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:13:06 +0000

Christmas Gift Guide for Independent Women Travellers

gypsygalstales — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:18:19 +0000

[caption id="attachment_380" align="alignleft" width="99" caption="Art of Losing Yourself pampering kit by Leyende"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_382" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Muni Travel Journal"][/caption] Posted by: Gypsygal Prime Traveling light is a must for independent women travellers like me. We want to seek and experience both new and familiar places with all the essentials, none of the heavy baggage. Listed below are some Christmas gift ideas for that travelling girl who likes to go solo. They're all stylish and portable that you might end up buying Chrsitmas gifts for yourself. Happy shopping! 1. Organic bath and body travel pack This is perfect for those with dermatitis and skin asthma and just can't live with the freebies being offered in hotels or the toiletries being sold in the nearest drug store. Human Heart Nature and Leyende products are made of organically-grown fruits and vegetables and don't contain synthetic ingredients such as parabens that may ruin your skin (and your travel plans!) Human Heart Nature's Head to Toe Pack includes your bath and body basics - shampoo, conditioner, facial wash, toner and massage oil. Price: 499 pesos (about $10) Website: http://www.humanheartnature.com/ The pricier Art of Losing Yourself pampering set by Leyende is for those who want to indulge whenever, wherever. The set includes body oil, skin butter, shower gel, cologne and a loofah. Price: 1,350 pesos or about $30 website: www.leyende.com 2. Travel journal Sometimes you just need to jot some notes to reflect and remember what you experienced and felt while traveling. Keeping a pen and a journal at hand is definitely a must in any gypsygal's travel bag. Muni's travel journal contains over 100 cream sheets bounded and handstitched in onto genuine leather covers in tan, brown or charcoal. The designers behind this journal swear that these leather cover "look better with the wear and tear of constant travel." Price: 800 pesos (about $18) Website: http://punchdrunkpanda.multiply.com/ If you're organized and like to plan your travels, then NAVI might be your travel journal of choice. Price: 520 pesos (about $11) Website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/NAVI-Your-Life-Navigator/183226088058 3. Laptop sleeve In the age of flashpacking, no one leaves her home without her laptop.These funky and pretty laptop sleeves from Punchdrunk Panda are lined with neoprene to protect your laptop from scratches and minor knocks. Each sleeve comes with attachable straps and a small pouch where you can put your charger. Price:P800 to P950 (about $18 to $22). FREE shipping within Metro Manila Website: http://punchdrunkpanda.multiply.com/ 4. E-guide books Travel guidebooks are quite bulky and not easy to lug around. The e-guidebooks is easy to access and download. Craig and Linda, the traveling couple behind the popular Indie Travel Podcast, has created Travelling Europe ebook and audio book, a comprehensive guide for first time travelers in Europe. Price: Traveling Europe combo pack (ebook and audiobook) - $14.95 Website: http://indietravelpodcast.com/travelguides/ If Asia is more your speed, then check out Travel Fish's PDF-formatted e-guidebooks, to learn more about Cambodia,Thailand, Vietnam and Laos Price: from $2.95 to $15.95 Website: http://www.travelfish.org/ebooks

Passports486x60

gypsygalstales — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:04:46 +0000

Passports125x125

gypsygalstales — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:06:59 +0000

Let’s raise funds to support a rural school in Cambodia

gypsygalstales — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:52:17 +0000

My sis and I donated 10 U.S. dollars to Passports with Purpose. It's just a small amount but we're hoping that this can help them raise 13,000 U.S. dollars to provide facilities for a school in one of the villages of Cambodia. We've been to Cambodia to visit the Angkor Wat and we have seen how poverty has driven most children to leave school and just sell souvenirs to tourists - and they will continue doing so unless something can be done to alleviate their plight. Last month, Passports with Purpose (led by Beth Whitman - the woman behind Wanderlust and Lipstick ), launched a fund raising campaign, calling on travellers and bloggers to raise 13,000 U.S. dollars to build a school in Cambodia. in just a few weeks, that 13k became a reality. so this time around, Passports with Purpose is raising another 13 K to provide facilities -clean water, healthy meals, and medical care - for the school.. Passports with Purpose is working with the American Assistance for Cambodia (AAfC) - an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving opportunities for the youth and rural poor in Cambodia. In its website, AAfC explains why such facilities are needed: "Many students in rural villages suffer from a lack of health care, unsafe drinking water and lack of nutritious food. Donors may add two water filters to the school to allow access to clean water at the school. A "Victory" vegetable garden in which students receive one free, nutritious meal each day, includes building materials, seeds, one gardener, one cook, and a garden well when needed. Finally, a school nurse recruited from a local clinic promotes health education and gives students regular health check-ups. These features combine reduce student malnutrition, increase attentiveness, and raise attendance." School improvements we hope to finance from additional funds raised: * Hagar water filter: $300 one-time cost. * 1 "Victory" vegetable garden,: $7,500 funds first two years, $2,000 each additional year. * School nurse: $5400/year." Please click here to learn more how you can help.

Postcard Moment: Traffic Stopper

gypsygalstales — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:20:39 +0000

Photo by: Gypsygal Nina Who says only hot babes can stop traffic? [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="520" caption="Baaa! Baaa! Baaa!"][/caption]

free_349846

gypsygalstales — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:11:02 +0000

photo by Heath Doman for www.dreamstime.com

Seven Ways to a Stress-Free Holiday Travel

gypsygalstales — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:24:49 +0000

posted by: Gypsygal Prime I don't usually travel during the holidays as I don't see the point of paying for peak season (i.e. overpriced) tickets/accommodations, or jostling for seats and space in crowded places. A holiday for me means relaxing in my own space, without having to deal with noise and nosy people. But I 'm the first to concede that sometimes, we just need to, well, brave it out - the crowds, the expense - and travel during the holidays due to some family obligations and other personal commitments. This week, for instance, I had to go to Singapore to attend a friend's wedding. And in between packing and completing work commitments and basically cramming, I was thinking how I can manage to do everything and still attend a wedding without looking frazzled and tired. Below are some ways that helped me in keeping stress levels low while coping with the holiday travel rush: 1. Ask for help - You don't have to do everything on your own just because you're traveling alone. Don't hesitate to ask your family/friends/virtual [caption id="attachment_412" align="alignleft" width="199" caption="photo by Heath Doman for www.dreamstime.com"][/caption] assistant for help while preparing for your trip or when you can't cope with the many things that you need to do while traveling. 2. Prepare a list(s) Get a notebook and jot down all the things that you need to do or finish before you travel. Write down also a list of things that you need to pack, your travel itinerary, the must-see sites that you want to visit and even a list of souvenirs that you want to buy. Writing everything down will clear your head, keep you focused and help you in sorting out your priorities. 3. Make reservations Not only of the plane/bus tickets towards your destination, but the return tickets a well. Use the internet and search for a hotel which can still accept reservations even in such a short notice. Ask your friends or relatives if they can spare a couch for you for at least a night. Traveling during the holidays is tiring, and at the end of the day, all you really want is to lie down on bed/couch/mat and have some precious sleep. 4. Bring a book This is a time for waiting - waiting for the much delayed flight to take off, waiting for the hotel staff to clean your room, waiting for the harassed waiter to bring the meal that you ordered in a restaurant filled with tourists. There's nothing you can do about it so you might as well keep yourself entertained. I always bring books and newspapers with me, as nothing beats the long wait than being absorbed in a good novel. 5. Bring your own food and medicine kit A must for those who have particular health/dietary needs. A sandwich, a salad or an apple is better than having to endure unhealthy instant noodles and soda that most airlines offer on board. 6. Keep small change ready - and put it in your belt bag. That way you don't need to fumble inside your luggage, just looking for some money to pay for the terminal fee, cab fare or a cup of coffee that gives that much needed caffeine jolt. 7. Remember to breathe Take a deep breath, close your eyes for a moment and just savor these few moments for yourself. A brief moment of tranquility will keep you at peace and in focus. Enjoy your trip. Merry Christmas! References: Here are some links which can help you with beating the holiday travel-stress 1. Ann Pizer's About.com's yoga site: Yoga teacher Ann Pizer offers a step by step guide on how to use asanas and simple breathing exercises as a quick fix to stress. It's so simple and you can do it anywhere. 2. How to Be Mindful During the Holidays, in 350 words by Leo Babauta - Holidays can be a crazy time - we try to cram in everything, beating work deadlines while wrapping and shopping for gifts and preparing for family get togethers. But for simplicity guru Leo Babauta, the key is not to panic but to focus on what's really important.

3. How to Cope with Holiday Flight Cancellations, Overbooked Planes, and Other Airline Adversity by Wendy Perrin - The title alone say's it all. Condé Nast Traveler's award-winning advice columnist gives six tips on what do when you're stuck in the airport.

4. Stranded in the City (of Baguio): Some Lessons on Letting Go by Prime Sarmiento - I was traveling in Baguio when Parma - one of the worst typhoons in Philippine history - hit this mountain city resort. Yup, I was stranded for a few days, but I learned how to cope by giving up my inner control freak and letting go.

I took a stroll down the old long walk Of the day I-ay-I-ay

gypsygalstales — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:43:10 +0000

text and photos by: Gypsygal Nina I took a stroll down the old long walk Of the day I-ay-I-ay I met a little girl and we stopped to talk On a grand soft day I-ay And I ask you friends, what's a fella to do? Because her hair was black and her eyes were blue And I knew right then, I'd be takin a whirl ---Down the Salthill Prom with a Galway Girl You probably heard this song a thousand times before. Especially if you're like me who watched – and loved – the movie “PS, I Love You I often sing this song, never expecting that I will find myself strolling in the western ireland city of Galway. I have heard several stories s on how Galway (known in Old Irish as "Gaillimh") got its name. One version claims that he city took its name from the Gaillimh river (otherwise known as the River Corrib) that formed the western boundary of the earliest settlement, which was called Dún Bhun na Gaillimhe (meaning "fort at the foot of the Gaillimh"). The word Gaillimh means "stony" - as in "stony river" . Others said that Galway was derived from the word "galls" – the old Irish term for “foreigners”- reflecting the presence of foreign -mostly English - settlers in this place. Those of a more romantic bent believe that Galway was named after the mythological pre-Celtic princess Galvia who drowned in the River Corrib. It might be an old settlement but Galway is, in many ways, a "young" city. Galway is home to some of Ireland's biggest universities – including the National University of Ireland and the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. This is why you can see pubs in every corner of the city, catering mostly to students who need that pint of ale to wash those homework blues away. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333" caption="Idyllic SHops at GAlway City Centre"][/caption] The main landmark of the city is Eyre Square – a park where the locals usually hang out.The plot of land that became Eyre Square was officially presented to the city in 1710 by Mayor Edward Eyre, from whom it took its name. The square was officially renamed "Kennedy Memorial Park" in 1965 in honor of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, who visited Galway city shortly before his assassination in 1963. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="347" caption="Eyre Square"][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="520" caption="All time favorite pastime-sleeping under the tree"][/caption] It is also in Eyre Square where one can see the statue of beloved Galway-born author Padhraig O Conaire. Another must see site in Galway is the Lynch castle, home of of what was once the most powerful family in Galway. The castle, which is made of limestone and built in the 16th century, is one of the fine examples of Irish Gothic architecture. If you walk by the quay side, you will see the remnants of a wall and an arch which were built in the 1600's to protect merchant ships from looting. The arch is more known as the “Spanish arch” as Spanish galleons often dock under its protection.Spanish Arch, which is located on the banks of the river Corrib, was built in 1584. It was originally an extension of the famous city walls, designed to protect the quays [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="520" caption="Hola Spanish Arches"][/caption] The Salthill Prom (in old Irish it's called Bóthar na Tra which means "Beach Road") is a promenade overlooking the Galway bay – the perfect place to stroll, meet someone special, fall in love while humming the song "Galway Girl".. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="347" caption="The world is my oyster"][/caption]

A New Year means A New Beginning

gypsygalstales — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:23:54 +0000

My first blog post for the year 2010 is a re-posting of an essay I wrote for BootsnAll I believe that this article, published in 2006, best captures what a new year means to me - savoring a new beginning by letting go of the past. Travelling light and get rid of that baggage. Have a wonderful new year everyone!

How I Got My Voice (and My Groove) Back

In a workshop on “Eros and the Divine” and its significance to our writing, Jan Cornall, our writing guru, noted that the principle of eros is about “being alive and feeling alive.” Tapping into that energy, according to this Aussie playwright/poet/songwriter will help us in our writing process. Meditating, Jan said, will help us utilize that energy, adding that as a writer and as a practicing Tibetan Buddhist, “desire and longing are intrinsically linked to my meditation practice.” She them proceeded to guide us to meditate â€” with our eyes closed, our backs straight, breathing deeply. In her soft modulated voice, Jan asked us to think about a time that we felt some huge passion. To feel it, taste it, smell it, hear it. After about ten minutes of meditation, she asked us to center ourselves, open our eyes and just write all about it in our journal. She urged us to write freely, without censoring ourselves. So I wrote, my pen scribbling the memories of a long forgotten passion, feelings of desire and longing filled the pages of my journal. The workshop was held in Casa Luna, one of the western-style cafes that dot Jalan Raya -the main thoroughfare in Ubud, Bali. We were at a private conference room, surrounded by intricately designed furniture made of teakwood, Balinese paintings and loads of creative energy. In fact, not just in Casa Luna, but the whole village of Ubud seems to generate a creative energy. Not surprising considering that Ubud is better known as Bali’s cultural center. An hour’s drive away from the Ngurah Rai international airport in the Balinese capital of Denpasar and situated at the heart of Bali, Ubud’s landscape is dominated by temples and rice paddies, museums and art galleries. Ubud’s reputation as Bali’s arts haven was established in the 18th century, under the reign of the Sukawati family. Dewa Agung Anom, who founded the Sukawati royal household, called in musicians, dancers, puppeteers and sculptors from all over the island to live and practice their craft in his court. His descendant, Cokorda Gedeng Agung Sukawati, who ruled in the 20th century, also focused his attention on the arts and even invited foreign artists to live in Ubud. These include German artist and musician Walter Spies, Dutch artist Rudolf Bonnet, American musician Colin Mcphee and anthropologist Jane Belo. Today, Ubud remains a magnet of creativity, attracting not only painters, sculptors, musicians and dancers but also yoginis, healers, priestesses, goddess worshippers and writers from all over the world. Ubud in fact is a place teeming with people who let go of their former lives, recreated themselves, and in the process managed to live again. Take for instance Salena Oppenheimer - former model, former designer, former IT professional. The London-born Salena traveled all over Asia to learn more about meditation, healing and goddess worship. She’s now based in Penestanan, a quiet and secluded hamlet in Ubud, and making a living as a facilitator of Women’s Goddess Wisdom Workshops, creator of sacred and healing space, weaver of ritual, meditation guide, astrologer and aromatherapist. “When I was 18,I began to realize that meditation was something that I was naturally drawn to. I think that this initial attraction to meditation was rooted in some kind of knowing that I would never be truly fulfilled from following a life of purely conventional values and that there was something deeper and more mysterious to our existence than this striving for a kind of superficial and impermanent happiness and a mere avoidance of pain, ” Salena said, explaining why she pursued a spiritual path. I met another Jan, in Ubud. She’s a tarot card reader and a co-owner of a new age cafe in Peliatan. Jan, ex-corporate lawyer in London, ex-english teacher in Thailand, went to Ubud a few years ago because one of her friends told her that she will find whatever she’s looking for in this Balinese village. For someone who’s into arts and spirituality, Ubud proved to be an ideal place for Jan. She eventually settled in Ubud, married a Javanese painter/musician and is now offering workshops on reading tarot cards. The Melbourne-based travel writer Liz is also moving to Ubud later this year to try her hand in the handicrafts export business and concentrate more on her writing. And then there’s our writing workshop guru, Jan, who’s based in Sydney but visits Ubud every now and then not only to hold workshops, but to seek inspiration for her writing. In one of the pieces she wrote for her own zine, Jan sang: “Drive me forever to your rice paddy temple/I don’t want to go back to my life, it’s that simple/I want to stay forever, I never want to leave/It’s here where I begin my rice paddy dream.” Writers, like myself, are among the many people who go to Ubud as the craft of writing, after all, is about letting go. It’s about going deeper into yourself, confronting your inner demons and releasing whatever it is that’s hindering you from surrendering to life. In the bestselling book The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, Sogyal Rinpoche, a renown guru of Tibetan Buddhism, noted “we are terrified of letting go, terrified in fact of living at all, since learning to liver is learning to let go.” Rinpoche’s words echoed on my mind as I lay down on my yoga mat, savoring the breezy morning air in Bali Spirit, a rustic yoga studio in Jalan Hanoman, a few blocks away from the main road. All of us yoginis were in the Savasana pose (lifeless body posture in yoga; total relaxation mode)- legs and arms apart, eyes closed, breathing in and out. And in her soothing voice, Nicky, our yoga teacher lulls us “To let go. Surrender. Trust. Nowhere to go. Nothing to do.” I remembered the time, not so long ago, that I refused to let go and just live. I was stuck in a job in Singapore which practically retarded my growth as a human being and as a journalist. I was miserable but I was too scared to quit my job. I can’t give up the hefty salary, my fabulous flat, the annual vacation overseas, the comfortable lifestyle. Then one day, I woke up and it hit me: I can’t live like this anymore. So after weeks of thinking and reflecting, feeling and seeking, meditating and praying, I finally let go. I quit my job and followed my gypsy heart – the heart that finds stability in movement. I backpacked around Asia€” snorkeled in Pulau Sibu, photographed temples in Luang Prabang, worked on my breathing and asanas in Kuala Lumpur, trekked in Nepal, marveled at the blue skies and forested hills of Bhutan. And then I returned to Ubud - my spiritual home, a place where I know I belong. I harbor no romantic notions of Ubud, though. For me to believe that Ubud, or the rest of Bali, for that matter, as a paradise where one can escape cable tv and buzzing mobile phones, is naivete on my part. Bali, the crown jewel of Indonesian tourism, draws in over two million tourists a year - a blessing to the Balinese economy but a curse to those who still harbor illusions that Bali will remain a mystical paradise. In Ubud, bars, cafes and luxurious spas have sprouted amongst verdant rice fields, touts were everywhere offering tours to various Hindu temples, cars for hire, paintings and silver jewelry. Ubud has also become a part of the global spiritual hypermarket. This is a world where prayers, mantras, mala beads and yoga which once belonged to the sacred realm, were packaged and marketed like chocolate bars in the marketplace of the profane. Eternal bliss is available to anyone with cash and credit card. When confronted by such crass display of spiritual commercialism, I just comfort myself with the words penned by the clairvoyant doctor of psychology Doreen Virtue. In her autobiography, The Lightworkers Way: Awakening your Spiritual Path to Know and Heal, Virtue wrote, “Too often we look to externals….to fill the emptiness within us. Nothing external can quench our inner longings for love. Only heavenly love, from within, fills the void.” It’s from meditating and feeling that deep spiritual connection when I finally learned to listen to that small voice which I suppressed for so long. “We have a deep reason why we write,” Jan said, as she encouraged us participants in the workshop to pursue the craft of writing. I thought about Jan’s words and asked myself again why, despite the small paycheck, the long hours, nitpicking editors, politicking and intrigues among media people, what is it that’s driving my desire to remain a journalist? I closed my eyes again, breathed deeply, listened to my heart and in my journal I wrote: Because I need to tell my stories.

About A Wedding

gypsygalstales — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:41:22 +0000

posted by: Gypsygal Prime

(Para kay Foyan,...at sa mga patuloy naniniwala; mga gustong maniwala; at ayaw maniwala) "Journeys end in lovers meeting, Every wise man's son doth know." Twelfth Night (II, iii, 44-45) Shakespeare I never cry at weddings. But I wish I could, considering that I'm one of those hopeless romantics who feel happy whenever I see a friend finally finding someone she can grow old with. I know that sounds odd for a thirty-something journalist who witnessed far too many break-ups and heard too many philandering husbands (and wives too!) claiming that they had affairs because the “romance” is gone. I went to Singapore last month just to attend a wedding. And this is one time that I really, really wish I do cry at weddings. Not that there's much drama during Malvin and Foyan's nuptials (or better known as MalFoy. Apo, alam konng it's corny. Parang Brangelina at Korimar. But what to do? Pag in -love ka, corny ka). In fact, I never had so much fun attending a wedding (never mind that I probably gained another 20 pounds just eating all those grilled shrimp at the dinner banquet) or that my (flat) feet were hurting for days as I danced for hours with the wedding entourage at the Pump Room. I'm not Foyan's confidante. The honor belongs to Nina, my lil sis. I am therefore not aware of the specifics of this whirlwind romance that started with - and this is too Web 2.0 for this Gen Xer – a social media network catering to travelers (the couple both love to travel) - that ended at the Singapore Registry of Marriages. All these happened in the span of a few months. I admit was cynical. I don't know why I continued to hold on to the notion of a long engagement, when I've seen too many couples who dated for years either ending up divorced or not getting married at all. And sometimes, I can't help question my own beliefs on relationship – do you really need to date for a long time just to get to know your partner more? But this I know. I know that Foyan, who confided in me once upon a time, how sad she was that she cant find a serious relationship. That was wayyyyy before she met Malvin. This is also what I know – based from tidbits I gathered from my little – and will not be named- spies ( a journalist will always protect her sources :): That they started out as friends, that they never planned to fall in love, that it's true, cynical Virginia, love just happens; and that this is one relationship that Foyan enjoyed so much. To quote one of my, eherm, informed sources:, “nawala ang lahat ng angst ni Foyan.” I only met the “MalFoy” couple during the wedding. But it was enough to convince me that this was one marriage where friendship and fun trumped passion and intensity (the two things that I always looked for in a relationship - but also proved to be the most destructive elements in one relationship I valued most.). I've seen them made their grand entrance, at a wedding banquet. The two dressed in their white seventies disco get up -Malvin in his Elvis finest gear and Foyan in her miniskirt, go-go boots and shades. I had my share of bad break ups, the last one was so intense, it took me years to finally get over it. But I never stopped believing. When I see the MalFoy couple, at the Pump Room, where they danced the night away , drinking champagne, while a showband played “Dancing Queen”.... I continued to believe and hope that happy endings do happen. Shakespeare said that journey's end when lovers meet. That may be true. But perhaps, and this is with all due respects to the Great Bard, it's also true that a meeting of lovers may just be a start of another wonderful journey. This is why, sometimes, I wish, at least once in my life, that I'll learn how to cry during weddings.

P1010466

gypsygalstales — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:12:46 +0000

P1010466

gypsygalstales — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:15:40 +0000

Postcard Moment: Walk the rocky road

gypsygalstales — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:40:47 +0000

The Burren (Irish: Boireann) meaning "great rock" is a karst landscape (landscape with layers and layers of soluble bedrock like limestone) region in Co.Clare, Ireland. The spring-summer season, with its floral blooms, is the best time to hike in this place. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="414" caption="The Donkeys seems to be happy as well"][/caption]

temple-offering

gypsygalstales — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:08:32 +0000

Postcard Moment: Temple Offerings in Ubud,Bali

gypsygalstales — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:07:50 +0000

Cliffs of Moher

gypsygalstales — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:42:24 +0000

posted by Gypsygal Nina I don't think I am exaggerating when I say that one of the first things that will come into mind when someone mentioned "Ireland" would be the Cliffs of Moher. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="352" caption="blue green and spots of pink"][/caption]Cliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair in Gaelic) - roughly means the "cliffs of ruins." Located at County Clare, at the west coast of Ireland, the cliffs rise 120 meters above the Atlantic Ocean at Hag's Head. From a city bum's perspective like me, the cliffs look like nature's dominoes standing neatly in a line, with raging waves whipping on its sides. The view from the cliffs is simply... SPECTACULAR! On a clear day, the Galway Bay, Aran islands, and the mountains of Connemara are visible. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="528" caption="O'brien tower"][/caption] The Cliffs of Moher is also a haven for several avian species - the best place for bird watchers. Oh and did I mention the raging waves of Atlantic Ocean? Surfers, take your cue! On a good season, surfing on the cliffs is available Just take note that this is a developed site, probably due to conservation,probably due to safety concerns (accidents do happen) and probably to make it easier for a lot of people to walk, the trail is paved and there are some hmmm.... "mini-walls". [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="377" caption="Perfect for contemplation"][/caption] But this shouldn't deter you from going here. I've seen the pics of the Cliffs of Moher before but that wasn't enough. I just had to go here and just marvel on how beautiful it is! *** In a Nutshell: Getting there: 1. Driving - you can easily get your direction on this site, allow around 90 minutes for the journey: http://www.cliffs-moher.com/directions-car.php 2.Commuting: From Galway City: You can avail of package tours that will take you there and to The Burren Admission price: It's free to walk in the cliffs. But there is an eight euros admission fee per car (consider this as a facility fee for the parking, maintenance and conservation funds). What to bring: Comfy shoes, jacket and camera For more info, visit this site: http://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/

Channeling Lara Croft in Ta Prohm

gypsygalstales — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:21:42 +0000

[/caption] Next only to Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm is perhaps the most recognizable Cambodian site, having served as a location for the Angelina Jolie starrer-Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Ta Prohm ("ancestor Brahma") was built in the 12th century the Khmer King Jayavarman VII. It served as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university. The temple's main deity is the Prajnaparamita, an aspect of a bodhisattva's personality. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="528" caption="Look's familiar?"][/caption] The Prajnaparamita was modeled after the king's mother. I guess that is how you show your love to your folks :) And before you cry 'Mama's boy!', King Jayavarman VII also built a satellite temple with the boddhistava Lokesvara as the main image and was modeled after the king's father. The temple complex housed over 12,000 people -including priests and temple dancers and was sustained by more than 80,000 people who worked to provide it with services and supplies. Ta Prohm was abandoned at the rise of a new kingdom in the 13th century. After suffering from centuries of neglects, archaeologists from the Paris-based École Française d'Extrême-Orient came in the early part of the 20th century to restore and conserve mot only Ta Prohm, but the rest of the Angkor ruins. caption id="" align="alignleft" width="351" caption="REady?"] One of Ta Prohm's main attractions are the stone reliefs of lovely apsaras (the celestial nymphs) and narrative bas reliefs depicting the "Great Departure" of Siddhartha." [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="528" caption="Friezes"][/caption] The most distinctive feature of the Ta Promh are the trees growing out of the ruins. You can see silk cotton trees with its roots coiling around the temple like it is trying to engulf it. Oh and yes this where the movie "Tomb Raider" was filmed, so feel free to imagine that you are Lara Croft. A lot of temples in Cambodia are being restored, but Ta Promh will not be getting any major face lift. After clearing of a path for visitors and strengthening the structures to preserve them, the conservators who came here decided to keep it in its natural state . In his popular guide to Angkor temples published in 1944, Maurice Glaze, French architect and archeologist and Conservator of Angkor from 1937 to 1945, explains why it's important to retain Ta Prohm in its "natural state": "Ta Prohm - one of the most imposing and the one which had best merged with the jungle, but not yet to the point of becoming a part of it - as but one specimen typical of a form of Khmer art of which there were already other models." Resources: If you're in Siem Reap and looking for tourist guides, we gypsygals recommend Vichet Chou who helped us arranged everything (booked our hotel, helped schedule our tour, secured a car and driver for us) . You can email him at chouvichet@hotmail.com.

Quickie: 48 Hours In...Penang

gypsygalstales — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:27:17 +0000

Posted by: Gypsygal Prime Located at the northwest part of the Malaysian peninsula, Penang island was established as the first British settlement in Malaysia in 1791. Its capital, Georgetown, evolved into a colonial administrative center, with Captain Francis Light, who once worked in a European trading house, as its superintendent. Penang was a part of what was then known as the Straits Settlement (which also included Singapore and Melaka), and was a major trading port for traders plying through the Straits of Melaka. Penang’s status as a key trading center in the 18th and 19th centuries have enticed migrants from all over the world to settle and build communities here. This is why the island is now such a cosmopolitan haven. I was in Georgetown - a UNESCO World Heritage City - a few weeks ago and I enjoyed walking around here, taking photos of Chinese shophouses or observing Indian-Muslim "Mamaks" preparing nasi kandar popular Penang rice-with-curry meal - in their makeshift stalls. I wake up in the mornings, listening to the muzim's call to prayer for those of the Islamic faith. And while I'm not a Muslim, I often find myself praying and asking for God/dess blessings for the day. The city is the perfect place for artsy fartsy travelers like me who want to know about Southeast Asian history and just can't get enough of the many temples, museums, shophouses and delicious cuisine that the city offers. [caption id="attachment_465" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Chinese shophouses in Georgetown"][/caption] But more than that, I believe that if you who can get some time off during the Chinese New Year holiday, you should consider visiting Penang. My wonderful tour guide CK Lau told me that Chinese immigrants from the U.S. and Australia usually go to Penang to discover their roots. The island, after all, is home to a big community of Peranakan Chinese - descendants of Southern Chinese traders (most of whom are from Fujian) who married local Malay women. Peranakans developed a unique culture which combined Malay, Chinese and colonial British influences, and their architecture, cuisine and traditions remain a big part of Penang. I have listed some things that you can do if you can only spare a weekend in Penang: 1. Join the guided tour at the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion -- Also known as the Blue House owing to its distinct indigo-blue outer wall, the mansion was built by the wealthy cantonese merchant Cheong Fatt Tze at the end of 19th century. It has 38 rooms, 5 granite-paved courtyards, 7 staircases, 220 vernacular timber louvre windows and was built based on feng shui principles. [caption id="attachment_466" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The Blue Mansion"][/caption] You need to sign up for one of the guided tours conducted twice a day everyday. No visitors are allowed unless they're part of the guided tour.This is because the mansion not only serves as a museum but also as a boutique hotel where a deluxe room costs $100/night (inclusive of a breakfast for 2) Address: 14 Leith Street Daily Tour Schedule: 11 am and 3 pm. The tour lasts for about an hour. Entrance Fee: 10 Ringgit (about --- U.S. dollars) Website: http://www.cheongfatttzemansion.com Facilities: toilet, souvenir shop, parking space Note: Videography and photography are not allowed inside the mansion 2. Visit the Peranakan Mansion -- The museum contains over 1,000 pieces of antiques and collectibles and offers visitors a glimpse of how a wealthy Peranakan family lived in the 19th century. I loved looking at the elaborately designed porcelain covered jars (kamcheng), beaded slippers (kasut manik), traditional wooden chairs inlaid with mother-of-pearl and wooden biscuit molders. [caption id="attachment_467" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="porcelain jars in Peranakan Museum"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_468" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="at the Peranakan Mansion"][/caption] Entrance Fee: 10 ringgit Address: 9 Church street Schedule: Monday to Sunday including Public Holidays from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Guided tours are available all day. You can take photos/videos inside the mansion Website: http://www.pinangperanakanmansion.com.my Facilities: Toilet, souvenir shop, parking space 3. Go to Khoo Kongsi -- This is the most famous Hokkien clan house in Penang. Walk around this centuries-old family compound and immerse yourself in the rich history of Chinese immigrants in Penang. The compound is home two rows of 19th century terrace houses, he opera stage and a majestic temple.[caption id="attachment_469" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Khoo Kongsi"][/caption] Entrance Fee: 5 Ringgit Address: 18 Canon Square, 10200 Penang, Malaysia. Opening Hours: Daily, including Sundays and Public Holidays, 9 am to 5 pm 4. Temple tour -- Penang is home to some of the country's oldest and interesting places of worship. If you just want to stay in the downtown area you can just go to Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling which runs parallel to Lebuh King and is at the center of Georgetown. Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling is popularly known as the "Street of Harmony" as this is home to major religious houses here including the Kwan Yin temple, the Sri Mariamman Hindu temple and the Kapitan Keling Indian Muslim Mosque. You can also go to Air Itam and visit the Kek Lok Si (the Temple of Supreme Bliss) - one of the largest Buddhist temples in southeast Asia. Constructed in 1890, its main attraction is its seven-storey pagoda and the huge bronze statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. [caption id="attachment_470" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="The Pagoda at Kek Lok Si"][/caption] I was raised as a Catholic but this didn't stop me from paying my respects to other deities. While in Kek Lok Si, I offered some incense and said my prayers to Kuan Yin. 5. Food tripping -- Penang is the perfect place for foodies as you don't really have to spend much eating all over the place, with hawkers selling meals at less than three U.S. dollars per serving. Penang-born food blogger Bee Yin Low recommended some Penang food and hawker stalls to try. I heeded her advice and I had to say that she really knows her Penang food. I especially enjoyed Assam Laksa - Penang's famous noodle soup. This laksa is made of thick white rice noodles in tangy and sour fish broth, served with fresh mint leaves, onions, cucumber, lettuce, pineapple, red chili, and bunga kantan (torch ginger bud) and I had the opportunity to have for lunch the famous Assam Laksa at Air Itam (beside the Air Itam market) And to satisfy my sweet tooth, I had Ice Kacang - shaved ice with red beans, sweet corns, grass jelly and sweet syrup at at the New World Park Hawker Center, which is just beside Tune Hotel, where I stayed. Bee's brother and my tour guide, CK, brought me to Cecil Street market where I had coffee and Nyonya Kuih for snack. These are little colorful Peranakan cakes, made of rice and/or cassava and flavored with pandan, brown sugar and coconut cream can be compared to Philippine kakanin. Love love love them. My only complaint? - Penang food ruined my diet, and once back in Manila, I had to go to the gym pronto to lose some pounds. 6. Shop till you drop at Little India -- I usually find myself in this enclave (which encompasses Lebuh Queen, Lebuh King, Lebuh Penang, Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Pasar and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling) not only to change money but to shop and bargain with storekeepers selling Indian saris, kurta and jewelry. After spending all my shopping money (which is quite modest, anyway) I walk along its streets listening to Hindi pop songs blasting through the speakers from some shops selling CDs/DVDs of Bollywood movies and records. **** Gypsygal Prime's Recommendations: 1. Online Penang Culture Resources: There are some online sites you can check if you want to know more about Penang culture. Penangite culinary instructor and food blogger Nazlina Hussin maintains a website http://www.penangheritagecity.com/ where you can learn anything and everything about Penang. One of my favorite food bloggers, Bee Yin Low of Rasa Malaysia fame has launched a new site dedicated entirely to Peranakan cuisine: http://nyonyafood.com/ where she shares not only recipes on how to make Peranakan delicacies like sambal okra and pineapple tarts but also notes on its culinary traditions. 2. Customized Tours: CK Lau provides private tours around Penang and his knowledge not only of Penang historic's sites but the various hawker stalls that sell yummy and cheap food made my Penang tour enjoyable. You may contact him at ck.taste.travel.penang@gmail.com or via http://rasamalaysia.com/penang-private-tour-and-culinary-tour. 3. Accommodation: I stayed at Tune Hotel, which is truly value-for-money. It's clean, safe, affordable and accessible. Credit cards are accepted and you can book rooms online. The rooms are a bit small, though and there's no tv. But I really don't care as I have wi-fi and aircon. Check http://www.tunehotels.com/

shophouse

gypsygalstales — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:39:19 +0000

Chinese shophouses in Georgetown

blue_mansion

gypsygalstales — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:42:54 +0000

The Blue Mansion

porcelain jars in Peranakan Museum

gypsygalstales — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:46:49 +0000

porcelain jars in Peranakan Museum

mansion_inside

gypsygalstales — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:53:44 +0000

at the Peranakan Mansion

khoo_kongsi

gypsygalstales — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:56:45 +0000

Khoo Kongsi

keklosi

gypsygalstales — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:01:32 +0000

The Pagoda at Kek Lok Si

kuan_yin

gypsygalstales — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:05:03 +0000

The Goddess of Mercy at Kek Lok Si

Binondo Food Tripping (part 1): Memories of Tikoy

gypsygalstales — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:14:19 +0000

posted by Gypsygal Prime (for my lil sis) Being more Pinoy than Chinese (I’m a fifth generation Filipino Chinese from my mother’s side), our family celebrate the Lunar New Year (or better known as Chinese New Year). We go to church, then have lunch at Binondo (Manila’s Chinatown district) , watch a lion dance in the street and cap the day with my mother buying almond jelly and other sweet breads in Salazar Bakery in Ongpin and/or drop by Eng Bee Tin shop ( I love its violently-violet motif ) for its yummy ube hopia (and lately because both my parents are diabetic, sugar-free hopia). And of course, the Chinese New Year won’t be complete without the boxes of tikoy – those sweet cakes made of glutinous rice which our yaya will then slice into small rectangular pieces, dip each slice in a batter of egg yolk, and fry them for about five minutes. We have to eat them while it’s warm, soft and sweet – just enough to indulge our sweet tooth. But I don’t mind eating them cold too, as it’s still chewy and sweet (although my mother will probably disagree). We usually buy tikoy days before the onset of Chinese New Year. This year, for instance, I dragged my parents to Ongpin a week before the New Year, so I can buy them (and my brother and my auntie) boxes of tikoy. We view tikoy (or moon cake for that) the way we view all those toys that we give to our dozens of inaanak on Christmas – something to be given on a special occasion, no matter what. I can never recall the time that we don’t have tikoy in our table during Chinese New Year. Given that we live in Tondo, which is just a 15-minute jeepney ride away from the nearby district of Binondo, we can always avail of tikoy all –year round. But we never did that. We seldom buy tikoy beyond the Chinese New Year season (that’s between January and February). It’s as if buying and eating tikoy is a ritual that had to be performed at some auspicious date, or else it will lose its meaning. I don’t know how and why this tradition started. All I know is that my mother’s family never really celebrated Chinese new year (she said they were too busy minding their growing furniture shop), but they managed to eat loads of tikoy nevertheless as their Chinese business partners either give them fruit or boxes of tikoy. The tradition will live on as there’s always someone in the family – me, any my siblings, my parents, one of my aunties - buying tikoy. My sister often say that there must be tikoy on Chinese New Year - as it’s good luck. (and a harbinger of wealth too given its round shape that resembles one big gold coin) . It is supposed to bring luck not only to the recipient but to the tikoy giver too. When I lived in Singapore for several years, tikoy (along with sinigang and Varona's vegetarian barbecue) is one food that I really missed. Which is really strange, considering that the Chinese New Year is perhaps the biggest holiday in Singapore the majority of its population are Chinese. But I can’t find tikoy there and I foolishly assumed that tikoy must be a Tsinoy food invention (the same thing that there’s no such thing as lumpiang shanghai in Shanghai). I will learn, much much later, and when I was back in Manila, that of course I can’t find tikoy in Singapore because it’s better known as “nian gao” there , it’s Mandarin name, which means New Year cake. (Tikoy is the Pinoy derivation of the Hokkien word tee kueh- which means “sweet cake”) And it’s also much much later, after interviewing people for a story I'm writing about how Filipino Chinese celebrate the Lunar New Year, that I will learn the significance of tikoy – it’s also an auspicious symbol for family harmony: as it’s sticky which symbolizes that the family will “stick” together. So now, as I’m in the mood again to eat another slice of tikoy (as I’m writing this, our yaya is cooking the red-bean flavored tikoy that I gave to my mother), I ponder on what tikoy – or the Chinese new year for that matter - means to me. It is about my mother who never goes home without a pasalubong for us; it is about my dad who drives me to the office because I never learned how to drive; it is about all of us helping our mother to cope –and triumph – against cancer; it is about our family spending Sundays together going to church and having lunch in Binondo or Malate. It is also about my sister, who’s now based in Europe, but never forgets to call home every Chinese New Year just to say: “Did you buy tikoy? You should buy tikoy now, that’s for good luck.” ( Keong Hee to our Shobe!)

carvajal

gypsygalstales — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:12:57 +0000

Shopping at Carvajal St

ivan

gypsygalstales — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:17:58 +0000

Street walker Ivan Man Dy takes us on a tour of Binondo

siopao

gypsygalstales — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:22:00 +0000

Fried siopao at a stall in Benavidez st.

siopao

gypsygalstales — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:26:37 +0000

Fried siopao being sold at a stall in Benavidez st.

dumplings

gypsygalstales — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:29:25 +0000

Cooks preparing dumplings at Dong Bei Dumpling store in Yuchengco st.

Binondo Food Tripping (part 2): Food Wok Tour with Ivan Man Dy

gypsygalstales — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:35:32 +0000

posted by: Gypsygal Prime Note to self: I should really spend more time in the gym. I was thinking about this, out of guilt, or maybe out of vanity, as I munched on a spring roll (which, I have to remind all you foodies there, really goes well with a dollop of that sweet brown syrup and some hot sauce). [caption id="attachment_484" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Shopping at Carvajal St"][/caption] That was perhaps my fifth or sixth mini-meal in the four-hour Binondo Food Wok tour with Ivan Man Dy. Yup I spent one Saturday afternoon participating in this very popular food tour led by self-described street walker -and Anthony Bourdain's guide to Manila. I admit that I joined this tour out of curiosity. I've long been a denizen of Manila and have frequently dined and shopped with family and colleagues here as the famed Chinatown district is near my house and my office. [caption id="attachment_485" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Street walker Ivan Man Dy takes us on a tour of Binondo "][/caption] And that's the problem with familiarity – you take things for granted. I never thought that something as ordinary as Binondo can be, well, a tourist spot. Nor I did expect that one Binondo Food Wok Tour group can actually be big enough to accommodate as much as 40 people!! And while there are some foreigners in the group, the majority are Pinoys. There's not even a clear demographic. Clearly food - or a culinary tour for that matter- attracts just about any one . But back to the spring roll (better known as lumpiang gulay here). I couldn't believe that just behind one of the bank buildings that line Quintin Paredes Street is a small eatery that serves what is perhaps one of the best spring rolls that I had./ But it wasn't just lumpia. I ate several pieces of hopia (love the ube flavor, but so is the pineapple one), fried siopao, tikoy, a small bowl of fishball soup, kiampong and freshly-made boiled (not steamed) dumplings. In some cases, we sit down for a meal, but most of the times, we eat , standing up, in front of stalls as Ivan talks about Binondo and Filipino Chinese cuisine.[caption id="attachment_487" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Fried siopao being sold at a stall in Benavidez st."][/caption] Binondo is known for two things, says Ivan. Food and shopping. He will later expound on Binondo's link to perhaps one of the world's largest flea market – Divisoria, and how Binondo, which is first and foremost a commercial district, has streets which are just dedicated to certain type of businesses. So you go to Evangelista st. for electronic parts, Tomas Pinpin st. for furniture, and Ongpin st. for jewelry. Binondo, after all, used to be the country's premier business district. This district was created in the 16th century by the Spanish colonial government to serve as a permanent settlement for Chinese immigrants. Most of them were artisans and traders, and put in their roots in Binondo by putting both their home and shops here. So it may no longer be the central business district, and shoppers have moved to air-conditioned malls. But foodies and shoppers alike can still find something to enjoy in Binondo's streets, chockablock with stores and shops selling everything from fresh produce, noodles and herbal medicine to jewelry, paper lantern and dvds. [caption id="attachment_488" align="alignright" width="253" caption="Cooks preparing dumplings at Dong Bei Dumpling store in Yuchengco st. "][/caption] The four hour tour is in fact not even enough to explore Binondo. But how can anyone really explore everything here? There's always something to discover and rediscover. Which is why it's just fitting that the tour ended with a freebie – Ivan gave all of us in the group tour a free copy of a Binondo Food Wok Map so we can explore this food haven all year round! **** Gypsygal Prime’s Recommendations: 1. Culinary Tour Group: Foodies and travelers should sign up for one of Ivan Man Dy's Binondo Food Wok. Contact details: Telephone no.: (632) 7113823 Mobile no.: (63) 0917-3291622 Website: http://www.oldmanilawalks.com/ E-mail: fun@oldmanilawalks.comContact person: Ivan or Cherry 2. Map: But if you want to explore on your own, I highly recommend you buy the Binondo Food Wok map, published by Old Manila Walk. The map costs P100.00/piece and is available in the ff. outlets: 1. Bahay Tsinoy Museum (Intramuros) 2. La Monja Loca Store (Intramuros) 3. Silahis Arts and Crafts (Intramuros) 4. New Victory Trading (Ongpin Street, Binondo) 5. Libros Filipinos Bookshop (Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati) 6. The Ayala Museum ( Makati) 7. Popular Bookstore (Quezon City) Please click here for more details about the map:

water The Heat is On: We need to drink a lot survive Manila's heatwave. But we have to be careful too that what we're drinking is clean and safe.

gypsygalstales — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:04:41 +0000

The Heat is On: We need to drink a lot survive Manila's heatwave. But we have to be careful too that what we're drinking is clean and safe.

water

gypsygalstales — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:19:30 +0000

The Heat is On: We need to drink a lot survive Manila's heatwave. But we have to be careful too that what we're drinking is clean and safe. (photo by http://www.dreamstime.com)

dreamstimefree_4255819

gypsygalstales — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:36:05 +0000

Pillhealth: Don't forget your bottle of pills when travelling. (photo by: www.dreamstime.com)

Women and Health: Five tips for staying fit while on the road

gypsygalstales — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:39:07 +0000

posted by Prime Sarmiento I was sick the past few days. Must be the El Nino. The weather here in Manila is hitting as much as 35.8 degrees Celsius and everyone - from farmers to urbanites - are suffering from the heat wave.[caption id="attachment_494" align="alignright" width="200" caption="The Heat is On: We need to drink a lot to survive Manila\'s heatwave. But we have to be careful too that what we're drinking is clean and safe.(photo by http://www.dreamstime.com)"][/caption] Getting ill - even if it's something as minor as fever and colds – frustrates me a lot as I'm very busy with a lot of things. Being confined to my bed means not only missing deadlines for work (and my travel blog and writing for my masteral thesis), but also reluctantly canceling plans to visit some galleries, museums and cafes in Manila. Which is why it's important, especially for solo female travelers, to stay healthy. It's such a bummer to fall ill forcing you to cancel all your fun travel plans. But more than that, it's very difficult to even get well if you're too weak and there's no one helping to bring you to the doctor much less hand you some medicine and food that will aid your recovery. This has happened to me several times that every time I travel, I make sure to take precautions which so that I won't get sick - or at least alleviate my illness - while on the road, on my own. Here are five tips to help you stay healthy while on the road 1. Do your research -- You need to know where you're really going so that you can adequately prepare. You must check the climate (is it too hot, too cold?); know if certain diseases are prevalent in the area (would you contract malaria if you go there); and if you need to get vaccinated. If you're taking prescription medicine, make sure that what you're using is legally allowed in the country you're visiting. There's so much information in travel guidebooks and the internet that research is quite easy to do. Alternatively, you can ask your friends/colleagues who've been to the place you're visiting for some pointers. If possible, ask your travel agent to book you in a hotel which is not only clean and safe, but also near to a reputable hospital/clinic and pharmacy. You must also research on local hygiene practices. For instance, most Filipina travellers - like my sister and I – always bring tabo (bathroom dipper) wherever we go as part of our feminine hygiene practices. This is because tabo is not available in most places that we visited and we're not really comfortable with using toilet paper. 2.Bring your first aid kit -- Your first aid kit must not only contain all the prescription medicine and supplements that you're taking but must also include medications that will relieve minor illnesses. These include loperamide for diarrhea,paracetamol for fever, medicine for motion sickness, antihistamine for allergies, antacid for stomach acidity; painkiller that can relieve menstrual cramps, feminine napkins /tampons, cough suppressants and antifungal and antibacterial ointments or creams. Don't forget the thermometer, cotton balls and gauze, alcohol-based sanitizer and hand wipes, scissors and a list that will remind you on what medicine goes with what illness. There's a recent post in Vagablogging quoting a Swedish study that says women travellers are more likely to suffer from colds, gastrointestinal disease and UTI. the So yeah, fellow gypsygals we need to stock up on loperamide, ascorbic acid and cranberry juice (good for UTI) before we even hit the road. Depending where you're going, it's best to bring an insect repellant and high altitude preventive medication (highly recommended for mountaineers and trekkers), sunscreen (for the beach babe), and water purification tablets (for those who like to rough it out in places where drinking water is of dubious quality). A small notebook containing the number and address of clinics/ hospitals near your hostel and a list of what medicine can also be included in your kit. If you're into natural healing, I recommend that you bring some herbal teas. Tea bags are convenient, but if you prefer loose leaf, make sure you bring a strainer/or a french press. I bring peppermint (for hyperacidity, also aids digestion), lagundi (for cough, fever) and chamomile (which acts as a mild sedative). I'm also quite strategic in packing my first aid kit. I put it in my carry on bag, because there's always possibility that the luggage will either get lost enroute to my destination.[caption id="attachment_496" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Pillhealth: Don\'t forget your bottle of pills when travelling."][/caption] 3. Practice safe sex -- Sometimes, sex just happens. But being in the throes of lust is not an excuse for stupidity. So bring and USE condoms to avoid unwanted pregnancy and getting sexually transmitted disease. If you're on a pill, don't stop using it. If you prefer the natural method, don't forget to monitor your menstrual cycle. I also advise that you scope out that potential lover. If you feel that he's a rapist/serial killer/thief/blackmailer/or basically a very very bad person, then please, please, please, use your brain and leave that hot guy that you met in a bar. One night of passion is sooo not worth all the trouble. 4. Be careful of what you eat and drink -- Before even ordering anything in any restaurant, check out first if it's clean. Get referrals if you must. If you're staying in a hostel which has a kitchen, be sure to wash all the ingredients that you bought. If you eat meat, be sure that they're well done. Drinking water from the tap is not always safe, so it's better if you just buy bottled water. Also, be careful of drinking alcohol in a bar, especially if you're alone. Don't ever leave your glass unattended. If you want to booze all night, be sure to drink only with people you trust. Drinking is fun, being raped or mugged is not. 5. Buy travel insurance -- Because you'll never know what will happen and it's not that expensive. After all, you travel because you want to enjoy yourself and experience new things and not to go deeply into debt paying for medication for a major illness that you acquired while travelling. References: 1. Getting Health Insurance When You Travel by Christine Gilbert - this is a good guide on buying travel insurance. The article, however, is more geared towards American travellers. 2. Bootsnall's Travel Medical Insurance page - A whole section for anything and everything you want to know about travel medical insurance

Happy Paddy Day!

gypsygalstales — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:36:55 +0000

[caption id="attachment_501" align="alignnone" width="217" caption="Leprchaun, Leprchaun, wherefore art thou?"][/caption]

Leprchaun, Leprchaun, wherefore art thou?

gypsygalstales — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:32:39 +0000

Leprchaun, Leprchaun, wherefore art thou?

eros

gypsygalstales — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:22:30 +0000

Statue of Eros

ninagallety

gypsygalstales — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:24:45 +0000

That's me in front of the National Gallery

abbey

gypsygalstales — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:27:16 +0000

Westminster Abbey

abbey

gypsygalstales — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:31:34 +0000

Westminster Abbey

londoneye

gypsygalstales — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:39:34 +0000

London Eye

redphone

gypsygalstales — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:41:08 +0000

The City of Red Phone Booths

londoneyenight

gypsygalstales — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:53:32 +0000

Postcard Moment: London Eye

gypsygalstales — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:42:43 +0000

The London Eye at Night

Visita Iglesia 2010: A short tour of some of Manila's historic churches

gypsygalstales — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:47:15 +0000

posted by: Prime Sarmiento Growing up in a devout Catholic family means spending a lot of time hearing mass in any place where there's a Catholic church. And in a predominantly Catholic Philippines, that's very easy as Filipinos don't only go to church on Sundays- the traditional day of obligation. For people like my mother, every day is church day, with each day dedicated to a specific church (i.e. Wednesdays are devoted to Baclaran, to say the novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, while Friday means a trip to Quiapo to pay homage to the Black Nazarene. Which is why the annual Visita Iglesia - wherein our family visits several churches in Manila during Maundy Thursday, something like a mini pilgrimage - can be tiresome (and boring) for this not-really-practicing-Catholic. We've done that for the past few years, but it was only recently that I managed to enjoy it. Aside from the fact that I'm more spiritual these days (the story behind that constitutes another blog post), my new found appreciation for the Visita Iglesia also stems from my growing interest with heritage sites in the Philippines. If I can visit Buddhist and Hindu temples in Thailand and Nepal, why can't I see the beauty of some of our churches here? So if you find yourself stuck in Manila for the Holy week, I suggest that you do a Visita Iglesia, if only because viewing works of art can be such a spiritual experience. Here are some churches that you might want to see: a. Manila Cathedral: the seat of the Archbishop of Manila, the minor basilica is dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. It was was established in the 16th century inside the Intramuros - the centuries old Walled City where the Spanish colonial government used to be based. The church also serves as a resting place for former prelates who have served the Archdiocese of Manila (including Rufino Jiao Santos, the first Filipino Cardinal and Jaime L. Cardinal Sin) and was the site of the funeral of two former Philippine Presidents: Carlos P. Garcia and Corazon Aquino.[caption id="attachment_557" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Manila Cathedral"][/caption] 2. San Agustin Church: also in Intramuros, this church is the first religious structure built in the island of Luzon by the Spanish colonial government. The church is a very popular venue for weddings, as it is perhaps one of the most beautiful churches in the Philippines. From its ornately carved wooden doors that depict floras and religious images to gilded altars holding statues of saints to grand chandeliers and a dome decorated with trompe l'oeil - this church has everything to satisfy those with passion for interiors and decorative arts. It also has a museum which serves as repository for religious artifacts and centuries-old artworks.[caption id="attachment_558" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Wood carving, San Agustin Church"][/caption] 3. Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene: or more popularly known as the Quiapo church, this is perhaps one of the most known Philippine churches as it is home to the Black Nazarene. The much venerated statue of Jesus Christ has inspired so much devotion among the faithful that every year, thousands join the procession held in January 9 in honor of the Black Nazarene. 4. San Sebastián Church: The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel was built in 1891 and is renown for its architectural features. It is the only all-steel church in Asia, with its prefabricated steel sections made in Belgium, and was built by Spanish architect Genaro Palacios to be a fire and earthquake-resistant structure. It was declared a National Historical Landmark in 1973 and was included in the Tentative List for possible designation as a World Heritage Site. [caption id="attachment_560" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="San Sebastian Church"][/caption] 5. The Parish of the Holy Sacrifice: the landmark Catholic chapel in the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City is perhaps the only church in the country which was designed and decorated by several of the Philippines most esteemed artists. The round chapel was designed by the late National Artist for Architecture, Leandro Locsin. The designs on the floor were made by Arturo Luz while the mural on the walls depicting the the Stations of the Cross were done by Vicente Manansala and Ang Kiukok. Napoleon Abueva made the double-sided crucifix and altar base. All of these artists are also National Artist awardees. In 2005, The church was recognized as a National Historical Landmark and a Cultural Treasure by the National Historical Institute and the National Museum, respectively. ******** Resources: There are more historic and beautiful churches all over the Philippines. Travel blogger and heritage advocate Ivan Henares has written about it. You may want to check out this post for more Visita Iglesia tips.

manila-cathedral

gypsygalstales — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 06:04:50 +0000

manila-cathedral

gypsygalstales — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 06:10:56 +0000

Manila Cathedral

woodcarving San agustin's door

gypsygalstales — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 06:12:05 +0000

Wood carving, San Agustin Church

ssc

gypsygalstales — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 06:13:35 +0000

San Sebastian Church

Postcard Moment: Happy Easter!

gypsygalstales — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 11:34:03 +0000

posted by Prime Sarmiento Christians all over the world are celebrating Easter today to commemorate the ressurection of Jesus Christ. The celebration of Easter also has a more Paganistic roots - it's a festival in honor of the Teutonic Goddess of Spring Eostre. So more than another religious festival,Easter is also the harbringer of the Spring season - a time for flowers to bloom, for renewal and new beginnings. So here I am celebrating Easter - looking forward to a newly designed site (soon! promise!) new travels (more blog posts about Philippines and Western Europe in the next few months) ( and a new life filled with passion. [caption id="attachment_566" align="alignleft" width="489" caption="Daisies in the Streets: Perth, Australia "][/caption]

freoflower

gypsygalstales — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 11:38:03 +0000

Daisies in the Streets: Perth, Australia

Postcard Moment: One last look

gypsygalstales — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:18:11 +0000

posted by: Nina Sarmiento I have seen the image of London Bridge thousand times, but I still want to take a picture of it by myself :) [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="520" caption="Say Marmite!"][/caption]

bus

gypsygalstales — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:24:37 +0000

museums

gypsygalstales — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:26:22 +0000

Visit a museum. This is definitely better and cheaper than another round of malling

A Cheap but Chic Guide for Solo Women Travellers in London

gypsygalstales — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:27:55 +0000

text and photos by Nina Sarmiento I enjoy going to London, if only because I can't get enough of the museums, galleries and taking photos of the London Eye. But it can be hard on the budget, this being one of the world's most expensive cities. Fortunately, there are some cheap but chic ways that gypsygals like us can do that will let us have fun in London: 1.) Walk your way: It's not only a good exercise, but it's also the best way to explore some of London's renown sites including Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and Tower Bridge. Gypsygals Tales' Quickie Guide to London will give you more ideas on how to plan your walking tour of London. 2.) Hop on a bus: Red tour buses are all over London, and you can always hop in and take a tour of a city for the price of 25 pounds (the ticket is good for one day). Alternatively, you can buy a map, plan where you want to go, and take the tube. You can buy the Oyster card which you can use to ride a bus, tube, train, tram and even a riverboat for the price of 12 pounds. Please check this site for more info. [caption id="attachment_584" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Hop on a red bus and travel London on the cheap"][/caption] 3.) Book a room in a hostel: Most youth hostels in London are not only cheap, clean, safe and accessible. They have all the facilities that any traveler might need including wi-fi, kitchen, hot and cold shower and washing machine. One of the hostels that I can personally recommend is YHA London Central . You can book a room here for about 18 pounds a night. 4.Feed on some cheap and yummy eats: This is London, the land of fish and chips, a meal for those who want to load up on carbo and protein. Check out this Gridskipper post for a guide to some of the best fish and chips shop in London. I also like gong to the popular sandwich chain Pret-a-Manger for bagels and sandwiches. They also sell salads, smoothies and cakes. A meal can cost 10 to 15 pounds. Also, do try some scones which can be found in every cafes and tea shops here. 5. Shop at Oxford Street: If you're into High Street fashion, this is the place to be. The street is lined with shops selling labels like H&M, Top Shop, Zara, Primark, Uniqlo, TK and Maxx. The nearest tube stops are Oxford and Piccadilly Circus. you can also head to the Camden Market, a weekend market, where you can shop for some knickknacks, alt fashion garb, musical instruments and artworks. The nearest tube station is Camden Town. 6. Go for art tripping: London is filled with some of the world's best galleries and museums, which you can enter for free or for a small fee. So immerse yourself looking at some paintings and sculptures. They can both feed the mind and the soul. Trust me, this is better than wasting your time (and money) shopping in a mall.

ilocosapril2010 031

gypsygalstales — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:20:15 +0000

ilocosapril2010 045

gypsygalstales — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:27:32 +0000

ilocosapril2010 027

gypsygalstales — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:10:54 +0000

ilocosapril2010 027

gypsygalstales — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:18:03 +0000

ilocosapril2010 027

gypsygalstales — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:27:03 +0000

ilocosapril2010 031

gypsygalstales — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:30:24 +0000

Ilocandia Diary part 1: Beautiful, Green Power in Bangui

gypsygalstales — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:35:04 +0000

Text and Photos by Prime Sarmiento How can something which is primarily used to generate electricity entice travelers that they will go out of their way just to see it? Or to be more specific: who would have thought that the windmills of Ilocos Norte, which now supplies 40 percent of the electricity needs of this northern Philippine province, will become a major must-see site? The coastal town of Bangui is not that accessible, you need to have your own vehicle to go there. And yet, hundreds of tourists have come and gone, not just for some beach bumming, but also to take photos of uhmm.... a windmill? I was thinking about those windmills while seating in a bus, traveling with several photoholics. Our itinerary includes the usual sights that abound most travel photo albums: the beautiful churches of Ilocos Norte, and the heritage houses of Ilocos Sur. Both these churches and houses are valued not just for their architecture, but also for their history. What I find odd is a visit to the wind farm of Bangui. Of course, as an eco-conscious consumer and journalist to appreciate "green power" - a buzzword in the era of Al Gore and global warming. The time where coal plants are shunned (they increase green house gas emission! They pollute the environment! They're UGLY!), while wind farms and solar panels are considered "in" and "cool". But.....do we really need to take photos of wind mills? I changed my mind when I finally saw the windmills myself and was just awed by those white and tall (about 70 meters above ground) windmills. There's 15 of them, standing in the sandy beach, with the green mountainside serving back drop. we went there around 5 pm - sunset is the best time to take those pics. My pictures, which you can find all over this blog post, don't do justice to these beautiful "structures" (for lack of a better term). But I tried my best, using with my five year old point and shoot digital camera (time to buy a new gadget, I guess!). And as we celebrate Earth Day today, I hope that the Bangui windmills will remind us that "green" is indeed beautiful!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

gypsygalstales — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:22:21 +0000

Look at those rolling waves from the South China sea!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

gypsygalstales — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:25:54 +0000

Kapurpurawan Rock

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

gypsygalstales — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:28:25 +0000

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

gypsygalstales — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:31:42 +0000

Kaibigan Falls

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

gypsygalstales — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:37:15 +0000

Pagudpud Beach

Ilocandia Diary Part 2: Nature tripping, Beach bumming

gypsygalstales — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:45:28 +0000

Posted by Prime Sarmiento The travel coordinator handed me a list of things to bring in this four-day tour of Ilocos region. The regulars in my travel pack are in there: bottled water, comfy shoes, prescription medicine. The list also advises us to have that spirit of adventure and a sense of humor (as, after all, some things always do go wrong when traveling). Of course any gypsygal will have to have that taste of adventure to enjoy traveling. It's one of the things that has spurred me to explore both familiar and new areas. But I don't know about the sense of humor. At thirty-something, and having my own share of frustrations and disappointments, sense of humor is something that's getting scarcer. And when I'm traveling, there are just some things that I can't really stand, diluting whatever supply of sense of humor that I still have. I especially detest camping as I can't live without a western style toilet and daily showers; eating food that makes me ill; noisy and know-it-all travel companions and ... having to subsist on instant coffee because brewed coffee is not -and will never be-available. Which is why despite the heat (must be 40 degrees), I'm still craving for a cup of brewed coffee while traveling in Ilocos Norte. Caffeine is my addiction, and no matter where I am, I will always look for a coffee shop. But coffee – brewed coffee – seems to be in short supply here and the best that I can do is to make do with three-in-one coffee packs. So I was a bit cranky, being caffeine- deprived. What lightened my mood however is the fact that Ilocos Norte .. well I don't know how to say this without sounding trite .. but the northern Philippine province is simply beautiful. *** Take for instance the Kapurpurawan or the White Rock Formation. Never mind that we had to pass through rough roads just to get there or that it was so hot when we we went there (around 3 pm at the height of El Nino season). The stunning view of chalky white limerock formation standing in a shore facing the South China Sea, with waves slapping against the cliffs – ahhh this more than enough to compensate for whatever inconvenience that we had to go through. [caption id="attachment_607" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Kapurpurawan Rock"][/caption] *** The Kaibigan Falls is a must see if ever you get tired of just bumming around in Pagudpud beach. We went there in the morning, but before we can reach falls, we had to walk for about one kilometer - from the town proper The trek lasted for about an hour, and was a excellent way of losing those calories after heavy breakfast of sinangag (garlic friend rice), fried fish and egg. The walk itself was enjoyable. It can get a bit hot, but trekking through the fields filled with trees and crossing through shallow streams is cooling. Some locals served as guides and they assisted us especially when we has to walk through some slippery rocks. I never got bored in this trek. Aside from chatting with fellow trekkers, there's just so many things to see and enjoy- clean clear stream, green rice fields (I don't think that El Nino ever hit thus place), the trees and even those carabaos just resting from a hard day's work of plowing the field. Everything is just refreshing for this urbanite who's been cooped up in the air-conditioned office and the shopping. malls for so long. But the trek is just a taster. The Kaibigan Falls is to me the main spot to be. I don't know how to swim , but that didn't matter. I plunged in, to enjoy those icy-cold , refreshing clear water!!! (of course I'm careful to stay at the shallow part). **** I spent Sunday morning in Pagudpud beach. I was there just lying there in the powder white sand, being a true blue beach bum. Not thinking, not doing anything, just being happy and grateful and knowing that somehow, I think I got my groove back![caption id="attachment_610" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Pagudpud Beach"][/caption] *** Travel Tips: How to get there: Ilocos Norte is at the northwestern part of the Philippines. Laoag City, the provincial capital is about 300 miles north of Manila. To get to Laoag, you can book a flight via Cebu Pacific or PAL from Manila. Trip lasts for an hour and the round-trip fare costs about 3,000 pesos (or roughly 80 U.S. dollars) . Or you can take a bus, travel time from Manila to Laoag is about ten to fifteen hours, and a round trip ticket costs 1,000 pesos (about 20 U.S. dollars). The following bus companies travel from Manila to Laoag City: AUTO BUS Laong-laan cor. Dimasalang Sts. Sampaloc, Manila Telephone (632) 7436873 FARIñAS TRANSIT Laong-laan cor. M. dela Fuente Sts. Sampaloc, Manila Telephone (632) 7438580 loc. 103 & 105 F. FRANCO TRANSIT CO. Lacson St., Sampaloc, Manila Telephone (632) 7312584/7314473 PARTAS TRANSIT Aurora Blvd. cor. Bernardo St. Cubao, Quezon City Telephone (632) 7257303/7251740 PHILIPPINE RABBIT Balintawak, EDSA, Quezon City Telephopne (632) 3643477/4567659 RCJ TRANSIT 1558 España, Sampaloc, Manila Telephone (632) 7412994 *** Kaibigan Falls can be found in the town of Pagudpud, a two-hour bus ride away from Laoag. Each person needs to pay 20 pesos (or about 50 U.S. cents) as preservation fee. You should get a local guide, which usually charges roughly $3 . When trekking, do bring an umbrella, SPF and bottled water. Wear slippers and a pair of shorts as you had to cross shallow rivers just to get there so you need to wear something that will dry quickly.

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gypsygalstales — Fri, 07 May 2010 06:52:40 +0000

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gypsygalstales — Sat, 08 May 2010 14:14:39 +0000

Why Noynoy is winning the Philippine presidential race

gypsygalstales — Fri, 14 May 2010 10:14:51 +0000

I was sooo busy covering the Philippine elections that I barely have anytime for much anything else (that includes blogging, and notgto mention travelling!). After about two hours of waiting in line, I was able to cast my vote in a precinct in Manila. After a quick lunch, I wrote a story and later, I went to PICC to cover the counting of votes in the country's first automated polls. I stayed until about 1 am (yup I was working round the clock). It was very very tiring. But I dont mind. I voted, exercised my right of suffrage, made my voice heard and witnessed one of the country's most historic events. Below is a story that I wrote for Xinhua News Agency. If you're a tourist in Manila or not familiar with Philippine politics, I'm hoping that this story will clarify matters. Cheers and enjoy your weekend! *********** Anti-corruption stance boosts Aquino's bid for Philippine Presidency English.news.cn 2010-05-14 13:24:15 MANILA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Remie Ann Mables stood in line for two hours, endured heat and boredom, and was extremely frustrated with the Philippines' first ever automated vote-counting polls. But the 31-year-old housewife didn't give up. She wanted to vote for a Philippine President that she believed in - Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Benigno Simeon Aquino III, better known by his nickname "Noynoy". "Of course I will vote for Noynoy because he's not corrupt," Mables said. She and the millions who voted for Noynoy are banking on Noynoy's campaign promise that he will root out corruption that has long impoverished this Southeast Asian country. And this is why, analysts said, Noynoy is topping the polls. Latest election tally issued by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council and Responsible Voting showed that he garnered over 13 million votes, or about 5 million votes more than second player, former Philippine President Joseph Estrada. "Filipinos want change," said Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, political science professor at the University of the Philippines. She noted that most voters were disappointed by the corruption scandals linked with outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. They believe that Noynoy is the best person that can change the way this country is being run. In several interviews conducted shortly after the May 10 elections, Noynoy vowed that he will investigate Arroyo's involvement in an alleged vote-rigging incident in 2004 and review suspect government contracts. "People want to clean up the mess of the present (Arroyo's) administration," said Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms. Casiple welcomed the fact that people are choosing Noynoy for his anti-corruption stance. "We (Filipino voters) are learning to talk about issues... and in this sense we are (becoming politically) mature," he said. But such trust on Noynoy's integrity and honesty is not due to his track record as a lawmaker in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Rather, voters believe that being his mother's son is enough to keep Noynoy incorruptible. Or as Mables puts it, Noynoy will not do anything to tarnish the good name of his parents. Noynoy, after all, was a reluctant candidate. He was only persuaded to join this year's presidential race when the death of her monther, former Philippine President Corazon "Cory" Aquino, in August 2009, has spurred the country to search for a political leader who is honest and trustworthy. "Trust and integrity were given a priority in this year's elections," Casiple said, adding that these are also the factors that propelled Cory's bid for presidency in the 1986 snap polls. Like Noynoy, Cory was hesitant to run for president. But the assasination of her husband, Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. launched her candidacy and propelled a People Power Revolt that toppled the regime of the strongman Ferdinand Marcos. That Noynoy's victory can be attributed to his parents shows that the Philippine electorate still choose their leaders not only based on issues and platform, but also on one's popularity and/or links with a strong political clan. "This year's elections is all about political relationships, with one political family forging alliances with another," said Samira Ali Gutoc, Muslim youth leader and newspaper columnist. "Identity politics in the Philippines is still very strong," Ferrer said, noting that most of the wining candidates in local and national elections are either popular actors/sportsmen or members of a political clan. Noynoy himself is part of a political clan and so is his running mate, Senator Mar Roxas who's currently in second place in the vice presidetial race. Jejomar Binay, who appears to be winning the race for vice president, served as mayor for 20 years in the financial district of Makati City. His position has been "inherited" by his son, Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr., who was proclaimed mayor-elect by the city board of canvassers. In the northern Philippine province of Ilocos Norte members of the Marcos family are the biggest winners. Imelda Marcos, the 80- year-old widow of the late dictator, won a congressional seat, while daughter Imee Marcos was elected provincial governor. The son Bongbong Marcos is also doing well in the senatorial race. In the province of Pampanga, Arroyo was proclaimed winner of the congressional race in her hometown. Arroyo will be joining other members of her family, including brother-in-law, Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr., in Congress and is likely to target the House Speakership when the new Congress opens in July.

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I joined the Pahiyas festival and I got this kitschy souvenir photo

gypsygalstales — Mon, 24 May 2010 02:58:49 +0000

by Prime Sarmiento Thank goddess for entrepreneurs! In fact had not been for this photo booth that was set up by a group of twenty-something entrepreneurs, I won't have any souvenir photo of me enjoying this year's Pahiyas festival in Lucban,Quezon. I forgot to recharge both my digicam and video cam the night before and so by 3 p.m., I was practically just lugging my stuff around as batteries went kaput Which is just too bad as I only managed to participate in this year's Pahiyas by signing up with a travel agency's Photoholic Pahiyas tour - a package tour organized specifically for photo buffs. And while I managed to take some pics and even had some video shots of the parade of carabaos (water buffaloes), I really wished I could have taken more. A dozen more. Which is why I envy the thousands of tourists who trooped here in Lucban, last May 15, with their cameras (and fully recharged batteries, I bet), snapping up photos of all those decorated houses that can only be found during the Pahiyas. Pahiyas is perhaps one of the most colorful fiestas in this Southeast Asian country known for its numerous festivities. Pahiyas is celebrated every May 15 in Lucban - one of the towns comprising the province of Quezon. Like most fiestas in the Philippines, Pahiyas is celebrated in honor of a Catholic saint - in this case, San Isidro Labrador (Saint Isidore), the patron saint of farmers. Agriculture, after all, is a major industry in Lucban and the month of May is harvest season in Quezon (and in most of the farming areas around the Philippines). The word "Pahiyas" is derived from the local vernacular "payas" meaning "decoration or to decorate". One of the highlights of the festival are the facade of the houses decorated with crops. Lucbaenos do not only do this just to offer their thanksgiving to San Isidro but also to ask for blessing that the next cropping season will be abundant. Every household has its own decorative motif. Some decorate their homes with the fresh produce- red, plump tomatoes, winter melon, rice stalks, corn, bananas. In some houses where they raise pigs, families fashion out pigs out of coconut coir. Or some put up an "anok" - a scarecrow-like human replica made of rice straw, coco coir and saw-dust. Others decorate their houses with hats, mats and bags made of buntal fiber (obtained from leaves of a local palm variety) used in making hats -- making and selling of these fashion accessories is a cottage industry in Lucban. Perhaps, the most famous house decor in the Pahiyas is the "kiping" -brightly colored leaf shaped wafers made of rice, salt and food color. The kiping will then be arranged to create any design - such as a giant flower or a chandelier. Those house decors also serve a practical purpose. Every year, the local government launches a contest where the best house decor wins a prize including cash, live carabao, sacks of rice and household appliances. This encourages Lucbaenos to be more creative with designs and also lures more tourists, not to mention corporate sponsors for the concert and parade. And where there are tourists, there's definitely an area for souvenir shopping. And I'm not just talking about the huge bazaar situated behind the church, but most of the stores and stalls at the city center, selling all sorts of things – from the usual souvenir items like t-shirts and key chains to fashion accessories like buntal hats dyed in brilliant colors including pink and violet. (I;m just glad that none of these stores accept credit cards because I would have ended up buying another hat or bag which I'll probably just use once) But the bestseller is longganisang Lucban - garlicky pork sausage which goes well with steamed rice, tomatoes and coconut vinegar with spices. Although I'm no pork eater, I had to get several packs for my parents who requested for them. I had to go to several shops before I managed to buy four packs, as most of the stores have ruin out of longganisa supply, as hordes of tourists were buying loads of longganisa. I also bought some espasol - cylinder-shaped rice cakes made of rice flour, coconut milk and sweetened coconut strips which I ate in the van on my way back to Manila. *** Travel tips What to bring: Pahiyas is celebrated every 15th of May, and since the weather is quite warm, it's best that you bring sunblock lotion, towel, bottled water and a hat (although you can just buy a buntal hat there). Wear comfy clothes – t-shirt, shorts and slippers (bring extra t-shirt too as you might perspire a lot because of the crowds and the heat). If you're a shopaholic, bring cash (lots of them), as no store accepts credit cards. And if you're a photoholic, don't forget to recharge your batteries. How to go there: Lucban is about 150 km south of Manila- the Philippine capital and it will take you 3 to 4 hours to travel there by land. You can take the bus going either to Sta Cruz in Laguna or Lucena City, the capital of Quezon, bus fare is 200 to 300 pesos (or about 8 U.S. dollars) one way. From there, you can take the jeepney going to Lucban. The following bus companies ply through the Manila-Laguna-Quezon route: 1. BLTB Location: Edsa, Pasay City Telephone Numbers: + 63 2 833 5508, + 63 2 833 5501, + 63 2 913 1525 2. Inland Trailways Incorporated Location: Edsa, Pasay City. Telephone Numbers: +63 2 833 6280. 3. JAM Transit Location: Taft Avenue, Pasay City; New York Street, Cubao, Quezon City. Telephone Numbers: +63 2 541 4409, +63 2 924 7712, +63 2 831 4390. Travel Agency: There are several agencies in Manila that offer day tours to Lucban during the Pahiyas. I advise that you join one of these tours as it;'s really a hassle to go there alone as you might end up stranded in Lucban because you can't get a seat in a jam-packed bus. Don't even think of staying in a hotel here for the night as they're booked and you need to reserve a room at least two years before the next Pahiyas. I personally recommend Travel Factor (www.travelfactor.org), as it's affordable (a tour package costs 1,600 pesos (about 40 U.S. dollars) per person, incl of transportation, food and insurance) and will give you a chance to meet other travelers.

Girls Guide Solo Travel 300t

gypsygalstales — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 14:25:27 +0000

girls guide page

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Solo Female Travel 101

gypsygalstales — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 14:35:03 +0000

Book Review: The Art of Solo Travel: A Girl's Guide by Stephanie Lee posted by: Prime Sarmiento I wish that this book existed five years ago when I, like Stephanie, quit a promising career to go an extended travel around Asia for some soul searching and adventure. The book would have saved me the time and money that I spent just researching and preparing for the trip. I can just relate to what Stephanie said in her Introduction, when she was relating how she was preparing for her own six month travel (she traveled mostly in Europe and Asia in 2008) and finding very few resources that can help her as a solo female traveller: “There are in fact many solo female travellers, but those who document their experiences are few. During my initial research on this topic, a Google search revealed the odd chunky-looking book as well as the occasional travel blog. …..But the posts on these blogs were sometimes old, and I wasn't sure if information was still relevant.” The book is divided into six parts, with several chapters devoted on travel preparation. Stephanie discussed everything that a solo female traveler before embarking on that adventure. She listed down the pros and cons of traveling solo, how to save for that big trip, what documents to prepare, what are the important and useful features that you should put in your iGoogle page, what are the absolutely important things to bring so that you won't get over the 15-kg limit which most low cost airlines impose on each passenger. She also suggested several countries which are ideal to first time solo female travellers as they are easy to navigate and quite safe (Stephanie includes Singapore and Australia – I can personally vouch for that choice). The other chapters, meanwhile, contain anything and everything that independent women travellers need to know to keep safe, healthy and happy while on the road. And this can be done without having to spend fortune. Things like doing your own grocery and choosing couchsurfing over hostels not only won't stretch the budget, but will also keep you healthy and allow you to meet more friends. But while the book is a handy guide and will indeed cut the time spent on researching, it won't give you a detailed explanation of all that you might need while traveling. For example, the guide advised that you get a travel insurance, but you still need to do your research on what type of insurance to choose. The book devoted several pages on how to be successful as a couchsurfer. Now, I will buy this book if only to get the hang of couch surfing. As Stephanie said, she saved around 9,000 Australian dollars because of couchsurfing. (Goddess knows I spent a lot of money just getting decent accomodations in a hostel or lower priced bed-and-breakfasts!). Not to mention that, as Stephaie noted in her book, “couchsurfing is about making human connections as you travel, and the free accommodation is just a bonus.” That said, I think it would have been better if Stephanie devoted some pages discussing different types of low-cost accommodations available for solo female travellers. The book also caters mostly to those who want to go an extended travel. But even career women who just travel over the long weekend or go for that annual two-week vacation leave can also learn important things from this book including what to bring and wear while checking in the airport, the importance of packing yogurt while travelling or why it's better to prepare your own coffee instead of buying another cup of designer brew. I believe that the best lesson that you can get from this book is that you don't need to be a superwoman, an heiress or a lottery winner to fulfill that dream of travelling all over the world. You just need to have some discipline, to focus and to nurture that passion. And with a little luck, some prayers and some help from this guide for solo women travellers (which you can download anywhere), who knows, maybe in a month or so, you're on your way to that adventure of a lifetime! *** The book is available at http://indietravelpodcast.com/girlsguide/ Price: 12.95 U.S. dollars Thank you to Craig of ITP for giving me a free copy for book review!

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gypsygalstales — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:17:08 +0000

Singapore is for art travellers

gypsygalstales — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:18:23 +0000

Posted by Prime Sarmiento It's that time of the year again when Singapore lures shopaholics worldwide to ts Great Singapore Sale. But there's more to this city state than just another shopping haven. It's also an emerging art center. For this week, I'll be discussing in two separate guest posts how to do some "art tripping" in Singapore. In my guest post at Go Backpacking, I listed down five must-see museums in Singapore. Check this out!

It’s about art, not shopping

gypsygalstales — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:44:20 +0000

posted by: Prime Sarmiento Ok, in my first guest post at Go Backpacking I listed down several museums that you can visit if you want to go on art tripping in Singapore. In my second guest post, this time at Isabelle's Travel Guide, I talked about other areas in Singapore where art lovers can go. And it's not just the museums! Check this out!

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gypsygalstales — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 07:31:53 +0000

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Writing is about finding time and space

gypsygalstales — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 02:51:45 +0000

[caption id="attachment_670" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Baguio is the perfect place for a writer's retreat"][/caption] posted by Prime Sarmiento A colleague asked me if I needed to go to Baguio just to write a thesis proposal for my graduate degree in anthropology. She can’t understand why I need to go all the way to Baguio, travel by bus by around six hours or more, for something that I could have done in my own bedroom. I'm a working journalist who works with a daily deadline and believes that writing is more a matter of discipline (i.e. I write even if I'm not "in the mood.") That said, I also believe that every major writing project deserves my undivided time and attention. In my case, that major writing project is my thesis proposal. Career blogger Penelope Trunk said that living in a farm in Wisconsin allows her to slow down, make space, focus and be productive. That's what I just did when I went to Baguio and on my own personal writing retreat. I relaxed, focused and did a lot of writing. This place is perfect as an ideal writers retreat. 1. It’s affordable: The last thing that I need while working on my graduate thesis is to get stressed out on whether I can afford the cab fare or how can I pay for my huge credit card debt. But Baguio is budget friendly. I stayed here for nearly a week, and I spent roughly 150 U.S. dollars and was quite comfortable with it. This amount covered everything – board and lodging, cab fares, round trip bus tickets to Manila, dining out in some mid range cafes and even gifts to my family (souvenir t-shirts, a bag of coffee and four bottles of renown Mountain Maid strawberry jams which my mother and nephew love) 2. It’s convenient: Baguio may be a bit laid back compared to Manila, but it has all the conveniences that this city gal needs including reliable power and water supply, a shopping mall and 24 hour convenience stores, a smattering of hotels and restaurants catering to every budget, wi-fi hot spots and round the clock public transport. 3. It has the right vibe: I don’t know if it has something to do with the cool weather ( Baguio is the Philippines’ summer capital, with temperature at 25 degrees Celsius in the afternoon, dropping to 17 degrees in the evening ), or the fact that it’s in the Cordillera or the abundance of pine trees, strawberries and flowers, but Baguio is a magnet for creative types. Baguio is home to some of th e country’s best painters, photographers, musicians, film makers and writers and I know a lot of Manila-based artists who go here at least once a year, as a sort of pilgrimage, to this haven of creativity. 4. It’s familiar and safe: I have been to Baguio several times that navigating around it is not a problem. It also helps that I don’t have to worry of being mugged or kidnapped thanks to its low crime rate. 5. It’s relatively isolated: I went all the way to Baguio to “escape” my family and friends, avoiding the distraction that this kind of relationship usually brings. It also lessens the temptation to go home and just bum around as the six-hour traveling time (eight if I take the ordinary bus) is not something that I like to do. I have friends in Baguio, but I didn’t bother telling them that I was there nor did I even drop by at any of the usual watering holes for journalists. Like I said, no distractions. Just Focus! How about you? What is your ideal place for writer's retreat?

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My (not so) secret writing place

gypsygalstales — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 04:23:01 +0000

REVIEW : Bliss Homestay in Baguio City Posted by Prime Sarmiento I went on a personal writing retreat early this month in Baguio and thanks to its cool weather and right vibe, I managed to finish a couple of blog posts, the first draft of my graduate thesis proposal, and an analysis piece that I submitted to a news agency. Those five days were a time of productivity and creativity and this wouldn’t have been possible if I didn’t stay in Bliss Homestay. [caption id="attachment_685" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="My Writing corner in Bliss Homestay"][/caption] Baguio is the Philippines’ summer capital, with temperature always below 30 degrees Celsius, and hordes of tourists usually come here in the months of March to May to escape Manila’s heat. This has spawned a cottage industry - known as “transient homes”. Families rent out their rooms (or their whole house in some cases) to transients looking for cheaper places to stay as a decent hotel room in Baguio will cost at least P1,000 pesos per person (about 20 U.S. dollars) a night. Transient rooms will only cost half of that or even less. Bliss Homestay is one such transient home. It’s a flat rented out by Jim and Shanti Ward (the couple behind the renown Bliss vegetarian café). For just 400 pesos a night per person (that’s roughly eight U.S. dollars) , I got myself a bed , bathroom with hot and cold shower, a writing space (a chair and table where I put my netbook), a fireplace to keep me warm when temperature drops to below 20 degrees at night and even my own meditation corner (Jim is a Buddhist, so he has put a small altar here with Buddhist books, incense holder, zafu pillow and pictures of the Lord Buddha and Buddhist monks). I sit in this corner in the morning and at night to pray. I even borrowed a yoga mat from Shanti so I can do some sun salutations in the morning. The price doesn’t include breakfast though. But for an additional 75 pesos (1.50 U.S. dollars), Jim and Shanti will prepare a simple breakfast of toasted whole wheat bread, jam, peanut butter and coffee (or tea). The place is spacious enough to fit a group of six, although I’m quite happy to stay there on my own. It’s located in a quiet residential area surrounded by pine trees. It’s accessible as the house is located within the public transport route and I just have to wait outside the gate to take a jeep that will bring me to the mall (about ten to 15 minutes away). I like that the place is away from the frenzy of Session Road and not that near the shopping mall, reducing the temptation to just quit writing and go malling. Best of all, Bliss Homestay doesn’t have stuff that are major time wasters – cable tv, internet connection and a telephone (but you can use your cellphone here), keeping me in focus. No wonder that this place has, for the past two years, hosted those who just need to get away from all distractions -visiting Buddhist monks, artists (one popular Filipina actress stayed here to practice some lines) and even a doctoral student who is writing her dissertation. Bliss Homestay isn’t for everyone though. Jim and Shanti don’t require their transients to be vegetarians but the latter are forbidden from bringing meat and poultry products here (you can have milk, but you go eat that burger somewhere else). Smoking is not allowed inside the room. Alcohol is a no- no (go to the bar if you want to booze all night) and if you are a party person, better go to another transient house. But if you need to some quiet time ande space for creative work , then head to Baguio and contact Jim at - blissnbaguio@yahoo.com or click here -- and have a piece of bliss at Bliss Homestay.

Postcard Moment: The Octopus is Infallible

gypsygalstales — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:20:29 +0000

posted by Nina Sarmiento Paul the Octopus nearly become a part of this: [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="800" caption="Paul are you in there?"][/caption] But Iniesta's goal definitely saved his skin err his tentacles and now Paul is enjoying the limelight. Felicitaciones España for winning both the Euro Tournament and the World Cup :) [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Viva Espana"][/caption]

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piggybank

gypsygalstales — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 06:55:28 +0000

suitcase

gypsygalstales — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 07:01:24 +0000

shop

gypsygalstales — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 07:12:34 +0000

Going Solo: Best Way To Travel in Europe

gypsygalstales — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:15:00 +0000

text and photos by Nina Sarmiento (It's summer and this is the perfect time to visit Europe! So every week, from today until September, Gypsygals Tales is publishing a blog post that will help solo female travelers enjoy Europe in style without breaking the bank.)[caption id="attachment_701" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The green green grass of Ireland: Ahh summer, the best time to visit Europe"][/caption] I like traveling solo around Europe. I can wander around at my own pace, in my own time. I don't have to compromise. I don't ask for someone else's permission.I can do all the things that I want - visiting museums, shopping for gifts, taking photos of churches, castles and bridges. At night, I can relax in my room and read a book, no one forcing me to get sauced in a bar. Hellooo...I live in Ireland where I spend most nights drinking with my friends in a pub. Why bother going overseas just to get some alcohol, duh! But solo travel in Europe have some drawbacks. I have to do lot of preparation because I have no one to rely on whenever something bad happens. If this is your first time to travel solo in Europe, here are some things that you need to do before you pack your bags: 1. Pick a city - Europe is so vast and diverse and unless you are either on career break or a location independent professional, chances are you can only get a three week leave from the office (one month, if you're lucky). In a week, you can perhaps travel in three different cities situated in three neighboring countries. But I suggest you take your time and get to know a city more. There was one time I got a week-long break, and what I did was to go on a short Christian pilgrimage by visiting two neighboring cities - Lisbon in Portugal and Barcelona in Spain Your choice will depend upon your comfort level. Perhaps it is easiest to start your travel in Ireland or U.K. as English is the first language here and is a major travel hub . From there you can start hopping (by bus, train or budget planes) to other cities of your choice. The good news is, English is spoken in pretty much of the touristy spots. It can be tricky though when going in the countryside. But as long as you are polite when approaching the locals, then it should work out. It will also be good if you know some French or German as they're widely spoken in Western Europe. 2. Apply for visa to Europe - Travelers in Europe need to get a Schengen visa. This visa removes the need for border control posts, allowing easy access between countries that are part of the agreement. The following countries participate in the Schengen Agreement: Austria,Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany,Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy,Latvia,Lithuania,Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,Poland,Portugal,Slovakia,Slovenia,Spain Sweden and Switzerland. Remember though, that two major destinations - U.K. and Ireland - are not part of the Schengen Agreement. So, if your vacation plans involve a shopping expedition in Paris and London, then get a Schengen AND a U.K. visa. Citizens of the following countries are granted visa upon arrival or don't need to get a visa when visiting Europe for a short holiday: all countries in North America and Central America, except Belize; some countries in South America (Argentina, Brazil and Chile); and the more developed Asia Pacific countries including Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Macau (part of the People's Republic of China), Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Just take note that for some of these citizens, they can only stay in the Schengen area for a total of 90 days in any six month period. If you're like me who holds a Philippine passport and are citizens of developing countries, then you have to apply for a visa at least two months before going to Europe. The process can be tedious as you need to present documents to the embassy. I've been working in Ireland for the past two years and have valid working papers, but because I hold a Philippine passport, I still need to present documents including proof of employment, a copy of my return tickets and income statement just to get a visa and travel for a few days in London. Applying for a Schengen visa has to be made by setting an appointment to the embassy or consulate of the country of first entry, or of the country that is the main destination. Application requirements depends on the embassies, so always refer to the websites of respective consulates/embassies for more information.[caption id="attachment_702" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Traveling solo is the way to go in Europe"][/caption] 3. Buy a travel insurance - Yes, you need one. For those who are applying for visa, this is a requirement. For those who don't need to apply for a visa, my advise is you should still buy one. Travel insurance is usually cheap, and you should consider it a safety net when you got yourself into some financial problem, hospitalized or inconvenienced by a flight cancellation. Get insured and put your mind at rest. 4. Travel Light - The one bag to rule them all. I guess this is the utopia, to travel with one bag. This is a whiz for people who are extremely organized but a nightmare for people like me who always panic when packing. My latest traveling "style" is that I only have one handcarried bag when I'm traveling. By the time I go back to Cork, I will have two hand carried bags (too much shopping :P) Always check with the airline for the maximum allowed weight of the luggage for each passenger, and even the dimension of the bag. Better observe these rules than to pay extra fees and making a fuss about a luggage that might result to denial of boarding. My general rule is to travel light, travel happy. Smaller luggage means less stress, less things to carry and less worries. How about you? what's your secret to traveling light? Please Share your tips here. Next Week: Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers in Europe Resources: 1. Women and Health: Five tips for staying fit while on the road - It’s such a bummer to fall ill forcing you to cancel all your fun travel plans.

Traveling is a career investment

gypsygalstales — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:37:37 +0000

Some people can't understand why I spend most of my money traveling instead of say, saving for a new model of cellphone (WHY?) or a car (ok that might be a necessity, given that Manila doesn't have a very efficient public transport system. But then again why?). Well, there are many reasons why I love to travel - to experience new things, see new places, learn at a new level. But on a more pragmatic note, I also travel to invest in my career. and this is more essential given that the media industry is getting more competitive. I talked more about this in my first guest post at Constructively Productive. (Many many thanks Ali and Thursday for giving me the opportunity to guest post in your blog!)

Safe and Solo in Europe: Travel Safety Tips

gypsygalstales — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:50:01 +0000

posted by: Nina Sarmiento It is safe for women to travel alone through Europe. Key European cities such as Paris, London, Berlin,Vienna and Geneva are among the cities in the world that provide the best quality of living to its residents, according to the Mercer 2010 Quality of Living Survey. Cities included in this list are noted , among other things, for their low crime rates and political and economic stability. But don't take this for granted. As my sis always says, low crime rate does not mean no crime at all. 1. Be informed: Read about the crime rate on the place that you are going to before you leave. Go to internet forums to know how safe (or unsafe) the city that you are visiting. You should consider telling a family or friend whenever you hop into another city. Give them a heads up about your where abouts and your contact number (and do keep their contact numbers too in case you need to contact them). Majority of the European countries have 112 for emergency number. It is also a good idea to keep the number of your embassies/consulates on the place you are about to go. 2.Walk in a well lighted street: This is just common sense but we sometimes forget that. I love to walk through the streets and to hop on a bus to see more of the city that I'm visiting. So I always stay in a centrally-located hostel where I can walk around knowing there are other people walking around, especially at night. I don't feel safe walking around in very quiet, isolated areas (even at day time). [caption id="attachment_715" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Always walk in a well lighted street. Don\'t walk alone, especially in isolated areas. Photo by: Gilles Kein"][/caption] 3. Use your credit card: Bring less cash and use credit/debit card whenever you can. Just remember to call your bank to inform them where you are traveling. Get a fraud protection plan, so that if the card is stolen and used without your consent, the bank can refund your money. You can easily cancel the stolen card and the bank can send you an express card. 4. Divide your cash: Put a small amount of money in your wallet, and the rest in your secret compartments (such as your bra or in your socks). The idea is that when you need to buy something from a street seller or in a shop where credit card is not an option, there is only a small amount of money exposed in case someone is watching you. You can use a money belt bag, but you need to wear it all the time ...even when going to the bathroom. Tuck it inside your pants when you are traveling by train or by bus. It is also a good option to invest on an anti slash bag. You can also leave some money to your family or friends, so that if something happens to your card they can instantly remit you money. 5. Hug your backpack: Do this only in certain countries. I can put my wallet in my backpack here in Ireland and I don't need to worry about it. But friends warned me to hug my backpack while in Barcelona as there are snatchers and pickpockets. 6. If you booze, you lose: Going out at night is not such bad thing, nor is having a glass of wine with friends. But getting drunk is bad whether you are at home or in a foreign country. Drink only with someone you trust and DO NOT LEAVE YOUR GLASS UNATTENDED. [caption id="attachment_716" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Drinking a glass of wine is a good way to relax. But don\'t get too drunk. photo by e-walk"][/caption] What's your experience in Europe? Do you think solo female travelers can stay safe in Europe? Please share your thoughts here. Next Week: Cheap and Chic: How To Travel for Less in Europe Resources: Going Solo: Best Way To Travel in Europe - If this is your first time to travel solo in Europe, there are some things that you need to do before you pack your bags. Photo Credits: Gilles Kein e-walk

Steph1

gypsygalstales — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:36:53 +0000

Cheap and Chic: How To Travel For Less in Europe

gypsygalstales — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 03:21:15 +0000

posted by: Nina Sarmiento Europe is expensive, and in touristy cities like Paris and London, prices shoot up during the peak summer season. But there are cheap ways to go around Europe and still have a fun and fab time: [caption id="attachment_727" align="alignright" width="200" caption="You don\'t need to break your piggy bank just to travel in Europe. Photo by Ksionic"][/caption] Fly Europe for less: There are several budget airlines in Europe where you can purchase a one way ticket for as low as 10 Euros. Among the most popular are Ryanair, Easy Jet and Vueling. I also travel a lot via Aerlingus, Ireland's low-cost airline. Booking flights in advance is always cheaper. Budget airlines have websites so you can just book online. If you're not sure about your final destination and your return date, then I advise that you get an open ticket. This would only costs slightly higher than getting tickets with a fixed date and destination. But an open ticket is a good investment as budget airlines don't usually allow you to change your flight schedule. You have to remember some things though when taking budget airlines: *If you are taking connecting flights, your luggage can't be checked in through from one flight to the next. You have to pick the luggage and check it in again. *Bring your own food as your plane fare doesn't include meals *Support is minimal when the flights are delayed or canceled. *Budget airlines have limited baggage allowance (15 kilograms maximum). You have to pay a high surcharge if your baggage exceeds the limit. *If you bought tickets on line, then be sure to print a copy of the booking form. You need to pay an additional 40 euros to check in if you didn't bring a print out. [caption id="attachment_728" align="alignright" width="199" caption="Travel light as budget airlines have a limited baggage allowance. photo by: Andrea Rose"][/caption] Stay connected: Bring a netbook and/or smartphone with you as most places (even hostels) have free wi-fi hotspots. These gadgets are useful when checking the weather, flight schedules, news updates and museum openings and in writing quick e-mails to friends and family. Book a room in a hostel: There are numerous cheap hostels in Europe and are very popular among travelers. Most hostels are centrally-located and have the facilities that you need - kitchen, wi-fi hot spot, laundry room, and clean bathrooms. You can get your own single room, or if you want to save more, stay in dorms with a dozen of backpackers as roommates. In some hostels, you need to make a deposit for beddings and keys. While others offer towel rentals. Go grocery shopping: Go the supermarket and buy food which are easy to prepare and don't perish easily (You better check if you can store food in your hostel's kitchen). Some items like bread, cheese, jam, fresh fruit and crackers are filling and cheaper than dining out in a restaurant. [caption id="attachment_729" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Instead of going to restaurants, go grocery shopping to save some money. photo by: colorblindPICASO"][/caption] That said, save some of your food budget to satisfy the foodie in you. Don’t pass up a chance to try the local delicacy. Granted that here are also major fast food chains in several cities in Europe. But would you go to Paris just to eat a burger? :) It need not to be exotic ( I know that eating beetle sounds like being in a Fear Factor episode), but try eating spatzle in Germany, or have a paella/tortilla in Spain and a risotto in Italy. Have a sip of bubbly champagne or savor a bowl of cassoulet in France. Until now, I still regret that I did not eat haggis while I was in Scotland. Free sightseeing: Europe is full of monuments, landmarks, castles, galleries and museums. You can go there for free or just pay a nominal amount. Do you have any tips on how to travel less in Europe? Please Share some of your money saving tips here. (Next week: Interview with Stephanie Lee, author of Art of Solo Travel: A Girl's Guide) Resources: Below are some sites that can help you save some bucks while in Europe: *Book a room in advance so that you don't have to worry looking for a place to stay or counting your pennies just to pay for a night's stay. You may book online through any of these sites: www.hosteleurope.com; www.hostelbookers.com and www.hostelworld.com *Shop around for flights, and compare prices by logging in at www.momondo.com, www:kayak.com or www.skyscanner.net *And to check beer prices check out www.pintprice.com. Photo Credits: Ksionic Andrea Rose colorblindPICASO

Q and A: Stephanie Lee

gypsygalstales — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:28:20 +0000

interview by Prime Sarmiento Stephanie Lee is the author of Art of Solo Travel: A Girl's Guide. This book is perhaps the ultimate guide for women who prefer and enjoy to travel on their own. In 2008, after six years of full-time work, Stephanie caught the travel bug and left everything behind to embark on a solo open-ended journey which took her all around the world. The thirty-something Stephanie has lived in three different countries. She was born in Malaysia,spent her teenage years in the U.S. and is now working as an architect in Sydney. She still travels and contributes articles to Indie Travel Podcast. Stephanie has traveled extensively in Europe. In this interview with Gypsygals Tales, Stephanie discusses why and how solo female travel gals can enjoy roaming around Europe. Question: Why do you think European cities are great for solo travelers? Answer: I may be biased, but personally I love European cities because they all have such a great urban and cultural vibe, and naturally inquisitive locals who are fascinated by solo travelers. They are always up for a chat or happy to help, and it's so easy to meet other travelers. One is never bored due to the plethora of things to see and do. Q: If you are traveling in Europe for the first time, where would you go? A: I will go to Lyon in France. It's a great city with an interesting vibe and the friendliest locals I've ever met. I also love Prague- the city has great food and alcohol, fantastic sights, and everything is very cheap! And of course I'll go to Bilbao in Spain as it has the best museum in the world (the Guggenheim Museum) and the best pintxos (traditional snacks like croquettes, served in Basque country) and Spanish fiestas every night. Q: Can you recommend any hostels/ shops/cafes that solo travelers will enjoy? A: I stayed in a cute little hostel called David Quinn Hybrid Hotel in San Sebastian (Basque country, Spain). It was so small. It has only three or four rooms and I snagged a private room with a TV for only 16 euros. The English owner actually stayed there as well, and was always around to answer any questions. The hostel always provided complimentary eggs, rice, cereal, and even had Vegemite. The very few travelers who stayed there always gathered around in the dining room for a bit of a chat. Also, it has free laundry facilities - really good value when you consider it is at least 5 euros for a wash everywhere else! I also recommend going to French cafes - with their delicious cakes and patisseries. They are just so charming, great way to rest after a day of sight-seeing and reflecting on your trip. I visited many in Paris, probably a different one each day! I have a weakness for pain au chocolat. Q: Any must-see sites that you can recommend and why? A: Athens! This was one of my most enjoyable places to visit solo. There are just so many incredible monuments to see, and basically you can spend the entire day sight-seeing, and after that treating yourself to a hearty Greek meal. Because you are surrounded by so many people all the time, you don't really feel very lonely by yourself. It's great fun with that fantastic Mediterranean chilled out vibe. Q: If you only have one week in Europe, where would you go and why? A: Definitely Basque Country. It means a lot to me due to very special people I have met there who treated me like family. Q: What should be in any solo female traveler's backpack while in Europe? A: A mobile phone/smartphone with wi-fi to connect to free internet wherever you are. You really need it to connect with new friends and stay in touch with old friends and family. **** Stephanie Lee's Art of Solo Travel: A Girl's Guide is available at www.artofsolotravel.com. I love that book, and I recommend that you buy it. You can read my review of the book.

The Beautiful, historic churches of Ilocandia

gypsygalstales — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:20:52 +0000

posted by: Prime Sarmiento I love to travel around Southeast Asia if only because I'm on a temple tripping kick. The region after all has a rich Hindu-Buddhist tradition. The kind that produces the magnificent Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobudur in Indonesia. You can't see these structures in my country. We debated the reasons behind this in our graduate class in archaeology. We never resolved it though. This reminds me of a phrase by Egyptologist/novelist Elizabeth Peters who noted that archaeologists will debate minutiae even in a sinking ship but won't resolve anything. Ok, I'm digressing here... That said, the Philippines is home to some beautiful historic churches. and I wrote about that in my first guest post in Indie Travel Podcast. Thanks Craig and Linda for allowing me to guest post!

colo

gypsygalstales — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 12:57:43 +0000

forum

gypsygalstales — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:00:13 +0000

forum

gypsygalstales — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:31:01 +0000

pantheon

gypsygalstales — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:34:02 +0000

trevi

gypsygalstales — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:34:53 +0000

st peter

gypsygalstales — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:56:13 +0000

pieta

gypsygalstales — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:57:05 +0000

sistine

gypsygalstales — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:59:58 +0000

Quickie: 48 hours in... Dublin

gypsygalstales — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:27:21 +0000

Text and photos by Nina Sarmiento In my previous post, I listed down ways on how to travel for less in Europe. One of which is to just roam around and tour the many fab landmarks, museums and galleries which you can visit either for free or for a token fee. This is why I'm re-posting this week Gypsygals' Tales Quickie guide to the capital city of Ireland. I'm positive that this post will show that you don't need to spend a lot of euros to enjoy Dublin! **** Dublin - the city of a thousand pubs and a thousand bards, the historically hip capital of Ireland. In this city full of Craic (ah..that’s the Old Irish for a dose of fun!), sightseeing means an itinerary filled with something old, new and wonderfully brewed. If you only have two days to explore the city's main attractions, your best bet is to stay in the city center. This is the quickest way for a walking tour of Dublin as the following must-see sights are just a few blocks away from each other: 1. Kilmainhaim Gaol -a.k.a “the old jail”, the place is an important part of Ireland’s struggle for independence. Many leaders of Irish rebellions were imprisoned (and some were executed) in this jail. It is now a museum and managed by the Office of Public Works. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="283" caption="Kilmainhaim Gaol"][/caption] Contact Details: Address: Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8. Telephone No: +3531-453 5984 Opening Hours: April to September: Daily: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm October to March: Monday to Saturday: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm Admission Fees: Adult: €6.00/each Child/Student: €2.00/each Facilities: Toilets (some are wheelchair-accessible); baby changing station; tearoom 2. Guinness Storehouse – what’s the use of going to Ireland without knowing more about it’s “beer history”? Dublin, after all, is the birthplace of the world-famous Guinness beer. If you like your lager, you must drop by at the Guinness brewery. The brewery produces over 10 million pints a day! Don’t forget to have a drink at the Gravity Bar. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="283" caption="High Drinker"][/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="424" caption="99 Barrel of Beers on the Wall"][/caption] Contact Details: Address: St James's Gate, Dublin 8 Telephone: + 3531- 408 4800 Opening Hours: September to June: Daily: 9.30 am to 5:00 pm July to August: Daily: 9.30 am to 7:00 pm Admission Fees: Adult: €15.00/each Children: €5.00/each Facilities: wheelchair accessible-lifts; car park, café and bar 3. The National Cathedral and Collegiate Church of Saint Patrick - or better known as St. Patrick's Cathedral Dublin, the Gothic- style Anglican church was built in the fifth century. The church stands in a site reputed to be among the oldest Christian sites in Europe: a place where the country’s patron saint – Saint Patrick - baptized converts. The cathedral is part of Ireland’s glorious history. During his stay in Dublin, Oliver Cromwell (first Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland) stabled his horses in the nave of the cathedral. Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels, was Dean of the Cathedral from 1713 to 1745. The Choir School was founded here in 1432 and many of its members took part in the first performance of Handel’s Messiah in 1742. Contact details: Address: 21-50 Patrick’s Close, Patrick St., Dublin 8 Telephone: +3351-4754817 Opening Hours: March to October: Daily 9:00 am to 6:00 pm November to February: Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sunday: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm No visits during Sunday services. Admission Fees: Adults : €5.50/each Family (2 adults + 2 kids): €15/group 4.Dublin Castle - the centuries old castle served as the headquarters for the British colonial regime until it was handed over in 1922. Rebel military commander Michael Collins, arrived in Dublin Castle on January 1922. Acting on behalf of the new Irish Government, Collins received the handover of the Castle, from the last Lord Lieutenant FitzAlan. Today, aside from being a major tourist attraction, the castle hosts heads of states and numerous government and industry leaders who visit Dublin. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="424" caption="Parlor"][/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="424" caption="Exterior of the Dublin Castle"][/caption] Contact Details: Address: Dublin 2, Ireland Dublin Castle Tours: +3531-6458813 Tour Schedule: Monday-Friday: 10:00 am to 4:45 pm Saturday, Sunday Public Holidays: 2:00 pm to 4:45 pm Fees: Adults: €4.50 Students / Senior Citizens: €3.50 Children Under 12 years: €2.00 5. Grafton Street - the perfect street to shop till you drop. Dublin's Grafton street is filled with cafes and quaint shops that are sure sources of curios and collectibles. One of Grafton street's main attractions is the Powerscourt Shopping Centre. But this is not just another shopping mall, but is a fine example of Dublin's Georgian architecture and part of Irish history. It was built in the 18th century to serve as a town house and office for Lord Powerscourt, Richard Wingfield third Viscount. Facilities: ATM; baby-changing stations; internet kiosks; wheelchair accessible entrance; wi-fi hot spot; parking area 6. Temple Bar – Always end your tour day by unwinding at the Temple Bar – Dublin’s cultural quarter. Just within walking distance from Grafton Street, Temple Bar is the street with the buzz…the entertainment district. The cobbled street is filled with restaurant, cafes and of course pubs. This is the perfect place to go to listen to live music, enjoy a good pint and good craic Map: You can download a map here to get to Temple Bar Have you been to Dublin? Can you recommend any sites that a traveler can visit for free? Please share it in our comments section :) (next week- Quickie: 48 hours in...Rome)

Quickie: 48 Hours in...Rome

gypsygalstales — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:29:50 +0000

text and photos by: Nina Sarmiento Note: In my previous post, I listed down ways on how to travel less in Europe. One of which is to just roam around and tour the many fab landmarks, museums and galleries which you can visit either for free or for a token fee. Last week I reposted Gypsygals' Tales Quickie guide to the capital city of Ireland. where I showed that you don't need to spend a lot of euros to enjoy Dublin! This week, I will show you how you can have fun in Rome without having to bust your budget. This is typical scene in Rome. Tables outdoors, heaps of pizza trays and pasta arriving with its waiters mouthing enthusiastic exclamation. The silhouette of beautiful sculptures and churches serve as a backdrop while you enjoy some pasta and coffee after a day of sightseeing . Rome is over 3,000 years old, which means there’s a lot of history and culture packed in a single place. So every time you wander in the eternal city, you'll continue to discover something new and exciting. This city was not built in a day, but you can explore Rome’s tourist attractions even if you only have a weekend to spare. They’re accessible (you can walk or just hop on a Metro). Best of all, you don’t need to spend a dime (or a lira for that matter) to enjoy a walking tour of Rome. 1.The Colosseum: This is the first thing that will spring into mind when one travels Rome. It is so vast, that anyone who visits just has to stop, look and admire the place. [caption id="attachment_773" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The Colosseum"][/caption] Emperor Vespasian spearheaded its construction around 70AD, the funding came from the spoils of war, and the slaves then provided the labor. The Colosseum was the venue of many gladiator combats centuries ago, main spot for public entertainment. The spectators were segregated by status and sex: the emperor and the vestal virgins had a special box on the ground floor, along with the senators. The aristocrats sat in the second row, the ordinary citizens were on the third, while the uppermost seats were occupied by the women, poor and slaves. Just like in the movies, the emperor and the spectators have the control on the gladiator's fate, no wonder the crowd gets very excited, and feels “powerful” whenever the decision is passed over to them. Today, the Colosseum is less stellar than its older, glorious self. The original seating and flooring were destroyed. The Colosseum suffered from severe fire, earthquakes and looting. The place was actually 'saved' from further looting when Pope Benedict XIV consecrated it in honor of Christians martyred and used as kitty food for lions. Nearest Metro station: Colosseum 2. Roman Forum: While you circumnavigate the Colosseum, you will see a triumphal arch and you are now ready to explore the Roman Forum. Take note that to fully appreciate the historical background of this place, it's advisable to carry a map with you. The place is home to some of Rome’s most important structures: the Arch of Titus, the oldest arch in the forum built by Emperor Domitioan to honor Titus' victory; the impressive Basilica di Massenzio; Tempio di Vesta, dedicated to the vestal virgins who served as priestesses to the ancient Roman goddess of hearth Vest; Rostra, the orator's place.; and Tempio Di Saturno, ruins of a temple dedicated to Saturn, the ancient Roman god of agriculture. [caption id="attachment_778" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The Roman Forum"][/caption] Nearest metro: Colosseum 3. The Pantheon: From the Roman Forum, walk towards Via Corso, the place to go for Rome’s tourist attractions. This includes the Pantheon, the best preserved building in Rome and stands just at the side of Piazza del Rotonda. Although there is a little to see here, you can’t help but admire on the architectural triumph of this structure. Once inside, the first thing that you will see is the hole at the center of the dome, known as oculus. Daylight that streams through the oculus illuminate the majestic marble-clad interiors and serves as a backdrop for starry starry nights. Rainy days and nights are not a problems. Just look on the floor closely and you can see some holes in there, which drain the water. Brilliant isn't it? But in terms of architecture, the one that is still hailed as the best is the dome. The lower part the dome is made of heavy materials supporting the upper part which is made of lighter materials such as pumice. This dome has been an inspiration for the Duomo (in Florence), the Vatican dome and even the White House in the U.S. The Pantheon is also where you can find the tombs of King Victor Emmanuel II, King Umberto I and wife Margherita, the painter Raphael and his fiancee Maria Bibbiena.[caption id="attachment_780" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="The Pantheon"][/caption] 4. Piazza Navona: Before you go back to Via del Corso, you might as well take a breather at the Piazza Navona. Flanked by the fountains, the place is home to some pricey cafés. But you really don't need to spend anything to enjoy the surroundings. 5. Fontana di Trevi: Go back to Via del Corso, walk your way up and turn right to Via Del Murette where you will see the most beautiful fountain in Rome and where you can imagine yourself as Anita Ekberg in Fellini's famous movie La Dolce Vita.[caption id="attachment_781" align="alignright" width="220" caption="Fontana di Trevi"][/caption] 6. Piazza di Spagna: Retrace your steps to Via del Corso, conserve your energy as you will need that to climb the famous Spanish Steps. This is a favorite meeting place, especially in spring when the place is abloom with azalea flowers. Nearest Metro: Spagna Have you been to Rome? Can you recommend any sites that a traveler can visit for free? Please share it in our comments section :)

A tour of Vatican City

gypsygalstales — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:38:21 +0000

Note: In my previous post, I listed down ways on how to travel for less in Europe. One of which is to just roam around and tour the many fab landmarks, museums and galleries which you can visit either for free or for a token fee. Last week I posted Gypsygals' Tales Quickie guide to the capital city of Ireland. where I showed that you don't need to spend a lot of euros to enjoy Dublin! Last Wednesday, l showed you how you can have fun in Rome without racking up massive credit card debt. If you want to extend that Roman holiday, you might even go to Vatican City. Enjoy! Text and Photos by Nina Sarmiento The Vatican City is the seat of the Pope, the leader of the Catholic flock. A sightseeing tour of Rome won’t be complete without a side trip to this walled enclave, a sovereign city state in Italy's capital. Vatican city is home to St. Peter's Basilica, the most important church for the Catholics, as it stands at the site where St. Peter, considered to be the first Pope, was crucified. Whether you are a Catholic or not, you will love touring this place if only because you can't get enough of Michelangelo's artworks. The church’s original designer was Bramante, but he died before finishing it. Guilliano De Sangallo continued the prpoject, but he also died before finishing it. Pope Paul enlisted Michelangelo to save the project. Most of the designs here were completed after his death and were amended by Giacomo della Porta. Gian Lorenzo Bernini did the finishing touches.[caption id="attachment_783" align="alignright" width="300" caption="St. Peter\'s Basilica"][/caption] On the basilica’s facade, there is a door on the extreme right that is only opened during the Holy Years, called Porta Santa. The bronze doors of the basilica are decorated with reliefs depicting the scenes from the lives of St. Peter and St. Paul, from their evangelization to their martyrdom If you’ inside the basilica, everything seems to be small and intimate, but try walking and you will realize things are not near to each other as it seems. Take a look in one of the columns, on the base is sculpture of cherubs which seems to be small. Go nearer and you will see the cherub is the same height as an adult person. The statue above the cherub is bigger and the topmost statue is twice the height of the one below it. Michelangelo, made it this way, because perception wise you will see things smaller viewed from a far. This make everything looks even, which is why he adjusted the proportions of the statues. Now, don't you just admire him???? Catholic pilgrims who visit this place view two sculptures here in Basilica with reverence: the bronze sculpture of St. Peter, created by Arnolfo di Cambio; and Michelangelo's Pieta, the only work he actually signed. [caption id="attachment_784" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Michelangelo\'s Pieta"][/caption] If you want to get a very good view of St. Peter's Square, the only way to go is through the Cupola or the Dome of the basilica. Take note, this is a 320 steps uphill, the steps are very steep and the stairways is narrow. This is not for the faint-hearted and claustrophobes. Climbing the steps is ideal for people like me who don't like to exercise as this is equivalent to about a month's worth of aerobics. If that’s not the thing, you can always take a lift and pay 7 euros. But this will only save you from climbing 220 steps, you need to climb 100 steps more. You might also want to go to the Vatican Museums such as the Stanze di Raffaello and the Sistine Chapel. On Stanze di Raffaello is at the the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. You can find here one of Italian Renaissance Painter Raphael's painting called the School of Athens.t Try locating the greatest Greeck thinkers such as Zeno, Epicurus, Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato, Euclid, Ptolemy and hidden somewhere, an image of Raphael. At the Sistine Chapel, prepare to stretch your neck, you will have to keep looking up to appreciate Michelangelo’s paintings. One painting has nine panels, depicting scenes from the Book of Genesis.[caption id="attachment_785" align="alignright" width="224" caption="Sistine Chapel"][/caption] The other is the Last Judgement which shows God as strong and merciless in punishing evil. The Virgin Mary is behind him, looking a bit helpless. You can see the good souls being pulled by the angels, rising up to go the heavenly paradise. While the bad souls were tortured by the devils, sinking down to hell’s damnation. Of all the figures in the fresco there is only one figure that is looking straight to the onlooker, a doomed soul hugging himself. And if you see a flayed skin on the center, that is Michelangelo himself.

Is it safe to travel in the Philippines?

gypsygalstales — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:24:38 +0000

posted by: Prime Sarmiento "We live in the real world. It is governed by science, physics, laws of nature. There is always, ALWAYS, a non-Voodoo explanation for everything." - Adrian Monk in "Monk and the Voodoo Curse", Monk Season 8, Episode 9 Is it safe to travel in the Philippines? This is one question which can't be answered by a simple yes or no. Last week's hostage crisis in Manila can spook anyone - both residents and visitors to the Philippines. As a traveler myself, I can understand the apprehension. I had the same concern when I was thinking of going to Bali in October 2005 shortly after terrorists bombed a bar in Kuta. I had the same apprehension towards air travel per se as I was preparing to go to Kathmandu a month after 9-11. News that eight tourists from Hong Kong died after being kept captive for 11 hours in a bus will just discourage anyone from even setting foot in Manila. Heck, even a true-blue Manilenya (born here, live here on and off for years) like me was scared. I LIVE IN THIS CITY and this is not something I will like to experience, ever. The local police's botched attempt to rescue the hostages won't inspire confidence. But I will rather not comment on that. As Randy David said in his column in the Inquirer: "What we have here, I think, is a series of unexpected and unfortunate outcomes in search of causes... The net result of all this has been an explosion of judgments, condemnations and calls for accountability, resignation, dismissal and reparation, based on a limited appreciation of the “facts.” Still, if this is the only thing that the so-called Manila's Finest can offer, then I (or any thinking person for that matter) will have a major major reason to be concern for my own safety. But going back to the original question: Is it safe to travel in the Philippines? While he hostage crisis is a cause for national shame, I will like to stress that this is an ISOLATED INCIDENT and I don't think that this factor alone should deter any tourists from visiting the Philippines. There are over 90 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and most of us don't go bonkers and hijack a tourist bus because we lost our jobs. We're decent, hard working and cheerful people who are always hospitable (sometimes to a fault) to visitors. Most visitors who come to the Philippines leave the country with happy memories and new friends. As a Filipino, but more so as a HUMAN BEING, I sympathize with the friends and family of the hostage victims. These tourists went here to enjoy themselves, not expecting that was supposed to be a day of fun will end in tragedy. They don't deserve this. No one does. But Filipinos don't deserve being condemned for a sin committed by ONE hostage-taker. It is unfair to blame all Filipinos for this event. It's like blaming all Indonesians for the Bali blombing or blaming all Muslims for the 9-11. (And oh, by the way, I still went to Bali and Kathmandu. With or without bombing, no terrorist can tell me how to live my life) *** But more than that, it's also unfair for Filipinos to blame themselves for this. We should not held ourselves accountable for ONE PERSON's mistake. One of the most inspiring columns that I read regarding this unfortunate incident is the one penned by Jim Paredes in Philippine Star. He said (and I quote): "Let’s not beat ourselves up so much that we lose hope... We will learn from this and we will move on to achieve greater things that will restore our collective sense of national pride. Like other peoples in the world who have undergone such crises, we shall overcome." I agree. And instead doing another blame game or going into self flagellation, we should do our part ( no matter how small) in proving that we Filipinos will not allow this thing to happen again. We will be more vigilant ijn ensuring that justice will indeed be done. We will show that we have more to offer to the world than another hostage taker and a botched rescue operation.

Quickie: 48 Hours In…London

gypsygalstales — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:38:25 +0000

text and photos by: Nina Sarmiento In my previous post, I listed down ways on how to travel less in Europe. One of which is to just roam around and tour the many fab landmarks, museums and galleries which you can visit either for free or for a token fee. This week, I'm re-posting Gypsygals’ Tales Quickie guide to London. It's an expensive city, but there's a way to enjoy London even if you have a tight budget. I have sailed the world beheld its wonders From the Dardanelles to the Mountains of Peru, But there's No Place Like London! --- "No Place like London" - Sweeney Todd (2007) [caption id="attachment_519" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="The City of Red Phone Booths"][/caption]There is no gray area when one deals with London. You either love or hate this noisy, vibrant and cosmopolitan city. And I'm an urbanite who's hugely in love with this city - a place humming with locals and tourists, streets filled with museums, churches, galleries, monuments and cafes, roads lined up with red phone booths and red buses. Two days aren't enough to explore United Kingdom's largest city. But if you can only spare a long weekend here then here are the must see sites (all of which are accessible through the London underground train aka the Tube): 1. Statue of Eros - Located at the center of Piccadilly Circus, this statue here does not represent the Greek God of Love the Angel of Christian Charity. The statue was built in 1892 as a memorial to Anthony Cooper, the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury who tirelessly worked for the poor and the mentally ill. [caption id="attachment_511" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Statue of Eros"][/caption] Nearest Metro: Piccadilly Circus 2. Trafalgar Square - From Piccadilly Circus, walk towards the Hay Market street and turn left. You will stumble at Trafalgar Square. You can't miss it with a gigantic column dedicated for Admiral Horatio Nelson, flanked with gigantic lions on the bottom. Nelson is famous for his naval victory against French, a feat depicted on the reliefs of the columns base. Nearest Metro: Charing Cross [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="175" caption="Hello up there!"][/caption] 3. National Gallery - Art lovers take note, just a few blocks away from Trafalgar Square is one building that will blow your mind away! The National Gallery is home to over 2,000 paintings including Georges Seurat's "Bathers at Asnières", Vincent Van Gogh's "Sunflowers", Sandro Boticelli's "Venus and Mars" and Leonardo Da Vinci's unfinished "Madonna of the Rocks". I heard one enthusiast before said, "any museum with a Da Vinci in it puts that museum on the map". Oh and did I mention that the entrance is free? :) You should stay there for at least two hours (I did!) just to appreciate most of the stunning art works., But if you just want to whiz thru or in a hurry then just check the website for the highlights of the gallery, The Gallery is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm and on Fridays from 10am to 9pm.[caption id="attachment_512" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="That\'s me in front of the National Gallery"][/caption] 4. Horse Guards Parade - From the Gallery take the Parliament street and turn left where you can see the entrance to the Horse Guards Parade – a large parade ground off Whitehall in central London where the changing of the guards mounted on horses takes place. Ceremonies takes place Monday to Saturday at 11 am and Sundays at 10 am. After the ceremony, you may to take photo along with the royal guards on horse. But you can't ask them to smile for you ;P - they are a bit camera-shy. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="520" caption="Hi ho silver away!!"][/caption][caption id="" align="alignnone" width="320" caption="Hi ho silver away!!"] 5.The Mall - From the Gallery, go pass the Admiralty Arch and head to The Mall. Nope you can't shop in here. What you will see instead is a stretch of road lined with trees. Nearby are the two Royal gardens: Green Park and St. James - both are lovely places during the spring-summer season. Nearest Metro:St. James 6. Buckingham Palace - Why visit London? To have tea with The Queen of course?! Any one with some curiosity over the Royal Family should go here. If the weather is good, you might catch the changing of guards ceremony. Check out its Twitter account for updates. Nearest Metro: St. James [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="250" caption="To the Queen!"][/caption] 7. Westminster Abbey – This is one of Britain's national shrines, the coronation and burial-place of popular British figures including poets and royalty. [caption id="attachment_515" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Westminster Abbey"][/caption] The tombs of Henry VII and his wife were here and so does the chapel built in Henry VII's honor. The tomb of Elizabeth I is on the left chapel upstairs, along with her step sister Mary Tudor, oddly side by side as Mary was a Catholic and Elizabeth was a Protestant and they both lived in an era when religion once divided their country. On another side of the chapel lies the tomb of Queen Mary of Scot's, Elizabeth I's 'rival' to the throne. Elizabeth got the upper hand and sentenced her to death for high treason. James VI of Scotland, who was the successor of the unmarried and childless Elizabeth I, who managed to have his mother's tomb transferred here. There is a corner for the noted British writers, where one can find the tombs of Geoffrey Chaucer, Thomas Hardy, Lord Alfred Tennyson, Henry James, T.S. Eliot, William Wordsworth, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens the Bronte sisters and a memorial to Shakespeare. For opening hours please visit their website. Nearest Metro: Westminster 8.The Thames, Big Ben and Houses of Parliament – Another celebrated tourist spot is the Big Ben, the nickname is actually for the Bell and not for the tower. The view at night is quite good with lights flooding the tower. On a clear day it would be nice to take a cruise along the Thames river. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="420" caption="The big big big bell named Ben"][/caption] 9. London Eye - Cross the Westminster bridge and hop in the capsule of one of the world's biggest ferris wheels. Sitting in a capsule will give you an unobstructed view of the city. One full circle will last for half an hour. You might also want to buy a ticket ahead of time as the queue tends to be very long on some days: Go here to book your tickets asap. [caption id="attachment_517" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="London Eye"][/caption] 10. millennium Bridge, Tate Modern and Shakespeare Globe - Power walk your way through the Millennium Bridge, a pedestrian-only steel suspension bridge crossing the Thames. Proceed to Tate Modern - London's gallery of modern art., and view some artworks by Salvador Dali, Paul Cezanne, Andy Warhol, William Blake, Auguste Rodin and Pablo Picasso. If you prefer theater over visual arts, then you can go to the nearby Shakespeare's Globe, and perhaps catch a performance in an open-air playhouse – a reconstruction of the playhouse built in 1599 where Shakespeare worked.ihttp://www.shakespeares-globe.org/ [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="420" caption="The Bridge of the Millenium!"][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="520" caption="King lear anyone?"][/caption] 11. Tower Bridge - Repeat after me: London bridge is different from the Tower Bridge, so to save yourself from confusion when asking direction, say "Tower Bridge " or bring a photo of the bridge with you. The tower bridge has a small exhibition inside, so you might want to have a peek inside. Nearest Metro: London Bridge [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="420" caption="Not from your nursery rhyme! this doesn;t go up and down!"][/caption] 12. St. Paul 's Cathedral - The towering dome of cathedral has stood in London for more than three centuries. The church was built after the Great London fire, capped with a dome that continue to amaze architects and culture vultures – truly a testament to the genius of the church's architect Sir Christopher Wren. Now, a lot probably remember this place as the wedding venue of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. While inside, it would be worth looking on the Whispering gallery, but remember to check the visiting time, as obviously loitering is not allowed during service time. Check out its website for the visiting schedule. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="420" caption="The Famous dome of St.Paul's Cathedral"][/caption] 13. Tower of London - Should I say the Bloody tower of London, as this is a place that serves as a prison, place of execution, fortress, arsenal, royal mint and jewel house. Inside the compound are four main towers: the Green tower- the place of execution for some high-profile prisoners like Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, both were wives of King Henry VIII. On the walls of the tower you can see a graffiti allegedly for Jane Grey, the queen for nine days, the poor lass got entangled on royal political turmoil and got herself executed for treason; the White Tower - oldest tower that houses the collection of armors, suits and oh the axe for chopping heads(brrrr); tower Ravens – there's this story that goes that even though King Charles II would love to shoo the birds off his compound, he was advised that if the ravens left then the kingdom will fall and disaster will come; and the Bloody tower - got it's notorious nickname to the mysterious disappearance of King Edward IV's two sons, Edward and Richard. After King Edward IV's death, the two young ones were taken in to this tower by their uncle, the Duke of Gloucester, for 'protection'. The 2 young boys disappeared and the Duke was crowned as the king. Centuries later, two skeletons were found on the white tower. Who are they? My guess is as yours. Nearest Metro: Tower Hill [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="420" caption="That bloody tower!"][/caption] l4. British Museum - Get ready for an overload of antiquities from different civilization and cultures. Among the highlights of the museum is the Rosetta stone and the Egyptian gallery, the Nereid Monument and the controversial Elgin Marbles the collection of stone objects - sculptures, inscriptions and architectural features - acquired by Lord Elgin during his time as ambassador to the Ottoman court of the Sultan in Istanbul. Lord Elgin also acquired the friezes of Parthenon, the main temple in Athens. There has been a lot of debate-discussion (especially from the Greek side)as this are considered national treasures and should be returned. Website: http://www.britishmuseum.org/ Nearest Metro: Tottenham Court [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="190" caption="The Nereid Monument"][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="320" caption="The Elgin marbles - can someone ask Athena on her opinion on this?"][/caption]

greece

gypsygalstales — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 10:59:44 +0000

Postcard Moment: Greek Ruins

gypsygalstales — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 11:05:46 +0000

photo By: Nina Sarmiento [caption id="attachment_816" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Sunset at Cape Sounion - site of the ruins of the ancient Greek temple of Poseidon - god of the sea"][/caption]

pnejmembers

gypsygalstales — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:41:39 +0000

feeding

gypsygalstales — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:44:35 +0000

hospital

gypsygalstales — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:49:18 +0000

emt

gypsygalstales — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:58:16 +0000

The Albay Experience: Lessons on Climate Change Journalism

gypsygalstales — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 12:28:27 +0000

text and photos by Prime Sarmiento How can a disaster-prone province become one of the most liveable areas in the Philippines? How can a province renown as site of devastating floods and volcanic eruptions be a global model for climate change adaptation? I was asking myself these questions while in a press conference with Albay Governor Joey Salceda. He was telling us members of the Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists (PNEJ) on how they're preparing for the impact of climate change.[caption id="attachment_822" align="alignright" width="300" caption="members of the Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists went on a media tour in Alobay to know more about climate change adaptation"][/caption] The briefing was part of the three-day media tour sponsored by the provincial government. We had a very packed schedule, cramming everything within a ten-hour workday. Environmental journalism is not a glamorous job and this is no press junket. It can be tiring and I had to imbibe at least four cups – instant, brewed, three-in-one – of coffee, the caffeine acting as my power bar. It would have been more ideal if this is a week-long thing, but we can only spare a long weekend for this. That said, I considered it a good crash course on climate change – something that I really need as I've been covering climate change's impact on the Philippines for the past two years. My coverage, however, is limited to attending media briefings and interviewing experts, scientists and development workers based in Manila. I educated myself on climate change by reading newspapers, surfing the net and listening in various conferences. Albay is not just about tragedy The Albay trip is my first field trip as well... a climate change journalist. And instead on delving on how climate change -and the natural disasters it will bring – create more victims, I've seen how the local government and the community is doing everything possible to cope with what seems to be the inevitable. Located at the typhoon belt and the Pacific Ring of Fire, Albayanons just have to live with the fact that every year, at least five typhoons will sweep their farmlands, destroy their crops and houses. From 1994 to 2006, these typhoons killed over 1 million people and damaged properties and farm produce worth over 100 million U.S. dollars Late last year, Albay was in the international news again as the beautiful – but very active- Mayon Volcano threatened to erupt by Christmas (it did not, and so it was a happy Christmas for everyone!:) Making matters worse is climate change. As sea temperatures rise, carbon emissions continue to increase and energy consumption continues to grow, vulnerable areas like Albay are expected to suffer. But our visit in Albay proves that a place's geography need not to be its fate. In between lectures and press conferences with Salceda and other officials of Albay, PNEJ members were able to visit two resettlement areas, a high school that incorporated climate change adaptation in ts curriculum, the province's emergency medical training center housed in Bicol University and a well-equipped public hospital (Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital). We also got the chance to talk to members of the indigenous Agta tribe (where they attributed these natural hazards to people's abuse of the environment) and residents of resettlement areas . [caption id="attachment_823" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Feeding program at the resettlement area in Albay"][/caption] Salceda considers climate change adaptation as an “investment” and not a “cost”, which is why in 2009, 9 percent of the province's 804 million pesos (about 18 million U.S. dollars) budget went to disaster risk reduction (community-based warning and evacuation planning, training of emergency medical teams, purchase of rubber boats and ambulance and establishment of resettlement areas. and adaptation projects which include declogging canals,planting more trees, and organic farming. Albay has gained global recognition for such efforts. In 2008, the World Bank and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN-ISDR)declared Albay as a global model for CCA. The UN-ISDR also named Salceda as “Senior Champion” of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. Good schools, good hospitals make for a liveable city Salceda also presented data showing improved literacy (more kids are going to schools and finishing college) and public health (as seen by the reduction in infant and maternal mortality rates) in the province.[caption id="attachment_824" align="alignright" width="300" caption="We posed in front of a very impressive public hospital in Albay. "][/caption] Not surprising really as - in between cracking naughty jokes - Salceda showed us a detailed budget of Albay province, a substantial portion of which provided scholarships to the youth, medical insurance for the poor and extending incentives to public school teachers. [caption id="attachment_826" align="alignleft" width="169" caption="Some equipment needed in emergency medical training conducted at Bicol University"][/caption] I asked him about the province's economic growth, specifically his GDP growth targets. But Salceda who worked a stock market analysts for years before he pursued political career, declined to reply. He said that he'd rather talk about his plan of making Albay a liveable province, or responding to the “social desire of the people.” “My vision is for Albay to be known for good schools, good hospitals and a good environment,” Salceda said. Lessons from the field: So what did I learn from this tour? Here are some takeaways from our trip and I hope that other journalists (that 's you!) reading this blog post will bear this in mind the next time you find yourself reporting on climate change: 1. Focus on resiliency, not tragedy: The media has always highlighted disasters – and the victims of these disasters. I admit that I'm guilty of this sin. In reporting about climate change, I harped on the Philippines' vulnerability – but seldom reported on what is being done to cope with iyts impact or to document best practices. Albay proves that it's not a victim but is a survivor – a resilient community which can cope with -and rise from - disasters. 2.Good governance is good news and that's NEWS: It's important document that government officials are actually doing something, instead of stealing from the country's coffers or passing useless laws. This is the kind of news that offers hope to its audience, help in nation building, and shames corrupt officials. Gov. Salceda said, you need to create an ecosystem that rewards good behavior. Reporting about "good behavior" is a step towards that kind of ecosystem. 3. Keep it simple and sweet: Climate change is such an abstract concept and unless you have some science background, it's difficult to report about it or even spur most people to read about it. By going to a province like Albay and seeing how people are preparing for climate change's possible impact, climate change became more “real” to me and makes it easier for me to explain why everyone should care about climate change.

farm in waldi

gypsygalstales — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:25:06 +0000

Postcard Moment: Swiss Nostalgia

gypsygalstales — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:31:11 +0000

photo by: Nina Sarmiento [caption id="attachment_834" align="alignleft" width="688" caption="At a farm in Waldi, northeast part of Switzerland"][/caption]

Janet De Neefe

gypsygalstales — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 14:36:51 +0000

Janet De Neefe

gypsygalstales — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 14:44:13 +0000

goagajah

gypsygalstales — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 15:12:21 +0000

goagajah

gypsygalstales — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 15:14:21 +0000

Finding the time for travel writing

gypsygalstales — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 10:58:30 +0000

I love to travel and I love to write about it because it's the best way for me to communicate what I felt, seen, heard, tasted as a true blue gypsygal. What is frustrating, however, is that there are busy days and it was hard to do some travel writing (I tried writing in a cab but that only works if I'm going somewhere far and I'm stuck in traffic). I have other commitments too. I have a day job (journalist working in a foreign newswire), while at the same time doing my graduate studies in anthropology (writing my thesis). I do some errands, go to the gym, read some cozy mysteries (love them, these books relax my brain) spend time with family and friends...and oh yeah, sleep and eat too). These things can be overwhelming that sometimes it's easier to make excuses - like not writing because I'm tired/bored/hungry/not enough coffee. But the craft of writing is something that I respect - it's both my passion and the source of livelihood. This is why in my latest guest post in Travel Writer's Exchange, I explained why it's important fir writers to go on a retreat.

Q & A: Janet De Neefe talks about the Ubud Writers Festival

gypsygalstales — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 14:07:17 +0000

interview by: Prime Sarmiento Janet de Neefe is the founder and festival director of the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, an annual literary festival held every October in Bali, Indonesia. The Australia-born De Neefe has been living in Bali for the last twenty years. Widely regarded as the "Queen of Ubud", de Neefe is the owner of Casa Luna and Indus restaurants and author of Fragrant Rice - a memoir/cookbook about her life in Bali. De Neefe organized the first Ubud Writers Festival in 2003. This was meant to encourage tourists to return to Indonesia's magical island after were spooked by the 2002 Bali bombing that left 200 people dead. Four days of literary celebration that includes panel sessions, readings, performance, poetry slams, book launches and literary lunches and dinners were enough reasons for tourists to return to Bali. As de Neefe herself noted in an interview with Gypsygals Tales, "from the moment we started we had a huge enthusiastic response from writers and readers and this continues to grow." The festival has since grown, luring both established and aspiring writers, and literary fans from all over the world. The Ubud Writers Festival was hailed by the Harper’s Bazaar, UK, as "one of the top literary festivals in the world." Now in its seventh year, the festival will run from October 7 to 11 with the theme "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika:Harmony in Diversity." In this interview with Gypsygals Tales, de Neefe talked about what the Ubud Writers Festival and Ubud itself can offer to solo female travelers especially those who are keen on becoming a travel writer. Q: Why do you think Ubud is the ideal place for literary festival? What distinguishes this festival from other literary festivals such as those organized in Hong Kong, Jaipur and Sydney? A: Ubud has a particular charm and ambience that's hard to beat. It has been the playground for the bohemian for so many years and is perfect for an event of this nature. The intimacy and location make is special and, most importantly, the warmth of the local community. Q: Why did you choose Bhinneka Tunggal Ika :Harmony in Diversity as the theme for this year's festival? A: The theme is particularly relevant at the moment. There seems to be a rise of fanaticism in many guises and a waning tolerance, if thats the right term, amongst people. So we decided to look at what "Harmony in Diversity" truly means in modern times. Q: What can solo female travelers expect in this year's festival? A: Solo female travelers can expect anything from a life-changing experience to meeting the man of their dreams!Ubud has always offered these. Q: Please give highlights and specific programs/workshops that you can recommend to travelers. A: There are so many workshops that I would recommend, from travel writing to blogging, from creating characters to editing. Q: The writers' workshops, where each participant has to pay 100 U.S. dollars, are a bit pricey. Is this a worthy investment for a writer (especially now that a lot of publications are closing down due to weak revenues )? A: The workshops are led by our international guests and are always well worth the investment. Of course it's worthy for a writer to join in. Webzines and online publications are gaining more popularity by the minute and the world of blogging is still massive. Many of those taking workshops are interested in writing their memoir, whether they publish it or not. Q: What are the must see sites/must visit restos/cafes if a solo female traveler can only spare a long weekend in ubud? A: Must sees - my restaurants of course! Ubud is full of wonderful dining experiences from the humble to the extravagant. In between eating, you can take a path through a village side street and end up in the ricefields. And then there are the shops and art galleries. Two days are not enough (to explore Ubud). Q: What should solo female travelers bring when they attend the Ubud writers festival. (And what can they buy there :)) A: They can bring a happy heart, a big smile and maybe an umbrella!! Light clothing is the order of the day and a small fan never goes astray. At the festival they can buy books of course. And there will also be plenty to eat and drink. A local sim card can also be purchased so you can stay in mobile touch, very cheaply, with all the new friends that you will make at the festival Travel Bits: 1. Ubud Writers Festival - Visit this site if you want to know more about the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival. 2. The Art of Letting Go I wrote this five years ago when I participated in the third Ubud Writers Festival. It was sooo worth it.Attending writing workshops and listening to panel discussions helped me in making that shift from news reporting to what I always loved to do - travel writing. photo provided by Janet de Neefe

Postcard Moment:Goa Gajah in Bali, Indonesia

gypsygalstales — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:57:12 +0000

photo by: Prime Sarmiento The Goa Gajah, better known as Elephant Cave, is located near Ubud, Bali. Ancient sacred site.

temple

gypsygalstales — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:43:28 +0000

temple

gypsygalstales — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:44:46 +0000

with_baskets

gypsygalstales — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:48:55 +0000

gunungkawi

gypsygalstales — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:52:49 +0000

pasarraya

gypsygalstales — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:59:57 +0000

Quickie: 48 Hours (to Eat, Pray, Love) in Ubud

gypsygalstales — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 12:19:19 +0000

text and photos by Prime Sarmiento I consider Ubud in Bali, Indonesia my spiritual home, a place to center myself. Whenever I can spare the time and money, I travel to Ubud, to help me cope with frustrations and pressures. To nurture my writing. To have some breathing space. To hone my spirituality. Thanks to Elizabeth Gilbert's bestselling book Eat, Pray, Love, a lot of women travelers have been coming to Bali droves, inspired by one woman's search for everything. They too are seeking something, a new life and perhaps looking (and finding!) love. While a sabbatical may be ideal, it's still possible to have a mini-retreat and create your own Eat Pray Love story in Bali over a long weekend. 1. A Room with a View: What I love about Ubud is the proliferation of spacious and modestly priced guesthouses, with wide windows, located in some quiet corner, and with a refreshing view of the green green rice fields. Each cottage usually comes in with a small patio, where you can just sit down, have some coffee while writing your dreams, thoughts, impressions in your travel journal. 2. Art Trippings: Ubud is considered to be Bali's cultural center, a legacy of the late Cokorde Agung Sukawati who during his reign in the 1920s and 1930s served as a patron of Balinese arts and invited international artists to settle in Ubud. Ubud continues to lure painters, dancers, writers, designers and all creative types, enchanted by its bohemian vibe. And whether you consider yourself an artist or not, a visit to any of Ubud's museums and galleries is enough to ignite that creative spark. You may want to visit Neka Museum which houses a permanent collection of paintings made by the renown Balinese artist I Gusti Nyoman Lempad. If you're keen to know more about Balinese art, you may want to go the Agung Rai Museum of Art which features a good collection of classical and modern Balinese paintings. And if you want to really enjoy yourself by having a taste of camp, go to Museum Blanco - the ostentatious former home of the Catalan expatriate artist Antonio Balnco. Its bright red motif, sweeping balustrades and gilded pillars is a reflection of the flamboyant artist. Galleries abound in Ubud, and I spend countless of hours just going from one gallery to another. But my favorite is the Seniwati Gallery -the only art space dedicated to the nurturing of female Balinese artists, most of whom don't have final formal training in the arts, but have produced art works that appeals both to the heart and the mind. 3. Yoga in Bali: Bring your yoga mat and start your day with sun salutations. If you prefer to practice with a group, power walk your way to the nearest shala. There are several here and in some hotels, they even offer yoga classes. Ubud is a place where you can also deepen your yoga practice. Several resident and visiting yoga teachers offer a month-long teacher training courses certified by the Yoga Alliance. 5. A Quiet Mind: Meditation both calms and discipline the mind. We live in the era of information over load, with the noise created by media agitates the mind, distracting us from what really matters. In Ubud, you can start developing a meditation practice as there are several teachers here that offer classes in meditation. One of the meditation teachers I recommend is Salena Oppenheimer who regularly teaches movement meditation – a mix of silent practice and ecstatic dance - at The Yoga Barn. 6. Culinary therapy: Cooking is both creative and relaxing. You can learn how to cook your favorite Balinese dish like babi kecap (pork in sweet chili sauce) and urab pakis (fern coconut salad) by signing up for a cooking class. Most cooking classes run for about five hours and start with a tour of the market. This is where you'll get to know the most common ingredients used in Balinese cooking including bird's eye chili, nutmeg and lemongrass. You can buy them to add a the sweet spicy flavors of Bali in your dish. But the best buy in the is the Balinese mortar and pestle - made of volcanic stone (more known as cobek and ulek ulek) and grind those spices to make your own sambal – the spice paste that form the base of Balinese cooking. 7. Sacred sites: The Balinese has a distinct spiritual culture – a fusion of Buddhism, Hinduism and native shamanism. Their daily practices and rituals (like daily offerings to a pantheon of Dewa-Dewi – gods and goddesses) are grounded on this belief. If you want to know more about Bali and the Balinese, you may want to explore some of Ubud's most sacred sites. This includes the Goa Gajah ( or the Elephant Cave, used as meditation site by Buddhist monks), the Gunung Kawi (where you can go the temple complex by following the path down the side of the hill to the river. The best time to appreciate Bali's rice terraces) and the Pura Tirta Empul, home of the sacred spring that is believed to heal everything.[caption id="attachment_862" align="alignright" width="214" caption="Walking all the waydown to Gunung Kawi"][/caption] **** Travel Notes: Ubud is at the central part of Bali and about 40 kilometers north of the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar. To go to Ubud from the airport, get a cab which costs roughly 25 US dollars, one way. Travel time is about one hour. Recommendations: *I like staying at the Honeymoon Guesthouse where I can just relax and write. For about 50 U.S. dollars a night, I can get a a cottage with a spacious room that can fit about three to four people, ensuite bathroom, a queen-sized bed, and a patio where one can enjoy the yummy complimentary breakfast. It's also the place for the renown Casa Luna cooking school. Both are operated by Janet De Neefe, an Australian-born author and entrepreneur who's been based in Bali for the last 20 years. Honeymoon Guesthouse Jalan Bisma Phone: (+62) 361 977 409 Fax: (+62) 361 973 282 Email:info@casalunabali.com www.casalunabali.com *For yoga and meditation, I head to The Yoga Barn where there are daily yoga and meditation classes taught by several teachers, informed by various traditions. The Yoga Barn 44 Jalan Hanoman, Phone: (+62) 361 971 236 or (+62) 361 970 992 Email: info@theyogabarn.com

Postcard Moment: Ubud Art Market

gypsygalstales — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 12:58:17 +0000

photo by Prime Sarmiento The colorful Pasar Seni (Art Market) in Ubud, Bali

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gypsygalstales — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 07:29:40 +0000

Quickie: 48 Hours In... Athens

gypsygalstales — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:04:55 +0000

text and photos by Nina Sarmiento Despite the hustle and bustle typical of any growing metropolis, Athens managed to retain some of its rustic charm - public parks filled with palm trees, tavernas and cafes in every corner. Then there's the vibrant streets of Monastiraki and the numerous historic ruins that best define Greek capital. A. Museums 1. National Archeological Museum: if you can only visit one museum in Athens then go here as it houses a superb collection of sculpture, pottery and jewelry which chronicles Greek history. Some of the main exhibits include the Mask of Agamemnon, the gold funeral mask that allegedly belonged to the legendary Greek leader; the bronze statue of the Youth of Antikythera; the marble sculpture of the Goddess of Love Aphrodite and Pan the God of Shepherds; and Marathon Boy, a bronze figure with a dreamy expression and easy pose. 2. Museum of the Cycladic Art: if you are a museum buff and attracted by the simplicity of the visual art that flourished in the Early Bronze age (about 3,000 BC). then this is the place to go. Each room houses a different period of cycladic sculpture. Not to be missed is the White Lekythos or funerary vases that were used to store olive oil for anointing the dead. 3. Benaki Museum: owned by the renown art collector Antonis Benakis. His collection include a diverse array of crafts, paintings, costume and memorabilia. Some of the highlights are the ship pendant, a 17th Century silver ciborium (a container used to store the sacred host by Christian churches) from Turkey and Byzantine Icon of St. Anne. B. Greek Ruins 1. Tower of the winds: carved from marble, it serves both as a water-based clock and weather vane. The name is derived from the external friezes in the tower which personifies the eight deities of the wind. On the north is Boreas, Northwest is Skiron, West is fo Zephyros, Lips is on southwest, south is Notos, Euros is in southeast, Apeliotes for east and Kaikias in northeast. 2. Agora: the marketplace, once served as the political center of Ancient Greece, where open meetings were held. The philosopher Socrates was indicted and executed in the state prison here. You just need to walk on the Stoa of Attalos, porticos built during the reign of King Attalos II of Pergamon in 159 BC to get that feel of traveling in the once mighty empire. 3. Acropolis: the place that launched a thousand postcards. To get here, you have to climb the hills of Attica. while it is not very steep, this is usually crowded as every minute there is a group of tourist arriving to admire the area. The main points are: Porch of Caryatids - You have seen this before, sculpted figures of women serving as an architectural instead of the usual columns. The originals have since been replaced by cat sculptures but they are as beautiful as ever. Temple of Athena Nike - this is on the west side, welcoming the visitors visiting the Acropolis. It was built in honor of Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and Athen's patron Goddess. Parthenon - the main emblem of the city of Athens. Admired for its perfection, it was designed by architects Kallikrates, and Iktinos primarily to house the icon of the Goddess of Wisdom. Theater of Dionysus - a major open-air theater in Athens, one of the earliest theaters in the world, dedicated to the ancient Greek God of Wine. 4. Temple of Zeus: The largest temple in Athens, even exceeding the Parthenon. This was built under the reign of Emperor Hadrian and dedicated it to the King of Gods. It once housed the Statue of Zeus which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although there are only 15 of the original columns left, the enormity of the columns is enough to give the sense of its size. C. Shops: Monastiraki - the area is named after Monastiraki Square, which in turn is named for the Pantánassa church monastery that is located within the square. Monastiraki is home to numerous stalls and shops that sells everything from junk to jewelery. The area is on the border of Roman Agora. Within its premises you can easily spot the remains of the library owned by the Ancient Roman Emperor Hadrian and the Tower of the Winds. This is a place where you can just hang around in a taverna, partake of Greek yogurt (the best in the world) and honey and have a sip of ouzo.

Postcard Moment: Temple of Zeus in Athens

gypsygalstales — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 07:28:09 +0000

photo by Nina Sarmiento

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gypsygalstales — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 10:51:24 +0000

Writing on the Run

gypsygalstales — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 10:58:53 +0000

posted by Prime Sarmiento One of the biggest problems that most travel writers have to deal with is, well, the problem of finding the time to write. When you're off somewhere new and exciting, you just can't get enough of it that sometimes, you forget why you're there in the first place. To write of course! In my latest guest post at Travel Writer's Exchange, I listed several ways on how to squeeze in some writing time while traveling. Check it out!

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gypsygalstales — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 14:16:35 +0000

prime in bhutan

gypsygalstales — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 14:25:47 +0000

“Only rich people can travel”and other “invisible scripts” that keep us from making our own journeys

gypsygalstales — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:01:07 +0000

posted by: Prime Sarmiento [caption id="attachment_902" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="This is what I value: That\'s me, backpacking in Bhutan. I\'d rather spend on traveling than another worthless pair of designer shoes. "][/caption] I was reading this post at I Will Teach You To be Rich the other day wherein A-list blogger Ramit Sethi talked about how watching a Bollywood movie made him think about “invisible scripts that guide our lives”: “As I was watching this Indian movie, I started realizing how many invisible assumptions it revealed about Indian culture. And then I took a step back and thought about the American movies I watch all the time…movies that also reveal a tremendous amount about our own culture. These invisible scripts are so deeply embedded that we don’t even realize they guide our attitudes and behaviors." That post was so popular, garnering about 150 comments. The blog readers wrote about the same invisible scripts (e.g. “If I'm busy, then I'm more important”, “Men are the ones who pay in any relationship” and “If I have tons of Facebook friends, then I must be popular”) that cropped up in their lives, most of which were unpleasant, some irrelevant and others simply ridiculous that they decided to rewrite these scripts – no matter how difficult it was, going against your family, friends, your community. Writing My Own Script I'm one of the commenters and I was surprised to learn that despite my belief that I was (eherm!) a free spirited gypsygal, I also lived a life governed by an “invisible script.” I acted out my designated role in that script, believing that this will make me happy, successful, please my family and friends, bring harmony to my own community. But true to my quest to be independent, (I guess it's because I read a lot, and I studied in a university known for producing independent thinkers) , I decided not only to rewrite my script, but to produce a brand new one! For instance, one of the invisible scripts that once guided my life is this: “Travel is a waste of money. Buy a car and house. Then and only then you can travel.” Of course I never followed that script. I don't know how to drive a car anyway (so why should I buy one?) and while I'm planning to buy a condo of my own, I don't see the need to wait for a house and car just to travel. I traveled and continue to travel. I saved money, cut my spending ( no more hair rebonding, I seldom buy new shoes and clothes and even books, I cut down on eating out – it's fattening anyway), just so I can do what I loved most in my life – travel! That invisible script is a corollary to a bigger “invisible script” that guided most Filipinos – that only the rich can and have the right to travel.” Middle class Filipinos only travel only for WORK, as overseas working Filipinos (OFW), working as engineers/nurses in the Middle East, or perhaps in the U.S. (ahhh the Great American Dream!). For leisure? Only socialites,politicians,celebrities and journalists who are on media junkets can travel for leisure. And when Filipinos talk about traveling, it means going to the U.S. (yes, Virginia, a lot of us, in our heart of hearts just want to become AMERICANS.), or shopping in Hong Kong (that is, if you don't have enough bucks to shop in Beverly Hills!) That script, of course, had been chucked by most Filipinos these days because most young middle class Pinoys (especially the OFWs) can now afford to travel; and the proliferation of budget airlines in Asia has made traveling more affordable, spurring the Filipinos to explore the nearby cities in Southeast Asia. Suddenly, backpacking became “in vogue” here in the Philippines. But this was not so ten years ago, when I as a twenty-something newbie reporter in Manila who can only travel when there's an out-of-town assignment. Backpacking was an alien concept then for most Filipinos. It was only when I discovered Bootsnall and Lonely Planet guidebooks (take note this was in 2000, when there was no such thing as travel blog) that I learned that yes, I might have a modest budget, but I CAN AFFORD TO TRAVEL. There were no budget airlines in Southeast Asia then, but thanks to reading Lonely Planet and Bootsnall, I did learn to negotiate rates, look for travel agencies that offer cheaper rates, book rooms in guest houses, and appreciate temples, parks and museums more, learned that it's more fun to go on a temple hopping in Laos instead of shopping in Hong Kong. Sure, I gave up on spending for shoes or going the salon or buying a car, but they're not that important to me. Giving them up doesn't entail a sacrifice on my part because I value travel more than all those things and this is what I'll gladly spend on. Choosing Our own Script In her book The Art of Choosing, psychologist Sheena Iyengar, the world's leading authority on choosing notes that “Choosing helps us create our lives. We make choices and are in turn made by them.” If you think that lack of of money is keeping you from traveling, then this might be the time to think on the choices you make and what is really important for you. What we choose to spend on is a reflection of how we lead our life. You can choose to spend on another pair of designer shoes that you saw in a mall or you can always put that money in a piggy bank and save for that backpacking trip to Europe!

darlene's profile pic (for prime)

gypsygalstales — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 06:21:04 +0000

darlene's profile pic (for prime)

gypsygalstales — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 06:24:31 +0000

Q & A: Ecopreneur Darlene del Mundo talks about green travel

gypsygalstales — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 06:27:47 +0000

Darlene del Mundo is the Manila-based ecopreneur behind By Nature Handmande Soaps - a line of handmade soaps made from natural ingredients including olive oil, honey, herbs and spices. By Nature soaps have drawn a cult following among Filipina consumers, lured not only by its benefits (consumers rave that using By Nature soaps cured their skin allergies) but also by its “Go Green , Go Natural” ethic. The ten year old solo venture has since expanded, with Darlene making and selling other natural skin products such as lip balm, sunblock lotion and body moisturizer. For Darlene, By Nature is not only a business but a means of keeping up and promoting an environment-friendly lifestyle. In this interview, Darlene dispenses some green travel tips. Q: What do you usually pack to ensure that you keep up with your environment-friendly lifestyle even while traveling? A: When I travel, I always make sure that I have my reusable canvas bags with me in case i go shopping for stuff. I also bring my own toiletries (handmade soaps and my other products) so I don't need to use those provided by the hotels. At least that lessens their (hotel management's) need to replace the toiletries. If a lot of us did so (bring our own toiletries), that would save a lot of small packaging from being disposed. Q: Why do you prefer to use reusable bags instead of plastic bags? A: I prefer using my canvas bags because I get to avoid taking home small plastic bags that won't be of use anymore (like for garbage). I bring of my canvas bags along with me when I know I'll be buying stuff in bazaars or the mall. Q: What do usually shop for while traveling? A: Biodegradable products are not available everywhere, but if I do see one that I can really make use of, I'd surely buy a couple just to support the cause. Q: What is the advise that you can give to people who want to travel green? A: Aside from bringing your own toiletries (hopefully, the biodegradable ones, too) and reusable bags, you can also bring other things along. Bring your own meals and pack them in your own containers so you don't need to buy packaged food. If you'll be staying in hotels that have eco-friendly objectives, do support them. Re-use the towels the hotels provide and avoid having the sheets changes if they're still clean. Q: What are the benefits of leading an eco-friendly lifestyle. A: I would like to believe that my green lifestyle has and does rub to others. It would really take time, but there's always a beginning for change.

woodcarving1

gypsygalstales — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 09:32:50 +0000

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gypsygalstales — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 10:02:55 +0000

The Girl Effect: How we can do small things to change the world

gypsygalstales — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:41:14 +0000
posted by: Prime Sarmiento I don't remember their names. But I remember how I met them. That was about eight years ago, the first time I traveled to Ubud, Bali. I just picked up photography as a hobby. So there I was, lugging around my secondhand manual SLR camera, doing jalan jalan around the village of Nyuh Kuning (where the guesthouse I'm staying is located), and I found these two girls working on one of the many woodcarving shops here. They hardly talk english, while I can only speak a smattering of words in bahasa (Apa kabar? Saya Filipina). We communicated mostly by smiles and hand gestures, allowing me to practice my newfound hobby. I took their photos. I left. I had the film developed in Singapore. Traveled some more. I forgot about them. Last week, I read about The Girl Effect in Leonie Allan's and Ali Luke's blogsites and how these two favorite bloggers of mine are doing their part to change the world. And then I remembered those two Balinese girls... and I started to wonder: Whatever happened to those two Balinese girls? Did they study? Maybe they're in the university? Perhaps, they're managing their own woodcarving shop now. Or perhaps, they end up working in that shop for years, polishing new woodcarvings, waiting to get married as there are no other opportunities open to them. What do these two girls want? What are their dreams? Are they moving towards these dreams or did poverty kept them from doing so? I don't know where these girls are but I'm hoping that I can do something to at least give other girls a chance to dream. So here's my commitment: 1. I'm supporting the Girl Effect and I'm encouraging you to do the same. 2. I will continue donating to Kiva, believing that helping women to put up small businesses will help them improving the lives of their familues. 3. I will continue buying from socially responsible companies like Human Heart Nature , a line of Philippine-made organic personal care products, which sources raw materials from community-based cooperatives and help lift people from poverty. ***** This post is part of a blogosphere-wide campaign. Please check out The Girl Effect Blogging Campaign to know how you can give one girl a better chance in life.

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gypsygalstales — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:00:19 +0000

Postcard Moment: Edinburgh

gypsygalstales — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 15:59:20 +0000
posted by Nina Sarmiento

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Quickie: A Solo Female Traveler's Weekend Guide to Bohol

gypsygalstales — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:30:11 +0000
text by: Prime Sarmiento Photos by:Nina Sarmiento (This is part 1 of a two-part guide to Bohol) I wasn't exactly thrilled When my lil sis told me that we should go to Bohol. I went to this central Philippine province a decade ago, and the only thing I remembered doing was taking photos of the province's main tourist attraction: the Chocolate Hills. They're lovely but that was no compelling reason for me to come back. Our recent visit in Bohol changed my mind. There's more to this province than the Chocolate Hills - white sand beach, historic churches and houses, yummy food. This is an ideal place for solo female travelers who want a quick escape from the daily office stress and spend the weekend enjoying the sun and sea and indulging on food, nature and art trippings. Nature Tripping 1. Chocolate Hills There's now way you can go to Bohol without even taking a peek at the province's most famous tourist attraction. Located at the town of Carmen, about an hour's drive from the capitol, the Chocolate Hills are composed of more than 1,000 conical-shaped haycock hills spread over some farmlands. They are covered in green grass that turns brown during the summer, making them look like giant mounds of chocolates![caption id="attachment_934" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Chocolate Hills"][/caption] There's a viewing deck (if you want to take photos or just want a panoramic view). Bring bottled water, a towel and a hat, wear comfy shoes as you have to climb a staircase with 100 steps. The Chocolate Hills was declared as one of the Philippines' National Geological Monument and has been proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. 2. Philippine Tarsiers The world's smallest primates (they're cute and tiny, can fit in your hand) thrive in Bohol's forest. If you're up for a trek, you can go the protected forest area in the town Corella, a seven hectare sanctuary managed by the Philippine Tarsier Research and Development Center. You can also have your photos taken with the tarsiers in the town of Loboc (site of the famous Loboc river cruise). [caption id="attachment_935" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="That's me with the tarsier!"][/caption] 3. Simply Butterflies Conservation Center Know more about the cycle of life. A local guide will give you a tour and a lecture about the caterpillar-pupa-butterfly cycle and even show the difference between a butterfly and a moth. Ok that sounds like a ho-hum science lesson which you'd raher skip. But trust me, this is sooo fun (and I'm not speaking as a geek girl here). You will then go to a garden where you can while away your time with the butterflies. The center is located in Bilar, 40 minutes away from Tagbilaran city and about a 20 minute drive from Loboc. Have you been to Bohol? are there any places that you can recommend? Please share them here! (Next week: art and food tripping in Bohol)

Postcard Moment: Chocolate Hills

gypsygalstales — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:03:06 +0000
photo by: Nina Sarmiento [caption id="attachment_940" align="aligncenter" width="1024" caption="Choclate Hills, Bohol, Philippines"][/caption]

Quickie: A Solo Female Traveler’s Weekend Guide to Bohol

gypsygalstales — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 18:13:31 +0000
text by:Prime Sarmiento photo by: Nina Sarmiento (This is Part 2 of a two-part weekend guide for solo female travelers to Bohol. You can read the first part here.) Art Tripping 1. Baclayon Church [caption id="attachment_943" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Baclayon Church"][/caption] The province is home to some of the most beautiful and centuries old churches built during the Spanish colonial era. Whether you are a Catholic or not, visiting some of these churches (in Bohol or elsewhere) will give you an insight on the country's culture and history. One of the churches that you may want to visit while in Bohol is the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception located in the town of Baclayon. Made from coral stones and millions of egg whites, the 18th century church is also home to an old convent-turned-museum which exhibits centuries-old religious relics. Clarin Ancestral House [caption id="attachment_944" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Dining room at the Clarin Ancestral House"][/caption] This is one house that will take you back in time, reminding you of how a well-to do Filipino family lives during the 19th century. The house was built in 1840 and this owned by family of Aniceto Velez Clarin, the former governor of Bohol. This is a typical house during the Spanish colonial era: two-floor, big square wooden house with long slanting roofs covered with nipa leaves, wide windows with shutters decorated with capiz shells and a coral stone foundation. The house is full of antique intricately designed furniture made from narra, jars, lamps and antiquarian books. The National Historical Institute declared it as a heritage sites and is the most visited of all ancestral houses of Bohol. The house stands in the town of Loay, about 18 kilometers from Tagbilaran City. Food Tripping Eat a flower salad at the Bohol Bee Farm [caption id="attachment_945" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Flower Salad at the Bohol Bee Farm"][/caption] Yes a salad, made not from the usual lettuce and arugula leaves but from colorful petals of organically grown flowers! This is the signature dish of the farm's cafe and while this may sound weird, the flower salad, paired with honey mustard dressing, is not only filling but delicious as well! If this is not your thing, there are other things to order here including fresh lemongrass juice and ice cream made from malunggay! Walk off the extra calories by taking a tour of the farm which includes a small apiary where a farm guide will talk about the many uses of honey and bees. And don't forget to shop in souvenir center where the farm sells bottles of honey (of course!), bags, personal care products, jams and breads. Proceeds of the sale go to the local communities. For lunch, you may want to take an hour-long cruise at the Loboc river, where you can enjoy a buffet meal (the menu is made up of seaweed salad, grilled fish, rice, green mangoes, clam soup, some pork and meat dishes) while on a short cruise. If you're hankering for some comfort food, head straight to Chicken Ati-Atihan in Tagbilaran city where you can dig grilled chicken, mounds of fluffy white rice, deep fried chicken skin (very sinful but tasty!). If you're staying at the Alona beach resort, you may want to order thin crust pizza at Hayahay. Beach bumming at Alona resort in Panglao island – about 40 minutes away from the airport, Alona's white sand beach is the place to swim, relax and escape! [caption id="attachment_946" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Alona Beach "][/caption] Travel Notes: How to get there: Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines have daily flights from Manila to Tagbilaran city. A round trip airfare costs about 8,000 pesos (roughly 200 U.S. dollars). Entrance Fees: Most of the tourist sites in Bohol charges about 30 to 50 pesos (about one U.S. dollar) entrance fee. There are restrooms, cafes, parking lots and souvenir shops at the Chocolate Hills complex, Clarin Ancestral House Simply Butterflies Conservation Center and the Baclayon Church. Where to stay: I highly recommend Alona Studios Apartment Hotel in Panglao Island. It's clean, safe and have a friendly staff. The hotel charges about 2,000 pesos per night (or about 40 U.S. dollars). Mr. Entol is the hotel's administrator and one of the hotel's drivers. He's very reliable,polite and efficient. You can contact him through www.panglao.se How to go around Bohol: Buses and tricycles abound in the province. But if you only have a weekend to spare, I suggest that you get your own van and driver (most hotels in the province offer this service). Cost is about 2,000 to 3,000 pesos a day (50 to 70 U.S. dollars).

Postcard Moment: Loboc River

gypsygalstales — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 18:57:54 +0000
photo by Nina Sarmiento [caption id="attachment_952" align="aligncenter" width="1024" caption="Loboc River, Bohol, Philippines"][/caption]