As I wrote it before, there are some English people working at the hostel where I am staying at this moment. They mostly coming to Paris in order to practice their French skills as far as I heard.
Throught this joruney, I met a lots of people from all over the country. People from England, France, the United States, Australia, Benesuera, Alzentina, Israel, China, India even Japan and almost all parts of Europe and few of them from Africa. Potencially, I saw a lots of African or I would say black people but I coundn't talk with all of them.
And then, when I try to communicate with people I have to speak English except for Japanese.
I didn't talk a lot about this topic to the people who can speak English as a native language, but how they feel about when a lots of people from all over the world trying to speak their mother tongue? I can't imagine if people in the world they try to speak studying Japanese as the first foreign language.
At the same time , it would be hard to imagine in Europe that if there is any country try to teach any language other than English as a first foreign language.
Only once when I was in Romania I encountered the situation I didn't expecte. A friend of a girl who I met, she study French for her first foreign langiage which she chouldn't speak English. For us, in Japan, people start studying English when they are thirteen years old, which is the first year of junior high school.
We study English without any reason just like studying science or math. That's all Japanese students starts after enrolled junior high.
But, how is the people from native English country? Like them who I met at the hostel, do they study French as the first foreign language?
I can imagine that people in England might want to study French because it's giografically close. But I cannot imagine that people in US they prefer studying French more than Spanish and other language. Probably people in US such as the state of CA, they got a spanish culture from Mexico and Hispanic. How about Australian and people in Nz? Depends on the person what they want to learn?
If I were English, I could speak French at the moment.
If I were the US, I could speak Spanish.
I have been feeling quite hard to study French in here. Yes, just trying to have a dream if I were. I envy those people who can speak French as a foreign language.
Yet, I could make a good friendship with the people from Britain in Paris, which I respect how English is important to communicate with the people.
Yuji @ Paris, France 13
28.12.09
Enough for a day to end up with French book
Since two days ago, I have started to read a book about immigrants as well as sociology book about Paris written in French.
I thought it could be possible to read French book only with dictionary but that isn't true. It won't need a lots of time to give up to read French book.
Since I have been using English for the past eight months and I already read some English books before coming to here in Japan, which I could mostly understand this kind of book relate to my study without dictionary nowadays.
In my opinion, the differences between French and English for writing does't that much more than speaking. Some French words are similar to English which aren't that hard to guess the meaning of the word. The problems when I try to read a book in French is that I cannot understand French preposition and the connection between the sentences. Finally, I could order the same book in English version which was three times higher price than the French version but I feel that I really want to read before I leave here.
Two days ago after Cristmas I and the couple which I told you before taking in a room. I with a man from India started to talk about the district where I wanna go where there are a lots of immigrants are living in.(about 15km outside in Paris) Even 18&19 district in Paris (northern part of Paris) regarded as a dengerous zone. As far as I heard from the local those places might be dangerous in the middle of night. But I can go there in the daytime as he told me.
Since yesterday I feel like better than before that's why I was going out to explor close to Monmartol where there is a hill and a lots of tourist walking arond there located in 18.
As I heard from the people, in 18 district there were a lots of immigrants(I don't know if they exactly immigrants but they are or their ancester originally not from France) walking around and watching for the peole. The feeling which I got from there was not special. Of course it wasn't feel safe as I felt in Tokyo but that's not exceptional. I also got similar feeling when I was in Brassels as well as outside of Stockholm. Everytime when I saw those people I feel like not so confortable. I could imagine several reasons but it's unclear.
Anyway, when I started to talk about that I wanna go to so called those places where there are a lots of immigrants living in with the couple. The girl from Cameroon started to tell me with strongly "Why do you wanna go to those dengerous place?(It was French, I couldn't get it but from him with translation) If you are normal tourist you should go to Effel tower and those beautiful paris in 16 district and the central part! You don't exactly know how dangerous in Paris"
I don't know if it is true but as I heard from him that two weeks ago people at the hostel where I am staying fought with each other and five of them died. I really don't know but the trouble was between the customer. Sounds like Africa as my friend told me about Tanzanian experience different from when I was.
I could try to explain why I wanna go there with the man from India but finally she couldn't understand what I was trying to do. I thought that people like her who has typical African mentality they don't understand why I am trying to go those dengerous places by choseing or even they might not understand development aid which I majour in my school. Of course, we couldn't talk a lot without translator that would be another reason why she couldn't understand me. I gave up to explain it though since she was excited to talk about.
After that our relationship getting weaker and weaker. Of course, when we met at the hostel I say "Bonjoure" and they reply. Making a friend with different country arn't not easy especially if there is a economic differences. People from Japan they might thought to be rich in any country in the world I think. Even it is true it is sad that is hard to make a friends because of the economic differences which has been made with nation. People cannot choose the place where they were born.
Yuji @ Paris, France 12
PS. Since I saw the French flag in the city, I finally feel like that I am in France.
I thought it could be possible to read French book only with dictionary but that isn't true. It won't need a lots of time to give up to read French book.
Since I have been using English for the past eight months and I already read some English books before coming to here in Japan, which I could mostly understand this kind of book relate to my study without dictionary nowadays.
In my opinion, the differences between French and English for writing does't that much more than speaking. Some French words are similar to English which aren't that hard to guess the meaning of the word. The problems when I try to read a book in French is that I cannot understand French preposition and the connection between the sentences. Finally, I could order the same book in English version which was three times higher price than the French version but I feel that I really want to read before I leave here.
Two days ago after Cristmas I and the couple which I told you before taking in a room. I with a man from India started to talk about the district where I wanna go where there are a lots of immigrants are living in.(about 15km outside in Paris) Even 18&19 district in Paris (northern part of Paris) regarded as a dengerous zone. As far as I heard from the local those places might be dangerous in the middle of night. But I can go there in the daytime as he told me.
Since yesterday I feel like better than before that's why I was going out to explor close to Monmartol where there is a hill and a lots of tourist walking arond there located in 18.
As I heard from the people, in 18 district there were a lots of immigrants(I don't know if they exactly immigrants but they are or their ancester originally not from France) walking around and watching for the peole. The feeling which I got from there was not special. Of course it wasn't feel safe as I felt in Tokyo but that's not exceptional. I also got similar feeling when I was in Brassels as well as outside of Stockholm. Everytime when I saw those people I feel like not so confortable. I could imagine several reasons but it's unclear.
Anyway, when I started to talk about that I wanna go to so called those places where there are a lots of immigrants living in with the couple. The girl from Cameroon started to tell me with strongly "Why do you wanna go to those dengerous place?(It was French, I couldn't get it but from him with translation) If you are normal tourist you should go to Effel tower and those beautiful paris in 16 district and the central part! You don't exactly know how dangerous in Paris"
I don't know if it is true but as I heard from him that two weeks ago people at the hostel where I am staying fought with each other and five of them died. I really don't know but the trouble was between the customer. Sounds like Africa as my friend told me about Tanzanian experience different from when I was.
I could try to explain why I wanna go there with the man from India but finally she couldn't understand what I was trying to do. I thought that people like her who has typical African mentality they don't understand why I am trying to go those dengerous places by choseing or even they might not understand development aid which I majour in my school. Of course, we couldn't talk a lot without translator that would be another reason why she couldn't understand me. I gave up to explain it though since she was excited to talk about.
After that our relationship getting weaker and weaker. Of course, when we met at the hostel I say "Bonjoure" and they reply. Making a friend with different country arn't not easy especially if there is a economic differences. People from Japan they might thought to be rich in any country in the world I think. Even it is true it is sad that is hard to make a friends because of the economic differences which has been made with nation. People cannot choose the place where they were born.
Yuji @ Paris, France 12
PS. Since I saw the French flag in the city, I finally feel like that I am in France.
26.12.09
Recent Life in Paris
Merry X'mas!!
Christ mas passed without saying anything.
Both Eve and the day I didn't even feel that I am on Christ mas in Paris. One of the reason is that I didn't exactly know where I should go.
As I have been making a life in here, the Eve I was back to my hostel in the early evening and making a meal as usual. However different from fomer hostel the customer at this hostel they speak French more than English. That is why I am making a hard life in here at the moment.
I met a couple (a man from India and a woman is from Cameroon) who have lived the next door to me. The man barely can speak English but the woman from Cameroon she couldn't speak English. That's the thing what I should overcome as long as I am staying in here. I could manage to communicate with her of my poor French but I cannot explain a lot as I can do in English.
Today, I am thinking about why I am staying in Paris. I could make a plan to stay in here before I came but for the past one week I couldn't do almost nothing.
When the day start I was out from the hostel after I had breakfast and get into the metro without decideing the place to go. I was just riding on the metro in order get closer to the centrum but I have no idea to go. I really don't feel like that I want to go to so called touristic places. Moreover I haven't been making this kind of travel for the past eight months.
On the way to hostel by bicycle where I am staying at the moment, I go through "the Arch of Triumph" which is regarded as a symbol of Paris for Japanese people. I only saw the Effel Tower from a metro but it was smaller than Tokyo tower. I think Tokyo tower is the copy of Effel but Tokyo tower is 333m hight from the ground which I strongly higher than Effel, right?
Anyway after getting off the metro somewhere in the sentral area, I probably go to the Rouve in order to watch some paintings. I am interested in those paintings from few hundreds years ago but watching statues for me it was boring. I skipped that part. Even so, the museum is very huge. Venus de Molo is fine, by the way! At the museum I hear a lots of Japanese but I didn't communicate with them. This is Japanse culture at least for me. Sometimes when I talk about it to the Europeans they couldn't understand and they probably say "why didn't you talk to them?" I might say because it's them.
To tell the truth, I didn't feel good since I came to here in Paris. I still feel sick and couldn't recovered it well. In addition staying at a hostel cost more or less 20 euro per day and at the momement I couldn't find a value to stay there.
The thing what I should do in here is to take a rest and do the thing what I want to. I want to learn about immigrants in Paris and I asked my teacher what I chould do in Paris. (as well as French but that's not top priority at the moment) If I were just staying at the hostel hunging around in the city, it won't be a big differences between what I am doing in Tokyo.
That's why I bought two books today.
One book is written in French and the other one is in English.
As you know I cannot understand French but I will try to read somehow to get a help from the people in Paris or trying to understand from the dictionary.
The first book I bought is the titled "IMMIGRANTS YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS THEM", which is about immigrants in the global city such as London, Washington DC... I only read few pages at the book store and I felt it is interesting to read and good to know about immigrants breifly. I think this is the first book in English that I really interested to read about. Especially I am staying in France, English is worth reading.
The another one written in French is the book which my teacher in Japan recommend me to read before I get into Paris.(too late I am coming!)
The authur of that book is the teacher of my teacher as fas as he told me. He is French. According to my teacher's information there is the same book which is written in Englisg but I couldn't find it in here. Here isn't in London, is it? The title of the book is "Parias urbains" written by Loic Wacquant.
I even don't know what is written in the book exactly but it is something about the Ghetto in Paris the places where a lots of poor people living in where is located outside of Paris from wikipedia. That's what I want to know and go.
I feel probably go back to Japan from Paris since my energy hasn't come. If I could I also want to go to London but I feel it wouold be hard for me to take my bike to get there.
In the reception and a bar at the hostel where I staying there is an English girl from Berminghan and she is pretty. I though French girl is one of the most beautiful girl in Europe but British would be win!
As everyone know if you once had an experience to live in Paris, one third of the people in Paris might immigrant and a lots of poor people at the undergrounds.
Yuji @ Paris 9
Christ mas passed without saying anything.
Both Eve and the day I didn't even feel that I am on Christ mas in Paris. One of the reason is that I didn't exactly know where I should go.
As I have been making a life in here, the Eve I was back to my hostel in the early evening and making a meal as usual. However different from fomer hostel the customer at this hostel they speak French more than English. That is why I am making a hard life in here at the moment.
I met a couple (a man from India and a woman is from Cameroon) who have lived the next door to me. The man barely can speak English but the woman from Cameroon she couldn't speak English. That's the thing what I should overcome as long as I am staying in here. I could manage to communicate with her of my poor French but I cannot explain a lot as I can do in English.
Today, I am thinking about why I am staying in Paris. I could make a plan to stay in here before I came but for the past one week I couldn't do almost nothing.
When the day start I was out from the hostel after I had breakfast and get into the metro without decideing the place to go. I was just riding on the metro in order get closer to the centrum but I have no idea to go. I really don't feel like that I want to go to so called touristic places. Moreover I haven't been making this kind of travel for the past eight months.
On the way to hostel by bicycle where I am staying at the moment, I go through "the Arch of Triumph" which is regarded as a symbol of Paris for Japanese people. I only saw the Effel Tower from a metro but it was smaller than Tokyo tower. I think Tokyo tower is the copy of Effel but Tokyo tower is 333m hight from the ground which I strongly higher than Effel, right?
Anyway after getting off the metro somewhere in the sentral area, I probably go to the Rouve in order to watch some paintings. I am interested in those paintings from few hundreds years ago but watching statues for me it was boring. I skipped that part. Even so, the museum is very huge. Venus de Molo is fine, by the way! At the museum I hear a lots of Japanese but I didn't communicate with them. This is Japanse culture at least for me. Sometimes when I talk about it to the Europeans they couldn't understand and they probably say "why didn't you talk to them?" I might say because it's them.
To tell the truth, I didn't feel good since I came to here in Paris. I still feel sick and couldn't recovered it well. In addition staying at a hostel cost more or less 20 euro per day and at the momement I couldn't find a value to stay there.
The thing what I should do in here is to take a rest and do the thing what I want to. I want to learn about immigrants in Paris and I asked my teacher what I chould do in Paris. (as well as French but that's not top priority at the moment) If I were just staying at the hostel hunging around in the city, it won't be a big differences between what I am doing in Tokyo.
That's why I bought two books today.
One book is written in French and the other one is in English.
As you know I cannot understand French but I will try to read somehow to get a help from the people in Paris or trying to understand from the dictionary.
The first book I bought is the titled "IMMIGRANTS YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS THEM", which is about immigrants in the global city such as London, Washington DC... I only read few pages at the book store and I felt it is interesting to read and good to know about immigrants breifly. I think this is the first book in English that I really interested to read about. Especially I am staying in France, English is worth reading.
The another one written in French is the book which my teacher in Japan recommend me to read before I get into Paris.(too late I am coming!)
The authur of that book is the teacher of my teacher as fas as he told me. He is French. According to my teacher's information there is the same book which is written in Englisg but I couldn't find it in here. Here isn't in London, is it? The title of the book is "Parias urbains" written by Loic Wacquant.
I even don't know what is written in the book exactly but it is something about the Ghetto in Paris the places where a lots of poor people living in where is located outside of Paris from wikipedia. That's what I want to know and go.
I feel probably go back to Japan from Paris since my energy hasn't come. If I could I also want to go to London but I feel it wouold be hard for me to take my bike to get there.
In the reception and a bar at the hostel where I staying there is an English girl from Berminghan and she is pretty. I though French girl is one of the most beautiful girl in Europe but British would be win!
As everyone know if you once had an experience to live in Paris, one third of the people in Paris might immigrant and a lots of poor people at the undergrounds.
Yuji @ Paris 9
21.12.09
LOUVRE
Four days passed since I came to Paris as well as youth hostel close to Bastille. In the evening people at the public space in the hostel starts to talk. I am normally sitting on the table and making something to eat with finding a person who want to talk.
As you know most of the Japanese people they are apt not to talk a lot with the people, which they are back to their room soonly. But for me, I really feel confortable in some part to meet a new people at there.
Yesterday I talked with a student from US and then started to talk Mexican couple and then a girl from Brazil and Tlinida-do tobaco joined us, which was really international to talking with them. My room mate was the guy from US and another man from Benezuera. From the view point of politics they were really bad as far as I heard but we enjoyed talking.
Even people say that in France people speak French and they don't want to talk in English. In my four days experience that is not true. Still English is the most important language to talk with the people who are from all over the world. However, when I want to talk with the man at the hostel I have to speak French. Since my French has been still poor, it is hard to communicate with them unfortunately.
At breakfast, I talked with a girl from Indonesia and I told her that for the past four days I was in Paris and only walking from hostel to library and haven't been any touristic places. In addition, I have been trying to cure my throat.
Then in this morning she told me with a little anger that I should visit somewhere in those touristic places! And I finally decided to visit Louvre with the American room mate.
It was funny for me that a lot of Japanese people who are staying at the hostel they really want to visit museum. I personally not the person who really like hanging around museums when I was in Japan because those pictures and statues looks same for me.(Am I boring person?) If I really try to understand what is the statue or scaluptures I have to know about the history which is hidding behind the back. Even I am in Paris I don't have to visit those museums but I feel that I coulnb't sometimes catch up with those conversation which we make with the people at hostel.
That is not isolation. I would say that the differences between people who come to Paris as a tourist and a person who want to take some rest.
Anyway, we were in Louvre. I didn't feel anything special when I was in front of La Joconde. The reason was it was pretty far from her and there are a lots of people took pictire to her. I didn't feel why she has good reputation? She is not so cute neither beautiful. She was there, that's it. Or no?
Just before visiting Louvre, I bought a post card of Renoir "La lecon de piano" and Van gogh "Le cafe le soir", those peinting looks much better than the rial Monariza.
The value to visit Louvre for me was the entrance fee in this time. Normally when you go to Louvre you have to pay 9 euro except for late evening both Monday and Wedensday. (6 euro) I was thingking the possibility to buy something cheap because it didn't feel good price to go to the museum for 9 euro one time. And then I saw an ad. about one year pass for Louvre which was 15 euro under 26 and then I finally decided to buy that one. When I was at the ticket counter the woman told me that I can buy that ticket only with 13 euro since I show my student card to her.
Yes! so I can visit everday in Louvre with special cards and I can come with my freind in the late eveing for both Wedensday and Friday. I haven't decided by when I am going to stay in Paris but it would be nice to touch French as well as european culture from arts.
One place where I really want to visit is the gate of Triumph which must be one of the symbol of Paris. But before recovering my sickness I will be in library and maybe in Louvre escaping from bad sickness.
Yuji @ Paris, France
PS. Even Today is a week day but Louvre was a full of people because of the one year pass? Maybe??
As you know most of the Japanese people they are apt not to talk a lot with the people, which they are back to their room soonly. But for me, I really feel confortable in some part to meet a new people at there.
Yesterday I talked with a student from US and then started to talk Mexican couple and then a girl from Brazil and Tlinida-do tobaco joined us, which was really international to talking with them. My room mate was the guy from US and another man from Benezuera. From the view point of politics they were really bad as far as I heard but we enjoyed talking.
Even people say that in France people speak French and they don't want to talk in English. In my four days experience that is not true. Still English is the most important language to talk with the people who are from all over the world. However, when I want to talk with the man at the hostel I have to speak French. Since my French has been still poor, it is hard to communicate with them unfortunately.
At breakfast, I talked with a girl from Indonesia and I told her that for the past four days I was in Paris and only walking from hostel to library and haven't been any touristic places. In addition, I have been trying to cure my throat.
Then in this morning she told me with a little anger that I should visit somewhere in those touristic places! And I finally decided to visit Louvre with the American room mate.
It was funny for me that a lot of Japanese people who are staying at the hostel they really want to visit museum. I personally not the person who really like hanging around museums when I was in Japan because those pictures and statues looks same for me.(Am I boring person?) If I really try to understand what is the statue or scaluptures I have to know about the history which is hidding behind the back. Even I am in Paris I don't have to visit those museums but I feel that I coulnb't sometimes catch up with those conversation which we make with the people at hostel.
That is not isolation. I would say that the differences between people who come to Paris as a tourist and a person who want to take some rest.
Anyway, we were in Louvre. I didn't feel anything special when I was in front of La Joconde. The reason was it was pretty far from her and there are a lots of people took pictire to her. I didn't feel why she has good reputation? She is not so cute neither beautiful. She was there, that's it. Or no?
Just before visiting Louvre, I bought a post card of Renoir "La lecon de piano" and Van gogh "Le cafe le soir", those peinting looks much better than the rial Monariza.
The value to visit Louvre for me was the entrance fee in this time. Normally when you go to Louvre you have to pay 9 euro except for late evening both Monday and Wedensday. (6 euro) I was thingking the possibility to buy something cheap because it didn't feel good price to go to the museum for 9 euro one time. And then I saw an ad. about one year pass for Louvre which was 15 euro under 26 and then I finally decided to buy that one. When I was at the ticket counter the woman told me that I can buy that ticket only with 13 euro since I show my student card to her.
Yes! so I can visit everday in Louvre with special cards and I can come with my freind in the late eveing for both Wedensday and Friday. I haven't decided by when I am going to stay in Paris but it would be nice to touch French as well as european culture from arts.
One place where I really want to visit is the gate of Triumph which must be one of the symbol of Paris. But before recovering my sickness I will be in library and maybe in Louvre escaping from bad sickness.
Yuji @ Paris, France
PS. Even Today is a week day but Louvre was a full of people because of the one year pass? Maybe??
18.12.09
Paris!
I thought it could be possible to take a bicycle into train from Brussel to Paris but was not true.
When I tried to buy a ticket to Paris, the person at a counter told me that I cannot ride a train with bicycle. Since I tried to learn French (Brussel is the city where people speak French), I dercided that I won't speak any English at that time. When the person asked me if I can speak English like "Do you speak English" and I said "Non. Japansk." Reminding of the situation what I was facing with I should speak English. The person said to me that "You cannot ride on your bike with train!" in Japanese from a paper which was translated from Franch into Japanese.
I wanted trying to ask what kind of option do I have to get to Paris with bicycle but I couldn't ask them with my poor French. After few minutes later I really feel solely and started to cry in public. I didn't know the reason exactly why I started to cry but I cannot help crying at that moment.
After that I decided to break my bike in order to attach my bag to ride on the train. About two hours later, I finally packed it up and could buy a ticket to Paris with the same person. I only said "Pari".
The luggedge was incredible heavy! It was over 30kg and I couldn't walk straightly but that was the thing what I could do at that time. The another choice which I could think except for packing that I could ride on it to Paris with snow. That must be hard and I didn't have enough motivation to get here. Or I could let my bike at Brussels which I really didn't want it to do that as you know.
After I got to the station in Paris, I finally started to use English. People in Paris they speak English more than in Tokyo I feel and finally could get to the hostel which I booked. I don't exactly know but there are a lots of Japanese people staying at the hostel. The beginning of this journey I really didn't want to talk in Japanese but now I could communicate with Japanese people. Probably I have already sartisfied with my English and want to learn French.
It is quite strange that I feel that I don't really feel like wanna go to Effel tower or those kind of places what we call, tourist places. Moreover I simply want to take some rest for me to reminds my appatite. I will be stay at the same hostel until 22nd of Dec then to move another one.
Yuji @ Paris, France
PS. I don't feel that I am in France. Crossing q border by train makes me feel no border in Europe.
When I tried to buy a ticket to Paris, the person at a counter told me that I cannot ride a train with bicycle. Since I tried to learn French (Brussel is the city where people speak French), I dercided that I won't speak any English at that time. When the person asked me if I can speak English like "Do you speak English" and I said "Non. Japansk." Reminding of the situation what I was facing with I should speak English. The person said to me that "You cannot ride on your bike with train!" in Japanese from a paper which was translated from Franch into Japanese.
I wanted trying to ask what kind of option do I have to get to Paris with bicycle but I couldn't ask them with my poor French. After few minutes later I really feel solely and started to cry in public. I didn't know the reason exactly why I started to cry but I cannot help crying at that moment.
After that I decided to break my bike in order to attach my bag to ride on the train. About two hours later, I finally packed it up and could buy a ticket to Paris with the same person. I only said "Pari".
The luggedge was incredible heavy! It was over 30kg and I couldn't walk straightly but that was the thing what I could do at that time. The another choice which I could think except for packing that I could ride on it to Paris with snow. That must be hard and I didn't have enough motivation to get here. Or I could let my bike at Brussels which I really didn't want it to do that as you know.
After I got to the station in Paris, I finally started to use English. People in Paris they speak English more than in Tokyo I feel and finally could get to the hostel which I booked. I don't exactly know but there are a lots of Japanese people staying at the hostel. The beginning of this journey I really didn't want to talk in Japanese but now I could communicate with Japanese people. Probably I have already sartisfied with my English and want to learn French.
It is quite strange that I feel that I don't really feel like wanna go to Effel tower or those kind of places what we call, tourist places. Moreover I simply want to take some rest for me to reminds my appatite. I will be stay at the same hostel until 22nd of Dec then to move another one.
Yuji @ Paris, France
PS. I don't feel that I am in France. Crossing q border by train makes me feel no border in Europe.
15.12.09
At Youth Hostel
Even I have started to stay at youth hostel, it won't easy to sleep deeply as I expected. Dusseldorf, Koln, Luven(Belgium), and Brussels.
At a room, there are 6-8 beds inside and people can sleep freely but it depends on a person when they are going to sleep and wake up, which cannot help disturbing someones dream. Even I pay some money for sleeping, but I feel that camping is much better that to sleep in the doorms unless rain comes.
However, tempretures in outside in these couple of days are very low and hard to go around outside. That was -2C. (It was even hard to believe!)
Luckly, yesterday when I tried to make a food in a kitchin at the hostel, I met a guy from Japan and surprisingly he came from the same school as I have belonged. He is a senior student and have been to US for his exchange program which I wanted to go. (Unfortunately, I couldn't pass the exam)
I enjoyed talking with him about some topics for schools, future, those topics which students like. After that we got a offer to play cards and we goined them. Those two girls who offered us to play they are from Sweden and Spain respectively. And both are student which I strongly feel that talking with the people from same generation is one of my prersure for my journey.
_____________________________________________________________________________
[from "Believe"]
When you feel like being hurted and couldn't coming out from darkness.
I will be in besides of you to suppor of your back.
The earth go rounding with hopeing for the world.
And now the time we try to open the door for the future wishing those sadness and suffering will turned to be happiness soonly.
I believe in future.
______________________________________________________________________________
Yuji@ Brussels, Belgium
At a room, there are 6-8 beds inside and people can sleep freely but it depends on a person when they are going to sleep and wake up, which cannot help disturbing someones dream. Even I pay some money for sleeping, but I feel that camping is much better that to sleep in the doorms unless rain comes.
However, tempretures in outside in these couple of days are very low and hard to go around outside. That was -2C. (It was even hard to believe!)
Luckly, yesterday when I tried to make a food in a kitchin at the hostel, I met a guy from Japan and surprisingly he came from the same school as I have belonged. He is a senior student and have been to US for his exchange program which I wanted to go. (Unfortunately, I couldn't pass the exam)
I enjoyed talking with him about some topics for schools, future, those topics which students like. After that we got a offer to play cards and we goined them. Those two girls who offered us to play they are from Sweden and Spain respectively. And both are student which I strongly feel that talking with the people from same generation is one of my prersure for my journey.
_____________________________________________________________________________
[from "Believe"]
When you feel like being hurted and couldn't coming out from darkness.
I will be in besides of you to suppor of your back.
The earth go rounding with hopeing for the world.
And now the time we try to open the door for the future wishing those sadness and suffering will turned to be happiness soonly.
I believe in future.
______________________________________________________________________________
Yuji@ Brussels, Belgium
11.12.09
X'mas and New Year in Paris
Even though I couldn't ride on my bike for these two weeks after Holland, I cannot make a lots of time to take some rest except for those dreaming days.
I ran with my bike from Dusseldorf to Koln but others were not riding on my bike. Instead I traveled by train with bicycle. Holland, Germany, Belgium and France, those country can possible to carry on my bike to most of the trains as far as I heard. Actually, I took four times in tortal to travel in these region.
It was so nice to stay at youth hostel in Dusseldorf and I feel that I have to be there in order to take some rest for further journey as well as touching for French as I told you before. That's why I am going to Paris for the rest of Dec. to stay at youth hostle and do everthing what I want to. I haven't decided to if I tay in Paris in Jan. either to find a place to stay in Paris or going up to London.
For the next few days, I will be in Belgium and after that I will take a train to Paris. I have to use my brain instead of my mustle.
Before going to get there, I am trying to make it clear the reason why I am going to Paris.
Firstly, I want to study French. I know it's impossible to speak well only for a month or two but I somehow trying to speak as much as I can. People in Europe, they say, people in Paris or Franch they can't speak English which would be nice to study French. (some people say Paris is the only place where you can possible to comminucate in English)I know a lot's of problems about communicateion without language but I think it would be fine as I experiences in Eastern Europe. Moreover, I am really happy that the French mentality would be nice for me.
Yesterday, I was at a table with five of all. A couple from Germany and a girl from France and Belgium. I think that was my first time to hear about French between the conversation with two people. Of course, I couldn't hear what they were talking about. But the thing what I surprised was the girl could speak English as well. Sometimes people in and out side of their country they are pretty different. Most of Germany who are outside of their country they can speak English very well. Only I could hear "Oui", by the way.
The another reason to go to Paris is that I want to know about the immigrants in Paris since I have heard about a lots of problems with. As far as I heard, Paris is the best city where the number of immigrants in Europe. It would be nice to see those people in Paris for my study.
Lastly, I simply need a place to take a rest before going up to UK. If I go now I won't have a power to do anything and I don't know if I have a chance or motivation to go to Paris. Do first, what I want.
X'mas and New year in Paris sounds cool and I think I can find something interesting to stay in those day.
If you know about good tips for Paris, I'd be glad to hear!!
Yuji @ Maastricht, Holland
I ran with my bike from Dusseldorf to Koln but others were not riding on my bike. Instead I traveled by train with bicycle. Holland, Germany, Belgium and France, those country can possible to carry on my bike to most of the trains as far as I heard. Actually, I took four times in tortal to travel in these region.
It was so nice to stay at youth hostel in Dusseldorf and I feel that I have to be there in order to take some rest for further journey as well as touching for French as I told you before. That's why I am going to Paris for the rest of Dec. to stay at youth hostle and do everthing what I want to. I haven't decided to if I tay in Paris in Jan. either to find a place to stay in Paris or going up to London.
For the next few days, I will be in Belgium and after that I will take a train to Paris. I have to use my brain instead of my mustle.
Before going to get there, I am trying to make it clear the reason why I am going to Paris.
Firstly, I want to study French. I know it's impossible to speak well only for a month or two but I somehow trying to speak as much as I can. People in Europe, they say, people in Paris or Franch they can't speak English which would be nice to study French. (some people say Paris is the only place where you can possible to comminucate in English)I know a lot's of problems about communicateion without language but I think it would be fine as I experiences in Eastern Europe. Moreover, I am really happy that the French mentality would be nice for me.
Yesterday, I was at a table with five of all. A couple from Germany and a girl from France and Belgium. I think that was my first time to hear about French between the conversation with two people. Of course, I couldn't hear what they were talking about. But the thing what I surprised was the girl could speak English as well. Sometimes people in and out side of their country they are pretty different. Most of Germany who are outside of their country they can speak English very well. Only I could hear "Oui", by the way.
The another reason to go to Paris is that I want to know about the immigrants in Paris since I have heard about a lots of problems with. As far as I heard, Paris is the best city where the number of immigrants in Europe. It would be nice to see those people in Paris for my study.
Lastly, I simply need a place to take a rest before going up to UK. If I go now I won't have a power to do anything and I don't know if I have a chance or motivation to go to Paris. Do first, what I want.
X'mas and New year in Paris sounds cool and I think I can find something interesting to stay in those day.
If you know about good tips for Paris, I'd be glad to hear!!
Yuji @ Maastricht, Holland
8.12.09
Dreaming Days
Both in Leiden and Dusseldorf, I met two freinds each who I knew before this journey.
The guy from Leiden who has been to Japan to study Japanese as well as for his MA study at my neibouring university. In addition, he was participated in our seminar's study tour to Indonesia in 2008. We had a nice time in both.
A woman from Dusseldorf who she is blonging to the same university as I. At the same time she has studied with the same teacher of my seminar called KG. Even before she started to live here with her husbund, I took part in with her PHD class which I was very interested in.
Those days when I stayed with them in a past one week, I was very relaxed to stay talking Japanese as well as tuching Japanese mentality which we have.
The last time to meet a guy from Leiden was last Feb. brfore he was back to Holland at the Sibuya St. in Tokyo after we done a last drunk in there. Few days ago, we met in Leiden after long break and he showed me around. The city was really beautiful looks like pretty AMS and I enjoyed drinking with him as well as his friend. Since he was back to here, he is hard to make a time to speak Japanese and looks like hunger to speak it as I was. We were talking with Japanese as much as we can at the first day we met again. The next day when Santa Claus Day in Holland, he showed me at his pretty city with some Dutch foods. One of the finest thing which I ate was a fish called "nishin" in Japanese. That was very tasty and reminds me Japan. Just few days before I came to at his place, he with his girlfriend went to Japan and some of the Asian country for traveling. Even after he back to Holland, he looked that he want to get in touch with Japan. It was easiliy to understand how he is crazy to Japan once you saw a lot of manga such as "Hazimeno-ippo" out of his shelf. According to his information, he is the only MA student who haven't done for his final thesis to his study. I hope that he will work out before too late! He bought me a lots of foods. I really appreciate about it.
The wonam who I really respect from Dusseldorf in Germany I met her last time in Tokyo close to my uni. on Feb 2008 when was about two years ago. She is a person who strongly have a Japanese mentality more than that I have. Two days when I hanging out with her were really great and important time to my mentality. It won't hard to find the similar person who have a Japanese mentality even in Japan which I strongly feel in these two days. She always tried to think what I want to do and gave me a lots as much as her could. Again, I haven't met such a woman who have strongly has a Japanese mentality even in Japan.
What I felt from her with our conversation was that she was hard to make a life in Germany even she can speak both English and Germany (English won't work in here, by the way) . Why? Because there is a big differences between the people in Germany or I would say in Europe and Japan. People in Europe they think "I am the first." When they need something they require strongly or try to make them happy by theirself. But in contrast as I told you before typical Japanese people they might wait before something happen even though we want to something. I heard from her that there are several things which people feel rude when she tried to do something with Japanese way. It is not easy to live at a place where is a big cultural differences. In addition, she is writing a paper to her PHD school in Japan but for her it is not easy to write in her life having a cultural differences as well as language differences.
If you think that languages are not a part of culture, culture is important than language. I need English to travel but it is not enough to make my travel confortable in here. I cannot completely understand what mentality they have! How people's mentality is different from Asia and Europe. Both should be respect but both should be adaptable.
I know a little bit how hard to make a life in a middle of European country as a stranger. That's what I want to write for a graduation paper by the way!!
I hope she will be fine to live in Germany!!
I am going back to Japan in a next few months but she won't be back in next few year I think. However, I simply hope we can meet again in next ten year somewhere in the world.
She gave me everything while I was in Dusseldorf. Doumo arigatou gozaimashita.
People who have same identity helping with each other in the world.
Nations makes a small family outside of that country.
Yuji @ Dusseldorf, Germany
PS. Who said Dusseldorf is a boring city? Seeing is believing!!
Dusseldorf is the best city with the number of Japanese people in Europe. I came across a "Japan town" in Europe. Nihonshu, umakattna-
The guy from Leiden who has been to Japan to study Japanese as well as for his MA study at my neibouring university. In addition, he was participated in our seminar's study tour to Indonesia in 2008. We had a nice time in both.
A woman from Dusseldorf who she is blonging to the same university as I. At the same time she has studied with the same teacher of my seminar called KG. Even before she started to live here with her husbund, I took part in with her PHD class which I was very interested in.
Those days when I stayed with them in a past one week, I was very relaxed to stay talking Japanese as well as tuching Japanese mentality which we have.
The last time to meet a guy from Leiden was last Feb. brfore he was back to Holland at the Sibuya St. in Tokyo after we done a last drunk in there. Few days ago, we met in Leiden after long break and he showed me around. The city was really beautiful looks like pretty AMS and I enjoyed drinking with him as well as his friend. Since he was back to here, he is hard to make a time to speak Japanese and looks like hunger to speak it as I was. We were talking with Japanese as much as we can at the first day we met again. The next day when Santa Claus Day in Holland, he showed me at his pretty city with some Dutch foods. One of the finest thing which I ate was a fish called "nishin" in Japanese. That was very tasty and reminds me Japan. Just few days before I came to at his place, he with his girlfriend went to Japan and some of the Asian country for traveling. Even after he back to Holland, he looked that he want to get in touch with Japan. It was easiliy to understand how he is crazy to Japan once you saw a lot of manga such as "Hazimeno-ippo" out of his shelf. According to his information, he is the only MA student who haven't done for his final thesis to his study. I hope that he will work out before too late! He bought me a lots of foods. I really appreciate about it.
The wonam who I really respect from Dusseldorf in Germany I met her last time in Tokyo close to my uni. on Feb 2008 when was about two years ago. She is a person who strongly have a Japanese mentality more than that I have. Two days when I hanging out with her were really great and important time to my mentality. It won't hard to find the similar person who have a Japanese mentality even in Japan which I strongly feel in these two days. She always tried to think what I want to do and gave me a lots as much as her could. Again, I haven't met such a woman who have strongly has a Japanese mentality even in Japan.
What I felt from her with our conversation was that she was hard to make a life in Germany even she can speak both English and Germany (English won't work in here, by the way) . Why? Because there is a big differences between the people in Germany or I would say in Europe and Japan. People in Europe they think "I am the first." When they need something they require strongly or try to make them happy by theirself. But in contrast as I told you before typical Japanese people they might wait before something happen even though we want to something. I heard from her that there are several things which people feel rude when she tried to do something with Japanese way. It is not easy to live at a place where is a big cultural differences. In addition, she is writing a paper to her PHD school in Japan but for her it is not easy to write in her life having a cultural differences as well as language differences.
If you think that languages are not a part of culture, culture is important than language. I need English to travel but it is not enough to make my travel confortable in here. I cannot completely understand what mentality they have! How people's mentality is different from Asia and Europe. Both should be respect but both should be adaptable.
I know a little bit how hard to make a life in a middle of European country as a stranger. That's what I want to write for a graduation paper by the way!!
I hope she will be fine to live in Germany!!
I am going back to Japan in a next few months but she won't be back in next few year I think. However, I simply hope we can meet again in next ten year somewhere in the world.
She gave me everything while I was in Dusseldorf. Doumo arigatou gozaimashita.
People who have same identity helping with each other in the world.
Nations makes a small family outside of that country.
Yuji @ Dusseldorf, Germany
PS. Who said Dusseldorf is a boring city? Seeing is believing!!
Dusseldorf is the best city with the number of Japanese people in Europe. I came across a "Japan town" in Europe. Nihonshu, umakattna-
1.12.09
Liberal Country
In the past few days from the airport I still didn't have a power to take my bike in order to get from one city to another especially if it is raining. Actually the day when I left at the airport, I took a train from there to get into the central Amsterdam. Then I stayed two nights in the city center and moved to Utrecht by train as well. The day was raining and I felt that "Maybe I can go by bike in the rain but I don't have to do that. When I feel like tired, I have to take a rest."
From Amsterdam to Utrecht, it takes only 30 minutes by train and was easy to find the train to get there. The main reason to visit Utrecht was neither visiting beautiful old town nor university. I got a family who I want to meet.
Actually, I met them in Finland this summer! When I was in Turku archioerago they were also traveling by bicycle from Helsinki. We met at a ferry and talking all the time while we were there and then we finally decided that we were going toghthere by bicycle for couple of days. I really enjoyed talking with them from some stupid topic to social problems. And then they offered me to stay in Utrecht when I come to the city. Four months later we met again in Utrecht.
I really feel from them that people, the way of thinking are very liberal. They are talktative and very honest and easy going. This is the feeling what I feel not only from them but also another people from Holland. And I strongly feel like these liberal thinking coming from their society. For example, gay people they can openly to say "I am gay!" and the society accepted as far as I heard. And in Amsterdam there is a district called "Red Light district" where there are a lot of girls trying to ask for a man who want to have sex or something just in front of the window with their under pants. It is looks like the same when we saw some dogs or cats selling over the window. I will say that this kind of show must forbidden in Japan and definetely we need a gurde in front of the show window. But the thing people who want to see those girls they can do from the street. And if you don't want to do that you won't go there. In Netherlands, people have a lot of option different from our society which I feel like the country is liberal. I figure out through this journey strongly what is liberal which I didn't feel in Japan.
If I were them, I am not sure that can offer a place to stay in Japan. The thing that we in Japanese people they are not used to having a guest at their place. But I feel from here that it is very nice thing to do that even though we have to be care about the people who I am trying to offer the place.
Yuji @ Utrecht, Netherlands
PS. I will move to Rotterdam today. Maybe go by bike!!
From Amsterdam to Utrecht, it takes only 30 minutes by train and was easy to find the train to get there. The main reason to visit Utrecht was neither visiting beautiful old town nor university. I got a family who I want to meet.
Actually, I met them in Finland this summer! When I was in Turku archioerago they were also traveling by bicycle from Helsinki. We met at a ferry and talking all the time while we were there and then we finally decided that we were going toghthere by bicycle for couple of days. I really enjoyed talking with them from some stupid topic to social problems. And then they offered me to stay in Utrecht when I come to the city. Four months later we met again in Utrecht.
I really feel from them that people, the way of thinking are very liberal. They are talktative and very honest and easy going. This is the feeling what I feel not only from them but also another people from Holland. And I strongly feel like these liberal thinking coming from their society. For example, gay people they can openly to say "I am gay!" and the society accepted as far as I heard. And in Amsterdam there is a district called "Red Light district" where there are a lot of girls trying to ask for a man who want to have sex or something just in front of the window with their under pants. It is looks like the same when we saw some dogs or cats selling over the window. I will say that this kind of show must forbidden in Japan and definetely we need a gurde in front of the show window. But the thing people who want to see those girls they can do from the street. And if you don't want to do that you won't go there. In Netherlands, people have a lot of option different from our society which I feel like the country is liberal. I figure out through this journey strongly what is liberal which I didn't feel in Japan.
If I were them, I am not sure that can offer a place to stay in Japan. The thing that we in Japanese people they are not used to having a guest at their place. But I feel from here that it is very nice thing to do that even though we have to be care about the people who I am trying to offer the place.
Yuji @ Utrecht, Netherlands
PS. I will move to Rotterdam today. Maybe go by bike!!
28.11.09
I Amsterdam
It took about one and half an hour from Copenhagen to Amsterdam. Flight from Copenhagen to Amsterdam sounds very light but I feel that this flight is only once in a life time! Short flight but it was cool!
To tell the truth, I don't like that much taking a flight with bicycle because I have to pack it everything at the airport and almost everybody watching me while I am packing on. After I got to the airport in CPH, I was taking a rest in front of a KLM counter before started to packing eating some foods which I carry with to reduce. Then a man (I think he is from French just because his English sounds like French-English) came to the counter complaining something about his flight which has already gone. I missed the direct reason why he got some trouble with his flight but he told to the woman like this
"Why should I have to pay for 380 Euro to take another flight to Paris? This is not my fault!! You should pay for me!! That´s not my fault!! You have responsible for that, right? "
He insisted that KLM should pay for his another flight to take in order to go back to Paris because the reason to miss the flight was not his fault. And as far as I heard he worked immigration and that's why he know what it is working about those system to flight and everything. He was flighting with two women at the counter with his very strong anger. I was watching what is going on just besides the counter drinking the rest of rose. About 15 minutes to fight he or her finally decided to talk with a cheaf or the person who have responsibility more than that of the woman at the counter. Later, the cheaf came and started to talk the situation and what he was facing with. About 10 minutes later they finally make a conclusion that KLM might pay for his another flight just because I though that he is no more anger to. Instead I drunk.
The thing which I thought during the conversation between them people in Europe they have a strong power to talk and insist that if they think that is true. I reraly see the similar situation in Japan any other than my father.
After packing them up to the flight I headed for the check-in counter to pass the gate. I know the some people in airport they are pretty cold for the costmer especially like me who looks like stranger. I am not the person who don't want to make an argument to the people with strong passion but I sometimes do. In order to avoid the situation and thinking those complicated situation easily I drunk a little bit of wine. Before going to the counter I had to check-in on display in front of the check-in and I didn't know that. The person told me "You should do first to check-in with that machine." And I said "OK! I understand. But what do you think that my bike is OK to take a flight to? I didn't know about how to pack my bike in order to suit of your rule. Well, that's OK!"
When I came to the machine I didn't know how to use but I tried and confused! Then I asked the person who looks like a costmer service and he told me like that "Your check in over you should go to the counter" but when I was in line someone told me "Who is Yuji Takahashi? Japanese right?" The person who was at the machine called my name and I forgot the tage for my luggede and I rose my hand! He came to me"Are you Yuji Takahashi? That's yours!" And I said "That's what I was asking you!" And he said "Sorry! But this is for you!!"
I was a littele bit frustrating of that situation but I kept on the process to be checked in! When my turn came, the man at the counter told me "Is it OK for you to pack your bicycle like that? Because we cannot assure that you're bike all the way safe to Amsterdam because of the less attention for packing." I was a little bit angry because they didn't say the same thing even though they are sitting on the same counter and I said "what? the guy who is sitting next to you didn't say the same as you told me!" He told me again "You should make a sign here in order to keep this process which the sign means that we have no responsible for your bike if it's broke down!" And I said "What kind of option do I have then?" He told me that you can buy a cardbord to pack it up to be safe. I made a sign not to repack again. I didn't feel like that they are professional of that process.
After check-in I headed for the cheking the luggedge into the plain. Different from the former flight this is the international one which is a little bit strict rule to bring the luggede to the airplain. I though that it is posibble to take a can of beer in but it didn't. That's what I drunk a beer before the check and one left at the garbege. To tell the truth, I left some Denish Kr which I had no idea to use and it makes a problem for me to carry because it is heavy that's why I changed it to the beer on the plain but didn't to carry on. Since the limited capacy on my luggedge I had to put on my shirts, sweter and pants as much as I can at that time. With a lot of luggede. When my turn came, the person who is cheking told me that "You should come with me!" I brought to a small room to check. He told me "You should put off your cloths and pants and show us what you have." They checked everything what I had with a small bag at that time. After that they found some bicycle tool out of my luggedge and told me "You are not allowed to carry this one!" And I asked them "Well what kind of option do I have?" "Either left here or back to the check-in counter to send it with your luggedge." I decided to carry on because I need them to pack my bike at Amsterdam. I went to the same check-in counter where I was checked in and that time it was easy-going because he know me and easily understand the situation. That was nice! Then the second time I manage to go through the luggedge counter without any problem. I took a flight to Amsterdam then.
After I got to the airport, I thought it might be possible to stay at the airport at that night. Actually, I asked people who are working at the airport and they told me that I can stay at. I stared to sleep with matress and sleeping bags after I bulit my bicycle. Then a police at the airport came to me and asked what I was doing there asking like "Hello! what are you doing here?" "And I answerd I am trying to sleep in here since my flight was late and tomorrow I will leave to the city center!" Then he said "OK! You can stay here but around 6-7 in the mornig you should wake up because a lot of people came." Then I started to sleep after silence came. Around 4 pm. somone woke me up saying "Hello". I was still sleeping but I was wake up quickly because I though stranger came to me. The guy was another police and he said "You cannot sleep in here you should go out around 5am. Before you can stay!" That's why I had to wake up at 5am with frustration for sleeping. I was sleepy.
5pm at the airport with built bicycle, I had no idea what to do because it was raining and dark and then I finally decided to take a train to the city center! It only for 15km or so but I had no power to get on the way with rain I feel like I am tired still.
Amsterdam is amazing! So beautiful city with lovely cannal. A lot of water came into the city. I was wondering yesterday the place where I going to sleep because I didn't want to make up my tent in the city and tried to sleep in the youth hostel or something. I visited some places to stay and asking for a room to stay. I found some room but all rooms shifting more or less 35 Euro which was a little bit over my budget and then I finally decided to ask the camping site where is located 5km from the city center! Yesterday it was a lot of rain but I finally feel confortable to st
ay there.(feel like safe!)
During this journey, I had a lot of question by myself either to stay at the camping site or wild camp but not between camping site and hostle. Still, I have a power to stay at camping site which cost less than 10 Euro. that's suitable for me. When I was in Finland camping site normally cost 15 Euro (Of course it was high season!) Here it feels a little bit cheaper than that.
Now it looks like the sun came! I am going out to explor this lovely city!!
Yuji @ Amsterdam, Netherlands
To tell the truth, I don't like that much taking a flight with bicycle because I have to pack it everything at the airport and almost everybody watching me while I am packing on. After I got to the airport in CPH, I was taking a rest in front of a KLM counter before started to packing eating some foods which I carry with to reduce. Then a man (I think he is from French just because his English sounds like French-English) came to the counter complaining something about his flight which has already gone. I missed the direct reason why he got some trouble with his flight but he told to the woman like this
"Why should I have to pay for 380 Euro to take another flight to Paris? This is not my fault!! You should pay for me!! That´s not my fault!! You have responsible for that, right? "
He insisted that KLM should pay for his another flight to take in order to go back to Paris because the reason to miss the flight was not his fault. And as far as I heard he worked immigration and that's why he know what it is working about those system to flight and everything. He was flighting with two women at the counter with his very strong anger. I was watching what is going on just besides the counter drinking the rest of rose. About 15 minutes to fight he or her finally decided to talk with a cheaf or the person who have responsibility more than that of the woman at the counter. Later, the cheaf came and started to talk the situation and what he was facing with. About 10 minutes later they finally make a conclusion that KLM might pay for his another flight just because I though that he is no more anger to. Instead I drunk.
The thing which I thought during the conversation between them people in Europe they have a strong power to talk and insist that if they think that is true. I reraly see the similar situation in Japan any other than my father.
After packing them up to the flight I headed for the check-in counter to pass the gate. I know the some people in airport they are pretty cold for the costmer especially like me who looks like stranger. I am not the person who don't want to make an argument to the people with strong passion but I sometimes do. In order to avoid the situation and thinking those complicated situation easily I drunk a little bit of wine. Before going to the counter I had to check-in on display in front of the check-in and I didn't know that. The person told me "You should do first to check-in with that machine." And I said "OK! I understand. But what do you think that my bike is OK to take a flight to? I didn't know about how to pack my bike in order to suit of your rule. Well, that's OK!"
When I came to the machine I didn't know how to use but I tried and confused! Then I asked the person who looks like a costmer service and he told me like that "Your check in over you should go to the counter" but when I was in line someone told me "Who is Yuji Takahashi? Japanese right?" The person who was at the machine called my name and I forgot the tage for my luggede and I rose my hand! He came to me"Are you Yuji Takahashi? That's yours!" And I said "That's what I was asking you!" And he said "Sorry! But this is for you!!"
I was a littele bit frustrating of that situation but I kept on the process to be checked in! When my turn came, the man at the counter told me "Is it OK for you to pack your bicycle like that? Because we cannot assure that you're bike all the way safe to Amsterdam because of the less attention for packing." I was a little bit angry because they didn't say the same thing even though they are sitting on the same counter and I said "what? the guy who is sitting next to you didn't say the same as you told me!" He told me again "You should make a sign here in order to keep this process which the sign means that we have no responsible for your bike if it's broke down!" And I said "What kind of option do I have then?" He told me that you can buy a cardbord to pack it up to be safe. I made a sign not to repack again. I didn't feel like that they are professional of that process.
After check-in I headed for the cheking the luggedge into the plain. Different from the former flight this is the international one which is a little bit strict rule to bring the luggede to the airplain. I though that it is posibble to take a can of beer in but it didn't. That's what I drunk a beer before the check and one left at the garbege. To tell the truth, I left some Denish Kr which I had no idea to use and it makes a problem for me to carry because it is heavy that's why I changed it to the beer on the plain but didn't to carry on. Since the limited capacy on my luggedge I had to put on my shirts, sweter and pants as much as I can at that time. With a lot of luggede. When my turn came, the person who is cheking told me that "You should come with me!" I brought to a small room to check. He told me "You should put off your cloths and pants and show us what you have." They checked everything what I had with a small bag at that time. After that they found some bicycle tool out of my luggedge and told me "You are not allowed to carry this one!" And I asked them "Well what kind of option do I have?" "Either left here or back to the check-in counter to send it with your luggedge." I decided to carry on because I need them to pack my bike at Amsterdam. I went to the same check-in counter where I was checked in and that time it was easy-going because he know me and easily understand the situation. That was nice! Then the second time I manage to go through the luggedge counter without any problem. I took a flight to Amsterdam then.
After I got to the airport, I thought it might be possible to stay at the airport at that night. Actually, I asked people who are working at the airport and they told me that I can stay at. I stared to sleep with matress and sleeping bags after I bulit my bicycle. Then a police at the airport came to me and asked what I was doing there asking like "Hello! what are you doing here?" "And I answerd I am trying to sleep in here since my flight was late and tomorrow I will leave to the city center!" Then he said "OK! You can stay here but around 6-7 in the mornig you should wake up because a lot of people came." Then I started to sleep after silence came. Around 4 pm. somone woke me up saying "Hello". I was still sleeping but I was wake up quickly because I though stranger came to me. The guy was another police and he said "You cannot sleep in here you should go out around 5am. Before you can stay!" That's why I had to wake up at 5am with frustration for sleeping. I was sleepy.
5pm at the airport with built bicycle, I had no idea what to do because it was raining and dark and then I finally decided to take a train to the city center! It only for 15km or so but I had no power to get on the way with rain I feel like I am tired still.
Amsterdam is amazing! So beautiful city with lovely cannal. A lot of water came into the city. I was wondering yesterday the place where I going to sleep because I didn't want to make up my tent in the city and tried to sleep in the youth hostel or something. I visited some places to stay and asking for a room to stay. I found some room but all rooms shifting more or less 35 Euro which was a little bit over my budget and then I finally decided to ask the camping site where is located 5km from the city center! Yesterday it was a lot of rain but I finally feel confortable to st
ay there.(feel like safe!)
During this journey, I had a lot of question by myself either to stay at the camping site or wild camp but not between camping site and hostle. Still, I have a power to stay at camping site which cost less than 10 Euro. that's suitable for me. When I was in Finland camping site normally cost 15 Euro (Of course it was high season!) Here it feels a little bit cheaper than that.
Now it looks like the sun came! I am going out to explor this lovely city!!
Yuji @ Amsterdam, Netherlands
26.11.09
The Last Day in Denmark
It was second time for me to cross a border by ferry after Estland-Finnish one. The ferry took about 20minutes from Helsinborg to Helsingor where is the first city in Denmark. Helsingor looks like worth visiting as far as I heard from the local people especially for a castle of Hamlet which looks like very beautiful. For me is was enough to see from the ferry.
Taking about four hours from Helsingor, I got to the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen where is a kind of city similar to Sweden. Bofore getting to the center, I asked the way to get for several people. Surprisingly, two of them they have been to Japan and I thought that this is the country where is one of a richest in Europe. I can classify those people who have been to Japan only two types, one is for a job, as a containership or something, I met a lot of people who have been to Japan in Norway. The other one is just for holiday or study abroad. About 70-80% of the young people who have been to Japan were as a holiday. However, I met quite a few people who have been to in Eastern Europe different from Scandinavian which means traveling to Japan is very expensive for them as I do come to here. By contrast, traveling to Tailand or somewhere in ASEAN countries are much more cheaper than Japan which I met a lot of people been to then.
The same day I ran to Roskild where is about 30km west from the capital to visit my friend who I met in Slovakia. He has started to study in Denmark as his first year of his university. I stayed at his place for two days before coming back to CPH. He told me about how hard to make a life in Denmark because it is so expensive to buy something for him even though Slovakia is first country which has started to use Euro. There are still a lot of economic differences between them I strongly felt.
According to his information, CPH is one of the most expensive capital in the world. For me I mean people from Japan we might think that it is expensive but it could bare to keep almost the same living standard as I do in Japan. Just because I think Japan is the most expensive country in Asia, right? I will say that I am lucky to be born in Japan.
This is a kind of stupid story but I want to say something about it.
If I saw a new car in from of the show window which is sold about 1,000 Euro. And we started to think that "Oh! This is the car which is very cheap I want to buy!" but in contrast if we saw an apple which is sold the same price as the car at the next to the car and we probably started to think "What a expensive apple in the world! Who wanna buy it!" This is what people started to think depends on the things and the price. However, when it comes to bicycle and plain ticket if we saw as the same situation with former two that what we are started to think? I mean if I saw both bicycle and plain ticket to Japan from here which is 1000 Euro. I might started to think if I want to buy because it is not too expensive to buy. I think this is not universal opinion for everyone in the world. Some people started to think that "even 1000 Euro for both bike and plain ticket, still it is expensive" or "Not too cheap but it is good price to buy" or "Too cheap I want to buy the one!".
It is not easy to make a friend if there is a big economic differences which I have been feeling during this journey. World economy based on each countries are unfair!
After Roskild, I was back to CPH and today I am going to take a flight to Amsterdam for a week or so to take some rest and visiting some of my friends.
In tortal, I am staying in Denmark more or less one week when it is not enough to know much about the country. I feel like at least one month I need to know about it.
One thing that CPH is the city where is very bicycle friendly and almost everybody likes to ride on it as I saw in Tokyo. There are a bicycle pass just beside the road and people are very faster than me to ride on which I have to care about it when I cycling in the city. At the same time the pass used for motor bicycle as well which are not the same as in Japan. I hope in Japan will be much more bicycle friendly city in near future.
Yuji @ Copenhagen, Denmark
20.11.09
The Day before Denmark
Welcome Symon!!!
I have been thinking what I am going to do next. To tell the truth, I was tortally tired when I was in Jonkoping and I was thinking the possibility to get to Copenhagen to use another transportation network. However, I could somehow get to Copenhagen by bicycke but I will take a plain from there.
People they say that you should take few days off from your journey. But I think it is enough few days off or even in a week for my mustle but when it comes to my mind I need a long time rest in order to travel go further. I know about that I need a rest. Even I sometimes feel like that I am tired more than I thought especially when I feel like very hot with my buck when I feel like stressful which I have to say that I will end up with this jourey.
The story is funny my first plan is only three months from Istanbul to UK but even six months later I couldn't get to there. However, what I noticed in these days is that it doesn't matter if I can get to Edinburgh in Scotland where I have been talking to people as a final destination for this journey. A lot of people who I met traveling in Sweden they told me that you should change your destination to Spain or Italy where are much warmer than here. I thought it is true that I can get warm if I go there but the importatnt thing which I should do is to spot traveling by regardless of either taking my bike or not. I need rest.
However, I am sartisfied with traveling by bicycle that is the most important point, aren't you?
I just booked a flight from Copenhagen to Amsterdam, the capital in Netherlands. I will definetely take this flight. I have to do somehow close to UK from Copenhagen that was my power to get here.
The main rweason why I booked a flight to Amsterdam is that I have several friend in Netherland and one of them is a guy who he came to Japan in last year as a exchange student at neibour university. At the same time, I have a friend in Germany where is the close to border to Netherland. I am still doubting if I visit there but meeting up with those people who had already known about me before this journey must be fine which I have started to think during this period. In addition, I have a friend near Copenhagen who I met during this journey and I think I will be happy when I meet him again. Meeting with new people are also interesting but it's only when I feel like finding something new when is not now unfortunately! I am a little bit conservative since I feel like tired traveling by. But of course, I respect those people who will host me!
The another reason is that I really want to take a ferry from France (Calais) to Dover cross over English channel which is a little dream for my last part of journey.I don't know if I have a same chance in my life.
I feel like that I have been changing through this journey. The first part of journey in Eastern Europe that I was thinking "I can go wherever I want to put up my tent without taking any help from the people" That was my mind three to six months ago. However since after Northcape I feel like that "I can travel by bicycle but I need a help from the prople.", which is not always good thing to think like that.
Two days ago in the evening I was wondering if I find a place asking to someone from the farmland. The day was pretty much rain and wind, which reminds a typhoon in Japan. Actually, I cannot find anyone who gave me a place to stay or give a good information to find a place. Just after came out from the farmland, I saw a light on the window where there are a lot of people having a dinner and then they saw me from the window I thought they were curious to talk with me and I rose my hand. Suddenly, the light turned off. I was really shocked but I pretemd that I didn't feel anything keep shaving my hand. I saw a silet of the people over the window. Twice...Three times.... And finally one of them gave me a answer and I approached to the door to ask the place where I can stay near his place. At that moment, I didn't want to stay with them but I was curious what will they say to me. They told me that I should be back to the city where is just 5 km from there place but the way I am from. You can find a place to stay in the city they said. And I thought "I am not too fool missing some places to stay in the city " But, I didn't say like that. "I am finding a place to put up my tent or place where there is a roof near here. Even as you told me the wind will push mw back to the city, I won't be back there! " And then , the man told me "You cannot stay near here but you can put up your tent in everywhere not too close to here. You sould take care of yourself!"
When I hear the last part of conversation "You should take care of your self", I felt like that I cannot travel without any help from the people which means I should finish my journey. I know I took a quite a lot of help from the people over the internet but at the same time I took a help from the rial society which makes me happy but not from the everyone that's the riality and I don't want to stay then.
I will decide if I go to Paris but I don't think that I am going there with this motivation but I should say that I have a motivation traveling from Amsterdam to UK either go by bike or some other transportation.
Lastly, this time is another turning point of my travel. Traveling to meet those people who I have already known bofore this journey. I don't know when I will meet them in the future for which must be another precious time I believe.
Yuji @ Helsingborg, Sweden
I have been thinking what I am going to do next. To tell the truth, I was tortally tired when I was in Jonkoping and I was thinking the possibility to get to Copenhagen to use another transportation network. However, I could somehow get to Copenhagen by bicycke but I will take a plain from there.
People they say that you should take few days off from your journey. But I think it is enough few days off or even in a week for my mustle but when it comes to my mind I need a long time rest in order to travel go further. I know about that I need a rest. Even I sometimes feel like that I am tired more than I thought especially when I feel like very hot with my buck when I feel like stressful which I have to say that I will end up with this jourey.
The story is funny my first plan is only three months from Istanbul to UK but even six months later I couldn't get to there. However, what I noticed in these days is that it doesn't matter if I can get to Edinburgh in Scotland where I have been talking to people as a final destination for this journey. A lot of people who I met traveling in Sweden they told me that you should change your destination to Spain or Italy where are much warmer than here. I thought it is true that I can get warm if I go there but the importatnt thing which I should do is to spot traveling by regardless of either taking my bike or not. I need rest.
However, I am sartisfied with traveling by bicycle that is the most important point, aren't you?
I just booked a flight from Copenhagen to Amsterdam, the capital in Netherlands. I will definetely take this flight. I have to do somehow close to UK from Copenhagen that was my power to get here.
The main rweason why I booked a flight to Amsterdam is that I have several friend in Netherland and one of them is a guy who he came to Japan in last year as a exchange student at neibour university. At the same time, I have a friend in Germany where is the close to border to Netherland. I am still doubting if I visit there but meeting up with those people who had already known about me before this journey must be fine which I have started to think during this period. In addition, I have a friend near Copenhagen who I met during this journey and I think I will be happy when I meet him again. Meeting with new people are also interesting but it's only when I feel like finding something new when is not now unfortunately! I am a little bit conservative since I feel like tired traveling by. But of course, I respect those people who will host me!
The another reason is that I really want to take a ferry from France (Calais) to Dover cross over English channel which is a little dream for my last part of journey.I don't know if I have a same chance in my life.
I feel like that I have been changing through this journey. The first part of journey in Eastern Europe that I was thinking "I can go wherever I want to put up my tent without taking any help from the people" That was my mind three to six months ago. However since after Northcape I feel like that "I can travel by bicycle but I need a help from the prople.", which is not always good thing to think like that.
Two days ago in the evening I was wondering if I find a place asking to someone from the farmland. The day was pretty much rain and wind, which reminds a typhoon in Japan. Actually, I cannot find anyone who gave me a place to stay or give a good information to find a place. Just after came out from the farmland, I saw a light on the window where there are a lot of people having a dinner and then they saw me from the window I thought they were curious to talk with me and I rose my hand. Suddenly, the light turned off. I was really shocked but I pretemd that I didn't feel anything keep shaving my hand. I saw a silet of the people over the window. Twice...Three times.... And finally one of them gave me a answer and I approached to the door to ask the place where I can stay near his place. At that moment, I didn't want to stay with them but I was curious what will they say to me. They told me that I should be back to the city where is just 5 km from there place but the way I am from. You can find a place to stay in the city they said. And I thought "I am not too fool missing some places to stay in the city " But, I didn't say like that. "I am finding a place to put up my tent or place where there is a roof near here. Even as you told me the wind will push mw back to the city, I won't be back there! " And then , the man told me "You cannot stay near here but you can put up your tent in everywhere not too close to here. You sould take care of yourself!"
When I hear the last part of conversation "You should take care of your self", I felt like that I cannot travel without any help from the people which means I should finish my journey. I know I took a quite a lot of help from the people over the internet but at the same time I took a help from the rial society which makes me happy but not from the everyone that's the riality and I don't want to stay then.
I will decide if I go to Paris but I don't think that I am going there with this motivation but I should say that I have a motivation traveling from Amsterdam to UK either go by bike or some other transportation.
Lastly, this time is another turning point of my travel. Traveling to meet those people who I have already known bofore this journey. I don't know when I will meet them in the future for which must be another precious time I believe.
Yuji @ Helsingborg, Sweden
18.11.09
To be Light
Five days passed from Jonkoping where there was a last stop, I have been keep riding on my bike with rain. I feel like very tired traveling by then, but I noticed that the day bofore left from the city when I was riding on the bike without any luggege that "Oh! This would be very nice!" after that I have started to think the possibility to reduce my stuff then.
Those heavy stuff are sleeping bag, tent instead of hotel which I really need to sleep outside. If I have a power only sleep at the buss stop I don't have to carry with then.
Foods instead of restaurant are also important but I can choose those light foods instead. It goes without saying that I have been boring those European foods then.
Cloth, I have still having some cloth for when I want to change and washing but I should throw them away or to give someone who need it except those cloth which I am putting on at the moment.
Book, I have still using a heavy European Map which I don't know if I really need it. I use only one page or two for a week.
Camera, I have two. One is degital which has been almost broken and the other one is a heavy manual camera which I use only once in a week with some films since this kind of weather has started. But I want to keep of two.
Yesterday, in the evening I was watching the map to think about the way which I am going to take and suddenly the fire from a candle started to make a fire with sleeping bag. I could manage to push them off but I got a big hole at my sleeping bag. I should have to kept eyes on my fire. Candle, still I need?
I am trying to reduce my stuff at least one thing a day which makes me happy. Today is a day of rain and I have no idea what to do or I don't feel like that I have to do anything to take some rest. Outside will be dark at 4pm which I have two hours left. I will leave here tomorrow for Helsingborg then to Denmark.
Yuji @ Orkelljunga, Sweden
PS. This feels me a daily task even though I cannot make my light voice. I am sorry about that.
Those heavy stuff are sleeping bag, tent instead of hotel which I really need to sleep outside. If I have a power only sleep at the buss stop I don't have to carry with then.
Foods instead of restaurant are also important but I can choose those light foods instead. It goes without saying that I have been boring those European foods then.
Cloth, I have still having some cloth for when I want to change and washing but I should throw them away or to give someone who need it except those cloth which I am putting on at the moment.
Book, I have still using a heavy European Map which I don't know if I really need it. I use only one page or two for a week.
Camera, I have two. One is degital which has been almost broken and the other one is a heavy manual camera which I use only once in a week with some films since this kind of weather has started. But I want to keep of two.
Yesterday, in the evening I was watching the map to think about the way which I am going to take and suddenly the fire from a candle started to make a fire with sleeping bag. I could manage to push them off but I got a big hole at my sleeping bag. I should have to kept eyes on my fire. Candle, still I need?
I am trying to reduce my stuff at least one thing a day which makes me happy. Today is a day of rain and I have no idea what to do or I don't feel like that I have to do anything to take some rest. Outside will be dark at 4pm which I have two hours left. I will leave here tomorrow for Helsingborg then to Denmark.
Yuji @ Orkelljunga, Sweden
PS. This feels me a daily task even though I cannot make my light voice. I am sorry about that.
16.11.09
Precious Time
I have been thinking the way to release my stress since I've realise that why my jaw had started to have pain.
To tell the truth, it is not easy to say when is the most confortable time traveling by bicycle at the moment. I am not sure when but I am pretty sure that I was enjoying riding on my bike on the way to Northcape. Even after I got a knee problem at Tampare in Finland I was enjoying traveling by bicycle to know something new and to talk with people who I haven't met with their different culture. In short, I found out something to fun from the riding on. In contrast, especially after Oslo I cannot find out what is the interesting time when I am riding on the bicycle. Surely, I don't enjoy riding on for this one-two weeks. I don't know how to solve this problem. Before this depression I have also enjoyed talking with the people on the way but people in this region as well as drivers they are very cold for me compared to northern Norway. Even when I say "hello" to the people from the bike, they might say hello but not all people say "hello" to me. This mentality is quite similar to Japanese people which I don't like. It is very sad why they don't want to even say "hello". Cause am I too late for cycling or too strange for them?
I know the easiest way to get to Edinburgh in Scotland is to take a flight from Copenhagen to. But I don't want to take even though in Edinbugh may be solder than now for the next few months. I am keep going on my bike there.
On sunday morning at 11:00, I was at a church in order to attent the misa which was very confortable. I am not the person who believe christ but it was very calmful even though I was just sitting on the bench inside. Actually, I visited those place in several times at randomly but I decided that I am going to visit there in every Sundays from now on.
Talking with the people also important time to release my stress but not for someone but for the person who really understand of my journey. I met a lot of people on the way that they just want to know what I am doing and people who just want to watch my bike not to talking with me. I met a lot of people who just want to say something to my journey who are not helpful. Even people who cannot speak English I can easily feel like that I am OK from their atmosphere. I think people in Japan we are culture of feeling more than that of talking in Europe. I noticed that I am not European but a guy who have Japanese identity.
My host in jonkoping was a person who has traveled from Spain to India by bicycle last year. He understood what I had been doing. It is not easy to meet those people that was really precious time for me.
Sometimes when I got to the big city I send a postcard to my freind in Japan and when they send a message in returen for the card by e-mail I normally get a power out of them. That kind of power which I can get from them are hardly get from the people who I meet here.
By the way, just few hours ago I was at a supermarket to buy some foods and then I noticed that the light in the super. is stronger than outside. The light even it is from electlicyty but for me it was nice to have that.
Yesterday, I slept at buss station with some problem. In these few days the temp. outside is warmer compared to the avarage in this season which I don't have any problem for the temp. But I was feared someone come to my place to do something. I didn't feel like that in the summer time though.
I have to find out more and more something comfortable time in order to keep going safety.
Yuji @ Ljungby, Sweden
PS. I might not to post for a week. Don't worry, I am fine.
To tell the truth, it is not easy to say when is the most confortable time traveling by bicycle at the moment. I am not sure when but I am pretty sure that I was enjoying riding on my bike on the way to Northcape. Even after I got a knee problem at Tampare in Finland I was enjoying traveling by bicycle to know something new and to talk with people who I haven't met with their different culture. In short, I found out something to fun from the riding on. In contrast, especially after Oslo I cannot find out what is the interesting time when I am riding on the bicycle. Surely, I don't enjoy riding on for this one-two weeks. I don't know how to solve this problem. Before this depression I have also enjoyed talking with the people on the way but people in this region as well as drivers they are very cold for me compared to northern Norway. Even when I say "hello" to the people from the bike, they might say hello but not all people say "hello" to me. This mentality is quite similar to Japanese people which I don't like. It is very sad why they don't want to even say "hello". Cause am I too late for cycling or too strange for them?
I know the easiest way to get to Edinburgh in Scotland is to take a flight from Copenhagen to. But I don't want to take even though in Edinbugh may be solder than now for the next few months. I am keep going on my bike there.
On sunday morning at 11:00, I was at a church in order to attent the misa which was very confortable. I am not the person who believe christ but it was very calmful even though I was just sitting on the bench inside. Actually, I visited those place in several times at randomly but I decided that I am going to visit there in every Sundays from now on.
Talking with the people also important time to release my stress but not for someone but for the person who really understand of my journey. I met a lot of people on the way that they just want to know what I am doing and people who just want to watch my bike not to talking with me. I met a lot of people who just want to say something to my journey who are not helpful. Even people who cannot speak English I can easily feel like that I am OK from their atmosphere. I think people in Japan we are culture of feeling more than that of talking in Europe. I noticed that I am not European but a guy who have Japanese identity.
My host in jonkoping was a person who has traveled from Spain to India by bicycle last year. He understood what I had been doing. It is not easy to meet those people that was really precious time for me.
Sometimes when I got to the big city I send a postcard to my freind in Japan and when they send a message in returen for the card by e-mail I normally get a power out of them. That kind of power which I can get from them are hardly get from the people who I meet here.
By the way, just few hours ago I was at a supermarket to buy some foods and then I noticed that the light in the super. is stronger than outside. The light even it is from electlicyty but for me it was nice to have that.
Yesterday, I slept at buss station with some problem. In these few days the temp. outside is warmer compared to the avarage in this season which I don't have any problem for the temp. But I was feared someone come to my place to do something. I didn't feel like that in the summer time though.
I have to find out more and more something comfortable time in order to keep going safety.
Yuji @ Ljungby, Sweden
PS. I might not to post for a week. Don't worry, I am fine.
12.11.09
Doctors Advice
Since my jaw has started to have a pain in these days I finally decided that I was going to ask for a doctor in Jonkoping.
I had a twice asking a doctor to see if they can make my pain better.
Firstly, I was at a doctor who can see for my jaw, nose and ears. I don't exactly know about the English name of this kind of problem. But anyway, the doctor told me that you have no problem as far as I can see. And then nurse came to me to show the place where I can see a dentist at the hospital.
Following the guide from the nurse I went to the dental crinic in the hospital where I can be seem from the dentist. Since they have a lot of patients at their hospital, they seemed they didn't enough time and space to provide for a stranger but so that I had to be seen at the strange room different from the normal patients. Anyway, the dentist was nice person and I open my mouth and he checked if my jaw and teeth are still OK. As his short cheking, my teeth don't have any problem to cure but even he couldn't understad what the problem is from my jaw. There are several possibilities to have that kind of pain. The pain is from your stress first of all he said, and since you have been riding on your bike for a long time with your tight roup from your helmet and it might be make a problem for your teeth and third possibility is that you might make your teeth close strongly at night time with unconsciousness. I have no idea about that if I do so at the night time. He told me that you can make a mouth piece in order not to close strongly with my mouth at night time with more or less 500Kr. The advice what I can do for you at this moment is that you should eat some soft foods not to use of your jaw strongly and take a time to rest to release my stress. Lastly he told me "Take it easy."
The second time when my bike broken at Karlstad in Sweden and the shopkeeper also told me that "Take it easy."
I don't know the reason but I think that both of the people who told me like that might felt from me that I have been tired.
The thing what I noticed after I got some advice from a doctor is that I have to do something better situation to stay at one place before I got sick for my mentality.
I have been thinking about my mustle for this journey if it is still possible to work like my knees but at the same time I should have been care much about mental as well. I know I am not the person who have strong mentality.
800Kr. in Oslo for front wheel
850Kr. in Karlstad for chain and rear tire
650Kr. in Sodatalija for rear wheel
1900Kr. at Hospital in Jonkoping for my jaw
Furthermore, I cannot make cost performance at the moment if I keep continue to ride on my bike with bad weather to Edinburgh in Scotland. I don't know what kind of problem will happen in the near future. But I can take another way to get there in order to make my condition better. I believe that I can still use my brain.
Even I don't have to travel by bike all the way as I took a flight from Bodo to Oslo.
Bicycle should be a kind of measure for traveling not the purpose for.
I have to decied what to do next...
Yuji @ Jonkoping, Sweden
I had a twice asking a doctor to see if they can make my pain better.
Firstly, I was at a doctor who can see for my jaw, nose and ears. I don't exactly know about the English name of this kind of problem. But anyway, the doctor told me that you have no problem as far as I can see. And then nurse came to me to show the place where I can see a dentist at the hospital.
Following the guide from the nurse I went to the dental crinic in the hospital where I can be seem from the dentist. Since they have a lot of patients at their hospital, they seemed they didn't enough time and space to provide for a stranger but so that I had to be seen at the strange room different from the normal patients. Anyway, the dentist was nice person and I open my mouth and he checked if my jaw and teeth are still OK. As his short cheking, my teeth don't have any problem to cure but even he couldn't understad what the problem is from my jaw. There are several possibilities to have that kind of pain. The pain is from your stress first of all he said, and since you have been riding on your bike for a long time with your tight roup from your helmet and it might be make a problem for your teeth and third possibility is that you might make your teeth close strongly at night time with unconsciousness. I have no idea about that if I do so at the night time. He told me that you can make a mouth piece in order not to close strongly with my mouth at night time with more or less 500Kr. The advice what I can do for you at this moment is that you should eat some soft foods not to use of your jaw strongly and take a time to rest to release my stress. Lastly he told me "Take it easy."
The second time when my bike broken at Karlstad in Sweden and the shopkeeper also told me that "Take it easy."
I don't know the reason but I think that both of the people who told me like that might felt from me that I have been tired.
The thing what I noticed after I got some advice from a doctor is that I have to do something better situation to stay at one place before I got sick for my mentality.
I have been thinking about my mustle for this journey if it is still possible to work like my knees but at the same time I should have been care much about mental as well. I know I am not the person who have strong mentality.
800Kr. in Oslo for front wheel
850Kr. in Karlstad for chain and rear tire
650Kr. in Sodatalija for rear wheel
1900Kr. at Hospital in Jonkoping for my jaw
Furthermore, I cannot make cost performance at the moment if I keep continue to ride on my bike with bad weather to Edinburgh in Scotland. I don't know what kind of problem will happen in the near future. But I can take another way to get there in order to make my condition better. I believe that I can still use my brain.
Even I don't have to travel by bike all the way as I took a flight from Bodo to Oslo.
Bicycle should be a kind of measure for traveling not the purpose for.
I have to decied what to do next...
Yuji @ Jonkoping, Sweden
10.11.09
The Autumn in Scandinavian
In Scandinavian, people might think that fall comes after hot summer and winter comes when they have got snow. The season for fall decided depends on the year. When I was in Northern Norway, people told me this year snow comes much faster than usual which means their fall were very short.
Since I took a fright from Northern Norway to Oslo, I feel like the season back to fall from winter. However, in my opinion the differences between fall and winter is the thing which from the sky is rain or snow instead of sun.
Three days after Karlstad, the nickname of this city is suncity based on the statue of a woman who is the person all the time shining to the citizen, I had very nice weather with nice trees even though the tempreture were very low. After that when I was in the capital I also got some sun for two-three hours a day at least. But after that I have been waiting for the sun under the clouds.
To tell the truth, I got some snow on the way just after Stockholm. Snows turn to be rain below 4 degrees. It is not feels too cold when I ride on the bike. But, once I tried to take some rest I feel like cold especially in the morning and evening when I try to sleep in the tent.
That's why for these several days, I couldn't sleep well when I sleep in outside. The problem is tempreture but at the same time I have another reason. In Northern Scandinavian, the density of the people are quite less compared to here. So in here I have to sleep close to the high way as well as houses. Especially in Sweden (I think it is not only for Sweden but not in north!) there are side roads of high way which used to be used as a main road to connect one city to another but now it has made it to the European road as they show us E00(number). I prefer using those side roads because it is shortest way to get to the another city.
By the way just few hours ago, I was in a supermarket at the city. I was in the cash desk and paid money in return for foods which I bought. And the shopkeeper push my foods in the desk to put in to the plastic bag by myself. (It is quite different from Japanese style.) And then I was walked to the desk to pack it up. And I saw a wallet has been left there and there was a old woman who is going out from the supermarket. And then, I though she was forgot to keep it in her bag. Reflexively, I said "Hey, Mom! You forgot your wallet!!" but she couldn't hear and pick that wallet to her and said again. "Is this yours?" I understand that the wallet is hers with her face and she took it. Maybe she said "thank you!" or something I couldn't hear but it's OK for me.
I feel like that I am still OK not to take it with silence. I am still normal even though the weather in Scandinavian is crazy! I hope that I will get to Jonkoping tomorrow!
Yuji @ Odeshog, Sweden
PS. Even today the weather is dark with mist and very windy. Luckly the wind push me down to south! Keep it all the way!!
9.11.09
Swedish Weekend
"Which wine do you prefer red or white?"
"Unfortunately, niether do I. I love Rose!"
The last Friday and Saturday, I enjoyed dinking and talking with Swedish people.
On Friday night I was at the central station of Norkopping waiting for a host at the same time with drying the stuff which have already wet for 2-3 hours. When I was in there, the person at the end of bench asked me "Where are you coming from?" with very natural English but I was a little bit afraid because at that time there are several drinking people with begging for money. The person who asked me he is black and I feel like why he is asking me. I didn't answer to him even though I know what he is asking. "Where are you coming from?" the second question came but I just looking to him but no answer. The third question come "Where are you coming from? " I finally decided that I am going to reply for it. "I am from Japan." I feel like the same situation which I have experienced in Tanzania, the former travel and I was afraid of it. When I was in there, people asked me as he did in here and normally after that they are coming to me to show something in order to get some money. They said to me in the last part of meeting, "Give me a nice tip!"
But I soonly understood that he is not the same person as I met in Tanzania from his cloth and eys and things which he had. Actually, he told me that he is Swedish but his grabdparents from Africa. The thing which I surprised that his way of thinking is Africa even though his family has been lived in Sweden more than 50 years at least. I strongly feel like that people need a time to adopt in different society.
I had a rose wine at that time and he had some beer we enjoyed taliking with each other with some poor people in the same room. It was strange situation one guy from Japan, one guy is from Sweden with African mentality and two poor drinking people from Sweden and one man correcting a bottle from the people. He gave the bottle to him after he drunk a beer, I am not the same person but I did the same thing as the poor Swedish people do in here.
After that, my host come to the station to pick me up to his place. He is a guy from Sweden. We went to a student bar after we dropped my luggedge at his place. The price in a bar is much cheaper than Norway especially in student one. To tell the truth, I didn't go any bar in Norway mainly because of the price. Moreover I am not the person who want to go a bar alone. I bought a beer or wine from a shop when I want to drink. That was the life in Norway. That's why this is the bar after Turku in Finland as my memory. With his friend we talked about my traveling experience and was pretty good night!
I woak up at 10am in the morning on Saturday. After eating breakfast, I left to Linkoping which is located about 50 km south from Norkoping.
The next host is a girl from Sweden. Because of her friend's offer we went to her frined's place to have a dinner with red wine. She is a person who is studing medicine and I met her friend's who also studying medicine at Linkoping. Some of her frind's had an experience to come to Japan and I really enjoyed talking with them especially. One thing what I want to write is that I tried Swedish snooth which is similar to tabacco but it's much stronger than tabacco, because the nicotine will directly come to my blood making a crazy feeling. Actually, I had a chance to try in Norway as well but I refuse to do it because it might be bad for my health. After 5-10 minutes started to have it on between my lip and teeth, I feel like that I am drinking. My brain feels like shaking and I felt it on to the paper. Very strong! Enough for once in a life time, maybe...!
However, I tried to do it three times at that night. I was crazy!
I had a chance to go to club at that night but I had enough experience with her and her friend, that's why I didn't go there. To tell the truth, I was in a club only once when I was in Estonia (I had a dog experience, anyway!). I enjoyed dancing and drinking in there but I still somehow couldn't find out the cost performance out of there. I think one of the reason I am originally from Japan and we have very few club in our city. Instead we have a lot of caraoke which are suitable for our culture I think.
In short, I enjoyed night life in Sweden!
Yuji @ Motala, Sweden
"Unfortunately, niether do I. I love Rose!"
The last Friday and Saturday, I enjoyed dinking and talking with Swedish people.
On Friday night I was at the central station of Norkopping waiting for a host at the same time with drying the stuff which have already wet for 2-3 hours. When I was in there, the person at the end of bench asked me "Where are you coming from?" with very natural English but I was a little bit afraid because at that time there are several drinking people with begging for money. The person who asked me he is black and I feel like why he is asking me. I didn't answer to him even though I know what he is asking. "Where are you coming from?" the second question came but I just looking to him but no answer. The third question come "Where are you coming from? " I finally decided that I am going to reply for it. "I am from Japan." I feel like the same situation which I have experienced in Tanzania, the former travel and I was afraid of it. When I was in there, people asked me as he did in here and normally after that they are coming to me to show something in order to get some money. They said to me in the last part of meeting, "Give me a nice tip!"
But I soonly understood that he is not the same person as I met in Tanzania from his cloth and eys and things which he had. Actually, he told me that he is Swedish but his grabdparents from Africa. The thing which I surprised that his way of thinking is Africa even though his family has been lived in Sweden more than 50 years at least. I strongly feel like that people need a time to adopt in different society.
I had a rose wine at that time and he had some beer we enjoyed taliking with each other with some poor people in the same room. It was strange situation one guy from Japan, one guy is from Sweden with African mentality and two poor drinking people from Sweden and one man correcting a bottle from the people. He gave the bottle to him after he drunk a beer, I am not the same person but I did the same thing as the poor Swedish people do in here.
After that, my host come to the station to pick me up to his place. He is a guy from Sweden. We went to a student bar after we dropped my luggedge at his place. The price in a bar is much cheaper than Norway especially in student one. To tell the truth, I didn't go any bar in Norway mainly because of the price. Moreover I am not the person who want to go a bar alone. I bought a beer or wine from a shop when I want to drink. That was the life in Norway. That's why this is the bar after Turku in Finland as my memory. With his friend we talked about my traveling experience and was pretty good night!
I woak up at 10am in the morning on Saturday. After eating breakfast, I left to Linkoping which is located about 50 km south from Norkoping.
The next host is a girl from Sweden. Because of her friend's offer we went to her frined's place to have a dinner with red wine. She is a person who is studing medicine and I met her friend's who also studying medicine at Linkoping. Some of her frind's had an experience to come to Japan and I really enjoyed talking with them especially. One thing what I want to write is that I tried Swedish snooth which is similar to tabacco but it's much stronger than tabacco, because the nicotine will directly come to my blood making a crazy feeling. Actually, I had a chance to try in Norway as well but I refuse to do it because it might be bad for my health. After 5-10 minutes started to have it on between my lip and teeth, I feel like that I am drinking. My brain feels like shaking and I felt it on to the paper. Very strong! Enough for once in a life time, maybe...!
However, I tried to do it three times at that night. I was crazy!
I had a chance to go to club at that night but I had enough experience with her and her friend, that's why I didn't go there. To tell the truth, I was in a club only once when I was in Estonia (I had a dog experience, anyway!). I enjoyed dancing and drinking in there but I still somehow couldn't find out the cost performance out of there. I think one of the reason I am originally from Japan and we have very few club in our city. Instead we have a lot of caraoke which are suitable for our culture I think.
In short, I enjoyed night life in Sweden!
Yuji @ Motala, Sweden
6.11.09
You are the Representative!!!!
Since I got some snow in Sweden, I obliged to find a place to sleep.
Everything has already wet but I finally find a place to stay at a buss station 25km before Norkopping.
I put up my tent inside of the buss station. Normally when I sleep in the buss station, I don't put up my tent inside because it is too small to put up. But in this time I put up my tent in the buss station because it was big enough to put up. When I was in there after 5-6 pm (because it was dark), I wanted to make a pee outside of the tent. I got out from there and then back to my tent. I didn't notice something happend in the tent and I got inside the tent to stay.
After few seconds when I back to my tent, a small firework started just besides the tent and some teens started to laugh. They made something bad. I was wonderling if I try to scale to them because I feel like bad but at the same time I don't want to make any trouble with them. Finally, I didn't do nothing inside just started to sleep.
It was sad to have this kind of trouble. Of course, I didn't get any permission from anyone to stay in a buss station. But in general I think people can understand what I am doing in the buss station once they see my bicycle and giers which I have. But at the same time people might think that I am clazy because this is not the best season to travel. I am the person who know about that.
For them, teens I think they make som noise for the purpose for their fun but for me they made me what is the people in Sweden. My feeling from Sweden is wrose just because I had that kind of experience. Instead, I am making what is Japanese when I meet the people through this journey. Just before this journey one of my teacher told me that "You are the Japanese Representative in Europe!!" When I heard about his description, I laughed because it is so funny. "Am I representative?" like this. But now, it feels like very normal. I don't know how many people who I haev met in this journey will meet Japanese people again. Even me I met some Japanese in this journey but not too much in Europe.
Most probably people don't care about what I am thinking while I am making a conversation on the road when I want to ask the way to go. I am checking not what but how they are trying to tell me the way, which is not based on their language skill moreover it is a kind of hospitality which they have. I was talking about the number of suiside in Sweden and Japan with former host which he told me Sweden is one of the country having a lot of people died of suiside. Compared to Norwagian people, Swedish they normally thinking too much when they are something to do not that much as I thought in Finland but they have also similar to Japanese identity.
Traveling with wet is not nice but I'll manage to get to Copenhagen in a week.
Yuji @ Norkopping, Sweden
4.11.09
Go To South !
Both my right teeth and jaw has been making a pain. I bought pills in case it will start strongly!
My host offered me to back to Stockholm by train and went with him yesterday. It was nice to go back to there but I feel like the same as I felt first time though I stayed there only 2-3 hours. Stockholm is the city which is smaller than both Helsinki and Oslo. In contrast, when it comes to the middle of the city it is very busy and complicated which similar to London and Tokyo. The city reminds me of my hometown.
Stockholm is located 500 east from Oslo which means that I was headed for east for one week but from now on I am heading for Copenhagen in order to get warm. I am not sure if it is warmer than here. Funny thing yesterday I was checking the weather report and Tokyo was 17C! How warm is there!
Here in Sweden is less than ten degrees but when it is close to 10, I feel like warm interestingly!
Compared to Northern Norway the landscape in Sweden is much more gentle. I saw a lot of gentle hills on the way to Stockholm which reminds me the warm days in Bulgaria. In addition to the geographical feature, now is the fall comes and leaves are falling down from trees which is very beautiful view and feel like I am being back to autumn. No snow in here.
Yesterday I was with my host at supermarket where he is working in there and I help his work a little bit. What I have done in there was just put some things into the shelve to sell customers. I felt that I might get this kind job in UK when I get there but I can also find the similar job in Japan. (Of course, I cannot do it in English!) To live, people have to work but I want to do something special job in UK or somewhere in Europe, which I cannot do in Japan. In order to get this kind of special job I have to develop my English skill, though.
One thing that I have been thinking was that I might get a job at snow park because the season of skiing will come soon. However, I think there is quite less snow park in UK so I have start to think the possibility to work in France or Swiss where there is a lot of snow park in there. To tell the truth, I can play skiing well compared to most of Japanese people even though I am from the city where there is no snow. When I was junior high school student I was participated in National Ski Competition as a representative of my pref. for Cross Country Skiing which is famous for Scandinavian. Should I have to stay here?
I am not too good playing alpine skiing more than that my XC. But it is very nice story if I can get a job in somewhere in France not only for my French study but also for a job which I can make better from my experience.
Anyway, I will go down to south from now on. I hope that I can get to Copenhagen in two weeks!!
Yuji @ Sodertalje, Sweden
2.11.09
Pain of My Jaw
Since I couldn't find anyone who can host me in Stockholm, I was thinking that I can find a place to stay either hostel or somewhere I can stay with a roof. But, finally I decided that I am going out from the city with a short time even thought I really want to stay in there just because it was really beautiful as I saw in Eastern Europe.
The first impression in Sweden was the country similar to Hungary. The common story of these countries is that they have a big power in the middle ages. I am not the expert for world history but as I remember from my brain, both country has lost their power after WWI. Once in Hungary, they have a power of Austria Hungary empire but after the WWI they lost their land and hegemony. In contrast, Sweden has a big power in the middle ages which colonized Finland as well as part of Norway. However, during the War time Sweden was not the country to fight with in any country (like the position of Swiss at the moment) even though they cooperate to Germany to send them to Northern Finland. Different from Norway as well as Finland this country try to preserve those old buildings in all most every city where I have been. In the central part of the city they have a stone pass. I don't know if they want to show "Here is the central part!" but I heard when I was in Poland. This stone passes were made by German soldiers.
About one week passed since I came to this country. Nationality of Sweden is similar to Finnish, which is also similar to Japanese more than that in Norway even though they are still using Krone instead of Euro. What I find out from them as well as when I was in Finland was that both nationality and personality of each person has decided depends of their living standard. People in Sweden, they are very sensitive for foreigners. One of the reason is that they have a lot of both immigrants and refugees from Asia as well as Africa in order to have a good living standard, probably. I haven't ever felt like when I was in Japan that my life will be feared because of those people from other countries but if people live with the money supported by the government of my own country some people might feel like "why we have to support them to live in my country?"
When I was in the middle of the Stockholm, I asked a person if he can possible to take a picture of me from my camera. And he took me a picture. And then suddenly a girl came to me and she tried to take a picture of me as he took and I was smiling to be taken. Then few seconds later, a woman (I doubt if she is the girl's mother) came to me and tried to gave a money to me. I took it naturally with said "Thank you!" but soon a question came to me "why did I take?" She gave a money to me to think that I am a poor person or just try to show appreciate to my cooperation? If so, she didn't have to gave money to me! Was I hunger to money?
After that there was another place where I wanted to be taken a picture from someone of my camera and I asked a person again and I was taken a picture from the man. And suddenly another woman came to me and she said "Now you are rich man!!" Probably she thought that I am trying to take some money from the people on the street to be taken some pictures and I feel like also "What?"
It is not easy to travel in the central capital especially the place be full of tourist.
To tell the truth, I have been traveling with little money as much as I can but recently I start to think that I am going to use money more than that before I will be in a sick to think much about money.
I don't know if it is stress or not, my right jaw has started to pain strongly. To tell the truth, it has been since one more month ago but it has not been painful as I am facing with at the moment. Or even it is just my bad teeth because of eating too much of sweet like chocolate as well as strawberry jam, which I really like to eat through this journey!
Today is a resting day after Oslo but I feel like still tired. But, I will manage to get to Copenhagen to find something New!!!
Yuji @ Sodertalja, Sweden
PS. local newspaper from Karlstad made an interview of me! Now I am a little bit famous in Sweden!
29.10.09
On the way to Stockholm
Two days from oslo, I had been wet on the way but I had no choice but to keep going, which must be one of hardest part of my traveling. After taking a rest at Karlstad with my host with a couple, the man is from Netherlands and a woman is from Sweden. I don't know exact reason but everytime when I meet those people from Netherlands, I feel really like that they have rich heart more than that we have in Japan. We should learn a lot from them.
Two days from Karlstad have been very fine weather. I am very happy about it. However, it has been very cold at night because of the radiational cooling even in the morning as well, which feels me very negative. But I have to over this condition to be able to get to Stockholm.
Since I heard about that the way to Stockholm is very flat, I have been trying to get up early in the morning till the sunset. Different from Norwagian time, Sweden has a time two hours before GMT. I didn't notice before arrived at Karlstad to tell the truth.
The next day from Karlstad, I wake up at 5 in the morning at bus stop, and then started at 6am just before sun rise. I manage to see on the road but has been frost in the mornig which reminds me just after Tromso in northern Norway. When I was in there, I got some snow two- three days after I got frost in the morning. But I am supposed to get to Stockholm two days from now on, hopefully there is no snow! I have been cycling after sunset when around 5pm in Swedish time.
Yesterday, I sleep in the forest starts from 7-8pm to 5am even though, I have still feeling like that I want to sleep more and more. Is ot OK, if I sleep like a bear in the forest?
Today, the weather is still OK which no rain but some cloud. I hope that this weather will continue to Edinburgh but I am going not to go when rain comes especially in Southern part of Scandinavian, there are less small pass for bicycle but I finally decided to attach my Norwagian flag to be seen from the drivers on the road even though it might be annoying for them.
I have ready for an answer when someone ask me about;
"What is that flag? It is annoying for driving!!!"
"My life is important than yours!"
Yuji @ Arboga, Sweden
Two days from Karlstad have been very fine weather. I am very happy about it. However, it has been very cold at night because of the radiational cooling even in the morning as well, which feels me very negative. But I have to over this condition to be able to get to Stockholm.
Since I heard about that the way to Stockholm is very flat, I have been trying to get up early in the morning till the sunset. Different from Norwagian time, Sweden has a time two hours before GMT. I didn't notice before arrived at Karlstad to tell the truth.
The next day from Karlstad, I wake up at 5 in the morning at bus stop, and then started at 6am just before sun rise. I manage to see on the road but has been frost in the mornig which reminds me just after Tromso in northern Norway. When I was in there, I got some snow two- three days after I got frost in the morning. But I am supposed to get to Stockholm two days from now on, hopefully there is no snow! I have been cycling after sunset when around 5pm in Swedish time.
Yesterday, I sleep in the forest starts from 7-8pm to 5am even though, I have still feeling like that I want to sleep more and more. Is ot OK, if I sleep like a bear in the forest?
Today, the weather is still OK which no rain but some cloud. I hope that this weather will continue to Edinburgh but I am going not to go when rain comes especially in Southern part of Scandinavian, there are less small pass for bicycle but I finally decided to attach my Norwagian flag to be seen from the drivers on the road even though it might be annoying for them.
I have ready for an answer when someone ask me about;
"What is that flag? It is annoying for driving!!!"
"My life is important than yours!"
Yuji @ Arboga, Sweden
23.10.09
Oslo +8C
Hello, everyone! I am Yuji from Oslo!
Fortunately, since two families can be offered me to stay at their place, I have been in Oslo for four nights. This is the last night in Oslo as well as Norway, probably.
The first day at city center I had a big problem for my bike. When I came back from a GS after I asked a man the way to take, I noticed that my bicycle had some problems at the front tire. It seemed that couldn't be running well. I thought that I had put too much air inside the tire(since I make it up at the airport) and tried to get rid of a little bit of air. Suddenly, a big noise came and my wheel split into two at some part. At that time, I had no idea what to do and had a little bit of panic because I haven't expected that my tire would split. Then, I thought I cannot go anywhere before changing for a new wheel. I asked a man again the way to get to the bicycle shop and finally I could find a shop where they sell some wheels and bicycle giar.
I would say I am a really lucky man because I can find a bicycle shop at that time. The day when I asked another host and I was supposed to take another 15km from the city center but it has already dark and it was a little bit late than the arrival time which I told them before. However, cost for repairing for the bike as not cheap and tried to cut the price to the clerk. But he just told me that "this wheel cost 600Kr. and you have to buy another brake and will cost 200Kr. So, you have to pay 800Kr. altoghther."
And I said "Don't you have a student price?" and he said "No." without smiling. He was a little bit business-oriented (maybe cause it's in the capital )but I didn't say anymore. The question was simple "either I pay for 800Kr. or give up cycling on the bike" I paid and repaired.
But it feels like very fine because I thought it should be paid to repair even though it is not cheap. And another thing why I thought I am a lucky man was my bike didn't break in the mountain or hill. If I couldn't ride on my bike in that kind of place, I would be hard to find a place to fix it. At the same time, I recognized that I have to check it and pay attention to my bike more often than that. Otherwise, I have to push my bike for a couple of km which must be tough.
Today, I arrived at the city center from the place where I stayed, which is located 15km from the city and almost on top of the hill. When I go to the city center, it was easy to ride onto but on the back way I have to keep up on the hill, which reminds me of the north cape!!
At the city center, I was at Norbel Peace Prize center where is located near the port. In front of the building, there was a big flag, which was written "from King to Obama" both in Norwagian and English. When I saw the sign, I thought that "Does King means Norwagian King? Do they have still power to give a prize to the winner?"
As you know, since Obama got the prize there was a exbition about what he have done during this period. But on the other side of exbition, there was another guy who I saw before but I couldn't find out who he is. But finally when I read about the story of him I got the meaning of "King", he is Martin Ruther King Jr. who fought civil rights movement during the 1960 and he got the Prize in 1964. So, the exbition tell us about how we got an impact from the King to Obama which inspired us how peaceful activity is important instead of weapon or war as we saw in Iraq and Afganistan.
To tell the truth, I learned much about King at high school and I even don't have to get some information from there. Even so, some video and speech were wroth watching and feel like how important to make an activity without weapons. But, when it comes to Obama I haven't been listening to much time of his speech except for victory one. The speech which I watched on the video was about Islamic society which he have done in this June when I was in eastern Europe!
The speech was really good even that was a little bit long. He talked about how we, people not only in the State but also in everywhere in the world should fight with problems which we are facing with in 21st century. His speech aren't based on national interest. I think that is the one of the reason why he is loved by the people all over the world as well as he got the prize. In some part of the speech, he tried to tell to younger generation in all over the world, which I even feel like that he is trying to talk to me, that feels very good!! I spend nearly four hours in the hall, anyway.
The first impression in Oslo was wide. City is wide which they don't make a lot of tall buildings or maybe they don't have to because of the population. In some part of the city there are a lot of beautiful architectures and churches as well as green space, which I haven't seen a lot of these past several weeks. But at the same time, there were several people trying to get some money out of the people on the street. Actually, I didn't put any money to them when I saw them, but I feel like the reason why I didn't gave any money to them was that it might be get any trouble, I mean when I put some money to a guy and another guy saw me when I do so. Then, he might also try to ask me some money. I think almost everybody who are walking on the street they have little money to give them but they don't do that. Why? Because they want to keep some money to buy foods. No!! Mostly, I think people don't want to make any trouble with them. Or even just because they think nothing would be change if I gave some money. People have different reason but mostly they are less attention to the poor people. Or even in Norway people might think government should support to those poor people from my experience.
Tomorrow, I will head for Sweden.
The first day in Norway as on 2nd of Sept. Even I took a flight, I spend more than one month in Norway! How big country it is!!!
Yuji @ Oslo, Norway
One of my host at this place is Chinese and there is a electric kettle to make steamed rice as well as gas ring which remind me to Japan!! Sometimes when I touch or even just meet the people from Asia, I feel really like I am from Asia, feel be fine!!
Fortunately, since two families can be offered me to stay at their place, I have been in Oslo for four nights. This is the last night in Oslo as well as Norway, probably.
The first day at city center I had a big problem for my bike. When I came back from a GS after I asked a man the way to take, I noticed that my bicycle had some problems at the front tire. It seemed that couldn't be running well. I thought that I had put too much air inside the tire(since I make it up at the airport) and tried to get rid of a little bit of air. Suddenly, a big noise came and my wheel split into two at some part. At that time, I had no idea what to do and had a little bit of panic because I haven't expected that my tire would split. Then, I thought I cannot go anywhere before changing for a new wheel. I asked a man again the way to get to the bicycle shop and finally I could find a shop where they sell some wheels and bicycle giar.
I would say I am a really lucky man because I can find a bicycle shop at that time. The day when I asked another host and I was supposed to take another 15km from the city center but it has already dark and it was a little bit late than the arrival time which I told them before. However, cost for repairing for the bike as not cheap and tried to cut the price to the clerk. But he just told me that "this wheel cost 600Kr. and you have to buy another brake and will cost 200Kr. So, you have to pay 800Kr. altoghther."
And I said "Don't you have a student price?" and he said "No." without smiling. He was a little bit business-oriented (maybe cause it's in the capital )but I didn't say anymore. The question was simple "either I pay for 800Kr. or give up cycling on the bike" I paid and repaired.
But it feels like very fine because I thought it should be paid to repair even though it is not cheap. And another thing why I thought I am a lucky man was my bike didn't break in the mountain or hill. If I couldn't ride on my bike in that kind of place, I would be hard to find a place to fix it. At the same time, I recognized that I have to check it and pay attention to my bike more often than that. Otherwise, I have to push my bike for a couple of km which must be tough.
Today, I arrived at the city center from the place where I stayed, which is located 15km from the city and almost on top of the hill. When I go to the city center, it was easy to ride onto but on the back way I have to keep up on the hill, which reminds me of the north cape!!
At the city center, I was at Norbel Peace Prize center where is located near the port. In front of the building, there was a big flag, which was written "from King to Obama" both in Norwagian and English. When I saw the sign, I thought that "Does King means Norwagian King? Do they have still power to give a prize to the winner?"
As you know, since Obama got the prize there was a exbition about what he have done during this period. But on the other side of exbition, there was another guy who I saw before but I couldn't find out who he is. But finally when I read about the story of him I got the meaning of "King", he is Martin Ruther King Jr. who fought civil rights movement during the 1960 and he got the Prize in 1964. So, the exbition tell us about how we got an impact from the King to Obama which inspired us how peaceful activity is important instead of weapon or war as we saw in Iraq and Afganistan.
To tell the truth, I learned much about King at high school and I even don't have to get some information from there. Even so, some video and speech were wroth watching and feel like how important to make an activity without weapons. But, when it comes to Obama I haven't been listening to much time of his speech except for victory one. The speech which I watched on the video was about Islamic society which he have done in this June when I was in eastern Europe!
The speech was really good even that was a little bit long. He talked about how we, people not only in the State but also in everywhere in the world should fight with problems which we are facing with in 21st century. His speech aren't based on national interest. I think that is the one of the reason why he is loved by the people all over the world as well as he got the prize. In some part of the speech, he tried to tell to younger generation in all over the world, which I even feel like that he is trying to talk to me, that feels very good!! I spend nearly four hours in the hall, anyway.
The first impression in Oslo was wide. City is wide which they don't make a lot of tall buildings or maybe they don't have to because of the population. In some part of the city there are a lot of beautiful architectures and churches as well as green space, which I haven't seen a lot of these past several weeks. But at the same time, there were several people trying to get some money out of the people on the street. Actually, I didn't put any money to them when I saw them, but I feel like the reason why I didn't gave any money to them was that it might be get any trouble, I mean when I put some money to a guy and another guy saw me when I do so. Then, he might also try to ask me some money. I think almost everybody who are walking on the street they have little money to give them but they don't do that. Why? Because they want to keep some money to buy foods. No!! Mostly, I think people don't want to make any trouble with them. Or even just because they think nothing would be change if I gave some money. People have different reason but mostly they are less attention to the poor people. Or even in Norway people might think government should support to those poor people from my experience.
Tomorrow, I will head for Sweden.
The first day in Norway as on 2nd of Sept. Even I took a flight, I spend more than one month in Norway! How big country it is!!!
Yuji @ Oslo, Norway
One of my host at this place is Chinese and there is a electric kettle to make steamed rice as well as gas ring which remind me to Japan!! Sometimes when I touch or even just meet the people from Asia, I feel really like I am from Asia, feel be fine!!
21.10.09
The way to Edinburgh
OSLO-STOCKHOLM 552Km
STOCKHOLM-KØBENHAVN 645Km
KOBENHAVN-BERLIN 356Km(with ferry)
BERLIN-AMSTERDAM 648km
AMSTERDAM-BRUSSEL 209km
BRUSSEL-PARIS 294km
PARIS-LONDON 414km(with ferry)
LONDON-EDINBURGH 656km
TOTAL DISTANCE: 3774km
100km per day takes 37 days
70km per day takes 54 days
50km per day takes 74 days
8 countries with 8 capitals
Distance from Istanbul to Oslo is 10814km
BODO to OSLO is 840km by plain
11 countries with 10 capital (except for Turkey)
Oh! I forgot the place where I am from. The capital of Japan, Tokyo!
11 countries with 11 capital.
Through this journey I am always trying to go to the capital of each country. To tell the truth, I am the person who don't like that much to visit capitals. People in countryside are much more gentle than capitals. Society in capitals are moving very fast. Cars and trucks are always back and force which are bad condition for cycling. But at the same time, I can see something new which I cannot see in any city other than capitals.
There are three capitals which is not directly on the way to UK.
Stockholm, the next country.
Berlin, the place where I really want to visit.
Paris, I will go there!
I might have another chance to visit those capitals but I don't know when!
I have to decide in a day or two!
Yuji @ Oslo, Norway
STOCKHOLM-KØBENHAVN 645Km
KOBENHAVN-BERLIN 356Km(with ferry)
BERLIN-AMSTERDAM 648km
AMSTERDAM-BRUSSEL 209km
BRUSSEL-PARIS 294km
PARIS-LONDON 414km(with ferry)
LONDON-EDINBURGH 656km
TOTAL DISTANCE: 3774km
100km per day takes 37 days
70km per day takes 54 days
50km per day takes 74 days
8 countries with 8 capitals
Distance from Istanbul to Oslo is 10814km
BODO to OSLO is 840km by plain
11 countries with 10 capital (except for Turkey)
Oh! I forgot the place where I am from. The capital of Japan, Tokyo!
11 countries with 11 capital.
Through this journey I am always trying to go to the capital of each country. To tell the truth, I am the person who don't like that much to visit capitals. People in countryside are much more gentle than capitals. Society in capitals are moving very fast. Cars and trucks are always back and force which are bad condition for cycling. But at the same time, I can see something new which I cannot see in any city other than capitals.
There are three capitals which is not directly on the way to UK.
Stockholm, the next country.
Berlin, the place where I really want to visit.
Paris, I will go there!
I might have another chance to visit those capitals but I don't know when!
I have to decide in a day or two!
Yuji @ Oslo, Norway
20.10.09
From Oslo
The plain brought me to Oslo only one and half hours from Bodø. As I told you, I canseled the flight from Oslo to London in order to keep going by bicycle.
One week at Bodø with a brother of Torstain & Bjarte were very very fine!
I tried inside-hockey, sharkas training and watching some movies as well as football match. In addition to those wonderful time, I climbed up to the place where I can see whole city from the top, which was also fine!
At this moment, I am at the airport called Gardemoen which is located about 50km north from the central Oslo waiting for a person who is supposed to host me. The host I haven't met him, of course! But he is a friend of Bjour who is a man traveling by bicycle from Norway to S.Africa. I met him in Estland.
Normally, when I go overseas I have booked a hotel or guesthouse before I left in Japan. But in this time as you know I haven't even once booked any place to stay. Just sarching a place or put up my tent in the forest. In Norway especially in summer time, people they have in common that traveler may put up their tent in a forest which makes me surprised. In Japan, some people do it but it is not acceptable for some people(Of course,it is safe)or only at camping site. Even in winter time it works in here, but in northern Norway the place as I left was very cold to sleep in the tent. I am pretty sure about it! What I mean out of this experience people allowed me to stay at thier place without money but if I would say something about it, it is friendship. And friendship makes a world. Here, as we do in Japan, when my friend come to home, I never ask for money even I don't think about it because it is friend.
Anyway, they have a season to travel which in Norway from May to August, which I haven't also expected, that is one of the reason why I have to finally take a flight.
It feels like a season sports but in Japan, in Tokyo we don't have any best season to travel depends on the climate. Only one month mid-Jun to July we have rain season but you can escape it if you go to Hokkaido(northern island)
Still cold in outside, anyway.(a little bit better?)
To tell the truth, I have been thinking about the possibility to go to Africa just because my journey has been very fine but the most importatnt thing of this journey to decide what I really want to do in my future which means Africa is the best place to know. Of course traveling by bicycle all the way to Edinburgh will be fine as a project but that is not my top priority which I have noticed in these days.
If I devide of this world into two, most probably I decide depends on the economic level which sometimes told us as North and South(I prefer use this description more than that of developed and developing countries). It is not easy to decide all country in the world which is North or South but I will say almost all country where I traveled through this journey was North. Japan is North. Norway is also North.
When I was in Tanzania in two years ago, I couldn't speak English well as I do at this moment. What I know from the experience, people are poor and hard to live.
But here in Norway as well as Japan people are rich. And Norway is one of the closest country in Japan, which means living standard and security reason.
Be safe is the most important point of any place in the world but I want to visit those poor countries and somehow figured out what is the thing that I want to do in Southern countries especially in Africa. Moreover, it may be true that I just want to make it clear why I have been longing for the African continent even people are poor and not safe to do anything compared to here.
As to my travel, I most probably keep going by bicycle to Denmark (I am not sure if I visit to Stockholm), Germany(doubt in Berlin), Netherland, Belgium and of course in France and to UK. I don't have to stick to visit all capital in all countries.
Most of west African countries they speak in French instead of English because of the history. I feel like this is the last chance to get an shock or impact that I have to learn Frence. I believe it will work out.
Airport in Oslo is bigger than that of Bodø.
It may start another busy days!¨:-(
Well, but I could enough rest of beautiful landscape in northern Norway as well as Lapland.
Yuji @ Gardemoen Airport, Oslo, Norway
PS. Feel like still a little bit tired though I haven't been riding on my bike since last Thursday. I used for three seats to sleep in the plain. It was far from the morning subway in Tokyo!
One week at Bodø with a brother of Torstain & Bjarte were very very fine!
I tried inside-hockey, sharkas training and watching some movies as well as football match. In addition to those wonderful time, I climbed up to the place where I can see whole city from the top, which was also fine!
At this moment, I am at the airport called Gardemoen which is located about 50km north from the central Oslo waiting for a person who is supposed to host me. The host I haven't met him, of course! But he is a friend of Bjour who is a man traveling by bicycle from Norway to S.Africa. I met him in Estland.
Normally, when I go overseas I have booked a hotel or guesthouse before I left in Japan. But in this time as you know I haven't even once booked any place to stay. Just sarching a place or put up my tent in the forest. In Norway especially in summer time, people they have in common that traveler may put up their tent in a forest which makes me surprised. In Japan, some people do it but it is not acceptable for some people(Of course,it is safe)or only at camping site. Even in winter time it works in here, but in northern Norway the place as I left was very cold to sleep in the tent. I am pretty sure about it! What I mean out of this experience people allowed me to stay at thier place without money but if I would say something about it, it is friendship. And friendship makes a world. Here, as we do in Japan, when my friend come to home, I never ask for money even I don't think about it because it is friend.
Anyway, they have a season to travel which in Norway from May to August, which I haven't also expected, that is one of the reason why I have to finally take a flight.
It feels like a season sports but in Japan, in Tokyo we don't have any best season to travel depends on the climate. Only one month mid-Jun to July we have rain season but you can escape it if you go to Hokkaido(northern island)
Still cold in outside, anyway.(a little bit better?)
To tell the truth, I have been thinking about the possibility to go to Africa just because my journey has been very fine but the most importatnt thing of this journey to decide what I really want to do in my future which means Africa is the best place to know. Of course traveling by bicycle all the way to Edinburgh will be fine as a project but that is not my top priority which I have noticed in these days.
If I devide of this world into two, most probably I decide depends on the economic level which sometimes told us as North and South(I prefer use this description more than that of developed and developing countries). It is not easy to decide all country in the world which is North or South but I will say almost all country where I traveled through this journey was North. Japan is North. Norway is also North.
When I was in Tanzania in two years ago, I couldn't speak English well as I do at this moment. What I know from the experience, people are poor and hard to live.
But here in Norway as well as Japan people are rich. And Norway is one of the closest country in Japan, which means living standard and security reason.
Be safe is the most important point of any place in the world but I want to visit those poor countries and somehow figured out what is the thing that I want to do in Southern countries especially in Africa. Moreover, it may be true that I just want to make it clear why I have been longing for the African continent even people are poor and not safe to do anything compared to here.
As to my travel, I most probably keep going by bicycle to Denmark (I am not sure if I visit to Stockholm), Germany(doubt in Berlin), Netherland, Belgium and of course in France and to UK. I don't have to stick to visit all capital in all countries.
Most of west African countries they speak in French instead of English because of the history. I feel like this is the last chance to get an shock or impact that I have to learn Frence. I believe it will work out.
Airport in Oslo is bigger than that of Bodø.
It may start another busy days!¨:-(
Well, but I could enough rest of beautiful landscape in northern Norway as well as Lapland.
Yuji @ Gardemoen Airport, Oslo, Norway
PS. Feel like still a little bit tired though I haven't been riding on my bike since last Thursday. I used for three seats to sleep in the plain. It was far from the morning subway in Tokyo!
19.10.09
Bodø VS Tromsø
The football match between Bodø and Tromsø held at the yesterday evening in Bodo. I was paticipated in that game as a supported in Bodo with my host and their friend.
To tell the truth, I am not the person who know much about football league and environment in Norway but as I heard from them both Bodo and Tromso has been a rival because only those two cities belongs to a top football league in Norway. What is another interesting thing is that there is one Japanese football player called"Daigo Kobayashi", who is playing one of a foot ball team in Norway and I haven't heard about his name before when I came to here. Almost everyone who like football they know about "Kobayashi", which feels like that people are not get used to Japanese football player in Norway.
Actually, it doesn't matter if either Tromsø or Bodø win the match because I am traveler. But I should say that I am the person who support to Bodø as long as I was sitting on a seat at Bodø side.(I will say standing) 90min. in a whole game, we have been standing to be able to suppot for the Bodø and which feels that I am a person who is supporting to Bodø. To tell the truth, I haven't expected that I have to support whole time of the game with standing off the seat, which remind me of the baseball match at my university. There is a league so-called "baseball match of six university" which has been held in every spring and autum, some students who like baseball game they goes to the studium to support their university. The reason to support is very simple I am the student at Hosei University that's why I am supporting to my university instead of Waseda or Rikkyo university, which are one of the six.
The thing that I have done is here was the same feeling that I have done in that baseball game. I am or my host supporting to Bodø because they are living in the city. Even though the studium itself was very small but most of the supporters are from Bodo and some supporters from Tromsø. Just before the game, we saw a big flags of the Tromsø supporters from the seat and supporters in Bodø started to make sounds to show that we don't like you!, which feels really similar to us. Population in both city has 40,000 in Bodo and 65,000 in Tromso which means both of the city is so small but they make a small society. People who makes a game was only eleven players in both side of the team but I feels like that supporters make and enjoyed to support their team which belongs to the city, which was very at home! We, in Japan also have that kind of professional league and we have a team in Tokyo, but mostly players in the team from the other part of Japan or overseas, which is hard to have a motivation that I want to support for the team just because I am from Tokyo. Normally either baseball or football, people who want to support of the team is because he or she have a player that they want to support not be based on the city.
1-1 was the score of the game. After the game atmosphere at the studium was a little bit depressed because we didn't win the game. I feels like not bad because we could catch to the Tromso after we gave a goal to the Tromsø about 88 min. and we managed to make an goal at the loss time, which was very fine!
Studium is located at a part of the city and the game feels like one of a entertaiment for the weekend.
One studium, one station, one hospital, one library, one university, one or two place where we can see whole city. If I can compare to Tokyo, we have 23 district in the center of Tokyo. My place is located one of the district which similar to Bodo or Tromsø as my experience. Here, I can strongly feel like that I am in a city that is different feeling which I had at my place. Actually, I prefer to this kind of small place where we can feel it to the city and confortable to live!!!
Yuji @ 6th days in Bodø, Nordland, Norway
PS. I will leave for Oslo tomorrow morning hoping for warm tempreture!
17.10.09
Letters from Iwo Jima
Friendship makes a world.
Winter boot from Mr. Hans at Svolvær!
Yesterday, I had an opportunity to see a movie called "Letters from Iwo Jima", which was produced by Clint Eastwood and had a little impact in Japan few years ago. To tell the truth, it was my first time to watch that movie and was easy to understand because of the language. Though the directer is an American movie star but most of actors are Japanese and they speak Japanese. The movie itself was pretty good. As a student of politics even just to know about the history at the end of WWII, the movie was nice and I can easily understand what have done in there. Actually, I didn't tried to understand what was the movie when people and media trying to say something about movie which was 2-3 years ago. So, I cannot explain it well as they did but I will say something what I felt from the movie.
Firstly, the movie tried to explain how Japanese loyalty to emperor Hirohito was wrong. In the movie, I saw quite a lot of times that Japanese soldiers gave three cheers to emperor and even sometimes they died by their-selves as a name of loyalty to Japan moreover to emperor that I feel. Secondly, as the saw the another movie based on wars that this movie is also tells us how the war makes sad story and we never do the same mistake as we have done, which was the most important point of that kind of movies. On the contrary, if I would say some critical comment on the movie was that it was a little bit grotesque in some part and it was feels like bad. Was it just because the directer is from the States? Of course it is important to telll the rial story what have done in there but not necessary to make it such as strong impact as I saw. Lastly, the title was the "Letters" but I couldn't feels like letters have a lot of influence on whole movie. Was that because I missed in some important part of the movie?
The movie took about 2 hours, feels like a little bit more, but that was the longest time to hear Japanese since I started of my journey, which feels like that I was in Japan. Through this journey, I met some Japanese people but when I tried to talk them I couldn't even speak Japanese well because I haven't been used for a long time to talk with. That's why I speak to Japanese people with in English, which much more better to communicate then.
I saw the movie with my host , he is Norwegian and of course he couldn't understand in Japanese and he had to kept his eyes on subtitles, which he must be tough because the subtitle was English not in Norwegian. The funny thing that the point to laugh was different between us. Well it maybe just we grown up in different continent, wasn't it?
Since I got a place to stay till 20th of Oct. I can make me comfortable to stay at his place.
Today, I got an interview from the student at Bodø to study about journalism. They wanted to make an interview to know about the story which I made and what I am doing at this moment. Still I have some language problems that why I cannot explain it well than that it should be. Hopefully it was good for their study!
Tomorrow, I will go to stadium to watch a football game between Bodø and Tromsø, which is the first game to see in Europe! I am really looking forward to watching it.
Yuji @ 4th nights at Bodø, Nordland, Norway
PS. I sometimes feels like that I don't want to move especially if I stay at one place for over 3 days. That is one of the problems of this kind of journey, which I made a lot of time. How will I name? Looks like "winter sleep", isn't it? Too Lazy!!!
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