Wednesday, December 29, 2010

when bad things heppened

When people's poor, u can see ghost more easily...

in central america

dog bite in Guatemala

money, computer, harddisk and other things stolen in Nicaragua

and when i brought air ticket, got a "ticky" agency that i spent more 140USD in Costa Rica.

it's hard keep on facing bad things. 

but time pass. will need to keep myself a clear mind and relax. 

Think positive.

Going back South tomorrow. The time will be much better, I believe.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Nothing

even there were nothing happened. my heart and stomach pained. 

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

trusted and worried.

Even the lifes don't cross anymore, wish there will be good things, people and lifes around you. 

Friday, October 15, 2010

1/5 of the world

By the end of the year 2010, I will be visited 1/5 of the world....haha


visited 45 states (20%)
Create your own visited map of The World

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Deep into the Amazon

Still in Brazil. 

Although my visa was already expired for more than 1 week.

I love the country and I am now spending the time here in Manaus, the heart of Amazon. 

the last week I was just experienced a lots here.

Alter do Chão is really a paradise in Amazon. 

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Before the rain? Or after the rain?

I love raining sometimes, especially if I am not working.

The rain is strong in the rain forest, in Amazon.

10-20 years ago, it rains very regular, at around 4pm in Belém, people don't see the watch, but when they meet people, they will say, we meet before the rain? Or after the rain?

Climate change. People change too. 

Friday, July 09, 2010

My Language

These few days I worked to much, just hard to write, 
taking care the people from other country, making arrangements....

I miss my language classes/exercised...and I want to learn more...

anyway this is how I learn Portuguese here....like the movie "Beautiful Mind" the wall is full of paper...hahaha


Thursday, July 01, 2010

July 1

It's public holiday in HK but I don't have holiday here...

work work work!!!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Not to work on Sunday

People cannot choose when you work, especially when you are a freelancers/freeters,

I can't choose my time of work when I am in HK neither. 

But I am in Latin America, I used my time as my will.

I went out and enjoyed all day with different group with my friend, not even touched my computer....

Back to work, very busy this week!

This afternoon will celebrating the Victory of the Winning of Brazil Team!! 

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Speaking Chinese

Today the first participant from Taiwan came!!
Was so excited!! Although Mandarin is not my mother tongue, 
we talked a lot!!! so longing to speak in Chinese!!!! 
I think I did not stop talking the last few hours. crazy crazy, the Brazilians said I need to speak "back" the language for the last few months....hahaha

a long meeting but I did most of my work with my computer. 

Quite productive today after the good sleep yesterday! 

Tomorrow is the last Sunday day of the Festa Junina, so I will go to the Praça to celebrate and go with the Parade in the morning...buy suddenly I found that tomorrow morning is also the England vs Germany...I am a football crazy too...

Friday, June 25, 2010

in the van

The first 2 months when I arrived here, I can't really go anywhere myself. I used my bike most of the time.
Because I don't speak the language and I don't know where exactly I am...

Now I can survive here much better. 

Brazil drew the game with Portugal this morning, when I took the van myself today, when it passed by the 5th street (Quintar Rua), I saw a big Show Bus with a band and hundreds of people gathering in this small area in the street and celebrated the winning of Brazil Team. 

I worked hard in the afternoon (I think I work hard....) But today is just not productive...and I rejected my host's invitation to the island today...

Go back home by the van myself, at the beginning I saw a big group of young people, girls wear normal but all the boys dressed like women!!! haha, they are crazy! 

And then an old woman went up to the van, I offered my seat to her and said "sentar aqui por favor". 
All the people in the van looked at me because they discovered this Chinese man spoke strange Portuguese and stand up into the very small van with a big backpack...but I am happy, people smiled at me because I did that.

I left the van and walked into the feira (market) before I went home, I went to buy the "batata frita" (fries) from a snack cart. The young seller talked to the other boy about World Cup, like why the player can't play the game, etc. He asked me, today is Friday, right? I said yes. They are thinking when will Brazil play the next game I believe. 

Everywhere is yellow and green. People's dress (I saw many little kids/babies), the street with all the flags and decoration. 
World Cup/ Soccer is really in the blood of the Brazilians. 

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Health always comes first


All the time we talk to people, "please take care of your health."

Found that my colleague in Brazil, the Director of the Congress got a big problem in his only kidney…will need operation and he flied over to his home city and find a better doctor yesterday. As I think he doesn’t really trust the local medical service…

I don’t want to comment about the medical service here, I do want to point out, to understand your own body and do some precaution in advance is more important.

Will need to back up the works and will work more hard in the coming days…gambatte ne!

Today had a meeting and joined the seminar in the University, went there by myself; afterward I ran to the University snacks bar and watch the last 20 mins of the Japan vs Denmark game! Brilliant! Japan football golden time!!!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

all day home

I bit lost today might be because of too many works...

did not go out even there's a friend's party. 

looking at the TV and computer all day. 

I need a fresh. 

Want to say good luck to my slungun students. Today is their graduation in HK time. I can't believe I graduated already......years.....
Wish they have a bright future and become a new force of HK theatre or entertainment industry. 
My spirit will be with you ALL. 


 

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

21 and 22 june in Icoaraci

Yesterday was working crazy again...

yesterday after work my host asked if I prepared his photos of Africa....I misunderstood him before..so I downloaded them with my modem again and made him a slide DVD for his school work till 1:30am....

today got the messages from friends, because they are worried if I am in the flood area of Brazil. Thanks for the care and actually it's close but not that close..still might be 1000km away? I am glad as I felt love.

South Korea entered the 2nd round of world cup, I do hope Japan can do the same!!! 

Now working in the new office by the river, and I went out the eat ice-cream in the middle of the day!! Gostoso!!!!! 

 

Sunday, June 20, 2010

World Cup 2010

Copa do Mundo! is the Portuguese that we speak everyday now in Brazil! 

Today Brazil won a good game, even my favourite Kaka got a RED card and can't appear in the next game versus Portugal!! 

I understood more how the importance of football (soccer) to Brazilians now, when I watched the TV and saw there are just too many people watching and celebrating in the street all over the countries in different cities! 
I missed the chance to go out this afternoon, but in the house, watch together with 4 other Brazilian men, it's a kind of local experiences too, right?




Saturday, June 19, 2010

Learning Portuguese

Used to have Portuguese class with a girl who want to learn English, but because of the heavy work, I need to stop for a while, and I am not sure if we can have the class back too...I have only one more month in Belém...

But I found out that I am now very into learning this language, although I am still very poor in listening, I understand more now, I do think it can be certainly my real 4th language later! (or 5th if I counted my HK sign as a lang, unlike my poor Japanese/french/tagalo...that I speaks just some words...)

I believe everyone has their languages limit, like me, I speak more Portuguese ad English these few months, I started to forget some Chinese words.... I am sure it will be back, but at the same time my Portuguese vocab will be lost...

Friday, June 18, 2010

To write just a little bit everyday

Everyday I learn new things here in Brazil, sometimes I want to make myself remember more, I recorded my voice and even in video. 

but why not write something short everyday when I can have internet before I go home early next year?
It might be just good, to let me remember more my time in South/Central America. 

Thanks for Little monster for inspire me that idea. 

Watching World Cup, England Team vs Algeria....Come on England....

in Brazil, people crazy with football (futebol), on Sunday, there will be great to go to the Belem City Centre, enjoy the Festa Junina here and watch the game with the locals! Full of Fun! 
Becoming a Die Hard Fan's of Brazil team, seriously planning for coming back to watch the World Cup 2014, 4 years later! and good time to see my good friends too!

Got my invitation???

 

Sunday, June 06, 2010

Reading

When I was young, I used to read English books, but there were many words that I don't know, I need to use dictionary to check many of the vocabulary, now I am facing the same, using my Portuguese dictionary to read a book! But I am quite enjoying it!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Just a day in Belem.


May 23, 2010

Today is a Sunny Sunday!! I was planning to go to the city and the market with friends, however, the party on yesterday with a 10 years’ old boy was lasted very late that my friends just cannot wake up this morning…..

I stayed at home and just relax myself today.

A little bit more concrete plan for my Central/Latin America trip

July – Early August 2010 --- Brazil, Santarém, Manaus

Mid August -- Boa Vista in Brazil and then go to Venezuela or Guyana

Late August – Jamaica

End of Aug – end of Sep – Cuba

End of Sep – mid of Oct  ----Mexico

mid of Oct – end of Oct ---- Guatemala and Panama

End of October to begin of Nov ---- Colombia

Beginning of Nov – end of November --- Peru and Bolivia

December --- Argentina and South Pole…?

January --- Brazil!!

End of Jan to Feb – London/Europe and Home….

Will u be there…?

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Expressing Love

In Brazil, people express their loves more physical. (Ok I am not talking about sex here...)

Friends, Family, Lovers, Colleagues, or people you meet just in a few mins, we hugs and kisses here. 

It's very usual when we meet the people at the beginning, but I see more than that when I lives here for more than 2 months. 

Anytime when people feel they want to kiss and hug a person, they will do so! 
I had lunch with a father and son, the son is already an adult, the father kissed his son, during the middle of the lunch suddenly when they talked about somethings. (ok I don't understand...)
But I know that, he talked about some old things and suddenly reminds how he love his son. 

When I told them we don't have this in HK/China, the older generation parents and children don't even talk on dinner tables, some HKists don't event like to have children, Brazillian friends were all shock... and then come up with many questions of the cultural differents.....

Lovers (no matter how old they are) are more obviously, they will kisses suddenly in front of people wherever and whenever, but the feeling is much different from the HK youngs that I saw. 
People feel and want to kiss another one, because they have a very strong feeling of "Saudade" in their deep heart. It's a word do not have direct translate to other language, missing and nostalgia cannot be completed to translate the feeling. I might say it's a word about "feeling of love" or the "hunger for love", haha. 

 I kiss this little baby boy most of the time although he is very naughty!!!




 

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Cultural Shocks

yap I experienced more and more here in Para.

I went to a funeral of a 29 year's old lady. First time see Brazil people hugging in a sad emotion.
She is the daughter of my host father's girlfriend. Pray for her. I don't know what to do without knowing what to say. But sometimes people with understand you with just watching your eyes.
At that moment, I just thought I am really becoming into the family.

The next morning I woke up early like at 6:30am, and went to the beach nearby. And I see the river again. I walked and walked and take beautiful photos, I normally won't take that much of photos for just beach. But this time is different, it's by the RIVER. with beautiful sky. just love it.
And my friend asked if I want to swim, I said I have no swimsuit...and he just said, "come on" I then took off my t-shirt and jump into the water! I never did that before I think, as a Capricorn it's just too emotional and improvise! But I do think I am not a typical Capricorn anymore....

and then I visited my other friend, she is an artist lady, do a lot of small interesting toys and puppets. And I found that she lives in that very basic house in the rural area. Like walls and beds and very very basic furniture.
And again I can see how the mental life is important here in Brazil.

But Hammock is a must in everyone's house here in Para (even the boats to Manaus (the biggest city in the Amazonia State) via River Amazon), no matter how empty your house is!

on the way back home I found a big pieces of area of Mimosa. In HK, I can say it's almost gone even in New Territories, I saw a big pieces only when I was a child.

In the Amazon Region, it rains all the time with good Sun, that make all the plants and tree growth up very very fast. There are trees, especially mango trees everywhere in the city Belem (that's also because the government policy before), People sometimes just pick up the mangoes from the ground, wash it and eat! and it feeds many people I can say. Normally 3 months here, you can see a small tree becomes big trees with mangoes!! In other part of Brazil might take a year?

Finally I stayed in the city and real working hard with the team.
But with the great Caipirinha I can be alive again!! haha, just a very good local cocktails here. It's just too famous here except beer!

should put some good photos on too...a bit later.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Coffee or Tea?

I used to drink Starbucks everyday after I worked in Central 3-4 years ago in Hong Kong.

The day before my 2 Brazil hosts asked a question,

Is coffee very expensive in Hong Kong??

And I discovered that I drink Brazilian Coffee beans everyday....

It’s used to be (or it is still now) very expensive when I am having Coffee Beans from South America or Africa in HK. Now I am here, enjoying my coffee almost everyday. I should treasure it.

I wish I can make my cappuccino here. Because never tried here in Brazil.

Every times when I went to different countries, I can always find things more expensive than at home. No matter it’s a developing countries that you think it should be cheap to buy things there.

Hong Kong is a very convenience city and that’s why people like to setup office and make business there. Time is money, the efficiency of the people and the work force save a lot of money.

After I made some Chinese tea for everyone home, yesterday I had Brazil tea! Smell very very similar to the India tea I tasted before. The name is.....I will ask again!!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Close to you


Sometimes we feel down and upset.

We don’t want to talk to anyone, even very close one,

No explanation, no need to interpret,

Just want sometimes alone, just one person.

Close the door, cry a bit, kick the pillow and Listen to Music.

I listen Bad Day when I got a bad day, and sometimes Carpenters is my choice too.


From I was a kid I started to listen songs from cassette tapes and old records (by stolen my brother’s…) I listened to lots of English songs that I don’t know, but I remembered lots of the songs and the melodies.

In my older age I started to find the songs and I understood that’s classic oldies…

Bee Gees, Beetles, Elvis, Eagles, Madonna(ok, older songs of her), Air Supply, and some more….


I love this the most,


Close to You http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87XQKCXfFjQ

Why do birds suddenly appear
Every time you are near?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you.

Why do stars fall down from the sky
Every time you walk by?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you.

On the day that you were born
The angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold
And starlight in your eyes of blue.

That is why all the girls in town
Follow you all around.
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you.

On the day that you were born
The angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold
And starlight in your eyes of blue.

That is why all the girls in town
Follow you all around.
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you.
Just like me (Just like me)
They long to be
Close to you.

Wahhhhhhhhhhh, close to you.

Wahhhhhhhhhhh, close to you.

Hahhhhhhhhhhh, close to you.

Lahhhhhhhhhhh, close to you.


Ariel (younger brother) and Adrian

these 2 little young boys are the 2 favorite little creatures of mine in Brazil now !!

the little Ariel hug me and say my NAME all the time!! haha. They bring me energy although we can't speak the same language.



Sunday, March 14, 2010

A report or a diary?


I arrived Brazil on 14 Feb 2010,

Today is 14 March 2010.


I am kind of settle I believed.

Living simple but my mind is always getting some new inspires or even attacks! I totally understand I am living in a developing country. But it’s not only because I got difficulties in living, like sometimes there will be no Power, no Running Water in the house (that’s a pain as it a very hot city with no common air-conditioning), people just go to toilet everywhere they like and though rubbish.


I can wear no shirt outside the door

of my house without afraid there are females. And I am not able to go anywhere as everyone speaks only Portuguese. And I live far from the city.

It’s more than just BAD things for the culture here, I like here.

Hugging and kissing in the culture is so great. Even you’ve just met them first time. Suddenly I will go to someone’s house for lunch and breakfast, like they are always getting ready for another one to come and enjoy. Like the Chinese, just prepare one pair more chopsticks (OK, sometimes it costs…)


And people will just go to your house and meet you on Sunday night without tell you! And they will just come and drink and sing and play guitar and drums! I had some 40% Brazilian alcohol...

Mother will feed the baby in front of the talking group (and I saw it even in the theatre watching the show..), seem that's just a normal thing for baby to eat....


Dancing and enjoying life of everyone under music, this is not a materialization country, so the mental life is more important here, listen to good music, dancing with friends, going to celebrate birthday with a very old lady, drinking bottles and bottles of beer with friend just talking everything, reading an interesting (or not so interesting book). Sitting under the riverside, having ice-cream and doing nothing.


I have many first times in Brazil.


Experienced CARNAVAL with Crazy people around the world.

Met the famous Jesus Christ and visit the Sugar Loaf in Rio.

Trying new fruits here in Para, Capuacu, Azai, maracuja, and food: Tapioca , Farinha and different kind of meats here. Feijao and Arroz (Beans and Rice) are both the important food in the meals here.


Taking the local bus and van and MOTO Taxi (yes, motocycle taxi...sometimes can take 2 persons...) are all new experiences for me, but with the Tibet crazy transportation experiences, I think I can take care of myself in any kind of transportation. Riding my bicycle to nearby place is also good, reminded me the time in Nepal with Matthew too.


I danced many times, even I don’t dance in my home town. carimbó music is unique in Para and Amazonia states.


The RIVER made a deep impact to me when I walked to the beach and taste the water the first time…..sweet…it’s not ocean. And more unique thing is the touching with the River and the River, and River and the Sea.


There are Legends about the Rivers, dolphin’s story, very beautiful. I shall understand more and write more.

http://www.sumauma.net/amazonian/legends/legends-boto.html


Learning Portuguese is hard. But not that worse as I was forced to speak. Because I am living in somewhere with noone speaking English. Good or bad? Hard to tell, haha.


I watched a drama show in a Studio theatre by the Theater and dance students from the University. Very very beautiful studio theatre here. They cost me 5Rs, means HKD 21…there are 150 seats approximate. I know I am calculating again. But obviously they are not doing that for money. I was impressed and so happy that I proved myself right, the mental life here is more valuable for persons. I don’t mean people don’t need material and technology here. A good mobile phone, electronics, an air-conditioner at home is always luxury. That’s why crimes happen sometimes.


Wagner, my host is a very good man. As I Brazilian (or just a person) he is Beleza, good take care of his house, work and family. He cleaned all the rubbish outside of his house, just a very very good citizen. When I think he deserves a better life and might be he can go somewhere? I remembered Mateau in Rio, he told me, “why people always want to go to the big cities like Rio and Sao Paulo but do nothing or begging? They can do better and find chance to explore in their own cities, to develop their home (cities).” When he said that, there’s not persuasive enough, as he travels himself to Belem back to Rio, both not his places. But in Para, I am kind of understood more how it is important for the developing countries. It is different from China as the government starts to pay more money to “help” the cities. And businessmen in Asia and HK found China is a good investment place. Here, we have the Amazon, but…not for business I guess.


I like this place, although the mosquitoes love me more….


I am looking forward to live here for few more months and see the change of myself! And gaining more energy for the remaining months!


Bob Marley



I don't know Bob Marley before, no matter how famous he is in the Reggae....(ok I've heard of him but I've never really sit down and listen to that kind of music seriously...) And now I know that no one sit down to listen Bob Marley, hahaha.

Here in South America, I danced in Reggae music (it's more latin Reggae I believed...) I just finished watching a Bob Marley family concert DVD in my Brazil home, the location of the concert is Jamaica! totally different feeling, when I opened my heart and ear to explore new things, it's not impossible to feel or to touch somethings that you've never think about to know.

Music is a kind of thing I am going to explore here, to listen to different kind of Brazilian music, South American Music or others.... Open Heart!

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Life in Brazil


Left home 20 days, technically is 3 weeks including the time different.


I saw the different world from the 2 cities.


A tourist city – Rio de Janeiro

And a River City – Belém


I am not a Carnival person, but I do understand the people in Rio, why parties all the time, even it’s very hot day and night with no air-con.


The “City-blood”, people just love it. From 7am till 5am, yes I typed it right.


Belem is a place to be explored, I am not living in the city, I am here in a poor area, (actually even in a city of Brazil, there are poor Favela areas)


Portuguese class, riding bicycle in the street with many cars/bus, got lost and in heavy rain (here raining all year!!) and ask people the direction with my dictionary, borrow phone from the lady of petrol station to call my friend, trying beer with local, first time of local food/fruit, meet local family's house, see the big river, local market, learning how to eat like an adult, got bitten by mosquitoes a lot in my feet and body that made me can’t sleep for 3 nites, sleeping on the "hanging bed", how to be a friend with people, just simply walk on the same distant/level (not front and back!) Just…too many things to learn.


The night before I went to a half open party space…with DJ and BBQ man and beer serving guys

There was a birthday party, Wagner and I went there at about 10pm, the party was just not started yet…and people came and came, and I found that it’s a party for a 65 years old lady….and lots of children and adults are start celebrating this old lady’s in the midnight, everyone, dancing and drinking beer, having local food…it’s just too enjoyable to be there…even I can understand almost nothing Portuguese from what the people said to the old lady, it’s full of blessing! Beleza!

I like this place so far. I tried just too much local food that I can’t even remember all Nome.


I miss my Cappuccino.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Let me calm down let me rest

Always always working like a crazy dog,
the heart is so wild and never rest.

Always making the same mistake and repeated.

Please let me take a break and let me stop.

Looking forward to the new life. will be a better life ?? I hope so.

I just heard from a more mature friend, "you can do anything when you come back, you will be full of energy" I have confidence in me now.

Will certainly miss the 5000 xxx