Summertime.....June/July 2007

Well as 3 months have passed since my last travels, i just couldnt hold back. This time I will not be travelling around the world , but I will be going to many cities. Have a couple weddings in Toronto and Calgary. doing some backpacking in Europe. celebrating Kushyali with my cousin in Lisbon. Lots to do, Busy summer. Lets hope the sun is out. And as always will keep you posted, especially on my trip through Europe.

vancouver - toronto - montreal - ottawa - toronto - vancouver - san fransisco - vancouver - toronto - london - lisbon - berlin - amsterdam -paris - barcelona - london - toronto - calgary - vancouver

The last post for ………..around the world in 62 days………

Around the world in 62 days: Honolulu..Sydney..Brisbane..Sufers Paradise..Byrons Bay..Sydney..Melbourne..Phillip Island..Geelong..Melbourne..Singapore..Kuala Lampur..Penang..Bangkok..Dehli..Amritsar..Mumbai..Dubai..London..Marrakech..Lisbon..Madrid..London..Boston..Caimbridge..New York..Vancouver


I have now been back for a couple months. I guess it takes a couple months to sit and reflect on life changing experiences and yes traveling is one of them. I last left you off at Lisbon sippin a Portugese coffee. I never told you about Madrid and the cold that happened to arrive. In Madrid I checked out a couple of the worlds most famous museums. Travel anywhere on the tube for a euro. Very easy to get around. I started to read a book called “ Winter in Madrid” Although I didn’t finish it till I got back to Vancouver it was interesting be able to see what places I actually stood above. Madrid and Spain during WW II was a very key part of history as Franco joining forces with the Nazis, well not entirely. Anyways very historic place with an abundance of extravagant palaces, museums, statues and court yards. Court yard in Europe is common. Everything is a plaza. Hostels are cheap and I was staying near port de sol. Steps away from the action, the shopping the entire city not speaking English, very interesting. After Madrid I decided to go back to London as traveling was getting to me. I spent the last 5 days in London enjoying the British comedy clubs with my cuzin and some friends, checking out leschter square, visiting family and preparing for North America.

Back to America.

Unfortunately I got harassed in Boston for two hours on suspicion that I was affiliated with some terrorist group. I am educated liberal Muslim who happened to travel. Leave it at that. Well after a couple hours at customs I was allowed entry. No country except the US asked me questions. I guess they just being cautious. Anyways, after the small glitch the next 4 nights were spent partying up in Boston and New York. I got my harvard shirt, I watched a hockey game in Boston. Actually cheered for the leafs in New Jersey. Lots of fun, some shopping, checking out central park, Rockefeller square, and WTC site. Back home. Work started 2 days later and my contract is now up… where to next

Reflection

When one goes to school they sit back and say, what did I learn. I remember this was big at MBA School. So what are the learning points of this case? I guess I can use this approach. NOT. Hmm let’s see how about I think of how I can put the following countries in a bowl, shake it up and see what land where.

Memories,

I guess I can close my eyes; there are the images that hit me.

Smell the bitter scent of Portuguese coffee, people standing around a table, sippin on their expressos, yummy - Lisbon Portugal

On the back of a rickshaw, the 40 year old paddling, looking like he is 60, aged from his pollution, wearing the same clothes for the last 5 years, gracious that I doubled his cab fare, instead of an American quarter, I gave him 2..smile on his face - Amritsar Punjab

Forgot to take out the straps to load the back pack on my back, holding it on my arm , very heavy, no French for me, confused dazed. Approached by a local guide, who for 5 dinars, helps me find my oasis, through an old gated city, filled with smoke in the air, snake charmers, drums beating, food stands in the middle, get to my room following a long journey through narrow alleys, semi scared I will be mugged, room is amazing, - Marrakech Morroco

Get off the to tour van, befriended a fellow Canadian , taking pictures, got some grains in my hands, bend down and fee a 5 foot kangaroo, scary , but satisfying, outback, well almost, Melbourne - Australia

Hookah, Sheesha in the air, bbq filled with tasty meets, Sit around a stage, the belly dancer is coming, wow she is beautiful - Dubai, UAE

Pouring rain, came out of a club , well a comedy club that turned into a club, had to find a way home, friend finds me the nightbus I have to get on, Raining, soaking wet but loving being in London - London, UK

Coyote Ugly, meeting a Londoner at the bar, very cute, first had to watch Europeans and Aussies try to do a dance off. Cute girls, terrible dancers, after the contest, Got some drinks and danced the night away with my boys from T.O. – Byrons Bay, Australia

Get on your aprons, Chili crab coming out. Lunch with my school buddy, Best seafood EVER… - Singapore

TIME square, NY, NY

Deep breathe, hymns on the mike, water reflecting the golden exterior, sunset, beautiful, peaceful, Golden Temple - Amritsar, India


Ok the journey has officially ended. Gday, Salut, Kudha Hafiz, Bye…………(for now).