Queenkv’s Brainpickings

We have a room booked at the Travelodge…in Swords, Ireland….

Just before we touched down, Mark looked out the window and said, ‘My family has lived there for centuries before coming to America.’

Wow.

Swords is north of Dublin. We couldn’t go into Dublin City Centre - simply because Mark has a conference call for work…at 5pm.

So we stuck with Swords. We kinda stumbled on the town. The reception desk told me I could buy stamps from there. So - we wandered over and found a cute little Irish suburb….with and an old Anglican cemetery and a castle. Before sunset - we wandered around Swords Castle. They started building this residency of the archbishop back in the 1200’s and finished in the 1600’s.

This is such an ancient country….with a relatively new government. It’s neat to touch the walls and buildings that date back a few centuries….and this is just Swords…hell - it doesn’t even show up in the Frommer’s book my Dad gave Mark for Xmas. Maybe I should write a new paragraph for Frommer’s next edition on Ireland.

It’s been a sunny day…..lovely, really. Cold…maybe in the 40’s. Green land, as far as you can see. Quaint towns…suburbs of Dublin….with history. We figured the locals take the castle and the cemetary for granted. We’ve already had a toast with Guiness and pints of Bass - as I used another pub’s toilets.

Mark’s mom’s friend actually covered our hotel stay…..I totally want to buy him a pint and get him a special gift. His generosity still amazes me.

Ireland is beautiful.

So…waiting in line at Ryanair - the line for Dublin. Mark said he would give me a nickel if I could tell him where Flaganfurt was located. So, I asked the Ryanair chick at the check-in desk. She said it was in Germany. Mark gave me 5 P.

Then we walked up to the gate and saw a map with all Ryanair destinations in Europe. It showed a line connected the UK to Flaganfurt….in Austria. I gave Mrk his 5 P back. He said the next time he had a question on geography - he’d look it up.

Dork.

Another funny thing. On my way to the toliets - I ran into a Filipina who worked at the coffee shops - next to the security check-in. We looked each other and recognized each other from last weekend. On our way to Prague, we flew out of Stansted and before our flight, stopped for some coffee and chocolate. This Filipina asked me if I was Filipino and I said yes. I said (sorry Dad for the mis-spelling…it’s not like you taught me how to spell in Tagalog):
‘Kumsta-ka a-po.’
and she said:
‘Mabutay’
and then she started asking me something in Tagalog - and after 30 seconds or so….I told her I barely spoke the langauge. She smiled and asked in English….where was I from. I told her I was born in the States and my parents were born in the Philippines. She smiled and said have a nice flight.

So….more than a week later….we see each other again. She asked me if we…and I said yeah, we met last week. She asked me where I was heading to…in English….I said Ireland.

She smiled and said have a nice flight.

Wow….airport workers now recognize me. Sheesh….

I once told Mark that in the UK - I only see Filipinos on the weekend - either on Saturdays, at the airport as we’re heading out of the country….or on Sundays, at church. For the rest of the week…..sometimes it seems like I’m the only Flip in Central London. Another one works at my residency. She was born in England…so she’s Flip but with the cutest Brit accent. But she typically works nights….maybe there’s some kind of quota on Flips working on Greys Inn Road…one per shift…or something like that. Or….during the rest of the time….the only Flips I see are either tourists or food workers. I shouldn’t feel bad about being served by Filipinos….but it doesn’t seem fair. I do feel funny about it….sometimes.

When I was at church….I went up for communion and forgot which row I left my jacket in. A nice Filipina caught my eye and pointed me to my seat. We never exchanged words….but it was understood that she was looking out for me.

When I pass a Filipino tourist or food worker - I usually get a smile and a nod….a look of fraternity. I remember running into a Filipino family in Prague and they nodded to me….like I was one of their own.

Ok - and extra props to anyone who can tell me how to answer, back in Tagalog, to this phrase:’have a nice flight.’

heading to Ireland soon…

I know I must have missed something….France…Italy…the Czech Republic….Damn…three months is not enough to do Europe….

I still wanted to hit Madrid, Amsterdam, Venice, Berlin, Athens…..I don’t think it’s going to happen in these last two weeks.

Let’s see….in Paris - I loved the little crepe stands open until the early morning hours….I loved picking up fresh baguettes for dinner and a bottle of super-cheap wine at the little market. I miss that lovely Paris summer - hot enough for a skirt and a tank top. I miss going to mass at Norte Dame. I’d loved being able to order food in French. Bien Sur! I loved filming Paris….and hopping onto the Metro with my camera…and people letting me film because they thought I was just a tourist. …ah yes…and on our last day of classes….drinking hot chocolate at Deux Maggot…rain fall and good conversation….swooning over a drink that tastes like melted chocolate. When I was younger….my family spent only a few days in Paris and I loved it. I wish I could have stayed longer - we took a boat trip down the Seine River. I lit a candle at Norte Dame. My dad took a bunch of pictures. I remembering wishing we could have went to mass - it didn’t seem right to me to walk into this beautiful church without saying ‘what’s up’ to God. Well…I got my wish. I came back and spent more than just a few days.

Mark’s mom and cousin baked a yummy Thanksgiving dinner with turkey fillets, mashed potatoes and other goodies. For some reason - we couldn’t find a whole bird….we saw the prices for one online - 50 pounds….which translates into something like $100 USD. Sheesh. So we stuck to the turkey fillets. Mark’s mom is a fantastic cook and we ate too much.

We also invited over Andrea and Cub. They brought over booze and wine. Andrea wanted to meet the bears. Incredible.

Later on - my dad called up from California. He passed his mobile around to everyone at the house and we chatted until his phone card ran out. My cousin wanted to talk to the bears. Sheesh - they’re getting more popular than the humans in my pix

Mark’s mom and cousin flew in last night…now the kitchen is filled with the smells of stuffing and turkey and cranberries….yum….

but I do miss home…my Dad called me at work today….he wants to call later on so that the family can chat with me….

and I had to work today …..afteralll…it’s just another day in London….

sitting inside kava kava kava (that’s czech for: coffee coffee coffee)…..catching up on e-mail, news and AIM. sipping a ’stradi’ latte….the foam is so thick on this latte - you can pour sugar on top and wait a few minutes before it sinks into the espresso.

it looks like it doesn’t matter what country I wake-up in…from France - Italy - Czech Republic - my bladder get’s full at 6:25 AM - local time….and then I’m out of bed by 6:30 AM - local time. Maybe I won’t be able to sleep in….ever. That’s a sad thought.

It’s snowing….the snow is sticking to the rough tops and making the streets slushy….but it’s not as cold as Chicago - Thank God! So - that makes walking around in a snowy Prague - bearable.

speaking of bears…Louie met someone

Sweet….ok…some lead up….

We’re in Prague - visiting Sara……she has a lovely place and it’s so darn cheap to live here. It’s a welcome relief for our wallets after our dollars took a pounding in London. Damn the pound….just wait until the UK switches to the Euro…

Ok…Prague. I wanted to go to mass today….I really really tried to find an open Catholic church - but everyone had masses at 8 Am…and well….even I am not that much of an early bird. Besides…I needed some rest after our late night out. It was as much late as it was drunk.

So - on my way to the Old Town part of Prague - I passed a wannabe-trendy-hiphop-sports clothing store.

The speakers pumped out my favorite Tupac tune: “California”

First I started cracking up - I didn’t expect to tbe grooving to American Rap music in the middle of a former Communist country.

California love!
California…knows how to party
California…knows how to party
In the citaaay of L.A.
In the citaaay of good ol’ Watts
In the citaaay, the city of Compton
We keep it rockin! We keep it rockin!

Then I thought to myself….is this God’s way of telling my Cal won the Big Game? That thought warmed me on my walk through Old Town….

Then I found this internet cafe - playing some nice trance music….I logged on to Yahoo Sports….Yeah….I think God was trying to send me a message.

Go Bears! - Cal: 41 and Stanfurd: 6 …..

The Daily Herald printed my Apple Opening story…..yeah! My first byline from London….quite thrilling….

oh yeah…and if that links plunks out…go to news.google.com and type in ‘kris vera’. My story should pop up….for the next seven days…..sweetness

i’m happy. blogging from stansted airport….mark paid for my net surfing joy….very nice terminals….10p/minute.

joy!

So I did…this is what I got on yahoo’s weather site.

Shit. It’s gonna be cold in Prague….

Does anybody remember queenkv in the cold?

queenkv was frickin’ cold in Chicago….shit.

At least Mark will be there and I’m visiting a dear friend….

But’s it’s gonna be cold :I

wow…the rush of reporting….it’s such a great high….got off early from work- decided to interview the Americans in line. went home…visited Andrea at Bloomberg…oh yeah…do have funny pix from that. will post later on.

headed to bella italian for dinner…..as we waited for dinner - my professor and the business editor for the Medill News Service rang my mobile. We talked about the story and the deadline. I agreed to file something in two hours. Bid adieu to Mark and Andrea…..they understood. They finished my chianti and brought back dinner.

I already transcribed the interviews - just need a structure and a nut graph. Finished with 30 minutes to spare. Told my prof I can head out and find a local man - for a local papers. He said good idea. ran into Mark and Andrea on the way back. Andrea walked with me to the Mac queue. She had some great energy - calling out for an American, a Chicago dude/dudette.

Found one. A bit shy - but he opened up, eventually.

called prof. typed up update and quotes. he edited the rest of the story and e-mailed back to me.

warmed up my pasta. ate dinner.