Europe Tips 2--its about what to bring!

When i am about to leave Indonesia to Europe, my bedroom just like a sinking boat everything scattered around. Errhh ya i know my mom will say thats pretty normal hehe..

pilah-pilih pakaian buat liburan

But i did it for my suitcase. I am not really a big fan of traveling with suitcase. I think i prefer to use 60-80 liters backpack rather than the 60" wheeled suitcase.

Packing is the most essential thing in traveling, i wish i could give you a packing list here, but hey everyone had different needs. Some of my friends think high heels is important rather than a comfort boyish sneakers. Its just different for everyone, had to suit the needs and the personality.

pack your belonging wisely....

1. Clothes
I think the best is to know the details about where you about to go. You have to know about the weather and humidity. Why this is important?? you don't want to wear short at 13 degrees temperature-been there done that!! anyone from tropical country like me consider 13 degrees like -1.. exaggerate things? heheh for those who laugh at these i bet you had 4 season there... try to walk in Singapore for more than 2 hours at mid day.. then if you're not swearing because of the high temperature.... then don't laugh at me!! a good dress that according to weather would be matters!!

The other thing about clothes?? ladies and gentlemen... when you travel to another part of the world... please do respect other culture... we don't need to see your thigh inside a mosque, temple or other sacred places. If you want to go to this kind of places, please do dress accordingly!! prepare for something more closed, long trouser, jeans, something with sleeve, or jacket perhaps? even if its at boiling heat... in the name of respect please do dress like others.

Also when you pack and finish it... take everything out and try to reduce half of it... you wont need half of the things you bring! in my case it work this way! i get rid a red dress, a heavy doc marc Boots, another sneakers, and some sweaters. I prefer to use double dress, you could use two shirt at same time if its too cold!

All you need is 8kgs of bag/suitcase the max... i know they gave you 15 kgs.. but come on!! its too heavy! do weight your luggage before you go to airport... and do remember not all places like in Paris--as example-- they dont have escalators.. theres no such thing as lift as well at the metro station!! you will be lifting those heavy luggage every each of painful stairs that you goes to!! so watch the weight!!

And do leave fake stuff sista!! im talking about the fake Prada bags or Gucci shoes that you bought from a tiny shop down town of Hongkong. If you don't want to get hose stuff held by officer in any Europe airport. Safe your time and at least no shame!

2. Meds
Once my friends said, when she saw the whole medications that i bring during my trip said i was about to get arrested in airport as drug smuggler. I bring the whole plastic bag of medications that i use. Flu meds-check, antibiotics-check, antacid-check, diarrhea meds-check, high doze of vit C and other supplements-check, and the list goes on. The last thing i want is getting sick in other countries... i rather to had meal in a luxury Paris restaurant rather to buy an antibiotics for my food poisoning--maybe hahaha... but health is important! thats the point. Not all of our medications are sold free in every country.. example even in Singapore i can not get a panadol for my flu because they INSIST on doctors prescription which is i can not get because i am not seing any doctors (God know how much cost for a doc visit in Singapore!!)

In another note, please do check if the medications you bring is allowed to bring inside the country. There are several medications also banned in some country but allowed in other country. The last thing you want is to get arrested as drug dealers in airport--as i mentioned before!

3. Beauty Kits Ecetera (Girls section--most of it)
Helloww princess.... you know you will get your monthly timers (sorry guys...) so be wise... last thing you want here is to try to get a feminine pads while you're grabbing your tummy and walking in pain to the nearest drugstore just to find ANOTHER TAMPONS.

Tampons-eekkk... whats this?? (never seen it in Indonesia)

Yes... tampons... i don't know what the heck is that when i see it my self when the cashier hand me a box of that.. and i see it.. and say.. no... i don't know how to wear this because i dont think in Indonesia people use it!!! lucky its not a great flow that i could use my daily pantyliners.

What every girls needs!! the emergency leakage first aid!

In Indonesia we know feminine pads, and we find it hard to get to know "tampons" its another kin of the..errhh same thing heheh... well it goes same to some other countries... they only know tampons and rarely sold the feminine pads. And the price??? ohhh hahah.. don't ask.. i swear its more expensive than my undies (that bought in Indonesia!!) don't do a foolish mistakes its worth one meal perhaps!

Please bring your own fave one... don't make a mess please....

Ok.. general stuff??
Bring your extra moist hand and body lotion if you go to a 4 seasons country... its cold there.. its true.. but its also dry!! very dry! its not like tropical country where you could walk and sweat like in the sauna. In Germany i run from bottom of hills to the Neuschwanstein and had no sweat! if its in Indonesia i would barely breathe and swimming in my own sweat! this is included a lipbalm... and guys.. dont pretend to be too tough for this.. you had the same lips like girls, and last thing you want a chopped ugly lips yikess... not a major attraction guys.. not healthy either! better if it had sun blocks too! mine comes from Nivea, works just nice (no need one with colors..haha)

Winter doesn't mean you can not had the sun burn. Hiking on a snowy mountain the same!! i got darker skin after i spent whole day at Zugspitze! and its -1 degree!! bring your sunblock!

Another note that i took is... when i was back in Indonesia i was  thinking of taking a small package of toiletries... shampoo etc. But then i am glad i didnt do it. First of all, back to the price again...  my journey total in 20 days, and almost everyday i wash my hair.. i took my one bottle of shampoo... as hello i dont want to use others shampoo and the price also..ck ck ck.. different!! unless you had unlimited money then go ahead buy your Loreal's shampoo from champ Elysees.. i dare you!

4. Foods-Snacks
I like my MILO pack... its sweets, and its cheap. I also like oreos, INDOMIE, noodles, ENERGEN cereal and Veggies Jacobs. I bring small packs all of those fave snacks. Just in case i can not find any  halal food. Or in case i dont have time or small money to do breakfast. Breakfast is awesome in Europe, you could buy fresh bread in Paris and drink it with your own NESCAFE and keep half for lunch... well they had huge bread!! i bring my own SARIKAYA jam also, and share it with Mr T and he love it!! haha they don't have that there in Europe.

I bring some gado-gado paste also.. this is from Indonesia, we could mix this for veggies, just like salad dressing also you could do it with beef or meat and it becomes satay seasoning, or just eat it with plain rice!! very easy.... i bring two cube of this and give it to my host in Paris as gift.. he went to Indonesia several times so he knows about this gado-gado seasoning which is peanuts mixed with red/palm sugar and some chilli.. very nice!

Bring some of snacks and your fave food.. in case if you missing home, or if your host ask if you could cook your traditional cook... why not!!


......to be continued......

Last Morning in Paris, still a wacky day! (Day 3)

The worst thing about being a tourist is having other tourists recognize you as a tourist ~ Russell Baker


On last day in Paris i actually made an appointment with Guillaume to woke up and get out of his apartment at the time he leave for work. Its pretty normal for couch surfer host, well for security reason that's for sure. I short of ok with that. But then he said, i could leave later and return the key to him at his work place. I could wake up pretty late and pack my things, while he leave for work

I just can't believe how he could be my host! he trust me, and its an honor! i did clean up as i could while packing and just to show a little thank you for him. I really do appreciate what he gave me (roof and dinners and loads of stories about Paris! also accompany on the tour yesterday!). I can not ask for better host than him!! (he's the best host ever for me!!).

Couch surfing is one of the best thing that i ever done for sure!

After clean up i decide to do my last walk around Paris. Believe it or not the last place is the most important for me; a visit to Arc de Triomphe and Champ Elysees!

From Guy Moquet station (only 100 meter from Guillaume apartment) i went to the Metro station Charles de Gaulle Etoile near the Arc de Triomphe. Walking up stairs from the train station to the road, when i turn my self there it was.... Arc de Triomphe. Now i know how the French aka Parisien feels about their country.

Its a fabulous building, stand there so arrogantly, so beautiful... i just stand still just few mins to stare and look at it, and say..oh wow..

Champ Elysees street on my back (taken from Arc de Triomphe)

The famous Arc de Triomphe and Me!

I went to the passage near the street cross, it goes down the street. Very convenient to cross the busy road! but..errhh its same like every corner of Paris (well most of...) its smell like urine! yucks...

Passage under the street to Arc de Triomphe

And the first thing i did notice like the Eiffel Tower yesterday.. its HUGE!!!

Top of Arc de Triomphe

Names of brave soldiers Arc de Triomphe

Champ Ellyses

Amazing street!!

Narsis di Arc de Triomphe Paris

While i was taking pictures and busy with my camera.. i didn't notice a young guy (cute tho) taking my picture as if he hug me from my side!! and his friends were laughing at his silly act! when i did notice i just stare at him and he said something in French... i don't understand i said in French (je ne compre pas!) but he kept saying something in French, and his friends laugh even harder!

He ask one his friend to translate but its not much helping so we were lost in translation. He short of saying want to take pictures with me! hahaha i said ok... but then errh why he hug me like that!! ohh (TT.TT) i don't even know his name!! hahahaha! but he and his friends sound fun and they are actually nice!

The guy who "hijack" me at Arc de Triomphe

After fussy fuss with lost in translation we said "au revoir" his friend said enjoy Paris! i said yes!! and then we walk separately i still took some pictures and stay there for a while... i want to remember how is it feels to be at Arc de Triomphe... because its not like everyday i could come here!!

And i don't want to be that kid of "tourist" that came, took pictures, and go. I want to feel what is it like to be there.... the air, the sky, everything! even the pollution! hehehehe

Marching a long the Champ Elysees... i was so happy! wooow this is the famous street that i've been dreaming to walk at!!

Errrhhh.. why i met with this guy again??? and you know what he said?? he said its a FATE?? LoL whattt?? hahahahahahahah!! nooo!!!

My admirer and his hugging habit-Champ Elysees

I swear if i met him ever again.. hahahahahaha... no i don't want he's kind and funny..but why he can not speak any english???? also.. hehe my heart is somewhere else *wink* (kalo yang single ntar gue daftarin deh!)

Me at Champ Elysees!

I try to enter one of the branded shop there.. all i could do is grinning... i can not affort even a small tiny pin hahahah! well... so much for shopping here.. i love it.. but no.. i am not into branded stuff..just too bad! hahah i am a "cheap" girl hehehehe

Louis Vuitton Champ Elysees-Paris

After walking along the famous Champ Elysees, i walk pass through the garden that belong to the Palais de Elysees. I walk along the Champ Elysees Avenue and end up in front of Tuiletries Jardin close to the Louvre.

At 1pm i went back to the Guy Moquet and get my stuff.. leave a thank you note for Guillaume and went to his hotel and leave the apartment key for him. I can't stop saying thank you for him, because he's been so nice!

I went through a painful METRO ride from Guillaume work to the Gare d'est ! its a reminder to write here.. girls!! do not bring your huge 26" luggage if you want tp pass through over 6 metro station!! they had no elevator and no lift!! so you have to lift your luggae along those freakin stairs!! it will be the best if you carry a back pack.....

Next will be Brussels!!

Paris~Day Out With My Host!! (Day 2)

If you reject the food,  ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people you might better stay at home...

James A. Michener 

I was talking to Guillaume last night until about 1am. We talk a lot about things. He missed Indonesia for sure! we talk in Indonesia, and sometimes in English when we can not find the words to say hahah!

He cook for me last night too, it was very nice! and i sleep smiling with full tummy and happy thought about i had new friend here in Paris. I can not say how lucky i was because he was willing to accept me at his apartment!

His apartment is small as he said on couchsurfing and i don't expect much, its enough, the sincerity and welcome feeling that i had, its more like staying with your old friends! I gave him the Glen Fredly MP3 CD not really what he expecting, but i could see he missed the song hahah so he feel ok with that! (so sorry! could be better than that!!)

So  the next day, Guillaume promise will spent sometimes with me.. well i think its ok, because he seemed so busy, but awwww he just so nice! so wake up at 8, and we walk from his apartment, we will explore Montmarte!! but we had to do it quick because he had to go back to his workplace and prepare some stuff for a meeting in his hotel. I said thats fine :)

First place we see is the Sacre Couer. It was a mix of everything its beautiful, the building also the park near it.... we actually only walk only like 2-3 kilometers from Guillaume apartment.. the surrounding neghbour hood are awesome, Guillaume said this is where the Paris rich people live.... beside that the location on the top of the hill made us possible to see the whole city from the front of the Cathedral.

Inside the cathedral, i was amazed by the mural on top of the Cathedral. I was amazed how much effort people made to show their love to God. I definetly speachless to see it my self... there was 4 huge angels carved in very detail shape, also the lights help to pop up the angels characters....

We went for lunch with some frites and gyros again. He knows that i can not eat pork, and its so nice to meet someone who could understand this without judging first!

At his work place, as i assume Guillaume still very busy with a meeting that he had to arrange at his hotel. So, i decide to explore a bit the area surrounding his work place. Its actually pretty close to Jardin du Luxembourg and the palace.

It was beautiful!! i like the trees and the artsy statue... and to enjoy this by my self i feel slight guilt... i wish i share it with my sisters or my very best friends.. huhuh.. wish you were here guys!

Spending sometimes at park, and visit the palace with loads of people enjoying the sun.... its an amazing palace.. its just too bad i spent literally 10 minutes for pictures and just passing by in front of the park.. as i had to go back to Guillaume working place.

I will recommend it, as a must see if you went to Paris!! its beautiful with the trees and lots of people jogs.. amazing place to enjoy the sun with fountain and lots of statues .... love it...

When i went back Guillaume done with his job, he said sorry over and over hahaha.. i don't really that mind.. i spent sometimes at the garden too... so i wasn't missing things that much!

So from his work we went to the city center then walking along Seine river. Its around 4 that time....

Parisiens--people of Paris, love sitting and drinking wine with friends and enjoying their time at the river banks... sitting down enjoying sunset.. it was beautiful afternoon. Its also a romantic place to walk with your SO... i wish... *sigh* Mr T is here hahahaha.....

So we decide to do the BatoBus tour! the price is 14 Euro (stab my pocket deep hahaha!) but its really worth to try when you dont have enough time or only had short stay in Paris...

My Paris BatoBus pass

With this pass i could take the boat and jump within 8 stops; Champ Elysees, Louvre, Hotel de Ville, Jardin des Plantes, Notre Dame, St Germain de Pres, Muse D'Orsay, Tour Eiffel. But because this is the last boat then i am so very lucky then..and not lucky too hahah because i can not jump on and off the boat!

So... i better gave you a glimpse of my amazing tour!!

 

Love this picture from Seine River

Paris Afternoon @ Seine river

sunset at Paris

Wedding on Seine cruise at sunset.. aww.. this is VERY romantic!!

Sacre Coeur-Loveit!!

Inside Paris Batoboat Tour

Meet Guillaume my very..very sweet host!!

Parisiens dans Seinne (hope this is the correct french! haha)

Sunset at Paris Pont Neuf Bridge

Pont Neuf

As the final stop for the boat, also the enclosure is.... of course the Eiffel tower!!

Eiffel from distance

Its a very beautiful sunsets with Eiffel standing above the Seine River... there are hundreds romantic song playing in my head.. i feel static.. i came so far for this... i TAKE FRENCH course to get here.. but i never thought.... this is it!! i am heeeerrrrrrreeeeeeee!!!

Je t'aime bien!!

As i get closer to this tower, i swear i feel going to cry.. its so beautiful! I just can't believe i went here not with my husband or even boyfriend.. ugghh! lame... but i always thank God, i did had the chance to see it my self... with all of the grace and..errh tourist.. hahaha...

Eiffel and grey afternoon sky..

Me & Eiffel from Seine

This is sooooo perfect afternoon!

Sampe jugaa!! finally here! i can't believe it! its EIFFELLL!!!

We stay for a while to watch the lights show from the park near the Eiffel. After that we had long ride back to Guillaume Apartment. I can not stop talking about how beautiful it was! i bet Guillaume think i was a crazy babbling girl! but i had the most awesome afternoon... ever!