Finally, I Have Visited Paris (2)

As written on the first part of my “Finally, I Have Visited Paris“, I continued my walk to Latin Quartier. Martina, my new friend from Slovenia who I met at Beauvais-Paris bus, told me that she loves that area. So, I was so curious of that area. I crossed Notre Dame bridge and walked randomly. I was kind of lost because I didn’t expect that this area was this big. Thanks to CityMaps2Go application and kids’ school tour that I followed, finally I got to  Le Panthéon– “Aux grands hommes de la nation”, the main historical building in Latin Quartier.

Otw to Latin Quartier: Seeing Parisians ate while facing the street

Finally, I Have Visited Paris (1)

The photo that I posted on Instagram

After I hosted two CouchSurfing surfers from Paris, I posted a photo on my Instagram and I wrote a caption:

Jadi Bule di Negeri Bule Part III: Saturday in Oporto

Local Market @ Jardim de Carlos Alberto

“Jadi Bule di Negeri Bule” means being a foreigner in the land of foreigners. Indonesians usually call a foreigner who comes to Indonesia as “bule”, it’s a slang word btw. You can read also “Jadi Bule di Negeri Bule Part I” here and Part II here. 

Spring has come to town! I never appreciated sun this much when I was in Indonesia. Every time sun comes to Porto, I spend time outside by walking around the city or just laying down sunbathing. And saturday is the best day to do that!

After spending my weekdays focusing on school duties, I prefer not to spend my Saturday at my room. So, I usually go out, attend some events in Porto, eat Portuguese foods or snacks, pamper my camera lens by documenting the city itself, etc. These are some of my ways to live my life here. After spring has come, there are many events that occur on weekend. The downtown of Porto also more crowded on Saturday. Most citizen in Porto are going out, sun is shining, and everyone seems so happy. I love seeing other people’s happy face and somehow it makes my day becomes brighter! Positive energy’s effects, isn’t it?

Introducing: Ms. OMG! and her Trip(s)

OMG! I am at Changi Int’l Airport, Singapore

It was few hours before my departure to Portugal that this idea came up on my mind. The idea of making Ms. OMG! and having her as the main actress during my Europe experience. This idea came up because I thought of what should I do during my waiting time between my flight to Singapore, Frankfurt, and Porto. As I said before, my departure to Porto, Portugal, was my first time leaving Indonesia. I was so excited way back then– and still excited until now– that a new journey would begin. I started drawing that character –the usual character I used as my signature– and I asked my sister to help me cutting and putting glue on those papers. Luckily, I had this hobby of buying colourful papers so I didn’t need to buy some papers anymore because I didn’t have much time left (my father was calling me to take my luggages out of my room already!).

Portuguese Beauty: Porto and/or Lisbon?

The Thieves Market, Lisbon

My Portuguese classmates asked me, “Which one do you like the best? Porto or Lisbon?” First time I heard that question was before my visit to Lisbon. They said that in Portugal there are two capitals. Lisbon as the capital of the southern Portugal and Portugal itself. Porto as the capital of the northern Portugal. They told me also that the one who loves Porto usually doesn’t like Lisbon, and vice versa. Each city also has its football team, Lisbon with Benfica and Porto with FC Porto (my little brother is a fan of FC Porto!) Even for beer market segmentation: Super Bock is more for the north and Sagres is more for the South.

The World is This Beautiful. Why do We Ruin It?

Boston Marathon Bombings: Victim Martin Richard, 8, With ‘No More Hurting People, Peace’ Hand-Made Poster (Taken from http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/)

A bombing at Boston Marathon event is a sad news, indeed. My deepest condolence for those victims, families, friends, and everyone in Boston. After that attack, these past days, there were some news about how those FBI already killed one suspect of Boston bombers (The other one is now still in coma state, isn’t he?).

Then yesterday, some of my friends on facebook shared a link about “Boston Truth Revealed“, which says that those two previous suspects aren’t the real suspects. Ok, one is dead and one is in coma and the truth finally revealed? I don’t know if that new news is a new media manipulation or it is a real truth.

Sight(s) of Porto from my Phone Part 1

The downtown of Porto, Avenida do Aliados

You know I love this city and enjoy living here. And taking picture of every corner of Porto has always been my favourite thing to enjoy this city. Those photos had been posted on my Instagram.

My Week in Catalunya: La Bella Girona

Pont de Pedra (the Stone Bridge)

Taking the low-cost flight such as RyanAir to Barcelona can bring you to this beautiful yet mysterious city named Girona. By RyanAir, you can get into Barcelona El Prat, which is indeed in Barcelona, or Barcelona-Girona Airport, which is 1.5h by train to Barcelona. Girona as a part of Catalunya Area offers you the old and modern part of the city itself. From my friend, Wulan’s place, I followed the path along the river to take me to the old town. The old town starts from the Pont de Pedra (Spanish. translation: stone bridge). Same as Barcelona, Girona has Las Ramblas. Las Ramblas street that also full of people and shops.

Happy Birthday, Uni Intania!

Me & Uni (2010)

Olá! Boa tarde (Portuguese-good afternoon).

Today is March 15th, 2013 and it is a special day because one of my best friends was born on this date 23 years ago. This post is dedicated to that friend of mine, who  has been one of the precious friends and also being a sister (Uni– Padang language for big sister) for me.

and her name is… Intania Rahma Sani.

The Video: Erasmus Mundus 2012 Award Ceremony & Pre-Departure Briefing

Thanks to Pak Denny who shared the video on Facebook. It is nice seeing the video and reminiscing about those memorable days preparing Erasmus Mundus application, waiting for the announcement, receiving the scholarship acceptance, preparing the VISA, and leaving Indonesia with those dreams in my head! Europe was in front of my eyes!!!

and now, I am in Europe.

[Video courtesy of Delegasi Uni Eropa's Youtube]

The complete story of my days in Erasmus Mundus 2012 Award Ceremony & Pre-Departure Briefing was posted here. Then, who will be featured in 2013 video? I hope it will be you

Beijinhos,