TATY, ¡a ver a ver!

Cuentame nuevamente el final feliz...

cuentame ese final que no existe, el que no puede ser mas que en mi mente... un final donde pueda correr por la playa hacia tus brazos, donde sentados a la orilla podas tomar mi mano y yo tome la tuya y vivamos ahi, por an_os o hasta que el sol se hunda en el horizonte entre morados y naranjas y la noche nos cubra pesada y envidiosa de que sigamos contemplando el atardecer a pesar de la luna, y al mismo tiempo veamos estrellas fugaces con la que juegan nuestros nin_os en el parque de nubes con el perro marron y el gato amarillo...

cuentame otra vez como se van a llamar, si va a ser nin_a o varon quien nazca primero. dime cuantos lugares conoceriamos juntos, el nombre de las capitales, de como disfrutaremos la comida, la brisa, el vino...

por que ya no me hablas de ese castillo azul donde viviriamos? todo rodeado de gerberas de colores... y los amigos que vendrian los sabados por la tarde....

yo podria darte fuerzas para que me des fuerzas, para correr hacia ti en la playa otra vez... pero las perdi, y en mi solo hay un recuerdo vago de esa historia que terminaba como los cuentos, entre risas y musica.

supongo que el sol no se oculto el horizonte,  sino que se deshizo en el agua y no saldra otra vez, el perro peleo con el gato, y los nin_os se esfumaron con las nubes, las estrellas fugaces siguieron su camino, y a las gerberas le salieron espinas.

tu camino y el mio ya no son el mismo. por eso vos ya no podes hablar de manana... para ti solo hay un ahora, un por que no? un dia sin consecuencias., una noche sin amanecer.

Pero yo no puedo dormirme, porque el despertar seria pesado,

cuentame otra vez como todo no puede ser. muestrame un poquito de ti para saber que no eres tu, dejame saborear quien eres para saber que quiero algo mas...

sabiendo que no me lees, que no me miras, que no me hablas, solo quiero pedirte una vez mas que me cuentes lo que pronto no querre escuchar...

It took me some time to decide to write about Kenia.. i still dont know if it is because it was at the end of Ramadan or because i simple got disconnected from the world during 5 days but was hard for me to came back to Abu Dhabi... however the feeling was not the wish to stay over there.

Everytime i traveled before, i felt for the next 3 days or even a bit more, somehow affected, thinking about the city i just left behind... this time, perhaps because i didn't stay in a city, i am (yes, still i am) thinking about what and how i felt in the middle of the nothing... in that camp in Masai Mara... away from everything i am used...

the first sunset at Masai Mara made me think how big God is, for example... all the color, the fresh air, the live just living and passing by... each animal eating, in peace... was wondeful, then the nights, the rain, the stars, again more animals, even sometimes the dust in the way left myself in a very rare mood.

Ok ok i know, maybe i didnt sound too much excited about the trip... i am, i am really happy. I guess it left me somehow a knowledge that i still have to process, but meanwhile, i posted the pictures. it was really nice to see the wildlife in the real environment! not in a zoo! also see the Masais was good, even if they made me felt afraid hehehe

The last night, back in Nairobi, i went to Carnivore... i recommend the place 100%... you will have a nice food, in a super cool place, drinking Dewa (in their language Medicine) and then if after the food you feel in a party mood you just have to walk few steps and join the party at Simba bar....

Why i said i left my mark at Africa? well... i have to confess that for few days i forgot what a WC was hahahaha.... well.... after been drinking vodka for some hours in a car jumping and jumping, every small tree was good enough for me hahaha but at least i had the chance to confirm that yes, in the other hemisphere the water goes in the other way... hahaha

anyway i have a lot more things to say, but i guess i will do it in another ocassion... i want to update my facebook as well ;)

Taty

(still trying to put all the things clear before make a good entry about Kenia!)

HAKUNA MATATA (No problem) :)

Pues como dicen, si el cielo te tira limones... Tequila con eso!!!!

Tenia dias tratando de escribir acerca del Ramadan... hoy ironicamente tengo tiempo para hacerlo porque estoy en casa under a "sick leave" (de reposo pues!) porque mi estomago no aguanto mas... se canso de este cambio, de la comedera loca a deshoras, de los Iftar, los ayunos forzados... en fin, la inspiracion esta a flor de piel para describir, como lo llamamos los Expats de por aca, el Bendito Ramadan! Y tomo la definicion de Wikipedia:

 

" Ramadan or Ramazan (Arabic: رمضان, Ramaḍān) is a Muslim religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar; the month in which the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is the Islamic month of fasting (sawm), in which participating Muslims do not eat or drink anything from true dawn until sunset. Fasting is meant to teach the person patience, sacrifice and humility. Ramadan is a time to fast for the sake of God, and to offer more prayer than usual. During Ramadan Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance into the future, ask for help in refraining from everyday evils and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds."

Es decir (y aunque mi amigos musulmanes me digan todo el tiempo que es mas que esto, y en verdad si, pero no...) en este mes, nada de comer desde que amanece hasta que anochece... y luego cuando eso pasa, alrededor de las 6 de la tarde, es el momento del IFTAR y empiezan todos a romper el ayuno con comilonas, ya sea en casas o en los restaurantes (que se engalanan con Buffets al estilo All you can eat)  durante un mes lunar (que es como los Musulmanes rigen su calendario) hasta celebrar las festividades del EID, que literalmente se traduce como "Fiesta" y marca el fin del mes.

Fuera de las formalidades de las definiciones y mi parafraseo, prefiero narrar mi experiencia y lo que me ha dejado por el dia de hoy, a dos dias del EID, en casita con un dolor de estomago horroroso. Y es que Ramadan es para los musulmanes como para nosotros las Navidades. Se reunen en las casas, organizan Iftars para compartir con familia, companeros de trabajos, las companias invitan a sus empleados y Clientes a restaurantes, se dan regalos y la ciudad no duerme... al final, 2, 3, 4 o 5 dias libres para todo el mundo (dependiendo de la empresa) y listo.

Por ser mi segundo Ramadan, ya sabia lo que me venia, o bueno eso pensaba yo... Destaco que esta es solo mi experiencia y que ademas es este ano, tengo amigos que la han pasado super distinto... pero aqui me lanzo con la historia... En la manana todo esta igual hasta que llego a la oficina y: Horror!! no hay cafe! peor aun, no hay agua!! nada! asi que toca remojar los e-mails en los recuerdos de lo rico que era pasar una que otra noticia del trabajo con un sorbito del negrito. En fin que se hacen las 10 y el estomago empieza a reclamar el desayuno, que por supuesto, era el companero del cafecito... asi que toca levantarse y encerrarse en el bano a comerse una manzana para aguantar un poco. Luego la sed empieza a aparecer tambien y a pesar de las miradas, voy a la cocina a batir el record mundial de la rapidez para tomarse 350ml de agua (la botella entera!) y salir del cuartico como si nada. ok ok ok, no faltara quien me diga que no puedo quejarme porque mi horario fue reducido de 8 a 6 horas por dia, pero es que este estilo de vida deja sin energias hasta al mas proactivo. Cuando llegan las dos de la tarde crees que es maravilloso las horas extras que le ganas a la tarde comparado con un dia normal, pero es I-M-P-O-S-I-B-L-E  mantener la rutina... que lo digo yo, la fan numero 1 del Abu Dhabi Health and fitness Club, osea, mi gimnacio! el cual he estado abandonando consecutivamente, porque a las 2 lo que me provoca es comerme el mundo en vez de irme a trotar! Pero a esa hora es que empieza Cristo a padecer!!!!!

Se pueden imaginar ustedes el caos de una ciudad, donde todo el mundo sale a la misma hora (por regulacion del gobierno y porque ayunando nadie puede trabajar) bajo el sol de 43grados, queriendo llegar a dormir, ver TV o cualquier cosa que ayude a olvidarse que faltan todavia 4 horas para comer? Agreguele el ingrediente de la torpeza de movimientos, debilidad, perdida de los reflejos y ahi tiene usted una ciudad tipica en el Medio Oriente a las 2 de la tarde o a las 5.30, cuando la gente esta mas apurada por llegar a donde sea que vayan a tomar el Iftar. Esta demostrado que los indices de accidentes de trafico aumentan considerablemente, y la intolerancia tambien! asi que es comun ver a todo el departamento de trafico volcado en las calles con las patrullas en cada esquina esperando el proximo choque!

Finalmente, entras a casa, y a menos que tu mismo cocines, olvidate de comer! todo esta cerrado, para evitar tentaciones, TODO! solo algunos hoteles abren pero eso si, ponen sendas cortinas para que nadie vea que ahi dentro hay gente comiendo. Obvio que a todas estas las ganas de aprovechar las dichosas 3 horas que le has "ganado" a tu tarde normal se te han pasado, porque ademas todos los malls, tiendas, negocios, o cualquier cosa en lo que puedas invertir tu tiempo estan cerrados y como salir ademas al gym con el caos que acabas de dejar afuera y el estomago vacio?

A todas estas las invitaciones ya llueven: "-Nos vemos en este Iftar" , "-ven a mi casa", "-que tal un sheesha mas tarde?"... asi que resignado, esperas el Iftar y te comes el mundo y mas en el restaurant de turno y a las 8 de la noche, cuando ya estar por reventar pasas del cafe y te despides de tus amigos deseando mas un ENO que una arepita del Budare del Este y te lanzas al segundo trancon del dia, con otra vez, toda la ciudad en la calle, pero esta vez contenta y queriendo llegar a casa del primo para saludar, o al mall para comprar, a la playa para caminar... es decir, como diria la gaita, Faltan 5 pa' las doce el ano va a terminar, me voy corriendo a mi casa a abrazar a mi mama! y ademas hay cosas que tienes que seguir haciendo, ir al super, quizas al gym, diligencias, cosas de tu rutina que tratas de colar en la anarquia de este mes.

Con suerte y sorteando la marea, logras terminar el dia a las 12 minimo, y tratas de dormir sabiendo que la ciudad esta mas despierta que nunca alla afuera y el trafico te lo recuerda con su cornetazos...

Ventajas? muchisimas, el horario por ejemplo... si, no hay nada que hacer, pero venga que al menos descansas. Ademas tienes oportunidad de experimentar el sentimiento de esta gente que movidos por su Fe ayunan un mes (escribo esto pero lo que pienso y lo que hablado con algunos amigos musulmanes sobre el tema pudiera ser motivo de una entrada a este blog mas larga y detallada!), reuniones sociales, en fin... no me quejo del Ramadan. Me ha dejado 3 kilos de mas, mi estomago destrozado y las ganas de empezar el proximo mes trabajando mis 8 horas, y sudando hasta las 7 en el gym... nadie sabe lo que tiene hasta que lo pierde, pero gracias a Dios, ya me devuelven mi rutina en una semana! jajaja

Que voy a hacer en el EID?? Pistas?

 HAKUNA MATATA..... EHHHH JAMBO JAMBO!

pronto las foticos! :)

Taty (hoy tambien ayunando y dando chance a mi estomago de que digiera lo que comi ayer para lanzarme hoy mi ultimo Iftar del 2008!) jajajaja

 

 

 

 

 

La France!!

Two months from the time I were over there and still I can feel (if i am not outside of course) the fresh air coming to my face, the taste of the red wine, the cheese and the sweet marmalade… the movement of the city encouraging me to walk more and more, the beat on my heart every time my eyes discovered a new scenario...... but, how many times before I saw it in my school’s book whilst my mind was thinking in the lunch break or about the math’s homework I didn’t finish….
My experience in France was amazing. Chanel, one off my dearest friends, invited me to her weeding so I said to myself, once you are there, is better to squeeze your time and walk around the city, stay longer to see more… and I did it.
 I posted the pictures as soon as I arrived because my mom was really excited about that trip. Since she saw Sabrina, that movie with Harrison Ford, she became a Paris fan, so she was really happy about her daughter (meeeee!) going over there… when I came back I was telling her how my trip was:
 
“Mom -I said- it was amazing!

I left Abu Dhabi at night. As usual, I was very nervous. The flight was ok, we arrived on time (I will talk in plural because Miguel was with me, thanks God I have to say! he is the best GPS ever, hehe, besides that, I enjoyed his company too much). We took a train to our hotel, and I have to say we did it well because we arrived to the hotel without any problem, really early morning and they allowed us to left the things over there before the check in time. So we just walked outside with the willing to meet the Big Lady: PARIS!
I have to say that this time, happened to me the same thing that with the Pyramids, I was standing up, in front of the camera, trying to get a picture of me with the Senna behind when I saw a boat... my eyes were following the boat when…. Taraaaaan!!! In the distance I found that structure, Eiffel tower!!!

What I felt in that moment have to be something like if you finally have the chance to meet your favorite artist and you take out this mystery halo from his image… Excited? Yes, but in that moment was like discover that that favorite singer I was expecting to meet long time back, was not able to sing! Hahahaha
Anyway we walk away that place and we decided to make this Tour around the city, but by foot!!! So we walked the first day, a lot!! First Notre dame… a wonderful Gospel chorus was waiting for us to gave us the welcome to France. Oh! I almost forget my first TIP when traveling to Paris: If you want to wash your hands, or use the Toilet… just ask first. I was having my first coffee before Notre Dame and I walked to toilets without any change (it was my first day so no coins with me) when this lady in front of the door told me: is 0.4Euros… I said what??? she repeat with a very bad mood and without pay attention to my poor face of a lady after 8hours flight, one train, two subways, the experience to see the Eiffel tower for the first time in life and a coffee!!!! So I walked back to the table, took some coins from Miguel and in that moment, I said, no way!!! I will not pay, this “I will not be cheated like all the tourist “proud came to me and we decided to leave… to discover then, thanks God, that not all the places are like that and that actually if you are having coffee or water or whatever, you can use the toilet, so my TIP, go to the good places where politely the will allow you to use all the facilities (I know, I know is only 0.40, but the bad thing is not that but the way to explain the things to you).
Ok after Notre Dame, we were walking to the wonderful streets when we pass by a nice grocery… I was so happy to find alcohol in all the grocery shops, anywhere, that we bought our first bottle of wine… we choose from a big big selections and they opened for us in the grocery (yeeaaaahh!) and not only that they gave us too cups to drink and a dark plastic bag, from that moment, we never stoped the wine, and then we just refilled our coca cola bottle everytime we needed it (we changed the cups in order to be more practical and have a lid).
Walking and drinking that day we visited the Arch of Triumph, Bastille roundabout,  Eiffel tower (yes this time we were in the bottom, but was crowded to go up), Versailles monument and gardens, Sorbonne University, the Phanteon and at then at 8pm with the sunrise (yes sunrise at 8pm!) we went to hotel and got ready to BUDABAR. the experience in Buda bar was amazing, but not the experience to take a cab at 3am in the morning from that place! After almost an 24hours active day, I went to bed.
Next day, was the day to visit Louvre, the gardens, Sacre cor, eat crêpes, more wine, perfect day. As we saw all the city the first day we just relaxed and enjoy this day a lot. Starting with the breakfast in a warm bakery, the Giaconda face, Milo, and all the fantastic art atmosphere at Louvre to the 100000steps to arrived to the church, the wonderfully crêpes and a very nice trip around Siena river, I just have to say that day was amazing.
Next day: Weeding day!!! We took a train to Royan, at the south!! Well it was not that easy. We were so relaxed from the last day that we lose the train! But it was ok. we took the next one and it was fun to share a second class seat with a dog, a group of drunk guys, too ladies and more fun to get ready and take my dress out, put makeup, high hills in the middle of that disaster and still arrive on time to the church!
Royan was amazing, I ate a lot!!! The wedding was lovely. It was in a castle. And was so French!! Hahahaha: First the Church (the mass was offered half English half French and I was so hungry that I was replying to the priest in Spanish! How international it is? Hahaha) then pictures, then the castle for a cocktail party, then dinner and then Party until we dropped at 6am in the morning. The check out was at 11 so we woke up and went to Domus, the big house of Pierre’s family. They prepared a nice brunch for the international guests and it was so yummy!!!!! I have to mention that we changed the hotel due to the many changes in the trains and itinerary and we stayed In another hotel for the second night at the town… well, the hotel had a Ghost!!!!! She and her kid annoyed me all night long. I mean, I am not believing in that things but after such a night like that one, is hard to say that it was a quiet and normal night.
Anyway we came back to Paris for another great day. We went up this time to the 3th floor of Eiffel tower. And then in the middle of the tiredness we had nice lunch, and enjoyed the Champs Eliseus and watch the time pass by sitting in a nice place in Paris”
 
After that my mom told me, Paris is nice, I can feel it… like in the movie…. For me those days were an amazing movie….

Bueno despues de un receso me decidi a abrir nuevamente mi espacio y mi vida a este rinconcito de encuentro con mis amigos y mi familia, porque al fin y al cabo en mundo globalizado como este que mejor manera de saber de los seres queridos... ademas, se que me extranan! jajajaja, los pille!! asi que vuelvo a decir que tambien los extrane :)

muchas gracias por estar pendientes de mi a pesar de la desaparicion (tu sabes porque lo digo!)

Taty is back!!!!!

:)

mwac!