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| Tuesday, 16-Aug-2005 00:00 |
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Just added another entry: by the River Ilkley - see entry: 16-07-05
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| Tuesday, 2-Aug-2005 00:00 |
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I've just added pictures of PhD Awayday - see 22nd July entry
I've also created another account, flickr, to store my other photos. Have a look!
Station X
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| Tuesday, 26-Jul-2005 00:00 |
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Aveiro
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Aveiro, is Palexa's hometown. We decided that today's gonna be very relaxing, we can take our time doing what we'll be doing - no rush. and I liked that idea a lot!
In the morning Palexa had an appointment at her salon in the town nearby. On our way there, she showed me the schools she went to, the apartment she used to live in, the places where she used to work, and cafes where she normally goes to. Before going to the salon, we had coffees at one local cafe. I sat there reading my book, *and wondering maybe this is how it feels like being a european*, while having a cup of latte.
We planned to cook a nice meal for dinner. So we headed to a fish market by the beach. Although Palexa has many times suggested to me that I should try their octopus-dish, I still ain't sure to give it a go after seeing what it's really liked at the market.
As it was almost lunchtime, Palexa took me to one of her favourite place for lunch. It was a modern boxy-shaped restaurant by the beach. As usual, people looked, if not stared, at me, as I walking towards a table at the corner of the balcony. After three days in Portugal, I can say that the Portugease find me quite amusing - covering from head to toe whilst everybody else is wearing sleeveless top!
On our way back to the city centre for some more shopping spree, Palexa took me to another favourite spot of hers. It was by the river, close to a place where people produce salt. I must say the place was very tranquil and calm. Good for marking papers and reading, Palexa pointed out.
She also did the same when we were in Aveiro. We even went and had a coffee at one of her favourite cafes. She showed me around Aveiro city. I just thought how lucky she is to live in a such a lovely and beautiful place like this. At this point, I totally understand exactly what she missed everytime she's in Lancaster. Because I know, if I'm in her shoes, I would too!
The final destination before leaving tomorrow was her mum's. Palexa's mum grows all sorts of vegetables; potatoes, onions, tomatoes, beans, etc. It was awesome! Palexa's niece was also there. She's so cute and adorable, whom reminded me a lot of my niece, Aiman. It was the time to say goodbye to everyone. I said 'obrigada' to her mum, and told her how I really enjoyed being there, and how I loved her dish which she prepared on the night we arrived. In return, she gave me a peck on my cheek. 
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| Monday, 25-Jul-2005 00:00 |
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Espinho & Porto
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Palexa drove to a place called Espinho. It is apparently a fisherman town, a place where you can expect fresh seafood. No wonder her mum always come here. We first headed to a restaurant for lunch. We had a lovely and scrumptious codfish dish, made by her aunt. Before we left, we went to see her aunt in the kitchen, where I got the chance to say how delicious the meal was to her aunt.
We each had a home made ice-cream from a local shop by the beach. Whilst I was finishing mine, Palexa had a shot of expresso of her favourite brand, Buondi. We then went stright to an open market, which I was told is a famous one. It was massive! and believe me, you can find almost everything. They even sell jewellaries! and to everybody's convenience, they also accept credit cards! The atmosphere was so lively. I bought a *very* cheap chic handbag. For only 2 Euro who could say no?!
Porto was our next destination. And goodness, the city is so beautiful! - beautiful in the sense that its buildings are so unique, so grande and just so classic. Even their McDonald's is posh! I believe this is the most exclusive McDonald's I've ever been into. Palexa told me it once was a very elegant cafe, and the chandeliers say it all. One other thing that makes it different from the rest of McDonald's chains around the world is the existence of cafe bar/corner. I was told that the locals, especially the elderly, come and have their morning and reading their newspapers in the McDonald's, just like any other cafe in the country.
(I did some shopping spree as well - UCB, MNG, etc. they were all on sale!! crazy girl - that's what Palexa thought of me
We then dined in Gaia. The place is located just across the river of Porto. There were many, many restaurants, cafes, and bars along the river. The sight of Porto from Gaia in the evening was just gorgeous. But we weren't fortunate enough to capture all these. My battery got depleted, whilst Palexa's night mode isn't good enough.
Another great day 
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| Sunday, 24-Jul-2005 00:00 |
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Lisboa, Portugal
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The train to Lisbon leaves Aveiro at 10.55 am. And what time did we leave the house? Not before 10.40am!
Everything happened so quickly that morning. Palexa drove as fast as she could. Luckily enough she knows the short cut to the station. Within that 15 minutes, we managed to get to the front counter to purchase the tickets and got on the train. It would have been impossible if we didn't run like mad people!
It was nearly 3 o'clock when we found a pretty decent restaurant in the downtown of Lisbon. We were quite fortunate as they still serve lunch at that hour. Palexa insisted I try their sardines dish. I gave it ago. It was nice, but not really to my liking. I blame the rock salt!
On our way to get a tram to Belem, we saw a few street artists selling their art work. I just had to stop and find out. I got particularly interested in getting another henna art work on my hand, when suddenly a guy said salam to me and said something in arabic. I looked up and stood in front of me a quite good looking guy, hehehe. Actually he's the artist who's doing the henna art work. We chatted for a few good minutes. He was telling me that he thought I knew arabic because of my scarf. He told me how he felt happy and calm (?) *sejuk hati i guess is the expression i'm trying to find here* when he saw me from a distance. It's not an everyday thing to see a girl wearing a scarf in places like Lisbon, he said. Especially in the time like this, he added. He, originally from Egypt has travelled to so many countries, that he can speaks arabic, italian, spanish and portugease. Although he offered us 2 for the price of 1, we had to resist it because we were running against time. I, instead, bought a pair of leather bracelets from a beautiful Puerto Ricon lady.
Palexa then took me to a very famous cafe in Belem. It's called Paestis de Belem, which has been established since 1837! It is so famous that the place is filled with people from front to back, and the entrance was just so crowded with people.
We left the cafe and stopped at Mosteiro dos Jerónimus and had a peek inside the monastery. Snapped a few pictures outside the Centro Cultural de Belém and continued walking to see the Monumento dos Descobrimentos. Great view it was!
Palexa then suggested we go to the modern part of Lisbon: Parque das Nações, or what also known as Expo. The place was so cool! We got on a cable car to get to the other end and treated ourselves with some nice crepes before heading back to Aveiro.
What a day! Tiring, but awesome!
More photos, visit my flickr album.
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| Saturday, 23-Jul-2005 00:00 |
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and the journey begins
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The second bombings on the 21st July somewhat made me nervous about travelling into London today. Both of us were actually.
But I do believe, nothing will happen to us, inshaAllah.
We arrived at Stansted airport safely, alhamdulillah.
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| Friday, 22-Jul-2005 00:00 |
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PhD Away Day - Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes
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Useful links:
Bletchley Park
Coloussus Rebuild Project
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| Saturday, 16-Jul-2005 00:00 |
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by the Ilkley River
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| Wednesday, 13-Jul-2005 00:00 |
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An afternoon with Hadiff
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.. whilst waiting for Jane to leave the Great Hall
for more pictures, visit Idlan's
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| Saturday, 9-Jul-2005 00:00 |
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Art in eating muffins
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Idlan snapping picture of me and Azean
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she made us laughed really hard
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not quite ready though
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It was only two days after the London bombings. After getting almost non-stop messages from our loved ones reminding us not to travel alone, the three of us thought it was best for us to go into town together – which is something we hardly do together as housemates in the weekend – especially after the recent tragedy.
I must say I was feeling a bit nervous as I was waiting for the bus. Maybe because I couldn’t figured out how people in Lancaster might react towards us – girls in headscarves – after the immediate speculation by the media and by the PM himself!
To my surprise, the environment in town was no different to the days before the thing happened. What was more surprising is the fact that I could feel and sense that people tend to smile a lot to you. And Idlan think so too! We think that they try to put us at ease. And there was this time when Idlan and I were sitting in the coffee house waiting for Azean, arguing over how to eat muffins – the right way, we invited a smile from a lady who was sitting next to our table.
I’d like to conclude with: we’ve found a new hang out place
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masuk website flickr.fotopages.com ker??
