and thus it begins.
Getting rather psyched for tomorrow, when Shukri and I leave for the epic trip of epic proportions. Little problem though. Our flight from Kastrup, Copenhagen is 6.10am on the 28th of August. So we thought we'd take an 11pm train and reach there just about on time. Then we realised we could only get tickets for the 5.55pm train. Which by the way, we were also unable to get online(we'll go to the station early tomorrow to get them). So it appears a long airport stay is inevitable. Again. What the hell are we supposed to do?!
But still, really really excited to meet them fuckers. So excited that I can't even be bothered to pack.
justin.
why wasn't that fast?
When I meant I should post more often, I didn't mean make another post immediately. Though yes. Here it is.
I was thinking of how I brought a camera over to Sweden, and how it hasn't been used yet. Currently, all the photos I've taken have been with my phone camera, which I think works just as well, and also has the capabilities to upload the pictures onto the interwebs immediately. I know people can just grab it and claim it as their own and shit, but go ahead. I take shit photographs anyway.
What I was really thinking though, was that cameras sometimes do spoil the experience of travelling. Right? I think sometimes when travelling, it's more important to soak in the atmosphere, take in the scenery. When you're looking through the lenses, searching for a perfect moment to capture, that perfect moment is seen through the camera lens and not your own eyes. I believe it's some internet wisdom I read somewhere(or maybe I made it up), but I believe it makes at least some kind of sense. I think pictures should be taken AFTER you've decided you've seen enough. Though yes, I am sometimes guilty of wanting to capture a shot of something I think is beautiful, or that I wish to share. However, the pictures, however well taken, would not do the beauty of the actual subject justice most of the time. Though yes, good pictures are important for memory. But I think the photographs are there for a purpose. To trigger the memory that you have for the place that you visited, and the things you did.
Also speaking of which, cameras, more specifically webcams, or even more specifically skype, does help one to connect with people around the world. Skyping with family or friends in this cold-ish room does make it seem a lot more cosy. So yeah, maybe sometimes, I should stop taking my phone to point and shoot at something, and just use my eyes, and save the image not into a memory card, but into my brain.
justin.
the (lack of) adventures of the man in Sweden.
I have been posting blogs with less and less regularity nowadays, though I've written journals on my notebook. That's more for day to day happenings though, and a more accurate reflection of my feelings because I write them when I feel like. So far, I remain the only dumb fuck who has yet to travel anywhere apart from some places in Linkoping. It will soon change though, when the epic trip of epicness happens next week!
Been looking through my notebook I use to write my journals, which is also my Laos OCIP notebook. I think that notebook will become something I keep for life, because that is my book of learning experiences. It is filled with mixed emotions, highs, lows, mediums(?). And it means more to me to write in that notebook, because I can then read back on what happened in Laos, and be glad that now I'm in Sweden, where the problems are less on a day to day basis. Comparatively, though people are friendly here, it has not given me a feeling as homely as Pong Song village as yet. And also, the weather is really cold, and it's still SUMMER! Even so, in order to get that summerly feeling, I have been wearing my shorts and slippers, and in the process, lost some fingers and toes due to frostbite. NOT. Though yes, I should start wearing jeans soon.
School has started, and classes are actually pretty interesting, though everyone is an international student there. Won't be seeing my classmates much for this class though. Next module, I don't think I'll skip so many classes. Learnt some Swedish swear words that I have recorded in my little notebook of learning. I really need to write here more.
justin.
settling down in Linkoping.
I've been in Sweden for 5 days already, and it's been quite a mess. Many lessons have been already learnt within this short period. And I was talking to Shukri about exchange being a learning experience not for academics, but for life, when something happens, and you have noone to depend on other than yourself and your friends. And sometimes not even your friends. Very thankful to have had Shukri around for the past few days, as a familiar face in a strange land. But we are, Strangers in a Strange Land, isn't that right? Now that Shuk's in Istanbul for Ramadan and Hari Raya, I'll just have to depend on myself. Bike was stolen, so I have to get a new one. Haven't had the chance to link up with Daryl and Nick, so in the meantime, some alone time to reflect and blog. Might open another blog for travels.
On another note, I miss hall! And my family. But since it's midnight in Singapore, not good to call them now.
justin.
