Retail Blues...
To those regular readers of the Wacky World of Char, (those loyal bloggers, you know who you are and I love ya all), I must apologize for the lack of blogs lately. I have to say that I have not had anything exciting happening to me in the last few weeks, other than the tales of working retail and how it is sucking the life out of me and making me a drone of the corporate greed that drives oppulence and overspending in an already over saturated first world country. Let me get off my soapbox....
Anyways, my friend (my sister in retail Bliss) sent this along to me and I thought that I would share with y'all and remind everyone to be kind and not forget that we too are human and deserving of the Christmas spirit too when you are shopping for the holidays.
From Courtney...
Hey everybody, the holiday season is approaching, and
in the interest of general peace and harmony, I think
it's high time someone compiled a list of DON'TS for
shoppers across the nation. Having worked retail for
almost 10 years, I'd like to draw your attention to
the most common, most annoying bad habits of customers
I have dealt with.
I make no apologies for truly bad customer service!
I'd just like you to keep these things in mind for
those of us who really try to treat you well but
become frustrated by the following:
1. DON'T walk up to the counter with no salesperson
behind it and look disgusted that one does not
magically materialize before you.
2. DON'T enter a store talking loudly on a cell phone
and continue to gab as you browse, all the way through
your transaction, visibly annoyed that you must pause
long enough to receive your change.
3. DON'T throw your money or merchandise on the
counter when we have our hands outstretched to receive
it.
4. DON'T treat us like your own personal shopper.
Ideally, good customer service should make you feel
like you're the only person in the store. But this is
not reality.
5. DON'T give us bills all crumpled up, or, worse,
damp.
6. DON'T wait until everything is rung up to ask if
it's on sale. We will be much more cheerful about
answering your questions if we don't have to void the
sale and re-ring things.
7. DON'T neglect to estimate the total cost of your
purchase and then freak out like it's our fault you
can't add in your head as you shop.
8. DON'T carry things around the store, decide against
buying them, and leave them laying in random places.
This makes it harder for everyone to find what they're
looking for.
9. DON'T simply ignore us when we say hello or wish
you a nice day. You may be sullen, but you should at
least be polite.
10. DON'T let your children run amok. While you may
think it's cute that they're destroying things, we do
not.
11. DON'T try to make change with pennies when there
are 8 people lined up behind you.
12. DON'T set your items on the sales counter as you
shop, taking up valuable space and confusing everyone.
Unless your purchases are extremely heavy, use a cart
or a basket.
13. DON'T think you're cute by teasing or otherwise
harrassing us -- this goes out to older men for the
most part. You are not the first one to do so, even
though we may be humoring you.
14. DON'T ask for any amount of change in quarters so
you can do your laundry or wash your car. This is
what banks are for.
15. DON'T let us ring up half your items, suddenly
announce you forgot something, and spend the next ten
minutes running around the store some more. This ties
up the register, slows down traffic, and makes us want
to shoot you. If you can put a candy bar on your
debit card, you can come back and buy that forgotten
item later.
16. DON'T make comments like "You don't look like
you're doing anything" when approaching us alone at
the till. Chances are this is one of those rare
breathers in between mobs of people.
17. DON'T assume you are entitled to all the wonderful
boxes, bags, tissue paper, etc. Wrapping your items
is a service we provide to make you happy, not your
God-given right.
18. DON'T get angry when we ask to see your ID. We
are only trying to protect you and prevent fraud.
19. DON'T yell at us when returning an item that is
defective. We do not order merchandise for the store,
we did not purposely sabotage it, we just ring things
up.
20. DON'T wander leisurely for an hour and then check
your watch repeatedly while we ring you up, as if
WE'RE making you late.
21. DON'T assume we're half-wits. Many of us serving
you have other jobs and degrees.
22. DON'T summon us with beckoning fingers or
snapping, unless your socials skills are so limited
you have no other way to ask for help. You don't have
to treat us like dirt to prove you have money
Thursday, October 23, 2003
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
Turkey makes you dumb...
Famous words from my friend Elaine. No scientific proof that this is true, but from Elaine's non-research based observation of individuals post-turkey consumption, (no names mentioned), she has drawn this conclusion. This finding will definately not cause a mass boycott of turkey and pandemonium in searching for an alternative fowl to consume at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
However,according to her it sure is tasty even if makes you dumb. I however, will stay away from Turkey, my brain is already turning into mush without the added Turkey affect. (my body is a turkey free zone...along with other meats too, not just turkey, veg head that I am).
Yesterday we had our family thanksgiving dinner. It was the first time in 2 years that I did not have to refer to it as "Canadian Thanksgiving" and sit on the floor to eat it. The last 2 Thanksgivings being in Japan with an international flare and the traditional Thanksgiving "sushi". It was nice to share my first holiday with my family but as always it is family and with that, the debate over the preparation of foods. There was still considerable debate over whether I should add milk or chicken stock to the mash potatoes....I compromised and added both....Let's not even talk about the Turkey and how that went...yup, good to be home and cooking with a room full of females and their respective opinions.
Nonetheless, I have lots to be thankful for, being able to share holidays with my family, including my two overbearing, know-it-all sisters whom I love dearly and attribute my mental instability...er... I mean my interesting personality to.
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving...gobble gobble...
Famous words from my friend Elaine. No scientific proof that this is true, but from Elaine's non-research based observation of individuals post-turkey consumption, (no names mentioned), she has drawn this conclusion. This finding will definately not cause a mass boycott of turkey and pandemonium in searching for an alternative fowl to consume at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
However,according to her it sure is tasty even if makes you dumb. I however, will stay away from Turkey, my brain is already turning into mush without the added Turkey affect. (my body is a turkey free zone...along with other meats too, not just turkey, veg head that I am).
Yesterday we had our family thanksgiving dinner. It was the first time in 2 years that I did not have to refer to it as "Canadian Thanksgiving" and sit on the floor to eat it. The last 2 Thanksgivings being in Japan with an international flare and the traditional Thanksgiving "sushi". It was nice to share my first holiday with my family but as always it is family and with that, the debate over the preparation of foods. There was still considerable debate over whether I should add milk or chicken stock to the mash potatoes....I compromised and added both....Let's not even talk about the Turkey and how that went...yup, good to be home and cooking with a room full of females and their respective opinions.
Nonetheless, I have lots to be thankful for, being able to share holidays with my family, including my two overbearing, know-it-all sisters whom I love dearly and attribute my mental instability...er... I mean my interesting personality to.
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving...gobble gobble...
Monday, October 06, 2003
Update
Yet, another exciting week of selling jewellery at the BAY. I think I am starting to develop a tan for the bright UV lights from all the displays. I do definately need to buy some of those "sturdy" comfortable walking shoes that is all the rage with the over 50 crowd. My working environment is an Ergonomic nightmare. We stand for over 4 hours a day and do not have a place to sit all. At the end of the day my feet kill and I have not figured out a way to stop it. I do however on occasion do stretches behind the counter but only when there are no customers around. I am not allowed to wear sneakers...the slave drivers...supposedly we have to dress "business casual"...can someone give me a definition of what that means.
Complain, complain, complain...yes I know.......I have nothing else better to do.....
Yet, another exciting week of selling jewellery at the BAY. I think I am starting to develop a tan for the bright UV lights from all the displays. I do definately need to buy some of those "sturdy" comfortable walking shoes that is all the rage with the over 50 crowd. My working environment is an Ergonomic nightmare. We stand for over 4 hours a day and do not have a place to sit all. At the end of the day my feet kill and I have not figured out a way to stop it. I do however on occasion do stretches behind the counter but only when there are no customers around. I am not allowed to wear sneakers...the slave drivers...supposedly we have to dress "business casual"...can someone give me a definition of what that means.
Complain, complain, complain...yes I know.......I have nothing else better to do.....
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
Adventures in Retail
So, many of you have been asking about how my job is going at the BAY, well it is definately none to exciting nor challenging. I keep telling myself that it is a job and it does pay something. Next to nothing, a third of what I was making in Japan, not enough for me to live off of, but who is complaining, right?
We have sales targets we have to meet each shift but, I the retail goddess has not been doing so well with that benchmark. I was never a person to go with all the rules anyways...
I try to meet the target but I am just not aggressive enough...too laid back. I kind of let them off the hook when they say well, I will think about it. I cheerfully, say okay, no worries take your time. Mistake in retail I tell you. And let's not even talk about the requirement that I sign someone up for a BAY card every shift...no where near that target.
But lucky me on Sunday, I hit my target. So, why did I make my sales on Sunday, was it the charming personality, the smile and tilt the head combo, the dimples, or even the aggressive sales technique. Actually it was due to the couple from China who needed souvenirs for their relations in China. Thank god for the omiyage tradition in Asian countries. They bought 13 watches from me...yup 13 watches. It was a pretty easy sell. They were not designer 100$ watches that would have made it an even better day but at $25 a pop it was enough to put me over my target for the day. Yippie!! I did spend about an hour with them though and showed them almost all the watches we had. It made me feel better cause earlier that morning I let another associate have my customer who bought a 799$ tennis bracelet..I was hitting myself after that one.
So far my co-workers have been really nice to me. They have helped me out a lot with the cash training and letting me know which key goes in which display. I cannot believe how many keys they are and how many different locks they go in. You would think that someone would label some of them. User Interface nightmares here.
Most of them are young and around my age. We all laugh and chat quite a bit but not when the manager is around, I have dubbed her "Mother Hen", cause from the moment your shift starts to the moment it ends she will not stop clucking at you. "Do you know your targets for today, you need to get an instant credit today, stop chatting, circulate.....it does not stop. Little did you know that the BAY is an intense sales driven arena of showcases and watches. The bright lights and the intense clucking are enough to drive a person insane.
So, those are this weeks tales from the BAY...Next weeks tales include the story of mother hen, who is mysteriously found to have been locked in a display by a disgruntled new employee.
So, many of you have been asking about how my job is going at the BAY, well it is definately none to exciting nor challenging. I keep telling myself that it is a job and it does pay something. Next to nothing, a third of what I was making in Japan, not enough for me to live off of, but who is complaining, right?
We have sales targets we have to meet each shift but, I the retail goddess has not been doing so well with that benchmark. I was never a person to go with all the rules anyways...
I try to meet the target but I am just not aggressive enough...too laid back. I kind of let them off the hook when they say well, I will think about it. I cheerfully, say okay, no worries take your time. Mistake in retail I tell you. And let's not even talk about the requirement that I sign someone up for a BAY card every shift...no where near that target.
But lucky me on Sunday, I hit my target. So, why did I make my sales on Sunday, was it the charming personality, the smile and tilt the head combo, the dimples, or even the aggressive sales technique. Actually it was due to the couple from China who needed souvenirs for their relations in China. Thank god for the omiyage tradition in Asian countries. They bought 13 watches from me...yup 13 watches. It was a pretty easy sell. They were not designer 100$ watches that would have made it an even better day but at $25 a pop it was enough to put me over my target for the day. Yippie!! I did spend about an hour with them though and showed them almost all the watches we had. It made me feel better cause earlier that morning I let another associate have my customer who bought a 799$ tennis bracelet..I was hitting myself after that one.
So far my co-workers have been really nice to me. They have helped me out a lot with the cash training and letting me know which key goes in which display. I cannot believe how many keys they are and how many different locks they go in. You would think that someone would label some of them. User Interface nightmares here.
Most of them are young and around my age. We all laugh and chat quite a bit but not when the manager is around, I have dubbed her "Mother Hen", cause from the moment your shift starts to the moment it ends she will not stop clucking at you. "Do you know your targets for today, you need to get an instant credit today, stop chatting, circulate.....it does not stop. Little did you know that the BAY is an intense sales driven arena of showcases and watches. The bright lights and the intense clucking are enough to drive a person insane.
So, those are this weeks tales from the BAY...Next weeks tales include the story of mother hen, who is mysteriously found to have been locked in a display by a disgruntled new employee.
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Today's thoughts
There are always hopes that I will wake up one day and have these great and insightful things to write about on my blog. Well, no such luck today. I believe that my mind has turned into a big pile of oatmeal-like consistancy, mush. It feels like that I have not really used my brain in ages.
Let's say that the new job consists of me smiling and acting nice and trying to get someone to purchase that lovely Bulova watch, which by the way is on sale today. Did you know that Bulova has a 3 year warranty and is one of the best brands of watches you can buy? I myself have owned a Bulova for over 4 years now and have never had any problems with it. Yada yada yada....
From experience, I now know I like working in retail even less than I like teaching. At least teaching was a challenge and it was interesting.
It seems that the last blogs since my return to Canada have not been all that happy nor very uplifting. Sorry, but I guess that is just the current state of mind that I am in. This weeks thoughts teeter on, whether I should have stayed in Japan or not?
There have been days where I think I should have, so far very few things are convincing me otherwise....
There are always hopes that I will wake up one day and have these great and insightful things to write about on my blog. Well, no such luck today. I believe that my mind has turned into a big pile of oatmeal-like consistancy, mush. It feels like that I have not really used my brain in ages.
Let's say that the new job consists of me smiling and acting nice and trying to get someone to purchase that lovely Bulova watch, which by the way is on sale today. Did you know that Bulova has a 3 year warranty and is one of the best brands of watches you can buy? I myself have owned a Bulova for over 4 years now and have never had any problems with it. Yada yada yada....
From experience, I now know I like working in retail even less than I like teaching. At least teaching was a challenge and it was interesting.
It seems that the last blogs since my return to Canada have not been all that happy nor very uplifting. Sorry, but I guess that is just the current state of mind that I am in. This weeks thoughts teeter on, whether I should have stayed in Japan or not?
There have been days where I think I should have, so far very few things are convincing me otherwise....
Thursday, September 18, 2003
UPDATE
I am alive and well. Nothing too exciting to report. In all honesty, I have to admit that I have been the queen of the gumbies
definition: I have been sitting on my butt doing nothing all day and not even changing out of my pajamas....
I do not start working until this Friday and thus have had quite a bit of time to sit and reflect on the current state of affairs of my life. Not a pretty sight I tell you........
I did however, get to play volleyball last night and I did enjoy myself very much. Hooray for the healing powers of volleyball and the ability for it to make you just laugh at how bad you play.....
I am alive and well. Nothing too exciting to report. In all honesty, I have to admit that I have been the queen of the gumbies
definition: I have been sitting on my butt doing nothing all day and not even changing out of my pajamas....
I do not start working until this Friday and thus have had quite a bit of time to sit and reflect on the current state of affairs of my life. Not a pretty sight I tell you........
I did however, get to play volleyball last night and I did enjoy myself very much. Hooray for the healing powers of volleyball and the ability for it to make you just laugh at how bad you play.....
Saturday, September 13, 2003
Job
Well, there were hopes of finding a job where I could something I love and get paid a whole heck of a lot of money. Well....I guess that is everyones' dream too.....
The next best thing I was hoping for was something relating to my degree in Kinesiology...Ergonomics or even working with kids. Well, it seems that I got a job working at the Bay, a dept't store. After talking to a good friend of mine who was herself working in a dep't store until she fines a better job, I thought what the heck. I am not particularly thrilled about it, but hey at least it is a job and it gets me off my butt and working. Wish me good luck in finding something more degree related.
As for other things, I have been home for over 3 weeks now and have adjusted somewhat. I still have pangs of missing Japan and wishing I were there. The adventurer in me is a little antsy staying in one. I do miss the lifestyle in Japan where everything was a new adventure and I got to travel and explore. Definately, into reverse culture shock now. Strange that I miss a place so much that I never really felt like I truly entirely fit into.
Even more strange is that I miss my little hellions. After a lot of near disasterious classes where I was over-run by my kids and would walk out in utter frustration, I actually miss them quite a bit. You never know how much an impact they have on you.
Current Mood: reflective and homesick
Well, there were hopes of finding a job where I could something I love and get paid a whole heck of a lot of money. Well....I guess that is everyones' dream too.....
The next best thing I was hoping for was something relating to my degree in Kinesiology...Ergonomics or even working with kids. Well, it seems that I got a job working at the Bay, a dept't store. After talking to a good friend of mine who was herself working in a dep't store until she fines a better job, I thought what the heck. I am not particularly thrilled about it, but hey at least it is a job and it gets me off my butt and working. Wish me good luck in finding something more degree related.
As for other things, I have been home for over 3 weeks now and have adjusted somewhat. I still have pangs of missing Japan and wishing I were there. The adventurer in me is a little antsy staying in one. I do miss the lifestyle in Japan where everything was a new adventure and I got to travel and explore. Definately, into reverse culture shock now. Strange that I miss a place so much that I never really felt like I truly entirely fit into.
Even more strange is that I miss my little hellions. After a lot of near disasterious classes where I was over-run by my kids and would walk out in utter frustration, I actually miss them quite a bit. You never know how much an impact they have on you.
Current Mood: reflective and homesick
Saturday, September 06, 2003
Today's Random Thoughts
So, I spent yet another day home doing nothing....I miss the routine and schedule of having a regular job and doing something other than veg'n all day. Yup, definately dealing with reverse culture shock. I am still grappling with the fact that at 25, I am living at home and jobless. The overachiever, independant wacky kind of girl that I am, is having issues with once again living at home and mooching off my parents. However, I must say it is nice to have someone do my laundry and cook me my favourite foods. Note: I am helping around the house and am not a big fat lazy bum...
Current mood: depressed and unmotivated.
So, I spent yet another day home doing nothing....I miss the routine and schedule of having a regular job and doing something other than veg'n all day. Yup, definately dealing with reverse culture shock. I am still grappling with the fact that at 25, I am living at home and jobless. The overachiever, independant wacky kind of girl that I am, is having issues with once again living at home and mooching off my parents. However, I must say it is nice to have someone do my laundry and cook me my favourite foods. Note: I am helping around the house and am not a big fat lazy bum...
Current mood: depressed and unmotivated.
Friday, September 05, 2003
Missing Japan
The honest truth is that I am reverse culture shocking a bit. I miss Japan. I actually miss my little kids a lot. I think about them all the time and wonder how they are treating my successor. Strange that I am not there and what kind of trouble are they getting into without me there to encourage them to behave...actually without me there to let them run wild they are probably better behaved.
Still looking for a job, applied for one yesterday...perhaps I should start thinking about starbucks....I hate this job search thing....anyone out there want to get me a job....
The honest truth is that I am reverse culture shocking a bit. I miss Japan. I actually miss my little kids a lot. I think about them all the time and wonder how they are treating my successor. Strange that I am not there and what kind of trouble are they getting into without me there to encourage them to behave...actually without me there to let them run wild they are probably better behaved.
Still looking for a job, applied for one yesterday...perhaps I should start thinking about starbucks....I hate this job search thing....anyone out there want to get me a job....
Saturday, August 30, 2003
Waiting
I am sitting here with Ejlee, waiting for Barney. He is going to pick us up and we will drive to Manning Park to spend some time outdoors. I'm looking forward to seeing beautiful B.C nature after living in inaka Japan. I've missed being able to swim in clean water and go canoeing.
BARNEY, WHERE ARE YOU?!
Friday, August 29, 2003
Been home one week
I have now been home in Canada for one week. I am still dreaming about Japan and some days still wake up thinking it is Japan. I have now almost gotten over my cold. I am feeling much better and have decided to get off my butt next week and start looking for a job. No more of this bumming around the house, there is only so much of day time TV, I can watch.
Wish me good luck.
I have now been home in Canada for one week. I am still dreaming about Japan and some days still wake up thinking it is Japan. I have now almost gotten over my cold. I am feeling much better and have decided to get off my butt next week and start looking for a job. No more of this bumming around the house, there is only so much of day time TV, I can watch.
Wish me good luck.
Sunday, August 24, 2003
Illness
I was really lucky all through Nepal and India that I never got ill once. Even in Japan I think I was only ill once in 2 years. But as soon as I arrived back home I get attacked by some kind of cold bug or something. It feels like a cold but I have also somehow lost my voice too. My sisters seem to think it is SARS, I am convinced it is Malaria...all joking aside it is probably my body telling me to relax and take it easy after almost 3 months of stress with packing and travelling. Thus, I have decided to veg and sleep lots and let my mommy take care of me until I am all better.
I was really lucky all through Nepal and India that I never got ill once. Even in Japan I think I was only ill once in 2 years. But as soon as I arrived back home I get attacked by some kind of cold bug or something. It feels like a cold but I have also somehow lost my voice too. My sisters seem to think it is SARS, I am convinced it is Malaria...all joking aside it is probably my body telling me to relax and take it easy after almost 3 months of stress with packing and travelling. Thus, I have decided to veg and sleep lots and let my mommy take care of me until I am all better.
Friday, August 22, 2003
Home sweet home
When I was in Japan, I used to dream of Vancouver and now when I am in Vancouver I dream of Japan. In an entire reversal of roles. It still has not sunk in that I am home in Vancouver, at any moment it feels like I am going to wake up on my futon in Japan. I have been home for 3 days and for the most part of the 3 days I have not ventured out too much. I am fighting a post travels bug of some sort. I jokingly tell everyone that it is either SARS or Malaria. However, it is more likely a cumulation of lack of sleep, dry air plane air, and the pollution of Delhi that has made me suspectible to a cold bug. I spent the better part of yesterday firmly ensconced on the couch being pampered and worried about by my family, something that has not happened in years and years. It was rather nice to be taken care of when I was feeling so miserable. Someone to cook me my fav. foods and someone to do my laundry.
It is still a rather strange sensation for me to be in a house with my parents. Afterall it has been 7 years since I have lived at home. It is very strange for me, nice at the moment but not sure how it will last long term. Going from being entirely on my own to sharing a house with 4 other people. The last time I lived at home was when I was in highschool.
Other than that I am adjusting well, I have not major reverse culture shock episodes, although I hope to get it over and done with soon, so I can get on with my life in Canada. I do have pangs of missing Japan and my students. I cannot help but look at the people around me and think about how different it is in Japan.
I guess I am going through a bit of post-Japan withdrawl.
When I was in Japan, I used to dream of Vancouver and now when I am in Vancouver I dream of Japan. In an entire reversal of roles. It still has not sunk in that I am home in Vancouver, at any moment it feels like I am going to wake up on my futon in Japan. I have been home for 3 days and for the most part of the 3 days I have not ventured out too much. I am fighting a post travels bug of some sort. I jokingly tell everyone that it is either SARS or Malaria. However, it is more likely a cumulation of lack of sleep, dry air plane air, and the pollution of Delhi that has made me suspectible to a cold bug. I spent the better part of yesterday firmly ensconced on the couch being pampered and worried about by my family, something that has not happened in years and years. It was rather nice to be taken care of when I was feeling so miserable. Someone to cook me my fav. foods and someone to do my laundry.
It is still a rather strange sensation for me to be in a house with my parents. Afterall it has been 7 years since I have lived at home. It is very strange for me, nice at the moment but not sure how it will last long term. Going from being entirely on my own to sharing a house with 4 other people. The last time I lived at home was when I was in highschool.
Other than that I am adjusting well, I have not major reverse culture shock episodes, although I hope to get it over and done with soon, so I can get on with my life in Canada. I do have pangs of missing Japan and my students. I cannot help but look at the people around me and think about how different it is in Japan.
I guess I am going through a bit of post-Japan withdrawl.
Wednesday, August 20, 2003
Am I really in Vancouver??
I had no nose pressed up against the glass of the window as we approached Vancouver, I could not believe that I was seeing the Vancouver skyline against the mountains. After 2 years, I was finally coming home for good....well, not quite for good but for a while at least. Even at this point I am not 100% sure I am in Vancouver. I think it is a cumulation of Jet lag and disbelief that I am not in Japan. At any moment it seems like I am going to wake up from this dream and be in my apartment in Japan.
I cannot express what kind of feelings are going through my head. It is this mixed bag of being happy I am home and also of missing Japan and my kids, along with missing Nepal and the kind people I have met there. Once again, I cannot express how wonderful and attached I am to Nepal. It is definately some where to go back to. In fact, I am even now plotting about a trip next spring to Japan and Nepal. We'll see what happens.
At this point I am just going to relax and spend time with my family and friends and take it easy. Sleep is one of my first priorities.....
I had no nose pressed up against the glass of the window as we approached Vancouver, I could not believe that I was seeing the Vancouver skyline against the mountains. After 2 years, I was finally coming home for good....well, not quite for good but for a while at least. Even at this point I am not 100% sure I am in Vancouver. I think it is a cumulation of Jet lag and disbelief that I am not in Japan. At any moment it seems like I am going to wake up from this dream and be in my apartment in Japan.
I cannot express what kind of feelings are going through my head. It is this mixed bag of being happy I am home and also of missing Japan and my kids, along with missing Nepal and the kind people I have met there. Once again, I cannot express how wonderful and attached I am to Nepal. It is definately some where to go back to. In fact, I am even now plotting about a trip next spring to Japan and Nepal. We'll see what happens.
At this point I am just going to relax and spend time with my family and friends and take it easy. Sleep is one of my first priorities.....
Tuesday, August 19, 2003
Adventures over
In about an hour I will be heading to the airport to fly home. My flgiht is at 12:00 am and I will have to change flights 2 times, once in Bangkok and once in Taipei. I am not looking forward to the flight but really happy that I will be heading home. I have had a great adventure in Nepal and probably decided that I will not venture back to Delhi for a long time. I am not tough enough for this country.
I cannot express how amazing my adventures have been over the last 2 years and how I am a little sad that they are coming to an end. However, I am sure that I will be happy once I have set foot on Canadian soil....reverse culture shock and all.....well, I will see how it goes. If it gets to be too bad I can always go back to Nepal.
Anyways, just wanted to write one last blog from somewhere other than Canada.
In about an hour I will be heading to the airport to fly home. My flgiht is at 12:00 am and I will have to change flights 2 times, once in Bangkok and once in Taipei. I am not looking forward to the flight but really happy that I will be heading home. I have had a great adventure in Nepal and probably decided that I will not venture back to Delhi for a long time. I am not tough enough for this country.
I cannot express how amazing my adventures have been over the last 2 years and how I am a little sad that they are coming to an end. However, I am sure that I will be happy once I have set foot on Canadian soil....reverse culture shock and all.....well, I will see how it goes. If it gets to be too bad I can always go back to Nepal.
Anyways, just wanted to write one last blog from somewhere other than Canada.
Monday, August 18, 2003
Why I hate India
Of the countries I have visited there is not one that I would say that I really do not like, that is until India.
India is nuts....let me say that again....it is nuts...when you step out of the safety of the airport it a free for all and you are swarmed by Taxi drivers. It is a really agressive society. After being in Nepal and being treated so nicely and everyone being so friendly I was in quite the shock in India, where 10 people will swarm you while you are stopped at a light and ask you to buy something or to go to their hotel.
We went to the Taj Mahal today. Which turned out to be an adventure that I do not ever want to relive. We got up at 5:00 am so we could meet downstairs for our bus for 6:00 am. Then proceed to ride a supposedly a/c bus for 8 hours only to be told that if we wanted a ride back to our hotel in Delhi (which was covered in our bus ticket) that we would probably not arrive until really late. Thus conveniently an alternate plan was made for us, we would be dropped off at a travel agent and they would take us via taxi to the Taj Mahal and other tourist sights and then be put on a train back to Delhi. Of course if we wanted to take the deluxe train we would have to pay extra. Elita and I vehmently said No...we will take the regular train. So, we see the Taj Mahal which is spectacular, then were taken to a marble factory and were told that this man is the descendent of one of the original builders of the Taj and is no in charge of taking care of it. He then told us all about marble and tried to sell us crap and kept talking about how it is free to ship, how it is like you are taking the Taj with you. My god he would not let us leave, finally we got out of their, having wasted an hour where we could have been seeing Agra. They took us back to the travel agent, where the man working there conviently owns a gem store and proceeded to take us there to look at gems. He was pushy and even suggested that we allow him to borrow our addresses in Canada so he could send some gems there and then have someone pick them up...we said no way!!! Then he proceeded to grill us about why we didn't want to do it. Finally to shut him up we bought some gems from him. Nothing too expensive...then we took a 3 hour train ride back sitting on hard wooden benches. My first experience with Indian trains and hopefully my last.
Of the countries I have visited there is not one that I would say that I really do not like, that is until India.
India is nuts....let me say that again....it is nuts...when you step out of the safety of the airport it a free for all and you are swarmed by Taxi drivers. It is a really agressive society. After being in Nepal and being treated so nicely and everyone being so friendly I was in quite the shock in India, where 10 people will swarm you while you are stopped at a light and ask you to buy something or to go to their hotel.
We went to the Taj Mahal today. Which turned out to be an adventure that I do not ever want to relive. We got up at 5:00 am so we could meet downstairs for our bus for 6:00 am. Then proceed to ride a supposedly a/c bus for 8 hours only to be told that if we wanted a ride back to our hotel in Delhi (which was covered in our bus ticket) that we would probably not arrive until really late. Thus conveniently an alternate plan was made for us, we would be dropped off at a travel agent and they would take us via taxi to the Taj Mahal and other tourist sights and then be put on a train back to Delhi. Of course if we wanted to take the deluxe train we would have to pay extra. Elita and I vehmently said No...we will take the regular train. So, we see the Taj Mahal which is spectacular, then were taken to a marble factory and were told that this man is the descendent of one of the original builders of the Taj and is no in charge of taking care of it. He then told us all about marble and tried to sell us crap and kept talking about how it is free to ship, how it is like you are taking the Taj with you. My god he would not let us leave, finally we got out of their, having wasted an hour where we could have been seeing Agra. They took us back to the travel agent, where the man working there conviently owns a gem store and proceeded to take us there to look at gems. He was pushy and even suggested that we allow him to borrow our addresses in Canada so he could send some gems there and then have someone pick them up...we said no way!!! Then he proceeded to grill us about why we didn't want to do it. Finally to shut him up we bought some gems from him. Nothing too expensive...then we took a 3 hour train ride back sitting on hard wooden benches. My first experience with Indian trains and hopefully my last.
Saturday, August 16, 2003
Leaving Nepal
I am sad to be leaving Nepal. I will head to Delhi tomorrow. My experience here has been wonderful all except for the random men who keep hitting on me. There are the kind ones whom I have met. These two great store owners not far from where I am staying who invite me in for tea everytime I walk past. One of them I bought some clothes from while another I had two pieces of jewelry made with. And the kind man in the bookstore, who called me his daughter and gave me a beaded bracelet.
The bad random men experience include being asked to dinner twice in one night. The first one was when we were walking down the street and this man who owns a gem stop said, "can I ask you a question?". So I stopped and we ended up going to their shop and chatting for 30 mins. They were nice and asked us for dinner the next night, we said we were busy but they insisted. Not 2 hours later, I was in a store buying a skirt....yes skirt, and was bargaining as is the habit here. The man and I finally agreed to a price and he then said I had to go out for a beer with him, cause he gave me such a good price, well I said no, then his friend grabbed my arm and said dinner then, tomorrow...I said I was busy, then the day after...they were insistant and would not let go of my arm....finally I said, sorry I am leaving Kathmandu tomorrow and cannot come to dinner....they then shook my hand for what felt like 10 mins. Man, I was glad to get out of that store.
So, last night we had our hot date with the gem boys....I called up two guys we know here in Kathmandu, one a peace corp volunteer we met while volunteering, and the other the director of the org. we volunteered with, Purna. We go to the gem shop to meet the boys and it was not pretty. The gem boys were not happy we brought two guy friends with us, and our Nepali friend was not impressed with the gem boys. So, after standing around akwardly I suggest we go for dinner. The Gem boys said they would meet us at the restaurant but they did not end up showing up. I think they were rather put off that we brought other guys with us. My friend, Purna said that they were probably hoping to pick up two "Japanese girls". It was kind of funny cause I could tell that Purna was sizing up the guys and that the gem boys were sizing him up. I could see the reactions on both their faces.
Anyways, it has been fun. Our last night in Kathmandu was spent dancing in a Nepali restaurant. It is fun to dance to music you don't know and just be free and not worry about how silly you look. I enjoyed myself a lot. At the end of the night we were given applause and comments on our dancing.
Onto Delhi now....scary....
I am sad to be leaving Nepal. I will head to Delhi tomorrow. My experience here has been wonderful all except for the random men who keep hitting on me. There are the kind ones whom I have met. These two great store owners not far from where I am staying who invite me in for tea everytime I walk past. One of them I bought some clothes from while another I had two pieces of jewelry made with. And the kind man in the bookstore, who called me his daughter and gave me a beaded bracelet.
The bad random men experience include being asked to dinner twice in one night. The first one was when we were walking down the street and this man who owns a gem stop said, "can I ask you a question?". So I stopped and we ended up going to their shop and chatting for 30 mins. They were nice and asked us for dinner the next night, we said we were busy but they insisted. Not 2 hours later, I was in a store buying a skirt....yes skirt, and was bargaining as is the habit here. The man and I finally agreed to a price and he then said I had to go out for a beer with him, cause he gave me such a good price, well I said no, then his friend grabbed my arm and said dinner then, tomorrow...I said I was busy, then the day after...they were insistant and would not let go of my arm....finally I said, sorry I am leaving Kathmandu tomorrow and cannot come to dinner....they then shook my hand for what felt like 10 mins. Man, I was glad to get out of that store.
So, last night we had our hot date with the gem boys....I called up two guys we know here in Kathmandu, one a peace corp volunteer we met while volunteering, and the other the director of the org. we volunteered with, Purna. We go to the gem shop to meet the boys and it was not pretty. The gem boys were not happy we brought two guy friends with us, and our Nepali friend was not impressed with the gem boys. So, after standing around akwardly I suggest we go for dinner. The Gem boys said they would meet us at the restaurant but they did not end up showing up. I think they were rather put off that we brought other guys with us. My friend, Purna said that they were probably hoping to pick up two "Japanese girls". It was kind of funny cause I could tell that Purna was sizing up the guys and that the gem boys were sizing him up. I could see the reactions on both their faces.
Anyways, it has been fun. Our last night in Kathmandu was spent dancing in a Nepali restaurant. It is fun to dance to music you don't know and just be free and not worry about how silly you look. I enjoyed myself a lot. At the end of the night we were given applause and comments on our dancing.
Onto Delhi now....scary....
Wednesday, August 13, 2003
Saying good bye,
I am now in Kathmandu and have finished my volunteeer work in the village. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit some families of students supported by the organization I volunteered with. I was amazed at the conditions they were living in. They were living in huts with very little electricity and they have only just gotten running water. Children were running around bare foot and had tattered clothing. Education is very expensive for these children and if it weren't for the NEST programme they could not go to school. Unfortunately, not every child can be given a scholarship for school as much as the director would like too. I was reminded of how much I take for granted and how blessed I am. The only way to end the cycle of poverty in Nepal is by education but without money they cannot go to school, it is a never ending cycle. The image of the village is something I will take away with me from Nepal.
I am also sick of saying good bye. This morning, I said good bye to my host family. I totally felt like a part of the family and was treated liked their sister, they even called me sisiter, didi in Nepali. I am touched by how easily I was welcomed into their home and made to feel like a part of their family. I will miss them terribly. Too many good byes in such a short time...
I was also able to dress in Nepali traditional dress and had mendhi done, which is drawing with henna on your hands as well as having henna put in my hair. It is a luxury that you do for your sister or daughter as a treat. I definately look like a nepali in the dress, with the mendi, the arm full of bangles and the yellow string around my wrist (Nepali festival yesterday). It has been an amazing time here. I definately want to come back.
I am now in Kathmandu and have finished my volunteeer work in the village. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit some families of students supported by the organization I volunteered with. I was amazed at the conditions they were living in. They were living in huts with very little electricity and they have only just gotten running water. Children were running around bare foot and had tattered clothing. Education is very expensive for these children and if it weren't for the NEST programme they could not go to school. Unfortunately, not every child can be given a scholarship for school as much as the director would like too. I was reminded of how much I take for granted and how blessed I am. The only way to end the cycle of poverty in Nepal is by education but without money they cannot go to school, it is a never ending cycle. The image of the village is something I will take away with me from Nepal.
I am also sick of saying good bye. This morning, I said good bye to my host family. I totally felt like a part of the family and was treated liked their sister, they even called me sisiter, didi in Nepali. I am touched by how easily I was welcomed into their home and made to feel like a part of their family. I will miss them terribly. Too many good byes in such a short time...
I was also able to dress in Nepali traditional dress and had mendhi done, which is drawing with henna on your hands as well as having henna put in my hair. It is a luxury that you do for your sister or daughter as a treat. I definately look like a nepali in the dress, with the mendi, the arm full of bangles and the yellow string around my wrist (Nepali festival yesterday). It has been an amazing time here. I definately want to come back.
Monday, August 11, 2003
Greetings from Nepal
I am doing well, although my stomach has not been too happy with me as of late, no major grumblings but just a bit of a disagreement. I will be okay though.
The camp is now over and we are planning to head back to Kathmandu in 2 days. I am looking forward to being back in the city with regular internet service.
The camp went well, it was a lot of fun and the kids were awesome. I really enjoyed myself, but now I am exhausted, it was pretty 10 hours a day of high energy. Man, if I have to hear camp songs anymore I will probably scream.
Other than that everything is well. I have adapted fairly well to Nepali life, all except for the toilets but I guess that is life. I am now wearing Nepali dress and have an arm full of glass bangles. It is interesting to be a part of the culture and live with a family. Twice a day we eat Dal baht, which is rice and veggies that you eat with your hands, no utensils. Very interesting seeing how they do not use toilet paper here either. Just have to keep in mind you eat with your right hand and wipe with your left.
I am having problems getting into my sfu account so for the time being it will have to be blogs for updates.
Okay, I will write soon again. When I get back to Kathmandu, that means riding the scary plane, it is so scary, they actually give you cotton balls to stuff in your ears during the flight.....
I am doing well, although my stomach has not been too happy with me as of late, no major grumblings but just a bit of a disagreement. I will be okay though.
The camp is now over and we are planning to head back to Kathmandu in 2 days. I am looking forward to being back in the city with regular internet service.
The camp went well, it was a lot of fun and the kids were awesome. I really enjoyed myself, but now I am exhausted, it was pretty 10 hours a day of high energy. Man, if I have to hear camp songs anymore I will probably scream.
Other than that everything is well. I have adapted fairly well to Nepali life, all except for the toilets but I guess that is life. I am now wearing Nepali dress and have an arm full of glass bangles. It is interesting to be a part of the culture and live with a family. Twice a day we eat Dal baht, which is rice and veggies that you eat with your hands, no utensils. Very interesting seeing how they do not use toilet paper here either. Just have to keep in mind you eat with your right hand and wipe with your left.
I am having problems getting into my sfu account so for the time being it will have to be blogs for updates.
Okay, I will write soon again. When I get back to Kathmandu, that means riding the scary plane, it is so scary, they actually give you cotton balls to stuff in your ears during the flight.....
Thursday, August 07, 2003
Nepal
I have been here in Nepal for almost a week now and our Summer Camp is going well. I cannot believe how well behaved these kids are. They blow my Japanese kids out of the proverbial water. Their English is great, I have 5 year olds speaking to me in English. Japan can learn something about English Education from Nepal. I am teaching Japanese to these kids, strange seeing how I have spent the last 2 years teaching English. The camp is great though but requires me to be always super energetic. At the end of the day I am exhausted.
Health and cleanliness is another story here. The bathroom is a scary place, every morning I take a shower with some companions of the 8 legged variety, needless to say I get in and out as fast as I can. Toilet paper has not been introduced here yet so we bring our own with us everywhere we go. I try not to use the bathroom more than twice a day and only when I really really have to go.
We are doing a homestay here and I am really happy with the family we are staying with. It is the sister and niece of the organizer of the camp. We have been welcomed into their family with open arms and we are planning to cook them dinner tomorrow night. Should be fun...hope they don't suffer from our cooking.
So far Nepalese food has been agreable with me, although I am feeling a little funny today. The diet is mainly rice and veggies that you eat with your hands. You do not use utensils.
Every morning I hope on the back of a motor bike and zoom through the countryside into town from the small village where I am staying. I love the ride, except for the occasional goat, cow, or duck that strays onto our path. This morning we nearly took out a duck on the road. Cows and goats just roam everywhere. We are in a very underdevelopped area. Their is livestock everywhere. The level of poverty is astounding. I cannot believe it somedays. What a huge difference from Japan. Talk about culture shock.
All in all I am having a good time, amazed by the kindness of the Nepali and how we have been welcomed here. Everywhere I go, I am greeted with a smile and namaste. Which means hello, good bye and almost everything else. Nepal is beautiful and more interesting than I could ever have imagined. It is an awesome country.
Okay will update in a few days.
I have been here in Nepal for almost a week now and our Summer Camp is going well. I cannot believe how well behaved these kids are. They blow my Japanese kids out of the proverbial water. Their English is great, I have 5 year olds speaking to me in English. Japan can learn something about English Education from Nepal. I am teaching Japanese to these kids, strange seeing how I have spent the last 2 years teaching English. The camp is great though but requires me to be always super energetic. At the end of the day I am exhausted.
Health and cleanliness is another story here. The bathroom is a scary place, every morning I take a shower with some companions of the 8 legged variety, needless to say I get in and out as fast as I can. Toilet paper has not been introduced here yet so we bring our own with us everywhere we go. I try not to use the bathroom more than twice a day and only when I really really have to go.
We are doing a homestay here and I am really happy with the family we are staying with. It is the sister and niece of the organizer of the camp. We have been welcomed into their family with open arms and we are planning to cook them dinner tomorrow night. Should be fun...hope they don't suffer from our cooking.
So far Nepalese food has been agreable with me, although I am feeling a little funny today. The diet is mainly rice and veggies that you eat with your hands. You do not use utensils.
Every morning I hope on the back of a motor bike and zoom through the countryside into town from the small village where I am staying. I love the ride, except for the occasional goat, cow, or duck that strays onto our path. This morning we nearly took out a duck on the road. Cows and goats just roam everywhere. We are in a very underdevelopped area. Their is livestock everywhere. The level of poverty is astounding. I cannot believe it somedays. What a huge difference from Japan. Talk about culture shock.
All in all I am having a good time, amazed by the kindness of the Nepali and how we have been welcomed here. Everywhere I go, I am greeted with a smile and namaste. Which means hello, good bye and almost everything else. Nepal is beautiful and more interesting than I could ever have imagined. It is an awesome country.
Okay will update in a few days.
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