2nd day in DC: Georgetown and Union Station

Georgetown is a quiet neighborhood in Washington D.C. where you can see DC's oldest building, the Old Stone House:

It was built in 1765.

Yes, the school buses do exist, it's not just a movie prop...

Georgetown's university.

A building in one of the main streets...

Riggs Bank.

My first meal in a dinner. Brownie, icecream and whipped cream.

The spy museum in DC has some nice ideas for ads.

Yes, That's me under the flag. It's not just the country and the buildings that are huge, it's the flag too.

Both photos are outside the Union Station, the train station in Washington D.C.

The train station has a bookstore. 'Nuff said.

Washington DC: 4th of July

Only in a civilized country would an independance day celebration end with nothing being destroyed or with me not getting angry at drunk people. It also happened in Belgium but I'm still not quite used to it.

In the afternoon people were already getting ready for the fireworks.

Celebrating the end of 'being British and paying taxes to the king' included a picnic in the parc. There was also a free concert with several artists but as much I as I love Aretha Franklin, I couldn't queue all day. I caught only the end of the parade but I think I got the best part:

an Uncle Sam eagle that looked like a duck that you see on the right side of the photo and a Hare Krishna carriage being pulled by hundreds of believers...


I was also fortunate enough to arrive here in time to see part of the Smithsonian folk life Festival, it wasn't something I had anticipated but it was great. The Smithsonian museum includes several museums such as the Air and Space Museum and Udvar-Hazy Center, American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery, American Indian Museum, American History Museum, National Zoo, Natural History Museum and many others. And the best part is that ALL THE MUSEUMS ARE FREE.

So after browsing through the folk festival, my first hours in DC were spent dancing away to a Columbian group called Las cantadoras del Pacifico.

Two of the singers were born in the 1930's and they could outdance anyone.

As the time for the fireworks approached the crowd went all the way from the memorial to the capitol hill, believe me it was more than a football stadium full of people, it was the biggest picnic display I ever saw.

America: the land of broken phones

For reasons that only my best friend would have, she couldn't pick me up from the airport. So she arranged for a friend to pick her up and another to lodge me for the first night. It all sounded perfect, but since it was me and her we were sure something would happen on my arrival to the United States.

Both planes were on time and I only got lost once in the New Jersey Liberty airport, so all was going well. I found out that my Belgian number doesn't work in the states so I bought a phone card.

I landed and picked up my bags and looked for a girl with bright clothes, maybe with a sign with my name on it (yes, that was the only description my best friend gave me, very detailed as you see). No such girl around. I went outside to the passenger pickup area and waited about 15m. I almost went to talk to an Indian-looking girl that had a bright orange blouse. After a bit I decided to give the girl a call. The first phone was out of order so I dragged my bags a bit more to the left and tried the second phone, also not working. I dragged the bags again... In total there were five phones not working in that whole row. When I finally managed to get a dial tone I only got her voicemail.

Sigh.

I called my friend and asked for help. Apparently the girl had already called her and was searching for me somewhere in the airport. I told my friend what I was wearing and my coordinates (I was very, very specific) and waited 10m. No one showed up. So I called my friend again. The girl had given up on finding me and was sitting in her car next to door seven (I was before door one).

'What car does she drive? there are loads of cars outside.'
'Oh. I should know this... I was already in that car....'
'Ok, never mind.'

I dragged my bags all the way to door seven. Luckily the girl noticed me and waved. As soon as I saw her I made a mental note to slap my best friend in the head for her wonderful description (girl, bright clothes), the girl was black and bald. Not wearing any bright clothes at all by the way. Very detailed description indeed.

After a long drive (this country is way too big) we managed to get to the area of where my friend lives. It took us 20m to get there as we circled it but couldn't quite find it. My body was telling me it was almost one in the morning but here it was only seven in the evening.

I went to the reception (my friend lives in a dorm) and announced myself and asked for the girl that was going to house me for the night. She didn't pick up the phone. We tried five times. I asked for a phone so I could ask my friend to call the missing girl. The phone was also not working. I laughed.

I sat on the reception area with my bags trying to think of how long it would be appropriate to wait until I started thinking of going to a hotel. A girl sat next to me and we started talking, she knew both my friend and the missing girl. She called her cellphone and of course she didn't pick up. I had been waiting for almost one hour by then.

A few minutes later the missing girl shows up in her pijama. She was surprised to see me. The phone in her room didn't ring. Yep, another one not working.


Now I'm going to see the 4th of July celebrations and not use a single phone over the next couple of days.

Here I go

To the States this Friday. Just in time for the 4th of July. 

Details for the curious people

After my balloons post everyone wanted more details on the surprise hen party I organized, I thought I'd share a photo of the presents and a summary of my trip to Brussels to buy them.

My last job was very very boring and mostly had boring people. However it was right in the center, I could go to eat in a nice restaurant for lunch, go shopping and sit in a park. All nice things. Parallel to the shopping street is the sex-shops street (of course, it is. They know what they are doing when they set them up) If you're from a small town you'll probably wonder what I mean with 'sex-shop street'. Let's just say that both sides of the street have several shops, from all kinds, from S&M stuff, to only videos, to peep shows... And it's not even on the red district area.

Once the date and the girls were ready to pretend they knew nothing of a surprise party I went to spend an afternoon browsing for fun stuff. I saw everything from sexy underwear, scary underwear, eadible underwear, nurse/nuns/ scouts/ school girl/teacher uniforms, whips, handcuffs, dildos, vibrators, masks, feathers to lots of stuff I didn't even know how it worked. So I did what I had to do, get over my awkwardness and ask questions. I explained it was for a hen party, which in French is literally something like: the burial of the 'young woman's life' (I think they mean 'single' life, not that you'll be old and decrepit once you say 'I do'.) and I thought it would be a smooth ride after that. It wasn't.

'What does your friend like?'

Problem number one. I never slept with her, never got into a detailed conversation that allowed me to reply to the guy. I shrugged.

'OK. Do you want to give her something for her to wear on the night, something for the honey moon, something to have fun once or something that she can keep and use whenever she wants, maybe a costume for the party?'

Problem number two. I dunno. I smiled and tried to look like a nice innocent girl while I gathered my thoughts. I could see the guy was trying to be helpful.

'How about I have a look around to see what you have and then decide?'

'If you have any questions I'll be downstairs.'

As soon as he left and I started looking around I had a huge smile on my face. There were some interesting things for sure! But what would my friend like? I saw a box with a vibrator, handcuffs, a mask an anal vibrator and a feather and decided to call for help. I called a friend of the victim and asked her opinion. 

Once out of the store I went to other stores to see and compare. The one on the right was mostly for sexy or specialized underwear, another for hardcore S&M (some things looked scary) and in the fourth one as I was deciding to go in a guy came out pulling his zipper up so I decided against it...

The first store with the helpful guy that probably thinks I'm a bit slow was the best one.

The nice helpful guy suggested that I do my own combo of sex-toys. He even coordinated the colors! In the end there was so much stuff he had to problems closing the bag.

While he packed everything I noticed a shelf of genitalia piercing items. I knew only the common stuff you see in movies so I was amazed with the choice I was seeing. There was all types of shapes and sizes and for several points of the genitalia as the owner (who had been watching me from the beginning) pointed out. She even explained some to me. 

'Interested?'

How could I explain that just by looking at some of them I felt an urge to cross my legs?

'Curious... But it's not for me.'

'Some really enhance the pleasure.'

'I'm sure. I believe you, I really do but it really wouldn't work for me. That one on the right has just made me dizzy just by looking at it.'  I felt pale. She laughed. I looked to the lower shelf.

'What is that one supposed to be?'

'A horse.'

'And where-'

'Men put it under one of the balls, usually both.'

I like this open age and country when a sex-shop is no longer a dark and slimy place and you can have your questions answered in a clear way. That's part of who I am, I like to understand things.

'And that one? Is that a-'

'Yes, that's a lightning. For the clitoris.'

I shivered. The nice helpful guy was done wrapping, I wanted to hug him.

He said 'have fun' when I left. Personally I blame all those sissy girls that say they are shopping for a friend when it's really for them. 

I left the store with a whole new knowledge. And with a small paper bag packed with sex toys. All the way to the train station I prayed it wouldn't rip.

Items bought: handcuffs, edible massage oil, mask, feather, kamasutra dice (you throw to see which position you do it), edible dust that you spread with a vibrating brush on the partners body and then lick off, a vibrating bath duck. 

Items not included: batteries and a way to find out for sure the bride and groom enjoyed the presents.

Why I love Brussels

A slideshow with comments. Once you see the amount of photos I think you'll forgive me for the lack of posts lately.

If Picasa supported music in their slideshows I'd add this track I found last Friday. It's called Remmidemmi.

P.S. Please let the slideshow load, if after a bit you don't see anything you're probably my sister. I suggest reloading or using another browser.

After the wedding

I feel muscle pain like I did after a 2 hour kung-fu training.

Introducing Mechelen

Mechelen is a quiet little town in Flanders. Why do I like it? Besides the bicycle paths all over the city and its surroundings, there is a nice canal with weird boats (bicycle path follows it through 60km) and the center is actually full of shops and a great church.

I get to see storks up close. Yep, it's that quiet and nice.

The bad thing is that you need to take the train to Brussels. If you're like me leave well in advance and walk slowly towards the station. Why do you want to leave the peace and quiet and go to Brussels? More on that soon...

Belgian balloons

Despite what the blog might indicate I've been keeping myself busy during these forced holidays. I have a new passport, paid my taxes, organized a hen party and Friday I am attending a wedding and acting as official DJ. All this in a country full of chocolates, beer and comics. It's been hard, I tell you...The best part so far - apart from seeing my friends and eating like a homeless in a free buffet - was attaching balloons to a bicycle and crossing a town at full speed. Have you ever heard the sound of 10 balloons rustling against the wind? Let's just say that a lot of people turned their heads, winced (to make sure their eyes weren't playing tricks on them) and then gave me a huge smile. Naturally it was a windy day.

Another fun bit was going on the train with said balloons. It was an old train so I couldn't fit in with the balloons and sit down, I had to stand between to carriages right in front of the door. Which is perfect if you want even more people to see you, one guy even missed his step while giggling at me. A friend of a friend went to pick me up and asked me how she would recognize me. 'I have balloons, you can't miss me.' And there I was, backpack with wine and snacks, phone in one hand, balloons in another, she knew exactly who I was. As did half the town.

For those planning to do something similar make sure the balloons' string isn't too long otherwise you'll hit passing cars and little kids. On that order.

Daytrip: Maastricht, Netherlands

For reasons that are uninteresting to this post the bride-to-be choose a seamstress whose shop is in The Netherlands, more precisely in Maastricht.

So for several Saturdays my friend took the train to Maastricht and I was lucky enough to join her on the last ones. Last time despite the glorious weather we didn't see much more than the route between the train station and the shop. This time however we made sure to visit the town. Naturally it was cold. And no, not just for me that just arrived from Thailand. If you looked at everyone's clothes and not the calendar you'd think it was Autumn.


I had an ice cream just because. It took me over 20 minutes to warm up my hand afterwards but I was still very happy about having some cookie dough.


The trip was an overall success we laughed at things no one else would understand or find funny (it's time to stop trying to explain ''you had to be there'' moments), the dress was ready and I left my empty cookie dough package in the seamstress desk. Not on purpose, I swear.

The last five minutes in the store were very confusing. I couldn't find a garbage bin so I set the package on the table for two seconds. Then my friend was showing off her dress to other guests, and because of my wide smile they thought I was the proud girlfriend. The smile was mostly because I heard the dress' explanation and story several times and because I was struggling to understand Dutch. While I was trying to correct that detail the seamstress wished me a happy return to Bolivia. To where? To Indonesia. I stuttered Thailand and groom somehow. Everyone was laughing, I wanted to leave so I opened the door as fast as I could. The door got stuck in the rug and I could barely squeeze myself out. And half way to the train station we realized the package was still on top of a very fancy table in a very fancy store...

The art scene in Maastricht:

I couldn't resist posting this

Before you ask me how if it's related to traveling, it isn't. (Well, maybe traveling back in time.) But I thought I should share this literal video with you all...

No much excitement over the next few weeks

The blog will slow down over the next couple of weeks as I am organizing a hen party and helping out the almost newly weds. Since they both read the blog, I won't be able to share much...

Belgium actually has nice sunny weather, it's a true miracle.

Like a running stone

Zach Braff in Garden State.

You know those author films where the main character is going through either a crisis or some sort of revelation and there is a moment when he or she is clearly set apart? I mean really set apart, different, the one moment when you know for sure that particular character is alone in some way?

It can be, for example, Zach Braff is on a plane and everybody's reading light is off except his (in Garden state) or it can be Scarlett Johanson walking through the streets of Tokyo looking glum in Lost in Translation...

I'm sure you can think of your own examples (if you're that geeky send me a list of films) but today I had my own "everybody's light is off except mine moment in Western civilization".

I was stepping out of the metro at my own pace when suddenly a woman next to me started running. Then the guy on my other side started to run too. Despite the suits and bags and all they ran pretty fast. I look behind me and people are starting to run. Well, I don't know why but I started to run too. I thought 'I'll be damn if that old lady is going to out run me!' And while I was running I was looking from side to side to see if anyone knew where we were going, if anyone had a God damn clue. All I saw was very eager people. I asked myself, 'why am I running? I have nowhere to go, no one's expecting me.' so I stopped running. I was the only one. No one bumped into me but I saw them run all around me towards the exit.

I miss the Asian calm.

Arrived tired but safely to Brussels

Somehow it doesn't feel like I've been away only a few months, it feels like I've been away longer. Strange. Maybe it's because so much happened. So here are so far the differences I noticed:

1. It's cold. (hey, I just left a tropical country, European nice weather is cold for me...)
2. Empty streets or with only one car.
3. Cheese and milk. (You can't get them in Sangklaburi).
4. I'm no longer a minority, I can mingle in  a crowd.
5. Shops closed during the day. I had forgotten how exciting Belgian sundays are.
6. My cat is way bigger...

This would be a culture shock in any country

Contemporary art is difficult sometimes, isn't it? Both are set in a busy street in Bangkok.

If there are any art critics/scholars out there by all means...

Gaming in Thailand (and Asia, I suppose)

Back home anyone who plays videogames for more than just occasional fun is considered a geek (I've recently found out "geek" means something completely different in Thai but more of that some other time), if by chance the person plays videogames let's say, everyday then they are a serious geek, a nerd.

I am curious to try this one, you beat the drums at a certain rhythm.

Like the whole karaoke thing I've mentioned before gaming is a non-issue. It's like Asians (again, this is just a general thing, I'm not saying all countries of one continent behave the same) pick up all the stuff we are embarrassed about and decided to have fun with it.


No matter what time of the day in the thousands of game houses, net places, shopping centers, hidden corners under escalators you'll find Thais of all ages playing a game. Even supermarkets have a little gaming corner.

Mostly it is boys, yes but there are more than enough girls. They just play different games. Boys tend to go to the shooting, racing, fighting ones and of course, guitar hero (I can tell you first hand, those speakers are LOUD). Women and older men play matching images games, suduko, puzzles etc, girls play less violent action games, sport etc


And if you're good enough you'll get a little or bigger crowd. Usually little kids are always included. It is a LOT cheaper than Europe (more or less 2e for enough time to reach the final level while in Europe now the starting price is usually 2e). I am proud to say that I attracted a small crowd while shooting zombies. I've even heard that in Korea some people make a living out of playing videogames, sadly I'm not that good.

To Bangkok's tuk-tuk and taxi drivers

Waiving your hand at me while your other hand picks your nose is NOT going to work.

Back to Belgium

Due to my country's strange rules it would be easier to lose my passport than to do one abroad. With that I would need a visa to go to the United States which implies more money, more paperwork and an interview where I could not make any jokes.

At the same time my tax situation in Belgium became insane and I was getting so homesick that I was considering attending a wedding. I detest weddings so that was clearly a sign.

So Belgium here I go. The paperwork should take at least 2 weeks and just hugging people another week. I'll go to the States after my hug quote is full.

So a month of paperwork and queueing, hugging people, crashing on sofas and not eating rice. Sounds ok to me.

Traveling bug hits again

S you might have noticed from the big image on top, I'm going to the States. Well, let's see if they let me in but that's the idea anyways.

I'm going to visit my best friend who is working there until September.

In case your wondering how my budget copes, it doesn't. Me and my best friend have a weird deal of who has money at the time sponsors the other one, so I paid for India when I had a job and now she pays for this because one day years ago a fortune teller told me I was going to be rich in my thirties (or was it forties?).

This was arranged months ago, I was supposed to go in July but well, things happen.

We're looing into cheap flight now so I might have to stop over in NY first. As soon as I know I'll update the photo. I do have two more guides to show everyone but since most of them (and the notebooks) are in Belgium the photo would lose its appeal.

Has anyone visited the area before? Any advices? Do you think the swine flu will cause all the museums (free entrance!) to close?

If I wasn't so tired I'd be more extatic.

First day of school (new term)

Children of the forest received about 70 new students. At this point I'll bet the director is going over the budget and wondering where she can get more money from.

Can you imagine that? 70 more mouths to feed, 70 more books, 70 more items of clothes, 70 more students to teach...