Yes I have been in Frankfurt, Germany since 8th Feb. Considering its 21st today its been quite a long trip. It was a work related trip but I wouldn't say I didn't get time to look around.
It was hectic and tense in the early few days due to the project implementation but as days went by we sort of settled into it all. Leaving tomorrow to go back home and I feel much more relaxed.
It was a good time of the year to visit as we got to see the German winters. Snowfall and close to minus 5 degrees, we don't exactly get that in UAE or in Karachi. This was the first time I saw snowfall so another check mark on the UTP list called "Things to see/do before I die".
We went out on the 2 weekends. The first one, we went for a City Tour. It was cold and dull but we later realized it was the perfect day to go out cos it was the Carnival. Everybody was out on the streets and dancing in open air. First there was a wannabe funny city guide speaking his German-English who took us through the city tour and then we got off in the middle of the city. It was an experience seeing the carnival with bands marching and throwing away sweets to the people on the sides. We turned kids that day and collected lots of sweets.
This weekend it was even better. We planned a trip to the the opera on the Saturday evening. I had always wanted to see an opera. We went to a show which was an Italian Tragedy. I speak with confidence now as I write but only I know how confusing it was on the day. We laughed for the first hour or so as we didn't get a word of the screaming/crying like singing. Of course it was muffled but there was a moment where we were bursting with laughter with people on our sides giving us the looks. I don't blame them cos there was nothing funny at all. People dying and lovers breaking up, it was that kind of an opera. But it was an experience to have for sure. After the first break, we found an American lady who helped us get the story a bit as she understood German as well. It made a lot of sense in the next 2 hours and I would say it met my expectations of what I had in mind for an opera.
Then today we took a full day pass which could be used on trams/trains/buses. That was a good idea and the cheapest to travel around on a Sunday. We went around changing trams and trains and buses and roamed around the small city. Had some coffee and bread wherever possible. They make some good bread here. We have had many days with no lunch and only some bread. Good variety as well.
It all ended with a nice show of Irish Riverdance. It was a treat to say the least. This was yet another thing that I had wished to watch and I got the opportunity. They had brought good variety of Russian, American and Spanish dance fusion with Irish Riverdance. Pretty interesting.
So a good thing to wrap it all off. Good work put in all through and a nice treat to close out the trip.
Head back home tomorrow, to my family which I am missing for quite a few days now. The calendar year has a lot of travel involved so plan to write a post for each trip.
Bad Deal - Trade in Today for Tomorrow
I have been thinking about this for quite some time now.
The way I have been working this last few months and telling myself its just this year. This year is for the great future. That is what I have been telling my wife also. That is what I am telling myself again and again for last few hours also as my daughter turns 4 in a few hours.
Is it really worth it? I am stuck here in another country while my family is back in homeland. The formalities for travel just wouldn't process faster for us to be together and I be with her for her birthday. Here it comes that thought again... "It's just this year... this year for the future..."
I have been working real hard. Too hard some people say. Its just that I am enjoying it as well as I know there is much to look forward to. But at what cost. Sacrifice of family time. Sacrifice of my daughter's birthday.
I have been thinking. Is this a good deal? If somebody asks me to trade in today for yesterday, I would probably say yes. I have written on this aspect before. But on the other side of it, would I trade in today for a better tomorrow?
I think that is a rhetorical question. I think we already have.
We are always chasing after things. Look at us. Just stop...and look at yourself.
There is always something ahead to chase for. But what about what you worked for this last few days, weeks, years... This was something you wanted to bad. So now that you have got what you worked for, just stop and live a little? Stop to smell the flowers. Admire this beautiful world God created.
Nah. I would rather keep running this rat race right? We are really stupid you know. We don't notice it because we are in majority. Its like if everybody is doing it, that's how it should be.
I am so pissed at myself today. I'll not be around my daughter for her 4th birthday. This goes in history. History repeats itself. I hate myself today. I made a bad deal. Traded in today for tomorrow.
Happy Birthday Caterpillar. Lots of prayers.
The way I have been working this last few months and telling myself its just this year. This year is for the great future. That is what I have been telling my wife also. That is what I am telling myself again and again for last few hours also as my daughter turns 4 in a few hours.
Is it really worth it? I am stuck here in another country while my family is back in homeland. The formalities for travel just wouldn't process faster for us to be together and I be with her for her birthday. Here it comes that thought again... "It's just this year... this year for the future..."
I have been working real hard. Too hard some people say. Its just that I am enjoying it as well as I know there is much to look forward to. But at what cost. Sacrifice of family time. Sacrifice of my daughter's birthday.
I have been thinking. Is this a good deal? If somebody asks me to trade in today for yesterday, I would probably say yes. I have written on this aspect before. But on the other side of it, would I trade in today for a better tomorrow?
I think that is a rhetorical question. I think we already have.
We are always chasing after things. Look at us. Just stop...and look at yourself.
There is always something ahead to chase for. But what about what you worked for this last few days, weeks, years... This was something you wanted to bad. So now that you have got what you worked for, just stop and live a little? Stop to smell the flowers. Admire this beautiful world God created.
Nah. I would rather keep running this rat race right? We are really stupid you know. We don't notice it because we are in majority. Its like if everybody is doing it, that's how it should be.
I am so pissed at myself today. I'll not be around my daughter for her 4th birthday. This goes in history. History repeats itself. I hate myself today. I made a bad deal. Traded in today for tomorrow.
Happy Birthday Caterpillar. Lots of prayers.
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