Vienna, the city of the Unexpected! Part Two

Took my time with this second part of my last blog for my trip. Well apart from having to write a bloody RaR report, for those who do not know what it is. Well LUCKY YOU GUYS!, for those that know what it is. I felt your pain, I felt your sorrow and I some how survived a gruelling three days.

Anyway, the second part of Vienna, the city of Dreams. This part of the blog will not be targeting how gorgeous the city is, it will not be targeting what I found, and how I manage to pass though its many roads. No it will talk about the girl I met, who just was amused by the lost tourist I was.

Those that know me, well I eat, I love eating and I eat non stop, but in Vienna I had a problem. Food, food was just to expensive. Being so, I went to a fast food chain where the food ( for once ) was the cheapest I could find. I ordered 6 chicken nuggets, a large fries, sour cream and a large diet coke (yea yea make the jokes come on you all can). I got my food and went up to the second story to eat. 

There I couldn't find a place to sit down, which had a plug nearby. So I just sat down and started eating, and uploading what photos I had taken. Then this gorgeous girl comes in and sit on the same large table I was sitting at, just at the opposite end. I could notice her looking at me, every now and again and smiling. This is how I realised right behind her there was a holy grail I was looking for. The electricity that I needed to charge my phone, so I went and I asked.

Do you mind I use the charger next to you, and she said yes, and I used it. Then pure Alex fashion, I just started talking to her, because hey why not right? My though on the whole thing, she is not going to reply to me, and she is just going to ignore me. 

Thirty minutes later we were on the subway heading for a park. Three hours later, I was hugging her close, saying bye, holding back a feeling that I was going to lose a good friend which I had made. 

What happened in between?

Well we talked and talked, or again rather, I talked and talked. She listened and laughed, saying I was a 'little bit weird, just a little bit'. Her english vocabulary was not the best, but her accent was as clear as crystal. We went on the ferris wheel of Vienna, been there for centuries. We went on a ride, which she called me a scaredy cat, I was I really was. I was bullied into going on this ride, she called me a chicken among other things.

She talked eventually, she told me about herself. She told me her story, and I listened, she told me her hobbies and I told her mine. We talked and talked and talked. However, we also listened really hard because we wanted to try and get to know each other. 

 

I must admit, at first I was scared she was part of a gang and she was going to take me to a secluded place and steal my dirty clothings (MY SUIT) and leave me on the sidewalk half beaten to death. Yes my imagination is enormous and wild. 

However, what really happened is, I made a friend. I made a friend, and a very good one to. Why? Because I had the guts to follow my intuition and just you know what say. Hi. To a person who I had a good feeling about, to a person who really looked interesting, and who looked like they have a story to say.

I was very sad, to leave, however I know if or rather when I return to Vienna, and the surrounding areas. I got a good Friend waiting for me, and maybe if she comes to Malta. She has a friend over here. 

This is why I love to travel, you meet new people, your live new experiences, you learn what it means to be a citizen of this world. We are no longer nationals of any where, we are no longer part of any country, we have transcended that. We are now nationals of Planet earth.

With that said, we have a long way to go. So I will just keep in contact with my new Austrian friend and hopefully one day when I finally move into Vienna, we can repeat this experience and see how much we both have changed since now. (She is the one hiding behind me, this one does not like her photos xD)

The burger

A fleeting feeling,
Brushing fingers,
Trying to not spill
Yet to satiate,

A bite,
And all is forgotten,

Juice running down,
Sause oozing out the sides,

For the bite of the hungry,
A burger exists,
And ceases to exist
When the hungry are no more.

Day 4: Names, stories, inspiration.

The organisers asked us to say what was the most inspirational participant for you, however for me. Everyone gave me something, and this is what you guys gave me.

Hassan Rassmy : Persistent, what did he teach me;
Where there is a will there is a way.

Ariana Kostic : Mischievous, what did she teach me;
There is fun in anything.

Alina Dima : Quite, what did she teach me;
You do not have to be loud to be heard

Edin Sabljica: Calm, what did he teach me;
There is a time and place for everything.

Filippa Braarud: Smiling, what did she teach me;
As long as you have a smile on your face everything is easier.

Alena Cierna: Wise, what did she teach me;
I am still young.

Ekaterina Kuznetsova: Attentive, what did she teach me;
Look around you, there is more happening than you can see.

Irena Pejic: Listener, what did she teach me;
 Never forget that those around you have an opinion.

Blerton Zejneli: Initiator, what did he teach me;
Go for it, take the chance.

Ekaterina Smith: Bad-ass, what did she teach me;
The cover doesn't always indicate what's inside a book.

Pavlo Cherkashyn: Intelligent, what did he teach me;
The world is a much bigger place then I thought.

Modesta Dragasiute: Modesty, what did she teach me;
You do not have to be the best. To be great!

Eva Viidemann: Simple, what did she teach me;
Even the most basic of things can make us happy.

Diane Delave: Simple, what did she teach me;
Be happy of who you are!

Erekle Chanchibabze: Mysterious, what did he teach me;
Sometimes if you keep yourself to yourself its not such a bad thing.

Daria Urekina: Perceptive, what did she teach me;
That I can forget who I am, and I need to remember who I am.

Gentina Gola: Fun, what did she teach me;
There is always time for an other photo! xD

Jan Tomastik: Honest, what did he teach me;
Always know your limit before you try to over come it.

Theodor Marcu: Positive, what did he teach me;
There is so much good in the world, we need to preserve it.

Ryan Mercieca: Learner, what did he teach me:
There is a lesson to be learnt in everything you do.

Joana Larsen: Happy, what did she teach me;
Laugh till it hurts and then laugh some more!

The girl with the talking eyes.

No this is not me falling in love, however it is my romantic side talking. Yes, I met so many different people and I will mention them all however, this one person left an impact. She astounded me, she said so little, however, those eyes of hers spoke for her. Those eyes narrated the world, they sang a story of something hidden inside. Dark, that's what she called it, deep and hidden I could see something. But even if she said it was Dark, I saw light, I saw care and love, pain and laughter, I saw mischief. Most importantly I saw an honest person.

I know she will probably not read this, but even if she did, she will deny the existence of such a thing, and will say I'm dark. Whilst smoking a cigarette in the most fashionable way possible. However, those talking eyes, I will never forget the impact they left on my life. A person who says everything, but says nothing, that is truly an experience.

Anyway, a reminder for myself, of the variety of people living out there.

Day 3: On the third day!

This day was, tiring, draining but fulfilling. We had three massive debates, starting the morning, with a light discussion about the possibility of enlarging the EU, by light debate, we had countless questions to the speakers in question. Who where stunned by the groups involvement.

I could not contribute as much to this debate, solely based on the fact I never had given it much though, for me It was always the more the merrier, however the problem of a single state, blurring the lines of so many different cultures and nations, caused me to think what it really means to join the EU.

This however was nothing, in comparison with was coming up, Syria, they asked us a question and we where supposed to come up with an idea on how to solve the problem. The problem that everyone is trying to solve, the whole group was dumb founded on what to do. Everyone was proposing random ideas; someone suggested to split Syria into different states, someone suggested to help the rebels with an army and then my groups suggestion. Aid Assad to get stability back to the region and stop the massacres which are occurring. Then use this as a chance to rebuild a society, and give the people the chance for a democratic government, the price the Assad Regime it would have to pay to survive the war. Needless to say it was chaotic and before we knew it, we ran out of time, ran out of time to discuss. We continued even in our break to talk about it, wishing we can do something about this problem.The problem not of a dictator ship, but the problem of genocide.

OK ENOUGH ABOUT THAT!

What's next on the agenda, oh that thing ttip, you know that thing that no one knows anything about, and no one wants to say anything about it and no one wants to talk about and no one can talk about it. Why ? Because nothing has been launched officially, yet people are making a fuss about it like nothing before! SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING BEFORE TALKING! There I said it, that was my entire feeling about the matter, and it took me around 10s to say it no need for that pesky 2 minute timer (yes the organisers put a timer because we where taking so long in each debate that we drove them insane, sorry guys I apologise xD)

NOW FOR THE FUN BIT, the drinking, in the rain, in one of the oldest roads of Bratislava, with some of the best people in the world. Yea that's about how much I remember of the night, I know we ended in an underground club, then I was inside a shitty club, a crazy local was shoving people out of the way, then he was throwing old nokia phones at the floor trying to break the floor. Then I met with a crazy local fella, who took me around for drinks, then I  found a purple umbrella in the street which was broken, then I saw a drunk English lady sleeping on a sofa. Then I found myself drinking pepsi from a glass bottle, then I was walking home, then I was outside on the terrace talking to a new friend. Then I was sleep....It was a night to remember. xD Pity I dont remember it all in a coherent manner, but I know I have made some friends, that I will never lose as many years will pass, I will keep them close by.

Vienna! The First Part

Vienna, yes yes i know I skipped 2 days, but will be getting to those later. Vienna, has stolen my heart like it was only stolen once before, as such this city deserves the most importance of attentions and needs like no other.

I will, say this. I come from Malta, Malta the country of history, of architecture, the country of so much depth that, when I usually go to other countries, I am left with disappointment, this due to the country I am from and the background I am from. However, noting could prepare me for Vienna, the city of Dreams. I was transfixed, like the tourist I am I got lost, almost instantaneously, and found myself at the Belvedere, one of the most beautiful buildings I had ever seen in my life, thumped only by what I was about to see soon after.

Street after street of the most majestic buildings, the people in the street the loveliest and most charming, helping me and my touristy selfy taking psyco side. I tasted the best water, I ever had in my life, it was something out of this world, maybe I am talking because I was parched, but it was amazing, kept me going for the whole day.

I do not even know the places I have been to, but I know how beautiful they are, uploading them as we speak, and because I found it  such an interesting place and such a wonder city, building on the fact that I can learn so much from this city. A city which holds so many important institutions and experiences waiting to be discovered would teach me so much. This is one city which I will  be coming to again, and I am going to do my best to learn as much as possible. Now before part two of what happened in Vienna, I will take my leave since I must soon board the flight heart broken leaving such a wonder behind.

Edit: Here be some photos for those who haven't seen the beautiful city!

Day 2: The Bratislavian Summit.

The Chairman Gives the Floor for Moderated Caucus:

Hell ensues, a debate of such intensity and accuracy took place, the leaders from each party kept arguing, counter arguing and building diplomatic ties, or in some cases erasing them. Forcing the process to start again from the beginning.

The only difference, this was just us a group of students, a group of people from such a varied background, than the one we where representing. People from backgrounds ranging from Law, to Classical Science. People who are so eager to do something that they met together and came together just for the reason of learning and growing.

We where Split up in four different groups, the Russian Federation, The Republic of Ukraine, the EU and The USA; the topic of discussion, the Crimean annexation.

A topic which right now, is of the hottest of issues, but its not the material that was important, it was the energy in the room, the will to try and find a solution it was the fact that it is possible to get so many people of so many different backgrounds to just discuss talk, and help themselves grow.

A resolution was achieved, a result was obtained however, this result means nothing if we do not have the people to keep something like this happening. I must say however, that from what I see, these people are there, these people are ready to take up where the current people have left everything, and they are ready and willing to keep the torch going on.

As long as there is someone to hold the torch, there is hope for a brighter and better future. As long as there are people who are ready to do what is needed to be done, we are going to have a future. So lets make sure we inspire people to do what is needed to be done.

DAY 1: Well a tad late!

WHAT an experience, arrived here, got scammed like a real turist would be, HOWEVER I did get into the hang of things and here I am 2 days later sitting in the middle of the conference and I JUST NEEDED TO WRITE.

First day, well that was a blast as I said I got scammed, I cannot believe that this happened, someone who comes from Malta. However, putting self stereotypes aside, the first day was amazing, the first speaker just was a mixture of incredible and just crazy, the good kind. That kind of crazy that pushes you forward and gives you energy to keep going on. So Owen Fernadez gave a great motivational spin to the session and it kick started our energy working together.

Twenty-two brilliant people, that's what I can say about everyone here, I am just sad and slightly pissed of that I have such little time with them but I can say I made some friends here, and how where these friends made. Well, the first workshop, split us into four parts, North, South, East and West; then we had a problem given to us, we where given a country and we were told to solve our problems. I got my heart and soul into this as the Minister for Finance and Economy of the North, also the Deputy Prime Minister. 

We did not stop till we conquered the rest of the three countries, no not really, after a long diplomatic and very agitated meeting we finally arrived on a consensus which allowed, the north and south strong economic and brilliant relations, aggressive stance against my countries enemies.

Then came the bonding, I am so happy to meet my old friends from BFTF 2011 here, Hassan, Alena and Genta. I cannot believe that after all these years we met and we still are the best possible friends. Talking about everything from about what we did last weekend, to how the world is going down the drain and what we can do to help it out. We had a dinner which was amazing and this was I must note some of the best food I had in a long long time. After that came the beer, BEER so good over here and so cheap (Heaven).

Then we started integrating and making friends with the others here, I will admit I am still having problems remembering most of the names, simple minded fool I am, however these people I can see in five years time, ten years time. These people will be managing and organising, they will be leading and guiding their respective areas and be a force to be reckoned with.

These people, they are the future, and here I am listing in and giving my little own opinion which is so heavily influenced by my scientific background, giving me a point of view outside science however allowing me to apply what I know, the scientific method, and use it to solve the problems they keep throwing at us.

As you can see from this photo I should get back to the conference see you in a bit guys!

Here I go again! #YLTE2014

Off I am to Bratislavia, for the YLTE conference, which is being organised by the IDteam. 

Now that the mentions are out of the way, what will this conference bring to me, a rambling and opinionated, at least that's what I think I am mostly, person? In all honesty this opportunity for me is one of networking, more then anything else, it is true important issues will be discussed and a resolution will be sought for these issues, I will do my utmost to contribute to these resolutions and give me 100% and more, however at the end what is the most valuable thing out of this is making contacts, making friends which will last for years allowing me to broaden my horizons. 

I live on an island, isolated from the rest of the world to a large degree, especially since I live on the sister island of Malta, Gozo, the isolation happens naturally, the mentality of the elder generation, yes that means I am getting old as well being the current gen, is quite restricted. However, there is hope, this hope comes in the new youth which are highly active and are doing their best to integrate with other cultures. This integration, this mixing and learning, this is what in my opinion allows a country to grow and mature. It allows us to learn from each other, trust others and different cultures and above all else not be afraid of change, as many people are.

Anyway better try and cap my rambling to a point! 

Mean while I am at the airport at 6 am in the morning waiting for my flight. With a sleepy Gozitan right next to me who is mumbling under his breath while sleeping off his long night. (The guy in orange) Now im off to join him in sleep. Ta Ta.

Harassment!

So, here I am doing my own little things in this very big world, knowing that I am just one drop of water, in an ocean of droplets, knowing that being one drop, as large as I can get, I will just always be one drop, thats when I see other drops struggling, thats when I see other drops working their asses off to make what they believe a reality.

Today I saw a page on facebook, which I really want to support and endorse their struggle as futile as it is, I will stand by what they are trying to do. Because it is such a noble cause, they are trying to stop street harassment they are trying to stop, those  disgusting remarks being sent to women walking in the street.

That immagine left such an effect on me, who would say these things and be in the right frame of mind? Well us men, thats who us men who were never though respect, us men who were never told how to talk to a female without being scared little aholes.

I am afraid the problem is that most people do not think this is a problem, the problem is that most people think this is ok. IT IS NOT OK, these are the same people who will campaign about not killing animals because its inhumane to breed them in small areas, these are the same people who would do their best to be nice to those around them but feel that cat calling someone is a good thing.

I must say, I used to be like this, till someone changed my view, till someone showed me that this is not how it should be. I was lied to, not by those around me, not by my society, I was lied to by myself. I used to say, its right, yet some how in my heart of hearts, I always knew I was wrong, I always knew I was not in the right.

Go to this facebook page and give them your support. They deserve it, I really appreciate what they have done, it is something that we all should do.

https://www.facebook.com/StopStreetHarassment?ref=br_tf

Crossroads.

What is the purpose

of living

when inside you 

are dead.

What is the purpose 

of existing

when inside you

are empty.

What is the reason

to survive

when there is

no escape 

What is the reason

to try

when there is

no hope.

We are the 

person which

we made 

ourselves to be.

We have no

excuse

we have no

one to blame.

But us

our decisions,

our actions

make us

Define us,

define who we 

are

rather.

Define who 

we think

we 

are.

These actions 

we take 

when

we wake up.

These actions

we take

when 

we go to sleep.

Every day

every moment

we are at a crossroad

a fork in the road.

But we cannot decide

we cannot always decide

thus we have to take a 

leap of faith.

Making our life

a game

a game of chance

with no jack pot.

Just
who

makes the 

most moves.

The question

remains,

how many

moves are left?