Utrecht Weekend

Sorry I haven’t updated my blog since my last super update.

The latest adventure was last weekend (May 21^st-22^nd) for the reception weekend in Utrecht. I’ve been to Utrecht many times already, mostly for work, but I haven’t truly wandered around the city before. For Ana, Shing, and Shangxia, it was their first reception weekend.

We arrived in time for lunch. It was nice to see some familiar faces again. This reception weekend made me feel quite “homey” since there were 4 Canadian Trainee besides me. After lunch, we proceeded to the sports field for some fun and games.

It was so nice to play beach volleyball again. Also interesting was playing hockey again, field hockey that is. Field hockey is really different from the ice hockey that I know and love. The sticks are a lot shorter and the “blade” looks more like a handle on an umbrella. Also, you are only allowed to make contact with one side of the blade, the flat side, while the other side is rounded. Also, the playing field is much larger and more resembles a football (Soccer for North Americans) field. In fact, the players stay on for the full length of the match. I think I need to take up running again, since after 10min, I was totally exhausted from running around. Still, it was quite fun but I still prefer ice hockey.

After a long day of playing sports, dinner was a nice BBQ. This reception weekend was the last one of the year (with July being the start of the new year) and so there was an award ceremony for the LCs in all sorts of categories. Unfortunately we didn’t we anything, but if there was a category for the best Trainees, I think we would have won =)

I arranged to sleep over at Adam’s, one of the Canadian Trainees I met, and Ana and Hinke joined me. Unfortunately, he lives far away from the city center where the party was going to be held later that night. After we all took showers and changed, a 40min walk waited for us to the club. The party was alright, but it took awhile before it got really busy (like after midnight). Good times =)

The next day, Ana, Adam, Elena (Czech Trainee), Paul (Canadian Trainee), and I spent the day exploring the city and then attending this free hip hop show.
Overall, it was a fun reception weekend, and it was nice to go see some old friends

On Monday, I got to meet the new generation of AIESEC Twente at the weekly gathering. They’re nice people, and I look forward to knowing them better. The rest of the week wasn’t anything special. It’s been really hot this weekend though, with temperatures hovering near 30C. Tonight, I’m going camping with AIESEC. I’ll take pictures and post them later this week.

LEs

Last Top 10

TOP 10 REASONS TO LIVE IN NEWFOUNDLAND

1. The poorest, stupidest, drunkest province in Confederation (*not my opinion*)

2. If Quebec Separates, you will float off to sea

3. In the rare case when someone moves to the Rock, you can make them kiss a dead cod

4. The economy is based on fish, seafood, and fish-related products

5. If you do something stupid, you have a built-in excuse

6. You understand the meaning of Great Big Sea's lyrics (*famous Newfoundland Band*)

7. The work day is about two hours long

8. You are credited with many great inventions, like the solar-powered flashlight and the screen door for submarines

9. If someone asks if you're from Nova Scotia, you are allowed to kick their ass

10. It is socially acceptable to wear your hip waders on your wedding day (*Fisherman gear?*)


That's it for the top 10s. I couldn't find any for the Territories of Canada (NorthWest Territories, Yukon Territories, and Nunavut)

Big Dinner party =) 

MMMmmmmmm..... 

Making Sushi 

Coming Home & Sushi!

Bright and early on the 11th, I boarded a highspeed train back to Munich and began the long process of going home. This trained cost a couple Euros more since it was the express but the seats were more comfortable and had a dining car if you were hungry. I arrived at Munich central at 1030, and had a big German breakfast to fuel up for the rest of the day. From here, I had to take the S-Bahn to the airport. 30min later, and after a run in with the transit authority (It turned out I didn't use enough strips on my stripe card to get to the airport, but the guy was nice and let me continue), I arrived at the airport to catch my flight. The rest of the trip was uneventful after the hour flight and bus ride from Münster airport to the train station. I was got on the train and I was on the last leg home when we were informed that there was an big accident and that the train can't go further. We had to wait for a bus to ferry us from station (we were only 30km from Enschede) to the next station. From there, the train traveled onwards to Gronau (the last German stop before the train enters the Netherlands, and 3 more stations until Enschede) where I had to get on the other train that was going all the way to Enschede. All together, I was almost delayed for 2 hours but I was finally home. It was a great trip =)

While I was gone, Shing's younger brother arrived for a visit. Together with Miz and her Japanese friend, we all had a nice Japanese dinner the next day. I haven't had sushi since I left Calgary so it was the one thing I was definitely craving. It was such a great meal, considering I been having German/Austrian food for the last several days. Also, Thursday was also the last time I would be able to call home to catch all of my family members together. My bro left for Switzerland that day but I was able to call home to catch everyone just in time. It'll be nice to keep up with my bro now at the same time zone and we'll make arrangements to meet up soon

This is the last of my uber long posts. Happy reading and more soon

Marty Turco, Me, and Roberto Luongo 

My Italian Friend, Franz Josef, and Dany Heatley 

Sheldon Souray 

Wade Redden, me, and Gord Miller from TSN 

Alex Thornton and I 

With Robin Regehr  

Mike Fisher, a member of the Austrian Women's National Curling Team, and I 

Mark Fisher and I 

A Fan’s Dream Come True

When I got back to Benni’s apartment after a day of watching hockey, Benni told me that there were two new trainees that have arrived and that they and an AIESEC person were at this café behind the university at the Hofgarten (a park). Since I never met any of them before, Benni described what I looked like, gave me directions, and I was on my way. What he neglected to mention was that there 500 people there and it was more of a dance place then a café. I looked around, but I couldn’t find them. It was already late (2345) and started to rain so I was about to walk home again. In the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of this one guy that looked a lot like Roberto Luongo, one of Team Canada’s backup goaltender. The more I stared, the more and more I realised that the guy doesn’t just look like him, but he was him. To be sure, I went through the crowds towards him, feigning like I was looking for someone, in an effort to over hear if he was talking German or English. I heard English and something about Canada, it was him! At that point, my finely tuned senses spotted other players from Team Canada. Wade Redden, Robin Regehr, Marty Turco, Mike Fisher, Sheldon Souray, Dany Heatley, and Gord Miller from TSN were all in attendance at this party. After asking Regehr for an autograph and trying to make mall talk (it is really hard to act cool around famous people), I spied someone I thought was Joe Thornton. It turned out it was his older brother, Alex. I introduced myself, and when Alex found out I was Canadian as well, he welcomed me with open arms. Alex helped me get autographs and photos with all the players in attendance. Alex is a really nice guy and we chatted about various stuff and had a drink or two. Along with Alex, I was hanging out with Mike Fisher’s older brother (Mark?) and this Italian mate I met. I also met 2 members of the Austrian National Women’s curling team. I had a really good time and the members of team Canada are all really nice and I wish them the best in the tournament.

Team Canada wins 2-1 over Ukraine 

The game was delayed when a Canadian player shattered the glass right after practice 

Team Canada Practicing 

Hockey

I arrived just in time to catch the 3^rd period between Germany and Denmark. The seats I got were in the third tier, but it was good since I was able to see the entire ice surface yet still make out the numbers and names of the player’s jersey. It was weird since the rink looks a lot smaller when you see the game live compared to on TV.

Denmark ended up scoring the winning goal when the German goaltender failed to take the puck away with a poke check from the Danish player on a breakaway. The Dane got control of the puck again and went around the sprawled goalie and slid it into the open net. The game was better then I expected and the German’s pulled out all its talent to try to win the game but they couldn’t get the equalizer.

There was a 2 hour break before the next game between Canada and Ukraine. I went outside to the eating area and entertainment center to take a look at all the food venues. The official sponsor Skoda autos (I think an Austrian Car company) were handing out free pucks and flags. I went back into the stadium early and got to see Team Canada on doing their pre-game practicing. Since it was still early, I went out all the way to the very front and watch the practice. It was funny though, when practice time was over, Nash (Canadian Star forward) was the last one to leave the ice, and he took a slap shot from his end to the other end. Nash missed the net, but broke the glass behind it instead. Actually, the puck nearly hit the goal official (the official who sits in the bench observing the back of the net, and turns on the red light when a goal has been scored) who was standing on the other side of the pane and he was showered with glass shards. Because of that, the game was delayed form 10min for glass repair.

The game itself wasn’t that good, and it wasn’t the Canadians best game even though they won 2-1. The Ukrainian team was very good, especially the goalie. Both teams scored once in the first period and both goals weren’t that pretty. It was a tight checking game that no one predicted (The Sports betting booth set up in the eating area had Canada winning 5-1). Finally, the largely pro-Canadian attendance (me included) cheered when Nash scored the game winner in the third. Still, it was too close for comfort.

After dinner (I had Schnitzel again), I watched the Sweden vs. Latvia game. Since there weren’t that many people, I sat in the first row against the ice surface. That was the weird thing in that both the internet and the ticket office had said those 3 games I saw today were all sold out, yet even the Canadian game, the Arena was half empty. Sweden played a good game, and I pitied Latvia who had good (unknown) players but every time they got momentum, a player would cough the puck over and Sweden would capitalise and score on the ensuing play. Since I was sitting on the Latvia’s end, I saw a lot of Sweden scoring as they went on to win it 9-1 over Latvia (although the Latvian goal was really nice).

Using the map I printed out from Google Maps, I had no trouble finding Benni’s apartment again.

The Innsbruck Arch 

My nice Austrian meal. Veal Schnitzel and Potatoes 

Inside St.Jacob's Cathedral 

The famed Golden Roof of Innsbruck 

upon reaching Innsbruck, it was nice to see the mountains again 

Not too sure what this Statue represents. Also located in the main square 

One of Munich's many Palaces. It is now a museum 

City Hall of Munich located at Marienplatz (Munich main square) 

Innsbruck - May 9th

I fell asleep for a little while, but when I woke up, I suddenly realised I was surrounded by mountains. Seeing the Alps reminded me of home (or even more of Banff) and how much I missed the mountains and camping.

I was staying with an AIESECer named Benjamin (Benni). Benni picked me up at the train station and we went to his house to unpack and have dinner. It was literally like walking through the streets of Banff as the city of Innsbruck was surrounded by the Alps. Everyone that lives here is a skier as well. That night, Benni and I went to a student party, held by a student political party campaigning for Student Union Office (they’re very democratic in Austria compared to the individual SU campaigns back in Calgary). I met my first Austrian people ever, including this nice girl names Hanna. I was the first Canadian she has ever met and I really enjoyed talking to her. Hanna didn’t have class the next day until 18:00, so we proposed to meet tomorrow and she can show me around. It was a good party though =)

The next day, I should be at the first game (Germany vs. Denmark) at noon, but I figured I could miss that game and spend more time exploring the city and meeting up a Hanna. The gods were looking out for Connie, and mine and Benni’s mobile died. I had to e-mail Hanna and proposed to meet her at 13:00 at the Golden Roof (I had her e-mail, Benni had her #, but his phone died so he didn’t have it) and hope that she read it in time. I spent the morning with Benni exploring the city. The old part of Innsbruck was very old and historic (i.e. Touristy). The central landmark is the Golden Roof, which is an old building with a golden roof. I actually didn’t catch the history about it since I was exploring the city on my own. I went to this large palace which is also a museum but I didn’t go into it since I didn’t want to pay the admission fee. The highlight of my exploration was St. Jacob’s Cathedral. It was incredibly beautiful and picturesque.

I found a nice Austrian restaurant and had the special of Veal Schnitzel with Potatoes and a bowl of soup. At 13:00, I hope and prayed to see if the fates were kind to me and Hanna would appear. She didn’t =( (later I got her e-mail and she slept in so she couldn’t meet me)

I proceeded to the Ice hockey Arena

Bettie, Manwella, and Marco 

Bar hopping with AIESEC Innsbruck. (L to R) Connie, Marco, and Jarri 

May 7th -9th Munich (München)

After grabbing 3 hours of sleep, I got on my first of many trains to Munich. This first train at 09:26 will take me from Enschede to Muenster (Münster in German). After an hour train into Germany, I had to take an hour bus ride to the airport in Münster. I planned on arriving early at each step of the way in case problem arose so I ended up waiting for an hour for my flight from Münster to Munich (München in German). The AIESEC person I was staying at could not meet me at the airport but wrote me directions on how to get to his place by using the convenient city train system. From the airport, you take the major subway called the S-ßahn. I was lucky to find some Dutchmen that have been on the same plane with to reassure me that I was headed the right way. Getting off at the one of the main central stations, Marienplatz, I had to transfer to the umm…minor (?) subway called the U-ßahn. Since my trip was going so smoothly up to this point, Herr Murphy (of the Law) tagged along with me for the ride. I somehow misplaced the sheet of paper with the address on it. I had to reply on my memory to get off at the right station. I was able to find the right street and proceeded to look for the big yellow house that he lives in. Unfortunately, by house, he actually meant apartment, of which, there were several. Without his address and his last name (that too was written on the sheet), I went blindly looking for clues. Fortunately, I had his mobile # written separately. However, my Dutch mobile wouldn’t let me dial the number (or at least it said I was dialling it wrong). I tried asking passing people if they had a mobile I could borrow with no success (would you lend your phone to a wet Asian-looking foreigner holding a little piece of paper and babbling at you with a language you don’t understand?). Finally, an 8 year old boy saw my plight and led me to a pay phone. Then, we spent the next 25 min figuring out how to use it. Finally, a young woman who could speak English helped me out (it turns out that you had to dial an extra “0”). The kid led me back to the right direction and after a 90 min delay I was finally at my destination. Upon unpacking, I found the sheet of paper tucked in between my air tickets (dammit!)

I was staying with the LCP (the boss of AIESEC Innsbruck) and his girlfriend, whom was also in AIESEC. After drying off, they told me that there was a bunch of AIESEC people going out that night and maybe I should join them since my hosts were too busy to show me around. I arrived at around AIESEC person’s house and I met some of the trainees that were doing their exchange in München. Philippe was a guy from Columbia, Manwella (sp?) was a girl from Brazil, Jarri from Finland, Marco from Switzerland, and Bettie (sp?) and Connie, and Fluor (sp?) from AIESEC München. After hanging out at Bettie’s place, we went bar hopping. Because the trains stop at 2, I ended up staying over at Marco’s house that night.

Getting up at 11 the next day, I went back to the LCP’s house for a change of clothes, food, and a shower before heading out again to meet up with Marco who was going to show me around. We met at Marienplatz since it was the center of the city, and had the nicest things to see. It was at that point I realised I left my camera back at the LCP’s house (doh!). The City Hall was impressive and looked like a castle or cathedral. We walk by churches and other statues before stopping into Burger king for a bite to eat. Marco’s loves Burger King since there are only a few locations in his native Switzerland, so I joined him in his culinary bliss.

After the meal, we took the train to München’s Olympic Park. München held the Olympics in 1972 (unfortunately, the Munich games of 1972 would be more infamously known for the terrorist tragedy instead) and a beautiful park was built for the games. Besides being a major tourist destination, the park is located near the BMW headquarters (a very unique & distinct building known as the 4 Cylinders). There is also a BMW museum in the park, which Marco and I went to see. It was all historic stuff so no knew top of the line BMWs on display.

That evening, I went out for a nice German meal with my hosts. I had a traditional roast pork dish served with a Knodel (a big softball size Dumpling). I also had a nice white beer (A German speciality) which was quite nice.

The next day, I slept in a little before I headed out to Marienplatz again, this time armed with a Camera. I had lunch at the various small stands for some authentic German food (sausages and pork roast sandwich). I arrived at the central station at 2 for the train to Innsbruck. The Central station is very large and modern and just outside of it, there was a very nice hotel that I checked out to kill some time. I boarded my train at 4 for a 2 hour trip to Innsbruck.

Marcel and I enjoying our complimentary beers after the tour