Stroke Latinoamericano

HELLO dear readers, 

Due to the fact that this semester (last semester) at Fontys is nearly over, with just a few more weeks to go, I have been thinking that it is about time I let you know what Follow mE’s next destination will be!

As you might know (or not know) during the second semester of your 4^th year of studies at Fontys you are required to do an internship in a company/organization of your choice (in whatever location of Planet Earth you prefer), where your graduation project will take place. Pretty similar to the work placement you are to do during the 3^rd year (the previous one that took place in India in Follow mE's case).

This time we do not depart to the “mysterious land of the tiger”, but we do head to the “out of the ordinary land of the jaguar”; my land of the mayas! Follow Me heads back to “your writer’s” country. We go back home to Guatemala.

…when finding out about this, a friend of mine send me the following link:

…and then asked: “Why the hell do you want to go back there!?”

 

Initially Guatemala was very far away from the internship plan, but “your writer’s” leg has to be fixed after almost a year of being out of service, because of dealing with a muscle strain and tendon problems in the adductors. 

After many sessions of physiotherapy “your writer/rider” came back to The Netherlands this semester and attempted to start riding once more… It was a happy day of getting back in the saddle and saying “hi” again to old familiar faces:

…but the next day not only the leg, but both legs, were out of service… again. Therefore, we go back to fix this because “your writer” wants to ride! Interesting plans are coming up.

 

And yes. Guatemala is not the world’s most peaceful place (though I did not expect it to be ranked as the second most dangerous place on Earth along with our two next door neighbours, El Salvador and Honduras… at the same time this does not come as a surprise); but it is home and once you are back it is (unfortunately) easy to get used to the whole situation. 

Apart from this my little Guatemala also has its good things and I will make it my mission to be a good host and show these positive things to you… This, of course only if we survive (haha!)! No worries, no worries. 

 

So with this news I have prepared something different for you dear readers: 
I have heard that music is one of the best ways of beginning to get acquainted with a culture. SO… to start making you feel in more of a Latin American mood I have prepared a tour for you!

 

It is a tour like no other. A tour with special lyrics, rhythms and beats from México all the way down to Argentina! As always… I (really) hope you like it.

"¡BIENVENIDOS!"

Somehow we depart from México and we get “on a cruise with destination to the Caribbean, but this cruise is not a normal one… it’s full of only women; a hallucination! ...maybe this is a mistake or maybe we just got lucky?” (Maná – Perdido en un Barco)

But just wait a second. There is no way of leaving México without at least one ‘Ranchera’! Maybe you have heard already about the famous ‘Mariachis’. Well, the following song is in their honor! 

In Guatemala is common to sing this Mexican neighbours’ songs when alcohol bottles are almost emptied; when the party is ending (or just about to start, you never know). A classic:

“…I want other lips to kiss you, for you to compare me today and forever. 
 
If you find a love that understands you, a love that loves you more than anyone else; then I will turn around and I will go with the sun when the afternoon dies. I will turn around and go with the sun when the afternoon dies!” (Luis Miguel – La Media Vuelta)

From México to Guatemala (…look at this pretty flag!). I know you might think that only bullets fly around in my country, but that is wrong. Somehow, love is also in the air. Perhaps this explains “your writer’s” occasional romantic moments!

I give you one of our most famous singers. Famous in Spanish speaking countries for his very poetic lyrics:

“That is why I like you just the way you are, even with those couple of extra pounds… Nude. That there won’t be a design that suits you best than that of your skin tight on to your figure…” (Ricardo Arjona – Desnuda) 

 
And… there are some situations in which we wait for a 'yes' or a 'no'. But which one is ‘better’ in the end? …one of my favourites:

“If you say yes, think twice; it might be convenient for you to say no.  
 
If you say no, you might be making a mistake; I will give myself the task to convince you to say yes.
If you say yes I will stop dreaming and I will turn into an idiot; you’d better say no and give me that yes drop by drop. 
 
…say no, thinking about a yes and leave the rest up to me. Because if it comes easy, love becomes fragile and one stops dreaming. 
 
…say no, and leave the door open.” (Ricardo Arjona – Desnuda)

Did someone say “revolution”? Counter-revolution? Of course yes! “Claro que sí chico”!! 

From Guatemala we swim a bit east to visit our aquatic "Cubano" neighbours: 
 
“Over there where the sun heats up I forgot my heart, a stream and a palm grove. I left my beloved homeland more than a year ago; as much as I set my mind to it, my wound won't not heal…
 
I will tear my heart out and wait for my return, to take it back out again and place it in my chest.” (Orishas – 537 C.U.B.A.)

 
And “I was born an Orishas! …Eeh! …en el underground!” (Nací – Orishas) A very nice song!

 

 

Speaking of nice songs, here you go -one you have probably heard already- a relatively new song and one that I personally really like. A Good dancing song! 

We set ears on Jamaica, but no Bob Marley, this time we go for Gyptian. 

 

We have reached República Dominicana! It has been 13 years ago since my first and last visit to this country. I was pretty young, but oh I do remember: Merengue and salsa playing, people dancing. Simply great!

And who to make you dance other than the master of masters? Juan Luis Guerra… 

 
Of course, in Latin America there is no need for “happy topics” to make you stand up and move! 

 
What most people would think: "…a hospital song can make you dance? Are you joking! How is this possible!?"
 
“Do not tell me that the doctors are gone! Do not tell me that you don’t have anesthesia! Do not tell me that you drank the alcohol! And that the sewing thread was embroidered on a tablecloth! Do not tell me that the tweezers got lost! That the stethoscope is partying! That the x-rays broke down! And that the serum was already used, for sweetening the coffee..” (Juan Luis Guerra – El Niágara en Bicicleta)

 
And if you were wondering where the salsa went… do not worry because Chichi Peralta (I know.. kind of a curious name!) brings you some:
 

And if República Dominicana brings good childhood memories, this next Puerto Rican ("Boricua"!) song brings very funny teenage ones: Back then when all of us had memorized this amusing song; a night in a disco with friends. One making a funny dance, another friend literally 'breaking a leg’ and in the end when coming back home my parents asking what have we drank… of course "no one drank anything… just a drunk person at the disco happened to pour its rum all over us… and that explained the why of such a smell!" Hmmm… A very believable story(!!)
 
So if by now you are not out of your seat and moving yet after having visit the Caribbean, Calle 13 tells you: 
 
“CHANGE THAT SERIOUS FACE, THAT INTELLECTUAL FACE; LIKE AN ENCYCLOPEDIA! …dare to come out of the closet! Uncover yourself! Take of the varnish! Stop hiding yourself just get up and get hyper!” (Calle 13 – Atrévete)

 
Most of the ‘reggaeton’ music comes from “PueLto Lico” (I say Puerto Rico with an “L” because this is how they pronounce the “R’s” in this country! It sounds very 'hilarious'!). I am personally not a big fan of this music genre, but I have to confess that they sometimes do manage to come up some with pretty nice beats. In my opinion, this being one of them:

We left our last island and, Ladies and gentleman, we have reached Colombia! And the Colombíííano’ have some very good music too!

An artist that also brings childhood flashbacks: The great Carlos Vives sings for the wonderful and beautiful Mayte: “Just look at her! Look at how pretty she is!” (Carlos Vives – Pa’ Mayte). 

Apart from Mayte, Vives also sings for Alicia… Alicia who died (this can also happen) and so he starts singing: “Because God on Earth has no friends. Because he has no friends, he’s up there in the air!” (Carlos Vives – Alicia Dorada)

Wait a moment, this playlist is kind of long already, BUT: Where are the girls?! 

Shakira is here to save the day! Because yes, we are missing “woman power” in this world and in this playlist as well. 
 
According to Carlos Vives God is up in the air. Now, according to Shakira: 

“God came back, found everything like an infernal mess and became another one of the unemployed… poor God that does not appear in magazines, is not a model, not artist, not royalty…
 
…meanwhile this world spins round and round without us being able to stop it. And down here a few control us as if we were chess pieces.
I am not that kind of an idiot who lets herself be convinced!
…but, I am telling the truth and even a blind man can see that!” 
(Shakira – Octavo Día)
 
I simply love this song.

Shakira… I have to add another one of her old songs. With this voice and her old very clever lyrics she had absolutely no necessity of coloring her hair blond and howling like a wolf.
 
“I give you my waist; and my lips for when you feel like kissing. I give you my madness; and the few neurons that are still left. My faded shoes. The diary in which I write. I give you my sighs… but do not leave anymore.

Because it is you, my sun. The faith with which I live, the power of my voice, the feet with which I walk.
It is you, love, my desire to laugh. The goodbye I will never be able to say, because I will never be able to live… without you.” 
(Shakira - Tú)

 

Maybe you thought Brazil was going to be skipped because of the Portuguese language BUT no, no, no, no, no. This was “your writer’s” first international destination ever! Years ago, when I was still baking in the oven and almost about to come out to this world, my parents happened to be in this colorful country. 

So, in case you got sad with Shakira’s songs, no need to worry, because the ‘Samba’ of any Brazilian has the ability to get you alive and kicking again!

  

Our long musical and lyrics journey is almost over. It is time to lower the decibels now and arrive to Argentina. 

Argentina holds the most symbolic of musicians for “your writer”. Unfortunately the band’s lead singer, Gustavo Cerati, has been in a coma for almost 4 years now; but after three decades of having been conceived, Soda Stereo keeps melting many ears. 
 
No beatles, no Rolling Stones, no Madonna… no lady Gaga, no nothing! …for me the band who I admire and whose music equals inspiration; the band who changed the course of not only Latin American music, but Iberoamerican music as well (and if the rest of the world would understand Spanish, I am sure it would have also shaken the globe) is: Soda Stereo. 
 
An absolutely unparalleled talent to reinvent their music without losing their essence. A genius I have never witnessed in any other musician up to now. And so, it was difficult to choose out of their many songs, but here you go…
 
A song for when the world breaks your heart:

“I will walk amongst the stones until I feel the tremor in my legs. Sometimes I have fear (I know). Sometimes shame. 

 …nobody saw me leave (I know). Nobody is waiting for me.
There is a crack in my heart; a planet with disappointment. 

Wake me up when the tremor is over.” (Soda Stereo - Cuando Pase el Temblor)

Another one for when your heart discloses your feelings; "betraying" you (…a song which I personally really love): 

“…oh mi corazón se vuelve delator. Traicionandome.” (Soda Stereo - Corazón Delator)

And two songs for saying goodbye…

It would be great to see one day, in the near future, a unified Latin America. What a big party that would be… wonderful countries!
 
Ok dear readers, I guess this is it for today (I think this has been the longest post in all of Follow mE’s ‘history’!). I hope you enjoyed (at least part) of it and hopefully you learned some Spanish as well!    

Cerati could not have said it any better in our musical tour's last song: “GRACIAS TOTALES!” Thank you for reading (and/or hearing) today! Thanks for visiting the blog.

Hasta la próxima my dear readers.
PEACE OUT
Your writer,
Maria

P.S.: I will be dissapearing for a while and probably write until 2 or 3 weeks from now, because I have a lot of exams studying to do during the upcoming weeks. Happy (eliminated holidays) brainwashing time :D  'till then!

Black(“bed”)minDUB

“Jesus Crisis stop using Spoterfy, I have to go to the PlayStation!!!”

Translated to regular English this sentence means: “Jesus Christ stop using Spotify, I have to go to the police station!!!”.

I do not know if you do, but I happen to have a friend who has an unmatchable talent for making up new words. My other friends and I have even started to write a dictionary in h     honor: The “Ma##i3’s-Webster Dictionary”! And it is so much better than the original one (“Mirriam-Webster Dictionary”, blah)! It simply makes my days happier!

Well this past Wednesday there was an event from Fontys: A “Blackminton” tournament. Which was actually surprisingly good! I did not expect too much from it, but it turned out being quite nice. In fact I had no plans on going until my dearest friend said: “Lets go to the “Black‘bed’minton” next week!”… and with this interesting name, I mean: Black, plus bed, plus minton!), how could I say no?!!

Instead of explaining with words how and what this event was all about, I decided that a short video would suit best… sorry, a “Black(‘bed’)minDUB video (DUB for “dubstep”) would suit best!

I hope you enjoy (the ‘soothing’ music) very much!!

‘till next week!
PEACE OUT
Your writer,
Maria

A Flashback Booklet: India Behind Scenes

I think I never told you about an unforgettable character I ran into during my stay in India last year. His name was Baloo (yes, like “Baloo the bear” from the “Jungle Book” …you could even say they had a similar physical appearance!).

Well, Baloo used to work for my Australian flat-mates as a driver and from time to time I would get a lift to the NGO’s office where I was working as an intern. Thing is, that when Baloo found out that I had to leave India soon (and that I was heading back to my home country for the holidays) he told me that he wanted to drive me back home!

That is right, Baloo wanted to drive me all the way to Guatemala and was actually pretty excited about it: “Me drive to Guatemala!”.

For Baloo’s misfortune, I had to later show him Guatemala’s exact location on the map and remind him that unfortunately we also did not have any access to a ‘car-submarine-airplane-hybrid-kind-of-transportation-machine’ that would enable us to successfully drive to this far away destination. It was a kind and funny man, Baloo!

Despite the situation, he did drive me from Pune all the way to Mumbai’s airport with the usual nice Indian beats as our voyage’s soundtrack:

After almost five hours of various “Gopala, Gopala” songs I said my India’s last goodbye, which was to my buddy “Baloo the Bear” and headed back home.

Now it has been almost a year since; it is incredible how time flies!

This past Saturday I had to give a presentation of my internship and minor abroad experiences to a ‘very large audience’ (you can read this using a sarcastic tone!) during the end of a Fontys’ open day. As a consequence many things that were on the back of my mind were again brought up to life.

Due to the fact that ever since I got back to Fontys I have been asked several questions about India (mainly from Fontys students who are considering it as an internship/minor destination or others simply out of curiosity), I have decided that it is the perfect time for taking a look back and dedicating this post to answering doubts people might have.

I will write everything as if it was an interview, so perhaps the post’s structure is clearer and you are also able to choose what to read, in case you feel the post is too long. I will start with what has been the most ‘predominant’ question up to now:

Question 1: As a girl, how would you explain your experiences in India?

I can understand the why? of this question, due to the many (lamentable) cases of rape and women abuse in India which I have heard to be internationally broadcasted in the news; and I also do think it is an important topic to be informed previous to visiting India (I included a documentary on the end of this post in case you want to ‘broaden your understanding’ of this topic).

If you want me to be honest my knowledge about this topic before heading to India was quite limited and I did not put much thought to it.

I left home with two advices, one from my dearest mother and another one from a friend of one of my siblings who had been travelling there for a few months: (1) To be aware that you are in a completely different culture and so that men can interpret things (such as being kind or friendly) in a different way. (2) To avoid walking alone during night time and in ‘desolated’ places.

I think that by taking into consideration these two ‘recommendations’ you can get along fairly easily in India. I maybe have to add that one of the two times I broke the rule of following the 2^nd advice was the only occasion I can say that I had a bit of, what you could call, ‘trouble’ concerning this topic.

In case you want to read the story, I wrote it for you (though you will probably have to click on the image to make it more readable):

Other than taking into account the 2 mentioned advices, you will probably notice that when walking the streets of India you will receive a lot of staring. Many times people just stare out of curiosity and so you do not need to feel uncomfortable about it! Other times it may be different; I remember that a friend said to me that some man in India might sometimes look at you “literally like a piece of meat”.

It is said a picture is worth more than 1,000 words, so here is one I took in Pune:

There are also cases in which they tell you funny stuff on the streets, like: “angel” and things like this. But I mean, come on… what to do? Just laugh!

Another thing that may happen, and you should take care of this, is that complete strangers may come to you and ask you if you want a lift somewhere. This happened to me only one day, but twice in a row: The first time a car filled with 4 guys, then just a few minutes later another guy in a motorcycle came by and asked me for an address (it was kind of clear that I was a ‘tourist’; who will ask a tourist for an address? DUH!) and then again was asked if I wanted a lift somewhere. Of course you can just say: No thank you! I enjoy walking (…and, in addition, I am not stupid!): Goodbye! Ciao, ciao! End of story.

That is pretty much it! I mean in the 3 and ½ months I did not had that much of a problem. By the end of it I did get annoyed by the staring and “telling funny stuff on the streets” though. I lost my temper the week before having to leave India with a guy who was driving a car and said something to me; I gave him “the insult of his life” in Spanish and from his face I think he got scared or confused (or both)!

As a conclusion I should say that there is no need to feel paranoid or scared and there is no need to be mean and unfriendly. Just avoid certain situations and be aware, be conscious when you do things and meet people. You can make it clear to some people that there is a limit in a friendly way, set your boundaries in case its is necessary… common, overall, just enjoy your trip!

Question 2: In general, do you think it is safe to travel to India on your own?

Regarding “safety” in general: I think this is a very personal “issue”. In my case I have to say that India felt quite safe. For instance, in my home country walking in broad daylight is “somehow a difficult task” because the probability of getting robbed or assaulted (at gunpoint) is “somehow high”. In India on the other hand during day time I would say you can walk completely normal and safely! Of course always avoiding the obviously “insecure situations”, such as walking in empty, deserted streets or areas.

[If you go to Mumbai take care of the buses… as I was told that bus drivers are allowed to run over 2 persons (…in other words, they are allowed to kill 2 individuals) without having any legal problems! A very ‘creative, but irresponsible method’ of ‘population control’ I must say!]

Also abstain yourself from “touching abandoned objects or vehicles”, because they can blow up! There were a few bomb explosions in Pune, one in August before I arrived; but common the possibility of this happening to you is probably low. So nothing to be really worry about!

Other than this, I give you other travelling tips:

• If having to move long distances within a city, you better take a taxi (rather than a “rickshaw”) as this is more reliable. You can easily call taxi places and they take your pick-up and destination addresses.
• For travelling short distances within a city where you are familiar with the way it is in general ok to use a rickshaw. Just make sure they put on the taxi-meter, otherwise they will take a lot of money from you!
• If travelling by train alone, or even in a small group, please do choose 1^stAC (first class), 2^ndAC (second class) or at least 3^rdAC. These are still not so clean and perfect (you might have cockroaches as companions!), but they are all very affordable and you can travel more comfortable and safely.
  When you travel by train it is also advisable to take a chain and lock to tie your things on to the train (usually train rides are slow in India and take a lot of time, so if you sleep you want to make sure your things are still there when you open your eyes again!).

If you go to the jungle, watch your step (and where you put your hands) for snakes! You never know; maybe you run into one of India’s Big 4. And if you stay for a night or some nights somewhere in the jungle, make sure to check all the corners in the house (and other potential ‘snake hiding places’) before going to sleep, as they quite often look for warm places to hide!

(These animals will not harm or do anything to you, unless they feel scared and threatened by you. As long as you respect each other’s space, there is nothing to worry about.)

While in my time the jungle we ran into two of the Big 4, the Krait and Russel’s Viper; one though was already dead on the road (maybe a bus driver from Mumbai, came to run over it! :D ) the other one was trapped by farmers and placed in a bottle to release it back to the jungle.

They are really beautiful creatures, but when poisonous… from afar is better (I shared a good documentary by the end of this post in case you are interested in snakes!).

One last thing: Mosquitos! Malaria (you do not want), dengue (you do not want either); so avoid mosquito bites by getting a mosquito net and mosquito repellent! In case of having a fever, let always someone know as a precaution and go to a doctor. 

Question 3: How to communicate when in India, do people often speak English?

I believe there is not much trouble in India regarding communicating with others. When you travel you can take the address written down and show it to the taxi person, when going to a restaurant just say the name of the food; of course if you go to work in an office, it is expected that the majority of people around will understand and speak English.

In times when a person does not speak English at all, you will probably find yourself ‘transmitting information’ “in code” using key words and sign language and things like these! I do not know how, but it simply works in the end.

Question 4: What is it with Indian food? …and hygiene?

It is funny that before going to India this was the thing which was worrying me.

Neighbors here in The Netherlands who were travelling around India for some months told me that the food was not so nice; that it was too spicy. A cousin of mine who was there for merely a week said he lost several pounds because the food was very bad and he did not want to eat at all!

…for me: The food was perfect! One of my favorite parts of the day when in the NGO’s office was lunchtime, when going to eat to either one of the two neighboring (very cheap, very spicy but very good) restaurants!

Chicken Biryani, Palak Paneer, Chicken Tikka Masala, Malai Kofta and many others; mmmmm (now I am feeling hungry)! So good, you cannot ask for more, really!

Now, about the hygiene… make sure that whatever you eat comes out hot (boiling hot) and I would suggest to never drink tap water!

India does not have such a good reputation with regard to hygiene, and this has its well-argued reasons. It is the only place where I have seen waiters walking barefooted all over the restaurant (including when going inside the kitchen to pick up the food)!

For those with a weak stomach, please take medicine for when you get sick, because chances are that you will! Also include tissue or toilet paper (take it wherever you go in case you travel) and I would add hand sanitizer.

Question 5: What about the people?

“Our guests are our gods” is what an Indian lady told me when crossing the country by train from Pune to Kolkata; and I have no other choice but to agree.

I mean what better example than that of Baloo’s story in the beginning of this post?

You will probably notice that whenever you meet someone in India they will offer you tea or food (…when you least expect it you will be sitting on the floor enjoying yummy, yummy Indian food using your hands!):

…they will also offer you help with anything, or even… “weird ‘magic’ plants”!

Yes! I suppose I never told you about the day, during my stay in the jungle, when a ‘naughty grandmother’ gave me this plant for me to eat! She gave me this leaf with a sort of nut inside and a ‘white powder’ all over it (as shown in the picture)!

…I said: “Thank you very much, I will eat it later (sort of meaning “thank you for the ‘gift’, but of course I won’t put this into my mouth!”)!”; and then she said: “No! You have to eat it now after dinner, for your digestion!” (ALL OF THESE WITH A SORT OF ‘CODIFIED-SIGN-MIXED-LANGUAGE-WITH-A-TINY-BIT-OF-ENGLISH-ADDED-TO-IT!).

There was no way out with the ‘naughty grandma’, so I went ahead and ate part of the plant and then she was laughing! …half an hour later I understood why she was laughing before, because I found myself laughing on my own with myself before going to sleep! I have no idea what this plant had but… Oh, that ‘naughty grandmother’ she made me laugh!

Ok, my dear readers, I guess this is it for the “Flashback Booklet: India Behind Scenes”! I hope you enjoyed it and that it is useful if you are planning or if you ever plan going to India. It is a great place! Of course just like everything and everywhere it has its good and bad things (maybe in India it is perhaps more intense)!

A lot of people get scared and even if they want to go, they decide not to because they are fearful that something might go wrong! It is normal to be afraid of course (I myself got a small panic attack months before going to India), but you can always sit back and look at things in a different perspective.

I personally like to look at it this way: In the end, fear is not our enemy. We can see fear as a ‘visitor’ who is trying to protect us, based on what our past personal experiences have led us to consider certain situations as risky. It is only necessary to listen to what this ‘visitor’ has to say; thank it, say goodbye and let it go…

Anxiety, fear, depression all this feelings people in general consider as “bad or dark feelings” are just trying to say something. Once you listen, you can let them go. Once you let them go, you can continue with whatever you want to do; you can continue to be free. In the long run they become you faithful allies!  

Bottom line: If you really want to do something (whatever this ‘something’ is) and if this something is good for you. If it makes you full inside and is good for people around you; go for it, just go at it. VERY ROMANTIC, aha.

Hasta la próxima!
PEACE OUT
Your writer,
Maria :)

P.S: I attach a very nice documentary from the Big 4 in case you are interested in the topic! I really like snakes (poisonous ones from a distance though), and by far this is the best documentary I have found: 

I also include another documentary that shows the situation of woman in India in case you are interested (it was filmed after last year’s December ‘brutal’ bus rape incident in New Dehli); it basically explains the issues surrounding the problem of violence against women. 

ADdiction

HOLA dear readers,

It has been a couple of weeks since that last “weird post” and now the time has come for NOVIEMBRE.

(A recommendable film; sorry I could not find a trailer with English subtitles!)

‘Scorpio’ captures this month with its claws, applying to it a paralyzing sting with its tail; meaning that your ‘writer’ will (hopefully) soon be adding a year of life to ‘her journey’.

Happy birthday also to all the scorpio readers out there (I just took a look at the astrology thing and apparently we are “the most misunderstood sign of the zodiac”, the “black sheep” as some might say; which explains many things and it is actually pretty nice).

So, we keep on getting “older”, scorpio style!

This past weekend part of the “Seville team” from my Fontys minor abroad in Spain was reunited in, and ‘colognized’, by the city of ‘Köln’.

Switching the scenario from a sunny, sandy, windy beach to a rather ‘greyny’ (grey and rainy!), coldish concrete jungle; we did not get the opportunity to climb dunes and have an “extreme beach slapping sleeping”, but it was nice seeing each other again!

This is how the beach slapping sleeping looks like in case you were wondering.
A bed is much more better, yes…

While on the short stay in Cologne a funny ad happened to be on our way while walking through the city…

…and because, to be honest, I had not much of an idea of what to write about in today’s post, I decided to take the funny butt cheeks ad as a sign to ‘hunt’ for clever international ads and share them with you.

Due to the fact that this reunion made me realize how much I had been missing “French observations” on certain (or many) things [this time it was no longer the “loudness in Spanish restaurants”, but that “the cathedral was dirty” (referring to the exterior of Cologne’s cathedral) and that “the wine tasted like vinegar”…something about “German toilets”!], I will start with a French funny ad to honor the laughter I had while witnessing these remarks from my friend.

From France travelling east to Jakarta in Indonesia, to get rid of the fleas.

From Indonesia to “Save a life. Put out your cigarette” in Brazil.

From Brazil to Canada.

Leaving Canada to, somewhere where razors are unusually gigantic and very sharp…

 

Crossing the border to the United States.

Going all the way back to Europe in Germany… Driving a smart?

Somehow ending up in Shanghai, with a very original way of advertising pans!

ADdiction equals over! Hope you liked them.

‘till next time
PEACE OUT
Your writer,
Maria’

P.S: And please… remember to recycle ;)