tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89043157279238061562024-03-14T01:32:26.346-07:00Travelling the World on Wheels.nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-44301140057557529002014-05-10T04:48:00.001-07:002014-05-10T04:48:12.937-07:00Bath and Me 2, Me as a student:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TCSG5zWV0-I/AAAAAAAAAN4/zunxMZ6cees/s1600/priory+garden.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TCSG5zWV0-I/AAAAAAAAAN4/zunxMZ6cees/s320/priory+garden.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486658573638685666" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 181px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TCSFu5akloI/AAAAAAAAANQ/hI1n7ouQO5c/s1600/n678685004_4344019_5928.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><br /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TCSFu5akloI/AAAAAAAAANQ/hI1n7ouQO5c/s1600/n678685004_4344019_5928.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TCSFu5akloI/AAAAAAAAANQ/hI1n7ouQO5c/s1600/n678685004_4344019_5928.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}">In this, (second last part) of my article I shall tell you my experience of being a student at the University of Bath and it sure was a fantastic experience. The first few months were so busy, going to and fro to and from classes, managing to complete assignments, attending seminars, networking, etc. Plus going out with friends, socializing, sightseeing Bath, as being a student I was also invited to lunches and evening get-to-gathers organised by our department. Although its fun being a student but we were always after free food. Yes, students are always poor, other than that being a 30 year old Masters student is no fun especially when all your fellow class-mates are not more than 26. I felt like a complete mis-fit, I always felt that way but I got to meet and be friends with older PhD students instead which was a benefit for me. Anyway, so I was talking about me being a student who was always after free food. I have no clue at all but I joined this socialising lunch club sort of a thing known as the Globe Cafe. This was held every Wednesday at the University Chaplaincy and every week they had free lunches based on different themes from different countries (e.g. Spanish, Indian, Italian, etc), food was good and I got to meet lots of other students. </a><br />
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Soon it was December and very cold (It snows here in January) and the days were short, very short indeed. The sunset was at 3:30 pm. As I mentioned earlier that Bath all round the year is packed with tourist. Although like the all of England (except London) the shops use to close at 5:00 pm but the restaurants, clubs, cinemas and pubs were all open till late, making Bath a lively city even in the evenings. Oh, I went to restaurants, cinemas and ice cream parlours a lot over there and guess what as I was on a wheel chair, I would always take a friend along with me to the movies cause its buy one ticket get one free, hence my friend and me would always split the money. Being a student I always got a discount on shopping and eating out at certain places, it was fun.<br />
Soon was Christmas and before the 25th of December a Christmas Market was up and running a couple of weeks before Christmas. It was winter vacation and although soon after I had exams but somehow I always found time to go down into town in the freezing cold weather to visit the Christmas market. (The market consists of over 120 individual wooden chalet style stalls, each one offering quality products and brilliant gift ideas. From handmade crafts, unique jewellery pieces and decorations, to locally produced food and drink, one could always find that special ingredient for the most memorable and treasured gifts. Therefore with the perfect combination of exciting products and festive entertainment, Bath Christmas Market is a truly unique shopping experience and this is what made winter fun for me in Bath). As soon as I entered the town centre I could smell the aroma of roasting chess nuts and freshly brewed coffee. Although it was very cold but somehow roaming around the crowded town and market didn’t really make me feel the chilly winds. I never bought anything from the market, (as I found everything really pricy) except for a few chest nuts, but it was a pleasure to be there.<br />
Soon came January and it began to snow and as the university was located up on a hill top therefore all the roads leading up on campus were blocked due to the heavy snow fall and hazardous weather conditions. The best part is my exams were postponed hence getting a week extra to revise. Which was a great blessing because I had too much fun at the Christmas market. Anyway, soon the weather cleared and I had my exams, everything went fine as I don’t really enjoy giving exams. My regular classes began next month which meant going to classes everyday but after class I always went into town with a friend to have a very late lunch (the best part about having a late big lunch it that I never had to bother about having dinner). My favourite place was Wagamama, the noodle and rice bar, economical, healthy and filling and oh yeh, forgot to mention super tasty! They are other many places to eat, like the usual ones e.g. Subway, Pizza Hut, Mac Donald’s, Pizza Express, KFC, Nando’s, Weather Spoons, etc. and all are wheel chair accessible. They are also a number of pubs, cafes and night clubs (I hardly ever went clubbing, don’t know why, never enjoyed loud music. You see I am a person who enjoys operas, theatres, art and music). The City is also well-known for its Pump Rooms, they are glorified tea rooms built next to the Roman Bath. My sister took me there for afternoon tea there on my birthday. It was a magnificent experience. After checking out the Roman Bath for the first time, my sister gave me a surprise birthday gift by inviting me to have tea at the Pump Rooms. Inside the decor is like of the typical royal Victorian times and it all looks grand. The tea rooms are constructed in such a way that the original warm water spring is flowing almost inside and one is also given a sample of water to taste, it feels a bit thick and condense and a bit salty, unfortunately it’s not tasty at all. The Pump Rooms are a bit expensive but its worth the visit.<br />
February till June was really hectic, in and out of classes, managing completing assignments the only free time I got was the weekend. Every weekend I use to make an effort to get out of the University boundaries. (It is huge there, it has many cafes, a travel agency, a grocery shop, banks, doctors, a huge sports centre including a big gymnasium, two swimming pools and many other sports, during the week I use to manage to go to the gym after classes, its like a tiny city up there.). Over the weekend I’d always make sure to make my way into town, if I was lucky I would get hold of a friend and come back after dinner.<br />
It was summer time, summers are the best in Bath and in July we had a few days off which made things even better. I had already completed and submitted all my assignments, therefore I had lots of free time with no worrying about studies. Everyday was a warm summers holiday for me, during this period of time I went out a lot exploring Bath. I would often go down into town and on a hot summers day read a book under a shady tree next to the river in the Parade Park. This delightful garden/park is Bath’s most centrally situated and popular pleasure grounds, attracting both tourists and residents. This is overlooking the River Avon and gives a fine view of the Pulteney Bridge and the weir. During the summer the flower beds displayed are breath-taking and small concerts are held throughout the summer months and children’s entertainment is provided during the summer holidays. Deck chairs are available, picnics are allowed and there is also a café with outdoor seating. Its utterly blissful at the park.<br />
Then another delightful place to relax after a hot summers day is the Royal Crescent and its gardens. It is known for its architecture (as its name states crescent) shaped like a crescent and was built in 1775. It contains some 30 houses, one of which is now the Royal Crescent Hotel, another is known as Number 1 and open to the public. It comprises of huge gardens which are laid out in front of it, where on a hot summers day people are sun bathing or families having picnics. And even I would be there with my friends chatting or reading a book if alone and enjoying the sun. <br />
I never mentioned shopping in Bath, well that is because I am not a big fan of shopping myself. Shopping in Bath is great and offers a memorable experience with a fabulous selection of small independent shops and stylish boutiques alongside the familiar big name stores. The city centre is compact, easily walkable and most of the shops and street are wheel chair accessible. The City has been designed in the grand Georgian style, therefore the streets and small picturesque passageways are to be seen everywhere. <br />
The City of Bath has a lot to offer, from history, culture, food, fashion and art along with its hot water springs. Its a unique experience with stunning architecture, great shopping and iconic attractions. As some anonymous visitor to Bath said about the city: "It has been the backdrop for many a jigsaw, chocolate box and railway poster and once you visit you will see why."<br />
Now I have completed and passed my Master’s course from the grand University of Bath. On the 7th of July 2010 is my Graduation Ceremony, hence shall be visiting the City once again. Very much looking forward to it, I shall be refreshing old memories. <br />
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All rights reserved. nadiahmed +44 (0)789 6250265</div>
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nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-83263970061305547562012-07-13T12:43:00.000-07:002012-07-13T12:43:27.405-07:00Chester, my lucky short trip.<br />
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It was the 25<sup>th</sup>, time to leave for Chester. I had already booked two nights at the
Holiday Inn Express, a wheelchair accessible room for £150. Trains straight
from Euston London go to Chester, an open return train ticket for £62, I had my
disabled rail card so it costed me I think £50. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Well I was no on the train to Chester with all my luggage
that was a bag hanging at the back of my wheelchair. It was two hour beautiful
train ride, passing by huge fields and meadows, animals grazing, endless
colours of green and yellow. It was all magnificent, you hardly get to see such
beauty while living in London.<o:p></o:p></div>
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At around three we reached, well there was nothing
great about the rail station but the
town centre was close by so we just
walked it. Well by the streets I could tell it’s a gorgeous city and it was. The
cobbled streets ad alley ways, the architecture of the building it was a
heritage city. Chester was founded as a "castrum" or Roman fort with
the name Deva Victrix in the year 79 by the Roman Legio II Adiutrix during the
reign of the Emperor Vespasian. Chester's four main roads, Eastgate, Northgate,
Watergate and Bridge, follow routes laid out at this time – almost 2,000 years
ago. One of the three main Roman army bases, Deva later became a major
settlement in the Roman province of Britannia. After the Romans left in the 5th
century, the Saxons fortified the town against the Danes and gave Chester its
name. The patron saint of Chester, Werburgh, is buried in Chester Cathedral.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It has a number of medieval buildings (which I took pictures
of and I’ll put themup), and some of the black-and-white buildings within the
city centre are actually Victorian restorations. OMG! its all amazing. I shall
upload all the pictures its lovely and worth visiting. It is also very much
wheelchair accessible.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265
Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-31799484423466419472012-07-05T10:24:00.000-07:002012-07-13T12:42:44.306-07:00Chester, my lucky short trip.<br />
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I then waited and waited, although I was pretty much sure it
wont get approved but I did have doubts (because people who read it said that
the whole idea of slow-motion and disability is very creative). Lets say I was
anxious! And in the very beginning of June I received ad email congratulating
me and inviting me to Chester on the 26<sup>th</sup> and 27<sup>th</sup> of
June to present my paper. OMG!, OMG!, OMG! <o:p></o:p></div>
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I was excited as it
was my first ever paper abstract I wrote and it got approve but at the same
time was very nervous, as I had no back-up paper or no research! That day the
whole day I couldn’t do any work I was just worried, I also emailed my
supervisor, told her the whole story and literally in the end wrote ‘now what
should I do?’ Well soon I received an email congratulating me, the she gave me
a pat on my back by saying how very courageous of you for involving film and Einstein,
that means a lot of research. In the end she did say if you want to back out
you can. Well backing out is not my cuppa tea, so I asked for permission just
for this month if I could work on this and put something together for the
presentation. Permission was granted and for the next few weeks I was
engrossed in reading Foucault and film a lot. My colleagues helped me
with putting together a presentation…I love them. One of my colleague told me
that a paper presentation does not mean literally presenting a paper (although
some do do that reading out a paper, very boring!) , make a power point slide presentation, which was a
life saver.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Although I did write
a paper as it helped gather my ideas together, but having a slide presentation
helped a lot. Because when there is a will, there is always a way!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
All rights reserved. nadia.ahmed@qmul.ac.uk +44 (0)789 6250265
Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-12231789724203042162012-07-04T11:04:00.001-07:002012-07-04T11:04:29.180-07:00Chester, my lucky short trip.<br />
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Hi, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have not been updating my blog since a very long time (sorry
about that) which is good and bad both. Well bad because I’ve been completely
out of touch with you, even my ‘travelling the world on wheels’ facebook group
has not been updated for a very long time. In fact people are posting adverts
in other languages which I do not understand. And yes the reason I say it is a
good thing because many dont like the blog, which is absolutely fine because
everyones different but this blog is my writing for pleasure and yes they are many grammar and language
mistakes but I am writing for fun not for a newspaper article.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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So on a rainy day in May I was board of reading papers on feminism
(because I have to write this paper on feminism and disability), researching. I
stopped and started googling for call for papers on disability. I don’t know
why was I doing this I was in no mood of writing and already had loads of work
to do. I googled anyways and came across this invite for call for papers for an
international conference organized by University of Chester in association with
Critical Disability Studies (Manchester Metropolitan University) (MMU) and the
Disability Research Forum (Sheffield Hallam University) I Chester. Well I read
through the event and the submission for call for papers. The topics for paper
presentation were all very exciting (if I was a super cripple! I would have
done them all. But reality bites I cannot!). One topic that really intrigued me
was ‘celebrating deviancies’ aha! I am going to write about this. But what am I
gonna write? Aaa will figure something out. So I signed myself up (by the way
the conference event was free for students). I had to submit a 150 word
abstract by the end of May which was just 15 days left.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So then I began, an idea popped into my head aha how about
if I use the concept of slow-motion and time and disability…so slow-motion all
depends on time, like when involved in an accident the person would feel
everything around them is happening slowly. So time is perceived differently by
everyone, for example for me getting up from my wheelchair for me it takes 7 minutes
and I feel ok, for me its normal but for an able-bodied person looking at me
feels I take too long to get up as it is a slow, struggling process.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But I had to further mould my idea. Aaa lets see! I think I kind
of got it: slow-motion used ins art becomes a creative technique, but when it
happens in reality (like me) it becomes a disability. Eureka! And now I have to
elaborate my idea through my abstract. At the same time I wanted to keep it
academic but not too boring. It had to be exciting as well and easy to understand.
So I in a sentence spoke about slow-motion in time, peoples’ perception and
then how such a normal idea becomes a disability in real life. I took a chance
and used Einstein’s theory relativity of time where he says: When a man sits
with a pretty girl for an hour, it seems like a minute. But let him sit on a
hot stove for a minute -- then it's longer than any hour. That's relativity!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I also use Foucault as my saviour where he talks about how
inclusion is necessary (a bit of boring philosophy) I had to use him because I am
writing for academics. And then to create adventure I wrote about slow-motion
being used in famous Hollywood film like Matrix.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I then put it neatly all together, fluffed it a bit with
famous quotes and academic jargon and then emailed it just in time, an hour
before the deadline. Gosh it wasn’t easy writing this abstract. And I had
complete faith its never going to get approve which was kind of good because I had
no paper.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Oh yeh, by the way I called it ‘When the deviant becomes the
norm!’<o:p></o:p></div>
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Let’s see what happens next!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
All rights reserved. nadia.ahmed@qmul.ac.uk +44 (0)789 6250265
Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-59550999729590460052012-05-03T09:36:00.001-07:002012-05-03T09:37:05.554-07:00NHS Three Core Principles<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"We know u r on a wheelchair, we know ure carer comes
in at 9 in the morning to help u wash and dress...but we can only give you an
appointment to see the doctor at 9 am", says the hospital people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> of May 2012 at 3:00 pm, I received a call on
my mobile from the Royal London Hospital. “Good afternoon! Am I speaking with
Nadia Ahmed? I’m calling from the hospital in regard to your appointment.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Ok”, I said. “Its regarding the rescheduling of your
appoint,” “aha”, I said. “Well, is it possible for you to come at 9 in the
morning…oh, but it says here that you wanted to change the time of you
appointment, earlier, as you are unable to come at 9”, “Well yes”, I said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Miss Ahmed, unfortunately we can only book you in for 9 am
as all the new patient our neurologist sees at 9, and all are old patients
after 11…blah,, blah, blah…its our policy…blah, blah, blah…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was just wondering, Gosh, how inflexible the NHS is…its amazing.
Although they know my entire situation but still they are so persistent, …But I
just cant make it, sorry!”, I explained politely, “I have not seen a specialist
for 3 years and I don’t want to see one now as well, but my GP is after me to
see one…sorry, but I cannot come at 9 in the morning”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I understand your situation Madame, leave this case with
me, and I’ll get back to you soon. Thank you, bye!”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The NHS was created out of the ideal that good healthcare
should be available to all, regardless of wealth (NHS Core Principles). When it
was launched by the then minister of health, Aneurin Bevan, on the 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
of July 1948, it was based on three core principles:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">•that it meet the needs of everyone (are they flexible enough,
especially for people who actually need it) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">•that it be free at the point of delivery (Well they why do
people prefer to pay for private health care!) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">•that it be based on clinical need, not ability to pay (do
they investigate enough about what clinical need is required? Or we find it
easier to pay privately and get the right medical assistance?) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These three principles have guided the development of the
NHS over more than 60 years and remain at its core.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“OK!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265
Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-9912982632488302172012-04-23T14:50:00.002-07:002012-04-23T14:52:35.524-07:00My awesome first day in Berlin.<br />
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We woke up at around 9am, Good Morning- Maria would say, I love
it. Anyways we got dressed and all, it was around 11am when we left. First by
metro and the bus and a lot of walking we went to Maria’s friend’s place where
her husband was staying, Oh he is lovely! Then lots of conversing at around 12:30
pm we left for lunch. We went to an Argentinian Steak House where the boys had beef
steaks and Maria and me had veggie pasta.<o:p></o:p><br />
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We finished around 2 pm. Maria had an appointment at 3 pm,
hence I had to hang out with Thomas (Maria’s husband) lovely he is. We went
around all by foot to Potsdamer Platz the Berliner Philharmonie, it is a
concert hall home to the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. The building is
acclaimed for both its acoustics and its architecture.<o:p></o:p><br />
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The Philharmonie lies on the south edge of the city's
Tiergarten and just west of the former Berlin Wall, an area that for decades
suffered from isolation and drabness but that today offers ideal centrality,
greenness, and accessibility. And yes we did also check out the Berlin Wall.
Two small pieces are also in Potsdamer Platz and in its neighbourhood at the
corner between Ebertstraße and Bellevuestraße. On our way Thomas also pointed
out the area where Hitler killed himself in a underground bunker.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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Now we were at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe,
very impressive. It was made in 2005, this gigantic abstract artwork covering
an entire block near the Brandenburg Gate, The blocks start out at ground level
on the outer edges of the memorial, and then grow taller towards the middle,
where the ground also slopes downwards. 3.5 million visitors in the first year
make it one of the most visited memorials in Berlin - and it's worth it, as
it's one of the most impressive memorials in Berlin.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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Then Maria called to ask where we were, Thomas told her and
soon she was with us. We were now heading to the Brandenburg Gate (pictures of these
places visited are not with me) but we went to the magnificent Berlin Domthz
that is the biggest and most impressive church in Berlin, built at the turn of
the century (19th/20th) as an expression of imperial power. Located next to the
museum island. Entrance is €7, and you can climb on top of the dome for a
beautiful view over the Berlin center.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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The Twintowers of the Deutscher Dom (German Cathedral) and
the Französischer Dom (French Cathedral) face each other at the Gendarmenmarkt
in Central Berlin, flanking the Konzerthaus.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche— Highly symbolic church,
dating back to 1891-95, with two modern buildings designed by Egon Eiermann in
1961, a hexagonal bell tower and an octagonal worship hall, aside the ruins
from World War II.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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Marienkirche— Located near Alexanderplatz, this is not only
the highest church tower in Berlin (90 m), but also one of the oldest churches
left in the historical center of Berlin (which is totally torn down in this
area). Entrance is free and inside are many treasures from the old days.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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Nikolaikirche— The oldest church in Berlin, dating back to
the beginning of 13th century (at least the stones next to the ground). Does
not serve as a church. Changing exhibitions inside, entrance free.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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St. Hedwigs Kathedrale— Domed Church located at
Bebelplatz/Unter den Linden, the oldest (mid 18th century) and one of the
biggest Catholic churches in Berlin, interior was redesigned in a modern style
in the 1950s - but still many treasure chambers in the basement.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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Friedrichswerdersche Kirche— Nice church located near Unter
den Linden/Museum Island, finished in 1830 by Schinkel - English Neogothic
style. Nice exhibition inside (neoclassical statues and an exhibition about
Schinkel's life and work upstairs), entry is free.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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Synagoge Oranienburger Straße – Today the building houses
the Centrum Judaicum foundation which opened in 1995, an institution for the
preservation of Jewish memory and tradition, a community congregation centre
for study and teaching. Until the infamous Kristallnacht pogrom of November
1938 when the Synagogue was attacked by Nazi thugs and heavily damaged, Jewish
citizens had enjoyed full equality and civic rights, enshrined in the 1850
Prussian constitution.River Spree,<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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It was late evening now, we were all tired and exhausted and
had no energy to take any pictures. Hence I have no pictorial evidence! We all
had dinner a small Thai restaurant and then off to our hostel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Maria, I so enjoyed today. Thank you and good night.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<span class="hps"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: whitesmoke; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Maria</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: whitesmoke; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">, ich bin so<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="hps">genossen</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="hps">heute</span>.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="hps">Vielen Dank und</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="hps">gute Nacht.</span></span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: whitesmoke; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="hps"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zOu5St84WUY/T5XN_XJdqlI/AAAAAAAABng/GTWaMwGvl_0/s1600/Philharmonie_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zOu5St84WUY/T5XN_XJdqlI/AAAAAAAABng/GTWaMwGvl_0/s320/Philharmonie_1a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Berlin Wall<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2-7C_qdwd8/T5XOBVBPoXI/AAAAAAAABn0/KDHvT6Vtzk4/s1600/berlin+wall+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2-7C_qdwd8/T5XOBVBPoXI/AAAAAAAABn0/KDHvT6Vtzk4/s320/berlin+wall+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sETcCzZeckI/T5XOCNXd5XI/AAAAAAAABn4/h9GZL2nZIOg/s1600/berlin+wall+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sETcCzZeckI/T5XOCNXd5XI/AAAAAAAABn4/h9GZL2nZIOg/s320/berlin+wall+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_pKxM1EoyXw/T5XOCugVpjI/AAAAAAAABoE/AzLhJ79H0vc/s1600/first++day+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_pKxM1EoyXw/T5XOCugVpjI/AAAAAAAABoE/AzLhJ79H0vc/s320/first++day+night.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RzjzcbS_3I8/T5XODcACRSI/AAAAAAAABoM/SNVGip_hKI4/s1600/gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RzjzcbS_3I8/T5XODcACRSI/AAAAAAAABoM/SNVGip_hKI4/s320/gate.jpg" width="213" /></a>Berlin Gates</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vPjdJDHO0JM/T5XOEta2TGI/AAAAAAAABoc/0yZRval2kk8/s1600/jew+memo.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vPjdJDHO0JM/T5XOEta2TGI/AAAAAAAABoc/0yZRval2kk8/s320/jew+memo.2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Jewish Memorial<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sSBAfgwubOM/T5XOIjgTVgI/AAAAAAAABpM/dGhSmG7gTh0/s1600/steak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sSBAfgwubOM/T5XOIjgTVgI/AAAAAAAABpM/dGhSmG7gTh0/s320/steak.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Argentinian Steak House</span></div>
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All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265
Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-80401407312648361202012-04-23T12:47:00.001-07:002012-04-23T12:48:01.196-07:00Finally…hello, hello Berlin.<br />
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The plane landed at 8:30 pm, German
time. I switched on my mobile and texted Maria that I have landed. I then received
a text back confirming that I’ll be waiting for you out side. I had to wait for
half an hour in the plane for everyone to leave, then my turn to come. In the
mean while I made friends with this lawyer, soon it was my turn. We exchanged ‘good
byes’ and promised to meet-up in London.<o:p></o:p></div>
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At around half nine I was making my way to the airport exit.
There, my lovely Maria was waiting. We hugged and kissed and made our way to
the O-Bahn (train). The train and station was so spacious. OMG they are so
generous! I thought. Anyway Maria and me talked and talk the whole journey, then
we got the U-Bah(underground/metro), wow huge they were and all wheelchair accessible. Maria also told me
about the ticket system. Its just 6 Euros and is the same for all (no zone system like London), after 8 pm
on one ticket you could take a friend for free and that’s what Maria did, took
me for free.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We had now arrived Frankfurter Tor Station (our hostel stop)
we now took the lift up to the ground and had to walk a bit. Wow I was astonished
to see the roads and pavements they were all so wide and everywhere and I mean EVERYWHERE they were cycle tracks. I instantly fell in love with Berlin.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Soon we reached our hostel accommodation it was not bad for
45 Euros per night. The room was nice and clean but the accessible toilet was
outside the room which was alright, I guess. As I was the only wheelchair user
on the floor, hence the toilet was only used by me. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> Maria also stayed with me and
as soon as we hit the bed, both of us were fast asleep.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="hps"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: whitesmoke; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">endlich</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: whitesmoke; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="hps"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: whitesmoke; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">...</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: whitesmoke; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="hps"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: whitesmoke; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">hallo, hallo</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: whitesmoke; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="hps"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: whitesmoke; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">Berlin </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lNEDRuN5Tdw/T5WweOqi4lI/AAAAAAAABnY/ZJpoyn82nz8/s1600/first++day+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lNEDRuN5Tdw/T5WweOqi4lI/AAAAAAAABnY/ZJpoyn82nz8/s320/first++day+night.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265
Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-12132811113177397122012-04-22T15:47:00.000-07:002012-04-22T15:47:10.408-07:00A day to remember.<br />
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Wednesday, the 18<sup>th</sup> of April 2012 at 5:40 am. I had
now reached London Gatwick and was at the check-in counter, everything went
smoothly and was now a bit relaxed waiting to board the Easy Jet plane in the
waiting lounge. My next and last stop Berlin, good I thought. I was exhausted as
I hardly got any sleep and was determined to take a nap when I’m on board. All relaxed
I messaged Maria on facebook that I’ll be reaching Berlin at around half nine
in the morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
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However this was not at all what happened. It was now 6 am
and someone one from passenger assistance came up to me. Madame, did anyone
speak to you about Easy Jet’s disabled passenger requirements, they asked. No I
said. Well then we’ll have to take you to the Easy Jet Office which is located downstairs.
OMG, but I’ll miss my plane, just 20 minutes left. Unfortunately, you will but
Easy Jet already has been in trouble before and now they did a mistake again. But
I’m sorry Madam without this check we can’t allow you to travel. But don’t worry
Easy Jet will figure something out. Oh no but what to do and yes I did miss the
plane and guess what the next Easy Jet flight was at 5 pm, wow! I text Maria
the whole story, even she was disappointed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For the whole story (if interested please check <a href="http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10151506779160005&id=678685004&notif_t=feed_comment">http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10151506779160005&id=678685004&notif_t=feed_comment</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well as compensation they gave me a £15 voucher for
refreshments and changed my return flight to Saturday from Friday but missing
my two meetings o Friday as well as paying my accommodation in Berlin 45 Euros
for the extra night. After all this drama I went to one of the cafes to have
breakfast (used one of the vouchers). After breakfast just roamed around shops
and bought my friend Maria a gift. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The best part was when at around 2 pm the fire alarm rang,
what good fortune for me I thought. We were all guided to safer part of the airport.
Thank god we didn’t have to go downstairs! After an hour we were then allowed
to go back to the waiting lounge where I charged my phone and called up friends
to talk to, time was not moving, it seemed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Finally it was 5pm but, yes another but! The flight was
delayed to 6:30, what a delight! My entire day was wasted at London-Gatwick,
but they put me on the plane at around 6
pm. I was in the air at 6:35 pm and in Berlin at 8:30 pm (Berlin time).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="hps"><span style="background: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ein
Tag</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="hps"><span style="background: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">zu erinnern!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265
Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-60326538297612300322012-04-22T13:29:00.001-07:002012-04-22T13:29:29.160-07:00My journey begins...<br />
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My journey begins from when I leave my house.</div>
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18<sup>th</sup> of April 2012, at 2 am! A day
before I had already done my packing (very, very light I travelled, Gosh, just
3 tops, PJs and toothbrush, paste, face wash and cream. Oh yes not to forget my
wheelchair charger and phone charger). All my hand luggage, which was just a
big bag, I hung it a night before at the back of my wheelchair. By the way it’s
a very very bad idea to take pictures from your phone especially if it’s a HTC,
My pictures are all stuck as it always
says out of memory, hate this crappy situation. I have pics of painting of Van
Gough and Monet and Nefertiti (beauty is she!) at the Pergamon Museum but
unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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My taxi came to my place in London at 3 am, I was all ready
to leave (with butterflies I my stomach due to anxiousness of travelling all
the way to Gatwick airport, London). My taxi to Victoria station cost me £25,
it took me almost an hour to get there (roads were empty but all the traffic
lights were closed). </div>
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Finally I reach Victoria Station, then I bought my ticket for Gatwick Express open return
which cost me £16.20 (this is the discounted price as I have a disabled rail
card). The train which I had to catch was at 5 am. It takes half an hour to get
there and drops passengers right next to South Terminal. Which was good for me
as I was flying from the same terminal, so no time was wasted in going all the
way to North terminal.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="hps"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: whitesmoke; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Meine</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: whitesmoke; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="hps"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: whitesmoke; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Reise beginnt</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: whitesmoke; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="hps"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: whitesmoke; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">ab</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: whitesmoke; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">, wenn ich<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="hps">mein Haus</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="hps">verlassen</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Wake up Nadia Ahmed, you are on the train to the airport.at 5 in the moring.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tK3KCoNpghc/T5Ro3nGUK8I/AAAAAAAABmY/18I8xRQr20U/s1600/goig+to+airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tK3KCoNpghc/T5Ro3nGUK8I/AAAAAAAABmY/18I8xRQr20U/s320/goig+to+airport.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<br />
All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265
Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-41885763331152031602012-04-22T11:30:00.002-07:002012-04-22T11:30:40.731-07:00Excitement Begins...<div class="MsoNormal">
A week ago we were just having lunch at the Queen Mary Curve
Café, discussing our plans about the weekend. Maria said I am going to Berlin tomorrow
and all of us were like wow, lucky you? I wish I could go to Berlin…I love
travelling (honestly, I love travelling and would go anywhere). Anyways Maria invited me, at first I thought she was just kidding. But the next day I received
an email from her asking if I’d like to join her in Berlin, also assuring me that
I’d love it there!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I quickly did a online surf for cheap flights to Berlin. The
cheapest was Easy Jet from Gatwick London to Berlin, £62. I got excited and
emailed her back yes I am coming but please can you look for accessible and
affordable accommodation in Berlin, and yes she found a Hostel 45 Euros per
nignt and wheelchair accessible The Odyssee Hostel In Berlin (<a href="http://www.globetrotterhostel.de/index.php?Land%20Ho!&page=0">http://www.globetrotterhostel.de/index.php?Land%20Ho!&page=0</a>
its near Frankfurter Tor U-Bahn station. By the way the metro, over-ground trains,
the buses and trams all public transport is fully accessible and why not ‘Hitler
was famous for getting rid of the disabled and elderly’!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I booked my flight for the 18<sup>th</sup> of April 6 o’clock
in the morning (from Gatwick) till the 20<sup>th</sup> (7 o’clock in the
morning from Berlin. I emailed Maria my flight detail and shortly received a
very comforting and welcoming reply that ‘Nadia you’ll love Berlin, the food is
awesome, people are lovely and accommodation is all sorted. 'Nadia Ahmed, Berlin is waiting for you.' quote Maria Fernanda (2012) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now it was time to get excited and yes I was although I had
heaps of work but a few day off work is good ad sure it was. <o:p></o:p></div>
<span class="hps" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="hps" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Aufregung</span><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;"> </span><span class="hps" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">beginnt!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a2OzmQ5Emyg/T5RM4QMvXpI/AAAAAAAABmQ/TrlsNoxmzXU/s1600/361px-Overview_Berlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a2OzmQ5Emyg/T5RM4QMvXpI/AAAAAAAABmQ/TrlsNoxmzXU/s320/361px-Overview_Berlin.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>
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<br />
All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265
Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-65584992793254316902012-03-25T09:04:00.002-07:002012-03-25T09:06:53.880-07:00The Orchestra Experience.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EVUKUeIF9ww/T29CjOsmr3I/AAAAAAAABl8/FcV6VUW5Jcw/s1600/The%2BLondon%2BPhilharmonic%2BOrchestra%2Bat%2BRoyal%2BFestival%2BHall%252C%2BSou.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EVUKUeIF9ww/T29CjOsmr3I/AAAAAAAABl8/FcV6VUW5Jcw/s400/The%2BLondon%2BPhilharmonic%2BOrchestra%2Bat%2BRoyal%2BFestival%2BHall%252C%2BSou.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723866824419225458" /></a><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal">Yesterday, that is the 24<sup>th</sup> of March; I attended the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank. What an experience it was…in fact what a peculiar experience? One can only love it or hate it, and I say why it was a strange experience because I thought I hated it (that was the first part) but then I fell in love with it. Oh my God, when they played Edward Elgar’s first symphony that was simply incredible, Wow! <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Back to the story now, so my friends and me decided to book tickets for the up-coming event at ‘Noise’ at South Bank (‘Noise’ has been specially organised for students by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, where students can get discounted tickets <a href="http://www.lpo.co.uk/education/students.html">http://www.lpo.co.uk/education/students.html</a>). So we booked 4 tickets which cost £12, very cheap that mean £3 per person, very good we all approved of ourselves. All happy and contented we then waited for the weekend earnestly, or I think it was only I because it was my first time to an orchestra ad I was particularly excited.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Finally the day came, Gosh and the day was beautiful so warm and sunny in March, that was a surprise, a pleasant surprise! The entire day I just wasted in the sun, soon it was 5:30pm time to go! We all met up at Waterloo Station and walked to Southbank, it was 6:45pm by the time we reached. Soon we made our way to the orchestra. I am on a wheelchair therefore we were designated special seating area and the view was superb as we had the full view of the orchestra. It was magnificent!<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The orchestra started with Julian Anderson’s music ‘The Discovery of Heaven (and it was a world première), and then the ‘Sea Drift’ created by Delius. The second half was music created by Elgar Symphony No. 1, what a lavishing experience it was. He created this symphony at the turn of the twentieth century during the times of the economic recession. “In his Symphony he seized on a flicker of optimism, describing it as ‘a massive hope for the future.’ A moving, noble melody appears at first fragile and tender. But when it returns at the Symphony’s end, it’s revived and encouraged with gestures of support from the strings and woodwind, who throw themselves at the orchestral procession with a spirit of inextinguishable optimism.” And yes this is how it exactly felt like.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And now it was me, my despicable performace! Very careless Nadia! Unbelievable I made the orchestra stop. ‘I am so sorry about that, from the deepest pits of my heart!’ well the story of my atrocious behaviour now begins: I was chewing chewing gum, yes chewing gum Wrigley’s spearmint. And I chocked on it, oh my God am I chocking, and this was the time when everyone was clapping, a welcome to the orchestra, hence luckily my coughing sounds disappeared in the clapping noise, that was close I thought. Now everyone was silent and the orchestra was about to begin and yes they did begin but the coughs started again and when I tried to stop them a really funny noise started to come out of my mouth and then I don’t know why but the whole situation reminded me of ‘Bugs Bunny conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra’ (its on youtube, do check it out) and that is when I couldn’t stop laughing, that is when the orchestra stopped and I had to leave the hall, how embarrassing. Well two of my friends left with me, I am so sorry but they kept on saying no problem. We could only go in after the pause. Hence we waited for a while for the orchestra to pause.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Soon we were all back in, my friends are awesome. ‘Honestly, what will I do without you guys, X.’ The next performance was ‘Sea Drift’ by Delius, well I was very quiet thank God for that but I did not particularly enjoy it but I patiently waited for it to finished. Then we had a 15 minutes interval. All of us went out for drinks. Soon the interval was over and we all wet back in. It was all Eldgar now, his work it simply amazing. The contrast between the high a low notes, the swift but smooth and calming melody that goes from aggressive to passionate. Although I don’t know much about music but Eldgar’s first symphony was tremendously splendid!<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Thank you my friends for your patience, kindness and thoughtfulness all 4 of you. An experience I’ll never forget with my awesome friends. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><br /></div>All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-47312265314330704982012-01-22T15:40:00.000-08:002012-01-23T07:46:08.255-08:00I am Ok, I am Ok....'but we need u to come to the hospital with us', says the paramedics!<div><p class="MsoNormal">Day trip to the Hospital.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Hi folks, </p><p class="MsoNormal">Its been ages since I have written a blog. Well, that is because haven’t got any money for travelling abroad, plus I was also busy getting back to university. Yey, I am a student again, love the freedom of academia. But this time I am doing a PhD! To many people it’s a wow! But trust me it’s a huge commitment, its like getting married to education for a good 5 years. And gosh! It is hard work, making compromises between finance and research, just like a husband and wife. Might as well get married!<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Anyway, enough about my education, more about my day trip to the hospital. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Saturday, 21/1/2012 at 10:00 am my carer came to help me with my morning shower and dressing-up routine. I got up from my bed my carer helped me put on my pink rubber slippers. I then dragged and transferred myself to the wheelchair. Went to the bathroom, then my girl (I call my carer my girl as I don’t know I just like her a lot and she’s very young) helped me sit on the lu. Well after I was done my girl took off my slippers and asked me if I’d be ok in transferring from the lu to the shower seat. I said yes and that was not the correct answer! I am really short you see, without slippers its very difficult for me to reach the lu floor or I think the lu is too high. Anyway so I made the transfer, an unsuccessful one. Instead of seating myself on the shower chair I slipped and landed on my bum, on the floor.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Don’t worry I didn’t get hurt. My girl and me tried very hard to get me up. Well I realised haven’t being using the gym so no strength in me plus I have gained weight. So please my folks its very important to keep yourself fit and strong and oh yeh light weight. Anyway we didn’t know what to do so my girl called her office and they recommended her to call the ambulance. She asked me well I wasn’t in favour of it but I had no choice, so my girl called 999. They asked her a million questions like is she conscious, is she bleeding, did she have a fit and so on. Finally the address was confirmed by me (that is the patient) and we just had to wait and all this time I was on the floor. In the mean time my girl asked me if we ask the neighbours, well give it a shot. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My neighbours are a lovely couple, oh they are so sweet. They girl came in and was very positive and eager to help. She held me from one shoulder and my girl from the other. Then they pulled me up and soon I was sitting on the shower seat. I could not stop thanking my neighbour.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After a few minutes the ambulance also arrived. Oh no now what we thought. Anyway my girl called them in, they saw me and asked many question. The trouble was that I did not look injured. Well they wanted to take my blood pressure, temperature and blood sugars. I was fine with everything except the blood sugar part as they had to prick my finger tip. Anyway but it was all done and all was normal but the paramedics were still not satisfied. They wanted to take me to hospital, ok then I said. Please give me 45 minutes as I wanted to take a shower, well they agreed. I though why not pamper myself today by going to the hospital. It was an unusual experience though when nothing was wrong with me.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I was all ready to go now, they suggested we’ll take you in our wheelchair and leave you motorised wheelchair home. I agreed with them although felt weird as my motorised wheelchair are my legs. I was completely dependent on them and felt so handicapped. But I just let myself loose and they gently lifted me and transferred me on to their wheelchair and took me into the ambulance soon we were on our way to Royal London Hospital. The hospital is very old and by old I mean ancient. But they took me from the back entrance which was all newly built. Wow I thought it looked really impressive. Anyways they took me in, the doctors were puzzled, when nothing’s wrong with her why is she here? Wish I could say I was here just for fun! Once again I was questions, but I have just slipped that’s all. But the good thing was they did many tests which I would not even think of getting done, like a blood test and ECG. I found out that I need to see a cardiologist, neurologist, physiotherapist and an orthopaedic surgeon. Maybe being ignorant of my condition was a better idea!<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The whole investigation took 45 minutes, then for two hours I had to wait in the waiting room as they had to arrange for my transport back home.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What a palaver! <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><br /></div>All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-17958069140665033102011-08-13T05:21:00.000-07:002011-08-13T05:27:57.742-07:00'Made in Pakistan' handbag collection at nadiahmedcollections.com<span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">New 'Made in Pakistan' collection by Mahin Hussain has been launched at <a href="http://www.nadiahmedcollections.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" avglsprocessed="1" style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); text-decoration: none; ">www.nadiahmedcollections.com</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">. Please do check, buy and enjoy!</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >The magic of youth - The pride in belonging - The power of change.
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<br /><!--[endif]--></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587</span></div>nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-28520389985055646442011-08-11T04:07:00.000-07:002011-08-11T04:07:06.905-07:00Ultra-trendy designer fashion wear.<a href="http://nadiahmedcollections.com/index.php/blog/2/15#.TkO3xDe3Jx0.blogger">Ultra-trendy designer fashion wear.</a>
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<br />All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-51632661771820709572011-05-28T10:55:00.000-07:002011-05-28T11:56:09.172-07:00Merci Beaucoup Papa! Part II<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W-9XGv9g_d8/TeFDARWnTVI/AAAAAAAABhI/yHjl6k38QWk/s1600/Image2364.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W-9XGv9g_d8/TeFDARWnTVI/AAAAAAAABhI/yHjl6k38QWk/s400/Image2364.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611840282617662802" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4wNiGUh6QOY/TeFDAHGrufI/AAAAAAAABhA/-vnruX8vQC0/s1600/Image2391.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4wNiGUh6QOY/TeFDAHGrufI/AAAAAAAABhA/-vnruX8vQC0/s400/Image2391.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611840279866489330" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yBUEanTbZfE/TeFC_-gYcxI/AAAAAAAABg4/NtXyGJJ0o1I/s1600/Image2390.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yBUEanTbZfE/TeFC_-gYcxI/AAAAAAAABg4/NtXyGJJ0o1I/s400/Image2390.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611840277558358802" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VU40UGSvIyM/TeFC_pa0e-I/AAAAAAAABgw/C3BC5QDdPjc/s1600/Image2388.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VU40UGSvIyM/TeFC_pa0e-I/AAAAAAAABgw/C3BC5QDdPjc/s400/Image2388.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611840271897885666" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V8C3sgrQa0Q/TeFC_STUMgI/AAAAAAAABgo/KBLRxJ7JFKg/s1600/Image2396.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V8C3sgrQa0Q/TeFC_STUMgI/AAAAAAAABgo/KBLRxJ7JFKg/s400/Image2396.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611840265692393986" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nhYmrKwvvBs/TeFBz3-9w7I/AAAAAAAABgg/L_T4xlOT3NI/s1600/Image2383.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nhYmrKwvvBs/TeFBz3-9w7I/AAAAAAAABgg/L_T4xlOT3NI/s400/Image2383.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611838970137527218" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPusq1LTFNQ/TeFBzvorMeI/AAAAAAAABgY/bi7oBSDR3k8/s1600/Image2296.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPusq1LTFNQ/TeFBzvorMeI/AAAAAAAABgY/bi7oBSDR3k8/s400/Image2296.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611838967896551906" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6-qZqV_RiA/TeFBzVG3xpI/AAAAAAAABgQ/Hfc0uw4SEKE/s1600/Image2382.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6-qZqV_RiA/TeFBzVG3xpI/AAAAAAAABgQ/Hfc0uw4SEKE/s400/Image2382.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611838960775448210" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1FBKTEM51ek/TeFBzITPvSI/AAAAAAAABgI/feNYWPwU0Fo/s1600/Image2379.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 356px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1FBKTEM51ek/TeFBzITPvSI/AAAAAAAABgI/feNYWPwU0Fo/s400/Image2379.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611838957337689378" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TglR5TUiQNE/TeFBzLrIROI/AAAAAAAABgA/2ssYaLwKL0I/s1600/Image2368.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TglR5TUiQNE/TeFBzLrIROI/AAAAAAAABgA/2ssYaLwKL0I/s400/Image2368.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611838958243169506" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-66DNVycgaVc/TeE-46AlVpI/AAAAAAAABf4/nfoXgiB8R-Q/s1600/Image2324.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-66DNVycgaVc/TeE-46AlVpI/AAAAAAAABf4/nfoXgiB8R-Q/s400/Image2324.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611835758045648530" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hUlvnWyHBDw/TeE-4uf4WeI/AAAAAAAABfw/2YYoXdBzs6g/s1600/Image2377.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hUlvnWyHBDw/TeE-4uf4WeI/AAAAAAAABfw/2YYoXdBzs6g/s400/Image2377.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611835754955692514" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XonhzNkjTFM/TeE-4VdQtWI/AAAAAAAABfo/KfVnL6QEGOg/s1600/Image2363.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XonhzNkjTFM/TeE-4VdQtWI/AAAAAAAABfo/KfVnL6QEGOg/s400/Image2363.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611835748233819490" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nlfViPdtT-w/TeE-4NodJrI/AAAAAAAABfg/w5JXv-ceQF4/s1600/Image2374.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 323px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nlfViPdtT-w/TeE-4NodJrI/AAAAAAAABfg/w5JXv-ceQF4/s400/Image2374.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611835746133288626" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GISUcbfLKlg/TeE-376BY1I/AAAAAAAABfY/L--apXoLHNU/s1600/Image2360.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GISUcbfLKlg/TeE-376BY1I/AAAAAAAABfY/L--apXoLHNU/s400/Image2360.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611835741375128402" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">The next day...well woke-up at half eight got dressed, had no plans what am I going to do but still excited! That’s weird, what a odd sensation. Anyways, Arc de Triomphe and then Champs Elysees is not far away from Le Meridien the hotel where I was staying. Therefore I decided to go there on my wheelchair. By the way the streets and pavements in Paris are all wheelchair accessible but most of the roads are cobbled hence the journey on a wheelchair is not very pleasant, its very bumpy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There, turned left from the Le Meridien Hotel, passed the huge convention centre named Palais de Congress (this is where the cardiac PCR congress was held, so my Father was there during the day and I just gallivanted the streets of Paris), then comes a huge and by huge I mean reality huge roundabout called Place de le Porte Maillot. After crossing many roads I took the second turning Avenue de la Grande Armee, then straight till the Arc de Triomphe can be seen this is on a roundabout called Avenue des Champs Elysees. Unfortunately there is no wheelchair access, only a subway (steps that go down and then up again on to the Arc de Triomphe). So once again I had to round that huge roundabout and go straight on Avenue des Champs Elysees and I was on Champs Elysees now. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Avenue des Champs-Élysées</span> is a prestigious avenue in Paris, France. With its cinemas, cafés, luxury specialty shops and clipped horse-chestnut trees (that is what they call those square shaped-up trees that run along Champs Elysees), it is one of the most famous streets in the world, and with rents as high as €1.1 million (US$1.5 million) annually per 1,100 square feet (92.9 square metres) of space, it remains the second most expensive strip of real estate in Europe, having recently (as of 2010) been overtaken by London's Bond Street. The name is French for Elysian Fields, the place of the blessed dead in Greek mythology. The <span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">Avenue des Champs-Élysées</span> is known as "The most beautiful avenue of the world", <span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">La plus belle avenue du monde</span> in French. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">I visited the Dior shop and got a free make-over done, went into the famous Louis Vuitton shop, Oh my God! Even a teny-tiny purse was for 200 Euros...! but how ironic, on the other side of Champs Elysees they were all these fake Louis Vuitton bags being sold on the pavement, hehehe...how very comical. One more thing I observed was that they were so many beggars on the rich and posh Champs Elesees and sadly enough all were Muslims, one could tell as they were all wearing head scarves. I have taken loads of pictures, which I shall be uploading along with my blog.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">For dinner we went to this awesome seafood restaurant called ‘Café Procope’ it, is called the oldest restaurant of Paris in continuous operation. It was opened in 1686 by the Sicilian Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli, the address is 1<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">3 Rue de Lancienne Comédie75006, Paris they also have they own website at http://www.procope.com/ (but its in French). The food was awesome, I had onion soup (it sounds a bit weird) but it was delicious, then I ordered a chilled sea food platter, had a very peculiar taste as it had a variety of sea food prawns, cockles, different types of shell fish, etc) but I enjoyed it all. Then dessert which was something chocolaty which was really scrumptious and I loved it all </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Wingdings;mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-char-type:symbol; mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><span style="mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings">J</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">.</span><b><span style="font-size:6.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#59200A; text-transform:uppercase"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7CBfj7uhVhI/TeE8SFBS51I/AAAAAAAABfQ/LW02DErcTPI/s1600/Image2332.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7CBfj7uhVhI/TeE8SFBS51I/AAAAAAAABfQ/LW02DErcTPI/s400/Image2332.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611832891963270994" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9pmIBBg8azo/TeE8Rdg_FYI/AAAAAAAABfI/VhS0-ciZ2MI/s1600/Image2337.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; 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margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E7DJwN8a1GM/TeE8Q7njAXI/AAAAAAAABew/_sFEsncMLHw/s400/Image2355.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611832872259486066" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2mQBdNmwAbQ/TeE5zu2vyuI/AAAAAAAABeo/1TBER70dvvM/s1600/Image2273.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2mQBdNmwAbQ/TeE5zu2vyuI/AAAAAAAABeo/1TBER70dvvM/s400/Image2273.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611830171594115810" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PeIZan5Y5r4/TeE5zbHrAsI/AAAAAAAABeg/yywMwaVpOs4/s1600/Image2258.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PeIZan5Y5r4/TeE5zbHrAsI/AAAAAAAABeg/yywMwaVpOs4/s400/Image2258.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611830166296396482" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TcYKfOOVHj8/TeE5ywTHYzI/AAAAAAAABeY/9rhPhv0tNIc/s1600/Image2262.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TcYKfOOVHj8/TeE5ywTHYzI/AAAAAAAABeY/9rhPhv0tNIc/s400/Image2262.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611830154801668914" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MS4UkBMSdIo/TeE5y77EpjI/AAAAAAAABeQ/QVk7aowRvvM/s1600/Image2256.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MS4UkBMSdIo/TeE5y77EpjI/AAAAAAAABeQ/QVk7aowRvvM/s400/Image2256.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611830157922051634" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nAjIPU54eO8/TeE5yqgjADI/AAAAAAAABeI/OFHVqnSRzc8/s1600/Image2342.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nAjIPU54eO8/TeE5yqgjADI/AAAAAAAABeI/OFHVqnSRzc8/s400/Image2342.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611830153247391794" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-15641818392418711722011-05-27T04:53:00.000-07:002011-05-28T10:55:35.957-07:00Merci Beaucoup Papa! Part I<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NjK_4DGz6q4/Td-TQfWtQzI/AAAAAAAABeA/ErpiaF5UHcM/s1600/Image2251.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NjK_4DGz6q4/Td-TQfWtQzI/AAAAAAAABeA/ErpiaF5UHcM/s400/Image2251.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611365572230857522" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OS0Q_S30PcI/Td-TQKHluyI/AAAAAAAABd4/7DSJuP0Nixs/s1600/Image2252.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OS0Q_S30PcI/Td-TQKHluyI/AAAAAAAABd4/7DSJuP0Nixs/s400/Image2252.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611365566530304802" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6QKztC648XQ/Td-TPy_7dqI/AAAAAAAABdw/I5RTa0_Mr84/s1600/Image2250.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6QKztC648XQ/Td-TPy_7dqI/AAAAAAAABdw/I5RTa0_Mr84/s400/Image2250.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611365560324159138" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YL-ENMD_I4E/Td-TPncbBRI/AAAAAAAABdo/AaF83kK8yL0/s1600/Image2247.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YL-ENMD_I4E/Td-TPncbBRI/AAAAAAAABdo/AaF83kK8yL0/s400/Image2247.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611365557222442258" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-elT0ac5jwTU/Td-TPf8HD3I/AAAAAAAABdg/17T1Ltvcmf8/s1600/Image2246.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-elT0ac5jwTU/Td-TPf8HD3I/AAAAAAAABdg/17T1Ltvcmf8/s400/Image2246.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611365555207868274" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zumHoGEGBG4/Td-R9VmBFUI/AAAAAAAABdY/UEwjbNkSNu8/s1600/Image2244.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zumHoGEGBG4/Td-R9VmBFUI/AAAAAAAABdY/UEwjbNkSNu8/s400/Image2244.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611364143681574210" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-no64IT7M-l0/Td-R9LHZRlI/AAAAAAAABdQ/L3aHDvKPYsI/s1600/Image2239.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-no64IT7M-l0/Td-R9LHZRlI/AAAAAAAABdQ/L3aHDvKPYsI/s400/Image2239.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611364140868781650" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CShByrPzBSI/Td-R82qsTRI/AAAAAAAABdI/5yeouC9WYKU/s1600/Image2238.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CShByrPzBSI/Td-R82qsTRI/AAAAAAAABdI/5yeouC9WYKU/s400/Image2238.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611364135379684626" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2O9GE7yFWAY/Td-R8gaVdvI/AAAAAAAABdA/t0Gj2ujc7-w/s1600/Image2243.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2O9GE7yFWAY/Td-R8gaVdvI/AAAAAAAABdA/t0Gj2ujc7-w/s400/Image2243.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611364129405499122" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cADjMtzhqDs/Td-R8eJh6TI/AAAAAAAABc4/pR93DcF5WeY/s1600/Image2346.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cADjMtzhqDs/Td-R8eJh6TI/AAAAAAAABc4/pR93DcF5WeY/s400/Image2346.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611364128798140722" /></a><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Merci beaucoup means thank you very much in French and soon in this blog-post I shall tell why I titled this post as merci beaucoup. I made a four day trip at random and it was all worth it, enjoyed it a lot, although met up with my Dad in Paris (who convinced me to come) as he was invited at a cardiac convention in Paris, and I just tagged along from UK. However it was an awesome break which I think I needed so much and it was so worth it ... Bless him. And that is why I have named my blog-post merci beaucoup...a big ‘thank you very much to my Father’.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">The weather was great and by great I mean awesome and warm and sunny. Food was the best had lovely authentic French food at ‘Chez Georges’ on the first day. It was a lovely road side restaurant in 273 Boulevard Pereire, 75017 Paris, France, +33 1 45 74 31 00 chez-georges.com, right opposite the Palais de Congres (that is the convention centre where the cardiac congress PCR was held). It was also very close to our hotel, Le <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Meridien</span> Etoile (which was awesome, thank you, merci beaucoup Dad!) Please do go there its lovely, the food is delicious and the decor is breath taking. I had lamb shoulder, and oh my word the meat was so, so tender! I had escargots (snails) as an appetizer and the desert was creamy, chocolaty and scrumptious. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And our host that Mr. Suleman our host from <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Ferozsons<b> </b>Laboratories</span> Limited, what a fine young man he is, well mannered and also tall and handsome but married...sad! <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Anyways, my evening was the best. I have also taken many pictures and shall be also uploading them along with my blog-post. We left the restaurant at about midnight, I know it sounds very late but life starts in Paris after dark. The shops at the famous Champs Elysees close at half eleven and the road side cafes and bistros seem as they never close, as the French say ‘L'enjeu est magnifique et la nuit est jeune’ meaning the challenge is great and the night is young. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">So it all began, the idea to visit Paris was my Father’s, it would be nice short break for you he’d say and yes he was right it was a fantastic break. He had to be there as he was invited to attend the Euro PCR 2011 for four days. Well he flew by plane from Karachi, Pakistan all the way to Paris whereas I came by train (Euro Star) from Ashford, UK; it takes just two hours to reach Paris by train, sweet! The best part is that going with my Father means free accommodation, plus I get to go out for all these awesome dinners and night-outs for free. I know it sounds kind of ... not interesting maybe but it’s worth it all as it’s said ‘sometimes to lose something, in-order to get something’, and even I found out (I really don't know if this is going to interest you but it sure does interest me as I am the daughter of a Cardiologist) apparently a pacemaker has been invented which is the size of a capsule and it has a seven year battery. It shall be out in the market on sale in a year’s time; this innovation has been done by Medtronics.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">The Euro Star was as good as always, the ticket was for £65 return, fully wheelchairs accessible, (for further details or ticket booking please go on website <a href="http://www.eurostar.com/">http://www.eurostar.com</a>). For me I was travelling from Maidstone, therefore I had to get the train to Ashford from Maidstone East Station, the ticket was for £5.40 (for inquiries please do check out the South Eastern Trains website at <a href="http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/">http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""><br /></span></p></div><div><br /></div>All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-28438585357966529482011-03-04T23:59:00.000-08:002011-03-05T02:30:33.007-08:00Karachi with Farheen.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhXuLnuLRBs/TXIOhI1dWbI/AAAAAAAABbI/_MLlQipX2Eo/s1600/Image1364.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhXuLnuLRBs/TXIOhI1dWbI/AAAAAAAABbI/_MLlQipX2Eo/s320/Image1364.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580538850735643058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A321hzoA048/TXIOg2x5f4I/AAAAAAAABbA/uJJn-tSTL1c/s1600/Image1363.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A321hzoA048/TXIOg2x5f4I/AAAAAAAABbA/uJJn-tSTL1c/s320/Image1363.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580538845888872322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-Bt5m0YsVA/TXIOgoSEhNI/AAAAAAAABa4/s2I1q-f_D-w/s1600/Image1362.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-Bt5m0YsVA/TXIOgoSEhNI/AAAAAAAABa4/s2I1q-f_D-w/s320/Image1362.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580538841997280466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8g4aPArPClI/TXIOgXcRB7I/AAAAAAAABaw/J00AiGrLEx8/s1600/Image1361.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8g4aPArPClI/TXIOgXcRB7I/AAAAAAAABaw/J00AiGrLEx8/s320/Image1361.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580538837476640690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0JdjRp4iA-0/TXIOgA65M_I/AAAAAAAABao/GiW49bfqwlY/s1600/Image1365.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0JdjRp4iA-0/TXIOgA65M_I/AAAAAAAABao/GiW49bfqwlY/s320/Image1365.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580538831431087090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M7cfBH7YUA4/TXIAaUMmj5I/AAAAAAAABag/oRElGRAk2PU/s1600/Image1360.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M7cfBH7YUA4/TXIAaUMmj5I/AAAAAAAABag/oRElGRAk2PU/s320/Image1360.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580523340363632530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n6evn5CTikk/TXIAaH5ecpI/AAAAAAAABaY/4yLUuMgf6HM/s1600/Image1358.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n6evn5CTikk/TXIAaH5ecpI/AAAAAAAABaY/4yLUuMgf6HM/s320/Image1358.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580523337062183570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVmcb3s5h5Y/TXIAZ8F1mgI/AAAAAAAABaQ/KF1udJUlaz4/s1600/Image1357.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVmcb3s5h5Y/TXIAZ8F1mgI/AAAAAAAABaQ/KF1udJUlaz4/s320/Image1357.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580523333892807170" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bB0onCMDzGE/TXIAZoyjR-I/AAAAAAAABaI/aaji08p1_do/s1600/Image1356.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bB0onCMDzGE/TXIAZoyjR-I/AAAAAAAABaI/aaji08p1_do/s320/Image1356.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580523328711641058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--vhYBMX0XkE/TXH9jWQoiJI/AAAAAAAABaA/Xd5zYeETjVM/s1600/Image1355.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--vhYBMX0XkE/TXH9jWQoiJI/AAAAAAAABaA/Xd5zYeETjVM/s320/Image1355.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580520197001349266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I1tWmbgaaHE/TXH9jIoIR6I/AAAAAAAABZ4/pLkPsSuDBzQ/s1600/Image1354.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I1tWmbgaaHE/TXH9jIoIR6I/AAAAAAAABZ4/pLkPsSuDBzQ/s320/Image1354.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580520193341802402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymBF-EhrSwI/TXH9i-t9QSI/AAAAAAAABZw/LY0r9RZiYV0/s1600/Image1353.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymBF-EhrSwI/TXH9i-t9QSI/AAAAAAAABZw/LY0r9RZiYV0/s320/Image1353.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580520190681891106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cpz17aHxlx4/TXH9il2P29I/AAAAAAAABZo/ujaflTonVMY/s1600/Image1352.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cpz17aHxlx4/TXH9il2P29I/AAAAAAAABZo/ujaflTonVMY/s320/Image1352.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580520184005778386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hwTE27PbgDQ/TXH9iSzWH-I/AAAAAAAABZg/C7z_PBdZ0bE/s1600/Image1350.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hwTE27PbgDQ/TXH9iSzWH-I/AAAAAAAABZg/C7z_PBdZ0bE/s320/Image1350.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580520178893332450" /></a><br /><div><div>This blog-post shall be slightly different,hope it all works out. Anyways so after we were done at the beauty salon (Sabz) looking all pretty and posh. Farheen decided to take me to Park Towers at Clifton as it is wheelchair accessible. (Now by wheelchair accessible I mean a wheelchair or push-chair can be taken as they are ramps and lift but unfortunately they are no public wheelchair accessible toilets. We parked out car in the underground car park. Then we went to the Mall entrance where there is a ramp. (Park Towers is a reasonably big shopping mall with many popular clothes, jewelery, food, shoe shops, etc.) As we were both hungry therefore we both went upstairs straight to the food court.</div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c1-uGIBWxvU/TXH5bHjFmSI/AAAAAAAABZY/5rLdJCYqPw0/s1600/Image1351.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c1-uGIBWxvU/TXH5bHjFmSI/AAAAAAAABZY/5rLdJCYqPw0/s400/Image1351.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580515657566755106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9uchXemt5DU/TXH5a9c9fII/AAAAAAAABZQ/0Y3TB_F_nbU/s1600/Image1349.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9uchXemt5DU/TXH5a9c9fII/AAAAAAAABZQ/0Y3TB_F_nbU/s400/Image1349.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580515654856703106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t_tcb-PTblI/TXH5acFG9PI/AAAAAAAABZI/yLhlIy6gXtA/s1600/Image1348.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t_tcb-PTblI/TXH5acFG9PI/AAAAAAAABZI/yLhlIy6gXtA/s400/Image1348.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580515645898290418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j2ek9fqzEzY/TXH5aQZ4QRI/AAAAAAAABZA/0ZfDE-us4x4/s1600/Image1347.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j2ek9fqzEzY/TXH5aQZ4QRI/AAAAAAAABZA/0ZfDE-us4x4/s400/Image1347.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580515642764181778" /></a><br /><div>We ordered Chaat (a local snack made of chickpeas, tamarind, crispy chips, and yogurt and I love it!) Farheen also ordered a Chinese dish Chicken Chillie, I think. Anyways, we enjoyed it all.</div><div><br /></div><div>After our lovely lunch Farheen and me roamed around the mall. They were lots of offer and everything was decorated with red hearts as it was valentines soon. Farheen also bough t me and herself a pink, dainty alice-band with a strip of tiny diamond shaped studs on it. I have taken many pictures of shops and decorations inside the mall which I shall be also uploading along with this blog-post.</div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">We spent almost the entire day there and had loads of fun. Thank you Farheen and I am always ready to go out with Farheen any day and any time. And believe it or not almost my entire holiday in Karachi I spent with her and enjoyed every bit of it it. Thank you. X<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br /></div>All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-90851001623938191692011-03-03T05:18:00.000-08:002011-03-03T06:10:29.808-08:00Hello, hello Karachi. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aO_c3G1fvDM/TW-bY1AJohI/AAAAAAAABYQ/pa2plWfbPEo/s1600/Image1345.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aO_c3G1fvDM/TW-bY1AJohI/AAAAAAAABYQ/pa2plWfbPEo/s320/Image1345.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579849314182210066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2KQ29-CmTOI/TW-bYkHRE3I/AAAAAAAABYI/47izKOrIrXk/s1600/Image1346.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2KQ29-CmTOI/TW-bYkHRE3I/AAAAAAAABYI/47izKOrIrXk/s320/Image1346.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579849309648655218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q72zciYBqWE/TW-bYdPRwFI/AAAAAAAABYA/sLKb7NpDZfg/s1600/Image1344.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q72zciYBqWE/TW-bYdPRwFI/AAAAAAAABYA/sLKb7NpDZfg/s320/Image1344.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579849307803205714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Evs0hqKzDb8/TW-bYG9WXZI/AAAAAAAABX4/BsXFgrSEvf8/s1600/Image1343.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Evs0hqKzDb8/TW-bYG9WXZI/AAAAAAAABX4/BsXFgrSEvf8/s320/Image1343.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579849301822430610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o_zg0ezqThg/TW-bX6hlM6I/AAAAAAAABXw/gHyRlQVTLgA/s1600/Image1341.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o_zg0ezqThg/TW-bX6hlM6I/AAAAAAAABXw/gHyRlQVTLgA/s320/Image1341.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579849298484736930" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uWidcvzd6QI/TW-XnRk52HI/AAAAAAAABXo/y82yG1Gj0ZQ/s1600/Image1340.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uWidcvzd6QI/TW-XnRk52HI/AAAAAAAABXo/y82yG1Gj0ZQ/s320/Image1340.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579845164324214898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dqzxW0Mb-JM/TW-XnBKB59I/AAAAAAAABXg/6MrHEajcSpQ/s1600/Image1336.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dqzxW0Mb-JM/TW-XnBKB59I/AAAAAAAABXg/6MrHEajcSpQ/s320/Image1336.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579845159916529618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRRIXIJHYQc/TW-Xm7sePqI/AAAAAAAABXY/y2FErrWPgfk/s1600/Image1335.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRRIXIJHYQc/TW-Xm7sePqI/AAAAAAAABXY/y2FErrWPgfk/s320/Image1335.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579845158450380450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AvRohg1Yv60/TW-XmV6sUGI/AAAAAAAABXQ/wNkWI_bl1mM/s1600/Image1334.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AvRohg1Yv60/TW-XmV6sUGI/AAAAAAAABXQ/wNkWI_bl1mM/s320/Image1334.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579845148309475426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ykeYL6GA0q8/TW-XmI9tpKI/AAAAAAAABXI/CMbLps9IoiM/s1600/Image1333.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ykeYL6GA0q8/TW-XmI9tpKI/AAAAAAAABXI/CMbLps9IoiM/s320/Image1333.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579845144832484514" /></a><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="line-height: 115%; "><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="line-height: 115%; ">I did reach on Saturday afternoon and as soon as I got seated in the car with my parents, to our way home in Karachi I called both of my Grand-Mothers (my Dad’s Mom and my Mum’s Mum) first from my Father’s mobile. My Dad’s Mum said she’ll come late in the afternoon as she had to visit a relative and my Mum’s Mom was free so we picked her up on our way home. I also called up Sana (my oldest friend best-(eeest) friend from school) who never received the phone! </span><span style="line-height: 115%; ">L</span><span style="line-height: 115%; "> And then my friend Farheen, who is a doctor who was delighted to receive my call. And this blog post is going to be all about her, Dr. Farheen Saleem and how I spent the first Monday, 7<sup>th</sup> of February 2011 with her. X<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Monday morning it was, Farheen had already booked an appointment with ‘Sabz’ (beauty salon) a week before, she picked me up from my house at around 10am. The salon itself is not wheelchair accessible (it has 4 steps at the entrance) but the owner and everyone else over there are very helpful and cooperative. They lifted my wheelchair up and took me in (well, we did break all health and safety rules) but I was safely inside the beauty salon. I wanted to get my hair permanently straightened (relaxing/rebounding) as I have naturally curly hair. Yes, my hair shall be straight for the next 6 months, I thought with pleasure. Therefore before the treatment in order to check the strength of my hair a hair test was done. No, oh no! My hair was way toooo week this was because I had already died my hair when I went to Fuerteventura 2 months back, I also wrote about this on my blog. My friend and me were devastated, that means I shall be using hair straighters for my entire vacation in Karachi, Pakistan. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >The hair specialist consoled me by saying ‘my child, don't be sad, just apply oil in ure head, use vitamin ‘E’ and use egg and yogurt as conditioner, hopefully ure hair will become stronger.’ Honestly, this didn’t make feel any better in fact even right now (while writing this blog-post) I have oil in my head. Farheen and me did not like this situation at all but the hair specialist saw our sad faces and suggested that its good if I get a protein treatment done in order to strengthen my hair where as Farheen decided to get high-lights in her hair (she already has a nice brown colour and straight hair) with her hair colour high-lights really looked good.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >The protein treatment process was very elaborate. First my hair was washed, then a whitish paste was smothered in my head (I have taken loads of pics of Farheen and me during our hair treatments, shall be uploading hem along with my blog-post) it then had to stay on my head for 45 minutes (by the way this time exceeded to almost 2 hours and I’ll tell you why).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >While sitting patiently with the protein paste in my head I somehow made friends with the owner, he was so impressed by me that he told his wife that I should be given a complementary pedicure. Yes! It was the best and the lady who was doing my pedicure massaged for over an hour and that is how my 45 minutes hair protein treatment turned into a 2 hour treatment, which was also good for my hair. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >After my pedicure was done and my hair was washed I was then sat and my hair blow dried. Oh My! Tina Sani came and sat next to me (Tina Sani is an Pakistani female singer renowned for her classical and semi-classical Urdu Ghazals, and I simply adore her voice). She was reading a book and getting something done to her hair. I should have gotten a picture with her and should have spoken to her but honestly speaking didn’t know how to react with celebrities when spotted at places like beauty salons! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Anyways, but I had a good relaxing morning with Farheen, both of us were happy with big smiles when we sat in the car, our hair looking all grand and posh. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Do keep an eye on my upcoming blog-post. Its going to be all about how we spent the rest of the afternoon, Farheen and me. Xs<o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" >All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587</span>nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-81166492665377091272011-02-24T00:57:00.000-08:002011-02-24T02:07:32.923-08:00“Everything we do at Emirates is dedicated to making your travel experience more comfortable, relaxing and enjoyable.”<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IfOqvub9oMI/TWYrlqpl2QI/AAAAAAAABXA/Cjua6Ryd02k/s1600/Image1329.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IfOqvub9oMI/TWYrlqpl2QI/AAAAAAAABXA/Cjua6Ryd02k/s320/Image1329.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577193114648828162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C3wW142F_xM/TWYrleAxqvI/AAAAAAAABW4/0wGgoSG8a3Y/s1600/Image1330.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C3wW142F_xM/TWYrleAxqvI/AAAAAAAABW4/0wGgoSG8a3Y/s320/Image1330.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577193111256410866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3mZ3dwpAhU/TWYrlNkENuI/AAAAAAAABWw/ARxO0FdtfcY/s1600/Image1329.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3mZ3dwpAhU/TWYrlNkENuI/AAAAAAAABWw/ARxO0FdtfcY/s320/Image1329.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577193106841024226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iThO_yawrYo/TWYrk5n1wFI/AAAAAAAABWo/EAgO74ScWTI/s1600/Image1328.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iThO_yawrYo/TWYrk5n1wFI/AAAAAAAABWo/EAgO74ScWTI/s320/Image1328.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577193101488144466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4oel7-WUCv0/TWYrkviZA8I/AAAAAAAABWg/ciDv-24V0PY/s1600/Image1325.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4oel7-WUCv0/TWYrkviZA8I/AAAAAAAABWg/ciDv-24V0PY/s320/Image1325.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577193098780935106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HtjC7V8lQkU/TWYkoiFoJxI/AAAAAAAABWY/c8JhQAc1tXw/s1600/Image1320.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HtjC7V8lQkU/TWYkoiFoJxI/AAAAAAAABWY/c8JhQAc1tXw/s320/Image1320.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577185467308713746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CuGMMEaMYRo/TWYkoQXjGxI/AAAAAAAABWQ/nVsVwKPMNBw/s1600/Image1318.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CuGMMEaMYRo/TWYkoQXjGxI/AAAAAAAABWQ/nVsVwKPMNBw/s320/Image1318.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577185462552042258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5zg6sQiFzTA/TWYkoaF5JeI/AAAAAAAABWI/1zRN6cCtFG0/s1600/Image1317.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5zg6sQiFzTA/TWYkoaF5JeI/AAAAAAAABWI/1zRN6cCtFG0/s320/Image1317.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577185465162343906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xvXott5RgT8/TWYkoNsbo2I/AAAAAAAABWA/kESMExdXOPw/s1600/Image1316.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xvXott5RgT8/TWYkoNsbo2I/AAAAAAAABWA/kESMExdXOPw/s320/Image1316.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577185461834326882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65gjLOueDKg/TWYkn3SdluI/AAAAAAAABV4/CYR59OZhskM/s1600/Image1315.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65gjLOueDKg/TWYkn3SdluI/AAAAAAAABV4/CYR59OZhskM/s320/Image1315.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577185455819822818" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >This is so true about Emirates, although it’s a bit expensive. And if lucky one can get a cheap ticket like I got one this time; flight travel to Dubai is great. And yes, it was a great experience. Just like I explained in my previous blog-post (on visiting Fuerteventura) about getting into the plane on a isle aircraft wheelchair it was exactly the same way. I had already visited the loos at the Gatwick Airport therefore didn’t really need to go but the toilets on the aircraft are accessible and assistance is available when required. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="line-height: 115%; ">I enjoyed the food on the flight. Although I was travelling in the economy class but still we were given food menus. We (economy class passengers) were given a choice of foods, I choose Chicken Coconut Curry with spinach and rice. The other choice was Baked Salmon with roasted vegetables. Then came the desert, Chocolate Fudge Brownie with hot chocolate sauce, yum and it was yum! They also gave me a bag full of Cadbury’s chocolates. As the flight was seven hours long we were given a small pack with small round shaped crackers, and a small sealed pack of salsa dip, this small pack was given the name ‘Nibbles’. The on-flight entertainment was great; all passengers had a variety of films (old and new), television programs (dramas, news, kids, etc) and music to choose from. Emirates was great, although economy but lots of leg room, plus the flight was half full therefore the seats next to us were empty and all passengers could lay on the seats. I’d say I enjoyed my seven hour flight from Gatwick to Dubai. </span><span style="line-height: 115%; ">J</span><span style="line-height: 115%; "> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >It was six in the morning (Dubai time) when our plane landed at Dubai Airport. The airport is huge and my stop-over here was three hour long. Apparently there is a separate terminal especially for flights to and from Pakistan due to heavy load of passenger travel. I visited the toilet then waited in the transit lounge in fact slept for a bit, was too tired from my previous exciting Emirates flight experience from Gatwick to Dubai. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >At exact 1 o’clock in the afternoon on the 5<sup>th</sup> of February 2011 I reached Quaid-e-Azam International Airport.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Please do stay tuned to read my next blog-post, Waiting anxiously for you comments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Take care.</span></span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; "></span>All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587</div>nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-8075236242164299612011-02-17T09:16:00.000-08:002011-02-17T09:42:25.062-08:00‘A friend in need s a friend indeed’ Thankyou Safia, Aasim and Aayaan.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-caVDMLTdWHo/TV1dj842luI/AAAAAAAABVw/syeDnzZmRa0/s1600/Image1313.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-caVDMLTdWHo/TV1dj842luI/AAAAAAAABVw/syeDnzZmRa0/s320/Image1313.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574714785975932642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rFZr9yRZWoU/TV1c-uBNGAI/AAAAAAAABVo/xPwmJTmTnPk/s1600/Image1312.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rFZr9yRZWoU/TV1c-uBNGAI/AAAAAAAABVo/xPwmJTmTnPk/s320/Image1312.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574714146329270274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jSrw5zC5tfk/TV1c-Gdu4gI/AAAAAAAABVg/EYQOb9yiuUA/s1600/Image1309.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jSrw5zC5tfk/TV1c-Gdu4gI/AAAAAAAABVg/EYQOb9yiuUA/s320/Image1309.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574714135711506946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A2XJePvKrq8/TV1c9z7pVbI/AAAAAAAABVY/VN1jsjG44H4/s1600/Image1308.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A2XJePvKrq8/TV1c9z7pVbI/AAAAAAAABVY/VN1jsjG44H4/s320/Image1308.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574714130736698802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jC1ITbgE3V0/TV1c9lHxQGI/AAAAAAAABVQ/yfcXu4T1FJs/s1600/Image1307.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jC1ITbgE3V0/TV1c9lHxQGI/AAAAAAAABVQ/yfcXu4T1FJs/s320/Image1307.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574714126761017442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HnOh3Piocrg/TV1c9dZPGEI/AAAAAAAABVI/vHXU138pOII/s1600/Image1306.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HnOh3Piocrg/TV1c9dZPGEI/AAAAAAAABVI/vHXU138pOII/s320/Image1306.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574714124686792770" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >So at 3pm I was at Gatwick airport. At the same time my friends had arrived the airport as well with my luggage, very nice of them. If Safia, Aasim a nd Aayan would not have been there I’d probably be crying and would have missed my flight (life savers) because I was 10 kilos over weight regarding luggage. It took two hours to sort the luggage out but it was all sorted in the end because of them. In the end that is after two hours of struggle like literally sweat and blood struggle we managed to check-in the entire 40 kilos of luggage and I’ll explain you how.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Perks of being on a wheelchair: (this is when being disabled helps, and being sympathised truly helps, it saved me a £250) The Emirates lady was determined to take £250 for access baggage. Oh my God, I cannot afford that! My friends were there (now this is true friendship my folks ‘a friend in need, is a friend indeed’) and if we are lucky enough, my friend Safia would tell us the entire story in detail in the comments box. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Well after loads of times of unpacking and repacking and sulking and misplacing my own keys many, many a times (this is what happens when I am under pressure and I panic, be calm at all times whilst travelling). The Emirates lady felt sorry for me when she saw lots of medicines and my wheelchair charger (I also took a picture with her, which I shall upload along with my blog post), and yes I also felt sorry for the excess luggage and a £250 payment or leaving my Mom’s medicines with Safia, so I went along with the drama. Soon my luggage was all checked in and we were all relaxed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >‘When there is a will there is a way!’<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="line-height: 115%; ">All four of us with gigantic smiles </span><span style="line-height: 115%; ">J</span><span style="line-height: 115%; "> went upstairs for a cup of coffee. Instead all of us had cold coffee and Aayaan enjoyed it the most. It was soon time to check myself inn, we all hugged and exchanged good byes and soon I was in the Gatwick Airport huge waiting lounge waiting for my flight. Thank you Safia, Aasim and Aayaan, I couldn’t have managed my journey along with my luggage to Gatwick Airport without you all. Therefore, I am dedicating this blog-post to you and company.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Love you and take care. X</span></span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; "></span>All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587</div>nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-89187089948975980552011-02-15T03:24:00.000-08:002011-02-15T03:34:53.918-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcxkIC-q8-c/TVpjkBSzg-I/AAAAAAAABVA/Monki7b6ktE/s1600/Image1302.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcxkIC-q8-c/TVpjkBSzg-I/AAAAAAAABVA/Monki7b6ktE/s320/Image1302.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573876959298159586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-89RILIcvLSU/TVpjj72P9FI/AAAAAAAABU4/ACS5ewoHq54/s1600/Image1301.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-89RILIcvLSU/TVpjj72P9FI/AAAAAAAABU4/ACS5ewoHq54/s320/Image1301.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573876957836211282" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">At 1 o’clock in the afternoon I left my house in Maidstone. My friends Safia and Aasim and their little baby boy Aayan also wanted to come and drop me to Gatwick airport. As I was on my heavy motorised wheelchair I had to travel to Gatwick by train. My friends took my luggage in their car to Gatwick which was very kind of them. It takes approximately 45 minutes by car and 2 hours by two train, as one has to change at Victoria Station and then Gatwick Express (which takes exactly 30 minutes from Victoria Station London). I have all the pictures while travelling on trains and I am also going to be uploading them along with my post. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; ">I reached Gatwick at 3 pm. My journeys via trains and the change at London Victoria Station all went smoothly. The trains tickets from Maidstone to Gatwick cost me £22.</span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; "></span>All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587</div>nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-23889683062242044792011-02-11T23:01:00.000-08:002011-02-11T23:12:50.777-08:00How I ended up vacationing in Karachi, Pakistan?!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VIFtL4Fxi5A/TVYytP2QsBI/AAAAAAAABUw/4WzE7uxf0Bc/s1600/Image1413.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VIFtL4Fxi5A/TVYytP2QsBI/AAAAAAAABUw/4WzE7uxf0Bc/s400/Image1413.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572697341847187474" /></a><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="line-height: 115%; "><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="line-height: 115%; ">Initially I was off to Israel for a ten days vacation in February this year. I am so dying to check-out the Dead Sea, Wailing Wall and the famous Masjid-e-Aqsa. I also found a great, reasonably priced, group travel package, especially for wheelchair users; which was perfect for me. Awesome, I thought. Quickly, filled with excitement,I sent the travel agency an email asking them for further details. (The name of the travel agency is Imaginative Travel and their website is http://www.imaginative-traveller.com). That evening I also spoke to my brother-in-law online (on my facebook group page ‘Travelling the world on wheels’ as well as on twitter, I had already mentioned about my travel plans to Israel and asking if anyone could be of help?!!) ‘You mentioned travel plans to Israel on ure facebook status?!!’ he asked. Yes, you did read correctly and hopefully if alls well then I shall be leaving next month (February), I told him. ‘Nadia, did you know if gone to Israel, you are then not allowed to enter Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and a few other Muslim countries!’ Astonished I was on hearing this. Are you sure Zohair (thats my brother-in-laws name), I asked as I was very worried and aggravated to hear such disturbing news. But after a bit more research I found out that just visiting Israel then its alright, entering Saudi Arabia is fine, although still one cannot entre Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and a few other Muslim countries (so please make sure to find out before arranging a trip to Israel, its certainly the Forbidden Land not to sure about sanctified anymore). I guess everywhere on earth its so troubled by natural disasters and wars that no place can be called blessed or sanctified anymore! </span><span style="line-height: 115%; ">L</span><span style="line-height: 115%; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Anyways, so the next day I received a reply email by Imaginative Travel with all the travel information, all sounded good but they were fully booked for February and said that I can book a place for the August trip. I though thats good might as well pay a visit to Pakistan, Karachi and check-out my family there before visiting Israel. And that is how my folks I came to Karachi, Pakistan for a month and a half’s vacation on the 4<sup>th</sup> of February 2011 by Emirates Airline from Gatwick London. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Hopefully my next blog post is going to be all about my ‘adventurous’ travel experience from Maidstone (where I live in UK) all the way to my destination Karachi (where my family lives in Pakistan). My following blog posts shall have more pics and less text, therefore creating a visual read.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Enjoy, shall be anxiously waiting for ure comments and feedback. X<o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div><span class="Apple-style-span" >All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587</span>nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-47794755997247832652011-01-06T04:31:00.000-08:002011-01-06T04:37:23.873-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TSW3aOgNcnI/AAAAAAAABUU/64Zwt_3j8fM/s1600/paris%2B698.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TSW3aOgNcnI/AAAAAAAABUU/64Zwt_3j8fM/s400/paris%2B698.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559050976256422514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TSW3ZwhtBkI/AAAAAAAABUM/4Y3urKEgmL4/s1600/nadiahmed%2Bcollection%2B1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TSW3ZwhtBkI/AAAAAAAABUM/4Y3urKEgmL4/s400/nadiahmed%2Bcollection%2B1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559050968209622594" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Hi my friends, Happy New Year and hope alls well.</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I know what I am gonna say now is completely not about travelling, but for this year I somehow managed to invest a bit of money in a business. I have now my own fashion collection called 'nadiahmed COLLECTIONS'. I dunno if its gonna be successful or not, but at least I can say I tried it and its a great learning experience.</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Please support me by checking out my blog at <a href="http://nadiahmedcollections.blogspot.com/">http://nadiahmedcollections.blogspot.com/</a> </p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I also have a facebook page at<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nadiahmed-Collections/132730403454228?ref=ts" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; ">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nadiahmed-Collections/132730403454228?ref=ts</a></p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><br /></span></span></div>And if you do like something you can always contact me here and special prices for my friends on my blog. Thank you and take care, Nadia </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; ">X.</span></span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; "></span>All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587</div></div>nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-90156882181348936942010-12-31T04:00:00.000-08:002010-12-31T04:09:50.502-08:00Hello United Kingdom!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TR3Hkvc-JlI/AAAAAAAABQk/mGadI8WC8dM/s1600/Image1252.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TR3Hkvc-JlI/AAAAAAAABQk/mGadI8WC8dM/s320/Image1252.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556816949272258130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TR3Hke-KhhI/AAAAAAAABQc/lSc7VCx0hHw/s1600/Image1251.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TR3Hke-KhhI/AAAAAAAABQc/lSc7VCx0hHw/s320/Image1251.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556816944848078354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TR3HkQbneMI/AAAAAAAABQU/l--7P4oDQJQ/s1600/Image1250.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TR3HkQbneMI/AAAAAAAABQU/l--7P4oDQJQ/s320/Image1250.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556816940945078466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TR3HL3SFUSI/AAAAAAAABQM/oGbOMdDVvWA/s1600/Image1249.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TR3HL3SFUSI/AAAAAAAABQM/oGbOMdDVvWA/s320/Image1249.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556816521877344546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TR3HLmkVbpI/AAAAAAAABQE/B3G6PkFKFUo/s1600/Image1248.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TR3HLmkVbpI/AAAAAAAABQE/B3G6PkFKFUo/s320/Image1248.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556816517390495378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TR3HLXKaqqI/AAAAAAAABP8/Hoj-kxQXHOU/s1600/Image1246.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TR3HLXKaqqI/AAAAAAAABP8/Hoj-kxQXHOU/s320/Image1246.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556816513255254690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TR3HLM3NXII/AAAAAAAABP0/qFGHy8v7nUI/s1600/Image1245.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TR3HLM3NXII/AAAAAAAABP0/qFGHy8v7nUI/s320/Image1245.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556816510490336386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TR3HLLbQ7rI/AAAAAAAABPs/e0lFiYeYGFg/s1600/Image1244.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TR3HLLbQ7rI/AAAAAAAABPs/e0lFiYeYGFg/s320/Image1244.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556816510104694450" /></a><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">The Fuerteventura airport was huge, shops and dutaty frees and restaurants everywhere. I roamed and roamed around the airport. Did not use my snack voucher as I was tired of eating, oh God I have gained weight, my entire holiday I just ate and ate and ate. So I gave the voucher to another passenger waiting as well. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">It was ten now and the guy who left me in the waiting area had came back. He then guided me towards a queue and placed me right in front of the queue. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All of us in the queue where patiently waiting to get into the air craft. At exactly 10:30 pm the barriers were opened and all of us one by one got into the aircraft. I was the first to entre, the same process, I was picked and placed in a small wheelchair and then taken into the aircraft. After being placed into my aircraft seat the rest of the passengers came in. Oh I was dead tired, just wanted to eat and then sleep and that is what exactly what I did. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">I woke up when we were landing at Stansted airport, it was 2:00 am. I could see the snow, beautiful and <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>brrr. Thank God, I had kept my jacket in my hand baggage. When the plane had landed and it was safe and the door of the aircraft had opened (the cool breeze came in...oh the sun in Fuerteventura) and all the passengers had left, except for me. I had to wait a long time in the aircraft for my wheelchair and the entire cabin crew had to wait with me. Soon the pilot came and all of us got talking. One of the crew member asked where I was going. ‘I have to go to Maidstone, Kent I live there but first a Thomas Cook taxi will take me to Gatwick from where I catch a train to London Victoria and then from there I catch another train to Maidstone’. ‘Oh God!’ said one of the crew members. ‘But Maidstone comes before Gatwick, I’ll speak to Thomas Cook staff at the airport to book you a taxi straight home’. that would be lovely I said. Anyway, finally my turn came and I was taken out of the aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">From then on I was taken care of by the ‘Special Assistance’ staff. They were all lovely and funny. Finally I had arrived to the luggage arrival area. After getting hold of my luggage which the ‘special assistance’ girl helped me with, I was then taken to the taxi office inside the airport. The man at the desk told us that no taxis are willing to go to Kent as the weather is really bad over there. Oh no! Now what?!! The ‘travel assistance girl asked me to follow her to her office. They were all very nice and asked if I’d like a hot drink, all of them were very busy searching for a taxi to take me home (I even got a picture with them). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">After a very long wait Thomas Cook called the ‘Special Assistance’ staff and asked them to put me in the next door airport hotel, where I can have breakfast and take a nap. I was then transferred there, where I had waffles for breakfast and was then provided a room to rest. Which was all provided by Thomas Cook and I am very thankful to. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">At 11:00 am the phone rang next to my bed. I woke up with a jolt from my nap. ‘Good Morning...Miss. Ahmed, a taxi driver has agreed to drive you all the way to Maidstone.’ I was so happy to hear that ‘when will it be here?’ I asked. ‘In 20 minutes’ the lady replied ‘I’ll send someone upstairs to help you with ure luggage’. I was so happy got up visited the lu, washed my face, and soon someone came to pick up my luggage. I followed him downstairs. At the hotel reception the taxi driver was waiting for the customer and thats me.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">It took me one and a half hour to reach home. There was fog or hails just loads and loads of snow everywhere, but soon I was back hosme safely <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>at around 1 o’clock in the afternoon, on Thursday the 2<sup>nd</sup> of December 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div>All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8904315727923806156.post-12427628668201649592010-12-26T04:39:00.000-08:002010-12-26T04:51:59.062-08:00My last few hours in Fuerteventura and an Adventurous departure back Home. (Part 2)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TRc6SVSAs1I/AAAAAAAABME/cazBJCXo7Rw/s1600/Image1246.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TRc6SVSAs1I/AAAAAAAABME/cazBJCXo7Rw/s200/Image1246.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554972752009540434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TRc6SNHSvXI/AAAAAAAABL8/a1Xx_uQoEPo/s1600/Image1245.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TRc6SNHSvXI/AAAAAAAABL8/a1Xx_uQoEPo/s200/Image1245.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554972749817101682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TRc5JvAXCsI/AAAAAAAABL0/nIxPK-nW8Y4/s1600/Image1244.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TRc5JvAXCsI/AAAAAAAABL0/nIxPK-nW8Y4/s400/Image1244.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554971504784378562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TRc5JLCtPII/AAAAAAAABLs/HsqQJ1tRe9o/s1600/Image1243.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TRc5JLCtPII/AAAAAAAABLs/HsqQJ1tRe9o/s400/Image1243.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554971495130545282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TRc5JAOppRI/AAAAAAAABLk/tpRqluWLcd0/s1600/Image1242.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TRc5JAOppRI/AAAAAAAABLk/tpRqluWLcd0/s400/Image1242.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554971492227851538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TRc5I1o34PI/AAAAAAAABLc/-7xB_UQHd7Q/s1600/Image1240.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TRc5I1o34PI/AAAAAAAABLc/-7xB_UQHd7Q/s400/Image1240.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554971489385046258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TRc5IrfTcNI/AAAAAAAABLU/ZYURPZJNPEY/s1600/Image1238.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nRGaqF9Y0Ro/TRc5IrfTcNI/AAAAAAAABLU/ZYURPZJNPEY/s400/Image1238.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554971486660554962" /></a><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >After been explained my entire departure process, I went downstairs to the pool, Victoria and John were not there, they must have thought that I have left. Anyways I choose a nice sunny spot near the pool and sat there thinking about the snow back home and enjoying the warmth of the sun. After a while Calum and his Mom came up to me, what lovely company they were. They told me that they had seen me around the hotel and would like to be friends with me. Sweet, I thought and yes I wanted to be friends with such lovely people as well I thought. They were from Scotland, both of them were cat lovers, well I am as well so that makes three of us. Calum wanted to go for archery, which was also being done at the hotel premises, part of the hotel guest entertainment. He asked me if I would like to join them. And yes I agreed. After a short walk we reached the archery area, they were lots of people there waiting for their turn. Calum had to wait for his turn as well. I do have pictures and I’ll upload them along with my blog post.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >After the short archery experience Calum, his Mom and me went for a walk around the hotel gardens. We arrived in an area where they were lots of cats, it was cat haven, it had cat food and even a small shed for cats. It was a cat charity for stray cats in that area. It was then that Calum’s Mom told me that they love cats. Nice! Then all of us went to the pool side bar to have a snack before I had to leave. Mom and me ordered tuna sandwiches and Calum ordered some sweet stuff, I think it was some kind of a cake slice. Soon our food arrived. Our sandwiches were warm and scrumptious along with lots of French fries, as we ate I told them about my adventurous journey which I have to make back home. We also exchanged numbers and facebook contacts so we can be in touch. It was almost 5:00 when we finished, I did say that I have to get my luggage out of the room and be at the reception as my taxi will be there at half five. They agreed to accompany me as well to the reception, soon I managed to get the luggage out of the room and got myself checked out of the hotel. Now Calum, his Mom and me were just waiting in the lounge waiting for my taxi. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >It was 5:30 pm, my taxi ware here, Calum, Mom and me exchanged good byes and now I was in the taxi heading towards the airport. The driver didn’t speak English at all so I couldn’t converse with him. The roads were all clear, it took approximately 20 minutes to reach the airport. Outside the Thomas Cook lady waiting for me. She welcomed me with a smile and took my luggage from me. Then both of us headed towards the check-in area of the airport. Showed my passport and my luggage was checked in, I was also given a snack voucher, which I could use at the waiting lounge of the airport. As my flight was at 10:30 and I had almost 3 hours to kill. I was then taken to the waiting area, the guy who brought me here, told me that he will come back here at ten when my flight is due.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587</p></div>nadiahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273058206512845567noreply@blogger.com0