http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/- A year-long journey throught the jungle of constant changes en-EUMokoFeed10http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/8b/2996e0900af6ba4fcc2a661f2dfc32_160x200.jpghttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/16/palenque-and-san-cristobal-4054224/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2008-04-16:/2008/04/16/palenque-and-san-cristobal-4054224/Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:08:24 +0200 <p>The Chiapas adventure has been AMAZING so far. It includes:<br> - the best Margaritas evA (in Palenque downtown)<br> - Waterfalls and blue lakes (Agua Azul, Agua Claras and Mixol Ha)<br> - BEST Mayan ruins (Palenque)<br> - the BEST organic barbecued chicken cooked by a local lady who has understood everything about life (Ocosingo)<br> - the WORST youth hostel, Posada da Gladys, 150 pesos per night including free mold and bed lice in the bedroom. (San Cristobal de las casas)<br> - Havainas incident: they could not handle the coldness and the wind at 2160m above sea level. New trainers for a tenner bought on the spot<br> Virgin atlantic socks turned out to be quite useful in wet circumstances.<br> - The Best Canyon: explored by river, where we found crocodiles (real ones) waiting for us. (El canon del Sumidero)</p> <p>Still to come: south of Chiapas and Guatemala... Orale pues! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/16/palenque-and-san-cristobal-4054224/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/16/palenque-and-san-cristobal-4054224/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/07/first-stop-merida-4012261/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2008-04-07:/2008/04/07/first-stop-merida-4012261/Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:45:16 +0200 <p>The first stop of my journey: Merida. 4h30 hours from Playa del Carmen, 286 pesos, pretty straight forward in a fridge-like-coach operated by ADO.<br> No big deal, spent the journey chatting to a random Mex woman, who was praying God to keep us same from the bandits...</p> <p>Reached Merida and the temperature is still very vey hot and very very humid.</p> <p>Things that I have learned:<br> - TAMAL -local crepe made of polenta base and a tiny chicken ghost<br> - AMACASUTRA - local acrobatial sex made in an amaca (hammock)<br> - MEXICAN HAT - I finally bought one and it really goes well with my glasses (130 pesos in Playa - bargain)<br> - CHIAPAS -apparently very very dangerous place where I might get raped (according to shop keeper in Playa del Carmen), stabbed to death for 2 pesos (according to ramdom lady on the bus), robbed of all my belongings (according to cowboy hat seller in Playa)... mmm ... sounds a very interesting place.</p> <p>I'll also see if I can get into the Zapatista army and fight with them <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Good luck to me</p> <p>Tomorrow Uxmal, probably. Then Campeche. ANDALEEEEE </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/07/first-stop-merida-4012261/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/07/first-stop-merida-4012261/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/06/ready-steady-go-4003013/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2008-04-06:/2008/04/06/ready-steady-go-4003013/Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:24:38 +0200 <p>Last call to mummy just to say goodbye before getting kidnapped in the jungle.. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"><br> Today I am setting off from Playa del Carmen to Merida. It takes about 5h10 so I need to make sure I have plenty of good music (i.e. Keane and Buble) and good reading books (Emergency First Response course book). Equals: oh my god!<br> I should be getting in Merida this evening around 7 pm, just in time to meet up with fellow traveller and find a place to stay (i.e. youth hostel with -possibly-no pest).<br> Plans for Merida: contemporary art museum for Stef (as I am so far away from my dear Tate.. ) and some basic sight seeing of the town.<br> Need water and cowboy hat. Actually I am not too sure about the cowboy hat. It's a bit chavvy. But I promised myself that if eventually I managed to come back to Playa I would buy one, so today is the day. I found a place where they sell Mexican cowboy hat (and not made in China) for 140 pesos (that's about 7 pounds..) will keep you informed on hat buying evolution.<br> The problem is I will need some boots as well afterwards. And maybe belt.<br> (women!)</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/06/ready-steady-go-4003013/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/06/ready-steady-go-4003013/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/05/addictive-personality-3997489/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2008-04-05:/2008/04/05/addictive-personality-3997489/Sat, 05 Apr 2008 03:29:06 +0200 <p>Very very hard to leave this place will be.<br> It's because of my addictive personality.. I really really ennjoy living in Playa: I managed to find a place away from the US tourists, away from the noise and the drunkards, away from it all. My studio flat is surrounded by real Mexican houses-huts, by real Mexican people, by real Mexican cats and dogs and iguanas. It's wonderful. There's no noise or police sirens; no boozing in the streets, no 65 bus engine, no bass speakers shouting 'yo-yo-yo'.<br> Ok, you get the occasional kidnap, or robbery or whatever. But for the rest it's a Paradise. 5 minutes from the beach. The only flaw: moskitoes and cockroaches (below mentionned beasts).<br> It's so easy to get used to the Mexican way of life, and the scuba diving, and the eternal holiday of the blonde mind. I'm going to find it sooo hard to leave it behind me for a couple of weeks and go... travelling.<br> Spoilt b****!</p> <p>eheheheh</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/05/addictive-personality-3997489/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/05/addictive-personality-3997489/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/03/the-travelling-plan-discover-yucatan-3988694/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2008-04-03:/2008/04/03/the-travelling-plan-discover-yucatan-3988694/Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:17:47 +0200 <p>April's discovery plan:<br> 07 APR 08 - Join Ale in Merida (YUCATAN, MEX)<br> 08 APR 08 - Exploring Merida (contemporary artt museum)(YUCATAN, MEX)<br> 09 APR 08 - Exploring Merida - Campeche - Flamingoes Tour (YUCATAN, MEX)<br> 10 APR 08 - Uxmal (YUCATAN, MEX)<br> 11 APR 08 - Palenque (CHIAPAS, MEX)<br> 12 APR 08 - Palengue again (CHIAPAS, MEX)<br> 13 APR 08 - Agua azul waterfalls (CHIAPAS, MEX)<br> 14 APR 08 - Ocusingo (CHIAPAS, MEX)<br> 15 APR 08 - Tonina (CHIAPAS, MEX)<br> 16 APR 08 - San Cristobal de las Casas (CHIAPAS, MEX)<br> 17 APR 08 - San Cristobal de las Casas (CHIAPAS, MEX)<br> 18 APR 08 - Palenque (CHIAPAS, MEX)<br> 19 APR 08 - Flores - Tikal (GUATEMALA)<br> 20 APR 08 - Belize city (BELIZE)<br> 21 APR 08 - Chetumal (YUCATAN, MEX)<br> 22 APR 08 - Playa del Carmen (YUCATAN, MEX)</p> <p>not bad, innit? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/03/the-travelling-plan-discover-yucatan-3988694/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/03/the-travelling-plan-discover-yucatan-3988694/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/02/gare-aux-cucarachas-3985736/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2008-04-02:/2008/04/02/gare-aux-cucarachas-3985736/Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:24:08 +0200 <p>I never considered myself keeping a cockorach in my flat as a pet...<br> i know that somehow they are part of the evolution anc food chain.<br> I know that I should respect all living creatures as part of the universal and cosmic balance.<br> BUT. If the things decide to come into MY flat and invade MY space and poo on MY diving t-shirt, it's altogether a different story: it's the beginning of WAR.</p> <p>The first one was found next to the bed, lying on his back (doing yoga or something ??!!) and was evicted from the house with a warning: never come back! To make my point clear, I sprayed it with some tanning oil before setting him free (he didn't like that!)</p> <p>The second one was found ALIVE in my cupboard, pooing on my diving t-shirt. That was TOO much. The battle began. With a bucket and the toilet brush to corner him... then I grabbed Extra vergin olive oil and threw all over his brown body...!! As many of you know, cockroaches cannot breath anymore if covered in oil.. so I was pleased about the result: no nasty chemicals, no long suffering for the beast, and my nest pest-free for another few days.</p> <p>And they lived happily ever after. Until a new beast decided to invade.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/02/gare-aux-cucarachas-3985736/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/02/gare-aux-cucarachas-3985736/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/02/the-island-cozumel-3983740/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2008-04-02:/2008/04/02/the-island-cozumel-3983740/Wed, 02 Apr 2008 02:24:32 +0200 <p> Very nice indeed!<br> A carribean island, populated with Mexicans and tourists, the ultimate Scuba dive Heaven.</p> <p>Left in the morning, 8 am (120 pesos each way for the ferry) and came back 6pm..</p> <p>Important facts of the day:<br> - 2 lovely dives in and out of massive and gorgeous coral reefs (no sharkies though) (I am always sooo unlucky)<br> - Mexican barbecued chicken eaten at 3 pm in a children playground with Mafia man, talking on why on earth the Argentinian disappeared forever...(??!!!??)<br> P.S. 1 FULL mexican Chicken costs in Cozumel about 70 pesos (less than 3 pounds!!!) and it came with: rice, 2 bags of spaghetti, jalapenos and onions.. yummy<br> - Heavy peeling on above-breast area, which is quite embarassing as violently pink now..<br> - Scuba diving gear transported far toooo long on my back all day (where is my tiny slave???) (why didn't I pack it??!!)<br> - More planning done for my immediate trip throuhg Yucatan, Guatemala and Belize.</p> <p>Don't worry, about a thing... every little thing's gonna be alright!! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/02/the-island-cozumel-3983740/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/02/the-island-cozumel-3983740/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/01/let-the-adventure-begin-3977795/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2008-04-01:/2008/04/01/let-the-adventure-begin-3977795/Tue, 01 Apr 2008 02:37:10 +0200 <p>Once upon a time they invented scubadiving.. next it was the scuba instructors and then all sorts of adventures!</p> <p>This time, my friend Stef met a really nice Sicilian -almost-diving instructor. He happened to be taking 1 year unpaid leave and be travelling through Mexico... what a coincidence!</p> <p>How can she refuse to be his fellow traveller? Apparently next week they will be heading to Valladolid, Mexico, with some sort of mean of transport.</p> <p>Long conversation on the beach occured. Subjects: meaning of life, English full breakfast in Marbella, buying a House, Dahab, cooking gnocchi, Lipari Island, fernando de Noronha, Garibaldi, Customer service and Mexican sexual masks.</p> <p>Very interesting, more planning tomorrow. Schedule and that.<br> I know that Stef knows how to trust her guts. I mean, I know she knows he is ok and trustworty. You just need to look at the dive style: confident, relaxed, in control, clear. Master.</p> <p>Cozumel next, finally.<br> Stef has been waiting 3 months to go to the bloody island: it's only small.<br> Ferry and back <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/01/let-the-adventure-begin-3977795/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/04/01/let-the-adventure-begin-3977795/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/03/30/cut-it-short-it-was-only-6-months-3967786/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2008-03-30:/2008/03/30/cut-it-short-it-was-only-6-months-3967786/Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:25:04 +0200 <p>What was supposed to be a year long journey thorough the jungle of pax at the apt.. ended up being a very short trip to the terminal, where I learnt an awful lot of stuff, made new friends and got insulted by a few 'la creme de la creme' clients..</p> <p>Keeping up with posts has been impossible in the last couple of month due to relocation and selling process and goodbying drinking venues.</p> <p>I since decided that I belong with mostikoes rather than with pax.. and that I'd rather get sucked to death by the tiny beasts than be shouted at when it's not even my fault.<br> Result: I am here stuck somewhere around one of the Tropics, trying to find a sense to it all... (that's the excuse, at least).</p> <p>Will I change the name of the blog? Will I be able to write more often now that life has come back to me? Will I?</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/03/30/cut-it-short-it-was-only-6-months-3967786/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/03/30/cut-it-short-it-was-only-6-months-3967786/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/02/14/valentine_s_day_at_the_airport~3729378/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2008-02-14:/2008/02/14/valentine_s_day_at_the_airport~3729378/Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:54:27 +0100 <p>Well, Valentine's day spent at the ticket counter just meant a few things really:<br> a) I had nothing better to do (how sad, innit)<br> b) pax were as nasty as usual, due to the fact thst civil servants ARE still on strike therefore flight DO get cancelled -apparently they had better things to do...<br> c) Higher calories intake - Management's fault: free red heart shaped chocolate box available on the counter - which NOBODY ATE - except, of course, the one sitting below the thing all day<br> d) people don't miss their flights on 14th feb (NO ONE missed his-her flight today -stats available. Must be partner-fear-syndrome.</p> <p>ok, we are done with valentine's day. NEXT</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/02/14/valentine_s_day_at_the_airport~3729378/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/02/14/valentine_s_day_at_the_airport~3729378/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/02/14/the_americans~3725575/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2008-02-14:/2008/02/14/the_americans~3725575/Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:39:30 +0100 <p>Extract from the inflight magazine 'American Way' on an American Airlines flight between Cancun and Miami...</p> <p>'Lessons in the Language of Love' by Jim Shahin...</p> <p>(quote)<br> 'So, valentine's day is in the air. The language of AMORE (Chinese for "love") is in the air. Do I grasp the grammar of amore?'</p> <p>What??!! Chinese?! Amore? </p> <p>No comment... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/02/14/the_americans~3725575/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/02/14/the_americans~3725575/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/02/09/coming_back_from_hols~3700375/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2008-02-08:/2008/02/09/coming_back_from_hols~3700375/Sat, 09 Feb 2008 00:14:21 +0100 <p>The hardest thing out of: booking you hols, getting Annual Leave, getting there, building up a proper tan, chasing your travel insurance because they stole your phone, coming back home, doing the washing, sorting out the pictures on facebook IS....<br> - going back to work.</p> <p>Today, for about 9 hours, I found myself sitting there staring at the invisible sea and seahorses waving at me from across the room.</p> <p>Could not concentrate on the screen. Or the colleagues. Or the pax.</p> <p>no no no.</p> <p>It's the sun, the sky above me, the noise of the sea outside the terminal, the sand in my blue shoes.<br> It's the stars all over the ceiling, the coconut sellers along the desks, people with surfboards, and sun lotion in their handbaga, and a hat. I need a hat because I burnt my nose -again.<br> It's the smell of freedom, the need of walking on the shore.</p> <p>that's it. I think i need to go again. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/02/09/coming_back_from_hols~3700375/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2008/02/09/coming_back_from_hols~3700375/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/12/19/heard_in_the_terminal~3465999/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2007-12-19:/2007/12/19/heard_in_the_terminal~3465999/Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:29:07 +0100 <p>...(at the desk)..Hi! I'm an electronic passenger...</p> <p>..(man in the body shop) Hi luv, 'v u got that cream tha makes all the wrinckles on yo face disappear? tha magic cream? is it called number 7 or sumethin?<br> ..( body shop assistant)..sir, this is not Boots, it's the body shop..</p> <p>..(very angry flushed pax) I WANT TO SPEAK TO THE CHEF D'ESCALE!!<br> (my brain, silently) good idea, I've never met him myself!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/12/19/heard_in_the_terminal~3465999/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/12/19/heard_in_the_terminal~3465999/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/12/18/the_benefit_of_not_being_on_the_phone~3460845/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2007-12-18:/2007/12/18/the_benefit_of_not_being_on_the_phone~3460845/Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:27:19 +0100 <p>you sweat, you dribble, you give your precious minutes to them, you challenge the screen, you ask the whole department for info (including cleaning Eastern european team and cab drivers outside), you calculate and recalculate an upgrade from Q to K in neverendin FQPs and FQDs... </p> <p>result? if you on the phone... thanks and they are gone, forever...</p> <p>at the airport? wow. They go and then come back with a nice Xmas card and a box of golden wrapped round fine chocolates!!!!! </p> <p>luxury. pleased and satisfied. </p> <p>now, shall i sell them on e-bay or eat them all in a tv session just after a nice chicken tikka massala?</p> <p>pax are soooooooo nice sometimes </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/12/18/the_benefit_of_not_being_on_the_phone~3460845/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/12/18/the_benefit_of_not_being_on_the_phone~3460845/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/12/16/eye_is_working_i_am_watching_you~3450729/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2007-12-16:/2007/12/16/eye_is_working_i_am_watching_you~3450729/Sun, 16 Dec 2007 13:11:30 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/eye_is_now_working/2216519" title="eye is now working "><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/519/2216519_e7b9cc02c6_s.jpg" alt="eye is now working " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/12/16/eye_is_working_i_am_watching_you~3450729/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/12/16/eye_is_working_i_am_watching_you~3450729/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/12/16/a_miracle_i_can_see~3450682/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2007-12-16:/2007/12/16/a_miracle_i_can_see~3450682/Sun, 16 Dec 2007 12:55:41 +0100 <p>Finally, after 4 weeks of pain and creams and drops and colourful 'tears' I can see again.</p> <p>And, amazingly, I now know what it was, confirmed by a specialized doctor at the hospital: The Ugliness of the Pax. </p> <p>It's their fault, they're all ugly!! A WHOLE month at the desk without seeing a goodlooking fellow. Hello???!! Are we crazy or what! </p> <p>I am starting a new incentive for recruiting new Arrogant Plus customers: 10.000 miles bonus if guy (yep. sexual discrimination. bring it on) is gorgeous and charming. Another 10.000 if hot date is spontaneously offered.</p> <p>Deal or no deal? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/12/16/a_miracle_i_can_see~3450682/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>dealhttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/12/16/a_miracle_i_can_see~3450682/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/12/14/december_at_the_airport~3442170/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2007-12-14:/2007/12/14/december_at_the_airport~3442170/Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:32:15 +0100 <p>a man all stressed out comes to the desk at throws his shiny FF card at me..</p> <p>"I am member of your Arrogant Plus frequent flyer program and I want to fly on the earlier flight"<br> "Sir, I am sorry, the 5 o clock flight is full for the specific fare you purchased (..b class)"<br> "What????!!! My colleague is an Arrogant Minus frequent flyer and got a seat a 5 o'clock!!!"<br> "Sir, the flexibility of the tickets doesn't depend on the Arrogant Plus card, but on the type of ticket you purchased..."<br> "Ok then (very arrogantly upset) next time I'll fly Arrogant airways then!!!!"</p> <p>FFoff then! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/12/14/december_at_the_airport~3442170/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>arrogant-plushttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/12/14/december_at_the_airport~3442170/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/11/11/a_little_summary_to_be_developped_at_a_l~3278405/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2007-11-11:/2007/11/11/a_little_summary_to_be_developped_at_a_l~3278405/Sun, 11 Nov 2007 11:16:16 +0100 <ul> <li>uniform has arrived... a bit too big and very very painful shoes</li> <li>got chatted up by a 50yrs old lesbian lady</li> <li>got given a Swiss fine chocolate by a colombian pax travelling today to Medellin</li> <li>made a huge mistake by 'assuming' something that it was not supposed to be...</li> <li>booked myself some standybe on alize to Martinique (I think I really needed)</li> </ul> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/11/11/a_little_summary_to_be_developped_at_a_l~3278405/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/11/11/a_little_summary_to_be_developped_at_a_l~3278405/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/11/06/sunset_and_planes~3255689/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2007-11-06:/2007/11/06/sunset_and_planes~3255689/Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:10:49 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/sunset_and_plane/2125216" title="sunset and plane"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/216/2125216_369396256e_s.jpg" alt="sunset and plane" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/11/06/sunset_and_planes~3255689/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/11/06/sunset_and_planes~3255689/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/11/06/uni_form_serious_concerns~3255664/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2007-11-06:/2007/11/06/uni_form_serious_concerns~3255664/Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:07:40 +0100 <p>My definition of <strong>UNI-FORM</strong>: one form, one thing. From latin 'one' and then form. To have one form, one 'way' for everybody wearing it. Everybody looks the same. Apparently.<br> You can feel part of one entity and, as such, you are not an individual anymore, you adjust to the one organization you represent, their values and their standards. It helps to cover up your feelings, the sadness, the happiness. It justifies your choices, your answers, the colour of your clothes.</p> <p>So WHY WHY WHY MY company has to make it soooooo bloody complicated??????<br> Already, 4 months to get it. Come on! Get a grip.<br> Then it arrives in a huge cargo box and it's made up of around 25 pieces that you CANNOT and I repeat CANNOT mix and match as you please. You need to follow the MANUAL that comes with it, which explains you how to jigsaw-puzzled it together!!!!!!!<br> it's mental.<br> i know.<br> Quote of the day: <u>why making things easy when you can actually have them deliciously complicated?</u></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/11/06/uni_form_serious_concerns~3255664/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>uniformhttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/11/06/uni_form_serious_concerns~3255664/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/31/strike_which_strike_did_you_say_strike~3221753/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2007-10-30:/2007/10/31/strike_which_strike_did_you_say_strike~3221753/Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:20:43 +0100 <p>O MY GOD.<br>STRIKE: DEFINITION: lack of working forces <br>             RESULT: the few working forces get VERY ANGRY at the non working forces....!!!</p> <p>I mean... hellooooo??? what the hell is going on? If I didn't die in the past few days, I never will. I mean, the chaos. And I used to think that the invisible fog was an issue.. No way. far far worse.</p> <p>Let me tell you about it. Most of the flights get cancelled. On a telex paper it sounds ok. On a Q30 it looks ok. Even on the VAD it seems manageble... but when you get a queue along the terminal for fkng 5 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!! non -stop, you just know that something is going very very wrong. Poor pax, and poor us.</p> <p>It was unreal. Although we looked after all of them, it was just unreal. We gave hotels, meals, coffee vouchers, rebooking on OAL (at some points we were so desperate that I almost rebooked on blacklisted OAL!!), taxis, maybelline lipstick, some tissues etc etc. Everything, except sex (amazingly, not even 1 gorgeous pax in 5 days-getting pissed off already).</p> <p>I dunno how i survived. I am sick tired and did even a 13 hours shift yesterday. need a gin. and a tonic. an one of those dominos'late shift in wem!!!<br>miss u!!<br>I<br></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/31/strike_which_strike_did_you_say_strike~3221753/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/31/strike_which_strike_did_you_say_strike~3221753/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/16/title~3147165/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2007-10-16:/2007/10/16/title~3147165/Tue, 16 Oct 2007 21:00:18 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/document/roster_stef/2067742" title="roster stef"><img src="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/img/xls.gif" alt="roster stef" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>test - this is my roster<br> bearing in mind: E means 5 to 14 and L means 12h00 to 21.. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/16/title~3147165/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>roster-stefhttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/16/title~3147165/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/16/title~3147152/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2007-10-16:/2007/10/16/title~3147152/Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:57:45 +0200 <p>Today was an average early shift at the airport... </p> <p>a few people had to pay for their huuuge amount of excess luggage (fake tits included in the allowance)<br>a few a lot of people missed their flight (and I thought I was the only sausage on earth to do that...)<br>a few people came to change their reservation (can they just call the call centre???!!!??) - that means for me thousands of FQP-FQD-FQQ on the spot. It's like doing press ups, but worse</p> <p>I didn't see Mr Blue Eyes, and gorgeous people were probably banned from the airport due to crash on the tarmak... Apparently both flight captains got out of their cockpits and started a fight. Unreal, but fresh!</p> <p></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/16/title~3147152/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>an-average-dayhttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/16/title~3147152/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/14/tomb_raider_and_the_enchanted_terminal~3135118/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2007-10-14:/2007/10/14/tomb_raider_and_the_enchanted_terminal~3135118/Sun, 14 Oct 2007 17:55:36 +0200 <p>Finally the weekend and some rest: after a week of shadowing the energy level is going down and need some time off: gym, sleep, food shopping and all the other thousands boring chores to be done on a typical day off (feet nails cutting included).. </p> <p>I must say that so far so good. I don't have my uniform (yet) but the black tailleur is still keeping it corporate, donc ça va. Or actually, not quite (see below).</p> <p>i had my first <em>shouting</em> passenger yesterday, who was upset because she booked online on idonthaveaclueabouttravelling.com and claimed she pre-selected some fanstastic seats on one of our longhaul flights... Well, she was upset because at the check-in she got different seats, not quite as good apparently, so she was claiming a free UPGRADE: do I look like Santa Clause by any chance?? Ok, I understand I am not wearing the blue marine uniform yet, but i don't have a red and white hat on me head, have I???<br> I told her that I had changed her seat: to find them, she had to take the emergency door and turn right... ooops</p> <p>As my mum used to say when I was growing up "It's much harder to say no than to say yes..." mum, you were so damn right!</p> <p>Forgot to mention: the existance of <strong>Mr BLUE EYES</strong>. He's gorgeous and at the same time full of himself. Apparently quite young and brand new, this fellow chap walks up and down the airport smiling randomly and thinking 'I am so friggin HOT'. He doesn't do any work, he's there just to improve the image of the airline that he represents (he's quite good at it actually)and maybe save it from bankrupcy... who knows? He sayd 'goodmorning' once, and I am not sure if he has an accent yet. I will find out and post ASAP. More details to follow.</p> <p>Secret doors: One thing that really fascinates me it's the existance of millions of back secret doors in airports... doors that take you to back offices and shortcuts for BAA staff only... they are soooo cool. It makes you feel as if you were Tomb Raider in the enchanted terminal (only less tits and more make up..) </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/14/tomb_raider_and_the_enchanted_terminal~3135118/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/14/tomb_raider_and_the_enchanted_terminal~3135118/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/11/day_6_the_invisible_fog_at_lhr~3120157/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2007-10-11:/2007/10/11/day_6_the_invisible_fog_at_lhr~3120157/Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:40:01 +0200 <p>FINALLY I HAVE SEEN IT: THE INVISIBLE FOG.</p> <p>One minute, everything is fine. planes go to places and then come back..<br> Then, the invisible fog lands on LHR AND CDG and <em>c'est le bordel</em>!</p> <p>passengers are scattered everywhere, there's a huge queue to use the loo, bags don't get to destination, shouting happens (in various languages and dialects), kids cry, can't find the Maybelline lipstick.</p> <p>in one word: it's THE mess. havoc, caos, le bordel quoi.</p> <p>HOWEVER I discovered an old trick of mine that can help to handle the situation better, and make you feel lucky and thankful: being on an early shift and just wispering 'bon courage' whilst you walk home in the sun...</p> <p>And they lived happily ever after<br> the end<br> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/11/day_6_the_invisible_fog_at_lhr~3120157/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>cnl-suite-meteohttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/11/day_6_the_invisible_fog_at_lhr~3120157/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/09/day_4_the_blondie_aka_singing_in_the_rai~3108890/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2007-10-09:/2007/10/09/day_4_the_blondie_aka_singing_in_the_rai~3108890/Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:51:04 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2046386" title="ze bun"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/386/2046386_5e7d986c13_s.jpg" alt="ze bun" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>... my first early shift. dreaded so much that I didn't even need an alarm to wake up this morning... at bloody 3h20 AM!!!!!!!!! </p> <p>I was well prepared: clothes lined out, bits and bobs ready to go. Car just waiting outside. Found my way, the airport, the staff car park, the shuttle bus to the terminal: just fine.<br> i even had time for a Cost..y coffee and everything. a treat.</p> <p>Did the job and then it's time to go home. Like a good girl, I don't have my umbrella-ella and I walk to the shuttle bus. Everything seemed to be just ok, and almost proud of my first early shift, when I get off the shuttle bus and suddenly realize............. I am in the fucking wrong staff car park!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! aaaaaaaaaaaaah Got soaked wet, obviuosly, took me ages to find my car, obviously, so what was supposed to be a just wonderful and well organized day at work turned up to be a SHOWER SOAKING WET NIGHTMARE <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0">...<br> well... </p> <p>Oh yes! Forgot to say: I have my second piece of the uniform: a skirt!!!<br> The first piece was the airline badge, which is supposed to be glued to your right tit (or was it left??) and now I have a skirt.. J</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/09/day_4_the_blondie_aka_singing_in_the_rai~3108890/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>day-fourhttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/09/day_4_the_blondie_aka_singing_in_the_rai~3108890/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/06/day_3_a_normal_late_shift~3095710/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2007-10-06:/2007/10/06/day_3_a_normal_late_shift~3095710/Sat, 06 Oct 2007 22:39:36 +0200 <p><u><strong>What i've learnt today:</strong></u></p> <p>1- the funniest thing at the counter is when you have a pax in front of you and his/her bag is on the floor. One minute is there, talking to you. Next he has disappeared completely (amazing). Gone, I swear, completely. (in fact he is just getting something from his/her bag). Next, you look up and, hello hello, there he is again. Fantastic! I will call it the <strong>PAX magic trick</strong>.</p> <p>2- I need to be careful when re-printing the pax boarding pass!!! I almost gave Mr Yellow the boarding pass for Mr Red on a completely different flight, at a different time, on a different seat. Ouch. The people at the boarding gate wouldn't be very happy. Bad girl. bad bad girl.</p> <p>3- People are ever so funny!!!!!!!! This guy right, arrives at the airport well <u>in advance </u>for his flight. He comes to us, chit chat, he goes off, prints his boarding pass, goes through security -so far so good- and then............. unbelievable! he misses his flight!! Hellooooo!!! ET phone home!!!! what are you thinking??? therefore, a couple of hours later, the same unfortunate fellow traveller, he's at the counter again, and has to pay a huuuuuuuuuge amount of money to take the next flight!!!!!! I mean, that's just mental. or, better even, welcome to lalaland.</p> <p>4- Maybelline 16 hours long lipstick rocks!! Only downside: You need some sand paper to take it off in the evening. </p> <p>5- I will need some more training (fact)... therefore, I should soon be off to another exotic destination: the chester of MAN... Manchester, for some serious dangerous goods training, where I will learn all about the transportation of dangerous item, such as: mother in laws (how to force the fiab on their booking), infants (how to prevent those types of dangers) and, of course, the above mentionned Maybelline lipstick (being a liquid - security guys be aware).</p> <p>Bon, voilà</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/06/day_3_a_normal_late_shift~3095710/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>day-3http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/10/06/day_3_a_normal_late_shift~3095710/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/09/29/the_revolutionaries_in_their_uniforms~3060209/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2007-09-29:/2007/09/29/the_revolutionaries_in_their_uniforms~3060209/Sat, 29 Sep 2007 22:41:15 +0200 <p>A quick note on my colleagues: they are all cool, daughters and sons of Ernesto El Che. Hasta la revolucion, siempre!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/09/29/the_revolutionaries_in_their_uniforms~3060209/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/09/29/the_revolutionaries_in_their_uniforms~3060209/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/09/29/day_two_the_two_gorgeous_knights~3060172/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2007-09-29:/2007/09/29/day_two_the_two_gorgeous_knights~3060172/Sat, 29 Sep 2007 22:29:36 +0200 <p>Daytwo is over .. kinda well chuffed, no tantrum, no havoc, everything is under control.</p> <p>In fact. hold on a sec. Something happened. The TWO MOST GORGEOUS GUYS* wanted to change their tickets. Sorry luv, no possible, fare conditions apply, but WHO CARES? U are the MOST GORGEOUS CREATURES IN THIS TERMINAL** RIGHT NOW. wow. I really really wanted to change their PNR. Book a couple of seats, FXF, the MCO trallalla. No problems. But I cannot. FQN's fault, not mine. But you are still so damn gorgeous! Actually, what about STAYING in London for a couple of days instead of leaving earlier?? Free accomodation and breakfast.. at mine, of course.<img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"> interested?no?</p> <p>--> Action plan to be included in 2007-2008 P4P: set up secret web cam to film gourgeous pax. And the ugly ones,just for a laugh (eheheheh).</p> <p>Coming soon: GP learning curve, some checking-in skills developping plan and more random <em>connaissances</em> on site..</p> <p>* Du style: Brad Pitt and not-so-gorgeous-but-still-friggin-hot twin brother<br> ** Not 100% accurate: as no beauties scanning machine dispo yet in terminal two (but already ordered via Intralignes, delivery date TBC) </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/09/29/day_two_the_two_gorgeous_knights~3060172/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>day-2http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/09/29/day_two_the_two_gorgeous_knights~3060172/#commentshttp://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/09/28/the_machine_renault_clito~3055841/tag:oupit2.blog.co.uk,2007-09-28:/2007/09/28/the_machine_renault_clito~3055841/Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:27:20 +0200 <p><img src="/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":>>" class="middle" border="0"><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2015779" title="the Clito"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/779/2015779_c907dde5db_s.jpg" alt="the Clito" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2015849" title="the blue machine"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/849/2015849_227aeb49d0_s.jpg" alt="the blue machine" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><img src="/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":>>" class="middle" border="0"><img src="/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":>>" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/09/28/the_machine_renault_clito~3055841/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://OUPIT2.blog.co.uk/2007/09/28/the_machine_renault_clito~3055841/#comments