Da Plan

So I have 3 months in Europe. Here's the plan:

1 month in Prague
1 month in Slovakia and Budapest, Hungary (I MUST re-visit the famous bath where people chill in the sun and play chess in water. I loved it as a kid. See the photo below.)
1 month in Athens!!! What a lovely place. Not only because of its history, but many amazing beaches (my weakness :)).

I remarked to a friend today that in the last 6 months I lived more than in previous 35 years.

Prague Pictorial

Waking up from the winter... trees blooming everywhere.

The famous Charles' Bridge... artists selling their work.

THAI MASSAGE! I had to laugh. :)

Some 'levitation'. Didn't believe it for a second, but amusing sight.

Walking towards the Old Town Square. The city has so much character...

Orloj, the famous astronomical clock that puts on a show every hour.

City Centre, the popular Wenceslas Square.

View from my room on 7th floor, friendly suburbs.

Staying at a University dorm. :)

Reading

A rather interesting book about our mental weaknesses.

Confirmation bias - seeing only evidence that supports our viewpoint.

Anchoring - basing too much on a single data point.

Loss aversion - preferring to avoid a loss even in cases where it is not rational.

Lunch

Typical meal, nice schnitzel with potatoes, tatar sauce, and side. Free drink. $4. Yummy.

Did lot of walking today through the historical parts of Prague. I feel like I recovered a part of my soul. Some photos in the next few days.

From Phuket to Prague

I have no idea where to start this post. Time came to (TEMPORARILY) leave Thailand to go to Europe for 3 months.
I left Phuket and Thailand very reluctantly, with a heavy heart. I knew I liked it in Thailand... but I never thought I liked it this much.
14 hour bus ride from Phuket to Bangkok, taxi ride to airport, 10 hour flight to Kiev, Ukraine (got a bargain deal on flying through Kiev). Shocking, to put it mildly. Kiev was cold, drab and depressing.... I cannot imagine why people would stay there. And then from Kiev 2 hour flight to Prague. And once in Prague, I ignored the over-priced taxis and found my own way with public transport (a story in itself :)). I would say door to door, about 30 hour travel time.

Being in Prague after 22 years is surreal! It is familiar here, people are so nice (I had about 5 or 6 very friendly encounters today just chatting with people... amazed at their level of politeness and pleasantness, not something I experienced in many other places), GREAT food (had an amazing classical Eastern European meal today for less than $5... monster portions... photo to come in the next few days). Close to the hotel is a large park / wood area. It is quiet here. Took a long walk in nature. Did NOT feel like a megacity at all. Also found a supermarket close by (surprised by how inexpensive food is here, less than most Thailand... Is this really Europe???) and a library (the nerd in me can't wait to go tomorrow).

First impressions... are very, very positive. Shockingly so, in fact. I did not expect this. Prague is not good; it is amazing.

Songkran!

I can't remember ever having this much fun... SONGKRAN! Thailand's water festival. The streets turn into a water battleground. Adults and kids alike, spraying water on passer-bys and each other, a Thai way to celebrate the New Year.

In Canada, I have long forgotten what FUN is!! Suffocating, serious, and sombre spirit of capitalism. YUCK.

The Choice

"Most people choose unhappiness over uncertainty."

- Tim Ferriss

Pleasure vs. Enjoyment

Article here.

Bliss

To seek is to suffer.

To seek nothing is bliss.

- Bodhidharma