Sloterdijk station is basically slaughter dick

I left Paris at 10am with the help of the host carrying my 18kg bag down the stairs. I will be forever grateful. I called an Uber (in Paris haha) and got an Opel Insignia. I was actually hoping for BMW or Audi haha oh well. I called an Uber cos I don't think my arms and legs will be able to carry myself and my bags to the station using Metro (and those damn stairs!). Again, Uber driver assumed I speak French, but it's okay. As long as he understands what I'm saying and sends me to my destination safe and sound I am fine.
I took a bus to Amsterdam. And since I didn't print my ticket, I have to use the computer there to print and I feel like I have been downgraded to something similar to a cavewoman cos the keyboard there is entirely different from what I'm used to and I just hate it so much. I spent a full minute trying to figure out how to get the @ to come out (which button do I push together with the other button!) After a full 10 minutes of struggle (the lady behind me kind enough to let me struggle with it, even if I asked her if she wanna go first cos I know I will be probably spending three years on it) I finally got it to print. After printing, I went to get food. I got a gigantic baguette that later became my breakfast, brunch, lunch, and early dinner. It's huge and I can't finish it in one sitting. So I checked in and everything, I went to sit and wait. And then a woman came up to me and asked if I can help her look after her bag cos she wanna go to the toilet. In my head I was like 'BOMB! RUN!' but then the nice part of me smiled and said 'sure' (if I die one day in a terror attack, it's because I am too nice and I don't know how to reject people) so she went to the toilet and I was so anxious and scared I kept on checking on ticking noises or anything similar to it. Then she came back and I was like 'I want to thank every god and my parents and my dogs and my man that I didn't die' She thanked me and I ran to my gate.
So I boarded my bus and I passed out. Cos that's what I do to pass time in a ~10 hours bus ride. But after that little nap, I couldn't sleep anymore. So I just stare out the window. We stopped at a gas station and I got myself a disgusting tea and waffles. I had to buy something cos I wanna use the toilet and the toilet was 0.50 euro and I don't have 0.50 euro on me so I HAVE TO buy something. I hate the toilets here seriously. Oh and German has officially messed with my head cos now everytime I see the word 'euro', I don't say 'eww-ro' like most people, I say 'oi-ro' cos German. And I say everything that has 'eu' as 'oi'.

German. 

Love it.

So to get to Amsterdam, we have to pass Belgium, so it means I've been to four countries during my little trip. Even if it's just passing by in a bus, but still. We passed through Mons, Breda, Antwerp, and also Brussles (I forgot what order but those are the places) In Breda, a French guy started arguing with the driver, which I assume is about the time cos they keep on pointing at their watches. It was intense, and weird. You know I get scared during arguments so I try my best to stay invisible. So after the long long LONG bus ride (I took a bus cos it's cheaper than everything else) we finally arrived in Amsterdam and I am glad to have met Kim and Vadis, A Vietnamese girl and an American boy. They were really nice and we struggled a bit to get the Metro tickets. Okay, I have to say that I am pretty good with Metros since I've navigated through so many metros in so many countries on my own no problem, but the one in Amsterdam just confused me to no end. Lucky there's a local there that helped us, THANK YOU SO MUCH HUI! I got a day pass so I can go around 24 hours with that. So then Kim went to another place, leaving me and Vadis trying to navigate, but then Hui saw us on the wrong side of the platform and we had to go to the other side cos we're lost haha. But then after we got to the right platform, my stupid pillow fell on the initial platform we were on and Hui had to go and help me retrieve it. It's so embarassing and so funny. Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH HUI! Vadis had to board another train so we said goodbye and he left, leaving me and Hui there. We had a nice chat, and it was honestly the first conversation I've had since I came to Europe. It was nice. And then I got to my station.

Sloterdijk.

I love it.

The sky there is so pretty. And everyone was so helpful and I appreciate each and everyone of them with all of my heart. And the best thing about the metro here is that THEY HAVE LIFTS!! An elder lady pointed to me the way to the lift and I am grateful. An African man helped me with the the directions to go to Tram 12 (which he says I can walk to wherever I need to go actually butI have gigantic bags and a day pass so I think I'll fully utilise the day pass thanks) and then I had to struggle a bit with my bags cos the way to Tram 12 has no lifts. Or is there a lift and I was just too blind to see?

Anyways.

I got there and there's an old gentleman. He asked me if I wanna go to this hotel which is a Japanese hotel and I said no. Of course he then asked me if I was Japanese which I said I'm not. I told him I'm Malaysian and he then had the audacity, the nerve to say that Malaysia is such an insignificant country like Filipin and I was like EXCUSE ME OLD MAN I WILL FIGHT YOU and then proceed to tell me Malay is the same as Indonesian, which I politely told him no it's not. He said it's like Dutch and German, so if you know one then you know the other. So Malay is Indonesian. I say no darling love honey baby sweetcakes no it's not. Then he said yes it is. And that, my friend, is how I got mansplained.

How could a Malaysian possibly KNOW what kind of language we speak there?


So anyways, I boarded my Tram and got to my place. Bid goodbye to the tram conductor and the stupid old man and proceeded to walk to my hostel. It's near to the tram station so I am thankful. It's a gigantic building and it has been fully booked for the night.

Amazing.

In short, I got there. Showered. Didn't bother eating. And just slept.

So that is my entire day yesterday. Nothing special, but still it's amazing. Great experience. Amsterdam is so beautiful, friendly people, and has funny metro station signs. I love it so much.

Can't wait to explore the city later.

VAN GOGH MUSEUM I AM COMING FOR YOU!!

Smooches,
Delilah

Merci!

I am sore all over but it's okay cos I've had an amazing day!
So I woke up before my alarm (I set my alarm at 7am, I woke up at 6:45am) I slept for the entire day yesterday. I took the nap and then woke up at around 5? I think? And then I went back to sleep again. I set an alarm for 30 mins but I guess I must have slept through it and then woke up at 8pm. I was amazed by how bright it still was. It looked like it's only 5pm but no it's night. It's 8pm. I chilled for a bit on bed (the bed's so cosy and so comfy ugh) and then went out to get dinner. There is one Carrefour Extra nearby where I live so I walked there and bought a yogurt and salad. The salad was good but I think they put wasabi in there?

Anyways.

I ate my dinner and watched a bit of Family Guy (they have it here in French Netflix I am SCREAMING) and after only 1 episode I felt sleepy again so I called it a night and slept.
So yeah basically I wasted a really beautiful day yesterday and stayed home sleeping.
Jet lag is a very scary thing.
So today I had yogurt for breakfast. It's super delicious. So the first stop is Jardin du Luxembourg. It's a garden? With a nice building? It's a place to live built by one of the royals I just checked. I love how it's really chill there, with people jogging, walking their dogs, drawing and overall just enjoying life. I got there pretty early, so I was there before the crowds. It was amazing. The one thing I didn't like was that it's a muddy, stony, sandy ground which they didn't put cement on. Maybe they have their reasons but I just don't like it. Made my shoes all dirty. After that I strolled for a bit on the street and went to a nice little cafe to have Americano and Chocolate Noir cookie. Honestly, the Americano was the best I've ever had and the cookie was soft. I imagined that it'd be hard. It's delicious. Everything is delicious.

Hehe.

Then I went to Notre Dame. Okay, serious story, I couldn't possibly have made this up. So I was approached by the middle-aged gentleman (about 50? 60? I am horrible at telling age? He could be 30 for all I know) and asked me the time. So naturally I showed him the time on my phone (with the photo of me and my man as the lock screen, for safety purposes, serious) and then he thanked me. Asked me where I'm from and I told him Malaysia and he said I look like Japanese (if only I get 1 euro every time someone said that I'd be RICH HAHA, not necessary Japanese tho, Chinese (mainland Chinese cos surprise I am Chinese but Malaysian hah), and Korean too) so I said naaah I am Malaysia. And then he told me about his 7 weeks pregnant wife who's sleeping and then he just so happened to have an extra ticket to go inside the Notre Dame and wanted to offer me. And I am not stupid, never take free stuff from strangers, so I politely declined and said I'm not going inside (which I didn't plan to anyway) and that I have no time. So he walked away disappointed, but not before asking about my religion (which I heard as relation and I was super confused) and so I said I do not have one. I was clutching my bag with all my might throughout the entire conversation cos I was afraid he might have an accomplice that's waiting to pickpocket me or whatever. Being alone in a foreign country that you don't speak the language makes you super cautious and aware btw.
I wanted to go to the Holy Chapel next but then I couldn't make sense of the map (okay confession time, I am TERRIBLE at reading maps and my phone's GPS is wonky so it won't show my location) so I just walked following my instinct and I wandered to what I call the 'tourist street' where they sell souvenirs and overly expensive food. So I got a magnet (which I always do whenever I go to a new country) and then I went to the City Hall. I didn't plan to come here at first, but somehow I ended up here. It's really nice, and I saw a gigantic doggo and he bumped into me and I feel like my life's full of purpose again. So there's a strike going on in front of City Hall idk what for. I thought they're just tourists in tours but then they started banging and shaking on the City Hall's gate and climbing on it and then I realized.

It's a strike. 

Run.

Then the police started to come and I just bailed. (Well I have to cos it ain't my business and I want to be safe) Lucky there's a Metro nearby so I used the Metro to go to Louvre. (btw if you're going to Paris and plan to travel around using the Metro, buy a 'carnet' which is 10 tickets at once, it saves you time and money, it can be used on the bus (it says there on the ticket but I'm not sure) and the RER) I started from inside the Louvre, where there are shops and stuff. In my head, I was thinking of getting in free since I was told I could with the student card. But the rather rude lady behind the counter said 'I SAID only European students' and I was like kay chill gurl here take my money. (it was 15 euros btw)  So I went in and I went straight to find Mona Lisa, they are kind enough to put up signs directing people to her (cos I watched a documentary about this Chinese man spending so much time in the Louvre but still couldn't find Mona Lisa) and it was nice. That's all I can say. It's a painting, what do you want? And people were swarming there, and you can't get too close to it, it's fenced. It's the most precious thing in the museum I guess (like that 'pork' and 'cabbage' in Gu Gong, which is nothing special really. And it's tiny) I was planning that if I could get in free I'd just see Mona Lisa and ciao, but since I spent so much money, I'll stay and have fun snapchatting the paintings and statues. The place was HUGE and everything fascinates me. I like the Louvre better than Gu Gong tbh cos in Gu Gong it shows a lot of artefacts like broken vases and jade and such but in Louvre there are paintings and statues. Okay that's it but I really like the feeling to it. (Maybe there aren't swarms and swarms of loud Chinese tourists heh, they get on my nerves) Usually I would go to the ones with most people around it, which would mean that it's famous and maybe I've seen it before on TVs or books. Also I like the ceilings. I took lots of pics and I plan to do a collage of the ceilings of Louvre. In the end I didn't finish exploring the Louvre cos it's just too big and also confusing. I kept on looking for the word 'Sortie' which means exit and it's now my favourite word. (and also Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau, I just like how the Metro lady says it, like Sanam Pao in Bangkok, I have a thing for those public transport voices) Since everyone took pics of that famous pyramid when they're at the Louvre so of course I had to. And just went I'm about to go out, it started to rain.
I was so mad I wanted to punch the sky abnd everyone I see, mostly myself cos I used another bag and not my usual Anello which ALWAYS has an umbrella in it. So I was inside the Louvre pissed at myself, sitting on the floor looking at pictures (editing my selfies mostly) and then the rain stopped so I went out and took pics. It's really cute how everyone was posing with that 'holding the tip of the Louvre' pose. Like you could see rows and rows of people doing that. After I took my pics, I went to Tuileries Gardens, which is just near the Louvre, and I was mad cos again, they don't cement the ground and it just rained so it's muddy and sandy and gross. My shoes were ruined by that point. I could see Arc de Triomphe from the Garden, but I didn't go cos it looked like it's going to rain heavy. And from Tuilleries you can see Eiffel too. So I was really tired and I just wanted to go to some place and maybe sit down. I was desperate for a Metro so I could go wherever. I bought a sucre crepe. It was delicious. Lucky there's a Metro nearby so I went to the ultimate goal of coming to Paris.

Tour Eiffel.

So I took the Metro to idk what station. I am horrible at French Metro names. Initially, I wanted to go to the Dome Church but then I saw the Tour Eiffel sign and I just followed. It was such a long walk and I was mentally kicking myself cos at that point my legs were starting to cramp. I was following to American girls cos they obviously know where they're going. And then they gasped all of a sudden I just KNEW that we're there and et voila!

It's right there.

So I went to it. And I was,

Bored.

It was honestly so boring. It's just a stupid tower and it's only good for pictures. And that's it. And maybe if you have all the time in the world and also loads of money then you could go up but trust me I wouldn't. So I took my pictures, of course and then just stare at it. What is so romantic about this anyway? Why are people so in love with it I don't understand? Why are people romanticising a stupid tower? Honestly I wouldn't come back, unless it's with my family, cos it's seriously boring.
Then I decided to walk back to the Metro but then I used another road and got lost. Again, I am bad with maps and direction so when I say I am lost, I am REALLY lost. But it seems like I just walked to the front of the tower (idk why they have front and back I just don't know) The front is more happening, with tiny shops selling keychains and food, and also the Seine River. The Seine is not in my itinerary also so it's a nice surprise. I strolled along it, taking my sweet time enjoying the view and my croissant. It's so delicious omg. And then another dude came up to me and asked me if I speak French which I said no. And then he proceeded to guess what am I.

Chinese?
No.
Japanese?
No.
Korean?
No.

At that point, he was so confused and lost like he just ran out of Asians what is he going to do? So I told him Malaysia. And he was like 'oh right'. I don't think he knows what Malaysia is. Anyways he welcomed me to Paris and just took off. I like how everyone here assumes everyone speaks French. It's really cute (and a bit annoying and also nice.) So I continued my stroll and came to a monument set up from Princess Diana. Then I found my Metro but it's a line that's not to my home so I stared at the map for a full minute but I still can't find the name of the stop. Paris's metro map is so complicated I just can't. But then I just decide to wing it and eventually, I ended up at the line I'm familiar with and then took it. I wanted to go home since my leg was really hurting and I have difficulties walking already, but then I figured I haven't seen enough places so I stopped at Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau (haha) and then went out. I think I went to the Grand Palais? Or I just saw it and took a pic. Cos I was confused and tired so I didn't really bother checking. I went to a place with like exhibitions but I didn't buy a ticket cos why even bother. But then it started to rain so I just went back and come back to Daumesnil. I stopped at a bakery and bought croissants and eclair before going back, climbing 6 floors and plopped into bed. Took a long hot shower to relax my muscles and then applied Counterpain on my entire body to get rid of the soreness.

So overall it has been a nice day. I was nervous before going out, but I figure that if you looked like you kno what you're doing and also where you're going, you'll be fine. And I was really against the idea of selfie sticks in public, but if you're traveling alone, they can be your best friend. I don't trust people taking pics of me (what if they run away with my phone) so I just do it my own, unless it's someone I know. Wear comfy shoes cos mine gave my blisters (just cos I wanna look pretty) and beware of pickpockets (there's a lady in the Metro station nice enough to tell me this) and take care. Drink tap water. Drink water from the toilet. Better than spending 2 euro 90 on a bottle of water. Hell I might as well buy beer and get myself drunk.

This has been me, telling you my adventure. I'm going to Amsterdam tomorrow and wish me lots of luck!

Ciao ciao,
Delilah

You Gave Me 50p!

Okay, confession time.
I am very bad at foreign coins. For example, I cannot tell which one is 1 pound and which one is 10 pence in London and I was like an alien there. And you have to pay for the toilets and I am just out of words.
I finally arrived in my Airbnb in Paris, after almost a day of traveling and bags hauling. 13 hours flight from Kuala Lumpur to London and then 11 hours of bus from London to Paris. Have you ever seen a girl lifting 18kg luggage up and down flights and flights of stairs? Cos now both of my arms are spaghetti and I can't lift them up without aching. And what is the problem with French and elevators? They do not have elevators in the Metro so I have to drag my exhausted ass and my 18kg luggage up flights of stairs. Lucky there are people who gave me a hand and I am so sorry I couldn't thank you in French cos I don't speak French. And a French lady asked me to take a photo of her while I was waiting for my host and she's so adorable. She knows I can't speak French and is kind enough to use gestures and everything. She's so adorable. And the statement about able to see the Eiffel Tower from my room is kinda not true. Well yes, you could see the tip of it. That's all. I was so excited tho. But it's fine. My host, Sarah is so nice and so welcoming. Tho I really hate that it's on the 6th floor and again with NO ELEVATOR. Gosh. How'd they got their furniture in the house tho?
It a small little apartment. Really small. But I think it's perfect for a small family or one person. They don't have fans or aircon in their room so I have to open the window to let the air in. But it's really pleasant and not too cold.
London is really beautiful, Paris is really beautiful. It feels like I'm dreaming everything and this is not real but this is very real and I am a few hours behind my family and friends back in Malaysia. It's kind of torturing really cos of the time difference and the jet lag. I am almost always tired and sore all over (cos of the bags and lack of elevators pls)
I'll go exploring in a bit, after I hang my clothes out to dry and have a little nap. My meals are very inconsistent here I find, and I eat super random food. Like sandwiches and yogurts, cos it's expensive here.
Sob.
I am fine here in case people are wondering. I did not get the crying spells I thought I'd get, maybe cos I'm too tired to do so. Hehe.
I'm so tired to write anymore.
Oh well.

Cheers,
Delilah

The Rain Won't Block Your Sound

So I decided to stay in a hotel near KLIA so that I can get to the airport early, and also I am scared that there will be no car around to pick me up to the airport at 6 o’ clock in the morning.
My life is an ocean of paranoia and I am just navigating through it with my best carrying my anxieties and melancholia on my back.
The hotel is nice, I like the decorations and ambiance. Really appeals to my aesthetics. I was carrying shit ton of stuff cos you know, a month in Europe and my paranoid ass just won’t know how to pack properly so I nearly brought the entire house, which I did not because I am a rational and sensible human being.
Sort of.
The lady at the reception is kind of rude but it’s okay. I won’t let her ruin my day. So after I placed my stuff in my room I went down to look for food cos you know, I don’t eat breakfast.  There is not really much to eat here and as I was walking around to look for food I was being stared at, catcalled at, and it’s not a good feeling. Probably it’s cos I am the only Chinese lady walking around which I don’t really care but I don’t appreciate all of those. Then I found a small media runcit and I bought cup noodles. Two for RM12 and I was like wtf nooooo and the Indian guy operating the shop was like ‘yeah that’s the price’ and I was like if I didn’t buy then I won’t have stuff to eat so then I bought and I am sad.
I finished the two cup noodles and watched Bob’s Burger that I downloaded for a bit cos my stupid ass misunderstood the wifi password so I cannot watch Netflix. Sob sob.
Then halfway through I fell asleep cos I was exhausted cos I slept at around 6 the night before cos I was so nervous and so scared about everything and nothing.
I decided to not sleep so that I can be extremely tired so that I can sleep on the plane. Whew. It’s a morning flight so I doubt I can sleep. Oh well, we’ll see.
I am super excited and scared. My Airbnb host contacted me about the details and everything and I am like ‘is this even real I can’t believe this hohmaigawshh what what whaaaat.’
My dad called me just now and I was straight up bawling after he hung up cos I can tell he’s so worried about me and he misses me so much (since he’s alone in the house right now my mom and brother are in KK sorting out my brother’s college enrollment stuff) I miss my family so much and there are times that I really wish I can just chicken out and go home and be a baby. But I can’t now can I? The tickets and everything have been booked and the accommodation and the tuition fee (yeah I am going there for studies yo even tho one month but still) so I can’t just decide to turn back and go home.
Oh well.

Viele Grüße,
Delilah

'All The Feelings I Do Not Know How To Describe' - The Name of My Sex Tape

In 5 days I will be starting my own little adventure to Europe. I am announcing my itinerary here so that if I were to go missing, you would know roughly where to find me. I hope.
I am excited, scared, and all of the feelings you feel when you are about to go to a brand new place all by yourself. What is that feeling I wonder? It is like someone just take all of the feelings in the world, put them in a pot, bring it up to a boil and mix them together. Put in a bowl and serve. Add some spring onions like we Asians love. And that is the feeling I am feeling.

The everything feeling.

It took me a long time to come up with the title of this blog. I wanna thank my lucky stars that allowed me to stumble across this nice little word that I do not know the origin. I just like the sound and the meaning of it. It is me. Kind of.

I am happy. 
I guess?

I want to thank my parents for sponsoring me for this trip (I feel really guilty because I should) and my boyfriend for supporting and comforting me when I had a crisis and cried about this trip (It was really stupid and I was making zero sense but he was really patient with me so it's nice. He's nice. I'm glad.) I want to thank my German lecturer too for giving me loads of tips on surviving in Europe (She's the one that introduced to us this summer course in Germany too) oh and did I mention it is a short spontaneous solo trip before my one-month intensive German course in Düsseldorf? No? Oh well. Now I mentioned.

Nice.
Nett.

Solo travel is such a big deal to everyone that I told. They are like,

"Alone? You? A girl??!!"

Yeah. Alone. Me. A girl. Mind blown yet? Like I mentioned above, I am feeling all kind of things. But like some famous philosopher said (actually just my boyfriend) "think about all of the things that could go right instead of the things that could go wrong" and I was like 'that is some damn good philosophy, thanks god'. Yeah it did make me less panicky and nervous. When you're scared you are just willing to believe in everything. I told some people about my nightmare that I died in a plane crash and since then I have been very afraid and anxious about planes. Like my last trip to Thailand I was hoping and praying the whole time. I almost peed myself when it hit some turbulence cos I was just so scared. My nightmare was so real. And now I have to endure a 10+ hour flight, which I guarantee you that it would just make me panic like hell, but only on the inside tho cos I am stealthy like that.

Haha. 

So I will be landing in London, and then slowly make my way to Paris, Amsterdam, and then end up in Düsseldorf where I will be learning. Aww yiss knowledge is power, power is knowledge. I just hope that this one month will be memorable, and a way of 'finding myself' like all those travel bloggers/ vloggers always said. I have yet to find out what that means, but I am keen to. I do need to find myself, I don't know where I have been, must be in the Bermuda Triangle or something cos that bitch be trippin'.

Anyways.

I hope I will be fine. Go and come back safe. Give some stories to my parents to tell (boast) their friends about. Gain experience. Learn new things. Eat new food. Take that Eiffel Tower selfie to rub it in people's face (hah). Which reminds me I have to learn some simple French and Dutch (I know I said French is nonsense with all its letters that you don't pronounce and stupid method of counting but now it's time that I suck it up and learn it. Knowledge is power, power is knowledge. Never hurts to learn a new language, no?)

Fist bump,
Delilah