Shizmo on journey

The secret brother of Gizmo is again on a journey. Taking the flight over the clouds. 

Spring is already in Berlin, will this be the same in Stockholm?

Now back to Stockholm another time- Shizmo felt happy and did not waste any minute. 

Visiting friends and being in the Globe to see a concert. 

He visited the Gamla Stan and eat in exelent coffees the Gladkaka and enjoyed the view over town, the Vasa Museum and the park Skansen. It is always nice to walk through Gamla Stan and being in the clubs at the evening to drink a beer with friends. 

Of course you must be also on the other side of the river and therefore from Gamla Stan.  

Shizmo could shop and look for vinyls there and end up near the Theater. 

But again he went to the Gamla Stan as there is also the castle, the parliament and the wonderful views in the afternoon.

click on the pics!

click on the pics- this is Parliament house

click on the pics! and there getting big!

Later it was taking a walk around one of the Islands where the salt water meets the sweet water. Where modern houses meet the old typical swedish Sommarstuga. Where the train is next to you when you take the brigde.

Underground driving next to you- same with cars and behind us is Gulmarsplan station

So yes, spring has arrived in Stockholm like you can see on the pics and there is wood to in town. The air is therefore better then in many big towns. By the way Shizmo felt that it is true, that Stockholm is expencive. But always worth a try. Like London. Thought those towns are different and better not to compare.

After all this he went on with the train over the whole south of Sweden to see that it is in fact true what you read about Sweden. All those typical houses. Well, gets a bit boring after a while. Nice but not much differnece between the towns, villages and so it is to enjouy the nature, the fact that the train drives next to lakes. In fact sometimes just two steps away. And he has the luck that nothing went wrong with taking the train as there is the warning that each second time you'll have to expect something going wrong or similiar.

Gothenburg/ Göteborg Central Station

Gothenburg it was then and here spring had arrived a bit earlier and anoter view and wonderful days have been to catch. All is smaller, but cheaper and more calm. 

Well Shizmo was at friends and brought them also flowers of spring, which cost three times more the in Berlin. Beauty can cost money, but are we lucky to have friends, so we don't care about prices. By the way one or better two of the best vinyl stores is near the Järntorget Place.  Now the last pics and we wish you a wonderful spring and week.

Love and Light

journey through a year

Every year is an adventure, is a new journey in your life.

Some years have more to give to you, then you'll expected it. 

Some years are less dramatic and others have many changes on the way.

My year was literally a journey to different places, old and new ones and also in making decision where and how to go on. 

Starting with a new job in sight, I flew to Thailand to visit a friend and to discover a new and different country. I went from Bangkok to the South coast and then through the whole south from near Malaysia up to the "James Bond" Island, over to Phuket and then with the plan high up to the North and landed in Chiang Mai and took the bus down again to finally be back in Bangkok. 

A fantastic journey where I not only got to see wonderful places, but also met new people and tasted food I never eat before. But this you can read and follow from my post from this year after January. http://one-thing-to-remember.blogspot.de/2015/02/thailand-journey-part-1.html

Then back in Berlin, Germany I discovered that things went another way then planed. The job as a teacher would not become true yet, as the whole school did not open. Seemed the boss got cold feet about the financial challenges. So starting searching for a new job as I have just left Sweden. 

So starting again was not my problem as I did this several times. You know I always believe that you have to go your way and it will bring you to the places and experiences you need and want to go. Sometimes time is ready, sometimes you are not. So it seemed in this case that I won't be lucky in Berlin and so I went back to Sweden and there I was very lucky. Just there was again a promising job or two in Berlin. Now it was time to think and write down what to do and how. Finally I decided for Berlin as it did look better. Turns out the job they wanted to give me is different then what they told me. http://one-thing-to-remember.blogspot.de/2015/03/up-and-down-back-again.html

I declined but then was without a job. Starting all over again.  

Now many people would feel that everything is going wrong and whatever you do, you seem to choose wrong, but I believe there is a lesson in everything and one is to believe and have patience. 

While searching again I worked at my personality. Things which I wanted I did and some things I wanted to change, I went to people who could help me. You know sometimes you need other people to look from another angle. 

I also made another interview and wrote a lot this year on my blog. http://one-thing-to-remember.blogspot.de/2015/04/jan-bo-vinter-poulsen-interview.html

That did indeed help. And I had -like it seems - the universe also working for me. A love came into my life and two people left my space. 

I still think about them, but less now and let them go there way. Though we did not parted the nicest way and a misunderstanding led them away, but sometimes you just have to let it go. People have to make their own experience and must always pay for what they do. You can't always safe or change or make it better. Sometimes you have to trust and which the best inside you for them. 

This is also a journey.

Then I discovered my own town again. Like a tourist. Strange in a way. 

http://one-thing-to-remember.blogspot.de/2015/04/berlin-walk-secret-way-with-me.html

Finally having my new job and getting also the experience that working as usual is never again the solution, I began a new chapter and also started to go to university again. Well, not again, the first time and will do so the next three years, next to my job. 

In the same time I missed my Sweden and therefore I flew back to meet my friends. 

http://one-thing-to-remember.blogspot.de/2015/09/make-break.html

When I came back again to Berlin, I realized that my love affair with Berlin is over. Also I already moved another time (the sixth in one year) and started living in an area I have never been much before. It's a nice area and quite. 

Now living with my love is something new for me, as I always lived alone at my very own place but it is nice and wonderful, thought a challenge for both of us too. 

But like in the last years I have become a traveler. 

Manchester was it in autumn and London. Something new and something old- like the saying goes. 

That was exciting, beautiful and lovely. 

http://one-thing-to-remember.blogspot.de/2015/11/manchester-united-or-visite-in-red-town.html

Now that the year has nearly gone I have worked at my new working place a while and had a lot of challenges. A lot stress and a lot to think about. A lot to deal with and try to figure out how to do best, as I lead a team and manage the quality and also doing nursing. Quite a lot and then I have to keep in mind there is a dog home, a love and then my friends. Stay tuned to what they do and how they feel is something I try to fix as good as I can, while learning and doing everyday things which have to be done and also christmas presents will be bought and wrapped. 

To get christmas feelings is something I still wait for.... It is not really coming up..  Am to much bussy. Very much like in the last years it takes  a while. But don't worry, the spirit comes along...always. 

http://one-thing-to-remember.blogspot.de/2015/12/the-holy-family.html

Yes, this year also had its dark political effects. The racism came back into open field and the hate, the gun shootings have become kind of everyday thing and the bombs inside our heart have tried to destroy our faith in democracy. The results of mistakes come to real danger now as one of the mistakes was to keep people stupid in many ways. But also we had many light hours, hours of hope and courage and people seem to awake from a coma they have been or getting away from being blind to being more the seeing eye. 

Sure next year is a leap year but also a year for decisions. Again, we face important times and the decision we will make will more then ever lead the way for the next future. 

So what future do you want?! 

Meaning, it is time to stand up and even when we fear one or two things could go wrong or go a way we don't like. But let's be true, a change never leaves you without the question what to let lose and give up. A change is only possible if you leave things behind and that means also things we are used to. Sometimes we have to free our self from things to get free and to be able to do the next step, even when we fear the future, because if we don't we come to the point where we must and then it won't be that easy, that nice, that way you like to have it. Now you still can decide and go the way, find your way easier then later. 

That is also why christmas is a god start to be grateful and think about what you have as most of us are really rich, and some are rich for the wrong reason and others believe them self poor for the wrong reason. 

Many things come a bit later then we believe or should I say expect, but they do come true if you hang on. I can tell you from my own experience. Many things come when the time is right, when you are ready and the situation is as it is needed. Therefore have patience and go on the way you want to. Keep your goal in mind and do all on the way which gives you what you need and want. A bit planing is also good and then be flexible. That way you can react and catch what you need and come along the way you desire. Make your own path. It's true, it is the only you'll become happy. Which does not need we can go together, cross our ways, but just remember, you have to walk alone on your own way. 

That means sure not to care to much what people say, but listen to them is necessary. It gives you the information you need to reflect yourself. 

Now, let me send you some love and light and which you a merry christmas. Whatever you do, wherever you are, make the best of it. I will be working most of the holidays but am happy anyway. Be happy, be grateful and try to shine and let the sun shine in your heart. Make yourself some beautiful moments, just because YOU deserve it. Do it all for you, instead for the others. Do what makes you happy. Do what you like.  If it is just to give a smile. 

LOVE & LIGHT

Manchester United or a visite in the red town

It's already a week ago that I touched the ground on Canal Street in Manchester and found Kikki still alive and vivid. Actually I was with my man in another club which is in an old house and seems to be a Pup and a Disco in one. I really liked it. Just the music was that night not really my thing, but the decoration, the look of the inside, the mix of the people, the beer and the barkeeper, all was very enjoyable and like it should be, I may say. 

Starting from raining Berlin, we arrived in part cloudy, part sunny Manchester on Picadelly Station and let the wind blow through our hair. Immediately the eye catched the mix of old and new, of beauty and well less beauty buildings and surprisingly a lot of folks on the street. 

But the first surprise was earlier when flying over Manchester before landing on the airport to see that Manchester and what is part of it and around is quite a big area, not just a little town with about 500mill people and some more. 

Now most people asked me why going to Manchester. It's not London, it's just soccer- Manchester United and then what? 

It's culture, it's architecture, it's a lot going on there and change is on every corner more or lesson. It has history and music, it has fashion, thought most is just starting to rise again, as you may know, once this town was rich and successful and had a lot more inhabitants but after industry situation changed it all went down but not completly which is now the reason why things are going up again and why this town has potential. Above the fact that it is a bit cheaper then London. It has beautiful churches, libraries and coffees and if you have more then 3-4 days, you can also prove that Manchester is the new kitchen in town or should I say from the country itself.

So strolling, kind of, through the centre as it is next to the station, when you arrive from the airport with the train, we got the first catch on how far things are and what to expect. 

Then we went down to the Oxford Rd and near the station with the same name and took a coffee in Sturbucks which looks bit different to what we are used to in Germany, but then it was kind of a mix inside. Being nearly under the train bridge, next to the river Medlock, with windows so typical for England and there it was, old and new together. Fitting all the students as this is the beginning of the area of the universities in Manchester. 

Yes, take an afternoon to walk the Oxfolk street up and 1,5 km or so just buildings from the University area and inside the stones from the University of Manchester is the Manchester Museum, which is very nice and quite big and mostly about nature and science of it, with real animals and skeletons of Dinos and many other animals. Also very perfect for a day with children. Then walk the same street up again and you will find a red house in a little park/garden and it is the Gallery of Costumes in the Platt Hall. Thought so many costumes did we not find and it contains also other arts. It is a small but fine museum. 

Not far away from it, there is the famous curry mile, thought it seems very dull at daytime and you may try it in the late afternoon otherwise this was the only area which I absolutely did not like and it had the feeling of a energy I simply did not like and so turning around fast was the only solution.

Inside Manchester, in the centre is enough to discover, so let's get back and walk down the Oxford Rd and then walk into the Whiteworth street. Right side. Looking back then you will see the River Palace a very beautiful building and if you turn right one street before, you'll discover a better side of it, and very old Pups too. 

Walking up the Whiteworth street offers you food on the way and the look on so many busses, that you wonder how they make it. Even in Berlin I never saw so many on one street. Not once! 

But let's go on and then you will reach the Sackville Gardens which are a must when you love internet, and of all those machiens called computers, as there he is, Alan Turing. Visite him and say hello! 

After that, left of him, right beside him, the memorials for the victimes of HIV are to find and still people suffer, still numbers risen, but that is another blog about. 

Then just look over the river and there is the famous Canal Street. The gay village, it's of course bigger then this one famous street and in summer for sure a place to be! 

Not far away and the chinese village is to cross, thought don't expect to much, it is very little and surprisingly dull. 

Three days is a start, but soon you discover it is far to less to see all and so you have to decide. 

We took of course first into the rooms we would stay over night. No, not a hotel, not a motel, it was B&B, actually a mix of couchsurfing and B&B, This gives you always the chance to come into contact with locals. More or lesson. Our host was very friendly, smiling and funny, thought the room was nice but a bit improvised. Not really my thing this B&B and couchsurfing. Yes, I am a hotel people after all. The luxury must it be. 

So breakfast, the real one, we found it in a very nice and quite big Pup right across from the Town Hall. The service nice and the food good, thought the little extra was missing. The rooms absolutely fantastic, even the toilets. 

The Town Hall is a must to go in and just now and untill christmas is over, there will be a market inside! Outside there is the famouse x-mas market which just opend the weekend we have been there and of course all that german dingsbums was there from Bratwurst to Glühwein. The christmas market goes on in the streets around and has much to offer, from food to presents to buy and the atmosphere is warm even when it rains. 

At one of the endings you meet the Joahn Rylands Library, which looks like a cathetral and has many very old books and manusciptes to show. Go inside, if not you'll miss a very nice experience and a dream of a library! 

What can I say, to walk from there whatever direction is to see old buildings, best shopping and food and Christmas Minions too. 

Three days and we went to the Northern Quarter as this is called the area for alternative shopping and has the famous alternative shoppig house. Yes, here shappy chic is still reality and on our way we took our afternoon tea in the 2/4. Then we just went on this direction, then another one, this street and that street, discovering arts on walls and buildings, paintings and went back to the centre, had our street food which was very good and the shopping for presents went very well. 

Another day and we went by to eat - all you can eat- near china town and then let the foot inside the little St. Mary Church. The Manchester Cathetral was not planed but suddenly we have been standing in front of it and so we went inside. Well, it is big and surprsingly with modern windows and warm. Good place to hide a while from rain. 

The national football museum is nearby but we did not visite it. It is said to be good but with little time in three days including arriving and leaving, we had to make choices.

By the way, Manchester United T-shirts have never been cheap, but go in a shopping mall it is cheaper, go to airport, it was cheapest price. I just only knew before. 

The Manchester wheel we did not found. Is it still there? The Hat museum was also on the list, but seemed to be always not on our way. 

Manchester is good to discover by walking but some things need a ride with a bus or tram. 

Even when the rainy days are on, it mostly does not look depressing, thought some old new buildings are really ugly and many places are a question- what will they build there? The buildings most time only in the centre higher then the average high, it is all smaller then in London. More cosy in some corners too. As a tourist you'll find enjoyment here and will have enough to discover for a week and even more, when you take the train to Liverpool and the national gardens. But how living really is in Manchester I still do not know. Got such a small look at it, that it feels unreal. Can't say I fall in love with this town and have to see it once again and others too. But for a traveler it is a good destination and a reason to be there instead for London. 

So catch a guide you can buy in a good book store or travel store and look up what you want to see and more, when you have some days left. 

We will come back for sure to prove, if there is sun in summer in Manchester!

Now of course a lot of pictures to go through, even for YOU!

Have fun!

Love & Light

yes it is what it looks like :-)

Picadelly Station

look out of the window from starbucks on the river

near GAY Village

the Palace

China town Gate

in the centre you'll find some of these buildings

Kiki and the original Queer As Folk Show comes to mind

Canal Street by daylight

Alan Turing

HIV/ AIDS Memorial

Town Hall in the back and just the red Pub is to recommend for english breakfast

Town Hall and christmas market

the Library I wrote about

inside the Library and also the pics now following

old and new together- the library entrance

must be the english humor!

inside the St Mary's Church

inside the Manchester Cathetral

on the way to the northern quarter- looks like Sherlok Holms could have been here

again, Town Hall, but the market inside! Oh those x-mas cloths!

on the Oxford Rd down the University lane

the little museum- Whitworth Art Gallery

seems the beast looked once very much like a wild pig

Art installation about how we live and use things

Harry Potter must be here somewhere!

Manchester Museum

same building... and I have a lot more pictures but that should be enough for now...