Travel Diary #2: Bangkok.

Urbanscapes 2013: The Sun Was High, So Was I.

If I had to describe myself in three terms it would be, 1. I make too many stupid and awkward jokes on a daily basis, 2. I am always either overdressed or underdressed. Mostly overdressed. There is no in between and 3. I am a fucking lazy blogger but I love it anyways.

But when I came home that Sunday 24th October night, I knew I had to start writing. Urbanscapes 2013 had left a bigger impact on myself than I had imagined. As I was laying on what should have been grass but was covered by Sabrina's savior florescent pink blanket, the only thing I had in mind was "It's a good time to be alive." I will never forget. I have vowed to myself that whenever convenient, never miss Urbanscapes in the following years.

Amazing would be an understatement. There was a lot of walking involved. Back and forth from stages to the hill where we had laid out a medium sized blanket and everyone, precisely eight of us, all laying down glancing at the sunset during dawn. I swing my head left to right, left to right, singing along to quality music being played behind me. Life is great, I thought. I knew at that instant I wouldn't rather be doing anything else in the world. For a moment, everyone fell into a comfortable silence. Sinking in the surrounding of boldly dressed people smoking cigarettes, exchanging words and sleeping on grass. I can get used to this kind of view. And then suddenly someone broke the silence, "I wish everyday was like this." I wish it was, too.

The whole thing was just too surreal to me. There I was soaked, enthusiastic and happy dancing my heart out to Last Dinosaurs performing Zoom live and then later that day, butt on grass having a fast food feast. Nothing could have possibly made it any better. Nothing.

There were nearly fourty performances all together but I was only looking forward to one, Franz Ferdinand. The most magical thing about concerts is when the audiences start singing back. And then there I was, surrounded by the people who were just as passionate as me. I'm glad I couldn't see how I looked like at the time because I would have probably cringe. I didn't care. I didn't care that I looked like a crime scene. Or that I felt micro insect legs crawling up my green silk shorts. Or that the muddy ground was slowly sinking in my black jelly sandals. I was a few feet away from a stage. And on that stage, was one of the bands I have adored since I was eleven performing. I remembered in the middle of everything, I turned behind me and saw my best friend pouring herself out. And I gave her a hug. I caught a glace of the night sky and tilted my head up for awhile, shutting my eyes as I try to let everything sink in. I smiled. The feeling was indescribable. But it was a bloody good feeling. Who needed drugs when you get to see Franz fucking Ferdinand live? And the Last Dinosaurs left me with a pretty decent amount of excitement too, I guess.

The people were nice. Most of them, at least. I was fairly impressed with the fashion however, some had left me cringing and questioning myself. I met all kinds of people. High, drunk, sober, a really friendly guy in a bandanna, a bisexual twenty-one year old Singaporean, a mean guard.

At the end of the second day we left with heavy hearts but ones that are filled with new memories. You look forward to going back when your legs fells like as if they are not there anymore. Exhausted but content. Which was what I was feeling. As we walked towards the parking lot where a car had been expected, being the spontaneous maniac that she is, Nikki had decided she would say "BYE" to everyone we came across with. And being the spontaneous maniac best friend that I am, I couldn't resist but to tag along. Responses were as expected, awesome. I love people.

Here is an appreciation dedicated for the massive amount of laughter shared, the pictures taken together, the hundreds of picnic breaks we had, the food sharing, the insane dancing, the slow dancing, the people watching, the funny conversations, and for making my first Urbanscapes experience worthwhile. Thank you Nikki, Hakim, Aizat, Aiman, Sabrina, Arief, Bazli and Haziq for that. And those aren't even the half of it.

I remember the days perfectly well and I hope it remains even if it's been twenty years. Although I highly doubt I would forget such thing. Visit my instagram for pictures. @elissarosli.

Travel Diary #1: Spring Feelings.

There I was. Standing on the balcony of my hotel, glancing at an amazing view of Paris. It just lights up so beautifully at night. It was rather cold at 2 in the morning. The only thing that was keeping me warm was the hazelnut coffee I had on my right palm. And also the incredibly large sweater I had on to go with my polka-doted pair of socks.

We arrived on a lovely Saturday morning. 7am to be precise. The same day we checked into the hotel and went straight to the Eiffel Tower.

I have pictured how beautiful the Eiffel tower is. But I never thought that it would be that amazing. The structure of it, that rusty bronze colour it was painted with. What I saw that day was just breathtaking. All the thoughts and worries that was running through my mind. Gone. I had forgotten how knackered I was before. Those 14 hours of flight felt like minutes. And just seeing how incredible Paris was, at that moment, I knew those 14 hours was worth it. So there we were. Just inches away from the Eiffel tower. All four of us cuddling in our thick coats and leather gloves. Giggling.

We spent hours there. Just staring. My eyes lost in the view just steps away from where I was standing. Trying to get the used to the whole idea of what I was seeing right before my eyes, was real life. The only thing that went through my mind was how fortunate I was. I was having tea in front of the Eiffel tower. It was a painting. It was a second close to perfection.

Arc De Triomphe was beautifully placed at the middle of a busy roundabout. The first thing that caught my eyes was how massive it was. The architecture of it amazed me so much. Every inch of it was perfectly painted with pale golden brown. Whenever we would take the tour bus, I would just observe every each sides of it one by one, while the bus makes a whole complete round. It was art. We had buttered croissants at a local coffee joint at the streets of Champ Elysees. The breezy cold air just makes it taste better. Everything from Prada to Hermes was along the streets of Champ Elysees. As I was sipping on some hot coffee, I would observe at everyone who was passing by from top to bottom. I noticed most of them was foreigners. But it wasn't much different anyways.

I slept that night with the biggest grin on my face, as I was sinking myself on the soft satin bed sheets, lingering through the sheer window curtains. I would just stare at that remarkable view outside my window for hours until I had fallen asleep. Every other night was no different.

We would spend our nights walking around the city of Paris. Exploring every inch of what we could see. Everywhere I looked was a view. Breakfast was usually spent at a nearby park just a couple blocks away from our hotel. I would sit on the brown rusty bench as I eat a sandwich along with a cup of hot chocolate to go down with and just observe at everything that was happening around me. I'd see smart business men rushing to work, kids running around at the park, people cycling along the streets and ridiculously attractive guys walking with their venti-sized Starbucks cups. However, lunch was a different thing. We would usually have picnics on sunny days and stayed inside when it was too cold. There was this beautiful park nearby the Eiffel tower. Not too far. It was right below of it. We would sink ourselves on thin fresh cut grass and munch on our kebabs. I listen to the sound of birds chirping. Music to my ears. As I was sinking my eyes at the Eiffel tower while having lunch under the beautiful spring air of Paris. At that moment, I knew I wouldn't rather be doing anything else in the world.

Leaving wasn't that bad. We went crazy last minute shopping on our last night. I could tell how happy mum was to be standing at the head quarters of Chanel at one of the many streets of Rue Cambon. Massive it was I would say. Everything inside was as well. Swap. Goes her credit card and just like that, the pair of Chanel shoes she has had her eyes on since forever was finally hers. Grinning while she makes her way to the perfectly polished glass door with the sign EXIT  right above it. The white and black Chanel paper bag she was holding on her left palm was one of the biggest reasons we came here in the first place.

One day when I'll be turning 50. I will look back on this very day and remember of what a good time I had with my loved ones. I finally understood why they called it the "City Of Love" because that was the only thing I felt. Ironically, my goodbye greeting is in French which is super relevant right now haha. Oh well,

Restez jolie et au revoir, x