Become a FC Copenhagen FAN now....

I been thinking for a while which football club I should support. Been asking around at my office however replies were diverse - it is normal. Watched last week one game on TV FC Copenhagen playing, in fact they were very good. Since I will be living around or outskirt of Copenhagen it is wise to be the FC Copenhagen supporter. They wear RED Jersey which is not really exact color of the ARSENAL but it somehow match !!!!. I am actually bought ticket to watch FC Copenhagen playing against Brøndby IF on this Sunday, cost me around 4000 ISK . Common FC Copenhagen. 

Read the instruction properly otherwise .......

I thought it was okay to put my new jacket (cost 80 USD) into the washing machine and did not read neither instruction nor Labels inside and turn the machine ON in full mode. what happens after 40 minutes see the picture below: The jacket beca

me useless !!! Well lesson learned

Highest Peak in Denmark

Right, whether you believe or not I been to highest peak in Denmark - Thanks to my colleague "Lars". We were driving to SDU (Southern University of Denmark), While driving towards the university we have to cross very large bridge (well, this bridge supposed to be the longest bridge in the world), called  Storebæltsforbindelsen. As we are driving on the bridge, my colleague said - be prepared you are approaching highest peak in Denmark and I thought he was joking but he was not. So I can tell you now - I been to highest peak in Denmark - hurry.  

The highest Peak in Denmark - My colleague is probably laughing .......

Parking Ticket In First Day

ufff, The day I moved to Copenhagen, I received my first parking ticket 500 DKK (not very cheap). It was due to my lack of understanding in rules when parking around houses. Well, learn from mistake !!

From Iceland with love

Nepali Times | The Brief » Blog Archive » From Iceland with love

Aftermath of Earthquake in Sakhu - Nepal

Three Hours Lunch Break - Only in Spain

Do you really need three hours lunch Break ? Okay, maybe not in other countries but in Spain they probably need extra two hours more for their lunch break :)

I am currently in Spain - a small city one hour drive from Alicante, for Bio-Hpc research collaboration. The place looks normal and pretty much agriculture area. You can see orange trees everywhere in the city. Well, Murcia is the biggest orange producer in Europe :). While working with my Spanish research group, they started work on 9:15 am in the morning and by the time one O'clock they go for lunch. And, very surprisingly the lunch hour is three hours (from 1PM to 3PM). For me, it was very strange to me and some of my colleagues from Nordic countries also agreed with me. Then, I asked my project promoter about such a long hours lunch break - he has nothing to say on it but  highlighted this is the way it is in SPAIN.

For me and probably many others this might be the discouraging lunch break, well nevertheless when you work with your partners you have to follow the flow of the culture of the country- I guess. 

TNT Iceland bad service - Nightmare

I have used TNT express delivery service once before. First experience was good so decided to use again but it turned out in nightmare.

I posted my important document on 27th January 2015 from Iceland to Hayes, UK for the next day

delivery. I had asked my mate to be in the address to receive the delivery. But TNT UK called him next day 28th Jan 2015, and told him that they could not deliver ! -  reason they gave him was they missed the connection. My mate been advised that they might deliver the day after i.e 29th January 2015 and at the same time he been alerted they are not sure though. Again on 29th January 2015, my mate was waiting for the delivery but TNT UK called him telling him, your documents cannot deliver today either. This time they did not gave him neither further reason nor another delivery date and time.

So, I called TNT Iceland, inquired about my documents and asked why it has taken so many days. TNT Iceland neither could tell me where my documents is nor the status of the delivery date and so forth. TNT Iceland put me on dark, and made me extremely  worried person. She said I will be informed later on the day by phone or email. I waited the whole day but receive nothing. As one can think - how much worried & anger person I was !! It has been already 4 days since my documents left from Iceland and have no clue whatsoever where my documents has gone. Next morning I received an email from TNT Iceland, explaining your documents got stuck at the Dublin Airport because TNT plane got hit by Truck on the ground. They gave me assurance my documents will be sent to UK later that night. I was very disappointed and called TNT Iceland asking about the situation. My frustration did not really matter to them - I felt.  Customer support TNT Iceland could  say nothing much but in response - "we understand your situation bla bla". After few hours I received email again, nightmare began. 

TNT Iceland now told me, all the posts that had left on 27 Jan 2015 from TNT Iceland will be returning back to Iceland because it was a wrong container. Agony is,  they still don't know whether my documents are in that container or not. Can you believe this ? I am nearly crying because of this negligence services by the TNT Iceland.  It was 14:30 on last Friday, I received yet another email saying, your documents has been found in the returned container but it has damaged, what you want to do ? damaged picture attached. -- I could not believe this. When I opened the attachment my document was all wet. Simply simply could not understand this TNT Iceland.

I was running out of time, therefore my priority  was to deliver this document back to UK. I went to TNT Iceland office. When I saw my wet documents, my eyes were full of tears - I could not talk for 10 minutes. Water was all over in the documents. Well, you can read the letters so I decided to send them back.

When I returned back to my work and wrote a one full page of complain about the TNT Iceland handling documents like this as well as compensation. I been told my complain has been forwarded but heard nothing until today. This is how TNT Iceland express delivery service works in Iceland.

Unlike others, I used express delivery service so that my documents be delivered on time ,however, this nightmare experience and extremely bad service by the TNT Iceland has not just ruined my time but destroyed my whole future prospects that I was about to do.

No Sympathy for Brazil

When it comes to football, Brazil comes in our mind instantly. Brazil has been producing wold class players over the years and no doubt they still have fantastic individual player across the continent. However, I also feel when we talk about football, people and players in Brazil seem to be dominating the conversation - it seem they are the creator of football and play better than anybody else, showing their superior that nobody can do what they do. With all respect to the players, what we have seen in 2014 world cup was the nightmare for what they thought to good at it. "Disorganised" in the team is the key word to describe Brazilian team in 2014 world cup and perhaps poor selection in the squad. 

Somehow they managed to reach in the Quarter Final where Germany thrashed (the team thought to be the best in the world) by 1-7 goals. I watched players crying on the ground after the game - I have no sympathy for them at all, for me they simply could not perform in the game. Unfortunately, they were thrashed by Holland again for the 3rd position (3-0). 

Where is that BRAZILIAN type of football gone (where we always say wowow)? I certainly feel in the world cup Brazil team failed to unite as a team rather playing individual selfish game. As as example, David Luiz. I hope they will learn the lesson from this disappointing world cup and play as a team in coming national games. 

Those Water PIPES -- Wonder when this will be fixed.

This is a small or even very narrow road in my home town, Battishputali, Kathmandu, Nepal. We call this route "Khari Ko Bato". Route named after the big tree along the way called "Khari Tree". This is the same route I used for my entire school days as well as when I needed to do a short-cut to reach Maitidevi town. 35 years ago when I was a child and after those long years - this particular route has not been changed a bit. It is exactly the same - i.e those water pipe laying on the ground and distribution of water lines to individual houses. During the course of last 35 years - many things has changed in Nepal and even in my home town but "Khari ko Bato" remains exactly the same - nothing has changed.

I wonder when this route/road will get new face, get pipe line structured, get pitched or even put some cover up so that the people feel comfortable to walk. It seem either locals or the council (WADA) has paid no interest at all on the road that I used to use 35 years ago and now. Perhaps one day - HOPE is the answer for this !!!!

Genuine helping hands by the Nepali Immigration officers.

I was on my way to London and checking out from the Nepalese immigration at the airport. While I was standing in front of the immigration desk, immigration officer was not paying much attention to me instead he was busy talking with other officers. Behind the immigration box, there was a young foreign girl crying - it seem something serious. And, here was another guy also standing next to my desk waiting for immigration clearance. Officer were not paying any attention to him either. It was the first time that I had to wait half-an-hour to get the clearance. 

Immigration officers wearing white shirt and blue trouser were circled and discussing, but I have no idea what was the problem. The young lady sitting behind the immigration counters still crying very loud, holding some nepalese money in her hand. After I got the clearance from the officer, I asked the officer about the situation. What I have heard from the officer was simply extraordinary help they were providing to the lady. 

Young lady was on her way to Turkey and her flight was almost leaving. She actually overstayed in Nepal for couple of days and have no money to pay overstay fee. So, all Nepalese immigration officer collected money from themselves, delayed the Turkish airlines by consulting with the airlines, paid the young lady's overstay penalty fee, release her from the immigration and escorted her to the aeroplane. I did ask if I could be any help but those dedicated immigration officer denied my offer.

This is something you do not see especially in Nepalese immigration - as we all (always) hear every now and then immigration officers harassing people, taking money from the tourists', giving unnecessary problem etc etc. But, what I witnessed was a genuine help people in critical situation. I was speechless the way immigration officers offered help to the young lady which  is a genuine gesture and I salute to all the officers at the Nepalese immigration.

I wonder, if officer will extend their helping hand like such to Nepalese national too - which yet to witness. However, I am connivence that if all officer in Nepalese authoritis change the mind set like this, Nepal certainly will not have that tag "Nepal ka karmachri GHUS KHANCHAN".

During my flight to New Delhi, I shared what I witnessed to every single people, they were speechless and saying wowwow.

Football with Þróttur - Old Boys

Though I have been in Iceland for several years, however it was just last year I started playing  football with local club (Þróttur) in Old-boys group. Usually people ages from 30s, 40s and 50s group are organized in regular training schedule  3-4 times a week.  Personally, I am very impressed the way training, match and social events as well as tournaments are organized. Though my intention of playing in such group is a) integrate more into the community, b) socialize and c) having fun being physically fit. Yes, Although you can see once in while those  aggression from some individuals but it mainly remains in the pitch which is good :)

I would recommend everyone to explore "Þróttur Oldboys group"  if you are looking for playing football in regular basis and have fun. Actually, it is well organized both on and off the pitch, welcoming friendly players ( well, you have to count  and ignore those have extraordinary talent & professionalism attitude similar to you see sometime in the premiere league staff screaming their players:) ), I do not think you will be disappointed whatsoever.

By the way, during the summer there is a league organized by the KSI for these group. I was bit of lucky to play last summer - it was indeed fun.

Some Pictures from last year 2013

fireworks amazingly reduced in new year's Eve

I have been observing and participating firework show during new year's eve over the years in Reykjavik city. When it comes to fireworks, people of Iceland like to spend and welcome new year with spectacular firework display. I even heard that people from China espiecally visit to Iceland during new year's eve to witness the specatular firework show - I am not sure how accurate this information though, however. Sometime I felt I am in war zone !!!. However, this year I was totally surpirsed the way poeple of the Iceland did the firework, usually it starts hours before and after the new year,  but last night it lasted only for couple hours then no fireworks at all - not as used to be. I assume, either 2008 banking crisis had impacted people badly or due to the fact things has been extremely expensive since the severe finincial collaspe or people just reliased they cannnot afford anymore. 

Whatever the reason, Happy New year 2014 to all.

Paragliding in Pokhara

I went on holiday to Pokhara 

with my mum and sister in June. Pokhara is always fun to be and it was my second visit since I was there twenty years ago. Much has changed in the city however, beautiful mountains, lakes, temples and monasteries remains the same.

Another famous tourist attraction this time was the "Paragliding". When it comes to flying with para-suit stuff I am always scared. Anyway, this time I did paragliding in Pokhara. It was the great time I ever had. Thirty five minutes in the sky and to see beautiful Pokhara from the glider - simply magnificent. I waited eight hours to experience paragliding due to bad weather. Now, I want learn myself paragliding and fly solo. It was simply fantastic experience. 

Air India experience - First time

I have heard lots of stories about Air India and specifically the harassment by the immigration officials & police, bad treatment, baggage lost, very rude customer services, misguide to passenger etc etc at the airports. When I was preparing my trip to Nepal in June this year, I was also very scared  and try avoiding Air India. First,  I have never been to India, second tons of stories that I heard, read and watched. But, then on the other I just heard other peoples experiences- I am sure things happened in that route hence people share their experiences.  I have few Indian friends at my work and I always make fun with them on customer service at the Indian Airports. They even shared their experiences even for Indian nationals. It sound like a cultural or tradition issue.  I am from Nepal, and many Nepalis had had an incident like that, I read tons of article while I was in Nepal and in west too.

Anyway, even-though I hesitate to fly via Indian airports, I asked the final suggestion to one of

my friend, her encouragement was very positive and self-assertive. At the end I booked my flight to Kathmandu via New Delhi for the first time. 

Despite having all those stories in mind, I was very careful while flying as well as while transfer the flights. In my first experience with Air India, I did not feel one bit of what I have heard or people wrote about the customer service and the harassment at the airport.  I feel really good, not a single problem like such came to me - perhaps I was the lucky one on that day, I do not know :). Well, someone told me that "The New Delhi airport" has recently built and old Delhi airport is converted for domestic flights.  Perhaps harassment stuff are happening in that side which  I do not know. 

For me, I had a jolly good time both on board, transfer transit and  even at the New Delhi airport. I will fly via Delhi Airport again. It was fairly cheaper and pleasant flight. Thanks Air India. Hope people who suffered from those bitter experience do no have to experience again.

 

Mountain Flight with Simrik Airlines.

Simrik Airlines

I have never been to mountain flight before and did not even thought about doing one anyway. When I mentioned about my plan for mountain flight, some of my childhood mates even made me scare by highlighting recent plane crash, hostile weather during the flight, less experience pilot and unbearable turbulence.  Well, I neither blame my mates nor criticize their opinion because some of these accident had had happened in Nepal domestic and mountain flight before. I understand their concern.

I heard lot of stories about the mountain flight in Nepal, many of them had strong opinion saying "this is not good, that is not good, plane was very old and unreliable, poor service" and so on. Well, I choose to fly with "Simrik Airlines" - one of the Nepal's emerging airlines in domestic aviation sector. The time I received the boarding pass, the customer service was was very impressive and excellent. Front desk staff were very friendly, welcoming and customer focused. Also, we been offered cup of coffee due to small delay - thanks for this :) Passengers were looked after very well - I can see happy simile in customers faces !!. 

Mt. Everest and Mt. Lotshe

The plane seems very new, clean, comfortable. Steward greeted us, even the pilot came in-front of the door and welcome us - its was very nice of them. Soon we took off for the mountain flight, during that one hour I am feel very privileged to be in that flight. First Simrik Airlines's hospitality on the ground, second services they offered to the passenger while on board. As soon as we started to see the mountains, the crew "I remember her name Sarita Manandhar" start walking towards every single passenger explaining different mountains names, heights and so on.  This is in fact extremely helpful for the person like me and I am sure other felt the same. I would not know which one is Mt. Everest and which one is Mt. Annapurna. Her excellent experience in mountain flight as well as her command in communication skills had been an instrumental during the flight. Not only that, we were even allowed to go to the cockpit to take a picture of beautiful mountain. In the pilot cabin, pilots were very friendly, communicative and very welcoming. I have never been to cockpit before and yet this was another great experience. 

With Sameer Bhai

It was a good day as we saw almost all the mountains. They are indeed very beautiful. At the end of the flight, we were again greeted by the crew and handed a mountain flight certificate. It was simply fantastic.

If anyone would like to go to mountain flight in Nepal, I strongly recommend "Simrik Airlines", they are professional, experienced and very welcoming. Thanks to Simirik Airlines for making my day enjoyable.

Playing with mathematical sign 

School math is something I do not do everyday at work however it does involve whenever I am trying to solve some computing issue. Yesterday my colleague came with piece of paper to solve some very simple numbers by using mathematical sign. It look very simple but takes a bit while to figure out. I am sure mathematician, teachers, professors in this field will solve this in a minute. I find very interesting and also took me while for all except the number 8.  

This is however not complicated  I am sure this will not get in your head instantly  Try it without using Google or YouTube and tell me if you can finish in 5-10 minutes. 

Technical Engineers won the  HK - Ísland Bandý Cup 2013

Inga, Finnur, Ragnar, Anil, Siggi, Ari

Programming, network & system administrating, High Performance computing and technical support are daily jobs for guys from the university of Iceland, computing services. These Guys plays a key role in heart of IT and HPC center in Iceland's academic institution. However, they often gather after work or even during lunch time to get out from chair and do some exercise. This has helped in social activity too. Interestingly they have also acquired extensive skills on how to play bandý.

Inga, Finnur, Ragnar, Anil, Siggi

Although they have been playing bandý for a quite sometime however, the nerds never had a chance to compete with other professionals. Until last year when they played against good team from Iceland, they realized there are lack of skills within the team - obvious for technical nerds :), soon after some tips for those we played against, we were invited to play a tournament yesterday. 

Anil received his top scorer award

I was very pleased the performance of the IT center's guys. They have not only played well but

demonstrated professionalism in bandý and beat all the team. Some of the excellent skill were shown by individuals. The crowd just loved it; out of seven game we won six and lost one. Also, I scored the highest goal and awarded a golden ball :)

I am sure if we play regularly with the best team and compete in several tournaments, we can play with any international team - at least I think we can do it. 

Hope for the Best

It was not a long ago when Iceland became the first country in northern Europe that needed international financial aid by IMF and other Nordic countries. Since then there has been tremendous changes in the country, well most of them were bad, tax rises, food price rise, pay cut you just name it. However, last year, I read the news in national newspaper that Iceland has paid back all the loans that was granted to Iceland back in 2008. Well, we had an general election recently, the coalition  government is formed. They have promised to ease the housing loan and help people from difficulty. The current Prime Minister even promised to write-off 25% on house loan - I am not sure how true is or this is fake promise. Well we will have to wait and see. Many people are not very optimistic about their new promises. But, personally I am positive and hoping they will bring the country in right direction.

Won Bandý Tournament Iceland.

Bandý is very popular name in Nordic countries but it's English name is Floor Ball. We made up our team from my work colleagues and registered for the tournament. This year we won the competition by losing only one game out of seven and became the champion. I scored 11 goals and received top scorer medal and cup.

This shows if we practice professionally and play more tournament, my team is ready to compete with any international team :)