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.