close call

After the long night, we chose to chill on the morning. The bad news came when we brought our food tray to the breakfast lady. We had to check out! My friend miscalculated. Luckily business was slow and there was an empty room for 3. However it was at a slightly higher cost of €60 for the night. We were given 20 minutes to move to room 5. Our fastest record.

As we took time to settle down, we were once again rushing to catch the free walking tour at 12pm in front of the town hall. Luckily we were on time and the tour tends to start later. Martina was our guide. It was a surprisingly big group - a couple from Russia, Australia and Norway, a German, swedish, Canadian and a mother and daughter from DC.

Our guide took us to the off beaten path, beginning from the flag colors, George Bush, German st, Jewish synagogue and then around the Republic to look for artwork. We went up the hill for a view of the city. The hike down was scary though given the steepness. We even heard the story about a famous movie made in 1970 about south America, standing on one of the set.

After the tour, we headed to the Christmas Market at the Town Square and waited for VT. We drove out to the suburb to see the place where cannon was made. It was so windy. Then we were taken to a popular restaurant for traditional Lithuanian dishes. We shared 5 dishes and a bread soup.

Next we headed back to the town square to watch the 3D Christmas fairytale. We were early as the show was only to start at 615pm instead of 6pm as our host thought. We tried to look for a great spot among the sea of people. Unfortunately before the show started, a lady carrying a child came in front of us. We heaved loud sigh of disappointment which resulted in the lady moving to the side. Our host, amused, made us do it again. Hehe.

After the show, we went to make a wish in front of the new palace building. Close eyes, make a wish, spin 3 times and then jump backward. That was funny. A lot of people did it too.

We spent the evening spotting the central bank, learning histories of some of the buildings, buying booze and finally looking at the night view from the hill.

The day was perfect thanks to great host. I never knew Lithuanian are so gracious and friendly.

27 Dec

Started the day real early to catch the 645 train to siauliai. It was a 2.5 hours ride. Our host met us at the station.

After stopping for coffee in a local mall, we headed out straight to the hills of crosses. Lina thought it was an interesting choice and she is local. We were really lucky to have her. Tourists were scarce.

After that, we went to an old cathedral and the shopping St. We were disappointed that the cock on the clock did not work as we waited for it at 12pm. It only moved. Lunch was great with traditional Lithuanian dishes.

We were then taken to the ruta chocolate museum, next to Lina's old school. Spent some time on the guided tour, tea at the shop and bought chocolates.

It was rather late by then. Lina took us to her parent's house to grab their luggage. We were surprised to see tea ready for us. Her mom made pie. We were also treated to jelly from VT's mom and homemade jam. Lina's mom was really nice.

Our next stop was kaunas as Lina has a reunion to attend.  They were really excited to meet each other as some had been away. Each brought a present from their job. It was a pretty cool idea. Lina brought a Maggi mug and chocolates.

A little after 10pm, we left. We only arrived in the city after midnight. I was totally tired.

26 Dec

After a hearty breakfast, we caught our 930 bus to trakai Castle. The ride was slightly more than half an hour. It was another half an hour walk before we could reach the castle. But the walk was really scenic along the river.

From Castle, we moved on to sennoji kibinine for our first taste of Lithuanian dishes. The restaurant was further down the castle on the peninsula. It was quaint and popular among the locals. Our bill came up to lt60.70 which was totally ok.

We walked back to the bus station and managed to catch the 4.07pm mini bus. It was really mini and I had to stand 30 minutes. .. almost.

All in all, a great first day in Lithuania. 

Goodbye

At around 5pm today, Shiro left. I was the only one who saw him breathing his last. He had been having breathing difficulty the whole day. When it happened, his tail suddenly moved upward. So did his head. I thought he was responding to treatment. I was wrong. I kept calling him but his eyes were already closing. He did not manage to close his eyes fully.

As I sat there looking at him, his last moments kept replaying in my head. All the signs pointing towards his impending death. Inability to close his eyes. Continuous gasp for air. Fleas leaving his body.

I watched dad bury him. It was drizzling. The rain started not so long after he left. Was he crying or was it god?

Now, I will forever regret my decision to try to save him. Every vet told me there's no hope. I was selfish and kept him suffering till his last second. I am the worst pet owner ever.

Losing hope

19 October

It was late afternoon when we took shiro to the vet in Taman Segar. He was lethargic and suffered from a loss of appetite. He appeared to have a fever too for the past few days. The vet assured us that he just had skin problem.

The following day, we noticed his right leg twitching. At that time, we thought there's worm in his stomach causing the movement. Dad did noticed a worm hanging behind him after we gave him deworming medicine.

Little did we know our nightmare was about to begin.

24 October

Shiro's condition worsened. Took him to the another vet in Taman Segar, the one who cured him of a virus when he was about a year old. We were told the virus came back. The vet could do nothing but to gave us antibiotics and medicine for seizure. If he recovered within a week, then he will be fine.

28 October

I got the news at about 3pm. Shiro had a seizure in the morning. Suddenly, I couldn't think. I rushed home and took him to another vet in the city centre. The nurse was stunned when she saw him. Then the vet came out and without even going near Shiro, he told us there's no chance of surviving. It had reached the acute phase. The vet looked at us, his eyes unforgiving. He gave us two options - to put him down (the more humane option) or to take him home.

29 October

I refused to give up and found a vet in Putra Heights who had done the NDV procedure. We rushed there. The vet was a very kind man. He looked at Shiro with sad eyes and delivered the bad news. They had little success with the treatment especially when the virus had already reached the nervous system. We were advised to keep him as comfortable as possible. But, the moment he can't eat anymore, we should put him down.

Throughout the car ride, Shiro tried to hold up his head to look out the window. If a dog was dying, would he look as alert as that?

When I wrote to Dr. Sears, he told me not to give up but to find someone who is willing to undertake the procedure.

30 October

We began our own treatment using vitamin C and nano silver. That morning, he could crawled out and stood up for awhile. There were progress.

31 October

Another seizure came.

1 November

Shiro was able to keep his head up to look at us. But there were no change to his twitching. Sometimes it was rapid, sometimes it slowed.

2 November

He laid on his side the whole day. The only signs that gave us hope was when he whine barked 3 times to get our attention to feed him. He was hungry and his appetite was improving. There were times when his twitching eased a little, allowing him to sleep. We kept disinfecting his surrounding and ensured that he was warm. I was worried bout his heavy breathing. We tried to keep his nose moist by putting aloe vera gel on top. At times, we used the colloidal silver for his nose, skin and foot.

What else can I do?

Passed an exam

Was panicking yesterday. Felt it was not good enough but in the end,  received good review.

"It was a superb presentation. It was punchy. What's different this time?"

Visiting the morning market

2 March 2013, Freezing

I am guessing that the temperature is around 3 degree Celsius. I had on 3 layers of clothing underneath my coat. Yet, the preparation was still insufficient for me to withstand the morning chill. It took awhile before a cab finally came.

The city looked serene at this hour. The driver attempted to introduce us to a sightseeing spot - the kabuki theatre. It took me awhile to get it. The ride was probably 15 min but cost ¥1, 880. At 4.30am, I thought I am the earliest. Upon being ushered into yhe building,  I realised that 60 slots had already been filled. I was informed later that I was lucky to get a slot at 4.30am because normally there will be none left. It must be the cold that hampered the crowd.

The wait was more than an hour. I was finally brought into the centre of activity at 5.50am. It was a short and cold journey. Traders were going on their business without regard for us,the tourists.

There was a narrow platform for the tourists to watch the actions from a safe distance. Safe for them to go about their business without interruption.  No flash allowed. The chefs could be seen inspecting the huge tuna. After a while,  I saw two or three men carrying bells got om their little stool. Once they have secured their position, the ringing of the bells began. Buyers gathered round the sections of their interest. The auctioneers began their cjants. The trade completed within minutes. I couldn't tell who was the lucky ones.after around 5 rounds, we were led out of the hall. It was problem 6
10am by then.

The market was huge. I got lost searching for the dry market. After some lost turns and a map, I found the place. It was fun looking at all the seafoods and vegetables on sale. Of course I could not resist making some purchases such as dried sakura, preserved ika, dried mushrooms and ika. even bought dried shrimps and anchovies.

Left the market around 8am without stopping for sushi. Was told that it's Overrated.

Last minute shopping

My trip ends today. As I sat in Narita waiting for the gate to open,  I thought of the week that had passed by. I kept asking myself what I did to deserve such fine friends. Yesterday's dinner and today's gave me a bit of clue.

Perhaps it was my willingness to help Hiroko in 2005 or perhaps it was my poor attempt at making Junko's trip to Malaysia in 2006 as exciting as possible.  Regardless, these people have become some of the most important people who have entered my life.

This morning, Junko made traditional breakfast. Funny when I found that even Hiroko does not know what is traditional breakfast. It was basically fried fish, rice, miso soup and natto. I didn't dare to eat the natto though.

As Junko has calligraphy class, I went to Piago on my own at 10.15am to buy matcha. Am rather proud that I managed to find my way around.

Left for airport before 12pm. Had a nice chat in the car. Unfortunately no time to take lunch together.  Wish she had allowed me to buy her lunch once :(

Parted at 1.30pm as she has another appointment.  Gonna miss Japan so much.

Shopping!

Silly me. Was wondering why the organiser was late till Bien mentioned that class starts at 9.30am today. Wasted half an hour waiting.

Largely uneventful day. Shared cab with two delegates from up north. Discovered one of them knows Cathy (it's a small world after all). Had healthy bento lunch. Wish there's the normal type of Jap food I am familiar with.

After class went to Tokyo Midtown to look for kitkat and other food stuffs. Didn't buy anything. Had better luck at Don Quijote (pronounced as don ki). Found the pilot frixion pens. There was even an advertisement playing at the display counter. Had a very patient staff to verified if the refillable I was looking at is a match for the pens I am getting. Even got him to show me how to refill :)

Dined at a yaki soba restaurant. The Filipino patron helped us to translate our order. Lucky day indeed. Had a most delicious tempura soba ever. The tempura was so fresh and juicy.

Dropped by a pet shop on the way back after spotting a humongous poodle. Apparently, it's a normal sized poodle. I am not sure what the tv has been feeding me now if that is considered normal.

Retired to bed early.