Jane's blog

Summer Get AwayValencia, ES, 2010

Homeless+
San Francisco, USA, 2010

In old Hawaii the people danced because they did not have a written language and hula with chants was their way of passing down history.

The hula today is just thought of as an entertaining dance by many tourists, however it has a very long and interesting history. The hula in fact began as a worship dance and evolved into a story telling dance that was accompanied with mele or chants. The hula is not just a woman dancing with a grass skirt on and moving her hips in a provocative way. In fact, there are two types of hula. The Modern Hula and the Hula Kahiko.

The second type of hula is for both men and women and although both styles are a little different they both require significant dedication and practice. The women’s hula is smoother while the men’s hula is active and full of movements. There is even keiki hula, which is for children, that is interesting. In order to learn this type of hula the individual must be dedicated, strong and willing to concentrate on the hula 100%.

Source: myhawaiianholiday.com

Guess what, guess what! I’m going to see Jake performing LIVE!! I discovered it by accident. Yesterday, I decided to write something about this artist Jake Shimabukura, the Japanese miracle on the ukulele from Honolulu-Hawaii, because I think he’s totally awesome. I saw him for the first time when following the 2010 TED conference live stream a couple of weeks ago and was caught by his music. So I looked at his official website hoping to find some relevant information to write the piece. Clicked the tour section and saw that it would be possible to see him playing live!! Omg, isn’t that great! A wave of excitement went through my body. I love it when I can combine my traveling with events like this. For once, I am in the right place on the right time! This will be MY night out! Let’s kick some ass!

I found this book in Taikang area in Shanghai, China. Amazing how such a simple object can inspire me. Another visit to China this year and another package of experiences I take home with me from all the things that crossed my eyes. Again I got inspired by the way people approach things from a different point of view and learn from the steps they had to take to get to this point in time. For some people money is all that matters, or at least the main important thing in their daily lives right now. I would call that a short term focus. To others it is less important; those people like to invest more into the long term. Like me. In the end, isn’t that what we all wish for?

Hello dear reader!

For most of the people summer holiday is almost over. Mine is yet to start. I’ve worked all summer and now I will get my well-deserved days off! I’m working out my holiday plans for the coming period. At first I wasn’t really looking forward to committing myself to anything due to never ending changing circumstances but now I’m getting hope again and joy in the fact that I can decide and do all I want by myself.
So what’s the planning I hear you say? Since it’s not 100% arranged yet I will not tell you the details at this moment in time. To me it’s part of the excitement to build up this story to you in the next coming weeks. What I do want to share with you is that it’s a combination of adventure and pure relaxing combined with luxury! Wow wow wow, looking so much forward to it! It will be a huge challenge but I know I can do it and that it will be more than worth the preparations!

Here comes the kick-ass girl from Utrecht!
Love to you all – Xxx

Important lesson for this week: Don’t think you can be smarter than the revenue management people from the airline. Remember that you can’t fly the second stretch of your journey without having flown the first stretch! It will be invalid and you will be refused even though you have paid for it. Review your journey again if you are planning on keeping out one of the stretches!