milano expo 2015

despite the pro and con about the universal or world expo today specially in italy, i'm not blaming myself for being excited about it not just because it is one of the biggest event architecturally and culturally held every five years, but also it has been held historically dated back since 1851. even the eiffel tower is the product of an expo back then, like it or not.

regardless of whatever kind of agenda and all of the controversies, for me personally it is an opportunity to represent your country and make it known to others. for example, my favorite pavilion so far would be chile. the way they present their country with their art installation is beyond amazing and successfully made me want to visit their country.

however, i have to say there is one very basic but fatal mistake in this expo on how they put all the poles that hold the canopies of the main avenue right in front of the pavilions, making it impossible to take photo or even to see the whole architectural piece clearly. and there are lots of other things that are disappointing but overall it was a nice experience to get to know countries and their culture in an artistic way, specially when you're visiting with your friends who are also coming from different part of the world.


from top to bottom:
united kingdom, netherlands, ecuador, germany, spain, chile, pavilion zero, pavilion zero, cocoa cluster

milano: food

milan has been a not so good experience. the city is not a beautiful city. the transportation system is rather confusing. the campus where i frequented to was not a nice place at all. the people in milan made everything much complicated than necessary. i had to move 4 times in the city within 2 months. it wasn't really a good experience although i had lots of good fun with my friends and school experience has been great encountering some awesome people.

however. there are always three things that are exciting. the food, the gelato, and the caffè culture which you can hardly find outside italy. milan has totally changed my idea about italy, but at least the idea about the these three things hasn't changed.

morning buffet

Breakfast at Ritz Carlton hotel thursday morning after working for more than twenty four hours with office mates. I need to learn how to plate food nicely.

the food (ii): satisfied belly means well spent trip

Some of the other food photos. It's been a bit too long since the trip, but gotta finish what we've started.

Very few from Erawan's tearoom at Grand Hyatt. They sell a cute variety of tea, coffee, jams, and snacks. Didn't take many pictures as I was busy eating. Thai food. Good food. And lots of it.

At a hotel downtown before heading to airport: all you can eat dimsum buffet plus other main course meals. Sooo full but so good.

The famous Pad Thai on the street of Chatuchak market. Original.

the fun: in squares

the food (i): a personal experience

Fancy dinner at Tables Restaurant, Grand Hyatt. Dining at this kind of place reminded me of the theory about 'The Origins of Pleasure' by psychologist Paul Bloom on one of TED talks. It's like psychologically your mind will tell you that something tastes or values better when you know the origin. Basically he said something like this, "How do you get adults to really enjoy wine? It's very simple: pour it from an expensive bottle. There are now dozens, perhaps hundreds of studies showing that if you believe you're drinking the expensive stuff, it tastes better to you."

Well anywayyy, what's most impressive to me was actually the interactive part where the chefs cooked some of our dishes on the "demo tables" which are located near the diner tables. So you're not only basically eating but experiencing a process. The smell, the sight, the sound, the ambiance. And for some dishes, they came to us just of the "naked" main dish on a plain plate and the waiter would dress it right in front of you.

Here's the shrimps.

Beef stroganoff.

The chefs at the "demo table".

And some dishes and desserts.

The ambiance.

sushi festival

Happy getting older! Wohow! Oh no, but mine is less then two months to go! Oh! :D

an engagement

Some shots from our best friend's engagement ceremony. Wedding day in less than three weeks. Eep!

losing appetite

I don't remember if I ever called in sick for four consecutive days in my whole three years of working experience. Maybe I did, I forgot. But being sick pretty much put you in a whole different dimension than what you usually are, physically, of course, and mentally. One day you woke up and found no balance to stand up on your own feet. Spent the whole day laying down sleeping, dreaming hundreds of nightmares. Reminiscing good things and bad things. You couldn't help your head filled with negative thoughts. You couldn't understand a word from the book you've always wanted to read. You lost appetite for food and when you finally gain it, you still couldn't eat or drink cause your mouth taste too bitter.

But, feeling much better now. And thought I'd post some food pictures for some happier mood.

All films. 35mm. iso400.

a breakfast iv

It's Monday 1am in the morning and I just got back from the office about an hour ago and I have to be at the office again in eight hour. Lost track of time and day. Haha. But I'm not complaining.

of flowers, food, and coffee

Happiness is getting a roll of film developed! Today I finally got to pick up this roll after shooting 36 frames in a span of months. So I thought I'd spark a bit of cooler and happier tone here after some glooms. This will be a quick preview of upcoming posts, of flowers, food, and coffee.

ps. hey it's a triptych instead of diptych again and again, hehe

candle light dinner

It has been two consecutive saturdays. Thanks for the chit chat and companion, dear friend.