Facilities

Just another short post on the great facilities they have in the UN buildings. Sometimes I have feeling that all the things were organised in such a way so that no employee would have to leave working place for some minor things, like getting cash and doing banking, sending a post, calling overseas, buying magazines, leaving for consulting touristic agents on where to go for vacation, or what opera is played in Vienese theatres. And these are only things that drag my attention. I am sure there is much more than that. There are also many courses offered, starting from those on HIV/Aids to languages and etc. The only thing missing is a supermarket, i guess.
Another great facility is cafeteria. I will shortly mention that too, as my friend Irene had already asked me about the food. So, because employees come from all the corners of the world you and me can and can't imagine (e.g. Kyrgizstan, Vanuatu or Palau), also tastes for food are various. So, basically you have all cuisines here. Japanese, Chinese, Indian (yummy:), Indonesian, Italian, German, French, Austrian, American (can one say that in case of tasteless snacks?) and many many more. It is only my small experience with various cuisines makes the list short i guess. And what is also important is that prices are quite tolerable. Well, not for all cuisines, though. I mean Sushi is more expensive than in a famous Japanese restaurant of Vienna. Despite, the amount seems sometimes to be intended for weight watchers, Austrian bread solves this minor problem.
So, guys, those of you who find time to come to Vienna, let it be when I am here, or some other time, make sure to get there during the lunch time. Many tourists come here, and take the opportunity. It is my hint for you.
So, I guess that was it for today. More interesting posts are to come.
Peace to all!

Firdavs

Another week

Hello Everyone!

Yesterday I was kicked out of my room, not because I played on someone's nerves or something, but because it was my rooms turn for renovation. So, at 4 o'clock I had nothing to do, and decided to explore some of the UN buildings and facilities therein. And soon or later, that is in half an hour, I ended up in the bar drinking fine Czech beer in total solitude. But for many workers the day was over already at 5 and in a slow pace the bar was being packed by people from different corners of the world. The bar got very noisy. The bar attenders and waiters, all of Arab origin, were rushing to serve drinks to all servicemen of peace with that famous oriental hospitality and diplomacy(no, not like those in Brussels). Soon, I realized that the majority of the gathered people in the bar were interns. There were at least 30 of them, talking about the tasks they were given or plans for the evening, including for most which club to go next, and gossiping about new interns. But what was common for all is that they were heavily drinking. No wonder, prices here are unbelievably rational and low. Now, I know why there was an advert offering help to those addicted to alcohol. It is simply so cheap that one can't stop ordering. I was also persuaded by the prices to have more beer and order another one, and so on that I ended up having had 7 bottles of beer and 2 glasses of wine. Prince(read previous post) who joined me later together with Kathryn and Veronica told that it is an international area, so they don't pay taxes. But for me this arguement was too weak, cause I bought cigarettes and they were of the same price as outside of the building.
Well, now I have to hit the road to Innenstadt, mates. The weather is so fine today.
Wish you all productive internship.
Best regards,
Firdavs

My first week

Hello Everyone!

My first week in the UNOV and Austria is over. So far, I did only a "quick-run-through-sightseeings-you don't know" tour in Vienna, and was not still able to get the real life of Vienna. One thing I noticed here at once when I was on the bus and U-bahn, is that they have signs saying to give a seat to elder people, women with children and so on. They even say this on the bus on a microphone next to announcing next stop. So, people immediately stand up, when an elder person gets on the bus. I loved it, as it reminded me of being back home.
That I don't go to the touristic spot in Vienna was also partially due to the fact that I had to start with my internship tasks. Moreover, I will have to work today in order to get it done and show to my supervisor. She is from Russia, and very nice, always gives me hints on everything, that is work and life in Vienna, and provides me with some enlightening information on the work of the UN, which I like a lot. I am given a desk, a computer, a UN e-mail address, and a phone. I sit in a big room for volunteers, together with other intern, Rosa Alba, coming from Italy. Was a surprise that she also does European studies, and not surprisingly, she is not happy with it.
The whole UN is multicultural and international, which is also exciting about it. Though, I have noticed that in cafeteria, people tend to gather or sit at tables according to national and lingual factors, that is, Spanish speaking in one corner, Indians at the other and etc. It is quite understandable, though.
A week in the UN, but I still do not get the structure of the buildings. Actually, it seems very easy, at first, you have a central building in a circular shape, and then you have three more buildings of a bad triangular shape attached to it. And these are indeed huge buildings, with at least 15 floors and some good 200 meters length each.
But what I don't get is that, when you are inside of the buildings, and walking through the corridor there are usually elevators, toilets and these kind of things in the middle. And if you want to go around it, you have to be careful. Both sides lead you in different directions, and it is like that every 20 meters or so. That is you just want to go around an elevator from the left side and your colleague the right side, you will find out, as soon as elevator wall ends that you lost your colleague, and you are in a different part of the building. My supervisor told me that she needed 6 months to learn it all. I once already confusingly got in the room of the Head of the UN office át Vienna! Well, good that I was stopped by his secretary. The number of the room and the floor - all correct, but different part of the building.
What a confusal. But seeing other interns who have been here for the last 3-4 months, I think they had things even worse. There are a lot of students specialized in International Relations and International Economics doing internship. The ones I know are from LSE and Syracouse. And among them at least one representative of ICEUS from Fulda:-).
By the way yesterday, I finally had some wine with other interns living in the building where I do, and finally got to know all my neighbours, except for a girl next door, who makes strange sounds in her room but never comes out. So it was quite a good evening yesterday.
And now, if you excuse me, I am going to take a fine bath. After I came to Germany, for objective reasons, I could have only a shower. So it's been a whole year! Unbelievable!
Peace!

Firdavs

Reading news

Hello Everyone!
I am totally in the UN process now, but still I find time to read some news from home. And they say that:
International Football Association announced the rankings of the national football teams, and unfortunately, for Uzbek fans, the national team has gone 4 ranks down compared to that of the previous one. It is ranked 54th with 564 points. Among other members of Asian Football Confederation, it is 5th after Australia, Iran, Japan and South Korea, where Australia is on the 37th place with 708 points.
At least it was good to hear that Uzbek proffessional boxer in medium weight, Kahramon Arzikulov, won the intercontinental championship belt of the World Boxing Organization and the belt of the world champion of the International Boxing Association.
Will write about Vienna and my internship next time. Pitifully, don't have much time to explore the city and night life here. But as soons as I take new pictures and there will be new stories to tell you will be the first ones with whom I will share it.
Peace!
Firdavs.

Finally in Vienna

Hello everyone!
I got to Vienna eventually. Though, have to be honest have not seen the city yet. Will do it only tomorrow, Sunday must be a better day to go sightseeing.
Got a flat. Damn far away from the Innercity, and all those touristic spots. 30 minutes with a bus to get to my organisation. Actually, it is 22nd Bezirk (quarter). I think, if I shout loud enough, inhabitants of Bratislava would hear me, and not because I can shout so loudly, but it must be simply very close. The landlord actually lied to me about the price, saying that I did not tell him that I was coming to Vienna for such a short time(I wrote him E-mail telling exact date of my stay, but forgot about it when he told me that), and so charged me more money than I actually was hoping for. Actually twice the price of my flat in Fulda. And even this room I have only for six weeks, despite he offered me a room...in the attic for October, I will try to find something in between.
But have to tell the truth, the room is indeed cool. I really love it. Posting some photos. Only that it is far away from the city, bothers me a bit. It means no going out late at night. In order to reach the last bus, have to start moving from the center around 10 pm. It sucks. Means more work, and surfing on the internet staying in the room. C'est l'avi...

Pakhtakor!

Hello everyone!

Just read an article about the rankings of the world football teams evaluated by International Federation of Football History and Statistics. It says that "Inter" is on the first place, second "Barcelona", and third is "Liverpool".
And...second best team in Asia is Pakhtakor! It is a Tashkent(Uzbek capital) football club, an Asian Football champion, with really cool uniform, I still wonder, why I did not buy one of those T-shirts, when I was heading to Europe? 5 of their players used to play for the Soviet Union in world championships and etc. Unfortunately, due to lack of good investment they couldn't yet go further than Asian continent. They are currently on the 121st place. 26 places higher than Eintracht Frankfurt, 10 higher than FC København, 2 and 3 places higher than Panathinaikos Athens and Galatasaray SK İstanbul and just two places behind FK Austria Wien :-(. Thus, you can judge how bad or good the Pakhtakor team is :-).

Another thing I wanted to say that I am finally going to Vienna. Though, have some difficulties with a place to stay. Have nothing for the first three days and have also nothing yet for October. Will see, train stations always have nice places to stay (I can already imagine, lying on the benches with a suit and tie on...:-)
My next post most probably will be about the train station in Vienna and dirty benches, or cheap hostel searching.
See you guys!

Firdavs

PS: Don't forget to put your locations on the map, put by Becky on ICEUS blog. It is very easy, requires 3 minutes at most.

Nothing can ruin my mood today

Today, in the morning I got up and thought, what a nice day, sun is shining directly on my face, must be nine o'clock or later already. But I don't feel tired, like one usually does after a long time sleeping. So I decided for myself, it will be a one good day. Then, two things happened that made my day shine even brighter.
First, my old German mate Irene called me, I was really happy to hear her voice. As usual, it was really relaxing to talk with her, remember good and bad times in my homecountry. Actually, sometimes it seems that it a kind of changing places. Because I used to help her with translation and logistics, and also try my best to support her at her low times, which actually was quite not easy, as cultural differences exist even in such issues. But I would try to cheer her up, with some random stupidities of my own experiences or those of my friends. I am in Germany now, and it is, as if, her turn. I am really thankful to her, because she called at the right time.
And there was a second thing that happened in a line of nice things. It was a postcard from Bec. Thanks for the postcards, I am receiving them all! I really love it! A big hug from me, I really miss you too, and I am also happy for the progresses you are doing and steps you are taking on the way to achieve your goals;-). (By the way, can you please send me your home address via e-mail again. I have it already, but I am not sure if I wrote it properly, as your handwritting seems to have australian accent either:-).
And of course, it made me again confident that the day is going to be wonderful. Well, I have to be a bit careful, otherwise, I might get run over by a car, that would not be wonderful:-).
Another thing I wanted to say, is that I am sorry, if my previous post turned out to insult anyone. I really did not mean too. I know I might have sounded a bit like Akhmadinedjad. I was a bit impulsive, so to say. Will hold the church in the village.
Anyway, I wish all of you who are there, doing internship or on the eve of it, a lot of fun. Hope you will love the experience you are all having. And I will do the same in my turn.
Peace out there!