Fitness & Travel

(From next, my posts come up with the regular rules.)

One... two... three... huhhh....

Do you train your body everyday? In fact, I'm not always. 3 years ago, I stopped going a gym in my town because of the college tuitions and daily expenses. Recently, I watched Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps's workout on some Internet sites related to London Olympics. I suddenly started going a swimming pool near my place. (Today I watched Lochte's Gold medal scene, Nice! Also, Phelps has next!)

On your travels, I think you face the same situations. However, it's difficult to get a gym because it's very expensive for one visit pass. If you have an extended membership of fitness gym chains, you may use a branch of the same gym...

When I traveled to the United States, I encountered some guys also felt the same problems. I asked them what to do for it. Then a guy told me, "I have a rubber band. I can try push up, back extension, abdominal, and squat in my room." He also used the rubber band to train his arms and legs. It's a nice way.

The other guy told me, "I run across the street, and get a park." Big cities like New York, Lodnon, Tokyo, Shanghai, etc. have big parks. You can join the local people as a visitor. Some of them need a little money for the instructors, but mostly, they are free.

When I visited to San Francisco, I aimed dusk. It has the Daylight Saving Time(DST). People use sunset time very well. Some office workers directly come to the Golden Gate Park from their offices, and play around, grab beers and cheer, and get back home.

In London, (now is a little difficult to do because of the Olympic/paralympic games), people can walk downtown and parks such as St. James Park, Hyde Park, and also walk along the River Thames.

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Olympic Games is now on Day 2. Seeing the news, I imagine it's a kind of paradise for athletes. They come from different countries, but they can fight with the same rules and on the same stages.

"Paradise" by Coldplay (2011)

For the Olympic Athletes, this song may inspire old heavy training days. How to see the sunrise in the paradise? It depends on their motivations and "lucks."

London 2012 Begins

(Update: added some information for Haggis, the Team USA song below, and above the news reel.)

London 2012 begins. Seeing the opening ceremony, we can understand the British history, culture and relationship with the world. For the Olympic Games, around 200 countries join. It's great. I hope the fair and great games.

If you have favorite athletes, or countries, you can check their homepage. Please pay attention to the historical the 30th olympic games in London!

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In the United States, people get a coffee shop, and get a plate of pan cake with coffee for breakfast. It's one usual moment here. How about the Britain? Years ago, my friend told me.. "I don't eat breakfast... but drink a cup of tea. If I have a good luck, I get a scone for it."

I tried to search the Internet and find out some traditional British Breakfast on Google Images. There are a lot of sunny-side up eggs, bacons, sausages, beans etc. in addition to some scones.

If you get there, which do you like?

Without this breakfast, the Britain has some kinds of food like "fish & chips," and "curry." "Haggis" is also good(It's a traditional food, and normally homemade. Each home has each taste. If you find a good one, it's great!). In 2005, Russian prime minister Putin, and German prime minister Schroder talked about Haggis in their meeting. They left "Haggis is taste bad." (People believe that implied about a country's government.)

If you are an athlete, they may have some doping materials like caffeine. However, normally, travelers can eat. I think you can enjoy them. 

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Here is an interesting video by "Team USA" on Youtube.

"Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen

Performed by Team USA(Swimming Team)

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I like the kind of videos. It's fun, and maybe it becomes a good memory for everyone in the future.

Personally, if I have a chance to get in London, I want to try these British food very much.

Seeing the athlete's march, I thought about many countries. Syria is on the conflict, but they have a lot of athletes. Japan had a great earthquake last year, but they smiles and march. China, US, and GB have a big group of athletes. Each countries have each things, there is no border and race... All had shine in the stadium.

Nice!

By the way, the Olympic Games starts, but the destinations of the travel are not only in the Britain. I'll write some different topics also from the next post.

Olympics(à la carte)

(Updated(Correction) 7/26: 2nd Olympic Games --> 3rd Olympic Games. Added a short line for 1908 Olympic Games.)

I wrote about Rio De Janeiro's Carnival. It's not always good because some pious catholic churches don't permit it as "Carnival." In their opinions, it's too obscene because people expose very much.

It's related to religion. Islam's Ramadan started some days ago. According to some news sources, some athletes from Islam countries worry about it because they strictly need to keep the lessens, and follow the traditions. "Winning" or "believes," if you are Islam people, which do you precede with Olympic games?

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Watching news podcasts, I'm a little exciting to see the games. In the United States, now some magazines' covers are Olympic Athletes such as Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte. News articles always say about problems not only the wet weather in London, but the strikes, terrorisms etc.

Some athletes are very special for people. For example, Eric Shanteau was overcame cancer, and come back to the Olympics. Oscar Pistorius is with artificial legs. In the race, people see how his artificial legs become real legs. David Beckham is not a member of the GB football team, but he is on the opening ceremony.

On the opening day, "Big Ben" will ring 3 minutes from 8:12 to 8:15am. It celebrates the 3rd olympic games in London. I think people in London can't sleep late for it. (In 1948, the first olympic games after World War II was in London. In 1908, also the Olympic games was taken place in London.)

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Here, when we watch sports lives, this song frequently plays. I think this song indicates one of the extreme parts of the UK.

"Tubthumper" by Chumbawamba (1997)

The Great Britain is the football(soccer) country. It has a lot of sports pubs near dwellers. When the football games begin, I believe many GB hooligans visit like the pubs, and breathlessly, watch the games with glasses of Guinness, scotch, and cider.


Around 2005, some of these pubs became 24 hours open. However, according to some blogs, normally pubs do this before weekends. For the Olympic term, please check pubs homepage, or ask the receptions of your stay. They may have some information for you.

Traveling to the World (Updated 7/23)

According to news sources,

The Public and Commercial Services(PCS) may have a strike the London Eve. Many visitors come from the Heathrow Airport. Now a days, the traffic jams also has become a problem, and some news reports inform it. You may need an easy plan if you get there.

BBC News: Home Office Staff to Strike on Eve of Games

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Well, seeing the world at once, naturally summer events happen not only in London. Check some from the world.

Here is from Spain:

• La Tomatina (Spain) 8/29

This is the very famous tomato fight in Bunyol, Spain. People throw tomatoes, and enjoy the summer time. Every year, world travelers join the event, and turn into red. Some people says, "swimming glasses are necessary to join," However, some tell, "it's dangerous to wear it because it may hurt you or other people." Like this, the information is a little vogue, check when you get there. (I before heard the seeds of tomatoes are obstacles... I'm not sure the condition. Please comment it if you get there.) 

Here two from South and North Korea:

• Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea (South Korea) (~8/12)
• North Korea Arirang Festival (North Korea) (8/1~)

For EXPO 2012, it's the world EXPO this year, a lot of countries join the event. Now it's behind of the London olympics, nobody cares about the information. However, if you are interested in, you can check it out. 

For North Korea's Arirang Festival, this is the last year for the event. I'm not sure how to get it, but if you are wondering, I think you can get from Russia or China. Naturally, we don't have any information about the country, please take care and don't be exceeding and enjoy.

I wanted to write about Comic-Con 2012 in San Diego, but the event was already done. In addition, still I'm reading the articles. :-)

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In California, this August is a little special because festivals named "Old Spanish Days" happen in towns. They normally have small community parades, and some Spanish culture events. Anyway, seeing festivals are interesting because they are based on the community cultures.

People call about the United States "Salad Bowl." In some specific origin towns in the US like Danish, Swiss, French, Japanese etc, also have similar festivals. Now you can enjoy the culture, and also it's a chance to discover something about your own origins.

"Carnival" by the Cardigans (1994)

Originally, "Carnival" is the season before Easter. Rio's Carnival in Brazil is famous. However, the word becomes general, now people sometimes use for festive seasons.

The Cardigans is from Sweden. In 1996, their song "Lovefool" was selected for Leonardo DiCaprio's film "Lomeo + Juliet." This film was based on William Shakespeare's story.

If you are in London, there is a big theatre named "Globe Theatre" that you can visit. This theatre was well-known for the premiere of Shakespeare's plays, but closed in 1642. In 1997, the theatre was re-build, and is now open to public. It's one of the landmarks in London.

London Olympics happens around the centre of London. From every olympic places, you can get a lot of historical and newly landmarks. If you get there and have time, it's a good idea to walk around downtown.

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[Additional Information(7/23)]

My words were a little short.

Is "Carnival" a little strange? Maybe you think so, but I didn't think so because now the harvest just comes soon. Every athlete tries to get a medals. Maybe you see the lyrics. Now every athlete is also doing the same thing. They hide their ways, and plan how to cheat each other.

Anyway, from next time, I should make it some more simple.

London Olympics Map

London Olympics is quite near. The opening term is from July 27 through Aug 12. I'm not sure how many people visit London this term. There are lot of underground lines called TUBE. You can use them for the way to get the places.

I found a map. It has a lot of language editions. It's good to print. You can also use "Google Map" on your phone. It has "Latitude." When you loose your way, it can help you.

• Olympic Venues in London (LondonTown.com)
• Google Map / Latitude

Please try, if you get there.

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London is one of the hottest cities on this summer. Without the Olympic Games, the British Museum is near the places. Thames is running across the Greater London. You can try London Eye just next to the Waterloo Station. You can walk through a bridge to Elizabeth Tower and Westminster Abby. Next to them is "Hyde Park," one of the main place of the Olympics. There are also a lot of tea rooms that you can enjoy the real british tea time. If you will go, I envy very much :-)

Anyway, this London Olympic is the 30th summer games, there is only one direction to the Olympic days.

This is also "One Direction." This new comer is from London, UK.

"What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction (2011)

Some days ago, "the Rolling Stones" has reached the 50th Anniversary when they debuted. Without them, UK has the Beatles, David Bowie, Queen, Sting, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Cold Play, Franz Ferdinand, Amy Winehouse, Adele, etc... a lot.

There are some good pubs, and live houses. Seemly, night clubs are a little expensive. If you are a backpacker and have your ISIC card, London's Hard Rock Cafe has some special discounts. When you feel tired of your travel, it's good to stop there, and listen to sound from the world.

Update: Fruits(Lemon)

I opened "Feel the Lemon." It will have some very fundamental information especially for backpackers.

Seeing the newscast, Heathrow Airport(London) has a lot of "time" problems. Naturally, now the Olympic Games is near. There are a lot of athletes, media people, and travelers in addition to backpackers. If you plan to get there, I recommend to have an affordable plan. If you have time in London, you can add some activities.

2 Weeks Before London Olympics

London Olympics 2012 is near. Two weeks later we become the witnesses of the sportsmanships. Today, I went to a McDonald's restaurant, and ate a meal and thought. "Does anyone athlete grow up with McDonald's foods?"

The Telegraph: IOC chief Jacques Rogge admits 'question mark' over McDonald's and Coca-Cola sponsoring Olympics (July 9, 2012 )

McDonald's and Coca-Cola are sometimes criticized at the same time. In New York, the city government plans to ban the sugary big size drinks.

The New York Times: New York Plans to Ban Sale of Big Sizes of Sugary Drinks (May 30, 2012)

In fact, I was in my university in my country, I didn't have much money to use for meals. McDonald's "hamburger," the cheapest one, was one of the best ways to eat. For soda, normally, I didn't order but I replaced to milk. However, I sometimes enjoyed others like Powerade.

If someone asks me that I have been healthy with their foods, I can't say so. I hope their foods become more delicious and healthier that olympic athletes can eat.

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Each Olympic Games has each official song.  In London 2012, Muse, from England, performs "Survival" as the official song.

"Survival" by Muse (2012)

I collected some information about this London 2012. Seeing it, the real enemy of the London Olympics may be the falling rain. This bad weather has been since 100 years. Some days ago, Wimbledon and F1 Grand Prix also suffered from the wet weather. We should wish to come hot summer games in London.

The Guardian: London 2012 organisers drawing up wet weather contingency plans (July 10, 2012)

Video: Independence Day

Here is the video. In the United States, people celebrate the 4th of July like this. It's a day for freedom, and the end of the colonial.

I happened to be in downtown at a small city in California. This is very rare video because normally I don't take video and not put on the Internet. My phone is a kind of old one. Therefore, I used my HD camcorder.

(I tried to play on blogger, but it maybe converted to a small file. Also for the codec, the video came up with block noises. If I have a way, I'll replace in the future.)

After that, I went to some nightclubs. Especially, young guys and international students liked the atmosphere, and the tension of the nightclubs were super high.

Travel Stuff: Memory Card

I thought to edit the 4th of July footage, but my HDD is almost full. I can't edit now. I'll rearrange, and I show you a very short video on this weekend if possible.

If you want the "California music", you can use the label named "Music" on the right column to get the page.

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One thing you should not forget is to buy or keep a few memory cards for your travel. I'm not sure how much you need for the storage of yours, but bigger than you think is good for you because maybe you encounter a big chance to report on your Facebook.

Naturally, you can keep your photos and videos on cloud services like Dropbox, but the Internet conditions in hotels and hostels are not always good. In addition, if you don't have any firewalls, or virus scan on your phone, you need to worry about some scams and malware online. Before you are on the way, please check your phone security also.

Here are some good services for photo and video storing and sharing:

- Google Drive / Picasa
- Dropbox
- SkyDrive
- iCloud
- Flickr

- Snapfish
- Photobucket

These are all free to save and share with your friends. In addition, you can save your photos and videos from your phones or computers online at your inn. You can keep, and immediately share with your friends and families.

Each service has different feature for sharing and storing. Please check before you travel, and consider what you want to do(such as sharing, storing, or tweeting), create an account(if you don't have), and keep :-)

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Summer memories are always hot. If you guys go with your partners, or try to fall in love with local or traveling guys or girls on your travel, the impression must stamp on your memory.

I sometimes remember this song when I hear the word "Picture."

 "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper (1984)

This music video is a little bit sentimental. How many guys face like this scenes when you travel? It's a kind of backpacker's scene, isn't it?