alright, another update on Europe. if your bored already, there are some things in this blog which are kind of interesting, and educational as well!

Thing's I've learned or noticed while over in Europe

1. Who is "American"?

How everyone around the world refers to Canadians as "Americans". Not to identify us as part of the States, but just we are American because we are from North America. So just their definition of "America" is different from a Canadian's perspective on what "America" is, which is the United States. I just found that kind of interesting. One because I've also heard they refer to people from South American as Americans as well, but those from South America also do not identify with the "American" title.

A little more on identity, someone mentioned to me while I was over there how they met some people from Vancouver, who when others say they are Canadian, they instead prefer to not agree with it, but would say something along the lines of "We are from Vancouver". I find this a little odd, I was not aware that it was so prominent to further clarify as to being from Vancouver and not saying your Canadian. I mean I would say I am Canadian, adn I do also identify as saying I am from "Toronto Canada" to make further distinction, but I would never deny saying I am Canadian if someone asked me if I were. I brought this up to someone here when I came back home, and they told me that they have encountered some people from the West who are very pro-seperatist would rather identify as being like from Vancouver than Canadian.

One thing that was kind of weird for me was when landing or entering the UK, they require you to fill out a landing card. On this you identify your nationality, where you will be staying in the UK, and things like that. So what I find dumb about this card is what if I have no address of where I am going to stay in UK. What if I plan to find a hotel or hostel, or I am living with someone and I did not know the address. They were so anal about it too. Because I did not have it filled in because I was not sure about my cousin's address, so I did not fill it in. But they insisted I go write it. Man, so dumb. But what messed me up was when filling out the nationality. I put "Chinese" on there, then thought, wait, maybe I should put what's on my passport, "Canadian'. I found it odd for me to identify myself first as Chinese then as Canadian. But perhaps the reason is because in Canada, I would identify myself as Chinese because it's almost assumed I am Canadian already.

2. Language Barrier

So another thing that I found interesting when being in Europe was the language barrier. Now the obvious is being in Italy, I do not speak Italian. Or Spanish in Spain, nor French in France, nor German in Germany or Austria. Those are all obvious. But what is not so obvious is the different English as well. So here is my summarization of some words I learned or heard a lot, and who says it.

Heaps - I heard this word used so much. It means "a lot". Like I learned HEAPS of words when in Europe. The Australians used this a lot. I heard it so many times I started using it.

bloak - Now I am not sure if that's how you spell it, or even pronounce it. BUT this is a pronoun for guys pretty much. Like "I was hanging out with a bunch of bloaks'. Now the younger guys would be LADS, but slightly older, someone like myself would be a bloak. The English (British) use this a lot I found. And I heard it so much because there were a lot of girls on these trips.

Brekkie - This is a term for Breakfast. It's slang and the Australians use this word. Had a hard time even knowing what this was but I eventually caught on.

Mobile - Now most of us know what this is, but nobody uses mobile over here. We all refer to it as our cell phones. Anyways, both the British and Australians use this, New Zealanders as well.

Tea - I learned that this means dinner. I was in Rome and I was speaking to an elder lady and it was about 9PM, and she told me she was having tea. So I just assumed it was a snack or something, with some actual tea. But now, she meant "Dinner". So she was from Australians, so I guess the Australians use it, but it's mainly a British thing I think.

Courgettes - This is a British term, and only the British use it I think. I know Aussies don't use it. Anwyays, this is what the British call the "Zucchinni". I did now know til someone had them, but then I saw it in writing when I was back in London.

Aubergines Another Brit term, is for "Eggplant".

Pome - Pronounced "Pom-EE". This stands for "Prisoner of Mother England". Is an Aussie term. I have never heard this before until people started using it. Found it rather odd, you'd think maybe it'd spread here too.

so that's it for terms. BUT, one FUNNY story. So I was in Barcelona, and in the hostel the room was huge, zig zag and tons of people. My last night and four British girls came in and was in the beds next to mine. So of course I started talking to them. I told them if they go to the beach, its an amazing beach. But the beaches here have a lot of stones so make sure you wear your flip flops. Although we all know what flip flops are, and most people in Britain and Australia know what flip flops are. BUT, the Australians refer to them as "thongs", which even I have heard of, just don't use, and we all know why. The British they do not use "thongs" either, however I was not sure whether it was the Aussies or the British who use the word "thong", so I used it. I said to them "the beach is beautiful, but make sure you bring your thongs." And all of them looked at me surprised. Their faces said "What is this guying saying, he some perv or something? Telling us to wear our thongs!" Then I knew I mixed it up, explained myself and all was right. But it was funny to see their reactions when I told them to wear g-strings at the beach. hahaha.

3. Some terms in other languages

So I learned just a few I could remember, so let's go through some.

Braay - Pronounced "Bray". This is a Africans (South America) term. It means the "barbeque". The actual grill that is.

Maori - This is an actual english term, but is the native New Zealanders. I learned some about them

Pakeha - This is a Maori term. It is a term for all non-Maori. So I am a "pakeha".

Mezzalto - This is a Hebrew term, it means "Congratulations". Learned this from a lady I met in Rome, she was in my hostel. Such a great story behind her, but I'll tell you another day.

And that is it for terms.

4. Why have I never heard of the landmarks in London

This is a story. So I was walking with my cousin in London. We were walking to some big monuments, and streets. Places like "Picadilly Square" and "Oxford Street". I have never heard of these streets and places. And she goes to me, 'You've never heard of these places? Don't you play Monopoly?". I was like, yes I do play Monopoly, what does that have to do with anything. So apparently she has always used the British version of Monopoly, in HK and in Australia. Whereas I've always known the US version, Boardwalk, Park Place. I found it odd for some reason at that time, because I always thought the US version is the original, and everyone uses it. But apparently not.