My last post on this trip...it has been long and I am missing my family, friends and kitty. As I sit in Amsterdam on Beulingstraat just around the corner from KoningsPlein and the flower market I feel very lucky. First of all to have such good friends and family and to have had the opportunity to travel to so many different parts of the planet. But to sum it all up - click your heels Dorothy - 'There's No Place Like Home'.
I can't buy any more stuff as my bags are bordering on over-weight so I will have to be focused on marketing and managing sales of jewellery when I get home. Not my favourite thing to do but I do like the creative part so that will just have to be done. I will send my Etsy link when I have anything to view.
Today kind of brought closure to the trip. Wandering around the Kelverstraat on my way to the Hema - ok don;t laugh I know it is an in-joke at home.....these two red-faced, icy cold women around 60 stopped me and asked me if I spoke English. I admitted to that fact and was asked "where the malls were" in a rather nasal, demanding tone very reminiscent of my original home town. The word "love" was not added so I could only assume that these two elderly Scousers (both wearing 'Amsterdam' toques with earflaps) were frozen and in need of immediate warmth. I quickly mentioned the Bijenkorf (big department store) was nearby but if a cup of tea was needed then the Hema was the place to go. They thanked me and quickly scurried off. At least they didnt ask me where they could get English beer.....hahaha
Just goes to show that you can take the Scouser out of the 'Pool but you can't take the 'Pool out of the Scouser.....anyway it sort of came full circle.
Off to meet up with my friend (amie) Christelle tonight for dinner in a small Belgian restaurant she knows. We only meet in the groovy of the world...St Petersburg, New York and now Amsterdam......goodbye until next blog.
Almost the first house
Borrowdale Road
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
London is a pretty cool city these days - at least I haven't got lost.
Been in London a few days now and thoroughly enjoying myself. Had to deal with having not received my replacement Landed Immigrant card inspite of a 6 mth wait - another fifty bucks and visit to London and Kafkaesque waiting for the consulate to approve my re entry I now clutch a one-time etry visa for a permanent resident.....big money grab but made me come to London and glad I did.
Having a thorougly cool time seeing plays in the West End - the old half price ticket booth in Leicester Sq is now a formal building and not a tatty old trailer. I have enjoyed two performances - one An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde and the second play The Rivals by Sheriden, a restoration comedy. I have really missed seeing performances of this quality and feel fortuante to have the opportunity to be here in the capital of England.
Westminster looks suitably old and the Houses of Parliament and so on have kept their charm tho lots of scaffolding around. I must go and find the statue of Boadicea and take a few shots. Queen Victoria had that built as she admired the queen who came before.
Bad news on the Tarot paintings of Lady Frieda Harris tho - I did track them down but unable to view due to their fragile state - an Annie Liebowitz clone abologised but was adamant they could not be seen = boo hoo.
Seeing all the sights as one would expect - not to impressed with the British Museum as they have darn well gone and moderised it - pillars still mighty impressive out front tho - saw some Buddhist artefacts but the exhiit much smaller than I anticipated.
Tomorrow its the Vic and Al Museum - Harrods and the Tate Gallery plus a visit to Highgate Cemetery with no rain - I hope.
Went to Vivienne Westwood's store - couldnt afford anything but it was groovy...
Having a thorougly cool time seeing plays in the West End - the old half price ticket booth in Leicester Sq is now a formal building and not a tatty old trailer. I have enjoyed two performances - one An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde and the second play The Rivals by Sheriden, a restoration comedy. I have really missed seeing performances of this quality and feel fortuante to have the opportunity to be here in the capital of England.
Westminster looks suitably old and the Houses of Parliament and so on have kept their charm tho lots of scaffolding around. I must go and find the statue of Boadicea and take a few shots. Queen Victoria had that built as she admired the queen who came before.
Bad news on the Tarot paintings of Lady Frieda Harris tho - I did track them down but unable to view due to their fragile state - an Annie Liebowitz clone abologised but was adamant they could not be seen = boo hoo.
Seeing all the sights as one would expect - not to impressed with the British Museum as they have darn well gone and moderised it - pillars still mighty impressive out front tho - saw some Buddhist artefacts but the exhiit much smaller than I anticipated.
Tomorrow its the Vic and Al Museum - Harrods and the Tate Gallery plus a visit to Highgate Cemetery with no rain - I hope.
Went to Vivienne Westwood's store - couldnt afford anything but it was groovy...
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Left Nepal and arrived in Liverpool
Arrived back in Liverpool safe and sound and had a deep and good sleep in down comforter. Lovely day that I missed...haha
Have to admit that the customs and immigrated was the fastest I have ever been through plus the luggage arrived within five minutes - this combined with an early arrival of the flight made for a fast and easy arrival to the homeland.
Have to admit that the customs and immigrated was the fastest I have ever been through plus the luggage arrived within five minutes - this combined with an early arrival of the flight made for a fast and easy arrival to the homeland.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Four days until I leave Nepal!
It is hard to believe that a month has passed by and I will be on my way back to Liverpool for a couple of weeks.
Nepal is a country that has many problems - too many to write about but it is in essence a fascinating place. Buddhism is alive and the Dharma is in action here big time. I have met so many wonderful, dedicated people working hard for change here and truly motivated to help one of the poorest countries in the world.
I met J from the Chicago area who is wealthy for sure but has his own foundation to help kids in SE Asia and another J from Chicago who has been helping Thrangu Rinpoche projects around the world for 20 years. She has an MA in Business and I can see how much she loves the monks and her work. I met K, a Kiwi who lives just north of Boudha here in Kopan who runs an animal rescue out of her home. J is 77 and a massage therapist and acupuncturist who jokes about riding motorcycles in Laguna Beach back in the day...another Laguna Beach woman I met here was a journalist in Afghanistan. J lives in London, from Poland originally who feeds the hungry dogs and sponsors 3 kids in SMD school....the list goes on and on!
Yesterday I went shopping in a "free trade" store for gifts and had a delightful time - born to shop! Found some lovely, hand-made local items including table runners made from stinging nettle fibre. I found truly cashmere and silk scarves and was truly overwhelmed by the traffic, pollution and noise - honking of horns is incessant here! Funny thing is I am getting used to it!
I was with G who was very patient with me in my fervour of buying - she knows ALL the good places to shop! I was then just stopping at the Yak n Yak hotel for a drink as the nuns from Tara Abbey were taking her to dinner when the head nun them. I was happy to sit and to spend time chatting with Manku about her life as a nun - she is a smart cookie and one of the nuns who used to ride a motorcyle when they were building the nunnery. It was a delightful dinner and I must say I am going to really miss being around the monks and the nuns here - Victoria will be a strange place to be with no burgundy robes passing by and noone to greet with a Tashi Delek!
Nepal is a country that has many problems - too many to write about but it is in essence a fascinating place. Buddhism is alive and the Dharma is in action here big time. I have met so many wonderful, dedicated people working hard for change here and truly motivated to help one of the poorest countries in the world.
I met J from the Chicago area who is wealthy for sure but has his own foundation to help kids in SE Asia and another J from Chicago who has been helping Thrangu Rinpoche projects around the world for 20 years. She has an MA in Business and I can see how much she loves the monks and her work. I met K, a Kiwi who lives just north of Boudha here in Kopan who runs an animal rescue out of her home. J is 77 and a massage therapist and acupuncturist who jokes about riding motorcycles in Laguna Beach back in the day...another Laguna Beach woman I met here was a journalist in Afghanistan. J lives in London, from Poland originally who feeds the hungry dogs and sponsors 3 kids in SMD school....the list goes on and on!
Yesterday I went shopping in a "free trade" store for gifts and had a delightful time - born to shop! Found some lovely, hand-made local items including table runners made from stinging nettle fibre. I found truly cashmere and silk scarves and was truly overwhelmed by the traffic, pollution and noise - honking of horns is incessant here! Funny thing is I am getting used to it!
I was with G who was very patient with me in my fervour of buying - she knows ALL the good places to shop! I was then just stopping at the Yak n Yak hotel for a drink as the nuns from Tara Abbey were taking her to dinner when the head nun them. I was happy to sit and to spend time chatting with Manku about her life as a nun - she is a smart cookie and one of the nuns who used to ride a motorcyle when they were building the nunnery. It was a delightful dinner and I must say I am going to really miss being around the monks and the nuns here - Victoria will be a strange place to be with no burgundy robes passing by and noone to greet with a Tashi Delek!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Namo Buddha Monastery
It has been awhile since I posted anything but it is difficult to load this blog in Nepal as the upload speed is very low - anyway here goes.....
I spent two glorious days up at Namo Buddha Monastery where the Himalayan Mountain Range stretches long across the horizon with its vast, snowy peaks visible when the mist settles in the early morning.
It takes two hours to get there along some paved roads but mainly the roads are full of holes, pits and crevices. It is amazing how the buses get along these roads let alone the motorcycles and scooters. The drive takes you up along the mountain roads to farmland that is unique to asia where it is cut along the hillside to crow rice and other crops.
The road to the monastery is filled with rocks and runs along the hillside - bit hairy but our driver was familiar with the route and was non-plussed and trucked along. Got to say Toyotas rule here as far as this rough terrain goes. I travelled up with a woman who was a journalist in Afghanistan living in California again and SB my longtime friend. Our driver was once an SMD school kid and now works for the school - he did an outstanding job.
On the first day at Namo Buddha I spent the afternoon watching the Lama Dance which was an amazing event that took hours to complete. I will try and post some pictures but the upload is slow. The event was magnificent with many amazing and beautiful costumes. The little monks also performed and were very splendid too. My favourite part was the Snow Lions where two monks were inside the costumes - really well done and Rocky the monastery dog (Tibetan dog) thought he had to defend the monastery and challenged the two big lions.
I spent the night in rather sparse conditions with a roommate that snored, bossed me around and talked in her sleep - but it was only for the night so I made up for lost sleep last night.
On Saturday I met up with a woman who takes tours into Tibet (she speaks it too) from Copenhagen who has been coming to these parts for many years. She is off to explore Himalayan plant fibres for the next two weeks. She took me to where the cave is where Buddha gave his life for a starving tiger and her cubs. This is a famous and spiritual site that is much honoured by Buddhists for the love and compassion showed by Buddha.
Simply - Prince Mahasatwo gave his life to the starving tiger and her cubs and a few hundred years later was reincarnate as Gautama Siddhattha Buddha and the tiger cubs became his disciples.
If you add Namo Buddha to your Facebook links you can read more about this amazing story and see what the monastery is doing. The Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche has built not only a monastery for his monks to study but also a hospital for the community and a secular school for the surrounding villages.
I was very priveledged to have the opportunity to sit in the shrine room and participate in the Pujas and wat breakfast with the monks and nuns and to also give a Khata the Rinpoche plus receive a Long Life Empowerment from his and his lamas. There were over 5000 people there for this event and the love and devotion that the Tibetan people showed for Rinpoche was quite amazing. His love emanated to them all and he gave everyone there that day the Empowerment. I was very lucky that I was with SB as we were given the first Empowerments and did not have to wait in the long line.
Yes I took lots of photos but unfortunately I can't upload many.
I hope to make it to Tara Abbey to visit the nuns this week sometime. Wish you all could come and experience such a beautiful place as Namo Buddha.....
I spent two glorious days up at Namo Buddha Monastery where the Himalayan Mountain Range stretches long across the horizon with its vast, snowy peaks visible when the mist settles in the early morning.
It takes two hours to get there along some paved roads but mainly the roads are full of holes, pits and crevices. It is amazing how the buses get along these roads let alone the motorcycles and scooters. The drive takes you up along the mountain roads to farmland that is unique to asia where it is cut along the hillside to crow rice and other crops.
The road to the monastery is filled with rocks and runs along the hillside - bit hairy but our driver was familiar with the route and was non-plussed and trucked along. Got to say Toyotas rule here as far as this rough terrain goes. I travelled up with a woman who was a journalist in Afghanistan living in California again and SB my longtime friend. Our driver was once an SMD school kid and now works for the school - he did an outstanding job.
On the first day at Namo Buddha I spent the afternoon watching the Lama Dance which was an amazing event that took hours to complete. I will try and post some pictures but the upload is slow. The event was magnificent with many amazing and beautiful costumes. The little monks also performed and were very splendid too. My favourite part was the Snow Lions where two monks were inside the costumes - really well done and Rocky the monastery dog (Tibetan dog) thought he had to defend the monastery and challenged the two big lions.
I spent the night in rather sparse conditions with a roommate that snored, bossed me around and talked in her sleep - but it was only for the night so I made up for lost sleep last night.
On Saturday I met up with a woman who takes tours into Tibet (she speaks it too) from Copenhagen who has been coming to these parts for many years. She is off to explore Himalayan plant fibres for the next two weeks. She took me to where the cave is where Buddha gave his life for a starving tiger and her cubs. This is a famous and spiritual site that is much honoured by Buddhists for the love and compassion showed by Buddha.
Simply - Prince Mahasatwo gave his life to the starving tiger and her cubs and a few hundred years later was reincarnate as Gautama Siddhattha Buddha and the tiger cubs became his disciples.
If you add Namo Buddha to your Facebook links you can read more about this amazing story and see what the monastery is doing. The Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche has built not only a monastery for his monks to study but also a hospital for the community and a secular school for the surrounding villages.
I was very priveledged to have the opportunity to sit in the shrine room and participate in the Pujas and wat breakfast with the monks and nuns and to also give a Khata the Rinpoche plus receive a Long Life Empowerment from his and his lamas. There were over 5000 people there for this event and the love and devotion that the Tibetan people showed for Rinpoche was quite amazing. His love emanated to them all and he gave everyone there that day the Empowerment. I was very lucky that I was with SB as we were given the first Empowerments and did not have to wait in the long line.
Yes I took lots of photos but unfortunately I can't upload many.
I hope to make it to Tara Abbey to visit the nuns this week sometime. Wish you all could come and experience such a beautiful place as Namo Buddha.....
Friday, October 22, 2010
The days are going by quickly...
I have been in Kathmandu over a week now and I am beginning to have a little sense of how to get around. Taxis are old and rickety and buses seem non existant but then I am a foreigner and have no perspective on this reality coming from the West.
I have been to the Stupa of Boudhanath several times and have managed to not get lost. The poor dogs, cows and other animals wander around in search of food and the piles of garbage left over from the Hindu festival of Desai still pile up on the streets.
On a lighter note there are lots of market stalls around the Stupa with many interesting Buddhist paraphanalia and other items. The tourists flock to this part of the city to see the Stupa and it is easy to hear voices from all over the world. Of course the big deal here is trekking and most people come to wander around the Himalayas and see the great views of these magnificent mountains.
On the political front the country seems to be in chaos with the temporary government still in place but talk of Maoist action again. The communists are a nasty bunch from stories I have heard and seem to have little or no regard for human life or any compassion for the people. Just like the army of the state they seem bent on power - the Nepalese don't have much of a chance unless a saner perspective comes to the fore. The war has not done much for the people and I see a "deadness" in the eyes of the people I pass in the streets.
The kids at SMD are delightful and they bring some hope to their families and to their culture. The school has done so much for these kids and they are obviously a happy, well-cared for community who take joy in their existence. I hope more and more kids can have the opportunity for a higher education and continue to get scholarships around the world.
If anyone reads this out there and has been contemplating supporting the kids here I can attest to the fact that your support would not go to waste. Earing merit yes and also providing opportunities for kids to go to school and have an education and - ohe yes - eat!
Catch you later!
I have been to the Stupa of Boudhanath several times and have managed to not get lost. The poor dogs, cows and other animals wander around in search of food and the piles of garbage left over from the Hindu festival of Desai still pile up on the streets.
On a lighter note there are lots of market stalls around the Stupa with many interesting Buddhist paraphanalia and other items. The tourists flock to this part of the city to see the Stupa and it is easy to hear voices from all over the world. Of course the big deal here is trekking and most people come to wander around the Himalayas and see the great views of these magnificent mountains.
On the political front the country seems to be in chaos with the temporary government still in place but talk of Maoist action again. The communists are a nasty bunch from stories I have heard and seem to have little or no regard for human life or any compassion for the people. Just like the army of the state they seem bent on power - the Nepalese don't have much of a chance unless a saner perspective comes to the fore. The war has not done much for the people and I see a "deadness" in the eyes of the people I pass in the streets.
The kids at SMD are delightful and they bring some hope to their families and to their culture. The school has done so much for these kids and they are obviously a happy, well-cared for community who take joy in their existence. I hope more and more kids can have the opportunity for a higher education and continue to get scholarships around the world.
If anyone reads this out there and has been contemplating supporting the kids here I can attest to the fact that your support would not go to waste. Earing merit yes and also providing opportunities for kids to go to school and have an education and - ohe yes - eat!
Catch you later!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
THE STUPA AND ME
Spent the afternoon wandering on and around the giant Stupa and took many shots of not only this beautiful monument but also of all the small monuments all around the area.I particularly liked the giant prayerwheeel at the entrance to the Stupa which can revolve at an outstanding rate of spin!
Having been suitably blessed I wandered amongst the stalls in search of special items I might be interested in purchasing. Bought a postcard to send to my mother showing the Kathmandu Valley with the Himalayan Mountains in the background.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Kathmandu
Visited the great Stupa yesterday and found my way around the area. Also went to Thrangu Rinpoche's monastery here which is just down the road.
Lots to do and see here plus I have heard we will go up north for a few days on a special trip with Shirley's friends. That will be fun tho I hear the roads are rough and it could take from 2 to 5 hours to get there.
There is also a trip to Tara Abbey planned to visit the nuns - I hear that they ride motorcylces up there - that I mus get a shot of!
Suffering from allergies but off to see the acupuncturist and get treatment.
ALso going for shiatsu on wed and maybe a massage too! Already had a foot massage for @ $7 so lots of pampering available.
Planning things to do with the kids and today is sunny and warm.
Lots to do and see here plus I have heard we will go up north for a few days on a special trip with Shirley's friends. That will be fun tho I hear the roads are rough and it could take from 2 to 5 hours to get there.
There is also a trip to Tara Abbey planned to visit the nuns - I hear that they ride motorcylces up there - that I mus get a shot of!
Suffering from allergies but off to see the acupuncturist and get treatment.
ALso going for shiatsu on wed and maybe a massage too! Already had a foot massage for @ $7 so lots of pampering available.
Planning things to do with the kids and today is sunny and warm.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Sitting in Manchester Airport
Well - the big journey is about to begin and I am a little excited to be finally going to Kathmandu. It seems like this was a particularly difficult journey to initiate and some good lessons were learned along the path. It seems that is a consistent theme.
Its a funny place here as I sit and type this to see just how many people are drinking alcohol for breakfast. I have never seen this before. Almost everyone has a pint of beer before them - I of course needed my coffee but it seems that for the vast majority of travellers drinking starts early. Beer isn't cheap here either.....another British tradition I guess.
I have been super lucky with the weather on my journey so far and today was the first day apart from a little rain in Ghent. It has been positively balmy and of course one could say that goes with the traveller. (sp)
Will check in in when I and in Doha if there is free WIFI there.
Missing friends and family back home! Big kiss for Eli - little monkey boy and of course Seb and Nina who I hope is getting in lots of Yaya time.
Have a good hockey game Seb and be nice to your little brother - if you can!
Its a funny place here as I sit and type this to see just how many people are drinking alcohol for breakfast. I have never seen this before. Almost everyone has a pint of beer before them - I of course needed my coffee but it seems that for the vast majority of travellers drinking starts early. Beer isn't cheap here either.....another British tradition I guess.
I have been super lucky with the weather on my journey so far and today was the first day apart from a little rain in Ghent. It has been positively balmy and of course one could say that goes with the traveller. (sp)
Will check in in when I and in Doha if there is free WIFI there.
Missing friends and family back home! Big kiss for Eli - little monkey boy and of course Seb and Nina who I hope is getting in lots of Yaya time.
Have a good hockey game Seb and be nice to your little brother - if you can!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Cinemas are just not what they once were...
Went to a cinema in Edge Lane today - saw "Marmaduke" with mum and bought a bag of popcorn - minute size and cost $7 C. No butter - they don't do that here - that's American apparently. Very salty popcorn and no butter.....
Mum seemed to enjoy the movie and that is a good thing.
It was a beautiful day here and for the beginning of October it feels good to not need a sweater or a coat. We drove back to the care home past some beautiful, tree-line streets and past such places as Lance Lane, Rathbone Road and Queen's Drive. There are parts of Liverpool that are truly magnificent and other parts that appear to be relics left over from the Second WW.
Off to the cemetary to find Dad's grave......
Mum seemed to enjoy the movie and that is a good thing.
It was a beautiful day here and for the beginning of October it feels good to not need a sweater or a coat. We drove back to the care home past some beautiful, tree-line streets and past such places as Lance Lane, Rathbone Road and Queen's Drive. There are parts of Liverpool that are truly magnificent and other parts that appear to be relics left over from the Second WW.
Off to the cemetary to find Dad's grave......
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Nostalgic day in the Pool
After attempting to get Mum to get rid of some clothes ( 4 items) I ventured off in search of stuffed animals and other items to take to Nepal. I wandered around Allerton Road which is trying to be sophisticated and only serves to over-charge for poor copies of great euro food.
I wandered over to Penny Lane and did some banking and headed over to Picton Road where I used to traumatise myself over not being able to swim in the old Victorian pool we were forced to take classes many moons ago in my school daze.
It's a run down area and looks unloved and seedy these days. The old cinema where I saw Gone with The Wind years ago still stands but seems to be selling furniture - what a shame to see these old theatres left to rot.
I then ventured down to Smithdown Road and decided I was in need of a drink so I ventured forth to a pub called the Willows where my dad used to have a Sunday pint with his brother Ed. In all these past years I have never been inside and I was delighted to find a lovely old pub with an ancient clock over the bar. The bar maid was young and cheerful and I ended up chatting to a mother and daughter sitting next to me while I devoured my delicious pint of scrumpy.
Finished off the day with a good walk around Asda (big supermarket) and picked up some food for dinner. Drove back to D and Rs around Sefton Park in lovely sunshine.
Turned out to be a pretty groovy day.
I wandered over to Penny Lane and did some banking and headed over to Picton Road where I used to traumatise myself over not being able to swim in the old Victorian pool we were forced to take classes many moons ago in my school daze.
It's a run down area and looks unloved and seedy these days. The old cinema where I saw Gone with The Wind years ago still stands but seems to be selling furniture - what a shame to see these old theatres left to rot.
I then ventured down to Smithdown Road and decided I was in need of a drink so I ventured forth to a pub called the Willows where my dad used to have a Sunday pint with his brother Ed. In all these past years I have never been inside and I was delighted to find a lovely old pub with an ancient clock over the bar. The bar maid was young and cheerful and I ended up chatting to a mother and daughter sitting next to me while I devoured my delicious pint of scrumpy.
Finished off the day with a good walk around Asda (big supermarket) and picked up some food for dinner. Drove back to D and Rs around Sefton Park in lovely sunshine.
Turned out to be a pretty groovy day.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Wales
Spent two lovely days driving around North Wales and went to such exotic places as Betw y see Coed, Port Madog, Harlech and Llanberis to name just a few places.
SNowdonia National Park is huge and it was wonderful to just be on the moors with the sheep and not a soul for miles....great country air and silence.
Just the sheep and me and the heather....getting quite good at this driving on the left stuffQ
SNowdonia National Park is huge and it was wonderful to just be on the moors with the sheep and not a soul for miles....great country air and silence.
Just the sheep and me and the heather....getting quite good at this driving on the left stuffQ
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Arrived in the mother country safe and sound but bag still to be delivered - lost by KLM
Landed in Liverpool and had a lovely meal with the W clan! Sunny day and looking forward to exploring the old home town. Will check out the Tate and the other museums to see what is going on.
Sat next to a german fellow on the plane who was in town to interview someone and leave right away - worked in the oil industry...say no more...at least it wasn't BP.
KLM lost my bag with all the goodies for the Himalayan kids but word is its been found and is being delivered tomorrow morning.
Will see mum tomorrow and see what the scoop is!
Sat next to a german fellow on the plane who was in town to interview someone and leave right away - worked in the oil industry...say no more...at least it wasn't BP.
KLM lost my bag with all the goodies for the Himalayan kids but word is its been found and is being delivered tomorrow morning.
Will see mum tomorrow and see what the scoop is!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Another day in Ghent
Spent the morning riding around on the tram and wandering in the old town. My neck hurts from looking up - so much to see and art everywhere old and new. From ancient doorways to tagged alleys there is a plethora of images bouncing around.
Will go to Antwerp for a day but I don't expect it to be more heraldic and ancient than Ghent.
Bread costs about $2 for a lovely loaf of grain filled richness and the cheese is so cheap and so good!
Went out last night for a Belgian beer and when you see me ask me about the Ghent noses...hahaha.
Will go to Antwerp for a day but I don't expect it to be more heraldic and ancient than Ghent.
Bread costs about $2 for a lovely loaf of grain filled richness and the cheese is so cheap and so good!
Went out last night for a Belgian beer and when you see me ask me about the Ghent noses...hahaha.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
OudeKirk near Amsterdam
Visited this lovely village near a traditional windmill and discovered the old Jewish Cemetary. The cemetary was closed for the day but I will definitely return for a visit later in my journey.
I really enjoyed wandering around the canals and smelling the good country air only minutes from the Ajax stadium.
Stopped for a bite of lunch and had a kas broodjie (cheese roll) and a Heineken in an old pub in the centre.
People friendly in this little place and lots of trails to wander down.
I look forward to returning here.
I really enjoyed wandering around the canals and smelling the good country air only minutes from the Ajax stadium.
Stopped for a bite of lunch and had a kas broodjie (cheese roll) and a Heineken in an old pub in the centre.
People friendly in this little place and lots of trails to wander down.
I look forward to returning here.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
First Day in Amsterdam
Flight was too long but watched a couple of films. Fogged in at Schipol and plane had to go to Maastricht to fuel up and go back to Amsterdam. A waiting for me and glad I finally got there but not half so glad as me. Amsterdam hasn't changed a bit!
Woke up at 3 am and of course was hungry - managed to wait until 6 and made myself a cup of jo and visited with the folks who are kind enough to continually put up with my visits!
Jet lag never gets better but after a day wandering shops and gawking I scrutinised the Hema very carefully and bought socks for the kids in SMD in Nepal. A checked out the train travel and will get train to Ghent on Sat and bus it to Paris on Monday - the savings is significant and the time an extra hour and a half but that's ok. It means 40 euros in my pocket! There is a plan afoot.
Went for a long walk after a lovely meal prepared by MR K and then wandered out past Rijksmuseum and the Heinekin Brewery and then to Tuschinski to see G. Clooney in "The American". Movie was OK - theatre as stunning as ever - bought a Grolsch and took it to my very comfy plush red seat and drank it while watching the film - civilised or what! People did not talk through the film and there were no falling down drunks.
Watching out for those darn cycists tho - they own the roads! Photos tomorrow!
Woke up at 3 am and of course was hungry - managed to wait until 6 and made myself a cup of jo and visited with the folks who are kind enough to continually put up with my visits!
Jet lag never gets better but after a day wandering shops and gawking I scrutinised the Hema very carefully and bought socks for the kids in SMD in Nepal. A checked out the train travel and will get train to Ghent on Sat and bus it to Paris on Monday - the savings is significant and the time an extra hour and a half but that's ok. It means 40 euros in my pocket! There is a plan afoot.
Went for a long walk after a lovely meal prepared by MR K and then wandered out past Rijksmuseum and the Heinekin Brewery and then to Tuschinski to see G. Clooney in "The American". Movie was OK - theatre as stunning as ever - bought a Grolsch and took it to my very comfy plush red seat and drank it while watching the film - civilised or what! People did not talk through the film and there were no falling down drunks.
Watching out for those darn cycists tho - they own the roads! Photos tomorrow!
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