Herring Abound and Windmills Abound

Posted on 1 May 2008 by g
18531

Following the Flower Parade on Saturday night, we were off to Venezia—an authentic Italian eatery that was open late. We had pizzas and pastas and the owner came out to greet us and carry on. In the end, we had the best service you could ask for and some bonus limoncello on the house… not a bad night.

Opting again for our scenic beauty tour, we woke and headed north again on Sunday. We headed to the beach, Bergen aan Zee while making stops at tons of scenic overlooks with beautiful tulip fields galore. And, of course, a pit stop at the local grocery for some picnic supplies including freshly prepared mussels… YUM!

18535

Upon making it to the beach, we were pleasantly surprised to see that the coast was lined with soft, white sand. Small sail boats and catamarans were racing one another just off the coast, a horse and rider were making their way along the shore, kids were flying kites and making castles (despite the FREEZING water) and folks were just, generally, having a good time. We, too, enjoyed our time. We had our picnic and then walked the shoreline before heading back into the car to continue our way north to the country’s largest Dijk.

In one of the small towns along the coast, G got a taste of Dutch culture with a serving of raw herring. Served in carts along the street or in market squares, this typical dutch snack served with a side of onions and pickles is often credited for keeping the doctor away — much like our apple-a-day saying. Apparently it is served in two styles. In Rotterdam style, you tilt your head back, hold the fish above, and bite off the bottom. In Amsterdam style, the fish is cut up into pieces and eaten with a fork. While Amsterdam style is more civilized, Rotterdam style is more fun. It was surprisingly good — almost like sushi.

18539

While there are tons of old, maintained windmills with thatch or wooden exteriors, there are just as many modern, graceful windmills in rotation. We saw quite of few of both varieties as we made our way north. And we finally reached the start of the dijk meant to seal off the inland freshwater sea from the ocean. The 18 km (I think?) dijk is made of earth and stone. Sheep herd happily graze the grassy mounds acting as lawnmowers to the keep the expanse clean and trim.

Back to Haarlem for an Indonesian Rice Table dinner. Many small dishes served with rice were a delicious and delightful end to a restful, relaxing, sun-filled weekend.

Posted in Adventure Travel, Europe, Netherlands | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Tulips As Far As the Eye Can See

Posted on 30 April 2008 by k

Well, almost 🙂

18271

Late last week, we ventured over to the Netherlands to enjoy the tulips in season and to catch up with G’s parents before they head off on a Scandinavian cruise. We chose Haarlem as our home base as it’s just a 20 minute train ride from Amsterdam, has plenty of eateries and good parking options and were pleased with our choice.Upon arrival at the airport, we took a bus 40 minutes to Amsterdam (didn’t want to change trains). Unfortunately though we were uncertain of where we had been let off.

18275

We wandered the streets of Haarlem quite turned around (we weren’t where we thought we were), but it was actually a grand introduction to the country’s amazingly friendly and helpful people. Not one, not two, but at least three strangers stopped to ask if we were lost as we were wandering the streets and to offer their assistance. As we had recently traveled to Marrakech where helpers expect compensation, we resisted at first but soon realized that the folks are simply being their friendly selves.

18263

Though Haarlem is generally a sleepy little town, as we walked up we noticed that a carnival had traveled to the central square for the Queen’s Day celebration and because Haarlem plays host to the area’s Dutch Flower Parade (kind of like the Rose Parade in the US except with bulb flowers instead of roses) which brings lots of visitors to the area.

18291

Our first day was spent wandering about Amsterdam. We took a canal boat to get our bearings (though I don’t know if I would do that again–would probably opt for renting bicycles for a couple hours instead next time around), walked about town, headed to the Van Gogh Museum to see an impressive collection of his masterpieces (including sunflowers, his self portrait and other notable ones) and picniced in Vondel Park. Then, over to the Ann Frank House (I really need to read her Diary now) and finally to dinner.

18315

And dinner was an interesting story. We dined at a restaurant near the Ann Frank house that’s recommended in the Rick Steves book. Funny thing…the wait for two double tables was shorter than the wait for a table for 4 so we opted for two tables stradling the main walkway into the restaurant. As such, I think the whole restaurant got the jist of our conversation and we made friends with an especially well named spaniel, trouble. Kids loved the restaurant’s red velvet curtains and used them to hide from curious parents. Drinking crowds came out for their Friday night binge…it was interesting and fun to site by the door stradling the walkway, we certainly gained some perspective on the Dutch spirit.

18311

Water’s everywhere in Amsterdam, it’s to be expected afterall. So it should be no great surprise that the city’s canals and streets are home to a plentitude of water foul. One especially friendly heron greeted us as we walked to dinner…I guess he picked up a bit of that friendly Dutch spirit from his human counterparts.When in Rome…or in this case Amsterdam, you have to visit all the sights. Next up red light district. Amsterdam’s the place where coffee shops don’t sell coffee (they sell a different kind of pick me up) and where prostitution is legal. Scantilly clad ladies dance in plate glass windows to solicit their ‘customers’. Unfortunately, these ladies aren’t marketing mavens…while some were attractive most were a bit round around the edges and didn’t necessarily dress to impress. Goodness! A well coiffed and toned girl could certainly give any one of the window girls a run for their money…though I suppose that’s not the point. Was a bit strange walking down the lane with G’s parents…but have to give G’s parents credit for being good sports. Sorry…no cameras allowed 🙂

18371

On Saturday, we rented a car and drove through the country side. First stop, Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse. Imagine, an amusement park for senior ladies with the gardening bug…Keukenhof is it. It’s a mecca for tour buses and there’s barely enough room to walk the sidewalks without running into others…but it was a worthwhile visit as here you can see all the new tulip cultivars in situ. Gorgeous!

18423

We left Lisse in search of the idealic dutch countryside and headed north to the area around De Rijp and Schermerhorn (30 minute drive from Haarlem). While Lisse’s tulip fields were manicured for the tour crowds and commercial operations, this area was where true farmers raised their crops surrounded by working windmills.

18231

We wandered our way through the countryside–not realizing how difficult it would be to find a restaurant open on Saturday! Dutch families value their family time and most restaurants are closed. Finally, we found a quaint eaterie with perfect sandwiches to keep us fueled. G’s dad had a croquette sandwich…YUM! It’s like a spiced tube of cheese and ham that they heat (to melt it all together) and serve on a buttered slice of toast. You roll-up the croquette inside the toast in order to eat it (kind of like a hot dog on toast only different). Big yum!

18471

Then, back to Haarlem where we cleaned up and headed off to the Dutch Flower Parade.Look for a second installment to follow tomorrow!

Or click here to see additional photos from the trip.

Posted in Adventure Travel, Europe, Netherlands | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Tulips As Far As the Eye Can See

The Netherlands

Posted on 29 April 2008 by k
18218
18227

G and I made it back from the Netherlands yesterday. We had a great, enjoyable weekend with G’s parents and saw the tulips in full bloom during our stay. We also walked the windy beach and Amsterdam’s city streets, drove along the country’s longest dijk, saw countless working windmills, and generally caught up with one another. I’ve included a couple photos here, but look for a more complete post and additional photos later in the day.

Posted in Adventure Travel, Europe, Netherlands | Comments Off on The Netherlands

Amongst the Fields of BROCCOLI?

Posted on 20 April 2008 by k

This was a travel week for me…work sent me to Munich to lead two full day online marketing training sessions for my client’s local team leads. The sessions went very well…three seperate attendees listed me as one of their three ‘high points’ from the sessions. I made sure to send those notes along to my boss 🙂

For these sessions, I’m traveling along with a colleague from our traditional (print and broadcast) agency. It’s a way to bring him up to speed on online while allowing me someone to share presenting responsibilities with. Have to give him credit as I picked this week’s hotel…on the up side, it was very near the client site. But I’ve learned the hard way that I need to review the Web sites of hotels our agent recommends. We were in the middle of nowhere…an adorable little town outside of Fieldkirchen (where my client’s office is). Luckily the best restaurant in town was straight across the two lane road from our small, homey (somewhat homely) hotel…and upon waking in the morning, I realized the hotel was nestled amongst fields of broccoli that went on as far as the horizon…thankfully my colleague was a good sport and played up the place’s merits citing the excellent Bavarian cuisine across the street and the fields of green…Eek!
So, if ever you wonder where they really grow broccoli…I have at least one place in mind…

Then, this weekend, G and I went clubbing with a friend for his 30th and met up with a couple old friends from NC as they prepared to travel back to the States after a European jaunt.

On Thursday of this week, G and I will fly to Amsterdam to meet G’s parents for an extended weekend adventure. On Monday, G will head back to London while I carry on my ‘tour of Europe’ with a face to face planning session with a German client in Frankfurt on Monday/Tuesday and another installation of the online training in Paris on Wednesday. All this travel’s not helping my gym stats, but my passport’s certainly getting a workout 🙂

Look for photos and updates when I return from Paris next Wednesday–or earlier if G’s time allows.

Posted in Adventure Travel, Europe, Germany, Life in London | Comments Off on Amongst the Fields of BROCCOLI?

Work Out Update

Posted on 12 April 2008 by k

So…after four weeks of tracking my daily workout schedule, I’ve hit a crossroads. As part of the incentive program G and I agreed, I am able to have a floating start date for the program, but have to declare the start date within one month. So, I’m left in a quandry tonight.

Here’s how things currently stand:

Week 1: 3 times: Average 3

Week 2: 2 times (food poisoning, ick): Average 2.5

Week 3: 2 times (business travel): Average 2.3

Week 4: 4 times: Average 2.75

If I average working out 3 times per week over the 3 month period, we’ll purchase a pair of earrings I’ve been wanting. And for an average of 4, we’ll purchase (instead) the necklace. And, finally, for an average of 5 times per week we’ll purchase both.

After the first month, I realize that an average of 5 times per week is not realizable without some major lifestyle adjustments (can’t workout when we travel—our hotels are too cheap to have a gym–would have to get up early in the am to workout on travel days and when we have plans at night :)). And to be fair, I don’t think working out 5 times per week would be great for my body, either–bad for the knees. So, I’m left with the earrings OR the pendant.

And here’s where our incentive plan breaks down. Since our joint funds would purchase the incentive and the earrings cost less than the necklace, that little voice in my head is telling me that going for the necklace is a bit selfish–an extravagance. If you add that little voice to the other one that says ‘It’s cold and raining outside, don’t go’ or ‘my cutie workout outfit is dirty, maybe I’ll go tomorrow instead’, it’s pretty hard to beat.
So, do I keep the first four weeks, or declare last week (the week with 4 workouts) as my start? Hmmm…

Posted in Life in London, Novice Fitness | Comments Off on Work Out Update

Olympic Torch Debacle

Posted on 6 April 2008 by k
18192
18187
18200
18208

This weekend has been a bit slow for us…it’s still very cold out and I was weary after a few long days of business travel. So, last night we went out to see History Boys (the play that roughly follows the movie) and today we planned to see the Olympic Torch as it traveled through London.History Boys was good–enjoyed it. But, the Torch Relay was disappointing. We waited just outside St. Paul’s Cathedral listening to the Royal British Brass Band (red coats) play appropriate theme songs for the torch relay runner’s immeninent arrival. Time passed, lots of police officers arrived (wearing bright yellow coats), then police vans, then buses carrying Chinese officials, then more buses…then it was over. I kind-of, sort-of saw an unlit torch in an athlete’s hand atop a doubledecker bus—key being kind-of, sort-of. It was a big let down.

Home now, we’ve looked online for more info. Apparently protesters who aim to grab media attention to encourage the Chinese officials to Free Tibet reaked havoc on the relay earlier in West London causing the officials to then rethink their plans—resulting in the non-show outside St. Paul’s. Disappointing, but I suppose understandable.

The photos at the right overview what we saw. Next weekend, look for photos from the London Marathon. A couple of my classmates (Lottie & Simon) plan to drink a pint for our classmates’ (running the marathon) every mile. I don’t think I’ll match Lottie & Simon’s effort, but it will be nice to be out to encourage our athletic friends.

For more on the London leg of the Olympic Torch Relay, click here…

Posted in Life in London | Tagged | Comments Off on Olympic Torch Debacle

Benelux Business Trip & SNOW

Posted on 6 April 2008 by k
18212
18182
18176

Late this week, I traveled on business–I flew out to Amsterdam for a business meeting in Amstelveen on Thursday morning, drove with my clients south (~3 hours) through Netherlands to Antwerp, Belgium for an overnight stay and then off to neighboring Brussels, Belgium for an Online [Marketing] Training Session (me leading, eek!) all day Friday before heading back to London that night. It was a whirlwind trip–and I didn’t necessarily see much having so much travel and car time in my short stay. But, it was very cool to sit in my Amstelveen business meeting–observing the canals and ducks just outside the conference room windows and seeing all the casual cyclists with their market goods heading home on their upright bikes.I’m very excited that G & I will meet G’s parents for a few days in the Netherlands later this month. From my first introduction this week, I can feel it will be a favorite…

Wanted to give you a little reason to feel proud of your choice to live wherever you find yourself. This morning, we woke up to SNOW, lots of big snowflakes fell here in London today. We’ll be lucky to get up to 40 degrees…it’s FREEZING out. The photos at the right were taken in Belsize Park [our village] and out of back window…

Posted in Belgium, Life in London, Netherlands | 1 Comment