DJ Porny

Zaanse Schans

We got itchy feet yesterday and decided to take a tour out of the city. We caught a train to Zaanse Schans, a nearby village. On the way to catch the local tram, I discovered that my camera had died (RIP Canon PowerShot A70). After several years of service, and many, many trips - a chip processor died. According to the local camera guy, at least. Regretfully, and in a haste, I bought a new camera: Nikon CoolPix L6... so far so good! The photos here are from the new camera.

Chrystal is posing with a jar of mustard we bought at one of the windmills, which grinds the mustard! The other windmills grind different things, like peanuts into peanut oil, pigments for dyes, etc.

We watched a cobbler make a pair of wooden shoes! It was pretty fascinating. They start with a wet, soft piece of poplar. The block is put into a machine that grinds out a duplicate of a perfect model - the exact way a copy of a key is made. The inside of the shoe is then ground out with a carving spoon - again, like a key with parallel blades following the "pattern" shoe.

(The "keymaking" device is on the right.)

Once done, the cobbler carves off the last bits. He put his mouth to the shoe and blew out about a cup of water that was in the wood(!), to demonstrate how wet it was. He demonstrated how tough they were by slamming the shoes he was wearing, saying the could withstand 75kg of weight - ideal for construction and other tasks where feet need protection. He also said they keep field workers' feet very dry, and that the arch (I tried on a pair, and felt this benefit) was pronounced and was ideal for people standing on their feet all day because it promoted good posture. I can tell you after trying them on, and seeing how comfortable they actually were, I was tempted to buy a pair!

Spring is definitely in the air! There are LOTS of mother ducks milling about with their ducklings... I had to stop a car the other day in town to let a Mom cross the street with her babies!

Chrystal feeding a sheep some dandelions.

All in all, it was a nice relaxing day spent outside of the city.

What up, cuz?

My cousin Mary and her friend Jackie came to visit us Sunday night! We took them to a squat restaurant* (de Peper) for dinner... Chrystal and I were disappointed with it (it had been much better the previous time), but the girls didn't seem to mind... too polite, I think! ;-)

(from left: Remie, Mary, Chrystal and Jackie)

Afterwards we spent a night on the town and had a blast! It was great to catch up with her.

Their visit was too short, but they did manage to see quite a bit of Amsterdam before they ventured off to Rotterdam.

*Squat restaurants are run by hippies, like a commune. The chefs are volunteers, and the food is all organic and vegetarian. Very cheap and healthy. We really enjoyed it the first time... unfortunately it all depends on the chef in the kitchen!

We had a great visit in England!

Cheerio!

Remie and I left for England on Thursday. The flight was less than an hour long. We arrived into Birmingham at about 9:20 am. It was great but also weird to see every sign and posting in English followed by more English.

My friend Reshma met us at the airport with her new bundle of joy, Armaan Ali. Despite driving on the wrong side and the crazy round-abouts we arrived at Solihull (the city she lives) quickly. We stayed at her and her husband Shabar's house. Her sister Ferhana was down visiting from Toronto as well.


Armaan Ali is not yet a month old. Remie and I were quite excited to be part of a family celebration while we there. Lots of family and best of all some great authentic Asian food and sweets.

The next day Remie, Ferhana and I decided to take a 3 hour bus trip to London. We headed out early to the coach station. We arrived in London at about 12:00. So we had the whole day to look around. Ferhana and I took off for the shopping district while Remie went to a business meeting.

Map in hand, Ferhana and I strolled by Hyde Park and made our way to Oxford Street. There were lots of great stores and shopping opportunities. I found the clothing to be very expensive. Items were priced the same as they are back home but in British Pounds.

After Remie finished up he rejoined us and we went for a proper pint at an English Pub. Its a common site to see the Brits gathered outside with beer in hand if there are not enough tables. After our drinks we did some more shopping.


We found a busy restaurant called Garfunkels and decided to eat there. Our last stop of the day was suppose to be Buckingham Palace, but before we knew it we had to race back the coach station. We hopped into one of those old fashioned looking cabs and made our way back to the bus.

(From left: Ferhana, Armaan, Shabar and Reshma)

Our last night we decided to take out Reshma and the family for dinner. We wanted to take them to the Custard Factory (a recommendation Remie received). The Custard Factory is just that. Its an old factory that has been closed down and has been made into restaurants, clubs and art design studios. The restaurant was closed but we were able to take some great shots of the art court.

(This is Rem climbing a heap of crushed cars!)

We headed to downtown Birmingham and decided on a great award winning italian restaurant, San Carlo. While waiting for our reservation we went to a Pub around the corner. The British know how to do it right. It was great scene with lots of people. We headed back to San Carlo's and chilled at the bar. Despite a long wait the food was delicious.

Afterwards, we drove to a courtyard to take some pictures. We didn't think we would run into these guys! It was a great a night out.


We left the next morning to head to the airport with plenty of time. So why did we almost miss our flight you ask? Remie and I travelled with a carry-on bag, my purse and a bag to carry the laptop. As soon as we entered the area to go through security the officer told me I can only have one bag to bring on the flight. I then explained that one bag is my luggage and the other is my PURSE. He rudely advised it doesn't matter and that I need to check one or the other! I was annoyed and explained that I came here with these two bags and have been travelling through more than one airport with both. He told me to check it. Remie and I went around the corner and managed somehow to stuff my purse into our carry on.

Okay, so that's settled we are now on our way through security and have all of our liquids and gels in a clear zip locked bag with the proper amount of no more than 100ml. I went first - no problem. I turn around and Remie is being asked to take out his liquids. The security officer takes out Rem's contact solution which is in a 355ml bottle. The contents were way less than 100ml. She advises Remie she is going to have to confiscate his contact solution unless he checks it. He explains we only have carry-on, and that the bottle is not full. She advises that it doesn't matter its the amount the bottle has written on it. She wants to know if he can empty it into another bottle. Remie patiently explains once again that its contact solution for his EYES and it wouldn't be sterile if he does that. Next item up is a small container of crude clay not gel, clay to style his hair. Nope, can't take that either it exceeds the allotted amount. Remie explains that its CLAY... it doesn't matter. Contact solution and styling clay gone.

Okay, so now we are both fuming and make our way to the boarding area to wait for our flight.We look down at our boarding pass and we are leaving out of gate 11. Why then is gate 11 not posted anywhere? I ask a gentleman who I think works there. He tells me not to worry we are in the right area the gate numbers are on an electronic board and change once your flight is called. Remie and I sit and wait 2 seconds before we here the FINAL boarding call for our flight at a completely different gate. The 11 had been a MISPRINT - on an airline ticket! We both had to run to catch our flight. I guess I can say we did not enjoy our Birmingham airport experience!

35 minutes later we find ourselves back in Amsterdam. Its funny how its starting to feel a bit like home. We grab our carry-on and head towards Customs. Before you can get there you have to go through two automatic gates. Once you enter one, you can not go back and if you try to - the thing lights up and an alarm goes off. Somehow Remie manages to go through both sets of gates but our luggage didn't make it. Our bag was trapped in mid air between the doors. When Rem tried to pull it out, the alarm went off. It was hilarious! A bunch of people were standing around laughing asking how he managed to that. We had to wait for someone to come through on the other side so the gate would open and release our bag.

Once we got our bag back it was easy breezy the rest of the way. We had a great time but I think we are both done with airports for the moment.

Still waiting for my tax #!!!!

Dag all its Chrystal,

So I have been to the Aliens Police and am cool to work in the Dam. The last item to complete my job profile is a Sofi number (tax number) so that I can get paid. Its a weird system to obtain one. You have to call a call centre and then they relay the message to the tax office to call you back to set up an appointment. Apparently it takes 7-10 business days. I called on Thursday before Easter!!! They were on strike last week so I am really hoping I will get a call sometime soon.

I was out job hunting last week and have some great options working in some restaurants and outdoor cafes but they need my tax number. Stay tuned for more ....

XOXOXOX

Squat Restaurants

We were bbqing this week, and yesterday was another day of sunshine. We went for a loooong walk to find the beach. We didn't find much in the way of a true sandy beach, but we did happen upon some nude sunbathers.
Yesterday evening we went to a "squat restaurant" named de Peper (pronounced duh-Pepper). Squat restaurants are run like a commune by volunteers, including the chefs. The menu is organic, and vegetarian. They're non-profit, so everything from your meal (ours was 6 euros each) to the booze (1.50 euros for a glass of wine, 1.80 per beer) is very cheap! We got heaping platefuls of food after a hearty daal-type soup.
We had enough leftovers for me to have a full meal for lunch!

Here's the article I found online which led to us dining at de Peper

Get Down!

Is this song also popular back home? or is it strictly a Euro thing? We love it!

Groove Armada - Get Down