blogness

Zaterdag, Februari 18th, 2006

Tip for the day: Once you get behind on your travel log, don’t look back, just keep trekkin.

So, I am indeed writing these ramblings to you all from my old cozy room in quiet

Santa Cruz

on a chilly and still Saturday evening. I returned to the States nearly twenty days ago and have been slowing trying to wedge myself back into my

California

groove. I am still suffering from culture shock but with the spring approaching I will no doubt find my equilibrium soon.

My travel blog seemed to fizzle out near the end of my trip. However, this was not the result of lack of inspiration, simply a product of limited timing. After being in

Amsterdam

for only one week I already felt my trip slipping away from me. With each passing day, sitting in front of a computer screen seemed less and less desirable despite how much I enjoy the process of documentation. So with this e-mail you all receive the bits and pieces of my remaining tales in my favorite city. The random notes I noted, however, do not do my experience justice.

This trip to

Amsterdam

fully revived, awakened and inspired me.

In only one short month I progressed a great deal towards my ultimate goal of moving to the

Netherlands

. I made some great friends as well as one fantastic ‘special’ friend. I am already plotting my return for the month of August and simply putting one foot in front of the other to see where I end up wandering.

I have decided to simplify my life and prepare for an international move. Working in the

Netherlands

in not an easy feat but perhaps if there is such a strong will, there will be a way. Since returning to

Santa Cruz

I have thrown myself into work and attempting to secure more of the solitude I enjoy while being abroad. I am doing a great deal of cleaning and purging old and unnecessary belongings which always makes me a happier camper.

I am looking forward to a bright and glorious spring and summer. Runs on West Cliff, ballgames, BBQs with my pals, pride festivities, Dave’s visit in May, swimming, perhaps a long overdue trip to

Disneyland

, August in

Amsterdam

and maybe a house party or two will no doubt make 2006 wiz by in an instant. 

Epitomizing my move towards simplicity I shall end my blog here. The sometimes long-winded, tangential, Midwestern Dyl-um is still alive and well. I am simply in minimalist mode to make room for more brilliant tales and transforming adventures. 

I trust you all are happy, healthy and humorous these short although now longer end of the winter days. By all means drop a line sometime and don’t be a stranger… and please don’t be offended if I am bit of one! I’m simply in buckle down mode… it’s not that I don’t adore each and every one of you!

Tot gauw,

Dylan

Donderdag, Januari 12th, 2006

Tip for the day: Do not attempt to try and ride near the tram tracks with your bicycle in the rain. Big mistake! As usual I was following a local’s lead today on my way home, this time a sixty or seventy-year old gentleman. He veered around a truck into the middle of the road so what did I do, figured I should opt for the same course. Next thing you know I’m on the pavement. Joyous.

I’m having dreams about biking. I had one the other evening right as I was falling asleep where I was navigating the pavement and the wet curb, a sticky situation I’ve been tackling these first few school days. I jolted back in my dream so as to avoid the curb and actually jolted in my bed, waking myself up. Hilarious. Although I do prefer these and other such visions in Dutch to the hellish Starbucks and Burrito Max dreams I use to have when I first started working as said establishments. Moreover, I’m already getting more of an expert on my wheels, or so I like to think.

Anyway, back from Universiteit and going to study for a while. Just finished my first Turkish pizza since being here. Boy, I wish we had those back in

Santa Cruz

. Lekker! I have to get my bike light fixed before cruising over to Dave’s. Apparently the police can charge you with a forty Euro fine for not having proper lights. I think I knocked the mechanism out of place or something because it use to work and now it don’t. So study, bike shop, dinner at Dave’s and then perhaps some late night tooling around the city. The shops stay open until

21:00

on Donderdag across the country.  I am in desperate need of an English/Nederlands  dictionary. Anywho, that’s the word as I know it so far. Still a little sniffly. School rocks. I think my teacher has taken a liking to me and am thoroughly enjoyed the international atmosphere. More later.

Dave cooked dinner for me tonight. He made homemade tomato soup and witlof (chicory) with walnuts, cheese and mashed potatoes. It was delicious. Literally the first serious home cooked meal since I’ve been here. Witlof is a very traditional dish here. The Dutch are known for warm, hearty and simple food. The more exotic and complicated foods you find here are from foreign countries. For dessert he made a raspberry and cream dish which was to die for.

So after our meal and some digestion time the two of us took to the streets towards the heart of the city. Dave lives about a ten minute walk from my house and a ten minute walk to the city center. On Thursdays the shops all stay open until 21.00. Seeing as I still needed a dictionary we headed towards the main shopping street. We checked a bunch of different stores trying to find the best deal. Eventually, I scored myself a fine key to the Dutch language. We walked a great deal despite the cold but eventually had to call it quits and crash.

Vrijdag, Januari 13th, 2006

Tip of the day: Homemade rice pudding rocks! Today I had a very lesuirely day. Biked to school. Learned more Dutch. Met Dave for a snack at a funky café called Bazaar on the Albert Cuyp Market. Went shopping at Albert Cuyp for dinner that night. Learned how to make homemade creamed pasta sauce with tortalinni and homemade rice pudding. Watched part of ‘Daddy Little Dividend’ with Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor. And crashed. A great day indeed: beautiful weather, interesting sites, great company and delightful grub.

Zaterdag, Januari 14th, 2006

Tip for the day: Get outside before the sunrises in winter in

Amsterdam

. Today I didn’t have school. But I was up bright and early so I headed for Centraal Station to make a couple phone calls. On my way I stopped for some photos.

Amsterdam

in the early morning during the winter months is breathtaking if you have the strength to stop a minute in the cold and look around. Armed with mittens, scarves and gloves I fortunately did this gorgeous dawn. After purchasing a couple phone cards I eventually I got thru to Jen, Dexter, Nate and Vern. It was nearly

one am

their time and they were out partying in

San Francisco

. E-mail is great but it sure is nice to hear peoples voices for real. After running out of phone cards I meandered towards the shopping street for some souveniors. Joe and I stopped for a few photo ops. Figuring that many of my jeans no longer fit I decided I would splurge and buy a fabulous pair of eurofag jeans. After many attempts I finally found a couple delightful pairs. Securing a hearty stash of souvenirs I headed back towards my neighborhood. This time I took the Albert Cuyp, having the time to wander down the market, check out more closely the wealth of goodies just a few blocks from my place and score some necessities for the dinner I am cooking for Dave tomorrow night. Fortunately I somehow remembered I had to do it today as many if not most shops are closed on Sunday. Going home I unloaded my junk and headed to Albet Heijn for last minute supplies for dinner. Still slightly under the weather I ate, emailed and crashed early.

Zondag, Januari 15th, 2006

Tip of the day: Attaining a work permit in the

Netherlands

is a really freakin’, nearly impossible feat… nearly. This was definitely a slow Zonderdag for me. After a beautiful but full day out yesterday in the cold air I wasn’t in top condition waking up this morning. So I decided to stay in and catch up with school work, e-mails, expatriot research and general at home debauchery.

The day went by quickly and by sunset I was in the kitchen making portabella mushrooms, garlic mashed potatoes, salad for Dave and myself.

PORTABELLA MUSHROOMS

Marinade:
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 T Worchestershire Sauce
1/4 tsp. liquid smoke
3 minced garlic cloves
1/4 tsp. black pepper
2 large portabella mushroom caps
Directions:

Combine all marinade ingredients together. Place each mushroom in a shallow bowl, gill side up. Pour 1/2 of the marinade over each mushroom, pouring a little in the bottom of the bowl first, to wet the upside down cap, and the remainer into the upturned cap. Marinate for 5-10 minutes. Do not marinate longer as the mushrooms will absorb too much marinade.

Grill mushrooms on a wood or charcoal fire, or in a hot skillet on the stovetop, or under a broiler. 2-3 minutes per side will usually do, or until the mushrooms are browned and tender. This recipe for Garlic Mashed Potatoes serves 2.

http://www.fabulousfoods.com/recipes/main/veg/portabellaburger.html

GARLIC MASHED POTATOES

Ingredients:

6 medium Potatoes — Cubed

1 1/2 cup Milk

3 tablespoons Butter

4 cloves Garlic — minced

Salt And Pepper — to taste

Directions:

In large saucepan cook potatoes in 2 inches boiling water, covered, about 10 minutes until tender; drain thoroughly. Mash potatoes with electric hand mixer. Place milk, butter and garlic in small saucepan; set over medium-low heat and simmer until heated through, beat into potatoes until mixed and fluffy. Mix in additional milk, if necessary, to reach desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.

This recipe for Garlic Mashed Potatoes serves 4.

http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/338/Garlic_Mashed_Potatoes3793.shtml

The meal turned out well. It is funny trying to cook here during the winter. I’ve realized most of the food I make is not cold weather food. Regardless, the grub was great as was the company.

Maandag, Januari 16th, 2006

Tip for the day: Skule. Home. Study. Dave’s for dinner (eggs & paprika). Cocktail hour at Arc (beautiful gay bar on the main gay drag that is new since my last visit).

Dinsdag, Januari 17th,  2006

Tip for the day: Skule. Study. Dinner @ Lin’s (Dave’s hilarious friend from the

UK

).

Woesdag, Januari 18th, 2006

Tip for the day: Wake up. Muesli met koffie. Concertgebouwen met Ty & Chris. Bought phone. Home. Emails, etc. Schwarma dinner.

Donderdag, Januari 19th, 2006

Tip for the day: Wake up, Skule, Home, Study, Den Haag to hang with Kate & Linda. Back to

Amsterdam

by 2am.

Vrijdag, Januari 20th, 2006

Tip for the day: Wake up. Skule. Home for studying. Market for salsa ingredients. Burrito making with Dave. Little

Britain

. Went for walk around the block. Koffie at big bldg. near Dave’s. Early bedtime.

Zaterdag, Januari 21st, 2006

Tip for the day: Wake up. Koffie & Muesli. Leave for

Petra

’s. Ferry ride to Noord. Met

Petra

&

Charlotte

. Get Car. Tour area. Marken, Volendam,

Edam

. Gloves in Volendam. Walks in Marken & Edam. Chocolade melk met appel taart in ? Return to

Petra

’s. Ferry ride back. Dave’s place. Mooi nacht. Lekker slappen.

Zondag, Januari 22nd, 2006

Tip for the day: Slept in. Froot smoothie and koffie from Dave. TV and loungeing. Shower. Hema for kaas sandwich. Met old acquaintance of Dave’s. Ice cream, one flavour, delicious. Shop for long underwear for me. Shop for shoelaces for Dave. Cuckoo’s Nest for beer. The Web for beer another. Back to Dave’s with detour to grab Hitchhikker’s guide to the Galaxy & Surnamese food.

Maandag, Januari 23rd, 2006

Tip for the day:  Left Dave’s. Skule. Harring Broodje. Home. E-mails. Tidy mo. Market. Home. Dinner… microwaved lasanya. Studies. Dave stopped by for thee.

Dinsdag, Januari 24th, 2006

Tip for the day:  Wake up. Skule. Biked home. Albert Cuyp. Cooked dinner for Dave at my place… portabella mushrooms, peppers, onion, eggplant on bread with melted cheese. Walked to Dave’s. Finished movie from before.

Woesdag, Januari 25th, 2006

Tip for the day: Woke up at

6:30

. E-mails. Laundry. Met up with Ty and Chris from class. Concertgebowen.  Biked home. Blogged. Dinner with Dave & Petra & her housemate Charlotte in the North. Back to Dave’s.

Donderdag, Januari 26th, 2006

Tip for the day:

Vrijdag, Januari 27th, 2006

Tip for the day: Dinner at Mary Sue’s (ma’s friend) in

Rotterdam

18.00 uur. Fantastic lady with very sweet husband, Renee. He works for the city of

Rotterdam

in the planning department in AutoCAD! Hoping to visit his office upon returning in August.

Zaterdag, Januari 28th,  2006

Tip for the day:

Zondag, Januari 29th, 2006

Tip for the day:

Maandag, Januari 30th, 2006

Tip for the day

Dinsdag, Januari 31st, 2006

Tip for the day:  Get yer ass back here as quick as you can! Woke up @

6:30

. Koffie, cuddling and news in bed with Dave. Then shower while he made panckaken. Packed stuff up. Ate. Dressed. Prepared to leave. Schlepped junk to Metro. Very crowded. Got off at Amsterdam Zuid and boarded train to airport. Checked in. Had bags searched. Got rid of checked baggage. Went to Dave’s work. Had pictures taken out front. Met his work friends. Koffie. He took me to security. Said goodbye… actually tot ziens. Sad. Feeling like it will be strange for a while… my typical and expected culture shock will no doubt be even more difficult now. Man at passport check and at gate both sweet and encouraging when I expressed interest in a move here. A good omen perhaps? Booked it to gate with one stop for some real Heiniken. Boarded plane. Thinking of year to come and where it will take me and where I will take it. What a journey!