January 31st – Madrid, no thanks
Never thought I would say that, but there it is. Why?
Mostly if not only, the people. It starts with no one speaking English and proud of it ! There is no attempt to help you, direct you or treat you as a welcome guest. The people that stumble in English, are so hard to understand , that it makes it almost more complicated. It puzzles me, I also learned English as a second language and wanted to be understood.
They often won’t serve you in restaurants. No, correction, they serve everybody around you who is Spanish and then they may serve you. We have walked out twice, because it just took too long – we are talking 45 minutes to an hour here…- and then they yell at you.
A conductor raised his voice at us, because we descended from the wrong steps.
When asking where the bathrooms were in the Royal Place we were visiting, the guards just shrug their shoulders. And on and on.
But, Madrid is beautiful, breathtakingly so. On every corner is yet another beautiful building, piazza, sculpture, fountain, or artwork of a kind.
We are smack in the center and in the midst of the street performers. They take great pleasure in the weird stuff: the guy without a head, the 3 headed “table”, the woman in freeze position entirely covered in mud, Winnie the Pooh (not weird but huge),the frozen “Guardian” in gold and many many Micky’s and Minnies, all wearing the Ameican flag . For starters.
The Royal Palace. I don’t think I have ever seen so much wealth in one place. I assume the Vatican is that way and Versailles. Gold, tapestry, chrystal, beauty in its own right.
Apparently the king and queen of Spain are still using it for official functions, although the building dates back from the 1500 hundreds.
Parks. Inside it more palaces and buildings, some stemming from the Moors, some Christianity and /or the Crusades. Beautiful lakes, old trees that make you believe you are in a movie, but wearing the wrong clothes.
The weather is gorgous. Blue skies everyday, but chilly, as in low 40ties. We are still wearing layers of clothing, boots, 2 pair of socks, hats, gloves, scarfs, the works. But everything looks glistening and radiating, I forgot what the sun was all about!
I can’t speak to the food, I have the runs……
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
January 26th - Travel to Madrid
January 26th - Travel to Madrid
This morning at 7 am it was -9 C, we had no idea it had gotten so cold and it hit us like a ton of bricks as we worked our way to the train station.
Miissed our train by seconds - tried to open the doors,but no, but still made it in time to the airport.
Upon checking in it finally became clear what Easy Jet meant by "hand luggage" and take one piece on the plane.
All sorted out, walked ourselves to the waiting area, where we found out that we were dalayed by one hour. In fact, all Easy Jet trips were in a holding pattern, due to snow in the south of Europe!
We were the first to take off, got here fine and then had a two hour adventure to get from the airport to downtown Madrid...!
The hotel is a jewel, the weather bright and sunny but low 40ties, sorted out internet, pillows, maps and buses and set out.
We are drowning in Meditarrenean architecture which is in a word, breathtaking. The little beauty we saw so far is stunning, adorable and cosy. Think large squares, small streets, cafes cafes cafes, sculpted buildings, fountains, street music
We ate at 4pm, tappas and paella, but life does not pick up again till 8pm-ish, dinnertime,, even in the winter
We will venture out again............
This morning at 7 am it was -9 C, we had no idea it had gotten so cold and it hit us like a ton of bricks as we worked our way to the train station.
Miissed our train by seconds - tried to open the doors,but no, but still made it in time to the airport.
Upon checking in it finally became clear what Easy Jet meant by "hand luggage" and take one piece on the plane.
All sorted out, walked ourselves to the waiting area, where we found out that we were dalayed by one hour. In fact, all Easy Jet trips were in a holding pattern, due to snow in the south of Europe!
We were the first to take off, got here fine and then had a two hour adventure to get from the airport to downtown Madrid...!
The hotel is a jewel, the weather bright and sunny but low 40ties, sorted out internet, pillows, maps and buses and set out.
We are drowning in Meditarrenean architecture which is in a word, breathtaking. The little beauty we saw so far is stunning, adorable and cosy. Think large squares, small streets, cafes cafes cafes, sculpted buildings, fountains, street music
We ate at 4pm, tappas and paella, but life does not pick up again till 8pm-ish, dinnertime,, even in the winter
We will venture out again............
Monday, January 25, 2010
January 24th - Amsterdam
Amsterdam
When I woke up today, a world of snow
My heart fell with a thump, in love
And landed in this city, my home
And finally felt the grieve of going
I could not, would not face before,
always forward, never back.
But now the waters flow from me
And it, the beauty , sensibility
The thumping of a pulse, aligned
With mine and one more time
The snow came down and spread it thick
To soften sound and smell and ache
from love, this city, my home.
When I woke up today, a world of snow
My heart fell with a thump, in love
And landed in this city, my home
And finally felt the grieve of going
I could not, would not face before,
always forward, never back.
But now the waters flow from me
And it, the beauty , sensibility
The thumping of a pulse, aligned
With mine and one more time
The snow came down and spread it thick
To soften sound and smell and ache
from love, this city, my home.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
January 20th - Decided
January20th – Decided
To come back to the US.
While I was in Antwerp, without friends, family, animals or work , I had a lot of time to think and to feel. I missed them terribly and it became very clear to me that without the above, my life is not the life I want. I especially missed my immediate family (that includes the dogs!)
As motherhood progressed, I always thought – or was taught? – that when your children leave high school they are “done” with their parents. Little did I know and even though the relationship changes, it is not over, if ever.
I am not done and nor are they. So to put an ocean between my immediate family and myself is just not the right thing for me. I have not asked the opinion of my family, this is my decision. At the same time I think they are happy about it, taking into consideration remarks and comments I heard when we were together during Christmas.
What compromise is left for me is that I will not live on the same continent as my biological family ( in particular my brothers ) and some very dear old friends. I don’t know that I will ever be able to make a skintight move, it is just what I have created, this bi-continental conflict, maybe one day I will really find out why and can feel it as a blessing!
Meanwhile I like Amsterdam, it is great seeing some people and having enough time to seeing them twice and at length!
This is a beautiful city all around and I will miss it greatly.The canals with ice or with water or snow are magical, the architecture stunning, and geez, the people have become nicer it seems!Certainly their attitude about service has changed and most actually say now "have a nice day". First time I heard it I did a double take! Transportation with trams is a treat, you zip form here to there in no time, no car!!!
The weather has normalized: it is grey a lot, sun comes out now and then and it hoovers around upper 30ties and 40ties.
Tuesday 26 Sarah and I are going to Spain for a week – Madrid, Granada – to meet up with my niece and nephew who live there, watch the blog “Spain”
To come back to the US.
While I was in Antwerp, without friends, family, animals or work , I had a lot of time to think and to feel. I missed them terribly and it became very clear to me that without the above, my life is not the life I want. I especially missed my immediate family (that includes the dogs!)
As motherhood progressed, I always thought – or was taught? – that when your children leave high school they are “done” with their parents. Little did I know and even though the relationship changes, it is not over, if ever.
I am not done and nor are they. So to put an ocean between my immediate family and myself is just not the right thing for me. I have not asked the opinion of my family, this is my decision. At the same time I think they are happy about it, taking into consideration remarks and comments I heard when we were together during Christmas.
What compromise is left for me is that I will not live on the same continent as my biological family ( in particular my brothers ) and some very dear old friends. I don’t know that I will ever be able to make a skintight move, it is just what I have created, this bi-continental conflict, maybe one day I will really find out why and can feel it as a blessing!
Meanwhile I like Amsterdam, it is great seeing some people and having enough time to seeing them twice and at length!
This is a beautiful city all around and I will miss it greatly.The canals with ice or with water or snow are magical, the architecture stunning, and geez, the people have become nicer it seems!Certainly their attitude about service has changed and most actually say now "have a nice day". First time I heard it I did a double take! Transportation with trams is a treat, you zip form here to there in no time, no car!!!
The weather has normalized: it is grey a lot, sun comes out now and then and it hoovers around upper 30ties and 40ties.
Tuesday 26 Sarah and I are going to Spain for a week – Madrid, Granada – to meet up with my niece and nephew who live there, watch the blog “Spain”
Saturday, January 9, 2010
January 9th - Amsterdam!!
January 9th Amsterdam!
Usually, I do not edit my writings, but I did notice in the last blog, I really misspelled a lot, it must have been late, I am sorry.
Today is my brother’s 70th birthday: we had a fun party tonight and many family members were there, even the ones that now live in Spain, as well as many old friends from different parts of the country. It felt special to be there and yet, very normal at the same time. Of course I was there. It was exciting to “show off” my kids.
Coming here from Antwerp was a challenge. I think Antwerp had a gravitational pull on us, it took us a full hour to find our way out.
We traveled some into the south of Holland called Zeeland, known for its unspoiled beaches. Strange to be traveling through snow, some of it beautiful and sunny (!)
I did not know what I was looking for, but when we found it, I knew. A restaurant on the beach, unspoiled, quiet, ships going by and sun on the water, although freezing cold.
Magical and inspirational. The best coffee ever.
We decided to start for Amsterdam, it was 2pm and trying to get there before the worst rush hour.
At 4pm we had reached the airport (Schiphol) and within a few minutes it got dark. I even commented on it how early it was getting dark here.
Within minutes, no knowledge of the consequences, we drove into the “perfect storm”, snow coming from different directions at once and we, us, little people, were in the center of it. I don’t recall ever having seen such thick snowflakes and being in a wall of snow.
It conjured up respect for nature and later, being held hostage by the weather, helped us practice letting go of the idea that you are in control.
Traffic now came to a full stop almost immediately. We were 20 minutes away from Amsterdam. We were stuck for four (4) hours, whilst moving a foot or so, every minute.
We did not have a lot of gas and all had to pee. Did you ever wonder why you want to pee more and more, even when you don’t drink anything?
Never mind……what you ponder when you are stuck in traffic.
The gridlock was the longest on record, 140 kilometers (over 100 miles) and the salt/sand sprayers are out of salt for the season, yippie
I always wondered what causes a gridlock to resolve eventually, but this one took till midnight.
Meanwhile , we have all arrived in Amsterdam, unpacked, shopped, I made peasoup, we feel at home, loving it and have lots of stories to tell. The apartment is great.
It is so amazing how two countries so close together, can be so different, cultural shock all over again, but easier this time, mostly, because I know so many people here.
But navigating trams, buses and trains is a new one and somewhat exhausting. Where to buy the best bread, a paperclip or print something? And so on.
As for the immediate future, not clear and for now just experiencing the city of Amsterdam, new and old.
It is going to snow again tomorrow........
Usually, I do not edit my writings, but I did notice in the last blog, I really misspelled a lot, it must have been late, I am sorry.
Today is my brother’s 70th birthday: we had a fun party tonight and many family members were there, even the ones that now live in Spain, as well as many old friends from different parts of the country. It felt special to be there and yet, very normal at the same time. Of course I was there. It was exciting to “show off” my kids.
Coming here from Antwerp was a challenge. I think Antwerp had a gravitational pull on us, it took us a full hour to find our way out.
We traveled some into the south of Holland called Zeeland, known for its unspoiled beaches. Strange to be traveling through snow, some of it beautiful and sunny (!)
I did not know what I was looking for, but when we found it, I knew. A restaurant on the beach, unspoiled, quiet, ships going by and sun on the water, although freezing cold.
Magical and inspirational. The best coffee ever.
We decided to start for Amsterdam, it was 2pm and trying to get there before the worst rush hour.
At 4pm we had reached the airport (Schiphol) and within a few minutes it got dark. I even commented on it how early it was getting dark here.
Within minutes, no knowledge of the consequences, we drove into the “perfect storm”, snow coming from different directions at once and we, us, little people, were in the center of it. I don’t recall ever having seen such thick snowflakes and being in a wall of snow.
It conjured up respect for nature and later, being held hostage by the weather, helped us practice letting go of the idea that you are in control.
Traffic now came to a full stop almost immediately. We were 20 minutes away from Amsterdam. We were stuck for four (4) hours, whilst moving a foot or so, every minute.
We did not have a lot of gas and all had to pee. Did you ever wonder why you want to pee more and more, even when you don’t drink anything?
Never mind……what you ponder when you are stuck in traffic.
The gridlock was the longest on record, 140 kilometers (over 100 miles) and the salt/sand sprayers are out of salt for the season, yippie
I always wondered what causes a gridlock to resolve eventually, but this one took till midnight.
Meanwhile , we have all arrived in Amsterdam, unpacked, shopped, I made peasoup, we feel at home, loving it and have lots of stories to tell. The apartment is great.
It is so amazing how two countries so close together, can be so different, cultural shock all over again, but easier this time, mostly, because I know so many people here.
But navigating trams, buses and trains is a new one and somewhat exhausting. Where to buy the best bread, a paperclip or print something? And so on.
As for the immediate future, not clear and for now just experiencing the city of Amsterdam, new and old.
It is going to snow again tomorrow........
Saturday, January 2, 2010
December 31st - New Years Eve
December 31st – the Homestretch ( not posted yet)
And now, the end of the year is here
Three of the four kids are off travelling somewhere
My brother and his wife stayed with us for an overnighter and celebrate the New Year here with us in Antwerp, what a trip!
We went into town after lunch and much to our surprise, the centre was empty, as if a bomb had gone off
As the afternoon progressed and we were walking about drinking warm wine and enjoying coffees in the most beautiful places, people traffic picked up some .
Home for dinner, afterwards we each picked an angel card and talked about what that meant to us.
11pm rolled around and since we had heard that Antwerp put on a serious firework display, we set out. The metro was jampacked. Literally, body to body, depending on someone to move, so you could move
Giggly we looked at each other as in ” what have we done?!!” and then suddenly the train stopped and we all had to get out due to a fire on the rail…..divine intervention as it turned out.
As we surfaced from under ground, the streets were packed with people moving all towards the fireworks, but doable and space to breath. Fortunately the weather stayed just a tat above freezing, we were well dressed, no problem there
We ended up finding a very good spot near the river and the fireworks were terrific. I saw displays I had never seen before, we all agreed it was well worth it.
We decided to walk back to the apartment, together with a few thousand others
More warm wine, more champagne, to bed at 3am
Next day went to a festival in a tent, listened to gypsy music, drank coffee and more champagne and had pancakes and soup
All around different and fun, whilst talking to Belgians in their best mood, which does not happen a lot.
Now that all visitors have left, silence is upon us (David, Saar and me)
Have begun to clean up beds, blankets, sheets, collect boxes, re-organizing the apartment for the move ot Amsterdam on Wednesday the 6th.
Monday the cat will be picked up, I am so sad, I have become very attached to her.
Cold……
One resolution: kick back on sugar once again, a must do!
And now, the end of the year is here
Three of the four kids are off travelling somewhere
My brother and his wife stayed with us for an overnighter and celebrate the New Year here with us in Antwerp, what a trip!
We went into town after lunch and much to our surprise, the centre was empty, as if a bomb had gone off
As the afternoon progressed and we were walking about drinking warm wine and enjoying coffees in the most beautiful places, people traffic picked up some .
Home for dinner, afterwards we each picked an angel card and talked about what that meant to us.
11pm rolled around and since we had heard that Antwerp put on a serious firework display, we set out. The metro was jampacked. Literally, body to body, depending on someone to move, so you could move
Giggly we looked at each other as in ” what have we done?!!” and then suddenly the train stopped and we all had to get out due to a fire on the rail…..divine intervention as it turned out.
As we surfaced from under ground, the streets were packed with people moving all towards the fireworks, but doable and space to breath. Fortunately the weather stayed just a tat above freezing, we were well dressed, no problem there
We ended up finding a very good spot near the river and the fireworks were terrific. I saw displays I had never seen before, we all agreed it was well worth it.
We decided to walk back to the apartment, together with a few thousand others
More warm wine, more champagne, to bed at 3am
Next day went to a festival in a tent, listened to gypsy music, drank coffee and more champagne and had pancakes and soup
All around different and fun, whilst talking to Belgians in their best mood, which does not happen a lot.
Now that all visitors have left, silence is upon us (David, Saar and me)
Have begun to clean up beds, blankets, sheets, collect boxes, re-organizing the apartment for the move ot Amsterdam on Wednesday the 6th.
Monday the cat will be picked up, I am so sad, I have become very attached to her.
Cold……
One resolution: kick back on sugar once again, a must do!
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