Oct. 29, 2005
Music Reflects my Moods...and they Vary from Moment to Moment!
Jes the Adventurer Home Page: Une Very Stylish/Dimitri From Paris
Journal 1 Page: Tear The Roof Off The Sucker/George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic (Journal 1 page and
Music Selection dedicated to G.H.)
Journal 2 Page: Ku'u Ome Kahaluu/Abra Moore
Bon Jour,
We're totally having an Indian Summer here. This past week we've been seeing temperatures above 70 for our
daytime highs and in the mid to upper 50's a night. To make the pot even sweeter there has been little or no rain
in the forcast with mostly sunny skies. This is unseasonably warm and dry for this time of year. I'm certainly not
complaining and taking full advantage of it. It's funny how these temperatures would seem almost cold to me back
in Texas but I must have acclimated over the summer.
Funny too, I've been running around in short sleeves, happy as all hell that it's not raining and most of the Dutch
people out and about are already wearing full winter gear. Weird! You'd think they'd be more accostumed to
these temperatures? Anyway, it's supposed to hold out till the end of next week when highs and lows around here
should be more seasonal. The leaves haven't yet all fallen off the trees and the colors are pretty vibrant.
We got lucky weatherwise in Paris last weekend as well. Just a bit of rain on the way down and some overcast
skies but it stayed mostly sunny the entire weekend...I'd say sweatshirt or light jacket weather. Now Paris has
never been high up there on my list of places to go. Mostly because when I think of Paris I think of it being
overpriced and touristy. I'm glad though now, that I had this oppurtunity to go. I'd go back.
I think I fell in love with it's charm and most certain beauty while roaming the streets by myself. I had no real desire
to go do any tourist things. Instead I just took in the culture walking around the streets. I saw Notre-Dame only
because it was located nearby and as you can see from the pics, caught the Eiffel Tower in the far off distance. I
feel I got more out of my short trip there in not having any kind of real agenda.
I hear a lot of people saying they've have had a problem with the French. I never had a problem with any of the
French I've met in the States (it's been explained to me that the attitude probaly comes from those, towards those
that have an expectation for those to speak their language both in their country and in their own. I mean, think
about it. They know both their language, ours and probaly 3 or 4 others while hmmmmm, no comment! I never
once encountered any attitude towards my lack of the language. But then I at least responded to their Bon Jour,
even if it were the few words I could say in French and it followed with, "can you speak English" At least they could
see I was trying and not expecting them to have to speak my language and always thanking those who could! This
just happens to be my experience.
We lucked out w/ a really great apartment at the last minute even though Heather hadn't completely finished
booking it before we left http://www.rentparis.com/ (site for renting of private parisian apartements).
It turned out to be cheaper than most hotels in Paris (125 euros a night for 3 including taxes) and nicer, being that
it was a small apartment and could accomodate us all. Hell, Heather and I both agreed on being able to live there.
It had a completely full kitchenette w/ more gadgets than we have here in Eindhoven. Leave it to the gays for
detail. Straight, Gay or whatever..this is the way to go when considering traveling. You can be sure you're going
to get a clean accomodation down to the detail. It was right in the heart of Quartier du Marais and not but a quick
Metro ride away from anything.
As you can imagine, the french cuisine was awesome. There was something about ordering your food and glass
of wine in an outdoor cafe on a beautiful day and people watching. At that moment life couldn't be any
better...cept maybe when I stopped in a bar while roaming the streets, indulging in a nice blonde french beer
recommended by the bartender (okay, 2) and sat outside doing the same for a good hour just soaking up the
moments as they simply passed by.
We met up w/ an old co-worker friend of Heathers (Stefanie and her partner Heather who just recently moved to
the area) making our time in Paris an even more rewarding experience. These two happen to like camping (no
surprise there) and they happen to already be completely equipped...LOL :) I'm totally down for camping and I
hear it's great here in Europe. Come Spring!!!
Our last hours in Paris meeting up w/ the girls again for brunch, we managed to find ourselves at a very nice
outdoor cafe that just so happened to be serving Mexican food. Yumm!!! I'm telling you, it was the best since I've
left the State of Texas. Heather and I shared the Fajitas for 2 (was a tough choice because the Huevos Rancheros
was also calling my name) and we had to have a Dos Equis. It even came on a sizzling plate and the tortillas were
definetely home-made. This was authentic Mexican food (or am I just so out of touch?)...well, definetely better than
anything else I've had here in Holland! Topped it off with a slice of mouth-watering cheesecake I'd been craving
for several weeks. Delicious! I can almost feel my tastebuds orgasming now.
So far this weekend, it's off to a dance party tonight w/ one of the 1st people I met in the area, Ivo. Sounds like
fun. I hadn't done any night life stuff since Barcelona and I'm ready to dance. Stay Tuned for the next adventure
and enjoy the music...
bpaix et amour, Jes
Music Reflects my Moods...and they Vary from Moment to Moment!
Jes the Adventurer Home Page: Une Very Stylish/Dimitri From Paris
Journal 1 Page: Tear The Roof Off The Sucker/George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic (Journal 1 page and
Music Selection dedicated to G.H.)
Journal 2 Page: Ku'u Ome Kahaluu/Abra Moore
Bon Jour,
We're totally having an Indian Summer here. This past week we've been seeing temperatures above 70 for our
daytime highs and in the mid to upper 50's a night. To make the pot even sweeter there has been little or no rain
in the forcast with mostly sunny skies. This is unseasonably warm and dry for this time of year. I'm certainly not
complaining and taking full advantage of it. It's funny how these temperatures would seem almost cold to me back
in Texas but I must have acclimated over the summer.
Funny too, I've been running around in short sleeves, happy as all hell that it's not raining and most of the Dutch
people out and about are already wearing full winter gear. Weird! You'd think they'd be more accostumed to
these temperatures? Anyway, it's supposed to hold out till the end of next week when highs and lows around here
should be more seasonal. The leaves haven't yet all fallen off the trees and the colors are pretty vibrant.
We got lucky weatherwise in Paris last weekend as well. Just a bit of rain on the way down and some overcast
skies but it stayed mostly sunny the entire weekend...I'd say sweatshirt or light jacket weather. Now Paris has
never been high up there on my list of places to go. Mostly because when I think of Paris I think of it being
overpriced and touristy. I'm glad though now, that I had this oppurtunity to go. I'd go back.
I think I fell in love with it's charm and most certain beauty while roaming the streets by myself. I had no real desire
to go do any tourist things. Instead I just took in the culture walking around the streets. I saw Notre-Dame only
because it was located nearby and as you can see from the pics, caught the Eiffel Tower in the far off distance. I
feel I got more out of my short trip there in not having any kind of real agenda.
I hear a lot of people saying they've have had a problem with the French. I never had a problem with any of the
French I've met in the States (it's been explained to me that the attitude probaly comes from those, towards those
that have an expectation for those to speak their language both in their country and in their own. I mean, think
about it. They know both their language, ours and probaly 3 or 4 others while hmmmmm, no comment! I never
once encountered any attitude towards my lack of the language. But then I at least responded to their Bon Jour,
even if it were the few words I could say in French and it followed with, "can you speak English" At least they could
see I was trying and not expecting them to have to speak my language and always thanking those who could! This
just happens to be my experience.
We lucked out w/ a really great apartment at the last minute even though Heather hadn't completely finished
booking it before we left http://www.rentparis.com/ (site for renting of private parisian apartements).
It turned out to be cheaper than most hotels in Paris (125 euros a night for 3 including taxes) and nicer, being that
it was a small apartment and could accomodate us all. Hell, Heather and I both agreed on being able to live there.
It had a completely full kitchenette w/ more gadgets than we have here in Eindhoven. Leave it to the gays for
detail. Straight, Gay or whatever..this is the way to go when considering traveling. You can be sure you're going
to get a clean accomodation down to the detail. It was right in the heart of Quartier du Marais and not but a quick
Metro ride away from anything.
As you can imagine, the french cuisine was awesome. There was something about ordering your food and glass
of wine in an outdoor cafe on a beautiful day and people watching. At that moment life couldn't be any
better...cept maybe when I stopped in a bar while roaming the streets, indulging in a nice blonde french beer
recommended by the bartender (okay, 2) and sat outside doing the same for a good hour just soaking up the
moments as they simply passed by.
We met up w/ an old co-worker friend of Heathers (Stefanie and her partner Heather who just recently moved to
the area) making our time in Paris an even more rewarding experience. These two happen to like camping (no
surprise there) and they happen to already be completely equipped...LOL :) I'm totally down for camping and I
hear it's great here in Europe. Come Spring!!!
Our last hours in Paris meeting up w/ the girls again for brunch, we managed to find ourselves at a very nice
outdoor cafe that just so happened to be serving Mexican food. Yumm!!! I'm telling you, it was the best since I've
left the State of Texas. Heather and I shared the Fajitas for 2 (was a tough choice because the Huevos Rancheros
was also calling my name) and we had to have a Dos Equis. It even came on a sizzling plate and the tortillas were
definetely home-made. This was authentic Mexican food (or am I just so out of touch?)...well, definetely better than
anything else I've had here in Holland! Topped it off with a slice of mouth-watering cheesecake I'd been craving
for several weeks. Delicious! I can almost feel my tastebuds orgasming now.
So far this weekend, it's off to a dance party tonight w/ one of the 1st people I met in the area, Ivo. Sounds like
fun. I hadn't done any night life stuff since Barcelona and I'm ready to dance. Stay Tuned for the next adventure
and enjoy the music...
bpaix et amour, Jes
Journal Entry/Tues/Oct.18, 2005
Music Reflects my Moods...and they Vary from Moment to Moment!
Jes the Adventurer Home Page: Spanish Guitar/Jesse Cook
Journal 1 Page: Dr. Funkenstein/George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic (Journal 1 page and Music Selection dedicated to G.H.)
Journal 2 Page: Moondance/Van Morrison
Hey All,
Just back from Barcelona Sunday to a full moon. I'm once again drawn to a culture that I can only describe as a part of me. I get the
same feeling there as I get both times I went to Greece. Remembering my last trip to Santorini and meeting a complete stranger on
the street who asked me what brings me to this beautiful island. I told him it was my 2nd time there and I just felt drawn to both it's
beauty and culture. He then asked me what was my heritage and I gave him my mutt background in short. He simply responded
with, "aaaah yessss, this is where your peoples come from". It suddenly made sense and makes even more sense today as I find
myself wanting to know more of where I come from.
I most certainly want to go back there. I don't feel finished with it. The same as I must go to Italy some day, where more ancestors
come from, Calabria! Perhaps, that's why I'm here in Holland today. I'm not at all drawn to the culture here, not connected as I am in
these other places. It's nice, I like it, but it's not the "final frontier". It does however, bring me closer to these places I feel connected
to. Here, on my journey called life.
Even with the Fall weather bringing rain into the Barcelona area I managed to get some beach time in twice on my short visit (the
weather here was much warmer in spite of the rain and only sometimes required a light jacket in the later hours). The water was
nice; cleansing; empowering! How fortunate I was as a child to experience and appreciate the beauty of an ocean. Lucky me, being it
was in Puerto Rico.
The adventure was an inexpensive few days estimated at under 200 euros each, including the flight and accomodations...until we
made the last minute discovery that the budget airline we were flying out on was at a completely different Brussels airport than the
one we showed up at. We had no choice at that late hour but to take a cab to the other airport (about an hour away). It was a very
costly mistake (140 euros, the amount for both our flight and accomodations for the entire trip) as both Juriaan and I were traveling on
a budget. We were also to arrive at an airport about an hour outside of Barcelona. Oh well, what to do but to make the best of the
situation. A nice Sangria and some good food of the land was to help.
A few days earlier I met Twila (Herb Bar) in Amsterdam. She was my 1st visitor to the area. She stayed here in Eindhoven the few
days before we 3 headed for Brussels where she too, was to fly out of. We had a nice visit, making it into Amsterdam for a day trip
and a couple of the usual tourist attractions in both Amsterdam and Eindhoven (hhhhmmm, ordering off the menu still has an appeal
to this foreigner).
A nice leisurely breakfast in Brussels before parting of ways. I'm anxious to see some of the pictures she took with her camera. As
well, as some of the shots Juriaan got in Barcelona. I'll post those next time. Here you'll see some I took over the last couple weeks.
Heather is in Paris on buisness for a couple days and thinking about turning back around for a weekend road trip planned for the 3 of
us. Alex is on holiday (fall break) this week. Twist my arm! Rome is planned for a few days next month. More on that as it develops.
A bit of drama has developed with our neibors next door (older generation/Dutch). Seems they have personally filed a complaint
against me. It's all over the fact that they DO NOT like my music as well as we're pretty sure it has something to do with race. Like I'm
a rebellious teenager still, and purposely trying to blast them out of their home.
Oh yeah, Heather and I are big time partiers and we're blasting them out (and on my little laptop speakers). They had the nerve to ask
us to wear earphones in our own home. The police are now involved to mediate. We had tried to work out something w/ the neibors
ourselves understanding their need for peace at the same time wanting to listen to music in our own home and yard (once during the
summer we had guests over and music at a low volume in the back yard...they asked us to turn it down). After confirming w/ our other
Dutch friends that this isn't at all the norm and that we just had the misfortune of living next door to someone that probaly could use a
prescription to valium. How American!!!
It's definetely a fall morning at a cool 43 degrees (must be getting used to it as it really doesn't seem so bad) and a high expected of
57 later today...I managed to catch a shooting star over clear skies out the corner of my eye and the brightness of still, a full moon
greet me at this early hour. Stay tuned for the next adventure..meanwhile enjoying the sounds, pictures and words of the previous.
Peace and Love, Jes
Music Reflects my Moods...and they Vary from Moment to Moment!
Jes the Adventurer Home Page: Spanish Guitar/Jesse Cook
Journal 1 Page: Dr. Funkenstein/George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic (Journal 1 page and Music Selection dedicated to G.H.)
Journal 2 Page: Moondance/Van Morrison
Hey All,
Just back from Barcelona Sunday to a full moon. I'm once again drawn to a culture that I can only describe as a part of me. I get the
same feeling there as I get both times I went to Greece. Remembering my last trip to Santorini and meeting a complete stranger on
the street who asked me what brings me to this beautiful island. I told him it was my 2nd time there and I just felt drawn to both it's
beauty and culture. He then asked me what was my heritage and I gave him my mutt background in short. He simply responded
with, "aaaah yessss, this is where your peoples come from". It suddenly made sense and makes even more sense today as I find
myself wanting to know more of where I come from.
I most certainly want to go back there. I don't feel finished with it. The same as I must go to Italy some day, where more ancestors
come from, Calabria! Perhaps, that's why I'm here in Holland today. I'm not at all drawn to the culture here, not connected as I am in
these other places. It's nice, I like it, but it's not the "final frontier". It does however, bring me closer to these places I feel connected
to. Here, on my journey called life.
Even with the Fall weather bringing rain into the Barcelona area I managed to get some beach time in twice on my short visit (the
weather here was much warmer in spite of the rain and only sometimes required a light jacket in the later hours). The water was
nice; cleansing; empowering! How fortunate I was as a child to experience and appreciate the beauty of an ocean. Lucky me, being it
was in Puerto Rico.
The adventure was an inexpensive few days estimated at under 200 euros each, including the flight and accomodations...until we
made the last minute discovery that the budget airline we were flying out on was at a completely different Brussels airport than the
one we showed up at. We had no choice at that late hour but to take a cab to the other airport (about an hour away). It was a very
costly mistake (140 euros, the amount for both our flight and accomodations for the entire trip) as both Juriaan and I were traveling on
a budget. We were also to arrive at an airport about an hour outside of Barcelona. Oh well, what to do but to make the best of the
situation. A nice Sangria and some good food of the land was to help.
A few days earlier I met Twila (Herb Bar) in Amsterdam. She was my 1st visitor to the area. She stayed here in Eindhoven the few
days before we 3 headed for Brussels where she too, was to fly out of. We had a nice visit, making it into Amsterdam for a day trip
and a couple of the usual tourist attractions in both Amsterdam and Eindhoven (hhhhmmm, ordering off the menu still has an appeal
to this foreigner).
A nice leisurely breakfast in Brussels before parting of ways. I'm anxious to see some of the pictures she took with her camera. As
well, as some of the shots Juriaan got in Barcelona. I'll post those next time. Here you'll see some I took over the last couple weeks.
Heather is in Paris on buisness for a couple days and thinking about turning back around for a weekend road trip planned for the 3 of
us. Alex is on holiday (fall break) this week. Twist my arm! Rome is planned for a few days next month. More on that as it develops.
A bit of drama has developed with our neibors next door (older generation/Dutch). Seems they have personally filed a complaint
against me. It's all over the fact that they DO NOT like my music as well as we're pretty sure it has something to do with race. Like I'm
a rebellious teenager still, and purposely trying to blast them out of their home.
Oh yeah, Heather and I are big time partiers and we're blasting them out (and on my little laptop speakers). They had the nerve to ask
us to wear earphones in our own home. The police are now involved to mediate. We had tried to work out something w/ the neibors
ourselves understanding their need for peace at the same time wanting to listen to music in our own home and yard (once during the
summer we had guests over and music at a low volume in the back yard...they asked us to turn it down). After confirming w/ our other
Dutch friends that this isn't at all the norm and that we just had the misfortune of living next door to someone that probaly could use a
prescription to valium. How American!!!
It's definetely a fall morning at a cool 43 degrees (must be getting used to it as it really doesn't seem so bad) and a high expected of
57 later today...I managed to catch a shooting star over clear skies out the corner of my eye and the brightness of still, a full moon
greet me at this early hour. Stay tuned for the next adventure..meanwhile enjoying the sounds, pictures and words of the previous.
Peace and Love, Jes
Journal Update Sept. 29, 2005 (Thursday)
Hey All,
BBRRRR! Fall is here (Our Winter in Austin)! Even though you wouldn't know it in Texas from what I hear and remember. Last couple weeks
around here have been a slow ease into the cold about to come, highs mostly just above 70 degrees and unusually dry for the season from what
I've been told. This week it's been slowly dropping into the 60's and tomarro's high, 57. The lowest low yet will be early next week getting down to
the mid-40's at night. Am I ready for it? No, not really! But at least it hasn't been the rainy cold that is common already this time of year. Guess
this is what we call an indian summer. You'd probably welcome this today, overcast and 62!
I seemed to have caught a cold right after getting back from Berlin. Alex and Heather both had it just before I left. I was down all last week with it,
finally felt a bit better the last of the weekend catching dinner and a movie w/ Jef in Tilburg on Sunday. And a nice home cooked spicy dinner in w/
Juriaan in Breda, Monday night. Guess I overdid my relaxing because so far this week I've had a relapse twice as bad as the previous. No fun!
I intend on being better by tomorrow. Heather and I are having one of our rare dance nights out together, while Alex will be at a sleep-over. It's
been a strange last week w/ Hurricane Rita hitting you guys in Texas. I'd say mother nature is pretty pissed off these days...probaly, in some
strange way trying to get our attention and hopefully waking up our country further to the obvious.
My anger towards the way our government continues to handle the good old US of A has surely been intensified, while reading a book I highly
recommend. "Dude, Where's My Country" by, Michael Moore. The latest I'm hearing from people here..."America is falling apart". Is it obvious?
How could I argue that when strangely enough I myself have recently been even more awakened. Read the book!!!
My 1st visitor to the area Twila (Herb Bar/Austin), will be here a week from Saturday. I will meet her in Amsterdam, we'll stay the night there, do a
couple tourist things Sunday before coming back to Eindhoven for a couple days to hang out...then we're off to Brussels where she flies back to
States and Juriaan and I, onto Barcelona (he's been there before, so I'm getting a personal tour) for 4 days. I'm also hoping to see my friend Chad
(recently moved to Madrid about the same time I left the States), while I'm in the area. It's gonna be a busy week! So yeah (NO), I must not have
any of this bug lingering! Go away!!!
The pics of Berlin on this weeks update were taken by my friend Jason while we were there. My favorite is the one taken w/ his grandmother
Renate (Renee). The pic of me in Jef's kitchen was taken by Jef (check out his website: http://www.flickr.com/photos/veertien , of his sharing the
mind's eye). And of course, there's the pic of my dear friend Abra, doing what she's great at and looking damn good!
Back to my book and a little more rest. How about a quick hello from some of you I haven't heard from, catch me up up on what's going on in your
neck of the woods. JA (yes), you know who you are (ya lazy bums). C'mon, I'm feeling like crap and it'd be nice to hear from you (I'll take back the
part about being a lazy bum). Alrighty, stay tuned for the next adventure. Meanwhile, To Your Health!!!
Peace and Love, Jes
Music Reflects my Moods...and they Vary from Moment to Moment!
Main Page: Strangest Places/Abra Moore
Journal 1: Smoke and Mirrors/RJD2 (Journal 1 page and Music Selection dedicated to G.H.)
Journal 2: GhostWriter/RJD2
Hey All,
BBRRRR! Fall is here (Our Winter in Austin)! Even though you wouldn't know it in Texas from what I hear and remember. Last couple weeks
around here have been a slow ease into the cold about to come, highs mostly just above 70 degrees and unusually dry for the season from what
I've been told. This week it's been slowly dropping into the 60's and tomarro's high, 57. The lowest low yet will be early next week getting down to
the mid-40's at night. Am I ready for it? No, not really! But at least it hasn't been the rainy cold that is common already this time of year. Guess
this is what we call an indian summer. You'd probably welcome this today, overcast and 62!
I seemed to have caught a cold right after getting back from Berlin. Alex and Heather both had it just before I left. I was down all last week with it,
finally felt a bit better the last of the weekend catching dinner and a movie w/ Jef in Tilburg on Sunday. And a nice home cooked spicy dinner in w/
Juriaan in Breda, Monday night. Guess I overdid my relaxing because so far this week I've had a relapse twice as bad as the previous. No fun!
I intend on being better by tomorrow. Heather and I are having one of our rare dance nights out together, while Alex will be at a sleep-over. It's
been a strange last week w/ Hurricane Rita hitting you guys in Texas. I'd say mother nature is pretty pissed off these days...probaly, in some
strange way trying to get our attention and hopefully waking up our country further to the obvious.
My anger towards the way our government continues to handle the good old US of A has surely been intensified, while reading a book I highly
recommend. "Dude, Where's My Country" by, Michael Moore. The latest I'm hearing from people here..."America is falling apart". Is it obvious?
How could I argue that when strangely enough I myself have recently been even more awakened. Read the book!!!
My 1st visitor to the area Twila (Herb Bar/Austin), will be here a week from Saturday. I will meet her in Amsterdam, we'll stay the night there, do a
couple tourist things Sunday before coming back to Eindhoven for a couple days to hang out...then we're off to Brussels where she flies back to
States and Juriaan and I, onto Barcelona (he's been there before, so I'm getting a personal tour) for 4 days. I'm also hoping to see my friend Chad
(recently moved to Madrid about the same time I left the States), while I'm in the area. It's gonna be a busy week! So yeah (NO), I must not have
any of this bug lingering! Go away!!!
The pics of Berlin on this weeks update were taken by my friend Jason while we were there. My favorite is the one taken w/ his grandmother
Renate (Renee). The pic of me in Jef's kitchen was taken by Jef (check out his website: http://www.flickr.com/photos/veertien , of his sharing the
mind's eye). And of course, there's the pic of my dear friend Abra, doing what she's great at and looking damn good!
Back to my book and a little more rest. How about a quick hello from some of you I haven't heard from, catch me up up on what's going on in your
neck of the woods. JA (yes), you know who you are (ya lazy bums). C'mon, I'm feeling like crap and it'd be nice to hear from you (I'll take back the
part about being a lazy bum). Alrighty, stay tuned for the next adventure. Meanwhile, To Your Health!!!
Peace and Love, Jes
Music Reflects my Moods...and they Vary from Moment to Moment!
Main Page: Strangest Places/Abra Moore
Journal 1: Smoke and Mirrors/RJD2 (Journal 1 page and Music Selection dedicated to G.H.)
Journal 2: GhostWriter/RJD2
Journal Update Sept.21, 2005 (Wed.)
Hey All,
The journey continues...just back Monday afternoon from a 2nd trip to Berlin (I love that city), to see a long time friend, Jason from Ft. Lauderdale in
the area for a few days w/ his grandmother (a few pics taken by him will be posted next time). Arrived in Berlin by train around 13:30 Friday afternoon.
It had been raining the night before and thought as I was walking to the train station that morning in the rain, that more might be on the way for the
weekend. Good thing it cleared up by the time I arrived and remained sunny the entire time I was there (good thing INDEED, since I left my umbrella
at the Eindhoven train station...however, I did not forget my passport this time which the border patrol INDEED checked). One thing I do enjoy the
most about a train versus a flight is the oppurtunity always seems more in favor of meeting someone kewl on the long ride over. Bart from
Amsterdam (nope, don't think he's related to any of the Simpsons).
I rented a room recommended by my friend Antoine (he already had a guest staying w/ him) that I'd recommend to anyone traveling in the area
located in East Berlin for only 18 euros a night http://www.gaestezimmer-berlin.de.vu/ It was a nice clean room, w/ tv (all in German except BBC
News), nice bathroom shared w/ only the owner of the flat, and use of the kitchen (decided to eat out the whole time).
I had some problems right off trying to top off my minutes on the cell so that I could text Jason and make plans to meet up later. Lucky me, I had
access to a house phone to phone him locally. We met up for a couple beers in Alexanderplatz and after 2 years of not seeing this good friend, it was
like it had been only yesterday. I missed my stop somehow (and thought I was on the wrong tram) going back to my room, and ended up
somewhere way out in bum fu_ _ Eygpt somewhere, way after midnight thinking how the hell am I going to get back. I was in an area there seemed
to be nothing around but a lot of drunk teen-agers and no phone or cab to be found. Fortunately, I discovered a tram in the right direction (at this time
of night they weren't running too often) and made it back to my room about 2:30 a.m. FIANALLY!!!
Saturday I hung out w/ Wojtek, seeing a few sites I'd already seen (c- pics of church ruins) and a church I somehow missed the 1st time. I didn't have
my tour guide, Antoine and the description was in German but I thought the ruins of this church looked kewl enough to take a few pics. Later again,
meeting up w/ Jason and his grandmother for dinner in West Berlin. Very good food here and great company of old friends and new. After we left off
Jason's grandmother we did a boys' nite out at a couple Berlin hotspots. It was after 6 a.m. when I finally laid my body down again for rest, and only a
few short hours before getting up to enjoy a Sunday (my last day in Berlin) coffee w/ Wojtek. The coffee wasn't that great here and the service
really,really extra slow. Coffee cups were small and I learned right away if I was to get my normal caffiene fix that I'd have to order my next coffee when
the waitress brought me my current cup. I still found myself finishing long before I'd get the next (and I was drinking it really slow as it got almost cold
while I was journaling).
I had hoped to catch up again w/ Jason before I had to catch my train back to Eindhoven early Monday morning. Last we spoke he had family
obligations and that we'd touch base and meet up somehow, later Sunday evening. Now remember...I wasn't able to top off my minutes on my cell
and turns out I didn't have access to another public phone again until I took the chance and went back out to the area in West Berlin, where we had
been at the night before. I managed to get in a couple phone calls to the nice German lady where he and his grandmother were staying (after a
couple nice buisness establishments open allowed me to make a local call). Both times I called he was still w/ family and I left a message to let him
know where I was at so he could find me. Ha...she didn't quite know what the hell I was saying so by the time Jason got back from his obligations he
wasn't so clear as to what to do...so he didn't!
Meanwhile, I'd met some guys from Amsterdam I ended up having dinner with at a great Indian resturant. These were some easy guys to talk to and
we shared good conversation, good food, and yes, good German beers. It was getting pretty late at this point and I wanted to go back to the bar to
see if maybe Jason had shown up, to no avail. Then I discover that the underground quits running early on Sunday nights. At this point, what to
do??? The Amsterdam guys had already called it a night and I was on my own. I thought I'd take a cab back but being that I was in West Berlin
staying way the hell out in East Berlin (a good hour away), but very expensive. I decided to go back to the club where we were last having a beer, to
find out when the underground began running again. Here, I was in a forced position to just chill out and buy a beer. The atmosphere was nice and I
easily made a new friend for the rest of my stay in this part of town before the underground resumed its' scedule once again after 4 a.m. taking me
back to the East side just in time for a quick shower, throw my stuff in a bag and head to the train station to catch a train back to Eindhoven. Did it
(with an hour to spare at the station). I slept most of the way back and then passed out nice and hard once arriving back home.
Yesterday (Tues.) was spent in preparation for a little b-day celebration for Alex. He turned 10 Sunday (the pic on this update of him has already been
posted before, but this one is a copy of one that Wesley had sent me especially for Alex, in his minds eye! Happy Birthday little buddy!
Sorry Bruce (happy belated), I left my address book at home that has all my bdays in it. Alex reminded me that it was on Friday (I knew it was around
the same time...just couldn't remember the date). Anyone else I've forgotten I'm sorry, maybe ya'll can send me your b-dates and I'll update my files
here in The Netherlands. In the cobwebs of my brain, I remember Jane's bday to be next (Happy Birthday Jane)...so, ok..I haven't completely forgotten
everything...YET!!!
All the other pics posted w/ this entry were taken on Sunday Sept.11th on a day outing w/ new friends to Antwerpen, Belgium (a nice quaint town,
home to a lot of really kewl old mid-evil buildings and fine Belgium beers)! It was an adventurous day spent off and on in the rain but a comfortable
temperature, on a weekend dedicated in both Holland and Belgium for history (this means you could see anything for free I guess w/ whomever
participated, museums, etc.). We saw the inside of 1 very old church before deciding on our 1st beer. Good times, good friends!!! Stay tuned to
wherever the next adventure takes me.
This weeks music selections:
Main Page:Talking' Bout a Revolution/Tracy Chapman
Journal 1: The Horror/RJD2 (Journal 1 page and Music Selection dedicated to G.H.)
Journal 2: Strangest Places/Abra Moore
Peace and Love, Jes
Hey All,
The journey continues...just back Monday afternoon from a 2nd trip to Berlin (I love that city), to see a long time friend, Jason from Ft. Lauderdale in
the area for a few days w/ his grandmother (a few pics taken by him will be posted next time). Arrived in Berlin by train around 13:30 Friday afternoon.
It had been raining the night before and thought as I was walking to the train station that morning in the rain, that more might be on the way for the
weekend. Good thing it cleared up by the time I arrived and remained sunny the entire time I was there (good thing INDEED, since I left my umbrella
at the Eindhoven train station...however, I did not forget my passport this time which the border patrol INDEED checked). One thing I do enjoy the
most about a train versus a flight is the oppurtunity always seems more in favor of meeting someone kewl on the long ride over. Bart from
Amsterdam (nope, don't think he's related to any of the Simpsons).
I rented a room recommended by my friend Antoine (he already had a guest staying w/ him) that I'd recommend to anyone traveling in the area
located in East Berlin for only 18 euros a night http://www.gaestezimmer-berlin.de.vu/ It was a nice clean room, w/ tv (all in German except BBC
News), nice bathroom shared w/ only the owner of the flat, and use of the kitchen (decided to eat out the whole time).
I had some problems right off trying to top off my minutes on the cell so that I could text Jason and make plans to meet up later. Lucky me, I had
access to a house phone to phone him locally. We met up for a couple beers in Alexanderplatz and after 2 years of not seeing this good friend, it was
like it had been only yesterday. I missed my stop somehow (and thought I was on the wrong tram) going back to my room, and ended up
somewhere way out in bum fu_ _ Eygpt somewhere, way after midnight thinking how the hell am I going to get back. I was in an area there seemed
to be nothing around but a lot of drunk teen-agers and no phone or cab to be found. Fortunately, I discovered a tram in the right direction (at this time
of night they weren't running too often) and made it back to my room about 2:30 a.m. FIANALLY!!!
Saturday I hung out w/ Wojtek, seeing a few sites I'd already seen (c- pics of church ruins) and a church I somehow missed the 1st time. I didn't have
my tour guide, Antoine and the description was in German but I thought the ruins of this church looked kewl enough to take a few pics. Later again,
meeting up w/ Jason and his grandmother for dinner in West Berlin. Very good food here and great company of old friends and new. After we left off
Jason's grandmother we did a boys' nite out at a couple Berlin hotspots. It was after 6 a.m. when I finally laid my body down again for rest, and only a
few short hours before getting up to enjoy a Sunday (my last day in Berlin) coffee w/ Wojtek. The coffee wasn't that great here and the service
really,really extra slow. Coffee cups were small and I learned right away if I was to get my normal caffiene fix that I'd have to order my next coffee when
the waitress brought me my current cup. I still found myself finishing long before I'd get the next (and I was drinking it really slow as it got almost cold
while I was journaling).
I had hoped to catch up again w/ Jason before I had to catch my train back to Eindhoven early Monday morning. Last we spoke he had family
obligations and that we'd touch base and meet up somehow, later Sunday evening. Now remember...I wasn't able to top off my minutes on my cell
and turns out I didn't have access to another public phone again until I took the chance and went back out to the area in West Berlin, where we had
been at the night before. I managed to get in a couple phone calls to the nice German lady where he and his grandmother were staying (after a
couple nice buisness establishments open allowed me to make a local call). Both times I called he was still w/ family and I left a message to let him
know where I was at so he could find me. Ha...she didn't quite know what the hell I was saying so by the time Jason got back from his obligations he
wasn't so clear as to what to do...so he didn't!
Meanwhile, I'd met some guys from Amsterdam I ended up having dinner with at a great Indian resturant. These were some easy guys to talk to and
we shared good conversation, good food, and yes, good German beers. It was getting pretty late at this point and I wanted to go back to the bar to
see if maybe Jason had shown up, to no avail. Then I discover that the underground quits running early on Sunday nights. At this point, what to
do??? The Amsterdam guys had already called it a night and I was on my own. I thought I'd take a cab back but being that I was in West Berlin
staying way the hell out in East Berlin (a good hour away), but very expensive. I decided to go back to the club where we were last having a beer, to
find out when the underground began running again. Here, I was in a forced position to just chill out and buy a beer. The atmosphere was nice and I
easily made a new friend for the rest of my stay in this part of town before the underground resumed its' scedule once again after 4 a.m. taking me
back to the East side just in time for a quick shower, throw my stuff in a bag and head to the train station to catch a train back to Eindhoven. Did it
(with an hour to spare at the station). I slept most of the way back and then passed out nice and hard once arriving back home.
Yesterday (Tues.) was spent in preparation for a little b-day celebration for Alex. He turned 10 Sunday (the pic on this update of him has already been
posted before, but this one is a copy of one that Wesley had sent me especially for Alex, in his minds eye! Happy Birthday little buddy!
Sorry Bruce (happy belated), I left my address book at home that has all my bdays in it. Alex reminded me that it was on Friday (I knew it was around
the same time...just couldn't remember the date). Anyone else I've forgotten I'm sorry, maybe ya'll can send me your b-dates and I'll update my files
here in The Netherlands. In the cobwebs of my brain, I remember Jane's bday to be next (Happy Birthday Jane)...so, ok..I haven't completely forgotten
everything...YET!!!
All the other pics posted w/ this entry were taken on Sunday Sept.11th on a day outing w/ new friends to Antwerpen, Belgium (a nice quaint town,
home to a lot of really kewl old mid-evil buildings and fine Belgium beers)! It was an adventurous day spent off and on in the rain but a comfortable
temperature, on a weekend dedicated in both Holland and Belgium for history (this means you could see anything for free I guess w/ whomever
participated, museums, etc.). We saw the inside of 1 very old church before deciding on our 1st beer. Good times, good friends!!! Stay tuned to
wherever the next adventure takes me.
This weeks music selections:
Main Page:Talking' Bout a Revolution/Tracy Chapman
Journal 1: The Horror/RJD2 (Journal 1 page and Music Selection dedicated to G.H.)
Journal 2: Strangest Places/Abra Moore
Peace and Love, Jes
Journal Update: 9 September 2005
Hey All,
The past week and several days now I've been doing what most of you have been doing. I'm still in shock and disbelief and very much angered at the
lack of government help in the country in which I was born and raised. I can only now watch the news reports on CNN in short intervals.
I could go on and on about it all. I do not understand! I hear it from this end and everyone here is wondering the same. Why? Why all the red tape
and bureaucracy ? What’s up with the damn pride shit? Allies such as Cuba and Germany have offered their help in our crises (human error) to no
response from the U.S. and that's only 2 they turned down.
It's absurd from where I stand. And that's just my opinion. Funny, I've never been very political before but I do stand up for what I believe in and am
extremely passionate about it. We have no control over the weather. It's the human error that is the real tragedy here. Most of us are aware those
leevys should have been fixed long ago...and if you aren't aware, then check out the documented proof that Bush and his administration cut the damn
budget and it got put off along w/ the rest of U.S. needs! Reports going back a long way state the great possibilities of such a hurricane happening as
inevitable and the fact that New Orleans wouldn't be able to withstand such a hit w/out paying special attention in repairing the leevys.
It was simply ignored??? Why??? There simply wasn't enough cash in the old budget...let's see, where has all the richest country's money gone to
lately? We won't even go there....I see RED!!! This crap is unimaginable and from where I sit...it doesn't look so good from this end. But then, most of
us are already aware of that. Some maybe just waking up...and then well, we won't go there either.
Instead, I'm putting all my energy the last several days in helping Wesley and the rest of my friends help in any way possible in rebuilding all that
needs to be rebuild. That's what we do when we get knocked down and shit on. We do whatever we can and we continue to live. I feel great about
what I'm doing now after having felt helpless. I have plenty of free time on my hands to dedicate time into Wesley's site which he has been so kind to
share with me and now more than ever we've teamed up in getting out every bit of information we can get out to you "our friends".
Meanwhile, life here in The Netherlands is interesting to say the least. Ever since the shit hit the fan there I have heard nothing but how stupid our
country looks and blah blah blah, why is he still in office...they think our voting system is an accurate and honest one...and that we must have voted
him in...I've had to correct them several times on that one...believing here (you can't change my mind) that it is corrupt. So, yeah...that's what I'm
hearing a lot of.
I joined good friends of Juriaan, Koen (birthday boy), his sister Karen, Wouter and Danielle (the only names I can remember because I wrote them
down) and several others in an intimate Birthday BBQ gathering in the park last Saturday. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. It was a
nice intimate bunch of us, eating good food (well some of it was a little burnt), drinking some nice wine , and good peeps to chill with. Alex was with
me on this outing (Heather away for business for a few days). He tired himself out playing ball (the ball only went into the water a couple times) and
he fell asleep under a clear starry night. Now...when the Dutch say BBQ...it's nothing like what we're used to in Texas. They're idea of a BBQ in the
park is a little foil tin tray that (I guess) is bought that way for one use and disposal purposes. It wasn't that big but they did manage to cook quite a
lot. They imagined the whole cow or pig thing roasting over a big fire going on in the south and I had to say that was pretty true to their belief.
Next week I head back to Berlin for a short weekend trip...taking the train! Heading back to meet up w/ Jason from Ft. Lauderdale (been 2 yrs since
I've seen him last). He's also there for a short week visit w/ his grandmother. He's flying her out from Baltimore to visit the grave of her mother. We'll
have a chance to meet for lunch or dinner and go out in Berlin Saturday night. I'm looking forward to seeing him as well as new friends I have made
in Berlin area from my last trip.
My cast iron anything to cook on quest I believe has come to an end. Found a place online that delivers to The Netherlands so I can have this
cookware for real southern cooking!!! Just waiting on Heather to place the order...you know, my sugar mama ;) Ms. Mojita herself!!!
Keep your eyes open for RutaMaya and Austin Daze Happenings (you'll see their links). Meanwhile it's now the weekend officially and no plans as of
yet accept maybe Sunday to Antwerpen, Belgium. Tell you more about that next time...Wesley is waiting on me to finish up and post...PRESSURE!!!
stay tuned...peace and love, Jes
p.s. music selection/Black Water/Doobie Brothers (enjoy)
Hey All,
The past week and several days now I've been doing what most of you have been doing. I'm still in shock and disbelief and very much angered at the
lack of government help in the country in which I was born and raised. I can only now watch the news reports on CNN in short intervals.
I could go on and on about it all. I do not understand! I hear it from this end and everyone here is wondering the same. Why? Why all the red tape
and bureaucracy ? What’s up with the damn pride shit? Allies such as Cuba and Germany have offered their help in our crises (human error) to no
response from the U.S. and that's only 2 they turned down.
It's absurd from where I stand. And that's just my opinion. Funny, I've never been very political before but I do stand up for what I believe in and am
extremely passionate about it. We have no control over the weather. It's the human error that is the real tragedy here. Most of us are aware those
leevys should have been fixed long ago...and if you aren't aware, then check out the documented proof that Bush and his administration cut the damn
budget and it got put off along w/ the rest of U.S. needs! Reports going back a long way state the great possibilities of such a hurricane happening as
inevitable and the fact that New Orleans wouldn't be able to withstand such a hit w/out paying special attention in repairing the leevys.
It was simply ignored??? Why??? There simply wasn't enough cash in the old budget...let's see, where has all the richest country's money gone to
lately? We won't even go there....I see RED!!! This crap is unimaginable and from where I sit...it doesn't look so good from this end. But then, most of
us are already aware of that. Some maybe just waking up...and then well, we won't go there either.
Instead, I'm putting all my energy the last several days in helping Wesley and the rest of my friends help in any way possible in rebuilding all that
needs to be rebuild. That's what we do when we get knocked down and shit on. We do whatever we can and we continue to live. I feel great about
what I'm doing now after having felt helpless. I have plenty of free time on my hands to dedicate time into Wesley's site which he has been so kind to
share with me and now more than ever we've teamed up in getting out every bit of information we can get out to you "our friends".
Meanwhile, life here in The Netherlands is interesting to say the least. Ever since the shit hit the fan there I have heard nothing but how stupid our
country looks and blah blah blah, why is he still in office...they think our voting system is an accurate and honest one...and that we must have voted
him in...I've had to correct them several times on that one...believing here (you can't change my mind) that it is corrupt. So, yeah...that's what I'm
hearing a lot of.
I joined good friends of Juriaan, Koen (birthday boy), his sister Karen, Wouter and Danielle (the only names I can remember because I wrote them
down) and several others in an intimate Birthday BBQ gathering in the park last Saturday. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. It was a
nice intimate bunch of us, eating good food (well some of it was a little burnt), drinking some nice wine , and good peeps to chill with. Alex was with
me on this outing (Heather away for business for a few days). He tired himself out playing ball (the ball only went into the water a couple times) and
he fell asleep under a clear starry night. Now...when the Dutch say BBQ...it's nothing like what we're used to in Texas. They're idea of a BBQ in the
park is a little foil tin tray that (I guess) is bought that way for one use and disposal purposes. It wasn't that big but they did manage to cook quite a
lot. They imagined the whole cow or pig thing roasting over a big fire going on in the south and I had to say that was pretty true to their belief.
Next week I head back to Berlin for a short weekend trip...taking the train! Heading back to meet up w/ Jason from Ft. Lauderdale (been 2 yrs since
I've seen him last). He's also there for a short week visit w/ his grandmother. He's flying her out from Baltimore to visit the grave of her mother. We'll
have a chance to meet for lunch or dinner and go out in Berlin Saturday night. I'm looking forward to seeing him as well as new friends I have made
in Berlin area from my last trip.
My cast iron anything to cook on quest I believe has come to an end. Found a place online that delivers to The Netherlands so I can have this
cookware for real southern cooking!!! Just waiting on Heather to place the order...you know, my sugar mama ;) Ms. Mojita herself!!!
Keep your eyes open for RutaMaya and Austin Daze Happenings (you'll see their links). Meanwhile it's now the weekend officially and no plans as of
yet accept maybe Sunday to Antwerpen, Belgium. Tell you more about that next time...Wesley is waiting on me to finish up and post...PRESSURE!!!
stay tuned...peace and love, Jes
p.s. music selection/Black Water/Doobie Brothers (enjoy)
Journal Update: 4 Sept. 2005
Jes Garcia <retroboy@spaceship.com> wrote:
Hey All,
This update is simply to let you know that I am here doing whatever I can concerning anything to do with Katrina Relief Efforts. First I would like to
inform you that Wesley and I, together from 2 different parts of the world, are going to get out as much information on his website
austinithinkyoushine.com and my page Jes the Adventurer because I think we have a large following of our friends already going to this site.
It's the responsibility of you as our friends to pass on the info to others. I believe we have this as a very valuable tool to reach, beginning 1st w/ you
and then the info being spread to other like minded souls in the relief efforts that are going to take all of us playing whatever role we choose. I have
felt helpless all week long hearing and watching this story unfold both from friends personal accounts and of course CNN and the Internet.
I'm more personally affected than imaginable. I am constantly hearing from friends who share their personal accounts w/ this horrific tragedy. I'm
also embarressed for our country as the same questions keep arising as to WHY from our brothers and sisters here in Holland. There is also a
sense of great empowerment as I hear from a friend who used tio live in N.O. and has every intention on going back to help rebuild it as soon as
people are once again allowed back in. So, in spite of the lack of a Government to help our people in the ways I believe it should...still, the better
and always greater power emerges. We...the people!!!
Much of the information I'm getting out on the site has been from my own research and what other friends of mine have passed along to me. Share
them...Please! Most of all of you I know love music...keep an eye out on the Ruta Maya site and check for updates on other happenings in the area
concerning ways you can help.
As I heard a born and raised former resident of New Orleans say just today on the news when asked if New Orleans can ever be the same...he just
smiled and said " but of course, it's New Orleans it has to".
Any info on anything you feel needs to get across to a bunch more like minded people concerning relief related efforts please email this info to
either myself or to Wesley to have posted on the site.
Meanwhile, life just goes on doesn't it? Stay Tuned! Peace and Love, Jes
P.S. Given the circumstances of this past week and late update entry (Wesley was out of town w/ no computer access) I'm changing the music entry
from the update just posted Friday to this one... How Soon Is Now (The Smiths)
Journal Update: 2 Sept. 2005
Jes Garcia <retroboy@spaceship.com> wrote:
Hey All,
The beat goes on...and life here, just stays interesting to say the least. It's a beautiful sunny Monday morning at 11 degrees
celsius (52) w/ the expected high to be 27 degrees celsius (80)! Hey, it's summer again here and I'm going to damn well enjoy
the sun and warmth, supposed to stay warm all week! Last Thursday and Friday were a bit too cool for me as I am not ready
yet for the winter months. But today...it's still summer here and I will take advantage of it as the Dutch do!
With the exception that his grandmother (Dana) was here visiting this past week I easily jumped back into my new routine of
picking Alex up from school and keeping an eye out on him until Heather got home from work. Though we never did make it to
an Eindhoven coffee-shop for some legal ordering off the menu, we did bond in an adventureous trip to the North Sea
Wednesday afternoon (which just so happened to be the warmest day out of the week (70) and mostly sunny! The North Sea
isn't really anything to write home about (but here I am writing anyway). It kinda reminded me of the Texas coast actually, nice
though to be at the ocean as I do find it to be powerful as all hell in all it's forms! I'm just way spoiled when it comes to beach.
Hey, my 1st remembrance of beach is the carribean coast of Puerto Rico. What more to say? That's what I 1st saw and
therefore am drawn to those kind of places when I seek beach time, heading for places like Belize, Costa Rica, and Greece!
But still, I very much enjoy the power of the ocean in general and seem to revitalize my energies from it. It was a good day
(though not a whole lot of people nude in the nude area I'm sure because of the lack of warmth). The area (Scheveningen) had
once been an old fishing village now overun w/ tourist hotels, resturants, etc. If given a choice, I'll take a chill-out at a secluded
beach in Greece anyday. But, the company was good and we had a bit of sun so yeah, I'd go back and maybe go off into the
dunes far away from the crowds to enjoy a warm sunny day in The Netherlands.
I had the house to myself for most of Friday afternoon into evening while Heather, Alex and Dana headed to Amsterdam to hang
out until Dana flew back to States early Saturday morning. I had been invited to an underground party (in Utrecht) w/ Juriaan
Friday night. He drove down from the close-by village of Breda to pick me up bringing gifts of wine and (see pics of my teddy
bear) a texas size bag of his home-grown and a nice new pipe...we had a little dinner, a Mojita, and headed out to the
unexpected...good live DJ's and vibe (party favors again, added to the fun), we stayed until after 4 a.m. feeling the good energy
of the music and the people. Good times!!! Being a long drive back to Eindhoven (hour and half) I stayed in Breda to my good
Dutch host, Juriaan and then passing out to a nice wiskey. Morning found me to a typical dutch breakfast of breads, butter,
cheese and a good coffee, skipping my usual journal entry of the day for opted activities! And then invited again, toa daytime
into the night party held outdoors, a big last of the summer event also w/ good DJ'ed music and energy. This I had to turn
down, as I already made a committment to babysit Alex Saturday night (Heather's rare date out) as well, as yet, another party
being held at our neibors Peter and Mary's house.
Heather and I decided to make an appearance together for a beer or 2 (the token Americans)so that now the neibors
(wondered what might have been on their minds before this) could maybe clarify our story of who the hell we were. It seems like
the people that showed up at this party were the more outgoing fun people of the block (and other like-minded friends of theirs)
that weren't at all judging of us though I'm sure we further complicated their thoughts w/ the entry of Heather's date (William).
Peter and Mary know how to put on a good party. They had led us (as special guests) on a beer journey of 5 different kinds of
beers (I need to get a list of what they were from Peter so we can try those again). After of which he said we were on our own. I
guess i may have been quite the obnoxious american each time finishing one beer and telling him I was ready for another...He
seemed to take great pride and expertise in his beer choices for us and Heather and I both were honored as their guests as
well as ....drunk!!! I stayed long after Heather and William left the party getting to know Peter's brother, Marcelo and others in
the intimate few that remain until Peter kicked us out. Good times! Between beers I checked on Alex (just 2 doors away,
making sure to praise him Sunday several times for acting a big boy staying by himself for most of the night. We're proud of
him!
I recently purchased a snazzy device that allows me to make my own cigarettes. Not yet ready to quit any time soon and w/ the
price of smokes here (about 50 plus U.S. dollars for a carton I've learned to purchase American Spirit tobacco (4.20 euro for
enough tobacco for about 3 or 4 packs) and 1 eruo more for a box of 200 filtered shells. Cheap and Easy...you just put a little
tobacco in the machine, stick a filter in the end, slide and viola. It just took a little patience and the right amount of tobacco and
you'd swear I bought these already packaged. It's definetely the way to go if I am going to continue smoking. It's still nice
though to have a pack of the others around on those days I don't feel like making my own. I usually make enough for 1 pack
each morning! Can't really get any simplier than this! Anything to save a buck!
What's on the agenda for this week so far is the task of finding a cast iron skillet (may prove to be hard to find in these parts),
so I can attempt making some home-made flour tortillas which I am 100 per-cent craving. Dropped my bike off last week to have
a kickstand and light system installed so that I can ride now, anytime of day or night. Look mom, I'm a Dutch Man!!! Now, if only
I can tackle the language. Peace and Love my friends, Jes
p.s. pics include some of Eindhoven as promised, Dana and I's adventuresome trip to the North Sea, and my teddy bear
enjoying the gift of home-grown from Juriaan (should have seen the plant out on his balcony)
this weeks music selection: Good Times Roll Pt. 2/RJD2 (of the Deadringer C.D.) ENJOY!!!!
Jes Garcia <retroboy@spaceship.com> wrote:
Hey All,
The beat goes on...and life here, just stays interesting to say the least. It's a beautiful sunny Monday morning at 11 degrees
celsius (52) w/ the expected high to be 27 degrees celsius (80)! Hey, it's summer again here and I'm going to damn well enjoy
the sun and warmth, supposed to stay warm all week! Last Thursday and Friday were a bit too cool for me as I am not ready
yet for the winter months. But today...it's still summer here and I will take advantage of it as the Dutch do!
With the exception that his grandmother (Dana) was here visiting this past week I easily jumped back into my new routine of
picking Alex up from school and keeping an eye out on him until Heather got home from work. Though we never did make it to
an Eindhoven coffee-shop for some legal ordering off the menu, we did bond in an adventureous trip to the North Sea
Wednesday afternoon (which just so happened to be the warmest day out of the week (70) and mostly sunny! The North Sea
isn't really anything to write home about (but here I am writing anyway). It kinda reminded me of the Texas coast actually, nice
though to be at the ocean as I do find it to be powerful as all hell in all it's forms! I'm just way spoiled when it comes to beach.
Hey, my 1st remembrance of beach is the carribean coast of Puerto Rico. What more to say? That's what I 1st saw and
therefore am drawn to those kind of places when I seek beach time, heading for places like Belize, Costa Rica, and Greece!
But still, I very much enjoy the power of the ocean in general and seem to revitalize my energies from it. It was a good day
(though not a whole lot of people nude in the nude area I'm sure because of the lack of warmth). The area (Scheveningen) had
once been an old fishing village now overun w/ tourist hotels, resturants, etc. If given a choice, I'll take a chill-out at a secluded
beach in Greece anyday. But, the company was good and we had a bit of sun so yeah, I'd go back and maybe go off into the
dunes far away from the crowds to enjoy a warm sunny day in The Netherlands.
I had the house to myself for most of Friday afternoon into evening while Heather, Alex and Dana headed to Amsterdam to hang
out until Dana flew back to States early Saturday morning. I had been invited to an underground party (in Utrecht) w/ Juriaan
Friday night. He drove down from the close-by village of Breda to pick me up bringing gifts of wine and (see pics of my teddy
bear) a texas size bag of his home-grown and a nice new pipe...we had a little dinner, a Mojita, and headed out to the
unexpected...good live DJ's and vibe (party favors again, added to the fun), we stayed until after 4 a.m. feeling the good energy
of the music and the people. Good times!!! Being a long drive back to Eindhoven (hour and half) I stayed in Breda to my good
Dutch host, Juriaan and then passing out to a nice wiskey. Morning found me to a typical dutch breakfast of breads, butter,
cheese and a good coffee, skipping my usual journal entry of the day for opted activities! And then invited again, toa daytime
into the night party held outdoors, a big last of the summer event also w/ good DJ'ed music and energy. This I had to turn
down, as I already made a committment to babysit Alex Saturday night (Heather's rare date out) as well, as yet, another party
being held at our neibors Peter and Mary's house.
Heather and I decided to make an appearance together for a beer or 2 (the token Americans)so that now the neibors
(wondered what might have been on their minds before this) could maybe clarify our story of who the hell we were. It seems like
the people that showed up at this party were the more outgoing fun people of the block (and other like-minded friends of theirs)
that weren't at all judging of us though I'm sure we further complicated their thoughts w/ the entry of Heather's date (William).
Peter and Mary know how to put on a good party. They had led us (as special guests) on a beer journey of 5 different kinds of
beers (I need to get a list of what they were from Peter so we can try those again). After of which he said we were on our own. I
guess i may have been quite the obnoxious american each time finishing one beer and telling him I was ready for another...He
seemed to take great pride and expertise in his beer choices for us and Heather and I both were honored as their guests as
well as ....drunk!!! I stayed long after Heather and William left the party getting to know Peter's brother, Marcelo and others in
the intimate few that remain until Peter kicked us out. Good times! Between beers I checked on Alex (just 2 doors away,
making sure to praise him Sunday several times for acting a big boy staying by himself for most of the night. We're proud of
him!
I recently purchased a snazzy device that allows me to make my own cigarettes. Not yet ready to quit any time soon and w/ the
price of smokes here (about 50 plus U.S. dollars for a carton I've learned to purchase American Spirit tobacco (4.20 euro for
enough tobacco for about 3 or 4 packs) and 1 eruo more for a box of 200 filtered shells. Cheap and Easy...you just put a little
tobacco in the machine, stick a filter in the end, slide and viola. It just took a little patience and the right amount of tobacco and
you'd swear I bought these already packaged. It's definetely the way to go if I am going to continue smoking. It's still nice
though to have a pack of the others around on those days I don't feel like making my own. I usually make enough for 1 pack
each morning! Can't really get any simplier than this! Anything to save a buck!
What's on the agenda for this week so far is the task of finding a cast iron skillet (may prove to be hard to find in these parts),
so I can attempt making some home-made flour tortillas which I am 100 per-cent craving. Dropped my bike off last week to have
a kickstand and light system installed so that I can ride now, anytime of day or night. Look mom, I'm a Dutch Man!!! Now, if only
I can tackle the language. Peace and Love my friends, Jes
p.s. pics include some of Eindhoven as promised, Dana and I's adventuresome trip to the North Sea, and my teddy bear
enjoying the gift of home-grown from Juriaan (should have seen the plant out on his balcony)
this weeks music selection: Good Times Roll Pt. 2/RJD2 (of the Deadringer C.D.) ENJOY!!!!
Journal Update: 21 August 2005
Re: UPDATE back to school w/ music selection
Jes Garcia <retroboy@spaceship.com> wrote:
Howdy All,
Monday morning here...Alex's 1st day back to school! He and his grandmother (Dana) arrived late Saturday morning after
some delays in Paris. But finally! Heather and I picked them up at the Amsterdam airport which was pretty crazy with people
coming back from holiday. It was total chaos. I had gone along for the ride and to keep Heather company after a night of
partying. Which btw was a great deal of fun. We had been recommended a club that turned out to be great w/ live DJ's putting
on a great show the whole night. Recreation that costs us $25-$30 for a night out like that in Austin costs us only 4 euros
apiece (if you catch my drift)! It was a nice mixed crowd of people and Heather and I danced into the wee hours of the morning
w/ other really cool peeps we kept meeting throughout the night that were right there on the same level we were. Good times!
In fact I'm feeling a bit rough this morning w/ more good times had last night. Met up w/ this kewl dude Juriaan, from a close by
village called Breda (the 2 only pictures I have to share w/ you this week of our Sunday afternoon). He drove down about 45
minutes away to Eindhoven, we grabbed a quick bite to eat (GREEK), and we headed to a nearby wooded area next to the
water (w/ his shopping bag of goodies), parked our lazy Sunday butts down and let the hours go by till dark killing off 2 bottles
of wine, a drink similiar to Ouzo, and some killer homegrown he had in a bag the size of a Texas size freezer bag (from his own
plants). We laughed and talked about any and everything and then laughed some more. It was a great way to spend a
Sunday. I'm finding it very interesting to get the perspective of how the Dutch differ from us Americans as well as finding
similarities. Juriaan is no different than any other like minded soul I've met in South Austin often at places like Ruta Maya. A
simple connection with similiar thoughts about government, Bush, etc. etc. So...as many differences as there are in being
raised in different countries, a different language, under different governments, religions, liberal and non-liberal differences we
are very much the same. It's nice to get the perspective from the Dutch on us Americans as well. Especially now! I get to be
an example of an American from the State of Texas proving to them that I didn't vote for him...I have no idea why he's in office,
cept maybe the damn election was rigged. Alright, so I'll stop talking politics now!
The past week I intended to take some pictures of Eindhoven (I had realized I've not really taken any of, other than my home
here and a couple shots of the park) but never seemed to have my camera with me when I saw a good shot. I promise to get
some out in the next update. The 2 only pictures posted this update sums up a good week of making a few new friends I think
will stick and connections to be savored for a lifetime. I cooked dinner for a new friend (Jef) in a village 30 minutes away
(Tilburg). That was nice! He'd never heard of John Waters before so the movie choice ended up being Polyester (one of his
earlier non-mainstream flicks that totally makes fun of the American family in only the sick humor John Waters way I've always
quite admired). Again, quite interesting to get the Dutch point of view of this movie. Was turned on to another Dutch beer but
couldn't tell you the name of it now. So, yeah...a couple new friends, people interesting enough to relate to; hang out with;
people I can go do things with. I'm forced to make new friends or otherwise be quite lonly and bored. Not me! This is really a
good way to continue down that road called life where we sometimes feel there is no room for the change and growth that's
inevitable. I find that for myself, it's really easy getting into a comfortable routine in my life and not really seeing too much past
it. Not a bad thing...but I find the comfort of knowing I have the consistancy of my friends there in Austin and other places and
the new ones I'm making now because I'm here having to do so. I love my life in Austin, my job, my friends but there is certainly
this edge of excitement in making new ones, doing different things, in a totally different place. As well as a lot of the same
things I do back in the States...in just a different place, with different people. The adventures keep right on happening.
A dear friend (Jason) will soon be traveling to Berlin from Ft. Lauderdale whom I haven't seen in a couple years...hmmmm, like I
need another excuse to go back to that city...twist my arm! And I get to see a good friend from the states in a totally different
country, as well as reconnect with the new friends I made while I was there a few weeks ago (how kewl is that?)! My first from
the states guest Twila (Herb Bar/Austin) will be making an apperance in early October. She'll be here for a few days and I'm
excited about showing her around, spending a night in Amsterdam and possibly taking the oppurtunity to go back to Brussels w/
her (that's where she will fly back to Austin from). So many places I want to go to while I'm out here. A dear wise friend Ditha
(The Armadillo), gave me the best advise long before traveling became a constant part of my life and that is to go to a place
and stay there a while, go back to it if you like it, get the culture, experience the food, the wine, the people to the fullest...not just
some whirlwind tourist trapped snapshots of places you've been to but not really experienced. It's damn good advise!!! This is
how I have learned to travel. I have made that oppurtunity for myself. My experience, is a more enriching and empowering one
because of it!
So...a new routine w/ Alex back, Dana here until Saurday (her and I will maybe hit a coffee bar and check out some sites
together this week) and who the hell know's what's next. Stay tuned (I know I am) for the next adventure...Feel free to drop me
a line or just send me some flour tortilla mix (so I can make my own) PLEASE. LOL!!! Peace and Love, Jes
P.S. Okay all you Leos...(way too many of you in my life to remember exact dates) Happy Birthday!!!
this week's music selection: Half Step And A Tumble/Abra Moore
Re: UPDATE back to school w/ music selection
Jes Garcia <retroboy@spaceship.com> wrote:
Howdy All,
Monday morning here...Alex's 1st day back to school! He and his grandmother (Dana) arrived late Saturday morning after
some delays in Paris. But finally! Heather and I picked them up at the Amsterdam airport which was pretty crazy with people
coming back from holiday. It was total chaos. I had gone along for the ride and to keep Heather company after a night of
partying. Which btw was a great deal of fun. We had been recommended a club that turned out to be great w/ live DJ's putting
on a great show the whole night. Recreation that costs us $25-$30 for a night out like that in Austin costs us only 4 euros
apiece (if you catch my drift)! It was a nice mixed crowd of people and Heather and I danced into the wee hours of the morning
w/ other really cool peeps we kept meeting throughout the night that were right there on the same level we were. Good times!
In fact I'm feeling a bit rough this morning w/ more good times had last night. Met up w/ this kewl dude Juriaan, from a close by
village called Breda (the 2 only pictures I have to share w/ you this week of our Sunday afternoon). He drove down about 45
minutes away to Eindhoven, we grabbed a quick bite to eat (GREEK), and we headed to a nearby wooded area next to the
water (w/ his shopping bag of goodies), parked our lazy Sunday butts down and let the hours go by till dark killing off 2 bottles
of wine, a drink similiar to Ouzo, and some killer homegrown he had in a bag the size of a Texas size freezer bag (from his own
plants). We laughed and talked about any and everything and then laughed some more. It was a great way to spend a
Sunday. I'm finding it very interesting to get the perspective of how the Dutch differ from us Americans as well as finding
similarities. Juriaan is no different than any other like minded soul I've met in South Austin often at places like Ruta Maya. A
simple connection with similiar thoughts about government, Bush, etc. etc. So...as many differences as there are in being
raised in different countries, a different language, under different governments, religions, liberal and non-liberal differences we
are very much the same. It's nice to get the perspective from the Dutch on us Americans as well. Especially now! I get to be
an example of an American from the State of Texas proving to them that I didn't vote for him...I have no idea why he's in office,
cept maybe the damn election was rigged. Alright, so I'll stop talking politics now!
The past week I intended to take some pictures of Eindhoven (I had realized I've not really taken any of, other than my home
here and a couple shots of the park) but never seemed to have my camera with me when I saw a good shot. I promise to get
some out in the next update. The 2 only pictures posted this update sums up a good week of making a few new friends I think
will stick and connections to be savored for a lifetime. I cooked dinner for a new friend (Jef) in a village 30 minutes away
(Tilburg). That was nice! He'd never heard of John Waters before so the movie choice ended up being Polyester (one of his
earlier non-mainstream flicks that totally makes fun of the American family in only the sick humor John Waters way I've always
quite admired). Again, quite interesting to get the Dutch point of view of this movie. Was turned on to another Dutch beer but
couldn't tell you the name of it now. So, yeah...a couple new friends, people interesting enough to relate to; hang out with;
people I can go do things with. I'm forced to make new friends or otherwise be quite lonly and bored. Not me! This is really a
good way to continue down that road called life where we sometimes feel there is no room for the change and growth that's
inevitable. I find that for myself, it's really easy getting into a comfortable routine in my life and not really seeing too much past
it. Not a bad thing...but I find the comfort of knowing I have the consistancy of my friends there in Austin and other places and
the new ones I'm making now because I'm here having to do so. I love my life in Austin, my job, my friends but there is certainly
this edge of excitement in making new ones, doing different things, in a totally different place. As well as a lot of the same
things I do back in the States...in just a different place, with different people. The adventures keep right on happening.
A dear friend (Jason) will soon be traveling to Berlin from Ft. Lauderdale whom I haven't seen in a couple years...hmmmm, like I
need another excuse to go back to that city...twist my arm! And I get to see a good friend from the states in a totally different
country, as well as reconnect with the new friends I made while I was there a few weeks ago (how kewl is that?)! My first from
the states guest Twila (Herb Bar/Austin) will be making an apperance in early October. She'll be here for a few days and I'm
excited about showing her around, spending a night in Amsterdam and possibly taking the oppurtunity to go back to Brussels w/
her (that's where she will fly back to Austin from). So many places I want to go to while I'm out here. A dear wise friend Ditha
(The Armadillo), gave me the best advise long before traveling became a constant part of my life and that is to go to a place
and stay there a while, go back to it if you like it, get the culture, experience the food, the wine, the people to the fullest...not just
some whirlwind tourist trapped snapshots of places you've been to but not really experienced. It's damn good advise!!! This is
how I have learned to travel. I have made that oppurtunity for myself. My experience, is a more enriching and empowering one
because of it!
So...a new routine w/ Alex back, Dana here until Saurday (her and I will maybe hit a coffee bar and check out some sites
together this week) and who the hell know's what's next. Stay tuned (I know I am) for the next adventure...Feel free to drop me
a line or just send me some flour tortilla mix (so I can make my own) PLEASE. LOL!!! Peace and Love, Jes
P.S. Okay all you Leos...(way too many of you in my life to remember exact dates) Happy Birthday!!!
this week's music selection: Half Step And A Tumble/Abra Moore
Journal: 14 Aug 05 10 :15 am
Hey Ya'll,
How's life in Austin? The heat getting to you yet? I'm sure in hell not missing it! There have been some days most certainly
"too cool" around here for my tastes (being that it's only August and in my mind, SUMMER)! But for the most part, it's been
pretty awesome. It's been more like Fall! I'm seeing a lot of what the Dutch are already used to...RAIN! It's weird though, in
one day the weather changes often. It seems most mornings while I am journaling; drinking my coffee out on my balcony it's
cool out but there is sun. A couple hours later it's clouded up and raining, an hour later, sunny and warm, then rain again. I've
learned to carry my umbrella in my backpack, along w/ a light jacket or long sleeve shirt for any sudden changes.
Since my trip to Berlin I've just been acclimating to the Eindhoven area meeting and hanging out with some cool people). A sort
of routine in my daily life w/out the responsibility of taking care of Alex! He gets back from The States next Saturday (the 19th)
w/ a visit from his grandmother Dana here for a few days. My routine will then change again!
I've sort of become part of the Dutch culture by getting a bike. I haven't yet taken it up as the Dutch do (they use them for
everything). I still need to get a good lock for it (it's not an uncommon hobby and a big market for bike theft). I wonder if that's
why my kewl new mountain bike only cost 139 Euros...hmmmm! It's perfect for me. Compact and just my size. I added a
picture of it...looks pretty sleek huh (not the typical Dutch bike they call a granny bike . I love it!!! Eventually, I'll get used to the
idea and I'm sure I'll soon be doing my marketing and all my other daily tasks on it.
Heather and I took a short road trip yesterday to Brussels, Belgium! I had heard it was a pretty awesome place to see already.
I also knew Belgium was close but had no idea that by car we were only about 15 minutes away from the Belgian border from
Eindhoven. How cool is that? We left about 11:30 am and made it to Brussels just in time for lunch in a nice little outdoor
cafe...very French!!! The weather couldn't have been more perfect for it, w/ sunny skies and about 70 degrees. Heather and I
made the discovery of a red colored beer she'd seen another person with and inquired about. Nice to inquire...we've decided
that it's "our new favorite beer". It's called Kriek, a nice red Belgian beer made w/ fresh cherries. It's awesome! Very
refreshing! We didn't see a whole lot of Brussels and then again we saw a lot. We took the subway and walked a little to find a
populated happening area. We discovered the area called Grand Place where we found a nice place to sit outdoors and
people watch, drinking another couple Kriek beers. I couldn't think of a finer way to spend an afternoon. Good company, drink,
beautiful city, and lots of pretty people to look at. Very, very French...felt like we were in another country...oh YEAH, DUH...we
were (all in about the same time it takes to get from Austin to San Antonio...isn't SA like another country?).
We saw enough of Brussels to know that I've got to go back and explore some more. Most of the pictures taken were in the
Grand Place square. As you can see, it's a pretty spectacular mid-evil old city. The statue taking a piss (MANNEKKE PIS) was
just down the street. We had already heard about this statue being quite famous (but wasn't sure where it was located and it
looks like there are duplicates all over the place, especially in the area we came across quite by accident with souveniers,
resturants and bars on the entire street dedicated to this guy). The museum in the square also appeared to have one inside
and we had read that it has several different costume changes throughout the year ( I think more than Cher) and is sometimes
kidnapped. Still not sure which one is the original (I'm guessing the one in the museum). Very Interesting!!! We ended the
evening w/ a nice cappucino in another outdoor cafe near the park area where we 1st came in...and had a non-stop laugh at
this slightly over-weight woman scarfing down a meal (looked like some sort of pasta w/ red sauce dish) w/out hardly a breath in
between and then when it looked like there wasn't anything left in her bowl continued to dish it out another 10 minutes at least
with...are you ready for this??? With her dirty fingers until I'm sure there wasn't another drop. And on that note!!! We were
home about 10 p.m. where off my balcony I could still hear the last couple hours of the Reggae festival being held in a park
nearby. I slept good!
Today, it started off cloudy, looking like rain and now it looks like the clouds are clearing to a sunny day (ooops, maybe I said
that too soon). I'll meet a new friend Jef, at the train station about 4 pm (he lives a quick 20 min train ride away) and we'll grab
a bite to eat and enjoy (hopefully still sunny out) a few beers (maybe I'll try a new beer or 2) in some lazy Sunday afternoon
tavern. I've never been a big beer drinker, usually sticking to my Red Stripe in the states and an occasional other. Here, I
could easily end up w/ a beer gut. Nah...not gonna happen!
Things I'm missing most from The States at the moment: Nick at Night, Comedy Channel, Fresh Flour Tortillas and my cravings
for Bluebell (someone suggested sending me tortilla flour so I can make my own...hey, if you can send me some of that I can
definetely start making my own tortillas...it's much better than trying to send flour tortillas that wouldn't last the 2 weeks of mail
travel anyway). There's not a whole lot you can do for my cravings of Blue Bell whatever this months new one might be!
Well...until the next set of adventures...Peace and Love, Jes
P.S.The music selection is actually a song my dad recorded w/ a group called Sunny and The Sunliners, "Just a Moment" when
he was about 17 in the late 50's. Sounds like a young teen age idol of the time. ENJOY!!!
Hey Ya'll,
How's life in Austin? The heat getting to you yet? I'm sure in hell not missing it! There have been some days most certainly
"too cool" around here for my tastes (being that it's only August and in my mind, SUMMER)! But for the most part, it's been
pretty awesome. It's been more like Fall! I'm seeing a lot of what the Dutch are already used to...RAIN! It's weird though, in
one day the weather changes often. It seems most mornings while I am journaling; drinking my coffee out on my balcony it's
cool out but there is sun. A couple hours later it's clouded up and raining, an hour later, sunny and warm, then rain again. I've
learned to carry my umbrella in my backpack, along w/ a light jacket or long sleeve shirt for any sudden changes.
Since my trip to Berlin I've just been acclimating to the Eindhoven area meeting and hanging out with some cool people). A sort
of routine in my daily life w/out the responsibility of taking care of Alex! He gets back from The States next Saturday (the 19th)
w/ a visit from his grandmother Dana here for a few days. My routine will then change again!
I've sort of become part of the Dutch culture by getting a bike. I haven't yet taken it up as the Dutch do (they use them for
everything). I still need to get a good lock for it (it's not an uncommon hobby and a big market for bike theft). I wonder if that's
why my kewl new mountain bike only cost 139 Euros...hmmmm! It's perfect for me. Compact and just my size. I added a
picture of it...looks pretty sleek huh (not the typical Dutch bike they call a granny bike . I love it!!! Eventually, I'll get used to the
idea and I'm sure I'll soon be doing my marketing and all my other daily tasks on it.
Heather and I took a short road trip yesterday to Brussels, Belgium! I had heard it was a pretty awesome place to see already.
I also knew Belgium was close but had no idea that by car we were only about 15 minutes away from the Belgian border from
Eindhoven. How cool is that? We left about 11:30 am and made it to Brussels just in time for lunch in a nice little outdoor
cafe...very French!!! The weather couldn't have been more perfect for it, w/ sunny skies and about 70 degrees. Heather and I
made the discovery of a red colored beer she'd seen another person with and inquired about. Nice to inquire...we've decided
that it's "our new favorite beer". It's called Kriek, a nice red Belgian beer made w/ fresh cherries. It's awesome! Very
refreshing! We didn't see a whole lot of Brussels and then again we saw a lot. We took the subway and walked a little to find a
populated happening area. We discovered the area called Grand Place where we found a nice place to sit outdoors and
people watch, drinking another couple Kriek beers. I couldn't think of a finer way to spend an afternoon. Good company, drink,
beautiful city, and lots of pretty people to look at. Very, very French...felt like we were in another country...oh YEAH, DUH...we
were (all in about the same time it takes to get from Austin to San Antonio...isn't SA like another country?).
We saw enough of Brussels to know that I've got to go back and explore some more. Most of the pictures taken were in the
Grand Place square. As you can see, it's a pretty spectacular mid-evil old city. The statue taking a piss (MANNEKKE PIS) was
just down the street. We had already heard about this statue being quite famous (but wasn't sure where it was located and it
looks like there are duplicates all over the place, especially in the area we came across quite by accident with souveniers,
resturants and bars on the entire street dedicated to this guy). The museum in the square also appeared to have one inside
and we had read that it has several different costume changes throughout the year ( I think more than Cher) and is sometimes
kidnapped. Still not sure which one is the original (I'm guessing the one in the museum). Very Interesting!!! We ended the
evening w/ a nice cappucino in another outdoor cafe near the park area where we 1st came in...and had a non-stop laugh at
this slightly over-weight woman scarfing down a meal (looked like some sort of pasta w/ red sauce dish) w/out hardly a breath in
between and then when it looked like there wasn't anything left in her bowl continued to dish it out another 10 minutes at least
with...are you ready for this??? With her dirty fingers until I'm sure there wasn't another drop. And on that note!!! We were
home about 10 p.m. where off my balcony I could still hear the last couple hours of the Reggae festival being held in a park
nearby. I slept good!
Today, it started off cloudy, looking like rain and now it looks like the clouds are clearing to a sunny day (ooops, maybe I said
that too soon). I'll meet a new friend Jef, at the train station about 4 pm (he lives a quick 20 min train ride away) and we'll grab
a bite to eat and enjoy (hopefully still sunny out) a few beers (maybe I'll try a new beer or 2) in some lazy Sunday afternoon
tavern. I've never been a big beer drinker, usually sticking to my Red Stripe in the states and an occasional other. Here, I
could easily end up w/ a beer gut. Nah...not gonna happen!
Things I'm missing most from The States at the moment: Nick at Night, Comedy Channel, Fresh Flour Tortillas and my cravings
for Bluebell (someone suggested sending me tortilla flour so I can make my own...hey, if you can send me some of that I can
definetely start making my own tortillas...it's much better than trying to send flour tortillas that wouldn't last the 2 weeks of mail
travel anyway). There's not a whole lot you can do for my cravings of Blue Bell whatever this months new one might be!
Well...until the next set of adventures...Peace and Love, Jes
P.S.The music selection is actually a song my dad recorded w/ a group called Sunny and The Sunliners, "Just a Moment" when
he was about 17 in the late 50's. Sounds like a young teen age idol of the time. ENJOY!!!
Sunny the Sunliners Just a Moment featuring my Dad (Jesse
Garcia)
Garcia)
