Trip Hop Acid JazzTrance Aphex Twin Outside Kick Ass Violin
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: 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!!!
Subject: We're Not In Texas Anymore....
Date: Mon, 25 Jul 2005 10:16:11 +0200
Hey All-
Monday morning here. Sometimes I just have to pinch myself when I have these sudden realizations that I'm not in Texas
anymore (and Jimmy the cat isn't Toto). I can't explain it...it's really, really weird though. It'll just dawn on me that I'm having
this new experience and it hits me like a ton of bricks WOW...I'm in Europe having this new experience! It's hit me especially
hard in the last few days. Heather and Alex are away (back in Austin as a matter of fact) and I have the whole place to myself.
I have this sense now of living here. This is now my home...today! I'm attaching pics on this round that give you an idea of my
immediate home surroundings. You'll see it's quite adaptable. I've even learned how to live w/ the dormitory size fridge
(thankyou Heather for the Freezer in the basement...it certainly helps)! So yeah, I've had the whole place to myself since
Thursday morning. Being used to living alone for so long before coming here I wasn't sure how long it would take to acclimate
to living with other people again. That, I have adapted to quite nicely and as much as I am enjoying having the house to
myself, Heather and Alex (and someone to cook for of course) have been greatly missed these last few days!
Alex won't be back until the end of August when school starts (he's in Austin visiting grandparents). Heather gets back next
Tues. (it's no fun drinking Mojitas alone), which is about the time you'll get my next update since I leave for Belin in just 2
days(Wed.) and will not be back until Monday evening. I decided not to take my laptop along as I want to travel light and prefer
not to spend all my time on the computer anyway. You'll have that to look forward to next week just as soon as I get back,
organize my thoughts and pics of my Berlin adventures and as soon as Wesley has the time to get it all posted.
I'm looking forward to this trip as you can imagine. I hear Berlin is an awesome city to spend some time in. I'm glad I will be
there for several days and not just one or two. And that I have a contact there, who is taking the time to show me around as
well as a place to stay. I can't think of a better way to experience the true sense of (East) Berlin! Wow...there goes that
realization that suddenly hits me...I'm going to Berlin!!! How kewl is that? Someone please slap me, knock me back to
reality...oh WOW, this is now my reality isn't it??? This is really happening!!! It took both Heather and I to figure out and make
my train reservations (those were in German). We'll see if I actually end up in Berlin in one piece (but wherever I end up...I'm
sure it'll be an adventure nonetheless). Enjoy the Update and Music selection: Abra Moore's "Sweet Chariot" from her 1st solo
album "Sing" and stay tuned for more next week (basically...same bat time...same bat place). Peace and Love, Jes
INGREDIENTS: "Mojitas"
One tot (or to taste!) of premium quality white rum
Fresh lemon or lime juice (either to the top or mixed with soda water)
Teaspoon sugar
A handful of fresh mint leaves
Crushed ice
METHOD:
Put the mint leaves and sugar in the bottom of a glass, crushing gently.
In a cocktail shaker, mix the rum, lemon/lime juice and soda.
Pour the mixture over crushed ice into a tall glass.
Stir gently until the mint has infused the drink.
The most dangerous thing about mojitas is that the mint leaves give a refreshing and light taste, tricking you into thinking the
drink is more harmless than it actually is!
From: Wesley Balli [mailto:austinithinkyoushine@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, July 18, 2005 5:55 AM
To: Jes Garcia
Subject: Re: P.S.
I'm on it Jes! Its hot as Texas here...lol! What's Viola? Wesley
Jes Garcia <retroboy@spaceship.com> wrote: P.S. if you haven't ever tried one of these...it's time you did. I had the
opportunity last year while my friend Dan came for a visit from MD. I was instantly hooked. I found a recipe last week, Heather
picked up some coconut white rum (instead of the regular white rum it calls for and viola...we're now on our 2nd bottle of rum.
It's a really refreshing cool drink on a hot summer day. If I'm appreciating it in 80 degree weather I'm sure you'll definitely
appreciate...just be careful, the fresh mint and lime will lead you to believe you are drinking something non/alcoholic...Heather's
hooked (she now comes home from work and wants one and of course I indulge w/ one for myself...YUMM)!!! And if you don't
feel like making them for yourself, the best one outside of a visit to me would be at Habana Restaurant. Gotta love them
Cubans ;)
Jes Garcia <retroboy@spaceship.com> wrote:
B.T.W. the guy in the Texas t-shirt was on the tour boat w/ me. I got excited when I saw it and thought kewl, someone from Texas...after the
tour I went up to him to ask if he was from Texas. He hardly spoke English and when he finally understood what I was asking said he'd never
even been there (no clue then why he was wearing a Texas T-shirt)?
B.T.W. the guy in the Texas t-shirt was on the tour boat w/ me. I got excited when I saw it and thought kewl, someone from Texas...after the
tour I went up to him to ask if he was from Texas. He hardly spoke English and when he finally understood what I was asking said he'd never
even been there (no clue then why he was wearing a Texas T-shirt)?
Jes Garcia <retroboy@spaceship.com> wrote:
Hey All,
You know that feeling you get when you just end a vacation and you had a great time and all but can't wait to sleep in your own
bed? That's how I was feeling yesterday on my way back to Eindhoven from Berlin. Another realization that Eindhoven is my
home at the moment and my bed is here. Berlin was quite an adventure!
We'll have to say the "Adventure" actually begins the night before (what am I talking about?//my adventures began long before
any of this)...I'd invited my neibors Peter and Mary (Paul would have made an interesting conversation if there had been one),
a very kewl 30-something couple over for Mojitas. So we're talking quality time well spent with good peeps. It'd been a long
time since a good chill out on my balcony back home with like minded souls on an intimate level. I definetely needed that.
Peter wasn't too shy in asking for another. It was already getting late (I had to be at the train station before 9a.m.) but I say,
what the hell and we have another round. All good, no worries. I get about 4 hrs sleep to my normal 5 and I'm up long before
my train for my usual morning proccess.
Off to Berlin, I momentarily thought I should go back to get my passport but I might have missed my train and I just hoped
because of the open borders that it wouldn't be a problem. From Venlo to Vierson I'm arriving in German territory and the
border patrol was on the train checking for passports. Yikes, I'm thinking to myself, how do I get out of this one? I'm nearly
shaking as they are telling me I cannot get in w/out it. Somehow I kept my cool and showed them my Texas ID (can you believe
they let me in with that?), with little more than telling me that next time I must have it to be let in the country and then wishing me
a nice stay. Cool...no problem, I'm on my way. Listening to RJD2's/Deadringer and Abra Moore's/Sing for my music selections
for most of the trip, I make my connections smooth enough and arrive late afternoon. 1st thing I do in Berlin is get onto the
wrong city train (I knew this right away as my stop was suppposed to be the 2nd one and we're at the 4th so I decide it's time to
get out here as I certainly didn't want to get too far out of the way). I call Antoine (my host and still at work for another couple
hrs.) and he gives me good direction to the station I was to meet him at.
We went out to a late dinner for some good Indian food, after settling in first and picking up a few needed items at the grocery
store (a couple bottles of Riesling etc.)...Grocery shopping in yet another country, I must say is an experience in itself. Here
again the packaging of food items is so different than in The States. It's interesting to check out and watch how people shop as
compared the the local HEB(mexican embassy)!!! The resturaunt we had dinner at was plentiful in proportions of food and for
cheap really. About 15 euros for 2 for what we were getting, I thought was great. Seems Antoine is a regular at this place and
brings all his out of town friends here to eat. From there we took a walk around the hood. Nice area of East Germany that has
become a little trendy recently (not quite SoCo Austin). Being aware of my immediate surroundings was most important to me
since I would be making my way around by myself while Antoine was at work and busy w/ other things until Saturday when he
would have some time free to give me a sightseeing tour that wasn't in German. We killed off a bottle of that Riesling pretty
much, I met his flatmate Robert (also a nice guy), got some directions for the general area I thought I'd head towards (w/ no
real direction) the next day and crashed hard!
After coffee and journaling (up way before my hosts), I headed for Alexanderplatz by tram and just started walking around. I
think that when you are in an area for more than just a day or two you get a sense pretty quickly of what it's like to live in the
area by taking their transit system and walking around. I feel like that's the oppurtunity I had here. I snapped some pictures
and did a lot of people watching that 1st day. Most of my exploring that day was in that particular area (which trust me...is a
lot). I really had no clue what I was snapping pictures of as again, it was all German to me. It took several tries to figure out
just how to get out of the tram station. I'd follow people but they were just going to another platform to make a connection.
Out=Aus...oh, I get it!!! Sometime during the day I had to pick up a taste of the local ice cream. I decided on a milkshake
(Passion Fruit) and not sure if it's the way Germans make a milkshake or if it was just because I bought it in a tourist area but it
was more liquidy than creamy but tasted good. I was expected a big milkshake and it was served in a Ruta Maya medium and
literally a coffee cup (maybe they were out of milkshake cups...I dunno)! My theme music became more of RJD2's/Deadringer.
It was good walking around music and I literally listened to it again and again (it's journey of sound and words appropriate it
seems for what I seeing and experiencing). Lots of a city in progress in renovations still recovering from WW2. Most of what I
was seeing was new or rebuilt. Still, I found a couple areas that were spared the war or that had at least been rebuilt to it's
original state. There was a lot of green water and another European city where bikes are everywhere. I thought to rent one
but was fine walking and getting around on a tram system I found quick and efficient (gas is very expensive here, far more than
in the states so the people that do own cars here and use them usually drive much smaller ones that take diesel...I didn't see
one SUV or Ford pickup truck). Met up w/ Antoine for dinner later and another walk in the hood. He had committed to
babysitting a friend's 2 young children for the night so again, I was on my own. Already late I sat outside a while people
watching and before I knew it it was already midnight. Exhausted in a good way I slept hard.
Friday, after a boatride tour (all in German) and snapping some pictures I went beyond Alexanderplatz to another area
(Prenzlauerberg). About the time I got off the boat and headed for Prenzlauerberg to grab a bite to take to the park and eat,
the sun hid behind the clouds and another thunder and lightning storm blew into the area. This didn't detour me and the rain
didn't come down too hard. I never even pulled out my umbrella. The area was pretty awesome (very alternative), noticing
several ink and pierce shops, as well as the headshop. I grabbed myself some local fare, headed to the park area and it wasn't
long at all before (just as soon as the sun came back out) the park started filling up with lots of light skinned Germans trying to
get the best of the summer possible. There were people cooking, drinking, and sunbathing. Nice vibe! I just kicked back
myself, soaking up the rays (hey, I won't have much sun soon and I don't want to get as white as some of these folks are),
watching the people, listening to RJD2! I was on my own again for the evening so picked myself up dinner on the way back
something sweet from the bakery and some fried rice). It wasn't long before I crashed (again close to midnightish and again
exhausted).
Saturday, I got a full tour from Antoine. He 1st went to an exhibit I had no interest in going to and opted for the Movie History
Museum on my own. Here there was quite a lot of history of both German and American film. I'd forgotten totally, that Marlene
Dietrich was from Berlin. I spent a good hour on the dedication the Berliners have in respect to her w/ the rare oppurtunity to
view her personal items, pictures, and other memorabilia. I was fasinated, never having really watched her movies before. I
purchased a CD from both German and American film w/ songs from most of her movies. Good purchase I think! The rest of
the afternoon was spent seeing parts of the wall, and other points of interest which are way too many to mention further in
detail. I've taken the time to label the pictures and try to capture at least, a picture story of my surroundings. Mostly, it was
emotional...I didn't know it would be as intense as it was but then I was seeing a lot of Berlin's history that isn't so pretty and so
much of what happened in this country and not so long ago. A reminder, a sort of jolt that snaps me into this reality I think, we
as American tend to forget sometimes or not really come out of our little safe world we live in...at least not until something like
Pearl Harbor or 9/11 happen. I guess those that lived closest to those places of devastation understand the most because as
it seems unreal, as it unfolds on a television screen we couldn't possibly know what it truely feels like to see it. Just an
observation...for myself. Being here brought up some of these thoughts and feelings I don't think about everyday. Remember,
I now live in Eindhoven, a city that was totally wiped out during the war. Even living here I couldn't possibly experience the full
devastation as I did in Berlin on this tour of reminders.
A late dinner, and a needed night out barhopping. The area we went into West Berlin was full of bars. There was this one
bridge we crossed where Antoine pointed out the hordes of people coming and going in both directions of EAST/WEST
(because they could)! It's hard to believe that it wasn't at all so long ago that wasn't something you could do here. Drinking
age here is 15 or 16 and there isn't a drinking problem here. It's a much more laxed culture. I had my taste of a couple good
German beers (wish I could remember what they were called). The area kind of reminded me of New Orleans maybe because
people walked down the street w/ bottles and open containers. So...barhopping on a Saturday night, some German beers and
interesting people to watch right there on the sidewalk.
Sunday, Antoine was committed to his own busy day, I headed for Nollendorfplatz in West Berlin not far from the Zoo). Here
again, I spent a good part of my day walking around, looking (not for anything)! After several hours on foot (and the blisters to
prove it) I sat down for the late part of the afternoon into the early evening drinking some nice German draft beer (I had 3 tall
glasses). And as I sat there, w/ out so much as a care in the world and feeling pretty good I decided to thrill my mom w/ a
phone call from my cell. Well okay, I'll admit...it was a thrill for me, too. I have a pay as you go plan, so I usually reserve my
phone for texting since that is what they all do here in Europe...it's so much cheaper. But I thought it would be nice sitting there
w/ my beer watching people walk by and saying a quick hi to my mom. And it was!!!
Monday is when I got a little unexpected quality time in with Antoine's flatmate, Robert. I was journaling and he was just getting
in from an all night party. He'd been working for most of my stay or spending time w/ his partner so I didn't see him much. Zero
hour always seems to have some of the best results. I learned quite a bit from him in a rather short but informative
conversation about it seems, everything. Then I was off to the train station for my train. I must thank my hosts Antoine and
Robert. Both are like minded and good people and I'm glad to have had the oppurtunity to be welcomed into their space and
given a bit of culture I may not have recieved if I was staying elsewhere. I feel in the process, I have made new friends here
and Eindhoven. I somehow missed one of my stops (I have no clue how) and just as soon as I had that strong 6th sense of
something not being right I get off in KOLN (a large station still in Germany but not far at all from The Netherlands)) and here, I
was able to get the situation fixed in a matter of minutes (thanks to Die Bahn the German train line I was on)and sent on my way
w/ only about an hour difference of my original arrival time in Eindhoven. Needless to say I was tired of all day travel and was
looking forward to the familiar of my own bed. I ordered a pizza (New York Style...boasts of it's being leeker (tasty)...and it was
perfect! They deliver in 30 min or less here. I ate and crashed! I have spent a lot of time on this update today writing a bit
here and there thru the day (trying to organize pictures with places and words w/ thoughts). My brain feels like it's on
overload...just tired...must rest some more...I sure could use a good massage about now! Enjoy the update (I just hope it
makes any sense). There were so many music choices swimming around my brain that I wanted to add to this entry. I decided
on this one (Berlin's The Metro) as an appropriate to use...Enjoy!!! Stay Tuned...peace and love ya'll, Jes
Hey All,
You know that feeling you get when you just end a vacation and you had a great time and all but can't wait to sleep in your own
bed? That's how I was feeling yesterday on my way back to Eindhoven from Berlin. Another realization that Eindhoven is my
home at the moment and my bed is here. Berlin was quite an adventure!
We'll have to say the "Adventure" actually begins the night before (what am I talking about?//my adventures began long before
any of this)...I'd invited my neibors Peter and Mary (Paul would have made an interesting conversation if there had been one),
a very kewl 30-something couple over for Mojitas. So we're talking quality time well spent with good peeps. It'd been a long
time since a good chill out on my balcony back home with like minded souls on an intimate level. I definetely needed that.
Peter wasn't too shy in asking for another. It was already getting late (I had to be at the train station before 9a.m.) but I say,
what the hell and we have another round. All good, no worries. I get about 4 hrs sleep to my normal 5 and I'm up long before
my train for my usual morning proccess.
Off to Berlin, I momentarily thought I should go back to get my passport but I might have missed my train and I just hoped
because of the open borders that it wouldn't be a problem. From Venlo to Vierson I'm arriving in German territory and the
border patrol was on the train checking for passports. Yikes, I'm thinking to myself, how do I get out of this one? I'm nearly
shaking as they are telling me I cannot get in w/out it. Somehow I kept my cool and showed them my Texas ID (can you believe
they let me in with that?), with little more than telling me that next time I must have it to be let in the country and then wishing me
a nice stay. Cool...no problem, I'm on my way. Listening to RJD2's/Deadringer and Abra Moore's/Sing for my music selections
for most of the trip, I make my connections smooth enough and arrive late afternoon. 1st thing I do in Berlin is get onto the
wrong city train (I knew this right away as my stop was suppposed to be the 2nd one and we're at the 4th so I decide it's time to
get out here as I certainly didn't want to get too far out of the way). I call Antoine (my host and still at work for another couple
hrs.) and he gives me good direction to the station I was to meet him at.
We went out to a late dinner for some good Indian food, after settling in first and picking up a few needed items at the grocery
store (a couple bottles of Riesling etc.)...Grocery shopping in yet another country, I must say is an experience in itself. Here
again the packaging of food items is so different than in The States. It's interesting to check out and watch how people shop as
compared the the local HEB(mexican embassy)!!! The resturaunt we had dinner at was plentiful in proportions of food and for
cheap really. About 15 euros for 2 for what we were getting, I thought was great. Seems Antoine is a regular at this place and
brings all his out of town friends here to eat. From there we took a walk around the hood. Nice area of East Germany that has
become a little trendy recently (not quite SoCo Austin). Being aware of my immediate surroundings was most important to me
since I would be making my way around by myself while Antoine was at work and busy w/ other things until Saturday when he
would have some time free to give me a sightseeing tour that wasn't in German. We killed off a bottle of that Riesling pretty
much, I met his flatmate Robert (also a nice guy), got some directions for the general area I thought I'd head towards (w/ no
real direction) the next day and crashed hard!
After coffee and journaling (up way before my hosts), I headed for Alexanderplatz by tram and just started walking around. I
think that when you are in an area for more than just a day or two you get a sense pretty quickly of what it's like to live in the
area by taking their transit system and walking around. I feel like that's the oppurtunity I had here. I snapped some pictures
and did a lot of people watching that 1st day. Most of my exploring that day was in that particular area (which trust me...is a
lot). I really had no clue what I was snapping pictures of as again, it was all German to me. It took several tries to figure out
just how to get out of the tram station. I'd follow people but they were just going to another platform to make a connection.
Out=Aus...oh, I get it!!! Sometime during the day I had to pick up a taste of the local ice cream. I decided on a milkshake
(Passion Fruit) and not sure if it's the way Germans make a milkshake or if it was just because I bought it in a tourist area but it
was more liquidy than creamy but tasted good. I was expected a big milkshake and it was served in a Ruta Maya medium and
literally a coffee cup (maybe they were out of milkshake cups...I dunno)! My theme music became more of RJD2's/Deadringer.
It was good walking around music and I literally listened to it again and again (it's journey of sound and words appropriate it
seems for what I seeing and experiencing). Lots of a city in progress in renovations still recovering from WW2. Most of what I
was seeing was new or rebuilt. Still, I found a couple areas that were spared the war or that had at least been rebuilt to it's
original state. There was a lot of green water and another European city where bikes are everywhere. I thought to rent one
but was fine walking and getting around on a tram system I found quick and efficient (gas is very expensive here, far more than
in the states so the people that do own cars here and use them usually drive much smaller ones that take diesel...I didn't see
one SUV or Ford pickup truck). Met up w/ Antoine for dinner later and another walk in the hood. He had committed to
babysitting a friend's 2 young children for the night so again, I was on my own. Already late I sat outside a while people
watching and before I knew it it was already midnight. Exhausted in a good way I slept hard.
Friday, after a boatride tour (all in German) and snapping some pictures I went beyond Alexanderplatz to another area
(Prenzlauerberg). About the time I got off the boat and headed for Prenzlauerberg to grab a bite to take to the park and eat,
the sun hid behind the clouds and another thunder and lightning storm blew into the area. This didn't detour me and the rain
didn't come down too hard. I never even pulled out my umbrella. The area was pretty awesome (very alternative), noticing
several ink and pierce shops, as well as the headshop. I grabbed myself some local fare, headed to the park area and it wasn't
long at all before (just as soon as the sun came back out) the park started filling up with lots of light skinned Germans trying to
get the best of the summer possible. There were people cooking, drinking, and sunbathing. Nice vibe! I just kicked back
myself, soaking up the rays (hey, I won't have much sun soon and I don't want to get as white as some of these folks are),
watching the people, listening to RJD2! I was on my own again for the evening so picked myself up dinner on the way back
something sweet from the bakery and some fried rice). It wasn't long before I crashed (again close to midnightish and again
exhausted).
Saturday, I got a full tour from Antoine. He 1st went to an exhibit I had no interest in going to and opted for the Movie History
Museum on my own. Here there was quite a lot of history of both German and American film. I'd forgotten totally, that Marlene
Dietrich was from Berlin. I spent a good hour on the dedication the Berliners have in respect to her w/ the rare oppurtunity to
view her personal items, pictures, and other memorabilia. I was fasinated, never having really watched her movies before. I
purchased a CD from both German and American film w/ songs from most of her movies. Good purchase I think! The rest of
the afternoon was spent seeing parts of the wall, and other points of interest which are way too many to mention further in
detail. I've taken the time to label the pictures and try to capture at least, a picture story of my surroundings. Mostly, it was
emotional...I didn't know it would be as intense as it was but then I was seeing a lot of Berlin's history that isn't so pretty and so
much of what happened in this country and not so long ago. A reminder, a sort of jolt that snaps me into this reality I think, we
as American tend to forget sometimes or not really come out of our little safe world we live in...at least not until something like
Pearl Harbor or 9/11 happen. I guess those that lived closest to those places of devastation understand the most because as
it seems unreal, as it unfolds on a television screen we couldn't possibly know what it truely feels like to see it. Just an
observation...for myself. Being here brought up some of these thoughts and feelings I don't think about everyday. Remember,
I now live in Eindhoven, a city that was totally wiped out during the war. Even living here I couldn't possibly experience the full
devastation as I did in Berlin on this tour of reminders.
A late dinner, and a needed night out barhopping. The area we went into West Berlin was full of bars. There was this one
bridge we crossed where Antoine pointed out the hordes of people coming and going in both directions of EAST/WEST
(because they could)! It's hard to believe that it wasn't at all so long ago that wasn't something you could do here. Drinking
age here is 15 or 16 and there isn't a drinking problem here. It's a much more laxed culture. I had my taste of a couple good
German beers (wish I could remember what they were called). The area kind of reminded me of New Orleans maybe because
people walked down the street w/ bottles and open containers. So...barhopping on a Saturday night, some German beers and
interesting people to watch right there on the sidewalk.
Sunday, Antoine was committed to his own busy day, I headed for Nollendorfplatz in West Berlin not far from the Zoo). Here
again, I spent a good part of my day walking around, looking (not for anything)! After several hours on foot (and the blisters to
prove it) I sat down for the late part of the afternoon into the early evening drinking some nice German draft beer (I had 3 tall
glasses). And as I sat there, w/ out so much as a care in the world and feeling pretty good I decided to thrill my mom w/ a
phone call from my cell. Well okay, I'll admit...it was a thrill for me, too. I have a pay as you go plan, so I usually reserve my
phone for texting since that is what they all do here in Europe...it's so much cheaper. But I thought it would be nice sitting there
w/ my beer watching people walk by and saying a quick hi to my mom. And it was!!!
Monday is when I got a little unexpected quality time in with Antoine's flatmate, Robert. I was journaling and he was just getting
in from an all night party. He'd been working for most of my stay or spending time w/ his partner so I didn't see him much. Zero
hour always seems to have some of the best results. I learned quite a bit from him in a rather short but informative
conversation about it seems, everything. Then I was off to the train station for my train. I must thank my hosts Antoine and
Robert. Both are like minded and good people and I'm glad to have had the oppurtunity to be welcomed into their space and
given a bit of culture I may not have recieved if I was staying elsewhere. I feel in the process, I have made new friends here
and Eindhoven. I somehow missed one of my stops (I have no clue how) and just as soon as I had that strong 6th sense of
something not being right I get off in KOLN (a large station still in Germany but not far at all from The Netherlands)) and here, I
was able to get the situation fixed in a matter of minutes (thanks to Die Bahn the German train line I was on)and sent on my way
w/ only about an hour difference of my original arrival time in Eindhoven. Needless to say I was tired of all day travel and was
looking forward to the familiar of my own bed. I ordered a pizza (New York Style...boasts of it's being leeker (tasty)...and it was
perfect! They deliver in 30 min or less here. I ate and crashed! I have spent a lot of time on this update today writing a bit
here and there thru the day (trying to organize pictures with places and words w/ thoughts). My brain feels like it's on
overload...just tired...must rest some more...I sure could use a good massage about now! Enjoy the update (I just hope it
makes any sense). There were so many music choices swimming around my brain that I wanted to add to this entry. I decided
on this one (Berlin's The Metro) as an appropriate to use...Enjoy!!! Stay Tuned...peace and love ya'll, Jes
