The week in pictorial summary

Nick's brother Tony, currently visiting us, contemplating riding away on somebody elses bike

Me getting excited about the snow... can you tell I've never been to snow before?

Nick contemplating his options at Ikea.

Our first proper dinner meal in our new place (last night).

Entering the construction art space last night...

Home, sweet new home, ikea the black hole and other moments

Ok so guess what? We found a PLACE! A place to call home. It's a one bedroom flat which is very cute and is on a street called... :

Lange Beestenmarkt

Which, for your interest, actually means the long animal market. Wow, I wish we had excellent street names like that back in Australia. Apparently, way back when, our street used to be.. well.. a long animal market.

Anyway, I feel like so much has happened since I last wrote on this blog. Let's summarise:

1. It snowed (like 1mm but still so exciting! See pic)

2. We got a place (but you already knew that)

3. I have 2 job interviews coming up (hooray!)

4. We went to Ikea twice... (yes this is blogworthy)

Oh my gosh. Ikea. Cheap and wonderful. Until you buy 100 items that cost 1 euro each! Argh! It all adds up... No but seriously, twice, we got stuck, lost, in the consumery sweetness of Ikea. And our house is pretty much now like one of their showrooms. No no.. well.. almost. I've attached a picture of Nick sitting in the self-service section with our full trolley pondering what chair to buy. Shortly after the picture was taken we decided on two wooden chairs and two plastic chairs, which I proceeded to spill an entire cup of 80c coffee all over.

5. We attended an art exhibit by a local Baha'i artist who aims to use the concept of space as art.

So we rocked up to this random building in a quiet suburb that is actually being reconstructed and walked through all the construction to this corner he had set up with bits and pieces from the site and neon blue glowsticks! It was really surreal. Especially when a whole bunch of dutch arty people came in and were talking in this foreign language... in the dark... in this construction site... late on a monday evening...

6. Also attended the confirmation hearing for the ICC's first case!

It was a bit of a buzz sitting watching the courtroom with our english translation headphones on... waiting for the pre-trial decision.

That seems like a good overview of the last week or so....

The sound of shattering glass

My Australian friends. I do not want to dwell on the weather of this dairy cow and windmill country, BUT today was just so bad, that it was actually funny, which makes me want to share it.

There were dark grey skies of doom.

There was hard continous rain interspersed with hail.

There was wind, but not just any wind. This wind reached 130 km per hour and caused a crane to collapse onto a university building (in another city in The Netherlands) injuring 3 people. It also caused the entire train system to shut down, and ICC staff sent home 1.5 hours early before it got even worse. The wind meant that some work staff in other organisations were ordered not to leave the building and couldn't get home. It also caused one of the windows here in Rod's place to smash (I think a tile fell off someone elses roof or something).

Meanwhile where was I?

I was OUT, yes... I didn't actually realise how serious it was. I was out and about walking the town... well, trying to walk, but mostly standing still in order not to get blown away. At one point I took cover in a large department store to avoid the horizontal hail. Anyway, I made it to all my appointments and back home unscathed.

I hadn't seen weather this bad since... well... last Thursday actually when winds were reaching an estimated 150 km per hour.

Getting lost in Nether Netherland

On Saturday I ventured into Amsterdam with Georgie to catch up with her cousin who is doing some travelling at the moment. On our way back to the train station in the afternoon we took a wrong turn.

somewhere.

i don't know where.

but it was a fatal mistake.

especially as we had no map.

we spent the next hour wandering the streets completely lost. the worst part was that all three of us were in denial and kept thinking we were on the right path.... so instead of asking someone walking past which way we needed to go to central station we just kept on walking and making turns which kept turning out to be the wrong ones.

finally, as the sky started to turn dark and i realised we might end up missing for days and starving to death on the outskirts of amsterdam (ok maybe that is being a bit dramatic) i decided to ask a shop assistant which way to central station. he pointed us in the direction saying "this is the short way"... and 40 minutes later we made it.

so, I thought the worst was over as I snuggled into my 2nd class seat on the train back to Rotterdam with Georgie. Oh, how I was wrong.

an hour and a half later (we caught the train with possibly the most stops along the way ever recorded) we were in Rotterdam and met Nick at the train station. we headed outside and jumped on the tram (after deciphering with great difficulty what direction we wanted to go in) no. 8. we thought we'll have a quick stopover at the supermarket and then head to Georgie's place for dinner and then out.

Unfortunately our stop never seemed to arrive. and when we enquired from the conductor when the 'oostplein' stop would arrive we were told we were going in "completely the wrong direction". ok. wonderful.

So we hopped off at the next tram stop to wait for the same tram but going in the opposite direction. At this point we noticed a supermarket so we went in for a quick shop (which added about another 5kg on top of the 10kg worth of shopping we had carried around in Amsterdam) and came back to the tram stop.

Finally the tram no. 8 came and we jumped on saluting ourselves on getting our direction correct this time. Oh, how I was wrong. again.

When we noticed our stop didn't seem to be coming again we asked the conductor to enlighten us:

"oh this tram changed route about a month ago... you are on the totally wrong track"

ooooooohhhhhh.

So we went back to central station and waited for the correct tram there. we almost went in the wrong direction again, but luckily we asked the conductor BEFORE the tram started moving (we're thinkers!). so anyway, we waited for the right tram...which came about 20 minutes later.

I'm traumatised by the experience, but happy to report that we made it to Georgie's place and did get to eat some food that night.

To add insult to injury tram tickets here are only valid for one hour... so we ended up validating our tickets three times that night just trying to get to Georgie's place (mind you it's a 20 minute walk from the train station) and then back into the city.

Much ado about nothing

Today I write a blog, purely for the sake of writing a blog. I have nothing interesting to report really so you might as well stop reading now.

If you have decided to continue reading, let me enlighten you on my new years revelation. My revelation is that I have made very little [tangible] progress since our arrival in this country. We are still homeless, I am still jobless, I am also still work permit-less, we haven't learnt any dutch (nor do we plan to), and it's still very cold outside. While this may sound a tad depressing, I'm really actually having a stellar time. Probably because I spend my days living in luxury in the centre of the city with a large flat screen TV, a wireless internet connection and decadently warm central heating. PLUS the new year sales are on, so I spend a lot of time roaming the streets going from store to store searching for that perfect something that I didn't even know I wanted. I COULD be doing my research project for uni, so that I can graduate in a few months time, but really, I would rather procrastinate. So, that is my not-so-revolutionary revelation that I am letting you in on.

The video guy
What other exciting things can I tell you about? Well.. on the weekend we became members of the local video (really I should say dvd) store, which was, in fact, quite exciting! Whatever, don't judge me. It was exciting because it was like our first step to become local people! I now proudly sport a local 'mega video' card in my wallet. I could even probably call myself a 'friend' of the local 'mega video' shop guy, who was so delighted to meet people from Australia, he literally followed us around the store giving us his critique of almost every movie on the shelf. Actually, you couldn't really call it as critique as all he pretty much said was "Have you seen this? It's good." (about every single movie). We ended our first meeting with our new friend with him asking us whether world maps in Australia have Australia sitting in the middle of the map or on the corner in the right-hand side. Hmmm. He must like maps.

The born-again Christians
On Saturday we ventured into the city to see if we can nab us some great new year specials. When I came out of one of the stores I noticed Nick was talking to two young guys that I would normally call hoodlums, but were in fact two young born-again evangelical Christians who decided to talk about Jesus to Nick (maybe Nick looks like he needs God in his life). Anyway, Nick was having a great conversation with them about religion, Christianity, 'sin', the Baha'i Faith, etc etc, which I was thoroughly enjoying as these two guys seemed to actually be listening and conversing rather than saying the usual rehearsed lines we always hear from Mormons that come knocking at the door! Unfortunately I didn't get to hear the whole conversation (nor save Nick from what turned into one very.. long... conversation) because once again I randomly bumped into 'Reza' - the persian guy that I seem to always randomly bump into. Reza is a big fan of talking so he kept on going until the Christian guys had left and he could introduce himself to Nick. Anyway, we didn't find any specials that day.

More pics from Paris..

Boat cruise on Sunday morning. So... cold... (but great!)

View from the Arc De Triomphe

We started to go a bit mad in the rain on Champs-Elysees...

Champs-Elysees and Arc de Triomphe

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Pictures from Paris

Arty shot by Nick at the Louvre

The famous pyramid of the Louvre. Check out the symmetry. Also by Nick.

Oh no poor little froggie!

Us at the Eiffel Tower.

French people are obsessed with comics and most obsessed with Tintin (although Asterix also rates very highly).

Chapter 2: Paris, oh Paris...

WARNING: DANGEROUSLY LONG BLOG ENTRY, GO TO THE TOILET FIRST AND COME BACK ARMED WITH SNACKS.

Last Saturday morning we (meaning me, Nick, my uncle Farzad, my aunty Helene, and my cousin Vincent) all bungled into the car for a mammoth 5 hour drive to the city of romance (Paris)...

My uncle and aunty packed enough food in the car to feed a small country, which was good because we (mostly Nick) were pretty hungry... the whole way. Anyway, my uncle who's a bit of a speed demon (a bit! I'm talking about 150km per hour when my aunty wasn't looking) managed to get us there in record time and we were in our hostel, in Paris, before 2pm.

The mental asylum or "hostel"
The hostel itself was an interesting experience... we happened to be staying there the same weekend as a busload of mentally-disabled people with their carers. It was a slightly strange feeling walking around a hostel (which looked like it might have been a hospital back in the day) with all of them roaming the corridors and hanging out in the foyer (I think they spent a lot of their day inside especially as the weather was terrible!). I know my mentioning this is totally politically incorrect but I can't help it, it was a really funny experience...

Anyway Team Leader Helene as I liked to call her, took total control of the situation and was an excellent tour guide for a 2 day fly-by trip around Paris.

The Louvre
Our first stop was the Louvre museum, which, as expected, was gorgeous (though it did rain on our parade). Nick took all kinds of great symmetrical and artistic photos (you can see some of the examples here). We decided not to actually go inside because, well, none of us wanted to stand in a line that was 1km long in the rain. Funny that. But never fear, the Mona Lisa will not elude us forever... just for the time being...

After some significant roaming around we also got to Notre Dame and went inside to peer at all the people that were actually attending a service in there. How someone can concentrate on a sermon and maintain a prayerful state of mind while there are about 200 roaming tourists around you taking snaps and whispering away is beyond my understanding!

A traditional French mountain meal... and frogs legs
We also went to the 'Latin Quarter' - a bunch of alleyways and streets bustling with people, activity, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants! We experienced a traditional French 'mountain person' meal, which I must say, isn't quite the standard of Thaila Thai back in Melbourne... It was actually quite similar to Dutch food, basically consisting of potatoes, cheese and salty meats. Oh, and gherkins. Wow, I'm sure there are no french mountain people that are fat and suffering high blood pressure and regular cardiac arrests.

Nick also ordered frogs legs! So yes, we can say we have eaten frogs legs (snails are old news... we had them back in Melbourne)! For all of you out there that have always wondered what they taste like... well they taste similar to fish (not quite as strong), with a chicken texture!

The Eiffel Tower
Faaaaaaaaaaantastic. We went to the Eiffel Tower after sunset when it was all lit up and it looked amazing. It really is SO HUGE. We were going to catch the lift up to the top level but it was closed due to strong wind... and when we went back the next day hoping the top level would be open the line was about ten million kilometres long AND it was still closed (but there are two other levels you can go to).

Champs-Elysees, tea and mcdee's
Oh my gosh I have never seen so many people at one time as I did on this street. I think everyone thought it'd be a great idea to come to Paris on new years weekend (as did we). Anyway, the highlight of this street was paying 6 euros (approximately 10 dollars) for a CUP OF TEA. that's right. and it was a teabag. at least I did get a little chocolate with it (which Nick ate... ok I gave it to him). Oh, and the other highlight was waiting in line for about 20 minutes at mcdonalds to get some lunch and then not even being able to sit in the store because there were too many people. So... we sat outside on a street bench (the five of us!) to eat our lunch!

New years eve
Okay, so I know I said above that on Champs-elysees I had never seen so many people...

well that was true up until about 2 hours later when new years eve rolled around. DEAR GOD. Where did they all come from? And I thought Melbourne rush hour on the trams was bad...

Nobody in the city seemed to have any idea where, if any, the fireworks would be. So, we decided the Eiffel Tower was the best bet and started to make our way there.

The train platforms were over-run with people and not everyone could get onto a train. Once we were at the train station we realised that move was a big mistake and ski-daddled on outta there! Instead we walked most of the way, which at least ensured we had enough air to breathe per person.

We got there with about 5 minutes to spare and found ourselves a cosy spot. As the clock struck midnight none of us really realised as there was no countdown or anything... but suddenly glittering lights came on at the Eiffel Tower which we assumed meant 2007 was here! Funnily enough, the glittering lights that came on were the exact same glittering lights that come on EVERY night at the Eiffel Tower. Wow, thanks for the extra effort guys!! Nevertheless, it was still absolutely stunning.

Some locals were increasing the amusement (and danger) factor by letting off random fireworks in crowded places.

All in all, Paris nye was fun but much too crowded for no show! Nick seemed the most excited when he caught a glimpse of the riot police in their full combat gear. Oh Nick.... :)

The day after
The next morning we slowly managed to get out of bed, pack our bags and head to the train station back to the Netherlands. On our way we stopped at the bakery and stuffed ourselves with all things French... and my uncle and aunty treated us to a few different types of delicious cheeses to bring home with us (which mind you are stinking out the fridge downstairs). Our left train at 1pm and we got home before 5pm... would you believe we crossed three countries and got home before my french fam made it back to their place from Paris.

Overall we had a great time! Many fun memories! HAPPY 2007 EVERYONE!

I have written so much... if you are still reading this I commend you. You deserve a medal.

Chapter 1: Christmas in the countryside

Okay I have written chapter 1 in the title, but don't worry, I'm not writing a book. We had so many experiences in France it's difficult to know where to start!

We arrived on Sunday evening 24th December into Paris. My first experience was buying a french baguette and then being told I am very beautiful by the salesman behind the counter. The moment was so stereotypical french I didn't know whether to laugh or eat my sanger. Anyway, we then caught the train out to a city close to my family in Bretagne where they met us with their flashing santa hats! It was a great reunion... I hadn't seen them in about five years and my cousin has grown up so much!

We spent 5 days in Bretagne... we tried so many new foods I got sick on Thursday! Perhaps I had eaten a little too much... it was just all sooo good. My uncle is a chef so Nick was learning all kinds of new recipes from him everyday...

We ate duck liver (NOT pate, do not make the mistake of calling 'foie grais' 'pate'), amazing cheeses, seafood, seafood, and more seafood... some kind of intestine (needless to say we weren't particularly fond of this one), delicious home made (or 'house fabricated' as my very English-literate uncle calls it) mayonnaises, duck with an amazing balsamic vinegar sauce and sooo mucccch moooooreee.

My cousin is learning English so we had a good time swapping words and conducting lessons to each other in various languages. Nick also got beat playing playstation with him a number of times.

What else? We had a great time... and froze our butts off, but it was worth it! On Saturday we all took off to Paris for a whirlwind weekend! But that's chapter 2 of the story...

Okay it looks like I did write a book... oops!

A week in the life of the french. Chapter 1: Christmas in the countryside

Is this the Christmas spirit they speak of?

The local markets on Tuesday morning. Just looking at the photo makes me cold. Oh but it was so picturesque in the french countryside.

Nick the eager student learning french cuisine from the best.

Going for a walk around one of the local ports. Very pretty indeed! Apparently some famous french writer lives in that house.