As any idealistic, romantic American, I often grew up dreaming about visiting Italy– Rome, Florence, Sienna and Venice. Who hasn’t grown up hearing about the Michelangelo’s Statue of David, an exquisite piece of marble considered to be one of the Renaissance’s most renowned masterpieces?
The Statue of David was of course one of my “must-see attractions” in Florence. Although it was supposedly forbidden to take any pictures, I couldn’t help but take my own personal photograph. I needed to capture the moment, and what better way than with my beloved Canon SLR?
While visiting those famed tourist attractions are a definite must (at least once in your life), straying away the off the beaten path can give you a unique perspective. One could even argue, greater appreciation for the beauty right before your very eyes. One may ask, “Why not go to the place that inspired these Renaissance artists”? Why not for a moment stand in front of the marble mountains that Michelangelo saw with his very own eyes?
With the help of our new found Italian friends, Bram and I just did.
It was a beautiful hike through the Italian national park with breathtaking nature all around.
With little breaks to enjoy the succulent, wild sweet forest berries to tickle our appetites and make us dream for more.
And at the end of an unforgettable journey, we all ate an amazing Italian Tuscan meal.
After all, ”Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but the number of moments that take your breath away” (Alex Hitchens).
Dutch version: Wijsheid is het zoeken naar antwoorden en ze vinden, soms kan je dat niet alleen, daarvoor heb je vrienden…
This past weekend (May 10-12) was not only a double family celebration of Mother’s Day and Pentacost, but also my 26th birthday. =)
I must confess that on Saturday morning, I was giving the Dutch Boy a considerably hard time. I was miserable and moody. Not only was I turning 26 and feeling like a complete failure, but it was the fourth Mother’s Day I was spending away from my mom.
Nonetheless, the Dutch Boy put up a good fight and managed to drag me out to Amsterdam to watch Cirque du Soleil’s Varekai. While I had already hinted to him that I would enjoy such a treat, I was quite surprised at the great center front seats he mustered to get. Even though I occasionally tease him with his Dutch thrift, the boy does know a think or two about being a hopeless romantic. I love him with all my heart, and sometimes my temperamental Taurus mood can go a little too far.
I’ve always wanted to watch a Cirque du Soleil show ever since hearing my favorite professor’s genuine excitement about it. Never one to follow the trend, I initially thought that the show might be a little too strange for me–a supposed colorful fantasy world filled with eccentric costumes, acrobatic performances, and singing in a non-existent language. Why would I even want to bother?
The professor, however, continued to be extremely enthusiastic about it, exclaiming that if he were to only watch one show in Las Vegas, it would be Cirque du Soleil. His winning argument was that not only did it have highly talented performers and script writers, but it also engaged the audience for two hours in another world of possibility and to simply inspire what dreams may come…
Living in the modern world can sometimes be daunting, stressful, and overall heartbreaking. I also knew that this professor wanted me to experience life beyond the confines of Berkeley’s stifling walls, to see another world past striving for academic achievement and all the pomp and circumstance. He wanted his students to dream and Cirque du Soleil was an interesting and unique outlet to do so.
I finally acquiesced. After all, if he happened to be wrong, I would still enjoy a treat from highly skilled performers and witty script writers. Granted it took me five years to finally see the show, but it was perhaps the most appropriate time in my life to have watched it. There’s nothing better than to have an experience that lets you reminisce about the past, evaluate the present, and dream of the future on your birthday. Sharing it with the love of your life also makes the experience so much sweeter.
Since I was in such a bad mood before the show (I was feeling ugly, fat and stupid) and thus emotionally exhausted, I wasn’t mischievous enough to try to take any pictures. Instead, I managed to find a clip from youtube to try to share my wonderful experience.
Warning: If you do intend on watching a Cirque du Soleil show, the following clip may be a spoiler. Furthermore, it does not do any justice to the world acclaimed performances.
The rest of the weekend was incredibly “gezellig”. Dutch boy and I enjoyed a lavish Mother’s Day/birthday brunch at his mother’s garden with the company of his two precocious nieces, two older sisters, mother, brother in-law, favorite aunt and uncle. We were all grateful for the rare treat of sunshine, flowers, and family. While I may not actually fit in with Dutch boy’s family (especially due to cultural idiosyncrasies), they really are darling and their hearts are in the right place. I know that one day, especially after I learn how to speak Dutch and thus can finally have a decent conversation, my relationship with them will improve.
Later on the day, he happily drove me to Maastricht, a city two hours away but seemingly another world. I should actually dedicate another blog post to this wonderful gem affectionately called Maastricht. After wandering the cobbled stone streets, we had dinner at De Cuyp, a New York Times recommend restaurant. I can’t help but go to restaurants reviewed by their critics. More often than not, they are often on point and offer valuable tips on getting the most value for your palate. We ordered the “surprise menu” which was basically a three course meal chosen by the chef, and the wine special with appropriately paired wines. Not being regular drinkers and having generous refills, the wine got the best of us. The friendly owner actually helped us find sobriety in the end by trying to have a conversation with us.
It was actually a relief that we came to our senses at the end of the night. We were staying with his favorite aunt (who we had brunch with earlier that day) and it would have been completely inappropriate to have showed up at her door-step at midnight inebriated. Although we did have the keys, she actually stayed up to have tea with us. She is incredibly sweet! After having a heart to heart with her, we went to bed and looked forward to enjoying breakfast with her and my first official time on a racing bike.
When I managed to finally wake up, I was delighted to see her trying to quietly walk down the stairs to prepare breakfast. While I felt inclined to help her, she seemed to take a lot of joy of playing the “mom/aunt/grandmother” role. When ever relatives come to visit Maastricht, she takes often takes it personally if they don’t stay over at her place. I love her for being so traditional, so caring about family.
After a nice traditional Southern Dutch brunch (more emphasis on sweets), we all enjoyed a walk up to a cafe on top of a hill just a 15 minute way away from her home. I was pleasantly surprised to actually be on a hill in the Netherlands, a land notorious for being mostly below sea level. It was also a hill that was adorned with small farms, collectively known as Saint Peter’s garden. I must confess that part of the reason why I enjoyed it so much was that it seemed like a world away. It was as if I was in the Provence rather than in the Low Countries. You can only imagine how much I appreciated it.
The cafe provided a picturesque view of Maastricht, a juxtaposition of scenic farmland and gardens on hills in the foreground and with a panoramic view of the city in the backdrop. Making the moment just a little bit sweeter was my first ever Limburgse vlaai (original rice flavor). I’m still dreaming about it till this day.
While it was difficult to momentarily say goodbye to the Dutch Boy’s aunt, her tempting us with another round of coffee or two, we managed to break away and head over to Meerssen/Valkenburg, a cyclist’s paradise. Never having been on a racing bike before and actually accident prone, you can only imagine how scared I was to get on this bike with bike clips. My experience (and associated thoughts) might as well deserve another blog post. =)
By the end of the bike trip in the hot sun and unforgiving hills, our appetites were insatiable and so was our need for a long refreshing shower. Never fear–the Dutch Boy’s Aunt’s house was near! It was of course another pleasant dinner filled with great food and heart to hearts. This time it was hard to go back to Utrecht. Nonetheless, real life was beckoning us once again and I was assured that I can always come by to visit. =)
Thank-you my love for making this one of the best and most memorable birthday’s I ever had. Not to forget to mention the love and warmth your family has shown me to make me feel special on my birthday(weekend).
I’m convinced that Fall is already over and that Winter is knocking, or more accurately, banging on the door. Today I woke up to freezing temperatures and needed to take a nice hot shower to wash away my irritation. Granted, Philadelphia was also unbearably cold. But I thought that it was an experience I can scratch off my “life experience list”. Alas, I’m afraid that was premature on my part.
The positive note is that I’ve become reacquainted with the gym these past two weeks. Bram and I, along with the other couple hundred members of De Workout, were blessed with new fitness machines fully equipped with computer screens. Yes my friends, you can actually pretend that you are running on some beautiful island, tracking your progress along in a virtual world with amenities such as heart rate level, running speed, kilometers ran, etc.
Today I am going to buy a new pair of running shoes. Utrecht Spring Marathon, here I come! It took me twenty-five years to appreciate the simple act of running and I don’t want to miss another moment without it.
I also managed to be charmed by a spinning instructor who makes the intense cardio workout a lot more facinating. While he simply can’t replace Steve, my Philadelphia Dad, he does know how to motivate me to brave the cold and burn all those calories. After six months in the Netherlands, I’m ready to loose those 10 pounds and get in better shape.
I am going to make an honest effort living in a world where I definitely don’t belong. While it is incredibly easy to get depressed in such a dark and dreary world, I have to start making the best of it. Happiness, according to the wisdom of family and friends, lies in first and foremost, accepting and loving who you are. Living in a world where conformity is often stressed as an absolute must, there leaves little room for individuality, personality, and creativity.
No matter what, I’m not going to be preoccupied with trying to adjust myself to what others believe is appropriate. I am, however, going to be more patient and invest more time in learning how to find some peace in the Netherlands.
Mrs. Weasley,� Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
I’m ashamed to admit that my spinning skills have fallen on the wayside.� I seriously need to restructure my workout regime. I may not look out of shape, but I don’t exactly feel comfortable in my own skin. It could be the extra nine pounds I’ve been carrying around since I arrived in the Netherlands.
I truly miss the spinning classes at the Philadelphia Sports Club (Society Hill). Most of all, I miss my friends.
I can keep on complaining about how much I detest my current gym-how superficial, stifling, unfriendly and fake the environment seems to be.
Or seriously research other gyms that take spinning seriously and have an overall welcoming atmosphere.
And I’ve just done that. Tonight will be my first spinning trial at� “De Workout” on the Old Canal.� Wish me luck!
First Monthly Brunch:
“Gepeco” officially had its first monthly brunch today. While we weren’t able to go to my favorite bakery, we managed to find a suitable substitute that provided make-shift outside seating. Even though the food was average, we were all grateful to enjoy some sun. After all, “summer” in the Netherlands is virtually non-existent. It comes to no surprise that going on holiday is ingrained in the culture-it’s the only opportunity for the Dutch to receive any decent exposure to sunlight. Otherwise, or more accurately, people are inclined to suffer from seasonal affective disorder all year long.
It was really amusing to see these mid to late twenty something boys enthusiastic about the idea of having a monthly brunch. They really are all big teddy bears, never hesitant to enjoy wholesome experiences with one another as they traverse through these awkward
years.
Health Status:
It seems that I really need to start watching my weight again. Despite my 45 minute spinning work-outs three to five times a week, I have gained a solid 7 lbs since arriving in May. That’s three lbs a month! Fortunately, I still “look” in shape, fit into my skinny jeans, and am on the lighter side than last year. I really do need to start moderating my alcohol intake. My goal for now is to loose those 7 lbs and get back into the shape I was in before all the cheese, chocolate, alcohol and side beverages. =)
