Archive for December, 2005

Visit to Amsterdam

Thursday, December 29th, 2005

Amsterdam Station - Harrah: Snow!

After many quiet, stillful nights in this concrete city of digital dreams, I have returned to blow new life and fresh colour into these pages. “O frabjious day! Calooh! Calay!” I hear you chortling in your joy. :)

In case you wonder: Christmas involved mild yucky-illness, though was nice and toasty and mince-pie-ish.

First post back is a photoset of pictures from my daytrip to Amsterdam with my cousin. Unfortunetly, the digital camera died right on cue as we got into Amsterdam Central Station, but did managed to get some chill-evoking white snowscenes captured on the way there. In case you are unaware, a large portion of the Netherlands is reclaimed wetlands (hence “Low Lands”) and so tends to be vast swathes of completely flat land. The wind struts unchallenged where it will, and makes for chilly times.

I’d love to say that our visit to Amsterdam revolved around the enormous collection of museums and galleries, beautiful architecture and canals, but this would be a big fat lie. Realistically, my cousin is an excited teenager who/and so has very specific things in mind when in comes to the Big A. Our day was spent roughly devided between oogling through the seedy quarters of Amsterdam’s red light district, and relaxing (with some herbal assistance) in some of the many Coffee Shops. Some shopping, a little cultural osmosis, and introduction to some traditional Dutch food helped to even things out a bit, and all in all the day was turned out to be fun.

Secret weaknesses of The Old Bill and Airport Security

Tuesday, December 20th, 2005

I was standing outside a restaurant with my mum yesturday, debating whether to go in. A policeman (English; decked out in the usual english policeman getup) came up to me.
In a tone of sombre authority he said something along the lines of:
“I’m sorry to have to tell you this sir,” <dramatic pause used to full effect> “but you have a tail.” He then called to his police chums down the road suggesting that they “Have a look at this!”

It was quite funny, though it’s certainly indicative of a different reaction from this hemisphere.

While going through security at Changi in Singapore, the security detector was evidently more sensitive than the one at Heathrow; it went off. I was taken quite benignly to one side, and a security woman used the magic wand on me. After buzzing around my stomach, she lifted up my T-shirt and said “You’ve got a belt buckle.” I replied that yes I did. She then noticed something else, and said with an amused smile, but in the same voice “You’ve got a tail.” Yes, I replied, just the usual. Maybe this anecdote could be told better, but the point is really that it is lovely when my tail gets to bring warmth into two people’s day: the security woman for seeing it, and myself for sharing :)

England

Tuesday, December 13th, 2005

Just finished an epic 34 hours of travelling, including hiring a car and driving to where I’m staying. Incredible culture different. got to go.
tired.

Changi transit

Tuesday, December 13th, 2005

Well. I’m in Singapore’s Changi airport waiting for a transfer. I’ve just had a nice shower and complimentry green tea, so I’m all fresh-faced and bushy-tailed for the next leg.

Ain’t I just the international traveller?
My fellow companions were very friendly. Talked mostly to the Gary on my right who is a Ski judge on his way to the north of China for a “world cup” ski event.

Well got to go.
Love is all around

Pete’s Ridge Festival

Sunday, December 11th, 2005

It’s over. My head is still buzzing with wonderful experiences with wonderful people. What an absolutely fantastic time.