Adventure to Antwerp

Well, at the recommendation of a co-worker, I traveled to Antwerp today.

I had quite an adventure. First I used the Rotterdam Subway to get to the Central Station.

I am attaching a picture from inside the subway. Some people need to beat their kids. There are too many taggers in this city.

Anyways, I made it to the station, paid 60 cent euro to use the toilet, and got on the train to Antwerp. Rode the train for about an hour. The train station there is quite spectacular. I forget that in WWII the Germans obliterated Rotterdam, and therefore all the architecture is new. In Antwerp there are old buildings. Here is the inside of the station.

As I walked out of the station, I saw an area with pubs, some casinos, and other places of debauchery, and I thought "That is where I want to be". But instead I walked in a completely different direction. Next think I knew I walked from China town through Iran and on into Afghanistan. I got so lost, but after 3 hours of walking I made it back to where I wanted to be in the first place.

I stopped in at an Irish pub. It was so smoky, I couldn't take a deep breath without inhaling a bunch of smoke. But the Guinness was so good after all that walking, I dealt with it. Besides after 4 Guinnesseseses, who cares?

I met and talked with all kinds of nice people, but it was getting late, and I didn't want to miss my train home.

On my train home I met up with a couple of Scottish kids who had brought some beer on the train (I just HAD to make friends). They were headed to some music venue in Rotterdam.

After I made it to Rotterdam, the Scottish kids and me went to a bar that I had been to before. The bartender calls me "Texas". We had a few rounds and then we parted ways.

Finally, I made it back to the apartment, tired, a little drunk, and hungry.

Thats the story. Not all my updates can be exciting.

Dinner

I saw this and it gave me a craving for mac and cheese. Wasn't quite what I expected, but it was pretty damn good.

Early Voting from Rotterdam

Well, I mailed my ballot back to Texas today. I thought I would vote Libertarian since Texas vote will probably go to McCain. However, I don't think Bob Barr is a true Libertarian. Now Clint Eastwood or John Stossel...there are some good Libertains.

Anyways, I voted with the rest of the state.

Food in Foreign Lands

I find it funny that while traveling abroad, eating cultural foods from around the world seems strange. As though you should only eat foods from the particular country you are visiting, and food from other countries within the country you are visiting would taste strange.

For example, while here in The Netherlands, I am eating lasagne. Now, my first impression is, "Italian food here won't taste anything like Italian food back in Texas." Now what a silly thing to think. Of course it tastes the same. Sheesh.

(This was all true until I had a cheeseburger, haha)

Hair Cut in Rotterdam

I brought a pair of rechargeable hair clippers. Turns out the charging unit is only rated for 110, not 110 and 220. First pair I have ever had that weren't compatible. So, I have half a haircut right now.

Now there is a hair salon across the street from me (what happened to barber shops???), and I had to go and explain my haircut needs. I think they are laughing at me.

Culture and Language

It is funny, I think the different cultures and also how languages translate.

Is this cocaine??? I think it is parmigiano.

And this sign in the subway...

I'm not sure what goes there, but I don't think it would feel good.

Saturday at some street bars

I have been to this place on my previous trip, however it wasn't busy then. I decided to walk to this area, have some food and drink, and relax on the patio. Well, relax nothing! I didn't realize there was a Netherlands v.s. Iceland football (soccer) game that day. And Netherlands won.

It was very noisy. But I stayed for a bit just to watch.

Now, the Apartment I am in

Since I am here for so long, it was deemed necessary to put me in corporate housing rather than for me to stay in a hotel. Which I much prefer. The apartment is in a really neat part of town. There are pubs and cafes all around.

I am on the 2nd floor (3rd story) of this building on the right hand side of the building.


Here is the apartment's huge living room.


The gigantic kitchen, complete with refrigerator, stove (on top of frige), and washing machine big enough for couple shirts a couple pants some socks and undies.


And finally, the shower and sink (Toilet is in a closet all be itself in another part of the apartment.


It is a tiny place that has a pretty high rent, but the area is desirable.

It is really a great place to be.

First things First

It has been a while since I have posted. This summer I visited L'Estartit in Spain. I visited London, which was nice, and worked in Rotterdam for 2 weeks. Then I went back to Houston, endured a Hurricane, drove to Dallas, came home for a few weeks, and then back to Rotterdam for a month.