So it wasn't exactly Queen's College Colours (red, blue, and gold) that were proudly on display last Wednesday and Thursday, but rather orange, the national colour of the Netherlands in honour of Queen Beatrix. The combination of Queen's Night and Queen's Day was a boiling over of revelry and merriment with a dash of whimsy and a sprig of hooliganism. It goes down as the craziest 36 hour stretch I've had since leaving Canada and, for that reason, (as with most events of this magnitude) hard to do justice to in a Sunday post.
Queen's Night began on the Wednesday at our favourite hangout called Orlaam which is an authentic little Dutch pub on Nieuwe Dolenstraat which is just up the street from where we study. Unfortunately, the majority of the group opted to finish their thesis proposals (mine had been sent in that morning) rather than partake in the Q Night festivities. There is only one word I can use to describe that decision: LAME. Thankfully, Hetta, Adam, and Stu also grasped the importance of such a night to our development as temporary ex-pats. After a few introductory pints, we went to an outdoor music venue near the Music Theatre where there was a DJ spinning some mad Euro techno. Beers were (unfortunately) two and a half euros with a one euro deposit on the cup: also LAME. The Dutch, who had done this a dreadful number of times before, brought their own which was what we should have done. A girl wandered up to the four of us and insisted we have orange stripes under our eyes - no complaint here! We spent a good two hours taking in the sights at the concert and decided to head to a "special invite only" party that was taking place elsewhere in the city.
I say it was "invite only" because the location was secret up until an hour before the party, however, because the party turned out to be directly under a bridge in the north of Amsterdam, I don't know how "invite only" you could say it was. That's right, we took a cab to the north of Amsterdam and had the driver drop us where we could hear the beat reverberating off the walls of the....bridge. I can't say I've ever been to a party under a bridge before. You should have heard the voice mail describing directions from just about anywhere in the Netherlands. Every instruction ended with, "and there you will find us, under the bridge." Needless to say, I was a bit skeptical (and thinking that this type of party was more for our teenage or freshly 20 counterparts), but it turned out to be an amazing night. It was, as usual in Amsterdam, a really alternative, hip, cutting-edge type group that was at the party. The music was really great, it was amazing to spend the night outside, and there was a bonfire under the opposite side of the bridge that proved to be a welcome place to sit and relax. Like The Neighbour, De Trut, and some of the other places I've been in the city, this party was a reminder of the types of spots that only really exist in a city like Amsterdam. I don't think I could have had this type of wild experience (I mean, an all night party under a bridge?) in Canada. It's nights like that, that at first I was weary to attend for fear of it being completely difference to what I've been to before, that make it the reason I've loved the European growth.
We should party under bridges more often; if the homeless don't mind the noise. I'm going to be honest in my chronicle and tell you that I stayed there until 5:30am (yes Mom and Dad...late). At that point, we walked back to the main section of the city (to avoid a 40 Euro cab fare). Luckily, I had biked to the North of Amsterdam before so I knew the route home. After a thirty minute hike, I climbed into bed at 6:00am and bolted awake 3 hours later to get up and ready for the breakfast I was hosting at 9:30. Ah, Queen's Day! The crowd started filtering in around 10:00am recounting stories about the evenings adventures and getting ready for a full day in the sun joining the Dutch faithful. We brunched on all kinds of fresh fruit, pancakes, waffles (of course), salmon, cheese, and, of course, some beer and mimosa. My initial reason for throwing the breakfast was to remember those nostalgic pancake-kegger mornings at Queen's homecoming and the one here in Amsterdam didn't disappoint. It reminded me really fondly of Kingston. Everyone arrived in their orange garb, we sat around listening to good music, and preparing ourselves for a leisurely afternoon.
After an extended two hour brunch, we hit the city at about noon. We visited the famous flea markets scattered all throughout the city. Anyone, everyone, and their neighbours all hawk their wares at the side of the street for dirt cheap. While I understand the tradition, I don't know who would want to spend an entire day trying to peddle old clothes when you could be among the parks and parties. Our second stop was a wander by the canals which were absolutely packed with orange boats filled with people having a few drinks and enjoying an afternoon ride. We then set up camp in a big park outside the Heineken Brewery where we had a patch of sun to call our own. It may not sound exciting but we sat for two hours chatting with other Dutch people, taking in the sights, and enjoying the beautiful sun (the .70 Euro cent beers weren't bad either). After park lounging, we went to a concert near the Museumplein where a huge sound system had been erected. The headlining group was none other than 2Unlimited. WHO? How about - ("Let Me Hear You Say Yeah! No No, No No, No No, No No, No No, No, No, there's no limit!") That's the correct number of 'No's for your information. They also sing Tribal Dance. I am certain that most of you have skipped to this at a Jump Rope For Heart near you. The Euros love the classics.
The concert was packed, but it was great to be part of a big group. Our last stop of the day was a park near Museumplein where we sat around and leisurely wasted away the afternoon. We had a Dutch visitor who joined our group and requested to know more about our international makeup. He pronounced Canada, KA-NA-DA with stress on each syllable and said that he was pretty certain that was the right way to pronounce it. He thought that being from Canada, I was just use to pronouncing it incorrectly, or as I think he called it "a localized version." I'm certain he had come from a "coffeeshop" just before joining us. Not to worry, I let him know who was boss of Canadian knowledge - he got the 411.
It was about that time, 10:00pm, that we all began to feel the effects of 28 hours of go-go-go partying. Instead of heading out further downtown, we decided to call it an early night. The three hours of sleep that I barely registered were ultimately, not enough to get me (or any one of us for that matter) to forego sleep and hit the town. I crashed into bed at 11:00pm and slept until noon the next day which happened to be par for the course for our group. I thought we had missed out on capitalizing Queen's Day Night, but it turns out (after consulting some Dutch friends) that going hard Queen's Night into day and not making it out for the latter part of the day is the preferred way to 'do' the holiday. So we actually followed the correct procedure without even knowing it. Unfortunately, the holiday was marred by the attack on the royal family in a small town which shut down some of the evening events in Amsterdam. It was a really shocking piece of news which put a damper on a lot of the festivities.
Queen's Day goes down as one of my most memorable European experiences yet! I think years from now, whenever I see a canal flooded with orange hooligans on orange boats with orange beers, I'll think back to the 32 hours of constant revelry. It was great to be in the centre of it all.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: I'd prescribe a wicked party under a bridge to shake up some of the Canadian uptightness, but I don't think it'd fly. What's everyone up to on Canada Day - bridge party anyone?
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
On the Precipice of a Sea of Orange.doc
I'm squeezing this blog entry in before committing to 48 hours of revelry here in Amsterdam. Tonight is Queen's Night and tomorrow is Queen's Day. Think Canada Day in Toronto multiplied by a factor of ten to account for the drinking culture here in Europe and the 'lax' social policies here in the Netherlands. Every day this week the city has been abuzz with plans for the next two days, orange garland has been strung around buildings, and eight or so outdoor music venues have been set up around the city. Clearly, it's a big deal.
In preparation for the festivities, the past three days have been spent madly trying to complete all my work so the only thing I have to worry about coming this evening is how much orange clothing I have to join the roves of hooligans from all over the country who have migrated to the capital. These days spent at the library were in promise of completely giving myself over to the Dutch way of life for their favourite holiday. Thankfully, I was able to complete all the assignments and readings necessary. I finally sent off my thesis proposal this morning after meticulously working over it for the past six weeks. To say it's great to have it off my desk and in the hands of the powers that be is an understatement.
Today was technically my last day of classes for the course proper here in Amsterdam and actually for the whole of MAIPR. We have portfolio presentations in next week's time, but the major instruction is officially over. Save for the major assignments to compliment the course work, and a week of summer school in Finland, the in-class portion of the work is done. And I couldn't be happier. The focus now shifts (after a break in June and July) to climbing the thesis mountain until mid-December.
Tonight we plan to rove around the city taking in the Queen's Night celebrations. We're leaving ourselves open to see some of the more happening spots, but will stop by two Dutch parties we've been invited to. Once would think that this evening entertainment would demand a good sleep in tomorrow, but it's not possible on Queen's Day! I've invited 15 or so friends here in Amsterdam over to my place for a 10am breakfast to get the day started right. We'll be having breakfast and mimosa to gear up for a full day of Netherlands fun. It's not quite a Pancake Kegger of the old Queen's (University) days, but it's as close as I can get.
Of course, a full description of the day's activities and photos will follow in due course.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: To live vicariously through my experience, google image Queen's Day Amsterdam - it's a mad house. Wear some orange today!
In preparation for the festivities, the past three days have been spent madly trying to complete all my work so the only thing I have to worry about coming this evening is how much orange clothing I have to join the roves of hooligans from all over the country who have migrated to the capital. These days spent at the library were in promise of completely giving myself over to the Dutch way of life for their favourite holiday. Thankfully, I was able to complete all the assignments and readings necessary. I finally sent off my thesis proposal this morning after meticulously working over it for the past six weeks. To say it's great to have it off my desk and in the hands of the powers that be is an understatement.
Today was technically my last day of classes for the course proper here in Amsterdam and actually for the whole of MAIPR. We have portfolio presentations in next week's time, but the major instruction is officially over. Save for the major assignments to compliment the course work, and a week of summer school in Finland, the in-class portion of the work is done. And I couldn't be happier. The focus now shifts (after a break in June and July) to climbing the thesis mountain until mid-December.
Tonight we plan to rove around the city taking in the Queen's Night celebrations. We're leaving ourselves open to see some of the more happening spots, but will stop by two Dutch parties we've been invited to. Once would think that this evening entertainment would demand a good sleep in tomorrow, but it's not possible on Queen's Day! I've invited 15 or so friends here in Amsterdam over to my place for a 10am breakfast to get the day started right. We'll be having breakfast and mimosa to gear up for a full day of Netherlands fun. It's not quite a Pancake Kegger of the old Queen's (University) days, but it's as close as I can get.
Of course, a full description of the day's activities and photos will follow in due course.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: To live vicariously through my experience, google image Queen's Day Amsterdam - it's a mad house. Wear some orange today!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
A Different Kind of Marketing.doc
European Markets are the absolute greatest. I know I’ve gone on about this before, but why hasn’t their popularity made it across the pond? Yes, we have a market here or there but there are at least eight of them in Amsterdam (which is a tiny city compared to larger centres).
I went to the market both Friday and Saturday to score some deals and mingle with the plebs. The Albert Cupymarket is the best in the city. Case in point: carrots, onions, sprouts, TWO small heads of broccoli, and peas for 3.50 Euros. I’ve been a fool for buying produce at the AH – it’s just way too convenient. I picked up a pair of sunglasses to replace the ones I lost for 5E, bought 10 oranges for 2E, and picked up a screaming orange Holland jersey for Queen’s Day for 5E. I also walked by a stall selling summer footwear for 17 Euros (some sleek slip-ons). Worth a trip back for those. Deals, deals, deals. Apparently, one who now knows how to budget and spend frugally in these “tough economic times” is called a Recessionista – if that’s the case then I’ve be one since as long as I can remember. Recesionisters of the world unite.
I also took some time to visit two of the city’s other parks to get a bit more pleasure reading done. The book has proved to be enjoyable thus far. In addition to all this dandying around, I hit the ground running on my assignments. I locked myself up in the library on Thursday from 9:30am – 7:00pm trying to bang out the draft of my essay. If I’ve learned two things in six years of school about my work habits, it’s thus: I must head to a library to be able to concentrate completely on writing an essay, and the thoughts must be vomited out on the screen for the first draft no matter how badly formed they may be. So I “literarily” vomited all of Thursday and was able to muster a good 2200 words. The rest will be called up before the end of next week.
To reward ourselves for a hard fought week, aside from the Bob Rae day, Bec and I went for some drinks last evening. We chose a pub we hadn’t been to before just up the street from school. Like most of the pubs here, it has a smattering of tables outside. We were lucky enough to snag a table right beside the canal. As we nursed a few beers we saw boats of all shapes and sizes float by. I couldn’t imagine a more relaxing way to spend a Friday evening…unless I was on a boat of course.
Last evening, I joined Adam and a few of his flat mates at a club in the Rembrantplein (the really touristy place) for a night out. It was a typical Saturday adventure – lots of people out, lots of great songs, and a late night. One of Adam’s flatmates is an extremely intelligent philosopher. They debated Foucault, Kant, Freud, and all things to do with post-structuralism. I tried my best to keep up, but in the end was then happy to talk about more ‘wordly things.’ Besides, I like to separate my week from my weekend as much as possible.
Today, I had a FOUR hour meeting which started at noon to plan the conference I’ll be helping with in July. Thankfully it’s a rainy day so I can focus on finishing work. The rest of the day will be devoted to refining my thesis proposal which will hopefully land in the inbox of the Director on Wednesday so that Thursday can be spent basking in the revelry that is the Netherland’s Queen’s Day.
Bon voyage to my little brother Todd who will be leaving for a week in Miami followed by a week in Trinidad. I’m completely jealous of the temperatures he’ll be basking in.
Doc’s Prescription of the Day: Markets, pubs, and a thesis proposal, oh my! The prescrip is for the former two, not the latter. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
I went to the market both Friday and Saturday to score some deals and mingle with the plebs. The Albert Cupymarket is the best in the city. Case in point: carrots, onions, sprouts, TWO small heads of broccoli, and peas for 3.50 Euros. I’ve been a fool for buying produce at the AH – it’s just way too convenient. I picked up a pair of sunglasses to replace the ones I lost for 5E, bought 10 oranges for 2E, and picked up a screaming orange Holland jersey for Queen’s Day for 5E. I also walked by a stall selling summer footwear for 17 Euros (some sleek slip-ons). Worth a trip back for those. Deals, deals, deals. Apparently, one who now knows how to budget and spend frugally in these “tough economic times” is called a Recessionista – if that’s the case then I’ve be one since as long as I can remember. Recesionisters of the world unite.
I also took some time to visit two of the city’s other parks to get a bit more pleasure reading done. The book has proved to be enjoyable thus far. In addition to all this dandying around, I hit the ground running on my assignments. I locked myself up in the library on Thursday from 9:30am – 7:00pm trying to bang out the draft of my essay. If I’ve learned two things in six years of school about my work habits, it’s thus: I must head to a library to be able to concentrate completely on writing an essay, and the thoughts must be vomited out on the screen for the first draft no matter how badly formed they may be. So I “literarily” vomited all of Thursday and was able to muster a good 2200 words. The rest will be called up before the end of next week.
To reward ourselves for a hard fought week, aside from the Bob Rae day, Bec and I went for some drinks last evening. We chose a pub we hadn’t been to before just up the street from school. Like most of the pubs here, it has a smattering of tables outside. We were lucky enough to snag a table right beside the canal. As we nursed a few beers we saw boats of all shapes and sizes float by. I couldn’t imagine a more relaxing way to spend a Friday evening…unless I was on a boat of course.
Last evening, I joined Adam and a few of his flat mates at a club in the Rembrantplein (the really touristy place) for a night out. It was a typical Saturday adventure – lots of people out, lots of great songs, and a late night. One of Adam’s flatmates is an extremely intelligent philosopher. They debated Foucault, Kant, Freud, and all things to do with post-structuralism. I tried my best to keep up, but in the end was then happy to talk about more ‘wordly things.’ Besides, I like to separate my week from my weekend as much as possible.
Today, I had a FOUR hour meeting which started at noon to plan the conference I’ll be helping with in July. Thankfully it’s a rainy day so I can focus on finishing work. The rest of the day will be devoted to refining my thesis proposal which will hopefully land in the inbox of the Director on Wednesday so that Thursday can be spent basking in the revelry that is the Netherland’s Queen’s Day.
Bon voyage to my little brother Todd who will be leaving for a week in Miami followed by a week in Trinidad. I’m completely jealous of the temperatures he’ll be basking in.
Doc’s Prescription of the Day: Markets, pubs, and a thesis proposal, oh my! The prescrip is for the former two, not the latter. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
A Bob Rae Mental Health Day.doc
Anyone remember "Bob Rae Days" back in the good old NDP spend-a-thon Ontario? You'd be hard pressed now to find that kind of government spending happening, but I will remind you that the mandatory days off were unpaid for all civil service workers. Today I took a "Rae Day", or a Mental Health day as some friends like to call it. April has been a busy month. What with two courses and a paper I'm writing (pales in comparison to what I went through at UofT), sometimes a boy just needs a break.
The day began with the free lunch time concert at the Concertgebouw that I have enjoyed going to in the past. Since we haven't had time to go in over a month, Courtney and I planned to enjoy some really beautiful piano playing. It's a pretty funny scene some Wednesdays. The lobby is packed with Amsterdam residents and tourists alike who have flocked to the historic building for an hour of free music. The door to the concert hall is locked and those wishing to enter must queue and hope for a spot. I always arrive about half an hour before the concert begins and never fail to be surprised to find at least a hundred others in line ahead of me. Once the gates open there is a mad, yet organized, rush to get inside. You'd be surprised how competitive people get when sometime is free...yet with limited space.
The concert was wonderful as usual. The pianist played some Schubert and Chopin. I just like to listen and let my thoughts wander. There was a group of young teenagers there on a school outing. I had a moment where I realized I wasn't one of them anymore. Attending lunch time concerts is now a choice and not a mandatory obligation. It makes me wonder if it's the type of thing I'll invest in when I'm making an actual salary. One can dream.
From there we camped out in the beautiful park behind the Riksmuseum (it's the one with the I AMSTERDAM sign). I started a new book called The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. It won the Pulitzer so it should be a good read. I discovered that lying your bicycle sideways on the ground and using the seat for support is a great way to enjoy the park. We faced the sun, snacked on stroopwafels (not quite a 'micmic lunch' but one of your five a day), and enjoyed spring bliss. It's days like this when the work piled up back home seems to float from consciousness. It always gets done, so there is no use stressing over its completion. Besides, I'm chipping away on an essay that isn't fully due until mid-June. Those of you who know me well will not be surprised.
The day got better and better. After soaking up the sun we met Adam and went to FOAM which is a famous photography museum in the city. We had heard about a fantastic exhibit of the work of Richard Avedon. It was a name I had heard before but I really didn't remember why. Turns out I had heard his name because he's one of the most well-known photographers of the 20th century and he passed away not too long ago in 2004. The collection was awe-inspiring. It included 200 of his best shots. He's most well known for the type of portraits he took against a white backdrop where he looked to capture a moment between photographer and subject rather than a posed image. His snapshot of Marilyn Monroe might be his most famous, but I was also really struck by his photos of Andy Warhol and the Factory gang, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Igor Stravinsky, and Samuel Beckett. It was nice to see writers, artists, and politicians displayed alongside the more "popular" film stars. I think I want to find more photography exhibits - his work is really captivating.
After such wonderful pursuits, one gets a little thirsty. To catch the little bit of the day's remaining sunlight, we loafed down on a patio and sipped on a couple of beers. We received a little reprimand from our waitress for pulling our table into the sunlight after it peeked behind the top of a building. Apparently it's dangerous to pull your table into the street. A concert, a park, a photography exhibit, and a patio all in one day. I think I made the most of my Bob Rae Day...my mental health couldn't be better!
Tomorrow will be spent back at the grind, as will the weekend. I'll be sure to pepper in a few social activities to keep things lively. A week tomorrow is Queen's Day - unfortunately not a gathering of QU alumni, but the biggest holiday of the year in Amsterdam. I, of course, have volunteered to host the start of the day's events...but that's for another post.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: Can you afford to take a Bob Rae Mental Health Day? Or afternoon even? I think you can.
The day began with the free lunch time concert at the Concertgebouw that I have enjoyed going to in the past. Since we haven't had time to go in over a month, Courtney and I planned to enjoy some really beautiful piano playing. It's a pretty funny scene some Wednesdays. The lobby is packed with Amsterdam residents and tourists alike who have flocked to the historic building for an hour of free music. The door to the concert hall is locked and those wishing to enter must queue and hope for a spot. I always arrive about half an hour before the concert begins and never fail to be surprised to find at least a hundred others in line ahead of me. Once the gates open there is a mad, yet organized, rush to get inside. You'd be surprised how competitive people get when sometime is free...yet with limited space.
The concert was wonderful as usual. The pianist played some Schubert and Chopin. I just like to listen and let my thoughts wander. There was a group of young teenagers there on a school outing. I had a moment where I realized I wasn't one of them anymore. Attending lunch time concerts is now a choice and not a mandatory obligation. It makes me wonder if it's the type of thing I'll invest in when I'm making an actual salary. One can dream.
From there we camped out in the beautiful park behind the Riksmuseum (it's the one with the I AMSTERDAM sign). I started a new book called The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. It won the Pulitzer so it should be a good read. I discovered that lying your bicycle sideways on the ground and using the seat for support is a great way to enjoy the park. We faced the sun, snacked on stroopwafels (not quite a 'micmic lunch' but one of your five a day), and enjoyed spring bliss. It's days like this when the work piled up back home seems to float from consciousness. It always gets done, so there is no use stressing over its completion. Besides, I'm chipping away on an essay that isn't fully due until mid-June. Those of you who know me well will not be surprised.
The day got better and better. After soaking up the sun we met Adam and went to FOAM which is a famous photography museum in the city. We had heard about a fantastic exhibit of the work of Richard Avedon. It was a name I had heard before but I really didn't remember why. Turns out I had heard his name because he's one of the most well-known photographers of the 20th century and he passed away not too long ago in 2004. The collection was awe-inspiring. It included 200 of his best shots. He's most well known for the type of portraits he took against a white backdrop where he looked to capture a moment between photographer and subject rather than a posed image. His snapshot of Marilyn Monroe might be his most famous, but I was also really struck by his photos of Andy Warhol and the Factory gang, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Igor Stravinsky, and Samuel Beckett. It was nice to see writers, artists, and politicians displayed alongside the more "popular" film stars. I think I want to find more photography exhibits - his work is really captivating.
After such wonderful pursuits, one gets a little thirsty. To catch the little bit of the day's remaining sunlight, we loafed down on a patio and sipped on a couple of beers. We received a little reprimand from our waitress for pulling our table into the sunlight after it peeked behind the top of a building. Apparently it's dangerous to pull your table into the street. A concert, a park, a photography exhibit, and a patio all in one day. I think I made the most of my Bob Rae Day...my mental health couldn't be better!
Tomorrow will be spent back at the grind, as will the weekend. I'll be sure to pepper in a few social activities to keep things lively. A week tomorrow is Queen's Day - unfortunately not a gathering of QU alumni, but the biggest holiday of the year in Amsterdam. I, of course, have volunteered to host the start of the day's events...but that's for another post.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: Can you afford to take a Bob Rae Mental Health Day? Or afternoon even? I think you can.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
A Student Jam in Rotterdam.doc
Back in the UK, I was able to visit a whole bunch of wonderful cities in England. Because I was living in a glorified wheat field at Warwick, these trips proved to be a welcome change from campus life. Here in Amsterdam, there hasn't been such a need for fulfillment outside the bustling city. But I was excited for the day's journey we had planned (Stu, Adam, Courtney, and I) to the second largest city in the country, Rotterdam.
Unlike its flashy and promiscuous counterpart, Rotterdam is more of a modest port city, but continues to evolve after extensive bombing during the war. In Amsterdam, you'll see only a grouping of skyscrapers in the south end of the city, but in Rotterdam they've sprung up all over the landscape. It feels more modern, more business, and definitely more like cities back home. On the train there we passed kilometres of sprawling tulip fields - definitely worth a return with May visitors.
The trip was organized by a PhD student in the department named Hein. He was our extremely informative tour guide for the day. The first stop was the Boijmans Museum. There we saw a fantastic exhibit by video artist Pipilotti Rist entitled Elixir. It was almost as good as the legendary Kingston hangout...almost. The largest space in the museum was split into eight installations that are a collection of the artist's most famous pieces (which have been featured at the Pompidou in Paris and the Church of San Stae in Venice). My three favourite pieces were projected on ceiling mounted movie screens - in each of these spaces, spectators were encouraged to lie on the ground, lie in a bed, or sit on a cushion and watch the dream like video sequences. The videos were mesmerizing; they reminded me of those old-school Fruitopia commercials with the fruit manipulation and Moby-like tunes. It was also nice to wander into a museum and sprawl out on the floor. I don't think they approve of that in the Louvre.
Also at the museum was an impressive collection of art billed as "the history of art from the Middle Ages to the 21st Century." I have to admit that the Dutch Romanticism paintings of men in funny hats and kitchen scenes weren't that appealing. What was memorable were the paintings from Warhol, Kandinsky, Monet, Magritte, and Dali. The Warhol pieces were of Mick Jagger and I was particularly excited to see some of Magritte's work as he's one of my favourites. All in a day's work.
After the museum we grabbed some dinner at one of Rotterdam's most well known music venues. We had to hover for ten minutes to procure a spot on the patio, but since the sun was shining we didn't want to be stuck inside. The five of us enjoyed the first patio meal of the young season. I had fish and chips with a really big salad. It was one of three things that I could identify on the Dutch menu. We also had some beers - it's best to keep hydrated in the sun of course. Hein told us a bit about the history of the city and about Belgium which is where he's from. Before the show we were going to see that evening (oh yes, a full day of European culture) Hein took us on a further tour of the city. There are boats everywhere and even apartments built in diagonally positioned cubes that stick out of a larger residential building. He assured us the occupants didn't live on slanted floors.
The performance we went to see that evening was called The Deer House by Jan Lauwer's internationally renowned Needcompany. They are an intercultural group based out of Belgium that has toured the world. The show is about a group of performers coming together to explore the story of a journalist murdered by a family in Kosvo that had been devastated by the atrocities of war. Its post-dramatic exploration of cultural memory and the intersection of art and trauma was at times incredibly moving, and at others light and meditative. But enough of the academic jargon...it typifies the type of theatre that I'm privileged to see - that of an extremely high calibre.
After the performance we had a post-show debrief (as MA students tend to do) on the same patio we had lunch. Admittedly, after the sun went down it wasn't as warm, but patio opportunities must be embraced. The Rotterdam visit was a full day of Euro Culture - museum, dinner, and a show - that proved to be the perfect way to spend an April Saturday.
Today was spent getting ahead on the work week and catching up with friends and family back home. I was extremely happy to have received a postcard from NYC this past week (much thanks from the friend I haven't seen in such a long time) and was able to solidify flights to Helsinki and Lisbon. The Blue Jays also hit double digit wins far and beyond any other team in the AL East. It figures that the year they get off to a hot start I'm out of the country.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: Because I'm not able to, buy some Jays tickets and head out to the park! The team needs all the support it can to continue this pace.
Unlike its flashy and promiscuous counterpart, Rotterdam is more of a modest port city, but continues to evolve after extensive bombing during the war. In Amsterdam, you'll see only a grouping of skyscrapers in the south end of the city, but in Rotterdam they've sprung up all over the landscape. It feels more modern, more business, and definitely more like cities back home. On the train there we passed kilometres of sprawling tulip fields - definitely worth a return with May visitors.
The trip was organized by a PhD student in the department named Hein. He was our extremely informative tour guide for the day. The first stop was the Boijmans Museum. There we saw a fantastic exhibit by video artist Pipilotti Rist entitled Elixir. It was almost as good as the legendary Kingston hangout...almost. The largest space in the museum was split into eight installations that are a collection of the artist's most famous pieces (which have been featured at the Pompidou in Paris and the Church of San Stae in Venice). My three favourite pieces were projected on ceiling mounted movie screens - in each of these spaces, spectators were encouraged to lie on the ground, lie in a bed, or sit on a cushion and watch the dream like video sequences. The videos were mesmerizing; they reminded me of those old-school Fruitopia commercials with the fruit manipulation and Moby-like tunes. It was also nice to wander into a museum and sprawl out on the floor. I don't think they approve of that in the Louvre.
Also at the museum was an impressive collection of art billed as "the history of art from the Middle Ages to the 21st Century." I have to admit that the Dutch Romanticism paintings of men in funny hats and kitchen scenes weren't that appealing. What was memorable were the paintings from Warhol, Kandinsky, Monet, Magritte, and Dali. The Warhol pieces were of Mick Jagger and I was particularly excited to see some of Magritte's work as he's one of my favourites. All in a day's work.
After the museum we grabbed some dinner at one of Rotterdam's most well known music venues. We had to hover for ten minutes to procure a spot on the patio, but since the sun was shining we didn't want to be stuck inside. The five of us enjoyed the first patio meal of the young season. I had fish and chips with a really big salad. It was one of three things that I could identify on the Dutch menu. We also had some beers - it's best to keep hydrated in the sun of course. Hein told us a bit about the history of the city and about Belgium which is where he's from. Before the show we were going to see that evening (oh yes, a full day of European culture) Hein took us on a further tour of the city. There are boats everywhere and even apartments built in diagonally positioned cubes that stick out of a larger residential building. He assured us the occupants didn't live on slanted floors.
The performance we went to see that evening was called The Deer House by Jan Lauwer's internationally renowned Needcompany. They are an intercultural group based out of Belgium that has toured the world. The show is about a group of performers coming together to explore the story of a journalist murdered by a family in Kosvo that had been devastated by the atrocities of war. Its post-dramatic exploration of cultural memory and the intersection of art and trauma was at times incredibly moving, and at others light and meditative. But enough of the academic jargon...it typifies the type of theatre that I'm privileged to see - that of an extremely high calibre.
After the performance we had a post-show debrief (as MA students tend to do) on the same patio we had lunch. Admittedly, after the sun went down it wasn't as warm, but patio opportunities must be embraced. The Rotterdam visit was a full day of Euro Culture - museum, dinner, and a show - that proved to be the perfect way to spend an April Saturday.
Today was spent getting ahead on the work week and catching up with friends and family back home. I was extremely happy to have received a postcard from NYC this past week (much thanks from the friend I haven't seen in such a long time) and was able to solidify flights to Helsinki and Lisbon. The Blue Jays also hit double digit wins far and beyond any other team in the AL East. It figures that the year they get off to a hot start I'm out of the country.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: Because I'm not able to, buy some Jays tickets and head out to the park! The team needs all the support it can to continue this pace.
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