Poetry & Nostalgia

Growing up, the Cherry Blossom tree in the garden was a big part of my life. It was a beauty to see in full bloom and sometimes a nuisance when its flowers would fall in the Autumn.

This post is a poem that i have written regarding my Cherry Blossom tree and the inevitable nostalgia that arises from life on the move, as an expat.

Dear Cherry Blossom

I remember you, fondly

The beautiful hues of pink that your flower exudes

The petals that the gentle breeze would whisk down to me

The way your branches outstretch in its full glory

And shelter me from the harsh rays of the Sun.

Oh Cherry Blossom tree; how I miss your cycles

Autumn, Winner, Spring & Summer

How I envy your root; fixed firmly under the soil

Entrenched, permanent, everlasting

You have nothing to fear; not even the tree surgeon

As he cuts you with his chainsaw leaving only a stump

Remember you still have your roots firmly planted

The blessings of nature is the curse of man

Our feet move us, the elements move us

Abandoning our roots, once twice, thrice

With no soil or bedding to bind us

I leave you dear cherry blossom tree

You may not have me,

And I may not have you

But you have your roots

But you have your roots

To Learn Dutch or Not To Learn Dutch That is the Question

Move to a new country learn the language- well at least thats what logic dictates. But 6 months in apart from learning a few words from repetetive TV ads and trips to the supermarket I havent learnt much and the fact that almost eveybody seems to speak near-perfect English is hardley an incentive to learn.

I've posited this question of mine to lots of people, theres the pro-learning camp (comprised of Dutch folk) and the anti-learning camp (almost everyone who isnt Dutch) the main arguments are as follows:

Pro Camp: Ducth is not only the official spoken language of The Netherlands but also Belgium, Suriname, Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, and also spoken in Suuth Africa so you can holiday there and communicate with your newfound language skills.

Anti Camp: Oh Dutch is an Ugly Language its worse than German and its completely pointless they all speak English anyway (ah the English language superiority complex, dont you just love it? I remember getting a D for French was considered quite an accomplishment).

I dont know which argument is more compelling... though i wouldnt necessarily learn Dutch to holiday in countires that ive never heard of (Curacao? Suriname? Aruba?) it may beneficial as an integrative tool. Understanding the native Language is never a bad thing, however the more i explore and speak with people here, the more i realise its a luxury one can foregoe.

Additionally, learning a new language can be tedious at first and requires real effort and interest. Ive added a free lesson in Dutch vowl lesson so you know what i mean. Have fun.

VOWEL SOUNDS

Cheese Market - Alkmaar Holland

1. a- (short a-: between `duck’ and `dock’. The a- is found in words such as pak (parcel, suit), and plat (flat).
Exercise 1. Practice the a-sound in the following words by reading them aloud: plat, kranten, dag, zakken, pak, vast, wal, klap, ratten, gat.

.

For your visual pleasure

Great photo journalism...

http://imagesofsaudi.blogspot.com/

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - The Islamic Paradix

As the evening began to wind down on Leidsplein center, the performers on the square started to pack up their equipment and terraces to empty. In a few hours Leidsplein would transform itself; with a selection of clubs restaurants and bars it understandable why it has a strong reputation for having a vibrant nightlife.

And here is where the story begins, i see two young Muslim girs of probable North African decent (Moroccan i think) wearing headscarf's and dressed quite fashionably, with dark jeans and soft coloured blazers.

She flags me down and commences talking in Dutch while handing me a flyer i pretend to understand and continue to walk before my Husband informs them i do not speak Dutch. With a little laugh she converts to English and tells me that there is a party on Leidsplein, girsl only and to bring my friends.

Naturally by wearing a headscarf its not often i get invited to clubs by street reps but this party had a twist. There would not only be a ban on men entering the venue, but all the waitresses and indoor security would be girls so i guess Muslim girls can whip off their headscarf and dress more loosely but there would be no alcohol served,. beginning a 9pm and ending 3am with Music on the menu including but not limited to "reggae, dance, r&b e.t.c" and played by DJ Hibba

Ok, so Muslim girls wanna have fun then. But i can hardly imagine a group of young Muslim girls, and note i am speaking with regards to the more visible practicing ones with headscarf's waltzing out of the party at 3am amoung the drunken revellers Leidsplein attracts. It defies the whole principle of the hijab which isnt just a look but a lifestyle.

No alcohol, No men but is this a dillusion of Islamic principles and cultural etiquette or is this a natural progression and fusion of a western lifestyle while observing Islamic constraints. For me its the former.

The 21st Islamic paradox continues.

The New Middle East Amsterdam in Pictures

The Middle East Contemporary art scene truly left a mark on dutch culture without the help of the Lebanese entree served up on the open day, from the Greenbox Museum to The New Middle East Exhibition Saudi & Middle Eastern Contemporary Art is here to stay!

Works at the NME Exhibition included Abdul Nasser's controversial "Pause" in addition to Ahmed Maters "Yelllow Cow Cheese 2010" . The art work speaks for itself so the chatter will be kept to a minimum in today's post.

Enjoy, contemplate and stimulate your mind.

 

 







"Pause"



The New Middle East Amsterdam

Saudi Contemporary Art Back in the Dam

I am very excited and pleased to announce that a new exhibition on Middle Eastern contemporary art will open from tomorrow (May 21st to July 30th 2011) in Amsterdam. Comprising of works collected from 6 established artists from Saudi Arabia to the wider Middle East the works will tackle a wide range of issues including how the Islamic and Arab world are entering the  21st Century

Do Not Miss!

The New Middle East
Willem Baars Projects
Hoogte Kadijk 17, Amsterdam

The Starbucks Drought

My heart always sinks when i think about the lack of Starbucks chains Holland has, in sheer desperation for my regular fix i undergo a 20 Minute Journey so that i may purchase my iced caramel macchiato (grande please).

The journey is not just long but adds an extra 6 euros for travel so i pay ummm about 12 euros for a drink and to rub salt in the wound the starbucks in AMS C is the size of a shoe box and always full. In desperation i buy the raw ingredients and attempt to master the art of the macchiato

Don't laugh, desperate times call for desperate measures...and just so i dont seem like the odd one out a twitter campaign has been started in Holland to encourage Starbucks to open up more chains in other provinces such as Almere where there is a serious drought of our favourite coffee chain.

I did conduct my own market research and asked my fellow Dutchmen why they dont have a heavy starbucks presence and the resounding answer is "we Dutch people like REAL coffee, starbucks is for students and ammatures"'.

Give it another 10years and we'll see about that!

Handbags & Pensioners (The Tassen Museum, Amsterdam)

Conveniently located near the tram stop and with huge sign posts marking out its location, the Tassen Museum (Museum of Bags and Purses for us English speaking folk) ' hosts a collection of 3,000 bags and purses from designer to contemporary to vintage. A girls dream you suppose, well not quite.

My mind was racing with the endless thought of bags, big, small, ivory gold, Valentino & Versace I arrive at the door, take a deep breath and walk in to find…no less than 20 pensioners in the small foyer bumbling about, its probably just one group I say as I purchase the ticket giving me access to explore 3 floors of bags.

So, I start from the 3^rd floor down and on every floor there’s a hoard of pensioners with a guide who bellowed out information to her flock. Not the ideal setting to enjoy the fine collection so unfortunately I didn’t spend much time reading the very helpful and informative posts regarding the different eras, styles and materials. .

Not being allowed to take pictures (except the building and gift shop?) I am not able to fully share my experience with you but I did manage to get a snap in the staircase, gift shop and THE CHAMPAGNE BAG

For your listening pleasure...

Mohammed Abdu - AlÁmakin (all the places)

I am not off to the museum of bags and purses, a 3000 strong collection of female eye candy...dribble. Post will follow soon!

Fluorescent, Contemporary & Visual Art...

Amsterdam has a host of Museums and exhibitions open to the public, there are giants such as the Rijksmuseum, Rembrant Museum and the Ann Frank House but underneath their shadows are real gems waiting to be discovered.

If you’re anything like me and desire to avoid the flood of tourist well known museums inevitably attract, the smaller and obscure museums are the way to go.

Aside from a more intimate experience and a lot more one on one time with the curators you have an opportunity to really immerse yourself in your surroundings, ponder over it and loose yourself in its meaning.

So here are my Top 3 (in no particular order):

1: Electric Lady Land – Museum of Fluorescent Art (Located in Amterdam)

On arrival you are greeted by Nick Paladiano the eccentric curator who sports a long white beard, hair tied back and is in full psychedelic gear. After paying your 5 Euro entry fee your taken down what is almost a vertical set of stairs into a small quirky room.   But do not be disappointed by the looks of it, soon after Nick guides you around explaining each artefact, painting and feature in much detail…then the good part happens, he turns off the lights and your fluorescent experience begins.

Alternating between, short and long UV light the place comes alive, its an excellent experience for the broad minded and people who want to try out something different. Its participatory art so you’re free to touch and really get stuck in.

As I left the museum with my free booklet on the magic of “black light” Nick talks about the vertical stairs and how he had a group of blind autistic school kid’s visiting his museum. A justified thought passed my mind, what on earth would be the point in that to which he replied in keeping with his image “they felt the vibes”

2. The Greenbox Museum – Saudi Contemporary Art (Located in Amsterdam)

Always poor with my orienteering skills I armed myself with a map before visiting the Greenbox. Its located in central Amsterdam yet I still managed to get lost for a good 20minutes wandering in and out of side roads until I decided to call the curator Aarnout Helb who helpfully pointed me in the right direction.

Once again it’s a small museum about the size of a large room, but Aarnout was fortunate enough to have aquired some excellent paintings from artists such as Abdulnasser al ghareem and Ahmed Mater AlÁseeri at the Edge of Arabia Exhibition 2008 before the pricework of the artists rocketed.

Just to give you an explanation, at a recent auction (Christies Dubai) a 3 meter wide wood and copper dome symbolizing the Dome of the Rock by Abdulnasser Gharem sold for $842,500 more than 3 times its original estimate.

…hard to imagine Kenyan contemporary art selling that well eh?

3. Basmoca – Visual Art (Located in your home)

While it’s not physically located in the Netherlands, its virtually placed in front of your lap by virtue of the internet. BASMOCA is a Virtual Museum can be visited from all over the world on its Second Life location, with the private collection of the female curator Basma including artists from the middle-east, China and UK it’s a real treat for a lazy day in.

Petroleum Wives Club of the Hauge...

Welcome to the Petroleum Wives Club of The Hague in The Netherlands

“Membership is focused on spouses or partners of those employed in the petroleum business and related service sectors.”

Great news people, I am now suitably qualified to join the Petroleum Wives Club, yes you heard it PETROLEUM WIVES CLUB!

Forget careers girls, you only need a husband who works in the petroleum business and your in. I don’t know if I’m being cynical but I find it quite disturbing that people find it appropriate to set up clubs on the basis of their spouse’s job and not say common interests, hobbies or their own jobs (or lack thereof).

Each to his own I guess.

Twenty-Something Married and Living in the Dirty Dam

Wasn’t at all where I expected to be...I think while sitting in my balcony drinking endless shots of Arabian coffee.  Born in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia it was decided relatively early to send us abroad for a formal education in the hope that we would one day return to live the middle-eastern dream, a job in an international company, compound, chauffer, free healthcare etc.

But life doesn’t always go according to plan; the divine hand of providence sometimes gives you a gentle push in the opposite direction. After completing my Academics I met my prince charming who swept me off my size 4 feet and placed me on a flight to the Netherlands!

Not your typical fairytale ending but:

 …You may dislike something which is good for you, and you may like something which is bad for you. God knows while you do not know. [The Holy Quran 2:216

It took me a while to overcome my initial prejudices, but trying to look on the bright side I set about getting to know more of Amsterdam which I now lovingly refer to as the dirty dam…its narrow streets, canals, museums, galleries and all the in-betweens.

 So this is my blog on all of the above