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.

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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!