Monday, September 12, 2005
A Splendid Almere Weekend
On my day off from work, Friday, I awoke and sent myself to the grocery store. After purchasing my favored cheese - Old Amsterdam, chicken with chives (kip met bieslook), bread, and some other necessities I went home and called Caroline. I planned to bike around Rotterdam to check out some more scenery during the daylight hours but hadn’t quite nailed down the plans for the weekend. After speaking to Caroline, Almere was the plan. First, I departed upon my bike ride around Rotterdam, came home, showered, and packed up my stuff.
It was the most humid it has been since my arrival in the Netherlands and I was forced to endure a greasy face upon my arrival to destination Almere. A couple of drops of rain spit on me when I got off the train but none of significance. Because it was a proper summer day, I was greeted with a bar-be-que-ing Nick at the house. We had a pleasant and filling meal full of different meats from the grill. After dinner, Caroline, Rose, Pebbles, and I went for a walk.
Saturday was a very pleasant day as well. Caroline, Rose, and I went for about a three-hour bike ride. We went to Almere Haven and had a cup of cappuccino. After the bike ride, we had lunch and went to the grocery store. I planned to cook for the family at least once this weekend and upon asking what was desired, burritos won. So, using one of my own concocted recipes, I created dinner. It went over very well and I was requested to recreate my creation during my next stay in Almere. (I was conscious of not adding too much spice because I think my level of tolerance for heat is quite higher than others, especially the Dutch.)
After dinner, we went to my first movie in a theatre in the Netherlands. We saw Wedding Crashers. Prior to leaving for the theatre, I was told we were going to a new, large theatre. That it was. I was also told about the old small theatre. It sounds fantastic and I hope to visit it before leaving. The small theatre now houses indie-esk flicks. While seated, people come over and ask what you like to drink/eat and the description of the seats and screen seem quite interesting. I haven’t experienced that…yet.
The theatre I went to…we entered and purchased tickets using a self-service device. This is situated directly upon entrance into the theatre. Up the stairs, humans are located to distribute tickets as well. We opted for technology, something I usually like to do anyway. The stairs were covered in red carpet and awkwardly designed. I was able to comfortably take about 1.5 steps to each stair making it similar to a shuffle. Un-feminine like, I took one step per stair. Halfway up was an area to purchase popcorn, beverages, etc. Thinking back, I did not encounter the distinct smell of buttered popcorn synonymous with theatres in the U.S. Everything was well organized and clean. It was designed as self-service food and drink where one can walk up to the product, pick it up without having to order it, and pay at the cashier. Another difference in the theatre is that liquor is sold: wine and beer. This is available just about anywhere you go in the Netherlands.
We continued to walk the remaining way up the stairs, gave the host our ticket, and were directed to our theatre. I was trying to determine which number on the ticket was the correct theatre because there were a couple of numbers. After speaking with Nick, I determined my difficulty: assigned seating. They assign seats in the theatres here! I was in awe and still am. Like I thought, I know there will still be small surprises to come such as assigned seating in a theatre.
Sunday was a good day as well. The sun did not shine very much and the weather was a bit cooler but not cold. Caroline and I went for another bike ride after she dropped off Nick to go kiting. (The wind wasn’t very good though.) Again, we enjoyed our bike ride and stopped where the boys were kiting to see how things were going before continuing home. At home, I watched Harry Potter with Rose. (I hadn’t seen this one yet so was quite happy.) Before dinner we played table tennis, k’nick-k’nop, ping-pong, whatever you want to call it. After dinner, I was Rotterdam bound. I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend.
It was the most humid it has been since my arrival in the Netherlands and I was forced to endure a greasy face upon my arrival to destination Almere. A couple of drops of rain spit on me when I got off the train but none of significance. Because it was a proper summer day, I was greeted with a bar-be-que-ing Nick at the house. We had a pleasant and filling meal full of different meats from the grill. After dinner, Caroline, Rose, Pebbles, and I went for a walk.
Saturday was a very pleasant day as well. Caroline, Rose, and I went for about a three-hour bike ride. We went to Almere Haven and had a cup of cappuccino. After the bike ride, we had lunch and went to the grocery store. I planned to cook for the family at least once this weekend and upon asking what was desired, burritos won. So, using one of my own concocted recipes, I created dinner. It went over very well and I was requested to recreate my creation during my next stay in Almere. (I was conscious of not adding too much spice because I think my level of tolerance for heat is quite higher than others, especially the Dutch.)
After dinner, we went to my first movie in a theatre in the Netherlands. We saw Wedding Crashers. Prior to leaving for the theatre, I was told we were going to a new, large theatre. That it was. I was also told about the old small theatre. It sounds fantastic and I hope to visit it before leaving. The small theatre now houses indie-esk flicks. While seated, people come over and ask what you like to drink/eat and the description of the seats and screen seem quite interesting. I haven’t experienced that…yet.
The theatre I went to…we entered and purchased tickets using a self-service device. This is situated directly upon entrance into the theatre. Up the stairs, humans are located to distribute tickets as well. We opted for technology, something I usually like to do anyway. The stairs were covered in red carpet and awkwardly designed. I was able to comfortably take about 1.5 steps to each stair making it similar to a shuffle. Un-feminine like, I took one step per stair. Halfway up was an area to purchase popcorn, beverages, etc. Thinking back, I did not encounter the distinct smell of buttered popcorn synonymous with theatres in the U.S. Everything was well organized and clean. It was designed as self-service food and drink where one can walk up to the product, pick it up without having to order it, and pay at the cashier. Another difference in the theatre is that liquor is sold: wine and beer. This is available just about anywhere you go in the Netherlands.
We continued to walk the remaining way up the stairs, gave the host our ticket, and were directed to our theatre. I was trying to determine which number on the ticket was the correct theatre because there were a couple of numbers. After speaking with Nick, I determined my difficulty: assigned seating. They assign seats in the theatres here! I was in awe and still am. Like I thought, I know there will still be small surprises to come such as assigned seating in a theatre.
Sunday was a good day as well. The sun did not shine very much and the weather was a bit cooler but not cold. Caroline and I went for another bike ride after she dropped off Nick to go kiting. (The wind wasn’t very good though.) Again, we enjoyed our bike ride and stopped where the boys were kiting to see how things were going before continuing home. At home, I watched Harry Potter with Rose. (I hadn’t seen this one yet so was quite happy.) Before dinner we played table tennis, k’nick-k’nop, ping-pong, whatever you want to call it. After dinner, I was Rotterdam bound. I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend.
