Monday, September 05, 2005
Wereld Haven Dagen
I had to work Friday afternoon for the first time for a training session in SPSS. Every Friday, everyone at work heads down to the company bar for a drink. (This is the same place that we eat lunch.) I ventured down with everyone to visit as well. In addition to our company, others from our sister company have a drink every Friday as well. We share the place. I visited for awhile with fellow colleagues from work and then headed to another place with one of the girls from work that is originally from Albania. I headed home for a fairly early evening…at least for Dutch standards.
Saturday, I went to the Wereld Haven Dagen. (World Harbor Days) I walked around and saw all the ships in the harbor and looked at some of the presentations understanding a bit of it as it was in Dutch. I took a tour of the harbor on the Spido, a boat that takes you around the harbor. In other words, it is usually full of tourists. It was quite interesting and I got to see more of the harbor and where everything is shipped in and out. I watched two helicopters land and fly off. This was done continuously throughout the day as a presentation by the Marines. I also went through the tents set-up by the Dutch Marines displaying various weapons, places, etc. I also boarded a massive ship. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me but took pictures the following day off of my building of all the ships in the harbor.
I watched the fireworks over the harbor at night from the top of my building. It was a lot shorter than I had expected but very nice. The fireworks exploded with the music. The Erasmus Bridge was covered in people gazing off towards the display. Later in the evening, I met-up with some others from work and went to Night Town.
We stumbled into a breakdancing competition at watched some of it. After the competition, dj’s were spinning music and everyone was dancing. Later in the evening, circles broke apart on the floor and people began break dancing again. It was quite fun to watch.
I rode my bike around for transportation along with a good majority of other Dutch. I am still amused at all the bikes roaming the streets. I enjoy watching the transport of two individuals on a bike where one person peddles and the other jumps on the back of the bike where things such as groceries are usually transported.
Sunday, I helped clean the balcony windows with Marjike. We walked through the city center for groceries at Albert Heijn and she purchased a cd at the Free Record Shop. This was the first record shop I entered in the Nederlands. I have kept myself out of them purposefully in order to insure I do not purchase anything. By Dutch standards, Marjike said it was quite large. Still, the selection was minimal and I was happy about that because I could not peruse the shelves looking for anything to buy. The prices seemed to be a bit steeper as well. I’m sure I will stumble upon a record shop with a different collection of music eventually.
Saturday, I went to the Wereld Haven Dagen. (World Harbor Days) I walked around and saw all the ships in the harbor and looked at some of the presentations understanding a bit of it as it was in Dutch. I took a tour of the harbor on the Spido, a boat that takes you around the harbor. In other words, it is usually full of tourists. It was quite interesting and I got to see more of the harbor and where everything is shipped in and out. I watched two helicopters land and fly off. This was done continuously throughout the day as a presentation by the Marines. I also went through the tents set-up by the Dutch Marines displaying various weapons, places, etc. I also boarded a massive ship. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me but took pictures the following day off of my building of all the ships in the harbor.
I watched the fireworks over the harbor at night from the top of my building. It was a lot shorter than I had expected but very nice. The fireworks exploded with the music. The Erasmus Bridge was covered in people gazing off towards the display. Later in the evening, I met-up with some others from work and went to Night Town.
We stumbled into a breakdancing competition at watched some of it. After the competition, dj’s were spinning music and everyone was dancing. Later in the evening, circles broke apart on the floor and people began break dancing again. It was quite fun to watch.
I rode my bike around for transportation along with a good majority of other Dutch. I am still amused at all the bikes roaming the streets. I enjoy watching the transport of two individuals on a bike where one person peddles and the other jumps on the back of the bike where things such as groceries are usually transported.
Sunday, I helped clean the balcony windows with Marjike. We walked through the city center for groceries at Albert Heijn and she purchased a cd at the Free Record Shop. This was the first record shop I entered in the Nederlands. I have kept myself out of them purposefully in order to insure I do not purchase anything. By Dutch standards, Marjike said it was quite large. Still, the selection was minimal and I was happy about that because I could not peruse the shelves looking for anything to buy. The prices seemed to be a bit steeper as well. I’m sure I will stumble upon a record shop with a different collection of music eventually.
