Snow

First, a big HELLO to the followers of this blog (yeah, all seven of you!). I took some time of from blogging since things have been insane, what with all the work I'm doing.

Having said that, I want to bring some Christmas spirit here in this virtual space by putting this video I took during my train ride from Amsterdam, the Netherlands to Brussels, Belgium. If there's one thing I terribly miss about Christmas in Europe, it's that white stuff that falls from the sky that makes everything topsy-turvy and nice.

IN PHOTOS: Amsterdam, the Netherlands

I'm beginning a new category now in my blog and it's called In Photos, where I shall put five pics that remind me of a city where I had been before. In this maiden entry, I have chosen Amsterdam, the Netherlands. While most people would possibly equate it to the sex and drugs, I personally found Amsterdam peaceful and charming. Walking by the canals is an experience to cherish forever.

A budget traveler’s guide to surviving AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

To say that Amsterdam is a city of contrasts is probably an understatement as everything in this capital of the Netherlands seems to have been built on an either-or principle. While Calvinism is reflected on the high church spires of the Oude Kerk, and Catholicism, on the traditional nunneries called begijnhof that dot the city, sex and drugs remain a popular fare that attracts thousands of tourists in search of earthly delights that would have been otherwise illegal in another place. The traditional seaside ambience ends where the cosmopolitan trends and the dynamic liberalism of contemporary Holland begin, something that can be easily put to test among the extremely multilingual people of the city. (I mean, I met a Dutchman who spoke to me in fluent Filipino!)

Wanna visit Amsterdam? Take a deep breath, have an open mind and greet this astonishing city with a warm “Goedemorgen.”

1. Be safe. One big mistake that many tourists have about Amsterdam is the assumption that all drugs are legal in the city. Wrong. Any Dutch would tell you that the correct statement is that in Amsterdam, drugs are tolerated. Prostitution, on the other hand, is legal and sex workers enjoy the protection of the law. For example, any traveller who wishes to visit the famous De Walletjes, a.k.a. the Red-light District, should remember that taking pictures and videos of half-naked women or dancers stripping in public cubicles is strictly prohibited. The city police can whisk you off and confiscate your camera if you dare take photos or videos, so please don’t be too daring and/or piquant. Also, here abound snatchers, drug dealers and thugs, as this area is the epicentre of vices. Keep your camera, money and travel documents in a secure place and don’t be entirely mesmerized by gyrating female body parts. And if you wish to, uhmm, “take the plunge,” remember always to practice safe sex.

2. Tour. I strongly recommend doing the city tour of Amsterdam most especially if you want to see some windmills, the most enduring stereotype of Holland. The whole-day tour costs around 60 euros (reservations can be made in the tourist offices) and it includes a tour of the city, a visit to the traditional fishing villages of Marken and Volendam for the windmills and the simple life, a trip to a clogs workshop and a cheese and mustard factory, and the relaxing canal tour. The schedule is extremely hectic, yes, but if you have limited time, it’s a recommendable option. Should you have an extra day to spend in Amsterdam, you can buy the same tour, do the land travel on one day and then go for the canal tour on the next.

3. Scout. If you’re a budget traveller, the biggest letdown of Amsterdam is the price of the hotels. It’s fairly logical, as land is a limited resource in this city divided by endless rows of canals. Be prepared to shell out at least 30 euros for each person per night in a budget hotel with shared bathrooms and without elevators. Breakfast in Amsterdam, on the other hand, is almost always satisfying, with a wide array of cheeses, breads, cold cuts, fruit juices and coffee served buffet style to start your day. And about the stairs, they’re *really* steep so travelling light helps. Don’t be shocked if upon opening your hotel window, you see people from the neighbouring building doing their everyday activities (and some kinky stuff probably, if you’re lucky), with all windows wide-open and all lights brightly lit. It jives with the Dutch philosophy of not being ashamed if one thinks he is not doing anything wrong.

4. Enter. Of course, Amsterdam can be quite a wholesome family destination, artsy and cultured even, if you intend it to be like that. For art and literature lovers, the Van Gogh Museum is a must. Here you can see the most celebrated works – both painted and written – of Vincent Van Gogh and get a small glimpse of the inner torments of this genius. The Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands, is a treasure trove of Rembrandts and Vermeers. History aficionados should not forget to see the house of Ann Frank, a Jewish girl who wrote a diary about the Nazi persecution of the Jews. Amstel, the birthplace and the social nucleus of modern-day Amsterdam, is also obligatory. Don’t forget to take pictures here of the Koninklijk Paleis (the Royal Palace) and the Nieuwe Kerk (the New Church). Theatre and film fanatics would have the time of the lives in the Leidsplein, and writers and intellectuals, in the many cafes in the area near the English Church. For architecture addicts, the Vondelpark, the Centraal Station (Central Train Station) and the fantastic floating flower market known as the Bloemenmarkt are required pit stops.

5. Compare. Shopping for souvenirs can be quite tricky in Amsterdam. The traditional blue-and-white Dutch ceramic called Delft can be quite expensive, so you can just opt for small pieces such as a Delft windmill (5 euros, more or less). Wooden clogs are also good souvenirs but you have to take into account that they weigh a lot. Unless you have a secret desire to wear regular-sized ones to work, just buy a small pair (about a third of a ruler or less) that sells for 5 euros, although some shop owners would try to sell it for 9 euros. Yellow is the traditional colour, although the clogs now come in different colours and designs (Read: white with black cow patches… how’s that for obvious?) If you can, try bringing home some cheese and mustard. Be adventurous and try different flavours before buying for samples are usually given for free in delicatessens. My personal favourite is the cumin-flavoured one topped with a bit of chunky mustard. Garlic and hot peppers are also two good alternatives.

Marlon's Amsterdam route (1-2 days): Just get the city tour and you'll see all you need to see. ;-)

Marlon's budget tip: Other than the tips I've just given regarding the hotel, the tour and the shopping, it's important in Amsterdam to prioritize and to really plan what you want to see. Dining out can be costly, so if you can survive by buying cheap food in groceries, do it.

Animal travel

One childhood memory that literally and figuratively marked me for life was when my parents took me and my brother to the Manila Zoo. As growing kids who watched Sesame Street and Batibot and ate in Jollibee and McDonald's, my brother and I somehow thought that all animals were as cute and cuddly as Big Bird, Pong Pagong, Kiko Matsing, Ms. Chickee and Birdie. We were so wrong.

Toward the end of our little excursion, my parents took me to the see the crocodiles. I still don't know what my Mom and Dad were thinking back then, but they left me right in front of the cage just when a croc gobbled up a chicken. I was so terrified to say the least that I ran aimlessly, fell on the ground, and got a nasty wound on my right knee. To commemorate the auspicious occasion, my parents had the temerity to photograph me for posterity, with all the snot, tears and a bleeding knee to boot. Years later, animals remain a constant in my travels although those I have seen are not as remorseful as those ugly crocs (I now choose my battles, hehe).

Sheep in Amsterdam, the Nethelands. We don't have them in the Philippines so I really got excited. I think I've photographed sheep in Europe whenever I could... and ate their unfortunate cousins when given the chance.


A house cat in Kalampaka, Greece. The country is teeming with cats. This one in particular was my alarm clock, as she was scratching at my hostel door at the same time the alarm went off. She might have sensed that I needed to get up early and visit the Meteora monasteries.

A peacock in Valladolid, Spain. The Campo Grande, once the place where people condemned by the Spanish Inquisition were burned at the stake, now offers a welcome respite to weary university students like me. The kings of the place are the 10 or so peacocks that roam freely in the enclave and hog all stale bread that visitors give to all the birds.



Donkeys in Hydra, Greece. Locals make good business with these donkeys by offering a ride to tourists around the scenic island. I wanted to ride one, but with my size, I might cripple the poor creature and bankrupt its owner.

Water, water everywhere!

The European summer is nearing its end, but not without its unpredictability. It was relatively colder last weekend with overcast skies in the morning and a storm toward the evening that ruined my plans on Saturday. But right now, everything is exasperatingly hot. I mean, Greece is burning as I write this entry! That pretty much sums up how hot the weather is today.

So to freshen us up a bit, here are some beautiful waterscapes from Europe.


Lisbon, Portugal. Nothing beats an early morning stroll along the Tagus River. It's nice to greet the sun while you sit on the banks of this river in the Portuguese capital and converse with the fisherfolk.


Majorca, Spain. If you have the means to avoid the city of Palma de Mallorca during the high season and look for an alternative getaway in the hidden places of this main island of the Baleares, then do so. Palma is a lively place, yes, but if you're after some R&R, well...


Hydra, Greece. Of all the islands in the Saronic Gulf, I liked Hydra the best. For some reason, I found it more accommodating and idyllic. Everyone was friendly and the view of the Gulf is simply captivating.


Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I forgot how this is named (King's Canal? Prince's Canal?) but it's one of the more attention-grabbing canals of the capital city of Holland.


Venice, Italy. I have blogged many times about this place simply because it's magical. These gondolas were crossing the canal just beneath the Rialto Bridge when I snapped them a photo.

Poetry in the outdoors

Poetic inspiration comes even to tourists, I believe. When one travels and sees sights so extraordinary that they pierce into his very core, his muse may not be far behind.

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”
- Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken
(Fatima, Portugal)

“O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting…” - Walt Whitman, O Captain! My Captain!
(Antwerp, Belgium)

“But thy eternal summer shall not fade,

Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st;

Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st:”
- William Shakespeare, Sonnet 18
(Venice, Italy)

“Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits...” - John Keats, A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever
(Volendam, the Netherlands)

“The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,

The higher he's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he's to setting.”
- Robert Herrick, To the Virgins to Make Much of Time
(Meteora, Greece)

Market, market

Don't you just find markets intriguing? I get giddy all over seeing how people buy and sell their wares, how they bargain and exchange gossips on the side, how they try to woo locals and tourists... No matter how important historical monuments are in whichever place you visit, the markets remain the best source of all local color you'd ever need.


Like the Monastiraki in Athens. It's the renowned flea market in this capital city of Greece. While there are numerous shops that sell food stuff, clothes and souvenirs just like any other market across the globe, the thing that really catches the attention of tourists is the fact that there are antiques sold al fresco.


Then, there's also the floating flower market of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, called Bloemenmarkt in Dutch. The shops are constructed on barges floating along the canals of the city and are easily noticeable from afar for their colors and fragrances. And, oh, they also sell a *marijuana starter set* (lower center of the photo) for the daring.

Amsterdam encounters with Bono and Ronaldinho

I'm no fan of 'em, but when I met Barça player Ronaldinho and singer-cum-socially involved human being Bono in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, I completely went nuts.


I think Ronaldinho had a bad tummy that day and he wanted to fart. I caught him completely off guard, snapped this quick photo and went my way. It's a good thing he still could smile despite his upset stomach and given the position he was in.


Then I saw Bono. I think he was thinking of ways to stop climate change when I struck a conversation with him and asked him to post with me for a pic. He happily obliged on the condition that he be portrayed pensive and reluctant. Who am I to say no?

*DREAM SEQUENCE ENDS HERE.* Figures taken from the Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in Amsterdam.

Cheese!

I'm craving for cheese right now. Lots and lots of it!

This picture was taken in a cheese factory in the outskirts of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Yum...

Hidden Holland

On one of the trees in the open space beside the American Hotel in Amsterdam is perched this curious statue of a lumberjack (or was it a golfer?) that can be seen easily during autumn or winter when the leaves have fallen.

It's the Holland most tourists don't know

Anyone up for a herring sandwich?

Yeah, yeah, it's an acquired taste, but you must not leave the Netherlands without sampling even just a fourth of this fish sandwich. These particular variety are sold in the fishing village of Volendam, in the outskirts of Amsterdam. Yum!

HOTEL REVIEW: Hotel Abba, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

OVERALL RATING: 4/5
DATE OF VISIT: February 4 to 6, 2007

PLUSES: This *definitely* is the cheapest accommodation you could find in Amsterdam. Nice staff (mostly Brits). The breakfast is superb. My room was overlooking a charming Dutch interior patio. TV and well-maintained shared bathrooms.

MINUSES: The steep stairs. A bit far from most historic monuments (but very near the Dutch nightlife). And, depending on how you see it, a condom dispenser at the end of the flight of stairs.

Visit their site

Sex in the cities

Sex is a taboo topic in many cultures. However, it has been a favorite theme among artists from the earliest civilizations to modern times, perhaps the most concrete proof that art is the ultimate expression of the desires, frustrations and anguish of humanity.

Take this masturbation scene, for example. Situated on one of the railings of the University of Salamanca, Spain just across the famous university facade, the sculpture is just one of the many peculiarities that depict student life in Spain's most accomplished university town.

Or take this painting of the vagina from a sex museum in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The city has distinguished itself as being the most permissive and liberal European capital and I suspect that most people go there for the saucy part of the excursion.

Megawati the Milkmaid

This really made my day!

Whoever doesn't believe that the world grows smaller every day should see this portrait of Megawati Sukarnoputri, in a milkmaid costume, displayed in a photography studio in Volendam, the Netherlands.

Food trip

One of the best reasons to travel is to enjoy the gastronomic bounties of your destination. And by gastronomic, I don't refer to McDonald's or Burger King, or any microwaveable pizza that could be bought in the good ol' supermarket. It is thus that to inaugurate my travel site, I am making an entry on some of the best food items I have tried in Europe.

1. MOUSSAKA, TZATZIKI and GYROS (Athens, Greece). Taking a momentary refuge from the blazing Greek sun, I found myself in a quaint Greek resto in the Psiri district at the foot of the Acropolis. Other than Coca-cola, which at that time seemed honey from the gods, I also ordered moussaka (eggplant lasagna), tzatziki (cucumber and yoghurt salad) and gyros (veggie-and-roasted-lamb wrap). I so swear that Dionysos, the Greek deity of pleasure, came to me at the point. Average price: 12 euros.

2. KING CRAB SALAD and SMOKED SALMON (Bruges, Belgium). No money but really hungry? Why not go to the mid-morning market in the newly refurbished city square of Bruge and try out the seafoods. From mackerel to shrimp, from lobsters to octopus, from fresh to dried to salted, they have it all. Take 200 grams of salad and a slab of smoked salmon, buy a loaf of bread, and -- voila! -- comfort lunch and dinner in an instant. Average price: 10 euros, good for two meals.


3. BREADED CODFISH with GARLIC MAYONNAISE (Amsterdam, The Netherlands). What would make a hard-headed mayonnaise-hater shove almost a bottle of mayonnaise up his gullet? Well, if it's eaten with sumptuous pieces of freshly-fried fish near an idyllic fishing village at the outskirts of Amsterdam, of course! Average price: 6 euros.