I am in Antwerp now!
Spent the past two days here, again with the aim of things Camino-related. There is a Saint James church here as well, and this one was open! Lots of Saint James and Camino imagery about, including artwork of places along the Camino, posted in the church five years ago or so.
Also visited the Plantin-Moretus Museum, which houses the oldest surviving printing presses in the world, a 36-line Gutenberg Bible (the second printed edition of the Bible, after the original 42-line ones) and many other interesting printing/typographical/literary things.
Walked about town quite a bit, including a district known for its Art Nouveau architecture.
Tomorrow, onwards to Brussels!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Utrecht!
So the past two days I have been in Utrecht.
Yesterday I visited the Moluku Museum – Museum of the Moluccas, a part of present-day Indonesia that has a long association with the Netherlands. It was quite interesting, though it was all in Dutch and the information pamphlet in English wasn't as detailed as the exhibits themselves, but I was able to gain some sense of the history.
I also visited the Catharijnconvent, a museum of Christian artwork and the religious history of the Netherlands. The entry price was quite steep, but I went because I knew they had several pieces relating to Saint James, and ever since doing the Camino de Santiago (in English, the Way of Saint James), I've been interested in seeing as many items relating to him as I can.
There are no shortage of these in Utrecht, since along with the pieces at the Catharijnconvent, there is a Saint James church - that was sadly locked when I tried to visit (even though it should have been open, according to the visiting times listed), but there was plenty of imagery outside the church for me to see – the weathervane, settings in the pavement and on the outer walls of the church, and on the street corner opposite.
Utrecht is also home to the centre of the Dutch “Friends of the Camino” organization, and they were open today, so I paid them a visit. They had a great collection of guidebooks, as well as a wall map showing routes to Santiago from all over Europe. They also gave me a pamphlet about their organization, as well as this quarter's magazine and a guide to Santiago – all in Dutch, so additional motivation for me to continue learning Dutch!
This morning I also went up in the Dom tower – the highest church tower in the Netherlands, built in the fourteenth century. 465 steps took us almost all the way up to the top. The day was overcast, and raining at times, but I think I still got some good views and pictures from up there.
Tomorrow it is back to Amsterdam for two days. Still have some sights to visit and postcards to mail. Then on to Belgium!
Yesterday I visited the Moluku Museum – Museum of the Moluccas, a part of present-day Indonesia that has a long association with the Netherlands. It was quite interesting, though it was all in Dutch and the information pamphlet in English wasn't as detailed as the exhibits themselves, but I was able to gain some sense of the history.
I also visited the Catharijnconvent, a museum of Christian artwork and the religious history of the Netherlands. The entry price was quite steep, but I went because I knew they had several pieces relating to Saint James, and ever since doing the Camino de Santiago (in English, the Way of Saint James), I've been interested in seeing as many items relating to him as I can.
There are no shortage of these in Utrecht, since along with the pieces at the Catharijnconvent, there is a Saint James church - that was sadly locked when I tried to visit (even though it should have been open, according to the visiting times listed), but there was plenty of imagery outside the church for me to see – the weathervane, settings in the pavement and on the outer walls of the church, and on the street corner opposite.
Utrecht is also home to the centre of the Dutch “Friends of the Camino” organization, and they were open today, so I paid them a visit. They had a great collection of guidebooks, as well as a wall map showing routes to Santiago from all over Europe. They also gave me a pamphlet about their organization, as well as this quarter's magazine and a guide to Santiago – all in Dutch, so additional motivation for me to continue learning Dutch!
This morning I also went up in the Dom tower – the highest church tower in the Netherlands, built in the fourteenth century. 465 steps took us almost all the way up to the top. The day was overcast, and raining at times, but I think I still got some good views and pictures from up there.
Tomorrow it is back to Amsterdam for two days. Still have some sights to visit and postcards to mail. Then on to Belgium!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Amsterdam!
I am in Amsterdam!
I arrived in Amsterdam yesterday morning, thoroughly confused as to what time it was because it seemed like the clock in the bus was changing at random between British and Dutch times.
The thirteen hour bus ride from London was... long. The most exciting part of it was the ferry crossing from Dover to Calais, which was about ninety minutes in the darkness. The ferry was quite large, but you could tell that you were on a ship nevertheless, since there was some light rocking (and rain, if you went outside).
Yesterday I strolled around town, getting an idea of the lay of the land. Had a variety of Dutch treats (stroopwafel, poffertjes). Returned to the hostel for a nap, and then attended “Hostel Night”, where they provided a free dinner of fajitas, and then played charades. After that I headed out to a nearby goth/alternative club, where I was able to listen to music that was more my style (after eight months in the Highlands where the radio station was almost always set to Top 40, this was very necessary!). Danced a bit, chatted with some Polish guys. Then returned to the hostel and went to bed.
Today, I visited the Oude Kerk and St Nikolas Kerk (two churches) – the most interesting parts were the choir stands in the Oude Kerk (where there were woodcarvings picturing various proverbs) and the floor of the Oude Kerk – this was made up almost entirely of graves with stone coverings. Some were very plain, others were very intricately carved – be careful you don't trip over them!
Following along with the religious theme, I visited Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder - a very intricate house church from the 16th century, when Catholics were persecuted and were not allowed to have churches that outwardly looked like churches, thereby many house churches were constructed. This one was quite fancy, on the top two floors of the house, and looked, well, like the interior of any normal church building.
I also visited the Torture Museum (quite small compared to the one in San Gimignano in Italy that I visited several years ago), as well as the Sex Museum, which was... informative. Lots of artwork from throughout the centuries, from all over the world. On the way back to my hostel, I also saw the Homomonument, a memorial to all of the GLBT people who have ever suffered persecution throughout the world.
Tomorrow I am heading to Utrecht for two days to stay with a Couchsurfer, and then I will be back in Amsterdam for two days after that.
Good night!
I arrived in Amsterdam yesterday morning, thoroughly confused as to what time it was because it seemed like the clock in the bus was changing at random between British and Dutch times.
The thirteen hour bus ride from London was... long. The most exciting part of it was the ferry crossing from Dover to Calais, which was about ninety minutes in the darkness. The ferry was quite large, but you could tell that you were on a ship nevertheless, since there was some light rocking (and rain, if you went outside).
Yesterday I strolled around town, getting an idea of the lay of the land. Had a variety of Dutch treats (stroopwafel, poffertjes). Returned to the hostel for a nap, and then attended “Hostel Night”, where they provided a free dinner of fajitas, and then played charades. After that I headed out to a nearby goth/alternative club, where I was able to listen to music that was more my style (after eight months in the Highlands where the radio station was almost always set to Top 40, this was very necessary!). Danced a bit, chatted with some Polish guys. Then returned to the hostel and went to bed.
Today, I visited the Oude Kerk and St Nikolas Kerk (two churches) – the most interesting parts were the choir stands in the Oude Kerk (where there were woodcarvings picturing various proverbs) and the floor of the Oude Kerk – this was made up almost entirely of graves with stone coverings. Some were very plain, others were very intricately carved – be careful you don't trip over them!
Following along with the religious theme, I visited Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder - a very intricate house church from the 16th century, when Catholics were persecuted and were not allowed to have churches that outwardly looked like churches, thereby many house churches were constructed. This one was quite fancy, on the top two floors of the house, and looked, well, like the interior of any normal church building.
I also visited the Torture Museum (quite small compared to the one in San Gimignano in Italy that I visited several years ago), as well as the Sex Museum, which was... informative. Lots of artwork from throughout the centuries, from all over the world. On the way back to my hostel, I also saw the Homomonument, a memorial to all of the GLBT people who have ever suffered persecution throughout the world.
Tomorrow I am heading to Utrecht for two days to stay with a Couchsurfer, and then I will be back in Amsterdam for two days after that.
Good night!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
On the road again!
This blog has been quiet for the past seven months, since I have been stationary here in Scotland.
But I am on the move again! The season here at the hotel has ended, and I am on my way to Inverness, then London and then onwards to Amsterdam! So updates will be happening frequently again.
But I am on the move again! The season here at the hotel has ended, and I am on my way to Inverness, then London and then onwards to Amsterdam! So updates will be happening frequently again.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Work!
So I've been busy working since the beginning of the month. I am at a small hotel (with bar and restaurant) in a remote part of northwestern Scotland.
My job title is that of "General Assistant" - which means that I clean the hotel rooms and serve people their food in the bar and restaurant (well, restaurant when it opens in the summer). One and a half days a week, I also work on the bar, serving people drinks and dealing with payments, when the regular bargirl has her day off.
It has been a lot to learn, but I'm getting there. The only jobs I don't know how to do are those of the chefs, which would actually be really useful at the moment, since things got thrown into chaos this afternoon when one of the chefs abruptly quit and is already on his way home. With him gone, the only people left of the seasonal staff are a Scottish girl, German guy and me. We will be joined by a girl from South Africa on the weekend, and quite possibly also an Australian girl.
The scenery here is beautiful - right on the edge of a sea loch, so I can watch the tides come in and out. Also surrounded by mountains. Kind of reminds me of the Pyrenees (complete with the sheep dung on walking paths!).
The weather is very unpredictable, and changes rapidly. Most days have had at least some precipitation (whether it be rain, hail, sleet or snow), I think there have only been three days without it since March 1. I've seen more hail than I ever have before. The winds can also be tremendous - no surprise that apparently this area is known for "horizontal rain"!
At any rate, I have some dishes to do here in the staff house, and then get ready for my evening bar shift. Ta for now!
My job title is that of "General Assistant" - which means that I clean the hotel rooms and serve people their food in the bar and restaurant (well, restaurant when it opens in the summer). One and a half days a week, I also work on the bar, serving people drinks and dealing with payments, when the regular bargirl has her day off.
It has been a lot to learn, but I'm getting there. The only jobs I don't know how to do are those of the chefs, which would actually be really useful at the moment, since things got thrown into chaos this afternoon when one of the chefs abruptly quit and is already on his way home. With him gone, the only people left of the seasonal staff are a Scottish girl, German guy and me. We will be joined by a girl from South Africa on the weekend, and quite possibly also an Australian girl.
The scenery here is beautiful - right on the edge of a sea loch, so I can watch the tides come in and out. Also surrounded by mountains. Kind of reminds me of the Pyrenees (complete with the sheep dung on walking paths!).
The weather is very unpredictable, and changes rapidly. Most days have had at least some precipitation (whether it be rain, hail, sleet or snow), I think there have only been three days without it since March 1. I've seen more hail than I ever have before. The winds can also be tremendous - no surprise that apparently this area is known for "horizontal rain"!
At any rate, I have some dishes to do here in the staff house, and then get ready for my evening bar shift. Ta for now!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Inverness
The rest of my time in Edinburgh was lovely. My Couchsurfing host and I had a lot in common, so lots to talk about. I also went on the hunt for David Hume's gravesite, which took awhile, but eventually I found it.
Yesterday I arrived in Inverness. Have done some shopping for necessities that I'll need for my new job (and more books as well of course), and went for a walk along the River Ness and then the Caledonian Canal. Elected not to go on a trip to Loch Ness, I'll save that for a weekend away from work later on in the spring.
Tomorrow I will do a bit more exploring here in Inverness and area (hoping to get out to the Clava Cairns), and in the afternoon catch a bus to Ullapool, where my employers will be collecting me, so tomorrow night I will be arriving at my new job! I start work on Sunday.
Next report will be from my workplace! Goodnight all.
Yesterday I arrived in Inverness. Have done some shopping for necessities that I'll need for my new job (and more books as well of course), and went for a walk along the River Ness and then the Caledonian Canal. Elected not to go on a trip to Loch Ness, I'll save that for a weekend away from work later on in the spring.
Tomorrow I will do a bit more exploring here in Inverness and area (hoping to get out to the Clava Cairns), and in the afternoon catch a bus to Ullapool, where my employers will be collecting me, so tomorrow night I will be arriving at my new job! I start work on Sunday.
Next report will be from my workplace! Goodnight all.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Edinburgh!
I arrived in Edinburgh on Sunday, and set to work exploring right away!
Visited Canongate Kirkyard and Greyfriars Kirkyard, which were both interesting cemeteries. The former also had the grave of Adam Smith that I needed to visit.
Monday, I took the bus out to Rosslyn Chapel, and went for a stroll in Roslin Glen nearby. Both were very beautiful. The chapel was smaller than I thought it would be, but very intricately carved. Since they're doing restoration work right now, they had a walkway up where I could walk around the outside of the roof to see it close up, which was interesting.
Paid visits to several smaller free museums, including the Museum of Childhood, the People's Story and the Writer's Museum. The People's Story in particular showed a detailed view on the lives of the common people of Edinburgh throughout the past few centuries.
Monday evening, I went on a ghost walk that took us into the haunted vaults beneath the South Bridge, as well as back to Canongate Kirkyard and stories of bodysnatchers and cannibals.
Today I spent the morning in Edinburgh Castle, which was also the home to the Scottish Military Museum as well as two regimental museums. The castle was much bigger with more to explore than I thought.
Afterwards, I went to the Camera Obscura exhibit, which also had a variety of other displays relating to illusion, holograms, light and photography. Was also very interesting.
After that, I retrieved my baggage from the hostel where I spent two nights, and have now settled in with a Couchsurfer, where I shall be for the next two nights. She made a lovely dinner tonight, and tomorrow I will be making some variety of Mexican food for dinner.
During the day, I plan to visit the burial place of David Hume on Calton Hill, and take in the sights at the bottom end of the Royal Mile, including Holyrood Palace and such (only from the outside though, since it costs an arm and a leg to get in).
And Thursday it is off to Inverness!
Visited Canongate Kirkyard and Greyfriars Kirkyard, which were both interesting cemeteries. The former also had the grave of Adam Smith that I needed to visit.
Monday, I took the bus out to Rosslyn Chapel, and went for a stroll in Roslin Glen nearby. Both were very beautiful. The chapel was smaller than I thought it would be, but very intricately carved. Since they're doing restoration work right now, they had a walkway up where I could walk around the outside of the roof to see it close up, which was interesting.
Paid visits to several smaller free museums, including the Museum of Childhood, the People's Story and the Writer's Museum. The People's Story in particular showed a detailed view on the lives of the common people of Edinburgh throughout the past few centuries.
Monday evening, I went on a ghost walk that took us into the haunted vaults beneath the South Bridge, as well as back to Canongate Kirkyard and stories of bodysnatchers and cannibals.
Today I spent the morning in Edinburgh Castle, which was also the home to the Scottish Military Museum as well as two regimental museums. The castle was much bigger with more to explore than I thought.
Afterwards, I went to the Camera Obscura exhibit, which also had a variety of other displays relating to illusion, holograms, light and photography. Was also very interesting.
After that, I retrieved my baggage from the hostel where I spent two nights, and have now settled in with a Couchsurfer, where I shall be for the next two nights. She made a lovely dinner tonight, and tomorrow I will be making some variety of Mexican food for dinner.
During the day, I plan to visit the burial place of David Hume on Calton Hill, and take in the sights at the bottom end of the Royal Mile, including Holyrood Palace and such (only from the outside though, since it costs an arm and a leg to get in).
And Thursday it is off to Inverness!
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