The world of Gospel

Last week I've been to New York for holidays with a friend. Wow! That city really is amazing! I can tell you a lot of stories about we've seen and what we've experienced in the city that never sleeps. One thing that really amazed me was a complete new experience to me - The world of Gospel.

On Easter morning we went up to Harlem, 120th street to join a Gospel ceremony. It would be the first time in my life to visit one. Of course I've seen it on tv and heard about it. Also in Amsterdam you can visit these ceremonies.  Well ceremonies, I'd rather call them energizing parties. Wow, I was stunned.  It already begun on the streets, the outfits of all the people. They'd really done their best: dresses, suits, heads, bags, socks, fingernails. Everything, everything looked great. And all the people were so kind. Of course what helped was that they were quite used to visitors with an extra stage for us and everybody who could not join all ceremonies from 8 Am till 2 PM.

The first person we met happened to be the priest's wive, we found out later on when she got up on the stage. The ceremony started immediately with singing and swinging. The priests I'm used almost fall asleep during their own speech, but these guys were full of energy. The crowd put their hands op in the air, shouting, singing, even crying - tears rolled over cheeks. Nobody was afraid to show their emotions and to share them.

Even now I think back about it I already get a smile on my face and wish I could go back. I think you should see for yourself and experience the joy and happiness.

                                                                      

Would you stand up for a girl?

Again I learned a lot from my participants in my workshop Dutch Habits & Traditions, yesterday. The two hour session always seems to be too short - there is so much to discuss about cultures, food, nice holiday locations, or even nice places to live for a certain time... Poeh, life is a bit short i'm afraid.

Workshhopping means, in this case, take actively part in sharing your experiences and together come up with solutions and opportunities how to feel yourself at home in The Netherlands. It seems easy, but again it turned out to be a bit more difficult then expected - people are nice, helping you out, showing you the way, but then they continue living their own life again - and please feel welcome to do the same...

A very funny question I got from one of the participants who has his origin in Colombia and has been in NL for just a month now: 'Is it appropriate to stand up for a girl in public transport?'

That was a very new question to me. Therefore my amazingly smart helpfull answer was: 'ehhm well, let me think. I guess it's not inappropriate.'

How would I react? Would I be surprised? Or would I take it for granted? A couple of reactions popped up into my mind:
- Do I look that old????
- Wow, there is my prince charme!! (without the white horse I just didn't recognize him that easily)
- Watch you money, he is just trying to distract you
- There must be something worng with that seat or the guy next to him is smelly. Don't trust it

What would your reaction be, do you think?

The Dutch and their.....

BIKES!!!

Its getting spring here in Amsterdam!! Last weekend the weather was perfect: sunny, blue sky, being outside without a jacket. What do we do when the weather is this beautiful? Yes, we go riding our bikes! Moving yourself through Amsterdam brings the most typically and funny views. Of course I was riding my bike myself  as well. This time with my brother-in-law and our eyes caught one Dutch pic after the other. I would like to share some typically 'How Dutch' ride their bike' views:

Tulips tulips tulips, they are everywhere! We decorate our bikes with flowers and baskets. We sit together on one bike, children in front, at the back, in seats, in baskets. Even dogs get their own seat. We 'park' our bikes where ever we want, in the canals, up in the sky.

Weird Dutchies with their bike-mania... 

Working cross boarders: the strength of personal contact

We work together, every day for the same organization, on the same projects. I know her family situation, her daily routine, her passion and her fear. What I don't know is what she looks like. I have never met her in person. I don't have a clue what kind of faces she pulls when I call her - again. How do you cross borders without indirect communication? Is it possible to work together on a trust basis without face-to-face contact?


It all seems so simple these days with the technical possibilities: we can call each other, email each other, we even have the opportunity to see each other via video conferences. The latter even takes away the indirect communication barriers - facial expressions are very important to me. I want to look into each others eyes when you're talking to each other, to have full attention for each other. Even though you may say much via the mail, you have no idea about all the thousand other things your contact person is running simultaneously. Or if he really means what he is saying. For that, you need to be in the same room. Negative thought? perhaps, but I'm afraid that it is reality.

As a woman I'm supposed to be able to different things at the same time. Well, I happen to be pretty good at that. But to be honest, the person at the other side of the phone does not have my full attention. Don't I think it is important what the other is saying? Of course I do. But at least I've finished that email. And of course I always hear parts of the story.


This method of 'multitasking' is triggered by the physical distance and absence. Visting colleagues in Germany, Ireland, Romania, Hungary, Denver on a weekly basis is not realistic. Technological possibilities of these days are certainly a helping hand. And for probably 95% of your work they are supportive enough to do your job in a way as expected to be done. To get the best out of your work and out of each other, I would like to support to meet physically at least once a year. Not just meet for that single decision that is needed, but create different situations to get to know each other better in various settings with different people, like during diner, breakfast or just a walk outside. In this way you get to know each others strengths and how to complement each other. It gives you the opportunity to put a hand on the shoulder to show appreciation. Expressions mean more than words.

One truffle is not the other

Another hobby of mine is cooking. I love food, good wines and to cooke for friends. I'm really fond of fresh ingredients and dishes that are being prepared with care and creativity. One of the ingredients for which you can wake me up in the middle of the night is truffle - truffle on pizza, in pasta, on meat, in sauce. truffle truffle truffle. The truffle I'm used to cook with, i've learned this weekend, is winter truffle, dark truffle.

Winter truffle tastes nice and soft. But i've met the white truffle. White truffle has far more taste than the dark truffle. Also the structure is amazing.

You are probably curious where I've tasted the white truffle. For everybody who lives in Amsterdam or who has the idea to come and visit the capital, please go and visit Madelief . Madelief is a very cute restaurant close to 'vondelpark'. The owners are very warm people who enjoy serving good food to people who appreciate quality. To buy this truffle they went all the way themselves to Umbrie to buy it 100% fresh.

Please let me know if you've tried it or if you have other great ideas where to eat the best truffle.