G. I'm not sure

The Zaanse Schans Windmills-This is Het Jonge Schaap (The Young Sheep), rebuilt between 2005 to 2007 from drawings of a dismantled mill that was meticulously documented upon it’s demise.

Day 1 was spent planning for Day 2 of my trip in the Netherlands, but here’s a recap:

1-Laundry at the Happy Inn Wasserette/Launderette where I met a kid from Boston who I don’t think had a clue how stoned he was.  It was just him and me in this little room. Wish I could get a photo of this-he’d spread his crap out over all the machines, but wasn’t using one.  He tried to sell me some painting a girl from Munich or some such German town had given him before she threw him out!!  Anyway, the fun ended when I had to leave for a few last minute notes on FELA! in Carré.  I ran through the red-light district-a dismal place when the sun’s up-and the windows are sporadically inhabited. to make it just as my programmer John was arriving too. 

2-Notes-90 minutes and done!!  Break A Leg guys.

3-finish drying-after waiting most of the performance for a dryer to open up in wardrobe (an idea I knew was a bad one, but when someone else suggested it, I decided to try, I was right) I took it accross the Amstel where I found another wasserette with nice dryers.  Voila!

4-Repack my bags to eliminate 20 or so of the 26 kgs I’ve got with me.

5-Dinner with Mike, Ollie and Ollie from projectsion at Tujah Market.

6-Travel to the Hague via Netherlands Railroad.  Had to sort out the ticket machines (english language option engaged!!) and payment (Credit cards from the States aren’t always accpeted-they like the chip/pin or maestro models here.  Then because I figured out I wasn’t really staying in The Hague/Den Haag proper, I had to figure out a transfer I hadn’t planned on.  Amsterdam Centraal to Leiden Centraal and on to Rijswijk.

7-Find the hotel.  According to Google maps, there was an awkward walk from the station head out to the the hotel, but since I had google map street viewed the area, I realize upon arrival, that those directions were crap, and I should go with my instinct to go out the other exit-where by I essentially arrived at the hotel’s door step!!  Briliant-I can curse google map and praise them all at the same time!!!!

8-Check-in, and figure out what day 2 will actually involve-and sleep

DAY 2 June 12, 2011

Woke at 7:30 and got myself together.  Was debating going to the hotel buffet, but when I emerged from the elevator and smelled the smoked fish-I was sold.  20 Euro’s later, I’m filled for a long day.

On to Delft-Today I discovered how important it is to have a pocket full of change.  Because I have only silly american magnetic stripe credit cards, most of the system Netherlands Rail System wont’ let me use them in their machines.  And besides, the fare for my trip was 2 Euro.  Quick trip-I think it was only 1 stop away, but I wasn’t paying super close attention to that this morning. 

The Landscape is beautifull.  It takes no time at all to move from an urban center into a world of green beauty.  Sheep, Cows, and horses graze along the pastures divided by the small canals.  Mezmorizing.

The approach to Delft is quick-but you can identify the Old Church and the New Church almost immedietly which allow one to get their bearings. 

After crossing through the construction site that is the Delft railway station, I found my way along a tiny graphite laden alley to a small canal and up toward the central Markt.  It was a Sunday morning afterall, and so little was yet happening.  The Church bells were ringing, but otherwise the place was quiet.  I wondered my way around the square inspecting the Nieuwe Kirk from all angles.  Passing the Vermeer center, I decided I’d let that wait, but even though Lonely Planet describes it has “sort of a high-brow theme park” I shouldn’t miss it.

I found my way through Beestenmarkt on past some modern and huge shopping or entertainment center (dead at this time of a Sunday morning) around to the Oostport where I watched water fowl feed on the green slime and boats glide past in the canal before moving through what remains of the cities ancient walls.  From there I continued up the cannal until it felt time to turn left and find the Oude Kirk (old church).  The canals are so peaceful in the morning, and most of the architecture is stunning, but crowded.

As I approached approached the Oude Kirk-I didn’t notice right away, but as the buildings began to line up, I realized something wasn’t plum.  I’m still not sure if it was the tower of the church or the houses around, but from a further distance, It would seem the tower is what’s out of alignment.  Glad I got to see that before it tips over.

I continued along the cobbled street, I saw what I’d heard about-a raw herring stand-Hollandaise Neuwe I beleive they called it.  I read that it is best enjoyed like an american hot dog-within a white bread bun covered with onions.  I took a pass at this moment-not quite brave enough and moved on to re-visit the VerMeer experience.  The reviews are more or less accurate.  The center does not hold any original Vermeer work, but it does take plenty of time to talk about his life and times, his influence and education, and his techniques over the course of the three story buidling.  Since I was aware already of much of his work though my own work as a lighting designer, I had to giggle at the simplicity of the explanation of how he used light in his work.  The history of his life and of Delft was at least fascinating.  

After about a 60 minute stay, I was now hungry and beginning to build the guts to try the Dutch culinary specialty I saw earlier.  This time, I saw others enjoying.  I ordered one up with a coke (Lonely Planet advices against drinking from a precious water bottle whilst eating a raw herring of any preparation).  Delicious.  A little like sushi, but instead of rice-white bread.

So now I think I’d made it all the way through Delft and it was just past 1pm.  What next.  Rotterdam is around the corner, and from what I could understand, it is architecturally night and day from what I’ve been experiencing in Amsterdam and Delft.  So after a bit of a struggle to buy my ticket, I was on my way.  A very short trip later and I was there.  

The challenge here was to solve their tram and metro system and get far enough away from the train station to make the trip worth it.  Enter the OV Chipkart-a RFID technology based transit card.  I purchased one for 7.50 EUR and added enough balance to use on the local systems and the national rails service.  Seemed like a good idea.  I pulled out my trusty Lonely Planet Guide to the Netherlands and headed off for what was listed as an self guided walk of the city’s architectural highlights.  Because the city had been flattened during the bombings of WWII, the architecture of the city ranged in it’s newness, but in a lot of ways, stretched bonds. 

I took some shortcuts I admit as I didn’t really want the whole 3 hour tour.  The area along the Wijnhaven has been built very recently it would seem, though from my vantage, not a lot stood out.  A striking dark glass building with red steel stood out, but I’m not sure it really complimented it’s location in any way.  The first really interesting piece of architecture I saw was The Overblaak Developement.  This development was designed in the 70s and opened in 1984.  

I crossed the Nieuwe Maas onto a mostly residential island then on accross to the mainland to get a better view of MassToren-The Netherland’s tallest building before finding my way onto the subway and back to the Centraal Station.

I still had some time to kill, but was getting tired, and my feet were sore, so I took a tram toward Het Park.  I ended up wondering around there for a bit before heading back.  Very pleasant watery park.  There was some live music playing and a lot of kids around.  Now utterly exhausted, I took into serious consideration a though of continuing if briefly to Gouda.  When I couldn’t figure out what train to take, I decided to make a run for it back to the hotel.  A Good nights rest and the next day-Den Haag.

I’m looking forward to this trip as I know it will be exciting.  I’m going to Algieria for 10 days with the Battery Dance Company and their program Dance to Connect.  It’s a diplomatic outreach program aimed at exploring cultures through dance.  Challenges abound.  Not only will I get to light 3 new pieces created through the program, I’ll be recreating lighting for 3 pieces which I’ve only seen on video and am working to understand the documentation that exists.  There won’t be much time to sight-see I think, but the performances will take place in three different cities in Northern Algeria.  Wish me luck.

I’m back in New York. I’ve got so much to talk about. I’ll update the trip soon.

My grand plan was to report on my days adventures each night, but I’ve been zonked. We are taking a break now before venturing out for some night life- Bar Jeder Verhunft.

One word, yum. Adolfo Wagner

Washer #4

I find it curious that when there is only one thing left, people assume it defective. I’m not sure if washer #4 works or not, but everyone is staring at it lost. There is great debate over whether or not to try washer #4 or not-is it defunckt? Pictures to follow.

It occured to me while watching one of today’s World Vup offerings that tge buzz I’ve been assuming to be tge noise of the stadium sound remarkably just like the fan noise of an LED video display, the kind that ring the stands, or in thus case, the playing field. I’m no longer convinced that the drone is the enthusiasm of the fans, but rather unfortunate mic placement. It is a noise that is hard to escape when you have to sit below the display panels.