Well, I decided to spend my last weekend in Europe on a pleasure tour, some more tourism. I decided to go to Amsterdam. The rain and cold didn't dampen our spirits, as you can see from the photos:
Ok, the city is really beautiful - especially the canals.
Now the museums. Ok, I have no idea what this Modern Art business is all about. The Van Gogh Museum has some cool stuff but that modern art - what is all the hype about it. I just don't get it. But I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But that wasn't so beautiful to me. Expressionism is just something that caught my fancy. However, it was great to have visited it.
On to the Rijksmuseum. Now that is my kind of art. I would take a Rembrandt over a Van Gogh any day. Those paintings are really cool. I was especially jazzed by the huge canvas paintings of landscapes. Those are really cool. I really enjoyed all the stuff they had from the 17th century. That was really beautiful. I guess those artists then really knew what they were doing. Their paintings really caught my eye.
I didn't get to see much more - not too much you can do when you arrive at 11am and leave at 8pm. Oh, there was dinner. Went to an Argentinian restaurant. Really cool. We had some assortment of meat (hey, I am a Kenyan). Now that was a lot of meat, but we said we wouldn't be defeated by it. Almost one and a half hours later - I could say we almost conquered the mountain - almost being the key word. It was a lot and we couldn't finish it all. But we did much better than some guys on another table. They only managed half of their portion. But as we said - we Kenyans are known for our meat eating skills.
I really liked the city of Amsterdam and will definitely take an extended tour of the city when I next get a chance.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Friday, December 01, 2006
Europe
Well, I haven't blogged in a while so I decided to write something about Europe. I have been in Antwerp for close to three months now. It is a nice place and I have really enjoyed it. I have made a couple of new friends along the way, and interestingly enough - met some old ones I never thought I would see again.
During my stay, I have managed to visit a couple of places such as London, Rotterdam, Cologne, Brussels and Monschau(Germany). Ok, I never managed to get to Paris and Rome - two places I would have really been glad to visit, but there is always another time. And who knows, I may have a better time next time because I will actually be going there for touristic purposes rather than work.
So, after whiling my way in Europe, what do I have to show for it, other than the couple of kilos I have added to my midsection - which cannot be blamed entirely on the food - but more on that later. Well, I have a couple of photos from my various visits. Nothing to brag about - shows my point and click abilities.
Well, here goes:
Antwerp, the city I have spent most of my past 3 months. I kinda like the fact that it is not too big - well, by European standards. At times I wonder, do they clean the streets here, but well, I guess I pass too early in the morning and too late in the evening to actually see a difference.
I guess the part I will miss most about Antwerp is the friends I made - especially those from ACF! They are really a cool bunch of guys.
Brussels. Hmmm, what can I say about the place? I never really took time to visit it for real, despite it being so close to Antwerp by train. Each time I was in Brussels, I was in a hurry. And that was at least 4 times. Always rushing to go somewhere or do something. I think there was only one time I was there when I was not very rushed - but too bad, it was getting dark. Oh, I also got a chance to visit the Atomium. It was nice. I do have some pictures here.
Now, the architecture is really cool, but well, really isn't anything functional to it - but what do you say? Art most of the time is not really functional, just enjoyable. Except in Rotterdam where I got to see the Cube Houses. Now that is interesting. It is both art and functional. Ok, I know some guys will blast me here and give numerous examples of art being functional so, bring it on - don't mind adding to the blog. So Rotterdam?
Rotterdam. I tell you I love that place. It was fun to visit. Took a boat ride, visited the Euromast - incredible. And not to forget, the cube houses - I could live in one of those - really interesting. Well, I also went to the Oceanium and got to see sharks up close. Not the really big man eating kind, but sharks none the less. It was interesting. I waited to see a gorilla up close, but by the time we got there, I think the fella had gone for a nap or something. We waited pretty long and all we could see were the videos.....bummer! On to another place.
Cologne. Nice town. Too bad we visited on a day when the town was full of people, celebrating some festival or other. So, we couldn't really get to see much of the town itself. However, all was not lost. We got to climb to the top of the Cologne Cathedral. All 509 steps/109 meters of it. Something definetly you should do if you get a chance. It is tiring though, but well, it is FUUUUN! What an accomplishment. And for those who think you can take a lift(Am. elevator) to the top - think again.
Monschau. Nice, cosy town. Too bad it was dark when we got there so we couldn't see much. Maybe next time. I hear in summer it is really good, especially you can get to see the glass works.
So that about wraps up my trips in Europe. But you never know. I could manage to sneak a visit somewhere.
During my stay, I have managed to visit a couple of places such as London, Rotterdam, Cologne, Brussels and Monschau(Germany). Ok, I never managed to get to Paris and Rome - two places I would have really been glad to visit, but there is always another time. And who knows, I may have a better time next time because I will actually be going there for touristic purposes rather than work.
So, after whiling my way in Europe, what do I have to show for it, other than the couple of kilos I have added to my midsection - which cannot be blamed entirely on the food - but more on that later. Well, I have a couple of photos from my various visits. Nothing to brag about - shows my point and click abilities.
Well, here goes:
Antwerp, the city I have spent most of my past 3 months. I kinda like the fact that it is not too big - well, by European standards. At times I wonder, do they clean the streets here, but well, I guess I pass too early in the morning and too late in the evening to actually see a difference.
I guess the part I will miss most about Antwerp is the friends I made - especially those from ACF! They are really a cool bunch of guys.
Brussels. Hmmm, what can I say about the place? I never really took time to visit it for real, despite it being so close to Antwerp by train. Each time I was in Brussels, I was in a hurry. And that was at least 4 times. Always rushing to go somewhere or do something. I think there was only one time I was there when I was not very rushed - but too bad, it was getting dark. Oh, I also got a chance to visit the Atomium. It was nice. I do have some pictures here.
Now, the architecture is really cool, but well, really isn't anything functional to it - but what do you say? Art most of the time is not really functional, just enjoyable. Except in Rotterdam where I got to see the Cube Houses. Now that is interesting. It is both art and functional. Ok, I know some guys will blast me here and give numerous examples of art being functional so, bring it on - don't mind adding to the blog. So Rotterdam?
Rotterdam. I tell you I love that place. It was fun to visit. Took a boat ride, visited the Euromast - incredible. And not to forget, the cube houses - I could live in one of those - really interesting. Well, I also went to the Oceanium and got to see sharks up close. Not the really big man eating kind, but sharks none the less. It was interesting. I waited to see a gorilla up close, but by the time we got there, I think the fella had gone for a nap or something. We waited pretty long and all we could see were the videos.....bummer! On to another place.
Cologne. Nice town. Too bad we visited on a day when the town was full of people, celebrating some festival or other. So, we couldn't really get to see much of the town itself. However, all was not lost. We got to climb to the top of the Cologne Cathedral. All 509 steps/109 meters of it. Something definetly you should do if you get a chance. It is tiring though, but well, it is FUUUUN! What an accomplishment. And for those who think you can take a lift(Am. elevator) to the top - think again.
Monschau. Nice, cosy town. Too bad it was dark when we got there so we couldn't see much. Maybe next time. I hear in summer it is really good, especially you can get to see the glass works.
So that about wraps up my trips in Europe. But you never know. I could manage to sneak a visit somewhere.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Mistakes
If you have made mistakes...there is always another
chance for you... you may have a fresh start any moment you choose,
for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the
staying down. - Mary Pickford
chance for you... you may have a fresh start any moment you choose,
for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the
staying down. - Mary Pickford
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Politics
Well,
This week has seen the exit of some of the so called "Pillars" of the Kibaki Administration from Goevernment. I guess it was bound to happen some time. There is only so much pressure one can stand. By the way, how long will Uncle Moody survive? On the Big Question on KTN the other night, 90% of the respondents said that he should quit. Talk about guys being after you.
However, we are now seeing the ODM guys pushing for even more guys to be sacked or to resign. It seems like mob-justice is being exacted on Kibaki's government. In my opinion, this is another storm that will soon pass, just like the one he faced after the defeat in the referendum, but how it passes depends on his use of political prowess.
Anyway, that aside, I would really like to see a less bloated cabinet with a focus on service delivery rather than empty rhetoric. That would be a first, an unusual thing in Kenya. Sounds far-fetched, but I am sure it is very possible.
We pray for the President, the government and the Nation of Kenya, that we become purposeful and truly walk into the future proud to be who we are - Kenyans.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)