Grece partie 21 / Greece part 21 (Amsterdam & Barcelona)

Sunday, September 25th 2005

We sleeped in this morning which made Jan-Kees very happy. We took some chairs and strolled to the Amstel park not far from his place. It’s quite windy. We played freezby for awhile. Wow, that dog is cute, there’s a dog playing fetch and he has the longest hair I’ve seen on a dog, it’s funny to see him run and his hair floats backwards. Oups! This old man just fell. Jan-Kees was quick in seeing it and ran towards him. This old man was lucky there was a tree bhind him. We got him ready to go. We went to this hotel to drink tea at their bar on the top level but it was closed. Ah well, some other time I guess! We ate some krokets and frikandel (a sausage made of all types of meat: horse, pig, cow.... fried and served with mayo and ketchup or curry sauce). I love frikendel!

I sometimes get on his nerves and we see life in a completely different way. We took a nice stroll around the neiborhood and now we’re back at the appartment. He went out to get a pizza. I think he was glad to go and be alone for a bit.

Monday, September 26th 2005

Jan-Kees just left for work and his mum is comming to pick me up soon. Yap, you heard me right, his mum! We’re going to visit this touristic village with windmills?! It’s funny how Jan-Kees and his mum sometimes remind me of The mother, the way Jan-Kees often forgets his glasses or that he invents his own expressions as for his mum, it’s the way she talks to everyone and that what she says don’t always make sens. I guess I might say they make me feel at home. Luv my mom, miss her. I know she’d love this country as much as I do.

This town is made of old houses mostly from th 18th century that were moved here. These houses are all green. They have beautifull gardens and you often have to cross a small bridge to get to them. There’s a cheese factory, cheeeeeesseeeee mmmmmm. Of course, I couldn’t have lived without goin in, taste all the samples and buy a piece. There are many shops and museums here without forgetting a couple of windmills and some barnyard animals. There’s not alot of tourists here today which makes it enjoyable. We ate some pancakes and then, we went to a clog museum. That’s unavoidable! Loads of wooden shoes enough to make any woman cry! Hi hi! Japanesse tourists! How could I’ve missed that! Part of the experience is seeing a big group of Japanesse with big cameras. Well, that’s it for this village .

Jan-Kees’s mum and I went back to Amsterdam to do some shoping for diner and a gift for Jan-Kees. We’re at a sidewalk sale which I walked thru last week. I want to get Jan-Kees somekind of a boll in which he can put his watch, keys, pen, wallet, glasses, sunglasses, cellphone and earphones when he gets home so that he doesn’t forget anything in the morning. Hard to find on he’s like! Gotta get some food as I’m cooking tonight, again and we also have notting left for breakfest. We stoped at her favorite cafe to get some tea and I saw a store that seemed interesting across the street so we went in to look at what they had. As we left the store, I saw in the window the perfect gift for Jan-Kees, a clock with a 50’s drawing of a girl on top of a sail, it reminded me of the pictures i saw of him on top of a sail. God knows how much he loves boats (except for his ! J). I’ll give it to him tonight after his mum leaves. The woman at the store gift wraped it (free) for me. His appartment is so cold (decoration wise) that this should help. He doesn’t have a clock in his kitchen, it will look good there.

Cooking for 3 tonight! I’ve never cooked so much before, I cooked almost every -night since I’ve been here. Jan-Kees kepts on asking me how it feels to be a housewife. He’s doing so much for me, this is the lease I can do. Jan-Kees finally decided to take the car we saw Saturday, he made an offer and he’s waiting for an answer from the dealership.

We’re going to the Red light district tonight. We were supossed to go last night but he just felt like staying in. Can you imagine that I’ve been in Amsterdam for more than a week now and I haven’t seen the Red light district. The first thing he shows me, is the square where I took a picture last year when I first came to Europe then, he shows me a memorial statue in the middle of a square known to the locals as “penis square”, nice! It’s night and the shops as well as cafes and restaurants are still open. There’s quite a few people down the streets. We walk by a cafe and the distinct smell of pot runs thru my nose. Hello Red light district, or street! Well, it’s all that should be expected, window doors with woman dressed in neglige waiting for men t come in so they can put the curtains and do some work, sex shops here and there, an erotic museum and shows of live sex performances just like the Pink Palace but without clothes on and with penetration. Live porn shows, yeah! Yeah, sure! (in my lovely sarcastic way) I think most of these girls customers are tourists. Well, that was nice!

As we look down on the canal that goes thru this street, we think about doing a tour of the canals. We first stoped at a cafe on “penis square” to take a hot chocolate. They’re all closed for the boat tours of the canals the only one open, canceled the last tour, ‘cause we were only 4. Sucks! That’s life! It was not ment to be. We’re goin back to the hotel we went yesterday to take a drink at the bar. This is a fancy smutchy 5* hotel. The view from this bar is magnificent, we can see Amsterdam in it’s entire and that’s mostly because they’re not allowed to build sky scrapers or very tall buildings which makes a big difference and is part of it’s charm. With my tea, they served me a wallnut covered with chocolate, a cookie and a piece of chocolate (from Godiva if I rely on the Godiva stan in the lobby downstairs), it was delectable. Jan-Kees is very romantic. I feel I’m getting a bit on his nerves as I eat the mixt nuts on the table. Ah well! This was a very nice day. I will really miss Jan-Kees when I leave this place. Tomorrow’s my last day.

Tuesday, September 27th 2005

Last day today! Made some banana sandwiches for breakfest. Off he goes! Time to make my luggage. It’s raining for the first time since I’ve been here. I’m stroling downtown looking for a watch as mine is completely broken. It was holding on by tape now, tape is gone. Jan-Kees has been wanting to buy me a watch since he saw it. His wish is granted! He’s the best! He’s way up there with my mom, Isabelle and Gabriel. I’m alwready sad about leaving and it’s the first time I’m sad about leaving a city other than Montreal. I’m soaking wet but I don’t mind it much, gotta go back to the Red light district to take pictures with the daylight. Last night, the prostitutes were young, thin and pretty today, they’re fat and older. I know it’s what some men like but are those men horny daytime only? I wonder??? Last day in Amsterdam!

Gotta go on the net to see if my friend in Barcelona is picking me up at the airport or if I have to get to his place on my own. Goin to Jan-Kees’s office to check my e-mails. That was bright of me! I took the tram the wrong way and I have to go back. The guy at the ticket booth, is the same one as when I took this tram to switch, he asked me if I was sure this was my stop. So nice of him. Everybody’s been so nice and smilling to me here, what is there not to love about this country, I wonder!?! Love what he’s wearing today. I usually like what he wears but this suit has to be my favorite. He’s pretty upset today, the dealership sold the car he wanted to someone else without letting him know so he could make another offer on it. Ah well! Notting he can do now, the only problem is that his car is breaking down on hm and he needs to either invest in getting this car repaired or find another used car he likes. I’m in Roger’s office (one of his coleagues) using the computer.

The situation with the car really pisses him off, understandably! You know, Jan-Kees kept on telling me how trafic is horrible but I haven’t seen a bit of trafic since I’ve been here. I think he’s overly exagerating! J I’m still wet and I’m freezing. Took a hot shower to heat myself up and tonight, Jan-Kees is cooking. Cool! He’s soo sweet, he got some olives ‘cause he knows I love them tho he forgets stuff, he’s toughtfull. I don’t see anything wrong with him tho he’ll enumerate his faults, I don’t see them as faults or bad things. He underestimates himself. I’ve never met a man who takes care of someone, a woman the way he does, there’s so much good in him, he’s sincere, true, caring, sensitive, toughtfull, romantic, soft, lovable, honest, respectfull and I could go on. Never met someone that became that important to me in such a small period of time. I think he doesn’t realise it how special he is. I’m very fortunate to have met him and I can only hope that we’ll keep contact and try to see eachother as often as possible.

Well, diner was good! I bit more classy than the mac and cheese I had planed to make tonight. I’m tired and we’re waking up at 4am tomorrow so I’ll go to bed now. Good night!

Wednesday, September 28th 2005

4am Oh man! Can’t I just sleep some more? I’m getting up but I don’t want too. I don’t want to leave those comforting arms. It’s great that I’m goin to Barcelona but I’m not as excited as I should be. As I packed some umbitekook and wekkel (dutch chips), Jan-Kees gave me a box of After Eight, can’t believe he remembered. I told him they were my faverite when he, for some reason, pointed them out at the market few days ago.

It’s 5am as we’re leaving the house, should’ve left at 4:40, my flight’s at 6:20. It’s still dark outside. Got my boarding pass, time to go. Gave Jan-Kees my music note necklase I bought in Poland a year ago. As I gave it to him, I tried to explane what it meant to me and why I was giving it to him but the emotion took my voice. I hope he’ll never forget me as I’ll never forget him. It took all my streigth to keep myself from letting a tear role down my cheek. Bye Jan-Kees, take care of yourself, I’ll miss ya! As I waited in line to pass thru the metal detector, I saw Jan-Kees looking at me, he stayed there until after I passed the metal detector, until he couldn’t see me anymore. That’s it, I can’t anymore, I can’t hold the tears, my eyes are full of salry water. Oh Jan-Kees, how is it possible to meet someone and get attached in such a short period of time. Could you please explane this to me ‘cause I don’t have a clue. Thank you Jan-Kees, thank you for everything I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank you enough.

It’s 5:50am now and I’m waiting for boarding, I’ll send an SMS to Jan-Kees. He answered a few minutes later. I’m so tired and I have a headeache, thank god this flight is only 2hrs. Got myself some Wekkel, I love those mmmmm. No customs as I’m flying within the Shengen so no stamps in my passport L Gotta take the train (2,30 Euros) to Barcelona then, gotta take a bus (1,15 Euros) to Eloy’s place. I’m enjoying the fact that I understand most of the time even Catalan which is similar to spanish. The architecture is beautifull especially the balconys each with a beautifull desing. This bus is goin thru a narrow street which seems to be in vogue in Europe. Eloy’s beeing very nice to me, I have a room of my own and a set of keys. I definetely think I’m goin to go back to MTL now. I’m tired of doing the tourist thing and goin from one city to another.

It’s starting to get dark and I’m walking downtown Barcelona. It’s beautifull! I got myself to a street where there’s a large side walk in the middle (Las Ramblas) where you can find street entertainers, shops, convenience stores, gift stores, etc. Look at there, there’s a food market called La Boccaria, where you can find a huge variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, candies, chocolate, seafood, dry fruits, ect. There’s a distinct smell when you go from one alley to anothere, very nice. This market, reminds me of Le Marche Jean-Talon in Montreal. As I left the market, I saw a stand where they sold Orxata (a typical spanish drink) I had to get myself one. It tastes like sweet skimed milk mixed with coconut juice. After drinking half a small size cup, I couldn’t force myself to drink more. Garbage it is! That was insightfull!

Made a couple of phone calls, as I was talking to Isabelle, a guy came to me and looked like he wanted money or something, I ignored him and he left. No christ! He’s still here! I tought he left me alone. I hung up and when I started walking, he followed me and talked to me, I ignored him but then, he made a violent move as to hit me. No way! I walked to the 4 guys that were talking on the street and explaned the situation the best I could as they didn’t speak english nor spanish, they were Italians, they spoke a bit of french. They talked to the guy and got rid of him. Afterwards, I walked with them for a bit, better play it safe. What? Jan-Kees just SMS me, that’s so sweet of him. He’s the best! How cute can he be?!? No wonder I like him so much. Wanted to eat some spanish food but after what just happened to me, I’m goin at McD’s and back to the appartment.

I called Jan-Kees but I only had 7 mins so he sent me an SMS asking for a landline number where he could reach me. I’m on the bus back to Eloy’s appartment so, I’ll text him when I get there.That’s nice! There’s a church on top of a hill which is very well lit. It produces so much light that you can see a glow surrending it. Wow! Eloy sent an SMS to Jan-Kees for me as I’m out of credit, a couple of minutes later, he called. So sweet! He told me to hold on and give Barcelona a chance, I guess I should but I’m too tired physically and morally. Well, I guess this travel adventure is soon coming to an end.

Thursday, September 29th 2005

They’re making some renovations in the building and it’s keeping me from sleeping. I called British Airways to have my ticket changed for a closer date and to leave out of London instead of Athens. My flight is Athens to London and it’s much less expensive for me to go to London then Athens. What? This is crap! They won’t let me leave from London, I have to go from Athens. Might as well find a cheap flight from here to MTL, will most likely be less. Oh, that’s great! The bus drived didn’t stop for me to get in. Nice! This city’s starting to get on my nerves and wright now, I have a short fuse. Eloy cooked this morning and it was very goo, I really didn’t expect that from him. I’m not as close to Eloy as I am to Jan-Kees. This is crap! To go to Athens, the cheapest flight I found was almost 300$ plus 100$ to change my BA flight is 400$. I found a direct flight from Barcelona to Montreal for ~650$. For only 250 more, I get a direct flight instead of goin Barcelona-Athens, Athens-London, London-Montreal.

I’m really very upset now. I called Isabelle and I was too emotional to keep myself from crying and as usual, she knew exactly what to say to make me laugh. Finally reached my mom who could only tell me to rush home. She says the dogs are waiting for me and that Fanny keeps on goin to my room. I’m taking my spirit up and keep on goin. I’m back on Las Ramblas the street field with flower shops, pet stores where you can buy lezards, iguanas, turtles, mices, rabits, ferets, birds (including chickens incase your planning on opening a St-Hubert restaurant or you want fresh eggs for breakfest, roosters if you need a wake up call – very effective – time? When the sun come up, pigeons as if there weren’t enough on the streets). This street is very lively as you can imagine! Took myself to the market to get some comforting food, chocolate! This chocolate cost me almost 6 Euros for 6 pieces and it’s not even good. This is not my day. I really want to go home.

I walked to the end of the street and when I was walking back, this guy in a car started calling me. I ignored him but then, I saw him park his car. I fled, I went somewhere he wouldn’t be able to see me. This city is becoming very scary to me. All the signs are pointing towards, get out of here, fast! I strolled around the borrow and found a couple squares (piaza). Nice! Ate again at McD’s. It’s bad news when I start to consider McD’s comforting. There are so many street entertainers here, all taking tourists attention. They play statue and when you give money, they move and do something. This guy all in white, is sitting on a toillet bowl with his pants around his ankels and a book in his hands that he pretends to read and when you put money in his jar, he pretends he’s taking a crap and that it smells awfull. Makes people laugh and take pictures like me for example. There’s somking of a Jive, Swing demo tonight so I’ll go. Should be interesting and take my mind off things.

Went back to Eloy’s appartment to get my shoes and info on night busses I can take back to his place. There’s a bus/metro card you can purchase at all metro station thru a machine that you can use 10 times for 1h15min. It’s 6,30 Euros so 0,63 Euros/use (1h15min). Oh! And if you want the bus to stop at the bus stop, you have to make a sign to the driver (why the hell do they have bus stops in that case!?). When I took the bus, I asked the driver to let me know when we get to Vallcarca and he asked me where I was goin, when I told him he let me off at a closer metro station (no need to change). That was nice of him. God I love this pen! I bought a pen earlier today with a note book and it’s great to write with. Well, I’m on my way to the dance school and I forgot my jacket. Ah well!

This was nice, I got to dance with some fairly good dancers most importantly, I got to dance. This is great! On this trip, I got to dance in London, Amsterdam (a suburb – Pomerand) and Barcelona. Gotta luv it! There’s another dance tomorrow and I’m definetely goin, there’s also a workshop on the weekend but I can’t afford to go and it’s Ok. I shared a taxi with a dancer to downtown and now, I’m waiting for the night but which according to the scheduel will be there in 10 mins. It’s not very hot, the wind is cold and I’m tired. I should be in bed in 30-40 mins. I can’t wait! God I love dancing! All this trouble is worth it, if it means I get to dance.

Friday, September 30th 2005

It’s another day in Barcelona. I’m feeling much better today as meeting all those dancers was refreshing. I can’t wait to go out dancing tonight. Trying to sleep in Eloy’s appartment is hard as they’re doing some renovations in the building and the noise starts around 8:30-9 in the morning. I’m mainly having disrupted sleep. Great! Maybe today, I’ll eat something else than McD’s. Good idea! Stoped at this place where they sell baguette sandwiches and pizzas. Got myself a 4 cheeses pizza baguette that I didn’t eat in full as it had blue cheese, the only type of cheese that makes me yeak. Also got a chocolate croissant that didn’t taste so good, all that for the “bargan” price of 9Euros, 7Euros for the “pizza” and 2Euros for the croissant. Hey, wait a minute, that’s not a bargan price, that’s actually expensive. Oh crap! This city got me again, it really hates me!

Bought my plane ticket to London for October 5th. I was surprised to have Justin chat wit me on MSN messenger. It was nice to have news from him, also chatted with Sebastien (a swing dancer from MTL) and my aunt Carla for a bit. Did my usual travel activity, strolled around the city. Still hungry! Found a nice vegeterian restaurant were I got a pretty big fry with ketchup and mayo for 1,80Euros. Getting back to Eloy’s place to get my dancing shoes. He amazes me every day, Jan-Kees just text me saying he’s worried about me and have been trying to call, so sweet. Everytime I think he can’t get sweeter, he suprises me with more sweetness. How can I ever love another man!?! J There’s a lot of people here at the dance, it’s not only swing but C’n’W, latin dances and ballroom dances. They had a show that lasted way too long (1:30-2hrs) and that wasn’t very good. All that time waisted!

Saturday, October 1st 2005

Another month has started as well as another day. Gotta send Jan-Kees’s keys back to him today. The metro here is weird, depending on the line you take, the carts are different. On line 3, you have to push on a handle for the doors to pen if you want to get in or out. Weird! I’ve been in Barcelona 4 days now and all I can think of is goin back to Montreal. I’m goin to London on Wednesday hoping that British airlines will let me go home. I hope London will be nicer to me than Barcelona. I don’t even know how much money I have left.

Sent the keys, finally! Walked around the port. Sails for sale! Loads of freeking sailboats. I’m soooo tired of traveling, I feel I’m not appreciating this city as much as I should, I also feel that it shows in my writhing. I don’t write the same things I use to or give as much details. My feet are hurting from all the walking and I think it’s such a petty as I could do many things. Got myself chips, chocolate and olives, goin to the appartment to enjoy a movie night.