Il mio Overseas a Sydney, Australia (Gen-Lug 2007)... e il mio periodo di Tesi all'Estero a Rotterdam/Utrecht, Olanda (Ott 2007-Mar 2008)!

A stopover in Brussels/2

However, luckily, after a few minutes the rain gave us a break. Well, actually it was still raining, but at least not as heavily as before. So we could move to the central square. It must have been an amazing one, but unfortunately they were building up a stage for some show that would have probably taken place the following days. Consequently we could not appreciate the whole square but only the tall bell tower.

We also went to look for the girl who pisses (probably created to respect the right equality between males and females) and then the boy who does the same. The latter is much more popular and centrally located. It was even easier to take a picture of this sculpture, and I am sure you have already seen it.
It was then time to go home. We were absolutely hungry and decided to cook something for dinner (err... I must admit that Francesca cooked everything while I was having some rest... lazy boy!). However, before arriving home my attention was taken by a strange coloured building. Many lights were turning on and off hiding and showing this tall building in the centre of Brussels.
It was certainly not the luckiest day in the place where my friend lives, in fact there had been some theft in the morning when we were travelling from The Netherlands to Belgium. This was the most discussed topic at dinner time among the people who live there: boys and girls from Italy, Spain, Israel and so on, everyone trying to imagine how could it have been possible to happen. At around 11pm people went back to their rooms. Francesca had to work hard to convince Chiara to come out with us. Luckily Elisa was already convinced by herself.
They brought me to a pub where they have a lot of different beers. I cannot remember the exact number, but we are talking of more than 2000. Maybe even more than 3000. Not bad!
In the picture Elisa is the first on the left. She is from Parma and studies there. She is the PR of the group, according to what I have been told.
Second from the left is Chiara. She is from Pesaro, my city, but actually I’ve only met her in Bologna where she studies and is a coursemate of Francesca.
Third is Francesca, my lovely friend from Bologna who visited me in Rotterdam and housed me there. Lucky girls, all of them still doing the Erasmus exchange, while for me it was the night before finishing with my exchange programs at the University...
The next morning I had to catch my flight to Italy. I missed the coach to the airport for 2 minutes, but I was still on time to catch the next one and get there quite on time. Unfortunately the bus did not show so a man gathered 8 people, including me, for a cab. Everything seemed fine, even the same price as the bus... but after 5 kms the driver (not the same man who pushed us in the car) started to ask for 15Euros. Still fine for me, but not for everybody (some of them were not that in a hurry). A discussion and then... he turned back! Damn! Those moments were crazy. I told him in Italian that if he would have really brought me back at the train station (which would have implied me missing the flight for sure) I would have broken his car. After some bargain with some of the present, he decided to go to the airport turning on the taximetre. A man on the rear row was going to call the police otherwise. Later on we found out that he was a politician. Actually he has been the only one who paid 11Euros. All the others, including me, paid 15Euros. But I did have not any other choice to get that flight! Another last-minute move, but not as bad as the one in London 2006! On the flight I met a girl and her mum who were in the same mini-van to the airport and, incredibly, even a girl who was left at the bus stop when we left with the cab. Okay, she did not have to do the check in, but I would have never bet a cent on her managing to catch the flight.

Postato da: DexterH46 a 16:56 | link | commenti
holiday, brussels, journey/flight, belgium

A stopover in Brussels/1

On the way back to Italy I had the opportunity to stop in Brussels, being guest of my friend Francesca.
We have done an exchange in the exchange. First she visited me in Rotterdam, then I visited her in Belgium where she is doing the Erasmus exchange. I am at the end of a cycle. She is at the beginning... lucky girl! :-)
After a nice trip in the train where we met an Italian man who moved away from our country many years ago, we arrived in Brussels and went to the place where she lives to take a rest for a few minutes (and to let me sending the last part of my thesis to my colleagues).
Then we went out. Obviously when we arrived the weather was sunny but when it was time to go out and visit the city it started to rain. However we were still able to visit the “unknown soldier” (the same as the Italian “milite ignoto”)... I am now wondering if they have one in each country! :-)

Ten more walking minutes and we were in front of the residence of the Belgian Royals. Nothing strange, except for the fact that the huge road in front of the building was quite empty, and that the king of Belgium actually does not live there. Don’t ask me where, I have spent there just one day!
I was with my guide, Francesca. When we left the place we kept on walking, finally reaching a church at least to repair from the rain that was becoming more and more intense. It was funny in someway. Many saints were represented in the sculptures outside this church, but my poor knowledge of art let me recognise only one of them. Saint Peter... together with his keys, of course!

Postato da: DexterH46 a 11:15 | link | commenti
holiday, brussels, journey/flight, belgium

UTS in NL/2 – Going around

On the next day the people moved to Delft to go on with the invasion in the city where the Dutchman moved a short time before the unexpected “visit”.
They split into two groups, one travelling by train and one by car (the legendary German car coming from Potsdam). Delft was conquered.

However, after having visited the city centre of this lovely town, it was already time for a part of the German troops to pull out. In this vintage picture you can appreciate the same people you have already seen in Rotterdam, except one. He was taking the picture from the train that would have brought him back to the German border.
The day went on with the survivors moving up north to Amsterdam, the Dutch capital city (even if the Royals live in The Hague). But the invaders were too tired and after a great evening meal they had to rest for a while on a bench.
However, after a while they were ready to patrol the popular city centre. Lights of any colour at any corner. They could find a lot of strange stuff. The idea was to confiscate everything, but it would have been an unfair battle in this part of The Netherlands.
Thanks to a night train everybody could return safely home at around 3. The following morning another Italian had to leave, but the remaining people managed to meet again on Monday night. The invasion was close to the end. The Germans and Italians lost again and had to go back to their countries, the mysterious French remained a few more days to check that everything was ok, the Italian spy was sent off the county and had to leave it within two weeks. The Dutchman was safe and could go back to the tiny Delft with his girlfriend. History repeated. And maybe will repeat again. We’ll see! :-)
As said at the beginning of the first post, the invaders were French, German and Italian people. To be more precise, here it is the composition of the troops:
French troops: Guillaume
German troops: Nico, Timm, Tobi
Italian troops: Silvia, Simo
Their names will always remain in the piece of history describing the UTS revival in The Netherlands. After one year, good friends were still there together!

Postato da: DexterH46 a 16:09 | link | commenti
holiday, amsterdam, uts , delft, netherlands

UTS in NL/1 - The Invasion

Sometimes history repeats. In October an Italian sneaked into The Netherlands and established in Rotterdam after spending a few days in Vlaardingen.
It seemed just a normal visit to the country, but actually he was spying his Dutch friend. The Italian also bribed his friend's girlfriend, and then started to plan everything.
After a few months, in February 2008, the invasion began. A strong German-Italian alliance entered into the country. Germans passed the border with cars while Italians flew and landed in different Dutch airports. It was Friday 7th March 2008.
Germans Nico, Tobi and Timm occupied a restaurant in Rotterdam while Italians Silvia and Simona explored the whole country to make sure that the resistance was set off. The Italian spy Russian-named Iurij was waiting for them at Rotterdam Central station, while the bribed Dutch Britt was kidnapping the Dutch master Zjenja. She brought him in Pizzeria Pavarotti, and suddenly he found out that he was surrounded by all those strangers. He was shocked, and could not say a word for a while.
The Dutchman was under surveillance for the whole night and then brought to a room in Rotterdam from where he could not escape. Eight people would have blocked him. His dreams of a relaxing weekend were already in the bin!

The following morning all the people were already around Rotterdam. The Dutch victim was kind of left alone at the beginning. He was forced to become a guide of the city for all the invaders, and brought them to a meaningless sculpture (which then become a meaningful sculpture for the whole history) before showing them something that left everybody astonished. Are you curious? Sorry for that... it will remain a mystery.

Later on the Dutchman called some help and managed to get his sister and her boyfriend with him. However, in the meantime some troops from France arrived as well. Their position in the conflict was cryptic, but at least at the beginning they were surely together with Germans and Italians. Everybody strolled around Rotterdam before ending for some food at the Cruise Terminal. 

Postato da: DexterH46 a 14:57 | link | commenti (2)
holiday, accomodation, rotterdam, overseas, uts , netherlands

A windmill in Rotterdam

After weeks wondering about a windmill in Rotterdam, I finally found the time to go and see one of them next to an artificial lake not far from my house. Actually it was only 20 minutes on my bike.

The place looked like a true Autumn landscape, with brownish and yellowish leaves on the trees, a silent and quiet atmosphere, and some animals going around.
After a twenty minutes walking around the lake I was below the windmill. Unfortunately it was too late to go inside and visit it. However it was still nice, I could finally see one of the most popular Dutch trademarks!

Postato da: DexterH46 a 19:54 | link | commenti
holiday, rotterdam, netherlands

New Year’s in the Dam

For the last day of the year we want once again to Amsterdam.

We left Rotterdam in the afternoon because we knew that it would have been a very long day! Walking through the streets in Amsterdam made the time flying away. Here the square was still quite empty… but it was still more than 7 hours from the midnight, as you can see from the screens.

After a couple of hours we were back to the Dam. More people were there and it seemed we were about to celebrate the New Year despite actually we had to wait more than five hours.

Quite soon it was time to have dinner at an Italian Restaurant. No matter it was “Italian”, but Dino’s was absolutely better! While my friends, the two girls from Pesaro and the other two Italian boys, decided to take a pizza, I tried something different: Lasagne (served at roughly 200°C). Not the best decision, but my friends had not to celebrate more than me!

After leaving the restaurant (where we tried to stay as long as possible because it was raining outside) we spent one more hour in the area and at “elevenish” pm we were back in The Dam. The area was really overcrowded in any direction: you could just turn and see that hundreds (I would even say thousands) of people were filling any place.

Then something strange happened. They started a show on the stage and when it was 2 minutes to midnight we started to prepare our champagne with calm. I think that more than 2 minutes passed –and in fact, to be honest, many fireworks started to paint and brighten the sky from the surrounding areas. But only after three more minutes (so five in total) the countdown started on the screens. Nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, … a big 2008 came out!

And then, before a massive quantity of fireworks started from behind the stage, the wishes to everyone, written in Dutch. The same I am wishing all of you… happy new year! Or, better… GELUKKIG NIEUW JAAR!!!

Our celebrations ended in a private party quite near where we danced, drank, chatted and so on... at least for one day (plus one night) I didn't think about my bad exam and bad health... I am sure it will be enough for you that we were back in Rotterdam the following morning at 8! :-)

Postato da: DexterH46 a 00:12 | link | commenti (5)
holiday, amsterdam, party, netherlands

A Great Dinner at Dino’s

One day before the last of the year, we remained in Rotterdam. I was still fighting with my cold, so tidied the room a bit, studied something for the exam, and joined the others in the late afternoon after their visit to Rotterdam. We listened to the Vuelle’s match on the radio and then we went out for dinner. The area seemed desert (it was Sunday evening), but we finally found a place called Dino’s, with an interesting “steakhouse” writing outside the restaurant.

Great choice!

I put here two pictures… even if they hurt me: every time I look at them I feel hungry and I want to go back there!!!Yummmmmmm!

Postato da: DexterH46 a 22:57 | link | commenti
holiday, rotterdam, netherlands

Amsterdam – Day # 1

On the 28^th we had to rearrange our plans and we stayed in Rotterdam. Actually I was sick so I remained at home (waiting for the two latecomers) while the others strolled out around Rotterdam. I studied a bit for my last exam since when we arrived on the 27^th I got the news that I hadn’t passed it and that I had to retake it in January (which means one more flight back Italy and then to The Netherlands).

So nothing exciting (at least for me) on the 28^th, but luckily the day after I felt better so I could join the others in the trip to Amsterdam. The team was complete, and this is a picture (taken by me, the new Oliviero Toscani) with all of them in front of an upcoming train (just to remember the reason why I am in The Netherlands!).

The first thing we wanted to see was the Heineken museum and plant. We walked for roughly 20 minutes (which became 1 hour with all the stops in the shops) and then we finally saw the building! We got closer and closer until we reached the entrance and... damn!!! It was closed because they were renewing the place and we had to wait until April!!!

After this delusion we headed to something that couldn’t have been closed without advice: the Van Gogh Museum. We had some food before entering (there was a nice girl selling them just in front of the museum) and then we got into the building.

We could appreciate the entire story of Van Gogh, the popular Dutch painter, through some of his masterpieces (unfortunately at least two of them were on loan, one in New York and the other in Korea). In the museum there were even some works of other painters, as my favourite Monet.

Then we headed to the Anna Frank’s House, but on the way we stopped at the Amsterdam Hard Rock Cafè. Here we waited something like 15 minutes to be served. Actually we would have waited even more, so we decided that we had no time to lose and went away. But in the meantime we had already taken some pictures, and in this one you can see me pointing my finger to Radiohead, with Oasis behind me (of course both bands are in pictures!).

We finally got to the Anna Frank’s House when it was already dark at night, time was something around 6pm. We visited the whole building carefully in the remaining hours before the closing time. It was chilling to see how Jewish were considered and treated during World War II. It was even much sadder to see the life they had to live and the way it finished for many of them. A place where everyone should go with the hope that similar stories will never happen again. We also saw the secret passage mentioned in Anne’s memories and everything is described in her diary. Unfortunately it was not possible to take pictures, so to have a true idea of it... you must go there.

As soon as we went out we headed to the Dam, where two girls from Pesaro, Elena and Cinzia, were waiting for us to go out for dinner together. We met them and had our meal together. Jack risked to go to the hospital for a burning throat (maybe his food was too much spicy!), but then everything solved well, we spent the night in a pub in the Dam after having visited a couple of them in the central area of Amsterdam. At 1.40 we took our train (yes, NS provides one train every hour at night as well!) back to Rotterdam.

Postato da: DexterH46 a 20:37 | link | commenti
holiday, amsterdam, netherlands

Pesaro-Rotterdam – with friends!

After having spent Christmas in Italy (and attempted – unsuccessfully- an exam) I went back to The Netherlands to go on with my master thesis. But this time I was not alone since I would have had some guests from my group of friends in Pesaro. Namely Matteo, Cristiano, Filippo (in the picture at the train station in Pesaro – 5 AM!), Giacomo (taking the picture) and Luca (who was flying from Milan the same morning) would have been my guests.

Everyone was smiling despite we had to wake up so early, and after six hours on four different trains we were at Pisa Airport. We had some food and then we queued for the check-in. And at this point the incredible happened! Two of my friends had their ID card expired!!! They were sure they could use the driving licence as well, but unfortunately rules are different and they had to stay in Pisa, make a new ID, and take another flight the following day after paying some extra money. Here you can see them when they understood they couldn’t fly with us.

But the trip went on for the others. By coincidence the two who had valid documents (further than my half-destroyed passport) had flown two times in their life (actually one never flew, while the others took the plane forth and back from Tunisia).

I suffered a lot during the flight for some problems at my right ear, maybe because I had a cold, but we arrived safely in Eindhoven, and from there we took a train to Rotterdam together with three Italians I met in Delft in November.

Once in Rotterdam we joined Luca who was there from the early morning. Then we went home and had some food before going to bed.

Postato da: DexterH46 a 22:21 | link | commenti
holiday, journey/flight, netherlands

17th November – An Italian supporter in Delft.

The same night I went to Delft to see the football match between Italy and Scotland, played in the United Kingdom. I met my Italian friend Luca who studies there, and with all his Italian friends we went to a pub to see the match. Netherlands was playing later in the night so we had the opportunity to conquer our room in the pub and watch the match (there was an horrible music instead of the commentary, but at least we had the images). Italy won 1-2 and assured the qualification for the next European Championship which will take place in Switzerland and Austria next summer.
After the match we went into the flat of Federica, one of the two girls who were there. We had a tasty dinner together and then started playing a drinking game. It was funny, but just for a while. After 5 minutes the girls were always making errors so they were the only ones always drinking, we had to make mistakes on purpose to drink some alcohol! :-)

After we finished both the food and the drinks I went with Luca and two friends of him (one Spanish, one Dutch) to Rotterdam to end the day clubbing somewhere in the centre.
I was quite tired but at least I was going out after two hard working weeks. And it had been nice until Luca has been kicked out because wearing a hat. This forced all of us to go out (we couldn’t leave our mate alone!), walk around looking for another place before heading back our homes at 4 am!

Postato da: DexterH46 a 20:04 | link | commenti (2)
sport, holiday, party, delft, netherlands