Friday, July 31, 2009
Weird
This morning when I arrived at my desk (yes I have a new desk) I found crumbs on my desk. Those were not there yesterday when I left. I cleaned them up and noticed they were actually pieces of the Special K snacks I have these days on my desk. Then I found a Chinese band-aid. Actually that was the band-aid provided in the employee survival kit in Beijing, which I found open. It seems somebody visited my desk, explored the content of the survival kit and had a snack. Don't we love open space?
Saturday, July 25, 2009
The Romanian Wedding
After a too short night and a quick shower we met with Julia , one of Nadia's friends who was to take me to the hairdresser at 11:30am. I'm glad she showed us the way because from the outside the building looked like a normal building not like a hairdresser / beauty salon place. 30min later I was done with my hair nicely arranged on the top of my head.
We had a quick lunch and then changed. We arrived at Nadia's parents place a bit before 3pm where the wedding would start.
PS: at that point I lost Wolfram to photography. He had been asked by the Nadia and Andreas to make pictures (on top of the official photographer - with whom Wolfram started to talk technique and settings :))
PS 2: I took some pictures myself which I will share but only a few as I know I can always get the great ones from Wolfram.
There you go...
Step one:
Some people go to the house where the groom is to bring him to the house where the bride is. It's like a procession in the streets of the village with music of course.
In the meantime at the bride's house, everybody is getting ready. They place a red carpet to show the way to the bride and people stand on the side waiting for the groom. The moment you start hearing the music you know hes coming and excitement is growing in the crowd.
Here comes the groom well escorted! and Nadia's parents are waiting for him.
Obviously a very happy (and high emotion) moment for the parents and the Andy.
The maid of honor and the best man (nice blue shirt isn't it :))
Step two:
Andy reached the door of the house to find a bride. Now is it his bride? He came with a pair of shoes (like Cinderella) and made the bride try them. Did not fit :(
Someone was trying to fool him with another bride.
He had to negotiate with the brother to finally get Nadia (his bride) to come out and nicely fit in the shoes.
Step three:
Here comes the bride! A beautiful stunning Nadia!
Step four:
Dansing... As I mentionned Andy arrived with musicians and those guys would play some tradiotional Romanian music.
During about 1 hour different people were dancing with the bride and the groom.
As you can see the whole village was there.
Step five:
We left the house for the church. Nadia and Andy in a carriage, the rest of us in the cars.
The celebration was short (half an hour) and all in Romanian so I have no idea of what was said :)
We then spent some time in the garden of the monastery for pictures and drove to the restaurant.
Interestingly the dinner in Romanian wedding is long, very long as it is spread over 8 hours or even more. Basically between each dish there is music for people to danse or animation. We had the chance to see two groups of dansers performing traditional danses.
Around 4am they brought the cake. By then you are too tired to eat anything and shortly after the cake people start leaving.
What a day! What a wedding!
Congratulations Nadia and Andy!
and thank you for letting us be part of that fantastic day.
Of course I could not finish this entry without a picture of the 2 most elegant men of the wedding
We had a quick lunch and then changed. We arrived at Nadia's parents place a bit before 3pm where the wedding would start.
PS: at that point I lost Wolfram to photography. He had been asked by the Nadia and Andreas to make pictures (on top of the official photographer - with whom Wolfram started to talk technique and settings :))
PS 2: I took some pictures myself which I will share but only a few as I know I can always get the great ones from Wolfram.
There you go...
Step one:
Some people go to the house where the groom is to bring him to the house where the bride is. It's like a procession in the streets of the village with music of course.
In the meantime at the bride's house, everybody is getting ready. They place a red carpet to show the way to the bride and people stand on the side waiting for the groom. The moment you start hearing the music you know hes coming and excitement is growing in the crowd.
Here comes the groom well escorted! and Nadia's parents are waiting for him.
Obviously a very happy (and high emotion) moment for the parents and the Andy.
The maid of honor and the best man (nice blue shirt isn't it :))
Step two:
Andy reached the door of the house to find a bride. Now is it his bride? He came with a pair of shoes (like Cinderella) and made the bride try them. Did not fit :(
Someone was trying to fool him with another bride.
He had to negotiate with the brother to finally get Nadia (his bride) to come out and nicely fit in the shoes.
Step three:
Here comes the bride! A beautiful stunning Nadia!
Step four:
Dansing... As I mentionned Andy arrived with musicians and those guys would play some tradiotional Romanian music.
During about 1 hour different people were dancing with the bride and the groom.
As you can see the whole village was there.
Step five:
We left the house for the church. Nadia and Andy in a carriage, the rest of us in the cars.
The celebration was short (half an hour) and all in Romanian so I have no idea of what was said :)
We then spent some time in the garden of the monastery for pictures and drove to the restaurant.
Interestingly the dinner in Romanian wedding is long, very long as it is spread over 8 hours or even more. Basically between each dish there is music for people to danse or animation. We had the chance to see two groups of dansers performing traditional danses.
Around 4am they brought the cake. By then you are too tired to eat anything and shortly after the cake people start leaving.
What a day! What a wedding!
Congratulations Nadia and Andy!
and thank you for letting us be part of that fantastic day.
Of course I could not finish this entry without a picture of the 2 most elegant men of the wedding
Friday, July 24, 2009
4.5 hours
That's how long we spent on the M5 highway going from Budapest to Romania.
We drove from Budapest in direction of Romania and 153 km later the car had hick ups and the following message appeared on the screen of the car: engine failure.
We stopped and restarted the car; still the same shaking and message. So we call the car rental company who asked us to drive back to Budapest!
No chance we would take that risk so we asked for a replacement car. Obviously that was not the preferred option of the rental car company which sent us from one number to another one until finally agreeing to send a car. It was 3:55pm.
And we started to wait, next to the car, on the highway, under the sun. We put the triangle (luckily provided in the car) but there were no vests in. No barrier on the highway so we stood in the grass. After 30min or so a yellow van showed up. "that was fast" we thought. Except it was not the assistance but the highway patrol who stopped to check what we were doing there. We explained somehow our case to the man who spoke limited English and he left us. But before doing so he put some orange cones and a big arrow sign 150m from the car. This way we were fully secured (or so). What a service I have to say.
And we waited.
After 1h or so Wolfram decided to walk to the service area we had just stopped at maybe 1km away to get some water. So he left and I waited by the car. Now assuming he walks 1km in 15-30min, after 1 hour I started to worry a bit until received an sms telling me the gas station was further away that we thought and that he was on his way back, proudly with bottles of water (more than appreciated) and 2 sandwiches. My hero :)
And we waited.
In the meantime I go bitten by a horse fly to which I am very allergic to and I could feel the bite and the inflammation around growing.
Sun was starting to come down and we had dinner watching the sunset on the side of the highway. So romantic :)
And we waited, watching every single car or truck passing by, hoping one of them would be our assistance.
And we waited even more.
Around 9am, under a sky full of stars, we realized how little we know about stars...
Did you know that people drive faster at night that during the day? which makes it even more dangerous to stand on the side of the road.
Finally, a bit after 10pm and several calls asking where the assistance was, the replacement car arrived.
10:30pm we finally resumed with our journey. Another 2 hours to drive until Arad. Boy it's been a long day...
We drove from Budapest in direction of Romania and 153 km later the car had hick ups and the following message appeared on the screen of the car: engine failure.
We stopped and restarted the car; still the same shaking and message. So we call the car rental company who asked us to drive back to Budapest!
No chance we would take that risk so we asked for a replacement car. Obviously that was not the preferred option of the rental car company which sent us from one number to another one until finally agreeing to send a car. It was 3:55pm.
And we started to wait, next to the car, on the highway, under the sun. We put the triangle (luckily provided in the car) but there were no vests in. No barrier on the highway so we stood in the grass. After 30min or so a yellow van showed up. "that was fast" we thought. Except it was not the assistance but the highway patrol who stopped to check what we were doing there. We explained somehow our case to the man who spoke limited English and he left us. But before doing so he put some orange cones and a big arrow sign 150m from the car. This way we were fully secured (or so). What a service I have to say.
And we waited.
After 1h or so Wolfram decided to walk to the service area we had just stopped at maybe 1km away to get some water. So he left and I waited by the car. Now assuming he walks 1km in 15-30min, after 1 hour I started to worry a bit until received an sms telling me the gas station was further away that we thought and that he was on his way back, proudly with bottles of water (more than appreciated) and 2 sandwiches. My hero :)
And we waited.
In the meantime I go bitten by a horse fly to which I am very allergic to and I could feel the bite and the inflammation around growing.
Sun was starting to come down and we had dinner watching the sunset on the side of the highway. So romantic :)
And we waited, watching every single car or truck passing by, hoping one of them would be our assistance.
And we waited even more.
Around 9am, under a sky full of stars, we realized how little we know about stars...
Did you know that people drive faster at night that during the day? which makes it even more dangerous to stand on the side of the road.
Finally, a bit after 10pm and several calls asking where the assistance was, the replacement car arrived.
10:30pm we finally resumed with our journey. Another 2 hours to drive until Arad. Boy it's been a long day...
Half a day in Budapest
On our way to Nadia and Andreas' wedding we stopped in Budapest. After an (very) early flight, a bad Starbucks coffee (they only have 2 Starbucks in Belgium and they cannot make decent coffee or hot chocolate... what a pity), a smooth flight we picked up the rental car (a red Alpha Romeo) and drove into the city.
I've been many time to Budapest for consumer research but it was the first time as a tourist. I took Wolfram to the castle area in Buda side of the city and we spent some time walking around, enjoying the view on the parliament and the city, taking pictures, etc.
The Parliament and the Danube river
Around 3pm we left Budapest for Romania but before that we picked up a ticket on the car window. Apparently we had to pay parking in that street and obviously we didn't see the machines :(
I've been many time to Budapest for consumer research but it was the first time as a tourist. I took Wolfram to the castle area in Buda side of the city and we spent some time walking around, enjoying the view on the parliament and the city, taking pictures, etc.
The Parliament and the Danube river
Around 3pm we left Budapest for Romania but before that we picked up a ticket on the car window. Apparently we had to pay parking in that street and obviously we didn't see the machines :(
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Tele 2 Suite et fin
If you recall a technician from Belgacom came over last Thursday to check the line. This done it was supposed to take 24 to 72 hours for my internet (and phone) to be activated.
Of course, until today, one full week later, nothing happened.
So I called and had this unexpected question: "are you calling from home? can you tell me which lights are on?"
Me: "how would I do that, I don't have the phone at home!"
Operator: “yes, true" silence...
Of course you could say I used my mobile phone to call Tele 2 from home, but still :)
After some tense discussion he figured out what the problem was and said I would be activated within...24 to 72 hours!
This afternoon I received THE sms, the one announcing my line is activated, exactly 8 weeks after I requested it. I still wonder what part I misunderstood in "activation takes 4 to 6 weeks"...
Of course, until today, one full week later, nothing happened.
So I called and had this unexpected question: "are you calling from home? can you tell me which lights are on?"
Me: "how would I do that, I don't have the phone at home!"
Operator: “yes, true" silence...
Of course you could say I used my mobile phone to call Tele 2 from home, but still :)
After some tense discussion he figured out what the problem was and said I would be activated within...24 to 72 hours!
This afternoon I received THE sms, the one announcing my line is activated, exactly 8 weeks after I requested it. I still wonder what part I misunderstood in "activation takes 4 to 6 weeks"...
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Une complete s'il vous plait
After a great afternoon at Cap Frehel we drove back to Plelan Le Petit. This time we targeted the shops (bakery, pharmacy, etc.) and public places.
I was happy to see that the mayor I had contacted last Monday did put the poster on the board of the townhall. Gives hope when you see how much people are willing to help. So hopefully now all the bakeries and little shops in Plelan Le Petit have a poster of Rajah. If someone finds her and go buy bread there they will see the poster and call. Again I'm now hoping for a miracle but that's the only hope left.
After a quick stop at the hotel we walked to the center of Dinan for dinner. I had promised Wolfram some real crepes bretonnes. Unfortunately the creperie recommended by the hotel (and many travel guides) was closed so we tried another one which was quite good.
I advised Wolfram to start with a "galette complete" i.e. a crepe with ham, egg and cheese (a must) which I believe he enjoyed.
After several crepes and 2 bottles of the local cider, we went for a walk in the old city.
The clock tower (not the same as the bell towers of China)
Streets of Dinan
Old houses on Place des Merciers:
I was happy to see that the mayor I had contacted last Monday did put the poster on the board of the townhall. Gives hope when you see how much people are willing to help. So hopefully now all the bakeries and little shops in Plelan Le Petit have a poster of Rajah. If someone finds her and go buy bread there they will see the poster and call. Again I'm now hoping for a miracle but that's the only hope left.
After a quick stop at the hotel we walked to the center of Dinan for dinner. I had promised Wolfram some real crepes bretonnes. Unfortunately the creperie recommended by the hotel (and many travel guides) was closed so we tried another one which was quite good.
I advised Wolfram to start with a "galette complete" i.e. a crepe with ham, egg and cheese (a must) which I believe he enjoyed.
After several crepes and 2 bottles of the local cider, we went for a walk in the old city.
The clock tower (not the same as the bell towers of China)
Streets of Dinan
Old houses on Place des Merciers:
Monday, July 20, 2009
Mont Saint-Michel
It's one of those sites that you must have seen once in your life (and when you luckily live in the area you've seen already many times... still it's been at least 3 years since my last visit).
The Mont Saint-Michel
The bay
The challenge once inside: make pictures inside without no one on it...
... not easy when there are zillions of tourists.
The Mont Saint-Michel
The bay
The challenge once inside: make pictures inside without no one on it...
... not easy when there are zillions of tourists.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Cap Frehel
Today I took Wolfram to the Cap Frehel. Believe it or not Wolfram had never been to Brittany (I know for many of us who grew up there it's unbelievable) so I wanted to use the opportunity to be in Brittany to show him a couple of spots.
Cap Frehel is one of the most beautiful places of Brittany (and I meant it. Take a look at the pictures below and you'll understand why if you doubt my words).
It's one of those places where I could spend hours just sitting there watching the sea and the birds that live there.
It's so beautiful I cannot choose only 2 pictures to show you :)
Cap Frehel and its lighthouse:
We were very lucky as the moor was is blossoming: purple flowers everywhere.
Overview of the coast:
Waves breaking on the foot of the cliff:
The different colors of the granit on the cliff:
The famous "granite rose"
Water is so transparent you can see the rock under it (and so turquoise it makes you want to jump in it)
Wolfram risking his life to get the "perfect angle"
This site is a well-known for its birds: many birds live there on the rocks. Just sit there 5 minutes and you will see them flying around (not to mention hear them). We saw some cormorants:
and many seagulls:
Now guess how many pictures the 2 of us took of seagulls? Way too many but those birds turned out to be a good target to practice your photography skills.
Fort de Latte
I had to plan to walk from the Cap Frehel to the Fort de Latte (2km only) but this never happened. What I had not anticipated is that after 2 hours we had covered about 20m of the coast as Wolfram was really all over the place taking pictures. Seems hiking is not compatible with photography. I'll remember that for next time.
Flowers from the moor: Heather (the pink one) and gorse bush (the yellow one):
I have to say it did me good to go there as somehow watching the waves breaking on the rock at the foot of the cliff has always been a way for me to recharge my battery. Most likely it's more the positive effect of the oxygen from the air in my lung that does something but still I feel re-energized after being there.
PS: the good thing about being away from Brittany is that you never get used to the landscape. Each time I come back I enjoy rediscovering it :)
Cap Frehel is one of the most beautiful places of Brittany (and I meant it. Take a look at the pictures below and you'll understand why if you doubt my words).
It's one of those places where I could spend hours just sitting there watching the sea and the birds that live there.
It's so beautiful I cannot choose only 2 pictures to show you :)
Cap Frehel and its lighthouse:
We were very lucky as the moor was is blossoming: purple flowers everywhere.
Overview of the coast:
Waves breaking on the foot of the cliff:
The different colors of the granit on the cliff:
The famous "granite rose"
Water is so transparent you can see the rock under it (and so turquoise it makes you want to jump in it)
Wolfram risking his life to get the "perfect angle"
This site is a well-known for its birds: many birds live there on the rocks. Just sit there 5 minutes and you will see them flying around (not to mention hear them). We saw some cormorants:
and many seagulls:
Now guess how many pictures the 2 of us took of seagulls? Way too many but those birds turned out to be a good target to practice your photography skills.
Fort de Latte
I had to plan to walk from the Cap Frehel to the Fort de Latte (2km only) but this never happened. What I had not anticipated is that after 2 hours we had covered about 20m of the coast as Wolfram was really all over the place taking pictures. Seems hiking is not compatible with photography. I'll remember that for next time.
Flowers from the moor: Heather (the pink one) and gorse bush (the yellow one):
I have to say it did me good to go there as somehow watching the waves breaking on the rock at the foot of the cliff has always been a way for me to recharge my battery. Most likely it's more the positive effect of the oxygen from the air in my lung that does something but still I feel re-energized after being there.
PS: the good thing about being away from Brittany is that you never get used to the landscape. Each time I come back I enjoy rediscovering it :)
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