Moving in!

In typical urban Dutch architecture, residential staircases are very narrow and very steep. Maneuvering with even a couple of grocery bags can be difficult, especially if you live on the third floor.

This makes moving quite a spectacle.

We weren’t sure if we’d get the rope treatment or the more modern outside elevator.
Here’s an example of the hook for a typical ‘rope’ move - it’s a lovely shot from outside of our window:


We got the elevator.
Everything was moved in easily except for our mattress and spring box.

Mattress was bent and somehow made it in. Spring box – not so lucky. We had to saw it in half and bring it to our 4th floor bedroom in pieces.

Here’s the unlucky spring box:
We're livin' in SLTYLE! Stay Classy, Amsterdam!

A Beautiful Day for a Marathon

Amsterdam October 21, 2007

As fans of the sport and occasional amateur participants, we were very excited to cheer on the runners for the 32nd annual Amsterdam Marathon. Here are some highlights:

An impressive 2:06:29 finish for Emanuel Mutai.

Headline: http://www.amsterdammarathon.nl/home/index.php?language=UK
“The 29-year old Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai was the surprising winner of the 32nd ING Amsterdam Marathon.”

“Keynan”, “winner” and “SURPRISING” all in one sentence? Seven of the top 10 finishers were Keynan. Surprise!

Second place among women goes to a fine Polish woman named Dorota Gruca, seeded number 1 among women for this race, who finished in a respectable 2:30:10.

And here’s a picture of me with a random marathoner. It is Didier Deveirman, from Brussels, Belgium. Nope, you’re not supposed to know who this is but he looks like a nice guy with a very respectable 2:44:32 finish, after cramping up over the last two kilometers (1.24 miles), which he ran in 13 minutes. To be clear, his marathon average pace per mile was about 6:17. Better luck next year, Didier!

Belgian Waffles

Saturday, September 29th, Brad, Jeff and I took the train to Antwerp, Belgium. We purchased Belgian chocolate, ate Belgian waffles and drank Belgian beer.



It didn't feel like going to a different country. It felt like going from Chicago to, say, Milwaukee ... except if Milwaukee was really really cool.

Both Milwaukee and Belgium are known for their beer. Belgium has Delirium, De Koninck and Duvel. 0Milwaukee has PBR, Milwaukee's Best and Shlitz. Your pick.

Lesson No. 1

When starting a blog in the Netherlands, one is forced to set up in the Dutch version of blogspot. It is easy when one speaks Dutch. It is hard when one does not speak Dutch. I do not speak Dutch.