Da notare la vigilessa "Questo è il tuo souvenir"...ebbeh...

Dal 1 Gennaio 2009 saranno abolite le ganasce, poiche' (pare) che non ce ne sia piu' bisogno in quanto la multa puo' essere inviata e riscossa nella maggior parte dei paesi europei.

Questa misura e' stata adottata soprattutto per non contrariare i turisti che, tornando alla propria macchina, hanno dovuto chiamare il centro per lo sblocco, aspettare che il camioncino arrivasse, che l'addetto smontasse la ganascia e pagare.

Anche se indubbiamente e' vero che tutto cio' porta un notevole disguido nell'ambito di una visita turistica (e anche un gran giramento di palle), c'è da dire che almeno li' cosi' si era sicuri di ricevere i soldi e si evitava l'invio delle multe nei vari paesi di appartenenza.

Per quanto concerne il lavoro quindi, niente piu' addetti alle ganasce ma addetti alla verifica delle targe e reperimento e invio all'indirizzo del contravvenuto...

La multa pare resti invariata: 104 euro e 60 centesimi.

In het kader van de Week van de Alfabetisering wordt er een schrijfwedstrijd georganiseerd met het thema: Wat betekent taal voor u?
 
 

HOW do you follow up two, fine bottled ales? With some big name lager of course! Here is a small bottle of Amstel Bier Lager. Let's get this over with.

Amstel is a name I remember being aware of for years. Then not seeing for years. And just recently seeing advertised on posters again before finding this bottle being sold in a local shop. If it really has been resurrected here in Britain, then that is good to see. If anyone can shed some light on what happened to Amstel, do please leave a comment at the end of the post.

In fairness, it doesn't look at all bad. It certainly makes a change from all the green-glass bottles from its competitors.

The neck label doe what you expect of a neck label. It has a coat of arms featuring two horses, hops and barley. And the year 1870. Not bad. Not great either.

The big roundel stuck to the front of the bottle does roughly the same thing. Inside the roundel, they helpfully describe it as "Quality Product". That's good to know. Around the border, the place of origin becomes the centre of attention. Amstel Bier hails from the "Amstel Brouwerij B.V. Amsterdam Holland". Time now to check the back to see if this is the real thing, or in fact made over here.

They certainly keep things simple on this side of the bottle. This should take all of two-minutes to read. Which makes a change from the four hours it took to read everything yesterday.

From the very top, my big question was answered. That's because this was "brewed and bottled by Amstel Brouwerij B.V. for Heineken (UK) Ltd." It then goes on to give Heiniken's south-west London address. So... This was brewed in the Netherlands. Excellent.

Ingredients are the next thing they get to. This one lists water, malted barley and hops. No surprises there. Under some of the usual small print, the web address they give is www.ChilledfromAmsterdam.com. At first I hated their website for being slow and Flash heavy, but stick with it. It's quirky in a Dutch way and has some personality. Not something you find with most big, continental lagers.

Under the barcode are the vital statistics. This tiny bottle is 330 millilitres. And it has huge 4.1% alcoholic volume. Hang on, ‘huge' was the wrong word. ‘Moderate' is the one I'm looking for.

There. That's it. There's nothing more to say about the outside. Time now to open this bottle and see what it's like. How will it compare to the lacklustre competition I tried out a while back?

Watch out pourers, this is a head happy bottle. It dies down soon enough, but you'll still have a thick layer of froth to contend with.

Like nearly every lager, this one is pale yellow. And fizzy. No surprises there.

What about the smell? It has that small of a blend of malted barley and hops that all lagers have. The Amstel take on it is pretty good. It smells light and fresh somehow.

How does it taste? A couple of gulps in, and first impressions are ok. Just keep your expectations low. It has an almost invisible malted barley flavour. And it leaves you with a lingering bitter aftertaste. That bitter aftertaste rolls in, and leaves a semi-harsh, slightly tangy bite in your mouth.

What is there to like here? As someone who likes ales, not a lot. But if I imagine for a moment, that I loved lager, there are a few things to like. For one, it is very light and drinkable. It's quite refreshing too. The flavours won't offend anyone. And that lagery "bite" that lager drinkers seem to adore is there and doing its job perfectly well. The whole drink does what a lager should do, very well indeed.

If you're guessing that there are things I don't like, you'd be right. The reason it's so light and drinkable, is because it's got the consistency of water. Flavour is almost totally absent. And that bitter "bite" doesn't sit well with me at all. It's unsophisticated and unnecessarily rough. It's also a tiny bit gassy. But then it is a lager. So all this criticisms don't really apply.

If you compare it to all the other lagers out there, especially the other Dutch or northern-European ones, the picture changes. Amstel Bier suddenly looks light, drinkable and good.

So there you have it. If you like continental lagers, you should try Amstel Bier Lager. It's a fully competent lager. Compare it to a real ale, and it looks laughable. Compare it to other lagers, and it looks respectable. The rating then, becomes meaningless. But, here it is anyway.

Rating: 2.25

Have you tried Amstel Bier Lager? What did you think of it? What reputation does it have in the Netherlands?

Leave your corrections, opinions, insights, requests and recommendations in the boxes below.

Coming next, another bottled lager I don't expect to enjoy!

August 31st, Sunday

YEEAAAAHHH IT'S ON, I TURNED 21 TODAY!!!! Right now its 10.20 am and o my god it's been great so far!!! At the end of last night we went to Times Square. At about 11.15 pm we found ourselves in the Hard Rock cafe, one of my favorite spots. Of-course I was the only one that couldn't have alcohol yet! So of-course Dennis got Ice Tea from a child's cup! Very mature mister! But our waiter wasn't that bad so he asked me what I wanted to drink at midnight!

A few minutes to midnight the waiter was already at our table with the mojito I ordered! But still I couldn't have my mojito like that! I had to stand at a bar stool so everyone could see me. The waiter was counting down with everyone in the cafe till midnight so I could have my first LEGAL drink! This was really awesome and I enjoyed it so much! So yeah with the entire toko watching me I had my first drink.

After hardrock cafe we spend some time at Times Square. This is the best of New York for someone like me. Emagine if you're from Holland like me and you get the chance to celebrate your birthday at TIMES SQUARE. This was just perfect!

Funny thing was that from the moment we left our hostel back in Harlem, we were all wearing a funny birthday head! I also had to wear a orange Holland shirt. So literally EVERYONE wished me a happy birthday! Jep that's right even in the ghetto!

After times square we started walking to 9th. avenue. Apparently there should be some great bars. And that wasn't a lie. The first bar we walked in was great. I had to stand on the bar and again everyone wished me a happy birthday. After that the 4 of us did some karaoke. Of course we sang wonderwall by Oasis!

So let's head on to the next bar shall we?! This one was great too! They had FREE hot dogs! What else could you wish for? It was just a typical American bar. The people here really liked us Europeans being over there. We had the best time!

And after a party at the previous bar we moved on to the next. Looked great from the outside. At this time the alcohol started working too! Once we got inside the particular thing was that we saw a lot of guys, really we couldn't find more that maybe 4 girls. But alright we went in. Then I walked by 2 guys that were really enjoying each other. Nothing wrong with that, but that's not agree with me! Let's get out my friends. Leon didn't noticed the guys yet. So he wanted to go up for a dance. But we kindly let him know that this was more the kind of bar for less straight men! So up and of to the next bar then shall we?

The next bar was nice, apart from the fact we payed like 15 dollars just for one drink! But alright it was the last one! Had some laughs here as well and we started walking back to the subway to get to the hostel.

In the hostel we took our blankets and went to the roof to see the stars of whatever. Funny fact was that when we were looking at the stars we fell asleep. I noticed this when the sun was burning on top of the roof! This was at like 08.30 am.

When we got up Leon took me out for lunch. He woke up at like noon! He took me to the International House Of Pancakes. Had a great lunch there. And of-course I got a free desert and the staff sang to me!

The rest of the afternoon we just hang out at the hostel. All 4 of us where broken because of last night!

At night we FINALLY had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. And yeah their spare ribs still taste so damn good! Of-course I had to stand on a chair again and got a free desert!

Back at the hostel we had some more drinks and then hit the bed! We were all broken and had a good sleep!

So there I go, I just had my PERFECT birthday! In the city that never sleeps.. New York City baby, yeah!

JAKARTA, September 3 (Compass Direct News) – A land dispute led to two attacks on the headquarters of the Indonesian Christian Students’ Movement (GMKI) and its parent ministry, the Alliance of Indonesian Churches (PGI), last week (August 26 and 28).

Sources said an illegal land deal in Jakarta has created the bitter dispute between the GMKI and a private company that claims it has the legal right to build on land previously occupied by GMKI.

GMKI and PGI share an office on the disputed land. Sources said that on August 26 volunteer Public Order officials – who normally mediate local disputes, but who in this case have sided with the private company laying claim to the land, Kencana Indotama Persada Co. (KIP) – threw stones at the Christian organizations’ offices and damaged doors, windows and student motorbikes.

On Thursday (Aug. 28), according to sources, the Public Order officers again attacked the premises, this time using heavy implements to break glass panes and damage other property. Students present fled to a nearby office of the Indonesia Bible Institute (LAI). Policemen standing nearby on the street made no attempt to intervene.

Mysterious Appropriation

The disputed property is a large piece of land originally granted by the Dutch colonial government to the Vereneging Christian School (VCS) Foundation. The VCS then gave the land to the Christian School Association, which in turn passed it on to a branch of its own association, the Christian Education Foundation (YBPK).

Although occupied by many Christian ministries and associations, including the Christian University of Indonesia and LAI, sources said the land belonged to YBPK.

Under the terms of the land grant, the land could not legally be sold to business entities, according to GMKI lawyer Nikson Lalu. In August 2006, however, a board member of YBPK, acting independently of the board, sold a small plot of land to KIP. An old office belonging to GMKI was still standing on the plot of land, adjacent to a newer building shared by GMKI and PGI.

Compass sources noted that a gas station and business offices had replaced other ministry offices on the granted land. It was not clear, however, how the businesses had appropriated the land from YBPK.

Dispute Escalates

Sources said that on August 23, at around 5 p.m., Public Order officer Simanjuntak, who has only a single name, visited the GMKI office and informed staff members that a boundary wall would be built between their current building and the old building, which was now considered the property of KIP.

KIP then erected a boundary wall between the two buildings, sources said, and KIP construction workers also used a bulldozer to partially demolish the old GMKI office despite protests from GMKI Chairman Charles Hutahaean. On August 26, GMKI students demolished the boundary wall that KIP had erected.

GMKI had filed a complaint against KIP in the district court, according to sources, but the court ruled in favor of KIP. GMKI’s lawyer then took the case to the Supreme Court, which at press time had yet to announce a decision.

Sources said that KIP claimed it had a previous letter of decision from the Supreme Court stating that KIP was the owner of the disputed land, despite the fact that the land could not legally be sold to a business enterprise.

A day before the first attack, Public Order officers had a confrontation with GMKI students. On August 25, Public Order officers noted that GMKI students had erected a banner inside their own boundary fence, facing the street, protesting against a new bylaw forbidding the sale of fruit, cigarettes and other goods by street vendors in the area.

When officers tried to remove the banner, according to sources, the students protested, claiming that since the banner was on their own property, they did not require a permit from the district office to display it.

Attacks, Threat

At around 4 p.m. on August 26, a large group of Public Order officers returned to the shared GMKI and PGI premises and began to throw stones at the building, breaking glass window and door panes and damaging motorbikes owned by GMKI students.

Sources said the students threw stones back at the officers, who then scaled the fence and tried to break into the PGI building itself; a PGI security guard managed to stop them.

The following day, Jakarta Vice-Governor Prijanto, who has only a single name, met with PGI Chairman Andreas Yewangoe and other PGI leaders. He apologized for the disturbance and promised compensation for the damaged property.

Additionally, Engkartiasto Lukito of the Golkar party and Ara Sirait of the Indonesian Democratic Struggle Party (PdiP) came to offer condolences, as did Hasyim Muzadi, leader of Nahdatul Ulama, the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia.

Nevertheless, on Thursday (Aug. 28), Public Order officers returned to carry out the second attack.

A Public Order officer involved in the dispute also warned GMKI Chairman Hutahaean to be “careful with your life.”

Compass sources explained that Public Order officers would likely benefit financially from protecting the business interests of KIP.

KIP construction workers on Friday (August 29) erected a sign on the disputed plot of land adjacent to the GMKI and PGI building, declaring that the land belonged to KIP.  

Report from Compass Direct News

After marveling at the taxidermy for awhile we picked up our rental car and drove to our first accommodation, a bed and breakfast outside Anchorage.  We were joined there by a couple from Holland and, once again proving I have the sense of humor of a mildly retarded 4^th grader, we discovered that apparently the Dutch word for lotion is douche.  I am not kidding, I have photographic evidence.

The report claimed that the Dutch operation had been "extremely successful," and had been stopped because the US military was planning to hit targets that were "connected with the Dutch espionage action."

The impending air-strike on Iran was to be carried out by unmanned aircraft "within weeks," the report claimed, quoting "well placed" sources.

Read more

If something is being hard-sold in the media, chances are it is more fictional and propaganda than not.  Most of the Islamic extremism reported in the media happens to be later be proven false.   It also happens to be the pro-nationalistic stance that ignores truth and justice to sell war and keep the populous at bay.  It also ignores the very projected extremism by virtually all other ideologies not in line with them; even if the ideologies share and are congruent with their own.

People are dying!  Sovereign states are falling, or at least are diminishing in their own economies and service to their people because they are put in a position to defend themselves.  The typical talking head, news production crew and otherwise are clearly complicit.  The UN has become as effective in stopping this just as the courts systems are more cruel to the impoverished than those with money.

They are produced by people who are Islamophobic and the content can be figured out by reading the credits alone.  One could wake up in the morning, turn on their talk show host and pretty much figure out his or her position on a matter before commentary starts.  This should raise many eyebrows.

If the truth needs to be sold by these high-profile sales people we call the media, then it is likely not the truth.  While Muslims are on the defense for things they have not done, notice how Muslims tend not to produce in the media the horrors of how other faiths attack them and publicize such -- even when it's true.  Western culture has exploited this detail of the character of the Muslim community.

When things are  said and done, "Allah is the best of planners."

Gli olandesi a tavola non usano tovaglioli. All'inizio pensavo che fosse solo una questione personale di alcuni, ma dopo un anno di sperimentazione diretta l'ho anche trovato su un libro...

Non c'è quindi da meravigliarsi se in un caffé Vi porteranno l'ordinazione senza neanche un tovagliolino...e che alla richiesta di un tovagliolo ve ne sarà portato uno e dico, solo uno.

Alla mia richiesta di spiegazione quasi la totalità degli olandesi risponde che non si sporcano quando mangiano...e qualora anche si sporcassero si lavano la bocca a fine pasto...sarà...

De gustibus..

Sounds great to me.

Dutch intel: US to strike Iran in coming weeks by JPOST.COM STAFF

The Dutch intelligence service, the AIVD, has called off an operation aimed at infiltrating and sabotaging Iran's weapons industry due to an assessment that a US attack on the Islamic Republic's nuclear program is imminent, according to a report in the country's De Telegraaf newspaper on Friday.

The report claimed that the Dutch operation had been "extremely successful," and had been stopped because the US military was planning to hit targets that were "connected with the Dutch espionage action."

The impending air-strike on Iran was to be carried out by unmanned aircraft "within weeks," the report claimed, quoting "well placed" sources.

The Jerusalem Post could not confirm the De Telegraaf report.

Read the article here:

http://debka.com/headline.php?hid=5544

According to the Dutch AIVD, they have stopped a secret operation they've had going on for years inside Iran.  Due to “impending US plans to attack Iran,” within weeks, they've pulled out their asset or assets, who have been focusing on infiltrating and sabotaging the weapons and nuclear industry of Iran.

Whether we actually strike Iran or not, it is thought that Israel is preparing a strike of its own.  There is no way that small country, surrounded by enemies in the Middle East, is going to let Iran's apocalyptic mullahs acquire nukes to use on them.

This situation, if played out anytime in the next 2 months, will definitely have an impact on the U.S. Presidential election.  John McCain will most likely be the beneficiary as national security again comes to the forefront. That's bad news for Saint Barack, who has said that Iran doesn't "pose a serious threat to us", and would rather talk to terrorists and their state sponsors than take action against them.

Australia WWII wreck probe begins

The wreckage of the Sydney was found earlier in 2008

An inquiry into Australia's worst naval disaster is to begin hearing evidence from former war veterans.

Some 645 sailors died when HMAS Sydney was lost in a battle with a German cruiser off Western Australia in 1941.

HMAS Sydney was regarded as the pride of the Australian navy and defense officials say the investigation is "important unfinished business".

The inquiry will be run by Sir Terence Cole, who presided over a hearing into Australia's AWB oil-for-wheat scandal.

He is trying to uncover the truth behind one of Australia's most enduring wartime mysteries.

HMAS Sydney perished after being attacked by a German ship, the Kormoran, which was disguised as a Dutch merchant vessel.

It too sank but the majority of its crew survived.

None of the Sydney's crew survived, but the Kormoran's crew did

But all on board the Sydney were lost and over the years various theories about their demise have emerged as the nation became fascinated with this naval tragedy.

Historians have been unable to unlock the secrets of that day in November 1941.

They have provided no explanation as to why such a superior vessel was sunk by a German boat sailing under a false flag.

There was speculation that the Australian cruiser was really sunk by a Japanese submarine - even though Japan had not yet entered the war.

The wrecks of both HMAS Sydney and the Kormoran were finally located by divers earlier this year.

This week the inquiry will hear from former Australian navy personnel who sailed with the Sydney before it sank more than 65 years ago.

I woke up to get out of that hotel.  I couldn't take it anymore.  Every time I walked into the bathroom my eyes were drawn to that brown moldy area at the corner of the bathtub.  I packed my things and bounced.  It was too early to check in to my other hotel, so I just left my bags there.

I had breakfast at another restaurant.  It wasn't too bad.  Apparently the concept of lean bacon hasn't reached Amsterdam yet.  So, I'll have to give some thought to whether I want to order bacon anymore while I"m here.

Operation Shave the Porcupine

My face is getting itchy.  I'm starting to look like I signed up for Survivor instead of Amsterdam.  I have to shave!  I set off for my office.  I'm pretty confident that I have a razor attachment to my cordless razor in one of my suitcases I'm storing there.

I get to the office, search my bags... "Now where did I put that razor attachment that I know I packed... that I KNOW I packed."  There was no sign of it anywhere.  My hopes for even temporary relief have been dashed.  "What am I going to do?"

I text message a co-worker to ask her if stores are open on Sunday.  She replies that she thinks so.  "Okay, so I'll just head to that district I was in yesterday and Pay €120 for some clippers and trimmers.  I'm desperate!"

Shortly before leaving my co-worker calls me to tell me about some fashion show they're having at a high-end shopping area not too far from the office.  I tell her that I'll be there "Not before I see if I can find a razor!"

Well Why Don't You Just Roll Out Some Tumbleweeds

I arrive at the shopping district... ghost town!  The only places that were open were a couple of cafes.  Resigned and deflated, I head back toward the tram to meet my co-worker.

Alphee Does The Catwalk

I arrive at the shopping district where my co-worker told me to meet her.  There is a 3 block long catwalk set up in the middle of the street.  "What is this?" There's a DJ booth set up in the area, crowds of people walking back and forth.  I find my co-worker, who happened to snag some great seats.  Minutes later, the show begins.

People start lining up around the catwalk.  I think to myself "This is a great opportunity to use my new camera!"  I pull out Alphee and line up at the catwalk myself.  I wasn't expecting to see anything super impressive.  But, once the first couple of models came out I realized that it was serious.  I then started tuning Alphee up to do a photo shoot.  "Alphee, I bought you for this trip, now you're going to show me what you got."

Someday, Somehow, Some thing...

When the fashion show ended, I made my way back to my table.  We were sharing it with a couple of other people.  An old guy, who I think was fairly important, because they brought him the table when he arrived, asked me "Is photography your job?"  I said "No, but I'd like it to become my job someday, somehow... shooting some thing!"  He laughed.  But, I sat there holding Alphee with pride.  I must say that I had a great time out there shooting. I have to practice so I can get better.  Check the photos out and let me know what you think.

No Speed Limit, Even at 65

My co-worker and I hung out for a bit after the show.  Three people, all Dutch, came to sit down at our table.  They started talking to us and asking us about ourselves.  They were really nice people.  The married couple had been married for 35 years.  They were out to celebrate their friend's 65th birthday.

It was really a celebration for them all, because they're all 65.  They were having such a great time.  It was really nice to see that.  They even bought us a glass of wine.  They say that's what the Dutch do.  It was really nice to be there with them.  That made the day out even better.

Geef mij maar Amsterdam - Johnny Jordaan

Geef mij maar Amsterdam, dat is mooier dan Parijs
Geef mj maar Amsterdam, mijn Mokum's paradijs
Geef mij maar Amsterdam met zijn Amstel en het IJ
Want in Mokum ben ik rijk en gelukking tegelijk, geef mij maar Amsterdam

Beter in Mokum zonder poen dan in Parijs met een miljoen, geef mij maar Amsterdam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsVFOpnZSWo

Amsterdam huilt waar het eens heeft gelachen - Rika Jansen

Amsterdam huilt waar het eens heeft gelachen
Amsterdam huilt nog voelt het de pijn
Amsterdam huilt waar het eens heeft gelachen
Amsterdam huilt want weg is de gein 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqr4pdeGdaQ

Aan de Amsterdam Grachten - Wim Sonneveld

Aan de Amsterdamse grachten heb ik heel mij hart voor altijd verpand
Amsterdam vult mijn gedachten als de mooiste stad in ons land
Al die Amstedamse mensen, al die lichtjes 's avonds laat op het plein
Niemand kan zich beter wensen dan een Amsterdammer te zijn

Dalida (January 17, 1933 – May 3, 1987) was an Egyptian born singer of Italian origin who lived most of her life in France. She received 55 gold records and was the first singer to receive a diamond disc.

Dalida was born Yolanda Christina Gigliotti to middle-class parents in Shoubra, Cairo, Egypt. Her family was of Italian origin, her grandparents having emigrated at the turn of the century from Calabria.

In 1951, Dalida entered a beauty pageant, and shortly after began working as a model for a Cairo-based fashion house. In 1955, she entered the Miss Egypt pageant, and was awarded first prize.

Dalida performed and recorded in more than 10 languages including: French, Italian, Arabic, German, Spanish, Hebrew, English, Dutch, Japanese, and Greek.  (Wikipedia)

Sursa: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalida

Paroles Paroles ( with Alain Delon)     aici e "vina" ... :mrgreen:

Flamenco

Ti Amo

Helwa Ya Balady

Mammy blue     preferata mea!

"The operation, described as extremely successful, was halted recently in connection with plans for an impending US air attack on Iran. Along with this, targets would also be bombed which were connected with the Dutch espionage action," writes the Netherlands' biggest newspaper. >>>>>