How well do you know someone?

So you think you know your friends...

1. IF YOU COULD BUILD A SECOND HOUSE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE?
Salobreña, Andalucia, or in Tuscany, Italy... Well, it doesn't have to get built, I've seen it already :)

2. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING?
My firefighter coat, with the sign of the 'San Fransisco Fire Department, Airport Division' on it. I got it when Kevin from the Bay Area left Copenhagen in 2001. He had worked there the previous summer.
Had a lot mixed reactions to it though, but you know me, I don't mind.

3. THE LAST CD YOU BOUGHT?
Some discount cd's. The albums of 'Spain', the band of the son of one of the best jazz bass players around (Charlie Haden). Folky/bluesy stuff. Quiet, inspiring, beautiful. Daddy Charlie did actually a cover of one his sons' songs on the album ' Beyond The Missouri Sky' that he did together with Pat Metheny. One of my top 5 albums ever.
And a jazz cd by Don Byas & Bud Powell: 'A Tribute to Cannonball Adderley'.

4. WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
Between 7 and 8 am.

5. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
Oooof, difficult one. Depends on the moment, day, time, company.
But, on the list is without a doubt "Amelie Poulain", "Goodbye Lenin", "Mar Adentro" and so many others... oh, and of course, "Die Hard"!!! For the lazy Sunday afternoon.

6. IF YOU COULD PLAY AN INSTRUMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Acoustic guitar. I want to play Pearl Jam's 'Black'!!

7. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE COLOR?
Red

8. WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SPORTS CAR OR SUV?
I absolutely detest SUV's. So, clearly: the sports car.

9. DO YOU BELIEVE IN AFTERLIFE?
Not in a Christian sense, but I think I'd like to believe there is more...

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK?
"De Duvelstoejager van Het Wapen van Hoorn" by Peter de Rooij.
Still looking for that book, if you remember a post from the beginning of March.
The book is about a young boy in the beginning of the 17th century in Holland, who runs away and ends up on a ship "Het Wapen van Hoorn" that sails to the East Indies. He comes back a man, and makes amends for the crime for which he ran away. I was deeply moved by that book, I was still very young when I read it for the first time, but it still sticks.
And then one in Danish as well: "Folk og Røvere fra Kardemommeby". I saw it in a bookstore again the other day... Maybe I should buy it, I know my own copy is totally worn out :)

11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
Spring, when everything is waking up again. Fresh air, clear skies...

12. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I'd love to fly. I always have loved to fly, and see it all from above. One of the reasons perhaps I like Google Earth ;)

13. IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO, WHAT IS IT?
Don't have one... Thought about it many times though.

14. CAN YOU JUGGLE?
Well, if you want eggs crushed all over the place... sure!


15. THE ONE PERSON FROM YOUR PAST YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK AND TALK TO?

Mmmm... back to talk to a kid I remember from kindergarten, a Moroccan kid, fiery brown-reddish hair, Abdelhaid (something like that). Totally incapable of socialising with the others. I remember wondering about it then.
I have this flash from the playground outside, observing him, as he went around (think I have always been an observer now that I think about it). From sweet and innocent to aggressive and uncontrolable.
Knowing what I know now, with my cross-cultural group of friends, and my educational background, I'd love to talk to him and ask him how he has fared since. And perhaps find an answer to why he was so different from the rest of the kids.

16. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE DAY?
Sunday... relaxing, enjoying, soothing and with football at the end ;)

17. WHAT'S IN THE BACK OF YOUR TRUNK?
Don't have a car!

18. SUSHI OR HAMBURGER?
Hamburger, I am NOT going to eat raw fish... (I have tried sushi, it's just not me!)

19. FROM THE PEOPLE YOU WILL EMAIL THIS TO, WHO'S MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST?
Dani, for sure.

20. WHO'S LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Jules/ShazzaB/whatever his nick is now ;)

21. WHO DID YOU RECEIVE THIS FROM?
Amy, once again.

22. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER?
Ooof... Roses, I guess. Growing up 20 km from the worlds' biggest auction of flowers, I have seen many by now. Don't even know all the names actually, but there are many beautiful ones!

23. DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?
Yes! Still...

24. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM JOB?
Owner of a bodega in Jerez ;) Or together with some friends the proprietor of a wine establishment in Copenhagen. Could be fun!
Ahhhh, screw it... give me a little bar on the beach of some tropical island!

25. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEAL?
'Nasi goreng', with 'babi pangang' from the old local Chinese/Indonesian restaurant.

Return of THE Question

Ok, so I still haven't figured out who mr. Luxembourg is, as he/she just doesn't want to reveal him/herself, but over the last days someone new, at the University of Washington in Seattle, has been scrutinising my blog, going through everything.

Not that I mind of course (I'd only be 'worried' if it was someone from a security agency or something like that).
I love to reach new readers, but it seems I might know this person.
Not sure though!

David Thiele? You perhaps?
If you, tell me, are the rumours true that you got married?????
If you, congrats then from here, and many warm greetings. The pictures of our roadtrip through Andalucia are still up!!

Remember, this weekend it's 4 years since we organised 'our' Halloween party... time flies!! And yes, Neri 'won' the competition ;)

Observations of the day

1) Was in a residence today, where exchange students live... and saw the kitchen, the living room... Oh my god! No, it's not that I am getting old, but I am so happy I don't live in one anymore! I couldn't cope with the dirt, the mess, the smell anymore. Was happy to be out of there again...

2) Saw a beautiful example of the ball-game scam. For years the walking street of Copenhagen are 'terrorised' by gangs of Eastern Europeans (Polish, Rumanians mostly) who scam mostly tourists out of a lot of money. You know, that game where you have to guess under which of the 3 bowls the ball is.
A group of 6-7. 2 guys looking out for the police (they get kicked out of the country if they get caught), one guy with the ball speaking really loud in bad English, and 2-3 men/women walking away, and then back and pretending to play. "Wow, you won!" Giving money to someone from their own group, thus trapping others into playing as well. So clear they all belong together!
Can't believe people are still so dumb, they still fall for such an obvious scam... Pathetic to watch. Fun to laugh at them though, although I don't really think they appreciated me laughing at them. One guy looked pretty grim and not someone you want to get in trouble with...
The problem with these people scamming here, is that it only creates and enhances the negative image Eastern Europeans have, resulting obviously in generalisations and clear resentment and distrust of 'our' new EU members (or wanna-be members).
Ask anyone in Western Europe about Polish or Rumanians, and most will mention such people as described above. I remember a discussion with a Polish student some months ago, who just wouldn't believe it (she was very surprised at the negative stance on such matters many had towards the Polish).
It's long discussion anyway... and mostly based on generalisations, assumptions and stereotypes anyway...

3) It's getting cold now. We've had a beautiful October so far, but autumn has really struck now. It's the first day I had to wear my winter coat.

4) Again I forgot to bring my camera. Again I could have taken some amazing pictures. I really should make it a habit, of bringing it.
The sun setting giving one lonely long-streched cloud above Kongens Nytorv and Hotel D'Angleterre an amazing deep-red glow. Fantastic view...

Greetings from CPH!

Questions, questions, questions!

1. Name someone with the same birthday as you?
Jimi Hendrix... Bruce Lee... Hero's for many! Especially Jimi I am actually quite proud of. The man's a genius, weird, screwed up, brilliant on his guitar, and an icon of his time... something to live up to, huh?

2. Where was your first kiss?
In a BMX park at the local swimming pool, ca. 1987/1988. She's married now for several years, second kid has arrived I think, and is moving back to that small town where I am from.

3. Have you ever seriously vandalised someone else's property?
Yup... last Christmas... In the flat of Jaime at the beach in the south of Spain. I destroyed a bed, as I fell out of it. but I was so drunk, I didn't even notice :) I felt soooo bad when I found out though. Deeply ashamed.

4. Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex?
Nope... although some have deserved it.

5. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people?
Ehhhmmm... yes, well... if you consider our regular party performance of 'With or Without You' as 'singing'. (Pictures to be found all over the world, in concrete hidden vaults)

6. What's the first thing you notice about the preferred sex?
Depends from the angle... but I'd say: ass.

7. What really turns you on?
Sparkling eyes...

8. What do you order at Starbucks?
Please keep Starbucks away from here!

9. What is your biggest mistake?
Losing certain friends...

10. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose?
Physically yes, mentally... yes... bwwwaaaah!

11. Say something totally random about yourself.
I like Bon Jovi (the music)!!! (more like a dark and secret confession actually) Have been listening a lot lately again to his 'Young Guns 2' soundtrack album. Absolutely brilliant.

12. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?
Apparently I look like some Danish actor or something. I can't see it, and don't agree.

13. Do you still watch kiddy movies or tv shows?
I watched 'the Goonies' again, one of the coolest movies ever, not so long ago. Does that count?

14. Did you have braces?
Yeah, for a bit, but didn't continue with it. Maybe I should have.

15. Are you comfortable with your height?
In Denmark yes, but in Holland no... I am sooooooooo far below average even, it is ridiculous. (The Dutch are the tallest people in the world: example: my 3 best friends were 1.95, 2.00 and 2.00 meters...)

16. What is the most romantic thing someone of the opposite sex has done for you?
I received several beautifully handwritten percament-like letters from Paris (the city), full of watercolour drawings... I get shivers just thinking about them.

17. When do you know it's love?
To use a cliche: when wanting to share with her all these great moments in life. The sunset at the lakes here in Copenhagen. Sitting on the beach of the bay of San Sebastian. Walking through the deserted streets at 4 am on a clear and bright summer night...

18. Do you speak any other languages?
Apart from English: Dutch, Danish, German, Spanish, and I can read the French and Italian sports newspapers.

19. Have you ever been to a tanning salon?
Yeah, but it doesn't work on me!

20. What magazines do you read?
Mostly the online versions, but sometimes the Dutch 'HP De Tijd', and some english business magazines. Do 'Wired' and 'Salon' count too?
Anyway, I mostly read books, or just articles.

21. Have you ever ridden in a limo?
Nope... still want to do it once, with some friends. Just cruising. For the cheesiness of it.

22. Has anyone you were really close to passed away?
Too many, and many to cancer actually... 3 grandparents, uncle, other family, family friends. It sucks... big time.

23. Do you watch MTV?
No, never anymore. Can't even remember the last time. (well, I haven't had a TV for 6 years anyway)

24. What's something that really annoys you?
How perverts and idiots can get away with child abuse. Another Dutch priest was caught recently (no, not a Catholic this time).
No, let me rephrase that: he admitted (!!) he had abused his son for 10 years. Now he's suspended for 3 months (!!!!!) and the hypocrites are 'offering help and salvation'. Fuck off... String the bastards up.

25. What's something you really like?
Indonesian rice table, with lots of peanut sauce!

26. Do you like Michael Jackson?
The old-school stuff, totally. But like with the Arnie movies: you listen and watch it in a different way now.

27. Can you dance?
Not too bad. Depends on the music though, and my dance partner ;)

28. What's the latest you have ever stayed up?
10 or 11 am... something like that. Can't quite remember, for obvious reasons! It was during the San Fermin festivities of 2000. We had been going out since 9 am the previous morning (getting ready for the big opening) and went on to see the 1st running of the bulls the next morning. ...And at 14.30 the mother of Roberto woke us up for lunch. Pure suffering :)

30. Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room?
Fortunately not. Keeping my fingers crossed!

31. Do you actually read these when other people fill them out?
Sure, always nice to know more about someone.

(Thanks to Amy, for the inspiration)

Oops

(Ok, I only see it now... the last post was partly a recovery from a few weeks ago, when another writing went all to hell, and I see now that the second picture has no direct relevance in the story...

It's from another dinner, with other faces that have returned to Copenhagen... from Guillaume's year 1 B.E. (before Emdrup).

It's a small world! Ok... another long story... next time... Don't feel like writing anymore right now :)

Good evening to you all!)

Three arrivals and a departure...

Well, there we go... another time I had to say goodbye (yes, we're starting with the departure, and yes yes, I know I haven't been writing for a while, just didn't feel like it).

This morning Guillaume left Copenhagen once again, but this time, I think, for good. He and Sara will start their professional careers in a lovely little town in the south of France (Antibes) and I doubt, however strong the ties with Denmark have become over the years, they will return to live here.
My heart has grown a fairly thick hide to cover for all the little and larger scars that have been made by people leaving once again, but this one... bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh...

Well, let's look at it from the bright side. I can return once again (it's been 3,5 years ago since I visited Ben, Jenn and Lucie there) and perhaps enjoy the French Riviera for a bit. Am considering flying down there to celebrate my birthday in the end of November. It's all up for grabs, but we'll see. (It's my 30th...)

Anyway...
People do return as well, and the last weeks have seen quite a lot of returns (and there will be more coming soon: just got another message from Madrid of an old friend coming for a few days).
The first one to enjoy Copenhagen once again was Andrea, aka Sonny-Boy!
I hadn't seen him for 4 years (!!), and was one evening in Copenhagen, as part of a business trip.
Andrea, from Bergamo, Italy. Also called Sonny-Boy, thanks to showing in the first weeks to all foreign students of the brilliant Danish movie 'Den Eneste Ene'... It's a long story ;)

We lived together in that ole' residence in the spring of 2000, celebrated New Years Eve together that year, and we travelled through Toscane in the summer of 2001, a trip I'll never forget... Standing with a hangover in absolute awe - with tears in my eyes because of seeing such beauty - in Museo D'Academia in Firenze, looking at Michelangelo's 'David'... or just cruising around with Bob Marley blaring from the car speakers.
Anyway.. a great guy, and as fortunately we have met a couple of times after our shared experience in DK, we don't have to reminisce all the time, not having anything to talk about in the present.

Meeting again was fantastic, as if there only had been a short time since we last met. He was with his boss, who had similar foreign experiences (living in Dublin and Tokyo), so he understood our excitement.

We had a great meal together (the company paid, so...), and then, since it was Wednesday, I promised Andrea I would take him out, one more time, like we used to.
The problem was that he had a plane to catch to Helsinki at 7 am... Ehhhhhmmm... he made it, with only 1,5 hours of sleep, but he made it! Hahahahah...
Oh what a night! We met up with Guillaume, Jochem and some others later, so several 'generations' were there, connecting just because of that shared background.
Of course, all the usual bars were visited, and we even managed to get into the Student House, even though none of us had our student ID's on us (we knew, but we tried anyway, so we had to make up excuses).
Doorman: "Can I see your student-ID's?"
Me, after pretending to search through my wallet: "Hmmm, sorry don't have it, but you can have this condom I have here?"
Well, we got in... :) And had a blast!



Then, the next one, the week after: Japie, from Holland. Again someone who lived here a while ago, 2 years ago to be exact, but has been dropping by regularly, for a pårty or two ;)
Now, he just started the 2 year traineeship program at Maersk, the largest Danish company (anything to get back here, right?), and for that reason came for a 2 week training course. He managed to get an earlier flight, and of course we had to go out... Which could only mean one thing: Dakota, with a total of 3 Dutch and 3 French... Eeehm, as for the pictures: only by request, and only by the ones who were there. "Always remember the trail".

We actually met him this last Sunday for a few hours again, in the morning, before returning to Holland. We had a picture taken at the restaurant we had our breakfast at. The first time all of us together in one picture, that early on a Sunday AND sober AND not at a party!! You can imagine, I needed a nap when I came back. This had been ridiculously early... It's just not natural to be up and around before 12 on a Sunday!!

One more returned: lovely Xenia, from Barcelona.
She lived here 2,5 years ago for a year, and even though we didn't meet often, we still kept in contact, as our group of friends overlapped, and now she was back for a bit, with two girls from back then, from France and Germany.
The first night out brought an interesting conversation, and reminded me of others I have had before with people who came back, to 'desperately' see lovely Copenhagen again, trying to re-create the past.
Needless to say, although I had to learn that too the hard way, this is not possible, and all you're left with is a vague kind of disquiet and dissatisfaction. Somehow disappointed, and realising things have stayed the same, and yet changed, incrementally or more. Or that just, pieces are missing to completely the picture.
Still, it was great to meet again, and realising that the bond of having lived abroad in the same city, in a similar situation, cannot easily be broken. So, in other words, see you next time in Barcelona!

But that's not all... in a few weeks Manu is coming from Madrid, to spend some days here. Can't wait! I should giving him a shopping list, so you can bring some good stuff ;)

Not only do people actually arrive or leave Copenhagen, I have also been on the phone with sweet Elena again, several times over the last weeks, who after a year in Denmark and another year abroad in France now lives in Edinburgh, trying to make a living there, and is totally losing her Spanish accent, trading it in for the Scottish melody of speaking. Hilarious, and of course, the first thing I had to make fun of ;)

So you see... the topic of the blog is still as relevant as ever, every aspect of it. All these pieces of my personal treasure are scattered, but to me - perhaps for that exact reason - so much more valuable.
Something I realised once again, lying bedridden with an annoying flu; tired, sleepy and at times lonely... No need to feel the latter!

...One last thing: why is it that when you're sick in bed with the flu, half-sleeping all the time, your mind has such a weird activity level. Giving you all kinds of ood and strange, but very realistic dreams. Or, songs continuously playing in your head, with full melody, lyrics and all... in any language...
And just frustrated I cannot enjoy the great October weather we're having! Obviously, tomorrow, when I feel all fine again, it will be raining.
Oh sweet irony!

With these extensive words I will leave you now, and hope that with them I satified my anxious readers ;)

Until the next one!

Andrea, Domenico, Beat & Jakob

You deliquents!! Thanks for calling me...
It was so great to hear you again... I can't stop smiling!

Some things don't change, and that is our friendship (or the fact that we tend to call when we're drunk)

Thanks for all!
Enjoy your weekend in Milan!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wish I was there...

And remember: FY ITA ALT!!!

Amen