A Taste of Bureaucracy

Just to give you a typical example: I called up the local school a few weeks ago to see what it would cost to take Dutch lessons. Immediately the receptionist said: “Do you have an inbeurgeringskontract?” To which I replied: “God bless you.” Apparently, if you have this unpronounceable piece Read more…

Blanca’s Visit

For those of you who don’t know, Blanca is one of the founding members of Smelly Pig, the world-famous two guitar, four singer, one plastic tambourine band whose appeareances at the Bucks County Coffee House are legendary. Blanca is originally from San Esteban de Gormaz, a small village in Soria, Read more…

Bicycle Story

So let me tell you about bicycles. The bicycle is the main mode of transportation in the Netherlands. Bikes are so prevalent that most city streets have separate lanes just for bikes (adding to the confusion from the already numerous painted lines on the road). The Dutch bike in all Read more…

Our New Apartment

We have found a place to live. After four weeks of looking, and two previous unsuccessful attempts, Brian and Ann have now signed the papers and put down the deposit to rent an apartment in Dordrecht. After having done this once already, only to have the rental company call up Read more…

Quiz Night in Duffel

Ann promised me, “This is Belgium at its most provincial Brian.” And she was right. Quiz night at the local bar/second home for Duffel’s finest. Ann had signed us up with Katja and Roeland to participate in the monthly quiz night. 30 teams of 4 people congregated in the back Read more…