Letter from India

By Greenfields - About Me - E-mail this page - Add to My Favorites - Add to Blog List - See other blogs in Journal

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

A Bikers Paradise

If you like to bike, then Amsterdam is a must. I have to confess, at the outset, I am not a biker. But, I love the idea of biking. As a horse rider, I can imagine the sensation of the air on my face, the joy of being able to move by the power of my feet, pedalling furiously, getting from one point... Sign in to see full entry.

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The beach, the beach

Of the things Agnes wanted to do with us on the trip last week was a trip to the beach. How far is it, Mahesh, my husband, wanted to know? Only 45 minutes, said Agnes. So, on Monday morning, we set off with a tram to the Central station of Amsterdam and took the train to Zantvoort. (Zant being Dutch... Sign in to see full entry.

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Tuesday, June 10, 2008

The Amsterdam School of Architecture

In Amsterdam there are many beautiful and historic buildings, including the area in which I stayed with my hosts - known as the Pijp, or Pipe. Most of this includes an innovative use of bricks, glass and wood work. There was a special effort to leave space for parks, playgrounds and sidewalks in... Sign in to see full entry.

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Monday, June 9, 2008

Party!

The day I arrived in Amsterdam, my hosts told me we were invited to a party the following Saturday. It was a special party and had been in planning for almost a year. A friend of Derk's - Tecla - was turing 50 and a friend of hers was turning 60. They were throwing the party together - just as they... Sign in to see full entry.

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Thursday, June 5, 2008

Too busy to Blog?

Is there such a thing as being too busy to blog? Clearly it happens to me every now and then. And, now is the now. Since my husband Mahesh arrived on Sunday we have been busy - hanging out, talking long all day walks around Amsterdam. One day we made a trip to the beach - Zantvoort - about 45... Sign in to see full entry.

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Sunday, June 1, 2008

A Dutch Swim and a Greek Meal

Two days ago, I finally swam in the community swimming pool that Agnes and Derk frequent. We started out at 3.30 PM from home, walking aboutr 20 minutes and entered a vast complex of buildings and greens, with beautiful trees and gardens. Two indoor pools (for adults and children) with lockers and... Sign in to see full entry.

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Friday, May 30, 2008

An unhurried state of mind

It's strange for me to be in Agnes's home without an agenda. Every time I have been here, I am either on my way to some destination - the USA, Canada, France, Scandinavia, India. That is the advantage of being in Europe. If I am traveling in the northern hemisphere I can stop and visit Agnes.... Sign in to see full entry.

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Thursday, May 29, 2008

Hairdressers, buttons, books

Over the years Agnes and I have known each other the conversations inevitably - at one time or another - turn to what is rather critical to women: hair. Agnes's hairdresser is a Turkish man named Fikri and his current salon faces one of the Amsterdam canals. She has been going to him for almost... Sign in to see full entry.

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Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Flowers, bags and purses and an Indian dinner

Well, the day was rainy and we watched the weather reports to venture out. As the flower market vendors came only on Monday from the north of the country and left their spot at 12.30, Agnes and I ventured out at 11.30 - she walking her bike and I walking myself. The air was fresh and cool and there... Sign in to see full entry.

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Sunday, May 25, 2008

Rain and wind

On day two, the rain and wind descended. At night I could hear the rain, pitter patter on the roof, just above my head as I slept under the eaves of roof of the top floor. But, I was well tucked into my duvet, warm and cosy. By 7 AM we were up and I was in the kitchen making the Indian chai. Agnes... Sign in to see full entry.

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About this Blog

I started this blog in mid-March 2006 when I moved to Kabul, Afghanistan, for a four-month assignment. In mid-July I moved back to India, and am continuing the blog.

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