The Bear Pit

If you remember or if you’ve been following my little blog for a while, I wrote in December about my new found love and appreciation for Graffiti. You can discover the beautiful graphic paintings all over Eindhoven. Some people think its disrespectful marking up the walls of the city. Not me! I find it unique, beautiful and very inspiring. To me graffiti not only means art but also youth and vitality. I do firmly believe that graffiti has its place and limits. Not all buildings and houses should be marked. But in Eindhoven, there is a very cool place where graffiti not only covers the walls, the walls become the art. Welcome to the Bear Pit!

The Berenkuil or Bear Pit is located in one of the cities many larger roundabouts. The roundabouts are confusing enough with your GPS telling you to stay in the middle lane, take the third exit and exit left. But throw in a continuous wall to wall art display and you get a tad distracted. It’s best to just pull over to park, get out and walk, and enjoy.

Even on a normal day you can find graffiti artitists working on their craft. Take for example three artists I came upon one day while walking in the Berenkuil. Maus4, Just and Huge. These talented young men, love displaying their art and sharing their passion with the world. Take a walk under the roundabout and discover their work. 

Maus4,Just and Huge

Once a year Eindhoven now hosts an event called Step into the Arena.  The past years graffiti is painted over covering all the walls in black. Then the artists begin again. This past weekend my friend Megan and I went to see the event. Raincoats on, hoodies up, we went out to enjoy not only the artists but the elements as well. If the rain wasn’t going to stop them, then it wasn’t going to stop us either.

Vendors were set up in the middle area selling all sorts of snacks and drinks. An area for music was set up but no one was there due to the rain. The fresh smell of pot and paint mixed together filled the air. Megan and I laughed… only in Holland! But….. all over the Berenkuil were the artists and their beautiful works of art being created. It’s amazing to see someone with just a can of spray paint create something that can look so life like or unique.

The artist at the top of the stairs disappearing into the mist. 

The artists show up from all over the world. They bring their scaffolding, suitcases full of spray paint, usually a sketch of what they are going to create and sometime a few groupies.  

Mr. Dheo and Smug

I stepped up to meet a few of the street artists …. meet Mr. Dheo and Smug. Mr. Dheo is from Portugal and Smug or Smug Bastard as his friend calls him, is from Scotland. Yes, they flew in just for this event. It is one of the largest graffiti events in Europe. No he doesn’t wear a skirt but if he did he might go Commando! This funny Scot and his friend have amazing talent and a love for sharing it with the world.

Sven

My next encounter was with an artist from Eindhoven. Meet Sven! This young graphic artist lives in the city that is famous for graffiti and is ready to show the world his talent. He sent me a picture of his finished painting as it was going to take a few more hours and I was leaving. I asked what her name was and if she had a story. He said no… but now we will call her Lisa. J She doesn’t have my blue eyes but having an artist name a painting after you is freakin fabulous! My thanks to Sven.. you can bet my friends from around the world and also from our little city of Eindhoven will all come to see your painting named Lisa.

"Lisa"

By Sven

This American Girl is tickled pink!

My Dutch Omafiet

Well, I’m officially Dutch now. I purchased my first bike. I’m so excited to finally be able to be a part of this wonderful Dutch experience. It’s taken me a year but making an international move is not cheap and somehow the bike kept getting put further and further down the list of things to buy. Plus the prices of bikes are not like an impulse purchase at the market. Gum is impulse, bikes… now that’s a horse of a different color. Some run up to a couple thousand Euros.

After discovering the cost of a Dutch bike and recovering from the shock, I came to terms that I truly didn’t care if it was the Mercedes of bikes or even used. I just wanted one. But… I wanted it to be white and I wanted a basket. I’m not out for impressing anyone with a label but I am out for not looking like I found it in the garbage.

The roads here in The Netherlands are flat, making it perfect for riding. I live close to everything so within a short ride I can be to the market or even into the centrum. The roads are all set up with bicyclists in mind. There are specific lanes, or paths. There are signs, traffic signals and rules to help everyone stay safe.

When I first got here, I thought to myself. Oh my, how can they bike everywhere? They’re like the post office… rain, sleet, snow and sun… there they are, biking. But then some 90 year old woman will sail past me like it’s no big deal. Ok, maybe I can do this!

The Dutch load up their bikes with groceries, flowers, suitcases and other things just needed for every day. I saw a lady today with a ladder strapped onto her bike. My favorite is when I see a boy and a girl on a date. He’ll be just a pedaling along with the girl sitting side saddle on the back of his bike.

 And I’ve got to say it’s just way too precious when you see the moms or dads biking. They usually have a child or two in the front in a bucket holder or one sitting on a chair in the back like a car seat. At very young ages the kids are biked everywhere. It’s not unusual at all…. It’s a way of life.

With over half a million bikes a year stolen in The Netherlands, I’m praying mine is not one of them. I have a good sturdy chain with two locks. But thieves will take any part of the bike that is not locked up. I’ve seen a wheel locked to a tree before and the rest of the bike is missing.

I’m not going to be given a yellow shirt to wear anytime soon, but I do think I will enjoy this new way of getting around. Now if I could only learn how to do the leg cross thing so I can get on my bike with ease, style and not fall flat on my face.

If you see me out there biking, try not to make any sudden movements or honk at me. Just ring your little bike bell and wave otherwise I’ll fall off. I just hope that 90 year old lady doesn’t run me over!

Stolpersteine

It’s getting close to our one year anniversary here in The Netherlands. Actually, my husband moved here in March, but my daughter and I moved here July 4^th. That date is so ironic and so meaningful as I begin this new story. Independence, freedom, liberty, just a few words that come to mind when I think of The 4^th of July and what it means to Americans. And with those words in mind, here is what I have learned this week.

This past weekend we invited a couple over that had just arrived in The Netherlands. We began to chat about our experience so far and they chatted about their lives and what they were enjoying about living here in Eindhoven. They live right in the center of Eindhoven in a home that is part of a building that used to be a school. The home is tall with four floors. They then asked if I had ever noticed the little plaques that are apparently all over the city. I had never heard of them and they told me that their real estate person had just randomly told them. This peaked my interest and by the next day I went over to my friend’s house to walk around to see what we could find.

All over Eindhoven in the pavement or walkways are small bonze 10x10 centimeter plaques. Each one is in honor of a victim who was murdered or perished during World War II. The plaques are located at the place where the person lived last. The Stolpersteine or Stumbling Stones were made by an artist named Gunter Demnig. On each stone is the person’s name, the fact that they lived there, their birth date, deportation date and date of death. The idea is so when someone passes over one of the stumbling stones you will pause and reflect about the people who perished. It’s not about the fact this was a horrific time in history, it’s about each individual person, the actual people who were taken from their homes and their communities and disappeared into Hell.

The Stolpersteines are not only in Eindhoven, they are located in many countries in Europe. Germany, Italy, Austria, Hungary and The Netherlands are the home to these beautiful little individual monuments. Are there millions of stumbling stones scattered across Europe like the millions of victims that were stripped of their independence, freedom, liberty and eventually their lives? No, but there are over 30,000. Each installed by the artist himself. Gunter Demnig’s project is the world’s largest memorial.

Who am I to be telling this story? Nobody! Just an American Girl who has moved to The Netherlands who has discovered a story that needs to be shared. So the next time you’re walking around and you “stumble” upon a little bronze plaque in the stone, take a few moments to read, reflect and say a little prayer for someone who had their life taken away from them.

A person is only forgotten when his name is forgotten ~ Gunter Demnig

Website for finding the Stumbling Stones in Eindhoven The Netherlands

http://en.tracesofwar.com/article/27536/Stumbling-Stones-Sint-Catharinastraat-4.htm#.UFohk_c4Gro.facebook

Life in the Big Backyard

As a child growing up I loved books. And then as an adult, my love for children's books continued as I taught elementary school for many years. As a small child I loved the book called Put Me in the Zoo written by Robert Lopshire. In the story there’s a leopard that keeps changing the color of his spots so he can fit in with the different animals at the zoo. What he discovers is that he should be somewhere special. 

It’s funny how in life we do the same thing. We all try to fit in with people or groups who are like ourselves. This is a wonderful thing as we need to learn how to get along with the others in our world but along the way towards the Emerald City, we want to remember that we are all unique. We all have different wants and needs. No two creatures are alike or should be.

Take for example the array of little munchkins I have in my backyard.

We’ll start with Sugar. She is the Princess, the Queen of our home and yard, our beautiful white lab. She’s a tad older now and gets around pretty slow but she is the ruler of what goes on.

Enter Bear. Little Boy Wonder, Little Boy Blue, Little Prince Charming… and trouble too. But he’s so dang cute no one cares when he causes a little trouble.

Now throw in a few woodland creatures and you have yourself a backyard party! You can only imagine the joy and excitement that goes on from morning till night in the yard. Our yard backs up to an enormous park with several lakes and the Dommel River. We have at least 3 fat bunnies that playfully out run the dogs causing them to dash in and out of the bushes and flowers. We’ve only had one death when Sugar accidently caught a baby bunny. She only meant to say “Tag, you’re it” but somehow that didn’t work out for her.

They’ve DE feathered a few fine friends, but that’s only when one accidently fly’s into their mouths after they’ve jumped up to say hi.

We have pheasants that enjoy life here. They are pretty fast little runners and can also fly over the fence if feeling threatened by the Prince and Princess. But Oh what a delight they are to see. They are beautiful!

And just on the other side of the fence lives the ducks and the swans. They haven’t wandered into the yard yet and I’m sure they’re smart enough not to.

           

I’m not sure if Sugar and Bear are trying to change their spots so they can fit in with the different families of animals that live in our yard or if they are following the yellow brick road and going after their own unique desires and 
wishes. But like so many children’s books, they sure are endearing and entertaining and full of life lessons and oh so fun to watch. 

We’re not in Kansas anymore and we’re not in a zoo, but life in Holland for Bear and Sugar is GREAT! When this wonderful journey is over they can click their little paws together and say “There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home.”

Here’s your Sign

Being in a new country is so much fun, but when you don’t speak the language you really depend on signs to help you get around to learn about the city. When we decided to take this journey and accept a job in The Netherlands I was thrilled to know that almost everyone is able to speak English. Dutch is their native language but English is taught in the schools starting when the kids around 10. I’m not sure if language classes were offered in our package when we took the job, but I’m sure they were. My husband of course thought getting Rosetta Stone would be good enough for the both of us. I’ve been waiting and have yet to meet Rosetta. But I have a much better solution, Nico. Nico is the man who owns the dry cleaner where I take my husband’s shirts. He said I will definitely go home speaking Dutch! He has me counting change and saying several practical words for conversation. So, not only am I learning a new language I’m making good friends with community members. Nico calls his lessons… Street Dutch, or how real people would say or pronounce the Dutch language.

(Um... I don't know.. was I?)

But as I venture out into the city without my Dutch teacher, I have to rely on signs. A lot of Dutch words are very similar to English and a lot are extremely different. The same goes for signs, some are similar and some need a little explanation.

(We call this one .. picnic table over highway)

(They are serious about this one and yes I drove my car into a massave hole in a bus lane)

Driving to my friend Carrie's after a snow storm, I didn't notice the lane I was in as I exited the highway was the bus lane because it was covered in snow. By the time I saw this sign it was too late and I had to inch my prescious mini across this deep hole. Let Op! Ummmm Yea!!!

(The sign of youth. I asked if I could take their picture. They  said yes, but they wanted to not have their faces shown. Hoodie up, mask on.. ok we're ready:))

(No Peeing! Do we really need signs for this? Yes! There are outdoor urinals that are scattered through out the cities for the men to use right out in the open. I randomly see men all the time peeing along the highway. Can they not wait the extra 5 min. to get to the gas station? Apparently not! I like to honk just to make them a little nervous. Hey if you're going to pee in public be ready to put on a show!)

(This is a street near my house. I'm not sure if I should be afraid of someone selling crack or if someone's plumbers crack will be showing! You know..... Crack can kill! .. Just saying )

(Are they kidding... do they really think I can go over 30 on my bike on the bike path? They will barely let me do that in my car!)

(The river behind my house.)

(The sign that we get a lot of rain in Holland. My free raincoat for my bike seat advertising my favorite bar... Dommel 18)

(This one I could read but I couldn't help but sing to myself.....

Sign Sign

I guess there are signs everywhere. Some are easy to understand and others are a bit confusing. This American Girl is trying her best to block out the scenery breaking my mind...  to do this, don't do that and trying to read the sign.

 * Stupid signs will be ignored to the best of my ability!

Postel

Living in a central location in Europe is great! You can drive a short distance here or there and you’re in another country. When visitors come, they are always excited to see the many places. You can’t come to Holland without going to see the windmills or if you’re lucky to be here at the right time the beautiful show of tulips. In my opinion the Anne Frank House is a must and if you have a bit of spunk in you, then sure, take a walk through the Red Light District.  But it’s very fun to say “Hey want to go to Belgium?” It’s only a half hour drive from our house across the border to my most favorite serene place…. The Postel Abbey.

The abbey was founded in 1138 by the Norbertines in Mol, near the Dutch border. They had a great reputation for being hospitable and welcomed many people who were homeless or hungry. They would feed 1000’s of people a week. During lent close to 5000 people would pass through the abbey looking for food, shelter or a pair of shoes. The White Canons began making their own cheese, bread and beer among growing their own herbs to support themselves. Even though the beer is now made off site you can still buy these things at the Abbey stores.

As you come to the little corner where the abbey sits, there’s a slight bustle of people parking, walking about, shopping in the little cheese shops or sitting in one of the little cafes enjoying a meal or having a taste of the wonderful Postel Beer.  But once you pass through the archway and are inside the abbey walls all are quiet and respectful. Deer graze in a little fenced in area and herbs grow in the gardens. It’s impossible to not appreciate the beauty of the abbey and the surrounding buildings.

Also on site is a pest house. Apparently when people were being plagued by the plague, they would be locked up in a pest house to contain the disease. It’s located in the middle of the herb garden.

So, if you have the time and would like to enjoy a little calming and relaxing day, take a little trip across the border to Belgium.  A little stroll around the Postel abbey and then a wonderful meal at one of the cafes is a great way to spend the day.