Eat Logical Sentences

Haarlem and beyond: first class

Posted on March 15, 2014 by kaan

Theo and I rode from Amsterdam to Haarlem in first class. For the 15 minute journey we were arrogant about our self importance and refused to look at passengers riding in other areas.

We arrived intact and spent our first wonderful night with mum’s cousin Jilley and her family.

After a wonderful birthday party in the morning we set off to explore dykes and windmills.

These things really are a marvel of engineering. This mill is crushing calcite ore into chalk powder.

It is great to be adventuring with family.

Posted in Adventures | Tagged calcite, first class, Haarlem, Netherlands, Theo, windmills | Leave a comment

Amsterdamd

Posted on March 14, 2014 by kaan

Theo and I arrived in Amsterdam by train and set ourselves up at a lovely, albeit tiny, apartment.

Our home is the white building, second floor, the room with the curtain open.

A short distance away there was a remarkable multi storey parking garage.

I also spent some time in a shoe.

In the red light district there was, amongst other things to see, a statue named Belle who is a tribute to sex workers everywhere.

The plaque reads “respect sexworkers all over the world”.

Quite separately some of the nearby cobblestones had been replaced.

Posted in Adventures | Tagged Amsterdam, Netherlands, Theo | Leave a comment

going underground

Posted on March 13, 2014 by kaan

The catacombs of Paris are essentially a network of mine shafts under much of the city centre. The limestone excavated here has been used for city construction for about 1000 years.

In the 1700’s the cemeteries of Paris got so full that milk and wine would spoil in a single day in the nearby homes. Gross.

Then someone had the idea to move all the bodies into the mine shafts. The mines got consecrated by the local clergy and the body moving began!

Now it is a tourist attraction.

Posted in Adventures | Tagged bodies, bones, catacombs, Paris | Leave a comment

Vimy

Posted on March 12, 2014 by kaan

Theo and I took a train to Vimy and enjoyed a lovely 5 km walk through the village and to the ridge above.

The World War I memorial is a sight to behold. It is enormous. For scale, note the adult humanoid specimen to right of the monument.

It has engraved on it the names of 11,000 or so Canadian combatants who were “missing and presumed dead” in France in that war.

Not all parts of the surrounding park are equally inviting.

Craters are everywhere and unexploded ordinance is still presumed buried.

We arrived back at our home near Notre Dame with the moon high in the sky.

Posted in Adventures | Tagged France, moon, Notre Dame, Theo, vimy | Leave a comment

Parisians all

Posted on March 11, 2014 by kaan

Theo and I rented bicycles to explore Paris.

We rode down the Champs-Élysées and Theo posed with the Arc de Triomphe.

Then we went for caramel ice-cream.

This is a picture of Theo with the moon.

We hacked the bios of the Eiffel Tower.

Armed guards were sent in to settle down the crowds we caused.

Posted in Adventures | Tagged moon, Paris, Theo | Leave a comment

10,000 piccolos in the night

Posted on March 10, 2014 by kaan

I woke up at 3 am for the start of Fasnacht in Basel. By the time we arrived in the town centre the streets were jammed.

At 4 sharp the beginning of the 72 hour piccolo rave began. The city of Basel does this each year to celebrate Alice’s birthday, I’m pretty sure.

We stopped in for a snack and a beer around 5 am. By the time we rejoined the festivities the sun was rising over the city.

In Basel it is clear that the children are tougher than me. These ones have been playing piccolo since 4 and were going strong.

Posted in Adventures | Tagged Basel, fasnacht, piccolo rave | 1 Comment

Jurassic park

Posted on March 9, 2014 by kaan

Today I went climbing in the mountains the Jurassic Period was named after. Eric and Yuki to me to Falkonflue in the town of Duggingen.

The small Swiss town had a lovely feel to it. Falcons were flying low over us within a few minutes of arriving.

The walk up to the crags was beautiful.

Eric opened the day for us on “konventionelle” (#29) and I then climbed it after him.

It was a great first climb of the season. About a 5.8 but I was clearly out of practice as my arms felt pumped by the end. Mostly a mental problem, I’d say. I think I was gripping way too tight because I was leading and that leads to unnecessary mental shit.

The next climb was a bit harder rated, promises (#31), but I was top roped, removing pretty much all the mental game. I finished feeling great and made lots of moves with weird balance, like a single middle finger in a rock pore or a knee-press instead of a foot-hold. Very satisfying.

It was a beautiful place to be climbing. I really appreciated Yuki organizing most of the gear to make this trip possible. I offered him a place to stay if he comes to BC climbing or ski touring and hope he takes me up on the offer.

For the geo nerds out there, the mountains are all limestone and formed as a result of the continental collision that also created the Alps. As Europe and Asia press into each other the Alps are the main result but the Jura mountains are sort of a pre-krinkle. I am pretty sure that is the technical description. Or else it should be. Anyway, I loved it.

On our way or I even took more photos of the moon, because I know that is why people keep reading…

Posted in Adventures | Tagged climbing, Eric, Jura mountains, rock, Switzerland, Yuki | Leave a comment

sunset in the Alps

Posted on March 8, 2014 by kaan

Today I made my first journey into the Alps. After Lea drove us a couple hours in a car that Eric had borrowed we arrived at our parking lot. My first up close view of these mountains was striking.

We boarded the gondola and the day got continually better. We arrived at Angstlibenalp at began a walk up the snowy hillside. We eventually found some exposed rock and treated it as a good spot for lunch and gain a fresh appreciation for our location.

As gorgeous as the mountains were, the view back down to Adelboden was my favorite.

I also found the moon.

Two of the cabins I spotted look sub optimally placed for winter adventures.

Lea spent some time just looking awesome.

Eric struck out as all explorers must.

Shortly thereafter began or descent. Optional Alps technique was demonstrated.

As the sun began to set I spotted two goats on a ridge.

As we set out for home, the moon hung up the sky yearning for further attention. I caved.

The sunset during the drive home was breathtaking.

When we returned to Basel, I eventually found myself enjoying hell larger into the wee hours.

The eventual tram ride by myself involved getting off at the wrong stop and then walking past Lea’s home once.

Once I spotted the moon I felt all would be gnarly and I erupted in a grin.

Switzerland is wonderful.

Posted in Adventures | Tagged Adelboden, Alps, Angstlibenalp, Eric, Lea | Leave a comment

sampling Basel

Posted on March 7, 2014 by kaan

My flight through the night gave some splendid views of northern Canada.

Upon arrival in Frankfurt, I quickly headed anywhere that would sell me a bretzel. Best move ever.

I boarded my connecting flight to Basel a short time later. The Basel airport straddles the borders of France, Germany, and Switzerland. I had been pre warned to make sure I choose the correct exit.