Yayabiko

A couple weeks ago I was illegally parked at Centraal Station, and city workers cut my lock and impounded my bike.  Anyone who’s been to Amsterdam, and arrived via the train system, has seen the three story parking garage for bikes off to the right of the station.  So many bikes are crammed into such tight spaces, creatively, forcefully, that it’s hard to imagine anyone drawing a line between legal and illegal parking.  But somebody did, and I apparently had crossed some line. [Read more →]

Fresh off exploring Poland in September we have taken on another former Eastern Bloc country by hopping a plane to Hungary.  Haidee has many close Hungarian friends at work and getting tips on what to eat, what to see, where to go was never easier.  Hungarians living abroad are very proud of Budapest, their crown jewel, and were eager to assist in any way possible.  Zoli consolidated his suggestions in what became known as Zoli’s Amazing Map.  Click the link to check it out.  Click the photo to see more photos.

8 years ago today I had the wisdom and good fortune to marry Haidee.  Tonight it was beer and take out burritos in front of a World Superbike race on the telly.  Next week we celebrate proper with a four day anniversary jaunt to Budapest for some R&R time together.

I’ll pursue solitary pathways
Through the pale twilight meadows,
With only this one dream:
You come too.
- Rainer Maria Rilke

Imagine a major metropolitan area shutting down its inner city to all cars.  Actually, Amsterdam has a long history of Autofree days, starting back in 1939 and reappearing around the oil shocks of 1956 and 1973.  Since 1999 the focus has been more environmental, zoning in on air-pollution and overcrowding as two big issues plaguing the tight city.  Amsterdamers puts up the roadblocks for one day, turning the streets over to bicyclists, skaters, and walkers, letting us all imagine what a world without cars would look like.  It’s also a chance for all electrical vehicles to parade around the city during a kick off parade.  I’ve never seen so many electrical vehicles in all my life.  In the last couple years most of Europe has joined this initiative, with Autofree days now found across most of Europe cities.  Click on the photo to see more.

One of the guys on our German team took the plunge and married a real sweetheart of a girl.  Adrian and Ania married in Ilawa, about 120km south of Gdansk, Poland.  Haidee and I showed up a few days early to explore Gdansk, Polish culture, and learn Polish history.  On Saturday we pointed our rented car south to catch up with the betrothed.  Click HERE to see pictures of the wedding.  Pictures of Gdansk are still pending.

When we’re not working or doing yoga together, my yogi friends and I get together to have huge feasts.  The first feast was a huge success so we did it again. Kat volunteered to host this time. To make it more fun, we invited our partners to come. It was a lovely dinner; Kat and Darius made delicious  meatballs and Annamaria made a Hungarian rice dessert. After dinner, we headed upstairs to Kat’s rooftop garden. It was the perfect setting to relax our full bellies and enjoy a good cup of coffee. Click picture to see more photos.

We’ve talked about buying a scooter for probably two years now.  It always sounded like a good idea, but not compelling enough to get us out to the store and actually buy one.  Then one night, after eating at our favorite Chinese restaurant, belly’s full and rational thinking slowed, we casually walked into a store and saw a price we knew we couldn’t beat.  A cheap Chinese knock-off with classic Italian design.  We started talking.  Three days later we bought the scooter, one week later we took delivery.  Will Amsterdam ever be the same for us again?

Reed and I have been thinking for a while to go hiking like the way we used to back in Northern California. Last weekend, we decided to dig up our hiking packs and camelbacks and drove to Luxembourg to get a good doze of hiking. We picked Echternach as our take off point. This 7th century medieval town is located in the Mullerthal region right in the Eastern border with Germany. This town is picturesque and very charming. Most of it was destroyed during WWII, but it has been thoroughly restored. For our hike, we took on a section of the Mullerthal trail, starting from Echternach to Berdorf (the next town) and back, 18km total. It was a superb hike, fairly challenging through mysterious rocky landscapes and enchanting woods. They don’t call this area “Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland” for no reason. Click here to see photos.

I’ve just completed the Trans American Trail from Colorado to the Pacific Ocean, all on dirt roads, crossing the country covered wagon style.  You can find the pictures here.  I’m also in the process of writing up the trip in more detail.  I’ll post here as soon as that is ready.

From Haidee: I have been hearing about North Sea Jazz Festival since we came to Holland. Most people say this is the biggest jazz festival in the world and the most unique because this is the only festival where for three days the past, the present and the future of jazz music are presented, all under one roof. My friend, Hibo, and I decided to check it out. Approximately 1300 artists descended to Holland to play at the festival including big names like B.B. King, James Taylor, Erykah Badu, and more. I was extremely impressed with the seamless execution of an event this big. I can’t even begin to imagine the logistics involved in planning an event like this. Over 65,000 people attended this event and it was pretty special to be a part of it. Click here to see photos.