tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76391385032004475722024-02-19T07:17:40.618+01:00From Argentina to the Netherlands, for Love!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-3604720072120795212013-03-22T18:15:00.000+01:002013-03-23T18:34:09.485+01:00Back on the blogging saddleI have been staying away from blogging for quite some time, I know; but it was for a good reason.<br />
<br />
Last year my chronic migraines became more frequent than ever before and unfortunately, sitting in front of a bright computer screen was one of the things that made the headaches worse. This meant I had to reduce the amount of time I spent in front of the pc and ergo, the time I spent blogging and reading my favourite blogs. <br />
<br />
The good news is that I have finally found the medication that really helps with the pain and even if I still have migraines, they are less strong and they last only until the medication kicks in -usually 30-45 minutes- so I am hoping that from now on I will at least be able to do some blogging and sharing sights and news from this small part of the world. I also have to catch up with the blogs I used to follow and which I loved reading; I hope my blogger friends will understand why I have been staying away for so long.<br />
<br />
I will soon make ten years since I moved to the Netherlands. In all these years I have accumulated an enormous amount of photographic material that in a way chronicles my life in this country. The main idea when I started this blog was to share this material with you here in the blog, so I am now hoping that I will be able to keep it up, migraine-free, if possible.<br />
<br />
Here I am then, back in the blogging saddle. <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>A book recommendation</b></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7S6ifxGIl5RDqrJ5tpt5T971dQi8Tt4Xi5KoCn45ydppa_YZn19EnMhXW5j74cfTAj3WgOeZxSgznqDfcIHjYeyyy2ma6J9BPXnKEpUuZ7oaVk4CEdFsW25ZutZRyzK2lBvA8nmsaxqt_/s1600/martinbril.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7S6ifxGIl5RDqrJ5tpt5T971dQi8Tt4Xi5KoCn45ydppa_YZn19EnMhXW5j74cfTAj3WgOeZxSgznqDfcIHjYeyyy2ma6J9BPXnKEpUuZ7oaVk4CEdFsW25ZutZRyzK2lBvA8nmsaxqt_/s320/martinbril.jpg" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homesick for the Netherlands - Martin Bril asks, what do you think, when you think of the Netherlands? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I am currently reading a book that I initially bought to take with me to Argentina last year, for those times when I miss being here in the Netherlands: <i>Heimwee naar Nederland</i> or Homesick for the NL, by Martin Bril. In the end, I did not take the book with me (too bulky) and I only got round to start reading it now. I love it!<br />
<br />
In this book Bril describes the country that he knew all his life and keeps asking, "what do I think of when I think of the Netherlands?" I am happy to say that many, many of the places and things he describes, I've seen, experiencedor can relate to; they are the same things that make me nostalgic of this country when I am away.<br />
<br />
Martin Bril was a well-known columnist who wrote for important Dutch newspapers, like <i>Het Parool </i>and <i>De Volkskrant</i> and he is considered the ultimate chronicler of the modern-day Netherlands. Unfortunately, he died of cancer in 2009 but many of his stories and his work has been collected in a number of books, such as <i>Dertig graden in de schaduw </i>(in English, Thirty Degrees in the Shadow), <i>Au Revoir</i>, (Goodbye), or <i>De Donkere Dagen</i> (The Dark Days). In <i>Heimwee naar Nederland</i> you will find some of the best pieces he wrote about this country and I seriously recommend it if you can read Dutch (I don't think he has been translated into English, unfortunately). <br />
<br />
So, what do <i>you</i> think of, when you think of the Netherlands? <br />
<span class="fullpost">
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-82861276295450989192012-05-19T21:39:00.000+02:002012-05-20T16:51:17.234+02:00Ice cream joy - the Dutch way<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> Haciendo click <a href="http://unaargentinaenholanda.blogspot.com/2012/05/la-felicidad-de-comer-helado-la.html" target="_blank">aquí</a>, puedes leer este post en español.</i></span></div>
<br />
After nine years of living in the Netherlands you would think that by now, I have seen the country from top to bottom and been to every possible corner - it is quite a small country, after all.<br />
<br />
I have indeed visited lots of places - big cities and tiny villages; polders and islands; I've explored marshes, flatlands, beaches and woods; been to the sea and to former seas turned lakes. <br />
<br />
I have seen a lot of the Netherlands and I have taken thousands of photos of the country as well. I am also by now quite acquainted with the Dutch ways and I have even embraced many of the local habits and quirks. I have done my best to speak the language, I have learned about the country's history and I have admired its art and literature.<br />
<br />
I would go as far as to say that I have truly <i>earned</i> the Dutch citizenship that I got back in 2007! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRNsjKWjuhfsvmYs_t8_p-IAW5PFVrxfYGXlNZifckf6ENCfP9IhMHlG4UvfGdWWglnmNH49Mhmj8045dMGejdsCWk-_SGxgzTgSmHpDQ4RmCnbYlDdNfKraw1bUotnTfUyvEI-Dzge2x/s1600/5042831038_3747f7e6e7_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRNsjKWjuhfsvmYs_t8_p-IAW5PFVrxfYGXlNZifckf6ENCfP9IhMHlG4UvfGdWWglnmNH49Mhmj8045dMGejdsCWk-_SGxgzTgSmHpDQ4RmCnbYlDdNfKraw1bUotnTfUyvEI-Dzge2x/s400/5042831038_3747f7e6e7_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bicycle parking lot at the train station in Amersfoort.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Still, there are sights that I think will never get old with me. Give me a bicycle in every possible setting and I will take a dozen pictures of it as if it were the first time I see one in this country of bicycle lovers. Every year in the winter I let the ice fever get to me as the whole country stands still waiting to hear that there is going to be an <a href="http://fromargentina2holland.blogspot.com/2012/02/elfstedentocht-ja-elfstedentocht-nee.html" target="_blank"><i>Elfstedentocht</i></a>. Come spring, the tulip mania gets hold of me and doesn't let go until I have made every contact on Flickr or Facebook completely sick from a tulip overdose produced by a flood of tulip photos and <a href="http://pocketcultures.com/2012/04/19/spring-in-the-netherlands-the-tulip-mania-old-and-new/" target="_blank">tulip blog posts</a>. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
A very simple scene like the one I spotted in Alkmaar just a couple of days ago while waiting for my canal cruise to start, still feels new to me and fills me with wonder, as if I was newly arrived and just beginning to discover the country.<br />
<br />
How often do you go out for ice cream in your town or city? If you like ice cream I bet you do that quite often, especially during the summer.<br />
But how often do you go out for ice cream rowing your own boat down the canal? How often do you have to ring a bell at the ice cream shop, wait till you are served and then happily row your boat back home while enjoying your delicious ice cream? I bet not as often as you would wish!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Click to view the photo in a large size:</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4_7NtOULrmgzrxMc37wad62oSkSFI-btpylGHH6k0ujqybmV2-QQvsF5XTw7m6uxA0kn2uQRkp3ZFlRECdr3WQFvCCbdYwJHDUVZ_javJFHRotMu3etuN4L71N8eTX6k0VQ08QLvzSWk/s1600/mosaiceb7e50876d01108768f0e2a7a57fa7fbab02bc0d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4_7NtOULrmgzrxMc37wad62oSkSFI-btpylGHH6k0ujqybmV2-QQvsF5XTw7m6uxA0kn2uQRkp3ZFlRECdr3WQFvCCbdYwJHDUVZ_javJFHRotMu3etuN4L71N8eTX6k0VQ08QLvzSWk/s400/mosaiceb7e50876d01108768f0e2a7a57fa7fbab02bc0d.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icre cream a la Dutch: row your boat, ring the bell, order your ice cream, yamyam and row happily back home!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-12971505974423409952012-05-11T20:32:00.002+02:002012-05-11T22:22:13.546+02:00Last of the tulip days: a visit to Keukenhof Gardens<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Para leer este post en español, puedes seguir<a href="http://unaargentinaenholanda.blogspot.com/2012/05/final-de-la-estacion-de-los-tulipanes.html" target="_blank"> este enlace</a>
</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3KlzPMtEO7ybkXjjpbNMqhPeJmgN-KwDRS019SUi_fBabwrQFr9Y81Nz6tcUmt_oOI-Od1JyZ4HW1OL_pS1B43zIwm3z511Ll5iHnWSClHKUbRHIVi28tpzwCFpyXjZc6xinZaA8i3GE/s1600/6895621370_fd41072e3c_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3KlzPMtEO7ybkXjjpbNMqhPeJmgN-KwDRS019SUi_fBabwrQFr9Y81Nz6tcUmt_oOI-Od1JyZ4HW1OL_pS1B43zIwm3z511Ll5iHnWSClHKUbRHIVi28tpzwCFpyXjZc6xinZaA8i3GE/s400/6895621370_fd41072e3c_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Spring in the Netherlands can be a bit cooler and wetter than in other parts of Europe and we have been having quite a bit of rain and rather low temperatures lately; but despite the unspring-like weather, I just couldn't stay away from the beautiful tulip fields in the Noordoostpolder and I even managed to visit Keukenhof Park a few days ago.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13seHUzUu65_unFWNXAuD-dA8Bc7cAsAJbpZ8_-x09CpgXxpKjCBYnDOhxdNT1n2VoqtCMXf_tAE8aKWwhrXBxvhxNNNtV-6Z8YZbDLdbq2O1WeJ1xya5lrTPdGumdR-Sz3hif5gGY6rr/s1600/6896730408_9495406639_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13seHUzUu65_unFWNXAuD-dA8Bc7cAsAJbpZ8_-x09CpgXxpKjCBYnDOhxdNT1n2VoqtCMXf_tAE8aKWwhrXBxvhxNNNtV-6Z8YZbDLdbq2O1WeJ1xya5lrTPdGumdR-Sz3hif5gGY6rr/s400/6896730408_9495406639_o.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
<br />
The tulip season is almost over and a week or so ago I got to see the farmers busy chopping off the tulip flowers (a process known as <i>tulpen koppen</i>, in Dtuch) and in some cases, even removing the bulbs from the fields to be sold, exported or stored away.<br />
<br />
But even if it's already too late to <a href="http://fromargentina2holland.blogspot.com/2011/05/spotted-in-netherlands-tulip-fields-on.html" target="_blank">do the tulip trail</a> either around Lisse, Northwest Friesland or the Northeast polder in Flevoland, there is still time to visit Keukenhof Park, which will be open until Sunday 20 May. If you are visiting in The Netherlands or if you live here and have the time in the next few days, you can still get to see the tulips, though they will probably have passed their days of glory.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The colours of Keukenhof: yellow, white, black, fucsia, pink... </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNktPo_9tq-7skM92ovOjQKwaawBYrvdZ8fMLkZ6fSMTmrj5DGL-lwfDB5WIaNTstzmm5cwf6G_hG6spPN8kFK_qGmS9F8wTcUPh4zwFRZbjox8PjMCLbRoicMdp1WrdeJs-VMe7y3uB0u/s1600/6895623938_e68d74a0fb_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNktPo_9tq-7skM92ovOjQKwaawBYrvdZ8fMLkZ6fSMTmrj5DGL-lwfDB5WIaNTstzmm5cwf6G_hG6spPN8kFK_qGmS9F8wTcUPh4zwFRZbjox8PjMCLbRoicMdp1WrdeJs-VMe7y3uB0u/s400/6895623938_e68d74a0fb_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtI5uj8mRSLI2J2Wi_vSUbhtrFNBXYvdQ4EDa9iTDBxYLIv7j9GBiIIGT71OOasj97dXnqzZsTapN2Dhg2MuRqdct1oaVEuBarvZWb-zBH3EmvxJQ9yrPXTONEgerxa5Q_qEtxYsEbs3M/s1600/6896741128_441e0ed650_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtI5uj8mRSLI2J2Wi_vSUbhtrFNBXYvdQ4EDa9iTDBxYLIv7j9GBiIIGT71OOasj97dXnqzZsTapN2Dhg2MuRqdct1oaVEuBarvZWb-zBH3EmvxJQ9yrPXTONEgerxa5Q_qEtxYsEbs3M/s400/6896741128_441e0ed650_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67ZHvx_p13gZO-jFkUta10hFrY2J4VjW7l0XTYlScilFAkRr2TiVX7n6Qmd0Jtu_rkC2pJKEAt7-5y_LNiNJH7y6cxhnwdnwdU2rkBZyNtDbi1Hu6yvNqdHD6kdDcLtFgDzHDQInZvEA4/s1600/7041718025_4db3be6aed_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67ZHvx_p13gZO-jFkUta10hFrY2J4VjW7l0XTYlScilFAkRr2TiVX7n6Qmd0Jtu_rkC2pJKEAt7-5y_LNiNJH7y6cxhnwdnwdU2rkBZyNtDbi1Hu6yvNqdHD6kdDcLtFgDzHDQInZvEA4/s400/7041718025_4db3be6aed_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMLmBpcQ5_Kxy7tPK9IvS6ZJE2lMNKxPJEC9n8Hx6I_hS5fGALJPM50ustp29Q2_oV9j4sNk_f5y8-GNCv5SpGPFryxynd9jTio68QYdOqRzy8DHdpOp_xon0OGIQrqrGEc1C4lRft_R-/s1600/3519229315_082564fdc8_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMLmBpcQ5_Kxy7tPK9IvS6ZJE2lMNKxPJEC9n8Hx6I_hS5fGALJPM50ustp29Q2_oV9j4sNk_f5y8-GNCv5SpGPFryxynd9jTio68QYdOqRzy8DHdpOp_xon0OGIQrqrGEc1C4lRft_R-/s400/3519229315_082564fdc8_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Keukenhof is reputedly the largest flower garden in the whole world, with approximately 7 million bulbs being planted annually in the park which covers an area of 32 hectares and is located in the town of Lisse, in the province of South Holland.<br />
<br />
The origin of Keukenhof goes back to the 15th century, when the area belonged to the hunting grounds of the Countess of Hainaut, who also used them to grow the herbs for the kitchens in her castle giving the park the name by which it is still known in our days - "kitchen gardens", which is Dutch is <i>keukenhof</i>. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">People having fun at Keukenhof: </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oWdFwyOZ3VggCePf8WeD72WSJwIVHn8EdhhKAyTwV-MjDTkaACBXfDimOVYpaTbzMn5NvSJ12cdAB0c724rqQLaBbwZMgeOKEnLmsbiRuBeGhDiedADs7YMJba4VXHKcj4uz43r2_Jn1/s1600/6895622598_c7f83ca2a1_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oWdFwyOZ3VggCePf8WeD72WSJwIVHn8EdhhKAyTwV-MjDTkaACBXfDimOVYpaTbzMn5NvSJ12cdAB0c724rqQLaBbwZMgeOKEnLmsbiRuBeGhDiedADs7YMJba4VXHKcj4uz43r2_Jn1/s400/6895622598_c7f83ca2a1_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63rTaI_uaju3spBO5JrKvA6pujTaD0T-vdfbr3MAkwpsmiMADbNmnniZMutuLDli4nCv2xaMIvbewqyUF5NKWuk3C70NVMghT61rSnBGeoiFBiFl73mRYX9agiEt47jOi8vFZa2vDYY1V/s1600/7041719225_a32b2e6ca0_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63rTaI_uaju3spBO5JrKvA6pujTaD0T-vdfbr3MAkwpsmiMADbNmnniZMutuLDli4nCv2xaMIvbewqyUF5NKWuk3C70NVMghT61rSnBGeoiFBiFl73mRYX9agiEt47jOi8vFZa2vDYY1V/s400/7041719225_a32b2e6ca0_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IfyIKBuW4rKLlzG2YKUKFuJr9uH2H-p8MFdCyLF8SNbXGO-pdLIQWPcuws-pCDlEeVaKD8tAYjvHVtQsowms7UsGCqv1OsxioXyr4o8HlRDz_8f3AJ1oR-7Fl8nr56fVNI6nMMnFHrT3/s1600/7041719669_3e26b18416_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IfyIKBuW4rKLlzG2YKUKFuJr9uH2H-p8MFdCyLF8SNbXGO-pdLIQWPcuws-pCDlEeVaKD8tAYjvHVtQsowms7UsGCqv1OsxioXyr4o8HlRDz_8f3AJ1oR-7Fl8nr56fVNI6nMMnFHrT3/s400/7041719669_3e26b18416_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In the 17th century, captain of the Dutch East India Company and governor Adrian Maertenz Block moved to Keukenhof after his retirement and had his country house built there, which became known as Keukenhof Castle. Later in the 19th century, landscape architectect Jan David Zocher and his son were commissioned by the Baron and Baroness of van Palllandt to design the grounds around the castle. The English style of the park designed by Zocher and his son is still predominant in the Keukenhof Park that we see today. <br />
<br />
In 1949 the then mayor of the city of Lisse, opened the Keukenhof gardens with the intention of organising a flower exhibition that would attract the bulb growers of the country and Europe and of giving a new impulse to the postwar Dutch industry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6NjdCeBPZkQdQ6ABcecFFkhYqVcUDLqY7kT8xmaAvD4QdmEG0wkrHrMDd2iNkXGFgI3Bf99R3SzyWZ3wHDGRKYfkJnmlh4VXCRC5FKVZi9maFNB3tKKQPXDY_wuWum66sfSqz8MS26H1/s1600/6896732626_92ac0a7963_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6NjdCeBPZkQdQ6ABcecFFkhYqVcUDLqY7kT8xmaAvD4QdmEG0wkrHrMDd2iNkXGFgI3Bf99R3SzyWZ3wHDGRKYfkJnmlh4VXCRC5FKVZi9maFNB3tKKQPXDY_wuWum66sfSqz8MS26H1/s400/6896732626_92ac0a7963_o.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
<br />
Today, Keukenhof is still the largest flower garden in the world and has been visited by 52 million people since it opened its doors in 1949. Every year there is a incredible amount of work done on the grounds before the opening in the month of March, since around 7 million bulbs are planted and all the grass (a total of around 7000 kilos!), including that under the trees, is replaced. <br />
<br />
Besides the 7 million bulbs, in Keukenhof there is a total of 15 km of footpaths and more than 2500 trees of 87 different varieties. Next to the outdoor paths, lakes, bridges and gardens there are four indoor pavilions named after members of the reigning house of the country: the WillemAlexander, the Beatrix, the Juliana and the Oranje Nassau, all displaying exhibitions of different varieties of bulb flowers and spring flowers. <br />
If to all this you add an 1892 windmill, twelve swans that are released in the park for the duration of the exhibition, the seven inspirational gardens, the ibulb nformation pavilion, the restaurants and souvenir shops within the park, you get quite an impressive tourist attraction that should definitely be taken into account if you are visiting The Netherlands during the season!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyEpc4C63ZuT-71dG3G8IyLhyXWRJh3KUysPj0qop9o0F5V-IY_9quiszMS_lFFKEjGT5cVjwsY-VBmQSA8uIC2Q22-Dsfx3_wm0MiXXmJ1XSxC-8ZQ6HlFjdwaDPIAASIINDkGuA59Kf/s1600/3542222574_d2a0c72bae_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyEpc4C63ZuT-71dG3G8IyLhyXWRJh3KUysPj0qop9o0F5V-IY_9quiszMS_lFFKEjGT5cVjwsY-VBmQSA8uIC2Q22-Dsfx3_wm0MiXXmJ1XSxC-8ZQ6HlFjdwaDPIAASIINDkGuA59Kf/s400/3542222574_d2a0c72bae_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
If you are too late for a visit this year, there is still next year - Keukenhof will be open from 21 March to 20 May; so start planning and come to The Netherlands during the tulip season! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghl8jOMjL-D0jufkVCJiSGI7T1mHTjB3Uet9nqxq6-uMuZBRglCDCJ7Sg5gxwgZKuLIqmgJ_YMOMiFs3SwLlRfP743ghMzaQmIPVQb7QsicuxUTauxxEbv388NpBBY4oqyhTTwpSz5cGCH/s1600/7042833971_b52560e126_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghl8jOMjL-D0jufkVCJiSGI7T1mHTjB3Uet9nqxq6-uMuZBRglCDCJ7Sg5gxwgZKuLIqmgJ_YMOMiFs3SwLlRfP743ghMzaQmIPVQb7QsicuxUTauxxEbv388NpBBY4oqyhTTwpSz5cGCH/s400/7042833971_b52560e126_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
On <a href="http://www.keukenhof.nl/en/" target="_blank">the website of Keukenhof Gardens</a> you can find all the necessary information to plan your visit and even buy your entrance tickets online. <br />
You can find more information about how the tulip came to be a symbol of the Netherlands in <a href="http://pocketcultures.com/2012/04/19/spring-in-the-netherlands-the-tulip-mania-old-and-new/" target="_blank">this article</a> I recently posted on Pocket Cultures. In it you will also be able to read about other options to enjoy the tulip season, like the Flower Parade in North/South Holland, the tulip trail in the Northeast Polder and the Hortus Bulborum Garden Museum. <br />
I also posted about <a href="http://fromargentina2holland.blogspot.com/2011/05/spotted-in-netherlands-tulip-fields-on.html" target="_blank">the tulip trail in Flevoland</a> in this blog last year.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-44671611004228316872012-04-13T15:07:00.000+02:002012-04-16T10:51:59.335+02:00Museum Weekend<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the most important cultural event in The Netherlands- is back!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMI7hfmGG8QV4G6Pcs3R4HLKH25nTy_Rrfr0iugvF8xhwBCCKjbaKcP8IKk19EtwYNIGnA0mlb9yrqsrkEfycdxj3bvRHM6uw94YwV-IR_v2lJEaAyEhIgSprZDDT8UvsX2-LjKU7IvG3c/s1600/6917692634_fe80237c55_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMI7hfmGG8QV4G6Pcs3R4HLKH25nTy_Rrfr0iugvF8xhwBCCKjbaKcP8IKk19EtwYNIGnA0mlb9yrqsrkEfycdxj3bvRHM6uw94YwV-IR_v2lJEaAyEhIgSprZDDT8UvsX2-LjKU7IvG3c/s400/6917692634_fe80237c55_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The city moat and the Sassenpoort, the 15th century city gate in Zwolle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This year, on the weekend of 14-15 April, almost 500 museums across the country will celebrate their special weekend with many activities and exhibitions. The theme chosen for this year is, "let yourself be enriched by the museum".<br />
During these two days visitors to the museums that are participating in the event will only have to pay a symbolic entrance fee of 1 euro.<br />
<br />
By visiting the website <a href="http://www.museumweekend.nl/">www.museumweekend.nl</a>, you can find out if your favourite museums are taking part in the Museum Weekend and what their special activities will be for the event.<br />
<br />
This is also a good chance for letting yourself be surprised by the variety of choices and visit for the first time some of the most interesting museums across the country.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #b45f06;">Museum Weekend in Zwolle</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpIkdw5RBC7rCOcnYmEmSbTivikqz1YKjPU1vo60Jk1cMadf7doE6aYPmuVYNJlIYcw-1VBdH8TMsWk_nLh_tvR3rvqNQgXvLM7_7nVIizbVk1L_owV2bXusZI2oB8VY-9XRqwI_MN0sa/s1600/AqIAXB5CEAIcBUD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpIkdw5RBC7rCOcnYmEmSbTivikqz1YKjPU1vo60Jk1cMadf7doE6aYPmuVYNJlIYcw-1VBdH8TMsWk_nLh_tvR3rvqNQgXvLM7_7nVIizbVk1L_owV2bXusZI2oB8VY-9XRqwI_MN0sa/s400/AqIAXB5CEAIcBUD.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: courtesy of the <a href="http://www.stedelijkmuseumzwolle.nl/cms/index.php/nl/start" target="_blank">Stedelijk Museum Zwolle</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
How about letting yourself be enriched and surprised by the historic city of Zwolle during Museum Weekend? Combine a visit to the three museums and the ateliers that are participating in the event with a <a href="http://fromargentina2holland.blogspot.com/2009/09/ive-got-one-word-for-you-gezellig.html" target="_blank"><i>gezellige</i></a> (pleasant, in Dutch) day discovering this dynamic and beautiful city where you will find not only interesting old architecture but also beautiful canals and parks - not for nothing was Zwolle chosen as the greenest city in Europe in 2006...!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
For Museum Weekend in Zwolle you can visit the Stedelijk Museum, Het Vrouwenhuis and the Museum de Fundatie location Nijenhuis Castle in Heino, as well as the ateliers of many local artists in the city.<br />
<br />
In their website, the <a href="http://www.vvvzwolle.nl/" target="_blank">VVV Zwolle</a> -Tourist Office in Zwolle- recommends coming to the city by bus or train, since for Museum Weekend two people will be able to travel for the price of one! <br />
<br />
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
<b>The Stedelijk Museum Zwolle (City Museum Zwolle)</b></div>
<br />
This museum is located in one of the most remarkable buildings in the historic city centre of Zwolle on Melkmarkt street - the Drostenhuis (Bailiff's House), built in 1551 for the then bailiff of Drenthe and steward of Salland. In later periods this house was inhabited by the regents of Zwolle who modernised it in their own taste according to the style of the different periods.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWzA9Jdcbh5AdyaHIBatdYOiLYCGO1OGi5srRN7tP4X29cfreWFAEKxzR-j5y12c6BnYTqSkYE2TnXH8BiuTEdGNSWEZ3P79dX7LsnSqyHFt_y96A0MQLWjHjxJIS5ItR6xw1-hdRGTU5/s1600/6917935540_421e9c468f_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWzA9Jdcbh5AdyaHIBatdYOiLYCGO1OGi5srRN7tP4X29cfreWFAEKxzR-j5y12c6BnYTqSkYE2TnXH8BiuTEdGNSWEZ3P79dX7LsnSqyHFt_y96A0MQLWjHjxJIS5ItR6xw1-hdRGTU5/s400/6917935540_421e9c468f_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Drostenhuis (Bailiff's House) in Zwolle houses part of the Stedelijk (City) Museum.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The period rooms on the ground floor of the house give the visitor a clear impression of how the ruling class and the burgeoisie of Zwolle lived in the past. The kitchen is considered to be the most beautiful period kitchen in the entire country and its garden, redesigned in 2006, can be enjoyed and admired while taking a break in the coffee shop of the museum or while sitting in the garden terrace during the summer.<br />
In the upper floors of the house there are exhibitions about the history of the city and the province of Overijssel.<br />
<br />
In the new section of the museum (situated nextdoor) the visitor can find the temporary exhibitions in the field of cultural history. At the moment, the summer exhibition "Stil even" is in progress with a collection of still lifes and landscapes from the Golden Age to the present. The exhibition will be on display at the Stedelijk Museum until 12 August. <br />
<br />
For the Museum Weekend visitors can -for just 1 euro- take one of the guided tours around the Drostenhuis and see the temporary exhibition "Stil even". The guided tours will take place on Sunday 15 April at 11:15, 12:15, 14:00 and 15:00.<br />
<br />
Address: Melkmarkt 41, Zwolle (a 10-minute walk from the NS station).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
<b>Het Vrouwenhuis (The Women's House)</b></div>
<br />
This is quite a special museum located in the heart of the city centre. Aleida Greve was a very well-to-do lady who lived in Zwolle in the second half of the 17th and first half of the 18th centuries. In her testament, she specified that her beautiful mansion house should be converted into a retirement house for elderly women and spinsters. Each of the women that were accepted in the house had their own room and they even received an allowance every month.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN54Ne5sxlp9aGRUsRmE4W9fmmuDhzgJ9rqzWYLIOxcGcRV54YoUI20s019B1OZw8g3FlZNSivDj88VKtNoEOH3K5Lmt3WkQSbLMuO6zyL_VQXNUr9PjQTf6wFJ9YJ5MhHyZhXPMaZkgYj/s1600/6917896188_de45721277_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN54Ne5sxlp9aGRUsRmE4W9fmmuDhzgJ9rqzWYLIOxcGcRV54YoUI20s019B1OZw8g3FlZNSivDj88VKtNoEOH3K5Lmt3WkQSbLMuO6zyL_VQXNUr9PjQTf6wFJ9YJ5MhHyZhXPMaZkgYj/s400/6917896188_de45721277_o.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Women's House on the Melkmarkt in Zwolle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In this beautiful house the visitor can roam around the decorated interiors corresponding to three different centuries, from 1680 until 1980. The museum keeps a collection of unique paintings by family members of Aleida Greve.<br />
<br />
Normally, this museum opens only for groups by previous appointment. On Museum Weekend Het Vrouwenhuis will offer guided tours every half hour from 14:00 to 16:30. You need to book beforehand by calling 038 - 422 4823.<br />
<br />
Museum address: Melkmarkt 53, Zwolle.<br />
Visitor's entrance on Voorstraat 46, Zwolle. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #b45f06;">Museum de Fundatie - location Nijenhuis Castle in Heino</b></div>
<br />
From January to mid-December 2012 the Museum de Fundatie location Zwolle will remain closed due to the renovation works that are in progress at the moment. The monumental neoclassical palace of the museum is located on Blijmarkt 20.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5k517HLwOsLjho9BS_9NGIiqchxoiqmuTZp2dfzr8261Z_7k1YdFuawZnUF-x3JuvO4tks3oiO61klBzwozv-GnaHAr2hOMYXvIvrLPPVoOxcewC3AQRT6LK24ghu-4oU2ZjfXgW9nacb/s1600/7063763459_05e04e2c2f_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5k517HLwOsLjho9BS_9NGIiqchxoiqmuTZp2dfzr8261Z_7k1YdFuawZnUF-x3JuvO4tks3oiO61klBzwozv-GnaHAr2hOMYXvIvrLPPVoOxcewC3AQRT6LK24ghu-4oU2ZjfXgW9nacb/s400/7063763459_05e04e2c2f_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paleis a/d Blijmarkt, the neoclassical building that houses the Museum de Fundatie in Zwolle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The other location of the museum is Nijenhuis Castle, one of the best preserved manor houses in the province of Overijssel. The castle is situated between the towns of Heino and Wijhe and is surrounded by a beautiful natural area, making a visit to the museum a real treat.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9rOV2_irbYPP_Gya5TjN4S7IteaLgBaKSPYl1pnar76gyiOY9yGrx1iP6gFWUfPaPCQeZk7fegCondd1MpVo4ENJ1kjjgaxWQsYK9jLgeQBf_mI0Sm_kM64UG5CzwIqAd68BT3b05b5o/s1600/7065843181_3d00327842_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9rOV2_irbYPP_Gya5TjN4S7IteaLgBaKSPYl1pnar76gyiOY9yGrx1iP6gFWUfPaPCQeZk7fegCondd1MpVo4ENJ1kjjgaxWQsYK9jLgeQBf_mI0Sm_kM64UG5CzwIqAd68BT3b05b5o/s400/7065843181_3d00327842_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nijenhuis Castle, one of the two locations of the Museum de Fundatie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At the initiative of art collector Dirk Hannema, the castle -which originally dates from the 14th century and had gone into desrepair after being sold by the last owners in 1934- underwent a thorough renovation and was turned into a museum in 1958. Hannema lived in the castle until his death in 1984 and his private art collection formed the basis for the Museum de Fundatie.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvqgtiUmxcD1ug2g_p7D16w2d8-q4oydg0i6SJLn9O7owN0M_IDOumlkPbj2xBa_o76Y_E_4BTWNHsiD2Z_fM60OM6BFMWG_fgrp3-ugtk67ILtXNUKhdXuHmHh3MQ4mFrMpvQIfk7AlZ/s1600/6919749748_61d8fdacbc_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvqgtiUmxcD1ug2g_p7D16w2d8-q4oydg0i6SJLn9O7owN0M_IDOumlkPbj2xBa_o76Y_E_4BTWNHsiD2Z_fM60OM6BFMWG_fgrp3-ugtk67ILtXNUKhdXuHmHh3MQ4mFrMpvQIfk7AlZ/s400/6919749748_61d8fdacbc_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The caslte is surrounded by beautiful ornamental gardens and woodlands.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Besides presenting Hanema's collection, regular temporary exhibitions are held within the castle's walls and in the statue garden which has been very recently opened. For Museum Weekend visitors to Nijenhuis Castle can admire over 75 sculptures belonging to the Museum de Fundatie, the province of Overijssel and the Museum "Beelden aan Zee" in a beautiful setting of ornamental gardens and woodlands.<br />
<br />
Address: 't Nijenhuis 10, Heino/Wijhe<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #b45f06;">Open Ateliers </b></div>
<br />
Also during Museum Weekend a number of artists in Zwolle will participate in the Open Ateliers weekend, an initiative aiming at bringing artists and art-lovers together. Between 11:00 and 17:00 on both days (14/15 April) 30 artists in the city will keep the doors of their ateliers open to the public.<br />
The list of the ateliers taking part in this event can be found in the website of the <a href="http://www.bzkzwolle.nl/index.php/informatie-over-open-atelier" target="_blank">BZK (<i>Belangen Zwolse Kunstenaars</i>). </a><br />
<br />
All that rests for me to say is, <i>kom maar genieten!</i> (come and enjoy!)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-2946570589506013702012-03-28T14:00:00.000+02:002012-03-30T09:46:09.492+02:00Gnocchi alla Romana on Argentinean Gnocchi Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUePrUM-CKQ6zWJ2smjpObFT-lzhKjEE_PaUdOOt0bBk-vtcu5B18bDO02U49sm0P5pDT_2NmsJ1EMXAQt13Nqpln3jAIGtu6HpTtb3o5MHUdfNW824crObb_xlyc6cmDrdu8vx1kSSGr/s1600/7024694749_f31f89d38b_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUePrUM-CKQ6zWJ2smjpObFT-lzhKjEE_PaUdOOt0bBk-vtcu5B18bDO02U49sm0P5pDT_2NmsJ1EMXAQt13Nqpln3jAIGtu6HpTtb3o5MHUdfNW824crObb_xlyc6cmDrdu8vx1kSSGr/s400/7024694749_f31f89d38b_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gnocchi alla romana - a bit different from the classic gnocchi, even in looks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The end of another month is approaching fast... but before we get all philoshophical here and start pondering over how time flies and where all those nice March days have gone to, take a good look at your calendar. It's almost the 29th of the month and this means... <b style="color: #b45f06;">it's Gnocchi Day!</b><span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span>Or at least, <b style="color: #b45f06;">it's Gnocchi Day in Argentina. </b><br />
<br />
These small doughy balls known as <i>gnocchi</i> in Italian and as <i>ñoquis</i> in Argentina, are generally made from potato but there are many other varieties that are just as delicious as the traditional potato ones.<br />
To celebrate this special day in our culinary calendar, I invited bloggers <b><a href="http://www.seashellsandsunflowers.com/" target="_blank">Katie</a>, <a href="http://anatravels.org/" target="_blank">Ana</a>, <a href="http://www.fromargentinawithlove.typepad.com/from_argentina_with_love/" target="_blank">Rebecca</a>, <a href="http://adomesticdisturbance.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Meag</a> </b>and<b> <a href="http://www.beemychef.com/" target="_blank">Paula</a></b> to come up with their special version of the <i>ñoquis</i> for this 29th March. The idea is to share our recipes and have new options for the 29th of the months still to come. We will find out what delicious recipes these ladies have prepared for this special holiday in a moment.... <br />
<br />
<div style="color: #b45f06;">
<b>But first, why is the 29th Gnocchi Day in Argentina? </b></div>
<br />
The truth is no one knows for certain and there are a number of theories to explain this tradition, like that it was brought over to the New World by our Italian ancestors who celebrated St. Pantaleon every 29th in Italy by serving gnocchi on this day. <br />
<br />
The most likely explanation, though, is that the 29th is the day right before payday and what better food is there to feed your family, that is cheap yet delicious and filling and is easy to make at the same time? The answer is <i>ñoquis</i>, of course!!<br />
Serve them with a simple red or white sauce or just drizzle some olive oil and and put a sprinkle of parmesan on top and it becomes a dish that is rich and will leave you and your loved ones with full bellies and happy hearts. In fact, that is what you say, before eating the <i>ñoquis</i> - but wait! let's explain how it should be done:<br />
<br />
First, make your <i>ñoquis</i> and serve them with your favourite sauce. Then place a folded bank note under each plate to attract prosperity to your house and your dear ones. Take your napkin and tie it around your neck (ok, you can skip this one if you promise to mind your manners) and make a toast to a "full belly, happy heart" (in Spanish, "panza llena, corazón contento") and.... dig in! <br />
A friend of mine who is originally from Uruguay (our neighbours from just across the Río de la Plata) told me that in her family, they normally count how many <i>ñoquis</i> each member has been served and later place bets on that number in the lottery! The idea is, do <u>anything and everything</u> you can to bring good luck and prosperity to yourself and your family! <br />
<br />
Now, here is my idea for Gnocchi Day tomorrow:<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Ñoquis a la Romana</u>:</b></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBB_UCJfVNEqKh3-5oO11XP8pk5WcEGGJmy5ygIU3kjCZ5aMixfsrqABBvJfBazlcAjzf2bbsEZLfV-tf2_Ps2Axs82AqRoWSteGaXVoE1LyQVFPFJEg-g5X7ClsetJa6YHL-eFSwaVZdg/s1600/7023658275_23739432f0_oj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBB_UCJfVNEqKh3-5oO11XP8pk5WcEGGJmy5ygIU3kjCZ5aMixfsrqABBvJfBazlcAjzf2bbsEZLfV-tf2_Ps2Axs82AqRoWSteGaXVoE1LyQVFPFJEg-g5X7ClsetJa6YHL-eFSwaVZdg/s400/7023658275_23739432f0_oj.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gnocchi alla romana don't have the traditional gnocchi shape.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This recipe is pretty simple and it can be served as a first course or with some sauté mushrooms and veggies (leeks or chard stalks and leaves, are my favourite to serve this way) or even some tuna or beef meatballs in a red sauce.<br />
Tomorrow I am going to be serving mine with sauté mushrooms, leek and paksoi. The idea for this combination came from an Argentinean food blogger, Cristina. You can see her recipe <a href="http://www.frombatoparis.com/2011/01/my-lecon-de-cuisine-1-how-to-make-roux.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
They are a bit different from the gnocchi we are used to, they look more like disks than like little dough balls and the texture is different as well. My grandma used to make them when I was a little girl and I remember I used to love cutting the gnocchi in different shapes so that the dish ended up looking a bit strange in the end! Another thing I liked was that if there was any dough left, my grandma used to sprinkle a bit of parmesan and rosemary over the dough, cut it in little sticks and fry them to eat as snacks until the <i>ñoquis</i> (as we called them) were done. <br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Ingredients</u>: (serves 4)<br />
<br />
45g. unsalted butter, melted<br />
30g Parmesan cheese, grated<br />
3 egg yolks<br />
1l. milk<br />
pinch of nutmeg<br />
200g semolina flour<br />
salt, pepper to taste <br />
<br />
For the topping:<br />
40g butter, melted<br />
90ml cream<br />
30g Parmesan cheese, grated<br />
<u><br /></u><br />
<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
<br />
<u>Notes</u>:<br />
- Have all the ingredients ready beforehand, because the dough needs to be hot when you pace it on the baking sheet to set and cool. <br />
- Seasoning is important, make sure you taste the dough is not too bland before you put it in the fridge to cool.<br />
<br />
Line a shallow bread tin or dish with some greaseproof paper to have it ready when you are done with the mix.<br />
Whisk the butter, Parmesan cheese and the egg yolks and season to taste. Set the mixture aside.<br />
<br />
Heat the milk in a big pan. Add the nutmeg and season with salt and pepper. When the milk is <i>just</i> beginning to boil, add the semolina flour in a thin stream, little by little, whisking constantly - and I mean, <i>constantly</i> - you don't want lumps in the dough. Reduce the heat and let the mixture cook for about 8-10 minutes, <i>stirring continually</i>, until all the milk has been absorbed and the mixture comes loose from the sides of the pan. The texture has to be thick, but still creamy and moist. <br />
<br />
Take the pan from the gas and whisk in the egg mixture you had previously set aside. Taste to correct seasoning if necessary. Spread the dough while still hot (very important, since this will make it easier to spread the dough) on the sheet to a thickness of about 2cm. Spread it as smoothly as you can, using the flat side of a knife or a metal spatula, dipping it first in cold water before touching the dough.<br />
Cover with cling film and leave in the fridge to cool for a couple of hours. If you are not going to make the ñoquis right away, you can at this stage the dough overnight or freeze until needed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVu3upxB0yMjI2Ts79k2-4OsigIWom3I6FkJtgm_LFoSCxyiAq2-wg8M-2G54rtVN348evnP9OmV4MCBd8eNr8ZdHKSfVSTu5WsWHJxj5lgIffrK9cOv7lCsX6OtArJZptfBS21W8MrkYu/s1600/7023558189_909b7fac44_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVu3upxB0yMjI2Ts79k2-4OsigIWom3I6FkJtgm_LFoSCxyiAq2-wg8M-2G54rtVN348evnP9OmV4MCBd8eNr8ZdHKSfVSTu5WsWHJxj5lgIffrK9cOv7lCsX6OtArJZptfBS21W8MrkYu/s400/7023558189_909b7fac44_o.jpg" width="395" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To cut the gnocchi I used a cutter with a funny shape. They're ready to go into the oven now!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Preheat the oven to 180°C and grease a shallow ovenproof dish with some butter. Take the flat dough from the fridge and cut disks of about 4 cm in diameter with a round cookie cutter or a glass previously dipped in cold water. Keep dipping the cutter in cold water to prevent sticking. Arrange the disks or <i>ñoquis</i> slightly overlapping in the greased oven dish.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIoGF0yRg1KuMe2FfH-6BYGH3-pDyrVtWNfwXr8Lt5HoV1ZRUO-p-riFeZ5VatMU7XiEU_euh_gT18YAiBUy2cZDrOlpEwHfqVaeWy3bRg93pk0Ez-gs9Ea6WWA0oR8Lqa_2WnFNk35PO/s1600/6877491812_3cde44749e_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIoGF0yRg1KuMe2FfH-6BYGH3-pDyrVtWNfwXr8Lt5HoV1ZRUO-p-riFeZ5VatMU7XiEU_euh_gT18YAiBUy2cZDrOlpEwHfqVaeWy3bRg93pk0Ez-gs9Ea6WWA0oR8Lqa_2WnFNk35PO/s400/6877491812_3cde44749e_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grate some Parmesan on top of the gnocchi and take it to the oven... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For the topping, mix the butter and the cream. Pour this mixture onto the <i>ñoquis</i> and sprinkle generously some Parmesan cheese. Put the dish in the oven and bake the<i> ñoquis</i> for about 25-30 minutes until the top layer is golden brown. Once they are ready they should be served right away.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6Aj1IyaBzt0eqA-qZRxaBbemfDU4s9ESD3FZK6cVed98Z1J5hj_9uIzFbwZ9YGSzgLT6cNKuQ4JCyUQFrCwLg9CwaVHrya15JzUN7QL2ItcdEhZe8FyrRZrOgcndnZ21vqcQ_WuYD3X8/s1600/7023700073_d8feeb8e59_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6Aj1IyaBzt0eqA-qZRxaBbemfDU4s9ESD3FZK6cVed98Z1J5hj_9uIzFbwZ9YGSzgLT6cNKuQ4JCyUQFrCwLg9CwaVHrya15JzUN7QL2ItcdEhZe8FyrRZrOgcndnZ21vqcQ_WuYD3X8/s400/7023700073_d8feeb8e59_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out of the oven, bubbling away... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
* * * * * </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's now take a look at the other ladies' <i>ñoquis</i> recipes!<br />
(you can go to their recipes by clicking on the link under the photo) </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsoA072n50lXEsLqVGvhzgdejs0eCNxjJdC3HRq6MkmZu1iMEEVUdYCqTYYDnFk_9Of-n6r-Eq2mfMDpbmgbEPfZxrhDD3WE6gKsZ-9fzzww4LM9vDO_q9iXu57soLvesR8al8akPc6yf/s1600/7023578931_31064fa3aa_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsoA072n50lXEsLqVGvhzgdejs0eCNxjJdC3HRq6MkmZu1iMEEVUdYCqTYYDnFk_9Of-n6r-Eq2mfMDpbmgbEPfZxrhDD3WE6gKsZ-9fzzww4LM9vDO_q9iXu57soLvesR8al8akPc6yf/s200/7023578931_31064fa3aa_z.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.beemychef.com/2012/03/los-noquis-del-29.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Spinach Gnocchi by Paula de Caro</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://anatravels.org/2012/03/28/los-noquis-del-29-arugula-gnocchi/#" target="_blank"></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjso3PXYTNJJTkESCAZRTYtlQ7jR6Qt-v-cjHVchp1gJzuVfIE30bAQ01kxGX-SJalMIEn0UATR41kRKmOWiR_SOYPMZSAxihJldknv3jIpAjN_QCIkGlAq8DKJvni2MbRLEUAg-gdASHS5/s1600/img_9554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjso3PXYTNJJTkESCAZRTYtlQ7jR6Qt-v-cjHVchp1gJzuVfIE30bAQ01kxGX-SJalMIEn0UATR41kRKmOWiR_SOYPMZSAxihJldknv3jIpAjN_QCIkGlAq8DKJvni2MbRLEUAg-gdASHS5/s200/img_9554.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://anatravels.org/2012/03/28/los-noquis-del-29-arugula-gnocchi/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Arugula Gnocchi by Ana O'Reilly</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDrGh2RKLS8t2Ju1OB1EttBgIPS08JcNp3glZcBsycv8nsGnL9tFYxfe2nxZz7qL85hT69NOIYg67ynrWAzYQCwX-KdBpHpdHO9yoJAt3H99lyCv0WOTUObToTcvNkpxE1nT3_7UbLSWn/s1600/7018341927_db3549e92a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDrGh2RKLS8t2Ju1OB1EttBgIPS08JcNp3glZcBsycv8nsGnL9tFYxfe2nxZz7qL85hT69NOIYg67ynrWAzYQCwX-KdBpHpdHO9yoJAt3H99lyCv0WOTUObToTcvNkpxE1nT3_7UbLSWn/s200/7018341927_db3549e92a_o.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.seashellsandsunflowers.com/2012/03/butternut-squash-and-ricotta-gnocchi.html" target="_blank">Butternut Squash Gnocchi - Two Ways by Katie</a></span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNz37UlVFCgcJsQVZpMjUOpys9rnA9CGLI0zHbH3uKh8mwIaWa9y9N3eAr9DaCi_y-KiFkFJtEhe6raBsEzasQY1RJtFtls7I-U4z9uu4etat_fOuGcPfTaV13Xkoae_xweNsoPLtoMrc/s1600/Image1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNz37UlVFCgcJsQVZpMjUOpys9rnA9CGLI0zHbH3uKh8mwIaWa9y9N3eAr9DaCi_y-KiFkFJtEhe6raBsEzasQY1RJtFtls7I-U4z9uu4etat_fOuGcPfTaV13Xkoae_xweNsoPLtoMrc/s200/Image1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://adomesticdisturbance.blogspot.com/2012/03/roasted-beet-malfatti-creamy-roquefort.html" target="_blank">Roasted Beet Gnocchi by Meag</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.fromargentinawithlove.typepad.com/from_argentina_with_love/2012/03/%C3%B1oquis-del-29-a-family-tradition-una-tradicion-familiar.html" target="_blank">Ñoquis del 29: A family tradition by Rebecca </a></div>
<br />
This should definitely see us through the next six months of full bellies and happy hearts, don't you think? (wink!)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-36528364825678857622012-03-14T22:36:00.002+01:002012-03-15T10:20:51.428+01:00The Jesuit legacy in Córdoba (Argentina) - Jesús María<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAsyg2iU87K1VDadbEpWOrqxMjI2t1XpQy6mvZIWbUOZYoXcjJ793O_ymEpI17eft_vbZaBM5CCPJvyrdDxo4m0Mr8UIIqJcOn5YSsw2593ojTxAGvY0XA0dlbEV82jwSw7EKy3fv2Ybm/s1600/6801622634_1fe76c193b_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAsyg2iU87K1VDadbEpWOrqxMjI2t1XpQy6mvZIWbUOZYoXcjJ793O_ymEpI17eft_vbZaBM5CCPJvyrdDxo4m0Mr8UIIqJcOn5YSsw2593ojTxAGvY0XA0dlbEV82jwSw7EKy3fv2Ybm/s400/6801622634_1fe76c193b_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The church of the <i>estancia</i> in Jesús María, Córdoba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Strongly recommended when visiting Córdoba in Argentina, is to take a tour of the Jesuit Block in the city and the Jesuit <i>estancias</i> spread around the province.<br />
The presence of the Order of the Society of Jesus in the Spanish colony during the 17th and 18th centuries marked forever the character and the identity of Córdoba. The Jesuit priests that settled in the Spanish territories in the New World brought with them not only their religious zeal to spread the Catholic faith among the indigenous people of the land (a practice that may be seen today as objectionable), but they also brought enlightment and progress in the form of the first university they created in the country, and the impulse they gave to the economy of the region through their agricultural and industrial establishments - the <i>estancias</i>.<br />
<br />
The Jesuit Block (containing the church of the Society of Jesus, the priests' residence and the <i>Collegium Maximum</i>, later university) together with five of the Jesuit agricultural establishments spread around the province of Córdoba, were declared World Heritage Site in the year 2000 by the UNESCO.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzYcvmBZL2OtZSaSngX7xRh-DnY4s-Xkkt-PG4K9jeHMhsYfmDn8OiIi1tz_NPQhVPxvf0o-7KcaYmfu_DFJfxPjKAVxO018Sl7Onf8pA-o8qK29v0uDxDiCTX6Kft1wEiLKMjoDh0oaH/s1600/6947435977_409a4a769f_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzYcvmBZL2OtZSaSngX7xRh-DnY4s-Xkkt-PG4K9jeHMhsYfmDn8OiIi1tz_NPQhVPxvf0o-7KcaYmfu_DFJfxPjKAVxO018Sl7Onf8pA-o8qK29v0uDxDiCTX6Kft1wEiLKMjoDh0oaH/s400/6947435977_409a4a769f_o.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
<br />
The<i> </i>Jesuit <i>estancias</i> -as the large rural estates are known in Argentina- were mainly agricultural establishments founded by the order to produce the food, the goods and the resources needed to maintain the missions spread throughout the colony as well as the college and university they had founded in the city of Córdoba in 1613.<br />
These <i>estancias</i> today are an excellent example of the fusion of the European and indigeneous cultures and they illustrate an unparalled social, religious and economic experiment that spread over 150 years of Argentinean history and lived on even after the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767. <br />
<br />
Today we take a look at one of the Jesuit <i>estancias</i>, the one in the town of <b style="color: #b45f06;">Jesús María</b>, about 50 km from the city of Córdoba.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPi2wAFMCMBixsGY7D3VPKHksU-YNKFPS0_fDB4Cm4ccNrsV6kG0tD-ZhS5FYTAIZnMkLFD_jQUNVJs6udpq9BlIFRiMUkWgJ9wCc2JvnTei5uvqxHaMk2cD6ROVuQArFWtoTUPmTiEdAm/s1600/6801320182_85fd904176_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPi2wAFMCMBixsGY7D3VPKHksU-YNKFPS0_fDB4Cm4ccNrsV6kG0tD-ZhS5FYTAIZnMkLFD_jQUNVJs6udpq9BlIFRiMUkWgJ9wCc2JvnTei5uvqxHaMk2cD6ROVuQArFWtoTUPmTiEdAm/s400/6801320182_85fd904176_o.jpg" width="390" /></a></div>
<br />
In 1618 the order bought land in the region of <i>Guanasacate</i>, as Jesús María was originally known in the language of the <i>sanavirones</i>, the indigenous people living in what is now the province of Córdoba. The bulk of the goods produced in this agricultural and manufacturing establishment went to maintain the <i>Colegio Máximo</i>, the college founded in 1610 in the city and which was later to become the university of Córdoba.<br />
<br />
In the <i>estancia</i> of Jesús María, the priests instructed the natives in many manual crafts like candle and soap making, raising cattle and wine production for which they received a salary. There was also a population of approximately 300 slaves bought in the port of Buenos Aires who did most of the heavy work around the estate, leaving the natives to dedicate to the more specialised crafts.<br />
<br />
Wine making was the main activity in Jesús María. In 1618 when the order bought the estate in the province of Córdoba, they also acquired 20.000 grapevines and they started their own wine production.<br />
With an average of 600 cans of <i>lagrimilla</i> -as the wine became known- per year, the Jesuit winery of Jesús María was the first and later the largest wine producer in the viceroyship of the Río de la Plata. Their <i>lagrimilla</i> wine was the first wine produced in the colonies to make it to table of the Spanish king.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHUX8869dnHOegUN_e6D8eKmIwXF2jkRF6n62m4mTGMWsLdvhTyl2euPG9EafJUhC2haRFWOtF2zV3JdH3_C8nINESib3nM06t32YJJ7aJBGBOemw1Ugt3iS1iFfgUrxAHyfVJCkmfxWN/s1600/6947412281_a7dc01beae_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHUX8869dnHOegUN_e6D8eKmIwXF2jkRF6n62m4mTGMWsLdvhTyl2euPG9EafJUhC2haRFWOtF2zV3JdH3_C8nINESib3nM06t32YJJ7aJBGBOemw1Ugt3iS1iFfgUrxAHyfVJCkmfxWN/s320/6947412281_a7dc01beae_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <i>tajamar</i> or water reservoir made by the Jesuits in their estate in Jesús María to supply water for use in the cloister as well as for irrigation of their crops and vines.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The architecture of the monastery/factory/residence complex is an example of the typical construction favoured by the Jesuits and is a fusion of European and indigenous colonial style.<br />
A central courtyard is enclosed on two sides by a two-storey arched gallery that housed the cloister, while the third and fourth side were occupied by a storage building and a high wall. The priests' living quarters and communal rooms were located in the back of the construction.<br />
The natives and the slaves lived in precarious huts spread in the outskirts of the estate, but these were in due time replaced by proper living quarters built of bricks, stones and tiles.<br />
An ingenious compound of lavatories was built in the cloister of the <i>estancia</i>, making it the first construction in the country to have indoor toilets with their own waste disposal system. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPE_6Zv5z6BmaiT2NQb50j7UMZCNCm-cfoSQ1NEuJXoKg_lzneDjl8ooFmh_bBNoXHwpAcFznnHmnI5OIpH-oqcsLrO19PvCWX_KLCBu0sJLcECUi0uBLLGr-EayyxSKmwVecQEM-3pQJr/s1600/6947424967_8f78b3ff8e_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPE_6Zv5z6BmaiT2NQb50j7UMZCNCm-cfoSQ1NEuJXoKg_lzneDjl8ooFmh_bBNoXHwpAcFznnHmnI5OIpH-oqcsLrO19PvCWX_KLCBu0sJLcECUi0uBLLGr-EayyxSKmwVecQEM-3pQJr/s400/6947424967_8f78b3ff8e_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
The style of the single nave church is beautiful despite its simplicity; the only adornment of its central cupola is a relief work thought to have been made by native artisans. No picture taking is allowed inside the church, so unfortunately, I cannot offer you a peak into the interior of this jewel of 17th century religious architecture in Córdoba. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYZcUuWuEXy7kLatKbT0sjRMbtvNEniItGLFQgXYpx64AKxurxXijTMNkHols9bBvo2mMuQ1pD_D2q-HUvsaNht6HSJwC_RGZrCsvlOE9LxOsTQcsBOonpVyYCPzKR1lOOojGDU_-KFwd/s1600/6801328928_9ee19cd165_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYZcUuWuEXy7kLatKbT0sjRMbtvNEniItGLFQgXYpx64AKxurxXijTMNkHols9bBvo2mMuQ1pD_D2q-HUvsaNht6HSJwC_RGZrCsvlOE9LxOsTQcsBOonpVyYCPzKR1lOOojGDU_-KFwd/s400/6801328928_9ee19cd165_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The simple façade of the church in the <i>estancia de Jesús María</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the expulsion of the Jesuits from the colonies in 1767, the <i>estancia</i> of Jesús María (as all the other estates, missions and the university) went into private hands and a long period of decadence and deterioration followed. <br />
During the first half of the 20th century, the national government took charge of the former Jesuit establishments declaring them national monuments and started with the renovation works. Finally, the UNESCO gave all the <i>estancias</i> and the Jesuit Block in the city of Córdoba the status of World Heritage Site in 2000.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvl7oJuo1PiZm9dmdrrAyotFdW7H2HhKDuvreFp4_pbIL5429iO17g4VEjBjjpwHtIt5kHVno1as_ATJ2SRAiesbD4TdHjRSWZad4MhuzeeRZpbiIkR9yIf1qpPcn9BlgXgtRYjNb2Mq4/s1600/6947421463_65140c6a17_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvl7oJuo1PiZm9dmdrrAyotFdW7H2HhKDuvreFp4_pbIL5429iO17g4VEjBjjpwHtIt5kHVno1as_ATJ2SRAiesbD4TdHjRSWZad4MhuzeeRZpbiIkR9yIf1qpPcn9BlgXgtRYjNb2Mq4/s400/6947421463_65140c6a17_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A local artist describing his work to a couple of tourists. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The <i>estancia </i>of Jesús María houses today the National Jesuit Museum which aims to preserve an important part of the history of Córdoba and the country by recreating the original purpose of the complex. With eighteen exhibition rooms, the permanent collection of the museum includes archeological finds from the northern and central regions of the country, period furnishings and tools, and a very fine collection of 17th and 18th century religious art among other things. Temporary exhibitions as well as concerts, conferences and other cultural events are also periodically held within the ancient walls of the <i>estancia</i>. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZ4l4RO64f92ETKixEh9FzFvyaWXOCoH-42fy8rTvldZky2qzNfUSMtQ5Ro8yB3IMDS7I9drYzMPXlAbsb5YJtWRgQWvUwcSD1WPZJZUI5t1ilpwNUvCKXVeLikepbvznxRP4OA9v3l3u/s1600/6947416637_6b97d69678_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZ4l4RO64f92ETKixEh9FzFvyaWXOCoH-42fy8rTvldZky2qzNfUSMtQ5Ro8yB3IMDS7I9drYzMPXlAbsb5YJtWRgQWvUwcSD1WPZJZUI5t1ilpwNUvCKXVeLikepbvznxRP4OA9v3l3u/s400/6947416637_6b97d69678_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bird is probably a descendant of one of the old inhabitants of the <i>estancia</i> during the Jesuits' times. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the 150 years that the Jesuits remained in the country they increased their prestige and their power carrying out an important role in the colonial society mainly as educators and entrepreneurs. In Córdoba they founded the first university in the Río de la Plata and one of the most prestigious universities in Latin America. It is thanks to the university that the city of Córdoba is known still today as <i>La Docta</i>, meaning "the wise" in Spanish.<br />
The <i>estancias</i> they owned were models of industry and progress from their very origins, and many of the activities and crafts introduced by the Order in the 17th and 18th century -like wine making and agriculture- still form the basis of the economy of the region.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
* * *</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-12873277757066100612012-03-05T00:00:00.000+01:002012-03-05T09:48:45.679+01:00There is still Nederland beyond Amsterdam<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_AL57MRNBrvf1vSfU3LXuQTNkwOUQi2o0Ftz1E7-GfP2Q_C0PyBp65K8-BGyGP35dLSzpPG__87dCEIsFB1F660PmlV-B1gS2T3z_AKMsam2IGHsmOgJVSvkzVvYkTwObBBSU-MvpR9p/s1600/6809096932_1a5205c43e_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_AL57MRNBrvf1vSfU3LXuQTNkwOUQi2o0Ftz1E7-GfP2Q_C0PyBp65K8-BGyGP35dLSzpPG__87dCEIsFB1F660PmlV-B1gS2T3z_AKMsam2IGHsmOgJVSvkzVvYkTwObBBSU-MvpR9p/s400/6809096932_1a5205c43e_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical landscape near Blankenham, Overijssel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Recently, while reading the blog <i><a href="http://oranjeflamingo.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">A Flamingo in Utrecht</a></i>, or more especifically, the post <i><a href="http://oranjeflamingo.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/an-open-letter-of-sorts-to-travel-publications/" target="_blank">An Open Letter (of sorts) to Travel Publications</a></i>, I thought how unfair it was that when tourists come to the Netherlands, they generally seem to think that only Amsterdam is worth visiting. It is indeed unfair to the rest of the country and to themselves, because they are missing out a whole country. What's more, if those tourists then go back home and claim that they've been to the Netherlands and that they now know all about the Dutch, they are practically <i>lying</i>. <br />
<br />
Amsterdam is not the same as the Netherlands. It has a culture of its own, rich, varied, cosmopolitan, liberal... <u>it is a great city to explore</u>. I like Amsterdam and I go there quite often myself for a day out, meet with friends, visit museums or take photos. But it is still just <i>a part</i> of the Netherlands.<br />
<br />
Alison -author of <i><a href="http://oranjeflamingo.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">A Flamingo in Utrecht</a></i>- explains why tourists normally make the mistake of limiting themselves to exploring Amsterdam while vising the country or of even thinking that if they've seen Amsterdam, then they've seen the Netherlands. Travel publications seem to be intent on creating this impression on tourists. When they want to feature the Netherlands, they report about Amsterdam. I've seen it myself back in Argentina. Distant family members or friends would call me and tell me they've seen a travel show about the Netherlands. I know that if I take the trouble of watching the show myself, I see giddy tv presenters having the time of their lives visiting the Sex Museum or some shop selling a very particular kind of mushrooms. As if that was all that there is to Amsterdam. What's worse, as if that is all there was to the Netherlands.<br />
<br />
Amsterdam has <i>the canals</i>; yes, it does, and they are listed as UNESCO World Heritage, granted. Amsterdam has<i> the tulips</i>. Amsterdam has <i>the Red Light District</i>. Amsterdam has <i>the coffeeshops</i>. Amsterdam has the typical step, neck or spout gabled houses, <i>great old architecture</i>. Amsterdam offers a wide variety of <i>restaurants, museums and attractions</i>. It is <i>all</i> true. <br />
<br />
Well, would you be very shocked if I told you that you can find all these things in most of the other Dutch big cities? You will find alll these things and more, for you will also discover what makes those cities <i>different </i>from Amsterdam and worth visiting as well. <br />
<br />
There are beautiful city canals in <b style="color: #134f5c;">Utrecht</b>, and they are unique, because they are lined with wharf-basement structures that create a two-level street along them. If you are looking for some more idyllic hobbit-like views, then how about <b style="color: #134f5c;">Giethoorn in Overijssel</b> or any village in <b style="color: #134f5c;">Friesland</b> with their thatch-roofed houses and lovely bridges crossing over canals.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEwQ88LV0nVkRYMqR_rgMOlJj1x3u70h0X4f6c91yytuCsggu-jJzAGKf4aiNkqcesyDXD9JWGcLAGfPFFvpLZ-UKY43MqIpCbmtDmjuWY1pQsDjv1_H8TdIxvMsg56klZ_xsA8PhnzMn/s1600/6943571233_982d7f1cdb_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEwQ88LV0nVkRYMqR_rgMOlJj1x3u70h0X4f6c91yytuCsggu-jJzAGKf4aiNkqcesyDXD9JWGcLAGfPFFvpLZ-UKY43MqIpCbmtDmjuWY1pQsDjv1_H8TdIxvMsg56klZ_xsA8PhnzMn/s320/6943571233_982d7f1cdb_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canal and bikes in Utrecht.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVd8V0fMaxrDG9bDxlGySfjcNjVuaeweBVUkWlnGr7U3nKhQAyIoYoowh768kqtYIRyywbaiTwO6oQrdjl39wl4n2tsbaxKj-KLJyzzBgC7lokLYTTj2buTga74W3pm-u3BWg6V4C7wDh/s1600/6943639793_aa690b5094_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVd8V0fMaxrDG9bDxlGySfjcNjVuaeweBVUkWlnGr7U3nKhQAyIoYoowh768kqtYIRyywbaiTwO6oQrdjl39wl4n2tsbaxKj-KLJyzzBgC7lokLYTTj2buTga74W3pm-u3BWg6V4C7wDh/s320/6943639793_aa690b5094_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giethoorn, known as the Venice from the North.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b style="color: #134f5c;">Flevoland</b>, the youngest province in the country (and also man-made) has the largest bulb area (ergo tulips) in the country and has a special bulb route that will take you along the most magnificent endless tulip fields and along picturesque polder villages as well.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmD7t6yax_RSB-eJ8wlBdw6aQQgu5zBCYdlKPDtII0se_FPSI6g876MQ_Fi5sT6zvwMa7Uxk68YQJV9K0kzG5gl4ySuz5NtS5bkhfnC18kqbr4DBHScImNGEI0N6RB7n5StkKq6wa5oGZr/s1600/6943698181_a9d1967bd6_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmD7t6yax_RSB-eJ8wlBdw6aQQgu5zBCYdlKPDtII0se_FPSI6g876MQ_Fi5sT6zvwMa7Uxk68YQJV9K0kzG5gl4ySuz5NtS5bkhfnC18kqbr4DBHScImNGEI0N6RB7n5StkKq6wa5oGZr/s320/6943698181_a9d1967bd6_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tulip fields in the Northeast polder in Flevoland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There are Red Light streets in every city in the Netherlands and yes, they are legal and they are controlled by sanitary authorities and kept safe by the police. There are also coffeeshops with their share of soft drugs in other cities around the country, though as of January of this year, it is illegal for foreigners to smoke in these coffeshops in the three southern provinces of the country. Good news for you if that's what you are after: the Netherlands has 9 other provinces, besides Limburg, Zeeland and Brabant.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj748tRodkCzc_mmyzQVPs5qODWwon4aAWg07nuVs6_JVTsjMM4LVUAQW20WqOPZfqk43m05itpBYKpVNwc718MZEl4ocuT8zvLCJ6nm9esrhVFBmE1GCAN7lPd3L8l8RlayGZNZ31WtEfe/s1600/6943684247_5931bf8cee_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj748tRodkCzc_mmyzQVPs5qODWwon4aAWg07nuVs6_JVTsjMM4LVUAQW20WqOPZfqk43m05itpBYKpVNwc718MZEl4ocuT8zvLCJ6nm9esrhVFBmE1GCAN7lPd3L8l8RlayGZNZ31WtEfe/s320/6943684247_5931bf8cee_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Goodies" displayed in a window of a tattoo shop in a city of Friesland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The beautiful architecture typical of the Dutch Golden Age can be admired and photographed till you drop in cities like Delft, The Hague, Middelburg, or even little dear Zwollywood, as I like to call my own city of Zwolle.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTvbVZC3qpbNDvF9jN1apOPyMUYV9i8wt0AD1OknMJ8RjHeeSJaum252hWdKRyTmVo4r2XP70BuxTS0P85VyliJYFzqQL1otMO_35OvPN-VB3O4NjXk0W0-OlsDsa5aY2pO-s0ipubyri/s1600/6943743453_d1b03f3a84_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTvbVZC3qpbNDvF9jN1apOPyMUYV9i8wt0AD1OknMJ8RjHeeSJaum252hWdKRyTmVo4r2XP70BuxTS0P85VyliJYFzqQL1otMO_35OvPN-VB3O4NjXk0W0-OlsDsa5aY2pO-s0ipubyri/s320/6943743453_d1b03f3a84_o.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful stepped gable in the city of Bolsward, in Friesland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3573LEo5INT2PgUyGHrb_PxakJpuQVPep5mlE60XvGlYCnRkkyPaICcz3yzh1JaI5jyf4-v1zathbeQ5bxnniaqXweSz6h0L4KYfN03ze98S9nwwZQWaWSFZy6vAQ8MjLxnjzdoAlYw8/s1600/2813038613_41a762f3d0_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3573LEo5INT2PgUyGHrb_PxakJpuQVPep5mlE60XvGlYCnRkkyPaICcz3yzh1JaI5jyf4-v1zathbeQ5bxnniaqXweSz6h0L4KYfN03ze98S9nwwZQWaWSFZy6vAQ8MjLxnjzdoAlYw8/s320/2813038613_41a762f3d0_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The imposing City Hall of Middelburg, in Zeeland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The two restaurants in the country that boast three Michelin stars are not in Amsterdam - one is in Sluis, in the province of Zeeland and the other is in .... surprise, surprise, Zwollywood, where <a href="http://www.librije.com/#passie/en" target="_blank">De Librije</a> restaurant is, besides, the first Dutch restaurant ever to get a Michelin star in the whole country.<br />
If you are a foody, you may want to explore the zeeuwse cuisine of Zeeland or the bourgoundisch cuisine of Limburg and Brabant. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTkbrHWLdhnUpKyf9KGTw5rDJS27H75fLsZBAfr9BGhlJ-et-i04MrVSZEQLoXZeclQ9kNlOONnVM_scfHbhj9qsQ_u8BYl6tMvpATaoUPAjL0qTTJxMjfMFNJIaji90qvFUQbDghTAfc/s1600/6797656752_e282d02872_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTkbrHWLdhnUpKyf9KGTw5rDJS27H75fLsZBAfr9BGhlJ-et-i04MrVSZEQLoXZeclQ9kNlOONnVM_scfHbhj9qsQ_u8BYl6tMvpATaoUPAjL0qTTJxMjfMFNJIaji90qvFUQbDghTAfc/s320/6797656752_e282d02872_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apart from the first Dtch restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star in the country, Zwolle offers an extensive variety of excellent restaurants and cafés. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And what can we say of the landscapes? To admire the typical Dutch landscape and its incomparable natural light, you simply <i>have</i> to get out there.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DtEtrFBxykxOf7DUfuNcCjFcSUt2PvboHYefZFTl3z-zfFjLML4TuyUJg8zQSTyN6MKu_ZXYw0Lcrwa07dbUyE1I50E2Ed_SF31Gx6CUsRvKMMGJdAzB_61Bs38TWjy9WAjVljtW9brr/s1600/6797701124_9fd1ccca85_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DtEtrFBxykxOf7DUfuNcCjFcSUt2PvboHYefZFTl3z-zfFjLML4TuyUJg8zQSTyN6MKu_ZXYw0Lcrwa07dbUyE1I50E2Ed_SF31Gx6CUsRvKMMGJdAzB_61Bs38TWjy9WAjVljtW9brr/s320/6797701124_9fd1ccca85_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windmills somewhere near Alkmaar in North Holland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZy-Jg70iFcBwzMBx5MwO4JetcRaJhaD2uMRoO8wuSvFzMEkP6uqTAiCSRrf74-sVnQDb4UvkBlsgT0L_bsrPHsPdC1ceHCymGb3oiGsSxq7UUuz5YzfbpAzNw6xT3ExWU8pAUG7SDfPa/s1600/6944013539_aba062efde_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZy-Jg70iFcBwzMBx5MwO4JetcRaJhaD2uMRoO8wuSvFzMEkP6uqTAiCSRrf74-sVnQDb4UvkBlsgT0L_bsrPHsPdC1ceHCymGb3oiGsSxq7UUuz5YzfbpAzNw6xT3ExWU8pAUG7SDfPa/s320/6944013539_aba062efde_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engelse Werk in Zwolle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLhij3PQaQV0_hdB1DHQel7YsmKoKiXUVf6em8iqdIuKroPXc75MR8nH0cRUFQY-n9bXkDLlV-wlrTzY629bbfncsdqsQPM89lLRqu61D-KEruOCHG-hvey2xvp5NiFFz4rjU1COl_jsX/s1600/6798276964_f107833bba_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLhij3PQaQV0_hdB1DHQel7YsmKoKiXUVf6em8iqdIuKroPXc75MR8nH0cRUFQY-n9bXkDLlV-wlrTzY629bbfncsdqsQPM89lLRqu61D-KEruOCHG-hvey2xvp5NiFFz4rjU1COl_jsX/s320/6798276964_f107833bba_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice skating in Overijssel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As for the museums, yes, Amsterdam has wonderful ones that you have to visit if you want to see the great masters. But there are great museums in other Dutch cities as well where you can also see your favourite van Goghs, Vermeers or Rubens. How about the Mauritshuis in The Hague with its large collection of Dutch painters such as Vermeer, Rembrandt, Steen or Hals ? Or the Kröller Muller museum located in the setting of the beautiful Veluwe National Park and its very important collection of van Goghs, Picassos and Modriaans?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVOLHnxMgaxjX-G6f0vyMR3yVOxnpDiO0rFQY7So5fQChwaNdsew39LpSU7SL_46DhtrQUCK5Eiyty5esqOGiutG-ef6VfYsHl5PIzIWTEMZsDXlwO-nkokS1mvkRTIpAhr_XwqAxI2Mq/s1600/6944436195_765e4e3deb_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVOLHnxMgaxjX-G6f0vyMR3yVOxnpDiO0rFQY7So5fQChwaNdsew39LpSU7SL_46DhtrQUCK5Eiyty5esqOGiutG-ef6VfYsHl5PIzIWTEMZsDXlwO-nkokS1mvkRTIpAhr_XwqAxI2Mq/s320/6944436195_765e4e3deb_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mauritshuis museum in The Hague.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Seriously. There is so much more to the Netherlands <i>besides</i> Amsterdam.Take a train to The Hague and go to the beach in Scheveningen or Kijkduin; or to Delft and visit Vermeer's house. Take your car and ride along the Alfsluitdijk, the 32 km long surge barrier that has cut off the Ijsselmeer from the North Sea. Do some reading, ask, surf the net - nowadays it's not that difficult to find the information you need. Move around a little or a lot - but go back home with the satisfaction of having seen <i>the real</i> Netherlands. <br />
<br />
With this in mind, I have added a new tab to this blog under the title <a href="http://fromargentina2holland.blogspot.com/p/netherlands.html" target="_blank"><b style="color: #b45f06;">Visit the Netherlands</b></a>. There I will be posting links to all the entries I publish related to places to visit or things to do and see around the country. I hope it can be useful to anyone planning to travel to the Netherlands or even to those of us living here and planning to spend a weekend away from home or to take a day trip with family or friends and do something fun.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-37457856991847840632012-02-28T19:49:00.000+01:002012-02-29T23:15:40.497+01:00Food from home: Diego's ñoquis de papa (potato gnocchi)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuzamama/6338038384/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Gnocci 024 por kuzamama, en Flickr"><img alt="Gnocci 024" height="275" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6211/6338038384_a61237ce0f_z.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">potato gnocchi with a leek and tarragon cream sauce. © 2011 Diego Bianchi.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(puedes leer esta receta en español en <a href="http://contactoconlodivino.blogspot.com/2011/11/gnocchi-de-papa.html" target="_blank">Contacto con lo Divino</a>) </span></div>
<br />
Getting used to new kinds food was one of the aspects of my new life as an expat in the Netherlands that proved to be one of the hardest things I had to cope with. Nine years after moving out here from Argentina, I still miss my food from home. I guess that even when you adapt to your new country and assimilate and embrace the new culture, food is still something that you never quite let go. The food from home is like your own family, your people - no matter how far from home you are, you still carry them close to your heart.<br />
<br />
Diego is a <i>porteño</i>, a native of the capital city of Argentina, Buenos Aires. Food and photography are two of his passions and he always brings these two together when he posts his recipes on his blog, <a href="http://contactoconlodivino.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b style="color: #cc0000;">Contacto con lo Divino</b></a>. Every time I see the fantastic photos of his food I feel a sudden and strong nostalgia for home, because he usually cooks dishes that are familiar to me, to my Argentinean soul and palate.<br />
<br />
Here is one of his pasta recipes that caught my attention. I often crave for <i>ñoquis</i> (as we call gnocchi in Spanish) at home and I am trying Diego's recipe tomorrow for <b><i style="color: #cc0000;">ñoquis</i></b> <i style="color: #cc0000;"><b>del 29</b></i> (Gnocchi Day every 29th of the month) ... an Argentinean tradition I will tell you all about when I post my take on this recipe soon.<br />
<br />
<b style="color: #cc0000;"><u>DIEGO'S RECIPE</u>: </b>(serves 4-5 people)<br />
<br />
Ingredients for the ñoquis:<br />
<br />
1kg potatoes - 500g flour, and some extra for kneading - 1 egg - 1tbspoon salt - nutmeg, to taste.<br />
<br />
<br />
Ingredients for the sauce:<br />
<br />
100g smoked pancetta or streaky bacon - 400g single cream - 1 1/2 tbspoon <a href="http://www.quintozalla.com.ar/content/puerrosalestragon.php" target="_blank">dehydrated leeks with tarragon mix </a> or if you can't find this mix, use 1 tbspoon dried tarragon and 1 chopped stalk of leek (the white stalks, it tends to be overpowering, so if you don't like your sauce too oniony, just use half a stalk) - 2 cloves of garlic - 1 red pepper - 100ml white wine - 2 teaspoon flour - a bit of chopped parsley. <br />
<br />
Preparation:<br />
<br />
Making the <i>ñoquis</i>:<br />
<ul>
<li>Choose potatoes that are roughly of the same size so that they cook evenly. Wash them well and put them in a pan with cold water and some salt to boil. You don't need to peel the potatoes, for the skin will prevent them from absorbing too much liquid. If this happens, you will need to add more flour and this will definitely ruin the taste of the <i>ñoquis</i>. </li>
</ul>
<ol>
</ol>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuzamama/6338408513/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Gnocchi 2 007 por kuzamama, en Flickr"><img alt="Gnocchi 2 007" height="271" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6100/6338408513_0df14a47f4_z.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© 2011 Diego Bianchi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li> Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the potatoes - roughly about 25 minutes. To check if they are ready, insert a skewer in the potatoes and it should go in easily without any resistance. Try not to overcook them or again, they will absorbe too much water. </li>
<li>Drain the water and peel them right away. Cooks normally have asbestos fingers but if they're too hot use a fork and a knife or better even, a ricer if you have one; push the potatoes through it and the skin will stay in the ricer. </li>
<li>Start mashing the potatoes while they're still hot; if they are already getting cold they will be too hard to mash and you'll get lumps. </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuzamama/6339173912/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Gnocchi 2 013 por kuzamama, en Flickr"><img alt="Gnocchi 2 013" height="266" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6034/6339173912_19867c18ca_z.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">@ 2011 Diego Bianchi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Add a tablespoon of salt, an egg and season with nutmeg. Mix all the ingredients well with the potato masher. </li>
<li>When everything is properly mixed, it's the time to place the dough on a floured surface. Knead it adding the flour little by little until you have a dough that is smooth and doesn't stick to your hands. </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuzamama/6339200356/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Gnocchi 2 031 por kuzamama, en Flickr"><img alt="Gnocchi 2 031" height="266" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6240/6339200356_f570836e0f_z.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© 2011 Diego Bianchi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Leave the dough to rest until it has cooled down completely. </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuzamama/6338457141/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Gnocchi 2 037 por kuzamama, en Flickr"><img alt="Gnocchi 2 037" height="266" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6236/6338457141_d534ccc604_z.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> © 2011 Diego Bianchi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Take a portion of dough and roll it with your hands to form a long thin sausage, dusting the surface and the dough with a bit of extra flour. </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuzamama/6338475009/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Gnocchi 2 049 por kuzamama, en Flickr"><img alt="Gnocchi 2 049" height="258" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6060/6338475009_6a3a03e081_z.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© 2011 Diego Bianchi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Cut the dough into small portions of 1,5/2cm approximately. Do the same with the rest of the dough.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuzamama/6339221532/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Gnocchi 2 045 por kuzamama, en Flickr"><img alt="Gnocchi 2 045" height="266" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6059/6339221532_5086a07f4f_z.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© 2011 Diego Bianchi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Take the little portions of dough one by one, pressing them gently and sliding them down a fork or a <i>ñoqui</i> board. Once shaped, place the <i>ñoquis</i> on a floured surface.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuzamama/6339232000/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Gnocchi 2 050 por kuzamama, en Flickr"><img alt="Gnocchi 2 050" height="258" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6054/6339232000_bcaba2f0bc_z.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© 2011 Diego Bianchi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>In a pan put a generous amount of water to boil with some cooking salt. Lift the <i>ñoquis</i> with a spatula or flat tool and drop them (gently!) into the boiling water. Put the lid on the pan and let the water boil again. The <i>ñoquis</i> will start coming up to the surface in just a few minutes. They are ready when they are just "al dente" (firm, but not hard). </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuzamama/6339300806/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Gnocchi 007 por kuzamama, en Flickr"><img alt="Gnocchi 007" height="266" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6228/6339300806_eb16226080_z.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© 2011 Diego Bianchi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Making the sauce:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li> Bake the pancetta slices in a pan without adding any oil or fat. Once they are golden, remove them and chop them roughly. </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuzamama/6338493599/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Tocino 2 por kuzamama, en Flickr"><img alt="Tocino 2" height="266" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6110/6338493599_fb23ec6a2a_z.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© 2011 Diego Bianchi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Now chop the red pepper finely and bake in some olive oil together with the chopped garlic cloves. Once done, add the pancetta, the cream and mix.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuzamama/6338507805/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Crema 2 081 por kuzamama, en Flickr"><img alt="Crema 2 081" height="264" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6096/6338507805_5297a4e727_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© 2011 Diego Bianchi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Then add the mix of dehydrated leeks with tarragon if you have it, or the fresh leeks with the dried tarragon. If you are using the fresh leeks, then let them soften a bit. Add the white wine and let the sauce reduce over a low gas. Don't let the sauce boil. </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuzamama/6339265914/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Estragon por kuzamama, en Flickr"><img alt="Estragon" height="266" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6092/6339265914_2e8aaacfea_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© 2011 Diego Bianchi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>To thicken the sauce you can add the two teaspoons of flour and let it cook just for a few more minutes. It is now ready to serve.</li>
<li>Serve the <i>ñoquis</i> on the plates with a generous amount of sauce and sprinkle some very finely chopped parsley over the top. </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i style="color: #cc0000;">Buen apetito! </i></b></div>
<ul>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuzamama/6338553531/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Gnocchi 008 por kuzamama, en Flickr"><img alt="Gnocchi 008" height="244" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6233/6338553531_b76e6ff642_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© 2011 Diego Bianchi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Thanks a lot, Diego, for letting me post your recipe and your fantastic photos!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-33125897690657721432012-02-23T11:56:00.000+01:002012-02-24T13:48:57.329+01:00Preserving the cultural heritage: a visit to the Zuiderzeemuseum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBk2uncEOde-aOyVmNMUc_pQgWru9ltgitrvtHcIx35COng8surW9mRPBb0pYr61QD5LtBlCsB7j-zwPcdNqNe2f1UpMNu9CnUEa-0XLLMcN6pC99_x2PE0QqJQBOda8t-S2sHcV5NO5H7/s1600/6922904275_e066defa80_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBk2uncEOde-aOyVmNMUc_pQgWru9ltgitrvtHcIx35COng8surW9mRPBb0pYr61QD5LtBlCsB7j-zwPcdNqNe2f1UpMNu9CnUEa-0XLLMcN6pC99_x2PE0QqJQBOda8t-S2sHcV5NO5H7/s400/6922904275_e066defa80_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A sea that was no longer a sea. Water that became land.<br />
<br />
It happened in 1932. With the inauguration of the barrier dam or <b style="color: #b45f06;">Afsluitdijk</b> that year, the <b style="color: #b45f06;">Zuiderzee</b> (Southern Sea, in Dutch) was finally cut off from the North Sea and as of that moment, it ceased to be a <i>zee</i> (sea, in Dutch) and became a <i>meer</i> (lake, in Dutch); the <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Ijsselmeer</span></b> was born.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mBjefOfsW9HdGSSEWKvxfOby83rr0IvXWsylH6Liv52i62TiVCNHrEUfIr2dbsNwPPdsnnFuwQzLIC2aGy0kTh1InZvg-3QAKodOQaKsmjYyomJqsejAmPpFMbNhtOf1E2V1-nAxC2rT/s1600/6922913781_83b1da4c4a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mBjefOfsW9HdGSSEWKvxfOby83rr0IvXWsylH6Liv52i62TiVCNHrEUfIr2dbsNwPPdsnnFuwQzLIC2aGy0kTh1InZvg-3QAKodOQaKsmjYyomJqsejAmPpFMbNhtOf1E2V1-nAxC2rT/s400/6922913781_83b1da4c4a_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ijsselmeer, former Zuiderzee, seen from Enkhuizen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6s2RFgrvGxXL3krgkmhjgPsCdklOBAl0u_Z9giiVWEP7e-hdEJaPUmnhFWmQVm8SI9Fq9QQ_YLEZCpJvMaE6iL6YEMhwu7Z9_R7nvb5OOBsFLo3XL_VrmptB6wr1NRfmp2fJ9qyIaM4zx/s1600/6922913545_c044bfebff_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6s2RFgrvGxXL3krgkmhjgPsCdklOBAl0u_Z9giiVWEP7e-hdEJaPUmnhFWmQVm8SI9Fq9QQ_YLEZCpJvMaE6iL6YEMhwu7Z9_R7nvb5OOBsFLo3XL_VrmptB6wr1NRfmp2fJ9qyIaM4zx/s400/6922913545_c044bfebff_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at the outdoor part of the Zuiderzee Museum by boat. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When the Zuiderzee became the Ijsselmeer, many people were afraid that the culture and lifestyle of the region would be changed and lost forever. For this reason, immediately after the barrier dam was finished, plans were drawn for the creation of a living museum village that would preserve the cultural heritage of the Zuiderzee area.<br />
After a lot of planning and hard work, the Zuiderzee museum became a reality in 1948.<br />
<br />
In the beginning, only the indoor section of the museum was open to the public. The outdoor section -an ambitious project to recreate a typical Zuiderzze community with a fishing village, a city canal with its typical houses, shops and important buildings; a polder, and a harbour- took many years to complete and it finally opened in 1983. <br />
<br />
First, water had to become land, and a peninsula was created in the Ijsselmeer by piling up sand on the seabed. Then the village had to be designed and built, and the people of the Zuiderzeemuseum had to search high and low to find the appropriate houses and buildings that would recreate not only the geographical and architectural, but also the social environment typical of the region.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVJJiBrJZltlosqAbS6D5MZXRbnIg89Twq_J1MJLAHcm-Wc4prcmjXUJ7bMMAm_AiQ3VRPnyLFJQqUwfFHCAWQZUe2RcfIuFU15e2BAECozHFtuCSXBr3QlRx-7zujjP8TVwsJmyVRrWO/s1600/6775088474_5127a80278_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVJJiBrJZltlosqAbS6D5MZXRbnIg89Twq_J1MJLAHcm-Wc4prcmjXUJ7bMMAm_AiQ3VRPnyLFJQqUwfFHCAWQZUe2RcfIuFU15e2BAECozHFtuCSXBr3QlRx-7zujjP8TVwsJmyVRrWO/s400/6775088474_5127a80278_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ferry boat that takes visitors from the jetty to the peninsula where the museum is located. In the background, the chimneys of the lime kilns (ovens) of the museum.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Many of the houses and buildings that we see today in the museum were donated by municipalities located around the former Zuiderzee. Houses that were due to be demolished, were instead preserved and transported to their new location in the living museum village, taking into account not only their style and architecture, but also preserving the original function for which they had served the past. <br />
<br />
The process of recreating the lifestyle and culture of the former Zuiderzee region took much more than just transporting old houses from cities like Kampen or Harderwijk for example, and reassembling them at the museum site.<br />
Old plans of towns and villages around the Zuiderzee were used to recreate as accurately as possible, a typical community at the turn of the 20th century. Ditches and canals were digged, streets were paved, neighbourhoods were built and important historical buildings that could not be taken apart in their original location -like the school from Kollum or the boathouse, for example- were replicated. Every section of the new living village was carefully planned and even a polder was created between the town canal and the fishing village. <br />
<br />
Today the Zuiderzeemuseum consists of two sections: the <i>buiten- </i>(outdoor) and the<i> binnenmuseum</i> (indoor museum). <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvqMKPzQmFnXjvnp440Li6uyTlUwp_aoDrTJwNGLrVMQD5XHaIhg9zXNGOF_aPZFjBERjI2ROiU79vMjJDrlajyiFUCptC5lP8jqT5JvkLqNqTGzQup7f2ZmJLyHDqrlXaaSBNX1qMpjV/s1600/6776726004_f557aa232b_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvqMKPzQmFnXjvnp440Li6uyTlUwp_aoDrTJwNGLrVMQD5XHaIhg9zXNGOF_aPZFjBERjI2ROiU79vMjJDrlajyiFUCptC5lP8jqT5JvkLqNqTGzQup7f2ZmJLyHDqrlXaaSBNX1qMpjV/s400/6776726004_f557aa232b_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very young "cheese-makers" were having trouble loading the cheese to be transported.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKH4F8FUtI5__g3vbWl5iZxdCHH3OfSVx58G8bXJJ0QvZOtfQSuZ8XKs_L0pM2Hbgd9e0VwwZd83U8BNoFf4SP9YfeYuzvtLZwe3mjmThs8uf7y-1-fAIkX2OkTYCUeGuH-cA3d9Dku50b/s1600/6776801856_e20c5fb6b1_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"> <img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKH4F8FUtI5__g3vbWl5iZxdCHH3OfSVx58G8bXJJ0QvZOtfQSuZ8XKs_L0pM2Hbgd9e0VwwZd83U8BNoFf4SP9YfeYuzvtLZwe3mjmThs8uf7y-1-fAIkX2OkTYCUeGuH-cA3d9Dku50b/s400/6776801856_e20c5fb6b1_o.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my dad at the cooper's, trying some barrels on. I chose an oversized one and my dad a very small one - it was so snug that I was afraid he'd not be able to get out of it! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In the outdoor section of the Zuiderzeemuseum you can stroll down the streets of a typical town with its characteristic buildings, like the church, the school, the post office or the farmers' bank; there are craftsmen's warehouses such as the sail maker's, the blacksmith's and the barrel maker's.<br />
A number of typical turn of the century shops were replicated too; there is a photography shop where you can have your photo taken in the typical attire; there are also a sweet shop, a barber's and a chemist's.<br />
Visitors can go into the different buildings or houses and admire period furniture and see old machinery at work. Volunteers from the museum often do demonstrations of the different crafts that were traditional in the region, to give an idea of what life was like in a typical Zuiderzee community.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR0vV5t-cVP3Kuc9-dzy9sWpBVa6xBnknG2DOWyirHKa1PZLNa-wE5nNx9qXAe78QZ6KfFCxT4KTy_WExtV4F0s6DeJcv4QHqEndq11Jiy0DmvJlj9HXXRW9ByjYgoVtIIaO_SuBwaxY1/s1600/6776798112_05605b8166_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR0vV5t-cVP3Kuc9-dzy9sWpBVa6xBnknG2DOWyirHKa1PZLNa-wE5nNx9qXAe78QZ6KfFCxT4KTy_WExtV4F0s6DeJcv4QHqEndq11Jiy0DmvJlj9HXXRW9ByjYgoVtIIaO_SuBwaxY1/s400/6776798112_05605b8166_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the relocated houses in the museum. Real families lived there for generations.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMta0bms3MqaJqkkxCS_sHk2-Fwrb9hhaNSxLFGON6q9j282vqRh3maDbCV9hKcV2MqA8tkBFaQSRcpuWVr8pbbvSDJcUnh-jtvdjVfA52mUCQH9dFsVcOa8x88aYY4l8N8CRbpcS0xMJq/s1600/6920120361_d493b1c7bd_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMta0bms3MqaJqkkxCS_sHk2-Fwrb9hhaNSxLFGON6q9j282vqRh3maDbCV9hKcV2MqA8tkBFaQSRcpuWVr8pbbvSDJcUnh-jtvdjVfA52mUCQH9dFsVcOa8x88aYY4l8N8CRbpcS0xMJq/s400/6920120361_d493b1c7bd_o.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical dining-room set for lunch at the boat-maker's. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3C2q6eYbZJSCUkR98tczNoDs64ipWnGTSlHpAM4sWAwKxu-Yq9TUK9spRv_gTvugG9QBOC_UxoIQezzznh0KNTCAiU3a7NcLNreO3IPcxuGNf3dWB-yBH01RdXVXzbb45VT_irN0jYxb/s1600/6775157654_9c2cbcf7b8_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3C2q6eYbZJSCUkR98tczNoDs64ipWnGTSlHpAM4sWAwKxu-Yq9TUK9spRv_gTvugG9QBOC_UxoIQezzznh0KNTCAiU3a7NcLNreO3IPcxuGNf3dWB-yBH01RdXVXzbb45VT_irN0jYxb/s400/6775157654_9c2cbcf7b8_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish curing was a traditional occupation in the Zuiderzee region.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In its indoor section, the museum houses several exhibitions that make the visitor acquainted with the rich history and cultural heritage of the Zuiderzee region through art, photography and design. The calendar of activities, events and exhibitions for children, for schools and for adults is displayed in <a href="http://www.zuiderzeemuseum.nl/en/10/home/" target="_blank">the official website of the Zuiderzeemuseum.</a> All the practical information that is needed to plan a visit at any time of the year, including times, prices, a map of the whole complex and a route description, can be found in their website, too.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_ETp1ZR9c_3IIbnaSxJp1CrXbnVGD_5RN5XNqCMwvNUiGjAA1U4tjT7N_QO1N4vn5qBUUTtKrgJzs0t82IfayOgMQCmvF3oxRGsjOy-tnd9JTvS2C48jZikhtPmK0t6Wo0T2Oso_Qdtc/s1600/6776797178_461171d182_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_ETp1ZR9c_3IIbnaSxJp1CrXbnVGD_5RN5XNqCMwvNUiGjAA1U4tjT7N_QO1N4vn5qBUUTtKrgJzs0t82IfayOgMQCmvF3oxRGsjOy-tnd9JTvS2C48jZikhtPmK0t6Wo0T2Oso_Qdtc/s400/6776797178_461171d182_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The greenhouse of one of the relocated farm houses in the outdoor museum.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRb1KFds-E8IVfgWR1M0D5Tvhzv-9JT0I4mrU7YC-2U_1TSLc7P-euQ0g66loJGhPkFoE8ObPvEFlP1-RGW1LuRh-hcyKFCptHVa66Xk26y5QDhEiWPrKqhyphenhyphenAQdKnTqx29PF-lQUAoyIb1/s1600/6921316357_e095328ee4_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRb1KFds-E8IVfgWR1M0D5Tvhzv-9JT0I4mrU7YC-2U_1TSLc7P-euQ0g66loJGhPkFoE8ObPvEFlP1-RGW1LuRh-hcyKFCptHVa66Xk26y5QDhEiWPrKqhyphenhyphenAQdKnTqx29PF-lQUAoyIb1/s400/6921316357_e095328ee4_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A vegetable garden of a typical Zuiderzee farm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
An ideal visit to the Zuiderzeemuseum should take at least half a day, so keep this in mind while planning your trip.<br />
There is a fast-food restaurant -the Amsterdam House- and a pub, -café Hindelopen- where you can have a drink or have a quick lunch if you get hungry. <br />
Take into account that the outdoor section of the museum is not open during the winter period. This year (2012), it will be open from 31 March to 28 October.<br />
The indoor part of the museum, on the other hand, is open all the year round, from 10:00 to 17:00. You can buy the tickets online from <a href="http://www.zuiderzeemuseum.nl/en/10/home/" target="_blank">their website</a> if you want; the entrance ticket includes the ferry boat trip from the harbour in Enkhuizen to the outdoor museum. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ySAvoQ9t_SFBHX9WCr39zmgxcNI3F6aGH8dNlA91yhKUWpx-S1daDVN-WKYjKEVJxy8N120pygQ5Ak0QBGVZoLkix656F5qId0-PXBBch5MgwZHN8W3yLL2K61vPzFlvO7mhggR9jYZ1/s1600/6922910895_4087a89d75_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ySAvoQ9t_SFBHX9WCr39zmgxcNI3F6aGH8dNlA91yhKUWpx-S1daDVN-WKYjKEVJxy8N120pygQ5Ak0QBGVZoLkix656F5qId0-PXBBch5MgwZHN8W3yLL2K61vPzFlvO7mhggR9jYZ1/s400/6922910895_4087a89d75_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A classroom in the style of the early 20th century.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDJFaRJw-XenB41ZYNiAmqMNmRr_eKZk91JyF7zto77C2uqktEG0fNYNtghnL_hRMuaMu700EflMl5WatryLqIgRtbNnyvJpdLIsupShgnaa4k3MTXKyqiC_GIsMnyMMJxe25J6dfn2BO/s1600/6776795322_bcb1b87c4c_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDJFaRJw-XenB41ZYNiAmqMNmRr_eKZk91JyF7zto77C2uqktEG0fNYNtghnL_hRMuaMu700EflMl5WatryLqIgRtbNnyvJpdLIsupShgnaa4k3MTXKyqiC_GIsMnyMMJxe25J6dfn2BO/s400/6776795322_bcb1b87c4c_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hallway of the school with the children's wooden shoes lined up outside the classroom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
No matter what your interests are or whether you are young or old, you are always bound to find something to do or that will attract your attention in this very special museum in the Netherlands.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ARdoQAuxAfPi8So4-EEhlld8uhkjdg2fQp9PWMWkGIZCzvfFtb3chqpzUgzZtRIotfYw5SEjyNRmf4VCumfrD5eZwqT_nUdUbr4u92tTsvx_VeNp0z8z5IH7aFtH7Vq2tQgg6gwbBGAU/s1600/6775107798_ea7d3cc254_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ARdoQAuxAfPi8So4-EEhlld8uhkjdg2fQp9PWMWkGIZCzvfFtb3chqpzUgzZtRIotfYw5SEjyNRmf4VCumfrD5eZwqT_nUdUbr4u92tTsvx_VeNp0z8z5IH7aFtH7Vq2tQgg6gwbBGAU/s400/6775107798_ea7d3cc254_o.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There had to be a windmill in the outdoor museum, of course.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-26484761118825850892012-02-15T15:59:00.000+01:002012-02-15T22:24:27.801+01:00Ice-skating Fever in the Netherlands<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscwKi7Q7AQFT6dWgIJAe6i818f_6it9ixvrhpmSTEPgGicgy5VieMNNN-S37CWhvf0L0exftYtj2UeulYxgKCokb2W3lEjmjBmQ7QCblDf9rwJE8EnK-oe18N2DUBJx9aAbk9pE8UlupW/s1600/6868912995_1210045323_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscwKi7Q7AQFT6dWgIJAe6i818f_6it9ixvrhpmSTEPgGicgy5VieMNNN-S37CWhvf0L0exftYtj2UeulYxgKCokb2W3lEjmjBmQ7QCblDf9rwJE8EnK-oe18N2DUBJx9aAbk9pE8UlupW/s400/6868912995_1210045323_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice-skaters on the Thornbecke canal in Zwolle last Saturday during the First <i>Zwolse Grachtentocht</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The period of true winter weather we had during the last couple of weeks seems now to be over and with it, the ice-skating fever seems to have subsided, too.<br />
<br />
I have lived in the Netherlands for almost 9 years now and I have seen hard-<i>ish</i> winters (nothing really too extreme) and mild winters; gentle snowfall and a blizzard or two with lots of snow falling in a very short time. I've also seen the Dutch landscape getting totally covered in white and nature going very still under the ice, as if every single creature out there in the open was going to sleep, waiting for the spring to come back alive.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSmBVqIpmnasmejnsHgT26_3LNAeJRMndbMPYHG6oLuaso6QZeC5N2c4kS1Fs96e0y7oQG-_URS3N4YYB-QWRV2CVRJoUhB0HSE1AfyZSRiqbtKqrEkJb3DdAwxxHITD_iQOsOZgVYqY-/s1600/6857839343_4dc520465b_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSmBVqIpmnasmejnsHgT26_3LNAeJRMndbMPYHG6oLuaso6QZeC5N2c4kS1Fs96e0y7oQG-_URS3N4YYB-QWRV2CVRJoUhB0HSE1AfyZSRiqbtKqrEkJb3DdAwxxHITD_iQOsOZgVYqY-/s400/6857839343_4dc520465b_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice skaters in the main canal around the historic city centre in Zwolle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But in the Netherlands it doesn't take too long for that stillness to be broken. The birds may be gone, the wind may blow wild and the ground may be covered in white, but that is exactly when this sort of buzz starts slowly to build up, like a bug getting hold of everyone until it becomes like a fever and soon enough half the nation is out there, balancing on their skates, criss-crossing waterways and city canals over the ice. <br />
<br />
Only a few days ago we were all holding our breath in front of the tv every time the word <i>Elfstedentocht</i> was mentioned by the newsreaders. <a href="http://fromargentina2holland.blogspot.com/2012/02/elfstedentocht-ja-elfstedentocht-nee.html" target="_blank">A couple of posts ago</a> I explained how excited everyone was about the possibility of finally seeing a new edition of this Eleven Cities Marathon after 15 years of <i>Elfstedentocht </i>withdrawal, for the race has not been held since 1997 due to the lack of good quality ice to make the event possible.<br />
Unfortunately, by the end of last week the committee in charge of inspecting the ice conditions up in Friesland had decided that it would not be possible to host the marathon this year and everyone was really very disappointed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tkfP1pvv8w6pBKf60qXnfpXNRaxNFxY0F_M5bctEtvIHX5U8rjMFucIflvqkWqtj2-xriCGQ57gTbzkFVNAkPD3-F4GWE03E7T-jZgbdilk6_olWvAbTPPL1oYD7eaPmKFCDYrkMiHyH/s1600/6865538743_e966c5d1f4_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tkfP1pvv8w6pBKf60qXnfpXNRaxNFxY0F_M5bctEtvIHX5U8rjMFucIflvqkWqtj2-xriCGQ57gTbzkFVNAkPD3-F4GWE03E7T-jZgbdilk6_olWvAbTPPL1oYD7eaPmKFCDYrkMiHyH/s400/6865538743_e966c5d1f4_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another shot taken during the <i>Zwolse Grachtentocht</i> last Saturday.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But it seems that despite the general disappointment, people across the Netherlands, Dutch and non-Dutch, were determined not to let all that beautiful ice go to waste.Whole families were out there riding on sleds or skating on the frozen canals. Despite the cold, young people were hanging out and having fun on the ice and little kids wrapped up in warm clothes were there too, learning how to stand upright on their brand new skates. Experienced skaters were seen showing off and also first-timers, safely leaning on the back of a chair to keep their balance, carefully taking their first turns on the icy tracks.<br />
<br />
Over the weekend there were many <i>tochten</i> (marathons) across the country. Amsterdam had its <i>Keizersgracht tocht</i>; up north in Friesland people were skating on the waterways along the<i> Elfstedentocht</i> route in the places where the ice was in perfect condition. In the beautiful town of Giethoorn the <i>14th Hollands Venetiëtocht </i>was held; the first edition of this marathon in this century.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9B0HU78f5-xyhevB_MWGFsJ8h3xLKE32RFEeKjm8EaAHlQeYsAEfD6-BT3cgxDznBkV_1Llz5fM1lFrlvd8UPDe7g3kPRJl8VIc51ZbviCd-lU0nlVnEq5q7siYT4qy4Wgdui_H6gi6w/s1600/6857394445_51b8d468a0_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9B0HU78f5-xyhevB_MWGFsJ8h3xLKE32RFEeKjm8EaAHlQeYsAEfD6-BT3cgxDznBkV_1Llz5fM1lFrlvd8UPDe7g3kPRJl8VIc51ZbviCd-lU0nlVnEq5q7siYT4qy4Wgdui_H6gi6w/s400/6857394445_51b8d468a0_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young girl learning to skate on ice with the help of a chair.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfeUjPvYjWtaCSDK3Q_XSCllweNBqH9CwOxbjku5dUpfLturCkD-r9CrZ468xh-rZWrxWO2HabgPe1Ta0eSDm-jOzc1HJ0f66BFP7F4eL2UGUUe37gIhTS2V0wJK1XmB-qXx22C8htmCf/s1600/6858090475_3e1bf8a58d_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfeUjPvYjWtaCSDK3Q_XSCllweNBqH9CwOxbjku5dUpfLturCkD-r9CrZ468xh-rZWrxWO2HabgPe1Ta0eSDm-jOzc1HJ0f66BFP7F4eL2UGUUe37gIhTS2V0wJK1XmB-qXx22C8htmCf/s320/6858090475_3e1bf8a58d_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was probably this dad's turn to look after the baby but he could not stay away from all that lovely ice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In Zwolle, we had the <a href="http://fromargentina2holland.blogspot.com/2012/02/first-edition-of-zwolse-grachtentocht.html" target="_blank"><b style="color: #45818e;"><i>Eerste Zwolsegrachten tocht</i></b> </a>(first marathon of the canals in Zwolle) last Saturday. In just a couple of days, a number of entrepreneurs from the catering sector came up with the idea of organising our own <i>tocht</i> along the Zwolse canals. The idea was received with great enthusiasm by thousands of <i>Zwollenaren</i> (people of Zwolle) and 1500 participated in the marathon, making it a big success and of course, <i>heel erg gezellig! </i>(a lot of fun)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gjfXP3AfsfglhtmFIcd4nTsBs70De95RTAOXMjp0V_uFLpOEuXti0Z9O_CP9RQx4E8ldOgcgGNvKqaE7gskn-DGNLqz-20N_jXBgA8DT6TGmcDbbrOKU7jzAGFwi4dnZVJ-fhlIpvXCU/s1600/6868911457_e9f846ac37_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gjfXP3AfsfglhtmFIcd4nTsBs70De95RTAOXMjp0V_uFLpOEuXti0Z9O_CP9RQx4E8ldOgcgGNvKqaE7gskn-DGNLqz-20N_jXBgA8DT6TGmcDbbrOKU7jzAGFwi4dnZVJ-fhlIpvXCU/s400/6868911457_e9f846ac37_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view over the city canal in Zwolle during the <i>Zwolse grachtentocht</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Hopefully, we won't have to wait for too many years to see a new edition of the <i>Zwolse grachtentocht</i>; and to be sure, we continue to wait and pray for <i>der Tocht van Tochten</i> (the marathon of all marathons) to finally take place for the first time in this century - the 16th edition of the <i>Elfstedentocht. </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-8310118756384809552012-02-08T12:04:00.001+01:002012-02-08T17:12:36.333+01:00First edition of the Zwolse grachtentocht (ice skating tour of the canals of Zwolle)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8n_QodqLboV90oFFQuHOQuEn0p-5iBzOkYz5LEW5KHgUBJYfQk67K7ciI8EpQ4vjHXe5heFhwie2n_COxjkuY5YncRGJbzp06De0IZUmfXaq2UVorSYEoQ4YrNUJrc7jfG6i1A_9QOhP/s1600/AlIWnMiCIAAQf0F.jpg+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8n_QodqLboV90oFFQuHOQuEn0p-5iBzOkYz5LEW5KHgUBJYfQk67K7ciI8EpQ4vjHXe5heFhwie2n_COxjkuY5YncRGJbzp06De0IZUmfXaq2UVorSYEoQ4YrNUJrc7jfG6i1A_9QOhP/s320/AlIWnMiCIAAQf0F.jpg+large.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The logo of the event - their website is going up today with all the information: <a href="http://www.zwolsegrachtentocht.nl/" target="_blank">Zwolse Grachtentocht</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="fullpost">While we continue to wait for a decision from the <i>rayonhoofden</i> (I just love that word, which in Dutch means "district chiefs") up north in the province of Friesland to see if we will finally have an <a href="http://fromargentina2holland.blogspot.com/2012/02/elfstedentocht-ja-elfstedentocht-nee.html" target="_blank"><i>Elfstedentocht</i> this year</a>, their Zwolse counterparts* have come up with an ice-skating <i>tocht </i>("race" in this case) of their own along the <i>stadsgrachten </i>(city canals) in Zwolle.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5tPKYGXoZ9ujtjbvOL8cJ38UabNxWjxoSbVwODdw906uL4tbhB7o1rptLy24LOolY4rt3fr9dq82lUOzJdsXeuNkBe3eSsBrtvE_kkVccbe-1N6x1s9htyKsEZHUyGW2whnTw0651dDD/s1600/5319944818_2409e97329_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5tPKYGXoZ9ujtjbvOL8cJ38UabNxWjxoSbVwODdw906uL4tbhB7o1rptLy24LOolY4rt3fr9dq82lUOzJdsXeuNkBe3eSsBrtvE_kkVccbe-1N6x1s9htyKsEZHUyGW2whnTw0651dDD/s320/5319944818_2409e97329_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the canals in Zwolle in the winter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span class="fullpost"> The event will take place next Saturday 11 February as of 12:00. The route will start at the Rodetorenplein following the Thorbeckegracht to the end of the canal and back to the Rodetorenplein. There will be refreshment stalls along the track and the bars and restaurants along the canal will also set up their<i> terrasjes</i> (outdoor cafés) on the ice. The organisers are looking for music bands and entertainers to make sure that there is a festive atmosphere all around. It should be fun! </span><br />
<span class="fullpost">As of 11:00 there will be two caravans at the Rodetorenplein for those who want to participate to collect their stamp cards for free. If you want to be a part of it and join in the ice skating fun, you can ask for more information or register via this email address: </span><a href="mailto:zwolsegrachtentocht@live.nl">zwolsegrachtentocht@live.nl </a>
The committee organising the event has also just launched <a href="http://www.zwolsegrachtentocht.nl/home" target="_blank">their own website</a> where you will find the programme, the route and a form to sign up if you want to enter the marathon.
<br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">Should the<i> rayonhoofden</i> from Friesland decide that the <i>Elfstedentocht</i> is a Go, the <i>Zwolse grachtentocht</i> will then be postponed so that we all can finally give our full attention to this huge national event - the first <i>Elfstedentocht</i> of the 21st century!</span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbP5r-8mzU1U9kzlaM2CaI_uR4552BcMC-KCB49cDjOH4ukOmtRWnNxie29CiV8lDNFZW99L6Bm_CJGrG0pw8KsLC24ZVV2jDqGv_kozObZtAxaZszOzsKslsx5FAuRmLrk-MRZb-yhl2o/s1600/4929066205_e2ab6b5222_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbP5r-8mzU1U9kzlaM2CaI_uR4552BcMC-KCB49cDjOH4ukOmtRWnNxie29CiV8lDNFZW99L6Bm_CJGrG0pw8KsLC24ZVV2jDqGv_kozObZtAxaZszOzsKslsx5FAuRmLrk-MRZb-yhl2o/s400/4929066205_e2ab6b5222_o.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is me on a bridge across the Thorbeckegracht where the <i>Zwolse grachtentocht</i> will take place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="fullpost"></span><br />
<span class="fullpost"></span><br />
<span class="fullpost">*The Zwolse grachtentocht is actually being organised by a group of entrepreneurs of the catering industry in Zwolle. </span><br />
<span class="fullpost">
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-18540808390918959712012-02-06T10:22:00.002+01:002012-02-06T20:03:38.253+01:00Elfstedentocht ja, Elfstedentocht nee<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4euz64rlDj4jRllYds5UBobfr0TjP1iSE75BfhN_7UOjwahjuC9Dyay9EwjLVx-qkfA5SwI9QxmcrR9DIWc8xzKnxDxXanhsLOk9NILfyyOFEJnYlvmAUKDp4_GP2hCF8QWEo-1J3_UP/s1600/6828783263_f776feebfb_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4euz64rlDj4jRllYds5UBobfr0TjP1iSE75BfhN_7UOjwahjuC9Dyay9EwjLVx-qkfA5SwI9QxmcrR9DIWc8xzKnxDxXanhsLOk9NILfyyOFEJnYlvmAUKDp4_GP2hCF8QWEo-1J3_UP/s400/6828783263_f776feebfb_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's cold out here in the east of the Netherlands. View of some farms in the outskirts of Zwolle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="fullpost"> Ever since winter decided to come back to the Netherlands last week, I have noticed a remarkable increase in the number of hits on my <i>Elfstedentocht</i> posts here in the blog. No surprise there, actually - every year, whenever the country goes into a period of subzero temperatures, the expectations around this national event begin to rise high. The <i>koorts</i> (fever) sets in nationwide: <b style="color: #134f5c;"><i>Elfstedentocht ja</i></b> (yes) or <b style="color: #134f5c;"><i>Elfstedentocht nee</i></b> (no) this year? </span><br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">Let me refresh your memory if you have visited this blog before: the <i>Elfstedentocht</i> is a 200 km long ice-skating race that connects eleven cities in the northern province of Friesland. Unfortunately, the race cannot be held every winter for there are a number of conditions that need to be met in order to make it possible and safe for the people involved. </span><br />
<span class="fullpost">During the <i>Elfstedentocht</i> the participants in the race skate from city to city over frozen lakes, canals and ditches across the province of Friesland. The race starts and finishes in the capital, Leeuwarden and it connects this city with ten others: Sneek, IJlst, Sloten, Stavoren, Hindelopen, Workum, Bolsward, Harlingen, Franeker and Dokkum.The temperatures have to stay below the 0°C mark for several days to allow the waterways to freeze evenly and form a layer of ice thick enough to support the huge weight load of thousands of </span><span class="fullpost">professional and amateur </span><span class="fullpost">skaters. The quality of the ice along the 200 km is the key issue for this big event to take place. <br />Obviously winters have been quite mild for the last 15 years in the Netherlands, for there hasn't been an <i>Elfstedentocht</i> since 1997. European IceSkating Cup on natural ice, yes, Race of the Eleven Cities, nope.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">That is why every winter, every time the thermometer goes below 0°C for a couple of days, you can feel the excitement building up across the country. Will there be an <i>Elfstedentocht</i> this year or not? Hardly a news bulletin goes by without a mention of this event. Yesterday the whole nation's expectations reached a high point when it was announced that the <i>rayonhoofden </i>(district heads or chiefs) would convene in Friesland for an <i>overleg </i>(consultation)<i> </i>and study the possibility of finally running the race. Hotels in Leuwarden and other cities along the race route were flooded with calls from people making reservations, in case the <i>hoofden</i> (heads/chiefs) today decided it was going to be <b style="color: #134f5c;"><i>Elfstedentocht ja</i></b>. </span><br />
<br />
<i>Maar helaas</i> (but unfortunately) this morning during a press conference it became clear that the <i>Elfstedenkoorts </i>(fever) was probably a bit premature. The experts informed that the conditions of the ice are not the required, especially in the south and southeast of Friesland; in Stavoren and Luts the ice is even considered to be still "too bad" to hold the race. They are looking for a steady thickness of minimum 15 centimetres of ice and it hasn't reached that point just yet. The members of the <i>Vereniging De Friesche Elf Steden </i>-the Association of the Eleven Frisian Cities- have informed that they will be working "with might and main" at the weak points and probably find an alternative route, for in the rest of the circuit in the north of Friesland the quality of the ice is the desired for the race to take place.<br />
<br />
Since coming to live in the Netherlands I have seen long-<i>ish</i> periods of very cold winter weather, which I really like. I have also joined in the general excitement out there on the ice, watching people ice skating or having fun in the snow. But I have never ever yet seen a Race of the Eleven Cities take place, except for short video clips on tv or online.<br />
<br />
So I am really hoping that it will be an <b style="color: #134f5c;"><i>Elfstedentocht já</i></b> this year! For the time being, this is the closest I'll get to witnessing an ice skating race:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mi7RQ36zke4" width="420"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-84600372014033222752012-02-03T12:48:00.000+01:002012-02-27T15:38:29.476+01:00Winter food: pastel de polenta y carne (beef and polenta pie)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unaargentinaenholanda.blogspot.com/2012/02/recetas-para-el-invierno-pastel-de.html" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Si desea leer este post en español, siga este enlace)</span></i></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvB4ns7qfgxDMWC9Xkb2Hyugi8x3yQXi4I6ufAkUVdJaRkDxqRLthz0UHnibKGdeNIP9FZ530WHC32PqwbquUskAYIXv47ZkEMslIBe5djCZBzSmgzj_mzchPPLIZxYLDI5tgZVnThpQ8/s1600/6794738703_9d7cbe4857_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvB4ns7qfgxDMWC9Xkb2Hyugi8x3yQXi4I6ufAkUVdJaRkDxqRLthz0UHnibKGdeNIP9FZ530WHC32PqwbquUskAYIXv47ZkEMslIBe5djCZBzSmgzj_mzchPPLIZxYLDI5tgZVnThpQ8/s400/6794738703_9d7cbe4857_o.jpg" width="341" /></a></div>
<br />
The temperatures have dropped considerably during the last couple of days here in the Netherlands and out there it finally feels like a real winter. <br />
<br />
So, when the cold winter blows, the thermometre drops several lines below the 0°C mark, and you get home chilled to the bone from the street, you certainly want nourishment that is hearty, filling and tasty; comfort food for body and soul. <br />
<br />
If there is a dish that shouts out winter to me, that is the <i>pastel de polenta y carne</i> - beef and polenta pie, a dish that we used to prepare quite often back home in Argentina.<br />
<br />
Polenta (a word borrowed from the Italian that refers to cooked ground cornmeal) is a staple that is used in many dishes across Argentina and Uruguay. Though the corn that it's made from hails originally from the Americas, it was actually the Italian inmigrants that introduced polenta into the Río de la Plata during the big immigration wave of the 19th and 20th centuries. <br />
<br />
To prepare this dish you can use regular white or yellow polenta. In Argentina we can get instant polenta that is ready in about 1 minute; quite handy if you are pressed for time. However, I haven't yet been able to find 1-minute polenta here in the Netherlands, so I normally use the regular kind that takes about 20/30 minutes to cook.<br />
<br />
You can also replace the polenta for a potato mash. I usually add either milk and butter, or cream to the mash to make it creamier and tastier.<br />
<br />
As for the beef, you can use minced meat if you want, it'll make the whole process a lot easier. If I were in Argentina I would go to my butcher's, ask him for a nice cut and ask him to mince it for me right there and then. This is not possible where I live now and I don't trust the minced meat I see in the supermarkets, so I normally buy a piece I think looks ok and I cut it finely myself. But hey, that's crazy me! <br />
<br />
Here is what you have to do to prepare the pastel. <br />
<br />
(this recipe will serve 4 people) <br />
<br />
For the base or filling you will need:<br />
<br />
1 tablespoon of olive oil<br />
400g of beef, diced<br />
1 onion, chopped<br />
1 tomato, diced<br />
1 teaspoon of parsley, finely chopped<br />
1 tablespoon of paprika powder<br />
1 tablesppon of raisins (no seeds)<br />
2 tablespoons of pitted olives, sliced<br />
salt and pepper<br />
<br />
This is what you want to make the polenta:<br />
<br />
300g of yellow or white polenta (regular, or if you can get it, instant)<br />
enough water to boil the polenta - you can also use milk, about 1l. <br />
100g of Parmesan cheese, grated<br />
salt and pepper<br />
1 teaspoon of nutmeg<br />
optional: a knob of butter to make the polenta creamier.<br />
<br />
For the topping:<br />
<br />
3 hard-boiled eggs, sliced or chopped (optional, I don't normally add them)<br />
400g mozzarella cheese or similar (a cheese that melts and is gooey), cut in cubes or stripes<br />
1 red pepper, cut in strips to decorate<br />
a tea spoon of chopped parsley<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRakga7_YgDv5k3pXVl_hGPCJkguvlKmVn5hLJi2TKEdZU4C_x23Hu6egVzH54wTBNmvjxWPRj_IY-SrKL67pCz8h4jle2Fw5mpx-G5WXV5qnxQ6trnZdkl2h0dKXveG7R93g3jhJFvOm/s1600/6794734457_0dbe353b40_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRakga7_YgDv5k3pXVl_hGPCJkguvlKmVn5hLJi2TKEdZU4C_x23Hu6egVzH54wTBNmvjxWPRj_IY-SrKL67pCz8h4jle2Fw5mpx-G5WXV5qnxQ6trnZdkl2h0dKXveG7R93g3jhJFvOm/s400/6794734457_0dbe353b40_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Preparation:<br />
<br />
<u>Filling</u>:<br />
You can start by making the filling. For that, heat up the olive oil in a pan and soften the chopped onion. This might take around 5 minutes. Then, add the beef and cook it until light brown.<br />
<br />
Now you can add the diced tomato, the chopped parsley and the paprika powder; cook for about 5 more minutes. At the end of the process add the raisins and olives, season to taste and set aside while you make the polenta.<br />
<br />
<u>The polenta</u>:<br />
Making polenta is not difficult but it demands your full attention. Use a pan with a lid so that you can cover it when it starts to boil, for it will blip and spatter as if there was no tomorrow and you might get burnt.<br />
<br />
First, bring a pan of salted water to the boil and slowly whisk in the polenta with a wooden spoon. This is where it gets a bit dangerous, so put the lid on and leave it a bit ajar. Once the polenta thickens, it sets and no longer blips so hard. Now you can add a bit of milk if you want and give it a stir every few minutes getting right into the sides of the pan to avoid it from sticking. <br />
Once it's done, take away from the gas and add the Parmesan cheese, and if you feel like it, a knob of butter to get a creamier texture. Mix well with the wooden spoon. Season to taste with some salt, pepper and nutmeg. <br />
<br />
<u>Making the pie</u>:<br />
Preheat the oven to 180°/190°C.<br />
In an oven dish spread half of the polenta covering the entire base.On top of this layer of polenta, pour your beef filling and spread well. Here you can add the sliced or chopped eggs if you want them.Then cover again with a layer of polenta and add the toppings: your bits of mozzarella cheese, the red pepper strips and the chopped parsley.<br />
Take the polenta pie to the oven and cook for about 40/45 minutes. Check from time to time that the top doesn't get too brown too soon and if it does, turn the temperature down. When you take it out of the oven it should be golden brown and bubbling.<br />
Let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to set.<br />
<br />
You can accompany the polenta pie with a nice glass of Argentine malbec wine.<br />
<br />
<i>Buen provecho y salud! </i><br />
<br />
Also recommended for winter weather, check out this <b><a href="http://fromargentina2holland.blogspot.com/2011/04/carbonada-criolla-pumpkin-beef-stew.html" style="color: #b45f06;" target="_blank"><i>carbonada criolla</i></a></b> recipe by my friend Elena.<br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-56754398380579326982012-01-30T15:57:00.001+01:002012-02-17T00:25:27.047+01:00Groetjes uit Zwolle:Terminator Mike<br />
<center><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Si deseas leer en español, sigue <a href="http://unaargentinaenholanda.blogspot.com/2012/01/groetjes-uit-zwolle-miguel-el.html">este enlace</a>)</span></i></center>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPa8XpIw3M2KsM2g9dapAhcEAI84xAsLiL1NxYJEFE2ekma0g3TupMfywHWU0o20ZXLG8fKhkpVe-6L6NRp7GcHn096zze5Kt5WTE9x-hEGVAQ3tRg3OHv6QRC96xFxFailC_d0ieTFTNC/s1600/6788612345_b03d3406b4_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPa8XpIw3M2KsM2g9dapAhcEAI84xAsLiL1NxYJEFE2ekma0g3TupMfywHWU0o20ZXLG8fKhkpVe-6L6NRp7GcHn096zze5Kt5WTE9x-hEGVAQ3tRg3OHv6QRC96xFxFailC_d0ieTFTNC/s400/6788612345_b03d3406b4_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">He has been standing there for quite some time now - tall, slim, transparent and green...a bit in the way actually, right in the middle of the Grote Markt in Zwolle. </span><br />
<span class="fullpost">The first time I saw him I was not particularly charmed by his presence. I hoped with all my heart that he had somehow chosen this particular spot to hang out just temporarily. Just in case, I decided I had to dissuade him, to chase him away. </span><br />
<span class="fullpost">"Please go away from <i>my</i> beautiful historic square," I said as I walked past him. "Go hang out somewhere else, you do not belong here." He just stared back, his arms lax hanging at his sides, glassy look on his face, impervious to my verbal bullying.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">But Michael was there to stay - <u>for good</u>. </span><br />
<span class="fullpost"> </span><br />
<span class="fullpost">Terminator Mike, as I now like to call him -quite afffectionally, actually- came to life by the hand of artist <b style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.hermanlamers.nl/" target="_blank">Herman Lamers</a></b>, from Rotterdam. It is a 3.10m. high glass sculpture of St. Michael, the patron saint and guardian angel of my city, Zwolle. </span><br />
<span class="fullpost"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxGgYfd41aIVDW32CUq7MsYZMbn8HCqJW-rF7AovG3IPlERlZW5cOJwbLHTkvE6mul3FByMonPuIe39OwNbsgMGffqCyuoPdRmEPWTVqtlzaof9yodIThi_y29n8zBTBUNir8SCDo3W2e/s1600/6788613335_df7967ddcf_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxGgYfd41aIVDW32CUq7MsYZMbn8HCqJW-rF7AovG3IPlERlZW5cOJwbLHTkvE6mul3FByMonPuIe39OwNbsgMGffqCyuoPdRmEPWTVqtlzaof9yodIThi_y29n8zBTBUNir8SCDo3W2e/s400/6788613335_df7967ddcf_o.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
<span class="fullpost">In the year 2005 a group of representatives of the community in Zwolle got together to formulate the outlines for the commission of a new sculpture which was to be erected in the very spot where the city was born - the <i>Grote Markt</i> or main square of the city. More than a hundred artists participated in the pre-selection round carried out by the committee and artist Herman Lamers was finally chosen for the task. In June 2010 the new sculpture depicting St.Michael came to stand in the very heart of the historic city centre of Zwolle. </span><br />
<br />
It cannot have been easy for poor Terminator Mike to stand there in the <i>Grote Markt</i><span class="fullpost"> in those early days</span><span class="fullpost">; the sculpture did not have a very warm welcome at first</span><span class="fullpost">. Many officials from City Hall were not quite happy with the end result and the citizens of the glamorous city of <i>Zwollywood</i> were not instantly charmed by their new guardian -archangel or not- either. I was one of those un-charmed citizens myself. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZTsmFT7yemLjsCXkTgNfKlUv1RGxiWxavOcnosZRxL5ypSzP3GaOOngomgXYNoe_C5xZKitTu7jZRIR8t_MN0sTi6wXtttkVkMIgbMnIDRvCr2MLVVNWoePtGR_3_wdTtD3aeu16ORYw/s1600/6788532855_1423baaf5c_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZTsmFT7yemLjsCXkTgNfKlUv1RGxiWxavOcnosZRxL5ypSzP3GaOOngomgXYNoe_C5xZKitTu7jZRIR8t_MN0sTi6wXtttkVkMIgbMnIDRvCr2MLVVNWoePtGR_3_wdTtD3aeu16ORYw/s400/6788532855_1423baaf5c_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="fullpost">Most of the critics thought that a more classic image should have been used to depict our patron saint, the archangel Michael; you know, like in all those paintings and drawing we have seen of St. Michael brandishing a spear or sword and with a dead dragon at his feet. The warrior angel, guardian of Good against Evil. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">Instead, we got Terminator Mike, a modernistic glass figure in transparent green, emerging from a glass pool; rising "like a Terminator", -in the words of the artist himself- to watch over us every day. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">Terminator Mike is dressed in a 21st century suit instead of the warrior robes we know from the classic iconography. To many people's surprise, this new version of St. Michael wields no sword or spear to fight evil, like his little brother sitting on the top of the Grote Kerk does. Terminator Mike is apparently a much more peaceful guy. He does have two wings, though, which seem to suffice to protect us, <i>Zwollenaren</i> (citizens of Zwolle), from all things bad. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewaun4qITSJjmPIreOZgYwTz3SQYjE8Sus3EKw4KhTw2JrMBksRqvB3FH6NXhz6cUVhbWiyoQv-VU5aBW5Um8Sxwjdycnxk2ZKxPePwHqM11PAZwugUmFLiSBn1ybkZdJa3CmLzyZqD4R/s1600/5531361383_0ee0ae55b0_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewaun4qITSJjmPIreOZgYwTz3SQYjE8Sus3EKw4KhTw2JrMBksRqvB3FH6NXhz6cUVhbWiyoQv-VU5aBW5Um8Sxwjdycnxk2ZKxPePwHqM11PAZwugUmFLiSBn1ybkZdJa3CmLzyZqD4R/s400/5531361383_0ee0ae55b0_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terminator Michael's little brother on the tower of the <i>Grote Kerk</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="fullpost"> When did I stop hoping that Terminator Mike would melt back into that glass pool and disappear from the <i>Grote Markt</i>? When did I start accepting the new look of our patron saint wearing what could perfectly be an Armani suit? I cannot really say, but I think that these two people may have had to do with my change of heart. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFAJSZigeURNirqQM24FQIDhfMZ5SS68-iL0sxhNlij1_6DGVpnonGsK5L5gH3ZVq52f4rb4bqJaUyDGFjZCZataBTjiWkvOFjuWkAUG88QnshJ10wJMyTT5YL2CdAkwk-g_hup8vch_f/s1600/6788521535_32b989e106_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFAJSZigeURNirqQM24FQIDhfMZ5SS68-iL0sxhNlij1_6DGVpnonGsK5L5gH3ZVq52f4rb4bqJaUyDGFjZCZataBTjiWkvOFjuWkAUG88QnshJ10wJMyTT5YL2CdAkwk-g_hup8vch_f/s400/6788521535_32b989e106_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="fullpost"> My mum and dad were in <i>Zwollywood</i> for a visit last year and they were both completely delighted with Terminator Mike. So much so, that they wanted their picture taken with Zwollenaar citizen <i>número uno. </i>I had been rather expecting a different reaction from them, something close to, "what, an angel wearing a suit?!" or, "This does not look like Michael the archangel AT ALL!" But no, they were absolutely enamoured by Terminator Mike for being "so original, so modern, so regular-looking kind of guy". </span><br />
<br />
Now every time I visit the city centre I feel compelled to stop and look at Terminator Mike. I have discovered that, depending on the time of the day, the sculpture is more or less transparent and I have begun to wonder what light effects one might get when photographing it. I can see my collection of photographs of the cyborg/archangel growing and growing in the future: Terminator Mike during the Christmas season, Terminator Mike in the rain, Terminator Mike in the snow, Terminator Mike on market day, Terminator Mike surrounded by a sea of people enjoying a summer festival, Terminator Mike squeezed between stalls during Blue Finger Day in July....<br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">All of a sudden, I don't mind at all that he has come to Zwolle to stay - <u>for good!</u></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgzbCiH9-AbI68vem8YV8B5G6CeXyY_RnRQA0aYs_efDiigK-j_yMwAeTxVXRPIRUZzDxsNoSCzJMjD1bE15_fLauGObIudnYrs7VLECNXpPeOW1J3tbdANWn-rikPFejVI9pchDXFv6b/s1600/6788614465_ffcd30b003_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgzbCiH9-AbI68vem8YV8B5G6CeXyY_RnRQA0aYs_efDiigK-j_yMwAeTxVXRPIRUZzDxsNoSCzJMjD1bE15_fLauGObIudnYrs7VLECNXpPeOW1J3tbdANWn-rikPFejVI9pchDXFv6b/s400/6788614465_ffcd30b003_o.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terminator Mike watching the Christmas tree being chopped down at the end of the season.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="fullpost"><u> </u> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-15416481791782305442011-12-30T11:56:00.001+01:002012-02-16T15:55:32.838+01:00New Year traditions<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Si prefieres leer en español, sigue <a href="http://unaargentinaenholanda.blogspot.com/2011/12/tradiciones-para-celebrar-el-ano-nuevo.html">este enlace</a>)</span></i></div>
One more day and we will be saying good-bye to 2011 and welcoming a New Year. As I mentioned in <a href="http://fromargentina2holland.blogspot.com/2011/12/happy-holidays.html" target="_blank">my previous post</a>, our end of year celebrations will be quite low key. No big parties or trips to dazzling European cities to welcome 2012...<br />
<br />
Still, there are a number of things that I do like having, eating or doing for Christmas and New Year every time. I always put up a Christmas tree and decorate the house; I normally send cards to our friends and family to wish them "Happy Holidays"; I usually either buy or make the traditional <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panettone" target="_blank"><i>panettone</i></a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibraltarian_cuisine" target="_blank"><i>pan dulce</i></a> (though this year I was perfectly happy with a Dutch <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stollen" target="_blank"><i>kerststol</i> </a>for Christmas; I will probably make <i>panettone</i> for the New Year) and I sometimes bring some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turr%C3%B3n" target="_blank"><i>turrones</i></a> from Argentina to have at hand during the season.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCr5GPKN8yqtpm1RyGPgQ9xXc94NIZGTHUbJlVERRkyALT3ULjMOHyE0bKPeljxIQOSHGGmuVUPChtW8Ct7-C1_bGWrHHWeGqWN5Z1FSuuFgiInNefpo5NmiqtNjGVFSqESdqC0dcQpW_3/s1600/6599433323_fdf5dac009_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCr5GPKN8yqtpm1RyGPgQ9xXc94NIZGTHUbJlVERRkyALT3ULjMOHyE0bKPeljxIQOSHGGmuVUPChtW8Ct7-C1_bGWrHHWeGqWN5Z1FSuuFgiInNefpo5NmiqtNjGVFSqESdqC0dcQpW_3/s400/6599433323_fdf5dac009_o.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the Christmas cards I've received this year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are two more things I must have for New Year and they also involve food:<i> oliebollen</i> and <i>las doce uvas </i>(the twelve grapes). <br />
<br />
<i>Oliebollen </i>(literally, "oil balls") are traditional Dutch dumplings made with flour, eggs, milk, salt, baking powder and yeast, deep-fried and then dusted with icing sugar. You can make them at home, since they are easy enough to prepare; but if you are too busy during this time of the year to be bothered -or if you do not want your entire house to smell of fried food- you can buy them at the many stalls that pop up in every city or village across The Netherlands. Eaten cold or hot, plain or filled with raisins or sultanas, they are a real treat and they seem to be a permanent staple for the New Year table around here. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkKLrLzPjQ6rHv-iM18mPZlrV3D1XVj5tzHvWLUHaU6PVkoZ920SX2UlqB0a9Mul4HC3Gnv7Ro-5nCU-W6X8FahMo6DPQRARCgqpO6hfwx99UpeLepA0wjklxoaN79nFKVNrmNp5t8x9x/s1600/6596823049_1b98e81fff_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkKLrLzPjQ6rHv-iM18mPZlrV3D1XVj5tzHvWLUHaU6PVkoZ920SX2UlqB0a9Mul4HC3Gnv7Ro-5nCU-W6X8FahMo6DPQRARCgqpO6hfwx99UpeLepA0wjklxoaN79nFKVNrmNp5t8x9x/s400/6596823049_1b98e81fff_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An <i>oliebollen</i> stall in my neighbourhood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As for the twelve grapes of luck -<i>las doce uvas de la suerte, </i>a tradition that I have brought with me from Argentina- it is in fact, a Spanish tradition still kept in my family. When the clocks strike 12 at midnight on <i>Nochevieja</i> (Old Night, in Spanish), the twelve grapes are eaten, each grape representing a month and symbolising hope and good wishes for the New Year.<br />
Sometimes it is quite a challenge to pop a grape in your mouth at each strike of the clock; most of the time you end up either eating less than twelve grapes or choking from a full mouth while still trying to kiss those around you who are too eager to wish you a Happy New Year...<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf965KhxFCh0EpZeLwZRAUA3pKLFdfQGO1ynf_bGOXVYc3V3JLTLd25pDri1J9LdN88GtKZU3KLFpjIg5teUzr2mJO1Pk8_X7ciW1EXINYc9r1yqNpmaB8wrn44NQPbO3bAkA7vs__YZH-/s1600/4231299917_f8dd8b2150_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf965KhxFCh0EpZeLwZRAUA3pKLFdfQGO1ynf_bGOXVYc3V3JLTLd25pDri1J9LdN88GtKZU3KLFpjIg5teUzr2mJO1Pk8_X7ciW1EXINYc9r1yqNpmaB8wrn44NQPbO3bAkA7vs__YZH-/s400/4231299917_f8dd8b2150_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Oliebollen</i> and the twelve grapes, my own New Year traditions.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
What are your New Year traditions? Do you wear a special colour, make a toast, give someone next to you a kiss, sing <i>Ald Lang Syne</i> ... ?<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #cc0000;">Have a wonderful start of the New Year everyone!!</b></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-91742380364162192372011-12-22T12:22:00.005+01:002012-02-16T13:41:28.425+01:00Happy Holidays!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg83Bv0rGQpM6uagMAwsb4_QlRX2PyadUQNR0gH_hKpizHEgh1MTqO7YPtnIcMCzz8DNh33CCNI6EV2gCsMeiMama2qO8I-16TLsSkWcggwKleibKEYw5Nen3g8rPJXaaaDWXPJIGnAaB9/s1600/6553217099_33edb81f19_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg83Bv0rGQpM6uagMAwsb4_QlRX2PyadUQNR0gH_hKpizHEgh1MTqO7YPtnIcMCzz8DNh33CCNI6EV2gCsMeiMama2qO8I-16TLsSkWcggwKleibKEYw5Nen3g8rPJXaaaDWXPJIGnAaB9/s320/6553217099_33edb81f19_o.jpg" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas decorations <i>a la Argentine</i>... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="fullpost"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Para leer en español sigue <a href="http://unaargentinaenholanda.blogspot.com/2011/12/felices-fiestas.html" target="_blank">este enlace</a>)</span></i></div>
I am finally back in the Netherlands and though I have been easing myself back into my routine for the last week and I am now operating at 85% of my usual Dutch mode (I am still having difficulties thinking in Dutch so most of the time, when addressed in this language I am still replying in either Spanish or Italian), I haven't been able to post here again until now. Hopefully my <i>Nederlandse</i> chip will soon be fully operational and I will be back here with my stories and photographs.<br />
<br />
Are you getting ready for the end of year celebrations? Our Christmas/New Year holiday will be very low-impact this year - my husband and I will be staying at home or visiting friends and sharing seasonal <i>lekkere dingen </i>(tasty things), nothing too exciting or adventurous. No big parties planned, no huge amounts of cooking (the <b style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://fromargentina2holland.blogspot.com/2011/04/argies-in-dutchland-doing-what-we-know.html" target="_blank">Argies in Dutchland</a></b> food feasts will resume as of next year) and no more faraway travels for us until 2012.<br />
<br />
Usually at this time of the year I tend to feel a bit down, mostly because I am still trying to go back to my Dutch routine and life after a long stay in Argentina. Christmas away from your homeland and your dear ones is never easy; but don't get me wrong - I count my blessings, give thanks for them and normally try to make the most of it and enjoy the festivities like everyone else.<br />
<br />
Before closing this post, I want to thank you all for stopping by to read, comment and share on <a href="http://fromargentina2holland.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">From Argentina to the Netherlands, for Love!</a> and to wish you a brilliant Christmas and an amazing New Year! <br />
<br />
<div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Happy Holidays, everyone! </b></span></div>
<br />
Let me share with you again this year, the season's greetings I received from my friend Nico: Santa or <i>Papá Noel</i> as we call him in Argentina, skating around the city of Rosario. I hope you like it!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="334" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SyYlD0FhUWw?fs=1" width="449"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-53163183660446026762011-11-23T21:13:00.004+01:002012-02-16T13:01:16.495+01:00Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="fullpost"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Lee este post en español <a href="http://unaargentinaenholanda.blogspot.com/2011/11/mientras-tanto-al-otro-lado-del.html" target="_blank">aquí</a>)</span></i></span></div>
<span class="fullpost">Three months have gone by since the last time I wrote here on my blog. In the meantime, I have been travelling, working and enjoying the company of friends and family and I cannot think of a better way to spend my days. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">This year I have been very lucky - I have been on short holidays three times: to beautiful Andalusia in Spain, to the Ardennes in neighbouring Belgium and to the Argo Saronic Islands in Greece. I fell in love with all of these places and I feel it would be a dream come true to go back to each one of them some time in the future.</span><br />
<span class="fullpost">In late August, my parents came all the way from Argentina to spend two months with me in The Netherlands. It was the first time my father visited Holland, so we made sure that he got to see as much as possible and we also spent two weekends <i>abroad </i>in Germany and in Belgium. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZh45Rza6h2TMrLfQiJpqzhJByOb1kMDMgPlaTksS5lr9gX4S9UJd_DpU1Kxc0SlZsAMT3aUxGbpbY82BW1E_WPP07H6EQa9Hz2DrKel1e7go4OnY6mLHwqZTEl1AuLFVYKZQIIG91fW0/s1600/6121073684_83b0dfae09_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZh45Rza6h2TMrLfQiJpqzhJByOb1kMDMgPlaTksS5lr9gX4S9UJd_DpU1Kxc0SlZsAMT3aUxGbpbY82BW1E_WPP07H6EQa9Hz2DrKel1e7go4OnY6mLHwqZTEl1AuLFVYKZQIIG91fW0/s400/6121073684_83b0dfae09_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parents during our visit at the Southern Sea Museum in the NL.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span class="fullpost">Finally, the time came to pay our annual visit to my home country, Argentina. Right when a quite unusually beautiful autumn was beginning to set in in Holland, the four of us -my parents, my husband and I- flew together across half of Europe and over the Atlantic to land here in the southern hemisphere some 25 hours after leaving home. Here in the south Nature´s cycle is just beginning and trees are not losing their leaves but rather filling up. The usual brown and earthy colours that are so common in Córdoba, are slowly changing into green again and it is warm and sunny most of the time.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost"> </span><br />
I usually feel sorry to miss the beauty of the autumn in The Netherlands, especially this year when it has been such an unusually fantastic season, judging by what I´ve seen in my friend Alison´s blog -<a href="http://oranjeflamingo.wordpress.com/">A Flamingo in Utrecht</a>- lately. Here are some of the shots she took around the city of Utrecht:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4c70NSC_zfZeo-328rQaHO8DTa_4w6KPCKB2l-TgdmYTPVtQU6tqAObAmZUMfOKx2oIs0vLgb1hKdDsgzW-L9OLGRcZ-nQS-CRPKmatUTsrTiMOonU8GVMdpE41dPC8513dPgbnK0Vm0/s1600/6350072687_2c536c96af_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4c70NSC_zfZeo-328rQaHO8DTa_4w6KPCKB2l-TgdmYTPVtQU6tqAObAmZUMfOKx2oIs0vLgb1hKdDsgzW-L9OLGRcZ-nQS-CRPKmatUTsrTiMOonU8GVMdpE41dPC8513dPgbnK0Vm0/s320/6350072687_2c536c96af_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn along the Oudegracht. ©Alison Netsel </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUM9mwjdkr-jQauYFYJ_P4xyBq1V-fr4ukLGR8NKg0CLQZuCGbbqs3eV4_pf4rqS4dR00A75Ddd96PshNzL48lP1K7twzdIIoeO0e9Uz_aYpV9wSbV3UJXhdaFlTcNe52Ou9ka1Uc5ZiU/s1600/6369670593_bf08bba773_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUM9mwjdkr-jQauYFYJ_P4xyBq1V-fr4ukLGR8NKg0CLQZuCGbbqs3eV4_pf4rqS4dR00A75Ddd96PshNzL48lP1K7twzdIIoeO0e9Uz_aYpV9wSbV3UJXhdaFlTcNe52Ou9ka1Uc5ZiU/s320/6369670593_bf08bba773_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mist in a street in Utrecht. ©Alison Netsel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3DQsfRyOO3Q1AWMQ63gFO_ZiUJs0pKxGYEZtT2JZM5gUnEHOYowCgoJh10U-rDQxj9UBC7WaRAf-uNfZxhL1GHqzGrViSWOeqHSyKipgi7Xzx0xOvr-qzxrbNZUfCzEjd4ip_W0-V_U2/s1600/6312479492_d285038bdb_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3DQsfRyOO3Q1AWMQ63gFO_ZiUJs0pKxGYEZtT2JZM5gUnEHOYowCgoJh10U-rDQxj9UBC7WaRAf-uNfZxhL1GHqzGrViSWOeqHSyKipgi7Xzx0xOvr-qzxrbNZUfCzEjd4ip_W0-V_U2/s320/6312479492_d285038bdb_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn Domtoren (Church bell tower) ©Alison Netsel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But the beauty of the spring in Argentina makes up for all that I am missing in the northern hemisphere. It is during this time of the year when the beautiful <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacaranda"><i>jacarandá</i></a>, a typical tree of these lands, get covered in gorgeous purple flowers. I recently admired them in the photos my friend Diego -from the blog in Spanish, <a href="http://contactoconlodivino.blogspot.com/"><i style="color: #0b5394;">Contacto con lo Divino</i></a>- took in Buenos Aires. Here are some of his pictures:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuzamama/6335146418/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Jacaranda en Buenos Aires 006 por kuzamama, en Flickr"><img alt="Jacaranda en Buenos Aires 006" height="260" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6060/6335146418_7f6243d7ab_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacarandas in bloom in Buenos Aires. ©Diego Bianchi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuzamama/6334423881/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Jacaranda en Buenos Aires 023 por kuzamama, en Flickr"><img alt="Jacaranda en Buenos Aires 023" height="400" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6226/6334423881_c6c0e9d1da_z.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful light trhough the jacarandas. ©Diego Bianchi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuzamama/6358042431/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Jacaranda Parte II por kuzamama, en Flickr"><img alt="Jacaranda Parte II" height="267" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6019/6358042431_9565d4d9f0_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of 9 de Julio Av. in Buenos Aires. ©Diego Bianchi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I still have three more weeks to enjoy my holiday here in Argentina, during which I hope to see more of my friends and family and enjoy visiting all the familiar places that mean so much to me ...<br />
<br />
<i>Hasta la próxima...! </i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-90220505772968521642011-08-10T23:58:00.010+02:002011-11-28T23:13:22.598+01:00Córdoba: la peatonal - the pedestrian area of the city<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Para leer este post en español, sigue <a href="http://unaargentinaenholanda.blogspot.com/2011/11/cordoba-la-peatonal.html">este enlace</a></span></i></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe406WW8I0MqjMR3WGAxiQT1SV_wlq9cmbDQknyU1oUTX8xW5505Oq2LGLj_TJDSQCvIoZgYcMML0QzU9DZygyqs781BBFinzrUgKi5OxVc5KVNSD5AaJloivCzSGUtE8Y5sXTLVoFh8mJ/s1600/4281863524_4f5f851c01_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe406WW8I0MqjMR3WGAxiQT1SV_wlq9cmbDQknyU1oUTX8xW5505Oq2LGLj_TJDSQCvIoZgYcMML0QzU9DZygyqs781BBFinzrUgKi5OxVc5KVNSD5AaJloivCzSGUtE8Y5sXTLVoFh8mJ/s320/4281863524_4f5f851c01_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La peatonal in the city centre of Córdoba</td></tr>
</tbody></table><i>All the world is a stage, and all the men and women merely players ... </i>goes the saying and this is what I think whenever I am walking down the pedestrian area in Córdoba. If there is a "stage" in this city, a place where you can watch life in all its glory and also in all its .... <i>ingloriousness</i> walk past you, that is in <b style="color: #b45f06;"><i>la peatonal.</i></b><br />
<br />
In Córdoba <i>La peatonal</i> is the commercial district of this busy city. Along <i>calles</i> 9 de julio, Rivera Indarte, or Dean Funes you will come across elegant shopping arcades, big department stores, chain retailers and small boutiques where you can find just about anything you might be looking for - from buttons and ribbons to household appliances and cars.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GEz7jgFT1N_GxAyaO48kE9ztm0edI4JKFSVaoQ5MIMT7-AAnL-xfAwHfJg1Nt0q3z3KyAQmZvzjsrXXJOyKEq0NYVGc6FBIoHeTFyat_-vG5l8KA11CZGfkC7hISXJZOkY9vWgNBArKl/s1600/4281091791_7e8e57e1d2_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GEz7jgFT1N_GxAyaO48kE9ztm0edI4JKFSVaoQ5MIMT7-AAnL-xfAwHfJg1Nt0q3z3KyAQmZvzjsrXXJOyKEq0NYVGc6FBIoHeTFyat_-vG5l8KA11CZGfkC7hISXJZOkY9vWgNBArKl/s320/4281091791_7e8e57e1d2_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If after doing the round of your favourite shops you feel tired and in need of refreshment, you will also find here many cafés where you can sit for a while and enjoy some coffee with pastries (try for example <b style="color: #b45f06;">café Havanna</b> at Rivera Indarte 73, where they sell the delicious <a href="http://www.havanna.com.ar/">Havanna alfajores</a>) or restaurants where you can have from fast food like the classic <i>carlitos </i>(a toasted ham and cheese sandwich) at the traditional <b style="color: #b45f06;">El Quijote Bar</b> (Vélez Sarsfield 73), to a full three course meal at <a href="http://www.ilgatto.com.ar/"><b style="color: #b45f06;">Trattoria Il Gatto</b></a> (Avenida General Paz 120). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOf430sFKLzVOO_5fkYnpxP4avTnr4mt1djZXjkS579mBsoNzUv2e-GWxxJq47BLnOtFaYaC0FvmKnnMi0BQTDOJRaXUoOb9rvK-hyEBoLAOSbuRiY4-ajvC-BSFkd0AOnRrqYhQ9bVKEY/s1600/4281123831_ae7ea7f31c_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOf430sFKLzVOO_5fkYnpxP4avTnr4mt1djZXjkS579mBsoNzUv2e-GWxxJq47BLnOtFaYaC0FvmKnnMi0BQTDOJRaXUoOb9rvK-hyEBoLAOSbuRiY4-ajvC-BSFkd0AOnRrqYhQ9bVKEY/s320/4281123831_ae7ea7f31c_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
But what makes <i>la peatonal</i> a stage where life flows unhindered -and does it in technicolour, besides- are the <i>cordobeses</i> themselves, who in this part of the city are not simple passers-by but rather become main characters in a big urban play. Young and old, rich and poor, every <i>cordobés</i> has seen part of his or her life take place on this "stage" and everyone has a story or two to tell about it. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcCaEhjVmCUFQuLnBssS3xpIP2ZJKDWymdGQNaDuQgsKCLTghkTO5YFhsB-BgzkYuAnWCutB7fuoE2C1hCEfjmlMnZdhSO6IGIhCK9O-BpsfUcmcJbgpX3wSYYq655MMXx-gUSUTEyavO/s1600/4062598990_7cf695bae1_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcCaEhjVmCUFQuLnBssS3xpIP2ZJKDWymdGQNaDuQgsKCLTghkTO5YFhsB-BgzkYuAnWCutB7fuoE2C1hCEfjmlMnZdhSO6IGIhCK9O-BpsfUcmcJbgpX3wSYYq655MMXx-gUSUTEyavO/s320/4062598990_7cf695bae1_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is always music in every corner of <i>la peatonal</i>. Photo by <b>Claudia Gibson</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>As a newly arrived 10-year-old I used to walk around <i>la peatonal</i> with my mum, eyes wide open trying hard to catch it all in: the shops, the buzz of people coming and going, the street vendors selling just about anything: fruit, watches and alarm clocks, pets, football t-shirts and hats, <i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcelostefani/231440402/">cubanitos</a> </i>and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34749847@N06/3498570887/"><i>garrapiñada</i></a>, toys ... a noisy and colourful mix of people, smells and sounds that have stayed with me all these years despite living on the other side of the world.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwh8g6Tk5IF6Gp-ScyuLlg6lMGd5p-fgKdiusqtry04UzZT_-V7CNuEXUVLhbqK5cRFMPV-ZMbq6H5QiQdSOVAn65Eg40bwgEcsGqu5j2LqrCZu8TycZw7Yh_XcScReeoLonUumiHRLAxd/s1600/4281833248_fc10fde99a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwh8g6Tk5IF6Gp-ScyuLlg6lMGd5p-fgKdiusqtry04UzZT_-V7CNuEXUVLhbqK5cRFMPV-ZMbq6H5QiQdSOVAn65Eg40bwgEcsGqu5j2LqrCZu8TycZw7Yh_XcScReeoLonUumiHRLAxd/s320/4281833248_fc10fde99a_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8vmRJRXjrPvawwgIeHppr_jFvKQrZlRB8M_2pfPL5Guk2glyg10pBY6iIqCPghu6VWNdWK_mUmlhOvu-MqNg8-OqoB48ATKZCVOjmJRySdJMTOxRstiAyGyV1eNXAPTLIyhl9fz1RqpP/s1600/4281090131_e240b1cc21_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8vmRJRXjrPvawwgIeHppr_jFvKQrZlRB8M_2pfPL5Guk2glyg10pBY6iIqCPghu6VWNdWK_mUmlhOvu-MqNg8-OqoB48ATKZCVOjmJRySdJMTOxRstiAyGyV1eNXAPTLIyhl9fz1RqpP/s320/4281090131_e240b1cc21_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Not much has changed in this part of town. The street vendors with their stalls are still there twenty, thirty years later. They are like fixed characters in this "play"; they have names and a story that, if you walk through <i>la peatonal</i> every day, you end up knowing as if they were part of your own extended family.<br />
<br />
But most of these characters from <i>la peatonal</i> that I knew as a little girl disappeared a long time ago, like the trio of little people -two men and a woman, all blind- who used to play traditional Argentinean music and sell lottery tickets in a fixed spot for decades and that everyone used to know as "los cieguitos" (the little blind people).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7a7VbESjN5cHtSIGAZlGPvovd01clbQ6NbOt6Dd9o4qDaA9MjbUbzRG5UXwZueSGHJqDhoAUZNLQXEyT8qdXNOewdFppAOu7DR3OoIOkL2J8TwAHwrlnoTSDX3RWnZsNKq6yASQ81IBj/s1600/6029217966_6ac11483d6_o-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7a7VbESjN5cHtSIGAZlGPvovd01clbQ6NbOt6Dd9o4qDaA9MjbUbzRG5UXwZueSGHJqDhoAUZNLQXEyT8qdXNOewdFppAOu7DR3OoIOkL2J8TwAHwrlnoTSDX3RWnZsNKq6yASQ81IBj/s320/6029217966_6ac11483d6_o-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of today's fixed characters at <i>la peatonal</i> in Córdoba. Photos by <b>Andrea Orozco.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Another such famous fixed character in the <i>peatonal cordobesa</i> from way before my time, was <i>Jardín Florido</i>, an old man who used to stand at the junction of calles 9 de julio and Rivera Indarte, always wearing a carnation blossom in the buttonhole of his coat. Jardín Florido's role in this urban play used to be that of the galant gentleman who paid compliments to the ladies walking past him in the busy <i>peatonal.</i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7F9yTymc4az0sk7arv46gLRwnrsgpOA5cT1X4GR-aYHmtM3Svou_CEW9PA5GZHwVN3Kh8G1U_370ZJZvwhLPcna_H9oB8C2KvKFEcRi9wC_8QfV8ZOe6TOwUfXnbQoS9-EOQ3sWGVT2R/s1600/Jard%25C3%25ADn_Florido_piropeando.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7F9yTymc4az0sk7arv46gLRwnrsgpOA5cT1X4GR-aYHmtM3Svou_CEW9PA5GZHwVN3Kh8G1U_370ZJZvwhLPcna_H9oB8C2KvKFEcRi9wC_8QfV8ZOe6TOwUfXnbQoS9-EOQ3sWGVT2R/s320/Jard%25C3%25ADn_Florido_piropeando.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jardín Florido caught paying compliments to two ladies in the peatonal in Córdoba. Photo: <a href="http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archivo:Jard%C3%ADn_Florido_piropeando.jpg">WIkipedia</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Today <i>la peatonal</i> continues to be the epicentre of Córdoba where people meet, shop and run their errands. It is also the place where school kids hang out between of after classes. As a secondary school student I used to walk around the Peatonal almost every day, so I have lots of memories of this hot spot of my home town.<br />
<br />
With my friend Adriana, we used to walk down Obispo Trejo street after our morning lessons to go to her grandparents' kiosk, situated right next to <i>Paseo de las Flores</i>. We would hang out there, grab something to eat and later head back for school for our afternoon class. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SOCyTJm6iPRkoNd7vhrVkY2FIeGJ82pBi1gtB6-3wpxAtlly8ZJbpy5u3wn3S9th_48NLmfH_2x_8PSy7G73yObLeylFsEqcLiOddwQfGfXg_vh0o10IxWENj1Hj3lCDLdRkIQKkZLjG/s1600/4090050566_1eba3f8e06_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SOCyTJm6iPRkoNd7vhrVkY2FIeGJ82pBi1gtB6-3wpxAtlly8ZJbpy5u3wn3S9th_48NLmfH_2x_8PSy7G73yObLeylFsEqcLiOddwQfGfXg_vh0o10IxWENj1Hj3lCDLdRkIQKkZLjG/s320/4090050566_1eba3f8e06_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Paseo de las Flores is a fake bridge used by a street vendor to display plants and flowers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Also on our way to lunch between classes, my friend Marcela would steer me through the throngs of people in <i>la peatonal </i>while I read and translated for her stories like "Rebecca", "Jane Eyre" or "The Lord of the Castle", taking care that I would not trip, fall into a hole or be pushed around too much. At 14 or 15, there is of course no time to waste when your favourite love story has reached a turning point and you have to know what happens next ...never mind that we were walking in the middle of<i> la peatonal</i> during the rush hour! <br />
<br />
And even once, with cousin Gloria, we stopped for a while to listen to one of the <i>cieguitos</i> playing a waltz and to our surprise, a man fixing the telephone lines up there on a post, came down and invited us to dance.How we laughed! I don't think that we danced with him but the attiude and friendliness of our galant telecommunications worker certainly made our day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCj9cSveJ0HSdqwRYr-PhMUjTFuVOFbkCkFSce-RwQKRkKKtcsOWtrJQRHVXMUp6Kd45KRY9i2R0sYv9XRToERQemR07fe1gDaAw9vW_WawUgSqgd15kSenlWA8F9fHe2_o1dOD64YX3m9/s1600/4281862706_4e065ac7b1_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCj9cSveJ0HSdqwRYr-PhMUjTFuVOFbkCkFSce-RwQKRkKKtcsOWtrJQRHVXMUp6Kd45KRY9i2R0sYv9XRToERQemR07fe1gDaAw9vW_WawUgSqgd15kSenlWA8F9fHe2_o1dOD64YX3m9/s320/4281862706_4e065ac7b1_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The bustling centre of Córdoba with its peatonal, turns into a lively stage every day of the week with the first lights, when cordobeses by birth and by choice, tourists and travellers passing by the city, start filling up the streets with noise, colour, friendly chatter, music, the call of the vendors from the different stalls. It is never quiet, it is never still, never boring - that is for sure. <br />
<br />
<br />
-------------<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Thanks to <b>Claudia Gibson</b> and <b>Andrea Orozco</b> for letting me use their photos here in my blog. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com13Córdoba, Córdoba Province, Argentina-31.3989296 -64.182128900000009-67.1820596 -123.94775390000001 4.384200400000001 -4.4165039000000093tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-27167483135412854082011-06-27T10:38:00.014+02:002011-06-28T23:15:39.295+02:00 ALFAJORES CORDOBESES<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Sweet mouthfuls from my Córdoba</span> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(si prefieres leer este post en español, por favor, sigue <a href="http://unaargentinaenholanda.blogspot.com/2011/06/alfajores-cordobeses.html" style="color: #38761d;">este enlace</a>)</span></i></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVO5sEzDZ2u821aILzIshcTzhdcYDd-GwctEx12Eamh2Mlp3cIcmyB4u_XHOdtwjbug28rFVe1_mefRj6jG7Oj1_rTj-gXoOlJX2DBIOYVhBL-nqw2ZONRhb-t9VHTvX3UJGFvmjjyqhc/s1600/5857722084_d4b9829d38_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVO5sEzDZ2u821aILzIshcTzhdcYDd-GwctEx12Eamh2Mlp3cIcmyB4u_XHOdtwjbug28rFVe1_mefRj6jG7Oj1_rTj-gXoOlJX2DBIOYVhBL-nqw2ZONRhb-t9VHTvX3UJGFvmjjyqhc/s400/5857722084_d4b9829d38_o.jpg" width="342" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A batch of my <i>alfajores cordobeses</i> filled with cherry jam</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Here's some advice for you: if a colleague from work, a neighbour, your cousin, your best friend or even <i>a <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472">certain blogger contact</a></i> of yours tells you that he or she is heading for Córdoba -mostly the one in Argentina, but as you will see, it can also be the one in Spain- and he or she asks what you want as a souvenir from this <i>exotic</i> and far away land, make sure you remember this word and learn how to say it properly, "alfajores!" You will thank me if you do. Here is why:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="color: #b45f06;">What is an </span><i style="color: #b45f06;">alfajor</i><span style="color: #b45f06;">?</span></u></div><br />
An alfajor is basically a pastry made by joining two layers of cake or biscuits with some <a href="http://fromargentina2holland.blogspot.com/2009/09/taste-of-home-argentinian-passion-for.html"><i>dulce de leche</i></a>, mousse or fruit jam in the middle. Depending on where they come from, <i>alfajores</i> can be made in different ways, filled with different kinds of jams and either coated in white or dark chocolate, in a sugar glaze or simply covered with a dust of powdered sugar. Take your pick, they are the sweetest mouthfuls you can ask for and they are very popular all over Argentina.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyqFlepd0a3TP4BKSg6wJJ3UrNUMjmPsdqX7VgJIciU5Os28GYkEZfmZz4pIH-tB9JQJ6GEYQaljOP9SlVM18Yp_77rYAjw3HA7xUsfl-yhyqV-WiEG7ZVFxiMkgGiBQ-GK8qEEPAudsl/s1600/SURTIDAS+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyqFlepd0a3TP4BKSg6wJJ3UrNUMjmPsdqX7VgJIciU5Os28GYkEZfmZz4pIH-tB9JQJ6GEYQaljOP9SlVM18Yp_77rYAjw3HA7xUsfl-yhyqV-WiEG7ZVFxiMkgGiBQ-GK8qEEPAudsl/s400/SURTIDAS+005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Alfajores de maicena</i> by "The Baker's Dozen", a small business owned by a friend in Córdoba.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><u style="color: #b45f06;">Where does the <i>alfajor</i> come from?</u></div><br />
The<i> alfajor</i> (pronounced more or less <i>alfa-HOR</i>, plural is <i>alfajores</i> - <i>alfa-HO-res</i>) entered Spain in the times of the <i>al-Andalus</i>, when the whole of Spain was occupied by the Moors (from 711 to 1492 to be precise). Moorish influence in Spanish culture is still going strong to this day and it is to the Moors that we have to thank for this beautiful pastry.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmtHMaEmnS2J6hM1Wti_tvOQR-wdpb9vnvkrES-l9CUmTsvvTswdrHWrBSzOOLsFgyIV2dsYiUloL-v3WBSgKFa45sB16Bb910C2W-akUibeVy9mBi8u69ha2glQa2IufdqjsFaiQh1Rr/s1600/5852087983_e997d3c833_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmtHMaEmnS2J6hM1Wti_tvOQR-wdpb9vnvkrES-l9CUmTsvvTswdrHWrBSzOOLsFgyIV2dsYiUloL-v3WBSgKFa45sB16Bb910C2W-akUibeVy9mBi8u69ha2glQa2IufdqjsFaiQh1Rr/s400/5852087983_e997d3c833_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of the impressive mosque in the city of Córdoba (Spain) - remains of the glory of the <i>al-Andalus</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> It was mostly in the convents all over Spain (and therefore probably in those of the <i>old</i> Córdoba, the one in Andalusia) where nuns kept alive many of the brilliant recipes that the Moors had introduced in Spain; and in time, it was through Spain that the tradition of the <i>alfajor</i> was taken to the other side of the Atlantic to the South American colonies, where the recipes changed, due to the lack of ingredients or to new habits, but where they became a favourite type of pastry across the continent. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><u style="color: #b45f06;">The <i>alfajor</i> in Argentina</u>: <span style="color: #b45f06;"></span></div><br />
It was also in Córdoba, but this time the new one in Argentina, where the alfajor started to be produced at an industrial scale. Back in the 1860s, Augusto Chammás, a French chemist who had settled in the mediterranean city, started a small family factory to produce what we today know as the typical <i>alfajor cordobés</i>. <a href="http://www.casachammas.com.ar/"><i>Alfajores Chammás</i></a> are, in my humble opinion, still the best that you can get in Córdoba. (wink, wink ... remember this for the operation "souvenir <i>cordobés</i>"!)<br />
<br />
Nowadays there are lots of different brands and factories that come up with their special type of <i>alfajor </i>- all or most of them<i> ricos</i> (tasty). Every tourist centre in the country has its own type or brand, and if you are on holidays in the hills of Córdoba, in Bariloche, or in Mar del Plata, you simply can't go back home without taking a couple of dozens for your family or friends. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><u style="color: #b45f06;">The best: the <i>alfajor cordobés</i></u></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QhkEyRGLPsXDnNjW6DNTV46-ZgrnBGNWzK7YjqcWzFjOYlJ9tNaItQ5DsNWFUHnsOxtSUsDZB04q6eVgtwferklOGOP_nGNGg_iRRYxXjuk5VNMGQib1uU9mDVr8TNOuVhEXLrvJwk-e/s1600/5857171065_ec85a7a3ab_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QhkEyRGLPsXDnNjW6DNTV46-ZgrnBGNWzK7YjqcWzFjOYlJ9tNaItQ5DsNWFUHnsOxtSUsDZB04q6eVgtwferklOGOP_nGNGg_iRRYxXjuk5VNMGQib1uU9mDVr8TNOuVhEXLrvJwk-e/s400/5857171065_ec85a7a3ab_o.jpg" width="346" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A batch of the <i>alfajores</i> filled with <i>dulce the leche</i> that I prepared recently.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Now, I wouldn't be a true Argie if I didn't claim that our <i>alfajores</i> from Córdoba are the best, would I? But the truth be told, I prefer <i>alfajores</i> that taste as <i>artesanales</i> (handmade) and are light and fluffy rather than creamy or chocolatey such as those you buy in any <i>kiosco</i> or supermarket in Argentina.<br />
The classic <i>alfajor cordobés</i> is made with two layers of a crumbly, airy pastry hugging, so to speak, the fruit jam or <i>dulce de leche</i> in between. The most comon fruit jams used to fill them are quince, fig or apricot. The sandwich biscuits are either covered in a dusting of icing sugar or coated in an egg white glaze.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><u style="color: #b45f06;">The Challenge:</u> </div><br />
Once again, my blogger friend <b style="color: #b45f06;">Katie</b> from <a href="http://www.seashellsandsunflowers.com/">Seashells and Sunflowers</a> came up with a challenge for bloggers in / from Argentina and this time it was a sweet one: each one of the participant bloggers had to make her own regional version of <i>alfajores</i>.<br />
On this occasion, the participants are (besides myself, of course):<br />
<b style="color: #e06666;">Katie,</b> from blog <a href="http://www.seashellsandsunflowers.com/">Seashells and Sunflowers</a><br />
<b><span style="color: #e06666;">Ana,</span></b> from blog <a href="http://anatravels.org/"><span style="color: black;">Ana's Travels</span></a><br />
<b style="color: #e06666;">Meag,</b> from blog <a href="http://adomesticdisturbance.blogspot.com/">A Domestic Disturbance</a><br />
<b style="color: #e06666;">Rebecca,</b> from blog <a href="http://www.fromargentinawithlove.typepad.com/">From Argentina, with Love</a><br />
<b style="color: #e06666;">Paula,</b> from blog <a href="http://beemychef.blogspot.com/">Buenos Aires Foodies</a><br />
<br />
Please visit Katie's, Ana's, Meag's, Rebecca's and Paula's blogs to find the other recipes for more <i>Alfajor </i>Heaven!<br />
<br />
Now, if you are not so lucky as to have a work colleague, neighbour, cousin, best friend or even <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472"><i>a certain blogger contact</i></a> kind enough to bring you <i>Chammás alfajores</i> from Córdoba, you can always try to make your own. Here is... <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">the recipe for <i>alfajores cordobeses</i>: </span></div><br />
<u>Ingredients</u>: (this recipe made me 20 alfajores, cutting the biscuits of the size of an espresso cup)<br />
<br />
200 grams of icing sugar<br />
6 egg yokes<br />
50 grams of butter, melted<br />
the zest of 1 lemon<br />
150 grams of plain flour <br />
1 teaspoon of baking powder<br />
dulce de leche or fruit jam to fill the biscuits<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>For the glazing</u>:<br />
<br />
3 spoons of icing sugar<br />
1 egg white<br />
100 grams of caster sugar <br />
75 cc. of water<br />
the juice of half a lemon<br />
<br />
<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvOqDyXR6HMhd5xuAqSyiyaGbjySh1DaQa61tWvWwAfCKaYxRV2xck4pyCSZydZ4GMFS0zbYwwro24OEpsmDoobyzi6OAl960dlGHQcL5qTgjeA9WDuBhOQkJNVkk8UDUSRVa1xlPIGYL/s1600/5857077527_18d9a2c6a8_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvOqDyXR6HMhd5xuAqSyiyaGbjySh1DaQa61tWvWwAfCKaYxRV2xck4pyCSZydZ4GMFS0zbYwwro24OEpsmDoobyzi6OAl960dlGHQcL5qTgjeA9WDuBhOQkJNVkk8UDUSRVa1xlPIGYL/s400/5857077527_18d9a2c6a8_o.jpg" width="343" /></a></div><br />
<ol><li>Beat the icing sugar and the egg yokes until the mixture is foamy. You can do this <i>au bain marie </i>(placing the bowl with the mixture on top of pan with warm -not too hot- water).</li>
<li>Add the melted butter, the plain flour, the baking powder and the lemon zest, then mix until you get a soft dough. If necessary, add some more plain flour until you see that you can lift the dough easily from the bowl. Shape the dough into two balls and place in the fridge to cool for at least 20 minutes.</li>
<li>Preheat the oven to 160/170°C. On a floured work surface work the dough until you get a thickness of about 1/2 cm. Cut the dough into 4 cm circles using a pasta cutter or the rim of a small glass or cup.</li>
<li>Place the biscuits obtained on an oven plaque lined with baking paper and take to the oven. </li>
<li>Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes until done (dry but not brown), take them out and let them cool.</li>
<li>Take one biscuit and spread some dulce de leche or the fruit jam of your choice on it, then top it with another biscuit. Repeat the process until you have used all the biscuits. </li>
</ol><br />
<u>The glazing</u>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoCdWIRSPeoeFpOQlVtHgwrilIv1df_2oTco6aV_AZSb8cHvqhiLcMPl_3sE8eKq2YbT73R8WBNaujhu2tKM-ghXLyh5JoXESSZYRz7-r7xjJQpCXIkv0G9wr8L-Kca3CFtQ25zmfDJ02/s1600/5859587683_7bb8e0e137_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoCdWIRSPeoeFpOQlVtHgwrilIv1df_2oTco6aV_AZSb8cHvqhiLcMPl_3sE8eKq2YbT73R8WBNaujhu2tKM-ghXLyh5JoXESSZYRz7-r7xjJQpCXIkv0G9wr8L-Kca3CFtQ25zmfDJ02/s400/5859587683_7bb8e0e137_o.jpg" width="348" /></a></div><br />
<ol><li> Beat the egg whites and the icing sugar for about 10 minutes you obtain a thick cream.</li>
<li>Prepare a syrup with 100 grams of caster sugar and the water (do not add much, just enough to more or less cover the amount of sugar) and put it on the gas until the sugar dissolves. </li>
<li>Add the syrup to the egg white mix and coat the alfajores immediately. </li>
<li>Let the glazing dry before serving or storing the alfajores. </li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1lbzqi2NYOl4r-aKqSPS2kGabhlKDslvFtWT0LI6RRYM7-e8sA5VNxZSVKjug9_Rs_wXxwycLv56U5_olGaT9r6GUQ-D-5TNQF5FQm67QrSRh1vO0ACiVEOi1CuUGWE9kiHFR9HHUTT6/s1600/5873118014_5f20040d40_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOC8uGo-zDxI3j05J3gAKTPDY_XxfZ8fNCyJsGLiBVjHlrpHCGOjFUrV79kJtDW2VhWWMeXursfQP5bjY8nq0XUR8L-uVZqn_wJLNi0JlWiVUkCztrpMwXeoIPeA4YO0QDNTwVUU_Lo9v/s1600/5860181642_d811ece8ff_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOC8uGo-zDxI3j05J3gAKTPDY_XxfZ8fNCyJsGLiBVjHlrpHCGOjFUrV79kJtDW2VhWWMeXursfQP5bjY8nq0XUR8L-uVZqn_wJLNi0JlWiVUkCztrpMwXeoIPeA4YO0QDNTwVUU_Lo9v/s400/5860181642_d811ece8ff_o.jpg" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final result: my <i>alfajores</i> cordobeses with a white sugar and egg white coating.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><u style="color: #b45f06;">A sneak preview of the other girls' <i>alfajores</i> for this challenge</u>:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(you can click on the link below the photo to go to the recipes)</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1lbzqi2NYOl4r-aKqSPS2kGabhlKDslvFtWT0LI6RRYM7-e8sA5VNxZSVKjug9_Rs_wXxwycLv56U5_olGaT9r6GUQ-D-5TNQF5FQm67QrSRh1vO0ACiVEOi1CuUGWE9kiHFR9HHUTT6/s1600/5873118014_5f20040d40_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1lbzqi2NYOl4r-aKqSPS2kGabhlKDslvFtWT0LI6RRYM7-e8sA5VNxZSVKjug9_Rs_wXxwycLv56U5_olGaT9r6GUQ-D-5TNQF5FQm67QrSRh1vO0ACiVEOi1CuUGWE9kiHFR9HHUTT6/s200/5873118014_5f20040d40_o.jpg" width="153" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.seashellsandsunflowers.com/2011/06/alfajores-marplatenses-move-over.html">ALFAJORES MARPLATENSES</a>, by Katie </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NCBKzGeo3adfCJakrXSDsUhPVfxUNLCwSvIeDJ2xIJ-Tfd6NB_AFdyG9WNGp5jXFS6HZohlYly_h3nonTUa7x2ktGHgVK_Hw1uCnq1C2qRVIG3IyYVdJHz-Nj5Nnzx3uCI6rUok8lri-/s1600/5817702187_6b41eaae37_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NCBKzGeo3adfCJakrXSDsUhPVfxUNLCwSvIeDJ2xIJ-Tfd6NB_AFdyG9WNGp5jXFS6HZohlYly_h3nonTUa7x2ktGHgVK_Hw1uCnq1C2qRVIG3IyYVdJHz-Nj5Nnzx3uCI6rUok8lri-/s200/5817702187_6b41eaae37_b.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://anatravels.org/2011/06/27/alfajores-de-maizena/">ALFAJORES DE MAICENA</a>, by Ana</span>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcma9GOu94k2EzHh2ROUixSpVD-dK3x0tHoe01QpGRkrvBIp7Cy2GoNi7WFLKn2XrQiK5iihn8WQC8pbtnOrcM8dOMcvWBHM2cVGrYlZHWwSiVPtlMy3JbfOaxmz59mrOHaQ6pRsLTsoNc/s1600/Image1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcma9GOu94k2EzHh2ROUixSpVD-dK3x0tHoe01QpGRkrvBIp7Cy2GoNi7WFLKn2XrQiK5iihn8WQC8pbtnOrcM8dOMcvWBHM2cVGrYlZHWwSiVPtlMy3JbfOaxmz59mrOHaQ6pRsLTsoNc/s200/Image1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://adomesticdisturbance.blogspot.com/2011/06/alfajores-santafesinos-take-2.html">ALFAJORES SANTAFECINOS</a>, by Meag.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipS6XCegIU8N9Keihj1auxYrgYg03_9y9QPc9FR2rviC4LKtHjZgpMTZxHQ85hv_McuxUrsZ9JyTWtWX14STP0GSjObEJfT4YL_8WG7TJ2sh4X5jceZ_AU6uIaGMrxAbb1JNs57WqEug9e/s1600/5874262360_3857bda1a4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipS6XCegIU8N9Keihj1auxYrgYg03_9y9QPc9FR2rviC4LKtHjZgpMTZxHQ85hv_McuxUrsZ9JyTWtWX14STP0GSjObEJfT4YL_8WG7TJ2sh4X5jceZ_AU6uIaGMrxAbb1JNs57WqEug9e/s200/5874262360_3857bda1a4_b.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.buenosairesfoodies.com/">ALFAJORES SALTEÑOS</a>, by Paula.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8VL5czXt91te0q2I75A3XBZLlmiinnlBjhmmAQSZmYNcOQQGI8kStEYt_FfrcUetKfCmU3g9CElEtw5pOHl-x4OO_MLLNmjq_rgneSI-KH-rGp_84VgG0wEUQ7QJkKihhIKKXWq6Rq3F/s1600/Alfajores+Mendocinos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8VL5czXt91te0q2I75A3XBZLlmiinnlBjhmmAQSZmYNcOQQGI8kStEYt_FfrcUetKfCmU3g9CElEtw5pOHl-x4OO_MLLNmjq_rgneSI-KH-rGp_84VgG0wEUQ7QJkKihhIKKXWq6Rq3F/s200/Alfajores+Mendocinos.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.fromargentinawithlove.typepad.com/from_argentina_with_love/2011/06/alfajores-mendocinos.html">ALFAJORES MENDOCINOS</a>, by Rebecca. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
----------<br />
<br />
Thanks to my friend Claudia from <b style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bakersdozenreposteria">"The Baker's Dozen"</a> </b>(Córdoba, Argentina) for letting me use her picture of the delicious alfajores de maicena.<br />
Please, visit <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bakersdozenreposteria">The Baker's Dozen Facebook page</a> for information on their chocolaterie/patisserie and confectionery products for birthday parties and events in the city of Córdoba.Questions and orders can be sent to consultasbaker [at] hotmail [dot] com or call (54 351) 424 8715.<br />
<br />
<ol></ol>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-86230887854218095922011-06-19T22:42:00.001+02:002011-06-19T23:42:11.362+02:00Spotted in Belgium: Kwak beer<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(para leer este post en español, sigue <a href="http://unaargentinaenholanda.blogspot.com/2011/06/descubriendo-belgica-cerveza-kwak.html">este</a> enlace)</i></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFL2VtTEb6wxw0RiJigBXh3pWN5RowdDi8Cs45kUtkn0ad3odG0W-Nglkzak3rhy3daXFaUTWiXMIP-wk6VYOKQyXA5LKvww2UizM8wCvBfRY3WywT5CTOUdZXEIQOmgU4Im1bgoP1dOt1/s1600/5849767052_3aac8ba340_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFL2VtTEb6wxw0RiJigBXh3pWN5RowdDi8Cs45kUtkn0ad3odG0W-Nglkzak3rhy3daXFaUTWiXMIP-wk6VYOKQyXA5LKvww2UizM8wCvBfRY3WywT5CTOUdZXEIQOmgU4Im1bgoP1dOt1/s320/5849767052_3aac8ba340_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Actually, I first spotted this beer here in the Netherlands - at the café/restaurant <a href="http://www.belgischekeizer.nl/">De Belgische Keizer</a> (the Belgian Emperor) in Zwolle, to be more precise. But during our recent mini-vacation in the Ardennes in Belgium, we stopped at the tavern/restaurant <a href="http://www.le-miroir.com/index.asp">Le Miroir</a> (site in French and Dutch only) in Dochamps (province of Luxemburg) for dinner and when I saw that they had Pauwel Kwak beer, I couldn't resist the temptation to order one while we waited for our dinner. <br />
<br />
Kwak beer is always served in glasses that have a very distinctive shape: they have a round bottom and look more like an hour-glass than like a traditional beer glass. The "hour-glass" is held upright in a wooden stand and the whole thing looks like a piece of scientific tool more fit to be displayed in a lab than in a bar. It is certainly quite original.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxi1PFj5a5wAMCZz0oTXYDVSg4a2OUzMQwNj3WLoYSjXc4-tGmD6RQjiPH1IugreuzYP-sRzKm6zmbAuuFCwJ7w79VID-swS1sETIspjy2c6UsVib6HJ-HUUfHqfn-ySBE7awsYHJ_sLh/s1600/5850182252_f179e0937b_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxi1PFj5a5wAMCZz0oTXYDVSg4a2OUzMQwNj3WLoYSjXc4-tGmD6RQjiPH1IugreuzYP-sRzKm6zmbAuuFCwJ7w79VID-swS1sETIspjy2c6UsVib6HJ-HUUfHqfn-ySBE7awsYHJ_sLh/s320/5850182252_f179e0937b_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I have had Kwak many times before but I never got round to finding more about the origin of this beer. This time as soon as I came back from our holiday and started working on my vacation photos, I thought I would just do some research and see what I could find about it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCagETVihmDszBRcDipouAMHse28gHHfmfR6ygcOYVTMW9T3DYLJ2Mwqmbe4aUu4F8FFVFLILWBCTH8r1TWiFUnYbyi7Q-sAlQC_5kTj3uVdnXAqsDjc0k2oUNWjWEcZuVb72CRO7a2U_F/s1600/5850214282_d6745c45c4_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCagETVihmDszBRcDipouAMHse28gHHfmfR6ygcOYVTMW9T3DYLJ2Mwqmbe4aUu4F8FFVFLILWBCTH8r1TWiFUnYbyi7Q-sAlQC_5kTj3uVdnXAqsDjc0k2oUNWjWEcZuVb72CRO7a2U_F/s320/5850214282_d6745c45c4_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Back in Napoleon's times, Pauwel Kwak was a beer brewer and owner of an inn called "De Hoorn" (the horn) in Dendermonde, East Flanders. Every day the stage-coaches passing by would stop at the inn to take a break. In those days, the coachman was not allowed to leave the horses and the coach outside and join his passengers for a drink inside the inn, so Mr. Kwak, the owner of this particular inn came up with an idea. <br />
He had a special Kwak glass made: round-bottomed, which could be hung from a wooden holder to prevent it from spilling the precious liquid. In this way, the thirsty coachman, could safely enjoy his Kwak beer without leaving his coach and the horses unattended.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrwiXahKwwRFvE07vM_6Q1lIyYbW85aksMgIdjtvaXipvKn9qchJT_9E68eR05JV-yuQnXlS1VIn_sFI4asiJNLBurhXyZ_K__X92wfR2NS8wnuwuKuUJtDlWp0xpvY_rkIrV5xnF8Ecq/s1600/5850203164_b93106f96b_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrwiXahKwwRFvE07vM_6Q1lIyYbW85aksMgIdjtvaXipvKn9qchJT_9E68eR05JV-yuQnXlS1VIn_sFI4asiJNLBurhXyZ_K__X92wfR2NS8wnuwuKuUJtDlWp0xpvY_rkIrV5xnF8Ecq/s320/5850203164_b93106f96b_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Kwak beer is still today brewed and served in the traditional way: in the Kwak glass. But what about the taste? I do not know much about beers, but I can tell you that this one is delicious, like many other Belgian beers that I have tasted so far. To the eye it has a deep clear amber colour and a creamy thick foam. It also has a soft fruity and a malty aroma with a light herbal character. When you drink it, the taste starts with the fruit - maybe bananas or ananas... and it is sweet: it always makes me think of caramel. After you drink it, there is a light bitterness and spiciness that remains in the back of your tongue.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNAlTJNPYrH8P1735fQEkCS59OWb-eBkq8YntkyVe9XRlIZmb5SUCp2K0qR9p4dIvcqXvk_sBrp60qEYBPShC-WYxQ2aN_u9TAqwL6ETzfa5_nD0FejE9ouDeaXz0vELUpAZHxW_HYgyC/s1600/5850165094_b16a8d5a65_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNAlTJNPYrH8P1735fQEkCS59OWb-eBkq8YntkyVe9XRlIZmb5SUCp2K0qR9p4dIvcqXvk_sBrp60qEYBPShC-WYxQ2aN_u9TAqwL6ETzfa5_nD0FejE9ouDeaXz0vELUpAZHxW_HYgyC/s320/5850165094_b16a8d5a65_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Pauwel Kwak is a traditional Belgian beer with a story behind it. Original and <i>lekker</i> (delicious) - definitely at the top of my list of favourite beers.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-46926970605781148792011-06-10T14:08:00.012+02:002011-06-19T22:54:13.862+02:00Visitng Zeeland II: The Oosterscheldekering or Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Si prefieres leer este post en español, sigue <a href="http://unaargentinaenholanda.blogspot.com/2011/06/recorriendo-zelandia-la-barrera-del.html">este</a> enlace)</span></i></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYZMdSJu_BJNg2CcqmbM_W6-ZbJrYtm9gamtnmkASDOX1TXob1sBn8KD29tP0tM7Au0YhCObVkxOeU82fGKGVBalnUuXiZrVJZBjEJWwOZ1DMqbSdGkyNmrtIECDRHpO3Req5JHzVCDCD/s1600/5706658354_6127a69c32_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYZMdSJu_BJNg2CcqmbM_W6-ZbJrYtm9gamtnmkASDOX1TXob1sBn8KD29tP0tM7Au0YhCObVkxOeU82fGKGVBalnUuXiZrVJZBjEJWwOZ1DMqbSdGkyNmrtIECDRHpO3Req5JHzVCDCD/s320/5706658354_6127a69c32_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The piers and slides of the Eastern Scheldt barrier in the province of Zeeland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>With the official inauguration of the storm surge barrier in the Oosterschelde (the Eastern Scheldt river) on 4 October 1986, Queen Beatrix declared the Delta Plan works in the Netherlands completed. More than ten years later she did that again when she opened the last section of the Nieuwe Waterweg Dam on 10 May 1997. It doesn't matter how many times it needs to be said; one thing is for sure: The Netherlands has definitely tamed the power of the sea - or at least, that is what we like to hear from those who have in their charge the management and the overseeing of the dikes and dams in this country. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>With 60% of its territory under the sea level, the Netherlands is world renowned for its Delta works - a series of construction projects designed to protect a large area of the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta from the destructive power of the sea. Bearing these facts in mind when I moved to the Netherlands, I thought that I had to pay a visit to the monumental sea barrier and see for myself this ingenious work of engineering. <br />
<br />
This is why the main purpose of our holiday in the southern province of Zeeland was to stop at the <b style="color: #b45f06;">Oosterscheldekering or Eastern Scheldt Storm Surge Barrier</b> - the most impressive storm surging structure in the Netherlands. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3UEfhsh-XzaQj5z3T7zYfRjeQJ44NwArNWc9AL4P-smSdP0K-u5r5gead6IE3pGbKgXN63hQE8eI5NH_mbWQchGx5VPZIdOInTI4Hz27xQe_96WktfaZn6NVOk7UVanCDOcpK7sBEJ9n/s1600/5706657364_38cc3f47a0_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3UEfhsh-XzaQj5z3T7zYfRjeQJ44NwArNWc9AL4P-smSdP0K-u5r5gead6IE3pGbKgXN63hQE8eI5NH_mbWQchGx5VPZIdOInTI4Hz27xQe_96WktfaZn6NVOk7UVanCDOcpK7sBEJ9n/s320/5706657364_38cc3f47a0_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Oosterschelde or Eastern Scheldt Storm Surge Barrier.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This is what the Oosterschelde Storm Surge Barrier looks like on <a href="http://maps.google.nl/maps?ct=reset">Google Maps</a>: <br />
<br />
<center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwMBixvw3_fUwaBbn7WU_YNJxs7MUfqCLT1frA6iaWfTW1c3OmXeG1cAAsNlwE1GKYcIwsJoN0bDFyH7foQQq2MGjUNp9JU9bM2tlAULWFKRKqsQIVw73WucjfBzECdYzw4uheEX4-5Pb/s1600/Image2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="189" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwMBixvw3_fUwaBbn7WU_YNJxs7MUfqCLT1frA6iaWfTW1c3OmXeG1cAAsNlwE1GKYcIwsJoN0bDFyH7foQQq2MGjUNp9JU9bM2tlAULWFKRKqsQIVw73WucjfBzECdYzw4uheEX4-5Pb/s320/Image2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</center><br />
The construction of this sea barrier cost an impressive total amount of 2.5 billion euros; but even more impressive is what it is supposed to have achieved: thanks to this monumental barrier the chances of having a destructive flood like the one that the country suffered in 1953, have gone down to one in every ... 4.000 years! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_4d4hQIgOA7naD6pIxCvtPdQwm50OK64boW4jrga_INOa_sqZv8l9P22n-m5r62plup6ZQRx-MQwWuHGXfxnN3WNdT-BLPcKCos8j-VIWv0c_o3nzRG9tqDfgvdJSqadXZ8QanD-TWZF/s1600/5706656936_5dc1ee43f2_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_4d4hQIgOA7naD6pIxCvtPdQwm50OK64boW4jrga_INOa_sqZv8l9P22n-m5r62plup6ZQRx-MQwWuHGXfxnN3WNdT-BLPcKCos8j-VIWv0c_o3nzRG9tqDfgvdJSqadXZ8QanD-TWZF/s320/5706656936_5dc1ee43f2_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving on the Oosterschelde barrier you can get a closer look at the piers and slides that make up the construction.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #b45f06;">The alternative plans for the Oosterschelde: </b></div>Initially, this section of the Eastern Scheldt delta was to be closed with a regular dam that would completely block the sea. But even though safety was the top priority, there were serious concerns about the consequences that this kind of barrier would have on the ecosystem of the delta. The alternative then, was to build a barrier consisting of piers with slides that were to be kept open, but which could be closed if there was any risk of flood. <br />
The cost of executing this plan as it was originally intended would have been astronomical and therefore, after much discussion in Parliament, it was finally decided that the best alternative was to build two auxiliary dams (the Philips dam and the Oester dam) to reduce the surface of the open barrier and, at the same time, allow for a better control of the tidal movement. The new plan also included a tide-free shipping route between Antwerp and the Rhine.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg725n61fqvX9cI9hGHpT-axEZIgkcqIfv898T3d61g60hfiLb4C-myMk1BBAxXH8ZB5Mms_ADwfv3iW172J9ou7FGM-eQkzpAK9Xs44lvT9G8bQL41_MX0MedSs8J9KzJA0sy3SWatTTNe/s1600/5706092923_ee36fe60b7_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg725n61fqvX9cI9hGHpT-axEZIgkcqIfv898T3d61g60hfiLb4C-myMk1BBAxXH8ZB5Mms_ADwfv3iW172J9ou7FGM-eQkzpAK9Xs44lvT9G8bQL41_MX0MedSs8J9KzJA0sy3SWatTTNe/s320/5706092923_ee36fe60b7_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything seem to be working properly when I "inspected" the Oosterschelde Storm Surge Barrier in 2008.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><b>Nature in the Oosterschelde:</b></div>The sea/ landscape and wild life in the Oosterschelde is now quite unique with a rich variety of fish, water plants and algae. The reserve is also a favourite with an amazing number of birds that feed or hibernate on the land. All this wonderful natural environment would have been completely lost if the original plan to close the Eastern Scheldt had been carried out and also mussel and oyster farming would have been affected with disastrous economic conseequences for the entire region.<br />
Fortunately, the alternative chosen for this amazing piece of engineering seems to have been a success; not only to keep the sea level under control, but also for the preservation of the natural habitat of hundreds of different species. <br />
<br />
The Oosterschelde storm surge barrier is a must-see for anyone who wants to know what makes the Dutch people proud. Windmills, tulips, cheese and wooden shoes you can take back with you as souvenirs (you will find plenty of these at the Schiphol Duty Free shop and you can even order them online); but the water works and what they have done for the safety of the Dutch coast can only be truly appreciated <i>in-situ</i>. Open your eyes, take it in, enjoy ... and <i>learn</i>.<br />
<br />
There is a fun way to get to know more about the Delta Works and sea life in Zeeland: <a href="http://www.neeltjejans.nl/index.php/en/home">the Delta park Neeltje-Jan</a>, built on an artificial island on the Oosterschelde offers exhibitions and educational activities together with fun attractions like a sealion theatre, a hurricane simulator and many, many more interesting things to do or see, making it is an ideal place to spend time with the children. On <a href="http://www.neeltjejans.nl/index.php/en/home">their website</a> you can find all the information necessary to plan your visit. <br />
<br />
A plaque placed at one of the ends of the barrier reads in Dutch: <br />
<br />
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Hier gaan over het tij, de wind, de maan en wij."</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Here rule over the tide, the wind, the moon and us)</div><br />
You may also like to read: <a href="http://fromargentina2holland.blogspot.com/2010/07/light-breeze-of-zeeland.html">The light breeze of Zeeland</a> and <a href="http://fromargentina2holland.blogspot.com/2010/09/visiting-zeeland.html">Visiting Zeeland I: Middelburg</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com19Oosterschelde, Rijksweg 5, 4675 RB Anna Jacobapolder, Nederland51.608308718412744 3.701154863281317451.469565218412747 3.4292458632813174 51.74705221841274 3.9730638632813173tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-8319279437869018272011-05-15T18:13:00.003+02:002011-05-17T12:07:10.482+02:00 A Bread Pudding Tale: There and Back Again<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> (si prefieres leer este post en español, haz clic <a href="http://unaargentinaenholanda.blogspot.com/2011/05/receta-de-budin-de-pan-historia-de-una.html">aquí</a>)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>A few weeks ago Katie -author of <b style="color: #e06666;"><i>Seashells and Sunflowers</i></b>- launched an <a href="http://www.seashellsandsunflowers.com/2011/03/argentine-recipe-contest.html">Argentine Recipe Contest </a>on her blog and I decided to enter with a recipe for <i>budín de pan al caramelo</i>, a dessert that is quite popular in Argentinean cooking and which I have been making quite often since I moved to The Netherlands, especially when I feel a bit homesick... Well, it seems that Katie liked the recipe and decided to choose it as <a href="http://www.seashellsandsunflowers.com/2011/04/finalists-for-argentine-recipe-contest.html">a finalist for the contest!! </a><br />
<br />
Reading her post and looking at the photos of her version of the <i>budín</i> made think of the journey this recipe has made: I brought it to The Netherlands when I came from Argentina <i>for love</i>; and it has now made the journey back to its place of origin where American expat Katie moved some time ago, also <i>for love!</i><br />
<br />
For those of you who were looking forward to reading the recipe for budín de pan when I posted about the <a href="http://fromargentina2holland.blogspot.com/2011/04/argies-in-dutchland-doing-what-we-know.html">Argies in Dutchland</a> food parties, <a href="http://www.seashellsandsunflowers.com/2011/05/budin-de-pan-al-caramelo-bread-pudding.html">here</a> is the link to Katie's post about the bread pudding she made with the recipe I sent her for the contest.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.seashellsandsunflowers.com/2011/05/budin-de-pan-al-caramelo-bread-pudding.html"><b style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">Budín de Pan al Caramelo | Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce</span></b></a></div><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITQlQ6vsvryuwl13wtr0nQqdYkbm5vfArwAtZb47b5MVdfGeXPs6m1AtxOHgu6f2yPvcZct48V_glcpqE8wxChYkBBqicdIwwmoY8kFtDTHxqLfzCcupH48RxfWZ3YTsrznCQ-WDi7nI2/s1600/5717172232_622993cb43_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITQlQ6vsvryuwl13wtr0nQqdYkbm5vfArwAtZb47b5MVdfGeXPs6m1AtxOHgu6f2yPvcZct48V_glcpqE8wxChYkBBqicdIwwmoY8kFtDTHxqLfzCcupH48RxfWZ3YTsrznCQ-WDi7nI2/s320/5717172232_622993cb43_o.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo ©katiemetz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-32704753227945223942011-05-05T17:27:00.004+02:002012-04-20T12:55:39.838+02:00Spotted in The Netherlands: tulip fields on the Northeast Polder<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(haciendo clic <a href="http://unaargentinaenholanda.blogspot.com/2011/05/descubriendo-holanda-la-estacion-de-los.html">aquí</a> puedes leer la versión en español)</span></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7znctqDhpCbiWT2uty8-cbrkxwOdWVbWJ_i8Ll5kSqRzzUQ6mBG16QHGfDKlRHSGat2-TRx2Y37WK08emkc2xBTF3EIMv8ipJaiIjZH8opM5SkenqXsRY3cgMJDvf0Oqk6iEJDUlmNwl1/s1600/5689403923_bfaf9c8f91_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7znctqDhpCbiWT2uty8-cbrkxwOdWVbWJ_i8Ll5kSqRzzUQ6mBG16QHGfDKlRHSGat2-TRx2Y37WK08emkc2xBTF3EIMv8ipJaiIjZH8opM5SkenqXsRY3cgMJDvf0Oqk6iEJDUlmNwl1/s320/5689403923_bfaf9c8f91_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tulips from the Noordoostpolder in the province of Flevoland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At this time of the year in Holland the fields are transformed into a spectacular display of colour: it is the tulip season! In the months of April and May 10.000 hectares across The Netherlands burst with the colours of approximately 3 billion tulips in bloom and the landscape looks like a giant caleidoscope of spring beauty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEhEki7_2zwJyJDT_oOtd8ZOJIHOSLUPuzxnEUYQgxVToW1GK2_TQ7Q7Fzy90xc-hb3ms4__LLoREyHeslzZCg38p78JiUV2QW3JdQSCImrIN2Dr0yUmFBSvsqL3msqpu8l9D8V-JFSoO/s1600/5689416499_4e725013d0_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEhEki7_2zwJyJDT_oOtd8ZOJIHOSLUPuzxnEUYQgxVToW1GK2_TQ7Q7Fzy90xc-hb3ms4__LLoREyHeslzZCg38p78JiUV2QW3JdQSCImrIN2Dr0yUmFBSvsqL3msqpu8l9D8V-JFSoO/s320/5689416499_4e725013d0_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Tulips are considered a symbol of The Netherlands all over the world and every year thousands of tourists visit the country to admire the bulbs in full bloom during the spring months. <a href="http://www.keukenhof.nl/en/"><b style="color: #cc0000;">The Keukenhof</b></a> - the largest flower garden in the world situated not far from Amsterdam - alone receives 800,000 visitors per year attracted by the popular tulips. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoyErI7Ic4etzMElscZcpAqXrzd7v0gpxaXiJLSZkIBIKIcqdAdzbGSvsca09hc9DLvdwbrDuEItpXUy4jADCrkgUb8aBYL6f4bgQ6GTcsVRX9pxAxUDs3IimypG-KlbbO9IL49CCCmLD/s1600/5690040726_27369f7eed_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoyErI7Ic4etzMElscZcpAqXrzd7v0gpxaXiJLSZkIBIKIcqdAdzbGSvsca09hc9DLvdwbrDuEItpXUy4jADCrkgUb8aBYL6f4bgQ6GTcsVRX9pxAxUDs3IimypG-KlbbO9IL49CCCmLD/s320/5690040726_27369f7eed_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical Dutch landscape on the Northeast Polder, near Blankenham.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However, the largest cultivated areas are not located in the west (North or South Holland) but in the <b style="color: #cc0000;">Noordoostpolder</b> (northeast polder) in the province of <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Flevoland</span></b> with 2,000 hectares of bulb fields.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ksk2siAi-i6HcIoLknxAaCI14fApkLBTAoZ2-sSzWPX3fbcG2caCXJKHLKi9-uQXDPqnan0mLAcpG6fcrWvhpi7cIaNITiG2EftFTfDRDtLR7C-xd67yLGREzkdhyphenhyphennCU2WR9jD61vQoi/s1600/5689995686_d209b49067_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ksk2siAi-i6HcIoLknxAaCI14fApkLBTAoZ2-sSzWPX3fbcG2caCXJKHLKi9-uQXDPqnan0mLAcpG6fcrWvhpi7cIaNITiG2EftFTfDRDtLR7C-xd67yLGREzkdhyphenhyphennCU2WR9jD61vQoi/s320/5689995686_d209b49067_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A red sea of tulips, near Bant, in the Noordoostpolder.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last Saturday during our trip from Zwolle to the club where my husband practices clay pigeon shooting every week, we made several stops and detours on the way to admire the beautiful landscape and take some photographs. We were not the only ones: lots of people in cars, on bikes, on foot, were following the bulb route [<i>bollenroute</i>] in Flevoland and enjoying a warm sunny day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yNlOE-b6BG_8zwQq1tfPi2rNNVCgtvYW2SNZ6taoKLQhrqK1203GAiZmCWuMIB1ygH7ZQ0PcWeS9qIsVIbGb_tSIz8dvLK9QGLO4rfkCxfCEh4j_jlKJvd-KRSE7mzSwo_X7g_j46TUu/s1600/5679038709_10ed667e7a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yNlOE-b6BG_8zwQq1tfPi2rNNVCgtvYW2SNZ6taoKLQhrqK1203GAiZmCWuMIB1ygH7ZQ0PcWeS9qIsVIbGb_tSIz8dvLK9QGLO4rfkCxfCEh4j_jlKJvd-KRSE7mzSwo_X7g_j46TUu/s320/5679038709_10ed667e7a_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A farm house in Blankenham, Noordoostpolder.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you are interested in exploring the youngest province in the country and seeing what Flevoland has to offer, you can visit the VVV website here: <a href="http://www.ookflevoland.nl/welcome.asp?lang=0"><b style="color: red;">Ook Flevoland</b></a>. Also, the VVV office in the Noordoostpolder has information about local events and attractions: <a href="http://www.vvvnoordoostpolder.nl/"><b style="color: red;">VVV Noordoostpolder</b></a>; and from <a href="http://www.stepnop.nl/" target="_blank">this website</a>, you can get more information about the <a href="http://www.stepnop.nl/Tulpenfestival" target="_blank">Tulpenfestival</a> there and download the tulpenroute for your GPS or print it if you want. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQaH90YVyIf9rYEBLltf1vSJjwOSHXg2jLF1T4L9B80HJYTgLJeZJHmbX6QZPlP4U3sHNhko2xfBhqrPmR0hsv8hiFwMcGoPpiOIo9uCGfXVvqheK409aaqCHAlW5tp_KSg2cAlqGlbdm/s1600/5690018718_0ab59c352c_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQaH90YVyIf9rYEBLltf1vSJjwOSHXg2jLF1T4L9B80HJYTgLJeZJHmbX6QZPlP4U3sHNhko2xfBhqrPmR0hsv8hiFwMcGoPpiOIo9uCGfXVvqheK409aaqCHAlW5tp_KSg2cAlqGlbdm/s320/5690018718_0ab59c352c_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Endless sea of tulips on the Noordoostpolder, near Luttelgeest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABFkoQhXyWD6Px5eQGgQQ7QevjHRcF5LPruLd31tQEShGpEASGSWAlVz0E6bbN2MNUt-_Jq8IlfWOL07s0IB-geqYIYNDX-gpOnA5bdTGHN9Z2ewqtbKjTk1g-ptXv2juhLp4xjbtxoI9/s1600/5679600422_3d6b0f8360_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABFkoQhXyWD6Px5eQGgQQ7QevjHRcF5LPruLd31tQEShGpEASGSWAlVz0E6bbN2MNUt-_Jq8IlfWOL07s0IB-geqYIYNDX-gpOnA5bdTGHN9Z2ewqtbKjTk1g-ptXv2juhLp4xjbtxoI9/s320/5679600422_3d6b0f8360_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tulip field in the Noordoostpolder, Flevoland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-23891532128329398272011-04-18T09:48:00.051+02:002011-04-18T09:57:05.335+02:00Presépio goes Argie in a sip!<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(si prefieres leer este post en español, por favor sigue <a href="http://unaargentinaenholanda.blogspot.com/2011/04/presepio-y-su-primer-mate.html">este</a> enlace)</span></i></div><br />
A few days ago my friend <a href="http://presepiocomvistaparaocanal.blogspot.com/">Sandra</a> (author of the blog,<a href="http://presepiocomvistaparaocanal.blogspot.com/"> "Presépio com Vista para o Canal</a>") came to Zwolle for a visit. The plan was to have a lazy lunch and walk around town a little. Since we were having a spell of nice weather with lots of sun and clear sky, I thought it would be a good idea to sit somewhere nice near the water in the city centre and have a bit of a picnic. <br />
<br />
Sandra is always very receptive and enthusiastic about discovering traditions and habits from other parts of the world, so I came up with a little surprise for her. Before leaving the house, I boiled some water and poured it into a thermos flask I brought from Argentina. What surprise did I have in mind? Well, pouring Sandra some <i>mates</i>, of course! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6yh0A_o829Kqf696tETjJlk1n8cfwog6sovXpAEC4Dww0E_cGK6TO290mym8xk6i73WyxD-oH71Ago2fYkXKR19gpJ4GvE2vqMaGP2_8V6bxtYn9TUCHK1IXeZkKL-eW5yuUsw9r5BNB/s1600/5603188789_a68bd07f59_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6yh0A_o829Kqf696tETjJlk1n8cfwog6sovXpAEC4Dww0E_cGK6TO290mym8xk6i73WyxD-oH71Ago2fYkXKR19gpJ4GvE2vqMaGP2_8V6bxtYn9TUCHK1IXeZkKL-eW5yuUsw9r5BNB/s320/5603188789_a68bd07f59_o.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pouring "mates" for friends.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><i>Mate</i> (pronounced <i>MAH-teh</i>, stressing the first syllable, not the last as I see it written everywhere) is Argentina's national drink, but it is not just any drink, something you pour when you are thirsty and then forget about.<i> Mate</i> is for an Argentine his or her best friend when he or she is at home alone studying, working or relaxing. Preparing the <i>mate</i>, pouring it, holding the gourd in your hand, sipping it slowly - the whole ritual is comforting and it gives an immediate sense of well being that, originating in your brain, spreads then through your body. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdGEjWgqgUUE400gLrU_zQpLoc3QqbeQkb_hbPjFGEFp1S73jDJ0bBL7JN03ZMXosLPfo8d9PlXrrhnos8QHc3NxYmVJcT188-FAGWSNE4WSUJZx4azmqbLQELXPI91Y2XrEH6QAHVBFV/s1600/5602366719_895aec6fc4_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdGEjWgqgUUE400gLrU_zQpLoc3QqbeQkb_hbPjFGEFp1S73jDJ0bBL7JN03ZMXosLPfo8d9PlXrrhnos8QHc3NxYmVJcT188-FAGWSNE4WSUJZx4azmqbLQELXPI91Y2XrEH6QAHVBFV/s320/5602366719_895aec6fc4_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My collection of <i>mate</i> gourds from Argentina.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>But <i>mate</i> is <u>the</u> drink you serve when you are entertaining at home, always the first thing you offer and is accepted by your guests. Also, if you are off to spend the day at the beach or by the pool, the mate gear is the first thing that you want to pack and God may help you if, upon arriving at your destination, you discover you have forgotten to take it with you! You will be despised and blamed by your companions relentlessly - for about five whole minutes! <br />
<br />
Because mate is such an important part of our everyday lives back in Argentina, I thought that Sandra would be interested in tasting it and hearing all about it. In order to prepare and pour this infusion you need a bit of equipment: the thermos flask for the hot water, the <i>yerba mate</i> or dry leaves to be brewed, some sugar, the gourd to pour it in (also called <i>mate</i>) and the metal filter straw. You can also add other herbs to the mate or even orange or lemon peel to give it a citrus flavour.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwpNpyV4hD2wenQA2pu-8s4pJHGEDctWqnCojSswXx1Uup7M7jzJcFKFj5KwfyY1qOaeR_HXVeoOOk9X_vRxQlwEScBUpNKf90c7Py3ifqY7KOPrSpG-aw4xrovJTnkD02rUUoa9z80f7/s1600/3176543623_b3ccc782a2_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwpNpyV4hD2wenQA2pu-8s4pJHGEDctWqnCojSswXx1Uup7M7jzJcFKFj5KwfyY1qOaeR_HXVeoOOk9X_vRxQlwEScBUpNKf90c7Py3ifqY7KOPrSpG-aw4xrovJTnkD02rUUoa9z80f7/s320/3176543623_b3ccc782a2_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The raw gourds waiting to be carved and polished to be used to pour <i>mates</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLdQUDUpumF1KYXyOwEMO4qoUyi7ObSgN_beVjwC_iHj0-cYVcwgsCTNuOdOZGrhU6ThYpdaNwyiIOVc1A1QN2tmKcl4pM52XBDsBu178tcqcrYR1Vl5lp1IAudf-HhINZrKpVuuHYsgn/s1600/4304475940_a0bb163f70_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLdQUDUpumF1KYXyOwEMO4qoUyi7ObSgN_beVjwC_iHj0-cYVcwgsCTNuOdOZGrhU6ThYpdaNwyiIOVc1A1QN2tmKcl4pM52XBDsBu178tcqcrYR1Vl5lp1IAudf-HhINZrKpVuuHYsgn/s320/4304475940_a0bb163f70_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The metal straws wih filters, used to sip the <i>mates</i> from the gourd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Once I had collected and prepared all these elements, I had to put them somewhere to transport them safely. And that is when my mysterious magic leather case came in handy. In Argentina you can find special cases made for the sole purpose of carrying the <i>mate</i> implements, and last year during my holiday in Argentina, I bought a very nice one made from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capybara"><i>carpincho or capibara</i></a> skin.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkc7Uc-LPf-dgze3XXLed0VRHFnuEwnSB6FsypVDb-fgy1B3utRdIXAF-_N4i_TbYwAFqqx_5fFG5oqQmAcVhGmu13dqJCHNXe4nvx5SKXVOMDg8n6Lp6gP5KNi_Os0zSzLbVOMAvPXq2d/s1600/P1140443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkc7Uc-LPf-dgze3XXLed0VRHFnuEwnSB6FsypVDb-fgy1B3utRdIXAF-_N4i_TbYwAFqqx_5fFG5oqQmAcVhGmu13dqJCHNXe4nvx5SKXVOMDg8n6Lp6gP5KNi_Os0zSzLbVOMAvPXq2d/s320/P1140443.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My <i>carpincho</i> leather case to transport the <i>mate</i> equipment. Photo by Sandra.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>When Sandra saw my fancy case, she immediately got curious but I was determined not to give away what was in it until the moment was right. After lunch in "La Meridiana", an Italian restaurant on the Melkmarkt, opposite the <i>Grote Kerk</i> (Big Church), we took a walk around and I took her to see the <i>Zwolse Balletjeshuis</i>, where they sell these special, old fashioned sweets typical of Zwolle. Unfortunately it was closed, but we managed to find some <i>balletjes</i> at the Tourist Information Office or <i>VVV</i> right next to the Grote Kerk.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Finally, the moment to open the mysterious leather case arrived. We sat by the canal, I opened the case, took the thermos out -nothing odd there, maybe it was coffee? tea? spirits?- and then out came the tumbler containing the dried leaves of <i>yerba mate </i>and I started preparing the drink. First I took the gourd, filled 3/4 of it with the <i>yerba</i>, then shook it a bit to make the loose powder to go to the surface and avoid them from going through the sieve and drinking them. Then I placed the metal filter straw to one side and I also added a pinch of peppermint leaves to give it more taste. Instead of sugar I normally use sweetener so I added some of that and then poured the hot water. The first <i>mate</i> is always for the <i>cebador</i> (the person pouring it) to make sure it is prepared correctly, so I had the first one and I made sure it was ok. Then, I poured again and passed it to Sandra. What did Sandra think of it?<br />
<br />
Well, I am sure that it tasted quite strange to her, probably! Drinking <i>mate</i> is an acquired taste and the first few sips or the first few rounds of <i>mate</i> will definitely taste a bit too strong and probably bitter, We, Argentines, drink it normally from an early age and some of us don't even get to really like it, but because it is usually done socially, we always join in the <i>mate</i> circles while spending time with friends or family.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMal6cNawhN74Qey7L4LHtF-VA-vjepuV7NllBLTfrmS2lWXhJjQuj29vTdJ2-deIP4KurauCVNw75Spyhc_5PsSTmf0wZdnFvoYn7I112qwTmK9937_iV8kHcVuF1YnUMmxyqs4vMPvv/s1600/5621326291_a5f7d0da0e_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMal6cNawhN74Qey7L4LHtF-VA-vjepuV7NllBLTfrmS2lWXhJjQuj29vTdJ2-deIP4KurauCVNw75Spyhc_5PsSTmf0wZdnFvoYn7I112qwTmK9937_iV8kHcVuF1YnUMmxyqs4vMPvv/s320/5621326291_a5f7d0da0e_o.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosario, a friend's daughter, is not yet 3 years old and she already drinks mates as an expert!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I can go on and on talking about <i>mate</i> drinking since the ritual has its own etiquette and the manner of preparing and pouring it varies from region to region. It also has a number of health benefits, since it is an excellent anti-oxidant, protects the inmune system and is an energy booster. <br />
<br />
I am not sure what Sandra thought of those first sips of <i>mate</i>, but I do know that she was rather impressed with the ritual and the health benefits that <i>yerba mate</i> offers. So, guess what I am giving her for her birthday?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bs67CN44rSvpBhkozjbkNuqSVH94i__hS1RBy6ecpeqKcO2pgGf9qeaqlAdOE7LWokry2REm9TL6QFpoaNkUpd0SqCwPts1KgkUGra-cEO297qc79tNUkHRwEUcU7ewrOQ-AZ_xCk4_k/s1600/5603719052_cd7b405a54_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bs67CN44rSvpBhkozjbkNuqSVH94i__hS1RBy6ecpeqKcO2pgGf9qeaqlAdOE7LWokry2REm9TL6QFpoaNkUpd0SqCwPts1KgkUGra-cEO297qc79tNUkHRwEUcU7ewrOQ-AZ_xCk4_k/s320/5603719052_cd7b405a54_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packets of different types of <i>yerba mate</i>. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Thank you, <b>Sandra</b>, for posting this article about <i>mate</i> and your visit in your blog and for letting me use your photo of the "magic case"! </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639138503200447572.post-52187122179910170632011-04-12T12:00:00.006+02:002011-04-12T17:13:55.574+02:00Elena's Carbonada criolla (pumpkin beef stew)<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Para leer en español, sigue <a href="http://unaargentinaenholanda.blogspot.com/2011/04/carbonada-criolla.html">este</a> enlace)</span></i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXZlKXm4WL9JGdq85KpevNO5n72sdwAb1JiMU8JttTfJzX1sqQgaT8bcBRXTeCPRhZCLha5mgPAYUw1T8QZRuHpA2Oq4fiRkVHj1X2gEF308DIpBCtBoXPxmSgBdySOhmrwSLn2nsj1w7/s1600/Image1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXZlKXm4WL9JGdq85KpevNO5n72sdwAb1JiMU8JttTfJzX1sqQgaT8bcBRXTeCPRhZCLha5mgPAYUw1T8QZRuHpA2Oq4fiRkVHj1X2gEF308DIpBCtBoXPxmSgBdySOhmrwSLn2nsj1w7/s320/Image1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In <a href="http://fromargentina2holland.blogspot.com/2011/04/argies-in-dutchland-doing-what-we-know.html">my last blog entry</a> I presented a ritual that my Argentinean friends Elena, Mónica and I started a while ago: all three families spending a day together, cooking and eating Argentinean food. Today, <i style="color: #45818e;">Elena</i> is sharing with us her recipe for one of the dishes that she prepared for our first <i style="color: #45818e;">Argies in Dutchland</i> party: the <i style="color: #45818e;">carbonada criolla</i>, or pumpkin beef stew.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiEaspLFc72dqhCN9egGWS4KTzfKvB86AGWu9o0SBAmq3817p3ZaJMZonprHTlS6csERZuWedqmJoJr4EFrKowVWmm4TcdJy9MPcIkv3g4TaRph1MKyHRITiaIWM_9m5mF5e9FDxfjQYC/s1600/5603630281_abe7404416_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiEaspLFc72dqhCN9egGWS4KTzfKvB86AGWu9o0SBAmq3817p3ZaJMZonprHTlS6csERZuWedqmJoJr4EFrKowVWmm4TcdJy9MPcIkv3g4TaRph1MKyHRITiaIWM_9m5mF5e9FDxfjQYC/s320/5603630281_abe7404416_o.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elena pouring <i>mates</i> (the Argentinean national drink) for her guests.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> While I was doing some research about this traditional Argentinean dish, I was surprised to know that its origin is in fact, Belgian. I had always thought that <i style="color: #45818e;">carbonada criolla</i> was one of the dishes that could be traced back to the colonial times of our history, a dish Spanish in origin that had been adopted by the <i>criollos</i> (the people of Spanish descent who were born in the colony) and changed to include some of the local ingredients available. <br />
<br />
Instead, it seems that the <i style="color: #45818e;">carbonada criolla</i> hails originally from Belgium where it is known as <i>carbonade</i> or more specifically, <i>carbonade flamande</i> which is, "a sweet-sour beef and onion stew made with beer and seasoned with thyme and bay." (source, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbonade_flamande">Wikipedia</a>) Interesting how this dish started its journey not too far from where we, the argies in the team, are living right now!<br />
<br />
Besides this unexpected discovery, I found that the name <i>carbonada</i> refers to the cooking method: the stew was or is cooked traditionally on a pot over the flame very slowly until all the logs in the open stove are reduced to ashes, which in Spanish is <i>carbonizados.</i> Then the <i>criolla</i> part of the name, refers to the indigenous ingredients that were added by the locals -the <i>criollos</i>- like the corn on the cob, the pumpkin and the fruit. The pumpkin shell is sometimes used to serve the dish.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4dKqCKA5PFWZcGizAiBcX6ZUm5Js5rje9DSQAYkKvToImB-dsehhgrvWYeSN4DBaH3TfU12V4TwpCCMD8lxOKLik-8zPdk0NbahakLTdLHqXs93O-oxeHBGZ-RDb_mnHjdDgI0Zm8wlm/s1600/carbonada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4dKqCKA5PFWZcGizAiBcX6ZUm5Js5rje9DSQAYkKvToImB-dsehhgrvWYeSN4DBaH3TfU12V4TwpCCMD8lxOKLik-8zPdk0NbahakLTdLHqXs93O-oxeHBGZ-RDb_mnHjdDgI0Zm8wlm/s320/carbonada.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carbonada criolla served in the pumpkin shell. Photo courtesy of <a href="http://recetariococina.com/">Recetario Cocina</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Here is the recipe of this hearty traditional Argentinean dish. If you are now located in the northern hemisphere you might want to wait until the autumn or winter to try it since it is a rather hearty dish; but trust me, you will love it! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #45818e;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Carbonada Criolla for the Argies in Dutchland, by Elena</u>:</span></i></b></div><br />
Heat some oil in a pan and brown two cloves of garlic and a finely chopped onion for a few minutes until soft. Add a pound (1/2 kg.) of steweing beef cut in small cubes and seal it in the garlic and onion before adding two peeled tomatoes chopped, 100g. of butter and a bunch of fresh herbs, one potato, a chunk of pumpkin, and another of sweet potato, all cubed; then some pieces of corn still on the cob, three ladelfulls of stock. Season with salt and pepper.<br />
Put the lid on the pan and let it boil until everything is tender. Add then 250g of rice, one peeled apple cubed, three peeled peaches also cubed (it can also be whole small peaches, always peeled). Cook on a low flame until the rice is cooked, which should be about 20 minutes.<br />
Add more stock if necessary, but bear in mind that the carbonada should have the consistency of a broth.<br />
This dish tastes better when its made on the same day, since it will get too mushy if you prepare it the day before. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipX0NX3ww2sBJ_LFsRi_3bL1zKWopa03vFjT8PR6oIBjaEzlb1vVyC73NrDR0Z6J6veJpOX49r9Lb4Qo0-qRwNbYAoRtOKA415NUZPKantVH4hxBEsRXj6fiyTMfSqbZIe5YxKftP5JQbe/s1600/8529_1176385502797_1622906491_436133_5262181_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipX0NX3ww2sBJ_LFsRi_3bL1zKWopa03vFjT8PR6oIBjaEzlb1vVyC73NrDR0Z6J6veJpOX49r9Lb4Qo0-qRwNbYAoRtOKA415NUZPKantVH4hxBEsRXj6fiyTMfSqbZIe5YxKftP5JQbe/s320/8529_1176385502797_1622906491_436133_5262181_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elena's delicious <i>carbonada</i>, served on the beautiful dishes she brought over from Argentina.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The recipe was taken from <a href="http://www.tematika.com/libros/gastronomia_y_costumbres--17/cocina--2/del_hogar--1/el_gran_libro_de_dona_petrona___edicion_102--513050.htm">El Libro de Doña Petrona</a>, a book containing the recipes of the "guru" of Argentinean cooking: Petrona C. de Gandulfo. </blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06923613028048879472noreply@blogger.com13