Most thrillingly (enticed by the complex series of waterways that run through Amsterdam and breakfasts made mainly of cheese and ham), I am to receive a visit from a Canadian Pathologist. Whilst I toil over hot advertisements, he will Amuse Himself visiting the Amsterdam's many and manifold attractions including, perhaps, the Van Gogh museum and the "red light district" where, as I understand it, you can buy coloured lightbulbs.
"But you cannot write your Web-Log if you are working! You are Non-workingmonkey!", I hear you cry. Regular readers will be more than aware of my practised reponse to this sort of panic-mongering, but for the sake of Newer Readers: yes, technically I will be 'working'; but as it is freelance work, I remain essentially non-working. In other words, being "non-working" is a state of mind, and it is this that allows me to both work (in a practical sense) and yet remain non-working (in an emotional and spiritual sense).
But all this is Leaping Ahead! First, there is the packing and the Trip itself. But neither of these are a chore, and particularly not the Flight to Airport of Amsterdam, a place where there exists a sign made especially for me.
16 comments:
I am concerned about Monster, particularly as I believe him to be astrally projecting himself into my garden where is sits and is baleful, to the discomfort of my own cat. With you going to Amsterdam and not having enough "hot feline loving" there may be even more psychic disturbance.
Have a nice trip - hope you send postcards.
This is so exciting. I look forward to delicious almond treats and beautiful bulbs.
However, if the Canadian Pathologist is to visit the Dam and its museums, may I suggest he practise saying fVon gHoghghghgh rather than Vann Go? Otherwise someone might give him a small commercial vehicle in which to leave town.
I may be doing him an injustice in presuming he uses the North American pronounciation, in which case I beg his pardon, but he might like trying to say gHowda as well, if he wants some good cheese. But the best word in Dutch is, undoubtedly, Toasty (not sure about spelling, but who cares?), which means you get a delicious toasted cheese and ham sandwich for lunch.
Enjoy!
I had Dutch au pairs when I was a little girl, so I can gH awfully well, although I have forgotten the words and what they mean.
My favourite Dutch number is 88 as it has lots of gHes. I don't know how to spell it, but it sounds like ogHten-togH-togH.
Oh, I forgot to say, Congratulations and I hope you have a wonderful job and the job is so enjoyable that it feels as if you are receiving money for having a Good Time.
RIP Monster? Sorry I can't have him. My husband does not allow Cats.
I wouldn't worry too much about the Pathologist's communications. From what I know of the dutch, they're only too happy to rub foreigners' noses in how well they speak english, along with three or four other languages.
This, of course, is true. And especially English, because they watch BBC television all the time.
"you can" has a funny (in a childish way) translation in Dutchish. It was something of a treat a few years ago to see giant billboards everywhere with "U KUNT" in bold type plastered across aspirational stock-shot images of grinning ninnies.
Enjoy your trip.
But how do they say "you can't"?
Congratulations dear NWM! We must not be selfish, because you've got to be running out of crisp money by now... I think you should take that light-up dog with you. I know you probably won't. But you will have Beaver the Beaver, the Canadian pathologist (lucky you) and lots of amusing Dutch colleagues, no doubt, for company.
Hurrah!
Dearest Ms B, and everyone else, my breath is Held, for electronic communication reaches me that this is by no means decided! I am aghast. Final decision allegedly tomorrow morning. Apparently. But still, it is not all bad, for should I not go to Amsterdam, I will see if I am allowed into Canada instead.
Ah me.
Argh! Come back Amsterdam!
Oh, I hope it's happening. It would be so nice to have at least half the family in the same country.
I had already decided to start to learn Dutch and I offer these useful phrases:
Het spijt me, ik spreek geen Nederlands = I'm sorry I don't speak Dutch.
Ik heb hulp nodig = I need help
Waar is het toilet, alstublieft? = Where is the toilet, please?
Apart from getting a drink in a bar, where the universal shout of "beer" seems to work, I think that these will prepare you for almost anything.
One of my best friends (and a fellow blogger) moved to Amsterdam at the beginning of January. E-mail me if you'd like an introduction. He's very nice (and bats for my team, so you will be Safe from Advances).
I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO THE AMSTERDAM! (I think.)
Dearest Reading the Signs, fear NOT, for Monster is to be looked after by someone who said today "No no, I would like to flat sit: I would like to see Monster again".
Mke - you are very kind old bean. My little brother (aged 34) lives there but will be away from the 12th, so I may well take you up on that offer. (I am very fond of "bats for my team", but was overjoyed to hear "I think we're on the same bus" some years ago, which I think is marginally funnier depending on circumstances.)
Thank you very much MM for these Dutch lessons. Where is "How do I remortgage my London flat in order to buy my daughter an enormous-cocked classical statue?". Also I would not Hang Out with anyone who said VAN GOH, pathologist or not.
Z -you are too too kind to even think of Monster.
Now I must go and find a flat.
I'm hoping your enormous salary will be sufficient for you to buy the enormous-cocked classical statue for yourself.
Dag!
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