Hi y'all!!
Damn Texas language, I thought I spoke a few words of English (American); it must be a country on its own....
Hope y'all find yourselves in good health and spirits; I sure came back to the Netherlands with good memories.
Happy as a baby to have bought my new camera on the first full day in Fort Worth , the pictures are a few of my
attempts getting to know the camera. I guess I thought, that they paint a picture of some of the things I saw and the
people I met in Austin . Good peeps!
Some of them didn't think we'd be in touch, but I guess you never know when a silly Dutch boy will send you
pictures of your cat in the bathroom.
Damn Texas language, I thought I spoke a few words of English (American); it must be a country on its own....
Hope y'all find yourselves in good health and spirits; I sure came back to the Netherlands with good memories.
Happy as a baby to have bought my new camera on the first full day in Fort Worth , the pictures are a few of my
attempts getting to know the camera. I guess I thought, that they paint a picture of some of the things I saw and the
people I met in Austin . Good peeps!
Some of them didn't think we'd be in touch, but I guess you never know when a silly Dutch boy will send you
pictures of your cat in the bathroom.
Some say: expect the unexpected...a big thanks goes out to Ruth for putting up with a complete stranger for a
good week in Austin . The perfect place close to all that's happening in Austin and the places we were visiting,
complete with a hot tub for those after-Elysium 80's dancing the night away Retro night-beers. That sure was an
ecstatic intro into Austin nightlife in more than one sense, a place of eclectic gathering, good vibes and lots of
energy.
Arriving in Texas , my first few days were spent in Fort worth at the Betty Boops as Jes affectionately calls his
mom and stepdad, Betty and Warren. And of course Chichu, the most affectionate and pushy dog ever.
Stubborn and full of life, but really a loving dog, always on the doorstep to catch the first glimpse (and possibly
first pet) of anybody leaving the house. I think I got used to the Texas heat quite quickly, despite temperatures
hitting the 90's before a first cup of Ruta Maya espresso roast coffee could be sipped away in the early morning.
A coffee snob per sang, Jes had turned me on to these fine beans here back home and ever since, we seem to
have discovered the neighboring women's coffee get together’s on my days off. In Texas I was a visitor and
happy to be served my fresh brew in the early morning by him.
good week in Austin . The perfect place close to all that's happening in Austin and the places we were visiting,
complete with a hot tub for those after-Elysium 80's dancing the night away Retro night-beers. That sure was an
ecstatic intro into Austin nightlife in more than one sense, a place of eclectic gathering, good vibes and lots of
energy.
Arriving in Texas , my first few days were spent in Fort worth at the Betty Boops as Jes affectionately calls his
mom and stepdad, Betty and Warren. And of course Chichu, the most affectionate and pushy dog ever.
Stubborn and full of life, but really a loving dog, always on the doorstep to catch the first glimpse (and possibly
first pet) of anybody leaving the house. I think I got used to the Texas heat quite quickly, despite temperatures
hitting the 90's before a first cup of Ruta Maya espresso roast coffee could be sipped away in the early morning.
A coffee snob per sang, Jes had turned me on to these fine beans here back home and ever since, we seem to
have discovered the neighboring women's coffee get together’s on my days off. In Texas I was a visitor and
happy to be served my fresh brew in the early morning by him.
Sitting down at our reserved table, he'd go about doing his journal, while I was just waking up on the coffee,
getting into the new timezone and discovering local wildlife.
Another big thanks to Betty and Warren for putting me up the first few days and my last night in Texas and of
course for all good care and cooking.
getting into the new timezone and discovering local wildlife.
Another big thanks to Betty and Warren for putting me up the first few days and my last night in Texas and of
course for all good care and cooking.
After those few days we got up bright and early for some coffee (and who had that tea?), got into the car and
found that one spot where Billy dropped dead on the sidewalk as legends have it.
found that one spot where Billy dropped dead on the sidewalk as legends have it.
We settled into a new 'routine' at Ruth's sipping the coffee from the comfort of her balcony chairs and Jes started
showing me around all the happenings in Austin .
Most of it seems to be a faint blur of good Mexican food, avocado margaritas for breakfast and beers and a
smoke on the water. Texan summers make you wanna stay near the water all the time I guess. We met up with
Michigan Mitchell, Sara, her sister Anna and their two dogs for more than once at e.g. Barton Springs
showing me around all the happenings in Austin .
Most of it seems to be a faint blur of good Mexican food, avocado margaritas for breakfast and beers and a
smoke on the water. Texan summers make you wanna stay near the water all the time I guess. We met up with
Michigan Mitchell, Sara, her sister Anna and their two dogs for more than once at e.g. Barton Springs
Of course I met up with a lot of Jes's friends going about their business in Austin: the inevitable 'Erb' bar, his
English Dame and Guru of life, sparkling with energy at her respectable age, Abra Moore who cooked up a very
tasty dinner at her house and gave a live prelude to the music she's working on right now and of course we
visited the one and only Austin Starr. I was too much caught up with the company I met to take any pictures of all
these friends.
English Dame and Guru of life, sparkling with energy at her respectable age, Abra Moore who cooked up a very
tasty dinner at her house and gave a live prelude to the music she's working on right now and of course we
visited the one and only Austin Starr. I was too much caught up with the company I met to take any pictures of all
these friends.
Another thing I love about Austin : it's a place where people actually take a bicycle!
More faint blurs in my memory, I ate so much and good I actually gained a few pounds, a rare event in my case,
and it wasn't even from the strufendorfels as Ali calls em (stroopwafels). More good Mexican breakfast with the
Michigan bunch at Las Manitas close to the corner 3rd and Congress and of course another dive in refreshing
water.
and it wasn't even from the strufendorfels as Ali calls em (stroopwafels). More good Mexican breakfast with the
Michigan bunch at Las Manitas close to the corner 3rd and Congress and of course another dive in refreshing
water.
I picked up my much needed stash of shade grown at Ruta's, smuggling some 4 pounds over the legal limit into European
borders. Unfortunately I didn't see the place in full swing during some event, but I can see the place has a good feel to it.
More water 'sports' were up when David, Jes and me rented a couple of inner tubes to float down the Carmel (?)
river.....three times... I guess we could have done better on the second run when we were just so into the social
event we forgot directions on the river and ended up tumbling over the wrong side of one of the rapids, emptying
our floating coolbox, losing at least a well chilled six pack to the happy Mexicans watching us fool around. We
grabbed what came floating by and luckily Jes saved us an apple and an orange (whatever happened to saving
the beer?). Ah well, it didn't really matter, we had a blast.
A day or two later it was more fun when David and Vic hosted an all Texan bbq, specifically rescheduled to meet
my staying in Austin . Boy, that was a load of fun as well. I'm not sure if the tequila was all gone by the end of the
night, although I left it at one straight shot at the start, but we sure laughed a lot on whatever we had at their
house. I never did find out what Vic was pointing at in the sky and what everybody was so eager to look at.
Anybody remember that?
borders. Unfortunately I didn't see the place in full swing during some event, but I can see the place has a good feel to it.
More water 'sports' were up when David, Jes and me rented a couple of inner tubes to float down the Carmel (?)
river.....three times... I guess we could have done better on the second run when we were just so into the social
event we forgot directions on the river and ended up tumbling over the wrong side of one of the rapids, emptying
our floating coolbox, losing at least a well chilled six pack to the happy Mexicans watching us fool around. We
grabbed what came floating by and luckily Jes saved us an apple and an orange (whatever happened to saving
the beer?). Ah well, it didn't really matter, we had a blast.
A day or two later it was more fun when David and Vic hosted an all Texan bbq, specifically rescheduled to meet
my staying in Austin . Boy, that was a load of fun as well. I'm not sure if the tequila was all gone by the end of the
night, although I left it at one straight shot at the start, but we sure laughed a lot on whatever we had at their
house. I never did find out what Vic was pointing at in the sky and what everybody was so eager to look at.
Anybody remember that?
Well, all good things come to an end (temporarily anyway) as my return trip was coming up. Jes rounded up a bunch of friends for
my final brunch in Austin . More Mexican food and Mexican Margaritas with the Michigan bunch, Yoga Mama Ali (doesn't she just
radiate energy by merely being there?) and Jes's stepbrother and wife.
Things keep popping up in my mind: whatever happened to that evening/night with J.R. and Ali at Sarah's house? More good times
as the sisters took me to see some more Austin venues (and I didn't even get a picture of them together!). Ah well, I guess I all
have to do it over sometime in the future.
Y'all be looking forward to Jes's journal to this visit (I know I am) and whenever you do cross the pond to expensive Europe , be
sure to drop me a line. I will be more than happy to put you up for the nights you're here or help you out with whatever your plans
are.
Cheers and stay safe ("drink, drive, go to jail" Luckily I only saw that on my way back to Fort Worth and not earlier).
Peter
my final brunch in Austin . More Mexican food and Mexican Margaritas with the Michigan bunch, Yoga Mama Ali (doesn't she just
radiate energy by merely being there?) and Jes's stepbrother and wife.
Things keep popping up in my mind: whatever happened to that evening/night with J.R. and Ali at Sarah's house? More good times
as the sisters took me to see some more Austin venues (and I didn't even get a picture of them together!). Ah well, I guess I all
have to do it over sometime in the future.
Y'all be looking forward to Jes's journal to this visit (I know I am) and whenever you do cross the pond to expensive Europe , be
sure to drop me a line. I will be more than happy to put you up for the nights you're here or help you out with whatever your plans
are.
Cheers and stay safe ("drink, drive, go to jail" Luckily I only saw that on my way back to Fort Worth and not earlier).
Peter
PAUL SIMON - Kodakchrome
Peter Klomp
Klompen (wooden shoes-the singular form of the word is “klomp”).
We know that you've wondered when we would talk about these perfect shoes.
The real Dutch klompen are handmade of wood, carved to perfection, come in
loads of sizes, lots of different colors and designs-for every occasion or style.
Once you wear klompen for a while, they fit like gloves,keep your feet dry and
warm, and hardly ever wear out.
In the Netherlands (and Dutch homes throughout the world), if you’re a good
boy or girl, Sinterklass (Saint Nicholas, the original Santa Claus) will leave
snoep (candy) in your klompen! In early December, before going to bed, you
leave a wortel (carrot) in your klomp for the Sint’s horse-try it this year, you
never know!
We think Klompen are, in a word-fantastische (fantastic)-een veelzijdige schoen
(a versatile shoe).
Hence my good friend Peter (Dutch Boy) Klomp who’s recent visit to Texas and
purchase of a very expensive camera (not as expensive in the EURO) brings
you his perspective in words and pics. I actually stole some of his great eye for
my video so be sure to check it all out to get the full monty along w/ Robb (Corn
Dawg from Canada ) Betts’ perspective as well as this old native. A boy (even
Dutch) loves to play with his new toy.
Klompen (wooden shoes-the singular form of the word is “klomp”).
We know that you've wondered when we would talk about these perfect shoes.
The real Dutch klompen are handmade of wood, carved to perfection, come in
loads of sizes, lots of different colors and designs-for every occasion or style.
Once you wear klompen for a while, they fit like gloves,keep your feet dry and
warm, and hardly ever wear out.
In the Netherlands (and Dutch homes throughout the world), if you’re a good
boy or girl, Sinterklass (Saint Nicholas, the original Santa Claus) will leave
snoep (candy) in your klompen! In early December, before going to bed, you
leave a wortel (carrot) in your klomp for the Sint’s horse-try it this year, you
never know!
We think Klompen are, in a word-fantastische (fantastic)-een veelzijdige schoen
(a versatile shoe).
Hence my good friend Peter (Dutch Boy) Klomp who’s recent visit to Texas and
purchase of a very expensive camera (not as expensive in the EURO) brings
you his perspective in words and pics. I actually stole some of his great eye for
my video so be sure to check it all out to get the full monty along w/ Robb (Corn
Dawg from Canada ) Betts’ perspective as well as this old native. A boy (even
Dutch) loves to play with his new toy.
