That's how the cookie crumbles...

When we were on a holiday in Thailand two years ago, we saw these cookie cans on the market. The salesman didn't understand at first when we tried to explain that we wanted to buy the can, not the cookies. We paid 10 cents and were happy as can be. I asked my dear friend Elske to take the can to Bangkok, so that we didn't have to drag it around through Thailand on our further journeys. When we arrived in Bangkok three weeks later, we were scolded by Elske. Never again would she be embarrased like that. All Thai had laughed at her, especially the security guys who made her put the can through the x-ray. Well, who'd thought our cute idea, would become someone else's business plan. So, Elske, if your ever come to Holland again, bring some of these, will you?

Oslo

Imagine this being your backyard...
My Norwegian friends Jannicke and Robert are the lucky ones.
Wow!

Cambodia - first impressions

Cambodia is not Indonesia. This much we all know, but still... I cannot help to compare. This country is a lot poorer. Even though people complain about traffic in the capital, Phnomh Penh equals a small city in Indonesia and traffic jams are still rare. People are harder to read, emotions difficult to grasp.

In Indonesia tourism is slick business; here it's still 'cute'. When travelling from Phnom Penh to Sihanouville with the Mekong Express Limousine bus, the stewardess directed us to our seats, handed us a wrapped, cold wet towel with a silver tool, gave us food and drinks (all separately) and took the microphone to share a story on the surrounding neighborhood. She had obviously studied a text by heart and does not practise her English often. It was completely incomprehensible! When a seven year old Dutch boy came back from the toilet, she asked him whether he had a problem. To his parents: "The last moment he went to toilet and now bad smell because of him". Think she meant to ask him if he was feeling okay, good thing kids don't have many taboos.

It's an adventure. We've already seen a lot and I'm still trying to put the pieces together.

Freaky insect

Just chilling on my balcony, when my eye spotted a weird looking creature. It sort of resembles a rabbit, only it's tiny. I just had to take a picture and ask you: any idea what this is??

Sailing around Amsterdam

The marriage (not mine)

On friday the 25th of May, my mother married Pieter.
Now they can live happily ever after!

Project A-WEAR-NESS

Last weekend, all 150 members of the Third Chamber gathered to talk more about international co-operation and discuss their proposals. A wide range of issues were debated with fervour; from water issues to world peace, from sister-cities to press freedom and from fair-flowers to solar energy. Despite the fact that we, as the Third Chamber, will not be able to change the world at large, it's so inspiring to be amongst a group of people that tries!

With my group, I am working on a proposal on fair clothing. We support the efforts of organisations like the Fair Wear Foundation and the Clean Clothes Campaign to stop childlabour and improve working conditions. Will go and watch China Blue as soon as I can - think you should as well! Visit http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/chinablue for more info