Love for Three Oranges

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Paris
2007-09-10 19:06:00
I have been hitch hiking from Berlin to Frankfurt to Paris to Barcelona to Paris to Lille to Vienna to Sofia and back home to Rotterdam. Why specifically these cities? Well, because in all of them I had friends which I had not seen for a long time. All my hitch hiking I have done in 1,5 months. About every hike and destination I write a short story on my blog. This time: PARIS!From: Frankfurt Main (Germany) to Paris (France)Distance: 572 km (actually was a lot longer, because of detours)Time: 12 hours Right, right I know I should have updated you earlier on my second hitch hike (is that the right word for it?) but I have not! Well anyways, better late than never.City peopleMy second trip, from Frankfurt to Paris, took me in total about 12 hours. It had been a long ride and it proved to be rather difficult to get a hike out of Frankfurt. After having waited for a good 4 hours (read: that is standing and waiting outside for four bloody hours!), somebody finally decided to stop and gav...

Safe Bush Jr.
2007-09-10 18:18:00
Time for some good old gaming. Safe George and Condoleezza out of the White House or let the terrorists win...Enjoy a good ol' shoot' em up and leave your scored in the comments!
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Egon Schiele II
2007-09-10 16:19:00
Last time I introduced Schiele to my Blog. This time I delve a little bit deeper as I am a great admirer of his raw depictions of human forms and flesh. Schiele is known to have been a pupil of Gustav Klimt, who is widely known for idealising the human form. Klimt's objects were mostly portrayed as elegant fin-de-siecle figures, but Schiele's models (both male, female and his self- portraits) are raw and make the viewer aware of his vulnerability.Why are the two painters, who shared so much in common, then so different? I explained a bit of the reasoning behind this already in my previous post. The plausible and perhaps single most important reason for Schiele's rigid way of depicting human forms is the conservative Viennese milieu he resided in. I reckon that the claustrophobic nature of Austria at that time (and especially Vienna) arose a certain anger (or perhaps better "urge") in the young painter. The fact that Schiele got arrested for his depiction of naked females is clear...

Egon Schiele
2007-09-10 01:55:00
In a time of growing conservatism, provocation does not only offer time to breath, but also time to consider reason and essence. Some weeks ago I was in Vienna and understood that Egon Schiele (my favourite painter, who became famous because of his picture below) could have been Viennese. Why? Because provocation is the result of conservatism and which city could be more conservative than Vienna? This world would be a different place,imagine if you can,If we only loved our Godthe way a man loves a woman. He'd be a part of all we do,we'd always let Him in.And even when He made us cry,we'd do it all again. Ambitiously, we'd serve Him,then at night massage His feet.Finding daily satisfactionin the works that we complete. Without knowing 'every' detailwe'd help Him carry out His plan.If we just loved our Creatorthe way a man loves a woman.More on Schiele:Leopold Museum (biggest Schiele collection)Wikipedia Some works Some more works

New China Pics
2007-09-09 14:24:00
I just uploaded some new pictures of my stay in China . These new pictures are mostly shot in Beijing and Shanghai. Feel free to have a glimpse either HERE or in my "linX Personal" section!Red, red, ChinaCheerio!

Copter Game
2007-09-09 02:51:00
You might have noticed that I have given my blog a huge facelift! I hear you asking why... well, I am trying to raise funds for my PhD in England (bloody expensive) and in light of that I deem it important to have a nice and updated blog. Soon I will write you all a mass email and will ask you to forward it to everybody in your address list. Eventually, I hope that the email reaches a philanthropist who is literally swimming in money and not only believes in my abilities to successfully conduct my PhD , but also realises the importance of my research :).In the meantime I hope I can satisfy you with a modest, but very kool retro game!Love,Marijn
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For Sale
2007-09-08 22:16:00
Brand new super gun, for one time use only.Interested? Please contact Christian Faure
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Frankurt
2007-09-06 11:57:00
I have been hitch hiking from Berlin to Frankfurt to Paris to Barcelona to Paris to Lille to Vienna to Sofia and back home to Rotterdam. Why specifically these cities? Well, because in all of them I had friends which I had not seen for a long time. All my hitch hiking I have done in 1,5 months. About every hike and destination I write a short story on my blog. This time: FRANKFURT!After I had spend a good week in Berlin, I decided to hitchhike to Frankfurt am Main (Germany). I had never really visited the city before and was therefore interested to put my preconceptions to the test. I imagined Frankurt to be the buzzy, capitalist heart of modern Europe. A smaller, European version of Manhattan (therefore also called "Mainhatten), where there was no time for small-talk especially not among the new 21st century white collar heroes. Yes, I believed it to be the capital of terror and disillusion. Was I wrong? The old, charming city centre My trip from Berlin to Germany's 5th...
More About: Kurt

Quick note - Middle East
2007-09-06 11:57:00
Dear all,Just a quickie to let you all know that I uploaded my pictures taken on my travels in the Middle East (i.e. Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Israel) in 2005. Please feel free to have a look: you will find the link in my "linx" section.Cheerio!Marijn
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Berlin
2007-08-30 13:44:00
I have been hitch hiking for over a month now in Europe (both in the West as in the East). The first city that I visited however was Berlin . Actually, I flew in from Ulan Baator to Berlin and stayed there for about a week at a friend's place in Fridrichshain (thats in the Eastern part of the city). Thanks a lot for allowing me to stay at your place, Christian!It was an interesting experience to be back in Germany's capital where I lived 4 years ago. Berlin has not changed much. I mean it has, but not as much as I feared. I was initially afraid that the city would had given up its role as the cultural capital of modern Europe. How positively surprised I was to see that things were different than I expected/ feared!Berlin is perhaps not beautiful (and I don't think it even pretends to be), but instead a place to enjoy many freedoms and high levels of tolerance that other European cities are not be able to provide. Berlin has taken over the role that Paris and Prague played about a ...

Alive and well
2007-08-27 23:35:00
It has been over a month since the post below. However, I am still alive and well (well, I believe so anyways). The last few weeks or so I have been... hitch hiking through Europe! I arrived in Berlin (Germany) from Ulan Bator (Mongolia) and from there have hitchhiked to Frankfurt/ Main, Paris, Barcelona, Paris (back from Barcelona), Villiers L'Hopital (a tiny village in Picardie, France) and I am currently writing you all in conservative (but beautiful) Vienna.Of course, I am not selfish and promise to update you all on my journeys and adventures on- and off the road. The next post I will dedicate to Berlin, the city which was my first stop after a drunken flight (darn vodka!!) from Ulan Bator. I plan to post all cities and hitches some time after I successfully made my way to Sofia (which is my last and final stop before going back all the way to the Netherlands, yes hitchhiking!). For your information, only if you are interested (of course), my travels in Europe were as outlined...
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Ulan Baatar
2007-07-18 13:40:00
This will be my last post on Mongolia. I have decided to fly over Russia (yes, that country that is most hostile towards tourists) into Berlin to enjoy some (continental) European culture. My departure has nothing to do with Mongolia or the lack beauty of the country. Don´t get me wrong, I believe it is truly a beautiful country and I recommend everybody to go there! I am just getting a bit tired and would love to go back to a place where I can actually understand the people (if only linguistically) and where it is easier to get around (if only for a short time).The last 7 days of my stay in Mongolia I have spend in the country´s capital: Ulan Baator. Although the city is definitely not the most attractive tourist hot spot, it is certainly worth a visit while you are there.Representing UB´s newest street gangThe city embraces the new Mongolian spirit. The country has since the breaking of the Soviet Union been in a transitionary stage from a centrally planned economy to a free ma...

Naadam Festival
2007-07-16 17:20:00
It is true that I already wanted to write earlier on Mongolia´s most important holiday. Nadaam (Наадам) festival is held from from July 11th to 13th and was originally a religious festival, but now also serves as a commemoration of the country's 1921 revolution. (that was when Mongolia declared itself a free country). In fact, Naadam also means "sports" or "games" (dont remember which one of the two). During Naadam three "manly sports" are being played, namely: wresting, archery and of course.... horse riding. I decided to visit the 801th festival in Ulan Baatar, as I was told that it was the best place to be.Opening at UB´s Government SquareThe opening ceremony was the most impressive part of the festival. The overture was done by motor cyclists (mainly Kawasaki´s), a lot of horses, the Mongolian President (completely dressed up in gold), the Japanese Crown Prince (who looked like a midget compared to the well-build Mongolians), Miss Mongolia (Mongolian women are definite...
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Khövsgöl
2007-07-14 06:48:00
After having crossed the Chinese border with Mongolia, I decided to spend a few days in Ulan Baatar (talk about the city in my next post) before leaving for Lake Khövsgöl (Хөвсгөл нуур). The lake is located in the northwest of the country near the Russian border. It is 1645 m above sea level, 136 km long and 262 m (!) deep.Lake Khövsgöl or Hovsgol is the small brother of the world's biggest lake, lake BaikalWe (me, Gerry (Israel), Fabio (Italy) and Hariki (Japan)) geared up our bag packs and traveled with local transport for a 24 hour journey to the lake. We soon regretted our choice to do as the "Romans in Rome" (i.e. local transport), the roads (if any) were bumpy and the Russian van was completely overpacked (20 people cramped up in a too small van). One of the worst rides of my life, most definitely...Mongolia's favourite mode of public transportationAfter a devastating 20 hours of bumpy and dusty roads, we finally managed to arrive in the town of Moroon. There ...

Beijing and Shanghai
2007-07-10 12:14:00
I decided to post both my Shanghai and Beijing experience in one post. Why? Well, because both cities are in so many aspects different from each other and thus putting them in one post allows for a more careful comparison.One city representing the new China, a vibrant melting pot with money and commodification (Mao lighters will surpass Che Guevara Ti-shirts, mark my words) written all over its face. Shanghai seems to be beyond the reach of the Communist Party and its crony tentacles (I am outside of China, so I can finally be honest). The city relies on innovation, entrepreneurship and plain business instinct. From a tourist perspective the metropolis seems belong to beautiful people enjoying a beautiful life. Living in Shanghai must be relaxing and easy: Indian curry, German Schnitzel, kosher and helal food, great big Spanish olives, etc, etc. And that all around the corner! Shanghai equals design However, beauty and comfort often coincides with superficiality and ignorance. Outs...
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Hangzhou
2007-07-08 04:00:00
It took some time, but finally some news again on this blog! I am currently already in Mongolia, but have not even posted news on my visits to Hangzhou , Beijing and Shanghai! Sorry!Anyways, I know that you are all busy (or enjoying the sun) so I am sure nobody really minds :).Well, first a short overview of my stay in Hangzhou. Hangzhou is located about 200 KM from Shanghai and has a population well over 6 million. The beautiful West Lake and its surrounding historical sites make the city a tourist hot spot for both Chinese and foreigners."Hmmm, pictures are a big greenish"As said, the city is one of the most attractive scenic spots in China (according to both Chinese and ME!). As the Chinese say: ""Be born in Suzhou, live in Hangzhou, eat in Guangzhou, die in Liuzhou" (never been to the last city). This one is nice as well "Above there is Heaven. Below, Suzhou and Hangzhou" (上有天堂，下有苏杭). Below there are also some more pictures.The teacher and the student (who's w...

Marlen Vargas Del Razo
2007-06-02 13:27:00
I got to know Marlen by accident. I was going through some of the links on my blog and one of them had then again a link to her website. Marlen is a young, talented Mexican photographer, whose photos I very much enjoy. Her themes range from loneliness, to urban surroundings and cloudy skies. I suggest, when you have some time to have a glimpse on her blog and see her work for yourself (http://milklatte.blogspot.com).Modern Still lifeAging ChairsBlue sunlightLazy Sunday When you read this, good luck Marlen!Love,Marijn

Last days in Changzhou
2007-05-31 13:51:00
My time in Chan g zhou is almost over. Tomorrow will be my last day and then I have to start packing and organising myself. The latter will most certainly prove to be difficult, as I have done nothing so far... The time in Changzhou has been interesting and enriching in many, many way. I hope that I have done enough for sustainable urban development in China, although I am aware that the country definitely needs more help. I just heard from friends in Wuxi that there is no bottled water anymore available and drinking from the tab is no alternative due to a long list of harmful toxics. Development comes with a price… As for myself, I will soon will leave this country to start something which I think I will enjoy very much... travelling back home! For those interested, I will first explore China a little tad more. I have not even been to Beijing yet, can you imagine after having spend almost a year in China!? I have no concrete travel plan, but intend to visit Mongolia (if only to ...
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