Guy on the train

When I got to berlin, I had no idea where I was staying, and to top it off, I got off at the WRONG stop... (could there be a RIGHT stop when you dont know where you're going?) ... anyways...

there was this guy that, out of the god-fearing blue, recognized the symptoms of "lostedness" and helped a germanic brother out. He looked shockingly alot like my brother Brent of TVO sexual education fame. He looks nothing like him in this pic however...



Dont really remember his name, but we got to talking and turns out he's a movie critic, and was on his way back from a pretty prominant film festiveal in south western germany. Made sense though... he was like my brothers doppleganger. My brother makes movies, this guy critques them. In some poetic twist I am sure in the future my brother will make a film that this guy will critique. He'll give it a terrible review and they will of course fight to the death.

He showed me to a local hostel and that was that. He offered to hang out with me and chat over beers, but his girlfriend called and was none too happy that he decided to further his career and gain financially by going to the festival rather than celebrate their 6 year anniversary.

Oh and she was waiting at his apartment already.

Oh snap again.

Green Power, Bathroom shower, Rainbow Flower(?)

It came time to leave, I have much more adventuring to do, I had spent 2 great days with the family i had never met, like all good things it must come to an end. Not before 3 things happened...

1. Took a very scenic drive out to the coast with my Cousin-in-law, Henk. I was shown the ever sprawling line up of Wind Powered Blowing-Wheel Receptors. I am not sure anyone has really named them. So there, I did it. WPBWR for short. Its a perfect acronym, sound it out...







ha! I bet you tried to pronounce WPBWR, sucker!!!

2. We met Afien at a bathroom layout and fixture store. The designs were simply fascinating! Such simple yet elaborate designs. Like nothing we have back home. An artistry was brought to a subject at best appropriated to white porcelain and blue tile.

I was very inspired, MY bathroom when I own a home will be not unlike the designs i saw.

I didn't however take any pictures. i didnt really think of it. Perhaps I thought it couldnt be captured.

3. Said goodbye to my cousin Afien!



Thanks Kloosterhof's!!! I loved my time in Appingedam! I'd love to return! Yang-soo will actually be in Canada in early July. He and I are gonna meet and tear it up, like only 2nd cousins can.

I make my way to the train station. At this point I was to head my way back west PAST Amsterdam and onto Delft. My mothers hometown and birthplace. I am waiting there at the train station and the next train to Berlin is sitting there. Which was in my original plan, but was axed in favour of going to Cologne, Frankfurt and Munich. I flip a coin and Berlin won. Guilt kicks in, feeling as though I had betrayed my mother in someway... but then just as I hit a big low, a sign occured saying "Benjamin, you made the right choice! You can see Delft next time"




A rainbow!!!! It was HUGE, and every colour was articulated PERFECTLY! The pictures do the rainbow no justice whatsoever. Just like when you take a picture of a huge moon, but it ends up so small in the photo. Just. Like. That.

A small stop over in Hannover...



....and then... BERLIN!

Signs: Appingedam

please excuse the blurry image...

This is a dutch proverb (I guess) that says: 2 daughters for the mother equals 3 plagues for the father.

Oh snap.

Randoms: Appingedam (May 6-8)

The following morning Yang soo walked me around the greater downtown area of Appingedam. Its a gorgeous little hamlet and like most of Europes hidden village gems, the streets are interlocking brick and the city boasts a unique property characteristic: Hanging Kitchens.

I was told there used be hanging kitchens lined all the way down the canal, but currently only 3-5 remain.

What I'm Eating: Appingedam

I took Yang-soo out for lunch. We both had the same meal! A metaphor for our blooming friendship no doubt.

Ham en Kaas Omelets. It came with a delicious potato salad and 2 slices of very soft bread. American Coffee to wash it all down.

Appingedam: The Kloosterhof House

I got picked up by my cousin Afien Kloosterhof and her son, Yang-soo at the Appingedam train-station. This was the first time I have ever met this 2nd cousin of mine! Actually I had just met my 1st cousin but a week or so before this.

We went to their home not 5 minutes from the station.

Awaiting at the Kloosterhof house were my cousin-in-law (ha!) Henk (Afien's husband), and my OTHER 2nd cousin Ming Yung. Who i found out plays a gigantic xylophone... but wooden. I am sure it has a proper name, but really its a giant wooden xylophone.



We had some coffee, some snacks and a lot of great conversation.





If you're wondering... "hey those dont sound like very dutch names!" ...well you're a genius! They aren't. Both of my 2nd cousins were adopted korean born children. But they have been raised in the netherlands, and you couldnt tell me they're not dutch. Actually Yang soo is an aspiring council member in his hometown! And very proud to be dutch. I greeted them in Korean, and Yang-soo had no idea what I was saying. To be fair, if someone said hi to me in dutch a few months ago, I wouldnt have had clue either. lol.

Its a warm, quaint house, with EXTREMELY comforatble shag carpetting. Afien kept reassuring me that they were renovating at the moment and to mind the mess. To be honest, their version of messy is cleaner than my house has ever been. lol. The shower was however inoperable at the moment, so I was told I must shower at Yang Soo's apartment... in downtown Appingedam.

After some great living room time, with the family I've never met, Ming Yung had to get back to her university life in the city of Groningan, Afien had to wind down after getting back from Canada. Henk's with Afien...

So of course, Yang-soo and I headed to the local bar and bonded over great dutch beers!

Bye Burdaard!

After spending a soul warming time in Burdaard, it was time to move on and see more. I contacted my cousin Afien, whom I had reconnected with at my Unlce Sieds funeral. She lives in the neighbouring province of Groningan. I decide to catch the next train and head to her place.

What I'm Eating: Burdaard

Awake to the sunshiningsmells of a breakfast meant just for me.

(Yes I wrote sunshiningsmells and meant it)

I get dressed and get myself downstairs. I see the Kingma's (owners of the bed and breakfast I stayed at) floating around, and they point me in the direction of breakfast. Its such a great sight.





Everything this dutch boy wanted. Fresh breads, Hagleshlech (chocolate sprinkles, a very traditional topping of breads, something that sent me whirling through childhood memories at my Oma's in orillia, and a later time on a farm in New Brunswick, with a dutch family of course), a boiled egg, jams... and something I have only ever had made for me by my Aunt Sally. SUGARBREAD!!!!! You read that right Tiesma Family members! SUGARBREAD!!!!

The Friesians make a wonderful bread where they involve sugar cubes in the dough. As the bread bakes, the sugar half melts and creates a delicious traditional treat, that I have never ever seen or eaten this wonder aside from my Aunts baking of it.

Spread a fine layer of butter and enjoy. Boy did I enjoy.

It was so great. All of it. It was enough, and yet, over-satisfying...emotionally.

OH YEAH, and immediate family members... where have you seen this before?