Waiting for president Bush, one middle finger raised

Please bear with me as I’m currently quite busy working on a large project, with a 6th of July deadline.

[Waiting for Godot: A Tragicomedy in Two Acts by Samuel Beckett ;-)]

I will be back with new postings asap. In the meantime, check out this cute statue a German town erected for the musical Hair, and yes, George W. Bush is visiting nearby soon - I was amused reading the press-release below:

Quotes from http://www.deutsche-welle.de/dw/article/0,2144,2062207,00.html:

—

” In the Baltic Sea town of Greifswald, just 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the town Bush is set to visit, a theater company has built an enormous mock-up of the Statue of Liberty, right arm, as ever, raised high.

There’s just one problem: instead of holding a flaming torch, this statuesque dame has lifted her middle finger in a salute known on both sides of the Atlantic as anything but friendly and welcoming.

Exactly the opposite, in fact.

The enormous statue — whose breasts can open and close for dramatic purposes — is part of the set for an outdoor production of the 1960s anti-war musical “Hair,” slated to start its run at the Baltic Sea Theater Festival the day before Bush’s visit.

Now, the statue and her offensive gesture are causing a minor uproar, pitting politicians and businessmen against artists and activists.

Conservative politicians and populist newspapers have called the statute shocking and tasteless, and are calling for its removal.

For their part, the folks at the Theater Vorpomerania retort that their anti-war play and its intentionally provocative set were planned long before any son of George Bush had agreed to come to their area — indeed, before Merkel was even elected chancellor.

They argue that the musical is about the Vietnam-era America of the 1960s, not the America of today. But they admit — perhaps a little smugly — that they are powerless to stop people from drawing comparisons.

Meanwhile, the conservative General Secretary of Mecklenburg Vorpomerania, Lorenz Caffier, told Germany’s Tagesschau news Internet site that the “middle finger must go.” The US President should feel at home here, he said, adding that “artistic freedom” can surely take a backseat to politesse. At least for a day or two.

Commercial interests in the area may also be getting nervous. Visits by heads of state are often seen as a chance to attract investors. But does that hold true when the targeted investors are being told to … well… take a hike?

—

I wonder how Texas Fallen Star will react. Well, as usual he will probably just ignore this insignificant “issue”.

If your whole family is in the “let’s start a war” business, one silly statue will not impact your day

Visting Antwerp, Belgium? Avoid this tourist trap

This morning I spent 2 hours getting past the huge traffic jam around the Antwerp Central Railway Station. This whole area is being rebuild, including roads, several buildings with huge amounts of money being spent on the high-speed train network, linking Antwerp with Paris, Amsterdam and London. The area is an absolute mess.

Basically this is a place to be avoided until September 2006.

Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon these online ads for the 5* Astrid Plaza Hotel (at several very well respected travel sites - none of which mention the messy building work), although this expensive hotel is currently situated right in the midst of this messy building site.

    

[left: online ad, June 23 2006]            [Right: the real "lawn" in front of the Astrid Park Plaza, June 23, 2006]

Liberating Antwerp, Belgium 1944: a tribute to the forgotten heroes

When walking along the Antwerp riverbanks, I couldn't help but noticing the way Antwerp disregards the people who liberated this city way back in 1944: the men from the US, Canadian and Polish forces. Most of the tiny remembrance statues are hidden among forgotten old military vessels or just invisible between the countless parked cars. Many of these forgotten men gave their life for our freedom, a fact most of us no longer seem to care for. It's a real shame.

Below: my recent pics showing the expensive upscale Antwerp riverbanks residential area, with old military vessels and forgotten statues dating back to the end of WW II.

[Antwerp, Belgium: WWII vessels, the tiny WWII USA memorial with expensive riverside lofts in the background, June 17, 2006]

Antwerp, Belgium: when eating out becomes a fashion statement

There is no escaping it: we all have to eat somehow.

However, I did notice while travelling extensively abroad that different cultures have widely varying approaches to food. Some nations consider having lunch as a high-speed, super-efficient activity to avoid wasting time at all cost. Some cultures mix eating-out and work in a most enjoyable way. I feel very fortunate to live in such a culture.

Below: my pics showing Antwerp eating (and drinking) out on sidewalk restaurants tables, at funfairs, well, wherever they can find something to their taste, and in general enjoying every bite

[Making a "Fashion statement" while eating out: right in front of the cathedral (left) or while wearing trendy outfits (right)] 

ET, please call home, this diet is killing you

But first make sure to clean up the mess you left around this payphone in Antwerp, Belgium

[above: a pay-phone right in front of the Antwerp Hilton. Still 100% functional last weekend]

FIFA World Soccer Cup 2006: sex, prostitution and two balls :-)

While countless numbers of TV viewers worldwide enjoy the Word Football Cup in Germany, many of the predominantly male visitors in Germany seem to want more than just watching an exciting game: they want sex, and Germany appears more than willing to provide it.

Mind you, all these “value added services” are in no way turning the actual soccer world cup into a mega brothel. If you just want to have some “wholesome family fun” with the kids, no problem, you will hardly notice the commercial sex on offer. If you’re a horny single though, well, you have a choice, like any adult should have.

According to http://www.gaybelgium.be/content/EEuAlyApuphykeOncv.shtml Berlin build a 3,000 square metre mega brothel next to the main soccer stadium, catering to 650 visitors, simultaneously. [translation in English: go to http://babelfish.altavista.com - enter the Dutch URL above and choose Dutch-to-English translation]

With most US states criminalising prostitution (an absurd and useless concept), many US visitors to the Soccer world cup in Germany are in for a full-frontal ‘culture’ shock: not only do the Europeans use their feet while playing football (duh, “soccer”), they also drink huge amounts of German beer, with a local government more than willing to allow professional prostitution. Rest assured, the Germans know all about being “100% professional”: you can’t go wrong here - the local prostitutes are STD checked and most even wear badges.

Welcome to Europe

[my shots above: Friday night 16 June: Dutch soccer fans watch the game in front of the Antwerp Town Hall.]

Final score: Holland 2 - Ivory Coast 1. Antwerp turned orange. No real prostitutes visible in Antwerp, but lots of fun, and beer

Newsquote:

“It is estimated that up to 40,000 women could be brought into Germany to work as prostitutes during the World Cup, in order to accommodate the huge influx of demand experts anticipate will be generated by male fans attending the games. Thousands of these women are expected to be illegally trafficked. Prostitution is legal in Germany and as such 400,000women are already involved in prostitution in the country.

However, officials estimate that 3 million fans will buy sex while at the World Cup this year, and to accommodate these numbers 40,000 extra prostitutes are expected to be brought into Germany during this time.”

Anyway, if you’re really insist on buying the services of a prostitute, make sure she actually chose to have sex with you.

Many of the hookers had no choice [source: the salvation army ]

FIFA World Cup 2006: the sound of Silence

I’m sure you already noticed it wherever you live (probably not in the USA though ;-)), but the FIFA Soccer World Cup 2006 in Germany has a profound impact on cities all over Europe: empty cafes and restaurants with millions gazing at their (often new and over-sized) TV screens at home or even at work. The most impressive benefit being an overall ’sound of silence’ while I walk through downtown Antwerp (currently rainy): soccer really seems to have “sucked” the life out of this town.

I know, it’s more than just one ball and a team, it’s an emotional experience that redefines chauvinism, national identity and the need to belong to a distinct group. But I will refrain from dissecting it and let you go with the flow, at least, that’s what most people do overhere: ecstatic soccer fan shots at pixagogo.com

If you’re at work or don’t get TV coverage locally, try http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/. I’m off to my scuba training, I prefer moving myself when it comes to sports ;-).

A touch of xenophobia?

Let me paint you a picture. Imagine yourself in the Antwerp City, Belgium, riverside open-air pool on a bright, 30°C/90°F summer day. If you can’t, try these shots from www.sint-annastrand.be. My digital camera doesn’t like water

[Left: Antwerp Left-bank: the Marina. Right: Antwerp left-bank beach with open-air pool and leisure promenade]

Remember, you’re just here to enjoy yourself and escape from the summer heat, nothing more, nothing less.

After 15 minutes of queuing, while loud, arrogant Berber females with their face halve-covered (no Burkha’s here, they are no longer allowed) run over your feet with their prams, you finally get in. Soon the 50 m pool turns into a nightmarish experience.

In spite of the 10 security cams several 15 year olds show off their talents, hitting you where it hurts, while frantically expressing their emotions in countless languages, none of which is yours. Few of the sun seekers seem willing to speak Dutch in public, the pool shows an out of balance racial/age mix. Some of the “sun seeking minors” get into a fight. The police arrives. An ambulance takes away someone who visibly got injured.

You really get fed up, angry and frustrated but decide to try the grass, only to find that few of the -18 yo Moroccan sunbathers (3/4 of the pool) were ever taught (or prefer to ignore) the basic rules of conduct in a country that has been more than welcoming to their families. A country that even gave away Belgian passports, without ever asking if immigration without structural social integration was really such a smart move.

You give up and go home feeling 100% “lost”, wondering what went wrong with your dreams of a liberal, multicultural society.

Let’s get real. We all got some basic rights, even if we’re white or non-white trash, but what happened to the duties and obligations that go along with these rights?

Help me out on this one, belonging to a minority myself left me kind of “slightly dazed and confused”.

Are you?

Soccer: why America just doesn’t care

While halve a billion non-Americans gaze at their TV screens worldwide these days, watching the world soccer cup 2006 in Germany, most Americans couldn't care less. And to be honest, neither can I

Belgium's national soccer-team failed to qualify, with a team that just didn't measure up. But I was slightly amazed watching a local street-side cafe filled with Dutch nationals - apparently the owner felt that supporting Holland was the only way to get some viewers (and drunk customers) in front of his 50 inch screen.

My pictures above: an Antwerp, Belgium street-side cafe, dressed up in orange, the color of the soccer team from Holland. Anyway, we're neighbours

The reason why Americans just don't care about soccer was explained with some irony by a reporter from San Francisco: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/06/10/NEVIUS.TMP

Quote: "even if soccer became popular in the United States, or if the American team became one of the best in the world, it wouldn't matter. We still wouldn't care, and no one else — least of all the Europeans — would, either".

A box filled with chocolates, the taste of home

"A box filled with chocolates" - "my God", I can almost hear you whisper, "he's trying to get a job at the local Tourist office" I've travelled quite extensively and acquired a taste for the new and unfamiliar, but still, I'm a "forever 30" addict, addicted to my almost daily shot of Belgian Chocolates ("pralines", as they're known locally).

[my pic: the Leonidas shop right in front of the Antwerp Hilton]
Leonidas (www.leonidas.com) may be familiar to you, but I cannot go without tasting Neuhaus (www.neuhaus.com) when I'm having an Italian Lavazza coffee at the nearby Hilton.

I know, even at my age, I'm still a spoiled brat

Summer in the city, Antwerp June 2006

The dog-days of summer arrived early in Antwerp - currently averaging 30°C/90°F, it will drop to 21°C/70°F though.

Some of my shots to prove that warm weather instantly turns this city into a Latin Dolce Vita flavoured hotspot at night.

I'm having the time of my life, at least as long as the summer weather lasts

I want my playstation, in virgin white

Sony PlayStation teaser-billboard in downtown Antwerp.

Notice the portable chemical toilet in front of the building, ànd the fact the billboard assumes we all speak English (must of us do - but officially Belgium is bilingual Dutch (majority)/French (minority), with Dutch spoken in Antwerp)

Pit stop: Antwerp City Hall

Background/foreground age difference: about 500 years.

Fun to watch though

Antwerp City Fair: let’s have a “feel-good” moment

The yearly Antwerp City Fair (7th Sunday after Easter, a public Holiday in many European countries) is in town for 6 weeks: 50+ fun-rides, 300,000 people and loads of fun. Enjoy my feel-good pictures:

(website in Dutch: www.sinksenfoor.tk )

“If it hurts, just press harder”: the shocking rise of right wing extremism in Antwerp, Belgium

After all the recent horror stories/events ("right wing extremist shoots 2 yo girl&quot it may be useful to put some things in perspective.

[picture above: a frightened child holds a "stop fascism/stop racism" -"we are in danger" banner in Brussels, Belgium]

Antwerp, Belgium (my home town) has always been a melting pot. Being a large port city (2nd largest in Europe) made most of us aware that our multicultural society was a regular part of everyday life. Even before the fall of the Berlin wall we had our "Falcon Square", where countless Russians from ships in the Antwerp port came to shop and trade. We were [and continue to be] a tolerant city, boasting a large gay community and 100 different nationalities, living quite peacefully together.

However, when the economic growth stagnated in in the early 80's, right wing extremism slowly emerged, currently headed by Filip Dewinter, the extreme right-wing media icon of "Vlaams Belang", the successor to the outlawed racist "Vlaams Blok".

Using a unique, successful but politically perverse rhetoric by targeting every problem most large cities experience worldwide with imaginary solutions and "victimising" immigrants and minorities, the right wing VB managed to convince up to 30% of my fellow Antwerp citizens that their extremist approach would "save us" from the unfortunate effects of globalisation. The party is deeply rooted in old-style separatism and has despicable xenophobic views (see the Jewish antisemitism World report).

After the recent murder of the (white) 2 yo Luna (one of my neighbours) and her black nanny by an 18yo right wing racist skinhead (who's family turned out to be members of the "Vlaams Belang"), the party deliberately kept a low profile, although current polls still give them +30% of the Antwerp electorate.

Most Belgians feel the abusive rhetoric of this Antwerp extremist right wing "trash-in-Armani-suits" must stop - steps have been taken to outlaw them.

The US 1st amendment guarantees almost unlimited free speech. Belgian laws punish those who advocate hate-speech.

Well, let's hope 30% of the misled Antwerp electorate will wake up soon, we have local elections coming up this fall.

Above left: dear Filip enjoying the company of French Extremist Le Pen (known for minimising the reality of the Holocaust in Nazi Germany),

Above, right: Antwerp extreme right winger Filip Dewinter surrounded by one of his Barbie Doll party members

Details from Wikipedia: Flemish Block