Author Archives: admin

Telephone Numbers for Brussels and Belgium

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EMERGENCY CALLS

Fire and emergency medical services : 100

Police : 101

MEDICAL SERVICES

Poison control center : 070/245.245

Burn center : 02/268.62.00

Red cross : 105

Dentists on call : 02/426.10.26

Doctors on call : 02/479.18.18

HELP BY PHONE

Telephone welcome : 106 (NL) – 107 (FR)

Alcoholics anonymous : 02/537.82.24

Info-drugs : 02/227.52.52

Child Focus (Missing children) : 110

Info-aids : 02/511.45.29

Suicide prevention : 0800.32.123

INFORMATION

For a telephone Number in Belgium :

1207 (NL) – 1307 (FR) – 1405 (EN) – 1407 (D)

For a telephone number abroad :

1204 (NL) – 1304 (FR) – 1405 (EN) – 1404 (D) Time : 1200 (NL) – 1300 (FR)

Wake up calls (automatic) : 0800-51248 (NL) – 0800-51348 (FR)

TRANSPORT

Tramway-Metro-Bus : 02/515.20.00

Airport : 02/753.42.00

Holidays in the Czech Republic

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Holidays for 2006 are:
January 1 Novy rok (New Year’s Day)
May 1 Svatek prace (May Day)
May 5 Kvetnove povstani ceskeho lidu 1945 (Prague Uprising 1945)
May 8 Den osvobozeni od fasismu 1945 (Liberation from Fascism Day 1945)
July 5 Den slovanskych verozvestu Cyrila a Metodeje (St. Cyril & St. Methodius Day)
July 6 Mistr Jan Hus 1415 (John Huss Day)
September 28 Day of Czech Statehood
October 28 Den vzniku samostatneho ceskoslovenskeho statu 1918 (Independence Day)
November 17 Den boje studentu za svobodu a demokracii 1989 (Students’ fight for freedom and democracy 1989)
December 24 Stedry den (Christmas Eve)
December 25 Svatek vanocni 1 (Christmas)
December 26 Svatek vanocni 2 (2nd day of Christmas)

Holidays for Czech Republic for 2005 include:
January 1 Novy rok (New Year’s Day)
March 28 Pondeli velikonocni (Easter Monday)
May 1 Svatek prace (May Day)
May 5 Kvetnove povstani ceskeho lidu 1945 (Prague Uprising 1945)
May 8 Den osvobozeni od fasismu 1945 (Liberation from Fascism Day 1945)
July 5 Den slovanskych verozvestu Cyrila a Metodeje (St. Cyril & St. Methodius Day)
July 6 Mistr Jan Hus 1415 (John Huss Day)
October 28 Den vzniku samostatneho ceskoslovenskeho statu 1918 (Independence Day)
November 17 Den boje studentu za svobodu a demokracii 1989 (Students’ fight for freedom and democracy 1989)
December 24 Stedry den (Christmas Eve)
December 25 Svatek vanocni 1 (Christmas)
December 26 Svatek vanocni 2 (2nd day of Christmas)

Polish History

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Poland’s History

966 – Poland is born, and most importantly, recognized by THE church.

1000 – Boleslaw the Brave King of Poland crowned by German Emperor Otto III, who also recognizes the Polish state’s existence.

1225 – Recently unemployed Teutonic German crusaders brought in to re-establish order against invading Lithuanians, Jacwingians, and Prussians.

1241-42 – Mongol expansion into Europe crushed as Poland and Lituania expand eastward.

13th thru 14th Centuries – Poland expands further eastward, while giving up Denmark, Bohemia and Volhynia.

1346 – During the reign of the Great Kazimierz, a law was passed offering sanctuary to Jews fleeing other European countries, allowing them to settle here.

1410 – Poland and Lithuania defeat the Teutonics.

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Polish Food

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Food of Poland

While travelling from Warsaw to Krakow recently I met a character that detested root vegetables. I asked why, and she replied that the sisters in her boarding school as a child forced her to eat all sorts of them, leaving a bad memory – and taste – in her mouth. I wondered why she was travelling in Poland, Motherland of all Root Vegetables, but soon realized the beauty of the countryside and the friendly people was a major reason for anyone to visit here.

Some of the best things to eat here are anything made with the abundance of fresh produce to be found in Poland. Here are some of the things I tried, and liked.

Soups – Zupa Grzybowa is cream of mushroom soup, and made with the local bolete mushrooms for the best flavor. Grochowka is a yellow split pea soup with potatoes, carrots, and also sausage. A rather hearty stew indeed. Although I didn’t try it, Flaki is also a popular soup in Poland. It’s tripe soup, with lots of pepper, ginger and marjoram – an unusual flavor combination, and the Warsaw natives add a topping of grated cheese. I did enjoy a bowl of Zupa Szczawiowa, which is another cream soup, made with sorrel leaves, and included a hard-boiled egg. But one of the most popular offerings for soup seemed to be Czysty Barszcz Czerwony, a clear red soup made with beet roots, garlic and mushrooms.

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Calpe Spain

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If you still have not decided as to where you can go for your budget holidays to Spain, you should consider visiting the beautiful paradise of Calpe. Because of its geographic location, you and your family, especially the kids can do so many fun activities here. Not only that, since it is strategically placed in the center of many markets and restaurants, you can do shopping and dine in authentic European restaurants without spending much. Indeed, this place is one of the best tourist destinations in Spain.

Piñon de Ifach and Port

Between Valencia to the north, and Alicante to the south, the town of Calpe is dominated by the almost 800 foot tall ‘Piñon de Ifach,’ or the rock of Ifach. The rock itself juts out into the sea as imposingly as does Gibraltar, and is a beautiful protected mountain wilderness area.

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Costa Blanca and the Marina Alta of Spain

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The incredible Costa Blanca

 

Along the Costa Blance in Spain, is an area jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea known as the Marina Alta. This cape is stunningly beautiful with many dramatic views, fresh breezes along the cliffs; and is known as the warmest and driest place on the European continent. The towns around this point of land are Javea in the north, Teulada-Benitachell, Moraira, and in the south, Calpe. The villages along the coast feature heavily developed tourist facilities, smaller towns inland, and many vast areas of villas coating the surrounding hillsides. Here and there you can find evidence of the ancient areas of grapes and olives that once covered the hillside terraces. The mountains in the area offer hiking and horseback trails, and the beaches have plenty of water sports to choose from. Yachtsmen will find many large marinas along this coast, with berths for visiting vessels, and some have haul out facilities for repairs.

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Fuerteventura and the Canary Islands (Islas Canarias)

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Fuerteventura is one of the Canary Islands, a part of Spain, that lies 60 miles off the coast of Morocco. Like the other Canaries, it’s a volcanic island, with extinct volcanoes and cinder cones dotting the landscape in every direction. Like the nearby Sahara desert, the sun shines almost every day of the year here.

Fuerteventura boasts some of the best beaches in all Europe. Long stretches of fine white sand embrace the coastline. Crystal clear aqua water laps it’s shores. The dry, mild climate makes Fuerteventura an ideal destination anytime of the year. Constant winds, and the surrounding sea act to moderate temperatures. Water temperatures vary from about 65-80 F. depending upon season.


Jandia Beach, Morro Jable Continue reading →

Coffeeshops To Continue Selling Cannabis

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No new Laws, No Discrmination!
by Nol van Schaik

Dutch coffeeshops can keep on serving foreign cannabis consumers.

The recent news about the possible exclusion of foreigners from the Dutch cannabis coffeeshops raised up quite a stir, worldwide! I have the habit to protest against any anti coffeeshop and cannabis propaganda, and not only because I happen to be the co-owner of three coffeeshops, I have a problem with prohibition.

After doing some digging on and downloading from the Internet, I found out that Minister Donner has no right to exclude foreigners from purchasing marihuana or hash in our widely criticised coffeeshops, he is just trying to stay friends with the Germans by making promises he cannot keep.

Here is what I dug up, and the Dutch coffeeshop regulations. Just keep all coming to the Netherlands to enjoy cannabis in coffeeshops, the boogie man does not exist….

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Mata Hari – Legendary Spy & Temptress

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Born Margaretha Zelle, on August 7, 1876 in Leeuwarden, Mata Hari lived a very eventful but sad life. She married a Dutch officer who abused her and was often left to the charity of others to survive. She had two children, one who died under mysterious circumstances when the family was stationed in Java, Indonesia.

Mata Hari had a dark beauty which she exploited by performing her famous Shiva dance, a striptease, before a live audience in Paris. She was a big hit, and took her show on the road to many of Europe’s capital cities. This brought her much fame, money and admirers.

Mata Hari’s legendary beauty attracted many men, but she seemed most attracted to military officers, thus she was often in a position to hear of important secrets during WWI. She was accused of spying by both the French and the Germans. She may have also been a double agent, betraying her spymasters. Despite a lack of substantial proof of harming either country with her liasons, she was sentenced to death by a French military tribunal in 1917.

For more about Mata Hari visit this website:
Crime Library – Mata Hari

Top 100 Things People Like About the Netherlands

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There are so many wonderful things about the Netherlands we’d thought we’d ask our readers to share their favorites. Please go to our Amsterdam Forum to add yours!

And just to keep things in perspective we also have a thread of the 100 Things You Dislike about the Netherlands. I recommend all Dutch people have a look at that, and see how many of those things you’re willing to acknowledge about your own country.