The Belgium I know is not that of Brugges, the Manneken Piss, Brussels or Antwerpen. It is the French Belgium in the province of Namur: A 30km radio surrounding the city, Namur.
As elsewhere in Europe, Belgium's constructions still smell like centuries. The narrow stairs, the small steps, the wood that squeaks when stepping on it, the strong walls, the heatings in the walls, the red color that's predominates.
Suddenly, in one of the many houses I stayed at, I asked:
- Excuse me, the toilet?
- Go to the kitchen and right there, in front of the stove is the toilet.
- Thanks.
A toilet in the kitchen? in front of the stove? and what if...? there's somebody cooking?
I met the afternoon with a friend to get a drink. Now she's married, has two children and just they bought an old house at a very good price in the outskirts of Liege. It has been hard, because like so many young couples here, they have had to do the remodelings. Then she tells me that the first difficult part was to construct a toilet. A toilet? -I asked her- but if a toilet is so part of a house as the kitchen or a room. Well, not completly, in the house they bought use to live an old woman, and so during her generation they used to bath in the kitchen. At that time the toilet where outside of the house.
But with the modern times also new parameters of hygiene were stablished. But the money is always a problem, and people had to construct the toilet, wc, near the kitchen, because the needed to spend less in installing complex pipes all around the house.
Then you star to understand these things, those that seems strange. And you don't feel shame get to the bath between onions, cereal and milk.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Berlin's bottle fishing!
How many times you've bought some drink in a plastic bottle and then just throw it away? Many times right? Well, an empty bottle is supposed to be trash. Although in Berlin not completely, a plastic or glass bottle is money.
In Berlin, every time you buy any bottleled drink you are paying a 25cents deposit, no matter the bottle's size. But you don't need to throw your money, because when return back the bottle to the store, they must give you back the same amount of deposit in cash.
Many tourists don't know this, so they throw the bottles in any trash can. But Berliners know it; they're widely prepare for Bottle Fishing, from poor people and even students. To find a place for bottle fishing is the difficult part... the airport? Tiergarten? touristic areas? Almost all of them are practically taken.
You don't need to fish, just open your eyes, not only because your money, but the help that this little action means for the whole planet.
In Berlin, every time you buy any bottleled drink you are paying a 25cents deposit, no matter the bottle's size. But you don't need to throw your money, because when return back the bottle to the store, they must give you back the same amount of deposit in cash.
Many tourists don't know this, so they throw the bottles in any trash can. But Berliners know it; they're widely prepare for Bottle Fishing, from poor people and even students. To find a place for bottle fishing is the difficult part... the airport? Tiergarten? touristic areas? Almost all of them are practically taken.
You don't need to fish, just open your eyes, not only because your money, but the help that this little action means for the whole planet.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Welcome to Berlin
It's true, in Berlin the things work with strict order. The respect to pedestrians, the crossing of the streets and avenues, the places for smoking, brief, everything's in order; the scent of chaos is just not even close to here. Berlin is not like a city, well, not to the kind of city I come from.
So, Pablo and me were waiting for the bus, it was raining kind of hard, we were protected in the bus-stop cabin. In Berlin you can count the minutes for a bus to arrive, they always arrives at the exact minute. But I didn't count that the post where the schedules of the buses are posted were about six meters away from us, not a significant distance... when it's not raining as hard as that moment.
The bus was coming, I didn't try too much moving from my safe place below the bus-stop cabin, thinking that, as would happen in Mexico, the driver would be empathetic to us and he would park as close as possible and so don't let us get wet.
But I forgot that I was in Berlin, where everything is too ordered. So, the driver stopped just in front of the post, where he's supposed to stop, six meters away from us. We ran, we got wet and we laugh all laud!
So, Pablo and me were waiting for the bus, it was raining kind of hard, we were protected in the bus-stop cabin. In Berlin you can count the minutes for a bus to arrive, they always arrives at the exact minute. But I didn't count that the post where the schedules of the buses are posted were about six meters away from us, not a significant distance... when it's not raining as hard as that moment.
The bus was coming, I didn't try too much moving from my safe place below the bus-stop cabin, thinking that, as would happen in Mexico, the driver would be empathetic to us and he would park as close as possible and so don't let us get wet.
But I forgot that I was in Berlin, where everything is too ordered. So, the driver stopped just in front of the post, where he's supposed to stop, six meters away from us. We ran, we got wet and we laugh all laud!
Monday, August 13, 2007
Newlyweds in Belgium
Vincent and Caroline are a couple that decided three years ago to live together. First they rented an apparment, then decided to buy a house.
Nowadays Caroline is waiting their first baby, they don't want to say the name yet, it's going to be a surprise. She follows the cares that must have a woman with 6 months of pregnancy, although between bricks, land and tools of construction.
They are in the late 20's, their jobs are ok for middle-class. They dedicate their free time to the construction and remodeling of their home. Vincent explains me from the cellar the all they been throught to put the pipe of the climate, the electricity, the water.
In the ground floor they've adapted a small space as a kitchen, because there's still walls to throw. In the attic he tells me how they had to do, with the help of their parents, to fix the chimney, to throw the oldest part and to remake it new.
7km away of Namur there's Vedrin, the suburb where they bought the house. The house they bought is kind of old, and because of that they had a good deal on it. With the cost of the workers in Europe, and even the materials for the remodeling, the newlyweds don't have much choice than do it by themselves, and to dedicate the first 3 or 5 years of their life as a couple to one common project: to create a home, from the physical meaning of the term.
Nowadays Caroline is waiting their first baby, they don't want to say the name yet, it's going to be a surprise. She follows the cares that must have a woman with 6 months of pregnancy, although between bricks, land and tools of construction.
They are in the late 20's, their jobs are ok for middle-class. They dedicate their free time to the construction and remodeling of their home. Vincent explains me from the cellar the all they been throught to put the pipe of the climate, the electricity, the water.
In the ground floor they've adapted a small space as a kitchen, because there's still walls to throw. In the attic he tells me how they had to do, with the help of their parents, to fix the chimney, to throw the oldest part and to remake it new.
7km away of Namur there's Vedrin, the suburb where they bought the house. The house they bought is kind of old, and because of that they had a good deal on it. With the cost of the workers in Europe, and even the materials for the remodeling, the newlyweds don't have much choice than do it by themselves, and to dedicate the first 3 or 5 years of their life as a couple to one common project: to create a home, from the physical meaning of the term.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Something about Belgians today
At the end of 2001 Euro (€) became Europe's common currency. It'e been 5 years already from that day.
My last visit to Belgium was right before the Euro existed, my memory had all prices in Belgian francs. So I can see how the price of a beers and many other things have raised, this thinking has been shared by many Belgians.
And in my attempt to have new referrals of prices here I asked for the price of the houses in the suburbs of Namur, perhaps the most bourgeois city in Wallonia. The answer was "800.000" what my mind it became more than a million dollars. So the I was scared, because as expensive this area could be, this is far away from Beverly Hills or Bell Air residences. Then I asked once again, and they told me the same thing; adding the word "franc"; then I understood that they were talked about the old Belgian francs, the currency that I knew and learned to handle when I lived here.
And during my days in here, when I ask people about price of a Jaguar, a house, a 100m² apparment in Downtown's Namur, or anything like that they always have responded in Belgian Francs. Perhaps people around here already knows whatever is in Euros the things of the supermaket, for the household chores and stuff; but when it is about bigger investments, 5 years have not been enought to make those conversions.
My last visit to Belgium was right before the Euro existed, my memory had all prices in Belgian francs. So I can see how the price of a beers and many other things have raised, this thinking has been shared by many Belgians.
And in my attempt to have new referrals of prices here I asked for the price of the houses in the suburbs of Namur, perhaps the most bourgeois city in Wallonia. The answer was "800.000" what my mind it became more than a million dollars. So the I was scared, because as expensive this area could be, this is far away from Beverly Hills or Bell Air residences. Then I asked once again, and they told me the same thing; adding the word "franc"; then I understood that they were talked about the old Belgian francs, the currency that I knew and learned to handle when I lived here.
And during my days in here, when I ask people about price of a Jaguar, a house, a 100m² apparment in Downtown's Namur, or anything like that they always have responded in Belgian Francs. Perhaps people around here already knows whatever is in Euros the things of the supermaket, for the household chores and stuff; but when it is about bigger investments, 5 years have not been enought to make those conversions.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Chinese story in Mexico
Some months ago the so called "chinogate" (1) started, it got my attention, firstly because of the big political impact in our society if true. So I've followed the case throught the media.
Then it was how the issue was treated within the media, the street, blogs, etc. And just today while talking to a friend, I told him how xenophobic this case has been treated to me. And so I began thinking about the meaning of "Chinese" in Mexico, in our culture, in our language.
Some days ago, President Calderon said about this whole issue was like a "chinese-story": Mexican way to say that a story is not believable, not true. There's also to "earn it at the chinese way" which means earn or recover a debt kind of advantageous with no moral. Also we say "you're talking to me in Chinese", this is like "I just don't get a word of what you're saying", total lack of understanding. If in a store we see a bad/poor quality product we just say "it's chinese".
Then reality; the ecomic grow of China, the fake products, disrespect of copyrights, etc. And so, I realise that maybe is not that this particular case have been treated in a xenophobic way, it's like a cultural issue, the Spanish language and the way popular sayings are deep on us. Or maybe Mexicans never loved at all Chinese people.
As for me, I will continue studying Mandarin as soon as I'll return from my vacations, because Chinese language and culture are so exciting to learn.
(1) Chinese-born Mexican bussinessman accused of drug traffiking. More in NYT
Then it was how the issue was treated within the media, the street, blogs, etc. And just today while talking to a friend, I told him how xenophobic this case has been treated to me. And so I began thinking about the meaning of "Chinese" in Mexico, in our culture, in our language.
Some days ago, President Calderon said about this whole issue was like a "chinese-story": Mexican way to say that a story is not believable, not true. There's also to "earn it at the chinese way" which means earn or recover a debt kind of advantageous with no moral. Also we say "you're talking to me in Chinese", this is like "I just don't get a word of what you're saying", total lack of understanding. If in a store we see a bad/poor quality product we just say "it's chinese".
Then reality; the ecomic grow of China, the fake products, disrespect of copyrights, etc. And so, I realise that maybe is not that this particular case have been treated in a xenophobic way, it's like a cultural issue, the Spanish language and the way popular sayings are deep on us. Or maybe Mexicans never loved at all Chinese people.
As for me, I will continue studying Mandarin as soon as I'll return from my vacations, because Chinese language and culture are so exciting to learn.
(1) Chinese-born Mexican bussinessman accused of drug traffiking. More in NYT
Friday, July 20, 2007
Bookstores... go! Harry is on the way
Saturday 21st of July. 12:01am. The last title of Harry Potter's series will be launch. I know this isn't new for anybody. The commercial phenomenon of Harry Potter, is not new either; nevertheless, for me is still interesting the social phenomenon that is created aournd this book. Definitively something never seen and continues surprising all.
Nowadays, as part of the publishing world, I've been much more focused in the happennings in bookstores. For example, at Gandhi (mexican bookstore) is preparing a day filled with activities around Harry Potter, that will culminate with the sale of the book, at 00:01. Well, no new buyers accepted tonight, because since one month ago people have asked for a copy. Tonight's selling is calculate, for about 2500 units in the store lacated inMiguel Angel of Quevedo.
Scholastic, publishing house of Harry Potter, has imposed severe security measures, also restrictions about the quantity distributed on every point of sale. It's going to be very interesting to see how many units are being sold, mainly because it will be the English edition in that will be on sale, and Mexico is a Spanish speaking country.
As for me, I have big reasons for joy as I know, that at least some hours, the bookstores will be visited by so many new readers. Perhaps, and for sure, this does'nt apply at all for the independent booksellers, who usually have problems with the reception of new features from the monster publishing houses, and Harry Potter, I think, wont be the exception.
Nowadays, as part of the publishing world, I've been much more focused in the happennings in bookstores. For example, at Gandhi (mexican bookstore) is preparing a day filled with activities around Harry Potter, that will culminate with the sale of the book, at 00:01. Well, no new buyers accepted tonight, because since one month ago people have asked for a copy. Tonight's selling is calculate, for about 2500 units in the store lacated inMiguel Angel of Quevedo.
Scholastic, publishing house of Harry Potter, has imposed severe security measures, also restrictions about the quantity distributed on every point of sale. It's going to be very interesting to see how many units are being sold, mainly because it will be the English edition in that will be on sale, and Mexico is a Spanish speaking country.
As for me, I have big reasons for joy as I know, that at least some hours, the bookstores will be visited by so many new readers. Perhaps, and for sure, this does'nt apply at all for the independent booksellers, who usually have problems with the reception of new features from the monster publishing houses, and Harry Potter, I think, wont be the exception.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
Mexican pride
I woke up the last two mornings hearing the big news: some australian guys participating in Big Brother played a game, where two guys defended some flag, very similar to Mexico's one (colors were wrong).
The wrath of the news guy, the indignation of people in the office, brief so many feelings around those Australians throwing globes filled with water to a red-white-green flag with the Mexican national shield to the center. A Mexican sombrero in the blond heads of the participants.
I remembered the trip I did one year ago to Piedras Negras, border town in northern Mexico; then I crossed "to the other side", Eagle Pass, TX. I went to the small town's mall for some shopping (ha ha ha…. Yes, you can shop at Eagle Pass!!!!) I was so surprised when I saw a childrens slide painted with Mexico's flag true colors and even more surprising it was when I saw our national eagle just on the slide, where hundreds of children's asses slipped all day long, giving the poor eagle something more than an obscene caress.
Let say something, in Eagle Pass spanish is not a stranger, it is just like Mexico with all its Mexicans. And be sure that the asses of Mexican children slipped there too. Back then and there, in "the other side", there was neither the wrath, nor indignation. Anybody said a word about it, none of the Mexicans there said a word. Only the desire to continue shopping.
The wrath of the news guy, the indignation of people in the office, brief so many feelings around those Australians throwing globes filled with water to a red-white-green flag with the Mexican national shield to the center. A Mexican sombrero in the blond heads of the participants.
I remembered the trip I did one year ago to Piedras Negras, border town in northern Mexico; then I crossed "to the other side", Eagle Pass, TX. I went to the small town's mall for some shopping (ha ha ha…. Yes, you can shop at Eagle Pass!!!!) I was so surprised when I saw a childrens slide painted with Mexico's flag true colors and even more surprising it was when I saw our national eagle just on the slide, where hundreds of children's asses slipped all day long, giving the poor eagle something more than an obscene caress.
Let say something, in Eagle Pass spanish is not a stranger, it is just like Mexico with all its Mexicans. And be sure that the asses of Mexican children slipped there too. Back then and there, in "the other side", there was neither the wrath, nor indignation. Anybody said a word about it, none of the Mexicans there said a word. Only the desire to continue shopping.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
May 1st
In the past two weeks I've received at least 10 mails about the support boycott to the Hispanic community in the U.S.A. Muchsupport has received this proposal in the media, and surely I will too.
Seems to me a bit complicated when I see a single day of my life and the consumption within. More complicated seems to me for those who work over there, in the States. One thing is Salma Hayek openly saying that she wont work, and another one are those million workers who depend on the 60 or 100 dollars earned every day. For them it's gonna be a difficult decision. The employers will be surely preparing themselves for the movement. The dismissals have already happened and some workers may be kind of frightened by that.
I believe that this kind of movements must say loud that there is a price to pay, that some may be unemployed after, in name of the promise that the amnesty means. But does it means something for the worker who has been a year there? Surely no. The last memory of amnesty is Clinton's, which involved verification of residence of at least 5 years. A really insignificant filter. The reality is another one there.
And the cultural links are strong. I remember that story about the Mexican crabs in a boat without cover, when one tried to leave, the one behind hauls him. One of the worse Mexican defects and even I'd say of the Latinos. If this movement works in big scale, it will be a succes already, not because of the nonapproval of a law or the amnesty, it will be a succes because between those many things that an illegal one has to deal with, they will learn to overcome the cultural bow that ties him, and that will be a true succes by itself and will have been worth the trouble.
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