Showing posts with label Eindhoven. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eindhoven. Show all posts
Friday, October 5, 2007
It's Not Just Beverly Hills ...
... That's has money to burn on odd lawn art.
I wasn't bowled over by the work of the artist.
I wasn't bowled over by the work of the artist.
Small Cars are In
Smart Car started the trend years ago; small, stylish, efficient cars.
Now everyone's getting in on the act. Small cars rule on Eindoven's crowded streets where the eco-conscious Dutch would not be seen dead in an Escalade!
Here's one from Citroen,
And Toyota has a mini car too...
The Suzuki is not quite as stylish...
And the Mercedes 'A' Series will soon be seen in the USA
Who was it who said "You don't have to be big to be beautiful"?
Now everyone's getting in on the act. Small cars rule on Eindoven's crowded streets where the eco-conscious Dutch would not be seen dead in an Escalade!
Here's one from Citroen,
And Toyota has a mini car too...
The Suzuki is not quite as stylish...
And the Mercedes 'A' Series will soon be seen in the USA
Who was it who said "You don't have to be big to be beautiful"?
Interesting Shops in Eindhoven
Not far from the town square is this charming little shop full of all sorts of essential accouterments for a life of style.
The sign above the shop door caught my attention...
There speaks the voice of experience...
The sign above the shop door caught my attention...
There speaks the voice of experience...
Sale - Eindhoven Style at de Bijenkorf
I suppose it's the Selfridges of Eindhoven, de Bijenkorf. Don't ask me how to pronounce it, I've tried many times and just can't get it right. It's interesting because they were having a big 3-day "Yellow Paper" sale while we were here.
The day before the sale was due to start, everything in the store that was going on sale was covered in...
That's right! Yellow paper.
And just outside the de Bijenkorf, at the weekly market, was this cheese lovers delight...
Imagine, all that cheese and no decent coffee :(
Every Town Has One...
(Note: This is my first attempt at using a little video in this blog. It may take a little while for the files to load before they can be viewed, so please be patient.)
He's something of a local legend, don't know his name, don't understand a word he's saying, but whatever it is, he feels it is important enough to share with anyone in earshot.
This poor quality video was taken by my cellphone as I was taken by surprise to find that he was "spreading the word" in the pouring rain!
Later, while sipping a poor excuse for an Americano at a nearby cafe, I had a lucky escape - he drove straight past.
He certainly has a lot of drive...
He's something of a local legend, don't know his name, don't understand a word he's saying, but whatever it is, he feels it is important enough to share with anyone in earshot.
This poor quality video was taken by my cellphone as I was taken by surprise to find that he was "spreading the word" in the pouring rain!
Later, while sipping a poor excuse for an Americano at a nearby cafe, I had a lucky escape - he drove straight past.
He certainly has a lot of drive...
Thursday, October 4, 2007
There's Something For Everyone in Eindhoven
As I wandered past the High Tech Bog, thinking that now I had seen everything, I saw a rocket in the street. What could that mean?
Of course, it's a Toy Shop, and I know at least one person who would find that a welcoming sight!
I couldn't get inside the shop as it was closed, but I did look through the window and saw a couple of familiar things. That Rin Tin Tin fellow and Snowy certainly get around. Last time I saw them was last year in Belgium!
By the way, if you click on the pictures you'll get to see the picture full size.
Of course, it's a Toy Shop, and I know at least one person who would find that a welcoming sight!
I couldn't get inside the shop as it was closed, but I did look through the window and saw a couple of familiar things. That Rin Tin Tin fellow and Snowy certainly get around. Last time I saw them was last year in Belgium!
By the way, if you click on the pictures you'll get to see the picture full size.
High Tech Bog
Eindhoven's central square boasts a new feature since my last visit.
In the south west corner of the square is this illuminated advertising thingy (I don't know how else to describe it) but while I was flushed with surprise at seeing something new in the square (things don't change as quickly here as they do in LALA Land), imagine my surprise when I saw the back side of this thingy...
Yes, it's a high tech bog. Quite how one fits inside it I do not know, and I had not the slightest inclination to cough up the 50 Euro Cents to have a peek inside. I imagine that there's scarcely enough room to tap your foot. Perhaps they should install them at airports in the USA?
In the south west corner of the square is this illuminated advertising thingy (I don't know how else to describe it) but while I was flushed with surprise at seeing something new in the square (things don't change as quickly here as they do in LALA Land), imagine my surprise when I saw the back side of this thingy...
Yes, it's a high tech bog. Quite how one fits inside it I do not know, and I had not the slightest inclination to cough up the 50 Euro Cents to have a peek inside. I imagine that there's scarcely enough room to tap your foot. Perhaps they should install them at airports in the USA?
Another Great Restaurant in Eindhoven
Listers (www.listers.nl) in central Eindhoven, is one of five restaurants by the same name. They all offer the same menu, which offers a delicious and varied choice of three course meals for 21.50 Euros - good value by any standard.
It's trendy, smart, fashionable, and clearly very popular with the "in crowd" in Eindhoven.
Despite appearing to be small from the outside, the interior is surprisingly spacious (do I sound like a realtor?)
Don't know how these people got in, perhaps they hadn't heard about the in crowd thing...
And as for these two...
Irish Pub in Eindhoven
The Celtic Pride is an Irish Pub in Eindhoven, but it does seem that proprietor is suffering from something of an identity crisis...
... the proprietor has a number of other names to capture your attention.
And...
So, we're in no doubt at all, whatsoever, that this is a genuine Irish Pub in the heart of downtown Eindhoven, are we?
But I wonder if there's an Irishman (or woman!) who can spot the inconsistency here...
Here's a clue, British Breakfast. 'Nuf said?
... the proprietor has a number of other names to capture your attention.
And...
So, we're in no doubt at all, whatsoever, that this is a genuine Irish Pub in the heart of downtown Eindhoven, are we?
But I wonder if there's an Irishman (or woman!) who can spot the inconsistency here...
Here's a clue, British Breakfast. 'Nuf said?
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Dinner in Eindhoven
The red, wgite and green awning that can be seen from our baloney marks the location of one of the best Italian restaurants in Eindhoven - Da Verdi.
The service is friendly, the food is delicious, and the price is..., well everything is expensive when measured in Euros, but Da Verdi is worth every Cent.
Check their website at http://www.daverdi.nl
The service is friendly, the food is delicious, and the price is..., well everything is expensive when measured in Euros, but Da Verdi is worth every Cent.
Check their website at http://www.daverdi.nl
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Bye Bye Amsterdam
I'm leaving tomorrow for Los Angeles, farewell to the Netherlands, it's been fun.
The red car below is a DAF, a car made in Holland, originally in Eindhoven actually, and DAF's passenger car business was sold to Volvo in 1975, eventually ending production of passenger cars in Holland.
The DAF was a small, fuel efficient car, capable of transporting four adults in reasonable comfort. The Dutch company had been building such cars since the post WWII era, and for good reason too.
This is the current price of gas in Holland: 1 Euro and 29.5 Cents for a Litre of gas. There are about 3.8 litres in one US gallon, so that means that a US gallon of gas costs 4.92 Euro which, at current exchange rates means a gallon of gas here costs about $6.40.
No wonder the Dutch, and indeed the majority of European countries favor smaller more fuel efficient cars. If gas prices were as high in 1975, perhaps the DAF factory would not have been sold as fuel efficient cars would have been more in demand. But the writing is on the wall for the US - we have to use smaller more fuel efficient cars if we want to reduce our reliance on Middle East oil, and do something more constructive to reduce pollution.
The DAF was a highly innovative car, well ahead of its time. It had an automatic transmission that required virtually no expensive maintenance at all because it was essentially a pair of rubber bands - see below:
Incredibly simple, effective and efficient, and like many things in Holland, well ahead of it's time.
I am sad to leave Holland, and look forward to coming back
The red car below is a DAF, a car made in Holland, originally in Eindhoven actually, and DAF's passenger car business was sold to Volvo in 1975, eventually ending production of passenger cars in Holland.
The DAF was a small, fuel efficient car, capable of transporting four adults in reasonable comfort. The Dutch company had been building such cars since the post WWII era, and for good reason too.
This is the current price of gas in Holland: 1 Euro and 29.5 Cents for a Litre of gas. There are about 3.8 litres in one US gallon, so that means that a US gallon of gas costs 4.92 Euro which, at current exchange rates means a gallon of gas here costs about $6.40.No wonder the Dutch, and indeed the majority of European countries favor smaller more fuel efficient cars. If gas prices were as high in 1975, perhaps the DAF factory would not have been sold as fuel efficient cars would have been more in demand. But the writing is on the wall for the US - we have to use smaller more fuel efficient cars if we want to reduce our reliance on Middle East oil, and do something more constructive to reduce pollution.
The DAF was a highly innovative car, well ahead of its time. It had an automatic transmission that required virtually no expensive maintenance at all because it was essentially a pair of rubber bands - see below:
Incredibly simple, effective and efficient, and like many things in Holland, well ahead of it's time.
I am sad to leave Holland, and look forward to coming back
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Crossing the Road ...
... Is no easy thing for a pedestrian in Eindhoven.
Bicycles and motorcycles are seriously encouraged and often have their own lane. Quite unlike the few bicycle lanes that we see in Los Angeles, however, here the cyclists and motor scooters have a separate lane in the sidewalk.
To cross the road below (outside my flat) you first have to avoid the kamikaze cyclists, then deal with the cars.
By the way, if you want a bigger view of any photo on this site, click on it.
To make matters worse, cyclists have priority over pedestrians (you have to get out of their way) and also over motorists, who must yield to bikes.
As a result, cyclists tend to be quite fearless here. Note the cyclist above plowing through the red light while the meek motorists cower at the lights.
As you can see, bicycles rule over here.
Bicycles and motorcycles are seriously encouraged and often have their own lane. Quite unlike the few bicycle lanes that we see in Los Angeles, however, here the cyclists and motor scooters have a separate lane in the sidewalk.
To cross the road below (outside my flat) you first have to avoid the kamikaze cyclists, then deal with the cars.
By the way, if you want a bigger view of any photo on this site, click on it.
To make matters worse, cyclists have priority over pedestrians (you have to get out of their way) and also over motorists, who must yield to bikes.As a result, cyclists tend to be quite fearless here. Note the cyclist above plowing through the red light while the meek motorists cower at the lights.
As you can see, bicycles rule over here.
It's A Load Of Balls...
... Here in Eindhoven where they commemorate Christmas in curious (at least to me) ways. 
This display caught my eye for a variety of reasons...
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
I'd Quite Like One Of These ...
OK, I know it's obviously not Dutch, but I've seen it parked outside my apartment almost every day since I arrived here, and I vaguely remember seeing it last year too. Besides, it's inherently eccentric too, so it is sort of Dutch! 
It's a BMW C1 motorcycle.
Unfortunately for BMW and anyone else interested in a motorcycle that not only protects you from the elements, but also forces you to wear seat belts and protects you against SUV's driven by Venti, Half-Caf, Extra Hot, No Foam, Non-Fat, Crapochino crazed soccer moms talking on cellphones while fixing their make up, the C1 was discontinued in 2002 before high gas prices were thought of.
An idea ahead of its time.
For those of you that are interested Click Here to learn more about this remarkably sensible solution to urban traffic congestion and high gas prices.
It's a BMW C1 motorcycle.
Unfortunately for BMW and anyone else interested in a motorcycle that not only protects you from the elements, but also forces you to wear seat belts and protects you against SUV's driven by Venti, Half-Caf, Extra Hot, No Foam, Non-Fat, Crapochino crazed soccer moms talking on cellphones while fixing their make up, the C1 was discontinued in 2002 before high gas prices were thought of.
An idea ahead of its time.
For those of you that are interested Click Here to learn more about this remarkably sensible solution to urban traffic congestion and high gas prices.
Christmas Spirit in Eindhoven
I'm back in Eindhoven after a pleasant trip to Zeeland, and returning to find no internet connection at my flat until last night.
They certainly get into the spirit of things here. Before I left for Zeeland I noticed a curious structure being erected in the town square. I wasn't sure what it was, but thought it was probably something for the Christmas holidays.
When I returned I found it was a fully fledged indoor ice skating rink. Apparently that is something of a national tradition in the Netherlands, and most towns have an ice skating rink
What's really impressive, at least to me, is the professionalism of the way the rink was put together. It is huge, well lit, and obviously purpose built. It even has its own bar and cafe.
But Eindhoveners aren't apparently satisfied with merely following national tradition with an admittedly superb ice skating rink, they also installed a ski slope!
It's immediately outside the Piazza (see the first post in this blog) and has about a 100 feet of snow to fall and break your neck on. There's a snow making machine to keep the snow fresh and not too icy.
Despite the attraction of both features, I'm not rushing to break my leg, neck or both on either the piste or the ice!
They certainly get into the spirit of things here. Before I left for Zeeland I noticed a curious structure being erected in the town square. I wasn't sure what it was, but thought it was probably something for the Christmas holidays.
When I returned I found it was a fully fledged indoor ice skating rink. Apparently that is something of a national tradition in the Netherlands, and most towns have an ice skating rink
What's really impressive, at least to me, is the professionalism of the way the rink was put together. It is huge, well lit, and obviously purpose built. It even has its own bar and cafe.But Eindhoveners aren't apparently satisfied with merely following national tradition with an admittedly superb ice skating rink, they also installed a ski slope!
It's immediately outside the Piazza (see the first post in this blog) and has about a 100 feet of snow to fall and break your neck on. There's a snow making machine to keep the snow fresh and not too icy.
Despite the attraction of both features, I'm not rushing to break my leg, neck or both on either the piste or the ice!
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Leaving Eindhoven ...
We're leaving Eindhoven for a couple of days to spend the weekend in Zeeland, a seaside resort about 90 miles to the east of Eindhoven.
From Zeeland, it's a relatively short drive across the border to Belgium and to Knokke, another seaside resort where we enjoyed many happy times. I haven't been there since I was a child, and hope to re-visit a few happy childhood memories there.
That's the good news. The bad news is that there's no internet access! No Internet, No Starbucks, I wonder how I will survive! Blog is unlikely to be updated until I return to Eindhoven on Monday. TTFN.
From Zeeland, it's a relatively short drive across the border to Belgium and to Knokke, another seaside resort where we enjoyed many happy times. I haven't been there since I was a child, and hope to re-visit a few happy childhood memories there.
That's the good news. The bad news is that there's no internet access! No Internet, No Starbucks, I wonder how I will survive! Blog is unlikely to be updated until I return to Eindhoven on Monday. TTFN.
Eindhoven - A Light Hearted City!
The Philips offices dominate the skyline in Eindhoven. The contribution that Philips has made to the city is hard to escape. Just as Philips grew to be a world-leading innovator of the modern essentials of convenient life, Eindhoven has grown too.
Opposite the white office/factory complex seen here, is the museum dedicated to Frits Philips and to the many products that brought light to the lives of many.
Frits Philips was the fourth chairman of the board of directors of Dutch electronics company Philips, he died at the age of 100 on December 5, 2005, in the same city where he was born and lived; Eindhoven.
During the occupation of the Netherlands by nazi Germany in World War II, Frans Otten and Anton Philips, the other managers in the company, fled to Great Britain. Frits, however, stayed in the Netherlands. From May 30 until September 20, 1943, he was held in the concentration camp Vught because of a strike at the Philips factory.
During the occupation, Frits saved the lives of 382 Jews by indicating to the nazis that they were indispensable for the production process at Philips. In 1996, he was awarded the Yad Vashem reward by the Israeli ambassador for his actions.
Colorful Sunrise in Eindhoven
One of the interesting things here is the sunrise - very colorful and very late. This was the view from the living room window at 8:20 am this morning.
It is really strange waking up in darkness and experiencing sunrise after breakfast.
Eindhoven Has Some Strange Sights
For the most part the locals in Eindhoven are very "house proud," and the sight of a statue on a relatively modest home is not that unusual.At first glance one just thinks "Oh that's nice, a statue on a house, how quaint."
However, take a second look and actually examine the statue itself and it really is a little puzzling. It's not as if this is an old house where such architectural features are commonly found.
Clearly the home owner wanted to make some kind of statement...
I wonder if the statue bears some form of discrete allusion to the nature of the household?I didn't see a red light, but then again I wasn't there at night time. Perhaps all is revealed then?
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