Bakker Bugle Blog Say it three times fast. In Luxembourgish.

23 May 2011

Ajax, Part Two: Lands Kampions!

Filed under: europe,sports — Dave @ 11:04

In Part One, I told you how our group of American tourists saw the lead-up to the big game between Ajax and Twente. Will and I approached a packed and overflowing pub to see the last minutes of the game and enjoy the local fans.

We still hadn’t determined the score of the game when Ajax scored a goal. The pub erupted. Everyone was high-fiving, tussling hair, hugging and jumping up and down. Will figured out that Ajax is leading 3-1. Based on the time the game started, we knew that it was nearing the end.

A couple of guys ran out of the bar, and created an opening inside. I shoved my wallet in my front pocket, and took my passport in my hands. I looked down at it. Will asked if I wanted him to hold my passport. I turned it over and ducked inside. (more…)

19 May 2011

Ajax in Amsterdam, Part One

Filed under: europe,sports — Dave @ 23:47

Editor’s Note: Today we welcome a new contributor to the Bakker Bugle Blog: Dave! We’ll let his work speak for itself, for now.

Sunday morning started quietly enough, with breakfast at a pancake house by the canal near our hotel. On our way to The Pancake Corner (this one, not the other one), we noticed a work crew setting up a temporary wall on the avenue outside our hotel. Will’s best guess was the wall was a temporary board for posting political messages prior to an election. We made a note to return to the wall and discover its purpose, at the end of our day. (more…)

9 May 2011

We <3 Zwolle

Filed under: europe,photos,travel — Will @ 15:49

Anita’s work frequently takes her to Zwolle, a city of about 120,000 in the western half of the Netherlands. Will tags along, as often as he can.

We like Zwolle, a lot.

The Bugle accepted no promotional considerations from the tourist board or anything. Will just thinks that a public declaration of our fondness for Zwolle is appropriate at this time. (more…)

29 March 2011

Europe >= America, episode 1: Coke Zero

Filed under: consumer,europe,france,luxembourg — Anita @ 13:45

Anyone that spends thirty minutes with me will learn that I love soda, specifically products made by the Coca-Cola company.

In the past, I was a Diet Coke gal, but then Coke Zero stole my heart.

Anyone that spends a day with me will realize that caffeine has a powerful effect on my system. In the US and Ireland, I tried to manage that by drinking caffeine-free Diet Coke as much as possible.

Then we moved to Luxembourg. (more…)

19 October 2010

Cruise Photos: Corfu / Kerkyra

Filed under: europe,photos,travel — Will @ 10:48

We were promised sun in Luxembourg yesterday, but we got something more like early winter. So my thoughts turned to our cruise to the Greek Islands this spring.

Corfu was the first actual Greek island on the itinerary. It was also one of the largest, and one of the least Greek! It lies very close to the coasts of Albania and Greece, but its history lies closer to Venice and Dubrovnik.

You’ll learn that, and more, from the photoset on Flickr devoted to our day in Corfu. If you’d rather just look at the pretty pictures, we recommend the slideshow. And, of course, there’s always the set of leftover photos.

What? You want a preview before you commit? (more…)

6 October 2010

Oh, American Press, bless your heart

Filed under: culture,europe,expat,france,mental state,news,usa — Anita @ 14:57

The US State Department released a broad travel advisory for Europe on Sunday. It cautioned Americans who are traveling to Europe to be extra vigilant. As one would expect, some of our loved ones in the US expressed concern over our safety. Suffice it to say, I have felt safe and continue to feel safe in Luxembourg. In fact, I cannot imagine a safer place to be.

But feeling safe and actually being safe are two different things. So, in the interest of learning as much as possible, I checked my usual online newspapers on Monday. The most prominent piece was in the Wall Street Journal. The article was reasonable in its tone, but the photo and video captions made be laugh. Not a “ha-ha” laugh: I was laughing at you, American newsmedia. You amuse me.
(more…)

4 October 2010

Cruise Day 3: Dubrovnik

Filed under: europe,photos,travel — Will @ 13:38

Day Three of our cruise (in May and June of this year) took us to Venice’s medieval rival: Ragusa. It is now known as Dubrovnik, Croatia — and it’s an UNESCO Heritage Site! So we could tick another box on the list, at the very least.

Regardless of what the UN thinks, Dubrovnik was an ideal stop for us. It’s a gorgeous walled city with lots of historical significance, from the first millennium to the present day. We walked around the high city walls and then descended into the Old Town for more.

We have lots of photos to share — as usual, in two photosets on Flickr:

Here’s a preview of what you’ll see: (more…)

24 August 2010

Cruise photos, at last!

Filed under: entertainment,europe,photos,travel — Will @ 17:26

You may remember that, this May, we celebrated our long-term success with a cruise. Now, our short-term delay in posting our photos from that cruise has come to an end!

As usual, we’ll release photosets on Flickr with extensive captions — one or two days at a time. We wouldn’t want to overwhelm you! To begin, you can enjoy our pictures of the first two days, as we travel to Venice, board the ship, and thrill to the sailaway down the Guidecca Canal. You’ll see parts of our Crown Princess cruise ship, the city of Venice from dozens of high angles, and a few other treats.

If that description isn’t enough to tempt you, (more…)

17 August 2010

You know you’ve settled into Europe when…

Filed under: culture,europe,mental state — Anita @ 10:39

…you are stunned each time that somebody thinks your Visa has expired because it is dated 04/09/2010.

Culture consists, in part, of the customs that you take for granted. So we know that we’re adapting to European culture (or Western European or French-inflected or whatever) when we’re surprised by how things are done in the good ole USA. Some more examples: You know you’ve settled into a European state of mind when…

  • You find it unspeakably rude when, at a restaurant, your server brings you the check before you ask for it.
  • “Of course it’s a topless beach. Why not?”
  • You are uncomfortable when someone takes your credit card out of your sight.
  • You get frustrated at having to sign a bill for small purchases with your credit card.
  • You are excited to find a parking space within a quarter-mile of your destination.

We think of these little differences several times a week, and we’ll post more in the future. Guests of the B&B, what seemed alien to you about daily life in Ireland and Luxembourg?

21 July 2010

Will Bakker, International TV star

Filed under: europe,france,sports,video — Will @ 20:54

Many, many people do crazy, crazy things to attract the cameras covering the Tour de France.

Now that you’ve seen the photos from my first appearance at the Tour, take a look at how the media covered my presence.

Due to my local renown, all I must do to appear on the broadcast is stand near the course. (more…)

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