poli

Hola Poli! Yes well even Brooklyn itself stems from 'Breukelen'. Kind of funny when you think about it. As for Jan Kees wiki states it as 'one of the plausible explanations' Well yes I'd love to see Madrid don't get me wrong.. But I guess I just always have a weakness for cities by the sea Yes I know there are great arttreasures to discover there. A friend of mine once went there for what we call a 'stage'(a traineeship) when we were at university and she told me great things about it in fact. You might be right about the assimilation to 'Europe' it's hard for me to tell because this would be a gradual process for sure and as I live here, for me to observe it 'objectively' would not really be possible. But having been an Iberic semi-island and having the freedom movement after the '80, I certainly can understand what you mean. By the way where is the statue/fountain in your profile, what is it of? Laura

Hello Poli, and a very good morning from a very sunny Amsterdam! One of the pirks of this city is that it's close to the beach so I might be heading over there with a (study)book. Life can be sweet! Ah 4 days that' s quite a long time, guess you got to see quite a bit then, as it' s not so big.Yes of course, it was before it got traded for Surinam, the names are still reminders (Harlem, Brunswick- even Yankees is supposedly derived from Jan Kees) Thanx so much for the invitation!That's very sweet of you, in fact I travelled onto S.America over NY airports but never stayed in NY itself for long. Of course if you'd come to A'dam I hope you tell me so I can be your guide (though chances are you already have seen a lot.). Yes I'd love to see Madrid &many other places as well. We get good deals flying there from A'dam as well..Why did you like Madrid better than Bcn if I may ask? I don't mind a good guidebook any tips are welcome.... Enjoy your Saturday!Laura

Ahh I see so you've been to Amsterdam as well? Where did you go? have been to Spain but only in my youth really when we went there camping as many Dutch. We mostly saw the sun and the sea.I went back with a friend to Barcelona twice - I love Barcelona, great & vibrant atmosphere, beautiful views and of course Gaudi.. I'd love to see Andalusia too in near future! Would love to taste the tapas-the best in Spain! Yes NY is amazing for art/museums!Thanx a lot for your compliment on my written Spanish-very kind I still feel like I am bumbling through, guessing,looking up in dictionaries and just trying basically..Well when I was in Latin Am.(a.o.CR, Panama, Guatamala, Mexico) I was able to understand people if they spoke slowly& they understood me but it was extremely rudimentary Built on French,English & little shreds I learnt of Spanish. Did you learn your Spanish during travels as well, you seem to be handling yourself very well.. Laura

Yeszz.. astonishing, astounding, amazing.. a.o. saw his Beethoven Frieze in Vienna a few years ago it's really quite impressive and befitting of the old luster of Vienna Have you ever been there or to Europe in fact? Maybe Spain? It seems you have travelled a lot in Latin America? I'd love to go back there myself in fact I have only been there a few times but there is somuch to see and do yet...

Hola Poli! In fact yes it' s a painting by Klimt. It's my favourite painting by him in fact, called 'Goldfish' . I have a very nice replica of it in my home, tall and framed and with shimmering gold. Very nice especially when the sunlight' s on it in the morning. Do you like Klimt, which artist(s) is/ are your favourites? Saludos, Laura

¿Has vivido en un país español? Tu español es tan bueno

Hello David! Just wanted to say bye as I'm flying to England for three weeks tomorrow.

Hay mucha luz dentro. Hice las fotos sin flash y mi cámara no es muy buena, por eso sale un poco movida la imagen. Es una pena porque es preciosa. El barrio se llama La Ribera, está muy cerquita del mar.

Si tienes tiempo, te recomiendo un libro: La Catedral del Mar, de Ildefonso Falcones. La han comparado con Los Pilares de la Tierra de Ken Follet (I don't know the tittle in English). Pero para mí es mejor la Catedral del Mar. Es una novela basada en la construcción de esa iglesia.

You've changed your avatar! But.. what sort of animal is this? It looks like a dog, but I can't see it well.

So, you could practice Spanish

I think I'll be very busy next week, too.