#42 Boston - From Bizarre to Ridiculous March 25, 2006
That is one way to describe the "social"event at the 4th Annual Conference on Targeted Anticancer Therapies in Amsterdam. While the organizers dazzled us last year with the "Boom Chicago" improvisational comedy troupe, this year's offer was so bad, there are almost no words to describe it. The venue itself was pretty cool - t'Breugelhuys - a hovel, rustic in nature, just like in the good olde days; the food set up to fit the mood and era as well - home-made loaves of bread with a knife sticking in it on every table, beer straight from the vat in the wall, and lots and lots of meat and potatoes. So far, so good, right? However, the performance that took place simultaneously (Rembrandt's dream - http://www.partycompany.nl/2003/uk/themaproducties/rembrandt.htm) was a different story. The "actors", most of which were dressed as if they had come in from a distant planet (at best), engaged in some sort of performance rituals that involved major screaming and sociopathic behavior that should be treated with major psychopharmaceuticals as soon as possible. The desert for example, was "announced" by the three most horrible dancers ever seen by mankind, dressed in yet another version of the bizzaro couture that dominated the evening, screaming "ice, ice, ice" to the more than bewildered look on the face of most of my colleagues. It was not pretty.
A group of us decided we had enough and hightailed it out of there before it could get any worse (yes, I believe that was possible) and headed straight for the Red Light District (http://www.amsterdam.info/red-light-district/) so that we could check out the "coffee" shops (http://www.coffeeshop.freeuk.com/) and the prostitutes in their glass cages (would not want to miss that, right?) Quite the sight and the five of us had let's say a very interesting evening - but as you know, what happens in Amsterdam, stays in Amsterdam.....
Time to switch countries on Petra's EU tour - next stop Germany, visit the folks and such. I was welcomed with spring-like temperatures and a full social program that included a brunch with the Schocki Club and a lovely walk through the foothills of the Blackforest (http://www.tompgalvin.com/places/de/baden_wuerttemberg/black_forest.htm) in and around the charming town of Lipburg. Hang gliders provided a lovely background as we explored delightful paths through the vineyards and caught up on the latest and greatest in our lives. This part of the Southern Germany, the Markgraeflerland is known for its wines, in particular specific grapes that are grown only here, such as the Gutedel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gutedel). A visit to my old college town of Freiburg (http://www.freiburg.de/) rounded out the trip and provided much needed relaxation in between two business trips.
A word in between on traveling on low-cost airlines in Europe. In general they are great, and if you plan it right, you can fly from Amsterdam to Barcelona for about 45$. Tip #1 - they limit the weight you can check in to 20 kgs/ 40 pounds. That is not too much, my friends - in particular if you carry conference materials with you. After forking over wayyyy to many Euros for "excess" baggage on one of my flights, I wised up. Only clothes into the suitcases, all the other stuff goes in the carry-on bag (for which they interestingly enough do not limit the weight). Here I sat in my brother's house weighing my suitcases on the bathroom scale (a first for me), but I did manage to budget the weight down to 19.5 Kilos!! Yesss!! Of course, I could barely lift the carry-on bag off the ground, but who cares about that. Tip #2: It is first come, first serve (at least with Easy Jet) and don't believe for a second that your fellow travelers including grandma over there would hesitate to kill you over a prime seat on the plane. Even when the plane was not in sight yet, travelers were lined up and piled against each other like sardines - elbows turned into weapons. What a zoo!! Gosh people, relax, take a chill pill!! (And that coming from me...)
Now - Barcelona. What can I say that would even come close to adequately describe this absolutely marvelous city. OH MY GOD!! It is stunningly beautiful, charming, stately, fashionable, a marvel of architecture, cosmopolitan, culinary, historical, funky, hip, traditional - you MUST, MUST, MUST come and visit!!!
I don't even know where to start, but architecture seems like a good place - in particular the style of Antonio Gaudi (http://www.greatbuildings.com/architects/Antonio_Gaudi.html) - Spanish Art Nouveau, buildings with curves, exultant design and dazzling arrays of colors and mosaic - starting with the marvelous La Pedrera - (which happened to be around the corner from my hotel) (http://www.gaudiclub.com/ingles/i_VIDA/fotobras/pedrera/pedr3.jpg) , La Sagrada Familia (http://www.sagradafamilia.org/) - which once renovations are finished will span several city blocks, and my favorite to date - La Casa Batllo (http://www.casabatllo.es/) (a private residence) - to name just three of his amazing works I had the pleasure to visit. His emphasis was not only on natural forms, but also on the very innovative use of light as an architectural concept. Gaudi himself was an interesting character - with all the playfulness and vibrancy in his work, he was quite an austere character in private life, never married, always dressed in black, the serious kind, you know. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoni_Gaudi).
In Barcelona you can find something marvelous on every corner, from the Santa Maria del Mar in the old Gothic part of town (Bari Gothic) - http://www.bcn.es/turisme/english/turisme/llocs/10.htm to the absolutely stunning concert hall, La Palau de la Musica Catalan, another monument to the modernist architectural movement (http://home.palaumusica.org/), Designed and built by Architect Louis Domenech i Montaner in the 1905, it is quite stunning and its concert hall is known to have spectacular acoustics.
Another mention has to go to Las Ramblas - the most well known shopping mile in Barcelona, where street vendors (who would want to buy a pet chicken in the middle of Barcelona?) mix with art sculptures, haute couture and gothic architecture (http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/albums-en/ramblas/index.html).
Nearby, the Museu Picasso (http://www.museupicasso.bcn.es/index.htm) on the Carrer Moncado features in its permanent collection many of the early works of the artist, and convinced me even more that this man was a genius. I am a big fan of cubism as you know, but seeing his art work as a 14-year old was quite impressive. The highlight of the collection is "Las Meninas" - a collection of 58 pieces where Picasso created his own versions of this famous paiting of Spanish painter Diego Velasquez (http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/velazquez/velazquez.meninas.jpg). Of particular note in the series is Infanta Margarita, the eldest daughter of the new queen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:PabloPicasso_Meninas.jpg
Food, food, food, fantastic, fantastic food! Wine to die for, tapas, ham from Serrano- the best in the world -fish fresh caught, presented at the table for approval, then cooked in piles of salt - unbelievable! Two highlights in particular - the very contemporary Arola restaurant in the Hotel Arts (overlooking the Mediterranean, the Port Olimpic and a giant fish sculpture)(http://www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/barcelona/) which provided a chef's menu that I will dream about for years to come and Botafumeiro (http://www.botafumeiro.es/) with its most delectable Galician cuisine.
Best culinary experience - Barcelona is obsessed, obsessed, obsessed with chocolate - and their Xocolata Desfeta - a hot melted chocolate is sooooooo good, I am tempted to say it is better than you know what.....
I have to say a thank you here to my colleagues in Spain who treated me like royalty, in particular Miriam and her family (hi Roberto, Mark, Iker, Nerea) who invited me into their magnificent Barcelona home and showered me with kindness.
My friends, I am back in Boston for about one week during which I have to move house, so it is going to be hectic. Next Friday will find me back on the road again, attending a conference in Washington, DC.
Hola!!
pet:)
A group of us decided we had enough and hightailed it out of there before it could get any worse (yes, I believe that was possible) and headed straight for the Red Light District (http://www.amsterdam.info/red-light-district/) so that we could check out the "coffee" shops (http://www.coffeeshop.freeuk.com/) and the prostitutes in their glass cages (would not want to miss that, right?) Quite the sight and the five of us had let's say a very interesting evening - but as you know, what happens in Amsterdam, stays in Amsterdam.....
Time to switch countries on Petra's EU tour - next stop Germany, visit the folks and such. I was welcomed with spring-like temperatures and a full social program that included a brunch with the Schocki Club and a lovely walk through the foothills of the Blackforest (http://www.tompgalvin.com/places/de/baden_wuerttemberg/black_forest.htm) in and around the charming town of Lipburg. Hang gliders provided a lovely background as we explored delightful paths through the vineyards and caught up on the latest and greatest in our lives. This part of the Southern Germany, the Markgraeflerland is known for its wines, in particular specific grapes that are grown only here, such as the Gutedel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gutedel). A visit to my old college town of Freiburg (http://www.freiburg.de/) rounded out the trip and provided much needed relaxation in between two business trips.
A word in between on traveling on low-cost airlines in Europe. In general they are great, and if you plan it right, you can fly from Amsterdam to Barcelona for about 45$. Tip #1 - they limit the weight you can check in to 20 kgs/ 40 pounds. That is not too much, my friends - in particular if you carry conference materials with you. After forking over wayyyy to many Euros for "excess" baggage on one of my flights, I wised up. Only clothes into the suitcases, all the other stuff goes in the carry-on bag (for which they interestingly enough do not limit the weight). Here I sat in my brother's house weighing my suitcases on the bathroom scale (a first for me), but I did manage to budget the weight down to 19.5 Kilos!! Yesss!! Of course, I could barely lift the carry-on bag off the ground, but who cares about that. Tip #2: It is first come, first serve (at least with Easy Jet) and don't believe for a second that your fellow travelers including grandma over there would hesitate to kill you over a prime seat on the plane. Even when the plane was not in sight yet, travelers were lined up and piled against each other like sardines - elbows turned into weapons. What a zoo!! Gosh people, relax, take a chill pill!! (And that coming from me...)
Now - Barcelona. What can I say that would even come close to adequately describe this absolutely marvelous city. OH MY GOD!! It is stunningly beautiful, charming, stately, fashionable, a marvel of architecture, cosmopolitan, culinary, historical, funky, hip, traditional - you MUST, MUST, MUST come and visit!!!
I don't even know where to start, but architecture seems like a good place - in particular the style of Antonio Gaudi (http://www.greatbuildings.com/architects/Antonio_Gaudi.html) - Spanish Art Nouveau, buildings with curves, exultant design and dazzling arrays of colors and mosaic - starting with the marvelous La Pedrera - (which happened to be around the corner from my hotel) (http://www.gaudiclub.com/ingles/i_VIDA/fotobras/pedrera/pedr3.jpg) , La Sagrada Familia (http://www.sagradafamilia.org/) - which once renovations are finished will span several city blocks, and my favorite to date - La Casa Batllo (http://www.casabatllo.es/) (a private residence) - to name just three of his amazing works I had the pleasure to visit. His emphasis was not only on natural forms, but also on the very innovative use of light as an architectural concept. Gaudi himself was an interesting character - with all the playfulness and vibrancy in his work, he was quite an austere character in private life, never married, always dressed in black, the serious kind, you know. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoni_Gaudi).
In Barcelona you can find something marvelous on every corner, from the Santa Maria del Mar in the old Gothic part of town (Bari Gothic) - http://www.bcn.es/turisme/english/turisme/llocs/10.htm to the absolutely stunning concert hall, La Palau de la Musica Catalan, another monument to the modernist architectural movement (http://home.palaumusica.org/), Designed and built by Architect Louis Domenech i Montaner in the 1905, it is quite stunning and its concert hall is known to have spectacular acoustics.
Another mention has to go to Las Ramblas - the most well known shopping mile in Barcelona, where street vendors (who would want to buy a pet chicken in the middle of Barcelona?) mix with art sculptures, haute couture and gothic architecture (http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/albums-en/ramblas/index.html).
Nearby, the Museu Picasso (http://www.museupicasso.bcn.es/index.htm) on the Carrer Moncado features in its permanent collection many of the early works of the artist, and convinced me even more that this man was a genius. I am a big fan of cubism as you know, but seeing his art work as a 14-year old was quite impressive. The highlight of the collection is "Las Meninas" - a collection of 58 pieces where Picasso created his own versions of this famous paiting of Spanish painter Diego Velasquez (http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/velazquez/velazquez.meninas.jpg). Of particular note in the series is Infanta Margarita, the eldest daughter of the new queen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:PabloPicasso_Meninas.jpg
Food, food, food, fantastic, fantastic food! Wine to die for, tapas, ham from Serrano- the best in the world -fish fresh caught, presented at the table for approval, then cooked in piles of salt - unbelievable! Two highlights in particular - the very contemporary Arola restaurant in the Hotel Arts (overlooking the Mediterranean, the Port Olimpic and a giant fish sculpture)(http://www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/barcelona/) which provided a chef's menu that I will dream about for years to come and Botafumeiro (http://www.botafumeiro.es/) with its most delectable Galician cuisine.
Best culinary experience - Barcelona is obsessed, obsessed, obsessed with chocolate - and their Xocolata Desfeta - a hot melted chocolate is sooooooo good, I am tempted to say it is better than you know what.....
I have to say a thank you here to my colleagues in Spain who treated me like royalty, in particular Miriam and her family (hi Roberto, Mark, Iker, Nerea) who invited me into their magnificent Barcelona home and showered me with kindness.
My friends, I am back in Boston for about one week during which I have to move house, so it is going to be hectic. Next Friday will find me back on the road again, attending a conference in Washington, DC.
Hola!!
pet:)
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