hmmmm Ha Lili et Mimi....For weeks..or is it now months I am thinking of contacting you. But you know me and I still have not done it. This week it was really time to do something about it but you heard. My neck refuses me to sit behind my comp. So yet another week passed and still I am a bad person ;-) But the good news is I am getting a bit better. And if I read things like lili misses studying my fingers are itching to write you something about that. Soo, very very soon I will send you an update about everything cause its about time. (whispering) mayby its because I miss you guys. Lots of kisses and een little hug. Doeg doeg ;-)
complicated situations in Burma Hello loveliez! How nice to hear from you again. We really enjoy your comments on our blog since it keeps bridging the distance. ;-) Today we found another interesting article on axisoflogic.com on how the US are hampering aid in Myanmar, imposing new economic sanctions one day before Nargis hit land, and fully aware of what the storm would cause.
From the article: "The new sanctions prevent U.S. humanitarian organizations and individuals from donating money directly to causes within impoverished Myanmar. U.S. aid organizations, such as the American Red Cross, found they could provide only suppliesnot personnel or moneyto the relief effort under the sanctions rules. While the U.S. corporate media have carried hundreds of reports arrogantly lecturing Myanmar on what is not being done, they are not even mentioning the impact of the new U.S. sanctions that were imposed as the storm barreled toward the country."
The full article is to be found here: http://axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/article_26749.shtml
Thanks for the compliments on the Mind article ;-). Mark my words, altruism is gonna be HOT soon! ;-))
As far as the studies are concerned... no, we're not heading for a monastery but you're pretty close Jur... I'll inform you guys soon. It will be in Kathmandu, Nepal and yes, buddhism is involved ;-).
Big kisses for the both of you, and also kisses for all other readers lurking around ;-)
M&L
Hmmm... Bonsoir Michel et Lidewij,
Thanks for the update! Even though the two of you are quite far away, I enjoy the fact that you share your thoughts with us :-) The Junta in Birma was VERY reluctant in allowing foreign aid to reach the ones in need. It took quite some time and all that bad press doesn't really help in boosting the altruistic feelings (considering others in need). Thanks for the link; it sounds promising!
Your article in Mind magazine was fun to read. "If helping others in need makes us feel better, we should help out much often" or something like that :-) I loved it. So true.
David and I met in 'De Toeter' last night. I encouraged him to post a comment on your blog as well. And I'm pretty sure he'll do it! But what about you and missing the studying? You're not off to some sort of monastry, are you? My God... finally you are excused to play the tourist for an unlimited amount of time.... well.. ok. I'll quite nagging, and you probably know best what makes your heart tick, so if it's off to a monastry (celibate?), enjoy....
Anyway, some things here never change and I (we!) still miss you. A big hug for the two of you...
Jur
Burmese kloosters Fijn dat jullie weer wat gepost hebben. Mooie foto's ook. Maar het allermooiste was toch je stem gister via de telefoon, Li!!!!
In dat oude vrouwtje op de markt herken ik wel wat van mezelf. Zo'n oranje broek draag ik toevallig ook:)
Wat betreft de ramp in Burma: we worden hier goed op de hoogte gehouden, hoor. Netwerk besteedde vrijdag de hele uitzending aan Burma. Een journalist had als toerist vermomd opnames weten te maken. Inderdaad de kloosters staan centraal, dat was in beeld. Helaas stond er meteen in de krant dat de regering de vluchtelingen weer uit de kloosters haalt en naar kampen zonder voorzieningen zendt die totaal niet berekend zijn op het aantal mensen. Zeer bedroevend. Ook woedt hier in de media de discussie over al of niet met geweld hulp opdringen gezien de humanitaire ramp.
De site van Avaaz.org is inderdaad bekend, hoor. Er wordt heel wat email rondgepompt om hierop te wijzen. Hopelijk genereert dat ook donaties waarvan we zeker weten dat het op de juiste plaats terecht komt.
Geniet nog van dat prachtige zandstrand! Dikke kus,
Gertien
foto's hier Hoi Giny! Deze keer kwam je berichtje prima door. Foto's zijn altijd welkom, wie weet maak ik er wel een collage van ;-). Alles goed in het hoge noorden/zomerse westen?
koesdoek Hoi Lidewij,
Vorige week lukte m'n commentaar niet. Het voorstel was een foto te zoeken van je koesdoek/koesterdoek . In mijn fotoboek staat iets, maar of dat hem is?(koesdoek is manlijk?).
Nou sterkte meid.
Giny
Dankjewel Lieve Oma, dank voor uw lieve reactie. Ik wist niet dat het een overhemd was! Zo zie je maar, mijn geheugen laat me nu al in de steek. Die foto zou fantastisch zijn, en zoals ik al zei: mijn koesjdoek is onvervangbaar... Dikke kus, ik hoop dat het u goed gaat!
drama Lieve Lidewij,
Wat een drama dat je je joesdoek zonder j kwijt bent! Een dng moet me van het hart: het was geen pijamajasje maar opa' s beste overhemd, als kerstcadeau gekregen van mijn broer uit Canada. Ik zal kijken of ik nog een foto kan vinden waarop hij het draagt, dan heb je toch nog een herinnering aan de koesdoek. Ik heb helaas geen vervanger.
Het enige wat ik nog van opa heb, is zijn biljartvest maar dat is niet om mee naar bed te nemen.. Sterkte. Liefs, oma Bauk.
*snif snif* Thanks lovelies, for the empathic comments from all of you! Dat was precies wat ik nodig had! ;-) I sleep reasonably ok considering the big loss... After thorough consideration I decided not to look for a new koesjdoek (frisians don't know nothing!). For now that is... misschien later, als ik het toch niet trek! dikke kus voor allemaal.
oh no!! Och lieve Lidewijke... wat een triest bericht over je koesdoek (het is toch echt koes zonder j, het is namelijk een Fries-woord en ik ben een opper Friezin...). Ik weet nog dat ik je een keer heb gered van een koesloos leven. We hadden een cursus in Utrecht en verlieten onze hotelkamer om naar de Uithof te gaan. Neuroot die ik ben, deed ik nog een laatste check opdat we niets zouden vergeten. Jij stond op de gang te mopperen dat het zo lang duurde. Maar wat was je blij en dankbaar toen ik met koesdoek aan kwam zetten! Je had koesdoek vergeten uit bed te halen.... Nooit zal ik je blije gezicht vergeten...dus ik kan nu ook goed voorstellen dat je erg erg erg verdrietig bent.... Meid, ik ben er van overtuigd dat de Vietnamezen vast wel een lekker stofje voor je hebben en wie weet, misschien is Michel's arm een goed alternatief? Voordeel is dat je die niet ergens zult laten liggen
Dikke kus! Jacomijn
The finger-thingie was mine! All mine!
I'm not doing that anymore, and also thought Lidewij stopped koesing a long time ago. It's a sad story sis, a new koes-doek (i go along with Jur about the spelling) is irreplacable.
Generous as I am, I'll allow you to use my old habit for the time being... :-)
Big kiss
Roland
*snif* Àiaiaiaiaiaiaiai....
What a story. My little sister, 29 years old, without her koes-doek (why you keep spelling it like some sort of Afghani name, I don't know). To be honoust, I had NO idea you still had it. Thought you let go of 'koesing' loooooong ago. But alas, now you see; we're never too old to learn something (about eachother)...
So what to do know? Do you want me to visit grandma and snatch one of grandpa's old pyjamas? Or is this a good excuse to go to India and find some nice new fabric which will be Koesdoek the second? Might take a while before it get's the koes-doek smell, but at least you have something to koes against.
By the way, what about the fingers? When you used to koes, you used to stroke your fingers against your cheek as well. Or was that Ro? Hmmm... don't remember exactly, but it was a nice sight. You (or Ro) at ease with a koes-doek.
Too bad Li, I really feel sorry for you. Your koes-doek is off to the koes-doek heaven now. It will be fine there. And it will wait for you ;-) A big hug from Holland for you and Mimi!
Jur
Italy seems popular this year... Oy big bro! What is it with Italy this year, everyone seems to be heading overthere!!! Did anyone forget to invite us or what?! But you're right, Hanoi is boring, except for the food and the bed that is... and we all know how entertaining that can be.... ;-)
We are waiting for a mutual friend at the moment to head off for Halong Bay. That's when the pics will get truly beautiful (or so they say...). Yep, Mimi is wearing the aloha shirt, the shorts, the snorkle, the flip flops and the camera. Allthough i have to admit that he's wearing the cam in his hands instead of around the neck. Can't have it all...
Big kisses to the both of you from both of us. (Me more says Mimi) The missing is mutual. And no worries about the trip back home from Hong Kong. We flew into Hanoi without any problems, if you plan to do the same, reconsider, try China! ;-)))
Woehoe! Ha, another update! Seems the two of you are having a hard time. It's nearly only talk about food and bed stuff.. Pff.. I thought hiking across the world was the real thing; though and stuff like that ;-)
Anyway, I love the pictures. I imagine the two of you as 'real' tourist, even with flower shirts, camara and knickerbockers! Don't care if it's dutch, Lily will definitely know what I mean, so stop complaining Michel!
I'm rather curious about the trip from Hong Kong to Hanoi. No problems at all? Cause IF we meet in Hong Kong, I need to plan my way back ;-)
It's great to read your travel experiences. Still miss you but the regular updates closes the distance somehow. Jessica and yours truly are off to Italy as well. Couting down.. only 4 weeks remaining! Chianti, here we come!
Big hug!
Big Brother!
Jealous While I'm reading the Inside Guide on Vietnam you are having the real thing! Apparently the North seems to be the more traditional Vietnam compared to the south. I've been told that the 36 Pho Phuong is really worth a visit, but I'm sure you know that already. It sounds like you having a good time - just keep on having it! I'll be going to Italy and Rome, yes also busy but not like on your picture. A hilarious sight all those scooters. Keep well! love from Candace and Corrie
Thanks Hi Paul, thanks a lot for that suggestion! We will definitely check it out. Indeed it is nice to meet the local people, gives us a very different perspective on places ;-). All the best to you.
suggestion It seemed like you enjoy meeting local people, so I suggest to you Hanoikids, a group of university student who'd like to give tour or do most things with tourists in order to have a chance to practice English. They are highly recommended in the lonely planet (VN) forum and their email adress is hanokidsvn@gmail.com.
Ninh Binh is a very nice place to visit. Climb up about 200 steps to the top of a mountain, a fantastic view. You should stay and enjoy Hanoi and the North before moving South. When you move South, don't skip Hue and Hoi An, especially the later.
Wishing you a wonderful time in Vietnam.
Nice Hey you 2..
While working hard for my bachelorthesis I was having a break, so I had some time to read the two stories posted now. I wasn't confused the chines people were that bureaucratic, because they want to protect there homeland. But, except the problems dealing with the permission to go to Vietnam, I don't have any doupt the environment will be less facinating...
Take care,
Sven
Not strange Dear ones,
I am so pity for you but it's not strange what happened. All the newspapers all full of the big fear of the Chines that pepople shall disturb their GMES. Let you know us whem you are leaving hongkong? And yes please send me a picture of you in private!
Big hug
Huggles Awww, we miss you too Jur. We're sure Hong Kong would be The Place for you, we'll come back here just to spend some time with you and show you around ;-). If you feel like it of course...
Hihi No no, we took them ourselves, we're no copy cats Judith ;-). But pictures of ourselves... I don't think that'll happen. If you miss us too much we'll send you some through email though!
LOL Haha!
My God, what a story. "We changed the rules yesterday... ... Go away!" I bet she looked rather nice when she said that ;-)
I still miss the two of you; I doubt I'll get used to it. So keep up the good work with blogs postings :-)
david
non-member comment
hmmmm
Ha Lili et Mimi....For weeks..or is it now months I am thinking of contacting you. But you know me and I still have not done it. This week it was really time to do something about it but you heard. My neck refuses me to sit behind my comp. So yet another week passed and still I am a bad person ;-) But the good news is I am getting a bit better. And if I read things like lili misses studying my fingers are itching to write you something about that. Soo, very very soon I will send you an update about everything cause its about time. (whispering) mayby its because I miss you guys. Lots of kisses and een little hug. Doeg doeg ;-)