vol. 7 #2 – 5 November 2013
The Sentinel Amsterdam
Integrity, heart, humour
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CULTURE PERSPECTIVES LIFESTYLES TRAVEL OPINION REVIEW TECHNOLOGY ART FILM MUSIC TRENDS RECOMMENDED SPORT
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ART
SWEDEN: THE GREEN NORTH
CARLA KOGELMAN
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in this issue
feature - p.04
perspectives - p.40
art - p. 34
Sweden: The Green North
A great evil?
Carla Kogelman
‘We promptly entered a world of eternally green forests’
‘Control-freak technologists with an apparent zero level of care’
Dutch Photographer of the year
Goal O Voeding
trends - p. 96
sport - p. 106
sport - p.108
The art of the hybrid
GOH Concept
The Gold Room 3
‘There is talk of a real Duffingate’
more perspectives - p. 20
lifestyles - p. 52
advertorial - p. 62
Dam in 60 minutes!
Edel/Essen/Amsterdam
Amsterdam Singles by Night
cafe-bar review - p. 66
art - p. 72
amsterdam city life - p. 89
Zilt
Carla Kogelman
Bring back…!
star beer guide - p. 90
sentinel recommended - p. 92
spotted - p.94
Cuvee des Trolls
Where is this in Amsterdam?
film - p. 95
health & well-being - p. 100
technology - p. 102
Room2c
Garnet
User interface
The Sentinel Amsterdam
E-mail: sentinelpost@gmail.com Website: www.thesentinel.eu Contributors: Sam van Dam, Andrei Barburas, Dirkje Bakker-Pierre and Evelina Kvartunaite
Editors: Gary Rudland & Denson Pierre Design, realisation and form: Andrei Barburas & No-Office.nl Webmaster: www.sio-bytes.tumblr.com Webhost: Amsterjammin.com
The Sentinel Amsterdam does not intentionally include unaccredited photos/illustrations that are subject to copyright. If you consider your copyright to have been infringed, please contact us at sentinelpost@gmail.com.
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‘See how paper is actually made’
By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
A visit to Scandinavia or, to be precise Sweden, was never something I had seriously considered, nor did I have a clear picture of what I would experience when I left for my super-short trip to Gothenburg or, to be more precise, Munkedal, a few weeks ago.
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‘A surprising encounter with how Swedish nobility once lived’
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‘Green tapestry dotted with intense bursts of fierce yellow, bright red and deep, fiery orange’
So, there I was at Schiphol with about 13 industry ‘colleagues’; it was like going on a school trip and everyone was excited. After landing at the newly renovated Gothenburg international airport our trip continued on a bus very much like those that featured in my school outings. We promptly entered a world of eternally green forests and, to our good fortune, autumn had just started sprinkling its magic, leaving the green tapestry dotted with intense bursts of fierce yellow, bright red and deep, fiery orange. The beauty and scale of it all caught me by surprise, as we rolled through a Lord of the Rings-like landscape with huge craggy rocks of different colours, green moss, rolling hills and trees as far as the eye could see. Finally, we arrived at our lodgings for the coming days. They were in a tiny village that felt like the middle of nowhere to us city folk (even if not all of us were from a city, compared to this deserted landscape the Netherlands will always seem busy). As they say in some books, ‘the silence was palpable’. We bedded down in the former home of the owner of the paper factory; a surprising encounter with how Swedish nobility once lived. The wooden manor house, with its many outbuildings, had been turned into a beautiful hotel that oozed the wealth of the past.
Inside, it featured many rooms tastefully furnished with antiques, Swedish furniture, chandeliers, bookshelves stacked with old books and an open fire. Everywhere else candles were glowing. 7
As well as writing articles for The Sentinel, I have been a professional graphic designer for quite a long time. It was in this capacity that our studio was invited by a paper manufacturer in Sweden to come and see how paper is actually made. Something completely different for a change; different to a press trip, but rather similar in other ways. With this in mind, I took my camera with me, in case there turned out to be a story.
After checking in we were back on the bus to venture even deeper into the forest. Further into the middle of nowhere we went and memories of Swedish thrillers like The Killing and Wallander popped into my mind. We stopped at the edge of a clearing, where we were received by two very Swedish representatives of the forestry company. This was my first encounter with the intense relationship the Swedes have with the nature that surrounds them. The words ecology and sustainability are something they don’t even seem to consider, yet it is a way of life ingrained in their culture. Every tree is studied before it is felled, to see if a certain bird or animal might be using it and, if so, they might just leave that tree standing. The forest floor was very wet and uneven, and we were extremely grateful for the rubber boots we were given, as the short walk turned into a full-on hike. The fresh forest air was a mesmerising and invigorating thing for me, as an Amsterdammer normally used to breathing diluted exhaust fumes. What we saw next I will never forget; the cutting of trees as if they were mere blades of grass by a futuristic, robot-like machine. The speedy and effortless way in which this giant metal hand picked up whole trees and cut them into pieces (20 seconds per tree, I timed it) was amazing. I was caught between the fascinating feeling of being in an episode of How is it made and the scary feeling of running for your life in some type of Revenge of the machines-themed, futuristic, doom film.
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‘The words ecology and sustainability are something they don’t even seem to consider, yet it is a way of life ingrained in their culture’
The next day we took an easy walk to the paper factory, built right above a stunning, wildly flowing river. In the right season you can see salmon struggling upstream. Within this huge complex I saw the largest machines I have ever seen in my life, but the thing that stood out most, yet again, was the pride everyone took in the fact that their factory was one of the most environmentally friendly units in the world. They use only 30% of the water that is normally used to make paper and all the water is completely purified and filtered to the point that it can be returned to the river and harmlessly rejoin the ecosystem. Our educational and primarily intriguing trip culminated at the end of the afternoon, when we went back into the forest. This time we went even deeper, to a desolated area with a cabin on a still lake surrounded by dark woods. It was magical; we had the once-in-alifetime experience of being in a Swedish sauna in the middle of a forest, feeling the heat of the burning wood on our skins while looking out at the greens, oranges, yellows and browns, before cooling down at the lake. Freshly made chanterelle mushroom soup, a campfire, no artificial light, quiet, fresh air, chanterelle picking, fishing, rowing and relaxing were followed by dinner in the wooden cabin, with only a single fire to warm us (and some alcohol). As long ago as 1966, the Swedes had already developed environmental laws and started to practice them
religiously. Generations born since know no other way than to live like this and constantly look for ways in which it can be done even better. Their obvious love of hunting is one aspect of their relationship with nature that, for me, as a vegetarian and animal lover, is more difficult to understand, but the respect with which they go about it offers a more gentle feeling than hunting generally exudes. The Swedes work their entire country like it is one big farm; they sow things, they grow things, they take things, but they never just take, and they do everything caringly. They live in symbiosis with their environment and are very conscious of the fact that we humans have to live together with nature, if we are going to have any kind of future. In this deeply green country the forested areas have been expanding for years and are still growing. It has reached the point where they are considering clearing some areas around farms, to regain some open space; it can get quite dark underneath those huge spruces and tall pines. Another example of progress is the bear population; apparently, it was once as low as 250 but it has rebounded to around 3,000 today, with an annual rise in population of 4.7%. With thanks to; Arctic Paper Munkedals and especially our host Jan van Eerd. For more information: www.munkedalskog.se www.arcticpaper.com
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That evening featured a vegetarian feast; a buffet made from purely organic ingredients and a whole lot of love. Some fantastically surprising cooking, finished off with a delicious little cake filled with a jam made from foraged Buckthorn berries.
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‘The once-in-a-lifetime experience of being in a Swedish sauna in the middle of a forest’
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‘Swedes work their entire country like it is one big farm’
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Je moet er geweest zijn.
classifieds
Authentic and full of surprises. That’s Mechelen. Hospitable and honourable. That’s the people of Mechelen. Come and experience the city’s urban charms for yourself.
Authentic and full of surprises. That’s Mechelen. Hospitable and honourable. That’s the people of Mechelen. Come and experience the city’s urban charms for yourself.
photography © Milo Profi
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Mechelen Mechelen
perspectives
Dam in 60 minutes! 22
IJburg
By Sam van Dam
perspectives
‘The latest suburb of Amsterdam to have been built on artificial islands’
By Sam van Dam
In this issue we travel to IJburg because, even though the outdoor season is more or less over, it’s always nice to look at the sea and embrace the soothing influence of gentle waves washing over a beach. IJburg is the latest suburb of Amsterdam to have been built on artificial islands, since the 1990s.
After savouring the vista for a while, I get back on track and follow the cycle route that will eventually lead me to IJburg. It takes me past the giant chairs art installation just outside the glassy towers of the SBS broadcaster’s offices and across the tram tracks that speed travellers with no time to spare through the Piet Heintunnel and on to the new islands. Since bikes are not allowed in the tunnel, I take a detour through the Zeeburgerdijk, where I take a quick peek at the graffiti surrounding the studio of local street-art heroes, the 4816 collective. A girl walking by comments, “Beautiful, isn’t it? These guys live on the other side of the street!” This suggests that the neighbourhood proudly embraces the colourful paintings and graffiti that mark their territory and might be considered vandalism in other areas of Amsterdam. I peel my eyes from the urban art and head towards the giant Amsterdamsebrug that
Making the ascent of the bridge is a bit of a hassle, but the magnificent view it offers (plus the downhill ride that awaits) make up for it. I happily swoosh down the long slope to where I can see the Enneüs Heermabrug, which allows me to enter IJburg without having to swim. I bike through the ‘no man’s land’ between the last outposts of the older city and the beginning of IJburg. Once I re-enter civilisation, I am charmed by the style of the buildings, which remind me of old-style Amsterdam but, at the same time, look very modern and stylish. The main road features a wide variety of shops, restaurants and offices, which bear testimony to a lively, growing and mostly hip-looking addition to our dynamic city. Meanwhile, just a few blocks away, is my favourite area of IJburg: the beach. A long straight cycle path alongside the water offers an endless view of the IJmeer, an artificial lake that caters for water sports and swimming, adding a Mediterranean touch to the islands that make up IJburg. It also gives the locals a chance to enjoy lounging on a sandy beach during the summertime; a very welcome retreat from the hectic life in the big city and one of my all-time favourite places to hang out in our lovely hometown. I allow the wind to blow away all the urban stress and spend some quality time standing by the side of the path, staring into the far distance, calmly breathing, watching the birds and the surfers doing their thing. I park my bike against a tree and go for a walk on the beach. Seagulls swarm in the sky above me and all is peaceful. For a moment I wish I could simply curl up in the sand and enjoy some serious downtime but a typical autumn shower chases me back to my bike and off on other perilous adventures.
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I jump on my bike at Central Station and ride to the back of it, where I enjoy the beautiful view of the EYE Film Institute and the northern part of the city, before heading to the right, over the bridge and past the Muziekgebouw, which houses the always entertaining Bimhuis. A long line of new office and apartment buildings are strung like pearls far into the distance, mixing old influences with hypermodern constructions, making this one of Amsterdam’s most interesting neighbourhoods. I careen through it and head to the back of the buildings, towards the water, giving me a view of the houses and boats on the other side of the IJ; an excellent, eye-pleasing array of beauty.
spans the Amsterdam Rijnkanaal, where the Zeeburg Camping ground offers a temporary home for many low-budget visitors to our city. It is right next door to the Flevopark and its adjoining, outdoor, 50-metre swimming pool.
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‘Bike through the ‘no man’s land’ between the last outposts of the older city and the beginning of IJburg’
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‘Rotate 360 degrees to take it all in’
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‘A long straight cycle path alongside the water offers an endless view of the IJmeer’
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‘Allow the wind to blow away all the urban stress’
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‘A tremendous battle being waged by ethically and environmentally motivated democrats’
A great evil? 40
By Denson Pierre
On Saturday, 12 October, a demonstration took place on Dam Square in Amsterdam. The gathering aimed to raise awareness of a tremendous battle being waged by ethically and environmentally motivated democrats. The protesters’ ire continues to be directed towards the giant, American, food technology company, Monsanto. This company is at the forefront of bizarre and twisted capitalistic aggression concerning the patenting and owning of how the entire planet addresses agriculture and, in essence, what we eat, with their direct involvement in and control of the seed source.
yields but do not reproduce seeds themselves, as in that other system called nature. The seeds are one-shot specials. Farmers are then left with what is, in essence, the same type of relationship with the likes of Monsanto that a drug addict has with his or her dealer. The only differences are that, with Monsanto, not even the first hit is free and that addicts can sometimes be weaned off drugs, whereas the most basic need of human beings is sustenance through nutrition. Preventing this from being controlled at source by purely profit-driven companies with what appear to be properly other worldly interests is simply a no-brainer.
The arguments in defence of genetically modified agriculture are easily confused at the layman level, given that the technofoodists always churn out the yarn about how the higher-yielding, more pest-resistant and unfavourable condition-resistant strains they produce are saving vast areas and populations from starvation. They never explain the implicit contract involved in the use of these Frankenstein seeds, which sprout with great vigour and have splendorous
It is always a tricky sell, however, as people are generally so sidetracked by the promise of cheaper, more available food that they tend not to think about how this ‘food’ gets to the masses of us living in cities around the world and the politics involved in fighting off control-freak technologists with an apparent zero level of care for the ecology of this little blue marble.
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‘Ire continues to be directed towards the giant, American, food technology company, Monsanto’
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‘Arguments in defence of genetically modified agriculture are easily confused’
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‘One thing that touring in heat and humidity is guaranteed to do and that is to make you very thirsty and hungry’
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‘Farmers are then left with what is, in essence, the same type of relationship with the likes of Monsanto that a drug addict has with his or her dealer’
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Edel/ Essen/ Amsterdam rdam nd e t s a m ic A pitality n a g , or hos or ’ ‘True s in the nt sect me tive crea ntertain e 53
By Denson Pierre
People and proprietors who have studied successful living and trading are always creative and downright engaging. The people at Edel/Edelwise are true, organic Amsterdam creatives in the hospitality and entertainment sector.
anyone else on this planet, it has to be the Germans. A simple look at the gene pool confirms this fact.
Edel has launched Essen: a grand beer-hall concept with live and DJ music performances of some splendour which, I would imagine, is Not content with the success of their original fashioned somewhat on those to be found in and tremendously well-running concepts the central German city of that name. A (Restaurant/Bar/Club nights) they have gone refreshing first in Amsterdam, aside from the and launched another, which is best suited to more stuffy reproductions of the German their magnificent premises and the friendly beer and party hall theme that can be found and welcoming vibe they consistently at certain conferences and exhibition halls. cultivate. The folk at Edel are properly at the vanguard of bringing greater spirit and a city It is as if Edel has stepped away from the community feel back to Amsterdam. They are clichĂŠd position many Dutch folk enjoy of surely bringing some extra beauty and ripping on the Germans and has accepted the variety. more regional truth that if the Dutch are like
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their o t s uited premise s t s ‘Be ficent a nd y l i d n n mag the frie vibe’ and lcoming we
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ped p e t s l has m the e d y ‘E y fro ion man a w a t posi enjoy’ d é clich tch folk Du
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hall r e be nd and h live a r g ‘A t wit sic p e c u con DJ m nces of a orm ou r ’ perf splend e som
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advertorial
sATURDAY DECEMBER 14TH
advertorial
Yes we can!
Amsterdam Singles by Night ‘Speed dating, lot-drawing dating, mystery dating and even mystery-chance dating’ By Denson Pierre
‘Meeting in safe and exciting social space’ At the heart of Amsterdam’s new ‘West End’ entertainment district we find the people of Du Cap going not just ‘old school’ but ‘real school’ on November 16 with a Singles Party! Du Cap is a large and cosy space recently refurbished to suit the Mediterranean ambiance and tastes borrowed from Provence. The party is programmed with those between the ages of 25-49 in mind; the single generation who ought to know that it takes physical effort and social skills to be able to meet the classiness they surely desire. Now, this is a party, so there will be a lot of music; good music. The monotony and emptiness of house music will be absent as it will be all about fine grooves from the 1960s to the present. Tunes to make you sing, groove or
even bust a move on the dance floor. This concept is of course reliant on attendees understanding the sway of Amsterdam’s adult and solvent socialising scene. Attendees will need to be pre-registered per the Du Cap email address: singlesbynight@ducap.nl for clearance and each person will be greeted and checked-in on arrival and entry by hosts and hostesses. A sumptuous buffet* will be set before you which is already included in your (pre)payment.
‘Mediterranean ambiance and tastes borrowed from Provence’ Once inside the excitement will begin and move closer to its overall fun facilitation objective. They have dating games! Whatever your preference within this space there ought to be a suitable approach available to match.
‘Tunes to make you sing, groove or even bust a move’ There will be: speed dating, lot-drawing dating, mystery dating and even mystery-chance dating. This can only be fun and maybe even become the beginning of your new love story, based on real life. Internet dating is not real life. Registration € 25 (including food*) or €15 general. From 21:00 – 02:00, December 14 @ Du Cap. singlesbynight@ducap.nl
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There is no great surprise in realising that, in an Amsterdam which is so heavily attached to its high-speed internet access for all that you find so many of the once tangible and real joys have gravitated into the online space. Among these transplanted zoological pleasures is that of people meeting in safe and exciting social space to assess the attractiveness, sniff the pheromones of and give themselves the chance at actually making real contact with another. This can easily be with someone whom it just might turn out to mean the beginning of a fine friendship, or even steamy romance.
classifieds
Świętokrzyskie - share the Magic
go to the website: swietokrzyskie.travel
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cafe/bar review
‘Refresh a business space and concept’
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Café/Bar Review Zilt
cafe/bar review
‘Currently just about the most gezellig café I know in the city’
By Denson Pierre
Ambiance In this compact area of the old-city it takes effort not to create a cosy place but Zilt has tidied and styled things up so tastefully that it is currently just about the most gezellig café I know in the city. Rating 5
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Hospitality proprietors who practice progressive thinking have realised that the most interesting thing to do, when the market is at a low and troubled point, is to refresh a business space and concept. This only brings in bright new customers and also makes regular visitors feel like you appreciate their human need for change, even if it is within the same space. Zilt has literally switched the bar around and tweaked some small details to make this little bar a bit more special.
Televised sport No assessment possible, as the sport here is about fun and sampling the highest-quality beer available in Amsterdam, as well as top-class whiskies, all labelled according to their region of origin. Entertainment rating 5 Pricing Fair and reasonable, especially considering the postcode within which Zilt operates. Rating 4 Music An exceptional variety of the good recorded stuff, plus regular pop quizzes and occasional appearances by those handy with a microphone and a bit of amplification. Rating 5 Smoking area provision Puffers have the ability to stroll along the gorgeous windows of historic Amsterdam as they exercise their lungs, before re-entering the smoke-free freshness. Rating 4
Staff/Regulars If a bar could be described as unisex then this description would fit Zilt perfectly. As a small bar, it is Total rating: 28/30 easily filled with fun and singing. This tends to attract (Rating from 1-5, where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent) those busy with cool music sometimes and ballads that are sing-along favourites at other times. Party people, in other words. Rating 5
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‘Occasional appearances by those handy with a microphone’
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‘Smoke-free freshness’
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Carla Kogelman
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By Denson Pierre
Carla Kogelman (Raalte, Netherlands, 1961) graduated from the Amsterdam Photo Academy in 2011. This had followed on from her time spent as director of a theatre agency. Her graduation showpiece was a series about children growing up in Amsterdam. Just one month later she won a Silver Camera prize for a series showing Dutch actors behind the scenes. In June 2013 she won the SO 2013 award. Jury feedback was as follows: “This submission immediately convinced all five jury members. There is so much emotion
in the photos. The series went straight to your heart, according to one jury member. The photographic narrative bears a definite relation to the work of Ed van der Elsken; the series is about Life but subjects are contemporary. It is clever to have photographed them so poetically. Image composition is beautiful. Of most importance however, is that as a whole the series is amazing in its timelessness. Ultimately, this also includes 2013.� www.SO2013.nl
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amsterdam city life
: K C A B G N BRI WINTER! Yes, really, there are no natural grounds not to want this and Amsterdam is well-equipped to keep all its residents and visitors snug. An almost fierce and satisfying summer was fully expressed in 2013 and now we are into a, so far, mild to warm autumn. This may feel and sound like a great thing but the natural world prompts me to think otherwise. The seasons, each with their own distinct characteristics, are a good thing, as they force inhabitants of this climatic zone to factor in change as a rule, given that atmospheric conditions simply demand it. This keeps active and healthy folk even fresher and even allows the infirm to marvel at nature’s dramatic simplicity. The biggest show in town is always for free.
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By Denson Pierre
On a more day-to-day level, it is about time that we in Amsterdam revive more of that famous sprit and play it out in the cosy constructions we have maintained and filled with the things that keep us socially entertained. After all, we built all these fantastic structures mainly to be able to keep us comfortably away from coldness and precipitation. Amsterdam must shake off this bout of recessionitis and allow us to frolic a bit more once again. The hospitality front-liners who have survived thus far are seemingly on-board with this idea. I’m looking forward to joining many others around fireplaces and other sources of warmth, while out socialising indoors. Bring back winter as it makes this activity unbelievably gezellig.
star beer guide
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Star Beer
star beer guide
The Sentinel Star beer guide By Denson Pierre
Cuvee des Trolls
(7.0% A.B.V.)
‘Appreciate the entire flavour, only for it to mysteriously dissipate almost immediately afterwards’ 91
Exciting. The term Cuvee implies a certain Cuvee des Trolls is brewed by Brasserie style of brewing that involves blending. This Dubuisson frères, Pipaix, Henegouwen, particular beer, with its wackily designed Belgium promotional material, logo and branding, is an eye-catcher with a flavour that makes it a truly enjoyable experience. What happens when you take a sip is that multiple and varied taste receptors on the tongue are awakened just in time to appreciate the entire flavour, only for it to mysteriously dissipate almost immediately afterwards. Cuvee des Trolls eliminates any thoughts about aftertaste and the fresh excitement of taking one mid-session allows you to continue in any direction your taste tour takes you.
recommended
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Du Cap 01/11/13
ENDED RECOMM
We find the best, most fun, most typical, exciting, or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you; an easy way to feel like a local. Connoisseurs Delight
To be seen and tasted
To be seen and tasted
Butcher’s Tears Brewery and tasting room. From ears to mouth to tails. Karperweg 45 Amsterdam www.butchers-tears.com
Cafe-Restaurant Du Cap A spacious and tasty helping to the Mediterranean vibe within Amsterdam’s new ‘West End’ entertainment district. Kwakersplein 2 Amsterdam www.du-cap.nl
Molly Malone’s An Irish pub as it should be and a home away from home! Cosy, friendly, and with its very own character! Oudezijds Kolk 9 1012 AL Amsterdam www.facebook.com/pages/ Molly-Malones-Amsterdam/ 293030997411277
recommended
To be seen and tasted
Fun, Drinking & Music
Cafe de Toog 1890’s grandeur fashioned into Amsterdam-West, grand, brown cafe-restaurant-cool. Classy drinks and meals. Nicolaas Beetsstraat 142 hs Amsterdam www.cafedetoog.com
Parck Great fun, beautiful people and simply the best bar food in town! Overtoom 428 Amsterdam www.cafeparck.nl
Mulligans Irish Music Bar Amsterdam’s best address for live Irish music: Five (5) nights a week! Check our agenda for upcoming sessions. Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdam www.mulligans.nl
To Be Seen and Tasted
Connoisseurs Delight
To Be Seen and Tasted
Cafe restaurant Edel Cafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch, dinner or to simply enjoy a drink. Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam. Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdam www.edelamsterdam.nl
Incanto A restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen. Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with great feeling for nuance. Amstel 2 Amsterdam www.restaurant-incanto.nl
Café Kostverloren Café Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon, an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room. The large terras is great for sunny days. 2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdam www.cafekostverloren.nl
Fun, Drinking & Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Neighbourhood cosy
Café Oporto Café Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam ‘brown cafe’. Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike, they offer televised sports, wifi and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits. Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdam www.cafeoporto.net
Planet Rose The first Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands, specialised in Jamaican cuisine. The menu features a daily changing selection! Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdam www.planetrose.info
Zest Zest is fine food, warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday). Amsterdam’s newest and freshest! Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdam www.facebook.com/clubzest.nl
Fun, Drinking & Music
Connoisseurs Delight
Fun, drinking and music
Bax A cosy and friendly local café with a focus on special or interesting beers and good quality food. Open 7 days a week with a professional kitchen offering a lunch and dinner service. Ten Katestraat 119 Amsterdam www.cafebax.nl
Café Rose Red You will not see and sample a better selection of the very best of European beer elsewhere. Cordoeaniersstraat 16 Brugge www.caferosered.com
Gollem Gollem’s Proeflokaal, Gollem and Gollem II represent the best addresses serving the fullest range of top Belgian, Dutch and international beers in Amsterdam. Overtoom 160-161 Amsterdam www.cafegollem.nl
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To be seen and tasted
spotted
Where is this in Amsterdam?
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Answer to: sentinelpost@gmail.com
room2c
Room 2c film The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
By dpmotions
When the message hits the spot Technicolor is not needed to ask the question: what if we, as a species, were being watched, listened to and assessed on our fitness to share and explore the galaxy? Beautifully set and played enjoyable science fiction.
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The Fly (1958) “It would be funny if life wasn’t sacred”. David Hedison of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea fame plays the role of an overly confident scientist absorbed in the workings of his new-found but not perfected teleportation apparatus. His loving wife supports him through the trauma of transmogrification and to eventual partial euthanasia. Incongruous science fiction that is utterly enjoyable in full-colour CinemaScope.
By dpmotions
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trends
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The art of the hybrid ‘Products like these give the average Dutch person the shivers’
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By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre
Have you ever heard of a cronut? Or a duffin? Or a townie? A trend that hasn’t yet reached Amsterdam, as far as I know, but is huge in the US and is also being picked up in the UK, caught my attention last week. I am talking about hybrid bakery products. For instance, you take a croissant and a doughnut, put the two together, deep fry it (!) and call it a cronut. One bakery in New York (Dominique Ansel) started making cronuts (a.k.a. doissants) and the result has been an endless line of people waiting to buy them (imagine something like the queue at the Rijksmuseum). Word is they were going on the black market for US$ 100 and people were sleeping outside the shop to avoid missing out. Products like these give the average Dutch person the shivers, as they are the bakery equivalent of a kapsalon, which is the fattest, greasiest calorie bomb you could ever imagine. We Dutchies always keep our cool and would never pay US$ 100 for any type of cake, unless it was made of gold and we thought we could make money from it.
Another hybrid success is the duffin (a cross between a doughnut and a muffin), invented by an American baker in London (Bea Vo). It has been so successful that Starbucks has decided to move in on the hybrid action. Starbucks being Starbucks, of course, it has not only stolen the idea but has also gone and trademarked the name Duffin. There is talk of a real Duffingate (which, for those interested, can be followed in closer detail on Twitter as #). Other bakery mix-and-matches include the townie (a tartlet married to a brownie), the brookie (a brownie fused with a cookie), the muffle, the crookie and the macanut. Let your imagination do the work and decide for yourself if two is always better than one. A few other hybrid products have gained great success, but to what end? Wedge sneakers, the duckbill, the car-bicycle, shampoo and conditioner, Mars ice cream, hybrid turkeys (delivers the industry’s best combination of feed conversion, durability and overall profitability), Bennifer, the necklace ring, and not to forget one of fashion’s worst nightmares: culottes (skirt and shorts in one).
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www.yourtuliptour.com 99
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For complete and world class tours of Prague Packages include: • Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children) • Literary Prague • Prague Architecture through the ages • Religion and the city • The old city at night *These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists.
Day segments and rates: PR: 08:00-12:30hrs / AG: 13:30-16:30hrs / UE: 17:30-21:30hrs All sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult. Group size upper limit = 8. Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25%. Family package rates are negotiable.
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JC Tours
health & well-being
Garnet
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By Evelina Kvartunaite
I recently fell in love with a beautiful ring featuring a gemstone called garnet. Its deep red, sparkly colour kept inviting me to learn more about this lovely gem. It is said that the stone brings business success and continuity of new friendships, as well as being a great traveller’s amulet.
Garnet is mostly found in its red form, although it does occasionally manifest in other colours. The gemstone is reputed to be very useful in a crisis, particularly in situations where there seems to be no way out or where life has become fragmented. It strengthens the survival instinct, inspiring courage and hope. Furthermore, garnet is believed to balance the energy system, stimulate desires and uplift attitude. It’s a Garnet is a stone of purity and truth. It is also a symbol lucky stone – lucky for love, success and for goal of love and compassion. The name originates from the achievement. So don’t forget to wear it when you want Latin word ‘granum’, which means grain, and the stone to increase your positivity! bears a resemblance to pomegranate seeds. The gem has been in use for hundreds of years and it is even said that Noah used a lantern made from garnet to help guide his famous ark.
– ‘The stone brings business success and continuity’ –
health & well-being
– ‘Noah used a lantern made from garnet to help guide his famous ark’ –
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– ‘Balance the energy system, stimulate desires and uplift attitude’ –
technology
‘Super Urban Intelligent Card’
User Interface One card
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By Andrei Barburas
There are four things I am always guaranteed to have with me whenever I step outside my front door: my mobile phone, a set of keys, a pack of cigarettes and my wallet. Although I will not be focusing on the first three today, I would just like to mention that my phone has a Near Field Communication (NFC) chip. Today, I would like to focus on the wallet, which is a clear advancement in technology and culture. At a certain point, people switched from trading livestock and fresh/preserved produce to exchanging coins and bank notes for goods and services. In recent decades, plastic rectangles (let’s call them cards) have also facilitated electronic payments. Now, I am not the biggest fan of cash money but still I have a wallet that allows me to stash a few bills. Moreover, I have 15 cards in my wallet. Yes, fifteen. These range from my ID card to bank cards, credit cards, proof of health insurance, donor card, frequent flyer cards, Albert Heijn bonus card and a couple of other cards that even I am at a loss to explain why I carry them around. Recently, I travelled to Japan and during my stay there I used only one card. It is called Suica, which is an abbreviation of Super Urban Intelligent Card. Initially, I thought that it could only be used for transportation but I soon discovered that the Suica is so much more. It can be used as electronic money for general purchases and most vending machines, kiosks and coin-operated lockers within Japan Railway (JR) stations accept it. In addition to payments, the card is also used as an electronic key to open your specific locker. Outside of
train stations, chain stores such as FamilyMart, am/pm, 7-Eleven, Ministop, Circle K Sunkus, Yodobashi Camera and Bic Camera support transactions with Suica. A few shops at Narita International Airport and taxis accept Suica cards. The card can also be used to make payments at supporting online shops, which requires the consumer to own a Sony FeliCa Reader and a PC running Windows. Since 2004, JR East employees have also used the card as an employee ID card. The reason I mentioned my NFC-enabled phone earlier is that if you have one of these, you can actually check the latest transactions on the card without the need for any additional applications; simply tap and check. If you live in the Netherlands you should be familiar with the OV Chipkaart, which is similar to the Oyster card in the UK. The only difference between these and the Suica is the versatility of the latter. My question, therefore, is why is there no service provider that offers cards that hold money for travelling or shopping, which can also serve as an ID and/or loyalty card, all in one? Also, considering that NFC and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification, currently in IDs and passports) cards are being pushed more and more, why not integrate all these within your phone? Many people are more likely to have their phone on them than a wallet or proof of identification. Security breaches could indeed be an issue but with the current technologies of tracking and wiping lost phones, this shouldn’t be a problem. What’s your take on a ‘digital wallet’? Would you consider carrying only your phone as a means of identification, payment and travelling companion?
technology
‘Why is there no service provider that offers cards that hold money for travelling or shopping, which can also serve as an ID and/or loyalty card, all in one?’
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The GOH revolution
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By Denson Pierre
It was two winters ago, when I needed some extra manual therapy on my back during rehabilitation from a herniated disc, that I got chatting with a young man who was a gym mate and in-house physiotherapist. While he tried to free up compression and stiffness exacerbated by hamstrings that were chronically short, in my case, we got chatting about ambition and living in Amsterdam. This man had a well thought out dream to introduce a comprehensive and affordable system to help Amsterdammers attain and maintain a better or excellent level of structural fitness and conditioning. It would focus on people who are serious about improving their health through fitness and proper nutrition. Eighteen months is usually the time-span needed for any new business venture or concept peddler to learn whether his or her business idea or revolutionary change to fitness regimes is worth the vitamins. In that time, David Billy has not only consolidated all that he spoke to me at length about wanting to do, but is doing it to the most fulfilling level possible on his starter’s budget. It is all very simple and deeply effective; GOH stands for Goal Oriented Health Concept and it does what it says on the tin. David, together with his dynamic partner in advancing this comprehensive, holistic,
health and fitness-led approach, dietician Fleur Berkhout, have moved into their own compact studio and treatment centre right here in central Amsterdam. In some ways this happened in a flash but the success of their method has meant that, via word-of-mouth alone, reports have been of fantastic, maintainable levels of everything from weight-loss to cardiovascular reinvigoration and core strength improvement. Scientifically and sport fitness-wise, the method is rather straightforward but it involves hard work and dedication to the revolutionary health message of these professionals. It also saves any participant great expense, as it is tailored to each person’s health goals and not their ability to finance an ineffective gym or sport studio subscription. You are almost guaranteed to sing the praises of David, Fleur and their handselected group of personal trainers’ gentle and informative teaching skills, right from your introductory health check-up to the point when you are proudly touting their method and its benefits to all who will listen, eight weeks later, as you approach the fulfilment of your own health and wellness goals. I could not make a stronger recommendation that you should at least make contact and experience for yourself why GOH might be something for you or someone you know who has health goals that are difficult to achieve. An introductory consultation and session is free of charge, after all. GOH Concept & GOH Life Center: www.gohconcept.nl Da Costakade 184-hs 1053 XE Amsterdam
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The Gold Room 108
By Denson Pierre
Once more, the Champions League and Europa League have provided a more accurate impression of the quality of the Premier League players involved than is suggested by the Premier League itself. It is a no-lose situation when your expensive selections face off against teams which cannot contain other members of your FFGCL team. We all know the feeling we get from the regular matches: your star striker plays a blinder, scoring loads of points, but this is at the cost of the points tallies of defenders and midfielders who are also part of your team. This is the occasionally bitter-sweet experience of fantasy football. As the season reaches cruising speed, the following two players, who are not yet universally popular among master managers, have already shown that they are worthy of consideration now, rather than at the resumption of hostilities during next year’s knockout stages of the European competitions. Positive point scoring in the European competitions is a priceless commodity. Sergio Aguero (Manchester City): is actually a genius. He is such a cute and calm character that, even though he displays the most effective scoring in the Premier League and the Champions League, he is seldom subjected to over-excitable reporting about his exploits. I think this is because he makes it look so natural and
easy. Aguero is also in the mould of Diego Maradona, when it comes to his ability to display incredible strength, pivoted from his low centre of gravity, against defenders almost literally twice his size and mass. People bounce off him and his touch and control are near faultless. To get the ball off of him defenders usually need to wilfully foul him. Not much more can be said about his goal-scoring ability and it is guaranteed that he will be in the reckoning for the top-scorer prize at the end of the season. And if Manchester City go on to win a competition or two, he could easily be voted player of the season. In the FFG-CL he is currently the leading scorer among forwards. Paulinho (Tottenham Hotspur): already competing for the prize of most physically attractive athlete in the league, this Brazilian has brought an element of magic to the Premier League. He is not the type of player to physically dominate a midfield and attacking area but he is already, uncannily, more and more the player who is at the end of so many of Tottenham’s attacking moves. Defenders seem unable to pick up on his extraordinary and lithe movement. As soon as his English improves and he can better communicate with teammates that he is, in fact, the best player at the club and that they have to raise their level, I can see Paulinho becoming an even higher-scoring, key player who will show his true worth during the final, business third of the season. In the meantime, it is just a pleasure to watch this player glide and float over the field. He is, to borrow a term from cricket, a Michael Holding; ‘Whispering death’: click here > Go to the website >
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Get advice on housing, rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam
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CZECH REPUBLIC STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT!
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