I think I’ve already told you about our nice place here in the Tower of Babel. Magic, artistic atelier on the 6th floor. What do we have here? Two foundations NoBorders (http://www.noborders.nl) and Critical Mass (http://www.criticalmass.nu) which are full of initiatives and energy to make a difference around them.
And we have a bunch of artists who work in very different style but who have beautiful ideas for showing their thoughts…
And what do lot of Dutch people together around twelve o’clock? Of course they are eating lunch together. But where? In the last two weeks we tried different kind of work tables all around the atelier, but I have a favorite! Yesterday and today we ate on an art table. This is like a long tabletop with some yellow paint on it which seems like a real painting. Actually I think it is a real painting! So when we eat on this art table, we can truly taste the Dutch art:))

ACU - Voorstraat 71

Jip has been to ACU last Saturday night.

The place welcomes you with his dense smoking atmosphere and the typical noise caused by 50 persons who are talking and laughing in a little space.

Jip has already been there once, to have a vegan dinner (as they do not use any animal product for their plates), and he has found it cosy, but little.

Surprise surprise! There’s a black door on a wall that, once opened, leads you to another big room, the disco!

Around midnight, the Dj’s had already put on their music, and few people (Jip and Anitya) have already started to follow the beat on the dance-floor.

The place was strange for Jip. Coming from Italy where sexuality orientation is something that is something private, as long as it is straight, was quite impressive (and pleasant) for him to be in a place where genders are something that get mixed up. If at first you look at people and start wondering “what” they are, after a while you get used to it, acquainted to the music and enjoy company of people having fun, definitely free to dress and act as they care.

Jip danced in there until 2:30 I guess... then he was too tired and went home... but surely the night was still early for ACU.

“The ACU is a politico-cultural venue that operates independently of (municipal) authorities, is non-profit and is run by volunteers. The venue has validated its existence in Utrecht's political and cultural life for more than two decades”

From ACU’s website – www.acu.nl

"Are you going to put this tea mug to the microwave? Why???

“Yes, it’s a bit strange. Usually if we have a cold tea we just put it away and we make a new one…. You could also make one but I am using the water heater.”

“Wow, are you boiling eggs in the water heater???”

“Yes! Is this strange???”

“Yes, it’s very strange:)”

When we arrived in this strange land, everything was very friendly and cordial. Ok, we felt a bit strange to be so far from home. Janneke actually comes from Hungary (but don't make jokes with her about being "hungry"'... she would get very ANGRY about them.. ihihihih).

Me, (Jip) I come from Italy.

So, this is my point of view on what's happening here. They tried to poison us with some strange things called "croquettes" and with some un-cooked fish... but we somehow managed to survive that.

Then they tried to kill us with frequent showers, and providing us with open vehicles that weren't protecting our health at all.

That's my point of view on what has happened the first days... my suggestion? Keep your eyes wide open... these people may seem cordial and friendly... but I have something more than a suspect, that they have something to hide...

Ok. Now that's me, Janneke.

Actually I have no idea what this crazy guy is saying beside me...

He's always hungry because he can't get his everyday pasta portion here;) so yesterday he was  so starving that I had to cook something to him because anyway I would have to continue alone this very interesting mission to discover the Dutch culture and the cultural events in Utrecht.

Yesterday we had our first Dutch lesson as well and after it I am sure that Jip's favorite colour is yellow. You should ask him once to say it in Dutch! He likes very much your "G":))))).

But we had beautiful experiences too, we went to the beach twice. Once to Scheveningen and once to the 13th floor of our building! This is not a joke!!! You should try it also! 

Ok. That was enough for today. Tot ziens!