Some Festive Frenzy

Continuing with the Christmasy posts. So quick, yes, because information is spreading so fast.

This is a graph showing us the most sought after tech products since 2005 until present. Pretty interesting I have to say. Too bad they don't have the 2012 product listed as well, that way I could've prepared in time for next year's holiday shopping carnage :D

 

Festive Frenzy Infographic by MDG Advertising
Infographic by MDG Advertising

The Dutch Experience

Yes, there is such a thing! I've lived to tell! 

So, I've visited the Netherlands the first week of May, and I came back totally psyched about that country! Why, one might ask. Because they are nice people, cool architecture, respect all the rules, and above all, have lots of hot blonds! ;-)

The first thing that comes to mind about Amster-damn(!) - like I've decided to call the city - is the song that Randy Marsh kept singing, Buffalo Soldier. And you know why! In case you don't I'll give you a hint. :-D 

Another striking thing about the city it that they don't have skyscrapers! I haven't one! Okay, Rotterdam compensates, having probably 50% of all skyscrapers from Holland.

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Yes, all the buildings in Amsterdam - aka. Sin City - are small, a few stories tall, made out of brick and having a very vintage look. And that is really cool!

While there, me and the guys I was with (observe that there weren't any girls in the group) did a lot of sightseeing and visited lots of places, like Madurodam - Holland in miniature, Keukenhof - the world's largest flower garden, Delft - home of the famous porcelain and of the Dutch Royalty (if I'm not mistaken), Rotterdam - The Netherlands' most modern city, with an awesome set of structures, like the Erasmus Bridge or the KPN building and Aalsmeer, the flower market, where flower are auctioned and shipped from to all over the world. Most of the times, the flower auctioned in the morning in Aalsmeer, can be bought in the afternoon from a market in New York or Tokyo! 

Other great facts about Holland - 1/3 of the country was once under water, but they've worked hard for every square inch gained! Are the worlds largest flower exporter yet they produce less than 10% (or something like that - I'm writing from memory, so the data is definitely not exact). Our guide was extraordinary, she spoke four languages fluently! English, which apparently ALL Dutch people speak, French, German and Spanish. Holy crap! I was in awe! 

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I can tell you it was a more than fun experience and if it weren't for their language I would consider moving there. 

Talking about the language, let me share with you another interesting fact. The full name of the Dutch capital, Hague is Gravenhaag and is pronounced like some sort of Klingon curse! :)) 

I don't know if this a complete recall of what I did in there, but these are the bits and pieces I remember, the ones that stuck with me. You have to visit if not Holland, then at least Amsterdam once in your life. You won't regret it!

All in all it was a great experience. The Dutch Experience.