My name is Julian Self (a.k.a. Fles) and I am a CAD Signalling Designer with 15 years of experience in the UK rail industry. Early in 2004 the rail market back home went into a bit of a decline, so when I was offered the opportunity to come and work for Grontmij Maunsell in the Netherlands, I leapt at it like a long-haired speccy rat. This is a record of my experiences in the land which I initially considered a kind of Atlantis in reverse, being in many ways a paradise which rose out of the sea.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Just waiting for the thaw
The river
Birds watch fish covetously
A rare instance of the digital bus signs actually functioning properly
Ingrid, Eline, Fons, Bart and Marelijn just out of shot
My host family
Charge
Sinterklaas gives a rare interview to the manager of the local supermarket
An angry crowd of Zwarte Piets prepare to attack Santa
Dissent in the ranks
Sinterklaas addresses the crowd
No further comment
And more
Multiple Zwarte Piets
Sinterklaas hides behind a pole
There are marching bands
Kids in traditional costume
Make-up
All the kids from miles (kilometres) around come to greet him
Zwarte Piet hands out sweets
Lots of the children are dressed up for the occasion
