Rafael - Living live a day at a time

Orgulloso de la música Venezolana / Proud of the Venezuelan music

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:43:00 +0000

Ayer, 4 de Noviembre, mi familia y yo tuvimos la oportunidad de deleitar nuestros oídos al sonido del ensamble Ruta 9 en el DUCTAC. El grupo estaba compuesto de Cheche Requena en el clarinete, Gonzalo Teppa en el bajo, Miguel Siso en el cuatro y Klever Camero miembro de en Cayapa en los teclados.

Fue una iniciativa excelente de la embajada de Venezuela en los Emiratos Árabes Unidos el haber traído a este grupo de músicos excepcionales para que dieran un concierto gratuito para el disfrute de la comunidad de Dubai.

Disfruté muchísimo el poder escuchar canciones tradicionales como Señor Job, A mundo Barquisimeto; y el espectáculo que dieron y su interacción con el público nos dejó agradecidos a haber podido participar en este pedacito de Venezuela en Dubai. Les recomiendo vean los links de los músicos arriba, y los dejo aquí abajo con 2 videos de Miguel Siso, ganador del festival La Siembra del cuatro, y quien yo considero el mejor cuatrista que he tenido la oportunidad de escuchar en vivo, así que disfrútenlo.

Yesterday November 4th, my family and I had the opportunity to enjoy a concert given by the "ensamble Ruta 9" in the DUCTAC here in Dubai. The group was made by Cheche Requena in the clarinet, Gonzalo Teppa in the bass, Miguel Siso in the "cuatro" (venezuelan traditional instrument, similar to a guitar but with 4 strings) and Klever Camero in the keyboards.

It was an excellent iniative created by the Venezuelan Embassy in the UAE to bring this group of exceptionally talented musicians to give a free concert to the enjoyment of the Dubai community.

I enjoyed very much being able to listen to traditional songs like "Señor Job", "A mundo Barquisimeto" and the show and interaction with the public made us appreciate being able to participate in this little part of Venezuela in Dubai. I recommend that you check the links to the musicians webpages given above, and to give you a sense of what I experienced I posted above 2 videos of Miguel Siso, winner of the Festival "La Siembra del cuatro", and who I consider is the best cuatro player I have had the opportunity to hear live, so enjoy it.

What's new? Where are you?

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:20:00 +0000

It has been quite a while since my last post, and friends have been asking for an update and picture, so to keep things short and simple: we moved to Dubai back in March 2009, and so far we have had a very interesting and challenging times here in the Gulf (more on that later on). For the time being I will leave you with a panoramic photo of the tallest building in the world, the famous Burj Dubai; which nowadays is higher than 780 meters and has over 160 floors (final height has not been confirmed yet as it is still under construction).

This is a view from the Palace Hotel and the picture was made by stitching together 3 horizontal photos taken, there's no way to get it all in only 1 picture (without a really wide lens)

For those of you that cannot access flickr (as it is banned in the UAE for example) you can also see the pic at http://tweetphoto.com/rcc1azi1

New Template and blog look

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:40:00 +0000

It has been quite some time since my last posting, so therefore I decided to give a new look and feel to the blog and start using it more often.
With all the social networking tools I am using nowadays: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr (which sadly is blocked in the UAE), plus communication tools (skype, messenger, and the blog it's not easy to keep everything updated, and I know I would still need to updates some friends via email, SMS or others. Nevertheless I am working out a strategy on updating everything faster and easier. If you have any suggestions on this let me know, I am all ears.
Also if you have any feedback on the new template send it through. I was getting frustrated as I cannot use most of the free available templates online, widgets or other goodies (because the blog is not hosted by blogspot), but I managed to find this "Classic" blogger template which I liked, although it still needs tweaking to get it just right.

Images from the US presidential inauguration

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:07:00 +0000

I am sure that there will be thousands of images going around from yesterday's historical day, but here are some that I have found to be very interesting:

Geoeye satellite took an aerial picture of it and it is definitely worth a look. Follow the link and you can even download the high resolution from it
Cnet has a couple of zoomed images from the original. It's make me wonder as these are pictures taken 423 miles up in the sky by a satellite traveling at 17,000 miles per hour
The New York Times as a zoomable photo showing the president addressing the crowd. Just hover over the crowd and you will get some help identifying the attendees.
CNN has 360-degree panorama with the stand before the ceremony
CNN-Microsoft put together a commemorative 3D portrait of the presidential inauguration using Microsoft's Photosynth Technology and it should be a really interesting view (I have not seen it yet as I cannot install it at work), via PCWorld
Reuters has put together an Audio Slideshow with the Best of the inauguration and Obama's speech

Enjoy them and share any other good and interesting ones you find.

Just turned 30 and still kicking it / 30 recién cumplidos y todavía disfrutando

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:13:00 +0000

I have been blessed to be able to celebrate my 30th birthday today, surrounded by family and with lots of messages from friends all over the world.
In reality I cannot complaint too much, I just turned 30, I have a beautiful wife and daughter, I have hundreds (if not thousands) of friends all over the world, I have traveled to places I could not imagine, I have lived in 6 countries (and soon that will change to 7), I have seen some magnificent things and tasted many flavours and aromas that still remind me of those places visited.
My first 30 years have come and gone very fast, but I can say that I have enjoyed the passing of those years to its maximum.

30 are gone, but there are many more to come with their own flavors, challenges and successes, so let them come, I can say that now I feel ready for them!!

He recibido hoy la bendición de poder celebrar mi cumpleaños número 30 rodeado de familia y con muchísimos mensajes de mis amigos de todas partes del mundo.
En realidad no me puedo quejar mucho, acabo de cumplir 30, tengo una bella esposa e hija, tengo cientos (si no miles) de amigos esparcidos por todo el mundo, he viajado a lugares que no podía imaginar, he vivido en 6 países (lo cual cambiará dentro de poco a 7), he visto algunas cosas maravillosas y he probado muchísimos sabores y aromas que todavía avivan los recuerdos de esos lugares visitados.
Mis primeros 30 años pasaron muy rápido, pero puedo decir que disfruté su pasada al máximo.

30 se fueron ya, pero todavía faltan muchísimos más por venir, los cuales estarán llenos de sus propios sabores, retos y logros; así que déjenlos venir que ahora me siento preparado para ellos.

The Olympics came and passed

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:26:00 +0000

The 2008 China Olympics have passed already (some time ago but I had not blogged on it) and with it a new image has been given to the world about China and their capabilities to organize such an outstanding event and as we say in Spanish "Botar la casa por la ventana" which literally means to throw the house through the window or to do it with splendor.

US lead in total number of medals with 110 medals in total, while China finished on top with 51 Gold medals and 100 medals in total. That's an outstanding result when compared with 1 Bronze medal that my beloved Venezuela got, but hey one is better than nothing, right?

I wanted to share some great links about the Olympics, specially pictures from the Olympic games which I have found on the web:

You have got to check this page at The New York Times which has an interactive map showing graphically the quantity of medals won by each country in all the Olympic games since Athens 1896!
The big picture blog has the best set of pictures I have seen of the opening ceremony
Sports Illustrated has an underwater slideshow of the 100m butterfly final where Michael Phelps won by .01 seconds, you have to see how close it was!!
The Daily Mail has a story of how photographs helped overturn a result in taekwondo, giving Britain the chance to win the Bronze and taking china out
Stern from Germany has very unusual and sometime humorous set of 150 pictures from the Olympics, you should not miss.
Sports Illustrated has a great photo archive of their coverage of the Olympics
If you are into photography (as I am) you should check this 360 degree high resolution panorama, shot by Kari Kuukka from a photographer's corral before the men's 100m final.
London has now a big challenge to host the Olympics in 2012 after this amazing show put up by china, so preparing for that The big Picture posted a great looking set of pictures of London shot from above and at night.

I hope you enjoyed the Olympics and that you enjoy these links too

TVes marcando pautas en "Periodismo veraz"

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:15:00 +0000

¡¡No se pierdan este video que está increible!! Y pensar que RCTV fue cambiada para que los Venezolanos disfrutaran de esto

Este es Willy Oviedo, comentarista deportivo de TVes y quién tuvo una pequeña confusión al cubrir la noticia sobre Michael Phelps al ganar su octava medalla de oro. Según el Michael Phelps nadó en 1972, cuando los juegos Olímpicos fueron en la Alemania Nazi y Hitler no le quizo dar sus medallas de oro ¡No te lo pierdas!

Encontrado via franengotas.com

White Americans to represent 46% of US population by 2050

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:23:00 +0000

According to the Census Bureau Thursday released projections, by 2050 whites will make up 46% of the US population (down from 66% today), blacks will make up 15% (a relatively small increase from today), Asians will raise to 9% (from 5% currently); while "Hispanics" will account for 30% (up from about 15% now).

The U.S. population is projected to grow from about 305 million people today to 400 million by 1039 and 439 million by 2050. While it's over 85 population is projected to more than triple to 19 million by 2050.

US is still far behind China or India on population, but that's a significant increase in population and in retired population, which as in many other developed countries will put big pressure on retirement funds. And the quantity of "Hispanics" is expected to increase from 49.7 million in 2010 to 132.7 millions by 2050, that's about a 267% increase!!

Read more in Yahoo or if you want to look into the data itself check the Census Bureau directly

Part of the Olympics Fireworks were faked for TV

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 07:16:00 +0000

A global television audience of more than three billion people watched in amazement as a series "video footage from a helicopter" of giant footprints outlined in fireworks proceeded through the night sky from Tiananmen Square to the Bird's Nest stadium - except they were watching a computer animation 3D graphics sequence that took almost a year to produce.

While the dramatic display actually happened as portrayed on television, members of the Beijing Olympic Committee said it was necessary to replace live video with computer-generated imagery because the city’s hazy, smoggy skies made it too difficult to see, according to The Beijing Times, which first reported the story.

"Seeing how it worked out, it was still a bit too bright compared to the actual fireworks," "But most of the audience thought it was filmed live - so that was mission accomplished."Gao Xiaolong (the man responsible for the animation) told the China's Beijing Times.

Now honestly, how many of you thought there was something fishy about those almost perfect fireworks? This definitely raises the bar for the next computer animated films and interaction of CGI with real world news, footage, video, etc.

More information on PhotoshopNews.com, news.sky.com, Bloomber.com and NBC.com

Dutch town tests new air purifying Concrete

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:16:00 +0000

The small Dutch town of Hengelo in the eastern Dutch province of Overijssel is testing a new "air-purifying concrete", which could lead to a breakthrough in the fight against pollution.

Experts from the University of Twente developed and tested the concrete paving stones which contain a titanium dioxide-based additive. Under the influence of sunlight they bind the nitrogen oxide particles emitted by cars and turn them into harmless nitrates; which can then be washed clean with rain.

One half of a road under reconstruction is being paved with the new green bricks, and the other half with the ordinary variety. "By measuring the air quality in both areas, we will be able to show the efficacy of the bricks," said the statement.

The road is expected to be finish by the end of the year, with the first air measurements being taken early next year, and first results by next summer. So keep your eyes open for this!

Via PhysOrg.com

Latest Daniela Shots / Fotos Actuales de Daniela

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:52:00 +0000

Things have been hectic and I haven't had the time to post anything, and as 1 image says more than 1,000 words here are the latest pictures from my little Daughter Daniela. Some taken at home, some taken in our friend's Meralcy's wedding in Paris. Enjoy! He estado muy ocupado últimamente y no he colocado nada nuevo en el blog, y como una imagen dice más que 1.000 palabras, aquí tienen unas fotos actualizadas de mi pequeña hija Daniela. Algunas tomadas en la casa y otras en la boda de nuestra amiga Meralcy en Paris. Disfrútenlas

Words and their power

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Sat, 10 May 2008 19:34:00 +0000

A long time ago a friend of mine told me about the "anthology of the language" and how much information we give away just by the set of words that choose in a precise moment. I have been thinking about this a lot lately as more and more people talk about the power of words and how much words are translated from ideas, and how ideas define where your energy is invested.
So it becomes each time more critical to select a proper set of words before sending out unwanted messages and getting what I call the "invisible machinery" working on providing the wrong things to you, or as Paulo Coelho puts it "when you truly want something, the whole universe conspires in helping you to achieve it", but we should be careful what message we sent out to the world to work on, right?
This is by no chance a new idea and it is even in the Bible, it states something like "words will go out, do what they are supposed to and return to you with their fruits". So just be careful on what you say and how you do it!

Change is the only constant

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:57:00 +0000

Blogging from Algiers as I am here for a 3 days working trip, I can only remember that so important phrase "Change is the only constant".
Within the last month too many changes have happened, but today while reviewing the installation in Algiers and the challenges that lie in the near future with it, I can only think of it.
Just when you think that things are working fine, ZAS!! it hits you. It's time to do damage control and get things working right. My project was badly impacted by missinformed people that gave the wrong information from the beginning, and did not have the guts to say "that is incorrect" or "this is missing", once more badly impacted by a third party in which trust was put as the "Specialist" in the field.
Well as I learned in Russia "That's life", not much to do but to correct things and move on. As I was told lately "If things were always right you would not have a job, therefore be happy for those bumps in the way" ha, ha, ha.

Adobe Photoshop Express

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:17:00 +0000

Adobe has launched today their new, free, online version of Photoshop: Adobe Photoshop Express. This new application is aimed at the casual snapshot who wants to quickly edit his pictures before sharing them online at sites like Photobucket, Facebook and Flickr.

With this new and free application, you can edit your pictures online with an easier and simpler interface than its Photoshop brothers, store them in the new and free 2 GB Gallery, and share them with the world; by using other photo-sharing websites. Adobe has plans to enable you to push and pull photos from Facebook, Photobucket and Picasa, and Flickr (not yet available in the beta version).

All edits done to your pictures are Non-Destructive and therefore can be reversed at any stage by a simply clicking on the effects and edits. You can: Adjust exposure, color, sharpness, saturation, fix red-eye and blemishes, crop, resize, and also add some creative filters as Distort, Sketch, Cartoon Colors or turn int Black & White pictures, and more.

There's a good review from Webware of the application, where Lori Grunin not only talks more about the application itself, but also cautions photographers as the current Terms of Use mention a "perpetual, irrevocable, and fully sublicensable license to use, distribute, derive revenue or other remuneration from, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, publicly perform and publicly display such Content", so take it with a sip of water.

The beta release has some drawbacks as: Imported images are limited to dimensions under 4000 pixels, you can't print, you can't import email addresses, no keywording or filtering is available, and you can't upload directories only files. But I guess, those items will be improved with the users feedback, and before rolling out their planned paid premium services and making it a platform to integrate with desktop products like Lightroom and Elements .

More information on Adobe's Press Release, Wired, Adobe Photoshop Express Home Page. And you can also go and have a look at some examples of edits in this interesting website by Adobe.

Are you the best photographer in Europe?

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:02:00 +0000

Do you want a chance to win one of the 7 possible prizes worth about 2,100 to 2,200 Euros each? And also get to the finals in Vienna, and possible go shoot an assignment with Canon?

If you answer yes to any of the questions, then you should go right now and check Canon's The Assignment for this unique opportunity!!

There are 4 categories that you can submit a picture for: Portrait, Landscape, Macro or Sport.

The catch? You can't be a professional photographer, there's no fee to enter your picture, but "Each User may submit only one Entry for one of the Categories and only in the country of his/her residence". Which is very good to my standards.

Registration stage has started and will end on 01/05/2008 at 00:01 CET, then a voting stage will start from 05/05 to 19/05/2008. Top 10 photographs per Category and Country with highest numbers of votes will qualify for the Jury's selection period.

Jury selection period is from 19/05/ to 25/05/2008 and those selected will have a paid ticket to Amsterdam and then to Vienna where the finals take place from 22/06 to 27/06/2008. They will also get tickets to a qualifying match in the UEFA EURO 2008 and photography coaching from a professional photographer.

Each category winner will be taken on a photographic assignment with a leading photographer during the 2nd half of 2008. All details are in the terms and conditions.

DO YOU WANT MORE?

Well even if you don't plan to participate there is a good deal of information and tutorials on each one of the categories, which I recommend you check out.

In the last 8 hours the gallery went from 1 photo to 32, so don't wait any longer and go Register to take advantage of this chance.

Happy New Year / Feliz Año Nuevo

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 23:31:00 +0000

I know this post is a bit belated, but still it's never too late to wish you all had some nice Christmas and New Year's holidays, together with your family and friends. And that 2008 (even if we are almost 2 weeks into it already) brings you all a lot of challenges, achievements, health, wealth, joy and love.

Se que esto viene un poco tarde, ahora que las fiestas ya terminaron, sin embargo nunca es tarde para desear que todos hayan tenido unas excelentes navidades y un año nuevo increíble, con sus amigos y familia. Y que este 2008 (a pesar de que ya hayamos usado casi 2 semanas) les traiga muchos retos, logros, salud, abundancia, alegría y Amor.

Interesting week for Venezuela

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:18:00 +0000

It has definitely been an interesting week for my country (Venezuela), after the first partial results were given by the CNE (National Elections Committee) stating that the constitutional reforms were not approved by the people (check older post below).
Venezuela saw Chavez accept the defeat without the rage or angry message a lot of people expected from him(Check BBC news).
Then Venezuela saw that expected reaction from Chavez while broadcasting with the Military. He qualified the victory of the opposition as a "Shitty victory", and mentioned that he didn't want to win in that way, and that he will put the reform through once more, even if it is not constitutional to do so. During his speech (check the video in Spanish) he mentions "Shit" 4 times, which is against the law; and then Venezuelans saw our "Communications Minister" say that the fact that the President did use the word will allow for it to be permitted in the future(check the video in Spanish).
Venezuela also heard his speech saying that "Here, the Sí lost, you let the Sí loose, Miranda owes me one, people of Miranda and Caracas you are in debt with me, I have it written down in my planner, let's see if you will pay your debt to me or not", while addressing the facts that his followers did not go vote massively on Sunday, as in prior occasions (best review in English I have read is in Caracas Chronicles blog)
To finish the week, Venezuelans wait for the CNE to give the full and final results of Sunday's polls in the next hours, while some analysts made note that the difference between "No" and "Si" might be significantly smaller that initially thought (Check Caracas Chronicles blog). And also Venezuelans are expected to roll back their clocks by 30 min next Sunday, as the "New Time Zone" for Venezuela gets into effect (Check Reuters for more details)

How much longer will this craziness continue? Well for that I recommend you read The Economist's article "The wind goes out of the revolution" it's worth the read!!

Chavez's reforms are not approved by Venezuela!!

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:05:00 +0000

The headlines in BBC read Chavez defeated over reform vote, in CNN headlines are Voters reject Chavez's referendum. The reality is that a good amount of Venezuelans decided yesterday to use their right to vote for or against the changes in the constitution put forward by Chavez and his government, and they were not approved!!.

Today 01:19 (Caracas time) the CNE (National Elections Committee) announced that with a total of 97% of the acts already reviewed the "No" had won, it was a very close call though.

The referendum was divided into 2 blocks, 50.7% of voters voted against the first block while 49.29% voted for it. 51.05% of voters voted against the 2nd block while 48.44% voted for it.
There was an absenteeism of 44.11%. For the Spanish speaking out there, go check Globovision for further figures.

The first block included reforms like: Continuous Presidential reelection and presidency period extended to 7 years, the expropriation of goods with a payment to the owner done in parallel to the judicial process (not like before where the judicial process and payment had to be finished before expropriating the goods), increase in Presidential attributions or rights, lost of the autonomy of the BCV (Venezuelan Central Bank), lowering of minimum age to vote to 16 years, and diminishing of daily working hours to 6 hours instead of 8, etc. Further information on the reforms can be found in Spanish in El Nacional.

Venezuela has made history against the "Revolution" and the "Socialism of the XXI century", but Chavez will continue to push his reforms in any way possible. He has until 2013 (when he will have already 14 years of presidency) to do so, therefore everyone asks Venezuelans to be very cautious, it is a great start but it is not the end of it. Some quotes of reactions can be found on BBC.

29 and Counting / 29 y Contando

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:07:00 +0000

English:

29 years ago on November 25th, I was born in Barquisimeto / Venezuela.

Of course, by celebrating the last birthday of the 20s I have been asked several times "How does it feel to be that old?" and well I can say that it does not feel bad AT ALL!!

During these short 29 years of life I have managed to: Graduate from high school and University, lead AIESEC in Barquisimeto, Puerto Rico and Guatemala; I have lived in 6 different countries, travelled through over 30 different countries, I have been blessed with some wonderfull parents and family, I found my "better half", we have a fruit of our love that grows each day faster and who already passed the 2 & 1/2 years; I have worked with 3 companies, 1 International NGO and several small NGOs; I learnt to play "cuatro", mandolin, Balalaica and a bit of guitar; I speak Spanish, English, Russan, French and several Spanish dialects (being the ones from Maracaibo and Guatemala as the hardest to perfect); I have made friends from all the continents; I have tested some of the "delicies" the world has to offer and some other "Not so delightfull" along the way, etc.

Looking at it from that point of view, it has defintely been some fruitfull years, and there are still many more to come with their own challenges and opportunities; many more changes will come and I can only say that I wait anxiously the 30s to come!!

Español:

Hace 29 años una mañana de un 25 de Noviembre en la ciudad de Barquisimeto / Venezuela que este su servidor nació.

Por supuesto al celebrar el último año antes de pasar a los "tas" (o 30) me preguntado constantemente ¿Qué se siente estár tan viejo? Y puedo decir no se siente nada MAL!!

En estos escasos 29 años de vida he logrado graduarme de educación media y Universitaria, liderar AIESEC en Barquisimeto, Puerto Rico y Guatemala; he vivido en 6 países distintos, he viajado por más de 30 países, fui bendecido con unos excelentes padres y familia, encontré mi "media naranja", tenemos un fruto de nuestro amor que crece cada día más rápido y ya pasó los 2 años y medio; he trabajado con 3 empresas, 1 ONG Internacional y diversas ONGs locales; aprendí a tocar cuatro, mandolina, balalaica y un poco de guitarra; hablo Español, Ingles, Ruso, Francés y diversas versiones del español (siendo maracucho y Chapín las más dificiles de perfeccionar); he echo amigos en todos los continentes; he probado algunas delicias que el mundo tiene para ofrecer y muchas otras "no delicias" en el camino, etc.

Viendolo así, definitivamente han sido unos años fructíferos, y todavía faltan muchos más por venir con sus únicos retos y oportunidades; muchos cambios vendran y puedo decir que !espero con ansias que lleguen los "TAS"¡

July 14th in "Le Havre" / 14 de Julio en "Le Havre"

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:48:00 +0000

Although a bit late, here's the start of the story of our July's holidays.
We started getting to the city of "Le Havre" on the French Normandy Coast, there we enjoyed this architectural jewel defined by the UNESCO as part of the World Heritage, after being almost completely rebuilt between 1945 and 1964, after being severly damaged during the war.
We also had the chance to see the fireworks in celebration of France's Independence on the bay, it was just the right start to the trip.

Español: Aquí les traigo la historia del comienzo de nuestras vacaciones de Julio. Comenzamos con ir a la ciudad de "Le Havre" en la costa Normanda de Francia. Allí disfrutamos de esta joya arquitectónica que fue definida por la UNESCO como patrimonio de la humanidad, luego de ser casi completamente reconstruida entre 1945 y 1964, luego de ser dañada severamente durante la guerra.
También tuvimos la oportunidad de disfrutar de los fuegos artificiales en celebración del día de la Independencia Francesa, la manera correcta de comenzar nuestro viaje.

Summer's Here / El Verano Llego

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 22:22:00 +0000

So Summer has arrived and we managed to get at least a sunny sunday and spend some time in the park, but I have to say that so far it has been a unusual summer, with a lot of rain and cold days. Anyways here are a couple of updated pictures of Daniela and Perla Roling on the park hills. Have a great week.	El verano llegó y por lo menos logramos tener un domingo soleado y pasar un poco de tiempo en el parque disfrutando del día. Tengo que decir que ha sido un verano fuera lo normal, con mucha lluvia y días frios, pero bueno ¿Qué se le puede hacer? Pero bueno aquí tienen a Perla y Daniela en el Parque haciendo la "Vuelta Canela" y Daniela sola. Que pases una muy buena semana.

Auctioning a Bike on eBay

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 08:56:00 +0000

So the summer is here and people are looking for ways to enjoy it while it lasts. So it is time for me to sell my brand new Alpha Aluminum, US Version, Trek 1500 bike, which I brought from the US to Europe.
It's brand new and I am auctioning it for a very good price: Start bid at € 950 against € 1,350 that a comparable one would cost in Belgium.
So if you know of anyone that might be interested in buying it please forward them to http://cgi.befr.ebay.be/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150136216704&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:BEFR:11

I will transport it if needed inside Belgium for free, if it needs to be sent to another country inside the European Union I can do that too for a very good price, it's negotiable.
If you or your friend are interested in settling the business out of eBay and negotiate the price that we can also do.

The information in eBay is in French, although I can provide it in English, Spanish and even Dutch (although I will not be able to answer your questions in Dutch). I can always be contact through the blog or eBay website.

Algunas fotos mas de los campos floreados de Holanda

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Thu, 10 May 2007 21:48:00 +0000

Aquí algunas fotos más para complementar las puestas anteriormente del campo de flores en Holanda.

Tuvimos un excelente día con un clima cálido y soleado increible para esta época del año que por supuesto aprovechamos para tomar muchísimas fotos.

De verdad una zona que vale la pena visitar especialmente en esta época del año cuando todo está floreado y colorido. Este campo en especial estaba cerca de la ciudad de Sasenheim entre Roterdam y Amsterdam.

When shit hits the fan...

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Wed, 09 May 2007 12:28:00 +0000

YOU DUCK!!

At least that what they say in the US, but let's be realistic, if you ever use the expression is because it was too late for you to react, right?

Now I better get back to doing damage control!!

Flower fields in the Netherlands

noreply@blogger.com (Rafa) — Mon, 07 May 2007 21:44:00 +0000

So following the suggestions from family and friends we went to the Netherlands to check their famous Flower Fields now that Spring is fully here.
We drove off the highways to go through the small streets in the Netherlands and passed by the towns of Leiden, Katwijk, Nordwijk, Sasseheim to end up in Keukenhof, a floral park that deserves a posting on his own. You can check the area in Google Maps.
We enjoyed the beautiful landscapes, small towns, windmills in the roads and people just cycling around, and close to Sasenheim found some fields full of flowers were most of these pictures were taken (with the exception of the Rose and last tulips)

It's definitely worth it to go to the Netherlands at this time to enjoy the scenery!!