mcharlottesmith

In preparation for one day when my mountain bike will be roadworthy again, and to counteract the fact that my commute doesn’t really include any spontaneous exercise, I decided to start adding some intentional exercise to my daily routine.

Some days I go for a long walk and other days like today I take a bike ride on my trusty pink city bicycle, basket and all.

Being an early riser, for as long as I can remember, I love going out in the early mornings for exercise. Do not be fooled dear reader, it’s not easy to get out of bed, even in summer, but more often than not I find myself awake and never dosing off again for hours before my alarm rings. On days where I do go out, there’s a lot of debate going on before it goes over into action.

One of the debates, and also the topic today was: well if I go for a ride/walk, where do I go? I am torn between going to the forest (always beautiful) or exploring the streets (interesting but slower and therefore less successful from a cardiovascular point of view.)

Today I thought I’d split the difference and take a ride through some of Amsterdam’s gorgeous parks. This was kind of successful with one small detail: after riding halfway through the middle of Amstel Park, I noticed that despite seeing a few joggers I didn’t encounter a single fellow cyclist.

This is about the moment where I realised that cycling in that park isn’t allowed, and I was glad to see I was getting near an exit. Luckily I didn’t encounter any law enforcement officers, but I might have to rethink my strategy next time.

Be kind. Stay safe

The bike saga: part 2

So after the nice dude came to my rescue, he finally agreed to try and put some air in my bike tires so I can wheel the bike down for them to have a look.

As it turns out, this is not necessarily a simple task and took a bit longer than expected. I waited outside in order for them to continue serving other customers and after a while the nice guy came to explain that he could get some air into the one, but the other one is all messed up right now and my best recourse is to put in an inner tube. This sounds simple enough, so I agree, only, he still has to remove the little nozzle thingy from the rim.

This left me in an awkward position because I wasn’t quite sure whether to wait inside or outside. It felt silly to go stand outside again, like a kid waiting at the headmaster’s office, but on the other hand being inside would mean hanging around in close proximity to the guy who kept moving while I spoke to him and had an emotional outburst for him to witness, only a few minutes ago.

Eventually I wait outside again until they gesture that I can come in now and pay for the tube. What a relief.

As I had other plans for the rest of the long weekend and this excursion had already taken a bit longer than expected, I decided to return with the bike for inspection on the first day back after the long weekend.

On the appointed day I prepare myself to take the bike down to the shop, like a race horse going for an inspection before the race. Its been a while since I regularly replaced the wheels on any bike and especially this kind. Inserting the tube was a breeze, but it took me afew tries to finally get the back wheel into position with the chain in the right spot, and ready to mount the front wheel and then…

Wham! The front wheel has lost all its air over the 2 days I left it unattended.

But I mounted it regardless, and with a lot of effort and groaning I finally took it down the 4 flights of super steep stairs, down the street, around the corner and over the busy sidewalks to the bike shop.

Once again I get to wait in line outside, but as it is a weekday over lunch hour it is not entirely so bad, and before long it was my turn to enter the shop.

I kind of hoped the guy had forgotten me, but alas, he said “You’re back! With the bike! and a smile”. #cringe

After the horse was checked in the mouth (no it wasn’t a gift and the metaphor doesn’t really work) it was determined what repairs will be required and it is booked for a service in a bit over 3 weeks from now. Hopefully it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, and I will be able to ride it back home that time.

Next challenge will be how to store it to ensure it is safe from bike thieves…..

Be kind. Stay safe.

If there is one thing about the Netherlands, is that simple things are not necessarily simple. I could tell you about the process of renting a flat, or making a hair dressers appointment, but that is a post for another day. Suffice it to say I think its easier to get a job than to make a simple appointment.

Enter the bike shop saga. You would think that a country that prides itself on being a bike obsessed place, that you could find a bike shop around every corner, and that is nearly true. What is harder to find, is a shop that will service a mountain bike, or any bike that isn’t a commuter bike. So when I decided to have my mountain bike serviced after 2 years of standing unused,being shipped across the world and another 6 months of hanging out in a store room, I did not imagine it would turn into a saga.

It started last week, on Wednesday or Thursday. I phoned the bike shop to find out what there opening hours were, seeing as it might have changed due to the Covid-19 measures. After a brief conversation the guy on the phone assured me that they are open, but they are fully booked for the next 3 weeks. So I politely ask if I can make an appointment for when the 3 weeks are over. This is not for surgery, just a bike service.

So he says yes, but since I haven’t bought my bike there and I am a new customer, they will have to see the bike first before making an appointment, so can I come down to the shop with my bike to make the appointment. At this point I proceed to explain that the tires are completely flat, and the handlebars twisted after being shipped from South Africa, and how am I supposed to get the bike down there. So the friendly dude suggests I bring the wheels down, and he will pump them up, so I can wheel the bike to the shop. Sounds legit.

On Saturday morning I take the wheels down to the shop. The reason I can’t just put air in it myself is because I converted it to Tubeless tires a few years ago, but now the goo inside has dried out and it needs to be re-sealed before I can just pump them up. Outside the shop, I had to wait in line with my wheels for about 45 minutes, as they only let in a couple of customers at a time, and a bike shop isn’t exactly the type of place where people just go in, buy milk and leave.

Eventually it is my turn and I explain to the guy at reception, my whole story (see above). The guy keeps moving around, so then I follow, because talking to a moving target is hard, and then he berates me and tells me to stand behind the invisible line that separates the staff from the general riffraff. After the full account, I hold out the wheels and he asks me, innocently, “so what must I do with this”. Exasperated, I say, “please put in some air” and he responds “but do you have an appointment for this? We are full for the next 3 weeks”

At this point I get really impatient and start retelling the whole story (see above) but a bit louder and slower, because maybe my English isn’t intelligible or something. So the guy tells me “no need to get excited, just tell me what you want”.

Dear reader, at this point my frustration was so intense it started leaking out of my eyes.

When I started to tell my story (see above) for the third time, fate intervened and the nice dude who answered the phone walked past and said “oh yes, you called. Let me put some air in your tires.”

To be continued…

Be kind. Stay safe.

Today, 1 June, was the last public holiday before Christmas. That means that every single long weekend this year has passed and every single one we were restricted from traveling.

Not too long ago I had planned a trip to South Africa, the South of France, and Romania, that all would have been completed by now. Instead I’ve seen a bit more of the Netherlands, and I suspect that is what I will see for the rest of the year as well.

At least I have so many blessings in the form of friends, family, video calls, hobbies and a job that I can continue doing.

In this strange time, so many businesses are affected and people are affected in so many ways. My sincere prayer is that they will weather this storm and we can all help build each other up now and in the years to come.

I often wonder whether this pandemic brings out the best in people or the worst. One day, in time, we shall see.

Be kind. Stay safe

Today I did something I really love.

I put on a wetsuit, which is an action that I seriously don’t like. The only item of clothing that is harder to put on than a wetsuit ( even more than my jeans from before Corona) is a wet wetsuit.

But the opportunity of putting on my wetsuit means that I got to spend some time outdoors and in the water and that makes me truly happy.

I was visiting some of my best friends since forever, and together we cycled from their house to a little ferry to cross the river and a bit further on to a dam where we rented some Stand up Paddle boards and had a fun outing standing, sitting, kneeling on and falling off thy boards. At times I even got down and paddled like I do on my surfboard.

The whole excursion, every single moment, I was filled with joy. For a few hours I could forget the things that is pressing so hard on my shoulders, and everyone else’s.

Be kind. Stay safe.

The value of blackout curtains should not be underestimated.

In the past week I realised that my sleep is struggling to catch up with my daytime routine.

I find that after sundown I need a few hours for my brain to catch up to the fact that it’s time to go to bed. With sundown just before 10pm, that means I get to bed around midnight, a bit later than my usual, which would be OK if I didn’t naturally wake up at 6am or earlier.

This time however, I planned ahead: before getting into bed I made sure that my blackout curtains are completely closed, so this morning when I woke up, I could do the usual pottering around, and then get back into bed for a lovely lie in! Success!

Who would have thought I would have to have a battle with the sun!

Be kind. Stay safe.

There is hope in the air. Summer is getting closer and after the weekend the Dutch bars and restaurants can open their terraces for customers.

Be kind. Stay safe

There’s a song, called “Sally Williams Nougat” about an expat missing home and some experiences in my home town. Some days are like that. Missing home and the “Sally Williams Nougat”

In days like these I make myself a cup of Five Roses tea and think about having it on the porch at my mom and dad’s house. An ex colleague once visited and asked if he could bring me anything. I asked for Five Roses tea, the kind my mom drinks. I am so glad he delivered, because of days like today.

Luckily the home spoils didn’t stop. In the late afternoon I got a special deliver from KuierKos.nl the local supplier of South African goodies. The kind of thing that makes a barefoot African child happy!

Be kind. Stay safe.

Strangers on the Internet.

One day, just less than 8 years ago I moved to a new city, starting a new life. I am my nature a social creature and a proud nerd, and as a result I added a lot of people on Twitter from the new city that I would call home.

I started with some interactions with people I knew and it grew from there. However there was one anomaly. I added a person whom I believed to be someone I know, but I just got them mixed up, so I started interacting with a complete stranger from the Internet.

We kept it lighthearted and impersonal and one day she posted a picture of the sunrise from her office window. I sort of recognised it and asked her where her office is, because mine view is so similar, we must work in close proximity to one another. We kept in touch like that for a while until we decided to meet for coffee, one day.

A few weeks later we met for an early morning coffee, and it was the jackpot. We had a so much in common that we became close friends after that and for many years to come.

Many mornings we met for a coffee at 7am. We would share our dreams, fears and joys. This little refuge was a highlight in those years. In times when I needed a friend, I knew I could reach out for a morning coffee and she will be there if she can.

Sometimes in life we have some unexpected happenings, and we can make the best friends, even with strangers on the internet.

Today, nearly 8 years later, I had an early morning catch up with my close friend. We talked about our joys and our fears, and I was reminded how precious it is to make human contact, even when it is virtual, and once again over the internet. Only, now we are no longer strangers.

Be kind. Stay safe

I find it hard to imagine a world going back to normal. Everyone talks about a “new normal”. I am sure I mentioned it in some form or another as well. I don’t even know what that would be like. For a little while at least we will be wearing masks in public, and keeping a reasonable distance. But for how long?

What will we keep of the good things that we learnt? Which bad habits will we just go back to like we never stopped? Which new bad habits have we learnt in this time?

I find myself naturally more wary of people in general. In times gone by I would be okay with crowds mostly, except on some occasions when I would dig in my heels and avoid going near.

Now on the other hand, when I see a group of people together somewhere I decide to reroute like the lady on google maps when I missed a turn, especially back in the day when I was driving. I am wary of people. If I am in the supermarket and someone is in the lane I want to go down, I change my grocery list to avoid passing too close to others.

I do not know what the world will look like in a few months time, but I hope we will be able to smile at each other again and see the light in each others eyes.

Be kind. Stay safe.